A Knick In Time

Werewolf Night

Two weeks later

This night is the first full moon night since I've arrived here. Tatia instructs me on packing a small bag with blanckets and a bottle with water. Upon my asking, she tells me the detail of what's about to happen. Rebekah in the future has already told me bits and pieces, but Tatia gives me the details. Each month, during the full moon, the villagers go to the caves near their home and seal the entrance. Ayana used a ton of different stones and herbs to secure the caves. So, in the caves, they are safe from the werewolves walking this area by night. Every family has their own spot in the caves.

Tatia leads me and Haakon to the spot that's reserved for us. It's very close to Iduna with her newborn kid who welcome me gladly. Before the night fully settles, I get approached by a pregnant woman. She is a little scared about the birth. I noticed her situation a few days ago and talked to her, telling her she could come to me and ask for advice or just comfort anytime.

On my way to said woman, I walk past the spot where the Mikaelson family is resting. When I catch a glimpse at what they're doing, I see Rebekah approaching a couple of items hanging on ribbons from a small branch in one of the openings of the caves; the moonlight illuminates the objects just enough. Surprise runs through me when I recognize one of those objects as my old necklace from home. The one Stefan gave me which turned out to have been Rebekah's once. It appears, the light blonde original has just laid eyes on this necklace. Interesting.

But as she reaches for the necklace, it burns her. Ayana, standing close, addresses her, speaking in her usual calm, wise and strict demeanor. I can't hear what they are saying, but the necklace seems to be a foundation for quite a serious conversation.

Leaving Rebekah and Ayana to themselves, I go to check on my patient.

"You know, I've never met anyone else who does that." a voice to my right comments.

I turn my head and see the noble Mikaelson brother standing there, observing me with his calculating gaze.

Saying farewell to the pregnant woman, I walk up to him. "Greetings Elijah. What do you mean, no one else does that?"

"Normally, the midwives only come to the women when the pains of birth start." he explains.

'So that's how you call labor in these times' I think to myself. "That's just it. Many women can have problems with their pregnancies, many of them may be anxious about the birth. I make it a point to be there for them throughout all of it. They deserve the support."

"You're very compassionate." he gently says, his look becoming mellow, "That's... unusual."

"Is 'unusual' good or bad?" I aks.

Elijah purses his lips. "That depends on who you ask. My father would probably say it's weakness. I, however, consider it quite admirable."

A warm flutter in my chest makes my skin tingle. I crack a nervous smile. "I, uh, am glad to hear it."

"You're glad to hear my father would consider you weak?!" he teasingly asks, an eyebrow mockingly raised.

I huff. "Who cares about your father, he's a-" at that point, I interrupt myself, knowing that the term 'asshole' hasn't been established yet. And definitely wouldn't be appropriate for me to say here either way.

The edge of Elijah's lips twitches; he seems to enjoy this. "Yes? My father is what exactly?"

"A jerk." I say, silently, but still not looking away from his caramel eyes.

He smirks now, but attempts to fake an offended expression. "Insulting my own father to my face... how very rude of you."

"You could tell me I'm wrong." I point out, feeling playful. When he makes that face which basically says 'I know she's right, but it wouldn't technically be okay for me to say', I add: "However, I do believe honorable men don't lie, do they?!"

"You seem convinced I'm an honorable man." he remarks, his calculating gaze probing me, "How come?!"

I shrug, trying not to blush under his gaze. "Just a notion."

Having said that, I walk past him and go back to Tatia, feeling his eyes follow me. I bite my lip. Those butterflies in my stomach, as nice as they may feel, should not be there. I want to go back to the future some day and see my brother and friends again. Besides, Elijah might be Tatia's next husband.

Talking of Tatia, she is waiting for me with Haakon at her side. "What did Elijah want from you?"

"I'm not sure, honestly." I take a blancket and put it on the floor, ready to get some sleep. My sister lays down beside me.

After a few minutes of silence, I decide to ask her something I've asked before, hoping to get an answer this time. "So, have you decided who you're going to marry?"

The viking doppelgänger remains silent for a while. Outside, I hear howls coming from somewhere far away. Just as I'm beginning to think she didn't hear my whispered question, she finally replies. "Elijah."

My gut drops. I gulp, trying to swallow my disappointment. "... I see. And I guess, you, uh- you love him?"

Tatia's next pause of silence lasts even longer. "I'm fond of him. He is a good man, one of the eldest Mikaelsons and an excellent hunter. He will be a good father. Haakon needs a father, I need a husband. Marrying Elijah is what's best, for me and for my son."

"And what about Niklaus?" I ask.

She sighs. "I enjoy his company. It's a sweet break from my usual routine, one that will have to stop once I get married again."

"Do you think Nikaus would be a good father?"

Her next answer sounds somewhat sarcastic. "Have you seen the way he behaves? He is almost still a child himself. I mean, he can be a gentle man, but I'm not convinced he could take care of a child. His siblings always seem to take care of him."

I decide to stay quiet after hearing that, letting her words sink in. In my mind, I compare the hybrid-to-be with the beast I knew back home. Again. While no one I know would call Klaus Mikaelson 'gentle' in any way in future Mystic Falls, we all also agreed that he is actually a good Dad. His daughter Hope was the only person who had absolutely nothing to fear from him. He spent time with her, listened to her, played with her and so many other things. Sure, nobody would have thought Klaus might be good at being a parent, but he surprised everyone when he was given the chance.

An idea comes to my mind. "Tatia?" I whisper again, "Have you considered... testing them? You know, as in, letting them each take care of Haakon for a short amount of time to see if either of them would really make a good father? Who knows, maybe you'll see that Niklaus is better with children than you think."

"If you're trying to convince me to marry Niklaus so you can marry Elijah yourself, forget it." she coldly answers.

I let out a gentle huff, blushing crimson in the dark. "That's not why I suggested that."

While saying those words, I hear myself sounding less convincing than I thought I would. My mind is racing. Of course, I wasn't thinking of marrying Elijah, I mean, that would be impossible! The very idea of him and me seems absurd. After all, I still remember him from Mystic Falls, where, admittedly, I've always considered it a shame that he and I were on opposite sides, but since we were, there was never an actual chance for us to become more than somewhat friend-like acquaintances. Sure, things are different here. But my situation also means that it would be stupid of me to get involved with someone. It would leave both of us sad when I leave again. Because I definitely do want to go back to my friends and family, at whatever point it can be done. Elijah and I have no possible chance.
And yet, somewhere inside, there is a part of me that wants Tatia to marry Niklaus instead of Elijah. If not for the sake of marrying him myself, then maybe just so I won't have to watch him marry someone else. I hate myself for that kind of selfishness. Tatia and Elijah both deserve to be happy. Who am I to think like this.