What Lies Beneath

Chapter 3: Heartbeat

Damon Salvatore leaned against the threshold to the door of his brother's room, watching idly as he rummaged through his many drawers and books with false insides, apparently looking for something important. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his tight, dark denim jeans, his handsome face brandishing an amused expression as it usually did when it came to Stefan.

Stefan. Poor, poor trying to be something he'll never be again Stefan. He wasn't sure if by him being the good guy he had to be the bad guy or vice versa, but it seemed to work out for them. They were playing their roles to a tee, however he was the only one having fun with his. It was such a versatile part for him. Manipulating the little humans like pawns in a chess game that actually wasn't boring for once. Not to mention feeding on them for years had given him a set of very impressive powers. He couldn't wait to eat more and see where he ended up in a few decades time.

He kinda hoped for telekinesis. Floating the happy meals on legs to him rather than hunting them down could be entertaining. Though the hunt was gratifying in its own way. Hearing them scream or beg for their life while he sucked them dry …ah memories.

Meanwhile there was his younger brother with his judging eyebrows and steel jaw, denying the best part of him. The part that contained the power and the thrills, but he supposed once a wimp always a wimp.

"Looking for something in particular?" He inquired aloofly.

Stefan glanced to him. "As if I'd tell you."

Damon smirked. "That hurts me that you don't trust me brother. Well actually it doesn't. It doesn't even sting."

He was for the most part ignored. "I thought you were going to leave town..."

"I was but then I decided to hang around for a while. See what trouble I could get you into." The older man grinned. "Too bad I can't leave a trail of bodies anymore. You should be thanking me by the way for getting the ominous Council off our backs."

"Yes, thank you for using and killing my best friend in an attempt to save yourself as usual." Stefan rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed already by the exchange.

His brother pouted. "Wow. It almost sounds like you aren't being sincere."

A snort. "Your staying wouldn't have anything to do with Bonnie, would it?"

Ice blue eyes twinkled with mischief. "Maybe. Speaking of her, you can relax. I can't compel her or … bend her to my will as much as I regret it. Her nifty powers see to that."

Stefan sighed; he knew Damon was still sniffing around her. But the question was why? "Haven't you caused the people of this town enough pain?"

"No. I still fully intend to make them pay for what they did." Damon strolled into the room, smoothing his fingers over the many journals on his brother's desk. "I just have … other interests for now."

"So what, you're done with trying to free Katherine?"

"I didn't say that."

"You haven't said much of anything lately."

"Yeah well, we haven't been the confiding in each other type in over a century. Isn't it more fun when I just spring stuff on you?"

"I know what this is about. You're trying to harness her powers for yourself, aren't you? You think you can use them without the crystal to break open the tomb."

"Stefan, Stefan, Stefan … it's not always about power. Sometimes it's about pleasure — something you would realize if you got laid every once in a decade. I'd check down there if I were you … make sure it still works."