Hosie~ One Shots

The Wish

Josie Saltzman was sorting through old books in the library, searching for something to help with a particularly tricky spell she'd been working on. As she reached for a dusty tome on one of the higher shelves, a small, lamp caught her eye. It was hidden behind a row of books, its bronze surface tarnished with age. Intrigued, Josie carefully pulled it out and examined it. The lantern was small, fitting perfectly in her hands, and seemed to glow faintly despite the dim light in the room.

"Who left this here?" Josie muttered to herself. The lamp didn't seem like a typical magical artifact, but there was something about it that drew her in. She ran her fingers over the intricate designs etched into the metal, her mind wandering to thoughts of Hope Mikaelson.

Hope had been on her mind a lot lately. They had grown closer over the past year, but there was always something unspoken between them—an unacknowledged tension, a lingering glance, a smile that held too much meaning. Josie had tried to read Hope's signals, but she was never sure. Did Hope see her the way she saw Hope, or were they destined to stay just friends?

With a wistful sigh, Josie whispered to the lantern, not expecting anything to happen. "I wish I knew what Hope really thinks of me."

To her astonishment, the lantern glowed brightly in response, and then, just as quickly, the light faded, leaving Josie in the darkened library once more. She blinked, her heart racing. "What the...?"

But there was no time to ponder what had just happened. The library door creaked open, and Hope walked in, her presence filling the room with an energy that Josie had grown to crave.

"Hey, Josie," Hope greeted her, her smile warm and inviting.

Josie's heart fluttered, but before she could respond, something strange happened. She heard a voice, clear as day, in her mind.

God, she looks so beautiful right now. How does she manage to be so effortlessly perfect all the time?

Josie froze. That was Hope's voice—inside her head. She glanced at Hope, who was now browsing the bookshelves, completely unaware that Josie had heard her thoughts.

Is she staring at me? I hope she doesn't notice how nervous I get around her.

It happened again. Josie could hear Hope's thoughts as if they were her own. The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning—the lamp had granted her wish.

Over the next few days...

Josie struggled to come to terms with her newfound ability. Every time she was near Hope, she could hear her thoughts, and it was overwhelming. She learned things she never expected—Hope's fears, her insecurities, and, most surprisingly, her deep affection for Josie. Hope thought about Josie constantly, her thoughts filled with longing, admiration, and confusion.

Why can't I just tell her how I feel? What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if I ruin everything?

Hearing these thoughts made Josie's heart ache. She wanted to tell Hope that she felt the same way, but now that she knew what Hope was thinking, it felt like cheating. And the guilt weighed heavily on her.

Josie found herself avoiding Hope, terrified of being caught eavesdropping on thoughts that weren't meant for her. But the more she avoided Hope, the more worried Hope became.

Why is she avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? I miss talking to her...

It all came to a head one afternoon when Hope cornered Josie in the hallway. "Josie, we need to talk. Is something going on? You've been acting weird lately."

Josie tried to keep her composure, but Hope's worried thoughts were loud in her mind.

Please, Josie. I can't lose you. You're the only person who makes me feel like I'm not alone.

Josie's resolve crumbled. "Hope, I... I have to tell you something."

Hope's face softened with concern. "What is it?"

Josie took a deep breath and explained everything—the lamp, the wish, the ability to hear Hope's thoughts. She watched as Hope's expression shifted from shock to hurt.

"You've been hearing my thoughts?" Hope asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "All this time?"

Josie nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Hope. I didn't mean to invade your privacy. It just... happened. And I didn't know how to stop it."

Hope's thoughts were a jumbled mess of confusion and pain.

She knows everything. All my secrets. All my fears. What if she doesn't feel the same? What if she only sees me as a friend?

But then, another thought surfaced, quieter, more vulnerable.

I love her. I've loved her for so long, and now it's all out in the open.

Hope looked into Josie's eyes, searching for any sign of what Josie was feeling. "And now that you know... what do you think?"

Josie's heart swelled with love. She reached out, taking Hope's hands in hers. "I think... I think I've always loved you too, Hope. I just didn't know how to say it. But now... now I'm sure."

Hope's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. All that mattered was this moment, this truth that had been revealed, and the love that had always been there, just waiting to be acknowledged.

With a tentative smile, Hope leaned in, closing the distance between them. "No more secrets?"

Josie shook her head, her own smile mirroring Hope's. "No more secrets."

And then, finally, their lips met in a kiss that was long overdue, filled with all the love and unspoken words that had been between them for so long.

When they pulled apart, Hope rested her forehead against Josie's, her voice soft and full of emotion. "I'm glad you know what I think, but I want you to hear it from me, too. I love you, Josie. More than anything."

Josie's smile widened, her heart soaring. "I love you too, Hope. And I'm sorry it took a magic lantern for me to realize how much."

Hope laughed softly, the sound like music to Josie's ears. "Well, at least now we don't need a lantern to tell us how we feel."