Ey, y'all wanna do some butt stuff?

Hearing the soft moans of the hunter under him sent a bolt of warmth right between his legs, straining against the restraints of his pants. Zavala grunted into their kiss, his lips moved softly against the hard metal of the Exo's mouth. The Titan's tongue darted out once more, lapping gently against the surprisingly soft silicone mouth. Zavala wondered for a moment if Cayde was enjoying the touch as much as he was, he hoped so.

Zavala had to adjusted himself down against the smaller Exo. He pressed himself down against Cayde, the ridged bulge rubbed pleasantly against the other's. Zavala allowed himself a slow grind against him, their chests flush against one another. The flaming warmth of the hunter's light set fire to Zavala's chest, his own light rushed to mingle with it. For a moment he felt the clash before it mixed immediately, he felt Cayde's warmth sweep across him, into his core causing the commander's hips to lower further into the grind longing for deeper contact. Zavala groaned into the kiss, the friction of their hips building up into a delicious fire to match that of Cayde's light. The commander leaned back then, having to reluctantly pull himself away from the kiss as he began to tug at his own pants. They tugged away quickly, finally allowing his hardened girth to breath. It hung proudly between the two of them, Zavala felt a moment of shyness creep at the back of his neck, realizing how fully exposed he was to Cayde.

Cayde groaned further into the kiss, the feeling of Zavala grinding down against almost too perfect. Their Light mixed in perfect synergy, pleasure coursing through his entire body. The titan's light with his own was powerful, but not overwhelming. It was firm and the exo felt safe with Zavala, something he hadn't felt for a long time.

The sounds of pleasure continued to echo around the room, Cayde's voice hardly muffled even in between their kiss. The speaker in the back of his mouth was both a blessing and a curse; it wasn't easily muffled, even if he tried. His fingers still gripped the larger man's shoulder, his fingers still charged with light. A feeble attempt of meeting in time with the grinding was made; the exo was already putty in Zavala's arms, rubbing down his arms to again trace the muscles.

Cayde almost whined when Zavala pulled back, but even his blue eyes seem to brighten up again when he realized Zavala was removing the last piece of offending clothing to reveal his entire self. The exo shifted, his length throbbing against the confines of his pants at the sight. "Mmm... may I?" Cayde questioned, his eyes shifting downwards. One of his hands slid down Zavala's chest, focusing more light into the tips of his fingers as he trailed down. He stopped before Zavala's manhood, trailing along the underside with two gentle fingers, stopping at the head to rub it with his thumb.

It had been a long time since Zavala had felt so vulnerable, the rush of finally confessing his true and strong feelings for Cayde all seemed like a distant blur now as he laid bare above the exo. The charge of light from the fingertips of his partner eased him down again. His eyes returning to the bright blue optics of the exo. Zavala chuckled at the hunter's question, spreading his legs as bit where he held himself up, allowing Cayde as much room as he needed. "Only if I may see yours as well" Zavala rumbled, his eyes shutting tight to the feel of Cayde's warm light snake through every bit of his manhood and rest at his reddened head.

The much smaller hunter had complete control over Zavala, his hips bucking into the warm hand for contact. The Titan's eyes opened again as he leaned forward to catch the Exo in another kiss, his eager tongue returning to it's earlier claiming of the soft mouth. A groan escaped him as his hands quickly worked to free Cayde from his own pants. Zavala thanked the Traveler when the pants came off with ease, the spry hunter length bobbing from it's confinement. "Perfect" he breathed, the feeling was almost overwhelming as he finally touched the exposed member. Gripping the shaft with tender care, his thumb tracing over every little ridge along the length. It was beautiful just like the rest of his body, perfect in every single way. Zavala throbbed in Cayde's hand as he began to pump his hand along the Exo's manhood, watching with heated interest as his body reacted to his touch. Zavala could feel the Exo's light become more apart of his own, meshing well with one another as it craved for more.

The commander felt bold for the moment as his hand pleasured the hunter below him. Taking his free hand, he moved to pass the hunter's busy hand, pressing it against his own member for encouragement before sinking it deep between Cayde's legs. His first finger probed, rubbing gently around the entrance before slowly pushing into the exo. Cayde felt Incredibly warm on the inside, his member twitched at the feeling of the tight and warm space, his light begging for them to finally be connected. Zavala continued to pump both hands against the hunter. Adding another finger carefully.

