From this fandom ask game.
22. Give us a headcanon for [character]
I want you to know that trying to answer this one gave me a headache because I'm pretty sure any headcanons I have for Elijah I've either used in one of my fics or they're so obvious they hardly count as a headcanon.
Also they all seem to relate to his interactions with Elena because I'm very one-note.
So let me please just answer with something easy.
Elijah a 100% recognized Elena for a hundred reasons, and I'll list a few:
He knows Elena well enough to know that her heart jumps when she's dishonest with him (additional headcanon, more related to Elena - it's interesting that he added 'with me' instead of just ending it with 'when you're dishonest').
Elena wasn't actually that good in her Katherine act. She was too startled to see him. Looked strangely disappointed in him when she realized he'd been 'shacking up with Katherine'. And smiled at him way more like Elena than Katherine.
Go listen to it if you want. But the way Elena says 'Elijah' and Katherine says 'Elijah'? Totally different.
Maybe less significantly because Katherine's a bit of a con artist but Elena's hair and dress were very not Kat's style even with the stolen shoes and jacket. Elena had counted on fooling a stranger only familiar with Katherine, not someone who knew them both.
Hell, even Katherine herself was sure he'd recognize Elena in ten seconds (the brief exchange of words, the kiss, and the little fond peck right after the kiss?... way longer than ten seconds)... after which he'd yank her heart out of her chest (nice guess, no dice!)
Rebekah thought Elijah would recognize Elena, which is why she broke in her stonewalling.
On their first introduction Elijah recognized Elena as human by scent. Don't think Elena could have fooled Elijah's nose even if nothing else tipped him off.
The whole interaction was actually felt very... testing the waters, seeing how she reacts. Kind of... back and forth. He calls her 'Katerina' -> she freezes momentarily but plays her part and comments on him being late -> he walks to her, not looking away; comments on her hair (which, as mentioned, not Katherine's style); runs his fingers over the red streak and tells her he likes it -> she exhales in relief (convinced he's bought the act) and says thank you -> he kisses her -> she's startled again but kisses him back -> he tells her 'I missed you' -> another pause before she responds with a touch too cold an air for the same sentiment (what an interesting place Elena's head must be during this bit) -> he asks after the Cure -> she visibly breaks character -> and Elijah "notices" the ring. BRAVO BOTH OF THEM honestly.
During the whole scene Elijah looks just a bit amused.
And in conclusion. Two separate scenes...
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