This is Us [ Elijah Mikaelson ] 2

fifty

Penelope picked at the skin of her fingernails as she looked out the window, the familiar sign of "Welcome to Mystic Falls", drew nearer as they drove closer. When they passed the sign, a heavy sigh came from her lips and Elijah reached over and took her hand in his. Elijah was able to get them a same day flight out from Ashville to Richmond. It wasn't the first flight out, as that was six in the morning and Penelope had finally fallen back asleep shortly after they discussed it. So he got the next flight after that so she could sleep a little while he packed their things. It had been a long flight, having to fly back to Atlanta and spent a four hour layover there, before flying into Richmond. They had landed around 3:30, but after deboarding, getting their luggage and renting a car, they didn't get out of the airport until a quarter after four, and it was an hour and a half drive to Mystic Falls.

"I'm hungry," She said, looking at him. She had finished the last of the snacks Elijah had bought her in the airport not long ago, but snacks only did so much.

"Do we want to stop at the store and make something at the house?" Elijah asked but Penny shook her head.

"No... I want a burger and onion rings," That meant they would have to go to the Mystic Grill. Elijah's grip on the steering wheel tightened and Penelope noticed his knuckles turning white. "It'll be okay," She said, resting her hand on his thigh and rubbing it gently. "It's just a burger and onion rings. If you feel more comfortable I can order it to go-"

"No," He shook his head and gave her a stiff smile. "It's fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes," He smiled, turning to look at her quickly before putting his attention back on the road. "If any of them try and disturb us, I'll just kill them," He said simply, with a wry smile.

"'Lijah," Penelope warned him, narrowing her eyes. "No killing on our honeymoon."

"It will make everyone's lives so much better, dear."

"Promise me," There was a pause for a minute. Elijah glanced over at her and she was giving him a hard look and he sighed in defeat.

"Fine."

"Fine what?" Elijah pursed his lips, gripping the steering wheel and glared out onto the street in annoyance.

"What if one of them touch you? Do you expect me to not do anything?"

"I expect you to not kill them."

"...Even if I promise we'll have sex after I do?"

"Elijah."

"And if they try something? Hm?"

"If anyone tries to harm me or Leo then yes, but if no one tries to hurt us then hearts and heads stay intact."

"Fine."

"Fine what?" She repeated.

"...I promise I will not kill anyone unless they try to harm you or Leo," Elijah agreed after a moment.

"Good husband," Penelope smiled at him and rubbed his thigh; he scoffed and rolled his eyes at her.

The rest of the drive into town was silent, Penelope massaged the base of Elijah's necks softly in hopes to help him relax as they drove closer to the Mystic Grill. It was crowded for a Sunday, and all the main parking was taken, making Elijah let out a sigh of annoyance. "Just let me out here," Penelope told him and he gripped the steering wheel so hard she was scared it was going to break. "I'll go see if I can get us a table while you find a place to park."

"No."

"Elijah," Penelope sighed, taking her hand from his neck then pulled out a wooden stake from her purse that Elijah made sure she had when they got to the car. "I have this just in case. I'll be fine, no one will try anything when it's this busy."