Don't believe in anyone

[evalon]

what the hell is wrong with Izzy? does she not get that mob guys don't just say thank you and leave when you return something you stole from them? has she not seen any of the Godfather movies or the Sopranos? ok, yeah, i'm just as damn stubborn as she is when it comes to taking care of my business, but i NEVER did something dangerous alone when i

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[stefan_d]

When the doorbell chimes, I just about sprint for it so I can catch it before it wakes up Isabella.

"Evalon, uh, come in."

[evalon]

i walk into my old condo and smile at him.

"hey Stefan, is Iz asleep?"

[stefan_d]

"Yeah. They gave her some good drugs." I try to smile, but it don't come off too well.

"She should be up before long, though. C'mon in, sit down."

[evalon]

i follow him into the living room and sit on the sofa, noticing how tired his face looks.

"i can't believe they let her leave so soon. how are you doing with all of this, by the way?"

[stefan_d]

"She insisted." I shrug. "Only way they coulda made her stay was to drug her again."

I struggle with whether or not to even go into it. I'm not sure what I feel, or maybe not sure I can explain it. The whole sharing thing just didn't happen with me until lately. Finally I say, "Like hell. That's how I'm doin'."

[evalon]

i run my hand through my hair and roll my eyes.

"gods, but she's stubborn, isn't she?" i smile a little at him.

"i'm sorry, Stefan, i thought her story sounded a little off when she came to get the painting. had i known just how off, i would've had Astraeia follow her, since i couldn't with my daylight issues."

[stefan_d]

"Not your fault. When she makes up her mind, you can't really stop her."

I look down.

"Wish I'd figured that out before the other night. She told me she was gonna let me and my bro handle it, and I believed her."

[evalon]

i touch his shoulder briefly, trying to reassure him.

"hey, it's not your fault, either. for whatever reason, she lied to all of us. i don't know if maybe she's just used to not relying on anyone or what, but she's gotta get it in her head that she doesn't have to do this crap alone anymore. neither do you, for that matter."

[stefan_d]

"Yeah. I'm startin' to get that." I look at her. "Like what you did, coming through that portal with Isabella to get me out. Thanks for that, if I didn't say it already."

I pause. The room fills with silence, and I can sense her waitin' for the rest of it. She ain't empathic like 'Bella, but something about her makes you feel like she's truly listening to you when you talk. "I know why she was so hurt about me lyin' to her now. I didn't really get that before." I shrug.

[evalon]

"you're very welcome. Iz loves you, and there was no way i was gonna let her go by herself. she's become a very good friend and i don't let my friends do things like that alone if i don't have to."

i raise an eyebrow at his little confession, i don't think he's all that comfortable sharing how he feels. "yeah, sometimes it takes being on the other side of it to understand it."

i smile at him and decide i should come clean with him. he may have his moments, but i've grown fond of him and i feel bad for scaring him like i did before. "by the way? i don't know if you picked up on this, but i don't actually eat people. Michael and i actually get our meals from a bag. the first time i ever had to bite someone was while we were in that painting, and i didn't kill them, either. i don't think i could kill a person just for food. now, threaten my friends? yeah, i could then." i wink at him, hoping he knows i no longer feel the need to be threatening towards him.

[stefan_d]

I have to chuckle.

"I was such an asshole -- I woulda deserved it if you did bite me. Uh, sorry for that, too."

[evalon]

"hey, i was a bitch. we're even." i tell him with a small laugh before moving on to what i know has to be on his mind.

"so, y'all haven't heard from Paulie since Iz saw him last, have you?"