#Gil tells Kingo he got her to smile

[softquietsteadylove]

For the special force AU:

how about Thena putting together her Team and meeting Gil the first time? Like a little flashback?

They called her the Goddess of War.

Well, her name really was Thena. It wasn't an amazingly creative nickname. But it certainly was true, given she was known for being particularly vicious, whether it was in the field or the office. But what she lacked in social skill she made up for in sheer ability.

Gil had to admit he was surprised. He had heard about the Goddess of War, and everyone knew she was a top agent--they had to know that if they were applying to be part of her special ops team. But he hadn't heard anyone mention that she was literally the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth.

He thought that would have been mentioned at some point.

Kingo fidgeted beside him in line, "dude, she's so-"

"I don't want to hear anything about being badass."

Gil did his best to contain his laughter as Kingo's spine snapped straight so quickly he could swear he heard it.

Their new boss and team leader looked up at them finally. She had striking features, razor sharp bone structure under startlingly pale skin. Almost as pale as her whiter-than-platinum blonde hair. She leaned against the bullpen desk, "I'm no more or less badass than any of you. That is why I selected you, no?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Each of you excels in something far and beyond anyone else in the agency," she narrated, eyes scanning over them. Gil met her eyes for just a second as she passed over him. Her eyes were green. "That's why I chose you."

"Yes, sir!"

"But I can un-choose you," she tipped her chin up, and Gil was pretty sure it was almost the beginning of a smile. No one else seemed to think so, though, already quaking with nerves. "The next month we'll see if you have what it takes to be directed by me in the field. And ultimately, if I don't think you're a right fit for the team, then back to rank work you go. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

"You two," she eyed him and Kingo, "stay. The rest of you, back to work. You report here in the mornings now. It's oh-nine-hundred and not a second later."

"Yes, sir!"

"Dismissed," she looked down at the desk again, not even watching the rest of the candidates file out of the room.

Gil snuck his eyes towards the door as a few started whispering to themselves before they were even out of the room, like school children. Rookie mistake; she didn't say anything, but the boss lady made two sharp flicks of her pen on the files she had in front of her. They were already out of the running for placement on the team.

She drew herself up again, arms spread out and shoulders sharply angled, giving her a certain amount of presence. It was easy to forget that she was actually pretty normal statured as far as women went. If anything, she was a little skinny for being such a skilled fighter.

"You," she pointed at Kingo with her pen. "Sharp shot."

Kingo had both the best aim and the best actual shot record in the agency. "Yes, Boss?"

Gil nearly flinched, wondering what the sharp edged woman would have to say to the casual way of addressing her. They were a little higher ranked than some of the other agents she was considering, but certainly they weren't exempt from addressing her properly.

She raised a brow at him.

Kingo cleared his throat, "Boss...lady?...ma'am?"

"Hm," she let out singularly, but Kingo didn't get the little pen mark of doom. "You're...chatty, so I hear."

"Is that really in my file?" he couldn't resist muttering to himself.

"Yes." It obviously wasn't. "And I would like to use that to my advantage."

Gil watched the exchange cautiously. She was testing them both, that much was clear. He just wasn't sure how she was assessing them--and for what.

"How so?"

"I want...gossip."

"You?"

"I want things that aren't in any file," she clarified, keeping her eyes on Kingo. "It doesn't have to be anything sordid, but I do hope that if there's anything about any of your fellow candidates you feel I should know..."

Kingo stared right back at her. It could be a test of his loyalty, to see how easily he was turned on his own with so much as an order. But then again, it could be a test of how well he took orders. It could just be a test of if he lied on his file, for all they knew.

"Well?" she drawled.

Kingo straightened his shoulders. "Nothing worth reporting, I'd say. A friendly rivalry or two, but nothing that would distract them in the field. One is sorting out the tail end of a divorce, but he's a good father, so he hasn't let it affect his work. One of them does smoke, but I've never seen her ask for a smoke break, and she obviously still passed the fitness test."

Everything as promised; nothing worth reporting. It was both things that Thena would want to know as a leader but also the immediate promise that they wouldn't impact the team's work. They were nonstarters, as Kingo was telling her. He had both protected his fellow agents' personal affairs and reported honestly to his superior.

Again, Gil saw just this faint twitch at the corner of her - amazing - lips. He could swear it was a smile (of sorts).

"Very good," she nodded, taking the information for what it was. "Dismissed."

"Yes, sir," Kingo turned on his heel, catching Gil's eye ever so briefly before leaving as asked.

Gil was on his own.

"Gilgamesh," she murmured, looking over his file right in front of him. She nudged the papers lazily with the end of her pen. "But you go by Gil."

He shrugged.

"You can lift almost double what your fellow agents report," she looked up at him, one of her heels coming off the ground faintly. "And you did exceedingly well in your combat training and tests."

He shuffled a little in his stance, unsure if she wanted boastful confidence or sheepish modesty. "If that's what it says there."

She tilted her head, flipping his file closed. "Why do you think I selected you for this team?"

She had just listed one of his biggest assets as an agent, so why ask him? He had been asked to join countless special divisions since becoming an agent, thanks to his size and his strength. Everyone from homeland security to infiltration wanted him.

Gil looked at her--really looked. Her eyes were actually quite expressive, despite the facade she put on. There was no hiding what was in them and that beautiful colour. And he was pretty sure he knew what she was really asking. "My great sense of humour?"

There!--a real smile!

He brightened (he was never any good at hiding what he was feeling). "Is that a laugh?"

"No."

"Almost," he murmured, which he was pretty sure would have gotten him kicked out if anyone else were present for it. But they weren't, and he wasn't. He lifted his eyes to hers again. "I'll get you next time."

Her ice cold glare melted a little and he was pretty sure she did actually think he was at least a tiny bit funny. Maybe amusing, at least. "No one will believe you."

"I'll just have to try harder," he grinned to himself, setting his shoulders again. She resumed the cold, polished mask required of a team leader. But he could still see the very human warmth in her eyes. "Is it because of the cat thing?"

Her eyes sparked, even if her face was as still as a statue.

How had no one ever noticed this before? She was way easier to read than people thought. Or maybe she was deliberately letting him read her just to test him. Oh well.

"That stray cat that got caught in the tree outside of the main office?" Gil repeated, standing by his statement. "I spent all morning trying to get it down. I didn't call in my lateness and got suspended for a week without pay just because of some stray?"

"And you were asked why."

So, that was the reason. He smiled, "poor thing was scared. I couldn't just leave it there."

Another real, almost gentle seeming smile crossed Thena's face. She tilted her head at him, "that was the statement you gave. It's not attached to your suspension notice but I asked around for it."

Kingo must have told some higher up he knew would be close enough for her to hear it.

"That is the reason I chose you," she said without the forced sharpness of her tone. It was actually a lot softer, even higher than she could make it seem. "Because you cared so much for a strange animal that you couldn't abandon it. Nor did you contest your suspension--which you could have."

"Yeah, but I had a new cat to take care of."

She caught it right away, but it had happened, clear as day: she laughed.

Gil felt something rattle in his chest as she pinched her lips together and pretended to look down at her papers again. His life belonged to her, now--no questions asked.

She looked up at him, offering a sleekly shaped eyebrow with the remains of her smile, "congratulations."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he shrugged, and he didn't really consider making someone laugh something to gloat about anyway. "No one will believe me, sir."

She nodded, her smile remaining. "You and Kingo will be my leads. You'll report here at 0800 and I will tell you how the rest of this week will go."

"Yes, sir, Boss," Gil offered a smile--just a small, sheepish one.

"Don't test your luck," she advised him, back to keeping her smile very much in check.

It seemed she really couldn't control that one little corner from twitching upward, though.

"Yes, ma'am," Gil nodded and took his leave. Maybe joining the special forces would turn out to be not so bad.

[taran-chan]

hi, I just wanted to say you're one of my fav people to follow so I hope you're doing okay!!! love the ghostie roommates story btw 💖

hello hello i came back with a snippet for the new chapter of my Housemates AU

By and by, i’ll miss you

It was one of the mornings when rain pattered on the window glasses before the sun came up, bringing mist from the sea and the cool air pressing you deeper into your sheet. The haunted house looked like it was dreaming as well, overgrown floral hanging low on the front gate, so still as if frozen in time if not for raindrops flowing along their stem like a chasing game and then flinging themselves off the edge to ricochet on the muddy ground. Three pairs of shoes decorate the entrance and whispers can be heard when you come close enough, but it was impossible to say whether they were from the living ones in the house, or the dead ones. 

In the beach-view bedroom on the first floor, Gilgamesh grumbled awake. His room is right above the kitchen, a space usually filled with activities, and it was twice as noisy in a deeply haunted house. In the first few days he moved in, the ghosts didn’t stop making strange noises until past midnight. Thena had gotten used to it, and she slept much, much later than him so it didn’t bother her that much. She once said if they found him overly demanding, they would ruin the food, even when it was stored in the fridge; some of the previous tenants couldn’t keep their food fresh for over a meal. So Gil talked to the ghosts in the kitchen whenever he cooks, politely telling them to please quiet down at night, because he knew they were there although he couldn’t see them. It had felt a bit stupid, talking to the air, but after a week the noises were reduced to faint footsteps instead of chairs rattling and cabinets swinging open. 

But now he once again heard rustling coming from beneath. Not again, he thought with some annoyance, turning to his side and putting a pillow over his ear. He almost dozed off again, tethering on the verge of a new dream while still wondering if his alarm was about to go off and how many hours or minutes he got left in his very comfortable bed on this gloomy day. Did his mind create those voices in part of the dream he was about to have, or was it Druig lurking around again? However, the voices sounded real enough and were getting louder by the second. Gil slowly sat up with a sigh, then a loud yawn escaped him.      

Halfway going downstairs, he recognized both discussing voices. One belongs to an ethereal writer, and the other is her flamboyant editor. A few sheets of paper tickled his feet as he reached the small hallway leading to the kitchen. He gathered them on his way like following a bread trail, bringing himself closer to the two creatures who stole his sleep.

Thena sat on the dining table in her nightgown and usual robe, the very center of a white circle formed by drafts and notes and testing samples. The unused sheets were carelessly thrown on the floor or pushed to the edges where they can slide off at any given moment. Kingo leaned backward on one of the chairs, letting it stand on its two back legs - the sight gave Gil the impression of a bored teenager. They surely wore the expression of exhausted students on the due day of their group project. 

“Where are pages 325 and 326?” Thena asked without looking away from the stack of papers in her hand, reading what Gil assumed was the final draft of her new book. Kingo immediately dug into the mess and came up with the required pages. Thena pulled the cap of her red pen with her teeth and started making notes directly on her draft. 

“Again? You’re such a perfectionist,” Kingo sighed, “And we still need to choose an artist who’s going to design the cover! May I remind you today is the last day to decide that?”  

She looked up, probably to tell him to shut up, but her eyes caught Gil’s, who was lingering at the doorway. His lips automatically stretched into a smile, “Good morning.” 

“Good morning,” she said, her frown fading, “Did we wake you?” 

“It’s alright, I usually get up at this hour,” he said, bending down to pick up more papers in order to move further inside.

“Sorry for the mess, Gil,” Kingo got up to help him, stifling a yawn, “We’re kinda in a hurry now.”  

“No problems, pal. Breakfast?” 

“I would kill for some scrambled egg right now.”

“Thena?” 

“Sounds good,” she hopped off the table with her completed draft tucked safely under her arm. She handed it to Kingo and they cleaned up while Gil spread their breakfast ingredients by the sink. After a few minutes, the worn wooden surface reappeared from under the papers and runny eggs began to sizzle in the pan. As Thena laid out the dishes, Kingo fished for her comments on the few chosen artists with newfound energy. 

“How about this guy?” He held up a photo and several artworks. Thena glanced at it, then shook her head wearily, “I’d rather ask a Spirit to do it than him, they would take the hearing of my left ear but at least their work would be decent.”

Kingo heard Gil’s snort but ignored him, “He’s very famous on TikTok!” 

“Gil, what do you think about this artwork?” Thena plugged a sheet from his hand and turned it toward the other man. He neared the table, to get a closer look at it but also to scrape scrambled eggs into two plates.

“At first sight, it looks good. But I can’t feel its spirit, its soul. This looks like the artist just threw a bunch of colours on his canvas and called it a day.”

“See?”

“Yeah, because that Wood Spirit sculpture wasn’t lively enough for you and you need to ask for more.”

“Too soon, man,” Gil shakes his head sadly. He and his employees had settled into their new workshop, and even though his grandfather’s essence resided within his blood - both the purifying power and the sculpting skills - he still mourned his old shop a little, maybe he would save up to restore it someday. Meanwhile, Kingo shrank under Thena’s deathly glare.  

“Forgive me, it’s the sleep deprivation talking. Well, you two are the experts here,” He groans, sagging against his chair, “Fine, I’ll pick someone else. But if I ran out of options, we would have to pull the “debut book” move again and you would have to send me another photo you took that has a similar vibe to this book.”

“Deal.” 

“Why don’t you just…do that in the first place with all your books?” Gil asked, cutting up fruit for a salad. Kiwis, mangoes and summer berries teamed up with bright yellow eggs, brightening up their day. 

“I like looking at illustrations for my books,” Thena shrugs. He couldn’t help but grin at the simplicity of her reason. Thena was adorable.

