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__________________

Go my friends and fetch the Friend to me
He stays away, he lingers wantonly
He'll try and say he'll come another day
Just ignore that and fetch him anyway.

- Rumi, The Friend

__________•__________

the next day
New Orleans

Adelia pressed the soil lightly around the newly potted plant with her hand and moved to tend to another plant. Scraping the tight soil to make it loose, she watered it and got up. The witch craned her head to see her grandmother and Elijah hurrying to the gates, the matriarch appearing quite anxious.

Deciding to see what the matter was, she walked towards them. "Are you looking for father? He left a while ago," she informed them.

Sharel smiled at her granddaughter, "Your hands are untidy. Go wash them." She glanced at the Original and nodded, "Elijah, please assist her. I shall take care of things here."

"I can wash them myself, grandmother," Adelia said, confused.

"I was not asking Elijah, dear. I was telling you," the Beauchêne witch gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"I will escort Miss Laurentis," the vampire diffused the situation and guided a very confused Adelia to the backyard.

"What is happening?" the young witch asked him as soon as they were out of Sharel's sight.

The Original scooped a pitcher of water to pour it over her hands in silence. As she rubbed her fingers to get the grit out, the witch removed her ring to wash it properly. He averted his gaze and the silence continued.

She refused his handkerchief when he did not answer and with a glare, rubbed her wet hands all over her blue gown in defiance. "Where is my father?"

"He will be here soon," Elijah spoke just as the carriage arrived.

Adelia moved to walk towards it when he gripped her wrist tightly. "Pardon?" she gestured to his hand. He immediately spun her around, her hands at her back within his grip and she frowned. "What are you doing, Mr. Mikaelson?"

She struggled against his frame as he refused to loosen her hold. The Original used his heightened senses to listen to the footsteps entering the house and left her hand.

"Why are you doing this?" she questioned.

When the sound of the carriage leaving the house reached her ears, she glanced back and her mouth opened in realization. The heir looked back at the Original, "Grandmother wanted you to divert my attention."

Elijah took a step towards her and she took one back, "Trust me, please."

"I will never forgive you!" Adelia shouted as tears blurred her vision. Taking several steps back, she turned around and hurriedly ran inside the manor.

___________________

"Is Rebekah settling well?" Elijah asked his wife over the video conference.

"Not much, but she's managing," Adelia answered and closed a book on the table with a sigh.

"You do not look well, Adelia," the Original noticed her exhausted form.

"My head hurts," she informed him.

"You shouldn't hurt at all," he said, very much worried.

"I am aware. This town is cursed," the witch reasoned, massaging her neck.

"Are you certain you are alright? You shouldn't be left alone in this state if father is ought to arrive soon," Elijah told her.

"It's fine. Where is Nik?"

"Niklaus has gone out to hunt. Apparently making hybrids is very tiring," he rolled his eyes.

"I never knew he would find snapping necks quite bothersome," Adelia chuckled and Elijah hummed in agreement. "Look who's here," the witch beckoned from the door as Asher strode in and walked towards the coffee table where the laptop was.

The dog got on his front paws and poked the screen where Elijah was visible. He barked at the demon who had a smile on his face.

"Adelia informed me that you were missing my shoes," the vampire said and the dog jumped to the couch. Adelia sat him in her lap and pulled the laptop closer.

"Say hi to Elijah, my love," the witch caressed his head when Asher whined and prodded the screen with his nose, sniffing the demon in the flat entity. The demon did not smell like him. Who was that man? Had the sweet demon found another mate who looked just like the demon?

"That creature is astonishingly silent," Elijah mused with a smirk when the dog's ear perked up and he barked at the vampire. Yes, the man was his demon. He stood up on the couch and pawed the screen repeatedly.

"No, you will not do that," Adelia admonished the pet, moving the laptop away from him. Asher followed and continued prodding the demon.

"Spoil him more and he'll destroy everything," the Original said and the four-legged specie barked happily, wagging his tail.

