#xstarryxcycs

Three-way thread order: 1. @surrendertotherush 2. @portalipsis 3. @xstarryxcycs

Somewhere inside the elite navigator knew that would fall over him to do what he had to, but for any reason he still held on the hopes to don't need to do that... only to receive a couple of e-mails on his private line and roll eyes.

"Excuse me, Porthos, would you mind accompanying me?" Isolde asked politely when he saw the young man finished his shift and assignments for the day.

They needed to talk, yes, but not only the two of them. A third man awaited their arrival and it was his the two messages that asked if Isolde could take on the task of bringing Porthos around with him.

There was a certain tension around the elite navigator, after two weeks from the night when younger man spoke of his interest in another man as well as him, things went all over the place with the long haired navigator needing to divide his time between assignments, Porthos and Galahad -- their third man. The tension came from a mix of tiredness and worry that was almost tangible to those closer to him, present in all moments but not spoken of.

"I believe I owe you an explanation." Isolde started once he turned on one of the many halls and took a path that was authorized only to elite soldiers, stopping only when inside the lift they used to go around -- reason for the silence around them, the elite soldiers, both navigators and fighters, were almost always busy or would avoid contact with others when out of their working ours; they stuck to their rank. "To begin with, this is what we call a black bag meeting, straight out of the maps and plans. Meaning you can't tell what you see or hear in here to anyone else. Not to Athos, not to Phobos, not to absolutely anyone. Second thing is: you can still turn back if you want and I will pretend you've never been here, however, if you follow me after this lift stop and I step out, you'll be complying to be involved in a very delicate matter. And the last thing to have in mind is that if you come with me, your life will be in danger of anyone even suspect that you know of any information that you'll hear."

His face turned to see Porthos and take a small moment to appreciate his image as he knew it could all go to naught.

"This will be one secret you'll be the only on to know aside from those already involved with it." The lift stopped and Isolde stepped out of it. "I trust in you, Porthos. I believe you won't betray me. This is the reason I think to be fair enough to tell you about this, however, the gamble is high and you're the only one who can decide to come with me or not. You'll be taking on this risk by yourself."

From there on, Isolde guided them to Galahad's room and, just like he always did with Porthos, opened the door without needing any inside authorization.

Inside the room there was only the fighter and the elite navigator went to him with one hand open and a stern face.

"You better have my candy or I'm making you choke on your own dick, man." He threatened in a playful tone and laughed right after, then looked back to see if Porthos followed him or not. "And you better have practiced your speech, because I need some minutes to recover here. I'm running low on sugar."

What a man.

Phobos smiled as he eyed the Fighter, in-line for his dinner. Now, he didn’t usually play with the mutts, but this dog had impressive scores. And an impressive physique. Sliding into line next to him, the blond flicked his hair.

[[ ✪  Rubbing their back after a stressful day or disappointment.]] || @xstarryxcycs

After a long day, full of disappointments, problems and dead ends with the assignment he had in hands, the last thing Isolde wanted was to have to deal with Tristan and his insufferable personality -- the simple idea that the man would, probably, be bragging about some fight was enough to make the Elite Navigator want to go back in his track and sleep in the Reliant, he'd have some peace and silence there at the very least.

A heavy sigh weighted on his lips and rolled out when his steps stopped in front of their bunker and he could head loud and obnoxious laughter coming from inside.

Just like the blond thought, there was the Elite Fighter boasting about how well he did in some minor combat simulation test, talked big of how awesome he was and of not needing anyone to take care of his ass or to keep an eye out for his safety.

"It's always good to know I'm not appreciated in here as well."

The commentary in stern and cold voice managed to be loud enough to break other the voices of the trio of Figthers in the room and startle all of them, for none noticed when the blond came in.

Sure, Isolde didn't take the whole words to his heart, but his commentary was enought to set the extra duo in the room running out and far away from the aura he had at that moment. His fame for being quite hardcore and a loose cannon at times, capable of taking on face to face with Figthers, was something no one wanted to prove real or not -- and the blond did nothing to deny any of those beliefs, so the whole lot of tales only went on, growing bigger ever time they were re-told.

"They do know how to take a hint." The Elite Navigator said and fell on his bed, face first on the pillow abd reached for the plush he used to talk to in order to solve some of the coding he dealt with daily, hugging the baby seal shaped toy helped him calm down and think clearer.

His mind was in such state that there was no chance for him to even put up with the small bickering that became part of this daily routine whenever either of them were feeling unhappy for whatever reason. So tired he could hardly think and moved by instinct alone, only so the day could come to an end once and for all.

Tristan's silence was new though. The Elite Fighter understood the situation and silenced himself for the very first time, then resignated to sit by the blond and quietly rub his back with care that was never there in previous situations.

Minutes ticked by in that small moment as Isolde's brain slowed down and he could place his thoughts in order, organize all that went right or wrong and what could be done to make up for the time lost and improve their speed and outcomes. So much to do...

"I'm sorry I cut your fun short, Tristan, but I do really need some hours of--" Words died in his throat when his partner lightly pressed fingers on his shoulderplates, just over the nod that was between them, and spoke of knowing he came from a long day. "Thank you."