#Gil and Thena are both dancing around it

[softquietsteadylove]

in the break up au, they are technically not in a relationship together. So I was thinking what will happen if gil walk into a bar (or wherever you want), and see thena going on a date with someone else. The worst part is she SEEMS like she likes that guy a lot.

thank you!!!

Gil walked into the museum light on his toes--okay, he was practically skipping. Some would call him crazy, but it felt kind of nostalgic, in a nice way. He was walking into the museum to wander and see if he could find Thena roaming around.

Usually she was in her office, he knew, but he liked getting to see her in her element, admiring the history, advising on exhibits and stuff. It was like seeing a beautiful creature in its natural habitat.

He admired things as he came in. He used to love the museum, and then he convinced himself that it was only because of Thena, because when they broke up he had no desire to go back to it. But it really was nice and peaceful.

"Not at all!"

His ears perked. He knew that voice, and he knew that tone, too. He shoved his hands in his pockets, scurrying around with his shoulders hunched, trying to look inconspicuous. He probably looked like a maniac.

He positioned himself as subtly as he could. He couldn't risk Thena seeing him, but he needed to get a good look at what was happening. He needed to see this guy's face, and he needed to see what was making Thena sound so...playful.

The guy was handsome--unfortunately handsome. And he was making Thena laugh. It wasn't some fake laugh she could use sometimes when they were socializing, this was her real laugh.

Gil's gut twisted. He had no right to be feeling this way. They weren't together, and even reconnecting - and kissing, but whatever - as they had didn't bind her to him. Although, he was pretty sure he had asked if she was seeing anyone and she had said no.

"Really?" Mister Handsome persisted, standing awfully close to her. "Nothing?"

"Well," she tipped her head, tucking some hair behind her ear. Gil resisted the urge to rush right over there and un-tuck it. "Not nothing, I suppose. But it wasn't something either."

"Explain something to me, Habibti," he chuckled, scratching the facial hair on his chin. Gil knew what that pet name meant and bristled. "How long have I told you-"

"I realise," she cut him off. She really was comfortable with this guy. "I don't know what happened, it just...you were right."

Gil squinted, but the man's expression became visibly tender. His hand rested on Thena's shoulder. He wanted to grab the guy's wrist and snap it clean off.

"It's good that you talked to him. But are you sure this was what you wanted to happen?"

Thena sighed, deflated, and also didn't pull herself away from his hand. Now, that was odd--Thena didn't like just anyone touching her, even lightly. Who the hell was this guy?! "There was a time I would at least pretend it wasn't."

"But it was," he finished for her, even pursing his lips slightly. He put his other hand on her shoulder, angling her to face him more. His hands dragged down the arms of her cardigan. Gil squirmed. "Because love is complicated."

She didn't say anything, but he could see her nod. Much to Gil's alarm, she slumped forward, thunking her head into the guy's fashionable black turtleneck as she let him rub her back.

The stone in Gil's gut sank all the way down to his toes. He turned away. He shouldn't be spying on her and her new boyfriend (or whoever). He seemed like a nice enough guy, and she was obviously comfortable around him.

So, he had reunited with her after all this time, only for it to feel like they had never parted. So, they had kissed a few times, and he could have sworn she was feeling that old spark there, too. So, they had said they would just see how things went.

It wasn't like they were back together. It wasn't like he had asked her to get back together, because he was the same coward who had let her suggest their breakup two years ago, too. He was going to let the most amazing woman in the world slip through his fingers for a second time.

"Gil!"

Part of him wanted to be petty--to keep walking and pretend he hadn't heard her. But he wasn't that much of a coward, as miserable as he felt at the moment. He turned, offering a tight smile, "hey."

"I didn't see you. What are you doing here?" she asked with a smile--a real, bright smile. She was beautiful.

"Oh, I, uh-" he blinked, rubbing the back of his neck. When he looked up he made eye contact with her friend and lowered his eyes again. He didn't want her date to feel weird about him. For all he knew, Thena had never mentioned him, or maybe it would be worse if she had. "I didn't want to, uh, interrupt."

"Interrupt?" she tilted her head at him, her hair slipping over her shoulder.

He sighed, his fingers automatically rising to tuck it back for her again. But he stopped himself; that would just to be possessive, and he was trying to be a bigger person than that. He faked a chuckle, "you could have told me."

"Told you what?" she frowned now, through with his beating around the bush. "Gil, what are you talking about?"

He nodded his head in Mister Handsome's direction, who - upsettingly - just waved in a friendly manner. He huffed, "what's his name?"

She looked over her shoulder, as if it needed confirming just who he was talking about. She looked back at him as if he were hallucinating the tall, handsome stranger by the dinosaur skeletons, "Ben?"

"Sorry, I guess you don't really have to tell me about him," Gil muttered. Heat rose in his cheeks; he was an idiot for coming here and trying to surprise her like old times. "We aren't...we didn't say...I-"

Thena laughed. Well, she tried not to, out of politeness or something, but he caught her hiding her laughter.

"What?" he demanded, completely embarrassed now. "Look, go back to your date, I was just-"

"Ben is the husband of a friend of mine." Oh. Oh! She touched his hand lightly. "Phastos and I submitted for our doctorates around the same time, so I've gotten to know Ben and their son quite well in the last year."

Mister Handsome was married?

"I was actually talking to him about-" Thena cut herself off this time, her fingers sliding into her hair. "Well, it's not important."

It seemed pretty important. But Gil was happy to let her halfheartedly hold his hand as she explained it to him.

"Ben is here to have lunch with Phastos. He knows, to an extent, that you and I...reconnected."

So, she was talking about them! Gil went through the snippets he had gotten of their conversation, albeit from far away and while he was thinking that she was talking about herself and Ben over there.

"And you are here," she called his attention back to her, tugging faintly at the lapel of the nice blazer he had worn. She raised her sandy blonde eyebrows at him, "for?"

He grinned. He took the opportunity to lean in and kiss her cheek, "for this."

Thena blushed. She did that a lot more now than she had when they dated the first time.

"And," he continued, taking her hand in his properly, "to see if you wanted to grab some lunch."

"W-Well," she cast a nervous glance back at Ben, who - like any truly good friend - was watching the exchange shamelessly. She stepped closer to him, "I'm not actually off for another hour."

"That's okay," he shrugged. He had already endured what he had thought was a worst case scenario. Now, he was in quite a good mood again. "You can show me around, right? Tell me about all the history."

"You've seen it all before," she laughed as he moved her to take his arm anyway. She barely had the chance to wave to Ben as they took their leave.

He could meet Ben at another time, maybe even apologise for being weird. But for now, he was here to see his...ex. His friend. His date? His something. "So?--show me again. Tell me the stuff you talked about in your thesis."

"You don't want to hear about that."

"Why not?" he asked genuinely. Would a lot of it go over his head?--probably. But he couldn't believe he had never even asked before. He tightened his hand over hers. "Tell me anyway."

[healingagoddess]

I really really enjoyed your prompt with “Can I have this dance?“. It was so beautiful and you captured them perfectly. I have a request if you are still taking?^^

I can imagine how Gil takes care of Thena after every fight against the Deviants. How about this time after a exhausting fight Thena takes care of Gil? Soft comfort moments between them. :)

Take your time. I’m looking forward what magical little story you will write. And a big thank you! ❤️

Thank you so so much for your request! <3 When I first read it I imagined them relaxing in the bath with Thena heating the water for him and all that. BUT, @softquietsteadylove 🦜wrote a oneshot like that and it was so so beautiful. If you haven't yet go and read it.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I truly love writing them, I have this idea that Thena is very laid back and normal with Gil, but he has a big influence on her that she goes along with him. It is so natural for them to be careless and free. Like, while everybody is a little terrified of Thena, Gil is just so full of lover for her just like she is for him. I think he is the only one to know another side of her person, and that's love. T-T

_ ✽ _ 

A loud thud is heard as soon as the training is over. On the ground lays a very exhausted Gilgamesh, a little dramatic if you ask Ikaris, but Thena goes along with him and tumbles on top of him on his back. Both covered in sweat and a messy pile of limbs. Gilgamesh never complained allowing her to lay there with him under the bright burning sun. It is Sersi who approaches them with beverages to help them cool down.

“Such a nice girl.” Says Thena as she takes the cup into her hands.

Gil mumbles from underneath unable to speak coherently. Thena brings the cup of water to his lips, but he just directs it to hers first. She takes a sip before taking it back to Gilgamesh who drinks the rest of it in a matter of seconds.

“You are dead, old man.” Thena chuckles.

“We are the same age.”

“Ah, he lives.” She smiles down at him before getting up. “Come on, Gil.” She tugs at his arms trying to get him to get up.

Gil simply rolls not putting any effort into getting up as Thena manages to drag him underneath the shade of a tree. She kneels down with a marvelous smile; mischief and wonderment in her eyes. She pours another cup of water on his head, making him throw his head back in relief as he begins to relax his muscles.

“Tell me where it hurts.” She says as she finds a place behind him kneeling before she starts to knead his knots away.

“Everywhere.” He mumbles.

Thena raises her eyebrows in disbelief. “I’m not going to kiss it better everywhere.”

“Oh, come on, Thena..” He complains “I do it for you.”

“Fine. But first let me get rid of the knots on your shoulder.”

Thena works on his back for a few minutes before planting a kiss on each shoulder, then on top his head.

“I hope this makes it bett-“

“You need help. You need psychological help.” Kingo interrupts attempting to get closer, but Thena soon shoos him away by throwing one of the empty cups at him. “I hope you get the help you desperately need!” He says as he escapes.

Finally, Gilgamesh gets up looking slightly amused at the interaction. He offers a hand to Thena and she accepts, but instead of following him she tugs in the opposite direction. Blindly and gladly he follows her; a smile never leaving his face. These were the good times, but before he could process it he is pushed into river water. He splashes everywhere as he falls deep in there, not even loosing his cool once. He throws a hearty laugh before starting to dispose of the extra clothing, Thena does the same before joining him in the water.

“I’ll give you a scalp massage, if you promise to return it later.” She sits by the shallow side of the river and he hurries towards her.

“Yes, please do!” He turns his back to her and positions himself in front of her.

Soon she starts to massage his head with soft fingers threading around and playing with his hair. She is so lost in thought and very concentrated that she misses the moment Gil falls asleep. His snoring so loud she almost thought they were being prayed upon. She lets out a sight as her arms come to embrace him from her place, and she rests her chin on his shoulder hoping nobody comes looking for them since her Gil is the only one to see her in their true nature; free, caring and loving.

[thefallennightmare]

One Mind-Five

Pairings: Druig x Eternal!Reader

Warnings: angst, fluff, swears, and maybe some smut here and there.

Summary: For so long, the Eternals were on their own. That was until a Celestial event brought them all back together. Reader is reluctant to help because in order to do what her fellow Eternals are saying, she would have to connect with a century old love; one that she promised herself that she would never work with again.

A/N: I really don't know how many parts this will be. Kind of going with the flow.

TAGS (OPEN): @niiight-dreamerrrr @moonlightreader649

“Son of a bitch!” I hissed, smacking the hand away.

Druig shook his head with sheer annoyance. “I have to clean your wounds, but I can’t if you keep smacking my hands away.

“Haven’t you ever heard of gentle hands?”

A playful smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth. “I think we both know my hands are always gentle, love.”

My face burned red when I realized exactly what he had been talking about.

“So cheeky,” I teased.

Druig continued on trying to clean my wounds, but he let out a deep sigh. “I can’t see anything with you sitting like this.”

I was sitting on the edge of his bathtub, body leaning all the way to my left while I tried to hike my shirt up as high as I could.

He looked around the small bathroom before nodding towards the bed in the other room.

His bed, our bed.

“Dru, I’m still covered in blood and deviant guts. I don’t want to get your sheets dirty.”

Druig remained silent, only standing to his feet and extending a hand towards me; clearly not bothered about the fact I was about to ruin his bed.

Swallowing the nervous lump in my throat, I allowed him to help me up from the edge of the tub and walked slowly towards the bed. As I was about to lay back, Druig stopped me.

“I need you to take off your shirt.”

My brow raised. “If I wasn’t bleeding from three different holes on my side, I’d kick your ass for trying to get me naked.”

