( Her eyebrows rise, not having considered it. She hasn't thought about what comes after. She's very focused on hurting people who hurt them. Or, at least, bringing the pain.
But, to her, the only New Orleans affiliation for now is Lindsay. (And Rhett). And Stefan's "nieces." Is it them?
[He can see why she would make that assumption, but he's quick to course correct. He holds up his phone.]
That was Klaus checking in. He said he'd provide an alibi if we needed one, but it would help if we made an appearance. And I'm not saying we do, but the Tower can be ... punitive.
Well, we wouldn't want to be punished by the ancient vampire society. If that will help with an alibi, then I don't see why not.
( And then it's her turn to voice her thoughts on what comes next. )
What about Kansas, after? Just, Dawnie's there now and hurt and it would make me feel better if I could see her in person. Maybe meet Jeremy. I know there are parents in the mix now...
[When it comes to dealing with the Gilberts however:]
I may excuse myself from family dinner, though? According to Caroline, they're having a rough time with the amount of vampires in close proximity to their daughter and since I'm the vampire that started it all, they may not be pleased to see me.
[He doesn't want to get in the middle of Buffy's time to bond with Jeremy's family, even if he isn't planning on going anywhere for the long term. In fact, there are conversations he wants to have around that, but he was saving them for after they dealt with the Riverboat.]
We can see how things are going closer to the visit, but I don't want to make dinner all about me when you're meeting Jeremy for the first time.
Believe it or not, I know a thing or two about moms not loving my taste in vampire men. Or, for that matter, my taste in men.
( While Joyce Summers wasn't thrilled even knowing Angel used to exist, when he suddenly existed again she was faced with the very real fact that Buffy lied. Again. And then, Spike. She never met Parker. And she liked having Riley around the house, but even her mom knew she wasn't carved with Riley's cloth, even though for months it felt like she had been.
She doesn't want to start in about Spike because she let everyone down with him, including herself.
She thinks her mom might actually like Stefan. If she were alive.
Elena is Stefan's ex-girlfriend and one-time fated love? She's been assured it was a spell but the two of them did confront the possibility at one time. She's only a jealous girl when she has reason to be and shockingly, Stefan has given all green flags. )
I also don't want to overwhelm the Gilberts with a vampire-palooza. Is it still only Ryan and Caroline there or are they full up? I'm not going to ask you to come with me just so they can throw death glares across the table.
I think it's just Ryan and Caroline, but they may be leaving soon.
[But they have time to sort all that out.]
I'll talk to Elena. See what she thinks. If nothing else, we could do dinner together after you've met them because I know I can't be the elephant in the room forever.
[Eventually they're going to want to meet him. It just doesn't have to be when they're meeting Dawn's family.]
( What a warm welcome it sounds like they had, how can Buffy blame them. But, she too was a bit against vampires in her beginning tenure as slayer. She remembers her first face off with Angel. And then Darla. )
Okay. There are a few cells across the country, so we really could hang our hat anywhere we'd like after we do our drop-ins and alibis. But, I want to see Dawn. And, I like the girls. If you think the Original vampire family won't be up in arms at having me on your arm, then I think New Orleans is a good.
Oh, I think Klaus is looking forward to testing your mettle, actually. But given my dating history, none of them are surprised.
[Stefan always did like courting danger where the Originals were concerned.
But the future does bring up other questions, and while he's not sure this is the time to fully ask about it, they do have a long plane ride ahead of them and for the moment, they're blessedly alone.]
I've been thinking about other things in the future too. I know we haven't really talked about it.
[But he does want to talk about it, if she's open to it right now. But he can wait. One benefit of being a vampire is the gift of patience, and he would wait for Buffy for as long as it takes.]
( Just so that she gets her facts, straight. Also, he can try to go toe-to-toe with the slayer. Though, she knows he means it symbolically. Mentally, most likely. He is a difficult sort, isn't he?
