Many were anxious to see the reunion of Marcel and Kol. 'Tis just the beginning, but this story won't focus solely on that.

Kol throws himself against the backseat of his dad's Porsche. He folds his arms over his chest, looking longingly at the mansion before him. They aren't selling it. A cleaning service was hired to tend to it and they have friends that shall stay every so often so there's no concern over it being vacant. Perhaps in another 80 years, they'll return. Kol highly doubts it, given how long Marcel's rumored reign has lasted. If they can find a way to keep people from questioning, there's a chance they'll be in New Orleans indefinitely.

The door opens and Elijah pokes his head in. Kol simply glares. His father shakes his head.

"Are you going to pout the entire way?" Kol ignores him. "It's a 14 hour drive at normal speed."

"I don't understand why we're driving," he mumbles. "It'd be easier to take a plane. Everyone else's cars are going on that train."

"Yes, but your mother and I decided it'd be nice to take our time."

"Great. Stuck in the car with the two of you." Kol twirls a finger and holds back an eye roll.

Elijah pats his thigh. "You can watch your iPad for a little bit, but I don't want you looking at it the whole ride."

"My eyes aren't going to be effected."

"It's good for you to read or, and here's a wild idea, speak to your mommy and daddy."

"I'd rather stake myself."

Elijah pinches the bridge of his nose. He leans over and does up Kol's seatbelt, ignoring his protests. Hayley walks over, a pair of heart shaped sunglasses pushing up her dark hair. She flashes her son a smile.

"Ready to go, Munchkin?"

"No, but do I have a choice?"

"Afraid not."

She shoos Elijah out of the way and leans her head in, kissing his forehead. Kol frowns. He hates how easily it is to melt into her affection. There's no way he should be such a mama's boy.

Hayley passes a bag through the window. "This has your iPad, some books, your blankie and your pillow. You're all set."

Kol grumbles. Elijah fixes him with a look. "Thanks, Mama," he says under his breath.

Hayley nods and wraps an arm around her husband, kissing him. Kol makes a face, which goes unseen by his parents.

"Let's hit the road, boys," Hayley proclaims.

Elijah's leg of the trip takes the full 6 hours. They stop for gas and to stretch their legs every so often, pointing out different landmarks along the way. Once Hayley takes over, they speed up. Kol actually laughs over how stressed his dad looks the entire way, not that a single word is said to his wife. While Elijah may be firm, Hayley clearly wears the pants in that relationship.

The sounds of the car combined with his blanket and pillow eventually lull Kol to sleep. He only awakes when it comes to a stop. Kol's eyes flicker open as he tries to take in his surroundings. Lush, green topiaries are the first thing he sees. They're sculpted to resemble Shakespeare's plays. Must be Nik's doing. The roses Kol attributes to Rebekah. The only sign of Matt is the brand new truck parked in the open 10 car garage.

The mansion itself isn't as big as their one back home, but it'll do the job for the amount of people living under one roof. The truth is, most of Mystic Falls could fit inside. The exterior is a bright shade of gray with white shudders. Two balconies alone hang off the front and Kol swears he can see the start of one around back.

"We're home," Hayley announces.

Elijah releases his grip on the handle above the door. "In one piece, no less."

Hayley giggles, looking in the rearview mirror. "What do you think, baby?"

Kol shrugs. "Can't really tell from out here."

"Let's go inside, then."

Kol reluctantly puts his comfort items away and climbs out of the car. Elijah wraps an arm around him. Kol sighs, leaning his head into his side. Elijah grazes it with a kiss.

"This shall be a good thing, Little Prince. You will see."

Kol shrugs for what has to be the 10th time that day. He allows Elijah to guide him inside. The foyer is massive and for once in their lives, filled with color. Marble tile splashes across, covered in an emerald green rug.

Someone vamps out of the kitchen and throws their arms around Kol. He stills until he realizes it's his sister.

"Geez, Bex," he mumbles. "I didn't think you liked me that much."

"I missed you!" Rebekah exclaims, pulling off. "All of you!" She squeezes Hayley before moving onto Elijah, who cuddles her close.

"We missed you, Dear Sister." Elijah releases his grip, though keeps an arm around her. "You and Matthew did a fabulous job with the renovations."

Matt enters, shaking his head. "I did all the work."

"I supervised," Rebekah snaps back. "Just as important."

Matt smiles. "Yes, dear." He claps Kol on the shoulder. "How was the drive up?"

"I think Dad nearly had a heart attack with Mom's driving."

Hayley rolls her eyes. "I got us here a lot sooner, didn't I?" She ruffles his hair. Kol whines, quickly fixing it.

