Chapter Text
Before her parents passed away, Hope Mikaelson’s life had been filled with warmth; from ‘have a good day at school!’ hugs in the morning and forehead kisses at night, to spontaneous tickle wars in their backyard and Sunday cuddles in her parents’ king-sized bed.
It’s been five years since their fatal accident and while time has helped Hope heal and come to terms with her new reality, everything still feels emptier somehow.
Colder.
It’s not like her aunts don’t love her or don’t make her feel loved. On the contrary, Aunt Freya and Aunt Keelin are constantly reminding her—through both words and actions—of how loved she is… Hope doesn’t know what she would do without them.
But the Malraux-Mikaelson family isn’t exactly affectionate in a physical way and Hope doesn’t really have any friends at school, so the days of hugs, forehead kisses, tickles and cuddles are long behind her.
(These days, her closest form of physical affection are introductory handshakes and accidental—and not-so-accidental—bumps in the school hallways.)
Which is fine, really, Hope doesn’t mind…
Until Josie Saltzman walks into her life and Hope realizes just how touch-starved she is.
*
Hope’s buzzed. She’s only had a beer or two, so no, she isn’t drunk, she’s just… pleasantly buzzed.
(This won’t stop her from blaming the alcohol for her actions come the next day.)
Jed’s house is packed, the walls vibrating to the rhythm of the music. It’s his annual back-to-school party, one of the most anticipated events at Mystic Falls High School.
This wouldn’t normally be Hope’s scene, but Jed had personally asked her to come, claiming that she couldn’t miss the last back-to-school party of their high school career. They’re not friends per se; Hope was his English tutor last year and she thinks he invited her as a way of saying ‘thank you’.
So, no, they’re not friends, but she didn’t want to be rude and not show up.
(The knowledge that there would be free booze didn’t hurt.)
She had a quick chat with Jed when she arrived, but, other than that, she hasn’t really talked to anyone. She prefers it that way, focusing instead on people-watching: Observing drunk teenagers making a fool of themselves was way more enjoyable than trying to hold a decent conversation with one.
Hope’s smiling at some of the ridiculous dance moves MG and Wade are pulling on the dance floor when something across the room catches her eye.
The new guy—Lennon?—is talking to Josie Saltzman and she looks a bit uncomfortable.
Hope and Josie don’t really know each other. Sure, Hope has seen her around in school, but they’ve never talked to each other… they don’t run in the same circles (well, Hope doesn’t run in any circles).
Still, she finds herself walking closer to where the two are, curious to hear what Lennon is saying to cause the usually-smiley girl to look like she wants to flee the room.
“… just one date, allow me to change your mind, Josie.” Ah, of course. She can’t blame Lennon for trying, Josie Saltzman is hot and (as far as Hope knows) single.
“I told you I don’t—”
“But a date would give you the chance to get to know me better!” Hope can, however, blame him for interrupting Josie (which, rude) and being so damn insistent. It’s not a good look.
Josie frowns, clearly done with this conversation. “We can get to know each other as friends and…”
Lennon opens his mouth to interrupt Josie again, so Hope (the alcohol) decides to step in. She doesn’t know what drives her to do it (the alcohol), but instead of saying something, she hugs Josie.
“Follow my lead,” she hears herself whisper into Josie’s ear.
The moment Josie reciprocates the hug, Hope’s world tilts on its axis.
She had forgotten what it was like to be held. Josie’s warmth envelops her and Hope melts into the embrace, a giddy feeling burrowing into her heart. It feels so nice, Hope has to fight the urge to bury her face in the crook of Josie’s neck and stay there forever.
Someone clears their throat.
Oh, right. Lennon. The reason Hope was hugging Josie in the first place.
“Hey babe, sorry I’m late,” Hope says as she breaks the hug, giving Josie a quick kiss on the cheek before turning around to face Lennon.
She can see Josie blush from the corner of her eye. “It’s okay, baby,” Hope’s heart doesn’t seem to understand that this isn’t real, because it jumps of joy at the term of endearment, “I was just chatting with Landon here while I waited for you.”
Ooh, Landon not Lennon.
Whatever.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Hope offers Landon her hand, “I’m Hope, Josie’s girlfriend.”
Landon drops Hope’s hand as if he’s been burned, looking between them with a dumbfounded expression. “G-girlfriend?”
“Yes,” a predatorial smile takes over Hope’s face, knowing he’s exactly where she wants him. “Don’t tell me you were trying to flirt with her?” Her tone is light, but her eyes scream murder.
“N-no! Of course not,” Landon rushes to reassure her, “I… I’ll let you two catch up! It was nice meeting you, Hope! Bye, Josie!” He practically runs out of the room, bumping into a few people in his haste.
Hope lets out a small laugh. That was way too easy.
“Thank you.” Hope finds herself being pulled into another hug and instinctively wraps her arms around Josie. It’s probably the alcohol talking (it’s definitely the alcohol talking), but she thinks that here—in Josie’s arms—is her new favorite place in the world.
It ends far too quickly for Hope’s liking, with Josie stepping back after only a couple of seconds.
Fuck. Alcohol is making her go all weak over a simple hug.
Pathetic.
“Don’t mention it,” Hope offers Josie a soft smile, which the other girl is quick to return. “It just seemed like he was bothering you.”
“Ugh, you don’t know the half of it,” Josie murmurs as she rubs her temple. “He started asking me out last week, the day after dad made me and Lizzie give him the welcome tour.”
“Wow, the boy really can’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Yep, lucky me!” Josie makes a mock ‘hooray’ gesture, earning a laugh from Hope. Why had she never talked to this girl before? “Honestly, thank you. I think I was about to commit murder.”
“Don’t worry, I would have helped you hide the body.” Hope punctuates this with a wink.
Josie’s smile widens and she places a hand on Hope’s arm. Hope has to stop herself from leaning into the touch—Josie’s magnetic and she is drunk. “Hope Mikaelson, you are my hero.”
Oh.
“I just hope Landon doesn’t find out we’re not actually dating or I’ll have to deal with him asking me out again,” Josie adds and mutters something that sounds like ‘fun times’ under her breath.
Hope’s about to respond when Josie’s phone starts ringing. “Sorry,” she says before picking it up. “Hey Lizzie…”
It’s a very short conversation, which Josie ends with a “I’ll be right there.”
“Well, that’s my cue to leave. I’m the designated driver and my designated drivee wishes—nay, demands to go home.” Josie pulls her into another quick hug and Hope (the alcohol) almost asks her to stay. “Bye, Hope! I’ll see you around.”
“Bye, Josie, drive safely.”
Hope follows Josie with her gaze until the girl is out the door.