I know I said next time I was going to post Klaus losing his temper, but Roses_of_Magic wanted to see how Jeremy ended up with the family.
Fun fact about this one: I've had a version of this written for a few months. Originally, this fic was just going to focus on Klaus adopting Jeremy (under the same circumstances). I ended up adding Tyler and Marcel, as well as switching up some of the world-building.
This takes place 2 years ago.
Klaus paces his office, arms folded over his chest. His heart beats heavily in his chest as the imaginary angel over his shoulder scolds him.
"This is creepy. You're creepy. Who stalks a 14 year old boy?"
He wants to argue it's hardly stalking. Jeremy hasn't shown up to his house in 3 weeks. Calls to the Gilbert home go unanswered, as do the ones to his cell phone.
The truth is, Klaus never intended to give art lessons. He saw a posting from Jenna Sommers in a town Facebook group. Her nephew was interested in art and wanted to learn new techniques. She couldn't afford the fancy lessons offered at a local studio. Klaus found himself reaching out and learning more about the woman raising teenagers, yet was not 30 herself. Her sister and brother-in-law died in an accident. She was left with custody of her niece, Elena, and nephew, Jeremy. She went from juggling a fulltime job and college to only recently obtaining a job in her chosen field of psychology. She was stunted in some ways. A young adult who never truly got to live her life. Elena was 11 at the time of the accident, Jeremy, 7. She did her best and they got by on Miranda and Grayson's life insurance policy but money was tight.
Klaus offered free classes. Jenna was hesitant to accept charity but she did it for her nephew. Klaus expected it'd last a few weeks and the lad would get bored. Much to his surprise, Jeremy took to the lessons and excitedly showed up, often early. Klaus found himself feeding the boy, dropping him off in the late hours of the evening. Jeremy bonded with his older sons, fitting right in. Marcel and Tyler loved having him around. They'd rough house, play video games and watch movies together. There was many a night when Klaus became hesitant to bring Jeremy home.
"You're not this boy's father," he often reminds himself.
Even if he wishes he were.
The only times Jeremy misses his lessons is if he drops. He won't officially go through the classification process until he's 13, but like many Littles, the signs are there. Jenna's done what she can to adjust to life as a caregiver.
There's no way a drop period would have lasted this long.
A knock at the door interrupts his thoughts. "Come in," he says.
Ralph Hayward is a short, unassuming man with a bald head and kind, dark eyes. His portly belly hangs over his pants and his smile sparkles like the sun.
No one would ever suspect half the secrets he hides for his clients.
"Did you get the information?" Klaus asks.
"Yes, Mr. Mikaelson." Ralph crosses over and lays a file on the desk. "Jenna Sommers died nearly a month ago."
Klaus frowns. "What?"
"She fainted during one of her classes. Turns out, she had an aneurysm that eventually turned her brain dead." Klaus grips onto his desk as a large pit grows in his stomach. "Her niece chose to take her off life support."
"That poor family," he mutters. "How much devastation must life throw at them?"
Klaus shouldn't be this surprised. He's lived 1,000 years. By now, he knows how cruel the world can be, especially to those undeserving.
Jenna was a bright soul. She didn't have much to offer the Gilbert children, but she tried her best. Jenna wasn't a new mom, rather a second older sister. Someone he trusted and loved.
Klaus shakes his head. "I don't understand. Mystic Falls is a small town. Why haven't I heard of this?"
"Well, the family basically consists of Elena and Jeremy now. Neither could afford a funeral or an obituary. Jenna's still at the morgue while they figure out what to do."
"I'll arrange for a funeral," Klaus says without hesitation. "Pay for it all. Those poor children need at least one decent thing. I'll stop by the house."
"You can't. No one is there."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Elena is off at Whitmore," Ralph explains. "She applied for custody with the intention to move home but she was ultimately rejected."
"Why?"
"Social services feel she is too young to take on the responsibility of someone who will likely classify as a Little, especially one such as Jeremy. Plus, even if she got a full-time job, there's no way they can afford to stay in that house anymore. She recently found a family to rent it. Lord knows the apartments around here are out of the budget of a broke 18-year-old."
