|Borderlands AU| Dark Before Dawn |1-on-1 RP|

Though she had been joking, it didn't surprise her that Jack sounded entirely serious about a big to-do for this victory of his. Really, why wouldn't he? Angel was dead as well as Wilhelm, Nisha and his doppelganger who had all aided in finding and opening the Vault on Elpis. Though the last three might be seen as replaceable later down the road the first was not. It was only natural that Jack would want to celebrate the deaths of those that had aided in killing his daughter.

She allowed a small chuckle to escape her at his plans to celebrate nonetheless. "Just don't over do it too much. I'd rather not have to drag your ass to bed afterwards!"

Even if he promised this Naira still expected him to possibly do just that. Jack had a habit of overdoing things nowadays, that much had been one of the first things that had changed so thoroughly after Elpis...

As expected from him further, Jack was quick to retort despite the truth to her rebuttal. Naira rolled her eyes with some amount of affection tugging a small smile to her lips. Even if it was just a joke there was still a little truth to it...

"Oh, I don't know, lover, that cockiness can be a little off putting sometimes," she teased easily.

The roar of the Warrior drew her gaze back to Sanctuary's fate, a building toppling under the beast's weight. It was thoroughly destroying the place and if one hadn't gotten out already Naira doubted they would be at all. Those who might have seen it coming and reached the fast travel, they might survive yet, at least for a time.


Though he was curious and wished for an answer Zer0 made no move to hold her away or deny her comfort in these moments that followed. That would be needlessly cruel to the one he was most attached to in his life thus far. He had faith in her that she would provide an answer when she could yet even so minutes passed in near silence.

When he heard her speak he cocked his head to one side and merely listened. It took her quite a long while to spit the words out but she managed. It was all nonsense to Zer0, however. What did she mean by all of that exactly?

"Or perhaps your friend / has managed to ward off his / fate. We do not know," Zer0 mentioned matter-of-factly.

If she had been in the Vault or not, it may well have changed nothing if Zer0 was the only one there to fight the Warrior. He well could have lost that challenge without the other Vault Hunters arriving... He again wondered what had happened to stall them so long and why he had not found them while he'd escaped with Naeva. However he pushed those thoughts away. Now wasn't the time.

"We can't say for sure. / We have no proof that's what has / changed your outcome here."

Naira tossed Jack a look, eyebrow raised. The blanket and pillow could easily be provided, god knows she'd done that a time or two, or ten, during their relationship but the cuddling? She scoffed, though out of good humor than anything else.

"An extra cuddle or two, huh?" she echoed, growing more amused by the second. "Well, maybe if you actually make it into bed. I sure as shit ain't gonna lay on the floor with your unconscious ass, love."

If anything it would be a little incentive for Jack to actually make it into bed of his own volition. This was, of course, assuming he didn't just forget over the course of whatever celebrations he had in mind to partake in up on Helios. He'd naturally want to be around anyone who'd adore his victory, after all, and who better than those who worked for him? When he'd wish to head up was the question now.

She spared him another quick glance as he moved, folding his arms as he did so often these days. He almost looked a little put off by that jest. Naira's lip quirked up a bit, a fact she hid behind the furry collar of her coat.

"Come now, there's the 'right amount of cocky' and then there's 'too much cocky'," she prodded further.


Zer0 listened once more, quiet even as his mind raced. It was easy to see that Naeva was beating herself up now but there was little he could do to ease that. The wound was too fresh, the guilt too heavy and raw. All he could do now was to part to her counterarguments and other options to keep going. He'd be damned if he lost her now after fleeing the Vault with her in hand.

"And you don't know that / it isn't either. Let it / rest for now, okay?" he pushed, almost gently even.

This was the most he could do now, even as he held her, a hand still tangled in her hair. It wasn't yet safe to head out and find another place away from the Warrior's destruction and Zer0 wasn't sure it would be smart anyways. Not yet. Naeva was compromised emotionally and who knew what other orders Handsome Jack had given it after destroying Sanctuary... Still, the city was falling, piece by piece and it would soon be no more.

Had the others fled back there to resupply? If so they might have been caught up by the Warrior then, or perhaps they hid in the Eridium Blight like he and Naeva did now.

Shaking the thoughts away, Zer0 moved to rest his chin atop her head.

Naira rolled her eyes and offered a sarcastic laugh. Of course she loved affection but there were standards involved. Then again Jack didn't quite seem to mind where they were when he took to such things, so long as there weren't any watching eyes.

