Zavala was not unused to the antics of Hunters, but the Young Wolf was the exception, for he pranked as much as he spoke. Or rather, in this case, he hugged as much as he spoke.
After an awkward minute had passed, Zavala had finally determined this Hunter was in-fact, genuinely hugging him, and was not attempting to pickpocket or trigger a stinkbomb on some ill-fated dare with Amanda (thank you Cayde, for that stench still lingered on his spare Mark). Just as awkwardly as the stares of the Tower staff were being thrown their way, Zavala slowly returned the hug, complete with the trademark "there there" pat.
"Is there something wrong, Guardian?"
Perhaps it was the coming of the Witness, the events of Neomuna, and everything before that finally took its toll? Even the hardiest of Guardian veterans would break down at the most inopportune moments and, Zavala supposed, that a surprise hug in public was not the worst-case scenario, especially for a Guardian of the Young Wolf's caliber. Every Guardian was entitled to their own eccentricities, Hunter's most especially.
"Nothing wrong, Commander" the Guardian finally replied, voice rough, as if he was recently crying. A deep, nearly hiccuping breath was inhaled as the Young Wolf gave the Titan Vanguard a final squeeze before letting go from his embrace. Was that a sniffle Zavala heard?
"I had a really bad dream, and uh, just wanted you know that I appreciate you for everything you done and, uh, love you. Sir"
The last bit of the Hunter's statement had the same exact amount of awkward energy as a teenager forced to answer a phone call in public with a parent, but Zavala could not help raise an eyebrow. Ever since Cayde's passing, the Titan Commander had feared time and time again that the Guardian had turned his back on the Vanguard. Operating behind their backs on the Forsaken Shore, to learning the ways of Stasis on Europa, to witnessing the friction between him and Ikora, Zavala had to give the Devil's Advocate some credit. It was a wonder the Young Wolf still had faith in them after the Vanguard failed them at those moments in times.
"Uh...love you too, Guardian"
Traveler's grace, would Hakim been this awkward when he got older? With his own father no less? He had begun to develop a bit of a rebellious streak just like the Young Wolf before...before...
Zavala shook his head before that train of thought would continue on, refocusing on the Guardian that was now boring a hole in the Tower floor with his stare. He then looked up to the sky, as if the Traveler had the script for the Young Wolf to read off.
"I uh, need to get going. Back on patrol"
"See you later, Commander"
And with that, the Guardian turned, beginning to make his leave.
The Young Wolf spun around on the spot, Ghost barely out of his pocket to begin the transmat sequence.
Even with his helmet on, Zavala could see the smile that formed on his face. As the Guardian begun to fade into light from transmatting, he gave a quick two-fingered salute that became a wave goodbye.
Rest in power, Lance Reddick. Thank you for your work and inspiration.
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