#* . ⊹ 𝕃.ℝ. › ft. hope

[hellonexrth]

004. laurie & hope @hntershunted

Stepping onto the streets of Rome with his beautiful girlfriend in tow was all the nearly ancient vampire could have asked for. This seemed an impossible moment they were living in together, halfway across the globe while New Orleans struggled. But they were together, and that was the only thing that ever mattered for the pair anymore. And Laurie, well, he couldn't find it in himself to care about New Orleans, hometown or not, home was with the girl before him. And he knew, more than anything else, that she deserved a vacation. Lawrence Rutherford was in the business of giving her what she wanted and deserved. For the rest of his immortal existence.

So, after receiving the keys from a lockbox just outside the property, he guided Hope toward the front door of their rented apartment for the next few days. A luxurious space spitting distance from the Trevi Fountain, with views he couldn't believe. Upon opening the door to the apartment, they were greeted with a room that could have been pulled straight from a museum. Statuesque columns, dark romantic colors, and masterpieces in gilded frames.

Tempted to pick her up and carry her across the threshold, he steeled himself—hopefully saving that for later in the trip. Instead, he set their luggage down in the entry way and wrapped his arms around her midsection from behind, taking in the sight along side her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "So, what do you think?" he said, eyes on her despite the sight before them. Before she could respond, he unwound himself from her and grabbed her hand, leading her deeper into the apartment as the listing had called it, though it was more like their own personal castle for the next few days.

[hellishmuse]

001. laurie & hope @tribridcrsed

Since waking up nearly two years ago, life had been a whirlwind for the vampire who now stood inside an empty bar with a glass in his hand. Falling in love a second time had never been on his bingo card, and letting her slip through his fingers after a devastating incident certainly wasn't either. With the glass in his hand, he flipped through a folder of records with the other. All the places they'd been, the people they'd killed. He should have stopped keeping track months ago, but he couldn't. There had to be someone keeping tabs, someone checking in on them. Things were already well past alright, but keeping tabs was all he was capable of by this point.

He'd tried, god had he tried, to reel her back in from the beginning. He'd tried to be there for her when her family died, tried to be supportive when she turned her humanity off. For months he tried and tried, doing everything he could think of to bring her back down to earth. Despite her killing his one friend, he couldn't not try.

Even as his thoughts told him maybe it was time to give up, he just white-knuckled the glass of bourbon and closed the case files, dragging his hand through his hair before downing the rest of the glass. This nightmare had gone on for far too long. He'd thought by now, after a year that she'd find her way home, find a way to turn her humanity back on. But still, he stood alone, hope dwindling. Turning off his own humanity certainly would have solved the problem a lot sooner, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He'd been lost in that world for far longer than Hope, and he could still remember the guilt that came with turning it back on. He couldn't go through it again, but he could stand by and wait for her, wait to help her through it. Because despite her absence, everything he did was still for her.

He lifted his head, eyes finding hers immediately, barely recognizing them. They felt so different. Cold. He cleared his throat, looked away. "Missed stealing your old friend's liquor, huh?"

[cxrsedmuse]

closed — @tribidscrsed location: french quarter

Worrying about Hope hadn't been on his bucket list of the day. He'd gotten it in his head that she was smart and independent, and didn't need someone like Laurie to worry about her. Now, as he sat in his own apartment, waiting for her to show up, something ticked in his brain. The worry set in and he began to stress. What if someone hurt her, what if she needed him and hadn't been able to reach out because he had a fucking beeper instead of a phone?

His feet took him over to the French Quarter before he could stop himself. About to turn the corner onto the street where one set of her parents lived, he heard a loud crash and the panic set in even deeper. You're not there, you're not there and she's in trouble and you're not there. Sweat dripped from his brow, not from exertion from anxiety.

At the look on her face, when he was close enough to see it, he pushed himself even further. He grabbed her shoulders, unafraid of being hurt by her. "Hope," he said, looking into her eyes. "Hope, look at me."

[hellonexrth]

feat. laurie & hope continued from [x] @hntershunted

There was nothing more exhausting than trying to get Hope to see the value her life held. Laurie pinched the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger. How could he make her see that hurting herself would never be worth it, that there would always be consequences to these types of outbursts? How could he make her see how much he feared for her life, especially when she played everything so fast and loose. He could see the writing on the wall, knew that he would lose her one of these days, if things kept moving in this direction, and he couldn't stand the thought of having to live without her. Besides, what would she say if he'd done the same thing? If he'd stabbed himself in the heart? If he'd died for vengeance? He hoped she'd be angry, not just upset.

"I don't care that you're fine, Hope," he said, finally, throwing his hands out to the side in a show of dramatics. He reached out and took both of her hands, gripping them tight and pulling her close. He found her eyes and didn't look away. "You can't keep hurting yourself—not for their enjoyment." Because he knew they would enjoy it, seeing her be the monster they thought she was.

The anger in his chest was violent and untamable, but he wasn't even sure who he was angry at. Was it his wife, for being so careless with her life, or was it himself, for not being there to prevent it? Was it the girl he'd met on the street that said Kaya would kill him? Was it that everything seemed so out of his control, that no matter how hard to tried to grab onto the people around him, they were always slipping away? How long would it be until it happened to her, too? "No one is unkillable. Not even you," he said, voice lowered into a whisper. "You could at least pretend your enemies have found a way." He released her hands then, still looking down into her eyes with a sadness he couldn't quite explain. "I don't want to spend my life finding you half dead on the ground."

