Chapter Text
He’d been on break for maybe a minute when the man turned the corner.
Usually when Efoh saw people behind the bar, he would make a point of not looking up - of making it clear that he was working - because the last thing he wanted was an interaction of any sort. It was an alleyway, after all, many kinds of unsavory types, his whole job was talking and he got tired of it sometimes, so on and so forth. Not that he was usually out here for long, just enough to gather his thoughts before he went and wandered around, but he kept his head down and tapped away at his datapad. He’d always sucked at Tetris. He wasn’t even sure why he still had it on here.
He would maintain, later, that he had not actually fumbled and almost dropped his tablet when the man stopped near him and said, “Excuse me,” but it was something of an automatic reaction because he was staring at someone who was objectively gorgeous, wearing a beanie over neatly-combed hair and a scarf wrapped snugly around his neck, and everything about his outfit was stylish and comfortable, and -
Say something, Efoh, Fiore said, and Efoh managed, “Yeah, uh - what’s up?”
“Have you seen a black cat around here? Trying to help some kids find it.”
Fiore transmatted his tablet away before he actually dropped it, thankfully. Efoh briefly thought back to when he had first gone on break, crossing his arms so he didn’t pick at his clothes or something. “I haven’t,” he said eventually. “Just stepped out, sorry.”
“No problem, thanks,” the man replied with a quick nod and quicker smile. Efoh could feel the exact second his pulse jumped, and he watched the man turn away and continue down the alleyway. Something about his stride - a Hunter, maybe? A Titan? God, but his clothes, his face. He was so pretty.
“Do you want help?” Efoh called before he could even think about it. Fiore let out a light laugh, but at least she didn’t say anything.
“Two people are better than one when it comes to finding a cat, I guess,” he lifted his shoulder in a tiny shrug. “You’re welcome to join me, though I can’t fathom why.”
Think fast, Efoh. “It’s dead at work and I like cats,” Efoh said, and - that was pretty bad, but better than nothing. At least he hadn’t said the obvious reason. “And I guess it’s what guardians do, right. Help out and shit.”
“Thought so,” he said, almost to himself, studying Efoh. “Guardians usually tend to bigger tasks, though,” he added, as they both began to walk down the alleyway.
“Guardians aren’t usually bartenders, either, but here we are,” Efoh said dryly, and okay, okay, he could actually talk if he didn’t look too closely at him, so there was that. Wow, awkward. This was such a bad idea, he had no idea what to say, and he cringed inwardly when he asked, “So do you usually go - find cats, or whatever?”
“I’m good with animals, and Kasper wanted help,” he explained with another shrug of his shoulder. “I didn’t have anything else to do, and it’s good to have a reminder of why we fight out there. Even if it’s in the form of an illusive cat.”
“Guess so,” Efoh said. He carefully kept his posture loose, relaxed as they walked out of the alleyway and onto the main road, and he wondered how this guy was going to find a single black cat. The City was huge and they were only two people; even if they split up, chances were slim.
“Oh, sorry,” the man said a moment later. “Name’s Hadakel.”
“Efoh,” Efoh said reflexively, turning the name over in his mind. Hadakel. It suited him, he thought, glancing over to take in the profile, looking away before he started to stare. “Is there, uh, a plan to find this cat? Like, I take left, you take right?”
“Sounds good. I was just going to check a few of the blocks near this one, nothing extreme,” Hadakel replied, holding out his hand. A Ghost with an orchid shell appeared, twisting fins curiously between the two of them, and Fiore chirped at him when she received Hadakel’s comm frequency.
“I’ll take left,” he said, glancing over to Efoh. His eyes were pale gold, and Efoh let himself look for exactly one second before glancing away towards the right. It was a busy road, there were a lot of people about, he had a feeling this was going to be a failed endeavor, and yet.
“Cool,” he said, “I’ll comm you if I find anything,” and when Hadakel nodded, Efoh set off at an easy pace, waiting until he was at least a little bit away before running a hand through his hair and blowing out a sigh. His boss was going to kill him.
But, he thought, glancing over his shoulder, just barely catching sight of Hadakel before he was out of sight, it was definitely worth it.
As expected, the cat was nowhere to be found, at least on Efoh’s side. He’d actually made an effort, too, carding through every side street and peering around corners and under things, but no such luck. He was supposed to be on shift an hour ago, even, and he comm'd Hadakel to report his findings - or lack thereof, rather - as he made his way back to the Hammering. As it turned out, Hadakel hadn’t found anything either.
