Chapter Text
Thanatos panted as he held Cerberus in his hand, the effects of channeling pure light through his systems still wearing off.
He could faintly make out others around him, checking in on each other quietly, silently reveling in the win against the Witness.
Yet none of it mattered.
What mattered was in front of him.
Cerberus floated up, trying and struggling to gain momentum as he made sounds of pain. Than felt panic overtake his systems as he watched his beloved friend suddenly drop, the light within his body dissipating within an instant. The hunter stumbled back, disoriented by the sudden change in existence.
"No!" Than shouted, surging forward- surging through the confusion. Kneeling down, Thanatos felt his throat tighten with grief.
He gingerly picked up his Ghost, his hands trembling as he held the shell of his friend. A million memories raced through his mind, memories of his best friend- always there, always looking out for him.
Thanatos never once thought he'd lose Cerberus. He prided himself on the ability to care for his little light. Synthetic tears streamed down his face within his helmet as he stared at his lost friend. "Cerberus?" He asked, knowing deep down he wouldn't get an answer back this time.
Looking up, The hunter saw nothing but light, felt nothing but warmth from the Traveler. he stood, still carefully holding his best friend's shell. "Please," He rasped, looking around. He held Cerberus out to the empty white void, his red eyes searching desperately for something- a glimmer or flicker of some kind. something to show the Traveler was listening. "Bring him back." Thanatos's voice spilled from him before he could stop himself, the tears still flowing down his face. "He's just a Ghost. you raised an army, you can bring back one Ghost!"
Footsteps carefully treaded up behind Thanatos, a familiar hand coming to rest on his shoulder. Cayde-6 rounded his fellow hunter, eyes scanning Than as he cried. "He sure shined bright back there, huh?" Cayde said, watching as his former boyfriend stared at him.
"Cayde..." Than's voice crackled with sobs.
"What comes from the light, returns from the light," Cayde sighed, dropping his hand off Than's shoulder. "My gal Sundance told me that. She also said that we're all connected. Guardians, Ghosts, The Traveler..." The former vanguard turned his head to the side where a shimmering form of Sundance floated, looking proudly at her Guardian.
"Now, you tell the others this was my choice. My Light." Cayde whispered, gripping Thanatos's hands tightly. "Nobody makes my fate but me." Thanatos gasped, shaking his head as sobs wrecked his body, watching as his boyfriend's body began to glow with light. "You're my favorite. Don't ever forget that."
"Cayde!" Than cried as the former vanguard disappeared- leaving him alone.
The warm light of the traveler disappeared, returning him to the Witness's monolith. In his hands was a perfectly repaired Ghost. Before he could process what had happened with the former Vanguard, The Ghost gasped to life, the familiar voice of Cerberus echoing between the two.
"Guardian," He said, completely relieved. "There you are." Unable to speak as silent tears rolled down his face, Thanatos embraced his best friend, feeling his light return, the relief of having Cerberus back.
They stood like that, ghost engulfed in his Guardian's hands, braced firmly against his chest.
Thanatos and Cerberus. Guardian and Ghost. Best friends. Always fated to find one another, always fated to be best friends. Platonic counterparts; unable to live without one another.
"You don't know how long I was waiting for you," Than whispered. "Eyes up, little light."