:Cherry Wine:


Summary: After witnessing one traumatic experience when he was younger, Stefan hasn't been the same since. That is until he bumps into a girl from his class who seems to shift his life back to normal again.

(Written October 2016)


Damon stretched to shut off his alarm as it annoyingly beeped twenty times per second. He groaned, rolling over to his stomach but forced himself up knowing that he needed to get ready for work. He stepped out of his room and into the one down the hall that belonged to his brother Stefan. Stefan was still asleep like always, so he leaned in, shaking him awake as he rubbed his left eye.

"Get up, Stefan, you have school and I need to work." He then switched to slapping his face. "Get up, man."

"I'm up, leave me alone."

"If you're not ready by the time I am, you're walking your ass to school." He warned then walked out.

Damon exhaled to the ceiling at both enjoying the release of pressure as he emptied his bladder and at the fact that he realized that he was too rough on his brother. He's just a kid and on his way to dropping him off for school, he'll apologize. If he was honest with himself he actually likes taking care of his brother since their mother died and their father walked away. Never in all his years, did he ever imagine taking care of Stefan and although he's a pain in the ass, he's blood and he loves him.

"Hey, Damon, should I shave?" Stefan asked, leaning on the threshold of the bathroom.

"No. The ladies love some hair, trust me."

Stefan smiled a little then walked away.

So maybe Stefan wasn't that ten-year-old brother that he remembers clinging to him at the hospital with tears rolling down his face, but he would always look at his brother in that way. He acted cool but the whole question of shaving made him shiver slightly. Just how old was his brother now? Off to college studying photography because that was the easiest thing that they offered and Damon didn't want to deal with him coming home crying because he failed a class or thinking horrible thoughts for the same reason. All he had to do was press a stinking button and pass, and he's glad that he's actually passing since he barely made it through high school because of his outbursts. Those lessened, but he still throws fits from time to time.

Damon zipped up his uniform and slipped on his boots, before walking into the kitchen. Stefan was already there placing a battery in his camera. "Hey Damon, I think I'm actually getting better at this whole photography thing. I know you think it's just about pressing a button, but it's a lot more complex than that."

"That's great, Stef." He poured himself some coffee. "We better get going or else I'll be late and I can't lose this job."

"If you want I could—"

"No. Stefan, just get in the car, come on."

He stood and followed behind him wanting to say something but believed that it would be best if he just kept his mouth shut for now.

Stefan sat in his usual spot, on the left side of the room at the fourth computer, and waited for people to spill in. The shuttle doesn't arrive until 8:00 AM and currently, it's 7:45 AM since he had to leave early with Damon for him to arrive at his job by eight. He logged into the computer and looked over the lesson plan for today and his eyes expanded when he noticed that he had a test. He forgot all about it and he hasn't studied anything for this class since last week. It suddenly grew hard to breathe but he managed to reach in his pocket and call his brother.

"Damon,"

"Oh no, Stefan, what's wrong?" He asked, noticing the panic in his voice.

"I have a test, I- I forgot to study, I'm going to fail. I need you to come to get me. Please, Damon."

He exhaled looking at the time. "I'll call you back, okay, just hide in the bathroom so your teacher doesn't notice. Is she there yet?"

He shook his head, "No, I'm the only one here."

"Alright, get your things and go now, I'll call you back."

Stefan quickly gathered his things, breathing heavily, and kept his eyes on the ground as he walked down the hallway and turned into the bathroom, and locked himself in a stall.

Damon pulled up to his job five minutes later praying that his boss would understand but a part of him knew that he wouldn't. He left his bags in his truck and walked in throwing a smile at one of his buddies, Tyler. "Hey man, you know where Jim's at?"

He tilted his head to the left, "In the back,"

He nodded then headed towards Jim's office. The door was already open but he knocked anyway asking for permission to enter and when it was granted, he stood in front of his desk. "Is it- How are you, Sir?"

"Pretty good,"

"I have a younger brother and he- we both went through a really horrible and tough time as children but he was younger and it scared him more-"

"Spit it out, Damon."

"Is it possible that I can go get him from school and have him hang out here? He's having a panic attack because he was blindsided by a test and he doesn't like surprises, they freak him out."

"You know the rules, Damon, no guests."

"Just this once. Please, I can't leave him home by himself while he's like this. We have no one else, please."

Jim sighed tapping his fingertips on his desk. "How old is he?"

"He's um, I don't really know, time goes by so fast um-"

"Sixteen, seventeen?"

"He's twenty-one."

His eyebrows lifted to his forehead. "Wait, I don't understand. I thought you said he couldn't be home alone? This man is an adult."

"And I understand that, but as I was trying to explain-"

"I'm sorry, Damon, but if he can't stay home alone at that age, then he can't stay here. I don't need him screwing up the way of things."