“You don’t seem too worried about it,” Efoh said, because Hadakel’s tone had been cheerful, really, or - well, no, not cheerful, but maybe a little blasé considering it was a lost cat.
“That’s because I returned to Kasper, who informed me the cat showed up ten minutes after I went off to find it.” Hadakel replied.
“What the fuck,” Efoh said, laughing. Well, at least the cat was okay, even if he’d lost an hour over it, and he moved out of the way of a small group of teenagers as he went on, “All that is gold does not glitter and all that, I suppose.”
There was a brief pause before Hadakel responded. “I gather you’re referencing something, though I’ve no idea what. Anyway - I’m not surprised, cats are like that.”
“Old poem from the Golden Age. Got a line in it that goes ‘not all who wander are lost’, and - uh. Sorry. I doubt you’re interested in me going on about it.” Now is not the time for niche interests. He cleared his throat. “Glad the cat’s okay.”
“A Hunter who likes history, now there’s a rare find,” and - was he teasing? That sounded like teasing. Efoh bit his lip to keep from blurting something stupid. “Sorry to bother you with the whole ordeal, but hopefully your walk was nice.”
“Don’t worry about it. I was the one who volunteered.” Efoh turned the corner back into the alleyway. The door leading into the bar was closed, which meant he’d forgotten to prop it open, which meant he’d have to go through the front. Unfortunate, he thought; his boss was going to skin him alive, and he pivoted on a heel and made his way towards the Hammering’s entrance. “Better than standing around and waiting to go back to work. So thanks for that.”
“You’re - welcome, Efoh. See you around, then,” Hadakel said.
“Drop by the Hammering sometime,” Efoh blurted before Hadakel could cut the connection, and then, when he paused, Efoh said hurriedly, “If - if you want. I’m good at making drinks for all that I, uh, complain about it. Um. - You don’t have to.”
“I’ll make a note, next time I’m in this district,” he said, and maybe he was smiling again, by the tone of his voice.
“Cool,” Efoh said, distantly, because there was no way that should’ve actually worked in any capacity. He was usually good at the whole talking thing, and now it was just - what was he even saying, really, and he said, “Cool. Uh. See you around, then.”
“Nice meeting you,” Hadakel said, and then the connection severed.
There was a beat before Fiore said, You repeated him. ‘See you around, then.’ Exact words.
“Don’t even start,” Efoh said, dragging his hands down his face, “What the fuck did I even say to him,” but there was no time to ruminate as he walked through the Hammering’s doors. Probably for the best, but he could already feel his boss’s glare as he trotted past empty tables and the few patrons around to behind the counter.
“Let’s talk in the back, Efoh,” his boss said, and yeah, okay, fair, but he’d gotten Hadakel’s frequency, so at least there was that.
Euphea was going to a gallery showing - a small one, but which she was intent on, nonetheless. Watercolors, she had said, like it explained everything, but Hadakel only shook his head and smiled at the exo, who beamed back. Perhaps it did.
Telem was editing a section of one of her papers, or rewriting it, or making a formal reply to a query raised to one of said papers - Hadakel could never keep the world of Warlock academia straight, but Telem had hummed and waved her hand in a shooing motion, too engrossed to bother with his confusion, and there, too, he only shook his head and smiled.
Euphea and Telem were busy, in the end, and Hadakel didn’t mind that much. He was tired, but he knew he wouldn’t get to fall asleep the instant he wanted to, so he went out anyway. Helmi, conveniently enough, reminded him about the Hammering bar Efoh worked at, and it settled the matter.
He cast a critical eye about the place upon entry; the lighting was warm, and expertly laid out, bright and dim in all the right spots. The decor was reflective of the Crucible itself - weapons both new and old found a home in shelves and mounts along walls, interspersed with articles and images of famous Guardians - and the color scheme was none other than the gleaming white, red and purple. Viewscreens were glowing with feeds from matches, conveniently placed just about everywhere he looked.
All that was really missing was one of the flags that fluttered about Lord Shaxx’s post in the Tower, and perhaps a few more helmets from defeated enemies of the City.
The evening rush was apparently getting started, causing a sort of lively, if quiet, thrum of activity between customers and employees.
There were already a few people sitting at the counter, and there was Efoh, too, chatting with one of them as he did something with the glass in his hands. His bronze hair caught the light, shimmering in comparison to the overcast day Hadakel had first met him, though the bright aqua of his gaze was lost against the white light of the bar, the reflective glass of every color in the alcohol behind him
Hadakel waved when Efoh caught sight of him - and what a dazzling grin it was. Hadakel almost felt silly for thinking the awoken’s eyes could have been lost in the surrounding color.
