#and Gil invites Thena to cook with him

[softquietsteadylove]

You get so many specific prompts, so I thought maybe it might be fun to send you a prompt with just a few words so you can write ANYTHING you want for them, in any au or in canon! (And obviously if muse doesn’t strike feel free to skip lol but if you like this i’ll keep sending them!) words for this one: sunshine, gratitude, eyes

"Hey."

Gil smiles as she finds her place next to him. They're not on watch, he just would rather be out here than on Ajak's mission to socialise with the humans. "Hey, Sunshine."

She laughs, because she thinks it's funny that he calls her these things. Like it's a sweet joke, just between the two of them. He calls her that because it suits her--describes her. "Admiring the view?"

Honestly, the planet is...dull. Not that Sersi wouldn't have a whole dissertation with which to correct him on that. But he hasn't yet seen enough of it to think it's this truly marvellous place. "I like the water."

"Hm," Thena muses beside him, also taking in the shades of green and blue below them. The scent of the salt travels upward and the breeze of it rustles her hair. "There is something calming about it."

Gil isn't sure if he would describe it as calming. He always looks down at the waves crashing into a cliff as a tumultuous and violent thing. He thinks they should fear and respect the sea, but keep their distance. "You think?"

But Thena nods, soaking in its majesty. "The humans have claimed the earth they need, plots of land and spaces for their settlements. But no one owns the sea."

No, that is true. The waters of this planet are unencumbered, threatening to swallow up the landmasses by domination but always receding as per the moon's orders.

Thena bumps his hip with hers.

He chuckles, "what?"

She tilts her head, and it is unfair for someone so deadly to be so charming. "You're ruminating."

"I am not," he laughs off, but she's caught him fair and square.

"Share your thoughts," she prompts him, pursing her lips as a playfulness comes over her, "oh great tyrant king, Gilgamesh."

He rolls his eyes and huffs at her poking fun. As if her joy is not his joy also. "We shouldn't take the ocean lightly. It's dangerous, no matter how calm the beach waves might look at times."

"I'm not taking it lightly," she replies easily, and he gets the sense that she's heard and understood all the thoughts in his head. "I see it for what it is--the force behind it."

They both look out into the bay, where the gentle lapping of waves against the shore gives way to the rough and choppy texture of endless depth. Those waters will see plenty of Deviant carcasses, too deep for the humans to ever find.

"But I accept that along with this part," she moves her head in the other direction, nodding to where Sersi is showing a human family how to cast a net. The young ones giggle with glee and their joy makes the Elemental Eternal glow from within. "They are both part of the sea. I think that only adds to its beauty."

Beauty, Gilgamesh thinks, is not so simple a thing. He struggles to describe things as beautiful. A sunrise or a sunset merely exists, the sea is the colour it is because of the sediment in the water, the sky changes per the hour sometimes.

But he sees the light shining off Thena's eyes, constricting her pupils and bringing out the green colour of them. The darker rim around the iris, the jade colours swirling more calmly. That, he thinks, is beauty.

"Gil?" Thena asks, pulling him from his silence.

He smiles, because she's good at making him smile. "I guess I see what you mean."

"I for one am thankful for the cooling breeze the water offers," she states more clearly and lightly, moving away from the contemplative. She inhales as another wave crashes below and causes an updraft.

Gil unfolds his arms so he can move some of her hair off her shoulder and away from tickling her face needlessly. She looks at him and he withdraws, exhausted from the affection. "I don't have to be thankful to a body of water."

Thena laughs, and it's a very cute laugh for a Goddess of War. "There must be something for which you're thankful."

Her. It's always her. If she knew the degree to which he focused his thoughts on her surely she would recoil.

"Hm?" she prods, sliding closer until he can feel her much smaller arm against his thicker one. Their shoulder plates clink together and she celebrates getting a laugh out of him. "Anything?"

He looks at her unabashedly now. If he could tell her that she is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen, he would. Far more than any of their travels to this planet, far more than any natural phenomenon here now, he would. "I guess there is something."

"Something?"

"Someone," he amends quickly, and it seems to make his point. She smiles down at the water below, something like shyness coming over her.

Her hands clasp behind her back, "I'm sure they're thankful for you, too."

He snorts, "I don't know about that."

"Well," Thena angles herself towards him before rising onto her toes, "I am."

Gilgamesh lets her bend to press her lips to his cheek. He does it passively, letting her delicate hands balance her against his shoulder and his elbow. He leans ever so slightly for her, but that's it. He doesn't want to encourage this. He'll lose all sense, if he does.

"Shall we?" she prompts him, turning in the direction of their own.

"Fine," he grunts, but follows her like she has him on a leash. His steps are heavy and slow behind her light and graceful ones. If something were to approach from behind, let it face him first before so much as getting a glimpse of her.

"You should tell Ajak you are warming to the planet," Thena suggests lightly. "She seems quite bewitched by it. To say nothing of Sersi."

Gilgamesh has to constantly stop himself from telling Ikaris that he will never fully capture Sersi's heart away from this planet and the people residing here.

"We have much of it to see," she looks over her shoulder at him. "Perhaps somewhere you would like more."

He thinks all of this planet will look the same--feel the same. He shrugs.

Thena doesn't take offense to his lack of contribution. She looks forward again, "Ajak says we will abandon the ship entirely the more humans perceive us."

Gil doesn't entirely trust Ajak. He thinks she means well, but he also thinks that there are times when she doesn't tell them all she knows.

"I know you will miss our refuge away from them."

Gil uncrosses his arms, moving more deliberately to walk beside his partner. "So long as they don't ask me to join in any dancing, then fine."

Thena laughs, letting him capture her hand in his. "I'll defend you from such trials."

Then he has no qualms, no matter where they go, or how long they stay on this blue and green marble. If she is with him, then he can face anything.

[taran-chan]

on a Wednesday, in a cafe (chapter 24)

Read on AO3

thursday lunchbox: shrimp pan-toasted sandwich

There's a knock on the door. Gil hurriedly puts the leftover sandwiches inside the microwave then rushes out of the kitchen. On the other side of the door is Sprite, who just returned after finishing her last day of the final exam.

“I heard Thena’s back early,” she beams, “Is she in there?”

Gil glances back at the living room, lowering his voice sadly, “Yeah, but she’s tired. She had a bad day. Do you still want to come in?”

Sprite’s smile wavers a bit, “It's alright, I’ll let her rest. I just came up to thank her for helping me with the exam. I did pretty good.”

“Good job!” Gil rubs her hair and she struggles to dodge his hand, “Thena was worried about you, you know. She’ll be very proud of you, and so is everybody.”

Sprite returns his smile, her cheeks pink, “Then please tell her the results for me. Also, this is the flyers for my school’s annual Sport Event,” she hands him the colourful papers that she’s been holding onto.

“Oh, it’s happening already? Are you competing this year?”

“Of course. I’ll play for my badminton club and participate in a relay race.”

“Two competitions?” Gil raises his eyebrows, looking impressed, “How about your theatre club?”

“As usual, we’ll perform in the afternoon. This year we’re doing the Hadestown musical,” She says proudly, “I’m the director.”

“As expected.”

“Ajak invited Makkari and I invited Sersi and Kingo. It’s not anything big but if you have time this year, I’d be glad if you can go, any time of the day is fine.”

“What are you talking about? Of course we’ll be there! Last year was a real blast, I’m sure Thena would want to come too.”

“But why do I remember that someone fell asleep half the time of our play last year?”

Gil scratches his head, “In my defense, I was tired at the time because I had to participate in that three-legged race for parents with Makkari. Remember? When Ajak had a sprained ankle?”

“Gotta admit, you played the role of my foster dad pretty well.”

“I can’t do that again this year though, I have Thena. But unless she wants me to,” he shrugs.

“Yeah, sure pal,” Sprite waves her hand dismissively, “We don’t have that this year anyway, instead we hold a 100 meters race for the parents.”

“So Ajak will run then?”

“Absolutely. She’s been waiting for her revenge because last year we only got third place. Not great.”

“That’s because Makkari and I weren’t familiar with each other's rhythm,” Gil pouts, “Ajak’s steps and mine are two very different things! Give us one week and we’ll snatch that first place without sweating.”

“Just messing with you,” Sprite giggles, “But don’t forget to come. If you don’t want to see me kick some seniors' and freshmen’s asses then just come to see Ajak run, it’d be worth it.”

“Won’t miss it for the world. I’ll cook something for lunch that day, we can have a picnic.”

“Alright, send my regards to Thena, will you? I hope she'll feel better soon.”

“I’ll take good care of her.”

“I know,” she nods, “My shift is starting. Are you staying with her for the rest of the day?”

“Yeah, it’s a slow evening but call me if you need. And I bought ice cream for you in the fridge.”

“Cool! Thanks, boss,” Sprite gives him a thumb up, then skips down the stairs.

“Oh shit, my sandwiches!” Gil mumbles to himself and dashes back into the kitchen. He takes the food out of the microwave, hissing because of the hot plate. He puts it on the table, covers it with a bigger plate before moving into the living room.

