salvatore school } { of surprise brothers and sick days

[braveandstupid]

Jeremy: [needing to get out of Mystic Falls for awhile, Jeremy packed a weekend bag and hopped a bus to Indiana. He may have forgotten to tell anyone--especially his sister. And while he knows where her apartment is and could just break in, he instead decides to go to the med school's campus and grab a coffee and hang out in the student center.]

Elena: [often goes straight from class to coffee and since shes just come out of her early class, her brain isn't quite awake yet. She walks right past her brother, directly to the coffee shop, orders her coffee, and walks right past him again. Then she stops. She traces her steps back and turns to look at him] Jer?

Jeremy: [looks up from his sketch pad and grins] Boo.

Elena: [her face brightens as she makes her way over to him] What are you doing here?

Jeremy: I was getting stir crazy, so I have to get out of town and I knew where I could find a couch to crash on.

Elena: You could have called first. [she pulls him into a hug once she gets close enough] I would have met you for lunch.

Jeremy: I wanted to surprise you. [hugs her back]

Elena: Well consider me surprised. How long are you here for?

Jeremy: I packed enough for a long weekend. Longer if I can do laundry.

Elena: I do know where the laundromat is.

Jeremy: Then you can have me indefinitely.

Elena: I think I can work with that. [she jerks her head back over her shoulder] I have another class today but I do have enough time to go let you into my place so that you can settle in.

Jeremy: Great. I figured it would upset your neighbors if I broke in my first time here.

Elena: I don't know, Poe might find it charming. [she adjusts her bag and waits for him to pack up so they can head over]

Jeremy: Now Poe's the gay pilot you do yoga with, right?

Elena: Yes, he lives directly next door. He's also my friend, so let's not call him the gay pilot I do yoga with to his face?

Jeremy: Come on, I'm not that crude.

Elena: Sometimes your filter is not as strong as you think it is.

Jeremy: I'm open and honest!

Elena: Uh-huh. [and sometimes blunt enough to make a very strong first impression]

Jeremy: You just don't appreciate my style.

Elena: More like I've managed to fly relatively under the radar so far, and am trying not to stand out.

Jeremy: So no talking about the exotics back home.

Elena: Or the high death rate.

Jeremy: How horrible hickeys can be.

Elena: Really excessive animal attacks.

Jeremy: Feathers flying all over your bedroom.

Elena: The excessive number of times I might have died myself.

Jeremy: My sister is not a zombie.

Elena: No she is not.

Jeremy: I'll behave. [mostly]

Elena: Thank you. [and they'll arrive at her building and she'll lead the way up to her apartment] So how much have Bonnie and Caroline told you?

Jeremy: Not much.

Elena: Okay. [she nods slowly] So there's this guy I'm seeing.

Jeremy: Is this the Ben they met at the bar?

Elena: It is the Ben they met at the bar.

Jeremy: Ah. They said he was adorable but took things literally.

Elena: Well, Caroline was mostly drunk, so her judgement cannot be trusted.

Jeremy: Caroline stays drunk for what, ten seconds?

Elena: She was really chugging it.

Jeremy: Of what, 400 proof?

Elena: I don't even remember but there were a lot of shots.

Jeremy: My sister, the ultimate frat girl.

Elena: [dryly] You know me. I love a good time. [and she'll open the door to the apartment to let him in, closing the door behind her] So, bathroom is back that way. You can camp out on the couch, but there's room in the closet if you want to stash clothes there. I can pick up dinner on the way home from class, so just text me what you're in the mood for.

Jeremy: [and he will toss his bag next to the couch before he flops down on it] Will do.

Elena: Text me if you run into any trouble. But I have to get to class and we will finish catching up later.

Jeremy: Sure thing, but I'm probably gonna crash for awhile. I can't sleep on the bus.

Elena: [she nods] Then sleep well, and I will see you later. [and off she will go to class]

Ben: [and he's in class, sitting in the back row instead of his normal seat, head down in his folded arms on the desk.]

Elena: [notices that and makes her way up to sit next to him] Hey.

Ben: Hey. [doesn't lift his head. His voice is scratchy]

Elena: [frowns] You feeling okay?

Ben: No. I feel like death. Like Death warmed over and then run over by a semi. Twice.

Elena: Oh no. Why don't you go home?

Ben: We have a test next week. [coughs] Need notes.

Elena: I'll send you my notes. You should go rest.

Ben: I'm already here.

Elena: Yeah, and you're clearly miserable.

Ben: [he just coughs in response]

Elena: [sighs] Fine, but after this class, I'm taking you home.

Ben: Okay.

Elena: Good.

Ben: [and he will end up falling asleep halfway through class]

Elena: [she'll make sure to take good notes for him and when class is over:] C'mon up. You're going home.

Ben: [and he'll groan, lifting his head. He at least has a mask on to keep from spreading germs.] You gonna drive me?

Elena: Yep. My car's not far, we just have to walk to my place. Or I can drive your car and get an uber after.

Ben: Up to you.

Elena: I'd feel better driving mine, but I'm not far. [so off they'll go, ushering home off campus to the housing where her car is parked.]

