"I'm worried about Eve." The words rushed out of Stefan's mouth quicker than he expected. With that, Damon looked over at him slowly. Mixed emotions swam through Damon's blue eyes as silence filled the air. The world was quiet as Elena stood a few feet away, swaying slightly as she waited for Isobel to meet her in the town's square. Of course they agreed to meet at night.
"Shouldn't we be focused on Elena right now?" Damon sassed back, folding his arms as the emotions that once swam in Damon's eyes quickly diminished into nothing. Stefan rolled his eyes.
"Sorry. I know you and Eve are in some kind of fight right now." Stefan snarked back, rolling his eyes. Despite himself, Stefan relished in seeing his brother flinch at his words. "Something just seems...off." Stefan shrugged, folding his own arms, mirroring his brother as he thought about Eve.
Stefan felt guilt slowly curl in his stomach. He had been too busy, focusing on Elena that he hadn't really...talked or hung out with Eve since she came back to Mystic Falls. But even with the short time that Eve had lived in the boarding house with them, Stefan could tell something was off. She had gotten back that morning and even with the lack of sleep Stefan had been getting, he could tell something was wrong with her. She looked tired. That wasn't like her...especially on a trip to a big city. Eve loved big cities...But he hadn't been himself recently either, so worrying about a woman he had hardly spent time with made him ask Damon about her recent behavior. He had been on human blood and nearly killed a girl. He needed some more evidence. Guilt began to swarm in his mind as he remembered the things he had said to Eve just over a week ago. Talking about her family, making jokes about her family's death…Stefan wanted to believe he was imagining things with Eve. His hunch was just the aftermath of his human blood drinking days, but he knew in his gut that wasn't it. It was Alistair.
Stefan's mind wandered back to the memory of him and her in the alley behind the bar. Guilt tried to curl into his mind, but he quickly ignored it as he looked over at Damon, who remained silent and stone faced. Why hadn't she wanted him to know? Why had she told Stefan so readily that Alistair, a century old vampire that had killed her entire family, was back in her life, but not Damon? Stefan really needed to just talk with Eve. 46 years was a long time to not really talk to the woman he had inadvertently turned into a vampire.
"I think she turned off her humanity." Damon muttered softly, breaking the silence. Stefan's head quickly turned to look at Damon as he snapped out of his thoughts. Damon didn't even bother looking back at him.
"She what?!" Stefan snapped lowly back at him. Elena turned back around and looked back to where the brothers were. Before Stefan could even say anything or move to show Elena that they were still here, Isobel flittered behind Elena.
"Where is the device?" Isobel asked turning both brother's attention fully towards Isobel.
"We can talk about this later, little brother." Damon muttered quietly as Elena quickly turned around to look at Isobel. Stefan glanced over at Damon and nodded before his full attention turned back to Elena.
"Where is my brother?" Elena asked with a hint of fear as she stared back at Isobel.
"This isn't a negotiation." Isobel muttered. "Where is the invention?" Isobel asked again. Stefan saw Elena fold her arms.
"Where is my brother?" Elena asked more sternly. A small amount of pride began to fill his chest with just the smallest hints of worry.
"Do you really think that I came alone?" Isobel asked. A man and a woman flittered behind Elena. Stefan felt himself tense up at the action. Damon gently placed his hand onto Stefan's chest to keep him from moving, whether that was on purpose or subconsciously.
"Did you really think that I came alone?" Elena sassed back hesitantly. Damon's hand fell from Stefan's chest as he began walking towards Isobel and Elenna. Stefan followed a step behind. Isobel turned around slightly, giving the two a smile before turning back towards Elena.
"For god sakes, call home." Isobel muttered in the same toned voice.
"What?" Elena asked back.
"Call home and ask to speak to your brother Jeremy." Isobel continued. Elena glanced back at the two brothers before she quickly pulled out her phone and dialed.
"Jeremy, are you okay?" Elena asked quickly. If Stefan wanted, he could listen in on what Jeremy was saying, but he needed to focus on Isobel. "I'll be home soon, alright?" Elena continued as she turned back towards Isobel and shined her bright brown eyes at Stefan. That was a good sign. "You were never gonna hurt him." Elena tried to sound hopeful but it came off sounding more accusatory rather than calm.
"No, I was going to kill him." Isobel reassured. Stefan could see the sad look that crossed over Elena's features. "Don't look for any redeeming qualities in me. I don't have any." Isobel tried to sound apologetic, but it came off in the same mono tone she had been using the entire time.
"But you took a risk with Damon." Elena tried again to sound hopeful. "How did you know that he was gonna give it to me?" Elena asked back. Without even missing a beat, Isobel replied.
