Elijah&Kol angst is always "hurts so much to write it's fun"…I think Hayley Kol angst may be my second favorite for this verse!

They don't return from the dance until well after 10. Rebekah says she texted Hayley, who said it was fine to stay out later.

Kol can't find himself to be grateful. He half-wished the dance would end early so he could go home. Then again, he has no clue what is waiting for him at home. What Elijah knows. If Hayley is still upset with him?

The unknowns form a pit in his stomach.

His mother isn't waiting on him when they arrive. Kol takes it upon himself to shower, brush his teeth and change into his pajamas.

He paces the hall. The options weigh in his mind. He could wait until morning. They'll both have had more time to cool off. At the same time, he knows more than anyone what time can do. It festers resentment and anger. His family spent so long waiting to sort out their issues. It took far too many explosions before they could communicate properly.

Kol's knuckle barely taps the door when he hears his mother's soft voice say "come in". He walks in, surprised to find her alone. She's changed into her own pajamas and sits on the bed, watching a movie on the TV. Kol doesn't look at it, but he recognizes the actors that often appear in cheesy rom-coms.

Hayley pauses the movie. Her face is less stoic than earlier, though the wall is clearly still up. She purses her lips. The pit in his stomach expands. He genuinely fears he may throw up.

His mother has been upset with him before. Sometimes disappointed. He can't truly place this feeling. There's anger, but more so hurt.

He hurt his mom. Lord knows he's hurt his father or siblings enough, but he's never done something like this to her.

"Where's Dad?" Kol asks, fiddling with his fingers.

"He's off celebrating with Klaus and the other hybrids."

"They got their daylight rings?" Hayley nods. "Oh; that's good."

"Yes. He told me that neither of us should wait up." Kol nods, but doesn't move. Hayley tilts her head. "Did you need something?"

Kol blinks. There's so much he wants right now. A hug. Forgiveness. He's unsure if either is fair to ask for.

"The um, the dance was fun," he says. Hayley nods. "Everyone loved the decorations. They said this was the best Halloween dance there's ever been. They had to restock the photo booth film a couple of times."

He sees the briefest glimmer of interest in her eye. Just as quick it comes, it's gone. Kol fiddles with the strings of his hoodie.

"People kept asking why it was so different. You…you did a good job."

"Thanks," Hayley clears her throat. "I'm glad everyone had a fun time."

"I wish you had been there."

Hayley sighs, shaking her head.

"No, Kol. You don't."

"I do!" Kol bites his lip. "I didn't realize why you were doing all of that. I was being a brat. I couldn't see past myself."

Hayley turns off the TV and sits up straighter. "You find me embarrassing?"

She doesn't sound accusatory in the slightest. Just confused. Kol isn't sure he's any more confident.

"No, I didn't say that."

"You said I invade your life."

"I didn't mean it like that. It's just…weird."

"What is? Me being at your school?"

"No." Kol pauses. "Well…yeah. But I'm not exactly thrilled with Dad being there either. Sometimes it makes me feel like a little kid who can't be away from his mommy and daddy."

Hayley frowns. "Has anyone said that to you?"

"No! It's just…a lot. I'm not used to all of this, you know? When I went to school in Mystic Falls, I was kind of on my own. Rebekah and Matt were there, but it was different. They're around my age. We didn't do a whole lot together. Dad didn't offer to volunteer. Now…"

Kol trails off. Hayley waves her hand to signal him to continue. Little by little, he sees his real mom breaking through. The pit doesn't go away.

"I'm just not used to having parents involved to this level. You and Dad are in other ways, but this just feels different. You want to help make sure I have a good experience…I know I've had this relationship with Dad for awhile now, but 4 years really isn't a long time in comparison to the life I've lived."

Hayley nods. "No, it isn't."

"And you…well…I haven't had a mom in a really long time. My last one, she wasn't like this. Not just in the sense that we didn't have school like this, but she was too stressed, too tired, too angry to really help."

He can't picture Esther joining the PTA. Or wanting to decorate a school dance. She'd likely find it frivolous. There was always work that had to be done.

Hayley still doesn't speak, but understanding is written across her face.

"But," Kol continues. "I know now you were just trying to help. You…you do a lot for me and I'm an ungrateful brat sometimes."

Hayley sighs. "You aren't a brat, ba…Kol," she quickly corrects.

That doesn't help Kol's anxiety. She's always calling him by some nickname. It can get annoying, but it's also comfortable.

"I am," he insists. "I take you and Dad for granted a lot. I forget…I am your kid. You want what's best for me."

"I do," Hayley agrees. "But I also know I can be a lot. I mean, I sort of flubbed the first time we met."

Kol cringes at the memory of her pinching his cheeks and calling him adorable. Paired with the disgusting sexual comment he made, he was sure she and Elijah wouldn't work out.

Somehow, it did.

"I wasn't much better."

