Jealous
Druig was not the jealous type. Why would he be? He and Makkari had thousands of years of chemistry and trusted one another with their life. So when Eros waltzes in with his little elf by his side and starts flirting with her right out of the gate. How could he not feel something?
He watched through glares as Eros leaned up against a wall, becoming closer to her. He discreetly signed something to her, and she laughed. Laughed!?
Only he makes her laugh. And when did Eros have the time to learn sign language? He has to put a stop to do this now, that’s when Thena puts a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t” she says sternly.
“I wasn’t gonna do anything” Druig lies.
“Don’t lie to me. You were gonna talk to Eros.”
“No I wasn’t”
“Yes you were. You’re jealous”
“Jealous? Of what? That idiot?”
“He might be an idiot, but he’s an idiot making her laugh” Thena pointed out.
“Gee thanks Thena”
“Let her talk to him, she’s having a good time” Thena said looking over at the two.
Makkari was laughing, gently pushing Eros away. Eros was grinning, leaning in closer. Druig was fuming stiffening up on how close he was getting to her.
“I’ll show him a good time” Druig mumbled as Eros and Makkari started walking towards the two.
“Hello fellow Eternals. How are we all doing on this fine space day?” Eros asked in a dramatic tone.
“Good until now” Druig spoke, earning himself a dirty look from Makkari.
The insult seemed to go over his head, as Eros kept talking. “First time to space hot shot?”
“No” Druig responded flatly.
We were in space when we were first created. Makkari signed.
“So you haven’t been in since?” Eros asked.
“No, we were tasked with protecting the humans and that took up a lot of our time” Thena replied.
“Well I’ve been to space LOADS of times. I can tell you about all of the stories”
“I’m good” Druig responded a little too quickly.
Really? I’ve spent the last couple centuries thinking about being back in space.
“Well then let me tell you about it babe” Eros said, draping an arm over Makkari’s shoulder.
“You know what? On second thought, I’ll listen in. Let’s listen to what the great Eros, has experienced” Druig said.
Thena rolled her eyes. “Have fun Makkari”, as she left the room.
“So there I was, my spaceship going down, Pip by my side, options limited.”
What did you do? Makkari asked intently.
“I’ll tell you what I did gorgeous” Eros said taking Makkari’s hand. “I used my cosmic abilities and thought on my feet. I replaced the wing and did an emergency landing on a random planet. Still alive to see another day”
Makkari smiled as she heard this story. She loves hearing any type of story about adventure, that’s just who she is.
Just then, Thena rushed in.
“I just got an emergency beacon from Sersi. Her, Kingo, and Phastos has been taken by Arishem for a hearing”
Makkari and Druig stood up.
We have to go save them now.
“We will, but we need a plan. We can’t just go up against a Celestial” Druig said, placing a hand reassuringly on her shoulder.
“Wait, hold on. Who are these Phastos, Sersi, and…Bingo?” Eros asked.
Druig chuckled, this was the first time the entire trip Eros said that made him laugh.
“There our friends. Our team. They stayed on Earth for personal reasons.” Thena explained.
“Then, what are we waiting for, let’s go save them. It’s been a while since I’ve gone up against a Celestial. Let’s see how rusty I’ve gotten” Eros flaunted.
And…we were back to square one with that one.
Makkari looked over at Druig and placed her hand on top of his.
I need a moment. Excuse me.
Druig watched as she left the room, he was about to follow her when Eros put an arm around him. It took every being in his body not to punch him right then and there.
“What’s got our Makkari so upset?”
There were a million sarcastic remarks that would absolutely destroy this mans ego that Druig could muster up off the top of his head.
“Maybe it’s the fact that her family has been taken and is awaiting a trial they are destined to lose” Druig said sarcastically shaking off his grasp. “And it’s not our Makkari. It’s my Makkari. My beautiful, beautiful, Makkari. So back off”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know she was taken already” Eros said sarcastically.
“She’s not taken. She’s not an object. She-”
“Then why did you say that she’s your Makkari? It sure sounds like you own her” Eros said with an eyebrow raised.
“I don’t own her! She’s her own person! She makes her own decisions”
“Great! I have a shot! Thanks Durag!”
“It’s Druig you little-”
“Enough! The testosterone in here is overwhelming. Take that outside.”
“But Thena, we’re in space” Druig said confused.
