Hey there everyone. As of me writing this, there are over 6,000 views of this story. Thank you to everyone who has enjoyed it and reviewed. There are several things I need to say before you read on.

This story is coming to a close. After this there will be one more chapter. Our goal is to finish this story before December 14th.

That being said, I have an important announcement. On December 14th I (ManLion) will be gone for the foreseeable future. Simply put, I am going into the military. And though the story of Quoris and Emilia may be coming to a close (for now), that doesn't mean we're done with these characters. Whenever I am available, I'd like to write snippets of Quoris and Emilia's lives for you to enjoy.

Anyways, my rambling is over now, so enjoy the chapter and know that more is coming soon.

"Regular speech."

[ Ghost speech ]

Disclaimer: we own nothing but this story and our OCs


It seems the impossible has been done.

Silver eyes from the Hunter turn away from the sound of a speech in the distance, the Speaker addressing what feels like victory. The Heart was destroyed, in ways that Gold had said and promised moments before. Even though this was just the beginning of the dark journey ahead, there was a feeling of peace surrounding them for the moment.

Gold had been honored by the Speaker in a soft talk between them, thanking her for her deeds. She disregarded it to "doing her job to help." Afterwards, she had taken off to the docking area where Quoris' ship was being repaired. Quoris had stood off to the side, staring out to the city, the Traveler that hung low before him. His expression was faraway, lost in thought.

Quoris glances over to see Gold making her way to him after her "talk" with the strange person at the docks. She's getting closer now.

Gold's fingers tap on the railing, looking over the view of the city from where she stood in the docks. Her mind was on other things, not even knowing that Quoris was staring at her at one point.

Quoris walks over to her, mildly startling Gold. "What happened to your 'friend'?"

"Left." She comments, still looking off to the view of the city, appreciating the upcoming nightfall as the sun disappears on the horizon.

"Are you surprised?"

"Not really. They come and go, typically."

"I'm probably the first one to stay."

"I would hope that you stay. It'd be nice to have someone around…"

"I'll make it more than nice." Quoris pulls Gold into a simple kiss, cradling her head in his large hands.

She enjoys the kiss as she leans up into it. Arms drape over his shoulders, a smile breaking through as the silence is worthwhile. Letting out a content sigh, Gold rests her head against his fur shoulder, shutting her eyes. "I'm glad we made it out okay. I didn't know what to expect."

"Neither did I. Your city is celebrating. We're both smart enough to know it's only going to get worse. But why don't we ignore that for now and have our own celebration. My treat."

"As long as the ship is done being repaired… which seems like it." She turns her head, looking over at the crew departing, leaving his ship be. A small grin spreads on her face, taking his hand gently into hers. "Come on. They're all done."

"Let's not waste any time, shall we?"

"Let's not." She comments with a wider grin, guiding him back to his ship. Her tired muscles were burning with energy now that they would have time together. Maybe one day – possibly tonight – they can sleep through the night without struggle or worrying over missions. Just this once would be nice.

Gold moves into the ship and Roth flies it out to the Cosmodrome to rest the ship in the same spot as always. No one would bother them up here. While the Ghost was occupied, Gold was as well: taking off her armor piece by piece.

"I'm sure Roth is relieved to go back to his little hidey-hole."

[ It's not a "hidey-hole." ] Roth puffs in sound, whirring the mechanical nodes back and forth.

"You've been there for several centuries, Roth. I'm pretty sure that qualifies it as a hidey-hole."

[ No, it doesn't. It's just a spot I sit in. ] Without a hint of hesitation, he swings himself over into the air away from the group, moving into the bedroom section of his ship, to a hole on the wall near bedside. A hole a perfect size for him, twisting and turning to face forward of the ship space.

"Keep telling yourself that."

Roth simply glares, lowering the upper node downward at his optic. [ Shut up. ]

Quoris simply laughs, wasting no time in taking off his armor plates. He put his armor in the nearby crate. His clothes, save for his pants, would soon follow. "You know, I've been thinking about something."

"Yeah?" She turns and looks him over, her brow raised as Gold approaches his bed - sitting down on the edge. "What's that?"

"Never, in all my years of living, did I think I would see the things I saw in the Garden."

"Same… With all the Grimoire archived for the Garden on the Tower, I wasn't expecting all of that."

"It makes me feel old, that's what. Speaking of which, my age doesn't show that much, does it?"