Cayde nodded his permission, his hand continuing their ministrations along Zavala's length. His touch was gentle and never firm; his light was focused heavily into his hand and he didn't want to undo the commander too soon, although the exo was well aware the stamina guardians possessed in the bedroom. It was his first, and hopefully not the final time with the titan and he wanted to savour it, to see the titan truly unwind. He wrapped his hand fully around the member, his strokes slow and light being focused else where.

He lifted his hips to allow the Awoken to remove his pants, a sound of relief coming from him as the cool air of the room touched his member. The hunter returned the kiss Zavala gave him, arching into the touch of the vanguard above him. His free hand rested on the back of Zavala's neck, rubbing in a slow pattern. A strained sound of pleasure escaped from Cayde's mouth, the same feeling of the commander's light now playing at his length, the exo bucking his hips into Zavala's hand.

Carefully he took his hand away from Zavala's member, although not without a long and drawn out stroke, the exo satisfied at the drop of pre at the head. The hand left to grip the covers, feeling a finger prod at his entrance before it slipped in. He arched again at the feeling, another moan making itself known.

The inside of the Exo was so Incredibly warm, his light surrounded the commander's fingers as they very carefully pumped in and out. Zavala was completely enamored by the Exo and his reaction to the attention, the sounds that came from his partner were something the commander could get used to hearing regularly. The thought lingered, the momentary fear that this might not happen again stalled the Titan from his work, before he quickly returned his focus to the here and the now.

Zavala removed his fingers with reluctance, the warmth lingered in his hand for a moment as he moved both of his hands up the side of the exo. "Roll over for me Cayde" Zavala spoke low as his hands trailed along the sleek body of the hunter, helping as he turned. The sight that laid before Zavala made him weak. Cayde-6, the notorious Hunter Vanguard lay before him, bare and exposed, waiting to accept all that was Zavala willingly. The thought alone made the Titan groan as he lifted himself to mount the waiting Exo. The curve of his body fit perfectly into his own as he adjusted, his hand reaching down to center his length against Cayde, prodding lightly against him. Zavala pressed his face against Cayde's neck, enjoying the feel of the sleek body under him before he spoke next "are you ready?" He breathed, his hips rocking against the exo as he waited for a response before finally pushing deep into the warmth once more. The tight space against his member gave him unimaginable pleasure, what he felt with his fingers was nothing compared to the feeling of Cayde moving and squeezing around him. Zavala balanced himself with one arm, his other hand locking in at Cayde's waist as he began to press himself in and out of the hunter.

The exo pushed back against the fingers inside him in a vain attempt to try and get more of the contact. It had been far too long since Cayde had shared a bed with anyone, and he wouldn't have wanted it with anyone else. A disappointed puff of air came from his mouth when he was suddenly left empty, eyes turning to look at Zavala.
If it was possible for his eyes to burn brighter, they would have at the commander's request. "Sooo demanding, big blue." He chuckled, the nickname he had come up with for the awoken seemed...very fitting now, having now seen Zavala in all his glory.

He pushed to roll over, grateful for the Titsn to help him into position. Cayde rested on his elbows; he felt the bed shift from the Titan adjusting his position as well. The hunter kept himself relaxed, though Light already pooled itself at the pit of his stomach in anticipation and excitement. Pushing back lightly against Zavala when he felt the tip of his head at his entrance, Cayde nodded his confirmation for Zavala to proceed.

A long, drawn out moan came from deep in his mouth, the horn atop his head digging into the pillows. Seeing Zavala's length had been one thing, but the feeling of the man inside him was another entirely. He reached back behind him to grip the Titan's thigh, a silent encouragement for him to not hold back as he pushed his hips back against Zavala's.

Zavala pressed his chest down into Cayde's back as he attempted to level himself, his body reacting eagerly to the reception of the Hunter. The soft sound of skin meeting metal filled the quiet room mixed with the Titan's groans as he continued to engulf himself within Cayde. Zavala had wanted this for years, to finally be able to show Cayde what he could never find the courage to say. All of the jokes, the teasing, the countless arguments the two shared always followed by an apology down to even the agreements they had and the occasional nights out as friends. It all led up to this moment. Zavala kissed the back of the Exo's neck briefly as the thought overwhelmed him.

