#anyway Gil wakes up and he's like where's Thena

[hottpinkpenguin]

Saudade - Chapter I

Part of the Druig x Elena AU (see full AU list here)

Characters: Druig x Fem!OC (Elena)

Summary: Druig and Elena host the Eternals for Christmas. Two major revelations happen: one expected, and one not.

Warnings: MAJOR Eternals spoilers; angst

Read Chapter II here

Word Count: 2633

all my love to @bellejeanx❤ for her help, constant support, and consultation

Saudade - a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia

Christmas Morning - 2023 South Dakota, USA

Christmas Eve came quietly to South Dakota that year.

Gilgamesh and Thena did not.

The sun hadn’t risen yet, and Druig recognized the house-rattling pounds of Gilgamesh’s fist on the front door. Lyla was already halfway down the staircase, squealing in delight at the arrival of Auntie Thena and Uncle Gil, before Druig knew what was happening.

“What is that?” Elena murmured through a yawn, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes in the darkness. She hadn’t been sleeping well recently, and as much as Druig was happy to have the others joining them for Christmas, he wished Gilgamesh and Thena had left them to their slumber longer. Eternals didn’t need sleep the way mortals did, and Druig had seen darkening circles under Elena’s eyes in recent weeks.

“Thena and Gilgamesh,” he replied, tossing the blankets and comforter back so he could swing his legs out from the bed. “Go back to bed, Lena,” he encouraged, leaning over and giving her forehead a kiss. The sounds of the front door opening and Thena’s excited cooing over Lyla wafted up the staircase.

“No no no, I can’t sleep when we have guests, Dru,” Elena chided, sitting up and turning on her bedside lamp. Her dark hair was escaping from its braid and slung over one shoulder. She looked more refreshed than Druig had seen her in weeks - ever since the parent-teacher conference at Lyla’s school. Elena loved Christmastime, and she’d been doting over the preparations ever since Druig had pitched the idea of hosting the other Eternals (some of them, anyways) for the holidays.

Druig took a moment to drink Elena in as she undid her braid and raked her hands through her hair. She was wearing the red flannel pajamas he’d bought her for Christmas the year before, and the black stone pendant he’d gotten her for her birthday that summer glimmered in the soft light of the lamp. She stretched her arms overhead, face contorted in a yawn as she slowly worked her muscles into wakefulness. When she caught him smiling absently at her, she cocked her head at him, a playful grin dancing across her lips.

“Hey,” she taunted, nodding her chin at him.

“What?” he asked.

“Merry Christmas, love,” she replied, crawling over to the edge of the bed close to where he stood. He met her there, holding her head against his chest as she listened to his heartbeat, planting a few soft kisses against the top of her head. It was gratifying to see her playful demeanor peak back through the pall of worry they’d both been cast under in the last few months.

After losing Ajack earlier in the year and finding out about the looming Emergence (and subsequent obliteration of Earth and all its life), Druig had felt himself crumbling under the weight of a slowly increasing terror. The prospect of losing Elena and Lyla was all too real; he’d lost them before, for five years after Thanos had snapped half the universe out of existence. He’d been reunited with them after a triumphant miracle, but he knew better than to bank on another. He’d very nearly lost them yet again in the Amazon after a close encounter with a Deviant. And here he was, once more, teetering on the knife’s blade of a third tragedy. It felt like standing sightless on the edge of a cliff, with only the rushing wind to tell you how close you were to falling over the side.

And then there was the very real problem of Ikaris. A few months ago, at Lyla’s kindergarten parent-teacher conference, Druig and Elena had realized that Lyla’s close brush with Ajack’s death had been closer than they’d originally realized. In moments when Druig doubted the truth of his accusations against Ikaris, the image of Lyla’s drawing resurfaced from his memory: Ikaris, drawn in blue with lightning bolts shooting out of his eyes, hovering in the white space above Ajack’s blue-and-gold armored body on the ground, large black Xs where her eyes should have been.

Elena and Druig had agreed that Druig would need to read Lyla’s memories in order to see exactly what she saw that day almost seven months ago to lead her to draw that picture. They had also agreed to wait to do this with the other Eternals present, with the notable exception of Ikaris, of course. Christmas had presented the perfect opportunity to bring them all together. Druig wished the invitation he’d extended to his companions had been just that, a simple invitation extended in the spirit of hospitality, but life had taken a dark turn as of late. Druig worried that his and Elena’s days of simple invitations may be behind him, if they ever knew those days at all. With a pained twinge in his chest, Druig reflected on the magnitude of danger he’d put Elena and Lyla in since coming into their lives almost ten years ago. And to think he had originally thought that he could keep Elena safe by being in her life…

“Hey, my love, come back to me.” Elena’s hands framed Druig’s face, forcing his gaze to meet hers, her large hazel eyes swimming in concern. “Where’d you go?” she asked gently, probing his thoughts.

