Hosie~ One Shots

Unsent Letters

Josie Saltzman had never been one to pry into other people's things, but the small wooden box on Hope Mikaelson's desk was too intriguing to ignore. She had been in Hope's room plenty of times, but this was the first time she noticed the box, tucked away in the corner, partially hidden under a stack of books. There was something about it that caught her eye, like it was calling to her.

She glanced around the room, her curiosity getting the better of her. Hope was downstairs in the library, and Josie had offered to grab her notebook for her. It wouldn't hurt to take a quick peek, would it?

With a guilty glance at the door, Josie reached for the box, her fingers grazing the smooth wood. The lid lifted easily, revealing a neat stack of envelopes, each one addressed in Hope's familiar handwriting.

To Josie.

Josie's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the letters. There had to be at least a dozen of them, each one carefully sealed and labeled with a date. They weren't old—some of them were as recent as last week. Her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out the first one, dated over a year ago.

What was this? Why would Hope have all these unsent letters addressed to her?

Josie hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of the envelope. Part of her knew she should put it back and pretend she never saw them. But the other part of her—the part that had been harboring a secret crush on Hope for what felt like forever—was desperate to know what was inside.

She bit her lip, then, with a deep breath, carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. The paper was slightly crinkled, as if Hope had unfolded and refolded it many times before sealing it away.

Josie began to read, her heart pounding in her chest.

Dear Josie,

I'm not sure why I'm writing this, or if I'll ever have the courage to actually give it to you. Maybe it's just easier to write my feelings down than to say them out loud. I've always been better with spells than with words, anyway.

It's funny, really. I didn't expect to feel this way about you. You were just this sweet, quiet girl who always had a smile for everyone. But then, one day, I noticed how your smile lit up the room, and I couldn't stop thinking about it.

You were the first person who made me feel like I wasn't alone. Like I could be more than just the 'tribrid' or the 'Mikaelson'. You made me feel like just... Hope. And I don't know how to deal with that, because it's so rare that I feel like I'm just a person, not a weapon or a curse.

So, yeah. I guess this is me admitting that I'm falling for you. Or maybe I've already fallen. I don't really know anymore. I just know that every time I see you, I feel like I'm finally home.

Love, Hope

Josie's breath hitched as she finished reading, her eyes lingering on the word love. Hope had written this over a year ago, and yet she had never said anything. Josie felt a rush of emotions—shock, disbelief, and something deeper, warmer, that made her heart swell.

She quickly opened another letter, then another, each one revealing more of Hope's feelings. The letters detailed small moments Josie barely remembered—shared smiles, late-night study sessions, the way their hands had brushed accidentally once, sending a jolt of electricity through them both.

Every letter was a piece of Hope's heart, laid bare on the page, full of love, fear, and vulnerability. By the time Josie reached the last one, dated just a week ago, she was trembling.

Dear Josie,

I've been writing these letters for so long now, but I still haven't found the courage to give them to you. Every time I try, something holds me back. Maybe it's the fear of ruining what we have. Maybe it's the fear that you don't feel the same way.