A Knick In Time

Reciprocation

Almost two weeks pass by until I see Elijah again. Partly, I admit, because I was avoiding him a little. After he just left the way he did, I had absolutely no idea how to approach him and frankly, I still don't.

But, when I left from that quarry, I took his fur coat with me. I really didn't mean to, but it was still draped around my shoulders and with all those feelings I confessed, I totally forgot. Then, with the deal of me getting sick and him being so attentive, I didn't come to think of it again.

However, after almost two weeks, I tell myself to finally stop chickening out. I take the fur coat in order to bring it back to its owner. Elijah deserves to get his property back. Also, it doesn't really smell like him anymore anyway.

Upon my arrival at the Mikaelsons' hut, I am greeted by Esther and Rebekah. The two women are busy preparing a meal. Rebekah is the one to open the door of the hut for me. She gives me a smirk.
"Well, well, if it isn't Elijah's girl."

"I'm... not his girl. But I actually came here to talk to him. Where is he?" I'm not sure how to feel about Rebekah obviously teasing me like this.

"Wrapped around your finger, of course." she grins.

Esther amusedly shakes her head.
I keep myself from rolling my eyes. "Does that mean on the fields?"

"No, in the woods. The fields are barren in winter." Esther answers, looking a little suspicious.

I nod, embarassed about my stupid mistake. "Yeah... I know that. I just... well, I guess I'd gotten so used to seeing him on the field that it slipped my mind for a moment. Apologies. And thank you."

I make my way to the woods. They're still covered in snow. Rebekah's words stay with me every step of the way. When I think of Elijah and what has been happening recently, I'm fairly confident to think that he does like me. But wrapped around my finger... ridiculous.
I find the man in question a few minutes away from the village, fighting with Niklaus for fun, again.

"Oh, look!" Elijah exclaims when he sees me, "It's Elena. She must have joined us to witness my fast approaching victory."

"On the contrary, brother," Niklaus smirks and swings his sword downwards, severing the leather of Elijah's belt. It falls to the ground, making Elijah look at his brother with a mix of amusement and pride.
"She's come to laugh at you." Niklaus continues, still pointing his sword at Elijah.

I grin devilishly. "Actually, I've come to laugh at both of you. But now, I'm wondering if I should be worried about how much more of your clothings you intent to cut off of each other instead."

"Hah!" Elijah and Niklaus both give me a look that speaks of amusement as well as fake insulting at my remark. I myself giggle a little. Elijah takes another swing at his brother which the latter evades and conters. It's actually quite entertaining, watching those two fight.

"Well, that's interesting." A voice behind me interrupts us. The two brothers freeze in their movements, all amusement gone. I recognize the voice before I turn around and see the man. Mikael.
The original father comes closer, scrutinizing Niklaus. "That looks like a neat little excersize. Do you do this often?"

"Father, it's nothing." Niklaus says, lowering his head.

Mikael grits his teeth in displeasure. "Is that so? Do you think me daft? You're fighting for fun again, I can see it, boy! Useless as ever! Why don't you get up and face me, boy!"

"Father, no!" Elijah tries to intervene.

Mikael shoves him aside, hard. "Stay out of this!"

"Wait!" I step between Niklaus and his non-father.