Safe Haven of Watching
Godric watches.
He watches as the woman walks up to Salazar. He watches her favour him with a simpering smile. He watches as Salazar smiles distractedly back. He watches with burning eyes.
He has been watching for a long time. Ever since childhood. He first began to watch the silver-haired boy on that night. Alone, scared of the men with flaming torches, Godric watched the sleeping boy and felt safer. Even when the seven-year-old boy grew into a man, the watching continued.
Godric watches.
When the other man inclines his head to stare back, Godric quickly lowers his eyes. The watching is a game for him, a secret game and a link to his past, Salazar's past, their mutual past. It is a game to keep the Muggles at bay.
Godric watches.
And thinks. He thinks of the years and how they have passed him by. He thinks of the missed opportunities. But most of all, he thinks of the promise Salazar made. Five years ago it was, five years ago to this day. And Godric has not forgotten.
"Gryffindor." A soft whisper beside his ear. Almost a caress.
He turns around to find Salazar standing there. The woman is gone. Godric is surprised.
Godric watches.
It is a rare occurrence for Godric to be so close to the object of his thoughts and he relishes the opportunity. He notices that Salazar's eyes are dark grey. He notices that Salazar is trembling. He notices the shallowness of breath. He notices the dilated pupils. With effort, Godric speaks: "What do you want, Slytherin?"
The trembling in Salazar's hands increases, but still barely noticeable to anybody. Except Godric. But that is understandable. Godric knows Salazar better than himself. He has been watching for over thirty years. Thirty long years.
Godric watches.
The other man tilts his head to one side, regarding Godric through half-lidded eyes. "A promise. I made you a promise five years ago."
Godric inhales sharply. He remembers! "A promise?"
"A promise," Salazar confirms as he leans in to kiss Godric on the lips.
Godric feels his head spin as the other man holds him. Finally the warm pressure on his lips is lifted and Salazar regards him through his dark grey eyes. "Are you still watching?" he whispers.
Godric does not know what to say. He tries to retreat but the road behind him has disappeared. The safe haven of watching is no longer. "I… cannot stop," he says brokenly.
"Good." With that word, Salazar kisses him again. Warm and sweet.
And Godric kisses him back, knowing that he no longer needs to watch because what he has watched is now his.