The Darkness In Us

Reminiscing

I open my eyes to find myself on a bed in a dimly lit room. I don't recognize the place. I roll over to one side and find myself face to face with Cayde and I quickly sit up. He's fast asleep next to me and I try to remember what happened but I can't. I look down and I'm fully clothed so I sigh in relief.

"Thank goodness..." I whisper. I walk to the bathroom and splash my face with cold water and then I head out of the room. I find Shiro in the kitchen, making waffles.

"Hey how are you holding up? How do you feel?"

"Okay, I suppose. Why was Cayde with me?"

"After Zerex showed the evidence and you passed out, Zavala wanted to get you arrested. The guards refused. Zavala tried grabbing you and Cayde got in the way. They fought, Ikora intervened. They got hurt, I brought you and Cayde to my place. You're safe."

"I need to go."

"I already contacted the Crow. He hung up before I could explain everything. He should almost be here."

"How long have I been out?"

"An hour or so. You want a waffle?"

"...sure..." I say. I sit down at the table and he gives me one. I smile a bit.

"Chocolate chips?"

"What? They're good." he says. I can't help but give a small smile and I nod, eating the waffle. Not ten minutes later, Cayde joins us. We don't speak. Shiro gives him a waffle, makes himself one and then Uldren arrives. I stand up and practically run to him and he pulls me to his chest. I breathe in the mixture of leather and smokey bourbon off him, inhaling deeply and he tucks my hair behind my ears.

"Shiro told me what happened."

"I'm okay. Shiro helped us get out of there." I say. He nods and holds me tighter and I smile, letting my guard down with him as usual.

"Okay. I came as soon as I could. I've been running missions with Jol and coordinating the Crows. My sister has been making plans to keep enemies at bay."

"It's okay." I say with a small smile. He looks to the table and sits down, pulling me to the chair next to him.

"Why are you here Cayde?" he asks before I can stop him.

"Shiro is my friend and he offered me a place to stay at." he says, still eating his waffle.

"Right. After you agreed to condemn her and then suddenly had a change of heart?"

"Look, I was in the wrong. I recognized it. I'm trying to fix it."

"Why didn't you tell me where you were going?" Uldren asks, rounding on me. I raise an eyebrow.

"I told you I had a big mission three days ago."

"You didn't tell me you were going up against a Hive God. That's what Crota was." he says angrily.

"So now this is my fault?" I ask.

"That's not what I'm saying. Stop getting defensive."

"You'd think that being a Prince, you'd learn to speak properly." I shoot back.

"Seriously, you peacock. Can't you read the damn room? Not the time or the place to be acting out."

"Oh so now you're her biggest defender after you broke her heart? Really? That's awfully hypocritical of you, rust bucket." he snaps. I rub my temples and look at Shiro, who rolls his eyes, shaking his head.

"Could you two maybe shut the hell up and eat? I'd like to eat in peace without all your bickering." he says. They look at him but don't say anything back.