“Hey, kid. You’re out here again.”
Litvir was feeling overwhelmed, so they had gone to the little platform at the top of the universe to de-stress. It was always quiet and peaceful and, for Litvir, always accessible, since most of Litvir’s duties consisted of guarding the borders of the universe, so Litvir was generally close by.
However, while Litvir did get other deities coming by to visit, Litvir was surprised to see that Elkay had approached them. Normally Elkay didn’t want much to do with Litvir, but Litvir understood why. Their relationship was more complicated than “just two members of the Twelve Anew”.
“I am, yes.”
“You overwhelmed again?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to talk? I know a lot has happened lately.”
Litvir wasn’t sure if they wanted to talk or not. But they could tell that Elkay meant well, so they decided to settle down a little and let Elkay comfort them.
“I guess I would like to talk…”
Elkay sat down next to Litvir and patted them on the side. “Well, I’m happy to listen. What’s bothering you?”
Litvir didn’t answer at first. They had a lot on their mind and were trying to work out what they wanted to say first.
“Are you feeling better at least?”
“I guess…” Litvir sighed. “My eyes are still a little itchy, but my skin feels better and my stomach does not have a scar like I expected.”
“Well that’s not too bad!” Elkay beamed. “The itchiness will go away. You did literally have your eyes grow back. But I’m certain there’s a lot of other things bothering you.”
Litvir nodded. “You incinerated a copy of my fluffy kitty.”
Elkay’s smile faded. “Oh. You… know about that.”
“I do, yes. I can hear thoughts. Do not like doing it though… But I understand why. Radiation is bad. Very bad. Very, very bad for normal people. You did not want me to accidentally spread radiation. But you should have told me. I got scared because I thought I lost my fluffy kitty. I know it is not real but I like to pretend it is real, and that makes me feel better.”
“Yeah, that… I should have told you about that. Sorry, Litvir. We just didn’t want to upset you even more.”
“It is fine. I accept the sorry. I am sorry that I am grumpy.”
“Well, kid, considering what’s been happening lately? You being grumpy makes a ton of sense. Are things alright at home?”
Litvir grunted. “I have not BEEN home. So I do not know. I messaged Miisa, they are doing well in their new job. 17 year old work is weird.”
Elkay eyed Litvir briefly. “I forget that Rethans these days have the option to join a legion at the age of 17 if they want to. I’m kinda surprised you did, I thought you were going to take the year off to do higher education or something.”
“I considered it, but I knew I was going to be put into the 11th Legion no matter what. I just wanted to get school over with and get my home and get on with things, I guess.”
“Did you not like school?”
“I liked some of school, but I never really had time and I do not get on with Rethans my age. Which is why I hope my outside-friend Staton comes back soon. And why I hope mama and dada will have the kid soon.”
“Oh?” Elkay exclaimed. “Relkir and Gath want kids?”
“Yes. They keep on going to the special doctor though. It is not working well. They are getting annoyed. And I feel bad because I am not their real kid. I am no one’s real kid.”
Elkay paused, then frowned and hugged Litvir tightly. “Don’t be like that!”
“It is true though. You were always angry because I accidentally bonded to you.”
“That… is true, but that was also wrong of me to be angry at you. You’re a good kid. I was just… a bit funny about things… considering that I’d just been cut in half and forced to be a deity and was coming to the realisation that I’d outlive all my kids and grand kids.”
Litvir suddenly paused as well. “You… have kids?”
“Yeah but I don’t talk about them much. Two daughters, Elay and Kaay. Elay has three kids, Kaay doesn’t want kids at all. Both of them work in A-Class, but Elay was never a fan of my K-Class work. I love them dearly but… well, I won’t say my family is perfect. Still, I feel bad because I did neglect you. You are a baby, after all.”
“I am not a baby any more. I am nearly a year and a half old.”
“You’re still a baby. You’re a little kid. It’s easy to forget that because you’re tall and…” Elkay inspected Litvir briefly. “You’ve grown again. Muscle-wise. And you’re a little taller too. Which is kinda weird.”
“Why?”
“Because Kuta was a short Rethan. Only slightly taller than Relkir. You’re above average in height though.”
Litvir shrugged. “One of my godly titles is “Of Bloodlines Combined”. I think some of the bloodlines were rather tall.”
“I guess, but… well… Hm…” Elkay trailed off briefly. “It might be worth speaking with Syksis and also the General of Medical Affairs, and getting some sort of DNA test done. To see who you really are.”
“I… I do not know if I want to do that.”
“Why not?”
“I… I do not know… I am just concerned… maybe I am related to someone bad, or maybe I was supposed to be something else… or I am… not who I am supposed to be.”
Elkay hugged Litvir again. “I understand that. But… in all seriousness, you are a good kid no matter what. And things will get better. I promise. We just had a bit of a rough spot.”
“I guess…” Litvir sighed, not completely convinced.
“Either way, I’ll be by your side. I was never a great parent. I guess you’re a chance to correct that. If you want.”
“Well… Mama Gath and dada Relkir are my parents now. But you could be my theia? Like theia Rethais?”
“Would you like that?” Elkay asked.
“Hm. Yes.”
Elkay hugged Litvir again. “Then that is what we shall do.”