Druig shook his head with a smirk. “It’s nothing I haven't seen before, Y/N. But I need to get a better look at your wounds to clean them.”

When I didn’t move, he let out another sigh. “I promise I won’t look at any part you don’t want me to.”

He made a cross over his heart, another action showing that he meant his words.

Lip caught between my bottom teeth, I searched his eyes and saw that he truly meant what he said.

Slowly, I began to lift the shirt above my head and tossed it in a heap onto the floor. It was covered in blood and dried Deviant blood and guts so needless to say, it was trashed.

Even if I stood in front of him in pants and a bra, Druig’s eyes remained on mine as he laid me gently onto the bed, the pillow being the first thing of comfort I felt in days. We traveled on Kingo’s private jet, and those seats are anything but. As I took in a deep breath, Druig’s lingering scent from the pillowcase engulfed my senses and I closed my eyes, body relaxed instantly.

The pads of his fingers worked quick but gentle as he brought the peroxide covered cloth over my wounds, the stinging sensation paled in comparison to the way his fingers felt against my cold skin.

Wind blew in through the open window, curtains dancing at the floors, and in the distance outside, I could hear chatter from the other Eternals. While Druig and I were in here, the rest of them were getting ready to have an impromptu funeral for Gilgamesh.

My heart ached for Thena, knowing that she lost someone that she loved so dearly. Gil had been by her side through everything and even with Thena’s Mahd Wy’ry, he never left.

I turned my head towards Druig, a sudden wave a guilt washed over m, and I needed him to know how sorry I was for leaving. Even if we already apologize, I needed to say it once more.

Druig worked precisely as he slowly stitched up the wounds, eyes glued to them. With Ajak gone, we didn’t have someone to heal us which meant we needed to heal the old fashioned way.

I marveled at the way his bottom lip was caught between his teeth as I quietly muttered his name.

His eyes fluttered up to me while releasing his bottom lip. “Did I hurt you?”

I shook my head. “I wanted to apologize again for leaving.”

“We can talk more about it once this is all over,” Druig gave my thigh a squeeze.

“Does that mean you’re coming with us?”

His body tensed as my question and I realized that he was still unsure about his decision.

“Why are you even going, Y/N?” He questioned, halting his actions for a moment.

I did my best to shrug. “Believe it or not, I love this planet even if it has a bunch of flaws. There’s people here that I care too much about to let die. I’m not ready to give it all up quite yet.”

It looked as if he was mulling over my words and I wondered if it helped or deterred his decision.

Silence fell between us as I watched him resume to stitch me up. His features were hard as he concentrated which caused his tongue to slightly peek out from his lips; something he always did.

My heart started to grow the longer I watched him, the love for him I buried deep so long ago began to fill it once more. I tried everything to move on from him, to forget him or the memories we had, but the more I tried, the less it worked. I found myself dreaming of him every night and the dreams were so vivid, it felt as if his body was on top of mine, tied together in my sheets.

We always joked about being connected with our minds but now knowing what we did about Arishem creating us, I couldn’t help but wonder if he created us that way on purpose; almost as if we were soul mates.

My gaze fell onto my left hand which was placed on top of my stomach, right above where Druig had been working. Every so often, I would catch his eyes darting from my wounds to the ring on my finger.

The black diamond caught in the setting sun and with the bright light that was casted over me from the lamp on the table next to the bed, it casted a shadow over the gold band.

“Why did you ever ask for it back?” I wondered, breaking the silence.

“It was a gift for you, for our love for one another. It didn’t feel right to take it back,” Druig stated while sitting back into the chair he had been perched on.

He cleaned his hands on a rag before motioning back to me.

“Try not to go after any deviants for a bit, ya?”

I smirked while leaning up on my elbows. “No promises.

“Now get your gross ass in the shower to rinse off. I’ll find some clothes for you to wear,” Druig jokes while he helped me to my feet.

After one of the most rewarding yet disgusting shower, I wrapped the towel tightly around my chest and paused, wondering if Druig was around. Even though he had seen me naked many times before, I still felt weird about it. It had been so long since we both saw each other bare, it would have been like our first time all over again.

“Druig?” I called out.

Silence.

My feet smacked against the hard floor of the bedroom as I scurried I saw a pile of clothes on a freshly stripped bed; black skinny jeans with one of his old black shirts to match.

He loved the way I looked in black.

Once dressed, I ran my fingers through my hair as a makeshift comb while walking out into the crisp night air. No one was around so I figured they were all down by the river, ready for Gilgamesh’s funeral.

We would burn his body and Thena would let his ashes go into the water; it’s what he wanted.

Everyone was standing in front of the large fire and I made my way next to Thena, hand placed softly on her lower back. She smiled down at me as I laid my head on her shoulder, a silent action to let her know that I would be by her side now, no matter what happened.

“He hasn’t stopped staring at you.”

I removed my head from Thena’s shoulder and followed her gaze over to Druig, who in fact, had been staring at me. I gave him a small smile.

“Did the two of you make up?” Thena asked.

“We don’t have to talk about this now,” I suggested.

She gave my hand a tight squeeze. “I need something to keep my mind at peace.”

A flash of light shined under the skin of her forehead so I nodded, knowing that if this conversation would keep her Mahd Wy’ry at bay, then we could talk about Druig and I.

“We’ve apologized but I don’t think we’re ready to pick up where we left off. There’s still so much left unsaid. He promised we could talk about it after everything.”

“Does that mean he’s coming?” She asked, hopeful.

I sighed with a slight shrug. “I don’t think so. He wouldn’t leave with me a century ago, I doubt he would now.”

Thena turned to look back to the large flames of the fire and bumped her shoulder with mine. “I wouldn’t give up on him, yet. As I mentioned, he can’t keep his eyes off of you.”

Druig was in fact still watching me with an unreliable expression across his face. Usually I was keen on what he was thinking or feeling but tonight, I had no idea what was going through his mind. And that scared the shit out of me.

[lonelydarlings]

I'll Be Seeing You pt. 2

Druig x Eternal!Reader

Inspired by “I’ll be Seeing You” by Billie Holiday.

After 2000 years, Druig thinks the spark of love between you two is gone. He’s surprised that when he sees you to find out he’s dead wrong.

Like Sprite, Reader also is a storyteller but she has the gift of music. Her songs are what brings music to the world and Druig loves that shit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay folks, this one got away from me just a little but I hope you all enjoy it! I honestly have no idea where this is going AHHH. Also sorry if the timeline is all goofy ive only seen Eternals 30 a few times and im still trying to piece it all together

Tags: soft!druig, sersi x ikarus, mentions of a wedding, fluffy ending

Part One Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six Part Seven Part Eight Part Nine

“That was a beautiful song tonight, Y/N. Truly moving.” Kingo said as you and your fellow Eternals made your way back to the Domo.

“Thank you, Kingo.” You smiled up at him as you made your way to your central gathering place.

“Arishem would be so proud of the beautiful music you’re bringing to this world.” Ajak mused, placing a motherly hand on your cheek. You blushed thanking her with a small smile.

“Yes, Y/N. It’s truly wonderful what you do. You could put Sprite to shame with your voice.” Gillgamesh teased, poking the girl in the side as he crossed the room.

“Not funny, Gil.” The redhead said, crossing her arms.

“I agree, not funny. Sprite’s gifts are amazing, and they bring joy. She tells our stories and brings hope to the future of these people. Even if she does stretch the truth just a little bit.” You smiled, throwing your arm around Sprite’s shoulder, giving her a small squeeze. You knew it was hard on her. Everyone always treated her like a child even though she was so much more than that.

“At least someone has my back. What do you think, Ikarus?” The girl asked, trying to hide the giddiness in her voice.

“I… well, I think your powers are equally special. You’re both telling your own stories in a way. Maybe you two should team up one night. Give us a real show.” Ikarus said, taking his place by Sersi’s side.

“That’s actually a lovely idea. Sprite, would you like to do that one day?” You asked.

“Sure. That probably wouldn’t be too awful.” She giggled playfully and squeezed your hand.

“Fair enough,” you laughed, making your way across the room.

“Sorry I missed the show tonight. Must have been a good one from these glowing reviews.” Phastos said, eyes and hands busy at work on his next invention.

“You should be, it was beautiful.” You heard a voice come from behind you. Turning around, you spotted Druig and Makkari standing in the doorway of the lab. You hadn’t heard the duo slip in. You blushed again, turning around to make yourself busy with a random piece of metal on the table.

“I’m truly impressed with this one, Y/N. I believe it might be my new favorite.” Druig said, taking a seat beside you. In all these years, he never really commented on your songs so this took you a bit by surprise.

“Thanks, Dru.” You said softly.

“Anytime, my love.” He said, a cocky grin breaking across his face.

“Uh, did we miss something?” Phastos asked, giving you two an incredulous look.

“Oh, you mean their little “I like you but won’t say it” dance? No.” Kingo said, using air quotes around the statement. A blush rose to Druig’s face now, causing yours to deepen even more.

“Leave them alone, Kingo.” Thena said, knocking him in the back of the head as she passed by.

“Ow, Thena. Rude.” Kingo said, pulling a face.

“Don’t be a baby.” Makkari signed, a smile plastered on her face as she came to stand beside you. “Don’t listen to Kingo, you know how he is.” She signed, smiling.

“Alright everyone, settle down. I have news from Arishem.” Ajak said, taking her place in the middle of the room. Phastos quickly finished his project and gave the older woman the floor. “We’ve been asked to relocate. Babylon is free of Deviants and has become the largest and safest city on the planet. Our work here is done. We’ve been tasked to reposition ourselves to the Gupta Empire. Their people need our help in continuing their growth. We will leave at first light. Phastos, prepare the Domo for the trip please.”

“You know I will.” Phastos said, clapping his hands together.

Your leader took turns reminding everyone of their duties and instructed all on expectation for the next part of the journey.

“Does anyone have anything else to say before we end our meeting?” Ajak asked, gesturing in your and Druigs’ direction.

“Actually, I have something.” Sersi spoke up, taking Ikarus by the hand.

You thought your heart would beat out of your chest. You cast a look at Druig who shot a wink in your direction. What was that about?

“Yes, Sersi?” Ajak motioned for the raven-haired woman to take the floor. Each pair of eyes in the room watched as the two lovers moved into the center of the room.

“Ikarus and I have decided to get married. We want to have the ceremony as soon as possible.” Sersi smiled as Ikarus wrapped his arms around her.

Squeals of joy and congratulations erupted from every corner of the room. You made your way from your spot beside Druig and over to your friend. You were so happy that Sersi had found someone who she could see spending the rest of her days with. Ikarus was a perfect fit and you couldn’t be happier for the both of them. You wrapped the taller woman in a tight hug.

“Congratulations, boss.” Kingo said, clapping his hand on Ikarus’ shoulder, pulling him in for a quick embrace.

“Yeah, congrats.” Sprite said, trying to mask the sour look coming onto her face.

“I’m so happy for the both of you!” You said, happy tears welling in your eyes. “You truly are the perfect fit for one another.

“Yes, these two are truly two halves of one whole.” Ajak said, taking Ikarus and Sersi’s hands in both of hers. “There will be a wonderous wedding, as soon as we are settled in. I’m sure our new friends will be more than happy to accommodate.”

“Yeah, and if not Druig can always make them.” Gillgamesh joked, bringing laughter throughout the room.

“Yeah, sure.” Druig said, his tone even. Turning back, you could see he wanted to say more but chose not to. Something was bubbling up behind those steel blue eyes. You made a mental note to ask him about it later. Right now wasn’t the time, it was Sersi and Ikarus’ spotlight and you couldn’t take away from that. The night commenced on in celebration. Drinks and toasts were had and made on into the evening. Eventually, Ajak took her place in the middle again.

“My Eternals, as fun as this has been, we all need rest. Let us make our way to our own rooms. We have all the time in the world to celebrate. Goodnight to you all. I expect to see you early in the morning.” Everyone said their final goodbyes for the evening, slowly trickling behind Ajak and into their own rooms.

