mystic falls } { and i suddenly turn and see your fabulous face

[somanyadjectives]

Frankly, Stefan is surprised at how things had turned out.

Given the bad blood between he and Rebekah at the moment, he thought that she would be the last person to bid on him. Then again, given the person that kicked things off, he probably shouldn't be as surprised. Katherine isn't a favorite among the Originals, so taking the opportunity to one up both her and Caroline is probably a plus.

Still, with their history, he can't help but wonder.

Stefan Salvatore, however, is a man who honors his commitments. Even if it was his idiot brother and not him who made them. He pulls up to the Mikaelson house at the arranged time, dressed for his date. He planned something neutral, something he knows they both love, and he hopes that will be enough for a civil evening.

He takes a breath, smooths down the front of his shirt, and knocks on the door.

Comments

[easily]

"No, it's not like Chicago at all." In many ways, actually. In Chicago, she had felt like she had a place. At her brother's side, with Stefan. But ever since that dagger came out of her (though it's been in her again since then) she's felt out of place. Ninety years passed, and she doesn't know where she fits anymore.

[somanyadjectives]

"Have you been back since we left?" He knows that things have been hectic here, that Klaus has been off on a rampage trying to destroy Mystic Falls, but Rebekah hasn't been immediately tied to that. She could have come and go as she pleased.

He just isn't sure if she would.

[easily]

"No."

She wasn't sure why, really. She had no reason to stay in Mystic Falls. She could have left when Elijah and Kol did, left Nik to rot alone, but she hadn't. It turned out, she didn't do independence very well.

[somanyadjectives]

"You should. Now that things have died down ... there's a lot of the world you haven't gotten to see."

He's not just saying that to get rid of her. He's not even saying that to get rid of her. He just wants her to be able to see.

[easily]

She nods a little. "I might." But she knows better. She's never been the type to travel on her own much. In the past a thousand years, she's gotten too used to moving with her family, always being a part of a unit, she's not sure how to get beyond that.

[somanyadjectives]

"I can recommend some lovely spots on the west coast if you decide you want to venture out." Stefan's done a lot of traveling in the past ninety years, most of it at Lexi's insistance, but he was better for it.

Rebekah could be too.

[easily]

"Why would you bother?" She asks, looking back to him with confusion. She supposes it would be in his best interest to get her out of town, away from his precious Elena.

[somanyadjectives]

He takes a breath and shrugs as they pull up to the restaurant. "Because people who've lived as long as we have should get to see the world."

After all, what's the point of having all the time if they don't use it.

[easily]

"I've seen the world. Multiple times." But she imagines things are vastly different now. It's still hard to process sometimes, just how much the world changed in ninety years.

[somanyadjectives]

"So you've seen Mount Rushmore, or the Hollywood sign?" The car stops and he turns to face her, raising an eyebrow. "There's a lot still out there to see."

[easily]

"You're just trying to get rid of me," She deflects stubbornly, letting herself out of the car once it's stopped. She doesn't like to think he's right, and certainly doesn't want him knowing she thinks so.

[somanyadjectives]

Stefan takes a deep breath as he follows her out of the car, meeting her at the door so that he can open it for her.

"Why would I want to do that?"

[easily]

"One less Original in your hair. Or perhaps you think if you're really lucky, my brother might chase after me."

She knows better though. Klaus will never leave his precious doppleganger behind.

[somanyadjectives]

Stefan knows that too. He knows that things will never be that easy. And he's not doing this for him.

"Or maybe I care enough to see you have something better in your life than playing sidekick to your brother's rage."

[easily]

The words strike something in her, but she refuses to let it show on her face.

"And why should I believe you care about me at all?"

Sorry, Stefan. All things considered, she can't help but be skeptical.

[somanyadjectives]

"I did once." He takes a step closer to her, looking her in the eye and using that serious voice he uses. "When Klaus removed to compulsion, those feelings were still there."

[easily]

She stills a little, as if unsure to believe him. She watches him carefully, looking for deceit. She doesn't find any.

"You're telling the truth."

[somanyadjectives]

He sighs slowly, reaching for her hand. "I was harder on you than I should have been, in order to get to Klaus. I ... I did a lot of things I shouldn't have done, and I'm sorry for that. His actions are not your fault."

[easily]

It surprises her, when he takes her. Part of her doesn't want to forgive him, it's easier not to forgive, to hold grudges.

But a part of her is also tired of being angry. Or alone.

"And you won't continue to use me in your war against my brother?"

[somanyadjectives]

He shakes his head. "I know Klaus won't play things that way, but from now on I'll keep it between me and him. I promise."

[easily]

She listens to him, and then nods. "Then I see no reason why I should need to continue to hold a grudge against you."

[somanyadjectives]

He smiles slightly at that, extending his hand to the side. "Then I see no reason why we shouldn't have a lovely dinner."

[easily]

"No, there's no reason we shouldn't," She says with a smile, going inside.

[somanyadjectives]

The restaurant itself is moderately fancy, and just enough for a comfortable dinner. Stefan follows in after her, and waits until after their orders have been taken before speaking again.

"I'm still surprised you decided to bid on me."

[easily]

"Let's just say I couldn't resist the opportunity," She says with a grin. Of course, she means the opportunity to show up Katherine, but still.