Thena barely touched her lunch today, even though she kept mentioning that shrimp pan-toasted sandwich ever since Sersi found the recipe on the internet and brought them some of those. Shrimp is covered with flour and deep fried, then mixed with a mixture of mayo-ketchup sauce. Then they are sandwiched between two pieces of bread that are buttered with mustard, along with a slice of cheddar cheese and some shredded cabbage. Finally, the sandwiches are fried on both sides to make the bread crispy. He made her three small ones, she left two and hasn’t eaten any of the tomato salad.

According to what she told him, there was a fight between the court attendees this morning when she was in the middle of her part. She wasn’t injured but the screams and loud noises triggered her. She didn’t have a panic attack either but it was a very damn close call. After the court adjourned, she locked herself in her office for the rest of the afternoon, avoiding everyone and eventually, she had to call Gil to come and pick her up early with a small and trembling voice, saying that she was having a massive headache. In the safe space of her car, she sobbed in his arms for a sole 10 minutes. Then he drove them back to his place. He absolutely doesn’t intend to leave her alone now and she doesn’t protest either.

She's lying in a fetal position on his couch. Her hair hides away her face so it’s hard to see if she’s sleeping or awake. But her breaths are not even and her shoulders are shaking slightly. Gil crouches down and touches her arm.

“How’s your headache?”

She just shakes her head but doesn’t flinch when he touches her forehead, which is a good sign. He parts her hair and feels like someone just pierced his heart with a knife. The woman he loves more than life itself opens her eyes to look at him, another wave of tears leaks out, rolling down her beautiful, already wet cheeks. Her lips tremble, she holds out her arms and he immediately scoops her up and into his arms like she was a little kitten. She draws her knees to her chest as she clings to him, burying her face into his neck.

“It’s okay, I’m here,” he holds her with one hand, the other stroking her hair, feeling her tears soak his shirt, “I’m right here. I’ve got you, it’s alright, baby.”

“I’m sorry,” she whimpers.

“What are you sorry for?”

“You put a lot of effort into my lunch but I couldn’t eat.”

“Thena…” Now it’s him who feels like crying, “All I care about is your well-being. I can make as many sandwiches as you want.”

“Still,” she sniffles, “I hate wasting your food.”

“You’re not wasting them,” he rubs her back, “They’re still edible so I put them into the microwave. But leave them to me, I’ll make you something else.”

“What are you going to make?”

“What else? Your comfort food, of course.”

“Who eats blueberry pies for dinner?” She says, but the thought of a scalding hot pie makes her stomach rumble. Surely Gil feels that because his palm is pressed to her belly. He just laughs, lifting that same hand to stroke along the bridge of her nose, wiping away the remaining tears on her cheeks.

“We do.”

“What about your shop?” She has asked this many, many times, not just today but nearly every time he puts his work aside to stay with her when she needs him. She knows what he’ll say, she just wants to hear it again. And Gil always indulges her. He’ll repeat it as many times as it takes for her to truly believe it.

“You’re my biggest priority,” he starts rocking her back and forth gently, his voice tender and soothing as a lullaby, “And Eternal doesn’t serve dinner so there isn’t much to do, really. I’ll just come down if there are so many customers that our friends can’t handle it. But I doubt that could happen.”

For the first time in the day, Thena manages a smile. She pulls herself up a bit to kiss both of his cheeks. He scoots them to the edge of the couch to reach for the glass of water on the coffee table and brings it to her lips. She takes a few sips, then asks.

“Did Sprite come up earlier?”

“Yeah, she passed by to tell us that she did great on her exam and to thank you for tutoring her.”

“I’m glad,” her smile grows wider and she’s playing with his fingers, “I’ll text her in a minute.”

“There’s a Sport Event at her school this Sunday, she’ll be competing in badminton and a relay race.”

“Two competitions? It’s great to be young,” she rubs her cheek on his shirt. She doesn’t have many memories from her high school years, all she can recall is that it was quite dull even though she went to the same school as Sprite. And she skipped the final year to attend Oxford.

“Hey, we’re still relatively young,” he snorts, pulling her out of her thoughts, “But she’s truly having the time of her life, even directing a musical play the same day.”

“Ajak must be very proud.”

“No shit. And the girl invited us there,” Gil hands her the flyers, “Wanna go together? Could be a nice trip back to school.”

“Certainly, it’s a must. I want to see a Hadestown high school version,” then she sighs, sagging against Gil, “But I still have to survive that stupid banquet tomorrow night.”

“So you decided to go?”

She shakes her head, “After what happened today, I want to stay home even more.”

“It’s just a party anyway. If you don’t want to go, you can stay home and we’ll have a big dinner then watch TV until we fall asleep,” he runs his fingers through her hair, giving her head a light massage as he drops a kiss on her temple, “And if you wanted to go, would I still be your plus one?”

She huffs a laugh, “My one and only.”

Gil tugs at their clasped hands, “C’mon, let’s get to work. I bought some cute cookie molds, you can use them to cut decorating crusts.”

“Which shapes do you have?”

“A rabbit, a cat, a moon, a star. I think you should use the star mold, because you’re my superstar.”

“I don’t feel like one right now,” she trails off. However, she lets him lead them into the kitchen.

“Don’t sell yourself short, you’re incredible!” He turns around to face her, “It’s just that you had a hard day, it can’t deny all of your improvement. You’ve come this far,” he squeezes her hand, “I can’t say how proud I am of you, but I’ll say that if you need some rest, please know that you deserve to rest.”

“Will you be there? When I’m not feeling like a superstar,” The vulnerable, silly question that she only asks when they are alone. She absolutely doesn’t allow anyone else to see this side of her.

Gil picks her up and puts her on the table, then steps in between her legs.

“Forevermore, and after,” he promises. Even though they’ve known each other less than a year, he's sure about that more than anything.

“For as long as you’ll have me.”

He did say that to her, not so long ago, on a very different day than today. But he’s always there, seeming to be the most solid thing that’s ever been hers, the one person that she trusts enough to hold on to, lean on, or hide in. She hopes that she would never take him for granted and forget to give back, to cherish him, to let him know that she loves him with every breath she takes. But all worries evade her when he palms her face in his large hands, brushing her hair out of her face so he can kiss her forehead, the tip of her nose, and her lips, then he says, “Let’s make our pie.”

Our pie - the word makes her smile. She likes the sound of it. She likes it a lot, a lot, a lot.

[brelione]

Messy Christmas Party (Eternals X Reader)

It felt silly, sending out invitations after all these years.

But you still had a bit of hope

You made them look nice, smelling of pine with golden seals and pretty writing.

You included an address and a small map in case they had trouble finding your cabin along with a little PS saying not to feel pressured to come

The first answer you received was from Makarri. The leaves around your house were all mixed up and the snow looked as though it had been plowed through. It was more than safe to assume that she had decided to personally deliver her response.

Sersi was the second to write back and you could see how her excitement had translated into writing. The letters were messy and written down quickly, stating that she would be more than happy to come and that she would be bringing her fiance, Dane. 

The second response you received was from Gilgamesh. He said that he and Thena would be coming and they would be bringing a wagon of baked goods with them.

That put a smile on your face. Gil’s response had been very important for you. Of course you loved him but you also love his cooking.

Two more envelopes came in three days before Christmas. One from Kingo, stamped with a K and full of glitter so that when you opened it a trail of shimmer covered your pants. The second envelope was from Ikaris. It was short and blunt, saying that he might just drop in.

The day of the party you waited anxiously, still in your warm pajamas with a feast cooked up. Salads, a ginormous ham, fresh bread and biscuits, butter you had made yourself, juice, liquor, tea, coffee. Anything and everything. Christmas music plays throughout your cottage from a record that Phastos had sent you along with an indestructible record player. 

Makarri was obviously there first. Before the sun had even come up you heard a light knock on your door, the beautiful eternal on the other side. You immediately hugged her, excited to see eachother after so long. She plucked a hot biscuit from a plate, signing a review as she finished it. 

You didnt expect Phastos or Druig to show up. Really, going into this you tried to keep your expectations low just in case anyone forgot or just didnt feel like coming. But damn, did they deliver.

Phastos and his husband had come in a car that you couldnt recognize which meant that Phastos probably built it himself. It had no problem getting through the mountains and is that a flat screen tv and a snack bar in the back?

His husband had brought a loaf of blueberry bread,handing it to you shyly. You showed them around and told them to feel free to put whatever they wanted on the tv. Which for them meant watching Christmas Chronicles. Not a bad choice. 

Sersi, Dane and Sprite got there at 10 pm sharp just as the invitation said. Dressed in coats and scarves, Sprite lunging at you the second you opened the door. “Oh thank fucking god i’ve had to listen to them all day on the way here.”She says, kicking off her shoes and helping herself to blueberry loaf. 

It didnt take long for everyone to catch up, sharing their adventures and introducing spouses and making future plans. Somehow Dane ended up getting an invite to Phastos and Ben’s next spa trip since they all agreed that they needed some more time to relax.

Dane was a little too nice, complimenting everything about the house. 

