Disclaimer: I do not own nor profit from the Halo franchise
-o-o-o-
Arbiter's log:
Staying with the humans is... strange, to say the least.
When they have finally allowed me to see their training activities, I can see similarities to our own. It is hard to go past the knowledge drilled in that they are a sub-species. I still point out the small peculiarities that make them weaker. Not as strong as our Sanghelli race.
But they do have courage.
Honor.
And most of all...
They have HIM.
Arbiter end log.
-0-o-o-
It would have been foolish to think the other wouldn't have noticed him, so Thel 'Vadum did not try too hard to hide as he watched the former Demon train.
He could tell the Master Chief attempted to ignore him for the few few minutes, but eventually just stopped running around the tracks to pointedly glare at him through the golden glow of his visor.
"Something I can help you with?" Master Chief asked gruffly.
Not intimidated at all as the armored warrior approached, the Arbiter merely stood toe to toe with him as he replied, "Just observing human ritual training."
The demon was taller than the rest, but still shorter than the Arbiter by about a foot in the human measuring system. It was strange, for one with such size to hold so much power about him.
"They gave you clearance for that?" The green armored man grunted, clearly unbothered by the height difference.
"Yes, I was recently permitted to observe such practices." Thel 'Vadum acquiesced, rumbling, "But if you prefer I observed elsewhere..."
"Do what you need to." Master Chief waved away the Sanghelli's obvious poke at any discomfort he might be the cause to. He was about to turn back to his training, when the Arbiter stopped him.
"If I may inquire... why do you still sport your battle arraignments?"
Master Chief didn't turn back around, but he did pause momentarily, "I like to be prepared."
Then he continued on with his training.
-o-o-o-
Master Chief's log:
I don't know why UNSC's so trusting. I understand the tactical advantage, but with the Elites there are just too many variables.
They are cunning. Unpredictable.
I believe it is a mistake to let our guard down around them.
The Arbiter has proven himself, during our battles against each other as well as side by side. I trust him more than the rest.
But something still unsettles me.
Something about the way he watches me. Trying to figure something out.
I don't understand.
No, Cortana, I'm not asking him.
No-I... I don't care if that's- no Cortana, this isn't the same thing.
Yes. But the battlefield is different, you can't just-
No. I am not asking him. That's *FINAL*.
Chief out.
-o-o-o-
Master Chief found himself watching the Elite back. The dark skinned warrior was... meditating?
Out of habit, Master Chief had approached from the cover of the trees and brush, their shadows sheltering him from the midday sun. He couldn't help noticing the even rise and fall of the Elite's chest, still broad across without his metallic armor. Making that brand on his chest that much more visible.
"It is a mark of shame." Thel 'Vadum rumbled, eye slightly opening to glance sideways in the Chief's shady corner. Should have known the Arbiter would have senses keener than a hawk's. he had fought next to the warrior for a year or two. Should've known that by now. But the Chief remained in the shade as the Arbiter continued, "For losing the ring to the humans and the Demon."
"I see..."
"I would not have you change a thing. My eyes had been deceived and blinded by the Prophets' Heresy for far too long. Had you not come along and disgraced me..."
Master Chief had never been one to know what to say in these kind of moments. So he merely blundered on, "Well, what's done is done. Good and bad. I never meant for... Ah..." He gestured towards the chest. For a mark that deeply etched into the skin, he could only imagine how long or painful the process must have been.
Arbiter shook his head, "It is as you said. What is done is done. Your fallen comrades... they fought and died well at the ends of our blades, though it was a foolish waste..."
Master Chief glanced skywards in remembrance, acknowledging, "Your people as well..."
They stood in honorary silence for a few moments more, when John was suddenly across the clearing next to the surprised Elite, still slouched in his crossed-legged seat on the grass.
Chief had the sudden urge, reaching out before he realized what he was doing, pausing to ask, "May I...?"
His fingertips were inches from the mark on Thel's chest.
The Arbiter, with a curious tilt of his head, merely nodded.
John didn't know why, or what had provoked him to do such an intimate request, but found his concentration honed as he traces the pattern on that well muscled chest. So intense was his concentration, he didn't notice Thel Vadum' had practically stopped breathing.
Those black gloved fingertips brought a fire the Elite did not realize existed, to ignite across his skin, trailing in the wake of those skilled hands. One digit more than his own, but touching his with a three tipped grace that belied the warrior's strength and ruthlessness.
The Chief's fingertips burned.
When his gold visor lifted slightly upward to meet that dark gaze, something surged through him. He realized both of them had not taken a breath. This was-
For all his skill and control, he could not make his hand leave the other's chest. He stood as if frozen.
The Arbiter himself was stock still. Mandibles gaping. The Chief was so close. But not close enough.
And it took all his strength not to drag the warrior down and pin him to the ground.
-o-o-o-
Arbiter's log:
You do NOT make such advances without preliminary forethought. The Demon did not make any such indications that he would like to proceed and move our relationship in such a way. To such a level as intimate as his touch would allow.
He retreated afterwards as I have never seen him retreat before. Not against opposing gunfire or against our large Sanghelli forces.
He has been avoiding me since that day.
But with the Forerunners as my witness, I *will* get an answer.
End log.
-o-o-o-
Master Chief avoided all the areas he had encountered the Elite.
He needed time to think.
Something had happened at that clearing. Some boundary had been crossed.
Who knew touching the Arbiter would have such electricity running through him. It was unheard of.
And the way the slack-jawed Elite had looked at him...
Even now it made hair raising shivers run down the Chief's spine.
-::You can't keep avoiding him, you know...::-
"Cortana, this UNSC'S base networks through the entire colony of this planet. I am highly trained in covert ops and have pulled off hundreds of successful missions. I *can* avoid him." Master Chief deadpanned.
-::Chief,::- The AI started to berate, -::that doesn't mean you should-::-
"Sorry Cortana, time for your routine exam." Chief interrupted, detaching her chip and hastily plugging it into the table side console. Her blue image suddenly appeared, none-too-happy with arms crossed and foot tapping as he quickly departed, "See you in a day or two."
-::Chief, he excelled in covert ops too, ya know.::- Cortana sighed in frustration as the door slid shut behind him, definitely not paying attention to her warning.
Master Chief, on the other hand, was busy walking quickly through the corridors, head down but attention everywhere at once.
He was scheduled to leave the planet on a mission in another three days.
All he had to do was avoid the other for just a little bit longer-
Shit!
Chief quickly ducked into a connecting hallway, startling a few marines in the process. He nodded in response to their salutes, watching them go on their way before peeking around the bend.
It was just as he feared.
The gleam of the metallic armor, the towering build of that particular Elite.
The Arbiter.
How had he found him?