#she can't really accuse him of misconduct because it happens too fast and too lightly

[softquietsteadylove]

We definitely need more Thenamesh presidency AU!

Would you write more? Maybe Thena has to do an interview and the interviewer is a bit too friendly and asks her some subtile weird questions and basically undresses her with his eyes? Let Gil step in and protect his girlfriend in the most professional way? 😄

Thank you! Keep up your amazing work! ❤️

"Thank you for joining me, Madam President."

Thena smiled, nodding courteously but quiet thus far. Not only did she have to be careful of every single word she said these days, but she couldn't afford to get tired and run low on energy part way through the possibly lengthy interview.

"The rumours are true," her interviewer smiled, and that was always a dangerous start to a sentence. He tilted his head at her, "you are as beautiful as you are intimidating."

Gil looked up from Thena's schedule in his hand.

Thena tilted her head, though, "is that part of the question."

Eros laughed, "no, you're right it's off the record. Call it an attempt to get to know you?"

"I believe that is what the interview will be for."

Again, Eros took no offense to what would be a dry response to some and a defensive remark to most. He laughed, letting it roll off of him. He was renowned for his good nature, as well as being so young for the field of very serious televised journalism. He was popular with younger viewers for his looks.

They needed this interview to secure the young vote--the key to real, effective positive change.

"Yes ma'am, I am very honoured to have the opportunity, let it be said," Eros sat up a little straighter, almost like a professional interviewing the president. He had a dry kind of tone, his words somewhat running together.

"Your show is quite popular," Thena began her part of the battle (Sersi had advised her not to call it that). She had to meet him toe to toe so he didn't twist anything out of her, nor get the chance to misrepresent anything. "My people were happy to arrange the interview."

Kingo had told her that they had to do well with Eros if they wanted any relevance with young people beyond being known as the era of betrayal.

"Careful not to flatter me, ma'am," Eros continued to schmooze as if they were having drinks at a work conference as opposed to meeting in a secure location for journalistic purposes. He ran a hand through his hair. "I am prone to ego."

"A privilege few can afford."

"I believe you could be afforded anything," he tilted his head, his eyes drifting over her for just a second.

Thena shifted in her chair. Her hands were clasped together, because it was safer than having them loose enough to fidget and betray micro-expressions for her.

Gil cleared his throat off to the side, motioning for things to keep moving for the sake of time. He was frowning.

"So, Madam President," Eros began a proper question as if he hadn't been blatantly flirting with her - the most powerful woman in the country - seconds ago. "You have arrived to a rather precarious position."

Finally the interview began in earnest. Gil drifted around the edges of it, of course asked to keep his presence to a minimum, but permitted to stay in Thena's proximity, as was her security.

A few things were off limits--the direct mention of Ikaris' vacated position, the status of the staff investigations after his betrayal, suspects, that kind of thing. Although the ramifications of such things were technically fair game.

There were two cameras set up strategically on tripods. Eros' show would use edited footage of the interview, which would be subject to their review for security reasons. Gil mostly stayed behind Thena's shoulder, out of the frame, keeping his eyes on the popular show host.

"Now, I would like to ask," Eros looked up from his dossier of questions and points to bring up. He had done so a few times already and every time he did, the tone of the interview would...shift. "And this can be off the record, if you like."

Gil rolled his eyes.

"But it must be said that this is the first time an unmarried woman has come to power as you have." There it was. Gil shook his head faintly, although it seemed Eros was done taking his silent direction. "Does this affect the office you keep, in any way?"

"Why would it?" Thena asked flatly, not only not dignifying his question but also answering the real point of it. "No one in the cabinet minds if I am married or not, only if I can do the job of serving our country."

"So would you say you're on the market?"

Gil snapped Thena's schedule closed, as loudly as he could but not nearly as loudly as he would like. Eros looked up at him; he swiped his hand across his throat, telling him to cut it.

Eros barely acknowledged being told to back off but leaned back in his chair again. Of course doing so gave him another opportunity to run his eyes over Thena.

She was wearing a light grey pantsuit, but the way he was looking at her certainly seemed as if she were half dressed.

"Perhaps we should take five," Eros suggested in a much more - and perhaps falsely - amiable tone. He uncrossed his legs and stood with his dossier in hand. "I am happy to fetch you some water, ma'am."

Gil held out his hand for Thena to hold as she stood. "No outside food or drink--thank you."

The 'thank you' really was an afterthought.

"Of course," Eros nodded, giving his most charming smile. "I shall return in a moment, then."

Security both let him out and followed him as an escort. Such was the requirement of being alone in a room with Madam President herself.

Thena sighed, accepting the water bottle Gil himself was holding, "how long is this?"

"Probably another hour," he chuckled, speaking quietly as they hovered together. "You're doing great so far. You haven't even told him to go fuck himself."

Thena let out a quiet laugh against her hand, but it was certainly real. A few of the security team laughed too (those close enough to them to hear it).

Gil angled his shoulder for her, getting as close as they could afford when not totally alone. Although it didn't stop his eyes from being a little too soft when he looked at her. "Just a little more. I'm right here if you need me."

Thena's eyes weren't much better at keeping their monumental secret. "Thank you, as always."

Gil chuckled, taking the water bottle from her, "you know there's no need."

Her hand brushed against his on the way, "still."

A knock on the door signalled that their guest was back.

Thena sighed but let Gil hold her hand as she sat down again. He leaned down to her ear, "I'm gonna kill him if he asks you about being single again."

Thena laughed, although she couldn't reply. She gave his hand one more little squeeze, prepared to delve back into their work.

"Come in," Gil announced, although he stayed at the edge of Thena's chair. Eros nodded to him as he walked back into the room and to his own seat. Gil kept his eye on him, "limit personal questions going forward."

It was a very straightforward statement, and one that could be expected from her personal attache. No one would necessarily suspect it was her boyfriend telling this clown to stop hitting on her in front of him.