Eternal Love [Druig]

Twenty-seven

South Dakota

"The sudden appearance of an enormous stone figure in the Indian Ocean has left more questions than answers for the authorities. U.S and Australian naval ships are maintaining defensive positions, but at this.."

"You guys did that?" Ben asked incredulously, interrupting the news that was playing out on the television. He had every right to be both unbelieving and cautious because as Ira looked around from where he was sitting in between Druig and Makkari-- more on Druig than anything else given the lack of space-- only to see them casually munching on the food laid out before them. He guessed that they all looked like regular adults who had nothing better to do with their time other than look for a job or explore the world.

"I love you so much." Phastos' only response was as he continued eating. Ira hadn't realized how hungry he had been until he entered the warm house after their trip to Paris and smelled the warm homemade food. He laughed and stood up, forcing himself away from the warm comfort of Druig.

"I'm going to grab some water," He turned to Ben. "Kitchen?" He asked, jutting his thumb behind him in the area he thought the kitchen to be. Ben nodded and Ira moved, patting Druig on the shoulder as he passed by.

He found Thena and Jack in the kitchen, idly chatting like one wasn't a kid who knew next to nothing and the other wasn't a woman capable of severing the house in half in one swing if she wanted to.

"Are you okay?" The kid asked. Thena frowned as she stuck her hand once more into the toaster, trying to accomplish something Ira knew not.

"I get confused sometimes." She said as Ira brushed past her, offering a warm smile as he reached in the cupboard for a glass and moved to fill it.

"Yeah," Jack said. "Me too."

Ira laughed, nearly choking on his drink as he did so. He coughed but managed to control himself before things got out of hand. Thena sent him a glare. Ira cleared his throat.

"We all get confused sometimes bud." He said in an attempt to keep the peace, setting the glass down and moving beside Thena to show her how the toaster worked.

"So," Jack said, moving onto his tiptoes to try to reach an orange balanced on top of some mugs. Why it was there in the first place was beyond him. "Dad said you're the goddess Athena." He said, jumping to no avail, hands still empty and orange still out of reach.

"Thena," Thena said, standing p from where she was intently observing Ira work the toaster. "Drop the A."

"Oh."

"Hmm."

"What's your superpower? Jack asked.

Thena didn't respond. At least- not verbally. Instead, she moved forward with the ease of a goddess and thrust out her hand, gold tendrils jumping out and forming into something congruent and sharp that poked the end of the orange, capturing it from where she placed the tip of the configured blade in front of Jack so he could take it.

"Okay, okay." Phastos came rushing in, having heard the clangs from the glass located beneath the orange falling as she speared it. "See, that thing is... Okay." Phastos smiled though it was anything but genuine.

Ira hid his own real smile behind the back of his palm.

"Almost gave you a shave and a haircut, didn't she? Um.. stand behind me, actually." Phastos moved in front of his son. "Um, you remember earmuffs? Remember how we practiced earmuffs? Thank you so much." Phastos said, his voice losing its playful edge as Jack covered his ears and Phastos turned around, face stone-cold serious now.