Cayde rolled over in his sleep and yawned, reaching out to pull Wren close but finding she wasn't there. He patted around on the bed, searching for her until his fingertips curled over the edge of the bed and a dull light flickered across his optics.

Moonlight filtered through a slit in the curtains, falling across the pillow where Sundance and Kiran lay sleeping, but Wren was gone. He sat up and listened, thinking she was in the bathroom but the apartment was calm. Quiet. However, the golden light of a flickering candle snuck its way under the closed bedroom door and Cayde frowned.

He put on some shorts and opened the door to see Wren sitting at a little table by the window, head propped up on her arm, staring out the window. A single candle illuminated the dark curls of her hair and steam drifted lazily up from the mug in her other hand.

"Hey, bit early for coffee isn't it?" he said, forcing a smile as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Hm. It's hot chocolate."

"None for me?"

"I can make you some," she muttered but never took her eyes off the window.

"What's buggin' you? Is it Sisre and Rorick?"

"Sort of." She sighed and lowered her arm so both hands wrapped around the warm mug. He waited for a few moments but when she refused to fill the silence he made his way to the kitchen and prepared himself a drink.

He sat at the table beside her and she let out a frustrated groan and let herself fall against his shoulder, her head making a dull thud when it collided with his plating.

"Ow."

Cayde chuckled and took a sip of liquid that would have been too hot for a human. "Coulda told ya that was a bad idea."

"I know I should be happy for them. They want to adopt a kid, you know."

"What? S'not givin ya baby fever is it?" he asked, half nervous of her answer but she only snorted a little laugh.

"No. Nothing like that. I like to roam too much to have a kid. I don't mind the ones in the City. They can be pretty fun, I just don't think I'm cut out to be a parent. I love being a Hunter too much."

"So… what's the issue?"

"It's selfish, but I don't want them to retire. I mean, I know it's dangerous and not everyone…"

"I know."

"There's this fear of them falling away. That if we're not working together, that our friendships will suffer for it. I already struggle with Franz. Sometimes he seems tolerant of me and others he's still bitter. What if the Vanguard split us up? What if I never make things right with him or they add people to the team that don't fit well? The dynamics…"

Cayde put an arm around her shoulders. "Woah there, slow down. Sisre loves you, you know that. Besides, if she's retired and here in the City most of the time, then getting together with her wouldn't be too hard. I mean, some things would change if they adopt, but it's still doable. As for Franz, I think you need to be nicer to yourself. You've done what you can. The ball's in his court now." Cayde hesitated, afraid to make his own suggestion and in a way, feeling guilt at the thought of even bringing it up. It was a selfish request after all. "Ya know… Sisre and Rorick have it right in a lotta ways. They've done their share of savin' the world and the knowledge they have can help a lot with trainin' these Kinderguardians that keep wanderin' up. You could do that too."

Wren side eyed him. "And how? I'm not the leader of Cerulean, I don't have that experience. I'm not a weapons expert like them, I'm no survival expert either. I'm on par for sparring but only because I'm small and fast. I don't even excel at mechanics. What could I possibly teach new Guardians? How to be in the right place at the right time? How to kill gods half on fluke?"

"You could take private contracts for the Vanguard," he shrugged. "Lots of Hunters don't like working in fireteams unless it's with people they're in a den with but you don't even have to do that. You can do all kinds of stuff to still be in the field, just not… ya know… god slayin'."

"Are you offering this because you don't want me in danger?" she asked, cutting her gaze up to him.

For a split second he felt like lying. Like telling her it had nothing to do with being in danger and everything with making her comfortable but they both knew it wasn't the case. He let out a long sigh.

"Listen, Sugarbird, you know I'm doin' my best. I slip up, don't get me wrong, but I am tryin'. You're a great Hunter and I know you can handle anything the Vanguard throws your way. You've done it since day one. 'Course I don't want ya in danger. And I'm not gonna lie, part of it would be to keep you away from the biggest baddies the system has to offer, but also so you don't have to worry about some of this other stuff. Bein' put with another team, dealin' with new people… I dunno. You don't have to accept, I just thought I'd offer."

Wren stared him down for a moment but her eyes softened and she leaned against him again.

"I don't know what I want," she admitted.

"You'd get to spend more time with your favorite Vanguard," he smirked.

"Hm, you think Ikora would make time for me?"

