Dark clouds were forming over the head of the pouting Claire John felt a shiver going down his back.
Claire turned away from him but he couldn't help but notice the small tear that was flowing down her cheek.
He quickly pulled out his secret project a small armband made out of stainless steel, intricate carvings, and metal weavings were added to it. Even blue accents made by heating just a specific part of the workpiece were added.
Claire first didn't want to listen to John anymore but as soon as she saw his gift, her sulking face changed into a beaming smile while she pulled John down to hug him.
She held him like this for some seconds until both of them separated with some embarrassment.
John and Claire went to a nearby bench on which John sat down and Claire drove her wheelchair next to it.
John tried to start talking several times but he just couldn't find the right words as it was the most difficult thing he had to say in his entire life.
Claire saw how John was struggling so she took his hand in hers and made an assuring face.
And then John finally started talking:
"Claire...the first time I saw you... I thought I am in the presence of an angel...and when these players hurt you... I started to wish I would find them to beat them up.
Your happiness became equally important to me as my own. Every time you smile I wish I could stop the time to look at it for the rest of my life...I really do love you..."
Claire looked at him with tears of happiness in her eyes while taking his hand and laying it on her heart to let him know that she also loves him, but then John continued: " But that makes it harder for me to say this...I can't love you...somewhere in the enormous lands of the game is my brother and I have to find him...and if I love you I might forget my beloved brother and that is something I could never forgive myself... I am really sorry."
Claire was floating in heaven but was now falling to hell, everything she wished for and everything she hoped for came true in one second and was shattered with just some additional words. Tears were still flowing down her face but there was no trace of happiness left.
Claire fought for every last piece of self-control but just before she lost it, she quickly left John alone and quickly went away from Olaf's house...
Erika noticed the tears on Claire's face when she left but couldn't stop her so she quickly charged to John grabbed his collar and started working his face with her fist until Olaf pulled her away from John that wasn't even trying to defend himself.
Olaf knew that this was a part of life where no one except the two of them had a right to intervene. Both of them have to do it their own way. And it seemed that John was resolved to the reason why he made Claire cry...