𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 | 𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐉𝐀𝐇 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄

CHAPTER THREE | HAUNTER OF RUINS

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

THE MIKAELSONS HAD DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE ONE DAY TO RECUPERATE. Klaus was desperate for one single day to spend with Hope and to get to know her as the child she was now. Whilst Elijah wanted to get to know Avery, the little girl that had wormed her way into the love of his life's heart. Hayley had introduced Hope to her family on the front porch, whilst Riley remained seated in the bedroom that Avery shared with Hope.

"What if they don't like me?" The young witch pouted up to Riley. "Hope is family. I'm not." 

"Sweetheart, listen to me." Riley kneeled down to Avery's height with a slight smile on her face as she gripped her hand. "Family isn't always about the people you share blood with. It's about the people you love and that love you back. Like me."

Avery fiddled nervously with her fingers as there was a sudden knock on the wooden door of the bedroom. Both Riley and the little witch lifted their attention upwards to see Elijah stood in the doorway, appearing almost nervous to approach. 

"Hi. I—I'm Avery." The little girl tucked her brown hair behind her ear as Elijah slowly made his way into the bedroom. "Are you Elijah?"

"I am." The Original vampire nodded with a slight smile. "And, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Avery. It appears we have a friend in common." His eyes shifted to Riley, and then back to Avery. "I think that makes us friends, too, wouldn't you agree?" 

With a bright smile immediately sweeping across her face, Avery nodded her head vigorously. "Well, I think I'll leave you guys to it, hm?" Riley got up to her feet. "Thank you." She softly spoke, knowing that Elijah would hear it no matter what. 

Once Riley had left the room, Elijah turned back to Avery. "So, what would you like to do? The choice is yours." 

"You know how you're a vampire?" Avery asked with an inquisitive tone that caught the Original off-guard. "That makes you real strong.

"I am somewhat familiar what that factor, yes." 

"There's a swing right at the bottom of the garden. Do you think you could push me? I like to go super high!" 

"Close your eyes." Elijah instructed as the little brunette witch clamped her eyes shut with a smile on her face. Within seconds, Elijah had speed them right to the bottom of the garden. "Jump on, then."

Avery giggled loudly at the use of vampire speed, given Riley rarely shared that with her. She jumped onto the swing and Elijah took his place behind as he started to gently push. "Higher!" Avery commanded loudly, only resulting in Elijah's pushes to be a little more forceful. "I can see the whole of the Earth from up here!"

Elijah felt a warmth inside him that the had never truly experienced before. As he heard the excited squeals that left the seven year old as she swung higher up into the air, he realised this is what he had always wanted. A child.