For Khadra, who wanted to see Klaus and Caroline bicker over parenting techniques.

If you do not read the sister fic "Starting Over", in the last chapter of that, Marcel and Kol took in some strays. Marcel's is a tiny dark gray kitty named Shadow. She'll be included in this verse as well.

Caroline leans into the doorway of Klaus' studio. Her husband is lost in his artwork, carefully shading the canvas with his charcoal pencils. Marcel lays on a nearby couch, flipping through a book with Shadow on his chest. Caroline smiles at the two for a few minutes. Having Marcel in their home has been a challenge, while also a blessing. She is already trying to work with Klaus on gently asking him to move in full time once his grounding is over. They have plenty of space and there's no way they're going to lose him again. As it is, Marcel's rarely left his papa's side as of late. There is no doubting that between Klaus and Elijah that the Mikaelsons raise Daddy's boys.

"Alright, guys," she says, finally. "Lunch is ready." Shadow jumps from Marcel's chest and stretches, prancing. Caroline shakes her head as she bends down and picks it up. She didn't want this cat in the first place and now, it's attached to her.

Klaus nods and returns his supplies. "Let me wash up and I'll be right down." Marcel stays where he is, not looking up. "Marcellus." Silence. Klaus walks over and takes the book out of his hands. The younger vampire looks up with a scowl. "Wipe that look off your face. I know you heard, Caroline."

"I'm not hungry," Marcel says, reaching for his book.

Klaus places it on a shelf above his canvas. "You know our deal. You eat three meals a day. Go wash up now."

Marcel folds his arms over his chest. "You can't force me to eat."

"You shall lose that wager." Klaus narrows is eyes.

Caroline sighs, whispering to Shadow to head downstairs and depositing her out the door. When she returns, father and son are still having their faceoff.

"What's going on, Marcel?" Caroline asks, trying to keep her voice calm.

"Nothing!" Marcel sits up. "I'm just not hungry. Can I have my book back now?"

"No," Klaus' voice remains firm. "Now, are you going to walk or must I carry you?"

Marcel glowers at him. "You can't just carry me around like a baby when I won't go where you want!"

"I shall remind you once more to fix your face. Watch your tone as well. You say you are a big boy, show me."

"I said I'm not hungry! You can't force me to eat!"

Caroline runs her fingers through her curls. This is going nowhere. She can see the crankiness in Marcel's eyes.

"You need to eat, sweetheart," she keeps her voice calm. "Then you can have your nap."

"I don't need a damn nap!"

"Hey!" Klaus snaps. "You know you don't talk to us that way."

"Leave me alone!"

Marcel jumps off the couch and vamps down the hall. Caroline watches as her husband's chest puffs out.

"Klaus…"

She's ignored as he races out of the room. Caroline dashes behind him, catching her husband just in time to stop his hand from being crushed by Marcel's door slamming shut. Klaus shakes the doorknob, but it doesn't budge.

"Marcellus! Open the door!"

When there's no response, Klaus backs up. Caroline jumps in front of the door before he can go flying in. Her husband's eyes glare daggers at her.

"Move, Caroline."

"No," her voice is firm yet calm. "You aren't going to run in there and keep fighting with him!"

"He's clearly upset about something."

"Yes, because you escalated the argument."

"He disobeyed the both of us!" Klaus snaps. "It was time for lunch, he needs to eat."

"There were better ways of handling it!" Caroline grunts. "I mean, Jesus, Klaus! We've been talking about this! You can't just order him around all the time."

"I'm his father."

"Yes, and he is a person. One with opinions and feelings."

Klaus' brows knit together. "Are you suggesting he should skip lunch? You do realize what happens when we allow him to slack on caring for himself?"

Caroline rolls her eyes. "I am more than aware. I'm not saying he gets to do whatever he wants, but you need to listen to him."

"He was just catching an attitude with me. Not to mention that petulant face."

"Maybe he's so cranky because his father's been on his back lately!"

Klaus growls. He walks away from the door, putting his hands on his hips.

"And just how would you handle it? Talking to him until he finally comes around? That didn't seem to be helping either."

Caroline scoffs. "So, now this is my fault?"

"I'm just saying, you keep trying to get to the root of it. What matters is that he follows our directions."

"Are you saying forget his feelings?"

Klaus frowns, shrinking back a little. "Of course I'm not."

"That's how it seems." Caroline shakes her head. "Believe it or not, Marcel doesn't throw these little tantrums just because. There's more going on beneath the surface. Lecturing and carrying him around like a rag doll when he won't do what you want isn't going to build trust."

