everyonelives | hey old friend, whadaya say old friend

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hey old friend, whadaya say old friend

[Stiles has told Lydia several times that she doesn't need to stay in Mystic Falls. She's refusing to listen. Things are starting to get worse here, and whatever impending storm is coming is going to be here soon. She puts herself out and about in town when she can, trying to see if she can catch something that might give her a clearer idea of what's going to happen.

What she isn't expecting, is to run into a familiar face.

She's having another text argument with Stiles about her current life choices when she catches a familiar set of cheek bones out of the corner of her eye. She turns towards them, eyes narrowing before she asks:]

Jackson?

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Yes. Compliments always fall under the category of girl talk.

[Look, Caroline's excited okay. Lots of FaceTime does not quality time make.]

I'm so glad we're finally all on the same continent! It feels like it's been a long time coming.

Yeah, it kind of does. I feel like I stole Stefan away from North America.

( From his home. From them. Kind of. )

Did he tell you we met in a haunted Scottish castle? He was taking a tour and we were casing the place.

He did not because while Stefan can be romantic, he doesn't believe in sharing said romanticism.

[She is already delighted please tell her more.

Elena, on the other hand, shakes her head. "And trust me, you didn't steal him from anything. You made him happy, which is for the best because a broody Stefan is no fun for anyone."]

( The hour after he checks in with his brother. Sometimes. )

Stefan sometimes overdoes it with romance. And the brooding. Whole weekends worth. But, that's why I live in a castle. And, I travel. He finds his own fun, or, he makes himself useful. He's great with the other slayers. He gives good pep talks.

That he does. But I'm glad he's fitting in so well. He seems really happy.

[Caroline pauses to take a sip of her wine.]

You both seem really happy.

It might be the happiest I've ever been.

( It's her turn to take a sip of her wine, a blush creeping up her cheeks. )

But, enough about me and Stefan, you two need to spill. Tell me there is man candy in Mystic Falls, if only for the alliteration possibilities.

["Well, I work too much to notice anyone, but I'm relatively certain that Ryan is still following Caroline around like a lost puppy." Elena gives her friend a teasing look, even though she knows she's throwing her to the wolves.

Caroline shakes her head.]

Help one guy transition and everyone assumes he wants to bang you. Ryan and I are just friends.

[She thinks.]

( Buffy joins in the teasing look. Lost puppy? She said spill, didn't she? )

You helped him transition? I'm guessing he falls under 'Man Candy' or he wouldn't be worth mentioning. What makes you think he isn't jonesing for a Caroline fix?

[Elena is nodding because yep. Man Candy is definitely a category Ryan Atwood could fall under. But Caroline ... is kind of at a loss for words as to why. That's a rare thing, under any circumstance and her mouth gapes for a moment.]

I just ... do. And honestly he's so hard to read.

["Look, he may be the strong and silent type, but those heart eyes are hard to miss. I'm just saying."]

I fell for strong and silent. My advice? If he's not keeping away from you for your own good and not trying to kill your friends? He might be a keeper.

( Some advice from Buffy to you.

You don't ( She looks to Elena, 'Watch this,' her eyes say. ) have a picture of him, do you?

[Caroline thinks she sees where this is going, but of course she has a picture of him. Caroline Forbes is the queen of selfies and dropping pictures in the group chat.

And she also knows that if she tries to deny it, Elena would call her bluff. So she fishes out a picture and passes her phone over to Buffy.]

I don't think he's not one? I just ... I don't know. Even in my advanced age, guys are still weird.

Advanced age. I don't think you can look like that and call yourself advanced. Not that you're not one of the smartest women I know. Between you and Willow, I think you could take over a small country.

( Is this the wine? It's probably the wine. Clearly, she should pour herself more wine! And then Caroline. )

He's a honey. He's the entire nest.

( But, nests sting. Don't go there Caroline. )

( Timing really can be everything, or it can come with two squealing women (Elena and Buffy) as Ryan's face fills the screen.

Because Caroline is getting a call. )

["See? That's what I was saying!" Elena says as the phone rings and Caroline hurriedly pulls it back out of Buffy's hands.]

I'll be taking that over there.

[She points to the other side of Damon's back yard. She's briefly grateful that Elena doesn't have super hearing anymore so that she can at least have some kind of privacy on this call.

Little does she know, her body language gives her away to her best friend every time, and Elena's totally going to give Buffy a play-by-play. Still, Caroline takes a breath and answers the phone as she walks away.]

Hey, Ryan. Everything okay?

( Rewinding back Ryan's night, he found Jo, Alaric, and Klaus in his office, doing what else, drinking. It's a wonder Alaric can stand Klaus being in his school at all, but he accepted his money, he has to accept his presence.

Needless to say, Ryan spent time with a very romantic couple and an overly romantic philanthropist. Ryan's always liked love, when it works out. He loved Taylor. Loves that Sandy and Kirsten made it and sends Summer and Seth gifts and FaceTimes. And tries to figure out TikTok to watch the kids.

But when it comes to him? His job took priority. And then an accident.

Drunk Alaric always says things he shouldn't and then Jo jumps in, goading him. Klaus, amused, sips something older than all of them and dispenses with rational advice, coming from someone who will always love Caroline Forbes.

Which is weird enough. Buzzed and brave, he makes the call from outside in the hall. )

Hey, yeah. I was -- Alaric - Jo, everyone is safe.

( Short. To the point. Kind of sweet? Is that a reason to call her? )

Okay, good.

[There could be worse people to be stuck with. She would also be surprised to know that Klaus is encouraging him, but at least he's accepted that she's moved on? There has to be something to that, right?

Anyhoo.]

So, what's up?

( Not encouraging. Intense eye contact was made. But, Klaus is happy. Klaus doesn't really think he has a chance. Goading him is setting him up for failure. )

I - wanted to check in. On the hunter and - everything. See if you needed backup.

( Jo just sits back, smiling. Alaric shakes his head. Weak, weak. )

Oh. All good here.

[She does smile a bit, though, because that was sweet of him.]

They're in the interrogation phase now, which has devolved into arguing about what step two is going to be now that they have the information.

[Everything is fine, which means everything isn't going to stay fine. Now's as good a time as any.]

Everyone getting along. You said not everyone - does.

( He'll work into it. Just checking in is swoon worthy. And he smolders. He knows the effect he has when he wants to. He hasn't perfected it over the phone, however. )

No, but thankfully Damon's house is big enough that we could all find our own corners.

[Is she happy that Hayley and Katherine are besties now? No, not really, but at least they have each other.]

We're making it work.

Are you coming back here tonight, or staying there?

( Now is hardly the time but he has a giddy (drunk) Alaric and an amused Jo and Klaus is somewhere else now. )

Probably coming back. Unless the world decides to end before the end of the night.

[She sounds like she's kidding, but it might. This is Mystic Falls after all.]

I'll probably just drop Elena at the hospital before heading home.

If the world does end, it was nice knowing you, Caroline Forbes. Thank you for saving my life.

( A beat. )

If not, I'll see you back at your apartment.

It's been nice knowing you too, Ryan Atwood.

[She can't help the smile that crosses her face at the thought, and she can't help but feel that little dip of disappointment that has her thinking this might not have been what he called for.

Still, she'll let him go all the same.]

I'll text you when I'm on my way back.

( And he ... hangs up. He fails. He usually fails. This is not his strong suit. He'll get there.

He'll also be back there, waiting in Caroline's living room.

Probably with a beer open. )

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