Pacific Rim AU for my dear Thranduil~

[isabettershotthanyou]

No one expected monsters, nightmare-ish creatures unlike anything humanity had ever seen, to come from under the ocean. Sure, the ocean held secrets and was vast and most of it unexplored but no one had imagined it would house such terrifying beasts as what became known across the world as Kaiju. Humanity was defenseless against the creatures, completely unprepared for such enemies, and it wasn't until the development of the Jaeger program that there was any sign of hope whatsoever.

With a new line of defense, humans began to fight back against the Kaiju, brave individuals stepping up to the plate to pilot the immense robots known as Jaegers, most of them willing joining the rangers knowing that they may never come back home.

Bard was one such individual, the widower and father of three an excellent candidate for the program though it took awhile to find someone that was drift compatible. When his partner was found, the pair couldn't have been more different--though they shared a common trait in that they had both lost their wives and cared for their children alone. Many questioned just how they were drift compatible given that they butted heads more than they seemed to be able to work together but when push came to shove?

Their jaeger was a force to be reckoned with.

Seated on the catwalk that ran in front of said robot, Bard leaned on the railing as he watched the maintenance crew run their diagnostics, a few stitches crossing his brow and over his left temple from where the kaiju had caught them off guard. The downfall to being synced with their jaegers was the potential for injuries sustained because of damage to the robot itself but Bard never thought much of it.

It was just a part of the job.

Comments

[isabettershotthanyou]

"Well I definitely wouldn't be object to that, though I have to wonder if this apparently ethereal praise has only been given by those too drunk to know better," he teased, well aware that the other was actually a really good singer but hey, he had to throw out some jabs of his own. His oldest daughter had made the comment--several times actually--that the only way the two of them knew how to communicate was through masked insults and he'd denied it.

But..well..maybe she was right. To some extent. Though, it was really more like masked..flirting on Bard's end. Bad flirting, but flirting all the same.

Catching up to the other properly and falling in step beside him, Bard rolled his eyes playfully. "Perhaps it is. You aren't making me think otherwise," he replied in mock offense though there was a grin once more playing at his lips at the sight of that scandalized look. "Maybe you just want some blackmail on me, something to use against me when you feel the need. I know how crafty you can be, my dear."

For some reason the word 'co-pilot' didn't follow that statement and the dark haired man's expression flickered into something confused and a bit shocked, his gaze anywhere but Thranduil all of a sudden.

"Some co-pilot you are," he drawled, trying to take it all back to banter.

horrible image of thranduil singing to a dying/injured bard. stop me

[thorencalenaran]

"I wonder, is that jest or do you truly wish to hear me sing?" He gives the other a grin, tossing blond hair over his shoulder. "You need only ask and I would indulge you, you know. " Which, for most, was not a truth. Thranduil was not one that would sing for no reason and it was only through very few drunken evenings and even rarer moments where someone had snuck up on him that others had ever even heard his voice. Though, for Bard, perhaps he would be more easily swayed.

Their exchanges, no matter how fuelled by anger or frustration, annoyance or irritation, Thrnaduil was well aware that the other brought about in him a level of emotion that far surpassed that of anyone else. And, it spoke volumes to-- to something, that his co pilot managed to draw from him not only ire but something that spoke of amusement. Of fondness in his own way. His son was quick to hide knowing smiles when Thranduil ranted about the other, a trait his mother would often indulge in when she knew, knew so much more than Thranduil.

It made his heart ache, but it also made him wonder what more there was to this connection.

"And what would I have to do to make you think otherwise, I wonder?" Not that he would. Perhaps it would be nice to see Bard without the suit of armour, to have them both, not in a jaeger and in each other's minds, but as people in each other's company.

Thranduil has a response on his lips, something playful and terribly out of character, but he is stopped by the endearment. My dear echoing in his head a moment longer than perhaps it should have. It is lost when Bard continues, but Thranduil will not forget it, forget the constriction in his chest at such a simple thing.

If he faltered, Thranduil regained his composure quickly, jabbing an elbow into the other's ribs. "I am one of the best, and you know it, darling." It's daring and crossing a line, but there is just enough sarcasm laden in the word, that Thranduil is willing to risk it.

asjdahksjdsa ;-;

[isabettershotthanyou]

"Would you now? I'll have to keep that in mind, maybe ask at the most inappropriate moment just to see if you'll do it," Bard teased but he did have ever intention of asking sometime. He was curious now and truly did want to hear the other's voice. He knew it was rare for the blonde to indulge others in anything and it made his heart swell a bit--as cheesy as that might sound.

Those looks Thranduil got from his son were probably quite similar to the ones Bard's oldest daughter gave him, Sigrid not at all shy in making comments and giving her father knowing looks. It was a bit unnerving how good she was at picking up on things but Bard himself was generally not a fool in most matters so it was no surprise Sigrid had picked up that trait.

He tried to reply, had a reply in mind even but he was a bit too flustered by his own slip to get it out quick enough. Next thing Bard knew, Thranduil was elbowing him and--

Oh.

Well.

