for the rest of us death will be a relief

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[braveandstupid]

Well, then hopefully they'll be smart about it.

[And not make things more difficult. She glances down at the stitches to take a look at his handywork.]

Am I all set?

[praevaricatio]

You'll live.

( The stitches should heal nicely. He does great work. )

I knew they couldn't handle you, for the record. When David's mom said they'd brought you back... I knew that was the end. Not just because of Dean and everyone else. But, because you're a fighter.

[braveandstupid]

[Elena nods, because sometimes she's tired of fighting, of pushing back against these things that keep invading her life, but she has a lot to fight for now, even more before the night is done.

But more than that, she wants to live. Somewhere along the way, she figured out how to do both - protect people and also protect herself.]

I had faith in you too.

[She gives his arm a small squeeze, before heading off.]

Don't be a stranger, Ezra.

[And with that she will head back out into the crowd, in search of either her boyfriend or brother, whoever she happens to find first. She catches Jeremy's shoulders and makes a beeline towards him.]

Hey.

[barely]

( "You, either."

Ezra cleans up his supplies and then things really sink in. On autopilot, he goes to the kitchen.

Jeremy is waiting patiently. He called Dawn first thing, got rid of his favorite jacket because it's bloody, and he's keeping an eye on all the foot soldiers. There's a crazy-eyed witch not bothering him at least.

Jeremy jumps, because there are crazy-eye witches about, looks back, and smiles. )

Hey. I heard you were cut up pretty bad.

[braveandstupid]

Yeah. Crazy witch angry that we had taken out her husband.

[She shows him her now stitched up arm.]

Didn't hit anything vital but it still needed to be stitched up.

[barely]

Good. I was worried. I kind of came in half-cocked and got nailed for it. But, I'm fine, too. In one piece and everything.

( He had blood from Elijah, but that can be later. If it needs to be at all. He does know how Elena doesn't like secrets, and though she's tired, she gives him her patented sister side-eye. )

Okay, I went down but Elijah took care of it. I'm okay, too. Seriously.

[braveandstupid]

I believe you. Also Elijah Mikaelson was not someone I expected to be in my rescue party.

[She will have to go thank him. It will probably be her next stop after this.]

I'm glad he had your back.

[barely]

You should know by now, Elena, there's a line for your rescue party. And I don't know anyone that wouldn't be a part of it.

( He just hates that his sister has to have them. )

For the record, I'd like there to be a long time before we all have to gear up and rescue you again. Give our parents a real break.

[braveandstupid]

You and me both. In fact, I'd love it if "never again" was an option.

[She has a pretty good run for the last decade or so. That decade was kind of nice.]

But Ezra says this particular coven won't be darkening my door anymore. So that's at least something.

[barely]

If my vote means anything, put one more down for "Never again." I think Dawn would vote the same, too.

( Actually, everyone would. )

I don't hate the idea of him, anymore. That's gonna be the start for me. ( But learning he was a stalker. Lost him so many points. ) I do miss talking baseball stats with him.

[braveandstupid]

[She gives a small shrug.]

Maybe you guys can do some kind of fantasy team. Do they do fantasy baseball like they do fantasy football?

[Elena does not do sports, but she's learned enough about football through osmosis. Baseball has not computed.]

[barely]

They do. ( It's less popular, but she has a good idea. ) Maybe I'll hit him up. After all this... goes. ( He looks around them, not really knowing what's coming next for Ezra or his guy or any of the other witches. ) We should all get some sleep soon, though. Sam's arranging the rooms. Dean's with his old friend, Jo and her mom. I didn't think this day could get any more...

( How it is. )

[braveandstupid]

[She nods, and she is worried. She's worried that this is more temporary than they think. But even the times when the other side came down, those ghosts weren't alive with heartbeats and needing to breathe.

She can't help but feel a little hopeful that they'll get to keep him. She squeezes his shoulder gently as she nods.]

Do you think you could stick with Matt? Make sure he gets settled okay.

[Elena has a couple more stops to make before she sleeps.]

[barely]

Yeah, I can make sure he gets what he needs.

( Anything he needs. )

You don't really think you brought him back, do you? Not with everyone else, right?

[braveandstupid]

I don't know.

[She seems fully exhausted by the prospect.]

But I can't really rule it out, either. And I certainly can't say I'm mad at the results. I just ... I hope it lasts.

[barely]

Well, he has us.

( But, as a hunter, he also has to do the usual routine. Although, Dean and Sam probably did it already? )

Speaking of, I should probably check in. Make sure he's not having death flashbacks.

[braveandstupid]

[She nods.]

I'm going to go find Dean. Get some rest. Doctor's orders.

[Little does she know it'll be a minute before either of them get there. And in her search for her boyfriend she comes across not Dean, but the unexpected Original himself.]

You know, of all the people that I thought I'd see tonight, I can't say you were on the list. Good to know sometimes life can still surprise me.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

I believe it's like a box of chocolates, or at least, it's a sentiment some believe. I've learned to expect the unexpected, at least in dealing with my family and our enemies at large. ( Which these weren't. ) Is that your way of thanking me?

( Because, it doesn't sound like actual thanks, not that he needs it. )

[braveandstupid]

I was getting there.

[Her tone is teasing, but it turns a bit more serious as she nods.]

Thank you, though. Especially for Jeremy.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

I remember when you kept up your end of the bargain. And, when you gave me information I was sorely lacking.

( She was always an honorable soul and when that honor was called in to question, it was for a good reason. )

[braveandstupid]

[Elena shakes her head.]

That feels like a million years ago sometimes. I was a whole other person.

[Time changes humans a lot faster than vampires, and she's been feeling her humanity as of late.]

[uniquelyvulnerable]

There has always been a kindness and a strength at the center of your heart, Elena. That has never wavered.

( Yes, she has grown. But, she is still, and forever, Elena Gilbert. )

[braveandstupid]

Maybe not.

[She has always appreciated Elijah's ability to see that, even when she couldn't. But it's in this moment that she realizes it's been a long time since she's actually seen him. Some probably would consider that a good thing, and maybe once Elena would have too, but her comfort with the Originals is higher than it used to be.]

It's been a long time. You seem good.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

I am. There might have been a time I wouldn't have known who you were if we were to cross paths, but, thankfully, that period ended. And you, I did hear through the family you were made human again. Congratulations if those are in order.

( He knows his sister believes it worthy of them. )

[braveandstupid]

Thank you. It feels a lot more right. I don't think being a vampire was ever really for me.

[She would have weathered it, if she had to, but she feels better as a human. Less off center.]

How's Rebekah doing? Henry's what? Three now?

[She does get Mikaelson-Holliday family Christmas cards, but she hasn't gotten this years. It's probably waiting for her at her apartment.]