howdoi prompted "what Enzo thinks of stefan's friends or like him seeing Tyler being rough with stefan and his reaction to it versus the way damon reacts in "I'm right here" + Roses_of_Magic prompted "maybe Matt and Tyler tell Stefan that they can't hang out 'today' because they're busy so Stefan goes to The Grill with Denzo and sees them"

Translations:

Testardo=Stubborn

Tesoro=Treasure

Enzo washes dishes at the kitchen sink, glancing out the kitchen window into the backyard every so often. He agreed that Stefan could toss the football around with Matt and Tyler, so long as it stayed casual. No tackling or running too fast. And only if Stefan didn't complain over his papa watching from a distance. His son was fine with those terms.

Tyler purposefully throws the ball into Matt's shoulder. Matt smirks and pulls his best friend into a headlock, rubbing his knuckles against his hair. Stefan laughs from the sidelines, shaking his head and encouraging the werewolf to fightback. Tyler manages to get away, shoving at Matt.

"That took you a bit," Enzo hears Stefan quip. "So much for wolf strength, eh?"

"You're one to talk," Tyler fires back. "I'd like to see you take me, on your little animal diet."

Stefan charges for Tyler, tackling him to the ground. Enzo drops the sponge in his hand. His breath hitches as he watches Tyler pin him to the ground. Stefan is laughing, punching at his friend's shoulder. It doesn't make any of Enzo's anxieties go away.

In the beginning, he didn't see Damon's gripes with Stefan's friends. Well, his husband only seemed to care about Matt and Tyler. Even though witches and vampires don't usually mix, the Bennett family has an alliance of sorts with the Salvatores. Bonnie is being raised right by her grandmother. Damon is still wary of Klaus given his history with Stefan, but concedes that since marrying Carolien and adopting his children, he's trustworthy. Elena and Jeremy have never posed a threat to Stefan.

To Enzo, Matt was just a kid trying to pull himself out of generational curses. He parties in moderation and works hard. Tyler is a spoiled rich kid with a chip on his shoulder but is always good with Stefan when he drops. It seemed, initially, they understood Stefan isn't like them.

As of late, that's not apparent. There's been more roughhousing. Stefan having quite a few bruises that quickly fade but for his fathers, the memories don't.

They're two teenagers having fun. It shouldn't be this anxiety inducing. Except, Stefan isn't your average teenager.

Tyler's pulled Stefan into a headlock. All three boys are laughing as Stefan fights back, pulling his buddy into one of his own. Everything's fine now…

What if he drops?

Damon will be home any minute. If he were here, he'd lecture the boys until Stefan got embarrassed. Enzo doesn't want to ruin their fun. He also doesn't want his son to be hurt.

Enzo wipes his hands on a rag and heads out the back. Tyler grabs the football, punting it at Stefan's head. Enzo's reflexes react before it can make an impact. The three look up at him, panting. The smiles don't fade as they would if Damon was in the yard.

"Hey, Papa," Stefan says. "What's up?"

"Just…checking on you three," Enzo fibs. "Seeing if you need anything."

"Nah, thanks, Mr. St. John," Matt says. He walks over to the deck and grabs his backpack. "I've got to get home. Vicki's supposedly staying in tonight." He glances at Tyler. "Want a ride?"

"Sure. Suppose I should get that paper started." Tyler rolls his eyes. He grabs the football from Enzo, stuffing it in his backpack.

"You guys up for a movie tomorrow?" Stefan asks.

"Can't, tons of homework," Tyler says. "But this weekend."

"Sounds good to me."

Tyler punches him on the shoulder. Both he and Matt say their goodbyes to their friend's father before heading out the back gate. Enzo turns to his son, taking him in. Sweat drips down Stefan's face and he pants ever so slightly. He sweeps down and grabs his water bottle, taking two big sips.

"You should have some blood," Enzo says. "You guys were going pretty hard there."

Stefan shrugs. "Wasn't so bad."

Enzo raises a brow. "Bambino." Stefan rolls his eyes. Enzo gives him a small swat to his bottom. His son jumps.