Makarri scanned the pictures on your walls, waving you over when she saw a picture of Druig. Which shouldn’t be possible since cameras weren’t around the last time you all saw each other. It had been from twenty-something Christmas’ ago, faded and poor quality as he stared blankly at the camera with a Christmas hat clinging to his forehead. The one next to it made you grin since he had finally given up his act and burst into laughter.

Speaking of, a knock on your door pulled you away from the wall. Tall and in all black he stood in the doorway, a small smile on his face. “Really, you’ve outdone yourself.”He comments, stating he could hear the shouting of Christmas carols from a mile away.

Every time he looks anywhere you immediately feel yourself getting nervous, getting his attention elsewhere

Its 11:30 when you hear a loud thump from outside and a Scottish voice shout to open the door

A tree comes through before he does, Ikaris standing with a blank expression and a Santa hat on

“We aren’t dressing up, are we?”He asks as everyone laughs

He puts the tree down and goes to shut the door when I hand stops him, Gilgamesh and Thena coming through dressed to impress. Red and green velvet elves, not bad. And a wagon of treats and potatoes behind them as promised.

And its twelve when you’re all hushed by Makarri who feels the vibrations of more footsteps

Kingo.

Well, Kingo and six cameras.

“These are my friends!”He says, opening the door and stepping right in. “Kingo, the movie star. Cant step out of the spotlight for a second, can you?”Druig asks. Oh, leave it up to him to stir up family drama. 

Ikaris sits like an elephant in the room, not talking to Dane or Sersi, rather keeping to himself until you call time for the feast

Most of the sounds are then just the sound of chewing and laughter

Well, until someone throws a potato at Irish man

“Ikaris.”You warn.

You get many compliments on your cooking along with a lot of requests for you to cook all the time. “Really, why haven’t we gotten together more?”Kingo asks, swallowing a mouthful of corn. “Because we’ve been everywhere but together.”You respond. Silence fills the room, broken by Sersi. “So why not get together every couple of holidays? I’m sure your fans could wait, Kingo.”She says. “Well, I guess now’s a good time to mention,”Phastos says, gaining everyone’s attention. He looks to his husband for support, taking his hand as they explain that they are planning on adopting. Everyone is happy for him, even Ikaris although he seems to be slightly bitter. “And you’ll let me be the number one babysitter, right?”You ask. “No, that would be me.”Thena says softly. Phastos chuckles, pointing to you. “I’ve got you on speed dial for when I need it. And you could make a huge feast for the birthday party, obviously.”He says. “Obviously.”You repeat. “And maybe one for my birthday.”Dane says jokingly. You frown, nodding. “I forget that some of us here have birthdays, all more reason to celebrate.”You say, taking a sip of cider. “Well i just gave myself a birthday.”Phastos says. Sersi hums, nodding as well. “Me as well, for an instagram account.”Kingo replies. “Pick a good one.”Gil says.

“Well how old do you say you are?”You ask Kingo. “Thirty-five as far as everyone is concerned.”He says, making Sprite crackle. “No way in hell!”She shouts. “What? I don’t look thirty-five?”He asks. “Dane is 35.”Sersi says, grinning.

After the age discourse, you settled on a birthday. 9/3/93.

“That wont work, you don’t look old.”Sprite says, making everyone laugh once more.

Then came time for presents, not that they knew that of course.

A bag and a box for each of them. A first edition copy of Emma by Jane Austen for Makarri, a new green sweater for Sersi that you had made yourself, a gold ring for both Phastos and his husband with sapphire stones, an 1800’s painting for Dane, leather arm cuffs for Druig since he always liked to look cool and proper, some gorgeous emerald moon earrings for Makarri, art supplies for Ikaris, a new white gown for Thena and an old fashioned cookbook for Gil, bound in leather.

 ‘Now this, this is just divine.’Thena says, taking in every detail of the gown.

‘Fluffy raspberry chocolate dipped macarons, that sounds like something I should keep in mind.’

‘Did you make these rings yourself?’

‘Goats fur paintbrushes?’

‘Is this a vangogh?’

‘How’d you estimate my wrist size so perfectly?’

These earrings are fabulous

Let’s just say there were many more messy Christmas parties to come

With a little note at the end of the invite that said it was not in fact a bring your own Christmas tree event

@i-am-the-1930s  @thorinslittlebitch​  @uwiuwi  @slytherin-shitposts  @jordynanderson9 

[clintashaspawn]

Thena headcanons

(Because I just love her so so much and

she’s already a comfort character for me

now even though I’ve only seen Eternals

twice. I have a lot of Thena headcanons,

so buckle up folks and I hope you enjoy.)

—

she’s very protective of the ones she cares about, but in a non-hovering way

despite her babysitting privileges being revoked by Phastos, she still enjoys spending time with Jack, and would do absolutely anything to protect him because she’s a total softie for the kid

Gilgamesh’s cooking and baking was her favorite and she misses both a lot

the first couple of weeks after Gilgamesh’s death, she has vivid nightmares that keep her awake the entire night, and against her best efforts to hide the evidence of her lack of sleep, Makkari notices, but never brings it up

Thena becomes quite touch deprived after she loses Gilgamesh, but is hesitant to allow anyone to get too close to her physically

she lasts less than 48 hours without Gil before the Mahd W’yry takes over her mind and sends her into a bad episode

somehow, Makkari and Druig are able to bring her back, and she comes to lying on the floor of the Domo with her head in the other woman’s lap

Thena always finds herself surprised at how close Makkari continues to stay to her even though she’d almost died at her hands during her first Mahd W’yry attack

it pains her to see the way Druig, ever so slightly, becomes more protective of Makkari whenever she’s around because it’s just the three of them, and they all know that a Mahd W’yry Thena is an extremely dangerous Thena

I’m so sorry, Makkari, she signs after a horrid attack, hands shaking so much that to anyone else, her words wouldn’t have made sense, but without hesitation, I don’t blame you and I never will is signed back as Druig tends to the cut above her right eye, and I love you no matter what

she hasn’t had an attack in nearly four months when Thena tells them they should take her to Arishem and let him reset her mind to which Makkari (very nicely) tells her off for even mentioning such a thing and shockingly enough, Druig firmly disagrees with the idea as well

Phastos invites everyone to dinner and feeling bad for having declined his previous multiple offers over the months, she finally says yes

Makkari’s Thena-inflicted wounds have healed at this point (except for the scar on her cheek from one of Thena’s knives a few weeks ago), but Thena is sure that everyone knows what she’s done anyway, and it puts her on edge

Jack updates her about his classes in school and tells her about a “kid who says and does mean things” and she can feel the burn creep up behind her eyes (that she’s learned is a warning of an attack) at the thought of someone hurting this kid she’s grown to love very much

she has to excuse herself and because Jack still doesn’t understand, he tries to follow, and she ends up slamming a door in his face right as she loses the thread of sanity she’d been clinging to the entire visit

Thena can’t bring herself to even talk to Phastos, Jack, or Ben after that because she came entirely too close to hurting someone else she loves

Jack is eighteen the next time Thena does see him and his adoration for her hasn’t diminished one bit

Thena apologizes for staying away for so long and explains to him why, his response being to simply hug her, and tell her that she is “loved and cherished”

the longer Thena goes without an attack, the more she notices Druig starts to loosen up in her presence (again)

when Makkari impulsively decides to learn piano one day, Thena discovers just how soothing, her piano playing specifically, is, and eventually divulges to Makkari that it helps to keep her mind at bay

every now and then, something will remind Thena of Gilgamesh, and send her mind reeling, but Makkari had learned a few telltale signs prior to an attack, and in most cases, they’re now able to stop them

Thena likes to braid Makkari’s hair and depending on her mood, she’ll incorporate flowers

as much as Thena enjoys learning new things, she has to limit herself to avoid overwhelming her already fractured mind

the winter months are always the worst for Thena, but over the years, her and Makkari have come up with ways to help her get through them without an incident

Thena’s favorite time of year is right between spring and fall as everything around her changes and she’ll spend a lot of time outside

most of her wardrobe consists of off-white and tan, but never white, because white is clean and pure something she’ll never be

she’s multilingual (for obvious reasons), but finds herself mixing her languages up, or forgetting words and phrases

one of Thena’s deeply hidden concerns is that she’ll forget sign language, losing her primary form of communication with Makkari

You won’t forget. You’ll always remember, Makkari assures her confidently and all Thena can bring herself to do is thank her. You and Gil always believed in me even when I’d doubt myself. Thank you, Kari.