"Oh, don't be like that! You make it sound so horrible," she snarked, tossing him yet another amused glance. "Besides, the floor isn't so comfortable when you're not passed out."

He seemed to easily wave away this concern of hers, far more eager to see the last of Sanctuary fall. With it the Warrior fell back to the surface of the planet, unbothered by the height and the impact of its landing. Nothing so simple would bring it down, not now. And with the Vault Hunters scattered, some possibly dead... Naira worried still, buried as it was behind the snark and humor she and Jack shared now.

A hum left her, a little more sober than a moment ago. She reached out to loop her arms around one of his before she said anything. With what had happened today, what was happening, well... She thought it too much to think Naeva might yet still consider her a friend... Jack was all she had left, the others killed by Vault Hunter hands.

"Well, maybe not the dying part and you'd best not go and do that anytime soon," Naira answered.


Zer0 didn't know what else to tell her that he hadn't already. He would not lie, after all, seeing no need to. It would only instill false hope at best and distrust in him at worst. He'd rather avoid both and be realistic about it all. Still...

"We wait, plan, and watch," Zer0 answered simply. Once they knew if Jack and Naira remained to clean up the 'mess' or if they headed out with the Warrior then they could go and see to finding survivors of Sanctuary. Perhaps among their number they might build up a small resistance yet again.

In the time that they had to wait they could compose themselves and plan for the worst of the situation. Zer0 was concerned that they were the only two Vault Hunters left yet he would not assume as much until there was proof to it. That was the most hope he could give to himself, knowing full well what might have happened. None of them had died against Hyperion yet, it would honestly have only been a matter of time.

These things he did not say to Naeva, however. He had doubts that she hadn't already thought them anyways, perhaps even blaming herself further for it all.

From the sounds of it Jack was well intent on passing out wherever he was later tonight. Well, she'd tried to get him into a more comfortable end by the night but Naira would see where that ended up. That was the most she could do barring dragging him to a bed after the fact.

Naira didn't answer him right away, moving to rest her head against his arm as well. It was a downer of a topic, but it was one that worried her still. Despite what Elpis' Vault had showed him Naira knew that the original way things would have gone would have been his death. Her being here, or perhaps Naeva or even the both of them, had been enough to divert that end from happening. But would it remain that way? Naira didn't know what to expect from here on out...

"I'm just worried is all," she admitted finally. "We don't know how many or which Vault Hunters are still alive and they managed to nearly turn the tides more than once before."

And that had been against all odds too... She left that thought unsaid. Already Jack was waving off the concern anyways even if he had taken her words more seriously now than he had ever before.

"Besides, Sanctuary's fallen now and the Warrior is waiting for a new order," Naira pointed out. "It's about time for your victory strut up on Helios."


Zer0 shook his head when finally she spoke again. It had taken her a long while, silence reigning for so long. The Warrior had grown quiet, the destruction of Sanctuary seemingly finished. Zer0 wondered just what or who would be Jack's next target for the beast to tackle... Instead of being able to dwell on that, he peered down at Naeva.

"Does it ever though? / We have made many small strides / that weren't a lot then," he pointed out.

Even so they'd just been ill-equipped and prepared for this battle. With luck enough of the others still lived to fight back but he could not promise her this much. What he could do was to point out past victories that just seemed like wishful thinking back then. Perhaps this might give her something to draw strength from if not from him.

He would not push them onwards, however, until Naeva had a hold of herself again. It wouldn't be wise to now, when she was still so grief stricken at Sanctuary's fate. There would be too many mistakes to be made if he allowed that to happen...

It didn't take long to reach Helios, not with the technology at their disposal these days. Even Lilith had long been deposited inside the bunker, out of reach of anyone who could help her. Those that had once held the key to getting inside were either dead or the means lost to them now. The password was long since changed before the pair even reached Helios and the celebrations properly started.

Honestly, it was somewhat surprising just how quickly all of Helios seemed to take to the matter, ignoring their work in favor to join in Jack's play. No one seemed to want to pass up the chance for an extended break away from work without consequences. Hell, Naira wouldn't be surprised if Jack somehow managed to convince the board of directors to make this day a company holiday for years to come even.

Though Naira followed along at Jack's heels she didn't quite get as involved with the festivities. Loud noises like this weren't quite her style but she'd indulge for Jack's sake tonight. It wasn't hard to see she was dutifully keeping an eye on him, however, as the hours passed even if she at times took to sketching in the little beat up book she kept on her person more often than not. At least, she did when Jack stood still for longer than three minutes.

