RELEASE ME.

What was he going to do? Run away from the conversation? Again. He needed to stop doing that. He needed to stop bottling everything inside hoping that it would never explode as if he didn’t know that his family was great at doing just that. “We did everything for Juliette. I can tell you that, but if the baby is born it will bring more chaos than good. I think deep down even she knows that,” If she thought that she had been given a rotten life then she knew that her child would only get one worse than that. “And about me – well I guess what else could possibly go wrong, right? Last dinner we had like this I was a vampire and now I am a witch. Now I have a twin out there – can’t get anymore insane.” So yeah the thing that was weighing heavy on him was the fact that his cousin did have feelings for Thea, and if he played his cards right he could get her. Not only that but they could actually fall in love with each other. He didn’t know what he hated more – the fact that his own cousin was getting his shit together or the fact that he had no say in any of this.

“No.” The man didn’t know what he was saying. This spell had chosen the worst time to take place. Why was she asking questions that he didn’t want to answer? He hated how he was becoming a cliche. “No, I wouldn’t be able to accept it.” Did he have an option though? Everett had gone out with her sister. He had managed to have a romantic relationship with her and had been certain once upon a time that she was it. Yet just like that he couldn’t accept the notion of Thea dating Jeremiah or anyone; it didn’t make sense. When he had been with Felicity he had to have known that Thea was out there dating experiencing the world, he had known that was a possibility when he choose Felicity. “You left Thea. You left when I put our family first and then I came back to nothing after going through hell, you got any idea how that was?” Everyone wanted him to talk. Wanted him to actually say things so here it was happening. His own tongue betraying his brain. “All I had ever done at that point was love you. We were one in a fucking million.” clasping his hands together, he realized they had never done this. He had never told Thea how he actually felt, no he had just chosen Felicity and closed on a book that hadn’t finished, “This part of my life – you and I – it was solved. I choose you and then everything went to shit. I built a home with you and then I got kicked out and tried it with Gemma and that went to shit. Then I thought well Felicity and I trust each other and we’re honest and understand each other but all we did was fight and every relationship it’s always ended with me always being at fault. So yeah, I don’t want you dating Jeremiah but … I got no room. We got no room with each other. We both fucked up and … just go Thea,” There was no need to finish this conversation.

          “Whether or not she knows it, that means nothing. This is her baby, Everett. Imagine if this was a topic where Mellie was concerned. Juliette is going to rightfully lash out, and have a million and one emotions coursing through her about the situation.” God only knew that Thea would be doing the same if the tables turned; and she herself was able to have a child. Considering their lineage, Jules’ included, it was a rarity where anyone in this life was granted the miracle of life, so despite the challenges that came alongside this, that didn’t make any of these decisions any easier where your child is concerned. “I’m just saying, if the shoe was on the other foot, I’d be the same.” No matter how much the family had, or was able to do for her. Right now, despite their disagreements, family was going to be key, including the one she was creating for herself with her marriage.

          For a moment, Thea had forgotten that the spell was taking place, when questioning Everett in the way that she was. Part of her was thankful, and part of her felt entirely guilty for doing so; and she knew it was something she was going to have to step away from. If Everett wanted her to know these things, then she had to trust he would tell her without being forced to do so. However, that didn’t seem to be the case, as he had already admitted that he wouldn’t be comfortable with the idea of her and Jeremiah giving anything a go, where his feelings for her came into play. However, things were beginning to escalate. Emotions were running riot, and honesty wasn’t going to help the matter, that was obvious in the way the conversation digressed and resorted back to the topic of their past relationship and the mistakes she had made there. However, this was it. This was that break-up conversation that they had been starved of. “I know.” Two words. Two words that she needed him to hear from her mouth. “I fucked up, beyond compare, you think I don’t know that? I’ve never regretted anything more in my life, Everett.” Apparently it was her chance to let the honesty course through her, and for the spell to do its magic. “I loved you with everything I had, and I was selfish, and stupid, and I risked our entire fucking world for a fleeting moment that would ultimately mean nothing compare to the way I felt about you.” A small shrug ensued as she looked down to her hands, playing with her fingers slightly before looking back into the eyes of the man she had loved. “I’m always going to love you, Everett. I’m sorry, but that’s never going to change.” Shit.

         He was right though. She should go. God, what the fuck were they going to accomplish with this? “So, this is it? You and Felicity. Potentially Jeremiah and I? — That’s how our story ends?” Hypothetically speaking, of course. That much was implied in her tone. Knowing that neither relationship was a present circumstance, but it had the potential to resort to such drastic changes. “You’re right. I should go, ‘cause this isn’t going to get us anywhere.”

The man was lost for words. He was still wrapping his mind around everything that had just taken place – he had a doppelganger running around, Juliette was going to lose the child, Jeremiah had feelings for Thea and for once in the past year – past two years he had shown some emotion. Of course, it would’ve taken at a place and time that he forced to have dinner with his family again. Everett would not be able to tell anyone who was the first one to get up from the table and walk out, after he and Thea went back and forth about the lines they both crossed in their relationship he just saw black. Guess this is what people meant when they said that a part of their memory was just taken from them. Somehow he had ended up on a sofa and there was Thea talking to him as if they really had anything to talk about. He knew that he couldn’t. Everett couldn’t do these emotional talks, it had been why Felicity and he had ended because he didn’t have it in him to actually dig that deep for him to actually be one with his emotions. Even her apology was not something he wanted because at that moment he realized he had forgiven her a long time ago. Thea had been the one that had gotten him to slow down to actually stop and be himself. Even if everyone thought that the Adolphs were this fucked up family unit, they had been the one that he had made himself a part of. He had managed to stop enough to build a home in Thea and yes, he had watched that home go up in flames because of her – but he had taken part too. He choose Felicity over Thea. No matter how many times he wanted to justify it – and even if he could, it didn’t change the fact that when it came back to him he choose to walk out and build a home in someone new instead of working on the one he had with Thea. Shaking his head he laughed through his crooked smile before lifting his head up at her, “I’m sorry.” For dating her sister when he knew that to Thea family did matter even if Felicity could disregard it so easily, he was sorry for letting himself buy the narrative that she was this monster for the decision she made during a moment of uncertainty, he was sorry he walked out and place the blame solely on her – not to mention making her keep secrets from Juliette, “But they’re right. You’re single and you can date whoever you want. Jeremiah – he’s a good boyfriend. Wasn’t always the version you know him as.”  

