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A small distance away from Sinestro, leaves were rustling and there was the occasional snap of a branch being trodden on. If Hal was trying to be subtle, he was not succeeding. Even a half deaf person might've heard his approach.
With a sigh, Sinestro turned to face the spot where Hal was fairly obviously hiding and set his hands on his hips. There was indeed a glow of green light coming from behind that section of trees. "Did I not tell you to remain on Earth?" Sinestro reminded that glow, tone mildly irritated. Sometimes Hal could be absolutely impossible.
The sound of Hal pushing through the forest stopped. Only the slight whisper of wind could be heard. Then footsteps were crunching against the ground much louder than before and Hal emerged from the trees. No doubt he'd realised just how pointless hiding was.
A brief examination of the human Lantern's appearance led Sinestro to believe he was in fact still sick. The skin on Hal's face was unusually pale, almost matching the clouds he so enjoyed to fly through, and only the occasional unnatural flush of red broke through that colour. It was foolish of Hal to be ignoring the state he was in just to follow Sinestro out here.
When Hal spoke, his voice sounded slightly different than usual as though blurred by the viral infection. "I'm claiming temporary hearing loss," was what he said, "owing to being all clogged up." He indicated vaguely to his face.
From where Sinestro was standing, it wasn't actually possible to see if Hal's ears were indeed blocked. It didn't matter anyway. He already knew Hal was lying. Just moments before, Hal had heard and understood his question perfectly.
As though to emphasise the point that he was most definitely sick and could not be trusted to hear anything, Hal sneezed. Then he sneezed again. Tiny flecks of… something were abruptly expelled from his nostrils each time and travelled a considerable distance. It was frankly absolutely disgusting.
Quickly, Sinestro stepped back out of range of the flying germs. "Hear me now, Jordan," he warned, voice low. "Go back to Earth. Or perhaps to Oa. Whichever suits you. Here, you will only be a hindrance."
Hal's face fell. He looked totally crushed and still so very ill that Thaal couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Annoyed with himself, he shook his head and turned away. It was for the best that Hal left.
"No, wait!" Unexpectedly, Hal threw himself forward and latched onto Sinestro's arm in a desperate attempt to stop him from leaving. His body temperature was feverish and the heat could be felt even through the material between them.
Despite himself, Sinestro paused, ready to listen, and Hal took the opportunity to say, "I won't cause you any trouble, I promise." It was heartfelt and sincere. "I'll do anything you want. Except leave. Don't make me do that. Please, Sin." Hal's desperation was obvious, making it next to impossible to refuse. "Being here with you - it's making me feel better already."
That last statement wasn't something Sinestro could be so sure on. If Hal called this state he was in 'feeling better' then it was very hard to imagine how he'd felt on Earth.
The words to deny Hal stuck in Sinestro's throat and he couldn't say them. Besides, he told himself, he couldn't doom Hal to feeling worse. And it wasn't like Hal could come to any harm here with Sinestro around. The mission wasn't particularly dangerous either.
A tired sigh vanished the words of denial like they'd never existed. "Very well," Sinestro agreed before gently prying Hal's fingers from his arm. "You may stay."
Triumphant enthusiasm lit up Hal's features and he looked to be seconds from leaping into the air with excitement. Perhaps being here with Sinestro really was helping him to feel better and Thaal was suddenly quite glad of the choice he'd made. Still, there was one condition he wanted Hal to agree to and held up a finger to forestall him.
The smile on Hal's lips faded a little and he watched Sinestro with a hint of wariness. "If," Sinestro said sternly, "you get any worse, I reserve the right to change my mind and you will be leaving. Do you understand me?"
There was no better deal Hal would be getting and he seemed to realise as much, nodding his head quickly. His happiness came back then, the pleased grin making itself comfortable once more on his face.
In response, Sinestro's own lips quirked up. Hal's mood was always infectious. "Excellent. Shall we?" With Hal now accompanying him, Sinestro moved off.
