#and Thena scarfs it down

[softquietsteadylove]

I’d love to see some angst for the circus AU! Kro can’t be too happy that Thena keeps gravitating toward the lowly veterinarian 👀

Thena dismounted Angus, landing on one foot then the other. She hit her final pose, arms in the air, counting to three.

"Good!"

As soon as Kro's cane tapped the ground, Thena all but crumbled. At first she just hunched her shoulders, then she slowly sank to her knees, her chest heaving for breath in her tight, sparkling costume.

"Thena!"

He leaned over her, his hands hovering near but never on her. He bent, tilted his head, trying to see her and asses the damage. His worry was always evident, not that being a veterinarian qualified him to look after the health of the human performers.

Not that they had a proper physician in the company anyway.

"Thena, are you okay?" Gilgamesh asked gently, still hovering close but never making contact with her pale skin.

She nodded, although her gasping for breath was plain to see to everyone around the ring. She put her hand up to tell him she didn't need his assistance. Again, her hand drifted in the direction of his, but the two never met. "I-I'm okay, Gil."

Kro eyed them as he made his way down from the stands. "Run it again."

The vet looked up, glaring at him with a surprisingly intimidating expression, for someone always smiling. "Are you crazy? She can't do it again--look at her."

Thena only continued to get paler and paler.

"Are you telling me what my wife can and can't do?" Kro had no problem demanding, getting in Gil's face and using every inch of height he had on him.

"I'm saying that Thena is exhausted," Gilgamesh insisted, meeting his glare head on, like two dogs nearly locking heads as they bared their teeth.

"I'm fine," she huffed and puffed. She finally did pull her head up, indeed white as a sheet, "just...give me ten minutes."

"It's almost time for lunch anyway, boss," another stage hand suggested gently.

Thena remained on the ground as a few more came to her defense as subtly as possible. She looked up at her husband, "please?"

He all but snarled, picking up his cane in his hand.

Gilgamesh flinched, hunching closer to Thena, in front of her. He had thought Kro would pick up his cane and strike her in her defenseless position.

Kro looked at them both with as much disdain as he could afford to show so publically. "Half an hour--then I want tot see a run of the full show, front to back!"

The cast and crew held in their groans, all of them well beyond tired from their ruthless schedules. But Kro turned his back to exit the tent, leaving his staff - including his wife - to their work.

"Are you okay?" Gil whispered to Thena, kneeling down closer to her again. "You don't look so good."

Thena leaned into the press of the back of his hand to her cheek. Her eyes closed in pure bliss. "I just need to get off my feet, have some water."

Gil offered her his hand, letting her lean all of her weight on him as she stood. He wrapped his arm behind her and around her shoulder, holding it as gently as he would a bird in his palm. "Come on."

He helped her hobble over to the stands, even the old and unvarnished wood being better than being on her feet. Once they were both sitting, she continued to lean on him, seeming to fit right into his side like they were made for each other.

No one even batted an eye.

Thena reached for his cup of water eagerly, ready to gulp it down.

"Hey, easy," he spoke gently, like he did with his wounded animals. His hand tipped the cup up to her lips, letting her sip just a little at a time. "Don't make yourself sick."

He held the cup for her, letting her sip gently. Their hands met on the painted outside of the old tin, fingers brushing. She didn't even blink as he raised his palm to her forehead.

"I really think you should rest, Thena," he said just above a whisper. "You're probably coming down with something, you're so tired."

She didn't argue, just looked down at the water mug of his she held onto. "Kro won't have it. I haven't missed a single show since...well, since we were young."

The vet''s face hardened, "he's pushing you too hard."

Thena shrugged, "in sickness and in health."

The vet only looked angrier and angrier.

"Here y'go, Miss," one of the crew brought her a bowl of what they had cooked up for the cast meal that day.

She smiled at the extra piece of bread sitting along the side of it, "thank you."

Gilgamesh made no attempt to go get a serving for himself, sitting with her as she picked up a spoon and started poking at the meat stew. She took a small bite. "Not hungry?"

She shrugged again, poking around for smaller pieces of meat, or the beans they had used to fill out the body of the soup.

"Wait here," he put his hand on her knee before standing.

Thena watched him go, taking another sip of his water.

Kro kept quiet, despite the urge to demand what the hell all of that was. He knew that the vet had an obvious fondness for his wife. Plenty of men did--it was one of the many things that made him the man he was.

But this was more than a naive infatuation. More than a schoolboy crush on someone unattainable. Not only was his softness beyond want and desire, but it was not unrequited, which was the worst part.

Kro had never seen such an expression on Thena's face as when she was with that Gilgamesh.

Thena would light from within. Her eyes would become more green, her smile would lift, everything about her seemed to brighten. He knew what signs to look for. No matter what his relationship with her was, he undeniably knew his wife's behaviour. He wasn't a fool; he could see that whatever feelings the veterinarian had for her, she harboured them as well.

"Hey."

Kro remained as still as possible in his little spot in the tent's seam, where he could keep an eye on them.

Thena smiled as Gil came back with another bowl, he picked up hers and exchanged it with the one he brought back, making sure that she kept all three pieces of bread. "Gil-"

"You don't like meat."

That was ridiculous. When Kro had first found her, she was living on some remote, godforsaken little farm with her daft old father. She was used to living on animal meat.

And yet Thena looked...elated--and touched.

Gilgamesh started eating the bowl that had been brought to her. "But you need protein. I dug through it and got as much of the beans as I could. They'll keep you full. And eat the bread! You need the energy."

Kro scowled. He had no idea when eating meat had started bothering her. But he could bet it was because they had started using animals in the show. Blasted beasts were making her soft.

"Thank you."

Gilgamesh also laid his jacket over her bare, trembling legs as they ate. He scarfed down her bowl, with arguably less in it. He had given her his piece of bread, too.

Thena still ate slowly (it always infuriated Kro how long she took to eat a simple meal). But she ate more constantly, not breaking as she chewed the beans gently between each bite.

"I know you don't wanna say anything to him," Gilgamesh began. He was about to say something about Kro again. "But you're gonna get sick, Thena. Tell him you've sprained something, or I'll say that something's wrong with the equipment! But-"

"Gil," she said gently, her voice lulling him back into a sense of calm. She put her hand on his, "it won't do any good. I could fall off the tightrope and onto the ground before he would cancel a show willingly."

"I won't let that happen."

"I know," she smiled at him again. She had never smiled at Kro like that once in all their lives together. "Just don't let him catch you talking like this."

Don't let him see the way she loved him, she meant.

Gilgamesh put his hand over hers. "I'm starting to care less and less about what he catches me doing."

Those sounded like fighting words.

"Truly, Gil," she asserted, slipping her hand away and moving over on the bench, as if she had sensed Kro watching them. "Let me handle him."

"Handle what?"

Gilgamesh nearly jumped up from the bench in reflex, but Thena didn't move. As far as she was concerned, she had nothing to hide. She picked up her spoon again, "myself. I'll do the run through, but that's all I've got left for today."

Kro walked around the stands and over to her, shoving his cane against the chest of the defensive young veterinarian. He leaned closer to his wife's face. "You're done when I say we're done."

She glared right back at him, "I don't have anything left. Unless you want me to collapse during the show tomorrow."

She wouldn't be threatening it if it hadn't happened before. It was just once, and Angus - of all the beasts - had run to break her fall. But the crowd had been so scared that they had had to end the show early, even offer refunds.

Ever since then, if Thena said she was truly and deeply done, then she was done.

Kro leaned up and out of her face, although he looked at her no differently from how he looked at Angus or any of the other beasts. "Fine, one full dress rehearsal, then we break for the day. You better be ready for tomorrow."

"I always am."

Kro grabbed for his cane, only to find his hand holding onto it. That felt like a fighting gesture. "Problem?"

Gilgamesh let go of it, glaring at him without any trace of his usual nervous energy. "No, sir."

"Good," Kro snarled at him before turning to leave again. He really would leave this time. He could take his meal in their sleeper car (Thena never liked eating with him these days anyway).

By all means, the veterinarian could pine and yearn for his wife all he liked. She was still his, as far as Kro - and the sanctity of marriage - was concerned.

Whether she wanted him or not.

[torukmaktoskxawng]

tsamsiyu ta'em - paving a new path

Masterlist - part nine

Summary: Now Kayla has to get used to yet another way of life, unraveling what she had learned from the Omatikaya.

Pairing: Ronal/Tonowari/Original Female Character

Tag: #tsamsiyu ta'em fic

posted on ao3

Word Count: 5k+

Taglist (bold indicates “could not tag”): @mooniequeen @shit-i-say-shit-i-think @heart-an0n @amiets2 @slutforsmut4ever @yeosxxx​ @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @sucker4angstt @inolaphoenix @ilovechickenwings tojisleftarm andyfromku @ivysully

Warnings: canon-compliant, canon-typical violence, mature language, adult content, slow burn, polyamory, found family, cool aunt agenda, alien/human (technically avatar), jake sully sister agenda, time skips, I'm trying to hurry up and get to the good parts so bear with me, fluff, angst, adopted spider, tags to be added

A/N: Sorry for the wait! It's been a hectic couple of weeks

On Kayla's first morning in Awa'atlu, she's greeted by a beautiful sunrise.

When her eyes blink slowly open, she smiles lazily and takes a moment to watch the soft glow trying to peak above the water. That and the soft breeze flowing through the jungle was a lovely feeling to wake up to. Kayla did her best to stretch her limbs while still in her nivi, the hammock rocking ever so slightly between the two trees she attached to either end. She feels some of her joints popping and briefly forms a satisfied smile before climbing down from her makeshift perch.

The avatar had opted out of staying with her brother's family in their marui and instead found a comfortable spot deep within the jungle that sits behind the village, moving more inland so as to gain some semblance of privacy. Climbing down to a branch lower than her nivi, Kayla unstraps the bags she had tied to the trunk of the tree and rummages through her supplies, double-checking that her AR and ammunition were still there before grabbing her breakfast, a niktsyey Neytiri had made for her last night before Kayla decided to disappear into the treeline.

After quickly scarfing down her food, Kayla climbs through the various tree branches, all entwined with each other much like the ones back in the Forest. Kayla expertly runs through the bridge-like branches without much fear of the fall below, light on her feet and trusting her body to know what to do until she makes it to a certain tree, a tree with a small perch she had left her ikran to nest on. Thena looks up at the sound of footsteps approaching, already on high alert until she recognized her rider's scent. The banshee squawks in greeting while Kayla offers a small gesture of morning pets, smiling in awe as the large animal practically melts under her touch like an overgrown cat.

"Good morning," Kayla spoke softly, huffing out a small laugh when Thena nudges her whole face against her rider's side, causing her to stumble.

The blissfully quiet morning air is interrupted by a small whine from down below the treeline, growing closer and closer until Kayla could hear the content of the cries, "Auntiiiieee!"

Alert, Kayla leaves her ikran and quickly descends down the tree branches to get to the forest floor, not jumping until the very last second and landing gracefully on her feet. Straightening back up, the female avatar looks around for the source of the shouting as the foliage of the forest parts to reveal Little Tuk, beaming from ear to ear while simultaneously dragging a less-than-enthusiastic Kiri by the hand. Kayla smiles and waves them over, the oldest out of the two Sully daughters appearing as though she was guilty by association, "Sorry, Auntie. She wouldn't stop until I came with her to find you."

"Aw, my favorite girls!" Kayla exclaims, barely having enough time to brace herself before she is tackled by none other than Tuk. Both aunt and niece laugh as Kayla lifts the little girl up into her arms before turning back to the teen with a worried expression, "Kiri, shouldn't you be resting?"

"I'm fine," Kiri's small smile falls in exchange for remembering what happened yesterday, looking down, embarrassed and a little frustrated, "I'm taking it easy today."

Tuk nuzzled Kayla's face with hers, pouting, "You didn't stay with us last night."

Kayla sighs with a little bit of theatrics to tease Tuk while simultaneously winking at Kiri, "I know. I'm sorry, but your sister needed rest and I didn't wanna crowd her."

Kiri looked grateful, nodding and briefly flashing her aunt a small smile, "Thank you."

"My pleasure, sweet pea."

The girls are interrupted by a fourth party loudly clearing her throat to grab the Sullys' attention. All three heads spin around back in the direction of the village, and standing there holding back the foliage and impatiently drumming her fingers against one hip was none other than the tsahik of the Metkayina, Ronal. Kayla and the girls instantly freeze, afraid to move as if they were just caught doing something they shouldn't. 

Ronal was cross, her hard gaze firmly on Kayla with a displeased frown, jutting her chin to appear as though she was looking down on the avatar, "Late for your first day of learning, I see."

"Ah," Kayla couldn't help the small huff of nervous laughter to let out, clearing her throat but not as harshly as Ronal. Kayla sheepishly looked up at the tsahik, "I take it I'm not making a very good impression." 

She adjusts Tuk on her hip and then takes Kiri's hand in hers before following Ronal out of the jungle, heading back in the direction of the village. As they walked, Tuk talked and talked about everything she's seen and done since her family began living among the Metkayina, wanting to push out all these stories in one long breath with the fear that her aunt won't be able to hear it all.

Although despite the fact Tuk never took a breath, Kayla had noticed that the child wasn't at all bothered by it. She didn't appear to be struggling to talk and when she had finally finished rambling about her breathing lessons underwater, Tuk calmly and deeply took a breath and smiled, "When you come back from your lessons today, can I show you all my new clothes? Neteyam and Lo'ak gathered stuff for my loincloth and Kiri helped make it! She also helped Tsireya make a new top and jewelry for me! I want to find some shells and add that to my hair as well."

"That sounds like a great idea, Tuk-Tuk," Kayla smiled gently at the little girl, "Can I help you find shells later?"

"Yes, please! Tsireya can show us the best places to find good ones."

Kayla hummed thoughtfully, "I think I need to be introduced to this Tsireya. You kids are speaking high praises for this girl."

"I will introduce you." Kayla looked up and realized that it was Ronal who had spoken, the tsahik still leading the three forest girls into the village and down the walkways without ever looking back. She was clearly expecting them to follow her without a fuss and expected them to keep up. As they weave through the village, Kayla tries her best to take it all in this time now that she wasn't rushed to her next destination. She would still get occasional stares from other Metkayina, but they also stared at Kiri and Tuk, so it was fair to assume that the villagers still find Forest People strange looking. 

Kiri and Tuk eventually part from their aunt, explaining that their mother wanted them back to help tidy up the marui after they had found Kayla, so the avatar kissed both her niece's foreheads and sent them away. Kayla turned back and hastily lifted her feet to catch up to Ronal, who didn't appear to be slowing down and waiting up for her guest no matter what. The Sully woman was slightly envious of the tsahik and the Metkayina as a whole. Their legs and arms were clearly stronger and therefore did everything almost faster than that of the Omatikaya. Ronal naturally walked faster and Kayla had no doubt in her mind that the reef woman could swim faster, too, even without the help of her well-balanced tail that Kayla was adamantly and stubbornly not staring at. 

They walked in silence up until they make it to the opposite side of the village. Without looking back, Ronal simply stated, "You were hard to find. I had to ask your brother for your whereabouts."

It was clear criticism and Ronal didn't shy away from it. Kayla had to admire someone like that who didn't care about courtesies or anyone's feelings. On Earth, humans would have described the tsahik as someone who had 'zero fucks to give,' and Kayla did her very best to sound genuine as she apologized, "I'm sorry. Should you need to look for me again, I promise you'll always find me in the exact same spot. I won't move my camp unless absolutely necessary."

Ronal doesn't say another word, instead, she stubbornly kept quiet until they finally reached their destination. A row of other huts with various people walking in and out of them was looming tall over Kayla's head until she remembered where she was and forced herself to follow the tsahik into one particular hut before she could get distracted again. This pod was already full of Na'vi, each going about with their own little projects nestled in their hands. Kayla could only see the items in quick glances, but could otherwise tell that this pod was meant for the whole community to use as a place to weave, whittle, and create. Most eyes turn to the entrance of their tsahik, one of which was the same reef girl Kayla had noticed following Ronal around the night before. The girl stood and bounded over to join her mother at the entrance, smiling between her and Kayla.

Ronal extends her hand out to the girl in question while stiffly introducing her to Kayla, "My daughter, Tsireya."

Kayla flashes a beaming smile at the girl and bows her head respectfully, "Lovely to meet you. My nephew Lo'ak says you're a great teacher."

Tsireya's whole face and ears visibly perk up to one of shock and joy, her widening smile contagious as a light color begins to spread over her cheeks, "Oh! That's so sweet of him. It's a pleasure to meet you..." she sweetly scrunched her nose up and tilted her head curiously, "Do the Sully kids call you 'Auntie?'"

