Pairing: Damon/Stefan (M/m) hand, severe
TW: physical abuse, suicide
Traveler's Camp
Friday, March 30, 2012
"Does everyone know what to do?" Ric asked as the assorted crowd gathered in the darkness beyond the camp. It was only Klaus, Damon, Kol, Ric, Elena, Wes, and Enzo who came. Rebekah had gotten a ride home to share what had happened with Elijah and Finn. Klaus would have preferred to have Elijah by his side, but knew he had the children. He'd have to do without his stalwart brother for once.
Klaus nodded, "Ric, I am hearing a spell. It sounds like people are...dying. Kol, Damon, do you smell that blood?"
"Aye, from here," Kol agreed.
"I even smell it," Enzo added. "Are they using the deaths for the spell?"
"Probably, it tis hard to say what witches are thinking. I'm going to track Bonnie using the scent from this bracelet," Klaus said, holding the discarded jewelry that Bonnie had dropped before getting into Professor Shane's van.
Enzo said, "Wes and I will look for this Professor bloke."
Kol confirmed, "Damon and I will cause a distraction. Give the signal when you've found Bonnie."
Ric added, "Elena and I will be ready to get out of here when you have Bonnie."
Klaus exchanged a nod with Wes. Ric didn't know it, but Wes had shared with Klaus that he thought the Travelers needed Elena's blood for their spell. At the time that he had dealings with Atticus Shane, Wes had overheard him discussing the blood of the "doubles." Elena was as a lure. Damon was going to lay in wait, guarding her secretly. They walked amongst the rusted cars and trucks in the lot with stealth.
Klaus whispered to his son, "You should grab one of the chanting Travelers and feed to give you strength. Hurry, it looks like they are committing suicide."
Damon vamped to one Traveler who was still chanting and sunk his fangs in his neck. He morphed into his hybrid side, his blue eyes turning a bright orange. As the blood entered his system, he felt invincible. Klaus was behind him.
"Watch Elena. They will come for her and when they do, we'll be ready," Klaus warned.
"They don't know who they are dealing with," Damon replied, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Can you try to start the disturbance now?" Klaus inquired, looking around. More Travelers were dropping to their deaths. Klaus reached down and took one of the knives. It had similar markings to the one Bonnie had used in the spell. He slipped it in his jacket.
"Yeah, give me a minute," Damon shut his eyes and thought of Wes, but nothing was coming.
"Take a moment, Son," Klaus coaxed, seeing his difficulty.
"Find Bonnie. I'm good here," Damon advised.
Klaus was reluctant to leave Damon, but sniffed the bracelet and activated his hybrid side. As he eyes glowed orange, he vamped to the tent.
Damon wasn't feeling the magic. He shut his eyes and tried to access the rage. Nothing, all he felt was frustration.
Then, he thought about his years on the Augustine tables. The burnings, the cutting out of his liver over and over again, and the repetition of it the next day. Day after day for a decade. But nothing. Then, Damon thought about the day that he had left Enzo to burn to death in that cage. The bars were infused in vervain, he recalled. But why hadn't he found the key? That is what haunted Damon after. Instead, Damon had switched off his humanity and fled, leaving his best friend to be cooked alive. That did it. The person Damon was most enraged at, was himself.
The sky begun to churn and the winds began to whip. Garbage flew about, Damon's rage was fueling another storm. Damon's turned his face to the night sky and let it rip.
***
Bonnie and Lucy began to call to their ancestors.
"Grams, if you can hear me, show yourself!" Bonnie begged. Lucy called to her mother. The tent shifted in the wind.
"Something is happening. Their spell is working," Lucy frowned, clutching Bonnie's arm.
"Grams, please. We need you," Bonnie implored, as she heard the wind howl louder.
"It's not working. The drugs they gave us are blocking us," Lucy fretted.
The tent was ripped away and Bonnie and Lucy huddled together.
"Miss Bennett," Klaus said. "I trust you are unharmed."
"Klaus," Bonnie said in relief. "Get us out of here. They want to sacrifice Elena and maybe Stefan."
"No worries, Bonnie. Elena is protected and Stefan is not here. You are safe now," Klaus assured her.
***
Near Traveler Camp
Jeremy groaned, "Oh shit, Stefan. It looks like a freaking twister out there. Hurry up."
Stefan pressed his feet down on the gas pedal of his Porsche.
"Is your seat belt on?" Stefan asked, glancing at the teen beside him.
Jeremy fibbed, as he started to fasten it. "Yeah, go on."
