Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The place smelled like blood.

Not the faint, teasing kind that clung to human skin - this was thick, metallic, and unapologetic. A vampire's paradise. The dim lights over the bar caught the glint of crimson in crystal tumblers, music thrumming low and slow, a heartbeat for the dead. Elena slipped through the crowd, a smirk tugging at her lips.

No one here looked at her twice. That was the beauty of places like this. In Mystic Falls, she was still Elena Gilbert, the tragic girl everyone wanted to save. Here, she was just another predator.

She perched on a barstool, ordered something stronger than whiskey, and let her gaze drift over the room. She wasn't looking for company - distraction maybe, - but her eyes stopped when a familiar silhouette walked in.

Tall. Composed. Perfectly tailored suit.

The smile came before she could stop it.

"Of course", she murmured under her breath. "because i didn't just get rid of the last Mickelson i saw".

Elijah Mickelson moved through the room like he owned it, and maybe he did. He had the kind of presence that made others get out of the way without realizing they were doing it. His gaze swept the crowd, sharp but unhurried, until it landed on her.

She raises her glass in a mock toast.

"Elena", he greeted, voice warm in that infuriatingly controlled way.

"Elijah", she replied, stretching his name out like it was a dare. "You slumming it tonight? i thought you preferred more.... dignified establishments".

His lips quirked - the closest thing to a smirk she'd ever get from him. "You seemed to have mistaken me for someone with predictable habits".

"Mm, no. You're exactly as predictable as i remember". She took a slow sip. "Here to keep any eye on your brother? Or did you just miss me?"

Elijah stepped closer, the scent of his cologne cutting through the copper tang in the air. "I see Damon neglected to mention that you've... changed? No. Improved".

His gaze flickered to her glass, then to her eyes. :Your humanity is off".

"Wow. And here i thought you were the smart Mikalson".

A few heads turned at that, but Elena didn't care. She'd been baiting people for weeks - it was easier than pretending to feel.

Elijah didn't rise to it, of course. He never did. Instead he studied her like she was a puzzle, not a threat. "It's a dangerous way to live".

"Dangerous is the point". She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "But you already know that, don't you? Or have you forgotten what it's like not to care?"

Something flickered in his eyes - not quite anger, not quite amusement. "You're playing with fire".

"And you walked over here to fan the flames".

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the noise of the bar fading to a dull hum. Then Elijah broke the silence. "Tell me, Elena, how many enemies have you made since you left Mystic Falls?"

She smiled sweetly. "Lost count. Why? Looking to join the list?"

Before he could answer, the back door of the bar slammed open. Three vampires - fast, mean, and clearly hunting - scanned the crowd. Elena didn't bother to hide her annoyance.

"ugh. I was hoping to make it through at least one drink".

The trio spotted her instantly. The tallest one bared teeth ins something that was supposed to be a smile. "Gilbert".

Elijah's tone didn't change, but the air between them did. "Friends of yours?"

"Not even close". she slid off the stool. "But they're about to make my night more interesting".

She was halfway to them when one lunged. She ducked, twisted, snapped his neck in one fluid motion. The second was faster, but not faster than Elijah, who blurred past her and slammed the vampire into the wall hard enough to crack plaster.

The last one hesitated - wrong move. Elena was on him in a heartbeat, fangs in his throat, draining him without a second thought. She dropped the body before Elijah could comment.

"That's one way to handle it", he said, straightening his cuffs he hadn't just broken a man's spine.

"i told you", she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, "I've improved".

His gaze lingered on her for a beat too long. "You have enemies".

:"Everyone does"

"these ones won't give up so easily

She arched a brow. "You offering to help?".

He didn't answer immediately. "perhaps. but I'll want something in return".

There it was - the Mikaelson way. 'And here i thought you were here for the pleasure of my company".

"Elena". his voice was low, almost a warning. "Do not mistake my restraint for indulgence".

She smirked "Then don't mistake my lack of restraint for weakness".

They stood there, dead vampire cooling at their feet, both unwilling to be the first to look away. In the end, it was Elijah who shifted, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and offering it to her.

She took it, not because she needed it, but because refusing felt too much like losing.

"Fine", she said, tucking it into her jacket. "You want to make a deal? Let's talk".

And just like that, the game began.

Chapter Text

By the time Elijah caught up with her, Elena had left the bar behind. She was perched on the hood of a stolen black Camaro, idly twirling the keys around one finger.

"You're following me", she said without looking up

"I prefer the term intercepting".

