Kol rolls over in bed, grunting when he falls onto the mattress. Last night, Hayley slept next to him, soothing his nightmare. She promised she'd stay there until he woke up. What could be…

"Hello, Little Prince."

Kol's eyes flicker open. He pushes himself up a little, blinking sleep away from his eyes. Elijah sits at the foot of his bed, smiling at him. Kol pushes back the covers and sloppily vamps to him, nearly tripping in the process. Elijah chuckles and grabs him, pulling him onto his lap and cuddling him close.

"I missed you too," he says.

Kol rests his head on his shoulder. "I thought you weren't getting back until tomorrow."

"I wasn't, but I couldn't be away from the rest of my family for too long." Elijah smooths down his baby's hair. "Like I said, I missed my sweet little prince."

Kol smiles. "I missed you too."

Elijah looks down at him for a moment before squeezing him tightly against him and pressing multiple kisses to his face. Kol wiggles, trying to keep up his tough guy persona, as if he didn't just vamp into his daddy's lap like a 5 year old.

"Daaad," he half-heartedly complains.

"Hush now. I was gone for 5 days. That's the longest we've been apart since you were undaggered. I honestly don't know how I made it 100 years."

"Because I was a little as…" He trails off, not wanting to start the morning off with soap. "Brat."

Elijah rolls his eyes. "Nay, sweetheart." He raises a brow. "I heard you did get a thrashing from your mommy."

Kol's cheeks tint. "I said I was sorry. And I was good the rest of the time, I swear."

Elijah nods. While cradling him, he pops his bottom five times. The pain barely lasts a moment. Kol looks at his dad in surprise.

"I'd rather not start off our reunion with any bad business. Plus, your mama says it was only once. Plus, I think her slipper probably warmed that bottom up nicely."

On instinct, Kol rubs the seat of his sweats. "I couldn't sit for 2 days! It was nearly as hard as you."

Elijah laughs, which only makes Kol pout. "Wolf force is no joke, as you surely learned." The little one nods. "As I said, I think that's enough this time, given the infraction and you were having a rough transition. I won't be so patient next time. You know the rule, if somebody else has to spank you, I will later on."

Kol sighs. "Yes, Daddy."

Elijah pats his cheek. "Enough talking about the past. Jump in the shower and I'll get you ready for the day. Then you'll get your baba."

For once in his older state, he doesn't grumble at the idea of being fed his blood that way. "You?"

"Yes, I'll do it." Elijah stands him up. Kol whines, looking longingly at the bed. His dad lightly swats his bottom. "It's time to greet the day."

"The day can kiss my butt."

Elijah shakes his head, rolling his eyes.

"There's the sassy little boy I've missed."


Kol knew the talk was coming long before he got in the shower. While his father has a soft side, any other day, he would've gotten the paddle for how Hayley was treated. At minimum have his mouth washed out with soap or ordered to write lines. He knows his mom likely advocated on his behalf but there's more going on.

Sure enough, after breakfast, he's invited into the living room. His parents stand in front of him, making Kol feel small. He looks around. For the first time, he realizes there should be more people here.

"Where's Nik? And Rebekah?"

"They stayed behind in New Orleans. We'll join them in a few weeks."

Kol's face falls. He knew in the back of the head it was coming. Realistically, it wouldn't have mattered if their old home was safe or not. They'd have to start over somewhere. He's still not one to give in easily.

"This is ridiculous," Kol mumbles.

Hayley sighs. "I know this is hard, Lovebug, but we've put a lot of thought into it. The best thing for this family is to start over and the safest way is going to New Orleans."

"We could last here another couple of years."

"Maybe, maybe not. It's not worth the risk."

"We don't expect you to be okay with that," Elijah says. "You're entitled to whatever feelings you have. Just remember , you can decide how you control them."

Kol rolls his eyes, not caring about the warning glance he gets in response. His dad is right, he doesn't have to be happy about the move. So, he's not.

