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For Kamikaze, Hayley Mikaelson. 4/2/22
KAMIKAZE/HAYLEY MIKAELSONFIRST, I NEED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR WAITING THIS LONG. THE LOSS OF THIS WOMAN HAS STRUCK ME HARD, AND IT TOOK A VERY LONG TIME FOR ME TO KEEP WRITING THIS. LITTLE BY LITTLE I WORKED ON IT, AND EACH TIME IT BROKE ME. WE ALL LOVED HER SO MUCH, YOUR WORDS, YOUR INPUT IN WRITING AS HELPED TO BRING US SOME CLOSURE ON A WOULD THAT WILL NEVER TRULY HEAL. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, AND UNDERSTANDING. - - - - " WHEREVER YOU ARE, ELIJAH. I'M HOME. i MEAN IT. ALWAYS " 
The inevitable had reared its ugly head. She was gone. Not gone in the sense of she’d be back soon, or this was a fight and she needed to go for a drive. No, this was permanent. The love of his life had left the planet, and in her wake left a string of broken hearts. The light of their world had been extinguished too soon, and for the last week, they all had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that their world would never be the same again.
The Mikaelson plantation was massive in its acreage, the house was at the forefront, and the back yard, well that was Hayley’s favorite place. The property was backed against the tree lining, and just beyond; was the bayou. She was famous for phasing and going for runs in the middle of the night, coming back covered in mud and leaves. Leaving footprints on the cream-colored carpet. The woman was a wild child, one of the many things Elijah had fallen in love with.
Today would be the day that she would be laid to rest. Far off beneath the willows -- they had built their crypt years before. It was extravagant, ornate, and made of wrought iron and marble. Hayley and he had agreed that if anything happened to the other, they didn’t want to be buried. They would be in the crypt, side by side, to stay close to one another. It would be something he honored. He’d spent the morning walking the perimeter of the area idly, talking to her as though she was there with him. Fingertips delicately touched the silky petals of the roses she had planted before they were married, the fragrant dew drops soaking into his skin.
Oh, how he missed her.
He could hear the soft sounds of footprints in the soft grass and as he looked over he saw Hope in the distance, walking toward him, a coffee cup in hand. “I thought you could use some coffee.” She gave a half-smile, but the pain was so very evident in her eyes. She wasn’t supposed to have to do this. The family that had its time apart, found one another again, only to now have to come together to say goodbye to their matriarch. The one who kept them together had been the foundation of everything they knew. Taking the cup gently, he hugged her to his side and kissed her forehead. He was having a hard time talking to anyone lately, the knot in his throat was there every time he tried.
“Thank you.” he said in a raspy whisper, taking a sip while holding the cup carefully. She was such a sweetheart, even though she was his niece, he loved her like she was his own. “You should probably go get ready. You haven’t been in a suit in days.” She said with a laugh, laying her head on his shoulder for a moment. He gave a nod, knowing she was right. Elijah had barely enough energy lately to get out of bed, but he knew he needed to do what was right. Hayley wouldn’t want him sulking, crying, or what he was doing then, giving up. “I’ll make sure everything is ready, okay? Don’t worry.” She smiled a little and walked along the path up into the house. Guests would begin to arrive soon, and he needed to be ready, even if it was something he dreaded.
[Lazarus] Offering her Uncle a cup of coffee had been the least that she could have done, and it was the easiest thing in the world. It was better than thinking about the rest of what she had to do. It wasn't fair that this was happening and yet, Hope refused to allow herself the proper time to grieve and let it sink in. For the past few days, she had been going from task to task, attempting to make sure that everything was done and planned for in the way that her mother would have wanted it to be.
Grief was the last thing on her mind.
Crying was the first thing that she wanted to do when she woke up in the morning, and pretty much every moment of the day afterward, but she was aware of the fact that it would do her no good to let her emotions out. Mikaelson's first-born witches were dangerous when they weren't in control of their emotions -- and besides that, it wouldn't have done any good.
Allowing herself to be pulled under by the current of the overwhelming emotions running through her wouldn't change anything, her Mother would still be gone and she would still be left behind to pick up the pieces.
Like she had promised her Uncle, she would handle things and make sure that everything was handled precisely the way that Hayley would have wanted, even if that meant combing through the flower arrangements herself -- to which she now tended, gently 'fluffing' the flowers that sat in a glass vase upon the grand piano.