[cxrsedmuse]

closed — @tribidscrsed event 001: masquerade, enchanted evening

Laurie, normally a picture of stoicism, was a bundle nerves. Not only had it been ages since he'd put on a suit on gone to a dance, but it had been even longer since he'd had a crush, if one could even call it that. Did people really give crushes expensive earrings? Not that he'd paid for them exactly, but that was beside the point.

Of course, Laurie strolled in fashionably late. Many were coupled up in the center of the room, dancing. He spotted her immediately, and felt frozen in place at first. He'd never seen anyone as stunning, as angelic. He cleared his throat, summoned his courage and moved in her direction.

He tapped her dance partner on the shoulder and said, "Mind if I cut in?" The other man stepped away and Laurie took his place, looking down at Hope. He noticed the earrings immediately and a small smile graced his features. Laurie took one of her hands in his, and placed his other on her waist. He leaned in slightly as they started to move. "I see you got my note."

[hellonexrth]

"No," he whispered, to himself, to her, to anyone who could hear them. "You're not going anywhere," he said, shaking his head, his eyes never leaving hers. Laurie pulled her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. If he couldn't take the dagger out, he would hold her through it all. Because this wasn't the end. They were only just beginning. Their marriage just starting, their lives together were supposed to stretch far into the future. She wasn't supposed to be fragile. He was the one who should have died. Him. And all he could do was hold her and let the tears fall from his eyes and beg over and over again for whatever was happening to stop, for whoever was dragging her to the other side to lessen their grasp, to let him keep her this one time. He would spend the rest of his long life making up for it, if they'd just let him keep her.

He swallowed thick, a choked sob coming up without his permission, the grief controlling him. He wouldn't let her go. She wasn't going anywhere. Not without him. He dropped his forehead to hers, pressing kissing all over her face as she voiced her last words and he listened, because it was all he could do. Even if he wanted to pretend she hadn't said the words, pretend she wasn't going anywhere.

"I'll tell them," he said finally, because at the end of it all, he was loyal to her. He would do anything she asked of him, anytime. Even on her deathbed. "I love you, Hope. I love you so much," he said, squeezing her body against his chest. He wanted to tell her to keep her eyes open, tell her to just keep looking at him, that he'd be there for her always. He couldn't bring himself to say the words. Instead, he said, "It's okay, love. You can rest now."

He didn't let her go as the sobs wracked through his body. He let them, let everything he felt destroy him. Only for a second. Then, he got himself together, lessened the tight hold he had on her body and disappeared from that warehouse, returning to the home they shared together, and got into bed with her, still cradling her body, never wishing to let her go, stroking her hair even though she could no longer hear him, even though her eyes had long since closed. "This isn't the end," he whispered, his cheek against hers. And then he lay her down, finally ⸺ feeling a cold spread through his body. Enough to make him shiver. The feeling of being without her. Of being alone. Again. He reached for the dagger again, pulled upward for as long as he could sustain before finally letting go with a guttural scream of rage and grief and regret. No regrets, she'd said. He shook his head, looking down at her form. The only time he'd ever seen her so peaceful. He could think of a thousand things to regret.

END.

the second twist of the knife didn’t make her cry out, but her knees did buckle, and bloodied hands came up to feel around her chest, the pool of blood that formed was cold and sticky and then she fell forward, a silent whine falling from pale lips ⸺ the tribrid, looked frail, something she’d never been HOPE MIKAELSON had been all powerful from the moment she was conceived. everything about her unnatural, off balance a THREAT… at least it had been, now? as she felt the small bursts of energy leave her? she finally felt NORMAL, a feeling she’d chased her entire life. who knew that all it would take was dying?

but she wasn’t ready, and it was this moment that she realized it and so she could feel herself panic. she didn’t want to leave her family, her sister and her HUSBAND ⸺ she’d promised him forever and he’d promised her the same in return, leave to her to break that promise and that? well that hurt more than any taunting word the hellhound tribrid could taunt her with. it was the squeeze of her hand that, made her eyes search for him, his voice felt so far away… and she wanted her mon, she desperately needed her mother. ‘ momma, i’m scared ‘ she heard herself think and she was like she’d never been in her life. hope had always known that her END would be because she’d save someone she loved, and she was okay with that but god did it suck to leave him, the love of her life, she had so much to say to him but so little will or energy to do so. “ no.. “ she breathed out, swallowing hard and tasting her own blood. “don’t you.. be sorry. “ she coughed again, and she did her best to squeeze his hand in an effort to show some sort of good spirit. “ don’t you dare, lawrence. “ she chided in a rush, head shaking slightly.