It was during one such occasion when he came to her side, a hand clapped over her shoulder quite suddenly. She jerked in surprise, a startled sound leaving her before she realized who it was.

"You scared the crap out of me!" she accused, pouting at him. It didn't seem to deter him as he held out the drink he had for her, promises for later being made as he did. Taking the proffered drink she leaned into his side briefly to say "If you pass out before that..."

Already he was slurring as it was.


The hours passed slowly, the quiet that followed unsettling to even Zer0. Nonetheless he eventually released Naeva from his grasp, moving to take up watch at the cavern entrance, hidden in shadow. Crouched down as he was, he would be a hard sight to catch. However even as he kept his gaze outward he still heard Naeva shifting, moving to curl up into herself he imagined.

So they remained like that, as the sky darkened when evening drew near. Hardly did they move, no word spoken from then on.

At least, that's how it had been. Finally, Zer0 rose to his feet, the dirt and gravel crunching beneath his feet as he moved to Naeva's side. She was in no better shape now then she'd been in earlier though he hadn't expected much improvement. It wouldn't be until they'd made strides against Handsome Jack again that he might see improvement from her at all.

That worried him, if he was honest, and he hated it.

"Naeva, can you walk?"

With no movement from the Warrior or from Hyperion ground forces they might be able to set out and find out where the others had gone, whether alive or dead now. If he had to then Zer0 would carry her on his back, rifle in hands to pick out threats from afar if able.

Drink in one hand, it wasn't too difficult to go tucking her sketchpad and pencil away in her coat again. The thing had plenty of pockets, inside and out. Jack was already promising her again that he wasn't about to go passing out too early though Naira wasn't sure how serious that oath should be taken. He was probably well on his way to getting plastered already anyways.

"Mmhmm, I'll hold you to that!" she said nonetheless, shooting Jack a half-serious look.

Already he was pulling her close to his side, a place she quite liked if she was entirely honest. He was warm and broad, and despite the things he did to those he deemed as bandits, well... Naira felt rather safe at his side, as strange as that could be to think about. That was, if she allowed herself to think about it.

A chuckle escaped her and she tossed him an amused look. "There's that ego again," she teased. "If you're the hero, what does that make me, hmm? The sidekick?"

At the mention of 'sidekick' she pulled a face, as if daring Jack to say that was what she was after all she'd done to stick through his side over the years. Still, he may say that just to push her buttons a little.


He'd crouched at her side while waiting for her to realize that he'd spoken. Was she even here with him, or lost entirely within herself? Several seconds ticked by in which Zer0 thought it might actually be the latter. If that was the case then what he could do to keep her safe would grow all the more limited.

He had enough time to wonder if he had to somehow carry her and defend the both of them before she'd finally spoken. Even so, Naeva hardly spoke a word, sounding worse for wear.

"We'll move somewhere else, / somewhere safer. We will move / quickly from here on," Zer0 informed her. Uncharacteristically of him, he held out a hand for her to take, to help her to her feet. Naeva certainly looked like she needed it.

It may have been a vain hope but Zer0 hoped all the same that she would be able to make due for at least a short while. There were all sorts of places in the Eridium Blight they could duck for cover in again if she needed it most.

Naira allowed herself a small laugh at Jack's rather truthful answer. While she waited, a short one nonetheless, for Jack's perhaps teasing rebuttal about her role in his little hero story, she instead opted to take another drink. It was something strong, though she wasn't entirely sure what it was. Whatever was mixed into it, well, someone really didn't quite know how the ratio was supposed to work, the burn of the alcohol a little strong!

Maybe it was the burn of the alcohol in her throat or maybe it was Jack's answer which caused the small coughing fit that followed. Naira liked to think it was both, her face feeling a little red. Was he even aware of just how that sounded?

Waving a hand dismissively she offered a sheepish grin to Jack when she spoke. "W-why, Jack! Someone might think you're actually proposing to me like that!"

And really, why wouldn't anyone if they overheard Jack? It wasn't like he was making an effort to be quiet about it, he never really did. It was an odd little topic to answer with though. Naira had been really sure he'd take to just teasing her and trying to get her goat a little for laughs. The change was a little surprising.


