'cause you know I'm coming home

[mistyday]

Somehow, at this point, a magic doorway leading to yet another world doesn't surprise her at all. As soon as she sees the sun and the waves and the green where her quarters should be, she doesn't hesitate to step through. It's not just the warm draw of nature either, so refreshing after the cold darkness of space - there's something else drawing her as well. Or rather, someone else. She follows that sense down the beach, through the town, and to another door.

Knock, knock.

And there she stands on his front step, beaming. "Hey, stranger."

Comments

[stefanged]

No way.

He had to be dreaming. Stefan had spent what, a couple of weeks here now? Two long, lazy weeks and yet, there sure is his favorite witch standing right outside his door. It takes him all of a millisecond to step back and stare, before he lets out a loud huff of a laugh.

If this is Itinere's way of an apology, after seeing and conversing with his dead brother's spirit, then it's more than made up for itself.

"Hey, habibti," he says warmly, rushing over to embrace her. "Long time no see."

[mistyday]

Laughing, Misty returns the hug with equal warmth. "Didn't think you could get rid of me that easily, did you?"

[stefanged]

"Not even for a moment." He laughs, pulling back so he can let her in.

The front room doesn't resemble an apartment, honestly. While it lacks the staircase and upper awning of Salvatore Manor, the wooden paneling and high ceilings seem far grander than it has any right to be. The couches, the lamps, and even the baby grand piano are from different eras altogether - and yet, it suits Stefan.

"When'd you get here?" He's already rolling up his sleeves, as if he's preparing to make her a meal. "Just now, or a couple of days ago, or...?"

[mistyday]

"This morning. And then I just... followed you." She shrugs, not really sure how that part of her magic works either. It simply does.

But stepping through the doorway and getting her first look at his home, she is anything but nonchalant. "Whoa!" Misty gasps, her mouth wide open in amazement as she spins slowly around the room, craning her neck to get a look at everything. Her fingers run along the piano keys and she turns back to face him. "Is this really where you live? Sure as hell beats the tin cans we were living in before, huh?"

[stefanged]

He doesn't particularly get it either, but he'll chalk it up to one of God's mysteries. It brought his soulmate back to him, didn't it?

"It's where Salvatore lived," he teased, leaning against the wall. The Alesci Manor had been homier, with far more Arabic calligraphy hung on the walls (and to give him credit, there's a couple here and there). "But yeah, it's home. Everyone's is kind of like it. You step into your apartment and it takes on whatever you think is home."

[mistyday]

"I already am home, with you."

Though, admittedly, while she's impressed by this place, it's perhaps a bit... stuffier than she would prefer. Like being in a beautiful museum, where you're not supposed to touch anything.

[stefanged]

He laughs, the warmth seeming to echo through the house and brighten even the smallest of light fixtures.

“Likewise,” he admits, ducking his head a little. “Maybe that's why this apartments a little bigger than the others.”

It had come with three bedrooms, rather than everyone else's usual one or two. At the time, Stefan had chalked it up to a replica of his manor. Now, he's wondering if Itinere was trying to tell him something.

[mistyday]

"You think it knew I was coming? Think it be a bit brighter then." She points at one of the windows and telekinetically throws open the heavy curtains, letting the light in. Where exactly that light comes from is a question she chooses not to contemplate at the moment. The other curtains around the room soon follow suit.

"There, that's better, don't you think?"

[stefanged]

"Much better," he agrees, basking briefly in the warm sunlight.

It's warmer with her here. Brighter too, like it's filled with life rather than remnants from another time.

"You wanna see your room? Or well, what I'm gonna guess is your room, 'cause it sure doesn't look like my brother's."

[mistyday]

"Yeah!" Without hesitation, she takes his hand. "Show me!"

[stefanged]

"Alright." He leads her to a room at the very end of the hallway, opening it and ushering her inside. Once again, it's as if the place knew she would arrive. Pale white walls greet her, but the room is fully furnished with those green plants she loves so much.

He laughs, sliding a little on the floors with his fuzzy socks. "What do you think?"

[mistyday]

"Oh!" She exclaims in excitement and wonder as she looks around the room. It's fairly simple (especially in comparison to the rest of the apartment) - just a bed piled high with plenty of comfy blankets and pillows, a wiry nightstand, a dresser, and a brightly patterned rug. But every wall is covered in creeping vines and potted plants bursting with flowers rest on shelves and on the floor all around the room. "It's perfect!"

Then, as she turns, she discovers one more important thing, tucked away in its own alcove: a turntable and bookshelf full of vinyls. A wordless, happy noise escapes her as she dances over to the record shelf and selects one at random. It's not Fleetwood Mac, as one might imagine, but instead it's Bon Jovi, which she proudly holds out to Stefan. "Look!"

[stefanged]

No way. The room had already seemed tailor-made for his soulmate, but the addition of original vinyl Bon Jovi albums seals the deal. This place really was lifted from their minds - and it really did want to be their new home.

"Holy shit," he says, rushing over to inspect it. "It's exactly like I remember..."

Which is a little weird, because it's technically Salvatore's memories and not Alesci's, but he's rolling with it.

"You know I was actually his guitarist for a hot minute?"

guess who's coming to dinner »

[stefanged]

Tonight has to be perfect. Not just because Elena's coming (as she usually does), but also because Misty'll be joining them - and Stefan wants them to get along so, so badly. His soulmates deserved each other's friendship. Plus, it'll ease his guilty conscience.

Or so he keeps telling himself as he idly stirs the freshly-brewed masala chai on the stove. He's gone all-out: there's falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, and even roasted lamb waiting in the oven. For dessert? Homemade ma'amoul (shortbread cookies stuffed with dates) and baklava.