"You might have a strand of grey." She teases him warmly, running her hand in his hair with a wide grin. "No, it doesn't... Still handsome."

"You must have a thing for older men, then."

"I didn't until you told me how old you really are. Which, you're still handsome, all the same."

"Good. You look good for someone who's only a few hundred years old."

"Stop that." Gold chuckles, turning her head away.

"No."

"Stoooooop. I'm not that great... " She grins shyly, pushing herself back into the bed and tucking her knees under the sheets. Then brings them up and over herself as she lays down, burying her face.

Quoris pulls the sheets down her body. "Don't say that. We both know you deserve the affection."

"You do too, you know..." She mutters quietly at him behind the soft smile, resting her head against the pillows. "More than I do."

"We've had this conversation before, you know."

"Oh, I know. I'm just telling the truth." Teasingly tugging the covers back up to cover her chest up, tucking her arms on top of herself. Gold gives him an innocent grin.

"So what do we do now? The Vex are mostly out of the picture. But we both know that there are more threats out there."

"There are. We should investigate certain things, see what kind of trouble is stirring in the system. We still have a mess with the Cabal, Hive and Fallen. Especially Hive."

"The Hive are dangerous, yes, but we shouldn't just rush into things."

"Mm. Agreed." She smiles briefly at him, running her hand gently on his arm – following the stardust with fingers.

Quoris shifts Gold around so that they're spooning; her back to his chest. He wraps his arms around her middle, holding her close. "I think I love you."

She hugs his arms closer to herself, tilting her head to look him over. His comment puzzles her for a brief moment, before her face flushes into color. "Well, I'm glad."

"Good."

A chuckle, wiggling in his arms to sit up, lifting the pillow and hitting him with it. "That's all you're going to say?" She grins wide.

"You know me, I'm a man of action."

"Ouh?" Gold chuckles, shaking her head. "I had no idea."

"Well then, you must not be paying attention."

"Might need to help me pay attention, then."

"With pleasure."

A gentle grin spreads across her lips, leaning to press a gentle kiss to him. Afterwards, she moves to lay down against him, resting her head up on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Gold felt peaceful listening to his heart, shutting her eyes as she takes it in. A hand raises to his, pressing their palms together before she intertwines their fingers, smiling wide at him.

Being in a playful mood, Quoris decides to mess with Gold. He pulls her into a passionate kiss, running a hand through her hair as he turns them over, hovering over her. They only separate when air is needed. Quoris takes the opportunity and tickles her sides, smirking at her devilishly.

She, of course, squeals. The sudden touch causes her to buckle up against him as she sputters, writhing under him as she tries to hold her laughs. Unsuccessfully, as well as failing to move away – his weight holding her down. "Pff- Q-Quoris!"

"Ah ha! So you are ticklish."

"Stop that. I'm not that ticklish..." She puffs, wiggling under his hands.

"Suuuure." Quoris continues to tickle her without remorse.

"Q-Quoris! Stoooop!" She squeals again in a midst of giggles, squirming and writhing under him. Her face deep red from it, unable to stop the squeals and laughs.

"But I think I love you too much to stop."

Her laughter dies off as he slowly begins to stop, allowing his touch to trace her hips and waist, up to her head, cradling at her face. It never necessarily dawned onto her for that type of emotion. How long have they known each other? Thinking it over, she smiles softly – her palm rubbing his forearm gently. "Do you think or do you know, Quoris?" It's obvious she's teasing him, unable to hide it in her tone, her smile. Yet - she was curious, the twisting feeling in her chest was telling her to ask, wanting to know, needing to know how he truly felt.

"... I do know. And what I know, is that I love you, Gold." Quoris' voice is on the quieter side, staring down at her as her expression takes in what he was saying. His fingers teased against the edge of her temple, pushing hair out of her face. Leaning down, Quoris gives her a soft, passionate kiss. Each kiss lead to another, taking it at a slow pace. There was some form of release in his chest, to get those feelings out to her. He's been wanting to do it for quite some time, but there was never any proper timing for it until now. The Awoken, as handsome and as much of a ladies man he is, he could not put his affection into words this time. Not like this, not to her. To simply say those words with truth, it was a weight off his shoulders that was lifted.

The sound of that phrase gives her chest a cage of butterflies. She leans over into it, pressing the kiss to return it as passionately. Gold didn't know how to understand those words at first. She'd never experienced love, affection, passionate like this towards someone. It was locked up in her chest, burned her cheeks as he ran through her thoughts. Breaking the kiss, she bites at her lip, eyes lidding as she distances her gaze from him, gathering her voice. "I love you too, Quoris."

