For those of you reading the entire series, this is basically the Dream-world!Hosie as Josie would have experienced it in that world. For those of you who haven't - it's just AU Hosie. Enjoy :)
Title:
"say nighty-night and kiss me
just hole me tight and tell me you'll miss me
while I'm alone and blue as can be
dream a little dream of me..."
- Dream a Little Dream of Me, Ella Fitzgerald
/
Chapter Title:
"your love is my turning page
only the sweetest words remain..."
- Turning Page, Sleeping At Last
Hosie being dorks and having their first kiss
They're huddled into each other on one of the couches in the commons late in the evening, Hope telling dorky pick-up lines and Josie is all smiles, blushing uncontrollably.
Hope's been doing it for well over thirty minutes and hasn't run out of material and Josie can't imagine how strange it must look to see them curled up together – Josie giggling and Hope actually smiling, careless of how she's ruining her unaffected loner reputation. It's like she's fuelled by Josie's laughter, motivated by the blush in her cheeks – like it's made her blind to the way the few people still puttering around have been staring at them. They've been staring at them all week since they came out with their friendship, but it feels different now; like they've seen something new in them that they're perplexed and fascinated by.
Maybe it's Hope's smile.
Josie wouldn't blame them if it is, being pretty fascinated by it herself.
"Is there something in your eye? Oh wait, it's just a sparkle."
Josie scoffs, fruitlessly hiding her smile behind her hand, "That was cheesy."
"But good."
"Nuh-uh. Just terrible."
"But good! If it makes you smile, then it has to be good." Hope insists.
Josie's breath catches just so in her chest; butterflies springing to life in her stomach at the way Hope looks at her, sweet and sincere. Her lines are comical and cliché and even a little hammy, but the way she looks at Josie almost convinces her they're not. There's an earnestness to it, a glint of determination in her eyes that's so enchanting Josie can't help but poke fun just to see it.
"Was it better than the other ones? Yes. Does that make it good? No."
"Wh – wait a minute, what was wrong with the other ones?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the idea that they'd ever work."
Hope arches an eyebrow playfully.
"Are you telling me that if I asked 'is that a mirror in your pants or can I see myself in them?' that you wouldn't swoon?"
Josie snorts, "If you were saying it? Definitely not."
"Well ouch," Hope pouts.
"But Rafael? – well, that's a whole other story."
"Oh c'mon, Ruff-ael is all bark and no bite."
"Why Ms Mikaelson," Josie jests, hand to her chest as she bats her eyes at Hope, "is that you saying you want to bite me? Do I bring out the vampire in you?"
"Among other things," Hope smirks, "You might even say you turn me on."
Josie huffs a laugh, rolling her eyes and angling away from Hope.
"That wasn't any better," she refutes, trying futilely to ignore the heat that rises in her skin and only becoming increasingly more aware of it.
Hope pokes at her sides, her own smile reaching her eyes. They shimmer and Josie's breath just barely catches, the siphon really taking in how beautiful Hope is when she's happy. She glows – radiates freedom and security and delight and Josie can feel herself melt at the dimpled grin Hope shoots her, her eyes soft when she looks at Josie in a way Josie's never seen with anyone else.
Hope's smile is edged in confusion at the look on Josie's face but before she can ask what's wrong, Josie pushes a strand of hair behind her ear, a serious expression coming across her face.
"Hope."
"Yeah?"
She looks expectant and Josie nudges in that bit closer, fighting the smile threatening to ruin her composure as she meets Hope's eyes squarely. They're bewitching this close; a mix of different shades of blue, like a winter twilight; a blend of rich cerulean and steel. There's a depth to them, emotion hidden amongst the shine of teal and something in Josie shivers as she straightens up; anticipating the change to come.
"I figured out why the sky's grey today. All the blue is in your eyes."
There's a pause, the words slowly sinking in before Hope erupts into protest.
"Josie," Hope whines but Josie can see the way her cheeks are flushing, the tips of her ears turning red and grins, trailing a finger down Hope's jaw.
"And that, sweetness, is how it's done."
"Sweetness?"
"It's all in the delivery."
"Oh really? And what – pray-tell – was wrong with my delivery?"
"Aside from everything?"
Josie hides a grin at the adorable indignant noise Hope makes, furious determination rising in her eyes as she visibly straightens up to take on Josie's perceived challenge – preening like a bird with its feathers ruffled.
"Well then, prepare to swoon," Hope says, scooting closer until any space between them is gone. She lifts Josie's hand, brushing her lips over the siphon's knuckles before she tangles their fingers together, looking straight into Josie's eyes. "If beauty were time, you'd be an eternity."
Josie knows it's supposed to be a joke – and while sweet, it's honestly quite laughable still – yet she can't help but be rendered speechless, the quiet intensity of Hope's voice raising goose-bumps on her skin. That same feeling of anticipation warms her from the inside out; the feeling that something is changing in the air between them almost all she can focus on.
She needs to say something soon – to make sure this doesn't get weird or awkward, but finds the only things she can think of are all things she's not brave enough to say.
The silence lingers.
But Hope doesn't seem uncomfortable, actually shifting closer to Josie if that were at all possible, angling herself so their eyes are locked, her thumb rubbing circles into Josie's hand. Hope lets the moment between them grow, sincerity seeping into her eyes; pushing the teasing gleam out. The air between them sizzles with the change; no longer playful but intimate. Genuine.
Josie almost pinches herself, certain that this is a dream but Hope squeezes her hand instead, her eyes sapphire pools of warmth and Josie's heart flutters because it's real. Hope means this. She wants this too.
"That's sweet," she says, soft-toned instead of cool as she'd intended.
"Yes, I am," Hope teases.
"What about me then, hmm?"
She's expecting more teasing to ease the tension, something along the lines of "you're alright, I guess" but Hope shakes her head lightly like she's pulling free from a dream and drifts closer.
"Gorgeous," Hope mutters dazedly in the space between them.
Josie can see the moment Hope realises what she's said, the way her eyes shoot down to their joined hands and can feel herself swooning.
She pulls a hand free, ignoring the way Hope holds tighter to her other one anxiously and cups her face, dragging her thumb along Hope's jaw as she slowly meets Josie's eyes.
"Can I borrow a kiss?" Josie asks, edging closer until their noses graze and she can feel Hope's breath on her lips; the flutter of her lashes against her cheek.
Hope's smile could light up the night.
"Only if you give it back."
