Title: Eternity
Author: Mareel
Author's e-mail: Mareel@earthlink.net
URL: http://www.geocities.com/bdebpr
Date: 02/10/03
Rating: PG
Type: Slash M/M
Pairing: Archer/Reed
Warnings: Deathfic (implied character death)
Length: 100 words [drabble]
Feedback: Always more than welcome! Please!
Archive: Permission granted to archive at EntSTCommunity, Archer's_Enterprise, Tim Ruben Archive, others just ask.
Disclaimer: Of course Enterprise and the characters belong to Paramount (I'm just enjoying them.)
Summary: Some time in the future, Jon and Malcolm confront love and death
Comments: The title is from the William Blake poem "Auguries of Innocence" This stand-alone story is a response to Grrrl's "First Kiss" challenge, though it isn't quite a Valentine.
"There's nothing you can do, Just be with me. Hold me, just as a friend."
"I can't do that. Not just as a friend."
So many lost years—never the right time, but now I must…
Cradled close in my arms, his head on my shoulder, I hold those green eyes with my own—and finally kiss him.
"Malcolm, do you mean that?"
All I can do is kiss him again, more desperately.
"I've loved you for so long, but you never…"
"Sssh, love…" finding my voice at last, "We'll have the rest of our lives together."
…an hour.
***
To see Heaven in a Grain of Sand,
And Beauty in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the Palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
—W. Blake