as we pass through arrangements of shadows

[shreds]

Comments

[uniquelyvulnerable]

We aren't planning on going anywhere. Bela and I. I confess, I don't know of our brother's plans. But, I suspect he won't be making his exit any time soon.

( The family has been without one another for too long. )

[likeaweapon]

Then good. I think Henry will love having his uncles around.

[A pause.]

What about Hope? Do you think she'll be joining us?

[uniquelyvulnerable]

Hope, Josie, Elizabeth and the witch Danny think the best they can do is keep their plans intact, not being on this list. Perhaps on the weekend.

[likeaweapon]

Probably for the best. They'll be busy doing college things. But it'll be good to see her if she can come.

[She misses her niece.]

[uniquelyvulnerable]

I believe she will should she be able to. Semesters at college aren't usually grueling in the beginning weeks.

( He can hope. )

We messaged. She sounds happy. Which, for Hope, feels like an accomplishment.

[likeaweapon]

It is, honestly. Her teenage years were quite moody.

[She still loves her niece though.]

Sounds like things are better between you two, though.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

( Elijah didn't help with that. )

Slowly. It's all I can ask for. Have you heard from Hayley?

[likeaweapon]

[She shakes her head.]

No, but I've left some messages. If I do, I'll let you know.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

( He nods. She will always be in his heart, even if they were never able to be, not after siding with Bela and their unfortunate misunderstanding that almost ended her life. )

Please do.

( He moves from one cushion to the other to put an arm around his sister and rest his chin on her head. )

[likeaweapon]

[Rebekah easily curls in with a sigh, closing her eyes.]

I'm sure she'll be fine, Elijah. She's always been made of tough stuff.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

I do worry, sometimes. It is so easy for us to harden our hearts as Mikaelsons. She has come so close to losing so much.

( But she didn't. He reminds himself she didn't. )

[likeaweapon]

But she hasn't. And she won't be forced into making the same decisions we were.

[Giving up her mortal life before she's ready, doing terrible thing to cope with the trauma.]

She'll have better choices.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

And whatever choices she'll have, they will be hers. It's not as if I don't see her making mistakes. I just want those mistakes to be hers and hers alone.

( But Hayley is not Esther. )

[likeaweapon]

Me too.

[She takes a deep breath.]

Same for Henry. Though his part in things will be much less complicated.

[He'll only be a witch, if that, not a Tribrid the way Hope is.]

Henry has more complications on his father's side, if I'm honest. But it's much more normal, human complications. He has an older sister.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

Does he? Are they close?

( Or as close as a toddler and an older sister can be. )

How much older?

[likeaweapon]

Not as close as we'd like. Alice lives on the other side of the country. But we'd like to try and arrange for them to spend more time together.

[A pause.]

Alice is ... eighteen now, I think? Hope's age.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

And Henry has two parents and extended family that love him.

( As for Alice. )

Have you met Alice?

[likeaweapon]

Once, at the wedding.

[A pause.]

Her mother is ... a character, to say the least. But I can see why John Henry liked her.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

A character. Do go on.

( This is what he misses. Just this simplicity between them. )

[likeaweapon]

She's forthright and maybe a little antagonistic, but she's loyal and clever. And she has a crass sort of charm that is oddly endearing.

[Definitely would stick out like a sore thumb in the refined insults of the Mikaelsons, but sometimes you need someone who can get a little vulgar in your life.]

[uniquelyvulnerable]

Well, then we must meet this endearingly crass charmer. Because, as long as I've known you I have never heard you call someone crass endearing.

( Perhaps it's the cowboy they have in common. )

[likeaweapon]

If you stay a while, you might. Alice is going to be going to college in the city, and I think Wynonna is coming to drop her off.

[This will be wildly entertaining if that's the case.]

[uniquelyvulnerable]

I believe that is our plan. We're high profile now. Sticking together is in our best interests.

( Together and local. It's not unlike their time in New Orleans, except there is no bayou or graveyard to escape to. )

What better city to get lost in a crowd.

[likeaweapon]

Indeed.

[She smiles.]

But good. It'll be good to have some family around.

[uniquelyvulnerable]

I am sorry it's been as long as it has. The years bleed together.

( And, he was still recovering psychologically, if he's being honest. Bela was a large part in that. )