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Is there anything that can stop her?
Crow watches the Cabal tank begin to destruct and she dives off of it, tucking and rolling as the whole thing goes up in flames. The shockwave that follows blasts across earth and stone and whips both of their cloaks back.
When it clears, Crow approaches the Guardian. She stumbles up onto her feet and suddenly, her shoulders are drawn back with a degree of pride.
"That was impressive," he remarks as she steps up to him.
She gives a nod of appreciation, lowering her gaze to her weapon to reload it.
Crow dares another step closer, tentatively lifting a hand to touch her shoulder and draw her gaze to his. Her head angles back, her form still beneath his touch and yet, he doesn't detect any tension.
"You'll have to–" he pauses when he catches sight of something along her side. He reaches for it, pressing the palm of his hand against the fabric and the Young Wolf flinches. His hand jerks back, crimson coating his palm. A dazed sort of panic wells in his chest and he can barely manage a: "You're bleeding–"
She lifts her arm a fraction, trying to see the injury before she summons her Ghost. Pieces of the tank had grazed her when it exploded. But there's a piece lodged just above her hip and Crow watches in horror as she jerks it out without any regard for further damage to her side and tosses it into the dirt. She waivers a little at what he can only assume is a burst of pain, her legs giving out and Crow grabs her, helping to ease her descent as she grips his forearm.
Her Ghost's shell separates, Light igniting along her frame. Her side is mended in an instant but he can still see the blood stained fabric and his chest constricts.
He registers her hand against his cheek and his eyes snap to her visor.
I'm okay.
It's what she's trying to tell him but all he sees is the blood on his hand and–
"...I've never seen you bleed before," he admits after a moment, struggling just to find his voice. "I forget you're…just like me. That you can get hurt, bleed…die. You always seem so untouchable that I forget–" his voice falters as she gathers him into a hug.
He's not sure if she intentionally guided his head to rest just above her heart or not but he can hear the strong, steady thrum all the same and it soothes away some of his panic.
"Say something," he pleads softly, fingers curling tightly around the sleeve between her pauldron and gauntlet.
Silence hangs between them, his Hunter searching for words but evidently, unsure what to say that will soothe him.
"...I won't die, Crow," she says at last and he hears the soft sound of a transmat above his head. "You don't have to worry."
"But you're always fighting. Hive gods, Scorn, Cabal tanks–" he draws back to see her face. "You're impulsive and…probably the bravest person I've ever met." His laugh is hoarse, aching. For a moment, for a fleeting instant he thought he was going to lose her somehow.
But there she is. Smiling at him with a tender sort of warmth and a fragment of worry. She reaches for him, cradling his cheek in her palm and his head sags into the contact.
"You scare me sometimes with what you can pull off, Guardian."
She snorts softly, sliding closer until their knees brush and she can lean in. She doesn't say anything but she does press a kiss to his forehead. She does brush her thumb along his cheekbone and his hand lifts to cradle it as he presses her palm flush against his skin.
Another kiss against his brow and then the tip of his nose. Finally, finally, her lips press against his and he can breathe again. Finally, there is air in his lungs and the panic has faded from his mind. Finally, all is as it should be.
They stay there for a minute, maybe two before she withdraws a fraction and they both try to catch their breath.
"I'm not going anywhere, Crow. Not anywhere you can't follow, Little Light."
He smiles, resting his forehead against hers, "Is that a promise, Old Light?"
She guides his hand against her chestplate, splaying his fingers over her heart. It beats rapidly but stronger and steadier than his own racing pulse.
She's alive.
This is her reminder.
"You have my word, Little Light. Now and forever."
That's all he needs.
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