#he orders himself to forget everything Thena said

[softquietsteadylove]

Hii, can i request a drunk confession au? pretty please 🩷🤍

Thena who doesn't really drink much, wants to change things a little and drink more at this party the eternals have to attend, but she can not hold her alcohol to save her live and get terribly drunk.

The woman can barely stand, is talking nonsense, can get hurt if unsupervised, it's a miracle she didn't pass out in a ditch yet, so it's Gilgamesh duty to get her to her room safely.

When they are near her room, Thena starts telling her new friend her secret, she is in love with Gil!! but he can't know, she thinks he is soo charming and nice and beautiful and he is really stong and soo attractive, but he can't know.

And Gil is there blusing, because the love of his live just confessed her love to him but he can't do anything about it because she is very very drunk, so he just says "Gil? Never heard of him but he sounds nice, you should talk to him"

"To Gilgamesh!"

Cups of mead were raised in the air to celebrate the victory of the Strongest Eternal. Truly, it was a celebration of all of them--one's success was everyone's. The Eternal himself was happy to brush it off with a modest smile and a charming blush.

Thena smiled, raising one in her own hand, although she never actually partook in drink. She wasn't one for it--didn't like the taste, had no stomach for it. Her blood was too fast in her system, at least that was what she thought. Warriors did not need revelry.

Gilgamesh happily accepted three mugs and gulped them each down. He was good with revelry, and lucky he seemed so made for mirth and celebration. The townspeople happily jostled him in good humour.

Thena tilted her head as Kingo made his way over. There were times when Kingo could feign annoyance or reluctance to partake in their celebrations at times, but he and Gil had much in common in their characters.

He gave Gil a solid pat on the back, of course waving his hand from having slapped the metallic back of his armour. Kingo gave her a genial smile. "Come on, T, I thought you'd be in a good mood."

"I am."

He rolled his eyes at her. "Y'know, not being in a bad mood doesn't make it a good one."

She offered no further comment, looking at Gil again. He was attempting to move away from being the centre of attention. He was made for good times, of course, but he had a shyness to him, too. He was slowly gravitating in their direction.

"Loosen up a little, T," Kingo advised her quietly, and at a distance she would strictly forbid for anyone but him and her sisters. "It'll make him happy if you relax some."

She bristled under her skin. He was right. And after the fight they'd had today, she wanted Gilgamesh to find some reprieve from the ravages of the Deviant world outside Babylon's walls. She smiled at him from afar, even taking a sip of mead (it tasted awful).

"Hey," Gil smiled at her as he finally reached her side, replacing Kingo as the latter went to bug their smallest sibling. "I thought you didn't like ferment?"

She did not. But she smiled at him, "surely it is beloved for a reason."

He shrugged, taking another sip of his own. "It can be nice after a tough day."

She felt as if every sip she swallowed could be felt like a hot rock, travelling down her throat and then dispersing through her veins. Not even their senses could communicate such things, but she certainly felt herself succumbing to the fever of it. "You should rest."

He looked around the room, people partaking in the party and high spirits. "They wanted to celebrate us. It's silly, but they all worked hard to make this stuff. Seems a waste if we don't stay for even a little of it."

Such a soft heart, her Gilgamesh had.

Thena tilted her head, letting her eyes travel over the form of her partner for every and all battles. They had worked as well together today as any other. She had been airborne when she had seen Gilgamesh deal the last, finishing blow. It was impressive, even for an Eternal.

He was quite good at grasping her waist to throw her up in the air.

"The people here are nice," he commented very simply, but very honestly. He raised his cup for another sip.

She found herself mirroring his actions, as if it were the same as matching his rhythm in a battle. It was becoming easier with each sip. "They are."

Sersi was having a wonderful time, dancing with the women. Ikaris was hovering awkwardly, unknowing of how to insert himself but always looming over their sister's back.

