Honestly I feel like we need more Founders Era fics! I feel like I've read most of them so this is my take on the founders. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1: The Path We Travel
Salazar and Godric met when they where young and have been friends since.
"GODRIC!" Salazar yells, shooting awake as he feels his breath get knocked out of him. "Get off of me." Salazar says through gritted teeth. He inhaled deeply trying to catch his breath. Salazar glares at the red head he calls his friend as Godric looks down at him sheepishly, "Sorry Sal," he says not sounding the least bit sorry.
"Godric." Salazar says sternly and he feels Godric shift to lay on top of him. By now Salazar was suck between his friend and the bed. Feeling Godric clinging to him Salazar huffs over dramatically.
"No can do Sal. You're too comfy." Godric cheekily replies, laughing softly into Salazars hair as He tried to wiggle free.
"Godric, get your octopus arse off of me. You're heavy." Salazar complains, face still half squished into his pillow.
Finally Godric complies and rolls off and next to Salazar. "Fine. Now lift the blanket. it's cold." Lifting the blanket Salazar accepts his fate as awake and rolls to his side to be face to face with Godric. Godric is fairly close to him as the bed isn't that big.
Not that it mattered. Godric has always been very clingy and likes to crawl into his bed at odd times of the night. Salazar often awoke to arms around him so the close proximity no longer bothered him. At first it was weird but after a while he became use to it and eventually he began to crave the contact. He became use to Godrics heat and it was a relief as he gets cold easily. The all encompassing heat Godric provides helps him sleep better. (not that he'll ever tell Godric that as he'd rub it in his face for all eternity.)
It was just another one of Godric's quirks. As odd as it was it made sense. Godric had lived with his parents before they started traveling, and the storys he heard, they were very affectionate.
"Sal," Godric called out softly. Voice disrupting his previous thoughts. And as of to prove a point Godric grabbed Salazars hand and played with his fingers.
"hmm?"
"Happy day of birth." Godric whispered as he watched Salazars emerald green eyes shine with surprise and catch the light. They seemed to shine like stars, and Godric often found himself captivated by the sight. It wasn't often Godric could catch his friend off guard.
Salazar on the other hand stared at his friends fond smile and thought back to the date. 'Of course Godric would remember something like that. And of course Godric thought it fit to jump on me in order to wake me up on my day of birth.' while on the subject of morning Salazar took the chance to look out the window.
Looking out the window Salazar realized it wasn't even dawn yet. The sun was still down and but the soft glow of moonlight it was bound to be dawn within the next hour or so.
Groaning softly Salazar glare softly at Godric. "Godric, it's not even dawn yet. I'm not getting up, in fact I'm going back to sleep."
"but SAL, I have a surprise for you!!! look at you, 19 summers old and you still do not want to see my surprises! Oh how you wound me!" Godric whined. Like actually whined. 'And he was supposed to be more mature than me'. Rolling his eyes Salazar waited a bit before replying.
"can't it wait for morning?" Salazar said half into his pillow.
"no." Godric said as he manhandled Salazar into a sitting position. "Come on. Come on. Or we're going to miss it."
Once again Salazar accepted his fate and rubbing his eyes as he got up. Knowing Godric would get him clothes Salazar began remaking the bed. Pausing only when his clothes were literally thrown at him. "Godric. Don't throw the clothes." He reprimanded.
Godric grinned, "you're just mad you didn't catch them, now come on and put your shoes on." Godric shoots back as he put his own shoes on and steals Salazar's coat. Salazar just rolled his eyes, finishes putting on his own shoes and he grabbed Godrics coat. 'Two can play at that game.'
Salazar smiled as he followed his friend out of the house, out of the village, and up a hill. The air around him was freezing and he was beginning to wish he put on gloves. "Godric. Where are we going?"
Unsurprisingly the response he got back was "You'll see!" And that was the end of the conversation.
When they finally stoped it was on top of a hill and Godric climbed up a big sturdy oak tree. The leaves list to the cold winter and the thick branches where left bare and exposed. They clocked the thick limbs and settled down facing the rising sun. Godric sat next to Salazar holding Salazars hands in between his, blowing hot air in them as they tried to warm up.
Salazar took his hands from Godrics and rubbed them together and stuffed them under his armpits. "What are we doing here anyways?"
