#druig x reader

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 | Druig — Part. 7

Pairing: Druig × Female Original Character

Genre: Slow Burn | Character-Driven Romance | Hurt/Comfort | Canon Divergence | Found Family | Eventual Smut

English is not my first language. Please let me know if I wrote anything wrong.

Cover and gif made by @spiderswff on Instagram

— ♡ —

Gupta Empire, 400 A.D.

The clear blue sky was one of the many things that made that day feel even more beautiful. Tefiti had dressed in the finest gown she owned, a soft lavender dress that gracefully accentuated the curves of her body. Earlier that morning, a small group of children had gathered around her to braid her hair, carefully weaving tiny flowers between the strands. Bracelets adorned her arms, and with every movement she made, the delicate chime of metal against metal filled the air.

Tefiti practically ran toward the hall where Sersi and Ajak were waiting, carrying the bouquet the bride had asked her to gather at the very last minute. After all, the wedding itself had been planned completely on impulse. Just three days earlier, while the Eternals were gathered together talking, the couple had suddenly announced they were getting married, catching everyone by surprise.

A very welcome surprise.

She carefully pushed the door open just enough to slip inside unnoticed and beamed at her friend. Her eyes immediately settled on Sersi's green dress, while Ajak stood behind her, adjusting the matching veil embroidered with delicate white details.

"You're so beautiful..." Tefiti whispered, already feeling her eyes well with tears.

"Please don't cry. There's no reason to." Sersi smiled warmly back at her. "Well? Were you able to find them?"

Tefiti took a steadying breath before nodding and placing the bouquet in her hands. She had spent hours searching for the most beautiful flowers she could find. No two were alike. Each one carried a different color, a different shape. To her, together they embodied everything Sersi was. Gentle, kind, and effortlessly graceful.

"They're perfect, Fiti. Thank you."

The two embraced, neither of them able to stop smiling.

"Tefiti, could you check if everyone's ready for the ceremony?" Ajak asked, smoothing one last wrinkle from Sersi's dress.

She agreed without hesitation, though not before reminding Sersi, for the third time that morning, how breathtaking she looked.

When everything was finally prepared and Ikaris stood waiting anxiously before the altar, Ajak gently guided Sersi to his side so they could walk together. The other Eternals gathered near the priest, silently watching as the couple took their first steps toward him. Tefiti remained beside Ajak, quietly handing her handkerchiefs as the Eternal Matriarch discreetly wiped away tears of happiness.

"May the gods bless your union in marriage. Congratulations" the priest declared.

The couple exchanged an eager glance, waiting for only one final sentence.

"You may kiss the bride."

Ikaris wasted no time. Wrapping his finally wife in his arms, he kissed her without another thought.

"Aren't they beautiful?" Tefiti asked softly, watching them while Ajak dabbed at her eyes with yet another handkerchief, nodding through an emotional smile.

"Definitely not."

Druig and Sprite answered in perfect unison. They immediately turned to stare at one another in mutual confusion. Without another word, they each took a step away from the other.

— ♡ —

Music soon filled the celebration, and excitement coursed through Tefiti's entire body. Within moments she had joined the women dancing together in honor of the newlyweds. At the center of it all, Ikaris and Sersi seemed to see no one but each other, utterly consumed by their love while the humans celebrated around them.

Tefiti pulled Kingo onto the dance floor. A moment later, Gilgamesh extended a hand toward Thena, inviting her to dance as well. Kingo slipped one arm around Tefiti's waist and intertwined the fingers of his other hand with hers, laughing alongside her as they moved together like the lifelong friends they were. That last detail, however, meant absolutely nothing to Druig.

Standing on the opposite side of the hall, he watched in silence. Anyone passing by could have felt the irritation radiating from him simply by seeing Kingo standing so close to Tefiti. The jealousy only deepened when he realized he wished he were the one dancing with her.

He simply lacked the courage to cross the room and do something about it.

"Fix that ugly expression, Druig. You look like you're about to set the both of them on fire just by glaring" Sprite teased, thoroughly entertained.

Druig rolled his eyes.

"Shut it, you little rat. Go bother someone else."

Sprite folded her arms with an offended huff before storming away. The two of them had spent centuries trading insults, and it had only become worse after the small Eternal realized exactly how deeply Druig cared for Tefiti.

As soon as she disappeared into the crowd, his attention drifted back to Tefiti. He didn't care if someone noticed how relentlessly his gaze followed her. 

Kingo was no longer by her side. Druig silently thanked the universe for that. A human stepped forward and offered Tefiti a hand. She accepted it with a gentle smile before joining him in the dance.

Once again… Druig admired her.

It had become a habit over the course of thousands of years. Whenever she entered his line of sight, looking away simply ceased to be an option. He memorized every version of her, every passing day, collecting each tiny detail like precious memories he refused to lose.

The lavender dress she wore, always choosing that color because it had long been her favorite. The necklace Thena had once given her, now weathered by time, resting elegantly against her neck. The smooth strands of her hair, decorated with the flowers the children had tucked into it that morning. The smile that never seemed to falter. 

Her laughter echoed through the hall. For a brief moment… It became the only sound he could hear.

The countless human voices constantly filling his mind no longer mattered, nor did the endless thoughts that invaded his consciousness whether he wished to hear them or not. Sometimes he even used his gift intentionally, listening to what the humans said about Tefiti. He liked discovering how they saw her. And silently deciding whether they were worthy of doing so.

His attention remained completely fixed on her. She looked beautiful. The idiot.

Druig smiled and had no intention whatsoever of looking away.

— ♡ —

A peaceful night settled over the city where the Eternals were staying. Ikaris and Sersi had gone off somewhere together, savoring the first hours of married life. The others remained inside the spacious house the villagers had prepared for them, large enough to comfortably shelter the entire group.

It had grown late. The city had fallen asleep long ago. The Eternals, however, took a little longer to follow. They were still far too exhilarated by their friends' wedding to think about resting.

Tefiti lingered awake longer than everyone else. She sat quietly beneath the star-filled sky, contemplating her purpose on Earth. She wondered if she would ever know the same happiness Sersi had found with Ikaris. If love would ever choose her the way it had chosen them. And what if… she simply wasn't worthy of being truly loved?

When she realized those intrusive thoughts had begun to overwhelm her and anxiety was tightening around her chest, she finally rose from the kitchen where she'd been sitting. The house remained wrapped in silence as she carefully climbed the stairs, doing her best not to disturb the peace. In the darkness of the hallway, she rested one hand against the wall to guide herself toward her room.

Then, without warning an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.

Tefiti stifled a scream before it could wake the others. She spun around in alarm, but her body relaxed the moment she recognized Druig's face hidden within the shadows.

"By Arishem... are you insane?" she whispered, still breathless.

"Please, Tefiti..." His voice was low, strained with pain. "I need your help."

Concern overtook her immediately.

"What happened? What are you feeling, Druig?"

Her hands gently cupped his face, as though she could somehow trace the source of his suffering beneath his skin.

"My head..." He squeezed his eyes shut. "It hurts. It gets worse every minute. I can't take it anymore."

For a moment, Tefiti was certain he was on the verge of tears.

"Come. Back to your room."

She guided him inside and helped him lie down on the bed. The moment his head touched the pillow, a muffled groan escaped him. One hand instinctively rose to his forehead, trying and failing to ease the relentless pressure.

"Gilgamesh isn't awake to make you tea... and Ajak isn't here to help you sleep." The growing panic in her voice betrayed how helpless she felt.

She sat beside him. Almost unconsciously, her hand drifted to his cheek, caressing it with quiet tenderness.

"I already drank the damn tea." He let out a weary sigh. "Nothing helps, Tefiti. The pain won't go away."

His words left a bitter taste in her mouth. She drew in a slow breath, desperately searching for an answer. Then an idea crossed her mind. It was uncertain. It might not even work. Even so... she couldn't bear seeing him like this.

She leaned closer, carefully moving his hand away from his forehead before taking it gently between both of hers.

"I can enter your consciousness... and try to help you sleep."

Druig finally opened his eyes. He knew exactly what she meant. Her gift. The visions.

