There is speculation that John and Kelly are actually a thing. This idea has been around since the novels, particularly when Kelly gives John a ‘special Spartan smile’ When away from each other, both John and Kelly think of one another. John even thinks Kelly is beautiful. Now, John and Kelly have a special relationship. On one side of the discussion are though who believe they have a very close sibling bond. All the Spartans have a very sibling behavior towards each other. They all grew up together, trained together, and fought together. However, there is a more special bond between teammates, and John and Kelly clearly show this. People on this side of the talk bring up how they are very much like a (very close) brother and sister relationship. On the other side of the discussion, people bring up it seems their relationship goes beyond simply being like siblings. This side says all the Spartans are extremely close to each other, but the bond John and Kelly is very interesting. Examples of this listed above. In Halo 5, at the beginning, Kelly defends John while Fred is worried for his friend/leader. When John’s vision of Cortana in the Domain is over, Kelly is right next to him, her hand on his shoulder. I’m not on either side of the discussion, they could be a thing, they might not be a thing. People think maybe if John retires at the end of Halo 6, Kelly will follow suite, and they will ultimately settle down together. If you had to guess, do you think there’s something going on between John and Kelly beyond being very close friends/family? If there is, do you think they will ever wind up together?
Well, ultimately it’s up to 343 to tell us whether that’s the case, but my guess would be that their relationship does not go any further than that. In Halo 5, I felt like all of Blue Team had the same amount of anxiety regarding John’s feelings. Just look at the way Linda protectively interposes between John and Cortana when the latter tries to approach the group. Kelly does not seem to react more strongly than the others.
One might still acknowledge that John and Kelly share a special relationship, but I’d explain it by them being teamed up together along with Sam for their very first assignment after being conscripted in the Spartan program. So while they are the members of Blue Team who’ve truly known each other for the longest time, it does not orginate from, nor necessarily means love in one way or the other.
Plus, I think it’s clear the Chief has a very ambiguous relationship with Cortana. If 343 wanted to show us Kelly having feelings for him, they would have given us a hint of jealousy or over-protectiveness in her behavior during Halo 5. She does not show those traits more than any of the other Spartans. I’d even go as far as to say that if there’s any ambiguity to be found at all, Linda’s gesture would be where it’s at (and I write this not believing in a John-Linda relationship either). I think that moment was specifically meant to tell us ‘see, no special treatment, Linda is as worried as Kelly’.
No…this has already been brought up before
Going to add my usual reply before the people who are oh-so threatened by the idea of two mature, consenting adults who have known each other their whole lives and are also best friends possibly being in a healthy romantic relationship come in.
Simply put, the depth of their bond really goes down into the roots of John-117 and Kelly-087’s characters. They’ve been together for 35 years almost constantly both on and off the battlefield. In fact Kelly’s partnership with John is the longest standing relationship that exists for either character in Halo canon. As the prologue of ‘The Fall of Reach’ (the very first piece of Halo fiction that was released to the public) firmly establishes Kelly’s place as John’s right-hand Spartan and confidant. Their interactions with each other are also definitely the most emphasized and unique among the members of Blue Team. We’ve seen this evidenced throughout Halo canon many times over the years - particularly through moments like Kelly giving John a special ‘Spartan smile’, and later when John confronts imminent death from Hunter cannon fire strictly to protect her. They think about each other quite often when separated, with Kelly showing particular concern for John’s well-being. And Kelly is the only person whom John has ever referred to as being beautiful. You don’t see actions like this from either of them directed towards anyone else.
I have actually compiled a summarized list of moments from the Halo books and additional official media that cite all the times we’ve seen evidence of John and Kelly’s relationship given particular attention and how that could be considered at least a basis for underlying romantic feelings:
The Fall of Reach: The prologue establishing Kelly as John’s partner and close friend on Blue Team (a trend that would continue throughout the book and in later fiction for the majority of Blue Team’s missions - from Victoria to Sigma Octanus IV). John being enamored by Kelly’s speed on the second day of Spartan training. John offering to be the rabbit in Kelly’s place during a wilderness training exercise. John taking note of Kelly’s beauty (which he never does in regards to anyone else before or since). The two of them having a playful conversation during their first official mission. Multiple instances of ambient physical contact. Supporting each other in the face of Sam’s death. John picking up on Kelly’s smallest signs of worry when RED FLAG is scrubbed. Kelly offering to lead the dangerous space-op in John’s place.
