Just an idea, something floating around in my head that wouldn't leave me alone. Leave your feedback, and let me know what you think. There aren't enough Godric love stories out there, so i'm adding to the collection.
Disclaimer: Not mine, except for the plot and OC.
Me and you, living under a paper moon
'Cause real life just isn't right
Let's fabricate
Outside the newly cleaned windows, small splatters of something unknown leaving almost transparent lines down the glass, the sun had begun to set. The once bright blue sky that had been free of imperfection, with the exception of an occasional wisp of pristine white, was now turning different magnificent shades. By now, the large clock tolling eight o'clock, the sky had transformed. Deep oranges and wild pinks danced across the skyline, the streets illuminated in a surreal beauty.
Inside, the chilling breeze from the air conditioner left the space in comfortable coolness, rogue gusts shuffling the magazines strewn about the meticulously placed coffee tables. The area was nearly vacant of human inhabitants, mostly just passersby searching through the numerous rows of cardstock and bindings.
A couple sat at the far wall, staring intently at one another over their steaming cups of cappuccino. Another, much younger girl, nine at the most, went running wildly down the isles, finding herself in the section of the store full of nursery rhymes and childish stories. Her mother, the wrinkled lines of years passed etched into her otherwise pretty face, watched tiredly as her daughter went searching for books, doing the very same thing. An older man, glasses falling down the bridge of his nose, stood deep in thought as his gaze ravaged the book held open in his grasp.
Abigail watched these people with a smile on her pink lips, perusing secretly through the store whilst attempting to reorganize the cluttered array of novels in front of her.
She had been there all day, working a double for the third time that week. But unlike her fellow employees, she didn't mind it at all. If anything, she loved coming to work everyday, surrounded by captivating books and loving people. Growing up, reading had always been a hobby, and she had always found herself lost in the fictitious worlds of the novel she had been reading at the time. Real life never truly seemed to satisfy her as she lived through the adventures of the characters on the page.
She had been lucky to get this job, working at the bookstore she found herself spending most of her childhood in. Now that her sophomore year in college had finally ended, she found herself needing the cash as well as the solace she found in this quaint space; peaceful and welcoming.
She looked up from her work once more, taking in the scenes around her as she lost herself in all its splendor.
The bookstore was more modern than anything else, perfectly lined shelves filled with all the current bestsellers, yet it just fell short of the acclaim held by the more prominently named bookstores that reached across the country. This quaint space still held the classical, antique edge that had seemed to appeal to fewer and fewer at this current day and age. But even here, in a city on the rise, it had made its mark, and would continue to reside free from the worries of fading away.
A patter of feet caught her attention, snapping her eyes back down to the messy assortment of books thrown back onto the shelves, and she set about fixing it in record time. Soon, the footsteps grew closer, revealing a tall, older woman with deep burgundy hair and a pointed nose, her smile warm and inviting.
" How is everything going, Abigail?" She asked politely, sliding in next to the younger girl as she browsed the collection of American classics. Abigail smiled back with the same vigor and warmth, fixing a few misplaced books as she replied.
" It's wonderful Mrs. Finnegan, this place truly keeps me sane. What about you, how's your son?" She watched as the older woman's eyes lit up at the mention of the younger boy, only a few years younger than Abigail who was rather mature for a twenty year old. Her life didn't consist so much of parties and drinking as other kids her age, even those older than she.
" Oh he's just swell! He just graduated, you know. He's going to Columbia in the fall, isn't that exciting?" Her voice was full of delight as she spoke of her son. Abigail smiled as she looked down in earnest. It was truly something to have the amount of talent her son had, and she could only wish she had had the skill he did, or rather the drive to achieve his dreams.
Abigail would forever remain in Dallas, never leaving the box that had been set up for her since birth.
" That is truly amazing."
" Well what about you dear, how is school going for you? Are your parents enjoying Seattle?" Mrs. Finnegan asked in curiosity, and Abigail cringed slightly. Her parents had moved away at the beginning of the semester, something about trying something new, their daughter finally ready to make it out in the real world. And it wasn't as though Abigail felt left behind or hurt by their departure, but it definitely made for conversation that the close knit community would latch onto.
And she really hated being the topic of discussion.
But putting on a smile, she replied sweetly, not having the heart to act so bitter to such a kind woman.
" School's over for me as well, it starts back up again in August. I'll be a junior this year. And my parents are very much enjoying life in Washington. It's a lot cooler." She finished with a laugh that hung in the air like wind chimes.
The older woman left not too long after that, moving onto to another shelf full of books of a much different nature, leaving Abigail behind to continue her day dreaming ways. She only had a few hours left, not having to close tonight, and although she loved the comfort these books brought her, she knew that her bed was calling her name, the sandman already leaving her eyes drooping heavily.
A stray vibrant red curl fell from its place behind her ear as the familiar ring of the door went off, a gust of air appearing out of seemingly nowhere.
She slid it back with ease, a knee jerk reaction that didn't hold any meaning to her at the moment. And with a sigh, her flaming curls already falling halfhazardly from her messy bun, she slid the hair tie out to let the curls fall from its previous position, flowing to just above her lower back.
Running her hands though her chaotic locks, she strolled out from the aisle only to jump when a figure emerged from around the corner.
It was a man, not far from her age, with short brown hair and a pale complexion. He was dressed in simple attire, linen pants and a fitted dark grey long sleeved shirt. He was peculiar, even in the few seconds she was startled by his sudden appearance, she could tell. But what shocked her the most were his electrifying eyes; blue orbs that danced with fire and life. Her hand clasped over her mouth to stifle a startled shriek, her eyes lingering a moment too long before she was able to compose herself.
When she could finally make out a word, her sentence was laced with remaining shock.