For a while, Quoris simply stares down at her, eyes wandering on her features. With the blossom in his chest, he pulls her close, their foreheads touching. His hand cradles at her jaw, pressing a kiss to her lips. With the moment heated, he slides his hand up her shirt, gripping her waist as he holds her close. It felt good to have a different pace in such a lifestyle.

Pressing soft kisses to him as she leans into his embrace, humming softly into his mouth as the kiss progresses. Once she felt his hands pressed into her backside, her heart jumps for more. Her hands casually unbuckling his pants for herself, wanting to move on.

Well, this was interesting. Gold was starting things off? Quoris certainly had no objections. While Gold was taking off his pants, he worked on taking off her shirt, his own eagerness beginning to stir with impatience.

Once she was successful in undoing the buckle, she gives a firm tug to the belt to slip it out of the loops of his cargo pants, tossing it to the side. Arms raise up to let him take off her shirt fully, shaking her head as she tucks hair behind her ear. She lets out a soft giggle, smiling. "Your hands are cold."

"You might have to help me warm up, then."

"I can do that." Without hesitating, Quoris moves about against her body, shifting to wrap them around the small of her back - burrowing them into the warmth of her skin and between the bedsheets. The kisses returned as he works her over, fingers pressing into tense muscles - rubbing them out in soft massages, while his tongue did work against her own. While it seemed she tried to do one step further by unbuttoning his pants, at the angle she was at did not work. Quoris made it easy for her, removing them himself. He sits up on his knees shortly afterwards, hands greedily taking off her pants and whatever had covered the goal he would like to achieve.

Kisses on the lips turn to kisses on the throat. From the throat, down her bare chest and even to her stomach. He makes sure she's covered in every part of her body that was exposed to him, giving attention to everything that desired touch. He wouldn't leave an inch of skin unoccupied with need, whether it was his lips or his hands that drove the meaning.

It was the sounds she groans out that told him he was doing things correctly. Each firm squeeze, soft kiss - even tender bites to flesh to stimulate - got a sound out of her, drove him insane with want. Heat stirred down below, the sight of his hardness was not unnoticed. Once Quoris finally leaned away for several moments to remove her undergarments from her knees, he tosses all of her clothing off the bed into the pile. He takes the time to look her over with a smile, eyes trailing her curves, finding flaws. Scars, freckles, anything that was noticeable on her skin; he cherished. Usually he was not one for this type of passion, but with her, it was an exception. These were one of the things he loved, and he never had a chance to mull over in their times they were in bed together.

Her sounds drove him over, so he continued with what he desired, what he wanted - what they both wanted, out of the situation before them.

Without hesitating, Quoris sits on his knees. Hands raise her by the thighs as he brings her close. His free hand rubs his length against her burning heat before pressing into her. One single sound turns into a meltdown of moans on her end, watching her freeze up and enjoy the moment that he gave her. Eyes focused on her form, leaning down to wrap an arm under her neck, cradling her body flush to his.

He continues the pace of his thrusts as much as he can, leaning down to bury his face into her neck as his grunts mix in with her singsong moans, his other hand squeezing her thigh firmly. Quoris' mouth latches onto her neck, suckling and kissing the red bruises he leaves behind. Her nails dig into his backside, leaving marks. Gold's orgasm began to hit her hard, feeling her fingers tense into a vice grip on his muscles. This allowed him to go further.

Quoris pounds her harder, faster, as she rides out the orgasm, his own beginning to creep up quickly. Several thrusts past her shivering, begging sounds - he feels release, spilling within her. A tensed groan shifts out of his chest and muffled to her neck, latching onto her tightly as he rides it out with weaker, erratic thrusts. Once all had died down, leaving them in a brief moment of panting, Quoris lifts his head to press kisses to her forehead. Hands push hair out of her face, holding her close, cherishing the moment. A smile was there, watching her as she finally relaxes underneath him. Soft sighs turn into soft giggles on her end, eyes meeting one another finally.

It was too good to ruin the moment, but Quoris finally moves off of her after laying with her for some time - muttering sweet nothings and kisses against her temple and ear - shifting to sit up.

Gold, herself, adjusts in the bed under the sheets, watching him curiously.

"You know what we haven't done yet?"

