salvatore school } { of study dates and backstory dumps

[braveandstupid]

Elena: [her head flops down over her textbooks, burying in her hands before she speaks, muffled by the books beneath her] I think my head is going to explode.

Ben: [and he yawns, reaching for his coffee] I don't think there is any room left for knowledge.

Elena: We may just have to cross our fingers and hope we've retained enough to pass the exam.

Ben: I've never been more tempted to make a crib sheet than now.

Elena: Crib sheet?

Ben: Yeah. You write notes in really tiny letters on a paper that fits in the palm of your hand.

Elena: Oh. [shakes her head] Don't think I'd be able to keep everything on there.

Ben: You can't. just the stuff you know you'll forget.

Elena: The way my brain feels right now, that's pretty much everything. [she looks down at her books, before reaching to close one] Okay. I think we need a fuel break. Food, coffee, both - we need some fresh air.

Ben: That works for me, since I was thinking about texting Poe to ask him to grab us a pizza.

Elena: Yes. That sounds like a great plan.

Ben: Wait, getting pizza or having Poe get us pizza?

Elena: Either? Both?

Ben: How about we go to get pizza and see if he wants to join us?

Elena: Sounds perfect.

Ben: [and he will pull out his cell phone as he stands up to stretch, texting Poe to see if he wants pizza]

Elena: [and she will do the same, checking her phone for texts which mostly just amounts to Caroline putting cute pictures of the twins in her and Bonnie's group chat]

Poe: [of course he wants fucking pizza.]

Ben: Poe's in.

Elena: Great. Let me just pack up and I should be good to go.

Ben: [and he will pack his up as well]

Elena: [and off they head to the pizza place, and she takes a deep breath once they're outside] That's much better.

Ben: It was starting to get stuffy in there. [and he'll zip up his jacket]

Elena: Plus all that circulated air. At least it's a little fresher out here.

Ben: I love the smell of fall.

Elena: Me too. And watching the leaves change.

Ben: Apples everywhere.

Elena: Pumpkin picking.

Ben: Okay, need to know now. Are you a pumpkin spice girl?

Elena: It's so good though.

Ben: Of course it is. You understand the spice life. That's good.

Elena: [she laughs] Plus I'm a coffee fiend so it's really the best of both worlds.

Ben: If it wouldn't kill me, I'd get an IV of coffee.

Elena: I'd say the same for pure caffeine, but I'm a weirdo who actually likes the taste of my coffee.

Ben: i never got into straight black coffee.

Elena: One of the guys I dated had really crazy taste buds so he taught me all about the different kinds of coffee. Black coffee is all about the right blend.

Ben: For me, it was usually what I got for free while at college.

Elena: Well, if you want to try, I can introduce you to the great wide world of coffee.

Ben: But if you do that, who will drink the bad coffee on campus?

Elena: I'm sure there are plenty of students who will make the same mistake.

Ben: As long as the coffee still believes it is loved.

Elena: I'm sure it will. [and they will arrive at the pizza joint and look out for Poe]

Poe: [and he will be walking down the street, talking on the phone, but hangs up before he reaches them] Yeah, you two look like library ghosts.

Ben: Less talk, more pizza. Please?

Elena: [points to Ben] What he said.

Poe: Alright. Ladies first. [he says as he opens the door for them]

Elena: Thank you. [and she'll make her way in, before eyeing the menu] Do we want to split a pie, or just get individual slices?

Ben: Well, I want every type of meat available on mine. I'm willing to share.

Poe: That's a bit too much for me...

Elena: Yeah, same. I was actually thinking veggie tonight.

Ben: Guess we're getting individual slices then.

Elena: Okay. [and up she'll go to order her slices and grab a fountain drink. and garlic knots. garlic knots are clearly study fuel]

Poe: [and he's going to be simple with just cheese slices, a beer, and garlic knots]

Ben: [and he'll get his meatlovers, a soda, and garlic breadsticks]

Elena: [and they will grab a table, where Elena will slump into the booth with a sigh] So. How's things on your end, Poe?

Poe: Going well enough. I've been spending a lot of time in the simulator labs, working on my technique for basic surgical procedures.

Elena: That sounds like it's much more invigorating than reading all the books.