He’s excited, Helmi commented.
Yeah, Hadakel thought. Is work that draining he’s excited to see a stranger? That’s a depressing thought.
Why don’t you ask him?
That would be rude, Helmi.
No it wouldn’t! You’re all about being polite and forthright. Hadakel made his way to the bar in no time, given the other patrons had spread out and opened up a direct path from the entrance.
“Hadakel,” Efoh drawled, apparently having finished his other conversation, moving down to stand in front of him. He was still grinning, arms crossed over his chest. “Wasn’t sure if you’d ever actually show. Thoughts on the place?”
“I like it,” Hadakel said, immediately, easily, because it was true. He offered a grin of his own. “If I can’t believe it took me this long to find a Crucible-themed bar.” They were near eye level, the stool he settled on equalizing the fact Efoh was somewhat taller.
“Plus the drinks are pretty good,” Efoh said, and he was more comfortable here, that much was obvious. “So. Anything I can get for you?”
“Yes. What are the specials?” he said, leaning his arms on the bar. Smooth, polished, dark wood, inlaid with clear glass to expose lights.
“Just one today. You like sweet things?”
“I’m willing to try anything once or twice,” Hadakel shrugged. If Telem had been here, she would have no doubt launched into a rant at some of his ideas during strikes.
“You won’t regret it,” Efoh said with a coy smile, uncrossing his arms and reaching underneath the counter to grab a glass, idly tossing it from hand to hand as he turned. “Be back in a sec.”
Hadakel only nodded and watched as Efoh moved down the bar. His motions were quick and sure, mixing different drinks together, measuring, balancing, and it really wasn’t that long at all before he returned and dropped first a coaster and then the glass in front of him. The drink itself was a soft amber color, cold to the touch, smelling faintly of fruit.
“Let me know if it sucks,” Efoh said, leaning on the counter. “Normally people usually tell me their preferences on, like, how sweet they want things. Kind of had to guess for you.”
Hadakel took a sip; perfectly cold, as if drawn from a freezer, even though it lacked ice, and very fruity. “Is this - peach? Or papaya?” he said. “It’s good. Turns out you were right, though I suspect you’re used to such success,” he grinned.
Efoh turned his head and coughed, though Hadakel could see the pleased smile. “I’m very good at my job,” he said after a moment, looking back to him. “And you have good taste - it’s pineapple. Put some other stuff in to counteract the acidic part. I use peach or mango if someone wants it really sweet. Haven’t thought to use papaya, though, I’ll have to test that out.”
Hadakel leaned forward, swirling the liquid in his glass. “If it becomes a roaring success, how many free drinks do I get?” You’re flirting, Helmi said quietly in the back of his head, nearly disbelieving, if her tone was anything to go by.
Efoh blinked at him, clearly taken aback, and there was a short stretch of silence as a smirk slowly pulled at his lips. “Depends on how often you come back.”
“Keep it up, Efoh, and I just might become a regular,” Hadakel replied, grinning again before taking another drink, and it was ridiculously smooth going down, actually - he wondered about Efoh’s talents. Had he been a chemist in a past life?
“Oh, I intend to,” Efoh answered, grinning in return. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Is that so? Let’s hope your talents lie elsewhere, and not with cat-finding,” Hadakel laughed. “But, from the taste of things, the Hammering is very lucky to have your skills. I’m impressed.”
“I’m sure I can impress you in other ways, too,” Efoh drawled, propping his head on a hand. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“I suppose I will,” Hadakel said, meeting his eyes. The aqua color was even brighter and more intense, up close. Electrifying came to mind.
Helmi let her amusement shine for a moment, and it had been a good idea to come, after all. He hadn’t relaxed in some time, and Hadakel smiled again, shaking his head - he was no stranger to smiles, and it was hard not to with his fireteam, but it felt like Efoh would set him a personal record for the most in an hour. He sent a bit of gratitude his Ghost’s way, and she laughed.
“I have to ask,” Efoh said, tilting his head a little. He was almost in Hadakel’s space, almost, definitely close enough to touch. “What brought you in today? It’s kind of early for the night crowd, but you know your way around a drink, so the timing seems odd.”
“Fireteam was busy, and it felt too early to try getting sleep,” Hadakel replied, tapping his fingers. “Then my Ghost reminded me, so I figured I’d stop by. I probably should have comm'd you to see if you were even working, but it turned out.”
