The night was quiet in Mystic Falls, your bedroom lit only by the soft glow of the lamp on your dresser. You and Stefan were tangled up on your bed, his hand resting lightly on your waist, his lips brushing against yours in the kind of kiss that started sweet but had slowly deepened until you felt your whole body melting under him.

It had started innocent enough — you’d been curled up, talking and laughing, but then his thumb traced over your bottom lip, and suddenly you were kissing him back like you’d been waiting your whole life for it.

His mouth was warm, unhurried, his tongue slipping against yours with an ease that made your stomach flip. When his hand slid lower over your hip, tugging you a little closer, a shiver ran through you.

“Stefan…” you breathed, pulling back just slightly, your heart pounding.

He searched your face instantly, that protective softness in his green eyes. “Too much?”

You shook your head, biting your lip. “No, it’s not that. I just—” Your cheeks burned as you whispered, “I’ve… never done this before. Like… ever.”

His expression softened even more, like he’d been waiting to hear you say it. He brushed his knuckles along your jaw, voice low and reassuring. “You mean… your first time?”

You nodded, nervous but needing him to know.

Instead of teasing, Stefan leaned in and kissed your forehead. “Thank you for telling me. We’ll go slow. I’ll talk you through everything, okay? And if at any point you want to stop—”

“I won’t,” you cut in quickly, making him smile. “I want it to be you.”

Something flickered in his gaze at that — reverence, like the words meant more to him than you realized. He kissed you again, slower, and when his tongue slipped into your mouth this time it was deliberate, guiding, making you feel like you could follow his lead without pressure.

His hands started exploring, but always pausing, checking. They slid under your shirt and when he felt you tense, he pulled back, his voice like velvet. “Is this okay?”