Mrs Mikaelson One Shots

A Father's Love

(A/N: This is a short one but it's based on the quote that Nik says - I love you more than all the days and nights, deeper than the oceans and the skies - I hope you like it. XxD)

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"Dad?" called Hope, her voice small as she pushed open the door to his art room, the light on despite it being the middle of the night, which wasn't uncommon for the Original Hybrid. "Are you busy?"

Niklaus stood with his back to her as he dabbed at his canvas. "Did you know that in the millions of portraits I've painted of your mother, I can never get her eyes right? I can never seem to find the right shade of green and I've trialled over 46 different shades in the last few hours alone, let alone the last thousand years. It just doesn't - sweetheart, are you alright?" he asked as he glanced back to see the look on Hope's face as if she was keeping back a flood full of tears.

"You're busy. And I shouldn't even be awake. I'll -"

"My princess," Nik interrupted as he set down his palette and brush and wiped his hands on an old rag. "I am never too busy for you. Now tell me what troubles you."

And Hope's bottom lip quivered as she closed the distance between them and barrelled into her father's arms, his embrace warm as he instantly hugged her back, holding her head to his shoulder as she cried. He said nothing, he did nothing save for holding his daughter until she was ready to talk.

"I had a bad dream," she sobbed as she pulled away and wiped at her face, Nik's hands still on her shoulders. "About everything I did when my humanity was off. And I - I know I'm too old for it, but I just really needed a hug."

And Nik pulled her to his chest again. "You are never too old," he said as he kissed her hair. "And I will always be here to hug you for as long as you like, forever, if need be."

"But I-"

"Shh," he cut in as he tilted her head up and began to wipe away her tears with his thumbs, his touch feather-soft. "I love you, my Hope, more than all the days and nights, deeper than the oceans and the skies. And that will never change. No matter the things you do, be they good or bad, I assure you, that will never change. Everyone in this family has made mistakes, has done bad things, and we don't forsake them for it. You, my daughter, are still so young, you still have so much to learn, and you still have a whole world to explore. You are going to make mistakes, it is inevitable," he said and her face fell slightly before he brought her eyes back up to his. "But what is also inevitable, is my love for you. I will be here to love you through every mistake and hug you after every bad dream. And I may not be able to get your mother's eyes right, but your eyes, they are exactly like mine. You are my daughter. And while my love for your mother has endured the test of time, my love for you and your siblings is unparalleled in its power. I have never loved anyone more than I do the five of you, not even your mother."

"Really?"

"Truly," he said with a smile. "And I know your mother feels the same. And if there is anyone I would involve in our oath of always and forever, it would be my children. For I will love you, stand by you and hug you, always and forever."

And Hope simply held her father tighter, finding all the comfort she would ever need in his embrace as Nik simply held his daughter, stroking her hair, kissing her head and enveloping her with a warmth that only a father could provide. And Nik would've gladly stood there forever if that was how long she needed to feel ok again, but Hope only needed a few minutes before she pulled out of Nik's arms and she wiped her face.

Nik moved her hands from the way as he tilted her sparkling blue eyes up to his and his thumbs began wiping away the water from her face. And he wanted nothing more than to see his beloved daughter smile once more.

"Do you remember that game you loved to play when you were younger and you begged to paint with me?" he questioned and Hope's eyes glittered with wonder.

"Yes. What about it?"

Nik gestured to the canvas he was working on with the half-finished portrait of Isa on it. "Care to see if you have not lost your touch?"

"But what if I ruin your painting?"

Nik huffed a laugh. "As if my princess could ruin anything," he said as he moved a small stool in front of the painting and held out his hands for Hope. His daughter took his hands as she stepped up onto the stool and Nik then picked up his brush and palette as he stood between Hope and the canvas and Hope reached out to cover his eyes.

"Ok, um, up a little. A little more. Too far. Yeah, ok, go," she directed as Nik began to paint and the second he touched the canvas, Hope was laughing as her father missed the spot she was trying to direct him to. "No, Dad, more to the left."

"You didn't say left!"

"Well, I'm saying it now," Hope fired back as they both laughed and Nik continued trying to paint without his vision.

The painting turned out nothing like what Nik intended, for half of Isa's facial features weren't even on her face, but Hope smiled which was all that mattered.

And then with his arm around her shoulders, Nik walked Hope back to her room, and he sat on her bed with her head in his lap as he opened a book. Hope found sleep very easily as her father read to her, just as he did when she was still inside Isa's womb.

And when morning came and Isa went looking for her husband after waking up to an empty bed, she found him in Hope's room. Nik's head was on his shoulder as he slept, Hope out cold on his lap as his hand rested on her back.

And she could only smile at the scene because even though Nik had never had it, not a day would go by where his children would not have their father's love.