She glanced at him, one brow arched. "is that what you called it back in Mystic Falls? All those times you just happened to show up when things got messy?"

"I recall most of those times involving your life being in danger".

"And now?"

His gaze flicked briefly down the empty street, his expression unreadable. "The danger remains. Only now you've stopped pretending you care".

Elena smirked. "Finally, someone who gets me." She slid off the car. "So, what's this deal you want to make?"

Elijah stepped closer, hands in his pockets. "There is a witch in this city who has something i require. Unfortunately, she has also surrounded herself with rather... unsavory company".

"That's supposed to scare me?"

"No. It's supposed to interest you".

Her smirk widened. "because you think I'll help you just for the fun of it".

"I think", he said slowly, "that you're not opposed to inconveniencing dangerous people when it benefits you".

It was tempting. She hadn't been in a proper fight all week. " And what do i get in return?"

"I'll see to it that your new... acquittance's from the bar are no longer a problem".

Elena tilted her head, pretending to consider "And here i thought you liked watching me work work for it".

"Even I'm not so foolish as to underestimate coordinated enemies with nothing to lose".

She studied him for a long moment. There was something in his voice - not quite concern, but close enough to be irritating. She deiced not dwell on it. "Fine. Where's the witch?"

The warehouse looked like it had been abandoned for decades, but the faint thrum of magic was enough to make Elena's teeth itch.

"This feels familiar", she said, stepping over broken glass

Elijah glanced at her. "In what way?"

She smiled thinly. "You, me. A witch were about to threaten for information".

His lips quirked, just barley. "You're thinking of the night in Mystic Falls when i sought your assistance against Klaus".

"And you stabbed me through the chest after".

"You were supposed to be unconscious, not dead".

"Details", she said lightly. "You always did have a funny way of showing gratitude".

Inside, the air was thick with incense and candle smoke. A woman stood at the center of the room, her eyes glowing faintly as she took in the sight of them.

"Elijah Mikaelson", she said in a voice that carried power. "And the little Gilbert girl".

"Don't call me that", Elena said, crossing the room in a blur before the witch could take another breath.

The witch's body slammed into a pillar, the wood groaning under the impact. "I liked you better when you were human", she hissed.

"That's the thing", Elena replied, leaning in. "I didn't".

"Enough", Elijah's voice cut through the tension. He stepped forward, his presence filing the room like a shift in air pressure. "You have something of mine. Tell me where it is, and you walk away from this alive".

The witch laughed, a low bitter sound. "Alive? in this world? You flatter yourself".

Elena rolled her eyes. "You're staling. I'm bored". She twisted the witch's arm sharply enough to make her cry out. "Talk"

The witch's gaze darted to Elijah. "You think she's your alley? She's more like the other one - the Petrova. All teeth. No loyalty".

For a second, Elena felt her mouth tighten. Katherine's name wasn't even spoken, but the shadow of it hung in the air. She forced a smile. "The difference is, I'm not pretending o care about loyalty right now".

The witch hesitated, than spat out an address. Elijah didn't move.

"Kill her", he said simply.

Elena blinked, then grinned. "Glady".

It was over in seconds - a blur of movement, the snap of a neck, the body crumpling to the floor. She straightened, brushing dust off her jacket.

"There", she said. "Was that so hard?"

Elijah's eyes were on her, sharp and assessing, "You didn't hesitate".

"I didn't need to".

For the first time, she saw something shift in his expression - not disapproval, exactly, but something heavier. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "That is not a strength, Elena it's a symptom".

She tilted her head, lips curling in amusement. "You trying to diagnose me, Doctor Mikaelson?"

His gaze didn't waver. "I've seen this before. I've been this before. And it ends badly".

She laughed, short and sharp. "You think i care how it ends?"

"Not yet"

They stood there in the dim light, surrounded by the scent of blood and burning candles. Elena could feel the thrum of adrenaline under her skin, her pulse quickening - and she could see, in the careful stillness of his posture, that Elijah wasn't entirely unaffected either.

Elena was about to turn away when Elijah reached out, catching her wrist, the touch was light, but it stopped her cold. His fingers were warm against her skin - steadier than she'd expected.

She looked up at him, daring him to explain himself.

"Elena" he said quietly, "don't mistake absence of fear for control".

"then don't mistake control for strength", she shot back, stepping into his space. The air between them crackled - not from magic, but something sharper, more dangerous.

