hey old friend, whadaya say old friend

[beanchaointe]

[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?

Comments

[cholesterol]

You get to save people.

( That, he admires. )

I'm sorry, I never looked you up. After you parents. After any of it. I should've checked in. Driven through.

[braveandstupid]

[She shakes her head, waving her hand.]

It's okay. Honestly, my life was such a mess back then, it's probably better you weren't here.

[Plus, much higher likelihood he would have died.]

But I'm glad you're here now. We'd be flying a lot blinder if you hadn't been there.

[cholesterol]

Still feels like we're flying blind enough. Snowstorm blind. These hunters, they're bad news, Elena.

( And it makes it that much harder that they don't have the information they need. But, that's why Sammy is going to head down there with everyone. They can save Jack and this girl Hope and the school. )

[braveandstupid]

[She nods because yeah. She's getting that too. If people are coming in from all over the country to deal with this then this has to be something bigger than just them.]

We'll figure it out. Probably not without a few bumps and bruises, but ... generally speaking we usually find a way to win in the end.

[She has the utmost faith in her people. They've done this before and they'll do it again.]

[cholesterol]

I'll take the bruises if you take the bumps.

( He's had enough for the both of them. He also smirks back at her. )

[braveandstupid]

[She laughs before nodding.]

Deal.

[Then she holds up the bottle.]

I should probably get this back before they stage a revolt.

[cholesterol]

You're -- released.

( His lip drops, he arches his jaw. Not his best. But, he does step away so that she can -- move on. Dean can be quite the dork when he wants to be.

He watches her find wine, probably in Damon's wine cellar, and curses himself. Locks eyes with his brother who's heading downstairs.

Don't. )

[imnot_likeyou]

[He's just going to give you the Look, Dean. You know the one. The one that says "You should go for the thing that makes you happy, because who knows when you may have it again. The world may end tomorrow for all we know."

You know. That look. You can't tell the narration that Sam Winchester's puppy dog eyes don't speak in full sentences.]

[cholesterol]

( His eyes said, 'Don't.'

He settles down next to the Armie Hammer look-a-like though. This is Dean. Push feelings away, literally sometimes. Have some bro moments. )

Anyone tell you you look like the guy from Man From U.N.C.L.E?

[gambled_ourmistakes]

I do get that a lot, actually.

[He's got a plate of salmon in front of him, and is really just enjoying something a bit higher caliber than their usual diner fare.]

Have you tried the salmon? It's fantastic.

[cholesterol]

( Unsurprisingly. He's like, Dr. Sexy levels of sexy. Until he says that. )

Uh, yeah, I'm not a bear. I got my carbonara. You know, we met, once, years back. You and Katherine.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Hey, sometimes bears have the right idea. They don't call them a half-ton death machine for nothing.

[But Dean's loss, more for him.]

Yeah, I remember. You thought Katherine was someone else. Now, I understand the confusion.

[cholesterol]

( Is that what they call them. Sounds like a Sam thing. )

They're identical except for the hair and the stab you in the heart heels. She walk in those every day?

[gambled_ourmistakes]

I am continually amazed that she hasn't broken an ankle or worse.

[He assumes it comes from five hundred years of learning how to move in oppressively feminine clothing.]

But whatever makes her happy.

[cholesterol]

As long as she's not ankle twisting her way to an early death.

( So many horror movies, Damian. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

[He nods, and then his brow furrows.]

Does it count as an "early" death when you're five hundred years-old?

[Inquiring minds.]

[cholesterol]

Second chance still counts.

( He knows that more than anyone. Him, his brother, their mother. Even sending their father back to die... Yeah, Damian, he knows what he's talking about. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Fair enough.

[He pauses to have another drink of his wine before turning back to him.]

You know, the interpersonal politics at these kinds of things are fascinating. All that small town drama, whether they want it to happen or not.

[cholesterol]

You go to a lot of torture summits, Damian?

( Small towns, big towns, parties, or families, drama - it happens. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

In my old job, occasionally.

[That's kind of what happens when you lean more into money than the right thing.]

Pretty similar to this. Great food, not so great on the after dinner entertainment.

[cholesterol]

See, I think there's nothing like a good old fashioned torture session to get the job done.

( But, is he kidding? )

The politics down there, it's species working together against a common enemy. Don't expect it to last.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Not everything is all about politics.

[Damian reaches for his wine, swirling it lightly.]

I'm pretty sure the banshee and the vampire that's not dating the vampire Slayer have been making "Will they or won't they" eyes at each other all night.

[cholesterol]

( No, but it is about kill or be killed. )

While you're peeping on other people's sweeps week longing looks, I've been eating.

( Is - he looks up and behind them. He hears Caroline call out. Glancing to Damian, he tilts his head, hand to his holster as he stands back up. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

[Damian is up as well, but instead of going for his gun he reaches for one of the kitchen knives. He didn't bring a gun downstairs. Oops.

But he's armed now, and he nods to Dean, prepared to follow his lead.]