“Goodnight, everyone. Sersi,” You paused as you passed your friend, “I really am so proud for you both.” You said, giving your friend another tight squeeze. “And Ikarus,” you paused, laying your hand on the man’s arm. He turned to look at you, a knowing smile pressed onto his face. “I know I’m not the fighting type but if you hurt her, I’ll absolutely and totally end your existence. Don’t forget it.” You punctuated your statement with a poke to his chest as you both laughed.

“I would never do that, Y/N.” he smiled, laying his hand on top of yours.

“You better not or you’ll get this!” You mimicked punches to his stomach and face playfully.

“Yeah, sure.” He said, rolling his eyes with another laugh and Sersi lightly slapped his chest with a grin.

“You won’t have to, Y/N/N. If he does, I’ll do it myself.” Another laugh came from the three of you. You truly were so happy to see this union. You knew they needed each other.

“Goodnight, my dears.” you gestured to the remaining few.

Echoes of goodnights followed you out the door. As you were rounding the corner, a hand fell on your wrist.

“Y/N, wait.” Sersi was behind you, her thin frame leaning into the arched doorway.

“Yes, my blushing bride?” You two giggled like young girls.

“I was wondering, would you sing at our wedding? It wouldn’t be right if you didn’t. Maybe something not as sad as the one tonight?” She said, laughing a little bit.

“Of course, I will!” You smiled brightly. “I promise, it’ll be a song of love. True love.” You said, squeezing her hand. You turned to walk away but she stopped you again.

“Y/N?”

“Yes?” you asked, a curious smile across your face.

“What’s up with you and Druig? I mean I know you two flirt but tonight seemed different. Did something happen?” She asked, an air of excitement around her.

“I mean, we were talking before I sang but there’s nothing different about that. Why, do you know something I don’t?” you asked, and incredulous smile playing on your lips.

“Well, that’s the thing. The song was about seeing a lover again someday. Did one of you finally confess?” She asked, voice lowered.

Of course she would ask that. Sersi knew all your secrets, even the ones you so desperately tried to hide from everyone including yourself. She had known from the very beginning that something special was blooming between you and Druig and many times had encouraged you to move into unknown territory with the quiet man. She was your closest confidant, your safe place to confess all.

“No, Sersi. Nothing happened. I don’t know where the songs come from, you know that. They just happen. It wasn’t any sort of message to him. That’s just not how my power works.” That was a lie and you knew it. So did Sersi but she let it slide. She knew that you would be true to both her and you in your own time.

“Okay. If anything does change, you know you can tell me.” The woman took your hand in hers and squeezed.

“Thank you.” You squeezed back. “Now, I really have to go to bed. We’ve had quite the eventful evening after all.” You let her hand go and slowly turned, giving her one last wave.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” She called after you.

“Goodnight!”

You made your way to your sleeping quarters, still running over the question Sersi had asked you earlier. Druig never had commented on your music, that was true. His words still rang in your ears like a sweet symphony. Stepping into the soft lighting of the room, you closed the door behind you and made your way to your bed, shedding your armor as you went. Folding it and placing it on your table, you pulled your sleeping tunic over your head. Tonight had been exciting indeed. A wedding, a new adventure, a compliment from the man who made you week at the knees. There was no way you would be able to sleep. You decided to put on some music. Phastos had made you something special for nights like this. He had called it a gramophone. It was a device that would be considered top of the line centuries from now and with his help he had even shown you how to put your music onto it. He said he had bigger plans for it but for now you could test it out and give him pointers on how to improve it down the line. Any human to see it now would surely think it was some devious device, so it was a secret to you and your fellow Eternals. You had cried when Phastos had presented it to you, pulling him into a rib crushing hug. Crossing to the shelf on the far side of the room, you picked up a wax roll and placed it onto the needle. Soft crackles filled the air as a slow song began to bubble from the device. You danced slowly around the room, musing about your evening. Your body began to glow as the music took you over, your powers sinking into the small area. You were lost in your own world when a small knock came at your door, breaking you from your revere. Crossing to the door, the knock came again. Suspecting it was Kingo telling you to turn it down, you were surprised when you opened the door to see two blue eyes staring back at you.

“Druig, um, hi. I’m sorry, was I being too loud? I can turn it off, I just couldn’t sleep.” You were blushing again, realizing he had also changed into comfier clothes, his large biceps on full display without his bulky armor.

“No, m’lady. I just heard the music and thought I would say hi since you were awake.” The man grinned at you from his place in the doorway.

“Oh,” you smiled,” Would you like to come in? I’m testing out the gramophone. Would you like to have a listen with me?” You gestured to the side and Druig followed your direction, pausing to let his eyes linger on you for a beat too long.

Gods, help me. If I was capable of heart failure I would probably die right now.

Druig walked casually into the room, his hands placed behind his back. You closed the door slowly, turning to rest your back against it. He had never come to you in the night, much less been inside of your room. Druig made a slow turn, surveying the room with inquisitive eyes. Finally landing his gaze upon you, he stepped in your direction.

“Is this your music?” He asked, slowly closing the space between you.

“Yes,” you breathed, “Phastos helped me put it on wax cylinders. That way I can practice my powers even when I’m alone.”

Druig came to a stop mere feet from you, surveying your form slowly.

“I wasn’t lying earlier, that song tonight was beautiful. You, your powers, all of it. Absolutely stunning.” Druig paused, licking his lips. He took another step closer, waiting for you to stop him. Slowly, he brought a hand from behind his back

“Darling,” his accent thick and present, “you wouldn’t mind sharing a dance with me, would you?” his hand extending toward you.

“A dance?” you asked, voice shaking slightly. “Sure.” You took his hand.

He pulled you into the middle of the room, placing a hand on your hip. You rested your other hand on his shoulder and closed the rest of the distance between the two of you. You began to sway to the beat, smiling when he would do a little spin every now and then. You couldn’t get over how beautiful he was this close up. His blue eyes pierced into your own y/e/c ones, the soft lighting of the room dancing across his face.

“Would you sing for me, my moon, just a little bit?” he asked, eyes glancing down to your lips for a beat. My moon. That was new.

“For you, Druig, I would do anything.” You smiled again as you let your powers fill you up. The same song from earlier in the night began to drift softly from your lips. Druig drew you closer, laying your head on his chest. He hummed along with you, seeming to have memorized every bit of the earlier performance. When you finally sang the last few words, you looked up at him again.

“How was that?” you asked, a flirtatious grin on your face.

“Wonderous.” He said cupping your cheek. Thinking the moment would end, you were taken over when he pulled you closer, planting a kiss on your lips. You melted into him, letting the sensation of the closeness engulf you. His lips were soft and plush against your own, moving in perfect sync. Was this what you had been waiting so long for? Why had he not acted sooner? What was changing? When he pulled away, you almost whined at the loss of his touch. Looking into his eyes, you smiled brightly.

“What was that?” you asked, placing your hands on his chest.

“That was, well. That was something I should have done 300 years ago.” He connected his forehead to your own, inhaling deeply the scent of you.

“All this time, why didn’t you ever say anything? And why now?” You asked, looking up at the taller man.

“I don’t know and I’m sorry I’ve waited this long. I do know that my feelings are true though. I like you very much.” He said, a true smile spreading across his pale face.

“I like you very much too, Dru.” You giggled back.

“So, what does this mean for us then, eh?” He asked, leaning back so he could see you properly.

“Well,” you paused, a faux look of deep contemplation on your face. “We could keep this a secret and continue our “little dance” as Kingo put it. Or,” you paused again, wrapping your arms around his neck. “We could finally tell everyone we came clean.” Druig laughed at that.

“For some reason I feel like you want to keep this a secret. Why, you ashamed of me?” Druig pulled a face of fake hurt, only to laugh when you slapped his chest playfully.

“No, Druig. I would never be ashmed of you. I just think right now with the wedding coming up and our move to a new place, maybe we need to just keep it between us. Besides, it’s kind of fun that you snuck into my room in the dead of night.” You pulled him into another kiss, this one more passionate than the other. Druig smiled into you, holding you tight to him.

“Whatever you want, my beautiful, beautiful Y/N.”

This was not what Druig wanted, no. He wanted to be loud and proud that he could finally call you his girl. He had wanted it for so long, why should he have to wait. He knew you were right though. After the wedding and everyone was settled in. Then, he could make his true feelings known. Sersi and Ikarus weren’t the only ones in love. He hoped the next wedding would include you as the bride

[stelladjarin]

Daylight | Chapter 2

Word Count: 3.1k

This chapter is based in New York City, 1978

Neon lights blinded me as I made my way through the crowded dance floor in search of the others. It was too hot, and I was too drunk from partying. The cherry on top had been losing sight of Makkari and Kingo as they danced their hearts out. 

Humans were everywhere. They pushed and shoved and laughed with delight at their friends and lovers that surrounded me. I sighed as I ducked under their arms and moved towards the tables against a far wall where I spotted Phastos and Ajak sharing drinks in a vinyl booth. They were talking intently and didn’t even notice me as I slid into the seat next to Ajak. 

“Did she really?” Phastos gasped, his eyes wide as he took his drink and sipped it, scandalized. 

Ajak hummed and nodded, tight-lipped. “It’s been going on all night.”

“What’s been going on all night?” I asked. 

“What did he do about it?” Phastos continued, not even hearing my question.

“He doesn’t even know,” Ajak said as she leaned forward. 

I sighed loudly and reached across the table to steal a milkshake that was near Phastos. He noticed me then, slapping at my hand. “Excuse you,” he said, eyebrows knit together.

“I’ve been sitting here forever, and you only talk to me now that I want your milkshake?”

Ajak chuckled and let her hand grasp my back. “Sorry, Aura, we were just talking about something.”

My eyes rolled. “Yeah, I know. I asked what you were talking about,” I said, snatching the milkshake and drinking it quickly before Phastos could rip it away from me.

“Hey!” He hissed at me. “Get your own! Why are you even over here? Shouldn’t you be dancing?”

“I got too drunk, and the dancefloor started feeling like the fucking Titanic,” I huffed. “Besides, I lost Makkari and Kingo, and I didn’t feel like letting the mortal men feel me up any longer. Are either of you going to tell me what’s going on?”

They shared a look like parents often do. A silent conversation passed between their eyes, and annoyance bubbled up in me. They loved to keep things from the rest of us which always drove me crazy. We were all the same age; there wasn’t any real difference between us. 

But they conceded, apparently deciding I could be privy to their gossip. Ajak leaned closer to me as she scanned the dancefloor to my right. “Do you see the woman at the bar over there?” She asked. “The blonde with poofy hair and a really tight dress? It’s Sprite. She’s been following Ikaris and Sersi around all night, and I don’t think either of them realize it.”

I followed Ajak’s line of sight to see the supposed illusion Sprite was casting order drinks. She was hot, but so unlike Sprite’s real and childish appearance. A part of me felt sorry for her. This was the only way she could integrate into the human’s society, and I knew all she wanted was to be able to live like the rest of us. But this wasn’t the right way. Especially since I knew she was hoping to fool Ikaris in hopes that he’d flirt with her. 

“Wow,” I said softly. I felt as if I should tell them, but, then again, I wanted to see Sprite out herself. She couldn’t touch anything without her illusion phasing through it. I wondered how she was going to fake drinking the alcohol she was ordering. “Well, she’s setting herself up.”

“It’s sad,” Phastos said softly, also staring at Sprite. Sersi and Ikaris were walking over to the bar to meet her there. Sersi seemed listless, and Ikaris seemed oblivious to it as always. He grabbed his drink and started talking to Sprite’s illusion, not seeming to notice as Sersi slid quietly into a stool at the bar, her chin resting in her palm. 

I shook my head and let out a huff. “Whatever, it’s none of my business,” I grumbled. “Have either of you seen the others?”

They both hummed and looked around. “Oh,” Phastos said, pointing behind me, “Gil and Thena are at the jukebox. Uh, you said Makkari and Kingo were dancing, and I haven’t seen Sir Mopes A Lot in awhile.”

Ajak gasped, reaching across the table to slap Phastos’ hand. “Be nice! Druig never comes out with us, so don’t make it seem like we aren’t happy,” she chastised him. 

His eyes rolled. “Well, he probably isn’t even here anymore. He probably got bored and left.”