“I can’t believe you forgot about me and your Ghost had to remind you,” Efoh said, mock-aghast, and he shook his head. “But yeah. I usually work nights, mornings sometimes, not evenings. Covering for someone today.” A flash of a grin. “You got lucky.”
“So I did,” Hadakel nodded, finishing off his drink, wondering how much the alcohol content would affect him. “Just as you lucked out in the alleyway, apparently,” he smirked.
“Believe me, I know,” Efoh said, grinning back at him. It faded, though, as he studied him; eventually he said, “Something else is bothering you, yeah? You have - I don’t know, a look about you or something. I guess it doesn’t really matter. You doing okay?”
“It’s just a case of the Guardian Blues, I’d say,” Hadakel shrugged, and Efoh was more perceptive than he had anticipated, that or he looked worse than he realized. He rewound, thinking back to what makeup he’d applied - he’s a Hunter, what do you expect, silly, Helmi nagged.
“Getting a little worn down, the whole - does any of this fighting make a dent in all the problems - the usual.” Hadakel wasn’t going to bring up the latest round of post-Hive-encounter nightmares to a stranger, after all - no matter how handsome Efoh was.
“I’d drink to that, if I could have alcohol on the job,” Efoh said with a nod, and he nudged Hadakel’s hand with his before pulling back, briefly glancing down the bar where another customer was waving to get his attention. He looked back to him a moment later. “Stick around, maybe? It’d be nice to talk more, if, uh. If you’re up for it.”
“Can do,” Hadakel give him a little salute as Efoh moved away to fix more drinks. He shifted, turning his stool to people watch. It had filled up a bit more since he got in, the light from outside growing faint and blue. The chatter was peaceful, not very loud, though it was punctuated by a delighted cackle - Hadakel spotted the two women, closer to the entrance, hand in hand and he grinned himself a little - it was good to be reminded that normal life went on, even if everything was uncertain.
He debated ordering more, but in the end settled for scrolling the menu Helmi brought up, and reading the little blurb about the Hammering’s history and founding. All for a pun, he thought, shaking his head.
“Told you that you wouldn’t regret it,” Efoh said, and Hadakel turned in his stool, only to have Efoh pluck his empty glass from his hand and neatly replace it with a shot glass. “Same thing, but with papaya,” he explained at Hadakel’s look, watching him keenly and rubbing his thumb across the glass’s side. “You get to tell me if you think it’ll work or not.”
Hadakel smiled and took the shot. “You whip this up on the spot?” he asked, working out the flavor notes lingering on his tongue.
“I mean, it’s mostly just figuring out ratios, right,” Efoh said, lifting one shoulder. “More of this, less of that, which flavor counters which. Haven’t worked with papaya much, personally, so I had to guess with some of the measurements and take out a few things entirely, not to mention regulating temperature and all that, plus - uh.” He coughed. “Sorry. On the spot, no; I had to experiment a bit. Is it good?”
“Yeah. Sharper. I think the fruit could be - blended a little more, but that might be me. Generally not a fan of pulp,” he shrugged. “How long have you been bartending, anyway?”
“Maybe if I used extract,” Efoh muttered, contemplative, though he looked to Hadakel a moment later. “But, uh, close to a year. Picked it up when I was still figuring out how nightstalking worked and needed to pay rent. Which reminds me,” he said, reaching out to take the shot glass, putting it aside, flattening his hands on the counter, “You’re a Guardian, obviously, but I can’t figure out your class. You kind of walk like a Hunter, but you don’t - seem like one? I don’t know.”
“I’m a Titan,” Hadakel smiled.
“Titan,” Efoh echoed, eyes narrowing. It was a long, long moment of silence, a variety of expressions flashing across his face, before he said, “That would’ve been my last guess, actually.”
“Yeah, Cayde Six actually criticized me about not being a Hunter, once,” Hadakel said, amused at Efoh’s reaction. It seemed a little over the top.
“That so,” Efoh said, and at Hadakel’s nod, “I guess I’m not surprised. You’re much lighter on your feet than any Titan I’ve known, anyway.” He was silent for a few seconds before he shook his head and moved on. “You said you had a fireteam, yeah? Guess you’ve been doing this for a while, then. Longer than me.”
“Five - years, maybe? Not that long, compared to some,” he said. “I’ve been lucky.”
“You been working together long?”