"Yes, but that's not my name," Kayla let out a hushed laugh under her breath, "You can call me Kayla or Makayla, I don't mind. The kids call me Auntie because where I'm from, that's how you would address the sister of either of your parents."

"I like it," Tsireya chirps, stepping forward and grasping Kayla's hand before the older woman could even blink. The young girl giddily begins to pull on her hand, leading her further into the pod, "You must sit with me and Mother. I'd love to hear about your world since Lo'ak is always excited to share with me what he knows about it."

Kayla and Tsireya kneel down side by side among the large group of Metkayina and slowly, Ronal joins them, kneeling down on the other side of the avatar. The tsahik doesn't indulge in whatever conversation her daughter has in mind for Kayla, instead, she kept to instructing Kayla on what to do, "In here you will be making your own communal plate. You can use whatever material to do so, but the most common ones are wood and tree bark. It is customary to make your own."

Kayla does as instructed, trying her best to appease Ronal while simultaneously trying to keep up with the amount of questions Tsireya had for her. The avatar tries to keep the human/Earth talk to a minimum so as to not invoke the wrath of the tsahik who is already displeased with her presence but remains cordial with certain topics Tsireya was curious about like the music and games Lo'ak would try to explain to her but never really understood it since he had never grown up with it as Kayla had. Whereas Lo'ak confused Tsireya, Kayla was better at explaining everything and the topics only fascinated the girl even further. 

"You should ask Tuk how to play 'red light, green light,'" Kayla encouraged happily, "You'd make her day if you did."

Unbeknownst to Kayla, other Metkayina were listening in on the stories of her homeworld. Some listened out of curiosity, some out of disgust, and some, like Tsireya, out of amazement. Ronal only listened, but was neither curious nor disgusted, despite the frown ever present on her lips. Kayla tried her best not to take the silent treatment to heart and instead did the task given to her while also simultaneously entertaining the tsahik's daughter. The reef girl always had another question ready to ask after Kayla had completed answering the previous one to the point Kayla could barely get a normal breath in. Because of this, the morning went by quicker than anyone anticipated. With a small inkling of disappointment, Tsireya had to part ways with Kayla per Ronal's demand for her daughter's help but promised to come and find the Sully aunt before the communal dinner later that night. Ronal barely spared Kayla a glance while instructing her to find the olo'eyktan by the beach before disappearing with Tsireya. 

A small spark of annoyance slid into Kayla's gut but she promptly stomped it down before it could make an appearance on the disappearing figures of Ronal and Tsireya. Oh, how she wanted to lecture the reef woman on simple manners and proper etiquette that would make even her own mother proudly pat her hair from beyond the grave. Instead, Kayla turned around and walked the opposite way, beelining for the beach which was not hard to find. 

Tonowari was also not hard to find, given that he clearly towers over most if not all the Metkayina and sticks out among the crowd with his various tattoos and chief adornments. Even as tall as he was, he was clearly less intimidating than his strong-willed mate, smiling and firmly nodding at nearly every passing Na'vi as he patiently waited for someone or something on the shoreline. Kayla still approached with caution, despite this, and eventually, Tonowari's gaze fell on her. Every inch of her wanted to quickly straighten her posture and salute the chief out of all the stupid thoughts running through her head. Kayla managed not to embarrass herself and instead nodded to Tonowari with a small hand gesture to the forehead, trying her best to metaphorically flush that old marine attitude down the drain. 

He nodded in return, unaware of her internal struggles while tilting his head in the direction of the ocean, "Let's get started."

They both wad out into the shallow water while Tonowari made a bunch of clinking sounds from the back of his throat. Within moments, a small wave of water comes billowing toward the pair and at the very last second swerves around them in playful circles. A cute head pokes out of the water, clicking and squeaking in excitement and curiosity. Kayla's jaw dropped as the creature continues to swim in circles around her, going just slow enough for her to finally make out the shape of it. The creature reminded her of a dinosaur she had only seen in books or movies, with a long neck, stout body, and four paddle fins instead of legs and feet. As a child, she had a brief phase where she was obsessed with the Loch Ness Monster, and seeing this creature swimming around her in the shape she could only imagine Nessie to look like only brought out that nostalgia in her. It was a creature that was full of personality, excitement always sparkling in both the bigger and smaller pairs of eyes it possessed, similar to an ikran. 

Another creature approached, answering Tonowari's call but didn't appear to be as playful or as innocent as the first one. At least four other Metkayina men had to come at their chief's command and wrangle the large beast to remain still in the water as it fought against their hold. Kayla decided to keep a distance from the creature so she, unfortunately, didn't get a good look at it as Tonowari turned back to her, "If you are going to live among us, it is vital that you learn how to ride. There are two creatures the Metkayina use for travel. The first one is the ilu," he holds his hand out in the direction of the dinosaur-like creature swimming around Kayla, "And we learn to ride these gentle creatures as soon as we're able. The other creature is more of a warrior's mount and brash. Less gentle and as strong as a storm."

He moves his arm to gesture to the animal being wrangled by a group of men. Tonowari moved out of the way so Kayla could see the webbed wings pinned to the sides of its long, scaled body. The beast also reminded her of a dinosaur, but perhaps the ancestors of a crocodile made more sense to compare. Tonowari continued the introduction, "The tsurak. If you want, you may try the tsurak as your brother did, but I do not recommend it."

Kayla's eyes widen while indicating to the creature she'll later learn is also called a skimwing, "Jake tried to ride these?"

"Yes."

"And?"

The olo'eyktan visibly cringed, "He injured himself. I told him he should start with an ilu."

A sharp gust of air escaped Kayla's lungs as she smiled to herself and shook her head in amusement, "Forgive my brother. He's a proud, overconfident skxawng."

The group of men and even the tsurak they were holding down were all startled by the deep, boisterous laugh that boomed like thunder in Kayla's ears. If she wasn't watching Tonowari, she wouldn't have guessed that was him laughing, though the sound did match the strong form of the owner. The laugh was abrupt and short, but Kayla and the other men were still surprised even after the olo'eyktan relaxed into a more slackened posture and smirk. He looked pleased as if impressed that someone had got him to laugh. With a wave of his hand, the Metkayina men release the tsurak and disperse while he helps Kayla with mounting an ilu. One push up and she managed to swing a leg over and settle onto the back comfortably as Tonowari explains.

"Ilu are intelligent, sociable creatures. You do not bond with one individual. They are meant to be ridden by the whole community and live peacefully among us."

"It's like a dolphin," Kayla states absentmindedly, startling herself out of her train of thought when she noticed the odd look on Tonowari's face. She ducks her head, "Um... it's a sea creature from my planet. The Omatikaya have community creatures as well. They share the pa'li."

He nods, "Yes, but the pa'li are more loyal and dutiful to their riders. Ilu are playful and sometimes mischievous. You'll need to constantly keep them in line as you ride, or else you'll be bucked off or pulled away from your tasks when they feel the need to play."

His hand trails down the long appendage that was the ilu's queue and held it up to her. Kayla reached behind her and slide her kuru braid over her shoulder and held the tendrils out to meet the same ends as the ilu's. The ilu wiggles underneath her and so her other hand shot out to regain balance, startling both herself and the creature. If it weren't for Tonowari keeping a firm hand on the ilu's body, the animal would've likely taken off.

"Make the bond gently. Remember to take a breath when forming tsaheylu," Tonowari encouraged, "Remember to feel what he is feeling, hear what he is hearing, and see what he is seeing. Think of where you want him to go, but take it slow. It will be hard at first. Holding onto an ilu isn't the same as an ikran."

Kayla nods and obediently takes a deep breath as tsaheylu is formed. She keeps her mind calm so as not to jostle the ilu, and in return, the sweet creature barely flinches. It makes a quiet click of curiosity, craning his neck around to nudge Kayla and the motion makes her smile. Making a quiet demand in her head, the ilu responds and slowly paddles through the water, breaking away from Tonowari and doing small, tight laps around the olo'eyktan. 

"Good," he vocalized, folding his arms and watching carefully, "But swimming with the ilu underwater is far more difficult. When submerged, they swim like lightning so you must tuck yourself close to their body or the unforgivable current will make you lose your grip and toss you around."

He drifts up to Kayla and her ilu, instructing her on where to keep her legs when they dive, "Your legs must stay tight against their sides when they go fast. If they go slow or casual, you can just let them drag you along and glide, but you must hang on tightly by the hand. If you ride an ilu without a saddle, keeping one arm around the neck for stability is also an option."

"Okay," Kayla acknowledged, adjusting her hips and legs until she feels like she was sitting on a horse back home. Tonowari pushed her knees in tighter for her then backs away, waiting for her to take off. Kayla takes a deep breath and then holds it when she instructs the ilu to dive. The creature bellows excitedly and bolts underneath the water, the ocean whipping against the avatar's face with a sharp sting when they initially dive down. Kayla keeps her eyes squinted for the most part as the ilu sprints through the water, cutting through as quickly and effectively as a knife through butter. However, one sharp and unexpected turn has Kayla tumbling off her mount, abandoned by the ilu as she's left drifting until she gets her bearings. Shaking her head from the initial rush of adrenaline, Kayla swims back up to the surface, gasping for air as she looks around, stunned by how far she had gotten.

It wasn't very far, however. If she wanted to, she could still count the number of tattoos she could visibly see on Tonowari at this distance. The ilu that betrayed her was jumping in and out of the water, clicking and ululating excitedly.

She growls in frustration, immediately clicking her tongue until the ilu comes to her, curious. Kayla makes tsaheylu and throws herself over the back of the creature, determination evident in her mind, making the ilu itself antsy under her command. She hikes herself up into a proper position and orders the ilu to dive, holding her breath when they submerge and bolt like a missile once more. 

The ilu bucks her off again, but Kayla had managed to stay on for a little longer than the last time. It still wasn't good enough. Swimming up to the surface again, the woman snarls and calls for her ride to swim back to her, getting back on without hesitation and without tsaheylu. The ilu squawks in protest until Kayla makes the bond then quiets down. Urging the creature forward, Kayla holds her breath again and leans forward as they dive, ready to go further this time. 

They go until she slips or gets bucked off, but no matter how many times she fails, Kayla keeps on coming back and continues to try again, staying firm and on-task. She was too high-strung and determined to do this one thing right, even for only a moment, even when she was beginning to grow exhausted. During one of her last runs, she had managed to stay on longer than the other attempts and even commanded the ilu to take her back to Tonowari to hear what he had to say about her results.  

He was still in the water, the ocean hanging low at his hips while he stood off to the side of one of their docks. As they swim closer, Tonowari welcomes them with praise, "Quite resilient. The ilu had only just begun to stop teasing you."

Her mouth unexpectedly falls open in shock, embarrassment creeping into her gut when the ilu makes a sound that sounds suspiciously like a laugh. Tonowari also appeared amused, but he was clearly struggling with keeping down his smirk. Kayla's ears fold back and she quickly closes her mouth, humiliated after being caught gawking like an idiot, pointedly refusing to make eye contact with her teacher. 

"I've never been much of a swimmer."

He tilts his head, "Do Sky People not have oceans where you're from?"

"We do. But we can't swim in them."

The chief doesn't ask further, expression hardening, and she was grateful for that. He hangs onto the ilu as Kayla dismounts then removes the saddle, letting the creature happily roam free before speaking, "To live out here means you have to be in the water. Whether you are hunting or gathering, the water provides all ways of life for us here."

She nods, solemn while watching the ilu disappear, "I understand. It's not my strong suit but I'll make it be." 

And to make her point, she takes the ilu saddle from Tonowari's arms and pads through the shallow water to head back to the beach and he follows easily without much effort to part the water in order to move, "Jakesully speaks highly of your fighting skills. He says you make an excellent warrior."

Kayla felt the muscles in her face twitch but was thankful the olo'eyktan was unable to see it as he walked behind her. She's quick to dissuade him, hating the idea of her brother giving their hosts the wrong impression of her, "I'm not a warrior."

Tonowari's eyebrow ridge lifts in question, "No?"

Jake's words had come back to haunt Kayla at that moment, the memory souring her mood with the same resentment she wished she could just bury for good. Her voice was low and disgusted, but she made sure that the disgust wasn't misinterpreted or directed at Tonowari when she spoke, "I'm a soldier where I'm from. There's a difference. Warriors have honor and earn respect for their loyalty. Soldiers... just follow orders. They don't speak or think for themselves. They just do what they're told without question. There's no honor in that."

The conversation leads to silence and Kayla feels guilt for speaking so heavily to someone she had only met -and a well-respected figure no less- as if they were friends. Unable to look at Tonowari, Kayla busies herself by taking the ilu saddle in her arms and hoisting it over her head and onto the dock. With her hands now free, she used her upper arm strength to lift herself up onto the dock, the water rolling down her body and departing from her for the evening. Kayla finally looks back over her shoulder to find that Tonowari was still standing in the shallow water and staring at her, but surprisingly, he didn't look indifferent. He seemed perplexed and confused like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. Kayla feels as though she was under observation or something and it made the hair on the back of her neck stand up, causing her posture to shift and her eyes to look away. She had never had the urge to read other people's minds, but for a moment she wondered what she would find in Tonowari's at that moment. The same went for Ronal, both clan leaders capable of hiding their thoughts from the world, making Kayla envious of their poker faces. Kayla has seen an indifferent individual give her judgemental looks before, but this wasn't the same. Sure, Ronal wasn't entirely thrilled with Kayla being in her village, but she also hasn't really voiced her opinions about it and had begrudgingly taught Kayla without much complaint if any. Perhaps the tsahik was equally as curious as the olo'eyktan, but she just shows it in a different way. Tonowari, however, is openly curious and also just as welcoming. He's kind and helpful, a strong leader with a good conscience on his shoulders. 

Kayla complimented the clan leaders in her head, confidently aware of how the two clearly work so well together. They work well together not only in leading their people but to make Kayla uncomfortable and paranoid as to what they might be thinking of her. She is rescued from these embarrassing thoughts, however, when Neytiri bounds up the walkway and down the end of the dock toward the pair, her father's bow in hand. 

Neytiri nods to the man beside Kayla, "Olo'eyktan. I wish to take my sister hunting."

Tonowari was likely eager to end the awkward interaction as much as Kayla, but he hid it well, firmly smiling and nodding in return, "Very well. We can stop for today."

Kayla relaxed her stance and went to bend down and take the ilu saddle, but Tonowari was quick and had taken it back before she could touch it. Looking back at him, Kayla caught the kind smile still etched in the corner of his mouth, and for added measure, he nods in the direction of Neytiri to silently see her off. Kayla forces herself to relax again and briefly nods back to the man, "Thank you."

Neytiri waits until the avatar woman joins her before tilting her head in the direction of the forest standing strong further inland, "Come, Kayla. We fly."

This time, Kayla genuinely relaxed and her smile had returned, beaming at Neytiri as if she said the best thing she had heard all day. Refusing to look back at the sparkling ocean, she bounds into the woods right beside Neytiri as they both call for their respective ikrans, taking off into the air with echoing whoops and hollers of excitement bouncing off of each other.

They hunt for the majority of the afternoon. Well, part of the afternoon, the other half was spent flying absently and just enjoying the flight together. Neytiri was eager to see just how far Kayla had gotten into hunting and flying, excited that she had someone else to do her favorite activities with other than Jake or Neteyam. It was nice for the Omatikaya woman, feeling more at home than she has in months, pretending as though she was merely hunting along the cliffsides leading back into the forest of her home, without any thought of danger or war. 

They circle the large island dozens of times, never going out over open water beyond the atoll wall. When the bright sunlight was beginning to dim and turn into a soft, gold glow, Neytiri mimics a bird call to draw Kayla's attention to her and has her sister-in-law follow her home.

Neytiri leaves almost immediately again when they return to the Sully marui, this time with Jake by her side. The parents had asked Kayla to watch the kids while they go out and enjoy time for themselves for the first time in months, since before they had left the Forest and come here. Kayla was more than happy to babysit and felt content after Jake and Neytiri made their escape, leaving the kids alone to adamantly talk the ears off of their aunt, gathered around the small hearth in their home as Tuk shows off her new clothes. 

"So how was your first day?" Kiri asked while tilting her head with curiosity.

Kayla shrugged while absently polishing up the final details of the dinner plate she had made earlier that day, "I think it went okay. Tsireya is very sweet and polite. I can see why you kids admire her. The olo'eyktan is more of the same. Kind and respectable. I see where his daughter gets it. Not sure about the tsahik yet. She's a bit headstrong and... standoffish?"

Lo'ak scoffs, rolling his eyes irritably, "That's where Ao'nung gets it."