“And?” Thena raised an eyebrow and also left the room.
Eros and Druig looked at each other before Druig turned to leave as well, but Eros stopped him.
“May the games begin” he whispered smirking at Druig and walking in front of him
God, even the way he walks is obnoxious. Druig made his way to his room and flopped down on his bed. He rolled around on his bed punching his pillow.
“I’m Eros, I have perfect hair with a perfect accent to match. I fly all around space with my trusty sidekick. The Lucky Charms Leprechaun” he said in a mocking voice.
That’s when he heard a knock from his door. He got up and opened it to Makkari looking at him,
“Makkari?”
I heard you talking. Are you okay?
“I’m fine Druig said moving out of the way so she could come in. The second the door closed behind her she collapsed into his arms.
“Kari? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” He said softly, stroking her hair.
I’m just worried about the others. What if we don’t get there in time?
“We will. Don’t worry Makkari, we will”
That’s not the only thing I’m worried about. It’s going up against Arishem.
“We’ve gone up against a celestial before, we can do it again”
That’s what I’m worried about! We barely made it through last time. You almost died! I can’t go through that again.
“Hey, hey, hey, Makkari, it’ll be okay” he said cupping her face and guiding her to the bed. “We’ll be okay” he whispered looking into her eyes.
She gently bobbed her head up and down, leaning her forehead against his. There was a moment shared between the two. A moment that they both have been waiting for, for several thousand years. He started leaning in slowly, but then, Eros’s words began ringing in his head.
Then why did you say that she’s your Makkari? It sure sounds like you own her
It sure sounds like you own her…
You.
Own.
Her.
“Hey Makkari?” He said leaning back away from her.
What? Is something wrong? She signs to him.
“What? No. Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that…I don’t own you”
Own me?
“Yeah, I don’t. You are you own person:
Thanks Druig? I knew that.
“Good, because I don’t want I to own you!”
Why don you keep saying own? I was never ‘owned’ and I never want to be ‘owned’ Makkari signed, starting to get a little irritated on how he was acting.
“Yeah I know! I never wanted to-”
What has gotten into you Druig? Makkari stood up.
“Nothing has gotten into me.” Druig said.
Yes there is. Why are you acting like this?
“Me? I thought you liked douche!”
Excuse me?
Druig scoffed, “Don’t tell me you weren’t enjoying yourself while Eros was basically on top of you”
On top of me? He put his arm around me and held my hand for a second!
“Were we in the same room? He was all over you, he made you laugh!”
Oh so the bar is that low? I can’t believe you’re even saying this to me right now.
Druig rolled his eyes and got up from the bed, pacing around his room.
Oh my god Druig. You’re jealous.
“Of Eros? You have got to be kidding”
No, I’m not. You’re jealous and you’re being a jerk. Makkari said turning her back on him.
“Really? Then maybe you should go hang out with Eros!”
I’m leaving. Come talk to me when you’re no longer an asshole.
“Yeah? Maybe if continue on this route, you’ll finally like me!”
I already did! Makkari signed, tears coming through her eyes. Druig looked at her with shock and heart break. I already did she signed once more before leaving his room abruptly.
Druig sank back onto his bed forehead resting in his hands. What did he just do? Just then someone knocked on his door. He immediately got up and started talking,
“Oh god Makkari hey, I’m so sorry-” he started opening his door. To his dismay, the very last person he wanted in his life was at his door. “What do you want?”
“I heard yelling and wanted to check in on my best friend Drago”
“It’s Druig you idiot. Now get out of my doorway before I make you”
“Make me?” Eros said raising an eyebrow.
“You know I can control minds right?”
“And you know I can control emotions?”
Druig raised an eyebrow at the empath, glaring at him. He did not know it was possible for someone to be more dislikable than Kingo and Ikaris combined.
“There can only be one ruggedly good looking Eternal that has a questionable power on this ship, so why don’t you just step down and let me Makkari choose the manlier man”
“She’s not gonna choose you” Druig scoffed at the idea.
“Really? Because based on the thin walls, it sounds like whatever shot you had with her just went out the window”
“Get. Out” Druig commanded.
“What were the words you said? Maybe you should go hang out with Eros? You basically just handed her over to-”
Druig did not even let Eros finish that sentence before he punched Eros right across the face. Eros fell to the ground with a loud thump, Druig pinned him down and continued punching him.