Ben: [and he'll follow, trudging along behind her]

Jeremy: [texts her about pizza for dinner]

Elena: [notes that she might be running a little late, she has to drive a friend home]

Jeremy: [texts "is the friend cute"]

Elena: I think he is

Jeremy: Is that your friend friend?

Elena: Yeah.

Jeremy: [and um, he might be going to stand on her balcony to be able to see who this guy is]

Elena: [that is rude of you Jeremy, and she totally doesn't see you as they make their way into the parking lot and she nudges him into the passenger's seat]

Ben: [nope, doesn't see either. But he has his hoodie up to keep himself warm, and add the mask and Jeremy gets nothing to judge by]

Elena: [that's what you get for snooping. But Elena slides into the driver's seat and hands him her phone] Put in your address.

Ben: [which he will do, handing it back to her and then going to curl up against the door] Thanks.

Elena: [nods and she will set off driving, not really bothering him and letting him rest. Soon they're pulling into the driveway, and she reaches out to rest her hand on his shoulder] Ben?

Ben: [mummers because he's fallen asleep] Hmm?

Elena: You're home.

Ben: Mmhmm. [nope still asleepish]

Elena: [and she'll shake him a little more firmly, putting on her mom voice] Ben.

Ben: [and he'll jerk awake, looking around confused a moment, then groans] Sorry.

Elena: It's okay. Are you going to be okay getting in?

Ben: Probably. My mom should be home in case I faceplant on the lawn.

Elena: You sure? [she's still going to wait until he gets in the door]

Ben: [nods and he goes to open the door... and almost falls out of it before he grabs the 'oh shit' handle]

Elena: [and she will shut off the car and move to get out] Hold on, I'll help you in. [and before he can argue, she's making her way around and moving to brace him]

Ben: [sighs but he lets her] We never tell Poe about this.

Elena: I doubt he'll ever ask.

Ben: Still.

Lisa: [and she saw the car pull up and has been on and off looking to see what they wanted. But as she sees a pretty young woman helping Ben up the walkway, she's on her way to meet them at the door] Is everything alright? [looking Ben over because mom's gonna worry]

Elena: Yeah, he's just not feeling well. I wanted to make sure he got home okay.

Lisa: [sigh] I told him he should've called out. Bring him inside. [ever suffering mom]

Elena: [nods as she helps Ben in, before glancing around] Couch okay?

Lisa: Yeah. I'll go heat up some water for tea. [and she shuts the door. Elena, you're staying for tea]

Elena: [she gets that and she hesitates as she sets Ben down] I don't mean to impose. I actually have to be getting back.

Lisa: It's no imposition at all. I won't keep you long.

Ben: [groans and curls up on the couch, unable to think clear enough to warn her away]

Elena: Okay. [look it's the mom of the guy she's dating, she's not going to fight too much. she's just going to reinforce the boundary] My brother actually just got into town. I told him I'd pick up pizza on the way back.

Lisa: Oh, is he visiting for something special? [the water is on, and she's looking for mugs. There's a covered plate of cookies on the island closer to the breakfast stools]

Elena: No. He just decided to surprise me. I think he got bored back in Mystic Falls.

Lisa: [laughs softly] How sweet. I hope he knows you've got an important job to do and can't flitter off to entertain him.

Elena: Oh, he's plenty capable of finding ways to keep himself entertained. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery.

Lisa: That's true. I've tried to convince Ben to move onto campus, but he's worried about me.

Elena: There's nothing wrong with wanting to be close to family. Especially when it's all you have. [another reason why she doesn't mind Jeremy's surprise appearance]

Lisa: I know. [pouring the tea now] But I'm not that far from campus, as you now know.

Elena: No, you're not. [she doesn't know what else to say so] The tea smells nice.

Lisa: Thank you. [and she'll sit across from Elena] So, Ben's mentioned your name a few times, but he hasn't told me much about you, Elena.

Elena: [her eyebrows go up, and she glances back to the door] That was a pretty good guess, since I didn't introduce myself.

Lisa: I'm a good guesser. [sipping her tea] And he has your photo as the lock screen on his phone.

Elena: [her head ducks a bit because she hadn't noticed that] Oh.

Lisa: [smiles] I don't mean to embarrass you. He's just been a lot happier these last few months.

Elena: It's not that. I really like him too. It's just still new, in a lot of ways.

Lisa: And you've been shanghaied into a meet the mom situation. I get it. I've been there too.

Elena: It's just ... been a while? My meet the mom is a little rusty. [the last parent of a significant other she had to contend with was Kelly Donovan and that was a very different scenario] I knew if things worked out we would get here eventually.

Lisa: Well, I'm really glad I got to meet you, even just for a cup of tea. Please know you're always welcome here.

Elena: I appreciate that. It's been really nice to meet you too.

Lisa: Same here. Let me walk you out so you don't keep your brother waiting too long.

Elena: [nods as she gets to her feet] Thank you, for the tea.

Lisa: You're welcome.

Ben: [yup, fast asleep on the couch]

Elena: [sees that and shakes her head] Tell him to text me when he's feeling better, and I'll pick him up to get his car.