"Ao'nung?" Kayla plays the name on her tongue, "Don't think I met them yet."

Neteyam nods, "Ao'nung is the son, their firstborn."

Tuk crosses her arms and pouts, "He's mean."

Neteyam spun to his baby sister, ready to lecture her, "Tuk--"

"And he left Lo'ak alone."

The whole group grows quiet, wincing when Kayla pointedly looked at each and every one of them, her ears lowering with concern when her eyes finally land on Lo'ak, "What does that mean?"

The kid in question nervously chuckles, running an anxious hand over the back of his neck, "I, uh... I hit Ao'nung in the face once."

A single eyebrow rises up Kayla's forehead, doubtful, "Once?"

"Okay. Multiple times."

"Lo'ak..."

"He was picking on Kiri! That's all he ever did right up until the fight," when Kayla briefly looked over to Kiri for confirmation, the teenage girl simply nods with an unpleasant frown. She stubbornly looks down at the fire without ever meeting anyone else's gaze. When Kayla turned back to Lo'ak, the boy shied away from her eyes, shrugging, "I just wanted him to know what happens when he decides to pick on a bunch of 'freaks' like us."

The word rings in her ears until Kayla visibly cringed, hissing quietly between her clenched teeth. Sadly staring down into her lap while processing the idea of someone purposely going out of their way to hurt her nieces and nephews, Kayla brings herself to feel resigned so Lo'ak doesn't have to constantly feel like he was under scrutiny with every adult he talks to. Kayla takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, nodding, "... Alright. So what happened after the fight?"

Lo'ak's fast and angry pants began to settle, doubling down on his anger and relaxing when he realized Kayla wasn't trying to lecture him. Putting his guard down, Lo'ak lowered his head and mumbled the rest of the story, "I tried to apologize and stupidly followed Ao'nung and his friends outside the reef... even though I knew I wasn't supposed to do that."

Neteyam snarled softly while nudging his little brother in the elbow, "The skxawng got himself... what is it called when one person is initiated into a group by doing something alone and stupid? You said it usually happens to Earth children when going into... college?"

Kayla's eyes narrow as she scrounges for the right word in her head, "Hazing?"

"Yeah, it was kind of like that. Lo'ak was hunting for fish one second and then the next he was alone. They left him."

The aunt bit her lip, her expression one of pity while leaning over and patting Lo'ak's wrist in comfort, "That sounds terrible. I'm happy you're safe, Lo'ak. I bet you gave your parents quite the scare."

He shook his head, "They were more mad at me than scared."

That familiar cold and resentful feeling returned in her chest, a harsh reminder that Lo'ak's parents weren't just any normal parents, and his father just so happened to be the brother Kayla was forced to live with. Without trying to jump to conclusions, she carefully questioned her nephew, "What do you mean?"

"I took the blame because I figured that's how I'd get Ao'nung to be my friend."

"... I guess that's one way to do it. So your parents got mad because you took the blame?"

He shook his head again and let out a quiet, breathy laugh as if he was still in disbelief, "I think they actually believe it was my fault we were out there in the first place."

Neteyam quickly cut in, firmly gripping his brother's shoulder, "No, it was my fault. I should have been with you--"

"Neteyam," the oldest spun his head to look in his aunt's direction, his braids, and beads noisily following the motion. Kayla sternly shook her head at him, "No. You can't be in two places at once. I think even your eggheaded father should realize that."

Looking around at her nieces and nephews, she levels them all with a stern, knowing glare, "No one is perfect, kids. Just remember that if someone tries to make you live up to perfection next time."

Lo'ak scoffs, though a small, playful smirk became more prominent on his face as his eyes shine at her with mirth, "Kind of like how no one should expect you to get ilu riding down right away?"

Kayla threw her head back to stare up at the ceiling with a groan of frustration, wincing with embarrassment, "You saw that?"

"Maybe," he laughed, "You ate that, Auntie."

"Kid. I'm going to give you one chance and one chance only to never use Earth slang on me ever again."

A/N: Again, I'm very sorry for the wait. Summer had gotten way busier than I thought it was going to be. Please leave a request if you want and in terms of this fic, I try to post new chapters every or every other week and usually before the weekend so keep an eye out. Have a good one!

[alohastyles-x]

𝑳𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝑴𝒆 - 𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐞

Loyal to Me, an Eternals fan fiction written by Alohastyles-x.

Summary: You were Arishem's new creation, and he sent you to the Eternals to help aide them in your mission. However, as you begin to learn how to control your powers, you began to feel like a burden to the rest of the eternals... except Druig. He was the only one to understand you.

Notes: Druig x Fem!reader // I got inspired by this tiktok so go check it out! <3

Story Warnings: violence, language, smut (18+ but I'm not responsible for your internet consumption either), mentions of depression, suicide, anxiety, descriptions of blood, violence, gore.

Druig Masterlist | Main Masterlist | Marvel Masterlist |

Wattpad // Part One Below // Part Two // Part Three // Part Four // Part Five //

Loyal to Me, an Eternals Fanfiction written by Alohastyles-x

No warnings for this part :)

Word count: 1.8k

Year: 400 CE

The moon creeped higher into the night sky, and shouts of celebration could be heard from a tiny village in India. They were celebrating the union of Sersi and Ikaris, two of the fellow eternals residing in their village to protect them from the deviants. Phastos and Makkari were on the dancefloor, dancing with Thena and Gilgamesh. Druig and Kingo were scarfing down food as if it was their last meal, and Sprite and Ajak sat at a table, watching the commotion. Sersi and Ikaris were making their rounds, thanking everyone for coming and joining them tonight. It was a beautiful sight, everyone had a smile plastered on their face.

Amid the dancing and the celebration, Ajak felt a sharp pain in her chest- a sign that Arishem wanted to speak. She stood, motioning to Sprite that she would be just a minute.

She headed to a quiet place just outside the village and sat, clearing her mind by taking several deep breaths before she was transported to Arishem.

“Ajak. I have brought you here to let you know that I am bringing you a new eternal when the next sun rises fully in the sky.” Arishem’s voice boomed, echoing off the vast nothingness.

“A new eternal?” Ajak was confused… this wasn’t part of the original plan. She didn’t want to question the celestial too much, but curiosity was nagging to get the best of her.

“Yes. I’ve decided to try out a new creation.”

Ajak nodded, not wanting to push her luck by asking anymore questions. Anticipation and anxiety began swelling inside of her.

“What is her purpose in the overall plan?”

“The same as yours. She will aide you in preparing for the emergence,” Arishem explained.

“Anything else I need to know?” Ajak asked.

“This Eternal… be attentive of her. Unlike the rest of you, she could adapt and change as she grows, including her powers. She can make or break the entire mission. You must make sure she stays on the right path… or you will have to answer to me.”

Ajak nodded, before closing her eyes and being transported back to her quiet spot in the mountains. When she returned to the celebrations, Sprite watched her closely and intently, waiting to figure out what Arishem had said to her. Ajak didn’t notice Sprite follow her into the mountains, especially since she was back to the table before Ajak returned.

“So… what was that about?” Sprite finally gave in and asked once she realized Ajak was going to keep quiet.

“I want to tell everyone at once. When the party dies down, we will meet.” Ajak responded, looking around the room for her Eternals. They were all almost exactly where they were when she left. She smiled, feeling the anticipation of a new family member bubbling up inside of her.

Shortly after the celebration, all ten eternals gathered in the mountains near the spot Ajak sat earlier. She had asked them all to meet her there earlier and stood waiting for them to hike up the small mountain.

“So, Ajak, what did you need to talk to us about?” Ikaris ask, reaching for Sersi’s hand and giving it a small squeeze.

“Yes, and please tell us why we could not have met closer to the village,” Phastos asked, sighing as he sat on a nearby rock. If there was one thing he hated, it was hiking for no reason- and even then, it would have to be a good reason.

“Thank you all for meeting me here. Earlier tonight, I spoke with Arishem. He called while we were celebrating,” Ajak paused, reading everyone’s faces to gauge their reaction.

“And?” Druig asked, impatient with his leader.

“We have a new Eternal joining us tomorrow.”

An unbridled gasp left everyone’s lips, as shock overcame them.

“A… new Eternal?” Sersi asked, a little taken aback.

“Yes. Supposedly, Arishem created something new he wants to try out. That was all he told me. She will be arriving tomorrow around midday. I’m not sure how, or where. I just know when.” Ajak finished explaining.

They all looked amongst each other, taking in this new information. Druig took this opportunity to look into their minds, curious as to what they were thinking. They were all wondering the same thing: what was new about her? He decided to be the one to speak up.

“This doesn’t sound good Ajak. We know nothin’ about this new Eternal. What if they disrupt everything we have created?”

“Druig has a point. This seems reckless of Arishem,” Kingo said, looking to Sprite for support. She nodded her head, silently agreeing with them.

“We’ll just have to deal with that when the time comes. There is no turning back from this. We will accept this new Eternal with open arms and help her adjust and grow into her power. She will be a part of this family, just as you all have with each other.” Ajak said sternly, before dismissing herself back to her hut.

“I’m a little excited,” Makkari signed, trying to lighten the mood. When Druig dipped into her mind, he realized she was the most excited out of anyone in the group. It made his skin crawl.

“It would be fun to meet someone new like us,” Sersi added, smiling at Makkari.

“If she causes trouble, we always have Thena,” Gilgamesh chuckled, wrapping his arms around the beautiful Thena who stood next to him, who smiled and nodded.

“I still think is ridiculous,” Druig said, annoyed that his fellow Eternals were warming up to the idea.

“Druig, is there anything you’re ever actually excited for?” Phastos asked, purposely trying to annoy him.

“Food. That’s it,” he answered, before walking back to his hut.

The rest of the Eternals discussed the possibilities of this new Eternal and all her glory, recognizing at the very least that she must be important for Arishem to have created her, as they headed back to the village.

Druig had been alone back in his tent for a solid half hour before he saw the flap draw back and a short Makkari stood in the entryway.

“Hello Makkari,” he gave her a soft smile. Out of all his fellow Eternals, Makkari was his favorite. She was kind and gentle, always ready to back him up… until tonight.

“Why are you upset about this?” Makkari signed, looking at his face for answers.

If he was honest, he wasn’t entirely sure. Something about this new Eternal gave him anxiety. His senses were now hyper aware, picking up on people’s thoughts unprecedented. When he was stable, he could control whose mind he read and whose he didn’t. But when he was stressed, anxious, or mad, he lost that control. It annoyed him, which, ironically, just made it worse.

“Just a bad feelin’,” he signed back, before sitting on the edge of his bed.

“What kind of bad feeling?” Makkari asked, moving to sit next to him.

“I just feel like somethin’ is about to go disastrously wrong.”

They were quiet for a few minutes as they both took in what he just said. Makkari didn’t have any comforting words, so instead she placed her hand on his shoulder, bringing her forehead to meet his. Their bond was special, strictly platonic, but full of passion and emotions, nonetheless. Delicate, yet solid and firm. They understood each other without words, and they always had each other’s back. The other Eternals were surprised they were not together romantically because of this- but it just never felt right for them.

“Don’t worry about me, I’ll be a’right”, Druig signed, sensing Makkari was growing tired. She gave him a soft smile, before returning to her hut.

Druig laid his head down, dreadful for the morning light to come.

** the next day **

The feeling of serenity and peacefulness flooded your body, as Arishem brought you to life. The sensation was strong as you began to feel every fiber of your being be shaken awake with the jolts of electricity. The blood began to rush through your body, creating a ringing in your ears. The feeling was euphoric, as life itself pumped through your veins. When you fluttered your eyes open, you saw Arishem and the infinite cosmos behind him. Behind you was a tiny blue and green orb, with white swirls dancing on its surface.

“Y/N. You are being sent down to Earth to join your fellow Eternals. Look for Ajak- she is your leader. She will have the information you need.” Arishem ordered, as his hand curled underneath you. Within an instant you were hurled down to the planet Earth, the wind rushing all around you. Fire begins to build around you, as you broke into Earth’s atmosphere.

Before you even understood what was happening, you met the earth with an intense thud powerful enough to render you unconscious.

Makkari felt the vibrations coming from the mountains and ran to see what it was. Expecting a deviant, she was surprised to see a crater where your bruised body laid, your legs bent in an unsettling way. Her stomach churned, seeing you in the state you were in. Why would Arishem take so little care of how you got here? She wondered, before running off to find Ajak.

“The new Eternal is here… but she is in bad condition,” Makkari signed once she found Ajak.

“What do you mean?” Ajak asked. They began to head up the mountain pass, the rest of the Eternals following closely behind.

Makkari never answered Ajak. She wasn’t sure she could even accurately express the state you were in, second guessing what she saw.

When they reached the crater, Ajak gasped.

“Oh my,” she said as she slipped into the crater to your body. She began to run her hands over your injuries, trying to heal you before you woke up.

The rest of the Eternals stood at the top of the crater, giving Ajak her space.

“Why is she so beaten up?” Kingo asked, his voice breaking ever so slightly.

“It looks like this is where she landed. If she’s so important, you’d think Arishem would have had her descend slowly, and not hurl her down here,” Sprite spoke up, already beginning to question your existence. Sersi looked at her sternly.

Druig’s jaw clenched as he watched Ajak closely. She was already working her way up to the scratches and burns on your face. He felt the anger rising in him already, thinking of how Arishem cared so little for his own creations.

“Gilgamesh, can you carry her to the village and lay her down in the temple? She can stay there while we prepare a hut for her. I think she’ll be out for a while longer; the burns will take a while to finish healing, but they should be good on their own to continue.” Ajak said.

“Sure thing, Ajak.” Gilgamesh responded, jumping down into the crater. He carefully picked your body up, making sure to give your head support so you didn’t have a sore neck from the hike back.

“Now we just have to wait for her to wake and let us know who she is.”

Part Two

Tag List: @theyear1980 @tendertalesmain <3

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[achaoticeternal]

𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀

druig x eternal!reader based on the song 'home for the holidays' by perry como

summary: all of the eternals are coming to phastos' home for the holidays, except for one. but maybe your yuletide wish will come true, since there's no place like home for the holidays. word count: 1.6k warnings: none :) a/n: I'm a sucker for a good holiday fic so enjoy this! Gilgamesh is also very much alive and well, thank you.

"Just a little to the left- No! Too far left!" Ben yelled out to Phastos who was up on the later, adjusting the icicle lights hanging from the banisters of their home.

"If you would let me just do my thing and not insist on this silly little-"

"Phastos, I would stop while you're ahead!" You called out as you walked out the front door, and crossed over to Ben with a mug of spiked hot chocolate. Jack trailed out after you, wrapping a plaid scarf around his neck.

You passed the mug off to Ben who nodded a thank you as you looked up to observe the overly decorated house. It all looked fantastic, but you weren't really surprised. It was well known that Phastos would do anything for his family, which include making their home look like a fully decked-out gingerbread house just so Jack could have a magical holiday season. A blanket of snow covered the roof and ground which only added to the winter wonderland.

"(Y/N), come sledding with me!" Jack tugged at your arm. He was very insistent and strong for a 10-year-old as he pulled at your sleeve.

"Okay, okay," you chuckled, shaking your arm out of his hold, "why don't you go grab our sleds while I finish chatting with your father."

Jack grinned with content and ran off towards the one-door garage, his boots leaving deep prints in the snow. Ben shook his head at the boy and rubbed your back, "when do the others plan to arrive?"

Phastos hopped off the latter and jogged over to the two of you. He snatched the hot chocolate from Ben who simply rolled his eyes at his husband. After taking a sip out of the mug, he began to explain, "Sersi called and said that Dane, Sprite, and herself are with Kingo and should be here in an hour or two."

"Thena and Gil should arrive by sundown, but Makkari and Ajak won't be here till the morning," You added, a warm smile radiating from your freezing cheeks, "it'll be nice to have everyone around to celebrate the holiday season together."

However, your smile did falter a little when neither of you mentioned a certain name. It really shouldn't be such a shocker that he wouldn't be joining all of you after the craziness of the emergence. Plus, he literally lived in the Amazon so he would despise the power white snow that covered everything it touched. But you had really hoped that Druig would spend the holidays with all of you and take part in the little gift exchange.

"I know how badly you wanted Druig to join us, (Y/N), maybe next year," Phastos smiled, taking your hand and giving it a light squeeze.

"Maybe next year," You repeated, wishing it into existence.

"Aunt (Y/N), let's go! The other kids might have used all the good snow if we don't hurry!"

The three of you laughed at Jack who broke the little moment you were having, but it was all in good fun. A promise was a promise, and an awfully important promise to not break with your nephew.

You held a hand out to Ben who dropped the keys to his SUV in your palm. Once you had loaded up a sled for both yourself and Jack, you hopped into the vehicle, "We'll be back before dinner!"

