No spanking in this chapter/references only.
"I didn't think Brynne Deveraux would actually come through and continue the curse on the those stray Crescents we found. It was touch and go there for a while," Marcus laughed toasting Elijah.
They were flying commercial this time, first class, of course.
"Indeed. Brynne is odd for a French Quarter witch. She seemed to know an awful lot about me," Elijah remarked.
"Yeah, it was like she was super hostile and then she saw you and warmed up. Maybe she had a crush on you?" Marcel joked.
"I doubt that. She also had a lot of questions about Niklaus. I was hoping now that Mikael is back with the Strix that things could get back to normal. I hear the children got a bit rowdy. Your father sounded tired on the phone," Elijah said looking at the window.
"Yeah, Rebekah did, too. Seems like she took her hairbrush to Little Miss Davina last night," Marcel shared.
"Really, my sister? I was afraid she would spoil the girl rotten in our absence. Good lord, what did the girl do?" Elijah asked surprised.
"Went to the Grill in some wild get-up that Rebekah told her she was forbidden from wearing. Kol had to fight off the guys. Remind you of anything?" Marcel smirked.
"Oh certainly, the ball of 1913! What a row we had...I admit now I was a little old fashioned about the face paint, but I still feel like I had a point about that dress Rebekah tried to wear, being more suited to a courtesan. Now look, a hundred years later and my little sister is the one wielding the hairbrush. I'm happy for you two. Truly, Marcellus," Elijah said raising his glass to him.
"Thank you, Uncle. I appreciate that. And thanks for coming back to the city with me. I couldn't have done it without you," Marcel admitted as they downed their drinks. After all these years, Marcel still preferred gin, just like a century before.
-MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-
Matt slept deeply and better than he had in days. He woke up early and thought he would take the wretched paddle back to its' home in the kitchen drawer. Somehow this seemed worse that the entire trip he took over Klaus' lap. His backside was sore and he had that itchy, hot feeling to remind him that he had been punished. He knew in a few hours, though, he'd be fine.
Trying to step as lightly as possible, Matt thought he had made it to the kitchen unspotted until he noticed Davina standing at the counter drinking milk.
"Well, this is awkward," Matt laughed holding up the paddle that he had been trying to hide.
"Oh, was that for you. I actually thought it was for me and told Klaus off and then got it anyway from Rebekah, but with a hairbrush," Davina blurted unconsciously brushing her hand against her bottom.
"I'm sorry to hear that. Wait, did you say you told off my Dad? Because like no one does that and lives," Matt whispered with a small chuckle.
"Yeah, I was getting yelled at by Rebekah and he pulled out this paddle and I was 'OMG, he's going to spank me right here.' I freaked. But he just went upstairs, so I guess I was out of line," Davina blushed.
Matt slipped around her and put the paddle in drawer and then took a deep breath.
"This may sound weird since I just got my ass beat pretty good last night, but he's the best person I know," Matt said plainly.
"I mean honestly, yeah. I'm new to this whole 'being spanked' thing, but I would think most people would be pissed off," Davina scoffed.
"Are you? I mean, you got it last night, too. You just said Rebekah and the hairbrush?" Matt asked.
"Yeah, that hurt. But It's weird, but now that you mention it, I'm not pissed. I kind of feel relieved," Davina admitted to her surprise blushing hotly. She put bread in the toaster.
"I'm new to this, too. I mean my mom is a good person, but she has issues. Booze. Drugs. Guys. She never really took care of my sister and me. We never really had a dad around and I was just alone, surviving. Now, I have people around me who care, take care of me, and care about how I act. I guess it just means a lot," Matt said getting something to eat.
"I guess I'm the same. My dad was never around. My mom never cared. She's dead now. Marcel and Rebekah saved my life and took me in. I guess I feel like kind of a jerk for not being easier to deal with," Davina said waiting for her toast.
"Hey, I don't think anyone is expecting us to be perfect. That's what I'm finding out. It's like I can be me and mess up and no one is going to throw me out of here. Now I might get my butt whupped or yelled at, but I'm still okay. And honestly, they don't do a lot of yelling here, if you catch my drift," Matt laughed grabbing his sandwich and going to watch tv.
"Great," Davina said sarcastically as her toast popped up.
-MMMMMMMMMMMMMM-
Freya was thrilled to see the changes in the Finn and Henrik. Finn seemed regressing into a normal 12 year old. He didn't talk in the monotonous, slow tone that he always had.
Henrik started to get some color in his cheeks and stopped sleeping during the day. He did like to watch tv, but they weren't quite sure if he understood was it was. A part of her suspected that he thought he could control the figures in the tv with the remote. That thought had crossed her mind when she awoken from her 100 year slumber, well 98, since the Strix woke her up early.
