Engravings

Prompt 049: 777

Dave was making a quick coffee and toast for Balthazar, who had just dropped on the seats around the messy table, elbows resting over the surface while his head rested over his laced fingers. Dave had to admit he looked defeated.

And it did not suit him.

Balthazar looked great as a master sorcerer he looked good moping about the world in a thousand year search and even awesome after coming back from the death.

But defeated… the look did not suit him.

"Here," said the apprentice softly, placing a tall cup of coffee and a plate of toast before his master. "There's nothing else so…"

"It'll do for now."

Balthazar lifted the cup and drank the bitter liquid, groaning. "What is this thing?"

"Decaf."

"Shoot me." Said Balthazar quickly groaning and drinking the other half of the cup. Dave just turned away, annoyed. If he'd known Balthazar did not like decaf… He might have to drop by a fancy coffee story later on, bring some decent brew for Balthazar, probably even in a 32 ounce paper cup. "Thanks anyway." Surprised Dave nodded at him, and smiled.

"You need rest Balthazar. I can drop Becky at the station and come back and watch over Veronica if you…"

"I'll be fine." He said with a little force in his tone, what Dave knew as his cue to be quiet and say no more. Balthazar tried the toast and swallowed hard on the dry bread. He was closing up, thing he had gotten so used to do around people that would not be long around him, he was doing it unconsciously. Dave seemed ready for anything his master might ask, what surprised Balthazar, and the older man smiled. "If you could… Buy something to eat and bring it over on your way back, I would be deeply grateful."

"Sure no prob. What would you like to have?'

"Anything will be fine, really."

Balthazar finished his toast, found a bottle of water and drank it. "I… I am a sorcerer of the 777th degree, I walked and learned and done so many things; and I still could not help the woman I love recover. I feel like... " Balthazar could not describe it, he'd opened up to the boy in the most painful subject yet and he could not find words that could cover what he was feeling. He was looking down at the bottle he held and then up, Dave was watching him, intently and waiting for him to continue. He gave the boy a soft smile and again leaned his face. "I was drunk with her love." It was an excuse really, but the best he could find, still it wasn't good enough.

"I guess even sorcerers of the 777th degree are human too. Balthazar it doesn't matter what degree you are, what country you come from or how old you are when it comes to women we men become a sorry pile of garbage." said Dave, making Balthazar look up in surprise. "Sure, take it from me. But do you know why we are with those two gorgeous women? Because they want us here with them. Now stop beating yourself so hard and mend what you think you've broken ok? Let's see if Veronica's awake."

"Becky would have called us." Mused Balthazar softly, chuckling to himself. "But I better get back, Becky has to get going."

"Yeah, that's true. I'll walk her to the radio station and get back here soon, alright?"

"Thank you Dave. And I mean it."

"Hey, what's the best man for?" Said Dave walking quickly to the room his girlfriend was leaving a stunned Balthazar behind.

Balthazar waved goodbye to the kids, hurried to close the door and up the stairs, when he got to the room he found Veronica trying to sit up. He scolded and hurried to her. "I told you wait till I got back."

"I was only trying to sit up, beloved."

"Either way." He growled helping her get comfortable and fetching the pillows from the other side of the bed to do so. "You should be resting not wasting your gained strength."

"Balthazar I'm a grown woman."

"Could have fooled me."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You are acting like a child, lying to me about your weakness."

"I did not want you to worry."

"I worry either way!" He said turning to her, eyes serious and hard. Veronica said nothing and felt like she did when she was eleven and he scolded her for any little thing. "I thought you were feeling a lot better and let you walk around shopping, I was so worried. Then you come home hug me and faint… Have you any idea how that made me feel? I was scared to kingdom come, still am!" Balthazar fixed the sheets around her, cuddling her and breathing deeply. "Next time you lie to me like that I won't forgive you, understood?"

"I'm sorry."

"I've already forgiven you." Veronica was looking down at her hands, with tears in her eyes, when Balthazar stood up. "But if you lie again…"

"I got it you won't forgive me again…"

"NO, I'll be running out to get a divorce." He said quickly, the ice in his eyes melting and revealing spring, the very same Veronica had fallen in love with. He was trying to tease her!

"You would not dare!"

"Of course I would!" He rounded the bed, and sat on the other side, sighing. "I'm tired." Smiling Veronica leaned forward and pulled him back towards her, resting him against her shoulder.

"My sweet Balthazar."

"I'm not talking to you, I'm angry." And huffing softly, while Veronica laughed, Balthazar closed his eyes.

"You cannot stay mad at me for long."

"Why not?"

"I happen to know a little spell to make you forget your anger and have you kiss me."

"I would love to see you try. I have grown quite powerful in the last thousand years, dare I say even I now can go against you." He said softly, still smiling.

"I love you."

Balthazar sat up, suddenly, making Veronica gasp in surprise. He turned to her, totally serious, the same stare he'd give her before and Veronica considered apologizing. But the blue ice in Balthazar's eyes melted (still teasing!) and he smiled. "Who would have thought; it does work."

Dave dropped by an hour later, and Balthazar laughed while the apprentice tried to explain why there were so many strange items within her fried rice.

Author's Ramblings: Yes I know, it's a lame use of such good prompt but I promise to use it again and with more powerful intent… Hopefully! Happy writing! Cookies in the Review button!