Chapter Text
Hope had just woken up.
The last thing she remembered was telling Josie to fight and god she hoped she had listened to her.
Hope’s eyes shot open and she arched forward to sit up in her bed, her eyes frantically looking around the room as her breathing was coming heavy against her ribs.
“Josie.” She spoke as her eyes darted back and forth.
She was….in her room? Her eyes then trained on to her Aunt Freya who was sitting by her bed side looking rather relived. How long had she been out?
“Aunt Freya?” She spoke as she looked at her. “How? Why?“ she started as her breathing slowly returned back to normal.
“Hey, sweetie.” Freya spoke softly.
“Alaric….he asked me to help. I was able to perform a spell to pull you out of Josie’s subconscious. Long story…I’ll explain later.” She spoke.
“Where’s Josie?” Hope immediately asked her. She didn’t care about how she got out, she even completely ignored the fact that she was overjoyed to be able to see her aunt again. She only cared that she got Josie out and back to her old self.
“She’s fine.” Freya assured her. “At least that’s what Alaric told me.” She spoke.
At this, Hope breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good.” She replied with a nod before she swung her legs off the side of the bed and went to stand, but her legs seemed to fail her.
Freya steadied her shoulders.
“Woah there.” Freya spoke before she let out a soft chuckle. “Good thing Alaric asked me to stay for a bit, your body hasn’t fully caught up with itself yet. You were in someone else’s mind for a little too long.” She added as she gently guided Hope back towards her bed.
Hope laid back down without much protest. She wanted to see Josie, but if her legs couldn’t carry her she’d have to wait.
“How long was I out?” Hope asked.
Freya looked at her as she leaned back in the chair she was sitting in.
“About a week. I tried a lot of spells. Some would only pull you halfway out, some not at all. It was a process to say the least.” Freya answered her.
Hope nodded as her eyes stared at the ceiling.
Landon was the next person who came into her head. But, it wasn’t as forceful as Josie was.
“Is Landon okay?” Hope then asked.
Freya looked at her and hesitated.
“Yeah….about that.” She started. “He was stabbed by the Golden Arrow and he’s sort of in a sleeping state.” Freya answered her.
Hope looked at her, her eyes widening with concern.
“What?!” Hope exclaimed.
“Don’t worry!” Freya immediately reassured her. “I’m working on a way to get him awake too.” She added. “Only thing is...the spell I used on you didn’t seem to work on him.” She spoke.
Hope sighed as her eyes returned to the ceiling.
“Typical. Getting himself killed again.” Hope replied.
Freya looked at her for a moment in surprise before she spoke.
“Don’t seem too concerned with you being his girlfriend and all…” Freya pointed out.
Hope sighed once more and shook her head.
“Honestly...my main priority is Josie right now.” Hope replied and shock immediately washed over her face and her heart leapt against her chest.
Why did she just say that?
“I mean...they both are.” Hope corrected herself.
Freya looked at Hope, a small smile appearing across her features.
“I’m glad you and Josie are on good terms again.” Was all she had to say.
Hope glanced over at her aunt before her eyes flicked away and she gave a small shrug.
“I guess so. She was sort of avoiding me for a bit.” Hope spoke.
“Avoiding? Why’s that?” Freya asked.
“Landon.” Hope replied. “She and him sorta...dated. I guess.”
Hope could feel the jealousy pooling into her chest, but for some reason it was directed differently. It wasn’t Josie she was feeling jealous of. It was...Landon? Since when did she feel like that? Did Freya switch something in her when she was pulling her out of Josie’s mind?
“Ah. I see. A love triangle.” Freya replied with a soft smile.
“Yeah. I guess so.” Hope replied, her head craning to look over at her aunt once more.
“So she’s really okay?” Hope asked.
Freya squeezed Hope’s hand reassuringly.
“Yes, sweetie. She’s fine. I even saw her walking past your room. She looks like she wants to see you.” Freya assured her.
“Me?” Hope asked. Panic almost prevalent in her voice.
Things had been weird between her and Josie and now all of a sudden Hope had basically sacrificed herself inside Josie’s subconscious. That wasn’t exactly a normal occurrence that happened on a day to day basis. Hope now felt closer to and more protective of Josie since the events that happened and Hope wasn’t exactly sure what that meant.
“Yes, you.” Freya replied with a soft chuckle as she stood. “I’ll go get her if you want. I have to go get us some food anyway.” She offered.
Hope hesitated for a moment. It would probably be weird if she refused. And she didn’t want to offend Josie. She could already tell she was probably going through hell.
“Yeah sure.” Hope eventually replied with a nod.
Freya then smiled and nodded in reply before exiting the room.