The dark haired man swayed a bit before he leaned into Thranduil, bumping their shoulders together as he grinned a bit.

"Do I though? I mean, that Thorin bloke is a fairly good pilot..." Bard drawled before he ducked away before he could be swatted at, turning to walk backwards in front of the other. "You're one of the best, I'm well aware of that. I wouldn't have you at my side if you weren't."

Re: asjdahksjdsa ;-;

[thorencalenaran]

"I am most inclined to indulge you, Bard. Not guaranteed to indulge you. I would hope that, by this point, you are well aware of how carefully cultivated my demeanour is. I am not about to go putting cracks in it in the name of kindness." There is an edge to his voice; a fight in Thranduil's self as to just what he means and what he is saying. Surely he would not indulge the other in circumstances that would not benefit his own reputation? And yet, the blond was not so sure about that.

He could only hope that the words, said in a defensiveness that Thranduil could not quite explain, were taking in the wrong manner. It had taken them far too long to get to this point, it would be a pity that some ill thought words ruined it.

Especially when Bard says nothing of his comment, merely sways into him and gives Thranduil a bit more of the contact, a bit more grounding after the events of the day and steadies the blond even more. Perhaps he should try to reign in his temper more often if this was the result.

Then again, maybe not.

Thranduil growled, swiping (and missing, bloody reflexes) at Bard for the Thorin comment. If there was one human being that Thranduil could not stand, it was Thorin Oakenshield. The glower does not leave his face, even as Bard begins to walk before him; eyebrows in a stern line and face the perfect picture of annoyed. "He is a curse upon this institution and we are lucky he hasn't personally invited a kaiju into the Shatterdome yet."

That is a jest. Mostly. But it does encompass just how Thranduil felt about the other. " You are so very, very lucky that I like you, Bard. Very lucky."

[isabettershotthanyou]

"See, that right there definitely helps keep those cracks at bay, my dear," Bard taunted playfully, tsking softly as he tucked his arms behind his back as he kept walking backwards. "All the more reason you should sing for me sometime. I'd simply have to mention Thorin sometime afterward and no one would know any wise that you had shown me a softer side."

His grin is full of mirth and maybe just a bit of adoration because he did so love to push Thranduil's buttons sometimes.

"I suppose I am. For more reasons than you not strangling me though," he added in a thoughtful manner, his eyes soft as his grin turned to a smile before he was turning to walk correctly. It hit him how much he was pushing it and a part of him was now worried that maybe it was too much too soon. Internally he cursed himself, glancing upwards for a moment as he berated himself, hoping that Thranduil would take it all in stride as usual.

He didn't mind stepping over that line but there was no point in moving so quickly; in attempting to do something too quickly and ruining any chance he might have.

[thorencalenaran]

An eyebrow goes up at that, a clear indication as to what Thranduil thinks of Bard's teasing. And yet, there was still a softness to the action, something less harsh and judgemental than what might usually cross his features if someone annoyed him with such taunts. "As it should, you are a menace, Bard. A menace." There is a glower at the mention of Thorin again, the disdain that the blond held for the other something he could not always express in words. "You mention him too often and I might just start associating this burning hatred with you."

It is not a truth by any means; the differences between the two pilots was staggering and, for a moment, Thranduil nearly feels something like remorse for making the comparison. But he says nothing, and finds his ire diminishing in the face of Bard's grin. He reaches out to swat at the other, the sad attempt at violence a bridge almost.

"I am not sure of that, I doubt that I could strangle you. Though the whole kaiju in your hair idea could be an entertaining way to plot your demise if I so wished." Not that he would. There were few he wished such things upon and Bard-- Bard was not one of them.

This exchange, as strange as it was, was also liberating. He had not felt so connected outside of the drift in a very long time to anyone aside his own son. The blond side eyes Bard, mouth twitching slightly. "So what of yourself, shall I be serenaded if I ply you with the correct drink? Or shall my ears bleed?"

[isabettershotthanyou]

"A menace? Me? Hardly!" Bard mused before he outright laughed, playfully rolling his eyes. "You could never hate anyone with that same burning hatred you have for Thorin, my dear. It would take too much time away from your glaring at and insulting him."

He wasn't offended by the comparison in the least, obviously, taking it all in stride as he kept walking only to find himself being swatted again. The brunette ducks slightly and makes a pained sound though it's all in good fun as he mock pouts at the other.

"You are so mean to me, Thranduil. So abusive and mean," he mused before his expression melted into one of mock irritation and he ran a hand through his hair as if making a point. "My hair is just fine! See? No Kaiju. I'm fairly certain I would know if I had one nesting. Maybe the beards of a few individuals need to be checked instead."

They're walking side by side again and there's hardly any space between them, not that Bard wanted it that way or noticed. No, never. Why would he ever purposefully walk so close to the other pilot, hm?

"Trust me when I say it would be wise to stop me before I start singing," he drawled, side eyeing the other, unable to help the grin that appears. "I've never been able to carry a tune. I'm sure I can think of other endearing things to do in an attempt to win you over."