The feeling of Cayde pressing back against him brought his focus to the forefront once more. Sleek hips bouncing back against his own as the hunters hand rested on his hips. Zavala quickly got the message, rising a bit to press further into Cayde, the angle allowing him for a deeper thrusts. The commander rolled his head back, jaw clenched tight as he thrusted hard into the exo. There was no break in their light only one mass that made up their heated entanglement. Their light, as different as it may have been now meshing and building deep in Zavala's gut. But he remained unyielding as he charged in and out if Cayde. The sound of the bed groaning out from the stress of all the movement now joining the rhythmic slap of organic meeting inorganic in searing passion.

A sudden thought crossed Cayde's mind; he couldn't quite...place what it was. He pushed the thought out of his mind for the moment, he needed all of his focus on the man above him. Far too many times Cayde had given him a hard time over...anything, whether it was his prodding jokes or his incessant arguing that lead no where. It was always a miracle Zavala forgave him, and maybe it was that which had attracted the exo to the Awoken: his overwhelmingly kind heart.

His hand fell from Zavala, satisfied that the small action got the reaction he wanted. The free hand gripped the sheets under him, the exo's appreciation to Zavala echoing the room. The power behind the thrusts was pure bliss to Cayde. Their mixed light caused a pleasant build of heat throughout his body, the speaker in his mouth heated from strain of use, his louder sounds of pleasure mixed with Zavala's own groans. The coil deep in his stomach, building up to snap.

A thick arm slid around the thin Exo's waist as Zavala thrusted everything into him. He was getting so close, their light burned into the pit of his stomach. The need for release caused his hips to become eager and sporadic, plunging into Cayde each time with a need that was almost primal. The Titan was so close to let go, releasing everything he had into Cayde.

Groaning at the thought he loosened the grip of his arm around the smaller guardian. The same hand moving to grip the Exo's length. Despite his pleasure his touch was gentle as he rubbed along the shaft, now familiar with the grooves and dips that made up the heated member. Zavala rubbed against him as he thrusted, taking heated pleasure in feeling Cayde's manhood bob and bounce from his own movements ontop of the impassioned sounds coming from the exo under him proved to be too much for the mighty Titan.
"Cayde.... I'm.." he groaned out a quick warning before pulling docking himself into the Exo. His release was a torrent, his hips bucked as he filled The hunter. Heated and manifested light mixed with his own seed laying deep within Cayde. Zavala's body burned with with Cayde's lingering light, he already was beginning to feel colder as it seeped back to the Hunter Vanguard.

His horn continued to dig further into the pillows, his bright blue eyes shut tight in bliss. Again he reached back to grip at Zavala's hip; he could tell the titan was close by the almost erratic change in his pace. His own hips barely moved in tandem with the commander's anymore; all he could focus on was the feeling inside of him. Cayde moaned out in pleasure when Zavala gripped and stroked along his length.

The light withn him burst at his release, visible light making a mess of his bed. He swore he felt his systems flicker for a moment, and the exo seemed to slump forward, his head buried into the pillows. He gave Zavala's thigh a little pat, his hand falling to the bed. "Mmmm..." The sound was muffled, the Vanguard feeling the emptiness of only his light remaining. "That was incredible, big guy." The hunter hardly moved from his slumped position, his voice still muffled in his pillows.

The high Zavala had been on from his release began to fall. He gently rubbed a thumb over Cayde's length as it rested in his palm. The Exo seemed spent, laying out before him in a slouched position, Zavala hoped he hadn't been too hard on Cayde, being buried in the hunter felt so Incredible he could hardly focus on anything else.

The Titan very carefully removed himself from Cayde, his member twitching slightly at the sight of all the access light that followed his removal. Zavala's hands gently rubbed the Exo's hips as he carefully helped the man roll over. "You were the Incredible one Cayde....I....I find myself at a loss for words....thank you.." he smiled down at him, reaching up to rub his chest for a moment "just relax now I'll take care of everything." Zavala rose from the bed, carefully lifting Cayde's legs as he removed the light soaked sheets from under him, leaving them in a neat pile by the door. As he left the room he wondered for a moment where his ghost had been, knowing she knew better then to interrupt him when he was with Cayde but finding it surprising she didn't show herself now. Zavala found the bathroom quickly, locating a towel and running it under the warm water before returning to Cayde. "Spread your legs for me" Zavala spoke gently as he came back upon the bed, running the towel against his chest so Cayde could get used to the warmth. Zavala returned to his position between Cayde's legs, gently bringing the towel against his length for a moment. Rubbing it down with such care before moving along to each of his inner thighs then further between his legs as what had been left over seeped out. "It's not too warm is it?" He asked as he gently rubbed against him, cleaning what he could, though he was sure plenty still remained inside.