"You should not lick this!" the witch exclaimed, pulling the dog off the device as it clattered to the floor. Asher started spreading drool all over the flat entity as Elijah grimaced at the sight.

"I shall take my leave. You have a nice day trying to discipline your prodigy," the older vampire smirked as Adelia pulled the dog in her arms.

"Of course, I am sorry," she apologized and picked up the wet laptop.

"Take care," Elijah smiled and looked at Asher, "Do not disappoint your mistress."

The dog guffawed at the statement as if the servant status of the couple would ever be elevated. He barked at the vampire when the demon disappeared, leaving him distraught.

"Now be a good boy and play with the ball. I need to clean the laptop," Adelia stated and Asher stared up at her with big black eyes. "Those eyes do not work on me, dear."

The dog sat down with a thump, keeping his face over his front paws. He missed the demon's leather shoes.

___________________

The young woman entered the parlour and stopped in her tracks. "No. Please, no." She took a step back when her father appeared with Jasper's body over Rafael's shoulder.

Her friend looked solemn before he laid his cousin over the sofa and the witch slowly walked towards them.

"He was shot," the Desmond informed her, his eyes red and swollen and Adelia glanced at her father who took a deep breath.

"Oh, did they give him morphine? He once told me that it numbs the pain and makes a person fall asleep," she sat down beside him and stroked his hair.

"He is no more, Lia," Rafael continued and her hand stopped as a tear fell down her eye.

She touched the wound on his stomach, seeing the blood coating her hands and shook her head. "He promised me before he left," the Laurentis heir murmured.

"It's going to be alright, dear," Sharel came forward to take her granddaughter away.

"He promised he would always stay with me," Adelia continued to murmur.

"Of course. Come, child," the matriarch touched her shoulder and the young witch tightened her grip on her betrothed's hand.

"He promised he would always stay with me," she caressed his face and kissed his hand.

"Rafael, he shall be buried in Seattle," the Laurentis patriarch ordered and watched his daughter murmuring the same thing repeatedly. "Adelia," he called out which soon went ignored by the crying girl, "Adelia. Come with me."

He gently gripped her hand and made her stand before guiding her out on the porch.

"He promised me, father," she muttered again.

"Promises do not end with death, child," Arnold stated and she broke down in his arms. He let her cry, patting her head. "He did not mean to break his promise, Adelia. He will always stay with you, in your heart."

"He lied to me," she cried, tears falling heavily as the patriarch wrapped his arms around his daughter. The emerald betrothal ring suddenly felt heavy on her numb fingers.

___________________

"Klaus tells me that you're short of useless," the heretic said, clutching the phone between her ear and shoulder.

"The hybrids are his business. I have chosen to not interfere," Elijah replied as she zipped open an empty bag.

"I do not know what to say," she told him exasperatedly.

"That I am doing the right thing?" the Original mused.

"It is commendable, but do not make it seem as if you're rejecting his efforts. He craves appreciation from you."

"Of course," he sighed and she entered the closet to stop in her tracks.

"I will call you in a bit," Adelia hung up instantly without an explanation and stared at Asher chewing off a shoe. "Wat did you do?"

The dog's ears went up and he came rushing to her with a leather shoe between his teeth. He dropped the footwear near her feet as her eyes went to the shelves housing Elijah's shoes as none were in their designated place, all gracing the floor with globs of drool over them.

"You destroyed his shoes," she mumbled under her breath and looked at a sheepish Asher. "Go and sit in the corner." She pointed out the closet towards the bedroom. The dog stared back and whined, swishing his tail on the floor. "You are being punished. Go there and sit quietly and do not move unless I tell you to."

Asher blinked his big black eyes, hoping the sweet demon would reconsider. He loved the demon's shiny hard shoes-they were perfect for his teeth and soothed his itchy canines and gums.

He wouldn't admit but he missed the demon-they had fun banters.

"Are you listening? Go," Adelia said again, a little louder and the dog went away reluctantly. He moved to climb the bed when her voice stopped him. "Not the bed, I said corner."

