𝟚.𝟠: 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 ℂ𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕞𝕒𝕤 𝕎𝕒𝕤 𝕊𝕦𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕪 𝕍𝕚𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥

-Narrator's perspective-

"Well, we have been doing this for quite some time." Arabella mumbled, looking up to Hope who was hovering above her with a gentle smile that would lighten up her mood and day.

"By quite some time you mean since yesterday night." She remarked, very much happy of their time spent together.

Arabella smiled, brushing a few strands of the girl in front of her's hair. "You are too much for me not to stay away. We both know that." She whispered, admiring the light blue eyes that seemed to capture her heart more and more. The action made her cheek tint a blush of red over the blonde's words.

"We also know that you wanted us to just be friends less than 12 hours ago." She said once again, planting a chaste kiss on the girl's lips and pulling away in less than a second.

"And we also know you can't resist me, Hope Mikaelson." Arabella spoken, urging to laugh which she did when Hope slapped her shoulder playfully.

For a split second, Arabella felt at awe of the beauty that was above her. She's never felt loved or be in love with someone who's presence is enough for her. "How was it? You know, being in Malivore?" She asked, steering the conversation to a much more deeper topic.

"Lonely. Dark." She sighed, Arabella softly caressing one side of her cheek while she talked. To comfort her. "Other than Clarke's annoying voice, I felt alone. I didn't think that I could ever feel peace inside there."

Arabella exhaled, sitting up while still, Hope sat on her lap. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm here and won't go anywhere." She said wholeheartedly, having to feel her heartbeat soothingly calm upon seeing Hope's lips curled to a warm smile.

"Promise?" Her voice was supposed to be tough, wanting for it to sound more of it but not until it betrayed her, tone was a little gloomy and broken. Hope never wanted to be alone, she was fine of the idea when it was just her after her parent's death but now that Arabella came in her life, she didn't want to always count on herself. She wanted more and Arabella gave her that privilege.

"You can count on me." She swore, placing a warm and assuring kiss on the other's forehead. Then backing away but not fully seeing at they were inches away. "I will

always- always, love you, Hope Mikaelson. Please, don't forget."

Hope exhaled, closing her eyes as she did, a tear escaped her eye. Those simple words which she has been wanting to hear for months, longing and desperate to hear all of that finally fell into her lap like its the first time she's felt like this. "Oh, Bella..." She whispered, the back of her fingers slightly grazing on the girl's cheek. "I love you too. Ofcourse I'll never forget it."

As she said, the two shared a kiss but not like earlier. It was slow which the pair enjoyed of their company. The fire that was snuffed out ever since Hope jumped in that pit, has been lit again and has been powerful than ever. More than what they could ever imagine.

In depths of how they love one another cannot measure up to how people will see it. Not even they could seeing as they never loves another person except each other. In truth, Arabella will never let Hope go no matter what she will lose in the process. All she wants is Hope and Hope only, no matter the risks. She would kill herself just to make the Tribrid of hers happy.

With how she loves Arabella's unique color of eyes, her voice that would make her heart skip a beat, her smile that would lighten up a dull room, her charms that would just as easily make her fall head over heels, Arabella's kind heart that made her fall in love with her in the very first place. Everything about that vampire who stole her heart, she loves everything. Even the ones that would make her imperfect but that was impossible because everything about the blonde is perfect already.

"I know that I should be mad but I just can't. I can't handle another minute without you being here. Call me an idiot, Hope, for wanting to be besides you- want to hold you. I need you." Arabella spoke freely, taking in how gorgeous the girl in front of her is.

"Bella..." Being too spechless on the spot, she just stared at the girl, couldn't speak one more word of how Arabella handled every word intently.

Arabella sighed and nodded, understanding how the girl couldn't utter another word. She mumbled an 'I know' before connecting their foreheads, Hope silently shedding a few strain tears. Being too loving as she usually is, the Blonde haired girl knowingly wiped those tears away using her thumb.

