:Elena:Always on a Bed of Roses

[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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Lexi has finally left to get Sophia's research. She even gave Stefan his ring back, he looked at it now. Playing with it as he stood in the sunlight shining through the window. All he would have to do is take it off. No one would ever be hurt by him again. No one will ever by murdered by the Ripper again. The thought crossed his mind more then a few times since he turned them back on, his emotions. Still, the thoughts were always pushed out of his mind by one women, the women, his Elena. She kept him going, she kept him from doing the unthinkable.

He closed the drapes and returned to what he was doing. Stefan and Elena really needed tonight, Stefan most of all. He had it all planned out and he was really trying to show his romantic side to Elena again. He knew she would never forget the hate and anger and pain he caused her the past few months. There was no cure for those memories, and there never will be. But Stefan can at least show her that he is still who he is. He is still Stefan, the man that she fell in love with, he was still in there, somewhere, and that's what he needed to show her.

That's what this night was really about. And that is why Stefan was doing what he was currently doing. He was gonna treat Elena right for once in a long time. He lit the final candle finally and turned on the ipod, letting the music fill the room. He made sure the Champagne was on ice and the glasses were ready for them. Stefan just wanted to hold her, to talk to her, to kiss her without fear of something bad happening, especially if that something bad happened at his own hands. He really wouldn't forgive himself if something bad happened tonight.

Stefan looked around at his room, last he left it he had destroyed almost everything. So a lot of the room was empty, the items that were destroyed gone, the places they once occupied lay empty. His room had an empty feeling to it. He couldn't help but think his heart would have an empty feeling if Elena never forgave him, forgave his actions the past few months. He sat down at his desk grabbing the pen and opening his journal. He looked down at the blank page, Elena would be here any moment as he told her to meet him at sundown which was fast approaching.

My Dearest Elena,
I recently began calling you Elena. She is all I have to hold on to. She is all I have that is keeping me from killing myself. Sure, Caroline and Lexi will miss me, and maybe, just maybe, I always hoped so anyways, Damon would shed at least one tear for me if I died. But they will get over it. They will move on with their lives, I love them, but they would be better off without me. They would be better off not having to worry about me. About when will I go off the deep end again? When will I kill again?

Elena is different. She would not be better off without me, as strange as it sounds. She won't get over me, she will mourn me to much, and I fear to think what she would do if she found out I was dead. Its just to horrible to think about. So I force on, for her. Yeah I am pissed at Klaus for what he did to me, to all of us. But revenge isn't why I am back to myself. I am back because of her, cause of love. Does Elena deserve better then me has been my question since I turned them back on. I cannot answer cause I dread to think about it.
Love Stefan Salvatore

Stefan looked up from his journal and his thoughts when he heard the doorbell ring. Elena must be here. He closed the book and set the pen aside, walking down the stairs to answer the door, to let the women, whom he still loved and hoped that she still loved him, into the Salvatore Boarding house. It was time to make up for all the pain and heart ache he caused her. He opened the door, looking into the eyes of the person who had rung the bell. Stefan smiled at them.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 747
Notes: I'm Back!!!

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[Elena Isobel Gilbert]

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Brown hair flowed over her shoulders as she stood in nothing more than a strapless bra and panty set, trying to decide what she was going to wear. Stefan hadn’t told her much about what they would be doing other than spending the evening together. She had packed an overnight bag just in case as she knew that there was a good chance even if they didn’t take their relationship to the next level again that they would at least spend the night in one another’s arms…something she had very much missed over the past few months since before everything had gone to hell she had gotten used to falling asleep and waking up surrounded by the man that she loved.

She didn’t want to dress too dressy yet at the same time didn’t want to be too casual. She knew that there was a chance that they would be simply staying at the boarding house since really no one knew about Stefan’s return from his ripper personality, yet at the same time she wouldn’t put it past Stefan to drive them somewhere out of town just so they could have a normal evening together. Either way she was fine with it as long as it was just the two of them, though that really didn’t help her with her wardrobe problem.

Finally deciding she quickly pulled the clothing out of her before shutting it tightly, not wanting to give herself a chance to second guess her choice. Her hair looked pretty normal for her since she had stopped even attempting to curl it after meeting her ancestor, so down and straight was usually how she left it. She quickly slid blue earrings in her ears, smiling as they showed through her hair. Her neck looked bare but unfortunately after Katherine had taken her necklace she hadn't been able to track it down again, something that still bothered her as it was the first thing Stefan had ever given her.

Ignoring the pain in her chest for a moment at the thought of her necklace she slid on a black tank top followed by a rouched and draped blue shirt with a black pattern up one side, smiling at the way it fit against her skin. In order to tone it down a bit she slid on a distressed blue jean skirt, and pairing it with a pair of black sandals that worked well with the outfit to give it a date like feel yet still not too dressy or too casual.

Her final part of the outfit was a matching blue bag that fit her cell phone, keys and her wallet in. She picked up her overnight bag and called out to Jeremy that she was leaving before walking to her SVU and throwing her overnight bag into the back and her purse in the seat next to her. The drive was slow yet it only took her a few minutes before she was out, purse and bag in hand and knocking on the Salvatore's door. Usually she didn't bother knocking since at one time the house had been in her name however it felt as if things weren't altogether back to normal and until they were she would respect the boundaries that had been somehow drawn, yet by whom she wasn't sure.

Finally the door answered, though she knew it had only taken a couple seconds from when she rang the bell to when it answered, it felt as if it was an eternity. “Hi.” She stated simply, her eyes lighting up as they always did as they took in the form of her boyfriend…though he was much more than that to her. “Can I come in?” She asked with a smile as they stood there for several moments without saying much, just taking in the other…finally able to believe that they were both really alright.

Word Count:: 679
Tag:: Stefan Salvatore
Outfit:: Click here for Elena’s Outfit
Note:: I actually was sort of sad last night when our marathon ended. I had a lot of fun!

