everyonelives | for the rest of us death will be a relief

I think you kind of have to be when a man drops everything and drives almost six hundred miles to rescue you.

[That's a joke, they were official before that, but it's clear that she's happy with her choice. There's a fondness that Elijah may not have seen with Stefan or Damon. Maybe that comes from being more on even ground, human to human rather than being the sheltered treasure of a pair of vampires, but Elena Gilbert may be actually happy.

It's a unfamiliar feeling, but she's looking to embrace it.]

You're a women worth the trip.

( The joke settles between them. )

If there's nothing else, Bela and I have some business to attend to. We are staying on.

No, go. And good. I think they're going to need all the help they can get.

[She steps back, ready to go continue on her path in search of Dean.]

It was good to see you, Elijah.

( "I hope there'll be less time between the next."

He lets her go, though.

Dean is on his phone and he receives Sam's pin. He leaves Buffy with Stefan and Jeremy with Matt so he can reunite with his girlfriend. )

Hey, all stitched up?

Yep. I am ready to get out of here.

[And maybe find a bed to collapse into.]

Jeremy said something about Sam finding a hotel?

He found one. Rooms for all of us. We're at the end of the road, unless they need you for any more witch business untethering you to whatever spell happened.

( He looks down at his phone and holds it up. )

A few more drops.

[She shakes her head.]

I do not have the brain power to even think about that right now. I think that can be a problem for after I sleep.

[As long as they're not calling for her head, they can sort it out in the morning (or maybe more early afternoon).]

Also, not your problem. Basically confirmed.

( He snakes an arm around her neck and starts her toward the front door, kissing her temple. )

Come on, we're meeting the others outside.

[Elena nods and follows him out, and off they go to the hotel to meet Sam and Allison where Sam both returns her phone to her (there are so many messages, she will address them later), and also informs her that not only did he provide a cover story for her job - she's officially off work until the New Year, but also that Miranda packed a bag for her, in the event that she was found and recovered safely.

Which means Elena can take a shower and clean off all the blood and put on clean clothes when she was done.

The shower does dislodge some of the "I'm fine" facade she's been using to push through. The adrenaline's fading and as the events of the evening catch up and she feels heavier than she has all evening. In the hotel room they're finally alone, and as she emerges from the shower, she looks over at him.]

Thank you, by the way. For getting here when you did.

( Dean catches the expression Elena makes when she's told about her go-bag 'if she was found and recovered safely.' He holders her a little tighter, then, as Sam collects the keys to all the rooms.

Dean finishes some group texting and sets his phone aside. )

I had help. Quashed my Bela beef. Think you were a good influence there, so, thanks. C'mere.

[Elena takes that opening without much prodding, taking the few steps to come closer and into his arms. Her arms wind around his waist, shifting so she can tuck her head against his chest. She feels so tired, but also as though this is a song and dance she's been through so many times before.]

Today was a really awful day.

[Two days? She's not sure how long she was trapped on the Other Side with Matt.]

( He lets her sink into him, holding her as she lets off all of her excess energy and everything bad from the day. )

Wasn't in my top ten.

[She nods, then her head lifts to look at him.]

Are you okay?

[Probably should not be the concern, but he was the one body snatched earlier, and they haven't really had the chance to talk about that yet.]

The spell didn't do anything weird, did it?

[It's gone since George is gone?]

Your - oh, that? Child's play. I've been taken over by way worse. For, longer. I'm square.

( Tip top. Tired and sore, but that's every day. He's 41 or 42 now. )

[Elena exhales and nods, because that was also a lot, but didn't last long enough to do lasting damage. Everyone's okay. Matt is back.]

Good.

[That he's okay, not that he's been there before, obviously.]

I know things are still crazy and complicated, but it is nice to see you. I wish it wasn't because I needed to get myself rescued, but beggars can't be choosers.

[She's kidding, kind of, but she did miss him, so it is nice to have him there in the flesh.]

Hey, I'd be there if you were safe or on the end of the pirate's plank. Can't get rid of me now.

( And he doesn't want her to. He kisses her head, leans down and gives her a long, lingering kiss. )

Edited 2025-11-04 01:57 (UTC)

Good. I don't want to be.

[She hums softly as she kisses him back, sliding her fingers through his hair as she pulls closer. Part of her wants so much to rise to the occasion, but she also knows her limits, and she doesn't want to fall asleep on him either.

She pulls back with a sigh.]

And were I not falling asleep on my feet there would be a lot of gratitude happening but ... tomorrow I will absolutely make it up to you.

Gratitude's not necessary. I'm a little dead on my feet myself.

( So to speak. He wouldn't make it into round one. All is well. They each climb under the covers and get what sleep they can. )

for the rest of us death will be a relief

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