ann prompted: "Damon and Enzo tag team teenage Stefan acting frustrated for (insert teenage feelings/drama)."

Given all the angst I've been writing lately, was in the mood to put out something fluffy!

Damon leans in the doorway to the kitchen, a slight frown on his face. Stefan's head rests atop his Biology textbook, his eyes shut. He sucks on his thumb, slight drool dripping down his chin. He walks over and gently bends down, shaking his shoulder. Stefan jolts, his thumb dropping from his mouth. He blinks frantically.

"Huh?"

Damon rubs his back. "You fell asleep there, bud."

Stefan looks around. He catches sight of the clock. "Crap!"

"Stef," Damon just barely warns. "It's alright, you just dozed off for a bit."

"I don't have time for that. I still have a ton of homework to do."

"Why don't you put that off for a little bit?"

"I can't. Then I have to start on my French essay."

Damon moves his hand up to Stefan's curls, gently caressing them. "Or, I can write you a pass for tomorrow so you can chill for a little bit."

He doesn't use the L word, knowing that's just going to aggravate a very cranky Stefan. Sure enough, even the implication gets irritation in his son's eyes.

"I don't need that." Stefan jerks away from him, gathering up his study materials. "I'm going to my room."

Damon puts a hand on his shoulder to keep him in the chair. "Why don't I help you?"

"I don't want your help," Stefan whines. "I've been in school a long time! I know what I'm doing!"

"I'm sure you do," Damon says, trying to keep the sarcasm back. "But that's also why you have me, right?"

"I thought that was to get on my nerves."

"Oh, tell me how much you love me," he coos, ruffling his baby's hair.

Stefan glowers at him and stands up, mumbling that he hates him. Damon ignores that. Enzo enters the kitchen, holding a couple of takeout bags from The Grill. His smile doesn't fade as he pecks his husband's lips then turns to his son. Stefan squirms when Enzo kisses his cheek and pulls him into a hug.

"I'm busy," he whines.

Enzo tilts a head. "Too busy for a hug from your papa?"

"Yes." Stefan pushes away from him, just barely able to do so. "I have to do my homework."

"Eat first. I brought home some yummy eggplant."

"Not hungry."

Damon cuts in. "You need to eat, Bunny."

"I said I'm not hungry! And don't call me that! I'm not a baby!"

Stefan stomps out of the room, heading upstairs. Damon sighs, shaking his head as takes the bags from his husband. Enzo frowns.

"Does he need to drop?"

"Yes. I'm unsure if he's completely holding back, though. He knows better than that."

"Is he stuck?"

"Maybe. And that's even worse than if he was purposefully choosing this."

While it's never fun when Stefan denies his younger space, it's usually easy to break him out of. At least after how much time has passed, Damon knows just what to do. When his brain is stuck between two states, it's like having a cranky, tantruming toddler. A large part of his brain is telling him he's a little boy, but there's still that smaller part that says he needs to stay big.

Enzo pulls out some silverware. "How are we going to get through to him this time?"

Damon is quiet for a moment as he mulls it over. The last time, he basically had to just force it out of his brother, which lead to more irritation. This was in the pre-Enzo days. Now, he's not alone.

He snaps his fingers. "I have an idea."

"Good cop/bad cop?"

Damon grins, leaning over and giving him a kiss. "Just what I was thinking. Here, you get to be the nice, hero papa and I'll be the big, mean daddy. He's already irritated with me as it is."

Enzo chuckles. "If you're sure. I don't mind being the mean papa bear."

"Nah, you just got home." Damon turns his body and calls up the stairs. "Stefan!" Nothing. "Stefan Antonio, you better get down here right now! Don't make me come up there."

Damon snickers off Stefan's muffled yet prominent "Oh my God!" There are feet stomping down the stairs. He stands in the doorway of the kitchen, arms folded over his chest. The little one glares daggers at his father, his pout already in full effect. Damon hides a smile.

"What?" Stefan snaps.

"One, you don't talk to me like that. Two, you need to eat dinner."

"I just said…"

"I'm more than aware. However, you know the rules. Unless you're ill, you need to have dinner."

Stefan whines, stomping his foot. "You can't make me eat!"

"Your papa is home. It's Wednesday. You know today is our family night."

"I don't want to hang out with you guys."

