Drabbles

Drunken Confessions

Prompt: Human Elena goes to The Grill and finds a very drunken Elijah.

Elena was tired of the Salvatores fighting over her. There was Stefan, who had ignored her for how many months while he was away with Klaus. He was still not back to his old self and was treating her like she was completely incompetent and pathetic. And there was Damon, who would do virtually anything to keep her safe, including take away her free will. She was done with both of them - for tonight, anyway. She felt something for both of them despite everything they'd put her through, but she was not in a place where she could make a decision. She cared too deeply for both of them to choose, but she knew she couldn't keep leading them along. Sooner or later, she was going to have to choose.

But for tonight, she was going to go to The Grill for some much needed relaxation. She walked inside and was shocked to see Elijah sitting at the bar looking positively wasted. His suit jacket was wrinkled and hanging off one shoulder. His hair was disheveled and there was five o'clock shadow on his chin. Elena watched curiously as he downed another glass of alcohol. The haunted look in his eyes showed Elena that there was something troubling him. A split-second decision caused her to walk up to the bar and seat herself on the barstool next to Elijah.

Elijah looked up and his eyes widened comically when he realized who was next to him.

"Elena!" he said, shocked.

"Hi, Elijah," she said, smiling in amusement at his disconcerted state. "You okay?"

Elijah laughed bitterly. "I've been better. What brings you here tonight with neither Salvatore on your arm?"

Elena gave him a playful glare. "I needed a break from their drama. I'm tired of them fighting over me. So why don't you tell me what's bothering you?"

Elijah let out another chuckle. "Given what you've just said, it's best that I keep my troubles to myself, Elena."

Elena said nothing in response. She ordered herself a drink while pondering confusedly over Elijah's words. She had an inkling as to what he meant, and after Caroline had told her what she thought about the matter countless times, her assumptions were confirmed. Caroline had told her over and over again that she thought Elijah had feelings for her, but Elena was extremely reluctant to believe it. But with what he'd just said …

"Elijah," she said after taking a sip of her drink, "please tell me what's bothering you."

Elijah sighed heavily. The sigh alerted her to how jaded and weary Elijah really was. "Elena, I know I'm drunk, but believe when I say I love you. I knew from the moment you began negotiating with me at our first meeting that you were entirely different from Tatia and Katerina. You're a one-of-a-kind and I told myself I wouldn't interfere with your life, knowing all that you have on your plate. So, I've said my piece. Now tell me what you're thinking."

"Elijah … I - I don't know what to say. Your honor and nobility is something I've admired for a long time, but I've never really …" As Elena rambled on, Elijah placed a large bill on the bar and set his glass on top of it. He stood up and smoothed his jacket.

"Good night, Elena. It was nice talking to you."

Elena could sense the hurt in his voice, see it in his eyes. She was lying to herself and she knew it.

"Elijah, wait," she said, jumping off her chair and rushing over to Elijah, who was almost out the door.

She moved to block his way and pressed her lips to his. It took a moment for him to register her movements, but when he did, his lips began moving in tandem with hers.

For a night that Elijah had only expected to be filled with alcohol and brooding, things were turning out very well.