Until now, Kol's never worn a lot of "kid clothes" when he drops. He usually sticks to his hoodies and sweatpants. Finn never bought him any and Kol doesn't like going to the mall. The little he has comes from Hayley and Rebekah. Even then, it takes up such a small portion of his wardrobe.

Now, he stands in front of his full-length mirror wearing a pair of denim overalls over a cream colored shirt with orange and black flannel sleeves. The shirt reads "Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch" with the harvest vegetable printed directly above.

He's not feeling entirely little but knows he'll likely drop soon. Hayley dressed him and now, is fussing over his hair.

"You look so adorable," she says, a smile on her face as she combs his curls.

"I feel silly," he mumbles.

Hayley pauses, her smile dropping a bit. "Do you want to change?"

Kol hesitates, then shakes his head. "I'm just not used to it as all."

"I know." Hayley rubs his shoulder. "But, I spoke with Caroline and Rebekah. All of your cousins have dropped today. They're dressed in similar outfits. You won't be alone. I'll even bring a change of clothes for you if this gets to be too much, alright?" Kol nods. "That's my boy."

"What are we doing at Nik and Caroline's?"

"Caroline has gotten some pumpkins for you guys to do activities with."

Kol raises a brow. "Activities?"

Hayley shrugs. "She found them online." Kol's turned around to face her. "There, all done. Look at this precious boy."

She kisses his nose as Kol blushes. Hayley is very affectionate. A lot of hugs, kisses and cheek pinches. It took some time to get used to. Now, he finds himself going to her whenever he needs a hug.

"Hayley?"

She rubs her thumb against his cheek. "Hm?"

"When will the judge make his choice?"

"We have a court date the day after Halloween." Kol nods, fiddling nervously with his thumbs. "Hey, you heard Cami. She's going to recommend guardianship."

"What if the judge says no?"

"Elijah and I aren't letting you go. We'll find a way, okay?" Kol gnaws on his lip. Hayley cradles his cheek. "Okay?"

Kol leans into her hand. "'Kay."

"That's my boy." Hayley kisses his forehead. "Let's find Elijah, hm?"

Kol nods, taking her hand. She leads him downstairs to the entryway. Elijah is there, putting on his jacket. He smiles upon seeing Kol.

"Aren't you adorable?" Elijah bends down and picks him up.

Kol wraps his arms around his neck. "Hayley picked it out."

"She has some good taste." Elijah bounces him a bit. "Wanna see your cousins?"

That brings Kol some excitement. He really wants to play with April, Tyler and Jeremy. Even Marcel is fun these days."Uh huh!"

"Let's get your shoes and coat on."

Kol thinks about saying he can do it, but instead allows Elijah to put on his brown Uggs. He holds out his arms, barely assisting in his new jacket being put on. It's brown, with ears on the hood. He looks like a little bear when Elijah pulls it up, just like his favorite show. He doesn't even protest a pacifier being clipped to his overalls.

The first time Kol starts having second thoughts about dropping is when they reach the SUV. His car seat was installed this weekend. He never had one in Finn's, but Hayley and Elijah say this is safest.

"Not a baby," Kol mumbles.

"It's not just babies who sit in these seats," Elijah says.

"April and Jeremy do. They're babies."

"Tyler has to sit in one," his brother points out. "Marcel has a booster seat too. So, they're for all little ones. And even if you were a baby, it's okay to be that small."

Kol doesn't reply. His headspace seems to vary. Sometimes he feels big, like around Marcel's age. Other times, he feels very, very young. Maybe not as young as Jeremy can be, but around there.

Elijah slips his pacifier in, which helps a bit. He straps Kol into the 5 point harness, making sure the straps aren't too tight while also remaining safe.

"There, all set. Shall we go?" Kol nods, sucking on his pacifier.

It doesn't take them very long to get to Klaus and Caroline's. They probably could've walked, but Elijah was nervous about rain. Kol's calmed quite a bit by the time they're there. The excitement rises as he races up to the door. Elijah is close behind him.

"Careful on the steps, Little Prince!"

Kol nods, not slowing down in the slightest. He rings the bell twice. The door opens and Caroline stands there, a kind smile on her face. Kol waves excitedly, removing his pacifier.

"Hiya, Caroline. Where's TyTy?"

She chuckles. "He's in the kitchen with everyone else." She waves to Elijah and Hayley as they walk up behind him. "You want to take off your jacket and join everyone?"

Kol nods again, pulling at the zipper. Caroline has to help him a little, though he's able to kick off his shoes. Kol races to the kitchen. There are two large pumpkins on the table on top of some newspaper. Five smaller ones sit on the counter. Marcel, April and Tyler are gathered around the big table, all wearing some sort of Halloween related outfit. Matt is the only adult in the room. Kol's face brightens upon realizing Tyler's wearing overalls just like him! He runs over and gives him a hug.

"Hi Ty!"

Tyler grins. "Hey, Koley."

