Chapter Text
2/3 - A Beautiful Sight, We're Happy Tonight
The holidays finally arrived and Elena still hadn’t brought up her concerns to Elijah. There never seemed to be the right time or place and the longer she went without broaching the subject, the less she wanted to.
()()()
She finished readying herself for the Founders' Council Winter Gala. While she could have easily sped through most things (being a vampire did have its perks, after all), Elena decided to indulge herself and enjoy going through the motions. A dressmaker had come to see her and Rebekah earlier the previous week about evening gowns, and Elena couldn't help but be affected by Rebekah's infectious enthusiasm. After compelling the lady to ignore their conversation, Rebekah had shared stories of her London debut back in the Regency era as they looked at the woman's drawings, Rebekah examining the designer gowns with a careful eye. They'd stood and been moved this way and that way as measurements were taken and sample materials were felt. It had been a fun but exhausting day and Elena was enjoying her growing friendship with Rebekah.
The dress had hung in her closet since that day the dressmaker had delivered it and Rebekah's gown to the mansion; and it had been all Elena could do to not just stand and stare at it, stroking its luxurious folds. Actually wearing it for the first time since the designer had tailored it perfectly to her body was divine.
"You look beautiful," Elijah said, moving to stand behind her in front of the mirror, his hands resting lightly on her bare shoulders.
"Thank you," Elena said. She wore a flowing, floor-length, dark blue gown with a sweetheart neckline. The gown's one extravagance was the crystal-trimmed empire waist. Hidden from sight were the cushioned, silver kitten heels that Rebekah had picked out, insisting that Elena might as well have some comfort while she danced. Her hair was twisted and pinned in an elegant up-do that Rebekah had labored over for the better part of an hour. (Personally Elena had thought it looked lovely the first two tries; but Rebekah, Elena was finding, was a perfectionist.) Elena felt exquisite. "You look pretty dapper yourself."
Elijah smirked. He looked as flawless and devastatingly gorgeous as ever in a simple black tuxedo with a silver vest. A dark blue bowtie to match Elena's dress was fastened around his neck by dexterous fingers with a speed that had Elena's head spinning. On his feet were black dress shoes which shined to a gleam.
"How long did you spend polishing those shoes?" Elena asked teasingly. Rebekah had gleefully recounted to Elena how Elijah had labored over his shoes for quite some time when they'd thrown their ball. ("Not nearly as long as Kol preened over himself, though.")
Elijah actually looked as though he might blush. "There is nothing wrong with taking pride in one's appearance," he said stiffly. Kol was so much worse, he thought.
"Mmm," Elena voiced approvingly, turning around and tweaking his bowtie. "Especially if this is the end result."
Elijah captured her hand in his and leaned down to kiss her. Breaking the kiss after a long moment, he pulled a velvet pouch from his pocket. "An early gift, if it's not too forward of me," he said.
Elena felt a wave of unease. They'd been sharing a bed for nearly a month and Elijah was worried a gift would be too forward? Did he have the same concerns? She accepted it with grace, however; Elijah was such a gentleman.
Elijah pulled a pair of stunning diamond earrings from the pouch and Elena was rendered speechless at their beauty, all concerns melting away. They twinkled merrily in the light of the room and Elena knew they would look perfect on her ears. "You need no decoration, yet I couldn't resist. They've been in one of the family vaults for so long; I'm pleased they've found a worthy owner."
Elena delicately affixed her ears with the jewelry; and although they were slightly heavy, as she looked in the mirror it was as if they had been made to be worn by her and her alone. They certainly complemented her dress. "Thank you so much," Elena said. Then her heart plummeted as she realized she had no gift for Elijah or anyone else. She'd been too caught up in trying to adjust and the simplest things like presents had slipped her mind. Oh, why hadn't she thought about it when she'd been out shoe-hunting with Rebekah?
"You are welcome," Elijah said, kissing her hand. "We should join the others downstairs."
Finn, Klaus, Kol, and Rebekah were waiting for them. The men were dressed identically to Elijah apart from the differently colored-bowties and Kol's unbuttoned jacket, which only served to make him look dashing and reckless. Rebekah was stunning in a dark red, floor length, one-shouldered gown with a slightly scooped crystal-adorned neckline and tight waist. Her hair was partially twisted and pinned up with loose curls spiraling down her back. It was much more elaborate than Elena's coiffure, but it suited her perfectly. Elena envied the natural elegance that Rebekah always seemed convey; it was as though she'd been born to wear such things and look magnificent while doing so.
"Let's go and crash the party," Kol said with a grin.
