#Sersi and Sprite are immediately grinning ear to ear

[softquietsteadylove]

Me again! Could I maybe request a follow up to the lawyer/Thena raising her sisters au? The first one was so good and I'd love to see what happens when Gil comes over to make the lasagna. Thank you :)

"Hey!"

Gil looked up from chopping, just barely catching two heads ducking down behind the back of the couch again to resume pretending to watch tv. He chuckled, glancing briefly to his right, "it's okay, I don't mind."

Thena shook her head though, focusing back on cutting parsley with needlessly forceful chops. "They're only lingering so they can ask you invasive questions, despite me debriefing them earlier."

It was funny that she called it 'debriefing' them. But she had warned him that she didn't have much in the way of friends, so don't be concerned by the endless questions of being her boyfriend, or at least liking her, if not being accused of having a long standing affair with her. That, he had blushed at.

He shrugged though, laughing to himself as he caught the odd eye glancing his way again. "They're kids, I don't blame them for being curious. I did kind of come over uninvited."

"Trust me, it's never gone well when I've attempted to tackle our mother's recipes before," Thena muttered, looking at the hand written notes lovingly propped open on a book stand for their reference. She looked down and pointed with the knife, "like this?"

Gil smiled; the parsley looked like it had been murdered and sawed. He nodded, "looks great. Honestly, even finer--the smaller the better when it goes in the ricotta."

Thena accepted the instruction, resuming hacking at it.

Gil winced for the poor cutting board. "May I?"

Thena just watched as he reached over gently. He moved one hand to the back of the blade and adjusted the wrist of her other, demonstrating the rocking motion of a cleaner cut. "Oh."

"It'll be easier on your hand," he suggested lightly, leaving his ears and the cutting board's longevity aside.

Thena eyed him and the mirepoix he was stirring in the pot with sizzling meat already in it. She continued his work, slower and clumsier, but following his demonstration. "Thanks--this is what I was talking about."

He shrugged, though, adding the garlic and tomato paste to the loudly sizzling pot. "Hey, you wouldn't know this stuff unless it was taught to you. I just happened to be in the kitchen with my grandma a lot as a kid."

Thena stared down at her parsley, looking more and more fine by the moment. "Mother knew I was terrible in the kitchen. Father would remind me ceaselessly that a wife who couldn't cook was like a car with no wheels."

Gil frowned, "that's a pretty messed up thing to say. And to your own daughter?"

She gave him a half a smile and a raise of her sharp eyebrow, "you can tell why Mother's keepsakes are all over the house, while I didn't even keep the car that was in Father's name."

He gave her a little laugh at her joke, no matter how dark. "I guess I don't blame you for that. Moms hold the family together most of the time anyway, right?--taste."

Thena blinked at the speed with which he transitioned from one subject back to their dinner. But she accepted the bite of carrot, blowing before popping it into her mouth. "Hm, still crunchy, but it tastes good."

"Adding the tomato paste and frying it a little first helps get that tinny, acidic taste out, and sweetens it." He reached for the wine, adding a healthy glug or two before reaching for the canned tomatoes. He nodded his head, "want a glass?"

Her eyes darted to the living room.

She was a dutiful guardian, mother or not. Gil smiled, though, nudging the bottle, "one glass won't hurt, right? We're not going anywhere for the rest of the night, and they're fine."

Thena eyed the bottle before sighing, "there are some glasses on the top shelf next to the fridge, I think."

She thought, as in she wasn't sure. But Gil wiped his hands off on the towel he had thrown over his shoulder and moved to the fridge. There were indeed wine glasses still in there, upside down and everything. He pulled two out, admiring the light feel and crystalline shine of them.

"Hey," he whispered, pouring them each a modest glass of a mere few ounces each. He clinked them lightly too, although the quality of the glass still made them ting loudly. "To the first lasagne of many, right?"

That made her smile, and his own smile brightened. Whether it was lasagne or anything else from their mother's hand written recipes, he was happy to help with it. She picked up her glass and gave him a gentle smile over the rim of it. "To the inaugural lasagne."

Her lips looked even more full against the rim of a glass, and when she pulled away he realised for the first time that she wore just a little lip colour when they were in the office.

He averted his eyes from the faint pink on the rim of her glass, looking into his own swirl of red wine. Moving back to the pot he smelled the bubbling mixture. "Usually I'd say to let it simmer for a while, but about fifteen minutes should be fine so we can get things in the oven."

