frkhems prompted: "would love and read a chapter about tyler and his struggle with his classification".
This takes place 5 years before the start of the series, shortly after Tyler came to live with the family.
Mentions of past abuse in this chapter.
Tyler knocks back the rest of his beer. Josh smacks him on the shoulder.
"Another round?"
"Is that a question?"
Tyler leans back against the sticky wall, keeping his eye on the pool table. He has next, finally. The bar is unusually packed for a Tuesday night. Though, he supposes he can't complain. The bartenders are less likely to spot a fake.
Sure enough, he can see Cyrus barely look at Josh's ID before shoving two beers in his direction.
A telltale vibrate comes from Tyler's pocket. He fishes out his brand new iPhone. One of his several adoption presents, this from his new "aunt" Rebekah. Biologically, she's younger than him and yet, treats him how one would their little baby nephew. She's the same with Marcel, but she's actually known him since he was a child.
Tyler glances down at the screen, rolling his eyes at the name on the screen. He opens the text.
Klaus: Where are you?
Tyler goes to shove his phone back in his pocket when another message comes in.
Klaus: Tyler, you don't want me to be the one to find you.
"Good luck with that," he mutters, dropping his phone back into his pocket.
Josh comes back around with the beer. Tyler accepts it and takes a long sip. He digs in his pocket for some cash. Josh holds up a hand.
"This one's on me."
"You sure? I have all this "allowance" burning a hole in my pocket."
Josh snorts. "At least you went from one rich home to another."
"Dick never gave me an allowance. I had to get every single expense approved." Tyler rolls his eyes. "Cheap bastard."
"And you're sure your new dad won't find you?"
"He just texted. He has no clue where I am. For a hybrid, he sure is clueless."
A deep, accented voice comes from behind him. "Is that so?"
Tyler freezes. His hands grip the beer, condensation dripping onto his hand. Josh quickly vamps away. Tyler groans. So much for friends.
"Tyler." The young hybrid doesn't turn around. "Tyler Mikaelson." He doesn't move a muscle.
Klaus vamps in front of him, arms crossed over his chest. He looks him up and down, zeroing in on the beer. "That better not be what I think it is."
"Then it's just a soda," Tyler quips, ignoring his heart rate picking up.
Klaus clicks his tongue. "Put it down and follow me out."
Tyler scoffs. "No."
"Pardon me?"
"I said no. I'm not done yet."
The older hybrid narrows his icy blue eyes. "'Tis not a request, young man. You are leaving with me, now."
"No!" Without meaning to, Tyler stomps his foot. "I'm not leaving. You can't make me."
Klaus scoffs. In one lightning fast move, he knocks the beer onto a nearby table. With another, he grabs hold of his son's ear and begins dragging him out the door. Tyler fruitlessly struggles against him. His eyes dart around the bar. Luckily, most are too busy to notice him being escorted out like a naughty toddler. The few who do smirk into their drinks and whisper to one another. Tyler turns bright red. His ear burns.
"Let me go!" Klaus ignores him. Tyler growls. "Let go, asshole!"
"Keep up that naughty language and you'll have your mouth washed out with soap," Klaus tells him calmly.
"I'm not naughty!" Tyler nearly whines. "I'm not a little kid!"
"That's up for debate."
Klaus reaches his SUV. Tyler glances up front and notices Marcel in the passenger seat wearing pajamas, nodding off. He furrows his brows in confusion until he catches sight of the big clock in the middle of the square. 10. Marcel's bedtime during the week when he hasn't dropped. Tyler shakes his head.
How can he go along with all that? He's a grown ass man.
Klaus opens the door to the back. He gestures to Tyler's booster seat. Tyler shakes his head, still squirming against his new father's grip. Richard and Carol never made him sit in one! They didn't even make him wear pull-ups before he became a hybrid. They let him lead the entire thing. Why can't his new dad do the same?! Klaus sighs.
