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After the emergence, it felt like both nothing and everything had changed between Makkari and Druig.
Sharing a bed. Eating meals together. Going on errands together. They were joined at the hip. But that wasn't exactly new. They had done that all before. Well at least they had before the Eternals split up.
At the same time, to Makkari, it seemed as if every nudge, every glance, every time she changed into her pajamas with him in the room, every time she woke up cuddled up close to him...It all felt so new. So scary. Even though it was the most comfortable thing in the world.
There was no denying what the emergence had revealed for them. At this point the cat was out of the bag. But neither wanted to say anything for fear the spell would be broken.
They had danced this dance their entire lives-- at least the part they could remember. The slow burn of their affection was a constant. But it was hard to deny that something had changed. When she screamed. When she thought he had died. And when he miraculously appeared alive.
They couldn't ignore the truth. But Makkari figured there was no rush, she had the rest of forever to figure that out, with him.
One night after playing a very serious game of Uno with Druig, Phasto, Ben, Jack and Thena, Makkari needed some air. As she got up Druig's eyes followed her. When she approached the door she looked back at him "You coming or what?" She signed.
Druig grinned and told his friends goodnight, making eyes at Makkari as they went outside.
They laid side by side in the grass, star gazing for a bit until Makkari turned to Druig with a sparkle of mischief in her eyes.
She got up and started undressing. Druig, always game, started undressing without question but halfway through caught Makkari's attention and asked "Wait, so what are we doing?"
She beamed as she shimmied out of her underwear. Her body barely decipherable in the moonlight. His mouth hung open for a second.
"Skinny dipping!" She signed.
Without waiting for a response she ran and jumped head first into the freezing waters of Ajak's above ground pool. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest.
Druig smiled ruefully and yelled out as he struggled to remove his socks. "So Unfair. Give me a head start next time!"
Brazenly, with confidence he could only summon around Makkari, he too dived without hesitation into the freezing pool. He shreaked at the cold temperature and Makkari laughed so hard she almost began to cry.
But he was coming for her. "Oh no. You convinced me to get in this this cold thing. Now you're going to warm me up."
She squealed and closed her eyes as he submerged under water. She waited with one eye open. Then his hands were on her hips and she yelped as tried to jump out of his grasp. But he appeared out of the water and shook his wet hair like a dog spraying her.
"Give me your warmth. You living furnace." He growled at her, trying to pull her close.
She laughed as he finally found his grip and grabbed her tightly. Their naked bodies pressed together as he held her in a warm embrace, his head in the crook of her neck. He was still smiling. She could feel it.
When he pulled back, he looked at her with smiling eyes and almost as if he could not control his own body, he kissed her quickly on the lips. Her face lit up in happy suprise, but before she could make up her mind about how to reciprocate they heard the door slam and an angry Phastos talking to himself as he marched towards the pool. He carried a large flash light and pointed it towards the pool.
Makkari ducked as the light shone on them, feeling the vibrations of Phastos yelling loudly at them. She flew out of the pool grabbing both their clothes and disappeared into thin air. In the distance Druig heard a door slam and he figured it was her going back inside... with his clothes.
Seeing no other options, Druig put his hands up surrendering to Phastos and called out to him.
"Alright. Alright. You've got me."
Phastos was chiding him, talking about his child and decency and catching pneumonia and toxic water and blah blah blah.
Druig got out of the pool and covered his parts as Phastos approached, keeping his head down.
Before Phastos could open his mouth to scold him again, Druig looked up saying, "I'm not sorry". With a giant grin, he ran from Phastos back to the house, nearly falling up the stairs, and into his room that he shared with Makkari.
She was already cozy in bed. Still naked. She looked up at him signing "What?". Her eyes were teasing.
"Someone." He gave her a playfully stern look. "Stole all my clothes! I wonder who would do that."
She sunk into the bed concealing her grin.
"Yeah you hide, little miss sticky fingers." He was still standing there, in his full naked glory.
As she looked him up and down, her eyes lingered a bit longer below his waist. He seemed to notice her preoccupation and he chuckled, wagging his body at her making her flush under her freckled brown skin.
He smiled ruefully and teased "Like what you see m'lady?" He grabbed the towel she had laid out for him and shivered as he dried himself off.
He was feeling brave. She hadn't rejected his kiss. She was naked in bed. And soon he would be too. Tonight felt like a good night to just go with the flow, and see what happened so he turned off the lights and jumped into bed.
