Title: Destiny: Lost Guardian Files
Rating: M - For mature themes.
Pairing: Hunter-AwokenOC x Cayde-6
Chapter: One - File One
Genre: Angst, Drama, Adventure, Romance
Summary: "Travel with Light," he whispered down to her, completely ignoring that his other two Co-Leaders were there. One arm wrapped around her waist, the other cupping the back of her head, and then their lips met. Flesh against surprisingly cool and gentle metal lips.
"Oh, there you are!"
She didn't remember anything before hearing that voice. To her, it sounded male, but in that weird genderless kind of way. Whoever it was, she didn't like that they were unfamiliar, but in that weird way, again, familiar.
Then there was warmth.
It was like coming out of a warm bath and running down the hall to your room, only to have your Mother catch you in a towel, squealing as you laughed, your Mother smiling as she rubbed you dry-
"Guardian!"
Bright teal eyes opened, then closed for a moment, a soft groan coming from the woman. Touching her head, she pushed herself up, her body protesting loudly, before that warmth returned. Opening her eyes, she looked up, blinking a few times at the strange little robot hovering above her, opened up like the sun, it's little blue eye looking intensely at her.
"What in the world?"
Noticing she was awake, it closed up, the new shape it took as it moved closer to her oddly reminded her of a cootie catcher. An ever shifting one, it seemed.
"What are you?"
"I'm your Ghost!" It answered chipperly, doing a little wiggle as it moved even closer. "I have been looking for you for a long, long time. I almost gave up hope, Guardian."
Guardian? Why did it keep calling her that? She was nothing like a guardian, not by a long shot. She couldn't even keep her goldfish alive when she was six.
Behind her, there was a sound, something… fear inducing. Claws against metal. Just the sound brought a chill to her. But she found she wasn't scared. Turning, teal eyes found nothing, yet that didn't mean there wasn't anything, or anyone rather, there.
"We have to move," she told it, moving forward suddenly. Weirdly, she felt better. All her aches were gone. Looking at her… Ghost, she tilted her head. "Where did all my pain go?" Obviously, she knew it healed her. She vaguely recalled a similar tech back before… before… nothing.
"Guardian, I detect Fallen enemies in the area, we do need to move."
Nodding, she reached to her side, as if knowing, her sidearm would appear. Lifting the gun, she blinked, then shrugged it off. This was a thing she would deal with later. Much, much later.
"Alright, let's go."
"Hey, Vesper, I got another mission for you!"
Trying not to sigh as the familiar voice called from behind her. Turning, the Awoken female gave her Vanguard leader a look. The figure approaching her always was an odd sight, but a welcoming one. By now, she was familiar with the EXO race. Especially with the one known as Cayde-6, he was something else.
"Another mission, Cayde?" She couldn't hide the playfulness in her tone, the familiar way she crossed her arms, giving him a rather disapproving, but teasing, look. "I just got back from another Cabal plunder, can't I get some rest?"
This seemed to perplex him for a moment, his robotic features losing their joy for a moment before there was a flicker of somber understanding. Then the chipper smile was back. "Oh, yeah, of course! You've more than earned it, Guardian." She bit back the flinch with the overly familiarity with that word. In her mind, she heard her Ghost snicker.
Shut up you, she hissed at him mentally, pleased when he finally shut up.
"Vesper." The correction came out of her faster than she could stop it. After awakening, again, becoming this beacon of Light; Warrior to spread the Light to places it had been lost from, calling herself a Guardian just… felt off.
She watched the Cayde-6 unit sigh, giving her a head shake before he smiled, touching her arm. "Vesper," his tone was softer, friendlier, "no matter how you feel about it, it's who you are." Stepping closer, she tilted her head back, looking up at him. "First and foremost, you are a Guardian, second, you are my Huntress."
She couldn't help the smile that came to her face, the roll of her bright teal-blue eyes, giving his chest a small shove. "Oh shove it, Cayde, you say that to all the pretty girls." Sticking her tongue out, she winked before turning as she walked off.
Waving over her shoulder, she laughed. "I'll see you in three days, Cayde."
Though it wasn't exactly forbidden, as much as Zavala tried to instill the practice among the others, Vesper found herself… rebelling.
It must have been a trait from her past life.
Smiling to herself, she let out a soft hum as she walked the overgrown path of the long forgotten city. A city the Awoken had once called home. Maybe back when she was alive. Before she traveled to space and… Woke up that first time, in the Reef.
Stopping, Rapture closed her eyes, touching her forehead. A sharp sting of pain shot through her skull, making her sigh. Anything about that time… It was hard to remember. In fact, she couldn't even remember how she died. Just… this place.
