𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 ━━ HOPE MIKAELSON.

7

"COME ON, MIKAELSON," Jaxon taunted, smirking at Hope who was lying on her back on the ground, "get the fuck up and kick my ass."

"I need a breather," Hope muttered, groaning as she stood up and regained her fighting stance, "how can you be so energetic at five in the morning?"

"I don't sleep, darling." Jaxon shrugged, dodging a punch from Hope, "unlike you. By the way, you snore."

"I do not." Hope responded, blocking his punch. Jaxon snorted, attempting to kick her but she blocked it with her knees, "yes, you do— you snore so loud that I can hear it in my room which is one of the reasons why I don't sleep. I can't with your snoring."

"I don't sn— shit!" She groaned and brought her hands to her nose where she received a punch from Jaxon. "Fuck you."

"You're not giving your best," Jaxon observed, "what's up with you? Is it that Landon guy?"

She furrowed her brows, "what— no."

"Sometimes... " Jaxon picked up the bottle of water he placed on the ground earlier, "you seem to forget that I can read you like an open book." And It was true— they both knew it. Jaxon could read anyone easily yet for someone to read him was almost impossible.

"Landon is... " Hope trailed off, grabbing the bottle when Jaxon offered as she took a swing before resuming, "was a friend."

"Interesting," Jaxon muttered, inwardly rolling his eyes at her words, "or was he?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." He waved off, "you seem to really like him. It's just that the way you were staring at him when he was here—"

"—I don't—" Hope cut him off, shaking her head, "—no— he was just a friend. One of my firsts so I kind of care about him. But I don't feel anything like that for him."

'That almost kiss yesterday begs to differ,' Jaxon thought bitterly.

"But whatever," she grumbled, throwing the bottle back at him, "anyway, he's old story. But... I kind of really liked him as a friend and I miss him. I didn't want him to leave but it's not safe here for him and we both knew that."

"Okay let's stop this conversation right here," Jaxon interjected, "it's getting way too... emotional. I don't like it. Get back in your fighting stance, Mikaelson."

And so she did with a roll of her eyes. She prepared herself to attack Jaxon who stood there and waited for her. She made it look like she was going to punch him and then kicked him in the back of his knees making him stumble forward slightly but he quickly regained his footing, shooting her a look, "really? that's it?"

"I don't know if you've noticed..." Hope began, blocking his punches, "but you're like twice my size."

"Or you're just too full of yourself to admit that I'm better than you," Jaxon taunted, grabbing her wrist as she was about to punch him. He twisted it behind her back and stared at her.

"I'll show you whose better," Hope muttered a spell which made Jaxon's hand which was holding her wrist burn slightly. "Hey, you can't do that!"

He didn't even flinch which made her roll her eyes before using another spell which sent him flying on the ground. His back his the grass as they were training outside and she wasted no time in straddling him, pinning his hands to his sides. "See, I win."

"That's cheating, witch." He breathed out, his chest heaving up and down as he regained his normal breathing as did Hope. He made no attempt to free himself for he was quite enjoying their position.

"I still won," Hope responded, "which proves that I'm better than you."

Jaxon rolled his eyes, relaxing himself, "If I had used my abilities as well, you would've been long gone, sweetheart."

"Don't call me that," Hope said, ignoring the way the heartbeat picked up at the name. However, Jaxon heard it and he could not help but smirk, "you like it when I call you things like that, don't you?"

"Things like what?" She opted on playing dumb which only amused the half–god.

"You know what I'm talking about." Jaxon moved his hand from her grasp when he felt her grip loosen lightly, "I heard your heartbeat pick up. Oh look, you're flustered." And she was. Her face was slightly red. He let out a chuckle which was very unusual but he couldn't help it. "Never thought I'd ever see the day."

"Shut up." She mumbled, not making any sign of movement as she kept on straddling him. Their moment, however, was broken when Alaric walked towards him. His eyes widened at the sight of the two, "oh my god— what the hell— you know what? I don't even want to know. Get up, both of you! We have a problem."

"Of course we do." Jaxon huffed as Hope got off him with a red face. He stood up and dusted off his clothes, "so, what's up?"

"It's Landon."