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[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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Hearing the door made Stefan shudder with excitement. He doubted that they would make love tonight, he would be lying if he said he didn't want it, but it was to soon. Stefan was really only hoping that Elena would spend the night in his arms and they can talk and tell each other that everything was gonna be ok. Spend the night reconnecting and making up for past misdeeds. If Elena wanted to take it further then that, then he would allow it, but they didn't need that to reaffirm their love for each other tonight. They just needed the time alone together.

Finally opening the door and looking her in the eyes, Stefan finally felt better. Stefan wondered why he would ever even considered ending his life when he had Elena to look forward to. "Hi Elena." Stefan said, her name felt so good coming off of his tongue. He looked at his girlfriend, though it hardly seemed an appropriate title for her any more. She did so much for him, risking her life and well being for him. If Stefan saw her as only his girlfriend right now it would seem like a slap to the face. She was more then that to him, she was his everything.

Elena looked stunning as usual. "You look so beautiful." Stefan spoke to Elena with a smile, holding the door open. Stefan could stare at her all night if he could, but knew that was not an option, as she would surely catch her death of cold standing out there in the dark. She had her overnight bag with her, but that didn't mean she was expecting love making tonight, it just meant she wanted to spend the night, she wanted the same thing he wanted, and that's what mattered the most of all. Was that she cared enough to try and fix things, like he did.

Stefan nodded. "Of course you can. You don't even have to ask." Stefan said to her with a smile. He wasn't gonna pretend that everything was normal between him and Elena, but she should never have to ask that question. Elena was probably more welcome in this house then Stefan was right now. Stefan motioned for her to come in, stepping out of her way so that he can close the door behind her. He looked at Elena and smiled at her, he couldn't help himself as he pulled her in close hugging her to him, kissing her forehead as he allowed her to rest her head against his chest.

"Elena, I'm not gonna pretend that nothing happened. I couldn't if I wanted to. But I hope I can make up for it. I hope you allow me to try and make everything all right, even though I don't think there is anything I can ever do to make it up to you." Stefan spoke to her as he held her in his arms. His words were heavy with guilt and remorse, but with an undertone of love, Stefan would hold her in his arms forever like this if she allowed him to, but he knew sooner or later they would have to stop holding each other, otherwise it might get awkward.

Stefan released her, placing his hand on her neck and looking her in the face. "I love you." Stefan said to her. Stefan silently hoped she felt the same way still. Stefan never doubted their relationship before, but things were different now. Stefan would not blame Elena one bit if her feelings for him changed. Stefan would not hold it against Elena if that were the case. But Stefan still secretly hoped that she did still love him. She did so much for him, so he kinda thought that she still did, but there was a difference between caring and loving. That's what tonight was about, love.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 646
Notes: ME TOO!!!! We should do it again sometime,

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[Elena Isobel Gilbert]

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She smiled softly as she watched his eyes light up upon seeing her. It was humbling to see someone so excited just because she was there. She knew why...and she understood. It was different than it had been before. It was one thing to hear about the things that he had done during his 'dark days' as she had nicknamed them...but to see it for herself...to be a part of it...it made it different. It made it real. When he used to look at her there was always love in his eyes as well as admiration, but now there was wonder there as well. Wonder that she was still there, sticking by him even though she had every reason to run as far from him as possible.

He clearly didn’t know how connected they were. She was drawn to him in ways that she didn’t even understand. Her heart was only half a heart without him, and the same could be said about her soul. She was loved him, it was that simple…and yet there was nothing simple about it. Love wasn’t simple…especially not between a human doppelganger and a vampire who had seen more than he should have in his 163 years on this earth.

“Hi.” She whispered back, her olive skin allowing little pink that she could feel spread upon her cheeks as he complimented her. “You look as handsome as ever Mr. Salvatore.” She told him with a coy smile, her eyes looking at him through hooded lashes. She noticed immediately when his eyes were drawn to her overnight bag and she knew what he was thinking. There used to be a time when she didn’t bother with an overnight bag. She had essentially lived here for over a month when they were still trying to figure out a way to save her from Klaus. He and Damon had signed over the paperwork to her which meant that anyone invited in had to be done so by her.

That had broken when she died she had later learned from Damon, but the sentiment had died later on when Stefan had been gone. She no longer felt as if this was her home, though in all actuality her name was still on the deed over the house. She wanted it to be her home, her home with Stefan, but she knew it would take time for them to settle back into their respective positions…and as much as she wished things could go back to normal right away, she knew it had to be this way.

His arms around her took her by surprised and she relished in it, allowing her eyes to close as she wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder. They were almost the same height, he only having about an inch on her, so they were equals in this respect, and while some women wished for taller men to make them feel safe, she actually felt safer as equals...just as they had always been. "I missed you." She whispered, and it was clear that she didn't mean in the day that they had been apart. She had missed him from the moment she had told him to close his eyes when Klaus had come to retrieve her to now...in his arms again.

She pulled back a little, though still resting in his arms as he spoke. Her hand raised and caressed his cheek softly, seeing the agony in his eyes as he spoke to her. Her words bellied a similar situation, though different all at the same time. "It's you and me Stefan, Always." She whispered, her hand still stroking his cheek.

Word Count:: 628
Tag:: Stefan Salvatore
Outfit:: Click here for Elena’s Outfit
Note:: Definitely!

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[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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Her beauty always seemed to take his breath away. Not that Stefan needed his breath, but she always managed it. Elena was the most beautiful women Stefan had ever met, and it wasn't because she looked like Katherine, it was despite the fact she looked like Katherine. When he used words like beautiful or gorgeous or sexy to describe Elena, sure, her perfect skin, sweet eyes, and nice body had a little to do with that, but those words were used to describe who she was inside as well. By all respects, Elena and Katherine are the same on the outside, on the inside they were polar opposites.

That is what set Elena part, and she knew this as he told her countless times. He wasn't in love with her cause she looked like Katherine, he was in love with who she was inside. Her beauty inside out shown the beauty on the outside. "Thank you Miss Gilbert." Stefan said when she told him he looked good to. Though he enjoyed talking to Elena in such a way, it was somehow harder now, because of what he did. Stefan couldn't believe that she would find him desirable after all that he did, but she did, which made him feel even more guilty for the whole thing. Still, her words calmed him.