*Fall of Reach - Comic Adaptation: Kelly appearing as a prominent figure in John’s dreams. More instances of playful banter and poignant moments of closeness between the two.
(*The comic obviously is not a 100% faithful adaption of the original book - but the fact that it does still take the time to build up John and Kelly’s relationship even in this condensed version of the story is something to be noted. Particularly since it was written by one of the lead writers for 'Halo 5’.)
First Strike: John returns to Reach strictly to find out if any of his Spartans are alive, in spite of the extreme tactical risk. His reunion with Kelly culminates in a uniquely intimate 'Spartan smile’. Afterwards he makes a last-ditch attempt to save her life when she is severely injured by Hunters - by putting himself in a completely prone an vulnerable position that would’ve lead to his own death as well should the Hunters have fired again. Most importantly, he is willing to make that sacrifice for her in spite of the fact that Dr. Halsey and Admiral Whitcomb (two extremely important people) were in their party and still in need of protection. He also continues to further prioritize Kelly’s safety and the need to get her medical attention above all else during their escape from Covenant forces. And after Dr. Halsey absconds with Kelly in a stolen spaceship, John is notably worried about her.
Ghosts of Onyx: Kelly’s primary question (second only to an inquiry about their current location) after regaining consciousness on Dr. Halsey’s ship is whether or not John knows knows where she is and what is going on. And later, after being reunited with Fred and Linda, she openly asks the others if they think John is alright.
Glasslands: Kelly has a conversation with Dr. Halsey where she reveals her worry over whether or not John is alive and well. Chief Mendez notes how this is something that really must be weighing heavily on Kelly’s mind for her to talk about it without being prompted first.
Halo Evolutions: John thinking about Kelly and how she would be impressed with how fast he sprinted over an open battlefield in New Mombasa (this is also the only time in the whole book when another Spartan-II from Blue Team is referenced by name).
Halo Legends: John desperately calls out to Kelly when she sacrifices her own momentum to get him onto the Covenant ship when floating out in space, and afterward he noticeably pauses and contemplates the possibility of just having lost her (something he did not do for Solomon, Arthur, or Fred).
Halo Escalation: Kelly and John immediately fall back into their positions as Blue-One and Blue-Two. And Fred, who technically should be in charge, does not even attempt to contest this and literally takes a backseat to the pair. A point is also made to show that Kelly specifically is in danger before John attacks the Didact with a combat knife.
Other: Kelly’s official character biography on Halo Waypoint takes the time to note her close relationship to John (personal and working) no less than 3 times. Them being each other’s closest friend was also included in a character summary that was published in Game Informer’s exclusive coverage on 'Halo 5’ - the information for which was provided directly by 343 Industries.
*Tales from Slipspace - On the Brink comic: I have not yet read this for myself, but from what people who have managed to get it early have said it is told from Kelly’s POV and once again highlights her closeness to the Chief.
Now all this could just be played as how the two are best friends that have been through a lot together. And if the relationship between them stays that way, that would still be awesome because their friendship is inherently awesome. But if it just so happens to progress into something more as Blue Team’s story goes forward, there’s definitely a long-standing and canon-based reason for such a development to potentially occur. Now is it likely to happen? Probably not. But if it did it, certainly wouldn’t be unwarranted or unhealthy. That’s all there is to it.
> If 343 wanted to show us Kelly having feelings for him, they would have given us a hint of jealousy or over-protectiveness in her behavior during Halo 5. She does not show those traits more than any of the other Spartans.
What is there for Kelly to be “jealous” of or “over-protective” over though? She’s not a child, and she’s a Spartan - same goes for John. Plus there’s plenty of already existing material that works to support the notion of there being potential for deeper feelings between the two without having to go overboard in the game. Though 343i did have her interacting with him closely just a little bit more than the others - however Blue Team was in ‘Halo 5’ very little in general, so that is neither here or there.
