The Prince of Mystic Falls

23. Regression

Pairing: Klaus/Kol (M/M) otk, bathbrush

Chapter Text

"Where is Marcellus?" Klaus boomed, kicking a chair into dust in Marcel's now vacant room.

"Brother, I ask for your calm. You are scaring the children. Quite frankly, you are scaring me," Elijah said gently pulling Klaus from the room.

"Elijah, if he went back there to New Orleans, he could be dead already. If he's not, he's going to wish he's dead when I get a hold of him. I told him no!" Klaus was shouting again.

"Come, Niklaus, let me fix you a drink and we shall work out a plan to find him," Elijah said tightly.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Tyler ran up to them and asked.

"Oh, Tyler, your naughty older brother ran off in the night. We're not sure where," Klaus said heavily.

"Marcel? Oh jeez, he was supposed to teach us more martial arts today," Tyler said disappointed.

"So he didn't mention any plans to abscond to you, Son?" Klaus asked Tyler.

"No, of course not, if 'abscond' means take off," Tyler said.

Klaus looked at Elijah, "When did you say you engaged that tutor?"

"Dad, we don't need a tutor, we have school. And video games and tv are kinda educational. I saw something about that yesterday on tv. No lie," Tyler rambled.

"Young man, I hope when I come in to inspect that room, it is spotless. I also want all your clothes folded and neatly put in the drawers. All I've heard all day were music and video games and shooting sounds. 8 pm, I'll be in to check," Elijah declared.

"Yes, Uncle E.. We'll get it done. Promise," Tyler said scampering off.

"If not, you know what will happen," Elijah called after him.

"We'll end up sleeping on our stomachs, yes, we know," Tyler replied cheekily.

"Uncle E.?" Elijah laughed slightly.

"Brother, thank you for your attention to them. I know you have been extra patient with them this week. You have also taken on the burdens of this vast house and no staff," Klaus admitted.

"I starting reading a modern book on the teenage brain. We need to know where their limits are and be there to support them, among other things. As to the lack of staff, I think it will help them all develop a sense of responsibility and pride. How's it going downstairs," Elijah inquired.

"I thought maybe I had a break though today with Finn, but I honestly believe he is 'bloody daft', as Kol says," Klaus informed him.

"Any progress with Mother?" Elijah asked hopefully.

"None, if they weren't so dangerous, I'd suggest we drop them both off at an asylum," Klaus exclaimed.

"Not sure they call them that anymore. Shall we have a word with Kol? He's been awfully quiet and well-behaved today. Maybe he knows something of Marcel...," Elijah noted.

"Indeed, can't hurt to ask," Klaus conceded.

-------

Kol was watching over Rebekah as Marcel had asked. He even talked to her aloud, in case she could hear him. His thoughts turned to the past. Sometimes he thought he remembered their human days more vividly than some of the vampire years. Was it a blessing or a curse to remember them playing in the meadow together in the sun? To recall covering Henrik in flowers except for his face when he was but a baby. Mother laughed and hugged them to her skirts in delight when she saw. She had stopped laughing much when Father was around and he grew more brutal. Was that woman in Nik's dungeon really her? They had feared their father, but they all adored their mother. That was something they all had in common when they were human, even with Finn, who had perhaps cling to her the most.