Elena was nervous. She couldn't help it, she was getting dressed up to go out with Klaus. It wasn't a date but everyone they would see would think it was, so I guess Elena almost had it in her head that it was. Something had changed between them. Something had changed in her. Every bone in her body wanted her to forgive him, wanted him to be good so she could forgive him. She didn't want him to be a monster.
She had tried on outfit after outfit, trying desperately to find the one that would make her look the most stunning. Why of all nights has Klaus chosen this one to be the one where he doesn't pick what she wears, Elena thought. Lydia was helping the best she could but Elena just couldn't make her mind up at all.
She collapsed on the bed.
"Miss Elena, I don't think Master Klaus will mind what you wear tonight. I think he will think you look beautiful in anything."
Elena just sighed, "Thank you, Lydia"
"Miss Elena, if you do not mind me asking, why are you so concerned what Master Klaus thinks of you tonight?"
Elena laughed, "Good question. I'm not…entirely sure. But my brain is in overdrive and I feel a bit fluttery, it feels like a date. God, don't worry, I know it's not. It's Klaus, of course, it could never be a date, I just-" she stopped and took a deep breath, "I'm rambling."
"In that case, Miss Elena, that one." Lydia said, as she pointed to a dark red dress, sprawled across her bed. It was as if she knew something. Lydia smiled, and left the room.
The way Klaus looked at her when he saw her was exactly how she'd wanted him to look. But his gentle smile and the gleam in his eyes quickly faded, almost as if something in him had told him to stop it.
"Now Klaus, where are you taking me?" Elena smiled.
"Only to the best place in New Orleans, love. No less for my doppelganger." Klaus replied, holding out his arm for her to take.
They spent the night drinking beers and talking about their lives. Klaus was never truly relaxed around Elena, and he made sure he kept his 'sinister flair' in everything. Sometimes he was friendly enough, but he made sure there were times when he wasn't. He was flirty of course though. He loved to talk about Elena and listen to her, and sure he was happy enough to spill some stories of his own past to her, but he truly never wanted to talk about himself. And he certainly didn't want her thinking he'd gone soft.
"Tell me Klaus, you read all this books about epic loves and wild romances, have you ever been in love or is it all fantasy to you?" Elena asked, taking a swig of her beer and looking out over all the couples dancing together to the music.
"Oh, love, what a question to ask. We've only known each other a few days, and you know I must keep up my image of being a diabolical monster" Klaus said with a smile.
"C'mon Klaus. What intrigues me more than anything else about you is if you truly care for anyone or anything? Besides, I've told you about every boy and man I've ever had a crush on"
"But sweetheart, I would argue you've never truly been in love" Klaus retorted, perhaps he was right, Elena thought.
"But yes, I have. Once, a very very long time ago. With a girl who looked a lot like you actually." Klaus said, smirking into his pint of beer.
Elena almost choked on hers, she understood what he meant straight away.
"With-with a Petrova doppelganger?" Elena stumbled with her words.
"The very first. Tatia."
"Well. That's made things a little uncomfortable."
"Oh, love. It's too many lifetimes ago to matter to me at all. Elijah on the other hand, loved her more."
"Well that explains why Elijah was a little over-interested in me" Elena says, widening her eyes and downing as much of her beer as she could.
Klaus just laughed. "Haha was he now? I will have to tell him to back away from my doppelganger."
Elena couldn't help that his comment made her blush a little.
"Shall we dance, love?" Klaus asked, his eyes full of suggestion.
Elena downed the rest of her beer and stood up and took the dance floor with Klaus. He was a good dancer, she noticed. And he also knew how to make her laugh with his ridiculous moves as well. They looked like the happiest pair on the dance floor.
They lasted about 5 songs together before Klaus got a phone call he didn't seem to be expecting. He excused himself and Elena brought them both another drink at the bar. Klaus returned quickly.
"Elena, love, I'm awfully sorry but there is some important business I must attend to tonight. I can get Lydia or one of the others to come pick you up or I could trust you to finish your drink and make your own way to the house? It's your choice, sweetheart, I trust you." Klaus asked, looking as if he needed to be gone as soon as possible.
"You can trust me. I know the safest routes back. I'll finish my drink and be on my way." Elena said, slightly saddened by the thought of their night together ending so soon.
Klaus reached out and grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"Goodnight, my love" he said, and with that he was gone. Elena's heart fluttered a little unexpectedly. 'My love', not just 'love' he had said. She pulled herself together and sipped on her drink, alone at a bar that must've been one of the most crowded in New Orleans.
She sat alone for around five minutes before she noticed a handsome stranger take the empty seat next to her.
"A beautiful woman should never sit alone at a bar. May I buy you another drink?" said he stranger, a smile similar to Klaus' covered his face. Elena put it down to coincidence.
"I really should be going, I probably should have left already." Elena said, attempting to stand up before the stranger grabbed her reassuringly and sat her back down.
"Just a small one then?" he asked and she nodded.
"I'm Elena"
"It's nice to meet you Elena, I'm Kol."