i want you to know i think you'd be good to me [for manof_myword]

[the_realsavior]

"Seriously, when is the last time you've decorated a tree?"  Elena stood back with an amused look as she watched Elijah reaching to put the star on top of their Christmas tree.  "And I mean you, not the servants

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[manof_myword]

Elijah was fussing with the star, because, really, with his obsession with things being perfectly arranged, how could he not? It was one of the reasons he rarely actually decorated things himself--it could take him forever. Taking the ornament he observed the tree carefully, looking for the best spot, spatially and relationally, head tilting as he studied it. Probably, he was driving her a bit mad with the exactness, but the tree would be kind of stunning when they were done, and he liked it, too.

He looked over at her with a smile after hanging the ornament, looking a little sheepish, though he managed a dry retort. "You do remember the part where I didn't grow up decorating trees and celebrating Christmas?" Jul, yes. But there hadn't been little glass things to hang on trees at perfect intervals, then.

And his penchant for order and neatness hadn't been heightened by a thousand years of vampirism, which tended, also, to make for not rushing things.

"Good. I'm glad he's coming." He was nervous, yes, terribly so, but it made her happy, and when she was happy, he was happy. No self sacrifice there or anything--just the truth.

[the_realsavior]

Really, it was adorable to watch him fussing with the ornaments, looking for just the right spot to put each one so it was put together nicely. She was a little more sporadic as she liked to put things where she thought they looked nice. Yes, she was neat but she wasn't nearly as bad as him. Plus there was once or twice where she caught him moving an ornament from where she had placed it to where he thought it would fit better.

"Well, still, there might have been a point somewhere along the line where you would have decorated a tree." She chuckled, lifting her brows at him.

Moving towards him then, she slid her arms around his waist, interrupting his work as she leaned up to brush her lips over his cheek. Yes, she was happy her brother was coming but she was also just happy in general. Happier than she had remembered being in a long time. Yes, she was worried about the real world coming into their own but she told herself they'd be fine. They had each other and that meant they would be fine.

"I have to go out shopping tomorrow." She mused then, tilting her head back to look at him. "I still need to find your presents...." Which was turning out to be harder than she would thought to get.

[manof_myword]

He didn't mean to move her ornaments. But there were spaces and others were crowded and it would drive him batty if he didn't fix it after a while.

Giving her a crooked smile, he shook his head a little. "We had them, now and again, but..." One eyebrow arched. "Do you really see my family sitting around decorating a Christmas tree?"

He sounded a little wistful, even if he was amused. It was a picture he wouldn't have minded having a memory of.

"You don't have to get me anything, you know." Having her in his life was enough.

[the_realsavior]

"Maybe?" She shrugged a bit, considering it as she thought maybe she could imagine Rebekah taking part in decorating the tree. Maybe Klaus would have servants to do it.

Then she rolled her eyes with a soft chuckle. "I had a feeling you were going to say that." She smirked up at him. "But I'm still getting you something."

[manof_myword]

He thought Rebekah might really enjoy it, as well, but if it ever occurred to Klaus to do it, he'd be shocked. "Maybe," he allowed, with a quieter smile. Maybe he'd have to suggest it to Rebekah some time.

"Well, I won't make you take it back or anything."

[the_realsavior]

"Deal." She chuckled even tough she wasn't worried that he would make her send a present back. She gave him one more gentle squeeze before stepping away, tucking some hair back from her face as she looked at the remaining ornaments. Really, it was nice to do something as simple as decorating the tree with him.

"How about giving me an idea or two of what you'd like?" She glanced over at him again.

[manof_myword]

It was more than nice--it was...well. He didn't really have a better word, that didn't get too spectacular and overwrought, which wasn't his style. But the simple domesticity made him happier than he'd possibly ever been.

"I....honestly don't know," he said with a bit of a wry grin. "I have everything I need."

[the_realsavior]

It was making another memory with him. Their first Christmas tree in what she hoped would be many to follow.

"That's a horrible answer, Elijah!" She laughed, rolling her eyes as she moved to place an ornament on the tree, paying close attention to where she was putting it and where it sat in comparison to the others. "Come on, there must be something."

[manof_myword]

Memories were something he was greatly enjoying making with her. It had been so long since he'd had time, even longer since there had been anyone to make them with.

"I'm sorry!" he protested, reaching for another ornament, pleased by her precision with hers. "I like books?"

[the_realsavior]

"You don't say." Elena shot at him teasingly, moving around to the other side of the tree with a smirk before peeking around to see his reaction. "I have seen your library after all."

She settled back, picking another spot to place an ornament though maybe she was a bit careless in the placement this time.

[manof_myword]

He shook his head a little at her teasing and gave her a bit of a self-conscious smile, ducking his head. "I guess it isn't really that much of a secret..."

He looked where she'd hung the ornament and, to his credit, didn't immediately move to put it somewhere else.

[the_realsavior]

She studied the tree for a moment, then decided to have mercy on him by moving the ornament to a better spot before glancing over at him again. "No but it does give me a couple ideas."

Moving around back to his side, she slid a hand along the small of his back. "I was thinking maybe we could have our own little gift opening thing just the two of us?" Besides sitting with Jeremy to open some presents on Christmas morning. "Whenever you want?"

[manof_myword]

He sighed a little, pleased by the movement of the ornament. "I'm glad it can help, then."

Leaning into her touch, he glanced down at her and nodded. "That sounds like it could be good, especially for any gifts that veer toward...more private."

[the_realsavior]

The mention of gifts running towards a more private theme piqued her interest as she smirked up at him, coyly. "Really? And what kind of presents would those be?"

[manof_myword]

His smile was innocent, though his eyes were less so. "I'm certain you'll have to wait to find out."

[the_realsavior]

"Aww, no, please." She shook her head as she pressed a bit closer, proving that she wasn't above pouting if she needed to. "Tell me?"