Taking in a deep breath, the young woman pushed on. Behind her, she sensed her Ghost materialize.
"It's dangerous to be here," he said softly, looking around nervously as they ventured further. "Why must you insist on ignoring Zavala like this? Remembering only brings pain and disappointment." Of course the one and only companion in the whole universe would be on that grumpy Awoken's side. "Vesper," she stopped, jumping slightly, turning to her Ghost, staring at him. His tone had never been that… urgent?
"Are you scared?" She asked, watching that little eye stare back at her, blinking before it turned away.
Honestly, she found it so… humanizing.
Reaching out, she touched the small robot, smiling as he tried to shy away, only to nuzzle into her hand. Closing her eyes, she laughed softly, pulling him close. "My little Light," she cooed softly, "I know how hard this is for you." Guardian's were supposed to throw off their shackles of their past lives and live in the moment. "I need this." She couldn't explain why or how, but once the memories had started, she couldn't stop them. Finding this place had been easy, but that didn't make up for the things that lurked in the shadows. Taken. Fallen. A Cabal Legion. Vex and their Hal 9000 red eyeball.
She understood the hesitation, she felt it, too. "Please, just let me do this."
Feeling him land in her hand, the small body expanding and contracting with the breath it didn't have, looking up at her. "I just worry about you, Vesper." She wasn't like other Guardian's. Though, she wasn't Anna Bray levels of infuriating Zavala, but pretty close it seemed. "This is an unexplored area, I don't want you to…"
"I know."
She was a walking beacon; A target in a place like this.
"But… Just trust me, okay?"
Looking down at her Ghost, she smiled, her best, reassuring smile. She could sense his unease through their link, her Light entwined with his.
"Okay." His tone was somber, but then he shook himself, flying past her. "But we do this my way, okay?" There it was, that take charge attitude she had come to know and love. He was different, too, her little companion.
Unable to keep the smile from her face, the Awoken laughed softly, easily striding past him. "Whatever you say, Little Light."
Hissing as she touched her side, the light haired Guardian lifted her head as she heard the familiar chatter of Fallen. Checking her sidearm, she bit her lip. Ten bullets left. Her sub and her shotgun were all out.
"I told you so."
Shooting a glare at her Ghost, she tried not to think about how she was going to annoy him back later. Regardless if he had been right or not, she had been right, too.
"Get out of here," she snapped, waving him off as he tried healing her. It was too dangerous right now. The thought of losing him… It was terrifying. She had heard stories of Guardian's who had lost their Ghosts, the feeling of losing their Light… It gave her nightmares for weeks.
"Vesper," he spoke softly, but he didn't need to be told twice as a stray bullet shot past him. Too close. "Healing you from here is harder but…" She heard his sigh, knowing she was right. "We need to leave, soon."
Nodding her head, she peeked over the window sill again, holding her breath. The Fallen had moved in quickly, quicker than she had anticipated. The odd thing was, Fallen were never this far out in the wilds of ruined Earth. They usually stayed near the cities, for those resources and covers. This area was… nothing to them.
Glancing down at the bag, she wondered what they were looking for. This was a scouting party, but… None like she had ever seen before. Still, she was pinned and she needed a way out. Closing her eyes, the young Awoken took a deep breath.
Around her, the air hummed with electricity.
Taking in a deep breath, Rapture couldn't help the giggle that escaped her. This… feeling was incredible! She could feel the Light within her begging to be released. Swollen and pulsating, warm and inviting. Like a warm summer day and a comfortable winter night by a fire rolled into one.
Rarely had she felt this feeling before on the field, but many Hunters talked about it.
The unbridled exhilaration, the immense feeling of power that was… jubilant!
Laughing, she stood up slowly, surprising the Fallen that had been creeping closer to the house, holstering her sidearm. Now that wasn't something you did often with them.
The feeling went up and down her body, vibrating out to her hands, electricity crackling around her. Holding her right arm out, she watched as a staff appeared, crackling with blue-ish lightning. It was a literal representation of the Light. Of her Light.
Breathing in, she grabbed it, silently surprised it was so… physical. Spinning it between her fingers, she looked back at the Fallen kit that had decided to crawl out of its hole to bother her, grinning.
Oh the fun she was going to have.
The sun had long since set by the time she returned to the tower, two days early at that. After everything that had just happened… Well, she figured laying low here, at home was better than nothing. Most outpost settlements weren't very… welcoming. To Guardian's, at least. She understood, but it made resting and enjoying her non-Tower related time a bit limited.
Landing her ship in the bay, what the Awoken wasn't expecting was Zavala to be standing there, looking just as disappointed as ever. A little angry, even. Behind him, she noticed Ikora, looking serene and stoic, that hint of Motherly disappointment written in her features. Fuckin' perfect.
