Title: Joust
Chapter: 1/1
Author: ladyknight1512
Fandom: The Vampire Diaries (TV-verse)
Characters: Katherine, mentions of Stefan and Damon
Pairing: Implied Stefan/Katherine and Damon/Katherine
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Summary: There are no knights, only little boys who think they understand more of the world than they truly do.
Spoilers: None
Warning(s): None
Word Count: 491
Disclaimer: These characters are the property of L. J. Smith, Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec.
- o – o – o -
Joust n. a combat in which two armoured knights or men-at-arms on horseback opposed each other with lances.
- o – o – o -
It's an old-fashioned joust is what it is. Katherine would know; she was around to watch the sport in its prime after all.
The key differences between what she saw then and what she sees now?
One: there are no knights, only little boys who think they understand more of the world than they truly do.
Granted, Damon isn't completely innocent, not as innocent as his brother anyway. He has experienced war, seen the lengths men will go to, to preserve their ideals. He knows that there is evil in the world, and yet it does not touch his own. Not that he is aware, in any case.
Two: the lances have been exchanged for words.
On first glance, it might appear that Damon has the advantage considering this choice of weapon. He says what he thinks, tells it like it is, and if the truth hurts then that's just a shame for you. But what Stefan lacks in inhibition he makes up for in sincerity. Damon can't take what he gives so easily; he can't bear to hear the truth about himself and his own failings. Delivered as these disguised barbs are by his brother, Damon might as well consider himself defeated already.
Three: the idea is not to not get hurt; it is to not let the hurt show.
Even Stefan, whose every emotion just about pours out of his eyes, has learned to put up that wall and harden his gaze. Possibly he is trying to appear older, make up for the number of years between himself and Damon. If he only knew how age means nothing to her, and how it will one day mean nothing to him.
Stefan, for all his efforts, wears the disguise better than his brother, so perhaps his plan is working. Damon's hurt and jealousy and loneliness are plain on his face for all to see. It might be endearing if it didn't get so old so fast. She'll just have to endeavour to harden him up. There is only just enough patience in her to tolerate one emotional Salvatore, and she would rather like to keep the set.
In the way of similarities there is only that both competitors know they are playing for a prize. What they do not realise is that neither of them can win, not in the way they want. Both can have her, yes, but never for their own. There is no way she will let Stefan out of her grasp, not anymore, and she simply sees too much potential in Damon to let him get away either.
What a pretty pair they will make for her, one on each arm, from now until the end of time…or at least until she gets bored and finds someone else to play with. Until then, however, she will content herself with this Tug of War game she has created, and pull the Salvatore Brothers deeper into her web.