chapter twenty-one
for the couple of days following Alex's encounter with Stefan, where it was realized that she did in fact need to make a choice quickly, she spent her time in isolation. one would assume that she would spend time with the people she had to choose between, but Alex has a habit of doing the unexpected. you could call it a time of self-reflection. she didn't worry about what anyone else was doing, what they were plotting, or where they were doing it. the time she spent alone was important for her decision making.
though her trip of enlightenment wasn't spent entirely alone. during the second half of her journey back to Mystic Falls she ran into the only piece of a family that she did not have to fight over, one that no matter how much time they spent together or apart, she could always find a sense of comfort and stability with Katherine.
"so..." Katherine starts, sipping on her kool-aid juice a bit too annoyingly, "did you shag him before or after he and Elena broke up. the when, where and how is important, for our research of course"
that comfort quickly turned into annoyance as Katherine mentioned one of the few things Alex did not want to talk about for the rest of eternity.
"i'm not talking about this with you" Alex responded while keeping her eyes on the road as she drove. one more hour. I can survive this for one more hour. she thought to herself.
Katherine let out a dramatic whine, "oh come on. let me in on the juicy details of your hot make up sex. i'm bored and need some entertainment"
Alex reached over and turned up the volume of the radio, the sound of the most recent pop song blared throughout the car, "sorry, what was that? I can't hear you"
"you're so childish" Katherine laughed over the music, but noticed the glare Alex gave her, "okay, fine. i'm the childish one"
"now that is something we can agree on" Alex smirked, knowing that she had now won their little battle. the two friends then sat in silence for a few moments, until Katherine once again opened her mouth.
"one last question," the doppelgänger declared, turning in her seat to face Alex, "have you made your choice yet?"
Alex expected that question at some point, but it didn't make the answer easy. choosing between her family and the man she's loved for over a hundred years was quite difficult. there were pros and cons to both, but deep down she knew her answer. she just didn't want to accept it yet.
the fake Pierce sister checked the time on the clock, "I'll have the answer in one more hour. that's how long it'll take till we get back to Mystic Falls"
"let me guess; the first one you go to will be the one you say goodbye to"
the heretic didn't want to admit that Katherine was right, so she stayed silent. they were always good at reading and understanding each other, they knew each other's next moves before the other even made it. Alex was grateful Katherine wasn't one of the people she had to choose from, because she knew that no matter what choice she made Katherine would be there for her.
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Alex had never been one to always make the best choices. her heart was known to rule over her head in most situations, which typically put her in some tough spots. this same decision was no different. no option is the best, and whatever choice she makes will cause trouble, it's bound to happen with the life she has.
so instead of heading straight for the option she didn't choose once she arrived back in Mystic Falls, she decided to go to her apartment, just for extra time to make her decision.
she didn't expect her brother to be standing at her door once she arrived.
"Niklaus..." she looked at her brother with a puzzled expression, "what are you doing here?"
"i've come to say goodbye"
out of all the things her brother could've said, that was what Alex least expected. she shook her head in disbelief, "what are you talking about? did something happen?"
Klaus disliked her heartbroken eyes, "I've caught word that there are people working against me in New Orleans. I'm not sure how long i'll be gone"
tears welled up in her eyes but she didn't care to brush them away, "so that's it? you're just going to leave me here? you showed up not even to invite me to come with you, but to just disappear again? this is bullshit, Niklaus!"
"listen, sister, listen" he grasped onto both her shoulders to keep her still, "it's different this time, I don't know what's waiting for me. I want you to be safe and have a choice this time"
Alex nearly laughed at the fact that her brother actually was letting her choose her fate this time, but instead she cried harder, "can I choose for you to stay with me?"
there was nothing Klaus hated more than seeing his littlest sister in pain, especially when it's caused by him. and so he hugged her, keeping her head under his so that he couldn't see her tears, "when I know it's safe I'll bring you there. I promise"
it felt too easy, as if the choice just fell right into her lap. why is it that thirty minutes before she was about to choose her family they left her once again? how come Elijah and Rebekah get to stay with Niklaus but not her? why don't they ever choose her?
but after Klaus had left and she was alone in her thoughts, she wondered if Stefan would even want her. she figured it would be best not to tell him her original choice, seeing as that may affect his.
she took her car to the salvatore residence, the feeling of the wind blowing on her skin with the top of her car down fed into what she was feeling. free. she was free to do what she wanted, be with who she wanted. in that car ride she felt more free than she had in a thousand years.
she also felt confident in that moment. she oozed confidence as she reached the Salvatore's front door, and Damon could visibly see the change as he opened the door.
