Future Stuff ::1:: Been Up All Night

[sword_breaker]

[This was not clicking for some reason. He has been staring at these reports for the past hour and half, nothing having been accomplished besides from papers being shuffled around in a semblance of productivity and knives thrown into the pillar behind him out of sheer frustration. His fingers tapping along the worn metal to keep himself from doing further property damage at this rate.

The bottom line was that stress was gnawing at him.

Not from the job though. If anything, reports should came as second nature after the past few months and coordinating had been relatively easy once the rough first week passed by. Being a vanguard should cause less stress than doing actually fieldwork yet here he was at a breaking point almost.

There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Those stupid letters and photos and other bullshit weren't coming in anymore.

Something had to have happened and he's stuck here in this goddamn tower like a fresh rezzed moron.

His hands were effectively tied as well. No one could be sent out without the other two's approval and even then it'd be brought forward to discussion by the head vanguard. Which means that nothing could happen for days and he'll be sitting on his ass like he already was. All it did was make him all the more frustrated about having given up his freedom to leave as he so pleased because at least then someone would be out there trying to figure out what happened.

The hunter buries his face in his hands with an exhausted sigh leaving him. He probably looked like hell at this rate. Throwing himself into long hours had made his sleep schedule an abysmal handful of hours in the past few days. Half the time he didn't know how he wasn't passing out during meetings. Be easy to. Pull the hood further down, lean down on the table and maybe get an hour or two of on and off rest. Might be the best time to try it out to be quite honest since the hall was dead before attempting it when there'd be actual repercussions to getting caught.

He grunts after stretching out on the table some, pillowing his head with his arms for something close to comfortable. Shade is called out of transmat to keep a watch on things while an attempt at a nap was made. The ghost whirling softly in concern but does as told.

Things suck. Might as well try to ignore it for the time being.]

Comments

[notthatkindofkell]

[Andrei made James a promise: he would always meet the team for Iron Banner. Never mind that her husband has been locked in his office for the last several weeks, trying to solve Praedyth's Paradox. He must have had the date marked somewhere because he emerged two days ago, kissed her, and announced that they were needed on Earth.

He did spend an entire day with her before they flew out. She supposes she can't be mad at him.

She can't be mad at James, either, when she comes back to rumors that he has locked himself in his office. Where is Liam? Where are Annalise and Val? His locking himself up is never a good sign.

Nobody has dared to interrupt the Hunter Vanguard yet. Mykelle thinks they just haven't had the right woman for the job.

She sweeps into the Tower in full Iron Banner gear, Patience and Time strapped to her back. A few people move to intercept her; leering at them through her helmet stops them, somehow. Or maybe it's the fact that she wears her old Sunsetting shader, the one that she and James wore to match during their heyday.

They know who she is. Mykelle Hooke: Crucible Attendant, Defender Against Atheon, Kell of Kells.

And she's here to see an old friend. She raps four times beside his office door and waits.]

[sword_breaker]

[Shade gives a warning noise and floats to flash a light at the dozing hunter to alert him to the presence at the door. He gives a frustrated groan and slides up to glare down at the mess of papers strewn about.

What the hell? Does no one understand what a closed door meant this late at night?

He rubs his eyes with a growl of frustration.]

Unless this is tire news, it can wait till morning. So go away.

[notthatkindofkell]

That's quite the greeting to get when my husband and I came all the way from Venus just to check up on you.

[sword_breaker]

Oh well isn't this fantastic. Good to know you two back and all. Now please go away, Kell.

[notthatkindofkell]

How long have you been stuck in that office, James? Do you have any idea what day it is?

[sword_breaker]

I leave after a while every night, ok? I don't sleep here or anything. Just work. So I'm not stuck in here. And it's a Monday so what?

[notthatkindofkell]

The Iron Banner competition is this week.

[sword_breaker]

Whoop de fucking do.

[notthatkindofkell]

Andrei left his study for the first time in two weeks because he has a promise to keep to you.

Besides. You look like you could do with a bit of time out of the office.

