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

[shreds]

See? They thwarted it. Must've mixed them up with the other two pathologically sacrificing brothers.

( "SACRIFICING?" Damon practically yells a little too loudly in his very public eating establishment.

Katherine rolls her eyes and cricks her neck.

Self-sacrificing. They'd die for one another. I think they both have.

( Damon just looks to Stefan. "Go back to the apocalypse." )

It's like Damian said, Damon. They were involved with one apocalypse, and really, if you believe the books the apocalypse involved them. They didn't actually want a part of that. I could send you the link for the entire series on Amazon. I recommend Route 666, page 220. You're welcome.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

See, exactly my point.

["We're just trying to figure out what Elena's gotten herself into."]

Elena is the other doppelganger, correct? I just want to make sure I check everything off properly on my Mystic Falls bingo card.

[shreds]

Elena's my descendant turned bleeding heart doctor. After being the world's worst vampire for a few years. So, technically, that hits - punches three Mystic Falls Bingo squares?

( She holds her fingers up. )

Cured, Doppelgänger, orphan.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

[He smirks.]

I may just get that free sandwich yet.

[Stefan sighs. "I think what Damon wants to know is if Elena is safe with them, Katherine."]

[shreds]

Is Elena Gilbert safe with anyone? She could help a little old lady across the street and still find trouble.

( Damon moves his hand from his chin, gesturing to his brother. You invited this here, his look suggests.

Katherine just smirks, stretching back and readjusting her position. )

Sam and Dean are two of the best hunters we know. Anybody knows, really. So, if Elena were in trouble, which I just always assume she's in, you'd want them with her.

[somanyadjectives]

Okay. So hopefully she's fine.

[That's said more for Damon's benefit than actually continuing the conversation.]

I'm sure she'll be back soon, and you can be overprotective in her general direction in person.

[shreds]

If she's not, then, she's not. But, like I said, must be Tuesday.

( God, Elena, Elena, Elena. )

Are we done?

( As much as it tickles her that Damon and Elena didn't work out, she still doesn't need to listen to the brothers be encouraging to each other. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

["We are. Thank you, Katherine."

And with that, Stefan will hang up the phone so that Katherine can get back to the drive. Damian hangs up as well, before turning to Katherine with a smirk.]

They sound like lovely people.

[Can you hear all that sarcasm?]

[unforgivably]

( "Maybe in 1864."

Reaching over, Katherine pulls out her iPad. Stefan will get an E-mail shortly telling him that the Supernatural full series are on their way to Damon's address. They're be there the next day. Prime!

Damon hangs up and slams his phone down because, what? )

... What is Katherine's go-to weapon, anyway? Sarcasm?

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan shrugs.]

It's been ten years, Damon. Maybe she's learned some things.

[unforgivably]

Like how to twist the knife just so.

( And ding, Stefan's phone goes off, thanking him for making his purchase!

And at the same time, Damon checks his phone because he was -- on the phone and. )

A hunter needs to be compelled.

[somanyadjectives]

I take it Elena and her harbingers were successful?

[Because that sounds like a productive outing.]

[unforgivably]

She's with the... novelist hunting brothers.

( He doesn't know. But, this time he sets his phone down. )

Tell Buffy to meet us at the house if she's done touring. I predict it will be full up by the night. Come on.

[somanyadjectives]

[Stefan nods and will go to do just that, texting Buffy on the way that there was a break in the hunter case and he and Damon are heading back to the house.]