Surreptitious

Chapter 37: Declarations

“You do realize that things didn’t end very well for Lancelot and Guinevere, right?” Josie smirked as she followed Hope into the old mill, which was beautifully lit up with fairy lights and candles everywhere. They had taken an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of the dance in order to spend some time alone to just talk for a change.

“Well, neither did it for Romeo and Juliet, nor Anthony and Cleopatra, but that does not diminish how epic their love was.” Hope smiled in return as she idly meandered through the mill, finding a beam above her head to hold onto with her left hand, while her right hand clutched at her sword. She gazed provocatively at Josie, as if daring her to present Hope with another challenge.

“So, what does that mean for us, then?” Josie arched a brow – she wanted to be coy and tease and play with Hope, but there were also some real issues that they needed to address that were weighing heavily on her mind.

Hope’s face turned more serious then as she shrugged, but remained casual and relaxed in her body language as she remained stretched from the beam above her. “I think it means that we know we could do better; be more; succeed where failure was felt for them.” Josie moved closer to Hope as she spoke, gently letting her hands come to rest on Hope’s hips. She let go of the beam in order to step into Josie’s bubble, bringing her own hands down to let her arms wrap around the brunette.

“I know I’ve been dismissive of your feelings and I’m sorry for that…” Josie whispered up at Hope with remorseful eyes. “I want to do better now. I want to know what you want… What you need…”

Hope smiled genuinely at Josie then. There has definitely been some sort of fairy (or witchy) godmother running around, helping them out. Hope knew exactly what her name was.

“What I want… What I truly desire is truly simple…” Hope uttered as she took Josie’s hands from her hips and wrapped them around her neck instead, allowing her to wrap her own arms around the younger girl’s waist and pull her close in return, keeping their bodies near and warm, even in the chilled air. “What I truly want and truly desire… is you, Jo. Even without our wolves it has become as clear as daylight…” Hope sighed and pressed her forehead against Josie’s then, breathing in her scent and smiling as if it was utterly intoxicating. “I’m in love with you…” She whispered.

And just like that all of Hope Mikaelson’s walls came crashing down. Every single pillar of strength that she had erected to protect her against all the hurt and the pain that she knew was always lingering out there and able to affect her… she let it all go. It all seemed to just disappear as she uttered those words to Josie. She didn’t want the walls anymore, as she no longer wished to be separated from the other girl, and she no longer needed the walls either, as she knew she would have Josie by her side, always. And with Josie by her side, she knew she could face anything – from becoming alpha to enduring mystical unifying ceremonies, Hope could see herself bearing it all with ease.

Josie was left breathless and swooning as she held onto the back of Hope’s neck, as if she needed to hang onto her for the sake of saving her life. Her eyes could not move from Hope’s as she tried to soak up all that the older girl had just said to her, lapping up every syllable eagerly and hungrily. The words seemed to float in the air from Hope’s lips before gently entering Josie’s ears, like a sweet melody that would stick with her forever. Eventually her gaze travelled downward from the tribrid’s beautiful blue eyes to her sweetly waiting lips. Josie could no longer stand the distance and closed it instantly then, allowing her own mouth to mesh heatedly with Hope’s.

The kiss was slow and intense as it burned through the both of them, setting their bodies, hearts and especially their souls on fire. They could feel as their connection was reestablished deep within, as if a thirst was quenched that had long needed it.

They slowly drew back from one another and as their eyes opened to behold one another, Hope’s eyes were on fire in a golden blaze of glowing glory. This time there was something different about they way they looked at Josie. There was a silent affirmation within every reflective speck that seemed to suggest that, finally, Hope’s conscious self and her wolf’s intentions were completely aligned.

There was simply no more doubt. Josie was hers. And the gods protect anyone who so much as even thought about taking her away from Hope.

Josie let one hand glide from the back of Hope’s neck to her cheek as she remained close, keeping their lips within desirable parameters. “I’m in love with you, Hope Andrea Mikaelson.” She whispered softly but Hope could still feel Josie’s warm breath on her lips as she uttered the words that Hope longed to hear. The moment Josie inhaled again, it was as if she was inhaling Hope along with the oxygen her lungs needed, in the same way her heart and soul needed Hope herself. So, Hope followed Josie’s intake of air and firmly pressed her lips back to Josie’s again for another scorching kiss that would leave a long trail of gooseflesh rippling down her spine.

When they eventually separated again, the softest smile could be found tugging at both sets of lips, playing around the corners like uninhibited children. Their eyes were gentle and observant of every small line and freckle on the opposite features, and every imperfection was perfection by itself and would be worshipped and coveted.

“I know this sounds cliché, but…” Hope chuckled and Josie melted at the sound and the shy look that Hope expressed. “You make me want to be a better person. You make me want to be the person that you see in me…” She explained while slightly nodding her head and glancing down with a little uncertainty, but she quickly recovered her resolve and looked back to Josie, meeting her gaze firmly. “I am a bit of a mess right now, but I swear to you, Jo… I will… eventually. I just need a little time to ready myself.”

Josie frowned in confusion and tilted her head to the side as she observed Hope, trying to put the pieces of her words together. “You will what?”

“Step up.” Hope said simply and then took a deep breath, then elaborated. “Claim my birthright. But I can’t do it without you.”

Josie’s mouth opened slightly as she stared at Hope in surprise. She wasn’t expecting that, but Hope’s admission and the determination that she could see in Hope’s still brightly illuminated eyes told her all that she had needed to know. There was no hesitation from the tribrid.

“I’m so proud of you, Hope… you have no idea…” Josie smiled widely and was filled with the purest sense of joy that one could possibly comprehend. “And you’ll always have me by your side.” She giggled slightly as she averted her gaze demurely, but soon found her way back to Hope’s eyes. “You are, after all, LITERALLY the other half of me…”

“You are for sure the better half.” Hope giggled too, rolling her eyes at how cheesy she sounded. “Now please, before I embarrass myself further… Would my lady like to dance?”