Title: Eternity
Authors: Ayumie and CrowX
Fandom: The Vampire Diaries (TV)
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Damon/Stefan
Word count: 9878
Warnings: Incest, slash and some violence and kinky scenes
Summary: Damon had promised his brother an 'eternity of misery'. But will Damon be able to fulfill this promise or is the bond between him and Stefan too strong? They will meet again and again throughout time and places, experiencing good and bad times while challenging each other. Incest, slash, mature themes.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: As always many thanks to my beta reader dysprositos, who betaed this chapter despite having finals!
Sorry for everyone for the wait. But life doesn't stop and Christmas time with working issues were preventing us from updating sooner. Hope you like this chapter.
.
ETERNITY
.
Chapter 15
.
Roaming throughout Asia proved to be the best diversion possible for Damon. There were completely different cultures and even the people tasted different. It was unlike the first time he'd been to Asia, when the Western people had been regarded with suspicion and alienation.
Damon thrived at a place where nothing reminded him of his brother and their past.
xoXOXox
Stefan was happy. He spent most of the time with Lexi and her new boyfriend, laughing and playing in a way he hadn't thought possible. Damon seemed to have finally disappeared altogether. They didn't hear from his brother for years, for which Stefan was rather grateful. Sometimes he thought that he'd prefer never to see Damon again.
The world around them was changing quickly. The economy was booming, people seemed wealthy and happy and Stefan liked that. He decided to visit Mystic Falls in the autumn and see how his relatives were doing.
The boarding house, too, had been improved. Stefan smiled as he noticed the fresh coat of paint, the neat rows of flowers along the driveway.
xoXOXox
After having spent a decade traveling and living in all the different countries of Asia, from India to Japan, Damon decided to go back to America. Things were changing a lot and what better place to get used to it than his old home? He'd been keeping tabs on his family and knew that only Joseph and Martin Salvatore, the two sons of their second cousin Alexander Salvatore, were living there with Martin's family. The house was now a boarding house, although Damon had made sure that their room was left as it had been.
He'd been living there for two weeks and presents from Asia and some other stuff had guaranteed a not so warm welcome. At least Martin Salvatore remembered him fondly as the one who had taught him to play football. Damon kept a low profile, which was getting easier with the help of raided bottles of donated blood from the hospital.
Just as he'd settled into a routine, having fun playing the perfect gentleman and long-distant relative, he heard his brother's voice. Groaning at the unexpected complication, he poured himself a glass of whiskey and after taking a big swallow, he went to the entrance hall to greet Stefan.
"Hello brother!"
xoXOXox
Stefan stopped dead in his tracks. It wasn't possible. Yet Damon continued to hover in front of him like an apparition, like something out of his nightmares. For a moment, Stefan was tempted to turn on his heel and run.
Their relatives were watching. Gritting his teeth, Stefan nodded at his brother even as he struggled to keep his face blank.
"Damon. I didn't expect to find you here. Why don't we go upstairs and talk? We wouldn't want to bother the family with our reunion, would we?"
xoXOXox
Damon smiled tightly and nodded.
"Yeah, it wouldn't do for the kids to hear about your rampage, right, Stefan?"
Damon grabbed a new bottle of scotch and followed his brother upstairs. Inside, he decided that this surprising meeting was probably punishment for his sins. He took care to bury his emotions deep inside though, once again wondering how they lately seemed to come back almost without him noticing.
"So little brother, what wind brought you back to Mystic Falls? But let's not beat around the bush. You should know that I sent Lexi after you during your murderous spree. And I did try to hold you back!"
xoXOXox
Stefan shook his head. He put down his bag, briefly assessing the state of the room. Nothing seemed to have changed. Too bad his visit was going to be cut short.
"It doesn't matter. Let's leave those things in the past, Damon. Do you think we can manage to spend a night or two beneath the same roof without fighting? Since you're already set, I'd even be willing to move to another bedroom."
That would constitute a real sacrifice. Stefan had been looking forward to spending time with his old things and keepsakes, but with Damon in residence, it couldn't be helped. He couldn't imagine them staying in the same room – not after what had happened.
xoXOXox
Huffing in annoyance, Damon wanted to answer something along the line of 'first come, first served', but then he saw the yearning glance as his brother took in their room. Despite all their differences, they had always managed to live in one room together.
"Stay. I won't bite. Oh, well, I do, but this is our room. It would seem strange to the relatives otherwise."
His brother still looked unsure and Damon grabbed the bottle of liquor.
"I'll leave you to get settled, brother."
He decided to join the family and boarding guests in the smoker's lounge to watch the wonderful new television. He'd brought them one of the new and very expensive color TVs, even though there were still mostly black-and-white shows. At a questioning glance from Martin, Damon shrugged.
"Just a little disagreement."
xoXOXox
Once he was alone, Stefan slowly unpacked his things. Even if it was impolite, he couldn't bring himself to join the family just now. He'd say hello tomorrow, once he'd had some rest and got over the shock of Damon's presence. Even though it was still early, Stefan decided that he'd go straight to sleep – anything to avoid a confrontation.
Stefan changed into a pair of loose, gray pants and slid between sheets that smelled of Damon. It was the scent of his childhood and even now enough to make Stefan sigh and turn his head into the pillow. Sleep was slow to come and, after a while, Stefan heard the door open.
xoXOXox
After watching some of the evening shows, Damon wondered why his brother wasn't coming down. After saying good night, he went upstairs. Stefan was already in bed, his back facing the door. Damon didn't hear a breath or a heartbeat and he supposed that Stefan was asleep.
Sighing, he decided to turn in as well, hoping that things would look better in the morning. Undressing as always, he crawled into the bed, and since Stefan was asleep anyway, he snuggled against him. It felt nice to have his brother back in his arms. Over the last decade, he'd often wondered how his brother was faring.
Breathing Stefan's scent in deeply, Damon quickly fell asleep.
xoXOXox
Stefan woke up with Damon wrapped around him. At first all he could think was that it felt good. Turning, Stefan happily snuggled closer. Humming softly, he slowly opened his eyes.
Instantly, Stefan tensed. Reality came crashing in and he tried to scoot away. It wasn't supposed to be like this. After what had happened the last time, Stefan had thought that they were finally past this.
