driftfleet | (no subject)

[After finding out that the Stalker was in the fleet had made the scar almost harder to bear. Almost as though War had been plunged into himself yet again and forced to break it over and over again. It forced its way into his dreams and made him obsess over the fact that he could die here maybe. His heart pounding in his chest weirdly because warframes aren't supposed to have a heartbeat to start with.

Then he's snapping out of his thoughts at the exclamations of the cephalon. This was another reason why it was good to have discussed with Wrath first rather him. They were partners but some things had awful memories clinging to them.

Lay a hand on him? Of course that's what the mark meant. However now he wasn't the only one.]

You can't fight him. What happens if he decides to lay a hand on you? What then?

Ordis will fight.

[And it's as sincere as he's ever been. He'd let his Operator down once before, a mistake that nearly cost the frame and body their lives. It would never happen again. So what if he couldn't physically match the stalker? He still would fight.]

Ordis is here to protect the Operator. He-I will not let anyone lay a hand on the Operator. It is inconsequential what happens to me, so long as the Operator is safe.

[A fierce glare is thrown back at the cephalon because what the hell was he thinking? That was nonsense! Completely ridiculous of a notion and one that would cost dearly if followed through.]

You will do no such thing! [Anger apparent in his tone now.] That would be suicide.

He would tear you apart. All for the sake of getting to me and I wouldn't have you making the mistake of thinking that option is even up for consideration. You can't fight him. I won't allow you to do so. Because...

[Facing the other man, he's visibly shaking from all of the frustration but also the fear. The thought of losing Ordis to that man was something that had been in the back of his mind but now it was front and center. Ordis being torn apart. No. Please no.]

Because you can't be replaced. I don't want to lose you.

[It's a strange thing, hearing such harsh words directed towards him. He'd been used to the gutteral jeers from the grineer, the backhanded compliments from Simaris, but never anything cruel from his Operator. His Operator, the one that rescued him, the one that came back after so long-

It's nearly unfathomable.

He shrinks in on himself just a bit, some of the fight stunned out of him outright, but he doesn't back down. No, he needs to do this, after what happened last time.]

The Operator would do well to listen to his own words.

[He swallows hard.]

Ordis will not let the Stalker lay a hand on his Operator again. Never again.

[Every inch of himself wants to fight and wage war on these circumstances that's being thrown at him because that's all he's ever been good at. However what use was it against someone that was trying to help him? The way Ordis caved inwards made him sick to his stomach and regret having opened his mouth.

So he promptly shuts it because he's done enough damage for now. Words weren't going to help him here. The tenno is cautious in approaching the cephalon before placing a gentle hand on the man's cheek. Soft strokes while he leans down to press their foreheads together with a low sigh.]

...sorry.

The Operator does what the Operator must.

[And oh the touch is still foreign, but he relaxes into it anyways. It may be different than a hand running over his consoles, then careful maintenance to put the liset back together, but it's just as grounding as anything could be.]

I want to protect you. Especially from him.

[His other arm wraps around Ordis's waist to tug him in closer as much as to offer further support to the troubled cephalon. That had always been the first priority for him, to protect what little he had left.]

Ordis-

[Words are difficult when time seems to move so slow. He misses his processing speeds.]

I would not see the Operator harmed again.

[Gently nosing the other man's temple, his fingers curl into his hip while keeping him close protectively. The thought of Ordis as he is now being shredded like he had been as a liset by the Grineer was haunting but he focused on the now. He would fight for this.]

I will only fight if he strikes first against us. That's what I can offer.

[The touch is far more grounding than he would have ever expected, but it's a very good thing. Flesh has not been kind to him, and he would be reticent to deny that whatever this was was doing wonders in keeping him together.]

Let someone jettison him out an airlock. Be done with it.

[This was much easier to handle than the circle arguments they used to do. Going back and forth in hope that the cephalon would calm down. He wouldn't have wished for this but Ordis as a human was easier to handle.]

That's not my call anymore. Vision is the captain and Stalker is on another which means another captain to deal with. I don't have as much choice in that affair anymore.

...I will stay out of things for you. He's marked me up but I am yours not his.

The Vision is...

[It feels so strange to say, and so blasphemous.]

The Vision has temporarily taken directives over from the Lotus. Until we are able to reestablish contact.

[There's a small pause.]

Ordis only wishes to see you safe, Operator.

Better to have him than absolutely no one. He knows what he's doing with the ship.

[Vision wasn't Lotus but the tenno had faith in him regardless. He cared for the crew and was more than his fair share of apt. However his main concern wasn't whose orders to follow right now.]

I know. We'll keep each other safe.

He is...like me. No, more akin to Suda. [Not Simaris, never Simaris.] I have full faith in his abilities.

[He sighs, resting his head against the Tenno's shoulder and letting his eyes slip shut.]

I promise, this time.

Explains why I like him then. [Suda was a rather soothing faction leader. much of his spare time was spent doing small favors for her as well as the Arbiters.] That's good to know however.

I trust you.

I will do well to never betray that trust, Operator.

[And he's being quite sincere at that.]

Always appreciative of knowing.

[He rubs his eyes, trying to fight back the exhaustion biting at him.]

Operator.

[That's a concern, he doesn't want to cause undue stress to the tenno.]

If the Operator requires rest, please rest.

Would it be ok if you joined me?

[He doesn't want to be alone even if he won't admit it out right. Not with that despicable scum somewhere in the fleet.]

Ordis would never abandon his Operator.

[It's such a matter of fact statement. Whatever his Operator needs, he's there to provide. And if there's a spark of something warm deep within his chest, he might be a bit selfish as well.]

Good. Come here then.

[Thats all he needs to hear right now and is sweeping him up into his arms. Then it's onto moving towards the bed to climb in carefully before winding himself around the cephalon. This is all he needs aside from sleep.]

[It's new, new and strange. But this is what his Operator needs, and it's not unenjoyable if he's being honest with himself. Quite the opposite, in fact. But his Operator needs rest, and Ordis makes a quiet noise as he very cautiously places a hand on the man's waist. This is right? It has to be right.]

Please rest.

[He tiredly noses at the cephalon's temple before pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. It was much easier to finally close his eyes and relax. He trusted Ordis enough to heed his words.]

Thank you...