"Hardy har har. Ya know what you're problem is? You think you're cute."

"So do you," she chuckled and sat up, positioning herself to sit with her back to the window and her legs over his lap. She sipped her drink and let her gaze stray to the world outside and the frown returned.

"You sure that's all that's bothin' you?" Cayde asked.

Her index finger edged along the lip of the mug as she focused somewhere far off.

"Have you ever… I don't know, seen something weird when you died? I mean, you know I see you there. In that place between life and death."

"I know. I don't get the same thing every time like that," he admitted. "Tends to reflect whatever's goin' on in my head at the time so it can get kinda crazy sometimes. Why?"

"When we were facing Xol, I got caught in the crossfire and next thing I knew I was in that place again. Sometimes it takes your vision or whatever it is to show up so I didn't think about it at first but all of a sudden there was fire everywhere and you…" she met his gaze and he could swear he saw tears welling up in her eyes. "You were there. It wasn't good."

Cayde shook his head and took her hand. "Hey, none of that stuff is real. Feels that way sometimes, but it's not much different than a dream, ya know? Sometimes it shows you what you fear."

It'd been a while since he'd experienced that place himself but he didn't need to in order to remember the countless times he'd been there, trudging through biting cold and blinding snow until Sundance brought him back. Sometimes it was even stranger. A building in the distance. Darkness and buzzing machines. Sometimes he was on a hospital bed… no… he was splayed open under bright light.

"It's just a dream," he said again, squeezing her hand but really he was trying to remind himself.

"I heard Xol in that place. Talking to me. He said 'the Light fades'."

"Hey, don't get all worked up." Cayde thumbed a tear from her cheek. "I got the safest job of all the Hunters, remember? Only thing that might kill me is Big Blue if I don't get my paperwork done on time."

Wren sighed and leaned back against the window.

"Why don't we go back to bed. We have a long day tomorrow," he said.

"Where are we going anyway?"

"You think I'm gonna tell you?" he smirked, tilting his head. "C'mon."

Cayde stood and took her hand, leading her back to the bedroom where he wrapped her in blankets and pulled her against him. "Now stay here," he chuckled, kissing her cheek. "Get some sleep."

Cayde finished his work in record breaking speed, eliciting a suspicious glare from Zavala who looked him over, then dismissed him. After that the Hunter Vanguard could hardly keep himself from running out the door and toward the hangar where Wren was supposed to be waiting for him.

Along the way he ran into Sisre, who walked with him for a time. She looked beautiful with her green dress, hair up in gold hair pins dangling with emeralds.

"So, are you ready?" she asked, smirking at him.

"Of course," he laughed but it quickly faded. "And no."

"Not having cold feet already are you?"

"Nothin' like that I just… what if she says no?"

Sisre rolled her eyes and nudged his shoulder. "Cayde, she gave you a favor first. All she's waiting for is a return. She won't say no."

Cayde took a deep breath. "Right. You have all the caches ready?"

"Yup. Finished the last one earlier today."

The sun lowered on the horizon. Where they were going they'd need it to be night. At least to start their little adventure. He put his hand over the pocket where her note was. The first step on his little scavenger hunt. He couldn't just get on one knee. No. It had to be a game. Memorable and fun. Had to take her through their time together in a way she'd never forget.

"Keep in touch so we know when to meet you for the reception," Sisre said, calling his attention back to her. "We'll be getting the finishing touches on the den."

"Thanks Sisre. She hasn't been there in a long time but I couldn't think of a better place for this to wind up. Shouldn't take more than a few hours to get through the hunt and we'll be back before ya know it."

Sisre stopped in front of the door to the hangar and tidied up the collar of his button up shirt. "Don't be nervous. It's going to be fine." She smiled up at him. "Never thought I'd see the roguish flirt of a Hunter Vanguard on his way to propose. But stranger things have happened I guess. Good luck and I'll see you soon."

"Right. Thanks."

She left him to continue on his own. Wren waited by her ship in the cheongsam he'd picked out for her. It was pink satin and calf length with flowers embroidered all over. The buttons were little white birds and the clip in her hair matched. When she spotted him she smiled and gave him a little twirl. It fit her like a glove and he found his eyes trailing up the slit to her thigh.

"Beautiful," he said, kissing her.

"It's perfect. Where are we going that we need to be so dressed up?" she asked, taking note of his dark pants and button up shirt. Nothing she was used to seeing him in.