Of course, Damon couldn't just let it go. Once Stefan realized that, if anything, Damon's arms were tightening around him, he stopped.
"What?"
xoXOXox
Waking with his brother scooting closer instantly aroused Damon. It had been a few days since his last shag, and subsequent feeding, but with Stefan it had been always much more intense and Damon felt his cock hardening at the mere thought.
"Good morning, brother."
Deciding to act like the last years hadn't happened, Damon's free hand sneaked around his brother's body, searching for the sensitive spots he knew so well. He pressed his erection against Stefan's back while he put gentle kisses on his neck.
"Mhm, you smell so good."
xoXOXox
"Damon, no!" Stefan hissed angrily, trying to swat his brother's hands away. He moaned softly as the only answer he received was a sharp pinch to his right nipple.
"For God's sake, we hate one another! Why would you even want to touch me? Besides, our relatives are downstairs. What if they realize what we're doing?"
Stefan shifted again, trying to get away but only succeeding in lining up his ass with Damon's erection. Even through the fabric of his pants, the contact felt wonderful. Stefan couldn't help the small whine that escaped him.
xoXOXox
Damon laughed quietly and pushed against that tight ass again, whispering into Stefan's ear.
"Oh, but you know what they say: the line between hate and love is thin. Come on, who's talking about hate? We've had a little misunderstanding. That's normal between siblings."
His hand sneaked downwards and touched Stefan's cock. Triumphantly Damon noticed how it was half-hard already and growing in his hand. With a sudden move, Damon pinned Stefan under him, holding him down. Lowering himself onto that slim body, he moaned slightly as their erections touched. Stefan's eyes were blazing with anger and his mouth was set in a thin line. That wouldn't do. Damon let his lips slide over those clenched ones, coaxing them to relax.
xoXOXox
It didn't take long for Stefan's resolve to crumble. Soon he was panting helplessly. It had been a while since he had been touched with such confidence, since he had been with someone who knew his body this intimately.
Then Damon was bearing down on him, was licking at his lips and suddenly it was too much to resists. Without meaning to, Stefan opened his mouth and sucked his brother's tongue inside.
"This cannot end well..."
xoXOXox
When his brother was giving in to him and answered the kiss, Damon made a satisfied hum in his throat, happily battling with that slick tongue. Stefan was always a noisy one and Damon proceeded to absorb every sound with his mouth.
Interrupting the kiss, Damon sat up and slid the pants down Stefan's legs. As fast as he could, he searched the nightstand and found a very old bottle of lotion. Not caring in the slightest, Damon slicked up his brother's length. Not wanting to wait too long for Stefan to change his mind, Damon tried to relax as he lowered himself onto the hard cock. It hurt quite a bit, but Damon just clenched his teeth. Soon he started to move up and down, looking into his brother's green eyes. After a while, it was pure pleasure again and he took Stefan's hand, putting it on his erection.
xoXOXox
Eyes rolling back, Stefan swallowed a scream as Damon suddenly straddled him. Why did this have to feel so good? Soon, Damon started to ride him in earnest. In a desperate attempt to keep quiet, Stefan bit his lip bloody. Instantly his brother's eyes darkened, mouth opening to reveal lengthening fangs.
Stefan hurriedly looked away. He had been stroking Damon's cock without conscious thought and now he tightened his grip, hoping to distract the other vampire. He didn't really want his brother feeding from him. While Stefan had allowed such a thing in the past as a concession to Damon, it wasn't appropriate any longer.
xoXOXox
Feeling Stefan tense under him, Damon could guess what it was about. Since it was kind difficult to bite in this position he controlled his urges and soon showed his brother his human face again.
Moaning at the feeling of Stefan's hand, Damon changed positions and rolled them around very fast. He didn't believe that his brother would leave now and so he bent his legs to offer everything he had.
"Mhm, Stef, faster… take me harder…"
xoXOXox
Stefan relaxed a bit when his brother's face shifted back to human. Then he was on top of Damon, thrusting wildly to establish a rhythm. He fucked his brother hard, using all the strength and speed at his disposal. Damon was spreading his legs wider, taking everything he had to offer, so obviously close.
Stefan growled. He started to jerk his brother's erection in time with his thrusts. Soon both of them were struggling to stay quiet. Stefan pressed his hand over Damon's mouth, but he wasn't sure what to do with himself. He had to keep the other people in the house from hearing. But it was too late. He was coming.
xoXOXox
Damon moaned into his brother's hand as he was fucked hard and good. He couldn't remember a time in the last years when it had been this good. Rolling his hips into the thrusts, Damon saw his brother struggling to stay quiet. In a split second decision, he decided to help him out.
Seeing that Stefan was near the edge Damon gripped his hair and pulled him downwards, kissing him deeply just as his brother was coming inside of him. Swallowing his brother's groans Damon bit into the lip with blunt teeth as he came as well, shuddering all over.
xoXOXox
Utterly spent, Stefan collapsed on top of his brother. After such an intense experience, his body wanted to settle down against Damon and rest, but he resolutely denied that urge. Stefan's legs were still shaky when he got to his feet.
"I am going to take a shower. I didn't properly say hello to our relatives yesterday, so I should go downstairs as soon as possible. I'm sure you'll find ways to entertain yourself."
Damon was looking at him as if he was being deliberately difficult. Perhaps he was. Stefan certainly didn't feel like making things easier for his brother. He turned around and headed for the bathroom.
xoXOXox
When Stefan left the room, Damon could finally allow a smirk to come to his face. He already was getting entertained satisfactorily, he thought with delight. For a few hours, he left his brother in peace while lounging lazily in bed, reading and drinking. After taking a bath, he went out as well, driving to the next town's hospital for more blood.
When he came back, Damon noticed some tension within the family. He handed over some food he'd bought as well and stayed in the kitchen to give some cooking tips. Martin's wife was nice enough, though overwhelmed by the supernatural aspect of the family. At least Martin liked him, and after dinner, he joined him in the smoker's lounge for a drink. Stefan was looking uncomfortable and Damon pulled him inside as well.
