The knee in his stomach catches him hard and he lands on the ground, wind knocked out of him as he does. There's a bit of a groan and a flash of anger but before he can respond - before he can do anything about it - Elena is there and he forces himself to clamp down on the rage for now, glowering up at his brother in response.

Stefan that reaction to swing back is all too instinctive when it comes to dealing with Damon, but with Elena there, he won't run the risk of hurting her. Instead he pushes to his feet, taking a few steps back to put him out of spitting distance and shakes his head.

"He started it" seems like a petty answer, even if it's the truth.

"He was just being Damon. I think asking him might be the better question."