ella prompted "it would be kinda cute to see a chapter of when jeremy started calling marcel bubby or maybe tyler being jealous of it"

Takes place a little while after Jeremy came to live with them.


Tyler hears laughter coming from the studio as he makes his way up. Marcel and Jeremy's voices linger down the stairs. Tyler enters the room that looks as though a paint bomb has gone off. It's on the walls, the large tarp on the floor and most importantly, all over his brothers. Jeremy's in just a diaper and is covered from head to toe in a mixture of rainbow paints. Marcel is dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans. While not as messy, he's certainly in need of a shower.

There's a large roll of paper on the floor, covered in a mess of colors. That's when Tyler realizes most of the wet paint is dripping from their fingernails. Jeremy spots his older brother and his eyes light up.

"Hey, TyTy! Marcel and I are paintin'. Wanna help?"

Tyler chuckles. "I'm good, JerBear. Nice look, by the way."

Marcel shrugs. "I figured it'd be easier to clean him up."

"Dad will be thrilled," Tyler quips.

Jeremy smiles, the sarcasm going over his head. "It's a surprise for Daddy! He's going to love it."

"I'm sure."

Jeremy tugs on Marcel's arm, smearing some orange paint across it. "Marcel! I wanna keep painting!"

"Just a bit longer," Marcel says. "Then we have to start cleaning up. I don't want to leave Ms. Bethany with this mess."

Jeremy drops to his knees and gets back to work. Tyler watches the look Marcel gets in his eyes. He has that awed smile on his face. Marcel takes a picture and coos about how sweet Jeremy looks. Tyler folds his arms over his chest.

This feeling shouldn't be here. That pit in his stomach. Jeremy's been with them 6 months now. Tyler was more than happy to get Klaus and Marcel off his back. His father's still made sure they get their time together.

Tyler's already had to share a dad before. He walked into this family and became Klaus' second baby. He was Marcel's only brother, though.

Now, he's not.

"Bubby!" Jeremy calls out. "Help me!"

Tyler's nostrils flare as Marcel complies. His brothers are none the wiser, laughing and painting.

He came up with that nickname! It was his! Their special thing. Even Klaus has a different nickname for each of his sons. Why does Jeremy have to steal his?!

The door creaks open and Klaus walks in. He takes in the mess, arching his brow. Jeremy looks up and beams.

"Daddy! Bubby and I are paintin'," he announces. Tyler flinches at his use of the nickname yet again.

"I can see that," Klaus says, glancing over at his eldest.

Marcel lets out a nervous chuckle. "Sorry, Papa. I was going to clean up the mess before you got home."

Klaus looks back at Jeremy. The little one is grinning from ear to ear and jumping up and down. Klaus smiles. "I suppose I can't be too upset. So long as you clean, Marcellus."

"Of course."

"Good." He smiles down at Jeremy. "And you, my messy little angel, need a bath."

Klaus lifts the dirty boy into his arms. The paint stains his black v-neck, but he pays it no mind. Tyler slumps back. Jeremy wraps one arm around Klaus' neck and waves to Marcel with the other.

"Bye, Bubby."

Tyler's nostrils flare. He vamps out of the room before Marcel can respond.


A few nights later, Tyler lingers outside the nursery. Marcel sits in the rocking chair with Jeremy on his lap. Tyler doesn't have to strain his eyes to see the book: Where The Wild Things Are .

Tyler huffs. That's his and Marcel's book! They read it together whenever Tyler drops, even if the older brother has too. Marcel always says Tyler is like Max: a short tempered, naughty little boy on the outside, but a sweet and caring baby on the inside. Tyler was always sneaking out in the beginning. Yet, Marcel said that no matter how many times he did, his big brother would be there waiting for him.

Jeremy isn't anything like Max. He's too little. Klaus won't even let him go out by himself, much less sail to an island with monsters.

Tyler storms into the nursery. He snatches the book out of Marcel's hands. His older brother looks up at him, eyes wide.

"Tyler!"

"This is my book! I told you to stop taking my stuff without asking!"

"It's a book," Marcel makes a face. "One from our collection." Jeremy frowns, curling into his big brother. "You can share with Jeremy."

"No!"

Marcel narrows his eyes. "Give the book back."

Jeremy shakes his head. "It's okay, Bubby. I don't hafta read it."

Tyler's muscles tighten. It's bad enough his brother is stealing his brother and his book. Now, he's going to be the perfect little kid? He should be mad! Pouting! Whining! Screaming! Maybe even hit him, so Jeremy can get in trouble and Tyler will be fussed over.

Marcel strokes his hair. "No, buddy, it's not okay. Tyler is going to give the book back and we'll finish."

"No!" Tyler snaps. "It's my book that I read with my brother!" He glares at Jeremy. "Get your own!"