Poe: I'm a kinetic learner, so hands-on practice teaches me more than a book.

Elena: I don't have anything that hands on at the moment, unfortunately.

Ben: Yeah, mine's all sports injuries and microscopes, but mostly books.

Elena: Definitely looking forward to the internship phase of things though.

Ben: How's your clinic work going?

Elena: It's good. I really feel like I'm making a connection with the patients which is great.

Poe: Just don't burn out on us, alright? Because you burn out, you leave the two of us to take care of each other and we'll burn the school down within a week.

Ben: That's a bit of an exaggeration. Two weeks, easy.

Elena: [she laughs] Don't worry. I'm managing my time just fine. In fact, I have a girl’s weekend coming up.

Poe: That's good. Finn's getting a weekend leave so I'm flying out Friday afternoon to spend it with him.

Ben: [sipping his drink, having no plans. Guess he's going to spend it doing laundry at home]

Elena: Oh, good. Then I won't have to worry about us being too loud for you.

Poe: And that was the same reason we decided for me to fly out there. [grins. Be very grateful, Elena.]

Elena: [she laughs] Charming.

Ben: Sounds like you're both going to have fun weekends. I'll think of you while doing the dishes and laundry at my mom's place.

Elena: [sympathetic] I'd invite you to join us but I don't think you want in on the hangover we'll be suffering from. My friends can be a little intense.

Poe: Yeah, Ben, stay away. It makes what she looked like at the burger place that time look like a walk in the park from what I've heard.

Elena: [she makes a face because ... fair. A witch, a vampire and a human with an iron liver walk into a bar and things get messy] I plead the fifth.

Ben: Just remember I don't live that far away if you need a ride home and don't want to use Uber.

Elena: I will keep that in mind. [though Caroline will probably be sober enough to drive if they have to leave the house]

Poe: He just wants in on the sleepover. [nudges Elena]

Elena: [she raises an eyebrow] Does he?

Poe: Oh totally. Get his hair done, toenails painted. You would totally enjoy that, right Ben?

Ben: [chokes on his soda, his eyes wide] What now?

Elena: [laughs] I mean ... Caroline will, if you get her drunk enough.

Ben: No, I'm happy with my hair the way it is.

Poe: But a good pedicure is worth it, Ben. Heaven for your feet.

Elena: It's true. And then you can get your toes painted cute little colors.

Ben: [looks between the two. Is this a test? Are they punking him?] Um.....

Elena: [raises an eyebrow expectantly like she's waiting for an answer, even though she's totally punking him]

Poe: He looks like a robin's egg blue kinda guy.

Ben: [his eyes widen. Oh god they aren't punking him] Do I have to decide right now?

Elena: [laughs, because no, he actually believes them, this is bad] No. And we're totally kidding.

Ben: Oh. [and he is relieved]

Poe: [laughing] But I'm serious on a good pedicure. Especially when you're on your feet for 12 hours a day.

Elena: Sometimes you just want to treat yourself.

Ben: Maybe another time. Just not with people I don't know.

Elena: Fair enough. [and their pizza arrives and they all dig in]

Ben: [and as he eats, he thinks about how he had wanted to ask her out for a date this weekend, but guess that will have to wait]

Elena: [sorry, Ben. But maybe sometime during the week?]

Ben: [he'll try to get up the nerve to ask. He was thinking a bit more romantic than the normal Netflix and chill type dates they have]

Poe: [looks at Ben, then Elena, then back at Ben] Okay, is something going on between you two?

Elena: [blinks as she looks up in surprise] What?

Poe: Too many awkward silences from him. [jerks thumb at Ben] Too many smiles from you. [points at Elena] I'm also a pilot. I have great eyesight. I don't miss much.

Elena: [she shrugs] We've been spending time together. [and she's not going to provide context for that time unless Ben is comfortable with it, as a) it's still new and b) they haven't gone super far, even on their Netflix and chill dates, so she's not rushing into anything. And Poe has a tendency to go from zero to mach 3]

Ben: Yeah. It's just us hanging out. Getting to know each other.

Poe: [not buying it, but he will back off. Sometimes going to Mach 3 just means he sees where things are going]

Elena: [maybe she'll tell you more on their way home] Yeah. Nothing wrong with that, is there?