"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.

A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. She doubted herself too. There had always been hesitation whenever she used that ability, which was why she avoided it whenever she could.

"I can't leave you like this."

Her voice barely rose above a whisper, thick with the tears threatening to spill as she looked into the pain still etched across his face.

Druig intertwined his fingers with hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"I trust you."

He almost smiled. Almost. But the pain was too overwhelming to allow even that. Still those words alone were enough to give her courage.

Tefiti shifted closer beside him on the bed and inhaled deeply before reaching for her power. Her fingertips rested against his temple. A thin strand of violet energy slowly slipped beneath his skin, while an identical thread appeared at her own temple. Their minds connected. For the briefest moment they became one.

Then the vision began.

At first, there was only blinding white light, brilliant enough to consume every thought. Gradually, the soothing rhythm of gentle waves washing against the shore filled the emptiness around them. Neither of them recognized the place. Yet somehow It felt like home.

Outside the vision, both of their bodies slowly relaxed. Druig's breathing became steadier. Little by little the pain faded away.

A small cottage stood overlooking the sea. Its door opened. Tefiti and Druig stepped outside together, making their way toward the water. They smiled at one another. Their fingers remained intertwined as they ran barefoot across the sand, the waves chasing after their feet. Embarrassment flooded Tefiti's face as she desperately tried to change the vision but she couldn't. Just as always. She had never truly mastered this gift. The visions were never hers to choose. They simply… happened.

Tefiti slowly lifted her fingers from his temple, breaking the connection between their minds. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she instinctively hid her blushing face behind loose strands of hair.

"Why were we together on that beach?" Druig asked.

His voice sounded much steadier now. She shook her head.

"I don't know. I can't control the visions. I'm sorry."

Embarrassed, she started to rise from the bed. Before she could, Druig gently caught her wrist.

"Don't go." She looked back at him. "Stay with me."

Their fingers found each other once more. Tefiti remained frozen for a heartbeat, surprised by his request.

"Stay with me tonight."

His eyes pleaded long before his voice did. Her heart skipped.

"You... want me to sleep beside you?"

"Yes..." His voice was barely audible. "Please. I need you."

Unable to refuse a plea like that, Tefiti quietly nodded.

She settled into the empty space beside him. Though the pain had lessened, traces of it still lingered like a distant memory. Silently, she rested her hand against his forehead, offering the only comfort she knew how to give. Druig lay still for several seconds. He fought the urge to wrap both arms around her, afraid he might frighten her. Instead, he gently rested one hand against her waist. 

It was the smallest of touches. Almost shy. But in that moment it was enough. Tefiti found comfort within that touch. Druig found tenderness.

Even after centuries spent building the bond they shared, something invisible still stood between them. A silent barrier that kept them from freely expressing the affection they already carried for one another.

She stayed awake a little longer, watching him. In the dim light of the room, she saw every trace of pain slowly leave his features. His breathing settled into a peaceful rhythm once more. Only when she was certain the pain wouldn't return did she finally allow herself to close her eyes.

That night they fell asleep together.

— ♡ —

Tefiti awoke as the first rays of morning sunlight slipped through Druig's window. Still half-asleep, she turned toward him. Her breath caught.

Sometime during the night, she had fallen asleep against his chest. And, without realizing it, Druig had wrapped his arms around her in his sleep, holding her close as though protecting her.

She remained perfectly still, replaying everything that had happened the night before. The scene felt almost impossible to believe. Then another realization quietly settled over her. That night she had slept peacefully for the first time in years.

Carefully, she slipped free from his embrace, doing everything she could not to wake him. She smoothed the wrinkles from her dress and took a slow breath, still trying to shake away the haze of sleep.

Voices echoed faintly from somewhere else in the house. Tefiti's eyes widened. She silently cursed herself for not waking before the others.

She rubbed the tiredness from her face and spared Druig one last glance. He was still sleeping peacefully. She carefully opened the bedroom door. Peeked into the hallway. Empty. She stepped outside and quietly began closing the door behind her. It took only a second too long. When she turned back around, her heart nearly stopped.

Kingo stood directly in front of her. His eyes were wide. Complete shock written across his face as he realized… 

That wasn't Tefiti's room. It was Druig's.

The two stared at each other in absolute silence for several long seconds. Tefiti broke first.

"Don't say a single damn word, Kingo... or I swear I'll rip your head off."

Her voice was every bit as threatening as the violet fissures that opened around her, revealing the blades that immediately aimed themselves at his face.

"By the Celestials..." Kingo raised both hands. "Get those things away from my incredibly handsome face, woman."

She dismissed the weapons at once. Still flustered, she ran her fingers through her hair while Kingo slowly approached, a grin spreading wider with every step.

"So..." he teased. "Care to explain why you're sneaking out of Druig's room?"

Tefiti answered with a murderous glare.

"Shut up. I don't want the others finding out. And if you must know, absolutely nothing happened."

She brushed past him and headed toward the kitchen. Kingo followed immediately behind.

"If absolutely nothing happened..." He nudged her arm with his elbow. "...then you can tell me about it."

She let out a weary sigh.

"Druig had another headache. I was just helping him."

The smile disappeared from King's face.

"Wait..." His expression grew serious. "That's strange. He hasn't had one of those in years."

Tefiti silently agreed. She was worried too. She had no idea what could be causing those sudden attacks. 

Whatever the reason, at least, for one night she had been able to ease his suffering. And secretly she knew she would treasure that brief moment of tenderness they had shared.

Thank you so much for reading!

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 | Druig — Part. 6

Pairing: Druig × Female Original Character

Genre: Slow Burn | Character-Driven Romance | Hurt/Comfort | Canon Divergence | Found Family | Eventual Smut

English is not my first language. Please let me know if I wrote anything wrong.

Cover and gif made by @spiderswff on Instagram

— ♡ —

The wind that morning drifted warmly through the trees. It was another summer day in Babylon. The damp scent of earth mingled with the fragrance of freshly bloomed flowers, while the first rays of sunlight pierced the canopy above, scattering patches of gold across the forest floor.

Tefiti took a deep breath. She had left the Domo early that morning, as she often did whenever there were few duties to attend to. She liked reserving a little time just for herself. Sometimes she invited Thena to train with her. Other times, she would try a recipe alongside Gilgamesh that one of the human women had taught her weeks before. But that morning, she had decided to devote those quiet hours solely to herself.

She cherished those moments when the other Eternals were still occupied with their own routines. It gave her the chance to slip away from the Domo as the sun rose beyond the mountains. The world always seemed quieter before human voices fully awakened.

Tefiti made her way toward a small grove a short distance from the great city they all called home. The trees stood apart from one another, their roots twisting above the ground. As she walked, the first beams of sunlight filtered through the leaves, gently warming her skin. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of running water blended with the morning songs of birds.

Stopping at the center of the grove, surrounded by a circle of trees, she raised one hand. A violet thread of cosmic energy flowed across her fingers. Then another. And another. Small blades began to materialize around her, as though they had been forged from light itself. They circled her body in slow, graceful orbits, following every movement of her arms.

Tefiti closed her eyes and drew in a slow breath. Then she began to dance with her blades. Her feet glided effortlessly across the grass while the daggers mirrored every turn, every sweep of her arms, like leaves carried upon the wind.

She never thought during combat. Her body simply knew. As though every movement belonged to a single, shared consciousness. The blades sliced through the air, weaving impossible patterns, their edges catching the sunlight like tiny stars. It was almost too beautiful to be called fighting.

She spun with greater force, and several of her blades struck the center of the surrounding trees. Each target was marked with almost impossible precision, the impact strong enough to startle birds resting among the branches into flight. As her final movement came to an end, the blades vanished one by one. The grove's natural silence slowly reclaimed the space. A faint smile touched her lips, quietly proud of another successful training session.

But something was wrong with the way the morning breeze moved that day. A cold, funeral-like shiver slowly crawled down her spine, as though something invisible had passed straight through her body.

Her smile faded. For a brief moment, she had the unmistakable feeling that someone was watching her.mShe slowly turned her head. The trees remained perfectly still. No animals. No humans. Certainly none of the Eternals.