"Because he's in love with you." Isobel stated. Stefan froze for a moment, feeling Damon's eyes glance over at him. Stefan looked down for a moment to try and let his emotions come in like a gentle wave compared to the storm he felt rising.
"Thank you." Elena's voice pulled Stefan out of his mind for a moment. Elena was a step away from Isobel and had handed her the device.
"For what?" Isobel asked back.
"For being such a monumental disappointment." Elena growled back at her. "It keeps the memory of my real mother perfectly intact." Elena hissed. Once more, pride and worry filled Stefan's chest.
"Goodbye, Elena." Isobel stated. "As long as you have a Salvatore on each arm, you're doomed." Isobel continued. "Katherine was smart. She got out. But we all know that you're not Katherine." Stefan picked up on the slight stab Isobel gave Elena in her tone before Isobel walked around Elena. The man and woman followed behind.
Stefan didn't waste a second before he walked towards Elena. Elena looked up at Stefan for only a moment before she curled herself into him. Stefan easily wrapped his arms around her. Despite Elena being upset, just having her in his arms filled him with warmth. Isobel's words still floated around in his head. Even more so when he looked over at Damon and he refused to make eye contact. Maybe that's what caused Eve to flip her switch. It made sense.
Damon and Eve had been playing cat and mouse for decades. Even with Stefan being in and out of the picture, he could see how much the two cared about one another throughout the decades. Hell, the two had lived with each other on an off for at least a few decades, he was sure of that. But he also knew that both of them were incredibly stupid when it came to love. Damon was hung up on Katherine and Eve was (more understandably) hung up on Aidan. The two had been pining after each other for as long as he could remember. Even when the two first met, he could feel their connection, but at the time, he would have never admitted to it. After decades though, Stefan knew that he and Eve weren't going to end up with each other. It had been a fleeting crush on both parts if anything, and whenever the two met, they never really got along that well, except in 1959. But even just remembering that he and Eve had gotten along just a few months prior to her whole family's death made his heart hurt. Especially at what he had said to her when he was detoxing.
Boston; 1959
Stefan had been wandering around Boston for nearly a week. He was getting better at drinking blood from people. It had been just over 14 years since the war ended. Despite going to war because Lexi told him it would help him with his urges, he had gone full Ripper when overseas. Stefan had convinced Lexi once he came back to the states that he was fine and nothing eventful happened when he was deployed. Now, here he was, wandering around Boston in December without Lexi for a good month or so. Stefan was quite proud to have only drank his last victim completely of blood, but not have their head fall off from his force. It wasn't the best progress, but it was progress. It had now been over 24 hours since he had last drank any blood and he was on the hunt.
Stefan stood still just in front of an alley. His eyes slowly watching people pass by. The snow was starting to fall more rapidly. The streets would be covered before nightfall. That also meant that there would be less people by night... Stefan popped the collar of his long black coat. His eyes lazily glazed over people before he noticed a couple just across the street. A man with black, slicked back hair stood next to a short woman with curly red hair underneath a set of earmuffs. That wouldn't be Damon. That wouldn't be his brother. Without realizing it, Stefan was walking across the street towards the two. It had been over 15 years since Stefan had seen Damon. It had been over five years since he had even heard anything about his brother. Perhaps it was morbid curiosity. Stefan stood behind the two as they looked into a shop window that had Christmas lights blinking at them.
Stefan tapped on the man's shoulder and held his breath. The man turned around, slightly confused. Blue eyes looked into his green ones. Similar features, but all around different. Softer eyes, rougher jaw. Stefan let out a small breath.
"Sorry, you just looked-" Stefan got out, taking a step back before her voice turned his attention to her.
"Stefan?" It was only one word, but Stefan remembered who the voice belonged to. The Irish lilt was strong, even with how soft her voice sounded against the cooling December air.
"Evelyn?" Stefan felt himself cringe as the name spilled from his mouth. No, it was Eibhlín…Wait...how was she here? Before he could even ask any questions, arms wrap around him so tightly.
"It's just Eve now." Stefan blinked down to see Evelyn, er Eve, was hugging him and chirping happily up to him.. Stefan felt the icy feeling of guilt slowly warm before he even knew why he was feeling guilty. "Ya look a lot better dan ya did, what has it been? Dirty seven years?" Eve asked aloud as she pulled away from him and smiled up. Stefan raised an eyebrow back at her. 37 years ago? He had been in Chicago at the time on one of his Ripper phases...It finally clicked in his head why he had felt so much guilt when he saw her. Even without remembering seeing Eve, he could only imagine how he had treated her...