As he held her, he held her like a lover, not as a friend, not as just any person, but as the love of his life. "I missed you too Elena." Stefan replied to her, he knew what she meant, and he meant the same thing. There were times he wished he could return to her, he even called her once, he didn't say anything to her, but she figured out it was him. She even spoke to him, and her words got him through a lot in the upcoming weeks, more then she would ever know. Stefan would never forget her words that night as he listened silently to her speak while he shed some tears.

Stefan, if this is you. You will be ok. I love you Stefan. Hold on to that. Never let that go.

Held on to it he did, Stefan never wanted to let it go.Until he was forced to. The words comforted him for quite some time, that even though he was acting the way he was, that she still loved him. Which was why he was mostly sure that she loved him to this moment. When she spoke next he knew he was correct. Elena didn't use the words I love you, but that is still exactly what she meant, this made Stefan feel better, the same way the phone call made him feel. Stefan realized they were still standing in the entrance way to the boarding house finally and smiled at her.

"We should head up to my room." Stefan said, grabbing her hand and pulling her behind him. Stefan didn't mean it like that of course, though they have been together in that aspect before for one to think that he did. Stefan just meant that he wanted them to get comfortable and begin talking and listening to music and sipping Champagne and cuddling in each others arms on his couch. That was the plan for this evening in Stefan's mind, and he didn't want to go further then that unless Elena wanted to. He held her hand gently as he led her to his room, the candles he lit earlier were the only thing that lit his room up right now.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 593
Notes: So adorable!!!!

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[Elena Isobel Gilbert]

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She felt his arms around her and she felt safe for the first time in months. She remembered asking herself if she would ever feel safe again, not just because Stefan was out there and he knew every way to hurt her...but because she had lost her sense of security. She had lost everything true to her when Stefan had vanished with Klaus. She knew why he had done it because if the situation was reversed and someone had held a way to save Jeremy from dying over her head, she would give anything she had to keep him safe, just as Stefan did with Damon. It didn’t mean that she liked it though, but she did understand it.

She pulled away from him so that they were face to face, her eyes locked on his. She could almost hear what he was thinking they were so close. Reaching up she laid her hand on his cheek, smiling a true smile for the first time in what seemed like forever. “You held on” She whispered, somehow knowing exactly what he was thinking about. The phone call on her birthday when he hadn’t said a word yet she had begged him to hold on to the fact that she loved him and always would. She knew they had a lot to talk about, things that she had done and things that he had done that neither one of them really wanted to know yet they both needed to, yet she knew they would come out stronger for it…and that was what they needed. They needed to affirm their faith in one another.

She laughed a small laugh when Stefan stated that they should head up to his room. She knew that he didn't mean it the way that it sounded but she couldn't help in teasing him. "What kind of girl do you think I am Mr. Salvatore?" She asked with a grin, her eyes lit up in a way that showed she knew he didn't mean it that way and she was only kidding. She followed him up to his room, allowing him to lead her up the stairs, almost the complete opposite from the way that she led him the night they first made love. She knew that they were in no way ready to go to that place again but she did recognize the symbolism of it and she smiled at the knowledge.

She couldn't see much other than a few feet in front of her when Stefan opened the door to his room, the only light was from the candles that he had lit. "Isn't fire bad for vampires?" She asked randomly before realizing that she seemed as if she didn’t like it and shaking her head. “Never mind, ignore me.” She stated with a laugh. “It’s beautiful, though you may have to lead me by the hand all night as my eye sight isn’t nearly as refined as yours.” She told him with a coy smile, her brown eyes dancing in the candle light. She knew that the last time she had been in here the entire room had been destroyed…so she wondered if Stefan had fixed it, bought new furniture, or if it had been a good will gesture of Damon’s.

She could almost guarantee it wasn’t the latter.

Word Count:: 587
Tag:: Stefan Salvatore
Outfit:: Click here for Elena’s Outfit
Note:: Sorry this is a little shorter. Needed to take a break from my computer but wanted to get this out.

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[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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"I had a lot to hold on to." Stefan told her truthfully, she really was his everything right now. Sure Stefan had a lot, he had friends and a brother, but it was Elena. Elena was the only one that made him hold on to something this time around. Stefan didn't know how we would feel if she ever decided to leave him. If she ever picked someone over him. Stefan felt, no he knew deep down inside that Elena, at least the women standing in front of him right now caressing his cheek. That women would never hurt him like that, and that thought comforted him.

"That got me through a lot Elena. I just wanted you to know that." Stefan told her, hoping that she knew he meant her, not the phone call itself, but the person who said it, the person Elena was right now. This happened before he was forced to turn his emotions off completely, back when he allowed himself to feel sad or angry or guilty for the stuff he was doing. If not for Elena, Stefan would not have been able to get through it all. That Stefan was completely different from the Stefan that bit into Elena at the school on prank night, or on his birthday.

That Stefan felt nothing, not anger, not fear, not sadness, not remorse. He was way more dangerous then the Stefan that called Elena on her birthday could ever be, as he had no remorse. Still both of those versions of himself were scary bad. This version, the in control version of him was the only one that wanted Elena near him, as it was the only version that would never hurt Elena. "You are the love of my life." Stefan told her truthfully, though he knew that Elena was only teasing him, he gave her an honest answer back. That was the kind of girl Elena was to him.

Stefan smiled at her, kissing her hand gently, she was being really adorable right now, like she forgave him, Stefan hoped she didn't forgive him that quickly, as odd as that sounded. He wanted to earn it. His finger couldn't help but feel for the scar for when she cut her hand open in front of him with that rock on the palm of her hand. It had healed, but he could still feel it. Stefan closed his eyes, knowing that, that scar among others will always be there because of him, including the psychological scars he probably caused her. The scars that would never show up on the service.

