For Good | Hale- TO/TW [8]

23 | Losses

A blonde sits next to a small sapling, its leaves just barely appearing. Trees surround her, but their branches are short and shriveled. The night sky above shows no stars or moon, only the thundering clouds as a view.

The blonde stares ahead of her, eyes unfocused. She does not dare look behind her.

She can still smell the blood. So much blood. She can hear her scream—that final draw of breath before...before...

Her heart had thumped to the ground. She was choking. She was asking for help, but she couldn't do anything. She couldn't move, couldn't speak, as the wolfsbane ran through her.

And Laura died.

And Peter died.

And Talia died.

They all died.

What did she think would happen? She would find her happily ever after with her husband? Her children would be happy? She would live to see Laura find happiness? That Peter would redeem himself? That this would all be ok?

A tear falls down her face. And another. And another.

No, she thought. It was stupid anyway. None of it would have lasted. Father was right: they all died because of me.

Derek sits next to his sleeping wife. His eyes are rimmed with red and his cheeks are flushed. He leans back in his chair, his back aching. He'd been there all night.

Freya had gone with Hope back to the Salvatore school after everything. The Mikaelson had held off on telling the family about her break with Keelin, but she told Derek when she left alone. She would be the first person Hope sees. She'll tell Hope the news: her mother and aunt are dead.

The Hale children were still in New Orleans. Derek hoped Vincent would take care of them as he waited for Lexi to wake.

She lies on her side, her body facing him. She has barely moved since he brought her to the bed. Her hair covers her face, and her hand lies before it, almost outstretched to him. Her fingers curl in on themselves.

With a sigh, he leans down, resting his head on the mattress. He takes hold of her hand and squeezes. She does not reciprocate.

He catches a scent but does not move. The door behind him creaks. He only adjusts his position.

"Derek, we have to talk about this," Cora says softly, letting the door stay open as she walks in. "The funeral's tomorrow. The wolves set it up."

"Which one?" Derek rasps. His voice is hoarse from crying. "Hayley's or Laura's?"

Cora flinches. She stops walking towards him. The beta does not know what to do. "How is she?" Cora finally asks as she leans against the dresser.

Derek lifts his head to look at her. "Not awake." He drops his head.

Cora's eyes move to Lexi. Klaus had cleaned her of the blood, but Cora could still smell it. The blonde Mikaelson lies still, unmoving. One could think she was dead. They know better.

Cora shakes her head to rid herself of the thought. "We need her to wake up for tomorrow. The Original Alpha needs to be there—"

"Fuck that." Derek snaps. "She's hurt and healing. The wolves can do the funeral themselves."

A low growl emits from Cora's throat. "She would never forgive you for that."

Derek clenches his jaw.

"And if you would let me bring them in—"

"No." Derek sits up fully. Cora stares at his cold expression. "I won't let the kids see her like this, not again."