"It's okay to give Stefan alcohol, nephew, he only looks seventeen," he jokingly said since there were no guests around.
xoXOXox
Rolling his eyes at Damon's comment, Stefan nonetheless accepted the glass he was offered. He, too, was glad to escape the tension in the living room. While Stefan couldn't quite figure out the reason behind the hostility Joseph in particular seemed to harbor, he figured it had something to do with Damon's behavior over the last weeks. His brother wasn't known for being discreet.
Stefan sipped at the amber liquid, enjoying its slow burn down his throat. He had all but stopped drinking in these modern times, but right now, the situation just called for alcohol. Better get straight to the point.
"Did something happen while I was away? I've never seen everyone so tense."
xoXOXox
Damon shrugged and looked over to Martin, who looked decidedly uncomfortable. His heart was beating harder as both vampires focused on him. Clearing his throat, he quietly answered.
"Joseph doesn't like that you are here, both of you. He thinks that after all this time, you don't have the right to come and take residence like you own everything."
Damon let out an unbelieving snort.
"Actually, I do own everything. The money I gave your grandfather made it possible to stay here and not sell the house. And about 20 years ago, I gave your father my interests which, if I'm not mistaken, are still going into the Salvatore family accounts."
After taking a gulp of scotch, Damon continued.
"And I'm behaving like the perfect gentleman, no killing or anything."
xoXOXox
Stefan frowned, trying to read between Martin's careful words. He was sure that the young man was censuring himself to avoid upsetting his dangerous company. Stefan brushed his brother's outraged words aside with a quick gesture.
"Never mind that. Is there anything we can do to make him more comfortable, do you think? I like being here and wouldn't want my presence to upset anyone. But please understand – this is our home, too."
Stefan thought that this was what Damon had been trying to say as well – in his own strange way.
xoXOXox
Martin tried to smile reassuringly despite the fact that he was slightly afraid. Damon's words were nothing new to him; he knew that they were indebted to the vampire sitting in front of him.
"Well, he's just not happy. There's nothing he can do anyway. And my wife and I don't mind. The house is big enough. And as long as the council doesn't know about you… because they still exist and know part of the stories of 1864."
Damon was appeased and he went over to the television, switching it on.
"Joseph wouldn't like getting on our bad side. Just keep that in mind. We're over one hundred years old and we've learned some tricks along the way."
xoXOXox
Stefan cast an angry glance at his brother and quickly shook his head. He could only imagine what this must sound like to Martin.
"No! Nobody is going to do anything to Joseph. Nobody is threatening you. You are our family, Martin. I understand that you might not always be thrilled to see us, but please try to remember that there are positive sides as well: We will always be there to help, if you or your descendants get into trouble."
Seeing Martin's face relax a little, Stefan, too, settled down, claiming a seat as far away from Damon as possible.
xoXOXox
Damon chuckled at the way Stefan was playing peacemaker and how he scooted away from him. They watched TV quietly although Damon couldn't help a few comments along the way.
Later Martin's wife joined them and Damon looked up in surprise when there was a short silence from the television. He could clearly hear one heartbeat too many in the room. It was coming from Charlotte. He cocked his head and stood up until he was in front of her. Now he clearly heard two heartbeats. Stefan was standing up as well, probably unsure of his intentions. But Damon's hand stopped him and he smiled at Charlotte.
"Congratulations. It seems like the Salvatore family will soon have an addition."
xoXOXox
When Damon got up and moved to stand in front of Martin's wife, Stefan was instantly alarmed. He was well aware that he couldn't hope to beat his brother in a fight, but hopefully it wouldn't come to that. Surely, Damon wasn't going to attack their family?
When his brother's words sank in, Stefan breathed a sigh of relief. He, too, went to congratulate Charlotte, who seemed a bit embarrassed by all the attention. After that, she and Martin beat a quick retreat, leaving Stefan and Damon in possession of the smokers' lounge.
Once the door was closed, Stefan turned to Damon.
"Why did you have to threaten him? He's afraid enough as it is – they all are."
xoXOXox
Damon stepped close to his brother, looking him in the eyes.
"That wasn't a threat. Just a warning. And it is true that I haven't harmed anybody. Do you know about the recent development in medicine – storing donated blood? It's very handy."
He turned away and strolled around the room, looking at the various paintings.
"You should be more concerned, brother. Joseph is planning something. I saw him hiding vervain. You might be careful what you drink around here. Don't forget that both Martin and Joseph are on the council."
Before Stefan could answer, Damon added, "I didn't come here for trouble. I just wanted to readjust to America in a quiet, familiar place."
xoXOXox
"If you say so."
Stefan took a step back, avoiding confrontation. He wasn't sure how he felt about the revelation regarding the vervain, but he wasn't about to speak his mind to his brother. He supposed he couldn't blame anyone for wanting to protect themselves against vampires. They didn't have the best track record, after all.
"Don't worry; I'll let you acclimatize in peace. Now that I know everybody is well, I'll leave tomorrow."
xoXOXox
Damon just nodded and, sighing, he went downstairs. He saw light under one door in the other corridor and since it was late, he decided to investigate. He went outside and, from a tree, he had a perfect view inside Joseph's room.
His many-times cousin was scribbling furiously, apparently copying something from an old book that looked strangely familiar. After considering, Damon could identify it as some kind of witches' book, like the one Emily had had. Frowning, Damon headed inside to his room, deciding to check it out tomorrow, since he had better things to do tonight.
Stefan wasn't there and Damon stripped his clothes off, and started to prepare himself in anticipation with some lube. It didn't take long for his arousal to spike. Waiting for Stefan wouldn't be easy.
xoXOXox
Stefan stayed in the smokers' lounge a bit longer, enjoying the peace and quiet. Considering that there were several boarders in residence, the house was a bit crowded. Combined with the inherent difficulties of dealing with his brother, it was quite exhausting.
Finally, he went back into their room after all, only to find his brother naked and on display on the bed. For a moment, Stefan could do nothing but stare. So beautiful. Swallowing convulsively, he quickly closed the door.
"What ... what are you doing?"
God, he sounded stupid, but surely, nobody could be expected to be articulate in this kind of situation?
xoXOXox
Finally, Damon heard Stefan's steps and did his best to show himself off. He felt wickedly aroused when Stefan came into the room, his brother fully clothed while he was naked on the bed. It gave him some ideas.