The flower arrangement smelled of lilacs, cinnamon, and a soft touch of mahogany -- the same scents that she remembered being burnt in candle form. They reminded her so much of her mother, and for a moment the whole world around her was drowned out into complete silence.
[Tapout] Damon had been with Elijah for three days straight now. Strange, he knew. Reconnecting with the Original wasn’t something he ever thought he would do. But he knew it was something that Hayley always wanted. That’s why when he heard the news, he reached out. Despite his prior feelings, he refused to allow Elijah to suffer through this alone. That’s not the type of man Damon was. They were getting ready for the service, and Damon knew this house was going to be full of people soon. It made his anxiety rise. Deep breaths were taken, as he remained in the room he was currently staying in. Sitting on the edge of the bed, head hung as it was buried in his hands. He barely heard the door open, but he knew that scent. Those heels were unmistakable. Grace said nothing as she approached him. Just took a seat beside him. Her hand rubbed along the back of his back. A smoothing motion, to let him know she was there. Swallowing thickly, his head shook within his hands. “ I can’t do this. ” Words barely above a whisper, feeling her cusp the back of his neck gently. “ We have to. ” Ever so softly were her words, and he knew she was right. He knew that but how? How was Damon supposed to say goodbye to Hayley? There was no guidebook for this. He still didn’t know how to handle his own emotions.
Standing to her feet, Grace gently tugged the male to stand. Standing in front of him, her height reached from above his chest. Orbs locked on each other before she spoke to him again. “ She would want you to do this. She would want you to get closure. To honor her. She loves you. ” Giving his forearm a gentle squeeze, she turned towards the door. “ Elena is here now. I’ll see you out there. ” Elena. The one that’s been his rock through all of this. Just hearing she was there made it feel like he could breathe, just a little now. Giving the brunette a nod, he watched as she exited, and Elena entered.
[Replique] Clutching the wheel of the car that someone had left at the airport, Elyse stared ahead at the home she grew up in. She had retreated to New York, the one place she always ended up when life took its turns, where she left after her latest relationship fell away. She had left New Orleans as her mother had come back and now she was back as her mother left New Orleans for good. She had spoken to her father, had spoken to Hope, but sitting here in the car was what made her realize what she was truly home for. She had the urge to run, to back out of the drive and back to New York where she could hide from her problems and forget. But as she looked up at the home, she realized that wasn’t an option anymore. Stepping out of the car, her heels hit the concrete and she started her way in. She needed to find her father.
[Blue Blood] In the years Hayley and Elijah had been apart their daughter Elyse had been a constant. She was there as well, extending her love for her friends, and even though they had gone their ways they still very much cared for one another. So it wasn’t a shock when he heard the knock on the door as he sat at the end of the bed, a glass of bourbon hanging between his fingertips, making no effort to move. Lifeless mahogany eyes stared blankly ahead at the dresser that still housed his late wife's belongings. He wasn’t even aware that she had taken the glass and set it aside. The warmth of her hand was felt on the back of his neck, his eyes closing for a moment.
“I have no idea how to do this. To say goodbye to the mother of my children. The woman who I spent my life with. The one who could forgive all my sins, with open arms.” his voice choked, tears welling up again like they did most times he thought about her. How was the one who was so steadfast and stoic supposed to remain so? He was shattered inside, every glass shard piercing his heart, healing, and cutting deeper. Elyse didn’t say anything, instead, she pulled up a chair in front of him, her pale, delicate fingers taking his tie from beside him and placing it around his neck then began to button the pearlescent buttons of his dress shirt. Elijah Mikaelson was in a headspace where he couldn’t think far enough ahead to fully dress, something he prided himself on.