"Sorry there isn't much in my room right now, I kind of..." His voice trailed off. Stefan didn't want to finish that line as the last emotion he felt was guilt, guilt that he bit into his girlfriend for the 2nd time. "...I am redecorating." He decided to say, though he knew Elena would see through it. Stefan wondered who cleaned his room while he was away and the only two people who might do it were Lexi and Elena. So she must of known he destroyed it. All he had was his bed, desk where his journal sat, a couch, and an Ipod player right now. The candles he burrowed from Caroline.

He led her to the couch, helping her sit down on it. Stefan sat next to her, and he poured her a glass of champagne and handed it to her. "Don't worry, I am not trying to get you drunk." Stefan teased her back. Like he needed to in order for her to want to be with him. Stefan grinned at her as he poured himself a glass and sat back and turning to her. "To...to reconnecting." Stefan said to her wanting to toast the night.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 634
Notes: STELENA FOREVER!!!!

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[Elena Isobel Gilbert]

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His words brought a smile to the young woman's lips as she remembered the exact conversation he spoke about. Well, not really much of a conversation, more of a plea from her. She remembered that day so clearly. The party, the way she had walked down the staircase on Damon’s arm and the looks she had received since a few people had noticed that Stefan hadn’t been around town that summer. The way that she had found out that Damon had been tracking Stefan’s…not Klaus’ victims. How she had left the party and ended up at her house in tears. How her phone had rang and silence had been on the other end of the line. She remembered how she knew, she didn’t know how but some part of her heart recognized it’s mate on the other end of the line and the words she had spoken, they came out of her mouth before she could even think of them…yet she had never once regretted them.

“You were what I held on to as well.” She told him. “This summer, having no idea where you were…was torture. I can promise you I almost drove the Sheriff to become an alcoholic and Damon probably wanted to kill me more often than not. I bothered them both constantly, trying to get information. I had no idea what I was going to do when I got it I just knew I had to find you…that I had to bring you home.” She told him, knowing that it hadn’t worked out exactly as planned yet it had eventually all worked out.

“You know your brother actually tied to help. I know you’re not a huge fan of Damon half the time, but he really did try to help this summer. He may not have told me everything but I know he spent all his time looking for you. He promised me you know?” She asked him, not telling him everything he had said since she knew it would hurt Stefan, but she did want him to know. “He promised me that he’d bring you back to me. Actually I believe his exact words were something along the lines of ‘I’ll bring my brother back from the edge and deliver him back to you’. But I could have messed up a few of them.” She knew she had intentionally not told him the other part of that particular conversation but it didn’t matter anymore.

Hearing that she was the love of his life brought tears to her eyes, though they were no longer tears of remorse, or guilt, or sadness…they were tears of happiness and relief. “And you are much more than that to me. Stefan you are the love of my life yes, but you are also my best friend, my lover, and the reason that I am still here. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t be alive…I would have died many times over. You saved me in more ways than one. Physically yes, but you saved my heart. I was drowning when I first met you, the pain I felt every day was more than I could take. Yet you came around and showed me that I wasn’t going to be sad forever…and for the first time…I knew it was going to be okay.”

She didn’t say anything about the scar that he found on her hand, as she knew how much guilt he still carried with him. She smiled and shook her head. “Maybe I can help you redecorate.” She told him, not admitting that she knew what had happened in the room. She had seen it after its destruction and she didn’t know exactly what happened but she knew something had. “It’d be fun…we can go shopping together…for something other than me dragging you shoe shopping.” She told him with a laugh, remembering she had done just that one time and after that she swore never to do it to him again.

The glass of champagne was cold to the touch though it felt good against her heated skin. "To reconnecting." She told him, clinking his glass with hers and taking a sip. "By the way, I have something for you." She told him abruptly, standing up and going over to where her bag had been placed on top of the bed to which she dug around in her bag for a moment before pulling out a leather bound book. She made her way back to Stefan and handed it to him, smiling a bit shyly. “It’s a new journal. I figured you had to be almost done with the one you’ve had for awhile…so I figured you’d need a new one soon. And if not, you’ll have a backup one.” She told him softly before whispering. “Don’t read it now but there’s a little message in there from me…hopefully you don’t mind.” She told him, the darkness hiding the soft hue on her cheeks.

Word Count:: 840
Tag:: Stefan Salvatore
Outfit:: Click here for Elena’s Outfit
Note:: STELENA <3

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[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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Her words meant so much to him, more then Elena will ever know. That even though she knew what Stefan was doing. Even though Elena knew he was hurting and killing innocent people, she still wanted to find him. Elena still wanted to bring Stefan back to Mystic Falls where he belonged, with her and Lexi and Caroline and even Damon. That meant the world to him. Stefan kissed her on the forehead, a sign to her that let Elena know that Stefan appreciated it, yet somehow it didn't seem like it would be enough to just let her know. Stefan had to let everyone know.

"That's an understatement." Stefan said when Elena said that he wasn't a fan of Damon half the time. Yeah, he turned to Klaus and got hooked on human blood again and was forced to turn his emotions off to help Damon, but Stefan now knew that what he did was selfish. He couldn't stand to lose his brother. So he signs a deal with the devil to save his life. It was more then selfish on Stefan's part and at the end of the day, Stefan would do it again. And that is what made Stefan a horrible vampire. He had no will power, instead of letting go and saying his goodbyes, he runs off to save Damon.

"That doesn't sound like the Damon I know." Stefan told her truthfully when she described what Damon said and tried to do. Part of him didn't believe it, but the other part of him knew better. Yeah Damon was a douche from time to time, another understatement, and they never really saw eye to eye, and they argued and fought and often times went decades without even talking. Yet he knew Damon cared about him as much as Stefan cared about Damon. They may never be the perfect brothers, but they will always be there for each other when they need it most.

"You are my everything too, Elena." Stefan told her, crying himself. Stefan felt for the first time in a long time that maybe, hopefully anyways, everything really was gonna be ok. That Elena would love him forever and that he would love her forever in return and that they would be together for as long as they could be. Stefan felt like an idiot for ever doubting that Elena would stop loving him, or stop caring about him. He pulled her in and hugged her, minding his strength as he knew he could hurt her if he wasn't careful. "You saved me too, more then you will ever know." Stefan whispered into her ear.

