Chapter Text
“Do you remember the ancient gods?”
Through the flickering festival lights, Prowl turned to look at him, perplexed. “Of course I do. It’s hard not to at this time of year.”
“Granted.” Jazz stopped at the side of the path. Hidden in the shadows of the surrounding shrines stood a simple altar, not gilt in gold or wired with patterned LEDs and moving parts. It was weathered and worn, stained and pitted by the passage of time. “But even here, some things go forgotten.”
Prowl gazed into the shadows, his sight passing straight through the fading altar. “What do you mean?”
Jazz turned his head to hide his sad smile. “Just that sometimes we lose things without meaning to.”
“Isn’t that what these celebrations are for? To hold onto those traditions?”
“Yeah. They are.” They were even pretty good at that job. “But they can’t hold onto things that no one remembers they’ve forgotten.”
“You’re being awfully philosophical tonight.” A hand came to rest on his shoulder, and Jazz turned back to face Prowl. “Are you alright?”
“Course I’m alright,” Jazz said, brushing off his concern. He didn’t brush off Prowl’s hand though; that he took in his. “Come on, let’s get back to the party.”
Prowl’s suspicion fell away as Jazz used their joined hands to pull him away from the altar that no one else could see. In a few more centuries, maybe even as little as a few decades, Jazz wouldn’t be able to see it either.
Then they would both be mortal.