The occasional loud sniffle came from Hal as he sought to deal with the effects of his illness. He really should have been tucked away somewhere to recover, not out here in the cold. If Sinestro had insisted on it, however, he was fully aware Hal would have found some other way to go wandering off. At least this way, Thaal could ensure Hal's safety in person.
It wasn't too long before Hal started to speak, going on and on about whatever subject happened to capture his interest. His lack of a clear and unblemished voice didn't seem to bother him.
Listening to the raspy, fogged up sound was a little strange but Thaal quickly grew used to it. After all, it was only a little side effect of Hal's illness which was, as Hal was constantly assuring him unprompted, nothing serious. Hal was doing his best to make sure Sinestro didn't decide to send him away.
To have Hal back with him was appreciated. Thaal could admit that. It had been far too quiet without the energetic rookie of a Green Lantern around. Not that Thaal minded the quiet. In fact, it was what he preferred. He'd just grown so used to Hal over time and to live without his chattering was disquieting, even if for only a few hours.
"- and I landed safely on the ground, despite everyone completely losing it," Hal was saying, back to his favourite subject - flying vehicles. And not just any flying vehicles, as Sinestro had come to understand. The highly explosive kind. "I don't get what the big deal was, I - ow!"
Startled by Hal's cry, Sinestro whipped around only to see Hal had tripped over some vines. Far from the dangerous enemy he'd imagined. "How even…? Get off!" Hal was tangled up in the vines, it seemed, and was trying valiantly to fight them.
Finally, apparently frustrated beyond belief, Hal crouched and began to tug at the vines with an aggressive grip. He ripped out a handful from the roots, heaving with all his might, and nearly fell over backwards.
Before the situation could escalate any further, Sinestro stepped in. "That's enough." He dropped to one knee and caught Hal's hands with his own. "You must respect the plant life, Jordan. It cannot be blamed for your clumsy feet."
As Thaal began to carefully untangle the vines, Hal just snorted with amusement. "Respect the plant life?" It was a highly skeptical question. "Yeah, OK. Whatever you say, Sin. Guess I should've learned my lesson when I tried to mow carnivorous grass while hanging out with Tomar-Re. It tried to eat me!" Hal sounded affronted.
A slight smile curved at the corner of Sinestro's lips in response to the story. It was so very Hal. "How shocking," Sinestro quipped. "Who would've thought carnivorous grass would try to eat someone? It hardly seems likely."
Sometimes, Thaal really did have to wonder what went on inside Hal's head. How could it be so hard for Hal to miss such an obvious connection?
"I don't know about that," Hal mused, apparently thinking more deeply on Sinestro's words than was entirely necessary. "Maybe I should've been expecting it." He shrugged and fell silent.
In the quiet, Sinestro continued to untangle the vines. Only a light rustle could be heard and he knew Hal was watching him. The stare bore into the back of his head until Hal finally murmured, "He's not like you."
There was something completely different to the tone and Thaal picked up on it, glancing at Hal with one eyebrow raised in question. The expression brought a smile to Hal's face before he tilted his head back and stared up at the stars instead. "Tomar, I mean," Hal elaborated. "Well, no one's like you. That'd be impossible. Still, I..."
As Hal trailed off, he yawned with his eyelids fluttering shut. He wobbled and nearly lost his balance once more although this time there was no apparent reason. Apart from the effects of his illness getting worse.
With ease, Sinestro steadied Hal then pulled away the rest of the vines. He stood and instructed a quiet Hal, "Up. I told you I would not allow this to continue if you worsened. Would you deny me?" One of his hands was offered out to Hal. He was prepared to help Hal in any way he could, even if it meant chaining him to a bed. Better angry than dead.
"I'm fine," Hal protested. Ignoring the offered hand, he staggered to his feet without aid. "Maybe a little tired, but -" That was when he sneezed, completely destroying his own argument and he looked very frustrated with his own body. Desperate eyes turned on Sinestro. "Please -"
Hal's pleading might have worked before but this time, Thaal refused to be bargained with. He'd tried Hal's way. It had failed. Now, Hal would have to listen to him.
