ofmoonlitmagic

[ofmoonlitmagic]

Taking care of his mother wasn't a question. Making sure she ate during a long shift brought Briggs often up to the hospital, long after he was no longer there to be admitted for anything. After his trip, he had nowhere better to be than back with his Momma. "Hey, it smells delicious, so I won't be offended if you don't say me."

It had been a moment of impulse to stay away, but by the looks of all that was packed for them, it maybe hadn't come entirely as a surprise. "A married man, can you believe that?" He laughed as she took his face in her hands, meeting her gaze and nearly apologizing before the look reflected back at him assured him it was not needed. He held her tight as she pulled him in, murmuring, "it was perfect, Momma. Just me and her again." If anyone knew the entirety of what that meant to him, it was her. As he finally pulled back, he had one thing he had kept from the texts because he wanted to show her. "The wedding ring's pretty cool..."

keelin malraux ✦ briggs mikaelson // (@ofmoonlitmagic)

Upon receiving a call from the emergency room that she had a visitor, Keelin soon finished up her rounds before sprinting to the department, knowing exactly who it was going to be. The grin that she wore was unmatched, only growing wider upon those suspicions being confirmed. Bonus points for the food in his hand. “I don’t know who i’m more glad to see, you or the takeout.”

Whilst she was kidding – mostly, she was thrilled to see her son back from his trip. Taking the bag from his grasp, she set it down onto the counter before taking both of his cheeks into her hands and placing a mom like kiss against his forehead, "let me look at you" she hummed, pulling backwards and inhaling a deep breath before wrapping her arms around him and pulling him into a tight embrace. “Oh my baby boy, I wanna hear everything.” 

#( thread | keelin malraux. ) #( keelin 004. ) #( briggs & keelin. ) #// I LOVE THEM.

[ofmoonlitmagic]

He still remembered the first time waking to her scream. That time he had jolted upright and not been entirely sure what to do at only sixteen years old. It had never been a question for him to get up and go to her, help her in any way he could, in whatever she would let him. Her whole life had been a series of people who didn't understand her, who gave up because it was 'too hard' or whatever, and those were people Briggs would never understand. There was beauty in everything she was, and he would spend his life loving all her little things. He wouldn't always get it perfect, but he'd keep trying, keep being right here. They didn't leave each other, that's not what they did.

Resting his forehead against the side of hers, he remained close as she assured him in return she was fine. He knew the toll this took on her, even as she was more concerned with his well-being and the woman in her vision than her own. "It's okay if you're not," he murmured. It had not escaped him she was more reckless than she'd ever been since coming back, as if she had something to prove, as if none of it mattered after dying. The worst thing that could happen did, and...she was living like it. Right now, they had to figure this out, but they couldn't ignore that forever. "A lot of spells are in Latin so probably," he murmured, before nodding as he promised, "yeah, we fight for her."

Her lips against his cheek brought a warm smile, resting his hand against her leg as they stole just a second to be with each other before they went on their rescue, detective mission. "I love you," he repeated, "and that means everything. Going to bed with you and waking up in the middle of the night with you, it all reminds me how much I love you. I will always love every part of you. And I will always see you." His hand slid around her waist as she brought hers to his jaw, knowing what this meant to her without her needing to say the words, though she did. "You're welcome, my love. I told you you were life, didn't I? I meant it."

Her smile said it wasn't a joke in poor taste, and that she got it. One of many reasons this was the woman he married. "I mean, I could pack us up real quickly. Not gonna lie, our trip might have spoiled me a little. No pressure, but we could have some good excuses to take a few vacations." With a kiss to her temple again and then tilting her back before capturing her lips, he teased once he broke it, "you've got to focus, geez, this is important." Stealing one more kiss before he rose to his feet, throwing a shirt and pants on he was pretty sure was clean.

Her eyes said everything, spoke to him in ways not everyone could. He didn't want her to go, that deep ache of a fear he couldn't quite quelch still in his bones, but he knew she would not be able to see what a beautiful thing her gift could be if she didn't see the life they were saving. Lifting her up in his arms, he carried her through their doorway before running full speed toward St. Anne's.

It wasn't until they were close enough he stopped and set her back down. He kept a distance at first, the element of surprise was always beneficial with the OEA. Listening, he murmured, "I hear voices. Okay, here's the plan: you grab the witch and I'll take care of the OEA, alright? Three is nothin', I can do that in my sleep."

They had remained tethered to one another in both life and death and everything in between, so this was to be no exception. The way that he was with her, the way he looked at her and took such gentle care, only proved that he was with her entirely. Never once did she fear that he would grow tired of her, resent her for everything that he was forced to endure with her, not like the others. She trusted wholeheartedly in him and in their love – true love that would never falter. No matter what they would be forced to face, it would always be together. There had been countless times that she had fought to spare him from this, but to no avail because he would always be there to catch her when she felt herself falling. He knew her better than she could ever know herself, knew what she needed. Understood that she needed him and she understood that it wasn’t one sided. He himself had endured his life without and she would fight with every ounce of her strength and beyond, to ensure that would never happen again. 

Her hand lifted to rest against the nape of his neck, teasing through his hair as a sign of affectionate gratitude and reassurance. “I’m okay” she promised softly as her breaths began to steady. “It’s the OEA” although, that didn’t need to be said because it always was “maybe three of them?” Whilst she wasn’t certain of the technicalities of intervening with death, she knew that they at least had to try. Why else would she be a siren of death, if not to intervene? “The woman -- she was saying something, I couldn’t make it out. Maybe Latin? Whatever it is, she’s fighting. So – we go fight for her, right?” 

As he returned with the water, she eagerly accepted before leaning into him again, tilting her head as she brushed her lips against his cheek, her touch lingering as she murmured, “thank you, baby.” Leaning back just enough to look at him, her eyes carefully studied each feature, in complete awe as to how he could take something that she considered to be the worst of her and effortlessly turn it into something so beautiful. “I love you” she whispered, adoration etched into every word “and I love the way that your mind works, the way that you see this – see me.” Lifting her hand again, she gently grazed her fingers against his jaw as she inhaled a sharp breath, he was taking back the narrative of her own curse and for that, she would forever be grateful “I really mean it, Briggs, thank you.”

Each reassuring touch, each gentle kiss kept her grounded, her very own anchor working his magic as the pencil continued to glide across the page. She nodded as a slightly amused hum eased from her lips, murmuring “right – good point” his joke – as always – was perfectly timed and a subtle smile tugged at the corners of her lips, “maybe we could manifest that. I mean from what I hear some of those Disney characters really have it coming.” Her anxieties were imminent to dwindle as Briggs held her gaze, trusting in him and his abilities completely. If anybody could save the OEA'S victim, it would be him.

Even if his expression only lasted for a second, she could tell what he was thinking and without words, she offered her protest through eyes alone. She needed to see this through just as much as he did – the idea of him going into this on his own, not sitting right with her either. Following him as he pushed away from the bed, Billie shuffled towards the edge; gaze never leaving his as he drew from the power of the ring and his eyes shifted towards their supernatural hue. Her hands reached for his as she was pulled into a standing position and she gave a confident nod “always. Lets save a life.”     