Thena’s nickname for Makkari is “Kari”

she does miss fighting, but tries her best not to dwell on it too much (because she sent herself spiraling into an attack by accident doing that in the past)

although she’s suffered with Mahd W’yry for years, Thena still isn’t exactly sure what all of her triggers are, and the thought of not knowing every single thing that could trigger her is one of the very few fears she has

Thena’s favorite color is orange because it reminds her of Gilgamesh

she misses Gilgamesh’s touch and the way it never failed to ground her

for the longest time, Thena didn’t think she would ever admit that aloud, and for the longest time, she didn’t

when she told Gilgamesh, his eyes crinkled at the corners from the beaming smile that spread across his face, and she couldn’t hold back her genuine smile in return

the only other person who she’d ever admitted that to was Makkari

it was as Thena was coming down from a Mhad W’yry attack which promptly sent her into a full blown panic attack, but Makkari was there, her Kari

Makkari held a hand up and Thena’s fingertips met hers, close your eyes, she signed, and Thena obeyed, red rimmed eyes fluttering closing, and her friend signed against her fingers, You’re okay, Thena. I’m here. Take a deep breath. And her other hand pulled Thena’s up to her chest.

it took nearly ten minutes of signed reassurances and mimicking Makkari’s controlled breaths for Thena to only have to force her sobs into submission rather than succumb to hyperventilation

I miss him, she signed and cried out, I just want to feel his hand in mine one more time, and Makkari wrapped her in a hug

neither of them spoke about it afterward

Makkari is the only other person Thena allows to get and remain physically close to her

Thena uses art, primarily oil painting, as a way of expression, especially after a Mahd W’yry attack, she’ll draw what flashed by her eyes

[himoutolifestyle]

Let’s talk about Gilgamesh!

So as I mentioned in Thena’s backstory, she and Gilgamesh met pretty soon after Thena was adopted by Arishem. They trusted each other with almost everything (which is why Gil was so aware of everything going on with Arishem) and were so close that a lot of people thought that they were dating, but they were not. Yet. 

There was a time in middle school where Gilgamesh made a pie for Thena for her birthday. It was the ugliest thing in existence, he didn’t want to give it to Thena, but she found out about it and ate the entire thing up. From that point on, Gilgamesh got really invested into cooking as a hobby. It got to the point where in high school, he would invite Thena and her siblings over for dinner sometimes (as mentioned in Sweets for His Sweetheart). It was in high school when he realized how Gilgamesh wanted his relationship with Thena to be more romantic. 

Once Gilgamesh got into college, he and Thena started dating each other. Ajak and Phastos were so shocked because they thought that they were already dating.  

Gilgamesh was originally pursuing a mechanical engineering degree, but with a little help from Thena, he realized that he wanted to cook for a living.  He then switched to a gastronomy degree while working in a restaurant part time. But even though he was busy, he always made time for Thena. Even after they graduated and after Thena’s mental health declined. 

Gilgamesh wanted to be a pillar of support for Thena, just as she had always done for him. He stayed by her side, married her, and would go through everything again just to make sure that they were happy together.

Other Backstories: Arishem  I Thena I Druig I Ikaris I Sprite I Makkari I Gilgamesh

[softquietsteadylove]

More from the lawyer au please? Maybe Thenas sister sending him a thank you card? Something sweet? :)

"What are you doing friday?"

Gil nearly choked on his gulp of soda. That would be a sad way to die--aspirating a fastfood straw. He blinked. "Sorry?"

"Friday," Thena repeated, tilting her head a little to convey that she was baffled as to why it would bear repeating. "Do you have plans?"

He still felt ready to choke on his bite of sandwich. But he dusted off his hands and pushed away from his desk. "Uh, n-no--no, I'm free. What's up?"

"Would you be able to come over on friday night?"

Now, he blushed. He knew this wasn't the case, but he really did feel a little like this was sounding like a date. Maybe it was just how she was asking it. It wasn't beyond Thena to say something plainly and not really know how someone else might take it.

Thena's eyes darted downward, looking at the case files she was carrying (despite it being their small and precious lunch hour). Which, in anyone else, he would take for a sign of nerves. But there was no telling when it came to Thena. "I know it's rather sudden."

He didn't know what to think. They were colleagues, and he would even dare to say they were work friends. Maybe more than work friends, possibly, since he'd made a home cooked meal with her for her sisters. But not only did the firm have issues with colleagues dating, for obvious reasons, but he wasn't sure what brought this on.

He didn't really take Thena to be interested in dating. For all he could see, her only concern was taking care of her sisters. Which would make sense, of course. And he didn't want to be responsible for making her uncomfortable at work or anything.

"Gil?"

He blinked again, realising he had zoned right out and missed what she had asked. "S-Sorry, I, uh-"

"Sprite's birthday is on friday," she sighed, no longer beating around the bush. "She asked me if I would invite you."

"She asked," he paused, craning his neck faintly, "if I could come?"

Thena smiled, though. "Sprite has become quite fond of you, as has Sersi."

"Well, I gotta admit I'm flattered," he smiled as well, swayed by the warmth that took over Thena whenever she talked about her sisters. "I get the feeling that they don't take to people easily...at least not Sprite."

"You're right about that," she conceded. Her posture loosened and she leaned against his desk a little. "Sprite has never been the most social. Unfortunately, she is quite like me, and our father, in that way. Sersi got our mother's warmth and inviting presence."

He raised his brows at her, "you can be warm."

"Gilgamesh," she rebutted with a look he recognised from when she was in court.

"Hey, it's true," he chuckled, pushing aside his lunch and leaning comfortably in his chair. "You just need to defrost a little, but once you're there, you're there."

"Funny," she murmured, although it sounded less cutting and maybe even a little humoured.

"So, Sprite doesn't want a thing with her friends?" he asked more quietly--more gently. He watched as Thena cast a cursory glance to the rest of the office floor before moving around his desk. She pulled up a chair for herself, folding herself into it stiffly.

"Sprite, unfortunately," Thena grimaced (it really was bad), "fell out of touch with some of her friends after our parents' passing."

He frowned. He would have thought she had found herself making stronger bonds, not losing them. "I-I'm sorry. Is she okay?"

Thena's deeply concerned expression didn't lighten. "They were nice, but I believe Sprite has held onto a lot of anger regarding things. And her friends...they were kind, but I don't think their bond was strong enough to endure the true weight of Sprite has been through."

So, they were friends but they weren't any true friends of the kid's. Gil nodded with his own sense of regret to it. "Shit--did this happen right around that time, too?--if it's okay for me to ask that."

Thena managed a faint pull of her lips at his consideration. She stared down at her files again, running her finger along the edge to occupy her mind. "I suspect that Sprite was largely responsible for their growing apart. They attempted to reach out but she wasn't in a frame of mind to accept their efforts. And so the bridge wasn't so much burned as it simply crumbled away from disrepair."

That was a good way to put it, all things considered. But that was tough for a kid to go through what she had at such a young age, and not have friends to support her through it.

"I asked Sersi what I should do," Thena confessed to him. She said it easily, but it didn't escape him that it was a pretty big confession to make for her. There was a time when he was too scared to ask her what she'd had for lunch that day. Now they were talking about her sisters' grieving processes. "She said that Sprite doesn't want anyone she barely knows, which accounts for many of her school acquaintances. So, she wants only people she knows. I'll order whatever she likes, Sersi will be there of course, our cousin Kingo whom she has always adored. And she asked if I would invite you."

It was enough to warm a heart, certainly. And he was already a sensitive enough guy, so he didn't need much to be moved to tears. "Really? I mean I'm honored, really, but is she sure that she knows me well enough to invite me to something like this?"

Thena laughed at his reluctance though. "You underestimate her fondness for you."

"Maybe I misunderstand it," he excused for himself with a sheepish wince. He drew in his shoulders, although he kept rumpling his suits that way. He tugged at his jacket, remembering how Thena had done so for him at the courthouse not long ago.

Thena looked pensive, selecting her words carefully. She pursed her lips faintly; he had seen her do that in court too. "Sprite has very good intuition. She decides very quickly if someone is trustworthy or not, let alone if she likes them. And immediately after you helped us with the lasagne, she has asked me nearly daily when you are coming over next. She said you seem fun, and nice, and-"

He was startled by the way she paused in the middle of things. But to his delight, she made a somewhat annoyed expression he definitely recognised from when Sprite had whined about having a diet coke.

"I don't make friends much either, so as much as she was surprised, if I am fond of you, then you must be someone good to know. That is how she phrased it to me," Thena sighed, equal parts exasperated and fond. She raised her plucked, sandy coloured brows at him. "So trust me when I tell you that you have my entire family's approval."

Except for this cousin that was coming, but still, it was nice to hear. Gil grinned, "well, then, I'll be more than happy to come. What can I bring?"

"Just yourself," Thena assured more like her usual cool and strict self. "I will take care of any and all gifts. Consider your company a gift in itself."

"If you say so," he conceded, although he was already thinking about what he might be able to 'just happen to pick up' at the mall or something.

"I'll tell Sprite and Sersi the good news, then," she concluded, standing from her chair and smoothing down her skirt. "I can text you more specific details tomorrow, but for now, expect to come over friday after work and enjoy dinner and perhaps some movies."

"Sounds fun," he promised happily, although he could still feel the lingering foolishness for thinking she was asking him out.

"Also," she opened up the folder on top of her stack and retrieved a small envelope. "This is from Sprite. I was asked to give it to you, but only if you accepted her invitation."

"Ah," he blinked, accepting it delicately. It was a plain white envelope with GIL written on it in pretty cursive. "Well, thank you."

