✔️The Woods (Stefan Salvatore)

T H I R T E E N - "Fool Me Once"

"Anna took Elena" Stefan announced for the hundredth time that day as Eudora followed him through into the Library of the Salvatore Boarding house. Yet again, she was overdressed for the warm weather, wearing a long sleeved white top with pattered black and grey paper bag trousers, white trainers on her feet, tied securely. Her hair was braided into two Dutch plaits on her head, showing off scars on her neck that Stefan was currently too distracted to notice. Damon seemed to be in an even worse mood than Stefan as he pawed through the ancient Grimoire that had preciously resided in the skeletal arms of his father for over one hundred and sixty years.

"Yeah, I got that from your six hundred voicemails." The older brother responded as Eudora dropped herself into a leather armchair. Ever since she arrived at the house, Stefan had been pacing holes in the carpet, earning himself more brooding frown lines and ranting on and on about all things Elena-related. It was now Damon's turn to deal with it.

"What if your blood hasn't passed out of her system?" the younger brother demanded, as if it was all Damon's fault, his arm crossed and his head angled down so his eyes were barely seen beneath the thick eyebrows that sat above them.

"Well, at least you know you'll see her again."

"Please"

"Stef. I have told you a million times, she's at the motel." Eudora exhausted, sipping on a glass of bourbon that was very much required for her to keep up with the conversation that was running in circles.

"We cannot just go in there alone Dora" Stefan returned, glaring at her and instantly feeling guilt eat him as a result though he was pleasantly surprised to see that she did not flinch or even glare in return, she merely stared back into his forest green eyes with a perfectly neutral expression, balanced just on the border between worry and calm. "You know Damon, all I can remember is hating you." Stefan explained. "There might have been a time when that was different, but your choices have erased anything good about you. But see, I also know that you have just as much reason to hate me. This all began with me. Katherine got taken away from you because of me... And I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted" Damon chuckled and Eudora closed her eyes, in anticipation.

"So please, just help us. We don't know how many vampires Anna could have teamed up with."

"Huh."

"It's Elena, Damon, tell me."

"I mean this sincerely." Damon began as he stood and tapped Stefan in the chest with the dusty grimoire. The younger vampires eyes sparked with hope that maybe he now had his older brother back once more, "I hope Elena dies." the man informed and was promptly thrown across the room at immense force, his body slamming into the wall so hard that he passed out onto the floor. Stefan looked back at Eudora who merely blinked as though she had not harmed the vampire.

"I am going to go and be the knight in shining armour, see you later Stefan." she waved and he frowned as he whizzed toward her, blocking her path.

"You aren't going alone." Stefan demanded and she scoffed in return.

"I am"

"No, you aren't Dora. Do you know how hurt you could get from this?" he wondered.

"This is Elena we are talking about Stefan. It doesn't matter if I get hurt as long as she's safe" Eudora demanded and his frown softened to a look of shock.

"Eudora--"

"Don't Stefan, just don't. Don't stand there and pretend even for a minute that you somehow care about me more than you care about Elena because I am not buying it. Don't you see that I don't care? I don't really have anything to lose. If they kill me then 'oh well', as long as Elena is safe it doesn't matter, I will be with my sisters again in a heartbeat and my grandad." her voice dropped to less than a whisper at the end and tears formed in Stefan's eyes though he closed them tightly to dispel the liquid sadness from falling.