Had to write this due to a lack of stories between these two. Which astonished me considering their relationship is possibly my favorite thing out of The Originals.

Timeless Love

Chapter 1: Her Marcel

Awe.

It was the first thing that came to mind when she first laid eyes on him. In the midst of everything going around her, the blood, the screams, the death, that was what had crossed her mind. She couldn't describe it. But in that instant, that very moment when their eyes met, time had frozen. There was just something about him, something she couldn't explain.

He was a vampire that she was sure of.

She didn't fully understand or believe it when the witches had explained it to her in her upbringing. Even seeing the slaughter up close during the harvest took some time to assess. The bottom line was that they were the enemy. Plain and simple.

And yet...

As she struggled to free herself from the hold of one of the witches (her supposed allies), struggled to prevent from being killed (from her own kind), it was him who saved her. Him the vampire. Him the enemy.

His hold was oddly tranquil.

And then he spoke to her. His voice surprisingly soft, lacking any of the vile cruelty her elders had led her to believe.

"I've got you."

And she had never been more thankful in her entire existence.

Because the idea of dying truly frightened her.

Name.

She remembers the first time her hero introduced himself to her. After the failed harvest he had taken her with him back to his loft. He led her to the bathroom and gently ushered her inside to get cleaned up.

She jumps when his hand is on her shoulder and he quickly pulls it back.

"It's okay, nothing is going to happen to you." He speaks with a gentle tone. "For now I think you should get cleaned up. I'll be back."

She breaks down once inside. The events are crushing down on her like tidal waves.

They were dead. All dead. Her friends, her mother, the witches. All of them dead.

The burning water pouring down her body felt welcoming.

She needed something, anything to take her mind away from the brutal reality.

With everything that had plagued her mind it hadn't even sunk in that she had no clothes. She was about to call out to the man but she realized that she had no idea what his name was. Davina refused to wear the robe that they had given her again. Thankfully there was a towel.

Slowly and timidly she stepped out only to be met with her savior. He was standing right outside her door with his head turned to the side to ensure he didn't see her.

It was strange. It was as if he knew exactly when she would get out and thus knew exactly when to turn away so she maintained her privacy. Vaguely she recalled the witches teaching her about the many advanced abilities a vampire possessed.

Her gaze landed on the bag in his hand.

"Sorry, I didn't really know what size you were. They should fit though. Go on and change and I'll get you settled."

Wordlessly she took the bag and changed into the clothes he'd gotten from who knows where. They were a tad big on her but she had to hand it to him, it was a good guess. The man continued impressing her.

Once she was finished she stepped outside and he led her to one of the guest rooms.

"It's late. I think you should get some rest. We can settle everything else tomorrow."

"I'm Davina," She blurts out when the elephant in the room had gotten to an insufferable point.

He smiles at her.

No one, not even her own mother, had filled her with such warmth, such reassurance as he had in that moment.

"Marcel."

Comfort.

Davina found out in the same night Marcel had saved her just how much she would rely on him.

The bed was comfortable, much more than her old one. She wasn't used to silk sheets but she would eventually adapt.

The reoccurring nightmares that followed would take time though.

She awoke in the middle of the night screaming.

It must've taken only a few seconds for him to barge into the room calling out for her.

She immediately falls into him when he sits down on the mattress. "I was there again. Except I- I- I couldn't escape. No one was there and... and—" Her sentence is left unfinished as she buries herself closer to him, arms holding him tightly.

"Sssh," He cooed as he rubs her hair gently. "It's okay. It's okay. I won't let anyone hurt you. I won't let them take you away."

There is something about the sincerity in the words of comfort he whispers against her head that lulls her to sleep.

Guardian.

It's what he was. In every definition of the word.

She had been staying at his loft for a time being but it didn't last long. After he deemed it unsafe she was taken to some church attic. She was to stay there at all times and not leave under any circumstances.

It was like house arrest.

But anything was better than going back to those people.

Anything was better than dying.

Although not having him at a hallway's distance was a painful pill to swallow.