As the large car left the driveway, Ben turned to his husband, shock evident on his face, "You didn't tell her that he was coming!"

"I was going to! But I thought it would be a nice surprise, he said that the plane won't land till we sit down for dinner, so I thought it would be a little yuletide miracle," Phastos explained his thought process for why he never told you about the blue-eyed Eternal joining all of you.

"You are just..." Ben tried to find the words.

"Smart, handsome, the best husband in the world?"

Ben shook his head, laughing at Phastos' behavior, "Insufferable."

You had just pulled the black SUV into the garage when Jack was already unbuckling and jumping out of the vehicle. He was overly excited to see his 'extended family' as Phastos referred to the Eternals. He ran through the white, leaving it wide open as he dashed to greet everyone and probably rope Sprite into playing one of his video games with him.

As you shuffled into the heated home, you shrugged off your long coat and undid your snow boots, placing them onto the floor of the garage. The warmth in the air helped to defrost your cheeks and ears as you made your way to the kitchen.

"Uncle Dane, you'll never believe what I did at school before we left for holiday!" Jack rambled to the dark-haired man who just nodded and laughed along with whatever the boy said.

Suddenly, two hands covered your eyes, turning everything to black, "Guess who?" three voices asked in unison.

Surprise and shock lit up your features as pure happiness filled your heart, you turned your body to see four familiar faces. Before you were Ajak, Thena, Makkari, and Gilgamesh - all who had arrived earlier than expected. You were lost for words as you pulled them all in for a group hug only then to give everyone single one of them their own greeting.

Gilgamesh gave you a great hug, lifting your high off the ground and your laughed echoed through the lower level of the house. Once he set you down, your cheeks were sore from how much you were smiling, "I'm so glad that you and Thena could make it!"

"We wouldn't miss it," he turned his head, smiling to Thena before returning his gaze to you, "and I brought treats!"

As if he said the magic words, Ben's head popped into the kitchen with excitement evident on his face, "Did you bring your homemade shortbread cookies?"

"Yes and my pumpkin pie!" Gil laughed at Ben's gleeful overreaction.

Phastos then appeared by his husband's side from the dining room, "Dinner is on the table and I know most of you had a long journey, so let's eat!"

It was long after you had all sat to eat but a majority of you still sat around the mahogany table, glasses filled with either egg nog or white wine. Sprite and Jack had escaped to go do their own thing and Dane had stepped out to chat with his Uncle. Ben was telling some rather embarrassing stories about Phastos which the others only responded with more. It was a serene and warm feeling to have nearly everyone together again to simply enjoy the season together.

Thena and Gil had made quite a few comments about to snow and the weather overall in America, compared to their reserve in Australia. All of you also reminisced on holidays long past and how you spent your time around the winter solstice.

"And that's when Karun had-" Yet the ring of the doorbell interrupted Kingo's story. Your brows furrowed in curiosity, as you glanced around to the others who seemed to avoid your gaze, but they looked to be just as confused. Finally, Phastos broke the moment of silence as Ben nudged him with his elbow, "(Y/N), will you go see who's at the door? It's probably just a last-minute delivery."

"Sure, no problem," you smiled softly and set your glass on the table.

As you walked towards the front door, the lights sparkling outside, reflected inside through the windows. You adjusted the collar of your turtleneck that had folded slightly and reached towards the brass handle. Twisting the knob, you pulled open the door, parting your lips to speak a greeting, but when your eyes caught sight of who it was, no sound escaped.

Your heart was beating a million miles a minute as your eyes scanned over the man in front of you, adorned in his signature leather jacket. Druig only smiled, a real smile, "Hello, my darlin'."

Without another thought or word, you jumped towards him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. His arms snaked around your waist as a tear escaped your eyes, "Druig!"

You both stayed like that for a minute, taking in each other's warmth and presence. Druig was never one for physical touch until it came to you as he would be over willing to do anything for you. Finally, you pulled away in spite of the urge to stay in his arms, "I can't believe you're here?!? How- Wh- Why didn't you tell me?"

He chuckled as you smacked his chest playfully, "I asked Phastos to keep it a surprise in case things didn't quite work out. But you of all people know how convincing I can be," he smirked resting his forehead against yours. You grinned as his fingers intertwined with your own before pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. He kissed back with more force, making the kiss deeper as it was filled with love and longing. This was long overdue.

When your lungs begged for oxygen, you pulled away, but your noses remained touching, brushing against each other as you giggled.

"Are you two going to kiss again or are you gonna come inside?" Jack asked, leaning again the door frame.

"What Jack said. Get inside, your letting all the heat out," Phastos whined. Your cheeks flushed at being caught, but Druig only smirked and guided you into the house, "It's good to see you, Druig."

"It's good to be home for the holidays with my family," Druig nodded, closing the door behind him. One arm was still snug around your waist, as you looked up at him beaming. He crooked his neck to look at you and placed a soft kiss against your forehead, "and it's wonderful to be by your side, my love."

[kimhargreeves]

Control part 2-Druig x Reader

Summary: Druig has taken you under his wing but not everything is easy as it seems. The Eternals make an appearance and it's time for all of you to plan what is next.

(A/N: I wasn't planning to write a second part so soon since it's 2am but here it is! Thank you all who enjoyed the first part. The ending I planned it differently ending things quickly and all of the sudden, but I like how this turned out once I started writing some more.)

"Hey, (Y/N). Would you mind getting me some more vegetables for tonight's meal?" One of the villagers asked right when I was heading back to my room. I smiled at them and nodded, I was given a basket and began to head over to where all the crops are.

These past few years have easier for me, I've given Druig no problem or the villagers. I've learned to control my powers little by little, but it is better than before. I retrained myself from feeling anger and because of this Druig has kept me away from others.

I only came out when it was necessary. But, I grew fond of the humans here so I did my best to help out with what I could, it was upsetting when I had to see old humans being replaced by new ones, the first ones we knew were no longer alive, everyone was knew.

I was also fascinated with that concept, new humans being replaced by others, having a family, having children to pass along their memories or religion.

Everyone either waved or smiled when they saw me. I finally made it and began to cut or dig up whatever vegetables were to be needed for today's meal. I began to fill the basket with potatoes, carrots and tomatoes.

"(Y/N)? How are you holding up?" I heard a quiet voice ask me. I continued cutting up some tomatoes when I heard Druig behind me. "Is there anything bothering you?"

"The only thing bothering me is there's no more potatoes." I joked and wiped my hands from the dirt. I sighed and finally raised my head up and looked at him.

Druig smirked and nodded. "I'll have more be planted then, I know they are your favorite. I'll be inside if you need me."

I watched Druig leave back inside. He'd always come and make sure everything was okay, we don't have much here to do but I did try my best to remain calm. It wasn't always easy but Druig knew how to calm me down.

"Okay, here's the few you asked me to bring." I carried a whole full basket with vegetables. The lady smiled warmly at me and stopped what she was doing, she wiped her hands on her dress and examined the vegetables.

"They grew out to be perfect. You did really well, (Y/N(." She complimented my work. I decided to give a chance and try planting, she gave me advice and taught me how to grow nice fresh vegetables and fruit.

"Thank you ma'am."

"You're always so polite. It would be nice to see more younger people like you." I smile to myself and fight the urge to chuckle at her words. She doesn't know that I am older than way, her older.

"Oh, who are they?" She looked up ahead. I followed her eyes and I felt my heart getting heavy. It was them again.

Sersi, Ikaris, Kingo, Sprite, Gilgamesh and Thena, but they were with a guy recording them?

I tried hiding my face with a scarf and began walking away. "Hey, can you tell me where Druig is?" I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I felt myself going limb, it was a strange but familiar sensation. I turned around and my eyes glowed. "It's nice to see you again." I sarcastically said and smirked.

Everyone looked at me confused. "Druig?"

"If you're asking for me you shouldn't be talking to her." I say. "Come with me." They began to follow and everyone in the villagers stared back the the team.

"Not creepy at all."

I stopped walking and saw Druig walking out to greet them. They began to talk to each other and I remained silent and obedient. "I'm sure you're all hungry, you made it just in time for dinner."

Everyone stared at me weirdly when we made it the to kitchen area and took our seat by the table. Dinner was served to us all. I looked at them back, and tilted my head.

"Why are you controlling her? It's kinda creepy dude." Kingo said which made me look at him. The camera guy next to him continued to film. I raised my hand up and sent the to crash against the wall.

I opened back my eyes and felt myself back again. "Oh, I-It's everyone back again.." I nervously looked at Druig and he raised an eyebrow and glared at the rest.

"I control her because she'll lose control at the slightest if things all of you should know that. Only this way will she remain calm." Druig rolled his eyes at their stupid questions.

Thena remained silent since she wasn't so different to me. "What was she allowed to do all these years then?"

"This might sound stupid but I was not allowed to go outside without him knowing." They all turned their attention to me and Gilgamesh scoffed and began to laugh.

"So, you made (Y/N) into your pet." I furrowed my eyebrows confused and saw Druig giving him a cold look, despite these many years he's still hard for me to read.

"Not even Thena was held hostage like her." Kingo muttered and Druig's blue eyes turned to him and Ikaris who has his arms crossed.

"At least I've helped her control her powers, even if it was manipulation from my part. You all never to deal with her or even bothered in contacting her." Druig coldly said and stood up from his seat.

"Don't talk to us like that."

Druig smirked but continued to glare, this time at Sprite. "And what are you going to do?" He hummed when she didn't answer when he almost knelt to her size.

"She doesn't remember, but most of the times I would use my powers on her." I continued to look at him. This time he wouldn't meet my eyes. "I had to even control for many years, she was a danger to herself.."

I stood up from my seat and felt a strong breeze, the door opened and so did the windows making a few things fall down the ground. "(Y/N)." I ignored Druig calling out my name.

I continued walking until I reached a river. I began to steady my breathing I began to remind the many times Druig and I meditated, so I began to do just that. I feel upset and angry at him I had no idea he had been controlling me all this long.

"Did I even make the right choice coming here?" I looked up and grew concern when I saw snow falling over me. "No." I began to remind myself at how much he's helped me.

I felt another breeze but it wasn't because of me, something flew past me. I saw creature, a deviant fighting Ikaris. The village is under attack.

I began to run back and heard everyone panicking, half of the other villagers had shotguns in hand and began to fire at another deviant. The deviant ignored them and began to chase the same lady I was helping earlier,she was with three younger children and an older man.

"There's no way they are dying." My eyes glowed and I touched the ground and it began to crack all the way to them. The earth beneath us split in two and the family ran to shelter, the deviant fell into the ground and dirt with rocks began to fell on it.

"Did you get that?!" I heard someone shout. I rolled my eyes at Kingo who continued to film everything. I ignored him and began to help more people.

**********

"(Y/N)? Are you okay?" Druig asked when I went back to him. I nodded my head.

"Can't you see what you did? (Y/N), after so many centuries I think you finally uncovered your true powers." I met his blue and my eyes widened.

"Wind and Earth. You can control the elements! You just need to learn the rest. You used your anger and used it for good, you protected those villagers."

I took a step back when Druig got closer. He fought the urge to roll his eyes, "It wasn't my intentions to control you for so long but-"

"You believed it was for my own good and that's why I didn't harm anyone." I finished what he was going to say.

Druig smirked and nodded his head, "You continue to impress me, (Y/N)."

Sersi and Kingo came running to us panicking, "Gilgamesh.. he's dead." Druig and I looked at each other and followed them back to the woods.

***********

We all held a quick funeral and reunited with the last members of our team, Phastos and Makkari. We were back on our ship and everyone began to plan on what to do, as soon as we saw Makkari again Druig would keep his eyes off of her and smiled more than he ever did.

Both of them happy to see each other, but the flirting was getting to me...

I remained seated and turned me back to them both, the temperature got a bit colder and Druig only warned me by calling my name, he knew something was wrong but I'm sure he had no idea why.

"Well I missed you a lot too." I had to glance back to them again. Makkari and Druig both sharing a teasing smile. I felt jealousy. Through the centuries I grew and developed a crush on him, it's funny because we didn't talk much at first and he used to only talk to me if necessary when I diets started training.

Now, if feels like he opened up to me a bit but never acted like this before. Makkari and Druig always liked one another, I believed they dated a while back.

Though she isn't the only one who dated him, Sersi did at first before she married Ikaris but it quickly ended.

"I think I know how we can put a celestial to sleep." Sersi looked at Druig and so did the rest. "It won't be easy, I'll need all of us to try it."

"I think I got an idea. We have to combine all of our strength and combine them, into the uni-mind." Phastos began to explain.

He began to divide Ajak's power many layers and taking out what was necessary. He began to create a sort of bracelet for us all. Druig whispered something to Makkari and she ran past us, I squinted my eyes and realized Ikaris had been watching her.

I felt a cold chill on my spine when he made eye contact with me, his eyes were cold and empty. "Druig." I whispered and reached my hand to grab his jacket so he'd pay attention to me.

"I have a feeling somethings gonna happen. Ikaris, he's acting stranger than usual." Druig looked at me confused but said nothing

His face said it all, he wasn't going to say anything but keep an eye on him too.

And in a matter of minutes everything changed..

***********

We made it to the Indian Ocean and were all fighting against Ikaris and Sprite who refused to stop the Emergence. We were all attacking Imadis preventing him from harming Sersi or Druig who was going to out a celestial to sleep, even if it means risking my own life, I won't let humanity end.

I felt angrier than before I saw that he hurt Druig, we placed our trust on Ikaris and he ended killing Ajak. I raised my hands up and made the water turn into icicles and through them at Ikaris impaling his arm and leg, it doesn't harm him as much but anything to keep his distracted.

Makkari continued to attack him and Phastos trying to him hold down. Thena was nowhere to be seen. I placed my hand on the ground and yet again opened another hole in the ground, more lava began to surround us when I did it. I raised lava with rocks and made them fall on Ikaris, the man easily dodged it and only had burnt his shoulder a bit.

I was exhausted. I've never used my powers for this song. Ikaris turned to me and his eyes glowed again, instead he came flying to me and held my neck throwing me to the ground beginning to choke me. He hit my head against it and I felt blood running down the side of my head.

Makkari pushed him off of me and Phastos quickly restrained him from the ground. From afar I could see Sersi running and Thena returning to us, quickly from the ice I saw movement, the Celestial was waking up.

Something happened, Sersi stopped it. She made it stop and with the uni-mind we made it fall back to sleep. I fell to the ground and was relieved that this was over.

Everyone joined in a group again, I slowly stood up and wondered where Druig was. I saw a figure walking to us and it was him! He smiled when he saw Makkari and thanked her, I was about to turn away when I heard him calling to me.

Druig quickly began walking to me until he reached me and smiled wide. I was surprised and taken back when he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. "My beautiful, beautiful (Y/N). You're safe."

I lightly gasped when I felt he pressed his lips against mine. He's kissing me..What?!

I felt Druig running his hand down my hair. I blushed at his words and actions, I felt my entire face turning red. Since when does he have feelings for me? I-I thought he still loved Makkari.

"I'm so glad you are safe." Druig pulled back a bit and kept smiling when he looked into my eyes. "You did such a wonderful job." He continued to praise me.

Too embarrassed to say anything or to even look at him, I leaned forward again and hugged his tighter, hiding my face against his chest as I heard him chuckle. "You'll be alright."

Druig held onto my hand and pulled me over to where the rest of our team was with Sprite who no longer wished to be immortal. For the first time I felt love, I never thought I'd have this strange, yet beautiful and welcomed feeling. Druig continued to hold my hand and even he was blushing.

Everyone of us began to leave until it was just Druig and I. "We better go and start a new life then." He shrugged. I nodded and began walking forward until I saw he wasn't following me.

"(Y/N)?" I turned around and saw Druig on his knees, he was holding something small in his fingers. My heart dropped when I saw it was a ring.

Druig smiles when he sees my face completely change. "I've had this for centuries but knew it wasn't the right time considering your well-being, will you accept and start a new and proper life with me?"

Tears began to fill my eyes and my vision got blurry. The clouds parted and now it was sunny and warm. "Druig..yes.." I wiped the tears away and ran over to him and held him tighter than before.

Druig hugged me back and we stayed like that for a while, until we finally parted, he gave me the ring and soon we were off to start a brand new life together.

[mirkwoodshewolf]

TCATC Chap. 2: A Merry gathering

*Author’s note*

And here is where the fun truly begins, here our Celestial Hela will meet the Dwarvish company of Thorin Oakenshield. And along this meeting she’ll come to grow close to two Dwarf princes in particular (now this is NOT  love story between the brothers. sorry to tell you folks, there’s another character in Hela’s life that she loves and I’ll drop hints until heis reveal).

