Roses_of_magic prompted "Maybe Damon gets a girlfriend? Like some random OC, it could possibly be just someone he's dating and not with labels or anything, and this girlfriend threatens and belittles Stefan behind Damon's back. But because Stefan already feels like he's ruining his brother's life, he takes the abuse and doesn't say anything until maybe Damon finds out by one of Stefan's friends or Damon sees her doing it to him?"

Stefan notices a new scent as soon as he gets to the stop of the staircase. Rose and sage perfume that just barely covers up faint cigarettes. There's some B- blood mixed in as well. He vamps down and follows the scent to the living room. Stefan puts his guard up as soon as he sees a strange woman admiring a Pollock piece on the wall.

She's no older than mid-20s. Stefan isn't the best at pinpointing when vampires were turned, but he'd wager a little before he and his brother were. Long dark curls cascade down her back. Bright green eyes make her pale skin pop. There's a tiny beauty mark right above her lips that are painted in red. Her entire face is covered in similar makeup. She wears a skin tight black dress and matching knee high boots. Swung over her left arm is a leather jacket.

She's definitely here for Damon.

Stefan fidgets a little. He's not exactly used to strangers in their home. It's his safe haven. He's not a very social person in general, outside his small group of friends. Damon occasionally has people from the council over, but never any of his "friends". Stefan is aware they exist, he'll occasionally hear a few stories or even run into them in town. No one has ever come to the house before.

Stefan doesn't like strangers. He doesn't want them around. It's not safe. Every stranger he's encountered lately has put him into trouble in some form or another.

A familiar hand on his shoulder stills him. Stefan looks up at his older brother. Damon's kind blue eyes ground him back to reality. Stefan manages a small smile.

"Sorry, buddy," Damon says. "I thought you would've left by now."

"Matt's on his way, he got caught up at work."

Damon nods. "We won't leave until he gets here."

Stefan wants to argue that's not necessary, but he knows his brother isn't going to budge. Ever since the day Tanner tortured him, Stefan has never been left in the house alone.

Damon leads him over to where his date stands. She turns around and smiles upon seeing Damon. It slightly falters upon noticing Stefan.

"Alana, this is my brother, Stefan."

Stefan gives a small wave. Alana nods. "You've mentioned him."

"We just have to wait for his friend to come grab him and then we can go."

Stefan's cheek tint pink. "Really, it's okay. Matt will be here soon…"

Damon interrupts him with a Look. Stefan rolls his eyes. He shrugs at Alana in a "what can you do?" gesture. She doesn't smile. Stefan tilts his head.

If Damon notices, he doesn't make it obvious. "I'll go get us bourbon to pregame with."

Alana's beam returns. "Sounds good to me."

Damon slips out of the room. Stefan hears him retreat to his study. The younger turns back to Alana. Her smile has vanished again.

"So, um, where are you two headed?" Stefan asks.

"The Grill," she replies as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Only so many places you can go."

"Right." Stefan sticks his hands in his pockets. "One of the drawbacks of a small town. Not much to do."

Alana hums. She tilts her head. There's no noise coming from the study. Damon soundproofed it for privacy.

"We've had to put off this little outing twice," Alana says, taking a step forward.

"Oh?" Stefan can't remember Damon canceling any dates.

"First time, you got poisoned with deer blood. Then I was out of town for a bit. I came back and you dropped."

A pang of guilt hits Stefan's stomach. Damon would never tell him about that. He does all he can to ensure Stefan doesn't feel bad. The little brother isn't stupid. He knows Damon has to miss out on things when he drops. There are things Little Stefan can attend, such as council meetings. But, others just aren't realistic. Considering Damon trusts very few in general, but especially with his little boy, he's bound to miss out on things. Even if Stefan argued otherwise.

"Sorry," is all he can offer.

"I'm sure." Alana bristles. "Just make sure tonight you don't need your precious big brother." She rolls her eyes. "We need one night when he's not obsessing over you."

Stefan blinks. "Look, that's not my fault. I've told Damon a million times not to put his life on hold for me. He doesn't listen."

"Of course not. That's not who he is. Anymore that is." Alana narrows his eyes. "I've known him as far back as the early 1900s. He used to be up for anything, any time. But now he's trapped taking care of his pathetic brother."