Druig and Makkari were both having fun taunting and riling the various tradesmen sitting around the edges of the room. Now, that was a pair made for mirth and merriment. Even more so than Kingo and Sprite, who were having a drinking contest, much to some horror in the eyes of those who did know that Sprite was the same as her siblings in every way that mattered.

Ajak was watching from above, a funny look on her face, before disappearing, probably to wherever Phastos was hiding.

"Y'know I asked Ajak," Gilgamesh began quietly, having followed her gaze up to their leader before her departure. "She said that there were a few injuries, but no one died."

That was good news, worthy of revelry. Some battles would always have casualties, but every day in which they managed to escape with minimal loss was deserving of celebration.

"Thanks to you," she volunteered rather eagerly. He took another sip, and so, as did she. "You killed that thing all but single-handedly."

"Ah," he made a sound to excuse her flattery, taking on a bashful grin again. It pushed up the apples of his cheeks to the corners of his eyes. The lines indicating his good mood were tempting to her fingers. "None of us fight single-handed. It's all of us, together."

"Hm," she agreed, to a point. Indeed, they all fought together out there, as a team. But she often was of the opinion that Gilgamesh carried more than his fair share of the work on his wide shoulders. Wide, strong shoulders. She tilted her head. "Ikaris could do more."

Gilgamesh immediately snorted some laughter but turned his head towards her. "Thena!--you can't say that about your brother."

She rolled her eyes, happily swaying her head to and fro. It felt loose on top of her neck. "It is precisely because he is my brother that I may say that."

He partner merely chuckled, hiding it in his cup. Was it not yet empty? Hers was. "Okay, fine, just don't let Ajak hear you saying that. She'll make you two go on a bonding walk again."

It had been less of a walk and more a watch duty during which they had been all but physically shackled together. They had done their duty, surveilled the area. Then, once again within sight of Babylon Temple, Thena had kicked him from behind and clear through the city walls.

She had been scolded by both Ajak and Phastos, but she had no regrets.

She sighed, examining the bottom of her clay cup with only a stray drop swirling around within. "I would rather walk with you."

Gilgamesh said nothing of the plain but oddly sentimental remark. He looked at her, catching the way she was examining her vessel. "You okay?"

"Hm," she said again, and Gilgamesh always understood her little noises. No one else would. She tossed the cup onto the nearest table. It did not fall, but she hadn't done so with particular care either.

"Hey." Gilgamesh reached for her hand. He wasn't reprimanding her, but it was more than just curiosity in his voice. He grasped the hand that had tossed her cup away like a pebble.

She watched his hand apprehend hers. It was gentle, and soft, just like everything he did with her. Gilgamesh was kind, of course, but it was not mere kindness when he held her hand like this. Like he had been doing ever since they touched down on the planet.

"Look at me," he whispered. The chatter of the room faded and she felt the warmth of his breath on her cheek as he drew her face closer to his. The warmth of his palms added to her feeling of basking in the sun, like a lizard on a hot rock.

She swayed in his grasp, no longer caring if her knees were up to the task of walking. Perhaps she was more fatigued from the fight than she had first anticipated. What funny thought; she laughed.

"Whoa, hey," Gilgamesh moved closer, catching her against him before she could lean too far off her feet. He held her carefully, even casting glances around them. "Thena, you don't seem good."

She felt good, though, borderline ecstatic. It felt wonderful to be leaning on him like this, and her head felt as if she were being carried, rocking back and forth with the breeze. She pulled her head up, taking in Gil's concerned look and deep brown eyes. "Do you always look like this?"

His face contorted. It was a handsome face. "We gotta find Ajak."

Thena pointed, although she frowned when Ajak was no longer looking over them from the mezzanine. "She's gone somewhere."

"Okay," her companion said gently. He moved her more within his grasp, although still encouraging her to try and use her feet. "Let's get you to bed, huh? That sound good?"

"Bed," she remarked. They each had their own rooms in the temple. She would rather just sleep on the Domo. But Ajak said it was better for them to integrate themselves...somewhere...or something.

