Okay, so this one is going to take me awhile to transfer from AO3. It's also going to take some explaining. This was originally apart of a larger universe. However, as the original story is on hiatus and I'm not sure if I'm ever going to return to it, I won't be posting it on here.

In this universe, vampires are known. In the early 1900s, a system was put into space that classified people as either Littles or Caretakers. Klaus and Caroline (who are married and in their late 20s) adopted Elena as their little girl. Littles still go to school and lead normal lives, they just have Caretakers to ensure they're healthy, safe and protected, especially when they fall into their space. Most Littles have fluid spaces, which means the ages can range from little baby to older child/pre-teen.

In this fic, Stefan and Damon never had a falling out. They still separated over the years so they could travel and live their own lives, but they have a better relationship than Defan did in the pilot.

This fic has themes of spanking, age play and infantilism. It also goes into previous child abuse, CPTSD and other trauma.

Stefan stares down at his glass of bourbon, swirling it a little. He misses the days when he could head down to The Grill (or what was formerly called the Mystic Tavern) and knock back a few. The drinking age rose over the years and with vampires becoming common knowledge, everyone knows he's frozen at 17 for the rest of his life. At the very least they don't argue with him living alone or not attending high school. They just force him to comply with the stupid drinking law because "it's not fair to the other kids".

So, instead, he retires to the living room with the bourbon left there from the last time Damon inhabited the boarding house. It's lonely and slightly depressing but it saves him a lecture from the sheriff.

In the distance, a raven caws. Stefan drops the glass onto the table and sniffs the air. Armani, Sauvage by Christian Dior and the slightest hint of O-.

"Damon," he whispers.

"Miss me, little brother?"

Stefan jumps and spins around. Decked in his usual t-shirt and leather jacket, his brother stands before him. A wide grin is spread across his face, which Stefan instantly matches.

He shouts his brother's name this time. "Damon!"

Stefan sloppily vamps over and throws his arms around him. Damon chuckles, hugging him tighter.

"Nearly knocked me over," he teases.

"Sorry."

Damon kisses the top of his head. "If you took up the blood bank offerings and not munched on our furry woodland friends, maybe you could do it properly."

Stefan rolls his eyes. Vampires became common knowledge in the 1930s. With the treaty between his kind and the US government, the supernatural agreed to not murder. In exchange, they'd be allowed to purchase blood donated by humans. By that point, Stefan was used to finding squirrels and deer to drain from. It didn't keep him the strongest but given his history as a ripper, he didn't want to risk it.

"I'm good," Stefan says, pulling away. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't I come check in on my baby bro?"

"I just wasn't expecting you back for another few months. You usually only visit around the holidays."

"With you returning to Mystic Falls, figured it was time for me to return home."

Stefan beams. "You're back for good?"

Damon nods, putting his hands on his cheeks. "I'm back for good."

Stefan leans in to give him another hug but Damon's eyes travel to the table. He crosses over and picks up the bourbon, consulting it. He cocks an eyebrow.

"Drinking? I thought they didn't allow you to do that."

Stefan shrugs. "Just in public."

"What if someone found the stash when they were over?"

"I'd say it was from when you were living here. Besides, you're here now so what does it matter?"

"The treaty is serious business, Stef. You could get in a lot of trouble for breaking it."

Stefan's cheeks burn under his brother's disappointed glance.

"I may be frozen at 17 forever, but I'm not a kid," he mumbles.

"That's kind of exactly what that means." Damon caps the bourbon and carries it back to the cabinet, putting it away. Stefan reaches for his glass but his brother is quick to grab it. "Nuh uh."

"You just got here and you're already bossing me around?"

"Damn straight I am."

Stefan glowers at him. "What gives you the right?"

"Because I'm the oldest."

"We're both caregivers. I don't need you looking out for me like that."

Stefan turns around and heads for the kitchen. Damon's commanding voice causes a chill to run down his spine.

"About that."

Stefan doesn't move. He holds his breath. Damon's footsteps grow closer.

"Funniest thing. I truly didn't plan to come back until Christmas and then I got a call from Mayor Lockwood. His office was going through paperwork of the newest residents just to make sure they had the correct tally. Would you imagine his surprise when he dug back into your original paperwork."

Stefan's nostrils flare and his eyes widen slightly. He still doesn't move.

"Stefan." No response. "Stefan look at me." He shakes his head. "Stefan Antonio Salvatore!"

Stefan reluctantly turns around. Damon towers over him, anger replacing the sadness. Stefan shrinks back, his lip quivering.