Cayde allowed himself to be moved, shaking his head again as he was rolled onto his back. "I can start an argument about how you're the incredible one right now." The hunter opened his eyes to look at Zavala, shaking his head. "But I'll let it pass for now." The exo laughed, relaxing into his bed. He got himself comfortable as he waited for the titan to return, that nagging thought returning to the back of his head. Just...what was it?

He followed Zavala's hand with his eyes, the optics suddenly widened when the titan busied himself with cleaning the mess. Cayde reached down to grab the commander's wrist tightly. "Ikora. She's going to kill me, Zavala. After yesterday, and the off chance I don't show up? I'm dead." Cayde told Zavala, legitimate fear backing up his voice. Ikora was the only one in the entire Tower who could still intimidate Cayde, and he wasn't on the best of terms with her from the day before.

Zavala had been so focused on cleaning Cayde he hadn't seen his expression until the exo grabbed him. He looked up and listened, a frown coming across his face. It was never a good idea to upset Ikora, she was a very understand and intellegent woman but they both had not shown up for work without a single notice. The wrath of a thousand storms could be waiting for them if they were to go now.

The commander leaned back in thought "I'll contact her, I'll tell her you are with me, I'll clear up everything." He reached up to pat his chest, assuring him with a look "I will take the blame if she is upset" he gave Cayde a nod before leaning back. He looked around when Minerva still didn't show. The mere thought of him needed to contact someone she was at his side in a blink of an eye. "Minerva?" Zavala called, his voice carrying easily throughout Cayde's place.

There was silence that followed, a soft and distant whirr and the little ghost came fluttering in. She seemed flustered which was definitely not like Minerva. "Are you alright?" Zavala asked, reaching for the small AI who quickly met his touch, her shell pressing affectionately into his hand. "Quite. Ah. Iris and myself  had just been in a very interesting discussion" her single eye darted around for a moment as she spotted Cayde, gliding over to float around his head in a little greeting before returning to Zavala. "You wish for me to contact Ikora Rey?" She questioned and Zavala simply nodded. Minerva shuddered, she disliked dealing with the Warlock Vanguard's busy body of a ghost, she was no less then annoying but there was no way around it.

Within moments Ikora's voice filled the room, coming from Minerva "Zavala? What's the meaning of this where are you....and where is Cayde." Her voice was sharp, a tone they both knew well. Zavala looked down at the Exo laid out before him, both still completely exposed from their morning activities. He could tell the Cayde was still worried, he reached for him, taking his hand and gently kissing his knuckles before speaking. "Cayde is with me, we decided to meet early this morning and discuss how we work together." There was a pause on the other end, no doubt this surprising Ikora. She spoke soon after "Ah. Have you both come to an understanding?" Zavala found amusement in the question, he smiled nodding slightly though Ikora couldn't see "I believe we have, he's right here if you want to speak to him." He offered, moving to lay down next to Cayde, releasing the Exo's hand in favor of rubbing his chest. "I'm glad you took my advice Cayde. I hope both of you will allow peace back into the Vanguard Hall."

The hunter's grip on Zavala loosened, Cayde laying back in the bed with a nod. "Oh no you won't, I'll still be taking that. She's still mad at me." He sighed. If there was anything the exo will always try to avoid, it was getting on Ikora's bad side. It was somewhere he had been once or twice before, when he was a little more reckless and a little less careless.

Cayde watched as Minerva flew into the room, a little more flustered than he was used to her seeing. He reached to give her shell a gentle pat when she flew to his head, but something else by the door caught him. He shifted his blue gaze as Zavala started a call with Ikora, Iris floating in the partially opened doorway. She was giving Cayde a less than pleasant look, an obvious indicator they had just interrupted something...intimate between the two ghosts.

The exo accepted the Awoken laying next to him, the hunter vanguard shifting to lay more into Zavala's side. "Ah...yeah, we can allow peace back into it. I wouldn't worry about it, you do that a lot you know." Cayde told Ikora, the panic that was in his voice previously finally starting to ebb.

Zavala chuckled at Cayde's response to Ikora, watching as Minerva glided around the room carrying her voice. "We will be fine Ikora, I think we really have taken a step in the right direction this time" Zavala mused as he continued to rub the Exo's chests going as low as his stomach but rubbing back up again. "He's agreed to come up on the wall with me, interested in how it works and what my Titans do up there" there was a pause with Ikora, a surprised tone filling her voice "ah I see, that's....actually a very good start." She paused again, the sound of papers flittering on the other end briefly before speaking "I'll leave you two to that then, it'll be a slow day here nontheless" with that the warlock was gone. Silence filling the room once more.