And yet her heart began to race. The sensation felt disturbingly familiar. It was the same feeling she experienced only seconds before a Deviant appeared. But there was no danger. Or at least, none that she could see.

She shook her head, releasing a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Perhaps she was simply tired. Thinking too much about things she shouldn't.

"[...] don’t dwell on it too much. It may do you more harm than good." Ajak's words echoed through her memory.

As a precaution, she decided to end her training there and began making her way back to the Domo

— ♡ —

She spent the rest of the day trying to ignore the unsettling feeling that something was wrong. She kept herself busy alongside the other Eternals, helped Phastos, spoke with Sersi, and watched Kingo draw laughter from the city's children. She smiled whenever she needed to. She talked whenever conversation called for it. But beneath it all, that quiet unease remained lodged deep inside her chest.

That night, it took her far longer than usual to fall asleep. An anxiety she couldn't explain settled heavily inside her, refusing to let her rest. The entire week had been exhausting for everyone, and this day had been set aside precisely so they could leave their worries behind and regain their strength. She didn't want to wake anyone in the middle of the night over something she herself couldn't understand. So she tried to ignore her instincts. At least for one night.

When she finally closed her eyes, a vast and unfamiliar darkness swallowed her mind. It didn't feel right to call it a dream.

There was no beginning. No end. She simply... was. Standing within a place she did not know, and yet, somehow, it felt familiar.

An endless violet sky stretched overhead. There were no stars. Only tiny luminous fragments drifting slowly through the void. She blinked several times, trying to adjust her eyes to the strange landscape.

That was when she noticed a figure standing in the distance. A woman. Perfectly still. Her hair was long and dark. Her dress seemed woven from the night itself. She stood with her back turned, yet for reasons Tefiti could not explain, an almost desperate need rose inside her to look into the woman's eyes.

She tried to call out, but no sound came. It was like trying to scream in a place where air did not exist.

She tried to reach her. Her body refused to move.

Then, without warning, the entire universe trembled. A blinding white light tore through the void, shattering the ground beneath her feet. The woman vanished like mist, swallowed once again by the darkness.

Far away, however, a single star continued to shine. It grew before her eyes. It shifted into countless forms. Its radiance intensified with every passing second until it was no longer merely a star. A supernova took its place. It exploded before her eyes. Its light consumed everything.

It was beautiful. It was terrifying… in a way words could never fully explain.

And amid that endless brilliance… Tefiti heard someone crying. A cry so profound it seemed to be born from the universe itself.

Tefiti awoke with a violent gasp. Her chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths. It took her several seconds to realize she was back in her room inside the Domo. Nothing seemed out of place. It was as though everything had happened within the span of a single heartbeat. It was still the middle of the night. Silence ruled every corridor of the Domo.

She ran both hands over her face, clinging to the sensation of her own touch to convince herself she was truly awake.

"It was only a dream..." she murmured to herself.

But her voice sounded heavy. The air felt far too dense to reach her lungs. She needed to believe that.

That was when she noticed a different scent. Her brow furrowed as she searched her memory for where she had encountered it before. It reminded her of heated metal wrapped in ash, like the air moments after lightning tears through the sky. The aroma faded only seconds later, but Tefiti remained perfectly still.

Her heart insisted someone was there. Something was watching her from within the darkness. Yet her eyes found nothing but emptiness. She tried to dismiss the strange events and push away the unease that had settled inside her chest.

Even so, she remained awake for the rest of the night.

— ♡ —

The days passed peacefully.

Before long, Tefiti was once again consumed by her responsibilities. She continued helping Phastos with his inventions, training alongside Thena, accompanying Ajak on her visits among the humans, talking with Sersi, and laughing at Kingo's increasingly exaggerated stories. At first glance, everything seemed perfectly normal. Yet that faint sensation remained.

Over the past few days, Tefiti had begun to feel as though she was never truly alone.

Sometimes, while walking through the streets of Babylon, she would catch a fleeting glimpse of a dark, violet mist weaving between the buildings. But the moment she turned to look, there was nothing there. Other times, it appeared only as an unusual reflection upon the surface of a river. One ripple across the water was enough for the figure to disappear.

She chose not to mention it. Not to Thena. Not even to Ajak.

Perhaps she was simply imagining things. Perhaps her mind was still too consumed by the questions that had haunted her ever since her conversation with the Matriarch.

Even so, the unease grew more persistent with each passing day. And more noticeable. Even Druig noticed.

During one of the Eternals' many gatherings, he quietly approached from the edge of the room, just as he always did, making himself invisible to everyone except her.

"You look tired."

His voice came as little more than a whisper, audible only because of how close they stood.

"I'm fine."

The answer came automatically. They both knew it was a lie.

Druig studied her for a few silent moments. Her foot tapped restlessly against the floor. Her breathing rose and fell unevenly. Her fingers gripped the soft fabric of her violet tunic so tightly it seemed she needed something to hold onto just to keep herself from falling apart.

He remembered the conversation they had shared weeks earlier beside the lake. Perhaps her thoughts were still trapped within that future that unsettled her so deeply.

Without another word, he sat beside her on the sofa. His eyes remained fixed on Ikaris, who was explaining a new combat strategy to the others. But his true attention never left Tefiti. Discreetly, he reached one hand toward hers. The unexpected touch made her flinch. She turned to look at him. Druig, however, didn't return her gaze. He continued watching Ikaris as though absolutely nothing unusual was happening. Tefiti understood. They couldn't draw attention.

She turned her eyes back toward the center of the room and carefully intertwined her fingers with his between their bodies, concealing the gesture from the other Eternals. Even through that simple touch, Druig could still tell something was wrong. But he didn't press her. He knew that whenever Tefiti withdrew into herself, pushing only caused her to build even higher walls. He would wait for her.

Tefiti, on the other hand, wanted to speak. She wanted to entrust someone with the unease that refused to leave her. But she couldn't explain what she herself didn't understand.

It happened again only a few days later.

She was crossing a small grove near the Domo alongside a young human girl who had gone out that morning to fetch water. The two walked slowly together, sharing easy conversation and quiet laughter. Tefiti loved the company of humans. But there was something about children that fascinated her even more. Perhaps because she had never experienced that stage of existence herself. She knew how to behave like an adult despite being an Eternal. More often than not, she learned simply by observing humans, mimicking their gestures, expressions, and countless small habits. Even after so many years among them, she still found herself enchanted by the simplicity with which they viewed life.

Then, without warning, her steps slowed on their own. Suddenly, her legs seemed to lose the strength to carry her forward. The same shiver she had felt that first morning returned. This time, it was far stronger. The wind fell still. The birds fell silent. Even the little girl's laughter vanished.

Tefiti tightened her grip on the basket in her hands until her fingertips turned white. She searched the grove for any sign of danger. There was nothing. And yet the air felt too heavy to reach her lungs.

"My Goddess... are you alright?"

The child noticed the change in her expression immediately.

Then Tefiti felt it. She was being watched. Slowly, she lifted her eyes. There she was. A woman's figure stood among the trees. Tall. Perfectly motionless. Wrapped in a violet mist so dark it seemed to swallow every trace of light around her. There was no face, only a silhouette and a pair of deep, distant violet eyes that seemed to pierce straight through Tefiti's very aura.

Even from afar… Tefiti knew.

The figure was looking directly at her. Her entire body froze.

"Who..."

The word died before it ever left her lips.

The figure gave no answer. She didn't move. She simply continued watching.

"Is there danger, my Goddess? Should I warn the others?"

The child followed the direction of Tefiti's gaze but found nothing beyond the trees surrounding the grove. Even so, she too seemed to sense that something about the place had changed.

Tefiti took one cautious step forward. The shadow slowly lifted its head. And then… It disappeared. It didn't walk away. It didn't run. It simply ceased to exist, like smoke carried off by the wind.

The silence dissolved. The birds began singing once more. Leaves rustled gently overhead. The world breathed again. But Tefiti remained frozen where she stood.

Her heart pounded so violently she could hear it echoing inside her own chest. Without realizing it, she reached for her arm. Her skin was covered in goosebumps.