I frowned. If Druig had left and gone home, he would have told me beforehand. Maybe I had been too preoccupied dancing to notice him. The thought alone made my heart drop, so I stood, determined to find him. “I’ll let you two get back to your gossiping,” I said absently. 

They didn’t hesitate to start whispering again as I began to walk away. I looked down the rows of vinyl booths to see Gilgamesh and Thena hovering over a brightly lit jukebox. They were grinning at each other, flipping through songs and bobbing their heads with the beat. 

“Hey,” I said to them, peeking at their song selection. “Either of you see where Druig went?”

Gil hummed and looked at Thena. “He went out back, didn’t he? About ten minutes ago, I think.”

She nodded and looked even further down the hall, towards the bathrooms that then wrapped back around to the dancefloor. “There’s an exit down there. It leads out to the alley way,” she said. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just wanted to make sure he was okay.”

“Oh, you know him,” Gil said absently. “Clubs and fun aren’t really his thing.”

I huffed a laugh and patted him on the back. “Yeah, I know. Thanks.”

They nodded and turned back to their music as I made my way down the hallway. Girls were laughing from inside the restroom, and I could see dozens of people dancing their hearts out in front of the stage. A band I didn’t recognize was playing, but the energy I felt from down the hall made my heart buzz with excitement. 

My hand found the doorknob to the exit, so I took a last look at the dancing humans before pushing the creaky door open. The cool New York air nipped at my fingers, and instinctively, I pulled my pink coat tighter around my shoulders even though the cold didn’t bother me too much.

That was the thing about us. We weren’t affected by weather or other earthly circumstances the way humans were, so in order to blend in, we had to act the part. 

However, the thin whispers of snow drifting through the air did inhibit my vision ever so slightly. I squinted, hoping to make out a head of dark hair somewhere against the crisp white landscape. “Druig?” I called out. 

I was met with car horns blaring as a response. I sighed, watching the warmth of my breath dance in front of my face until I caught sight of a tiny warm glow coming from down the alley. I walked towards it. 

“Druig?” I asked again as I got closer.

His head lifted, and a small smile greeted me. “Hello, my beauty. What are you doing out here?” He asked.

“I didn’t see you inside. Are you smoking again?”

He laughed, fiddling with the cigarette in his hands. “The humans love to reinvent self-destruction,” he mumbled. 

“That doesn’t mean you should partake in it,” I said, stepping closer to him. 

“It doesn’t hurt us,” he said as he took another drag, the smoke leaving his lips in a thin wisp. “Besides, every time I do it, you always look at me more intently with those honey eyes of yours. So why wouldn’t I smoke?”

I shook my head in disbelief. “You’re crazy. So you won’t smoke if I don’t look at you?” I teased.

He blinked at me, that smile on his face wavering. “Don’t do that,” he said.

“No? Why not?”

“You’re the only one that does. And I like the way you look at me,” he admitted quietly, his voice almost lost in the mix of New York’s chaos. 

We watched each other’s eyes for a moment. I felt as if I had been frozen by that winter air, the snow that kissed my skin as I stared in Druig’s crystal blue eyes. 

He smiled again and flicked his cigarette to the ground, pressing it into the snow with the toes of his shoe. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s warm up with a drink.” 

His arm wrapped around my waist, snaking beneath my jacket so his hand could play with the fabric of my dress. A rush of butterflies filled my stomach as I leaned into his touch, the warmth of his body, the smell of his black leather jacket. He was intoxicating, and I was utterly captivated by him.

“What do you want to drink?” He asked me as we walked past Gil and Thena dancing to their music and Phastos and Ajak sharing a milkshake. 

Sersi, Ikaris, and Sprite’s illusion were still at the bar. I eyed them as we sat down, and I noticed Sprite’s drink was still full. She was laughing intensely at something Ikaris had said; he seemed proud of himself and unaware of the way Sersi was staring off into nothingness. 

Druig tapped my knee. “You alright?” He asked.

“Oh, yeah. Just order me whatever.”

He hummed and looked over at our fellow Eternals. “Who is that girl?”

I rolled my eyes and sighed, turning in my seat so my back was to them, and I was only facing Druig. “It’s Sprite,” I said softly. “She’s trying to look like an adult.”

His face twisted into disgust. “Weird,” he mumbled. “Excuse me,” he said, gaining the attention of the bartender, “can we get two martinis?”

The man nodded and moved to mix our drinks while Druig turned his attention back to me. “Can I ask you something, Aura?”

“Of course you can.”

“How much longer do you think we’ll be here? Before we get to go home, I mean.”

I studied his features, the calmness in which he asked me that question caught me off guard. I shook my head, no answer coming to me easily. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a Deviant.”

“Two hundred years,” he supplied. “It’s been two hundred years since our last fight, and we’ve been moving from city to city, changing our identities every ten years to blend in.” His eyes dropped to his lap as the bartender placed our drinks next to us. “I just want to go home.”

“Do you remember home?” I asked him. I didn’t. I had blurry visions of what could be thought of as home, Olympia, but that is all they were, blurry. Images of fountains and pristine white buildings. I didn’t remember much more than that. 

Druig was still staring down as I tried to think of my home, my life before earth. He shrugged. “Does it matter? It’s our home, and I’m sick of being here. I’m sick of not being able to be myself. I’m sick of following orders every minute of every day,” he said through grit teeth. 

I reached for his hand, our fingers lacing together. “Druig,” I said gently, “our lives have been in Limbo for centuries, but if we give into our frustrations and resentments, where will that get us? Areshim won’t bring us home just because we ask for it. If we don’t trust Ajak, then we’ll fall into a point of no return. We just have to be patient.”

He didn’t say anything for a long time, but his thumb brushed over the back of my hand, working circles into my skin and running over the hills of my knuckles. “You’re wiser than me,” he said eventually, a hint of a smile in his voice. “Thank you, my darling Aura.”

“We have each other,” I said firmly. 

Druig’s hand brought my fingers to his lips, and he pressed a kiss to each of them. “And I wouldn’t trade you for anything,” he said. “Cheers, to us.”

I grinned and raised my glass to his, clinking the soft glass together like an oath. To us. I took a sip and tried to ignore the warmth that crept up my spine as I noticed Druig’s hand on my knee. He was absently pinching at the sheer tights I was wearing while setting his drink down on the bar. 

“Should I bother them?” He asked, nodding in Ikaris and Sprite’s direction.

I looked back, unable to shake the disappointment in Sersi’s eyes. “Yeah,” I said.

“Ikaris,” Druig called out without hesitation. “Cheers!”

I held my drink up with Druig, and we looked at them expectantly. 

“To what?” He asked, cradling his glass, a suspicious smile on his lips.

I shrugged. “To us,” I supplied, leaning across the L-shaped bar to click my glass against his. Sersi gave me a gentle smile and half-heartedly raised her glass. Sprite’s illusion seemed frozen. “Are you alright?” I asked her.

She stammered out an anxious yes before giving me a look. 

“I didn’t catch your name, miss,” Druig said.

“Cynthia,” Ikaris said. “Her name is Cynthia.”

Druig and I both nodded. “Well,” he said, leaning past me to encourage Cynthia to grab her glass, “cheers, Cynthia!”

Her eyes glanced down at her drink, and awkwardness filled the air. Ikaris waiting beside her with confusion in his brow. Sersi stared at her, indifferent. 

“I hate all of you,” Sprite’s voice said. 

Ikaris and Sersi seemed surprised, their eyebrows leaping as they registered what was happening. Sprite’s illusion faltered as she grabbed her glass forcefully and glared at Druig and I. “I fucking hate you,” she said, a sob threatening to choke her. She glitched again as she pushed past Ikaris and stormed off in the direction of the restrooms. 

“Cheers,” Druig said without missing a beat. He tapped my glass and downed all of his drink at once. 

“Was that,” Sersi’s voice trailed off quietly as she stared at the spot Cynthia had once stood. 

Ikaris scowled, and his eyes raised up to Druig. “Did you know that was her?” He asked. 

Druig shrugged nonchalantly.

“Did you know?” Ikaris asked again.

“Know what? That Sprite was using her magic or that she was trying to get in your pants?”

Ikaris slammed his glass on the bar and began to make his way over to us, but Sersi grabbed for his arm and Phastos and Ajak appeared between the two men. “Enough,” Ajak said with all the authority her body held. 

They both relaxed, and my hand found Druig’s under the wooden bartop. He squeezed my fingers in reassurance. 

“What’d you do?” Phastos asked him.

Druig barked a laugh. “Me?” He asked. “Why don’t you go bother Sprite and ask her what happened.”

“It’s not fair for you to embarrass her like that,” Ikaris said, still seething. “You think your life is so unfair, but she has twice as many disadvantages as you do. Grow up.”

“Ikaris,” I said, anger teaming at every inch of my soul. “Are you blind or stupid? Sprite was tricking you not only to try and fool you into sleeping with her but also to piss off your wife who sat by your side all night and got ignored. How about you grow up, hm?”

His glare shifted to me then, and I held his gaze. I wasn’t afraid of him like the others were. He couldn’t intimidate me into being silent. 

I felt Druig move behind me. He stood next to me and pulled me out of my seat. “Let’s go,” he said. “You all can figure out who to blame without us.”

He started walking without waiting for any protest from anyone, and I followed him, tempted to shatter a glass with my abilities as we left, but I refrained. It wouldn’t have done us any good. 

*

The loft the Eternals owned in the city was large and spacious enough to fit all eleven of us. We retreated to a reading nook in the corner of the sitting room, walls of books surrounding us and snow flurries twirling on the other side of the windows. 

Druig sat beside me like a warm pillow to rest my head on. He sighed. “We should run away,” he said suddenly.

I laughed, not thinking he was serious. “Where to?” I asked. 

“Anywhere.”

“Are you joking?”

“Not really.”

“Why?” I asked, peeping up at him. He was staring off into the hazy winter horizon. Not a single emotion was readable in his expression. I tapped his hand to prompt him to answer me.

His head shook in response. “What I said earlier, I just can’t imagine us doing this,” his hand waved around vaguely, “for any longer. We’re all so different from each other; I can’t help but think we’re all sacrificing parts of ourselves just to stay together.”

All of us? Even me?

I pulled away from him gently, noticed the way his hand reached for me ever so slightly as the distance between us grew. “What do you think you’ve lost about yourself?” I asked.

He shrugged, his eyes dropping to stare out the window again. “I feel disconnected from my own values, my entire purpose in being here,” he admitted. “Everything has become so out of control, and we’re not allowed to influence the humans any longer. We’re just waiting on a ride home, and it’s driving me crazy, Aura.”

My heart was sinking. He cared so much about his want to control the humans that he couldn’t see what was right in front of him. “Druig,” I breathed, “you have to ask yourself what you really want. Do you want your original purpose to be your only purpose? Or do you want to enjoy the time we have left here? I don’t think you can have both, darling.”

“I know,” he said. “I know.”

“You’ve thought about this?”

“I have. I thought about getting up and leaving one day without telling anyone where I’d gone.”

“Why didn’t you?”

His eyes met mine, and a heartbeat of silence froze the air in my lungs. “Something held me back,” he said. 

“Gil’s great cooking?” I joked. 

It made him smile for which I was glad, but he shook his head gently. “No,” he whispered, “something a bit more serious than that.”

“Care to enlighten me?”

He laughed and moved his arm so I could rest my head against his chest. “Not yet,” he mumbled as I glued myself to his side. 

Winter marched on outside, but we laid there until dawn came, golden daylight drowning us in its warmth, our breaths coming and going as one, our fingers intertwined, our bodies melted together.

[softquietsteadylove]

Excuse me can we get our beloved couple in a club and when Gil goes to get some drinks for him and her he gets flirted on and when he looks over to Thena he catches her on the dance floor dancing sexily and looking to him across the floor?

Choose the AU freely ✨

Gil elbowed the rowdy bar patrons on either side of him. Ikaris had gotten the last round - both of them having agreed that the girls should go through as little trouble as possible - so now it was his turn.

"Can I get you something, handsome?"

Gil kept his eyes straight ahead. He didn't even want to bother trying to be polite, he was developing a headache and all he wanted to do was lean on Thena's shoulder. "No, thanks."

