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Once, when Klaus is still very young, he gets into a fight with his brother and things very nearly go horribly wrong.
Later, it's hard to remember the specifics the argument. It was silly, the reasons for it so trivial he doesn't know why they had even upset him so much. But Kol had laughed at something Niklaus did and Niklaus had felt anger wash over him like a hot wave.
And before he knew what he was doing, he stepped forward, and shoved his brother hard.
Kol's eyes went wide as he fell backwards, hitting the ground with a dull thud. Niklaus waited for him to cry, to get up and complain about the hard ground, but his brother didn't move.
Niklaus, Elijah breathed behind him, horrified. What did you do?
His stomach sank.
He remembers only flashes of what happens next.
Elijah carrying Kol home, his brother's body hanging limp, his face pale, like he's —like he's—
Mother running towards them, her face white with fear at the sight of them. The fear settling heavily in his stomach, and the relief when Kol moans in pain, opening his eyes and whispering, Mama, it hurts.
Most of all he remembers vividly the way Mother's face had still been drawn white afterwards, how she'd pulled him to the side when Kol was told to rest inside.
Listen to me, Niklaus, she'd whispered insistently, her fingers digging into his shoulder hard enough to hurt. You must keep your temper, do you hear me? This can never happen again, ever.
I will, he'd promised, more than a little frightened, and very much ashamed. I'm sorry, it won't happen again, Mother, I swear, please, you're hurting me—
She'd let him go then, smoothing a trembling hand over his hair. Oh, Niklaus, she sighed, you must be more careful. You, more than any of the others.
I will, Mother, he'd repeated, not understanding, but also knowing he hated the worried look on her face. I'm sorry.
Mother had wiped away the tears from his eyes. Don't let your father see you weep, she'd told him.
Niklaus had only nodded, not knowing how to tell her that he couldn't stop crying even if he wanted to.
Your brother will be alright, Mother had said, more quietly. This time. But you should never again hurt your brothers, Niklaus. You're family, and you should stick together. Do you understand?
He'd nodded. Always and forever, he'd whispered, the words he'd been taught his whole life.
Yes, Mother had said, touching his cheek. Make sure you remember that, Niklaus.
In the end Kol recovered quickly.
With their mother's herbs and two nights of rest, his little brother was soon running around again. He was on his feet long before the bruises of Niklaus' punishment faded, but not even Father's anger could stop the feeling of relief in Niklaus' chest the first time his brother smiled at him.