With that, she sits back, setting her own phone down, pulling a leg under her. )
To be fair, all future talk sort of stalled once you were attacked outside Mystic Falls. A lot replaced it, but, I'm very pro-future. Well, when I'm not sent into it. I'm more of the now girl who likes to imagine and, and talk about said future. Of the now. ...You go.
[He's not going to assume that Klaus doesn't know that, because Freya seems to be the type to play fast and loose with other people's well-being. But enough talk of Mikaelsons, time to switch to the part of the conversation he actually cares about.]
What would you want that future to look like?
[Does she want a proposal? Where does vampirism come into play? He doesn't think she wants to be one, but worth asking. Is this just a long term partnership? Does she want kids?
It's a lot of questions, but he wants to know her first instinct. He doesn't want to propose to a girl who isn't looking to get married, but he's fine with whatever shape their future could take.]
( May or may not've. She knows this was years ago. Klaus would be affronted, utterly, by the last part of the brackets.
Oh. It's this kind of a talk. A serious, where are we going, where do you see us in five years talk. She doesn't do these talks. Partially because - with Angel she always saw him and then he bowed out. Partially because Riley felt safe - but, ultimately, wrong. And the less said about Spike, the better.
It's a loaded, loaded question, so loaded it could be a baked potato. )
That kind of the future.
( That replaced leg, sticks back out, dangling under her as she gathers her thoughts. She scratches the spot above her eyelid as she tries to actually form words. )
I don't know? I mean, with you, preferably, than not. Um. Not losing these girls like we did a few days ago. Maybe settling somewhere close to Dawn but not, like, too close, like, not within shin-kicking distance. And if she wants them, I'll totally be the cool aunt. And, I don't know, maybe, eventually, I'll retire? It's a pipe dream, really, and I don't know if my calling will ever let me, but I have to be able to hang up my stake at some point, right? Like, I did the good. The good was done. Now, other people far and wide can do the good. And I can rest.
( And she's definitely baked. A metaphor she hasn't used with anyone since you know who. Maybe she'll always be baking, but she feels better about it, now. )
[There are steps in there. Finding a worthy successor. Looking for a place to live. Looking at a life without slaying. Those are conversations they can have as things go, but let's start at the top.]
For the me end of things, do you want to get married? Or do you want to just be partners for the long term?
[A beat.]
And for the record, this is not a proposal. But it will let me know if I should plan one.
[Stefan Salvatore has way more romance in him than sitting in an airport, waiting for a plane with no ring.]
( Her cheeks flush at that, how can they not. She knows in her heart of hearts she did not just get engaged. But, she knows the man sitting in front of her would work up to it, should she want that, too.
But how do you explain that to someone? How do you voice that?
She knows the answer. She always has, since she was a little girl. She's even had the dream before. It was a nightmare, but it told her what she wanted. Well. A better dress.
Instead, she plays it a little safe. Because, this is hard for her. He's openly communicating. Asking what she wants. He wants to respond in kind. He's not resenting her or skulking around, he's just a boy sitting in front of a girl. Basically asking if she wants to get married.
Basically proposing. Well. Not. )
I can see myself married. Do you see yourself married?
[Not always, not with everyone. But with this girl? Yeah, he definitely could. He smiles softly, before leaning in to kiss her, softly.]
I'll keep that in mind.
[There's no rush. There's plenty of time. They will figure it out later because he's pretty sure Lindsay would stake him if she is upstaged for her wedding. He just has to find the right moment.]
This may be the first man she's dated who's wanted for nothing. Who hasn't carved a piece of her or asked her too much. Who understands the woman sitting beside him about to go to war, who in a week will probably want to do something girly, and then a day later, she will probably contradict herself again, and do something strong.
She's never had reason to be distant with Stefan, but she has also never been completely forthcoming. She has too much to lose.
This could be the first step in not losing anything.
She smiles to herself, almost daring him. )
You do that.
( She thought become that Bela Swan conversation. You know the one. The inevitable one you get dating a vampire. She keeps it to herself, but happily, she accepts that for now. She doesn't know what she would say if he asked more of her.