She didn't know the story completely but he was apparently in charge of everything supernatural; and therefore he was a busy man. He would always visit whenever he could though.

Marcel would bring her food and clothes. She found it almost humorous when he stopped by; there was this air of awkwardness every time he'd enter. Almost like he was unaware of how to approach her. A vampire being scared of a little witch girl. How utterly comedic.

"Are you hungry? I thought we could eat together for a change." He says on one of his visits while scratching the back of his neck. "Got you some Chinese this time D."

Her heart always flutters when he calls her that. No one had ever given her a nickname.

"How have you been sleeping?" He asks while he pulls out the food from the bags.

At this she faces away. "Okay."

"You're lying."

Of course she was. It amazed and infuriated her how easily he could read her in the short amount of time they'd known each other. She doesn't want to burden him with things like her nightmares though. He has already done so much for her.

Thankfully he doesn't push the subject and instead goes on to talk about sports, promising that they would see a game once all this had blown over.

"Hopefully the Saints have a better season this time around." He finishes with a chuckle.

She doesn't know much about how football was played but nods eagerly nonetheless. Because she truly treasures spending time with him. And so the prospect of spending a normal day out with him has her gleefully agreeing.

"Can't you stay tonight," She murmurs and clutches his sleeve when the moon begins hovering in the sky and she is ready to sleep. "I don't ever see you, and..." Her head lowers when she realizes how clingy she's being. He obviously has more important things to do than babysit her.

"Alright D but I can't stay too long. There's been some concerns going around and I have to make sure things are in check. I'll stay until you sleep so get your butt to bed."

Davina can't remember when she has felt so genuinely happy. She pulls him to sit by her bed before climbing onto it. "I'll go right to sleep I promise."

He smiles in his seat and softly holds her hand in his when she reaches out for it.

"Goodnight Marcel."

"Goodnight Davina."

He was gone when she woke up.

There are two things she notices upon waking up. One was that she slept without any nightmares and the second was that the spot where he'd been sitting on was still warm.

Dancing.

She wasn't much of a dancer. Like most of the childhood traditions a kid would experience either by themselves or with parents, she was stripped of the pleasure of ever learning. Marcel took it upon himself to teach her. Normally they'd enjoy a tune in the attic but there were special occasions, if she were lucky.

Today just happened to be one of those lucky days.

It was rare. Really rare. But he would sometimes take her out. Due to these lucky days being so sporadic she relished them like a stranded man relished the first chug of water. She didn't know why he was being extra nice to her but she was grateful; especially because her nightmares were still a thing in her life. They weren't as common as before (of course due to the man who she owed everything to) but they occasionally plagued her.

He takes her to a nice little restaurant that had a good touch of jazz being played. It was dimly lit making for an even better atmosphere. The food was great but the company was even better.

Marcel stands once he finishes his food and holds his hand out. "Come on D, let's dance."

Happily she takes his hand.

They move with the music and pretty soon the room and noises are slowly vanishing; pretty soon all she can see is the man in front of her and all she can hear is the sound of music.

And he compliments her, tells her how nice she looks.

It has her cheeks warming up and she lowers her head. "Thanks Marcel."

This was like being queen for a day.

Love.

She doesn't know when she started loving Marcel. Perhaps the feeling first manifested itself that night at the harvest and only grew and grew as time went by. All she knows for a fact is that she loves him.

Davina never knew what it was to have a father figure in her life. Her mother wasn't exactly mother of the year either. In fact she'd go as far as to say she never had any true parental guide in her life.

Time eventually made her realize Marcel wasn't the best in this newfound role of parent either. It was nothing compared to the people masquerading as her parents once upon a time. No. It was far more light hearted and endearing.

He would bring her all sorts of animal plushys and she would never tell him how she'd outgrown those type of things when she turned nine. He'd buy her lots of candies and she would never tell him how she wasn't as crazy about candy as she was when she was eleven. He once bought her a makeup kit and she could never berate him on how he'd brought her a preteen makeup kit that little girls normally use on their barbie dolls.

Yes. She is certain this feeling was love.

Jealousy.

