Ronnie_R prompted " I was thinking of how Damon would react to everyone and their mother (literally) trying to give him advice on caring for a Little."

Damon readjusts the backpack over his shoulder while also trying to keep a grip on Stefan. His brother has his head buried in his shoulder, sucking furiously on his thumb. Damon cringes at the sounds of Littles screaming, whining and chattering. He thought the park was terrible on the senses. This is a contained space.

The community room of town hall is littered with toys, craft supplies and teenage Littles. Their mothers are gathered in chairs, sipping lemonade or blood, depending. It only takes a second glance for Damon to realize there are no other male caretakers.

"Damon!"

He jumps as Caroline vamps in front of him, a huge smile on her face. Stefan barely peeks his head up.

"You came!"

Damon shrugs. "I said I would. This is a bit much, no?"

"It's good for the kids." Caroline rubs Stefan's back. "Hey, buddy. Elena is here."

Stefan drops his thumb. "'Lena?"

"She's playing with some kids in the Lego area. You wanna join her?"

Stefan looks up at his big brother, who nods. "Go on. I'm going to be with Miss Caroline and the other mommies if you need me. Play nicely and share, yes?"

"Yeah, DayDay."

Damon settles him onto the ground. As soon as Stefan spots Elena, he vamps over. Damon looks at Caroline.

"Tell me there's bourbon here."

Caroline rolls her eyes. "It's 10 AM."

"There are screaming children."

"We have lemonade or A+ blood. Take your pick."

"I suppose blood will do."

Damon takes one last glance at Stefan. His brother has settled in nicely with his best friend, chatting with her and the other kids. He follows Caroline.

"You didn't mention there are no guys here."

"Sometimes Klaus comes, but usually this isn't his thing." Caroline smirks. "Plus, some of these ladies are single. Figured that'd be up your alley."

Damon chuckles. He's no longer under the habit of picking up women around Stefan, but it can't hurt to look.

They approach the group. The women stop chatting when Caroline clears her throat.

"Ladies, this is Damon." A few mutter they know him. Some look him up and down, grinning. Two older women look unimpressed. "His baby brother is Elena's best friend."

"Brother?" One of the older women, probably in her 50s, asks. Her obviously dyed blonde hair is layered in the back. It's not the most flattering cut Damon has seen.

"Yes." Damon settles into a chair beside a gorgeous Latina who's making bedroom eyes at him. "Stefan."

"Explains why you look so young."

Damon holds back an eye roll. He's quiet as the women resume chatting. Damon learns the woman beside him is Marisol. She adopted her son, Javi, a few months ago. The judgemental woman is Susan. Her biological daughter was classified last year. When she points her out, Damon realizes she's the only one not in play clothes. He can barely get Big Stefan in a tie if they go somewhere nice, let alone when he's in a younger state. The girl is in a bright pink dress with a white sash. She looks incredibly uncomfortable.

Another woman, Lauren, mentions breastfeeding vs formula. Damon stays out of it, especially when a small debate breaks out. Caroline is rolling her eyes the entire time, passing Damon a cup of blood.

"What about you?" Lauren asks Damon.

His brows furrow. "What about me?"

"Do you buy from the bank?"

"The blood bank. Stefan is a vampire."

"My little one is too. They still benefit from it."

"I've read the studies," Damon says. "There's no real proof a vampire child will get anything. It's purely for aesthetic."

Lauren scoffs. "Your brother is on an animal diet? Surely that won't help him much."

Caroline cuts in before Damon can let his venom show. "Stefan has been on the diet for awhile now. He keeps up fine."

Marisol pipes up. "Are you still breastfeeding, Caroline?"

Damon is grateful for the distraction. He leans back in his chair, sipping his blood. After a few minutes, Susan changes the subject to school. Damon doesn't share that if not for the rules regarding vampires, his brother would be top of his class. Instead, he lets her brag about her daughter, who's 5th in line and rising.

He glances over at Stefan every so often. Eventually, his baby brother and Elena join some kids at the craft table. Stefan sticks his thumb in his mouth while working on a coloring page that has Oliver and Company characters on it.

"You let him suck his thumb?" Susan asks.