Godric smiled pointed towards the, now rising, sun, "I thought it might be nice to watch the sun rise. I heard from one of the townspeople when we arrived here, a few days ago, that the sun rise was beautiful here. Thought you might like it."
Salazar did in fact like it.
From their perch atop the branches their view was not obscured in the slightest. The rising sun was as red as Godrics curly hair and the color bled throughout the sky, creating a colorful affect with bright orange, purple,where in an and yellow clouds. Salazar smiled, "Thank you Godric. It is truly beautiful here. The view is very nice, if only the weather was better."
'Though perhaps it was part of the experience' he thought as he felt Godric settle behind him and pull him into a hug. His chin resting on his shoulder. 'Hmm maybe it isn't too bad' he thought. Then he was hit in the face with a cold harsh breeze and he instantly took back the thought with a shiver.
'Never mind. The cold can go fuck itself.'
They ended up going back to the house and staying huddle up in front of the fire that Salazar magicked up to warm them. All their blankets had been striped off the two beds and were draped over them as they laid on the small couch. Salazar was sitting with his back to the arm rest. One leg folded up on Godrics side against the back of the couch, and the other leg on Godrics other side folded over Godrics back. He was eating a bowl of the leftover stew that Godric had warmed up for them over the fire.
He played with Godrics hair in between bites of his stew and relaxed under the familiar weight and warmth of Godric.
Godric had already finished his bowl and was laying under Salazars Dark green blanket. He had draped himself over Salazars legs with his head in Salazars lap, face pressed into his stomach and, arms wrapped around Salazars waist. He laid there quietly, drifting off to sleep as Salazar played with his curls. The scene was disgustingly domestic, but they both wished that moment would last forever.
When they Godric awoke he smiled at how peaceful Salazar looked then sneaked out of the blankets and leaves to go relieve, himself before grabbing the present he made for Salazar. The gift was a cloth covered mystery, held together by a leather strap. The gift is relatively light thanks to the charm on the cloth. The present is rather unassuming and medium in size.
Godric makes his way back to the couch and pushed Salazars hair aide as he speaks in a low tone.
"Sal, it's time to get up. I have one last surprise for you. "
Salazar shifts a little and then opened his eyes, "Godric?" And dear Merlin did the way Salazar said his name do something to Godric. Salazars voice was rough and deep from sleep. But the way Salazar arched his body as he stretched made Godric look away and desperately try to think of other things. When Godric calmed down from his mini crisis that lasted 0.02 seconds he handed the gift to Salazar.
Salazar quirked his eyebrow at Godric and accepted the present. He stared at the leather strap for a second before unbuckling it and unwrapping the mysterious item from the cloth. Once the buckle and cloth were gone Salazar picked up one of the items, it was a black long coat with a hood and a silver clasp. The clasps were two hissing snakes on both sides connected with three silver chains hanging.
It was just like the cloak he gave Salazar the year before except Godrics cloak is a deep blood red and has a Golden Celtic clasp with a three swirled Druid symbol in the shape of a triangle etched into the surface.(Look up "Emrys Druid symbol" if you haven't figured it out by now)
"Do you like it?" Godric hesitantly asked after a moment of silence.
"of course I do, It's beautiful," Salazar whispered in awe as he admired the snake clasps.
"try it on," Godric suggested as he took the cloth from Salazar and undid the clasp. Salazar stood up and smiled as he draped the cloak over his shoulders. It was a little too long as it dragged on the floor a little too much but it was otherwise perfect. The fabric was so off and thick like wool but the texture was smooth as silk. While Salazar was forced by Godric to spin around, Godric admired how perfect the cloak looked on Salazar. Salazar sat down and grabbed the last gift from the cloth, it looked like a wooden box, when he opened it it was a black ring with protection runes etched in the inside. Salazar dashed and looked at Godric who was nervously looking at the ceiling but Salazar could see he was messing with his hand. Upon closer inspection there appeared to be something In his hand. He held his hand out to Salazar and said nothing. It was a silver chain attached to another ring that looked remarkably like the one he just received.
"okay before you freak out I wanted to say something..." Godric took a deep breath then looked at him, " you are my best friend and I wanted to make something that could protect you. I was it going to make a bracelet but you never wear them any so I figured it wouldn't work but I noticed you always wear your mother's engagement ring on a necklace so I figured a ring would be discreet enough to pass. and I already knew you wore one. So I thought it wouldn't be too weird. And then I made one for myself because I know you worry too much. Is it weird? Am I making this weird? I'm making this weird. I'm just going to shut up now."