Sighing heavily, she flicked a few switches, her cockpit opening. She expected the yelling to start now, but Zavala seemed to be waiting for her feet to hit the pavement. Interesting.
Taking a moment to grab her bag, the female Awoken hopped down from her ship, slinging the bag over her shoulder. Looking up at the Titan Vanguard Leader, she opened her mouth to greet him, wincing as she looked down, seeing his face now. He was seething with anger.
"I don't even know where to begin with yo-"
Vesper felt her hand snap up faster than she could think, stopping him from continuing. Swallowing hard, she met his gaze with equal anger. A lecture on proper Guardian etiquette was the last thing she needed after the day she had. "I don't want to hear it. I know exactly where you're going with it, Zavala."
"Vesper!"
Turning to Ikora, she felt her anger beginning to seep over. Then she heard the familiar chuckle to her left, her head turning, seeing her leader standing there, shaking his head. The young Awoken relaxed a little, holding her bag tighter in her hand. Cayde wouldn't take her things, he respected that she had gone to get them herself. Zavala and Ikora, however..
"I'm sorry," she said slowly, feeling the tension defuse slightly. Turning to Zavala, she stared into his eyes for a long moment. "But I-I can't pretend I don't remember where I came from; Who my family was." Looking up at the Traveler in the sky, she felt herself tremble a little. "If our past is really such a distraction as you both think," turning her teal eyes to look between the old Titan and Warlock leaders, holding their gazes, "why would the Traveler allow us to remember?"
"Guardian…"
She felt herself snap.
"VESPER!" She screamed, dropping her bag, a ragged sob escaping her. "My name is Vesper. V-E-S-P-E-R." Shaking her head, she couldn't stand it. She had a name. Her name. It wasn't the name she had been originally born with, but damn it! It was the name she had picked for herself in this new life.
Wiping her eyes with her sleeve, she hiccuped, reigning her emotions back in, breathing slowly. Beside her, she felt someone touch her arm.
"Vesper," his voice was soft, that metallic echo in it from his voice box. "Come along." Giving her a firm tug, the dark haired girl nodded. Bending, she picked up her bag, slowly walking back to her quarters with her Vanguard Leader.
It was a quiet walk, Cayde honestly never one to pry if he didn't feel it was necessary. Occasionally she snuck a look up at him, noting the rare look of seriousness on his face. When they reached her apartment, Rapture took a moment to let it all sink in.
Her emotional outburst like that would probably cost her.
"Not as much as you think," he said, leaning on the wall beside her door. "Zavala and Ikora… They forget, often, that even though we're immortal, thanks to the Light, we had a whole life before this. Before the Traveler."
Slowly, teal eyes met robotic cobalt, Vesper felt this feeling in her throat. Like she was suffocating. "C-Cayde… I-I..." Covering her face, she took a few deep breaths, calming herself. After a moment, she lowered her hand, looking up at him, smiling softly.
"I did it today," she spoke in almost a whisper, nodding her head. "That thing, the others call their… Their Ultimate." Looking up at him, she smiled a little wider. "It's so… None of the talk about it compares to that feeling." Taking a deep breath, she laughed some, running a hand through her hair. "I never want to experience that again."
Meeting his eyes, she saw the look of disbelief in them before the slow nod. It was one he used when the conversation was important. Swallowing, she set her bag down beside the door, moving closer to him, touching his chest. His hand went over hers, holding it firmly, but she could tell he wanted to hold on tighter. It was intimate, familiar…
Something she couldn't stand anymore. Something she would never be able to have.
Breathing in, she pulled her hand back, forcing a small, sad smile. "I'm sorry, Cayde."
Pulling away suddenly, as if he had burned her, she grabbed her things and disappeared behind her door. Leaning against it, she closed her eyes, breathing deeply, hearing his footsteps approach. She could almost see him in her mind's eye; His hand raised to knock before dropping it.
She didn't know how long they stayed like that; her hiding in her apartment, the Cayde-6 standing outside her door. Hearing him sigh, she closed her eyes, fighting herself from opening the door. It wasn't that he was her superior, it wasn't that he was an Exo It was that… she didn't deserve to be a Guardian, let alone a Hunter.
"Vesper," his voice broke her thoughts, her heart beating faster, "take some time off. Find yourself." She could almost hear the smile in his voice. "We'll always be here, especially me." With that, he gave her door a pat, making her jump before she heard his footsteps receding.
It took her awhile more, just standing there, more like braced against the door, before she slid down, covering her mouth with a shaky hand. He understands too well, she thought, her teal eyes looking around rapidly.