“Ah, nothing. Just thinking about how Gilgamesh is going to eat all the pancakes,” he quipped, hoping his light-hearted tone and subtle reminder of their guests downstairs was enough to distract Elena from pressing him further. He saw her worry collapse into amusement as she smiled back at him, a musical laugh dancing from her lips as she stood from the bed, sliding into slippers and starting down the stairs. He heard Lyla’s delighted exclamation of “mama!” as she recognized Elena’s footfalls, the sound of a stool sliding across the kitchen tile and small, sock-clothed feet pattering on the floor as Lyla rushed towards her mother.

Druig watched as his wife’s frame slowly retreated down the stairwell, her face lit in profile by the white lights of their Christmas tree as she lifted Lyla up into her arms, a captivating smile tracing her face as she extended her free arm towards Thena for a hug. A warm feeling of contentment settled in his chest, replacing the aching uneasiness that had been there a moment before. Worry would have to wait another day, he decided, making his own way down the stairs to join the others…

Later that night

Nice holiday? Makkari asked, settling in next to Druig across from the comforting warmth of the fire. Druig slid over on the couch, making room for his oldest and closest friend with a grateful smile. Of all the Eternals, Druig felt the closest to Makkari. Although she couldn’t hear, she was the best listener of all of them.

A perfect one, he replied, casting an appreciative glance over towards the kitchen where Sprite, Thena, Phastos, and Elena were engaged in a lively debate over the legalities of Phastos’ most recent Monopoly move. Sitting on the rug directly in front of the fire was Lyla, fast asleep in Kingo’s arms, rendering the usually garrulous comedian momentarily quiet, while Gilgamesh read to her from one of Lyla’s multiple Frozen-themed books, unaware that his audience had long ago succumbed to the drowsy warmth of the fire. Sersi, Phastos’ husband Ben, and their son Jack were visible on the porch through the french doors at the back of the house, taking in the South Dakota night sky, their breath rising around their faces in vapors.

Next to him, Makkari took in the scene as well. It’s good to have everyone together again, she signed, tucking her legs up underneath her. Druig nodded in agreement, wondering if the conversation was going in the direction he suspected.

Almost everyone, Makkari continued, raising her eyebrows at Druig pointedly. He took a sip from his whiskey, avoiding her gaze.

Druig, Makkari pressed on, why isn’t Ikaris here?

Druig chewed his lip, watching the way the firelight and the Christmas tree lights reflected in his glass. Druig knew Makkari better than to expect that she would let this go, but he figured hedging was still worth a shot.

Didn’t get the invitation, he replied curtly. Makkari pursed her lips, unsatisfied.

Because you didn’t give him one, she retorted, her reply less a question and more a statement. She knew Druig better than anyone, and she could see right through his weak attempt to divert her attention off of the subject. He tried to busy himself with studying the brown liquid in his glass again, but Makkari was losing patience for his stalling. She smacked his arm lightly. Don’t deny it, she continued.

Fine, I don’t deny it, he replied sullenly, earning an eye roll from her. He saw the dogged expression in her face and knew that he owed her an explanation; and she knew he knew it. He cast a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching before continuing.

There’s something Elena and I need to tell everyone, Druig signed, watching Makkari’s face for her reaction. She didn’t seem surprised.

Something about Ikaris? she asked. Druig nodded once, feeling uncomfortable with having the conversation in the open where the others could see, although they all looked engrossed in their respective distractions. Although they’d all find out eventually, he was loath to ruin the relaxation at the end of a perfect Christmas Day together.

Something about Ajack and Ikaris? Makkari asked again. Druig couldn’t help but let his eyes widen briefly in surprise at Makkari’s question. Although short lived, Makkari saw his reaction. So he killed her then, Makkari signed back, a grim expression settling in her eyes. Druig could hardly contain himself he was so taken aback by his friend’s statement.

How did you know that? he asked intensely. Makkari’s normally serene countenance was weighty and serious as she returned his questioning gaze.

I’ve had my doubts for a while, she admitted. At first, I thought it was lucky that Ikaris found Ajack so shortly after she’d died and that Lyla had been alive. Then I saw how Lyla acted around him afterwards. Always startled, scared of him. She’s not scared of anyone. Not even Gilgamesh.

