AN: I am so so SO sorry for the almost 2 month wait! That is ridiculous on my part. I have my reasons however, but I'd rather PM it to you rather than share it out here, so if you want to know- you know what to do. :)

The end of this chapter wasn't meant to be like this, at all… But I couldn't help it. I hope you enjoy it!Please, read and review- your opinions are always valued.

Stefan and Elena stayed on the front porch of the boarding house until the last cloud of dust from Damon's car settled down.

"I guess it's just you and I then," Stefan started.

" And Caroline and Jeremy and Elijah and Katherine and Alaric and the rest of the group. Summer isn't over Stef," Elena answered.

"No, it isn't… But it sure feels like it," he said and gave her a weak smile. He would never admit it, but Stefan hated goodbyes more than anything else. Saying goodbye to his brother every summer is what he dreaded the most. Damon had moved to Bulgaria when he was 13 years old, both Elena and Stefan were 9. Stefan thought that as the years would go by, it would get easier to say goodbye but quite the opposite happened. As they grew older, their brotherhood bond and friendship became stronger. It was a bond that every sibling wish they had with each other. They were best friends; they were brothers.

"How about we do something, just you and I tonight?" asked Stefan. "Everyone is going to be leaving soon and we're going to want to spend time with them. then eventually by the end of summer, we wouldn't have sent any alone time together."

Elena saddened at the thought of leaving Stefan so soon. In 2 weeks, she'll be gone. They've only been together for a couple of days yet it feels as though they've been a couple for as long as she can remember. Everything seemed so natural to the both of them.

"I'd love that," she answered as she slid her arms around his waist. He kissed her forehead before wrapping her in his own strong built arm.

"Pick you up at 7" he said softly and he could feel Elena smile against his chest as a response.

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!

At 7pm sharp, Elena heard the doorbell ring. She was wearing an electric blue knee-length dress that flowed easily around her body. Her hair had dried naturally resulting into soft curls. Minimal make-up was applied but nevertheless, Stefan thought she was breathtaking. He was wearing a low cut washed out pair of jeans and a navy blue, almost black shirt. His hair was tussled up to perfection.

'Greek God', she thought to herself and smiled.

"You look beautiful," Stefan said while holding her gaze.

"You clean up quite well Salvatore."

The car drive was silent but neither of them thought that it was an uncomfortable one. They were just enjoying each other's company, however Elena decided to speak first.

"Don't you think that it's weird? That sometimes you can stay silent and it's absolutely fine and other times it's extremely awkward?"

"Was it awkward for you just then?" Stefan asked.

"No, not at all, but how does it work?"

"I think it depends on who you're with. Sometimes you know the other person well enough that you know what they're thinking without them even speaking. Other times, you're just enjoying each other's company and don't feel the pressure of having to speak to each other. Sometimes it's both. Then there are the times where you might not know the person well and you don't have anything to tell them. Those are the awkward silences."

Elena having no answer to that simply smiled. She was glad and almost relieved to know that her silences with Stefan weren't uncomfortable, they were enjoyable."

They arrived at the Grill a few minutes later and as usual it was buzzing with people from all ages. Stefan picked a table at the far hand, slightly secluded so him and Elena could have some privacy.

"I'm sorry we couldn't go in a more romantic place," he apologized.

"Hey, don't start this now. I'm here with you and that's all that matters. Besides, I love Mystic Grill. The food is good, the atmosphere is good and the company isn't so bad," she added with a wink. He chuckled slightly and then beamed at her.

They fell into light conversation talking about everything and anything. They were both enjoying the fact that it was only the two of them and no one was there to interfere. They loved hanging out with everyone, but having some time to themselves did some good to the couple.

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Elena reached for Stefan's hand across the table and held it. She liked to feel the warmth it brought to her; the safety that he seems to hold in just his hand.

"It's crazy when you think about how we got to where we are now. All the struggles, the tears, the talks with Damon and Elijah," she started.

"But they were all worth it because today I think I might be the luckiest man on Earth," he answered and squeezed her hand gently. She smiled and shyly looked away. "I love you," he added.

Elena's smile faded slowly and once again she didn't say it back. It was the second time now. This time around, however, she could see that he was hurt and he was expecting her to say it back. His mouth had become a thin line and his eyes had lost all of its playfulness. He let go of her hand and intertwined both of his hands in his lap underneath the table.

