As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow through the towering trees of Evergreen Forest, the immortals gathered to celebrate a significant milestone: it had been a month since Luna had entered their lives. In this secluded haven, they had little in the way of decorations or elaborate plans, but that didn't deter them. Instead, they decided to make the occasion special by hunting down the best fruits they could find.
"Let's see who can find the ripest fruits!" Eirik exclaimed, his competitive spirit shining through. The others nodded in agreement, excited about the challenge. They split into small groups, fanning out through the forest, laughing and calling to each other as they searched for the juiciest offerings.
Thalos, feeling a surge of responsibility, focused intently on finding the perfect fruits to impress his fellow immortals. He wanted to contribute something memorable to the celebration. After a long search, they returned to their campsite, arms laden with colorful berries, sweet apples, and luscious peaches. The air was thick with the scent of fresh fruit, promising a delightful feast.
As they gathered around a makeshift table, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. They prepared the fruits, slicing and cooking them to create a feast that would honor their new family member. Laughter echoed through the trees as they shared stories of their pasts, but their attention frequently drifted back to Luna, who sat in Thalos's arms.
The little girl squirmed, her eyes wide with curiosity. She reached out, trying to escape Thalos's hold and crawl toward Eirik, her next guardian. Thalos chuckled, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Look at her! She obviously doesn't want to be here," he joked, glancing at the others.
"Maybe she just knows who the best caretaker is!" Aurelia teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. The group erupted in laughter, and Thalos couldn't help but blush, his resolve strengthening.
"I'll show you all! I'll be the best nanny Luna has ever had!" he declared, puffing out his chest in mock seriousness. The others continued to laugh, encouraging him with playful comments.
"Good luck with that, Thalos! She's a tough critic," Nyssa added, her laughter mingling with the others as they dug into the fruit feast.
Determined to prove himself, Thalos set about finding ways to engage Luna. He showed her the vibrant colors of the fruits, pointing out their shapes and textures. "Look, Luna! This one is round like a ball!" he exclaimed, but Luna merely cooed, her attention drifting elsewhere.
After a few more attempts, Thalos decided to teach her some fun sounds and gestures. He made silly faces and exaggerated movements, hoping to elicit some response. However, as he watched Luna gaze up at him with innocent curiosity, he realized she was still far too young to grasp what he was trying to convey.
With a newfound plan in mind, he shifted gears. "If I can't teach her something, maybe I can at least get her to say my name first!" he thought, the determination fueling his every action.
"Luna," he said slowly, emphasizing each syllable. "Can you say 'Thalos'? Just try! Thalos!" He leaned in closer, his expression earnest, almost pleading. The other immortals watched with amusement, exchanging glances as Thalos encouraged the baby.
"Come on, Luna! Just say it!" he urged, but the little girl only gurgled happily, her attempts to mimic sounds a delightful mix of unintelligible babbles.
After several rounds of coaxing and playful encouragement, Luna finally seemed to focus. She looked at Thalos, her brow furrowing in concentration. Just when he thought he might finally achieve his goal, she opened her mouth and let out a series of sounds.
"Th—thhh—" she attempted, but instead of pronouncing his name correctly, it came out as "Tay-tay." The air filled with laughter as the immortals erupted, the sound echoing through the forest.
"'Tay-tay'? Is that what you're going with?" Cassian teased, barely able to contain his laughter. Thalos's expression shifted from pride to mock outrage, his attempts at seriousness faltering in the face of their amusement.
"That's not what I was aiming for!" Thalos protested, a smile breaking through his feigned annoyance. "I was so close!"
"Looks like you have a new nickname now," Kael chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment.
As the laughter settled, the immortals continued to enjoy their meal, reveling in the joy of the moment. Thalos took it all in stride, grinning despite the playful jabs. He realized that it didn't matter if he didn't get Luna to say his name; the happiness in the air, the shared laughter, and the camaraderie felt far more rewarding.
The sun set completely, replaced by a starlit sky. The immortals shared stories and memories, each tale bringing them closer together as a family. They watched Luna as she played in the grass, oblivious to the world around her but glowing with joy in their company.
"Here's to our little Luna," Aurelia toasted, raising her cup of fruit juice. "May we always find reasons to celebrate together!"
"Cheers to that!" they all echoed, their cups clinking together as they embraced the spirit of the occasion.
As the night wore on, they shared tales from their past, reminiscing about adventures, triumphs, and moments of foolishness that felt like a lifetime ago. And through it all, Luna giggled and cooed, bringing joy to their hearts.
Eventually, tired from the day's festivities, they settled in for the night. Luna lay nestled in Thalos's arms, her eyelids growing heavy as sleep approached.
"Who would have thought that a baby could bring so much joy?" Lucius mused, watching as Thalos carefully shifted to make her more comfortable.
"I never thought I'd be so tired in my immortal life," Thalos said, yawning widely, earning him another round of laughter.
With that, one of the immortals leaned forward, eager to tell a story from his own past. "Let me tell you guys a story that I once heard from someone…" he began, and the others listened intently, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the campfire.
Luna's small hand grasped Thalos's finger, a simple gesture that filled him with warmth and affection. The laughter and stories faded into a comforting hum, and as the night deepened, they all felt a renewed sense of togetherness and purpose, grateful for the little girl who had changed their lives forever.
And as the last echoes of laughter faded into the night, Luna drifted into a peaceful sleep, surrounded by love and the promise of many more adventures to come.