"Jesus Christ," Klaus mutters under his breath. Dr. Gilbert was highly regarded in town. The family comes from generations of money. How could this family have lost so much? He raises his voice. "Where's Jeremy now?"
"A group home. They're trying to find him a caretaker, but it's hard. Most foster families aren't looking to take on Littles right now. Even though he hasn't been classified yet, we all know what the outcome will be."
Klaus shakes his head. No, no way in hell is he going to allow this.
"There has to be more family," he insists. "A long lost uncle? Some random cousins?"
Ralph shakes his head. "I looked into all possibilities, sir. They have some relatives, but they're either unwilling or unable to take him on."
"This is ludicrous. Jeremy cannot simply wait in that group home. He's lost too much already. The poor thing must feel abandoned."
"I could try to speed up the process," Ralph offers. "Maybe you could compel a family into taking him on."
"Nay," Klaus immediately shuts that down. "It wouldn't be real. Jeremy deserves more than that."
He deserves everything.
Klaus isn't sure why he feels such a connection to the boy. Perhaps it's their shared love of art or maybe their difficult family tree. Either way, something eats at his soul. He wants to protect him. Keep him safe from the world.
It's what he did with Marcel. That horrific day as he passed the plantation, watching that bastard whipping an innocent child. He didn't have to think twice about murdering him then adopting him as his own. He gave Marcel a name, an identity. Maybe he spoiled him a bit too much, but who could blame him? Marcel had a rough start.
Tyler followed over a century and a half later. Another boy who grew up with neglectful and abusive parents. Similar to Jeremy, he was remanded to a group home. Klaus originally had no plans of adding to his family, but something drew him there. It was almost like fate. He took in the unruly teenager and showed him love, affection and reasonable boundaries.
Life is hectic enough with two boys, especially when they drop. Between juggling them and his art gallery, his life seemed full.
Until now.
"Is the head of the group home on vervain?" Klaus asks.
Ralph tilts his head. "That I am unaware of."
"Find out." Klaus clasps his hands together. "In the meantime, let me know what I would need to do to get Jermey in my care."
Klaus is somewhat relieved when neither of his sons drop that evening. He sits with them in the foyer, drumming his fingers against his knee. Tyler eyes him carefully.
"Whatever it is, Marcel did it."
Marcel rolls his eyes. "We weren't even accused of anything. And if we were, it'd probably be you."
"Yeah, right…"
"Boys." Klaus holds up a hand. "That's enough. Neither of you are in trouble. There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Tyler's playful look falls from his face. "We're not moving, are we? I know Uncle Elijah's twisted your arm…"
"He seems to have given up, for now anyway. Your dear uncle seems to realize that Mystic Falls is home for now." Klaus draws a deep breath. "This is about adding to our family."
Marcel makes a face. "Don't tell me one of your "girlfriends" has agreed to marry you."
He scoffs. "I do not appreciate the air quotes, young man."
"Well, Papa, to be fair, you haven't had a serious girlfriend in a long time."
"And I have no plans to, I am quite happy with how things are." While Klaus would never turn away love, his focus is his sons. "Now, if you'd stop interrupting, I received some sad news today. Jenna Sommers passed."
Marcel frowns. Tyler's eyes widen.
"But…she was so young," he whispers. "What happened?"
"Brain aneurysm," Klaus explains.
"Poor Jeremy. That must be why he hasn't been by the house."
"That's part of the reason. You see, Jeremy and Elena have no other family that can help. She attempted to gain custody but was denied given her age, financial status and Jeremy's fledging classification."
Tyler speaks up, tilting his head. "So, where is he?"
"A group home." Tyler turns pale. Klaus reaches over and squeezes his hand. "It's not the same one you were, my little pup." He frowns. "Though, not much better either."
"I don't understand it," Tyler mutters, bitterly. "The state claims to care about Littles so much, yet they don't do much to protect us."
"It's a travesty, sweetheart. One that many of us are trying to fix."
Marcel cuts in. "So, when is he coming?"
Klaus raises a brow. Marcel shrugs.
"You sat us down, told us about the situation. He needs a family. He knows us, so…" Marcel trails off.
Tyler nods in agreement. "He can't stay in that group home."
