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thememoriesofaqueen · 1 year

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A Valentine's Surprise

A/N: This is for all my loyal readers who have accompanied me for several years. Thank you for your support <3 Happy Valentine's Day 2023 <3

Pairing: Kalijah (Elijah Mikaelson x Katherine Pierce)

Word Count: 2,3k

Warnings: None

Status: Complete

Summary: It's Valentine's Day and while Katherine isn't a fan of cheesy expressions of love that only get made once a year, she is disappointed that Elijah seems to be more interested in his books.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Tick tock, tick, tock. The ticking of the old grandfather clock was - alongside the occasional sound of a page getting turned over - the only noise that filled the air in the otherwise awfully quiet room.

Katherine lounged on the divan and shot dagger gazes at the book currently placed in Elijah's lap. It looked old and boring and she couldn't fathom what made Elijah interested in it. Perhaps it was indeed the fact that it was old which fascinated Elijah. A doubtful taste, especially since he could have something much more interesting.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips and she threw her head back, audibly making her displeasure known. Unfortunately, her attempts seemed to remain unnoticed. Elijah's eyes were still glued to that damn book and without looking up from it, he even reached out for his cup of probably-already-cold tea to take a sip.

What was it that he had said? 'Katerina, I think a quiet afternoon would be nice. Perhaps you even want to join me in the pleasures of reading. I can recommend xy book.' – or something along the line.

At first, Katherine had thought that he was joking but to her great horror he really meant his words and now he was sitting there with that damn book in his lap which occupied his entire attention. Certainly not what she had expected today.

Surely – and Katherine wanted to put great importance on it – she is no one who expects cheesy things on Valentine's Day. Hell, she doesn't even want to be showered in flowers and balloons and stuffed animals (and whatever else gets gifted on these days). It appeared to be fake and if one isn't the romantic type of person the other 364 days of the year, one shouldn't bother to make a 180° turn on a day that's incredibly commercially exploited.

Nonetheless, she had expected more than being literally completely ignored by Elijah.

Elijah, the man that shows his affection in and with the tiniest actions. The man who gives her a kiss on her forehead before she falls asleep and the man who often quickly pecks her cheek when he passes by her. But on the day that is literally known in the world as the most romantic day of the year, he chooses to ignore her, read, and even recommends she read a book herself.

It's unbelievable and makes her want to pout. What was exactly what she decided to do now.

Again, it goes entirely unnoticed. Not even another dramatic sigh made him look up.

How is life so damn unfair?

Katherine pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes as she continued to eye Elijah. For once, he seemed to be entirely relaxed although highly focused on that treacherous book in his lap. A porcelain cup with tea stood on the table next to his armchair which made her wonder if it was finally empty or not. This book enchanted him so much that he even forgot the leave-water he had made himself after he told her he desired a quiet afternoon. He seemed content, which only made her own dissatisfaction worse.

Katherine decided she had enough of this awful state, so she finally got up from the divan and headed over to him. Her heels echoed on the wooden floor but Elijah only looked up at her when she (carefully) lifted the book up and placed herself on his lap instead so that her knees were left and right beside his legs and she was comfortably squatting on his lap. It was a little straitened on that armchair but she didn't care. Katherine could see a little sparkle in his eyes, but otherwise, he kept a straight face.

He did, however, take the book out of her hands and put it on the armrest so he can continue to read. At least he slipped his other arm around her waist and therefore kept her close to him.

Was that progress? Probably. Better than nothing, she supposed.

She put her arms around his neck and nuzzled her nose in the spot where his neck met his shoulder.

The brunette kept quiet for a while, enjoying his proximity although she got more annoyed the more time passed and the more he turned yet another page in his book.

"Elijah", she mumbled against his neck which caused the hand that was lying flat on her back to draw small (and admittedly incredibly relaxing) circles on it. It was, however, still not the reaction she desired.

Instead, she now started to plant kisses along his neck and let her fingers slide through the hair on the nape of his neck. Surely that must ignite some kind of reaction.

"Elijah?", she mumbled again against his skin and this time, she got a reaction from him.

"Yes, Katerina?"

"Is this book more attracting than me?", she asked and finally lifted her head away from his neck so that she could face him.

Elijah raised his eyebrows and looked at her in amusement.

"Of course not."

"Then why do you keep ignoring me?"

"Who says I'm ignoring you?"

"Your lack of response?"

Her statement let him hum which in turn let his chest vibrate softly. "I enjoy your presence thoroughly, my darling Katerina. Is that what makes you so upset?"

"I'm not upset, Elijah", she retorted.

"The pout on your lips tells me otherwise," he stated and finally set the book from the armrest to the side table before he placed both hands on her hips.

"Well, I was thinking you'd want to go out. Have a nice lunch or dinner perhaps. But you're glued to that book." Now it was her turn to raise an eyebrow which quickly changed into a frown when she noticed him chuckling lowly. "What's so funny?", she asked in confusion.

"Well, I did ask you to join me in reading, didn't I?"

"You did. I still don't see the connection."

"But it appears you didn't follow my book recommendation?" he looked at her questioningly although he must know the answer. Of course, she hadn't followed his recommendation because she didn't intend on spending the day reading.

"Perhaps you should", he added after a while as he noticed her gaze darken.

After she made no movement to get up or even consider his words, he started to brush his hands up and down her hips, his expression softening. "Please, Katerina."

Katherine narrowed her eyes and couldn't possibly deny his request. Not when he asks her like that.

"Fine." She got up from her place on his lap as elegantly as possible. "What was the title again?"

"Poetry Of The Nymphs."

