[for Eric] taking responsibility

[vampireevolved]

The night after the fae incursion, Godric woke to a phone full of increasingly frantic text and voicemail messages from Isabel, starting at asking where he was and if he was all right, followed by the news the nest had been attacked by human hunters with silver-shrapnel bombs, with pictures of the devastation, and finally back around to asking where Godric was and if he was all right, this time in all caps or enough tension in her voice Godric could infer the swears she was self-censoring.

With only a quiet "I must go," to Eric, who could've heard the voice messages if he chose to listen, Godric began making arrangements for the flight to Dallas. Once that was settled, a message to Isabel for when she woke, letting her know he was well, leaving London on the first available flight, and would be arriving in Dallas several hours before dawn.

The bombs had done their job well. Everyone in the nest had sustained some level of injury, and there were many dead, both vampire and human, including Stan whom the hunters seemed to have targeted specifically. The injured had recovered, thanks to vampiric healing, by the time Godric arrived, but the nest was a disaster. Godric spent the next few nights offering support and leadership to the survivors as they all worked to rebuild. And he waited.

He was surprised how long it took for the Authority's representatives to arrive, almost as though they'd been waiting to see how the Dallas community responded, or how their sheriff did. When they did arrive, Godric was quick to take full responsibility for the incident and for his absence at the time. Members of the nest were questioned and exonerated. Godric's questioning took nights longer.

In the end, it was simple. Some papers were signed. Some belongings were packed up. This time, when Godric landed at Heathrow, he flew to Eric's house before calling for his progeny. This was not a story to share at the Blood Diamond.

Comments

[vampireevolved]

A few nights into Godric's first visit, Eric had stopped asking about his plans to feed, accepting Godric's explanation that he rarely had need at his age. He seemed equally resigned now, and Godric didn't blame him for asking. It had been some time, after all.

"No. I have no need to tonight. Although if you haven't, I would understand if you wanted to."

[thenorthman]

"It can wait until tomorrow," Eric assured him, already turning away and sliding his phone out of his pocket to make the necessary calls.

[vampireevolved]

Unpacking the few things Godric had brought with him personally took very little time at all, and he was on the phone seeing to the delivery of the rest of his belongings when Eric finished his own calls.

[thenorthman]

Eric turned back to Godric once he was done, now free to focus on nothing but his Maker. "Will you miss Texas?"

[vampireevolved]

In no hurry to answer, Godric considered the question as he hadn't really up to now. "Not as much as I perhaps should, and yet probably more than I expect. I was sheriff there long enough, even for us. I'm sure there will be things I notice lacking. But it was time for me to move on. Past time." Otherwise things would never have gotten as bad as they had without him stepping in to solve the problem. "I had grown weary with my life there."

[thenorthman]

"Will you tell me, when you grow weary of your life here?" Eric requested, walking slowly over to Godric, as if he couldn't quite stay away. And why would he try?

[vampireevolved]

Godric rested a hand on Eric's arm, because he could and to savor the closeness.

"We have decades before you need concern yourself with that, my child." London had more opportunities than Dallas ever had or could. More importantly, Godric was reunited with Eric, who lived so strongly and loved so deeply it could keep the weltschmerz at bay.

[thenorthman]

"Still," Eric requested, focusing on the touch of Godric's hand on his arm. He turned his hand up, to offer it to his Maker, if he wanted it. "I'd appreciate it."

[vampireevolved]

Taking Eric's hand, Godric gave a tiny nod. "You will know, when the time comes." That much Godric could promise him. Because it would come, as it did for all of them eventually, the need to leave one life behind and find something new.

[thenorthman]

Eric stepped in closer, wrapping his other arm loosely around Godric's shoulders, his own hunched so he could rest the side of his face against Godric's head. It was so sudden that it all seemed surreal, and he had to assure himself, all over again, that this was real. That Godric was staying.

[vampireevolved]

Godric's arm went around Eric's waist, the way it belonged there in the moment. "I'm here, my child." And would be, for years or decades, if given the choice.

[thenorthman]

"Thank you," Eric told him quietly, switching to his mother tongue.

[vampireevolved]

"Of course." So much loneliness, a vulnerability Eric hid from the world, but never from Godric.

Godric had chosen London because he desired the opportunities of the city and to live with his progeny again after so long. But easing Eric's loneliness was equally important to him, especially with Eric separated from Pam, and Nora occupied with her work.

Tilting his head up to find Eric's mouth, Godric kissed him softly in wordless assurance he was really here and not going anywhere soon.