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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐍.
[𝟏𝟎]. 𝐖𝐄'𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐀
𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐀 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.
【 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 】
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❛ 𝘋𝘖𝘕'𝘛 𝘛𝘙𝘠 𝘛𝘖 𝘗𝘓𝘈𝘠 𝘔𝘌 ❜
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𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐇 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐓 the Salvatore Boarding School, and Nathaniel was quickly woken up by it before instantly springing out of bed. In seconds, the nephilim was met with Doctor Saltzman, Hope and Dorian at the doors of the school. And without giving it much thought, everyone already knew there was a new monster on school grounds by the mirrored looks they promptly had on their faces.

"Sounds like the trap worked," Hope stated.

Nathaniel hummed in response as Alaric clocked his shotgun. They were all out of the school and walking through the woods in a matter of a minute after that. And as they walked, Hope made a scoffing sound.

"I know this is important," Hope started, shrugging slightly in Doctor Saltzman's direction. "But you couldn't put on pants first?"

"It's a little early for snark, Hope," Alaric responded emotionless.

But Nathaniel couldn't help but snort.

"Any guesses on what famous monster filmland we get to slay today?" Dorian changed the subject, bringing in everyone's attention.

Nathaniel smirked. "God, I hope it's something cool like a mermaid- you know, a siren?"

Hope rolled her eyes. "Are you forgetting there already was a siren? As in Sybil. Which didn't fall into the Malivore pit, so she's not forgotten and in return won't make an appearance."

Nathaniel kissed his teeth. "Buzzkill."

And just as that was said, the four came to a stop before the creature that triggered the sound of the bells.

"False alarm," Dorian hummed, getting closer to the animal. "It's just a horse."

Alaric narrowed his eyes on the creature. "It must've gotten out of the stables and wondered across the barrier spell."

Nathaniel shook his head. "Are we forgetting we don't have a white horse?"

Hope hummed in agreement.

And with that, the horse turned to reveal a horn on the center of its forehead. A unicorn. And Nathaniel promptly walked forward, taking a better look at the mystical creature. Sure, it wasn't a siren, but a unicorn wasn't as bad as an Oneiroi or a Merman. Which, the nephilim silently thanked God for.

Then, Alaric clocked his shotgun.

"Wait!"

Nathaniel instantly turned when Hope stood before him, blocking Alaric's shotgun which was now pointed at the unicorn.

"What the hell, Ric?" Nathaniel's face turned confused.

"It's a monster," Dorian quickly stated as he took a fighting stance right next to Alaric. "It's here to take the artifact."

"You're not seriously suggesting we kill a unicorn!" Hope desperately affirmed.

Dorian huffed. "I'm suggesting we don't give it a pass because it's cute."

And that made Nathaniel think. The nephilim turned to look at the mystical horse before returning his gaze towards Alaric and Dorian once again. Maybe they were right. It was a Malivore pit creature after all, and by their track record, things never really went the best way when it came to them. And even though it was cute, it was still dangerous to consider leaving it be.

"They're right, Hope," Nathaniel asserted.

Hope shook her head. "Can we just... leave it alone? It's trapped, it's not going anywhere. It's harmless."

It didn't take more to sway Nathaniel's opinion on the whole thing. "You know, she has a point. If we keep it alive, no more monsters will show up looking for the urn."

Alaric nodded. "So, we stay alert and let it be."

It took Dorian a second, but he nodded with a small sigh. "All right, well, I'll be on alert back in bed."

And with that, everyone was on their merry way back into their respective beds. No thought of the unicorn, or the dopamine-inducing slug infestation that was soon going to be rampant among the students.

Come morning, Nathaniel sat in the library on the couch opposite Landon and Rafael who happened to be in a seemingly important conversation. The nephilim opted with shutting out their shatter while solely focusing on his mystical horse lore. Because even if unicorns were cute, Nathaniel wasn't about to be blindsided by it if it decided on attacking.