Zer0 cocked his head to one side, not missing the sullen drop in her voice. She was no longer sobbing yet this seemed worse somehow. Maybe it was because of the utter loss of spirit in her, the determination she'd had before that they would defeat Jack and his schemes now snuffed out entirely. Zer0 did not like it...

"We will seek for the / others. We have no time to / waste here anymore," he answered nonetheless. Anything he might say about her well-being, well, Zer0 didn't think it would help any.

He waited a moment longer to make sure that Naeva was ready to move, even if she looked ready to dive into the nearest comfortable spot and remain there for who knew how long. Zer0 sincerely hoped he would not have to fetch her from any such situation, worried that she might remain there in her depressive state despite what they might yet be able to achieve against Handsome Jack and the Warrior. Zer0 would not yet count this defeat a permanent one until all was yet lost to them entirely.

Finally, he started them off, the crunch of dirt beneath his feet sounding far louder than ever before. Perhaps even the wildlife, dangerous as they all were, had hidden themselves away in fear of the Warrior's rampage. Though he would have liked to have moved quicker, he kept his pace even for Naeva's sake. She was still sluggish, perhaps still lost in what was happening elsewhere and why that was. Zer0 went so far as to steal a peak at her from over his shoulder, an act that went unnoticed with the way her head hung like that.

He found himself at a loss for words for the first time.

Like so many times before, it did not take long for Jack to speak, wheels probably already turning in his head now. Naira listened despite the slur in his words, his arm still around her and keeping her close, warm even. She was sure her face was still red too, it feeling just a touch too warm. She was sure Jack's enthusiasm wasn't helping that either.

It was probably best that she was at least sober right now. Anyone could have picked up on the fact that Jack hadn't exactly been intending on proposing, probably hadn't even thought about it before now given his sudden latching onto that idea. Not so surprising, really, given Jack's lack of a way with words.

"Jack, you're drunk," Naira reminded. "Why don't you hold onto that thought until you're sober, hmm?"

At least then he'd have had some time to actually think that through. He'd been married once that she knew of, after all, and hadn't seemed intent on it again. Naira would rather not be thought of as a mistake later on if he regretted that. Nonetheless, she reached up on tip toes to give Jack a kiss before he could protest about that. Once he had his mind set on something he was rather relentless about it.

"If you ask me when you're sober then I'll answer, promise," she said afterwards.


They walked and walked and in all that time it was in silence though Zer0 was unsure if they made much progress in this darkness. Even the moon above seemed to do little to light their way, not with Helios in the way... Or perhaps that was all a misconception on their part down below today. There was much to be wary and fearsome about now after all, more so than usual.

Not a word was said and though Zer0 didn't usually mind it left him just as wary about Naeva's state of mind. Even a small comment or two would have been said by now on her part. What was he to do with this Naeva? He was not well-versed in how to deal with the emotions of others, much less how to help and to heal.

Finally, he stopped, almost sure that Naeva might bump right into him. Whether she did or not Zer0 would then turn, wasting no time to warn her before merely hoisting her up over his shoulder and then starting off at a much quicker pace. The sooner they found at least one of the others the sooner her mood might improve, hope returning to her. Zer0 would make sure of this one way or another.

Perhaps even this strange occurrence might draw a response from her, this behavior not normal for the assassin.

Naira shot Jack an amused look though a look nonetheless at his rebuttal. That wasn't a new thing to hear, a comment she'd heard before after all, and it didn't surprise her that he'd use it now. Nonetheless she wasn't going to budge. Jack could sometimes be rather impulsive, after all, and impulsive decisions could be regretted later.

She waited further as Jack carried on, already complaining about having to wait. Surely he knew the answer that one.

"Well, I'd rather know I'm not just some drunken impulse, y'know?" she commented rather teasingly. Even so, it carried a great grain of truth to it. "Besides, you have to focus on not passing out before the night is through!"

Finally, Jack agreed though not without a pout prevalent. It was kind of funny how rather childish Jack could be, though at other times it could be frustrating too. For now she took it all with a grain of salt, knowing he felt he well deserved the celebrations happening now. Jack wasn't going to let anything ruin his mood tonight, of that Naira was damn sure about.

She chuckled, nudging Jack's side playfully. "Oh, hush. If it's what you really want then you know the wait's more than worth it."


Zer0 huffed, not yet in the mood to deal with such lies. She wasn't fine, they both knew it, and though she could try denying it all she wanted Zer0 wasn't going to tolerate it. Doing that would only mean she would have an excuse to keep at it, to keep in this mood. They couldn't afford that. This mood left too much room for mistakes, deadly ones even.