Thena nodded after another sip of her own. "Is the parsley cut enough?"

It was now practically a fine paste it was so chopped. The cutting board was stained green, which of course meant a lot of its flavour was stuck in the wood grain as opposed to still in the leaves. But he grinned, "looks great."

Thena rolled her eyes.

"Hey, really," he laughed, reaching around her for the bowl of ricotta to mix the greens into. "And you said you were terrible at this."

She sighed again, letting her eyes drift back to the couch and to the tv playing some kind of reality show. "Just ask them about the first time I tried baking cookies for them. I'm forbidden from contributing to bake sales. I think they nearly called the CDC on me."

Gil laughed from his belly at that. The heads on the couch turned to watch them again but he was busy looking at Thena, who was laughing faintly at her own joke. Or maybe she was laughing because he was. Either way, she had a cute laugh. "Come on, it couldn't be that bad."

She shook her head though, "poor Sersi had to take over for me to get even one pan of edible merchandise. I had to write a note excusing my poor performance."

Gil caught two pairs of eyes fully spying on them, getting caught be damned. But he slid against the edge of the counter to lean closer. "I mean, I would think they could give you a bit of a break, all things considered."

Thena's expression turned gloomy again, staring into her wine. "I think they do. But everything they send home for them to do feels herculean after a long week, or a big case, or soccer, or-"

The oven beeped loudly at them, announcing its preheating.

Thena gave him a light smile again as she retrieved the casserole dish they had selected. "Ready?"

"I'd say so," he replied gently. He picked up a ladle, first putting in some sauce on the bottom. "This helps to steam the noodles and prevent burning on the bottom layer."

"Hm," Thena mused as she watched him layer the first set of lasagne sheets in. "I thought it was a meaningless old tradition. I never imagined there was a reason for it."

Gil looked back at the recipe, "it's one of those things that you only know if you know. I'm sure your mom never thought of adding in stuff like this."

"No, I suppose not."

He gulped, wondering if he should have brought it up at all. But Thena's smile, although wistful, wasn't really sad. He pointed, "it's your time to shine."

She laughed faintly, scooping out the mixture of ricotta and her pulverised parsley. "I'm lucky I have your expertise."

He blushed. She could have asked him for anything, after he had found out what kind of day she'd had when she texted. He would have fished the moon out of the sky if she asked.

She flicked the spoon for the last glob before he layered on more sauce. "I may have to call on you again the next time we open the book."

He grinned down at the noodles as he laid them. Thena's hands were long but slim, her fingers so delicate and pretty. His sleeves were rolled up for cooking, as were hers. She looked half his size, standing next to him. "Any time, you name it."

"Careful Gil," she murmured, and it almost sounded like she was teasing him playfully. "If this turns out well, they'll be demanding you cook for them all the time."

He was pretty sure he would agree to that, whether by the girls' demand or their sister's. "The defense rests, your honour."

Thena rolled her eyes again at his corny lawyer joke, but she was still smiling at least.

"Okay," he breathed as he ladled on the last layer of sauce. "Get some cheese on this and I believe we'll have a beautiful lasagne in about an hour."

"About an hour?" she asked firmly as she sprinkled on the cheese mixture from the bag. "Don't underestimate my ability to ruin an hour's worth of hard work in the last ten minutes."

"Okay, okay," he chuckled. Thena was adamant in everything she did, from her casework in court, to her determination that she was a blackhole of culinary ability. "Set a timer for 40 minutes, then we'll check it, and I like to broil it for the last five or so, just to get that leopard spotting on the cheese."

"Yes, Chef," she purred (definitely teasing him).

He buried his nose in his wine glass again. He was just about empty, but Thena definitely didn't drink regularly with two teenagers at home, and he didn't come over to get buzzed anyway.

"Here," she said gently, reaching for the glass with the bottle already in hand. He had a polite decline on his tongue when she pulled his hand with hers, topping him up. "I owe you far more than dinner and some wine, but I guess it's a start."

"You don't owe me anything Thena," he frowned even as she poured herself a little more too. He leaned forward again, "really."

She just looked at him, and she was back to being completely unreadable. He dreaded to think what it was like to go up against her in court; not only was her beauty intimidating, but that stare was cold enough to chill his wine to the touch.

"Are you done flirting?!"

Gil tugged at his shirt collar, only to remember that he had already taken off his tie and undone the first two buttons so he wouldn't sweat in the food.

Thena glared at her sister, "I beg your pardon?"