"Aw, come on, hot stuff," the woman continued to try and persuade him into having a drink with her. Her hand landed on his arm, which he wasn't able to move given the sardine can situation of everyone trying to order at the bar.

"I'm getting drinks for me and my girlfriend," he grunted. He wasn't usually one to rush someone serving him but he was about one annoyance away from asking how long it would take to get just Thena's cocktail.

He cast a glance over his shoulder. Ah, he knew he felt a chill.

Thena was watching him--glaring at him. She was watching the woman hitting on him.

He shrugged, trying to tell her there wasn't much he could do about it. He had fended her off to the best of his ability. And she knew he had no interest in whoever this was.

Thena eyed him even in the dim light of the bar, crossing her arms at him and tapping her finger. Maybe it was the drinks, but he was pretty sure she had never let him see her this jealous before. He was pretty sure he had never seen her jealous before but Sersi had told him that he had, in fact, Thena was just usually quick to hide it.

He'd never had a girlfriend be jealous over him before.

"Hey man, here's your order."

"Thanks," Gil nodded at him. "Add it to the tab."

"And mine!"

"No!" he barked. The bartender just smirked at him while the woman feigned some offense. He frowned at her, though, even looking at her to do it. She wasn't his type even if he wasn't already with the most beautiful woman in the world. "If you think this is flirting, I think you need some boundaries."

"I'm just-"

"Y'know what?--close it out. Put it on my friend's card," Gil grumbled, nodded in the vague direction of their table. The bartender still got it, swiping the card without question.

The intruder just laughed, having decided he wasn't worth the trouble and aiming her mission for free drinks elsewhere.

Gil huffed, finally turning to make his way back to their booth with their drinks. He was sloshing his and Ikaris' beers clumsily, but whatever. He frowned when he finally arrived at the table. "Where's Thena?"

"Uhm," Sersi pursed her lips around the straw of her current drink. She took her new one from the tray and pointed.

Gil turned, his expression darkening quickly.

Thena met his eyes again, although she kept turning and spinning. She was moving her hair around on her shoulders, playing a sexy - and infuriating - game of peekaboo with him. Her control of her body really shone as her hips did one thing and her shoulders moved in the completely opposite direction.

Gil abandoned his beer, and Sersi and Ikaris, tossing the latters card at him. He walked towards the dance floor, where his partner was both dominating and captivating any attention that turned her way.

She gave him another seductive look before spinning and ignoring him again. She didn't have to know the song for her senses to pick up what the beat was. The rest of the dance floor was doing the dance floor thing, everyone in their own little groups and world, moving vaguely just for the vibe.

More than a few heads turned to her, entranced by the way she was dancing and, when they got a look at her beauty, just her in general. But too bad for them, she was all his.

Gil shoved his way through, headed right for her. Not that he couldn't appreciate his beautiful girlfriend in a sexy outfit on the dance floor. But his beautiful ballerina wasn't for just anyone to admire, let alone touch.

The guy trying to make a move and grind up against her fell to the ground loudly as Gil pushed him over. Didn't matter--he happily stepped over the guy's gangly legs to capture Thena's waist for himself. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Hm," she pursed her lips at him, whimpering under the deafening music. She faked a pout with her cute lips, "you were taking too long."

"I was getting drinks for us and our dumb friends," he grumbled, swaying with her, keeping his head close so they could hear each other.

She pinched his side, under his shirt.

"My dumb friend," he corrected with a chuckle. He looked over at them, clearly watching and then rushing to pretend they weren't. "I wouldn't have left you there if it weren't my turn."

"Then perhaps we should move somewhere more," Thena paused to trace her tongue around his ear, "comfortable."

"I don't think the bathrooms here are as clean as the ones in my ring, Gorgeous," he chuckled, and then full on laughed as she slapped his chest.

"I meant home!"

"What, and ditch Sersi and her jackass boyfriend?" he snickered, returning the favor by latching onto her neck. He didn't want to think about all the stuff in the air stuck to her skin, now. Maybe a shower was a good idea.

Thena moaned in appreciation. She really was enjoying her cocktails; otherwise she would never let him kiss her like this in public. Her fingers ran through his hair. "I think they are of a similar mind."

Gil glanced up in the direction she was tugging his hair. While they were being nosy friends just a moment ago, they were definitely making out like teenagers in the booth now. That took a matter of seconds. He scoffed, burying himself in Thena's neck again, "Should we let 'em carry on?"

Thena nudged him away from leaving a mark on her perfect skin, forcing his lips up to hers. "Can't have word of Miss Sersi acting like a frisky teen getting back to our cygnets."

Gil caught another glimpse of their friends, who were definitely feeling each other up on the cheap pleather. "Yeah, let's get them outta here."

Thena pulled away, tugging up the neckline of her modest but still alluring top. She put her hands on his cheeks. "What did that woman say to you?"

He grinned. He could get used to this. His head turned to kiss her palm. "She tried to get a free drink off me and I told her to beat it."

Thean purred, leaning in and kissing him again, making sure to press her breasts against his chest. Her tongue was practically still in his mouth when she whispered, "good boy."

He groaned, following her as she tugged him away by the lapel of his sports jacket. "You know what you do to me, sweetheart?"

Thena unceremoniously cleared her throat and yanked her jacket out from behind Ikaris, who seemed to be attempting to lie on top of Sersi in the booth. He growled. "Shall we take our leave?"

He grumbled, but Sersi tugged at her blouse and sorted her hair out. "That's a good idea."

Gil sighed as Sersi and Thena linked arms and walked ahead of them. He less looked at and more felt Ikaris sorting himself out next to him. "Were you two gonna get down and dirty in here if we hadn't come back?"

"Shut up."

Gil did, but he could have a chuckle about this for a good long while. Not that he really had any ground to stand on. Thena looked over her shoulder and gave him a smile that had him ready to sprint home. He gave her a nod and a wink.

"You two got awfully familiar," Ikaris grumbled now that he was ready to actually converse. "Never seen you willingly dance before."

"I don't call it dancing," he shrugged, grabbing the door as they finally exited the hell of that bar. "I call it defending my girlfriend from creeps."

Thena and Sersi concluded whatever they were talking about, parting in a hug. Weren't they going to see each other on monday? Regardless, they waved and then swiftly turned around. Sersi all but dragged Ikaris down the street and around the corner.

Gil happily let Thena link their fingers and continue on their way to the car.

"Can you drive?" she sighed, sounding half asleep as she leaned against his arm.

"'Course, honey," he promised, kissing her temple now that they didn't have an audience. "I only had one beer."

"Okay," she sighed, increasingly burrowing against him as they walked.

He chuckled, struggling to get their hands unlinked, only so he could put his jacket around her shoulders. "You can have a little nap in the car."

She shook her head, now able to really cuddle up to him, even tripping over herself to do it. "You are not going to get me as fired up as you did in there and then not take me home and fuck me."

Well, if that was what Miss Thena wanted, then Miss Thena would get it.

[softquietsteadylove]

Kingo is trying to make Gil jealous to see if he cares about Thena and uses some interesting methods.

For the fake wedding one!

"Please, Thena?"

She looked up at Kingo, "I don't understand why you need me for it."

"Because Makkari and Sersi both said no, and I have to send in this video of me by today!" Kingo pleaded with her, pressing his hands together and wobbling his lip.

"What about Ajak?"

"I don't wanna dance with my mom!" Kingo faked sobbing, although it still did nothing to move Thena in his favour, "plus, she's way too busy and I'm way too scared to ask her. I'm pretty sure she'll break out the chancla on me."

Thena had already seen what the threat of la chancla could do for keeping her children (plus Kingo) in line. The woman clearly had mastered her weapon of choice. Thena sighed, "it's just a video of you dancing?"

"Yes!" Kingo bounced with glee, "and I know all the steps and everything. All you have to do is sway and follow my lead--and look like you're in love with me!"

Thena rolled her eyes but stood from her patio chair, "I'll try."

"That's all I ask," he grinned at her, holding his hand out like a true gentleman. "There isn't any sound for it either, so I can talk you through things too."

She had no idea how these things worked for an actor of Kingo's level, but if he had to send in a video of himself dancing with no music, who was she to question it?

Besides, Gil was busy making croissants - or something - so it wasn't as if she had anything better to do with her time.

"Madame," Kingo schmoozed as he pulled her into position with him. His expression screamed a rich and entitled dandy, or whatever his character would be for this project. But it was definitely Kingo saying, "is it okay if I put my hand on your waist?"

Thena shrugged. She hadn't known Kingo for long, but there was something undeniably unthreatening about him, at least to her. Maybe it was the same warmth Gil and the rest of the family exuded. Or maybe it was the complete lack of physical interest he had in her. It was a refreshing break from most of the creeps at work back home.

Kingo began trotting them around in boxes within circles. He was surprisingly skilled with his dancing, leading her smoothly. "Hey, you're not so bad at this."

Thena wasn't convinced by the flattery, "don't be fooled, it's not as if I'm going to be able to do this on my own."

"Are you ready?" he asked more quietly, his face coming closer as their twirling slowed down to a gentle swaying from side to side. "For your first dance?"

Thena gulped, "I...suppose."

"Have you guys had lessons for it?" Kingo asked, the side of his head hovering close to the side of hers. "I heard some people do that."

If she had known about this more than a few weeks in advance, she might have considered it. "Gil said he didn't want to worry about stuff like that, and I'm inclined to agree."

"Well, you can consider this kinda like practice, right?" Kingo chuckled, his hand squeezing hers faintly.

"I suppose so," she murmured, not really thinking of Kingo as he swayed them to some imaginary beat. He was tall, maybe even a little taller than Gil. But he wasn't as warm, and his muscles were harder--more wiry. Gil's felt so natural on his frame, as if he had been born with them. Every time she felt them close to her, it was reassuring.

"I gotta admit," Kingo nearly whispered this part, bringing his head even closer to hers for it. "I was a little surprised when Gil told us about this shotgun wedding."

Thena held her breath.

"He's not really the impulsive type, and between you and me," he paused to snicker, "Ajak asked me if I thought he had, uh, knocked you up, as it were."

Honestly, it was a fair assumption on poor Ajak's part.

"But you guys seem really happy," Kingo concluded with a lighter tone. He pulled his head away so he could look at her as he said it, but they were so physically close her eyes blurred a little to really look at him. "I'm glad you found each other."

Thena turned her head, preferring to stare into/just barely over his shoulder rather than be nose to nose with her cousin-to-be. A breeze rushed around them and she felt the warmth in her cheeks. "I couldn't find anyone better than Gil."

Of all the lies she had told since arriving here with Gil, this was true.

"Okay," Kingo whispered, giving her waist a squeeze, "i have to dip you now. Have you ever done one?"

"No," she hissed at him, but he was already picking up speed and twirling her around again.

"It's okay, just relax and let me hold you as I lean you back," he continued to grin like that was so easily done. "Just trust me."

There was only one person in the world she trusted like that.

"Kingo, wait," she bit her lip, more nerves building up as Kingo spun her again. He wrapped his arm around the back of her shoulders, half lowering her down with her eyes squeezed shut like he was dangling her off a cliff.

"Kingo!"

"Oh, hey Gil," he smiled, still holding Thena in one arm and spreading the other for dramatic effect. "We-"

"Let go of her!"

Thena opened her eyes when a different set of hands grasped her shoulders. She was pulled up to stand properly again, and rather than Kingo's deep purple t-shirt, she was met with Gil's green sweater, and the scent of his aftershave.

"What the hell are you doing, man!" Gil barked at him, holding Thena to his chest as if Kingo had been about to feed her to the wolves.

"Sorry Gil, I needed help recording a dance for my next audition tape," Kingo laughed through his excuse, carefully avoiding the gravity Gil brought to the situation. "Thena was the only one free."

Gil's hand moved from Thena's shoulders to the small of her back, trailing down with a light touch, "you're doing stuff like this an awful lot, lately."

"Like what?" Kingo shrugged. If Gil wanted his answers, he was going to have to come out and say it.

"Gil," Thena interrupted before the two could really get their tempers up and flaring. She pressed her hand into the divet of chest between his pecs, "it's okay. He asked me to help, and I said I would."

Gil sighed, clearly wanting to stay angry at Kingo, even as she tried to talk him out of it. He was still holding her. "I know, Thena, but that's not-"

"It's good practice, right?"