April skips over. She's wearing a dress as usual. This one has an orange tutu skirt. The top is pink with pumpkins, pie and coffee cups littered across the top. Her hair is in two braids, tied off by orange ribbon. Rebekah is really good at braiding. She's put bows in Kol's hair sometimes when he comes over.

"We're gonna play with the pumpkins!" April announces.

Kol tilts his head. "How?"

"I'm gonna cut them with a knife."

"You're not doing anything with a knife," Matt speaks up from the corner he's supervising from. April pouts. "Knives are sharp. Not for little girls."

"Then Marcel can do it."

Matt cuts in as Marcel's eyes light up. "They're not for little boys either." Kol wraps his arms around him. He smiles. "Hey, buddy. I've missed you."

Kol buries his head in his chest. "Missed you too."

"Daddy, can Koley and I have a sleepover?" April asks.

"Not tonight, baby." Kol and April both pout this time. "But soon, I promise."

Klaus walks in, holding Jeremy on his hip. Kol smells baby powder, indicating he's just been changed. The little one instantly tries to jump down upon seeing his cousin. Klaus readjusts him.

"Careful, Angel, you're going to hurt yourself."

Jeremy whines. "Daddy! Koley's here!"

"You can wait until I put you down."

Jeremy pokes out his tongue. Finally, Klaus settles him down and he runs straight for his older cousin. Kol hugs him tight.

"Koley! Will you play pumpkins with me?"

"Sure!"

Kol still has no clue what exactly they're doing but everyone else seems excited. Even April, who has moved on from her desires to use a knife and is trying to climb up to sit with Marcel. He lifts her into the seat.

Eventually, the rest of the adults come in. The kids settle around the table, Kol in between April and Tyler. Klaus walks over to the group, holding a knife.

"So, I-just me, no one else-am going to cut open these pumpkins. You all can explore them. Take out the insides, feel the seeds. No putting them in your mouth, okay?" He looks at Tyler, who nods.

"I won't, Dada."

"Good. Who touches the knife?"

There's a mix of "Niky" and "Daddy" responses, depending on the child. Klaus nods in approval and gets to work cutting off the lid on each pumpkin. Jeremy and Tyler begin digging into one. Marcel and April reach into the other. They pull out long, thick pumpkin guts littered with seeds. Kol's lip twitches. It smells funny.

He scoots a little closer and reaches his hand in. The insides are cold and slimy. Kol's fingers tremble as they brush up against a seed. It's a sharp contrast, hard and uneven. Combined with the smell, it makes Kol's hands feel all tingly.

He pulls his hand back out, wiping it on the newspaper. That only makes the feeling worse. He whines, kicking his legs and shaking his hand. With his free one, he rubs the soft pacifier leash. Elijah swoops in with a wet wipe, gently tending to the yucky hand.

"Didn't feel so good?" Kol nods. "That's okay. You don't have to play with it."

Caroline walks over holding one of the smaller pumpkins and some markers. "Do you want to decorate instead?" Kol continues to rub his hand against the leash. "Do you need a minute?" Kol nods again. "Sure thing."

Elijah reaches into the diaper bag and pulls out Kol's favorite popper, shaped like an apple. After assuring he'll be okay, he and Caroline join the rest of the adults. Kol uses one hand to rub the leash and the other to press the bubbles on the popper. The smell is a little overwhelming, but the silicon helps relax him.

It's only then he notices Marcel is staring at him. Jeremy, Tyler and April are preoccupied by the pumpkins. They're giggling as they take everything out. April is removing the seeds from the guts and lining them up in a row. Caroline and Klaus are having to gently remind Tyler to not eat the seeds. Yet, Marcel continues to stare. Kol frowns, moving his popper close to him.

April must notice the tension, because she looks up, her eyes darting between the two.

"Koley, take a turn with the pumpkin." She tries to push it in his direction.

Kol shakes his head, rubbing harder on the leash. Marcel pulls the pumpkin back and begins digging more out. "Kol isn't playing. He's being difficult again."

Kol gnaws on his lip. April doesn't seem fazed by the comment. She goes back to playing with Marcel. If Jeremy and Tyler heard, they don't say anything.

This isn't the first time that Kol's been unable to participate in an activity. As it is, there are some he can't do because his body don't like the way certain things feel. They can't use the sandbox when he's over. Play dough is another thing that's out of the question. Sure, there's plenty of games and toys they can play with…but this is yet another thing Kol can't do.

His body feels broken. How can they have so much fun, but it makes his hands feel tingly? Kol doesn't want to stop their fun. He doesn't want to be around it at all.

Kol hops down from the chair and bolts out of the room, still holding his popper. He runs until he can't smell the pumpkin anymore. This lands him in the backyard. Elijah and Hayley are close behind him. Concern's written in their eyes. Elijah attempts to pick him up, but Kol backs up a bit. His older brother frowns.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? Is the smell too much?"