          She shouldn’t have been surprised. Here Everett was, sitting there, telling her to give things a go with Jeremiah, to a certain extent. Thea wasn’t asking for Everett to say anything in particular, but just that they communicated. In any way that they could. And, if that meant he had to sit there and push her away, or they yelled at the dinner table to each other regarding past mistakes; well, she supposed that was what they were now. “This isn’t just about Jeremiah.” This was about everything that became an admission over dinner; including that of the strained relationship between them and Juliette following their discussions. “It’s about everything. You. Juliette. Justus. Jeremiah, yes. But everything.” Hell, it was so fucked up, it had caused them to argue once more over past digressions. So, surely there was something going on in there. Some form of anger, or betrayal, or anything of the sort that she felt he was holding back from. 

           “Are you telling me to give him a chance?” Was that what he was getting at here? It was hard to hear. Harder than perhaps she had liked to admit. Thankfully, this wasn’t a spell that caused you to utter everything that went through your mind, but rather just to be honest when a certain situation or question was presented to you, or she’d be in deeper shit than she’d anticipated tonight. “You could accept he and I together? Dating?” Hell, she wasn’t sure she could even accept it given the history. He’d try to hurt her, and even kill, on numerous occasions, particularly in situations that Jeremiah knew would effect Everett. “’Cause you sounded pretty against it at dinner. I mean, wasn’t that what kickstarted the stupid fucking bickering in the first place?” Her big eyes looked down to the man that she had once loved with her entire heart. But unfortunately, everyone had seen how that ended up, Everett then taking his heart and giving it to her sister of all people. “Talk to me.” If he admitted he wasn’t into the idea, she knew she wouldn’t go there. Not necessarily that it was because he had feelings for her now, but purely for the fact that once again their lives would be intertwined by dating a relative, she would understand. Hell, she had seen and experienced that hurt first hand with Felicity, and she was sure she’d see it again if they reconciled.

Being annoyed by Rosa was nothing new. The witch had an excellent skill of pushing him to ask to be reassigned to another witch but here he was yet. As he grabbed a shirt that was nearby he pulled it over his head, “You know you can’t just come in here whenever you want and demand my attention that is not how this works,” It actually was the opposite but leave it to Rosa to disregard the entire laws of their community. He was up to date with everything; it was news to him to know that there was someone else walking around with his face and body – clearly not a bright one either. The fact that he was rather known for his love mess than his actions proved that alone. At least Juanes was different, there was no love triangle here – no love interest just a string of meaningless one night stands, he was a man after all – well somewhat – there was no need to get into that right now. “Surprised you care enough to come and update me. Of course I would take it more to heart if I knew it wasn’t ignited by pure self interest,”

Landon was someone that he could trust to a degree; he was still young in his art. Not to mention the lad was lucky enough to have never had to deal with Rosa and the pain in the ass she tended to bring here and there. “But by all means, go ahead tell me what do we have to discuss since you want to act like fucking CEO up here in my house may I add?”

          Oh god, here they go again. The minute she walked into the residence, she was greeted with the typical Juanes attitude, something that she had grown somewhat accustomed to since she became his charge. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least. However, she could safely say she was able to trust him. Whether that was because he was assigned to, as part of his Whitelighter duties, or not, well, she couldn’t quite chalk up a conclusion on that just yet. “You’re my Whitelighter, are you not?” There was no real self-interest here. What would she gain from this meeting? However, she was going to allow him the jab. There was no defence on her part, because right now, they had matters to tend to, and topics to discuss. Most of which he was surely aware of, but considering all that the town was being subjected to in such a short space of time, she knew that this was just going to spiral out of control, and proceed downhill until they were very much in the eye of the storm without a real plan of attack. “Stop complaining. I’m here to help.” Shuffling on her feet, she rolled her eyes before making herself at home, rising from the sofa, and making a few strides towards her unwilling host. “So, about your supernatural-non-biological- twin,” she began, a smirk crossing her lips as she once again came to the topic of discussion that had brought her here, “so, how much do you know about him?” She had done her own research, but she was positive he’d have more to supply. “How are you handling that?” Was that genuine concern? Or was she masking her own selfish needs? Either way, she was curious. Tobias was in town, and ultimately, he was her main concern. Above even herself.

          “Oh, and what exactly are the Elders up to? ‘Cause you and I both know more is going on here than meets the eye. We’re not here to protect Jeremiah for no reason.” There was surely more to this than had been disclosed. Granted, she was doing her job, and what was asked of her, ultimately she trusted Landon and Juanes. But, her spidey senses were tingling here. “I know you know more than you’re letting on, Esteban.”

Juliette was still wrapping her head around the entire mess that had been dinner part of her wanted to believe that Jeremiah was telling the truth about everything; about the part that for once in his life he had actually fought for her, that he was not here to take the coven away and that hell he was here for Thea. At least she had managed to get herself out of there before the truth ended up spilling out of her mouth which was something that would be dangerous for everyone involved. At least when she was home she was around her husband, who by a pure miracle she didn’t really lie to or keep things from. Maybe that was why they worked against all odds.

Yet avoiding everyone before she told them that she really did want to murder Everett and Jeremiah and the idiots would mistake it as an order and just like that world war three would start was a tiring job. Yet she managed to make it into her own apartment she tended to stay at when avoiding the world, of course Thea would remember this place. Which wasn’t going to favor the original werewolf. There were so many untold half truths in their friendships and if the wrong question was added this would end up bad. Tilting her cup of coffee up, her shoulders ended up dropping, “Somehow I doubt that is the smartest thing to do,” There was no need to bring out the fact that she had been hurt by her actions even if they made logical sense – or that she was terrified that she was going to lose the child and then in turn lose Miller.

