#and then Phastos sticks his head in like BREAK IT UP

[softquietsteadylove]

thenamesh has rotted my brain so much that 4th of july fireworks spooking my dog obviously made me think of how thena would probably get spooked by them too — so of course i had to bring it to you as a prompt! maybe featuring our sweet jack and some comfort?

Thena squinted as yet another firework went off. Terrible, incessant things, she thought. They were loud and made a mess. But ever since their conception - for which they had all been present - humans loved them.

They had declined to attend the show at its source, mostly out of consideration for the Eternals and their heightened senses. Thena, especially, although she did offer to attend for Jack's sake.

In years past, Phastos and Ben had taken Jack to all of the typical Fourth of July festivities, as Americans wishing to take part in the celebrations. They went to the parade, they attended things in the city or had backyard activities at their home for the neighbours. They had also declined that, this year.

It was determined to be too much, the possibility of strange kids running around and screaming with water guns and sparklers. Phastos and Gil did cook on the grill just for them. They had all attempted to lure Jack outside with the promise of baseball and soccer and football. But all day, Jack was busy inside making a fort.

By this time it was taking up most of the living room, constructed with couch cushions and the futon from Phastos' home office and plenty of pillows and blankets. It was somewhat hard to navigate, but Jack was adamant that it not be disturbed all weekend. Thena had defended his magnum opus.

Another one went off, and even Ben and Phastos admired the twinkle of it, each with a beer in hand. Ben looked around their chairs all lined up on their back deck to see the display at a distance. "Jack?"

Phastos shook his head. "He's still working on that fort."

"He's missing the show," Ben frowned.

Gil leaned forward in his own chair, mindful of Thena in his lap. "We told him it was starting, but he said it was almost ready."

"Ready for what?"

None of them knew. Phastos was especially put out that his son was seemingly over the childhood wonder and joy of the fireworks show. "This is how it starts. Next, he's gonna be in his room all day and night and we'll never see him except-"

"Habibi," Ben chided his husband, reaching over and rubbing his hand. "We have discussed this."

"Yeah," Phastos sighed heavily, though, taking another swig of light beer. "Just wait, he's eleven now, but he'll be thirteen before we even know it."

Thena pressed her ear more firmly against Gil's chest as another one burst in the air. She blinked rapidly at the red colour of this one. She was doing respectably well, though. She had the odd moment of swearing she could smell gunpowder and smoke, but she could still correct herself. They weren't witnessing the slaughter of Tenochtitlan, they were visiting their brother's family in America.

Gilgamesh ran his hand over her hair, whispering soft nothings to her to help her weather the storm. "You sure you wanna do this? Jack isn't even here."

As with most other things, she had agreed for Jack's sake. She was still overly conscious of potentially ruining any fun for him because of the gentility with which she needed to navigate human life. Of course she would deny it, but it did melt her heart completely every time he showed concern for her state of mind.

She gripped the lapel of Gil's shirt, but nodded with her head under his chin. "I'm sure he'll join us. If I go inside, he'll just offer to keep me company."

Gil chuckled, kissing her temple. She was right, and he knew she was.

Phastos looked at his watch, "well, if he doesn't get out here he might miss the end of it."

Thena lifted her head from Gil's chest. "It is odd for him to be so reclusive. I'll find him."

Gil let his hand trail down her back as she lifted herself from his embrace. "If he doesn't wanna come out, you two can have fun in there."

She smiled at him, letting their hands drag apart reluctantly.

"Sure, if she goes he'll come right out. If I do it, it's 'Dad, I'm busy!'."

Thena ignored her brother's lamenting over his child's growing independence. She slid the patio door closed behind her. "Jack?"

"In here!"

She walked into the living room, finding the lamps were on, illuminating the truly impressive sprawl of the fort. She tilted her head before bending at the waist. "Jack?"

"Aunt Thena, in here," he whispered, a hand sticking out just to wave.

She crouched down, bending her knees in her skirt so she could crawl into the small tunnel leading to his domain. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's finally ready!"