[Vestal Virgin] where tears might have been moments before, her eyes now sting with dryness against the cold air that whispers across the corridor. her steps are weak as she enters.
she says nothing.
nothing needs saying.
she gives damon the bare minimum of a glance in acknowledgment, before she finds a proper place to sit. if she looks at him for too long, she’ll weep. SHE REMAINS STILL, a scarlet angel in repose, her long hair splayed haphazard across the back of the fabric behind her. she will remember hayley with fondness. she will remember how aware she had made her of her own warmth at a first caress. she will remember how easily the winter gale of her invades the spring ——- she will remember how effortlessly her fingers fit in her own. a shudder, the skin that’s left bare by her gown is bitten by the ice of his touch, Elijah- no doubt, she could make out that cologne anywhere. she shan’t lift her ivory hues, for the tears now blind her, though her features still leak of divinity. she knows soon a farewell would be in order, & it seemed too much to handle. brimming with hesitance, fills the vastness of the room, lifting— she barely makes it to face the hall, before she halts, sensing Damon behind her, the weight of his palm resting against her bony shoulder. she feels the sorrow. it’s suffocating to say the least, but it does not stop her from leaning in to place a gentle, feather - light kiss on the sharp bone of his cheek. “she’d want you to smile. “ he says, but she cannot, not even a breadth of one could be seen this day, and she falls forward, grief overtaking her usual strength, that flicker, that brief flash of the indescribable, the pain that shall never be spoken of, it is almost immediately that she is caught, offered hand is acknowledged with a glance, but nothing more. a porcelain hand lifts, delicate, perhaps doll-like, keeping her steady on her feet, with the offered support of the salvatore brother. the loss of her is deep . cutting so like a knife. how sweetly she will weep . she shifts her body, looking for Elijah’s presence before they enter the room & their eyes collide violently. oh - to love, & to lose, & to love again. a yearn to touch, to feel, if only one more time. but once that door opened, she would feel the bloodless - cold touch of her beloved underneath the warmth of her fingertips, and it would ring real to her. the denial she carried could no longer hold weight, and realization would soon set in. she begged silently for a few more minutes. just a few more to live in her fairytale world, where Kami might be alive on the other side of that door.
[Blue Blood] Going through the motions wasn’t difficult. It was thinking that was difficult. One foot in front of the other, one day at a time. It all sounded the same to him. With his daughter helping him, he swallowed hard as he stood, swallowing back the emotion for the thousandth time. He’d been quiet, emotionless around everyone. But alone, he was a different man. Raw, vulnerable. He spent every night sitting on the back porch steps, talking to her, waiting for her. Waiting to see a blur of fur come through the backyard, happy as hell. Instead, he was met with the bitter chill in the air. Deathly silent. Her body laid closed off in the great room, and he hadn’t visited the casket since her arrival. He couldn’t. Not yet. But he also couldn’t delay the inevitable. He couldn’t live in denial any longer. As Elyse helped him with everything from his tie to his cufflinks, he finally seemed to break from his internal dismay and gave his daughter a half-smile while leaning in to kiss her on the cheek. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me,” he murmured, watching her as she moved to his dresser where he kept his cologne. Sauvage. It reminded him that he needed to pull himself together, even if it was just for the day. Elyse remained still and silent, waiting on her father, who soon emerged in his three-piece suit, his jawline tight as he stared at his own reflection at the man who wasn’t as half as strong as he usually was. The one staring back was broken.
[Jules] Jules couldn't decide what was worse; the overwhelming guilt over all the could haves and should haves, the physical pain that has made its home deep inside her chest, the tears that fell every day, hardest of all when she was alone; seeing others so happy when she stood—drowning in sorrow... the knowledge that she had no choice but to carry on and forge a future without her best friend in it, or the fear that one day she would forget her face, her voice, her embrace, their memories. The guarantee that she would be absent from everything, from now on. As she entered the room, her eyes stayed to the floor, unable to meet the many that sat gathered in Hayley's honor. Instead, she just gave Brady's hand a squeeze as she led them through the entryway, keeping him close as they neared the center ——— hazel orbs finally lifting as she stopped just to cast her gaze on a photo, one with Hayley in it; alive and smiling, wild and free. "Sh*t." The word fell from her lips, pressure rising in the pit of her chest, a soft sob splitting her open as the reality of her passing hit again, a little harder than before, trembling fingers lifting to wipe away the tears and to tuck the blonde wave of hair behind her ear; a desperate attempt to compose herself. Finally turning on her heels, she moved to face the room and those few and familiar faces that stood there alongside her. At one point or another, Hayley had brought them all together. They all shared one thing: the love they felt for this woman. A lot of them owed her everything. All, forever changed, by her. Grief is really just love. It's all the love they wanted to give but could not, not anymore. Grief is just love—with no place to go. She’s really gone… sh*t.