The light of the moon allowed him to see her signing in the darkness.
She peaked at him from behind the covers.
"Why you hiding over there, hm?" He said as he pulled at the sheet. She pulled it back with a look of mocking prudence.
"Are you shivering because you're cold or because you're nervous?" She signed.
"Why don't you come over here and find out?" His eyes were bright with playful desire.
God. How had they done this for so many centuries? The tension was driving her crazy. And it had only been a few days. But she kept his gaze and scooted closer to him.
He was actually shaking.
Concern flashed before her eyes she touched his shoulder. Ice cold.
"Come warm me up, pretty girl?" He smiled sweetly at her this time, no longer able to conceal his genuine affection.
His eyes sparkled and she couldn't help but roll her eyes and crawl into his embrace. His shivering was a bit violent but her heat seemed to help just a little bit.
She was made to withstand any weather. Druig on the other hand was not equiped with such all season protection.
So she didn't mind as he held her to his chest more tighly, their skin touching in places that made her blush. They stay like that for a while until his shaking had become minimal. She signed it was time for bed and turned to her side. As she began to drift off she felt a still shivering Druig scoot closer to her and throw an arm around her. She suppressed a smile and willed herself to sleep.
In the middle of the night, however, she woke up to the shivering clatter of Druig's teeth. He was still clinging to her and as she turned her head she could see flush on his pale cheeks.
Sleepily she turned around completely and hugged the shivering Druig. He calmed for a moment, while his mind somehow stayed in a dream. She smoothed his hair and took a good look at him. In his sleep he looked so innocent. Without any burden. Without a mask. So soft. It always drove her crazy how little she could resist him. And more over, how little she wanted to try.
After a few minutes she pulled away and placed another blanket on top of him and greatfully he turned away and stopped shivering.
She had only just drifted into dream space when she woke up with a start. It was HOT. She looked up out the window and saw the glass cloudy with condensation.
She turned to a well bundeled Druig and put a hand on his forehead. He wasn't shivering anymore. His skin was on fire.
That didn't make sense. Not at all. Eternals never really got sick. Not often at least. Some bad pork here. A bout of plague there. Not much could kill them. Sure they'd feel run down for a few days but soon they'd be good as new. She could count the number of times she had been truly ill on one hand.
Sweat covered his forehead and was slick at his hair.
Oh that's really bad. Should I wake him up? Or wake up the others? Or let him sleep it out... Am I over thinking this? She shook her head and decided she would just deal with it. No need to bother the others. She could handle this.
Then she felt someone grab her hand. She looked down and a bleary eyed Druig was staring at her.
She wasn't sure if he even was fully awake. But then he began, "Hello my beautiful girl. Is it time to go home?"
Okay. Something's wrong.
She made a face smiling softly and started signing to him.
She turned on the light and pulled off his blankets save the thin sheet that was soaked through.
Definitely a Fever.
Druig was falling back asleep when Makkari gently nudged him again. He groaned and covered his eyes.
"No no. It's too bright Makkari. Please...
Oh Fuck... My stomach. Ugh. Do we have a trash can?" As he struggled to get out of the bed she saw his movment quickening. He looked green.
Uh oh.
She grabbed him and got him into the bathroom. Suddenly he was praying to the porcelain God.
She looked away and signed that she'd be right back. She opened the door and retrieved some underwear and a few towels. She threw a pair through the cracked door without looking and waited outside. She at least wanted him to feel some kind of dignity, even though she could tell by the vibrations that everyone was sound asleep. After a few minutes of feeling no movment coming from within, she peaked in through the door way.
He was laying on the ground in the fetal position his face pressed against the cool tile floor. He was still naked. She had wraped a towl around herself. Gingerly she closed and locked the door behind her.
She tapped him once on the arm. And again.
Then touched his cheek. It was burning.
She raked her fingers through his hair. Soaked.
Okay. Tub time.
She remembered long, long, ago when Ajak had placed her in an ice bath. She couldn't remember why, but knew it had to do with a fever. And she remembered that it felt like fire burning her skin. But it must have helped because she was here, wasn't she?
He looked so exhausted, so she carefully tried to gather him in her arms.
He woke up as she pulled him into an embrace.
"Mmm what did I miss?" His eyes were closing again and she patted his cheek.