#( thread | billie mikaelson. ) #( billie 011. ) #( briggs & billie. ) #// i LOVE this for them

[ofmoonlitmagic]

Long before they were married, the world had been something they tackled together. Often misunderstood, they'd found understanding in each other, and there was nothing as beautiful or as powerful as that. Even in the nights she had wanted to slip away to spare him her reality, he'd reach out a hand and keep her close. He had known a world before her, with her, and after her, and he knew which he'd choose every time. This was part of her reality: her gift as much as her curse. He was in this with her until the end of time itself, and it was the easiest choice he could ever make.

His heart ached beneath his chest to see her in this state, the way it affected her, the horrors words would never describe to full impact. In the same way he'd never managed to accurately convey what it felt like to twist, contort, and shift organs, break every bone, he knew that even he would not be able to fully understand the deaths she'd seen and felt. He would remain present, try to find the beauty in the gift and ease the pain of the curse as best as he knew how.

"You see the forgotten, in the moments where someone wants to feel least alone," he reminded her, catching her gaze, "if we can save one, I think it's worth trying...and that will never be anything to be sorry for. Your heart is the biggest, most beautiful thing I've ever known, and this has always just been more proof of that for me." As she began to draw, he went over to the mini fridge he kept in one corner to grab her a chilled water bottle to ease the sting in her throat before again returning to her.

He watched her movements, the drawing taking shape as she drew almost trance-like. Running his fingers through her hair, he pressed another kiss to the top of her head as she leaned into him. "Yeah," he agreed, "definitely the church. I mean, if I were gonna murder someone, I wouldn't pick a super happy place. But who knows, maybe you'll send us to Disney World someday." Maybe not the best time for a joke, but it was unfortunately his way. "Well, lucky for her, I'm pretty fast," he mused, wiggling his ring finger before adding, "faster now." He thought for a half a second to suggest she stay here, an urge rising to protect her from any threat, but she needed to see this through. Rising from the bed, he held out his arms for her as he drew on the power of the ring, the full power of the wolf rising to the surface as it shifted the hue of his eyes. "Ready to stop a murder?"

As subtle as they could sometimes be, the signs would be there long before Billie would fall asleep, which meant that Briggs could anticipate what threatened to come as well as she could. Billie wasn’t, nor ever had been a heavy sleeper – having spent years training herself out of it – or more so, fearful of what would follow if she allowed it. Whenever the banshee was restless she was restless and before the premonitions came, she would often begin to dissociate, fiercely grappling at reality. Whilst Briggs hated not being able to prevent the episodes, she hated that he had to endure them with her and as selfish as it made her feel, she was so, so eternally grateful to him, for the fact that he refused to let her go through it alone. 

Her fingers were twisted into the bedsheets now, her forehead and chest dampened with beads of moisture as her breaths became labored. She tossed and turned and incoherent mumbles faded into whimpers as she experienced whatever cruel reality was destined to unfold. Whilst the premonitions didn't come every night, there was consolation within that thought – but it wasn’t a schedule that only tormented her when she was unconscious. It wasn’t uncommon for visions to plague her during the day either, but where death granted her no relief, her husband did. 

Her eyes began to flutter as she eventually came too, her throat raw; lungs aching from the intensity of the sound that had fled them. The room was spelled, protected from damage and yet another thing that she was eternally grateful for. Never once had he tried to change her – instead, he adapted himself to her reality – another reminder of just how unconditionally loved she was. Leaning into the kiss against her temple, a weary hand rose to rub against her throat and although she knew the words weren’t needed; never once asked for, it wouldn’t prevent her from whispering them, heavy as they were “i’m sorry.”  

Billie often wondered how much of her artistic talent was just that and not some manipulative tool for the banshee to use to communicate. Where her voice was lost, especially after the release of a wail, she could sketch everything that she saw – everything that she was living. As the sketchbook was silently handed over, she was reminded again that nobody would ever love her the way that he did, nor as well as he did. Even in moments like this, he could achieve the impossible and still make her smile.

Half of the time, she didn’t realise that she was doing it until the sketch was complete. Her hand gripping the pencil intently as some subconscious part of her mind began to draw and those drawings were most likely a therapist's worst nightmare. After a few silent moments, she glanced down at the page, releasing an unsteady breath as her body leaned into his for support; fatigued eyes then finding his again “--- that’s the church, right? St. Annes? Why do these places always have to be creepy?” A crease formed against her brow, her free hand resting against his thigh as she recalled her vision. “It’s a woman – a witch, I think. We don’t have much time" a sigh escaped her lips, reluctant to add "she doesn’t have much time.”

#( thread | billie mikaelson. ) #( billie 011. ) #( briggs & billie. ) #// married crime fighters lmaoo

[ofmoonlitmagic]

( @fragmcntedsouls | billie. )

He was aware of her always, even--and maybe especially--the way she stirred in the bed. With his enhanced hearing, he had started to pick up the subtleties in his wife right before a scream, usually waking him before the piercing sound ever could. He hated more than anything that there wasn't a cure for this he could find yet, no ring he could give her to let her rest with complete certainty she would not wake from nightmare or vision. All he could do was insist she stay, that there was no need to sleep separately to spare him anything. He would take the sleepless night over one without her.

The other thing he could do was, in moments like these, take action. Sitting up, he kept voice calm, pressed a kiss to her temple to comfort her, "what'd you see, baby?" Eyes darting to check sage was still burning, though the silence throughout the home was indicator enough it was working, he hopped out of bed to quickly grab her sketchbook and pencil. Flipping to an empty page blindly, he returned to her side and handed it to her within seconds as though his feet had barely touched their bedroom floor.

He may not be able to cure this, but what he could do was stop them from coming true. Her scream was a warning, and as he had always said: she wasn't death, she was life. She didn't have to find the bodies; she could save them. They were going to learn together how to do that.

#( thread | billie mikaelson. ) #( billie 011. ) #( briggs & billie. ) #// new thread new name let's gooo

[ofmoonlitmagic]

( @oconnellthebrave )

Leaving his wife to get a little more sleep, Briggs wandered down to grab some breakfast to bring back for her. As he sipped some coffee, he heard a noise and went to check for Billie but found someone else. One who still brought a smile to his face, though this held a hint of smugness. "Good morning," he greeted.

He was used to wearing rings, but not on this finger, so it was still a consistent reminder this was real. Billie was upstairs, and she was his wife. He tapped the metal against the mug he held in his hands as he commented cheekily, "these therapy appointments just get earlier and earlier, huh?"