Stefan chuckled, glad that the conversation had changed gears as he didn't want them to cry in each others arms all night, though that would be really adorable of them to do, it wasn't exactly romantic. "Sure, that would be great Elena." Stefan said, even though he remembered that day that she took him shopping for shoes. He had never been more, well out of place before in his life. The only other time that was even halfway awkward was pretending to be friends with Rebekah and Klaus and them shopping for Rebekah for modern clothing.

Still, shopping with Elena, no matter what it was for, was ok in Stefan's book. Any time spent with her doing anything was good, it didn't matter what. She then got up and grabbed something from her bag and brought it over to him, handing it to him. Stefan held back a few tears. "You didn't have to get me anything Elena." He told her, though it was incredibly sweet of her. "Thank you, Elena. I will start using it tomorrow morning, to write down our night together. If that is ok with you?" Stefan asked her, though he knew her answer would probably be yes.

Stefan, then feeling bold, wanted to thank her properly for the gift. Stefan pulled her to him and kissed her on the lips. Holding her hands in his, he finally felt like he belonged again. Stefan stopped kissing her, as if he didn't force himself to stop this would turn from romantic to sexual in a hurry, he just knew it. "You are the best girlfriend a guy could ask for. You know that?" Stefan said to her rubbing her cheek gently. "Don't ever change, promise me that no matter what happens you will never change who you are." Stefan told her, she was his safe place, and he couldn't imagine what it would feel like if she changed into someone she was not suppose to be.

Stefan then began to hold her close to him, cuddling with her. He could spend all night with her in his arms like this if she allowed him to. This was where both of them were suppose to be.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 809
Notes: AWWWWWWWW

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[Elena Isobel Gilbert]

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She smiled when he pressed a kiss against her forehead. For some reason these small gestures meant more to her than the large make out sessions that they had in the year that they had been together. She remembered the moments that had meant more to her than anything, for some reason they just stuck out in her brain. The first one was at the Founder's Party...before she had ever found out that he was a vampire. He had gone to the party with her and had taken her hand in front of all these towns people...and had kissed her on the cheek when he whispered something in her ear. She knew then that she loved him. The next one was after Damon had threatened to kill her and had forced his blood in her system. She had a horrible headache and he had kissed her forehead and gone and braved her aunt to grab her some Tylenol. Of course she hadn’t been there when he got back but it still counted.

She doubted Stefan even remembered those but she knew he would the next few cherished memories she had. She still remembered when they were pretending not to date in front of Katherine. How they had made the plan to say I love you in code. The way he had caressed her when he held her…it made all the difference. The last one was at the lakehouse…before Klaus had shown up and before she had let on to the fact that she knew she wouldn’t live through the sacrifice. Future memories were the topic of conversation and she could still remember it as if it were yesterday. You know this is a future memory. It’s where your boyfriend whispered that he loved you…I love you. The way he held her even though she was bundled in a blanket...and how he had respected her feelings to not open a box that she wasn't ready to open. She couldn't put that box off much longer though she preferred to live for as long as possible without the heavy conversation she knew would come eventually.

She was brought out of her musings when Stefan whimpered that she was his everything too. She leaned back, looking up into his eyes but not breaking the grip they had on one another. She knew they needed to reacquaint themselves with one another soon. There had been a time when they were so familiar with one another that they didn’t have to be touching at all times. They’d stand together as equals, and they’d known that the other was there for them no matter what. Now the feeling was different, it was new again, and she couldn’t wait until they were back in that place again. “We saved each other…yours was just more literal mine.” She told him with a smile, her brown eyes staring deep into his amber ones.

She could see the look in his eyes when she made a comment about shopping and she couldn't help but laugh. "I promise I won't drag you shopping for shoes for me. And no I will not pull a classic girlfriend move and take you clothes shopping and ask you if you like the clothes I am trying on. There is no right answer. If you say no it's because you have no taste and if you say yes it's because your saying what I want to hear. Trick question all the way and I've been shopping enough with Caroline and the guys she has dated to know that it never ends well. So shopping for your room only and since it will ultimately be your decision it shouldn't be torture." She told him with a giggle.

She was glad that Stefan liked her gift as he was an incredibly hard person to shop for. He was a guy so that already made it difficult but add to that the fact that he had everything he really needed and if he wanted something he usually went out to buy it himself, it was a difficult chore. "It's your journal my love, you can write in it whatever you want." She told him with a grin, though she was incredibly happy that he wanted to start using it immediately.

She could feel his lips on hers before she could even process that he had put the journal down. However she fell into him in a heartbeat, letting him bear the brunt of her weight as she lost herself in the feeling of his body against hers. It was over much too quickly though she was glad that he had the willpower to break it because she knew she wouldn't have. She closed her eyes and leaned into his hand as he stroked her cheek. "I can't promise I won't change...people change every day. But I know one thing that won’t change." She told him before wrapping her arms around his shoulders and standing up on her tip toes so that she was eye to eye with him. "And that's how much I love you."

Word Count:: 867
Tag:: Stefan Salvatore
Outfit:: Click here for Elena’s Outfit
Note:: Why are these two so damn cute!?

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[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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Stefan knew that the little moment's mattered most to Elena. Stefan could just always tell that she was thankful for them. It was just how connected they were that told him this, that made him know this detail about her. Yeah, the great, big romantic gestures were important and she loved them, but it was the small stuff, stuff that most guys over look that she needed most. She was a simple girl, she wasn't needy or clingy, she really was the perfect girlfriend. Stefan loved the feeling he got when she appreciated his actions, it made him felt good, alive.

Stefan could tell that she was in thought, she always have a sweet look on her face when she was thinking of something, especially when she was thinking about him. He wondered what Elena was thinking about, what memory of theirs was in her head. Stefan always wanted to read Elena's mind, but all he knew was she was thinking of him, and that made him really happy. The truth was that Stefan remembered everything that they did. It was to important to forget. Every kiss, every touch, every conversation. He never wanted to forget any of it and rarely did.

