Chapter Text
Rage, confusion, sadness, betrayal – Landon could barely register and felt terribly numb with all of the tidal waves of emotions as he found out that his ‘real’ mother was sick and dying. Seylah has a late diagnosis of chronic stage four colon cancer and only six months to live. Unfortunately, hospital care isn’t that arm’s length when you aren’t wealthy enough..
Landon is an illegitimate child of Melvin Kirby, a retail and distributor magnate in Mystic Falls. Landon is in the bar, drinking and killing time as they visit New Orleans for a business trip with his half-brother, Clarke. Hoping to learn the ways of their family’s venture to earn his stepmom’s approval even though his heart lay with music, his passion wouldn’t make money, and their family's reputation was more important than what his heart desired.
His night starts with the joyous singing of old songs with men around his age and sipping on a beer as everyone cheered when the Saints won against the Texans. Savoring the moment where he can totally be himself, unleashed and unrestricted, far and free from the criticizing eyes of the media.
A call from the attending nurse of his biological mom almost made him faint. The bar didn’t quiet down, and his companion didn’t notice him as everyone was still high from victory. He was dizzy and tried to call his half-brother Clarke to confirm the information or ask him to send help to Seylah for a second opinion, hoping the first diagnosis was faulty and wrong.
It was like a slap in the face and had taken him back that his mom was soon departing, his strong rock, his beam of positivity, and the only person who loves him without prerequisites or limitations attached to it, but what did he expect? Everything that’s happening in his life is fucked up; unlike his half-brother, he’s the golden child or the boy wonder, but Landon is the excess baggage and the family’s black sheep, at least that’s what they thought of him. He’s so used to everyone's comparing him to his older brother, and his dad isn’t an exception; he sits in the front row.
He slammed his phone down on the table, losing his breath; the bar's ear-splitting music, the irritating chatter of the crowd, and the sloppy movements of already drunk people did much for Landon to bear. He rushed out of the bar and went to his car, driving aimlessly.
He felt anxious and suffocated — as if he was still in the bar with music stuffing and bombarding his ear.
Landon, with so many things succumbing to his mind. His thoughts flood him as blood rushes to his ears like a tsunami, and it's all too much. Frustration builds up, and he finds himself pressing harder on the gas and tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
He doesn't realize that he isn't present; he is so lost comprehending that of all people, he will lose the only person who didn’t look at him like an added burden and has always overlooked his screwing up. She was the only one that gave him inspiration and drive. His catalyst to become better, yet he will soon be stripped and snatched of that shred of promise. He will shortly be back to feeling alone and sad, merely existing but not alive.
He was brought back to his senses when there were red and blue lights as if tailing and chasing a car down the road, and from his rear mirrors, it looked like someone was in grave trouble with the cops. Its honks and sirens are becoming deafening and alarming as they come nearer to Landon’s. So he slows down and swerves to the outer lane to get out of their way. There must be some type of delinquent they needed to catch. He didn’t understand that he was that delinquent.
A young male curly light brown-headed cop rolled down his window to yell and gesture for Landon to pull over on the side. Perplexed and bewildered, he slowly draws up his vehicle to the edge. The next thing he knows, a fuming cop keeps knocking on his door and making him step out of his car.
“Are you on drugs? Hand me your ID.”
Questions still very much etched on Landon’s face “What the hell did I do?” Then he got out of his shining silver Porsche 911 sports car.
Instead of politely answering the civilian, the enraged officer took Landon by the collar, slightly pushing him against his car, and showed him the radar speed meter where it said 200 mph. “And you smell like a bar, mister. The fun is over. Now, you get to spend your lovely night behind bars.”
“No, you don’t get to detain me.” He yanked his hands off his collar and nudged him aside so he could breathe better. He’s panting heavily. He has a history of panic attacks when anxiety overshadows him.
“Yeah? Watch me.” bringing out the handcuffs and was about to put them to Landon’s wrist, but a firm tug from behind preempted him from doing it.
“Sir, are you alright?” Landon’s vision was still hazy, and his breaths were shallow and quick, but he got a glimpse of an auburn-haired young policewoman, and her voice laced with concern was more than enough to make him a little less fretty. When she felt he partly calmed, she turned to her still irked fellow. “This is not the right way to treat a civilian, Ethan.”
“For all we know, this is another case of a spoiled rich brat having his rebellious ways,” Ethan huffs while fidgeting with the handcuffs. “This troublemaker needs some teaching, Hope.”