For one brief moment, her eyes met those of the little girl. That single glance was enough. Tefiti felt the invisible weight pressing against her mind suddenly shatter, as though she were awakening from a deep trance. The instant their eyes met, all of her senses returned. She saw the fear written across the child's face. Yet the little girl never stepped away from her. She seemed to understand that the true terror lay elsewhere. Instead, she stayed close to the Eternal, as though believing that no evil could ever reach her while she remained at Tefiti's side.

And that was exactly what Tefiti needed in that moment.

"I'm alright, little one. It's only a headache."

She offered the warmest smile she could manage. Then she extended her free hand toward the child. Without hesitation, the little girl took it. Together, they resumed their walk. Before long, the girl's laughter once again mingled with the birdsong. The sun had already begun disappearing behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of gold and amber. Ahead, the city slowly emerged once more between the trees.

The world looked exactly as it always had.

Yet even as she walked hand in hand with the little girl, Tefiti could still feel the shiver creeping along her spine. She glanced over her shoulder one last time. The forest stood empty. And still, for the briefest of moments, the scent of heated metal reached her once again.

She gently squeezed the little girl's hand, as though that simple touch alone could drive the strange presence away.

But the feeling...

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 | Druig- part. 5

Pairing: Druig × Female OC

Genre: Slow Burn | Character-Driven Romance | Hurt/Comfort | Canon Divergence | Found Family | Eventual Smut

English is not my first language. Please let me know if I wrote anything wrong.

Cover and gif made by @spiderswff on Instagram

— ♡ —

Phastos’ incessant voice echoed throughout the Domo’s chamber, but that night, it wasn’t enough to hold Tefiti’s attention.

The Eternal Engineer was speaking enthusiastically about his newest inventions, tools designed to propel humanity forward. His fascination with his craft was evident in every word, every animated gesture he used to explain his ideas. Normally, Tefiti was the first to follow along, offering suggestions and pointing out details that could be improved.

But that night, her mind wandered far beyond those walls.

“So… what do you think?” Phastos turned toward his friend, only to find the Eternal staring beyond the small window, where the night sky stretched endlessly, scattered with stars.

“Tefiti!”

Her name rang loudly enough to pull her from her thoughts. She turned quickly and was met with the faintly disappointed expression on his face.

“Oh, Phastos… I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?” The warmth rising to her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.

“Forget it. I’ll go find Sersi.” With a resigned sigh, he left the room.

Tefiti bit the inside of her lip, silently scolding herself. It wasn’t the first time this had happened.

For days, the same thoughts had occupied her mind without granting her any rest. Everyone seemed to notice her growing distraction, and yet, strangely, no one ever asked why.

No one except Ajak.

The Eternal Matriarch emerged from one of the room’s quiet corners, approaching with her usual serenity. In one hand, she carried a cup of tea, steam rising gently between them.

“Something weighs heavily on your heart, my dear. What troubles you?” She sat beside her on the small sofa.

Tefiti met her leader’s eyes and offered a faint smile.

She had always admired the way Ajak cared for those around her. She loved observing her in silence, noticing the tenderness with which she treated humans, the patience with which she listened to every word, and the softness that naturally settled into her voice whenever she spoke to them. But perhaps what she admired most was the way Ajak cared for the Eternals themselves. Ajak seemed to know each of them intimately, as though she could understand their worries before they were ever spoken aloud.

And once again, it was happening with Tefiti.

“We’ve grown so accustomed to looking toward Earth,” she began softly, “to observing humans and everything they’ve built. But… what’s beyond it? Out there, in the universe. I know that’s where we came from, and yet I can’t stop wondering what might be hidden within all that darkness.”

As she spoke, her gaze returned to the stars.

Ajak raised the cup to her lips before answering.

“That’s a genuine question. And there’s no reason to judge yourself for asking it.”

Tefiti looked back at her.

That was when she noticed something shift in the Prime Eternal’s eyes. A distant light. As though an ancient memory had just crossed her mind.

“You know…” Ajak said quietly. “Arishem once told me a story. And I think it’s finally time I shared it with you.”

She paused.

“But only if you promise that it remains between us.”

Tefiti’s eyes lit up immediately.

“I promise. Not even Thena will hear a word.”

A gentle smile touched Ajak’s lips.

“During one of our many conversations, Arishem entrusted me with a story older than any civilization we’ve ever seen rise and fall. A story that was never written by mankind, because it belongs only to the Celestials.

“It is the story of the Lost Eternal.

“Before us. Before our mission had even taken shape. Arishem the Judge created his first Eternal to fight the Deviants.

“She traveled from world to world like a silent shadow. Her sole purpose was to eradicate monsters and erase the scars they left behind. She was never permitted to teach. Never allowed to guide civilizations toward progress. And above all else, she was forbidden from forming bonds.

“Wherever she walked, there was only duty. Wherever she departed, there remained only oblivion. And so she crossed countless stars.

“Until, in a moment so brief that even time itself failed to hold it, her eyes met those of a child.”

Ajak’s voice softened.

“There were no words.

“No touch.

“Only a glance.

“And within that single glance, the Eternal who was never meant to belong anywhere understood, for the first time, what it meant to truly be seen.

“It was in that moment that she ceased to be merely a creation.

“She chose.

“She rejected Arishem’s will and abandoned the purpose for which she had been made. For the first time, she awakened to a consciousness she was never meant to possess.

“And in the very instant she made that choice, the bond that connected her to the Judge was severed.

“But freedom, when born without purpose to guide it, can be just as cruel as a prison.”

Ajak’s gaze drifted toward the stars beyond the window.

“Without a mission. Without a home. Without anyone she could call her own.

“She wandered alone through the vastness of the universe, crossing galaxies that would never learn her name. She became an echo among the stars. A soul condemned to search for a meaning she would never reach.

“And that is how the legend of the Lost Eternal was born.

“Not because she lost herself among the worlds. But because she never found someone to whom she could truly belong.”

Throughout the entire story, Tefiti remained perfectly still.

She absorbed every word as though afraid one of them might escape her memory. The legend settled inside her in a strange, almost painful way, as though, for reasons she could not yet understand, it felt familiar.

“Does Arishem really tell you stories like that?” A smile of genuine wonder spread across her face.

“Ajak… that was beautiful.”

The Eternal Matriarch smiled silently. She, too, enjoyed observing.

Deep down, she believed that despite their immortality and the burden of their mission, there was something profoundly human within each of the Eternals. And perhaps it was that small fragment of humanity that allowed them to continue marveling at the unknown.

Tefiti lifted her gaze toward the sky once more.

“Do you… think it could have happened?” she asked quietly. “Do you think she’s still out there… lost among the stars?”

Ajak gently rested one hand over hers.

“Tefiti… it’s only a lesson. A reminder of the purpose we carry, of the bonds we are meant to build with humanity, and of the importance of never forgetting our connection to Arishem. That is what the story was meant to teach us.”

Tefiti understood the message the story was trying to convey. And yet, she knew it would remain with her for a very long time.

“I’m going to check on Phastos and see how the projects are progressing.” Ajak rose to her feet and walked toward the doorway. “And Tefiti… don’t dwell on it too much. It may do you more harm than good.”

The Eternal Matriarch offered her one last gentle smile before leaving.

Tefiti sighed and remained there for a few moments longer, gazing at the sky for the final time that night.

— ♡ —

The streets of Babylon were beginning, little by little, to breathe again.

The scars of battle still marked the city’s buildings, while thin spirals of smoke rose against a sky now painted in the warm colors of dusk. Even so, its people refused to surrender to fear. Children ran once more between the adults, musicians tuned their instruments, and the scent of roasted corn began to mingle with the fragrance of flowers scattered throughout the plazas.

It was how humans survived tragedy.

After delivering her report to Ajak and tending to some of the injuries she’d sustained during the battle, Tefiti watched from a distance as the other Eternals blended into the celebration unfolding that evening. Kingo was already drawing laughter from a small crowd of children. Sprite told stories that seemed to grow grander with every sentence. Gilgamesh, smiling with quiet resignation, accepted the food offered by everyone who insisted on thanking him.

