Bound in the Shadows / TVD N.M

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Liora

I stirred awake to the sound of quiet voices carrying through the darkened living room. Blinking the sleep from my eyes, I saw Elijah, Kol, and Finn just inside the doorway, their faces softened in the dim light. Rebekah was still curled up on the other end of the sofa, sound asleep. I glanced at her, then slowly stood, brushing off the blanket that had fallen to the floor.

Kol spotted me first, his mischievous grin lighting up as I crossed the room. "Look who's up to greet us. Missed us, Liora?"

"Well, maybe just a little," I teased, but my smile gave away the relief I felt seeing them safe. Then, seeing Finn—tired, bruised, but standing free—I didn't hesitate. I walked right up to him and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. He froze for a moment, as though he hadn't expected it, then slowly, almost shyly, he hugged me back.

"Thank you," I whispered. "I knew you'd come through."

Finn nodded, a faint, grateful smile crossing his face. "Thank you for reminding me there's something worth holding onto. I wasn't sure... but you gave me hope. Even if it's just a flicker."

I pulled back, glancing at Elijah, whose eyes held that quiet, steady pride he always seemed to have in place of open emotion. "And thank you, Elijah, for dealing with... well, you know." I couldn't bring myself to say her name, not now.

Elijah gave a single, gracious nod, a faint smile softening his expression. "It was necessary," he said simply. "A mother, perhaps, but family comes first. Always."

Kol broke the seriousness with a dramatic sigh. "Alright, that's enough with the sentimental, heartwarming moments, don't you think? I'm not sure how much more of this I can handle."

I laughed, feeling the weight of the last few days start to lift just a bit. "You're right, Kol," I said, wiping at my eyes. "Wouldn't want you to get all soft on us."

Kol smirked, raising an eyebrow at Finn. "Well, brother, welcome to the free world again. And don't think we're letting you wander off on your own anytime soon."

Finn managed a faint smile. "I think I could use a little less time alone, actually."

Elijah gave a lighthearted scoff, settling into an armchair. "You'll soon learn that's impossible in this family," he said with a glimmer of humor, his eyes flicking toward Kol. "We're about as inescapable as they come."

"Just ask her," Kol added, jerking his chin toward me. "Liora's still here, and she's had countless opportunities to run."

"Oh, believe me," I said, glancing at each of them, "I'm well aware of what I signed up for."

There was a ripple of laughter, a sense of camaraderie filling the room. Rebekah shifted, letting out a light snore, and we all stifled our laughter.

Elijah leaned back, his face relaxing as he looked around the room at each of us. "Perhaps tonight, we can finally get some rest. Real rest."

Finn nodded, and I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. "Yes. That sounds... good."

Kol rolled his eyes but nodded too, the playful spark still glinting in his eyes. "As long as none of you lot snores as loud as Bekah."

I smiled, feeling something close to peace settle over me as I looked at each of them, finally here together. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for this family yet.

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I stepped into our room quietly, the stillness comforting as the day's weight settled into a gentle hush around us. Nik was already in bed, his silhouette barely visible beneath the covers, and as I slipped my feet under the blankets, he reached out without a word, curling his hand around my waist and tugging me toward him until I was nestled against his chest.