"I wasn't in my right mind…" Stefan tried aloud, shoving his hands into his coat pocket. "I do apologize. I don't quite remember much of our time together." Stefan apologized gently making Eve look up at him with such soft eyes.
"Oh, dat's okay. It's been a few decades, Stef. I'm good and over it." Eve smiled back up at him reasuredly. "Plus, it looks like ya got rid of dem friends of yers, so I'm not complainin'." Eve chirped happily once more. Stefan once more felt confused. Friends? Eve quickly turned her attention towards the oddly familiar looking man. "Aidan! Dis is Stefan!" Eve exclaimed excitedly, as if the man hadn't been standing there the entire time. Aidan smiled down at Eve before he smiled back towards Stefan and extended his hand.
"Stefan, it's nice ta meet ya. Name's Aidan." The man named Aidan smiled kindly back. Aidan must have lived in Boston for a long time. He had a small accent. Not as harsh as he had heard from other locals, or Eve at that, but it was still there. Stefan shook his hand.
"What are ya doin' in Boston?" Eve asked, clinging onto Aidan's arm as soon as it was back to his side. Stefan shrugged. "Not ta see Damon, I hope." Eve muttered a little less joyful. Stefan watched as Aidan glanced down at her before he pulled her a little closer to him. Stefan raised an eyebrow at the comment.
"In other words, Damon's not 'round." Aidan explained. Stefan shook his head quickly.
"I'm not in town to see Damon." Stefan reassured, but it looked like Eve was just going to be in a bad mood by just the mention of his brother. A small ping of jealousy ran through Stefan's body. Damon must have turned Eve...maybe just to spite Stefan, but it seems that the two kept in contact far more than he had with the red headed woman.
"I'm trying something new, actually." Stefan muttered. The last time he had seen Eve, he had been drinking human blood. And 'I needed a new city where there weren't any conspiracy stories about a Ripper vampire running around' didn't seem like a good excuse as to what he was doing in Boston.
"So yer not visitin' anyone?" Eve asked with a raised eyebrow. Stefan shook his head. "Stefan Salvatore." Eve scolded, waving her finger at him. Stefan raised his own eyebrow. "It's Christmas tomorrow!" Eve continued to scold him. Stefan blinked. He knew it was December, but was it really the 24th? Stefan couldn't help the chuckle that left his mouth at how angry this woman was.
"I didn't realize that a hundred year old being still celebrated Christmas." Stefan sassed, feeling only a small bit of fear due to the man standing beside her. Would she be with someone who wasn't a vampire? Stefan had some idea of what decades of being a vampire could do to a person, but he hadn't known Eve for more than a day before he disappeared from Mystic Falls. Another ping of jealousy ran through his blood as he remembered that her and Damon had gotten along just fine for decades…
"I'm not even 100 yet, Stefan!" Eve sassed back, putting her hands on her hips. Perhaps a few decades really didn't change a person. Stefan felt a small smile slip across his lips.
"Ya don't look a day over 68, dear." Aidan chimed in, sending a playful wink over to Stefan. Stefan felt himself breathe out a chuckle. Eve rolled her eyes and gently patted Aidan's arm. Thank goodness Stefan hadn't just outed Eve in front of her boyfriend.
"Now, I'm not about ta let an old man like yerself be alone on Christmas." Eve stated, looking up at Aidan for only a moment before staring back at Stefan. Oh, he wasn't about to say no to this woman.
"I suppose." Stefan said with a playful roll of his eyes. "If that's okay with others." Stefan said, glancing over at Aidan. Aidan raised an eyebrow back at him before he chuckled.
"Don't look at me, bub." Aidan chuckled with his hands up defensively. "I'm not about ta say no ta her." Aidan wrapped his arm around Eve. Eve looked back up at him with a smile.
"And why is dat?" Eve asked back up at Aidan with so much sass, Stefan couldn't help the sudden laugh.
"Because ya wear da pants." Aidan said in a fake reluctant voice. Eve simply nodded with a smile before looking back at Stefan. Stefan shook his head with a chuckle. Decades had nothing on this woman. She was stuck with her personality forever. Maybe Stefan would stick around Boston for a little while longer.
Stefan hesitated in front of Eve's door. What was he supposed to say? I'm sorry my brother is a dumbass? I'm sorry I've been a dumbass? Stefan let out a small sigh as he finally just knocked on her door. A few seconds passed before Eve opened the door. Her hair was up in a towel but she had a small black dress on and her makeup was done.
"Headed out?" Stefan asked nearly hitting himself in the head as Eve raised an eyebrow.
