This is an AU story show-casing Stefan and Klaus’s relationship through the last ninety-four years; exploring its dysfunction, darkness, and the obstacles and issues they face. Running parallel to this is Katherine’s present day story, wherein she is held captive and tortured by Klaus.
Evil is like water, it abounds, is cheap, soon fouls, but runs itself clear of taint.
During his travels with Klaus, Stefan rediscovers a part of himself he thought was long gone and learns that the line between hatred and desire is often razor-thin.
Damon has never tried to bite him. It's driving Alaric insane.
Something's off with the teacher since Isobel left. Damon decides to investigate.
Damon sets out to teach Alaric a thing or two about bourbon.
“So, Rick, here’s to young love!” Damon raised his glass to no one in particular. “Here’s to love and the stupid, stupid men who fall head over heels for women with fangs!”
The problem is that Alaric might have been drunk last evening, but not so drunk that he doesn’t remember what happened before he woke up naked in a bed with Damon Salvatore.
"Klaus has been out for the better part of two hours, leaving Stefan alone in his old Chicago apartment. There's a fine layer of dust over everything. A haze of dust is visible through the rays of sunlight peering through the windows, suspended in the air. It is disturbed now and again by the gentle breeze.
"Please tell me that you have not been sitting here for two hours watching the dust," Klaus announces as he enters, his voice bored with just a bite of sarcasm. But it's the underlying emotion that catches Stefan's attention. The hybrid is, quite openly, upset about something. Upset and angry."
(Stefan adapts to the life that came with his choice.) The levels to which he has sunk to is evident in his stained hands
"When Klaus had wanted Stefan to join him in exchange for saving his brother, he had believed the hybrid's words – that it was because of the stories he'd heard. Because of Stefan's nature when he drank human blood. That need, that desire that caused him to nearly black out, savaging his victims and tearing their bodies apart. He believed that to be why he was considered an asset. Because he was a true 'ripper'.
Now though, he wasn't so sure."
Nothing says "hi, I like you, let's make out" like rampant murder and sibling theft.
Elena's eyes are on him, and Damon knows he's doomed.