[rocketsout]

[It's a month out, and he's never been happier to see the inside of his ship in his entire rezzed life. Though it's difficult to shed the stink of Venus (and the char, the dirt, the blood), the cockpit's filtration system is doing its best, and the sheer fact that it's climate controlled would almost be enough to make him weep, were he any lesser a guardian.

As it is, it's just nice to be setting a course back home. He feels like hell, looks worse, and his comm and visual systems have been knocked out for the past week, courtesy of an errant minotaur. Thankfully his visor still retained its emergency translucency, but that didn't mean that that was any help with communication with the rest of the Host, or anyone outside for that matter.

Now that they've struck a hard blow to the Hezen Protective though, he's more than ready to have some time to himself. Earth is absolutely stunning as it comes into view, and the Tower is the best thing he's seen in a long while. Vex are dead, none of his men are, he could care less about everything now.

His ship is docked as quickly as humanly possible, and he's transmatting down soon after. Armor stays on, broken helmet and all, because it's been weeks since he's seen a proper shower and he's not about to subject anyone to that. A proper shower, sleep, it all sounds heavenly. But it's not the most important thing.

With his comms going out, he hasn't been able to send word back to a particular hunter vanguard, and while a majority of the week has been spent fighting for his life, unfortunately the thought of using someone else's frequencies hadn't occurred. He feels bad about that one, now that he thinks about it. But the least he can do is let the other guardian know he's alive, right? Right.

Apartment is a bust, the door's closed and there's no sign of life inside. It feels distinctly wrong, too quiet, too empty, even with the bustle of the rest of the tower around. Courtyard? No, that's also not right, though the sight of fire and the stink of iron serves as a reminder that he's apparently made it back right as the Banner was starting. Damn. Going to have to miss this one, he's in no shape to be putting forth his best effort.

The hall, then. Or James' quarters. One of the two has to be right, and a quick scan of the area gives him that answer. That's a hunter, all right. There's a slight twist in his chest at the sight, and he can't help the relieved grin that plays at the corners of his lips. Too long, a month was definitely too long to be away, regardless of duty calling or not.

His voice is hoarse when he manages to speak, water would be excellent, but he tries to be as casual as he can, leaning in the doorway with a cock of his head to Shade.]

Table has to make for a shit bed.

[sword_breaker]

[He slits his eyes open at the sound of a voice, one that was far too familiar for him to make a wrong guess at who belongs to. The hunter rolling back up and standing still at the sight. Right armor and that goddamn grin on his face.

All he can do for a couple moments is stare. He doesn't know if this is all a stupid goddamn dream at this rate or reality. Still...titan to deal with.

He hesitates before starting to walk over, his pace steady and slow. Heart pounding in his chest. Hood being pulled down as he approaches.

As soon as he's close enough though, he tightens up a fist and slams it straight into Liam's visor with a sharp crack. His knuckles are definitely bruised after but it gets the damn message across. A message that was enhanced by a fierce glare and a harsh snarl of sheer frustration.

All of that pent up fear and angry being put out front and center to be seen by all especially the titan.]

You son of a bitch.

[rocketsout]

[Out of all the possible reactions that he could have expected, a sharp blow to the head is certainly not one of them. His head goes flying back, and there's a grunt of pain as he scrabbles to get ahold of the doorframe in order to stop himself from pitching over. It's one hell of a hook, has him seeing stars for a moment, helmet or not, and all the old aches from previous blows to the head are back in full force. Hopefully nothing's bleeding again, he's already got enough bruising and half-scabbed wounds to deal with, he really doesn't want to add anything else to the mix.

There's no yelling, but that's not a good tone of voice, he's at least cognicent enough to know that, and while there's a moment of confusion, he can at least process some of what's being said. Okay, still not what he'd expected, but he'll roll with it, just as soon as he gets his footing back.]

Yeah, okay, missed you too. I'll take that one, just no more punching!

[sword_breaker]

Asshole I have every right to punch you! A week! A whole week of nothing and you stroll in as if it was nothing.

[He keeps his hands balled up tightly and still brandishing that glare as sharp as any of his throwing knives. And then he finally snaps, raising his voice to shout at the man because by the traveler he was done being quiet and wanted to vent. The arc seething under his skin at the moment and ready to be popped at a moment's notice.