          “If you’re just gonna sit there and rip me to shreds verbally, honestly, have at it, Juliette. Take advantage of this spell if that’s what you wanna do.” Maybe it would be the best thing for them? Or the worst. But, right now, it was all they really had to work with. Both of them had their roles in his lifestyle, and whilst they made decisions and conclusions outside of their friendship, sometimes it would impact the other in one way or another. Unfortunately. that much was inescapable when you lived in the world that they did. However, that didn’t make their apologies any less sincere. “I know you’re angry I knew about Jeremiah. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. But, Everett asked me not to — anyone else and I would’ve told them to go fuck themselves, you know that. I’m sorry.” There were far more pressing issues at hand than her dynamic with Everett, so she wasn’t going to go into that, but she didn’t need to. Juliette knew Thea better than most people, they’d had a friendship that had spanned far longer than most had been alive. “Have you checked into what he said at dinner?” About the cover. About her child. He and Everett had ran into quite the display of power where Jules was concerned, and she wasn’t going to stand for any of their shit, she made that much very well known before the evening came to a halt. “Tell me how I can help.” If she’d even accept it, at this rate. But was she ever one to admit defeat with the ones she loved? Unlikely. Unfortunately for Jules, she fit into that very category.

To be fair – not that anyone would take it into account, Scott had told Liam he had to make a choice sooner than later. Now here they were in the later, Tess was now engaged to Theo and Liam was pushed to Ellie, either way it didn’t sound like the ending he had once thought would come to be. Maybe this was the end of their group. Or perhaps Liam had managed to do what ever man dreamt about and avoided making a choice.  “Baby?” He raised his eyebrows in confusion as he took the gesture in and placed his bag down. After visiting his lovely family members at home he managed to stop by and bump into Maisie then that took a while and one would think he had been able to come back straight home but he had decided to pay a visit at the rehab center to check in on his band mate. The man was still pissed off to say the least, but Scott knew the road that he was going down too well to let him go any further.

“You’re making dinner? – should I have the firehouse number on speed dial? If you were trying to kill me, Celeste there are easier ways,” He teased her as he walked over and pushed a loose strand of her hair off her face before planting a forehead kiss on her. “As much as I want to do this – think you might want to check in on Liam since you know Tess’s engagement party is tomorrow and he might need a threat to show up to the event,” Scott would probably cave and just join him with a 6 pack as they drown their sorrows in the booze, luckily he couldn’t complain when it came to his love life – somehow Celeste and he had managed to figure shit out.

          “Yeah, you heard me.” She smirked slightly, before rolling her eyes at his obvious confusion to the matter. “I was testing the waters, seeing how it fit. Not sure we’re the pet names couple, though. But hey, it was worth a try.” Admittedly, it came down to the moment. Sometimes one would slip from her lips, and in all honesty, she didn’t hate when he had muttered such words of affection towards her in the past. However, it wasn’t really a large part of their dynamic and their relationship as a whole; it was the small gestures, sure, but more so the physical. Much like the way he proceeded to tease her, but he countered that with the small play with her hair, as he tucked it behind her ear. “Hey, you’re gonna eat it, and you’re gonna love it. No fires in the process, and no poisoning — but only if you behave.” She teased further, before laughing off the matter. Unfortunately though, it looked as though their evening may be put on the back burner, as obvious frustration coursed through Scott, leaving her to realise that perhaps their relaxing night in wasn’t going to be quite on the cards just yet. “God, what the hell happened now?” As far as she was concerned, Tess was going to sort matters out over a civil lunch to talk things out. But that being said, she had yet to check in on how that thing went, considering it was only earlier today. 

Tess exhaled as she stared at Liam, she was making this so easy for him and yet he refused to take it. Was it true what people said about males? That they did not know what they wanted till the option was taken? Here Liam had been given all this time to make a choice and now there was no more time remaining and he wanted to act as if he had a real choice to make. “I want you to say thank you, you know? That could be a damn start,” Her frustration broke underneath the composed exterior she had, and even as the words had the only thing to change was the slight shift she made on her chair, she couldn’t start a scene. Dear god, she refused to give this town anymore drama with her name on it. She was tired of her name on everyone’s lips. That had been why she hadn’t invited him over to her house because what positive spin could there be for her inviting an – somewhat ex to her house while she was engaged? “I mean this weight is taken off your shoulder and not even by you. Now we can go back to being friends. We can have some sense and not just keep doing the awkward dance we’ve been doing for years. I mean, yeah a thank you would be nice right about now,” Reaching out for her water she brought it back towards her as her fingers grasped around the glass for support, “Yes.” That was what he had to do, it wasn’t even that complicated was it? It shouldn’t be at least not for him, “I need my best friend back and if you would’ve told me that kissing you and going down that road was going to make me lose you I wouldn’t have done it, Liam. This – I’m done with this. So you can either finally decide to show up and be my best friend and I don’t know if you want to date Ellie you can bring her – but your love life is all yours now. I’m out of it. So the ball regarding friendship and letting the four be what we used to be is on your court.”

          “Fine.” It was all he could muster. No other words in the English language were present, nor fitting to the situation. Did he mean it? Of course not. “I mean, whatever I say to you is basically being ignored anyway. But as for the engagement party, I think it’s best I don’t go.” He needed some time, was that too much to ask for? She was asking him to be involved in the wedding, and that was a large ask even for him. Liam had always been the type to be selfless and give into other’s requests of him, but this? This was too much. He had essentially just sat here and admitted who and what he wanted, and he was rejected. She had moved on. Tess was going to get married, and there was little he could do about it. He had obviously waited to admit his feelings for too long; but he was put in an impossible decision. The woman who up until this point, was the love of his life, and his person. Someone who he had developed feelings for. How did a man make such a decision when also battling their own personal demons from their many tours? He’d seen men die. Hell, he’d nearly been one of them. So, the onslaught of PTSD was also embedded deep into his psyche, how could he commit and conclude his emotions for a woman whilst coming to terms with that? But did anyone stop to actually fucking ask? God forbid, no. Instead, he now came across as the asshole who just didn’t make his mind up where two women were concerned. Either way he was going to hurt someone, and that much wasn’t something he was used to. When had Liam ever been in a situation like this before? He didn’t talk to enough women to ever have been faced with multiple connections. That was usually Ellie’s thing, and something that Liam dealt with by proxy, and on the other side of things. “I don’t have anything more to add. Think we should just call it a day, Tess.”