"go fetch your brother, I need to talk to you both"
Damon crossed his arms over his chest, "I thought I made it clear that I wasn't speaking to you"
Alex furrowed her brows, "you just did...but you won't be talking for this little meeting. all you have to do is listen"
Damon stayed their for a second, trying to figure out what she was plotting, but the bright, fake smile she wore creeped him out so he left to get Stefan.
Alex made herself at home and strode into the parlor. she made herself a glass of bourbon and sat down sideways on an armchair. she was confident in her decision, it felt like the best one for her case. who cares if it breaks a couple hearts.
the brothers returned a couple moments later, both of them not so surprisingly holding brooding looks. Alex had seen them share looks like this many times before.
"welcome, brothers!" she greeted them both while standing up, "now the reason I summoned you both is because my decision affects the both of you..."
she walked over to them both from behind, slinging both her arms around their necks. Stefan spoke first, "so I assume you've made your choice?"
"you are correct," she whispered since she was in close proximity with them, "and I choose neither"
both the brothers eyes widen. neither of them suspected her to make this choice. Damon thought she would choose her family, it's all she ever cared about. poor Stefan, he thought she would choose him, choose to stay with him this time. he wanted her to confess that nothing could keep her from him anymore.
"what do you mean exactly?" Damon asked, attempting to turn out of her grip but she used her heightened strength to hold onto them.
"I mean exactly what I said. Niklaus left me alone again, and I'm tired of chasing after Stefan"
"so you're giving up? you're going to let it all go just like that?" Stefan questioned. Alex could feel him shake and his voice slightly waver.
"I wouldn't call it giving up...I'd say it's more of deciding to choose myself for once"
the brothers tried to pull away from her grasp but she pulled them back tighter. she wouldn't let them leave until she said everything she needed to say.
"i'm not done yet, boys. you see, I like Mystic Falls, and so i've decided to stay here for a little while longer, and like i've said, i'm done being the one to chase," she pats Stefan's shoulder that she's holding, "it's your turn now"
she finally released the boys after her monologue and they immediately turned to face her.
"are you trying to play a game with us?" Damon is the first of the two to speak up.
"life is a game, Damon. i'm just changing up the rules"
"I thought there were no rules"
all three of them were reminded of Katherine's words that stuck with them all way back when.
Alex shook her head, "different lifetime, different game. we've started fresh this time around. i've made my move...I wonder what yours will be"
with that, Alex walked out the front door. her decision was that she would leave the choice you to Stefan. and she hoped he would realize that this moment was his time to choose.
the plan was simple: if he followed after her she would stay with him...if not...that would be the end of them.
it was a spur of the moment decision, she didn't expect Klaus to flee and basically give her no other option. but at the same time she didn't want to choose Stefan because her family left. she only wanted to be with him if he wanted her too.
she sat in her car for a moment before actually leaving, hoping that Stefan would come out and reach out.
five minutes passed and she was still alone.
but as soon as she started the engine a voice called out to her.
"Alex!"
she looked over to Stefan walking towards her. she immediately got out of her car and met with him near the hood.
they fell into each other's embrace. arms wrapping around each other and mouths connecting into a kiss. all the stress, fear, sadness, and anger from the past hundred years disappeared immediately as soon as their bodies connected.
Stefan felt overwhelming joy as he kissed her, he kissed her like it would be their last if they broke away. but in fact, this was the first of their new chapter together.
there was no hesitation in his choice. he would choose her again and again for the rest of his life. it always was and always will be Alex that holds every bit of his heart. he was lost without her, and having her back felt like he was whole again.
and Stefan was the only man who could have her heart, mind, and soul. there wouldn't be anyone else if he didn't follow after her. she would always belong to him.
they both broke away from the kiss at the same time.
"have you made your decision?" she asked him teasingly.
he kissed her deeply once again. and then again. and again. every time he tried to speak he felt compelled to kiss her again, as if kissing her would keep her from disappearing.
"I choose you, and I will continue to choose you until I take my last breath. I refuse to lose you again. I love you. I can't live a nothing second without you"
this time Alex pulled him in from the back of his neck and initiated the kiss. she loved him, and she loved kissing him. the only thing that was better than kissing him was sleeping with him.
"prove it to me," she replies, "show me that you love me, that I'm the only one you desire. I want to see just how much you want me"