sweetvd wanted to see a second part. I realized I couldn't leave it with Klaus feeling scolded by the family. So, enjoy my second favorite Kol dynamic, he and the brother that perhaps hurt him the most.

Kol doesn't have to think hard on where to find Klaus the next morning. His brother stands by an easel in his art studio, sketching on a canvas. Marcel lays on the couch nearby, flipping through A Midsummer Night's Dream . Kol clears his throat, causing his nephew to look up while his brother focuses on his artwork. Marcel narrows his eyes.

"What do you want?"

"To speak to my brother…alone."

"Why? So you can be a dick?"

"Marcellus," Klaus speaks up. "Language."

"I was just…"

"Go read in the library. I shall join you in a bit." Marcel opens his mouth to speak. Klaus turns to face him. "I need to speak to your uncle. Please listen to me."

Marcel grumbles something under his breath about being an adult, but stands up and walks out of the room. His shoulders brush against Kol's along the way. The older vampire holds back an eye roll. Sometimes he longs for the days that Marcel resented his father and didn't care much if Kol snapped at him. Now he's as protective as the rest of the family.

Klaus sets his pencil down and faces him. "May I help you?"

Kol rubs the back of his neck. He's never been great at apologizing. Mostly because for so many years, he felt like he should be the one receiving them. After all, he only acted the way he did to get the slightest ounce of attention. Cami has helped him realize while the his feelings are understandable, he still needs to hold accountability for his actions.

"Marcel is right. I was a dick yesterday."

Klaus shrugs. "Hardly anything new."

"I suppose not." Kol sticks his hands in his pockets. "I was upset with Elijah, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. Nor should you have gotten scolded for telling me about our childhood."

"Elijah already apologized. As I did him."

"I'm sorry," Kol finally says. Klaus frowns. "I'm working on my anger. It pops up at the oddest times and I hate that." He sighs. "The truth is, you're all better about it now. For the most part anyway. Yet, I always seem to mess it up."

"You're pushing us away," Klaus explains. "You're testing to see if you do enough, I'll push you back into a coffin."

Kol ducks his head. He tries not to think about that dagger. The momentary pain when it pierced his chest. Waking up 100 years later, when it really it felt like only moments. Being dragged into a strange world he barely recognized.

The anger simmers in his stomach. He takes a deep breath then another before nodding.

"I wouldn't do that." Klaus' voice is soft. "I also know you have no way of believing me."

"No, I don't. But I want to." Kol bites his lip. "And until I do, I'll work on not baiting you just to see how far you'll go."

Klaus nods. "I appreciate that." He sighs. "I'm sorry too. I had no right to tell you about Elijah's choice."

"I don't think you were wrong to. Yes, it was his business. I'm glad I know, however. It helps. Somewhat."

Klaus raises a brow. "Somewhat?"

Kol shrugs. "I'm sorry."

"You already said that."

"No, I mean, for being why Elijah couldn't go with you." Klaus opens his mouth, but he continues. "If I had been more mature, perhaps he would have trusted me to stay behind with Rebekah and Henrik. You both could've been free."

Klaus blinks a few times before a small smile comes across his face. He wraps an arm around Kol and leads him to the couch. They sit beside one another, their knees brushing together.

"Kol, I do not resent you nor our siblings for that choice."

"Maybe not Rebekah or Henrik, but you should me. I was next in line. It was my responsibility…"

"It was your responsibility to be a kid," Klaus interrupts.

Kol rolls his eyes. "That's what Elijah said too."

"And he was right. You were only 10."

"When you, Finn and Elijah were 10…"

"I am more than aware." Klaus shakes his head. "We never wanted that for you. It was not your job."

"It wasn't yours either," Kol argues.

"Nay, but it was one we chose to take on. We wanted you to be safe and protected." He shakes his head. "It was wrong of me to ask Elijah to leave with me."

"Mikael was horrid to you. Mother stood by and did nothing. Why should you stay if you didn't have to?"

"Because I would be abandoning you. Or at the very least, I could have left and not burdened Elijah with such a request. It wasn't fair to make him choose."

"Then you'd be alone," Kol whispers. "That isn't fair."

Klaus lets out a soft aw. Heat creeps on Kol's cheeks. He hates this. He hates sounding so young, vulnerable. It's not fair that he's 5th in line. Given Henrik's passing, he's also the youngest boy. It's not fair. Why does he turn into this little baby around them?

"Once again, Little One…"

"Don't call me that," Kol snaps, rolling his eyes. "I hated it when I was younger and I hate it now."

Klaus smirks. "As I was saying, Little One. " Kol flicks his elbow. "This isn't something that you should worry about."

"Well, I do. Because in spite of everything I've said and done, I care about you. Even if you, Elijah, Finn and Freya think I'm a child, I'm allowed to care about you. To worry about you."

Klaus messes with his hair. "I suppose I cannot stop you. Even though I wish you would."

"We're a very stubborn family, Nik. You're not going to convince me of much."

Klaus shakes his head and rolls his eyes. He pulls him closer. Kol rests his head on his shoulder.

"I suppose not," Klaus mutters. "However, I hope one day, you can be kinder to yourself."

"I hope you are too." Kol pauses. He doesn't appreciate how serious this conversation has become. "Maybe your girlfriend can help you with that."

Klaus chuckles, ducking his head. "Camille is not my girlfriend."

"I see the way you look at her. I have only noticed that look one other time in the past."

The light drains from Klaus' face. Kol purses his lips. He still does not know what happened between his death and resurrection in New Orleans. Elijah and Rebekah have warned him about speaking Caroline's name. Thus, he's kept quiet.

In interest of not causing further problems, he presses on in a new direction.

"Regardless. You fancy her."

"She is our psychologist," Klaus says. "A friend."

"Ah yes, friends. I believe Hayley and Elijah were once friends too."

"For a little boy, you sure think you're smart."

Kol rolls his eyes. "And for a supposed omnipotent being, you can be clueless."

Klaus' mouth drops open. For a moment, Kol worries he'll scream at him. Instead, he's pulled into his brother's chest as Klaus begins tickling his stomach. Kol screeches.

"Nik!"

"You are being very fresh," Klaus says with a smirk. "I think I should handle you the way I did way back when!"

Kol giggles uncontrollably. "No! Please!"

Klaus gets him under the arms before leaning down and blowing a raspberry in his stomach. Kol kicks his legs, not sure why he can't stop laughing.

"Niky!"

"Are you going to be nicer to your big brother?"

"Yes! I promise!"

Klaus tickles him for another moment before blowing a final raspberry to his belly button and letting up. Kol pushes at his arm, catching his breath.

"You are horrid," Kol mutters.

"You love me," Klaus says, kissing his head.

"Maybe." Kol fixes his shirt. "Do that again and I'll tell Elijah. Or Finn."

"Running to our big brothers. No different than usual."

"Perhaps I'll go to Freya. She has very little patience for your nonsense."

Klaus snorts. "I think she secretly enjoys it. She went from having one brother, Finn at that, to 6 siblings."

"I'd argue we're a vast improvement."

Klaus shakes his head, a smile on his face. "Don't let either of them hear you say that."

"I trust you'll keep quiet?"

"As I share the sentiment, your secret is safe with me."

Kol checks the clock.

"I suppose you should go find your son," he says. "He was not happy with you kicking him out."

"Marcellus can wait a bit," Klaus tells him. He pulls him closer once more. "I'd like to spend some time with my youngest brother."

Kol smiles. He wraps his arms around Klaus's torso and rests his head back on his shoulder. Maybe he could get used to hugs.

I don't know if I'll add to this again, but I hope you all enjoyed it regardless!

Anyway, 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!