Back in Mystic Falls

37. Maxwell Home

Pairing: Mrs. Maxwell/Matthew (F/m) hairbrush

Klaus/Kol-Damon (M/mm) hand (mild)

Mikaelson Estate

Mystic Falls, Virginia

August 1855

Same Day

As Kol stepped down from the coach, he turned and held out his hand to Croià. She smiled at him politely and took his hand. Her skin felt soft to him and she smelled of soap and a flower. Gardenia, he thought. He liked that she did not wear gloves.

"You are most kind," the girl said quietly. Her strawberry blond hair glinted in the sun.

"My pleasure," Kol replied.

Stefan tugged at Kol's sleeve.

"Kol, are you tellin' that you got a licking at school?" Stefan wondered.

Kol groaned and felt a slight embarrassment that Croiá knew about his recess punishment. When he walked out into the bright noon sun afterwards, earlier in the day, the older boys crowded around him to hear the details of his discipline. He may have played it up a bit, enjoying the attention. He had admitted that he was sore and advised that they did not exasperate the new teacher. Matthew had agreed.

Kol had looked over and saw Elena comforting Damon. Her gloved hand was on his arm, her doe eyes looking at him with pity.

Kol blinked and snapped out of his thoughts, closing the coach door. He picked up Stefan and laughed, "Aye, I suppose if I do not tell, you will...Then, I would get a worse whipping."

Stefan frowned, "Kol, I do not want you to get a whipping. Maybe you will just get a spankin' like I did...?"

Kol flushed hotly this time. He did not want Croiá to know that he sometimes still got spanked like a small child. It was humiliating.

"Oh, I am too old for that. Now what do you think Cook is making for supper? I think I smell roasted lamb," Kol said as he put Stefan on his shoulders.

Jeremy saw this and hopped up and down. "Me, next! Please..."

Kol followed the others in and agreed, "Aye, Jeremy, you shall be next." When he looked around, he realized that Croiá must have headed to the guest house. Elena caught sight of his look.

"Pray tell, sir, are you looking for that pretty girl? I see the way you look at her," Elena smiled. "Jeremy, do not be such a pest. Wait for your turn."

She took Jeremy's hand and he squirmed out of her reach.

"Nay, I was merely being a gentleman," Kol explained. Jeremy was tugging at his shirt and he easily picked him up. Stefan made a show of trying to pick up Stefan, but him being too heavy.

Elena's eyes widened in surprise at Kol's dexterity in lifting her brother, "You are stronger than you look!"

Kol smirked, "Aye, there is much you do not understand about this family. If you are fortunate, much of it will remain hidden."

Elena did not know how to reply to the odd comment and remained silent.

Sage came to greet the children and led them into the kitchen for a small snack.

Kol went to find one of his brothers. Mayhaps Finn would still be feeling more cordial now that he was living in wedded bliss? He doubted it, but he did not want to get his backside walloped again. It was smarting and aching still. The hard benches he had to sit on after recess did little to help. Plus, they had pages of homework to complete.