"You're insistent on making this hard on yourself, stubborn boy."
He scoops Tyler into his arms and settles him into the seat. Tyler screams, kicking his legs. Klaus moves the seatbelt over him and kicks it into place. He walks around and gets up front. Marcel stirs in his seat.
"Papa?"
"Shh, go back to sleep, my little warrior," Klaus whispers. "Your brother is having a tough time. We'll be back soon."
Tyler continues to fuss the entire ride home. He tries to get out of the seat, but Klaus has somehow maneuvered it so he can't reach the button. The pain in his ear quickly subsides but he finds himself getting more and more worked up.
He brings the tip of his thumb to his lips. Nibbling, not sucking. Tyler Lockwood does not suck his thumb. That's for babies. His Little space isn't even that young!
When the SUV pulls into the garage, Tyler tugs harder at the seatbelt. Marcel gets out the front and stumbles to the door. Klaus calls after him that he'll be up to check on him later. He opens the back door and takes in the fussing hybrid.
"Are you going to walk like a big boy to your room or do I have to carry you?"
Tyler cries out, frustrated and exhausted. "I hate you!"
A bit of hurt flashes across Klaus' face. Tyler stills for only a moment. He's unsure why that makes him sad. "You're entitled to feel that way," he says.
Klaus unstraps the belt. He lifts Tyler back into his arms and carries him inside. Tyler kicks his legs, whining. Klaus gently bounces him. Tyler settles just a bit, only to attempt working himself up once again. No! He is not going to be calmed down like a toddler.
Eventually, they reach his room. Klaus has told him he could decorate it however he wishes. Tyler's left it the same: a California king bed with dark blue bedding, a mahogany desk in the corner with an uncomfortable chair and a wardrobe. The nursery has clothes for his younger space, but Tyler refuses to wear them.
Klaus settles him in the corner, his nose pointed at the wall.
"Stand here for a few moments while I check on your brother. Don't move."
Tyler specifically waits to wiggle after Klaus leaves the room. This is so embarrassing! Being dragged by his ear, forced in a booster seat and now this!
Tears well up in his eyes. He quickly tries to fight them off.
"You're not going to cry," he mumbles. "Stop it."
Tyler thinks of the stupid teddy bear on the bed that Klaus gave him his first night there. He said he hated it. Yet, it's stayed on his bed since.
He wants his bear.
He doesn't like being alone.
Where's Klaus?
Tyler attempts to use his hybrid hearing to listen to Marcel's conversation but Klaus has done his best to soundproof the bedrooms (outside the nursery) for privacy. There's that stupid baby monitor on his wardrobe, but he still can't hear anything in Marcel's room.
Eventually, footsteps make it down the hall and the door opens. Tyler wipes at his eyes, making sure there are no tears.
"Are you calm?" Klaus asks.
"No," Tyler petulantly replies.
"You sound like it. Come to your bed."
Tyler turns around and finds Klaus in pajamas. There's something about him in sweats and a t-shirt. He looks less scary…almost human.
Reluctantly, Tyler walks over and perched on the bed. Klaus sits beside him.
"You broke quite a number of rules tonight," Klaus says. Tyler shrugs. "I was terrified when I came in your room and found you gone. Your bedtime was 9:00."
"It's stupid," Tyler mutters. "I'm not even in space."
"Yes, but you need your rest. You become quite cranky without it."
"I don't need a stupid bedtime or curfew."
"You do."
"I never had one before."
Klaus pauses. "You didn't have many rules, did you?"
Tyler gnaws on his lip, trying to think about it.
"Not really. I mean, I think my mom tried to enforce a curfew but I just kept skipping it, so…" Tyler shrugs.
"What about when you dropped?"
"The only rule was I couldn't leave the house."
"I meant, what happened when you dropped."
Tyler plays with his fingers. "I…I don't want to talk about it."
