The Long Lost Tribrid

8. By the fire

Hope's Pov:

The golden sun was setting, casting long shadows across the castle's expansive backyard as we gathered there a few hours after my emotional reunion with Emily. With Queen Caroline's gracious permission, Emily had shared her blood with me, miraculously healing the painful wounds that had marred my back and knuckles. The air was filled with a sense of camaraderie as Emily, Josie, Lizzie, Jade, Penelope, and I worked together to construct a cozy fire pit. Once it was ready, we settled around its warm, flickering flames, our faces aglow in the firelight as we delved into deep conversations about life, love, and our hopes for the future.

"Wait a second," Penelope interjected, her cheeks flushing a noticeable shade of pink. "So you're Emily Marshall? As in, Hope's sister?" Her voice held a mix of curiosity and something that sounded suspiciously like admiration.

A jolt of worry shot through me as I remembered our secret. Right, I thought to myself, only Josie and Queen Caroline are privy to the truth that we're Mikaelsons. It's crucial that no one else discovers this potentially dangerous information.

Emily, ever the quick thinker, let out a light, musical laugh. "Yes, that's right," she confirmed, her eyes twinkling as she noticed Penelope's deepening blush. "I am indeed Hope's sister."

Unable to resist the urge to tease, I leaned in close to Josie, my girlfriend, my lips barely grazing her ear as I whispered conspiratorially, "Take a look at Pen. She's absolutely gawking over my sister."

Josie's gaze flicked over to Penelope, and she couldn't contain her amusement. A burst of laughter escaped her lips, the sound carrying across our little circle. Penelope, suddenly aware of our attention, swiveled her head towards us. Her eyes narrowed playfully as she fixed me with a mock glare, clearly suspecting she was the subject of our hushed conversation.

"What was that, Marshall?" Pen demanded, her tone challenging as she pointed an accusing finger in my direction. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, belying her stern expression.

"Oh, nothing at all," I managed to wheeze out, my chest heaving as I struggled to contain the laughter that threatened to burst forth. My eyes watered with the effort, and I could feel my face growing red.

Penelope's eyes narrowed further, a devious grin spreading across her face. "Oh really?" she drawled, rising to her feet with exaggerated slowness. "I guess I'll just have to force it out of you then!" With that declaration, she launched herself towards me, moving with surprising speed.

"Noooo!" I whined, my voice rising in pitch as I scrambled to my feet. A mixture of excitement and dread coursed through me as I realized what was coming. I knew all too well that Penelope was about to unleash her most formidable weapon - her tickling skills.

Jade had subtly extended her foot into my path and before I could process what was happening, my foot caught on hers, and I found myself pitching forward. Time seemed to slow as I fell, my arms flailing uselessly as I tried to catch myself. With a soft thud, I landed face-first on the ground, the grass cushioning my fall but doing little for my dignity.

Before I could even think about getting up, I felt hands on my sides, flipping me over onto my back. Penelope loomed over me, her eyes gleaming with triumphant glee. Without warning, her fingers descended upon me, tickling me mercilessly. I squirmed and writhed, helpless against her onslaught.

"Stop!" I gasped out between peals of uncontrollable laughter. My sides ached, and tears of mirth streamed down my face as I struggled to catch my breath.

Desperately, I tried to fend off her relentless hands, but it was a futile effort. Penelope, clearly prepared for my resistance, grabbed both of my wrists with one hand, effortlessly pinning them above my head. With her other hand free, she redoubled her tickling efforts, targeting all of my most sensitive spots with unerring accuracy.

Realizing I was completely at her mercy, I resorted to my last hope for salvation. "Josie!" I shrieked, my voice high and breathless as Penelope's fingers danced along my ribs, intensifying her tickle attack. "Help me, please!" I pleaded between fits of giggles, hoping against hope that my girlfriend would come to my rescue.

Josie, seeing my predicament, sprang into action. With a mixture of grace and determination, she managed to extricate me from Penelope's relentless tickle attack. Gently, she helped me to my feet and guided me back to our spot by the fire, her arm protectively wrapped around my waist. As we settled down, she pulled me close, her warmth a comforting presence against the cool evening air.

"I think we should invite our other friends and play truth or dare," Jade suggested, her eyes twinkling with mischief. The idea hung in the air for a moment, electric with possibility.

A chorus of enthusiastic agreement rippled through our circle, each voice adding to the growing excitement. The prospect of the game seemed to energize everyone, filling the air with a palpable sense of anticipation.

"I'm going to head back and discuss some matters with the queen," Emily announced, rising to her feet with a subtle grace that reminded me of our shared heritage. As she prepared to leave, she leaned down, her long hair cascading around us like a curtain of privacy. In a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "I love you, Hope. I'm so glad I found you." Her words were simple, but they carried the weight of our shared history and the promise of our future.

"I love you too," I whispered back, my voice thick with emotion. I watched as she walked away, her figure silhouetted against the setting sun, feeling a mix of joy at our reunion and a twinge of sadness at her departure.

"I'm going to gather our friends," Jade announced, breaking the moment of contemplation that had fallen over the group. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked around the circle. "Anyone want to join me on this little adventure?"

Lizzie and Penelope exchanged a quick glance before volunteering in unison, their eagerness evident in their voices. As the trio set off, their chatter and laughter fading into the distance, Josie and I found ourselves alone by the crackling fire.

In the sudden quiet, Josie turned to me, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I have a little something I want to play for you," she said softly, reaching for a guitar that had been placed near the fire. The firelight danced across the polished wood as she settled it in her lap. "Now that I know who you truly are," she added, her eyes meeting mine with a depth of understanding that made my heart skip a beat, "I think you'll like it."

I gave her a quizzical look, curiosity piqued, as she began strumming a gentle melody. The familiar chords washed over me, stirring memories long buried.

Josie's gaze never left mine as she began to sing, her voice clear and sweet in the night air. "Pulling your face close. Wanting the inmost. Show me. I'm not afraid of you now." The lyrics, so familiar and yet so unexpected in this moment, hit me like a physical force.

My childhood song. It was a tune that had been my constant companion during the darkest, scariest moments of my youth. Hearing it now, sung by Josie with such tenderness and understanding, filled me with an overwhelming sense of joy and belonging. I felt a tear slip from my eye, tracing a warm path down my cheek.

Josie continued, her voice growing stronger with each word, "Villain and violent. Infant and innocent. Baby, both arms cradle you now," she sang, the firelight reflecting in her eyes. "Both my arms cradle you now." The last line hung in the air between us, a promise and a declaration all at once.

As the final notes faded away, Josie set the guitar aside. "Oh baby," she said softly, noticing my tears. With gentle hands, she pulled me into her lap, her arms encircling me in a warm embrace. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

I nestled closer to her, feeling safe and loved in a way I had rarely experienced before. "They're happy tears, I promise," I assured her, my voice slightly muffled against her shoulder. Pulling back slightly, I met her gaze, my heart overflowing with emotion. "Josie, that was beautiful," I smiled, leaning in to kiss her gently.

Josie returned the kiss with a passion that took my breath away.