"Bed," he repeated, guiding her quietly towards the edge of the room to the nearest corridor. "You can get some rest, Thena."

She blinked. Her vision felt bleary, her feet as if they weighed...too much. "You know me."

He chuckled next to her. Her palm could feel the rumble of his chest against the plate of armour. He had a big, strong chest. "Yeah, I do know you."

She blinked, finally in the corridor. At least there was more air. "Do you know everyone?"

"Well, not everyone," he continued to laugh, as if she were oh-so-very funny.

She sighed, tilting her head against his shoulder. It was comfortable, and it allowed her to peek at the moon on their way to wherever he was guiding her. "Do you know Gilgamesh?"

"Uh... "

The delay was too long. Anyone who didn't know Gilgamesh was living a life bereft of joy. Thena leaned heavier on her walking assistance. "Gilgamesh is...the very best on the planet. On this planet, or any!"

He swayed from her outburst, trying to hold her both carefully and delicately.

She looked at him again. Her hand even came up to touch his cheeks. She liked the hair around his lips. It drew attention to them. "He is the very best. Kind, sweet, very funny. And he's handsome."

Her companion turned a peculiar shade of red. "O-Oh?"

She nodded, distracted for a moment by her hair swaying into her view. "He's kind, and sweet, and he's funny."

"You did say that."

She pursed her lips. Did she? "And handsome. And strong--he's quite good at lifting me, throwing me."

"Throwing you?"

"When we're fighting together," she sighed again. It was a happy sigh, though. "Fighting is when I may touch him all I like."

Again, he turned a shade of red.

"Off the battlefield I must control myself," she lamented. Not that she was always desiring to touch him. Or perhaps she was, based on what she was saying. "But something about him is so magnetic. One wishes to be as close to him as possible."

"Is that so?"

She stared ahead. They were at her room. It was her bed in front of her. But she didn't like her bed. "Oh."

"Are you okay?"

She looked at her friend again. He was lowering her to sit on her bed. But she didn't like sleeping. It was hard work. And sometimes she would sleep in Gil's bed instead. She preferred Gil's bed. "I miss Gil."

Her companion lowered her arms gently, setting her hands on her lap. She liked his arms. They were thick, but also soft. "You, uh, you should tell him."

"Hm," she pursed her lips. She didn't want to, for whatever reason she could not recall at the moment. "I don't think I should."

He was lying her down on her side, pulling her linen blanket over her. "Why not?"

She tried to tilt her head at him but it was already on the pillow. She wished it was on Gil's chest. "I don't know how to tell him I love him, I think."

"Well," he chuckled again, before leaning in and pressing a kiss on her hair. "I bet he'll understand, no matter how you try to tell him."

That was true, Gilgamesh always understood her.

[sunset-peril]

Ashes Remain - Chapter Thirteen - More Than Face Value

~~~~

December 15th, 2027

3:15pm

Detention Center - Visiting Chamber #4

~~~~

Apollo Justice was trying his very best not to storm through the Detention Center. Apollo Justice was trying his very best not to tremble as he awaited the inmate he was visiting. Apollo Justice was trying his very best not to blurt everything out as said inmate came strolling into the opposite side of the chamber.

Apollo Justice was trying his very best to be fine, because he suspected his girlfriend of murdering his best friend.

“Ah, Mr. Justice. I was not expecting you to come by.” He felt his old mentor scan him over and suddenly became a little more aware of the small mark Athena had left on his neck earlier. Sure, she was most definitely unconscious when it happened, but she also wasn’t kind enough to make it more accident-like and less… suggestive. He should probably stop thinking about it before he starts drawing more attention. “What happened? Your eye, and isn’t that Mr. Terran’s work jacket?” 