The head of auburn hair ducked down like a startled dog, but didn't retreat entirely. "When's dinner gonna be ready?"

"In an hour," Thena snapped again, but it wasn't her sharp tone that had the girl trembling. If anything, her sharpness seemed familiar and comforting to her sisters.

"Can I have a diet coke?"

"No."

"Come on!" Sprite whined at her, "you're having a fun drink!"

Gil slid his eyes over to his colleague. The evidence was right there, even if he was the one at fault for it.

Thena let out a loud sigh, matching the dramatic energy of her sister(s). "Fine, you can each have one. But if it's gone before dinner, that's it, it's water for the rest of the night."

"Fine," Sprite moaned as she slid off the couch to retrieve them.

Thena glared at her.

"She means thank you," Sersi offered much more sweetly and docilely, even if it was just to appease their sister's glaring. She crept behind her younger sister, holding onto her shoulders the whole way to the fridge. Her eyes darted between them, "it, um, smells nice."

Gil smiled; they were nice kids. Thena had done a great job with them, clearly. "Thanks, I hope I got everything right."

"You can't do worse than her, dude, trust me," Sprite pointed blatantly at their guardian. "She's, like, find a bone in your cereal--bad."

"It was one time."

It wasn't a joke? Where did the bone come from?

"If dinner isn't for an hour," Sersi swayed on the spot, like a child shyly twirling her dress (although she was actually in yoga pants with a green flannel tied around her waist). "Would you like to watch an episode of Ghost Files?"

"Ghost show, huh?" Gil grinned, putting his hand on his hips. He looked over at Thena, who looked maybe even a little sheepish.

"It's our fav," Sprite added, excited at the prospect of sharing their favourite program. "They find evidence, and then Thee tells us if it would be accepted in court."

"None of it would be," she stated outright, "but they still ask me every episode."

She made it sound tedious, but she was smiling just like the other two as they started to move back to the living room. Gil followed, "sounds like a fun family thing."

"If you two sit up properly, there'll be room for Gil to sit," Thena suggested not-so-subtly.

But Sersi and Sprite threw themselves back onto the couch. One side was clearly claimed by each, Sersi's with a fluffy blanket for her legs and Sprite's with a crumpled up throw pillow and snacks on her respective end table.

They pointed. "Or you can sit on the loveseat."

"Yeah, why else have two couches?" Sprite snickered with a mouthful of roasted peanuts.

"Animals," Thena admonished her sisters, and yet took a graceful seat on the smaller sofa adjacent to the tv. She had sat closer, giving Gil the better seat for viewing. She pulled one of her legs up, leaving the other down and her pencil skirt stretching to accommodate her.

He sat down on the other cushion, clutching his wine glass and trying to focus on the show, rather than how he could now smell that Thena also wore a little perfume when she was in the office too.

[contentconsumer]

the situationship

a/n: first druig request! sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes, i haven’t proof read this! GIF not mine!

word count: 1,127

requested?: yes! ‘ Could you write a Druig request where he and the reader are in the between friends and lovers stage and the reader is Tony Stark's younger sister so the other Eternals (other than Makkari because they've already met) are subjected to their flirting/obvious feelings for each other when he brings the other Eternals to her to use Avenger resources? Thank you!’

pairing: druig X f!reader

summary: you and druig knew each other comfortably, but neither of you wanted to take the final push from friends to lovers, until druig felt he couldn’t leave again without saying anything

The eternals marched up the hill to the Avengers compound, with an eager Druig leading them. “How come he’s so excited?” Sprite signs to Makkari, who raises her eyebrows and replies, “He gets to see Y/N” “Who’s Y/N?” “You’ll find out.”

In the compound, you were sat in your lab, examining some results from a test you conducted earlier - this was until your older brother rudely interrupted you, making himself comfortable leaning on a spare chair and eating your snacks, “Comfy?” You muse, “Getting there, also your boyfriend is here.” Your ears prick up to the label instantly knowing he means Druig, “Tony he;s not my boyfriend.” You blush slightly, “My bad,” Tony points with a spoonful of your ice cream, “Your situationship is here.” He laughs just as the elevator opens to reveal not just your ‘situationship’ but the rest of the eternals, all but one you haven’t met.