Druig watched Makkari’s signing, racing to keep up as she got faster with the speed of her thoughts. He hadn’t considered Lyla’s reticence around Ikaris previously. Their time together was so short that he struggled to remember the interactions Makkari was referencing. Slowly, a few moments came back to him: when Ikaris had first shown up in the Amazon, when he’d come into Elena’s room at the hospital in Manaus. He realized Lyla had been unusually timid around Ikaris. Druig had chalked it up to exhaustion, but Makkari was right: it was out of Lyla’s character to be scared, even around beings like the Eternals.

What about Lyla? Druig asked. Lyla surviving was the one detail that plucked at Druig, because it didn’t fit with the narrative. Ikaris may be difficult and arrogant, but he wasn’t sloppy. Letting Lyla - a potential witness - live didn’t make any sense to Druig.

I thought about that too, Makkari agreed. But I don’t think Ikaris knew Lyla was here. He didn’t go to the wedding, so he wouldn’t have known that you and Elena were away or that you’d left Lyla here, would he? She must have hidden and kept quiet. He probably never even knew she was here. Druig considered Makkari’s points. The chaos of the wedding, the honeymoon, Ajack’s death, and the near-deadly brush with the Deviant in the Amazon had left Druig’s mind foggy to the details of the weeks prior. He remembered Ikaris hadn’t come to the wedding - and with a dark chuckle, remembered that he hadn’t exactly tried to make sure Ikaris received an invitation. It seemed a convenient coincidence to think that Ikaris would have found out about Ajack’s opposition to the Emergence, but not the fact that Lyla was in her care. As he continued to turn Makkari’s viewpoint over in his mind, however, Druig found himself warming to the idea.

Druig marveled at Makkari’s insights. The same facts had been staring him in the face for months, with arguably higher stakes, and he’d failed to see them. That familiar twinge in his chest bloomed into a searing pain as the dangers he’d put Elena and Lyla in were compounded by his own ignorance of the truth.

Ajack wanted to stop the Emergence, and he killed her for it, Makkari finished, almost out of breath from the ferocity with which her thoughts had come tumbling out. Druig felt smacked by the last statement as his mind grappled to connect the dots.

Ajack wanted to stop the Emergence? he clarified. Makkari nodded.

She told me and Sersi a few days before you left for your honeymoon. She wanted to wait until you and Elena returned before telling everyone else, she informed him. Ikaris must have found out, and he killed her.

“What are you two busy bodies yammering on about over there?” Kingo called from the rug, rising from the floor. Lyla - still fast asleep - had been lifted into Thena’s arms, the girl’s sleep-heavy head leaning against Thena’s shoulder as she carried her up the stairs to bed. It seemed the Monopoly game had finally broken up, and judging by the gloomy cast of Elena’s eyes, she had not been victorious.

Secrets of the universe, Kingo, Makkari shot back with an impressively casual smirk. After millennia of conversing alone in quiet corners, the other Eternals weren’t too suspicious of Makkari and Druig absenting themselves from social gatherings to secretly conspire, and thankfully they used it to their advantage. Despite the millions of questions tearing through his mind, Druig painted on an expression he hoped was as convincingly nonchalant as Makkari’s, stretching out his arms to hug a pouting Elena as she sank onto his lap.

“I lost,” she grumbled, her pretty mouth turned down into a laughably outsized frown. Druig couldn’t help but chuckle a bit; he always found her ridiculously endearing when she pouted.

“And I didn’t,” Sprite practically sang as she pranced into the room, small golden and green fireworks dancing around the ceiling to celebrate her victory, courtesy of her powers of illusion.

Phastos groaned from where he’d come to lean against the doorway to the family room, his husband Ben materializing beside him to place a peck on his cheek. “And we’ll never hear the end of it,” Phastos grumbled, his own sullen expression almost pouty enough to rival Elena’s.

“Well, Phastos, I seem to remember you still haven’t let us forget about your little stunt with that round navigating thing you gifted to the Chinese - what was that, like eight thousand years ago now? And what was that thing called again?” Kingo was up now and, in typical fashion, riling everyone up.

“A compass,” Gilgamesh called out, earning a collective groan from the Eternals as they all remembered Phastos’ incessant centuries-long bragging.

“Oh, I see, so we’re comparing one of the most significant moments in all of human evolution to a game of Star Wars Monopoly,” Phastos replied indignantly, unable to keep himself from rising to Kingo’s taunts. Ben swatted playfully at his husband’s shoulder.

Druig felt Elena’s shoulders shaking in laughter as the group devolved into raucous but good-natured bickering around them. Her oversized pout slowly dissolved, replaced by an expression of ease as she nestled against his shoulder, her arms wrapped lazily around his neck. He grabbed her chin with his hand, bringing her lips gently up to meet his for a soft kiss. For the second time that day, Druig decided that his worries could wait just a little bit longer…