"You boys understand, this wouldn't be temporary? There's no one else. I'd become his father and you two, his brothers. There's no going back."
"We understand, Dad." Tyler smiles a little. "If Marcel hadn't agreed to take a chance on me, I'd still be in that group home."
"And I suppose he hasn't turned out so horrible," Marcel teases, poking his ribs. Tyler snorts, shoving him.
Klaus does his best to keep his mouth from gaping. "Jeremy drops quite young. He's human too. We'll have to be careful with him. He may require a lot of care."
"We're fine with that, Papa."
Tyler nods. "It'll keep your mind on someone else for a change.
Klaus scoffs. "Nay, I will always focus on all 3 of my baby boys."
All 3. Klaus is going to have 3 sons.
Tears sparkle in his eyes as he looks at Tyler and Marcel. In this moment, they seem like young men. So mature and grown-up. They're willing to take in a young boy they only recently got to know."
"Jeremy's cool," Tyler adds. "We always have a lot of fun with him."
"You'll have to be gentler," Klaus warns. "Jenna was okay with a few bumps and bruises, but I do not wish for him to get hurt."
Marcel nods. "So…this is happening?"
"I'm going to be a big brother?" Tyler asks.
A slow smile forms across Klaus' face. "Yes, my little pup. You're getting a baby brother."
Tyler grins, flinging his arms around his father. Klaus cuddles him closer, pulling Marcel into the hug too.
"You're both still my babies," he promises, kissing each of them on the top of the head.
"Of course, Papa," Marcel says, with only a slight pinch of annoyance to his voice.
Jeremy never realized how little autonomy he had until his aunt died. He asked for his sister. He was thrown into a group home. He wanted time to pack his things. He was ignored. He wanted to draw. His supplies were destroyed by some of the younger children.
He wanted to go home. Yet, every day after school, the bus brought him to the rundown house on Jefferson Street.
Jeremy is like a rag doll. Dragged from place to place. Expected to sit there and comply with whatever rules are thrown his way. Even when he drops, he's plopped in a playpen and given some toys that he's not at all interested in.
Aunt Jenna would draw with him. They'd bake cookies or watch movies. If she didn't have a lot of homework, they'd go to the park. When he was big, she found a way to get him into art lessons. She was always there, especially when Elena wasn't.
One rainy Wednesday afternoon, Jeremy is once again given orders and no one bothers answer his questions.
"Get in the SUV," Ms. Myrtle, the head of the group home orders, standing with him on the front steps.
"Where are we going?"
"Get in the SUV," she repeats, thrusting the small trash bag of items he was allowed to collect quickly before he was dragged here.
"Am I going to a new foster home?"
Ms. Myrtle silently leads him down the steps, opening the back door. Jeremy sighs, climbing inside. He drops the trash bag at his feet, trying to get a good look at the front.
"Ms. Lauren?"
His social worker nods. "Put on your seatbelt, Jeremy."
He frowns. "What's going on? Where are we going?"
"Put on your seatbelt," she repeats.
"No!" Jeremy stamps his foot. "I'm not doing anything until someone answers my questions!"
"Jeremy, if you do not put on your seatbelt, things will become much worse for you."
He shakes his head, kicking his legs and feeling the tears brim up in his eyes. This isn't fair! It's his life too! Why does no one care what he has to say?
Ms. Myrtle attempts to pull the seatbelt over him. Jeremy pushes her away. A sharp hand collides with his face. Jeremy holds his cheek, the tears falling. Ms. Myrtle takes advantage of this, yanking the belt over and clicking it into place. Jeremy softly cries. He wants his Ottie. Just as he tries to bend down and grab the trash bag, Ms. Myrtle swats his hand away. Jeremy whines.
"You are going to sit still and not make a peep the entire ride," she warns. "Are we clear?" Jeremy sniffles, nodding. "I asked you a question."
"Y…yes, ma'am."
The door slams shut. Jeremy curls up the best he can in the seat and softly cries. The car pulls out of the driveway. He misses his aunt Jenna's car. It had his special seat and toys. She'd give him his binky and he could cuddle his otter. Elena would sit in the back too, keeping him entertained.
He wants his aunt. He wants his big sister.