He was getting frustrated. "He won't, please, I'll keep an eye on him and make sure of it."

"But I need you completely focused. That's why I made this rule in the first place."

"Sir,"

"The answer is no, Damon. Go get working."

"Can I have the day off?"

"If you leave, you're fired."

The warmth left his body and he turned walking out calling his brother back. "St-"

"Damon, are you on your way?"

"Stefan, I can't come. My boss will fire me, I'm sorry."

"Damon-"

"Hey, hey, hey, hey," he noticed the crying tone in his voice. "I can come to get you during my break in four hours can you just go outside and take some pictures until I come?"

"I- I think so."

"Okay, good. You do that. Leave after class starts that way your teacher doesn't see you. I gave you some money so get some breakfast to help pass the time."

"Okay,"

"Okay. I'll see you later." He hung up the phone with an exhale of relief then started on his work.

Stefan sat outside with his baseball cap pulled down covering his face looking through the viewfinder on his DSLR smiling some at the photos that he took. He peered over as someone sat beside him on the bench. He lifted his head spotting a beautiful woman who was holding a camera as well. He then recognizes her as Bonnie Bennet, they share a similar class on Tuesday mornings. He touched the hair on his face remembering what his brother had told him.

"Hi."

She turned to him and pulled her lips back. "Hey. Oh, you're Stefan, right? I remember seeing you in class."

"Yeah. I uh, I was just- I'm just waiting for my brother to pick me up."

She nodded. "What time is he picking you up?"

"When he has his lunch break. I'm not really sure what time that is. When he called he said four hours but I wasn't looking at the time then."

She smiled. "You can always check to see what time he called so you won't be sitting around all day. Do you mind if I show you?"

He kept his eyes on hers before pulling out his phone knowing that he could trust her.

"Okay so you just want to check your call history, like this and... It looks like he called two hours ago,"

He grunted, throwing his head back unintentionally making her laugh. He smiled looking back at her until her laughter stopped.

"Hey, why don't I keep you company? I was waiting for the bus, but another one comes around the time you're going to leave. What do you say?"

"Um, okay, sure. I have money, do you want to eat?"

"Yeah, that'll be great. I know this perfect place." She stood and waited for him to gather his things before leading the way.

Damon checked his watch worrying more and more with every minute that passed. He should've told him to stay in the bathroom but he didn't want him to drive himself crazy locked up in a stall for four hours. He's hoping that the distraction of taking pictures will keep him from having any outbursts as long as no one talks to him, he should be fine. He wanted to call and check-in, but every time he thought it was clear, Jim will come out from his office and check on the cars. He personally had a quota to meet that he personally exceeds every day but he's positive that he's barely going to make it to the finish line. He needs to stop worrying, everything will be fine.

"Damon," Tyler sang-song snapping his fingers.

"Huh?"

"What's gotten into you, man? You're usually so focused."

"Stefan called me practically crying and I wanted to go get him but Jim threatened to fire me if I did so I have to sneak out during lunch. He's out there by himself and I'm worried. If he got so worked up over not studying for a test, then anything can really set him off. If something happens, it's going to be all my fault."

"I thought he got better?"

"I thought so too, but after today, I'm not so sure anymore."

"Want me to cover for you?"

"Thanks but no, he's going to know where I went, I should've just turned around and come in late saying that I had a family emergency." He mentally kicked himself.

"Well, at least you know what to do next time. I'll let you get back, but tell me if you need any help."

"I will, thanks, man."

Tyler nodded then walked back to his station.

"I've never had sex before."

Bonnie chuckled, shaking her head. "I guess you're the open book type then, huh?"

"Sorry,"

"It's okay."

"What about you?"

"Maybe once or twice."

"How was it?"

She exhaled setting her fork down in thought then looked up at him. She could tell that he was different just by looking into his eyes, on the outside he's as normal as ever—as fine as ever, but on the inside something is different. "It's the best feeling in the world."

"Really?"

She nodded. "But I feel like the whole experience is a whole lot better for a guy. I mean we as women have to get something expanding within us while men get a warm, cozy, tight hug."

He swallowed. "I wouldn't know."

She chuckled again. "I'm sure you will soon enough. I mean unless you're waiting for marriage or something like that." He looked away. "So have you ever kissed a girl before?"

"Yes, a couple of times." He spoke, returning his eyes to her.

"With your girlfriend?"

He looked down. "We're not together anymore I- she broke up with me."

"Why?"

"I scared her by accident, you see, I don't like surprises and she surprised me once and I freaked out. I tried to apologize, my brother had to calm me down but she just left."

"I'm sorry. She sounds pretty mean to me."

"No, she was nice, I was scared. She was really nice and beautiful but I guess she couldn't handle who I am. That's what my brother told me at least."

