Babykol prompted "Is there room for Kol possibly dropping once into a younger headspace? To see who he is when in his little form?"

CW: Breastfeeding

"Ahh!"

Elijah vamps out of the walk-in closet, his tie still loose. Hayley stands in front of the full-length mirror, her robe draped down her arms. She gently touches her breast, hissing again. Another whoosh and Elijah is by her side. He feels an involuntary twitch in his trousers and does all he can to silence it. His wife is a sexy woman and there will never come a day that he doesn't marvel at the artwork that is her body. And still, he's distracted by the pain written across her beautiful face.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I thought I've noticed them getting bigger over the past couple of days…"

Elijah can't hold back a smirk. "I have too."

Hayley rolls her eyes before growing serious yet again. "I didn't think much of it. They were tender to the touch and now just hurt, period."

"Could it be your body transitioning for the full moon?"

She shakes her head, her wild dark hair flying with it. "I've never had that happen before. It's silly but I even…" Her voice quietly trails off.

Elijah tilts his head. "You what?"

"I took a pregnancy test." He sighs. "I know, I know it's impossible. And it was negative anyway, just as I knew it'd be. I can't understand what else could happen. It's not as if I can get cancer or anything. But every thing I look into describes either pregnancy or lactation."

Elijah gnaws on his lip. "Perhaps we should consult a doctor."

Hayley's voice turns sharp. "Yes, let's show up to the doctor and explain why there's absolutely no way I can be pregnant or sick, even by a miracle."

Elijah raises a brow and holds up his hands. Hayley sighs, covering her face.

"I'm sorry," she mutters. "I don't mean to snap at you. I'm just…frustrated."

Elijah takes a step closer, enveloping her into his arms. She buries her head into his shoulder as he rubs slow, gentle circles on her back. "We'll figure it out, darling. I shall see if I can compel a doctor."

Hayley barley peeks her eyes up. "I thought you didn't compel anymore."

"For you, anything." He kisses her forehead. "We'll get to the bottom of this love, I promise."

Elijah, as it turned out, did not have to compel a doctor. After getting permission from his wife, he broached the subject with Klaus. The younger brother revealed Marcel knew of a vampire doctor who also practices in witchcraft. As luck would have it, she owes Elijah's nephew a favor. It took very little convincing for Marcel to agree to cash it in.

"I'm just glad Kol is at school," Hayley mumbles as they sit on the large California king bed, awaiting the doctor. She's still in her robe, though it's fastened and she wears flannel pajama bottoms underneath. "You know he'd worry."

"We'll resolve this before he gets home," Elijah assures her. "He won't ever know that his mama was in pain."

"I just know he'd try to do something to help and end up hurting himself or burning the house down."

Elijah chuckles as the corners of her lips turn up. "The boy means well. Even after years of practicing with Bonnie, he's still not as experienced. She says some witches are just like that."

Upon hearing a loud knock on the door, Elijah beckons them in. Klaus appears with a shorter brunette woman with round cheeks and a pleasant smile.

"This is Dr. Paige Aniston," he explains. "She's agreed to help Hayley."

The couple rises from their spot and walks over, shaking hands.

"Thank you so much for making a house call," Hayley says. "I could barely get dressed."

Paige nods. "I completely understand. Let's check you over and see what's going on."

The brothers exchange a Look and Klaus dips out of the room. Paige leads Hayley over to an overstuffed arm chair and instructs she takes off her robe. Hayley complies, revealing her breasts. They've grown a bit more since Elijah last checked. Paige crouches down and tenderly feels them, smiling in sympathy every so often. Elijah frowns. Hayley is never in pain. It's a sight he doesn't wish to see again. Hearing his soulmate hiss and whine every so often is torture, just as it is when his son is ill or hurt.

After a few minutes, Paige speaks up. "Well, from the looks of it, Mrs. Mikaelson, you are indeed lactating."

Hayley frowns. "That's impossible. My husband can't get me pregnant and I haven't been with anyone else. We don't have a baby."

Paige eyes the rocking chair. "Are you sure?"

"We have a son," Elijah clarifies, stepping forward. "Originally my brother, but we adopted him. He's a vampire as well."

