"Where is she?"
That was when Alaric noticed the soft flickering light coming from the living room. The television was still playing quietly and there… curled up on the couch beneath the dim light… was Elena.
Elena was asleep.
She had tucked herself into the corner of the sofa with a blanket loosely wrapped around her legs while one of the throw pillows rested beneath her head awkwardly.
The grocery shopping bags from earlier still sat partially unpacked near the kitchen island. A random cooking show continued playing on the television and beside the couch rested her untouched bowl of soup.
Still full.
Alaric stood there silently for several seconds.
Watching her.
For once, she looked completely unguarded.
No teasing smile. No dramatic expressions. No fake public affection.
Just exhaustion under those eyes.
The kind that settled deep into someone's bones.