"When was the classification system put into place?"

"Damon…"

"I asked you a question."

Stefan whimpers. "1902."

"And what year is it now?"

"Come on, Day…"

"Stefan!"

"Alright, alright!" Stefan runs his fingers through his hair. "Jesus. It's 2008."

"So that'd make 106 years since we were evaluated." Damon puts his hands on his hips. "You told me at the time that you classified as a caregiver. What did it really say?"

Stefan looks away. Damon's firm fingers grip his chin and forces their eyes to meet. Stefan hasn't seen him this upset in 50 years. He trembles a little.

"It said…it said I was a Little," he whispers.

Damon pulls away, shaking his head. "You've lied to me for 106 years!"

"Because I knew what you'd do!" Stefan snaps. Damon takes a step back, his eyes widening. Stefan begins pacing. "I knew you'd insist on taking care of me!"

"You're damn right I would've! You're my baby brother!"

"It's bad enough you're immortal, I wasn't going to doom you to that!"

Damon frowns, the anger melting from his face. He tries to grab his baby brother's arm, but Stefan pulls away.

"Stef." The younger brother continues pacing. "Stef, come on."

"No! You can be mad at me all you want, but this…this isn't…I did it for your own good!"

Stefan grabs his head as a splitting pain takes over it. No! This can't happen now.

"Stop!" He yells at himself. "Just stop! Leave me alone!"

"I'm not going anywhere," Damon says, his voice soft yet firm.

"I'm not talking to you!"

Stefan sinks to the ground, staring at his lap. He takes deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale.

He sees his brother's shoes but doesn't look up. A pair of firm arms wrap around his torso and he screams, kicking his legs and pounding his fists. He gets Damon in the chest and then his chin as he's lifted into his arms.

"Oh, someone's a tough guy," his older brother says.

"Put me down!" Stefan screams.

"That's the last thing I'll be doing."

Damon moves him into a cradle position. Stefan continues to thrash around, attempting to get out of his big brother's arms. Damon ignores the hits and kicks, simply rocking him. Stefan whines.

"I'm…I'm leaving town! I'm going back to Chicago!"

Damon laughs. "I'd like to see you try," he tells him patronizingly, like he's talking to a child.

"I'll stake you!"

Damon pats his back. "I'm sure you will."

"I'll…I'll…"

Tears burn Stefan's eyes. One leaks and then another. A sob escapes his lips. Damon's rhythmic rocking stills his fists and feet. He lays there limp for a few moments, quietly crying. Then, Damon presses a kiss to his forehead. Stefan collapses against his chest.

"Day," he whispers.

"I'm right here, Stef. Day's right here."

Stefan nods, sniffling. He clings onto his brother's jacket as the tears continue to fall. The rocking turns to bouncing. Stefan's eyes grow heavy.

"Day," he mumbles sleepily.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby bro."

With that confirmation, Stefan allows sleep to take over.

When Stefan awakes, he's in his bed and not alone. Damon sits beside him. Stefan rubs sleep from his eyes and lets out a tiny yawn. He pulls the covers back and sits up.

Stefan glances down and realizes he's in his usual sleep attire: white tank and soft gray sweats.

His tired eyes meet his big brother's. "You changed me?"

Damon shrugs. "Nothing I haven't seen before."

"You didn't have to do that."

"I wasn't going to let you sleep in jeans and a button down. One, not comfortable for you. Two, I know for a fact you don't iron."

Stefan rolls his eyes. "You've been back not even…what time is it?"

"11 AM."

Damon turns to the side table on his end and picks up a bag of blood. Stefan looks at it wearily. His brother sighs, rolling his own eyes.

"Relax. It's bunny." Stefan grabs it and takes a sniff before cracking it open. "You don't trust me?"

Stefan downs quite a bit before wiping at his mouth. "Every time I see you, you try to convince me to turn to the blood bank."

"Yeah, well that's about to change." Damon stares at him as he takes another long swing. "When's the last time you went hunting?"

Stefan shrugs. "I dunno. Last week?"

"And I checked your cupboards. They're bare."

"I was going shopping last night but then you showed up."

Damon narrows his eyes. "I arrived well after 10. The only grocery store was closed."

"I'm fine, Damon. I just didn't think about it."

"Yeah, that's part of the problem."

Stefan sighs, finishing off the bag. He pulls his legs under him so he's sitting criss cross applesauce.

"I need you to be honest with me, which you haven't done for over a century, I guess."