[lovelyfanatical]

I Get a Sugar Rush Whenever I'm With You - Chapter 9.2

Greetings, fellow Drukkari stans! You're getting this mini-chapter while I'm on vacation, so I'm writing to you across space and time! 🤪 If you've fallen behind and need to catch up, you can find all previous installments on my Table of Contents here. Druig and Makkari have cleared the air and Druig is resolved to forget about his feelings, but can he? Find out now in the next mini-chapter of Drukkari in the Great British Bake Off!

The showstopper was proving to be a bit of a disaster. Druig hadn't really thought he'd make it to patisserie week, and with all his fretting over Makkari, he hadn't practiced his bakes for this week that much. So, while the other bakers were busy perfecting their delicate gateaus, Druig was quite sure his was lopsided, and no amount of edible gold would be able to hide it. He was proven correct when Arishem pointed it out during judging. He also found the chocolate rather plain, adding insult to injury.

As with everything else, Druig pushed it aside for now, but this proved rather difficult when interview time rolled around. Considering how the challenge had gone, Darcy had Makkari ready and waiting to conduct his interview. Little did she know that it wouldn't help much this time. Druig did his best to act normal, but he could practically feel himself clamming up more and more with every question. Overall, it still wasn't his worst interview, but Makkari could sense something was off.

Despite this, Makkari didn't pry. Not yet, at least. On the one hand, Druig was grateful. After all, it saved him the anxiety of telling her what was wrong. On the other hand, it made for a pretty awkward lunch. They and Kingo were the first ones to the table. While they swapped bakes and delivered their usual praise, the unsaid words hung in the air between them, making them lapse into plenty of uneasy silences. Even Kingo could feel it, and for once, he didn't comment on it. This was the state Phastos and Gil found them in.

"Rough day, huh?" Gil said, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"You could say that," Druig answered.

"Well, we've still got two challenges left. Things could still change," Phastos added. It was still basic, but he was picking up signs and including them where he could.

Very true, Phastos, Makkari concurred, giving him a small smile.

"Hey, at least you'll be back next week either way," Kingo chimed in.

"I suppose that's true," Druig muttered pensively. "Thank you all for trying to cheer me up, but I'd rather not think too hard about it right now."

"We can do that," Gil replied confidently. "Since we're changing the subject, should I tell you guys about my date with Thena?"

Tell us everything!  Makkari signed frantically, a smile springing to her face. Druig couldn't help but smile himself at the sight, even if he could still feel his heart sinking from that morning. With a deep breath, he tried to let the feeling dissipate as he listened to Gilgamesh go into detail about where he and Thena went, what kind of coffee she drank, and how they spent hours talking about anything and everything. And for a little while, Druig did start to forget why he was feeling this way.

-

Lunch was a nice reprieve, but once they were back in the tent, the pressure returned, along with all the things Druig had been avoiding thinking about. He'd been trying to just concentrate on the technical challenge, but with only four of them left, his eyes began to wander to Makkari's station. She was quite focused on the task at hand, making dough for her palmiers. After staring at her a moment too long, Druig averted his gaze, mentally admonishing himself. He was so preoccupied that he ended up overbaking his own palmiers, and with no time left to try again, he had no choice but the present them for judgment. No teeth were chipped, thankfully, but Druig could tell he'd earned last place this week.

Considering how well everyone else had done so far, Druig was coming to the realization that something disastrous would have to befall one of the other bakers if he was to make it to the final next week. He didn't wish that on any of them, least of all Makkari. He'd made it this far, which was much farther than he ever expected. Even so, it was not an easy pill to swallow. Druig was still grappling with this as he waited for his next interview. Another figure took the seat next to him, breaking him out of his reverie.

"So, how are you feeling about… everything?" Phastos asked.

"I should probably save some of it for the interview," Druig began, "but to answer your question, not great."

"Right, of course. Stupid question," Phastos mumbled. "Alright, I'm not great at comforting people outside of my husband and child, so I'm just going to ask what I actually wanted to ask. Just know that you do not need to answer if you don't want to."

"Okay, then?"

Taking a deep breath, Phastos let loose his question: "What's the deal with you and Makkari this week? Did you break up or something?"

If Druig was drinking something, he would've choked on it. As he was not, he merely let out an undignified noise that sounded somewhere between a snort and gasp.

"I guess I hit the nail on the head," Phastos observed triumphantly.

"Not quite. Makkari and I aren't dating."

"Oh," Phastos said, triumph replaced with confusion. "Then what have I been watching the past few weeks?"

Druig merely raised an eyebrow at this, which spurred the other man to keep going.

"Alright, then did you have a fight or something?"

"No, we just… had a misunderstanding, but we cleared that up, so everything is fine," Druig explained carefully.

"Ah, that explains why you're so busy watching her that you burned your palmiers."

"I didn't burn them, just overbaked them."

"Whatever. My point is, and again, you don't have to answer if you don't want to-"

"You say that, but you keep asking."

"And you keep answering. My point is that I can tell something's bothering you, and I know we're not exactly close, but if you want to talk about it… I promise I won't tell anyone here. Just my husband, who's been asking me about all the bakers. Also, I'd rather not have a repeat of lunch tonight at dinner."

Druig watched him out of the corner of his eye. Phastos seemed sincere enough as he awaited his response. Druig sighed loudly before giving him an answer.

"Okay, the short version is we accidentally slept in the same bed and were both a bit embarrassed. She wants to forget about the whole thing, but I don't know if I can do that."

"Oh." Phastos lapsed into silence as he mulled this over, but it didn't last long. "And you don't want to forget because you like her."

"Hit the nail on the head that time," Druig conceded.

"Well, you should probably respect her wishes, which it seems you're already doing. But clearly, it's still eating at you, so this isn't going to be sustainable. Sounds like you need to talk to her."

"You got all that from our conversation just now?"

"That and Ben's hypotheses, which I didn't put much stock in before since he was only getting his info from me, but even from my impartial observations, he could tell that you liked her," Phastos explained. "Look, I'm not one to play matchmaker or love guru or whatever, but I really don't want to deal with more awkward group meals, so for my sake, consider telling her how you feel? Unless you think that will end up making things even more awkward. You know her better than me. Just use your best judgment, I guess."

Phastos had rushed through his last few sentences as he saw Darcy approaching. As he got up to go to his interview, Druig added, "Thanks, Phastos."

The other man gave him an emphatic nod before following Darcy.

-

It was fun to write a bit more Phastos! Hopefully he's not too OOC. Let me know how I did!

Part 32

[melancholyshadow]

Well...since you asked, I have a druig request😁😁 The reader is an eternal and druig broke her heart when he left but she comes with the others and sees him the first time since then and idk somehow they makeup, druig is very loving towards her

vengeance || druig

summary: druig broke not only your trust, but also your heart. when you did see him for the first time in hundreds of years, it went the opposite of how you had expected it too.

pairing: eternal!female!reader x druig

warning: angst-city, talks of mind control, heart break

an: another request woohoo! another one should be out in the next couple days, my school starts back up on monday so i’ll be a little less active for about two weeks and then i’ll be on winter break for about a month!!!

Something switched in you that night, you were never the same. Some part of you went with Druig when he left. That bubbly, sociable person was gone, and she never did come back. For months your fellow Eternals tried their best to patch you back up, but this was one mission they never did complete. And after Ajak decided to disband the remaining ten of you, it only got worse.

For years you avoided them, purposefully making yourself hard to find. So, when Ikaris, Sersi, and and Sprite showed up at your doorstep, you were surprised. Without a word, you reluctantly let them into your apartment. “Ajak is dead.” Those were the first words you exchanged with one of your fellow Eternals in hundreds of years. “How?” You asked, a quick waiver of your harshness pressing through your tone “Deviant.” Ikaris answered, not looking up from his lap.

It didn’t take long for them to convince you to join their cause. Mostly to avenge Ajak, but a part of you, deep within yourself, knew this journey would land at Druig’s feet. Eventually, you would have to face him again. You couldn’t tell if this excited you or if you dreaded it. It was a mix of both.

The system was similar with Gilgamesh, Thena, and Kingo. After hearing about Ajak, they were quick to tag along. Thankfully, Gil had some idea as to where to start looking for Druig. He was in the Amazon, hidden away from the rest of mankind, no one was surprised.

When you came across his compound, it wasn’t hard to tell it belonged to him. The people hadn’t advanced past their way of life since he took them. It was traditional to say the least. Growing their own crops, no electricity, living in homemade huts. It was quaint, really, it reminded of your life those thousands of years ago. The good old days, before everything fell apart.

“Hello Sprite.” Just hearing his voice, even if it was through a mouthpiece, made a shiver run down your spine. Almost in sync, the seven of you turned your head towards a lone chapel, it’s doors were pushed open. And who would it be other than Druig himself. He had always been quite dramatic, good to see some things never do change. “I’ve missed all of you.” His tone was sarcastic, and he garnished it with a cocky smile.

After Sersi explained the situation with Ajak, the deviants, Arishem, and the whole nine, Druig seemed to be speechless. Something new. But when he did finally speak, it was right back to his usual self. “That’s a lot of bad news in one go, Sersi.” He said with a shallow chuckle, obviously finding nothing about the news funny or entertaining. Things escalated quite quickly from there, and before you knew it Karun’s backup-backup camera was in a pile on the floor.

Kingo was in Druig’s face, and Druig seemed to be having the time of his life. A dark smile on his face, almost like it was saying “hit me.” When no one spoke up, you decided it was your turn to get involved. It was time for him to get a taste of his own medicine, something he hadn’t gotten in twenty generations. “That’s enough, knock it off. You’re both acting like you’re twelve.” You scoffed, standing from your seat on the bench.

That smile on his face only seemed to grow more sinister now that he had your full attention. “My beautiful, beautiful (Y/N), how’re you?” Those nicknames may have worked on your before, but not anymore. Okay, maybe a little bit. “I’ve been better.” You admitted. Slowly, very slowly, making your way to where the two men were stood. “Did you miss me?” He asked, his words like venom.

A scoff passed your lips before you could even fully process it, followed by a chuckle, you were astonished at his words. “Not nearly as much as you hoped.” If you were anyone else, you wouldn’t have noticed, but his ego took a slight blow at your words. Only giving you more confidence. “But it’s clear to see you haven’t changed much, at all really.” You began gesturing around the room. “Still throwing your little hissy fit, when are you gonna grow up?” Another blow, this time more noticeable to the others.

“(Y/N)…”Sersi warned, her voice quiet. You had now reached Druig, only feet from him, your head tilted upwards to look at him. “No, no, let her finish.” He pushed. That smile had disappeared, and his lips were sitting in a flat line, eyebrows furrowed together. “You’d think after hundreds of years you’d have time to think about your actions. But you’re never wrong, right?” Your index finger made contact with his chest.

“You’re Druig, Mr. Right, I have a moral high ground. Do you really?” You asked, another cackle erupting from your throat. “It’s real ethical of you to keep these people tucked dee in the Amazon, take away their free will, and control their entire existence.” With each syllable your finger made contact with his chest. “You wanna talk about morals, huh?” His crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not the one who stood around while they let millions of people kill each other.” He raised his voice, another thing he had never done to you before. He was quick to compose himself.

His eyes burned holes into yours, he was grinding his teeth, and you could see steam leaving his ears. That’s when he grabbed your wrist, catching you off-guard. “That’s enough.” Ikaris butted in, placing one hand on one of yours and Druig’s shoulders, creating some distance. You ripped your hand from Druig’s grip, storming out of the chapel. One, wanting to get as far away from Druig as possible, and two, to get some air.

You didn’t want to cry. You couldn’t cry. It was stupid. But the tears still spilt down your face, desperately you tried to wipe them away before anyone saw this. You couldn’t stop them, you felt stupid. This wasn’t how you wanted this to go. This wasn’t how you thought it was gonna go. You hadn’t seen him in hundreds of years, you just wanted for things to back to the way they were before that night in Tenochtitlán.

“(Y/N)…” Someone called out behind you, it was Thena. “Hey!” You exclaimed, wiping away any stray tears, acting cheerful. “Are you alright, darling?” She asked, placing a hand on your shoulder. “Yeah-Yeah, just overwhelmed is all.” You chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “And that’s okay, take all the time you need. I think we’re gonna be here for a couple hours.” She glanced over her shoulder. You saw Druig and Ikaris yelling at each other, before Druig stormed off deeper into the camp.

You decided to pass the time by interacting with the people in the compound. They were instantly interested in all of you, Druig must have told them stories about you and the rest of the Eternals because they had a ton of questions for you. They seemed to like your powers a whole lot, element manipulation.

It was getting semi-dark and you decided to help the townspeople find some wood to burn for the torches inside their homes. You ventured along the outskirts of the compound, and Druig took advantage of the distance between you and the rest of the compound. Quietly walking up behind you, admiring the way you moved. You hadn’t changed all that much since he last saw you, but he never got tired of watching you do even the simplest of tasks.

“They started to not believe me, ya know. About you guys.” His words made your whole body tense. You stood up slowly, reluctantly spinning on your heels to face him, the pieces of wood wrapped up in your arms, becoming heavier than before. “They thought I was just making you guys up.” He chuckled, arms folded over his chest, body propped up on the trunk of a tree. “They thought I was the only one like this.”

You didn’t trust your speech. You could feel the hurt creeping up your throat, water building behind your eyes. God, you hated being so emotional. So, you just nodded, trying to keep yourself distracted by looking for more firewood. “I’m sorry, (Y/N)…” Those words sounded foreign leaving his mouth.

