Severed Heaven (Niklaus and Elijah Mikaelson)

Chapter Ten: The Only Hope

          This, I thought, was the first time I dared to let my guard down ever since my arrival in New Orleans. With Dahlia gone and Hope safe, I figured it would stay this way for at least a while. Along with that, after having spoken to Vincent about our kiss, I was very much relieved.

It just now occurred to me what Lucien had mentioned to me. A prophecy. I was about to adopt a condescending, pre-lecture tone to convince myself that I didn't need to worry. I didn't need to worry, because I knew Niklaus would know how to deal with it, and besides, I wasn't going to be there anymore to fix his problems. A part of myself accused me of being selfish. But was I, though? Or was this a preamble to my role as shrink/part-time-friend-of-the-family? Or was I yet again misreading things completely? I loathed myself for letting him back into my mind once again.

A soundless, quiet cove hovered over me, threatening to swallow me whole. As loud as the music was in this bar, I was too focused to even hear any of it. I was extremely pleased with the setting; decent bar, time to go over my mother's grimoire, clear conscious. I was bound to be intruded upon.

Somebody placed a coffee cup in front of me with a rather sudden motion. When I looked up, I never expected to see his face, yet there he was. His shadowy dark blue eyes met mine, and I gave him a suspicious look. Even with that, I couldn't bring myself to look into his eyes for longer than a split second, and found myself glancing away before either of us could even say anything at all. I was basically introducing him to all of my secrets. "Ugh. What do you need?"

"Advise." Niklaus stated, and he occupied the barstool beside mine.

I carefully closed my grimoire with a frustrated and deep sigh. I wasn't going to make it a secret that I'd rather be alone right now, and actually, I wasn't in the mood to look at his face either. I reached for the coffee cup, and removed the lit. "It's your favourite from Spitfire." He informed me rather proudly, and there it was again— that cocky smirk that I either loathed or adored.

Please, don't let him in, I thought, don't do it.

I sent him a confused look. I inhaled when he looked back at me, and I could feel the tingling feeling of butterflies in my chest. "What could you possibly need my advise for?"

The expression on his face changed for the absolute worse. "You've heard about the prophecy, haven't you?"

"Vaguely." I said.

I reminded myself that I should send him away, tell him not to come back. It was moments such as these that left me feeling so vulnerable, so naked. Push me, Niklaus, make me nervous, and, unless I push you back, you've already found me. My impulse was to ignore him, and shut him out. He was waiting for me to ask him anything at all. He was staring at me. I dared to stare back, waiting for him to speak. If he really needed something, he was going to be the one to convince me. My feelings for him weren't going to do the work for him this time. Even then, I know I should no longer give him the benefit of the doubt. I should no longer give him a pass. But I cared for him and his family. I still cared, and I cared way too much.

He eventually looked away, then looked back again to gain my attention. "The prophecy states that my siblings and I will fall— one by friend, one by foe, and one by family." He paused for a short moment, but never looked away again. "If this prophecy is real, and my family does, in fact, fall... I need to know if I can trust you, Elizabeth. I need somebody to rely on."

I didn't think before I spoke. "So, what you're saying is that I'd be your only hope." I said, a smile plastered on my face that said it all. "Oh, come on." I taunted him. "Say it."

"Fine, yes. You would be." The irritation in his voice strangely satisfied me.

I sent him a frisky look. "I would be your what?"