And, suddenly, golden light poured over the Verdugo Mountains.

Birds began singing. Volqeńus flitted overhead. A family of gnomes in green hats peered out at us from under the chaparral.

“And visiting hours are happening at the hospital.”

I started jogging, then running toward the house. Boxey was running beside me, barking and racing ahead of me, then turning around, stopping, and urging me to hurry.

God, I was so happy to have Boxey back.

“I love the sun here on Earth. You are so lucky to live here, Master!” Boxey said, then paused to chase a squirrel into the chaparral. He tripped and flew into a clump of shrubs.

He whined, then laughed and floated up into the sky before me.

“I’m so glad to be back, Master!” He circled back to the Starry Trail, landing at my feet.

“Mom! Sean! Barn! Tory! Christine!!” I shouted as I stumbled along the path with Boxey to the pylons at the entrance to the park. A few joggers called out to ask if I was okay.

“This day is glorious!”

They nodded, looking slightly perplexed.

I couldn’t wait to see my family.

To see my heart and soul, Austin Kang Jr.

*

I WAS SO nervous, standing in the hallway at St. Joseph’s Hospital under the fluorescent lights. My eyes stung. I cried a lot last night. I was through with tears for a long time. I clasped and unclasped my hands. I didn’t know what to expect. I gazed at the overhead lights; I heard the electricity powering them. My hearing was different now, more acute. I squinted in the strong light. Why is everything so bright now?

“Are you lost?” a nurse asked me.

“No, I’m just worried about going in.”

She smiled.

“Don’t worry, hon,” she said. “You’re still the two gay boys in the universe meant for each other.”

I blinked.

“What?”

“I said I’m here if you need anything.”

I grabbed the handle and pushed the door open and went inside.

Cecilia was asleep on a chair. Austin was hooked up to a bunch of tubes and things. He looked like I did months ago, almost like an octopus. Like Little Ocho, well, I called him Ocho but Austin changed his name to Little Ocho. One-night last week, Austin made up adoption papers, and we signed them. As did Austin Sr., since he was a notary. Little Ocho was ours now.

I didn’t want to wake Cecilia. She was probably up all night worrying about Austin. His face was bruised and swollen. Puxhàredo, he put up some fight.

To.

Save.

Me.

I surveyed my hand. He groaned.

What if…?

Mom told me when I walked in the house this morning I was glowing. Golden light around me.

Mom looked at me. “Your hair—it’s golden!”

I hated blonde hair.

Crap.

“Can I dye it?”

We both chuckled. Boxey said my powers were greater now… I closed my eyes. The universe and time slowed down… I opened my eyes. I touched Austin’s hand. My energy flowed into his body.

Love! Pure love. The bruises disappeared off his face, and his cheeks returned to normal. The cuts on his arm disappeared too. His eyes flew open. He looked at his mom, and he sighed. He turned to me and grinned.

“Little Eli!!!!!” He tried to sit up, but all the tubes made it impossible.

“Sit back, silly,” I said, smiling at him.

He narrowed his eyes. “You did something, didn’t you?”

I shrugged. “Used a little magic to heal you.”

“Thank you, love,” Austin said. “I was so worried that you were dead. There was this terrible explosion, and then you vanished. Devlina too…”

Cecilia stirred.

“Lie back and rest Kangy,” I said. “You need to take it easy.”

He nodded, then looked at my face. “Your hair… It’s blond!”

I frowned. “I hate it”

“Little Eli, always worrying about ridiculous things,” he said. “You’re alive, and Kangy is so happy!”

“I’m the one who is happy. I thought you were a goner.”

“The amulet saved me when the explosion filled the old, rotten steel mill.”

He reached into his hospital gown and pulled out the necklace—only the necklace was made of black metal, and the charm was green jade.

The image was no longer the Virgin Mary but rather the Áuqala. “She’s the protector of the Coaugelus,” Austin said. “Did you know we’re known as the Knights of the Áuqala?”

“Of course, Kangy,” I said, sitting beside him.

“She told me. Well, in my dreams, I guess, love.”

“Who told you?”

“The Áuqala,” he said. “She’s not even a person, really, but just a trillion lights circulating around a core of pure energy. It’s so beautiful to see.”

“Yeah,” I said, “she’s made of light.”

“So are you,” Austin said. “You’re glowing.”

“Are you on morphine?” I laughed.

He nodded. “Probably. But I see you, love.”

I leaned over and kissed him softly on his lips. “I know.”

He reached for my hand.

“I was so worried we’d be separated again, love.”

“Devlina,” I told him. “She intervened and saved me. So we could be together.”

“Thank God for Devlina.”

“Yeah, who would figure.”

We both chuckled.

He smiled, closing his eyes. “I’m tired, love.”

“I brought the Cat Who Could Read Backwards.”

“The first in the series.”

“From 1966. Might as well start reading the series at the beginning.”

“That’s perfect, love.” He opened his eyes. “Can you stay with me?”

“Of course. I have nothing else to do.”

I opened the book to page one. I conjured up a soda and handed it to Austin. Then a bouquet of red roses, a bunch of sunflowers, some popcorn, and a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

I loved having all my powers back!

I began to read as Austin mumbled to himself and chuffed contentedly. Two gay boys, in love, connected to the gravity of the universe.