Damon's head snaps up. "Yeah, I do," he replied, annoyed. "I take it you don't approve?"

"It's not very sanitary is it?"

"It's not as if he has germs or can get sick."

Lauren pipes up. It's only then Damon realizes she and Susan have matching haircuts. Near identical.

"I don't let Nolan suck his thumb either," she says, as if she's probing a point. "It's just a gross habit."

"Stefan's done it since he was a baby," he replies, taking three quick gulps of his blood. "I'm not going to take away his source of comfort."

"Pacifiers exist."

"He has one and he hates it," Damon shrugs. "Forcing it is only going to lead to meltdowns."

"I guess I'm just trying to raise my son to respect my rules."

Damon narrows his eyes.

"My brother respects my rules fine," he growls. "I don't see how he can disrespect that when I've never made it one in the first place."

Lauren hums. "Suppose that's the difference between a parent and a big brother."

His nostrils flare. "What is that supposed to mean?!"

Damon glowers at her. She may be older biologically, but he can tell she was only turned within the last decade. He could easily take her…

"DayDay!"

Damon looks up. Stefan scampers over to him. He tries to lighten a little, not wanting to scare his brother.

"Hey, Bunny. Are you having fun?"

Stefan vigorously nods. "Uh huh."

Lauren cuts in. "We we're having a conversation, young man. Don't you have manners?"

Stefan's smile drops and a pout takes its place. Damon's glare returns as he pulls his brother in between his legs.

"Don't talk to my baby like that, or even period." Damon looks into Stefan's wide green. "It's okay, Bunny Boy. What did you need?" Stefan shifts. "Seriously, Stef. You didn't do anything wrong."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart." Damon does the sign.

Stefan's smile returns and the elder brother lightens a little. "I want Bunny. Gonna show him to 'Lena's friends."

"How do we ask?"

Stefan sighs. "May I have Bunny, please?"

"Yes, of course. Very good boy using your words."

Damon reaches into the bag and pulls out the rabbit. He has it kiss his brother on both cheeks. Stefan giggles, taking his favorite toy.

"Thank you, DayDay."

"Do I get a kiss too?"

Stefan quickly kisses his cheek before running back to the other kids. He shows it to them and allows each to touch, but Bunny remains firmly planted in his arms.

He doesn't notice Lauren has switched seats until Susan speaks up.

"He doesn't call you "Daddy" or "Papa?"

Damon shakes his head, anticipating the judgement. "I was his brother first, it's just habit."

"Doesn't seem respectful of your role in your life."

"You all seem to have a weird version of respect."

"Your brother is the one interrupting conversations and not saying please."

Damon growls again. "He forgot, once. Kids do that."

"Mine doesn't."

"Congratulations on having a Barbie doll and not a child."

Susan's mouth drops open. She resembles a fish as she tries to find the words. Damon pushes himself up and vamps to the refreshment table. He pours himself another cup of blood. Caroline appears beside him.

"Did I do something to piss you off?" Damon asks. "Like did we have a run in during my darker days?"

Caroline sighs. "Sorry. They're always a little judgemental. I guess I'm just used to it. I thought they'd love you. Who doesn't adore a hot single dad?"

Damon arches a brow. "Not sure how your husband would feel about you calling me hot."

She rolls her eyes. "I thought it'd be good for both of you."

"Both of us?"

"Stefan doesn't have many Little friends. You don't have many friends period, much less ones who are caretakers."

"At this point, I'll take you and Klaus. I still don't trust him entirely." He knows Stefan is equally responsible for his Chicago days, but it's hard not to harbor a little resentment towards the older man that drug his baby brother down with him. "But at the very least, he never undermines my parenting."

Caroline nods. "You can duck out if you want."

Damon looks back at his brother. He's moved onto a group art project, smiling wide while he hugs his bunny with one arm.

"I guess we'll stay a bit longer. As long as I can steer far away from the women with the Kate Gosselin haircut."

She snorts. "I think that's doable."

Caroline looks around before reaching into her purse. She removes a tiny flask and discreetly pours shots of something that smells good into the red SOLO cups. Damon smirks.

"I thought it was too early."

"After an hour with these ladies, it's never too early."