"Just like Nik and Bekah to leave us with the packing."

"We're hiring movers. You won't have to do anything but your own room," Elijah says.

"I don't understand why they're not here."

"We purchased a new home, well, a mansion, rather. This way, we'll all stay under one roof." Kol hides a smile at the thought. "It's quite old, so Rebekah and Matthew have stayed behind to oversee the renovations."

"That doesn't explain Niklaus and Caroline."

Elijah and Hayley exchange a look that sinks Kol's stomach.

"They're…they're okay, right?"

"Yes, Munchkin," Hayley soothes, dropping beside him. "They're just fine." She rubs his back.

Elijah sits on the other side of him, finding his hands on his lap. "While we were there, we found Marcel."

Kol frowns. "That's impossible, Dad. Marcel's dead."

"He's not." Elijah places a hand atop his. "I know it's a lot to accept, but Marcel is very much alive. Well, as alive as a vampire can be."

Kol stammers, his head spinning. "I don't…but how?"

"We're not entirely sure of the whole story. What matters right now is, he's alive and running the supernatural population of the city. Klaus stayed behind to work things out with him, or attempt to. Heaven knows that can't be fixed in a few days." Hayley hums in agreement. "Caroline stayed to make sure they don't kill each other."

Kol blinks. Marcel is alive. His nephew is living in New is trying to sort out everything. His brother is no6hing if not determined when it comes to getting what he wants. Marcel will likely rejoin the family.

The family Kol just got back.

He pulls away from Hayley, crossing his arms over his chest. Elijah frowns.

"I know you and Marcellus didn't always get along, but I'd hope you'd be a little happier."

"It's grand to know that Klaus' little runt is back."

"Kol," Elijah warns. "You will not be cruel to him."

"I'll be nice." Hayley and Elijah cast doubtful looks. "I will. Are we finished?"

"Not quite," Hayley says. "There's a few other particulars we need to go into."

"Such as?"

"Well, while we'll be staying in an area with mostly hybrids, vampires and what have you, we still need a cover story for the humans who are unaware. You said you were willing to go back to high school if we moved."

Kol nods. While he's not the biggest fan of school, it's something to pass the time and get him out of the house, away from his crazy family for a few hours every day.

"We found one not far from the house, so one of us could take you." Kol listens to the register in her voice. There's a but coming on. "We have our story straightened out. Elijah is the eldest brother. We adopted you. Rebekah, Klaus, Matt and Caroline live with us as a cultural matter. And you…are a freshman."

Kol's eyes nearly bug of his head. "I'm biologically 19! I can't pass for someone that young."

"We think you could pass for 15, some look a little older. We also said you were held back a year."

Kol rolls his eyes. "Great, so I seem stupid."

"Not stupid," Hayley chastises. "Just, needed some more support."

"We know this isn't the easiest transition," Elijah speaks up. "But this will guarantee we can stay in New Orleans for a bit. We should be okay with the supernatural population, but this will help us fit in."

Kol stares at the ground. Hayley tries to rub his back again, but he pulls away.

Moving. Having to start over as a freshman.

Marcel's alive.

Today just isn't his day.

"When do we leave?"

Elijah speaks up. "3 weeks. We'll have the summer to get into our groove before school starts."

"The new place has a pool," Hayley coaxes. "Think of how much fun you'll have splashing your sister."

Kol shrugs. They are not buying him off that easily.

"Your new room is twice the size of your one here. Plus, Daddy and I are getting a new bed. So, we can all be more comfortable snuggling up in it."

Kol doesn't want a new bed. He doesn't want things to change.

He doesn't like the feeling of having absolutely no control or say.

"I'm going out," Kol grumbles, standing up.

"Your dad just got back," Hayley says.

Elijah rises. "Let him go, darling. He needs to adjust to all this." He looks at his little boy. "I'll take you wherever you want to go."

Kol grumbles, grabbing his wallet off the table and heading out of the room. He can hear his parents whispering about him as he grabs his shoes.