Poe: No, there's not. But you two would make a cute couple.

Ben: [he gives a very small smile at that before taking another bite of his food]

Elena: We'll take that under advisement. [nope, not giving you anything more right now]

Poe: [pouts, but fine.]

Ben: [and he might go to and poke her leg with his foot]

Elena: [glances over when he does, picking up her pizza to take another bite]

Ben: [he motions with his eyes at Poe, then rolls his own, smirking]

Elena: [smirks around her pizza, before turning back to Poe] This pizza is too good, I don't think I can go back to studying after this.

Poe: Too much studying isn't good for you. You need rest to allow everything to sink in.

Elena: Are you heading back after this?

Poe: I was going to catch a performance down at one of the bars. Wanna join?

Elena: Sure. [glances over at Ben] What about you?

Ben: No. Just heading home and maybe play a game before bed.

Elena: Okay. [it was also kind of an offer to see if he wanted to come but that seems like it's not what he's looking for] Then I'll see you in class tomorrow?

Ben: [that totally went over his head.] Oh. Well, yeah, I guess.

Elena: [she nods, before pointing down at the food] After we're done here, obviously.

Poe: True, but if I'm going to make it, I need to leave soon.

Ben: I can walk you home. [to Elena]

Elena: [glances between the two of them and nods] Okay.

Poe: [and he's going to pretty much finish his pizza, the garlic knots already gone] I'll catch you two tomorrow then.

Elena: [she nods] Yeah, see you tomorrow.

Ben: [and when Poe is gone, Ben will relax in his chair] He really doesn't have a filter on that mouth, does he?

Elena: No, he does not.

Ben: How his boyfriend puts up with him...

Elena: Oh, they're the same. Finn is not much better in terms of being nosy.

Ben: I hope they don't talk on speakerphone at night.

Elena: Only when he's trying to not be subtle about something he wants me to hear.

Ben: What would that be?

Elena: It depends on the day.

Ben: He doesn't... have you listen to phone sex, right?

Elena: No. God no. He's also pretty good about giving me the heads up when Finn is going to be here so I can be ... elsewhere.

Ben: I was about to say. That's good, though.

Elena: Yes, he's very considerate to his neighbor on the other side of thin walls.

Ben: I'm sure you return the favor when necessary.

Elena: [she snorts] Sure. [she shakes her head] I mean, I will, if that ever happens to come up again. It just ... hasn't.

Ben: [and he will rub the back of his neck] It could happen. I mean, you never know...

Elena: [she shrugs] No, it definitely could. It's just been ... five-ish years since it has?

Ben: Before or after the coma?

Elena: Including the coma. Well, the coma was five years, and then another year to finish undergrad before I came here.

Ben: So five years, but only felt like one. That's not too bad.

Elena: Maybe not but ... I was also in a long-term relationship before the coma, so it's been a while since I've ... tried to do this with someone new.

Ben: Yeah. I know what you mean.

Elena: What about you?

Ben: Well, my long-term relationship ended after high school. I've been on dates now and then, but nothing serious. Just, being a college kid, you know?

Elena: [she nods. a beat] Well. I don't know. But I've heard that's a thing college kids do. I, unfortunately, have a thing for monogamy so I've basically been bouncing from one long term relationship to another since I was fifteen.

Ben: Yeah, I thought I did too. Ended up biting me in the backside.

Elena: So did mine.

Ben: It left a bad taste in my mouth. [and he will look over Elena's shoulder at the door opening and see three girls enter, and he will groan] And continuing to find ways to remind me of it.

Elena: [raises an eyebrow before turning to follow his eye line]

Ben: We should probably go.....

Sandra: [notices Ben and Elena and whispers into the blonde's ear]

Melody: [once Sandra told her, she turned and saw Ben, then smirked and put a hand on her hip. That isn't a happy smirk.]

Elena: [oh, she knows. Elena is fluent in mean girl. she reaches for one of her garlic knots] We can try, but I don't think we'll get that far.

Ben: [sighs and rubs his face] You know, I think I would have rather stayed at the library.