"Hey." He said softly not even opening his eyes.
She patted his face again more hard this time.
Finally he seemed a bit coherent. He shielded his eyes from the bathroom lights and put a hand to his head.
"Did we drink last night?" He peaked with one eye at her and she replied "Not enough to get hungover. We just--"
"Oh. This is nice." He interupted her sleepily. "Why am I naked? Why aren't you naked? We never get naked together... except that one time."
He closed both his eyes a small smile stayed on his face that was still pink with flush.
She turned away and felt her cheeks get hot as well.
She didn't remember much. But sometime in the early 500s they had gotten incredibly drunk at a local feast. Stumbling back to the palace they stopped at her quarters and she invited him in. She remembered taking off their clothes. Then his head between her thighs. She remembered enjoying it. Alot. And waking up nakedly tangled together. That was all.
When they had woken up, he said he remembered very little of the night before. So she agreed and then swore to herself that she'd never bring up the subject again.
I guess he remembered a little more than he let on. She bit back a smile, choosing to ignore his comment and tried to get his attention again.
He opened his eyes smiling at her. He reached out to put a hand on her face.
"You have a fever Druig. You're burnung up. Throwing up. You gotta take a cold shower to cool your temperature down." She signed after removing his hand.
He closed his eyes and groaned.
"No, please. I'll be good. I promise. Don't need a shower." He shook his head, his eyes closing.
Oh.
This was a different side of Druig all together. His voice was softer. More pouty. Younger, as if he wasn't thousand and thousands of years old. Or millions if you count the lives they couldn't remember.
"Yes. You do." She signed into his hand.
He shook his head. But then she pulled him to his feet. He was unsteady and he grabbed on to her for balance.
Slowly he got into the shower and began to sit down.
"No no. Let's stand." She signed.
He slumped and put his cheek on the cold tiled wall. "Okay. This is nice."
Then she turned the water on, quickly sliding the shower door closed.
She grimanced as she heard him yelp and as she peaked over she saw clarity return to his dangerously alluring blue eyes.
He shook his head and groaned. He tried to get out of the shower, protesting to her and began to try to open the sliding door. She let him open it but blocked his way.
"No no." She signed. "You need to cool down."
"Please! It's freezing Makkari. Let me out. I'll be fine I swear!" His voice was high pitched and desperate.
She shook her head. Oh he was going to hate her. Then she had an idea.
Quickly she removed her towel and got into the shower with him. Her body shivered and goosebumps covered her.
"Oh. Okay lets shower..." his voice trailed off as he looked up and down her body. He swallowed loudly.
She signed to him. "Let's just chill in the shower and once you're cool we can hang out in bed? Okay?"
He didn't take his eyes off her body.
"Deal."
But then he closed his eyes and shivered violently. She reached out and put her hand on his cheek. He opened his eyes, eyebrows scrunched in discomfort.
"Can I at least hold you while we're in here?" His eyes pleading.
She paused for a moment, worrying that maybe she was taking advantage of his vulnerability and incoherence. But then she looked up and he held out his arms, shivering.
"Please?"
His blue eyes. His rosey cheeks. His full lips pouting. His eyes were rimmned red. How anyone could say no to this man, she had no idea. Mind control or not he was just hopelessly irresistible-- to her at least.
He grabbed at her skin as she pressed her face into is chest. He he let out a low hum. Leaning against the tile he let the water hit his back.
His arms wrapped around her easily. After a few minutes she turned him around and he protested until she wraped her arms around him pressing her face into his chilly back.
He shivered again.
Poor guy.
After another few minutes she tapped his shoulder and skirted across him to shut off the water.
She exited first wrapping herself in her towel. Then she picked his up and held it out to him. He stepped out of the shower and she wrapped it around him. She smiled. He was actually complying now. He brushed his teeth. Though still nauseous, he did seen better. And greatfully he didn't look so pale.
Together they snuck quietly back into their room. She removed the soaked sheets and layed down the new ones as he dried off.
Once the bed was made he crawled in next to her. She lay on her side facing him. Reaching out she put her hand on his forehead. Warm. But not hot. It would have to do.
Before she could take her hand away, Druig grabbed her hand and pressed his lips to it.
They smiled at eachother. The words left unsaid hung in the air around them. Her heart squeezed and she prayed her eyes would say the words her hands and mouth couldn't form.