“I want a quickie.” She enunciated every word in the sentence  as her eyes locked with his. The thing about the years with Axel was that she had learned to banter a lot better than she knew at the start of their relationship, “I am more of a kitchen sex type of girl or the bedroom, sometimes the plain classic is good enough,” Had they ever done it on a bed? Been that simple and pure? Both of them led lifestyles that probably would’ve never allowed them to do that, at least not that she could recall, “Actually an apology would be nice. So go on – start it off. I can help you. You usually start them off by saying something along the lines, I am sorry … and then you add some language to that. In your case you can start by saying that you’re sorry for being an idiot that doesn’t know how to hide guns before going into a public area,” She commented before tilting her head to her left, her best side in her honest opinion, smiling at him. Not hesitating for a second, “Actually the gun I traded it for a plate of tacos at Juan’s food truck. I am out of cash so I did what any girl would do when faced with a terrible dilemma,” Did she really have to push his buttons? Not really but did she enjoy to yes. It was a complicated relationship to say the least, Axel was never in the mood for anything so Ezri just had to create them at the time, it wasn’t like he was going to actually fuck her right then and there – a girl could only dream nor was he going to have an honest conversation about their emotions. What would happen was there would be an exchange of banter and then he would be on his way till someone managed to take a shot at him and make him slow down enough for Ezri to take notice he was still alive. “No – more like me being in love with you but knowing that the moment I say something with some substance that you’re going to break out of here and leave a giant hole through whatever wall you decide to escape and ignore any sense of real conversations or emotions, should I get out of the way? Because I do love you,” she took a couple of steps as she made the doorway path clear – Just make sure you don’t step on the avocado tree when you run out. I actually been working really hard on that.” 

          Everything that Ezri said, all words, were immediately erased as he stood there, anger building at her idea of making a joke out of a situation that he was not taking lightly. On any other occasion, he would be sure to give her the quickie she so desired, but not when he was here for one sole mission; to retrieve his gun. “You best be fucking joking, Ezri. ‘Cause I really can’t be bothered to deal with your shit right now, and if you honestly got rid of the thing, then we’re going to have a problem.” It wasn’t a thread. Because at the end of the day, despite everything, he wasn’t about to harm her. Not physically, at least. However, that much came to a blow anyway, more so on the emotional state, as she stood there confessing her love for him, and that even after everything, she still found some part of him that was worth caring for. He couldn’t tell if she was honestly that naive, or just fucking stupid, at this point. They weren’t anything more than a toxic lie that evolved into some form of a relationship; something that was also a fraud from his point to an extent; even if he admitted his feelings eventually grew to be more than the lie he was forced to sell for the sake of his sister. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” He almost yelled at her, his voice firm and obviously frustrated. Not to mention he was completely caught off guard by the sudden bombshell thrown in his direction. “I don’t deserve your love, so how about you just keep it and get back to fucking Kevin?” Of all the god damn times she wanted to get back into this cycle, she chose now? When he was here to warn her of the danger she was in where his uncle was concerned? God, and that was before anything even happened between the pair. Could you imagine if the man caught wind of the entanglements still being very much a present thing between them? “We can’t keep doing this, you’re right. We never should’ve done it in the first place, Ezri. This doesn’t work. I’m too fucked up to even contemplate anything more between us. You know that as well as I do.” She deserved far better than Axel Luther.

The Grill – they had not lied to him when they had said that it was the place that everyone ended up going to. In just the couple of hours that he had been at the establishment he had managed to meet more werewolves, witches, and other supernatural than he had thought. It truly was a beacon, which explained why every time something happened it could always be tracked down to this lovely town. “I didn’t think it was the smartest thing to offend the town in front of someone that is probably a native of it, you know? My mother did teach me a couple of manners,” Before you know she tragically died and he was raised by Rosa and his other siblings; there was a bright side to being the youngest male in the family. “Really? What managed to bring you back into town? Family?” Wasn’t that the reason that people tended to throw themselves right back into danger? That was a sentiment that he could understand. If Rosa told him to go to hell with her there would be zero hesitation on his behalf, but then again that was based on a real sibling relationship that had not been tainted throughout the centuries that they had been alive. “I am, just came in a couple of weeks. Funny enough I was given that little tip and I thought that person was being dramatic, clearly I had no idea what I was dealing with and I might have to call it a night,” Which was pathetic considering it was just eight at night, “So for a new comer what would you recommend? What are the level one places around here that won’t make me want to go home and watch some shitty reality tv show with my sister?” 

          A man in town that possessed manners? Well, colour her shocked. Was he a god damn unicorn in a sea of freakin’ snakes? Either way, he made a far point. “I’ll give you that. It’s just a foreign concept ‘round here.” She admitted, knowing that whilst it had been a few years since her last visit to town, she knew it’s residents pretty damn well at this point, and the types of people that this place seemed to lure in. “I don’t really have any family, sorry for the downer there, but I guess my surrogate family, of sorts.” And by that, she had meant Justus. Sure, their history was complex, and even now, something she didn’t fully understand, he was still very much her person in a lot of ways. He was one of the few that really knew and understood what made Hannah tick. As a human. As a witch. And, perhaps even as a vampire. But, he hadn’t really known that version of her; she wouldn’t allow anyone to. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the same doe-eyed woman that this town had once known, her transition made sure of that. And now? Well, she had mostly come to grips with whoever, and whatever, she was. “Well, as a newbie, I’m not sure you should be subjected to a lot around here. But, you could maybe handle the coffee shop just around the corner. It’s quiet, and the tea is pretty fantastic.” Not to mention that if she recalled correctly, they laced it with vervain even to this day; so unfortunately she was no longer able to indulge in the liquid, but she had recalled the herbal tea being pretty damn delicious at the time. “And if that doesn’t take your fancy, well, I think maybe you shouldn’t graduate from your hotel room just yet. Maybe give it another week before you brave The Grill, or Town Square though?” There was a part of her that just wanted to warn him to get the hell out of dodge whilst he still could, but could a stranger really get away with that out of nowhere? Not to mention she wasn’t about to try and compel the man, not when she didn’t know who or what he was.