"And yet, the rocking chair…"

"There are times he seems to act a little younger than he is." Elijah sighs. "He had a bit of a rough start in life. I've read about age regression online and it seems to be his brain's way of working out the trauma he went through. His brain trying to get the affection he missed out on."

Paige lets out a soft ah, her face clearing up. "That makes sense. I've seen this happen with vampires, it's more common than you think." She rises to her feet. "Your son…he's just a vampire? Marcel told me you all are originals and Klaus is a hybrid."

"He is, but the rest of us are just normal vampires."

Hayley closes her robe. "Their biological mother was a witch," she explains. "Only Kol dabbles in the craft."

Paige nods, looking between the two.

"As I've said, I've seen many vampires that tend to regress and fall into a younger mental space. The same can happen to witches. In their case, they are unable to control their magic."

Elijah frowns. "Kol struggles with that as well."

"That was my next question," she says. "In that case, I believe this is Kol's doing."

Hayley frowns. "How so?"

"The younger part of him is trying to seek comfort. It's bringing him back to a primal need, something a mother can provide."

"But Kol is a vampire," Elijah cuts in. "He doesn't need breast milk."

"His younger state doesn't know that. All it tells him is that he has a mother that can give him comfort."

"So…he made her lactate?"

"Subconsciously, yes."

Hayley rises to her feet. Elijah examines her face. Her eyes are clear, frown vanished. How the hell is she so calm right now? He'd never blame Kol for this, but it's not as if they pictured how the morning would go.

"There are ways we can stop this, if you like," Paige says.

Hayley shakes her head. "No. If this is something Kol needs, then I'm not going to take it from him."

Elijah smiles at the devotion and love in her voice. He glances at the doctor. "Is there any way we can stop her pain, though?"

"It will regulate once she begins feeding him," Paige explains. "She'll feel pain when it's time but once he's good, she will be as well."

Elijah pays the doctor double her house call fee and sends her on her way. When he returns to the master bedroom, Hayley sits on the bed, laptop in front of her. Elijah crosses over and drops beside her.

"Already doing research?"

Hayley nods. "I want to do this right."

He wraps an arm around her. "You heard the doctor. You don't have to do this if you don't want to. Kol doesn't even realize he wants it."

She doesn't take her eyes off the laptop. "Yes, but he needs it. As his mother, it's my job to give him everything. I'm not ignoring his cries for help."

"I know you won't." Elijah kisses her cheek. "Would you like me there when you talk to him about it?"

Hayley breaks away from her research, shaking her head. "I think this is a conversation that just a mother and son need to have."

Kol looks at his mother curiously as they walk around the garden. She's dressed in leggings and a loose sweatshirt. While she isn't as into fashion as his father, it's unlike her to be in loungewear in the afternoon. For once, Kol is more dressed up than her in his navy blue long sleeve t-shirt and jeans.

He breaks the silence. "Why did you want to take a walk?"

"Well, there's something I needed to discuss with you." Hayley stops at the stone bench Rebekah purchased from one of her many home and garden catalogs. She pats the seat beside her and Kol lowers himself. "So, occasionally, you slip into a bit of a younger space…"

Kol is quick to interrupt, ignoring his father's many lectures on the subject. "No, I don't. I'm not a little boy."

Hayley sighs. "Kol."

"I'm not!" He stomps his foot when his voice comes out in a whine. This isn't helping his case. "Sometimes I just get…tired."

Hayley shakes her head. "No, Lovebug. It's not that and you know it." She cups his cheek, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "And there's nothing wrong with it either. This is your brain's way of giving you what you missed out on the first time you were a child."

Kol frowns. "But I'm supposed to be 19."

"You don't have to be with your family." He fidgets under her reassuring gaze. "We love you, no matter what. Your daddy and I want to take care of you. That's what you want to. At least your subconscious anyway."

Kol furrows his brows. "What do you mean?"

Hayley lets go of his cheek, quiet for a moment. Her eyes flick back and forth, clearly thinking.

"Your magic…because of your fluctuating mental state, it makes it hard to control," she explains. "Sometimes, you can use it and not know, because it's your younger side casting the spells."

"What…what did I do?"

"Nothing bad," Hayley promises, squeezing his hand. Kol doesn't feel convinced. "There are ways that mothers feed their babies…"

She doesn't have to finish the thought. Panic fills Kol, his eyes wide. He quickly pulls away from her. Hayley frowns.