For a moment, neither moved. His hand shifted, sliding from her wrist to her palm, as if testing whether she'd pull away she didn't.

Her smirk softened into something else, something unguarded. And he - Elijah Mikaelson, the man who thrived on restraint - let his thumb brush against her skin like it was a secret he wasn't supposed to tell.

it only lasted seconds, but it was enough to leave her pulse thrumming as they stepped apart.

He turned first, stepping over the body and heading for the door. "Come, there's still work to be done".

Elena followed, the ghost of a smile on her lips. Deals after all, were only as good as the fun you could have making them.

Chapter Text

The address the witch had given them turned out to be a crumbling townhouse on the edge of the city. The streetlights were dead, the air heavy with the scent of mildew and magic.

Elena crouched on the curb, her leather jacket creaking as she leaned forward to peer through a darkened window. "You ever notice witches have terrible taste in real estate?"

Elijah stood behind her, hands in his pockets like they weren't seconds away from breaking and entering. "The location suits their purposes. Hidden. protected".

"Creepy", she countered. "I'll stick with creepy".

She straightened, brushing imaginary dust from jeans. "So we knock, or-"

Her question died when Elijah blurred past her, moving with that quiet efficiency that made him both infuriating and impressive. He pushed the door open without a sound, as if it had been waiting for him.

Inside, the air was warmer, the smell of herbs mingling with something metallic. Elena followed, letting the door creak shut behind her. The shadows seemed thicker here, the kind that clung to your skin.

"You're sure she told you the truth?" she asked, her voice low.

"She had little reason to lie once she saw you were willing to kill her", Elijah replied.

She flashed him a grin. "Nice to know my talents are appreciated".

The living room looked like it belonged in a different century - mismatched furniture, a chandelier that might have been stolen, shelves crammed with jars and old books.

On the coffee table, a silver box gleamed in the candlelight.

"That it?" Elena asked.

Elijah didn't answer. He was already across the room, lifting the box with careful hands. "It is".

Before she could ask what was inside, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hall.

"Company", she murmured

Three vampires stepped into the room - the same crew from the bar, minus the two they'd left dead.

"You've been busy", the leader growled, his eyes locked on Elena.

"Can't help it", she replied, tilting her head in mock sympathy, "Some people collect stamps. I collect grudges".

The first vampire lunged for her, but she met him halfway, slamming him into the wall with enough force to send plaster raining down. He snarled, but she didn't give him time to recover - her fits drove into his gut, then her knee to his face.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Elijah taking down another with swift, precise strikes - no wasted movement, no hesitation.

The last vampire tried to flank her, but Elijah's hand shot out, catching him by the throat and throwing him across the room like he weighed nothing.

When the dust settled, all three were unconscious - for now.

Elena leaned against the wall, catching her breath more adrenaline than exhaustion. "You always make it look so... neat", she said, nodding to the bodies.

"It's not a contest", Elijah replied

"Everything's a contest".

She pushed off the wall and stepped towards him. "You know, if you wanted to impress me, you could've let me handle all three".

"And if you wanted to survive the night" he said, his voice dipping into something softer but sharper, "You could admit when you need help".

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second - the smallest crack. She covered it with a scoff. "You're mistaking me for someone who needs saving".

"Not saving", Elijah said quietly "just not being alone in the fight".

She froze for a half a heartbeat before brushing past him toward the door. "You're wasting your breath".

Elijah caught her arm before she could leave. The grip was gentle but firm, grounding rather than restraining.

She turned, meeting his gaze - closer than she'd realized. His eyes were darker in the candlelight, the flicker of gold just visible.

For a moment, neither of spoke. His thumb moved once, brushing over the inside of her wrist, and the sensation sent a spark up her arm. She hated that she felt it - hated it more that she didn't pull away.

"You can tell yourself you don't care", Elijah said, his voice low enough that it barley reached her. "But some part of you still does. It always will".

Her laugh was quiet, almost breathless. "Careful, Elijah. You're starting to sound like Damon".

"And you you're still here", he replied

She stepped closer, closing the small space between them until the tips of their shoes touched. "Maybe i just like the way you say my name"

he didn't rise to the bait - not entirely. But his eyes lingered on her face for a beat too long before he let go of her wrist.

Outside, the night air felt sharper, cooler. Elijah tucked the silver box inside his coat and started walking. Elena fell into step beside him.

"So", she said casually, "What's in the box".

"something that must remain out of my brother's hands", he said without looking at her.

"That narrows it down to... everything".