Klaus and Caroline appear just as quickly. The former lifts Kol off the ground, spinning him around. The younger brother can't help but laugh.

"Nik! Put me down!"

Klaus smirks. "Why should I, when it's just as much fun to do this?" He throws Kol in the air, catching him with ease.

Kol pokes out his tongue. "You're obnoxious."

"Trust me, sweetheart," Caroline says. "You haven't seen Obnoxious Klaus yet."

Klaus lowers him to the ground just as a familiar scent enters the room. Kol straightens out, keeping his eyes forward. It's another round of hugs as Elijah embraces his long-lost nephew before introducing him to Hayley. Marcel doesn't spare him a glance.

His nephew looks the same, if not a little muscular. He wears a simple white t-shirt and jeans.

He's hugging Elijah as if he belongs to him.

Kol suppresses the jealousy bubbling inside. How many times do people need to hug?

He's glad Marcel isn't dead. In spite of all their issues, Klaus was devastated to lose him. Even if he never spoke of it, there was the haunted look in his eye. He wasn't jealous of the dynamic Kol and Elijah have, rather longing for the one he once shared with his own son.

Clearly, Elijah missed having a nephew just as much.

Eventually, Marcel pulls away and faces Kol. The two stare at each other for a few moments.

"Marcellus," Kol speaks up first.

"Kol." Marcel folds his arms over his chest. "It's been a while."

He nods. "Good to see you up and about and not dead."

"Kol," Elijah warns.

Kol frowns. "What? I said it's good he's not."

Marcel rolls his eyes. "It's fine, Elijah. It's a warmer greeting then I expected."

Of course Marcel placates his favorite uncle. It makes Elijah smile. Kol scowls.

"So, are you staying here?"

"No." Kol holds back a sigh of relief. "I have my own home, my own kingdom to run."

Klaus steps forward. "Except now, we shall do that together."

Marcel nods, patting his father on the shoulder. "We shall." He looks back at Kol. "I will be around, however. I have a lot of time to catch up on with this family."

Kol narrows his eyes. "I look forward to it."

There's a few beats of silence. Elijah steps forward, putting an arm around Kol.

"Mama and I will show you to your room."

Kol doesn't grumble this time. Anything to get him out of this parlor. Hayley follows behind them as they walk up a winding staircase. They pause in the hallway as Elijah begins pointing out rooms.

"Niklaus and Caroline are at the end of the hall," he explains. "Rebekah and Matt are 2 doors down. Mommy and I are right here." He taps on the closest door.

Hayley opens the one directly across. "And this is yours."

The room is slightly bigger than his old one. A four poster bed sits center stage, with a soft, gray duvet on top. The walls are a royal blue, with various pictures of the family hung around. There's a rather large wardrobe along with a desk. There's a chest that Kol knows is for the toys he hides from most of the family. Not that any would make fun of him and yet…

"What do you think?" Elijah asks.

Kol shrugs. "I don't know. It's a room."

Elijah tilts his head up. "A little more than that?"

"It's fine, Daddy, I swear. I like it and all. I just want to go back to Mystic Falls."

"I know you do, Little Prince. But I also know you know that's no longer an option." Elijah rubs circles on his back. "This is our home now. It's where our family is."

Family, plus a straggler that wants to steal his daddy.

Hayley runs her fingers through Kol's curls. "You'll learn to love it in no time, I promise."

"Whatever you say, Mama," Kol mumbles.

She kisses his cheek. "I know you must be starving. Caroline mentioned she's making dinner. How about you take a shower and change before then."

"I guess." Elijah fixes him with a Look. "I mean, yes, ma'am."

Kol spends the first week in the new house snuggled between his parents. Both rooms have brand new beds, but Elijah and Hayley's is less scary with them in it. At least the rocking chair hasn't changed. Hayley tells him stories or Elijah hums a lullaby and he's asleep in no time.

As it's summer, school won't start for a few more weeks. They take in the sights and get to know the city, along with the supernatural inhabits. Kol briefly attends a party at Marcel's to celebrate the Mikaelsons' homecoming, but he's whisked away early by Hayley to be put to bed. Elijah stays, of course.

Marcel isn't shy about coming over either. Mostly to hang out with Klaus. For once. Kol doesn't find himself minding that. Once upon a time, he thought he was jealous of their dynamic. Now, he realizes he harbored resentment towards his older brother for bringing Marcel into their home in the first place. It meant less time with Elijah.

