John didn’t want the moment to end, but forced himself to stretch. He yawned a little, but opened his eyes finally and stared at Halo lazily, “I suppose we do. I’m sure Brennan will come back in here to nag eventually.” Carter snaked his arms up to Halo’s strong shoulders, pulling himself up to stand.
Halo chuckles, kissing his forehead. He loved John so much. It was a shame they'd have to end this moment. He smiles at the other, nuzzling into his shoulder once John was standing. "Do you want to go and say goodbye, or just leave?" He asks softly, kissing John's shoulder.
“I said goodbye to Brennan while you were asleep, and I think most people would try to stop us if they found out we were leaving,” John told him softly, “It’d probably be best if we just left,” His toes curled when Halo kissed his shoulder, that little warm feeling inside his chest brightening.
Halo nods and smiles a little at John. "Alright." He mutters. He was beyond happy that they could finally leave the camp. There were to many painful memories. He kisses John lovingly before gently pulling away. "Let's get going then. I'll need to pack a few things, and then we can go, okay baby?" He asks gently.
I love it when he kisses me like that… “Alright,” John gave him a happy smile. He gave his own body a quick sweep over with his eyes, making sure the cuts weren’t festered or reopening. Halo had taken good care of him… “Do you need any help packing anything?”
Halo chuckles softly, running his thumb along his lovers cheek, before shaking his head. "Nope. I don't really need help packing. Just some clothes, food, and herbs." He shrugs and smiles at the other. He loved John dearly. "Just rest before we take off, alright?" He says gently, kissing his cheek before starting to grab some of the things that they would need.
John smiled at the kiss, adoring everything about Halo. Just as John was about too flop back onto the bed happily, he stopped himself and instead said, “I’ll be right back, I need to get something,” He told Halo, then started heading for a tent flap, “I’ll only be gone a minute.”
Halo looks at John and hesitated. The last time he had left John alone… Guilt washed over him as he looked at John's wrapped wing. "If you'd like, I can come with you?" He offers, messing with his fingers as he gazes at the other with a look of concern.
John tilted his head, sighed, but gave Halo a reassuring smile, “I’ll be fine this time. I won’t be long, I just have to grab something from my tent. You should pack.” Besides, John didn’t want Halo to know what he was getting just yet, he wanted it to be a good surprise. He gave Halo another reassuring smile, repeating, “I’ll be fine.”
Halo nods and takes a deep breath. "Don't be to long, okay love?" He asks gently. He returns to packing, but his hands shook dangerously as he does so. He didn't want an incident like the last time they had parted.
John slipped out the tent flap, not noticing Halo’s shaking hands, sneaking behind the tents as to avoid people. Most of the camp was preoccupied, it seemed. John couldn’t hold in his smile as he entered his tent, going directly to his dresser. Most of his things had been packed up for him, but no one had known about the secret compartment he had issued for important document and things. He opened it, revealing a few miscellaneous items. A letter from his father, his first pocket knife, a few papers… John found what he needed. He smiled and tucked the item hidden in his pocket. He took his father’s letter too, then stood and started heading back to the medical tent.
Halo had finished packing and was currently going over his herbs and medical stuff he would need. He hums in thought before tapping his lip and placing a few blankets in the bag. He takes a deep breath before looking up when he hears footsteps outside the tent.
John entered slipped back into the tent, giving a reassuring smile to Halo, “I’m back, see, told you I wouldn’t be gone long.” He walked up to Halo, intertwining their hands as he looked at the bag and its contents, “How much more do you need to pack?”
Halo smiles and meets John halfway, giving him a sweet kiss. "Doesn't mean I can't be concerned." He replies, smiling a little at the other, gladly entwining his fingers with John's. He returns his gaze to the bag and shakes his head. "That's pretty much it. Need anything else, baby?" He asks, leaning against his lovers chest.
“I think I’m all set,” John replied, soaking up Halo’s warmth. He fingered the item in his pocket, but kept it hidden. “I’m ready… to go.” I’m going to leave this all behind… John tried to keep the tiny nervousness inside of him at bay, focusing on Halo instead.