She smiled to herself.

She loved seeing them like this. Seeing how much lighter they all seemed around mortals. She admired the way they concealed their own fears so that humans would never sense the constant danger surrounding them. They had to embody safety and peace at all times and, somehow, the performance protected them too, preventing them from becoming trapped in that endless state of vigilance.

Tefiti loved observing them. Learning from them, even when she didn’t realize she was.

But sometimes, she needed silence.

Without noticing, her steps carried her away from the music and the voices. She followed a narrow path hidden beneath the surrounding vegetation until she reached a place known by very few, a place she always felt compelled to return to whenever her worries grew too heavy to carry alone.

A small lake, hidden among the trees. A place where the city felt like nothing more than a distant memory.

It was her refuge. Or, at least, she believed it was.

Tefiti walked toward the water’s edge, only to stop when she noticed a familiar figure seated upon a stone near the shore.

Druig.

He remained perfectly still, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze lost somewhere over the lake. Or perhaps among the thousands of fireflies dancing above its surface.

Their tiny golden lights drifted slowly between the trees, reflecting upon the dark water as though, for a single night, the stars themselves had chosen to abandon the sky.

For a brief moment, she wanted to sit beside him. But she hesitated.

Sometimes, Druig’s near-total isolation made him intimidating. Tefiti knew she shouldn’t feel that way. After all, he had always allowed her close — something that could no longer be said of Ikaris. And yet, there was an inexplicable nervousness that accompanied his presence.

Perhaps because Druig was too quiet. Or perhaps because, around him, her own thoughts seemed to become louder.

Even so, she approached without saying a word. She sat beside him. And he remained silent too.

For a few moments, they simply lost themselves in the beauty of the fireflies.

“I thought this was the only place where no one would find me.”

Without taking his eyes off the landscape, Druig replied;

“I thought so too.”

She let out a soft laugh.

There was something about the way Druig existed in the world that captivated her.

She felt embarrassed admitting it, even to herself, but among all the Eternals, he was the one who held her attention most completely. She had spent countless hours watching him retreat into silence during Eternal gatherings and conversations, using it as a refuge. And yet, he never hid his voice from humans. Perhaps because, knowing their minds so intimately, conversation became easier for him.

Once, he had told her and Makkari that after centuries of hearing human thoughts, he had learned to ignore most of the endless noise. The two of them had found the idea impossible. How could anyone simply ignore millions of voices echoing inside their mind?

Druig had only laughed at their disbelief. Perhaps that was why Tefiti remembered that moment with such affection.

For a long time, neither of them spoke. But silence had never been uncomfortable between them.

It was gentle.

Familiar.

A space they had both learned to share without feeling the need to fill it.

They had spent countless moments like this before, respecting, almost effortlessly, the invisible boundaries they had drawn around one another.

“The city’s already celebrating again?” Druig asked.

“As if nothing happened.”

“Humans forget quickly.”

Tefiti watched a child in the distance chase after friends while carrying a small lantern. Even from there, she could hear the faint echo of their laughter carried by the wind.

“I don’t think they forget.”

Druig raised an eyebrow slightly and turned his head toward her.

“I think they’ve simply learned that life continues, even after pain.”

He didn’t answer immediately. He merely returned his attention to the lake.

She noticed. Druig was thinking. As he almost always was.

There was something almost frightening about the ease with which he disappeared into himself. Tefiti had often wondered whether the thoughts of the Eternals reached him too, but he had never spoken of such a thing. And for some reason, that brought her comfort.

The fireflies continued their silent dance.

After a while, she was the one who spoke again.

“Have you ever thought about what you’ll do when our mission is over?”

The question lingered between them. It was nearly a forbidden subject among the Eternals. But Tefiti wasn’t afraid to share it with Druig. Perhaps because she knew that somewhere, deep down, they carried the same uncertainty about what would exist after the end.

Druig released an almost imperceptible sigh.

“Every day.”

Tefiti turned to look at him.

The faint light of the fireflies seemed to carve new contours into his face that night.

Still, his eyes remained fixed on the water.

“I think…” she said softly, “when everything is over, I’d like to have a home.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Not an entire city. Just a home. A place to return to at the end of the day. Maybe a garden. A few trees. Perhaps a dog.”

Druig listened in silence.

She laughed quietly and gently bumped her shoulder against his.

“It sounds like a simple life.”

“And you?” she asked.

This time, he took longer to answer. Much longer than usual.

There was an emptiness that spread through his chest whenever he thought about the future. Or about what would remain of him when all the other Eternals eventually chose their own paths.

“I can’t imagine a place I’d call home.”

Tefiti lowered her gaze to her hand, tracing absent-minded circles against the stone. Then she looked back at him and smiled. It was a small smile. A gentle one. And even without looking directly at her, Druig felt it.

“Then you just haven’t found it yet.”

At last, he turned toward her. For a moment, their eyes met. And he understood exactly what she meant.

While some Eternals dreamed of marriage, family, or a future built beside someone else, Druig remained bound to what he had always believed was his only purpose: protecting humanity.

He had never allowed himself to imagine that there could be something in this world waiting for him.

His heart, which had spent centuries learning how to remain still, faltered for a single moment beneath her gaze.

There were so many answers he wished he could give her. So many words he had never dared to say. So many questions he had never found the courage to ask.

But, as he had done so many times before, he chose silence, his weapon in a battle he fought within himself every single day.

Druig turned his gaze back toward the fireflies and Tefiti did the same.

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 | Druig — Part. 4

Pairing: Druig × Female Original Character

Genre: Slow Burn | Character-Driven Romance | Hurt/Comfort | Canon Divergence | Found Family | Eventual Smut

English is not my first language. Please let me know if I wrote anything wrong.

Cover and gif made by @spiderswff on Instagram

— ♡ —

When Tefiti awoke, the moon was still lingering in her gaze, reluctant to say farewell.

From her chamber, she watched the countless stars crossing paths above, silver threads weaving through the heavens, while the pale glow of moonlight brushed the sleeping city of Babylon in the faintest shimmer. It was in that hush of night that she slipped quietly through the corridors of the Domo, her steps soundless until her feet met the cool sand of the city below. A smile found her lips, and as she walked, the moon itself seemed enchanted, trailing her as though unwilling to lose sight of her being.

The humans still slept, and so Tefiti wandered the streets unburdened. She never tired of their praise or their murmured enchantments, yet the Eternal carried within her a quieter self, one she saved for moments like these. Alone. Untouched. At peace.

She loved to attend to the world around her, to the way Earth felt broader and more abundant than any realm she had known in the vast universe she had crossed. There was a fullness in its air, a living immensity that seemed to pulse even in silence. She cherished the cold breath of night against her skin, the way it lifted the fine hairs along her arms and left behind a delicate shiver. It felt, in some fragile way, almost human. Perhaps that was why she sought solitude at such hours to taste, however faintly, that borrowed humanity.

By the time she noticed, the sun had risen high enough to burn gently against her skin, casting gold along her silhouette and softening her gaze with honeyed light.

Her morning ritual had come to an end.

She turned back toward the Domo and soon encountered her friend Thena along the way.

“You began early today,” Thena observed.

“Good morning, Thena.” Thena’s expression softened in reply.

“I see you found the necklace.”

Tefiti lifted a brow, faintly surprised that she had noticed. Her fingers rose to the jewel, closing around the small pendant. A carved stone shaped like a star, translucent and violet as twilight. Her friend had always chosen her gifts carefully, ensuring they harmonized with her purple attire. In return, Tefiti had learned to offer her tokens in shades of white.

“Druig found it with some children in the fields.”

Thena caught the small smile that bloomed almost involuntarily at the mention of his name. A quiet laugh slipped from her lips.

“What?” Tefiti asked, though she already knew the reason.

Thena and Sersi always reacted the same way whenever she spoke of him. Sersi was subtler; Thena, rarely so.

“How generous of Druig,” Thena said, opening the kitchen door so they might enter.

“Druig is kind.”

“Yes, but more so with you. You know that.”

Tefiti let her hair fall deliberately across her face, hoping to conceal the warmth rising in her cheeks. Thena turned toward the cupboard in search of something.