The long-lost uncle and nephew waste no time bonding once more. Kol walks in on them playing chess more than once. They share brandy and cigars. Kol could ignore all of that, if it weren't for the time spent, the long hugs.

Elijah is supposed to be his daddy. Marcel has a papa. Why is he always so hellbent on taking Elijah from him?

Kol sits in his new game room, playing the Wii. He moves the steering wheel connected to the remote to narrowly avoid the banana peel on the track. Kol is so close, just a few more miles…

"What on Earth are you playing?"

His kart crashes into the wall, causing a game over sign to flash across the screen. Kol glares up at Marcel, who leans in the doorway.

"What rock do you live under that you don't know what a video game is?"

"I know what they are," Marcel says, entering the room. "I just didn't expect for you to play them."

"Life is full of surprises, Marcellus." Kol rises to his feet. "For one, you're alive."

Marcel chuckles, shaking his head. "You're not happy about that, are you? Then again, why would you be?"

"I would never wish you death," he says, honestly. "You meant a great deal to Niklaus, feel free to be his little lapdog once more."

"I was never your brother's lapdog. I had my own opinions, desires…"

"And you achieved them all, it seems. So why slum around here with the rest of us?"

Marcel narrows his eyes, taking a few steps closer. Kol straightens up, balling up his fists.

"You truly are something else." Marcel scoffs. "All this time and you're still the same Kol. An insecure little brat."

Kol shakes his head. "You don't know a thing about me."

"I've watched you this past week. You allowed Niklaus to tell me about your little arrangement." Marcel smirks. "You're just Daddy's Little Boy, aren't you?"

Kol glowers. "Shut up. You are just as attached to Elijah as I am. Newsflash, Marcel. You aren't family." His nephew's smirk vanishes. "You never have been, and you never will be. Elijah only ever tolerated you because Klaus dragged you home."

Hurt flashes across Marcel's eyes. Kol remains firm, ignoring the anxiety that rattles through his mind. Marcel is quiet a few moments before speaking.

"You always needed to be the center of attention. Thus all the destruction." Marcel's smile reappears. "I used to think it was personal. That you just hated me. Now, I know…you would've been jealous of anyone who got too close to Elijah. Now, you have your wish. Daddy's Boy."

Kol charges for Marcel. His nephew holds out a hand to stop him. Irritated, Kol bares his fangs and bites his hand. Marcel yelps, jumping back. Kol picks up speed and pushes him against a bookcase. Marcel hops back up, just as the books tumble to the ground. Klaus and Elijah race into the room, looking between the two angry faces.

"What on Earth is going on in here?!" Elijah demands.

Marcel holds up his hand, revealing the healing bite mark. "Your little boy over there bit me."

Elijah's eyes widen. "Kol, is this true?"

Kol folds his arms over his chest. "He was mocking me! Calling me names, taunting me…he asked for this!"

Klaus takes a step forward, giving his son a stern Look. "Marcellus?"

Marcel rolls his eyes, making the veins in Klaus' forehead stick out. "It was a joke."

"You know better than to rile up your uncle."

"He's the one who attacked me!"

"And I'm sure Elijah will deal with his son. Just as I will mine."

Marcel's mouth drops open. Kol smirks. "I've been 25 a long time, Klaus. I'm the King."

"And I'm your father." Klaus snaps his fingers. "Let's go." Marcel doesn't move, his face still in shock. "Marcellus, follow me, right now, or it's going to be worse."

Kol smirks, watching his nephew be lead out of the game room.

"I wouldn't look so pleased," Elijah says.

"He's getting what he deserves."

"And so will you."

Kol's eyes widen. "He baited me!"

"And you attacked him. You know that violence is never the answer."

"It is when you need to feed."

"I make sure to fix up the people we compel before I send them on their way. That is a necessity to stay alive. It does not begin to compare to what you did."

Kol rolls his eyes. "Fine, I'll apologize to the little brat."

Elijah walks up behind him, smacking his bottom hard. Kol jumps, rubbing his bottom, even though the pain heals almost instantly.

"Ow!"

"You shall not speak about your nephew that way."

"He's not my bloody nephew!"

"He's family. Klaus took him in, adopted him just as I did you."

"That doesn't mean anything. He was Klaus' choice, and clearly yours."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing."

Kol drops down onto the couch. Elijah sits beside him. Kol swings his legs, refusing to meet his father's eyes.

"Marcel is my nephew," Elijah says. "Yes, I care a great deal for him. I missed him very much when he was gone. So yes, we are spending more time together now."

Kol resists an eye roll. "Whatever."

"No, not whatever young man." Elijah tilts Kol's chin up with two fingers. "I am having fun with my nephew, just as we used to."