Right. She knew there was a reason she didn't start to read. Not only because she wanted to go out or at least do something with him - and by 'with him' she meant a joint activity and not separate reading. The last thing she wanted was to read poems that sounded like a magical fairytale. Or whatever its content was.

Her gaze now wandered to the four gigantic shelves full of books. They weren't put in there in a messy type of thing, no, they were all neatly lined up despite the big number of books. But how was she supposed to find one single book? She didn't even know what it looked like.

Seeking help, she turned to Elijah.

"No, Katerina, you were supposed to find it yourself."

"Elijah..."

She gave him a look that showed him that she wasn't in the mood for searching. Especially not after he still insisted on her getting that damn book.

Apparently, there was something in her gaze that made him sigh and get up. With a targeted grip, he reached into the upper half of the third shelf and pulled out a very old-looking book. Without commenting, he handed her the book and then stepped back a few steps.

He seemed like he was genuinely curious about her reaction to that book. Something she couldn't really comprehend because he cannot expect her to want to join a book club. But if he insisted...

Katherine's gaze landed on the leather cover of the quite heavy book. It had a dark red hue and still looked kinda new despite its age. She assumed it must have been in Elijah's possession for a long time or at least had a careful pre-owner. She couldn’t explain it otherwise.

Deciding it's best if she sits down and places the book on her lap due to its heaviness, Katherine returned to her previous location on the divan.

With another quick glance at Elijah, she opened the book. She had no idea where to start because it had a lot of sides and she certainly can't read all that in one sitting. To her great surprise, however, it seemed to want to open itself and showed her the right spot. Not because it was magic but mainly because she found a dry, pressed flower in it. It was a single, dark-purple carnation.

She carefully took the flower, that had previously hidden a poem in old, very swinging letters written underneath it, out of the page. It had a beautiful color and she wondered what it did in there. It certainly didn't belong to the book and it surely wasn't a bookmark. Did Elijah leave it in there?

Perhaps she had to focus on the poem on this page to find the answer. She figured it had something to do with it since she didn’t believe this was a random finding. It was a bit difficult to read but after a few seconds, she had it covered.

The poem was about a man who was deeply in love with a woman but who was too shy to ask the woman of his dreams out, afraid that his feelings weren't returned. So he decided to communicate with flowers. He deliberately avoided roses that would make his feelings too obvious, instead, he chose carnations. At first, he secretly brought a bouquet of white carnations to her which were associated with purity and luck. After he saw her accepting the white flowers, he continued to secretly give her more flowers. They became more and more colorful - or rather intense - after she accepted the last bouquet and had the same reaction as before. He brought her light red carnations after the white ones, that were associated with conveying admiration. Eventually, he brought her darker shaded carnations which expressed deeper sentiments of love and affection. When he secretly brought her a bouquet of dark purple and red carnations, he was discovered by her as she had waited for the secret admirer to show up.

Katherine had to turn the page to discover how the story ends. She found an ivory, small envelope between the next two sides but choose to ignore it for the time being, feeling like it was important to finish the poem first.

After the woman had unmasked her secret admirer, the man finally had the courage to declare his love. To his great relief, his feelings were returned and the woman declared that she too had admired him from afar. The poem ended with them starting a happy and loving relationship.

Katherine smiled but didn't dare to look up at Elijah. Somehow her own heart started to pound after she took the envelope that was waiting to be opened. She could tell that this envelope didn't belong to this old book and as she turned it around, she could see 'Katerina' being written in familiar, elegant handwriting on it.

"What's this?" she asked and finally looked up to discover that Elijah was still standing in the same spot as before and watching her with great interest.

"You have to open it to find out," was his simple reply and she could tell that there was a certain fondness in his expression.

Now her heart started to pound even more as she carefully opened the envelope.

In it was a simple but expensive unilateral ivory card. Its paper was thick and looked like it was for special occasions. She again discovered Elijah's elegant handwriting on it. It said:

'Dearest Katerina, it would be my greatest honor to let me take you out tonight. Until I receive your answer, I remain in hopeful anticipation. Yours forever Elijah'

Katherine's lips opened slightly because of how beautiful and thoughtful this was. It was beyond romantic and it made her speechless.

"Elijah...." she looked up to see him slowly stepping towards her, the fondness in his expression now more prominent than before.

"I do hope I shall receive your approval", he said softly and extended his hand to help her up and which she took.

"Of course you do, Elijah. I'd be more than happy to go out with you," she whispered and wrapped her arms around his neck before she leaned in to kiss him. As she expected (and hoped), Elijah returned the kiss, and let his hand rest on her cheek, his thumb brushing along her jawline.

"You make me a very happy man, Katerina." He whispered in return as soon as their lingering kiss ended.

"I guess there was a reason that you wanted me to read this afternoon," Katherine said with a soft giggle.

"I certainly hoped you would. Seems like my strategy didn't entirely work out."

Now she understood why he ignored her because he hoped she would give in and read to help with her boredom. And now she also understood why he initially didn't want to help her search the book. He wanted to build up tension. Some kind of game he knew she would usually enjoy.

"Thank you, Elijah. I enjoyed it and I believe I have never been asked out like this before. I won't ever forget it." And she meant every word she said. It meant a lot to her that he chose such a special way to ask her out.

"I love you, Katerina."

"And I love you."

Now, this day could only end up fantastic and memorable.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

#Kalijah #Katherine Pierce #Elijah Mikaelson #Katherine x Elijah #Katherine & Elijah #Elijah & Katherine #Elijah x Katherine #tvd ff #the vampire diaries #fanfiction #one shot #tvd #ff #katherine stan club #elijah stan club #A Valentine's Surprise

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