Landon can hear their bickering, his sight starts to function better, and his breathing slowly goes back to normal. Though he can only see the side of her face, and her prominent, perfectly sculpted jawline is a sight to see, he’s more drawn to her calming ocean blue eyes.
After the back-and-forth retorts of Ethan and Hope, she returned her gaze to the inky mop-headed young man who appeared to be doing better than a few minutes ago. She gasped a lungful of air when she locked stare with him. It’s dim and dark, but she can see how distinctly green his irises are with flicks of silver-gray around it. It must be his car’s color just reflecting into his eyes, she thought.
She slowly retrieved her hand from his shoulder.
“Thank you, I’m more than alright now.” she softly smiled at him, not sure why she beamed; it may be because he’s doing fine now or his low, smart-sounding soothing voice that rang through her eardrums and brought churning loops on her belly, she hasn't settled on which one yet.
“Sir, we don’t mean to detain you, but obviously, we need you to come with us for your safety. You-” Hope didn’t know how to end her sentence, but Landon escaped a soft chuckle.
“Yeah, I’m a mess. I looked so screwed up.” He had a wide grin when he stated this.
“No handcuffs, I promise.” she lifted her right hand, swearing to Landon.
He was going to say something, but he took some time to behold this angelic creature in front of him. Ethan was blabbing, but he couldn’t care less about him; shortly, he answered the lady cop with ‘’Okay.’’
“So, will you give me your keys? I’ll drive.” Hope is laying out her palm to Landon.
Ethan continued his blabbing ‘’Hope, are you nuts? This guy is obviously intoxicated or on some type of cocaine. Just because you find this rich boy attractive doesn’t mean you don’t do your job correctly.’’
"Excuse me?’’ She gives him no time to respond. ‘’Maybe you should learn how you’re supposed to treat people from me. And FYI being nice doesn’t equal flirting; no wonder you would think that.’’
"I agree with her,’’ Landon smirks mockingly.
Ethan wheezed in frustration; he stormed back to the police mobile, started up the engine, and yelled before stepping on the accelerating pedal. “Just make sure that offender goes with you.” Then he hit up the gas at maximum, tires screeching, and smelled burnt rubber.
Hope and Landon covered their noses for the foul, stifling smell, ‘’You guys really stopped me for speeding?’’ Landon bantered as he handed her his car keys.
Hope laughs, getting into his vehicle, and as soon as she does, she’s in awe; she had never seen a car so sleek and exotic, not to mention it reeks like money. She was so used to her dad’s vintage trucks she hadn’t seen anything latest and brand new.
“Before you think I’m rich and wealthy, I’m not. Well, at least my dad, who’s rich, but it isn’t me.” Landon reasoned out. The car wowed her, but this guy beside her gave her more surprises. He isn’t a rich spoiled brat, as Ethan accuses him, because if he is, he would claim that he’s rich and not his dad.
"Trust me, I know how that feels. My mom is in the jewelry industry, and all that everyone sees is money.’’ Hope comforts Landon with her words.
"Isn’t that lonely?’’ He almost regrets it because she has the saddest shade of blue in her eyes when he looks up at her.
“Yeah, it is.’’ Hope started up the car, and its engine hummed so quiet, very contrary to the engines of her dad’s trucks. “Is this supposed to sound like this, the engine?” Hope curiously asked him, and he released another crank.
“Miss Officer … ”
“It’s Hope. Just call me Hope. We don’t need to be formal.” Then she smiled and hit up the pedal slowly.
Landon was left flabbergasted; this girl is really something.
“I’m Landon since we don’t need to be formal.” Hope just raised her eyebrows as a response. ‘’So, uh, why did you want to become a police officer?’’ he asked, shrinking into himself; he didn’t know if the question was too personal. “You know, just for the sake of small talk? Hoping I’m not crossing any line.”
"You might think I'm crazy, but I wanted to help and protect people. Some of us are corrupt or not staying true to their oath, but I wanted to be the one that encourages right behavior, especially to citizens.’’ Hope explained, making a hard left; she muttered "Sorry." When the sharp turn made him hit his head on the side of the window.
"I’m lucky this car is ingrained with foam’’ rubbing the part that got bumped.
“If you’re in my dad’s truck, I bet I have rushed you to the nearest Hospital and not to our precinct” then they both laughed. Hope looked at Landon and asked, “So, what do you do for a living? Small talks, right?’’
He bobbed his head. “Well, I’m sort of an assistant to my brother. I’m traveling with him to learn the ins and outs of our marvelous family business.’’
"You don’t sound too happy about that."
