Elkay closed his eyes and sighed as he leant on the window sill, a warm, fuzzy feeling running through his body. Everything right now was good. Not amazing, not bad, just good. He was happy, comfortable and had everything he could have ever needed. For once in his short life, Elkay was genuinely, blissfully happy, and there were very few things in this universe that could change that.
Unfortunately, one of them appeared to be walking towards the front door.
“It is locked, Arkadin…” Elkay tutted, beckoning the being closer. While the Thantophor had taken the shape of a Skyavok, he was still quite obviously… something else. It wasn’t the bright yellow armour that gave him away, rather the alien glimmer in his golden eyes. Elkay opened the window wider, so they could talk properly. He didn’t want to let Arkadin inside though.
“Hello…”
“Hello, Thantophor…” Elkay did his best to be polite. “What are you doing here?”
Arkadin peered past Elkay, into the house. Most of the house was tidy except for the pile of cushions that made for the room’s sleeping and lounge area. The sound of running water could be faintly heard.
“I… I…”
“Spit it out, please. I do not really want Teekay to know that you are here. He and I are having a relaxing evening together and do not wish to have it spoiled.”
“I… I can see that…” Arkadin’s words were fragile. As if the God of Decay was considering bursting into tears. “Can we talk, briefly?”
Elkay eyed the Thantophor up and down. “You look scared.”
“I am scared. I hurt Yisini. By accident. Again.”
“Again?”
“Yeah… It wasn’t my fault. She attacked me. I retaliated. I just meant to push her away…”
Elkay sighed. “So why not simply explain that to your fellow deities? I am sure they would understand, especially based on previous patterns.”
Arkadin shuffled forward. “What if they don’t believe me?”
“You do not know that they will not believe you until you tell them the truth.”
“Yeah but…” The Thantophor leaned forward. “She is unconscious. I didn’t think I’d knock her out. You have no idea what that could do… Thousands could find themselves sterile, conception will remain heavily reduced until she wakes up… and goodness knows what else!”
The sound of running water stopped. After a few moments, Teekay appeared from the bathroom. He instantly spotted Elkay and Arkadin and stomped over, carrying nothing but a towel around his stomach.
“What are you doing here?” Teekay hissed.
“He wants us to help him fix some family drama,” Elkay tutted. “Because he does not have the courage to go back to his family and admit his mistake.”
Arkadin opened his mouth to speak, then chose not to. He looked at Elkay and Teekay, realising that they had changed. Something had happened since the last time Arkadin had seen them. And Arkadin hadn’t left them on good terms.
“You’re… you’re right…” Arkadin finally admitted. “I can’t just… bother you two again. I have to sort this out myself…”
“Yes you do!” Teekay exclaimed. “You need to stand up for yourself!”
“Yeah…” Arkadin’s shoulders dropped. He looked away, sighed a little then began to walk off. “Sorry I bothered you two…” After a few steps, the Thantophor disappeared, leaving the two mortals on their own.
Teekay and Elkay waited a moment, then both tutted.
“For a death god, you would think he would have a little more… spine…” Elkay muttered.
Teekay though just smiled and shrugged, putting an arm around Elkay’s waist. “Ah don’t worry about it. He’s a 13 billion year old deity, I’m sure he’ll sort himself out…”