“He does favors for you he would do for no one else. Perhaps Makkari, but even then…”

The Eternal paused when she realized she now stood alone in the kitchen.

Beyond the doorway, Tefiti was already moving swiftly down the corridors, sand once again beneath her shoes. She exhaled softly, trying not to dwell on her friend’s words, nor on the flush of feeling they had stirred.

Out in the streets, she greeted the early passersby. Having eaten nothing, she accepted a piece of bread from a woman holding her child and offered her thanks before continuing on. Even in moments of calm, her gaze remained attentive, drifting toward distant fields in search of any threat from the Deviants.

A small hand tugged lightly at the softer fabric of her tunic.

When she turned, she found herself surrounded by a cluster of children.

“May the heavens bless your grace, Goddess,” said the tallest among them.

She smiled at them all. She found it curious, how humans insisted on seeing the Eternals as gods, even when most of them asked otherwise.

“Your hair is so beautiful, Goddess. May we braid it?” one asked, lifting a small basket filled with freshly gathered flowers.

Tefiti glanced around. It was a day like any other: people moving through the streets, sheep and horses following their masters, children chasing laughter. No sign of danger. No shadow of worry.

She looked back at the hopeful faces before her and smiled and that was enough. The children seized her hands and led her to a nearby stone bench, their laughter bright as bells. At times, with her arms stretched between them, she teased them with gentle tickles, earning delighted shrieks in return.

A short distance away, Druig emerged at last from the Domo, his mysterious silhouette stepping into the light after much insistence from Ajak. He still seemed faintly irritated when he greeted Kingo and Gilgamesh with brief nods. They were accustomed to his temperament and continued their conversation undisturbed.

Then something caught his attention.

It took only a single echo of her laughter for him to know.

His gaze turned, and there she was. Tefiti seated among the small human creatures, their hands moving through her hair with reverence, as though it were spun from glass. Druig tightened his grip around the small notebook in his hands. He heard the murmurs of the passing adults. Some astonished by her gentleness, others whispering about her otherworldly beauty, others smiling at the tenderness of the scene. Druig heard every thought in that city.

None enthralled him more than the sight before him.

By Arishem, she was radiant. Every inch the goddess they whispered she was.

Tefiti smiled and waved to each noble who passed. The children finished their braids, and the smallest girl lifted a single flower from her basket. When her eyes met Tefiti’s, she froze. Awed, as though staring into a star. For a heartbeat, Tefiti thought she glimpsed her own reflection within the child’s shining gaze.

“You are beautiful, Goddess,” the girl said, tucking the flower gently between her ear and her hair.

The children stepped back so she might rise. Tefiti thanked each of them in turn and resumed her walk, the scent of flowers trailing softly behind her.

— ♡ —

As the day unfolded, Tefiti aided the humans in tasks beyond mortal strength. She took note of what required improvement to relay to Phastos later, gathered simple observations about human progress for Ajak, and by evening found herself speaking with a noble farmer who claimed to have seen great creatures in lands farther from the city.

Tefiti listened with careful attention, committing every detail to memory. Sprite stood at her side, subtly ensuring the man did not grow too anxious.

Tefiti was fond of the smallest Eternal. Of them all, she believed Sprite the one who felt closest to humanity. She possessed an enviable gift, the ability to speak with anyone, even the oldest of mortals. And when she was not busy provoking her companions, Sprite could hold the deepest conversations about humankind and every curiosity it inspired.

Unaware of her surroundings, Tefiti kept her gaze fixed upon the man before her. Meanwhile, Sprite’s eyes wandered across the city, interjecting only occasionally. She was more captivated by the sight of the Domo rising at the heart of the settlement and by the sun setting behind it, bathing the scene in quiet splendor.

Lost in such horizons, Sprite noticed the shadow of Druig.

She saw how utterly absorbed his gaze was in Tefiti. He held the leather notebook a human had once gifted him in quiet admiration, a stub of pencil resting in his other hand. One leg crossed to support the book, his head nearly bent into its pages. Every so often, he lifted his eyes to observe.

Sprite smiled.

Then, with deliberate mischief, she stepped sideways, placing herself directly between Druig and Tefiti. A small laugh escaped her as she waited.

Druig lifted his head again and widened his eyes when what he sought was no longer there. Sprite’s figure shattered his concentration entirely, and her provoking smile tested his patience. Behind her, Tefiti walked slowly beside the villager. Druig adjusted, attempting to focus once more, returning to his notebook. He raised his gaze again for detail.

Lifting his head once more in search of further detail, all he found was Sprite yet again.

The Eternal climbed atop a cluster of stones so she might remain at Tefiti’s height, that same grin unwavering. Druig exhaled sharply, snapping the book closed at last before retreating into the Domo.

“What is so amusing?” Tefiti asked shortly after bidding the man farewell. She had noticed her companion’s peculiar posture.

“I believe someone will have a headache later,” Sprite replied simply before leaving her behind.

Thoughtful, Tefiti made her way back toward the Domo yet again that day.

— ♡ —

The sky was dark now, and the moon absent. Yet no moon was needed to illuminate the night, for Sprite used her power to scatter fireworks across the heavens for the humans. She told them stories as she painted the air with light, and though she did so nearly every evening, they were always left breathless.

Tefiti lingered at the edge of the gathering after hours spent speaking with Kingo and Phastos. She watched the fireworks alongside the humans, yet her thoughts seemed detached from what her eyes beheld. Few Eternals were present at the celebration, and she found herself wondering where the others had gone.

Exhaustion tugged at her. She had risen before dawn and labored throughout the day. Quietly, she slipped away.

Head bowed, too weary to notice her surroundings, she walked toward the Domo and suddenly stumbled against something half-buried in the sand. She brushed it aside with her foot and discovered a notebook. Kneeling, she lifted it and cleaned the grains from its pages.

Only hours earlier, Druig had complained to Sprite about a missing notebook, accusing her of stealing it. Sprite had merely laughed.

Tefiti knew the notebook was a gift and that ever since accepting it, Druig had carried it everywhere. She had often wondered what occupied its pages.

As if wishing to answer her, the wind caught it and turned it open.

Her eyes were met with the incomplete drawing of a woman.

Braided hair adorned with a small flower. Behind her, a moon suggested silver light against blackened ink, as though the figure itself might glow from within the page.

But her face was left blank.

“Curious, hm?” a deep voice murmured behind her.

Tefiti startled, clearing her throat as she turned too quickly, instinct nearly summoning blades into her hands before her heart recognized him.

“Druig. It isn’t polite to frighten others.” She straightened, brushing sand from her tunic to avoid his eyes.

“You say that while going through my things.” He clasped his hands behind his back, a faint smile playing at his lips.

At last, she looked at him and lingered far too long.

“You never told me you liked to draw.”

This time it was Druig who seemed taken aback.

“You truly looked at the pages?” he asked, surprise flickering across his features.

She instantly regretted her honesty.

“It was only a glance. I didn’t mean to.” She closed the notebook gently, the image still vivid in her mind. “So… who was the woman with the braided hair?”

Their eyes met and for a fleeting moment, she could have sworn his gaze shone in answer. A slow smile curved his mouth as he stepped closer.

Tefiti followed his movements, her eyes tethered to his.

Druig took the notebook from her hands, their fingers brushing softly, and moved close enough to steal the air from her lungs.

“If I told you, you would never believe me.”

And with that, he withdrew the notebook and passed her without another word, a quiet smile still upon his face.

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 | Druig — Part. 3

Pairing: Druig × Female Original Character

Genre: Slow Burn | Character-Driven Romance | Hurt/Comfort | Canon Divergence | Found Family | Eventual Smut

English is not my first language. Please let me know if I wrote anything wrong.

Cover and gif made by @spiderswff on Instagram

— ♡ —

Babylon, Weeks Later.

Tefiti enjoyed the melody her knives sang through the air, the metallic sound they made as they danced along with her hands. It pleased her.

“You’re supposed to hit the target, not me!” Kingo’s exasperated voice rang out, drawing a smile from the Eternal.