"Morning, handsome," Hope smiled gleefully, sitting herself beside Nathaniel before giving him a soft peck on the lips.

Nathaniel's eyebrows furrowed inward, but nonetheless, the nephilim returned the tender kiss happily. "Hey, smiley. Someone's awfully cheery today."

Hope shrugged merrily. "Hmm, just woke up on the right side of the bed, I guess."

"Yeah, I can see that," Nathaniel smiled to himself. "It's cute."

"You're cute."

Nathaniel cringed slightly but kept the smile on his face regardless. "Are we really turning into that couple?"

Hope giggled. "You're so funny."

This time the smile did slightly falter on Nathaniel's face as it all became too strange to him. Hope wasn't usually like this, and something ate at Nathaniel, telling the nephilim something was completely off with the way the tribrid was acting.

But before Nathaniel could make a comment, Lizzie Saltzman made an appearance.

"Good morning."

"How was your trip?" Nathaniel inquired, his attention falling on his sisters.

Josie smiled slightly. "Excellent. Mom says hi and that she misses you. She says hopefully you decide on going to see her next time."

But Nathaniel really, really didn't want to.

Nathaniel cleared his throat. "Yeah, we'll see."

That's when Josie turned to Landon. "Welcome back, Landon."

Landon made a confused face. "Didn't you vote me out?"

Nathaniel rolled his eyes. "Why don't you cry about it, Wednesday? Literally everyone but teen wolf did."

The air turned tense, but Nathaniel didn't really care. Landon Kirby wasn't someone to fight back, and even if he did, Nathaniel was ready to face the kid head on. There wasn't anyone more cowardice than Wednesday Addams, and Nathaniel knew that firsthand.

Though Rafael Waithe was a different story, but the only mutt in the Salvatore School that the nephilim couldn't stand actually kept quiet for once in his life.

"That's all in the past," Lizzie butted in, drastically changing the subject. "Now, is everyone excited as I am about tonight?"

Nathaniel groaned. "I was just beginning to forget that stupid thing."

Landon's eyebrows furrowed. "What's happening tonight?"

Hope slightly chuckled. "The school's annual talent show. All the factions compete," she smiled widely, turning to the twins. "You know, the witch performance wouldn't be the same without you two."

Nathaniel couldn't help but feel confusion at Hope's compliment towards Lizzie and Josie.

"Thank you," Josie smiled.

And with that, a bell rang.

"If I could have your attention," Alaric's booming voice came through the speakers. "Last night we were able to capture a monster here on the grounds. We have everything under control. But given this potential danger, it is with a heavy heart that I must postpone the talent show. Hopefully, we'll be able to reschedule this unique event at a later date."

Nathaniel couldn't help but smile.

"Kind of overkill if you ask me," Hope voiced towards the twins and everyone turned towards the tribrid. "I told your dad that a unicorn barely counts as a monster."

And that was a first time Hope decided on blurting out intel.

"Hope," Nathaniel declared accusingly, heavily disapproving of the tribrid's choice in bringing everyone in on what they already knew.

But Hope just shrugged.

And with said information, it wasn't long before an emergency meeting was called by the Saltzman twins and the dreaded talent show was back on. Nathaniel wasn't happy about it, and the nephilim was even less happy that Hope decided on being so negligent with Malivore information.

Something was off.

"Baby," Hope called out.

And Nathaniel wasn't even sure if that had actually come out of Hope's mouth, or if the nephilim had just imagined it. But the tribrid was looking straight at Nathaniel a few feet into the hall with a hopeful twinkle in her eye.

What the hell-

"We should do a talent."

Oh, hell no-

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "You're joking."

Hope sighed blissfully. "I never wanted to before because I would have had to do it alone. But now, we're a couple. And we make up our own faction."

"I don't-" Nathaniel tried.

But Hope continued. "The tribrid and the nephilim."

