Chapter 23

                                    

                                          
Dating could be fun.
Andra was well aware of this fact. It simply wasn't the same to date someone in the twenty-first century when, the last time she'd been 'dating' anyone, it had been the late 1700s. She had no parents to handle the talk of weddings and dowries, which couldn't happen anyway, which meant nearly everything was illicit and considered by most to be scandalous. 
She liked this a whole lot better.
Now, each time Marcel came over, there was much more talking, a tad more touching, and even a bit of quiet dancing once Landon had gone to sleep, because Marcel liked to see the weak little smile that came on her face each time he put his hand on her hip. 
Landon and Davina had no complaints. Every other night, they got the apartment to themselves for a few hours when Andra and Marcel went out to eat or have a drink following their training sessions. Kol or Josh (or both) could come by, and they were quite good about making Landon feel included if he was awake. And if he was being fussy, he had a blast third-wheeling his sister's date and enjoying all the lovely compliments from people who assumed, as usual, that he was Andra's son rather than her brother. 
"I'm getting a little offended here, buddy," said Marcel, holding up a small pinwheel given to Landon by a street vendor. "Everyone's always saying how dapper you look but nobody compliments me anymore."
"You look quite handsome, Marcel," said Andra, winking at him. "You know, this may sound cheesy, but I've enjoyed this past month of going on dates. It... it feels a lot nicer knowing that you're aware of how I feel and that we're able to do something about it. Even just being able to hold hands is... comforting."
"I feel the same way. It's simply better to connect with someone once things are out in the open. I always liked spending time with you but now that I can take you out dancing and tease back and forth knowing we mean what we say... it makes me happy."
Landon huffed, perhaps offended that they were now more focused on each other than on him. "But I would never forget my favorite little guy," said Marcel. He grinned when Landon relaxed, a small smile coming onto his lips as the vampire ruffled his curls. 
"This favorite little guy is happy with the increase in your presence," said Andra. "Isn't that right, Landon, you like when Marcel is here?"
"Looks like I don't have to worry about whether your family likes me or not. Landon's been a fan from day one and Ryan knew we had a thing before we even wanted to or felt like we could acknowledge it and he didn't exactly threaten me to stay away. He hasn't spoken to me directly about it, but..."
"He hasn't said much to me, either. I think it may be hard for him to express any happiness after what happened to Gia and I don't blame him. My brother and I always promised each other to make the best possible effort to be in the right state to respond to good news, and if we couldn't, to hold off on it. We understand. We want to be happy for each other and if it takes a little bit of time to show that, we understand."
"I get it. I think it's a good system. It's one of the many things that makes me realize it is actually possible for people to have healthy sibling relationships even after so long."
"Most don't. They either get sick of each other, or, well, you know how the Mikaelsons can be. Ryan and I made a pact a long time ago that we'd never hurt each other... there was already so much suffering in the world, a lot being inflicted on us and a lot we inflicted on others to have the means to stay away from Malivore... there was no sense in causing one another more grief. It's all we ever asked for from each other. Loyalty, respect, and protection." 
"I know Hope and I are really different when it comes to being siblings. The age gap is... well, yours and Landon's is even bigger, so you get it. And I didn't have to take her in or really do much more than be in her life and a good influence. But I want her to feel safe with me, however often it is that we see each other, whatever it is that she learns about me and my past with her dad. Klaus and I may not always get along that well every waking moment of each day and that may persist for another while, but I'd really kick myself if Hope didn't one day feel safe around me and like she could trust me to protect her. I want to have a relationship with her the way you do with Ryan and Landon. Pure and healthy."