"Little pup." Klaus puts a hand on his shoulder. Tyler slowly looks up at him. His eyes are kind now, gentle and worried. "You're safe here. You can tell me."
Tyler sighs, gently pulling away. He doesn't like talking about his other home. Yet, he knows Klaus isn't going anywhere.
"They hired a nanny," Tyler whispers. "She lived in the house and was there in case I dropped. She didn't really do much, outside make me food and tell me to play with the few toys I had. Let me watch TV mostly. When I was big…no one cared if I went out and drank or whatever. So long as I wasn't embarrassing the family."
Klaus frowns. "That's not how it should've been."
Tyler shrugs. "My parents never wanted a little. They assumed I'd be a caregiver." He starts gnawing on his thumb again. "I'd get bored and start acting naugh…like a bad boy…" That doesn't sound very adult either. "I'd have really big outbursts. The nannies kept quitting. Richard would get mad. I'd…I'd get locked in my room for the day."
Klaus gently strokes his hair. Tyler sniffles. No, he can't cry! Big boys don't cry.
"You needed structure," Klaus says. "Rules. To have your little side nurtured."
"I was fine."
"You weren't, sweetheart."
Tyler shrugs. "Doesn't matter. They got tired of it eventually. Everyone always does."
"I won't," Klaus whispers, his voice sincere.
Tyler's lip quivers. "I just snuck out. Told you I hated you."
"If I gave up on a child every time they said they hated me, I wouldn't have Marcel." Klaus chuckles a little. "Tyler, adoption is forever. You'll never have to leave. Even if you break a rule, I'll still love you."
Tyler's eyes water. "Why?"
"That's what fathers do. They love their babies." Tyler rubs at his eyes. Klaus rubs his back. "You're safe here, my little pup. You can be Little or big. You won't be left with a cold hearted nanny. If I can't be with you for whatever reason, you'll be with someone who will care for you."
"Really?"
"Really. Look at tonight. I brought your big brother with me. I wasn't going to leave him alone." Klaus smiles. "I'd do the same for you." A quick tear falls down Tyler's face. He rubs at it. "It's okay to cry."
Tyler shakes his head. "Big boys don't cry," he echoes Richard's words.
"That's ridiculous. I'm one of the oldest people on the planet and I cry often."
"You do?"
"Aye."
Klaus pulls him onto his lap. Tyler sits still for a moment. Klaus begins rocking him. Tyler does all he can to keep it together, but one tear falls, then another. Soon, he's sobbing into his dad's chest. Klaus bounces him and coos softly.
"Yes, yes, there we go. Let it all out, my sweet, sweet little puppy."
Tyler cries over Carol and Richard abandoning him. He cries over having to move into a new house. He cries for all the times he fell into space and needed a cuddle but no one came. He cries for the days spent in his room or a closet. All the times he had to go to school hiding a black and blue on his stomach.
He also cries over the unconditional love being displayed in that moment. A man he only met a few months ago, rocking and cooing at him as if he's a little boy. Telling him it's all okay. He cries knowing he has an older brother just 2 rooms over who's always so nice to him, even when he's being a dick.
"I'm here," Klaus promises, kissing his head. "You're safe. I love you."
Tyler sobs. He puts his thumb in his mouth and begins sucking. Between that, the bouncing, rocking and cooing, it slowly melts down into small hiccups. Klaus pats his back.
"What a brave boy," he praises. Tyler sniffles, wiping at his face. Klaus grabs a tissue from the nightstand and cleans him up. "See, doesn't that feel better."
"A…hic…little," Tyler admits.
Klaus smiles, moving him so he's sitting up on his lap. "I'm here for you, Tyler. I love you very much and only want what's best for you. Whether you're Little or not, I'm here. You're not alone anymore."
Tyler hiccups again. "It's gonna take time."
"I know, so I'll keep showing you." Klaus fixes his hair. "Starting with my rules. 9:00 bedtime during the week, 10:00 on weekends. No going out without telling me where you're headed. No drinking, smoking or drugs of any kind."