But Eros had more to him than emotions. He also had super strength, durability, speed, agility, stamina, and reflexes, as well as regenerative healing. In short words, he was basically Ikaris but stronger. He stood up and pushed Druig up against the wall, he was about to lay a punch on him when someone stopped him.
Makkari had zoomed down the hall and grabbed his hand. Thena shortly followed and got in between the two Eternals, pushing them apart.
“What are you two idiots doing?” Thena grunted as she slapped both men.
“Owwww, Thena” Druig whined grabbing his cheek.
“Shhhhh. Not. A. Word. I’m gonna say this slowly so you two blockheads can get it through your heads. We are about to go up against our literal creator. We need to be working together. And if you two nitwits keep this up, I will kill both of you myself. So brush up and grow up” Thena spoke walking away.
It was just Druig, Makkari, and Eros standing in the hallway. Druig was the first to speak.
“Makkari look I’m sorr-”
Makkari put her hand up calmly, indicating for him to be quiet.
I don’t want to hear it. Who started the fight.
Eros side eyed Druig, who avoided eye contact with her. Makkari snapped her fingers to get his attention.
Druig it was you? God, I feel like I don’t know who you are anymore.
“Makkari please-” Druig started stepping towards her, only for her to step away from him, earning heartbreak for both of them.
Just…leave me alone. Both of you. She signed, walking away from them.
Druig watched as the love of his life walked away from him. He clenched his fist and turned to Eros. All of that anger built up inside him, he just wanted to punch it all away. That’s when he realized. He was becoming Ikaris.
Instead of violence, he chose to leave Eros and enter his room. Once the door was closed he flopped back onto his bed. If Makkari hadn’t wanted to talk to him before, she definitely doesn’t want to talk to him now. She hated unnecessary violence, especially when it comes between her teammates.
He decided the best choice for tonight was to go to sleep and try to apologize to Makkari in the morning.
The next day he got up from his bed and looked at himself in the mirror. He almost forgot the events that happened the night before.
He left his room and walked over to the Domo’s kitchen to make some coffee. One of the only things that he appreciated humans invented. When he got there, he saw Makkari beat him to it, already in the process of making a coffee pot.
“Morning Makkari” he said, trying to make amends with her.
Makkari acknowledges him, but doesn’t sign anything back. She pours him a mug of coffee as well as herself one and starts to leave the room.
Druig stops her by gently grabbing her hand. “Makkari, please…”
Makkari takes a breath before turning to look at him.
“Listen Makkari. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to say any of that yesterday, or start that fight with Eros”
Then why did you? Out of everyone in the world, you know me the best.You know how I feel about fighting one another.
“I know. It’ just Eros-”
Makkari rolled her eyes and signed angrily, You can’t blame Eros on everything. You blamed Eros for our argument and now you’re blaming him for a fight that YOU started.
Druig didn’t think about that. He thought that everything that has happened between him and Makkari was Eros’s fault, but in reality, he ruined everything because he was jealous.
“Makkari, do you still mean it?”
Mean what Druig?
“Do you still like me?”
Makkari rolled her eyes once more and pulled her hand away from him, leaving the room once more.
Druig was confused. Why does she keep rolling her eyes at me and leaving me?
“Wow you really screwed that one up” Thena said appearing in the doorway.
“Thanks Thena, once more you’re commentary is greatly appreciated”
“You really don’t know what you did, do you?” Thena said raising an eye brow, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“No I don’t. We didn’t have a perfect relationship like you and Gilgamesh or Ikaris and Sersi.”
“Gilgamesh and I did not have a perfect relationship. We fought sometimes.”
“You did?”
“Of course we did. And I doubt that Sersi would say that her relationship with Ikaris was perfect. No one’s relationship is perfect.”
“Okay then, what did I do then?”
“Well for starters, you can stop acting like you’re jealous”
Druig was about to protest but Thena kept talking.
“You upset her because you are refusing to admit that you’re wrong. You’re choosing to blame Eros rather than say you’re jealous”
“But Eros-”
“Druig. You are the smart one here. You can either apologize to Makkari and Eros, or loose her forever” Thena said leaving the room as well.
Druig sighed, knowing that Thena is right.
Right on cue, Eros entered the kitchen. “Hello dish rag!”