“Sorry. It’s hard to train with you.” she admitted, amused by his reaction.

“I may not fight like Thena, but you could at least give me some credit for the effort I’m making to stay alive right now,” he said indignantly.

“Alright. Let’s go again.”

Several of her knives were embedded in the ground around them. Kingo channeled his power once more that day and hurled it toward the woman in position. Tefiti needed only a single blade to slice the Eternal’s energy in half, creating a crackling explosion that threw her backward. The impact wasn’t strong, but it left her slightly dazed as she struggled to stay on her feet.

“Now we’re even.” Kingo said with a teasing grin.

“That wasn’t fair, but I’ll accept it. I don’t want to humiliate you too much today.” Tefiti replied, returning the smile.

They cleaned up the mess they had made, Tefiti opening small rifts around them and making all the knives disappear. Kingo watched her with curiosity.

“Fiti, you and Ikaris are the only ones among us with more than one power. Why don’t you ever use your manipulation?” he asked, making her visibly uncomfortable.

“Uh… I’m not very good at it.” she answered quickly, trying to steer away from the topic.

“Have you ever used it at all?” She sighed.

“Only once or twice.”

Her answer startled him.

“Tefiti, we’ve been on Earth for years and you’ve only used your power twice?” he exclaimed, nearly shouting. “Come on. Do it on me.”

She turned to him sharply, alarmed.

“Kingo, trust me, this isn’t a good idea.” she said, already knowing it wouldn’t be enough to convince him.

“It’s just an illusion, right? Arishem gave it to you. The least you can do is learn how to use it.” he insisted, stepping closer. “And lucky you, I’m volunteering as the test subject.”

Tefiti looked at him hesitantly as his hand rested on her shoulder in reassurance.

“Come on. It won’t be anything serious.”

She finally gave in, nodding.

“Great. What do I do now?”

The Eternal rubbed her hands together, thoughtful.

“Just… let me control you.” she said, lifting her hands toward his face.

He stood still, waiting. Tefiti placed her fingertips on either side of his face, touching his temples. They connected and were instantly swallowed by darkness.

Moments later, the scent of freshly cooked food filled the air. They heard voices around them, laughter, warmth. They felt happy. They were seated somewhere and then they could see.

The Eternals were gathered in a house they had never seen before, talking cheerfully and eating together. They couldn’t see beyond the walls, but they knew it was daytime. Thena stood at one end, and Gilgamesh appeared behind her carrying more food. Ajak was not there, but they couldn’t understand why.

The image grew blurry. The sounds faded.

When the connection broke and they returned to the present, Kingo was gasping for breath.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Tefiti asked.

She couldn’t see herself, but her eyes had turned a deep violet, the color slowly fading as she fully returned.

“Wow.” Kingo breathed. “Why did you make me see that? Why wasn’t Ajak there?”

Tefiti stepped away.

“I don’t know. I can’t control the images. They just… appear.” she explained, fearful of his reaction.

“That really wasn’t a good idea. I’m sorry, Tefiti.” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

His words eased her, and she nodded.

“It’s alright. Let’s go.” She offered him a gentle smile and headed toward the Domo.

They walked together through the city, waving and smiling at the humans. Out of habit, Tefiti placed a hand over her chest, searching for her necklace. She stopped abruptly when she realized it was gone, the one Thena had given her years ago.

Kingo noticed her absence beside him and turned back.

“Fiti, are you okay?”

She composed herself.

“Yes. Yes, of course. I just need to look for something. Go on ahead and tell the others I’m fine.”

She turned away before he could reply.

And so, she retraced her steps alone, searching for her gift.

— ♡ —

“The wonders of the world await you,” Sprite told the humans, shaping yet another of her stories with her power. “Follow Gilgamesh and Tefiti into battle. Be forever inspired by their bravery and strength. You and your companions will embark on great adventures and become legends yourselves!”

She finished smiling, greeted by the humans’ joyful cheers. Tefiti and Gilgamesh exchanged smiles when the young Eternal mentioned them.

The celebration had begun some time ago, and Tefiti was only there because Ajak had practically dragged her out of the Domo, begging her to enjoy herself instead of only training or fighting.

Soon the immortals gathered to drink, until Gilgamesh grew far too drunk and exuberant. Tefiti slipped away, finding a spot where the humans wouldn’t notice her. She watched a silly argument between a few men and Makkari, who gestured rapidly at them. She still hadn’t found Thena and felt embarrassed about losing her gift.

She heard careful footsteps behind her but felt no fear, nor did she need to turn to know who it was.

“Sometimes I wonder how they can be so incredible and so idiotic at the same time.” she said, noticing the men’s leering looks as Makkari turned to leave.

A soft chuckle behind her sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. The humans froze, their eyes slowly glowing yellow. Soon, they were clumsily grappling with one another.

Tefiti smiled.

“Better make them hug.” she suggested.

Druig accepted the idea immediately.

They watched their creation in silence.

“Why are you here alone instead of with the others?” Druig nudged her arm.

“I wanted some time to myself. To think.” she sighed. “And Gilgamesh is drunk.”

They laughed.

“And why are you here?” she asked, turning to him.

“I wanted to thank you for worrying about me when my headaches came back.”

“Don’t waste your time on that, Druig. I was just helping you.”

He nodded softly, looking at her longer than he should have. He couldn’t stop himself, not when she was this close, this beautiful. He smiled, but hid it.

“You seem so down today, Fiti. What happened?”

“It’s nothing. Stop it.” she said, smiling to cover it up.

“Hm. I’m not convinced.” He stepped closer.

She rolled her eyes, laughing.

“Of course you aren’t.”

“Your necklace is gone,” he said.

She looked at him, startled.

She hadn’t expected him to notice something so small. No one else had. But Druig had. He always did.

“Yeah… I lost it.” she admitted, her hurt finally visible.

He bit his lip to suppress a laugh and moved closer.

“My beautiful, beautiful Tefiti. You’re very lucky I like you so much.” he said, lifting a hand to brush her hair aside.

She stared at him, speechless, her cheeks warming as their faces drew close. He pulled away at the last moment, opening his hand.

“Druig…”

Her necklace lay in his palm.

She smiled, taking it from him and examining it.

“Some children were playing with it. I took the liberty of stealing it back.” he said mischievously.

She eyed him uncertainly.

“Tell me the children are fine and that you didn’t kill them,” she joked.

He laughed.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I just took it for you.”

They smiled at each other.

“I’ll believe you this time. Thank you.” she said, trying to fasten it herself.

Seeing her struggle, he stepped in.

“Let me.” He took the ends of the necklace, moving her hair aside. “There. Better.”

“Thank you again, Druig.” she said shyly, adjusting her hair.

Before he could reply, Sersi appeared excitedly behind her, grabbing her arm.

“Tefiti, I need to talk to you.”

She barely glanced at Druig.

“Oh—alright. See you later, Druig.” she said, smiling.

𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐀 | Druig — Part. 2

Pairing: Druig × Female Original Character

Genre: Slow Burn | Character-Driven Romance | Hurt/Comfort | Canon Divergence | Found Family | Eventual Smut

English is not my first language. Please let me know if I wrote anything wrong.

Cover and gif made by @spiderswff on Instagram

— ♡ —

Babylon, 575 B.C.

The humans’ desperate screams grew louder as more Deviants arrived to attack. It had been a surprise assault, but the Eternals were quick to place themselves before the city and enter the fight.

The beasts ran and leapt over the humans’ shelters, destroying everything in their path. Makkari raced through the chaos, trying to save those in greatest danger, but it was too much for her to do alone. Ikaris noticed at once and flew toward the nearest Deviante, drawing its attention away from the city to a safer distance.

Tefiti and Gilgamesh rushed through the city gates, searching for the source of the threat. The sudden attack had caught everyone off guard, and they had to move fast to keep more lives from being lost. Druig and Makkari followed close behind, focused on removing people from danger and guiding them to safety.

“Quick! Through the gates!” Makkari shouted, while Druig channeled his power to control as many minds as he could.

