Ikora’s words were still ringing in Hawk’s ears as she climbed the balustrade, hoisting herself up onto the rooftop where she had spotted a lone silhouette from below. A cool breeze announced she had reached the peak, and she stretched out her shoulders and shook the joints in her arms. The emptiness before her on the horizon left her jaw rigid. Her heart relentlessly fluttered in her chest, and she felt her hand once again seeking the comfort of her gun.

 

“-Hawk?” 

 

The voice broke her trance so abruptly that it took a moment for her to realise her hand cannon was raised. She shook herself and hoisted it hastily, risking a glance back at where the Traveller had once been before bringing her full attention to the figure.

 

“Easy!” The Crow slowly moved his raised hands to lower his hood as the barrel moved from his sight, “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you,” He cautiously stepped closer to the hunter, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. Once he was only inches away, his shoulders softened, “It’s strange, isn’t it. Looking up at the sky and seeing nothing,” 

 

Hawk silently moved towards the edge of the rooftop, collapsing without a trace of her usual elegance, sitting with her legs hanging off the precipice, taunting the pavement far below. The Crow followed suit. He watched her fumble with the back of her helmet before pulling it over her head and resting it beside her. His mouth became a thin line at the hallowed face that revealed itself from the curtain of slick hair, the grime of battle still clinging to her skin.

 

The star-like glint of the space station orbiting above gained his attention once again, a sigh of gratitude escaping his lips as he let his head fall, “I’m glad you’re alive,”

 

Her gaunt expression faltered for a moment, her trail of thought broken. She allowed herself a small grin, a chuckle at the hopelessness of it all. And yet, here they were. Alive. She let her head fall onto his shoulder, his warmth steadying her heartbeat. “Would have been a cruel irony to die alone during Crimson Days,”

 

His chin left a firm pressure against her forehead as he turned to face her, but his concern softened into gentle nuzzling. When her eyes met his, he brushed his lips upon her forehead and wrapped his arms around her, resting them clasped at her waist. They clung to every second, but each second plagued her with restlessness.  “Breathe,” he whispered into her ear, “just for tonight, nothing else matters but you and me,”

 

She couldn’t shake the fight from her bones. The Crows armour rustled gently as his arms fell back to allow her to abruptly stand. She glanced an apology downwards at him, but he returned an amused shrug. Standing against the darkening sky, as she looked out over the mountains now in full view over the horizon, Crow felt something shift. She was still jittery, he noticed the subtle movements she tried to hide, but now it was focused around her toes. After a moment, offered her hand, “Let’s get out of here,” she glanced back over her shoulder, “Go somewhere it’s less noticeable,”

 

A grin spread over his face, his hair flirting with gravity as he looked over the edge, surveying the ground far below. She shot him a questioning glance, but he replied with the ivory of his teeth. He grasped her hand firmly with a grin, “Lead the way,” He pulled her off the edge.

 

* * *

 

Far below, Ikora’s eyes peered away from the candlelight to watch the two silhouettes tumble from the roof. Only the faintest rustle hinted at the last second halt of their descent before their feet graced the ground. That, and the outburst of surprise met with hushed laughter and bickering in the distance. The chink of fine china flicked her eyes away from the sight. Zavala offered his condolences to the mishandling of her teacup. 

 

She took no notice of it. “What do you suppose those two are up to?”

 

Zavala took a long sip before returning his cup with more care, “Nothing good,” 

 

A soft chuckle tumbled out of her throat. “Of that, we can be certain,” She raised her cup to her lips, feeling the warmth wash over her nose. When she lowered it, so too did she lower her voice, “Do you think they’ll survive all this?”

 

“I think it would be a miracle if any of us survive this.” The depths of his tea stole his attention for a moment before he added, “But it wouldn’t be a first,”

 

“If we survived?”

 

Zavala took another sip before leaning back in his chair. The light of his eyes seemed to grow brighter as the light around them dimmed. Ikora found herself admiring his resolve, but it left her wanting. He placed the cup on her desk and rested his hand on her arm. She raised her hand to squeeze it, retiring her cup to her lap. The night was soft and young, and his gaze felt that it brought her time. Time that they desperately needed.

 

“If we had a miracle.”