“ no regrets. “ she confirmed, because she didn’t and wouldn’t regret saving him. nor would she ever regret loving him, despite the unfair amount of time they’d had together but something told her that a million lifetimes would never be enough anyway. her eyes fluttered foe a moment and she tried her best to keep them open. “ i’m tired…” she whined, the pain had faded, and that had to be bad news right? if she couldn’t feel anymore? had the ground always been this cold? maybe she should have worn a sweater, would wherever she’d go allow one? ‘ say hi to klaus for me ‘ would her father be angry? he’d left this world so she’d have a LIFE, it had been for her, a sacrifice made because of unconditional love and that had to mean he was at peace no? maybe she would be just as lucky, even with the red on her ledger, the people she’d hurt ⸺ and she’d hurt many, even people she loved because that was the nature of being a mikaelson.

she’d heard it said so many times and still her sister came to her mind, her aunts and uncles, her cousin, her step mother and… “ elena.. “ she’d said her name out loud and maybe it was a sign because she was rambling. she’d already said it once, but it would never be enough. “ tell her… tell her.. “ elena gilbert had been another mother figure in her life a CONFIDANT who’s trust she’d so irrevocably broken and now she’d have no time to repair it. “ and caroline… “ oh was she going to be upset, she would miss her too, because the vampire was her mother too, just as much as hayley had been. light ocean colored eyes fluttered again, and a lazy hand came up to rest on the one that her husband rested on her cheek. “ i love you.. “ she made herself say and then her eyes closed, hand going limp and falling aimlessly to her side.. as her usually flushed complexion greyed and she drifted off into nothingness with little to no resistance, an overdue bridge she’d needed to cross since she’d been born, a life debt finally settled for her overstayed welcome, the time she borrowed expired or so it would seem because her body didn’t disintegrate nor did her magic release back into nature where it belonged… no, it was contained, a frozen ticking time bomb with a dagger in her chest and a mourning husband that’s what was left of the mythical, all powerful, original tribrid. betrayed and defeated by who she’d once called her sister, a mirror she’d looked into her entire life, there was irony in there somewhere but she hadn’t found it, no time for that… not when she’d been pulled away, into nothing.

[cxrsedmuse]

Her knee connected with his groin and the wind was knocked out of him. He keeled over for a moment, but recovered quickly. "Now that wasn't very nice, but I do appreciate the gusto." He ran a hand through his hair, trying to put himself together again. Being a step away from her offered him a clarity that he'd not had only seconds ago. He didn't let his eyes find hers again and remained distant. The ripper looked over at the woman's body on the ground, feeling no remorse.

"It was lovely to meet you, witch. I'm certain we'll see each other again. And thanks, for cleaning up my little mess. Really good of you." He tossed the word back in her face and was gone in a flash.

HER INTEREST WAS PEAKED, the challenge of a worthy opponent was exhilarating in a way that hope couldn't wrap her mind around all combined with a profound CONTEMPT for the vampire currently tangled around her. " it doesn't count if the ' some ' in this scenario, are all DUST. and seeing as the last person you had person you had ' contact ' with put you in the ground... " her voice trailed, her breath was still caught in her throat, making her stumble her words. " i call bullshit. " there was a sneer in her tone, challenge was laced in her tone, one of her legs coming to press up against him, as her eyes lingered on the bit of his chest that she could see. " a coherent thought shocking... " tone was sardonic but fire dripped out of every word she spoke, his fingers still held between her own in a tight grip, only to have her other hand trail up his chest, before she leaned her heat in, only to take that same tangled leg that had pressed itself against him, to his groin in a hard ' kneeing action. " allow me to help you find another.. " and with that the distance between them existed again, the feel of it allowed her to exhale... despite the thrill reflected in blue eyes the young tribid did what she could to remain as stoic as ever.

[cxrsedmuse]

The kiss washed away all the grief, if only for the few seconds that her lips touched his. Who needed to talk about their feelings, who needed to process their grief, when they could just do this instead. When he pulled away, he reached a hand up and wiped her tears away with his thumb. Just then, he decided that seeing her cry was his least favorite thing. That he'd hurt anyone who prompted those tears. And at the same time, the guilt seeped in further. He should have done SOMETHING. He couldn't let the thought go.

Hope, he knew down to his bones, that she had done nothing wrong. Sure, she hadn't mastered resurrection, but who had? Laurie had failed, plain and simple. If there was one person in that moment responsible for keeping Damon Salvatore alive and breathing, it was him. And he couldn't do it. Even when faced with a, in the grand scheme of things, very minimal threat. It killed him multiple times over. We've got to stop meeting like this. Those words would be forever ingrained in his brain.

He realized he'd spaced out for a moment and offered Hope a faint smile. In regards to ruining his life, he said, "I'd love for you to try," then kissed her once more. When she tucked her head into his chest again, he let out a long sigh and with it, a few tears fell down his cheeks. At her next words he let out a soft laugh. "Dinner and perhaps a show?" He rose an eyebrow. "And by a show, I of course mean: finding hunters and torturing them to death. If... you would be into something like that. But, no. You're right, maybe just dinner."