He wants to go home.
Jeremy slips his thumb in his mouth to muffle any sobs. He tries to make out where they're going, but his tears are falling too fast. Jeremy twists in his seat. He really, really wants his otter. Jeremy leans down.
"You were told to sit still!"
The sharp yell is enough for Jeremy to feel his briefs grow wet. The little one whimpers, trying to cover his pants with his hand. He isn't wearing any form of protection. The group home only allowed it when he was in little space and at bedtime.
Still, Jeremy doesn't say a word. The tears don't dry up as the car pulls in front of a mansion. If anything, they pick up. An overwhelming sensation takes over as he's finally surrounded by familiarity. Jeremy tugs at his seatbelt, ignoring Ms. Myrtle's lecturing. The SUV comes to a stop in front of the house. Jeremy continues to desperately tug, not considering the little button.
The door opens and Jeremy cowers a little, expecting the mean lady. Instead, his eyes lock with his former art teacher.
"K…Klaus," he makes out through sobs, his voice young.
He holds out his arms. Klaus instantly undoes his belt and scoops him up. Jeremy throws his arms around his neck and buries his head in his shoulder. Safety rushes over him. Aunt Jenna didn't trust many people around him. Klaus was the one exception.
"Shhh, little one, it's alright," the hybrid soothes, gently rocking him. "I've got you, you're safe."
Jeremy doesn't let go, clinging on for dear life. Klaus holds him close, pressing a kiss to his forehead. Jeremy lets out a shaky breath.
"Want Ottie," he makes out.
Klaus nods. "We'll find him, don't you worry. Klaus is here to make everything all better."
He takes in Jeremy's face for the first time. His brows furrow as he cups his cheek, stained with tears. Jeremy squirms a bit.
"Who hit you?"
Jeremy shakes his head. "No one."
Klaus growls. Jeremy buries his head back in his shoulder. "Find the person who did this," he threatens Lauren. "Or you will live to regret it."
Lauren sighs. "Mr. Mikaelson, Jeremy was being very difficult getting into the vehicle…"
"Of course he was! Did you even bother explaining to him what was going on?" Klaus frowns, cuddling him closer. Like a fish, Lauren's mouth opens and closes. "You best believe I shall have the police down at that group home."
"Mr. Mikaelson, it is our job to keep the children in line…"
"Not by traumatizing them!" Klaus snaps. Jeremy trembles. In a snap, Klaus' demeaner has changed. He looks down at him with kind, protective eyes. He softly coos down at him. "Oh, I'm sorry, little angel. I got quite upset, but you shan't hear it." Jeremy sniffles, soothing as he's bounced. "Let's get your belongings and head inside."
Klaus snatches the trash bag out of Lauren's care. Jeremy clings tightly to his shirt as he's carried into the familiar mansion. He looks around, slowly sticking his thumb in his mouth. A whole month has passed since he last saw it. There are still fancy paintings paired with the ones that Klaus created. A myriad of family photos. Jeremy strains his eye and makes out a frame near the entrance to the living room.
"Mine," he mumbles, taking in the seaside landscape.
"Aye, Angel," Klaus says. "I have several of your pieces. They're hung up around the house. I'm so proud of all the progress you've made! You're a natural."
Jeremy blushes. His breathing continues to regulate as they walk up the stairs. They're nowhere near the studio that they usually draw in. Jeremy looks for Marcel or Tyler. They play games with him and sometimes even finger paint!
Klaus enters a large bedroom. Jeremy realizes about half his house would fit in here. There's a whole sitting area, complete with a rocking chair. That's where Klaus takes him, settling Jeremy on his knee. He gently wipes the boy's tears. Jeremy rubs his nose and sucks his thumb.
"I was so sorry to hear about your aunt," Klaus whispers. "I have lost many people in my life, it never gets easier. Especially not when it's a loved one."
Jeremy sniffles. "Wanna go home."
"I'm afraid I can't help you with that one." Klaus sighs. "Unfortunately, the state's judge is on vervain." Jeremy raises a brow. Klaus waves him off. "Point is, you are in need of a home. And as luck would have it, I have a room perfect for a 12 year old boy."
Jeremy frowns. "Huh?"
