[That was the opposite of what he expected to hear.

Stefan coughs, trying to hold back tears because this guy is nowhere near the big brother he remembers. There doesn't feel like misery or pain or betrayal. This stupid snow's making them talk, and for the first time in a long, long time, he feels... at peace.

But because he's at peace, he's stopped once again, and the snow's piling around him. At least his jacket's a blinding (and probably not-very-flattering) shade of green.]

It's a stupid habit. If I had to guess - and this is an educated one, because you sat me down with all of my journals - I thought I was protecting you too.

[He coughs.]

Nah. I think we're already even.