The After Kingdom: UnOrdinary (Arlo x John)

Chapter 12

The morning after John was attacked, Arlo called early in the morning to inform them that he would be taking a leave for the day due to an emergency.

Although Arlo's plan was to bring John to the hospital after the rain stops, Elaine convinced him to atleast wait until John wakes up to test his ability, telling Arlo that there seemed to be something strange about John's body. For the time being, they wrapped his remaining wounds with bandages, laying him gently on the bed.

Arlo looked after him the whole night, afraid that John might stop breathing if the blond fell asleep.

When John finally opened his eyes, Arlo couldn't help but be relieved. The dark haired man stared at him for awhile, not saying any word, until Arlo spoke.

"John... Who did this to you?" he asked him.

"My... m-m..."

John tried sitting on top of the bed, wincing in pain due to his wounds. Arlo assisted him, placing his hand on John's back and pulling his arm.

"What happened?" Arlo cuffed his cheeks

The dark haired man opened his mouth, and bit his lips, looking away from Arlo. The blond thought that he looked broken, and Arlo wish he'd tell him everything.

"She said she loathed me, but now she wanted me back." John said.

"Who is 'She'?"

John ignored his question.

"She set me up, sending one of her man to get ahold of me..."

"He slept with me, and they attacked me when I was defenseless-- she just watched, and--"

His hands were starting to tremble, and Arlo noticed that John looked terrified, he wanted to know what happened, but he didn't know if he should let John continue.

"John?"

"She told me she wanted me back-- she told me me that she'll kill my father and--"

"Enough, John." Arlo pulled him in a gentle hug, afraid that he might hurt him.

John burried his face on Arlo's chest, and he continued to tremble. He wasn't making any sound, but Arlo knew that John was crying. Arlo still didn't know what happened, but he'll ask John when he was ready.

Elaine walked in them in that position, making her more than surprised. John was finally awake, Arlo was hugging him as he stroked John's hair, he seemed to be crying on Arlo's chest. It was a sight she wasn't expecting to see.

What should she do, should she greet them? She might interrupt...

Luckily, Arlo noticed her first.

"Elaine."

"G-good Morning Arlo!" she greeted him.

John pulled away from Arlo's embrace, wiping both of his eyes using the back of his wrist.

"Good Morning J-john!" Elaine smiled awkwardly at John, in which John replied with a blink.

Arlo stood up, walking towards Elaine who was standing at his room's door.

"Look after John for now, and try to heal him again. If possible, check if he can activate his ability. I'll just prepare something to eat." the blond said, leaving after he spoke.

Elaine noticed that John was staring at her with a curious expression on his eyes, and Elaine suddenly felt nervous.

John used to be always mad before, but he looked like he've changed a little. Would he yell at Elaine if she attempted a conversation? How would she even approach him? Maybe, she should compliment him?