pastel_levi_ackerman prompted " I would especially be interested to see more examples of Klaus keeping him young as possible maybe even in modern times and how he reacted to his boy leaving for war"

This one goes into Klaus' possessiveness and dark side of the past. But it also goes into his growth and how much one can change in 1,000 years.

There are tones of co-dependency and selective mutism.

I also try to do my research when writing on the past, but if I get anything wrong, let's just call it creative license. I also tried to follow the timeline but I don't even think Plec&Co know the timeline/Hope's birthday.

May 17th, 1823

Klaus slides the white nightgown over his son's head. Marcellus' body is still damp from the bath and he smells of the sweet soap Rebekah had imported from Spain. His little boy sits on the chaise, rubbing his eyes. Klaus smiles and rubs his thumb against his cheek.

"Someone is sleepy."

Marcellus shakes his head. "Nay." He tries to hide a yawn with his hand. "I'm wide awake."

"You had a very busy day. Fencing with your auntie Bex. Did you have fun?"

Marcelluslus nods. "Yes, Papa." His eyes brighten a bit. "She says I am to be a brave warrior one day."

Klaus shakes his head. "You're my little warrior but you shall never see battle."

Marcellus pouts. "I want to help people."

"Aye. That is a very noble goal."

Klaus links his arms under his legs and lifts him up. Marcellus wraps his arms around his neck and buries his head into it. Klaus pats his back as he carries him to his bed. He pulls back the sheets and duvet before laying him down. Klaus hands him his frog and then tucks him nice and tight. He climbs in on the other side and picks up a copy of The Pioneers from the nightstand.

They only get through a chapter and a half before Marcellus is asleep. Klaus checks to make sure he's breathing before giving him a few kisses. He carefully climbs out of bed and heads for the door, already knowing who waits for him on the other side.

Elijah is still in his dinner clothes. His lips pursed and eyebrows drawn. Klaus exhales.

"I am in no mood, Elijah."

"You never are." His brother folds his arms across his chest. "The boy is 13, Niklaus."

"No? Really? I was not aware of my son's age."

Elijah sighs. "This is inappropriate."

"What is? Reading my son a bedtime story?"

"Bathing him and getting him ready for bed. He is a young man, Niklaus. Not an infant."

"He's lived a horrific life," Klaus argues. "His mother did the best she could, but he could barely have a childhood on that plantation."

"That has been your excuse for nearly 3 years now."

Klaus shakes his head and continues down the hall. Elijah is quick on his tail.

"Marcellus is growing up," he says. "One day, he's going to outgrow all of this."

"That is a bridge we shall cross once we get to it."

"He would learn he needs to if you simply let go a tad."

Klaus whips around, narrowing his eyes. Elijah straightens up but takes a step back. "Why? Do you wish for him to play chess with you all day? For you to raise him how you think a child will be?"

"I have respected your parenting…"

"Bullocks. You have questioned me every step of the way. From how I indulge him to how I punish him…"

"I do not wish for him to become a spoiled adult who thinks the world must cater to his whim just because he had a rough start!"

Klaus purses his lips. Elijah's face softens.

"I know you love him, Niklaus. 'Tis why you do all of this." Elijah gestures around. "But the truth is, it is time to start preparing him for the real world. He cannot reasonably live with us forever."

"Now you plan on kicking out the lad?"

"No! However, at one point, he will be a grown man. He will wish to see the world."

"I will take him wherever he wishes."

"He may want to do it without you," Elijah says softly.

Klaus ducks his head. Elijah places a hand on his shoulder causing him to look back up.

"We cannot prevent the inevitable. We can prepare him, dear brother."

Klaus clicks his tongue. He thinks of his son that sleeps just down the hall. The thought of losing him is just too much to bear. He cannot be alone. He cannot let him hurt.

"I shall work on punishing him," Klaus concedes. "He will have more rules and be held to an age appropriate standard." Elijah nods, clearly pleased. "However." His brother's smile fades. "I will not stop our routine. Marcellus can tell me when he is tired of it."

"And you shall listen?"

"Aye."

Elijah casts him a doubtful look as he disappears down the hall.

May 17th, 2012

Klaus smiles down at Marcel as he watches his son play with the toy soldiers he found in the toy store around the corner. His son is quiet, as he's often been since that first night. All he makes out is "Papa", "up", "blood", "read" and "night night". Any other communications are through nodding and shaking his head "no".

"How long is he going to be like this?"

Elijah's voice only startles Marcel, who quickly drops his plastic soldiers. Klaus simply kneels beside him and rubs his back.

"'Tis alright, my little warrior," he whispers. "Uncle Elijah and I are going to have a little talk. You play with your toys."

Marcel holds up his arms. "Up."

"I can give you a hug," Klaus says, wrapping him into his grip. He kisses the side of his head. Marcel cuddles with him. "I shall be right back."

Marcel whines. "Papa."

"I won't be far. Just outside the door."

Klaus leans down and grabs the pacifier clipped to Marcel's yellow romper. He slips it into his son's mouth. Marcel begins sucking. Klaus pats his cheek.

"That's my good, brave warrior," he praises. "You go back to playing. I'll be right back."

Klaus pushes himself up off the ground, only once he's sure Marcel is distracted. He follows his brother into the fall. There's still some pain on Elijah's face. Klaus doesn't suspect it'll disappear any time soon, if ever. He's feeling the same.

"It's been 2 weeks," Elijah whispers. "And he hasn't come out of this."

"I've tried," Klaus argues.

"Have you?"

"What are you accusing me of?"

"I just think the timing is suspect is all."

