Final Promise

The sun cast a soft light in the hospital room. The rhythmic beep of the machine monitoring the old man’s heartbeat. Cassius sat next to the bed and held the frail hand in his firm one. “Good morning, my dear Ian.” He whispered.

Ian’s eyes were wrinkled and heavy but he opened them and smiled. He replied back in a small, scratchy voice, “Good morning.”

The vampire brushed the human’s bangs away from his forehead. “How are you feeling today?”

“I’m the same as yeste-Cough! Cough!”

A coughing spell interrupted his sentence. Cassius grabbed some water and gently gave it to Ian. “Drink, and breathe…”

Once Ian had regained composure, he looked over to his lover. “Thank you.”

“Of course…” He smiled gently and held Ian’s hand again. “It isn’t too late to turn you and you can be healthy again…”

The human shook his head and grinned. “You haven’t changed a bit… But the immortal world isn’t for me.”

Cassius chuckled slightly with a pained expression. “You haven’t changed either. Stubborn as always.”

“You bet.” The couple laughed a bit before Ian continued, “Promise me that you won’t die. You’ll live and take care of Lidia…”

Cassius closed his eyes and brought Ian’s delicate hand to his lips. “Okay, I promise…”

Ian smiled and let his eyes slowly close. The monitor no longer beeped but was one long continuous one. Cassius hunched over and let the tears flow, listening to the last hum of the machine.