(Continued from one: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/257178127/0/0 ) “Of course. I admire your culture, loyalty and bravery." Shadow explains. "Or, the way you told me it used to be. I wanted to see that happen again. I still do. You shouldn't have to do this alone."      She stares into his eyes as a soft, broken up purr sputters from his throat.      Nerves begin to pull hard at Shadow's gut again. She draws in a quick breath. "Variks?"      "Yes?"      "Do you... uhm— did you ever," she stutters dumbly, looking away and turning red. "...like me?"      He seems to struggle for words. "I have always liked you," he answers decidedly, a defensive tone to his voice.     [i]That's not the way I meant[/i], she thinks, but before she can voice her thoughts, he continues.      "But—" Face half hidden in the fur of his robes, his eyes shift around the room in discomfort. "I have thought of you ...in a different light... for a little while now. Though, it has been far from an easy decision to make, I'm sure you understand."      Heart leaping into her chest at the confession, Shadow swallows hard.      "Shadow," Variks begins hesitantly, looking relieved to get the attention off himself. "You are aware you did not have to do this, yes? Between us..." He reaches out a hand, sliding it under her own. Sparks dance along her skin where he touches her. "You could have simply spoken with me about what you wanted... how you felt for me. Such fighting is not necessary."      Shadow searches the eliksni's face for a sign of amusement, something that would show he was joking. When she finds none, frustration bursts in her chest. "Traveler's light!"      She did all this for nothing? She should have known.      "I will let Ilaasan know you have demoted him to dreg." Variks's laughter rumbles deep in his chest, an infectious ticking that makes her heart flutter.      "Yes. Absolutely," Scowling, Shadow lays her head back down. She crosses her arms, feeling stupid as she resumes her ceiling-stare.      Silence.      "Are you sure this is what you want?"      The sudden question catches her off guard. Shadow blinks, unsure how to respond to such a thing. She stares at him like he's grown a second set of arms.      "You must understand," he croaks in explanation. "I never expected this—" he gestures with a lower hand— "to be a part of my life. As you know. My loyalty to my people and to see them restored... that is my highest priority, and always will be. Such is the calling of Judgment—"      "Variks, I know," Shadow interjects softly, as much as she did love to listen to his ramblings. She shyly intertwines her fingers with his own. Nothing felt so right as her hand in his. "Don't forget your dream is also mine. I want things to change for the eliksni too. Because of you, I have a bigger goal. But if something were to happen to you— or if you hadn't accepted me... I would still be with the eliksni," she admits, realizing just how true that was. "I may not be one on the outside. I'll always be awoken, and I'll always love my people. But my heart is with your people too. And I will chase your dream until it happens, or until my last breath," she vows. With every ounce of her being, she means it. The promise rests on her shoulders heavily but not as a burden. As something to fight towards, a victory, a prize. Not only for herself or Variks but for her adopted people and their future.      Eliksni and awoken stare into each other's eyes for a long moment. "I still want to stay by your side... for the rest of my life." Her voice becomes strained. "You will have my loyalty... I will serve you, protect you, love you... if... if you'll have me." Allowing herself to become lost in his hypnotic, sky blue gaze, an overwhelming tightness forms in Shadow's chest.      A small yet emotion filled sound escapes Variks as he gazes back at her with undisguised affection. Her heart clenches fiercely at the noise.      Variks's real hands reach to wrap around her back and draw her into him. "I... I will have you."      Overcome with emotion, Shadow throws her arms around him, holding onto him as if her life depends on it. And in this moment, it does.      Whatever it was that had felt empty, felt missing in Shadow's twin souls since she had been resurrected, is finally filled. The hunter feels a shift within herself, a sense of completion. Her chest swells with the force of it. It felt... right.      No words would come to her, so she held on tighter, poured all her love into every movement of her hands against him, her grip on his soft, furred cloak, her body against his. The warmth between them, their silent connection.      Strong hands wander over her back, keeping her close. She shudders at the feeling.      Mandibles brushing against her shoulder, the eliksni mutters against her. "Shadow..."      Eyes closing, a sigh of contentment escapes her. "Variks."