“what? oh, i’m sorry, was this seat taken? are we waiting for someone to join us?” stefan teases lightly, making no attempt at scooting or moving away, acting as though he didn’t understand the reason behind elena’s annoyance. he doesn’t want to admit it but there’s something about her, these doe-like hues growing stormy, amusing rather than scaring him, that disarms him every time. he only stops smiling to himself and lowers his gaze in shame when she reminds him that she can see right through him, that he’s been hurting her by lying, even if his intentions are good. “is that what you think i’m doing? caring for you because i see you as an incompetent, dainty airhead? if so, you’re also pretty terrible at reading people’s intentions because i see you as one of the strongest people in the world,” he insists, turning his head to the side, emeralds never leaving her face. “but that doesn’t mean i will just stop trying to keep you safe.” he genuinely doesn’t think she’s weak mentally, most people would have already given up but she keeps going, wakes up every morning and puts one foot in front of the other. physically-wise, though? she could as well be made of glass in stefan’s eyes, but he knows better than to point it out. “that doesn’t change the fact that unless you have a shotgun tucked away in this little bag,” which would be useless against the creature that’s preying on people in mystic falls anyway, “the odds of you beating up a mountain lion aren’t looking good.” but now he’s curious as to why exactly is in her bag. a pepper spray? a knife? “mhm,” he hums in defeat, biting back the comment that’s sitting at the tip of his tongue about how he actually knows her pretty well, way better than she thinks, “well, maybe i don’t but i do know that you’re not a coward, or an airhead for that matter.” nodding his head solemnly, he may be using jeremy as a distraction now but it doesn’t change the fact that he feels for the boy. he’s been through a lot and clearly isn’t coping well. “you’re a very good sister, elena. don’t ever doubt that.” he’d rest his hand on her knee in further reassurance but it seems inappropriate now that she’s rightfully angry with him. “maybe he just needs some more time or someone who isn’t family to talk to. sometimes it’s easier to open to a stranger.”