"You realize we are both getting our butt's whupped for this," Stefan grumbled. He couldn't believe he had let Jeremy talk him into this. They had slipped away as Lexi chatting with Jenna in the kitchen over tea. Stefan had been upstairs looking at Jeremy's drawings. Stefan had jumped out Elena's window and he had taken Jeremy with him.
Stefan accelerated and parked next to Ric's car.
"Let's go," Stefan yelled over the wind. "Stay close to me."
Elena and Ric saw them and ran over.
"What are you guys doing here?" Ric hollered. "It's too dangerous. The Travelers are killing themselves for some kind of spell."
"Where's Bonnie?" Jeremy yelled back.
"Klaus went to get her," Ric said, trying to make himself heard over the roar of the torrents. It was starting to rain again.
"I'm going," Jeremy said, breaking away from Stefan and rushing into the dump.
Stefan told Ric, "I'll get him."
But Elena had already rushed out after her brother. Stefan could barely see with the debris whipping around.
Ric cursed and followed the others deep into the camp.
Klaus led Bonnie and Lucy out to find Damon.
"Wait! Professor Shane is here. I think he is the key to this all," Bonnie yelled.
"You get back to the cars. Ric is waiting over there," Klaus pointed out, shielding his eyes. "Damon should be near, he's watching over Elena."
Bonnie and Lucy headed for the vehicles.
Klaus heard a laugh and peered through the darkness. It was a man with a hooked nose and sharp eyes, and he had Stefan and Elena.
"Let them go, witch," Klaus screamed.
"I am no witch," Markos chuckled. "We are something else now. Leave us before I have to do something we both regret."
Damon was suddenly behind the man.
"My father said to let them go," Damon commanded.
Elena and Stefan tried to twist out of Markos' grasp but he had a blade at Elena's throat. He picked her and she sucked in her breath as a bead of blood appeared.
"Just let me have these doppelgängers and you can have your lives. Our spell is almost complete. All we need is their blood. All of it," Markos announced.
"Bonnie was just a lure, was she not?" Klaus figured out. "But you know who I am, you cannot kill me."
Markos laughed over the wind and the rain.
"Oh, but I can. You see I have a back-up plan," Markos said, pointing behind Klaus.
It was Professor Shane. He had a crossbow pointed at Klaus' heart.
Shane said, "The bolt is made of the white oak stake. I procured it from those who wish to cause an end to all this, your legacy of murder and mayhem. Your whole sire line with die with one shot. The Travelers vowed to restore my wife and son back to life if I helped them. All I had to do was kill you."
Professor Shane cocked back the bolt and Damon jumped in front of Klaus, pushing him aside. Kol vamped to Markos at the same time the bolt was loosed. It caught Damon in the chest and Klaus howled. Kol snapped Markos' neck and Stefan pushed Elena aside to safety though the blade nicked her neck again, this time deeper. Stefan opened his wrist and healed her with his blood.
"Damon!" Elena called out in horror. Stefan turned and yelled, "No!"
Damon roared and fell to the ground, grabbing at his chest.
Kol vamped to Professor Shane and fed from him, spitting out the blood.
"Vervain," Kol spat. He snapped the man's neck and let his body drop. Klaus later thought they should have kept Shane alive to question him, but he was only focused on his fallen son.
Jeremy and Ric rushed out to the scene as Lucy and Bonnie found them. Elena rushed to her and threw herself in her best friend's arm.
"Bonnie, thank God," Elena said, then she remembered the other Salvatore brother, the one she had meet first. "D-Damon is d-down."
"Elena, they wanted to kill you, not Damon. He'll be alright," Bonnie assured her, hugging Elena tightly. "You and Stefan. You need to get out of here."
"Damon, talk to me," Stefan said hollowly. He vamped to Damon, as in a daze. His brother couldn't be dead. Not again.
"Son? Are you alright?" Klaus said, ripping open Damon's shirt as Stefan stood by watching in shock.
Ric asked, "Did it penetrate?"
Klaus sat back in relief on his haunches. The storm had stopped and the night sky was clear.
"No, he's good," Klaus breathed. "Ric, I owe you a great debt."
Ric came over and pulled the white oak bolt out of Damon's armor vest, handing it to Klaus.
"It's white oak alright," Klaus said, pocketing it. "You saved me, Damon."
Damon grimaced. "It was a reflex."
"No, man, he's my best friend, too," Ric laughed. "I made those vests for myself. You okay, buddy?"
Damon looked down at his open chest.
