Page 119 [spoiler]IM BACK! Did you miss me? ;) I’m so excited to continue, THIS ISNT OVER YET. come jump on board my train wreck with me again, you know you want to (bump this if you love my clever title)[/spoiler] For anyone who missed what last happened to Variks and Shadow https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/257178127/0/0 Now without any further wait, I finally present to you a brand new page, Keeping Shadow ***      Slow motion. She strides down the hall, light as air. The tarp covered pikes and dark, cold walls may very well have been a dreary atmosphere for an awoken to call home. But not now. There is a vibrance within everything she sets her sights on.      While collecting her scrambled thoughts, Shadow finds herself bumping headfirst into the hard chest of an eliksni. "Ai, I'm sor-"      Four wide eyes stare down a green robed chest at her.      "...Variks." Butterflies swarm her stomach.      "Shadow." He sounds pleasantly surprised.      She tilts her head down to hide a smile. It sounds different. Feels different. Everything does now.      "Velask. Where are you going?" She looks up.      "In fact, I was on my way to see you," Variks responds casually, tapping his staff.      Shadow catches her breath as a real hand reaches to grasp hers. He lifts the back of it to his mouth, a gesture he's adopted over the past few days since they'd become... whatever they are now. She melts under his brilliant blue gaze.      The eliksni that pass them offer odd, half-bows to the hunter. She nods to them, as uncertain as ever how to respond. Even they themselves seem lost for words.      Since that day, the way these eliksni treat her has changed.      Variks follows her eyes. "This continues to surprise you," he burbles, letting go of her hand.      She can't tell if it's a question or a statement, and all she can manage is a dumbfounded nod.      "You should grow accustomed to it. You will be honored here, as my mate."      Shadow's heart thumps painfully hard against her chest. She hides the thrill that races through her. "I suppose I will.      "What were you looking for me for?" she adds curiously.      Variks chatters, turning. "Walk with me."      She listens to the tapping of his staff. The sound is so familiar now that it soothes her.      "How are you feeling?" he asks quietly, unexpectedly.      "It's... strange."      "You could say that again," he snorts.      A warm smile crosses her face as she turns her head to him.      "You are... happy?"      She feels touched by his concern. "I'm happy as long as you're happy."      Variks stops walking, hesitates. "I would be ..."happy," if you came to see me later."      Shadow flashes him a sharp toothed grin. "I think I could manage to make some time for you."                            *** [i]      "Would you like to stay here with me tonight?"[/i]      Shadow blinks glowing golden eyes against the darkness. Variks's steady breathing is the only thing she can hear. His breath ruffles her hair, making her smile.      He had fallen asleep almost immediately.      But Shadow stays awake. Memories are crowding her thoughts, keeping her from rest. [i]     "What do you mean relax? That's a fallen!"[/i]      She frowns, disappointed in herself for her initial reaction to Variks. For looking at him the way everyone else did. The reef feels hundreds of years away. [i]      "We are eliksni."      "E-lik-sni."[/i]       Shifting as quietly as possible, she turns over. A single arm that has been slung over her side twitches. His hand curls against her back, drawing her closer in his sleep.      Shadow rests her head beside his, staring at what she can see of his face in the dark. [i]     "We are friends now, yes?"[/i]      Hand slipping into her pocket, she feels over the rough edges of the amethyst he'd gifted her so long ago. [i]      "Why are you staring at me?"      "I'm not."      "Yes, you are."[/i]          Her stomach warms as if the conversation happened yesterday. Raising a hand, she runs her fingertips over Variks's skin lovingly, as captivated as the first time she saw him.    [i]  "Let me come with you."[/i]           His mandibles twitch beneath her touch. [i]      "I love you."[/i]      She remembers the first time Variks displayed concern for her presence here, after she returned from the Dreaming city. [i]     "Will you stay there?"[/i]       She smiles again, admiring his dark exoskeleton. She gently taps an exposed fang. [i]     "If only you were eliksni."[/i]      She remembers the soft touch of his hands, wiping the blood from her face after the crucible. Despite his best efforts, his care for her had begun to slip through.      Sliding her hand along his arm, she takes his hand in her own and brings it to rest between them. Fascinated as always, she presses her palm to his, noting how small her hand looks against his own. It makes her feel safe. [i]     "I will have you."[/i]      Interlocking her fingers with his, she squeezes softly. Her throat tightens, sending hot tears into her eyes.      "I love you," she whispers, leaning in to kiss him between closed eyes.      A faint purr rises from his chest.      The hunter lays still, listening to him breathing for a while longer, before finally falling asleep.