"Shut your mouth right now. / You are not well. We both know / this. Don't lie to me," Zer0 answered simply. It was snappish, perhaps even a little cruel given the circumstances, but it might yet make her see reason. He'd learned long ago that she did not appreciate such behavior towards her after all.

Not all was lost, this was just the next big challenge to face. The sooner she was aware of that fact and that not all was lost the better. But helping her come to that conclusion was going to be difficult, he knew it. This was not the challenge he sought nor craved...

If she could not even be trusted to walk and to keep an eye out then he would do it for her. That alone might yet drive her to prove him wrong, a fact she'd once done before concerning her robotic skag. He had hopes it would be the same now.

Jack didn't argue much, thankfully. Sometimes he did, though other times he grew more relentless over time, extending his tactics to other avenues to get what he wanted. Nonetheless, it was a thankful time when he took things in relatively good grace for a time.

She blinked as Jack leaned closer, his voice a hush as his breath hit her neck. It was enough to tickle a little, and she squirmed in his hold, reaching up to playfully swat at him. She was sure some might be watching them, always curious to see what their hero and big boss was up to but for the moment it didn't matter much. Eyes would be on him all night, she was surer of that, due to his success in the Vault.

"J-Jack!" she scolded lightly. "That tickles! And haven't I asked you not to call me a bunny?"

It was a futile question to ask as she was already well aware of that answer. Jack seemed to favor calling her that whenever possible, after the creation of her HDD core, but even more so now than ever before. It was a little cute and endearing but having so many people know about it and potentially hear that pet name was a little embarrassing.


Seconds passed but eventually he was rewarded with a livelier reaction from her. Zer0 was relieved for that though way still; though it worked now, how long might it remain until she slipped back into the shell of her former self? If that happened then it was for naught.

Noticeably, he did not move to respect her wish this time. It might yet be the only thing keeping her from growing so sullen and worrying. Zer0 could not yet risk her hurting herself even if she was now making too much noise. Anything that might come for them in the night would make enough noise to draw attention here. Of that, Zer0 was certain.

"And if I do? Then / what, Naeva? Will you go back / to being a shell?" he accused simply.

It really was as simple as that. She'd become nothing in the hours that followed their retreat. Though she might feel guilt she could not let that consume her and become useless because of it lest it all be for nothing now. There was still a chance to win this challenge, she had to see that before Zer0 would even think of putting her back down.

Despite the scolding, Jack was hardly fazed, instead he seemed to brush aside entirely to tug her closer still. That much she didn't mind, a hand coming up to thread her fingers in his hair, however briefly. Eyes certainly had to be on them but when Jack was so focused on her like this it was easy to forget, even if just for a second or two. Or maybe that was just the influence of the drink already. Naira couldn't say for sure, nor did she try to think too hard about it.

"You're such a brat, Jackie," she retorted. "A compromise every once in awhile never hurts, you know."

It was a statement that would mean little to Jack. If nothing else, it had drove him forward all those years ago, even if the man he became now wasn't the one he'd meant to be back then. A sad thought, really, but one she'd dwell on later, like always. Jack would no doubt chase the thoughts away by any means he could if he noticed her expression fall during his celebrations right now.

Naira smiled up at Jack, leaning up to place a kiss at his jawline. A simple bit of affection but it would no doubt keep Jack reminded to not go passing out on her.


She was quiet for a long minute, maybe two. Zer0 did not mind this, using the opportunity to keep moving forward, his strides long and quick. The robotic skag would keep an eye out for him and if the Vault guardian neared they would hear it coming a mile away. He had no fear here. Even the beasts of this area seemed to have retreated for safety in the beast's wake as it was.

"You aren't, and so what? / Giving up now means nothing. / Continue to fight."

He would not lose Naeva if he could help it, even to herself. The Warrior was a challenge yes, but even he could not face it alone. If the others had succumbed to Hyperion forces or to the beast itself... Well, that was all the more reason to triumph then, wasn't it?

Naeva spoke again, sounding put off yet still marginally better than minutes before. Zer0 allowed an amused scoff to escape him. If that was what helped her to move onwards than so be it, he would be that driving force for her. It wasn't like she was the sort to lash out physically at those she cared about anyways. He'd found that out long ago, just like so much else about her.

"It is good for you." A teasing statement amidst the destruction and despair now, but perhaps it would help in some way.