Tyler storms out of the nursery and down the hall to his own room. He curls up on the bed, hugging the book tightly to his chest. Hot, fat tears well up in his eyes. Tyler does his best to force them away. He's not going to cry. Not over this.

There's some shuffling in the hall, but Tyler doesn't bother to make out who it is. When the door opens, he expects it to be his father. He'll probably get a spanking or put in timeout for his behavior. Meanwhile, Marcel will take Jeremy to paint or go get his own copy of the book or whatever.

To his surprise, he takes in Marcel's scent. "G'way," he mumbles, still clutching his book.

"I don't think so." Marcel shuts the door and crosses over to the bed.

"Go back to Jeremy."

"Papa came and took him."

Tyler raises a brow. "Did he send you to spank me?" His dad's always made it clear they can't punish one another. Had this been so bad that he changed his mind?

"No, you know I don't do that." Marcel notices the book. "Hundreds of books in our library and that's the one you just have to have?"

"It's mine."

"You share a lot of stuff with Jeremy."

"Well, he has enough. This is my book! He can't read it! It has my name on it."

Tyler flips open the hard cover and points to the inscription on the front page.

For TyTy, my wild little brother.

Love, Bubby

Marcel sits on the bed and looks down at it. He smiles a little as he traces his fine cursive.

"This was the first thing I gave you when you moved in."

"Exactly." Tyler shuts the book. "It's mine."

"Jer has a lot of stuff too that he shares with you."

"Good for him."

Marcel frowns. "Tyler, what in the world has gotten into you?"

"Just go away. Read Jeremy books and finger paint with him and…and let him call you the name that I came up with!" Tyler huffs. "He wouldn't even know to call you that if not for me. But it's fine. Whatever. I don't care."

Marcel's eyes grow soft. He gently pries the book from his baby brother's hands and places it on the table. Marcel pulls a very wiggly Tyler onto his lap and moves him into a cradle position. Tyler pouts, trying to break away.

"Shhh," Marcel coos. "Bubby's here."

Tyler rubs at his eyes, trying in vain to dry his tears. "Go see Jeremy."

"Nah, I want to spend time with my baby brother."

"He's your baby brother."

"I have 2 now." Marcel taps his nose. "You're jealous."

Tyler shakes his head. "Nuh uh."

"I'd say you are. Ty." Marcel bounces him a little. "I shouldn't have read Jeremy that book. I apologize. I didn't think through how much that meant to you."

"I'm your wild little brother."

"You are, you are. I guess I just associate good memories with that because I read it to you one of the first times you dropped. My heart just wanted to do the same for Jeremy."

"It's bad enough he stole me from you. He can't have my book."

Marcel sighs.

"Ty, Jeremy hasn't stolen me from you."

"You spend a lot of time with him."

"He's around," Marcel points out. "You're off with your friends a lot."

Tyler squirms. "I guess…"

"I'd love to spend time with you, just us. Whether you're little or big."

Tyler bites his lip. "You won't be too busy with Jeremy?"

"If Papa can balance 3 kids, I can balance 2 baby brothers." Marcel pats Tyler's stomach. "You need to use your words, Ty. That wasn't fair how you freaked put on Jeremy. He's just a baby, he doesn't understand."

Tyler sniffles.

"He calls you "Bubby"," he mumbles. "That's our thing."

"I know it's special to you, but try to see it this way. Jeremy looks up to you, a lot." Tyler furrows his brows. "He follows your example. He heard you calling me "Bubby" and thought that was my nickname. It's why he follows you around a lot."

"I didn't think about that," Tyler whispers.

"I think we should keep this book just us," Marcel says, gesturing to it. "But do you think we can let Jeremy call me "Bubby"? I know it makes him feel comfortable, part of the family."

Tyler is quiet for a moment. He knows Jeremy has had a rough few years. His little brother was so anxious when he moved in. Now, he's finally opening up to all of them. This is his family too.

If he can share Klaus, maybe he could share Tyler too.

"'Kay," he says. "I'll apologize to Jeremy."

"We can do that in a bit." Marcel grins down at him. "I think I'm going to marvel in the fact that you were jealous."

Tyler pouts. "Nuh uh!"

"Baby TyTy doesn't want to share his Bubby?"

Tyler nudges at his chest, trying to pull away. "Shut up!"

"You loveeeee me," Marcel teases, a smirk on his face.

"No, I don't. You're mean. Jeremy can have you."

Marcel tuts. "That's not very nice."

He kisses his baby brother's cheek. Tyler grumbles, resting his head on his shoulder. Maybe Jeremy can take all the annoying, obnoxious parts of Marcel.


Tyler and those big feelings…always gonna get the best of him. Luckily, Klaus and Marcel know how to handle them!

Next time, Tyler and Marcel take breaking the rules a little too far. Klaus will not take it well.

As always, let me know what you think and feel free to leave prompts!