Until next time, enjoy these few chapters I’ve created and hope to see hidden Tolkien fans discover this gem and like this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

NEXT CHAPTER HERE

Taglist:

@queensdivas

@plethora-of-things

@psychosupernatural

@waddles03

@ixchel-9275

@queen-paladin

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@peter-parkers-cullen-nerd

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Night fell unto the Shire and everyone was either in their homes settling for the night, or down at the local Green Dragon pub singing and drinking the night away before they all went to bed.  Bilbo now in his nighttime robe was just finishing up supper for both he and myself.

“Truly Hela you didn’t have to set up the table for us, you’re a guest after all.”

“I don’t mind Bilbo. I’ve taken more than your hospitality, the least I can do is help out around here.” I told him as I adjusted his knife and fork into their proper places.  He set the food down and we each took a fish, carrots, steamed broccoli and some cheese.  He set my plate down first before setting down his own plate and getting himself prepped.

I put a little spice on my vegetables and spoke a silent prayer to my brothers and sisters in my own Celestial language before taking a bite into my steamed broccoli.

“Oh Bilbo this is delicious.”

“Glad you like it Hela.” He said as he began to squeeze his lemon onto his fish.  That’s when we both heard the doorbell ring.  Bilbo froze and slowly looked up while I turned to face the door.  Could that be Gandalf?  The two of us went to the door but when Bilbo opened it, we were both surprised to see who was behind it.

He was a gruff looking fellow but I immediately recognized the type of creature this man was.  A dwarf.  Thick brown beard and hair growing from the lower back of his head, while on top of his head it was as bald as a new-born baby’s bottom but covered in tattoos.  He wore a brown cloak over his fur-skinned and thick armor.  And did he look like a warrior, like he was born and bred for war.  If he were just a foot taller, he could pass off as a War Celestial like Thena.

“Dwalin. At your service.” He introduced himself in a gruff but polite manner with a bow.  Bilbo tied his robe up and said.

“Hmm, uhh. Bilbo Baggins at yours. Do we know each other?” Dwalin walked in without any second thought and answered Bilbo’s question with a harsh no before turning to me.  “Lady Hela?” he asked me.  I nodded skeptically before he bowed his head in respect, and his hands doing my personal Celestial bow.  Circling around his heart before dragging his finger down his chest.

“Oh no, no, no, no please no need for that.”

“Very well milady.” He proceeded on further inside. “Which way laddie? Is it down here?” Dwalin asked Bilbo as he took off his cloak.

“Is-is what down where?”

“Supper.” Dwalin answered Bilbo as he handed him his cloak. “He said there’d be food, and lots of it.” He continued as he walked towards the kitchen.

“He said? Who said?” oh no, don’t tell me this is what I think it is.

Bilbo and I sat quietly together while Dwalin (who had taken over Bilbo’s seat) ate his well-cooked supper.  Scarfing down his food, even biting the fish head clean off made me sick to my stomach.

“Very good this, any more?” Dwalin hummed with a mouthful. Bilbo then walked up towards a plate of biscuits but hesitated until he snuck two off the plate and quickly handed me one.  He then presented the plate to Dwalin and said.

“Help yourself.” Dwalin immediately stuffed his face with the biscuits.  “It’s just that umm…..I wasn’t expecting company. Well minus Hela.” The doorbell rang again.  Bilbo and I looked towards the door and Dwalin told Bilbo.

“That’ll be the door.” We walked towards the door and when Bilbo opened it, there stood another dwarf.

This dwarf however was shorter and wider than Dwalin was. He had long white hair and beard that brushed up into an upper curve.  He wore a long red cloak and leather black gloved.  He gave us a polite smile and greeted us.

“Balin. At your service.” He bowed with his arms extended outward.

“Good evening.” Bilbo bluntly stated.

“Yes, yes it is.” Balin stated as he came in. “Though I think it might rain later. Am I late?”

“Late for what?” I asked.

“Oh pardon my intrusions my lady I—” when his eyes turned to me, his eyes slowly widened and he said.  “Bless my beard, he was right about you. I must say it is an honor to be in the same room as you my lady.” Seriously Gandalf? Why not go tell the orcs in the North about me why don’t you? Or better yet the Wild men in the West? They’ll surely get a kick out of me.

“Hela what are they talking about are you royalty or something?” Bilbo asked me.  Before I could answer, that’s when Balin noticed Dwalin in the living room, messing with one of Bilbo’s things.

“Oh!” Balin exclaimed before laughing and strutting on inside. “Evening brother!” Dwalin chuckled and set the glass cube down before telling Balin.

“By my beard. You are shorter and wider than last we met.”

“Wider not shorter. Sharp enough for both of us.” The two of them stared at each other before chuckling and placing their hands on each other’s shoulders.  They stared at each other before suddenly headbutting each other with a loud thump before cackling again.

Oh gods above if that’s how dwarves greet each other, thank the stars none of the War Celestials greeted one another like that.  I don’t know what I would’ve done if Thena always greeted us like that, or even Gilgamesh for that matter.

“Uhh excuse me, sorry I hate to interrupt. But the thing is, I’m not entirely sure you’re in the right house.” Bilbo told the two brother dwarves.  While the dwarves went into Bilbo’s pantry, he stuttered before telling me.  “If anyone else rings that bell, tell them to go away.” Before I could respond, Bilbo left to go after the two dwarves leaving me to my thoughts.

Oh Gandalf what have you got planned this time?  Now it’s not to say I’ve got a hatred or any bad blood with the Dwarves, it’s just that I’ve never really been around them. Ikaris always said they were a stubborn bunch that only thought about their greed for treasure.  But then again he always hung around the Elves so he was always a little biased when it came to other creatures of Middle Earth besides the Elves.

The doorbell rang again so I got up to answer it this time. As I opened the door, this time two dwarves stood there.  These two however were young and—if I must say handsome for dwarves.

The first one had long blonde hair, the front strands of his face in braids, as were the two end points of his mustache and blue eyes.  He wore garbs of animal fur and I could practically see ever shape and form of a knife hidden somewhere on his person.

The other one looked slightly younger than the other one with long black hair and surprisingly enough only a stubble of a beard growing which allowed me to see two brown eyes staring right at me.  He wore darker, leather like clothes compared to the other’s all fur outfit.  And surprisingly he held a bow and had a quiver of arrows on his back.  If I had to say, he would be more appropriate as an Elf than a Dwarf.

“Fili.” The blonde dwarf introduced himself.

“And Kili.” The dark haired dwarf introduced himself before they both bowed in unison and spoke up.

“At your service.”

“You must be the Lady Celestial.” Kili said with a happy grin.

“Yes, Hela. But mind not telling Bilbo of my true identity, I—haven’t really told him yet.”

“Of course milady.” Fili said.

“And no more of the milady stuff, I’m really not worthy of it.”

“Hela who is it this time?” that’s when Bilbo came in and as soon as he saw Fili and Kili, he immediately let out a small whimper.

“Oh right Bilbo, this is Fili and Kili.”

“Nope you can’t come in, you’ve come to the wrong house.” Bilbo went to shut the door but was stopped by Kili as he asked concerned.

“What? Has it been cancelled?”

“No one told us.” Fili said.

“Can-no nothing’s been cancelled.”

“That’s a relief!” Kili said joyously as he pushed his way in while Fili strutted his way in proudly.

“Careful with these, I just had them sharpened.” Fili said as he began to hand Bilbo what seemed to be over 20 knifes, daggers, and Dwarvish swords.

“It’s nice this place. Did you do it yourself?” Kili asked Bilbo as he admired the house before cleaning his boot on Bilbo’s mother’s glory box.

“No it’s been in the family for years. That’s my mother’s glory box, can you please not do that?”

“Fili, Kili. Come on, give us a hand.” Dwalin said as he wrapped an arm around Kili and guided him towards the dining room.  Kili praising Dwalin as they all began to work together adjusting the dining room.

“Let’s shove all of this in the hall otherwise we’ll never get everyone in.” Balin said.  Everyone? There’s still more?

“Everyone? How many more are there?” Bilbo exclaimed voicing my question.  At that moment the bell rang again.  Bilbo was finally starting to lose his temper as he exclaimed.  “Oh no. No, no! There’s nobody home!” he threw down Fili’s knifes and belt to the ground as he continued to shout. “Go away! And bother somebody else! There’s far too many dwarves in my dining room as it is! If-if-if this is some clot-head’s idea of a joke!” he mocked a sarcastic laugh as he reached his door and finished as he opened it up. “I can only say, it is in very poor taste!”

As soon as the door opened, multiple dwarves all suddenly fell to the ground.  I stood by Bilbo and counted eight more dwarves.  They all grumbled and groaned as they demanded the other that was on top to get off of them.  

That’s when our attention drew to a tall man in grey robes. He lowered and peered through the door as the two of us spoke his name.

“Gandalf.”

The once peaceful and quiet hobbit home now became frantic with movements, idle chatter, dishes clanking down onto tables, food being taken out of Bilbo’s pantry, more chairs being moved and picked up.  Poor Bilbo was frantically trying to maintain order in his home while I stood by Gandalf helping in setting up the table.

‘A gaggle of dwarves ehh Gandalf? Think you could’ve warned me ahead of time of who these others would be.’ I spoke to Gandalf telepathically with the help of my brother Druig’s power which I found from a mushroom.

‘Now Hela, I knew you would be hesitant to help this quest because of your dislike on dwarves.’

‘It’s not a dislike. I just…..never really gotten around to getting to know them. As I’m sure you’re aware of the stubbornness of Dwarves. Even in the old days some of them deemed us as evil witches of terrible powers. So forgive me if I’m a little stunned at the fact you’re asking me to help out dwarves that will just deem me the last dark witch of Middle Earth.’

‘Not these dwarves. For they are descendants from the house of Durin.’

‘Durin’s folk?’ I gawked as my eyes widened.  Before I could speak another word, that’s when an older dwarf came up to us.  His greying/white hair done up in a very intriguing way with braids framing the sides of his head and over top of his ears, along with two ends being tied together just under his chin.  He wore a purplish/red uniform but had a sweet face and held out a tray with three glasses and Bilbo’s teapot set.

“Excuse me, Mr. Gandalf, Lady Hela. May I tempt you both with a cup of chamomile?”

“Oh no thank you Dori. A little red wine for me I think.” Gandalf replied.  Meanwhile I think I’ll need something stronger than that but I doubt Bilbo’s got anything that strong.

“Make that two glasses please.” I said as the two of us walked out of the dining room.  Some dwarves bumped into me while Gandalf hit his head against Bilbo’s candelabra chandelier. He stopped it from rocking as he began to do a head count, and I also got the rest of the Dwarves names, although I’ll need a repeat just to get their faces correct.  Never have I heard names sound so similar to each other.

Fili, Kili, Oin, Glóin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori.

Soon a dwarf with an axe in his head and to me looked like he was more of a rapid animal than a dwarf came up to us and spoke in Dwarvish to Gandalf before strongly patting his forearm gauntlet.

“Yes you’re quite right Bifur.” Before he walked away.  I looked up at him skeptically.  “The axe in his head has made him only speak in the Dwarvish language of Khuzdul.” I nodded slowly.  “But even now we appear to be one dwarf short.”

“He is late is all.” Dwalin spoke to Gandalf.  He was leaning against the wall, a mug of what looked like ale in his hand.  “He traveled north to a meeting of our kin. He will come.” Before taking a sip of his ale.

“Mr. Gandalf, Lady Hela. A little glass of red wine as requested. It’s got a fruity bouquet.” The same dwarf umm—Ori I think? Said as he held out three hobbit sized wine glasses with a gentle smile.  Gandalf first took his cup while I took mine.

“Thank you Ori.”

“It’s Dori actually my lady. My younger brother Ori is just over there.” He pointed to a younger dwarf with his beard just short of growing (kinda like Fili’s).  I mentally slapped myself and apologized.

“I am so sorry, I’m not so good with names sometimes.”

“No trouble at all my lady. Be thankful you didn’t call me by my little brother Nori’s name. That thieving scoundrel is always up to no good.” He assured me before he left to join the others.  Gandalf and I gently tapped our glasses together in a cheers before downing our wine in a single gulp.  Just before Gandalf could go for a second sip, he realized that the short sip we both took, was the entire glass of wine we had.  He hummed skeptically and I told him as I patted his arm.

“I’ll see what I can do about that. Now do all of these dwarves know of what I am?”

“I put in a good word for you Hela. And it’s only the younger dwarves I told of your true heritage.” He placed a hand on top of my shoulder. “Your reputation spreads throughout all races of Middle Earth, whether you know it or not. So it doesn’t have to take the word of a Wizard to know a Celestial when they see one.” He walked into the dining room to join the rest of the dwarves for dinner.

Curse the wizard’s and their puzzling riddle-like statements. I groaned before finally joining and sat beside Gandalf in the festivities.

And boy what a feast it was.  Never have I seen a simple dinner party act like a victory feast after a war.  Food completely covered the table and the dwarves were all conversing very loudly while scarfing down their food.

I watched as the dwarf wearing a funny hat throw a piece of food to probably the biggest dwarf I have ever seen.  The ginger, big bellied dwarf caught it in his mouth which caused everyone to scream and cheer in victory.  I looked up to see poor Bilbo sulk and rage inside about the fact that his entire pantry was now bone dry.

Fili was now walking along the table asking anyone for an ale which some reached up for a cup while others hit him to get down and not walk along the food.  I saw Dwalin pour some of his ale down the hearing trumpet of probably the oldest dwarf in the room.  He retched back before blowing the ale out of his trumpet while all the dwarves laugh boisterously.

They then joined their mugs together in cheers before gulping down the ale like a dying man finally having water.  Which soon led to a burp off with one dwarf with what looked like a star-point styled brown hair letting out the first few belches, before the youngest dwarf Ori let out the biggest belch I had ever heard.

I looked at Gandalf skeptically.  Probably another reason why I never really hung around dwarves were because of their manners.  Sure I’ve seen some of the races of Men act like animals when it came to food and drink, but at least they held restraint when they were sober, dwarves however do not.

After dinner the dwarves were now all scattered around Bilbo’s home either looking at more of his stuff, drinking another mug of ale, or resting up some more from a long journey’s travel.

I sat quietly in the corner of the living room trying to get my thoughts together.  At first I thought I could have some peace to myself when Fili and Kili sat on opposite sides of me.

“You seemed pretty quiet during dinner.” Fili said to me.

“I’m sorry. Not quite used to having dinner with dwarves.”

“We really didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s just that some of us haven’t seen each other for decades and sometimes we get a little rambunctious.” Kili said, his eyes looking somber.

“It’s not that you didn’t offend me, it’s just that—I’ve never really spent much time around dwarves. All I really know of your kind is that you’re great miners and strong fighters. But I will say, and I hope you don’t take offense to this, but you’re also known to be the most stubborn of anyone in Middle Earth.”

“Some of us can. Mostly the older ones, but Kee and I, we prefer to see the fun in things. In fact that’s what most dwarves do, especially during a time like this.” Fili said.

“What do you mean?” Fili looked up to see Ori standing by Bilbo asking him very politely about what he should do with his plate.

“Watch this.” He said as he shot up from my left side to go over to Ori and Bilbo.

“This is gonna be great, you’re going to love this lady Hela.” Kili told me with a cheeky grin and a wink before following his brother.

“Here you go, Ori. Give it to me.” Fili told him before taking his plate and throwing it over to Kili who caught it and threw it into the kitchen.  I gasped and looked in to see that the plates Kili threw in were caught by Bifur, who had his back turned as he stood by the sink.

The sound of rhythmic clanging of silverware, plates, feet and hands soon echoed around the hobbit hole.  Four of the dwarves sat at a table banging their forks and knives onto the table before reaching over to the dwarf across from him, colliding their silverware with the others like swords in a duel.

“And-and can you not do that! You’ll blunt them!” Bilbo ordered them.

“Ooh you hear that lads? He says we’ll blunt the knives.” The dwarf with the funny looking hat said.  That’s when the dwarves began singing as they continued to play and toss the dishes all over the place.  And I’ll admit, the tune did put a smile to my face as I bobbed my head along to the happy little beat as it picked up.

*Kili*

Blunt the knives, bend the forks *Fili and Kili*

Smash the bottles and burn the corks *Dwarves*

Chip the glasses and crack the plates That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!

Cut the cloth, tread on the fat Leave the bones on the bedroom mat Pour the milk on the pantry floor Splash the wine on every door!

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowls Pound them up with a thumping pole When you're finished if they are whole Send them down the hall to roll

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!

