Klaus was curled up in his bed, his body coiled like a child lost in a nightmare. Deep dark circles hollowed out his eyes, and traces of dried tears streaked his pale cheeks. The night had been a whirlwind of emotions: images of Katrina haunting his dreams, her distant smile, her inaccessible body. He slept restlessly, his heart aching with an impossible love.
Suddenly, violent knocks sounded against the door, shattering the silence of the room. Klaus jumped, blinking in the light filtering through the half-closed shutters. He stood up painfully, dragging his feet to the entrance. With a trembling hand, he opened it.
Henry and Axel stood in the doorway, Henry with his eternal jovial smile, Axel more reserved but concerned.
"Hey, man!" » Henry said, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder before entering without waiting for an invitation, closely followed by Axel.
Klaus sighed, exasperated by Henry's boundless energy, and closed the door behind them. He turned around, still sleepy.
Henry spun around, hands on hips. "You know what, man? Soon it's the induction ceremony and..." He stopped short, noticing Klaus' defeated expression. The dark circles, the red eyes – everything screamed distress.
Axel, more observant, frowned. "Klaus, what's wrong?" »
Klaus ran a hand through his tousled hair, avoiding their gazes. "It's nothing. Just a bad night. »
Henry wasn't one to give up. He walked over, grabbed Klaus by the arm and dragged him to the chair. He made him sit down with authority before settling down in front of him, elbows on his knees. Axel took a seat, observing the scene.
"Listen to me carefully, Klaus," Henry said in a firm but brotherly tone. "You and I never had any secrets. Either you speak or I make you do it. Because I know that if you don't confide, it won't get better. And believe me, I know you well enough to know when you're feeling down. »
Klaus sighed deeply, rolled his eyes theatrically, then lowered them in defeat. "Okay...I fell in love with a woman who could be my mother. »
Axel nodded, not surprised. "Katrina, I presume. »
Klaus's eyes widened.
Henry exploded: "WHAT!!!!! Miria's mother? Seriously, Klaus? »
Klaus stunned. "How do you know that? You're not even in our group! »
Henry shrugged. "Just because I'm not in your inner circle doesn't mean I don't know. Axel tells me everything, and we're all in high school, right? But wait, Miria is a witch like her mother, so Katrina is a supernatural being. Among us supernaturals, we don't care about age, right? »
Klaus shook his head bitterly. "Not her. She lived more like a human. She reacts to moral and social issues like them. For her, it's... impossible. Taboo. »
Axel placed a hand on her shoulder. "I see... That explains your change lately. You've become more... mature. More introspective. »
Henry leaned forward, his eyes shining with determination. "I advise you to fight if you really love him. Love doesn't fall from the sky every day. Especially not for guys like us. »
Axel nodded. " Me too. At first, I didn't understand your evolution, but now I know that she is the one who changed you. Fight, Klaus. You deserve this. »
A small, shy smile appeared on Klaus' face, erasing his dark circles for a moment. "Thank you so much, guys. I really needed this. You are... brothers to me. »
Henry "No worries! »
Klaus clapped his hands to lighten the mood. "Okay, and if not, what does that say on your side? Are we talking about me now? »
Axel laughed softly. "Well, nothing special for me other than the fact that, as you know, the induction ceremony is just around the corner. And I'm supposed to introduce my future wife. »
Klaus raised an eyebrow. " And ? »
Henry chuckled. "Our dear prince here never told his beloved that he was a prince! »
Klaus stared at Axel in disbelief. "Is this a joke?" »
Axel didn't respond, just staring at the ground.