It was stupid really. And it was extremely petty of her. Because why would she be jealous of Camille? Certainly not because Marcel talked about her in a fond way. Or that there was another woman in Marcel's life other than her.

He was a vampire after all. There must've been hundreds of women in his life. Possibly more.

Except...

She hadn't been around to see any of them. She was, however, around to see Camille.

"I'll come visit tomorrow D," Marcel cheerfully says one afternoon after bringing her an ice cream.

"What? Can't you stay?"

"I've got plans with Cami tonight but tomorrow I'll be here to check on you. Is that cool?"

No. It wasn't cool Marcel.

"Sure, have fun!"

Davina doesn't want him thinking about another girl. She wants to be his girl, his only girl!

Resentment bubbles inside her. Not for Camille or Marcel but for herself. She was acting like a child. How could she even begin to feel displeased about Marcel spending time with Camille? Camille was a really nice person and a good friend to her. She should be thrilled for him.

Yet, she can't shake off the feeling of being abandoned. Which is ridiculous considering it was hardly a big deal. Safe to say she didn't sleep well that night and this time she couldn't blame it on the nightmares; things that had long since stopped haunting her. All thanks to the vampire who had stepped into her life and changed her world.

He comes early the next morning to her surprise and brings breakfast. When he speaks her heart fills with butterflies.

"Morning sleepy head! Got breakfast for my favorite girl!"

Regret.

She remembers the first time she hurt his feelings. It was something she wished she'd never done. She hated it, she hated hurting him.

"Why!? Why can't I just go out for once?" She wants to go out again. It's been too long.

"I already told you it isn't safe Davina!"

She continues shouting. "Aren't you in charge of everything around here? Or were you just lying?"

He runs a frustrated hand over his head. "It's more complicated than that Davina. I'm not doing this because I enjoy it. I'm doing it for your own good."

"Well here's a news flash for you Marcel, you can't always tell me what to do," She hesitates only slightly before continuing. "You're not my dad."

As soon as the words leave her mouth her insides clench. Her throat feels constricted; like a snake has wrapped itself around it with all its might. His face, it looked shattered.

Before she could take her words back he was gone. His vampire speed is quicker than her regrets.

He doesn't visit her that day.

Or the day after that.

Or the following week.

"You must be pretty lonely," The man, Kieran, says one afternoon when he brings her lunch.

She's about to retort and tell him to mind his own business when he speaks again.

"You see, Marcel is lonely too."

Davina cries that night. She hasn't shed a tear since the night of the harvest. But she cries now, she cries hard. She never knew what true misery was until now. She rolls over on her bed, covers her head with the sheets, hugs her pig plushy and shuts her eyes to the world. She pretends that nothing hurts, because it's easier that way.

Each day she goes into a routine of waiting for him, hoping, wishing he comes back. She wants to tell him to forget everything she said. Tell him how she didn't mean it. Tell him, above all, not to leave her over this, because he's all she has.

He finally appears one night. Davina wants nothing more than to throw her arms around him, hold him in her embrace and never let go, the supernatural world be damned. They don't need him nearly as much as she does. But she doesn't. Instead she stands still as he does. Their eyes are locked.

"Davina." "Marcel."

The two pause having spoken at the same time. Davina decides to clear the air. Because he doesn't owe her anything while she owes him her world.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said," Her voice is certainly trembling. "Can we just forget it ever happened?"

"Davina," He murmurs and gets closer. "I'm sorry if I make you feel like I'm baby'ing you. I know I'm not—"

"No," She stops him. "Don't ever change Marcel. I don't care about going out or any of that as much as I care about you!" Her body is shaking and she knows she's close to tears. "So keep scolding me and telling me how it's unsafe out there. Just... just please don't ever leave me."

Please don't ever think you aren't a father.

He closes the remaining distance and buries her in his chest, arms wrapping tightly around her. She returns the hug with as much force.

The next day he's at her door with lunch and a new plushy.

She loves him. She truly loves him.

Despair.

Davina has experienced what true despair is. It was shortly after being brought back from the dead, after she'd been sacrificed in the harvest.