"Papa!"

"You know better. Blood. Now."

Stefan lets out a dramatic sigh. "Alright, alright. I'm going, I'm going." He swings his bottle a bit. "I'm surprised you're not at The Grill right now."

"I'm working the night shift. I'll head in once your daddy comes home." Enzo frowns off Stefan's face falling a bit. "I'll be home in the morning, Bambino."

Stefan nods, clearly trying to keep a brave face. He forces as smile. "I know, I know. Someone has to work late."

"Just for tonight. Tomorrow I'm on the lunch rush." Enzo steps forward and pushes some sweaty hair out of his face. "You're joining me after school, yes?"

"Dad's dropping me off before his meeting," Stefan confirms. "I'll do my homework and all that boring stuff since you never let me help." He pokes out his tongue.

Enzo chuckles. "Who knows? Maybe I'll find something for you to do."

"Like what? Fill the salt shakers?" Stefan wiggles his fingers. "So exciting."

Enzo feigns hurt. "Hey! That is a very important, very big boy job."

"You know it doesn't feel very "adult" when you refer to it as "big boy"."

Enzo rolls his eyes. "Alright, Testardo, go have your blood. Maybe take a shower. I don't need you getting the furniture all sweaty and gross."

Stefan chuckles as he heads into the house. Enzo isn't far behind, though he follows the scent of his husband to the garage. He can barely muster a smile as Damon gets out of the car. The image of Tyler and Stefan roughhousing remains imprinted on his brain. Damon spots him, his own smile fading upon seeing his face.

"Everything okay?"

Enzo nods, rubbing the back of his neck. "Tyler and Matt just left."

Damon tilts his head. A bit of protection flashes across his eyes. "Did something happen?"

"Nothing bad…or that bad, really." Damon straightens up. Enzo sighs. "Seriously, Tesoro, il bambino is safe and sound. They were just roughhousing again."

Damon shakes his head. . "I need to have another talk with those boys. Perhaps more than that." He scoffs. "You know, they promise to be careful. To remember that he's smaller than them, in more ways than one. Then stuff like this happens…"

"I don't think they mean to," Enzo half-heartedly tries to defend them. "Matt, anyway. Tyler…" He trails off. "It really hasn't sunk in for him, has it?"

"He's always been the worst one. Matt forgets occasionally, but he's pretty good about it. Tyler's family never took the classification system seriously."

Enzo sighs. "Why do you allow them to hang out?"

"He means a lot to Stefan. So long as I can monitor them, I know everything will be okay." Damon tilts his head. "Unless you think we should do something different."

Enzo frowns off his worried glance. He knows if he shared even the slightest doubt, Tyler would be banned from Stefan's life. That's not what he wants. Damon is right, Stefan's friends mean a great deal to him. It's important he has a life outside of them. Enzo will keep a better eye on them.

"No, of course not," he says. "I just worry is all. Stefan truly is fine. He's having his blood now then will hop in the shower. I'm sure today exhausted him so he won't give you much of a fuss at bedtime."

A smile returns to Damon's face. "He already asked about sleeping in our bed. I think it makes him feel better when you're working late." He wraps his arms around his husband's waist and pulls him close. Enzo grins, pecking his lips. "To be fair, makes me feel better too."

"I'll be home around 3," Enzo promises. "I won't wake either of you."

Damon smirks. "Well, I certainly wouldn't mind it."

Enzo chuckles. The two enjoy a bit of private time in the garage before returning to fatherhood.

Stefan sits at a table close to the bar, carefully tipping the salt box into the funnel. He watches as the grains tediously take over the little glass container. Such riveting fun. Still, it beats sitting in the back reading or watching something on his tablet. The rush died substantially by the time Stefan was dropped off. Most people were gone by the time he finished his homework. Enzo allowed him to set up at a vacant table and do small tasks. Anything to keep him as far away from the kitchen as possible.