If he did forget, he would consult his journals, that is why they were there, so that he could write down his memories and thoughts. Elena was special to him. Finally Elena seemed to be snapped out of her thoughts by his words. She stared him in the eyes and answered him. Stefan sighed happily at her comments a small smile coming on his lips, a smile he showed only to her, only to his Elena, the love of his life. Stefan wanted to look into her eyes forever, and often times had to stop himself from doing so, as it became creepy if he did it to long, at least in his mind it did.

"I never want to hurt you again." Stefan said, as he held her body. Though he probably said it before it was true still. Stefan at one point felt so close to her that he knew everything about her, about her body and how it reacted to his touch and his presence. That had changed, it didn't act completely the same now that it did before. Stefan knew that, that would take time to get use to again, and that her reactions only changed cause he had changed, or at least she knew more about him then she knew before, so he was glad that it did in a way. It would be bad if it wasn't this way in a way.

Stefan had to regain that back from her. Stefan owed it to her to regain her trust. "Thanks Elena, I will like that." Stefan told her, it wasn't really important. Shopping for new stuff, that was trivial. The important thing about this moment to Stefan was Elena wanting to do that with him. That was important, not replacing the stuff he destroyed, but doing so with her. He smiled at her holding her close to him, glad that he was showing some really good restraint right now. Both from getting to physical with her and controlling his blood lust. It is hard to imagine that 1 week ago he was a murderous monster.

"That is what makes you the best girlfriend." Stefan told her running his hand through her soft hair, he loved how her hair felt in his hands. Stefan nodded at her his famous nod when she spoke of his journal, he seemingly always did it around her. Stefan's journal's were private, but he knew that Damon and Elena had read some of his old journals. That was fine as they were doing it to try and help him, not out of spite or anything like that. So in a way he was thankful that they read them, but he wanted her to know that his journals had a lot about her in them, though he probably guessed that she knew already.

As his girlfriend, as so much more then that, she had the write to know he wrote about her all the time. Stefan didn't know how she felt about it, she probably enjoyed knowing that she consumed even the thoughts he wrote down in his journal, he knew that he would be happy to find out that she wrote about him in her diary. Stefan loved how Elena felt in his arms, how her body so perfectly molded with his. It felt right, and it felt good that she wasn't scared by his actions, as that was his greatest fear, that she would some how be afraid of actions like that.

Stefan was glad that she wasn't and his fear disappeared. Stefan never wanted Elena to think about him like that. It took all of Stefan's willpower to stop kissing her, at the rate of what she was saying and doing, he didn't know how much more willpower he had left in him. It had been months since they were together, and even longer since they were... together like that. So Stefan couldn't blame himself or Elena for struggling to keep their willpower. Stefan nodded at her words, he knew they were true, but that was one of his new great fears, that she would change on him.

Maybe it was a bit overboard to fear that, but it was how he felt. Elena's next words were perhaps the ones he needed to hear the most. She finally said it to him. I love you. Elena said a lot to him tonight, but not those exact words before. "Nothing will ever change how much I love you as well." Stefan told her truthfully, taking her hand in his and kissing it gently. Stefan's willpower was waning fast, he knew it was only a matter of time before he gave into his urges for her. He just hoped she still wanted him to.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 996
Notes: I KNOW! They are just so dang adorable.

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[Elena Isobel Gilbert]

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She was aware that Stefan knew how much the small moments meant to her. She doubted he ever knew though how much seeing his vulnerability meant to her as well. It showed that he was comfortable enough with her to show that he wasn't just this stone hard person...he was a man in love with a woman and wanted her to know it. She remembered the first time she had seen him cry…it was after Katherine had compelled Jenna to stab herself with a knife. She remembered the look on his face when she had walked in. He knew she was there to end things and he didn’t want her too…and yet he let her because he loved her.

I'm so sorry.
We were stupid. Sneaking around, thinking that we weren't gonna get caught.
I know.
We did this. Stefan, Jenna's in the hospital and Jeremy could be next. All because we didn't...we didn't listen to her. Because...because we're together. Stefan...
I know what you're gonna say to me.
Then let me say it. I've been so selfish because I love you so much and I know how much you love me. But it's over. Stefan, it has to be.
Elena, I...
Don't Stefan. It has to be.

She remembered seeing the anguish in his eyes because it was mirrored in hers. She remembered her stomach hurting so badly because all she wanted was for him to hold her and tell her everything was going to be okay and yet he couldn’t. He hadn’t been able to make that better, yet something about the fact that he didn’t care if his brother was there and could easily hear them both sobbing. All he knew was that he was losing someone he loved and that mattered much more than pride.

The other time she could clearly remember him crying was when Klaus came to take her to the ritual. He had taken her out of the house for the day to show her that she would be okay...and when they had gotten back Klaus had been there. She remembered him asking if she was ready and she remembered saying yes...however she also remembered Stefan standing in front of her saying no.

I wouldn't. No reason for you to die, too.

She remembered getting in front of Stefan and forcing him to look at her and that's when she saw the tears in his eyes. She understood, he was warring with himself. Realistically he was a protector, and more often than not he was her protector...so to let her leave his sight where they knew she was going to die one way or another...it wasn't the easiest thing for him to do. However the fact that he was able to stand there, and let his tears show in front of someone who could use that against him...it showed her in that moment how much he really loved her.

Hearing him whisper that he didn’t want to hurt her again caused her to stop thinking of the past and to focus on the present. A soft smile graced her face though it was more resigned than an actual happy smile. “Stefan as sweet as that is…it’s not realistic, especially not in our lives. We’re going to fight, we’re going to hurt each other…that’s life…but I’ll make you this promise right here and now…and I want you to promise me the same thing. We’ve both overlooked each other…and that’s not something we can do again. I’ve made decisions without thinking of you and you’ve done the same thing without thinking of me. When you went to Klaus to get his blood for Damon…you didn’t think about how it would affect me. I know you thought that you could keep my being alive a secret…but you didn’t think about the fact that I would lose you…and how that would devastate me.” She told him, holding up a hand before he could interrupt. She needed to get this out before she lost her nerve.