Klaus clicks his tongue. "You think I caused this?"

"I wouldn't be surprised."

"Marcellus is perhaps the only person I have never compelled. I am more than aware of the life he held before. One that I could've been a part of, even if he hadn't regressed so young."

Elijah sighs. He rubs the back of his neck.

"I am nervous, Niklaus. I don't think this is healthy."

"What do you mean?"

"He's shutting down. All the pain, the memories. He's not speaking. All he wants is you by his side."

"Marcellus went through a traumatic event. It makes sense that he'd go back to a comfortable place."

"But for how long?"

"I plan on going along with it, for as long as it takes."

"Are you prepared for what should happen if, or rather when, he snaps out of this?"

Klaus glances back at the door. As trying as these past few weeks have been, it's so easy to fall back into that routine. He never treated Marcel as young as he has to now. It's what his son needs. He shall always do what's best for him.

"I just want Marcel to be okay," Klaus says. "Whatever that looks like."

"Not two months ago, the two of you were at each other's throats."

"My mistake was ever letting him go a second time. I did not handle my return to this city well." Elijah hums in agreement. "I thought I needed power to protect our family. I forgot that included Marcellus. I never would've imagined he needed this."

"You know he's not…"

"I know," Klaus interrupts swiftly. "Just as she was not a replacement for him."

Elijah nods. It's his turn to look at the door.

"We won't be able to keep him confined here forever," he says. "At some point, he'll want to go outside."

"We'll protect the mansion. In the meantime, we can compel the army here to think nothing of this. To still respect him should he snap out of this and want to regain his kingdom by my side."

"You'd still be willing to let him rule?"

"Every king needs a prince."

Klaus flashes his brother a smile, which Elijah matches ever so slightly.

"Return to him," Elijah says. "I shall speak to Rebekah about our plan."

"Thank you, brother."

Klaus walks back into his study. He takes in his son for a moment. Marcel sits there in his romper, sucking on his pacifier as he plays with his toys. Carefree. An escape from the pain buried within.

He crosses over and kneels beside him. Marcel climbs onto his lap and shows him the green soldier in his hand.

"What is this?" Marcel shrugs. "It's a soldier." Klaus cups his cheek. "A brave warrior. Just like someone else I know."

May 17th, 1915

"The end is nowhere in sight!" Marcellus argues.

"That is horrific but that does not make it your responsibility!" Klaus thunders back.

"I'm a vampire! Don't you think my skills would be invaluable?"

"I think you'll get yourself exposed and end up killed." Klaus shakes his head and turns back to his canvas. "The answer is no, Marcellus. There are ways to support the war from here in New Orleans."

A brief pause. "It wasn't a request."

Klaus slowly looks back up. His son's arms are crossed over his chest. Dark eyes narrow. Once, that stood for a tantrum on the horizon. Now, Marcellus stands before him, defiant in a new way.

"I already enlisted."

The charcoal in Klaus' hand snaps. "You did what?"

Marcellus nods. "I leave for France the day after tomorrow."

Klaus blinks a few times, allowing the words to register. "I managed to get your name out of the draft. And you…"

"Took matters into my own hands."

Klaus quickly shakes his head. "As I said, I got you out of the draft. I can just as easily get you out of this."

"They're on vervain."

"How?"

"Because I put them on it."

Klaus feels the charcoal turn to dust beneath his fingertips. Marcel's serious face doesn't disappear.

"I told you, Papa," he says. "For once, this wasn't a request."

"If you think this is going through…"

"If you want me to come back once the war is over, you'll let me go!"

Klaus takes a step back. For a moment, Marcel looks a bit spooked himself. Quickly, he regains composure.

"You don't mean that," Klaus says.

"But I do. If you try to get me out of this, I still plan to go. However, that will be the last time you ever see me."

Klaus narrows his eyes. "I don't take well to idle threats."

"Good thing it's not." Marcel walks closer. "Try me," he tempts.

Klaus stares at him for a moment. Marcel shifts a bit. He clears his throat and his eyes grow softer.

"I…I don't want it to be like this," he whispers. "I don't want to have to do this. But I don't know how else to get you to take me seriously. I'm not a child anymore. I can't just stay under your thumb forever. At some point, you need to let me go. I promise I'll always come back."

Klaus slowly nods, even though everything in him screams "no".

Marcel smiles. "Really?"

"I do not wish to lose you," Klaus whispers. "So, I give you my blessing. Only if you mean the vow. You will return to me."

"I promise, Papa."

Marcel throws his arms around him and holds on tight. Klaus strengthens the grip.

May 17th, 2012

"Little Warrior," Klaus whispers, setting the soldier down. "You know I did not do this, yes?" Marcel tilts his head. "Turn you into…this?"

Marcel stares at him. For a moment, Klaus wonders if it's too big of a question. It's still unclear how much he understands.

After a minute, Marcel nods. Klaus tilts his head.

"Are you sure? I need you to know I am not holding you here against your will."

Marcel shakes his head. "Papa."

He locks his arms around his neck. Klaus gently strokes the back of his head. He inhales then exhales.

"You may stay like this as long as you wish," he whispers. "I'll take care of you no matter what. But I also need you to know, I shall love you no matter what as well. I can be there for you however you need."

Marcel doesn't let go. He mumbles something that even with Original Hybrid hearing is nearly impossible to make out.

"I know. Want…this."

Klaus cuddles him closer and shuts his eyes.

"Me too, Little Warrior. Me too."

Let me know what you think! As always, feel free to leave prompts or ask me questions! I am on Tumblr and love communicating on there, as well as in the comments.