For Merinem, who wanted to see Marcel sick.


Marcel wipes at his brow as he tries to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground. The grand hall is alive tonight with dozens of people in designer dresses and tuxes, swaying to the orchestra that Elijah hired. He hasn't been to a party like this in quite some time. Usually, the affairs at his old house were similar to college ragers: lots of beer, rum and tequila while everyone danced to rap music. People snuck off to the rooms to have sex. Dress was always casual. At least half of his army would end up wasted and naked by the night's end.

The Mikaelsons would never dream of throwing a party like that. So, when Caroline decides they need to get on the good side of the humans, a grand affair is held towards the back of the mansion. It sprawls out into the massive backyard. Champagne flows freely, everyone is chatting.

Marcel tugs at his tie, stopping himself before he rips it off all together. Sweat drips down his forehead, a few disgusting drops landing on his tongue. Just another hour. He can survive. Marcel notices Elijah reentering the room. To the naked eye, no one would spot the shape of the baby monitor tucked in his jacket. Marcel can't even smirk at the thought of Kol having to leave the party early, only to be tucked into bed by his daddy, just like a 5-year-old.

He needs more blood. That's another difference from the parties back at his old places. Humans to compel or a fridge stocked with blood bags, dealer's choice. They can't do that here.

Marcel takes one step forward, nearly falling to the ground. Another quick glance around the room. Klaus and Caroline are too wrapped up in each other as they dance the night away. Rebekah and Matt are chatting up the owner of a venue they're looking into. Elijah and Hayley stand in the corner, discreetly looking at the baby monitor so they can watch their "little angel" sleep. Marcel discreetly grabs onto various objects to get him through the room. His head spins and he nearly crashes into people more than once, but eventually he makes it out of the room.

He clings to the wall, pressing most of his weight against it as he walks. The kitchen is on the opposite side of the mansion. It'll take forever if he's doing this. Marcel draws a deep breath and tries to channel all his supernatural adrenaline.

His body barely makes a whoosh before he breaks into a coughing fit. Black dots swarm before his eyes. He attempts to grab onto the wall again, but his hand barely brushes against it. One moment, he's hunched over and the next, fallen with a collapse to the ground.

The next few moments, he drifts in and out of consciousness. He can smell the small crowd that forms around him, unable to open his eyes.

"Give him some room."

Elijah.

"Out of my way!"

"Papa," Marcel weakly whispers, not thinking.

Elijah's voice takes over the hallway once more.

"Dear guests, please head back into the room and dance."

Their footsteps are quick, many muttering the command. It has to be bad if Elijah condones compulsion.

Marcel's eyes flicker open when he smells his parents on either side of him. He looks up into his father's worried eyes. Klaus presses a hand to his forehead.

"He's burning up. How is that possible?!"

Caroline's soft voice breaks through as she strokes his hair. "Let's get him up to bed. Elijah, you make sure no one is suspicious. The last thing we need is them bothering this poor little bear."

Marcel opens his mouth to argue that he's not a little boy. No words come out. Klaus lifts him up off the floor, cradling him as if he's a baby. He heads up the stairs with Caroline not far behind. Marcel buries his head in his papa's chest, every muscle in his body aches. His mom continues to stroke his arm, making her presence known.

Before he knows it, he's laid on his parents' bed. Marcel whines, too tired to care that he shouldn't want his dad. Klaus and Caroline take to undressing him. His father removes the clothes while Caroline adjusts his body. The tie no longer constricts his neck. Each article of clothing removes lowers his body temperature but not by much. This goes on until he's nude. Marcel expects to be picked back up, but instead he's rolled onto his stomach. Hot tears fill his eyes.

"N…no…been good," he manages.

"Shhh, shhh, my little warrior," Klaus coos, scratching his back. "You're not getting a spanking. I have to take your temperature. Stay right here with your mommy."

It's not as if he could move, even if he wanted to. Caroline sits by his head so he can see her face. Worry fills her wide blue eyes. She cups his cheek, frowning.

"What's wrong?"

"It's so hot," Marcel complains. "Why is it so hot?"

"That's what we're trying to figure out, baby," she whispers. "Don't worry, Papa and I will take care of it."

Marcel's eyelashes flutter close. "Thanks, Mommy," he mumbles.

A moment later, Klaus' scent returns. There's the sound of a bottle squirting and then something rubbed between his butt cheeks. He shivers from the sharp, cold contrast. A moment later, there's a pop. Marcel nearly jumps off the bed. The only thing that weighs him down is Caroline's firm, yet kind hand. Marcel struggles.

"Shhh, settle," Caroline says, rubbing his back. "It's a thermometer. If you move, it'll get knocked out and then we'll have to start all over again. I know you don't want that, right?"

Marcel sniffles. "Papa, they have regular ones," he croaks.

"You can't beat results," Klaus says, not taking his eyes off the thermometer. "Sometimes this is better."