He's trying - and failing - to hide his nonchalance behind the stove, but he's sure that they can spot it from a mile away. They always do. As he pours himself some of his chai, he takes a sip. It doesn't soothe his anxious nerves one bit.

"Hey, um - " He glances at Misty, knowing Elena will walk through the door at any moment, "Think you could get a pitcher of water, real quick?"

[mistyday]

Misty, on the other hand, is as relaxed as can be, humming softly as she helps Stefan around the kitchen. As long as she's with him, she doesn't have to worry. And she's sure she'll like Elena because Elena is his too.

"Sure thing!" It takes a minute of digging through the cabinets to find the pitcher - she's still learning where everything is in her new home - and then she fills it up at the sink. While the water runs, she watches him carefully.

"Hey." She turns the faucet off and brings the pitcher over. "What's eatin' at you?"

[stefanged]

Were anyone else coming over, Stefan might've calmed down too. Misty's songs usually ground him when everything else fails - but when he's murmuring du'a and surahs from the Qur'an, he knows nothing can slow his heartbeat.

"Nothing," he says out of habit, setting his mug down. "I mean, it should be nothing, but... you've never met Elena, and Elena's never met you and..."

He shrugs, knowing full well his anxiety's taking hold. "I just want this to be perfect."

[mistyday]

"It don't need to be perfect to be good still." Misty easily slides her hand into his and gives it a squeeze, all while holding his gaze steady. "You think it'll help to pray for a bit?"

[stefanged]

Right: he isn't alone. Misty has his back, and were their roles reversed, he would be the one encouraging her to take a deep breath. He squeezes back, managing the barest of smiles.

"Nah, I already prayed." Fard and sunnah, just to be on the safe side. "She'll be here any minute, anyway. Everything looks good, right?"

[proweird]

Speak of the devil, or the dinner guest in this case, Elena approaches the door and only hesitates slightly before she opens it. "Stefan, it's me," she calls out. She's carrying an armful of flowers and a fancy bottle of sparkling, strawberry lemonade in place of the bottle of wine she'd normally bring as a hostess gift.

She steps further into the room, having stressed out a little over what to wear. She'd settled on a pretty, floral dress that hits just above her knees.

[stefanged]

"Elena! Hey!" Stefan rushes towards her, reaching for both the flowers and the bottle of sparkling lemonade.

He hadn't done that much to prepare for the dinner; the Den looks the same as usual, if not slightly neater. Save for the dining table, which he had set, and the warmth of the fireplace - it felt like home. He's dressed nicer too, in black slacks and one of his darker-colored button down shirts. (He even has cuff links, styled to match his lapis lazuli ring.)

"Thank you. You really didn't have to," he teases, poking his head above the flowers and knowing full well that he'd done far more. "Your presence would've been enough."

Though speaking of presence... he sets the bottle down, intent on finding a vase big enough for those lovely flowers.

"Elena, this is Misty," he says, motioning towards his roommate. "And well, Misty, I'm sure I've talked your ear off about Elena already."

[mistyday]

Misty practically beams at Elena, only barely restraining herself from rushing over and hugging the other woman. Instead she settles on enthusiastically taking both of Elena's hands in hers. "Oh, I feel like I know you already! I'm so glad to finally meet you!"

[proweird]

Elena isn't as nervous as Stefan, but she is nervous. While he hasn't told her a lot about Misty, she knows that Misty is important to him simply because she's sharing his living space with him. She's wondered a little about Misty's relationship with Stefan, and tried to convince herself that it didn't matter if it was a romantic relationship. Stefan is her friend and she wants him to be happy. However Misty makes him happy, Elena is simply glad that she does and she's not jealous, nope, not at all.

Her smile goes from nervous and tight to something softer and genuine when Stefan approaches; she brushes a kiss against his cheek then turns her attention to Misty, that soft, genuine smile still on her face. She wouldn't have turned down a hug at all and she doesn't shy from the way Misty takes her hands. Instead, she squeezes them lightly. "Misty, it's so good to meet one of Stefan's friends."

And she means that.

[mistyday]

Elena need not worry about jealousy in the romantic front. Stefan is undoubtedly Misty's soulmate, but romance doesn't factor into the equation. Family is more like it. And Elena is so warm and friendly - and pretty! Misty easily sees why Stefan cares for her so much. Still holding onto Elena's hands, she turns to Stefan with a teasing grin. "See? It told you you didn't need to be nervous!"

wow I'm so sorry

[stefanged]

“You sure did,” Stefan admits, fighting back a laugh as he glances back at his soulmate.

Then again, he knows just how territorial Elena can feel – and he also knows how his closest friendships could look like something more. Enough people had mistaken Misty and Stefan for a couple even though they weren't. Even though they'd never really thought of themselves that way. Stefan can't imagine life without Misty anymore, but certainly not in the romantic sense.

Finally finding that vase, he fills it up with water before arranging the flowers in. Already, it seems to brighten up the whole place.

“But uh, you know how I worry.” A little too much – and seemingly for nothing too.

No worries

[proweird]

She'll realize eventually that she needn't worry about the romance part of things (not that she has a right to worry. After all, she dated Stefan's brother and he was married to her best friend back in her world).

In that case, Elena is pleased that Stefan has Misty and she's got a good feeling about getting along with her. She smiles at Misty, squeezing her hands once before she lets them drop, smirking a little at Stefan.

"A habit I'm not sure anyone can break him of," Elena confirms. Yes, he worries and absolutely for nothing. Elena generally gets along with most people, and even if she didn't think she and Misty were going to be just fine, she'd make sure she tried for Stefan's sake. "So how long have you two known each other?"