Elena: [sympathetic face before she pops the garlic knot in her mouth] Relax. I know how to handle a mean girl scenario.

Melody: [good, because here she comes with her posse. Sandra and the third girl, Lucy, flank the table] Hello, Benny. Long time no see.

Ben: Hi, Mel.

Melody: Not going to introduce me to your friend? And here I thought your mom taught you manners.

Elena: [plasters on her best smile] Hi. I'm Elena. He probably would have gotten there if you'd given him a sec.

Melody: No, he wouldn't have. He's a bit slow on the uptake.

Elena: Not been my experience. But I guess some people just see what they want to see. [picks up another garlic knot]

Ben: [and he will give a smile to Elena before looking up at his ex] Well, it was nice seeing you, but we were having a conversation.

Melody: Aw, is this a date?

Elena: Yeah. [and one hand will reach over and trace across the top of Ben's] Is that a problem?

Melody: Only if you're expecting commitment from him.

Ben: Mel, that was five years ago now. You've got to move on.

Elena: [her eyebrows go up and then there's a small smirk, as she reaches for her fountain drink] We're still getting to know each other, so ... relax. But also, have you ever considered that his commitment issues might be you-specific.

Ben: Which is true. [Elena being chalant is helping him not panic] You had unrealistic expectations that you never even told me.

Melody: We dated for four years, Ben. Four years.

Ben: We were in high school. We were kids.

Elena: People change. [and that actually sounds sympathetic and less bitchy] It's not anyone's fault.

Melody: [crosses her arms] You say that when your high school sweetheart decides to leave you and your little town behind for another state.

Elena: [raises an eyebrow] Yeah. It happens. You're not the first person it's happened to and you won't be the last. [her hand goes up] Present company included. I get that you're hurt, but dwelling in this isn't going to make it easier.

Ben: I've been trying to tell her that for years.

Melody: You, either of you, get to judge me for how I handle this.

Elena: I think we do if you're crashing his dates after what is it ... [she glances over at Ben] Four years, now? Five? And acting like he ruined your life at eighteen. [she slides out of the booth to go pay the tab] Take it from an expert. There are worse things that could have happened. [and with that, she's heading to the cash register]

Ben: [and... he's going to just get up and grab their backpacks] Um, yeah. what she said. [and he's going to just follow her as Melody and her girls glare at his retreating back]

Elena: [she finishes paying at the register and turns to face him once he's close enough] That wasn't too much, was it?

Ben: No. [and he looks back at Melody and sighs] I just don't think she'll ever forgive me.

Elena: [sympathetic face] You can't control what other people do. You did what was right for you, and sometimes when you do that people get hurt and it can't be avoided.

Ben: Yeah. But sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I just kept going along with what she wanted.

Elena: Maybe she would have been happier for a while. But in the end, it only would have hurt more when she learned that it wasn't really what you wanted.

Ben: [and he will hold the door open for her as they leave, one backpack over each shoulder] Yeah, I would have been trapped in this small town forever.

Elena: Which isn't what you want, I'm guessing. [and she'll hold out a hand to take her backpack back]

Ben: [and he's going to just take her hand, because these books are heavy and he's thankful for her intervention tonight] The high school she and I went to was a local one in our part of the suburbs. I was the jock, she was the cheerleader. Typical small town power couple.

Elena: That's a power couple I know well.

Ben: Wasn't surprised we got prom queen and king. I'm pretty sure Sandra and Lucy helped stuff the ballots. That night, she was talking about getting an apartment and living together. I hadn't told her I got a full ride to Stanford to study biology while playing ball.

Elena: When did you tell her?

Ben: That night. She was talking about furniture and what to buy and what to save for wedding gifts and I just, I knew I couldn't hold off telling her. She was expecting me to propose, I discovered. Figured we'd have that American dream of marrying your high school sweetheart with a house and two point five kids. I was seventeen, not ready to go down that path.

Elena: You did the right thing.

Ben: I know. Everyone tells me that. But she took it personally. Remember when I told you there was a group of people who enjoy making my life difficult? Those are her friends, the former cheerleader squad.

Elena: Again, you can't control what other people do. All you can really do is move on with your life and hope that one day, she'll do the same.