#( thread | camille o'connell. ) #( camille 004. ) #( briggs & camille. ) #// i'm so sorry cami lmao

[ofmoonlitmagic]

He hadn't been back all that long from his own spontaneous marriage adventure when Abel showed back up at the compound. There had never been a second he blamed him for getting the hell out of dodge, and in fact, he'd been grateful when he had missed the gala. Every day a turn, a turn he was promised to never have to continually suffer due to his crescent nature. Briggs wouldn't ever forget the way he could sometimes hear him screaming, so he knew he deserved some time away from the worst of things to deal with that.

Yet, it didn't have to plague their reunion. The worst thing that happened to him didn't have to define him, even as the door was always open to discuss it when and if he was ever ready. As he commented on his typing, Briggs lifted his hands to flip him off, though all in good nature before retorting, "pretty sure that's language comprehension, more receiver than sender problem." Shit, he was glad to see this fucker.

"I mean," he tilted his head, quipping, "there was plenty of that." Fiddling with the ring in question, he decided to let this go on for just a bit longer. "See, ya knew exactly what I was saying." The 'guess' had him scrunching his nose, "try again. Vegas was cool, though, sucks y'all missed it. Next time." Shrugging, he joked, "I went to Vegas and all I got was this ring. But hey, if you got a bag, Château Mikaelson may have a room to spare. I heard you wandering around though, so this may not be safe for your sense of direction."

abel campbell ✦ briggs mikaelson ( @ofmoonlitmagic )

Abel hadn’t long been back in town before seeking out familiar faces and whilst Marni had of course been his first point of call, his friends – the pack were a very close second. He was painfully aware that there were two ways these reunions could go. The first, sorrowful and bleak, dredging up horrors from the past or ... Abel's personal favorite of avoiding shared traumas and acting as if he and his last brain cell had officially moved on.

He'd been pacing the halls and searching for Briggs inside of the compound (a home that he still viewed as unnecessarily large.) Upon finally finding the other, he came to an abrupt stop and a subtle expulsion of breath left his lips as for a second, the weight and emotion of it all threatened to return. They'd been through hell together and Abel felt guilty for ever having left New Orleans after they had escaped the prison world. Feeling even guiltier for not having returned sooner after Briggs had triggered. Whilst they had remained in contact, this was the first time he had been home.

Pulling himself together, his voice was eager to announce his presence “just so you know, your typing is atrocious, bro. I mean, what even is this shit?” He'd known what the message had meant from the point of having received it, but he had wanted to come and congratulation his friends in person. That didn't mean he wouldn't screw around a little first though. Holding up his phone, he pretended to try and decipher the text. ‘B&B’ what is that? like Bed and Breakfast, or Briggs and Boobies?” He paused to laugh before continuing, “B & B – ring emoji?" lifting his hand he tapped his chin with his index finger and repeated the words as if deep in thought. "Briggs and Boobies, ring emoji. Holy shit, is this your way of telling me we're going on a boys trip to Vegas?” He was grinning now as he enclosed their distance "look man, my bags are already packed. Lets fuckin' go."

#( thread | abel campbell. ) #( abel 001. ) #( briggs & abel. ) #// okay obsessed ALREADY

[ofmoonlitmagic]

To love her was as easy as breathing, no even easier. There had been moments when he struggled to breathe, but never had he struggled to love her. Even without her, the love remained, flowing as easily as it always had, and the only struggle had been in ever having to find love with someone else. Moving on had been the impossible thing. He'd never left her, not once, where their bodies had been didn't matter, but rather where their hearts were. She was his first thought in the morning, last thought at night. Her teasing brought an added pull against his lips as he studied the features of her face, that whisper felt through every vein, every nerve. "Promises, promises," he forced out in unsteady expulsion.

Wrapping her up tighter in his arms as she spoke, he assured, "I never could have been anywhere else. Even before you knew me in this life, you were still calling to me. It's been the best thing that's ever happened to me--I mean, not almost hitting you with a bag, the rest of it--" he laughed, though it remained full of every bit of joy the memory held. Despite what the night had been before they met, how terrifying that time between fire and finding her had been, it was almost strange how he didn't really remember that. "Thank you for letting me," he murmured back, "because from that first look, leaving you alone was never an option for me...except to run out to get you breakfast." His lips widening with the memory, he'd been pretty confident she wanted to stay with him too when he came back to that look on her face, having not slept through his trip like he'd hoped. Her fingers over his, he spread his a little to let hers slip through as if the fingers themselves could dance together. "You inspire my love, so those things, baby, they're so easy."

His brow furrowed even more as she recounted her return, a nauseous feeling in his stomach to hear how she'd spent her first night back on earth, though that part wasn't news. He'd imagined how she'd have spent what he thought were months. "The night we opened the doors between the worlds," he explained, "Nature responded...kinda like an angry parent. It was a tempest in New Orleans, there was no light and the rain, the winds, it was violent. But that was months before we met again at Rousseau's, Bill. There's nothing wrong, you're here and that's all that matters to me, but you didn't come back with the others."

Everything was her, it was them. The days that would follow would be entirely them: a road trip, a marriage, a honeymoon. Nothing in this world sounded better than that. "I'll keep saying it if you keep calling me husband," he muttered playfully, almost high off how much love for her coursed through his veins. They were getting married, never had something been so damn wonderful in his life. To love and be loved, it had once been something neither had dared to dream let alone see as reality, and now it was all they would ever know. "I won't ever need another thing. You are mine, and I'm yours." Her response to his remark brought fresh laughter and a quirked brow, "well, in that case, one tent coming right up."

Whatever he gave her always seemed more precious than any gold or diamond, whether snacks, stolen art supplies, or a shoelace. He could give her anything now, cost no longer an issue, and yet, the love was as simple and uncomplicated as it had always been. Whether they had everything or nothing, the love was all that mattered. The love kept them alive. "I'm continually in awe of you," he mused, "not that I doubted you, but these are impossible to find. Most have been destroyed, and you found one. Just to save me." Big gesture or small, she proved everyday how much she loved him, and he would never go unloved again.

"We're going to remove that from our vows," he agreed, a soft smile lingering on his lips. They'd beaten death itself, and as he thought back to what he'd just discovered, he really did believe that their love could do anything. "As long as you stay with me, that's all I need. That's all I'll ever need, but now, there's not even a moon we have to be apart...and that's the second best news I've had today." His lips captured hers as he lifted her in his arms again and carried her back toward the tent being held up by magic. They would send the texts to family and friends so no one worried later, but for now...

"C'mere, wife."

There was no greater gift than that of being in his company. He made her feel safer than anybody ever could and there wasn’t anything that she wouldn't be able to tell him. She could share her dreams and her fears without ever being judged – or unappreciated. Billie could feel the way that he loved her, almost as though she could reach out to it and pull it around herself; to use that love to keep herself warmth. Forever at his side, being loved by him forever and loving him in return wouldn’t be long enough for her. A smirk played upon the corners of her lips, before upturning into a full blown smile; glancing up at him with a mischievous expression as he spoke. Dropping her voice to an intimate whisper, she leaned closer as she teased “oh baby, I’ll make sure of it.” 