Salazar sat their in stunned silence as he tried to digest the word vomit Godric just spewed.
He didn't know that Godric had noticed he wore his mothers ring. It was the only thing he had left of her so he wore it on him all the time. Usually it was tucked under his tunic so he didn't know how Godric had seen it but the thought Godric put in the gift was greatly appreciated. His mothers ring was Silver with an emerald oval shaped gem in the middle surrounded by a snake with flower on top. It took no more than a second for him to decide what to say.
"Godric, it's not weird. And actually I love it, thank you. And for the record I do not worry. The ring is perfect and i like it so stops wringing your hands about it and get over here." Salazar commented exasperated, with a hint of fondness as he watched Godric approach.
When Godric approached Salazar motioned him to kneel down in front of him. Then Salazar with a straight face, started knighting him for the necklace. "I dub thee Sir Godric Gryiffindor. Do you Sir Godric promise to cherish it and never take it off?" "I do." "So mote it be" Salazar declared as he proceeded to clap the necklace around Godrics neck Godric, tapping his hand on Godrics shoulders like a sword in a knighting ceremony.
When Godric stood up he smiled at Salazar then took Salazars hand in his. "And do you Sir Salazar Slytherin, promise to cherish this ring and never take it off?"
"I do."
"So mote be it." Then Godric took the ring from Salazars palm and undid Salazars necklace. He strung it on then put the necklace back on Salazar. Knighting him the same way Salazar did him a moment before.
The duo stared at each other with statue faces for a while before Godric burst off in laughter. Salazar too began laughing and soon enough the two of them were leaning against the couch holding their stomachs from laughter. At some point Salazar had slipped off the couch which rounded into another belt of laughter.
Minutes later that could have been hours they finally stoped laughing and gasped for breath, their breathing heavy, and smiled on both their faces.
By the time they got up off the floor it was supper. The duo ate and then returned their beds to sleep. The winter cold grew more intense as the night progressed and Salazar found himself climbing into Godric bed for warmth. Godric simply smiled and pulled him close. 'For warmth...totally not because Godric like him or anything..' And if Salazar snuggled closer it was also 'for warmth' and absolutely no other reason.
Around noon about a fortnight later, Godric was chopping wood Salazar spotted a familiar looking bird in the sky. As it flew lower Salazars recognized it immediately, he'd seen it many times in the when Godric sent a missive to his family.
"Edith!" Salazar shouted as the owl circled the area. The reaction was immediate, the Large owl turned around, dived down, and flared his wings to land on Salazars outstretched arm. Edith land and griped Salazars arm loosely as to not harm him. The owls talons dug into Salazars arm semi tightly but he ignored it and instead called Godric over. Godric was staring at the sky in confusion as he heard Salazars call but couldn't spit his companion.
"Godric, over here!" Salazar shouted as he looked down at the owl and gave him a treat that he fished out of his pocket.
Godric walked over and placed the axe to lean on the wall. Then walked behind Salazar, absently leaning into his personal space, to see what Edith had. Edith hooted, though the sound was semi-muffled due to the letter in his beak. Godric huffs a laugh and affectionately ruffles Edith's feathers, grabbing the letter and allowing the bird to pluck out the treat from Salazars hand to eat it.
Before supper the next day they went to town and quickly gathered supplies as they prepared to Tavel the rest of the journey to Godrics parents house.
Salazar assembled their bags. Both bags are charmed to carry more than normal while staying lighter than it should be. Salazars bag and over the shoulder brown leather bag. It was rather spacious and has a second pouch sewn on where he puts his money pouch. They put all their medical supplies and food inside his bag.
Godric on the other hand has a dark leather bag that goes on his back. It is a great travel bag and they used it to put their clothes inside when they move to the next village. The bag is spacious enough it's capable of holding both of their clothes. The bag is about medium size with leather straps to buckle it close.
They can never stay in the same area for too long fore they drew too much attention. The last time they stayed in an area for more than a fortnight they almost got put to the stake. Salazars mom, who they went to visit, wasn't so lucky...
They have made it habit to travel often and use magic as least as possible when in town. They only practice when they're under the cover of darkness and leaves. It allows them a chance to take a breath of fresh air and hone their skills in between traveling.