Elena had been the only one who was actually invited. Neglecting to invite Mystic Falls' newest residents had been a daring snub on Mayor Lockwood's part; it had, truthfully, earned the woman Klaus's respect. It didn't mean, however, that he and his family were going to sit meekly at home while Elena was out cavorting merrily with the good townsfolk of Mystic Falls. Klaus couldn't resist ruffling the stubborn Mayor's feathers.
With a smile, and feeling more like herself than she’d felt in some time, Elena looped her arm through Elijah's and the six of them departed.
()()()
They strolled into the ballroom looking elegant, refined, and more at home than anyone else there. The look on Mayor Lockwood's face when she saw them was hysterical.
"Elena, Misters and Miss Mikaelson," she acknowledged, appearing as though she wanted nothing more than to throw up. "How lovely to see you all. Welcome to our celebration."
"Thank you," Klaus said with a charming smile, clearly enjoying how uncomfortable he was making her. "We wouldn't have missed this for the world."
"Enjoy yourselves, please," she said in a strained voice before hurriedly disappearing.
Off to the side of the foyer, Caroline and Liz Forbes were hiding their smirks behind their glasses of champagne. Caroline was wearing an off the shoulder green floor-length dress with a dropped waist and Liz looked like a completely different person in an elegant, strapped, black gown that, when she turned around to greet a passerby, revealed a daring, low back. Mother and daughter shared a look with each other as Mayor Lockwood downed a glass of champagne and then stifled their giggles.
"You both look lovely," Kol said to them as the group approached. "Miss Forbes, would you do me the honor of the opening dance?" Behind him, Klaus glared.
"Alright then," Caroline said with a shrug and a wink at Elena.
"Sheriff?" Finn asked, extending his hand.
Unable to believe that she'd actually been asked to dance by a centuries-old vampire, Liz could only nod as she downed the rest of her champagne, put her hand in his, found herself leading him away.
"Oh, do stop pouting, Nik," Rebekah hissed as Klaus continued to glare at Kol as he was departing with Caroline on his arm. "You know he's only doing it to annoy you."
Klaus sneered in Kol's direction and, in his native tongue, swore violently under his breath.
"Straighten up before I refuse to partner you and you're left all alone," Rebekah said. "Besides, soon enough you'll have the satisfaction of throwing a ball that will make this look like a simple backwards country social."
"Fine," Klaus said, just shy of petulant.
The pair of them followed Elena and Elijah into the ballroom, where everyone was congregating as the group of strings tuned their instruments.
Elena leaned into Elijah. "At least you don't have to welcome everyone and lie about your family," she whispered slyly.
Elijah smirked in response and pulled her into his arms. It appeared as though they were the example everyone else followed. She could see Kol with Caroline and Finn with a bewildered-looking Sheriff Forbes. And behind them, Elena could practically feel Klaus's ire as he and Rebekah moved into place. She could only imagine the number of times her new family had attended such parties, in the very finest clothing, with the highest levels of society. It made her feel somewhat lacking, but she shook those thoughts away. It was Christmas Eve, she looked beautiful, and she had Elijah as her partner.
The music started and Elijah gracefully led her into the waltz. Elena had to admit that Rebekah had been right when she'd insisted that the lewd grinding she'd seen at dances on television could never compare with the seductive intimacy of the waltz. Elena felt so aware of Elijah's presence as they'd moved together, circling round and around with the other couples. It felt every bit as sensual as sharing a bed with him.
"You are quiet," Elijah remarked as they passed Finn and Sheriff Forbes, who made a rather striking couple.
"I'm just basking in the moment," Elena said softly, focusing on him and nothing else. "This is perfect."
()()()
The night went on and Elena found herself dancing with an array of different partners. Alaric, representing the Salvatores in an unofficial capacity, gamely claimed her for a dance. He was later replaced by Kol who proved to be an accomplished dancer. Elena was surprised when Klaus solicited her hand, but he was on his best behavior while they waltzed. The dance lacked the eroticism Elena and Elijah’s had shared, but wasn’t terrible, either. Elena had noticed the blissful expression he'd worn as Caroline had finally agreed to dance with him (on a dance were there was little physical contact, no less) but she didn't have the heart to tell Klaus that he was wasting his time.
After an a couple of hours, Rebekah pulled her away for some refreshments ("Trust me, you need them, whether you realize it or not.") and the two of them were drawn into conversation with a reluctant Dr. Fell and old Mrs. Wrentley, who'd once lived on the same street as Elena. Kol and Finn came to their rescue; as Alaric, who'd come with Meredith, was off to the side smirking as his date desperately looked for a way out of the situation.