THERE WAS SO MUCH comfort in his presence and despite the sheer misery and rage she felt ⸺ she also felt peace, the kind that she'd never really managed to find and she could feel her heart skip a beat, in that ridiculous way that only happened when you had a ' crush ' on somebody but somehow it felt deeper than that, maybe she should have more questions, perhaps there should be more to fight and resist but all she could really do was allow the feeling to pull her towards him and for once her instinct to run away turned into her running straight towards something, him. life surely had a strange way of making things happen, but it was in the mutual grief that they both felt in this very moment, the fact that both of them could understand rage so well and how it was HE that managed to quell hers, it overwhelmed. pulling him for a kiss, her hands rested on his cheeks, tear filled blue eyes locked directly with his dark gaze as she pulled away. " you've no idea... " her voice faltered, as tears fell down her cheeks, settling into her chest, she laced a hand with his, bringing it up to her lips she pressed a kiss against it. " i'm going to ruin your life. " in the best way possible or so she'd hope ( pun intended ) he'd already done quite a number on her it was only fair that she returned the favor right? she sure thought so. a heavy sigh slipped her lips, sadness still lingered in the air between them, both of them still dressed in blood stained formal attire, which neither of them had done much to change, no instead she allowed her eyes to close for a second, listening to his heart beat against it. it made her feel relief, which brought it's own brand of guilt but she really couldn't IMAGINE what mourning him would be like, not when they'd just met. " hell of a first date... " she mumbled against his chest, a sad chuckle slipping past her lips as she shook her head. " let's try dinner next time. "

[hellonexrth]

When the blade sunk into Hope's chest instead, her first instinct was to laugh. Something deep inside of her broke free for a moment, and tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. Not an act. The feelings were not present, but the tears came nonetheless. A girl mourning for her friend despite all that had been lost, despite the aching nothingness reaching shaking hands out from the center of that dead, dark heart. She didn't wipe them away. Didn't bother. Let her see them. "I saved you a seat," Kaya said as she dropped to one knee next to her mirror, the other side of her being, always and forever in some sick way, the family she wanted so badly to be a part of mocking her even now.

She grabbed hold of the hilt, looking at Hope with big, dark eyes tears that must have seemed so entirely out of place, as much as they felt. A testament to the sad little girl still inside her somewhere. They were tears of deception, whether she meant them to be or not. For they showcased something worth saving, made it look as if the girl within could be freed when that would never be the case, when she could never go back. Not even if she wanted to. Touching the hilt sent a strange sensation through her body, and her mind reeled as if watching a film, the scenes out of order.

Them, racing around the block and Hope ⸺ always winning. Her bothering Klaus, telling him she'd kick his ass one day. Her mother, looking at her with clear brown eyes, shaking her head. And her father too, that horrified look on his face in the moment before his death, looking at the girl that became a monster, the girl that would never be just a girl again. They all looked at her, the past versions of the people she loved, some alive, some deceased. The disappointment on Ingrid's face in that coffee shop only days ago, the shock on Theo's, and all the hypothetical disappointment from the people who could not see her now but would think her lost and beyond repair. Theo's mother. Even Laurie. All the people who ever thought her once, liked her, loved her, were a part of her family ⸺ real or found.

The worst part, was that it meant absolutely nothing. The faces could have been anyone's, their disappointment reaching no last left behind warmth in her chest. She could only smile, a bit of a laugh coming out at the thought of someone, something sending her a message. Even her subconscious. She laughed. I am beyond saving. "Say hi to Klaus for me," Kaya said, leaning down to whisper the words as she put the second hand on the hilt and turned hard and fast, digging it deeper into her chest.

It had been meant for him. That was the only thing he could think as he watched the dagger go through his wife's chest. He reached a hand up to his own, hoping to find it there instead, like the whole thing had been some sick trick devised in the dark trenches of the demon girl's mind. But he found no dagger, no blood. He dropped to the ground next to Hope, across from Kaya, holding Hope's hand tight and searching her face for something, anything that would tell him this would all be okay.

"It's okay, it's okay," he whispered, ignoring the demon's cruel words and the desire to rip her apart ⸺ a desire that would only get them into more trouble. He was not all powerful, not like Hope. And even now, Hope lay broken on the floor and he could only feel like an idiot, the grief washing over him, overlaid by ancient memories of another death he'd finally started to heal from. The scene too similar, the blood seeping out of her wound too fresh. He tried to say something but a choked gasp only came out and he was convinced, fucking convinced that this would be where he lost her and everything, fucking everything would be on his shoulders. Because there was no world where this was not his fault, where he had not led the both of them here even after hearing about the risks. He'd done this. He'd harmed her.

He placed one hand on the side of her face, turned it toward him as the demon girl stood up and paced away, as if letting them have their moment. He found her eyes, ones he had memorized, ones he could describe at the drop of a hat, every hint of color and light and darkness, and everything about her ingrained so deeply in his brain. Even this moment, too, would find a home there. "I'm so sorry," he said, unable to stop the tears that started and poured down his face. He reached for the dagger, and the hope that everything would be okay. A hand around it resulted in immediate agony and he looked up to find the demon, only for her to be out of sight. He pounded a fist into the concrete ground and didn't care that his knuckles bloodied then healed. "It's going to be okay. I'm going to get you out of here and everything is going to be okay." He swallowed thickly. "Don't close your eyes, okay? Just keep looking at me."

heartbreak topped itself with grief, as strong arms wrapped around her best friend’s frame. the hellhound tribrid looked so SMALL for a moment in her eyes, and guilt began to creep into her pores ⸺ she should have known better, should have been BETTER, did they not grow up together? how could anything truly sever that bond? and so she shook her head, squeezing the brunette tight, she held back tears, because she knew what came next. eating yourself alive for everything you did, when that pesky HUMANITY switch was off was never ending, and the guilt of all the atrocities the original tribrid had committed still felt soul crushing, but she’d had laurie to hold her up, now it was turn, she would make damn sure to be who her friend leaned on.