Hoisting herself up onto her toes now, Billie grazed the tip of her nose against his before placing a gentle kiss against his lips, humming softly into their embrace. She knew that she could trust in every word, the sound of his voice making her stomach flutter as her heart began to beat faster. Nothing else mattered in this moment – in this world, than him. “Thank you for finding me that day” a soft, but emotional laugh eased from her lips “for breaking into that house and scaring the shit out me” she teased, one hand slowly easing down his arm to brush her fingers against his “and for promising me that I wasn’t alone from that moment and for always keeping that promise. Thank you, Briggs Mikaelson – for loving me as beautifully as you do. For being who you are.”

A subtle smile tugged at the corners of her lips given the reminder of their first conversation after she had returned, “following directions never was my strong suit” she teased, grazing her fingers against his jaw as she nodded, “I think we both knew exactly where we were supposed to be. Billie trusted each word and that reflected completely in her tone and the way that her eyes gazed into his, before she caught his expression changing and a crease formed against her brow. She nodded at his question, inhaling a soft breath before answering, “I don’t – think so?” Her eyes shifted out of thought as she attempted to remember, before finding his gaze again “I mean, it was dark sure – but it wasn’t raining. The sky was cloudy, I think? I remember that it was late and – and I was – real tired, disoriented and my head was pounding.” Swallowing hard, she shook her head “I had no idea where I was but I could hear a patrol outside, OEA, I guess. I ended up in some fancy neighbourhood that I didn’t recognise, so I stole some supplies, broke into a pool house and crashed there for the night.” Shrugging her shoulders, she added “and then in the morning, I came looking for you.” Her throat cleared as she lowered her hand from his jaw and pressed her palm flat against his chest, “-- why?” Hesitating, she questioned quietly “is – something wrong?” 

Leaning her forehead into his, another appreciative hum eased from her lips as she revelled within the attentiveness of the moment. Enjoying each and every second of their shared touch – as comforting as ever. At the promise of being his wife, her stomach knotted as her smile widened, practically spreading from ear to ear as the excitement coursed through her veins, “I’m never going to tire of hearing that.” Her lips grazed against his once again as she whispered with every word, “my husband. The most amazing husband that there is – I can’t wait to marry you.” If any doubt should creep into his mind, or if he ever felt himself to be undeserving, then Billie would argue against it without question, with every ounce of strength that she possessed; anything to prove those doubts wrong. Nobody loved her as he did, nobody could. “Good” she breathed softly, a hand lifting to smooth down the hair against the nape of his neck, “because you’ve got me baby, you’ve always got me.” His quip was met with an instantaneous roar of laughter, her lips pursing as she taunted, “i’m saving that for motivation for you to fix us up a tent.”

As his tone shifted to one more serious, so did hers and she found herself feeling nervous given the gift he was about to receive, “-- hey, I love my shoelace” she reminded softly, before catching her bottom lip between her teeth as she attempted to stifle her grin, “I uh, I really hope that you like it.” Peeking up at him through her lashes, her features softened as his laughter began to fade and she nodded as he began to speak, “it is” her confirmation was gentle, caught beneath a breath as her eyes continued to study each feature, eager to gauge his reaction. Grinning, her eyes were alight with adoration “don’t worry, it was totally legal” she teased, before adding more sincerely “a friend of a friend owed me a favor – I wasn’t gonna waste it.”

Billie’s palm supported his as he stared at the moonlight ring, momentarily silent as she allowed for the sentiment to sink in. “It’s over” she whispered as if she could tell everything that he was thinking. Billie would have done anything to free him from his curse, to prevent him from ever having to experience that kind of agony again and now she had. Another breath hitched in her throat as his eyes reopened to reveal their supernatural hue, her free hand lifting to rest against his cheek, willingly be guided closer. “I guess you are" her lips twitched, "I'd say til death do us part, but even that can't stop us” she teased, her heart beginning to beat faster now as their lips remained inches from one another. “The man that you are, Briggs Mikaelson” her lips brushed against his with each tender word "I love you. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for you, baby. There isn't anything that our love can’t do.��� 

#( thread | billie dawson. ) #( billie 010. ) #( briggs & billie. ) #// LAST TIME TAGGING HER AS BILLIE DAWSON!!

[ofmoonlitmagic]

He wanted to stay as close as possible to her, for as long as possible. She was everything he wanted, and everything in life he wanted to build with her. They were true partners as well as best friends, and he couldn't think of a better life than the one he'd be spending with her. He knew she'd not grown up with a lot of traditions, which is one of the reasons he'd asked if she would regret not doing it the more traditional way. But this would be full of their own traditions, he'd make sure of that. Every step along the way would be something for them, a memory, a tradition. "I hoped you would," he replied, meeting her eyes, "yes. I'll drive anyway because I do actually want to marry you, but I'll be keeping my eyes on you."

He shook his head, "that doesn't sound ridiculous at all. I've loved you before I've known you, that is something I've never doubted." It may not make sense to others, but to him--to them, it just did. "Every universe, for the entirety of time, I've loved you and will love you. I understand nothing better than that. You make my world whole, better. I always knew it'd be you and me in the end because this is just a small snippet of eternity, but I am glad we still got this."

He nodded as she spoke, joking as they did that first day, "that damn GPS." It had taken time between the realms opening and her making it into his life, though it had never been something he asked. However, he believed her, that she'd come for him. "I guess somehow I felt you too, knew I had to be at Rousseau's that day," he thought aloud, wheels turning in his mind. The way she said the second. The night she died, she'd come right to him, so why would she have waited months upon returning? "Can I ask you what might seem like a stupid question? When you got back...it was raining, right? Like total darkness, can barely see in front of your face storms?"

They were wrapped up in each other, in the joy of the moment, and it couldn't have been better. Nothing about this moment could have been any better, pouring all his love for her into the kiss, brief though it was. Following her gaze to the 'ring' he'd fashioned for her, his grin seemed to get impossibly wider. "Give or take," he repeated, listening to her muse about their future, about becoming his wife. "I've never wanted anything more in my entire life." His forehead pressed against hers, murmuring, "my wife, my wife, my wife." He'd never imagined himself a good husband, lacking--no fearing--the example, but being with her, being good to her, he no longer doubted that. He'd be worthy of her, and he'd never, ever hurt her. "That's all I need: just you and me for the rest of our lives." Pulling back only far enough to get a better look at her and what she was doing, brow creased lightly in curiosity and anticipation, unable to hold back a quip, "you can still get on your knees--knee--if you want to." He held back on an amused-with-himself laugh, clearing his throat to be more serious. "You got me a ring?" Then he couldn't help but laugh, "before I got you one?" He might need some tips on picking one now.