“It’s just a sty. Nothing much, just hurts.” He needn’t be dramatic now, because Kristoph didn’t need theatrics for the story to sell. In all honesty, Apollo felt badly for initiating the ruse so dramatically. However, he needed Athena to be fooled; he couldn’t let her know he suspected her. He kept his eye covered, wouldn’t let her look, as he enthused her about why he’d been hiding it thus far from her; that he believed it appeared due to his stress of losing her the night before. He was pretty sure she wasn’t going to fall for it, but then her face fell softly with concern, and she wrapped him up herself and muttered of techniques she’d heard in graduate school of treating such ailments. Her hands were so gentle on his head, even though calluses new and old scratched his skin. The kiss she blessed the bandages with as she secured them in back instantly made him feel guilty, but not enough to confess. 

If he was to confess his guilt to that one incident, it would come at a later date. He wanted to beg and plead, that he’d be blessed with the demand to confess he’d been wrong in suspecting her, that she was a spotless angel who just was a bit down on her luck. 

But the hammering feeling he could be completely wrong struck through him. “Something terrible’s happened… and I suspect someone important to me is to blame.”

“Oh? And why does this bother you so? You were willing to turn on me so easily.”

“I know, it’s just… this person is… very important to me. One of the most important people to me. I want to believe in them… but I know they’re lying… if what I suspect actually happened…”

“What is it you really seek, Justice? Are you looking to absolve this ‘special someone’ of yours? Are you looking for some sort of vengeance? Validation? Or are you looking for truth, no matter the cost? Each one of us has our own ulterior motive. You must choose yours. In order to find any answers, you must decide. The answers will come to you in time, and if you want truth, you must be unrelenting in pursuit. Remember what I taught you? Evidence-”

“...Is everything… I remember. How could I forget?” He clenched his teeth to bite back the tears. “I trusted you… I trusted you, and you betrayed me!”

“None of it was about you, Justice… I never meant for you to get involved.” 

He quivered and before long a healthy stream of tears came leaking through both eye and bandage. “W-why did you… why did he… why did she…?” His voice became curled up into a miniscule fraction of himself as he scraped his one good eye dry. “Why can’t I…?”

“You are a much better person than I, Justice. I’m sure you’ll find whatever you decide to search for.”

~~~~

December 15th, 2027

Wright Anything Agency

3:25pm

~~~~

“Thena! You’re safe!” Within seconds of her arrival, Trucy had latched herself to Athena’s leg. Her bad leg. How do children always know which leg is the bad one?

“Trucy, that leg hurts. Could you let go?”

She pouted before she let go. “Are you not happy to see me?”

“Of course I am, but I needed you off my leg.”

“Hurt yourself already, Athena?” Her boss tapped papers on his desk. She could hear the screeching of his filing cabinet beneath. He needed to oil it.

“I probably just fell on it weird last night. I don’t remember much.”  

“Where’s Polly? Did he not come back with you?”

“Said he had an errand, that he’d be back before the hour was up.”

“He just found you. Wouldn’t he want you with him?”

“He’s a bit out of it right now, Trucy. He seems… in denial. I guess that’s fair, with how sudden and nightmarish this day has been. Probably is begging ‘it’s all a dream’, that he’ll wake up and Clay will still be on this earth.”

“Aw, Polly…” Trucy’s pout turned somber as she began a begging of her own. “You’ll take care of him, right, Athena?”

She slid herself over to the couch, putting up her bad leg. “Of course, Trucy! I’ve got Pollo covered! Although it’s healthy for him to grieve, I’ll help make sure he doesn’t drown.” She nearly drowned. It was a year ago come January. It was a year ago come February. It was the one thing she’d yet to leave behind. Maybe it was the one thing that he needed, even if it threatened to destroy her. 

Athena rested her still aching body, likely exhausted despite her young mind’s energy, until Apollo arrived. Though she did not have the strength to race to the door, she greeted him and offered him the place beside her. 

He’d been crying. She didn’t question it, but curled him against her shoulder. His sadness echoed through her like the bass on that young punk’s corvette from her and Apollo’s apartment complex. If she was a street urchin, that punk would’ve already gotten his.

