Submission (#5078) Approved

Fidget ran ahead, his little mind racing as he bounded along with visible excitement. He and Tobias had settled on the usual meeting spot, but Fidget had shown up at his home to drag him along for a walk anyways.

When Fidget noticed that Tobias had fallen way behind, he plopped down on the frosty grass, shuffling and shifting as he waited. The little marine terra kneaded his paws together, whiskers twitching, gently churning the cold air around him with his hind paws. Then he waited and waited and waited. Tobias was still slowly making his way over. It was time, it was time! Fidget couldn’t wait any longer, getting up and running over to grab Tobias’ hand and drag him along, leading him quickly to the small opening in the woods that lead to their cozy hideout.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Tobias grumbled impatiently. He’d always been such a grouch about being rushed, but Fidget never noticed. When they got there, Fidget practically threw himself down, rear end first, to sit and watch the show. He was entranced by its beauty in an instant.

“Geez, Fidge, you couldn’t wait just a little bit? I was still…” Tobias had started to scold Fidget, only for the dazzling lights of the aurora borealis to steal his attention. They watched in stunned silence as the beautiful hues of blues, greens and purple danced overhead, painting the night sky. The lights weaved between one another and then apart, all part of one greater undulating whole. They were alive, seemingly breathing and moving all on their own as a living creature would. The only words the two could think of to describe it was “breath taking.”

“You weren’t kidding.” Tobias muttered, finally settling down to sit next to Fidget, their fur just barely touching. “Best viewing spot I’ve seen so far. I just wonder what causes it.” For a long time the two sat quietly, watching the lights and listening to each other as they breathed. They dared not exchange words until they were done watching as though their voices could scare the wondrous lights away.
Fidget didn’t even bounce anymore. The little marine terralien had gotten lost in the beauty of nature and its oddities. They leaned on each other throughout the night, sitting in comfortable silence as friends tend to, enjoying one of nature’s weirder miracles. They had heard of the aurora borealis before, sure, but seeing it for real and in person was completely different than hearing about it in books and from experienced travelers.

By the time Tobias realized they probably couldn’t and shouldn’t stay the whole night, hours had passed them by. The lights still flickered high over their heads, sometimes obscuring the moon. Stiffly, Tobias started to get up and dust himself off, dirt and leaves clinging to his wispy white fur. He’d have to bathe tonight to get that out, but he didn’t mind.

“Hey, Fidge.” Gently, Tobias nudged his shoulder. “We should get going. I’m surprised you haven’t passed out yet!” For a second, it seemed Fidget hadn’t heard him, leaving him standing about in awkward silence. He was about to repeat himself before Fidget looked at him, tipping his head. “Come on.” Tobias pressed.

Fidget let out a little sigh, but started to get up. There would always be tomorrow. He could accept that. He almost started walking without thinking about it, but Tobias stopped him to dust him off too, awkwardly patting the dirt out. He’d somehow gotten so much more in his fur than Tobias had, and he sat more still. Impressive.

Only once Tobias had ensured they were both suitable to be inside did they depart, leaving the aurora borealis behind for the night.