Work Text:
"Hello John." Linda-058 said as she stepped into Blue Team's bunk room. Her voice brought John-117 out of his train of thought, the man banishing the memories of the Flood. At least for the time being.
"Linda." John greeted, giving his friend a nod. "I thought you were training with Fred?" Linda shook her head, sitting on the bed across from him.
"Kelly wanted to go a few rounds with him. I would've stayed and watched the chaos unfurl but...I wanted to check up on you." John raised an eyebrow but nodded, appreciating Linda's concern. But he could see in those emerald green eyes of hers that there was something else on her mind.
"That's not the only reason you're here though." John pointed out. Linda chuckled softly.
"I can't hide anything from you, can I?" She joked. John shook his head.
"I can read you all like books." He said. Linda sighed softly and relented.
"I keep thinking back to the Fall of Reach. When I...y'know. Died." She chuckled at that. She'd been left clinically dead by Covebant plasma fire during the Fall of Reach. Had John not put her into cryo aboard the Pillar of Autumn...she wouldn't be here now.
"Nightmares?" John asked. Linda nodded.
"I bet you have them too. Maybe not about the Fall of Reach but when you were on Halo. I doubt you'll ever admit it but I'm willing to bet the Flood..." She trailed off when John winced. That first encounter with the parasites in the swamp had left a profound impact on John. "...in any case." Linda continued. "I want to repay you for saving me." She got to her feet and sat down beside her friend, her bright green eyes meeting his dark blue ones. A moment later, the redhead's cherry colored lips were pressed against John's, who's eyes were wide with surprise. Linda pulled away moments later, a little pink tinge on her freckled face.
"I...I just figured that..." She stammered, slightly concerned she'd upset her friend. John chuckled softly and took her hand in his.
"It's fine, Linda." He assured her, mussing her hair a little. "Look. If you keep having nightmares, then you talk to me, okay?" Linda nodded, giving John a smile and another quick kiss.
"Will do, John." She said. "Oh! And John?"
"Yes, Linda?"
"If you ever want to...workout with me." Linda said with a somewhat mischievous smile. "You know where to find me." John grinned. A special workout session with Linda? That was an offer he would gladly take her up on.