The shock of seeing what was inside the box really did make him serious, the laugh fading into a state of awe. "That's--" He started, unable to find the words, never thinking he'd see one of those not on his mother's finger. Though he knew that wasn't hers, not even for a second did he think Billie would take that from Momma. It wouldn't be saving him if her suffering was the trade. "How did you--?" He took a deep breath as he splayed his fingers, eyes falling on their hands as she placed it on his finger. Overwhelmed, he could only stare for a moment, a slight burning in the back of his throat causing his eyes to water a little. It was over. That pain, the intensity of it, the endless torment both mental and physical, it was as finished as being without her was. The power that awakened with the moon, the one suffered for, he could feel it pulsing through his veins as he tapped into it. His eyes closed, opening again with golden hues, before the next blink returned them back to their usual shade of blue. He could control it all at will. Her body against his, he still pulled her closer as he murmured, "guess I really am your husband now." His gaze catching hers, he remained entirely in awe of her. "The woman that you are, Billie Mikaelson," he exhaled, lips not making any more distance between hers, "I love you. Thank you. For all of it, for everything. You took my pain." In every way one can.

The kiss behind her ear saw another poorly contained breath urging from her lips, her chest continuing to rise and fall heavily as she fought to remain focused. “I didn’t say that” she taunted, practically begging for his touch to return and revelling within the sound of his laughter. 

Billie no longer feared the complications of life, but instead wanted to live hers to the fullest. She had never felt worthy, nor deserving of love until having met Briggs and now she knew that she deserved every ounce that he had to offer. It wouldn’t always be easy and there would be ups and downs, but together? Their love truly could do anything. “You’ll see” she promised, her lips pursing playfully as she did so. 

Close never would feel quite close enough and whilst she wasn't typically clingy, they were never far from each other. They were eager to feel the comfort that the presence of the other provided, perhaps even unknowingly. Briggs was her heart and soul and everything else in between – close would never feel close enough. The idea of traditions had been another dream for her growing up, but she and Briggs had always found their own. “I love the sound of that” she agreed, before grinning mischievously as he tilted his head “baby, would I ever?”

Despite the moisture having gathered in her eyes, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of her lips as her gaze remained intent against his own. She understood that neither of them liked to revisit this part of their past, but sometimes it had to be necessary. “That wouldn’t have been possible” she hummed softly, her head shaking as she spoke, “there wouldn’t be a single universe where I wouldn’t love you, Briggs Mikaelson. Sometimes I feel like we’ve done this before, you know? – In another life, or something — which I know sounds ridiculous, but...” soft, yet uncertain laughter eased from her lips as her brow creased, “I feel as if I’ve always known you. Like my heart has always known you and it doesn’t matter what will happen, because we will always find our way back to each other. The world feels far less scary that way, because I can trust that. Trust in you and me. ”

A shaky breath forced itself from her lungs, now; although she wasn't hesitant as she explained. “The second that I woke up – I came looking for you, Briggs. I could –” her brow creased within thought, the memories somewhat bittersweet as she continued “I could feel you and I just knew I had to get back. I knew where to find you; that I had to find you.” Her eyes were wider, but soft as they gazed into his own, her fingers tracing gentle patterns against his wrist as she inhaled a soft breath, “I missed you at peace. I don’t even know if that’s possible, but I remember – I remember that feeling.” One hand held tighter onto the material of his clothing, Billie clearing her throat as her stomach knotted and she knew that his words were a promise, “I know you would. You did that, you brought me home. You, made all of this possible and I don’t wanna waste a single second of it.”

A gleeful giggle escaped from her lips as Briggs lifted her and spun them both around, leaning into him entirely as she stole an eager kiss before being set down again, “fuck yeah we are” she grinned, continuing to hold him close and holding up her hand with the lace tied around her finger as she admired it, “in 30 hours, give or take – I’ll be Billie Mikaelson.” Grinning, her eyes found his, unable to conceal the elation within her tone “wife of Briggs Mikaelson.” Her voice softened as she dropped her hand, enclosing her digits around the material of his clothing again, “the best gift that i've ever recieved – a family” dropping her voice to a playful whisper, she nudged his nose with her own “a husband.” Whilst she was excited and evidently so, Billie was calm given the adventure they were about to embark on – knowing that this was meant to be, that they were meant to be. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.” She knew that they didn’t need marriage for that, but Billie wanted to be his wife. Her smile remained as her eyes studied each feature adoringly, a soft giggle easing from her lips at the reminder of the gift, “right – right, I was going to save it for the chapel, but I don’t think I can make the drive without ruining this for you.” Lifting one hand from his body, she reached into the back pocket of her shorts before pulling out a small blue box, catching her bottom lip between her teeth as she peaked up at him through her lashes, “I was, gonna get down on one knee, but you kind of beat me to that” she teased, before her voice adopted a more serious tone and she released a steady breath, “I thought — maybe you could use this as your ring. You know, like your wedding ring?”

Her smile only widened as she popped open the box and revealing the moonlight ring that was secure within as she took his hand and released a soft breath, “I’m not really sure what happens – when you like, you know – put this on. But I think you might feel – different?” With his hand in her own, she encouraged him to splay his fingers, gently removing the ring from the box and teased, “consider this practice” before slowly sliding the moonlight ring onto his wedding finger, her eyes lifting to meet his, eager to gauge his reaction. “I promised you i’d find a way, right?” she hummed, inhaling a soft breath as her body leaned into his, her now free hand lifting to tangle within the hair resting at the nape of his neck as she spoke against his lips, “i’ve always got you, baby.”

#( thread | billie dawson. ) #( billie 010. ) #( briggs & billie. ) #// i live here now thanks

[ofmoonlitmagic]

I Get to Love You: A Look at Briggs' Camera Roll

I'm glad you have been my friend In the time of our lives

@fragmcntedsouls, @traegics, @vilisisms, @beavtifvltragedies, @xblindfoldcdx, @rxgclity, @oconnellthebrave, @strawberryxmagic, @jackiexmiller

#exitium.task003 #( visage | but while he was falling he laughed. ) #( aesthetic | built my walls but now i'm drowning. ) #( i think our love can do anything | briggs & billie. ) #// the way I could have done so much more lmao

[ofmoonlitmagic]

He loves her. At tne end of the day, it was that simple. They were in love, and that was enough to turn the bad days around and brighten the good days even more. As long as he was coming home to her, well, hope could never truly be gone. "Too far?" He asked cheekily, a laugh rumbling in his chest as he placed another kiss just behind her ear for good measure.

He knew life would be harder than they'd like it to be, as it had a track record of being, but the weight they carried, the one they pretended wasn't heavy, it could be shared. When she was near, he knew his felt lighter. The world only won when you gave up, and they weren't giving up. "Well, I've heard promises of a pretty great gift coming, are you saying it's not as good? Interesting."

Guided closer, she could always have him as close she wanted him. He was enamored, in a way some wouldn't ever know. For all the bad luck in his life, he knew this was something not a lot of people got, and he'd never not be grateful. There was one Billie, and she took one look at him and chose him. How rare, how beautiful. "Then that's what we're gonna do, we're going to write our own traditions. The whole way through, rest of our lives." At her next comment, he laughed, tilting his head slightly as he playfully questioned, "I feel a bit like I'm being set up for revenge, are you sure that's not why?"