[Brady] Silence fell upon him, entering the room filled with those once considered friends, all together again to mourn the loss of one of the most important people in his life. His sister. Hand linked together with his wife’s, who considered his sister like family of her own, keeping himself calm and collected until she came into sight and it was like a freight train hit him, grief struck him deep to his core but he kept that cold expression locked on his face.
The two always joked in their younger days that he’d be the first one to go; or all the dumb sh*t he’s pulled, the amount of times he’s died and come back, she always yelled at him, “What if this one was permenant!?” The way she would scold him for it burned in the back of his mind but between that... was the good memories he held of her. Walking her down the aisle on her wedding day, watching her children grow up, celebrating holidays, you name it and he held those memories of his family close to him.
Hand squeezing against Jules with a flex of his jaw, looking down to her with a sharp inhale, he did his best to contain his emotions, to be strong because he knew in the back of his head she’d be poking fun at him for it. “Remember those times you’d yell at me? How I was supposed to be first?” Keeping his voice low, truth be told she helped shape him into the man he became. She was there when he needed guidance. She introduced him to his wife and he was forever grateful for that. Every event in his life that was important she was there for. Boots stepping forward for his hands to curve around the bar of the casket, looking down to her with that pain radiating in his chest like he had lost apart of himself and almost coming to terms with it. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. That’s my fault and I’ll carry that burden for the rest of this life.” Head hanging low, keeping himself composed until a few tear drops rolled down his cheek, he couldn’t remain strong anymore. “I’ll see you on the other side, Andy.” Picking himself up, composing himself to lace his fingers right back between his wife’s fingers to turn to the room to the familiar faces he gave a faint smile towards.
“I know life has a funny way of working out, and I haven’t seen most of you in quite sometime but everyone in this room held a special place in my sister’s heart, and for that I’m thankful. I’m thankful all of us could be here, together to celebrate her life. One of her favorite things was all of us together, I wish we could’ve done it more often.” Making the point to extend his hand to Elijah, Damon, and Grace as a form of respect to those who were a big part of both of their lives at one point. Looking down to Jules with a slight smile tugging at his set keeping her hand tight against his own. The two weaved their way into the crowd, to take their seats, nothing felt as crushing as this, saying goodbye. Though it wasn’t goodbye forever, they would see each other again.
[Holy Water] The past three evenings had been eerily quiet at home without her other half present. Though she knew where he was staying and that set her mind at ease. Damon had been staying with Elijah after the loss of his lover so that he wouldn't have to navigate through the heartache and grievances alone, Damon loved her too and Elena respected that fact immensely. Elijah too had always been a good friend to her though there was once a rocky road between him and her counterpart, she knew this was one step in the healing process in which the two men needed to deal with together away from the exterior noise.
Walking up to the front doors an overwhelming sense of sadness vacated the space in her chest, sitting heavily against her sternum causing her to inhale a deep breath slowly. Her nerves buzzed under her flesh, skin crawling with anxiety. Elena took the last few steps inside before navigating her way up the stairs to the spare room in Elijah and Hayley's home where Damon had taken up residence. She wanted to see him and check in before the service started. She reminded herself that today she needed to be strong, to be present for two of her favorite men in their time of need. Elena steadied herself on her feet, stiletto footed steps carried her the last of the distance down the hallways to just outside the guest room. One last deep breath to flush out the tears stinging the edges of her eyes and she was ready to see him.
Instead of interrupting Elena waited patiently for Grace to pass her in the hall, nodding her head once to acknowledge her presence before entering and closing the door behind her for privacy. "Damon," she breathed his name softly through barely parted lips, rushing to him her arms tightly coiled around him, holding him close to her chest - afraid that if she loosened her grip he might float away. At first, she remained still, quiet, just allowed the moment to hang in time as her fingertips smoothed over the skin just above the collar of his pressed shirt. The scent of bourbon and sandalwood flooded her nostrils, she was home again.
Elena was the first to speak. Lifting her head from his chest to look up at him the smallest reassuring smile tugged back the corners of her mouth, "It's almost time. I know you're not ready, no one can ever be ready, but I promise I'll be with you the entire time, okay?"
[Tapout]
“ I know. ” He replies, placing a kiss against the brunette’s head. The embrace was returned, but only briefly. It was time for them to file in for the service now. No. He wasn’t ready for this. He never would be, but he knew it was something that he had to do. Not just for himself, but for Hayley as well. Taking a deep breath, the vampire steadies himself, before taking Elena’s hand into her. Leading her out to where the service was being held at, he found his spot.