What was finally ready? Thena crawled on her hands and knees over the carpet and into the fort's main body. Never before - and never again - would she have to crawl like this. It was unbecoming of a warrior. But this was for her nephew.

"What do you think?"

It was actually quite remarkable. The far 'wall' actually was connected to the large window of the living room, offering a glimpse outside that looked in the direction of the city's epicentre. The rest of the fort was cushioned by thick blankets and using the plush structures of couches and chairs and automans.

"This is rather well done, Jack," she praised with a smile. He truly was a remarkable human--nothing short of brilliant, the son of the Fabricator Eternal.

"Here," he said gently, sitting himself on a pillow set up by the window. There was one beside him, which he patted for her. "The view is perfect."

"The view?"

But Jack was right. It was possible to see the more distant fireworks that were being displayed over the city harbour. They were more distant, therefore not as bright against the dark sky. And within the house, they were much quieter.

"Is this what you've been doing?" she asked as she watched the tiny but still beautiful display within the window.

He nodded, also watching, captivated. "Baba said there were two fireworks shows, this one just started."

She gave her young nephew a look, attempting to appear stern with his utterly adorable face. "Did you construct this just for me?"

"Well," he cast a sheepish glance to his sock feet, wiggling his toes and twisting his lips.

"Jack," she frowned. "You mustn't worry about me so much. You should be enjoying the fireworks with your fathers as intended."

He looked at her with big, pleading eyes, shrugging his shoulders. "But I can't have fun if I know you're scared."

She sighed. Such a sweet boy, with such a big, human heart. She put her hand on his head gently, not quite patting his head and not quite ruffling his hair. "It is not your place to quell my fears. And discomfort is not a fear."

He scooched a little closer to her pillow. "Can I tell you a secret?"

She nodded, leaning down for him to whisper to her, even within the protection of the fort. He moved her hair out of his way, his little hand feeling barely bigger than her ear.

"The fireworks are too loud for me, too. But I never wanted to say 'cause Dad and Baba like watching them."

She watched him sit back on his own pillow again. The thought crossed her mind if he was lying in order to spare her feelings, or her pride. But Jack wasn't a very good liar (she had seen him try to lie about reading comic books after bed time). "Is that so?"

He turned his attention back to the window. "We always go, ever since I was little. But it gets cold, and they're cool and all, but they kinda look the same except for the start and the end. And they're really loud if you're too close."

Thena looked away from the lights display to her brother's son. His maturity and knowledge of himself never ceased to impress her. She truly thought human children were less intelligent than this. Although it was possible Jack was an exception among human offspring. "And here I was, out there so that you wouldn't feel the need to stay inside with me."

He looked at her, illuminated by the far off show. "I like being inside with you."

She put her hand on his shoulder, allowing him to lean against her arm. "I like being inside with you too, Jack."

The boy went quiet, perhaps bashful of the quiet affection passing between them. But he made himself comfortable against her, as affectionately as a boy his age could allow.

She held back a laugh as she heard a small yawn escape him. "It has grown late."

"That's okay," he excused, although he was leaning more heavily on her by the second.

It was indeed late. The summer made the sun set so late that the fireworks couldn't start until rather close to Jack's bed time anyway. Thena moved her arm, allowing Jack to fold himself against her more comfortably. This was also something she never imagined herself doing as the Warrior Eternal. But as the boy's 'Aunt Thena', she would be quite capable of anything.

She continued watching the display, checking every few minutes if Jack's eyes were still open. Perhaps partway through the display, he was completely asleep. She ran her hand over his forehead, resolving not to move and disturb his sleep, no matter the cost.

[zafirosreverie]

The M word (Ajak x F!Reader)

This...I don’t even know what’s this. But enjoy!

(part 2)

__________________________

"She's doing it again" Gilgamesh frowned "Thena! She's doing it again!"

"Again?"

"It's the fifth time this week" Phastos said, joining them in the stands.