She's afraid to go to sleep again. The nightmares have returned to haunt her with an unyielding persistence. Whenever she closes her eyes she's in that dark place again, the voices are like a mantra. No matter how much she wraps herself in her bedsheets she still feels the ice cold chill of that place.

It was dark. A pitch black hell. She never wants to see the ancestors again. She never wants to feel their hatred again; never wants to see their disgust; and never wants to hear about how angry they are with her ever again.

This world isn't any better.

They want something from her. They always want something from her. All of them. Even him.

He's been lying to her.

She can't stay.

She doesn't know who to trust. She feels used, hurt, betrayed. By everyone. By him.

But then, Josh says something, while they're staring at a dead rose and wallowing in their state of trying to find acceptance.

"He loves you."

And Davina brings the dead flower to life.

Peace.

It's short lived and fleeting but Davina has experienced moments of true tranquility. When she brings Kol back it's some of the best days of her life. She spends every waking moment with him. Marcel, of course, doesn't approve of him, but he doesn't know this side of Kol like she does.

"You'd think the chap would lighten up by now," Kol comments one evening while they're out. "Oh well, can't say having Marcel's blessing is something I've dreamt off."

"He's just looking out for me." Davina replies with a chuckle. The word overprotective doesn't do justice to how Marcel is with her. "He's been doing that for me since I've known him. It won't change now you know."

"Believe me I do," Kol groans. It's clear he's not fond of having another person on her mind besides him. He wants to be the one who looks out for her. He wants to be the one who protects her.

And of course she appreciates it. She finds her heart melting by the fact that she's the one encouraging these newfound personalities in him. Davina doesn't exactly like being smothered by them but it can be welcoming at times. Plus this day is too incredible to ruin.

He has his hand intertwined with hers and they're walking down the streets looking like a normal couple. This is like a regular boyfriend and girlfriend thing to do.

And Kol is her boyfriend and she's his girlfriend now. There's a giddiness filling inside her at the mere thought of their status. And then he leans in and whispers.

"Stars are lovely aren't they? Almost as much as you love."

She giggles. "You're so cheesy."

This is a sense of normalcy she hasn't felt in a long time.

"Does he know you're with me?" Kol suddenly asks with a raised brow, peering at a something over her shoulder.

"Not quite," Davina sighs. "I didn't exactly tell him we were going out but I'm sure he knows I'm with you."

Kol smirks. "Well then, perhaps we should send him a little message."

"What are you—" Her sentence is cut short when he kisses her. His arms wrap around her pulling her closer and closer.

The next thing she knows Kol is wailing in pain and holding his head. What the? She catches the glimpse of a bruise on his head before it heals. And now Kol's cursing.

Davina places a hand on his shoulder. "Kol are you okay?"

"I'm killing him!" Kol snaps as he rubs his head.

Davina finally sees the rock on the floor and looks behind her. There's a brief pause as it dawns on her.

And then she's laughing. They're chuckles at first but it blows out into full on laughter.

She has a vampire dad and a vampire boyfriend. So maybe it wasn't exactly normal but it was enough.

Time.

Davina realizes cruelly how short time can really be. There's many things she regrets and many things she wished she had done differently. Doubting Marcel for even one instant is one of them.

Not being able to say goodbye to him is another.

But she trusts Kol to relay her message to him as well as the one she entrusted him to give Josh.

They're gone though, finally gone. She's made sure they never plague him or her friends ever again. And it's as if a weight has been lifted. She can almost feel Cami's warm hand on her shoulder as the place begins falling apart.

She hopes Marcel doesn't blame himself. She would never, never blame him for how things turned out.

He will always be family. He is the father she never had. Words can't measure the love she holds for him. He was the first person to love her, to truly love her; and in return he was the very first person she truly ever loved.

Marcel was irreplaceable.

Marcel was her hero.

No matter what he does from now on or what choices he makes she will love him. She will always love him. Even in death, she will continue loving him.

Because above all he was her Marcel.

Author's Notes

Of course I'm still reeling from the way things ended for these two. Next up is Marcel's side of things.