"Just presenting myself to you, Stef. Would be a shame to waste any opportunity since you'll leave so soon, right?"
He sucked on his lower lip as his hands traveled over his chest, stroking his nipples and touching his cock.
"Why don't you sit down there and enjoy the show?"
xoXOXox
Stefan did in fact sit down. There was nothing else to do, since he wasn't quite sure whether his legs would keep carrying him. Damon was touching himself, shameless and beautiful as he ran his hand down his own chest.
Stefan shifted uncomfortably. He was getting hard and yet he couldn't look away. By now, Damon was stroking his own erection, moaning to show how good it felt.
"We shouldn't be doing this here..."
xoXOXox
Smiling a lascivious little smile, Damon spread his legs a little and continued to pleasure himself slowly.
"Come on, nobody is coming in and we managed to be quiet enough a couple of times already."
His eyes fixed on the bulge in Stefan's trousers, loving those blue jeans on his brother.
"You're looking like a rebel in those pants. They suit you, though."
One of his fingers was teasing his lubed hole, slipping inside while his other hand was busy with his cock. The quiet moans and groans Damon let out weren't that much of an act.
xoXOXox
Licking suddenly dry lips, Stefan felt his gaze being drawn inevitably downwards. Damon's fingers were sliding easily into his own body, an obviously pleasurable exploit, if the sounds he kept making were any indication. Clearly, his brother had prepared for this.
Stefan's hand dropped into his own lap, he, too, needed touch - badly. After a moment's hesitation, Stefan pressed the heel of his palm against his cock.
"You are impossible..."
xoXOXox
Smirking, Damon stopped and looked his brother in the eyes.
"Everybody keeps saying that, but here I am!"
He shifted a little, getting more impatient with every passing minute, and finally stood up from the bed to crawl over to Stefan.
"So tell me, dear brother, what do you want? Should I just continue like that? Should I suck you? Or do you want to pound into me again? Or maybe you would like me to take you? It has been ages…"
xoXOXox
This close, Damon's scent was overwhelming. Eyes slitting with pleasure, Stefan's resolve collapsed and he grabbed one of his brother's hands, dragging it to where he needed touch the most. Damon's words were enough to make Stefan whimper with lust.
"Your ... your mouth. Now. And then you can fuck me."
It was so easy to give in, to fall back into old patterns and just surrender. Damon was tugging at Stefan's fly, clearly not about to waste any time. When that skilled mouth descended on him, Stefan felt something very much like despair.
xoXOXox
Triumphantly, Damon used all his skills and his intimate knowledge of Stefan to drive him wild with his tongue. Taking care not to make his brother come, Damon began to prepare him, using his already-slicked fingers.
Looking up, he relished in Stefan's flushed face. After a while, he took off his brother's trousers and underwear, caressing Stefan's muscular calves.
"Come on then, brother, onto the bed with you."
xoXOXox
Stefan was groaning, shivering, and struggling to keep it together. As always, Damon was amazing. Must be all the practice. Then that teasing touch was gone. Stefan blinked.
The next thing he knew was that he was on the bed, on his knees. Spreading his legs, Stefan lifted his ass a fraction higher.
"What are you waiting for, then? You are right; it's been a long time."
xoXOXox
Damon smirked as Stefan sped to the bed, presenting himself naked except for his shirt. Grabbing Stefan's hips Damon slowly eased himself inside, moaning at the tightness.
"God, brother, you're so tight. Amazing. So good!"
They were both near the edge already and Damon concentrated on pushing inside as hard and fast as he could. Grabbing Stefan's erection, he formed a tight tunnel for his brother to thrust into. When he felt Stefan's ass clenching around him, he brought one hand up and bit his wrist, moaning at the taste of his own blood. Not wanting to alarm the other guests, he pushed his bloody wrist in front of Stefan's face just as his brother came.
xoXOXox
Damon didn't hold back at all. Whimpering, Stefan took those punishing thrusts, fists clenching into the mattress in an attempt to keep his balance. When a blood-smeared wrist appeared in front of him, Stefan's nostrils flared. This was precisely what he hadn't wanted. He tried to turn his head away, but it was already too late: There was blood on his lips.
Face shifting, Stefan buried his fangs in his brother's wrist. He knew that Damon would take this as permission to do the same to him, but he was beyond caring. Closing his eyes, Stefan let his thoughts scatter. Then there was nothing but bliss.
xoXOXox
Just as his brother was coming, Damon sank his teeth into Stefan's nape. Even though it tasted powerless and strange, he enjoyed the fact that it was his brother's blood. With a quiet growl, he came deep inside Stefan.
Licking the wound clean, he watched as it closed slowly. Then he pulled Stefan down on the bed next to him. His brother looked exhausted and troubled, but Damon couldn't decipher why. Kissing Stefan's lips, he cleaned them and pulled the blankets over them.
"This was great. As always. Almost made me forget to tell you something about Joseph. I watched him this evening through the window, and he was copying something out of a book which looked awfully a lot like a witch's cookbook."
xoXOXox
Stefan quietly curled around himself, ignoring Damon even as he fussed over him. He had told himself that he would be strong this time, that nothing like what had happened in the last hour would happen. His brother's words finally tore him out of his gloomy reverie.
"Why would he have a grimoire? Would he even know what to do with one? I mean, it takes talent to be a witch, doesn't it?"
The prospect was indeed alarming. Rolling out of bed, Stefan pulled on a pair of loose gray pants. He would go downstairs once everyone was asleep and see if there was anything to be found in the library.
"It may not mean anything, but when I checked my journals today, there was something weird about them. I'm not really sure, but I think they weren't quite as I left them."
xoXOXox
"What?"
Damon knew damn well what those journals said. Whoever read them would know everything.
"It must have been him. I haven't touched those, too boring. Stefan, this can't be allowed. This is our room. We are their ancestors. They owe us. Not only money, but also protection. I dealt with Sarah's husband. I took care of the guy who tried to run William out of town. They wouldn't be living here in peace and wealth if not for us!"
Enraged, Damon paced through the room.
"He has no children. There are other Salvatores to carry the line on. He had better be careful."
xoXOXox
Stefan grimaced. Why did Damon always have to be so difficult?