He sighs, running his fingers through his hair. Caroline's lips tug down into a frown as she sees the sadness in his eyes. It'd be easy if Klaus was doing all this on purpose. She could be irritated and yell at him all she wanted.

But she knows Klaus is doing all he can to break generational curses. He truly is trying. In his mind, he can fix everything on his own. Not yet realizing that he can't bend the world to his will.

She walks closer and puts a hand on his cheek. He looks down at her, biting his lip.

"I shouldn't have yelled at you," he whispers.

"You shouldn't have, and I don't want it to happen again. I was trying to help you, that's all."

"I know, I know." Klaus sighs, placing his hand over hers. "I apologize, love. You're right, it shan't happen again."

"Good," Caroline says softly, believing him. Klaus hasn't lost his temper like this in a number of years. "I understand you want what's best for Marcel, but we've discussed this method. You aren't going to get anyway by engaging in an argument with a child. That's exactly what they want. You may think my methods are odd, but I promise, they will work."

Klaus nods. "I'll try." He gnaws on his lip. "This is exactly how I lost him in the first place. I don't want that to happen again."

"You won't. I'm here to help."

Small smiles peek up on their faces. "Thank you."

"Of course." She leans up and pecks his lips.

Klaus glances at the door, his fingers fidgeting.

"So…we just…leave him alone?"

"No. That's also allowing him to get his way," Caroline says.

"But the door is locked."

"We can open it…" Caroline stands on her tiptoe and grabs the key off the top of the frame. "With the key."

Klaus chuckles nervously. "Suppose I could've been using that method for years with Marcel, Kol and Rebekah…"

Caroline snorts. "Perhaps."

The three enter the room. Marcel is propped up against some pillows on his bed, staring at the celling. Klaus settles on one side, Caroline the other. She places a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you ready to talk?" Marcel shrugs. "Marcel."

"I don't want to keep fighting," he mumbles.

"No one's going to fight." She glances over at her husband. "Right?"

Klaus sighs, nodding. "Yes. I apologize for flying off the handle, Marcel. I'm just…concerned. And sometimes I do not display that in the best way."

Marcel rolls his eyes. "Sometimes," he scoffs.

Caroline fixes him with a Look. "Marcel, your father is trying. You don't have to forgive him, but hear him out."

Marcel sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I started it, I guess."

"I'm the father, it's my job to be above you," Klaus says. Marcel nods. "Do you want to tell me why you got so upset?"

"I…I told you, I'm not hungry."

"I don't believe that's true." Klaus tilts his head. "'Tis not as if you stuffed yourself with treats or blood. We were together for hours. You always have lunch. So, what is it?"

Marcel gnaws on his lip. "After lunch is…nap."

Caroline nods. "And you don't want to take one?"

"It's not that I don't want to…"

Marcel squirms, only calming a little when Shadow jumps on his chest. He scratches her behind the ears. Klaus rubs his back.

"What's wrong with nap?"

"I…I can't sleep," Marcel makes out. He looks between Caroline and Klaus. "I try, I swear. But lately, it takes me forever to knock out. Whether it's nap or bed. Even when you guys tuck me in, even when I feel exhausted, I'm restless for hours. It's…"

"Frustrating?" Marcel nods. Klaus continues rubbing his back. "Little Warrior, I wish you would've told us. You know I can help you fall asleep."

"It's embarrassing! I should just be able to fall asleep. I shouldn't need my papa rocking me."

Caroline softly smiles. "There is nothing wrong with needing help, Marcel."

Marcel sighs, rubbing at his eyes. Klaus kisses the top of his head.

"Let's get some lunch in you, then I'll put you down for your nap." Marcel cheeks warm. "There's no need to be embarrassed, sweetheart. You are my little boy. I'll help you."

"No one has to know?"

"Aye, sweetheart. It'll stay just between the three of us." Marcel chews on his lip. "Do you trust me?" There's a pause, then Marcel slowly nods. Relief takes over Klaus' bones. "See? It'll be alright."

Caroline rubs her step-son's arm. "I made grilled cheese and tomato soup." Marcel's tired eyes light up and she chuckles. "That's what I thought."

She and Klaus get up off the bed. Caroline watches as her husband starts to lean down but quickly stops himself. Marcel hesitates before lifting up his arms. Klaus grins, scooping him up and putting him onto his hip. The younger vampire rests his head on his papa's shoulder and wraps his arms around his neck. Caroline doesn't say anything about the misty look in her husband's eyes. Rather, she just links arms with him and heads downstairs.