Ben: Yeah. But sometimes I think I should have gone with my gut and stayed at Stanford for medical school.

Elena: Why'd you come back?

Ben: Mom. She got sick and when she was recovering, I decided to do medical school here so I could help around the house. She's better now, but I try to help with projects around the house to keep her stress low. That's why I don't live on campus.

Elena: That's a good reason to come back. Don't let her ruin it. [smirks] Besides, if you haven't we wouldn't have met, and I'd like to think this is working out pretty well for both of us.

Ben: [smiles] You are a very unexpected, but much appreciated bonus. [squeezes her hand]

Elena: [the smirk widens to a grin] Good.

Ben: You still okay with me walking you home?

Elena: [she nods] Yeah. I'd really like that.

Ben: Good.

Elena: [and off they go] Would it make you feel better to know that I was also in a jock-cheerleader relationship and I wound up leaving him for similar reasons?

Ben: ... Maybe.

Elena: My guy came around and he's still one of my best friends. Maybe someday she will too.

Ben: Maybe. But I was pretty much planning to take my residency away from here. Somewhere I can try to find a new life, and save up enough to get a place that I could have an on-suite for Mom. I should be able to afford to take care of her when I get my career going.

Elena: [she nods] I mean, that makes sense. I wasn't planning on staying here forever either.

Ben: Well, if we're still at least friends when that time comes, we could try and find the same place. It'll help both of us save some money to split a place.

Elena: That's true. Though I was planning on going home to Mystic Falls.

Ben: Maybe I'll get lucky and find someone who'd want me as a resident there.

Elena: There is a hospital. But some of the residents there have kind of ... unique needs.

Ben: Well, I'm also studying to be a virologist, so unique things is my jam.

Elena: [there's a tentative hesitation] Even if those unique things might be a little ... outside the box?

Ben: I do enjoy a challenge.

Elena: [stops and glances around for a moment before deciding that maybe it's time to tell this secret] Even if it's things that most other people don't think are real?

Ben: [is confused] I'm not sure what you mean by that.

Elena: [sighs, and they're not far from her building so...] Why don't you come up and I'll try to explain it.

Ben: Sure. [isn't sure what's going on, but he trusts Elena.]

Elena: [and she will guide him up to her apartment. the living room is fairly simple, with a big comfy couch that leads into the kitchen with the open floor plan. She grabs a couple of glasses and a bottle of bourbon, pours them both a couple fingers, before holding the glass out to him] So. How do you feel about vampires?

Ben: [and he will leave the bags by the door, then take the glass] Are we talking Twilight or Anne Rice type?

Elena: A little more Anne Rice. Though that's not a hundred percent one-to-one, but they definitely don't sparkle.

Ben: You're talking about them like they are actually real.

Elena: [she nods, and goes to sit on the couch] Because they are. And so are werewolves and witches and doppelgangers.

Ben: [and he's going to just stand there, glass in hand, staring at her] No, they can't be. You're trying to mess with me, aren't you?

Elena: [and this is her very serious face, and she shakes her head] No, I'm not.

Ben: [and he's going to watch her, and she might see a hint of something in his eyes before he gulps and takes a long drink from his glass]

Elena: [she watches back, waiting, trying to gauge if that's a good drink or a bad drink. she's guessing bad drink]

Ben: [and yeah, he's going to just down that entire drink, then drop down onto the couch]

Elena: [sips at her own before pouring him a refill]

Ben: [he's going to let it sit on the table in front of them, staring at him] Shit.

Elena: ... Is that a good shit or a bad shit?

Ben: [still looking at the table] I thought monsters were real, a long time ago. Ended up talking to the school shrink once a week and awhile until they finally convinced me that I was just dealing with trauma and using monsters as a way to deal with the reality.

Elena: [...] Oh. [another pause] Why did you think they were real?

Ben: [another deep breath before he rubs at the bridge of his now] I was kidnapped when I was eight with a bunch of other neighborhood kids.

Elena: Oh my god. [and then, since they're talking about monsters] Kidnapped by what?

Ben: I don't remember. It was fifteen years ago. I just remember being in a cage, and the guys who rescued us set her on fire.

Elena: [okay, that could be any number of things. she shifts to face him more] I'm sorry that happened to you. It sounds terrifying, especially for a kid.