"Nah, just havin' a sit in tonight." Eve sassed back, folding her arms. "What can I do ya fer, Stefan?" Stefan forced himself not to flinch at her saying his full name. She usually only said his full name when she had something serious to say...or her humanity was off.
"Just wanted to...talk." Stefan shrugged as he hesitated how to end that sentence. Eve stared back at him before she moved to the side to let him into her room.
"Finally here ta clean me sheets?" Eve asked gently as Stefan walked into her room. The tone filled Stefan up with hope. Maybe she hadn't shut off her emotions completely. Maybe she had just shut them off like a human would… "Ya know, ya invited me all the way ta Mystic Falls, and ya don't even have the decency ta clean me sheets." Eve sassed, shutting the door behind him. Stefan chuckled as he looked around the room. It had been decades since he came into this room...But it just screamed Eve at this point. Everything Eve touched seemed to transform into something that was hers.
"I've been a little preoccupied." Stefan said, turned back around to look at her. His eyes met Eve's for only a moment. So many emotions ran past them, before her lips tightened.
"I've noticed." Eve stated with almost a hint of irritation as she turned and walked over to her mirror. Stefan watched her for a moment as she began to put blush on and made a face. Stefan couldn't help but smile at the puckered lips she was making. Elena made the same face when she put on blush. Eve let out a sigh and turned herself around. Stefan could tell she had bitten her tongue for a moment before opening her mouth. "I'm not ready ta tell Damon." Eve nearly growled at Stefan as she folded her arms. Stefan felt his eyebrows furrow together.
"I'm not here to try and convince you." Stefan reassured. Eve stared back at him as clear irritation began to take over her features. "I just…" Stefan trailed off for a moment before he let out a small sigh. "I'm just worried about you." Stefan muttered aloud. Eve let out a scoff. Stefan watched as she turned around and put the brush she had been holding back onto the vanity.
"I'm a big girl, Stefan. I can take care of meself." Eve grumbled as she bent over and let the towel on her head fall to the floor. Eve quickly whipped her head back up, her hair flying over her shoulder and water droplets flying with it. "I don't need anyone watchin' out fer me." Eve said despite the sudden anger that radiated off of her. "Would hate ta take de attention away from a bloody doppelganger." Eve snapped, looking back over at Stefan. Stefan felt his heart flutter for a moment as he looked at this woman. Her hair dripping water onto the floor as too many emotions bombarded her at once.
"Eve, I-" Stefan started before Eve shook her head and held up her hand.
"No, Stefan." Eve stopped him. "Whatever yer about ta say, I just don't give a fock." Eve growled back at him. Breath caught in his throat at the word he knew she hated to say. "It's yer life, Stefan. It's Damon's life." Eve continued, her hands flying up angrily. "I'm just so tired of comin' ta save Damon from Katherine." Eve continued as her volume began to rise. "It's always goin' ta be Katherine, Stefan." Eve spat out as her eyes began to tear up. Stefan took a small step towards her as she continued her rant. "Ya both ruined yer fockin' lives fer de fockin' woman! And yer doin' it again! De only difference is de name!" Eve nearly screamed. Stefan let out a scoff, despite himself.
"Eve, Elena is not Katherine." Stefan defended. Eve let out a short, bitter laugh.
"And yet ya both are in love with her!" Eve snapped making Stefan flinch as he remembered Isobel's words to Elena regarding Damon. "It's history repeatin' itself, Stefan." Eve continued as her voice became more shrill. "I just don't want ta see ya both hurt because of de same lookin' woman." Eve snapped, her voice lowering as her lip began to tremble.
"Like I said before, Eve. Elena is not Katherine." Stefan stated back, watching as Eve rolled her eyes with a scoff. "She's not, Eve." Stefan tried once more. "She's different. Katherine compelled me to love her." Stefan explained but Eve rolled her eyes.
"So de best way ta get back at her was ta watch over her doppelganger and start dating said doppelganger?" Eve asked back making Stefan flinch. It had started out as morbid fascination that turned into far more than Stefan had expected.
"Eve, I didn't start dating Elena to get revenge on Katherine." Stefan stated. Eve rolled her eyes. "I didn't even know she was alive!" Stefan said exasperated as Eve continued to glare at him. "If you're going to be mad at anyone, I don't think I should get the heat for falling in love with Elena." Stefan snapped back suddenly, instantly regretting his words as he watched Eve's glare drop as sadness overtook her features. Eve looked at Stefan for only a moment longer before he gaze fell to the ground and she bit the inside of her cheek. "Eve, I-" Stefan tried before Eve quickly looked back up at him.
"Stefan, I just want ya ta be happy." Eve muttered quickly, leaning up against her vanity.