"No! You know, this is probably exactly the kind of attitude that got us into trouble in the first place. If Joseph is doing this out of fear, we ought to reassure him. These people are our family – we can't count favors as though this was some kind of transaction. But then, family doesn't mean anything to you, does it?"
Stefan wasn't so much angry as scared that Damon would make good on his threats. Nonetheless he didn't back down and faced his brother squarely.
xoXOXox
Damon had to grin. His brother always looked so adorable when he was angry, like a kitten impersonating a lion.
"Keep your voice down, dear brother. And why do you think I don't care about family? I've watched over them as much as you have. Helped them out. And did I leave you to be tortured when that whore took you? No. I searched relentlessly until I found you. And when you went crazy with bloodlust, I told Lexi about it to make her go after you. If I wanted you or them dead, I wouldn't have done any of that."
Now Damon's voice was getting louder and he stopped, taking a deep breath. Calmly he continued.
"You're the negotiator here. I'm more of an executioner. So you talk to Joseph! In the meanwhile, I'll snoop around to see what he's up to."
xoXOXox
Stefan's mouth dropped open. Suddenly this was supposed to be his problem? Then he shrugged. It was probably for the best.
"All right, I'll talk to him tomorrow. But only if you promise not to cause any trouble for the time being. No more threats – no matter what you find out."
Grabbing his book from the table, Stefan curled up on the couch. He needed something to calm his nerves.
"And by the way, I don't think that you want us dead. You want Salvatores living in this house, so you can come here whenever you feel like it. And you like to fuck me. We're convenient, but that's it."
xoXOXox
Damon felt something inside of him wanting to disagree, but he suppressed it harshly.
"You do have a point. However, don't sell yourself short. After all, you're the only one in about 90 years I've allowed to take me."
That said, Damon lay back in bed and it didn't take long until he was asleep, in spite of his brother being awake and in the room. When he woke up, Stefan was already out of bed and Damon enjoyed taking a hot shower. Afterwards, he sneaked to Joseph's room. His many times cousin wasn't in the house. And apparently, the grimoire wasn't either. Damon checked everywhere, but found nothing. Frustrated, he went to find Stefan and when he did, he told him as much.
xoXOXox
Predictably, Damon didn't find anything in Joseph's room. Stefan wouldn't have thought any of their relatives stupid enough to leave anything as dangerous as a grimoire lying around.
Joseph didn't come back until late in the afternoon and even when Stefan managed to corner him upon his return, it didn't do any good. Nothing he said seemed to make a difference or drive the suspicious glint from the man's eyes.
After half an hour, Stefan gave up his attempt to break through Joseph's guarded politeness. Dispirited, he retreated to his room. Probably it'd be best for everyone if they just left. However, Damon showed every sign of wanting to stay and Stefan didn't dare to abandon the other family members.
xoXOXox
As angry as Damon was, he couldn't hide from himself that he was also growing worried. Not an emotion he particularly liked, especially since it wasn't so much worry about his own wellbeing. Damon didn't want to leave without knowing what Joseph was planning. His many-times cousin seemed obsessed, bordering on crazy. And Damon did know craziness and obsession well indeed.
Damon knew that if he and Stefan left without resolving the issue, they might not be able to come back. At least the council didn't know anything. Damon had observed them quietly without finding anything unusual. It was all Joseph.
The atmosphere in the house grew tenser with each passing day and Damon was surprised that the guests didn't notice anything. He and Stefan didn't eat and drink anything inside the house anymore, not wanting to be poisoned.
xoXOXox
After a week or so, Stefan was utterly exhausted. He was fighting on two fronts, simultaneously doing his best to get through to Joseph and trying to keep Damon from confronting the man.
Then, one afternoon Stefan decided he'd had enough. He had to get out of there, even if it was just for a few hours. He'd go crazy, if he didn't. Running through the woods was pure bliss and Stefan stopped only after half an hour or so. Lying down in a small stripe of sunlight, he relaxed for the first time in days. Then Damon appeared. Annoyed, Stefan sat up.
"What now?"
xoXOXox
Martin and his wife were going away to visit her parents, leaving Joseph in charge of the guests. Hoping that it would distract Joseph enough, Damon went out to stock up his blood supply. When he returned though, he couldn't get back into the boarding house.
Growling quietly, Damon noticed that one of the guests on the porch was watching him curiously, and thus he made a big show of having forgotten to buy something, so that he could leave again.
Cursing, Damon searched for his brother, using all his senses until he finally found him lazing around.
"That son of a bitch somehow shut us out. We can't get inside anymore. The Salvatore boarding house is closed off. And Martin isn't there for the weekend. I'm going to kill Joseph. He can't hide in that house forever!"
xoXOXox
For a moment, Stefan just stared at Damon. After 100 years, not many things left him speechless, but at this particular moment, he felt overwhelmed.
"He did what?" was the best he could manage. Damon on the other hand seemed livid. Stefan sat up and put a calming hand onto his brother's leg.
"I agree, we have to do something about Joseph. But please, calm yourself. We can't just rush in there and cause a bloodbath. This is our family! Our first priority ought to be to get back into the house."
xoXOXox
Damon swirled around, staring at his brother with disbelief.
"Calm down? Calm down? This is war, Stefan. He began it. I'm going to finish it."
The funny thing was that Stefan's hand on his leg was actually grounding him. He closed his eyes and willed every emotion away. When the rage was gone, he sat down next to his brother.
"Okay. But what do you want to do? Until Martin comes back, we can't get inside. And who knows what else Joseph is planning. I'm quite sure that this was only the beginning. He knows that he's dead the moment he gets out of the protection of the house."
xoXOXox
When Damon sat down, Stefan breathed a sigh of relief. At the very least, he had bought himself some time to think. He shifted his hand to his brother's shoulder, squeezing gently.
"Well, what could he do? He's human. Even if he is dabbling in witchcraft, he can't be very strong. We can afford to wait for Martin."
At least he hoped they could. Stefan had never much associated with witches and thus had only a vague idea of what they could do. Even worse, he was starting to think that Damon was right: Joseph would have to go.
xoXOXox
They decided to check out the house after dark, watching from outside to try to get information. Nothing seemed unusual. The guests weren't aware of anything and Joseph wasn't anywhere to be seen.