Klaus cradles his cheek. "How would you like to stay here? Forever."
Jeremy sniffles, rubbing at his eyes. His head is bogged between two states. He knows he's supposed to be a big boy. None of his friends have showed their classification this young. At the group home, he only got the treatment he deserved because he wet the bed. Jeremy is supposed to be a big boy. He can be big.
But something in him is tired. His underwear is wet. He just wants his Ottie, a fresh diaper and to be cuddled.
Klaus is nice. He teaches him so many techniques that even YouTube doesn't provide. Jeremy loved living with his aunt and sister, yet he enjoyed his time at the mansion. Tyler and Marcel played games that Elena wouldn't or didn't know how. They watch movies with him. Jeremy always wondered what it'd be like to have brothers.
He used to dream about having a dad.
Jeremy can't remember much about Grayson. He was only 7 when he passed. Prior to that, his father was a doctor. He worked insane hours and was hardly ever home. Jeremy felt love, but it was different than how he saw Klaus with the boys. They were always laughing, giving hugs and kisses. Sometimes Marcel and Tyler rolled their eyes at him, but they were happy. Klaus was good to them.
Now, he wanted to be good to Jeremy.
"I'm human," Jeremy whispers. "I can't do things like Marcel and Tyler."
"That's okay," Klaus soothes, bouncing his knee. "Marcel was also human when he came to live with me. Doesn't make me love him any less."
"I…I have to wear diapers," Jeremy's face turns red. "I can't hold it."
"I am more than capable of changing a diaper."
Jeremy shakes his head. "I'd just be in the way, too much trouble. I…I can go back to the group home…"
That's the last thing Jeremy wants. Cuddled with Klaus is probably the longest he's been tended to since Jenna died.
Klaus tuts, tapping the little boy's lips with his index finger. "No such thing is going to happen. This is your home, Jeremy. Marcel and Tyler are your big brothers now. They are so excited to get to spend some more time with you."
"And you…"
"I would be your daddy." Klaus hesitates. "You don't have to call me that, however. I know this is all happening so fast, but I knew I had to get you out of there. Jeremy, if you don't wish to live here, I can make other arrangements." A pit fills Jeremy's stomach and he clings harder to the man. Klaus strokes his hair. "But I don't want to do that. I want this to be your home, sweet angel. You deserved to be loved and cared for. Not neglected and screamed at."
"Some…sometimes I'm a bad boy."
"Oh no, I don't believe that for a minute," Klaus coos. "You are a very sweet and special little boy."
Jeremy tries to hide the smile that's forming on his face. Klaus looks down into his eyes.
"So, would you like to stay here?"
Jeremy doesn't have to think about it. "Yes, please."
He throws his arms around Klaus' neck, allowing any big boy thoughts to fade away. Jeremy doesn't want to worry right now. He'd rather not worry about all the adult particulars. He's tired of pretending to be big, just because it'll get him tossed in the playpen. No one tucks him into bed at night or reads him stories.
No one held him the way Klaus is right now.
"I'm wet," he mumbles. "No diapey."
Klaus shakes his head. "I assumed as much. Don't you worry." He taps his nose. "I have two rooms for you. Your own will be for when you're a big boy. But the nursery is for you and your brothers when you're just a little one."
Jeremy's eyes light up. "Two rooms?"
"That's right." Klaus taps his nose. "Let's get you out of these yucky clothes."
Jeremy spots the garbage bag discarded on the floor. "Ottie, please." He makes grabby hands.
"Oh, silly Daddy," Klaus says. "I forgot."
Jeremy only pauses some at the reference. He watches as Klaus digs through the bag. Eventually, he pulls out the ratted stuffed otter that Jeremy has held onto since childhood. Jeremy whines, his grabby hands moving faster.
"Ottie! Ottie! Pleaseee, I need Ottie!"
"Shhh, he's right here, sweet angel," Klaus coos. He tucks the stuffed animal into his arms. Jeremy clings to it tightly, pressing kisses to it's head. "Now, are we already to get changed?"
Jeremy nods. Klaus carries him down the hall to the nursery. Jeremy looks around in awe. Everything is for little boys! Back at home, he only had one room! Klaus says he's going to have two?