The two stayed like this, Hope sitting on her lap while they held each other in their own arms. The vampire among them felt warm, more complete and the hole that she dreaded to complete for months has finally been full filled. Every single piece of the puzzle in her complicated life has been slowly getting back together again. It was too comfortable for them to let go and part ways, too loving.

"Is it too cold? I've been shuddering since a minute ago." Arabella, out of the blue, asked suddenly which caused the girl on her lap to stiffle a chuckle before wiping her tears away. "Hey- I am serious." She pointed out.

Hope smiled again then it faltered when she did feel cold. "You know, I do feel cold." She said and turned her body to the empty side of the bed, covering herself with the blankets.

"The window might be open. I'll check." She exhaled, sitting on the edge of the bed while wearing her clothes that was on the floor. Hope held in a chuckle, having her elbow propped on the bed while watching the blonde dress herself in front of her.

Arabella sighed again, not taking acknowledge of the stare that was given to her from behind. She swung open the curtains, immediately frowning when droplets of white snow were very visible just from where she was.

"I wasn't informed that it's christmas season already." She informed, opening the curtains more further, revealing a few piles of snow just out the garden.

"Arabella! I'm undressed!" Hope scolded, putting the covers up to her chest while the blonde clicked her tongue, more worried of what's going on out there.

"Then get dressed and look." She pointed outside. More attentive of a near danger that might slap them in the face. She could hear Hope grumble playfully before doing what she was told, also curious of what was happening outside.

As she smoothly dressed herself using clean clothes from Arabella's dresser, seeing as she was not quite settled in too soon because of recent events. The girl made her way to Arabella, which the Blonde's clothes were a little large for her but it felt quite nice and more perfect for her to wear.

"I can hear kids laughing on the front yard." Arabella said once again, still amazed of the snow and christmas vibe she was getting from the people who was talking a few halls away from where they were.

It was all christmas talk, presents and hot cocoa. The topic made Arabella cringe, still not too overcoming of celebrating this kind of holiday without her brother. All too soon, she was never fond of it, neither was Damon at first but when he had Stefanie, things changed. For Arabella on the other hand, it didn't quite did.

When the two were finished on dressing themselves more properly, they went outside with a lot of convincing to Arabella who just wanted to sleep in, they did anyways. Arabella was too much of a follower to the Mikaelson, loyal yet too naive to even protest of what she wanted. Atleast, it was for her own good.

"Don't like Christmas?" Hope asked, noticed that this year that her girlfriend was a little more down to earth than the last they spent. Sure, Arabella was more gloomy last year but this time, Hope noticed it.

"It's not Christmas, Hope- In fact it's october." She argued, not wanting to talk about it. However, Arabella knew that her girlfriend was always stubborn and wanting to know every little thing of her. So the other asked.

"You know what I mean." Hope said, looking over to the girl who just shrugged, them walking past people who was excitedly talking about presents. "But, I do kind of need to agree. This isn't normal at all." She pointed at the Lounge, people getting the Christmas ornaments from the basement and boxes of it laid around.

Arabella sighed, nodding in agreement. The pair noticed a bunch of kids running to get outside, even bumped into the Vampire and yelled an apology before continuing to run to get out. Hope chuckled, seeing how Arabella just smiled warmly at the children running. Who knows, they might even ended up adopting when they grow up. Most likely.

"Everyone is out here." Arabella said in a frown, her hands were burried deep inside the pocket of her hoodie due to the cold. She looked to the girl besides her, shivering and looking around. "Who goes outside in the cold without a jacket?" She huffed, taking off hers and gave it to Hope.

The Tribrid chuckled, slightly blushing at how the blonde gave it to her without hesitation whatsoever. When she finally wore it, she got hit with the familiar perfume which already made ber feel warm. It all got ruined when she got hit by a snowball, caused by Kaleb and Pedro. The Vampire winced and jogged over the two.