Damon and Stefan lingered around the house for hours until finally Joseph came into his room, grinning like a loon. He sat down and started to write again, this time it seemed into a journal. As quietly as he could, Damon crawled from the tree he'd been sitting in onto the windowsill. Trying to read what his many-times removed nephew wrote was difficult, but not impossible. His eyes bled red with fury as he understood the danger of their situation.
He went back to his brother.
"He's writing in his journal about telling the council about us being vampires tomorrow. And about Martin being an accomplice. I think he's insane. He wants his brother to be imprisoned, taking over the household and his wife."
xoXOXox
Stefan stood quietly for a moment, letting the information sink in. He shivered, wondering if there was any way to save Joseph's life. Looking at Damon's face, he knew the answer.
"Could we at least talk to Martin first? He needs to understand what is going on. Otherwise he might turn against us as well."
No matter what happened, he had to keep the family from witnessing Damon exact his revenge. Stefan bit his lip.
"Damon, please."
xoXOXox
"All right. You know that Martin is with the Brunis in Rockville. Why don't you go there pronto and get him back. The Brunis know about us, right? Well, doesn't matter. Just bring him back and explain everything. And before tomorrow. We can't afford the council knowing."
When Stefan rushed off, Damon wearily made himself comfortable in the tree, continuing watching Joseph.
"That's why I usually just kill people. Much easier. If only I had a rifle. I could shoot him from here and everything would be fine…"
xoXOXox
Stefan rushed through the woods, praying that Damon wouldn't catch Joseph alone while he was gone. When he reached the Bruni house, he quickly took Martin aside, trying to explain the whole situation as calmly and honestly as possible. It didn't sound good, no matter how carefully he chose his words.
Martin immediately agreed to drive home with him, but they left the wife and child with the Brunis. It was safer that way. To his relief, Stefan found Damon right where he had left him – in front of the house.
"Martin is here – he will let us in."
xoXOXox
"About time. Joseph is currently destroying our room."
His words had the desired effect. Martin spoke the words and they both sped up the stairs. Barging into their room Joseph stopped ripping pages from one journal and grabbed the stake lying next to you.
"How did you... how could you come in? Never mind."
Like a possessed man, he lunged at Stefan, who was nearest to him, and pointed the stake.
xoXOXox
Everything seemed to slow down as Stefan watched Joseph come at him. What he was about to do hurt. Still, it was better than anything Damon might do. Stefan's arm shot out and closed around Joseph's neck. He flexed his fingers, snapping the spine.
Stefan could feel Martin go into shock behind him as the body dropped to the ground. He turned, eyes serious.
"I am sorry. I know that it won't make a difference to you, but I really am."
Martin left and then Stefan was alone with Damon.
xoXOXox
Surprised Damon clapped his hands.
"Well, brother, you certainly aren't the softie I always pegged you for."
He looked around the room, taking in the destruction. Luckily, it wasn't much, only some overturned furniture and ripped journals.
"What do you want to do with the body? Best to make it seem like he fell down the stairs."
Righting the furniture, Damon went over to his leather jacket.
"Oh, how I missed my jacket."
xoXOXox
Stefan hadn't moved from where he was standing, looking down at the fallen body of his cousin. They'd have to call the police soon. Perhaps Martin was doing just that already. Perhaps he was calling the Council.
What was Damon talking about? A leather jacket? Stefan was suddenly on the verge of laughter. Ignoring this inappropriate urge as well as Damon's nagging comments, he picked up his journals. A few pages had been torn out, but otherwise there didn't seem to be any damage. Stefan slowly placed them back onto their shelf. Sometimes he wondered why he even wanted to remember. Most of his memories brought him nothing but pain.
xoXOXox
Damon put on his jacket and glanced in his brother's direction. He looked like he was losing it, his face shifting from grinning to grief and back. Maybe he should do something about it.
Damon carefully grabbed the body, and took it with him. On the staircase to the basement, a little bit out of way, he positioned the body in the perfect place, so that the way his neck had been snapped would clearly have been caused by the fall.
Martin wasn't around, but Damon heard clinking glasses in the den. He went to Joseph's room and grabbed the journal. In the den Martin was drinking whiskey like water and Damon handed him the journal.
"Believe me, he would have done worse than shutting us out of the house. Joseph was going insane. You should take the journal and go back to Richmond. Tomorrow we'll discover the body and arrange everything else."
xoXOXox
He didn't really want to deal with anyone just now. Grabbing his current journal, Stefan settled down on the big sofa. Eventually Damon would come back, but in the rest of the house, he might run across one of the boarders – not a good idea in his current state.
Stefan started to scribble furiously, pouring his heart out on those white pages. He didn't even turn when the door opened. Hopefully Damon would take the hint and leave him alone. Of course, it didn't work that way. Even though Stefan was studiously keeping his head down, those light footsteps kept coming closer.
xoXOXox
After agreeing reluctantly, Martin left and Damon finished his glass of whiskey. After tomorrow, he would have to stay for longer, playing the part of the grieving nephew. Furrowing his forehead, Damon went back to their room. Maybe he could convince his brother to participate in some stress-relief?
But Stefan was writing in that boring journal of his. Considering the best tactic, Damon stopped behind him and started to unbutton his shirt. Knowing that Stefan would hear everything, Damon took off one garment after the other until he was naked. Stefan had stopped writing, but he wasn't turning around. Damon moved closer and pressed himself against his brother's back, his hands moving down to the strong shoulders, massaging the muscles in there.
"You are tense. Would you like me to do something about that?"
xoXOXox
Stefan's eyes widened as he realized what Damon was doing. It just didn't seem possible. Didn't Damon realize what had just happened? He had killed a man, a relative. He had killed him here, in his own room, in his refuge. Knowing that he wasn't strong enough to push his brother away, Stefan froze.
"No. Let go of me, Damon."
For once, he didn't actually want his brother. What he really needed was for somebody to hug him, to tell him that it was going to be all right. Damon couldn't give him that.
xoXOXox
Not surprised at Stefan's vehement denial, Damon bent forwards and rested his head on Stefan's. Clearly, it was too soon for his overly emotional brother to get over the incident. Sighing he stepped back a little, his sense of smell detecting not one whiff of arousal from Stefan. He wasn't one for rape, after all.