"And I am, Evelyn." Stefan reassured, talking another hesitant step towards her. "Elena makes me happy. It was hard at first not to compare her to Katherine, but Elena is her own person. Katherine never made me happy without compelling me first. Elena makes me happy." Stefan explained, making Eve look at him from under her eyelashes. Her puppy dog eyes made his heart flutter once more. "Are you happy?" Stefan asked aloud.. Surprise quickly swept over Eve's face. Silence filled the room before Eve let out a soft chuckle.
"Ya know de last time ya asked me dat same question, me family was still alive." Eve said with a sad smile. Stefan took another step towards her and reached out his hand.
Boston; 1959 - Christmas Eve
Stefan stood, leaning down against the brick railing on the roof's terrace, looking at the city of Boston. His chin rested on his folded arms as he took in the city. The lights of the city were still shining brightly, even with it being nearly midnight. On Christmas Eve at that. The snow was gently falling, layering the streets below him. Someone was playing music out their window nearby. If Stefan remembered the song correctly, the song was called 'Happiness is a thing called Joe'. Stefan felt his eyes close at the soft vocals. Stefan took in a deep breath of the crisp air.
"Stefan?" Stefan blinked open his eyes and turned around only slightly to see Eve's head popped out around the door of the roof. Eve's eyes caught his as Stefan merely waved. Eve pulled her coat tighter around her as she walked over to Stefan. "What are ya doin' up?" Eve asked as she walked towards him. Stefan shrugged, turning his attention back towards the skyline. Eve stood beside him now, looking out at the lights. Stefan glanced down at her she stepped up onto a pipe and leaned against the brick ledge. Stefan raised an eyebrow with a smile as he watched her situate herself and look out at the lights of the city. "I quite like de city." Eve stated aloud, not bothering to look at Stefan as she spoke. A smile softened her face as she looked lovingly at the buildings in front of her. "It's never quiet here." Stefan felt himself chuckle.
"Silence is deafening, right?" Stefan asked, remembering his earliest conversation with the woman. Eve's eyes lit up for a moment as she looked up at him. Stefan felt his heart flutter at the sparkle in her eyes that the cities lights gave her light green eyes.
"Ya dink dis is deafenin'?" Eve asked back, quoting herself. The two looked at one another for a moment before soft chuckles filled the air. Eve leaned against Stefan, filling the man with warmth.
"Are you happy?" Stefan asked aloud, feeling his heart begin to beat a little too rapidly for his liking. Eve looked up at him with a cocked head. Stefan remained silent as he looked down at her. Eve's eyes softened up at him before she smiled.
"Sorry Stef. You're about forty seven years too late." Eve patted his arm gently before turning and hopping off of the pipe she had been standing on. "Or dirty seven, if ya hadn't been such a dick." Eve sassed as she began to walk towards the door to get back into the building. Stefan chuckled.
"Are you?" Stefan asked once more, turning his back towards the lights of the city. Eve stopped and looked back at him. A soft smile slowly crawled up to her lips. The song in the background seemed to mock his situation.
"Does he love me good? That's all I need to know." That's all Stefan needed to know. Eve looked up at the sky for a moment before looking back down at Stefan.
"Aye." It was a simple answer to a simple question. "You'll be de first ta know if I'm not." Eve smiled gently, extending her hand for him to take. Stefan looked at it a moment before taking it. "Merry Christmas, Stefan." Eve said softly as Eve began to pull him back towards the inside of the building. Stefan raised an eyebrow before Eve nodded to her right. A large clock tower began to chime as the little hand hit midnight.
Mystic Falls; 2010
"Are you?" Stefan asked again as he watched Eve look at his extended hand. Her green eyes slowly looked up towards Stefan as she took his hand. A single tear slipped down her cheek as Stefan pulled her into a hug.
"I'd be better if I wasn't ruinin' me makeup." Eve muttered against his chest as she hugged him tightly. Stefan chuckles as he ignored her damp, curly hair and pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head.
"Well, stop being a baby." Stefan suggested aloud. Warmth filled his chest as he felt her rumble a laugh against his chest. Eve slowly pulled away from Stefan and smiled up at him. Despite the smudged mascara, red puffy eyes, and wet hair, she was smiling at him with such soft eyes.
"Yer far too nice ta me, Stefan Salvatore." Eve muttered as she took a step back before turning back to her vanity. Stefan let out a sigh he didn't realize he was holding.