         It was later that evening, and she had yet to address the situation with Jeremiah directly. Knowing she had to get this out of the way, she proceeded to head towards his room within Everett’s place, an odd circumstance in itself considering her history with the home owner himself. However, despite not believing a word he said, Thea knew she needed to at the very least have that conversation with the male first hand; even though parts of her did question whether or not he held any sincerity. But, there was the truth spell still ongoing right now; it was just whether it actually did anything to him specifically. Knoking on the door, she didn’t really wait for much of an answer before walking in, abruptly, at that. “How the hell did you think that was going to go in your head, Jeremiah?” She questioned, eyebrows cocked in confusion as she honestly stood there, curious as to how he really saw all of that playing out. Not even necessarily the topic regarding her; but the entire meal as a whole, really. Taking a seat at the end of the bed, she looked across the room at the male, before running her fingers through her long locks, a deep sigh escaping her briefly before she brought herself back to reality. “Answer me one thing,” she began, eyes peeled on the man in question, before she continued seconds later, “why me? I’m not saying I believe you — but if you really do feel any which way about me, tell me why. Prove your point.” Hopefully his words would hold some conclusion for her. But he was well known for his mind games, so there of course was no real justification, but the attempt was there.

         Well, that was a bit of a shitstorm, right? Of all of the topics of conversation that the dinner party could’ve gone down, the last thing that Thea anticipated was that she would be dragged into this mess more so than usual. Jeremiah had claimed to have ‘feelings’ for her. Sure, there was a truth spell, but it wouldn’t be difficult to comprehend that he’d found a way out of such true vulnerability. Meanwhile, his admission had caused some tension to erupt for the first time in years, where Thea and Everett were concerned. The pair bickering from across the table as each came to terms with the circumstances; and just where Jeremiah intended to go with this. But he and Justus were right; she was single. If she wanted to give him a chance, she was more than able to, and there should be no judgement regarding it. However, there was one opinion that mattered to her. Even now. Everett’s. So, making her way over to him as he sat himself on the sofa, she perched herself on the coffee table opposite him, sitting against the solid wood as she looked down at him. “I’m sorry.” It was loaded, really, with more than one reasons behind the two word sentence. She was sorry for coming back. For leaving in the first place. For the bickering at dinner. For him and Felicity’s demise. “Everett—” Words immediately caught in her throat, knowing that this was going to be a difficult conversation for the pair of them; and it was unprecedented waters for the last few years, where their relationship was concerned. “What Jeremiah said... I need you to talk to me. I need us to not shut this out.” Something she was sure they were both capable of. Sweeping it under the rug. However, if there was ever a time they needed to be on each other’s side, it was now, and ultimately, he was her best friend at one point in life, right?

         It was the following morning, and Thea had ensured she let Juliette know she was on her way before her arrival. It was no question of whether or not things were strained lately. Both with them, and with their families. But, she would hope to explain her most recent actions and choices to her best friend, but of course she wouldn’t be pushing her excuses down her throat, because at the end of the day, she stood by said actions to a large extent. Nonetheless, things needed to be addressed, and more so to check in on her friend after the dinner party they had both attended, and the news Jeremiah had shared regarding her child.

         Knocking on the door quickly, she then proceeded to wonder in as she door seemed slightly ajar. “Jules?” She called out softly, before heading towards the kitchen area, knowing that any pregnant woman was bound to be in there at a time like this. Not that she would personally know or understand, of course. That was a luxury she was not granted, due to her status as an Original Werewolf; children were always off the cards, and after the news of her friend being pregnant, she was just looking forward to another baby in their fucked up world; a bright spot in all of their darkness and turmoil. “Think we need to talk.” She muttered, eyes immediately falling unto the brunette before her.

          Since their arrival into town, it seemed as though Rosa and Tobias were to be thrown in head first; but that was just the way the witch liked it. There was no time like the present, and with that, she had immediately done the recon required to fully understand what she was getting herself involved in. Fucking chaos — that’s what. Jeremiah Clark, recently returning from the dead, and someone with whom she was instructed to protect by Landon, a Whitelighter. So, she obeyed. Sure, he was there to help her when needs be, but ultimately, he worked for the Elders, and what they said went. But, what she did also take note of, was the fact that news had been shared via the witch community that Juanes Esteban was not merely as normal as a whitelighter seemed, in retrospect. God forbid. No, he was a Doppelganger. Why? And for what purpose? That had yet to be established. However, what she did know, was that it was of the cousin of Jeremiah; Everett Clark, formerly Conners. So, despite their love and hate relationship, she had resorted to sharing the news.

         Unlocking the door, she walked right on in, no real patience about her as she made her presence known. “If you’ve got a woman here, get rid of her. Or man, for that matter.” She begun, walking into the living area as she sat herself down comfortable on the sofa. “We’ve got things to discuss.”

          Matters had calmed down since the rumours of Scott cheating on Celeste, and their only issues as of right now, were that of how to deal with the obvious tension between Tess and Liam. Sure, it was none of their business, but when had that ever stopped any of them in the past? They were the NJBC, after all. However, where her relationship was Scott concerned, generally speaking, things couldn’t be more solid or going much better, which was an odd sentiment in itself, considering their rocky history. If it wasn’t their exes, jealousy, or the paparazzi getting involved, it was probably familial entanglements. So, upon waiting for Scott’s return home from visiting friends, or so she had assumed, she had prepared a meal for the two of them, in order to spend some much needed time together.

          Upon hearing the door slam, anticipating her arrival, she wondered over, greeting him immediately, the smell of their meal breezing through the air. “Hey, baby.” She muttered, not usually one for the ‘pet-names’, but sometimes she was just unable to contain herself, embracing the cheesiness that came alongside them, before pressing her lips softly against his cheek in a ‘welcome home’ gesture. “I’m making dinner, figured we needed something for ourselves tonight.” And by that, she meant that neither of them would be playing host to whoever else wondered through that god damn door. Not tonight.