Minerva shook after the call, she looked to Zavala then Cayde before her single eye found Iris, a beep escaping her as she bounced towards the ghost. Bumping their frames together eagerly. Zavala watched them for a moment before turning to Cayde "we won't actually be going up onto the wall. You need your rest."  He spoke softy, sitting up a bit to pull Cayde closer to him "I ordered us food last night....for this morning". Zavala watched Minerva for a moment, the ghost still danced around Iris, the two must have been having a private conversation.

Iris floated across the room to bop against Zavala's head, though her cold look was still trained on Cayde. He shrugged, pointing an accusatory finger at the titan. It wasn't him that interrupted whatever moment the two ghosts were having... not directly, at least. The Ghost kept her gaze on Cayde before floating down to nuzzle into his neck for a moment. She made a few content beeps when Cayde gave her shell a small rub, the exo turning to listen to Zavala talk to the warlock vanguard.

The look he gave Zavala was incredulous when he mentioned Cayde and the wall in the same sentence. The only positive thing about the wall (besides the fact it protected the city...) was that it provided an amazing view. He laid his head on Zavala's shoulder though, waiting patiently for the little call to end. "Byyeee Ikora." Cayde called before the line disconnected, Iris floating from the spot against his neck to bump into Minerva. He hardly moved from his position against the titan, allowing the man to move him around as he pleased. "I mean, I don't mind the wall...the view is pretty at least." He shrugged, nudging Zavala. "And when Ikora finds out we lied about the wall? Yikes. But hey, at least we'll have a good breakfast." The hunter chuckled, reaching to give Zavala's tummy a couple of pats.

Zavala smiled when he felt Cayde's hand on his stomach, moving to rub the hand that rested there. The Titan chuckled at the question "Ikora isn't a woman I wouldn't normally risk lying to" his eyes followed the two ghosts as they glided around the room bumping into each other lightly "I know Dead Orbit has an audience with her, she won't find out" he assured, giving Cause a smile before relaxing back into the bed. For a moment, just the near silent whirr of the two ghosts filled the room, the Titan enjoying the moment with Cayde. He had always thought his feelings towards the exo were always meant to be just a forbidden day dream he would allow himself on the occasion.

A knock rang out through to the bedroom, Zavala grunted as he began to rise from the bed. "Ah speaking of which, that should be it."
Pushing himself off the bed he found his discarded pants, quickly putting them on. Before leaving the bedroom he paused, turning to the ghosts "Iris" he spoke gently, holding his hand out to the ghost he always knew to be so timid around him, he waited for her to touch his hand, gently rubbing her shell. "I didn't get to properly greet you little lady, don't think I didn't notice" with a final little pet he turned to leave the room. It was a quick walk to the front door and when he opened it the delivery boy seemed stunned. The Titan Vanguard, commander of the Tower stood before him, his bare chest was intimidating enough. "I believe my ghost has taken care of all this?" He asked simply and the boy nodded, recovering from the initial shock. Zavala quickly said his thanks as he closed the door, setting the large amount of food on the nearby table. Uncovering two boxes, he made his way back to Cayde's room, a proud smile on his face, surely the choice of Ramen for breakfast would impress the Hunter Vanguard.

The apartment was dark and quiet, the only light within it was that of a buzzing Ghost, her beeps and whirrs echoing throughout the empty home. Cayde had left to go gambling...again. Iris was tired of being responsible for allowing his account to run dry from how much he threw his Glimmer around at Crucible games, cards. If she named it, he would throw Glimmer at it. So she always went home, not going to encourage his behavior...or discourage it.

She was startled at the sound of the door knocking, the Ghost floating quickly to the door. Iris was certain Zavala was stopping by and she could only imagine it was him. She transmatted to the outside of the door, her single eye greeted with the Titan. "Zavala!" She nuzzled into the commander's neck, little beeps and whirrs coming from her small frame. "Cayde isn't home. He's..." She hesitated, gliding back to look at Zavala better. "He's out gambling. I don't go with him anymore, he's never listened to me in the past to stop...I know where he is, though."