"Someone has to be." Stefan chuckled back, taking another step towards her. "I know…" Stefan began, cutting himself off as he thought of how to continue his thoughts. "I know my brother can be...a lot." Stefan continued as Eve began to fix her makeup with a small chuckle. "And I don't approve of how you both live and the chaotic energy you both exude...but I'd rather have that chaotic energy compared to whatever energy you've both been giving off recently." Stefan continued making Eve pause and look at the mirror to Stefan. "Maybe you should talk to him." Stefan tried making Eve roll her eyes.
"See, I knew ya were only here ta tell me ta talk ta him." Eve sassed playfully. Stefan gave a gentle chuckle back.
"I'm not telling you to tell him you're in love with him." Stefan sassed back, cringing as he saw Eve flinch at the statement. "I'm just saying...maybe tell him what you told me." Stefan continued, trying to get off the subject. Eve let out a small sigh as she looked down for a moment. Silence filled the room once more. That was a clear enough answer for Stefan. Stefan gently touched her shoulder. Eve leaned against his hand before patting his hand with her own hand.
"I have ta get ready, Stef." There it was. Stef. That was good enough for Stefan. Stefan rubbed her shoulder before turning and starting to leave. "Goodnight, Stefan...and...dank ya." Eve stated softly as Stefan grabbed the handle of her door. Stefan felt himself smile as he left her room. Now he had to talk with Damon. He knew exactly where he could find his big brother.
Stefan made his way to the library. As he walked in, he heard the pouring of alcohol into a glass. He wanted the energy of the room to change like it had with Eve. When he first came to talk to her, the energy was the same; tense.
"Would you like one?" Damon chirped aloud as Stefan walked further into the library. "Say it, whatever it is, purge, get it out." Damon sassed, turning around as Stefan leaned against the railing in the library. "I mean, you've already gone to Evie." Stefan could hear the sudden snark in his brother's tone as he mentioned Eve and turned around to look at him.
"It's about what Isobel said." Stefan began. Damon began to smirk.
"What about it?" Damon asked, playing dumb. Stefan blinked as to keep his irritation in check as he talked with his brother.
"Well, I know that you and Elena have bounded and I know that she cares about you and...I know you care about her." Stefan continued, feeling his heart flutter angrily in his chest at the notion of it all.
"Well, this is going in an interesting direction." Damon sassed aloud as he took a drink of what Stefan knew was bourbon. Stefan blinked once again to try and keep in his growing anger at his brother.
"I'm just concerned about Elena being hurt." Stefan sighed aloud, stepping back from the railing and pacing away from his spot. "She considers you a friend." The words came out a lot nicer than Stefan had imagined they would.
"Same here, Elena is a very good friend." Damon began with the sass lingering in his tone as Stefan leaned against a pole. "Actually, she might qualify as my only...friend. Is that a problem?" Stefan felt his heart flutter again. But this time the anger wasn't because he was jealous of his brother's interest in his girlfriend, but the sudden lack of interest in Eve.
"Have you been so blinded by her familiarity to Katherine that you really forgot about Evelyn?" Stefan stated cooly, despite the anger he felt boiling at his brother's nonchalant comment. Damon looked down for a moment. Stefan let out a short scoff. "History will not be repeating itself where Elena is concerned. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Stefan stated. It wasn't a question. Damon muttered back as sarcastic as he always did and turned around. Stefan flittered in front of him. "Do you understand?" Stefan growled lowly. Damon rolled his eyes before slightly raising his shoulders in defense.
"Whatever. I-"
"Eve doesn't deserve this." Stefan stated aloud, cutting Damon off of whatever sarcastic comment he was going to make. Damon's joking attitude seemed to vanish within a second of the mentioning of Eve.
"I'm sure she didn't deserve having you joke about her family's death either." Damon chuckled back bitterly with a smile, despite the anger that was in his eyes.
"And yet she confided in me at the bar, and not you." Stefan felt pride swell in his chest as Damon's sarcastic smile slowly fall as he finally showed how he was really feeling. Angry.
"You're right." Damon snapped back. "You're right, little brother." Damon repeated as he took a few steps back. "She did confide in you." Damon stated aloud, glancing back at Stefan as he felt his eyebrows furrow in confusion. Damon chuckled. "You know, if she wants you as her friend, why don't we just do a friendly little switch off then." Damon smirked darkly back at Stefan. "Why don't I take a go at Elena and you spend some friendly time with Evelyn." Damon sassed back with venom lacing his words as he turned his back to Stefan. Stefan felt his confusion slowly turn into anger at his brother's suggestion. "I mean, it shouldn't be too hard since we're both in love with them, huh?" Damon sassed around his shoulder with a smirk, despite the anger still lingering in his eyes. Stefan let out a scoff as he folded his arms.