Elijah and Kol are at school, but the rest of the family awaits them in the kitchen. Marcel refuses to make eye contact with the rest of the family. Hayley merely smiles, patting Klaus on the back as he rounds to the head of the table. Rebekah chuckles.

"Nothing different than over a century ago," she says, not unkindly. "Klaus had to carry Marcel everywhere."

"He didn't give me much of a choice," Marcel argues, still clung to his papa.

"I was afraid to put you down," Klaus tuts. "Couldn't have you getting hurt."

"Paranoid as always, Nik," Rebekah teases.

"Don't you have a fiancé to play footsies with?"

Rebekah rolls her eyes, though still moves closer to Matt. Klaus settles into his chair, adjusting Marcel on his lap. Caroline settles the plates in front of them. Klaus dips the spoon into the soup and holds it up to his son's lips. Marcel accepts it. He stays in his father's grasp as they both eat, Klaus taking time to feed himself every so often.

Once the lunch dishes are cleared, Klaus once again carries Marcel upstairs to his and Caroline's bedroom. His wife follows not far behind. Klaus dims the lights and draws the curtains. Caroline messes with her phone for a moment until some static-like noise comes from it. Klaus tilts his head.

"It's white noise," she says, softly. "Hayley says they use it for Kol when he has trouble sleeping.

"Ah."

Marcel wiggles in his papa's grip. Somehow it wasn't embarrassing to sit on his lap around all those people, but he feels infantile now knowing he's about to be rocked to sleep. Klaus lays him on the bed and accepts some pajamas from Caroline.

"The first step is wearing something comfortable," she says as her husband pulls the flannel pajama bottoms over Marcel's legs. "You can't nap in jeans."

Marcel nods, allowing his father to put the matching shirt over his head, buttoning it up. Once he's redressed, Klaus scoops him back up and leans against the pillows. He adjusts Marcel into a cradle position and gently bounces him. The young vampire kicks his legs. Klaus gently taps his knee to still them.

"Shut your eyes."

"This is ridiculous," Marcel says, pushing back against him. "It's not going to work."

Klaus keeps a tight hold on him. "Hush, you're not even giving it a chance. Shut your eyes."

Marcel sighs, complying with the demand. Combined with the white noise, Klaus' heartbeat flows through his ear. His father continues a mixture of rocking and bouncing him. Marcel smells Caroline sitting beside them. She softly hums as Klaus continues to soothe him. Marcel's muscles relax as he allows the soft noises to take over his senses. He lets out a soft yawn, earning him a kiss to the temple from his father.

Klaus notices Marcel's drifted off but keeps it up for a good while, not wanting to disturb his sleep. He glances at Caroline who nods.

"Do you want me to help you tuck him in?"

Klaus shakes his head. "I can hold him for now."

She smiles. "You won't be able to do that every time he falls asleep. We'll have to learn to transfer him to at least our bed."

"Maybe, but that's a process for another day."

Caroline giggles, shaking her head. She leans up and strokes the sleeping vampire's cheek. "There's no way he's going back to his house, you realize that?"

"Aye. We just have to figure out a way for him to know it's for the best. The last thing we need is another cranky boy temper tantrum."

"Something tells me those aren't far behind us." She winks. "Look at his papa after all."

Klaus fixes her with a playful glare. "You are so lucky I have to hold our boy," he growls, a smirk on his lips.

"Later," she whispers, tapping his lips. "He can hang out with Elijah this afternoon. We'll have plenty of time for ourselves."

In the meantime, Caroline rests her head on her husband's shoulder. Klaus wraps his free arm around her. He continues to rock his son and smile at his two favorite people. He'll take the quiet while he can get it.

So, I originally planned for Marcel to go back to his house at some point...but I honestly can't see that happening now. His grounding will be lifted eventually, but the Mikaelsons are a family. They belong together.

I want to say thank you everyone for the support and prompts! I have agreed to take some on. One thing I ask you to be mindful of is I don't want to repeat the same things over and over again. There are only so many ways I can write "Marcel is hiding something from Klaus and Caroline" or "Marcel runs away" haha. Also, I know some have asked that this just stay Klaroline/Marcel, but that's not something I can promise, I'm sorry. "Starting Over" and this fic will occasionally overlap. Especially as I plan to have Kol and Marcel work on their dynamic. Marcel also has a special bond with Elijah and I'll show that here from time to time.

Anyway, next time, Marcel will learn he's moving in with the rest of the family. We'll see how that goes. Feel free to leave prompts!