Cayde was deep in the Tower, where class and status no longer mattered. Many Guardians frequently this area, and he used it as a means to gamble freely without being caught by anyone who would dare report him to his coworkers. His only mistake tonight was that he was stuck with a group of warlocks. No titans or hunters seemed to be around that night, and if they were to be, they wouldn't be around for awhile. The exo tapped his foot on the floor; he wasn't sure how far he was in the hole. He always expected Iris to keep track for him...but she stopped coming with him a long time ago.

Poker was his game... usually. It was hard with warlocks. Titans especially had terrible poker faces, and he knew hunters too well to know. He was confident in his hand, but confidence wasn't enough for him. His face visibly fell when the warlock in front of him played his hand, looking at the Vanguard. "Pay up, hunter." The warlock stared at Cayde, who slowly took out a slip of paper and a pen. "Will... you take an I.O.U? Because listen, I... oooh, I have nothing."

The face of the warlock in front of him never changed, though Cayde could tell that wasn't necessarily a good thing. The vanguard practically hopped out of his seat to turn and run out of the establishment, but he was pulled back by the cloak, tripping almost comically onto the floor. Again he underestimated the warlock: Voidwalker. Voidwalker meant blinking. Which meant he was never escaping. "Listen, you look like a reasonable guy, you know who I am! I can get it back to you!" Cayde half-pleaded, although already well aware debts not paid wouldn't end too well for him. The warlock dragged Cayde to his feet, never taking his grip from the cloak. "Cayde, you know the rules. You're not above any of us here. You had better find a way to pay up now."

Zavala walked quietly down the empty hallway, a small bag swayed slightly in his grasp as he rounded the corner. The commander had been looking forward to this night all week, it had been one of the rare occasions both he and a certain Hunter Vanguard were both free of work the next day. Zavala had made a few batch of cookies, a little known and we'll kept secret skill of his he decided he was going to share with the Hunter. Minerva bobbed in the air next to him as he walked, she beeped a pleasant tune, one he wasn't familiar with but enjoyed nontheless.

The commander came upon the door to the Vanguard's home quickly, his strong knock vibrated throughout the length of the hallway. It was so quiet in the room, surely Cayde hadn't gone out, knowing what tonight had been. They planned it weeks ago. He knocked again, still met by silence until a familiar little flicker of light appeared, Iris forming from it. "Well Hello little lady" Zavala greeted the ghost warmly, rubbing her shell as she nuzzled him. Minerva beeped happily, floating around Iris in a quick greeting. Zavala could feel his mood suddenly take a dive as he listened to the ghost. His fist becoming tight as he held the bag and a frown forming. "Take me to him Iris, please". Zavala laid the bag by the door, holding them seemed almost childish at this point as he turned to follow the little ghost.


~*~


Zavala had never been this deep in the Tower, he knew what kind of unsavory business was dealt here in the dark, away from the Traveler's light. He never once took his eyes off the ghost in front of him, his presence gaining the whispered response of others while he passed. "I don't like it here..." Minerva whispered, her eye darting around as citizens and guardians alike made up the dark hallway. Her eye caught on to one particular neon flashing light, young women eagerly beckoned to Zavala, already having what seemed to be a Hunter in their grasp. Minerva watched as her commander grew Ridgid, his walk became brisk, she knew he was on one of his famous warpaths and she hoped the guardians here knew better then to get in his way now.

Iris stopped at a door tucked away in one of the smaller hallways, an offshoot from the main more populated one. Zavala didn't even hesitate on opening the door, his massive frame blotting out alot of the light that attempted to seep in. He would have thought the sight before him was surely a jest if he hadn't known better. A warlock gripped Cayde's cloak like the exo didn't hold one of the most prestigious positions in the tower. "What is the meaning of this."  His voice boomed in the small, dark room. stepping in slowly as Minerva flew around the room, quickly scanning any ghost she found to relay who the guardian was back to Zavala.

Zavala walked just in front of the scene before him, the light of his awoken eyes pierced the smoke of the room, his gaze resting  on the Warlock holding Cayde. "Release him." It certainly wasn't a suggestion. Minerva flared off a hidden warning directly to him through their link, a second warlock was getting up from the other side of the table. "I'm not sure that would benefit you Guardian." His voice was crisp and commanding, a tell tail sign of his anger "whatever he owes, I will pay. But if any of you move any further I will wipe this room clean without a second thought. Ikora Rey will have a stack of reports that will make her head spin." The Warlock who stood hesitated on sitting down, perhaps they both were newly risen guardians more familiar with Cayde's style of vanguard. Zavala brought his fist up, his jaw tightened as the tips of his knuckles began to crack before his whole hand was suddenly engulfed in rippling arc energy. It lit up the room brilliantly as the familiar sound of arc bit and snapped at the air. Zavala's eyes locked to the warlock holding Cayde. "Release him. I will pay. And we leave."