Nope, nope. Bad Athena. No revenge plotting on aggravating seventeen-year-olds. Apollo was more important. His heart felt chilly, and her first instinct was to cuddle him closer. No words were appropriate for this moment, just silent reassurance that these feelings were valid. 

He didn’t curl back into her, but just laid stiff across her chest. She understood. 

She understood, but could not say. The last thing he needed was for everything to come back to her.

Of course, it always came back to her. It could save him, but she also questioned whether she loved him enough to die. 

Athena doubted she loved Apollo enough to offer her life for his comfort. She doubted that she even loved herself that much. Did she love Simon that much? Maybe? She had her reasons; reasons to be so withholding with love and life. What was true commitment in this country anyway? A piece of paper? A new life? The slashed throat of one’s partner’s enemy laid at their feet like an offering? She’d seen all of these. The world has so many ulterior motives, screaming at her from every which way. Was it so dastardly that she had her own? She had so much weakness, weakness she’d shown and weakness she couldn’t seal away. 

It was simple for the boss to fire a snide remark, such remarks flowed through Apollo’s veins. She had a talent for finding these people. Of course, those who run back and forth to the line of life and death lose their innocent vigor. Simple knowledge for someone who walked that line.

That line was lonely. Even the most vicious of tongues realize it and use such loneliness to their advantage. Such was the reason she never left herself alone. She definitely was prone to distraction and to wander, when her mind betrayed her more often than not, but her motivation was usually security and nothing more. Her greatest fear wasn’t death, she’d already had time to grapple with the fact her life was short. No, she feared the violence, the blood more. When she leaves this earth, it will be because her body failed her. 

Athena Cykes is no one's martyr. 

Yet her freedom is tied to the man stiff in her arms. She loves him. She loves him dearly. 

Apollo is worthy of more than she can give, and such is why her mouth remains sealed. 

She has the rowboat she needs, but it's questionable whether two people will compromise the vessel’s seaworthiness. She’s too afraid of risking the water to pull him to safety. She’ll hold his hand through the water, but she can’t risk what it takes to save him. 

But, of course, it always comes back to her. 

And, of course, even silence wasn’t enough to stop this grand turnabout that rattled through her soul. 

“I want to talk to you about something, Athena.” His voice was broken, like his heart, and she couldn’t resist the instinct to pull him into a perma-hug as she answered. “Of course, Pollo. What is it?”

“I want to talk to you about last night, and this morning.” He was frank, like always, but the usual gentleness was all but there. Under the shattered pieces of his voice, she heard his heart. Overwhelmed by sadness, fear and anger. These three hardened his heart and staled his voice.

“I’ll answer what I can. I really don’t remember much.”

“Let’s start with what you remember then.”

“Well, I remember leaving Pavillion, I remember that clearly. The nurse that was with me yesterday dosed me with that anti-flashback like usual, just in a higher dose due to how often the flashbacks have been happening these last few weeks. She warned me against driving, even though my papers say I’m not allowed to drive, and asked me to go home within thirty minutes just in case it caused me to forget where I was. She wanted to make sure I’d be back with you in case something happened. I started towards home and decided to grab you something, but I don’t remember what… I’m sorry, but I don’t have any memories of what happened between them and when I heard you screaming my name out in those bushes.” 

His expression didn’t lighten, but tightened further. Eventually, he turned away from her and began to laugh. “You really want me to believe that? You really do?” Why did he sound so amused, so- so- unlike the man she fell in love with? “I’m supposed to believe you, aren’t I? Because love is blind? You just happened to be drugged more than normal and happened to have wandered on your way home only to end up at GYAXA after a double bombing. It’s quite convenient, don’t you think?” 