“Ah yes – here we go.” Juliette wasn’t the same, many would place the blame on her husband but the reality was that she was coming on her own. The witch was no longer holding back on the account of others and she had been enhancing her own magic behind everyone’s back. She wasn’t going to be a tool or some chess piece in this game anymore, “As much as I really want to stay stuck on this Thea Jeremiah and Everett triangle that you’re about to embark on we all know that is not the complete reason that you are back,” It couldn’t be. Jeremiah was a lot of things but he was not an idiot. “Thea is always going to have Everett first – she’s not even with him right now and she kept his secret from me – her best friend and the one who you have always threaten to kill because you can’t get over your jealously that I am the better witch in this entire family,” Everyone wanted to assume it was because she was the child that should had never been born – blood from the Clarks and the Mikalesons. A weapon that should’ve been destroyed from the start as Everett had said this made her switch over to Everett, “You want me to sit here and fucking say thank you? You were 18 – guess what? Jeremiah was 18 too – you want to recall how old I was? fucking 15 while you two ran around idiots. You fucking walked out and you – well you hated me and never told me the truth. So if either one of you think I am just going to say yes come right in and lets’ hold hands – fuck you both,” How many times had she managed to set aside her own feelings – her own concerns for these two idiots. “You two lost wives that you didn’t even date or marry for a year long. You popped out kids and then sent them to the elders. Neither of you know what love is. Neither of you know what it means to put someone else above yourself and want the best for them. I am your damn fucking sister and cousin – the one that has been there more than Felicity – more than Thea – more than both your fucking corpse wives and kids and none of you lifted a finger for me. Instead you both let Esther and Victoria use me as a dog toy while one of you ran away and the other killed everyone because he was terrified to feel anything. I was beaten, abused and raped. So no. No to this shit. We are not family till you two prove I can trust you. And mark my words if either one of you steps foot in my coven I’ll kill you because as of today you two are just people I used to know,” She had to draw the line somewhere. It was not as if she had come in and decided she would do it here. Pushing herself up from the table she placed her table cloth down at the table ready to excuse herself, “As far as Thea and Justus – I’m fine with them – because unlike the other people at the table they can actually owe up to shit and not just show up time after time just wanting shit and stabbing me in the back. Trust me you don’t want to start a war with me.”

No one could truly fault Juliette for feeling the way that she did. It had been his fault that her life had gone down a certain path. Jeremiah watched as his sister after centuries of just doing what was expecting and bowing to Esther’s or Victoria’s will broke the family reigns from her. If it had been any other moment he would go as far as to say that he was proud of her. Proud of the woman that she had become but right now really was a shit time for this independent validation thing that she was seeking. “You are correct at all counts of that but in order for us to be family you are going to have to be able to give us room to prove to you that we’re actually here for the family this time and not our own pride,” or agenda as everyone that was sitting around this table was probably thinking that they were. “Just like I did not expect Thea to believe my words regarding my declaration but everything that I am saying is the truth. In case it was lost on some of you I can’t really lie right now even if I wanted to. If I really was here to do harm to any of you I did not have to make my presence known. It would’ve been easy to just mess with you all and make you all wonder who was the one throwing ripples into your affairs. Instead I made myself present and I am dealing with honesty. Not saying I am perfect by any means but I am here to prove to everyone that I have changed.” Even if no one was going to give him the benefit of the doubt he was not going to the same monster that everyone expected him to be. “I put everyone in danger. As you can see I have not been the best brother to Juliette and that does not mean that I do not love her or care for her. I do. I guess I let my childhood mess influence me greatly and I stopped taking responsibility for the shit that I have done, but if I really had wanted anyone on this table to be dead I had my chances. Believe me,” he had once held all their fates in his hands and had spared them. That had to count for something, did it not? 

“Do you not think I have kept awake knowing this?” He replied to Juliette, there was a reason as to why he had never been able to forgive himself. “What the fuck do you want me to do for you to see that I am sorry? I can’t keep doing this shit with you and Felicity over and over again. Even Jesus Christ only had to fucking die on the cross once,” He was being unfair to his cousin, this was perhaps the first time that he had actually openly apologized to the woman for the coward that he had been. Before he had just told third parties about his emotions and had never come straight to the person but it felt like he had been trying to pay his debt to this his entire existence. When he had become a vampire – that had been the first time that he had felt at ease with himself. It probably had been the reason as to why he had finally allowed himself to be in love with Thea, why that love had been pure and innocent all in one. Because Everett had been able to love her without the constant guilt of the coward that he had been to his own blood. “We’re not going to go after you. You are one of us and even if you have to be angry right now to process this we are still going to be here when you return,” Because that was who they were after all. They were always there for each other even if they were the worst family in the world. As his attention was turned to Thea he was unable but to look away from her, he wanted to be able to read what was going on in her head – how did she feel about this? Thea had been alive and been forced to watch Everett and Felicity be a thing was this his turn to watch her be with his cousin? If Jeremiah was happy would it not be worth it? It was not often that Jeremiah actually liked someone nonetheless loved someone. Could he say anything regarding it? “Proven otherwise? So what you’re going to go on dates with Jeremiah and see if he can sweep you off your feet?” What was it with Thea and Juliette wanted to be proven shit? 

Justus had managed to stay quiet in all this – all thanks to the fact that he had just kept shoving food into his mouth and hoping no one would ask him shit because honesty – well that was just not something he could afford at the moment. How the fuck did he have this rotten luck where not only did he have one dramatic fucked up family but he had two? Could someone adopt him please? Again where the fuck was his loyalty at? Was this going to become the normal? Was Everett going to go back to Felicity and Jeremiah and Thea and then Juliette and Callum? Jesus his head was hurting, once he felt all the eyes on him he looked up and placed his spoon down, “What? The potatoes are good – not going to let food waste. Look you all have fucked up when it comes to Juliette and none of you can be good leaders at the coven because well – look around – need i say more? So maybe let her run it. Get your shit together and then come back and be the fucking family you need to be. You all know you can because Jeremiah has his powers back now that Mellie is gone. Everett you can work shit out with Felicity if you want or just keep avoiding her. Thea you can stay here or run away – yall just need to figure shit out on your own and not be running a coven. The only one with a good head on their shoulders right now is the one standing up – and honestly if Thea wants to date Jeremiah then let her. Last time I checked she was single.” 

