I see the light

I see the light

- The Lyrical Diaries –

Hope’s POV
It felt weird being back in Mystic Falls after a small century and a half. It even felt weirder walking through the garden of the Salvatore mansion again while knowing that all three the Salvatores knew I was alive.
Truth be told, over the past years that they thought I was dead I did keep an eye on them. I knew where they were so that I couldn’t be there. I also knew what they did and now looking back at it, I regret that I looked the other way sometimes.
When Stefan became the Ripper for example. I did write a very angry letter to Elijah when I found that one out back then, but it would have had so much more effect if I had showed up on Klaus’ doorstep myself and threatened to burn his insides that same second if he didn’t release Stefan from his influence.
Or when Dahlia was on the edge of losing control… I send Lexi after her, knowing she would get her back on track. Maybe not as fast as I could but still.
And then there was Damon. Losing me affected him more than I had counted on. And it had thorn me apart that I couldn’t do anything about it.

‘All those days watching from the windows.
All those years outside looking in.
All that time never even knowing,
Just how blind I’ve been.
Now I’m here, blinking in the starlight.
Now I’m here, and suddenly I see.
Standing here, it’s all so clear,
I’m where I’m meant to be.’.

I came to a stop in the immense garden in front of a willow tree. The branches almost reached the ground and formed a natural tent of nature. Slowly I made my way through the small gap between the branches and couldn’t help to smile when I laid eyes on the wooden bench close to the trunk.
“I’m surprised you still know the way here.”said a smooth voice on which I turned on my heels. I would recognize that voice anywhere. Damon.
“Yeah, well… We did spend a lot of time here back in the days.”I remembered. “Plus, this is also the place my mind went too on a daily basis the past few years.”.
“I still can’t believe you’re really here.”he muttered as he took a few steps forward until he stood beside me. “When Katherine told me she had killed you… She was so sure. I didn’t want to believe it and went to look for you. When I didn’t find you however…”.
“I’m sorry.”I apologized. “I just thought that if you all believed that I was dead, Katherine would believe it too. That it would keep you all safe. That it would keep you safe.”.
Damon chuckled before his ice blue eyes landed on my frame.
“It kept us alive, if you mean that.”he commented on which we both laughed softly.
“How was the world?”he suddenly asked on which I looked at him confused. “You always dreamed of traveling to places. Places close to home, places across the sea. I can’t imagine that you’ve spent the past 134 years hiding in a cave.”.
“Oh, I travelled a lot.”I admitted. “Saw Europe more than once and during one of my trips bumped into your sister as you know now.”.
“I still can’t believe she kept it a secret.”Damon said with an edge of disappointment in his voice.
“Don’t be mad at her.”I told him. “I begged her not to tell anyone. If there’s someone you should be angry with, it’s me.”.
“You know I can’t be mad at you.”he pointed out on which I smiled.
“But yeah, I’ve seen the world.”I told him. “Never found a home though. Until now.”.
“Funny, I just wanted to say the same thing.”he said with a smirk.

‘And at last I see the light.
And it’s like the fog has lifted.
And at last I see the light.
And it’s like the sky is new.
And it’s warm and real and bright.
And it’s like the world has shifted.
All at once everything looks different.
Now that I see you.’.

“You ever regret it?”he wanted to know. “Faking your death twice and always living to run?”.
“It was difficult.”I admitted. “But regret? As you said, we’re all still alive. How can I regret keeping you alive? But still… You won’t hear me complain about this moment. I’m back home.”.

‘All those days chasing down a daydream.
All those years living in a blur.
All that time never truly seeing,
Things the way they were.
Now she’s here, shining in the starlight.
Now she’s here, and suddenly I know.
Standing here, it’s crystal clear,
I’m where I’m meant to go.’.

“It somehow surprises me I’m still alive though.”he confessed. “When I thought you died… Something really snapped. I started to kill because it was the only thing that helped a bit to control the pain. I didn’t even make an effort to be careful. If a hunter found me, then I could at least be with you again. The hunter strangely never came though.”.
“Of course he didn’t.”I told him. “They were way too busy with hunting down a witch who set fire to empty buildings.”.
“Really now?”he asked with an amused grin.
“You really think I would let some lowlife stake you?”I countered with a grin of my own. “Sweetheart, if someone is killing you, it will be me. And I’m not planning on doing that. Ever.”.
“That’s my girl.”he commented.
“Only if you want me to be.”I whispered, knowing well enough he had heard it.

‘And at last I see the light.
And it’s like the fog has lifted.
And at last I see the light.
And it’s like the sky is new.
And it’s warm and real and bright.
And the world has somehow shifted.
All at once everything looks different.
Now that I see you.’.

The wind picked up and caused the long branches of the willow tree to perform a slow dance with each other. The air was cool and caused goosebumps to dot my skin.
Damon must have noticed it since he slipped out of his jacket and hung it over my shoulders.
“When this is all over and we’re still alive…”he started and then stopped as a frown settled on his brow as if he had trouble with finding the right words.
“Then what?”I questioned in an encouragement as I slipped my arms in his leather jacket that was at least two size too big for me.
“Will you stay in Mystic Falls then?”he asked. “Here with… With me.”.
“I’d like that.”I confessed smiling.
“Guess that means you’ll have to keep me alive one more time.”he pointed out with a smirk.
“And you’ll have to do the same for me.”I told him on which I leaned my head against his chest while he wrapped his arms around me.

‘Now that I see you.’.