“Are you really?” You asked, ignoring the crackle in your voice. “We were best friends. Inseparable for thousands of years. Then you just leave me, no contact, cold turkey.” The waiver in your voice only growing with each passing word. “You threw me off to the side like I meant nothing to you. To fend for myself.” You continued, the anger bubbling inside your stomach.

“I regretted my decision everyday if that’s any consolation.” He shrugged, avoiding your gaze. “No call? No letter? Not even a fucking carrier pigeon.” You let out a mix between a scoff and a laugh. “I thought you would want nothing to do with after I left.” He admitted, taking no credit for his actions. “Druig…” What you were feeling was so confusing. You felt scared, angry, relieved, and frustrated all in one.

“I was in love with you, idiot. Did I really have to spell it out for you? I made it so obvious. Of course I wanted everything to do with you.” When you confessed this, your gaze faltered. wrapping your arms around your torso to feel small. “What about now?” He asked, kicking himself off the tree stump, his large steps bringing him closer to you.

“What do you mean?“ You asked, noticing his sudden closeness. “Do you want anything to do with me now? Do you still feel that same way?” Your mind and heart were fighting against one another, and you didn’t know which one to listen to. “Dru, I-I don’t know…” You still trusted this man with your life, but you couldn’t say the same about your heart.

“I don’t need an answer now, but I don’t know how much longer we have together.” His voice faltered, his warm hands coming to cup your cheeks. Red and stained with tears you hadn’t noticed until now. He was right, time was no longer indefinite. You might only have a few days left on this planet, with this version of Druig.

You didn’t know if it was the mix of emotions or your sudden realization of imminent death, but your lips flew forward against his. They were soft, tasted like mint and some sort of flavored tea. Yours must have been chapped and salty, from your tears, but he didn’t seem to mind as he pulled you closer. Your chests now touching, and your hands resting on his.

You had wanted this for hundreds of years and it was just as good as you had imagined it. His body moved in sync with yours, the curve of your bodies fitting together like a puzzle, like the two of you were made for each other. He removed one of his hands from your face, sliding down the small of your back and under your t-shirt. The skin to skin contact made a warm feeling grow in the pit of your stomach. When Druig pulled away he didn’t go far, placing his forehead on yours.

“God, I’ve wanted to do that for so long.”

[siempre-bucky]

OMG I love your Imagines with Druig!

Druig and the female Eternal reader are secretly in love with each other but they won’t say anything. The other Eternals know and try to convince them to tell the other.

Then Druig and Ikaris get into a heated argument, the reader tries to break up the fight hit gets blasted by Ikaris in the process.

Confessions and a steamy kiss happen! A slight smut?!? Who knows!

Druig x Reader

Summary: you and Druig are oblivious to your feelings until it literally has to hit you

A/N: ahhh yes the classic Ikaris and Druig fight :') enjoy the headcanons! poorly edited at 4am :') I didn't do any smut bc I'm soft

it was a classic case of everyone knew but you

Sersi knew it first when Druig spoke to you by the window the day you were assigned to earth

his cheeks were red as he shamelessly flirted

Gilgamesh saw it next when you walked side by side with the mind controller

he had never seen you so nervous

but they all saw it one morning in Babylon

Druig was leaning against the table, a bowl of fruit in his hand as he joyfully watched Ajak and Phastos bicker

you sauntered in casually

as soon as Druig caught your eye, his posture straightened

offering his snacks to you

Kingo slapped Gil on the shoulder

who then played a game of telephone till everyone looked at you while trying to act casual

they noticed your terribly concealed lovesick smiles and flirtatious jokes

Sprite was the first one to call you out

"So when are you going to tell Druig you love him?" she smirked

you shook your head and scrunched your nose "Never," you chuckle, "he doesn't like me like that. Have you seen the way he looks at Makkari?"

"Wow," she mutters under her breath, "you really are stupid."

now Makkari was not afraid to let Druig have it

'Tell her you love her. You're acting like an idiot,' she signed

"She doesn't feel the same!" he grunted as he angrily signed back

'Does it have to hit you in the head to get you to realize you're both helplessly in love?'

"Perhaps."

Druig spoke too soon

you and some of the others were in Phastos' lab when you heard Ikaris and Druig fighting

their voices coming closer towards the lab

"They almost died! Innocent people!" Druig spat

"That Deviant was about to do so much worse."

"Was it? Or you did you need to look like the hero for 'em, hmm?

his tone of voice caught your attention as they entered the room with fists clenched

your heart started to race when you saw Ikaris' face become red

and Druig's knuckles becoming white

something was going to happen

something bad

their exchange of words came to a halt when the taller man's eyes began to glow

"This is enough!" he shouted

you panicked

jumping in from of Druig a blast hit you square in the chest, knocking you to the floor

Druig's face was flushed, wide eyes looking down at you in horror

why would you do that?

the Eternals all started shouting, ushering Ikaris out of the room

"Why did you do that?" Druig asked you gruffly as Ajak rushed over to take off your breastplate

thankfully the blast didn't go through your clothes

you merely looked at him, still stunned

"Y/N!" he yelped

"Do you think I would take a blast from Ikaris for just anyone?" you shouted back

Ajak quickly healed you up and left wordlessly

Druig thought he caught her smiling

you rose to your feet and limped over to him

"You could've died," he huffed

"And let you die? Come on, Druig!"

the two of you never broke your gaze

"Am I worth risking your life for?"

"Yes!"

you two unknowingly got closer, chests nearly touching

he finally looked down your chest

"Why?" he scoffed

"Because I love you!" you shouted in his face

Druig's face fell but you could see his jaw visibly clench

it was rare, he didn't have anything to say

suddenly he wraps a shakey hand around the back of your neck

pulling you into a harsh kiss

after a deep exhale he pulled away

"I have been in love with you since we arrived," he admitted, "I'm sorry it took so long."

you pressed your forehead against his

"It was worth the wait."

♡taglist♡ (taglist is open)

@agalsmaraudersobsession♡@redheadspark♡@fizassyeda♡@casi-eternal♡@redroomproperty♡@iamburdened♡@zofps♡@greattragedy

[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

[onebourbon-oneshot-onetear]

My Home- DruigxF!Eternal Part 2

A/N: Part 2 to My Home. I wasn't expecting it to be this long, but I just kept typing lol. It's mainly fluff, with a change in the story towards the end. You'll know it when you see it. Please enjoy! Gif not mine, all credit goes to owner, and I also love this Gif

Warnings: Spoilers for Eternals, violence (fighting sequence)

Word Count: 4.1K

Part 1 Part 2

Once our plane touched down, it wasn’t long until we met up with the others and had our mini reunion. I was smothered in hugs from Sersi, and Kingo, while Ikaris and Sprite had stayed back. I was fine with that; Ikaris and I had a falling out when Druig and I left Tenochtitlan and Sprite and I had never been that close. I was in a daze seeing everybody again, but I only wanted to see one person, wishing that he was there to see me off the plane. Although, the surprised look on his face when we walked into the village would be good enough.

We had some locals drive us out to the edge of the forest, meaning we would have to walk through the jungle in order to get there. Thank goodness I’m used to the humidity. The drive took half an hour, and was filled with small conversations, and Kingo’s narration of our journey to Karun. As surprised as I was that a mortal was here with us, I could tell in the few minutes I had spoken to him that he was a kind man. He was humble enough to bring down Kingo’s ego. They were almost a perfect match.

Once we started the trek through the jungle, I started leading the way, moving away from the thicker paths of the forest and dodging large vines that were hanging down. “Y/n, you seem to know your way around here,” Kingo said, swatting away a bug that was buzzing around his face.

I only turned my head enough for him to hear me, “I stayed here for a bit, I know the way pretty well,” I said. Gil snorted, knowing what I actually meant.

“Wait, you stayed with Druig?” Sprite asked and it took quite a bit of effort not to get angry at the judgemental tone in her voice.

“I did,” I called back, hopping over a dead tree that had fallen down.

“Huh, no wonder you’re grumpy sometimes. He must have rubbed off on you,” she laughed. I know that she probably meant it in jest, but that didn’t quiet the pang of annoyance that rose in me. I flicked my hand and for a second, Sprite froze over the log she had climbed over before being released and tumbling to the ground.

“Sorry, I’m just grumpy,” I said. Thena and even Sersi chuckled as Ikaris helped Sprite up. “Besides, it’s not too far from here,” I called. In about five minutes we would make it to the outer reaches of the village. In 5 minutes I’d be back in my husband's arms.

The trees around us started to thin out and as they did my feet quickened. The further we got into the village, the more people we saw. I had been gone for so long that I didn’t recognize many of them, but they still waved and quietly greeted us. I was barely listening as Sprite spoke to a young girl, my focus was on the house right in the middle of the village square.

“Hello, Sprite,” I heard in the familiar lilt of my husband, but when I spun around the only person standing there was a man with golden eyes. The man looked at me and smiled, and that was the only thing I needed before I turned back around and sprinted.

Just as I made it to our house, the doors swung open and Druig stepped out, his hands clasped in front of him and a smirk on his face. Granted, his hands didn’t stay clasped for long because I launched myself at him, clinging to him. He wrapped his arms around me and buried his head in my neck. We stayed there for a minute before he set me down and put his hands on the sides of my face. “My beautiful wife. Did you miss me?” He smiled, because he already knew the answer. Of course I missed him.

I only grinned, and stood up on my tiptoes. That was the only invitation Druig needed before he pressed his lips to mine in a soft kiss. My heart melted as I kissed him for the first time in eighty years. He was still the same, the decades having no effect on him. I smiled through the kiss and pulled away, resting our foreheads together like we did right before I left.

“Of course I missed you, my love,” I whispered. He smiled and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead, until he noticed that everybody else had gathered behind us.

“I see you brought guests,” He said as we both turned to look at everyone. I let out a giggle at the face that Kingo was making, which was one of complete shock. Ikaris and Sprite just looked a little confused, while Sersi was definitely giving me ‘I knew it’ looks. Gil and Thena looked a little bored, not even paying the two of us any attention.

“Um, would you like to explain yourselves?” Kingo asked, gesturing between the two of us.

I glanced up at Druig and saw him giving me an amused look. “Should we tell them?” He asked, nudging my shoulder with his arm.

“Hmm, I think we should, it’s been long enough,” I answered, leaning my shoulder back to nudge his back. I took a step forward and looked at everyone. “Druig and I are married,” I said, and while nobody else's faces changed Kingo’s somehow was able to add even more shock.

He spluttered before turning to Karun, “This is what happens when you become a hermit, you don’t tell anyone anything!”

“I understand, sir,” Karun said as he checked over his camcorder.

“Kingo, there isn’t that much to it. We had dated for a while so we decided to make it official. We got married in a small church outside of Loch Ness in 1804. It was a small ceremony, nothing major,” I explained.

“And we weren’t invited?” Sprite asked.

“No.”

“Well, it was spur of the moment.”

Druig and I answered at the same time. I gave him a ‘really’ look, and he just shrugged.

“Besides, Gil and Thena were there. And Ajak knew afterwards.”

Kingo turned to Gil and Thena, who were giving me small glares. I smiled apologetically at them, knowing that Kingo would be asking them for details.

“Where is Ajak, anyway?” Druig asked. I turned towards him and took his hand in mine.

“That’s why we’re here, Dru. Something happened.” I brushed my thumb across his knuckles, and that was all he needed. Druig knew me well enough to know that something was seriously wrong. He nodded and turned towards the building behind us. It was usually used for gatherings, so it was big enough to fit all of us in it pretty comfortably.

Once we all settled in, Druig looked around us, expectedly. “Is someone going to explain all of this?”

I squeezed my hand in his, and just as I was about to gently tell him everything, Ikaris broke the silence.

“Ajak is dead.”

I glared at him and I saw that I wasn’t the only one. Thena looked just as annoyed, and Sersi looked taken aback.

Druig didn’t look shocked, but he did raise his eyebrows up in surprise. “What happened?”

This time I didn’t give Ikaris a chance to not so gently tell him everything. “It looks like some Deviants are back. They found her, and we think they are tracking us down. One of them attacked Gil and Thena, and another one found Sersi and Sprite in London.”

“Are you alright?” he asked, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. I chuckled, having missed the little movements that Druig often did, almost without him realizing it.

“I’m fine, none of them found me,” I answered softly, and relief flooded Druig’s face.

I almost had forgotten that we were in a room full of other people until Kingo cleared his throat and whispered something to Karun.

“If we could get back to the point,” Ikaris said, giving both of us an annoyed look. I felt Druig tense up next to me, but I squeezed his hand and he relaxed. Ikaris went on to explain everything, from the Deviants to Tiamut, to Sersi becoming the new leader. I knew that it was a lot of information to get at once, especially when Druig let go of my hand and started pacing. He only did that when he was stressed, mostly because he didn’t want to show anybody how upset he was. But you knew him better than anybody.

Which means I wasn't surprised when he picked a fight with both Kingo and Ikaris. When Druig stormed out of the building everyone turned to me, expecting me to stop him, but I only shrugged. “He took that better than expected.”

“Aren’t you going to go after him?” Sprite asked.

“In a little bit. He needs to cool off, or everything I say will just go in one ear and out the other.” I stood up and brushed myself off. “In the meantime, I haven’t been home in 80 years, I’m going to see what's changed. Feel free to look around,” I gestured around me, before walking out the still open doors. I knew that Ikaris would be pissed, but frankly I didn’t care. I hadn’t been home, and I did want to look around.