This wasn’t easy for Tess. This was Tess admitting that she had put on a good fight and that it was time to surrender. Not like anyone could ever tell her that she had not fought for love, because she had. Sitting in this table and extending an olive branch just proved how far she had gone for love. “It’s fine,” Which it was, she was not going to stay bad at Liam, they had both done things that probably were not the most noble ones and both had chosen to go one way and not the other. It never was the right time and now there was nothing here. Now she was engaged to another man and Liam was dealing with whatever he was. He hadn’t come to her – which hurt her. Before they decided to share bedsheet between them they had been best friends. They had been able to look at each other and tell each other everything and he didn’t just walk out on her in the romantic sense but he did so in the friendship which made the wound twice as deep. “The normal? Well lets see Celeste and Scott are actually a fucking solid couple. Scott isn’t running away from his demons and Celeste isn’t the insecure cheerleader – they grew up,” Which was more than what could be said between the two of them right there, both stuck in a sea of emotions that were never going to be settled. A relationship required to two people and Liam – only God knew where Liam was going. “What I want? Ah Liam, we’re way past what I want,” She had finished medical school, one would think Liam could’ve decide how he felt between all this years. “I am not saying that this is all on you. I guess I should’ve fought more. I shouldn’t have kissed you when I did. I knew you were trying to figure things out with Ellie and I just wanted to get my ex out of my sister and we used each other I guess. I think we have to – or are you really ok with just not having each other in our lives? We both know this story ends with you back with Ellie and me married. It’s okay.”  

         Liam didn’t comment on anything that Tess had uttered. Instead, he sat there in silence, contemplating where on Earth this conversation, and this ‘friendship’ was going to go, moving forward. It wasn’t in any direction that he truly appreciated, he knew that much. And, despite what Tess was spoon feeding him, he was positive it wasn’t what she had truly desired either, but things had changed. She was getting married. Not to mention she was adamant that the story between himself and Ellie wasn’t quite over yet. What she didn’t know was that he had truly come to terms with how this was going to end, and it wasn’t with the woman he had grown up loving. Ellie was everything he wanted for himself, and she always would be. But she wasn’t what he needed. Not right now. He wasn’t the same man as the one when they were together. The world had changed him. And not necessarily for the better, unfortunately. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Tess.” If he did, he was sure he’d oblige and give into her sentiment. Did she want him to sit there and be honest? Or would she rather he give into her suggestion and just bottle anything that had once occurred between them? Including any feelings either of them had once harboured. “Scott and Celeste have it easier. It’s not the same. You know that. It’s not like us. Hell, I was engaged, and now you fucking are.” When had Scott and Celeste ever had to overcome such a dramatic plot twist with regards to their own relationship? Sure, they had other trials and tribulations, but not quite to that level. “So, did you want me to sit here and tell you I’m just peachy with us being friends? And that, hell, I’ll bring Ellie to your wedding and we can all play happy families? ‘Cause that’s not gonna happen here.”

She was not even going to ask how he knew where she lived – or how he had managed to pick the lock. These questions were completely lost between the two of them because life had managed to make them become these versions of people. The last time she had seen him at been at her table and sure she had helped him out but she had done it was painful as possible. As she finished her spoonful of nutella she placed the jar and spoon away before looking over at him, “You’re saying thanks? Now I feel disrespected. I thought you would at least stop for a quickie – you know we would yell at each other and then have hot sex and swear it’s the last time we will do it – you’re getting soft on me,” She taunted as she leaned on the sofa, god she had just talked about this a couple of days ago. How she wanted to say one thing and then ended up with another. Yet she still believed in them, she still had not given up on them. How was that fair to either one of them? And as she was about to tell him the soft sweet nothings that she had been thinking he brought up the gun; which was enough to throw her back to their reality right now, “Now what makes you think that I am actually going to give you your gun back? You show up at my work place and make me go against regulations – not to mention I didn’t mention your gunshot which I am supposed to do and you think I kept the gun?” Which she did, god damn she really did surprise herself with the things she did for this man. “What kind of shit are you into now?” Hey she had to know if he was going to die; maybe if he actually did die she would be forced to move on – is that how things would work out? Getting off the sofa she walked over at him, standing right in front of him, god he had aged so much within the last years but her favorite features were still there. His kind eyes, the way his mustache hairs managed to go the opposite ways – hell the curve of his nose – jesus. “How much long do you suppose we can keep doing this?”

Justus was the one to break the silence – man they should’ve seen this shit coming. When had this family ever been able to have a dinner and not have something explode? When had shit not come to some stupid blow up? Sure he had dragged his feet when it came to coming here but he still ended up showing up and he was not able to figure out if he had been here because of Thea or for Juliette. So there was another man that looked as annoying as Everett? Man was that going to be a thrill for everyone in town and what was he? Was he a witch as well? Was he a werewolf? What the fuck was going on in this world? His laughter could be taken in so many wrong directions and yet he knew he was among family people that could easily know that his laughter truly was the only thing that he could have done at that point. On top of this Everett mess Jeremiah was in love with Thea? Was there not enough humans in the world for people to get new love interest? Were there not enough other individuals that Jeremiah could try finding love? “Well at least we don’t have to do another shitty season of the Bachelor,” he commented knowing that both his sisters were probably glaring at him. “If you think about it, it only makes sense for this to happen. Now Everett can fuck Felicity and Jeremiah and Thea – jesus next thing you know I am going to be getting engaged to fucking Christal,” Why the fuck not? Clearly if you didn’t get right on your own you went for your family members seconds. He had heard about the Juliette situation but losing the baby – well anyone could’ve seen that one coming. A Miller and Clark baby? Had Juliette not learned from her own childhood? It was best to keep mute on that topic considering the damn fucking truth spell.

Someone had to break the silence – at least it hadn’t been Thea confessing her undying love for Jeremiah. The witch knew she was being unfair to Thea; here she had told Miller that Thea had done the logical thing and that she held nor resentment towards her but the truth was there was still some hurt in knowing that she hadn’t been open with her. It wasn’t rational but when had emotions ever been rational? Now here she was in front of mashed potatoes and turkey being told that she was going to lose the child she had in her because of an action she had taken; an action that been against her entire existence. The woman hated how she had decided to change right then and there. If it hadn’t been because she was well aware of the honesty spell intact she would probably have just gone forward with her alternative ending to this dinner, “Do you really expect us to believe you when you say you have been harboring feelings for Thea? How many times have you tried to kill her? Or just used her as some common slut reference for Everett?” There was no disgust behind her emotions, she was not taking either side but it was hard to believe that her brother was in love with her best friend. Sure Everett and Thea had always been a thing since she could remember but when had Jeremiah ever held back on account of anyone else? If this was true she was going to need a detailed explantation of this. “If you’re not coming for the coven how the hell do you expect to stay alive? You realize not everyone is going to clap their hands and put down their stakes because you want a shot at love? This isn’t Jeremiah’s flavor of the month – no offense to Thea. I mean – Fuck Everett are you really just going to sit there and not say a single fucking shit?”

