Don't mind if you head canon, write or draw this but could you do what happens when a Hunter gets spotted at the Tower since they're all hiding to avoid the Vanguard Dare?
Okay, okay- After reading this ask, an idea formed and I started laughing but also got some feels… enjoy this sort of family dynamic thing? Hope you like it @asexual-nightstalker
Small story ahead:
Nikolai remembers when Hunters used to be all over the Tower, not too afraid to be seen because they still had a Vanguard that was alive and well (well, as well as one could get these days). But since Cayde passed, no Hunter steps foot in the Tower or if they do, it’s when there’s basically no-one around.
But occasionally you’ll get the one who gets caught.
Nikolai had just finished a few strikes for Zavala and was walking over to Shaxx to see if he could sort out a Private Match for him and his Fire Team in a game of Rumble. Normally, Nikolai would have at least one or two memebers of the Team with him but most were away on other planets and the only one in contact was one the Hunters, and they were adamant to stay away.
Now, Hunters were a rarity to be seen, especially those that were close to Cayde. They didn’t want the to accept the Dare- everyone knew that normally lead to death. But Zavala and Ikora we’re getting desperate, it’s been months since everything went down and there was still no Vanguard, so they had been asking different Hunter’s to step in the moment they saw them.
As he made his way over to Shaxx, Nikolai waved to Arcite as they ambled past, optics facing a small telegraphic pad as they nodded in his general direction. Shaxx was talking to some newer Guardians about Cruciable when everyone heard the shout.
Heads whipped up and fire arms were drawn, Shaxx standing in front on the Kinder’s as Nikolai pulled out his sword and moved to stand near Shaxx.
Instead of any enemies, three Hunter’s could be seen running across the Tower Plaza with Lord Saladin chasing after them. With Saladin shouting at them about taking responsibility and stepping up to the position of Leader, while the Guardians avoided him.
One lept off the railing near Banshee and ran through the lower halls.
Another skidded and ran around the Iron Lord back the way they came.
The third ran straight for Shaxx and Nikolai, and after recognising the Titan Mark that was tied around their waist, Nikolai stepped forward and pulled them in behind him. The Hunter in question slightly cowered behind him, crouched over time regain their breath.
“Warlock! Why are you protecting them! They need to step up to their job and help out others.” Saladin demanded, arms crossed and scowl across his face.
“Because she never met Cayde, she’s a Kinder! And I’ll die over and over again before I let my younger sister do a job that will kill her permantly.” Nikolai growled out as he stood his ground and puffed out his chest, issue was that he was only five foot, five inches and came to Saladin chest- but he would be damned if he let the old Iron Lord get a hold of his sister. Saladin snarled slightly, lip curling up but stalked off back to his area when he noticed everyone’s eyes on them.
Nikolai let out a breath and turned around to fret over his sister pulling her into a hug, and mumbling reassurances to her as Shaxx finished with the other Guardians and turned his attention to them.
“I’ll be having words with him once this is over, Guardian. I can promise you that.”
“Thanks Shaxx, I was going to ask about a Private Match, but I’ll think that can wait for a little bit.” Nodding, Shaxx waved them off and promised to arrange a time with Nikolai to talk about the game.
As Nikolai walked over to a lower level near Shaxx, his sister followed afterwards and was playing with the edge of her cloak.
“Ignore him Rose. Saladin means well, but doesn’t show it that great. Y’know we’ll never let you take the job, yeah?”
Getting a nod from the silent Hunter next to him, Nikolai pulled her in for a side hug and rubbed her arm, feeling her relax and lean into the contact.
“Let’s go find one of our brothers and bother them for a bit, yeah?” Laughing at the way Rose’s helmet lifted at the prospect of mischief. Both pulled out their Ghosts and transmitted back into orbit, finding the nearest ping from another member of their team and setting off.
Over the comms, Nikolai heard a faint crackle and small murmur before Rose spoke out.
“Thanks Niko, love you.”
“Love you too, little thorn.”
So basically, I Headcannon that since Cayde passed there’s not many Hunter’s on the Tower unless they are desperate. And those that do go stay near on invisible, but occasionally get caught- normally they would shout out in surprise or let out a swear before disappearing from whoever caught them in the first place. They’re not Hunters for nothing.