As it started, he couldn’t help but to think that everything was stunning. Hayley would have loved this, and he was thankful to be a part of it. Listening to the service, along with all of the speeches, he waited until it was turn. When he was called up, a squeeze was given to Elena’s hand before he made his way to where he was supposed to be. No paper was needed. If Damon was being honest, there was no way he could possibly put into words what Hayley meant to him. That was impossible.
Looking out to the crowd, he caught Grace a glimpse of Grace. Knowing why she couldn’t look at him, made his heart ache even more. Inhaling deeply, he cleared his throat. “ I don’t know how to say goodbye to Hayley. I have been racking my brian to come up with something brilliant to say here today, but the truth is? There are no words that will sum up what she means to everyone that had the pleasure of knowing her. She touched everyone so deeply, that I know she changed their lives just by existing. ” Pausing for a moment, he had to force back the tears that threatened to spill over. ‘ Push through this Damon. You have to. ’ He thought to himself, before continuing. “ She was the other half of my heart. We had countless nights of laughter. Disagreements. Crying. Everything that a friendship calls for, but most importantly? Love. She meant the world to me, and I…. I don’t know how any of us are supposed to carry on now, but. I know that we have to. That’s what she would have wanted. ” Shaking his head, his hands folded together behind his back. “ She was kind. More caring than anyone else that knew. Would give the shirt off of her back to help anyone in need. Loving. Supportive. There will never be another like her. ” Knowing that he couldn’t say much more without breaking down, his throat cleared again. “ I love you, Hayley. Always and forever. Rest easy, beautiful girl. We will see each other again soon. ”
Walking back to his seat, the male grabbed Elena’s hand. He knew this was going to be hard, but the last thing he wanted to do was breakdown in front of everyone here. He said what he could, and that would have to be enough for now. Hayley knew what rested in his heart, and now the other’s got a small glimpse of that. That was enough for him.
[Holy Water]
Elena appreciated his gesture of comfort. Damon was much closer to Hayley than she had ever been but he also knew how empathetic she was herself and that this whole situation had taken its unfair toll on everyone including her.
Next to Damon she took her place. It was quiet, everyone paying their respects to their dear friend whom they'd lost. Each in their own way but somehow they were still all able to come together to do so despite their differences. When it was Damon's turn to rise and speak she released the grip on his hand and allowed him to stand, whispering before he walked up to the front "you've got this. I'm right here."
Not a dry eye in the room, not even her own as the tears welled along the rim of glistening orbs. From her pocket she retrieved a tissue, dabbing it against the corner to soak up the stray warm tears.
There was never an easy way to say goodbye, no matter how many times you lost someone close, no matter how many times your heart broke and you don't think it could shatter any further... you're proven wrong. Whoever tells you it gets easier, they're wrong. She could see that in Damon, in the reflection of his eyes,... those pools of blue spoke volumes if you really took the time to study them. He was broken but holding himself together so well for everyone else.
When he came back to his seat she cupped his hand between both of hers, using her thumbs to soothe the skin over his knuckles. "We will see her again, Damon. And, when we do she'll be even more beautiful than you remember her. I know she's watching and waiting for all of us to meet her there and see how good she looks with her angel wings."
Her lips came planted a lingering kiss against his temple, turning to then rest her head on his shoulder. Quieting herself for the remainder of the speeches and the ceremony but never straying from Damon's side throughout.
[Replique] There was no need for words to pass between them as Elyse helped her father as much as she could. She let her eyes close as he pressed a kiss to her cheek and she exhaled a shaky breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner.” As he stepped to get his cologne, she disappeared down the hall to her bedroom and changed into the simple black dress, nothing flashy and slipped her heels back on. She was back in her father’s room with a fresh glass for him and one for herself. She passed him the glass of liquor before reaching for his arm. Elyse was still numb for the situation, numb to what was happening, but she could, and she would, be here for her father until it hit her. “I don’t know what to say, Dad. I don’t have any words yet.” She hadn’t seen her sister yet, she knew Hope was around and she needed to find her too, maybe then, she would have found the words she needed.