"All right. Don't get your panties in a twist."
Not able to leave like that, he continued to massage Stefan's tense back, working on some of the knots in there. Since Stefan didn't stop him, he continued for a couple of minutes, but then he stopped and crawled into the bed.
"If there's no sex for me tonight then I'll sleep. After all, tomorrow we'll have to deal with the police."
xoXOXox
"You do that."
Stefan stayed tense until he heard Damon's breaths even out and finally stop altogether. He had been spared for the moment. A few minutes later, Stefan put his journal aside and shifted until he found a comfortable position on the couch. He, too, needed to rest and getting into bed with Damon might seem like an invitation.
In the middle of the night, Stefan woke up. His neck was twisted into an unnatural position and he felt utterly lonely. Must have been a bad dream – or perhaps just the previous day. He looked longingly at the bed. Unable to hold out any longer, Stefan finally padded over and slid gingerly between the sheets.
xoXOXox
Damon woke up so early in the morning that it was still dark outside. Surprised, he noticed that someone was holding onto him tightly. Carefully, he turned around and saw his brother sleeping next to him with a vice like grip.
Sighing, he wondered why he suddenly remembered their human days when Stefan had crawled into his bed during thunderstorms. Not wanting to analyze his actions, Damon hugged his brother, curling around him protectively. It felt nice to sleep like this and, relaxing, he dozed off again, his chin resting on Stefan's soft hair.
xoXOXox
When Stefan woke up, he didn't know what to do. Damon was all but wrapped around him and it was ... wonderful. Being in his brother's arms made Stefan feel better, warm and protected, which would have been a good thing, had any of it been real.
Still, Stefan couldn't bring himself to pull away. Instead, he burrowed closer, needing to escape reality for just a few more minutes. Once he was officially awake, he'd have to go back to fighting Damon and dealing with the aftermath of Joseph's death.
xoXOXox
Damon woke up a few hours later, not quite late, though, as breakfast hadn't even been served yet. Knowing that soon the discovery was going to happen, he nevertheless didn't move. His brother was still in his arms, cuddled close and Damon didn't want to face the problems the day had in store for them.
Not knowing if Stefan was awake, Damon stayed like this for a seemingly endless time, every part of his naked body aware where it touched Stefan, basically everywhere, breathing in his brother's familiar scent.
It had to end when finally a good time later there was frantic knock on the door.
"Mr. Salvatore, please wake up, something happened to your uncle."
xoXOXox
Stefan disentangled himself as fast as he could. Thank God, he was still wearing his pants. Hunting for a shirt and shoes, he looked over his shoulder and hissed.
"Get dressed. Now!"
The knocking didn't stop.
"Please wait a second – we'll be right there. What is wrong with my uncle?"
Of course he knew what was wrong. So did Damon, and still the bastard was smiling. They somehow had to get through this day. Taking a deep breath, Stefan opened the door and let himself be led downstairs by a very agitated boarder.
xoXOXox
The day went by just as Damon had imagined it would. After the ambulance and the police came to determine the circumstances of Joseph's death, they assumed it was a tragic accident. Martin and his family were officially notified and they would come back in the next morning.
In the meantime, Stefan was handling all the relevant things and Damon watched amused as he took over the responsibilities as host for the borders.
When night came, Damon handed Stefan a glass of scotch. If he wanted to get laid, he would have to appeal to his brother's needy side.
"You must be tired, brother. Why don't you lie down a little, let me take care of you?"
xoXOXox
Stefan felt like hell. It had taken all day to take care of the aftermath of Joseph's death. He had talked to the police, to the boarders, to the undertaker and, what was worse, he had been caught on tape, while Damon had conveniently absented himself.
His brother's question made Stefan's mouth go dry.
"W…What? What do you mean, take care of me?"
He didn't pull away when Damon approached him, though, frozen like a deer in the headlights.
xoXOXox
Knowing how to approach his brother, Damon stepped close behind him to knead the tense muscles in Stefan's shoulder.
"Just relax a little, Stef."
After a while, Damon's hands began to slide under Stefan's shirt, taking it off while he continued the massage. Bending forwards, he put little kisses on Stefan's neck. He could feel his brother pulling away from him and moved one hand forward to cup Stefan's cock, teasing it to life.
xoXOXox
Stefan wondered vaguely why he was allowing this. He was supposed to be a good person. Surely, that didn't entail letting himself be seduced after a day like this. Still, the hand on his cock was enough to stop his forward motion. He moaned.
"I am ... relaxed."
Still, it was rapidly becoming clear that Damon was once more getting his way. Stefan took a big gulp of the scotch. Then he half turned and kissed his brother. If this was going to happen, at least it'd make him forget.
xoXOXox
Swallowing a triumphant grin, Damon gave into the kiss, letting Stefan explore his mouth. He liked the taste of scotch mingling with his brother's normal flavor. With his hands, he pressed Stefan against him, moaning lightly as their erections brushed against each other.
This time he settled for a slow pace, wanting to explore Stefan's body leisurely. Damon traced each of Stefan's muscles in his back with his fingertips and kissed his way to Stefan's neck, down to his nipples. As with his fingers, he brushed his lips over that gorgeous chest, using his tongue on the hard nipples.
xoXOXox
Closing his eyes, Stefan let his brother do as he pleased. For once Damon was gentle, touching him in an almost leisurely fashion. It felt wonderful. Arching his back, Stefan moaned softly at the wet swipe of tongue over his nipple.
Even when Damon stood and moved both of them to the bed, Stefan didn't look up, not wanting to see anything. He tried to imagine that this was a stranger, or better yet, someone who actually cared about him.
xoXOXox
Damon took his time to undress Stefan, caressing each foot, leg and thigh before sliding the trousers off. His brother made very quiet little noises and Damon was looking forward to making them louder.
After a while he looked up and saw that his brother seemed far away, almost dreaming. This was an insult.
"Look at me, brother!"
It was a command and Damon lowered his lips down to the hard cock, hovering over the leaking tip. Taking care to breathe hot air onto it, he looked up again through his lashes.
xoXOXox
Stefan's body was thoroughly enjoying itself. His hips were straining upwards, cock aching for the feel of those soft lips. Still, he shook his head.