"Of course he does," came her Ghost's gentle voice, making the young Awoken jump, looking surprised. Clearly she had forgotten he was always there. "The Cayde-6 is… different. Leading isn't his strong point, but he tries." Watching her as he materialized, floating there before her, he nodded his little one eye. "What you're feeling, I believe he has experienced it before. Maybe more than once."
That was something to take in, no doubt.
It was well into the afternoon as she locked up the apartment, for the last time. She had barely slept, but she knew one thing was for sure… She needed to get out of the Tower. Of the Last City.
Hoisting what little she owned over her shoulder, including the very things she risked her life for, Vesper took a deep breath, beginning the walk towards the Command Center. She kept her head up as other Guardian's, both familiar and not watched her, her Ghost trailing beside her. They knew what she was doing without her having to say it.
She was leaving.
Following the familiar path down, walking passed Eris Morn and her incessant ramblings, the young Awoken stepped into the room, instantly feeling eyes on her. One pair she could not bear to meet. Walking up to the War table, she put her hand on it.
Nervously, she looked between Zavala and Ikora, swallowing hard. "I'm leaving."
There, it was out. She noticed him stiffen beside her, as if it was a surprise for him. They both knew it wasn't. That her leaving was almost like a betrayal. Run away with me, she almost wanted to plead to him. But she couldn't. He was needed here, being the Hunter Vanguard's leader.
"We…" Ikora paused, glancing at Zavala, who looked equally as confused as he was shocked, maybe even a bit hurt. "I knew this would be happening," she corrected softly, turning to the light haired girl. Letting out a long sigh, the mocha skinned woman looked sad and tired. "I wish you safe travels, Guard-..." She stopped herself, looking down and almost smiling before she met those familiar teal eyes. "Vesper."
"I-Ikora! Cayde! We cannot let this-"
"I need to, Zavala."
Her own voice was as much of a surprise as it was to them. Closing her eyes, she sighed, pulling out her Tower I.D., setting it down on the War table. "I've never felt like I was Guardian material, and after last night," she paused, finally ready to look at him, look at her Cayde, "I need some time."
Zavala looked like he was blowing a gasket, Ikora looked like she was losing a friend, and Cayde…
Unable to help herself, she moved towards him, putting her hand on his cool metal face, staring into his eyes for a long moment. She saw him, the man hidden in the metal. The man she had started to feel something more for. The man she was leaving behind, for now.
"Travel with Light," he whispered down to her, completely ignoring that his other two Co-Leaders were there. One arm wrapped around her waist, the other cupping the back of her head, and then their lips met. Flesh against surprisingly cool and gentle metal lips.
The Awoken woman wouldn't lie; The kiss was like nothing she had ever had before, with anyone. It was like the world had fallen away and it was just them. Their light was entwined, the air around them crackling with electricity, his hold on her tight and possessive.
If only this was another time. Another place. Where she wasn't one of his subordinates and he... he the charismatic, dorky Leader of her chosen faction in the War on Darkness.
Pulling apart, she nodded once to him, turning to Zavala and Ikora in turn, giving them all nods before she turned, walking as steadily as she could out of the Command Center for what it felt like would be the last time…
"Are you sure about this?" Her Ghost asked, flying up beside her, worry in his little blue eye. "You two made quite the spectacle in there." She couldn't help noting the sound of amusement in his voice. Giving him a look, shaking her head as she hurried along to the bay.
Spying Amanda, she waved, giving the woman a parting smile. Judging from the smile she got back, everyone knew.
Word did travel fast in this place. Faster than the speed of light, it seemed.
Climbing into her ship, she took a deep breath, flipping it on. Checking everything, she took one last look at everyone in the wing, spying a familiar shape in the shadows, watching her. It was with a heavy heart that she turned on her thrusters, exiting the Tower Bay one last time.
"I can't love him like I thought I could," she admitted finally, staring a head, the sting of tears in her luminous eyes. She refused to let them fall, not yet. Not until they were far enough away. "Someone else will, though."
Author's Note ; So here's a story that I've been sitting on for a long, long time. Well, not entirely too long.
It came to me after beating the main game and the lackluster DLC into Foresaken I will NEVER forgive Bungie for making. Ever.
Cayde was literally the only character I genuinely enjoyed and loved, just for him to be taken away in such a shitty manner and even the 'revenge' was... well, it could have been better.
Anyway, this is based off of a guardian I had mentally built up to be a romance with Cayde, and this story is a lot more somber than the canon, so if it comes across a little too OOC, I'm sorry in advance and that's how I intended to write it to begin with.
Some events have also been slightly altered.
I claim no rights to this, other than my OC Vesper.