Usually, he'd be in his workshop, grateful that the rest of the Eternals were finally quiet, but ever since you'd come into their lives, he had to admit that he'd been taking more and more breaks. He couldn't help it, the current situation was too funny for everyone.

Ajak, the leader, the prime eternal, was in love. She was totally and completely head over heels in love with you. None of them knew the full story, because the woman had strictly forbidden you to talk about how you met, but that didn't stop them from having fun.

It was inevitable, you were the best thing that had happened to them in...a long time. You were strong enough to fight Thena and Kingo, smart enough to follow Phastos' conversations, you loved talking to Druig about human morality, you didn't mind making a fool of yourself to play with Sprite and Sersi, and you were as kind and cool as Gilgamesh and Makkari. Even Ikaris had developed a soft spot for you, treating you like a sister.

And most importantly: you were immortal, despite not exactly being an eternal. So neither of them had to worry about you getting hurt in battle (not that Ajak paid attention to that detail, she was always nervous when you went to fight), or time closing in on you and you dying while they blinked.

You were the perfect match for Ajak, and everyone could see the love the woman had for you, one that was fully reflected in your eyes as well. Sprite and Kingo had teased a bit the first time they saw you kissing, but deep down they all knew that you were a permanent part of their lives now, they just needed to make it official.

Which would be easier if Ajak would stop blushing like a schoolgirl with her first crush every time she saw you and finally ask you the all-important question. They had all given her space, not wanting to pressure her, but it had been years since you had been with them and everyone was running out of patience.

"What are we watching?" Druig asked, appearing out of nowhere.

"Ajak is watching Makkari and Y/N train" Thena explained "We are watching Ajak being a nervous wreck while she watches Makkari and Y/N train"

"My favorite show" he replied, standing next to Phastos.

Ajak kept her gaze on you, pretending not to hear her friends behind her. She wasn't stupid, she knew that sooner or later they were going to come up with the same request as always, but the answer was still no. It's not that she didn't want to take that step, she loved you, but it made her nervous to think about the M word.

"Why don't you make her a camera, Phastos? It'll last her longer" Thena smiled as Ajak flinched.

"Oh, I'm sure it's not necessary" the man answered trying to contain a laugh "she already has Y/N’s image completely burned into her mind"

"I told you to let me into Y/N's mind" Druig intervened "this would have been over years ago"

"Enough!"

The four Eternals jumped as the leader approached them with fire in her eyes and her face completely red. Maybe she was shorter than all of them, but an annoying Ajak always commanded respect, even from Thena.

"I will not tolerate this...taunting from you, is that clear?"

"We would stop doing it if you did what you have to do" Thena replied. (I said that she commanded respect, not fear)

"I don’t know what you're talking about"

"Ajak, you're daydreaming about kissing Y/N all the time" Druig said

"That's not true" the woman blushed

"She's daydreaming about fucking her all the time" the blonde smirked.

"THENA!"

“You didn’t deny it”

"m-hmm, kisses and sex, that's what marriage is all about, you're dreaming of marrying her" Phastos smiled

"Enough! Get out of here, all of you"

"Did I hear Ajak, Y/N, and marriage in the same sentence?" Kingo asked, sticking his head through the arch of the door "Ohhhh, finally?! Excellent!! I already have everything planned, wait, I'm going to get my notebook, this will be the best wedding ever!!"

"Kingo!"

Ajak let out a mortified groan as the other four Eternals laughed around her. Was it really that hard to ask for a little privacy in this family?!

"Who's getting married?" you asked, appearing suddenly behind her

The prime eternal froze in her place and glanced sideways at Thena, who was failing miserably to hide her victorious smile. She was going to kill each and every one of them in their sleep.

"You and Ajak!" Kingo replied from inside "Don't worry, I'll send you the invitation tomorrow when I have your dress!"

"Kingo!!!!"