“And I understand why. I understand that you would do anything for your brother…and I would never ask you to choose between the two of us…however when you left to go find Klaus I had no idea that you weren’t coming back…all of a sudden Katherine walked in with a vial of Klaus’ blood and some snide comment about you giving up everything, including me, to save your brother. I didn’t know what to do…and neither did Damon. And I know that if the situation was reversed and I could save Jeremy…I would do whatever I could to save him…but we have to start acting as a team…because I can’t go through that again Stefan…I can’t lose you again.” She whispered, the tears in her eyes finally falling as she made her plea to him…a plea that she needed him to honor before she could fully trust him again.

Word Count:: 847
Tag:: Stefan Salvatore
Outfit:: Click here for Elena’s Outfit
Note:: Sorry it’s shorter. I’m exhausted, have a headache and really want to take a nap.

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[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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Stefan hated crying in front of Elena. Stefan wanted to be strong for her, but he couldn't help it sometimes. The things they had to go through, it seemed like everyone put an obstacle in front of him and Elena. Like they didn't want them to be together. So Stefan had a lot of moments when he knew there relationship was in some serious trouble and he couldn't help but cry in front of her. But always, he knew one thing, and that was that they were gonna make it. Their love will survive anything. At least that was what Stefan always thought.

They had been through to much for that not to be the case. They survived Katherine, Klaus and his siblings, and even Stefan turning Ripper again. Their love will endure. Stefan wondered how Elena took it when he cried in front of her. Did she see it as weakness or endearing? Elena is the kind of girl who would appreciate that kind of sincerity, that kind of passion, that kind of sensitivity. So Stefan didn't think Elena would think less of him for crying in front of her, but he didn't really know for certain. He always hoped so anyways.

Elena crying in front of Stefan rarely happened. In many respects she was much braver then he was when it came to relationship defining moments, to moments that could ruin lesser bonds. Elena had enough emotional strength for both of them where Stefan had the physical strength. It really was a good match for them, one took care of the emotional stuff, stuff that Stefan had trouble dealing with and the other took care of the dangerous stuff, the protection. The one time he remembered Elena clearly crying was when he told her she was adopted.

"I know Elena." Stefan said to her, already feeling said tears coming on. He knew that it was impossible that he would never hurt her again. But he hoped that after all they had been through, even if he did hurt her again, that she wouldn't stop loving him. That they will still continue to be there for each other. That mattered most to Stefan. He nodded at her words as she spoke of not taking each other. She was right, Stefan was so caught up in saving Damon that he didn't once stop to think about how it would effect Elena.

Stefan was selfish a lot, and she was right it had to stop. But that didn't mean Elena wasn't as well. She sacrificed herself, or tried to, a number of times to save her loved ones, usually against Stefan's wishes. "You are right Elena." Stefan told her, continuing to listen to her as she spoke to him. Sooner or later he would have to jump in and make his vow to her to include her in his decisions. They loved each other, but they often overlooked each other when it came to some really tough life changing choices, and that is not what couples should do.

So her request was not to much to ask. Elena knew Stefan was trying to do the right thing is saving Damon, and every time Elena did something without thinking of him he knew that was Elena trying to do the right thing. That didn't mean it didn't hurt them. How long can they survive doing stuff like this to each other? Not forever, not nearly long enough for Stefan. "I can't lose you again ever, Elena." Stefan spoke to her truthfully, it would kill him if he lost her forever. All he wanted was her to... not do stuff that put her life in danger.

"You wont lose me ever again, Elena, I promise you." Stefan told her now feeling the tears form in his eyes. "But you got to promise me, you won't give up. You won't run off to sacrifice yourself to save everyone else again. I can't bare to watch you get killed ever again." Stefan told her, he remembered the time Klaus took her to kill her so he could then make his hybrids, and Elena allowed it. There were other times Elena was ready to sacrifice herself. And whatever the reason, whoever she was trying to save, was never a good enough reason for Stefan.

"I promise I will always talk to you before I do something that could hurt us again if you promise to do the same thing." Stefan said finally. It was a simple honest request, one that she seemingly wanted him to do too. But it was a two way street. Elena had to include him in her decisions just like he had to include her in his decisions. Otherwise, Stefan would not be able to promise the same thing. They both made decisions that effected the other negatively, and Stefan never wanted it to happen again, no matter what.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 817
Notes: <3 Stelena

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[Elena Isobel Gilbert]

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She stroked her love's cheek as she could see the tears welling up in his eyes. "No more tears Stefan." She whispered, knowing that while she may find his ability to be vulnerable in front of her endearing, he was still a man and no man wanted to cry in front of anyone, let alone their girlfriend. “You went through hell, but you came out the other side stronger for it. We are stronger for it. It’s okay…I know you’re still struggling and I will do whatever I have to in order to help…but no more worrying…and no more tears. We’re together…everything’s okay.” She told him, trying to soothe him though she knew it would take more than words to do so.

Time…it would take time…patience…and love in order to reaffirm themselves to one another. She knew that at one time they had been closer than any other couple that she knew. Not only had they been together for the longest but they also shared everything with one another. She had never felt awkward walking into the boarding house and going into Stefan’s room…whether or not he was there. Hell at one point it had been her home and it had felt like that for months before they had actually signed the deed over to her name.

She could see in his eyes what he was thinking and she knew he was right. They were both guilty of ignoring what was best for the other person, instead putting others in front of their partner. She was guilty of that more than Stefan because she knew that she would do anything to protect her friends and her brother and often times she did it at the detriment of Stefan. Not that she put him in danger because of the choices she made but she didn’t think about his reaction to him. She could easily still remember the way that he had reacted when he found out she was well aware that she wouldn’t survive the sacrifice.

What is it?
He learned that Elijah's planning for you to die in the sacrifice ritual.
I know the deal I made, Stefan. Elijah's very careful with his words. He promised to protect my friends...he never said a word about me.
You mean, you knew that you weren't gonna survive this?
If it comes down to the people that I love getting killed or me, I know what my choice is gonna be.
Elena, how...how could you stand out there earlier with me, talking about making plans for our future, when you don't even expect to have one?
I'm sorry, Stefan. I'm just trying to keep the people that I love safe. I'm trying to keep you safe.
No. What you're doing is you're being a martyr.
How is that any different from when you say that you would die to keep me safe?
Because I've already lived! 162 years I've lived, and you've barely begun! And now you want to let yourself get killed? That's not heroic. It's tragic.

