#anthem 99

[the-light-finds-its-way]

So I've figured out Anthem's reaction if Misraaks were to pass away.

He would pull a fucking Arwen and Aragorn, falling at Misraaks's grave as he cries, making his Ghost promise not to revive him, then Anthem remains at this grave until he himself passes, rejoining his husband forever in death.

[the-light-finds-its-way]

I should write a fic where Anthem and Misraaks try to have a date after they marry, but Eido and Crow are ruining it being rampant children running through the house, only Eido is killing Crow repeatedly and both dads are so tired of seeing Glint flashing his light to revive Crow every 30 seconds when all they're trying to do is have a peaceful dinner.

[the-light-finds-its-way]

So I think in my canon, when Cayde comes back and he sees Crow, the first thing he realizes is he's been adopted by Anthem-99. And all Cayde says is, "Yikes. Sorry."

"What for?" Crow asks. "I should be apologizing to you!"

"You're stuck with that old bucket of bolts. And I think a few of those bolts are rusted. And when I mean a few I mean all of them. And his whole frame. How is Anthem still alive? It must be TORTURE living with him!"

Crow shrugs. "He's sweet. Went on an entire rampage after what I did to you, but... he spared me. And when I had no one, Anthem made sure I had him. His memory was failing, I struggle to think he had any, but... he always made sure to remember me. Even when nothing else remained on his mind, I always did. That's why I got him the memory chip."

"Memory chip?"

"Yeah. Developed by Banshee, and it holds all of Anthem's memories now. He has to manually delete what he wants to forget."

"I wish I had that to delete the memories I had of him. That fucker I'd hoped kicked the bucket by the time I came back, but I don't think anything short of the Traveler itself could kill Anthem at this point!"

"What do you have against my dad?!" Crow cries.

Cayde falls silent a long moment before crossing his arms and looking away. Then he mutters something beneath his breath.

"Repeat that?" Crow asks.

"He's a better prankster than me!" Cayde screams, throwing his arms up briefly. "Have you BEEN on the receiving end of Anthem's pranks?! I once walked into a Ramen shop and wound up in Zavala's office because the 'shop' was a fucking simulation!! Anthem just wanted to see me suffer!! And I just wanted Ramen!!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW CONFUSED ZAVALA AND I BOTH WERE WHEN I STOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS OFFICE AND ASKED HIM WHERE THE FUCKING RAMEN SHOP IS???!!!!"

Crow is nearly laughing half to death now. "Ok, yes. That sounds like Anthem."

"Don't laugh!! How would you like your favorite thing to turn into your least favorite?!"

Righting himself with a grin, Crow shrugs. "I'd find a way to get back at whoever did it in the first place. In fact I think I owe my dad a prank."

"Y'do, sonny boy!" Anthem's voice rings out suddenly.

Cayde and Crow jump, the Exo screaming as he aims Ace of Spades for Crow. "WHERE IS HE?! WHERE DO I KILL THE FUCKER?!"

"I'm in yer nightmares, kiddo! Come 'n find me!" Anthem replies.

But the more Cayde looks, the less he sees, and suddenly he darts away, racing from the scene in desperation and panic.

From the Tower, a grinning, laughing Anthem jumps down to Crows's side, and wraps one arm around him. Anthem tosses a receiver over the balcony, grabs a second from Crow's hood, and throws it over the other. "Well at least yer prank dues're paid goin' forward. Thanks fer lettin' me have some fun with'm again."

Crow smiles and hugs his dad. "Of course. Plus it's nice to get some revenge on him."

"I'll bet. Wanna grab Ramen?"

"Sure!"

[the-light-finds-its-way]

Misraaks: *picks up Anthem-99* Anthem-99:

[the-light-finds-its-way]

As Saint-14 approached Zavala asking for permission, Misraaks made way toward Banshee shyly, clicking his mandibles nervously and chittering. As he approached, the old Exo perked up and looked at him, eyes wide.

"Did I call ya for something?" Banshee asked.

Misraaks shook his head. "Not this time," he replied. "I was told to ask you for help with... a mission of sorts."

Banshee nodded. "Whatcha got going on? Whaterver ya need, I can provide."

"Saintkel tells me I can have you search for Anthem-99's Exo make records, and find his... ring size."

There, the Exo grinned. "Ah, I getcha." He pulled out a datapad and began scrolling through, typing various things into it. "Which ring?"

Misraaks paused. "...Which ring?"

"Yeah. Like... finger or co—"

"Finger! Finger please," the Kell quickly replied.

Banshee chuckled, nodding. "Make sure ya get'm a nice one. Gold is traditional, but he likes blue I know. Maybe sapphire?" He paused, and scrolled through a long list, then pulled a file at the very bottom, just after his own. Zooming in on the hand measurements, he gave a nod. "He's a size seven on the ring finger!

Misraaks noted this on his datapad. "Thank you, friend."

"Need any other measurements ?" Banshee asked. "Like his di-"

"I know that one very well already," Misraaks interrupted. "Thank you." Shaking his head, the Kell walked away.

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I love that nobody seems to ship these two harder in universe than old Banshee. XD

[the-light-finds-its-way]

Anthem-99, buying a new ship: Uhh, honey?

Misraaks: *heavy sigh* Give me the pen.

[the-light-finds-its-way]

Crimson Days Beneath an Eternal Night

The first time Anthem and Misraaks admitted love was during Season of the Splicer. I meant to write this fic for Valentine's Day, but I got busy.

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Anthem-99's thoughts weighed heavy, his old self overlooking the Tower balcony wherein looming Pyramid ships hovered slowly near. An impending damnation and doom, encroaching in agonizingly-slow terror.

This bastion of hope--refuge of peace--a Light in the Darkness.

