Like it or Not

Closure

Derek's hand hesitated as it hovered in front of Jackson's office door. His heart thudded in his chest as he debated his next move. He could knock on the door and stop being a chicken or he could turn tail and go home. Home was safer, but he needed answers. And there would be none if he went home.

Pulling in a deep breath he knocked gently on the door, his heart kicking into overdrive.

"Come in." Elijah's voice called from behind the closed door.

Letting out the breath he'd been holding, Derek pushed open the door, revealing Elijah leaned back in Jackson's desk chair. His feet propped on the overly cluttered desk.

"Derek?" Elijah asked, a surprised lilt to his tone.

Derek ignored the indentions that Elijah's Bruno Magli shoes were pressing into the template beneath his feet. "Dinner," He blurted.

Elijah didn't respond, waiting for Derek to make a more coherent sentence.

Derek cleared his throat, taking a step into the room. "You proposed dinner before. I refused. I realize now that perhaps that was the wrong decision."

"Oh? My my, what did Alaric say to you?" Elijah crossed his arms over his chest. A smirk playing at his lips.

Derek glared at Elijah's feet, still propped onto the desk. "We both could use some closure I think. It was unfair of me to deny you that."

Elijah's smirk fell away. He sat up, his feet swinging to meet the floor.

"Nothing too fancy," Derek continued. "Somewhere we can talk."

Elijah stood up, taking a few steps towards Derek. "When?" his tone was uneven, he knew, but he had not expected Derek to agree to dinner with just the two of them. His heart picked up pace.

"Tonight. I think the sooner the better."

"It's too short notice for any reservations, but I think I can call in a favor at Olivander's." Elijah reached for his phone but Derek cut in.

"No, I said nothing fancy."

"Sullivan's then?"

Derek scoffed a laugh, "You can't eat at anything less than a five star restaurant can you?"

Elijah straightened, "Excuse me for wanting us to have a nice dinner."

"Fine," Derek agreed through clenched teeth. "But this isn't a date. We just need to clear the air."

"Of course." Elijah gave a small bow, gesturing Derek through the door ahead of him. He had hoped Derek would come around to him but this wasn't what he'd had in mind when he'd suggested dinner.

"I'll meet you there," Derek said, before turning on heel and stalking out of the door before Elijah could suggest they ride together.

-

A wine glass was already clenched in Derek's hand as he sat across from Elijah. He had arrived just before Derek and already ordered a bottle.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company this evening?"

"Don't do that," Derek glared across the table.

Elijah held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm not doing anything."

Derek lifted the glass of wine to his lips. He hated how Elijah played games. It was more obvious now that he had extracted himself from the web that was their relationship.

"Honestly, I'm glad you finally agreed to this." Elijah gave a warm smile that would normally have warmed Derek's chest, but now all it did was unsettle him. He didn't trust it. He couldn't.