This may not have been the time or place to say it, to finally tell her how that moment had gone, and the tears in her eyes did cause his chest to tighten. But they said things now, they let them out for the other to know. It was time she knew, and for the first time, it didn't sound as hopeless as it once had. "So have I. I just needed one look, and that was that. I'd have loved you forever, even if you hadn't given me the time of day. To be in love with you, that's always been enough for me. No conditions, nothing you've ever had to do, but who you are, it's all that's ever been needed to love you."

He thought of her every single day, and he would dream of her more times than he'd ever mention. To hear that it had made a difference, that she heard him, it filled him anew with life. "I hoped you would. I thought, when we were leaving the prison world, that maybe I'd see you. That we'd cross paths somehow between realms, I'd have burned that entire moon up to do that, even if it was just to say goodbye. I had no idea it would actually bring you home." They'd do everything right this time, and though, it was hard not to think of the time they lost, he didn't want to stay there. Not when they had all of time in front of them. He nodded, admitting, "I hear it." A smile rose again as she reminded him they were getting married, something he could hear again and again the whole way through.

Hopping back up, he wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting and spinning her around, "we're getting fuckin' married!" He'd heard about nerves, pre-wedding jitters, but he'd never been more sure of anything in his life. They were going to road trip their way to Vegas or wherever, and it was going to be memories for the two of them to share. What better way to get married? Setting her back down, he remembered the other thing promised today. "You had something for me?"

For somebody who had endured so much desolation for such a short life, somehow Billie had always managed to hold onto hope. It was the one thing that she hadn’t lost – until the OEA had forcefully extracted it from her – but that was no longer the case, nor would it ever be again. There would always be hope to be found – the promise of a future as long as Briggs was with her; something of which she trusted wholeheartedly. His taunt soon saw her smile return, before that smile turned into full blown laughter and she teased within return, “now you’re just being mean.” Her chest rose heavily as he pulled back in his seat to get a better view of her and his hand remained firm against her thigh, causing each muscle to tighten, knowing exactly what he was doing. 

A giggle flowed freely between them as her shoulders shrugged at the acknowledgement both had that confidence wasn’t the issue, “oh, I do.” Although, she intended to take complete advantage of the situation when it was him in the driver's seat. Her digits offered a gentle squeeze, their hands palm to palm as her gaze held onto his “there’s no greater gift than that.”

Her fingers enclosed around the material of his shirt, gently coaxing him closer as though she couldn’t stand any kind of distance being between them. She could feel him beginning to relax as his breaths became steadier and as always, her heart spoke to his. Her heart thumped enthusiastically against her ribcage, already having started nodding before he could even finish the sentence as she grinned at him, “I can’t think of any better way to spend my last night as an unmarried woman other than a night beneath the stars with with you.” To hell with any traditions, they had no place here. Her eyes glistened with mischief as she added playfully, “we’ll let you drive to Vegas though, because this is important and I actually wanna make it there in one piece.” 

Her gaze remained intent against his, “just me and you” she nodded, the words barely above a whisper – something purely shared between the two of them as so much of their lives had been. Billie had agonized over what had followed on from the hours – the days after her death. Whether he had been alone when he laid her to rest, as she knew that he would and now confirmed that he had. She could feel her chin beginning to quiver as her eyes stung with tears given his explanation and if she was being honest, his answer had been expected – having known that no matter what, even in death he would have taken care of her. Blinking back the tears that had gathered in her eyes, she placed the side of her finger beneath his chin, gently caressing his jaw, “we were made for one another, I’ve always known that. We deserve to be a little selfish and we’ll always belong to each other. I’ll always be for you.”

Swallowing the ache that had since risen within the back of her throat, she encouraged a soft smile as her eyes caressed each feature, “love like the way you love me brought me back, Briggs. I heard you. The same way that you heard me that night. You called me home and nothing would stop me answering that call.” A breath hitched in the back of her throat, her head shaking in protest as a subtle crease formed between her brows and her voice remained soft “no, baby – no. We were just kids. I need you to let go of that regret, it wasn’t on you, it wasn’t your fault. Please, hear me when I tell you that, okay? No regrets, Briggs. I’m here, i’m home and nothing can take me away from you, not again.” The hand resting beneath his jaw opened to seek placement against his cheek, her lips upturning into a smile full of complete adoration “we’re getting married.”

Catching her bottom lip between her teeth as her eyes followed his every movement as he got down onto one knee, her smile already having widened as excitement coursed through her veins, pulsating throughout her entire body, “that’s the easiest yes of my entire life, baby.”

#( thread | billie dawson. ) #( billie 010. ) #( briggs & billie. ) #// BEBES!!!

[ofmoonlitmagic]

Deserve. Briggs had spent a lot of time reflecting on the word, too much, probably. His own suffering sometimes made more sense to him than the good, because at least, in some ways, it felt like what he deserved. Pain he understood. His friends, his love, none of them deserved what kept happening to them. Of that, he never had any questions. "I know," he breathed, not letting go, not yet. Lucas could decide when they did that, "I know. It's just hard. Life's just bullshit sometimes, and it can feel like we can't catch a break right now. You got my back, and I got yours. I'm not going any-fuckin'-where."

Every single word that had lingered between him and Jackie during their time away, every single loss he had endured, every gut-wrenching trauma that clung to his soul with a vengeance fueled each and every hit. The shattering of the window he had taken out first was similar to the sound he was certain his heart had made and even as his remained on his knees within the shards, sobs raking his frame, all he could think was why he had deserved this? What had he done to endure each and everything that he had gone through? Why was his father still destroying every piece of his soul to this day? Had he not done enough? And then Briggs was back, on his knees before him as his gaze slowly rose, broken, lightless verdant irises meeting his best friends as he wrapped him into a hug, the words muttered enough to pull another broken sob from Lucas's lips as his arms wrapped tightly around the other. "I'm sorry man," Lucas somehow manages to get out, a mangled sob mixing with broken words." I'm so fucking sorry. I'm trying, I swear I'm trying."

#( thread | lucas cadieux. ) #( lucas 005. ) #( briggs & lucas. )

[ofmoonlitmagic]

That’s JJ, my best friend since the third grade. You and me man, we got nothin to lose. We really don’t.

#( visage | but while he was falling he laughed. ) #( and if you were drowned at sea i'd give you my lungs so you could breathe | briggs & lucas. )

[ofmoonlitmagic]

If there was one thing Briggs knew well, it was anger, and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness when you couldn't ever seem to control it. He didn't need Lucas to tell him everything to know. It doesn't leave, it lingers just beneath the skin, waiting for the next thing. This exercise had helped him, to have somewhere to put it all that wasn't just inside himself. As he went back in for the beers, he could hear the crash, the crunch of metal bending, and the ferocity of a cathartic release of a lifetime's worth of pain. He could only hope it helped Lucas in the same way. He did find the beers, but he sat them down on some worn down, rusted, beat up fridge out in the yard. He walked straight for his best friend--for his brother, got down there on the ground beside him, and wrapped his arms around him. And he only murmured three words: "I've got you."