"I…I'm sorry," he says, his voice frantic. "I…I didn't mean to. I…I wouldn't…that's…"

"Shhh, my little pup," Hayley soothes. Kol shakes his head, his breath picking up. "No, no, no. Come here."

She pulls him onto her lap and cuddles him close. Kol clings to her, frowning when he sniffs it out. His body aches with the urge, one normally reserved for blood. Tears fill his eyes. His mother gently rocks him, cooing softly and pressing kisses to his face.

"You're not in trouble," she whispers. He sniffles, shaking his head. "You're not. It's okay. I'm not angry with you."

"It…it's not fair," his voice comes out small, afraid.

"Yes, it is. This is what mommies are supposed to do for their babies."

"I'm not a baby." She casts him a Look. "I know I'm your baby…and daddy's…" Oh, how things have changed for him to admit that. "But, I'm not a baby."

"You need your mommy, and I'm here for you." Hayley bounces her leg, further soothing him. "If this is what you want, this is what we'll do. The doctor says she can stop it, but I don't want to unless you do."

Kol hesitates. The overwhelming scent grows stronger and his tummy hurts more. He clings tighter to her sweatshirt, the soft, gray fabric digging beneath his fingernails.

"Mama," he mumbles, burying head in her chest.

Hayley strokes the back of his head. "Mama's right here, my little pup. Don't worry. She's going to take care of you."

He doesn't let go nor look up. "Not here."

"Of course not. Let's go up to the bedroom. We can sit in your favorite chair."

Hayley stands, still holding him close. She cradles her little boy and heads into the house. Kol refuses to move his head, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone that may walk by. He makes out Rebekah asking if he's alright, which only earns her a small hum from Hayley.

Kol only feels safe to look up once they're safely in the bedroom and the door is shut. She settles into the familiar chair and unzips her sweatshirt. Kol fidgets, unsure of what to do. Hayley uses her thumb to tilts his mouth open and guides him to where the warmth is. At first he's still, the feeling unfamiliar.

"It's okay," Hayley whispers. She begins rocking the chair. "Mama's here. She's going to feed her baby."

Kol begins to feed. The warmth milk eases the ache in his tummy, little by little. What starts slow soon grows into a need for more. Hayley continues to rock, gazing down at him with love. Kol reaches up and plays with her necklace. She kisses his forehead, a few tears falling onto his hair in the process. Yet, a smile remains on her face. Kol's learned by now that tears don't always mean sadness.

"My sweet baby boy," Hayley whispers. "My little angel."

Kol smiles softly as he eats. She switches him to the other side when the time comes. The door creeks open. Kol tenses up until he smells his daddy. Still, he remains cuddled up with his mommy. He wants her right now.

"Look at that," he hears Elijah whisper in awe.

"He's doing so well for his first time," Hayley praises. "A very hungry little boy." She giggles. "Elijah, pictures, really?"

"We'll want to remember this."

Kol pays them no attention as he finishes. He only pulls away once his tummy is full. Hayley pulls her sweatshirt back down and lifts him up a little so his chin rests on her shoulder. She gently but firmly pats his back. Kol's brows furrow in confusion, until he lets out a loud burp, some spit-up dripping onto her shoulder. She isn't fazed, moving him back down to a cradle position.

He looks over at his daddy. Elijah is beaming at the two. He walks closer and runs his fingers through Kol's hair.

"That better, Little Prince?" Kol nods. "Good."

"My mommy," he mumbles, clinging to Hayley.

Elijah chuckles. "Is that so?"

"Uh huh. Mine. Not daddy's."

Hayley softly laughs. "You have to share me with your daddy." Kol whines, shaking his head. "Yes, you do. Besides, don't you want to be with him too?"

Kol looks at Elijah for a couple of moments before nodding. He holds up his arms. Elijah grins and lifts him up, kissing his forehead and tickling his tummy. Kol giggles, kicking his legs a little. Hayley shoots her husband a stern glance.

"Be careful, he just ate."

Elijah nods, the smile not leaving his face. "Yes, dear."

Kol plays with his daddy's face as his parents playfully bicker. He tunes them out, finding great amusement in poking his cheeks and grabbing his hair.