Ben: How did you find out about all this?

Elena: [deep breath] Well ... I'm a Petrova doppelganger. Which basically means that a long time ago, a girl who looked like me was put under an immortality spell. Nature doesn't like things that breaks it's rules, so in response it created doppelgangers - girls that looked just like her who could. Basically, I was born to die. [she shrugs] Anyway. I had no idea until I was seventeen and I fell in love with a vampire.

Ben: [and he will give a breathy chuckle] Teenager with a vampire boyfriend. You sure he didn't sparkle? [teasing, trying to break the tension]

Elena: [she laughs] No. In fact, if he went outside without his daylight ring, he would get a rather deadly sunburn.

Ben: [smiles a bit, but reaches for his drink] Well, at least you won't think I'm crazy when I wake up with screaming nightmares.

Elena: No. I have more than a few of my own. [a beat] In fact, pretty much the next few years were a series of blood and dead loved ones until the coma happened so ... I wasn't kidding when I said my baggage was heavy.

Ben: So lesson learned - don't date vampires?

Elena: You would think, but he was not the last vampire I dated. [a pause] But ... not all vampires are terrible. Some of them are just ... people who have to live with this other part of themselves. Some of them are even kids. But the reason I'm telling you this is because if you come to Mystic Falls with me and start building a practice there, you will have to treat some of them.

Ben: Oh. [and he will blink] Wait, kid vampires?

Elena: Not ... kid-kid. But some teenagers, yeah.

Ben: Is being turned like a, secret society thing or something?

Elena: No. You have to die with vampire blood in your system. But the flipside to that is that vampire blood can be a healing agent. So while yes, intentional turning can and does happen, sometimes it's just ... an accident. Or ... older, more powerful supernaturals playing games but that's ... a whole other category entirely.

Ben: And you want to go back there?

Elena: It's my home. And the supernatural kids who live there deserve to have a doctor who understands what they are and what they're going through. [she pauses] My best friend is starting a school for supernatural kids there. Where they can learn to control their abilities and hopefully not go through the horrors that we did.

Ben: That makes sense, I guess. [about going back] But a school for monster kids?

Elena: No offense to the American School System but I don't think they have "How to Handle Bloodlust" or "Defensive Magic 101" in their curriculum. And most kids don't have someone older and wiser to help them. They're figuring it out all on their own.

Ben: [nods, because that made sense too] Okay, I can get that.

Elena: I'm not opposed to you coming to Mystic Falls with me. I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into.

Ben: Well, we still have a lot of time before we get there. Who knows what will happen, right?

Elena: Exactly. [she nods] And I guess I wanted you to know because it's a huge part of my life. And you're going to be part of it as more than a friend ... it might wind up being a part of your life too.

Ben: Yeah, I get it. It might take me some time to wrap my head around it though, you know? After everything.

Elena: Yeah, of course. Take your time with it.

Ben: So, you said you're a doppelganger?

Elena: Yep.

Ben: And there are others out there who look like you?

Elena: Not anymore. One of us usually pops up once every five hundred years or so? I'm the current iteration.

Ben: So, do you have secret powers or something?

Elena: Not exactly. But doppelganger blood is used in really powerful spells sometimes.

Ben: So you're magical? [and he smiles at that]

Elena: [she laughs] Maybe to other people. It's been kind of traumatizing on my end.

Ben: Oh. I'm sorry.

Elena: [she shakes her head] It's not your fault. It's just that ... when your blood is a power source, you tend to get treated like a trophy rather than a person.

Ben: Well, I like you much better as a person.

Elena: I appreciate that. I like me better as a person too.

Ben: [and he'll pick up that glass and take a sip of the refill] So, is this why you have an iron liver?

Elena: Oh yeah. You kind of have to when your life is a mess.

Ben: I took up hitting things with a bat.

Elena: Tried that too. Wasn't as satisfying.

Ben: So what's your coping method?

Elena: Moving forward, rather than looking back. And drinking when that doesn't work.

Ben: I'm going to have to find something that won't kill me in the next four years.

Elena: Fair enough. [she slumps back into the couch, before glancing over at him] Do you ... do you want me to see if I can find out what happened to you? I have contacts I can poke at.

