Controlling The Tribrid

Hope slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, a bit lethargic as she tried to sit up.

"Easy does it…" Albus murmured as he pressed lightly on her shoulder, keeping her to the bed. He pushed the edge of a cup against her lips, and the moment the first taste of blood touched her tongue, Hope's heart raced, and she tried to drink more despite the cup emptying within a few seconds.

"Hope," Albus' voice cut through her confused state firmly, "look at me."

Meeting his blue eyes, she took a deep breath. His fingers stroked lightly through her hair as he fed her another little bit of blood.

It took ages, but Hope finally felt more herself and could understand her surroundings. Looking around at Credence's bedroom, she recalled what had happened and cringed.

"It was very unwise what you did," Albus murmured, and Hope looked over at him, fresh tears in her eyes. 

She'd have rather been punished by his belt a thousand times than see the amount of disappointment he held just for her.

Hope swallowed hard, leaned her head back, and looked away, staring at the wall where Credence leaned against. Standing next to his father.

"I did try to stop her, Albus…" Aberforth murmured.

"I imagine you did."

Hope closed her eyes and clenched her jaw while another wave of nausea coursed through her. She'd been so upset with Newt…so upset with herself, that she'd done something she never should have even considered. Rushing off to Godric's Hollow, she'd entered Credence's room and held his hand.

She'd held on until she passed out.

"Could you give us a moment?"

Opening her eyes, Hope watched Credence and Aberforth leave them. Even with them gone, she couldn't meet his eyes.

"You came here for all the wrong reasons, Hope," Albus said in a calm, leveled voice.

"I came here to help Credence…"

"You came here to prove a point."

Hope flashed her eyes at him, but she didn't have the energy to hold a glare. He didn't look angry- if anything, he looked worried.

Swallowing the lump in her throat. "I'm sorry." She managed.

"I don't think that you are."

Hope looked at him again, blinking in a state of surprise. That certainly wasn't what she had been expecting from him.

Opening her mouth to argue, she shut it. What could she say? Truth be told, she wasn't exactly sorry. She did want to prove a point.

"I think you are a passionate person," Albus interrupted her thoughts, "with some…impulsive actions," he smiled crookedly now, "it's something I often find to be very endearing about you, but you let that anger get the better of you today." 

It was like she was being crushed into a tiny space, and someone dumped a water bucket over her face.

"So you agree?" She asked, looking at him with guarded eyes. "I should tell you what I should do from the moment I wake til the moment I close my eyes?"

Albus frowned and was silent for a long minute before taking her hand into his and kissing her knuckles lightly. "No."

Hope tried to pull her hand away, rolling her eyes as she scoffed. They may as well put a collar on her with a tracker.

"I think," Albus murmured, holding her hand a little tighter, "that you've grown in a life where trust is scarce for you to build with anyone, let alone people who have seen you in such vulnerable states. I think despite the confidence you have, you shy away from the attention."

Hope swallowed hard, jaw clenched.

"I think," he continued, meeting her eyes and slightly shaking his head, "that the idea of someone caring for you as deeply as Newt does terrifies you because people who have cared about you in the past are no longer with you."

"Please stop," Hope murmured, tears straining her voice.

Albus didn't stop.

"I think that the past two years you spent in a cage left a poisonous scar that aches when you feel the control you've attained slipping."

A tear slipped down her cheek- which he wiped with his thumb.

"You are not a bad person, Hope," he murmured, "you're damaged by the things people have done to you, and while Newt thinks he's being helpful by offering his help, you feel him taking the control you hold so dearly away from you. It scares you, and you lash out because people can't take control from an uncontrollable person."

Hope gave him a look. "Are you calling me a control freak?"

Chuckling, he nodded and patted her hand lightly. "In the most endearing way possible." Albus pursed his lips then. "Hope, while I think you are entitled to how you feel…so is Newt."

Glaring at him, he met her with a small smile.

Hope didn't want to hear his side of it. She didn't want to be told she was incapable and needed to have her hand held. "I can take care of myself. I'm perfectly capable."

"I know," Albus nodded, "he knows too, but now imagine the roles reversed." He held two fingers up and made them switch places, crossing to either side of his hands. "How would you feel if Newt went searching for Mikael in an attempt to protect you?"

Hope gave him a look. "That's different."

Raising a brow, Albus smiled and shook his head. "Hm, how so?"

With a shrug, she sighed. "Newt wouldn't be able to pull the trigger."

Albus stared at her, narrowing his eyes in confusion.

Sighing, she leaned and looked down at their hands. "He wouldn't be able to do what's necessary. He's too…"

"Nice?"

Hope looked at him and shrugged, biting her lip. "I was going to say squishy, but sure. Could you imagine him killing someone?"

"Just for the sake of taking a life?" Albus asked and shook his head. "No, I can't…" he trailed off and bit his lip. "But for you? Yes. I think he would do whatever he could to keep you safe. No matter the consequences."

"It's still not comparable. I can and come back. He wouldn't. I don't understand it; I can't die."

"Ah, but saying 'never' is something we can't say. You can't guarantee that you never will. You can only know for certain once it happens; it's usually too late by then. He wants you to show caution in the face of danger, and you want him to show trust in your power. So, we're at an impasse."

"So it would seem."

Smiling softly, he stroked her knuckles with her thumb. "How will you solve it then?"

"Hmm…ignore it until the problem goes away?"

Albus gave her a look now, making her purse her lips. 

Frowning, Hope let out a soft sigh. "I'm not ready for that conversation. I can't live a life where I constantly have to ask for approval."

"Asking for approval and being courteous of another person's fear are two very different things, Hope."

"Stop," Hope cried out desperately- her eyes burning as she shuddered a breath, "stop making me feel guilty."

Albus' warm eyes twinkled in soft sadness. "Do you feel guilty, Hope?"

Hope stared at him and swallowed again, her throat dry.

"I- always feel guilty…"

Before she realized what he was doing, Albus leaned forward and connected their lips in a soft, salty kiss. Her tears coated their lips.

"I won't push you or Newt," Albus murmured, "but how I feel…I don't like being between this. Until you two can speak with each other and come to an agreement, then I need to step away."

Hope's breath hitched a little.

Losing two loves of her life on the same day.

It had to be a new record.

"Even if it kills my soul, I will never choose between the two of you," Albus murmured, and for the first time all day, Hope could see he was fighting his own wave of tears now. He stood and left the room without another backward glance.