Spiral of Ants

Aurora Borealis

Takes place about a year after 'Friend'

"So how often does this happen again?" Apollo asked, sitting criss-cross on Asiels' counter as he cooked.

The two had been together for about 7 months now. Apollo's memory was growing stronger and stronger by the day. He still couldn't remember much before the lab, but he was able to remember the last year and a half with a clarity he had never experienced before. Apollo firmly believed he had Asiel to thank for that. He made him want to remember.

Asiel was currently telling Apollo about something his followers called Lumina Rosea. Or The Pink Lights. It was the closest thing they had to a religious event. Where it was was unpredictable, but it could be seen for hundreds of miles in every direction. People who didn't know about Apollo believed it was an unexplained and unpredictable version of Aurora Borealis. Apollos worshipers, however, believed it to be his doing, and believed his powers spiked during the event.

"It usually happens sometime in the two weeks surrounding Halley Comit's passing. So once every 75 ish years. And it's due to pass again soon"

Aseil had gained a name for himself in the small religion. The others had begun to look to him as almost a prophet. After all, no one had ever known Apollo quite like Aseil. It was jarring for Asiel though, considering he was just... a normal guy. He worked full-time retail, he had boring hobbies like puzzles and reading. He had never expected things to turn out this way. For people to look to him, and ask what their god wanted... well it had been more than a little overwhelming. Especially considering how little he actually knew about Apollo. Even Apollo seemed to know nothing about himself and constantly turned to Aseil for answers and guidance. It was more than Aseil had signed up for, but he really did love Apollo.

He was willing to try to figure it all out. For him.

"Oh well, that's exciting!" Apollo said "We should watch it together! It'll be the first one I'll be able to remember!"

Asiel smiled a little, but it was bittersweet. Apollo never seemed to grasp onto the fact that Aseil's lifespan was nowhere as long as the gods. Apollo had been around since the dawn of humanity. Asiel was a normal human. There was a good chance that this would be Aseils one and only time witnessing the Lumina Rosea.

"I think that sounds great. I think there's a good chance that it happens wherever you are, so I imagine we won't have a hard time getting a good view of it" He said, dishing out bowls for him and Apollo. The god didn't require food, but he seemed to enjoy the domestic side of life.

Apollo hopped off the counter and headed over to the dining table. "So you guys think I get stronger during the uh..."

"Lumina Rosea"

"Right. That"

"Yes, we do. I uh... I actually wanted to talk to you about that" Aseil said, setting down the bowls and taking a seat.

"I'm all ears," Apollo said, sitting down and happily taking a bite of his food.

"I've been getting worried. I'm glad you've been able to dodge that... lab, now that you know about them, but they have those runes and everything and I just... that doctor was really scary, and I don't think he's just going to quit"

Apollo tilted his head "I know. But the only reason they caught me that one time was they caught me off guard. I'm watching them now. And I know what I am, now"

"I know I just... Do you remember that one time you used your microphone to try to get back to the other gods?"

"Yeah, thank goodness it didn't work. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten to spend so much time with you, or really start to experience Earth"

The human poked at his food, taking a breath before saying "I think you should try again. During the Lumina Rosea"

"What...? Why would I do that? I'm just starting to finally experience humanity. I can actually learn about everything now. I have you now, Aseil. I... I'm happier than I think I've ever been. I don't want to leave Earth, and I especially don't want to leave you"

Asiel had worried Apollo would say that...

"Apollo... that organization isn't going to stop. If they take you again, they'll be prepared for us. I don't think we could save you again. And you won't get this chance for another 75 to 80 years. Apollo, I probably won't even be alive anymo-"

"Please don't say that" Apollo mumbled, now staring blankly into his bowl.

Asiel fell silent. Apollo always got like this, when Aseil brought up his own mortality. When he tried to explain why Apollo should be trying to plan ahead.

"I could change that, Aseil. I-I could keep you alive."

"Until what? One day, even if it's thousands of years from now, the world is going to stop existing. Us humans will nuke ourselves, or a commit will hit, or the sun will explode, and then what? I wasn't made to exist forever, Apollo. You are. And you can't just... ignore that until it becomes a problem. You belong out there, and I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt because you stuck around for me. I can't stand the thought of not knowing if you're going to be okay or not when I die, and I will die, Apollo."

The god shook his head, still not looking up from his bowl "Aseil... I don't want to talk about this..."

"But it's important. The Lumina Rosea could happen any day now. I love you too much to let you prioritize me over your safety. Over getting back home"

"This is home"

Aseil went silent again. Apollo wasn't going to listen, he could tell that much. Apollo had gotten better over time, at understanding how the world worked, and how relationships thrived. But there were some bits Apollo seemed to not want to know. Aseil wished he had more time to try to teach Apollo. He wished there was as much time as Apollo wanted to believe there was. But there wasn't.

—

Days had passed. Asiel had tried to start the conversation a few more times, but Apollo wasn't open to it. He was staying on earth, he insisted. He wasn't leaving Asiel, he would say. Every night, Asiel would watch the sky anxiously, worried it would be too late.

Until it got to be too much. Asiel would not be the reason Apollo stayed here, in a form he wasn't supposed to be in, where he could be hurt. He refused to be why Apollo was in danger.

"Apollo, we need to talk," He said, as he walked into the living room.

The god looked over to Asiel, seeming more weary of these conversations "Do we have to...?"

Asiel felt his heart twist. He hadn't even gotten to the hard part and the guilt was already tearing at him. He reminded himself why he had to do this. It was for Apollo.

"I... I think we shouldn't be together anymore..." Asiel said.

The devastation in Apollo's eyes... Asiel felt a lump in his throat and found it hard to breathe. He hated himself for hurting Apollo like this.

"What...? Asiel did I do something wrong? I'm sorry, I'll try to learn more. I promise I'll do better" Apollo said, getting up quickly.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong." Asiel managed out, finding it difficult to speak around the growing threat of tears "I just... this can't work. You're a god , for crying out loud. I don't belong with someone like you. And you don't belong here. And I can't be the thing that keeps you here. I'm so sorry"

"We can make it work. Please , Asiel. I-I could make you immortal. Or make myself human?" He tried desperately "I'll do everything I can, I'll rewrite everything so we can be together, please "

Asiel took a step back, unable to deal with Apollos' pleas. The guilt it caused.

"I'm so sorry" he mumbled, before rushing out. He had never wanted to hurt Apollo.

—

That night, the sky above most of America held a dazzling display of stretching pink lights. A phenomenon scientists still couldn't explain, but everyone could agree it was beautiful.

Apollo lay in the woods, alone. He was certain his other followers would welcome him with open arms. He was fairly sure they had a ceremony for these lights and everything. But he had wanted to watch the lights with Aseil.

The one who had taught him about himself. The one who showed him what love really was. The one who invited Apollo into his home, who saved his life, who helped Apollo experience more in a year than he had experienced in his thousands and thousands of years on earth.

But there was no Asiel tonight. Just a lonely lost god, and beautiful lights. And silence.