Damon gently put Ric down and ruffled his hair, trying to maintain the smile on his face.
"Run along, Ric. We have some grown-up matters to settle."
He did not wait for Ric to reply before turning toward Xander with a sneer.
"Who knows? Take a guess."
"No, I don't want to," Ric whispered.
Damon paused.
"No, I won't," the boy continued, his voice trembling as he looked between them. "Master, please. Will you two listen to me? Please, just once, let's not fight with swords and magic. Let's just listen to each other without pride, ego, or bias. Please."
Damon turned to look at him.
Ric's face was wet with tears, and his hands trembled at his sides as he struggled to make the two men understand what he wanted. He was terrified, yet he had still found the courage to stand between them, even though he knew how easily either of them could kill him.
Damon glanced at Xander before slowly allowing the shadows surrounding his body to dissolve.
