Who: Josh and Stefan What: chatting Where: the museum When: July 7th Warnings: low, but talk of blood Status: g-doc
Josh made his way into the museum, hands full as they usually were most mornings. He carried a restock of blood for himself, Marcel, and Rebekah. Plus, the vampire made sure to stop at the butcher’s for blood for Stefan. And he had coffee for the vampires. Claudia’s assistant usually brought Claudia’s coffee.
He placed all of the human blood in the fridge, keeping the animal blood in its own bag so Stefan knew which blood was for him.
Speaking of, Josh looked up and noticed Stefan. “Hey, I refilled your blood supply, but the butcher only had lamb today. I hope that’s okay?” Josh didn’t quite know where lamb fell on the scale of tasty animal blood.
Stefan’s vampirism was more a curse than a blessing to him. Sure, it gave him a long life, powerful arms, heightened senses… but it also meant that all day every day he was on the verge of disaster. All day every day he was tempted with giving in and letting go--and he knew that if he let go, people would die. Lots of people. Stefan couldn’t let that fly, so he had to be reserved and constrained twenty-four/seven.
Still, animal blood wasn’t terrible. It didn’t bring about the pleasure that human blood brought… but it was good enough. Lamb was good. Better than some alternatives. And Stefan felt honored that Josh thought of him, and made the extra trip.
“Thanks, Josh,” Stefan said, giving the younger vampire a smile. “You didn’t have to go out of your way. I really appreciate it.”
Josh didn’t quite understand everything about Stefan as a vampire, but he knew enough to not offer him human blood. If the other vampire wanted or needed vampire blood then all he needed to do was ask and Josh would ensure there was some in the fridge.
He didn’t really love the whole vampire thing, but he didn’t hate it. Mostly, Josh thought of it as an aspect of himself like eye colour or height. Consuming human blood came with his new identity, but at least Josh possessed rather good control for how young he was in terms of vampire years…okay and human years.
“It’s not going out of my way. I promise. Although I have to ask if you actually like lamb.” Josh would feel terrible if Stefan actually hated it.
Stefan gave a little chuckle at Josh’s insisting about the lamb. He shook his head. “Lamb is fine. Really. I like it.” That was about all he was going to say on that particular topic. Would he have preferred human blood? Absolutely. But Stefan couldn’t have it. He wouldn’t let himself.
“So, you having a good summer?” He asked. Stefan’s summer was absolutely fantastic so far--he was married, working in a job he enjoyed with people he was fond of, and there’d been a beach. So far so good.
Josh didn’t press further but breathed a sigh of relief. “Are there any that are absolute nos for you? I’d like to avoid any you actively dislike.” He assumed that none taste particularly as good as human blood, but Josh didn’t want to make Stefan feel bad or anything. That wasn’t how the vamp usually rolled.
“It’s been fine. I got to go enjoy some Pride events. Work. Watch you and Caroline get married.” Honestly, Josh like his job, more because of the people than the job itself, but at least he cleaned up way less puke on a regular basis, so he’d take it. “I’m still getting to know Eliot.” And Josh rather liked Eliot.
Stefan considered the question for a moment and then shifted his weight. He slipped his hands into his pockets. “No fish or fowl,” he said. Anything mammal was probably okay. Stefan hadn’t done a lot of explorations into different types of blood. Enough alcohol and caffeine and animal blood was enough to sustain him and keep the Ripper at bay.
A bright smile broke out across Stefan’s face at the mention of his marriage to Caroline. He’d been walking on air ever since the day. “Tell me more about Eliot,” he added. “Still new?”
A nod. “I can definitely avoid fish and bird like creatures.” To be fair, Josh couldn’t imagine fish blood would be all that easy to get in Madison anyway, not like deer or farm animals. “Here’s your coffee, by the way,” and passed Stefan the aforementioned caffeinated beverage that he preferred. Josh couldn’t help but laugh and grin at the bright smile on Stefan’s face. That smile reminded him of Davina when she and Kol left to go see the world. Of course…he missed Davina every day and knew Marcel did as well. He didn’t think anyone else still in town did with Cami being sent home.
“Yup, still new. We haven’t defined our relationship or anything, but I really like him.” They were going slow because both came with baggage, like the death of Aiden. “He’s a magician from a world that might actually be more fucked than ours.” Which…sounded impossible before the Dome.
Stefan accepted the coffee with a nod. “Thanks, man.” He lifted it and smelled the strong aroma. It was wonderful to have someone around who was so helpful and cheerful. Stefan was fond of Josh and hoped they’d be good friends.
Josh’s laugh made Stefan laugh, too. Mostly to himself. He understood what Josh must have seen in him--the smile, the happiness, the newlywed bliss. Stefan was steeped in it, and couldn’t be happier.
“That’s great, Josh,” Stefan said, reaching over to clap the younger vampire amicably on the shoulder. “More fucked than ours? Is that possible?” He teased.
“No problem!” Josh liked Stefan and could use another friend in this place, especially one who understood just how fucked their world could be. People not from their world could find it difficult to understand.
Wedded bliss suited Stefan. Probably Caroline too, but Josh didn’t see the blonde often, so he mostly banked on the pair getting their happily ever after.
“Have you heard of Narnia? Think of it, but like…way WAY fucked.”
“Wow.” Stefan wasn’t sure he could imagine a fucked up Narnia. Still, there was something a bit weird about both Narnia and Wonderland… all those alternate universe worlds where up was down and everyone was mad.
“I take it he’s glad to be here?” Stefan asked, thinking he certainly would be if he came from a place that was a fucked-up Narnia. More and more each day he was growing glad that he was here. He wouldn’t go back if he had the choice. Not now.
Josh didn’t think Stefan should use that word in front of Alyssa. The blonde struck him as someone who thought only she got to insult her homeworld. Which, fair, because Josh probably wouldn’t like someone saying shit about New Orleans.
“I think so, yes. Although Dome sent home his best friend a few months ago and I think it made him sad.” Josh’s phone buzzed.
“Oh shit. I have a meeting about to start. But, I’ll talk to you later?”
“Yeah, definitely.” Stefan said. “I’ll talk to you later.” He lifted the coffee to sip from it, then turned his attention to Josh once more. “And thanks again for the coffee.” And the blood.