I walked around the village, stopping to greet some of the children, and make casual conversation with some of the adults who were going about their duties. The sun was low in the sky and I hadn’t seen my husband in quite some time. I gathered a handful of fruit and walked out to the woods, knowing exactly where he was going to be. We had found a hidden clearing in the thickest part of the woods ages ago. The clearing had plenty of boulders to sit on, and most of the time we would take picnics out here. It was quiet, and peaceful, and I knew that Druig would be craving exactly that.

I approached the clearing and saw Druig sitting on a boulder with his back towards me. I smiled, and quickly let out a whistle, a melody of just a few short notes. I saw his shoulders shake in a laugh before he returned his own whistle, a few short notes that mirrored mine.

When we were in Babylon we would sit in the jungles and mirror the songs of the birds, having competitions to see who could get our whistles most accurate. Eventually we used it for lookouts, finding each other, and just letting the other one know that we were approaching, especially if we were having bad days.

I walked into the clearing and set the food down on a rock, before going to stand in front of Druig.

“Hello, my love,” I said, placing my hands on his shoulders as his hands automatically rested on my hips.

“Hello, my darling,” He said, pulling me closer to him. “You remembered our calls,” He said, smiling up at me.

“It was good. Technology is really advancing, which is nice. Better food, better coffee, music got a lot better. You should have heard it in the 70s,” I laughed.

I scoffed and sat myself on his lap so that I was straddling him. Druig instantly adjusting himself so I would be comfortable. “I haven’t been gone that long,” I brushed his hair away from his eyes, “You act as if I’ve been gone forever.”

“It felt like forever,” He said, moving his head to kiss my palm. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I bowed my head. This man really would be the death of me. “How was the outside world?”

“Darling, I know what the music is, I’m not that out of touch,” He muttered. He knew I was only teasing him though.

“I know, I know. Sometimes you’re just so easy. Besides, you already know everything I’ve been up to. It’s like I wasn’t even gone,” I said, knowing that I was only teasing him further.

The usual mischievous look settled itself on Druig’s face as he tightened his grip on my thighs and pulled me closer to him. “Trust me, it’s been agony since you’ve been gone,” He whispered, his accent getting thicker.

I grinned and leaned down to kiss him, but what was supposed to be a quick peck turned into a full blown make out session. Gone were the light kisses that Druig had greeted me with when I first got here. This kiss was filled with hunger and need, of a man who had been missing his wife for 80 years. I was happy to oblige and kissed him back with just as much fervor.

After a few minutes I was in desperate need of air, so I started to pull away. Druig, however, wanted no part of that as he tried to pull me back in. I placed my hand on his chest and lightly pushed back. “Dru, we need to calm down before we get out of hand,” I mumbled against his lips, trying to slow my breathing down.

“What’s wrong with that?” Druig replied, brushing my hair away from my neck and smirking at me.

“Normally nothing, but everyone is in the village and I don’t want to face them if they walk over here and see us,” I said, sitting up so I could easily slide off of his lap. “And I also don’t want our first time in 80 years to be on a cold rock.”

Druig stood up and walked in front of me, his voice lowering. “Trust me, Darling, you wouldn’t be touching the rock if I had my way.”

I suppressed the shudder that ran up my spine before blinking and taking a step back from him before I lost all of my senses. I cleared my throat and turned towards the fruit that had laid forgotten on the rock next to where we were sitting. I didn’t trust my voice to not shake so I only held the fruit out towards him. He laughed and took it from my hand. “Thank you, love.”

He sat back down and patted the space next to him. I complied, sitting so that our thighs were touching as we both nibbled on fruit. I had missed how peaceful the forest was. It was always a symphony of animals, the rain, the quiet sounds of the village. It was simple, and sometimes I craved it.

When I finished my food, I looked back to Druig, who had been staring off into space for the last few minutes. “Are you okay? I meant to talk to you about what Ikaris told you, but you distracted me,” I pretended to be offended as I nudged his arm.

Druig finished his fruit and finally looked at me. I could see the pain and conflict in his eyes. “Our whole mission was a lie. Our lives are lies. How am I supposed to feel?”

I grabbed his hand and leaned my head on his shoulder. “You’re supposed to feel exactly what you are feeling. We’ve been lied to. The only thing to really do is figure out how we’re going to fix it. Because I don’t want to forget you.”

“I’m not going to let that happen,” He said, squeezing my hand and pressing his lips to the top of my head.

“I know you won’t,” I said. I sat thinking for a moment, “Dru, can you even put a Celestial to sleep?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well maybe we can both do it together, I can freeze him and you can put him to sleep-” Druig cut me off before I could even finish.

“Absolutely not, I’m not putting you in danger.” He looked me in the eyes, he was adamant and I knew that there wasn’t going to be much I could say to change his mind. But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t be there anyway.

“Well, I’m not letting you do it by yourself. We are in this together. For better or worse, remember?” I said, tugging on the chain around my neck that held my engagement ring and gold wedding band. I had decided against wearing them on my finger, so they didn’t get lost or damaged. The rings were so precious to me. The engagement ring had a small black stone set on a delicate silver band, along with a simple gold wedding ring. Druig had a matching chain around his neck, with just his gold wedding band attached.

Druig stared at the rings for a moment before sighing, knowing me well enough to realize that I certainly wouldn’t let him go headfirst into danger without me by his side.

We stayed together in silence for a few more minutes before I noticed that the sun was starting to go down. “As much as I would love to stay out here, we should get back to the others.”

Druig groaned, not wanting to leave our spot but I pulled away anyway. “Don’t give me that,” I countered, brushing myself off, “Besides, I want to make sure Thena is okay. She hasn’t been away from home for a long time, I don’t want her to get overwhelmed.”

I pulled Druig off the rock and he flopped on me for a second before standing up and walking out with me to the edge of the clearing.

“I’ll be back in a little bit,” I said, nodding towards the direction of the woods, “Behave yourself. Especially with Ikaris.” Druig only rolled his eyes, but still pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before walking back towards the village.

I wandered through the woods before I heard the sound of trees crashing to the ground. I ran over to the noise and saw that Thena was fighting Ikaris. Now normally I wouldn’t care if Ikaris got his ass handed to him, but I saw that Thena’s eyes were clouded over, and knew that she didn’t know what she was doing. If she didn’t stop, she could kill him.

I held out my arm and Thena froze mid sword stroke. Ikaris looked around in confusion until he saw me. “I can’t hold her long, go find Gil,” I said, my voice straining from trying to hold back Thena. Ikaris nodded and flew off towards the village.

At this point Thena was vibrating, trying to break free of the hold I had on her. I only held on for a few more seconds before she broke free and I was pushed back. Thena noticed me and started stalking towards me, her sword in one hand and a shield in the other.

“C’mon Thena, you know me,” I said, pulling out a long dagger that I always kept on me. I knew that when it came to it, it wouldn’t help much, but it was better than nothing.

I continued to freeze her the closer she got to me. She broke free every time but I was just buying time until Gil could come and try to calm her down. Finally, Thena was a few feet from me and my arms were shaking from exertion. She raised her sword above her head and I braced myself for the impact, but somebody pushed me out of the way and her sword reverberated off of something.

I turned around and saw that Gil had finally come back and was calming Thena down. He dragged her away from where we were and I caught my breath, shaking my arms out.

A branch broke behind me and I slowly stood up, and turned around. Yellow eyes glowed from the brush and I knew the Deviants had found us. I could hear the sounds of gunshots and fighting from the village. My thoughts wanted to run to Druig, but I knew that if I wanted to make it out of here alive, I needed to focus.

The deviant stalked towards me and I pulled out my dagger again. The deviant just looked me over before pouncing. I rolled out of it’s way, swinging my arm out so I slashed one of its legs. I scrambled to get back onto my feet when I saw Gil on the other side of the Deviant. I ducked just as he punched it and sent it flying.

“Try to freeze it, and I’ll keep hitting it,” Gil said. I nodded and waited for it to approach us again. I saw that it’s leg had healed, and found it odd, especially since they had never been able to do that before. I shook it off as I prepared to freeze him.

Gil and I worked well together, but my strength was depleting fast, and Gil was distracted trying to make sure Thena was safe. It only took one second for us not to be synced up before I was thrown against a tree, crashed through it and landed on the ground.

I groaned, trying to prop myself up but struggling with even the most basic functions. I laid there for a moment trying to catch my breath when I saw the creature pick up Gil with tendrils that snaked out of its body and hold him up in the air. The tendrils entered Gil and I knew that I needed to get up.

I grabbed my dagger that was lying next to me and sprinted over to the Deviant. I jumped and sliced the tendrils, making a clean cut and severing the connection between it and Gil. Gil hit the ground and the Deviant backed up, but not before mutating into a different being. It was still a Deviant, but it was more humanoid than before. I stood in shock, and I thought I heard it speak to me before it ran off.

I stared at it for a minute before turning back to Gil and rolling him over to his back. I felt a hand on my back and was startled to see that Thena was crying. She knelt down and gathered Gil in her arms.

“Is he okay? Is he…alive?” she shakily asked me, gripping him and watching as her tears melted into his shirt.

I placed my hand on his chest and my heart sank as I didn’t feel anything. Just as I looked at her with dread in my eyes, Gil’s chest rose lightly. I looked down and saw that he was lightly breathing, and his color was returning back to normal.

“I think he’s okay,” I hesitated, honestly not knowing for sure, but he was alive for right now.

Thena let out a noise that I wasn’t sure was a laugh or a sob, and leaned over him, whispering that she was right there.

I looked up and saw that all of the others had rushed over. My eyes immediately found Druig and I stood up and rushed over to him. I started checking him over for injuries, and he did the same to me. The only one that I saw on him was a light scratch on his arm, which was now sleeveless since he had discarded his outer layer.

We didn’t need to say anything, he only wrapped me in his arms and I felt his heartbeat hammering against my own. The forest was quiet except for Thena’s last sniffles and Kingo helping Gilgamesh.

“Where are the villagers?” I asked Druig. He sighed, and hugged me closer.

“I sent them to the river. They’ll have to take care of themselves from there,” He said, and I could feel the sadness in his voice. I know that he loved it here, the solitude and peace that we had created, and it would be hard for him to leave.

“I’m sorry, love,” I whispered. He kissed the top of my head but didn’t say anything else.

“Now what?” Sprite asked, breaking the quietness around us.

“We need to get to the others, then back to the Domo. From there, we can figure out a plan,” Ikaris said, helping Kingo lift Gil and half carry him to the remains of the village.

We trailed behind them as I looked at the houses that were destroyed and slightly smoking. Anger boiled up in me as everything we had worked hard for went up in smoke, literally. Druig must have sensed the change in me because he wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I just turned into him and buried my head in his chest.

We laid Gil on a table next to the remnants of a house, and Thena took her place next to him. Tomorrow we would be leaving here, finding Makkari and Phastos, and hopefully getting one step closer to saving everyone.

[dalhia28]

07 SPICY

"FIRST TIME"

They were both looking on the room they provided for them there's not enough room to separate them all. So they decided to partner up ajak and sprite, sersi and ikaris (of course) makkari and druig, phastos and kingo and then thena and Gilgamesh they were the closest and everyone think they were a thing all ready so that's that but they can't deny either that they weren't.

"you take the bed I'll take the couch" Gil offer to be a gentle man

"why?"thena frown at him

"do you want to share the bed?"Gil ask raising his both eyebrows

"I don't see the harm in that or if you insist taking the couch or that rug by the fireplace your welcome too"thena shrug walking to the bed Gil look at the bed it is much comfortable then the couch but other than that he would get to sleep next to thena he quickly walk to bed.

"I'll go shower first"thena declare before coming to the shower Gil just get there things arrange and he get thena's clothes ready for her to get after her shower he his usually do this for her all the time cause she always forget it and walk naked not that anyone seen her of course she make sure no one is around the domo bathroom to her room before getting out she mentioned this one's to Gilgamesh and he turn so red thena thought his sick. Since then when it's time for her bath he always arrange her clothes for her to the bathroom he doesn't want anyone accidentally seeing thena's body not a chance in hell he would let that so he always does this. At first his would leave his own clothes for her to use seems to work as thena always give it back to him and couple of days doing that she question him and told her he just forget and she can keep using it if she forgets her clothing but of course she noticed his love language and tell him that his welcome to her room to get her own clothes and gil said he doesn't know what she's talking about but next time thena take a bath after her shift she see her own clothes in the bathroom folded nicely waiting for her, she smile as she remember Gil's warmness.

Thena came out of the bath wearing towel and gil handed her, Her clothes for night she can get comfortable she smile at him and move away as it's Gil's turn to take a bath.

Thena dried her hair the best as she could she doesn't want to mess up their pillow sleeping in the same bed with gil is not new for her because of the nights she had trouble sleeping and gil always their to hold her to sleep his presence is so warm it make her feel safe. But still don't know why she wanted to look pretty tonight has she brush her platinum blonde hair she wore her night dress and come up in bed try to read a book while not trying to wait for gil.

"sleeping?"Gil chuckle as he came out of the bathroom wearing his pajama it's all in baby pink color but he looks handsome as always thena smile at him.