The exo knew he should have stayed home. He had a night planned with Zavala and he never forgot... Cayde reasoned he would be able to gamble before he was expected back home. But he forgot what he was dealing with, as per the usual. He looked up when the whispers in the room got louder, and a large and familiar frame entered the room. Seeing Zavala filled him with relief...but also guilt. To the commander it likely looked like that the exo had just completely forgotten their night together. He sighed; it would be fruitless to explain.

The warlock that held Cayde seemed to have a change of heart immediately from the commander's threats. "I don't want any trouble..." He released the hunter vanguard, who could only do all but run to make it safely next to Zavala, though he said nothing. He didn't want to make the situation worse than it already was. "I mean...even forget the Glimmer." The warlock's eyes were trained on the fist of havoc that was beginning to manifest from the commander, shaking his head. "We...ah... we don't need it."

Cayde stood next to Zavala, his Ghost floating to bonk him against the head. "I know..." He muttered, watching as his ghost went to float next to Minerva. Even his own Ghost was upset with him...understandably. Cayde routinely only thought with concern for himself... he needed to remember that this was no longer the case.

Zavala watched as the warlock let go of Cayde, grunting as the exo returned to his side before lowering his fist. The light that built up there charged throughout the rest of his body as the arc energy faded away. He turned to leave the room without a second thought, motioning for Cayde to follow. He didn't say a word to the Hunter Vanguard as they made their way back to his room. There was alot hanging in question in Zavala's mind about that night. About them. Had Cayde really forgotten about the night they planned weeks ahead of time or did it simply not mean as much to him as it did Zavala. The commander's frown deepened as they walked, suddenly hoping Cayde had just forgotten.

As they finally walked up to Cayde's door, Zavala picked up the lonely looking bag he had left before. He waited to enter, not sure how long he wanted to stay at this point. "I ah....picked these up on the way here" he lied, placing the bag on the table top "they're your favorite." The Titan turned to face Cayde, there was question behind his eyes, hurt, confusion. But Zavala tried to focus on just one. "Cayde.." he began, crossing his arms tight across his chest as he leaned against the wall "I'm not going to lecture you....I had hoped we....were past that point." The frown remained as he spoke "I suppose what you do in your free time is none of my concern but tonight was...". Zavala took a deep breath, he felt so vulnerable letting see how disappointed he had been, how upset. Zavala finally looked right at Cayde "I just want to know where we stand....if you're serious about this....about...us." the commander's voice got softer in his next breath, watching the exo with emotional eyes "I want to be with you Cayde. But is that...what you want?" Zavala brought his arms tighter to his chest, shifting where he stood.

Cayde followed Zavala back to his apartment, making sure he was a few steps behind the commander. He looked up when his Ghost returned to him, able to tell how he was feeling. She nuzzled into his neck under he hood, the exo reaching up to rub her shell. "Hey girl." He muttered, looking up as they reached the apartment. He stepped forward to unlock the door, pushing it open to allow them both in. He only nodded in acknowledgement at the bag Zavala held, closing the door behind them both and locking it. He hesitated before leaving the door, instead unlocking it. He wasn't sure if Zavala was going to stay anymore; he might as well made his exit easier if he chose that.

The exo barely gave Zavala a look when he talked, instead choosing to focus on the grooves in between the tile of his kitchen. He sighed, shrugging. "I didn't forget about tonight, bi...Zavala. I knew I still had some time before you were supposed to come over and...I went gambling." He admitted, turning to lift his cloak to inspect if there was any damage. "I would have been back in time had I not been caught up by a couple of warlocks. And I can see where you...think I'm not serious about this." He shrugged again, allowing his cloak to fall back to its resting position. "I mean, hunter vanguard, terrible at relationships, terrible with stability and terrible with coping."

Cayde walked to the other side of the kitchen, closer to his room than he was before. "I can understand if you choose this isn't what you signed up for. Door's unlocked if you wanna leave." He motioned to the door, feeling another nuzzle from the Ghost at his neck. "If that's what you want, I just ask one thing of you." He excused himself, turning to enter his room.