“Pollo, please, why would I lie?” Something was wrong, she could hear his heart screeching in agony, just above her own. His voice didn’t flow like Apollo’s did, it had some sinister rhythm, something not his. His voice was so flat under his heart’s screaming, she could see all four walls behind such a fake façade. 

“Then where’s your evidence?!” 

She startled to the other end of the couch.

“Polly! What’s gotten into you?! You love Athena!” The young magician charged up between them. 

“Trucy. This is between me and Athena. Please.” 

Athena could see the tears he was biting back. This was stabbing him from the inside, some other force must be playing on him. “Pollo, I was half-conscious out in the middle of nowhere… Why would I do that to myself?”

“That’s not good enough, Athena. I’m sorry. You can’t use emotions as evidence here.”

“Apollo,” she tried a little more firmly. “I don’t remember anything but what I told you.”

He pounded the desk with one of the most furious slams she'd ever heard. “I need more than that! You think I have any idea what goes on in that stupid mind of yours?!”

Her jaw dropped to the floor, as the tears she’d held back for so long. That final remark of Apollo’s, and Trucy’s instant scolding, startled the boss from his paper with the late realization that his subordinates were arguing. But he didn’t respond in time, Apollo stormed out of the office before he could rise from his chair. “Athena…”

She was used to painful words. She experienced them enough just by being a surprisingly young lawyer. But those words from someone she trusted, had considered opening the darkest parts of her heart and soul up to, and for them to be overflowing with such vicious malice… she found herself collapsed in tears in front of her boss and his daughter. 

“Thena… I’m sure Polly didn’t mean it…” 

Trucy didn’t hear him the way she did. Trucy didn’t hear the soul-shattering rage bellowing out of the height-challenged attorney into her bare skin. Whether it was only at that moment or much longer, it didn’t matter.

Apollo meant it. He meant it with every fiber he had.

And he showed no effort to return home that night.

It was nearing seven in the evening, and the number of hours Phoenix had been on the phone with her dared to defeat the time of day. She was trembling, anxious, and in no state to care for herself. But the phone wouldn’t suffice for much longer. She couldn’t live alone. It was the number one rule in the agreement that released her from Pavilion originally. After Apollo didn’t answer his phone, Phoenix took matters into his own hands, and took her to his home till the morning.

Athena was immensely grateful for the Wright family’s generosity, to open their home up to her after her guardian failed to return. She was even more grateful they understood her stress, that she didn’t have to enthuse about such gratefulness before straight-lining to the furthest restroom for a shower. The near burning sensation of the water she brought upon her skin was a welcome distraction from raging thoughts, thoughts that burned up in the heat she forced onto herself. She still remained silent, with thoughts and truths sealed away even to the ones who had yet to turn their backs. She wanted to remain in the boat, she needed to stay in the boat. Even if Apollo had to stay in the water, even though he had drowned, she had to be in that boat. 

But, of course, everything always comes back to her. And as she gazed upon herself newborn bare in the Wright family mirror in the Wright family bathroom, she slashed at the beast mark engraved on her breast and dug desperate fingers through slivers of silver peeking out from under the orange, snarling as the marks on her stomach strengthened old memories rushing back, and she realized she’d long fallen into those deep, cold waters. “What the hell are you doing here, Venus?”

[light-yaers]

All Too Well - Chapter One

Ko-Fi | Fic Masterpost | Chapter List

Warnings: Rated M for swearing, alcohol and mild sexual content. F!Reader.

A/N: Hello everyone! Long time no post or update. Life got in the way. Until I went to the cinema to watch Eternals and got inspiration in the form of this lad. This is just a mini-series insert that follows the events of the film. I had to. 

Word Count - 1.6k

Chapter One

Being stuck on an evolving planet for 7,000 years had its challenges. For starters, evolution was a long and arduous process. And when you’re put in charge of protecting an entire species from murderous deviants with a handful of Eternals that you’d never known until you’d woken up, it puts everyone in a difficult position. 

Think not of yourself, but of the humans. Work hard, play hard, trust in Arishem. 