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

Hello There Beautiful part 2

Druig x (f)eternal reader based off this fic here

Summary: Reunited with Druig once again and with the rest of the other Eternals who all now know that the Emergance can be stopped. Does the seven of you kill some time while Phastos creates the bracelets.

Warning: fluff, oh some more fluff here u go

Masterlist

"Y/N your dog better not shit in my private jet."

You open your eyes to look at Kingo, "Probably make the place smell better actually."

Druig and Sprite let out a snort as Kingo gasps, "Okay, uncalled for Y/N. Uncalled for. This is prime leather and mahogany."

You smile and look over your shoulder to watch as Sersi pets a sleepy husky sitting half on the seat and half on her lap. You turn back to Kingo, "Just get us to Makkari."

He rolls his eyes, "I'm trying. You just, you just go back to sleep. You're so rude when you're awake."

"This is just how I am, dipshit."

"Oh I know it is." Kingo turns his attention to your quiet lover, "Druig how do you even find her attractive at all? Both inside and out? Y/N's like a

You snort, "What? You don't think I'm pretty?"

"Yeah, pretty annoying."

Druig sets a hand on your forearm when you lunge forward, "Ignore him." He says in a low warning tone, knowing all too well how you'll retaliate when provoked.

You huff, crossing your arms over your chest, "Fine." You glare at Kingo, "You're lucky Druig's here to save you this time....and that we're a mile in the sky."

"Yes. Very good, I'm just going to watch a movie over here, you two have fun brooding together."

Kingo moves seats, you turn to look at Druig, "I'm going to send him to another continent one of these days."

Druig smiles, "Oh Y/N, my gentle flower."

"You're hilarious."

He kisses your lips, smiling innocently afterwards, "I try."

"Will you two stop."

You turn to a disgusted Sprite, "You don't have to watch."

"No but o can hear you and that's enough."

"Don't you have headphones?"

"Didn't think I'd need any." —— Iraq - Some Excavation Site

Standing on a rocky ledge does your gaze wander out over the horizon of sand and stone. Your spirits are less disheartened knowing now that there's a possible way to stop the sleeping celestial within the earths center from rising and thus destroying all life on earth.

Phastos is such an incredibly smart bastard you're almost jealous, almost. Thinking up special bracelets for you all to wear, combining your powers so Druig can make the celestial sleep forever. What a plan that is. Hopefully it all works out.

You turn from your beautiful view to wander down the jagged rocks until you reach the flat dusty earth. Trout barks and races towards you with Druig walking casually behind him. Both your boys wanting to see you in the evening sun.

Crouching down to meet your excited husky does he practically jump into your arms. Causing you to lose your balance and fall sideways into the sand, one hand smacking the ground to keep yourself from face planting completely. Trout just licks your face as you sit on your butt, "Too fast, man. Too fast you got me all dirty."

Trout just nudges your arm like he expects a treat or something. You pet his head as Druig makes his way to your side, "Now why are you on the ground?"

You look up to meet his handsome face that smiles happily down at you, "Help me up?" You reach a hand out, making a grabby motion for him to take.

Druig rolls his blue eyes before taking your hand with his and pulling you up. When your standing straight again do you place a hand against his chest. Looking deep into his gaze, "This is romantic."

"Very."

Trout barks, causing your attention to break away from Druig's. You look down at the furry husky, "What? I'm having a moment here can you not try and steal away my focus for one second? You're almost as dramatic as Kingo."

"And that's saying something." Adda your lover.

Trout tilts his head at the two of you. You break away from Druig to pick up a stick nearby, "Okay boy, fetch!" You launch the stick a short distance away, giving you some time with Druig as Trout races for the small piece of wood.

"Y/N your bums dirty."

You look back at the sand and dust covering your pants and some of your shirt. "That damn dog. I love him but he just gets so excited sometimes. It's not like he sees me everyday or anything."

Druig chuckles, "I can understand the feeling." You look up at him when he gifts you a wink.

Shaking your head do you brush as much of the dirt off of your clothing as you can. Trout runs back to meet you, stick gone. "What the? Where's your stick? Trout what did you do with your stick?"

