Aftermath

Half an hour. It had been less than half an hour sense Clef had gotten back from one of the most crazy events to happen at the foundation. He was seated on his old worn down couch at his foundation approved room. To give them credit, site 118 always did have the best things, best rooms, best food, best containment units, if only other sites where like that. Clef sprawled out across the couch, physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Konny was right, his plan worked, well, it always did. The whole time Clef had a hard time believing that an emotionless log, a broken reality bender, and a butterfly king could kill an immortal genius for good. He tossed his hat lazily to the floor he still had to clean after months of being away. Clef tried to rest, to wait patiently for his partner, but somehow the exhaustion just wasn't enough to keep him away. He hulled himself up off the couch and over to what he liked to call the "aftermath room". Of course he never called it that outloud, it would only confuse people why the bathroom was called that. However his main reason for its name was pretty simple, after a mission, or a killing, or after anything major that went down in that place, thats where he would get rid of any wounds he had, and reviewed what had happened. This time he wouldn't be the one using it, as he dragged himself over to the door, he could hear the shower shut off. He knocked, knowing that he would have to use his abilities to his advantage, "Kon," he said, "can I come in?" Clef wasn't expecting an answer, Kondraki was always the one to keep to himself, show no pain or fear unless it was serious, and Clef could respect him for that. Much to his surprise, the door opened to Konny standing there, towel around his waist and the same neutral expression on his face as always. "Why," he asked, his voice calm and relaxed, Clef couldn't help cracking a small grin as he spoke, "because I saw your leg bleeding on our way out for one thing, and for another you've got a pretty bad cut running down your neck thats gonna leave a nasty scar." He saw Kondraki's eyes drift off to the side slightly which was pretty usual when he was thinking about something. "Alright," he said at last, stepping aside to let Clef in, which he happily did without hesitation. He stepped back and looked at Kondraki, surveying him for any wounds that needed any immediate fixing. "Bullet to the left thigh, cut starting from your cheek and running down your neck, anything else hurt," Clef questioned as he got to work on what he knew how to fix. "A few broken ribs I can assume, I didn't turn a corner quite fast enough when the explosion went off," Kondraki said casually, as if it wasn't a big deal to him or anything, sometimes Clef wondered if he was worse off than Gears and that was saying a lot. "Unfortunatly Konny," Clef began as the wound on Kondraki's leg had almost healed and started to scar over, "I'm not a licensed doctor, and ribs are a whole different element than a few flesh and muscle wounds." Kondraki simply nodded and Clef moved on to the neck cut, which he managed to stop the bleeding as soon as he saw it back at 19. Kondraki let out short sigh, much to clefs surprise, "something wrong Kon?" He could feel his mint eyes drift over to Clef's own, he adored Kondraki for many things, many many things, but one thing he always loved was his eyes. No matter how calm his expressions or actions where, his eyes where always filled with a wild energy, like he was some kind of untamed animal. "'Is something wrong', heh, yeah I think so." Clef took a small step back, looking at the newly formed scar starting at Kondraki's uper cheek and going all the way down his neck, which made him look even more badass. "Well, whats the matter? We completed our mission, got promoted, what could be wrong," Clef said as he turned around as Kondraki changed into his clothes, a bit of blood still remained, not all belonged to him though. He heard Kondraki sigh and say "it's my fault." Clef turned, slightly confused, "what do you mean? The O5 issued the demand and we did it. It was for the best." He heard Kondraki let out a single sarcastic laugh which Clef always adored, "Alto, it was my fault that Jack is dead. It was my plan, I executed it, I killed Jack Bright." Clef turned all the way to face Kondraki now, not knowing or caring that he was still shirtless. He heard something out of him he hadn't in such a long time, sadness. Clef could see that Kondraki took note about his worried expression for him but continued on, his tone slightly more exposed, "what are the others going to think Alto? And what about the whole Bright family? Anyone in the foundation now has a reason to come after me. And, and what about Draven? Rumors are going to spread you know. What is he gonna think when he hears how his dad was manipulated by the foundation to kill one of his friends?" Clef blinked a few times, shocked that Kondraki would open up like that, and just let all of his worries pour out like a flood. He seemed to realize this and he let out a small sigh, normally his way of apologizing. Kondraki was walking to the door, black shirt and green jacket in hand, but Clef wasn't done with him, not yet. "Wait," Clef gently pulled back at the inside of his elbow, causing Kondraki to look over his shoulder and raise an eyebrow at him. Clef took a breath and said "Konny, your right, you did kill Bright. You didn't need me, Gears, or anyone else to help you. But the point is, you've now killed two immortal beings, rode a giant immortal lizard, and so much more. If anyone tried to come after you they wouldn't stand a chance. As for Draven, he knows you, you two are more like best friends than father and son anyways. He won't think any less of you, no one will, I promise." He hadn't noticed it at first, but while he was talking he had taken Kondraki's hands into his own, and neither bothered letting go. Kondraki met Clef's eyes, his expression changed from slightly sad to confused and he asked, "why do you do this?" The question caught Clef off guard, as he was about to question it Kondraki continued, "why do you stand with me? Why do you help me? Why do this?" He looked down at their hands, still locked together and he muttered, "I thought you hated me from day one?" Clef looked down slightly, then pulled Kondraki closer, so close they're noses almost touched. He spoke softer than he would let anyone else but Konny hear, "Konny, I have never hated you. I may have been here longer than you, but since the day I met you I looked up to you. Not because your a crazy bastard, or a drunk bitch, but because of how far you've come. You raised your son all on your own while directing numerous different sites and doing the O5's biding. And I know this might sound a bit stupid, but you're my hero Kon. Don't ever forget it." It had been a long time sense Clef saw the amount of surprise on Kondraki's face. He started to wonder if maybe he had said to much, or had been to forward. Clef started to pull away but suddenly Kondraki's grasp got stronger, and Clef was pulled into the most heartfelt embrace he had ever experienced. "Thank you, Alto" he heard Kondraki whisper. Clef felt his eyes start to water and he wrapped his arms around his partner, best friend, and still half naked Kondraki. "Thank you too, Ben."