Guess Fili and Kili were right, the tune did show me the lighter side that dwarves have.  Guess they know when to have fun (even at the expense of poor Bilbo’s pottery and dishes). But the dwarves made the cleaning fun and presented Bilbo with towers of stacked and clean dishes.

He stood there flabbergasted as the dwarves all laughed. Gandalf with a soft smile and his pipe in hand.  But soon the sound of laughter immediately silenced with three loud bangs at the door sounded off.

The air felt thick with tension as no one dare say a word. Gandalf then said ominously.

“He is here.”

[dragon-kazansky]

Making a snowman | Eternals

Requested by @forest-of-insanity

Christmas content!!!

Ikaris

Ikaris saw you outside in the snow. Though he wanted nothing more than to admire you running through the snow, with the way it landed in your hair, he had to know what you were doing. You looked very busy and were obviously working in something.

"What are you doing?" He asks, walking up beside you, not really bothered by the cold.

You smile as he approaches and gesture to your base work of a snowman. He looks at you with an amused grin.

"Want to help?"

He's only helping because he wants to spend time with you. Ikaris finds himself enjoying it though. The way you smile and laugh as you work with him to build an impressive snowman.

Ikaris wants to build more, if only to make you smile like that again.

Sersi

It was probably her idea anyway. Sersi finds joy in doing such silly little things sometimes. Even more so when with you.

You build the base for the snowman, while Sersi grabs some things to give it a personality when it's done. When she returns with a smile on her face, you can't help but smile back. She's obviously picked out some good accessories for it.

She helps with the head and the face, using buttons for the eyes. Each one a different colour. One of which is green, to reflect herself. The other, you chose. Sersi puts one of her hats on it, and one of your scarves.

You laugh when it's done. Sersi is very proud of the way it came out. You both take a picture with it on her phone. You just know this is going to be a good Christmas.

Druig

He was instantly interested in why you were dragging him outside. It was a bit too cold for him, but your radiant smile warmed him up in no time.

He chuckled when he saw you wanted to make a snowman. Who was he to say no?

It takes a bit of time to build it considering Druig spent a lot of time flirting and teasing you. Eventually you had built a solid snowman.

"It's cute," you say, admiring it.

Druig replies, not looking at the snowman, "yeah, cute."

Makkari

Makkari smiled the biggest smile you had ever seen when you asked if she wanted to come build a snowman with you. She grabbed your hand and led you outside herself. You had barely grabbed your coat.

She finds the perfect spot to build it. Makkari gathers the snow in quick succession. Once it's all gathered, she slows down so you can both shape and build together. The speedster isn't really all that bothered with what she's doing, she just wanted to spend time with you.

When it's done, Makkari fetches a hat and puts a smile on it's face. She stands beside you and hugs you from the side.

She decides it's not enough and wants to build another one. You laugh and watch her fetch more snow.

Kingo

Kingo is eager to build a snowman with you. In fact, he had already started before coming to get you. You had to laugh that he was already ahead.

Kingo takes it rather seriously. It has to look just right. He steps back often to oversee what progress you have both made. He rearranged the face more than once, wanting it to be perfect.

"Well?" You ask, after putting a scarf on it.

Kingo adjusts it ever so slightly.

"Perfection."

You rolls your eyes and smile at him. You would never build a snowman with him again.

Thena

Thena was touched you wanted to do such a thing a with her. This wasn't her usual go to activity during the winter, but she would be happy to accompany you.

Thena let's you do most if the building, bit she adds some features here and there. Before you know, you have your own warrior snowman.

You smile as you look at it.

"I think it kind of looks like you," you say, smiling at her.

Thena looks at you with an amused smile.

Gilgamesh

Say no more! This man could build a whole snowman family before the day was done. You suggest only building one, but he was serious. By the time the sun starts to set, there's a whole family of snowmen.

You laugh as you stand next to the one that was suppose to be you.

"Is this us?" You ask, realising just how many snowmen there were. Some of them did look suspiciously like your dear Eternals.

"Perhaps," he winks at you.

You can only laugh, especially when Sprite sees how short hers is.

Phastos

He smiles when you ask. He does most of the building, mainly because he gets carried away once you begin. You chuckle at the sight of him covered in snow.

Phastos let's you do the face. You find two good branches to use as arms, putting gloves on the end of them to give it hands. You use rocks for the eyes and a carrot for the nose.

When you're done, you have Phastos take a photo of you with it. Then one of him. This day becomes a very fond memory.

Sprite

Sprite was already ahead of you. She had built one already, but now she had the chance to build one with you. She smiles as she puts on her boots and leads the way. She shows you her previous work.

You challenge her to do one better. She accepts. While Sprite tries to out do herself, you build a smaller one next to her first snowman. You just wanted to see Sprite have a good time.

She enjoys every second of it. She stands back to look at them. She smiles.

"It's like a family," she says.

"Yeah. Except, they got nothing on us," you grin.

Ajak

Ajak was excited. She hadn't ever built a snowman before, and she can't say no to you. She decides to turn it into a friendly competition.

It was on!

On her mark, you both start building. There is lots of smiles and laughter. Heck, it even turns into a snowball fight at one point. You both have so much fun, you forget about the competition and just end up having a really fun time in the snow.

This becomes one of Ajak's favourite moments ever.

[laelior]

This Old Bird

Mass Effect Gen: Peggy Shepard (OC) & Ethan Johnson (OC) Rating: T (canon-typical violence, injuries) ~1700 words With her granddaughter, the famed Commander Shepard, off fighting the Reapers across the galaxy, Peggy Shepard carries on the fight at home.

Peggy Shepard rarely let her eyes wander up to the stars.

They were clear and bright this high up in the Appalachian mountains, only a little obscured by the waning half-moon that cast a dim light over the green valley floor below her.

No, she kept her eyes trained on that valley, searching for signs of movement in the thick carpet of vegetation. A snug knit scarf over the lower half of her face both kept her warm and kept her breath from obscuring her vision while she kept her watch, laying flat on the ground next to the Volkov XIII that kept her company. Her bones only complained a little at the cold, hard surface she’d been on for hours.

A slight motion just down the ridge from her caught her attention, the soft whisper of movement followed by the clatter of rocks skittering over one another. Peggy huffed into her scarf and pressed on her left ear.

“Staying awake down there, Johnson?” she murmured. More rocks skittered down the ridge as a dark shape lifted itself up off the ridge, snapping to attention.

“Umm, yes ma’am. Just, umm, shifting positions,” A young, very young, voice replied right in her ear.

Peggy smiled despite herself. “Ma’am is for officers and grandmothers, not old birds up in a perch like me.” The dark shape turned toward her, and Peggy amused herself by imagining the young man’s confusion at her words. “Stay awake, Johnson, and we’ll go get some hot cocoa when we’re done here.”

“Hot cocoa?” The young voice asked despairingly, forever tormented by her determination to treat him as a lost, young lamb and not the young adult he was.

“Maybe a splash of whiskey if you behave,” she added.

“Well I’ll just be the goodest boy you ever did see then, ma’am,” he replied, leaning into that southern accent of his that surely had charmed the pants off of many a young man.

“You do that, Johnson. In the meantime, you just keep your eyes open.”

“Will do.”

Silence blanketed their position without so much as an over and out over the radio. A silence that was as deep as it was unsettling. She’d lived most of her life out in these parts. She’d been born out here, had her babies out here—had outlived most of her babies for that matter. She’d buried her husband out here, too. The pieces in between, the constant uprooting that came with a military career, those didn’t run as deep in her bones as these as the sights, the smells, the sounds of these mountains.

But the mountains were quiet. Not even the owls dared to hoot at night anymore. The mountain streams barely made trickling sounds. Even the occasional breezes that rusted the bare branches of the trees were silent.

It was deeply, unsettlingly wrong. 

But so was everything these days.

The stars overhead tempting her to look at them again, to wonder what was happening up there to the last of her babies. Was Josephine staying safe? Was Thena with her? 

And Bethany, her only living grandchild….

Well. Overthinking never solved anything.

Movement on the valley floor drew her eyes back from the stars, followed by a sharp burst of static in her ear.

“Green Five, this is Green Six. We have word they’re headed to your position. Do you copy?” A clipped but distinctly quarian voice asked in her ear. These earbud radios weren’t as clear as the omni-tool communicators and they only worked over short ranges. But they hadn’t been compromised yet. The same couldn’t be said for the omni-tool network.

“We copy, Six. We’re on it. Over and out,” Peggy replied. She nodded down the ridge to Johnson and shifted to line herself up with the trusty Volkov by her side. Three small, stealthed drones shot from Johnson’s position and made their way down to the valley floor.

When she’d been younger, Peggy had imagined retirement as an idyllic, peaceful break from her long career with the UNAS marines and later the Systems Alliance. She’d imagined living in the home she’d worked so hard to create for herself and her family, and spending it with the man she’d carved her life out with, surrounded by the next generations of her family.

She’d never imagined she’d be pushing 80 and looking down the scope of a sniper rifle telemetered to Johnson’s drones. She’d never imagined she’d be staring at the mangled, blue-glowing remains of what was once a human being. She’d never imagined she’d be fighting in a resistance cell against an enemy so vast and so insidious that the line between ally and enemy was, at best, blurred.

There were no uniforms, no flags in this war. No rules of engagement. Not like the battles she’d fought in her youth. Just pure survival. Living to fight the next day.

“Now?” Johnson asked. Out of the corner of her eye his hands trembling nervously over the drone controls, visible even from her position.

“Not yet,” she replied, moving her aim to focus on the figures moving ahead of the husk horde. Resistance fighters in ragtag clothes, desperately trying to stay ahead of the advancing wave of mechanical bodies. Her finger stayed just off the trigger. 

There was an art to operations like this, requiring a ruthless patience that Johnson hadn’t yet learned. It was easier, she knew, when looking from a distance through the impersonal lens of a sniper scope. It was easier when one had nothing to lose by waiting a little longer.

Easier still when one’s fiancé wasn’t one of the runners stringing the husks along down on that valley floor. 

Finally, the runners crossed the dry creek bed they’d designated beforehand. She smiled in tight anticipation.

“Light it,” she said softly. 

The valley below exploded. The bare branches above her clattered against her each as they swayed from the blast, raining dust and twigs down on her. Mountain streams burst from the earthen dams hastily put in place weeks ago, washing away the mangled husks they hadn’t managed to blow up. Ashes and smoke wafted lazily on the night breeze up toward her, ticking her nostrils under her scarf.

Below her, Johnson’s explosive sigh of relief carried over the sudden rush of sounds echoing up from the valley.

Peggy pushed herself up from the ground, feeling her old bones creak in protest. Johnson was still focused on the drone controls. No doubt looking to make sure Kaz had made it clear to safety ahead of the blast. 

She laid back down and peered back through her scope. What few husks remained were struggling futilely against the water rushing down the valley. Except….

“Scion!” she called, training her rifle on the larger husk that waded against the current. She centered her aim on the head emerging from its right shoulder—had that been someone once? Had that been more than one someone?—but the telltale blue glow told her it was too late. A wave of energy cascaded from the grotesque shape and up the hillside.

Up the hillside and straight at her position.

She squeezed the trigger down and pushed herself up. 

“Move, now!” she called down to Johnson. The younger man whipped his head in her direction, then back down the hill, seemingly frozen in place. The blue wave travelled up the hill, ripping plants up out of the ground as it approached.

“Move!” She ordered again, slinging her rifle and her pack up over her shoulder and skidding down the hill to grab Johnson and move him by force if necessary. 

The ground exploded under them, pulling Peggy up off of her feet and slamming her back down into the ground.

She laid on her back, dazed and out of breath. The metallic taste of blood coated her tongue, mingling with the ashes in the air as she tried to remember how to breathe. When the ringing in her ears subsided, she slowly, painfully pushed herself up. No major injuries. Nothing some medi-gel and a good finger of whiskey couldn’t fix.

Johnson was splayed face-up on the ground twenty meters downslope, his wide, unblinking eyes staring up and his left leg tucked at an unnatural angle under him.

But his chest rose and fell steadily.

Peggy let out a trembling breath and crawled on her hands and knees over to him. Sharp, broken rocks dug into her knees and palms but she hardly noticed. 

“What did I tell you about falling asleep during an op, Johnson? It’s a bad habit to get into.” She set down her pack next to him. There was medi-gel in there. Somewhere. If only her hands would stop trembling long enough to find it.

Johnson coughed, rolling his head to look over at her, his baby-blue eyes almost entirely swallowed up by his pupils.

“Tell...Kaz….” he gasped each word harshly. She shook her head and immediately regretted the action as her head swam with unexpected pain.

“Ethan, my boy, you’re not dying here. What would I tell Kaz, hmm? If I don’t kill you for being an idiot boy, then he might,” she said lightly. Where were those damned medi-gel packs? She picked up the bottom of the bag and shook its contents out on the ground. Five red-and-white packs clattered to the ground and she immediately set to work applying them to his leg.

He would live. By God she would see to it he lived to fight the next day.

Her own family was too far away for her to help so Johnson and the rest of her resistance cell were her family now. Each and every once of them.

The first rays of pre-dawn light cast a murky blue-gray light to the east. Her eyes turned to the west to where the stars were still futilely shining their last rays in defiance of the encroaching sunlight. Peggy wiped the ash and blood from her face with the back of her hand. Somewhere out among those stars, her babies were still out there. Still fighting. 

And she could do no less.

[kawaiionnna-moved]

Wish I were Junie

Okay so it’s basically a song prompt fic based on the song Heather by Conan Grey https://youtu.be/GPUg7n8-M6o

December third. The Wright Anything Agency office was cold. The heating wasn’t working, and one window was stuck in an open position. Athena was at her desk, reading through a case file when something hit her in the face. It was a red polyester jumper. She moved it from her face, looking up at the person who’d thrown it at her.

“I can see you shivering from here. Put that on.” It was Apollo. He gave her a smile before turning back to focus on his own case file. Athena slipped on the jumper, feeling how warm it was. A blissful smile appeared on her face, taking a moment to curl up into the warmth of the jumper. Apollo glanced up at her. “It suits you. I think it might actually look better on you than me.” He laughed, causing Athena to laugh softly too. After a moment, they both turned back to their separate case files. The pleasant silence that had fallen over the pair was soon interrupted by a gentle knocking at the door. “Come in.” Apollo called to the person on the other side, who opened the door and revealed herself to be Juniper Woods.

“Hi Thena. Hi Apollo.” She came in, smiling at both before walking over to Apollo’s desk. The two of them had been spending more time together recently at Athena’s suggestion, and were now evidently close. “You ready to go?” Juniper asked Apollo, her back turning to Athena. Apollo quickly shuffled the files on his desk into a pile and got up from his desk.

“Yeah. Let’s go.” He grabbed his coat from the coat rack and put it on before turning to Athena. “Mr. Wright knows I’m leaving early. I promised Juniper I’d help her with some shopping. He informed her. Junpier gently held his hand, and he held hers back in response. Athena could sense the strong happiness from Juniper when he did. “Keep ahold of my jumper, just return it tomorrow or something.” He said, noticing she was still wearing it. He already had his coat on, and he didn’t want her to be cold still.

“Alright. See you tomorrow Apollo. Bye Junie.” Athena smiled at the pair and waved to them as they left the office. The second the door closed, Athena’s smile dropped entirely. She caught the scent of Apollo’s aftershave on his jumper. Somehow it made her warm inside, but also sad.

The next morning, Apollo and Athena arrived at the office at the same time. They’d run into each other on the way, so had just come the rest of the way together.

“Stop!” Trucy practically shouted as they came in through the door. Phoenix didn’t appear to be in the office, so it was just them three. Athena stopped, stepping slightly to the side so Apollo could enter too. “Look up.” Trucy instructed, making no effort to mask the smile that so desperately wanted to escape. Both Apollo and Athena looked up, and noticed it at the same time. A piece of mistletoe.

“Y-you don’t have to if you-“ Athena started to explain that he didn’t have to kiss her if it made him uncomfortable, but Apollo did it anyway. He cut her off with a kiss. Athena’s face turned as red as Apollo’s suit, but she quickly decided to kiss him back. It just felt right to her.

“Let’s agree not to tell Juniper about this.” Apollo said quietly as he broke the kiss. Athena nodded, her hand going to her cheek. It was warm and tinted red. Apollo decided to make some coffee. It was pretty cold outside. At least the cold gave Athena an excuse for the somewhat obvious blush. “Would you like some coffee, Athena?” Apollo asked as she took off her coat and sat at her desk.