Stefan's frown increases. Alana scoffs.

"What, is the pathetic little baby gonna cry?"

"No," Stefan mumbles.

Even though the tears burn his eyes and his stomach hurts more.

In the distance, he hears Matt's truck pull into the driveway. Stefan vamps away from Alana, trying to regain his bearings. He wipes at his eyes and checks himself in the mirror to make sure there's no sign of crying. Stefan slides his shoes on and fiddles with his hair.

"You heading out without a goodbye?"

Damon's voice causes him to turn around. The older brother stands there, eyebrow arched. A bottle of his favorite bourbon in hand. Stefan begins stuttering.

"S…s…sorry."

Damon gives him a soft smile. "It's alright, Stef. I was just messing with you. Everything okay?"

"It's fine. You just scared me is all."

"My bad." Damon kisses his forehead. "Have fun. I'll be back before your curfew, so you won't be alone."

Stefan stuffs his hands in his pockets. He forces himself to breathe evenly. "You don't have to. I'd be fine on my own."

Damon laughs and ruffles his hair. Normally, Stefan would roll his eyes at his brother not taking him seriously. Right now, it's taking everything he can not to break down. For once, he's not trying to keep Damon away so he isn't treated like a 4 year old. Tonight, he's easing his guilt.

"I'll be home before your curfew," Damon says. He kisses his forehead. "Be safe. Call me if you need me."

Stefan nods, even though he won't. "Sure."

He slips out the door before Damon can give him another kiss.

A few nights later, Stefan stands at the sink doing dishes. Damon puts the leftovers into Tupperware. The older brother's phone buzzes and he checks the text, smirking.

Stefan shakes his head. "Booty call?"

"Don't use that language," Damon chastises without looking up.

"Okay, so I can't say "sex" or "fu"…the "f" word," Stefan quickly covers off his brother's warning finger. "Now, "booty call" is off the table too? How am I supposed to describe that?"

Damon smirks. "Exactly, you don't. Keep that mouth pure."

Stefan rolls his eyes. "So, what is it then?"

"A reminder from the inn, confirming my reservation."

"So it is about…the tango," Stefan improvises.

It's Damon's turn to roll his eyes. "I'm just having a few drinks with Alana."

Stefan tilts his head. Damon met up with her a few more times after that first night. Luckily, the younger Salvatore hasn't had to see her.

"I thought she left town."

"She's back."

Stefan scrunches up his face. "You've seen her quite a few times."

Damon shrugs. His lazy smile returns. "What can I say? She's a lot of fun."

Stefan gags. "Okay, what happened to me being a baby who can't talk about such things?"

"You're the one talking about it."

"I don't even know why I am."

Stefan goes back to his dishes. As long as he doesn't have to see that woman, he'll be fine. Let Damon have his fun.

Stefan sighs as he huddles beneath the school's overhang, looking out at the pouring rain. Matt was supposed to give him a ride so they could hang out. Then he heard of a last minute shift at The Grill that he just couldn't pass out. By that point, everyone else was busy. Elena's out of town with her parents. Bonnie's hanging out with some other friends. Tyler got dragged by his dad to some business meeting so he can "learn about the trade". So much for a fun afternoon.

He pulls out his phone and scrolls through his contacts until he finds "Supreme Overlord" paired with a picture of his big brother. Damon has a cocky smirk, his eyebrows narrow. Stefan really shouldn't have let him create his own contact.

Stefan puts the phone to his ear. It rings only once before an annoyed, raspy feminine voice comes through.

"What do you want?"

Stefan's stomach sinks. Alana. "Where's my brother?"

"Sleeping." She giggles. "He looks so cute, so peaceful."

"Oh."

Alana's voice shifts back, as if Stefan's existence is solely to drive her insane. "I repeat, what did you want?"

Stefan holds back a growl at her attitude. If Damon knew she was talking to him like this, he'd rip her heart out. There's no way he'd ever let anyone hurt his baby brother….

Which is exactly why Stefan hasn't told him.

"My friends are all busy. I need a ride home."

"And that's my problem, how?"