“Is it that obvious?” Landon quizzed.
“Yeah, you're a pretty transparent man.” Hope reached out to the stereo. “So, what’s your kind of music?” and she glared at him for a while when he didn't answer. “Oh dear, please don’t tell me you’re into hard metals.” and quickly reverted her sight to the road.
“What’s the problem with that?” Landon is teasing her, but she seems to be buying it.
“Please tell me you’re kidding.” there’s an apparent hysteria in her tone.
“I’m kidding. I don’t have a preferred genre in music since I have my own.” He scratches his head since shyness is creeping in.
“You do? That’s more awesome. So, I assume that’s your passion?”
“Yes. I have a special interest in music; I have a minor in it, but it’s not a profession, and soon, I think I might lose my inspiration for it.’’ Landon tainted pain.
“I love art. One day I want to own a gallery."
"Why didn’t your family help? Wouldn’t that be a great business opportunity?’’
"I want to work for it mainly to prove others wrong but myself too. Don’t get me wrong, I will get help from my family eventually, but for now, I want to gain respect and have a following for my work. In the end, it will be like a big fuck you to everyone that judged me."
"I understand. If only I were so brave."
"You seem brave to me. You just have to realize you deserve what you want. And Landon, inspiration is everything, perhaps your girlfriend or special someone?’’ She faced him as they arrived at the diverging crossroad. The traffic light says red.
“Is this your way of asking if I’m single or not?” Landon leaned closer to her. Hope’s heart skipped a beat, and her breathing hitched. She turned her gaze back to the road and looked at the traffic light, hoping it was already green. She cursed inside when it was not.
Silence enveloped them for a few seconds, and they both felt awkward.
“I don’t have a girlfriend or some sort of special someone.” Landon finally admitted, aiming to clear the dead air between them.
Hope turned to him smiling, a tight-lipped smile. She isn’t expecting him to be available, but for some instances, she’s glad that he is.
BEEEEEEP!
They were startled and almost jumped off their seats when the car behind them honked so long and loud. At last, the traffic light turned green. They laughed, and Hope stepped on the gas to keep the vehicle moving.
Landon began to hum; Hope didn’t dare to speak a single word. She didn’t want to disrupt him, and honestly, she enjoyed his music. It’s unfeigned and natural; he doesn’t need to be forced. Just like a spring fountain, it boils from the inside.
“You don’t mind that, right?” He knows it isn’t, but he needed confirmation.
“Nope, not at all. I love it. You should pursue your music. It’s really good.” A wide grin smeared on his face. Excluding his mom, no one has appreciated his craft.
On the right, Hope can already see the precinct, and so is Landon. All the more, no one dared to speak, even bat an eye. They both feel somber for unknown or at least unrecognized reasons.
Hope halted at the main entrance of the station.
“So finally, we’re here.” Hope tried to appear a little gleeful, and she forced a smile. But that smile faded when she saw Landon was not happy about it. Of course, he isn’t expecting her to stay with him since she has rounds and patrolling to do.
“I guess so.” Then he opened the door and left her inside with mouth twitching.
Ethan was there standing at the reception table. Tapping his foot and glancing at his watch, a clear indication that he was waiting for them. “So, how’s the road trip?”
Hope was just behind Landon, so she butts in, “Ethan, we came, okay? It took some time, but Landon was with me.”
“That’s interesting, so you’re first name basis now? Have you taken his ID?” When she didn’t respond, Ethan sniffed. “Of course, you didn’t.”
Landon pulled out his wallet and gave it to the male cop.
Hope waited for Ethan to accomplish the ticket; once done, she tugged Landon, “Come with me.”
Ethan gripped Hope by the arm, opting to stop her. This didn’t sit well with Landon, so he stepped in front of her.
The guy officer huffed, “So you wanted to add more to your offense? Are you going to beat a cop at his station?”
Hope rubbed Landon’s shoulder, he gaped at her, and she shook her head. This is a felony, in case it happened, and she didn’t want that for Landon.
Landon withdrew, and Ethan patted his back. “Good boy. Now, come with me. You, Miss Mikaelson, stay out of this.”
Landon just dipped his head to Hope and followed the male cop.
Ethan pushed Landon into the empty cell at the end of the hall “Now, big guy. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
Hope worriedly followed them, but she didn’t come any closer.
“Mikaelson, if you’re going to talk me out of putting the guy in the waiting room, don’t bother.”
