Ronnie_R prompted: "I was thinking about how Stefan finds his fangs funny. Maybe he's playing with another little at the playground and flashes them to be funny but instead it scares the other little? Their caregiver starts freaking out and calling Stefan a monster. Cue Damon to the rescue, but he finds himself struggling to hold back his dark side during this. Gotta love hurt/comfort and angst!"

This one is shorter than most of them, but a rare lil fluffy chapter never hurt anyone! :)

Damon drops down onto the bench, keeping a watchful eye on his brother. He headed to the park with Stefan hoping for a little one on one time, only to find it unusually packed for a late Wednesday afternoon. Of course, Stefan would rather play with other Littles instead of his "uncool big brother".

Elena isn't here which means Damon is on his own. He hasn't done a great job of making friends with caregivers of other Littles. Caroline and Klaus are great because they're closer to his own age and can tolerate his sense of humor. It doesn't help that most caregivers around here have human Littles. Stefan is a rarity in this town. Usually, Damon is good with his small friend group. Today, it's pretty boring.

Stefan immediately makes friends with another Little boy that appears to be around his physical and mental age. The two head onto the equipment, chasing one another. The smile doesn't leave Stefan's face as they make it down the slide for the first time. Damon matches it, only to have it fade as he scans the park. On a nearby bench is a redheaded woman who's carefully watching the two boys. From the resemblance, he gathers that she's the other's caretaker. Instead of being happy that her little one has found a friend, her shoulders tense and eyes narrow. Damon follows suit.

Stefan is a good kid. Friendly, kind, always looking out for others. That's only amplified in his younger space. It's the reputation he's built for himself in this small town. Anyone would be lucky to have him as a friend. What is up with this woman?

Despite her sour face, she doesn't do anything to stop the boys from playing. Damon does his best to keep the protectiveness at bay. It takes every muscle in his body to work up the smallest of smiles when she glances in his direction. She scoffs, turning her attention back to the boys. Damon digs his fingers into the wood of the bench. Maybe they should just go home. The last thing he needs is this woman doing something to upset his baby brother.

Yet, when he sees Stefan, he can't bring himself to get up. The little guy is in the sandbox with his new friend, laughing. Dragging him away would just mean a huge tantrum, followed by Cranky Stefan. Sometimes it's unavoidable and Damon has to be the mean big brother. Others, he can't bring himself to do it. Stefan is happy. Damon isn't going to ruin that.

Stefan and the mystery boy play for 25 minutes with no issue. The more time goes on, the more Damon is able to relax. Mrs. Lemon Face is still scowling at the two, but she hasn't made a move. The boys move from the sandbox back to the equipment then over to the swings and finally, go back to chasing one another. Stefan is clearly trying to slow down his vamping to give his friend time to catch up. The other little boy begins exclaiming that he's a bear and he's going to eat Stefan. Damon's smile slowly returns until he hears Stefan's "pretend growl". It's less fierce than the real one, but the older brother already knows what'll happen next.

The venom appears below Stefan's eyes and his fangs playfully come out before Damon can get over to them. The smile drops from the little boy's face and fear takes over. The tears quickly fall down his face. Stefan retracts his fangs, pouting slightly. Damon vamps over and puts a hand on his back.

"I was just playing," Stefan mumbles.

"I know, buddy," Damon soothes. "But we talked about that. You get scared when you see fangs. Some people do too."

Stefan nods and opens his mouth to deliver what Damon can only assume is an apology, when the Mrs. Lemon Face appears. The tall, sturdy woman takes the shoulders of her ward and glares at the Salvatore brothers. Damon stands up straight, tightening his grip on his brother. The woman ignores him and looks straight up at Stefan.

"What the hell is the matter with you?!" She rubs her little boy's back. Stefan trembles a little. "This is exactly why these playgrounds shouldn't be open to your kind."

Damon's jaw locks. "His kind?"

The woman continues to pretend he doesn't exist. "You're a monster."

Stefan lets out a small sob, tears falling down his face. Damon omits a low growl, pulling him closer. He knows his own eyes are darkening and feels protective anger build up within him. The woman takes a step back, clinging the little boy to her.

"Don't you ever talk to my brother that way," Damon commands.

Stefan sniffles, tugging on his shirt. "Day…"

Damon shakes his head. "He is not a monster. No, they're the ones that mock kids just trying to have fun!"

The woman's body is trembling. "You…you need to teach your brother to control himself."

"And you need a lesson in empathy!"

Stefan's voice grows louder. "DayDay!"

Damon looks down. His baby brother's eyes are wide and filled with fear. It's not just the woman causing that. Damon relaxes his features and bends down, picking Stefan up into his arms.

"Let's go, Bunny Boy," he whispers.

Damon carries him out of the park without sparing the woman another look. The brothers are silent as they walk back to the car. Stefan clings to his shirt, proving that he's not upset with him, just shaken up. Damon rubs his back as he walks quickly. Every step he takes is further away from the miserable bitch that made his baby brother upset. It prevents him from doing something he'd later feel the need to regret.

He'll never truly regret defending his baby brother. No, the guilt he feels is what those dark actions do to Stefan. His brother still harbors fear and nightmares from how he handled Tanner. Damon will always wish he actually killed the son of a bitch, while also hating himself for scaring Stefan so badly. He can't be this guy anymore, but it's not easy to shut off. Nor does he want to do that completely.

When they reach the Camaro, Damon stands outside of it and moves Stefan into a cradle position. The baby brother rests his head on his shoulder, his eyes still wide.

"Scary DayDay," he mumbles.

"I know," Damon sighs. "I didn't like how she talked to you."

"Monster," Stefan says, his voice filled with sadness.

Damon shakes his head. "Nuh uh, you are not a monster." He strokes his chin. "You are the sweetest little boy in the whole world."

"Showed my fangies." Stefan bites his lip. "Those are too scary."

"You were just playing around. But maybe next time, we just make a funny face, hm?"

Stefan nods. "Uh huh. I didn't want to scare him, DayDay."

"I know you didn't," he coos, bouncing him a little. "And he'll be okay. His…whoever that was is there to take care of him. Sometimes you'll make mistakes, but that doesn't make you a monster."

"Don't want people to be scared."

Damon frowns, cuddling him closer. Given the large supernatural population, most of Mystic Falls is tolerant. And still, they will always have to face people like this woman who can't see past the old fantasy novels and movies. Stefan would never hurt anyone. His ripper days haunt him even now. The fact that few know of that past seems to matter little. Forever, he'll be lumped with the evil, dangerous vampires. Making it harder for him to find human Little friends.

"If people are scared, then they're the idiots," Damon says. "You're the best little boy in the whole world and anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend. Look at Elena, Matt, Bonnie and Ty."

Stefan nods. "They're not scared of me."

"Exactly." Damon kisses his forehead. "I'm sorry we have to leave the park. You didn't do anything wrong, she did. We can come back another day, though."

"'s okay," Stefan mumbles. "Do I have to go night night when we get home?"

"Nah, it's still early. What if we played football."

Stefan's eyes light up. "Really?"

"Uh huh. Just a little, and not full strength."

"Yes, I promise, DayDay." Stefan leans up to kiss his cheek. "Can we go now?"

Damon chuckles. "Yeah, let me put you in the car."

Stefan's excitement and happiness is enough to brighten his older brother. Damon refuses to look back at the park, reminding himself that Stefan needs him more than that woman needs to be screamed at.