And Nathaniel would end up saying yes. Because one tender kiss from Hope and the tribrid holding the nephilim closer to her body would have anyone saying yes to anything Hope Mikaelson ever asked for.

Which brought them to the music room. A room Nathaniel hadn't even been near in years. His musical days being cut short after Caroline decided on missing his solo performances since the age of ten. But if Hope wanted them to sing a duet, then Nathaniel Forbes was sure as hell singing a damn duet.

"I haven't sung a note in years," Nathaniel reminded Hope.

Hope smiled as she reminisced. "You used to be so good. I'm sure you can get back into it."

Nathaniel hummed. "Yeah, hopefully."

There was a small silence.

And Nathaniel huffed. "Are you really sure you want to do this? I mean, I'll do it if you want me to, but you've never shown interest in these kinds of things, Hope."

"I'm happy, Nate," Hope smiled and it almost convinced Nathaniel to leave it there. "I think it's time for me to start to enjoy normal High School stuff, and you should too. Maybe it's time I stop being a buzzkill."

Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. "You don't need to change who you are. I like you the way you are. This isn't someone you have to be if you don't want to."

Hope shook her head. "Nate-"

Nathaniel sighed heavily. "I'm sorry I ever called you a buzzkill and if that's something that's making you think you need to change-but if that's not it, can you swear to me this is something you want?"

There was a small pause as a grand smile took a hold of Hope's features. Nathaniel watched intently as the tribrid got close to him and held the nephilim by the back of his neck. In a millisecond, Hope had her lips on Nathaniel's, and as they parted, the tribrid still hovered her lips over the nephilim's.

"This is what I want," Hope slightly expressed, her voice just above a whisper. "But you know what would be better? If we went and got rid of that urn."

That's when everything made sense.

"I knew it," Nathaniel sighed in relief.

Nathaniel thrusted his palm into Hope's chest before the tribrid could even begin to process his movements, and with the help of the nephilim's telekinesis abilities, Nathaniel held Hope against the wall once the tribrid's back hit it with a thud.

"Nate, what the hell!" Hope exclaimed.

Nathaniel shook his head. "You know, you were pretty off all morning. I just don't know why I didn't pick up on it sooner."

"What are you even talking about?"

"Don't try to play me!" Nathaniel spat as he paced the music room. "Damn unicorn wasn't so harmless after all, huh? What the hell did it even do?"

Hope's breathing picked up. "Nate, it's me. You're acting crazy, just put me down."

And when Nathaniel took a look at Hope, the nephilim noticed her pine green glowing eyes. Which wasn't exactly the best of news the nephilim could have hoped for, but he hadn't expected anything less.

Nathaniel sighed heavily. "God, this is gonna hurt."

"What-"

But Hope wasn't able to finish that sentence because Nathaniel had planted the palm of his hand on the tribrid's forehead. Without missing a beat, Nathaniel sensed everything going on in Hope's body. Perception wasn't a fun exchange, and Nathaniel preferred to do it as infrequent as possible but getting Hope back on track trumped his hatred for the ability.

And like a shockwave, the tiny thing controlling Hope's head tried taking ahold of the nephilim. Neon black veins replaced white and pine green eyes exchanged gold. But it didn't fully engulf him, the nephilim's body quickly rejected it, and before they knew it, a tiny slug fell out of Hope's ear.

Nathaniel was quick to step on it.

"What the hell was that?" Hope inquired with a grossed-out expression.

Nathaniel feigned a gag. "I'm guessing we have a parasite on our hands."

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unedited.
There's a few things I want to talk about:
One, I skipped an episode because,
honestly, Nathaniel wouldn't have gotten
into Alaric's care if it wasn't for the boarding
school, so Lizzie's episode was pointless
in writting from Nathaniel's point of view.
Two, that episode resets everything, so,
Jed will be coming back in future chapters.
Three, I made a manip so you can see
almost slug-infected!Nate, uwu.