Family Above All

18. A Measure of Love

Pairing: Klaus/Damon (M/M) hand, ruler

Thanks to everyone for their input about this part of the story. There were varying viewpoints about what should happen, but I tried to accommodate the best I could.

Mikaelson Mansion

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Evening

Stefan wanted to cry when Lexi left. She hugged him and told him to call her if she needed him.

"I'm good, Lexi. You go back to your vacation. I want to meet this boyfriend soon," Stefan attested, holding back his emotions. He didn't want to make her fell worse about leaving than she already did.

"You will. We'll come back. I wouldn't leave you if I didn't think it would be okay," Lexi said, looking outside. "Well, night is a wasting. I better go. And you be good, I heard there is a magic hairbrush here..."

Stefan groaned, "No, I will be perfect. I'm turning a new leaf."

"Call me, okay?" Lexi said one last time.

"I will," Stefan vowed. "Come on, you better go. I want you home safely."

Lexi hugged Stefan tighter and then turned and walked back to her car. He didn't bother to pressure her about trying to get a daylight ring. Lexi was old school and only came out at night. She didn't like to mingle with witches, but respected his choices in doing what he needed to do to survive in Mystic Falls.

"Heading up to bed," Kol asked, passing through the grand entrance.

"Yeah, my friend Lexi just leave," Stefan noted. "Guess I have to face Damon now."

Kol shrugged, "He can sleep on the couch in my room. Also, I think there is a maid's quarters near the kitchen. You could take that room."

"I think Enzo is in there," Stefan replied. "But thanks. It's funny but all these years and Damon and I never shared a room, even as kids."
"Rich boys, huh?" Kol laughed, "Oh, we all had to share a loft whilst we grew up. We will rammed in there like sardines. Can you believe they used to complain about my snoring? The nerve of some."

"Yeah, sounds rough," Stefan said. "Um, Kol, maybe I'll take your couch if it doesn't go well tonight. Would you mind?"

"No, of course not. I have ear plugs should you need them," Kol joked, patting Stefan on the back.

Stefan laughed and started to climb the stair case. He found Klaus and Damon in the bedroom talking.

"If I'm interrupting something I can come back. I was thinking of sleeping in Kol's room anyway," Stefan explained.

Klaus exclaimed, "Oh good God no, his snoring is horrific. Look, we were waiting for you. I think we need to have a chat."

Stefan nodded. He sat down on the couch and waited. Damon didn't look happy.

"Stef," Damon started. "I know you probably can't stand the sight of me right now. But I am sorry about earlier. I should never had tried to punish you, when I was in that state."

"No, you shouldn't have," Stefan mumbled. "But I'm fine, it's over. Can we just forget it?"
"No, I don't think that is a good idea," Klaus interjected.

"Klaus, you really think you are the best person to mediate here? Your idea of working things out with your siblings was to dagger them!" Stefan shot back.

Klaus recoiled a bit, but recovered quickly. Damon went to speak, but Klaus held up his hand.

"No, he's right. For many years, I couldn't deal with disagreements or what I perceived as betrayal," Klaus confessed in his posh British accent. "I used my power to silence my siblings. That was wrong. They have forgiven me, or are at least trying to. But I am hear to explain that Damon may not totally be at fault here. When the Travelers tried to possess him and Enzo, the proposed passengers may have...left some residual personality traits in them. For Damon, it seems like anger. And for Enzo, an insatiable lust."