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

[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."