everyonelives | because the lives of the wicked should be made brief

( That is not what she expected, and now she realizes -- if it ever came down to it, if there had to be a contingency. He wouldn't be her sire. Which is a weird kind of pit that forms in her stomach. )

I'd rather be Miss Independent, anyway.

( And her own vampire if she were... a vampire. )

I'm not saying that's in the cards. Or, like, I'll register for a sire with the dishes. People register for dishes, right? ( Point being. ) If it came down to it, if it was --- I've lived a good life or I could live a longer one, I don't know. ( She sighs. ) In high school, it was my literal nightmare. But. I don't know. I see you. I see the Butlers. Vamping looks different now. So, it's not a never or a no and definitely not a yes - but - I made history before. ( She shrugs. ) I do know one thing, ( she says, moving to sit next to him on the tub. Back to betrothals, hopefully he'll catch this. ) When you're ready and you ask me -- I'll say yes.

[A small smile starts to cross his face, and he reaches for her hand. Winding his fingers in hers, he brings the back of his hand to her lips.]

And even if you decide not to be a vampire, I'll still be here. Until you're old and gray.

[He'll be her handsome live-in handyman who helps with things around the house, whatever story they want to come up with for why she's living with someone who doesn't age.]

And still spry.

( Slayers have never been as old as she's gotten. She's a first. The first. )

I love you. Thank you for watching my back. And understanding why I had to get on that Riverboat. And helping my sister. And, not being the worst speed date I've ever had.

I love you too.

[More than he's loved anyone in a long time. Part of him wonders if all the epic loves he thought he's had in the past were all just practice runs. Preparing him and getting him to the place where he'd be ready for this.]

And I'll always have your back. Hopefully we'll never have to go on another speed date again.

Maybe undercover one day.

( She jokes, dropping her gaze with a peaceful, settled sigh. She does shake her head, glancing at the two of them in the mirror. )

The Ivory Tower's still out there. Still -- using innocents.

[Stefan nods, because he knows that's going to be a problem that's going to return. He doesn't know where to go to get more information just yet, but maybe Klaus will have information he can offer.]

Yeah. But that's a problem for another day. In fact, it's probably going to be a problem that carriers over several days, because you can't dismantle something like that overnight.

Rome wasn't built on a day.

( She nods, squeezing his hand. )

That... sounds wrong.

[He smirks.]

If you want to stay on this, there's probably some trees we could shake. I want to ask Klaus about the Arbiter Rusty mentioned, too. I have a feeling we might see him again.

I'd ask Faith, but she's like the guy in Memento about it. Claims she doesn't remember saying anything at all. Kind of funny if she hadn't, we wouldn't know who we were dealing with.

( She has to question. )

How far do you think we should take our trust in Rusty?

I think right now he's fairly single-minded, and we aren't what he's after.

[What will that mean once all the Inner Circle is dead and he doesn't have a direction to point in anymore? Stefan isn't sure.]

Why? Did you see something you didn't like?

No. He was organized. Focused. Efficient. There's just something about him, like, what's left after the vengeance. There's one more round of bodies, and of witches and then --

( It's just on the top of her mind right now. )

I don't know. It's just a feeling.

If what they say about his curse is true, I'm pretty sure what comes after is him dying of old age thirty years from now.

[Stefan can't blame him for wanting to finally rest.]

I don't think he's intending to implode. But we could always check on him after all is said and done if it would make you feel better.

Maybe we wait it out? The last thing he needs is us in his business. Especially, if everything turns out and he goes free.

( But. )

But, maybe we - keep one eye on him. That Ezra guy? Stay one degree of Kevin Bacon away, but, we can help if we're needed. Or, intercede. If needed.

[Stefan nods slowly, considering.]

Maybe we should loop in Elena. She's the one who's been spending the most time with him.

They were friends at one time, maybe they're in touch.

( She didn't get the entire story, but understood that there was a betrayal involved. )

We should, if she isn't up to her elbows in family drama.

Oh, I'm sure she is. But she might enjoy the distraction.

[And it'll give him an opportunity to take the temperature on how things are going with her parents, if he and Buffy are going to be eventually heading up to Kansas.]

I'll give her a call tomorrow.

Okay. Let me know how it goes?

( Unless she's there next to him when he does, or in his vicinity. She'll be kept in the loop. )

I will.

[He gives her hand a squeeze, before tipping his head towards the bedroom.]

But I think for now, we should try to get some sleep.

One of these days, I want to go to bed after not washing blood off of me.

( But, she's this old now, and she's yet to have many days that haven't ended like that. )

[He nods, because he understands the feeling ... though maybe for less altruistic reasons. Regardless, he leans in to brush a kiss to her forehead, before taking them back to bed for some much needed rest.]

because the lives of the wicked should be made brief

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