"What would that be?" She asks.

"We haven't had a proper celebration."

"And here I thought we've done that..." A chuckle parts from her.

"Well we have done that. But it's only one part of the celebration. We haven't even had any alcohol yet."

"Mmm." Gold sits up again to cross her legs, a grin on her face, leaning forward to prop her elbows on her knee. "I'm not much of a drinking type of person, but I don't mind having a drink or two for a celebration. I'm guessing you bought some?"

'A drink or two.' For what Quoris had planned, 'a drink or two' is an understatement. "I believe I have some somewhere around here."

"Of course."

"I know I have some alcohol somewhere around here."

Eyes watch him as he searches about in his ship. Even traveling along him, biting her lip. "If you don't, that's fine."

"No, I am going to find it." Quoris continues to look around in various hidden places for where he might have his alcohol stashed. "Ah hah! I found some."

"Ouh?" She turns her head and looks over at him, a small smile curling on her lips. "Nice."

"I think you'll like what I've got in stock."

"I would hope so." Gold sits up further, soon standing up and traveling towards him.

Quoris pulls out a purple colored glass bottle. "I haven't touched this stuff for 300 years. I think it'll suffice."

"300 years? Is it still any good?" She questions, glancing at it. Did alcohol even have a proper expiration date? It still looked fresh.

"Well I would have preferred it to be aged more, but 300 years is acceptable."

"Whatever works, I suppose."

Quoris gets a glass and pours some of the liquid into it. "Try some. It won't bite. Not much, anyways."

Gold is suspicious of the liquid he pours, but trusts him on it. Taking the glass and carefully giving it a sniff, she looks over to see he pours himself one and decides to take a soft sip of it after they gently clunk glasses.

Which makes her cringe at the taste, squeezing her eyes shut as swallows the burn. Clearing her throat, she puffs a breath. "Not too bad..."

Quoris takes a big swig from his glass. "Like I said, it's ok for the occasion. I'm pretty sure I have better stuff hidden."

A small laugh comes out of her, adjusting from the bitter aftertaste it gives off, taking a better sip of the liquid. Fingers clasped around it as she holds it in her lap. "It's tasty for alcohol. Hardly come by this kind of stuff."

"If there's one thing to be said about my people, it's that we know our alcohol. And how to age it properly."

"Well, more than that. But, I'll agree about the alcohol." Her smile is hidden behind the glass, slowly finishing it off. Eyes shut, the heat rushing to her face.

"Your glass looks a bit empty. Let me help you with that."

She lets out a soft chuckle as he fills her glass again, taking another sip of the poured drink. "Filling me up, huh?"

Quoris gives her the look. "You haven't complained in the past."

In that moment, she blushes deeply, clearing her throat embarrassingly. "I – uh-"

"You're cute when you're speechless and blushing. Come now, drink up! We're supposed to be celebrating right now."

As she fiddles with the collar of her shirt, Gold laughs wholeheartedly, dipping her head down shyly. "You're right." Without hesitation, taking a long chug of the drink, fighting the burn as she drinks it until her glass is bone dry once more. "We should be celebrating."

"That's the spirit!"

It certainly hits the nail on the head with her tolerance to Awoken alcohol.

Not even the fourth drink in, and Gold is at the edge of giggles when Quoris attempts to wrap his arm about her waist to hold her close. Idly, she rubs her cheek.

"What even is this stuff? It's gooood." Gold hums slowly as she stares at the purple bottle in her clutch. Attempting to read the old label, and obviously failing to properly say words in the Awoken tongue. Still failing poorly.

"You won't be able to read it. I guess the closest thing you could compare it to is human whiskey. Very, very aged whiskey."

"Mmm..." Doesn't stop her from trying. Although how she pronounces certain portions, it clearly makes her sputter in a giggle, rubbing her face as she puts the bottle down. "I give, I giiiive."

He finishes his glass only to see a very tipsy Gold leaning on his shoulder. "Enjoying yourself, are we?"

"Me? Very much so." She trails her hand up and down his arm with a slur of chuckles in her tone, smiling wide at him. "You?"

Quoris chuckles, "It's amusing to see you this relaxed."

"I'm having fuuuun. What can I say. I love being with you." Gold trails her fingers on his arm again and down to his knee, scooting closer to press herself up against his side – snuggling up against his frame with a sloppy grin. "A lot of fun."

"What type of fun?"