He was right, Lucas knew he was right but he still couldn't help but feel like he had this darkness about him, this omen that would destroy anything that came into his life, and that was the last thing he wanted for Billie and Briggs. The anger beneath his skin was volatile and he was hyperaware of it, always had been from a young age as he would watch his father beat on his mother, the rage just beneath a 7 year old's frame as he eventually stepped between them. "Yeah," Lucas nodded, a shaky breath releasing from his lips. "Guess I'll just have to wait out her silent treatment." As Briggs spoke, every inch of his frame was tense, unable to bring himself to believe his words as his head shook until the other had grabbed his shoulders and forced their gazes to meet. Brows furrowed as he was instructed to follow and begrudgingly he did so. His mind was loud but his voice was mute, even as the other circled back to their previous conversation, hands shoving into pockets before they arrived to the junkyard and a quizzical look crossed his features only for it to fade moments later as Briggs explained why they were there. Digits pulled from his pockets as the bat is passed over to him, hazel irises scanning around them before falling back on his friend. "Can't say that I have," the hybrid admits. His frame remained still even as the other disappear in search for the beers, features turning as he looked around him before eventually he moves, hands lifting the bat as it collided with the nearby car, glass shattering as his heart began to race and he's turning again, bat swinging and beating repeatedly against the frame of the car, each hit paired with a heavy labored grunt, tears breaking past dark lashes before he eventually collapses to his knees with a labored sob.

#( thread | lucas cadieux. ) #( lucas 005. ) #( briggs & lucas. ) #// THIS IS ALL I GOT.

[ofmoonlitmagic]

To love, to be loved, it was something extraordinary. He took one look at her, and he knew the world was forever different. They both had missed out on a childhood, suffered the unimaginable, and yet, they never lost the ability to love, to find light. Even when she was gone, he still felt her, a home for his heart. "You're going to be a professional before we're done here," he teased, laughing freely and easily, "okay, sorry, that was unrealistic." Then again, he did have some motivation on the table she seemed to be very interested in. Pulling back only slightly at first to glance down the expanse of her body, his grip on her leg tightening as he kept it in place, every sense alight with the effect of his actions on her. Something he would never tire of being able to do. This game might really be a dangerous one in a car like this, so he did eventually have to relent and put space safely between them.

"You know I love to see that confidence, baby," he replied, though he was not going to be the one to tell her that was the problem in this case. That was for other less hands-on driving instructors. This was how he wanted to spend his life, and he knew. He knew all along. As her hand fit in his, he knew tonight was going to be special, a memory worth never forgetting. "It belongs to you."

--

His breath steadied listening to her every word, the surety of it all. None of it was something he didn't already know, but to hear it from her lips, the confidence she held in them, in what they deserved. He wondered if she knew how hard it was to feel undeserving in her presence. When she looked at him, touched him, spoke about him like that, he could only feel like he was someone who deserved to be loved this way. "Then let's do it. Let's get married tomorrow. We'll text my moms and tell them we're going to take an extra day or two, and we'll drive to Vegas or something."

Losing her could never be described in any words, not fully. It was his own experience, the last memories he thought he would ever carry of her. They were his. There was nothing to heal, no pain to take, when she reached him. It wasn't one death blow, no bleeding he could have stopped, it was torture so great it shattered life itself. He knew more than most, but he knew he still couldn't comprehend everything. She wasn't fragile, no, she was strong. To break someone like her, there weren't words that would ever fully capture what she would have had to endure. "The marriage will be ours, that's for us, so whatever everyone else wants, they can have it. Putting our names on paper, saying our vows, that is you and me. When I--when I took your body...I made a pyre, so you'd have a warrior's sendoff. It was just you and me. I think I can be a little selfish with you sometimes, but you were mine--are mine. This is impossible, we are living impossible things. I buried you. Love like the way I love you, it's rare. Losing you and getting you back, it's rarer still. I should have fought harder when we were seventeen, I should have never agreed to stay and let you go. That's what I regret. Marrying you, taking one more moment that can be you and me in a world of our own making? No, that would never be something I'd regret. Back then, I'd have given anything for more time, even one more minute. I'm sure, I don't want to wait either."

Lowering down on one knee, he looked up to find her eyes as he said, "okay, one sec, let me do this properly this time. For the last time of this being your full name...Billie Dawson, will you marry me tomorrow?"

Briggs was Billie's home – something that had always felt so far from reach; a concept that had only ever been a dream before having known him. To ever be without him was a fate far worse than any torture the OEA could force upon her. Her second chance at life wouldn’t be something that she would ever take for granted, but before him, she knew that she hadn’t been living. A smirk pulled at the corners of her lips, eager to make a quip, before relenting “I wouldn’t want these kinds of lessons from anybody else.” A breath hitched in the back of her throat, giddy from the suggestive edge of his tone “I think I have some idea of where this is going and i’m suddenly feeling those lessons paying off." The rhythm of her heart matched each unsteady breath as his fingers continued to climb against her thigh, each touch leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake as her muscles began to tighten beneath his touch, fully intending to rise to that challenge as she taunted, “here’s good!” despite the impracticality of it she was willing to bring any potential traffic to a stop simply to see this through.   

A grin tugged at the corners of her lips once again, a giggle threatening to sound between them as she briefly met his gaze to tease, “it’s paying off because I am feeling very confident right now.” The silliness of the conversation coaxed more laughter from her, knowing that they would both be thinking the same thing that confidence behind the wheel wasn’t the weakness for Billie – instead the issue. Her heart soon skipped a beat as he pressed another gentle kiss against her palm, eagerly swelling with adoration each time he committed to the action and heard his gratitude towards her comment loud and clear, without any need for words. 

Sitting herself up straighter now, she exclaimed “well, you are my favorite topic”, her words chased with a grin and there honestly was nothing untrue of her statement. Her fingers threaded through his with ease, two pieces of a puzzle coming together as their joined hands hovered against his heart as she promised “there’s nowhere else i’d want to be.” 

--

Billie’s eyes softened, her body leaning into his as she lifted her hand to cup his jaw as her smile remained, “i’d never regret it.” Her words came as a promise, “you’ve always been my family, but so much has already been taken from us, I don't want this to be taken from us too. We've spent our entire lives living for other people, making sure that everybody else comes first and you've had to sacrifice so much – endure so much. If we don't have to wait, I don't want to.” Her thumb ran against his cheek, leaning herself close enough to graze her lips against his own, “I would never regret it.” The pair of them had faced more death than any ever should – her own included and whilst Billie had no intentions to be taken from Briggs again, she understood more so than anybody that life was fragile – her life was fragile. They had spent years with so much left unsaid and ever since her return, had promised each other that nothing would go unsaid again. “It’s about you and me, right? That’s all that matters. You’re all that matters to me.” Her smile only widened with each word, each promise made out of the intense love they had for one another, “no regrets” she vowed, her gaze holding his as she communicated her assurance, “never with you, baby.”