“hey, it’s okay.. it’s going to be… “ what it would be died as soon as the soft doe eyes, that had so quickly disarmed became pitch black again, the view making her want to pull away but she’d lowered her guard, and like a fly she’d fallen for the honey. “ what.. “ she began to say, willing herself to power up, but completely FORGETTING to and then it came, a sharp, pain in the middle of her chest, accompanied with release for the girl’s arms. that sound that ripped every illusion of finding herself at home, in her BED, with her husband.. that mixed in with the vampire’s return to the land of the LIVING, and it was then that shocked filled baby blue’s met his dark eyes.

“ It’s… “ she struggled, but refused to give into the pain coursing through her. the feeling of floating away invading her, she shook her head “it’s okay, i ⸺ i love you. “ she managed to breathe out, before the hellhound demanded her attention once again. clumsy steps were taken back as her knees buckled, but she did her best to stand upright. her PRIDE was still intact, she was hope mikaelson, that would never change.

was she afraid? absolutely, but she also looked down, the pain it felt far away. hmm dying surely didn’t suck as much as she thought it would. “ it doesn’t hurt…. not physically anyway, the BETRAYAL did however weigh on her heart, but maybe she’d see her mom again and find her dad. her eyes fluttered again and once again she buckled. her family would find a way to go on, they’d take care of laurie, of ingrid ⸺ caroline wouldn’t leave their side, and he’d have the salvatores, her sister would have their aunts and uncles. in other words the world could keep spinning without her, just like maybe it always should have.

“ you’ll still lose.. “ because of course they’d avenge her. “ i’ll save a seat for you in HELL..” quippy till the end, that was the hope way, she coughed blood pooling in her mouth, and a hand lamely came up to try and touch the knife, but one graze of her finger and it burned again. okay maybe it did hurt… and once again her thoughts went back to her husband. the life she promised him, everything they wouldn’t get to do, oh how she would MISS him, wherever she went. being separated wasn’t what she wanted, not when she had promised him she’d fight ⸺ but she was tired.. and she felt it now, so irrevocably. so she looked back in his direction again, and uttered more i love you’s.. because he had to know, surely he did know.. right? “ always and forever..” she mouthed in his direction… and she nodded again. “ you and me. “ words they’d said to each other and only each other. “ i love you. “

[hellonexrth]

Detaching from her lips, like always, was one hell of a fight. Kissing her cleared his brain, and he could get lost with his hands on her body. But there would be time for that and more later. Walking across the room, he pulled a map of the city out of his bag—he still hadn't figured out Google maps, and probably wouldn't for another hundred years. At which point, there would be some new, stressful technology for him to struggle with.

With a pen, he circled a nearby church, certainly that had someone they could compel to marry them. Because if they were going to do this now, they were going to do it right. And while some rushed weddings took place in tacky chapels, theirs would be just as Hope said, one hell of a story to tell. "Here's the plan," he said, looking at her with a grin. "Let's meet here in three hours." He needed time to make sure everything was ready to go, and perhaps to find something to wear, too. None of the clothes he'd brought along seemed to be fit for a wedding to the love of his life.

His hands reached for her again, disregarding the map and the plan for a second. Because while he felt the need to marry her as soon as he possibly can, not being able to stand the idea of not being her husband, he had the time to sweep her into his arms once more. For that, he could always find time. "And you're going to be my wife." He was going to have a wife. Truly something he'd never once imagined. "I love you," he said, brushing his fingers through her hair, then paused, thinking that maybe his plan was just short of insanity. "We don't have to do this today, you know." His eyes found hers fast, like magnets. "We can go home, do the big wedding thing. Suffer all the planning, invite all our loves ones. Enjoy being engaged for a few months. If that's what you want." But he looked at the map again, with a wild smile. "But if you want to be my wife today, I can make that happen."

A HAPPY STRING OF giggles slipped her lips as he picked her up, holding him to her tightly, she could feel her heart beating in chest. the sight of her mother’s ring on her finger brought more tears to her eyes, but for the first in what felt too long there was nothing behind but JOY. she was wrapped up in the arms of not just the love of her life but a for the ‘ epic history books ‘ if such a thing existed of course.

this was the sort of story she’s grown up hearing, surrounded by a string of loves so great, that she never thought she was meant to have of her own. and yet even in that he just had to prove her wrong. when his lips met hers, she kissed back, hands tangling in his hair as she pressed herself into this. she was meant to be here, with HIM ⸺ nothing else mattered, nothing could ruin the happiness she felt now.

she was a fiancée, the word leaving him made a blush rush to her cheeks which turned a bright shade of red, her line of sight on him and all she could do was smile. “ fiancé, mine..” she cooed, lips moving over lips as he kept on speaking her brow quirked upwards, her attention now back to where they were and he was absolutely right, the historic sights of the city would be a perfect backdrop to make the commitment they already had official. “and one hell of a story to tell… “ she agreed with a nod, her lips pressing to his again. it would be just the two of them, exactly how life should always be ⸺ no time could be better. “you’re going to be my husband… i love you. “

[hellonexrth]

The interruption was definitely an unwelcome one. As Hope pulled the phone out of his pocket and Theodore began talking, he pinched the bridge of his nose. The whole day they'd gone completely uninterrupted, but now this moment? Damn technology, he should have thrown his phone out of the airplane like his now wife had suggested.