Titan deserved every moment of this.]

[rocketsout]

[Years ago he would have gotten defensive, thrown something, anything back regardless of how right the hunter actually was. In this case, one hundred percent, of course, but that was beyond the point. There's even a faint stirring of arc under his skin in response to the anger, instinctual and frenetic, but he quells it with a thought, tamping it down and keeping ahold of his temper.

Because James is right. As much as he'd like to believe that his own intentions are good, he did...kind of drop the ball, imminent danger or no. And so he swallows his pride, raises his hands in a slightly disarming gesture, and hangs his head.]

Yeah. Yeah, alright. That one is my fault. And I'm sorry.

[sword_breaker]

I just...I thought you were down or worse dead! I couldn't do anything to find out. I could do nothing but sit on my ass and just--argh!

[His back is turned to Liam as he continues to fume and his admission to the hell that the past week had been. He was so tired but the anger made it impossible to imagine sleep right now. Shoulders do sag ever so slightly and he runs a hand through his hair.]

God dammit.

[rocketsout]

[The more and more James goes on, the worse the titan ends up feeling, because everything that he's saying is entirely justified. Shit, he really did fuck up, and fuck up hard. Hindsight is twenty twenty, and the regret is certainly there.

He's smart enough not to reach out, but he does take a step or two closer, arms falling to his sides and shoulders sagging.]

Shit...I mean-

[This is not how he'd envisioned coming home at all.]

...I'm sorry.

[sword_breaker]

[He doesn't even give any regard to Liam coming in closer and rather focus on scowling down at the floor. His arms come up to cross over his chest, screwing his eyes shut with a frustrated sigh.]

Vanguard always assume the worst. So I couldn't do anything. Not even ask for help because everyone would say that you had died out there.

[The hunter was trying his best to avoid admitting to being afraid. Supposed to be the tough no nonsense hunter vanguard...right?]

The longer the silence, the easier it is to assume.

[sword_breaker]

[Three days now since Liam got back and the second day of his vacation from the Vanguard. Really it was more so a self imposed vacation but the others had more than willingly approved of it. The last thing they wanted out of him was to continue to pass out during meetings and be locked up doing reports again like he had been doing which he was happy to rectify at the moment.

He lounged across the span of the sofa in the back room, staring up at the various trophies as he tried to figure out what to do for the rest of the day. Reports were tempting but he wasn't supposed to be doing those. Maybe attempt can be made at a small stack later that night but right now still off limits. That earns itself a dissatisfied grunt from him as he rolls over onto his stomach, burying his face in his arms before switching on some music to at least have something going on.

Though to be fair he should also figure out what the titan was doing. He was still riding the high of the successful proposal despite it being almost a full day since then. The memories of the night cause a smile to flicker to life. However his mind wanders to the transport ride with the admittance of what his fiancée had thought of while away on Venus and it brings a heat to his cheeks. That was something to imagine while fighting vex and fallen.

Now the issue was how he was going to make it happen. Somehow Liam would need to leave and so far there hadn't been any reasons to. So much for surprising with that anytime soon really.]

[rocketsout]

[The past few days have been such a whirlwind of emotions and activity that it's been very easy to forget that there were still technically things to be done. Unfortunately, the rest of the world wasn't content to wait while he managed to catch up with the love of his life, now fiancee, and recuperated. Honor, duty, all those things that he was pretty sure were mostly pomp and circumstance anyways, whatever- He could do with forgetting them for a little while.

Of course, that certainly couldn't be the case, not when he's treated to a very stern message from his own vanguard, demanding that he report in immediately. It ruins his plans of hanging off of James for the next week or so, that's for sure.

He tracks down the hunter in the back, sheepishly approaching and scratching the back of his neck as he tries for words.]

I uh.

[Wait, crap, start over.]

So uh, remember that report I was supposed to file?

[He definitely looks a lot more crestfallen now.]

I kinda...gotta...go-

Okay so Zavala doesn't take 'I had important things to do with another vanguard' as an excuse, just for future reference. So I uh, gotta go give my report. To an angry titan vanguard. Yeah.