"What are you-" Stefan got out before Damon cut him off this time.
"Don't play dumb, brother." Damon hissed back, whipping himself around, nearly splashing his drink. "I've noticed the sudden interest this past week. Asking about her, wanting to call, worrying about her." Damon continued making Stefan fold his arms.
"Like you said, she didn't deserve having me remind her of her family getting murdered. I thought I should apologize for that." Stefan grumbled back.
"May I remind you who had a huge crush on her to begin with? Who first met her?" Damon snapped back again. Stefan couldn't help the sudden laugh that left his mouth.
"Damon, that was nearly a hundred years ago." Stefan muttered back. "Damon, I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm dating Elena." Stefan stated sternly. "Listen, Damon, I don't want to do this again." Stefan said as he rubbed his face. "I'm not about to steal something that's not mine." Stefan muttered, as he began walking to leave the library. He was done with this conversation. Damon flittered in front of him, his glass not in his hand any more.
"Eve isn't mine." Damon nearly growled out the words.
"Oh?" Stefan asked sarcastically. "And, um...why is that?" Stefan asked as he folded his arms. Damon stood still. "Is it the fact that you haven't told her?" Stefan questioned. "The fact that you're too hung up on Katherine? Now you're too hung up on Elena?" Stefan continued seeing the rage budding in Damon's eyes. "Listen, if you're really up to it, I will happily be friendly with Eve." Stefan snarked. He was bluffing, but he wanted to see something besides sarcasm on his brother's smug face...and he was getting it. "I will warn you, that even though you may be in love with Elena...She's not Katherine." Stefan stated. The anger continued to swim in his brother's eyes. "The only thing they have in common is that neither of them love you." Damon suddenly grabbed Stefan by the neck and flittered him against a bookshelf. Stefan grabbed onto his brother's wrist and kept Damon's full weight from crushing his windpipe. Stefan let out a choked laugh. "You know, for a vampire that supposedly hates everyone, you sure do let women become your pressure points easily." Stefan choked out.
"Damon!" There it was. A pressure point. Damon glared at Stefan for a second longer before letting go of this throat and taking a step back. "What de hell is goin' on?" Eve snapped as she stood in the doorway of the library. Her hair was dry now and looking bouncier than ever. Her makeup was back on without any smudges. Damon didn't reply as Stefan held his hand to his throat. Eve and Damon looked at each other for a long time without Damon saying a word and Eve not saying anything back. Eve looked back over at Stefan before taking a step towards him as he kneeled down to try and get oxygen to his brain. If Stefan listened carefully, he was sure that he could hear his brother's heart break as Eve leaned down next to Stefan. "Are ya okay?" Eve asked gently to Stefan. Stefan only nodded as Damon stormed out of the library. Eve watched him leave. Eve looked after him before she looked back over at Stefan. Stefan only nodded and she was quickly out of the library, chasing after Damon.
"Damon!" Eve snapped as she began after Damon. Damon was taller than him. His legs were longer. Eve let out a small, irritated puff of air as she flittered to where she heard Damon walking to. "Damon." Eve stated as Damon ripped open the front door. Damon stood still for a moment before turning back around to Eve. Eve slowly walked up to him.
"What?" Damon growled back as the night's cool air came swiftly into the house.
"What...what happened?" Eve asked, shivering. She wasn't sure if it was from the wind or from the cold glare Damon was giving her.
"As if you weren't listening in." Damon growled as he turned and started walking out of the house. Eve sighed as she quickly caught up to him and grabbed his arm.
"I was dryin' me hair." Eve snapped back as Damon stopped in his tracks. "I only heard ya slammin' Stefan inta dat bookshelf." Eve stated. Truthfully, she hadn't been listening. She had been too far in her own mind to even think about listening to two brothers squabble. "So no, I wasn't listenin'." Eve growled back. Damon rolled his eyes pissing Eve off more. "What is yer problem tonight?" Eve hissed letting go of his arm. Damon let out a surprised scoff.
"My problem?" Damon snapped back quickly making Eve flinch. "My problem right now is you." Damon snapped, turning and walking towards the garage.
"What did I do?" Eve asked as she flittered in front of him. Her bare feet did not like the gravel road but she didn't like Damon's attitude more. Damon once more rolled his eyes.
"Listen, I don't know what the hell happened in New York, but since you've been back, you've been acting like you've switched off your humanity." Damon explained. Eve remained silent for a minute. She had wanted to. She really had. But then she remembered what she was like without her humanity. And part of her thought it would be better that way. Especially with the threat of Alistair. But she knew it wouldn't help her in the end. She needed to feel. But she did, theoretically, turn her emotions off for a while, but in a more human way. By shoving them down. And now they felt like they were swimming back up. "And then you tell Stefan something that you don't want me to know? Your best friend?" Damon hissed back, taking a quick step towards Eve. Eve didn't flinch this time.