" I-I'm sorry, you scared me. Is there anything I can help you with." Within moments, her brain kicked in and she began thinking back to her role, her job, ready to help a customer in need.
His eyes were soft as he spoke, but his expression was otherwise unreadable. " I'm in need of a book." His voice sounded like waves breaking against sand, the sound familiar and alluring. Abigail took another unnecessary moment to respond.
" Well what book are you lookin' for. I'd be happy to help you find it." A bright smile found itself stretched across her face, her green eyes sparkling. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes darting from one spot to another as a seemingly sheepish expression crossed his features. His voice betrayed his emotion.
" I'm not quite sure."
Abigail cocked her head to the side, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion as she racked her brain for a reply.
" Oh okay. Well, is there anything you had in mind, any type of book that you'd enjoy reading?" She asked, hoping he'd shed some insight on his perplexing request. It wasn't often people came into the store looking for a book that they had no prior knowledge of. But Abigail always prided herself with thinking on her feet, using her resourcefulness to please any and all customers.
" I've read many books," He began, his eyes scanning the rows of classics, ranging from the Scarlett Letter to A Farewell to Arms. His eyes glowed in awe as his fingers brushed the covers, absorbing the books as a content look flashed across his features. " more so than I could possibly name in this moment. But I haven't read in a while, and I wish to begin again. Do you have any recommendations?" His mystifying blue orbs had made their way back to Abigail's green ones. And something about them sent a shiver down her spine, a feeling spreading across her body that she was very much unfamiliar with.
" If you have the desire, I'm sure you'd love any one of the books here." She motioned with her hands towards the books lining the shelves, the classics she was so fond of.
" Yes, but I've already read them, numerous times in fact."
Her mouth dropped in slight shock, her brows knitting together once more in confusion. Was she hearing him correctly?
" All of them?" She trailed baffled, watching him for any sign that he may be playing a joke on her, or just plain being a smartass. But there was something about him that made her think that was unlikely. He looked very much like a man who could have read every novel lining the shelves, age and authority radiating off of him that didn't fit his boyish appearance.
A small bemused smirk flittered across his face as he spoke. " All of them."
Abigail stepped back slightly in awe, biting onto her bottom lip as she smiled, locking eyes with the blue eyed stranger before moving her gaze elsewhere, a blush creeping its way up her cheeks. She wasn't quite sure why, but she felt uncomfortable around this man, uncomfortable in a way that made her want more.
A confused expression flashed across his face as his head tilted to the side, his eyes trained on her, before Abigail opened her mouth in a puff of air. " Huh, that's…wow that's something. How is that even possible." She finished with a laugh, leading him out of the aisle and out towards another shelf of perfectly placed books. He kept up with her pace easily, falling into step beside her, his eyes trained forward.
" I've had a lot of time over the years, and I find reading a very relaxing activity."
In her naivety, the obvious seemed to escape her grasp. Vampires had been out of the coffin for a couple years now, yet she hadn't ever met one face to face, only caught glimpses here and there. Not that she was trying to stay away, she'd just never been a part of that circle. But now, the thought seemed preposterous, so far fetched that she had long since abandoned the notion.
" Don't take this the wrong way," She said with a smile, feeling a connection to this man she had never felt before. Even working in a bookstore she hadn't met a person who seemed to have the same adoration for reading as she did. " but how could you have read all of them? I read every second I can, and I mean every second, it's almost pathetic. And I'm no where near finished. How much time do you have?" Her tone was laced with curiosity as she turned to read his expression.
They had come to a stop in the section full of current bestsellers, hard covers and paperbacks surrounding them in literary grandeur.
He seemed to be struggling with his reply, a war of emotions and confliction brought to the surface. He soon decided on his course of action, turning so that he was not facing her, his head turned to the side to speak.
" I've had hundreds of years worth of time, and I find that reading, for me, has gotten much quicker." His tone was controlled as his gaze wandered across her face, then back down towards the books seemingly ashamed.
Abigail was truly speechless.
Her mouth fell open in complete and utter shock, her hair whipping across her face in a tangled mess as she turned to face him. So many thoughts swirled in her mind in those brief seconds of silence; shock, amazement, fear, excitement, and a whole mess of other feelings she couldn't put a name to. She also felt slightly stupid, embarrassed that she hadn't realized any sooner. Looking back on it, taking his appearance in once more, she couldn't believe she had thought anything but.
" You- you're a vampire?" She asked in a rushed whisper, stepping closer than she knew she should. He turned to face her now, watching her emotions flitter across her face, suppressing an amused smirk as darker, more somber emotions rose to the surface. Guilt sat like a brick in his chest.
He leaned forward equally, matching her own stance.
" I am."
An excited grin found itself on her face as she whispered more to herself than anything, byt the words didn't escape his inhuman hearing.
" Well that changes things." She sat herself in one of the lingering chairs, brushing her hand through her hair as she absorbed this new information, before quickly jumping to her feet, practically inches from the vampire.
" I'm sorry, it's just I've never met a vampire. And I'm not quite sure I'd know what you'd like. I mean, I don't even know. What's your name?" He words left her mouth before she even had time to form coherent thoughts behind them. Her eyes darted across his own, unable to suppress this bubbling elation.
He took a hesitant step back, not out of anger or impoliteness, but for her own safety, his own self control.
There was a ghost of a small on his lips as his arms crossed across his chest, the muscles of his forearms straining slightly against this thin fabric, a dark tattoo emerging from beneath the grey cloth.
" My name is Godric, and yours?" His voice was soft, lacking the detachment it held previously, and Abigail nearly melted.
" My name's Abigail." A spark of something magical ignited in her brain, the man across from here smiling back in warmth.
" What a very beautiful name."
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