“Three years, on and off. We only started doing strikes more regularly this past Dawning,” Hadakel said. “And I know the technicality about it being a three person team, but if you need some people, feel free to let me know.”
Efoh raised an eyebrow. “You’ve never even seen me in the field. You sure you want to be making that offer?”
“You’re clearly not a freshly risen Guardian,” Hadakel rolled his eyes. “And the distinct hum around you is bound to be Void, nicely hidden, so it looks like you did figure out Nightstalking - ergo, I’m content to.” He leaned forward. “I offered to help a random kid find a street cat, Efoh. Why on earth wouldn’t I offer the same to another Guardian?”
“I see,” Efoh said, meeting his eyes, smirking a little. “So you’re generous, too. Do you have any faults?”
“I mean, I tend to favor the Earthshatterer Code,” Hadakel shrugged, smiling. Efoh laughed, shaking his head. “I’m sure if Telem or Euphea were here they could list them off.”
“Your fireteam?” Hadakel nodded. “I think I’ll just come to my own conclusions on the matter,” Efoh said, leaning on the counter, hands folded, almost in Hadakel’s space again. “But maybe I’ll take you up on it sometime. And of course if you ever need a Nightstalker, I hope you know who to call.
“I think I have an idea, yes,” he grinned. “Convenient, since Euphea doesn’t dabble in the Void much, only when she has to. Personally, I like the color purple.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you called more often,” Efoh said with a returning grin. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to show you some things about the Void, if you like the color so much.”
“If it’s anything like your drinks, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,” Hadakel said, and winked, because why not?
“Oh my god,” Efoh said, laughing, pulling back to cover his face with his hands, just for a moment, before they dropped back to his sides and he was looking at him again. “Sorry, I just - sorry. God. Wow. Uh. Do you - want to get dinner sometime?”
Hadakel tilted his head; he’d have a hard time not smiling, at this rate, so it was good he had no reason to stop. “Sounds like you’re asking me on a date, Efoh.”
“Only if it works,” Efoh said, leaning his elbows on the counter again. There was enough light to make out the flush on his face, and he was smiling but it was tentative now. “So?”
“I’d be delighted,” Hadakel said simply, quickly, and he hadn’t realized it was true until the words already left his mouth. Helmi chittered.
“Okay,” Efoh said, and there was a pause where he ran a hand through his hair, absently, and then, “Okay. Uh. Sorry. This is - not what I was expecting when I saw you come in, but, um. I’m free two days from now? If that works for you?”
A quick confirmation from Helmi told him as much. “Yeah, it does. Any places in mind off the bat? Or to avoid. And any allergies?”
“It’s amazing you think I thought this far ahead,” Efoh said, laughing again, and Hadakel couldn’t help but chuckle in response. “No allergies, uh, that I know of. And if you have somewhere in mind, that works for me.”
“I’d have to check over a list or two, but yeah, I’ll let you know,” Hadakel said, and paused. “I - like to eat. I like to see what people do, because it’s pretty amazing how you can give two people the same ingredients and they turn out a completely different dish, so. Yes, I have lists of restaurants. I guess you lucked out.
“Like I said earlier: believe me, I know.” Efoh tilted his head, smiling. “Sounds a bit like mixing drinks, if I’m being honest. It’d be cool to learn more if you want to tell me.”
“I mean, I’m not an expert chef, I don’t really have time to work on it, but, sure,” and Helmi whispered look at you, finally getting a little embarrassed. Give the poor Hunter a break. Hadakel politely ignored his Ghost. “At the very least I can probably haggle a free something out of some places - being friends with the owners and head cooks does that.”
“Free food is good food,” Efoh said, and then, “And look at you being humble. The whole ‘no faults’ theory is still going strong, it seems.”
“You haven’t known me for a day, Efoh,” Hadakel laughed, but he felt warmed by the flattery all the same. He nudged Efoh’s hand with his own. “I’m not perfect.”
“That’s your word against mine,” Efoh said, grinning. “We’ll see who’s right in the end.”
“I guess so. I’ll see you later, then,” Hadakel said, grabbed the Hunter’s hand, and brought it to his lips for the briefest kiss. Either he had gotten quicker, or Efoh didn’t know how to react. He slipped off the stool, adjusting his hat and shooting a grin at the stupefied bartender, Efoh’s eyes wide, mouth slightly ajar, before making his way to the door.
I said, give the poor Hunter a break, and instead, you decide to murder him, Helmi chittered, sounding entirely amused despite her words.
He’ll be fine, Hadakel replied.
