Gath growled as the doorbell rang. He wasn’t expecting visitors. He didn’t want visitors. He just wanted to be left alone. Just him and his little, unhatched egg. And maybe Talmin, whenever he returned home from work. But, despite his desires, Gath didn’t want to just ignore whoever was at the door. So, with a long, drawn out sigh, he left the safety of the nest he had built in the living room and cautiously opened the door.
“Retvik?”
“Gath!”
“W-what are you… doing here?”
Retvik glanced around. He looked different. Not at all how Gath remembered. He was shimmering with golden energy, yet somewhat… distant? Gath wasn’t sure. The best way to describe him though was god-like. Divine almost.
“Admittedly, I am not actually here, and I will have to be brief. I am… very mediocre at this non-corporeal communication… I just wanted to check up on you and make sure you were well.”
Gath hesitated, then stepped to one side, allowing Retvik to look into Gath’s little home. Immediately, Retvik gasped, then smiled.
“Ah, you… you did not mention…” Retvik continued to smile, seemingly not at all disheartened. “I am so happy for you, Gath. This is what you always wanted.”
Not really sure what to say or do, Gath stared at the floor, before sighing. “Would you… like to come in?”
“Only if that is alright with you. I will leave, if you do not want me to be here.”
“No, please, stay. I… I wanted to talk to you anyway.”
Gath headed inside, and Retvik followed, gently closing the door behind him. But Retvik knew better than to go much further into the living room. He remained where he was, by the door, while Gath settled back down in his little nest, huddling around a large incubator.
“Are you happy, Gath?” Retvik asked.
“I will be, when this egg hatches. It is very stressful right now. I am very stressed. I have had to take my maternity leave early, to try and cope…”
“And how is Talmin?”
Gath glanced up at Retvik, surprised that he’d asked about someone who was essentially his replacement.
“He is… doing well. Better than I thought. I have been… a monster over the last few months. This kid has affected me greatly already… And I have been…” Gath sighed some more. “I have had a lot of awful feelings lately. I abandoned you and we never said goodbye. I feel bad about that.”
Retvik shifted his weight, considered taking a step forward but didn’t. He knew better than to tread into the domain of an expectant Rethan. “You never abandoned me. I abandoned you. I constantly left you to go on adventures. Adventures that ended up getting the better of me. But now you are with someone who loves you and cares for you and makes you happy. Yes, our separation was painful, but you and I are both living better lives now. Are you happy with Talmin?”
“Yes, but I feel guilty for leaving you.”
“Well…” Retvik sighed. “I feel guilty for leaving you. I essentially became a deity and left you here… On a tiny rock under the rule of a tyrant…”
“It really is not as bad… as it used to be…” Gath admitted. “Since everything, uh, imploded, there has been a… a complete change. We are trying to help everyone now…”
Retvik shrugged. “I cannot comment. I just want to make sure you are happy.”
Gath nodded. “I am happy. I may not seem like it right now, due to my fluctuating hormones, but I am genuinely happy. And I… I am happier now that I know you do not feel negatively about what happened between us.”
With a small smile, Retvik very delicately made his way across the room, to the very edge of the nest. He reached towards Gath, but frowned as his hand passed through Gath’s shoulder.
“Oh. I forgot that I am not actually here.”
“It is alright…” Gath smiled back. “I really appreciate us having this talk. Will you come back and visit more often?”
Retvik closed his eyes, as something upon his person beeped. The shift in Retvik’s stance suggested he had to leave. “I will try to. But these… long distance communications are quite strenuous.”
“I understand. Thank you, Retvik. Good bye.”
“Good bye…”