Different by asesina
Disclaimer: I don't own TVD.
Summary: When Silas hugs Damon, it's full of hate. When Stefan hugs Damon, it's full of love. Oneshot/drabble.
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I. Silas
When Silas hugs Damon, there is a hesitant curiosity in his touch. He is testing the elder Salvatore, waiting for a flinch, a shudder, a glare.
Silas smirks as Damon accepts the embraces and retaliates with a swift, awkward pat on the back.
He's falling for this hook, line, and sinker.
Damon is so weak, so frail in his arms. Silas could destroy him in an instant, but he decides not to.
Not yet, at least.
Silas leans back and grins his best Stefan Salvatore grin, but he lets some acridness seep into his voice.
"Hello, brother."
"Welcome back, Stefan."
There it is- Stefan. Damon still believes him.
Silas can't wait to destroy him, to destroy all of them. He will wait for his Shadow Self to return to Mystic Falls, and then the fun will begin.
Silas holds Damon's gaze for another moment, and he chuckles inwardly as the dark-haired vampire starts to scowl at him.
Someone's getting suspicious.
"See you around, brother," Silas says lightly. There's a teasing lilt to his voice, and Damon narrows his eyes in response.
This is going to be fun.
II. Stefan
When Stefan hugs Damon, there's a tremor in his touch, a hitch in his breath.
He's hollowed out, cold, barely alive.
Damon returns the gesture, and this time, he knows the difference.
He is protective and strong, and he wraps his arms around his baby brother to shield him from the world and the devil with his face.
Stefan clings to the brother that he thought he'd never see again. He feels the solid life of his brother in his arms, and he holds back a sob.
Stefan plants his feet on the solid earth and breathes in the warm air. He pauses, waiting for the inevitable rush of water that he has grown accustomed to by now.
He waits, and nothing comes.
Stefan hugs the brother he thought he hated with a ferocity that he doesn't understand.
Damon doesn't push him away or crack any jokes.
Instead, he waits and listens.
His little brother isn't crying; he's breathing.
It's the most beautiful sound in the world.
End.