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

Yeah, of course. I said it was serious. It looked serious.

( He was honest. )

Okay. You deal with your kids, I'll deal with mine. And... they'll all... meet.

That, plus a whole bunch of formerly dead parents if the group chat is to be believed.

[She exhales slowly.]

Maybe I can get Carol to help me plan.

[She will not monopolize Tyler's mother's time, but she basically did this for a living with the Founders events and she might be wanting something to do at that point. Especially if Tyler is off spending time with Matt.

Then she realizes something else.]

And we're also going to need to arrange for beds. Why don't you call Ben while I touch base with Tyler and see what our options are. I think he's in town currently.

Wouldn't call the chat's bluff.

( He smirks. Carol's Tyler's mom. He needs a diagram.

He nods, grasping his phone in his hand before taking hers and turning to face her, real seriously. )

So, we're going to comingle our kids.

( Such a weird fucking statement to make, but they are. )

And things are getting real real for us. And, they're only going to get more serious, which I truly suck at. So, just. Buckle up. I'm gonna say or do some boneheaded things. And you're going to have to be patient or you're going to have to kick my ass. But I'm going to be here for all of it, okay?

[She smiles back at him, because if anything, she craves the things that are real. She's always wanted a partner, wanted a family. It feels like for once, they're on the same page.]

I'm Elena Gilbert.

[She smirks, before leaning in to kiss him softly.]

Some people say I may have too much patience. I think I can handle it.

[As long as he doesn't go on a murder spree, there's probably nothing they can't solve.

Her bar truly is in Hell.]

( Murder spree's never out of the option for a Winchester, glad the bar is the infernal basement

But, as it is, he kisses her once more before unwinding from around her and getting to his feet. He does some mental time math before dialing Ben's number. )

[Ben is sprawled on his mom's couch, since it Mary argued it would be easier for everyone to stay safe if they were all in one place. Things are resolved, at least from what he could tell by Mary's demeanor, but he still maybe picks up his phone a little too fast when Dean's name pops up on the caller ID.]

Hey. Is Elena okay?

[Is everyone okay, really, but Elena was the one in the most trouble when Dean left.]

Hey, Ben. Yeah. She's good. She's out of danger. Coven's -- defunct. In this iteration. How're things there? Mom holding the fort down?

( He assumes they're all together. His mom would have it no other way. )

Yeah. I figured things were ... resolved, I guess, because she went from a ten to a two on the hypervigilance scale but she didn't share if she heard any news.

[Mary and Dean are hypervigilant in similar ways, so it's easy enough to recognize the signs.]

Sorry. Things're - really weird right now and we were both pretty exhausted. We're up now. Listen, what - what are you doing for Christmas?

( Ever the expert on changing the subject. )

Uh.

[Subject change whiplash is a thing, but he's kind of used to it with Dean at this point. He'll text to check in with Elena, because they do that now.]

Probably going to Aunt Cheryl's? Why?

Because, we're doing something in Mystic Falls. It's going to be a big to-do and, uh, we never do anything, so, I want - you to be there. If you want to be. Lisa and Rudy are invited, too, and Dickson.

( Is that his name? )

I know it's short notice, I just wanted to float it. I missed this time. And Mom's coming back up, anyway.

Dickerson.

[Which is not the answer to Dean's question, but he wants to make sure he actually knows his best friend's name.]

Let me talk to Mom and Rudy. See what they want to do. Can I get back to you?

Yeah, of course. I'm springing this on you. But, I do that. Life. Does that.

( He hangs his head for a moment, listening to his own thoughts. )

You guys were safe? Saw no action?

Only Mary cleaning our clocks at Rummy 500.

[They let Rudy pick the game, and it was a good option because there was an incentive to keep playing.]

But otherwise, no. Everything was good.

Cool. Pass my invitation along. And, ( He pauses again. ) Sorry. Again. Really want to see you again.

[Ben hears what he's saying but also:]

Dude, don't feel like you have to apologize because Elena needed your help. I like Elena. I'm glad you went to help her. I'm not mad or upset.

[Which could either be a pro or a con but he wants Dean to stop apologizing when it's not needed - or maybe look ay why he feels like it's an issue.]

You didn't do anything wrong.

OK. Good talk. Say hi to your mom for me. -- And Rudy.

( Or, whatever, it's cool. He hangs up. )

Tyler in for Christmas?

Yep. His mom is a whizz at all of this and used to plan all the Founders events so if anyone can help throw together a last minute Christmas dinner, it's Carol Lockwood.

[And she feels a little better knowing that Carol is helping, if she's honest.]

How'd things go with Ben?

He told me to stop apologizing and that he'd check with Lisa and Rudy.

( And probably Dickers. )

Group chat keeps going off like gangbusters.

There are so many people on it we will keep talking each other in circles.

[She moves to sit next to him.]

I think we should see what everyone else here is up to. And also maybe see if we can find an all-day breakfast place because I could use some pancakes.

Now you're speaking my language.

( He throws an arm around her neck and leans in close. )

Maybe keep one eye on your friend Bonnie so she doesn't go Killer-Terminator again on Kai before they get answers. In her defense, I would.

Oh, she's already gone on her way to Mystic Falls. I think as much as she does want to kill him she's decided he's not worth her energy at the moment. Hopefully he'll stay away.

[But if he doesn't, well.

He'll meet Isaac. Isaac is not as friendly or tolerant as other people Kai could run into.]

Yeah, something tells me he won't go barking up her tree, not if he doesn't want real answers.

( Or, a direction. )

[She shakes her head.]

Stefan will handle it. And hopefully I will never have to see Kai again for however long this lasts.

[Hopefully not forever because she really doesn't want to be worrying about Kai for the rest of her life.]

You really think this is all just temporary?

( It's crazy if it is. )

for the rest of us death will be a relief

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