Chapter Text
The palace doors won a brief reprieve from days of people flitting in and out. Ambassadors, construction leaders, hospital attendants, news reporters.
The sky was overcast, but that didn’t stop Clay from coming out for the fresh air. His heart quieted, finding a scattering of workers where the giant had fallen, covered in dust and tiredness.
The queen caught his eye. Clay couldn’t be sure what his face said, finally free of ointment and hospital wires.
“Alright, twenty-minute break, everyone!” she called. “There should be water with the squirebots.”
“Good to have you back, Clayman,” said Aaron, surprising Clay with an arm hooked around his shoulder.
“It’s good to be back,” he chuckled. “Well, I’ve been cleared as mentally sane and physically sound again. Can I help clean up?”
Aaron tossed him a pair of gloves and a small shovel.
“Don’t you need a break?” Clay asked.
He flicked a water bottle from his belt. “Are you kidding? I never get to dig this much! It’s like being a kid again.”
“We had very different childhoods,” Clay replied dryly.
“I know! You’re the one who does laundry, remember?”
They both chuckled as they worked pieces of glass from the dirt.
“Was it, like, weird being made of stone?” Aaron had to ask.
“At first, very weird. But I had to get used to it pretty fast.”
“No broken bones then?”
Clay shook his head. “How about you?”
Aaron scoffed. “My dad’s cart had some diamond studded wheels, I know it. Nothing else has ever left a dent!”
“I’m glad. Thank you, by the way,” he added, “for leading the team without me. I would’ve asked Merlok to trust you with it if I could’ve.”
“Ah, you know, I had to get used to it pretty fast,” Aaron joked. Then he smiled as soberly as he ever did. “But I’m glad to give it back.”
There was a comfortable pause before Aaron got antsy again. “You really didn’t break anything? Not even when Lance-” he mimicked the throw with a pop of his lips- “Y’know?”
Clay just shrugged. “Most of the momentum got me on its falling course, anyway.”
“I still can’t believe he made that.”
“...Yeah, me neither,” Clay muttered.