Druig taps your shoulder, "Looks like he buried it."

You look over at a freshly dug and filled in pile of dirt, "Shit. He does this all the time. I never buy him chew toys anymore because of this exact reason."

"Maybe he's saving it for later." Suggests Druig, "Like a squirrel."

You snort, "He very well could be. I should have named him that instead of Trout then." You rub the husky's head, "My adorable little dumbass."

Trout sniffs your pants as you stand. Druig brushes some dirt off of your butt as you turn to face him with a brow raised. He swiftly squeezes your ass before kissing you quickly after so you can't say a thing about it. Oh how he's missed teasing you.

When his lips leave yours does he reach down to take your hand with his. "Walk with me."

"Of course." You let him take the lead down a path heading to a small pond farther away. One that's vacant of all water for the moment.

By the time you two reach the muddy pond has the sky turned darker from the setting sun. Druig stops to look up at the sky, he then looks at you who's too engrossed in the newly appearing stars to notice his staring. His heart fills with joy at how absolutely radiant you look in this lighting.

A kiss is placed upon the back of your hand which draws your attention back to Druig. You give him a confused smile, "What was that for?"

"Just felt like you needed it."

You raise a brow, "You just wanted my attention. Didn't you?"

"I might have."

You link your arm with his, "Well I'm all yours anytime you're feeling it. Although I hope you're okay with sharing because Trout has a piece of my heart too."

"I can try. But my love you're asking a lot." Says Druig as the two of you start walking back, "I don't like to share."

"Oh I know you don't."

"It's difficult. I've never been very good at it when you're concerned. I simply love you too much and I don't care."

"One of the only things you're bad at."

"One of the only things?" He questions with a humored smile.

You shrug, "Besides sharing my affections. You're not very good at being...well how do I say this as nicely as I can...uh, well I guess you're also not that completely..all the times...fun." You're teasing him but like he realizes this, not at all.

"I'm fun." Protests Druig half defensively.

"Well."

Druig makes a puzzled expression, "How am I not fun?"

"You never would let me pickpocket anyone when we lived in Athens. Oh and you never let me participate in the gladiator matches in Rome either which I really wanted to do because it looked exciting."

"Pickpocketing is a crime Y/N, and there was no way I'd let you fight as a gladiator."

"Thena did." You mutter, "And Gilgamesh!"

"They also can't electrocute people."

"What's wrong with that?"

"I believe there's a common term for that they use in the modern world called...cheating. Ever heard of it?"

"I might have, once or twice."

"Yeah, and you would have cheated to win."

"You don't know that!"

"I do."

"I don't think so."

"Yes. If you pickpocket for fun, surly you would cheat to win in the gladiator matches." Surmises Druig as you think this statement over, probably too hard.

After some deep thought do you look at him, "So, what you're essentially saying is that pickpocketing is a direct correlation with cheating to win. Basically implying that pickpocketing is a gateway drug into cheating."

Druig chuckles at your creative inquisition, deciding to play along, "Yes, that's exactly what I meant. Basically implying that I am indeed fun and always have been it's just you have criminal tendencies that I cannot leave unchecked."

"I have criminal tendencies? Oh I don't even want you to know half the shit I've been up to in that case. You'd think less of me."

"Nothing could ever make me think less of you." Assures Druig, "Although I want to know now since you've brought it up."

"Fuck." You muse with a shake of your head as Druig smiles at your adorable reaction.

"It can't be that bad considering I've never seen you in the news."

"Yeah well that's how unsolved murder cases can go too. And anyways, you've been in the Amazon this whole time."

He raises a brow, "You've never killed anyone...have you?" Says Druig slowly.

"Not intentionally."

"Y/N!" He says in a tone of surprised bewilderment, "You didn't?" Your lips remain closed as you watch the path ahead, eyes crinkling while you force yourself not to smile. "Y/N, you didn't? What did you do?"