When the citadel gates finally closed and only the Eternals remained outside, the bloody battle truly began. Gilgamesh used his power to stun and shove one of the most aggressive Deviants. Makkari and Tefiti sprinted toward it. The speedster lent her momentum to the fighter, helping her leap onto the beast. Instantly, Tefiti’s knives appeared at her side like a living shield, following her movements as they sliced and sealed the Deviante’s hide. Gilgamesh finished the creature with a crushing punch to its chest, the force of his blow stopping its heart.

Tefiti landed back on the ground and only then realized she had been wounded. Blood spilled from her waist down her leg. She pressed a hand against the injury, applying pressure as she looked around, silently pleading for help from one of her siblings.

“Tefiti.” Gilgamesh’s voice echoed through the city, alarming the others.

Druig and Makkari, farther away, turned toward her in concern, seeing her condition. Tefiti did not notice in time, but one last Deviante was still alive. The beast lunged at her, knocking her to the ground, and instantly the others rushed toward them.

Druig moved to run to her side, but was stopped when Thena suddenly joined the fight. Even injured, Tefiti held the Deviante’s body above her as it tried to bite her. Gilgamesh yanked the creature by its tail, and Thena severed its head, killing it.

“You’re late, sister,” the brunette said to the blonde as she struggled to her feet.

“But I arrived at the right moment,” Thena replied, helping Tefiti stand and examining the wound.

“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt,” Tefiti assured her, trying to sound convincing.

“Go find Ajak when we get inside, understood?” Thena scolded her.

The group gathered before the gates, discussing the situation and assessing the damage.

“Are you okay?” Tefiti heard Druig’s low voice murmur behind her.

She turned in surprise, studying him carefully.

“Yes. And you?” she asked, inspecting him in return.

“I’m fine. I just controlled too many people today.” His comment stirred concern in her.

“The headaches again?” Druig looked away for a moment.

“Let’s not talk about me right now.” He met her gaze again. “You worried me today, Fiti.”

She nodded, recalling the moment.

“Dru, I’m fine...” she tried to convince him, but only succeeded in irritating him further.

“It doesn’t look that way.” His eyes dropped to the wound at her waist.

She placed her hands over it, uncomfortable.

“But everything worked out in the end, didn’t it? Thena helped me, and the humans—” Druig scoffed softly, clasping his hands behind his back.

“I only came to ask you to be careful. I don’t care about the others” he admitted, leaving the woman before him stunned by his words.

“Tefiti?” Ikaris called her attention before she could respond. “Ajak is waiting for you.”

She nodded, giving Druig one last look. He was still watching her as she walked into the city. Tefiti followed shortly after.

— ♡ —

Atop the great temple, Ajak observed the city calmly. She knew it had been a difficult morning, but everything had turned out well thanks to her companions. She smiled, satisfied with the results of their journey so far, happy to know she had influenced her Eternals far more positively than she had expected years ago.

She turned away and took a deep breath, focusing on connecting with Arishem. A sphere emerged from her chest, linking her to the Celestial.

“Ajak?” His voice echoed within her mind.

“Arishem,” she bowed reverently. “We continue to keep Babylon safe from the Deviants, and more people are coming in search of refuge. It is now the greatest city on Earth.”

“The Eternals, serving other galaxies, will know of your success.”

“Thank you,” she smiled. “I respect your grand design, Arishem… but I have noticed something very special about this planet. And above all, I sense immense potential in the Eternals. This family is—”

“Do not refer to them as ‘family,’ and do not grow attached to this planet. You are nothing more than a team with a purpose, and so you must remain!” the Primordial Celestial reprimanded her.

Ajak’s expression shifted as she tried to understand her superior’s point.

“You must focus on the true purpose of your mission!” he added.

The Eternal Matriarch took a few moments before responding.

“I understand. And I will obey.”

Arishem severed the connection, ending the conversation. Ajak sighed as she returned to Babylon and turned toward the Domo.

— ♡ —

Thena walked through the Domo’s corridors when she heard a sound coming from another direction. Curious, she followed it. Slowly approaching the kitchen, she stopped at the doorway when she saw Tefiti standing with her back turned.

The other Eternal focused on a cup in her hands, herbs scattered across the counter.

“You should take care of your wounds,” Thena finally announced her presence. “Has Ajak looked at you yet?”

Tefiti jumped at the sudden voice, turning around startled.

“Uh… not yet,” she replied, turning back to the cup. “I’m worried Druig isn’t feeling well, and Gilgamesh is too busy to make him tea. My injuries can wait a little longer,” she explained, adding the final ingredients to the boiling water.

“The headaches again?” Thena leaned against the wall.

“Yes. He practically controlled the entire city today.”

It wasn’t the first time Druig had controlled a large number of humans and suffered pain afterward. The headaches had begun around six hundred years ago, and Tefiti had always been there to help him, alongside Gilgamesh.

When she finished preparing the remedy, the two walked together to the main hall. Phastos was arguing with Ajak when they arrived. Tefiti smiled at the sight and headed toward the mind-controller standing off to one side.

He met her gaze almost immediately.

“Drink this. It’ll help with the pain,” she said, placing the cup in his hands.

Druig kept his eyes on her as he took his first sip. He thanked her, and she responded with a gentle smile.

“Tefiti, I’m glad you’re here. Would you mind being my partner in crime for a moment?” Phastos called out.

“For you, always, Phastos,” she replied with a playful smile.

“By Arishem! Dear, what happened to you?” Ajak asked, approaching with concern upon seeing the wound.

“Deviants,” Thena answered for her.

The Matriarch channeled her power and quickly began healing Tefiti.

“They’re getting more aggressive. Look at the damage,” Phastos said, observing the injury.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry,” Tefiti reassured them, aware that Druig was watching her from across the room.

“You must come to me when something like this happens again,” Ajak said, finishing her work.

Tefiti nodded.

“Alright, now… Phastos, did you go to the party last night like I asked?” Ajak questioned, already knowing the answer.

Tefiti suppressed a smile.

“The party? Yes. Yes, I did.”

“He worked all night,” Druig cut in, smiling mischievously as he set the cup down.

Phastos glared at him as if he might kill him with his eyes.

“Just so you know, Tefiti stayed with me too.” he admitted, earning an indignant look from her.

“Hey! We agreed you wouldn’t drag me into this.” she snapped.

“I build machines, sweet. I don’t keep my word.” he replied. She rolled her eyes and stepped away.

“Behave.” Ajak said, scanning the room. “And where is Sersi?”

“Late, of course.” Makkari finally spoke.

“Sorry, but I have something very exciting to show you.” Phastos said enthusiastically.

He pulled Ajak to the center of the room and, using the Uni-Mind, revealed his new prototype.

Druig slowly walked up beside Tefiti, grabbing a piece of fruit from the basket behind her.

“What is it?” Ajak asked, confused.

“It’s an engine. Tefiti and I spent the night building it. It moves high-pressure steam to low pressure. Uh… it’ll help them cultivate the fields much faster.”

“They’re going to be afraid,” Thena said. Phastos looked disappointed. “Sorry.”

“They’ve only had the wheel for a thousand years.” Druig added.

“Then why don’t you do that thing?” Phastos suggested. “You know, use your mind to control them so they’d—”

“Ajak, are you hearing this?” Druig asked, appalled.

Tefiti laughed beside him.

“Phastos, this is… this is too…” Ajak trailed off. “It’s too soon.”

Before the inventor could argue, Sersi rushed into the room.

“Oh, she’s here.” Makkari remarked.

Sersi straightened her posture.

“What did I miss?”

Phastos sighed in defeat.

“Nothing. Just the cries of my deep disappointment. We wasted our time, my friend.” He rested a hand on Tefiti’s shoulder in consolation.

“I’m sure there’s something simpler,” Ajak said gently.

“Simpler? Okay, let me think.” He returned to the center, forming a new object with the Uni-Mind. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you… the plow. It plows the land.”

He stepped aside, leaving the prototype behind.

“I know settlers moving north. They’ll need this for their fields,” Tefiti added, easing the mood.

“Ah, thank you, Fiti,” Phastos said.

A/N: A recession indicator, me posting everything I shoved aside for 3 years lmfao. Hope you like it! MASTERLIST