“I don’t want you to get hurt, Halo,” John whispered, but leaning in more to press his face into Halo’s neck. He just wished he could freeze time for them, that they would both be safe. That they could just go back to the cabin and live happily ever after. But that only happened on Disney Channel, and this was real life.
John murmured sadly into Halo’s neck, “I don’t know how to function if I can’t protect you.” Because John’s life was centered around that one word- protect. He always protected his comrades, his people. And now he found something he couldn’t give up. Halo. And when he couldn’t protect the other… It ripped away John’s basis.
Halo gently holds the ther, his eyes filled with concern. He loved John so much. He wanted to be there for the other and he wanted to be a source of comfort. He holds John with a protective grasp, fear grasping at his chest, He wanted to keep John safe. That was his job. He wanted to take John away, take them somewhere safe, to just hide him and heal him. He didn't want this pain. it was to much. "B-but… John… they'll see you as a traitor if you withhold information." he says quietly, holding John. "A-and that's punishable by death." He whispers. "Y-you're a hero… I-I'm a demon… at least in their eyes." He whispers, holding the other gently, sighing softly. "It's inevitable, J-john… I'll end up hurting you if I…" He breaks down, "I can't lose you, John… they can't kill me… but they can kill you if you withhold information." He whispers.
“I don’t care, Halo. I want to withhold information if it means you won’t get hurt. If you can’t ever die… It doesn’t mean you can’t feel pain,” John held on tightly to Halo, newfound sense coming in since he calmed down. He wrapped his arms around the other and whispered softly, “Let’s go. Let’s get out. We’ll both be safer that way.”
Halo looks up, his eyes widening. "You mean… Run away?" He whispers, his eyes going wide. He smiles softly and nods. He hugs onto John, sniffing softly. "Yes." He whispered.
John closed his eyes as gave a gentle comforting squeeze as he hugged Halo back. They would be together, John would protect him that way. He made a small laugh, “Yes, yes, yes, Halo, I love you. I’m not letting you go alone.” John pulled back with a smile, trailed his hands to Halo’s handsome face.
Halo holds onto John, hugging him back and smiling as he laughing softly. "Yes. Definitely. Yes." He whispers, his voice trembling. He would be with John. They would be safe and he wouldn't have anything to fear anymore. "I love you too." He whispered, smiling up at John, leaning into his touch. He was so happy.
John kissed Halo on his forehead. He could be strong, as long as he was with Halo. That breakdown was a one time thing, John promised himself. He slowly stood, helping Halo up as well, “Let’s go find somewhere safe.”
Halo smiles as his forehead is kisses, his eyes fluttering shut for a few seconds. Halo loved John, and he would do anything to keep John from getting hurt. Halo stands, testing his ankle. He was fine. "Yes." He hugs the other, letting out a soft sigh before kissing him gently.
He adored the hug, leaning into it before forcing And John wrapped his hand around Halo’s, walking at a noticeably slower and more careful pace than before. He glanced at Halo, “You lived in these woods your whole life, right? Do you know anywhere safe we can go?”
Halo thinks for a moment then snaps his fingers, "Yes. There's a hidden crystal cave not far from here. I found it by total accident. It's a very safe places, in fact I could use some crystals to hide us from view." He says, smiling at the other. He takes a tentative step on his foot before starting to walk slowly, weaving his way through the trees.
“Crystal cave?” Wow… “Alright, you lead the way.” John glanced at Halo’s foot at they walked on, “Do you think it’ll be okay until we get out of view?” John wrapped an arm around the other’s waist with a small smile. Safe.
Halo nods, smiling a little bit. He beams up at the other. "It's breathtakingly beautiful. It's got a spring, so we'll have fresh water, and the area around it has a lot of wildlife and herbs." He looks down at his ankle. "I'll be okay for now." He shrugs and smiles when John wraps an arm around his waist.
John and Halo walked through the woods, John letting the latter take the lead. It wasn’t long before they got into a denser part of the woods. John looked at Halo hesitantly, a silent question if this was the place. We’ll be safe here, Halo will be safe here, John reminded himself again. There wouldn’t be anymore war or bloodshed.
Halo smiles at the thickening forest. He knew they were almost there. He gently takes John's hand. "We're almost there." He mutters looking up at John excitedly. He looks around and smiles. "There." He whispers, walking towards a wall of vines. It looked like rock was behind the vines but he pushed them away, revealing a mouth to a cave.
John made a small gasp, walking forward as if in a trance. It was beautiful. Before he knew it, he was inside looking around at their new safe place, if at least for a few days. Once the awe had finally finished washing I’ve him, his eyes went straight to Halo’s ankle and said quietly- shamefully -“Let me look at that.”
Halo smiles as the other walks towards the cave. He enters himself, looking around. "The crystals are further in, along with the spring." He says cheerfully. He looks at John when he spoke. "I'm okay John." He says, smiling a little. "I'll be okay." He limps over to John giving him a sweet kiss.
John closed his eyes at the kiss, yet was still worried about Halo’s limp. He took the other’s arm and wrapped it over his shoulders, making himself a crutch, “As soon as we get to those crystals, I still want to look at it.” He gave a gentle squeeze to Halo’s soft hand.
He smiles a little as he pulls away. He leans against John happily, humming softly as he does so. He looks up at John, glad about how caring the other was. He nods slowly, "Alright." He says gently, leaning on John happily. He was happy that he got to be with John.
John helped Halo walk further into the immense darkness of the cave. But just as John thought it would be pitch black, a small shimmering light appeared up ahead. Then another one, and another. Little crystals, all reflecting and enhancing the light, slowly started to cover the walls around them as the progressed. John smiled at Halo, halting when they were so deep in the cave, “This is a beautiful place. It’s perfect.” Everything about Halo was perfect. John leaned to peck Halo on the cheek.
Halo smiles when he sees the crystals, giggling softly. He looks at John, "Beautiful, huh?" He says. He hears a faint trickling and he smiles, "We're almost there!" He smiles, "C'mon! Quick!" He lets go of John and limps towards the sounds, smiling when he reaches the glimmering pool of fresh, clean, and cool water.
John gasped in awe at the shimmering pool, stopping just before the edge of the water and crouching down, running his hand in the silky water, “Wow…” He was as if in a trance, staring at the smooth water. “Halo, this is amazing…”
Halo nods, smiling a little. "It's beautiful huh?" He chuckles, "The waters are believed to have healing properties. I've never tried myself, but I've always been curious." He sits beside John and smiles warmly at the other. "I've always enjoyed coming in here when it got lonely."
“I’m here now,” John replied with a smile before wrapping one arm around Halo. He used his free hand to take off his shoes and roll up his pant leg before sticking his feet in the water. He glanced at Halo’s ankle, “You should test out those healing properties. I want to look at your ankle, make sure it’s not too bad.”
Halo smiles a little and scooches closer to John. He looks at the water then slowly rolls up his pant leg. His ankle was swollen, most likely just a sprain. He lets his foot dip into the water, sighing as the cool liquid hits his aching skin.
John ghosted his hands over the other’s ankle with a frown. If the swelling doesn’t go down… “Halo, I’m so sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have been so panicked.” This is my fault, I hurt Halo. “I’m really, really sorry.”