Stefan grits his teeth. "I didn't call you. I called Damon. I need a ride."

"As I said, your brother is sleeping. Figure it out for once in your life."

The line goes dead. Stefan keeps the phone to his ear, dumbfounded. A part of him wants to call her back and scream.

The other part remembers why Damon is so tired. Stefan had a nightmare last night. He crawled into his big brother's bed and couldn't fall back asleep for 3 hours. Damon stayed up with him the whole time, rubbing his tummy and telling him stories. Both only got a few hours of sleep max. Stefan only made it through due to his mandatory nap in Mrs. Forbes-Mikaelson's office.

His brother needs his sleep. The rain won't affect him anyway. He'll just be a little wet.

Stefan's drenched by the time he gets back to the house. He takes off his clothes in the foyer as to not drip water everywhere and dashes upstairs to change into his favorite flannel pajama pants and one of Damon's sweatshirts. After drying off his hair, Stefan drops into his desk chair and starts on his homework.

Thunder growls in the distance. Stefan's fingers tremble, causing him to drop the pencil a few times. By the third, it crosses the geometry worksheet. He sighs and does his best to erase, leaving a mark behind. Mr. Lyod won't be pleased.

Exercises that normally would take 2 minutes are prolonged into 10 as lightning strikes and the claps of thunder grow closer and closer. Stefan whimpers.

BOOM!

Stefan jumps from his desk and runs to his bed. He hops under the covers and holds Bunny close to his chest. His pulse raced as he tries to keep his breathing even.

This big bad ripper is cowering under the blankets, clinging to his childhood stuffed animal and wearing his big brother's sweatshirt for comfort.

Stefan doesn't move. He inhales his bunny. It has the faintest scent of O- from Damon cuddling them both the night before. Stefan peeks out from under the covers. Where is Crow? Why would he abandon him like this?

Not 5 minutes later, the front door swings open and slams shut. Stefan digs his fingernails into bunny's fabric as he hears his brother call for him. Footsteps rush up the stairs.

"Stefan! Stefan Antonio!"

Stefan barely whispers, "Day."

His own door practically falls off the hinges. Damon's familiar scent fills the room. Wings flap nearby. The pain in Stefan's tummy subsides. Damon crawls under the blankets beside him. Stefan throws his arms around his big brother. Damon holds him close.

"What are you doing here alone?!"

Stefan buries his head in his shoulder. "Matt had to work. Everyone was busy."

"So, call me."

I did. Your booty call shut me out.

Stefan shrugs. His brother may punish the younger for this, but it's better than him losing her another thing.

"Thought I'd be okay."

"You walked home in the rain," Damon pulls his face out, cradling his cheeks as he examines him. "You could've gotten hurt."

"'m fine," Stefan fibs.

"You're not supposed to be alone."

Damon shakes his head, pulling his baby brother closer and smooshing his face back into his chest. Stefan holds on tight.

"I was so scared when Crow came to get me," Damon whispers. "I thought you were hurt."

"Sorry," Stefan mumbles into his brother's damp shirt.

The older brother sighs. "I'm too relived to be upset. I'm just glad you're okay."

Damon peppers his face with kisses. Stefan allows the fussing. He'll take it, so long as it dulls the guilt in him.

Stefan excitedly sets up his new dollhouse. Damon got it for him for being a very good boy during a super long council meeting. On top of all of his teachers giving him good reports on his progress reports. Damon is so proud of him. Making his big brother happy makes Stefan happy.

The house is big and looks similar to their own. One bedroom looks like Stefy's, the other DayDay's. There's even a smaller version of his favorite Cinderella doll and bunny (though Stefan puts both of the originals inside so they're not left out). All the furniture matches theirs.

Stefan meticulously makes sure each room is accurate. Damon crouches beside him, helping. He places the bathtub in the kitchen. Stefan rolls his eyes.

"DayDay, that's wrong," he complains.

"Oh, is it?" Damon tilts his head.

"Splashy bath doesn't go in the kitchen."

"Right, right." Damon places it on the roof. "There?"

"Nooooo!" Stefan pulls a serious face. As serious as a little boy can look, anyway. "You can't take splashy baths on the roof. You'll fall down and get owies."