"Stefan, you said those exact three words the day we officially stated dating. Hearing you say them to me makes my heart do and feel things that I didn't know were possible. But it was the day we started dating!" Elena raised her voice accidently. "I don't know when you knew that you were in love with me but I've never said it to anyone. You don't just throw those words to someone…"

"I mean it with you, Elena, I'm not just throwing them to your face, " Stefan interrupted, anger making its way into his tone of voice. "I knew that I was in love with you the moment I saw you again at Caroline's place at the very start of the summer. I just never acted upon it because I was afraid of what everyone else would have thought, what Caroline would have thought."

"That's not what I meant. It's just that I'm leaving in two weeks and we're going to be separated again. Saying 'I love you' is just going to get me even more attached than I already am and I don't think that I can handle a heartbreak right now."

"Who said there was going to be a heartbreak?"

"It's inevitable Stef. I'm going to Toronto to be a psychologist and you're off to New York to become a doctor. You're going to meet an intelligent, young, beautiful girl who's going to share the same passion as you. You're going to fall madly in love and it's clear that I'm not going to be a part of your future Stefan," Elena explained and a tear strolled down her cheek.

"That's crazy talk 'Lena," he answered and reached for her hand again. "Why would I look for an intelligent, young, beautiful girl in New York when there's the perfect girl for me with all of those qualities sitting right in front of me?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin the night. It started off so well and…"

"The night isn't over yet. Come, let's get out of here, I've got somewhere I'd like to show you," he said as he stood up and held out his hand towards her. She held onto it and intertwined their fingers while making their way back to his car.

Once again, the ride was silent, but they could both feel the tension from the conversation earlier. They didn't drive for long, but long enough for them to feel that the air was fresher outside.

"Where are we?" she asked as she looked around and could see only tall trees surrounding her. She looked over at Stefan and realized that he had made himself comfortable on the hood of his car with his hands behind his head and his right leg bent at the knee. Elena smiled at how relaxed he seemed and decided to join him. As soon as she sat on the hood, Stefan gave a small smile and extended his left arm, inviting her into his embrace. Elena leaned down and she shivered slightly as her back touched the cold metal. She laid her head onto his shoulder and soon enough, she felt Stefan's arm curl around her shoulders. She repositioned herself onto her side, making herself more comfortable next to his warm body. Her left arm was placed around his waist and she tangled her legs with his left one.

"Comfortable enough?" he teased slightly.

"Very," Elena answered and gave his neck a light peck. "So why did you bring me here?"

"Look straight up," he simply answered. Elena obeyed and gasped slightly. Never had she seen so many stars before. It was as if the trees had made a hole in the canopy just for them so they could enjoy the view.

"See those three stars lined up diagonally?" Stefan asked while pointing up at the stars. She followed his finger and sure enough she could see it.

"That's Orion's belt," he told her. "And if you look a little to the right, where five faint stars form a semi-circle, that's his shield," he continued while pointing again.

"How do you know all of this?" she asked fascinated.

"One night, I just needed space and a bit of a getaway from Mystic Falls so I got in my car and just drove. I accidently drove to this exact spot when I got a puncture. So while I waited for the tow-truck to come, I did just what we're doing right now, I laid on the hood and looked at the stars. Once I got home, I googled the different constellations and now I come here from time to time. Mostly I come here when I need some time alone to think, to come to terms with myself or just because I feel like it," Stefan told her. As he was telling her the story, her eyes were fixed on his Greek God-like face and for the first time, she noticed how truly beautiful he is. She always knew that, but something about what he just said made her realize that he's more than just Stefan Salvatore, the kid who grew in Mystic Falls. There was so much more to him.

"I found this place about five years ago, yet you're the first person I ever shared it with," he confessed.

"Why?"

"Because I have a feeling that you're going to be in my life for a while," he simply answered and tightened his grip around Elena's shoulders.

"Stefan?"

"Yeah?'

"I love you."

Stefan turned his head to face her to make sure that he heard her correctly. Her eyes glowed with happiness and she had a smile that could light up the world. He indeed, had heard her correctly. He couldn't help but return the same smile. His eyes twinkled as his grin grew even more.

"But earlier at the grill you said that…"

"I know what I said at the grill," she interrupted him. "But whether I said it to you now or later, my feelings for you aren't going to change. If anything happens, it's only going to be stronger. I'd just be fooling myself if I waited any longer."

Stefan used his arm that was around her shoulders to push her completely on him. She was now lying entirely on him, her legs still tangled with his, her elbows on his chest while her hands played with her hair just above his ear. She locked eyes with him and couldn't stop herself from smiling.

"Say it once more, please?" he asked her.

"Stefan Salvatore, I love you," she repeated and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"I don't think anymore, I now definitely know that I'm the luckiest man on Earth," he said against her lips, before tightening his hold around her waist and holding her close.

AN: Let me know your thoughts and suggestions :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter although i don't feel like it's my best piece of work :/