"I don't know what it is, so you can't ask me," she disavowed with another laugh. "Nor are you allowed to show me afterward, either. It is just from Sprite to you."

He smiled; well, now he really had to pick out something for the kid. "Thank her for me."

"I will."

He smiled at her as she left his desk to go back to her own again. She was indeed working through her lunch hour, but he would have to hope she had a power bar or a protein smoothie somewhere. He looked down at the envelope again, excited in a way he hadn't been in a long, long time.

"Hey Gil, what did Ice Queen want?"

"I don't know if I've ever seen her smile."

He ignored his colleagues and their suggestive tones, opening the envelope carefully.

"Did she sign it with a kiss? Those lips-"

"Piss off," he barked at them, easily sending away the absolute pricks who both liked to disparage that Thena wasn't a 'team player' but also loved to insinuate that they had a shot with her.

Dear Gil, it's me, ya boi

I guess Thena asked you, and that you said yes. I hope she didn't pressure you or whatever. It's just gonna be a chill time. Kingo is nice, you'll like him. And Thena likes you, even if she's never said it. She doesn't like anyone, so it's really something.

Thanks for always being nice to my sister,

Sprite

It was a funny contrast--the elegance of the calligraphy and the overall tone of the note. But he blinked, feeling that feeling in his eyes. It was just so sweet, no matter how funny and sarcastic she tried to make it.

The comment about being nice to her sister spoke volumes. It was no surprise to him that the sisters were worried for their guardian, even - and maybe especially - the youngest one. Perhaps Sprite had anxieties about her sister being in a hostile work environment. Maybe she had heard that many of their coworkers were sexist asshats. And maybe Sprite just wanted to look out for her sister in whatever way she could.

Gil slipped the card away, happy to take it home so he could put it in a safe place of honour in his apartment. It was a sweet gesture, and he was determined to do right by it. He would find a card that suited Sprite's humour, he would find a thoughtful but casual gift to bring, and maybe he would even bring cupcakes or something, if Thena wanted it. And he would take it seriously as a guest to a very exclusive party.

This was far more pressure than a date.

[softquietsteadylove]

Proposal AU

Thena takes care of a very exhausted Gil!

Something sweet and soft 🤭

Gil groaned, trying to turn his face away from the light.

"It's almost over."

He blinked, finding his nose buried in a head of blonde brighter than sunshine. He could have just nestled in further, which was damn tempting of course. But he groaned, adjusting in the...hammock?

"You know, you're actually quite lucky," Thena continued in a whisper. Her fingers ran through his hair. "Had I not joined you here, I'm sure your mother or sisters would have no trouble awakening you for what is actually our own party. But with me in here as well, everyone thinks we're too wrapped up in pre-marital snuggling to bother you."

"You're doing an awful lot of talking for someone determined to let me sleep."

She gave his cheek a poke. "I know very well you're awake. You stopped snoring."

"I do not snore," he grumbled, moving his head so she could pull away and look at him. He pouted.

"You snore a little," she broke it to him gently at least, poking his lip back into place. "But I'll forgive you because you're so exhausted."

He yawned completely reflexively, but he at least pressed it into the shoulder of her cardigan. "How long?"

"A couple of hours."

That scared him. He jolted, not that it did much in their hanging basket arrangement. "No."

Thena nodded, though, confirming the statement that had sent fear shooting through him. "Just over two hours, assuming I found you relatively close to when you fell asleep."

"Thena, no," he groaned again, attempting to drown himself in the fabric suspending them off the ground. "No, no, no--my mom worked her ass off for this party, I can't have been asleep for that long."

"Sh," Thena hushed him from those soft lips again. She was being awfully tender with him. "I told her that I was the one who lulled you into sleep. If anyone is to blame, it's me."

He whimpered, though. "I'm a bad son."

"On the contrary," she had the nerve to laugh at him when he was upset. "You are the son who cooked every morsel of food at this party. If you happened to spend most of it in a hammock with your own fiance, I can't imagine she would have anything to say about it."

Well, she had a point. He did cook all of the food. And Ajak was always telling him to try and relax - with Thena - more. He sighed again, unfolding his arms from around himself and resting one over the curve of Thena's waist. "Guess I can't argue with that."

"You haven't missed much," she informed him. "Ajak announced how pleased she was for us."

Gil snorted, pulling Thena closer to him as a breeze rocked the hammock faintly. "That wasn't what she said when I first told her. Nearly took my ear off demanding to know why I hadn't said anything until now."

"You have a lovely family, Gil."

He opened his eyes again to look at the woman in the hammock with him. Some of their relatives had arrived early for this party. They were distant, some more family friends than anything. But it was certainly an escalation to their little lie. They were having to do couple-y things more often. A 'love you' here, a 'missed you' there. A brush of his hand over her shoulder--that kind of thing. He smiled, "are you actually in here avoiding them?"

Thena didn't deny it, which was basically a confirmation. She slid her hands up his chest and nestled her head closer again, approaching a position to tuck it under his chin. "Your mother knows a staggering number of people."

Gil chuckled, tucking her against him so she wouldn't have to close the gap herself. She happily accepted his invitation, practically settling into him like a cat in a sunbeam. "Sorry I left you to handle them all yourself."

"I gave up rather quickly," she lamented. "Said I had to find you to ask you something for the wedding. It worked to help me avoid anyone for nigh on half an hour."

"We're both bad hosts."

"Indeed," Thena agreed, not seeming all that upset about it. She sighed, her hot breath hitting his throat. "I'll apologise to your mother later."

"I'm pretty sure you can do no wrong in her eyes," he assured her. He had just had a pretty solid nap, but it was way too comfortable to continue lying there with Thena to even think about trying to roll out of the swaying hammock. "You'll be her first daughter-in-law. To her only son, no less. An eldest son I'm pretty sure she was getting worried wouldn't be settling down at all."

"Hm."

"Hey," he called to her before she could slide down that slippery slope of regret. He rubbed small circles in her back, "don't worry about it."

She didn't say anything else, but one of her hands slipped around his side and to his back, clutching a fistful of his shirt. She pressed her face into his shoulder.

He sighed, ready to settle into sleep again, feeling the familiar position of Thena cuddled up to him. He was nearly there when he heard a grating voice getting closer and closer.

"Yoohoo!--lovebirds?"

Gil kept his eyes closed, not in the mood for his showboat cousin who probably wanted to make some dramatic speech about them or drag him up in front of everyone.

"Gil, mom's lookin' for you!"

Thena stirred but he cradled the back of her head with his hand and held the small of her back. "It's a trap."

She puffed out some air at his joke before whispering, "diabolical."

"Very," he whispered back, eyes still closed.

"Here they-oh!"

Gil resisted the urge to tell his brother - in every way that mattered - to fuck off and not wake his fiance. He held Thena firmly, determined to appear asleep.

"It's so sweet!"

"Let them rest, you two--Makkari, put the stick down!"

His youngest sister was no doubt about to poke him in the face with it. His sweet and elegant mother had raised a bunch of animals.

He only cracked his eyes open when he heard them padding away, complaining why he got to skip out on the party duties, like entertaining guests and cleaning up as things started coming to a close.

"We can't sleep in here all night, you know."

"Why not?" he grinned, immediately pulled back into the little world that was the high sides of the hammock bending around his weight. "It's comfy."

"I would hardly call this lumbar support," she argued, although he was pretty sure she wasn't that far from dozing off herself. "And what if it rains?"

"We're in the trees, it's fine," he laughed. They weren't exactly in the depths of the wooded area surrounding the house, but they were away from everything else enough that they weren't the easiest to find in here.

"Gil," she scolded, but made no attempt to get up, or even separate herself from him.

"Mom wouldn't let that happen," he reassured, although it made her go quiet again. "Fine, just a few more minutes."

"Five, not a second more."

"Deal," he smiled. She sounded like she did when they were at work. It felt so far away, they'd been here so long. Not that they didn't deserve the break. And Thena had even more paid time off than he did. He was pretty sure she never took a day off.

Unless she was sick. In which case he would rush home from work and cook up his most healing chicken soup and noodles for her.

Thena didn't stir as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. If anything, she nestled closer to him, "five minutes."

"Five minutes," he repeated, moving his lips down her cheek, closer to her lips. He didn't close the distance quite yet, but Thena didn't pull herself away either. And he didn't need the next five minutes to make his decision.

It was chaste, just the barest brushing of lips against lips. It was like a peck. Thena didn't make any sudden moves or any sounds at all. Only she could lie perfectly still and straight postured in a hammock. "Was that your attempt at bartering?"

He grinned, their heads still too close to really see each other, breath mixing and lips twitching to meet again. "Depends if it worked."

"No."

"Fine," he conceded, moving his hands to her cheeks. He gave her another little peck before she tucked herself into the crook of his neck again. This was just another couple-y thing to add to the list, apparently. Not that he minded.

[softquietsteadylove]

I just love Thenamesh Receptionist AU and the way Gil changes his personality from the adorable house husband to this ruthless dangerous gangster when it comes to Thena.