Damon smirks. Stefan watches him wearily as he sets up the miniature version of Crow. His big brother moves the bath to the attic. Stefan growls. Damon chuckles.

"Am I being too silly?"

Stefan huffs. "Yes."

"Okay, okay." Damon puts the tub in the right room. Stefan's shoulders relax. "Better?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Damon laughs again, pulling Stefan close and rubbing his head with his knuckle. The little brother bursts into a fit of giggles.

"DayDay!"

"Hm?"

"Stop!"

"I don't think so." Damon continues to mess up his hair. Stefan screeches. "You're being a little too serious. You know what that calls for?"

"N…no!"

"Tickle monster!"

Damon pins him down and tickles his tummy. Stefan continues giggling, kicking his legs. Damon beams, poking out his tongue every so often. He bends down and blows raspberries into Stefan's stomach. The baby brother laughs harder.

"DayDay!"

Damon eventually stops. Stefan pants a little, the smile not leaving his face as he sits up.

"So silly, DayDay."

"Yup." The doorbell rings. "You keep decorating. I'll be right back."

Stefan nods and returns to his dollhouse. He goes to work on Damon's room, making sure it has the big TV. On Saturdays, his big brother lets him lay in bed and watch his Spider-Man cartoons, so long as he's quiet and lets DayDay sleep. Stefan drinks his sippy cup and snuggles into Damon's chest. Now, his dolls can do the same.

He freezes when the familiar, mean scent enters the room. Stefan pouts as he turns to find Alana standing there with Damon. He vamps to his brother and throws his arms around him, clinging tight.

"My DayDay," he mumbles.

Damon rubs his back. "She's not staying, buddy. Ms. Alana just left her earrings here. I'll get them. You stay and play with your new house." Stefan doesn't move. "You'll be okay, Stef."

Damon pries him off of him and leaves the room. Stefan matches Alana's glare, though only he pouts.

"Meanie lady," he declares.

Alana rolls her eyes. "You're even more annoying in this state."

Stefan blows a raspberry. Alana takes a step forward and smacks him across the face. Stefan gasps, holding his cheek. Tears well up in his eyes and his lips tremble. The meanie lady only hardens her glare.

"You're lucky that'll fade quick. If I could, I'd do some real damage," she whispers.

Stefan trembles back. He doesn't like the way she's looking at him. Tanner used to.

Father did too.

He ducks back down to his dollhouse and starts organizing. Alana scoffs.

"Dolls are for girls."

Stefan ignores her, rubbing at his cheek. Damon always tells him that princesses, dolls and all that are for everyone.

Alana huffs off him ignoring her. She doesn't see the tears in his eyes. He's quiet as he finishes up Damon's room in the dollhouse. The real DayDay enters the room a moment later.

"Here you go."

Alana's tone changes. "Thanks so much, Day."

Stefan tightens his grip on the kitchen chair. That's his nickname for his big brother!

"I'll see you later," Damon says.

He disappears to show her out and returns. Not soon enough.

As soon as his brother returns, Stefan crawls into his lap. Damon gives him a cuddle.

"Someone's a little possessive."

"Mine," Stefan mumbles. "My DayDay."

"Yes, yes, I am. You don't have to worry. I'm not going anywhere."

Alana wishes he would. Stefy takes up too much of Damon's time. His brother needs his own friends.

Stefan doesn't move from his lap as they continue to set up the dollhouse.

Stefan stands in the bathroom of The Grill, checking his teeth in the dirty mirror. Sure enough, there's a bit of burger stuck in his fangs. He grabs the pick from his pocket and starts working on it. The door swings open.

"Whoa," Stefan says, his mouth full. "Occupied."

"By a waste of space."

Stefan groans. It's been 2 weeks. Is he never going to get a reprieve from this woman? The brothers were having such a nice night too.

He finishes working out the food and turns around. "You're still here?"

"Amazing, isn't it?" She walks in, looking him up and down. "I see your little busboy friend is getting ready to clock out. Leave with him."

"I'm hanging out with Damon."

"And now it's my turn."

"Can't you wait until tomorrow? I'll be in school."