Breached.

In all his years alive, the oldest Exo still standing, Anthem had not ever seen so grim a sight. The Hunter could not fathom such terror as this was possible--that the Darkness might someday reach the City in this way...

He sighed, head low, thinking to his boy. Crow. The love they shared between one another, and what all troubles it'd caused this old man to keep that kinderguardian safe. Anthem grinned, chuckling softly, going through various memories like teaching him to aim a bow, and how to use a lasso, even!

These elated the Exo's old frame. Because even in this Darkness, there was joy. And it was with his kiddo, Crow.

However, another thought struck Anthem's mind all the same.

A familiar face.

One of admirable standing. Kindness. He, too, was a beacon within this eternal night.

Anthem's playful grimace softened into a wistful smile, and he sighed. "Maybe... I should tell'm..."

The stars twinkling overhead, he watched in silence, basking in what beauty could be found. Yet that perfect image of memory continued to shroud his sights in mind. And he did not fight it.

Many minutes passed when, suddenly, footsteps broke the silence and approached from behind. Hefty, but familiar.

Anthem looked behind himself, eyes widening. "What're you doin' outside the shelter?" he asked. "Ain't it dangerous, bein' out here alone?!"

Misraaks shook his head, and continued to the balcony's edge beside Anthem. "I am not alone. You're here."

The Exo nearly choked, forcing his composure to neutrality as best he could, though anxiety swelled within every wire. Anthem simply nodded, turning back toward the overlook. "I uhh... I guess yer right. I just wish ya came with someone on the way, though. It'd kill me t'know if anythin' happened, an' ain't no one's there to help."

"You have enough to worry about without putting your thoughts to me, Anthem." Misraaks rested his arms upon the railing, gazing to the sky.

"Well I s'pose y'ain't gotta worry 'bout me, neither. Yer House is more important."

Misraaks silently watched the Pyramids, wordless puzzlement crossing the Kell's face. However, he turned his head to Anthem at one point. "Crow is in your care, isn't he? It must be... difficult. Protecting him as a single father. I would know."

Anthem unleashed a heavy sigh, nodding. "Sometimes it takes more than I think I got to protect'm."

"I have felt much the same about my Eido."

"I gotta know how ya do it. How do ya raise a kid t'know the Light's always there even when it ain't? How... how do ya show yer kid that the Darkness ain't the winner, even when it is?"

"It isn't. There is still hope," Misraaks replied. He turned fully toward the Exo now. "Even as we speak, Guardians work relentlessly to dismantle the necrotic device which causes such illusion as what we see. But we must remember that is all this Darkness is: an illusion. Though the fear you feel is real, we work as one to dismantle it all the same. For our children, and ourselves."

Anthem's jaw dropped. "Misraakskel, wha--"

The Eliksni gently grasped Anthem's shoulders with two hands each. "Anthem, you despair greatly. But... please. Don't feel that you are without hope. You have Crow. You have the Guardians. You have the Traveler's promise. You have..." Misraaks tensed. "You have me." There, the Kell reeled Anthem into himself, and leaned down, kissing his lips gently for a few seconds with a deep sigh before lowering his head, and turning away.

Immediately, Anthem gripped Misraaks and yanked him close once more, pulling the Kell's head down as he returned the kiss for another, longer moment, deeper and more passionately, pressing into this glorious, regal Eliksni, so gallant and bold, powerful and kind. So infinitely kind...

Both men separated, Misraaks's many eyes wide and fixated on Anthem-99 in awe.

"I love ya, Misraakskel," the Exo said. "I ain't got a way to hide it. No matter what secrets I've held before, this ain't one that can stay hidden any longer. I love ya."

"Anthem... I--" Misraaks wrapped his arms around the Exo, hugging him gently. "I love you, too. I have for... a while."

"Then let's be the Light. Fer each other." Anthem lay his head against Misraaks's chest, hugging him back. "Don't leave when this is over. Stay. Please. You an' all yer folks. Let House Light know this City--this world--are a home fer y'all. An' I'll fight 'til my last damn spark t'keep it as such. 'Cause... I don't know what I'd do without ya."

Nodding, Misraaks squeezed Anthem gently. "I will remain, as will this House. We have nowhere else to be, however... I do not wish to be anywhere else. Should the phrase prove apt..." He looked at Anthem, smiling. "My home is with your heart."

The Exo's eyes welled with tears. Holding the Kell, he squeezed back tighter. "I ain't known this kinda thing before. I ain't never had a man, even when I wanted one."

"And I have not known love, either. Not in the romantic sense."

Anthem chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm damn surprised. With a Kell like you..."

Misraaks gave a soft smile, and looked below at the Exo, lifting one hand to wipe his tears. "And yourself, with a relentless and humorous soul? I find it hard to think you've had none."

"Well... it ain't easy when yer old as I am."

"And therefore that makes two of us."

Both men met one another's gazes with glee, arm in arm for a long moment before turning to view the Last City and its seemingly-eternal night.

Perhaps a Light shone through the Dark after all.

Perhaps... that Light was one another.

And through the Darkness, it would prevail. Always.

[the-light-finds-its-way]

Anthem-99 would absolutely be the guy who, just because he's fucking ancient as hell and was literally a senior citizen elderly man supreme before becoming an Exo, he'd joke all the time about old person things. And of course, being a dad, he's legally obligated to make these old jokes to his kids.

Anthem-99: Damn tech these days, always so hard to understand...

Crow, at his fucking limit: Dad you ARE technology.

Anthem-99: Back in my day we accessed the Vannet both ways uphill in the snow barefoot and naked.

Eido, lifting a chair overhead: Traveler forgive me for the atrocities I'm about to commit.