"Um, maybe you ought to practice more. The damn thing nicked me," Damon complained. "But does this mean you're not pissed at me for snapping your neck?"
"Oh no, I'm still waiting for a real apology," Ric said, offering his hand to pull Damon up. "But since you almost got killed, I'll settle for a nice, expensive bottle of bourbon."
Damon smirked, "You got it, pal."
Stefan let out a sob and let Damon envelope him with his arms.
"I'm okay, Stef," Damon comforted. "Come on, Bro. It's all good. But why your ass was even here is the question. Where's Lexi? And why the hell is Little Gilbert here? You got some major explaining to do!"
Jeremy hugged Bonnie and then Elena. She also ranted at him about showing up.
Klaus looked around. "Is everyone okay? Check the camp. Get any grimoires, magic items, and blades you can find. These were not the Travelers' true forms. They are still out there. We need to leave."
Kol and Enzo started gathering the blades and checking to see if anyone was dead.
"Where did these people come from?" Elena asked. "They aren't from Mystic Falls."
Ric gulped, "I think this was a homeless camp. All of these people were innocent bystanders. Tragic, they were just pawns in the Travelers' plans. Like you were."
Wes said, "And no one cared they were missing. Mr. Mikaelson, I hate to pressure you, but we still have some business to take care of."
Elena rubbed at her neck.
"I can take you to the frat house," Elena offered. "You know, Dr. Maxfield, you look a little familiar. Do I know you?"
Wes shook his head, "I don't think so. I have that kind of face."
Ric frowned, "Oh no, Elena. Dr. Maxfield can find Aaron on his own. I think you've had enough adventure tonight. We're going home."
Bonnie introduced her cousin. "Guys, this is my cousin, Lucy."
Lucy said hi to everyone.
"Thanks for looking after Bonnie, but I think we need some cousin time," Lucy explained. "I'll take her to her house."
Ric nodded, "And we need to debrief soon. I think you are safe for now, but we need to know how you got involved in all this."
Bonnie sneered, "Two words: Katherine Pierce."
Damon groaned, "Oh fuck me, of course, Katherine is involved..."
"Language, Son!" Klaus scolded. "Now, the doctor is right, we need to get going. Stefan, may I borrow your car? The rest of you will need the SUV to get everyone back."
Stefan grinned, handing over his keys to the Orignal hybrid, saying, "Sure, Klaus. Um, I hear that Bonnie getting a new car."
Klaus thanked him and took the keys.
"Oh yes, Damon, you don't need a vehicle. I gave Miss Bennett your car. It was the least we could do," Klaus explained lightly.
Damon snapped, "What? No one even drives my car! You are fucking joking."
Klaus growled, "What did I tell you about that language? And no, I never jest about such stupid things. You back with the others, we will speak of this later."
Stefan chuckled to see Damon reprimanded by Klaus.
"Yeah, he doesn't need a car," Stefan added.
"Either are you, because you are grounded," Damon chided. "Klaus, can Stefan stay with us? I don't think he should be allowed to be unsupervised. After all, he is only 17!"
"But Lexi is staying with me," Stefan protested. "I'm fine."
Ric agreed, "You showed incredibly bad judgment by bringing Jeremy here tonight. What were you thinking? If Klaus doesn't take you in, I will."
Stefan's face grew red as Kol put an arm around him.
"Nay, we'll take the little brother here. I'll even help babysit him," Kol offered with a grin.
Jeremy guffawed, "Babysit him! He's like 200 years old."
Ric slapped Jeremy lightly on the back of the head.
"I wouldn't laugh too hard, young man. You're also grounded! For life," Ric shouted. "Now, everyone get your asses in the cars."
Enzo commented to Lucy, saying, "Are you sure you aren't busy later? I could maybe stop by and check on you girls..."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Sorry, I'm going to be dealing with my little cousin here. Maybe another time, vampire."
Enzo smiled, "Ah, you are a lovely thing. I will look forward to that."
Bonnie waved him off, "He's cute, but doesn't get out much. Lucy, what do you mean by 'dealing with' me?"
"You know, Bon," Lucy said. "Let's go."
Elena and Bonnie hugged again. Bonnie went to retrieve her cell phone.
Kol asked, "What about all the bodies?"
Bonnie quipped, "Since we missed the bonfire in the woods, let's start one now. Come on, Damon, you can help."
Bonnie leaned over and grabbed Damon's hand and her cousin's hand.
"This is an easy one, Damon. On the count of three, we all say 'incendia,'" Bonnie coached. "Just focus on everything burning. Let it go."
