At least it was a smile. Small, though it was, Elena definitely counted that as progress. And she offered him one back in response.
“I don’t know how well I’m doing,” she confessed. “It’s always jarring, coming back to this world. And until I can talk to anyone affected, I don’t feel quite at ease.” Never mind that she was still acutely aware of how it had felt, to have Klaus drain her blood and her life from her. Klaus was already a hybrid in Orange County, so there was no need for a sacrifice but then he had known who she was when they’d first met.
“How do you handle it?” Gaze rose, her dark gaze locking on his green eyes. “Is it something that comes with time and experience?” Him, Klaus, Caroline didn’t do quite so well sometimes, Tyler had issues, even Damon had apparently threatened her brother as he transitioned.