When you’d first landed on Earth, Druig had been the first to introduce himself to you. There was something about him that struck you immediately; not his knowing stares or his subtle cockiness or his impressive power, but the almost ticklish way his voice surrounded you with every syllable. 

“Who are you?” he’d asked, beneath the statue of Arishem on your ship. You told him your name, and he shook your hand. Within seconds, his shoulders had relaxed. He let out a deep breath. “You—you just did that? You just calmed me?” 

You pulled your hand from his. “I was created to do this,” you explained, smiling at him. “And you are?”

“Druig,” he answered, shooting you back gleaming smirk. “I can alter their minds,” he let out. 

“Only if you need to?” you raised a brow at him. He chuckled to himself. 

“Only if I need to,” 

What followed was a thousand years of fighting, protecting. The Eternals fought valiantly under Arishem’s wishes, and when you all grew to know each other; life was better. 

You threw a stone into the deep, vast canyon below you. “Do you ever think about what else could be out there? Away from Babylon?” 

Druig laughed behind you, strolling towards you. “You’d have to be an idiot to not believe there was more than this,” you turned to him. 

“Then why don’t we go?” you questioned. 

“You know Arishem’s orders as well as you know my face,” he said, peering at you from the side. You smiled to yourself, ignoring the warmth that welled in your gut. Druig liked to flirt. 

“Ah yes... you have a nose, I think. Eyes too, maybe?” you quipped. He kissed his teeth, turning swiftly to grab you by the shoulders. You let him pull you towards him, eyes on eyes, face to face. 

“Come on,” he said. “You know it better than that,” his eyes skimmed your own face with some kind of schoolboy excitement. It was just Druig. He just liked the flirt, that was all. 

“I guess I don’t know Arishem’s orders as well as I should,” you said, whispering slightly. You loved it when you left him stumped for a response, just for those few seconds, before the cogs in his magnificent brain started to whir and picked the perfect comeback. 

“I’ll get Phastos to invent something to make you remember. You can carry me around in your pocket, so you never forget,” 

You smiled. He smiled back. It was always the same, but you loved the feeling of him being near. After each battle, he’d come to you. You’d calm him, while his presence calmed you already. Physical touch was something he enjoyed, you found. The subtleness of fingers skimming skin, the playfulness of an elbow or a fist to your ribs. 

There was a time where you thought this could be it, and you’d be happy for however long you had to spend time on this planet. Druig, the others. You felt honoured to be part of their ranks and to know them personally. 

How Thena and Gilgamesh were inseparable. The bond between Sersi and Ikaris. Sprite’s ease when making everyone laugh. Phastos’s incredible mind and Kingo’s egotistical smile that you couldn’t hate even if you’d wanted to. Makkari’s playfulness that left you in stitches and Ajak’s strength as a leader— and then there was Druig. He was everything. 

You’d always been giddy, with a smile stamped on your face at every deviant defeat, pre-fight talk, personal time with your other Eternals. 

Until the day he left—

“Thena, Thena,” you whispered, wrapping her in your arms. “You’re safe. You’re back now,” you held her hands tightly, feeling her shaking limbs. That’s what you were good at—emotions. Calming. Your powers weren’t the same as that of Gilgamesh or Ikaris; not made for combat, but useful for humans themselves, or the aftermath of each deviant battle. 

Sometimes you questioned why Arishem made you this way; weak, compared to your counterparts; kind, to the point of no return. 

Kingo had always joked of the strange friendship you and Druig had. You were so different, both in mind and strength, personality and presentation. Druig valued his power, his charm; unlike you who chose a more selfless route in your time. The one thing you had in common were the humans, though. Which is what created this mess in the first place. 

“The only solution to this is to erase her memories,” Ajak confirmed sullenly. 

“What?” Sersi let out. “No... surely there has to be another way,”

“She won’t be Thena anymore if you do that, Ajak—,” you chimed in, but stopped as Ajak raised her hand in silence. 