Her own question sits on the tip of her tongue. The future means a lot of things. But for now, if this is enough for her. She can answer, and say more when the time comes, if he wants to probe further. But for now, this is good enough. Maybe it is for him, too. )
[They can come back to that question later. They'll have time when they don't have revenge on the mind. Because they don't have time now, as the call for their flight comes over the loudspeaker.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bravebartender) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
everyonelives2025-03-12 08:39 pm
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[And likely remind them that this was a poor course of action on their parts.]
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[And with that he will glance over to Buffy:]
How do you feel about visiting New Orleans when we're done?
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But, to her, the only New Orleans affiliation for now is Lindsay. (And Rhett). And Stefan's "nieces." Is it them?
Still. )
And I thought Caroline was the wedding planner.
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[He can see why she would make that assumption, but he's quick to course correct. He holds up his phone.]
That was Klaus checking in. He said he'd provide an alibi if we needed one, but it would help if we made an appearance. And I'm not saying we do, but the Tower can be ... punitive.
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( And then it's her turn to voice her thoughts on what comes next. )
What about Kansas, after? Just, Dawnie's there now and hurt and it would make me feel better if I could see her in person. Maybe meet Jeremy. I know there are parents in the mix now...
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[When it comes to dealing with the Gilberts however:]
I may excuse myself from family dinner, though? According to Caroline, they're having a rough time with the amount of vampires in close proximity to their daughter and since I'm the vampire that started it all, they may not be pleased to see me.
[He doesn't want to get in the middle of Buffy's time to bond with Jeremy's family, even if he isn't planning on going anywhere for the long term. In fact, there are conversations he wants to have around that, but he was saving them for after they dealt with the Riverboat.]
We can see how things are going closer to the visit, but I don't want to make dinner all about me when you're meeting Jeremy for the first time.
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( While Joyce Summers wasn't thrilled even knowing Angel used to exist, when he suddenly existed again she was faced with the very real fact that Buffy lied. Again. And then, Spike. She never met Parker. And she liked having Riley around the house, but even her mom knew she wasn't carved with Riley's cloth, even though for months it felt like she had been.
She doesn't want to start in about Spike because she let everyone down with him, including herself.
She thinks her mom might actually like Stefan. If she were alive.
Elena is Stefan's ex-girlfriend and one-time fated love? She's been assured it was a spell but the two of them did confront the possibility at one time. She's only a jealous girl when she has reason to be and shockingly, Stefan has given all green flags. )
I also don't want to overwhelm the Gilberts with a vampire-palooza. Is it still only Ryan and Caroline there or are they full up? I'm not going to ask you to come with me just so they can throw death glares across the table.
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[But they have time to sort all that out.]
I'll talk to Elena. See what she thinks. If nothing else, we could do dinner together after you've met them because I know I can't be the elephant in the room forever.
[Eventually they're going to want to meet him. It just doesn't have to be when they're meeting Dawn's family.]
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Okay. There are a few cells across the country, so we really could hang our hat anywhere we'd like after we do our drop-ins and alibis. But, I want to see Dawn. And, I like the girls. If you think the Original vampire family won't be up in arms at having me on your arm, then I think New Orleans is a good.
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[Stefan always did like courting danger where the Originals were concerned.
But the future does bring up other questions, and while he's not sure this is the time to fully ask about it, they do have a long plane ride ahead of them and for the moment, they're blessedly alone.]
I've been thinking about other things in the future too. I know we haven't really talked about it.
[But he does want to talk about it, if she's open to it right now. But he can wait. One benefit of being a vampire is the gift of patience, and he would wait for Buffy for as long as it takes.]
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( Just so that she gets her facts, straight. Also, he can try to go toe-to-toe with the slayer. Though, she knows he means it symbolically. Mentally, most likely. He is a difficult sort, isn't he?