"Use your head, Theodore. Please. You went to school for so long, that has to be good for something," he quipped, standing behind Hope to look at the kid back home, likely in his house, hopefully not messing anything up. He was still shocked the place hadn't burst into flames already. He motioned to Hope's white dress with the hand that now held a wedding ring. "I'll give you a moment to process. I suggest you take it, use that big ol' brain of yours, and put the pieces together. You'll get there, I promise."

END (CONT'D. IN TUPPER).

HER HANDS TANGLED IN his hair as she melted into the kiss, feet kicking slightly as he picked her up. a smile was drowned out with his lips on hers and she returned the same passion ⸺ deciding right then and there that nothing would ever feel like this, the amount of love he inspired in her she was sure could never be quantified. he was by all means her reason for EVERYTHING, for simply being.

and this was the start of the life that she promised herself they would have. fighting for HIM was simple, and she had no questions about it, he was the love to define them all and now that bond was official, celebrated in the most meaningful way they could both think of. a giggle slipped past her lips as he spoke, wife.. she’d never get tired of it. nuzzling her nose against his she nodded. “ i love you more, husband. “ she muses with a light pull of his lips with hers. “ and you clean up well. “ her forehead rested against his, a happy hum slipping past her lips.

now all she could think of was getting him out of that jacket, she wanted nothing more than to get lost in him, their first night as husband and wife.. but then she heard it.. the faint but grating ‘ hello ? ‘ the sound making her pull away because there couldn’t be a possible way that and sure enough the tribrid began to laugh. “ um honey.. “ she reached towards his pocket to pull out the phone, the screen displaying ONE particular nuisance, both she and laurie were unfortunately fond of. “ what’s with the CHURCH? “ the vampire on the screen questioned. “ i know two of you are dramatic but this is a little much no? the jesus ship has sailed.. maybe send him a few heads. “ he rambled on and hope rolled her eyes. “ you’re an idiot theodore. “ she finished with a look of disbelief. “ a true and complete idiot. “

[hellonexrth]

The ring on his finger was heavy, and reminded him of her, meaning it was absolutely perfect. He'd slid the wedding band onto her finger, as well. Admiring the set together and the beautiful woman who now wore them. And when she started speaking, he felt as if he couldn't breathe—not that he needed to. But his heart, his chest, it ached so much, overflowing with love. Even if he did not deserve it, he would take it, accept it, return it.

He'd spoked to Hayley briefly about the concept of epic love, and he'd known in that moment that Hope was his. No question about it. Elspeth had been his love, that much was true. But Hope made him feel like a new man. She made him better, made him feel worthy of life, of her love. A half grin half smirk melted into her kiss as she pulled him in. His hands found her waist instinctively, clutching her to him so tight that he lifted her just off the ground. "God, I love you. My wife," he said as he broke away for just a second before finding her lips again. There was a fierce passion in the kiss, their first kiss as husband and wife, and he didn't care that the holy spirit was watching, he would kiss his wife like he meant it. If the priest objected to use of tongue, he certainly didn't make those thoughts known.

He dropped his forehead against hers, breathing heavily as he looked at her, wanting to take her back to their hotel and kiss every square inch of her skin, of his wife's body. "My witch, my wife," he said, eyes boring into hers, hand threading into her perfectly done hair. "Did I mention that you look indescribably beautiful?" he said, voice low, permanent grin on his lips.

AND THEN CAME HER TURN, ' i do's ' exchanged, she'd reached into her dress pocket and pulled out the wedding band she;d chosen for him, yellow gold, with a firmly set ruby in the middle ⸺ to match the one on her mother's engagement ring. slipping it onto his finger, she then let her fingers laced through his. a tight hold was around them, as the tears she'd been holding back finally began to fall. " laurie.. " she began, inhaling for a moment as she thought back to the few things she'd written in between getting her hair done and the many dress try on's. " i've always heard that there was ONE feeling in the entire world that could spare us the weight that is pain in life, and it's LOVE. i come from a long line of people who do exactly that, love fiercely, sometimes maybe even a little too much ⸺ my mom always talked about ' epic ' love, a concept i always thought out of reach, maybe even something i made fun of... i'd made my PEACE with never having it, because life had other plans for me and then you appeared... " more tears fell from her eyes as she lost her ability to speak for a moment. " and just like that my world was FOREVER changed, and it was because of you, that i BELIEVE in wanting something for myself, you are my best friend, my partner, my equal but most importantly, my love and i've found a stillness with you, and a bravery that evaded me my whole life. you make me BRAVE, and i can't wait to spend my life with you, i will love you till the end of time and if something comes after that ⸺ i'll love you then as well. " and that was a promise, it would take more than DEATH to pull them apart that was decided here and now. slipping the ring on his finger, she looked up at him as the words ' and i now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride ' were uttered, the tribrid wasted no TIME, pulling him by his suit collar into a passionate kiss. only pulling away for a second, their foreheads touching. " my husband. " she whispered over his lips, before melting into another kiss.

[hellonexrth]

"I do," he said, though not even death could part them. He'd crawl through hell to get her back, if for some reason she slipped out his grasp on earth. After her I do, the priest prompted them to share the vows they'd written. Of which Lawrence had scribbled a few thoughts onto a shred of paper in his pocket. But he didn't reach for it. Didn't bother. Everything he thought, everything he wanted to say, it came naturally, came without needing notes, only needing to look into her yes.