Elena, like Sheriff Forbes before her, found herself in the rare position of leading her partner about the floor. "This is not a dance I am familiar with. It is not as though Niklaus let me out of my coffin to take dancing lessons over the years," Finn joked dryly. "I do believe I am learning remarkably well, however."
"You are," Elena assured him. She had a soft spot for Finn, as closed off as he could be sometimes. "I like the hair, by the way," she added as a stray lock of his dark hair fell over one eye.
Finn gave her a small smile. "I have not cut it since the ball we threw. I did not wish to have it shorn at the time but Esther and Rebekah were insistent. They complained that I looked like a pirate."
"It suits you," Elena said as they moved to the music past Elijah and Caroline and came so close to Rebekah and Kol that the girls' dresses brushed against each other just so.
"I believe so." He studied her as they continued to dance. "You seemed reluctant to even attend this evening when the invitation arrived," he commented. "May I ask why?"
"Sometimes all these Founders' events get to be a bit much. And since I'm the only Gilbert here, I can't really escape them. Alaric handles the Council meetings, but no one is supposed to know he's standing in for the Gilberts and the Salvatores."
"There are many events such as this?"
"All mostly excuses for the Council to convene and discuss keeping the town safe from the supernatural. Your arrival has thrown them off balance." As she subtly led Finn around the corner of the ballroom, she could see Mayor Lockwood and Sheriff Forbes in hushed conversation. Meredith Fell, apparently having escaped from Mrs. Wrentley, joined them.
"I have no desire to keep a permanent residence here," Finn said, surprising her. "Niklaus will eventually tire of his stay and leave. Where he goes, Rebekah will most likely follow. It is possible that Kol will follow as well, though he is a difficult force to predict."
Elena believed that Kol would do whatever Finn told him, but didn't voice it. "So long as the residents here are kept in the dark I don't think the council will act too rashly." She smiled. "Even if they do, I'm more than a match for them, now."
Finn gave her a rare grin. "Indeed you are, Elena."
The dance ended and Elijah shortly joined them. "May I have the last dance?" he asked.
"Who am I to stand in the way of two brothers dancing?" Elena teased.
Finn snorted. "Alas, I have promised the final dance to Rebekah. I fear you must settle for Elena's charms, my dear Brother."
"Elena," Elijah said dryly with a roll of his eyes. "Would you care to be my second choice as Finn has so neatly shot me down?"
Elena couldn't help but laugh. Winding Elijah up with the help of his siblings - all of whom had mastered the art - was becoming a favorite pastime of hers. "I'd be delighted, Mr. Mikaelson." Noticing the clock, she added, "But I'm afraid you'll have to wait for a few moments."
Meredith came and collected her and the pair of then joined the other founding families at the head of the ballroom, up on the platform where the orchestra sat. Everyone gathered around and Mayor Lockwood approached the microphone that had been set up.
"I'd like to thank you all for joining us tonight. Here with a few words is Dr. Meredith Fell."
Meredith smiled and took the Mayor's place.
"First of all, Happy Holidays! This year I had the honor of heading the Mystic Falls' committee for public outreach." She continued to detail the committee's goals from the previous year and highlighted the successes they'd achieved. She seemed nervous at first but then appeared to have hit a confident stride as she spoke. "As you know, each year one of our projects is partnering with several surrounding towns and cities to provide a safe and happy holiday for those in need. I'm happy to report that not only did Mystic Falls reach a record high in donations this year, but that we were the highest contributing partner. I'd like to thank everyone who contributed their time, talent, and yes, money, in order to make this a happy season for all."
There was polite applause as she wrapped up and Elena had to keep herself from giggling as Meredith hastily backed away from the microphone and Mayor Lockwood reappeared. "As it's Midnight, we'll have our final dance of the evening. Thank you again for joining us."
Elena and the rest of the founding families left the platform. She quickly found Elijah, who had stood with the others as the announcement was made. Finn and Rebekah were partnering up and Kol had asked Meredith in front of a group of people so that she could not say no. Across the room Alaric and Caroline were rolling their eyes at one another as they moved into place across from the doctor and her unwanted partner. Klaus and some pretty brunette (April? Ashley?) that Elena vaguely recognized from school a few years back were talking lowly.
"I trust your evening has been pleasant?" Elijah asked, placing his hand on her waist.
"It has," Elena said, surprised to realize the reality of it. "I've never actually been to this before; it's only held every other year. My parents always came, but never me. But," she continued with a small smile, "this was really nice."
"I'm glad," Elijah said with a small smile of his own. "It would be a shame to crash a party that turned out to be a bore."
With a small laugh, Elena quickly leaned up and kissed him. Then the music started and the two moved together, lost in each other’s gaze and blissfully unaware of the world around them.