[Blue Blood] No amount of bourbon could numb the pain inside him. No amount of sincere apologies or condolences helped. She was gone. Nothing would bring her back. Not this time. With Elyse standing beside him, he knew he needed to be there for her. She was in a vulnerable state, for a young woman who could hold her own, her dark brown eyes glanced up at him and all he could see was her at the age of five, not wanting to talk in the Christmas play. The words echoed "I don't know what to say, Dad." for a moment he snapped to reality, knowing she needed him there too. As did Hope. Reaching for her, he wrapped his arms tight around her, kissing her forehead. "You don't have to say anything, darling. Your mother knew you loved her."
It was moments later that Hope stepped in, her eyes, exactly like her mothers glanced at them both, her eyes misty from threatening tears. "Everyones here." she said with a sigh, all three of them not ready to face the inevitable, but with strength found from the depths of their being, they did.
Friends and family had gathered in the small room, the casket that held their beloved Hayley was draped in white lilies, her photo in a frame perched next to it. They’d all taken their moments to say something, something that would forever resonate within those around them. Memories defined. Tears flowed freely. Elijah, Hope, and Elyse not privy to the endearing moments, but as the officiant came in everyone looked up. The three of them walked in, one daughter on each side of Elijah. A ghost of the man he once was, he finally mustered up a small amount of strength to see those who had gathered. Familiar faces, some he had know for almost a decade, some who he’d put bad blood aside for. It was heart wrenching to know that they were all suffering in their own ways, but came to pay their respects. The hollow look in his eyes wouldn’t go unnoticed. His skin, more gaunt that usual for an Original. He couldn’t say he felt the pain more than anyone else, but it was eating away at him, and he wouldn’t stop it.
“Such beautiful words spoken.” The officiant, one of last remaining members of the Crescent pack, spoke quietly, his throat clearing gently. “If you all will please follow the family as we take Hayley to her final resting place..”
The words hit Elijah in the chest like a lightning bolt. It burned, pain cascading into every vein he had. But his face was stoic, set in stone as he followed the lead of both Hope and Elyse as they urged him to follow the pallbearers as they gently lifted the casket that held his beloved. The steps were slow and forced. He could hear the crunching of the grass beneath the dozens of friends and family who followed. The massive crypt adorned with flowers was nestled into the willow trees, coming closer into view, only solidifying the fact that she was gone. This was really happening.
The crypt was spacious, enough room for everyone to gather. The black and gold casket was brought in, the candles flickering as the wind shifted. The marble slab on the front of the tomb had been removed, the ornate etching reading her name, date of birth, and the day she passed, as well as a saying that she had always told them as a family. The officiant cleared his throat and looked over to Elijah, whose eyes were fixated on the marble marker. After feeling Hope squeeze his hand, he finally came to, realizing there were tearful eyes on, which in turn caused his own eyes to grow hot with threatening tears. He didn’t know how to do this, but he would do his best.
“To say Hayley was a ‘friend’, is an understatement. She touched every single one of our lives. She was the most selfless woman I had ever had the blessing of knowing. She found me in my darkest moment, and saved me. A woman who put everyone before herself. Even me, when I encouraged her not to.” Elijah drew in a long shaky breath, his voice cracking lightly. “How do you say goodbye to the person who knew you better than you know yourself? The person who could tell something was amiss just by walking into the room, and not letting it go until she got it out of you, and helped you find a solution. She blessed me in so many ways. Allowing me to love Hope like my own, and for giving me Elyse. For showing me what it was like to be loved for who I was, and absolutely unconditionally.”
Moving to the casket that had been brought in, his hand smoothed along the edge, the cold hard acrylic against his palm just another reminder of her absence. She brought warmth and comfort. This was dismal, and ominous. In that moment, his heart felt as though it was being ripped straight from his chest. He found it heard to breathe, even though not needed. For a man who was always steadfast and stoic, he was no longer as such. He was lost. Stopping at the side of her casket, his hand went to shield his gaze from others, the tears flowing down his cheeks, the heat from them feeling as though they were scolding his flesh.