“Y/N! My gorgeous.” Druig grins, “Well if it isn’t my favourite immortal.” You quip back, reaching him and falling into his open arms with a tight embrace. After your hug he pulls you back by the shoulders with a stern look on his face, “What have you done now?” You groan, “Me?” He feigned shock, “I would never do anything that would cause an inconvenience, buttt” He drags out, “They might.” He nudges his thumb in the direction of the others, who are still standing in the elevator all wearing the same shocked expression, apart from Makkari who waves excitedly before shoving Sersi out the way to give you a hug. “Hiya Makkari” You laugh as you’re squished by her hug. “Hello, Druig.” Your brother alerts his presence, “Y’alright Tony?” Druig makes comfortable conversation, despite how much grief Tony gives you about your relationship with Druig, he likes to see you happy and it could be worse, you could be flirting with Bucky.

“So Druig,” A new voice cuts through the conversations you were sharing, “Are you gonna introduce us to your…?” “Friend.” You answer, “Hi, I’m Y/N and you guys are?” One by one you receive introductions from the eternals as you try and pretend you didn’t know who they are.

A few hours passed and it’s safe to say the eternals had now become as sick at your constant flirting with Druig as the Avengers previously had. “Are they always like this?” Ikaras asks Makkari, “Yeah, it's kinda cute” Makkari signs, “Cute? More like uncomfortable” He mumbles observing Druig knock your elbow from beneath you and laughing as your head almost hits the desk. “Dru, I swear to god” You threaten but a smile graces your lips, “Interesting you choose to swear to me.” The thick irish accent shoots bad almost immediately.

“I can’t take much more of this.” Sprite complains to Sersi, who follows her eyeline to the pair in front of her, granted Sersi wasn’t expecting Druig to know you and thought maybe he was in such a rush to get here because he was excited to use the Avenger resources but nonetheless she found it warming to see a softer side to Druig, one he definitely saves for you, she doesn’t reply to Sprite but just shares a knowing smile, observing you. “Think fast, pretty boy!” You laugh throwing a pencil at Druig who fails to catch it and simply lets you laugh at him. Truth be told, he could’ve caught the pencil flying at his head but he didn’t want to be the one who ruined your fun and he definitely didn’t want to be responsible for not hearing you laugh.

“She did say they were friends and only friends right?” Thena warily questions, stood between Gildamesh and Phatos, “Yep, that’s what she said.” Pathos replies, “But how? I mean I don’t even speak to you that nicely and we’ve been together for eons.” Thena gestures to Gildamesh who answers, “I have no idea. Do they not realise they’re in love?” You can feel all three of the eternals stare at you but you’re too caught up working with Druig, having him stood directly behind you his hand ghosting yours, working on the same equation, you hope he can’t feel how your heart speeds up but he’s thinking the same.

After a few days at the Avengers compound, the eternals have made pretty good friends with your team and easily bonded over the uncertainty of you and Druig. Ikiarus quickly learnt Natasha was as sick as he was at your relentless flirting as were most of the Avengers, who tried to convince you continuously to make a move on the dark haired man, but you refused telling them you were content with your ‘situationship’ which is also a new word the eternals had learnt while being at the compound as it was thrown around regularly.

You and Druig faced the sunset, your eyes shining and reflecting all the pinks and oranges the sky was painted, leaning against the balcony. “So you’re gonna go again?” You ask Druig, looking up to him through your eyelashes, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of how beautiful you looked, “Suppose so” He let out a deep breath, not wanting to leave you again, “I’ll be back though m’love. I always come back to you.” “You better, I can’t live here forever without the promise of seeing you.” You ruffle his hair and lean on his shoulder, sweet promises and hard goodbyes getting ready to be passed between you two. “Y’know they’re saying we’re in a ‘situationship’” You use your fingers to airquote the label you had gained from your friends, Druigs chest shakes with a laugh as he answers, “Yeah” he smiles, “I know.” Druig looks down at you to find your gaze still on the horizon, and he decides to push his pride and fear of rejections because god he can’t keep going on without having you as his. “Do you want more?” His question shocks you and brings a pink hue to your cheeks, “What?” “Do you want us to like be together, in a relationship?” The air feels hot and sticky as you face the immortal before you, searching his eyes for the correct answer but finding nothing, “Yeah, I suppose” You whisper, suddenly aware of how close you stood to the mind reader, “Good.” Is all he replies, “Otherwise this might have been really awkward.” He pulls you close, pressing his lips against yours, spilling all his feelings into the kiss. After you pull away, you’re both out of breath and grinning, foreheads pressed together, so caught up in your own world you barely hear the cheers from the inside, both your heads shoot to the direction of the door to find your families cheering you on.