Lisa: I will. Make sure you bathe in hand sanitizer when you get home.

Elena: Will do. [and with that, off she goes to pick up a pizza and return to Jeremy]

Jeremy: [and he's stretched out on the couch, laptop on his stomach and he's playing a game while music is playing in the background]

Elena: [and she lets herself in, holding up the pizza] Hey. Sorry for being late.

Jeremy: No problem. I'm in the middle of a raid so you're good.

Elena: [nods] Well, feel free to chow down. I'm just going to go clean up. [take that hand sanitizer bath Lisa mentioned]

Jeremy: [yup, he'll do just that]

Elena: [and about a half hour later she emerges from the shower, so hopefully his raid is done by then] How's the pizza?

Jeremy: It was good. I left you a slice.

Elena: Thanks. [and she'll go over to grab it] How'd your raid go?

Jeremy: Good. We killed the draknok and got some great gear

Elena: Nice. [and she moves over to sit on the couch next to him]

Jeremy: [and he will lift his legs to let her sit and then drop them into her lap]

Elena: [shifts to let him, making sure her pizza isn't in the way] Tomorrow I only have one class in the morning, and then I was going to put in some hours at the clinic, but I can reschedule if you want to go do something?

Jeremy: Nah, I don't want to keep you from doing your schoolwork

Elena: Are you sure? Because I can make the time while you're here.

Jeremy: When's your actual next day off?

Elena: [takes a deep breath because that's a very good question] Saturday? Maybe?

Jeremy: [looks at her] You do know it's important to take time for yourself so you don't burn out, right?

Elena: Yeah, I know. But when I don't have class I have clinic hours, when I don't have clinic I have homework. There's usually a little bit of something every day.

Jeremy: But the clinic isn't part of your school stuff, right?
]
Elena: Not officially but it's encouraged. Looks good when I'm applying to hospitals to join their residency programs.

Jeremy: But it doesn't sound like you leave time for anything.

Elena: I do. I have dates and I go to dinner with friends. But I don't usually have the need to block out entire days.

Jeremy: Dates with the dude you drove somewhere?

Elena: Yes, generally.

Jeremy: He didn't look too hot.

Elena: He wasn't feeling well.

Jeremy: Ah. That sucks.

Elena: [she nods] But I'm sure his mom will make sure he gets some TLC.

Jeremy: You met his mom?

Elena: I did. Briefly.

Jeremy: And?

Elena: She's very nice. She made me tea.

Jeremy: Well, that's a good sign.

Elena: [she nods] It is.

Jeremy: So what's he like?

Elena: He's ... nice. And he's smart. And he's not a vampire.

Jeremy: That's a new one. [teasing]

Elena: It's one I'm liking, if I'm going to be honest. The charm of men hundred years older than me has officially worn off.

Jeremy: So how much older is he than you?

Elena: He's not. I'm actually older than him.

Jeremy: You totally did a 180 on your type. I'm impressed and proud of you.

Elena: Right? I think it shows some real growth.

Jeremy: Yup. And you've taken your first step to becoming a cougar.

Elena: [swats him with a pillow] He's not that much younger than me.

Jeremy: [laughs and tries to block]

Elena: [shakes her head] What about you? Anyone you've been getting friendly with?

Jeremy: Eh, not really. Alaric is trying to get me to work at the school with him. Not sure supernatural vampire hunter is a course he wants to give. That's taking up most of my time these days.

Elena: Maybe teaching isn't the kind of help he needs.

Jeremy: Not sure what else I can offer.

Elena: He might need a hunter? Not for the students at the school, but for the students who run away? Not like hurting them, but protecting them. [Ric ... may have talked to Elena about it]

Jeremy: So..... a babysitter

Elena: Not a babysitter. A ... truancy officer. [she smirks] I don't think he wants it to be your full time job or anything, but it would give you the opportunity to travel. Get you out of town every once in a while?

Jeremy: I'm out of town right now! [but that is a nice point]

Elena: And where are you going to go when you're sick of sleeping on my couch?

Jeremy: California. Thinking about hanging out on the beach, learning to surf. Do some sketching.

Elena: That sounds nice.

Jeremy: I could wait for your school break? Go be beach bums together.

Elena: Ooh, maybe. You do get dibs on Christmas, since Caroline's already claimed Thanksgiving.

Jeremy: How long do you get for Christmas break?

Elena: A few weeks? I think classes start back up again after MLK day.

Jeremy: I think the Gilbert's definitely need a California Christmas

Elena: Deal. We'll make it happen.

Jeremy: Sweet.

Elena: And I'm really glad you're here. If I haven't said that already.

Jeremy: I'm glad to hear it whenever you want to tell me.

Elena: Good. [she nods as she finishes her pizza] Wanna watch something before I have to crash?

Jeremy: Sure. Whatcha feeling like?

Elena: Something light, where I don't have to think too much.

Jeremy: Romcom or straight com?

Elena: Straight com.

Jeremy: TAG it is. [and he will go and pull up the movie]

Elena: [she snorts as she settles in to enjoy movie time with her brother]