Stefan gnaws on his lip. "That's the only thing I kept from you."

"That's the thing. It wasn't just that deception. There's a lot of tiny lies that are wrapped in it. I assumed you could take care of yourself."

"I can!"

"Right. That's why your vamping is off."

"That's from living off animals!"

"Don't raise your voice to me."

Stefan whimpers. Damon sighs, shaking his head.

"What happens when you fall into Little space?"

"I…I can normally force it away." Damon casts a doubtful look. "It's true. Vampires can hold it off longer than humans. We're stronger."

"Okay, and what about the times you can't?" Stefan goes quiet. "Stefan. What happens when you can't?"

"I…I just…I let it pass?"

"Let it pass?" Damon scoffs. "What the hell does that mean?"

"I watch cartoons. I try to nap through most of it."

"Before TVs were around? Or when you crave affection?"

"That's normally when I went out in other towns," Stefan mumbles. "I'd go find women that offer services…"

"Prostitutes," Damon says it like it's a dirty word. "You hired prostitutes."

"No!" Stefan sighs, keeping his eyes on the thousand thread count sheets. "There are women who will offer things like cuddles, holding you while you sleep."

"I've never heard of that."

"Not every town has them. Mystic Falls doesn't."

"So what'd you do other times?"

Stefan looks away. He tries not to think of the days he spends huddled up in a ball crying, wanting someone, anyone to barge their way in and wrap him into their arms. It's as if he's on the outside watching this little boy whine and cry. Sometimes it's for Lexi but mostly, his big brother.

"It doesn't matter."

The bed creeks as Damon scoots closer. Once again, Stefan finds his face cradled in his brother's large hands. Damon's eyes are filled with a mix of worry and disappointment.

"Tell me."

Stefan frowns. "Please, Day. I'm sorry I lied to you, okay? It really doesn't matter."

"It matters!"

He rips away from him, stubbornness taking over. "There's nothing I can do, alright? I just have to wait for the feeling to pass!"

"So, you put yourself through suffering?"

"It's prolonged the periods of my space. For 10 years it was every week or so. I've gotten it down to once every 3 months and most of the time, I'm older."

"Yeah, and then there are the times you're not."

Damon scoffs. Stefan folds his arms over his chest.

"Please don't hate me," he whispers.

"I don't hate you! That's why I'm so upset! You've tortured yourself for over a century and for what?!"

"I told you last night! I didn't want to subject you to that!"

"That's bullshit!"

"Look around, Damon. Have you taken on any Littles in the past 100 years?" His brother goes silent. "I didn't see you going to the foster homes and finding a sweet baby to care for. You made it clear you didn't want one. Which is fine! Caretakers don't have to take anyone in. From what I understand, there are more Caretakers than Littles these days."

Damon doesn't say anything for a few moments. Stefan takes deep breaths.

Inhale. Exhale.

Damon's voice is soft when he speaks again. "You're right, I didn't take any on. Mostly because I didn't think I had much to offer. Look at our upbringing."

Stefan nods. He tries to block out Giuseppe. Heaven knows his father never would've approved of the system. Damon turns him so they're facing one another. This time, he doesn't grip Stefan's cheeks but the younger one stays still.

"I knew what I'd be classified as before I was evaluated," Damon says. "It wasn't rocket science. But I had a feeling about you. I was positive you'd classify as a Little. I told myself I wouldn't take on anyone else, I'd just take care of you."

Stefan frowns. "But why?"

"Because I'd done it years before the system went into place. Why would I stop now?" Stefan wiggles uncomfortably. "And then you told me you were classified as Caregiver. I didn't believe it, not entirely. But I didn't want to push. I thought, why would Stefan lie to me?"

"Damon…"

His brother holds up a hand to silence him. "For a century I've been out there, partying, sleeping around. I left you, because I trusted you were safe on your own."

"I am!"

"No, you're not."

"Littles don't have to have Caregivers. That's not a law."

"True, but I'm not going anywhere this time."

Stefan's eyes widen. His brother takes his hands, sincerity filling those blue eyes.

"I don't want to force this on you, but I will if I have to. You are not equipped to stay by yourself, Stef."

"I am," he replies meekly.

Damon sighs. "I could go through the process of having you evaluated and forced to have a caregiver."

"That seems like a very Damon thing to do."

"You're right. I'm the big brother, so that means I call the shots."

"Not when I'm an adult."