“Arishem has spoken,” 

“No,” Druig said strongly. “You really think this is right, do you? Erasing Thena’s mind, allowing the humans that we’ve helped grow stronger and stronger to destroy themselves?” 

“Remember your place, Druig. Who are you to question Arishem’s wishes?” Ajak spoke up, sending him a stern glare. You moved from the centre table and jumped to the floor softly. You approached Druig calmly, gently, laying your hand upon his forearm.

“Druig—,”

“No,” he yelled, pulling himself away from you. “Don’t do that thing on me. You were made to suppress our emotions, don’t you get that? Why did Arishem give us consciousness and sentience if he wanted us to follow him blindly?” 

You were taken aback, stepping backwards in hurt at his harsh words. When he caught your eye, you could read his mind. His eyes were seething, his jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists. You’d always known Druig capable of making his own path—but not like this. 

Arishem, please not like this. 

“I refuse to be part of this. Humans deserve more than this false display of safety and love,” 

No. 

“What do you mean?” you whispered it, staying in place as your throat began to dry. 

“I’ll protect them myself. Live alongside them, keep them safe,” you could see in his eyes that he was being serious. Ajak didn’t speak up; no one did. It was as if they’d already accepted this was the route he would take. 

“No, no—wait,” you said, trying not to cry. “You can’t leave,” you prayed. You turned to the others, desperation all over your face. “Please—he can’t leave. He—,”

“Come with me,” Druig spoke up. 

You clamped your eyes shut as he spoke, allowing the silence afterwards to fill you up. When you finally opened your eyes, he had walked towards you; close. 

“You’re asking me to choose?” you whispered, feeling emotions within yourself that you’d never thought possible. Anger, rage. A sadness so large that you couldn’t find words to speak. 

“You said it yourself. There’s more out there. Come with me,” he urged for the second time. You felt pulled, like you were the rope in a tug of war between Druig and your home. 

You snapped your gaze to Ajak. “You’re not going to say anything?” you bit your lip, trying to keep down your rising anger. “None of you are going to say anything?”

They stayed as silent as the night, but their eyes shone with grief. 

“Hey,” Druig suddenly grabbed you by the elbow. “Look at me,” 

Look at him. 

Within a second, your mind had calmed, your emotions being trodden down by the incredible urge to drop everything and follow him. Follow him to somewhere new, to oblivion, with the humans that you and he both wanted to protect. You didn’t have the thoughts to notice his eyes were glowing golden.

Not until you forced yourself to blink. 

That’s when your heart dropped into your stomach. 

“Get off me!” you yelled. He’d just used his power on you for the first time. For the last time. The silence was terrifying, as was the look on your face. Your fellow Eternals stared between you and Druig, their eyes awash with shock far greater than during any deviant attack. 

You were angry. You had yelled. You. 

Druig’s expression dropped to the floor immediately, as he stepped back slowly and held his hands out. “I’m sorr—,”

“You really think me so weak that you could control me if you tried? You really thought it okay to even try at all?” you yelled, standing your ground as a poisonous feeling rushed through your blood. “I know you think I’m weak, you all do, but how dare you try to force me to do anything that is against my own will,” 

Druig bit his lower lip, his eyes glassy but still containing an inconsolable rage that, for once, you didn’t want to fix. 

“Go,” you said, and his eyes snapped onto yours. 

“You—,” he started, before you screamed so loudly that the ground shook beneath your very feet. 

“Go!” you screamed. Druig stepped backwards once more, the hurt on his face turning into anger as fast as your calmness had. 

He looked at each Eternal in turn, nodding slowly to them before he swivelled on his heels and started descending the palace steps. 

“Druig,” you said through clenched teeth. He stopped abruptly, perhaps hoping that you’d say goodbye, or sorry, or decide to go with him then and there. He looked so hopeful, but you were too angry to care. “Don’t come back,”

He didn’t.