"nice pajama"thena tease still smiling at him

"jealous?"gil tease back coming up in bed thena just laughed at him

"you should be supervised when it comes to pick of clothing's" thena said still smiling

"why doesn't look good on me?"Gil frown at her and pout

"you look adorable"thena said grinning

"knew you where just jealous"Gil answer proudly thena drop her books and reach his cheek they didn't even notice they were closer to each other now

"maybe i'am just jealous"thena said softly much more closer to gil now only one of them have to move so their lips would met they look at each other eyes their were heat building that they can't explain Gil's drowning in thena's beautiful eyes he gently touch the back of her head running his fingers to her blonde hair. He slowly lean and kiss her gently which she gladly return, soft and gentle their lips are like make for each other until it turns to more of needs like hunger no words needed they know what they need to do as they body feel the same heat, thena push him to lay on the bed pining him and he let her have control he got nothing to complain either they kiss with more urgency now Gil's hands where on her thigh he can't stop running his hands up in down to it. Thena's skin is so soft.

She smile like him seductively my god this women really going to be the dead of him he thinks while he kiss her again there tongue fight each other his hands can't pick where to settle they where on her legs waist and then thena couldn't take it anymore she take Gil's t-shirt off and toss it to the ground without breaking their kiss she could feel Gil's muscle his abs which she will think later she really doesn't see him work out but yet his super sexy gil turns to flip them to change position thena let him and now his on top of her. thena feels gil going to her neck kissing it as the way he kiss her lips with hunger and yet gentle she lift her self a little when she felt gil taking off her dress she be happy to help and now she's completely naked from up gil cover her boobs with his gentle hands giving it a gentle squeeze as he continues to kiss thena's neck all the way down to her breast thena let out a moan as gil suck her nipple and squeezing the other side making sure they have the both attention they have needed he switch side by side as he suck into her nipples and then he slowly kiss his way down to her belly button still covering her boobs with his hands thena still wearing her underwear gil till his head to thena again to ask her permission and thena nod at him he slowly takes her panty off he let it smooth it way to her legs and kissing it he started in her knees in between as he position him self kissing there gently till it came to her thighs it's like his worshipping her body thena body slightly lift as gil mouth found its way to her sensitive part his tongue swirls around her Clint thena let out a loud moan Gil's loving what ever this new sounds thena making and now gil gently let his finger join his tongue he enter her with one finger first being gentle with her thena can't think of anything else as gil move his finger in and out of thena and carefully adding another finger to ready her what's about to happen later. thena's tightness might be hurt if they continue this because his not completely small his thick so he wants to thena's body to adjust he continues to lick her pearl has his fingers move in and out thena can't take it anymore she pull gil with such Force and push him to bed and lay on top of him.

"Stop being a tease" thena said and pull Gil's pants and underwear down she welcome his thickness by giving it a kiss and she swirl her tongue on the tip of it's head gil turn to let out a moan and when thena position her self on top of him ready to welcome him gil grab her arms

"Wait you might get hurt" gil said with concern look still taking care of thena's feeling even in the moment like this

"Gil it's okay please" thena assure him and letting him position him self like sitting so she could position her self better thena grab the back of his neck and kiss him and her other hand guiding Gil inside of her she gasp and groan between their kiss and Gil groan too as she lower her self fuck she feels amazing gil thought. Gil's right it hurts her fuck she doesn't realize she bites Gil until it tasted metal but gil don't even care as he only care about thena wondering if he hurt her by his thickness but thena look at his concern look and kiss him to let him know it's alright thena let her body adjust first for a few seconds until she become to move she the pain slowly becoming a sweet sensation that she can't get enough with

His entire body tingled as her smile softened from sassy to sweet, her features melting into a look of love and adoration when their eyes met. She moved slowly and deliberately when she finally did, her gaze never leaving his as she gasped and groaned again with delight as she rode him. As the tension between them grew, his own hums and murmurs blended in the air. He mirrored her thrusts, keeping the steady deep beat and cursing her name as his hands coasted down the flexing muscle of her back and came to rest on her hips. He was getting close to the edge, and he could see she was as well.

In response, she groaned his name and drew him closer, her gaze never leaving his. She exclaimed, "We should have." "Oh my god, Gil, we should've done this years ago."

"i should wore my lucky pajama much more earlier" Gil grumble When a moan tore through him, he looked at her intently as if he may say more, but decided against it. He kissed her again and gently lifted her, never leaving her as he stood. He slid them down couch by the fireplace with ease. As he raised his eyebrows at her, quietly ridiculing her earlier rants, Thena let out a throaty laugh.

When he started moving above her, her giggle quickly transformed into a moan.

Thena's gaze never left his, even as the intensity caused her back to arch up off the soft couch beneath her. He might become disoriented in their depths.

He carefully wrapped one arm around her curving spine to hold her and quickened his tempo, repeatedly ripping his name from her lips. He allowed his head sink to catch a pert nipple in his lips when her head thrown back and her walls tighten around him.

Her orgasm ripped through her, dragging him along with it. As he surged up into her, his hand pulled her hips to his and held her hard.

As he thrust up into her deeply with his final release,

"fuck!"thena only could say the continuous pulsing of her aftershocks milked him, his hand drew her hips to his and held her securely, their eyes closed and their foreheads came to rest together. After a few minutes gil get off top of her and he slowly carries her back to bed until he noticed the spot of blood in the bed his face fell into panic thinking he hurt her. Thena confused at first what changed Gil's face and she see his full concern look she spot what his looking at it's a little blood evidence that they have make love and by Gil's thickness.

"Gil? Gil look at me"thena said calmly

Gil look at her but his eyes where hurt thinking he hurt her

"I'm sorry thena"Gil started to apologize

Thena pull him back to bed and she wrap her arms around him again she look at gil

"it's okay gil you didn't hurt me you never hurt me and never will i love what we did i do not regret it"thena reassuring him seems like it convince him he run his thumbs through her cheek

"just don't want to hurt you, i love you thena"Gil said kissing her again

"i love you too Gilgamesh"thena answer back Gil wrap his arms around her protectively and pulling the blanket over them as they fall asleep didn't bother getting dress.

[softquietsteadylove]

Would you do a Thenamesh soft moment with a forehead kiss? Whatever AU goes with it :)

Gil came out of his room with a yawn. It was some time late evening, it seemed. His sleep schedule still wasn't entirely back to normal with the heavy pain meds he was on for his injuries. But he would be in physiotherapy and on desk-duty at work soon enough.

Maybe it was insane to look forward to being back at work given that he had been shot and his collarbone was broken pretty badly. But what could he say?--he missed his job.

He missed Thena.

Although he was seeing more of her than ever, in his current state.

He smiled when he came into the living room, leaning on the wall with the soft glow of his lamp warming the room up. She really was beautiful.

Thena was stretched out on his couch. She kept saying she had to stop doing this, and yet every time he let out a yawn, she would tell him to go and lie down and she would tidy up and then head home. And then he would inevitably come back out to her asleep like this.

Thena had a real angelic look to her, despite the hardened Goddess of War image she presented. She was laid against the arm of the couch, a throw pillow behind her back and head, her hair splayed out behind her and reading glasses still on her nose.

Gil walked over (his limp was improving by the day). He took his time sitting down to look at her. He pulled her glasses off, pushing her hair back when it fell forward with them.

Thena moved faintly in her sleep, pushing the angle of her cheekbone up against his touch more with a sigh.

"Sh," he whispered reflexively, unwilling to give up the opportunity to gaze up on this wonder of beauty just yet. "It's just me."

Thena adjusted on the little set up she had on his couch. It couldn't have been good for her back, but he supposed she was getting pretty used to it. Her eyes fluttered, "Gil."

"Yeah, I'm here," he smiled, getting lost in letting his finger trail over her silken skin. She was so pale, and so blonde, but it really worked on her. Everything worked on her.

These were not the kind of thoughts to have about his boss.

Despite his efforts to lull her back into sleep, she was too alerted to his presence, her eyes fluttering open slowly but surely. She looked like a goddamn fairy tale princess, her eyes soft and green, her lips parting gently. She smiled, "hey."

"Hey," he whispered in the quiet of his living room at some godforsaken hour in the morning. He leaned his back against his coffee table, which Thena had files and papers spread over liberally.

Thena inhaled, trying to muster some energy as she turned over to face him more. "What time is it?"

"No idea," he shrugged. It was probably some time around 3 in the morning. He tilted his head at her, "you comfortable?"

Thena nodded, even though he could see the awkward bend of her spine in her current position. "I've got to stop doing this."

"I keep telling you I don't mind," he whispered in light admonishment of her insistence that she couldn't be falling asleep at his place. "If anything, I keep telling you to just let me set out real blankets and pillows for you."

"Oh, stop it," she sighed, turning herself again, twisting the blanket with her. "There's no need. I just dozed off looking over some things Kingo sent me."

She had done so pretty consistently since she started helping him around the house.

"Sure," he chuckled, ignoring her stubborn - cute - little pout as he reached up with his good hand and adjusted the blanket over her. "Well, feel free to doze off again--is all I'm saying."

"And what about you? Did you just get up?" she whispered, her eyes running over him in the faint light casting shadows all over the place. She automatically started rising up from the couch.

"Hey, take it easy, Boss," he whispered back, putting his hand on her shoulder to ease her back down to her pillow. Maybe he should get new ones--ones that would be more supportive of her neck and gentler on her hair. Since she was sleeping here so much.

Thena sighed, settling back on the pillow as directed. Her eyes travelled over him, and he felt exposed in his white t-shirt and dark sweatpants. He usually slept shirtless, but - again - felt too self-conscious doing so with Thena around.

"Are you in any pain?"

Gil smiled. She asked him that all the time now, since leaving the hospital. He knew she cared--more than she would ever really be able to put into words, knowing her. He tapped his thumb against her cheek, "I'm fine, Thena--really."

She didn't show any sign of response at first, searching him for signs that would contradict his statement. It seemed she was always doing this, lately.

"Thena," Gil said gently, leaning forward. He frowned, "I'm okay, you know. We're both okay."

Her brows knotted up even more, her eyes staring at his sling. "Gil, I'm-"

"No," he shook his head. "Nope, nu-uh--no more apologising. Thena-"

"Gil," she whispered, her voice becoming high and thin. She blinked, and he caught the glassiness in her shimmering green eyes. "You...because of-"

He moved his thumb from her cheek to press into her lips, without a better way of silencing her and her insistence that his injuries were somehow her responsibility. His eyes followed his thumb as he moved it across the plumpness of her bottom lip to the corner of it. "No more of that. It's no one's fault. And you were the one who pulled me out of there, if I have to remind you again."

Thena sighed, at least not arguing with him for the moment. She probably would at some other time, but he could handle that then. For now, she sank back into the couch.

Gil traced his thumb down her other cheek, following the natural slope of the hollow of it. "You are the reason I'm here, Thena. Never forget that."

Her eyes fluttered shut as he leaned all the way forward, pressing his lips to her forehead. It wasn't the first time he'd done this, and it most certainly wouldn't be the last. But this did feel...different.

She blinked at him a few times as he pulled back, solidifying the realisation that he had, in fact, actually done that. He gulped. "Uh-"

Thena reached her hand up to his cheek, pulling him back to her slowly and gently. Her lips pressed to his cheek, still close enough to brush against his skin as she whispered, "go back to sleep, Gil. I'll be here when you wake up."

These were not the things he needed to hear to not think about his boss like this.

Thena settled herself on the couch and throw pillow again, her eyes drooping. She blinked at him, "get some rest."

He just nodded, not trusting himself to speak intelligible words. He stood with the help of the coffee table supporting him, turning out the lamp.

Even without its warm, yellow light, Thena still glowed like a vision form a dream.

"Night, Boss," he whispered as he limped his way back to his room. Not that he was going to get any sleep. His heart was pounding and he was just going to be thinking about the feeling of Thena's lips against his cheek for the rest of the night. Forever.

That was why it was so important to keep calling her Boss--so he could remember that this was the woman he respected and worked with on a daily basis. Not at all the woman he was painfully in love with.

[softquietsteadylove]

Hello :D love the thenamesh Doctor au so I would like to make a request. Hope it’s ok :)

Thena hasn’t heard from Gil the whole day and is kinda worried that something happened. She calls him but he doesn’t pick up so she calls Kingo and she can hear the stress in his voice and loud noises in the background. They are helping with a mass crash but 2 towns away and Gil is helping them without a break and because his strength is very useful. Pretty late around 9pm he comes to the ER to visit Thena and bringing her lunch and to apologize to her for not getting in touch with her trough the day, looking very exhausted and looking like he came out from a crash himself.

Some soft and very sweet moment between them? Thena taking care of him this time! With a little kiss? You decide if on his cheek or lips 👀

Gil plunks himself onto the bench seat in the back of the ambulance with a groan/sigh. It's been a hell of a day, and it's not even over yet.

They got the call to help out with a crash outside of town. Massive multi-car pileup on the highway between cities, had multiple casualties, even more injuries. It was chaos, and the ambulances from the town closer to the site already had their hands full, as well as their ER.

Kingo is briefing the nurses on their run, updating their equipment stock and everything. Gil asked for a minute just to catch his breath. He's been dragging people out of cars and pulling doors open and using the jaws of life all afternoon.

He sighs as he pulls out his phone, seeing multiple texts from Thena that have gone unread. At least Kingo managed to communicate to Ajak what had kept them away for so long. But he was sure that she had been worried when she didn't hear from him by lunch.

His eyes drift to the mini-cooler beside him. He packed lunch for him and Thena today. He had been looking forward to enjoying them together.

"Hey."

