Vampire Diaries Imagines

Unheard Melody - Kol Mikaelson

The Mikaelson mansion buzzed with life, the ballroom filled with familiar faces, extravagant gowns, and masks of practiced charm. My siblings always loved these sorts of events-lavish, loud, and undeniably excessive. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy them as well. After all, extravagance had always been my comfort zone.

But YN... YN was different. From the very first time I'd met her, she'd preferred solitude over crowds, silence over meaningless chatter. It fascinated me. She fascinated me. Perhaps because she was everything I wasn't, everything I hadn't allowed myself to be in centuries.

Yet, when I'd casually invited her to tonight's gathering, fully expecting her to refuse, she'd surprised me. Despite her discomfort with these things, she'd agreed to come. Not because she particularly wanted to, but because I'd asked. She never could tell me no-a realization that simultaneously thrilled and terrified me.

Mid-conversation with Finn, I felt the room shift. Something in the air tugged at my attention, pulling me away from my brother's dull ramblings. Turning toward the entrance, my breath caught sharply.

There she was.

YN stood uncertainly in the grand doorway, her gaze darting nervously around the extravagant room. Her long blue dress pooled gracefully around her, hugging every curve perfectly, the deep sapphire fabric a striking contrast to the gentle vulnerability in her eyes. It made the color of them glow-rich and deep, drawing me in until everything else faded away.

She looked exquisite. Beautiful in a way that went far beyond just appearance. It was the hesitant way she tucked a stray curl behind her ear, the cautious steps she took into the crowded room. She was so clearly out of her comfort zone, yet here she stood, because of me.

YN's eyes wandered anxiously around the room, searching. A small pang hit my chest-guilt perhaps, that I'd dragged her here. But then her gaze met mine, and in that instant, her entire body visibly relaxed. Her shoulders eased, a subtle but unmistakable sign that she'd found her anchor in the chaos.

Me.

A strange warmth settled in my chest. Without thinking, I murmured a brief, distracted apology to Finn, not even hearing his confused reply as I quickly crossed the room toward her.

"You came," I said softly as I stopped before her, gently taking her hand and pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles. Her skin was warm against mine, familiar and comforting. "I wasn't entirely sure you would."

Her lips curled into a shy smile, eyes shining up at me. "You asked. How could I refuse?"

I tilted my head, studying her carefully. "You look beautiful, my darling."

She laughed softly, the sound gentle and unsure. "I feel completely out of place."

"You don't have to stay long," I offered, brushing a comforting thumb across her knuckles. "We could disappear right now if you'd prefer."

She looked up at me thoughtfully, biting her bottom lip. "I think I'll manage... as long as you stay with me."

Smiling genuinely for the first time all evening, I tucked her hand gently into the crook of my elbow, guiding her slowly toward the quieter corner of the ballroom, away from prying eyes and curious whispers.

"I wouldn't dream of doing anything else."

We spent the better part of an hour in the ballroom. She had managed surprisingly well, even smiling softly as Rebekah complimented her dress and making polite conversation with Elijah. I watched her carefully though, knowing her well enough to see through the brave façade. She was doing this for me, and that thought alone sent a peculiar warmth spreading through my chest.