Stay

In all the years Josie has known Hope, she never thought this day would ever come.

It had been a few months since her humanity came back on and the Gods were defeated.

She had sent the talisman back to Hope's family in hopes of her doing the right thing.

Lizzie had kept her up to date on all things tribrid, so she knew the auburnette did.

A month after Ken and his children were defeated, Josie had come home to her dorm room and she had received an oddly shaped box that was placed on her bed.

When she got closer, she recognized the tribrid's handwriting anywhere.

She rapidly opened the box in front of her, wondering what could be inside.

Enclosed was a letter, and her heart skipped a beat at the spear.

My dearest Jo,

First and foremost I wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me and standing by my side all these years. You've been the only one in my corner since the first spell we did together and that's all I could have ever asked for. Everyone I love has left me in some way shape or form, whether by death or me pushing them away. It's what I do, I poke and prod to keep people away that way it won't hurt when I lose them. You've taught me that, that is no way to live a life...especially one that has been given second and third chances. When Landon died, it broke something inside of me. I couldn't bear the loss, so I took the easy way out instead of turning to the people that still love me...instead of turning to you. No one has ever loved me the way you have, so thank you. You saved my life and those around me. Secondly, I wanted to apologize for the pain I've caused you...with Landon, Alaric, and Lizzie. You didn't deserve any of that. The fact that your loyalty to me never faltered, is helping me adjust back into a somewhat normal life. I wish you were here for twin cuddles or ice cream nights, but I know you left to help yourself. You deserve to live your life for no one but yourself. Thirdly, what is enclosed in the box is the only weapon that can kill me. Ken's daughter Jen crafted it for her father, there is no one in this world I trust with this besides you. If people knew there was a weapon that could kill a tribrid, they would come for it and the least safe place would be with me or at a school for supernaturals. You have my life in the palm of your hands, it's where it belongs.

Much love, Hope.

Josie felt the tears cascading against her cheeks as she closed the letter and held it against her heart.

She felt honored but she also was ready to move on with her life, she had to.

So that's what she did, months passed and she kept focused on her studies. Her mother kept her up to date since Lizzie was on her honeymoon with MG.

She knew the school was thriving better than it did when her father was in charge.

She was able to focus on her new life in Belgium and just when she was ready to leave her past behind her, the one person she didn't expect to see was in her room.

Since receiving the spear, the tribrid had texted her daily...it was more like journal entries. She didn't mind, but she never responded.

Now that Hope was standing in front of her, she didn't know what to say.

"Hey, Jo." She said in a raspy voice.

She looked nervous and somewhat fidgety, which was very unlike her.

"Are you okay? Why are you here?"

The brunette was worried when she crossed the distance between them and grasped her hands in her own.

"Hope?"

"Jo, I need to tell you something. I'm terrified and I'm scared I'll lose you for good."

"You're not going to lose me, haven't I proved that to you already?"

Blue eyes met brown and then soft lips were collapsing onto hers.

The twin got so caught up in the moment that she kissed back, this is what she has always wanted...but she was too late.

The brunette pushed her friend back gently, "Hope..."

"Wait, please let me say something first." She interrupted.

"I can't let you...if you say what I think you're going to say, I don't want to hear it. I can't...it's what I've always wanted to hear from you...but I can't let you hold the power and control over me again. I deserve better, all I've wanted was someone to stay. For a while, it was you...but then you left. You turned off your humanity, instead of turning to me and I would've done anything for you. I've created a life for myself, with people who care about me enough to stay. I will always love you,Hope Mikaelson...but you're too late. You've proven that you're not willing to stay and fight for yourself let alone others. I need stability and if you would've come to me instead of running to the world, we would be having a different conversation. So please, don't say it...my heart can't bear it."

"Josie, I need to say it just once. Please...I will leave you alone for all of eternity, I just need you to know how I feel. It took me eight years to finally realize how much you mean to me...I love you."

Josie just leaned forward and placed her forehead against the tribrid with her eyes closed.

"I love you, Josette Saltzman." She whispered.

Josie closed the distance between them and kissed her briefly once more.

"Why couldn't you have just stayed? It's too late, Hope."

"We'll see." Replied Hope.