She Darling

As far as how Kayce and Stella feel? I honestly believe Stella is still in shock, to be fair. Why is she in shock when she and Kayce were not careful one single bit? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣💀 who knows? Because like, and this is me speaking to Stella, miss ma’am… you knew what the risks were. You just never took them into account because you’re a hussie for Kayce. 🤣

And because of her history with parents, she had thought about, but as she grew older and more wild, it was less of a thought process in her mind. Because yes, she’s always been maternal. Yes, she always took care of everyone else, even to her own detriment. But getting more, I guess we can call it “reckless” or “fuck it we ball”, she didn’t think about being pregnant at 27 or a parent at 28 (her age after the baby would be born).

And realistically, the house was bought with not only herself in mind, but the wranglers. If they ever needed a place to come cool off, or to escape the wrath of Rip Wheeler, she always wanted them to have a place nearby to land. That’s why she had a multi bedroom house.

But I really do think she’s in shock. I don’t think she’s overtime to sit down and actually truly think about it. Ever since the attack, she’s been going going going. I think during the slow down of Beth and Stella’s recon, she’s gonna think about it more.

Kayce? He’s kinda panicking. He’s not showing it, but when does he ever? It wasn’t a part of the plan, and he was just getting over the weird awkward pressure from both Stella and Monica being in his life in the same way instead of the different categories they used to be in. I mean it would have been the plan after a little while, but it wasn’t his direct plan of action. But he also didn’t think about the consequences of their actions. It was like a dam broke for both Stella and Kayce.

As for the time that Stella spent with Monica and Kayce during Tate’s birth and such? Yes, you’re very correct. Monica opened their home because she knew that Stella was a good friend to Kayce, and knew that she needed to get away from John (because let’s be real, I’m sure Monica had a read on John from the beginning). And you’re very correct, she’s the cooker lol. Ain’t nobody ever left her house hungry. It’s the Tennessean in her. Kayce is already being surprised by her change of attitude, he hasn’t said much, but he’s clocked it. Because when she’d normally argue, she’s not now. Those kinds of things.

And come hell or high water, this baby Dutton will be born. And if it works out the way I want it to, I really hope y’all like the little peanut. Because whooo boy… the lil peanut would be one hell of a handful.

“And the oils for his scalp will work wonders.”

“He’s always itching his scalp,” he murmured, recalling the times his son was in discomfort.

“Our scalps dry out quickly. But I tend to wash his hair more often because of his hair type.”

Klaus’ eyes raked over the many products sitting on their bed. Sure he noticed how much his wife would go through back when they started dating, then when they got married and even more so when she was pregnant with Malachi. He was invested in the time she spent doing her hair and often asked questions, sometimes the wrong ones, but she never grew angry… mildly irritated yes, but not angry.

He saw how long it took for her to gather her kinks into buns or part them into cornrows or twists. Pregnancy had made her hair even thicker and he loved it, and only was allowed to touch when she gave permission. When his hair grew out, she often recommended products that would help define or strengthen his locks which he deeply appreciated.

But there were times that Klaus watched Malachai sit in front of his wife, toy in one hand and snack in the other whilst his hair was parted and put into cornrows, Klaus was slightly envious. He couldn’t help it, it was who he was. Their child only verbally communicated if he was comfortable and Klaus realised that whenever Adrienne did Malachai’s hair, he spoke the most, babbling away in his soft southern accent about his day. Which was adorable as Malachai was only two years old, but Klaus had enough and decided to ask his wife for some tips.

When raising Marcel, he always kept his hair short as a prevention, it felt wrong yet it was the norm. Even now Marcel rarely allowed his hair to grow out and everyone knew him for it.

“You ready?” Adrienne’s voice broke him from his thoughts.

Klaus slowly nodded as their toddler shuffled into the room, with his box of snacks — a mixture of healthy and unhealthy of course, but somehow he would always sneak chocolate into his vast room.

“Mama,” his cyan eyes settled on his mother first, making her smile as he was pulled up onto their bed and found his place around the dozens of products. “Hi dada,” he waved at his father who gently smiled at him.