"No. Don't want to."
He managed to hold out for another minute or so. Then, grudgingly, Stefan opened his eyes and looked at his brother. Instantly the sight brought back all the things he had been trying to forget.
"Why do you even care? You're getting what you wanted, aren't you?"
xoXOXox
Damon stopped for a second and held the eye contact.
"It's insulting. When I touch your body, I want you to know it's me."
He once more started to stroke is brother gently, spreading Stefan's legs. Bending down again, he caressed the strong thighs while his tongue licked that hard cock up and down. Damon was hard in anticipation and rubbed his groin against the mattress. Getting impatient, Damon licked down to his brother's balls until he circled that tight hole, teasing it before stabbing his tongue inside.
xoXOXox
"As though I could ever forget..."
Gritting his teeth, Stefan swallowed a scream. He didn't want to give Damon the satisfaction of knowing how his lips affected him. That wicked tongue kept working at him, though, making it more and more difficult to keep quiet. Stefan whimpered.
"Please, just ... just do it. Need to stop thinking..."
Soon Stefan was writhing helplessly, falling apart beneath his brother's hands. He kept begging, too, already close to release.
xoXOXox
Smirking wickedly, Damon stopped for a few seconds.
"I'll make you forget your own name, brother."
He prepared Stefan thoroughly with his tongue, holding the impatiently moving hips still. Not wanting his brother to come too soon, he grabbed the base of his erection tightly. The whimpers were music in his ears. After taking the lube and preparing his brother with three fingers, Damon drew up, sucking on Stefan's cock a few times.
"I love hearing you beg. But you'll only come when I allow it."
He was getting too impatient and crawled back up, spreading Stefan's legs further as he positioned himself. Kissing his brother gently, he finally pushed into Stefan's tight hole as slowly as he could, groaning deeply.
xoXOXox
Damon was as good as his words. Hands scrambling over his brother's shoulders, Stefan arched off the mattress, hips bucking up to meet that hard cock. All restraint forgotten, he spread his legs wider.
"Hate you..."
Stefan needed to come. After the first few thrusts, he was moaning continuously, making low, needy sounds that vibrated through his body. Suddenly it was all too much. In spite of Damon's earlier command, Stefan came.
xoXOXox
When Stefan came too soon, Damon growled in annoyance. Slipping out of his brother, he grabbed him and pushed him against the wall next to the bed.
"That wasn't very good of you, little brother. I have to punish you for that."
He pushed into Stefan once again, this time setting a hard and fast pace. Just before he came, he drew back and pushed Stefan harshly onto the floor. Jerking his cock just once, he came spurting all over Stefan's face and chest. Knowing what the best punishment was, Damon put back on his clothes and without a glance in Stefan's direction, he left through the window, ignoring Stefan's voice. It was the perfect time for a little midnight trip to some shady bar for fresh blood.
xoXOXox
"Damon?"
Looking after his brother, Stefan smiled bitterly. He had been stupid to allow this to happen in the first place. Following a sudden impulse, Stefan got up and got dressed. It was time to do something about the situation.
Stefan spent the next twenty minutes snooping around the house until he found a room he liked. Then he compelled one of the boarders to help him move his things. Finally satisfied, he settled down.
xoXOXox
It was already early in the morning when Damon came back. Tiredly after a night of hunting, he took off his bloodstained clothes and went to bed. Having to take care not to kill was annoying and Damon looked forward to a real hunt. For now, he just wondered where is brother was, but shrugged it off, thinking he was sulking.
He slept until the early afternoon, wondering why nobody woke him up. After taking a shower and getting dressed, he noticed for the first time that there were things missing from the room. Stefan's things.
"If that little shit just went and left me to deal with the family, he got another surprise coming," Damon growled annoyed.
xoXOXox
Stefan once more spent the day helping the family with the funeral arrangements. Many of the neighbors were coming over, dropping off food and condolences. It was a nightmare. In a quiet minute, Stefan took Martin aside and asked whether he could keep the additional room that he had claimed. To his surprise, Martin just gave a humorless chuckle.
"Sure. We've all been wondering how you put up with him..."
When Damon came downstairs, Stefan was sitting with Martin's wife, forcing himself to meet her accusing eyes as he tried to comfort her. He nodded briefly at his brother.
xoXOXox
Hearing Stefan's voice from downstairs as he talked with Martin, Damon frowned. There were too many people around, council members even, to make a scene. But he wouldn't let Stefan get away with it and went downstairs.
"And what do you think you're doing, little brother? Do you really think it's such a good idea to goad me?"
He sat next to Stefan and glared at him.
"Well, if you clear the field you better take all your stuff, the furniture, too. I was already thinking of redecorating that room. But don't think for a second that this will make me leave you in peace. Maybe our dear beloved relatives don't know it, but you made me what I am today."
Smirking, he saw the shock on Martin's face, mirrored in his wife's. They had always thought that Stefan was such a saint. Quietly, so no one could overhear, Damon told them some of their dark secrets, such as Stefan killing their father and forcing him to turn.
xoXOXox
Ignoring the shocked look on their relatives' faces, Stefan smiled politely. He knew that he had won this round.
"Of course. I'll be happy to take the furniture – you know how much I like antiques."
Even as Damon continued to air their dirty laundry, Stefan managed to keep his composure. He didn't deny anything – how could he, when it was all true? Squaring his shoulders, he looked straight at his brother.
"I'll start moving the furniture, then. Thank you, brother. You're making this very easy."
xoXOXox
Even though his brother seemed to think that he'd won this time, Damon knew better. He saw the insecure glances Martin was giving Stefan from the corner of his eye and his wife looked scared.
"You don't have to thank me. Oh, by the way, Martin, can you remember the tales from your father Alexander about the attacks around 1905? That was mostly my nice little brother. Oh, and maybe you heard about the attacks in the area of Florida about 10 years ago? That was Stefan's work, too."
Satisfied he leaned back and sipped his scotch.
"You all always think that I'm the bad guy. But I can control my urges. Not like little brother here. One drop of human blood, sometimes even only the smell of it, and he goes all axe murderer on you. So take care not to bleed around him…"
Smirking Damon stood up and went to the town, already thinking about how to decorate his room.
.
TBC