Ben: I... I don't know.

Elena: Okay. You don't have to make a decision right now, but if later you decide that you do want to know, I can look into it.

Ben: I'll keep that in mind.

Elena: [deep breath] Anyway. Hope I haven't completely scared you off with all of that.

Ben: I probably should be. But I've gotten to know you, and I like you. Whether you're a doppelganger or not, you're still Elena, and that's what matters.

Elena: [smiles softly] Thank you.

Ben: Could I get some water to go with this alcohol?

Elena: Yes you can. [and she will get up to get him a glass of water]

Ben: Good. Though I don't think I can drive home right now.

Elena: You can stay, if you're okay with staying. Or I could call you an uber.

Ben: Ubers don't go out that far. Plus I wouldn't have my car to get back tomorrow. [sighs] Maybe Poe would have something I could borrow tomorrow so I'm not wearing the same things.

Elena: I'm sure he does. Don't worry about it. [she comes back over and hands him the glass] The couch pulls out, so it's like sleeping in a bed anyway.

Ben: [he takes the glass] Thanks Elena.

Elena: No problem. When you have a nomad for a brother you prepare for anything, so there are also spare toothbrushes in the bathroom and let me know if you need anything else.

Ben: I'll try not to wake you up.

Elena: If you do, it's fine. I'm usually up early anyway. [and she'll go grab some pillows and blankets for him to use]

Ben: [and he's going to take his boots and flannel off.] Are you a morning or night showerer?

Elena: Morning, usually.

Ben: Good. Mind if I take one quickly?

Elena: [shakes her head] Not at all. Down the hall on the left. I'm going to crash so I'm going to lock up and I'll see you in the morning?

Ben: Yeah. See you then.

Elena: [and she nods and heads to the door to lock it, and then heading back to her room. She changes into her pjs before texting Poe quickly before she sleeps:] Ben's crashing on my couch - do you have something he can borrow for tomorrow?

Poe: Yeah, he's about my size. I'll toss it onto your balcony when I get home.

Elena: You're the best.

Ben: [and he'll be real quick on the shower, more just getting the grime of the day off before slipping his boxers on and heading back to the living room.]

Elena: [pokes her head out when she hears him] I texted Poe. He says he'll drop some clean clothes on the balcony when he gets home.

Ben: [and he will step into the hallway, planning to refill his water] Okay. I'll check there in the morning.

Elena: [and she will keep her eyes up and totally not look, nope, no ogling for her. Instead it's just a small smile and a nod] Goodnight.

Ben: Night. [and he'll go refill his water, and maybe grab a slice of bread to help his stomach with the alcohol before flopping onto the fold-out. He'll be asleep in ten minutes]

Elena: [and she will curl up and do the same though it'll take her a little longer to eventually pass out completely]

Ben: [and between the alcohol and the talk about creatures and remembering his kidnapping, he's going to end up having a bad nightmare. He'll wake up screaming, falling out of the bed]

Elena: [and because she's a light sleeper and assuming based on her life that someone is coming to kill her, she grabs the crossbow from her closet and sticks her head out] Are you okay? What happened?

Ben: [and he's pressed up against the living room wall, shaking, his hands over his head and face buried in his knees] Just a bad dream.

Elena: [and she leaves the crossbow and makes her way closer] Can I get you anything?

Poe: [texting her to make sure they are okay]

Ben: Maybe just some coffee. I'm not going back to sleep tonight.

Elena: Are you sure? It's still early. [texts back: Just a nightmare. We're fine.]

Ben: Yeah. I usually can't sleep after them.

Elena: Okay. Then I'll make some coffee. [and she'll get up to do just that because she's not going to argue with him] Wanna talk about it?

Ben: [and he will push himself up and grab the blanket, wrapping it around his shoulders while sitting back on the bed] It's just old memories getting twisted in my head.

Elena: Tell me. [she makes her way over with the coffee once it's made] It might help.

Ben: [and he'll wrap his hands around the mug, sighing] I was back in my childhood bedroom, well, the first one. Anyway, I was in bed and this gray creature crawled into my bedroom. I didn't see it at first, and it kept making noises and I was about to scream before it jumped on top of me.

