The God and The Youth [IdentityV JosCarl]

Lonely travels of a Sun God

Once there was a God born of the Sun. He gave the world, the all-father created, the warmth of his heart. Coating it with his light every few hours before he rest; creating the cycle of day and night. However, despite this God's talents, he remains alone in his might. After the death of many lovers he had taken; he later believed that he was cursed to forever walk the earth alone with no company, but—

Perhaps fate has changed its course.

It was a sunny day as he wished it; the skies were clear of clouds and the earth was wet with the smell of petrichor from the night before. He was alone that day with only the company of his musical instrument, an elegant looking lyre that grows finer with age. Oddly enough, you would not expect that it was made out of entrails and a tortoise shell. Though his musical prowess was not limited to the lyre, he had a fondness for the instrument. It is one of his prized possessions and a reminder of a young friend of his.

He walked with careful steps as the wind blew at his red cape, giving the scene a carefree childish feel. The God tread inside the forest. Where the foliage seems to come alive with hues of vibrant greens. Animals of many shapes and sizes roam the wet earth at leisurely pace whilst others run wild. Rabbits frolicking at ease, Deer running amok. Squirrels climbing trees.

The God smiled with his clear golden eyes as a tiny gray bird chirped at him. With his porcelain-like hands, he reached out to the bird carefully. The movement made the bird chirp and flit away, however the God just smiled before following the jumping bird. The bird and the God kept on playing this game of cat and mouse until they both reached a clearing.

The God grew in awe as he saw a blue pristine lake made from a long and winding river. He came close to the lake and stared at his reflection. His porcelain face and golden eyes came into form, as well as his hair that resembled a thousand threads woven from golden clouds. He laughed at himself, before creating ripples to distort the image. "Narcissus would have fallen for me instead." What can he say? He is handsome, why should he lie when it is the truth? He then used a portion of his long cape as a blanket and sat down.

"This.. this is perfect." He mused as he held the beautiful lyre. With his long fingers, he began to strum. As if on command, everything went still to listen. The animals that once ran wild had stopped. The strong flow of waters from the river in front of him had calmed. He had subdued the raging hearts of those who listened to his song.

The notes hung heavy in the air. The God could not help but appreciate the way the lake seemed to capture his song before scattering it to the wind. He has visited a multitude of places. This place will only be another added to that collection. It may not be the most beautiful he has ever seen, or the most unique one, but he cannot deny that it brought him peace. He does not know how much time has passed since he started, or when the animals had gathered around him, but a small voice had brought him back to the present.

"Human." He muttered, before swiftly hiding himself among tree trunks and foliage. This was not the first time a human intruded his place nor will it be the last. Though, he must admit he feels vexed about being interrupted. The crunching leaves came from the other side of the river, and it only grew closer the longer he stayed. "I should leave" he thought, but he couldn't help but entertain his curiosity.

The God has seen many humans. Those who he frequently came across in these kinds of places were foresters, forest rangers or scavengers. Sometimes, it was men and women doing who knows what that would make Aphrodite squeal—it was not pleasant to encounter those kinds if he were to be honest. He sincerely hopes that would not be the case here. So, between the thick foliage of the tree trunks, he peered in.

Before him was a youth appearing from the river. They looked around cautiously, as if checking to see if there was anyone other than them there to intrude. Unaware that the youth himself was the intruder. The more youth looked, the more they stepped into the sun.

The God's breath was stolen from him.

The youth had beautiful stone gray eyes, gaze softened with curiosity. Pale skin tinted with red with every exposed skin. Gray hair looked as soft as a lamb's cotton as it sat tied behind his back. Apollo has met many fair maidens and handsome youths, that boy should not have been able to measure up to them. In his eyes however, he did. Something in his subtle beauty that emerge from his normality seemed so—

"...Beautiful.." the God uttered, unable to tear his eyes away. The youth breathed out a sigh as he sat near the edge of the lake. "The sound disappeared.." the boy spoke, voice mimicking that of a songbird; a low hum, soft and pleasant to hear. The God couldn't help but wonder, if he meant his song?

He watched as the youth carefully took off his gladiators sandals, a kin to his own, showing off a pair of milky legs with minor scars. The youth dipped his toes into the cool waters. A part of the white cloth that draped around him fluttered, giving an illusion of a delicate flower.

Suddenly, The wind picked up, releasing the tie that kept his hair neat. The youth's hair had fallen around his face, the tips tickling around his neck and nearing his shoulders. He looked into the lake to see his reflection. He grew flustered at his messy appearance but he did not bother picking up the ribbon yet, after all he believed he was alone.

And so, the youth continued to enjoy the coolness of the lake whilst the God watched in odd contentment.

It's—strangely otherworldly, he thought, and in his mind it stayed. Although he knows he would by all means praise the youth's beauty in any way he could. He would very much like not to invoke the wrath of Aphrodite to him. The need to know–to ask "Who are you?" hovered in his thoughts Unaware of the growing smile on his face as the youth hummed to himself. A quiet song that attempted to mimic the melody he had played before. The animals that once kept the God company had fled to the youth's side.

"I would too if I could." thought the God.

Again, he did not know how much time had passed until another came from the river. "Aesop! Sop? Where are you?" a gruff voice echoed.. "I'm here." The youth softly replied as the sound of footsteps grew nearer. "So this is where you've been." The other boy fiddled with a strand of his long brown hair. "Always am, where else would I be?" The youth, presumably Aesop, mumbled unmovingly.

"Come on 'Sop, we gotta get going. You can't be a warrior like this."

"Not like I am made to be one, Naib."

The youth retorted before lifting his legs from the water, tying back his sandals. "Let's go?" The boy, Naib, asked to lend him a hand. "Mnn" Aesop answered, accepting the offer.

The God watched as the two, Aesop and Naib, walked back towards the direction of the river. Slowly, he left his hiding place. The sun had already started to set. "That long?" He thought. The sun had been in the middle that day and yet it was already setting. "It only felt like minutes." He said, saddened; believing that he would no longer see the beautiful youth.

However something caught his eye. "A ribbon?" It was the tie the youth was wearing! The God examined the ribbon. He held the black ribbon in his hands, feeling the worn fabric in his hands before pouring a bit of his power into it. He closed his eyes and peered into its fragmented memory—using his talent for psychometry. He had hoped to see that beautiful youth once more, even for a little while. Instead, he saw a different boy with brown hair with a stunning pair of blue eyes holding the ribbon.

"Sentiments." The God said nonchalantly, so this was how he received this ribbon—was that boy his lover? His heart wavered in disappointment, yet he held hope. Another fragmented memory cleared his worries. It was a memory, again of that boy Naib and Aesop. Aesop looked younger, baby fat clung to his cheeks and his hair spanned his back. Naib struggled braiding the other's hair with the ribbon.

"Is something going on between you and Eli?"

"No, why?" Aesop looked at Naib in the corner of his eyes.

"... you really don't have a clue don't you–" Naib sighed, his lips mouthing poor Eli—

The memory fizzled out, but that much was enough. Maybe he could give it another try. Besides—He's a God! What could go wrong? A lot of things really but he has always bounced back. His body rattled with barely hidden excitement.

"I'll see you soon, Aesop."