Cayde returned momentarily, a journal he held tightly in his hands being the only new thing about him. "This...ah...I hope it can help you understand a little better." He placed the journal on the table, free for Zavala to take and read. "I don't want to repeat what's in here. I care for you a lot, and I am...serious about us, even though it doesn't seem like it right now. I'm terrible at coping though... I don't have a lot of stability either." Cayde pulled out a chair at the table, taking a seat.

Zavala watched Cayde for a moment, his chest felt Incredibly tight, something he didn't like the feeling of. He listened to Cayde, shaking his head "I wouldn't say your terrible at relationships...." His voice was soft while he listened. Something twisted in the Titan's stomach when Cayde said the door was unlocked. He truly didn't want to leave but if the hunter wished it...

He watched Cayde leave and return with a book, it looked worn from age but still bound tightly. He looked between the book and to Cayde before picking it up with great care. Zavala say across from Cayde with the book, curiosity pushed him forward as he thumbed through the pages. It became obvious what the little brown book was, an old journal during the time of the previous hunter Vanguard. Zavala's frowned deepened as he read, he felt Minerva at his shoulder surely she had already finished it the way her flight dropped and slowly drifted to rest on the table. The commander always knew that Cayde and Andal had been very close but he had never expected it to be this. He loved him, he loved him very deeply, it practically lifted off the page and struck Zavala. Cayde had no closure when the former Hunter Vanguard passed, the journal had led up well, the most recent entry not being so long ago.

Zavala remained silent, he wasn't sure how much time had passed to read the journal but he gently laid the book down, closing it with a soft thump. His eyes watched the hunter across from him, the hood he wore so faithfully had so much more meaning. The countless bottles he had cleaned up told painful stories and the gambling helped hide so much. Zavala had thought he felt vulnerable moments ago but he could only imagine what the other vanguard was feeling. Zavala rose from his seat, slowly walking around to the other side of the table. "I'm not leaving Cayde" he spoke softly, taking a knee to the exo, large hands resting on his knee and thigh. "You're not alone anymore. You mean more to me then just one night we didn't get to have." He offered Cayde a smile, giving his thigh a light squeeze. "But this gambling ....you can't waste all your glimmer away like this..." He continued to rub along his leg down to his knee and back up again "I'm willing to find some middle ground, I'll pay off any debt you have anywhere in the city or elsewhere.....but it needs to be curbed."
He looked up to the Hunter vanguard from his kneeling position, his eyes never leaving Cayde. "Will you be willing to try that with me?"

Cayde felt Iris leave his hood, the Ghost moving to look at him. She knew what the journal held, and it effected her as much as it effected Cayde. His happiness was her happiness, his anger was her anger and his loss was hers as well. She floated down to rest in his hands, the Exo rubbing along her shell. He glanced at the table, noticing how Minerva now rested on the table. Lifting Iris level to the table, he motioned to Zavala's Ghost. "Go to her. I'll be okay, I promise." Iris beeped in understanding, floating over to nudge Minerva. She rested against the other Ghost, beeping out a song for her.

The exo looked up at Zavala when he heard the journal close, watching the titan as he stood to move around the table. "Thank you..." He muttered, taking one of the hands Zavala left resting on his legs. Cayde gripped the hand as if Zavala would disappear in front of him, the hunter shaking his head. "Well... the night isn't completely over yet, you know." He laughed lightly, rubbing Zavala's hand with an absent thumb.

He nodded his understanding in the titan asking if he would curb his gambling. "I'll do that for you...I'll give you access to my account." He leaned forward, resting his forehead against Zavala's. "So you can control how much I can spend... but I don't want you to get involved in my own debts. That's not anything you need to concern yourself with, big guy."

Zavala squeezed Cayde's hand gently and reassuringly. He watched as Iris floated towards Minerva, the two ghosts gently began to sing their song together. The gentle tune filled the room in a pleasing manner. Zavala rubbed a thumb over the knuckles of the exo, listening intently to what he had to say. "We will work on this together, your debt will be mine until it's paid off....then you can start fresh" he offered him another smile, pressing his forehead against Cayde's.

He let the peaceful moment remain before he spoke next "you are right though, the night is still young, those cookies won't eat themselves hm?" Giving Cayde a little squeeze he rose from his kneeled position, still keeping a firm grip on Cayde's hand. He pulled the hunter up into a tight hug, the feel of his light so close sent a shock down his spine "there is nothing stopping us from still watching all those old golden age films you have been telling me about?" The Titan leaned back slightly to kiss the side of his head, then once more just under his exposed cheek.