Gil looks up, and there she is: his Thena. She leans off the door to the ambulance and steps up into the bus with him. Obviously she can read how tired he is. He smiles, "hey."

"Good day, today," she comments lightly as she sits beside him. He's leaning against the wall, slouching, hands in his hoodie pockets and legs stretched out. "Everyone who came in to us made it."

Gil nods. That is a good day, and he shouldn't take that for granted, remembering the panic he and Kingo had arrived to a long thirteen hours ago.

"Kingo was telling us about it," Thena continues to speak in her soft, velvety voice, soothing the aches that are rippling through his whole body. "You pulled more than a dozen people completely by yourself. I'm surprised you could lift your arms enough to drive back."

"Kingo drove the last two runs for us."

Thena smiles, running her hand through his hair. It helps to unwind the tension collecting in his forehead. "Good--you need some rest."

Gil sits up, just to pick up their lunches. Before he unwraps the bentos he looks at her, "tell me you ate something."

"We were busy here too," Thena shrugs, but laughs faintly at Gil's pout. "I'm kidding. We were busy, but I managed to grab a sandwich from the cafeteria between waves."

"Fine," Gil sighs. It's not ideal, but he will have to accept it. He opens up her bento first, "I made your favourites."

Thena lets him set the bento on her lap as he unwraps his own. Her hand runs over his bicep, so tired it practically hurts just to bend his arm. "Have I ever told you that you're too good to me?"

"All the time," Gil answers easily as he stuffs half his katsu into his mouth in one big bite.

Thena rolls her eyes at him, holding back some hair as she much more carefully takes a bite of her katsu sando (he always tries to make her food as handheld as possible).

"I was worried."

She says it between bites, the quiet stretching between them. He digs into his rice, ice cold but at least with a healthy dose of curry sauce on it from sitting under his cutlet all day.

"I know," he sighs, and he knows that she knows he knows. Thena isn't really chatty, and that's no different when it's through text. By the third text gone unread - let alone unanswered - he can imagine she was confused at the very least. "I was worried about you here."

She shrugs and picks up a cherry tomato. "Sometimes you get swamped. I did feel bad for the other boys running around. They have a lot more trouble with the heavy lifting than you do."

Gil chuckles, although his rice is starting to build up in his oesophagus. He's barely put his chopsticks down before a bottle of water appears in his view. "Thanks."

Thena lets him have as much as he wants, watching as he chugs half the bottle. She frowns. "Gil, you were out there way too long, today."

"It's okay," he excuses, and he knows he sounds like a hypocrite given how often he's insisting Thena take more breaks and go home earlier. "They needed me, Thena."

She looks down at her lap, and it's because she doesn't have an argument to that. Her fingers tap the side of the box, "...still."

Gil collects all of his pickled radish in one bite and crunches it loudly. And just like that, his lunch is done. But that's the job; he wraps his box up again, watching Thena pick up the second half of her sandwich. He tucks her hair back for her as she takes a bite. "How much longer, do you think?"

Thena lets out a long sigh through her nose as she chews. "It depends, but I don't think we'll be done any time soon. Even the batch that came in first is just getting moved upstairs for more serious cases. No one is walking away from this one unscathed."

Gil sighs as well. He also isn't off for another few hours, and that's if they don't have to work a sickening amount of overtime.

Thena holds up the sandwich for him. He shakes his head but she pushes it closer until she's practically pressing it into his lips. "I know you're still hungry."

"So I'll go to the machine," Gil pushes her hand back to her. "I made it for you."

"And it's delicious," she quickly concedes. "That's why me sharing it with you is so generous."

Gil's chest loosens in an instant as he lets out a real laugh from his belly. Thena is actually quite funny, even if she doesn't think she is. It's one of his favourite things - of a long, long list - about her.

Thena smiles as he bends his head down, taking a perfectly reasonable sized bite. "You should get to enjoy your own hard work. Especially because I'll never be able to return the favour."

Gil chuckles again as she holds up a piece of broccoli this time. Every time, he packs something green in hopes Thena will eat it. And every time, she finds a way to avoid it, or pretends she was full, or does what she's doing now: pawns it off on him.

Thena lets him take the entire thing from her hand in one bite, like a dog accepting a treat. She just laughs. "Maybe it's a good thing Kingo went to find his own food. He gets so jealous when you make lunch for me."

Gil shrugs, utterly without remorse for not cooking for his driving partner, "Kingo's a big boy, he can make his own lunch."

"Ajak will just give him some of hers," Thena shakes her head. "She spoils him."

Gil picks up a slice of carrot he cut into a heart, offering her half, "that's why I have to spoil you."

Thena accepts the bite from his hand this time, taking it delicately between her teeth.

Gil gives her a sympathetic look as her pager beeps on her hip. She lets out a sound that he thinks would make him wake out of a dead sleep. "They need you."

"It seems," Thena laments, handing him the last bite of her precious sandwich and brushing her hands off on her scrub pants. She turns to him before tearing herself away for who knows how many more hours. "Take care of yourself. If I don't see you before you're off, just text me when you get home?"

"Yes, dear," he promises with a grin, holding onto her last bite.

Thena hesitates, floating around in the threshold of the ambulance. She turns back to him, leaning over the end of the bench.

Gil blinks as Thena leans over, leaving a quick but unforgivably soft kiss on his cheek. Her lips feel like lying down on a soft pillow.

If she's thinking of saying something else, she tries to get it out, then gives up on it. She turns around and opens the back door, hopping out of the ambulance and trotting back into the ER bay.

Gil can't wipe the dopey smile off his face. He looks at the last little bite of sandwich she gave him, sighing as he replays the moment in his head over, and over, and over again.

No matter how hard any of his days are - or have been - they always seem to fade away as soon as he's with her. Today is no exception, and he's going to be thinking about how cute she looks when she's flustered, all night.

"Gil, will you quit making eyes at your sandwich and help me load this?"

Gil stuffs the sandwich back with one bite, dusting his hands off before standing to help Kingo with reloading a new stretcher.

[softquietsteadylove]

I have a Thenamesh AU request if it’s alright?:)

Let’s say they got Gil back and his memories too. But Thena has a hard time to accept him since she saw him die and can’t really believe that’s him. She keeps a distant to him and avoids him as good as she can on the domo. So what if Gil does something that really proofs that he is real and he really came back? Where Thena finally believes it?

Would be a very emotional request and a bit soft in the end :)

"Dinner is served!" He turned to them with a bright smile, "get it while it's hot!"

The rest of the Eternals clambered to get some of the delicious and lovingly made food for themselves. Especially those who had been held captive in the World Forge, adapted to human life and missing the small comforts.

He eyed the doorway, "there's more than enough-"

Thena left.

Gilgamesh sighed, looking down at his pot of stew. She hadn't spoken a single word to him since his return. It was so dire that even looking at him was an improvement in her acknowledgement of his presence.

"Hey," Kingo said gently as he came up for his serving. "Don't let it get to you. She's...well, you know."

He did know; he knew better than anyone, in this life or the next. He nodded, giving Kingo a smile. Once everyone had a helping, including a very different looking Sprite, he dished out two bowls and walked out with them.

She didn't make a sound, she didn't leave any trace. But he would always be able to feel that pull to her.

The door swished open for him, sensing its users presence. Perhaps it was kind of her to not lock him out of his old room. "Feeling nostalgic?"

"These are my quarters."

He smiled, walking in cautiously and placing down the two stew bowls. No matter her reluctance to be with him now, it still warmed his heart that his room had brought her more comfort than her own. She always did sleep better in here with him.

Or maybe all she had done was come in here and mourn him.

Gilgamesh frowned at her, sitting rigid and folded around herself on his bed. Her legs were crossed, her arms folded, just staring at the far wall. "Thena."

"What do you want?"

"I want to talk?"

"Anything else?"

He supposed he should be grateful to get this much out of her. If his Thena truly didn't want to talk, not a force in the universe could pry those perfect lips open.

Thena looked up at him as he pushed the bowl of stew into her line of sight. Unstoppable force met immovable object, and finally, she accepted it from it.

Gilgamesh sat down beside her, giving her enough space not to feel imposed upon. They took slow bites, listening to their breathing, their chewing, the clink of the spoons in the bowls.

Thena stirred hers around, taking it in as she swallowed.

He looked at her. "Is it how you remember?"

She didn't bother answering him.

Maybe questions about her memory weren't the best ice breaker. He shifted on the bed and cleared his throat. "It is a little different from our recipe at home."

At home; the words made her flinch, as if he'd lashed out and cut her.

He was slow and gentle, though, like the first times he'd had to lure her out of her room after an episode. "Can you tell what's different?"

She looked at him, finally, if only to express her annoyance. But she looked at her bowl again, her lips pursing faintly as she moved her tongue around in her mouth. "It's missing...something."

He was honestly impressed she could tell that much. "What have you been eating?--while I've...been away?"

That was a risky question to ask, but it would have to be asked sooner or later. Thena took her time answering, which was just fine with him. "Druig would make food."

But had she eaten it, was the question. It wasn't as if she could starve, and all she would need was a bite here or there to keep herself going. But it always made him sad to think of her letting herself go without the simple comforts of food for that long.

Gil set his half empty bowl aside, angling himself more toward her. "I'll give you a hint. It's-"

"Mushroom."

"Okay," Gil nodded as Thena stopped his little game dead in its tracks. She took another bite, though. "You've gotten better at that."

"You don't have bay leaf here on the ship so you used mushroom to make it more savoury," Thena murmured as if on autopilot. Another bite.

"I guess you would know if it was any different."

"It's his recipe."

"It's my recipe."

Her eyes shot to him, smooth and swift and lethal, just like the rest of her. He didn't startle from it, letting her eye him with annoyance and disdain and poorly veiled hope. Those eyes always told him everything he needed to know, whether she liked it or not.

"It's my recipe," he repeated softly. She let him pull the bowl away from her, his hands lingering against hers. If she didn't want him to, she could push him away. She could snap even his bones if she really wanted to.

He had never used his Cosmic Energy against her outside of an attack, and he never, ever would.

"Everything else was the same," he began, her hands - slim and light and delicate - resting in his.

"Beef, onion, carrot, flour, broth," Thena listed off, her eyes horrifically distant as she watched the process of it being made in her memory.

Gilgamesh chuckled, moving their hands slowly. She watched him do it, letting him slide their fingers together until his palm could meet hers. "What's the first ingredient?"

Her eyes hardened. She was fighting so hard to protect herself.

Just this once, he wouldn't let her. "What's the first ingredient of everything I make for you?"

"Love."

Gil reached forward, brushing away the deluge of tears suddenly flowing from those stunning eyes. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I've been gone for too long."

Any time would be too long apart from her.

"It's you," she whispered, every fibre of her being fighting not to come unwoven permanently.

"It's me," he promised, understanding of what she needed from him. He brought her palm up to his cheek. "I'm here."

She shook from head to toe, looking at him as if they were in that forest again--as if he had a hole in his neck and was breathing his last breaths. "I see this sometimes. And it's not real."

How cruel. How wretched and unfair Arishem was to make his beautiful Thena endure that. He turned his head to kiss the palm of her hand, "I'm real."

She shook her head again, even as she both pulled him closer and moved closer herself. "No."

"I'm real," he whispered as she climbed into his arms, the way she would at home. The way she would in Australia, wounds on both of them, her dress tattered and trailing behind her. She would settle herself into the safety of his arms and find there as much rest as she could.

"How do I know?" Whatever she had been through in his absence had shaken her to her core. He could ask her about it later, slowly, a little bit at a time. Or never, if she truly didn't want to tell him.

He tightened his hold on her, resting his cheek against her hair. "You'll just have to trust me."

She had nothing to say to that, at least not yet. But she remained in his embrace. She pressed her face into the side of his neck, feeling the pulse of his blood in his veins. "Gil?"

How he had longed to hear that. That one little sound, from her soft little voice. Just for him. "Hm?"

The rumble of his chest against her helped her unwind a little. His hand pressed flat over her back, offering warmth and the promise of his support. It helped her anchor herself to him.

In Australia, if she woke in the night, she would call to him like that. To check if he was there, if he was awake, if he was safe--if he was real. Any number of things. And he liked to believe that even in the depths of sleep, he would respond that same way.

Thena buried her face in his chest, undoing his vest and slipping her hands around him. The closer her hands could be the more sure she could be that he was within her reach.

He would combine the rest of their bowls later, make sure she got enough food in her. But for now, she needed this. He did too, to a degree. He would always need his Thena, and she needed time with just him like she needed air in her lungs.

"The others?"

"Who cares," he chuckled, lying back on the bed with her in his arms. The little pearls in her ears touched her cheeks, and her cardigan was soft to the touch. But this was undeniably what he had been missing in that state of suspended animation from which they had woken him.

[softquietsteadylove]

I'm rewatching The Hungergames right now and thought it must be possible to imagine Thenamesh in this kind of situation.

"You can't hide in here forever."

Gil nearly yelped, but he couldn't help it. He had been all but trembling since they got on the transports, and now things were really setting in. They were really here, they were really going to be competing with each other - to the death - in a matter of weeks.

He really had volunteered to go in Phastos' place.

Her name was Thena, he remembered from their briefings. She was from District 2, and a favourite to win the whole damn thing. She was smart, she was strong, she was trained in blades and deadly from head to toe. And she was really pretty.

"Well?"

"S-Sorry," Gil murmured, creeping out from the solace he'd found in the equipment room. Everyone else was in the training room already, showing themselves off (or just trying not to look like a walking target).