But what if this time it’s the other way? Thena suddenly becoming the goddess of war snapping at some business partners who dare to insult him and making fun of him? Gil being secretly proud but masks it with his unreadable gangster look.

It's been a long time since she's brought in tea to Gil while he's in a business meeting. It adds to the general nostalgia of being in the office, she finds.

Gil is discussing some business plans with a few men she has seen before. Not only are they in the 'shipping' business as well, but she knows that they're almost like frenemies with each other. Perhaps it's accurate to say they're rivals from back when they were first starting out in the business.

Thena sets down the cups of barley tea, keeping it discreet as she peeks at her partner through her lashes. He's just as subtle about looking at her, although she can see a hint of a smile tucked behind his fist pressed against his lips.

"You know what I missed the most about you working here?" One of the associates says with a laugh. "His sexy receptionist."

"Watch it," Gil snaps at them without hesitation. If they didn't have a history of friendly rivalry between them they would already be on their third strike.

"He's right," the other business partner smacks his chest lightly and points at Gil, "he is our gracious host."

Gil remains quiet, waiting to see where this is going (and if he still has to tell these guys off for talking about his girlfriend like this, right to his face, and when she's standing right there).

"Yeah, besides," they both turn at him with matching grins, "he's already whipped."

Thena frowns, standing aside with the tray pressed to her chest--whipped?--Gil?

The men laugh between themselves though--far too hard for a joke that wasn't funny to begin with. "You're right, he's a docile little house husband, now!"

"I bet he does all the cooking and cleaning!"

Well, the cooking, but that's because she can't cook for shit. And she thinks they're quite good about splitting housework, actually.

"Can you even still run the business?" one of them laughs a little too hard, a little too loud, this time. "Or do you have to ask for your balls back from her when you call a meeting?"

Thena walks back over, pulling the empty cup away from him so she has room to raise the tray and hit him in the face with it full force.

The other one sits there, stunned. "What are you-"

"Do you want to be next?" she demands, and he immediately shakes his head no. "Now it's one thing if you want to talk like old friends, but to insult the man who built the empire into which you've been invited!"

Gil lets her go on, enjoying this far too much to interrupt her. And man, she has a great swing!

Thena pulls the man she hit in the face upright again by the tie, making sure he's collected himself enough to listen to her. "If you're sad about being lonely that's your own fault, but if you speak another word at Gilgamesh's expense the next hit with this tray is going to be with the intention of rupturing your entire nutsack."

All three men wince just at her description.

Thena tosses him back in his seat, walking back to the edge of Gil's desk. "Any questions? Or do you think you can manage the rest of this deal via email?"

The gentlemen see themselves out, walking on wobbly knees (one of them needing the other to guide him to the door with his broken nose and swollen eyes). They bow out the door, offering only their respects to both parties.

Thena rolls her eyes as soon as the door is shut behind them again.

"That's my Goddess!"

Thena laughs as Gil sweeps her into his arms and off her feet. He managed to keep such a straight face with them around but now he's back to being her golden retriever of a househusband. "Gil!"

"God, that was hot, Naekkeo!" he laughs, spinning her around with his arms around her waist.

"Well," she murmurs as he sets her down again, "they don't get to talk about you like that."

"Hm," he smiles at her, and she knows from that look in his eye that they're probably done working for the day. "I like having the Goddess of War watching over me."

"Gil, you are a mob boss."

"So?" he shrugs, leaning in to kiss her with a grin, "I like it when you let me lie down with my head in your lap."

Thena kisses him with a sigh, leaning against him as he pries the bloody tray out of her hands. "I like that too."

[softquietsteadylove]

Hii.. so I have this little request for a story. You probably remember the scene were the Eternals arrive in Australia? I had the idea that Thena was in the house with Gilgamesh, he comes out after they called him (like in the movie) but Thena comes out shortly after him only wearing one of his shirts and the other Eternals react to it somehow? I would love to read something like this. I don’t think I need to add how much I love your stories (since you probably know that by now :))

"And her trusty friend, the mighty...Gilgamesh!"

"Gilgamesh!"

Ikaris stood back as the door to the house opened. Gil stared back at him, and then at Kingo over his shoulder, equally confused to see them. He tilted his head at Karun's little documentary camera, waving his hand through the air like a cranky elder dismissing a child.

"Gil," Ikaris nodded, trying his best to be amiable with the brother he hadn't seen in literal centuries. "Lookin' good."

Neither were quite sure if it was a joke about the flowery 'kiss the cook' apron or not. But GIlgamesh laughed all the same, "I know. Wish I could say the same to you."

Ikaris' smile dropped.

KIngo laughed, though. "Same old Gil. You do look good, though."

Kingo's smooth talk didn't budge Gilgamesh from the doorway. He wasn't yelling at them to leave but he hadn't exactly invited them in, either. He put his hands on his hips, "not that this isn't nice, but...what are you guys doing here?"

Sprite gestured vaguely to the Deviant carcass, not as far away as they would have liked it to be. "That didn't strike you as odd?"

Gil crossed his thick arms over his even thicker chest, "my mind was on more important things."

"Gil?"

Ah, yes, there she was: the most important thing in the world to Gilgamesh.

A long, pale leg poked out first, then the Warrior Eternal emerged. She was also dressed for home life. Actually, she wasn't as dressed as they expected her to be.

Ikaris looked up and around at the cloudless sky, "fuck's sake, Thena."

Karun startled as Kingo gripped the camera in his hand and yanked it away from him. He jumped when the Eternal shot clean through it, shattering it to pieces.

"Hey," Gil whispered to her, bringing his hand up to her back as she took up the spot beside him on the threshold. "What are you doing up?"

She nodded her head in the direction of their family collective. "They woke me."

He sighed, keeping his eyes on her as if he'd forgotten about their audience. "I worried they would. But you should be resting."

Thena let out a soft, almost kittenish sigh as Gil trailed his hand up and down her back, over the linen of the shirt. "I got some sleep."

"You feel better?"

"Much," she tilted her head, which he eagerly cushioned with his other hand to let her nestle her cheek into his palm.

"Um," Sprite cleared her throat, nothing short of disgusted, "what the fuck?"

"Hello," Thena finally looked over the group, greeting them mildly.

"Hello?!" Kingo scoffed, at least able to look at her, unlike Ikaris. "That's what we get after not only hundreds of years, but also you coming out like this?!"

Thena looked down at herself, and the shirt of Gilgamesh's billowing around her thighs in the midday breeze. She blinked at her brother's fluster. "I was asleep."

Kingo shook his head, waving his hands around wildly.

Gil shrugged, "this is all she'll sleep in."

"Gross," Sprite grumbled as she kicked a little dirt with her shoe.

Sersi rolled her eyes. Five minutes together and her family was just as insufferable as she remembered. She walked over, elbowing Ikaris on her way. "Will you get a hold of yourself? I have dresses shorter than that shirt is on her."

Kingo snapped a finger at her, "that does not make me feel better."

Sersi just shook her head, leaning forward to hug her sister in greeting. She ran a hand along the braid sitting over Thena's shoulder. "This is new."

"Not to us."

Sersi just smiled as Gil's hand found Thena's waist again, eager to pull her back to him. It certainly answered the question of when Thena had learned to braid hair--she hadn't. Or maybe she had, but it was not her who had done it this time. "You can catch us up, then."

The family filtered into the house behind Sersi. Sprite didn't even look at their hosts as she walked by. Karun seemed to bewildered to look at anything. Ikaris and Kingo both glared at them, but Thena didn't mind her brothers or their annoyances.

Gil pressed his lips to her temple. "You sure you feel up to this? That was a hell of a fight."

"And I believe we may have more waiting," she sighed, her hand also running up and down his back as their family sat themselves around the table. She looked up at him. "I'll get dressed. Keep an eye on them."

He smiled, kissing her cheek, "it'll be hard with you looking like this."

[softquietsteadylove]

Time for something SPICY happening between gangster Gilgamesh and his beautiful secretary Thena!

"Gil?" Thena calls as she leaves her purse by the door and kicks off her heels. The whole place smells amazing--has since she brought Gilgamesh back with her to her new London flat. She never knew he was such a good home cook, but it makes sense.

"In here!"

It's funny, to her, how smoothly they settled into a routine. It isn't under the most ordinary circumstances either. But Gilgamesh is surprisingly easy to be around without the worry of a 'shipping company' to mind. He seems to like the 'house-husband life' as he likes to call it.

She tells him not to. She doesn't tell him it's because it's not good for her silly little heart to think of him like that.

From the moment Sersi picked them up from the airport, it's all she's thought of. Gil had wanted to hire a car service, but she reminded him they were lying low. And normal people get picked up from the airport all the time.

Sersi asked her if this was the 'hot boss' she'd heard about. Thena nearly killed her for it, ride home be damned.

But Gil loves it in London, so he says. He likes doing tourist-y things, which is oddly cute of him. He likes going to the farmer's market and buying fresh ingredients. Cooking takes up a lot of his time, as well as cleaning the flat.

He says it occupies his time. And that it's the least he can do since she's essentially harbouring him in her home.

