" I like the idea of exploring the guilt that Stefan feels. As overcoming that is how he'll begin to heal. What if Stefan overhears something not so kind about Littles and it brings those feelings to a head? Maybe he tries to run away for Damon's own good to avoid burdening him."

Contains dialogue from 3x16, which is my favorite Defan episode.

Stefan checks his watch and pouts. Still another 3 hours to go. Fridays always drag. It doesn't help that this is the first weekend in awhile that he can actually go out with his friends. Lexi's left to travel once again, with promises to be back. Damon's lifting some restrictions. His curfew is back to normal at the very least. As long as Stefan sends pictures and videos, Damon trusts him at Tyler's party. It's going to be a good time and Stefan needs it after a rough few weeks of not being able to avoid his space.

He's halfway to Tanner's room, not looking forward to the conversation they need to have. With Lexi and Damon allowing him to stay home, he missed a test. It'll take some serious groveling for him to allow a make up.

"Another birthday, another classification," Tanner's voice pings Stefan's hearing, even from behind the door. "It's like it never ends."

"Let me guess." Mr. Harold's voice this time. "Another so-called Little that'll require extra accommodation?"

"This one has an actual age when they supposedly drop. 2 years old. That'll be a fun class."

Stefan bites his lip. It's no secret that Tanner is against Littles. He's one of the few teachers that are. Damon and Caroline have tried to argue that it's not fair to the students who are, but the school board's remained firm. As long as the students are accommodated and treated fairly, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Meaning dickheads like Tanner get to keep their jobs.

"It's just a lazy way out," Tanner continues. "They get away with whatever under the name of this system."

"I mean, aren't most of them spanked and put in time out?"

"They need more than a spanking, I'll tell you that." Tanner sighs. "But I'll tell you what. I feel for these caregivers. The teenager I just classified? Anna Zhu. She's a vampire. Whoever ends up taking care of her has to deal with this for eternity. That's gotta suck."

Stefan freezes. His mind flashes to Damon. At the very least, Lexi is still living her life. At Stefan's urging she'll travel. They'll see each other more frequently than they used to, but she has her freedom.

Damon is stuck with him. He barely goes to The Grill, afraid to leave his baby brother alone. Stefan knows he likely sees women during the day but it's not the same as the sloppy one night stands he's had for so long. No, instead he spends most nights catering to Stefan. Once again, something was stolen from him. Stefan can't be alone and Damon is the unlucky bastard chained to him.

Stefan turns away from the room and heads down the hall. He's in autopilot as he simply walks out of the school. No one notices, or if they do, they certainly don't stop him. He strides down the sidewalk, making the 30 minute walk home.

For more days than he can count, he begged Damon to leave. He tried to barter a schedule when his brother could visit. Stefan swore he'd be honest this time. Damon could go back to living his normal life.

Each and every time, his brother says no. Of course he does. What else can he? If he walks away from Stefan, he's breaking a promise. Damon is stubborn, he wants to hold up his end.

It's time Stefan stops asking and takes matters into his own hands.

By the time he reaches the house, a plan is in motion. As expected, Damon's Camaro is out of the driveway. There was a council meeting at 10 AM, then he has plans to meet up with some girl Stefan can't remember the name of. It'll be an easy escape.

Stefan packs a bag first. Not a lot, he's always traveled light. Three shirts, a pair of jeans. He dumps some underwear and socks in. Stefan glances over at Bunny, leaning against his pillows. He hesitates before picking it up and shoving it inside.

Once his duffel is full and he's checked to make sure his debit card is loaded, he sneaks down to Damon's study. Stefan pokes around in the drawers, surprised they're unlocked.

He trusts you.

Stefan shakes away that guilt. It'll be worth it in the long run. He pulls back a secret compartment to the middle drawer and finds the keys to his Porsche. After his true classification was revealed, Damon ripped up Stefan's license, but kept the car.

After double checking that everything is accounted for, Stefan heads for the parlor. He takes one last look around. In the past when he's moved on, he always knows he'll return to this home. This time, he knows it's for good.

He debates leaving a note but nothing sounds genuine.

This is for your own good.

I won't get in your way anymore.

I love you. I'm doing this because I love you.

Nothing is going to comfort his brother. Stefan knows it'll hurt for a bit, but he'll get over it. Just as Stefan m did every time Damon did the walking. The pain numbs over time and you get used to it. Once his brother has a good booze filled romp, he'll forget all about why he wanted his brother to stick around.

Stefan goes out to the garage and finds his baby still sitting there. Damon's ran the engine every so often, so it should still be good to drive. Sure enough, it roars to life once Stefan turns the key into the ignition. He grins and pulls out of the driveway, heading down the road.

It's a quiet afternoon in the suburbs. Everyone's either at work and school or enjoying the day. Stefan rolls down the windows and fiddles with the radio until his favorite Bon Jovi song comes on.

" It's all the same, only the names will change, " Stefan sings along. " Every day, it seems we're wastin' away. Another place where the faces are so cold. I'd drive all night just to get back home."