"Don't apologise," she said immediately, crossing her arms at him. "Your decisions are your own from here on out. You have to be prepared to live with the consequences of every one of them."

"Right," he murmured, not entirely sure how to talk to the career driven girl. He fidgeted with his hands in front of him.

She paused, though, tilting her head at him. Her hair slipped over her shoulder. His eyes followed it. "You volunteered to compete in place of your brother."

Yes, he had famously volunteered as tribute, the first example of it in years, supposedly. They were from District 4, not the worst off, but not the best either. They had grown up swimming and fishing, but Phastos was a nervous kind of kid. He was better at inventing contraptions than wrestling with his fellow man.

Gil had heard his brother's name called, looked over and seen Phastos crying on Ben's shoulder, and ran forward.

"I admire you for it."

Well, he hadn't been expecting that. He looked up at her, finding a rare smile on her face. It was so beautiful it made her seem almost human. "Uh, thanks?"

She dropped her arms and her rigid stance all together. More and more she looked like a girl close to his age--a girl he could have known were it not for this shit show. "I volunteered for my brother."

Oh! He didn't even know that was allowed.

"Druig is smart, but he isn't strong," she admitted quietly, looking down at her feet. "He isn't a Fighter. But I am."

He knew that. Everyone around them knew it--Kingo had even told him that bets were passing hands in her favour. "What about the other guy?"

"Ikaris," she muttered, looking up at him again. "He's a Fighter, and I suppose I can't blame him for being angry with me. Because I volunteered, they had to re-raffle the boys' names."

Yeah, that was a pretty good reason.

"Be careful," she advised, "around him. I mean it--I may be at the top of his list, but Ikaris is vicious. I think he's the only one here more capable of a kill shot than I am."

Gil winced. He wasn't sure he wanted to see that. He wasn't going to be able to keep his promise to Phastos at all.

Thena stepped closer to him, though. "But he's not invincible--none of us are."

She seemed almost excited by that.

"Ikaris has a terrible temper," she continued telling him lethal information on her temporary teammate. "He's easily baited. And his form and technique aren't really that good, he's just strong. If you find yourself in range of him, play dirty."

Gil almost scoffed but Thena stepped in closer again. His jaw clapped shut, his cheeks flushing as he caught the scent of fancy shampoo off her hair.

"I mean it, Gil," she pressed, and he barely had to time to ask how she knew his name. "Taunt him, tease him, do anything necessary to make him lose his cool. It could end up saving your life if I'm not there."

"If you're not-"

"And stop cowering during the training sessions!" She was back to ordering him. She stepped back though, placing her hands on her hips. "I know how strong you are. You thought no one was looking but I've seen you re-rack the training weights like they're scraps of paper."

Yeah, it was from a lifetime of hauling fishnets onto the boats. It was a core workout if ever there was one.

"We might have to play their game, but I refuse to believe that our only allies are ourselves," she stated outright, gripping her fists as if she had her signature dual blades in her hands. "My advisor is sweet--maybe a little too sweet for all of this. But Ajak knows how the games work, how to get sponsors and how to poll well so people want to keep you around."

Well, that was easy for her to say, Gil couldn't help thinking. She was cool, beautiful, had that kind of unattainable don't-talk-to-me charm that could drive guys nuts. Of course she would be popular with the audience!

"I've got my eye on you, Gilgamesh," she concluded, stepping towards the door again. She looked at him over her shoulder. "Just...remember what I said when you're out there."

He didn't know if she meant in the training room or once they were really out there in the field. But he nodded, newly convinced that yeah--maybe he could make it through this. Just maybe.

[softquietsteadylove]

Something New

"Hey."

Thena looks up with a smile. The rest of Sersi's party is having a perfectly pleasant time in the rest of the flat, mostly in their living room/kitchen/dining room. She's such a people person she makes a wonderful hostess.

Thena has been hiding in Sersi's study for 45 minutes, now.

"Hey," she smiles as Gil comes in and sits partially on the arm of the chair she's claimed.

"What're you up to in here?" he asks her with a smile, tipping his drink to the shelves upon shelves of books around them.

"My specialty, of course," she answers readily, and Gil hits her with an expectant look that screams that he already knows what she's about to say. "Avoiding everyone in there."

"Ah, come on," he laughs faintly, nudging her bare shoulder with the back of his hand.

Thena shrugs, taking a sip of her sparkling wine, which she's barely touched since arriving. "You know it's not really my thing."

"No, I know," Gil nods, and he knows entirely too well that it's not really her scene--the whole party thing. Because he usually manages to find her hiding away, ending up spending his time with her instead of socialising with all that natural charm of his. "But your friends are here."

That is true. Makkari is here, being her usual charming self. And Druig has allowed her to drag him out of his cave to talk to the occasional person, although firmly planted at her side all the while. Kingo is being the life of the party, as he is wont to do. Even Phastos is here, although clearly only to be a good partner to Ben.

"Yes, and I can see them tomorrow," Thena smiles into her glass as she takes another minuscule sip, "without the presence of several strangers in the mix."

"Fair enough," Gil sighs, standing up from the chair and taking a sip of whatever brown liquor is in his glass.

Thena eyes him as he drifts towards the door and watches the bubbles in her glass, preparing to be left alone with her own thoughts again.

"Some of them are pretty nice," Gil says instead, drifting around the shelves and letting his eyes wander over the books arranged in no particular order.

Thena tilts her head at him, "they're nice to you because you're nice, Gil."

"You say that as if you aren't."

"I'm not."

"That's not true," he shakes his head at her. And true, he tells her this all the time. But really, it's that she's...selective about who she's nice to.

"It is," she mutters over the top of her champagne flute. "Not that I need them thinking they can come over and talk to me, anyhow."

"Well, maybe not that guy who keeps asking you to brunch," Gil snickers, as if it's so funny to watch her be hit on by some idiot who works the front desk at the museum.

"He keeps insisting other people would be there, but I haven't seen him speak to a single other person here," Thena shakes her head. "Is he even still out there?"

"Yeah, trying to convince Sersi to get you go to brunch with him."

Thena laughs, at least, because she can always tell Gil about this kind of thing. His presence is the only reason she is here at all. "You'd think the poor boy would be able to recognise disinterest, working at the museum."

Gil sets his drink down on Sersi's desk, drifting back to her with his hands in his pockets. "Maybe he's too used to being around works of art to recognise a masterpiece way out of his league."

Thena shakes her head at him. Gil is good at saying stuff like that. She doesn't know how, since he can be kind of shy about this kind of thing, but sometimes he'll say something that she swears could melt even the frostiest of hearts. "I think the Trojans were wrong--it's you and those lines that could launch a thousand ships."

"I don't know about that, but it's good to know when I've got a line right."

Thena sets her glass down next to his before standing from the chair, joining him in front of the desk. The window is letting in enough light from outside that she can make out his features nicely, despite the dark in the rest of the room. She's always liked Gil's features in soft light--it brings out how handsome he is. "And who are these lines for--that you're always testing out on me?"

Gil just raises a brow at her, and for a second she wonders if she's missed something somewhere along the way. But he smiles, never one to let her sit in silence for too long. "Who do you think?"

"Well, the older woman from Sersi's department does seem to have taken a liking to you," Thena grins, and there--Gil's shyness comes out as he gives her an eye roll and a bashful smile. "I daresay she's ready to consider leaving her poor husband in your favour."

"Well, I'd tell her I'm flattered," Gil chuckles, leaning closer to her, "but I'm...a little taken."

"A little?" Thena asks this time, letting him lean into her space like no other could ever have such a right to do.

"A little," Gil confirms, shrugging his wide shoulders and pulling a hand out of one of his pockets just to tap the top of the desk. "Maybe?"

"By whom?" Thena asks, still somewhat teasing but now also genuinely asking.

"Well," Gil starts and then sighs, and now she knows she's missed something. He looks at her, and the look in his eyes is one she's seen a few times before. It makes her feel...something--a kind of clench in her heart, or flip of her stomach. "It depends."

"On what?" Thena blinks as he walks his fingers closer to her, and her hand comes up to meet his, their fingertips just barely crossing into each other's territory.

"How she feels about it," he smiles gently, and she realises they're so close that she's still looking up at him, even with her heels on.

"Oh?" she utters vaguely, distracted by their proximity and how her eyes have to travel from the open collar of his shirt all the way up - over his lips - to his eyes.

The party outside the study begins the countdown.

"Ten!"

"See," Gil whispers, drifting even closer, "she's this friend."

"Nine!"

"I see," Thena breathes, her heart starting to beat faster, and faster.

"Eight!"

"And she doesn't seem to realise," Gil moves their fingers closer.

"Seven!"

"Realise what?" Thena whispers as their fingers thread together.

"Six!"

"That she's the most beautiful woman in the world."

"Five!"

Thena's eyes travel down to Gil's lips, "have you...told her?"

"Four!"

"Well," he grins at her, "she doesn't always listen to me."

"Three!"

"What?" Thena's jaw drops as she looks at him, "I always-"

"Two!"

"Thena," Gil cuts her off, pulling her closer by the waist.

"One!"

Thena's eyes flutter closed as Gil pulls her in for a kiss. His arm fits around her waist as if they were carved out in the shape of one another from the same marble slab. She moans gently as she wraps an arm around his neck, and then his shoulders. Her other hand slides up his chest until she can tug at the lapel of his jacket.

Gil is soft with the kiss. Gil is soft about everything, at least when it comes to her. He kisses her gently and lets go of her gently, pulling away as slow as he wants. He opens his eyes and they find hers as soon as they're open again.

Thena looks at him. Gil is...everything--her oldest and dearest and in many ways best friend. He's the one to whom she can tell absolutely everything and at the same time is the one who would never require her to do so for their trust to be maintained. He accepts her--every part, every highlight and every shadow, every shred.

"Well?" he whispers, his thumb tracing little circles in the small of her back. "Am I?"

"Taken?" she whispers, and he nods, waiting for her to have the final word. Because if she were to say no, he would accept it and turn right around, never mentioning it again.

He would just love her...quietly. She knows plenty about that.

Thena just nods, not entirely sure of how to voice all she feels for him in this moment. It's way too much to just...blurt out. And she can hear the distant screaming and celebration of those present in the next room over. All their friends are out there. Druig and Makkari and Sersi and Ikaris and Ben and Phastos are probably all lip-locked.

Thena came in here to hide from the need to watch them do so--again.

But now she's here, in Gil's arms, wanting nothing more than to bury her face in his big, warm chest and never emerge. She nods with a smile.

Gil leans in, kissing her again, more softly, less climactically. But even without the drama of the moment - underscored by the countdown to a calendar page turning - it's just as incredible. Because it's her Gil, kissing her. "Happy new year, Thena."

"Happy new year," she grins against his lips. He kisses her again, and again, small but sweet, and eager but gentle. Her hands rise up to his cheeks. "Should we go back out there?"

"Not yet," he whispers, leaning in because he just can't get enough of her. "I want you all to myself for a little bit longer."

Because now she's a little bit taken too.

[lovelyfanatical]

I Get a Sugar Rush Whenever I'm With You - Chapter 7.2

Good evening fellow Drukkari stans, or whatever time it is for you! I come bearing the next mini-chapter! If you need to catch up, you can find all previous installments on my Table of Contents here. If you're all caught up, then buckle up! After their second possible date/secret baking session, Druig and Makkari are heading into the seventh week of the competition. What will this week have in store? Find out now, in the next installment of Drukkari in the Great British Bake Off!

Druig couldn’t tell if he was on cloud nine or six feet under. He’d been in even more of a daze after his last clandestine meeting with Makkari than the one before, and he still couldn’t say for sure if they were just good friends or something more. He hadn’t wanted to get his hopes up, but he found himself replaying that moment just before the ice cream machine went off over and over in his head. A part of him was nearly certain that she’d started leaning closer to him, and they were already quite close at that point. Another part was questioning if he was the one leaning in. And a third part was whispering that he’d imagined the whole thing. Druig hoped with his entire being that it wasn’t the latter.

He did his best to pull himself together as he joined the others in front of the hotel the morning of the seventh week. Makkari was already there, making conversation with Gilgamesh and Sprite, who’d both picked up enough signs to hold a simple conversation. As she saw him approaching, Makkari broke into a soft grin, and he nearly had to stop to catch his breath. It did not go unnoticed by their companions. Gil merely raised an eyebrow, but Sprite rolled her eyes as she muttered, “Get a room, you two.”

“We’ve already got two,” he replied, a smirk creeping its way onto his face as Sprite scoffed.

What’d she say? Makkari asked.

“Something snarky,” was all the explanation he gave. He pointedly ignored the looks coming from both Sprite and Gil, and if Makkari noticed, she ignored them as well.

It wasn’t long before Phastos and Sersi arrived, then it was time to board the shuttle. Druig ushered her in first, signing, After you, milady.

Thank you, kind sir, she responded without missing a beat. As the first two on, they got to sit in the back, giving them a break from the others’ staring. Not that that stopped Gil, who Druig was certain had glanced back at them more than once during the short car ride. Makkari was too busy filling him in on more important matters to take notice.

Dane didn’t say exactly when, but he said he’d ask Sersi out before today. Does she seem any different than usual?

Hard to say, they put us on the shuttle as soon as she got here. Guess we’ll have to wait until lunch to know for sure… unless you can ask her before then.

Right on cue, Druig spotted that mischievous glint in Makkari’s eyes, just as he’d known he would.