"One, two, incendia," the three witches said in tandem. The camp blazed hotly and the humans and vampires alike backed up further.
"They'll notice that alright," Enzo noted. "Now, can we get the hell out of here? Fire makes me a wee bit nervous, eh, Damon."
Damon gave his old friend a guilty smile.
"Yeah, about that. I guess I do owe you an apology. Can we talk later, Enzo?" Damon asked.
"Ric gets bourbon. What do I get?" Enzo demanded.
"Your old friend back?" Damon suggested slyly.
"I was thinking I could get your mobile phone. I need some way to contact the ladies," Enzo said.
"You can talk about it later," Klaus said, signaling to Wes to leave.
Gilbert House
Early Next Morning
"Lexi, are you sure you don't want to stay?" Jenna offered.
"No, but thanks, Jenna. You see, unlike Damon and Stefan I don't have one of those fancy daylight rings," Lexi explained. "I'm just going to taxi over to the boarding house and bed down for the day."
"Oh really?" Jenna said, surprised. "I'm sure Bonnie would make you one. She's with her cousin at her house if you wanted to ask her."
Lexi smiled, "No, I'm good. I've made it this long without one. I guess I'm an old school vampire. But thanks for letting me use your couch. I can't believe that Stefan vervained me last night."
Jenna frowned, "And I can't believe I got compelled. Ric wanted me to drink vervain, but I thought he was being paranoid. Jokes on me."
"Yeah, about that. I talked to Damon and he's grounding Stefan for that. I think when I stop to say goodbye I might just leave Damon my hairbrush. Stefan was way out of line last night."
Jenna leaned against the island in the sunny kitchen as she sipped her coffee.
"Yeah, he was. Jeremy, too," Jenna agreed. "I think when Elena is involved, he makes bad decisions. He's a smart guy, I don't get it."
Lexi groaned, "It all goes back to Katherine. She turned Stefan when he was only 17. I think a part of his brain got stuck at that age. The impulse control is not always there. I've seen it in other teen vamps. They can mature, but it takes a lot of strict discipline and will for that to happen."
"Well, Stefan is lucky to have you in his life," Jenna said firmly. "Are you sure you have to go?"
Lexi ruminated, "Sadly, yes. I have a boyfriend now. I haven't even shared that with Stefan. It's serious, though. I promised him that I wouldn't be gone long. We were actually on a trip when Damon called me. I don't want to let this one slip away, you know?"
Jenna looked down at her ring. "Yeah, I get it. Don't be a stranger, though."
"I won't. I'll let you get some sleep. It's like 4am," Lexi pointed out.
"I know. I'm just too worked up about last night to sleep," Jenna said. "If Ric doesn't bust Jeremy's rear end, I'm going to do it myself."
"Want the hairbrush for yourself?" Lexi offered.
"No, ma'am," Jenna said in a conspiratorial tone. "I have my own. Family heirloom."
"Good," Lexi said, hugging Jenna goodbye. "I hear my cab. Gotta get ready before the sun comes up. There have been enough fireworks in this town lately."
"That's the truth," Jenna said sadly, yawning, as Lexi left to get in her cab. Jenna waved to the attractive and vivacious vampire as she shut the door. She barely remembered inviting her in last night, her mind clouded from being compelled. Jenna hoped that Damon would deal with Stefan, but she decided to get some sleep before thinking about it more.
Whitmore Campus
It took Klaus and Wes some time to locate Aaron. They finally found him in the girls' dorm on campus.
Klaus couldn't get in the room uninvited, so Wes went in alone.
"Aaron, wake up," Wes said with relief, trying to wake up the teen.
"Wes? What the fuck are you doing here?" Aaron said, groggily.
"Are you drunk?" Wes hissed, smelling alcohol on the boy's breath.
"What do you care? I've been here for weeks and you never looked for me,' Aaron whined.
"For your information, I've been kidnapped," Wes snapped. "Now, get up. I had to sell my soul to the devil to get you back. Hurry up."
It crossed Wes' mind to use the dorm phone and call for help. But who would he call for help? Aside from the Augustines, he had few contacts. His fellow faculty members and students found him arrogant and stubborn. He had no one, aside from Aaron.
"No," Aaron said, rolling back over.
Wes groaned and picked up Aaron with some effort by his feet.
"Let me go," Aaron snapped, but Wes ignored him. He opened the door and Klaus grabbed the boy before he fell.
"He's drunk," Klaus commented, turning his head away from Aaron's fetid breath. "And he needs a bath."
