Shadow!Echo throwing insults and calling out Cayde on his insecurities is one thing, darkness was made with claws and teeth after all, but imagine when the she gets sweet. When the shadow illusion thats half-hell, half-heaven recreates how Cayde imagines Echo would have reacted to the question. How his voice would have been filled by nervousness while asking it but she'd have made everything better, so much better, by smiling and saying YES Щ(･｀ω´･Щ)
Cayde can’t help, as he gazes down at this nightmarish imitation of the love of his life, how his heart nearly bursts with joy at her enthusiastic response.
He knows it’s not real. He knows that’s not Echo.
But, man alive…he can’t help but so fervently wish it was. For a moment…maybe he could pretend….
He holds the phantom closer as she meets his gaze with warm, sincere eyes—an expression that nearly brings him to synthetic tears.
And then, she throws back her head and lets out a barking laugh.
She laughs at him.
Wiping a fake tear from her eye as she sobers up, she sighs, smiling, Cayde’s heart sinking to the floor.
“Ohhh thank you, I really needed that laugh.”
She meets Cayde’s heartbroken eyes, and the wicked grin grows wider.
“What, did you really think I’d accept the proposal of the man who got me killed?”
Cayde feels the guilt knotting in his stomach, locking his jaw as she floats closer to him, their faces now mere inches apart.
“What would your wedding vows have even been? That you would’ve loved me? Cherished me? Protected me?”
She scoffs, holding her arms out as if to display herself, cocking her head to one side as she shoots him a bitter smile.
“What a great job you did, Sixer.”