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Long tiring months had stretched as the job taken seemed to last longer and longer. What was supposed to be some simple reconnaissance to help Ikora and the Hidden seemed to stretch onward. Neptune was an… interesting spot to be put into a mission due to the large ice giant being beautiful up close mixed with the mysterious cabal activity they were sent to observe. While the sights and constant information gathering was enough to distract him, James-0 couldn’t ignore the dull sting in his chest at missing home that passed the more time he spent away from the Last City and his fireteam/clan mates. It was quiet being alone with just himself, the occasional check in with information and to make sure he was alive never gave him the socialization he longed for. James was one who thought that solitude was a pleasure to indulge in but this was even too much for him.
That wasn’t even the tip of the iceberg with what guilt he felt staring at the messages on his data pad. Everyone in the clan had written to him about a dozen times over, they’d tried to connect to his comms about the same too, and those numbers didn’t even match what Murdoc had been sending. If he would have known taking such a secretive mission would have left him feeling like he’d abandoned her he more than likely would have reconsidered. James knew she was tough, that she had everything she needed to be a good fireteam and clan leader, he tried to remind himself every time he saw a message come in from her. He’d kept himself from opening any message that was sent his way, in the terms of it being better for his own sake than theirs, he didn’t want the reminder of home while so far from comfort.
Every moment had an instance of longing for his friends. Waking up in the morning without the sounds of his fireteam next door made him feel disoriented and like a major part of his routine was gone, even when they had to sleep in their ships or camp he would always wake up to their chatter. The Exo had found himself missing the mid afternoon rush of Murdoc and Hawk carrying him to some ramen place to get lunch and make sure he took care of himself. Above all he missed movie nights the most. He’d decided this on about the second week of being on the outskirts of Neptune by himself, cradled in his ship, the white empty noise of space droning in his processors.
Every weekend they’d watch at least one movie, he was eternally thankful for his memory, to be able to comfort himself by remembering their shared time together. They’d take turns picking from the archives, the three having their own niche genre they enjoyed but didn’t bother each other about, it was something he felt now that he took for granted. Hawk loved old westerns from the Pre-Golden Age while Murdoc tended to pick from horror or true crime from any time period. James had found himself missing the anticipated cookies and hot coco Murdoc would make for their movie night as well. He clung to the memories, burying himself with what they gave him, knowing what he was going to go home to.
He’d hoped for their forgiveness in his absence, the Exo would rather reboot himself than lose his friends, they’d truly grown to be a part of him.
__________
Finally the time had given its allowance, freeing him from the service he’d given himself to, home finally within sight. He’d allowed himself to break and read all the messages that had piled up, every angry word to every upset one, his chest left tight with his emotions at the words begging him to come home. No matter how hard he tried to be strong, tried to tell himself it was just a job, he’d still found himself affected by his fireteams caring and friendship. His ghost whispered words of encouragement, equally upset by the time Earth was in sight. James took the time to report to Ikora directly and maintain professionalism before the private debrief with the Vanguard.
He’d all but ran home after the meeting, his ghost getting him most of the way there. He’d freshened himself up the best he could before getting into his civies and heading to where he knew the Hunter duo would be this time of day. They’d both thankfully had just gotten out of a Crucible match and were talking to Lord Shaxx as he transmatted back to the Tower. The comms system let out a soft ding as he connected to them, causing them both to check with their Ghosts to see who joined them. They’d turned at the same time in disbelief.
“I’m home.” He spoke.
Murdoc ran with Hawk right behind her, both hunters giving him the biggest hug they could. He’d wrapped his arms around them the tightest he could, especially as Murdoc had started crying. While he’d expected emotions he didn’t expect both to be crushing him in a hug. The three’s ghosts had even come out. The duo’s happy to see his, York, alive and well.
Hawk stepped back saying while squeezing his shoulder, “Happy you’re back, partner.”
“Happy to be back.” James smiled, “I couldn’t have a better fireteam to come home to.”
“You know, someone was worried about you an awful lot.” Hawk jabbed him playfully.
“I know… I’m sorry.” James spoke, looking down to Murdoc who was clutching his hoodie in her hands.
“I was so worried about you, James! You never go longer than a day without talking to me!” The Hunter spoke from the Exo’s chest, sniffling.
“And I never will again.” he promised, “Look at me.”
Slowly the awoken hunter did, tears coating her cheeks that had turned a soft plum from a blush coating her lilac skin.
“You’re my friend and I don’t want to make you so worried about me, if I decide to do something so reckless again I’ll let you know I won’t be able to talk and not just dip on you. It doesn’t make me a good friend or fire team member…” He said, looking up at Hawk as he spoke the last sentence.
Murdoc gave him one last tight hug before pulling back and wiping her tears on her gauntlet, “I’m just happy you’re home, both of you, home and safe with the Light still with you.”
“I wouldn’t be any other way, me and York will always come back the same.”
“Good.” Hawk and Murdoc spoke at the same time.
“You better, not a scratch on his pretty little shell either, gotta have our Warlock in tip top shape.” Hawk spoke playfully, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Yeah!” Murdoc matched his attitude.
James chuckled, “Understood. So… when’s movie night?”
That night he was tucked between the best hunters he could have been blessed to have been friends with, happy to be where he was. James looked to the Hunter on his left who had his helmet off to enjoy the film before looking to his right and seeing his other hunter was equally into the film, he smiled. He took it all in, the weight of Murdoc’s cat on his lap to the Ghosts nuzzled in a pile with said cat, the old western playing, and with the tasty flavor of vanilla and chocolate hitting his processors, he knew he was home. He was old, had been around for a while, and had never considered anything before as a feeling of ‘home’ but now he understood, whether it was the people, the routines, or just the friendship he knew he’d found it.
Murdoc had looked over at him, catching his gaze, a smile filling her lips, “I’m glad you’re home.”