"Yes, he needs a lot of things," Wes grumbled. "Aaron, we packed your things up. We're returning to Mystic Falls."
"Not so fast, Doctor," Klaus reminded him. "Your computers and files?"
"Yes, they are in my lab," Wes confirmed.
Klaus ended up carrying the intoxicated boy to the Porsche and dumping him in the back. The boy was heaving.
"I think he's going to vomit," Klaus said, as Aaron vomited in Stefan's car. "I think we ought to head back now. We'll get your files later."
Wes grimaced and nodded, giving Aaron a water bottle. He was going to have his hands full with this kid.
Mikaelson Mansion
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Morning
Elijah made breakfast for the children and watched as they ate their pancakes with relish.
"Where's everyone else?" Indy asked, dumping more syrup on her breakfast.
"Whoa, I think that is more than enough," Elijah said, taking the syrup bottle.
"I want more, too," Julian exclaimed.
"Here's a little more. Too much will make you ill," Elijah stated. "And everyone is sleeping I imagine. They had a late night."
"How come we got to go to bed early and they get to stay up and sleep all day?" Indy wondered, taking a gulp of her orange juice.
"That is a fine question," Elijah said. "And I think they all ought to have an early bedtime, too. Now, finish up and then we shall go outside and play. It's nice out, but you may have to wear your jackets."
"There was a swing set at our old house," Julian stated.
Elijah smiled, "Now, that is also a fine idea. We could get you one for here. Or we could go to the park."
"Yay, the park!" Indy clapped, knocking over her juice. She shrank back, trying not to get wet.
"It's alright. It was an accident. I'll get a towel," Elijah said carefully.
Rebekah came in yawning, "Pancakes, how lovely. Oh my, Indy, you smell like citrus."
Indy laughed and let Rebekah pick her up and spin her. Elijah came back with the towel.
"Sister, mind yourself. She just ate," Elijah said, mopping up the puddle of juice.
Rebekah kissed Julian on the top of his head and helped him cut up another pancake.
"Late night, hmm?" Elijah said lightly.
"Elijah, you would have been proud. Damon took a b-o-l-t for Nik," Rebekah said spelling out the words.
Indy laughed, "Bolt. What is it?"
"We'll speak of this later," Elijah said. "I am just glad you are alright. I should have been there."
"Elijah, no," Rebekah said, sitting down at her seat. "It was nice. Everyone helped, but I think Damon is not happy with his brother. It's funny but just a few weeks ago, I was with Stefan in Chicago, now we're here..."
Elijah pointedly looked at the children.
"Oh, sorry," Rebekah corrected. "Oh, I think the others are waking up. Children, how about I shall take you out and let Uncle Elijah tidy up. Would you like that?"
"Yes," Julian said, bouncing up. "Can we take out our ball?"
"Of course," Rebekah said, as the kids ran off to gather up their toys. To Elijah, she said, "Keep an eye on Damon. He was rather upset with Stefan. I know he probably deserves a good hiding, but could you look in on him?"
Elijah said, "I don't want to interfere."
"But Damon has new strength and his emotions are all over the place. Elijah, he caused two massive storms with his mind," Rebekah shared. "I just fear he doesn't know his own strength. Please check in with them."
Elijah sighed, "Only for you, dear sister. Thank you for looking after the children. Please make sure they wear their jackets."
"Of course," Rebekah said. She hadn't spoken to Stefan much, but she knew he remembered their time together, yet he had barely glanced at her.
Damon's Room
Damon put his pants on after coming out of the shower. Stefan was still splayed out in the bed on his stomach. Damon smacked him on the seat of his shorts firmly.
Crack!
"Wake up, Stef," Damon demanded. "Lexi called. She's at the house, but stopping by at dusk. She shared that you were an even naughtier boy than I thought."
"Owwww, that hurts! Jenna is fine," Stefan groaned, turning on his side. "And Lexi didn't even know what hit her."
"You stole that syringe from Ric, didn't you?" Damon inquired.
"Yes, so what? Jeremy knew he had a trove of hunter stuff hidden. It all worked out in the end," Stefan defended.
"Luckily, but the Travelers really wanted you and Elena. I don't know exactly why, but that is aside from the point. You put Jeremy in danger and yourselves. If their plan worked, who knows what hell they would have unleashed?" Damon yelled.
"Stop yelling, Damon," Stefan said. "I'm up, okay?"
"No, it's not okay," Damon said, getting angrier. "I was thinking a week on restriction would be enough, but now I'm not so sure."