"Okay, okay...I'm just fucking with you. I never actually killed anyone. But I have done some illegal things frowned upon by common society."

"Please tell me." He says, "Did you steal something from a museum?"

"Why was that the first thing you asked?"

"No reason it's just something you'd do."

You can't help but burst into laughter which causes Druig to look at you weirdly, with your free hand do you pat his chest, "I love you so much." Your laughter slowly dies as you take a deep breath, "Whew, goddammit I haven't laughed that hard in centuries. But to answer your question yes I have stolen some things from a couple museums throughout the years. Although I use 'stolen' as a loose term."

"Why's that?"

"Well everything I've taken was mine from thousands of years ago. I simply wanted it back and didn't feel like asking nicely."

"To be expected."

You smack his arm linked with yours, "Also that's more or less how I acquired Trout." Your dog stops walking to look at you when he hears his name, Druig gives you a curious look as well.

"Now how'd you get Trout?" He then leans his face closer to yours with brows raised in a teasing manner, "Y/N?"

Shaking your head do you push his face away, "I saw him at the animal shelter and uh, I might not have had the required amount of cash at the time....and well I wanted that cute little husky more then anything. So, as anyone in this situation would have done I disabled their security cameras, snuck inside, and long story short I arrived home with a husky." You then look over at your dog, "We've been best friends ever since."

Druig smiles at you like you mean the absolute world to him, "I love you so, so, fucking much."

"You're not even a little disappointed in me?"

"Can't say I am. And right now I don't really care to feel that way to begin with."

You smirk adoringly at your handsome man, "What's got Druig into a change of heart? Last we were together you heavily frowned upon my pickpocketing tendencies, something that may or may not have been inspired by Makkari."

"Guess seeing you again after all this time has softened my heart." Reveals Druig as you smirk, he bites his bottom lip briefly before nodding towards the stone triangular ship. "Care to join me inside the big rock house?"

You wiggle your brows, "Why my dear, I would be delighted."

Trout barks.

Walking into the main lounging area of the ship you've called home for the past several thousand years do you greet Makkari who holds up one of your old daggers from 345 B.C., when you traded an emerald for the beautiful weapon. The click clack of Trout's nails against the stone flooring tells you that he's on a mission to find Sersi sitting by one of the glowing side rooms. Holding various different kinds of alien and earth plant life gathered over the years.

You quickly take notice of Makkari holding up your old silver dagger of intricately laced obsidian with the single opal in its center hilt. When she senses your vibrations upon the ground does she look over and grin widely before holding up the dagger and signing, "The blade of princess Y/N." That smirk on her face equaling her teasing manner as she approaches you, "For the princess dead a thousand years." She hands you the weapon as Druig wanders elsewhere in search of his own findings of Makkari's collection.

You hold up the blade to the light, "For an emerald this became mine."

She scoffs, " The man was a prince, he was going to give it to you anyways. He thought you were a princess afterall."

You narrow you eyes at her and sign back, "Maybe I didn't know that at the time."

"You were too distracted by a certain someone else." She signs while giving Druig a glance, "Still distracted I see."

Your brows furrow as you feel in your pocket for your sunglasses, "You bastard."

Makkari just laughs before handing them over to you, she smiles joyously, incredibly happy to have you here again as well as everyone else too. But you, you're probably her favorite out of everyone. She signs, "I took them when you hugged me earlier, it was too easy Y/N. I though you would have noticed but with Druig here you're focus is cloudy."

"Oh whatever." You sign back with a roll of your eyes, "That was on purpose, maybe I wanted you to have them instead."

"Sure you did."

You give her playful shove before flipping the dagger in your hands, "Got anything else of mine around here?" Makkari points towards a book of one slate of stone in Druig's hands. It's covered in Egyptian hieroglyphics that you wrote yourself about a bee in love with a flower. He had thought it was one of the most genuinely adorable things you've ever done. Your smile widens as you begin walking over there towards him as he speaks with Kingo.

