Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 31: Honesty

In an effort to finish his midterm report before their approaching spring break, Rafael sits on his bed, laptop opened to a document containing two words: his name.

He reaches over to his reference material, a book about the Original Hybrid. He chose Niklaus Mikaelson to be the subject of his research paper, knowing he would have an abundance of resources to choose from.

He opens the book to the middle, absentmindedly flipping through a few pages with photographs of the hybrid.

He flips once more, brows furrowing at the image on the page.

What the hell?

It's a photo of Klaus Mikaelson with Hope's Auntie Bex.

He looks to the footnotes of the page, reading over its words carefully, "Niklaus Mikaelson hosts an auspicious event at his Mystic Falls home alongside his half-sister, Rebekah Mikaelson."

Raf's attention is diverted abruptly by a knock at his door, practically causing him to jump out of his skin.

He sets the book down on his bed, still confused by its contents. He walks to the door, turning the knob and pulling it open to reveal Hope on the other side, "Hey...we need to talk."

She looks nervous, swallowing thickly, fidgeting with the rings on her fingers.

He nods slowly, "Yeah, I think we do."

Hope finally makes direct eye contact, confused by his sudden accusatory tone.

He lets out a deep sigh, ushering her into the room and shutting the door, sensing the need for this conversation to remain private.
He walks her over to the bed, allowing her to join him in sitting.

She catches a glimpse of the opened book on his bed, biting her lip nervously before connecting it to his tone. She doesn't tear her eyes from the book as she puts it all together, letting out a deep sigh,
"You know."

He studies her expression as she runs her fingertips over the picture in the book. He notices something different in her demeanor, like she lacks something which was previously there—her defensive walls have turned to windows.
He senses something, maybe relief, in her musculature.

He clears his throat, thrown off by her sudden vulnerability, "All I know, is that the woman labeled in this book as Rebekah Mikaelson is the same woman that you and I call Auntie Bex, the same woman who's let me stay at your house tons of times to relieve me of my foster parents..."

Hope wears a smile, her eyes glossy as she looks up to Raf. She shrugs a shoulder, trying to dismiss her emotional appearance, "Yeah," Hope nods, chewing at her lip for a moment, "Well, she understands the pain associated with abusive parents, and she's always loved helping people."

"So, if she's actually a Mikaelson...How are you—what does—" Raf's eyebrows furrow as he tries to voice his questions. They're all flooding into his head at once, jumbling his thoughts.

Hope seems to understand his struggle, "She saved my life, kept me out of harm's way from the day I was born. My father trusted her enough to take me away from our home in New Orleans, she brought me here to keep me hidden from anyone who might harm me."

Raf nods, still not fully comprehending the big picture, "So, the people who have raised you...they're the Mikaelson family."

"Raf," Hope finally realizes the piece of the puzzle that Raf is missing, trying to find a way to explain everything fully, "Y'know how the Malivore monsters keep trying to kill me? How Cleo stabbed me, saying that I needed to live up to my potential?"