[It's super apologetic as he leans down to press a kiss to the top of the hunter's head.]

Promise I'm not ducking out, and promise I'm gonna be back just as soon as my ears stop ringing from the lectures. Hopefully I can just get sound bytes, and not the full course, 'cause that thing about wanting to spend time with you? Still definitely a thing.

[And with that, he pulls back, sighing as he heads out.]

As quick as I can, promise.

[sword_breaker]

[He shifts at the sound of someone approaching, moving enough to look over at the titan with a raise of his brow. This didn't look good. Why did he get the feeling that this wasn't going to be something he wants to hear?

Wait. Report?

Oh. That finally caught up to Liam and was biting him in the ass. Figures as much.]

Yea I know about it. I told you that he wouldn't wait long after you returned and you decided to put it off. Hopefully he isn't too pissed off at you.

[The kiss gets an appreciative noise but he would've liked it if he could have stolen an actual kiss. However this was urgent and it could wait.]

I understand. I'll keep an eye out for your return. Still have plenty of time left before I have to return to so it's fine. See you after a while.

[Definitely going to be a while with how Zavala tends to be. The head titan vanguard expected most things immediately so this wasn't going to go well for his titan. Still this was a prime opportunity.

Waiting A decent time after he leaves, the hunter gets up and heads for the bed upstairs. Definitely going to be one hell of a surprise for him to come home to. He works off his sweats and crawls onto the bed, getting comfortable before taking himself in hand.

He had quite some time to work himself up, taking things slow in order to ensure he doesn't lose his cool before Liam comes back. There was going to be quite some shameless moaning for sure.]

[rocketsout]

[All in all, he's still alive, so at least he can count on that. Alive, but he felt as though he might have just been rezzed ten times after the chewing out he'd been given, and it's not a moment too soon that he's dismissed. Had to hand it to Zavala, the man knew how to give one hell of a chewing out. Still, at least he'd been spared multi-hour lectures. And hey, at least he'd actually had his report ready. Just...hadn't reported it yet. There were way more important things to deal with when he'd first gotten back.

When he's finally free, he makes his way back to his home tower, entirely ready to just get back to the apartment and crash out with his hunter.

His hunter, who isn't on the back couch anymore. Well it had been over an hour, maybe two, probably to be expected.]

'm home.

[He calls out to the apartment, shrugging off his armor onto said couch, leaving Tarlowe to transmat it away.]

[sword_breaker]

[Thing is he's not exactly paying attention to most things from the soft touches that he teased himself with. By the traveler it had been almost an agonizing wait with him having to take momentary breathers every once in awhile. However that is most certainly the right person coming into his apartment right now.

He buries a side of his face into the pillows before giving a rather loud whimper because fuck having to articulate actual words right now. His full hand holding him rather simple brushes of his fingertips now.]

S-shit.

[rocketsout]

[Wait, that's a noise. That's a noise, and he's definitely not sure if he's heard right or not, and so as soon as he's down to his undersuitting, he's making his way upstairs with furrowed brows. Definitely didn't hear that right, couldn't have heard that right-

oh

oh no, he heard right.

Definitely heard right, because it's like something ripped straight out of his most private thoughts. James, splayed across the bed, touching himself, and yeah, there's definitely a pulse of heat straight through him at the sight.]

Holy shit.

[sword_breaker]

[Ok that's absolutely someone coming up the stairs, the footsteps not having the weight of armor weighing them down but still resounding. Slowly starting to regret having done this with each second to be truthful with himself.

Fuck and then there's a voice. Well he's burying his face completely into the pillow with the brilliant flush that surges through his cheeks.

He keeps going though, trying to ignore things to prevent further embarrassment.]

Fuck.

[rocketsout]

[No, this doesn't seem to be some fever dream or anything of the sort. That's James. That's James prostrate and flushed, and-

shit, that noise does something for him.

Swallowing hard, he eases towards the bed, taking a knee on the mattress and reaching out slowly to brush his fingers along the hunter's back, gently enough not to startle.]

James-