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— “ Now you’re just giving me ideas. ” His smirk only widened, letting go of the frustration he had taken out on the phone. “ Is there a reason I get to enjoy the pleasure of seeing your face today ? ” He didn’t mind, but he was curious.

♕ — “ I would’ve thought you’d exhausted everything by now. ” He was ancient, after all. There was a pause at his question, her gaze meeting his for only a fleeting moment before her arms crossed over her chest. “ No. Should I have prepared one ? ” It was only after she said it that she realized it would have been better to come up with something, anything.

Giving another small smile, he looked to their surroundings before answering. “It has been - But, I’m glad I caught you instead of someone else.. Why are you out here?”

♕ — “I have a few reasons, but none of them good -- or anything I want to talk about,” she surrendered before repeating her earlier words. “It’s... just been a long day.” 

“What do you mean mom?” Mason asked slightly confused by her admission. “Why did you want to call me about secrets and worries and everything?” 

♕ — “What?  No. It was about where we were going to meet up. Why, do you want to talk about secrets and worries?  Because we can do that.”

“I’m fine mom… I’m not a baby anymore… I know everything that happened…frightened you and dad but I’m good…. why are you here anyways? I thought we were meeting up in Covington?” Mason asked 

♕ — “No, you’re a grown boy with worries and secrets, and a sweet face that makes me want to believe that you don’t,” she pointed out. “That was what I was trying to call you about.”

Noah simply shrugged in response. “Like perhaps your surrogate grandson?”

“I guess you’re right, it is a lovely night.” Stefan replied, offering a small smile at the optimistic take on his predicament. “So, what have you been up to? We haven’t really had the chance to talk lately…”

“..Irrelevant?” She attempted, fidgeting with her fingers in the process. Elena felt the urge to pry. It was in her nature. But she decided upon not opening that can of worms – as she was in no position to accuse. “Okay.” Raising an inquisitive brow, she took a few pacing steps around herself. It was only a matter of seconds before she felt defeated in her efforts to keep her mouth shut for the time being. “But.. are you sure? You seem a little off tonight.” Now wearing a small frown on her lips, she just couldn’t help herself.

Turning on cue to the soft tone, he stared to the figure in the darkness until the moonlight let him have an small glimpse of who it was. “Aunt Caroline, don’t you remember me?” He grinned toward the woman. “I know it’s been a while, but it’s me. Levi.”

♕ — Her hands are running through her hair. “No, of course not. I just didn’t see you there,” she gave her flustered response, ending it with a soft laugh. “It’s been a long day.”

“Of course.” Bam beamed at her and nodded. “No, it won’t be a waste of time as long as you want to audition. Live your dream. Do what makes you smile.”

“Yep. I’m the new wolf in town.” He chuckled lightly. Everyone seemed to be supernatural here, so he didn’t mind sharing that tidbit. “I was born in Cali, but I lived in Finland before here. I was raised there since age six.”

“No, it’s okay. I understand.” He smiled and nodded before writing notes on his tablet. “We’ll still be having auditions for the next few days. If you decide you still want to try after sleeping on it, you can come back.”

“It’s a nice night for a walk, honestly. I’m still not used to being in a place where I don’t have to wear a coat in March.” They chuckled and offered a small smile.

“that isn’t a quiche unless the definition has changed since i was last alive,” sage hissed, her nerve endings were on fire and it seemed it was igniting her temper too. “i’m sorry, do you have a blood bag? human food is well and good up to a point.”

“Care?” She tried, the name spoken in a whisper. “Caroline? What are you doing out here?” You could ask her the same question – unadmittedly doing the walk of shame in the middle of the night. The brunette scanned the female, eyes narrowing just a bit. “Are you alright?”

“I don’t know how much there is to talk about. Besides, I’ve come to terms with it all, and I’m in a weirdly good place right now.”

— He tried his best to keep his expression stony, but in the presence of the blonde it was an almost impossible task; eventually he cracked a smirk. “ I never cared for the modern day way of communication anyway. ”

♕ — “ As opposed to what ?  Witches at your beck and call, broadcasting your commands psychically ? ” Despite her mocking, there was little to no fight behind her words. The banter between them had become rather taxing over the years -- it was more so out of familiarity than anything.