A soft smile crossed his lips as he took her in. "Never in a million years could I imagine this moment before meeting you." He gripped her hands tight, already feeling the emotional well up behind his eyes. How had he gotten so lucky? How did he at all deserve this moment, this woman? After all he'd done, it didn't seem right or fair, but he certainly wasn't going to question it. "You came into my life in at a time I'm not proud of, and you were a light in the darkness. You took a monster and reminded him what it was like to love. You showed him, me, so much. About caring for people, about what it's like to have a family. About being stubborn and powerful. I will love you for all of this life and longer, and I will do my best to make sure no one ever hurts you. I love you so much, Hope." Tears stung at his eyes, but he didn't stop looking at her. She truly had become everything that mattered to him in such a short amount of time, and he would do absolutely nothing to change that.

PULLING THE SMALL VELVET box out of her pearl shaped purse, before trading it off for the bouquet of white roses, the tribrid slipped it into the small dress pocket, as the familiar tune began to play ⸺ her eyes focused on him, and him alone as she took graceful steps towards the altar.

doing her best to get there without having ruined her make up, but the tears that formed in the corner of her eyes were happy for a change, happier than she could ever remember feeling. which had to be some kind of record somewhere, whoever kept score surely had to be writing this one down. the melody played up until she found her place in front of her ‘ husband to be ‘ nodding as her eyes met his, as the priest ( odd, all things considered ) began to speak. and then it came, “ lawerence rutherford you take, hope andrea mikaelson as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part? “

[hellonexrth]

It felt as if everything that had happened in his entire life had only been leading up to this moment. The pair of them, far away from home, with only each other, stepping into a church he hadn't seen before a few hours ago in a town he'd never been to with the woman he'd put his life on the line for.

As they stepped inside, he pressed a soft kiss to her knuckles and said, "See you on the other side, Miss Mikaelson." Then, he stepped away from her, letting go of her hand ever so gently. Because everyone who stood in the church in that moment had already been compelled, in a blur of speed he stood on the alter, smoothing out his suit and looking down the aisle. He nodded toward the organist, who began to play the wedding march on his cue. He intertwined his hands, holding them in front of his body, as his eyes followed Hope up the aisle.

A FEW HOURS TO PLAN and have a wedding shouldn’t be remotely enough time at least for anyone who’s idea of a celebration was inviting everyone including your dog’s dentist that is. hope despite her ‘ appearances ‘ where her family was involved had never really craved the attention that came with such things. in fact despite being able to CHARM a room, the tribrid had to admit that she often felt uncomfortable.

in other words this moment being for just the TWO of them? it made sense, just like everything that concerned him, that she wanted to keep for herself, she had never been that girl ⸺ she’d never wanted something solely for herself but that had all changed when she met him. because everything she had ever felt for anyone paled in comparison in fact it couldn’t even be compared. her blue gaze focused on him as he pulled her close, eyes watery and an adoring smile on her features as a hand settled on his chest.

she nodded, part of her thinking she’d been ready for this the day they met. this was completely crazy and the sort of story one read in cheesy romance books.. but she couldn’t think of a better way to make the promise of FOREVER official. “ absolutely. “ she confirmed, with a quick press of her lips to his, there would be so much time for that later. lacing her arm through his she nodded once again, taking their first few steps into the now empty church. her breath hitching as she took in the view, everything from the flowers to the candles that lit up the space was… “ perfect. “ she heard herself say as she turned her attention to him. he was by all means the embodiment of that word, to her at least.

[hellonexrth]

Three hours suddenly didn't seem like enough time to accomplish everything he wished. First and foremost, he made his way to the church he'd marked on the map and with a little charm and a lot of compulsion, he made sure that it was free from tourists and ready for a ceremony at the agreed upon time. After securing the venue, he spoke with a florist (or three). Instead of compelling the florists directly, he instead compelled rich looking customers into spending their money on his wedding ceremony. A very thoughtful gift from the people of Rome, it was. After cleaning out the florists of all their arrangements, of various colors and types, he went in search of a suit.

While dresswear wouldn't make or break the wedding, he wanted to look his best for his beautiful bride-to-be. His style had always been somewhat strange, as Theo may have put it once or twice, but Hope had never had any complaints. So, he chose a brown suit with a soft patterned shirt and a heavy, velvet jacket that he slung casually over his shoulders. Finishing off the look with some gold jewelry, he only had one more stop to make before he could return to the church and his future.

Thankfully, he was able to find the perfect wedding band to compliment Hope's engagement ring in a little under an hour. He'd scoured a few shops, and when he saw the delicate band lined with sparkling diamonds, he knew it was perfect. Tucking yet another ring box into his suit jacket, he was finally ready.

He made it back to the chapel before the meeting time, checking inside to ensure that everything had been done up to his specifications. Bouqets and arrangements of flowers in various colors surrounded the small, already ornate space. And every candle in the vicinity had been lit. It couldn't have been more romantic. For such short notice, he was proud. A tear almost came to his eye, but he held back, waiting to shed tears at the sight of his bride, instead. Which he nearly did, when he spotted her approaching in a white dress. His grin turned into a laugh at her tease, and he didn't bother to stop himself from looping an arm around her waist and pulling her in right then. When he pulled away, keeping her close, he said, "Are you ready?"