He glances up every so often when he hears a new group come in. Most are people pregaming before their nightshifts at nearby businesses. None sit near Stefan, leaving him to his pitiful task in peace. There's less of an aroma from the kitchen and more so gathering in the bar where the mixologist creates fruity cocktails or pours the tap ale. Stefan sips his own Coke, grateful for the bit of sugar on a school night.

Just as he's moved onto the last shaker, the door opens yet again. Stefan glances at the clock. His papa will be done with his shift soon. Damon is coming to pick them up. They want to do some family movie night that he plans on pretending is lame, just to get a rise out of them.

Stefan settles the box onto the table at the sound of a familiar voice. He looks towards the door. Matt and Tyler are by the host stand. Stefan gets up to go say high, but stops halfway. Matt stretches his arm, causing his sleeve to ride up. A neon orange bracelet loops around his wrist. It takes Stefan a moment to realize what it's from.

There's a large go-kart track right outside of town. He's spotted the admission bracelet around school. People tend to wear them for days, bragging about their score.

"Can't. Tons of homework."

They lied. Or, more specifically, Tyler lied. Matt made no attempts to be honest.

Stefan swallows and turns back to the table, grabbing the salt. With a frown on his face, he heads back to the closet and puts it away. Trying to keep his eyes off his friends, he lines the salt up on the table for the waitstaff to grab.

The door opens once again. Stefan smells his dad.

"Finally," he mutters.

Stefan slinks to the back and grabs his backpack. When he returns, his dads stand by the door to the kitchen, kissing. He scoffs and decides to wait by the door. The only way there causes him to pass by Tyler and Matt's table. The latter's voice catches his attention.

"Stef, hey."

There's little use in pretending he can't hear them. Stefan turns on his heel to face them. Matt's sleeve is back down, but Tyler's t-shirt shows off his wrists. Stefan stands up straighter.

"You want to join us?" Matt asks.

"I thought you had homework," is all Stefan offers in reply.

Matt raises a brow. "Huh?"

"Yesterday, Tyler said you two were swamped with homework."

His friends exchange a confused look. Stefan simply glances at Tyler's bracelet. It takes a moment for him to follow his glance. He frowns.

"Stef, we would've invited you. We just knew…"

"I couldn't go, of course," Stefan interrupts. His voice remains matter-of-fact, keeping all emotion out.

Tyler shrugs. "Well, yeah."

Stefan tries to tune out the slight look of guilt in Matt's eye. "You didn't have to lie."

"We didn't want you to get upset, man," Matt says.

"It's fine. Really."

"Is it?"

"Yup."

Stefan glances over his shoulder. His dads are heading over. He hikes his backpack over his shoulder.

"I gotta go, but I'll see you guys later." Matt's face doesn't change. "It's fine, Matt, I promise."

He walks straight out the door and over to his dad's car. Damon and Enzo are hot on his trail. Stefan tugs on the door, only to find it locked.

Damon's voice breaks through first. "Bunny?"

Stefan grips the handle. "Can we go?"

"Not until you look at me."

Stefan huffs and faces his dads. Damon's arms are folded over his chest, head tilt. Enzo stands beside him with a frown.

"What was all that about?" Damon asks.

"Nothing. Can we go home now?"

"Not yet. Why were you so upset with Tyler and Matt? What did they do?" Damon narrows his eyes. "Do I have to kick that little punk's ass?"

Stefan tries in vain to hide his whine. "Dad! No! Stop!"

"Something is clearly bothering you, and I know it was them who did it."

"They didn't do anything!"

Enzo shakes his head. "Topolino, you know we're here for you. No matter what it is. If those boys are giving you a hard time…"

"It wasn't them!"

"You were perfectly fine until they walked in. Clearly, they must have done something to upset you."

Stefan frowns, doing his best not to pout. "It wasn't their fault."

He knows that deep down. It really isn't. Stefan would never expect them to stop doing things he can't. That's not fair. The truth is, they're bigger. They should get to have fun.

"I don't want to talk about it here," Stefan mumbles, looking around. There are people walking in and out of shops nearby. None quite paying attention, but he's not about to give them a show.

Enzo nods. "Let's get in the car then."

