Pigs_snort_54 prompted " The Mikaelsons have a family dinner and Kol is getting too overwhelmed and nobody notices til it's too late"
A head's up, there is description of overstimulation, sensory overload and stimming.
Kol isn't sure why they're celebrating Thanksgiving. They're all aware of the truth behind the stupid holiday. What are they really celebrating anyway?
Hayley says it's important to show that they're thankful. Kol argues that they should do that every day.
"There's pie," Matt points out.
"Pie? That's your persuasion tactic?"
Matt shrugs. "It's the best thing about Thanksgiving."
The family has celebrated it in the past, but it's usually quiet. Now, all his siblings are married. Marcel is living with them full time. Caroline insists on going all out with the food. She barely lets Elijah help her.
There's a parade that barely catches Kol's attention until the end. Santa comes across the screen.
"It's still Thanksgiving," he says, fidgeting with his popper.
"It symbolizes that Christmas is just around the corner," Hayley explains. "Soon, Santa will come and leave you presents."
Kol casts her a Look. He's too old to believe in a fat man sneaking down the chimney and leaving presents under the tree. Kol was around when the original St. Nick was alive, but that was centuries ago. Magic, vampires and more may exist in this world, but a man riding around the entire world in one night delivering presents is a stretch.
And still, a small smile pokes up on Kol's lips. Hayley wraps an arm around him and kisses the top of his head.
"You'll have to make your list."
Kol shrugs. "I don't know what to ask for."
"Really? You don't have your eye on a certain new gaming console?"
Kol tilts his head. "Have I been good enough for Santa to bring that?"
"You're a very good boy," Hayley says, tapping his nose.
Marcel drops into an armchair. "So, it's safe to assume that there will be no coal for Kol this year?"
Kol pokes out his tongue. Ever since Marcel was a child, he's made that stupid joke.
Klaus casts his son a warning look. "Maybe Kol is safe, but another boy may not be if he keeps it up."
Marcel holds up his hands in defense. "I've been the best boy, Papa."
Klaus chuckles, shaking his head. Kol hides an eye roll. "Sure, Little Warrior."
Rebekah hushes them from her spot on the floor with Matt. "The puppies are about to come out."
"Isn't there a football game?" Kol asks, watching as the dog show begins.
"Later," Matt promises.
It takes Kol a bit to realize how full the living room is. Everyone is chatting and playfully teasing. From the kitchen, he makes out a variety of smells. On their own, turkey, yams and stuffing would smell fine. Together, they're overwhelming to the senses. Kol squirms. His stomach hurts.
Hayley is distracted by the dogs, shaking her head and admonishing the practice of using dogs as entertainment. Klaus, for once, doesn't disagree with her. Rebekah is trying to get them to shut up while Marcel stirs the pot. Matt laughs and takes pictures.
Kol pulls away from his mom. She glances down at him.
"I'm gonna get my hoodie."
Hayley nods and goes back to debating with Rebekah. Kol slips out of the room. As he walks closer to the kitchen, there are even more smells to take over his nose. They're using a variety of spices and oils.
"Little Prince?"
Elijah comes out of the kitchen. Kol almost flings his arms around him until he sees the apron tied around him. There's stains from their upcoming late lunch/early dinner. Kol doesn't want the various textures anywhere near his body.
"You're not watching the parade?" Elijah asks.
"It's over," Kol explains. He takes a deep breath, realizing he left his popper in the living room. His fingers drum against his jeans. "That dog show is on now. Mama and Nik are offended. Bex is arguing with them."
Elijah chuckles, shaking his head. "I'd expect nothing less. Did you need something?"
"Just grabbing my hoodie."
"Do you want something to eat? Some of the stuff is ready now?"
The thought of eating makes Kol's stomach feels worse. He shakes his head. Elijah tilts his head.
"Are you alright?"
Kol knows he could tell him. His parents would jump into action and let him lay in their room, safe from all the noise and smells.
They'd also likely stay up there with him. The whole point of today is gathering as a family. Kol knows he's ruined enough celebrations over the years. Everyone is so excited about this.
He'll take a short break and everything will be better.
"I'm fine." Elijah's concern doesn't lift. Kol forces an eye roll. "Seriously, Dad. I'm not hungry right now. I'll eat later".
Elijah hesitates then nods. "Good."
He clasps his shoulder. Kol instantly pulls away when the oily hands touch his shirt. Without another word, he vamps up to his room.
As soon as the door's shut, he strips off his shirt and puts on a brown hoodie. All the tags are cut off and it has the fleece lining he loves. He pulls on the strings so the hood isn't too loose but also not tight.
Kol sinks down onto the bed and grabs his pillow, hugging it tightly. He can still make out the small murmur of voices from below but it's not as bad as before. The smells are luckily contained to the kitchen downstairs.
He shuts his eyes and counts back from 10. Just a few minutes, that's all he needs and he'll be fine.
The chair is hard. There's a cushion but it's no better. It's far too close to Rebekah and Klaus. If he moves his leg the wrong way, he could kick them.
Everyone is talking over one another as they pass food around. Kol doesn't make a move. There are new smells now. The spread could feed a small army. Caroline says this way there's leftovers. There's sweet potatoes, green been casserole, turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, a variety of other vegetables, pasta and of course, the turkey. Elijah took great pride in carving it.
"Here, baby," Hayley says, leaning forward to put a plate in front of him. "All your favorites, and some new stuff to try. You don't have to eat it if you don't want."
The food is properly spaced out, none of it touching. Kol manages a small smile.
"Thank you, Mama."