Arabella turned her head, wanting to hide the laughter she was letting out when she didn't stop the snow from hitting Hope. Hope noticed and just hit her on the shoulder while she talked to Kaleb.

"Kaleb. What the hell is going on?" She asked, walking over to them with Arabella following behind her.

"Don't be a Scrooge, Hope. It's christmas." He gestured everywhere, many people playing in the snow.

"No. It's October." She replied, trying to understand why everyone is acting like this but only one can come up to mind.

"Christmas is a State of mind. It's a feeling in the air. Now... you feeling it?" He asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder while the two were watching Arabella chase down a bunch of kids.

Hope controlled herself to not smile and got back to the task in hand. "Definitely feeling something."

☘︎︎

"I am not drinking a thing. Get it away from me." Arabella pointed warning-like, glaring at the senior who shrugged and drank the hot cocoa while walking away with happy feelings.

"Dr. Saltzman. I need your help." Hope exhaled in relief once the two heard the headmaster coming their way. Only difference was, he was laughing alongside with Dorian. "What are you wearing?" She asked, gesturing at the sweatshirt while Arabella failed to suppress her laughter.

"Dorian had an extra one. Lucky me, right?" He asked, a wide smile on his face.

"No, Ric. We're the lucky ones. Because Dr. Saltzman is gonna spend Christmas with us." He announced to the students and they all cheered and applauded.

Ric chuckled, "Thank you. Thank you." He said, arms wide open.

Hope grabbed the Blonde's hand, pulling her away from the scene while they jog over to Lizzie's room, hoping that she's her usual self again. And when they did, she opened it without knocking. "Lizzie!" She called, the Siphoner still in bed.

"We get it, Hope. You're back." She groaned, looking up from her blankets at the pair. "Now disappear again." She covered her face with her arm, hoping they'll leave.

"Ah. You're still a bitch. Thank god." She chuckled and both walked inside, Arabella closing the door behind them.

Lizzie frowned, let the insult slide away and she sat up. "What is happening?" She questioned when Hope hugged her all so suddenly. "Why is your girlfriend hugging me? Should I be worried?" Lizzie asked Arabella who shrugged, sitting on the opposite bed.

"I don't know. It's like everyone in the school is happy except for us. Too happy. Like, scary happy. Merry, even. They all think that it's Christmas." She explained, pulling away.

"You look too happy too. Did you and Arabella had sex?" She asked, causing the blonde to cough, looking away by the sudden speculation. Hope glared, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. "Okay I shouldn't have asked."

"It's snowing too." Hope changed the topic, pointing out the window behind the siphoner who looked shocked.

Lizzie stood up, disregarding how the two girls inside her room was blushing furiously. She walked to the window, gasping at the snow knocking on the glass. "It's snowing? How?"

"Uh, another monster, we're guessing." Hope said, didn't notice at first how fear spread across Lizzie's eyes.

"This is terrible news. It's freaking Fall. Not winter." She whined, kneeling in front of her dresser. "What am I gonna wear?"

"Ofcourse.." Arabella sighed, watching the with go through her clothes one by one. She already felt herself wanting to laugh.

"Something to travel in?" Hope suggested, looking at the girl who looked up to her in a frown and panic on her face. "I'm gonna need you to hit the road."

Lizzie sighed, "You want me to quest to Frodo Baggins, don't you? I thought that the monsters weren't after him now."

"We don't know what they want. Or even who they're working for anymore. He just might be in trouble." She hoped for the best that Lizzie will agree. The blonde stood up, walking over her with a bunch of clothes in hand.

"Fine." She exhaled. "A little locator spell and then off to Mordor I go."

Jo came inside the room, a tray on her hands an a joyful smile. "Ho, ho, ho! I come bearing gifts." She said in a cheeful tone. "More like a peace offering, really."

"I thought that the three of us had already made peace." Lizzie smiled nervously, looking back to Hope who was madly confused as she is.