"You'll see. But we're not taking your ship, we're taking mine."

"Uh huh…" she crossed her arms.

"What?"

"You just want me to sit in your lap."

"Guilty," he smirked. "But it's also cuz I need to blindfold you before we get there."

"Is this some sort of kink or…"

"No! Nothin' like that," he slipped an arm around her and pulled her close. "But it can be."

"We'll see," she replied, shooting him a sly glance before turning and heading toward his ship.

Of course the trip wasn't that exciting. She did sit on his lap and he did hold her close, but he was content just holding her. Thinking about their future. Maybe she'd take him up on his offer and stay behind more. Take private contracts. Maybe he'd get her all to himself every night and not have to worry himself half to death every time he saw her fly away toward the next great danger.

He closed his eyes and nuzzled into her neck. "Love you," he muttered.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing that," she said, turning her head to kiss him.

"Hmm, and yet I distinctly recall someone telling me that I'm a joke…"

"That was a long time ago. And in all fairness, you were being horrible."

Cayde rested his head against hers with a sigh. He'd been so flippant about her death back then. Funny, now it was his biggest fear. "I'm gonna make it up to you."

"You already did. The Better Devils, remember?"

"Yeah, but that only got you into more trouble."

"Well, I think you've more than made up for it."

"I'll do more than that. Put this on," he said, holding up a blindfold. "We're almost there."

"You were being serious? It's already nighttime, I can't see where we are anyway."

Cayde tied the black cloth around her eyes. "Trust me, it'll be worth it."

His hands rested on her hips and she leaned back against him and he remembered when he'd gotten her off over her pants right here in this very seat. A memory he revisited quite a bit whenever he had to fly somewhere. His fingers slid lower, to the slits in her dress and she let out a little hum when he moved his hands back up to her hips, this time under her skirt. He groaned into her neck.

"You coulda told me you didn't have anything on under that."

"Your note said 'wear this'," she replied. "It only had the dress and shoes."

He gripped her hips and pushed into her, groaning in her ear. "If I woulda known…"

"Aren't we about to land?" she teased.

"You're in big trouble," he growled.

"Is that so?" she adjusted in his lap and he nipped her neck.

"Oh you're so gonna get it when we get home."

"Can you wait that long?" She stood up and turned around, straddling his lap. She didn't have to see what she was doing to grind herself against the bulge in his pants or plant soft kisses against his throat. That same old twinge of insecurity caught him for a moment as her teeth nipped the softer silicone that made up the exposed section of his neck but feeling her heat growing against him pushed the thought away. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

"You weren't so enthusiastic last time," he muttered, pulling her in to grind against his cock. "I never asked you about that…"

"What's to ask?" she replied, reaching down between them to rub him through his pants.

"I dunno. You liked it, I know that."

"I wanted more."

Her admitting that made him tense up. So many times he'd snuck to his cockpit and replayed the scene in his head before coming onto the floor but knowing he might have had her back then?

"Fuck," he moaned as she freed his cock. Blindfolded or not she was getting more brazen. More comfortable in her demands of him. He watched as she guided him into her and sat down with a soft whimper. His girth was still a lot for her but she rocked gently back and forth on him, arms around his neck. Everything about her was so warm and inviting.

A part of him appreciated that. Wanted to be gentle to her. Sweet. Another part wanted to take advantage of it. See her like before when he'd chased her down. Hunted her. The ways he looked at him so defiantly with the Ace between her thighs. He smirked. There would be plenty of time for both. Plenty of time to drown in the depths of her soft, warm body. To explore every inch with his hands. His mouth.

He gripped her hips and thrust hard into her. She collapsed forward, lips parted in a moan and her cheeks flushed under the blindfold. The curve of her throat was a perfect place for a nip and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Emotions bubbled up in his chest when she moaned his name, her voice wavering. Needy. She was wet. Soaking him and he was lost in her. Her heat. Her scent. The way her hands trailed across his body, unbuttoning his shirt so she could trail kisses across the plating of his collarbones.

"Uh… sorry to interrupt but we're ready to land," Sundance said and Wren awkwardly sat up, putting space between them.

Cayde groaned. Funny how easy it was to forget they had company… At the same time he never wanted to tell Sundance to shove off so bad before. She disappeared in a little flash and before Wren could get off of him he pulled her close; not moving. He just wanted to feel her again. One more time before their little adventure began.