Although it was Saturday, she woke up early to check on both boys. She was surprised to find Davina eating and Matt watching tv in the great room.
"Morning, Davina. How was your night out?" Freya asked politely, tying her robe.
"Well, it was good, the band was loud. Everyone from school, like Jeremy's sister and her friends were cool. Then, I got in trouble for wearing what Rebekah told me not to when I came home," Davina cringed.
"Oh no, that's not good. Are you alright?," Freya asked with concern.
"Yes, m'am," Davina smiled.
"Good, dear. I'm going to go get the boys up. Can you make coffee?" Freya said walking upstairs.
Kol came down putting on a shirt. Davina flushed again when she checked out his abs.
"Morning, luv," he said almost shyly.
"Hey, sorry about last night. I didn't know you had to compel those guys. It was silly of me to wear that outfit," Davina admitted.
"It was no problem really. I think a lass should wear what she wants. I heard Rebekah giving you a pretty good telling off, though," Kol said sympathetically.
"Yeah, she wasn't real happy with me," Davina said brushing her hand slightly over her sore backside again.
Kol's eyes widened in surprise. Rebekah did it. He wasn't sure how he felt about all this.
"Coffee?" Davina asked.
"Thanks, darling," Kol replied sitting down. He listened to her heart sped up and wanted nothing more than to drink from her.
"What are you thinking?" Davina inquired.
"Nothing. Ah, what did you think of that band last night?" Kol said trying not to stare at her carotid artery pulsing and pumping blood through her body.
-MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-
Soon after, Elijah and Marcel came through the door.
Marcel picked up Davina, saying, "I have a gift for you!"
Davina giggled, "Is it the head of a French Quarter witch?"
"No, D. We flew commercial. Elijah didn't want to spend the money on a jet, no severed heads this time. But I got something better! It's a letter from your old friend Tim," Marcel smiled.
"Ah, thanks, Marcel. That's so sweet. How did you get it?" Davina asked taking the letter.
"I have my sources," Marcel expressed.
Kol wondered who Tim was, as he listened to Elijah talk about the trip.
"How are the younger Mikaelsons faring?" Elijah inquired.
"Much better. Nik had kind of a break through with Henrik. Finn seemed to start remembering a lot. But now he's becoming a regular lad and he seems to be letting go of the past. We've been playing ball with them and trying to get them to play outside as much as they can. I think you'll be surprised," Kol shared. Kol went into the great room to watch tv with Matt.
"Marcel, Elijah, finally," Klaus said hugging them both and accepting the beignets Marcel gave him.
"Thank you, son. I hear all went well," Klaus marveled.
"As well as can be expected. Marcel did a fine job dealing with all the factions," Elijah gushed.
Freya brought down the two youngest.
"Finn, Henrik, wow, look at that hair! I think I have clippers in my room," Elijah laughed.
"You two got bigger. No lie," Marcel added. "I'm going to go see Rebekah. D., we'll talk later."
Davina shook her head as Klaus offered her a beignet.
"No, thanks. Ah Klaus, I'm sorry about yelling at you last night. I guess I just assumed that paddle was for me because I was being such a brat," Davina confessed with her face burning.
"Sweetheart, I would never discipline you off the cuff like that in the middle of the kitchen, okay? What I never want is for any of you to feel unsafe here," Klaus insisted.
"Thanks for letting me stay here. You have all been really nice to me. The truth is that my coven is hunting me and without Marcel and Rebekah, I would be soon dead and unconsecrated," Davina expressed.
"My dear, this is your home now. If they try to harm you, it will be the very last thing they do. And do not fear, I will bring you their heads, luv. I don't fly commerical," Klaus promised.
Davina nodded and whispered thank you.
-MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-
"Wake up, my love. I got you a gift!" Marcel said throwing himself on the bed.
"Marcel! Finally. Ugh, did you fly commercial, you smell like smoke and peanuts. Gimme it," Rebekah said kissing him and ripping into the gift bag at the same time.
"There are fleur de lis coasters! Stone!" Marcel said excited about his find.
"And I don't know why, but they are actually really cool. Thank you, Marcel. I love them!" Rebekah said rolling on top of him.
"So you had a rough night, hmm?" Marcel said.
"Marcel, if you would have seen that outfit, you would have locked her in a convent for the next 30 years. I don't know what the hell she was thinking?" Rebekah scoffed, rolling back flat on her back beside him.
"She's a teenager. They don't think, they do stupid shit," Marcel said looking at her to the side.
"And the talking back! So sweet one minute and a brash little monster the next? You would be proud of me, I sent her to her room before thrashing her with her own hairbrush. Bloody hell, Marcel, I was tempted to paddle her bare behind in the kitchen in front of God and everyone. She would have hated me," Rebekah mused.