Elena: That sounds terrifying.

Ben: It gets worse. It digs it's claws into my face and starts to suck part of me out and transform into me.

Elena: [looks concerned, because that sounds ... very different from what she's used to] Like a shapeshifter?

Ben: I guess. I couldn't move, or talk, or anything. Then it went to my door when my mom knocked to check on me and she didn't even know it wasn't me.

Elena: [rests her hand on his arm gently] I'm sorry that happened to you.

Ben: [and he's going to just drink his coffee] It hasn't been this bad in awhile.

Elena: Talking about it probably brought some things up. I'm sorry.

Ben: [shrugs] Don't worry about it.

Elena: [nods] Is there anything I can do to help?

Ben: No. though I’m probably just going to watch tv for awhile. That ok?

Elena: [she nods] Yeah. I'm going to go grab some more sleep then. [and she'll push up to head back towards her bedroom]

Ben: I'll try not to wake you.

Elena: Don't worry about it. [and with another small smile, she disappears behind her door again]

Ben: [and he will turn the tv on, putting some car channel on and drift off where he's half awake, half asleep]

Elena: [and provided there are no other interruptions, she'll sleep through the rest of the night, and wake up around sixish to do her morning yoga routine]

Ben: [and he will have actually fallen back asleep by then, curled up under the blanket, arms clutching the pillow that is also under his head]

Elena: [and that will make her smile softly, as she very quietly sneaks around the edge of the bed to get to the balcony. If the clothes Poe promised are there, she'll place them inside. And she'll start doing her thing so if Ben's lucky he might wake up to her being super bendy]

Poe: [of course they are. And he is on his own balcony doing pushups]

Elena: Morning.

Poe: Good morning. [and he will look up, holding a plank while smiling at her] Have a good night?

Elena: Got dragged into some small-town drama, but nothing I couldn't handle. [starts stretching, rolling her shoulders as he does] Turns out my mean girl skills aren't as atrophied as the rest of my social skills.

Poe: Mean girl skills? This sounds like a good story.

Elena: [she shakes her head] Just stupid high school baggage.

Poe: How did Mystic Falls baggage find you here?

Elena: Not my baggage, for once.

Poe: Pretty boy?

Elena: [glances in to see if he's awake before nodding]

Poe: [and he stands up, reaching for his towel] Shit. So that was him screaming last night?

Elena: [nods] It was unrelated though. Don't bring it up.

Poe: Got it. You need anything else for him besides clothes?

Elena: [shakes her head] I've got everything else, but thanks.

Poe: If you guys need an excuse for class, I'll vouch for whatever illness you come up with.

Elena: I'll see how he's feeling when he wakes up. I'll be okay, though, I've done bigger things on less sleep.

Poe: Alright. I've got stuff to do this morning before class, so you'll have to yoga on without me.

Elena: [laughs] I'm sure I'll manage. [and she tips herself into a backbend]

Poe: Maybe you should do that inside. It'll cheer Ben up for sure. [winks]

Elena: [rolls her eyes] Goodbye, Poe.

Poe: Make good choices! [and inside he goes]

Elena: [and she'll go back to doing her thing, working herself into various bendy positions]

Ben: [and he will wake up and groan, his head pounding. Hangover from hell. He stands to go refill his water glass and looks out the balcony window and......... may just watch a moment]

Elena: [totally oblivious, so she's just going to do her thing]

Ben: [yeah, no, no he has to look away, so he goes to fumble around the kitchen, trying to think of non-bendy Elena things to calm his excited body below the belt before she comes back in]

Elena: [and she'll finish her routine, and will, poking her head back in the door and flashing him a smile] Hey. Morning.

Ben: Hey. [hiding his hips behind the counter] I started a pot of coffee.

Elena: Great. I'm gonna go grab a shower but feel free to help yourself to cereal or anything in the cabinets.

Ben: Thanks. [and when she is in the shower, he will quickly get dressed and then make a bowl of cereal]

Elena: [and she will clean up and swing back out again, towel drying her hair] So what's on schedule for you today?

Ben: 10 am simulation session, then afternoon classes. You?

Elena: Today's a clinic day, so I'm seeing patients.