Alana takes a step forward. Stefan bites his lip at the darkness in her eyes.

"Remember what I told you when you were acting like a pathetic little baby? I can make it so much worse than a smack," she growls.

A deep, protective voice comes from behind her. "Oh, is that so?"

Alana whips around just in time for Damon to join them in the cramped bathroom. Venom pops out in his skin. Stefan vamps to his side and grabs his arm.

"Day…"

His big brother growls. Stefan jumps. "Get out of here."

"N…No."

"Stefan, go back to the table."

"No!"

Damon glares down at him. If he had the ability to, the younger brother would've pissed his pants. "Stefan Antonio Salvatore…"

Stefan remains brave. "No! You promised!" Damon furrows his brows. "No more Scary DayDay!" He's not close to dropping, but feels the vulnerability of the space. "You promised me!"

Damon stares at him for a moment before turning back to Alana. She tries to walk past him. Damon releases his grip on his brother and grabs her instead. Alana's confidence drips as he tightens his hold. Damon glares daggers at her.

"You catch me without my brother and I will end you. I will bury your body so deep, no one will ever find it." Damon bares his fangs. Alana shivers. "You ever step over the town line and it's game over. We clear?"

Alana rips away from him and vamps out of the room. Stefan heads in the opposite direction out the back exit. Damon is hot on his tail.

"You didn't pay!" Stefan yells.

"I did. So you better stop your ass right now."

"No!" Stefan keeps walking. "I'm not fighting with you in broad daylight."

"Fine."

Stefan feels himself lifted off the ground. He squirms as his brother cuddles him close.

"Let's go home then."

Stefan flops back onto his bed once he enters his room. In spite of slamming the door shut behind him, Damon follows. Stefan stares at his navy blue bedding.

"Did she hurt you?" Damon asks. Stefan's silent. "Stefan."

"You're just going to get upset."

Damon expels an exasperated sigh. "I'm already upset."

"You're always upset!" Stefan powers on before Damon can lecture him for his attitude. "You should just leave. All I do is frustrate you."

Stefan pouts as he hugs his bunny. Damon walks over and drops onto the bed. He firmly looks Stefan in the eye.

"We aren't going back to this. I will not have you thinking I'm going to leave."

"But you should. Then you could go on as many dates as you want and not have to cancel them." Stefan buries his chin into the bunny. "You could bring girls to your place."

Damon shakes his head. "If that's what I wanted, why would I still be here?"

"You feel guilty."

Damon frowns. "I do, you're right. But that's not why I'm here. It's my job to be your big brother and take care of you."

"Your life would be easier without me. Maybe Mama shouldn't have…"

Stefan stops himself. He wants to take the words back, but it's too late. Damon is gripping his chin, tears in his wild blue eyes.

"Don't you ever say that," he says as firm as it can with his voice breaking. "I can't stop your self-loathing, but I won't allow this."

Stefan's lip trembles. "Please don't be mad at me."

Damon gathers him in his arms and holds him close. Stefan buries his head in his shoulder.

"She said everything I think every day. That I'm just a burden to you," he mumbles.

"She's wrong. That voice inside your head is wrong."

Stefan doesn't have the energy to argue. Damon keeps a tight hold on him.

"I'm sorry," the older brother whispers. "I won't…I won't date ever again. I'll never bring anyone around you." He runs his fingers through Stefan's hair. "This is all my fault."

"Nuh uh." Stefan shakes his head. "Day, you couldn't have predicted this."

"I should've. Never again."

"I highly doubt you're never going to date again."

"Not for a long while and when I do, they will never, ever be around my baby." Damon kisses the side of his head. "Not ever."

Stefan doesn't say anything. When Damon gets like this, there's no talking him down. The best thing he can do, is stay clinging to his shirt.

"I'm so sorry," Damon repeats.

"It's not your fault. Just…don't let her near me again."

"Let me kill her and she won't."

Stefan shakes his head. "No killing. Don't leave me."

He looks up at Damon with his big puppy dog eyes. The older brother holds him closer, kissing his forehead.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight for a while. And I truly mean it this time."

Stefan smiles a little. "You gonna superglue me to your side?"

"I just might," Damon whispers, squeezing his cheek.