"Hey, hey, none of that. You took care of it. It's over. This is new to all of us. I'll tell you one thing, Rebekah. We've got to keep her safe. That coven is vicious and power hungry. They won't stop at anything to get her back and finish the ceremony," Marcel said sitting up.
"Marcel, what do you mean?" Rebekah asked urgently.
"After the Harvest is the Reaping. They need to complete the ritual or Davina keeps all the power of the other three witches sacrificed," Marcel said.
"How do they do that?" Rebekah asked in a whisper.
"By cutting her throat," Marcel said putting his head in his hands.
-MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-
"So brother, you have been busy?" Elijah asked Klaus as they stood in the backyard watching Henrik and Finn play with Matt and Kol. They were throwing a plastic ball and Finn had a bat.
"You have no idea. For a time, I thought we were going to have to put Henrik back in a coma. But I suppose, the Mikaelson way prevailed again," Klaus smiled sipping his mug of blood.
"You gave our sweet newly returned to life baby brother a hiding?" Elijah said in mock horror.
"You've thrashed me harder ten fold," Klaus recalled.
"Only to save you from a worse fate. What did he do? I'm a little afraid to ask," Elijah said watching Matt tackle Finn and wrestle with him on the ground playfully.
"Oh, he attacked Jeremy for taking 'his' remote control and then he bite the hell out of Freya's hand when she tried to give him her herbal tea. She told me if I didn't do it she would spank him herself and her hand was dripping blood everywhere," Klaus cringed.
"Our beautiful sisters never fail to shock me," Elijah cut in.
"So I spanked him soundly, not too soundly mind you, but enough and had him apologize and he seemed to snap out of his fog a bit. He started talking more and wanting Kol and me around all the time. Then, you'll never guess what happened..." Klaus said looking at Finn.
"Finn started getting jealous," Elijah smiled.
"Finn started to get jealous. I've been trying to draw him in. He pulls back. It's like he's at war within himself. The old him and this child version. Kol said they talked and for a time he was his old self, but now he seems to be regressing and forgetting the last 900 years. Truthfully, I think that would be a blessing," Klaus said now watching all of them wrestling on the ground.
Klaus remembered he had told Matt to get his school work down today.
"Matthew, please go in and start on your school work. One of us will be up to check on you. Now, please!" Klaus called.
"Ah, Dad, it's Saturday," Matt whined.
"Matthew, we have the cookout tonight. If you want to invite your friend over, your work needs to be finished or you will be up in your room completing it tonight. Now, don't make me repeat myself," Klaus said not raising his voice but speaking firmly.
"Yes, sir," Matt said stomping back into the house.
"How's Kol been?" Elijah asked in a low tone, knowing Kol could hear if he was listening.
"Wonderful. Truly. We could not have done this without him. He's been so good with all of them, patient, kind, helpful. But there is one problem, brother," Klaus said looking back at Elijah.
"What?" Elijah asked staring back.
"He's madly in love with the Harvest witch," Klaus said in a whisper.
-MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-
Matt was squirming in his seat. He thought the discomfit would be gone by now, but he was wrong. It could just be his irritation at having to do his homework on a Saturday.
"Jer, how do you get all your work done so fast? I've gotten like one problem done," Matt asked Jeremy who was sketching in one of his notebooks.
"I don't know, man. It just is easier for me to focus. Can I help?" Jeremy asked putting down his charcoal pencil.
"Yeah, give me your smart brain. Like your dad was a doctor, mine was barely smart enough to leave my mom after getting her knocked up twice. Shit. I can't," Matt said frustrated.
Tyler groaned, "Boy, you best not let anyone hear you talk like that. You're going to get it again on that sore ass and you will have no one to blame but yourself. Now stop bitching and show me where you are stuck."
Matt did and Tyler ran him through the steps again patiently. He did a couple for Matt and then made him do a few on his own. Matt complained the entire time until Tyler was ready to punch him.
"Dude, shut the fuck up with the whining. I'm trying to help you!" Tyler yelled in frustration.
Elijah walked in quietly. Tyler sucked in his breath and glared at Matt.
Jeremy looked at his watch, "Hey, I promised Freya I'd go to the store with her. Ty? Want to come?" Tyler shook his head and Jeremy left.
"You boys, okay?" Elijah said slowly.
"Honestly, Uncle Elijah. I'm trying to help him and he's being a dick. Can I go?" Tyler fumed.
"Go ahead, Tyler. Go on. I'll see if I can help," Elijah smiled. He could tell Tyler was frustrated and on the verge of snapping. Tyler grabbed his stuff and left.
"So math is it?" Elijah asked.
"Yeah, then Hamlet? Uncle Elijah, I just can't concentrate. I'm sorry, but I think there's something wrong with me," Matt confessed.
