Destcember Day 4 - #2 The Last City
(Sorry this is a little late!! I was pretty busy today and also was more focused on showing off my new hair haha
Also this includes my ex-husband’s guardian so this will definitely be edited before it makes it into the final product)
“I thought I might find you here,” Petra said, slipping her dagger back into its sheath. “You smell like shit, no offense.”
Crusoe and I stare at her for a moment surprised that she would show up anywhere near the Last City after Mara exiled her for a time. She looks me up and down before welcoming herself. “I love what you’ve done with the place! When it was just Cayde’s it was certainly less homely and much more robotic, if you’ll pardon the pun,” Petra says, setting herself down on the couch.
I close the door and make my way to the fridge, glad that the kitchen and living space were one large room so I could make excuses for avoiding eye contact without completely shutting her out. “Do you want something to drink? I have water or vodka,” I say, pulling two bottles out. I open one and take a sip. “This one is the vodka,” I say before taking a sip of the other bottle. “And this one is actually also vodka…”
“Fae, you should put them both away and go sit down,” Crusoe says softly. I stare straight at him and take a few large gulps of the vodka, my face only slightly pinching from the burn of the alcohol. He sighs before shooting out a small light that removes both bottles from my hands and transmats them back into the fridge.
Petra sits staring at us, then clears her throat to gather our attention again. I reluctantly comply and sit down on the stack of books on the wall opposite her position. “Why are you sitting over there?” she asks.
“You said I smell like shit, so I’m sparing your nose,” I retort.
She smiles and lets out a small chuckle. “Fae, you do stink, but if it was that bad I would’ve stayed outside. Come sit by me,” she says, patting the cushion next to her.
I move from my perch to the couch, far enough to the side that she wouldn’t be able to reach me unless she scooted over. “What brings you to the City?” I ask.
“Cassus called,” she says, sliding slightly closer to me. “He told me you haven’t left the house since you killed Uldren, and that no one has been able to reach you.”
“Did he ever think that maybe I didn’t want to be reached?” I whisper quietly, wanting to say it but not wanting to be heard.
“Fae…” Petra says, setting her hand on my knee. “I know you didn’t give yourself time to mourn before you got revenge. Everyone could see it. Your whole body was constantly flickering with electricity and your eyes were so full of bloodlust and rage that even Shaxx was afraid you would give in to the Dark completely.”
I swallow hard, trying to choke down the tears I know are going to surface. She moves her hand and embraces me in a somewhat awkward sideways hug. “I understand what it’s like to lose someone, Fae. But don’t forget that you still have people here. There’s Cassus, Crusoe, Shiro, Kadi, Banshee, and so many more!”
You forgot to mention yourself, I think to myself. Her arms are warm and gentle around me. I’m reminded of a drunken night a few months ago when Cayde dared Petra and I to kiss and later that night told me that if he ever got rebooted and couldn’t remember loving me or if something worse were to happen that I should be with Petra. I smile a little thinking of that night, and instinctively lean into Petra’s embrace.
“You also have me, Fae,” she whispers, her breath close enough to tickle my ear. I feel myself start to blush and become hyper aware of how close we are physically.
She seems to have noticed as well and we both pull apart and sit awkwardly side by side.
“Is that all you wanted to say?” I say a bit too loud. Petra laughs a small laugh and then turns to smile at me again.
“No, that’s not all. Go get showered and please please please wash the vodka out of your mouth at least five times,” she says standing up and pulling me up with her. “We’re having a girls’ day and going shopping in the lower markets.”
I laugh a bit, but oblige, quickly cleaning up and making myself somewhat presentable in loose-fitting jeans, a red tee, and a fitted white cardigan. My Nation of Beasts is tucked into the waistband at the base of my spine for safety. I walk back into the living room and see that Petra raided my closet while I was showering. She had borrowed my black skinny jeans, sparkly purple tank top, and a black jacket with white fur around the hood. She had her knives visibly strapped to her thigh. “You look hot,” I said without thinking.
“Thanks! And you look fairly comfortable,” she answers, a slight blush forming under her blue cheeks. “Let’s go.”
Petra takes my hand and pulls me through a number of hallways and down a few staircases before I hear the familiar cacophony of the vendors in the markets. We turn a corner and I’m in awe at how well they rebuilt since Ghaul destroyed most of the old market. They have paper lanterns hung from stall to stall, children and Kinderguardians running around pretending to fight while laughing the whole time, festive music softly adding to the atmosphere, and the wonderful scent of freshly baked breads and sweets coursing through the air.
I pause at the entrance and take a moment to let it all sink in. Petra tugs on my hand to get me moving again, and we browse from stall to stall, sampling treats, smelling candles, testing perfumes, and making each other try on the least complementary items for a laugh. We finally get to a small restaurant where we see Cassus and Shiro sitting across from each other at a table, trying to be nonchalant about the fact that they’re totally into each other. Petra waves and pulls me behind her over to the table next to them. “Hello, boys. Do you mind if we join you?” she says with a grin.
“How in the actual hell did you get Fae out of the apartment?” Cassus says.
“I have my ways,” Petra replies with a small wink. Shiro leans across the table, and in a whisper loud enough for all of us to hear says, “There are two reasons that I can think of and they’re wearing purple.”
Petra playfully smacks his head, and I let out a small laugh. “It doesn’t matter why I’m out, just that I’m letting myself enjoy this,” I say quietly, sitting down next to Cassus while Petra takes a seat across from me. All three of them look at each other with knowing looks, aware that I’m still not okay and definitely need their help.
We sit and talk about our favorite memories of Cayde and all the adventures we’d been on as a crew. I find myself turning to say something clever to Cayde a few times, but every time Petra reaches over to squeeze my hand and comfort me.
Out of nowhere, a shadow passes over our table. We all look up to see Zavala frowning down at us. “Petra Venj. Who said you could come back to the Last City?”
Petra grows tense, but stands up and looks him dead in the eyes. “Who said you could turn on the Awoken just because you don’t agree with the Queen?” she spit back.