"Well, this whole school year I have been really naughty." She explained like it was no big deal, Arabella frowning at her behaviour. "I've not been the supportive sister that I want to be. And there was the whole crush thing." She scoffed, looking at Arabella who shifted uncomfortably on her seat. "It was wrong for me to assume she'll like me back when obviously, she chose you." Josie looked at Hope who forced out a smile. "But thankfully, Christmas is all about forgiveness, right? Cookie?"

Hope smiled, leaning to the Siphoner. "Run." She whispered Lizzie didn't hesitate to do so and grabbed her stuff. Hope cleared her throat, "What kind of cookie?" She smiled innocently to Josie.

☘︎︎

"I'm trying to work!" Hope finally snapped after the lead on her pencil broke. Arabella stiffled a laughter, shaking her head while she continued to write down on her journal. "So if you don't fa-la-la-la leave, I'm gonna give you all another piercing." She threatened, holding the broken pencil up while the choir of students scurried to leave.

"Someone's in a very happy mood." Arabella snorted, tilting her head back down to continue on writing.

"Don't tell me that, that didn't irritate you in one bit." She pointed at the retreating choir who was still pretty shaken up. Arabella shrugged as an answer, making the other frown at it. "Okay, what's the problem?"

Arabella shook her head, "Nothing. Just, not a fan of whatever's going on." She confessed nonchalantly. As she kept writing, Hope took the journal and closed it shut, placing it on the table while she gave Arabella a look. The vampire sighed, clicking her pen shut before facing Hope. "I'm not a fan of the holidays. I know it's a monster but... still."

Besides her, Hope exhaled and laid her head on Arabella's shoulder comfortably, holding her hand firmly which the other returned. "You never told me that." She whispered, completely disregarding the piles of papers on the table.

"You love Christmas, Hope. I can't exactly tell you that I hate it." She replied, feeling like it is no big deal. "Also felt like that Rebekah told you, so.."

"Why? I mean, did something happen or...?" She asked, looking up to the blonde who clicked her tongue and shrugged slightly.

"Brings back memories from years ago. Makes me miss Stefan and more." She confessed, looking at the table blankly and sighed.

Sadly, Hope planted a loving kiss on her cheek, backing away just to take a good look on how Arabella smiled lowly to her. The two looked at each other for a while, just admiring every feature. It was Hope who leaned for them to kiss but got interrupted when Kaleb came strolling in the room, yelling at them to stop before something happens. Hope rolled her eyes, looking back while she had her back leaning on Arabella's arm.

"Sounds like someone could use a little help getting in the spirit." He announced cheerfully, holding a bowl of eggnog.

"We were about to." Arabella scowled lowly, feeling Hope smile at her words before shaking her head, continued to glare at Kaleb.

"You want to help? Find me an ax." She retorted, pushing herself back to sit down and look at the research she did on the table.

"So that's a neg on the nog? How about you Ara? I make a mean eggnog." He suggested, gesturing at the bowl. The girl shook her head, forcing herself to smile.

"I need to figure out what monster's making everyone so freaking merry, then kill it." She said once more, flipping a page over her book.

"Whoa. That's naughty as hell, Hope. I got to do all I can to make it on Santa's nice list. 'Cause I've been asking for this one thing every Christmas and, uh, I never got it. But I'm hoping that this is the year." He shrugged, bringing up the ladle to drink the eggnog. "Oh. Hell yeah. You two sure you don't want to hit this?"

"If I started hitting stuff now, I might never stop." Hope gave an unamused look to him before looking at Arabella who gave her a simple smile. "Atleast you're here."

Arabella chuckled, looking back to Kaleb who seemed occupied on drinking his drink. The girl leaned and captured Hope's lips for a second before pulling away. "And If I started doing that for a few more minutes, I might just not stop." She whispered against Hope's ear, grazing her lips on her ear making the other shiver and glare at her.

"A tease." She mumbled making Arabella laugh.