Enzo steps forward. "I know it's not the most fun, Bambino," he says. "Your daddy is just worried about you. The best way to get him off your back is to sit down and eat just a few bites, alright?" Stefan's pout decreases a little. "If you're truly not hungry after that, you can go back to studying."

Stefan drags his foot against the tile. "Promise?"

"I promise. Do you want to help me get everything ready? That's a very big boy job."

Stefan nods, following his papa around the kitchen. Enzo grabs two of the heavier ceramic plates along with Stefan's plastic Thomas the Train dish. Stefan opens his mouth to argue, but Enzo is quick to cut in.

"If you're not going to eat as much, you don't need a big plate, hm?"

Stefan considers it for a minute before nodding. "Yeah, Papa."

Damon smiles as the two begin putting out the food. He walks over to the fridge, grabbing beers for himself and his husband. They already had their blood for the evening. Stefan will have his bottle before bed, if all goes according to plan.

"Stef," Damon calls out. "Do you want milk or juice?"

Stefan makes a face. "Soda."

"You know you can't have soda on a school night."

"That's not fair…"

Enzo puts a hand on his shoulder. "Ya know, soda doesn't taste very good with eggplant. Milk will."

Stefan thinks about it for a moment, then nods. "'Kay. Milk then." Enzo gently nudges him. The little one sighs, looking over at his dad. "Please, Daddy."

Damon nods. "Of course, Bunny Boy. Can I use your Thomas cup?"

Stefan's mouth drops open. "Nooo! Daddy! It doesn't go with your plate!"

Damon holds back a smile. "Oh, okay. Well…should I keep it in the cabinet then?"

Stefan frowns. "No…goes with my plate."

"Alright, your milky can go in there."

"Just milk," he mumbles. "Not baby. Only 'cause it matches my plate."

Enzo pats his back. "Of course, Topolino. You're such a big boy, helping Papa fix up the plates."

Stefan beams under the praise. Damon pours the milk into the sippy cup, securing the lid before grabbing the matching bib. He watches as Enzo gives their little boy some small tasks, such as sprinkling the cheese on top of the parmesan and put all the forks on the plates.

"You want to sit next to Daddy or me?" Enzo asks. He carries on before Stefan can speak. "Because I think Daddy might try to steal your cup. He seems to really like it."

Stefan narrows his eyes at Damon, who once again has to hide a smile. "Dada, I'm gonna watch you."

"Okay, Bunny," Damon says. "You can guard your cup while I sit with you."

He shoots a thankful gaze to Enzo behind Stefan's back. His husband nods, giving him an understanding smile. Lately, Stefan has been clingier with Enzo when he drops. While of course Damon supports their relationship, he's missed his cuddles.

The table is soon set and Damon sits at the head, with his boys on either side. He grabs the bib and begins to strap it around Stefan's neck. As expected, his son jerks away, frowning.

"That's for babies," he points out. "I'm big."

"Yes, but look at your plate and cup," Damon says. "They're both Thomas. This came with the set. Do you want the bib to feel left out?"

Stefan quickly shakes his head, never liking for anyone to feel left behind. He allows his dad to put on the bib. Damon cuts up the food a bit and holds up a forkful for him to try. Stefan whines for a minute until Enzo pulls a funny face. The childlike giggles echo from his moth, giving Damon an opportunity to feed him. He swallows, his face brightening more.

"Yummy! Papa, this is so good!"

Enzo chuckles. "I'm glad, Topolino."

"So, you want more?" Damon asks.

Stefan nods happily. He holds his mouth open, allowing Damon to feed him for the first time in weeks. Stefan giggles when Damon makes train noises, only briefly chastising him for making the airplane ones (because this is a Thomas plate, of course). After a quick apology, he's back to smiling and eating.

Damon takes breaks to feed himself while Stefan drinks his milk. The bib was clearly a good call as during one of those periods, Stefan grabs a handful and feeds himself, much of the bite ending up in the pocket. The milk and sauce mix around his face. Damon purposefully takes a bit longer to eat, marveling at how happy and carefree the little boy is. He's been far too stressed about school lately. It's nice to see him relaxed, acting just as a little boy should.

"Topolino," Enzo pipes up. "Getting any in your mouth?"

Stefan sticks out his tongue. "I can feed myself." He grabs a handful of the broccoli and shoves it in his mouth, many of the florets falling into the pocket.

"Yes, you're doing a great job."