Even though it is, Kol shakes his head. That's not the real problem.

"What is it? You don't have to touch the pumpkin."

All the bubbles on Kol's popper are pressed down. He flips it over and starts on the other side. "Not the pumpkin."

"It's not?" Kol shakes his head. "Then talk to me."

Kol slides down onto the porch swing. He kicks his legs, allowing it to go back and forth. When Klaus babysits, he rocks him to sleep out here. It reminds Kol of the rocking chair at Hayley and Elijah's.

Hayley and Elijah sit on either side of him. Kol leans backwards, contributing to kick his legs.

"We're right here," Hayley says, her voice soft. "You know you can tell us anything."

"No fun," Kol mumbles.

"What's no fun?"

"Me."

"Huh? Bug, you are so much fun. You're often the ringleader of your cousins."

"Make things harder."

"Who does? Your cousins?"

"No. Me. I'm difficult."

Elijah instantly pulls him on his lap. Kol whines when his popper falls. Hayley places it back in his hands.

"You aren't difficult, Little Prince," Elijah whispers.

"Marcel said I am."

Elijah frowns. "He said that?"

"'Cause I can't play with the pumpkin. I can't do anything."

"That's not true," Hayley soothes, rubbing small circles on his back. "You have lots of fun with your cousins."

"No sand or pumpkins or playdough." Kol presses harder on the popper at the thought of it.

"There are some things that your body doesn't like, but that doesn't make you difficult, baby."

"Everyone else can."

Elijah shakes his head. "You're not everyone else. You're Kol. So, you do things a little different. You don't like to play with what the others do. That doesn't make you difficult. It just means you do things your own way."

"Marcel…"

"Marcel doesn't know what he's talking about," Elijah interrupts. "He doesn't understand autism, because he's so young. But I'll talk to Nik and Caroline. They'll sort him out."

"Don't want him in trouble."

Kol frowns when Elijah and Hayley smile at one another.

"Not funny," he grumbles.

"We're not laughing at you, baby," Hayley promises. "Just thinking."

"'Bout what?"

"Nothing important. Do you need to stay outside for a minute?" Kol nods. It's nice out here. There's no smell of pumpkins and it's quiet. "Alright, you stay with Elijah. I'll go talk to Klaus and Caroline."

Hayley gives him a kiss before heading inside. Once again, Kol's finished with his popper. This time, he settles it beside Elijah. His brother runs his fingers through his curls. Kol leans into his shoulder, reaching up to play with the scruff on his chin.

"'Lijah?"

"Yes?"

"Do you wish I was like Marcel?"

Elijah frowns. "Why would you ask me that?"

"'Cause I'd be bigger. And I wouldn't have autism. I could do more stuff."

Elijah shakes his head, cuddling him closer. "Oh no, no, no, no. My little prince." His frown increases. "I don't want you to be any different than who you are."

"But…"

"Shh, no." Elijah cups his cheek. "You are perfect. My little boy. The only one I want. You don't need to change. Every thing that you are, makes you, you. I wouldn't erase your autism or trade you for the world."

Kol rubs his eye. "Even for Marcel?"

"Nope. I love Marcel. He's my nephew and he's great. But nothing compares to my sweet baby brother." Elijah kisses his forehead. "I love you so much, baby boy. Don't you ever doubt otherwise."

Kol wraps his arms around his neck. The anxiety still bubbles in his stomach but he doesn't want to worry anymore. He just wants his big brothers

"Love you too, 'Lijah."

Elijah smiles as Kol presses an innocent, childlike kiss to his lips. "I don't think I'd want you to be bigger," he muses. "You're such a sweet baby."

Kol giggles when Elijah tickles him. The two remain curled up for quite a bit, with Kol poking at Elijah's face. His brother doesn't flinch, even when he accidentally gets him in the eye.

Eventually, the door opens again. Marcel comes out, Klaus and Hayley not far behind. Kol sits up a bit, frowning. Marcel's eyes shift back and forth as he hops from one foot to the other.

"Sorry, Kol," he mumbles. "I didn't understand."

Kol shrugs. "S'okay."

"You're not difficult. You just do things, Kol's way." Klaus nudges him. "And I won't say anything like that again."

"'Kay," Kol whispers.

"We're gonna color pumpkins now, if you wanna come?"

"You don't have to, Little One," Klaus says. "We can set up a different activity."

Kol puts his paci in his mouth. "Pumpkin closed?"

"Yes, sweetheart. No open pumpkins. Just coloring the outside."

Kol slowly nods. He climbs off Elijah's lap and follows them inside. Klaus guides him past the smelly kitchen and into the living room where the smaller pumpkins are set up on the coffee table with markers. Kol sits beside Jeremy and uncaps a purple one, drawing a small design. His cousins just smile at him and chatter about their drawings. No one brings up his freak out over the pumpkin guts. Instead, they all sit there, happily doodling under the eye of their family.