As his arm enclosed around her frame, palm pushing against the small of her back, she relaxed entirely into his touch, one hand remaining entangled with the material of his clothing as they held each other close. “I love you” even in death, she had loved him, even at peace her heart had yearned for him. “I want this more than anything. I want us.” Their marriage wasn’t for anybody else but them and she didn’t need for others to understand, or even appreciate that. If they couldn’t – then that wasn’t for either of them to concern themselves with. “This is ours. It was always supposed to be ours” peaking up at him through her lashes, she had to ask "would -- you regret it?" She knew that their decision may not be so well received back home and she would never ask anything of him that he wasn't comfortable doing "but if you don't want to do this we don't have to. You're already my family."

So much was out of their hands and they knew that better than anybody, but this – this was something that they had complete control over. Billie had never been loved, let alone loved in the way that Briggs loved her and that feeling was more peaceful than peace itself could ever be. Her fingers danced through the air, her giggle untameable before being lowered into his arms, the tip of her nose nudging his as she hummed softly, “everything and more.” 

#( thread | billie dawson. ) #( billie 010. ) #( briggs & billie. ) #// that BEAUTIFUL reply?? bc wine or no wine all I see is brilliance thanks

[ofmoonlitmagic]

I do not find this beautiful, personally, okay? Too big, too much space to be beautiful. To comprehend it. Now, give me a meadow, and a little lake… A little stream… no one knows about it but me. And I have it all to myself. That I understand.

#( musings | a gentle rage becoming wild. ) #( i think our love can do anything | briggs & billie. )

[ofmoonlitmagic]

@vilisisms

The radio in the car was broken. There was one CD, and only one track that didn’t skip.

#( musings | a gentle rage becoming wild. ) #( the only thing i ever did right was be your best friend | briggs & riley. ) #// this feels very them in general but also her ‘funeral’ vibes

[ofmoonlitmagic]

There would be no leaving her, not ever. That wasn't how this worked. Even if he did die before her, he'd be haunting her ass. She'd be finding records still in the wrong places after she'd just fixed them, playlists skipping past Taylor songs, though now that he thought about it, she probably wouldn't be working here by that point. Retail hell for eternity? His ghost would get her fired to set her free if that was the case. Maybe they'd be able to joke aloud again about that stuff in time, but for now, he gave her the space to process as she needed to, however that was. He'd never want her to fake happiness for his sake. It was impossible not to feel some guilt in his own, and if asked, he couldn't actually say how he'd managed to find some. That night, he'd been so sure the laughter had all been taken. That he may get out of the headquarters, but he'd never leave. Billie wouldn't let him push her away, instead she stayed firmly planted and refused to leave him in the darkness. She gave him his fight back, and he was trying desperately to do the same for Riley and Lucas. He just didn't know how.

He paused, mouth closing as she told him to shut up, shrugging his shoulders as if to say he definitely knew it sounded stupid. Her surprise caught him by surprise. "Fuck you," he retorted in their usual fashion, a small laugh clinging to his words as though begging to be let out again. Shit, he wanted this to be a happy thing. "No, I did. I really did. I was kinda in the middle of it before I realized it was happening, but uh, yeah, I'm engaged, I guess. For real. Me and marriage was never supposed to be a thing, you know that, but I just looked at her and, I dunno, all I wanted to be in that moment was married to her." Taking a breath, he shrugged again. He knew it was hard enough to be around him right now when he was dating happy, and he didn't want to be unbearable as engagement happy. "We still don't have any wedding plans or anything, very in the moment, so it's not like we need to make a big deal about anything yet."

Living forever hadn't been on either of their bucket lists, life got all their suffering in on the front half, they really didn't need centuries, millennia. He knew the weight, how she didn't feel like herself anymore, and he got it. Even if he couldn't quite convey it, even if it seemed like he'd moved on from that night, he hadn't. He'd found some happiness, but you don't forget your soul ripping in half. The two people on this earth he loved the most had died, and he had seen their bodies lifeless: one he held as she breathed her last, the other he was in the same building to stop it but was in the wrong place. He wanted to save her from this, to make it right. Maybe this had to be sad, maybe they had to say some form of goodbye, but that didn't mean they couldn't have fun too. They could still be them. "Then we need a playlist, right? But only really ironic titles like, um...'We Didn't Start the Fire'?"

her smile dropped the moment she saw the shake of his head, and a part of her was relieved. there was the other part of her that told her that even though he didn't want her to pretend with him, this part of her-- this voice in the back of her mind kept telling her that if she didn't he would eventually leave her. maybe that that was what she wanted, but that thought of that wrecked her. once again her insistent habit of pushing people away to protect herself from having to lose them one day-- forcing them to walk away so it hurt less; it was draining her. she never used to have to pretend around him, but lately it felt like she was a dark cloud raining on every parade when she was sober, and she hated that more than anything. how could she explain that though, in a way that made sense when none of it made sense to her. she thought when she woke up on the oea headquarters floor that she would have thrived with this second chance, taken it and ran with it--but after the shock of it all wore off, there was just this broken shell that she had now become. she was sure it was going to pass, it had to right? this total eclipse had to end, but every time she saw a little light she was reminded of everything she'd lost that night.

the chewed on her lip as she slipped into her thoughts, though the pain from nearly breaking the skin pulled her out, her focus grabbing onto what he was rambling. riley's brows slowly knitted together into a furrow, confusion sweeping her features. "shut up." the words slipped from her lips before she could stopped herself, but it was all falling into place. the hybrid straightened up as puzzle pieces that were the best man speech and the ramblings about timing and shoelaces were put together in her mind. "fuck you! you're telling me you weren't being a hypothetical love sick puppy before? you fucking proposed?" the shock was written on her face as her jaw couldn't seem to be swept off the floor. the thought of her best friend proposing to billie with a shoelace caused an upturn to the corners of her lips, it was ridiculous and stupid and perfect for him. for them. she honestly couldn't imagine him actually planning anything if she were to be honest, it wasn't his style; he was better on the fly.

she knew he wasn't talking about the chip, and her gaze dropped as he went on. she knew she was her own worst enemy right now because how could the darkness be right when she had people around her like briggs who thought this way, spoke this way, about her; she appreciated those that didn't let her forget, that refused to let it be the loudest voice in the room. a small nod, and she looked back up to him, meeting his gaze. she could feel her chest tighten at the sight of him and how genuine he was, she truly didn't deserve a best friend like him. "a funeral would be nice, thanks briggs." it was all she could get out, clearing her throat as the tears threatened their way back. she just wanted one day of some semblance of peace, one day without crying, today didn't feel like one of those days.

#( thread | riley shaw. ) #( riley 007. ) #( briggs & riley. ) #// we're getting there! #it's gonna be okay