“Well what the fuck do you want me to fucking say Juliette? I am not here to fucking clean the messes you and Jeremiah decide to throw out – or do you forget it was another dinner just like this that you two forced me to activate my powers? Always sitting up and mighty up in that throne must have made you get some fucking amnesia,” By no means was Everett innocent in this shit hole but the news that his cousin was in love with his Thea, yes his Thea because up to a certain point he had never seen her as anything but that and that was coming from a man that had never thought of himself to be possessive and this was not him admitting that he had feelings for her but his reaction – this anger that just building in the pit of his stomach when Jeremiah utter those words made him realize clearly he needed to get a lot of shit figured out. Perhaps hire one of those expensive shrinks and what not. Now here were Juliette and Justus making jokes about the situation – not that he faulted him. “Just a note Felicity and I happened organically it’s not like we just decided we wanted to fuck with everyone involved in this shit. Thea fucking left with a surfer man when I went to fucking hell – she walked out so this is not the same,” It wasn’t. When had Jeremiah even had one interest in Thea? Had he been blind to it? Was Jeremiah really back just like that for Thea? Would Thea even go? That was when his eyes met hers, fuck – would she ask for his permission and just like that he wished he had been the one to fucking die and not deal with this – well whatever one could actually call this. “As for your answer as to who will protect Jeremiah – all of us. we’re a fucking family it’s about time we start acting like it. I’m fucking sorry Juliette Rhea Clark,” his octaves raised in frustration but every word was laced with honesty, “I am sorry that i as eighteen years old and I didn’t fucking want to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am sorry that I left Jeremiah and you exposed to the madness that comes with our coven but did you ever stop and think about the madness that had been dropped on me? The demons I had to deal with that it was just too much feeling this fucking magic through my veins that it drove me to change my name and identity? That makes me triple guess myself? Do you have any idea what I had to do to spare you? You think you had it hard? You would’ve had triple if I hadn’t walked out. I gave up my wife. I gave up my chance to raise my kid. I killed two fucking covens, Juliette and had to keep this all from you to spare you. I kept your power tamed because Esther and Victoria wanted to kill you? And you Jeremiah? Let’s not talk about how at the same time I kept running I kept protecting you. So yeah I am sorry but maybe it’s time to put the past in the past and trust each other because we’re all here. We came here – so if Jeremiah wants to find love then go ahead but don’t come here and just choose Thea because you want to fuck with us.” He refused to believe Jeremiah had real emotions towards Thea. 

“Well that apology is about a couple centuries late,” as he reached over and grabbed the green beans and scooped himself a couple of spoonful of the food he listened to his siblings – yeah his actual siblings all throw a fit about what he had said. No one was in any sorts of ring of fire so it was going a lot better than he had initially thought that it would go and he hadn’t even dropped the other bombs on them you know the one about the darklighters and how Mellie was actually never going to return to the earth and had been taken up with Isabella and her powers had been distributed towards all of them – you know minor things that were not as important has his emotions. Maybe one day he could look into doing stand up comedy because he had a knack for it. As Everett finished his very deep little speech, which clearly had been copied off some TJMaxx cup he decided to finally say something, “At least Justus knows when to laugh,” was that a terrible stop? Why yes it was, and yet he was going to go with it. Did he think he had an actual shot with Thea? absolute not. Not because Everett but because he was aware of how Thea would act, the woman clearly still was loyal to one Clark and it was not him. “I think we can all calm down. Thea is an actual person and does have a say in all this. Not like we’re talking about cattles here and I never said I would act on my emotions. The truth just spill,” That damn spell that had managed to be casted out wasn’t doing him any favors. “At the end of the day Juliette, we are family and we have all managed to backstab each other here and there throughout our history. Families that live this long tend to have that in their history. I am hoping that you meet me halfway here and give me back a spot at the coven not the lead – you can lead the coven but we should all be a family and lead the coven together bring some unity to this place. We’re going to need it for what is coming.” Placing his utensil down he was able to take a serious stance to show that he was not joking nor was he trying to pull one over them; though he was sure his siblings as well as Thea were going to need time to realize that he was no threat for any of them, “My feelings for Thea are real. They’re not based on trying to hurt you Everett. If they were I would’ve mentioned them earlier when I had more things up my sleeves. I have nothing here – nothing to win and nothing to lose. As far as I am concern Thea’s love life is not any of your concern considering how you walked out on it as well. Takes two to make a relationship work and two to make it fail. You out of everyone at this table should be aware of that.” 

         The drastic turn of events was enough to give anyone whiplash at this point. Everyone’s input to the situation was coming in full swing too, apparently. Apparently she wasn’t the only one with genuine concerns as to Jeremiah’s honesty, or possible lack thereof. The response that was of course causing her the most confusion was that of Everett’s. His main concern was pointing out that he and Felicity were an organic union at the time of their relationship, whereas Thea had departed and potentially forced him into that situation. Part of him wasn’t wrong, but any details of he and Felicity’s relationship was always going to be a bitter pill to swallow, even though it had been years since he and Thea were together at this point. Whilst Jeremiah defended his confession towards Everett, Thea couldn’t help but turn her attention towards him, slightly surprised with the way he was addressing the situation, and talking sense in regards to two making a relationship work. Not to mention that, he made a fair point in regards to when he could’ve unearthed his ‘feelings’ towards Thea, should he have wished to do so in a malicious intent. “Jeremiah—” she cut off, coming to terms with what she was even going to respond with before doing so, “you realise your words are essentially meaningless right now, right? Juliette wasn’t wrong. You’ve put me in danger on more than one occasion. Can’t say that’s what people do if they have ‘feelings’ for another.” Clearly he had skewed vision where that was concerned. And between then and now, when the hell did he have time to develop said feelings? And how? She wasn’t going to comment on Everett’s tie to this. She wasn’t allowed such a notion, after all, without being called a ‘child’, or ‘selfish’. However, her glance did divert to his once more, eyes locking onto him in desperation and confusion, hoping his sight could ease and calm her somehow. “But, you’re right about one thing, at least. I do have a say. Nobody is going to make any decisions for me where this is concerned. That being said though, I don’t believe a word that is coming out of your mouth. Until proven otherwise.”