Both men looked at her, shocked by her sudden outburst. Gil tilted his head at her, "practice for what?"

"Well," she sighed, feeling the warmth in her cheeks re-emerge. "We'll have to...right? After...the wedding?"

Gil blushed faintly, and she could see in real time as he realised that he too would be required to execute a very romantic first dance with her in front of the rest of his family. "Oh."

Thena nodded, her own embarrassment worsening as Gil's added to it. "So, I agreed because I figured I could take all the practice I could get."

"Uh, well," Gil floundered, looking between Thena, sheepish in the crook of his elbow, and Kingo, who had his arms crossed at him with a petulant expression. His anger fizzled out and he gave Kingo a miserable little look, "sorry."

"I should think so," Kingo turned his nose up, although they could both see him grinning, lavishing in the drama of the moment. He held up his hands as he moved to side step them. "Never mind old Kingo, just trying to help-"

Gil grasped Kingo's sleeve before he could move on completely. He looked him in the eye, still holding Thena in his other arm. "I know you don't mean anything by it. But...it's the woman I love, Kingo. I need to know you really understand that."

Thena stayed silent through the exchange between brothers. Gil said it in a very convincing way (and her stomach was still in knots).

Kingo looked at Gil, and then at the hand grasping at him. He removed his grip before bumping his knuckles against Gil's gently. "I do, man. I really do--I wouldn't do anything to get in the way of that."

Then what was all this?

Kingo continued into the house, completely unbothered by the little scuffle.

Gil looked at her again, frowning, "sorry. A-Are you--I didn't mean to..."

She smiled, though. Fake-fiance or not, everything Gil did was out of sweetness. At least with her, it was. She nodded, "it's okay, Gil. You know he doesn't mean any harm."

"I know," he sighed, looking like a puppy getting a scolding. She had to laugh, tipping his chin back up (but it didn't stop him from pouting). "I just...I feel like every time I've got a good thing going for me, Kingo swoops in and--he doesn't mean to. I know he doesn't, but let's just say that when we all went to camp together, the girls weren't really asking him to pass their numbers on to me."

"Aw, poor Gilgamesh," Thena pursed her lips at him. He did roll his eyes, but he was smiling again! "You were a diamond in the rough--just needed more time for people to see your brilliance."

He smiled as she un-rumpled his sweater from when he came out in a huff. He was still holding her. "So, dance practice?"

"Hm," she hummed, not really wanting to dwell on it any more than they already had. "I admit I was intrigued by the idea that he could help."

"Well," Gil said quietly, still holding her waist and now grasping her other hand in his, "I'm here now. And I'm the one you're gonna be dancing with, right?"

He was. Thena drew in a breath as Gil started moving them. It was a little less smooth than Kingo had been, clearly a basic step he had learned some time in their youth.

"I probably need some practice myself," he mumbled, some of his usual shyness returning as he moved her hand his side up his chest to his shoulder.

"I-" she cut herself off before she could say something stupid, looking away from his deep brown eyes to stare into his chest instead, "I didn't want to interrupt you."

"Interrupt me anytime, Thena," he corrected her immediately, swaying them a little more easily the longer they maintained their proximity. "Especially for something like this."

She leaned closer, loosening as if their shared body heat were melting frost at her joints. "You're not half bad at this."

"Well," Gil smiled against her cheek, "I better get half good before our wedding, huh?"

[softquietsteadylove]

Hello! Hope you are doing well?

May I request another one for the Circus one?

It was very angsty and dramatic and we want more!! 😲

Gil sighed as he walked out of his sleeper car and down to the lake. He wasn't having much luck resting while the train was stopped. It seemed counter-intuitive, but he was used to the rattle and clatter of the train moving while he was sleeping. He was aware of so much when it was parked.

"Miss Thena?"

She whirled around, alarmed to have been found with her feet in the water. She wrapped her shawl tighter around herself.

"I-I'm sorry!" Gil stammered, rushing to assure her that he meant no harm nor intrusion. He averted his eyes from the lady in just her night slip, "I didn't-"

"It's fine, Gilgamesh."

He peeked at her just a little. He was a gentleman, after all. She looked more calm now, though, even smiling a little. His eyes adjusted to the dark with only the moon over them. It made her hair seem to glow.

"I was just," she paused, looking down at the beach under her bare feet again.

He looked down at them as well, only for a moment. Even in the dim light, he could see the red on her otherwise porcelain skin. He frowned, "are you hurt?"

She gave him somewhat of a smile as they both looked up at the moon again, "those shoes I wear are not meant for comfort, I'm afraid."

Gil winced to himself. They were pretty, sure--sparkly and with a heel on them. But he had often wondered what the point of that was considering she was never on the ground during shows.

"I like the water," she admitted so quietly it was nearly swallowed by the gentle lapping of the water on the shore. A breeze travelled over it to them. "I lived by the water before I was married."

Gil looked at her too eagerly. He didn't know much about her life before she was married to Kro. No one did.

"I grew up there with my father," she told him without a great deal of weight to it. Maybe she didn't mourn that life as much as he might have thought. "But that was long ago, now."

Gil watched the hem of her silken night dress dance around her legs. She pulled her shawl tighter as another breeze came over them.

Thena blinked as he slipped the towel he had brought with him around her shoulders. She looked at him.

He blushed, "don't want you to catch a chill, Miss."

She smiled at him, and it seemed so different from the smiles she gave showcomers and investors and even her own husband. This one seemed so real. "You're sweet, you know that?"

Gil shrugged, toying with his hands in front of him like a boy, "I-I guess no one's told me as much."

"Well, you are," Thena stated factually. She looked at him, the moon glinting in her green eyes. Something came over her as she pressed, "that heart of yours is invaluable, Gilgamesh."

"Gil."

"Hm?" she blinked again, but didn't snap at him for interrupting her (like a certain ringleader).

"You could-" Gil shifted on his feet as he found himself drowning in those eyes of hers, "you can call me Gil, Miss. Everyone does."

She smiled again, just a soft, little one. She looked up at the moon before testing it out, "Gil."

It had never sounded so beautiful.

"Miss-"

"Thena," she corrected in turn, smiling as she did. Her eyes lowered the next second, "just for now--when we're alone. Kro would have your head if he heard you addressing me so."

Gil got the impression that Kro would have his head for just about anything he did, let alone when it came to his wife.

"But just," she pulled herself up faintly, edging ever so slightly closer to him on the pebbly sand of the lake shore. Her eyes were so compelling, "just when it's us two...call me Thena?"

Gil's heart slammed in his chest, his mouth dry and his mind going quiet. There was only the breeze and the lake and the woman before him. "Thena."

She lit from within, as if hearing her own name for the first time in her life. He would write a song for just her name if it made her so happy.

"I'm afraid you haven't started under the best circumstances," she drew her brows together and retreated from him again. "My husband...Kro is not a kind man."

Gil's fists tightened; he didn't know much about the ringleader of the circus, but what he did know he positively detested.

"He is many things," Thena half corrected and half elaborated, neither apologising nor shying away from it. "But kind is not one of them."

Gil cleared his throat, not at all in the mood to continue talking about that beast. "I'm surprised he hired me, to be honest."

"I did."

Now that was surprising.

Thena did correct herself somewhat, this time. She shuffled in the sand, tugging at his towel and her shawl around her shoulders. "I insisted on having a proper caretaker for the animals. I've been trying to convince him for ages, but when we found you...you were finally so qualified for the job, and so good with Angus...he could no longer refuse."

She had fought for him.

"I'm glad I was able to convince him to bring you on," she smiled again, at least. "If I am to be incapable of convincing him of anything else in our lives, you are the one good to come of it."

She deserved every good life had to offer.

"Well, I certainly appreciate it M-" Gil nearly bit his tongue, eyes glued to her as his lips forced out, "Thena."

Once again, the sound of her name made her glow with happiness.

He made the effort to smile for her, dragging his thoughts away from her monster of a husband. "I'll do my best to do right by that."

She let out what almost sounded like a light laugh, "you already have."

Gil was happy to just stand and stare, but Thena looked back towards the largest sleeper car on the train, where said monster was sleeping and awaiting her. He looked at her, wondering if it would be so outlandish to suggest taking his hand and running away right this second.

"I should," she let it suffice, nodding her head in the direction of her bed. Gil just nodded, accepting his towel back from her silently. Her feet were silent as she took the first few steps back up the beach, "thank you, Gil--for the company."

He squeezed the towel in his hand, all of the breath in his lungs gone and laying at her feet. "Any time, Thena."

She offered him one last, devastatingly beautiful smile before turning.

Gil watched her go until she disappeared to her car. He had no desire to imagine her crawling back into her bed with Kro waiting there for her. Obviously he hadn't noticed her get up and come out here anyway. Inattentive would be the kindest word Gil would ever muster about him.

He sighed, kneeling down by the water and preparing to wash away the sweat of the day and shave off his scruff. Tomorrow was another long day of show prep and animal wrangling. And he had to do right by the Miss--by Thena.

[softquietsteadylove]

can you write some Thenamesh fluff? like, the two of them sleeping in front of a fireplace, snuggled up

Gilgamesh tossed another log into the fire as the door opened and shut, the air from it flickering the flames into a little dance. He leaned back on his elbows. "Hey."

"Hey," Thena smiled as she walked over to him, dropping the cloak and heavy robe behind her as she did. She shuddered once rid of the fine dressings of a royal war advisor, but that allowed her to hurriedly burrow under the blankets Gil had spread out for them.

"How's she doing?" Gil asked as Thena settled herself into his side. He asked it casually, the way he would ask about Sprite or Makkari or Sersi.

But they were referring to Olga, the current queen regent of Kievan-Rus, and freshly widowed due to Drevlian attack. The regent took the killing of her husband - cruel and undeniably torturous - personally.

She had asked her revered and unearthly war advisor how she should proceed. Ajak and Sersi had both moved to set the slander aside--for peace. And while being an advisor didn't mean Thena could incite grand wars between humans, she had answered honestly.

"What would you do?" Olga had looked up at Thena from her throne. "If it was your husband?"

Thena had thought about Gilgamesh in an instant, imagining his smiles, his hands holding hers, the warmth of him as he banished the unrelenting cold from bothering her.

"I would burn the world to the ground and then reshape the ashes in their likeness so they could beg my forgiveness from beyond the grave."

"Thena," Gil raised his brows, although for whatever he was feeling about the declaration, he did not look surprised about it.

"She may do with that advice what she desires," Thena mumbled, the warmth of Gilgamesh already soothing her like a cat in a sunbeam.

"Ajak is gonna be mad," Gil teased quietly as he leaned forward and reached into the fire with his bare hand to adjust the position of a log. He wiped the ashes off on the rug before pulling Thena into his lap.

"She already is," Thena sighed, although she did not care if their Prime thought she was being too violent in her suggestions. Olga had asked her - human woman to Warrior Eternal - and Thena had given her honest answer. She tightened her arms around Gil's neck.

He rubbed her back. She wasn't saying as much, but the thought of what she would have to do without him always tended to shake her. They were Eternals--it wasn't something they had to consider often. But they were also Fighters, and it was technically possible for them to perish. And that never seemed to bother the Warrior Eternal until they were on the subject of him.

"I can't imagine what she's feeling," Thena finally confessed in a whisper, the crackling of the fire underscoring her words. "If I had to worry about you dying from an attack by a handful of humans-"

Gil let her burrow into him deeper, her face pressed to his neck, her hands clinging to him. He was happy to let her, bending one of his legs and letting it cushion the curve of her back. He tucked the blanket over his shoulders more around her, even at the cost of having his other arm exposed to the open air. "So, we're going to war, huh?"

"I doubt they'll need us," Thena sighed, unwinding slowly. She pressed a hand to his chest. "Olga has...other methods in mind."

"I don't wanna know," Gil snorted as he adjusted them again. He laid himself lengthwise, parallel to the fire. He rested on his back with Thena stretched out on top of him. His hand raised to push her hair behind her ear. "I'm sure I'll be horrified at what she's about to do."

Thena pursed her lips, "I think they'll be somewhat deserving of whatever she is about to enact."