“How do I say goodbye to you?” He choked. “For so long, it was us against the world. We had our mishaps, but we always found our way back. Now, it’ll never happen again. I will never see you again, or hear your voice. The voice that kept me grounded. The touch that kept me sane.” Hands shook, not caring of those who looked on. Elijah would never recover from this loss. “I’m nothing without you. A shell of a man. But I will not say goodbye. I’m a man who has taken on the world it seems, but this is something I cannot live with.” Leaning down, he kissed to the cold black casket, his forehead gently pressed against it. “I’ll be seeing you.” he whispered, leaning back almost in slow motion. The marble slab was effortlessly pushed back by his brother, the casket that held his beloved gently set inside. The ones who loved her the most stood on and watched as the lid was closed and Hope spoke softly, her spell sealing the marble topped tomb.
Elijah stood just a foot away from where she now was resting, the salty tears left glistening trails on his cheeks. “I appreciate each and every one of you. She loved you all.”
It was the last words he would speak to those who joined them in laying his wife to rest. Elyse and Hope were the only two who remained behind as everyone filtered out one by one from the ornate crypt. Moving to the other side, the tomb beside her that was designated for himself was calling for him. After moving the lid, the slate gray casket was opened. His two daughters moved to stand beside him, all three of them looking at the soft white material of the casket lining.
“This really sucks.” Hope spoke softly, her arm curling through the arm of her uncles, her head laying on his arm. She had known Elijah like a father figure for her whole life. “But, you can’t be without her, and she can’t be without you. Just know, we will miss you, both of you.” Elijah moved to hug his step-daughter tight, knowing how hard this was for her, the pain of what she had gone through was slowly tearing her down, but she needed to move on and face her own future. Hope kissed his cheek, her tears cascading down her cheeks as she looked up at him. “Your mother and I love you, please never forget that. This family was our world. You two, you made our world complete. Just promise you’ll come visit from time to time.” He feigned a smile, as did Hope who gave a small nod as she stepped away.
Elyse lowered her head, the sobs that wracked her small frame killed what was left inside of him. She was the light of his world, her existence a miracle. He knew this was hard for her, but he also knew that she would go on to build a life for herself, something bigger than she ever dreamed of. Without a sound, he pulled her into his arms, hugging her close. Her embrace was half clinging, her tears staining his jacket. “Dad, you’re my person. I go to you for everything. I don’t know how to live in this world without your guidance, and your advice. We are supposed to have tons of time…” her voice trailed off when she leaned back to look up at him. Elijah knew a guilt like none other for leaving her but he knew she would be okay. She was a Mikaelson. She was his daughter.
“Elyse, the light of my existence. I will never be too far. You’ll find me in your books, while you chit chat with Renee over beignets and iced coffee. You’ll find me in the waters of Bora Bora, and in the bars of Manosque. Or sitting in my study, quietly observing. I love you, always and forever.” He did his best to smile, even though he was empty inside. But that didn’t mean his words were. He meant every word. He would never be far away. The glistening brought his gaze down, the dagger that Hope and Freya had charmed would end his life, yet preserve his body. He would decay as normal instead of being turned to ash. A sigh of relief slowly escaped as he looked down at the sharp edges, knowing his time on earth was coming to an end. “I love you too, Dad. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, and for our family. Tell Mom hello for us.” If she didn’t do it now. She never would. Her dark brown eyes screwed shut tight, and before Elijah could say anything in response, her arm curled back and sprang forward, the dagger piercing through the flesh and bone of his chest cavity, embedding deep in his heart.
His body lunged back and fell against the tomb, she caught him, her wolf strength allowing her to ease him back just as Hope came back in, her face red from crying. Moving to help her half sister, the two managed to get his body in the casket with ease, the soft gasping heard as they watched.
Elijah could see them, feel them moving his frame, but his body was lifeless. The pain that scorched his veins was welcome, still paling in comparison to losing his wife, but he felt every vile deed, every sin, every heartbreak, every lie he ever told, every evil thing he did was gone. The guilt of his life was gone, he felt nothing but peace in the excruciating pain that was taking over. He didnt make a sound, instead he looked on as though he was looking through a tunnel. The light at the end seemed to get smaller and smaller, his pain fading, and slowly the world began to fade to black.
But before his soul left his body, he felt arms around him. The chill in the air felt needed while the scent of magnolia and sandalwood filled his lungs, and a voice that he treasured softly filled his senses, a sense of tugging on his soul as the last bit of light faded.
“Home.” "our lives were enriched by you, and forever will be."a thousand angels dance around you. i think i'm complete now that I've found you.
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