He focuses his eyes on the road after he pulls off the last street, his car headed straight for the townline.

" I'm a cowboy ," his husky voice drops to match his favorite artist. " On a steel horse I ride. I'm wanted dead or alive. I'm wanted…"

Stefan looks up just in time to see a crow heading straight for the dash. He swerves to miss it, slamming on the breaks when he spots a figure standing in the middle of the road.

"See, this is why I tell you to look both ways before you cross the street."

Stefan's mouth drops open. Damon stands before him, arms folded over his chest. He tsks.

"All sorts of maniacs on the road."

Stefan stares at him, dumbstruck. Damon's irritated face remains unchanged.

"Get out of the car, Stefan."

His hands grip the wheel. "N…no."

Damon cocks an eyebrow. "No?"

"I'm leaving town."

"Sure you are. Now, get out of the car and I'll drive us home."

Stefan sits up straighter, tightening his muscles. "No!"

Damon glowers and vamps to the door. For once, Stefan is quicker. He gets out of the car and races down the road. Damon appears in front of him and Stefan pushes him out of the way. His brother grabs hold of his arm. Frustration builds up inside of him.

"Aghh!"

He flips his brother and throws him backwards several feet. Damon lands on his stomach, hissing in pain. Stefan's breathing grows heavy as he stares down at his hands. He hasn't been this powerful since he gave up human blood.

Damon pushes himself up, the road burn healing almost instantly on his palms. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Me?!" Stefan throws his hands in the air. "I told you to let me leave!"

Damon's face goes from angry to confused. "You're not allowed to leave the house alone. You expect me to let you drive over the townline by yourself?"

"That's the point! I'm done here!"

"What?" Damon scoffs. "You're running away?"

Stefan stares at him, pursing his lips. Damon takes him in for a minute. His jaw locks.

"You're running away?"

"You catch on fast."

"One, watch the damn attitude. I will…"

Stefan swiftly cuts him off. "You'll what? Spank me? Wash my mouth out with soap? Put me in the corner like a petulant toddler?"

"That's why you're upset?!" Damon asks incredulously. "Because I punish you?"

"No! I don't care about that."

"Then what?"

"I told you! I'm just done here!"

Damon storms closer. "I don't understand. This morning, you were fine! Last night, you cuddled up in my bed!"

"You're right, Damon," Stefan's voice lowers. "You don't understand."

Stefan can smell the tears in his big brother's eyes. He ducks his head. Damon rarely cries. Stefan can't stand to watch it. In his mind, his brother is big and strong. He's able to defeat anything. Seeing him so vulnerable makes him almost human.

Damon tries to grab Stefan's hand. He lets out a choked sob. "Then tell me. What did I do?"

Stefan looks up. Damon's blue eyes are desperate, sad. Stefan did this to him. Again. He should've found a different way to leave, avoid this whole scene.

"You didn't do anything."

"Clearly I did. Why else are you trying to leave?"

"Because of me!" Damon's brows crinkle in confusion. "I am trying to save you from me!"

"That doesn't make any sense. Unless…"

Damon grips his chin. Stefan wiggles, trying to get out of his grip. Damon stares into his eyes.

"Are you on human blood again?"

"No!"

"Are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes! Jesus!"

Stefan manages to rip away from him. Damon still doesn't look convinced.

"What? You wanna test me or something? Not sure if they have a drug test for that."

"It's the only thing that'll explain your behavior!"

Damon shakes his head. "What else could have you acting like this?"

"I told you! I'm trying to protect you."

"If you're not off the wagon, what are you protecting me from?"

Stefan groans. "This! Me! What we've been doing the past 6 months."

Slow understanding takes over Damon's eyes, only to be replaced with irritation.

"We've been over this a million times," he growls. "I want to be here!"

"No! You feel obligated!"

Damon narrows his eyes. "That's not how I feel!"

Stefan screams. Birds rustle in the trees, quickly flying away. "That's how anyone would feel!"

"How can you tell me what's in my brain?"

"Because that's how anyone should feel!"

Stefan picks up a rock from the ground and throws it at a tree. A dent is left in its wake. Damon stare ar the trunk in shock. Stefan continues on his rant.

"This is for eternity, Damon. Don't you get that? My little spaces won't grow further and further apart like humans do. They're only going to get worse! You're trapped! And I'm not going to do that to you anymore!"

"It's not your choice!"

"It is! It's always been my choice!"

"Yeah, and that had you torturing yourself!"

Stefan grips his dirty blonde hair, willing himself to not tear it out. "I'm not just talking about the stupid classification system."

Damon throws his hands in the air. "Then what…"

"I've already stolen your human life from you!"

Damon goes quiet. Tears that Stefan didn't even know he had stream down his cheeks. He lets out a soft sob.

"I forced you to become a vampire so I wouldn't be alone. I was selfish and stupid. I know that now."

Damon shakes his head. His voice comes out broken. "That…that was a long time ago, Stefan."

"No. Not as long as we pretend."