"No, Jordan," Sinestro insisted before Hal could properly begin. In a look of absolute authority, his chin was lifted and his arms were crossed. "You will return to Earth or Oa, whichever you -"
There was a sound, though it was very slight, in the trees behind Sinestro. He whipped around, drawing his ring up to be in line with his shoulder. At his side, Hal created a construct light, illuminating everything around them. Nothing but trees were visible. It did not lower Sinestro's guard and he called out, "Show yourself!"
For once, Hal acted sensibly, had to know this could turn serious very quickly. He remained quiet with only the steady light of his construct indicating his presence. Then he sneezed. Sinestro cursed inwardly. This was why Hal should not be here.
A bird flew out of the trees with a great flapping of wings and a loud screeching sound. No doubt it was that which had made the noise and Sinestro allowed his muscles to ease somewhat. The threat was gone.
"Paranoid," Hal muttered and Sinestro rounded on him, ready to return to their argument with more fierceness than ever. The bright green light around them flickered and died. Hal hit the ground with a thud. "Whoa, dizzy. In hindsight, construct - very bad idea. Think I need a lie down."
And Hal did in fact, lie down, curled up on the cold forest ground. Sinestro sighed and bent to pick him up. There was very little reaction. Hal was exhausted and Thaal could only blame himself for letting this happen.
No more arguments came from Hal so there was no more dallying about what to do. Thaal made and executed the decision to take Hal to Oa. Not once did Hal stir throughout the flight or when he was settled into a bed. He seemed quite dead to the world. Only when Sinestro made to leave his side did Hal give any reaction.
Miraculously, in an instant, Hal regained awareness just so he could cling onto Sinestro's arm like it was some kind of lifeline. Without his ring on his finger, it was Hal's brown eyes that implored Sinestro.
That Hal was only more ill now was very clear. The whites of his eyes were reddened, either with an irritation or lack of sleep. Sweat plastered his hair to his forehead and his lips were parted slightly as he used his mouth to breathe and not his nose.
Even as sick and weak as he was, Hal still managed to pull Sinestro closer until Sinestro was uncomfortably bent over him. "Don't be angry with me," Hal murmured, words slurred together. "I only wanted -"
"I'm not angry," Sinestro was quick to say, almost offended. Hal's fingers were digging into his arm and, though Sinestro tried to loosen the grip, they would not budge. "I should have brought you back here sooner, Hal." A sigh accompanied the words. "Stay here and get better. I will return for you." How could he not?
The gaze Sinestro was fixed with was not impressed. "On Oa? I spend more time here than you do on Korugar. If that's possible…" Hal's expression turned petty. No doubt he was thinking of how he hated to be left behind but there was no choice for Sinestro. He had a responsibility and duty that did not include wasting his time here on Oa. Even if he was starting to wish he could.
It appeared that Hal too wished for Sinestro to stay. The grip on Sinestro's arm was bone crushingly tight and he had to wince. "I'll cry if you leave," Hal threatened. There was sincerity there though. The sparkling drops of liquid collecting on Hal's eyelashes were proof enough.
If Hal was busy crying, he wouldn't get better. And if Hal didn't get better, Sinestro wouldn't get his student and partner back. There really was only one thing to do.
"You will," Sinestro acknowledged and sat down. He could always wait until Hal fell asleep and then make his exit. However, it would likely only bring him back to the beginning if Hal woke and tried to follow him again.
A bright pleased smile lit up Hal's face. His grip on Sinestro's arm finally released but that was only so Hal could grab his hand instead. "Thank you." It was barely more than a breath.
Any misgivings Thaal might've had faded away then as Hal settled himself down with that hand clutched to his chest, eyes drifting shut and face smoothing out into something much more peaceful. There could be no disturbing such peace and neglecting duty to give that to Hal was really quite worth it.