Challenge accepted! she declared.

As Druig had witnessed over the past few weeks, Makkari worked quickly in just about everything. Now, that included asking Sersi about Dane. As soon as they got off the shuttle, she made her way over to the other baker and seemed to be making casual conversation as they walked. Being behind them, Druig couldn’t see what they were saying, but he suddenly noticed Sersi’s face starting to turn a bit red as she tried to hold back a smile. And just like that, Makkari gave the other woman a thumbs up and skipped back to Druig. He raised an eyebrow in question, though he already knew the answer. She nodded her head once and bumped his shoulder with her own. He couldn’t help but grin as he returned the gesture.

The rest of the group had begun looking back and forth between them and Sersi. Darcy and Kingo, who were already walking out to meet them, had picked up on it right away. While Darcy opted not to comment on it, explaining the day’s proceedings as usual, Kingo made a beeline for Makkari.

“What’s up with Sersi?” he demanded in a stage whisper.

Wouldn’t you like to know, Makkari replied with a wry smile.

“Seriously? Holding out on me now?” Kingo said, completely devoid of emotion. He began to turn to Druig.

“Don’t look at me,” Druig insisted before Kingo could get a word out.

“C’mon! If this is pertaining to the Sersi case, I need to be brought in. I am the Mrs. Hudson of this group.”

“And Mrs. Hudson doesn’t usually participate in cases.”

“Pleeeease? It’s bad enough I don’t get to go to dinners anymore when I started the whole thing. Lunch just isn’t the same. I’m so behind on all the group gossip now!”

At that, Makkari and Druig turned to each other. Her eyebrows furrowed in a questioning look. He answered with a pointed look at Kingo before raising his eyebrows at her. She tilted her head slightly, her expression softening a bit, but her gaze remained firm. Druig felt his resolve slipping away as a small smile settled on his lips. She returned the smile before turning back to Kingo to say, Fine, I’ll tell you at lunch.

Druig thought Kingo would be elated. Instead, he was now looking back and forth at the two of them, his expression somewhere between utter surprise and abject disgust. Finally, he said, “I don’t even know what I just watched. Is this new? Because I hate it.”

Druig couldn’t help but scoff, while Makkari’s jaw had dropped. Recovering from the initial shock, she retorted, You’re just jealous!

“Jealous of what? That you can communicate telepathically with Druig now? Who’d even want to do that? Mind reading is a curse! All the movies say so!”

“Well, telepathy usually comes with mind control, which might come in handy,” Druig remarked.

Yeah, I could mind control Kingo into being a less judgmental friend, Makkari added, narrowing her eyes at the man in question.

“Hey, real friends tell each other when they’re being weird and kind of creepy!” Kingo defended.

“Shouldn’t real friends accept each other without judgment?” Druig asked. Kingo opened his mouth to respond but found he had no comeback.

If you keep judging us, I won’t tell you anything about the new developments in the Sersi case, Makkari said, standing tall even though she was a good deal shorter than Kingo. He merely sighed and rolled his eyes, immediately folding under her unwavering gaze.

“Fine, I won’t comment on it anymore,” he relented. “At least not verbally. I can’t be held accountable for the faces I make if I see that again.”

“Isn’t controlling your face sort of a big part of acting?” Druig quipped, prompting Makkari to burst into laughter. Kingo’s jaw was practically on the floor. As he gathered himself to respond, Makkari grabbed Druig’s hand and pulled him toward the tent, where the rest of the group had already moved, leaving Kingo trailing after them as he tried to whisper-shout his response.

-

Aka, the one where everyone is looking at Drukkari like: 👀👀👀 Anyway, hope you enjoyed that chapter!

Part 24

[softquietsteadylove]

Hey loved the thenamesh lifeguard au! Would you write some cute fluff stuff like for example thena putting sunscreen on Gil’s back?

Thena looked down as she felt Kingo pat the side of the tower chair. "You are not supposed to climb this thing. We tell people not to all day."

He gave her a grin and a shrug, "just thought you'd wanna know that your break is in five--if you wanted to go early I'll cover for you."

Thena raised a brow at him, "and why would you do that?"

Kingo tipped his sunglasses down, "because I'm a good friend, Thena."

No dice.

Kingo chuckled, pushing them up again and climbing even higher, all but pushing Thena out of his way, "because your boyfriend keeps looking over here to see if you're done yet."

"He's not-"

"He is," Kingo rolled his eyes. It wasn't as if it was any secret at all. "Now, go!"

Thena huffed, on her way over to Gil while looking around her at the rest of the beach goers. It was easier than looking right at Gil on her way over to him.

"Hey."

"Hey," she smiled marginally, ending up beside him under the shade of his umbrella.

"How was your morning?" he asked genially, folding up his legs out of the sun as she curled up next to him.

"Uneventful, I suppose," she answered while staring out at the water. "I mostly had to watch the early morning kids and make sure they weren't being hooligans."

Gil chuckled at her word choice, pulling out a bottle of water for the both of them.

"Thanks," Thena murmured, accepting it and definitely not thinking about the very simple brush of their fingers as she did. "What have you been up to?"

"Mm," Gil hummed between sips. "Haven't been here long. But I did get in a quick dip before it got too crowded."

Oh, she had seen. It was impossible to miss a wall of muscle, after all. And in the binoculars, soaking wet...

"I just have to reapply my sunscreen."

Thena blinked, suddenly feeling as if she was being caught up in something. She looked over at him.

"I got most of me already," he promised, as if anticipating her concern. "It's, uh, just my back, really."

Thena could see why he might have trouble reaching it, with those arms, those shoulders, even just the muscles in his back...

"I don't suppose you'd, um," Gil trailed off, blushing cutely as he struggled to suggest the cliche.

Thena smiled at his shyness, "did you wait for me to go on break in hopes that I could help you?"

"Well," he semi-admitted, shifting on his towel. "If you didn't want to, I just wouldn't go swimming again. Or I'd put on a shirt, I guess."

And they couldn't have that.

Thena rolled her eyes, taking the squeeze tube from him, "turn."

Gil acquiesced, not making a big deal out of it, because he was sweet like that. In fact, he was the one with the tips of his ears gone red.

Thena inhaled, rubbing the cream in her palms and staring down the broad expanse of his back. She was hesitant, reaching out slowly before pressing her palms to his back.

The longer she took, the more flustered she felt. Thena blushed as she moved her hands over every bend and curve of his muscles, both strong and wiry but also with a pleasant layer of softness over them. She was a lifeguard, it wasn't like she was a stranger to the average human body.

But Gil was far from average, and she was starting to wonder if he was human.

Gil shivered as she reached the center of his back, along his spine. She withdrew her hand, letting out a soft sound of surprise (some might call it a squeak, which she would deny). "Sorry."

Thena didn't trust herself to get out proper words, instead just resuming her work of making sure Gilgamesh didn't get a sunburn. She moved her hand over his spine, from the base of his neck down, down...down as far as she could dare.

Gil blushed from the neck up as she swiped her palms around the plump over his hip bones. "D-Done?"

"Hm," Thena replied, handing the tube of sunscreen back to him.

"Th-Thanks," he smiled sheepishly at his...at Thena. He wasn't entirely sure what they were or where exactly they stood. But so long as it was beside her, he didn't have any complaints.

"Don't mention it," Thena muttered, fidgeting with the sleeves of her track jacket she threw on over her uniform suit.

Gil cleared his throat. "What, uh, what're you doing after your shift?"

"Today?" she asked, and he nodded. "Well, I'm off by 1 today. Kingo and Ikaris have the afternoon shift."

"So," Gil smiled, "you could, maybe, have lunch with me?--if you want?"

Thena smiled at the very sweet man beside her. She was so used to being hit on by absolute pigs, but Gilgamesh was so completely different from all the meatheads she had to deal with on a daily basis. "That'd be nice."

"Okay!" he brightened, and Thena looked away again. "I'll, uh, I'll just be here, I guess."

"I'll come find you," Thena murmured, standing up to go back to the lifeguard tower.

"Oh, hey," Gil shot to his feet. He pressed the tube of sunscreen into her palm.

Thena tilted her head at him; she had plenty at the guard station.

"You look like you're getting a little too much sun already," he shrugged with a gentle smile. He tapped his own cheek, "just a little."

Thena turned around, eager to escape as she felt her cheeks become even more flushed (which Gil had taken as signs of sunburn). "Thanks--see you later!"

[softquietsteadylove]

Just here asking you for some soft moment for the thenamesh doctor au :D I liked the last ones very much!

Thank you so much for all of these story’s!❤️❤️

Gil does stay the rest of the night. He hovers around, helps out here and there. He never strays too far from Thena's side, and she doesn't go anywhere near their restrained patients without him standing somewhat in front of her.

No one is brave enough to say anything about it, and even anyone who asks is quickly silenced by Ajak claiming that Gil is extra security.

Thena has at least taken a small break to get some food and some coffee in her. She changed into some fresh scrubs and has put a white turtleneck sweater on under them.

"Breathe in," she says gently as she checks on the hallucinatory patients again. "And out."

The one that literally tried to choke her has no memory of it.

"Okay," Thena sighs as she notes down their vitals. "So, would you like to tell me what happened? Or, what you remember happening, at least?"

The two young men share a look between them before giving the doctor a guilty little frown. "We...we don't really remember much. We went to a party."

"Some guy had something he was passing around."

"Did everyone take what you got?" Thena asks with a frown. They might have to put out a warning to other EMTs that this substance might be in a slew of other students.

"We don't know," the first one shakes his head. "I thought it would maybe just, uh, make the buzz better, y'know?"

Gil is scowling at them both openly from over Thena's shoulder.

"Well, what you got was LSD cut with something else," Thena informs them with a frown. The kids look genuinely aghast, and she's guessing that when they say they wouldn't have done anything that serious that they mean it. "Look, guys, we're not the cops, okay? We're not going to call anyone, or rat anyone out. But it's important we know what we're dealing with in here."

"It can get pretty dangerous."

The young men shrink in their beds at the look on the paramedic's face. The one with Thena next to him looks at her, his eyes drifting down to her high collared shirt under her scrubs. "Did...I hope we didn't give you any trouble."

Thena smiles at the kid, "nothing we can't handle. But you boys should get in contact with whomever needs to know that what you took at the party is a lot more serious than a weed gummy."

"Yes, ma'am," he nods, curling up in his bed from the guilt of it all.

Thena stands, leaving the boys to handle the situation as best they can. She tugs at Gil's sleeve on her way, "come on, you."

He follows her out, giving the poor - confused - boys one last glower.

"They have no idea what they did," Thena chides him as she sets their charts on the nurse's station counter. "You glaring at them like that isn't going to make them remember, either."

Gil sighs, choosing to forgo her chastising. "I'll tell Kingo the kids have no memory of it. We might have to expect some calls from worried parents about why their kid is having an episode after the block party."

"At least it doesn't seem to have done any lasting damage on their organs," Thena murmurs as she leaves the charts and sanitises her hands.

Gil's eyes linger on her. "There's a little lasting damage."

Thena shakes her head at him with the fondest of smiles. Her hand moves to his wrist, forcing him to unfold his arms. "They're scared, and embarrassed, and terrified to call their families. Isn't that punishment enough?"

"No."

"Gil," Thena laughs faintly at his unusually petulant response. He smiles for her, at least, and she gives his massive bicep a poke. "Did it really make you feel better to glare at them like that?"

"A little."

"Fine," she fakes a sigh, stretching her arms behind her and leaning against the counter with him. "Just a few more hours to go."

"Still not leaving."

"Gil," Thena scolds him anew, although she's still smiling, so it doesn't have nearly the dissatisfied effect she wants it to. "They're getting discharged, they're both alert and sober. We'll be fine--you should go home and get some rest."

He shakes his head.

"And you call me stubborn?" she rolls her eyes at him.

"Hey."

Thena looks back at him but he's suddenly and deliberately leaning into her space. She blinks, naturally turning her head as he gets in close. One of his hands has secured her in place at the small of her back. The other one is hovering somewhere around her cheek. "G-Gil?"

Her hand perches on his shoulder. She's still wearing his work hoodie, although she's had to roll the sleeves up several times over to get them secure around her elbows. He pulls her even closer.

He's so warm, and he smells kind of nice--nicer than the hospital, at least. Her head goes fuzzy as the feeling of him holding her pushes away every other sensation. She briefly wonders if he can feel her heart pounding.

Gil tugs her turtleneck down. She feels his breath on the skin there. She's half horrified he's going to kiss her neck and even more curious as to why she hasn't stopped him yet.

"Hey, it's a little better."

Thena blinks again, but he's already pulled back (although he's still holding her). "Huh?"

"The swelling is down, although you might have to wear this for a little longer," he gives her a remorseful smile, tugging her turtleneck back up around the bruising on her porcelain skin. "But it's definitely better than it was."

"Oh," Thena stutters, still just staring at him. He looks back at her, as if he hadn't had her in his arms, completely pressed against her in a very pleas--inappropriate way. "Good."

He yawns and ruffles his hair, "you want another coffee?"

Thena just nods, still too flustered over what just happened to really get the words out. She stays rooted to the spot, trying to think her way out of it. She doesn't make it very far in thought, mostly to 'Gil-warm-nice'.

Ajak clears her throat, watching Thena turn a shade of red that most in their profession would find alarming. "I thought he was going to kiss it too, for what it's worth."

Thena just groans in response, running off to find another cold compress for herself.