Gilgamesh chuckled, raising his head just to touch the tip of his nose to hers. "You menace."

Thena purred as she melted into him, under the blankets, close to the fire, listening to the beat of his heart and the rise of his lungs under her. "Olga was rather creative with her plan, actually. She needs no assistance from me."

"That's a little scary," Gil snorted. He gave her waist a squeeze. "You're beautiful when you're violent."

Thena laughed, all of her teeth showing.

Gil rolled them to the side, letting Thena's back be closest to the fire. He didn't need the extra warmth; he pulled her closer to him, burying his nose in her hair. "My Solnyshkuh has started another war, hm?"

Thena inhaled against his chest, running her hand up his flank and over his pectoral. "I do not start wars, I finish them."

"Well," Gil let out a loud sigh, the comfort of their position also lulling him into rest. "Whatever you ladies have planned, you know I'm around if you need me."

"Hm," Thena pressed her smile into his shirt, "yes, my ever helpful husband."

It wasn't the first time they had been taken for a married pair, and it would be far from the last. It wasn't as if it was out of the question for them.

Gil twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. "We should really get around to that."

"I suppose so."

"Olga could marry us."

"She's busy, Gil."

"After, I mean."

[softquietsteadylove]

How about them going ice skating? Gil is pretending he can’t ice skate so Thena helps him and guides him but then Thena challenges him to skate alone but with every challenge there is an award right? So he says something like if I can skate to the other side without help or falling I get a kiss. And she agrees fully believing he can’t so he surprises her how naturally he can skate. Some fluff and humor :D

you choose wich AU it should be. The Thenamesh receptionist AU or the Thenamesh Ice Queen/ Tyrant King AU :)

Gil inhaled the cool, crisp air of the outdoor rink. There were other people skating, light chatter, the scent of zamboni fluid and hot cocoa in the air. It was perfect!

Thena gasped as Gil fell forward and flat on his face. She made her way back to him in her pristine white figure skates. "Are you okay?"

"Ugh," he groaned as she helped him pick himself up (which was never going to be an easy task in any form of skate). "Fine, just tripped over a chip in the ice or something."

The Ice Queen smiled, though. Maybe it was the light snow dancing in the breeze, or maybe it was the twinkling lights everywhere. But she took his hands in hers, gloves on gloves, and started skating backwards gently. "Just hold onto me."

Gil happily followed suit, moving at her pace, careful of his movements. How could he say no to that?

And sure, he didn't really need her help--not like this, at least. But who was he to say no to his Princess?--his Queen, rather.

Gil shuffled along, not really having to fake any clumsy movements when all he was really trying to do was stay as close to Thena as possible. She had a natural grace to her, as always, guiding him around the rink with his hands in hers. "Why haven't we done this before?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," he shrugged, smiling at the stunning woman with her blond hair floating around her and the faux-fur collar of her coat on her cheek. "You are the Ice Queen, after all."

Thena rolled her eyes. "How did you become so respected when your jokes are so terrible?"

"Couldn't tell you, Sweetheart," he chuckled, happy to let his girlfriend lead him around. "When did you learn to skate?"

"When I was young," she shrugged, still moving blithely without a care to those who may be behind her as she led Gil by the hand. Everyone made room for them, anyway, between the intimidating beauty of Thena and the sheer size of him behind her.

Gil stared at her, though, eager just to keep holding her hands and hear her talk more. "Did you do it seriously?"

"No, it was just one of the many activities I was supposed to do," Thena mused. She didn't have to explain further, and they both knew Gil already knew what she was talking about when she brought it up.

Just like Gil came from a long line of people in the business, Thena's family also was the foundation upon which her current empire was founded.

"What else did you do?" he asked, hoping to hear more as he followed her around and around.

"I suppose the things everyone at boarding school did," she sufficed before looking up at him again. "Think you can handle it?"

"Handle what?"

Thena let go of his hands, turning away from him and leaving him standing on the half line. "You seem to be doing fine. See if you can reach the far wall and back without me."

Oh, it was a challenge. She hadn't even noticed that he didn't really need her help not falling. Well, if she asked, he would tell her that he had fallen for her a long time ago, and then she would roll her eyes, and pretend she didn't think it was funny, but she'd have that cute smile on-

"Gil!"

"Hm?" he blinked, returning his attention to the woman even shorter than him than normal in their skates. He tilted his head at her, "what do I get if I do?"

"Bribery, really?" she raised a brow at him.

"Come on, Princess, number one rule of business," he chuckled, leaning closer to her, "nothing comes for free."

"Fine," she sighed, leaning away from him primly. "What do you want?"

"A kiss."

"Just a kiss?" she raised her brow at him and he nodded as if she were promising him riches beyond belief. She shook her head at him, "fine, one kiss--go."

Gil took off like a shot, able to propel himself rapidly with the muscles he had. He made it there and back in record time, skidding to a halt just beside her so he didn't get ice shavings on her.

Thena stared at him, her jaw bobbing. "Wh-"

"Sorry, baby," he chuckled, coming right up to her and rubbing her arms with his hands, "but I can skate fine. I really did trip on something when we first got here, but you were the one who started leading me around."

"But-"

"And I wasn't going to say no to holding your hands," Gil shrugged innocently, perfectly accepting of it as she slapped his arm hard enough for onlookers to seem concerned. "Now, I believe I have a reward to collect."

"You are unbelievable."

"Hey, a deal's a deal, Ice," he grinned down at her, although he soon leaned down to be in a better position for kissing. "Business is business."

Thena's lips twisted as she leaned up and in slowly, and not steadily. Her eyes darted away a few times and Gil was delighted to see a soft and pretty blush in her cheeks. His Ice Queen had a shy side to her when it came to the smallest of affections.

Gil closed his eyes, always in bliss as Thena touched her lips to his. She pulled back, satisfied with the deal. But she didn't go far, and that was all the sign Gil needed to lean in, asking for another one.

Thena let him wrap his arms around her, her hands sneaking into his open coat and onto his chest as she leaned up for him. They parted again, her needing to breathe just a little more heavily than before. Gil pressed his nose to her cheek, their eyelashes brushing each other's skin as they hovered still entangled.

Gil smiled at her, letting her pull away just enough for him to get to see those killer green eyes again.

Thena did her best to feign some disapproval, "what did I tell you about kissing in public?"

"Hey, this was my prize to collect," he smiled at her, kissing her cheek, "no conditions apply."

Thena shook her head at him again, although she clearly wasn't exasperated enough to pull away as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Fine; pleasure doing business."

"Oh," he winked at her, "pleasure's all mine, Ice."

"Insufferable man."

"Excuse me," he chuckled, taking her hand in his and now the one to pull her into his pace, "but you still owe me a date, Ice. So I guess you'll just have to suffer through it."

[healingagoddess]

Can I have this dance?

Request: How about Eternals fighting against Deviants and thenamesh incredible fighting as a team. The way they fight the way it almost looks like a dance. Communication without really talking. - by anon, thank you so so much🖤

Warnings: English is not my first language.

Pairing: Thena/Gilgamesh

Words: 525

Note: I know nothing about ballet uefjerrefn I'm sorry. But I also loved their dance, and loved their connection. When Gil takes her hand after battle, I- They are so perfect. And also, I had a good idea last night... but I'm depressed :p and I was like I'd do it later. And when later... I was more depressed hewfbhewbrhf apologies.

Early on time, the night oddly falls on top of them as the beasts of the day turn into nightmares. It doesn’t matter how many times the deviants try; their dance is ancient. It is truly a wonderful sight to see as two strong beings joined in battle soar through the skies as shadows barely seen by the moonlight. She moves her body gracefully, with every jump and perfect arch as she brings out her spear. When she becomes a whirlwind before every attack, Gilgamesh is always there to catch her. They know their place, they know their poses, and they know each other. The battlefield becomes a stage of their known dance.

This night, as always, she has chosen to take the lead, lunging herself at the very first deviant that crosses her path. Her body positions itself in a matter of seconds to slide beneath the deviant, in a long elegant shape as she arches her back raising her hand to stab and slice open the beast’s stomach. She looks like a goddess, and when she finally comes to a stop he is there to lift her up. This way he throws her midair as she proceeds to extend her legs changing weight from one foot to another in a jeté, raising her weapons like the goddess of war that she is. In no time, the deviant is stabbed in the head and ended.

The lighting in her weapons have caught the attention of other deviants, something they knew very well. She uses this distraction to go around the battlefield, her arms waving over her head as she stands on her tiptoes to jump from side to side in a Glissade. The beast follows her as she does so, getting closer and closer. And she twirls positioning her legs one behind the other and after the other as Gil’s shape lurking from the shadows come face to face in front of the deviant as he offers her a hand to twirl right into the darkness, one punch is all it takes to crush the small deviant’s head.

As the third and last one goes after him, Gilgamesh throws punch after punch making way for Thena, who stands on pose at the sidelines waiting for her entrance. She jumps once, twice, and into his hand that was ready for her as he launches her into the air performing an excelent tour jete. There is something spiritual in seeing her soar into the sparkling night sky in some sort of slow motion as she summons two sharp weapons into her hands. And there is something powerful in seeing her slice the deviant’s neck in half. She freely and carelessly jumps off its back and into the air falling confidently into the arms she knows are waiting for her. As one last punch ends the beast, one final stance is formed as two strong eternals hold onto each other in professional poses — and rest. Both withdraw, he offers his hand knowing she will accept it. And when she does, she looks into his eyes with a soft gleaming smile. No words needed to be spoken, they already said everything.  

[softquietsteadylove]

Hey, it's me again! I thought about this for al long time and decided to ask you to write it. I thought about Sersi and Dane getting Married after she and the others got rescued after the Emergence. And they are all at their wedding, dancing, having fun. Everybody but Thena. Jack is trying to cheer his aunt up but it doesn't work. And Eros comes to the party with his "wedding present" for Sersi and Dane. It's Ajak ('cause she didn't wanted to die and wanted to try safe the earth) and Gilgamesh, because he realized that he's got no chance to take Gilgamesh's place and Thena will love him forever. So he brought them back. As a present.

This roamed my head for weeks now. And i live for cuteness and reunion and fluff and AHHHHH

She looks beautiful, Thena thinks, and she does. Sersi looks lovely in the emerald green wedding gown. It contrasts Makkari's dark red one, as she swirls between dancing with her sisters and returning to Druig's waiting arms.

Sersi is dancing with a Sprite that looks closer to Druig's age than Jack's, now. They both have tears in their eyes, laughing when Dane cuts in to spin around his - in a funny way - niece/sister-in-law and then his wife.

Thena is happy for them. She is. She is trying to be.

Everything is a muddled mess of sounds and colours and smells. And yet it all feels...bland. Like food that hasn't been seasoned properly. All the ingredients are there, but they haven't come together.

She knows she's being extra miserable when she's thinking in cooking metaphors.

She misses Gilgamesh.

Her Gilgamesh was always the life of the party. He would have been ecstatic to attend another of Sersi's weddings. He loved weddings. It was being around happy people, really--he was happiest when the people around him were happy.

They had danced at Sersi's last wedding. It was so long ago, and she doesn't blame Mahd Wy'ry when she has to search for memories of the day. But she could never forget the smile on Gil's face as he spun her around, pulled her into his arms, whispered in her ear that if she ever wanted to-

"Aunt Thena?"

She doesn't let it show--that he pulled her out of a deep, deep vortex of thoughts. She just looks at him, "what is it, Jack?"

"Are you okay?" the boy asks, and in such a quiet and understated way that she can already imagine him grown up. She can imagine him looking like his father - her brother - when he talks like that.

"I'm fine."

Jack doesn't take the words and run. He sways a little on the spot, pulls at the fancy clothes he's put on for the occasion. Then he looks up at her again, "you don't seem fine."

Damn the child and his perceptive abilities. Thena takes in a breath, hearing the tremor in it. Jack must hear it too, because he reaches up to her. Neither quite know what to do with the gesture, but Thena uncrosses her arms, and Jack takes advantage to hold her hand. His little palm closes around her long fingers.

"You miss Uncle Gil?"

The name spoken aloud rips something apart inside of her. She looks back to Sersi dancing with Dane. She forces her eyes to dry. "Yes."

