yeah, stefan is being weird. rain is not great with all of the social cues and whatever the fuck, but he's really doing a bad job at hiding it. still, she doesn't really feel like pushing for an answer, and he does just seem sick. so it doesn't really seem worth pushing over. "you really don't have to apologize, but i definitely won't say no to a ride." and she even smiles. to her, this is a totally fine, super good idea. "have you met my cat snowball, yet? you should come in and say hi to her. she'll have you feeling better in no time."

oh great. a cat. the universe has to be laughing at him. he's never fed on someone's actual pet before. he worries, that after being stuck in the car with her, he would be so desperate that he would have to choose between it and her. he really doesn't want to do that. it would end up being fine, the cat would live, but he can't really explain that one away a ' hey sorry for feeding on your cat but it was so i didn't rip your head off. she's a little sluggish now but she should be back to normal by tomorrow ! ' yeah, he can see that going so well. he gives her a tight smile and opens his passenger door for her, struggling to swallow the salvia collecting in the back of his throat. it happens when the cravings get worse. " actually, cats tend to hate me. i'm not so sure i can handle that rejection today so maybe another time but i would love to see pictures of snowball. "

he tilts his head, confused what he means but then it clicks. the sun. he shakes his head and holds up his hand to show the big ring on his hand. " this is a daylight ring. a witch made it for me when i first turned and it keeps me from burning up in the sun. " he doesn't know the exact magic behind it but if it works, it works. he actually has his own question too. " does the moon bother you even when it's not full ? "

he's starving --- that's what his problem is. it won't go away. his own diet is just not enough. or the same. he refuses to put anyone else in danger, though. no more. never again. even if he is in agony for the rest of eternity. " i just --- " he rubs his neck and laughs at himself because he can't come up with a lie. he's always hated lying. he's not good at it. how pathetic. with a clenched jaw he tries his hardest to be polite. he's also completely overwhelmed by all the noise around them because he's not strong enough to drown it out right now. if it's not one thing, it's another. " oh, don't worry about me. i'm fine, i just didn't get enough sleep last night. " it's technically not a lie. he was up all night trying to talk himself off a ledge that he's fallen off many times before. " how about, as an apology for being so weird, i take you home ? "

@ripperteeth hello brother