“Yeah, thanks Apollo.” She didn’t look up from her desk as she replied to him. She was just idly on her phone when a text appeared. It was from Trucy, which she found rather strange considering she was basically next to her. She opened the message, and was instantly met with a picture of her and Apollo kissing. Trucy must’ve just taken it. She didn’t want to smile at it like she was. She almost wanted it, but she knew she couldn’t. Juniper loved Apollo after all, Athena could never do that to her best friend. Widget displayed a sad dark blue as Athena turned her phone off and started to read the case file that had been left on her desk.

Light rain began to fall as Athena, Apollo and Juniper walked through the busy high street. The trio had gone Christmas shopping together, and Athena couldn’t help but feel like a third wheel. Apollo and Juniper had been flirting pretty hard most of the time. She was happy for them, but she was admittedly a little jealous. She just couldn’t help it.

“Apollo, I’m starting to get cold…” Juniper told him, wrapping her arms around herself. The wind was starting to pick up, hitting them with an icy wind and cold rain water droplets. Apollo took off his jumper and held it out to Juniper.

“Here. Put this on.” He insisted. He had a second one on underneath, so he would be fine. Juniper thanked him and took the jumper, slipping it on. Athena felt a pang in her heart as she remembered Apollo loaning her the same polyester jumper back in the office just a few days ago.

“It’s really warm.” Juniper commented softly, snuggling up in the jumper. Apollo laughed softly, putting his arm around Juniper’s shoulder as the wind picked up. Athena shivered, her own jacket not being enough to keep her warm. She was starting to get overwhelmed with everything that was happening. She had to get out.

“I think I’m gonna head home…” Athena told the pair, interrupting their moment. She tightened her grip on her bags, digging her nails into her palms. “It’s so busy here, I’m starting to get a little dizzy.“ She forced a smile, burying her sadness.

“Oh, you sure?” Apollo asked, a little disappointedly. Athena nodded her head, but the feeling of his bracelet tightening on his wrist told Apollo a different story. “I’ll see you at the office Monday then.” He didn’t press it now.

“See you later, Thena.” Juniper smiled and gave Athena a small wave. Athena turned and walked away quickly before they could see the tears pricking her eyes. Emotions had always overwhelmed her, but rarely were they her own.

The party was in full swing, ready to celebrate the new year. Apollo had been with Juniper most of the night, and was ready to ask her out. They were close, and he liked her. It just made sense. He pulled her into the kitchen, where Athena and Trucy were getting a drink.

“I wanted to ask you something.” Apollo told Juniper, his voice loud so it would be heard over the music. Juniper looked at him with an innocent smile, oblivious to what his question could be about. “Will you be my girlfriend?” He asked, fiddling with the end of the knitted scarf Juniper had made and gifted to him.

“Yes! Absolutely!” Juniper was beaming, her smile as bright and happy as the sun. She jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly and kissing him. Athena slipped out, her own heart breaking inside. She was supposed to be happy for Junpier, yet all she could feel was a deep sadness consuming her heart. A moment after she left, Phoenix and Maya entered their kitchen.

“You guys alright?” Phoenix asked, interrupting their moment. Juniper broke the hug quick, her face flushing with shy embarrassment and her hand grabbing on to Apollo’s. He laughed awkwardly and held on to her hand in return.

“Yeah. I just asked Juniper to be my girlfriend and she kinda said yeah…” Apollo decided to confess. He was over the moon about it, but it felt a little embarrassing to be caught by his boss.

“Aww! Congratulations!” Maya smiled brightly, congratulating the pair. Trucy meanwhile pulled Phoenix aside to talk to him about something. It was important and couldn’t wait.

“Daddy something’s wrong with Athena. She looked really sad a minute ago.” Trucy’s voice was only loud enough for Phoenix to hear her over the music, even with her speaking a few inches from his ear. She’d noticed it as soon as Apollo had asked Juniper to be his girlfriend, and thought the two were linked.

“Alright. I’ll go check on her.” He told Trucy, patting her head before leaving the kitchen to go find Athena.

Athena held her arms tightly around herself as she looked up at the night sky from the small balcony she had gone to for a moment of privacy. She wanted to compose herself, or at least push her sadness down, before heading back into the party to celebrate Juniper and Apollo getting together at last. She was lost in thought when the door opened and Phoenix came on to the balcony.

“You doing okay Athena?” He asked her, standing beside her. She nodded, leaning on the wall and continuing to look up at the sky. He could tell she wasn’t alright though. Her demeanour, Widget displaying a dark blue colour, and the two psyche locks that had appeared all told him she wasn’t alright. “Trucy said you suddenly looked really sad earlier. It was… it was when Apollo asked Juniper to be his girlfriend, wasn’t it?” He decided to press it gently and break the psyche locks. Athena tensed up, closing her eyes and looking down. “Something about that is upsetting you.”

“But it’s not supposed to!” She snapped, Widget turning red around her neck. She looked up and turned to Phoenix, folding her arms. “They’re my friends, and I’ve known Juniper liked him since she met him. I’m supposed to be happy for them… but…” the anger disappeared, leaving only sadness behind again. She sighed and shook her head, not saying anything else.

“You’re not feeling how you think you’re supposed to feel.” Phoenix summarised. Athena’s arms dropped to her side as the first psyche lock broke. Phoenix had an idea where this was heading, but he didn’t want to make an assumption. He also couldn’t shy away from the truth, even though it could hurt. “Be honest, how does it make you feel?”

“I’m happy for them! I really am. I mean, it’s what Juniper wanted, and they both always look happy together.” She turned away, instead leaning on the railing. It didn’t take a genius to see Athena was diverting the topic away from herself. Phoenix leant on the railing beside her, shaking his head.

“No, how do you really feel?” He repeated himself a little clearer. Athena wasn’t as happy as she claimed to be, and the psyche lock was still present. She went silent for a moment, looking down at the patch of grass below the balcony before speaking.

“I feel… sad… and a little jealous…” she confessed. She hadn’t realised it herself just yet, but it was starting to come to light. The reason she felt that way about Apollo and Juniper’s relationship.

“Why do you think you feel that way?” Phoenix’s voice was calm when he spoke. That admission hadn’t broken the psyche lock, but maybe the reason she felt sadness and jealousy would. Athena was silent for a minute, which to her felt like an eternity, as she thought about it.

“I… I l… lo… I love him.” The psyche lock shattered. Tears were threatening to spill from Athena’s eyes. It only came to her as she said it. She loved Apollo. She was jealous because she loved Apollo. She was sad because she’d lost him. No, she’d practically driven him into Juniper’s arms. “I’ve really messed up, haven’t I?” Her voice was barely audible over the music from inside.

“I…” Phoenix wasn’t sure where to go from here. Trucy had never had problems like this, so he was completely inexperienced. Still, he knew he had to comfort Athena. “Do you need a hug?” He offered, opening an arm to her. She looked at him, some confusion mixed into her sadness, but was quick to move closer and hug him. He put his arm around her and rubbed her back comfortingly. “I can’t pretend to know what you’re feeling, but I know how it feels to have my heart broken. Trust me, you’re gonna be okay. Sure, it sucks now, but you’re a strong young woman. I have no doubts you’ll be just fine.” He told her. She was silent, just hugging him and trying not to cry.

The time was three am. The party had long ended, and Athena was laying on top of her bed. She couldn’t sleep. Now she was alone, he was letting her tears out. In her arms was a picture frame with the photo Trucy had taken of her and Apollo kissing under the mistletoe inside. She set it down and forced herself to sit up, starting to idly braid her long hair which was now loose. Widget was dark blue around her neck still. She got up and walked over to the full length mirror on the wall, staring at her reflection. She was wearing just a pink nightie, her ginger hair in braids and makeup smeared all over her face, which to her only made her look like an uglier version of Juniper. More tears spilled from her eyes. It all felt so unfair.

“Wish I were…”

[valorandgold-archived]

@taiyodoroki​ continued from this post

Where someone else might have reacted a bit negatively or at least given something similar to a roll of their eyes to the way Apollo appeared to have been scarfing down on the pocky sticks, it actually caused Juniper to giggle a little, a small blush settling into her cheeks. She actually found it sort of endearing and...honestly, kind of cute.

“Maybe you should just take that whole box and I can have the three left here,” Juniper said after letting out another soft giggle. “I had quite a few with Thena already today, and it seems like you’ve been going through a lot. I didn’t believe her when she said you go through these like Ema with her Snackoos, haha! But I’m glad you like them so much. That just lets me know it was a good idea to bring you more!”

[softquietsteadylove]

Hi!! I love 5+1 things and wanted to share my request with you! Please choose the AU you think it fits!

5 times Gil remembers her little quirks and habits, and 1 time she remember his. 

The first time he noticed one of her habits, he was quite sure he wasn't supposed to. They didn't know each other that well--him and the Ice Queen. And he was even more sure that she liked it that way.

They were across from each other at a quarterly meeting between some of the largest territory holders in the area. Ajak was checking on everyone; she had a bit of a habit of worrying over them, like a mother hen of sorts.

Gilgamesh admittedly didn't always pay a lot of attention in said meetings. Koreatown was pretty self-contained. He mostly showed up to maintain mutual respect and then spent the whole time looking around the room like a kid in a class.

The Ice Queen had painfully good posture. Back rigid, shoulders poised, that lace shawl that was always dangling around her was ever present. Sometimes it was up around her shoulders and sometimes it sat in the crooks of her elbows like a scarf or something. It looked sheer but it had some kind of design in it if seen closely enough.

Not that he looked at it that much.

The Ice Queen, although sitting like a perfect porcelain doll, also seemed lacking in attention. Ikaris was briefing them about something and her eyes had drifted away from him and just downward slightly. She could pretend to be paying attention again in an instant.

She was tracing her fingers over her lace.

Gil was silent, leaning in his chair and watching her move her fingers gently, almost subconsciously seeming. She was tracing that pattern that was so delicately and lovingly woven into the small but strong strands. It reminded him of when he got his first gang tattoo as a young kid; he would trace his fingers over it when he was bored.

As if sensing him smiling at her, her eyes flicked up to him, sharp and cold as the knives she carried.

He rushed his eyes away; the last person he wanted to anger was her.

Then, when they were having 'private meetings', he noticed something else about her. His Ice Queen - as he liked to call her in his head - was not good at...initiating things.

Even though they always ended up in her office, it was always him that ended up calling her about business. She would be the one to say that they should meet at her office instead of his, and he didn't blame her if she wanted the extra security of familiar territory in which to...meet.

He would come over, transition from his security into hers. He would wait for her to finish her work, lying on her couch until she was ready for him (his heart pounding and blood rushing already). When he heard her set down her pen it was a sign that she was done and he could approach her.

She was the one in control--in power. She made him approach her, make the first move, initiate things. And he kind of loved it. He had never been afraid of a powerful woman, and Thena was about as powerful as they came.

Gil stared at his phone, swiping through his calendar. He had put off three rather important meetings just to be here, today in particular. It wasn't good business, and his assistants and security of his own business were starting to get concerned.

He knew they knew, and they knew that he knew that they knew. But tight lips could save a life, in their business. And even more than that, everyone knew better than to be on the bad side of the Ice Queen.

They knew how down bad he already was.

"Ahem."

Gil startled, looking up from his position stretched out on the couch.

Thena started down at him, her arms crossed, "am I interrupting your busy schedule, Tyrant?"

"Uh," he blinked, his phone nearly slipping from his grasp as he rushed to sit up properly. He hadn't even heard her walk over to him. "S-Sorry, I-"

"If you have other engagements, Gilgamesh," she started in a tone that sounded miffed. But it soften just the slightest bit when she added, "you could have simply said so."

His eyes brightened, but she was already looking away from him. The Ice Queen didn't do softness (not by her own choice, at least). He grinned, practically throwing his phone across the room in his eagerness to give her his undivided attention. "C'mere, Ice."

Thena huffed, "you do not-!"

He pulled her down to him, settling her on his lap as he kissed her. For all her attempts to seem like she was resisting him, she moaned as their lips met, just like he did.

They were already pulling at each other's clothes like horny teenagers. But they didn't have all day for these private meetings of theirs. Thena's lips dragged away from his as she tore his shirt open, "you couldn't hear me?"

Hear her? He didn't...he searched through his mind. His eyes had been on his phone, but he could remember a sound a little ways away. It happened once, then twice, and it got louder and louder.

She had been putting her pen down again and again, harder and harder. She had been trying to get his attention...in a very Thena way. His face lit up again and she turned away from him, some pink rising in that pale skin of hers.

She had been initiating things, in her own way.

After the whole Little Heiress debacle, when he was still proving himself, he got to notice even more. In Thena's efforts to shut him out again, he still got to see more of her than he had before.

She still didn't let him take her on dates, or even 'meetings', as she was still calling them. They either met about business or they met to fulfill a physical need. It was only sometimes when he would manage to convince her to have a meal with him while he was loitering around her office.

But her affections were still there, just in smaller ways. She wouldn't let him call her 'baby' or 'princess' or 'sweetness' as much, but she would let him kiss her cheek before they parted ways. It was something.

And she wouldn't let him hold her hand for no reason, but she would let him brush her hair out of his way to touch her shoulder sometimes. It was something.

And she wouldn't say 'I love you' back. He didn't blame her for that one. But she had stopped ordering him to stop saying it, and that was at least something.

"Hey," he said gently as he sat up from lying around on her couch. She barely looked up from her paperwork. He slipped his phone into his jacket pocket, "I have a meeting I have to go to."

He was in his own office so seldom these days, reluctant to be away from her for too long.

"Hm," she sighed, going back to her own work. It was as good a send off as he was going to get, probably.

He came over to her desk anyway, though, putting his hand next to hers and leaning down, "it should be over by 4. Can I come back then?"

He always asked, now, never assuming he was welcome unless she told him.

Rather than just shrug at him, she sighed, "I have a meeting until 5--after that."

He smiled, kissing the back of her head on her silken hair, which she allowed. It was something. "I'll bring dinner."

Thena's hand moved away from her papers and to his, her finger delicately tapping against the ring tattooed on his finger. "If you like."

It was as good as an 'I love you', and that was something.

He had become pretty comfortable at her place, even before the whole 'getting shot' thing. And in the time following the shooting and his recovery, he had only come to know it as his own place more and more.

Thena always reminded him that he didn't live here and wasn't technically moved in with her. And yet she would include his stuff in her laundry service, had his car added to the building's security clearance for the garage, and even started entrusting him with her grocery deliveries.

She was a terrible cook. He knew that already, but the first time he had seen how truly little there was in her fridge he had nearly fainted.

For the first few weeks after the shooting, he would only work from home and go into the office for meetings. She was back in her office full time, of course.

She would get up, and that would wake him up too, since they slept so entangled with each other. He would kiss her good morning and she would tell him to go back to sleep. And at first, he did, the latent fatigue of injury and his meds suppressing his desire to get up.

But as time went on, he started falling back asleep less and less. Even when he laid back down and tried, he didn't necessarily fall back into slumber. And he started noticing something.

He would listen as Thena went into the luxurious bathroom attached to the bedroom. She would do whatever skincare or makeup she did, brush her hair, get ready for the day--all that. And perhaps because she thought he was still asleep, she would come over to his side of the bed.

She would lean over and, now with minty toothpaste breath, kiss him again oh-so gently. Her hand would press over his heart lightly and she would whisper an 'I love you' against his cheek. Then she would take her lace from the hook on her side of the bed and be off.

He heard the tap shut off and the spit of toothpaste. Something about seeing the polished and pristine Ice Queen so human--so mundane and domestic, really enchanted him. He loved that she had a real, human life under all the sparkle and image and power. He loved that he was a part of it.

Thena came back in, her heels soft on the rug below the bed. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she prepared to lean down to him and kiss him goodbye a second time.

Gil caught her hand atop his heart, opening his eyes just to wink at her, "hey, Ice."

She huffed at him, although he could tell she didn't appreciate the embarrassment of being caught. "If you're already up, you could get some work done, you know."

"Soon," he chuckled, letting her protest in her own way. He leaned up, kissing her properly, tasting the toothpaste she used. His other hand came up to run through her hair and over her cheek, clinging to her.

Thena moaned gently, leaning up until he couldn't follow her anymore. She pressed him back down to the bed and flicked her hair over her shoulder again, "was that all?"

He loved her. He grinned, "I guess."

"Hm," she gave him a little hint of a smile too, poking him right over his heart to press him into the pillows again, "rest, Tyrant. Koreatown will need its King back in the throne."

He sighed, still lying around on her silk pillows, naked under her cotton sheets. His head rolled to the side, watching her walk to the door of her - their - bedroom. "I love you, Thena."

She paused at the door, smiling (just not in his direction). "Get up and take a shower, Gilgamesh. You need it...after last night."

Now that they were engaged, he was certain that he knew everything there was to know about his Ice Queen. Every little habit, all of her little thoughts and quirks and fears. If his Ice Queen had fears, that was to say, because obviously she was fearless. Almost.

