The Time Between Us
Eric had been watching Godric sleep for an hour after dawn approached. His long lashes fell past his eyelids and his lips were almost in a pout. After 1000 years, Eric was still astonished at how beautiful and angelic Godric looked. He reached out to stroke the Godricʼs jaw. Eric felt an indescribable satisfaction at knowing the smoothe skin under his tips would be forever hairless and baby-soft. Godric had been only 16 when his Roman master, Appius, turned Godric into the vampire whom Eric loved unconditionally.
He supposed he should be grateful to Appius. But, he felt little but hatred toward the Roman master who Eric learned had bought 13 yr old Godric at a slave auction and branded him within hours of Godricʼs arrival to his home. What proceeded, Eric was told, were years of beatings and rapes that persisted even after Godric was turned. When Godric could bare the abuse no longer, he supposedly killed Appius and fled to escape the persecution he would face at having killed his own maker. The compulsion to submit to oneʼs maker was great; intense. Even a hardened vampire like Eric almost shuddered to think about the brutality Godric must have been subjected to, for him to turn against Appius so willingly.
Now, as he watched Godric sleep, he thought about how close he came to losing him...
Godric had taken pity on Eric as he wept on his knees and begged him not to end his life. Eric pleaded to Godric that he had not seen Godric in decades and that it was cruel of Godric to come back into his life so briefly, just to leave again. Godric had relented then. He could not leave the earth knowing Eric was in so much pain. Godric knew would make arrangements to end his life, which he had grown weary of, another time. But, right then, Godric took Eric by the shoulders, and pulled him to his knees.
"This will only be for a short while. Just enough time to say goodbye." his voice was gentle but firm. Eric knew Godric meant it. He had no plans on trying to convince Godric not to end his life, that wouldʼve been fruitless. But, he just needed more time.
"Come." Eric held his hand out to lead Godric back to the hotel floor, off the roof. His bloody tears dried on his face as he looked in Godricʼs dark blue eyes. Suddenly, smoke arose from Godricʼs shoulders. The sun was rising.
"Quickly!" Eric hissed. He took Godricʼs hand, and Godric allowed Eric to pull him into the safety of the building.