#witchyserena

@witchyserena

           The smell of gasoline was thick in the air. It was quiet, mostly, save for the constant rushing sound as Steve filled up the borrowed gas tank -- another stolen car, added to the ever-growing list. The little clicks reminded him that he was getting close to hitting the top of their budget. It wasn't too much of a concern, not now, but it was something to think about. Once they hit the ceiling -- finding a new one was going to take something a lot more complicated, a lot more simple, than Steve would have preferred.

          And, of course, he wasn't alone.

          Steve shook the nozzle off, put it up and moved back to the door, offering up a seemingly friendly wave to the clerk who gave the both of them a seemingly bored look before turning to his television show. Even as Steve watched, he saw a flash of a commercial, a news show --  nothing familiar, this time. He knew that might not be the same in a few minutes. As he climbed in the car, Steve leaned back, resting his head against the back of the seat before looking over at his riding companion. His partner-in-crime.

      He’d practically done this before. Maybe not in so many words, but giving her half the business had been pretty damn close. But because of some reason she’d either not seen it or she’d chosen not to. Maverick wasn’t sure which option he’d prefer. Either option left him wondering whether this was a good idea or not. Levanna would have a metaphorical cow when she found out about it. Truthfully, this was the one thing he’d not tell her about until he absolutely had to. Generally, Maverick told his younger sister everything -- except then it came to Serena. He didn’t know or understand why Levanna hated the witch so much, but she did and that alone left the crimelord uncomfortable. More often than not Maverick trusted his sister’s judgment; even if she did kill his wife. Maverick covered for Levanna when it had happened. Now it was their own dark secret that was never to be uttered. Now, here he was considering it again. 

      The problem, however, was that Maverick had absolutely no idea how Serena would react. He knew she knew that his fooling around had stopped when she’d come into his life; yet, that didn’t change the fact he had three grown children by three different women -- and those were just the ones about which he knew. Maverick was sure if he asked Serena could magically locate any other offspring he might have. He wasn’t worried about that. He was more concerned that Serena would laugh at him, withdraw from the business, and never return. Maverick would survive if that was the case, but truly he hoped that would not be the outcome. 

      Maverick had been planning this for months now. Trying to get every last detail immaculate. If it wasn’t right, then he might as well not bother at all. If there was one trait that Maverick had it was planning things down to the final detail.

❝ --------- i really don’t care if you’re interested in helping me or not. all i need is a space for ‘round an hour. just closed off an’ no one can come in. ❞

The blonde huffed out a breath as her best friend and new advisor finished up with her hair. Caroline had a clipboard in her hand, going over a list of things that needed to get done while she was busy courting. She hissed when Bonnie tugged a little too hard, biting back a comment as she turned her attention back to Enzo.

“Where were we?”

“Kol Mikaelson and his astonishing creativity, gorgeous.”

Caroline waved a hand and shook her head. “Don’t bother. I heard. Send a gentle, but firm invitation to Elijah. I want to make it clear that if he can’t get his siblings under control, I’ll do it for him. I don’t care HOW old they are.” She felt Bonnie step back and she turned her head to look in the mirror. “Don’t you think this is a little much?” She stood up and glanced between Bonnie and Enzo, the latter indicating that he wanted her to twirl. She shot him a dirty look before complying.

“Come on, you’re going to be late.” Bonnie ushered Caroline toward the door. The brunette snatched the clipboard from Caroline’s hand and pushed her toward the stairs.

“A queen is never late. Everyone else is just early.”

Caroline smothered the smirk that threatened to spread along her lips at Bonnie’s groan, lifting up her dress so that she wouldn’t trip as she walked down the stairs. As if becoming the new queen of the vampires wasn’t enough, now she had to worry about courting a witch. (Warlock? Wizard? Whatever.) Stupid werewolves. Stupid balance. Stupid Katherine for getting herself killed. She didn’t have time for this. She had a kingdom to run.

But she pasted a smile on her lips and made it to the bottom of the stairs just as her…betrothed walked in. “Hey there!” Caroline greeted, inwardly wincing at herself. “You made it. I hope—“ there was a loud crash somewhere in the manor and she bit her lower lip roughly. “—your trip was okay.”