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They were lying in a field of grass. Calm breathing and a light humming was the only thing that could be heard. Entwined hands and hearts showed the love shared between the boys. A soft and mellow voice broke the peaceful moment.
"I wish we wouldn't have to hide." sighed Clancy, playing with Josh Dun's hand.
"When all of this is over, we'll be able to show who we really are." assured Josh Dun.
They sat up. Josh Dun leaned over to take hold of Clancy's hands, they were shaking. The pressure of the revolution, finally catching up with his mind. Controlling dead people had never felt good, he was seizing those dead bodies without their permission, although he believed it was for a honorable cause. It still didn’t make it any easier, he felt the burden of this responsibility on his shoulders, he couldn't disappoint the citizens of Dema. He was their last hope.
Thoughts of losing Josh Dun invaded and clouded his senses. He couldn't afford to lose his one and only, and the banditos couldn’t either. Josh Dun was their stability, the pillar that held it all. Josh Dun was the light that brightened his dark days.
"C'mon, Clancy. We gotta hurry, they are waiting for us." Said Josh Dun pulling Clancy out of his mind.
They got up and started walking to their camp, it was rather small, only a few Banditos were on amicable terms with Clancy. Trench was not a safe continent anymore with the bishops looking for the red warrior relentlessly. The Banditos and Clancy were escapees, staying in the same place for long wasn't part of their nature, specially when you went with a prodigy who was also a rebel. There was no safe place for them, only their minds could provide one, even if for a little time.
"Sometimes I wish we were different people, Josh Dun." whispered with a strangled voice the shorter man. Josh Dun barely heard the whisper, but he had grown accustomed to Clancy's low voice and murmured confessions, only for him to hear, almost like a prayer. Josh Dun had promised him a long time ago that they would come out alive from this war, and when that happened they would be able to live in a secluded cabin in a forest, away from the pressure of society and its disturbing memories. Now it was a far-fetched promise that Clancy held onto when he was losing hope, when his mind started to wander off to dark places where Josh Dun could not be his salvation or his torch.
"I know it's a ridiculous idea, Josh Dun." Hesitated Clancy, his eyes darting anywhere but to Josh Dun's face, voice and gesture small. "It is too selfish, but sometimes I wish I weren't the one born with these abilities."
Josh Dun turned around, gazed at his friend, and analyzed him. He stopped and hugged him. Clancy's breath hitched, his body stiffened clearly not expecting Josh Dun's reaction. Josh Dun tightened his embrace and said "I am here with you. I won't leave you even if God himself asked me to." Clancy snorted at the mention of God; "Don't be silly, Josh Dun. If God existed we wouldn't be fighting this war."
"I don't know, Clancy. God can be cruel sometimes."
Clancy broke their embrance and sat down, avoiding eye contact, but still holding Josh Dun's hand; "I don't want to leave yet." So Josh Dun sat next to his friend and caressed his hand until the troubled man felt ready to go back and face the upcoming war.
Several minutes passed until one of them broke the deafening silence. It was Clancy.
"Josh Dun, do you think will be ever be free?"
"I hope so" replied Josh Dun.
"Me too."