"Except you're not." Stefan rolls his eyes. "Look, my point is, I don't want this to be like everything else in our lives. If I go and have this evaluation done, the system would be on our backs. I wouldn't be able to create the rules, we'd have to follow theirs. And I guarantee however unfair you find me, there's are worse."

Stefan nods in agreement. He's known quite a few people in his time who were legally required to have a caretaker. It's akin to someone in the regular foster system. A lot of paperwork, social workers visiting, a huge pain in the ass for both the caretaker and the little alike.

"So," Damon says. "What's it gonna be?"

Stefan gnaws on his lip. "This is really what you want? I mean, sometimes I can't control my space. It's… a lot."

"I don't want you to control it." Damon squeezes his hand. "I want you to be safe, healthy and happy. I don't care how much work it is."

Stefan's voice breaks. "I don't understand. We fight. I'm an annoyance to you…"

"You can be, because you're my little brother. That's just how it works. It doesn't change that I love you, forever. Nothing is going to change that."

Stefan weeps. He pulls his hand away to wipe his tears but Damon is quick. His thumb brushes against Stefan's softer skin.

"You're just my baby brother," Damon whispers. "That's all I need you to be."

Stefan collapses against Damon, allowing himself to be rocked once more.

After a half hour of cuddling, Damon carefully pries Stefan off him. His face is still soft with some stern features.

"There are some things we have to go over."

Stefan sighs. "Rules?"

"Yes. One is from this moment on, you are under my care. You will follow my rules. I am in charge."

"I figured."

"Two, you will maintain a healthy diet. Animal blood twice a day a minimum, human food to supplement. I'll be fixing your meals, so no more living off Funions and brownies."

Stefan's eyebrows crinkle. "Is that what you think I eat?"

"Hell if I know." The younger brother snickers, which makes Damon roll his eyes. "The point is, no more starving yourself because you forget to hunt or go shopping."

"Yeah, I got it."

"Three, you need to keep me in the loop. No hiding your Little space. No lying period. If you need something, you need to tell me, Stef."

Stefan hesitantly nods. Damon has the tendency to overreact, which is exactly why he doesn't tell him things. But from the look on his brother's face, it's not an option.

"Four. You're going back to high school."

Stefan's mouth drops open. "They said I don't have to go!"

"Yes, and they're not your big brother. You need to maintain a routine. Because spaces are so fluid, there are times you fall into teenager mode. It's good for you to be around kids your age."

"So what, I'm just going to be a repeat senior?"

"No. You'll start as a sophomore. Go to all your classes, do homework, study. Maintain good grades."

Stefan groans. "This sucks."

"I'd save the cursing my name until I finish the rule. Again, you need a consistent schedule. This means, 9:00 curfew, 9:30 bedtime on school nights."

"But…"

"I'm not finished. 10:00 curfew on weekends, 10:30 bedtime."

"I don't need a curfew or a bedtime!"

"I beg to differ."

"This is fucking ridiculous!"

Damon sighs, shaking his head.

"Okay, so five. You're not going to cuss or speak to me disrespectfully. If you do, there'll be punishments."

"What, ya gonna spank me now?" Stefan asks sarcastically. His face grows serious when Damon doesn't blink. "No!"

"That won't happen all the time. I may also wash your mouth out with soap, put you in the corner, early bedtime, writing lines. All acceptable punishments according to the parameters set. That doesn't just go for the cursing rule. It's if you break any of these."

"Man," Stefan mumbles.

"Consider that rule six. Seven, you need to tell me where you're going or who you'll be with. You can go out with friends alone but you need to have your cell on you. Staying home alone is not an option."

"I have to go everywhere with you?"

"For now. Eight, I am going to take care of you. Regardless of your space, you'll have age appropriate chores. Mostly cleaning your room and tidying up after yourself."

Stefan raises an eyebrow. "That's it?"

"That's it. I'll handle the rest, or we'll get a maid. Nine, and this is important."

Damon moves closer to him, cupping Stefan's cheek.

"I want to trust you. When you say something, I want to believe it. Which means you need to be honest with me. It's going to show me what you can and can't handle. If I can't trust you to do something on your own, I'm going to do it for you, even if you're big. That includes dressing yourself, feedings, you get the picture."

Stefan nods. "I won't lie anymore, Day. I promise."

"I want to believe that. And in time, I know you'll prove it. For now, I am going to be watching you carefully."

"Are you disappointed?"

"Yeah, I am." Stefan's lip quivers. Damon rubs his thumb against his cheek. "But that won't last forever. And even when you're naughty, I'm always going to love you."