He groans, burying his face in a nearby pillow. His father did this when he was younger too. Marcel remembers catching a bug when he was 20 years old and laid in this very position. He squirmed and whined, but there was no stopping his father.

Eventually, the pressure is gone. Klaus rubs his bottom. "What a good, brave boy," he praises. "Let me get you some jammies."

"No," Marcel's voice is weaker. "Too hot."

"You can't very well stay naked, Marcellus."

"Just underwear."

"Pardon?"

Frustration builds up in Marcel. Why won't his dad just do what he wants? "Underwear!" He snaps. "No clothes!"

Caroline hushes him, rolling him onto his back. Marcel whines once again, rubbing at his eyes. Klaus is staring at the thermometer with a frown. He glances at Caroline.

"Can you call the doctor? You know the one…"

"Yes, she'll be discreet." Caroline kisses the top of her son's head. "I'll be right back."

Marcel frowns, unsure why he feels like crying over the thought of her leaving. "Mommy."

"I'll be right back," she promises, kissing his nose. "Daddy will get you in some underwear."

She gets up and Marcel sniffles, rubbing at his face. No one is listening to him! He just wants to relax and have both of his parents.

Klaus helps him into a new pair of boxers before climbing in bed beside him. He bites his wrist and holds it to his son's mouth. Marcel shakes his head. "Little Warrior, this should help you."

"We…we don't know what's wrong."

"My point precisely. You have a very high fever and who knows what else running through you. Drink."

The wrist is held inches from his mouth. Marcel latches on, weakly sipping. Some of the dizziness melts away, but the heat doesn't. His head is pounding and every muscle in his body aches. Eventually, he pushes the wrist away. Klaus frowns.

"This should be something that I can cure."

"You just said you don't know what it is," Marcel mumbles wearily.

Klaus sighs, scratching his little boy's back. "Shut your eyes." Marcel shakes his head. "Yes. Mommy is phoning the doctor. We'll wake you when she arrives."

"The party. Your guests…"

"You are far more important than a silly event."

Klaus continues to scratch his back, cooing softly down at him. Little by little, Marcel's eyes begin to close. Klaus wraps his arms around him.


Marcel is briefly woken up when the doctor comes, but he drifts in and out of consciousness while she examines him. He feels comfortable around her. The two met about 10 years ago. She's a vampire who studies supernatural medicine and healing on the side. It's useful to have her around.

He doesn't pay much attention to the conversation, desperately wanting sleep. Klaus keeps a tight grasp on him, giving his head little kisses every once in a while. Marcel looks into his worried eyes, frowning.

"Papa?"

"Shhh, Little Warrior, the nice doctor is talking."

Marcel flushes, resting his head on his papa's shoulder. He tries to look up at the doctor, but he can't move. Eventually, she shakes hands with Caroline and Klaus, promising "it will work". Once she leaves the room, Marcel looks between his parents, confused as he rubs his temples.

"What'd she say?"

"You seem to have contracted an infection from some bad blood," Caroline explains. "Someone contaminated it with enough vervain to make you very, very sick."

"No…no…I would've tasted it," Marcel argues. "I've ingested it before by accident. It's not something you forget."

"We're still quite unsure how it happened, Little Bear," she taps his nose. "But, we're going to make it all better. You'll keep drinking your papa's blood, as well as take your medicine and get lots of rest."

Klaus cuddles Marcel closer as Caroline crosses to the other side of the room. She grabs the tall, skinny vial from the nightstand and pours it onto the spoon. Klaus helps Marcel sit up, wrapping his arms tightly around him. Marcel shakes his head. The medicine is dark orange, with an odd, pungent scent wafering from it. He tries to move his head, but Klaus redirects it.

"Here comes the train," she says, softly. "Choo choo."

Marcel attempts to hide his face and Klaus moves his arms. Caroline continues to make those silly baby noises. Marcel reluctantly opens his mouth and allows the medicine to go in. He coughs, the liquid burning his throat on the way down. Marcel makes a face, doing everything to get the taste off his tongue.

"Sorry about that," Caroline offers with a sympathetic smile. "We will have to do that a couple of more times."

Marcel shakes his head. "No way."

"Don't be a bad patient," Klaus chastises. "If you allow this, you'll get better in no time."

"I don't want to stay in bed," Marcel doesn't realize he's whining again. "We have a lot of work to get done."

"None of that matters right now. You'll stay in bed and relax. I'll attend to all the other business. Even then, your mother will stay with you."

"But…"

Caroline shakes her head. "Don't argue with your father."

Marcel sighs. "Mom…"

"Or your mother," Klaus interrupts.

Marcel holds back an eye roll, rubbing at his face. This isn't fair. He's sweating bullets, can barely move and now, has to be sequestered to bed. He just got off punishment and is finally able to have some fun…and now here he is.

Klaus pulls him up onto his lap and cradles him. Marcel knows he should want to pull away. He's a grown man, not a child. And still, cuddling with his papa is about the only thing helping him feel close to normal.


Feel free to leave prompts :)