"You know, Matthew. I was reading that brain book. Have you ever been tested for learning differences?" Elijah asked kindly.
"You think I'm dumb?" Matt replied.
"No, not all all. They are just brain differences that may make it harder for you to concentrate. How about we make you a doctor's appointment and see if something is going on? They have new medications and treatments that could help. Would that be okay?" Elijah prodded.
"Yeah, I guess," Matt said looking down.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I hate to see you struggling so much. And squirming?" Elijah said.
"I got in trouble last night. Dad paddled me and I can barely sit here. I'm not saying I didn't deserve it, but it ain't helping me finish this," Matt admitted.
Elijah got up and shut the door.
"I probably shouldn't do this," he said as he bit into his wrist. He got a dixie cup from the bathroom and filled it with his blood.
"Here, Matthew," Elijah said.
Matt took the small cup and gulped it. He felt the healing course through his entire body, but especially his backside, where it tingled and cooled.
"Thank you. That works fast," Matt said in amazement.
"Actually, a single drop would have healed you. But I thought a little more may help with the Shakespeare," Elijah added.
Matt didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
-MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM-
After Elijah went inside, Klaus watched the boys play with Kol a little longer.
"Okay, get off Kol. It's time for a bath. You two are filthy," Klaus called to Henrik and Finn.
"God, they are brutes, brother. Forget about American football. Sign these lads up for rugby," Kol said wiping grass and dirt off of himself as he got up and they both tried to tackle him again.
"Enough! Let Kol have a break. He's been playing with you for hours. Come on, inside. Shoes, off. Thank you, brother. Go rest up. I hear that Marcel wants to train you on the grill tonight for the cookout," Klaus laughed.
"Sounds lovely. I best have a shower myself," Kol said.
Klaus gave the boys some water. Henrik wanted coke, of course.
"Henrik, that is not good for you. You can have some tonight at the party if you behave. Now drink the water, please," Klaus pleaded.
Henrik took a small sip and made a face. They only drank water in the village, so it must be the chemical taste he didn't like.
"Come now, time to wash," Klaus said steeling himself for the job ahead. Freya had been handling most of this, but she was at the grocery store. Klaus thought that they should probably be able to shower alone now, but the last time that was attempted Henrik panicked and Finn never got near the spray of the water.
Klaus got their clean clothes together and herded them into the big bathroom in the hallway as their bedroom did not have an attached bath. The bathtub wasn't as large as the marble one in his bedroom, but the jets scared them when they bumped it on by accident in Klaus' tub. Now, they were afraid of it.
Klaus filled the tub with bubbles and added some bath toys that Freya had purchased like water guns, ducks, and boats. He sat on the closed toilet lid and watched as his eldest brother and his younger brother played. Both were too old for such things, but didn't know it in their current state. From time to time, they both glanced up to make sure he was watching them. The boys seemed happy as long as they had someone's full attention.
Klaus tried to help them wash off the dirt the best that he could, but he drew the line at trying to wash their hair. He saw Freya do it and didn't think he could handle the fuss. It looked clean enough and maybe Elijah could cut it before the party tonight.
"You're not going to wash their hair?" Elijah smirked.
"Busted. Brother, I have my limits. Would you mind?" Klaus asked getting up to let Elijah take his place.
Elijah filled him in on Matt and making an appointment with a doctor.
"It seems I have been remiss. I thought he might be a bit lazy about his studies," Klaus confessed.
"He may be, brother. But it can't hurt to check it out. I hope you don't mind but I gave him my blood. He was having a hard time sitting still after your correction last night," Elijah smiled.
"Really? Thank you. I need to ask poor, overworked Freya to make some new salve. It seems to help a great deal. I always think that every time I take one of them to task, it's the last time, but that doesn't seem likely," Klaus reported.
"Not with this crew. Tyler was a bit on edge when I walked in to help Matt. He has the mouth of a sailor. I didn't even reprimand him as he was upset, but maybe he watches too much of that television. I've been meaning to look at cutting out some of those cable channels," Elijah fretted.
"At least the Strix spell is broken and we don't have to worry about him going on a murderous rampage. I admit, I may have gotten lax with him lately, especially because I've been with these two so often," Klaus smiled down as Elijah carefully washed each boy's hair. He held a towel to avoid getting water in their faces.
"Okay, Finn. Let's get you out!" Elijah said.
"I want to stay in, Elijah. I'm not done playing," Finn argued.
"Brother, you shall look like a prune. Do you want that?" Elijah said taking the towel Klaus handed him.
"No," Finn smiled getting out.
Elijah looked at Klaus. This was not their stuffy, dull, older brother anymore that they kept in a coffin for 900 years. This was their chance to do things right.