Stefan sniffles. "Promise?"

"I promise. I'll probably even love you more."

A small smile tugs on the younger brother's lips. "I love you too. Even when you're being a dick…tator. Dictator."

Damon rolls his eyes, lightly tapping his cheek. "Nice save." His face grows serious once more. "Ten, I don't want to hear self-loathing. I know I get on you, but you are good person, Stef." Stefan pouts a little. "You've made mistakes, but there's nothing you can't come back from."

"Why is it so important to you that I get over all the bad I've done?"

"Because I don't want it eating at you forever. It's not healthy."

Stefan knows a part of it is selfish on Damon's end. If his little brother can be redeemed, then he can too. But, Stefan also believes in Damon. If he says he wants it for him, that's got to be at least partially true.

"Do you agree to these rules?"

Stefan nods. "Yes."

"Good."

Damon nuzzles his nose against Stefan's, making the younger brother giggle. He pulls away from his face but leans against his chest. Damon wraps his arms around him.

"Do I have to call you Daddy or something?"

"No. I'm still your Day. And you…" Damon pinches his cheek. Stefan wiggles, trying to push his hand away as he whines. "Are still my little bunny boy."

Stefan groans, rubbing at his now irritated skin. "I hate when you call me that."

"Well, then you should've picked a different animal of choice."

Stefan smiles ever so slightly. As embarrassing as Damon can be, it is nice to be back in his cuddle after all these years.

Damon sighs. "We should get this over with now."

Stefan raises an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

Damon vamps to the edge of the bed with Stefan still in his arms. He lays his brother over his lap. Stefan's eyes widen.

"What did I do?!"

"You mean outside lie to me for over a century?!"

"It wasn't a rule I knew about!"

"Well, this will remind you why I put the rule in place."

Damon pulls down his brother's sweatpants so they fall at his knees and grips his boxers. Stefan wiggles, trying to get off his lap.

"Come on, Damon. Not bare!"

Damon smacks his hand away. "Look, I'm only doing 15. With my hand. If you fight back, I'll just add and find a brush."

Stefan frowns. It's been awhile since his brother spanked him. They struck a deal when Stefan turned 7. To avoid Giuseppe's wrath but also keep Stefan from turning into a spoiled brat, Damon would spank him. It hurt like hell, but less than their father's. As long as Stefan was a good boy, it'd be over quick. There were times they couldn't keep Stefan's transgressions from their father (not to mention the times he really did nothing wrong but Giuseppe just wanted someone to take his drunken anger out on-especially after Lily died) but Stefan preferred his brother. At least he got cuddles after.

He relents, allowing Damon to pull his boxers down. Before he can brace himself, the first smack falls against his bottom. Stefan clenches his teeth. Another hits him right on his sit spot.

"Why am I spanking you, Stefan?" SMACK! Stefan bites down hard on his lip. SMACK! "Stefan?"

"I kept something from you."

"106 years." The next smack causes Stefan to cry out. "You kept something from me for106 years!" SMACK! "You don't keep things from your big brother!"

Tears well up in Stefan's eyes. "I'm sorry!"

Damon resumes smacking his bottom. His hand hits each cheek evenly, getting his sit spot at least twice more. Stefan assumed it wouldn't hurt so bad, but the animal blood keeps him weak against Damon's O- power.

"I'm sorry!" Stefan wails once they reach the tenth smack. He kicks his legs, earning him a warning smack on his thigh. "Owwie! I'm sorry, Day!"

"I know you are." SMACK! "But this…" SMACK! "Will keep you from doing it again!"

SMACK!

SMACK!

Snot and tears drip down Stefan's face. He clenches his bottom, awaiting the last smack.

"Nuh uh. None of that. Relax."

Stefan slowly releases his cheeks. He hears Damon's hand wind back.

SMACK!

"OWWWIE! DAYDAY!"

Damon pulls him up into his arms, gently rocking him. Stefan clings to his shirt, sobbing.

"I…I…I'm sorry," he stutters. "I won't do it again!"

"Shhh," Damon kisses his forehead. "It's all done. DayDay's here. I'm right here."

Stefan wails, his bottom on fire. "I'm sorry!"

"All is forgiven. I promise."

Damon grabs a tissue and wipes at his face. Stefan wiggles. As soon as his brother pulls away, he sticks his thumb into his mouth and begins sucking. Damon smiles, stroking his cheek.

"I love you so much, my little bunny boy. More than you'll ever know."