Meanwhile, Landon has fear in tight spaces and dark alleys. His lungs began to constrict, and air passages tightened up, causing him to gasp for air. He was in a worse situation, but he managed to be all smiles. He can hear Hope arguing with Ethan. This had never happened to him before. Someone’s taking a stand for him.
The wrangle stopped after a while, but a set of heavy steel boot steps came his way.
It’s Hope. “I’m sorry, I can’t bring you out. I tried-” she’s almost tearing up.
“Shhh, Hope.” Reaching out her hand behind bars. “I heard you fought for me. No one did that for me before. It’s okay, not for long; I’ll be out, right?”
Hope chewed her inner cheek then she sitted right outside the cell. Landon bowed her brows in question. Did she mean to stay there until I got out? He thought.
“Hope.” Landon wagged his head in disapproval.
“I’ll stay here. Until dawn or later, until needed.” she squeezed his hand in return.
They both sat down in silence. “Landon?”
“hmm?”
“Will you hum for me?” she whispered.
“There was this song I wrote five years ago about a boy who wanted to conquer the world through music.”
“As long as that’s not a hard metal.” She punned. She bent forward to him—only the cool steel bars as their division.
“It isn’t.”
“Then, I would love to hear that.”
Landon coughed, and he sang for her. It was euphonious, and she had never heard someone sing that great. His baritone voice is so pleasing to the ears. The melody is perfect, and the lyrics are meaningful; it was written wholeheartedly. Above all, he’s closest to home when he sings. All guards were down, and walls were breaching.
“I was lined up for promotion, soon to be Police Corporal Mikaelson. Ethan and I will be of the same rank.”
“Yeah? You can beat his ass after that.” he softly cackled.
“No doubt. Would you like to attend the ceremony? They will be pinning more badges to my uniform, and I want you to be there.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Then he proceeded to hum again.
Landon never thought he could be locked up in a cell but never felt he was stripped of his liberty. They were right. The place or situation doesn’t matter as long as you’re with the right person. He must be contained in four corners of this dark prison, but he feels free, content, and happy because he’s with Hope. He could forgo comfort even if that entails suffering just to be with her; more importantly, he’s standing beside her.
Landon’s reverie was cut short when another officer came rushing to them. Hope understood the urgency, so she stood up to listen to her comrade.
“Mikaelson, something happened to one of your areas. They needed you there for backup.” She looked at Landon, she needed to go and help their team, but that meant she would be leaving him here.
Landon rubbed her hand. “You go and save the people. They need you more.”
Hope melted upon hearing what he had spoken, but he was right; she needed to be on her post of duty. “Landon, I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I’ll stay here. You go be what you’ve always been. Brilliant, gorgeous hero.” She nodded and took off.
Hours passed, the day broke, the sun shining bright as it could be, but no hope yet.
The officer in charge called Clarke an hour ago. Probably he’s on the doorstep signing papers for his release.
Steel toe steps rasping on the floor. Landon gets up to see if it’s Hope, but to his dismay, another woman cop with a set of keys in her hand to free him and his brother just behind her.
“Hello, baby brother. You really have an odd taste on how you spend your night.” As he roamed his eyes on the precinct building. “Anyways, I already packed your things. We will head up straight to the airport.”
“Clarke, I know I messed up, but can we stay for a little while? I’m waiting for someone to return.” Clarke’s half-brother is almost on his knees, pleading. He just looked at him, and he knows Landon is stubborn and won’t take no for an answer.
Landon couldn't sit still. He kept pacing back and forth as he waited for her.
Fifteen minutes passed.
“Landon,” Clarke called up.
“Clarke, please, I need five minutes more,” His brother couldn’t do anything but nod.
Another fifteen minutes have passed but still no Hope.
Clarke’s patience is wearing thin. “Landon, I’m not playing anymore. Can’t you see we have a flight to catch?”
“Clarke, I know, just give me more time. Please.” He never did see Landon ask for anything, except today. Except this.
Full thirty minutes have passed.
“Landon. We need to go now. I’m sorry, but our dad and mom are waiting for us. We have a meeting with an important investor in Chicago.” Clarke in a pleading tone.
Landon’s shoulders shrunk. “Two minutes, I’ll follow.” another nod, and Clarke headed to the car first.
Landon sprinted to their car after a complete cycle of two minutes. Before he rode inside, he had another final glance, wishing Hope was around, but he never saw even a shadow of her.
Clarke felt his brother’s sadness, they were never that close, but he can see as if he’s leaving half of his heart behind. He gripped him encouragingly. “I’m sorry, Landon.” This time, it was him who unwillingly bobbed his head. Then the driver drove off.