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A thorough answer, good job compiling all those moments! I agree, I think such a development is unlikely but wouldn’t come out of nowhere either to people interested in the EU.
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> No…this has already been brought up before
This reminds of that scene from Danganronpa Abridged Thing on youtube.
“…I ship it.”
“CAN YOU NOT?!”
Well Kelly is John’s closest friend, that would be the reason for the “special” Spartan smile and what not.
No, why does this keep getting brought up? No they are not and never will be.
Let’s say two spartans have babies…first off is it even possible? I mean with all the augmentations and whatnot, could Kelly bear a child, with all the lead in the air all the time, is chief shooting blanks. Would their baby be superman…or are their genetics the same and it would just be a normal kid?
Overall they are family more than anything but who knows, outside of combat if spartans ever retire, they could only ever be “normal” with their own kind I would say.
Interesting question…
They’re SIIs. No. They were meant for a life of war and nothing else. And are the pinnacle of professionalism.
What are up with these poll options? It’s a yes or no question… There’s no need for “maybe”, “I don’t know” and “eggghhh”, since they’re utterly pointless options that dilute the actual results.
That being said, while they are very close to one another, I don’t think they will go to the point of being romantically involved. I find it to be rather unnecessary.
They are very close, without a shadow of a doubt, but I don’t think their relationship extends beyond veeerrryyy close friends. When you have known somebody as a friend for that long, you just don’t see them in that way. Also, we have never actually seen them do anything physical to each other (apart from fighting in training) so there is no reason to believe that they are a thing.
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> They’re SIIs. No. They were meant for a life of war and nothing else. And are the pinnacle of professionalism.
SIIs are more than simple minded machines, and I wouldn’t call them the pinnacle of professionalism there were times when IIs weren’t professional.
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> > They’re SIIs. No. They were meant for a life of war and nothing else. And are the pinnacle of professionalism.
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> SIIs are more than simple minded machines, and I wouldn’t call them the pinnacle of professionalism there were times when IIs weren’t professional.
They are , but they realize that war is what they’re best at(and better at than anyone else). That their fate is to live and die on the battlefield , the SIIs have acknowledged that.
And I’m not saying they were always, but they are the pinnacle. Meaning you’ll find no one more professional
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> > > They’re SIIs. No. They were meant for a life of war and nothing else. And are the pinnacle of professionalism.
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> > SIIs are more than simple minded machines, and I wouldn’t call them the pinnacle of professionalism there were times when IIs weren’t professional.
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> They are , but they realize that war is what they’re best at(and better at than anyone else). That their fate is to live and die on the battlefield , the SIIs have acknowledged that.
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> And I’m not saying they were always, but they are the pinnacle. Meaning you’ll find no one more professional
I agree now.
Not any more than Cortana and Chief.
The fact that the Spartan-IIs are professional soldiers has no bearing on how they are also people with feelings and relationships. And the fact that they have made peace with how they are likely to die in battle does not mean that they couldn’t/wouldn’t be perfectly able to lead happy and fulfilling civilian lives if they were actually given the opportunity to do so. We have seen Spartan-IIs do this in the case of Randall-037 and Maria-062. So theres no reason to say that when all is said and done, with no immediate galactic threat, and the torch of protecting humanity fully passed to the Spartan-IVs, those on Blue Team will finally be able to choose to live out the rest of thier lives in the (relatively) normality that was stolen from them so long ago. They’ve earned the right to that much at least. And that would be a far more interesting development for their characters to have going for them. Though no “fate” for them is certain at this point in time either.
Also regardless if John and Kelly end up in romantic relationship or not, I don’t see why they wouldn’t stay together for the remainder of their lives if such an option presented itself. They’re still best friends, and have an understanding of what each other has been through that no other person can really have. So if anything I’m sure they’d just enjoy the companionship.
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I get the feeling you’ve put some previous thought into this. 
Very well thought out.
I personally would have absolutely no problem with them exploring this at all.
(Of course we know Blue Team doesn’t have ‘very strong personalities’ though… eye roll)
Maybe, my friend wants to have Chief and Cortana -yoink-
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Not this again.