hey it's good to be back home again

[somanyadjectives]

[It's been a while since Stefan has been back in Mystic Falls, but he wasn't going to miss the twins graduation. He knew that coming home was going to be complicated. He was bringing his girlfriend to meet people. He was bracing himself for Damon's judgement about him dating a vampire slayer the entire ride from the airport.

What he hadn't expected, was getting ambushed at a gas station while filling up his car by a hunter.

According to Damon, there haven't been hunters in Mystic Falls in years. They knew that the school would be a beacon, but they also took precautions for that to protect the kids. Most hunters understood that they were trying to reduce deaths, rather than concentrate them. This isn't to say that Mystic Falls is perfect, but they're doing better than they used to.

Stefan doesn't kill him. He's caught off guard enough that he doesn't immediately go for the kill, and Buffy catches the hunter off guard enough that the guy decides to retreat and regroup rather than push his luck against a slayer and a vampire. This isn't, unfortunately, before he manages to plug Stefan with a few wooden bullets. And those hurt like a mother.]

Gotta love coming home.

[He groans as he sinks back against the car, trying to keep an eye on their surroundings, before glancing down at the bleeding holes in his shirt.]

I liked this shirt.

Comments

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan smirks at his brother, before doing as requested and pulling the phone back so that Damon can see the friendly blond.]

Damon, this is Buffy. Buffy, Damon.

[unforgivably]

It's nice to meet you, finally. I've heard almost everything about you.

( As affable as she is, there's just that wrinkle above her eyebrow that chafes. Yeah, he can't blame his brother. He put him through it. They both worked for the devil. Whatever.

He slaps on a very, very polite, thin, smile. )

Buffy, the - Slayer. Buffy Summers.

Uhuh.

( It's almost a challenge. )

And we know this hunter was after... you and not after the overpowered conduit of kidnapping African bachelors.

[somanyadjectives]

Given that he ran off when Buffy made her presence known, I'm gonna say that yeah. I was the target.

[And he sighs because the drying blood is really starting to itch.]

Look, can we talk about this face to face? We still got a long way to drive and I need a new shirt.

[unforgivably]

Go ahead. Strip down at the gas station. Do the Magic Mike with hot oil, not gasoline. That might end better. For both of you.

( Well, Stefan hadn't exaggerated about his brother. )

Also be safe. Did you get a name or an alias, or do we have an unidentified hunter running around now?

[somanyadjectives]

[He shakes his head.]

He didn't give a name. Young, scruffy and male was about as far as I got. We'll see if I can come up with more by the time I get home.

[unforgivably]

Meet you there, then.

( He doesn't say goodbye, just hangs up. But, it's good to know his brother is even a few hours away. And under siege. It's like old times. )

[somanyadjectives]

[And with that he and Buffy climb back into the front seats and drive their way to the Salvatore house. Stefan pulls up to the front, and turns to Buffy with a smile.]

Damon's going to be Damon about everything, but just remember that he is one person in a sea of Mystic Falls people. And if he drives you too crazy, we can always go get a hotel.

[attainathons]

I can handle your brother. Just wait until you meet Faith.

( She lowers the window down as they pull back out from the gas station. )

How bad is he, though. In terms of, meeting the new girlfriend. ( New being relative. )

[somanyadjectives]

[He purses his lips as he drives, trying to consider how best to put this.]

Not terrible. He's just a lot to deal with and inherently suspicious by nature.

[attainathons]

Great. At what point do I go into my dating history, before he makes sure you're not hurt, or the morning after when I inevitably wake up beforehand.

( She jokes, really. She can handle Damon. But, she's heard enough to still need to confirm now. )

You know I'm not ashamed of anything. He comes at me, I'll hit back. I know a thing about dropping emotional bombs.

( Mostly, they get dropped on her. But, it's so often that she must be good at it if she cared. )

I love you, no matter what your family's like. Besides, Dawn still texts you every day, doesn't she?

( BE HONEST. )

[somanyadjectives]

Yes. But Dawn and I have a very high stakes bet going for this season of the Great British Bake Off. Kind of defeats the point if we don't talk about it.

[He sounds like he's kidding. He's really not. He's totally engrossed in cooking reality TV to bond with Buffy's sister.]

And you don't owe Damon an explanation for anything. Don't let him push your buttons. He's ... really good at that.

[attainathons]

( One she doesn't quite get. American Ninja Warrior that she good do in her sleep? Yes. The corkscrew isn't that hard! In terms of reality, it's Housewives and Top Chef. But, does she love that Dawn likes Stefan and he once saved her from a leprechaun with nefariously matrimonial intentions? Yeah. But she loves so much more about him, too. )

Everyone who mentions Damon, they talk about him like he's this Bond villain. But, fun. He's still your brother. And if he sees your happy, maybe he'll be.

[somanyadjectives]

Our relationship is complicated, and he has a hard time trusting new people.

[And sometimes, even trusting old people.]

But he'll come around eventually. It's just going to take time. And I didn't give him too much information on you because he would have spent too much time obsessing and drawing ridiculous conclusions. I'd rather him actually get to know you face to face.

[attainathons]

I get that. I'm face-to-face girl. I never got into any... apps or anything. But. Even if he doesn't trust me? You trust me. And something comes for him like they just came for you? They get the sharp end of -- well, probably the blunt end of something if they're not vampires themselves. It could be one, well-read hunter. And if not? ( She gestures, grinning and looking to him. ) This vampire country!

[somanyadjectives]

[He laughs, before nodding.]

Exactly. I think the general idea if we get attacked again should definitely be punch first, ask questions later.

[attainathons]

Not saying that I started it, but, most of the time? Punch first. Answers come. Maybe I should learn to do needlepoint and put that on a pillow. Willow wants me to meditate more. She thinks being artistic might center me.

( As she explains, she brings her phone up, scrolling along conversations and newly sent emails. )

[somanyadjectives]

[He smirks as he keeps driving.]

I've never really seen you as one to meditate. You're not really one for stillness.

[But it doesn't sound like it's a detriment.]

[attainathons]

I am. Back when I was all about slayer training? I balanced on one post. One. Legs in the air with the greatest of ease.

[somanyadjectives]

I take it back. I am very impressed.

[attainathons]

I am Ms. Balance.

( She laughs through it, though it's not any less true. This, this is nice. It reminds her of drives through the Scottish countryside, or through France, Italy... On assignment anywhere. )

[somanyadjectives]

[Exactly. This is the kind of banter he's going for as he pulls up to the front of the house and takes a deep breath. It really is good to be home.]

Ready?

[attainathons]

Or not.

( With Stefan, she's ready. They gather there luggage and descend upon Damon Salvatore's home. She'll be fine. She always is. And if she's not, she's dealt with worse beyond Damon Salvatore. )

[somanyadjectives]

[And Stefan will let himself into the empty house, peering through the shadows before calling out.]

Damon? You here?

[It might be nice to have a chance to settle before dealing with his brother.]

[attainathons]

( Stefan gets a head start as Buffy takes in the house, joining him a few minutes later in the foyer.

At the back, Stefan sees an open sliding door. He might be able to hear a faint crackling sound. On the kitchen counter is a bottle of scotch, a post-it note that says, "Stefan," and two glasses. They'll find Damon by his modern firepit out back. )

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan pours a glass for himself, before holding the bottle up to Buffy to see if she wants one. Hard liquor hasn't always been her favorite, but it's been a rough night.

Once that's settled, he'll make his way out to the firepit.]

Are you giving me the opportunity to make an entrance, or did you just get tired of waiting?