Hayley once again sighs. "Kol, everything I do is to keep you safe. Maybe I come across as annoying or overprotective, but I usually have a reason. If you feel I'm going too far, just tell me. To my face, not to your obnoxious friend."

Kol ducks his head at the mention of Tate. "I didn't think about it. I was so worried about snapping and saying things I don't mean, I ended up saying something hurtful."

"Did you really mean it when I said I don't have a life?"

Kol shakes his head, sitting on the edge of her bed. Hayley runs her fingers through her long hair.

"I have lived a lot of life, Kol. Maybe not as long as you or your siblings, but I have a story of my own. One I don't share much with you, because you're the kid. I don't want to put all that on you."

"You can tell me this stuff, Mama."

Hayley hesitates. "You know I was adopted? And what happened to my family?"

"They threw you out?"

Hayley nods. "And before then, they weren't very involved. They weren't bad people, at least not then. They were just very hands off. And sometimes I liked it, because I could get away with things. I mean, I was 13 and joyriding a boat."

Kol raises a brow. There's no way his mom would ever do something like that! Hayley sees his face and softly chuckles.

"See? There's parts of me you don't know." Hayley's smile fades. "But it was also lonely. I was on my own a lot. Then I got thrown out. I was 13, a new wolf with no idea what was happening to me."

Kol frowns. "That's terrifying."

"It was. I was on my own for a very long time. I didn't have people looking out for me."

Hayley smooths down the sheets. For a moment, Kol sees the haunted look in her eyes. The one he rarely notices.

"I also know what you went through. What Elijah, Nik…" She trails off, shaking her head. "Did. I know they've changed. Still, from experience, those scars don't fade completely. I just wanted to show you that you had support now."

Kol tugs harder on his hoodie strings. The pit only grows bigger. He feels stupid. He feels awful, ungrateful, such a little brat. He spent so long feeling shunned. Someone tries to help prevent that…and he throws it all back in her face.

"I'm sorry, Mama," Kol whispers. "I feel so bad."

Tears well up in his eyes. He tries to look away so she can't see him. It's silent for only a moment until he hears his mom's voice.

"Come here."

He looks up and sees her softened features. She looks on the verge of tears herself, as her arms open up. Kol vamps across the bed and wraps his arms tightly around her. Hayley cuddles him close.

"You are a kid," she whispers. "You're going to say and do silly things. It doesn't make you terrible or a brat."

"You didn't deserve it," Kol whispers.

"I should've talked to you about it, rather than just jumping in. And I know sometimes I baby you a bit too much. Even when you're older." She strokes his hair. "It's just hard to turn off."

"Not always so bad," he mumbles.

Hayley smiles a little. "No?" He shakes his head. "Either way, I'll try to be better."

"You don't have to quit the PTA."

"Kol…"

"You're right, these things need people to run them. And I know I probably don't deserve them, but the other kids do. So, do it for them, not me."

Hayley shakes her head. "You need to stop beating yourself up for this, bab…Kol. I know you were venting."

"I hurt you."

"And I'm your mama. I'm always going to love and forgive you."

Hayley kisses his cheek. Kol holds onto her nightgown, allowing his tears to fall.

"Love you," he whispers. Hayley continues to stroke his hair, giving him affection he isn't sure he deserves. "Mama?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't stop calling me "baby", please?"

He hears a shift in her breath. Relief? "Okay."

"Really? Even though I was a brat?"

"If you don't stop calling yourself a brat, I am going to call you only "baby" or "lovebug" in front of your friends."

Kol isn't sure if she's serious, but he doesn't want to find out. The guilt is still there, but his stomach feels better.

"A lot of people liked my costume," he mumbles. "No one else had it."

"I'm glad."

He yawns, rubbing his eyes. "Can I help you pass out candy tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course you can. But in the moment, you need to get some sleep."

Kol shakes his head. "Nuh uh. Not getting up."

"You don't have to. You'll stay right here."

Kol opens his mouth to speak but another yawn comes out. "Are you gonna tell Daddy? About our fight?"

"I don't keep secrets from your dad. But, I'm also not going to let him punish you for this. You've done that enough."

Kol nods. He isn't sure how he's suddenly exhausted.

"One more question."

"Questions can wait until morning."

"Are you gonna keep staying home with me?"

"Always. I'll be here as long as my little squish needs me." She kisses his cheek. "But it's time for this little squish to close his eyes and go to bed."

Kol doesn't move away from her. Hayley maneuvers the sheets over them, pulling the duvet on next. Kol rests his head on her chest instead of a pillow. He starts putting his fingers in his mouth. Hayley gently brushes them away and grabs a pacifier off the nightstand.

"Thanks for the pumpkin," Kol mumbles behind the pacifier.

"Of course. Like I said, I'll always take care of you."

Kol nods. He shuts his eyes and clings tight to her, reveling in the safety and unconditional love of his mama.