Everything was different now. Of course, that was to be expected since so much had changed. The Tower was gone, the Speaker was dead, and everyone was still dealing with the aftermath of the Red War. But the part Cayde couldn't get past was how things had changed among the Vanguard. It used to be they were all together, operating out of the same room, standing at the same table day in and day out. Nowadays they were all scattered to the furthest edges of their new home. Literally. Zavala in the Courtyard, Ikora in the Bazaar, and him in the Hangar. It wasn't something they'd discussed, it'd just sort of...happened. And he'd liked it at first. The space was welcome after being sequestered in that one room for so long. But eventually, he found himself missing the other Vanguard. There was no more banter, no more of Ikora trying not to laugh at his jokes, no more bothering Zavala. They were both off in other areas now. Watching the Traveler. Watching the City. Meanwhile, he was stuck in the Hangar, watching...something. Sure, Amanda was right nearby and he got lost of visitors from the other Guardians, but it wasn't the same.
He cursed himself for getting soft. Look what being stuck in that room did to you, Cayde. But it didn't matter. He still missed it. The Wilds were calling more and more each day. He started communicating with Petra Venj and eventually he found himself flying out to help her with whatever new crisis arose in the Reef. It was a welcome distraction, being back in the field, and it was something he'd kept himself for doing for a long time. Before, there was no way he would've gotten away with it. But now things were different. He didn't feel as tethered as he had in the old Tower, before the Red War. He wasn't sure if it was good or bad, it just was. So when Petra contacted him again, this time about a riot in the Prison of Elders, he didn't think twice.
A/N: Much luv to ladyefriyeet for the kind words.