Damon's eyes glowed orange and Stefan scrambled back on the bed.
"No, Damon, Lexi just spanked me. You can't," Stefan pleaded. Damon reached over and grabbed Stefan's leg and hauled him over his lap.
"I can and I will," Damon said. "I also asked Bonnie's cousin to do a little spell to reduce your healing. You are going to feel this!"
Stefan grimaced as he felt Damon yank down his shorts and swat him on the bare behind.
Smack.
"Is that what that tingle was?" Stefan yelped. He had felt a odd twinge in the car last night, but never imagined that Damon would sink that low.
"Yep," Damon said, giving Stefan a series of hard whacks on each cheek.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
"Ouchhhhh, Dammmmon," Stefan wailed, trying to kick his feet up to protect his bottom, but his shorts got tangled up.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
"Stopppp!" Stefan begged, starting to cry as the fierce sting. He was also upset that Damon was angry at him.
"Elena's probably pissed, too," Damon shouted, raising his hand higher.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
Stefan's bottom was turning red. Damon took a breath and continued the flurry of hard whacks.
"OWWWW-AHHHH-ARGHHHHH," Stefan howled, Damon had never spanked him this hard or fast. He was panicking and clawing at the sheets, but Damon wouldn't stop.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
The door opened and Elijah walked in.
"Damon, I think your brother has learned his lesson," Elijah reprimanded, but Damon kept spanking.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack.
Stefan's rump was a cherry red and the younger vampire was hysterical.
"Damon, stop this instant or I'm going to paddle your behind next," Elijah warned sternly.
Damon looked up at the ancient vampire in surprise and then down at Stefan's swollen rear.
"Oh my God, Stef, I'm sorry," Damon said, stopping and letting go of Stefan. Stefan crawled to the other side of the bed, sobbing.
"Just leave me alone," Stefan wailed. Damon went to comfort him, but Stefan drew back.
"No!" Stefan shrieked.
"Damon, go cool down. I'll like to speak to your brother," Elijah determined.
"Stef, I didn't mean to," Damon said lamely. "I had the witch reduce his healing..."
"Yes, well, that means you need to be even more careful," Elijah chided. "His bottom is nearly bruised. Go, get something to eat. I'll speak to you later after I get your brother settled down."
Damon hung back, not wanting to leave.
Elijah grabbed his nephew and let his palm descend on his backside.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
This snapped Damon out of his thoughts and he grabbed his own rear.
"Okay, but tell him I'm sorry," Damon shuddered, heart broken to see Stefan in so much pain.
"I will. Now, go," Elijah said, gently ushering him out the door and shutting it.
"Rebekah sent me up here," Elijah explained, going over to the bed. "She was concerned."
"Your s-sister? Why w-was she c-concerned?" Stefan asked. "S-She doesn't even k-know me."
Elijah's mouth opened in a rare incidence of him being rendered speechless. He finally said, "Chicago? 1920s...You and Niklaus painting the town red?"
"Yeah, that was Klaus and m-me...but y-you're sister wasn't there," Stefan sniffed, looking at Elijah.
"Oh, I must have been mistaken," Elijah said, realizing that Klaus had compelled him. "Now, let me see your hind end."
Stefan tried to scramble away but Elijah grabbed him.
"He did a number on you," Elijah said, running his hand over the blueish bruises. "I believe in a good hiding when deserved, but this is too much. Here, feed from me."
Elijah bit into his wrist and pressed it to the younger vampire's mouth thinking to heal the boy.
"Drink," Elijah encouraged, but Stefan shrunk away.
"No! I'm a ripper. I can't risk it," Stefan wept.
Elijah realized he was right and let the teen off of his lap.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Elijah said, immediately drawing back his wrist. "You are right, of course. I'll bring you some animal blood. Why don't you have a shower and we'll talk after?"
Stefan clutched his bruised bottom and nodded whispering, "That wasn't Damon. He's never done that before. He always made sure to protect me."
"He shouldn't have done that. I know he is upset, but there is really no excuse," Elijah said carefully.
Elijah rubbed his back and let the vampire cry a bit more. He noticed that Stefan was healing slightly, but his behind was still swollen. A spanking was one thing, but Damon was clearly not in a mental state to be discipling his brother; he had been too severe. The younger vampire would heal of the bruises, but Elijah wondered if he would ever trust his older brother again. Or look at him the same way again.
Elijah then wondered why Niklaus would have compelled Stefan to forget Rebekah...He would have words with his brother and his brother's son.