Hayley nods and goes about fixing her own plate. Kol takes a bite of the turkey. His stomach settles a bit. This is probably his favorite part about Thanksgiving. That, and the cranberry sauce. Elijah always allows him to eat as much of it as he wants, because at least it's a fruit.
Klaus' loud laugh lands directly in his ear. Kol frowns, poking his fork into the turkey again. He almost wishes he had his headphones. No, that'd probably look rude.
He tries to focus on the plate in front of him. His teeth grind when he hears Matt's fork scrape across his plate.
Food. Eat. Food.
Kol repeats the mantra in his head. He manages to eat the turkey and the cranberry sauce, taking some sips of blood every so often.
The stuffing is new. Usually, no one in the family makes it. Caroline found a recipe online. She's quite proud of it.
Elijah, Klaus and Matt are eating it. Kol can give it a shot.
The minute it hits his tongue, he realizes his mistake. It's lumpy, like the potatoes but overwhelmed with an array of ingredients. It stings his tongue. He tries to swallow it, but gags. Klaus gently rubs his back. Kol pulls away.
"No," he whines, his mouth still full.
"Kol," Elijah sends him a look that's not unkind. "We don't talk with our mouth open."
Kol whines. He doesn't want this in his mouth anymore. There shouldn't be this many things together!
The adults go back to their own meals and conversations. Kol grabs his napkin and spits the food into it. He takes a long swig of blood to wash it out.
He wraps his foot around the bottom rung of the chair, trying to ground himself to the table.
His eyes scan back to his plate and a high pitch whine comes out.
Somehow, the juice from the cranberry sauce has slid into the potatoes.
Kol shoves at his plate, trying to get it out of the way. Once again, Klaus' hand ends up on his shoulder. Kol's breathing picks up. People are talking to him but it turns into a loud buzzing noise. The smells absorb into his nose. He bounces his leg and smacks his hand against the table.
"No!"
Everyone is looking at him now. Kol shakes his head, throwing his head back. It hits the wall behind him. He flails his arms and whimpers.
It only takes a few moments for his chair to be pulled away from the table. Elijah is at eye level. Kol smacks his hands against his thigh as tears fall down his cheeks. His dad's voice is soft, gentle.
"Kol, I'm going to pick you up, okay?"
He can't respond. Kol continues to move his hands and twirls his foot. He's lifted into his dad's arms. Elijah carries him out of the room, with Hayley following close behind. He's fast. The sounds of the hectic dinner are still prominent but softer now. Kol clings to his dad's soft sweater to keep his hands busy.
Once they're in his parents' bedroom, Hayley draws the blinds. Elijah takes off Kol's jeans, leaving him in just his hoodie and diaper. He flicks on the sound machine. White noise officially drowns out what's going on downstairs.
Elijah lays down on the bed, cuddling his son close. Kol keeps one hand on him, making a grabby gesture with his free one. Hayley settles beside them. Kol is sandwiched in the middle but it's a different kind of trapped. A safe kind. All he can smell is their perfume and cologne.
His fingers continue to twitch. Hayley clips a pacifier to his hoodie and Kol latches his free grasp to the woven leash attached. She puts the nipple in his mouth.
Kol lets out a deep breath as he takes in his new surroundings. It's dark but he can still make out the familiar space. He lays atop the soft duvet his dad's had for years as he clings to him. The sound machine acts as a buffer. His legs feel free out of his jeans.
He continues to stim for a bit longer and sucks on his pacifier. Elijah keeps a gentle hold on him while Hayley rubs his back.
"Are you ready to talk?" Elijah asks after 20 minutes. Kol nods, but doesn't remove his pacifier. "Are you feeling better?"
"Uh huh."
"Sensory overload?" Another nod. "How long were you feeling like that?" Kol shrugs. "Little Prince. Talk to me."
Kol chews on his pacifier. "Since mornin'."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Hayley whispers, caressing his hair.
"Didn't wanna r'in Th'ksgivin'."
"You didn't ruin it," Hayley soothes. "You could never."
"Stimmin' at table," Kol mumbles, not letting go of his pacifier.
Elijah shakes his head. "Little Prince, there is nothing wrong with stimming. You know you can do that as much as you want, yes?" Kol nods. "But you should've told us. We wouldn't have had you sit at dinner."
"Wanted to. Family."
"I know, baby boy. You come first, though." Elijah's face is kind and calm.
"Stuffing yucky," Kol says. "Weird."
Hayley lets out a soft ah .
"Too much texture," she muses.
"Food touched."
"That's no good, is it?" Kol shakes his head. She frowns. "I'm sorry that happened, Squish. Mama and Dada should've been paying better attention."
Kol frowns. He doesn't like it when his parents feel guilty. This wasn't their fault. He could've used his words, but he didn't. Right now, he's still struggling to find them.
He pulls away from Elijah and cups Hayley's face with both hands. Kol tries to kiss her nose like she does him but his pacifier's in the way. Hayley softly chuckles. She kisses his forehead.
"Okay, Mama," Kol mumbles. He turns back to his dad. His father's face is a mix of awe and guilt. Kol buries his head in his shoulder. "Okay, Dada."
Elijah strokes his cheek. "We'll do better about seeing the signs, okay?"
"Use words."
"Yes, but I know that's not always easy for you." Elijah gives him a small smile. "We'll work on it together."
"'Kay." Kol continues to rub the leash. "Dinner?"
"We can eat later. Everyone understands." Kol twitches a bit. "No one is upset with you, Little Prince. You're not in trouble. I promise."
Kol keeps a tight hold on him as Hayley searches the TV for Little Bear.