"I love you," he muttered against her chest.

"I love you too," she said, kissing his head. "I guess we should pick this up later."

Cayde smirked up at her. "Oh, you have no idea."

Wren re-situated herself and Cayde shoved his still throbbing cock back into his pants. Dammit why couldn't Sun give him like five more minutes?

The ship came in low over a beach and they were transmatted out, Cayde holding Wren close to keep her from falling.

"Can I take the blindfold off now?" she asked. "What is this?"

"Not yet and it's sand."

Wren ditched her shoes and faced toward the breeze rolling in off the ocean. A small smile played at the corners of her lips.

"What are we doing here?"

"C'mon Sugarbird, show some patience." He began to guide her toward the water, keeping a protective arm around her. The smile faded as the sound of the waves grew louder and she tensed. Cayde stopped. "Hey, would I let anything happen to you?" he asked quietly, shifting in close to her.

She hesitated, then shook her head. "No."

"Nothin's gonna hurt you when I'm around," he assured. "This'll be worth it, promise. Now wait right here. I'm not goin' anywhere, just hold on."

Wren's fist balled in his sleeve and he let her hang onto it as he knelt to kick off his own shoes and roll up his pants.

"Alright, we're almost in the water," he said, guiding her forward another few steps. "That'a girl. Ankle deep. See? Not so bad huh?"

"I don't guess so," she muttered.

Cayde untied the blindfold, letting in fall away and when she processed their surroundings she gasped. The dark wavs of the surf glowed a shimmering blue that reminded him of the delicate lights that danced across her skin. Her fingertips touched her lips as she turned slowly, taking in the glow of the bioluminescent beach. Her every step lit up and she took several away from him, going deeper and he flinched to grab her but stopped. She wasn't afraid. He waited, at the ready to bring her back, but she looked back at him with wonder in her eyes, a smile ear to ear.

"It's beautiful!"

"Yeah," he whispered. "You are."

"This is amazing." She took several quick steps away, dress pulled high from the water as she splashed along, sending shocks of blue light through the water. "Reminds me of Arc energy," she laughed.

"It's algae," was all he could explain. He shoved his hands in his pockets and watched her as she splashed and kicked through the shallow water, his head tilting as she took in every last moment.

When she made her way back to him the hem of her dress was dripping but she stood on her toes in the surf and he leaned in to kiss her.

"So, is this an official date?" she asked.

"A bit more than that. Listen, Sugarbird," his hand clenched around the letter in his pocket. The first steps on their adventure and the clue to their next location. Was he shaking? Dammit! He chuckled. "I've been tryin' to think of what to say to you for awhile now. Hell, I already tried this before but… never mind. I can't think of the right words. Seems like anything that's gonna come outta my mouth isn't going to touch how I actually feel."

"What is it?"

"There's been something I've wanted to say. Or ask I guess? Sugarbird, do you think you'd wanna start an adventure with me?" he started to pull the letter from his pocket when Sundance and Kiran appeared.

"Sorry to interrupt but—", Kiran said but Sun cut him off.

"Vanguard channels are saying there's a riot in the Prison of Elders. You need to go immediately and take care of it."

"The what?" Wren asked.

"Son of a… can't someone else handle it?" Cayde asked.

"Zavala and Petra asked for you specifically."

"You always say you don't get out enough," Wren smirked.

"Yeah yeah. Fine. Look, we'll go handle this real quick and get on with our… date. Kiran, send word back to get mine and Wren's armor and weapons and send her ship to the Prison docks auto pilot. Get it there ASAP."

"Of course."

"You're not getting rid of me?" Wren asked.

"Not a chance. I got something important to do and I'm not letting you out of my sight until I can do it," he chuckled. "Now get in the ship. And no funny business."

"Whatever you say!" Wren laughed, running across the beach to grab her shoes before heading off to the ship.

"Sun, let Sisre know what's goin on. We'll be a little delayed but I'm gonna make Wren mine if it's the last damn thing I do so make sure she's ready at the last cache."

"Got it. This is so exciting!" Sun and Kiran clinked shells, spinning around one another before zooming off behind Wren.

Cayde took one last look over the beach, smiling to himself at the rolling waves, and all the stars he'd ever wished on to be here right now. Finally, it was all coming together.