"It...it doesn't concern ya." Eve muttered lowly. Damon let out a harsh laugh.
"Oh, but it concerned Stefan?" Damon hissed back. Eve wrapped her arms around herself to keep herself warm. Before she could even answer him, Damon chimed in again. "Did he sire you to not tell me?" Damon asked quickly making Eve open her mouth to reply, but once again, Damon jumped in. "Or is it something deeper than that? 'Cause Stefan's been pretty interested in you lately. Are you back on that Stefan crush of yours? Confessing your love to each other after Isobel hurt you?" Damon snapped back. Eve's eyebrows furrowed in both confusion and anger at Damon's assumption.
"Damon-"
"Listen, Eve, I get it. It's the hero hair." Damon continued his rant exasperated. "It's always going to be Stefan. With Katherine. With Elena. With you." Damon growled, storming past Eve to continue towards the garage.
"Elena?" Eve's heart fluttered in her chest. She knew it. Damon froze in his tracks. Eve felt her heart palpitate. She had said her name out loud. Damon slowly turned around.
"Oh, since you weren't there tonight." Damon stared back at her. "I'm in love with Elena." Damon stated. The sentence made Eve nearly throw up. "History is repeating itself." Damon muttered aloud. "Welcome to a love triangle Evie." Damon snarled as he turned his back once more. Eve quickly flittered in front of Damon once more.
"I'm not in love with Stefan." Eve stated breathlessly as she held her hands up and physically stopped Damon from moving. Eve looked up at him. His blue eyes met her green ones and her heart felt as if it was breaking. "I'm not going to fight Elena for a Salvatore." Eve said aloud, biting the inside of her cheek as she felt her voice wanting to quiver. "I'm not about ta fight over a Salvatore dat doesn't love me back. I'm not about ta fight fer anyone dat doesn't love me back." Eve stated more confidently despite her beating heart. Damon stared at her, his eyes sparking in the dim lights that were by the garage. Eve bit the inside of her cheek. "Damon." Eve stated aloud, but it was quiet. "I am not Katherine." Eve stated sternly. "I am not Elena." Eve continued. "And I'm never goin' ta be them." Eve continued.
"I don't want you to be, Evie." Damon said softly, taking a step closer. Eve shook her head.
"History is repeatin' itself, Damon." Eve said. Damon froze. "And I am not goin' ta be part of a war ta see who loves a Salvatore more." Eve stated, staring back up at Damon as his head dropped slightly. "Damon, ya know I love ya." Eve stated making Damon's head snap back up to her. "I know Elena and Katherine are doppelgangers. And Elena isn't Katherine." Eve began to explain. "But ya can't do dis." Eve continued. Damon's brows furrowed in confusion. "Stefan is datin' Elena. Ya can't just try and break dem up so ya can get a chance with her." Eve sighed aloud.
"Why not?" Eve bit her tongue at Damon's question. There was a hint of sarcasm, but she knew it was a genuine question.
"Ya deserve better." Eve said, taking a step towards Damon.
"And who's better than a look-a-like of my first love?" Damon asked making Eve's stomach churn. Eve closed her eyes for a moment. Eve took another step towards Damon and reached up and touched his cheek. Despite him being in the same weather she was, his face was warm against her freezing hand.
"How about someone dat loves ya back." Eve suggested, staring up at him. Damon's hand went and held Eve's against his face.
"And who would love me back?" Damon asked back down to her. His eyes boring into hers. Her heart fluttered angrily against her chest. It's always going to be Katherine. It's always going to be Elena.
"One day, when ya fall in love with someone, let me know." Eve stated. "I'll be happy ta judge. I'll let ya know if dey really love ya back." I do. Always.
"One day." Damon repeated. A sudden sadness filled the air. Eve gave a small smile back before pulling her hand away from his face. Eve walked back towards the house. Flittered. To her room. Too fast to see Damon turn and open his mouth only to quickly shut it when she wasn't present.
A/N:
Did someone order Stefan x Eve FLUFF? Cause here ya go! And did someone order Damon x Eve angst? HERE YOU GO!
BTW the song is sung by Peggy Lee. I know there are a lot of covers out there, but this one is the softest one I found and I adored listening to it while writing up some Christmas fluff. Also, meet Aidan! Not a lot, but there he is (a young Rory Calhoun is my one and only reference for Aidan).
As always, thanks for sticking around and I love you all!
-Nebula