Jack nods, still holding his stoic aunt's hand as if she might fall into a million pieces otherwise. She doesn't seem to like it, but he thinks that maybe she needs it regardless. "Dad told me about him. He said he was really funny, and kind, and he always had a smile for even people he didn't like. And he made great food."

Thena closes her fingers around Jack's smaller hand, feeling the warmth his human body gives off. He's so small, so breakable, and she realises that if anything happens to him, that she will destroy the world more thoroughly than Tiamut managed. "Uncle Gil...he was the very best, Jack. Kinder and warmer a soul, you would never find."

Jack listens to Thena describe the one of a kind soul that was Gilgamesh. He looks out at his other aunt, dancing in the arms of a human man. He only met Dane a few times, but he seems nice. "You saved Aunt Sersi and Dad from the World Forge, right?"

"Yes," she looks around the room. Druig has given up on dancing, happy to watch Makkari enjoy herself. Sprite has drifted to Kingo's side. "Sprite helped us too. She won't say it, but she loves your Uncle Kingo very much. He's as much her older brother as your father is to the rest of us."

"Who's the oldest?"

They all awoke at the same time as ageless beings in a spaceship, over and over again in a thousand and one different lifetimes.

But she says, "I don't know."

Jack accepts it, just nodding as if she's said more than she has. He looks up at her again. "Do you know how to dance?"

"No."

"Me neither," he sighs. But he stays beside her, looking around. His fathers are dancing together, speaking softly and looking at each other in a way that Jack doesn't quite understand yet.

Thena is pulled from her melancholy again when he tugs at her hand.

"Wanna try?"

Who is she to say no to her brother's child? So she offers what smile she can and lets him pull her to the dance floor. Everyone smiles at them fondly--adoringly.

Sersi smiles, and she knows immediately that her sister can tell what's on her mind. And that won't do, because she can't be the reason for her unhappiness on a day like today.

So, Thena lets Jack take her hands in his, looking down at their feet and counting steps out loud.

"One-two-three," Jack mutters, walking them in a box like his Baba taught him just for tonight in case he wanted to try his hand at dancing with someone.

"Very good, Jack," Thena smiles, charmed just for the effort. She follows his lead, taking smaller, more graceful steps as Jack trots around in circles. He smiles up at her and she feels just an ounce out of an ocean of grief lighten off her.

"Mind if I cut in?"

"Uh," Jack looks up, looking at the serious face of his aunt. "Were you invited?"

The man chuckles, pushing back some very fancy hair. "Smart lad--I suppose not. I'm here to...deliver some presents."

"Jack, go to your father."

"But-"

Thena doesn't repeat herself. The Goddess of War does not have to. But she pushes him away with a gentle hand on his shoulder, turning him towards the safety of his father's protection. Not that this man is necessarily an enemy, but she doesn't think she considers him a friend, either. "Are you here to collect on a debt?"

"Do you think so little of me?"

"You do not wish to know what I think of you."

"You wound me," Eros shakes his head and smiles in good nature, but she can see something else in his eyes as he says it. He works hard to keep it concealed, but he's not as good at hiding things as he thinks he is.

He's nowhere near as good at it as she is.

Thena crosses her arms, putting her deadly hands away, also in a show of good will. "We do owe you."

"I told you to go."

"Still," she tilts her head, "you held off the defenses so we could escape with them."

Eros looks over at Sersi, Phastos and Kingo, standing along the edges of the room. Anyone else might just think they have a bad history. But he knows that the other Eternals in the room as watching him carefully as he speaks with their sister, ready to pounce.

Makkari and Druig clearly remember him, looming closer than the rest. Druig's eyes are already aglow, daring Eros to make a single wrong move.

"But you had to leave something behind."

Thena keeps herself from grasping his neck and throwing him through the floor and into the level below. Just barely.

"A sacrifice we were all aware of you making in the moment," Eros concedes in a surprising gracious way, bowing his head in recognition. "They know better than I what it cost you to come so close."

No one knew--no one would ever really understand what it cost her to be so close to having him back and having to turn away.

"I'll go back for him again."

"You don't have to."

"You intend to stop me?" Thena glares, her palms burning. She'll pin him down--let Sersi evacuate everyone from the room. Then she'll let Mahd Wy'ry wash over her - maybe forever, this time - and destroy the man before her.

"I didn't say that," Eros holds up a hand. His smile is a little sadder now, "I said you don't have to."

"Ajak?"

The woman steps forward, looking around her in bewilderment. There's obviously a lot for her to absorb in the moment. But she sees her family there, staring at her. She opens her arms.

"Ajak!"

It's Sprite that reaches her first, throwing herself at her and crying all of her human tears. Ajak holds her precious Eternal Child--Eternal no longer. Sersi reaches her next, folding around both of them and burying her face in Ajak's lush brown waves of hair. Makkari leaps into the group hug, and Ajak is smiling and crying as she holds her children again.

Dane approaches more cautiously, knowing the name well enough by now to know that this is his equivalent of a mother-in-law.

Thena barely sees or hears them. Everything is a muddled mess of sounds and colours and smells. It all fades away as she feels familiar, heavy steps.

He looks around him, taking it all in. Perhaps he's gotten the same briefing as Ajak did. Because there's no confusion, or wonder when he looks at her. It's all recognition and warmth and love. "Hey."

Thena throws herself at him. She uses her full strength, not wasting a second to get to him and feel his arms around her again. But he braces himself and stands strong, as he always had. He holds her as if she's delicate, and not the deadliest Warrior the planet has ever known.

"Sorry I'm late."

Her tears fall freely, and she lets them. His shirt absorbs them.

Gilgamesh stays silent, running a hand over her hair as he holds her, letting her get her grief out. He knows exactly what she needs, what she wants, and the balance between the two. He has spent his entire life with this woman at his side.

Thena pulls away only to pull his lips to hers, and it's neither new nor old, but it's right. It's so right to have him here, with her. For him to be alive and well under her hands, feeling his heartbeat--nothing could be wrong so long as she has this.

Gil holds her, the moment stretching out and bubbling around them. Their foreheads rest together, his hand at the small of her back, just like it was at Sersi's last wedding. He could never forget the feeling of dancing with his Thena.

"Gil, we should-"

"Um, excuse me?"

Gil blinks, pulling away from Thena with the utmost reluctance. But she turns, giving her attention to the young man shuffling towards them. Gil doesn't know who this kid is, but he reminds him of someone. "Uh, hi?"

"Are you," the boy shifts nervously. His eyes move to Thena's, and Gilgamesh realises that the boy trusts Thena, and even more shockingly, that she is fond of the boy. "Are you...Uncle Gil?"

Gil instantly loves the kid. He smiles, leaning down to him with an open palm. "I guess that's me."

Jack shakes the open hand with a smile. "Aunt Thena was waiting for you."

He has no idea how true that is. Gil blinks his tears away, still holding Thena's waist in his other arm. "I know. But I'm here now."

Jack smiles as he catches sight of the smile on his aunt's face. She has the same look that his fathers get that he still doesn't quite understand. But she seems happy. "You can dance with her now, I guess. But she says she doesn't know how."

Gil chuckles, taking Thena's hand in his as he leads her away. "That's not true."

And he's right, Jack realises. Maybe Aunt Thena doesn't even know it, but he sees her moving smoothly and gracefully - Uncle Gil's hand, wrapped around hers - and thinks she can dance.

So long as she has her partner with her.

[softquietsteadylove]

Hello! I wanted to ask if you can write Thenas and Gils first kiss in the boxer and dancer au! They are so cute!

She was magnificent, as always. Gil treasured the time he got to spend watching her dance, even from across the hall. He was hungry for it, having started ending class earlier and earlier, little by little. If anyone had noticed, no one felt like calling him out on it.

Just as well, Gil figured. He wasn't totally ready to admit that it was so he could watch the beautiful dance teacher across the hall.

Her class had already been dismissed, and given how she was dancing alone, he assumed that even Sersi had already left. Thena always took a little extra time to herself after her classes were done to practice by herself.

And sometimes, he would feel brave enough to 'interrupt'.

"Excuse me," he grinned as he pushed the door open gently. "I was looking for a cute ballerina with blonde hair?"

"Gil," she sounded like she was admonishing him, but he was rewarded with a very fond eye-roll and a stunning smile.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile as she stopped in the middle of her routine to walk over to him. She had the same grace as always, even setting her feet down from toe to heel. He guessed it must be quite a habit for her to walk like that. "How were classes today?"

"Nice and simple," she smiled, happy to sway in front of him while her music played in the background. "Although it's quite hard to wrangle the morning class when you interrupt."

"Sorry," he chuckled, recalling quite well the ruckus he'd caused.

The girls had all excitedly informed Miss Thena that her 'boyfriend' had arrived. The seasoned teacher had done her best to ignore her class' teasing with her dignity in tact.

Gil thought it was cute that she got flustered when her students called him that.

"You seemed like you wanted that coffee, though," he pointed out, and he knew damn well he was right about it.

Thena pursed her lips at him, unwilling to hand his victory to him on a silver platter. "For all you knew, I'd already had plenty--or had brought my own with me!"

"I seem to recall you saying that no amount of coffee in the world was enough for your first class of the day," he crossed his arms, smirking at her. Thena's eyes drifted over them just for a second before snapping back up to his face.

"Can you at least be earlier with it?--before we're in the middle of stretches?"

"Fine, I'll be nice and early with it next time," he promised.

They both knew that he had no such intention, probably planning to make an even bigger show of bringing her coffee next time.

"It's hard enough to get the young goslings in line," Thena sighed, unfolding her own arms to put her hands on her hips. The tension and stiffness was always slow to drain from her form at the end of the day. "You giving them something to giggle over doesn't help."

"Y'know, I looked it up, and young swans are called cygnets," he shrugged, unfolding his arms and reaching out to pull her closer in one - hopefully - smooth move.

"They start as goslings," Thena said firmly, even as she let him pull her close enough for his musk to intermingle with the scent of her perfume. Why did she wear perfume to class just to get all sweaty? "When they start to show some real promise, then they will become cygnets."

Gil chuckled, "your little ducklings?"

"I just told you they're goslings."

Gil let out a hearty laugh, pulling Thena into it with him. He did think it was funny, but he broke from the laughter first, tentatively walking his fingers up her back until he felt the edge of her leotard. He tapped the bare skin there, pale and silken. "Are we still on for friday?"

Thena just nodded, her smile stretching out as he rubbed small circles around her shoulder blades. She looked kind of delicate, but the muscles were strong, almost wiry with so little fat around them to soften the angles of the bone.

"Can't wait," he beamed back at her.

Thena's eyes drifted a little again, although Gil wasn't entirely sure where. But then she was reigning in her smile and taking a slight step back. Just enough that he wasn't really holding her anymore.

He pouted.

"Sorry," she offered quietly, pulling her formality around her again as if folding wings around herself protectively. "I should finish this routine."

"That's okay," he smiled, letting her hand slip out of his and drifting towards the door. "I'll see you friday?"

"Looking forward to it," she promised him, just as honestly and concisely as he had.

Gil paused at the door handle. He turned back, catching her eye with a determined set of his jaw. "Oh, one more thing?"

"Hm?" she blinked, genuinely waiting for him to bring up something he forgot or something about their date.

Gil strode over to her, dropping his bag on the floor with intention. He wrapped an arm around her, tilting his head down to kiss her. He didn't press further, waiting for her response to the simple but purposeful touch of his lips to hers.

She accepted.

Gil deepened the kiss, moving his lips against hers as her hands moved over his arms until her palms could press against his biceps. He knew he'd seen her looking, earlier.

Thena's eyes fluttered as Gil pulled away, leaving her with only the faintest tease of his tongue against her lips.

Gil could feel the blush in his cheeks, but he took some comfort in the bright red flushing Thena's even paler skin. He tucked back a few hairs that had escaped her tight up-do.

"Gil-"

"Y'know," he chuckled, unable to contain his smile after a kiss like that. "I can't remember what I was going to say."

Thena sputtered, her lips moving with no proper thoughts coming out.

"Anyway," he shrugged, going back for his bag as if he really had forgotten something. "See you friday?"

"Gil!"

"Looking forward to it!"