Chasing the storm

09

St. Anne's church, newly refurbished to improve physical development of transitioning, testosterone infested baby vampires, was emptier than usual.

Marcel's recent but hollow alliance to the Strix meant that the vampires had disbanded, still under the control of the Mikaelson's yet not obliged to constantly be training.

It gave Elijah and Alex some time to let of some steam, challenging each other to duels. And let's face it, there has been some friction between the two as soon as Scarlett has gotten truly involved.

Elijah ducked under Alex's sneaky punch, he grabbed his friends ankles and pulled; causing Alex to fall down with a huge thud.

Elijah jumped up, allowing Alex some time to recover. He wanted to win, but he wanted a challenge. Resuming, Elijah grasped Alex's wrist and spun around, the satisfying crack echoing through the whole church.

"You're a bit more savage today Elijah" the sweat dropped off Alex's forehead, he was a very strong vampire with hardly any weaknesses, but the only challenge he faced physically, would obviously be the Mikaelson's. "Anything on your mind?"

"Nope" Elijah panted as he bashed Alex in the stomach "in a completely different note, have you spoken to Scarlett recently?"

The fight weakened as Alex's feet came to a halt and he looked up with his hands running through his hair "no, I've completely forgot"

Elijah carried on the fight, blowing of the steam that had been caused from Alex's carelessness. Quickly convincing Alex to join back in.

"Maybe you should use the time..." Elijah's stopped for breath "... To visit her instead of fighting"

"Why is this suddenly your business Elijah?" Alex punched the air as Elijah missed the punch by inches.

"What do you mean?" Elijah asked, of course it was partially his business

"Well it's not like I've not noticed the way you stare at her from across the room, the way you've been avoiding her and the way you bring her up when I ask if there's something on your mind" Alex did have a lot of tension to release, and he was releasing it at Elijah, like firing a gun at him continuously. "Admit it, you feel something for her"

"Alex, you are speaking nonsense" Elijah's breath deepened, not only with the extraneous exercise, but with the secret he was keeping locked down.

Alex stopped fighting again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, I don't mean it, you know, I'm just stressed" Alex admitted "with the constant threat to your life and Tristan now making me top of the wanted list, as well as trying to uncover what he's planning"

"Aren't we all?" Elijah sympathised with him, walking over to the gate, opening it and stepping out. The air was warm and his skin felt wet and sticky with sweat. "We need to stick together in these times, and not let petty things get between us"

"So, you do feel something for Scarlett?" Alex read between the lines and made out that Elijah did. It was completely obvious.

Elijah gulped. Not replying to the question and pretending that he couldn't hear him. He proceeded to lift a water bottle up and throw it to Alex.

Alex caught it and quickly undid the lid, gulping it down, the silence was the only answer he needed. Elijah was in love with his girlfriend. "I guessed so"

"It doesn't change anything" Elijah finally managed to push out as he drank the water "my feelings are completely out of the question, Alex when was the last time I allowed a woman that I loved to love me back?"

"1700's, Celeste Marie Dubois"Alex recalled as if it were only yesterday "and I hope not Elijah, I know we are friends but if you go as far as to make a single move on her than I won't hesitate to take action, I'll never speak to you again" he threatened, though it was spoken in a friendly tone, Elijah knew the true importance "and she would never love you back"

Ouch. Well that hurt. Elijah just stared into the distance, the water bottle resting on his lips, he wasn't thirsty anymore, he was just drinking to excuse himself out of an awkward situation.

"As I have said" Elijah gasped "it is out of the question"

He reached for the black towel on the table and threw it in Alex's direction. "Clean up, you have the rest of the day free and it would be wise to spend it with her" Elijah gritted his teeth has he told Alex to go

Alex slightly raised the towel in a thank you, and began to walk out of the door, Elijah's voice intercepting. "Alex?"

He turned around to answer Elijah with raised eyebrows.

"I told her that you wanted to escort her to the party we are hosting, please mention that to her" Elijah was busying himself so he didn't have to look at Alex. He knew that if he did, Alex could see straight through him.

"Thank you" Alex replied in a surprise, if Elijah was in love with Scarlett, why was he doing things to strengthen Alex's bond with her?

And with that, Alex disappeared out of the door.