With that, she sits back, setting her own phone down, pulling a leg under her. )
To be fair, all future talk sort of stalled once you were attacked outside Mystic Falls. A lot replaced it, but, I'm very pro-future. Well, when I'm not sent into it. I'm more of the now girl who likes to imagine and, and talk about said future. Of the now. ...You go.
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[He's not going to assume that Klaus doesn't know that, because Freya seems to be the type to play fast and loose with other people's well-being. But enough talk of Mikaelsons, time to switch to the part of the conversation he actually cares about.]
What would you want that future to look like?
[Does she want a proposal? Where does vampirism come into play? He doesn't think she wants to be one, but worth asking. Is this just a long term partnership? Does she want kids?
It's a lot of questions, but he wants to know her first instinct. He doesn't want to propose to a girl who isn't looking to get married, but he's fine with whatever shape their future could take.]
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Oh. It's this kind of a talk. A serious, where are we going, where do you see us in five years talk. She doesn't do these talks. Partially because - with Angel she always saw him and then he bowed out. Partially because Riley felt safe - but, ultimately, wrong. And the less said about Spike, the better.
It's a loaded, loaded question, so loaded it could be a baked potato. )
That kind of the future.
( That replaced leg, sticks back out, dangling under her as she gathers her thoughts. She scratches the spot above her eyelid as she tries to actually form words. )
I don't know? I mean, with you, preferably, than not. Um. Not losing these girls like we did a few days ago. Maybe settling somewhere close to Dawn but not, like, too close, like, not within shin-kicking distance. And if she wants them, I'll totally be the cool aunt. And, I don't know, maybe, eventually, I'll retire? It's a pipe dream, really, and I don't know if my calling will ever let me, but I have to be able to hang up my stake at some point, right? Like, I did the good. The good was done. Now, other people far and wide can do the good. And I can rest.
( And she's definitely baked. A metaphor she hasn't used with anyone since you know who. Maybe she'll always be baking, but she feels better about it, now. )
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[There are steps in there. Finding a worthy successor. Looking for a place to live. Looking at a life without slaying. Those are conversations they can have as things go, but let's start at the top.]
For the me end of things, do you want to get married? Or do you want to just be partners for the long term?
[A beat.]
And for the record, this is not a proposal. But it will let me know if I should plan one.
[Stefan Salvatore has way more romance in him than sitting in an airport, waiting for a plane with no ring.]
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But how do you explain that to someone? How do you voice that?
She knows the answer. She always has, since she was a little girl. She's even had the dream before. It was a nightmare, but it told her what she wanted. Well. A better dress.
Instead, she plays it a little safe. Because, this is hard for her. He's openly communicating. Asking what she wants. He wants to respond in kind. He's not resenting her or skulking around, he's just a boy sitting in front of a girl. Basically asking if she wants to get married.
Basically proposing. Well. Not. )
I can see myself married. Do you see yourself married?
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[Not always, not with everyone. But with this girl? Yeah, he definitely could. He smiles softly, before leaning in to kiss her, softly.]
I'll keep that in mind.
[There's no rush. There's plenty of time. They will figure it out later because he's pretty sure Lindsay would stake him if she is upstaged for her wedding. He just has to find the right moment.]
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Her lips meet his and her heart flutters.
This may be the first man she's dated who's wanted for nothing. Who hasn't carved a piece of her or asked her too much. Who understands the woman sitting beside him about to go to war, who in a week will probably want to do something girly, and then a day later, she will probably contradict herself again, and do something strong.
She's never had reason to be distant with Stefan, but she has also never been completely forthcoming. She has too much to lose.
This could be the first step in not losing anything.
She smiles to herself, almost daring him. )
You do that.
( She thought become that Bela Swan conversation. You know the one. The inevitable one you get dating a vampire. She keeps it to herself, but happily, she accepts that for now. She doesn't know what she would say if he asked more of her.
Her own question sits on the tip of her tongue. The future means a lot of things. But for now, if this is enough for her. She can answer, and say more when the time comes, if he wants to probe further. But for now, this is good enough. Maybe it is for him, too. )
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That's us. Ready?
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Ready.