"You each get a bed," Klaus explains, patting the bed decked out in ocean life. "You can either sleep in here, your big boy room or in my bed. My door is always open for you 3."
Jeremy nods. "'Kay."
"Let's get you into a fresh diapey."
Klaus lays Jeremy onto the changing table. The little one wiggles, nearly rolling off in the process. Klaus puts his hand on his tummy.
"You need to stay still, Little One. I don't want you falling and getting a boo boo!"
Jeremy looks above and sees a mobile with little stars and moons. He reaches up, trying to grab them, but they're just out of reach. The little one is so distracted, he doesn't notice Klaus removing his jeans and wet underwear. There's the sensation of being wiped and powdered, but Jeremy's focused on one gray star in particular. He stretches up, his fingers just barely touching it. The mobile spins around and the colors blur together. Jeremy giggles, kicking his legs as Klaus powders his bottom.
"Be careful," he playfully warns. "Wouldn't want to get Daddy in the face, would we?"
"Sowee," he lisps putting his thumb in his mouth.
"That's quite alright. We're almost done. Then we'll get you in some fresh clothes."
Jeremy once again becomes distracted by a selection of pacifiers lining the windowsill. They're of various colors and characters. Jeremy begins to reach for the Finding Nemo one, then stops himself.
"You like pacifiers?" Klaus asks.
Jeremy nods. "Had one…taken away…"
"Well, that's silly! You're just a baby, of course you need them. Tyler still uses them. His are in a special drawer, but I got these for you."
Jeremy's eyes sparkle. "Weally?"
"Yes," Klaus slides the fluffy white diaper under his bottom and tapes it up.
He grabs the desired pacifier and offers it to the little one. Jeremy slowly accepts it and places the nipple in his mouth. He slowly begins sucking, the familiarity washing over him. Klaus tickles his tummy, causing a soft, muffled giggle to come behind it.
"These clothes are much too big for a little one such as yourself," Klaus tuts. "You stay right here, don't move. I would hate for you to get a big boo boo."
He spins the mobile once more, leaving Jeremy in a trance. Once again, the little one tries to grab the stars. By the time he's grown bored, Klaus returns with a bright blue romper that dons a seahorse and a plain white t-shirt. Jeremy tries to cling tight to Ottie, but loses him a couple of times. He whines, until Klaus places him back in his arms.
Once the buttons are snapped and everything's in place, Klaus hoists him onto his torso. Jeremy smells of sweet baby powder and his bottom no longer aches. The soft fabric of the clothes are comforting to his skin. He sucks on his pacifier and lays his head on Klaus' shoulder.
There's some ruckus below. Jeremy whines a little, earning him a back rub. "That'd be Marcel and Tyler. They were out for a bit. Are you ready to go see them?" Jeremy slowly nods. "Alright, hold on tight to Ottie."
Jeremy does as told. He's carried down the stairs and into the living room. Tyler and Marcel are shoving one another, goofing off over something on the TV. Jeremy eyes them curiously. Klaus clears his throat. His older sons look up, instantly vamping over at the sight of Jeremy.
"Hey, JerBear!" Tyler exclaims. Jeremy only manages a small wave. He uses one hand to cling to his stuffed animal, the other to latch onto Klaus. "We're so excited you're here."
Marcel nods. "We're all here for you." He rubs his tummy. Jeremy shyly lays his head on Klaus' shoulder.
"It's all still new, boys," Klaus explains. "He is feeling very little."
Jeremy nods. "Baby," he mumbles.
He buries his head completely in Klaus's shoulder, unwilling to let go. Jeremy embraces the warmth and familiarity of something-someone-for the first time in a month. There's a part of his big boy brain that tries telling him not to give in so easily…
Jeremy is tired of fighting. He sucks on his pacifier and cuddles his Ottie, as he clings to his new dad.
Jeremy adapted quicker than Tyler, but that has a lot to do with how little he drops. He's also known Klaus for awhile. At the end of it all, Jeremy is used to comfort and being babied, while Tyler never had that until he moved in with Klaus.
Next time, we'll get the long-awaited Klaus losing his cool chapter!
As always, let me know what you think and feel free to leave prompts!