Asher looked back at the sweet demon who did not seem so sweet now and dragged himself to sit in a dark corner. He glanced at the photo frame of the not-so-sweet demon and the demon and whined sadly. He knew the demon would never punish him like this. Where was his now-favourite demon?

___________________

A few hours later

Klaus saw her walk inside the house and smiled. "You are really here, Maeve"

"You needed my assistance," Adelia replied.

"Did you see my hybrids?" he enquired with a grin.

"Yes I did, but I don't want them around my house like ninjas."

"You do not want them around?" the grin on his face disappeared.

"I would prefer if they are inside the house and not stalking poor rabbits and ants," she clarified with a roll of her eyes.

"Care for a drink?"

"No thank you, it's injurious to the liver," Adelia quipped.

"We are vampires, little witch," Klaus tilted his head in amusement.

"You are annoying," she huffed and entered the kitchen.

"Same to you too, love," he exclaimed behind her.

Adelia pulled a carton of gelato from the freezer and kept it on the counter. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a spoon when a pair of hands wrapped around her waist before moving her hair from her shoulder.

"I missed you," Elijah said, kissing her nape.

"Did you close the door?" she asked him and he hummed against her skin as she turned around to kiss him squarely on his lips.

"You did miss me," he said in between the kisses when a bark interrupted him. The Original looked at Asher near his feet, "I know you missed me too."

"Where is Klaus?" Adelia questioned her husband.

"In the lawn, hopefully, scrutinizing his life decisions," he quipped.

"He certainly thinks one of them was to take you along for the adventure," she replied.

"I have no love for his hybrids."

"Sad," she pouted, "but we are going to share a meal with them. Be cordial." The witch kissed his cheek.

Elijah frowned, "Why was I not informed?"

"I will admit that I prefer not having them around our house, but with Nik's insistence, they will stay here for the night. I will never refuse our guests some food," Adelia explained. "They are here to stay, Elijah. Just get to know them."

The Original sighed and left the kitchen, Asher trotting after him-the demon was a much better companion than he cared to admit.

___________________

"So how are you all enjoying your immortal lives?" Adelia started as silence prevailed at the table set in the backyard later that night.

When no one spoke, Klaus sitting beside her cleared his throat.

"We ditched the pain of turning. I suppose everything's good," Adrian, one of the hybrids replied.

"They have not been introduced officially," Klaus stated and Elijah, sitting on the other side of his wife, discreetly rolled his eyes. "The beautiful lady here is my brother's wife, Adelia-"

"Which brother?" the baby hybrid scratched his head.

Elijah threw a disbelieving look at Klaus for his creation's stupidity. "I am the said brother," he iterated.

Adelia kicked his foot under the table and he flinched.

"One more special member here is Asher Laurentis, Adelia's beloved pet. He is not a meal," the Original hybrid continued with a smile as the dog stood up on the tool. "And do not underestimate this creature. He is very smart."

"I shall be taking my leave. I have an arrangement to get to," Elijah stood up and kissed his wife's cheek. "Please enjoy yourself."

Klaus watched his brother leave with impassive eyes and Adelia squeezed his hand. He turned to her and gave a small smile.

"If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to approach us. But first, please introduce yourself," she said with a chuckle. "Nobody will question my impeccable memory tomorrow."

The others laughed and Klaus stared at the witch silently throughout the dinner.

___________________

January 1862
New Orleans

"You are a liar!" Adelia sobbed when Elijah entered the house. Seeing him here after weeks brought the grief back in. She rushed towards him and pushed him back, "You said he'd be fine!?"

"Adelia," Arnold immediately reprimanded. "Take a step back. Your behaviour is extremely improper."

"He is to blame, father. Elijah lied to me!"

"You will cease your disrespectful behaviour immediately and apologize to Mr. Mikaelson," the patriarch ordered and Adelia on accord took a step back and fled the room.

The witch closed the door to her room with a bang and her hands immediately went to her hair to pull out the pins, roughly discarding them on the floor.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she unzipped her gown before working on unlacing the corset herself.

