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The Gift

Richard's (FA) Storyline, Epilogue

copyright comidacomida 2018

Honestly, I can say I can't remember any time other than the following morning that I'd ever slept in past eleven. Then again, I'm not the kind of guy who would usually stay awake until five; the sun was already starting to rise when Jack and I finally laid down with the intent of me going to sleep. Although I'd set my alarm for ten, I'd apparently slept through it, but the condition of my awakening meant I didn't mind that much.

I was laying on my right side with my head cradled on my pillow. Having spent many nights with Jack I was used to the feel of a presence in bed with me, but before that moment I had never recalled being able to actually feel the support of another body pressing into my back. In addition, the Gryphon's breath was soft on the back of my neck-- slow, and steady. It took a moment for me to realize what was so different: Jack was still asleep. Or, more specifically, he WAS asleep.

Rotating in his arms, I reveled in the feel of his fur all over my body, and smiled when he squeezed me a little tighter, chest-to-chest. I rubbed my cheek against his collar bone as I called his name softly. "Jack?"

His only response was a groggy "Mmm?"

I could have addressed any number of topics at that moment but I decided to keep it low-key and simple. "I think I slept through my alarm."

The Gryphon pulled me closer like a teddy bear, hugging me to him. "Nnmgnh... uh-uh... I turned it off for thee."

His half-mumbled statement still held that official tone and 'Olde English' form of address; he was absolutely adorable, which made it hard for me to be mad at him. Regardless, it WAS getting late and I had classes. "It's after eleven."

As if telling him the time were some kind of magic spell, my statement got an immediate response from him and he let out a surprised squawk, his wings half-flapping as he squirmed backward, hitting the wall with a thunk. He gazed around the room, wild eyed as he gasped. "What? The night? What happened to the night? Or the morning? I-- I don't remember anything!"

Although I felt bad for his sudden apprehension I still couldn't hold back the laugh. "Don't worry, Jack... you were just sleeping."

His gaze zeroed in on me and my calm demeanor must have helped because he slowly calmed down too, ears raising as his head rolled slightly to the left in a way only a bird could manager. "But... Spirits need not sleep, my boy... I have never fallen asleep before."

Reaching up, I pulled an errant white pillow feather out of his cowl of brownish-gold ones. "Well, before this morning your eyes were Gold. I think we both have a lot to learn still about... us."

By the time I'd reiterated the changes we were handling he'd managed to regain his composure and his talon sought out my hand and gave it a squeeze. "Such as a shower..."

An image of his surprised expression when he'd joined me in the shower and actually been hit by the water made me laugh, but I kept it to only a polite, brief snicker. "Right... like experiencing a shower, or--"

He quickly interjected "A shower is far less frightening than realizing that I have not existed for six hours."

I gave his talon a squeeze before slowly disengaging and standing up so I could pick out my clothes for the day and get dressed. "You'll get used to it if you do it more, I think. I sleep every night."

I heard the ruffling of his feathers behind me as he shivered. "I dread the thought... but, so long as I am with thee, it will be... bearable."

All the Gryphon had to do to be ready for the day was to stand; in the blink of an eye, a cerulean haze had manifested around him and within the span of a breath the mist had coalesced into his standard equipment of clothing, armor, and weapon. I'd noticed the color matched his eyes and that brought up a question that had been on my mind since the prior night. "You said last night that you knew your eyes had turned blue."

He nodded succinctly, stepping to open the door to my room for me. He beamed, beak smiling as he spoke. "Yes, my boy... I have always been thy Guardian, but now we are something more... Thou art my Human and I am thy Spirit-- we are two halves of a coin made whole."

I remembered the other Spirits mentioning that eye colors had a lot of significance for Spirits and that it had to do with their interaction or relationships with the Humans around them, like how they gained their Spirit energy. A half-second after that thought entered my mind I suddenly remembered something that had escaped me all night. "The Cats!"

Not only had I promised Sabrina and Phillip that I'd be back at a reasonable hour, but I'd also promised that we'd watch the eclipse that morning-- which had happened nearly three hours before I woke up. Although Jack appeared sympathetic to my concern, he remained relaxed. "They are not here, Deore... I cannot feel their presence."

They hadn't said goodbye and, although I wasn't certain at that time, I was left with the feeling that they had chosen to part ways. By the third day without them, I came to realize that my first impression was right. When Friday came I encountered them by random chance on my way home after working out at the college gym; they were traveling with the parade of spirits who were in town for the eclipse.

We spent some time talking briefly; they didn't hold any malice toward me and readily accepted my apology. All-in-all it was a good interaction, but they reassured me that they were content to travel for a time with the parade and no, they were not interested in coming back to my house. Phillip stated bluntly that he figured he could be ignored more easily from afar but, after interrupting him with an elbow, Sabrina explained that they (yes, Phillip too) were happy for me and my Guardian and that their presence would only complicate things.

Pliny, who was as attentive and vocal as ever, was quick to point out that Jack and I had a special connection; something like that wasn't meant to be shared. He promised to take good care of the Cats and advised me not to worry too much about them-- Cats, he reminded me, were exceptionally skilled at landing on their feet. Between their reassurance, his acknowledgement, and Jack being there for me, I was able to relent, and that was the last time I saw them.

It's strange how much has changed in a year. I've gotten used to having my Gryphon with me everywhere and in every way. People still can't see or hear him and, if I hadn't come to know better, I'd have wondered if I was crazy, or if I had an imaginary friend. The biggest difference though is that he isn't as intangible as he used to be. Although I'd only started to guess at the changes that had come over him, as time passed I began to realize that, when we were alone, Jack actually could become solid.

As with any skill it took a lot of practice and the little things, like feeling the water in the shower, or being able to turn off an alarm while half asleep (I still give him grief over that one) weren't noticed because they were eclipsed by the larger, more in-my-face experiences of having a Gryphon as a boyfriend but, in the quiet moments as things started to calm down they became more evident, and we started studying them together.

I still can't explain why Jack can't manifest in the company of others and yet he can be as solid as any physical object with barely any effort when we are alone but he makes it a point to reassure me whenever the topic comes up that he is mine alone and that it is something I should celebrate. The logical, science-minded part of my brain usually wants to continue arguing the point, but Jack knows me too well and has yet to fail on distracting me; to be honest, I think I'm happier for it.

In fact, I'm happier in general thanks to having my Gryphon and he tells me daily that he is much happier now that he has me. We're still learning more about the countless changes now that he has Blue eyes but we're also still working out who we are as a couple. I don't think that is ever going to stop, and I'm okay with that. Three more years of college and I'll have my degree, but that's only a small fraction of the time Jack and I have to learn about everything we hadn't known before really and truly finding one another.

Jack has often told me that the best part of life is never knowing everything; he says there's always something more to learn, and I'm okay with that too.

...oh, and I'm also happy to report that Jack is no longer afraid of sleeping.