Halo smiles a little and nods, kissing John's cheek gently. He nuzzles into John for a moment before walking towards his bag and zipping it up. "You're going to have to hold this on your back while we fly." He says gently, smiling warmly at his lover. He was ready to start a new chapter in his book, turn over a new leaf. This time, he wouldn't be alone. He would be with John.
“Alright,” John took the bag, maneuvering it so it wouldn’t be sitting uncomfortably with his wings. He smiled at Halo, taking a deep breath. “I’m ready,” John said, as if to reassure himself. He curled his wings tightly to his back, looking into his lover’s eyes for extra reassurance.
Halo nods and smiles, kissing John softly as assurance that everything would be okay. He takes John's hand before turning around and spreading his wings so John could sit on his back. Once they were settled, and a powerful gust of wind from his strong stroke of wings, they zoomed out of the tent and into the sky.
John kissed him back, trying to not get too nervous. John situated himself securely around Halo, wrapping his legs around the other and holding on tightly with his arms. As soon as they were off the ground, a tiny fear gripped John and he immediately tightened his grip around Halo’s strong form. Safe. I’m safe. Halo wouldn’t drop me. John dared at glance back towards the camp, where soldiers looked up at the sudden commotion. John tensed at the height, quickly shoving his head into the back of Halo’s shoulder so he wouldn’t have to see how high they were going to get. He typically wasn’t afraid of heights, but that was when he was in a secure helicopter or plane, or had some harness that would keep him from falling
Halo smiles a little once he was in the air. This was the one place he actually felt free. He felt John's grip tighten on him and he smiles faintly. "Shhh. It's okay. You're safe." He mumbles, slowing down a little so John wouldn't feel as freaked out. "I'm not going to drop you, baby. I promise." He calls.
John slowly got control of his racing pulse, unable to find his voice so he instead hummed in recognition, “Mmmmmhhhmm.” He balled his hand into Halo’s shirt, but kept his eyes clamped shut. I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe. John managed to get a hold of himself and finally say, “Alright. Alright. I trust you.”
Halo chuckles softly, continuing to flap his powerful wings. After a little while longer, about an hour or so, he slowly begins to descend, humming quietly as he does so.
John stayed clamped onto Halo, but dared look when he felt them begin to descend. “This is it?” He asked, a small relief washing over him, but his grip around Halo didn’t loosen an inch.
"Yeah." Halo replied softly, smiling up at John. They land and he allows John off his back, smiling softly.
John found his footing, but didn’t move from Halo’s side, “I can’t believe it…” He murmured quietly, smiling at Halo. John pulled his angel closer, kissing him. We’re safe. We’re here, together. “I’m never going to leave your side, Halo.”
Halo smiles at the other before melting into the kiss. He held onto John, smiling softly. He could finally breathe again. "I'll never leave your side either, John." He whispers, looking up at the other with adoration and love. He couldn't believe that they were finally safe.
“Halo…” John glanced away, but then looked into his angel’s perfect eyes, “You mean everything to me.” Tiny butterflies fluttered in his stomach, and he took Halo’s hands in his, “I- I didn’t even know I liked guys until I met you.” John took a deep breath, “And- And you saved my life countless times. Your my world, my life, my love.”
Halo smiles a little and looks at John with a loving gaze. "And I never experienced true happiness until I was with you, John." He whispers softly.
John slowly reached into his pockets, holding his breath. He took the item out and then got on one knee with shaky hands. He held out his late grandfather’s ring, something his father sent him on request, and looked Halo directly in the eyes as he spoke, “Halo, you’re the stars in my night sky, the sunrise after a battle, the water to my drought. Will you marry me?” John didn’t care if it was too fast, he didn’t care what anyone else thought. The only thing that mattered to him was how Halo would respond.
Halo starts in surprise, seeing John kneel, holding the ring. His eyes watered before he nodded, crying into his hand, offering his left hand. Once the ring was on his finger he hugged John, whispering yes over and over again.