She knew that he had never truly forgiven her for making that decision without him…just like she wasn’t sure she would ever truly get over the fact that he had made the decision to go after Klaus and give himself up to save Damon. She didn’t know what she would have done had she been included in that decision because she wouldn’t willingly ask Stefan to sacrifice his brother…but she also knew she would have never been okay with him giving his life in order to get Klaus’ blood to save Damon. A part of her felt indignant because a part of her knew that Damon wouldn’t have done the same thing for Stefan. She doubted that Stefan would agree with her but that’s how a small part of her felt, no matter how guilty it made her feel.

She listened to his words as she fell silent and let her head fall to his shoulder, allowing her warmth to create warmth in him. "I can't promise that I won't do stupid things to protect those that I love. But I do promise that if it comes down to it I will talk to you about it first unless I don't have a choice. If Jeremy and I are kidnapped one day and you've not found us and they are holding a gun to my brother's head and telling me it's me or him...you know what my choice will be. But if I have the opportunity to talk to you about it first, I will come to you. I promise."

Pulling back she pressed a gentle kiss upon his soft lips. Not many men had lips like Stefan's and she knew that she could happily live forever simply being connected with him this way. Once the need for air became an issue she pulled back, her brown eyes staring into his amber ones. "I love you." She whispered, because really, what else was there to say? She loved him more than her own life and wanted to be with him until she drew her last breath. She knew they still had a box of things that she pushed back constantly that they needed to speak about...but did she really want to risk speaking about it tonight?

A huge part of her screamed no...yet at the same time a small part told her that if this separation that they had dealt with had taught her anything...it was that there were no guarantees in life. There was never a guarantee that they would get a chance to talk about it tomorrow…and really…what would tomorrow change? Would her answers be any different tonight than they would tomorrow? What was it that she was truly afraid of? She honestly didn’t know the answer to that question.

Word Count:: 986
Tag:: Stefan Salvatore
Outfit:: Click here for Elena’s Outfit
Note:: <3 <3 <3 <3 Stelena

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[Stefan Demetrio Salvatore]

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Elena spoke to him, her words trying to soothe him, to calm him down. Stefan didn't mean the cry, but she was right he shouldn't cry. Everything was finally getting back to normal, and they should be happy, including Stefan. Though the stuff he did, he wouldn't let himself forget. He was acting like it didn't bother him, but it did. He had to get over it, he made mistakes, he hurt people. So it was different now with Elena, he knew Lexi probably thought about how well he was handling everything compared to how he handled it in the past. The reason was Elena.

He wouldn't be able to break down in front of her, to let Elena know how he really felt about what he did, would break his heart. The stuff he did to Elena he made sure to apologize over and over to her again. But the stuff Stefan did to other people. That stuff was harder to talk to her about, and he didn't think he could handle it. Stefan buried it in his head while around her. "I'm sorry Elena, its just with them now on its hard not to feel everything even more then I should." Stefan told her managing a smile. She was right though, for the first time in a long time, everything seemed to be alright.

At least for them it was, for Stefan and Elena, the epic romance, for now everything seemed to be alright. Everything around them was a different case. Klaus was still out there plotting god knows what. Damon and Stefan still weren't getting along. Friends, people he cared about, now feared him, or worse hated him. That stuff was gonna take time to heal. But for now, in this moment, everything that mattered in this room to Stefan, was alright. More then alright, for the first time in months, Stefan was alone with Elena with her in his arms, the ability to reconnect with his epic love.

She seemed to be thinking about something, something she wasn't happy about. He didn't know what to say to her as she was probably thinking about what he did to help Damon. That should be the only thing upsetting her right now. Stefan must of apologized a million times for that already, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, he didn't feel like saying it again. He placed his hand on her neck, silently telling her what was on his mind, that she didn't have to feel sad or upset about it. The fact was he tried to tell her. He tried to call her to let her know he was gonna be gone awhile, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Not that it would of changed anything. So what if Stefan called her after the fact and told her he was leaving? She would want to try to stop him and by then it was to late, he was already in to deep with Klaus. He wondered what she would of done if she knew there was a chance that what happened was gonna happen. If she knew Stefan would have to go with Klaus. Would she try to stop him? Would she make him sacrifice his brother in order to stay with her? Stefan didn't think Elena would be that selfish, even when it came to him. He hoped that at the end of the day, Elena would of told him to go, despite knowing the truth.

Her promise would have to be good enough for him. That was the most Elena could promise and he just nodded, smiling at her softly as she kissed him. "I promise I will talk to you as well. I never want to leave you in the dark again." Stefan told her, truthfully. There lips met and he relished it, her kiss was pure love behind it, a true Elena kiss, Stefan wanted her to kiss him like this forever, but he knew sooner or later she would have to come up for air, which she eventually did, but it came with a line, the line that Stefan longed to hear from Elena as often as possible. I love you.

"I know that you do." Stefan said in response, though not in a cocky way, he said it more in an understanding way, like he knew that what she said was the truth, that he accepted it, that he longed to hear it and that it was the sweetest thing she can say to him. "I love you so much Elena." Stefan said, he knew there was more to be said, more to talk about, more air to clear, but he couldn't bring himself to bring it up. They talked through a lot already, a lot of it hard to talk about. But Stefan just wanted to get back to why he invited her over tonight in the first place.

The song changed to Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. Stefan pulled her into his arms and looked her in the eyes. "Remember when I told you at the 50s Decade Dance that it was never gonna happen again?" Stefan asked her standing up and holding his hand out for her to take if she so wished. "Ms. Elena Gilbert, may I have this dance?" Stefan asked her waiting for her reply and for her to take his hand. He knew she would never turn down this request from him, as he didn't do it very often.

Tags: Elena Gilbert
Words: 923
Notes: Stelena Forever!!!!

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