Crumbling Hearts and Shattered Minds

Chapter 23: Cryptic Hybrids And Silent Goodbyes

Stefan's POV

I can't believe I forgot about the deal with Klaus.

My heart shot into my throat as I remembered the way the hybrid was looking at my brother.

I had a sense of impending doom that I wasn't going to have as much time with my brother to my self as I would have hoped.

I sighed and a hand through my hair. I looked nervously over to my brother, Damon was standing still and was paler than usual.

"What do you want, Klaus?" I asked, trying to keep my tone flat. Klaus smiled warmly, he could have fooled any outsider, but no one in the parlor was deceived.

"Well, thats no way to talk to a guest, Stefan, especially one that you owe." Klaus tisked while shaking his head ruefully.

I growled and started forward, only to be stopped by a arm in my way. I looked confusedly at the limb and followed it up to see it belonged to Damon.

"Don't." He said simply without meeting my gaze. I looked over to see Klaus smirking triumphantly. I snarled and saw everyone but Klaus and Damon jump in surprise.

"Now, now, Stefan. You wouldn't want to upset your brother so soon after getting him back, now would you?" Klaus purred while keeping his superior 'holier than thou' tone firmly in place.

I glared fiercely as white hot anger coursed its way through my veins. I wanted nothing more than to rip that overly confident smirk off his face and tear him apart; piece by piece and spread the parts under a hundred feet of dirt and five tons of concrete.

"Why shouldn't I?" I growled out to my brother.

Damon looked to me with sorrowful eyes.

"Because we made a deal and I'm not going back on it. I'm good on my word; You know that. There's only ever been one case that I have gone back on my word." Damon said while moving the arm that he placed in front of my to around my shoulders. He squeezed my shoulder once then turned to address Klaus.

"What is it that you want for giving me the cure?" Damon asked while pulling back his arm and resting it to his side. My brother radiated confidence but to me seemed wary and scared at this moment.

"Why, my dear Damon, I thought you would have guessed by now." Klaus said while taking a step closer with each word and bring his arms up behind his back.

Damon tilted his head to the side and squinted at the hybrid skeptically.

"Humor me. What is your price?" Damon asked Klaus, who was now less than half a foot away from my sibling.

I fought down the urge to shove the hybrid away and stand protectively in front of my brother. Instead I stayed still and glared at Klaus, wishing intensely that looks could kill.

"My dear Damon-" Klaus started but was interrupted by Damon

"Stop calling me that. Why do you call me that? I'm not yours." Damon said while standing straiter and looking ready for a fight.

"Oh, but you are. See, that was what I decided the price should be. Last time I gave you the cure for your brothers loyalty; a life for a life. And this time, it's much the same thing, just I saved your life and now you give it to me, you place the life I gave you, back in my hands. Willingly." Klaus said without breaking his gaze at Damon once.

I froze completely, inside and out. I couldn't move and I couldn't think about anything other than the fact that I'm losing my brother for a second time

I should have known!

Known better than to trust Klaus.

To let myself believe that we were home free.

I opened myself up to my brother and allowed myself to have hope that he would be with me forever.

Damon froze much like I did and was visibly shaken.

"What the hell would you want with me?" Damon asked in a disbelieving voice. Klaus' smirk widened and a mischievous glint was evident in his eyes.

"That's for me to know and for you to dot, dot, dot." Klaus said, quoting Damon himself from when he had first arrived in Mystic Falls.

My head was still trying to catch up while I was no longer frozen physically. At some point I had moved right next to my brother rather than behind him. Our arms were brushing and I took the contact reassuringly that he was still here.

The group was still behind us and there heart beats had speed up significantly. Those who had beats, that is.

"Fine. I'll go." Damon said while lowering his gaze.

I was shocked and loss shot through my nerves.

"What?!" I shouted while turning to face him. Klaus be damned.

"Like I said; I keep my word." Damon said while meeting my gaze. I felt like getting pissed and demanding he stay, but my heart shattering in my chest left me immobile.

"Look, Stef, if I don't go, someone will die by the hands of this son of a bitch. And I'm not gonna risk it. Especially if you are in the line of fire. Believe me, I don't want to go. I'd much rather be here. But I have to." Damon said while placing his hands on either of my shoulders and looking me strait in the eyes, ignoring the rest of the room. Damon turned back to Klaus but kept a protective hand on my shoulder.

"How long?" Damon asked in a flat tone. Klaus pursed his lips and thought for a moment.

"I feel like being generous, and this little show has encouraged me further. It's only one job that requires Damon's... Talents. So, if all go's well, I would think it should be no more than a month. Not to mention that you persistent nuisances would surely fight to get him back and I'd rather not start a war out of a battle." Klaus said nonchalantly while picking at one of his nails.

Everyone was dumb struck. Why would Klaus of all people- things- be generous?

"Why would you let me go after one job?" Damon asked skeptically.

"Because its a big job. Plus, for the duration of the job, you'll be mine." Klaus said suggestively.

"I'll give you give minutes. Then we leave this town in the dust." Klaus said while turning and walking out the front door.

Damon turned to me and he looked utterly distraught.

"Damon. I- I don't want you to leave." I wasn't sure I actually said it until Damon seemed to snap out of his daze and enveloped me into a bone crushing hug. His hand moved to my hair and tangled itself protectively in my spiked hair. I returned the hug immediately and hid my face in his shoulder.

I couldn't stand this.

It seemed every time I got him back something happened to try and take him away again.

Didn't the universe understand that Damon was mine?

The front door opened and I clung to my brother tighter. It couldn't have already been five minutes!

"Come on kiddies, time to finish up your goodbyes." Klaus drawled out.

Damon gave me one more squeeze before putting back at arms length.

He smiled a silent goodbye then let his hands drop from my shoulders.

He let out a long breath then hardened his facial features. He turned and stood loyally by Klaus. Without a word, the hybrid turned and made his way to the door once again. Damon followed slowly and tossed me a glance before exiting the parlor.

The glance said more than words could ever say.

I felt the suffocation of loss and grief flood over me and strangle until I caved. I struggled to let out a breath and realization hit hard.

I just lost my brother again. It didn't matter that he was coming back because Klaus would surely personally pull him through hell.

And memories always stayed.

No matter how much you didn't want them to.

All I had to hold on to was the hope that Damon would fight and I would get the brother that I loved back.