"I told you, this self loathing and guilt, it has to stop."

"It's never going to stop! Unless I turn off my emotions, I can't help how I feel. Guilt, hurt, all of it. You can make a dumbass rule about me not hating myself but it's too late! I do!"

The tears fall harder down his face. Damon steps forward to pull him into a hug but Stefan yanks away.

"The real rule," he makes out in between sobs. "Is that you should hate me too!"

Damon bites his lip. "I don't hate you, Stef," he whispers.

"You do and you know it!"

Damon's nostrils flare. "No! Stop telling me how I feel!"

"No! Not until you're honest with me!"

"You want me to be honest?! Fine!"

Stefan braces himself, trying to stop the tears. He straightens up as Damon towers over him. His brother's blue eyes are filled with anger.

"I did hate you," his voice is low now, hoarse. "I hated you for a really long time. I was so angry, wondering why you would subject me to this hell. I thought it was bad enough I spent my entire childhood trying to protect you, now it'll never end."

The words cut Stefan worse than he imagined. His lip trembles.

You asked for this.

"It's probably the real reason why I didn't fight you on your classification. I was relieved that I didn't have to fall back into that life."

Stefan sniffles. "I knew it," he whispers.

"Let me finish." Damon holds up a hand. "Here's the thing about living forever. You're forced to sit with your emotions. You have more time to forgive. And I did."

Damon cups his cheeks. For once, the little brother doesn't pull away.

"I forgive you." Stefan shakes his head. "I do. I forgive you for turning me."

"No," he whispers, his voice broken. "It's too much to forgive."

"It's not. After about 50 years I realized something. It was selfish what you did, but I was selfish too. I only saw my happiness and what I wanted. I didn't realize that you needed me. That's why you did it. Because you truly needed me by your side…and I left you."

Stefan sucks back a sob. "You had every right to."

"In the beginning. But in time, I realized, I didn't hate you. I was angry. That isn't hate. I went and saw the world and none of it meant nothing, because you were alone. Hurting."

"I deserve it."

Damon shakes his head.

"You needed me, and because of my anger, I abandoned you. I should've fought you on the classification. I knew you were lying but I was the selfish one."

His brother pulls off, but their watery eyes remain locked.

"I forgive you, baby brother. I love you. And I'm sorry for leaving."

Stefan sobs as fat tears fall onto Damon's hand. His older brother is crying himself as he continues.

"You're right, I can't tell you how to feel. You can hate yourself as much as you want. Because I hate myself too." Damon flinches. "I walked away. I watched you go over the edge and I didn't do anything to stop it."

Stefan shakes his head. "You couldn't of."

"Sure I could've," Damon says, his voice haunted. "I just didn't want to."

Stefan swallows. This raw, brutal honesty from his brother his new. No quips. No yelling. No deflection. Just two brothers, face to face.

Damon regards him for a moment, before speaking again.

"But I want to now. Whenever you go too far, I will be there to pull you back. Every second, every day. You're going to think I'm the most annoying, most overprotective brother. You may stop hating yourself and hate me instead. Run away, I will catch you and drag your ass home. I will do everything to keep you by my side."

A chill runs down Stefan's spine. "Why?"

He claps his hand on his shoulder. "'Cause you're all I got."

Damon pulls Stefan into a big hug. His tough arms lock his brother into place. Stefan remains still for a full minute. Damon kisses the side of his head and the damn breaks. Stefan buries his head in his shoulder, sobbing once again. Damon slowly rubs his back.

"I…I'm sorry."

Stefan isn't sure what he's apologizing for. Turning him, lying, running away. Everything. All the wrong he's ever done and for all the wrong he'll do for the rest of eternity.

"Shhh," Damon coos in his ear. "You're forgiven."

"I love you," Stefan wails, clinging to his shirt.

"I love you too, buddy. I always will."

Stefan isn't sure how long they stand there, Damon's arms wrapped around him. The little brother apologizes until his voice is raw and horse. For once, Damon doesn't chastise him for the self loathing. Stefan is allowed to drown in his guilt. The more he does, the lighter his chest feels.

Eventually, Stefan grows limp. Damon kisses his forehead and wipes his tears.

"Am I in trouble?" Stefan mumbles, his eyes heavy.

Damon chuckles, stroking his hair. "I think I'll let this go."

"Ran away. Drove….spanking…"

"I think you've punished yourself enough," Damon whispers. "The only thing we're going to do is go home. I'll run you a bath and then tuck you into my bed, lay with you until you wake up. How does that sound?"

Stefan yawns in response. Damon keeps his arms locked around him and guides him to the Porsche. Stefan is too tired to argue when he's strapped into the backseat. Instead, he just sucks his thumb. Another Bon Jovi song lulls him to sleep as Damon drives them home.

If you were in these arms tonight.

I'd hold you, I'd need you,

I'd get down on my knees for you.

And make everything alright,

If you were in these arms.

I'd love you, I'd please you,

I'd tell you that I'd never leave you.

And love you till the end of time,

if you were in these arms tonight.