everyonelives | the ground could open, he could still say please

Oh, no. I've had a few decades to slide into my hippie phase. Though I'm sure my parents wish I would outgrow it already, but they're very ... Southern. I clash with the aesthetic.

[He says it very fondly, almost as though he maybe does this on purpose.]

You like that you clash. You live for the clash.

( There's something about Wes, something that's almost magnetic and Mickey actually likes him. He likes this conversation, likes hearing about these Southern parents. )

I do. And I think they do too. Not that they'll ever admit it, but they do need someone to drag them into the twenty-first century every once in a while.

[As much as he appreciates Scarlett's southern charm, there are moments she can be a bit too ... Antebellum.]

Literally?

( Are his parents vampires? )

Just how Southern are they?

[Wes makes a face because he's pretty sure Rhett fought for the South, even though he's never asked.]

I'm pretty sure Scarlett's father definitely owned a plantation before they became called out for what they were, if you catch my drift.

[Because yes, his parents are vampires.]

So, like Gone With the Wind.

( Exactly like it. Same name, too. )

How'd your parents become your parents?

Scarlett was hanging out with the vamps who were paying me. She was mostly doing it to keep up appearances and be social about it, but she was different, you know. She never actually fed on me. She would just request my time, and we would talk.

[Not that Scarlett's hands are clean. You don't survive the world before blood bags without winding up with a few corpses or compelled victims. But she treated him better than a lot of the other vampires he met would, and she drove home that vampires are people, in the end.

However they are is what they choose to be.]

I got to know her husband too, but he didn't play so nice with the blue bloods. With good reason. Anyway, when I woke up in transition, I went to them. They felt like the only ones I could really trust to give me my options and help me figure this out.

I was turned by this dick vampire who kidnapped me.

( Which is also a complicated story. )

Not that I was on the right side of history at the time. A whole house of people decided what was best for me. Then Damon took my choice away.

[There's a pause, and a squint, because well.

That resembles a Damon he knows.]

Damon wouldn't happen to be Damon Salvatore, would it?

Yeah. He and his brother and all their friends. And Klaus. Real operatic son of a bitch.

( He scoffs. )

Anyway, Damon shoved his blood in me and killed me. Now I'm this.

Yeah, that sounds like Damon.

[He's slightly disappointed in Stefan, but he also knows that once Damon gets an idea in his head, it can be incredibly difficult to stop him.]

I'm sorry that happened to you. He can be a real son of a bitch.

Tell me about it.

( Weird coincidence. )

Is vampire world always this small?

I'd say no, but ... honestly, the older you get, the more people get weeded out and you need to find those who understand what it was like when you were alive. Or people who knew you then.

[It keeps you grounded, or something. Wes is wondering who he's going to have if/when his parents and their circle of friends disappears and his sister is dead.]

The Salvatores were turned around the same time my parents were.

Have they always been dicks?

( Stefan was also a dick, Wes. Big time. )

Stefan comes in waves.

[It's generally heightened when someone does something like attacking him for no good reason when he's just trying to pump his own gas.]

But no, "dick" is generally Damon's starting point.

Think we've been talking long enough for me to call you 'friend?'

( It's nice having a vampire friend. Hell, it's nice not being awkward with his bff. )

[He smiles a bit at that before nodding.]

I think we've definitely broached friend territory. And if you ever want to talk more about this shit, you know where to find me. Most days, anyway.

[He gestures to the bar around them.]

Yeah? You wouldn't hate if I found myself here again say, later this week. Give you the low down on what comes next and all the awkwardness at Chez Queen.

( Between Cooper's parenting strife, Cooper and William, Oliver and his wife, and Mia - it's a downright party. )

I do love good gossip.

[But if they wanted to actually be truly friendly about it:]

I work through the weekend, but I'm off Wednesday and Thursday, if you would prefer my undivided attention.

[Because he's definitely been addressing other drink orders throughout this conversation.]

I earned your undivided attention? Yeah, I'd take you up on that. Show me Star City, Wes.

( On Wednesday or Thursday, that is. )

I'll do that.

[He pulls out a pen and grabs one of the napkins, scribbling his number down on it. He does have a phone, but with Tommy currently on the floor, he doesn't want to get caught by his boss. Plus he's a little old fashioned.]

Text me and we can make plans.

Yeah.

( He takes the napkin, smile turned upward. He isn't a man who recognizes when things might be taking an upswing. He leans forward. )

This isn't just because I'm a vampire, is it?

( Cause he's not looking for a Yoda. )

[It is, but not for the reason he's thinking.]

It's not not because you're a vampire, but that's more a comfort thing. It's nice, not to have to dance around that stuff - especially if you really want to be friends with someone.

[He prefers being honest over speaking in innuendo.]

But I did enjoy this conversation and I would enjoy conversing with you again. If that's an acceptable reason to want to spend more time with you.

Yeah, probably is.

( It is, but what do overeager worms get. )

I really want to be friends with you, too.

( And not just because he has barely any friends. He should probably get to know Mia, even though he's still Garrett the bachelor in her eyes. )

Good. Then I will see you later.

[And with that he heads back to work, before his boss starts to get on his case.]

the ground could open, he could still say please

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