"I've been drinking for years."
"Yes, and you're forever 18. Even if you were a legal adult, you know it's illegal for Littles to drink. It could harm you."
Tyler frowns. "I've been fine before."
"Or, you may not have realized the after effects. Regardless, that will not happen again. Are we clear?"
Tyler sighs. "Yes, sir."
Klaus nods. "Now, we went over punishments. You got your timeout and you're grounded for 2 weeks. No allowance, no going out, early bedtime of 8:30 on school nights and 9:30 on weekends."
"That's too early!"
"That's the way it is." Tyler pouts. "Also, I believe we discussed corporal punishment." The little one wiggles. "I will never beat you. Nor will I ever abuse you. I shall simply pull down your trousers and warm up your bottom with my hand. Are we clear?"
Tyler sniffles. "I've never been spanked before. Just hit or kicked."
Klaus frowns. "I would never do that. A spanking is just your bum. I promise."
Tyler hiccups once again, but slowly nods. Klaus unbuttons his jeans and takes them off completely, followed by his briefs. Tyler blushes, trying to cover his privates. Klaus moves his hands away.
"'Tis nothing I haven't seen before. Come on, let's get this over with."
Klaus adjusts him so he's over his lap. Tyler's muscular bottom is up in the air. The first smack comes out of nowhere. Tyler grinds his teeth for the first few. Little by little, they get worse. He yelps and tries to get off his lap.
"Stop!"
"Hush now, you'll take your medicine then we can get ready for bed," Klaus says.
Tyler frowns as the smacks pick up. Klaus' hand quickly warms up his bottom. Tyler kicks his legs and pounds his fists.
SMACK!
SMACK!
SMACK!
SMACK!
SMACK!
"Owwwie!" Tyler cries. "It hurts!"
"It's meant to," Klaus says, his voice calm. "You…" SMACK! "Will not sneak out…" SMACK! "Nor will you drink…" SMACK!
Tyler whimpers. "Ouchie! Y…yes!"
"You will obey…" SMACK! SMACK! "And listen to me."
Tears drip down Tyler's cheeks. "Ahhh! Yes, yes! I'll be a good boy!"
"You already are." Klaus somehow manages to make him feel better, even as Tyler's bottom burns. "You're a very good boy. You just made some mistakes."
Tyler wails. Klaus rubs his back.
"Just a few more, you're doing so well."
Tyler doesn't feel that way. He feels weak. Like a little boy.
Yet, he doesn't want off his father's lap.
Klaus smacks each cheek three more times before getting his sit spot.
"Ouchie!"
Klaus gently rubs his bottom. "There, there. All done. That's my little brave boy." Tyler yelps when he's perched on his dad's knee. Klaus once again cleans his face. "Blow," he instructs. Tyler complies. "Good boy."
"Klau…Klaus?" Tyler sniffles, rubbing at his sore, red bottom.
Klaus goes back to fussing with his hair. "Yes?"
"I…I know Marcel calls you Papa…but um…could I…" Tyler trails off.
Klaus cuddles him close. "No, ask me, little one."
"Could I call you D…Dadd…Dad?" The man's eyes sparkle. "Just…I don't know…it feels right?"
"You may call me whatever you wish," Klaus whispers. "I don't mind."
Tyler nods, rubbing his eyes. "Okay, Daddy," he whispers.
Klaus smothers his face with kisses. Tyler can't help but giggle. He feels a few of his new dad's tears hit his face. Klaus eventually lets up.
"How about I give you a bath and wash this awful bar smell off you," he says. "Then jammies and bed."
Tyler nods. "Will you stay with me? I don't wanna be alone."
"Of course I will. In fact, you shall sleep in Daddy's bed, for your whole grounding. Not as a punishment, merely something to help you."
Tyler smiles a little. "Okay, Daddy."