Kingo notices you before Druig does, he gives you a friendly wave, "Speak of the devil, Y/N, you come to torment me some more?" He teases, being his usual self.

"Not unless I'm provoked. Why? You do something?"

"Not at all, we were just talking about the good old days in Athens."

"Right, when you had women throwing themselves at you. Funny, they never stayed longer then a week after spending some time with you. Wonder why's that?"

Kingo smirks, "They simply couldn't handle all of this." He points to himself and shimmies as you snort, "Don't laugh at me Y/N it's the truth."

"Truth and exaggerated lies can be eerily similar at times." Adds Druig, "Probably for the best none of those relationships lasted."

"It's lucky for you to say, the both of you have each other and I...I just have my fame and fortune and thousands of followers online. You know money isn't all its cracked up to be."

You can't help but laugh, "Glad you're at least aware of that. We wouldn't want fame breaking you from reality as you seep deeper into the spectrum of influencer wanting to document every single aspect of your life for financial and follower gain." You deadpan.

Kingo opens his mouth to speak but stops before looking over at his valet Karun who's currently filming this whole interaction with deep interest. Kingo swats his hand towards Karun, "Delete that part." He looks to you and Druig, "That is not my intention. Don't you two have anything better to to?"

You shrug, "Not till Phastos makes us those magical friendship bracelets."

"Yeah, yeah alright well I'm going for a walk. Karun, lets get some fresh air before I'm bullied any more." States Kingo as he stands and waves for his valet to follow. You watch them go before turning to face Druig who's already got his eyes on you. Your heart just about flutters away into a hundred butterflies.

You give him a curious look, "Got something there?" You ask, pointing to the stone tablet in his hands.

Druig looks down from the tablet then back up to you, he smiles, "Your poem, or short story, hard to remember it was so long ago. And uh, my ancient Egyptian isn't what it used to be."

Without saying a word do you lean into his side, holding the tablet as he holds the other side you look over the symbols crafted so very long ago by you. "The bee and the flower. I made this such a long time ago, can't believe Makkari had it here this whole time. I though it would have been buried and lost to the sands of time by now, found by some lucky archeologist."

He looks at you, "Can you still read it?"

You look at him, "Of course. You want to hear it again?"

"I'd love to."

Your smile never falters as you gently touch the curve of a bee's wing engraved into the stone, it feels smooth as the day you made it. Your eyes study over the other multiple symbols, "Once a time ago there was a bee, so free and fat. Yet lonely all the same. A flower opened it's bright petals and yawned. They met and felt happy, a day later and when the sun was at its highest did they marry. The end."

"I liked it, could be in a children's book if you wanted."

"It's really shit actually."

He makes a puzzled expression, "No it's not."

"It is, would you like to read a story about a bee falling in love with a flower to some child? I don't believe they'd understand the deeply intricate concept of forbidden love."

"I didn't know that's what it was actually about."

You tilt your head at him, "Exactly my point."

Druig's brows furrow as he processes your implication, his eyes find yours again, "Hey now wait just a second."

"You really didn't gather that and neither did anyone else at the time. I'm just not a good story teller."

"Well Y/N, it is in ancient Egyptian."

"I wrote it when all the Egyptian's could read was this." You point to the tablet, "Hieroglyphics."

Druig purses his lips together, "Well....your art skills are amazing. Have I ever told you that?"

You roll your eyes at him before parting from his side, "Don't try and flatter me now it's too late you ass." Clearly teasing him.

He walks after you, "I'm not being an arse." Protests Druig in that wonderful accent of his you absolutely love so much. "Y/N forgive me I didn't mean it."

You glance at him over your shoulder, "Make it up to me then."

He finds himself by your side, you go to walk out of the room but Druig's in front of you in a second. He holds the tablet in one hand while his other rests on your arm, "I'm sorry, I love you, uh...forgiven?"

Breaking out into a grin despite your intention of teasing him causes Druig to smile as you hold your hand over his, "Forgiven."