They were all wearing loungewear, Adrienne sported one of her husbands Henley’s, as did he, but she wore nothing but shorts underneath whilst he wore jogging bottoms purely for her satisfaction. Malachai was in his pyjamas and had been all day, only changing into another pair after his morning bath. His socks were off and thick curls down to his tiny shoulders.

Klaus pulled his son onto his lap, and pressed a kiss to his head that would instantly gain a squeals in response.

Malachai didn’t focus on anything else that was happening now his mother gave him a toy to play with.

“Make sure he stays distracted,” Adrienne advised and passed him a bottle full of water.

Klaus hummed, heart hammering in his chest not wanting to distract his son as soft music began playing in the background. Adrienne had told him to gently spray water in his hair and he did, the action didn’t halt their son in any way, although his face scrunched up at the feeling.

The toddler remained quiet, not like he would say much.

“Now the comb…” Klaus listened to his wife as he followed her guidance.

He winced whenever he tugged too hard or heard his son whine. He knew he wasn’t hurting but to him it felt like he was.

“And hairbands, just keep them on your wrist.”

“You have an endless supply or so it seems,” Klaus remarked, as he gathered one side of Malachai’s hair up so it wouldn’t flip on the other.

“And so will you,” Adrienne snorted. “Now detangle,” she saw the apprehension in his eyes as he did. “You’re not hurting him.”

Klaus said nothing in return and just nodded as he combed out any knots in his hair. There was slight shedding but it was expected.

Each time Malachai would groan he would stop but Adrienne would distract the toddler, dazzling him with magic or just plain words.

A tender smile tugged at Klaus’ lips when his wife spoke, captivating both Mikaelson males even whilst he attempted to plait his son’s hair. His hands had to be gentle yet firm.

His heart beat grew tame as he got the hang of it, the cornrows were looser than he wanted but Malachai didn’t fuss as he continued.

Adrienne reassured him with another nod.

“And now the other side…” Klaus let out a sharp breath when he realised he was almost done.

Spray, part, detangle, oil scalp, braid… his mind was stuck on a loop, and he was grateful for it. He was grateful for Adrienne’s words and his son’s unexpected patience.

Mikaelsons had none and everyone knew it.

“Daddy’s almost finished,” Adrienne cood, “did you want to watch ms Rachel before bed Mally?”

“Not that aggravating woman,” Klaus grumbled.

“Nik. It helps with his speech.”

“He has selective mutism. That woman would more likely regress his bloody speech.”

“Niklaus —“

“ — done?” Malachai croaked out, looking up at his father who plastered on a grin when he stared at his work.

It could’ve been better, Klaus thought to himself but he nodded.

“I’m done little Fenrir,” he voiced.

“T-thank me,” Malachai beamed, scrambling his words up, making his parents laugh.

“It’s you, Mally,” Adrienne corrected but he didn’t understand.

“Thank me,” Malacahi repeated and bounced off the bed and skipped over to his box of toys.

“Malachai, no running,” Klaus’ words fell on deaf ears because their son did the exact opposite. “Authority doesn’t register with him.”

“Because you spoil him,” Adrienne claimed.

Klaus softly scoffed, “It’s the Lumiére genes, he doesn’t listen.”

“Fuck you,” Adrienne muttered, aware of how their son would listen at the worst times.

“I’d very much let you,” Klaus sent her a wink, as Malachai’s eyes darted over his toys, thinking of which one he would play with next.

“Mikaelsons are spoilt. Look at you.”

“What?”

“We’re getting distracted,” Adrienne sighed, waving off the argument and grabbing ahold of his hand, “you did his hair.”

Klaus’ face lit up, “I did his hair.”

“Now, only 16 more years to go,” she laughed at his deadpanned look, “And Nik…” she leaned closer, lips trailing his ear, “Good Job.”

His smile grew once more as he pulled his wife into his hold, careful of the hair products surrounding them. Adrienne’s praise meant the world to him, as did his son’s happiness.

The very son who was none the wiser as his parents beamed at him playing.

—-

this just reminded me that wash day is coming up soon and I cannot be asked. I got inspiration from a mum on tiktok who was doing her son’s hair and thought about how klaus would help malachai with his.