His lips curved faintly, but he didn't elaborate.

They walked on in silence, the city stretching ahead of them like a promise neither was ready to keep.

Chapter Text

The safehouse Elijah chose was nothing like Klaus's sprawling compounds or Rebekah's chic lofts. It was an old brownstone tucked away on a side street, the kind of place you'd walk past without ever noticing. Inside, it smelled faintly of dust and leather-bound books.

Elena dropped onto the couch, legs stretched out across the cushions like she owned the place. "Charming", she said, glancing around. "You always pick the most boring hideouts". "

"They serve their purpose", Elijah replied, setting the silver box carefully on the table.

"Right", she drawled. "Because god forbid Elijah Mikaelson ever choose something for pleasure".

he turned toward her, his expression unreadable. "And what do you choose for pleasure these days, Elena?"

She tilted her head, smirking. "Wouldn't you like to know".

His silence was pointed. It was judgment - not exactly - but something steadier, heavier. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel like she was being dissected, piece by piece.

"You don't scare me", she said after a moment, sitting up straighter.

"That isn't my intention".

"Then what is? To fix me? Newsflash, Elijah - i like myself better this way".

He crossed the room slowly, hands clasped behind his back. "Do you? Or do you simply like the illusion of freedom?"

Her smirk faltered, just barley. He caught it. Of course he caught it.

"You lost Jeremy", he said quietly.

her jaw tightened. "Don't"

"I've seen many people turn off their humanity, Elena always for the same reason - pain". He stopped a few feet away from her. "It doesn't go away. It waits. And when it returns, it comes back with interest".

Something hot and sharp twisted in her chest, but she smothered it with a laugh. :You make it sound like a bank loan:".

His lips curved faintly. "In a sense, it is".

She rolled her eyes and stood. "You know, you should write self-help books. How to Lecture people who don't want to hear it. Bestseller, guaranteed".

'Elena -".

But before he could finish, the front window shattered.

They moved as one. Elena ducked as glass sprayed across the room, Elijah already blurring forward to intercept the intruders. The vampire crew had regrouped - more of them this time, armed with vervain-soaked chains and wooden stakes.

One caught Elena around the throat, slamming her into the wall. She hissed, sinking her teeth into him arm, ripping free with a spray of blood. Another tried to pin her form behind, but she slammed her head back, the crack of bone ringing in her ears.

Elijah was there in an instant, pulling one off her before a stake could find her ribs. his movements were sharp, efficient - one strike, one kill. no wasted effort.

By the time the dust had settled, the safehouse was wrecked, the floor littered with broken wood and bloodied bodies.

Elena pressed a hand to her throat where the chain had burned. The skin was already healing, but it stung.

"You alright?" Elijah asked, voice calm despite the carnage.

She shot him a look. "Of course i am. Don't sound so surprised".

He stepped closer, his gaze flickering briefly to her neck "You're hurt".

"Barley".

Still, his hand lifted, fingers brushing just under her jaw as if to check for himself. The touch was feather-light, but it sent a jolt straight through her.

Her breath caught - not from the pain, but from the way his thumb lingered for a second too long against her skin.

'Don't" she warned softly, though she didn't pull away.

"Don't what?" he asked, his voice had shifted - lower, steadier, the kind of tone that wrapped around you before she realized it.

"Don't look at me like that".

"And how am i looking at you?"

"Like you see something worth saving".

His eyes locked on hers, unflinching "perhaps i do".

The silence stretched. She could feel her heartbeat hammering - pointless, involuntary - and hated that he could probably hear it,

So she did what she always did: leaned into the danger. She stepped forward until there was barley space between them, her lips curling into a smile that was half challenge, half invitation.

"You really want to test me, Elijah?" she whispered

For one breathless second, she thought he might close the distance. But then he stepped back, his hand falling away from her neck.

Her smirk faltered. Not enough to break the mask - but enough for him to notice.

Later, after the bodies were disposed of and the room was quiet again, Elena sank back onto the couch.

"You didn't have to help me" she said, staring at the ceiling.

":No" Elijah agreed. "I didn't"

She turned her head, studying him "Then why did you?"

He didn't answer right away. Finally, he said, "Because despite what you tell yourself... you're not Katherine".

The name hit harder than she wanted. She forced a laugh. "Flattering. except Katherine's a survivor. She doesn't need anyone".

"neither do you", he said softly. "But wanting someone isn't weakness".

She didn't respond. Couldn't. for the first time in weeks, silence pressed heavier than words.