As she stood in front of the mirror in only a chemise and tangled hair, she looked at her emerald betrothal ring and a wave of anger washed over her. Adelia tried to pull off the ring with shaky fingers to no avail and seeing her unsuccessful attempt, threw a glass lantern across the room as it shattered with a loud flitter.

Glass crunched under his feet as Elijah peeked through the open door before he glanced at her. Observing her state of undress, he moved to leave when his gaze met Adelia's. The Original took a deep breath before he entered the room, closing the door behind him.

"I suggest you calm yourself," the Original offered and took a step towards her when she took a step back.

"He is dead! He promised that he will stay with me forever!" Adelia shook her head and swiped the tears away from her face.

"I am certain he wished the same," he told her in a soft voice.

"We were supposed to be married. I loved him!" Her fingers tangled around the drapes around the bed and pulled it off roughly as it tore off the bedpost.

"You should not let the emotions get the better of you."

"So you suggest I be like you?" The witch frowned in disbelief. "How am I even supposed to compare our virtues when you do not even feel?" Adelia raised her voice and then suddenly it all went silent. "I gave my heart to you and you crushed it on the notions of my adolescent self and my misguided affections and you talk about emotions?"

Elijah was speechless and he slowly took a step toward her and she retreated the same.

"I had no idea of what I was feeling. You were offering such intimate gestures that I had never experienced and it scared me. How did you want me to reciprocate? By having no emotions?" Her voice quivered as tears continued dribbling. "You were cordial with me one day and went on to ignore me for a week. I was a victim of your unabashed treatment for months, Elijah, and I do not get the right to feel?"

"You do not know what love is, Adelia," the Original replied, his jaw clenched.

"If you do know what it is, then why did you put me under such apathy?" she asked and he avoided her gaze.

"You do not understand, Adel-"

"I do not wish to understand anymore! My affections are mine to command," she said and gestured to the destroyed room. "This is how I am feeling presently and I will exercise my authority over myself."

"This is not right, Miss Laurentis," Elijah requested her.

"I will proceed however I see fit. You do not control my emotions and you do not control me."

His eyes took a hard gleam and he took a step forward. "But he is no more, he is dead and I will never die."

Adelia's eyes instantly met Elijah's. "How dare you?" she punctuated, walking towards him.

"Admit it, my love. Your love for him was conditional. He will be forgotten just as easily," he said impassively and she looked at him in horror.

"It was not," her grief-heavy voice replied as she shook her head in denial.

"I may not control your emotions or even you," he took a step within her arms reach, "and yet you have chosen to forgo your grief for your betrothed, to surrender where your heart takes you, wherever I decide to take it."

His lips twitched at her dumbstruck expression as a tear fell from her eyes. "You have become delusional, Mr. Mikaelson. You have lost your mind."

"I do not exploit an emotion such as love, but tell me, Miss Laurentis, do I not have control over you?"

"No, you do not. I refuse to give you such any authority over myself!"

"I was trying to protect you! I am still trying to protect you," he exclaimed and gripped her arms.

"And I do not wish to be protected!" she replied, tugging her hands.

Elijah pulled her closer, his hand at her lower back to cease her actions. "I ardently desire you," he bent down to whisper into her ear, "I am not the man people believe me to be, Miss Laurentis. I am a selfish being and I have always desired you."

Adelia stilled and she turned her head to look at him when he cornered her against the bedpost making her gasp, the wood digging into her spine.

"And I choose to save you and I choose to protect you. I will always protect you, over and over again, repeatedly and what does that say about me, my love?" He tilted her head to look her in the eye, "Does that not give you power over me?"

"Stop this charade, please," the witch harshly said and moved to get him off her when he tightened his grip. Adelia's breath hitched as she felt the contour of his body against hers and looked at his collarbone instantly to avoid looking him in the eye.

Elijah looked at her intently, "I never indulge in emotions that can shatter me and yet, here you are, so radiant and precious that I want you only for myself."

"I hate you," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

"I know," the Original replied before caressing her cheek with his knuckle.

When her wet lashes fluttered open, he was no longer there.

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last edited: 01/2024