Roses_of_Magic asked about Marcel feeling jealous regarding Klaus adopting Jeremy and Tyler. I don't feel he is in terms of sharing his father. However, there is one thing that he harbors a bit of the green eyed monster over.

This chapter doesn't have much dialogue and is more a retrospective on Marcel's thoughts. Something a little different, so I hope you all enjoy.

Marcel sits at the kitchen island sipping his decaf coffee. There are so many laws regarding Littles, such as not being able to consume alcohol or operating a vehicle. However, a lot of it is left from caregiver to caregiver. Some allow their Littles to consume caffeine and sugar, taking the risk that it will hype them up. Klaus is fine with ice cream, cookies and all of that. Caffeine is where he draws the line. After years of debating, he finally relented and said that Marcel was allowed decaf. Tyler and Jeremy aren't allowed "yet". Marcel highly doubts they'll ever be. A privilege of being the eldest.

Klaus stands at the sink, doing the breakfast dishes. There's peace, even if just for a few moments.

Tyler enters the room, his backpack swung over his shoulder. "Dad, can I go over to Greg's?"

Klaus glances up from the sink. "How do you plan on getting there?"

"I'm going to walk." He sighs off their father's head tilt. "It's just 5 minutes. I don't feel close to dropping at all, I promise."

Marcel smiles into his mug. Poor, innocent Tyler. There's no way…

"You have your phone?" Klaus asks. Marcel's smile quickly fades. He tries to keep his eyes on the paper and the cup in front of him, listening all the while.

"Yes. It's fully charged. I'll just be gone a few hours." Tyler pouts. "Pleaseee, Dad. I promise I'll be careful. Plus, you really don't want to have to drag Jeremy in the car. You know it'll just cause a tantrum."

Marcel tries to hide his frown when his father doesn't immediately shut the idea down. "You know I don't feel comfortable with this."

"I know, but it's not fair. You let me play football and lift weights. Yet, I can't walk to a friend's house on my own?"

"I'm just looking out for you, my little pup."

Tyler grumbles. Marcel runs his fingers against an article, pretending to read. There's no way his dad will give in. Not a chance in…

"If I allow this, you need to text me as soon as you get there or I'll come looking for you."

"I promise."

Klaus expels a reluctant sigh. "Alright, fine."

Marcel's mouth drops open as Tyler grins. His younger brother rushes over and kisses their dad on the cheek.

"Thanks, Daddy!"

"Look both ways before you cross the street," Klaus reminds him. "And text me!"

"I will, I will."

Tyler vamps out of the room, likely not wanting his father to change his mind. Marcel remains quiet, continuing to stare at an article that he cares very little about.

There were rare times as a kid that he was able to leave the house on his own. He was tutored in the home by Elijah and Klaus. They often went into town, but either as a family or in pairs. Even as he grew older, his papa remained paranoid. He was terrified that something, someone, would take his son away. Even after Marcel was turned, he didn't gain any independence.

Sometimes, it was nice. To know he was protected enough from the world that nothing could hurt him. Then there were the times when it just wasn't possible. Even if he had a babysitter, bad things could happen. They did, often. The Mikaelsons have hundreds of sworn enemies, it comes with the territory.

Klaus loosened some around the 1940s. It was the early days of vampires being known to the world. While most agreed to follow the treaty struck between mortals and the supernatural, some took the opportunity to attack. Their home in New York was smoked and Marcel nearly staked. Had Klaus not intervened at just the right time, he would have lost his only son. It was enough to make anyone protective, but for a father who already was, it just exacerbated the situation.

Marcel grew fed up and threatened to leave. While a Little, legally nothing tied him to Klaus. Unless the state determines a person unable to care for themselves, they don't need to have a caregiver. Klaus called his bluff. Marcel packed a bag. An argument ensued that had to be broken up by both Elijah and Rebekah. Marcel refused to unpack his bag for 2 months, a threat to his father of all he had to lose.

It didn't happen all at once. Marcel received some freedoms, little by little. He fought to prove he was ready. That included being honest about how often he dropped. Admitting that as obnoxious as Klaus was, he needed his father. He could leave the house alone (albeit, Klaus followed for the first 3 years, thinking Marcel didn't know). The young man was able to make friends. Their relationship improved.

It didn't change that for 120 years, Marcel lived under the thumb of his overprotective, paranoid father. Torn between loving him deeply and resenting him.

Klaus is still paranoid and overprotective, but he is not that dad to Jeremy and Tyler. 200 years ago, there is no way that Tyler would've been allowed to walk on his own.

Marcel wasn't jealous when Klaus brought up fostering. In fact, he encouraged it. Give his father something else to focus on for once. His father has enough love in his heart for all of them. In spite of having 3 sons, he manages to split his time. Never has Marcel felt neglected or alone. In fact, it's always quite the opposite.

No, he's not jealous of his father gaining two more sons. Marcel is jealous of the father that his brothers have.

One who's less paranoid. Who's learned to let go, even just a little. Sure, Marcel has that too, but why did he have to wait so long to receive it? Why is it that Tyler and Jeremy will never know of who their father used to be? The ruthless hybrid who slaughtered anyone who merely looked at his family wrong. They'll never know of all the boyfriends of Rebekah that died at the hands of a jealous, overprotective elder brother. The numerous times family members were daggered for trying to escape.

He doesn't want them to know. They're not entirely innocent. Well, perhaps Jeremy is. Tyler's lived a lot of life in his short 25 years. Yet, he grew up with the opposite. Parents who didn't care, who were barley around. He's frozen in time at 18 years old. His brain will never fully develop. He and Jeremy don't need to know who their father once was.

Marcel has forgiven his father. He's chosen to stay, to be a part of this family. Marcel needs his papa. He loves him. Nothing will ever change that. He could tell him how he feels and Klaus would apologize. There would be days of trying to make up for it, when the truth is, nothing will. The past cannot be erased. Marcel is fine with that.

However, it does mean from time to time, he has to live with this jealousy. It's a burden he carries all his own. He doesn't mind it much. It keeps his brothers from knowing a past that hardly matters anymore. He has the papa he always wanted now.

Marcel drains his disgusting decaf coffee and walks the mug over to the sink. He quickly rinses it out beneath Klaus' hands and gently places it in the dishwasher. His father gives him a small smile. Marcel hesitates before wrapping his arms around him. Klaus doesn't hesitate to cuddle him close.

"What do I owe this to?"

"Nothing," Marcel mumbles into his shoulder. "I just…need it, okay?"

Klaus further proves he's changed by not forcing the issue. Rather, he holds his son close, pressing tiny kisses to his head and whispering how much he loves him. Marcel strengthens his grip. Maybe it came centuries too late, but he's happy to have this version of his papa.

This isn't something I ever see Marcel and Klaus talking about. There's so much of that time that Klaus is afraid to bring up paired with Marcel doesn't see the purpose. They are better now and it took time to get there. However, it does mean that occasionally...Marcel gets a little jealous. I think there are certain topics that won't be brought up between these two, even more than just Klaus' parenting.

Next time, Jeremy gets sick and has to miss out on something fun. It'll be up to his family to lift his spirits.

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