Two best friends find themselves bound to the Mikaelson's. One by blood and one by loyalty. They crave nothing more than the freedom from the family, but something always seems to drag them back in.
While trying to find their purpose in life outside...
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"They're ready for you, Ave." Abbie knocked on the door, her and Rebekah stepping in. I looked myself over in the mirror, hardly recognizing myself. I would've never lied to my best friend, betrayed her trust or taken from her happiness. Yet, I've done each of those things and I've tried to justify them. I've tried to seem like the good guy but I'm just as bad as them.
I have blood on my hands and I don't even bat an eye. I never have. I've taken countless lives, it's become a part of me. It's second nature and the only time I feel in control of my life is when I'm holding someone else's life in my hands. Then I look at Abbie who has less control than me and kills only when necessary and even then she hates it. How have I lost myself so much, I act like this was how it was supposed to be all along?
This marriage is already coated in blood, tainted with lies and the deceit that runs so deep, I'm not even sure what's real anymore. I've hurt people I swore I would never hurt and protected a person who didn't deserve it. This would be a loveless marriage and that scares me more than anything. Giving him more power over me and getting nothing in return. We haven't been us for so long now, I was too scared to just let 500 years go.
"Avery, are you okay?" Rebekah asks, as Abbie rubs her hand down my arm. They're going to hate me. If I call this off, they will have no choice but to side with their brother and I'll be left alone. No family, no friends.. nothing. I'll break whatever trust we've had these last 650 years and I'll never get it back. I'll ruin these friendships that I've cherished more than anything in life. They'll never forgive me.
"Yeah. I'm fine." I wipe my eyes and look at them. Rebekah smiles at me, completely clueless of what is going on in my head. So deprived of love that I have no doubt, if she was in my position, she would go through with it. She wouldn't care if he asked her to do things she would never do or if they fought more than they loved each other. She would just be happy to have a sliver of his love and attention. How can I fault her? With a father like Mikael and the family she has.. it's all she knows.
Abbie looks at me, her brows pinched together, no doubt seeing everything swirling and clouding my head. She always sees. She may not say anything, but she sees it. She'll also be the one to push me down the aisle because no matter what, perfection and image is everything. You have to look perfect, be perfect. Nobody can know that the Mikaelson's are anything but perfect. She's spent her whole damn life doing just that. Cleaning up after her family, just so no one would see how truly broken they are.
God, she wouldn't even hesitate to walk down the aisle. Her smile wouldn't falter once, she would speak so smooth and calm, reciting vows she knows will hold no meaning, all because people are watching. She would stay because it's what everyone would expect from her. Giving up her happiness if it meant pleasing her family. Honestly, I'm surprised Klaus hasn't arranged a marriage for his benefit. Another point of how corrupt this family is.
"How long?" Abbie asks, crossing her arms over her chest. I look back at the mirror and shake my head. Rebekah looks over at her and laughs. "What are you on about?" Abbie's eyes don't leave mine as she answers Rebekah. "I'm wondering how long she's been unhappy and wanting out." Rebekah's head snaps over to me and I shut my eyes, not able to look at the sadness that I know is in her eyes.
"I'm happy. Let's go." I speak firmly, spinning around on the stand, before going to step off. Abbie vamps in front of me, sending me back in my stand. "Don't you dare lie to me. I've been lied to enough and I'm not about to blindly believe another one." I press my lips together to stop it from shaking as I hold her gaze. "Let it go, Abbie. It's just nerves." I step down again, but she doesn't move. She stands there, giving me a look that I know all too well. She's made up her mind and there is no winning.
"Give me your ring." She demands, holding her hand out. I shake my head, clenching my fist so she can't slide it off. "What the bloody hell is going on? Are you not getting married?" I look over at her, opening my mouth to speak but Abbie cuts me off. "Ring, Avery!" I shake my head again and square my shoulders. She doesn't understand and I don't expect her to, but I'm not backing out now. She steps closer, getting in my face.
"I love you and I always will.. but if you don't put that ring in my hands in 2 seconds, I will force it off of you. We all know you could give me a good fight, but I have the advantage.. don't make me remind you." She growls. I lean in closer, standing my ground. "Back away, Abigail. This doesn't concern you. You wouldn't understand how everything isn't always rainbows and sunshine in a relationship." I bite back.
Her eyes glow yellow and I know I've gone too far. She's going to hate me no matter what I choose and I didn't want that. I wanted to protect her and protecting her meant keeping her in the dark about this. Klaus would kill her and Rebekah if they knew. "You can try to walk out that door but I have hundreds of ways of keeping you from walking down that aisle, sealing your fate in something you don't want. So try it. Leave this room and watch me compel you to forget the Mikaelson's. You'll have no choice but to walk away and move on." She glares at me, putting her hand back out.
"So either give me the ring willingly or force me to do the one thing I don't want to do. Force me to take the choice away from you like I've had done to me countless times." Her eyes shine with unshed tears and I know mine look the same. Damn her for hitting me where it hurts and she knows it. "If you force her into this, you seal our dates with a dagger." Rebekah retorts. Abbie looks over at her.
"Then leave. Go downstairs and play the happy bridesmaid and show your support for a loveless marriage. Let our brother see you side with him and he'll spare you. I'm staying here to make sure that someone in this God forsaken family has a bloody choice and gets a chance at happiness. If he wants to come after me, then fine.. but I will not let her walk down that aisle." She looks back at me and curls her fingers in a 'gimme motion'. I sigh and slip it off my finger, putting it in her hand. She steps back, looking at Rebekah.
"Get her out of here. I'll meet you at the house later." With that, she spins on her heels and marches out the room. Rebekah and I stare at where she once was before snapping out of it and gathering everything I had in the room and leaving. I have no idea where I'm going or what I'll do from here, but I'll never be able to pay Abbie back for doing this for me. For her and stepping out of her comfort zone for me.