Bonnie nodded calmly. "So who are you, Stefan?"

"What do you mean?"

"You tell me. What were you like as a child, what are you like now?"

"Well, I saw my mother get killed."

She was speechless for a moment. "I'm so sorry, how old were you?"

"Four. That's why I don't like surprises. A bullet just shot right through the glass and landed right in the middle of her forehead. It scared the shit out of me. I've never been the same since."

"How so?"

"I'm very dependent. I get scared and anxious, I have panic attacks and anxiety attacks. I worry over the littlest things, just this morning I was freaking out to my brother because I had a test that I forgot to study for. It's like I'm not in control of my body when it comes to certain things."

Bonnie frowned at his sad eyes then placed her hand on top of his, moving her thumb across his knuckles. "You'll be okay."

He raises his eyes to her and glances at her lips when she offers a smile. He looks back into her eyes staring for a while before leaning in slowly. Bonnie was trying to figure out if she should kiss him or not but was saved from making a decision when his phone rang. Stefan closed his eyes, sighing then answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Stefan, are you okay, where are you?"

"I'm fine, I was just eating, I'm coming now."

"Okay. Hurry up."

"That was my brother, I need to go."

"Wait, Stefan, are you allowed to talk to other people, I only saw your brother's name on your phone."

"I'm allowed to,"

She smiled. "Can I give you my number?" When he handed her his phone, she quickly plugged her number in then let him leave.

Stefan put away his smile as he got into his brother's truck. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm better now. I'm sorry I called."

"It's okay, Stefan, you don't have to be sorry." Damon patted his shoulder then pulled away.

He looked over at his older brother and swallowed some. "I think I might have a girlfriend soon."

Damon narrowed his eyes looking over at him. "Why do you say that?" He focused back on the road.

"Um, well I was talking to this girl and we have the same class tomorrow and I saw her so I started talking to her and we ate together in the restaurant. She's beautiful, I think she liked my facial hair as you said."

Damon sighed and if he wasn't racing against the clock he would pull over. "Stefan I don't think you dating someone is a good idea. I mean I just don't think you're ready."

"It's because of what happened to Sandra, isn't it?"

"That and I thought you were getting better, but I was wrong. You're not ready."

"But Damon-"

"I said you're not ready." He spoke firmly close to yelling. "I don't want to hear any more of this, understand?"

"Yes."

Damon sighed and looked over at him. "I'm sorry, Stefan, I just want to protect you. I'll bring home some Chinese food for you when I get off, alright?"

"Okay,"

The rest of the ride was silent but Damon eventually turned up the radio to break it. "Are you going to be okay by yourself?"

"Yeah, I'm just going to go to sleep or something," Stefan said with his back to his brother opening the door.

"Okay," he sighed as he closed the door walking slowly into the house.

He tried to remind himself that this was for his own good. The last thing Stefan needs right now is a major breakdown and he knew once this girl caught a glimpse of how Stefan can get she'll leave running without looking back and that will crush him. He needed to keep his ground on this for his brother's sake.


Damon slid the plate of pancakes his brother's way and just watched him stare at it before stabbing two and setting it down on his plate. He sighed hoping that he wouldn't be mad at him still, but all the signs told him the opposite. Last night he barely ate and he's never seen Stefan not eat Chinese food ever in his life.

"So what class do you have today?"

"History Of Art."

"That sounds interesting. You like the class?" He only shrugged. "Stefan, come on. You barely know her, I don't see why you're so depressed over someone you barely know."

"She's different, Damon, I can sense it. I told her about what happened and she called Sandra mean for not forgiving me. She told me that I'll be okay, she- she could take care of me so you won't have to."

"Stefan, do you honestly believe that a woman with her whole life ahead of her would want to spend the rest of her days taking care of you? Only blood is willing to do that, besides, think of how unfair that would be. You'll be taking her whole life away for your own selfish reason. Now if anything is mean, it's that."

His chest rose and fell erratically. His brother was right, what was he thinking? He'd be taking Bonnie's whole life away just because he likes her and thinks that she's pretty, he's not even sure if she wants to be with him anyway, she didn't move forward to kiss him the other day so maybe she doesn't want to be with him at all.

"Stefan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." He looked over noticing that his brother was standing right beside him. "I didn't mean it, okay, I was just a little jealous, okay, I like taking care of you. You're all I have left. I'm sorry I worried you. Calm down,"

He nodded then tried to empty his thoughts until his heart was back to normal programming. He closed his eyes taking deep breaths just as he remembered the therapist telling him.

"Do you want to skip school today? I don't have work."

"I should go, I need to talk to my teacher anyway."

He nodded. "Okay. I'll stay around campus just in case."

"Thank you, Damon."

"You're welcome. Go get your shoes so we can leave."