He continued holding onto her hand as he fell asleep. Removing it from his grasp, she ran her fingers through his hair a few times.
Had his eyelashes always been this long? His lips always this full? She stayed awake and watched him for a bit longer, too nervous to close her eyes just yet.
He slept deeply but fitfully, tossing and turning constantly. He groaned a few times. After a few hours she felt him begin to overheat again. In order to avoid another shower, she grabbed some packs of frozen peas and other veggies from Ajak's freezer.
Gently, oh so gently, she placed one in a small kitchen towel behind his neck. He shivered and whimpered softly. He was delirious, mumbling quietly, sounding pained and exhausted.
She shhh'ed him, caressing the side of his face. She felt so bad. Had he caught some odd chill from the pool? Some mysterious parasite? Maybe a brain eating amoeba. Whatever it was, they were going to have to ride it out and let it run it's course through his body. Advil didn't work on them. And there really wasn't a cure for a fever.
She scooted closer to him and wraped her small body against his. Her head leaned on his shoulder as she tried to sooth his fitful sleep. She was greatful thag her touch seemed to calm him even just a little bit.
She exchanged another pack of veggies placing it on his side. He grunted and attempted to twist away from it, but she held him and kissed his cheek coaxing him back into a more restful state. His cheeks were hot against her lips.
"Makkari?" He breathed. His voice just above a whisper. His eyes remained unopened.
She grabbed his hand and signed into it. She had taught him how to finger spelling into hands many years ago and was happy when she discovered he still remembered it.
"I'm here. I'm here."
"Makkari? You're so Beautiful." He shivered and whined softly. "So beautiful."
She felt heat in her cheeks and her heart racing.
"It's okay. I'm right here." She grabbed his hand kissing it gently. She kept it to her lips. Peppering it with kisses when he began to toss and turn. His body shook a bit and he groaned pitifully and sighed again.
"Makkari. Do you love me?" His breath was shakey and his eyebrows were knitted together in discomfort. His voice sounded weak but full of longing and need.
She froze. They had not broached that conversation. Not in the slightest...But there was no denying it. She loved him. Desperately. If there was any doubt, it died on that beach when she watched Ikarus shoot beams into his chest. And if this wasn't love, she didn't know what was.
She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against his hot face, kissing his cheek again.
In his hand she simply signed.
"Yes."
He sighed contently. She had no idea if he'd even remember this tomorrow. But it didn't matter. She said it and she meant it. With her entire soul.
She pulled back and brushed his hair out if his face and kissed him on his brow.
His eyes remained closed and his breathing was shallow as he began to shiver more violently. She pressed herself into him wraping her arms around him to try and stop his shivers.
Her heart hurt. He sounded so weak. So unlike the man she had known for centuries. The sarcastic one who followed her with teasing eyes and small smiles. The one who helped her translate and barter for some of her most prized possessions. The one who held her when she would have nightmares. The one who helped clean her wounds after the battle with Ikaris.
Her eyebrows knitted with concern. What if something was really wrong with him. What if his fever doesn't get better?
He began talking again. His vibrations indicating it was just breathy whispers. He was pleading.
"No. Makkari. I love you. Please. Don't...I love--" His whispers became unintelligible. A few tears ran down his cheeks. Whatever he was dreaming clearly upsetting him.
Her heart caught in her throat. She wiped his tears with her hands and caressed his cheek. She kissed his jaw at first and made her way to his cheek. Then his temple. His forehead. And gently, so gently, she kissed his full soft lips. She let them linger and savored the sweetness of him. Her head remained pressed to his as she continued to cool him and wipe his brow.
He remained fitfully asleep and did not stir at all even when she got up to get more supplies. She sighed and felt herself beginning to well up as she took him into her arms. He was much larger than he appeared. But it didn't matter. She held him close and rocked him kissing his head while tears formed in her eyes. She felt helpless, unable to sooth whatever sicknesses had taken hold of him.
Flashes of him being grabbed by the throat into the air. The crater that swallowed his body. The smoke and stone that she saw appear where his body should have been flashed in her mind. She was certain he had died. She had almost lost him. For real this time. She regained her composure a bit. Death had given him back. No way was she going to let anything happen to him now.
"Please." He breathed. His voice pleading in a whisper. "Don't leave me...alone."
She signed firmly into his hand.
"You're not alone. You've got me."