She doesn't think of it like that. He needs her, and for the first time since meeting him, it's her in the position to offer him support and protection. So she didn't think twice about inviting him into her home.

Well, it is a new home; her old apartment was a small - but functional - one bedroom close to her work at the museum. But since Sersi moved in with Dane, she'd offered them her old lease. No need for Gil to live off her couch, as he'd so gallantly and automatically offered.

Thena blinks as he rushes over to her, apron on, helping her out of her coat and unwinding her scarf from her neck. She stares at him and the happy glow of his cheeks.

He brushes her hair over her shoulders again, holding the scarf in his hands, smiling at her. "How was your day?"

"Uh," Thena blinks, feeling a familiar fluttering inside of her. "It was fine--quite average."

"I have a roast in the oven," he smiles, grinning like making a beef roast is the most amazing thing he's ever accomplished. "You said you were craving one, so I looked up a bunch of different recipes."

He's far too sweet for her to maintain her sanity. How is she supposed to get over her feelings for him when he wears aprons and rolls up his sleeves and makes pot roasts and smells like cinnamon and-

"Hey," he frowns a little, catching the dazed look in her eye. His hand comes to rest on her arm, guiding her away from the kitchen and to the couch. "It's been a long week, huh?"

"Well-"

"You just sit," he orders, pressing her shoulders down so she can recline on the sofa. "I have dinner all set. Do you want a drink?"

It's all so...domestic.

She doesn't have time to answer. She can hear him pouring her a glass of wine. He's kept her fridge better stocked than she ever has in her adult life.

"Yeobo," he says as he offers it to her, like it's so cute to call her 'honey' or 'darling'. Like it's nothing. Like it doesn't drive her mad.

She lets it slide as she takes a sip. Rather than go back to the kitchen, he sits next to her, both too far away and too close. He leans against the back cushion, his cheek against his fist. "How was your day?"

"You're looking at it," he shrugs, gesturing around the immaculate living room. "Although, I was excited for you to come home."

Thena tilts her head as he takes her glass - that he literally just poured for her - out of her hand and pulls her more towards him. She lets it happen, because what else is she going to do?--tear herself out of those warm, strong arms of his?

"Thank you," he says softly, his hand on her hair as he holds her. "For three months--three of the best months of my life, in fact."

It's been three months already? Sometimes it feels like yesterday she first got him settled into the second bedroom. It was a home office, then it was a guest room. Now, it's Gil's room, she supposes, for however long he wants to call it his.

Thena sighs; at some point she let go of her surprise and turned her head into the embrace. She can smell the cologne on the inside of his shirt collar and the wine he must have been using to braise the roast. "Mine too."

He laughs faintly, and she tries not to let it get to her when she feels his heart thump against her palm on his chest. He pulls back to smile at her again and she realises he's shaved.

"I would have dressed for the occasion," she tucks some hair behind her ear, and then realises that it maybe says more than she wanted to. "Or picked up a cake or something."

"I made dessert, don't worry that pretty head of yours," he grins at her, and she dreads to think he can tell she feels unnerved. "And you always look beautiful."

What is he even saying? Thena tucks back the same hair again and turns her knees away from him, feeling her cheeks start to blush.

"Thena."

She looks at him with wide eyes. His fingers are gentle on her chin, tipping her head back to him gently. Not that he needs to try very hard for her attention to be all his.

"I mean it," he reiterates, his brows furrowed in his seriousness. "Being here--being with you, like this, I've...it's been-"

She kisses him. She doesn't know why, but in that moment, she reaches out and she pulls his lips to hers with her hand at the back of his head. He's just so sweet, and he looks so handsome, and he says such lovely things that make her just want to climb all over him-

"Oh god," she releases him just as quick as she pulled him in. She's up off the couch, smoothing over her skirt, her cardigan, her hair. She starts wringing her hands together as the heat builds. "Fuck, what have I done?"

"Thena?"

"I-I'm so sorry, Gil," she stutters, pacing in front of the coffee table. She can't even look at him. "I-I shouldn't have--y-you don't have to--you don't owe me anyth-"

He kisses her. Just as well, or she was never going to get out a fully composed sentence. His fingers are in her hair, his hand is at her back, his lips are against hers with feverish desire. "Is that what you're worried about?"

His voice is rough, almost like a growl. And it does things to her brain, and to her spine. Her eyes flutter, unable to bring herself to pull away from his kissing. "Hm?"

Gil moves with intent. He pulls her back down to the couch, lies her down on her back. He leans over her, holding her hands and entangling their fingers. He's smirking--smirking! "Like it's so easy for me to resist my beautiful receptionist?"

Thena gulps, heat rushing all through her, from her burning hot cheeks to her neck, to her chest, to much further.

Gil seems like watching her chest heave for breath. She likes watching his do the same. "My beautiful Thena--you know I've wanted this too."

Her eyes flutter again as he lowers himself down to her again. He kisses her lips gently, and then it's back to business.

"Wanted you," he continues, kissing along her cheek and to her neck. He seems to know exactly what to say. She knew he liked to watch K-Dramas (he just doesn't want to admit it). "For so long."

"Gil," she can't help but gasp as he kisses to her shoulder, nuzzling his way into the neckline of her white cardigan as he undoes the first few buttons. He reaches the strap of her bra and pauses. She dreads to think that he's looking at her again.

He is. "Do you want this?"

Her stupid tongue is all tied up. She squirms a little. She nods.

He leans down again, noses almost touching, fingers poised to pop the last button left before they can't go back. "Do you want me?"

She almost whines--barely stops herself in time. She wants him. She wants him like she's never wanted anything before. "Yes."

Gil skips over her neck and goes right to her kissing along the edge of her bra, pulling her cardigan off her with a gentleness that contrasts his hungry lips. "This looks good on you."

"Hm," she barely gets out, and mostly on instinct, her mind far too occupied with his teeth dragging over the skin of her breast.

"Makes me want to make love to you with it around your shoulders."

Fuck, this man is going to steal every last shred of sanity she has. And she is going to let him. "Gil, please."

"Please what, Naekkeo?"

That's not fair. She squirms under him again as he kisses down between her breasts, over the plane of her stomach under her tight white skirt. His hands are sneaking up her thighs in the opposite trajectory. "More."

He gives her much, much more. Thena bites down on her lip as lifts her hips off the couch like it's nothing. His hands are quick with pushing her skirt up completely. He makes quick work of the rest of her clothes. Or maybe he's going slow, and she just doesn't know it because her brain is broken.

"You ready, Thena?" he calls her eyes to him again. He's daring her to look at him as he kisses from the inside of her knee up to the top of her thigh high stockings. He snaps one against her thigh. "I figured I'd see something like this under it--it's so tight."

She noticed him noticing how tight the skirt is. That's why she started wearing it more often. "Just how close were you looking?"

"Close enough to drive me mad."

Thena lets out a sound she's never heard herself make as he dives between her legs. Her hand finds his hair, but instead of pushing him away she grips a handful of his hair. "Gil!"

He hums against her skin--against parts of her barer than that. His lips and his tongue share a common goal, and he's really, really good at using them.

Thena pants for breath, all but clawing at her chest as if that would help. She's probably flopping on the couch like a fish, but she doesn't care how ungraceful she looks so long as he's doing that. "Fuck!"

He chuckles against her inner thigh--she can feel it. "I like hearing you curse."

"Fuck," she repeats as he returns his attentions to her clit with renewed vigour. She can't remember the last time she got this treatment. She might have never gotten this, actually. "Fuck, fuck, Gil, yes!"

He's too good with that mouth of his. He drinks her up, letting her ride out her high with one of her hands in his hair and the other clinging to him a little too honestly. He releases her with a pop(!) and swipes at his chin. "You good?"

"Hm," she hums quietly, one of her arms tossed over her forehead and her eyes. She's a trembling mess is what she is. She's never been so good in her life. Her lungs are still screaming for air, but every breath smells and tastes of him. She really is going mad.

"Good." She hears him rustling and then she's being picked up. "'Cause this is just the beginning."

She doesn't know if she can handle any more. But at the same time, she is starving for it--ravenous, in fact. Her arms are looped around his neck as he holds her like a bride. She's sure she's positively glowing with colour. "The roast."

He grins, as if he expected her to bring up the stupid oven. "It's on a timer, don't worry. We can take our time."

Thena gasps as he bounces her in his arms before heading towards her room. His lips are on her ear.

"Unless you want me to be more...to the point."

She's tired of trying to think of clever things to say. Because it's not going to happen, and all she's going to say is something stupid, like how much she wants him to fuck her through the mattress into the floor.

Gil has no complaints as she pulls him into a kiss again. He doesn't even kick the door closed as he sets her on the bed. She helps him toss his shirt to the floor. He tries to help her undo his belt and trousers but she slaps him away. "You really are in a hurry."

She glares up at him as he does the same with unzipping her skirt and tossing it away. "As if you aren't a fucking tease yourself."

They topple onto the bed, rolling into the centre of it with their lips sealed together for dear life. Thena's hands are all over him, tracing the lines of his muscles as if she could commit them to memory.