He couldn't blame her; his aunt was truly terrifying. But Imo liked Thena! He kept telling her that, but Thena was still a little nervous around her, despite his attempts to talk her out of it.

"Hey," he whispered as he came over to the sink with more dishes and plates in hand. He set them on the counter, reaching for Thena's hand in the sink, "will you sit down? Let me take care of these."

Thena glanced behind her for just a second, "you should visit with Imo."

Gil chuckled, pulling Thena's hands out of the water and patting them dry, "I've visited with her plenty. I'm sure she's sick of me by now anyway. She keeps asking me where her daughter has gotten to."

Thena smiled shyly, looking towards Imo's beautiful dining room again. Imo had changed her tune quickly from wondering what Gil was doing staying in America to accepting Thena as his wife-to-be. "I'm trying to thank her for her hospitality, especially after making such a beautiful meal for us."

"Hey, I helped," he pouted at her.

Thena just shook her head, but she was smiling when she leaned in for a gentle kiss. "You always make beautiful meals."

"Thena!"

Gil held back a laugh as Thena jumped at Imo's sharp and sudden calling of her name. He whispered, "she won't bite."

"Y-Yes, Imo," Thena answered demurely, walking back into the dining room and leaning against the door frame.

The matriarch waved her hand at her, the sleeve of her jeogori moving with it, "you leave him to that. Come and talk with me."

"I-" Thena turned, but he already had his sleeves rolled up, ready to finish what Thena had started.

He grinned, "you girls chat. I'll join you when I'm done."

He kissed her cheek as he slipped her ring back onto her finger for her.

"Dishes, Gilgamesh!"

He sighed; Imo was suddenly Thena's biggest fan, but still scandalized whenever he wanted to so much as kiss his fiance. "Yeah, yeah."

"Come and sit," he heard her say to Thena much more gently.

"Yes, Imo."

Gil groaned as he slid back into the bed--their bed, in their bedroom, in their penthouse home. "Fuck, it's nice to be home."

"It was a very nice trip," Thena sighed as she also slid into bed next to him. She pulled her lace off and hung it up next to the bed, adjusting the straps of her little silk nightdress. "It was nice of Imo to have us at her home."

Gil just smiled up at her from his pillow. Imo loved Thena--just adored her. She told him herself that she had apparently given up on the idea of having a daughter-in-law because he didn't seem to have any prospects when he left Korea (rude).

"I'm going to ask Kingo to arrange for some flowers to be sent to her from us," Thena narrated as she settled onto her pillow next to him. "Do you think that would be acceptable to her?"

Gil unfolded his arms and brought hers up to his lips, kissing the ring on her finger, "she'll love it, baby. She's already bragging about you to her business associates."

Thena just smiled, letting him kiss his way up the inside of her wrist. "I should be bragging. She is a revered business owner, and in a time when it was even harder for a women to build her own syndicate like that."

Gil nodded, rolling onto his back more to flail his hand at his bedside table. "I can look up what companies there will do deliveries."

"Gil-"

"Imo likes traditional stuff, I'm sure there'll be plenty of options for old lady flowers."

Thena laughed faintly, "Gil."

He sighed, turning over and not finding his phone at all, just his lamp and his watch and wallet. He turned over, "Princess, did I leave my phone-"

Thena pointed over her shoulder, where his phone was sitting in a little nook in the headboard. Usually she left her keys and her knives up there, but there was his phone, wirelessly charging and everything.

Gil blinked at it. "Was there always a charger there?"

"No." Nothing if not concise, his Ice Queen. She smiled, though, lying down and tucking herself into his side with her hand on his heart, like she always did. "You're always feeling around for your phone with your right hand in the morning."

It was reflexive. He was right handed, but his right hand was always occupied with holding Thena's shoulder. His left was just a little slower at reaching for his phone in the morning.

"So I put it up there so you can reach it easier," she sighed, nuzzling her head in under his chin just the way she liked it.

Gil just stared at her (at the top of her head, at least). He hadn't thought anything of it. If anything, it was just something that he did when he was half asleep and hadn't had any coffee yet. But she had gone to the trouble of getting a wireless charger installed in the frame of their bed so he could reach his phone better in the mornings?

Thena sighed as he pressed a kiss to the crown of her hair. "I can feel you looking for it when we get up for work. I don't know where you put it before we were sleeping together."

He sighed as well, adjusting his arm around her delicate, beautiful frame against him, pressing his cheek to her forehead. "I prefer not to think about that sad, sad time in my life, Ice."

[softquietsteadylove]

Would you write more about the Pokémon AU? Maybe how teddy wants to know more about Gil’s work?

"This way," Gil gestured to the procession of pokemon exiting Victory Road from the lower caves. "We'll find you somewhere nice and dry, I promise. But we need to check all of you for moisture damage, first!"

"Teddiursa!"

Gil chuckled at the little bear on his shoulder, also waving his paw to usher on the wild pokemon. His ears were sitting perfectly through the holes in the little 'assistant ranger' hat he had on for the day.

After a very intense battle between some water specialists, apparently there was a cave-in somewhere within the labyrinth of Victory Road's tunnels, leading to the evacuation of various ground and rock types for their own safety.

Thena, and many other trainers, had to help minimise the damage and keep the more aggressive pokemon population - those unwilling to evacuate - under control. She had asked Gil if he could take their little cub to work with him instead of exposing him to the dangers of her work week.

Gil looked down at a small Gible tugging at his pant leg. "What's up?"

"Gib?"

"Teddiursa!" the pokemon volunteered, clinging to Gil's shoulder as he leaned down to speak with the equally small pokemon. He pointed with a claw, gesturing to the ranger centre, where anyone looking at long-term rehabilitation would end up. "Tedd-Teddi!"

"Gible!"

"Teddi," he nodded, acknowledging the Gible's understandable worry about being displaced from his cave home. "Teddiursa!"

The Gible nodded its thanks before continuing on, weaving in between Tyrannitar and Rhyhorn and Gigaliths on its way to brave the pokemon centre all by itself.

"Hey," Gil gave Teddi's cheek a gentle nudge, "you did great, bud. You're a real pro."

"Ursa!" the little cub giggled as Gil poked his fuzzy cheeks. He attempted to maintain his more serious facade for work, tugging at the little scarf he had also been given to identify his deputisation.

"I think that's the last of this group," Gil sighed, checking things off his list before exporting it on his tablet. There was always more work to do in their business.

"Teddi," the cub poked Gil's cheek gently with a claw, "Teddiursa."

"It's okay, buddy," Gil assured his assistant, patting his hat between his ears as they moved into the caves. "Mama's a pro; she can take care of herself."

"Teddiursa?"

"Y'know, she probably is," Gil agreed. Thena was plenty knowledgeable on her own, and her specialty in pokemon nutrition and physiology probably helped her on a daily basis in her work for the Plateau. "You've learned a lot from her too."

"Ted!" the cub nodded with a prideful grin on his muzzle. He always paid very close attention when Thena was telling him about what vitamins and ingredients she was adding to homemade food, or even just to enhance the nutrition of store bought pokechow.

Gil smiled; Thena's food made for humans was just barely edible, but she was a master chef when it came to pokemon nutrition. Although she always tried to credit him and his degree in pokemon ecology for that. Apparently pro trainers received a negligible education on pokemon nutrition when they were testing to enter the league roster.

He was pretty sure she was good at it just because she cared so much.

"Looks like things have calmed down in here a bit," Gil remarked as they walked further into the caves. "You can probably go to work with Thena again tomorrow."

"Ted...Teddi?"

"Huh?" Gil looked at the bear sinking down on his shoulder with a shy expression. He tipped the brim of Teddi's hat up to better look at him. The Little Cub Pokemon did indeed have a guilty little look on his muzzle. "You wanna come to work with me again?"

"Teddiursa!" it beamed, looking as excited as it did the first time Thena said they could go for a flight with Dragonite. "Ted-Teddi!"

Gil wasn't sure why he was so shocked. Teddiursa had always been curious about what he and Thena did for work. He paid attention when Thena taught him about type advantages and their various needs and natures and abilities. And he always paid attention when Gil was teaching him about habitats and ecosystems and food networks. Maybe the combination of those two things had made him curious about being a ranger. "You don't wanna be a battle pokemon?"

"Ted," the little bear looked down again, clutching at the shoulder of Gil's vest, "Teddi."

"Well, you don't have to evolve if you don't want to, bud," Gil assured the little fella, patting his back as they walked. His pom-pom tail tickled the back of Gil's hand as it wiggled. "Mama would never want you to do something you didn't want to. I'm pretty sure she's too protective of you to let you start battling anyway."

"Ted!" the bear laughed.

They had only talked about Teddiursa's impending evolution a few times. He didn't know many attacks, and it wasn't as if Thena didn't protect him at all costs in any given situation. They were quite sure they had some time, although they were happy to accept if it did happen eventually.

"You wanna stay Mama's little cub?" Gil smiled, tickling the bear under the chin, at which his back paws kicked in delight. It could still catch him by surprise: how much it warmed his heart to witness the bond between Thena and the little orphan he rescued.

"Teddi," the bear mumbled against Gil's shoulder. If he didn't want to evolve, then he didn't have to. And if he was going to be working as a ranger, there were certain advantages to staying as he was. He didn't need the changes to his abilities evolution would bring if he wasn't going to be battling professionally.

"Okay, let's talk to Mama about it, hm?" Gil suggested gently. Teddiursa nodded, his face still buried in the back of Gil's shoulder as he hung there tiredly. Gil pulled him up by the paws until he could carry him in the crook of his arm, like Thena did. "She'll be happy to see you."

"Teddi," he agreed, feeling the same as Gil carried him. He turned in his arms, big black eyes staring at the caves around them.

Gil felt the little puff ball tail wiggle again and chuckled, "you smell her?"

"Teddi!"

"Hi," Thena called back, coming into sight just a few seconds later. She waved to them as Gallade ran with her on its back. She jumped down, holding out her arms for Teddiursa, who was already jumping towards her. "Hello!"

"Teddi!" the little cub greeted, rubbing his cheek against Thena's gleefully, never mind his hat, or his ears getting smushed in the ear holes of it.

"I missed you too," Thena smiled, holding Teddiursa against her properly so she could fix the hat on his head. She had already seen it that morning, and in pictures Gil had sent her. But it was just so cute! "Did you have a good day as an assistant ranger?"

"Teddiursa!"

Thena blinked at the overwhelming, albeit positive, response. "Oh?"

"Hey," Gil greeted, moving beside her to kiss her cheek. He would be greeting her with a proper kiss if not for the cranky look on Gallade's face. He had no doubt had a long day and would be feeling more strict than usual. "How did everything go, here?"

"Not bad," Thena leaned into his kiss, further melting into the arm he slipped around her waist. "There were some Steelix who didn't want to leave, but Ninetales helped me out."

"Gallade!"

"Yes, you too," she smiled up at her partner pokemon, who crossed his arms with a scowl. "We'll go home soon, I promise."

"Gallade," it agreed, although he didn't bother to let himself back into his pokeball, either.

Gil gave Thena's far side a gentle squeeze. She looked at him and he pressed his lips to her ear, "I think it's time to find an Everstone for you-know-who."

"Really?"

"We can talk about it more at home," he smiled, patting Teddi's head sandwiched between them. "But he might...want to come to work with me again tomorrow."

"Teddiursa!"

Thena smiled down at her little cub, because of course she was open to anything that made him happy. She pressed a kiss to his hat, "okay, my Luvdisk, if that's what you want to do."

"Ted!"

"Let's go home and get some dinner, first," she suggested, much to Gallade's relief. He didn't pick her up again, choosing to walk somewhat behind the little 'family', towering over all of them with his abnormal height. "I'll make your favourite."

"Teddi!" the little cub cheered from within her warm embrace.

Gil kissed her cheek again, a little closer to her lips, "and I'll make yours."

[softquietsteadylove]

I just read the little ballerina and boxer one and wanted to ask you if you can continue it. Maybe Gil showing up to one of her shows and invites her to dinner afterwards. And of course, he brought a single flower, because one flower says more than a thousand.

Hugs and much love! 🖤✨

"Bye Miss Thena!"

"Goodnight, girls," Thena bid her little goslings goodbye, the young women flitting out of the dressing room and already laughing about the cast party about to take place. Everyone was on their way for it, and as the newest troupe of performers making their debut, they would be the toast of things.

Thena was just looking forward to going home and getting some hard earned rest. Then, she could finally wake up to her normal life again. No more rehearsals, no more gruelling days of endless practise. She could go to the studio again.

She could see Gilgamesh again.

She hated to admit it, but she had missed even just seeing him in the hallway deeply over the past two weeks. The most intensive rehearsals required full commitment and attention, and that meant leaving classes to Sersi while she was chained up in the Eternal Theatre all day and most of the night.

She never used to think of it that way before.

But she missed the less pressured atmosphere of teaching classes with Sersi. She liked keeping a more normal schedule. She liked getting to see Gil's big, bright smile and his cute little wave in the mornings.

Thena groaned, running her fingers through her hair and throwing her scarf around her neck. She could torture herself more with those thoughts when she was home, preferably sinking into a hot bubble bath.

"Uh, sorry," he poked his head in with a sheepish smile, "door was open, so..."

Thena blinked as he walked in, one hand behind his back and the other in his brushed back hair. He looked rather dashing in a suit. "Gil?"

"Hey," he smiled at her, and the ache in her feet faded from her mind. "You were...wow."

Thena gulped, feeling her cheeks flood with warmth. She looked down, not-so-accidentally burying her nose in her scarf. "You're sweet."

"Well, you were, though," he shrugged, stepping in a little closer. He looked around him, seeing the many, many bouquets of flowers set around the counters. "But I guess you knew that."

Thena looked at the bundles of mostly red roses and arranged bouquets, shrugging at them. "It's a standard practise on the last night. Not all of them are for me, mind you."

"So a good number of them are?" he raised a brow, and she offered a more sheepish smile. He blushed, rocking back on his heels as he pulled out his hidden hand. "It's no bouquet, but-"

Thena gasped. It was a rose - singular - white in colour, clipped of thorns and leaves, bare stemmed save for a shimmering green ribbon tied in a bow around it.

Gil handed it over to her delicately accepting hands, his shyness showing through as he looked everywhere but at her. "I figured you'd get plenty, so maybe this would stand out...or something. And they offered me a white ribbon to match it. But I saw the green one and i-it matched the colour of your eyes, so I chose that one instead."

Thena's eyes were wide, bouncing between the flower in her hands and the beautiful man presenting it to her.

"I don't-"

"It's perfect!"

It wasn't the first time their words overlapped, and once again, Thena felt as if she was saying far too much within the two word sentence. But she pulled the flower as close to her as she dared, not wanting to rustle a single petal. It really was perfect, just like the gifter.

Gil flushed red to his ears, his laugh bubbling out of him. "O-Oh, good! I, well, uh-"

Thena looked up at him again from sniffing the rose gently. It was sweeter than any of the nameless, faceless bouquets around her from nameless, faceless people. "Gil?"

He tugged at his tie, clearly unused to it. "I was wondering...if - maybe - you'd, uh, wanna get dinner--sometime! Doesn't have to be tonight--you probably have a party, or something, with-"

"I'm free."

It was quieter than she thought it would be, but somehow she just couldn't get the air to stay in her lungs.

Gil looked surprised by her interruption, but he clearly didn't mind at all. He smiled, a sureness - a confidence - falling over him as he stepped closer still. He reached out, pulling her hair out of her scarf and fanning it out behind her. "I never get to see you with your hair loose."

Thena's eyes fluttered closed as he used the proximity as an excuse to kiss her forehead.

Then the flirtatious smirk faded against the brightness of his usual megawatt smile. "It's cute!"

Thena reached for her purse hung over the back of one of the chairs, hoping that maybe her blushing would subside a little (somehow, in the three seconds it took her to do it). "Well, where were you thinking of going?"

"I guess wherever you want to go," he shrugged, happily claiming her hand in his as they started to walk out of the dressing room. "I don't know if you want a big, huge meal or if something lighter would be better."

Thena laughed faintly, feeling his fingers squeezing tighter around hers. "If I had another show tomorrow I'd suggest something quite light. But I'm free as of tonight, so maybe something richer than usual wouldn't be the end of the world."

"If that's the case, I know this great Korean barbecue place."

"Sounds-" Thena startled as the backstage door slammed open.

"Miss Thena, are you coming to--oh!"

"Don't interrupt, didn't you see her boyfriend looking for her earlier?"

"Yeah, they probably have a date planned!"

The door closed again but the damage was done. Thena sighed; she was going to kill her little goslings for 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.