"Are you okay, Stefan?" Bonnie asked, turning to him as students left the class.

She sat next to him and muffled a 'hi', but he didn't say anything back. She knew that their teacher hated people talking during class, but she figured that he would at least acknowledge her. It was as if he was trying to avoid her at all cost and she couldn't understand why.

"Did something happen?" She tried again but he still wasn't giving her a response. She placed her hand on top of his but he immediately pulled it away. "Stefan-"

"Just leave me alone."

"Can you tell me what's wrong at least?"

"I'm not supposed to talk to you."

"Why?"

"Because my brother said so. You have your whole life ahead of you, why would you want to waste it taking care of me?"

She narrowed her eyes in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Just forget it. I need to le—" his eyes widened when her lips stopped him from talking.

His shoulders soon relaxed and his right hand met the side of her face kissing her and he soon found himself making out with her. Bonnie surprised herself by kissing him, but something pushed her forward and she's now thanking that force because kissing Stefan surprisingly made her feel alive. Her hand raked up his hair making him wrap an arm around her and pull her into his body.

"Bonnie?"

The girl in question pulled away from his lips and faced her grinning friend. "I'm coming."

"I bet you are." She smiled then walked away.

Bonnie rolled her eyes glad that Stefan probably didn't get the joke. She turned back to him busy looking at her lips. She smiled, gaining his attention. "Are you going to text me later?" He nodded. "Okay." She looked around gathering her things. "I'll talk to you later."

He stood when she did and grabbed her hips bringing her closer to him. Her eyes widened and her pupils were dilated as he looked into them. Her eyes shifted to his hand which he caressed the side of her face for a few seconds before leaning in kissing her gently. She forced her knees to stay strong by circling her arms around his neck.

"You're really short." He told her, touching their noses, and smiled when she chuckled.

"Maybe you're just tall."

"I'm not that tall."

She smiled then kissed him twice longingly. "Do you have a car?" He shook his head. "Do you live far?"

"Maybe thirty minutes away."

"Okay well, I- text me, okay?"

"I will, I promise." He closed his eyes when she kissed his cheek before walking out of the classroom.

He sat back down in his chair with a puff not completely sure about all that happened, but he was glad that it happened. Does that make her his girlfriend now? He just knew that he couldn't tell Damon about anything that just went down.

Bonnie sighed hearing Caroline go on about the kiss and their chemistry. "Girl, who was that?"

"His name is Stefan." Bonnie stopped walking when her friend did. "What?"

"Stefan Salvatore? Bonnie, he's...dangerous."

"How would you know?"

"I heard that he got violent with an ex and punched her in the face."

"He didn't punch her in the face. He said he was scared because she surprised him and he doesn't like surprises."

"Exactly why he would punch her."

She tried to stop her chuckle but couldn't. "Caroline,"

"Bonnie, I'm just saying to be careful. He's like bipolar or something. You really shouldn't get involved." She placed her hand on her shoulder before walking to the car.

Bonnie sighed thinking about her friend's words then started back to the car herself.

Stefan sat on his bed after locking himself in his room holding his phone in his hands. He hasn't texted someone since Sandra, so he just texts Bonnie your typical greeting then waited. He looked up hearing Damon walking past his room but relaxed when the sound faded but grew anxious again when his phone vibrated.

Hi. What are you doing right now?

He swallowed at her message and thought. Should he reply with a serious answer or a flirtatious one? Or maybe even a funny answer.

Thinking about you. He decides then waits.

Bonnie smiled but rolled her eyes. Do you think your brother would let you have some fun this weekend? If not I can always just sneak in your room.

He reads the message five times, each time picturing a different outcome but they all ended with a happy ending. I can ask. Say I'm going out with a friend… Or you can just sneak in my room.

Another smile makes way on her face. See if you can then we'll have more privacy, but either way, I'll need your address.

He sat the phone down and walked out of his room finding Damon sitting on the couch watching the news. "Hey Damon, um, do you think I can hang out with a friend this weekend?"

Damon processes his words then he turns his attention to him. "You made a friend?" He nodded. "that's great what's his name?"

"Billy. He's a photographer too and we were thinking about taking some photos for the project we have coming up. He said he'll pick me up and everything."

"Can I meet him?"

"Damon, come on. It's embarrassing enough that I have to ask you."

"Okay, I'm just trying to look out for you. I want you to be safe."

"I know. But I always call if I need you."

Damon nodded. "Okay, you can go. I just- does he know?"

"He has an understanding. He knows I don't like surprises so that's the important thing."

"Okay, well I hope I can meet him eventually."

"I promise." He says, then walks back into his room and texted Bonnie his address letting her know that they can have some privacy.

The whole thing was nothing but a rush of adrenaline and he hoped that the week would go by quickly.