Era of Madness

The mistakes you can't fix 5

John and Clark walked back to the former's room, and sat down.

"Well, that was a lot" John said. "I still feel a bit shaken up"

"Same, I brag about having to be strong for the others, but if they can get through this on a regular basis, then I'm definitely the fool of the story" Clark replied jokingly. "But it's true I feel better, no that I've emptied my bag, and you?"

"Same. Uh... Clark? Can I tell you something?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"...
Nothing, sorry"

"What, can't bring yourself to just make your love confession?" Clark joked. "I know I'm so handsome it can be intimidating, but still, you managed to drag yourself to therapy, you can drag yourself you want to lay in my arms"

John raised an eyebrow, but went along, letting himself fall in Clark's arms:

"oh, you saw me through, I can't resist your viril charm" he said comically, imitating a movie princess.

They both had a good laugh:

"Oh stars, we must look so fucking ridiculous!" Clark chuckled. "I can't imagine if someone came in and took videos of this shit, haha"

"Haha, why, it'd make such a good souvenir" John chuckled too, before getting back to the main topic: "But more seriously, there's really something I wanted to confess about"

"Confess? What do you want to confess? You know you can tell me everything... unless it's that you got a boyfriend, of course, haha"

Seeing Clark was waiting for him, John hesitated a bit before finally spilling the beans:

"When I told you I never killed anyone... I was lying. I killed a man, once"

"What?" Clark asked, raising his eyebrow.

He saw John's disturbed expression, sat on the bed and gestured John to sit besides him:

"Come on, tell me all about this story" he said.

John sat and told him all about it. He told him what had happened at his company, how he couldn't take his hands off the man's neck, everything. This time, he didn't cry, but he didn't mean he wasn't shaken.

"John..." Clark started.

"I'm sorry, Clark, I never meant to make myself look like a saint" John said. "It's just... I feel like the reason I could be this close to you is because I can help you take a break from all this violence. I just didn't want to be just another violent person for you. I'm sorry I lied, I'm so so-"

Clark hugged him, shutting him up:

"Shh, it's ok, you did nothing wrong" he said. "A criminal was threatening innocent scientists and you did what was needed to defend them, you did nothing wrong"

"But I killed a man...with my bare hands..."

"And I killed dozens. And in this case, I was the terrorist.We can say Cifer acts for the greater good all we want, fact is we're still criminals that act based on our own selfishness. Here, there's no good side. The fact that you were ready to dirty your hands back then to save people, and that you made sure not toget implied on the field now because you realized that you wouldn't be the hero... It's only my opinion, but I truly think you did nothing wrong from the bottom of my heart. You're a good guy, John, you've always be one and I'm sure you'll always be one"

Moved, the tall man hugged him back, almost crushing him with his embrass:

"Thank you Clark" he said. "I think that even if my family was still alive, you would've been the only onewho could help me by saying that. I...I love you Clark"