The Vampires and their love
Francesco fidgeted with his cigarette as he waited. His eyes jumped from the darks waters of the river, to the abrupt curve up ahead on the road. He stood in the middle of the old bridge, tapping his fingers on his leg. The moonlight gave his dark hair a soft white glow.
All his thoughts lingered desperately on his darling Finn. In 900 years, Francesco had met no one like him. Finn had been Fran's first love.
In their time, their love could be spoken out loud. But Finn already had so much to be ashamed of; he was already a lonely and unloved monster. So he hardly cared about who he fell for, as long as he could have a taste of peace. Francesco liked to think he gave Finn some peaceful days—beautiful, even.
The chilling air shoved memories down his throat. He remembered his dearest moments with Finn: their games, their laughs, their walks. Francesco had never seen Finn as happy as when they had picnics in the royal gardens. They shared almost two centuries of their lives, and even at the time it seemed too little. An eternity would not had been enough. To this day, Francesco cursed himself for letting Finn rejoin his siblings in Italy. If only Fran had not suggested they visited his homeland, perhaps he would still have his Finn with him...
A shiver ran down his spine. After the pain of losing his beloved, Francesco had never dared to love again. Not until he freed Finn. It had been his only thought throughout the centuries: to be reunited with Finn. Fran had run around the world, as madly as Mikael, looking for Finn. He had come close to finding him a few times. But, just with the Destroyer, the Mikaelson siblings always slid through Francesco's finger before he could catch them.
Nevertheless, Francesco would never stop looking. He made a promise. Fran swore he'd show Finn the beautiful flowers he planted at the top of Matterhorn*.
And yet, Hunter's words crawled into his mind, with a viciousness that cut through Fran's bones. The little jester was not entirely wrong. Francesco had known about Finn's imprisonment for almost three centuries. He never found out for how long Finn had been daggered, but his heart broke just thinking about it.
He wanted to ripped Niklaus apart for leaving his own brother in such a torturous state. But he knew if he rushed into something reckless, Finn could be lost forever. Francesco had held back his rage out of love, not fear. And if he could not free his beloved at once, at least he could end Finn's torment.
Fran had already started befriending witches back then. He hoped one of them would help him find and protect Finn. But it had been of little use. Mikael had a similar idea, and his witch-friends were more powerful (and weirdly friendly). After much pleading (all behind Mikael's back), one of Mikael's friends accepted the request.
Using one of Finn's possessions (the last Francesco still had), the witch built a dream world. She pulled Finn's mind into it and his suffering was over. Francesco was very specific about how the world should be. A garden with tools and books, so he doesn't get bored.
Throughout the centuries, Francesco had pondered visiting Finn. But he knew he would not leave if he did so.
Fran had tried to free Finn countless times as the years went on. Though he only came close to succeeding twice, his willingness had never wavered.
Still, Hunter was right about one thing: Francesco never told Mikael about Finn. Fran trusted the Viking warrior with his life (literally, considering Mikael had saved Francesco more times than either of them minded counting). Mikael was his mentor and friend. But, for as strong and terrifying as Mikael was, Fran knew he too had a weakness.
Mikael would do anything to protect his children. Francesco pondered as he put out his cigarette. But with Niklaus... Mikael is just... Too weak.
"No," he concluded darkly. "It doesn't matter what it takes," he took a sharp breath as the sound of a speeding motor cut the air. "I'll make sure he's free this time." His lips trembled with anticipation as the car approached the bridge.
"I'll make sure we're happy." Francesco muttered, his hands shaking slightly.
*
Damon Salvatore ignored six phone calls from Davina. He only picked up the seventh because a tired-looking Elena almost yelled at him from the back sit. He and Stefan did their best to calm her down, but it was no use.
Damon hung up unceremoniously. Elena wasn't pleased, but her stressed and tired mind had trouble thinking straight. Elena had just opened her mouth to asked about the girl in the phone, when they saw the man standing in their way.