Forgotten Dreams - Klaus Mikaelson

eleven

Kara entered the gym, her vintage 60s outfit drawing some appreciative stares as she stepped into the dimly lit dance. She scanned the room, spotting Damon, Stefan, Bonnie, Jeremy, and Elena near the stage. She could feel the tension in the air, every face on high alert for the dangerous stranger among them.

The song came to a close, and a girl named Dana took the stage, her voice echoing through the speakers. "Thanks for being here, everybody. We have a special shout-out tonight." She smiled mischievously, glancing toward Elena. "This is for Elena. From Klaus."

As the new song played, a chill ran through the group. Damon leaned closer to Elena, muttering, "Lame, cheap shot. He's just trying to bait us."

Elena nodded but glanced uneasily around the room. "I know everyone here..."

"Maybe he's not even here," Stefan suggested, his gaze steady on the stage. "He could just want us to think he is."

Damon raised an eyebrow. "It's a party, people. Blend. Let him come to us."

Kara glanced at Damon, her expression thoughtful but unreadable. "If Klaus is truly here, he won't be content staying in the shadows forever. Let's hope he's as eager for this confrontation as we are."

Bonnie nodded in agreement. "Good idea. Let's move."

Kara followed Damon over to Alaric to act as 'chaperones'.  Alaric's eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he commented, "Special dedication, huh? This guy's a little twisted."

Damon crossed his arms, unfazed. "I'm not impressed."

Klaus, through Alaric, feigned disappointment, tilting his head at Damon. "No?"

Damon gave him a flat stare. "Let me know if you see anything out of whack." Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode off, vanishing into the crowd.

Klaus watched him go, his expression a mix of amusement and intrigue. His gaze drifted over to Kara. There was something striking about her—a quiet intensity that seemed to pull him in. It was rare for Klaus to feel drawn to anyone, and the unfamiliar sensation made him pause.

"Enjoying the dance?" Alaric—though really Klaus—asked smoothly, his tone carrying a charm that felt out of place for Alaric. "A centuries-old vampire playing dress-up seems a bit out of character."

Kara's smirk faded for a moment as his words hit closer than he realised. "Maybe I'm allowed a night off." She watched him, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes. "Everyone needs a change of pace sometimes, right?"

"Exactly." He looked away with a smile that was barely there before he turned back to her. "But tonight's no regular dance, wouldn't you say?"

"No," she agreed, studying him. "It's not." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she searched his expression, something feeling oddly off. She shook the feeling, chalking it up to paranoia over the looming danger.

Klaus, sensing her suspicions growing, quickly softened his tone, letting his demeanor relax into a version of Alaric's friendly warmth. "Let's just enjoy the night, Kara. Besides, we might even catch Klaus here," he said, feigning casual interest. "Who knows?"

"Maybe," she replied, her expression skeptical. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that the man before her was hiding more than he let on.

-

Kara drifted through the crowd, her gaze catching Elena and Caroline as they laughed together near the dance floor. She took a deep breath, letting go of her suspicions and the uneasy feeling that had been brewing since her encounter with Alaric. Tonight, of all nights, she decided to enjoy herself—even if just for a moment.