Damon reluctantly unlocks the doors. Stefan climbs in beside his car seat. There's no way in hell he's sitting in that thing right now. He feels enough like a little kid. Luckily, none of his parents force it as they sit up front. Damon doesn't start the ignition. He glances at his son in the rearview mirror.

"What's going on, Stef? What did they do?"

"I told you! They didn't do anything," Stefan argues. "It's not their fault."

"Clearly, something is bothering you. I'm not leaving this spot until you tell me."

Stefan huffs, throwing himself back against the seat. "I just want to go home."

"And we can. On those conditions."

Stefan grumbles. "You suck."

"Yeah, I'm the worst dad ever." Damon rolls his eyes, ignoring Enzo nudging him in the ribs. "You. Talk. Now."

"It's not a big deal. They just lied to me, but I know why they did it."

Enzo raises a brow. "What does that mean?"

"They wanted to do something I can't. Because…" He folds his arms over his chest, no longer caring if they see him pout. "Because you two are mean."

Enzo and Damon are silent for a moment. Stefan doesn't have to see their faces to know that they're having one of their stupid silent eye conversations. He kicks his legs, nearly getting Damon's seat a couple of times.

"Stef," Damon speaks up first. "You can find us unfair, but there are certain things we won't let you do because it's not safe."

"We've also been a bit lenient lately," Enzo points out. "Maybe too much."

Stefan makes a face. "No you haven't."

"I let you boys roughhouse yesterday and didn't say a word."

"That's normal! I should be able to do that!"

"Stefan, not only are you a Little, but you're also smaller than them. You could've seriously gotten hurt."

"I'm a vampire! I would've healed!" Stefan huffs again. "You two always treat me like a baby. Then my friends think I'm some little kid."

"That's not how they were acting yesterday."

"Yeah, for once. The two of you have them so worried that I'll break, they're afraid to have any fun with me. I'm lucky they still want to be my friend."

"Hey." Damon turns around in his seat. "If those two have an issue with how you are, then they're not really your friends."

"That's just it! They don't care."

It's Enzo's turn to twist so he can face his son. "Really?"

"Really." He frowns off his papa's smile. "It's not a good thing."

"I'd say it is." Stefan rolls his eyes. "Hey now, you know better than that." Enzo sighs. "Look, Bambino, I know this isn't easy for you. You're in the body of a teenager, but you can't do everything your friends can."

"We wish you could," Damon adds. "If we truly felt like you could handle the things Tyler and Matt do, we'd allow it."

Stefan's pout returns. "Yeah, right. You were overprotective before you even knew I was a Little. You barely let me cross the street by myself when you were with me."

"Yes, but you were still free to do as you wanted."

Damon sighs, running his fingers through his hair.

"The truth is, a lot has changed for you. Which I know isn't fun. That's one thing I can't make any better, Bunny. I wish I could, but rules are in place for a reason."

Enzo nods. "At least you know you're not alone. Elena and Jeremy are in the same boat as you. Yet, Bonnie, Tyler and Matt are always there for you guys."

"And here I thought you two didn't like Tyler," Stefan mumbles.

"He can be a little rough…but the fact that he was trying to protect you today says something."

"Just as there are things you can't do, there are even more that you're able to," Damon adds.

Stefan loosens his arms a bit. "Like what?"

"Like spoiling dinner with your friends." He gives his son a small smile. "You can go back in there and talk to them about it. Or go act like a regular teenager for an hour."

Stefan tilts his head. "Really? I thought we were going to watch a movie."

"We can do that later. It's like we said, you're still able to do certain things with your friends. Don't miss out because you're thinking of all that you can't."

Stefan nods. He still isn't totally thrilled with his dads, but he leans forward and kisses Damon on the cheek before doing the same to Enzo.

"Call us when you're ready to go home," his dad says.

"I will."

"And be safe," his papa adds, squeezing his arm.

Stefan holds back an eye roll as he gets out of the car, mumbling that he will. It's no surprise at all that his fathers stay there until he's safely back inside.