"How about Daddy takes back over?" Damon offers. "I think the station has a few last trains going in."

Stefan forgets all about his independence and allows his father to feed him the last few bites. Damon doesn't miss Enzo catching a few pictures on his phone. He scrapes off the last of the food.

"Finish your milk, bud," Damon says. Stefan nods, taking a big sip. "I think someone needs a bath tonight."

Stefan raises a brow, looking at Enzo. "Papa, Daddy said you need a bath,"

Enzo snorts, taking the last bite of his own eggplant. "I think he was talking about you."

"Nuh uh."

"Yes," Damon corrects. Stefan nibbles on the teat of his sippy cup, whining a bit. "But then you can put on jammies and we'll read books."

Stefan tilts his head. "Library?"

"It's a bit late for the library, but we can go tomorrow," Damon promises. "Before we pick up Papa from work."

"'Kay, Dada."

Stefan sucks back the rest of his milk. Damon clears the table. Enzo grabs the washcloth and gently wipes his wiggling son's face.

"Don't wanna be clean," Stefan petulantly argues.

Enzo arches a brow. "Oh, you don't, huh?"

"Bunnies don't have to get clean."

"Oh, yes, they do. Their mommies and daddies make sure they're nice and clean. Same with mice," he's quick to add in before Stefan argues. "Besides, you are a little boy."

"Nuh uh. I'm Daddy's Bunny! And Papa's Topolino!"

"You definitely are. And just as I said, even little animals have to get baths."

Damon comes back over from putting the dishes in the sink. "Besides, do you know how animals clean their babies?" Stefan shakes his head. Damon bends down and licks his cheek. Stefan shrieks, shoving at his dad's face.

"Daddy!"

"Well, that's how a daddy rabbit would give his baby a bath. Wouldn't you prefer the rag?"

Stefan eagerly nods. Enzo snickers, removing the bib. Damon lifts his baby into his arms and nuzzles his cheek against his. Stefan smiles, poking at his chin.

"Can we read the bunny book, Dada?"

"Of course we can. Which jammies do you want?"

"Thomas!"

"That seems to be the theme of tonight," Enzo says, tossing the washcloth over his shoulder. "You take him up, I've got the mess."

Damon tilts his head. "You sure? It's my turn."

"You can make it up to me later," he murmurs, a smirk on his face.

Damon matches it, leaning in for a kiss. Stefan puts his hand up so their lips end up on either side. He gives them a serious look, well as serious as a little boy can.

"Yuck," he tells them.

Damon shakes his head, tickling his side. "Guess some things will have to wait until a certain little bunny has gone into his burrow."

"That's fine," Enzo says, a twinkle in his eye. "I don't mind at all."

The bath takes longer than usual. Stefan isn't too interested in the toys this evening, rather trying to grab onto Damon's hands and keep a grip on him. Clearly, something in his subconscious has missed his daddy. Damon allows the distractions, so long as Stefan isn't putting himself in danger. He will never regret having Enzo join their family. It's finally complete with the three of them.

Still, he'll take these moments when it's just him and his baby. Allowing Stefan to be clingy and feel safe.

Just as Damon is washing out the last of the conditioner, Stefan stills. His smile fades. "Big book…"

Damon quickly grabs the towel with a bunny hood. "Hey, hey, hey, look what Daddy has!" He shows Stefan. The little one tilts his head. "We'll get all dried off."

Stefan hesitates. "Work…"

Damon shakes his head. "Nope. Work is for big boys. Are you a big boy, Stef? Or are you a little boy?"

He holds his breath. It's nearly bedtime. Dealing with a stuck Stefan isn't going to be good, for anyone. Damon holds out the towel.

Stefan blinks. After another moment, his eyes completely gloss over and he smiles, holding out his arms. Damon allows himself to sigh in relief. He wraps Stefan up in the towel and lifts him into his arms, cuddling him close.

"Guess how much I love you," Stefan proclaims, grabbing onto his ears.

"Hmmm," Damon pretends to think. "I don't think I could guess that."

As he dresses Stefan, they go about reciting the book, knowing all too well that they'll still end up reading it all over again when they're done.

Next time, Damon and Enzo have to babysit Jeremy. Stefan takes it about as well as any jealous, spoiled only child, daddies' boy can. Which is (spoiler alert) not great.

As always, let me know what you think and feel free to leave prompts!