"Hey, you guys want to come outside for a fire?" Asks Sprite as you glance over Druig's shoulder to see her standing in the hallway. She points a thumb down the direction from which she came, "Kingo wants to have a campfire for some reason and needs people there or its just him and some sticks. I don't know that's just what he told me."

"A fire?" Says Sersi while walking to your side, "I'd love that. Seems fun right?" She looks to you and Druig for a confirmation. "Right?"

You give them a shrug, "Yeah, why the hell not."

Sprite nods, "Cool, I'll tell him your down."

"All of us sitting around a fire, I have admittedly missed that." Admits Sersi who smiles fondly to herself as you pet Trout sniffing your leg.

"Guess I have as well." You agree, "Wonder if he'll even have any sticks ready or as usual need us to help him."

"Yeah, help him find them while he sits around supervising." Adds Druig as he walks off to set the Egyptian tablet down on a cluttered table. Once he's done does he walk back over to you, an adorable smile upon his face, "After you?"

"How kind."

Walking into the sandy earth of Iraq, Trout races past your legs on a bee line for Sprite who's got her hands full of rocks. You reach a hand out and yell, "Trout no! No jumping!" It's too late, your husky has already knocked down poor Sprite.

She makes a grossed out face as he licks her cheeks, "Ew Y/N get him off of me!" She pleads as you run to her side before pulling Trout away by his collar. Gently of course.

Trout wags his tail happily as you kneel down and hold his furry face in your hands, "We don't jump on friends Trout, that was very bad and not nice. I know you got excited to see Sprite but she's small and you're big." He sniffs the air, "No jumping. You got me?"

Trout sits as you glance over at Sprite still sitting in the dirt pouting, you give her a sympathetic grin, "I'm sorry Sprite. He must just like you a lot."

"Yeah well I don't enjoy getting knocked down by a large dog running at me full speed."

Letting go of Trout's face do you stand to leans a hand at Sprite, she purses her lips together, taking your kind invitation. "Oh shit all the rocks." You snatch as many as you can from the ground as Sprite does the same.

"These took me a while to all get into my arms too."

"Yeah, Trout won't be doing that again." You glare at your dumbass dog, "Will he?" You add through clenched teeth in a teasing manner. Trout sneezes.

"Well thanks for helping, I'm just going to set them over there where Kingo's making a fire pit."

"Alright I'll follow."

She hesitates a second, "How about you hand me the rest of what's in your hands and I'll take them to Kingo? Just hold onto Trout."

"Good idea." You hand her over the rocks and watch as she walks off. Trout begins to follow when you whistle for him to stop, he does and quickly hustles back to your side. Kneeling down again do you pet his fluffy head. "You're going to be a good boy right? No jumping."

"I think he said yes." You look up at Druig who's looking down at you, "He definitely said something."

"When did you learn to speak dog?"

"Since today." Replies Druig as you stand to face him with a doubtful expression. He crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his head up, "You don't believe me?"

You copy his same posture, "Not for a second."

Druig's lips ever so slightly crack into a small smile, "Maybe I can't speak dog. But I can speak some pretty words to my lovely Y/N anytime I like."

You gently lean into his chest, both of your arms still crossed as you look into each other's eyes, "And what are some of those pretty words? Care to tell me?"

"I'd rather care to show you."

"Would you now?"

"Very much so."

"Give me your worst." You challenge in a teasing manner.

He uncrosses his arms to wrap them around you instead, "Better yet, I'll give you my best." And with that does his lips capture yours for a wonderfully pleasant moment you'd been waiting for all day. Just some time to feel him, to taste him, to hold him close.

Druig smiles against your lips, hands hugging you tighter as he presses your body flush against him. Since kissing you on the plane has he wanted to do that every minute after but hadn't found the time yet. But now, with everyone else a short distance away distracted by themselves and the fire.

He's got his moment with just you back within his arms once again. Hopefully the world doesn't end so he can spend the next thousand years with you. Just you and him and the years ahead....and Trout.

Now that's a promising thought.