Gil kisses her back just as firmly, just as fiercely. But it doesn't surprise her that his touch is gentle. His hands are so strong he could easily encircle her entire arm, she's sure. But he lets his fingers drift over her as if she's placid water he doesn't want to disturb.

Thena gasps, her head rolling on the pillow as the gentle caresses resume their original intention. His mouth is on her again, doing all those amazing things. "I need you."

"Fuck, Thena," he whispers against her neck, pressing his palms into the mattress as he lines himself up. "Do you know what you do to me?"

She doesn't have an answer. She doesn't have a single thought as she feels him inside of her, hot and thick and pulsing. She has most definitely never had anything like this. Her legs drag along his and she uses her knee to bump his hip. Her nails drag up his thick shoulders. She's clinging to him a little too honestly, but she doesn't care anymore. "Fuck, Gil, baby-"

Gil starts moving, and her breathy pleas turn into soft moans against his ear. He shifts between kissing whatever of her porcelain skin he can reach to breathing roughly against her hair. He groans as her nails drag down his back. "Thena."

She whines, her lips reaching up for his, tongues tangling together. Her hips move against him as their pace increases. Her breath is quick and light, fluttering in and out, burst by burst. "Fuck, Gil, please--please come with me."

"Fuck," he growls, gripping the pillow through her hair and letting his hips take up whatever tempo they want (which is feverish and desperate).

Thena lets out a loud, silken moan. He lets out a string of Korean curses, her name intermingled into the half-formed thoughts. He lifts her hips up off the bed and she feels her whole head burst like a firework. "Gil!"

He chokes on his air as she clamps down around him, hips grinding against his, her whole body writhing against him. He holds her tight, both of them gasping for air and kissing at the same time.

Thena opens her eyes slowly. She can barely remember where she is, and with whom. But she can feel the weight of him. He hasn't collapsed on top of her but he's pulled her against his side, panting on the pillow beside her. She drags her head to look at him, and even that takes effort in her gelatinous state.

He pushes her hair back from her eyes. "Hey, Beautiful."

She is no longer a sane woman, and she can't even bring herself to care. "That was to the point."

He laughs that warm, breathy chuckle that makes her knees soft. His hand runs over her back, and she wonders if she'll ever leave for work if she knows what's here waiting for her. "Would you have preferred the more drawn out way?--'cause if you give me fifteen minutes-"

She kisses him. He kisses her back, softer and sweeter in the aftermath of their ecstasy. Their lips are still close when she pulls away, "I believe you promised me a delicious pot roast."

"Fine, we can eat, but neither of us is getting dressed."

It's so very domestic, and she couldn't be happier.

[softquietsteadylove]

Hi again😊 soooo my birthday is tomorrow and i just have a thought do eternals have birthday?🤔(maybe they don't 🤣) Just wondering if you can make a short story of a celebration of their birthday maybe thena or Gilgamesh 😄 thankyouuuuuuu❣️

"Wait, so what is it called?"

"Coq au vin," Gilgamesh smiled over his shoulder as he attended to the very delicate sauce required of the dish. "It's French for chicken in wine, basically."

"Oh," Thena nodded as she continued chopping vegetables for him on the other counter. "I thought you were saying cocoa something."

"You thought I was going to braise chicken for something with chocolate?" Gil laughed at just the thought as he set the sauce on low and wipes his hands on his apron.

"Well, I dunno," Thena shrugged, glancing at him over her shoulder. Her hair slipped over the shoulder her loose necked sweater exposed, drawing Gil's eye. "Everything you make always turns out good. I don't really question what's in it."

God, he loved her.

Not that that was anything knew. He adored everything about Thena, and he always had. Because she was his best friend in the world, and she was the most reliable constant in his life, and who wouldn't love everything about her? Look at her!

Thena looked back at the vegetables, biting her lip as she continued to chop. It was her first time wearing the sweater that exposed most of her clavicle and even a little bit of cleavage. She was more prone to turtlenecks. But Sersi and Makkari had advised her on the outfit, and part of her had kind of looked forward to seeing Gil's reaction.

It was just her birthday--she had one every year. And they had celebrated plenty before just like this. He would cook her something special (as if she didn't love every recipe of his). And she would assist by way of chopping vegetables and tasting his delicious food.

But this birthday was also different.

Because just last night, they had been celebrating all together, like they did every year. It was the actual day, and she and Ikaris had to share it, no matter how much they disliked it. They'd gone to a bar, like always, just had some beer and some store bought cake, like always. Everything seemed like it always did.

And then Gil had asked her to join him for dinner. She had of course agreed. Always. And then he had leaned in and kissed her cheek. Definitely not something they'd ever done before.

And she really wanted it to happen again.

She and Gil had always been best friends, every since they were kids. All her life, if there was anyone who was always by her side - besides her literal twin brother - it was Gilgamesh. She had helped him practice for dance lessons, and tested recipes, and even advised him when he'd taken up pottery that one summer (he was bad at it). And she had never questioned what it meant for them to be so inseparable.

Then he had kissed her, and suddenly everything felt...different. Thena peeked over her shoulder again, watching Gil start the process of preparing whatever a sous-vide was. She had always loved watching him cook. It made him happy, and to be around Gilgamesh while he was happy was to feel your own happiness.

He also looked kinda hot when he had his sleeves rolled up and a towel thrown over his shoulder.

Thena turned back to her leeks, biting her lip as she wondered if he'd caught her staring at him. She'd been doing it every since she'd arrived. But she figured it could be expected--the shirt he was wearing was pulled so tightly over his muscles. It couldn't possibly be the right size for him.

Gil had caught her though, but he said nothing. He'd been catching her looking at him all night. But he didn't mind it, and he didn't think she would feel very happy about being embarrassed over it either. He kind of liked the idea of her looking at him, if he was being honest.

Every since he'd kissed her cheek last night he'd been hoping he might get the chance to again. Although the sweater she was wearing was making a really strong case to kiss her...elsewhere.

The sous-vide timer startled both of them out of their thoughts.

"Okay, twenty minutes in here and this will be the most tender chicken you've ever eaten," Gil chuckled as he did whatever it required. Thena watched him submerge a bag of chicken in boiling water(?). "How're the leeks coming?"

"Good, I think," Thena mused with a smile. She still didn't have much by way of knife skills, even after all her years of helping him. But she would argue that it was because he got nervous when she went too fast. He was always worried about her accidentally cutting herself.

"Seems it," he said as he leaned over her shoulder to admire her work. He was braced against the counter with his hand dangerously close to her hip. It was already dangerous having his face so close to hers. He smelled nice.

Thena turned to look at him. Their noses nearly collided from their proximity. Heat rushed into her cheeks and she could imagine her pupils blowing wide. She looked down at his lips.

This time it was the oven timer.

"Fuck," Gil cursed, leaning away from her to check on the veggies already roasting. He pulled them out and set them on the cooling rack. "Okay, it's your time to shine."

Thena just smiled, scraping them all onto the pan he'd oiled and spiced already. He rejoined her, spreading them out over the pan, as if it were necessary to reach around her to do it. But she didn't mind it if he wanted to be close. She wouldn't mind if he wanted to be closer.

What was she doing to him? Gil sighed, wishing he could turn everything off this very second and kiss her right now. But he knew better than that; as soon as he kissed her, he wouldn't think about anything at all for the rest of the night.

And he was not going to let Thena pass her birthday eating only cake.

Thena bit her lip, tugging at her sweater as he slid in the leeks--the last dish that needed to go through the cooking process before he took over the more detail oriented final touches and assembly. "How long do they go in for?"

"Twenty minutes, so I can use the really charred bits," he smiled as he set the traitorous timer again.

"So," Thena inhaled, trying not to appear nervous, "we have a little time."

"Uh, yeah," Gil nodded, fidgeting with the sleeves of his shirt, tucked up to his elbows. "What, uh...do you wanna do something?"

Thena felt that wretched heat spread across her face. She'd never been one to blush, but it seemed that after last night, she couldn't stop. Just thinking about him made her her heart skip a beat and butterflies erupt in her stomach. "Like what?"

Gil sighed but smiled. He hadn't expected Thena to make the first move. It was why he'd kissed her on the cheek last night in the first place. Because he knew what he felt for Thena. And while he thought maybe she might feel the same, he also thought that she wouldn't understand it enough to know what to do about it.

After all, he'd known her all their lives. He'd watched plenty of poor bastards confess their love to her and get shot down point blank.

Thena inhaled as Gil slowly and lazily - and sexily - sauntered over to her. Her eyes ran over him as he leaned against the counter again, arms on either side of her. She reached up and took the towel from off his shoulder, setting it behind her. He grinned, and her heart might have just stopped completely. "Any ideas?"

He kissed her. He leaned forward and just kissed her, and she kissed him back like she'd been waiting all night for it. Well, she had been. Maybe she'd been waiting for longer than that. Thena wrapped her arms around him, responding maybe too eagerly, she feared for a minute. But Gil wrapped his arms around her waist, and suddenly she didn't care if she seemed too into it. Because he was her Gil, and she was safe with him.

And they continued to make out until the damn oven timer went off again.