THEIR AGREEMENT HAD BEEN three hours and while the whole entire idea seemed absolutely crazy, she couldn’t bring herself to think anything outside of it being oddly fitting to who they were. the thrill that had been present from the moment they met was something that filtered throughout their relationship ⸺ regardless of how much both of them knew each other. and they did, by now they could each read the other like a book, he was by all means her own HEART personified.

and she was excited, nervous all the things she imagined a ‘ bride to be ‘ would be, her attention had faltered down to the deep red ruby now settled on her finger, about every turn and all she could think of was not letting a single second go by where he wasn’t her HUSBAND. not that they weren’t completely committed to each other before, they were and that would stand true no matter what label they gave to their relationship but even as she looked at different dress options, settling on the one, compelling her way into someone doing something with her hair and the now secured velvet box of her own ( the ring she’d picked for him ) she couldn’t help but think to the future, they had one in front of them and that’s all that mattered.

she’d given every single sales associate and stylist a proper thank you ⸺ what good was thousands of years of investments and money if you didn’t use any of it? even if she didn’t need to, she’s chosen a short gown, covered in lace and her hair was styled in a soft half up do, a look she knew lizzie would approve of, if she could see. her breath was caught in her throat as she rounded the agreed upon corner, the tiny box sung inside of the small pearl beaded purse she carried. her heeled shoe tapping on the ground, as her line of sight finally fell onto the vampire’s warm dark one.

she felt heat moving to her cheeks, as nothing short of an adoring smile formed on her features. she could feel her eyes begin to sting but she at least wanted to make it inside before the waterworks began. stepping towards him, she reached for one of his hands and laced it with hers. and then her attention was on the gorgeous chapel he’d picked out, the image of his paper map coming to mind and it made her snort. “happy to see we can still TRUST paper. “ she teased with a smitten reflection in her eyes, before she nodded in wordless agreement, she truly couldn’t wait another second to marry him.

[hellonexrth]

Yes, a million times yes. A smile broke out across his face, filled with a joy he hadn't felt in ages. He never once considered, before meeting her, that he'd want anyone to be his wife. But with Hope, things were different. They completed each other, were two halves of a whole. And his love for her, his dedication, and his willingness to fight for her, it deserved to be captured with a bond. He wanted nothing more that to be bound to her for the rest of his life, however long it may be. Months or eternity, all he wanted was time with her.

He took the ring out of the box, his hand shaking with joy and a release of the nerves he'd been feeling the entire trip, as he slid the engagement ring onto her finger, squeezing her hand for a moment before standing up to sweep her up in a hug. Hands came up to cup her cheeks and he kissed her again, mouth moving slowly against hers, wanting to cherish this moment, store it away and remember it, replace old memories that haunted him. That, perhaps, was the solution to his problems. All these memories that overtook his brain simply needed replacing.

"I love you so much, my stubborn and beautiful fiancé," he whispered against her lips, barely breaking away from them, wanting to kiss her and kiss her and kiss her for the rest of their time together. He didn't even want to begin to think about having to return to New Orleans, to deal with all of the things that were going on there. Not to mention, having to plan a wedding amidst all the madness? He hadn't really thought that one through. He finally broke away from her, his hands settling on her waist, his head tilted slightly to the side with a sly grin. "No where more beautiful to get married than Rome," he said, a slight wiggle of one of his brows.

HER FOREHEAD RESTED AGAINST his, her attention completely focused on him, thumbs gently drawing circles on his cheeks. she nodded, it was hard to let go of the PAST ⸺ she understood that, maybe not in the same way but as someone who’s family’s ‘ affronts against humanity ‘ usually came back to bite her, specifically being free of preconceived notions of being doomed among other things, wasn’t an easy task.

and while she struggled with seeing the future as something she could choose, she wanted to work to build that world they both imagined for each other. one where all they would need is to love each other, where being TOGETHER and in peace was all they had to look forward to. “ excellent news for us and terrible for everyone else. “ she attempted to joke with a small smile. “ and i’ll always, fight for you. “ no questions asked, he was her very reason for being, nothing would hurt him again not if she had any say in it.

her head tilted slightly at his revelation of having something for her, nose scrunched as she watched him reach for something she couldn’t see but her mind was curious, maybe even a little impatient, but then he began to speak and tears welled up in her eyes. fully falling as her line of sight fell to her mother’s ring the dark set ruby blinding and then it came, ‘ will you be my wife ‘ if bursting from happiness was possible, she would do so in this very moment.

wiping at her eyes with her stained sleeve, she nodded fervently, doing everything to gather her thoughts and put them into words. “ out of all the men in the world.. you are quite possibly the most INFURIATING and the only one who’d propose covered in blood ⸺ but you are also exciting and unpredictable and you see me in a way i don’t think i’ll EVER understand, by far the most incredible person i’ve ever met and it would be the thrill of a lifetime, to spend the rest of eternity with you. “

she was still nodding, her gaze locked on his, a sniffle slipping past her lips as she reached for him to pull him up for a passionate kiss. “ yes, a million times yes, i would love to be your wife. “ she spoke over his lips, because she’d chosen him and she would actively choose him every single day FOREVER. he was going to be husband, she of all people with a husband, who would have guessed? “ certainly not her.