“Really?” John grinned, a sparkle in his eyes and he shifted both of his wings, stretching the one that had just healed, “It took long enough,” He smiled, hugging Halo back excitedly. “I can’t believe it… I’m really going to be flying… Just in time too, before winter sweeps in.” The air had steadily become colder the past few weeks, but thank goodness John could learn to fly before the winter snowstorms came in.
Halo nods and giggles softly. "Come on. I'll teach you." He says happily, taking John's hands in his. He was so happy. So excited. He kisses John sweetly and softly, his wings curling around them. It was getting cold, but no matter. He was just glad John had been able to fully recover.
John smiled happily, kissing Halo back. He could barely contain his excitement, both his wings brushing against Halo’s. He was ready, he was so ready to fly with Halo. The past few weeks had been holding him at the edge of his seat, and thank goodness his wing was finally healed after all this time. “Come on, let’s go,” John tugged on his love’s arm towards the door. I’ll actually be flying…
Halo laughs gently. "Okay. Okay! I'm coming. Calmed down." He gently leads John outside and tests the winds. "Not to bad. Okay. Let's start with the basics." He chuckles. "Spread your wings."
John smiled, stretching his wings out. He could feel the pockets of wind gently pushing against him, just a small breeze. It was nice to be able to spread his newly healed wing, instead of leaving it all cramped up.
Halo smiles and nods. "Good. Now give it a little flap." He says happily. "Keep going."
John moved his wings, catching on the air and pushing against it. He felt a little lighter, flapping his wings and feeling even lighter. One more flap and his feet lifted off the ground, at that point getting too nervous and stumbling back to the ground, barely catching himself, “Woah!”
Halo smiles, clapping excitedly. "that's amazing! Good for your first time." He giggles excitedly. "It's okay. I've got you. Don't be afraid." Halo offers his hands.
John took a deep breath, blushing a little at his nervousness, and clapped his wings again. And again. And again. And when his feet lifted off the ground this time, he didn’t give into the small fear, and flapped harder. Next thing he knew the wing was doing most of the work, lifting himself into the sky.
Halo flew under him smiling as he does so. He beams proudly. "That's it! You're doing it! You've got it!" he squeals, smiling.
“I’m doing it!” John smiled, leveling out and soaring in the brisk wind. I’m flying, gosh I’m really flying! He beamed from ear to ear, flapping his wings to go a bit higher.
Halo flies beside him. "This is great. You're doing so well!" He smiles gently. "I've got you. You're doing so well!" he laughs.
John smiled looking over at Halo. A few rain drop started to splatter down, but it was barely anything so he hardly cared. John didn’t notice the darkening sky, rather he was too focused on being able to fly for the first time.
Halo smiles and looks at the clouds. He frowns a little. "That's not good…" He shakes his head and takes a deep breath.
“Hmmm?” John raises an eyebrow, carefully gliding a little bit closer to Halo, “What’s up?”
Halos eyes narrow. "I don't like the look of those storms…" He takes a deep breath and sighs quietly.
John squinted at the horizon, suddenly aware of the sky changing to a dark color, tinted with green. “Oh…” He furrowed his brow, the rain coming down a bit more. “We’ll be fine, right?”
Halo shakes his head. "I don't know. But we can continue this later love. I've got you. But we need to get back." He says gently.
John’s breath caught for a second, but he forced himself to keep breathing. His heart rate was picking up, and he clenched and unclenched his fists to keep himself from shaking. We’ll be alright, we’ll be alright- He angled his wings downward as the wind started picking up, trying to keep his panic under control. Not now, I need to focus, just not now.
Halo grabs John's hand, his wings spreading out to their fullest length. He growls lowly, wishing the storm would go away. He carefully leads John down, his hair blowing frantically.
A strong gust caught John off guard, the only thing keeping him steady was Halo. The rain started to come down heavier, John hair already getting soaked. Just get to the ground, keep breathing, not now, please- “H-Halo!” John tightened his grip on Halo’s hand, trying to just breathe.
Halo was soaked to the bone. He gasps sharply, shivering at the cold seeping into the marrows of his bones. He had to get John to safe ground and get them both in the cabin. He brought John to his chest as he flies down. "Shut your wings. I'll carry you." He says, trying to stay in the air.
John closed his wings tight, pressing his face into Halo’s chest and shivering- not from the cold, but from fear. No, no, please, no, no- The wind howled around him, and a roar of thunder came from the sky. John shook more, trying to tell himself that they were safe, that they were okay.
Halo lands and pulls John into the house. He takes a gentle hand, cold and soaked with rain. He looks at John. "Baby? Are you okay?"
“Nononononono,” John pressed himself against Halo again, his body shaking, “Halo I’m scared.” It wasn’t like him to be afraid of a simple thunder storm, in fact he used to play out in the rain throughout childhood and survived through worse conditions during many campaigns, but… panic and fear still held him in a vice grip nonetheless.
Halo hushes his lover, kissing his forehead. "Sh. I've got you. Sh…." He says quietly.
Another boom over thunder sounded, making John cling to Halo. “H-Halo, Halo, p-please, please,” He shuddered, hearing the final words of his comrades over and over again like they were on repeat. Captain, Captain— J-John, tell my family— Hold the right flank— John, watch my back— John let out a shaking breath, trying to discern reality from memories at this point. Was it rain on his clothes, or blood? Was it the howling wind outside, or the sound of an incoming army?
Halo held onto John like there was no tomorrow. I've got you. Hush now. Easy does it." He whispers. He hums a soft lullaby, kissing his cheeks. "I've got you. There's no need to be scared." He whispers softly and shakes his head and takes a deep breath. He starts to sing softly, his voice soft and assuring.
John took a few deep breaths, trying to steady himself. He hung onto every sound coming from Halo’s mouth, his voice like an anchor. He reeled himself back in -too darn slowly- and his pulse finally returned to normal and his breathing became steady again. John looked up at Halo with hollow eyes, waiting for his love to ask something, to say something about what just happened.
Halo looks at John gently, brushing some wet hair from his face. "Love… we need to talk about your flashes… You're getting more and more of these…" he whispers, kissing John affectionately as he walks them into the cabin and places a blanket around him.