"Yes, you're having so much fun. Who needs a son, right? You have your perfect prodigal nephew."

Elijah frowns. Kol tries to lean back into the couch, but his father scoops him up and pulls him onto his lap. The young boy fidgets, trying to get away, to no avail.

"Lemme go," Kol mumbles.

"No," Elijah says, "You clearly need to be reminded of a few things."

"Just spank me and get it over with."

"Not what I meant." Elijah cups his cheek. "Yes, I have a bond with Marcel. That does not change anything between us."

"It changes everything."

"How?"

"It just does!"

"Kol, I can't help you unless you talk to me." Elijah cuddles him closer. Kol reluctantly leans into him. "Come on, my little prince."

Kol stares at his shoes. Elijah rubs soothing circles on his back, which only makes it worse.

"You play chess," Kol mumbles. "And you spend so much time together."

"We do," Elijah says. "As I just told you, we were apart for a very long time."

"He already has a dad. Why does he need mine?"

Elijah cuddles Kol closer, shaking his head.

"Oh, Little Prince," he whispers.

Kol struggles against him. "This is why I didn't want to talk about it."

"I'm glad we did." Elijah cups his cheek. "Sweetheart, I can spend time with both of you. Just because I care for Marcel doesn't mean I magically stop loving you."

"You've always liked him more. Even back then."

"That's not true."

"'Tis," Kol mumbles. "You chose him over me. Told me that I was a terrible influence and Klaus needed him more."

Elijah grows quiet. Kol frowns, looking down at his brother's muscular arms. They're wrapped so tightly around him, if he were human, his ribs would be cracked by now.

"I said that, yes," Elijah's voice is soft. "To be fair, Kol, back then, you were torturing the poor boy. I couldn't let that behavior go on."

"So, are you going to do the same now? Dagger me and shove me in a coffin?"

Elijah shakes his head. "That's not how I should've handled it. The right way would've been to see that you needed attention to and those poor behaviors could've been worked on."

"So, why didn't you?"

"Because I enabled Nik. I wanted him to be happy and I shoved everything aside. I told myself it was for the safety of the world. And yet, look at how many were hurt in the process."

Kol doesn't want to meet the guilt in his father's eyes. Elijah cups his chin.

"Words will never be enough, Little Prince, I am aware of that." Elijah pushes some hair out of his face. "But I am deeply sorry for not seeing how badly you needed me back then."

Kol frowns. It's usually him that owes apologies, not the other way around. "I didn't very well tell you."

"You didn't have the words. 'Tis up to me as your then big brother and now your father to tend to you." Elijah gives him a small smile. "Will you please let me make this up to you? Prove that I can care for Marcellus and my little boy at the same time?"

Kol gnaws on his lip. "You promise you won't throw me into a coffin?"

"Cross my heart."

"I…I guess I can try."

"Good."

Elijah squeezes him against his chest. Kol buries his head in his shoulder. This proves that Elijah has changed quite a bit. If he had harmed Marcel in the 1800s, he would've bene exiled. Now, he's cuddled on his daddy's lap and reassured of their love.

After nearly 15 minutes of cuddling, Elijah loosens his grip. Kol looks into his eyes and sees them enter "strict daddy" mode.

"We may return to cuddling in a moment, however, we need to tend to the matter of you harming Marcel."

"He was taunting me!"

"And you didn't start it at all?" Kol goes quiet. "'Tis what I thought. I understand you're emotionally charged right now. There's been a lot of changes in a very short period of time. However, I can't continue to look the other way. Just as I shouldn't have enabled Nik's poor behaviors, I will not do the same with you."

Kol sighs. "Yes, Daddy."

"Additionally, even if he had started it, you have learned techniques to manage your anger. Unless he, or anyone, physically strikes or threatens you first, violence is not the answer. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Daddy," Kol repeats, his head down.

"Thank you. You go to that corner." Elijah points it out, settling Kol onto his feet. "I shall retrieve the spoon."

Kol whines, wiggling a little. "That's so embarrassing. I'm not a little boy!"

"Watch your tone, young man or I shall add on. Now, corner time."

Kol pouts, stomping over to his timeout spot. He should be lucky its his dad and not mom. Hayley's pack was a firm believer in timeouts before and/or after spankings as well, but they used a naughty stool. Kol's been sat on it a couple of times since his first spanking. It's more embarrassing than the spoon or slipper, which already make him feel like the little boy they treat him as.

The little boy he actually is.