"The kind of fun that's fun. Guess."

"That made no sense. Maybe I should catch up on the drinks…"

"Or..." She turns to tug the glasses from his hand and places them to the side. It was as if she was going to pour him a drink, until of course, she turns.

Gold sharply twists to push Quoris down onto the bed, swinging her leg over to sit in his lap; straddling him firmly. Palms press to his chest and stomach, slowly rubbing his shirtless body with a sloppy grin. "Might need to lay down. Don't neeeeeed a headache, do we?"

"As appealing as this sounds, are you sure you want to do this in your drunken state?"

"Psh. I'm not drunk. Just liiight." She hums her words, grinning widely.

"You're going to have the worst hangover in the morning, I swear…"

"I'll bet glimmer on that I'll be fine. " She chuckles, leaning down to press a kiss to his jaw. Trailing them to his lips. The alcohol clearly strong on her breath, still grinning at him with a deep red tint on her cheeks. "You worry too much, handsome."

"And you don't worry enough, it seems." Quoris pulls into a passionate kiss, ignoring the alcohol on her breath. Given how strong the stuff was, she'd definitely feel it in the morning.


She certainly underestimates the strength of alcohol.

Until morning obviously hits Gold on the head like a Fallen Walker. She was well buried under the covers of his bed, the pillow clutched tightly to her head as she groans loudly from sudden noises in the ship. Even the slightest movement making her whine. "Nhh."

Quoris slowly approaches his bed, mindful of the fact that Gold probably has the hangover of the century. "Hey there," Quoris whispers softly to Gold, who is buried in his sheets, "how are you feeling?"

Her palms had tightly gripped a pillow – the pillow that Quoris was sleeping on, on his side of the bed. His scent was strong in it still, her face buried in a majority of the pillow. Eyes slowly open, squinting as if she's staring directly at the sun. After a moment, she slowly sits up, straining a groan, "Like a Cabal just hit me square in the face with their shield... twenty times."

Quoris shakes his head at her comment, the validity of the statement humorously fitting. "I told you you would have a hangover. Oh well, can't do anything about it now. So how much do you remember?"

"Yeeeeeah, well..." She remembers a lot. Especially sitting on top of him in the middle of it all. "A good chunk..."

"You're not much of a drinker, are you? Because you were gone after that third glass."

"Bah..." She lays back down in a flop, rubbing her face tiredly. "No, I'm not... Surprised I didn't puke."

"You should work on your tolerance." Quoris picks up a mug of steaming tea. "I brought you something. It should help with the hangover."

"Mnh." Gold groans sharply as she once again sits up, knees pressed to her chest. With messy hair, she pushes it out of her face and takes the tea from him; a small smile on her face. Reaching out she takes his hand gently into hers. "Thank you..."

Quoris gently kisses her forehead. "Anytime." He moves over to sit behind Gold, giving her a backrub.

Her eyes follow him as she takes a generous sip of the tea, smiling as he rubs her back. "Mmm... It's delicious."

"The massage or the tea?"

"Both."

"Good."

Gold places the tea down at the nightstand nearby, turning halfway to look at him as she rests her head against his shoulder. Wrapping her arms slowly around him, hugging him quietly. Contently snuggling to his form as he rubs her back. "I'll work on my tolerance to alcohol later..."

Quoris chuckles, causing a deep rumbling in his chest. "Take your time. The stuff I have is pretty strong, so it'd be wise to wait for a while."

"True." She mutters quietly against his shoulder, pressing herself closer to his warm frame. His touch was soothing to her hangover. Gold was rather content with this, even after the fact that her brain was pounding away violently in her skull. Eyes squeeze shut, snuggling her head up against his chest and neck, letting out a soft sigh. "I'll stick to tea for a little while."

"Good." Quoris continues to rub her back, moving up to her neck. He gets a particularly tense knot in her neck.

She lets out a soft, pleased groan at his touch. Slowly leaning further into him as he massages out all the knots. Even to the point at his comfort, she was soon falling asleep against him rather peacefully.

"-Quoris?" Her voice cracks a sleepy tone, eyes drooped shut.

"Yes?"

"-I love you. So much." The words are strained, her body shutting down for the while. The hangover was a must to get rid of, and she was tired on top of it all. Her head snuggles against his shoulder, burying her face against him.

"I love you, too. Good night." Quoris says as he kisses her on the head and leans her back onto the bed. It was time for a nap, anyways.