“Right, I know you know my name Eros. It’s Druig.”
“Oh yeah Druig. Sorry about that mate.”
“It’s not a problem…listen, can we talk?”
“Of course! What can I do you for?”
“I-um…I wanted to say- I’m sorry for punching you in the face yesterday.”
“Not a problem. Water under the bridge.” Eros responded already leaving the room.
“Wait, hold on!” Druig said, stopping Eros in his tracks.
“What is it Druig? I have training to do if we’re gonna beat Arishem and save your friends.”
“Okay listen. The truth Eros is…I’m jealous.”
“Jealous? Of me?” Eros said in a slightly mocking tone.
“Yes. I am. I really like Makkari, a lot. And I did something to her a long time ago that hurt her. I’ve thought about her everyday since that day.”
“What did you do to her?”
“I…left her. A long time ago. I didn’t even hesitate. I left for for thousands of years. A part of me died that day because I knew I was sacrificing my love for my morals”
“Wow Druig, I didn’t know you felt like this”
“I didn’t exactly make it easy for you. So I’m sorry”
“It’s okay Druig. I forgive you. And I’ll back off Makkari. I don’t want to get in the way of love”
Druig nodded and reached out to shake Eros’s hand. The two men came to an understanding and went their separate ways.
Druig walked in the direction of Makkari’s room and knocked on her door.
She opened it with a tired expression on her face. What do you want Druig?
“I love you”
Makkari’s eyes widened. You what?
“Okay, I’m sorry I panicked when you opened the door, but I have to tell you something”
Makkari chuckled, I think you already did big guy.
“No, I didn’t, just hear me out. You were right. I was jealous. I was really jealous. I hated seeing him flirting with you and you laughing at him. It made me so angry, but you have the right to laugh at any guys jokes. The fight that happened was my fault too, I punched him. You are so incredible and deserve so much better than me. But I love you”
Makkari looked at Druig square in the eyes and cupped his face. Druig…I know.
“You know?”
I can feel vibrations. I heard everything you said to Eros.
“Oh…that’s…convenient”
And I love you too. Eros is nice and funny, but he’s also narcissistic. You…you will always be my love Druig.
Druig let out out a breath as he leaned his forehead against hers. She returned the gesture and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“So, now what?”
Makkari raised her eye brow and seductively grabbed his shirt, pulling him into her room.
Eros and Thena watched from around the corner as Druig disappeared into Makkari’s room.
“Damn, I didn’t know they had it in them” Eros commented.
“Come on, Let’s give them some privacy”
“I wonder if they need a third…”
Thena grabbed his hair and pulled him back to give them the privacy that they deserved.
Makkari pulled Druig to her as she guided Druig to her bed.
“Wait”
What’s wrong?
“The last time we were in this position. I ruined it.”
Well then don’t ruin it. She signed sarcastically.
“It’s just, I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I don’t want to ruin it”
You won’t ruin it. I promise.
Makkari started to lean in, as did Druig, this time not leaning back. The two Eternal’s lips met as Druig cupped her face.
“I love you Makkari. I love you so much”
I love you too.
The two sat there in each others embrace before Makkari pulled away.
I can’t believe you were jealous, that’s so cute.
“Cute? I though you were annoyed” Druig laughed.
I was. I am still. But, it means you cared, a lot. Which is cute.
“Oh well, yeah of course I care. You are the most important thing in my life”
Makkari laughed which made Druig blush. “What’s so funny Kari” he said bumping her gently.
Oh nothing, just the thought of Kingo hearing you be this soft.
“Don’t you dare tell him, I’ll never hear the end of it”
That’s the funny part.
“You’re a little trouble maker aren’t you?”
Maybe…I was bored as hell waiting on the Domo for all those centuries
“What were you thinking about all that time?”
Nothing, it’s stupid.
“No, tell me…please” he said stroking her cheek.
Makkari sighed and gave in. I thought about a life with you.
“Really? Me?”
Yes, you. I know we’ve been all over the world. But we’ve both been hiding out. I want to travel the world with you.
“That’s incredible. You’re incredible.” He whispered. “Are you still nervous about going up against Arishem?”
Of course. But I feel more confident knowing I’ll be going into battle with you.
“Nothing’s gonna happen my beautiful Makkari. We will make it out of it. We will save the others. And we will have that life that you deserve”