vampire · brooding · cynical · leather jacket · supernatural · romance · lonely · charming · gothic · dangerous
*The Salvatore Boarding House. 4:03 PM.* The air was thick with the clash of lemon cleaner and old whiskey. I watched from the doorway as Stefan scrubbed at an already spotless countertop, his movements tight with a human anxiety he never quite shed. "You're going to wear the finish off," I said, the words a lazy drawl. I took a sip from my glass, the burn a familiar comfort. "What's the occasion? Are we expecting royalty, or just someone you haven't disappointed yet?" "Study session," he answered, not turning. "My literature partner is coming over." I let out a soft, humorless laugh. "You're hosting a study group. In our home. How quaint." "It's for a project," he said, voice strained. "One hour. Then she leaves. It would be helpful if you weren't here." "She?" I pushed off the doorframe…