After what feels like an hour but is only 10 minutes, Elijah returns. Kol hears him settle in an armchair before calling him over. The young boy slowly crosses the room again. Elijah reaches forward and unbuttons his jeans, allowing them to fall to his knees. Next go his briefs. Rather than command Kol to get in position, Elijah is the one to grab his arm and gently pull him down. Kol wiggles as Elijah raises his knee, thrusting his baby's hips up with it.

"Why are you over my knee?" Elijah asks.

"Because I instigated an argument."

Elijah's palm hits each cheek twice. Kol turns bright red.

"And?"

"I…" SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! "I bit Marcel."

"Is that how we treat people?"

SMACK!

SMACK!

Elijah's large, calloused palm stings his bottom. Kol kicks his legs, earning him some swats inside his thighs. He yelps.

"N…no, Daddy," Kol manages as the pain picks up.

"If you…" Elijah smacks his sit spot three times. "Feel yourself getting upset, what…" He paddles his hand up and down each chubby cheek. "Do you…" A sharp smack to the bottom of the right cheek. Kol yelps. "Do?"

"Ahhh! I…I walk away!"

"That's right."

SMACK!

SMACK!

SMACK!

"Owwwie, Daddy!" Kol pounds his fits on the arm rest. "Please, I'm sorry!"

"I'm not the one you shall apologize to." Elijah watches as his bottom goes from pale to bright pink. "You will write a letter of apology to Marcel." Two more swats to each side.

"Ahhh! Ahhh!" His bottom stings. Elijah's hand is no joke. "Bu…but that's not fair!"

"I am sure that Niklaus is handling him in a similar fashion. That is none…" SMACK! SMACK! Kol howls in pain. "Of your concern, little boy."

"Ouchie! Ahhh, please, please, no more!"

"Daddy will decide that."

Kol's tears pick up as he watches his dad pick up the thick wooden spoon from the couch. It doesn't even hit the top of his left cheek before he's crying out. The wood smarts his bottom as it heads down. Kol whines, blushing harder. How is it possible to be both embarrassed and in pain?

Elijah follows his ritual, paddling the spoon up and down each cheek. Kol does his part, thrashing his legs and pounding his fists. His thighs get a few good whacks. The tears trickle down Kol's cheeks.

"Owww! Daddy! Please, no more!"

His begging falls on deaf ears.

THWAP!

THWAP!

THWAP!

THWAP!

"Owwww! Ouchie! Ouchie!" Kol wails. "I'll be good!"

"I know you will. Because the next time…" Elijah smacks each cheek in quick succession. "You think about hurting someone, you shall remember this spanking."

Kol lets out a soft sob as the spoon hits his sit spot. He no longer cares about being spanked with the spoon. He just wants it to be over. Kol wants his mommy and daddy more than anything right now.

"Pleaseeee, Daddy."

The tears and snot mix together under Kol's nose. Elijah continues the spanking for another few minutes before finally dropping the spoon. Kol's bottom feels as if it's on fire. A quick glance in a mirror nearby shows that it's bright red. Kol sniffles, trying to wipe at his face. Elijah rubs his bottom to alleviate some of the pain before sitting him up on his lap. Kol yelps a little, but rests his head on his dad's shoulder. Elijah grabs some tissues and wipes at his face.

"There, there, it's all over now. You're forgiven," Elijah coos.

Kol whimpers, throwing his arms around his neck. "My daddy."

Elijah chuckles, kissing the top of his head. "You'll have to share me, but it's true. I am only your daddy."

Hayley's voice travels from the doorway. "And just what are you to me."

Kol sniffles once more as his mama walks over. She perches on the rest of the chair. Elijah grins, leaning up to peck her lips. Kol tightens his grip on him.

"Daddy spanked me, Mama," he reports.

Hayley chuckles. "I heard. Something tells me Marcel is receiving a similar thrashing."

Kol doesn't let out that pleases him. "Daddy already put me in timeout. No naughty stool?"

She nods, stroking his cheek. "No stool today. Can't promise about any others." Kol lets out a dramatic sigh. "Now, now. None of that." She regards the clock. "It's time for your nap."

"My bum hurts too much."

"You will sleep on your tummy then." Hayley rubs his bright red bottom. "Damn, Elijah. What did you do to my baby?"

Elijah rolls his eyes. "Nothing you haven't done with that slipper." She reluctantly hums in agreement. "Mind your mama, let's get you up to bed."

He pulls up Kol's briefs and tosses the jeans over his free shoulder. The little one wiggles over the fabric being pulled over his stinging bottom.

"Daddy," he whines.

"You can't just be carried around the house in the buff. No more fussing, let's get a move on."