midnights. [Mattheo Riddle x reader]

~12~

~ A year and a half later ~

They say there are five stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

New Orleans... It is not home sweet home anymore like it used to be, this place gets me overwhelmed. My legs gave up and I fell to my knees on the cold concrete, screaming at the top of my lungs because there were no tears left to cry.

A chilly night in the Lafayette Cemetery, in front of me was a monument with the names Niklaus, Hayley Andrea, and Elijah Mikaelsons. My Dad, Mom, and Uncle died half a year ago, but this emptiness, numbness, and loneliness will haunt me always and forever.

Everything has altered and suddenly my spark was gone. All that remained of me was a little orphan girl who surrendered to every challenge life presented her way.

Their deaths tore the Mikaelsons family apart...

Uncle Kol, Cousin Mathias, and Aunt Davina moved to Massachusetts. Mathias is no longer attending Hogwarts, now he is a student at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Without a doubt, they wanted me to join them, but Hogwarts was the only real home that had left for me and I just could not leave Him.

I was unconditionally grateful for everything I had left. Grateful for him. Mattheo Riddle did so much for me, he never left my side during the toughest time and always reminds me that we are in this together. He is the reason I hold on, he is my safe place. I hope it will last forever.

Aunt Rebekah and Marcel Gerard are married now and live in New York together. I am so happy for them, Rebekah deserves all the happiness that lasts a lifetime.

Aunt Freya and Keelin started to create their gorgeous little family in New Zealand in a beautiful cottage by the seaside. My aunts wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, so they settled further away than Rebekah and Marcel did. Maybe one day I and Mattheo could live like that... Who knows what is next?

~

My vision became black. I only was able to hear the footsteps, the sharp sound of boots on concrete got closer and closer to me, so I quickly turned around. The Jackson Square lights burned into my eyes and I saw my Uncle Elijah, Dad, and Aunt Rebekah walking up to me. Tears started to pick up and I happily called out, "Dad!" but no one was able to hear my voice...

Elijah: "Ah, this old chestnut..."

Aunt Rebekah stopped in her movement to face her brothers and my Dad motioned to the bench next to them.

Niklaus: "Many moons ago, we sat here and discussed the future of our family."

He tried to comfort tearing Rebekah by holding her shoulder.

Niklaus: "I never should have got in the way of your happiness, Rebekah."
Rebekah: "You don't have to apologize."
Niklaus: "Well, then, let me make it up to you. I've asked Caroline to get you the cure. In a handful of decades when it's time, you can go to Mystic Falls and get it. Then if you no longer wish to be a vampire, it's your choice. Live the life you've always wanted to live, my sister."

Sobbing she embraced him firmly.

Rebekah: "Thank you."

After final goodbyes with Elijah, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the shadows.

Niklaus: "I don't want your last memory of me to be my death. So, please, let's not say the sad goodbye."
Elijah: "I agree. Let's not."

Elijah pulled out the White Oak Stake from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and broke it in half. My Dad glanced at him suspiciously.

Niklaus: "I hate to disappoint you, brother, but the stake will be just as effective in its shorter form."

Elijah never broke eye contact with Dad.

Elijah: "I'm aware."
Niklaus: "So you plan to hold onto a piece as a souvenir?"

He sat down next to his brother and quite smiled.

Elijah: "I intend to die by your side."

Together they sat for a while in a piercing silence.

Niklaus: "I'm dying. You're not. The moment I end, you're free."
Elijah: "Free of what?"
Niklaus: "Free of the... the mad king brother. You can do whatever your heart desires."
Elijah: "This is my heart's desire."

Shaking my head in disbelief, I watch as my uncle deeply sighs.

Elijah: "Niklaus, we didn't choose to become what we are. To be or not to be was taken from us by Esther and Mikael, stolen from us, Niklaus. I'm stealing it back. Brother, tonight, I truly saw a path. I saw a vision of a future for everyone that we love and then when I looked at my own future... The purpose of my life, my unrelenting desire has always been your redemption."
Niklaus: "And after everything I've done... you truly believe I am redeemed?"
Elijah: "Yes, I do."
Niklaus: "You're a hypocrite. You forced me to go through all those painful goodbyes and then... then you slipped away without telling a soul."
Elijah: "How well do you know me, Niklaus? I told them. I told them that I was going to redefine always and forever. That, uh...
I was going to follow you from this... adventure to whatever lies beyond. And each of them gave me their blessing."

I stumbled to my knees, eyes red and puffy from all that crying.

Niklaus: "What about Y/n Hope?"

I raised my head.

Elijah: "Well, she'll have Marcel and Rebekah and Freya. I even looked Kol in the eye and I told him if he doesn't look after her, I'll come back and haunt him."
Niklaus: "She is the very best of me."
Elijah: "Yes, she is."

Elijah glimpsed at the two White Oak Stakes in his hands and held one out for Dad to take. My Dad took a deep breath.

Niklaus: "What if there's nothing after this? No peace. Just darkness."

He looked afraid, but Uncle his brother made sure to reassure him.

Elijah: "We face it together. As always."

The pain was visible on both of their faces.

Niklaus: "I don't deserve the love you've given me, brother. But I am so grateful."
Elijah: "It's been a glorious ride, Niklaus. And my greatest honor."

"Please don't leave me!"

My Dad brought the White Oak Stake up to Uncle Elijah's heart and Elijah held it next to my Dad's heart. I ran up to them, but all that was left were many tiny ashes surrounding me. Those faded to the starry night sky in mere seconds too...

"Oh lights go down
In the moment we're lost and found
I just wanna be by your side
If these wings could fly
For the rest of our lives"

~ MATTHEO'S POV

I awoke in the middle of the night just to catch sight of Y/n Hope's empty side on the bed. My heart jumped in my chest. I even felt it pounding in my head. It hurts your soul so much when you know all the truth...

It took me some time, but I managed to find her. Y/n Hope was sitting cross-legged in the Lafayette Cemetery. "Baby... here you are," she was in some sort of a daze, I could not see the pupils of her pretty eyes, they were white.

As I lifted her in my arms with such care, scared that she might be crushed by my touch, she recovered, "They... my family sacrificed their lives for me, Matty..." she stuttered out, "It was meant to be me. They saved me from the Hollow".

I carried Y/n Hope to the living room and laid her down on the couch near the fireplace covering the petite girl with a fluffy, warm blanket to stop her from shivering.

"Mattheo?" I hummed in response stroking her cheek, "I wish to go home..." I quite furrowed my eyebrows, "You are home, my love," she shook her head, "No, Hogwarts". I nodded understandingly, "We will soon, I promise. Now you need to rest. I will love you till the end of time."

"I love you more than anything I can imagine of".