Adira Clawhauser Chapter 19
#19 of Adira Clawhauser
The doctors were not happy with how Mansa's wounds worsened after he recklessly left the hospital. He was forced to stay in the ward, then at home until his wounds finally healed up.
Benjamin insisted on moving into Mansa's house so he could take care of the weakened buffalo. Lionheart gave them both long leaves so they could get a grip of themselves before returning to work.
Benjamin was an emotional wreck when they attended Adira's funeral. Sitting in a wheelchair, Mansa held Ben's paws tightly as he sobbed uncontrollably during the ceremony.
Mansa could see change in Benjamin after the funeral. Nursing Mansa gave Benjamin's life hope. His mental state recovered slowly but surely, just like Mansa's wounds.
When Mansa got better, he tried to cook something for Benjamin. It ended up with a mess in the kitchen and a rather unappetizing lump of grilled fish. Even though he was a vegetarian, Mansa could tell the food he made for Ben was awful. But Benjamin ate it all. Mansa ended up having nuts and herbs salad that Ben masterfully prepared for him.
When Mansa finally became strong enough to return to his post, Benjamin refused to go to work with him, saying that he needed a bit more time. Lionheart resigned and Mansa officially became the new chief.
Mansa regretted saying to Lionheart that he only sent officers off to die. Now he knew the responsibilities that the police chief needed to shoulder.
He opened Adira's locker at the girl's changing room after the night shift officers had left. He saw the same present Adira bought on their last day of patrol together, resting at the base of the locker. He took it out and weighed it in his hoof.
It was pretty heavy, he thought as he held the package. But whatever was inside the paper was Benjamin's to find out.
Mansa enjoyed living with Benjamin, but Mansa's house wasn't his home. He had his own family to return to, his own life to live. Benjamin couldn't depend on him forever.
Mansa told Benjamin seriously after dinner, as they washed the dishes,
'Listen, Ben. I'm forever thankful for all these time you've been taking care of me, but the time to part has come.'
Benjamin lowered his head as he listened to the inevitable, 'I know.'
'I can take care of myself alright now. Look, I'm strong now.' Mansa flexed. Benjamin didn't smile but Mansa swore he saw something sparkle in Ben's eyes.
'I'll pack after this.' Benjamin said as he dried a dish repeatedly.
'I'll help. Your parents would be glad to have you back.' Mansa kept mopping his dish with a cloth.
When they finally stopped drying the dishes over and over again, Mansa helped Benjamin pack his suitcase of clothes and pillows. Mansa drove him home and they bade goodbye at the door of Benjamin's apartment.
'I'll be expecting you at work tomorrow at 8, Ben.'
Mansa arrived early at the station the next day, as he always did.
He went down to the armory to check on the tranquilizer dart guns. He took one of the prototypes from Splinter. He tested it on a target dummy. Light, fast, accurate, it was the best he could have hoped for.
Mansa turned the gun over in his hooves and with a pang he saw Splinter had branded the codename 'ADR - 00' on the barrel. He wanted to ask Splinter about it, but the hedgehog was already gone.
He went upstairs shortly before 8 and saw Benjamin goggling at the new station Mansa installed.
'It's your place now. From now on you're our front desk cheetah, Ben- I mean, Clawhauser.'
Benjamin was amazed by the magnificence of the new front desk: giant circular table at the base, thick wooden pillar completed with the ZPD's badge in the middle, along with the concentric soft lighting above him. He sat down at the comfy seat and saw a complete radio system in front of him.
'All yours, Clawhauser, I've heard you got full marks in radio communication, wouldn't want to waste that talent.' Mansa said as he took out Adira's gift, 'And this is... Adira's birthday present to you.'
Benjamin let go of the microphone he was inspecting and accepted the present. He tore it open carefully and saw inside, a gorgeous Gazelle snow globe. Benjamin took it out of the box endearingly and placed it on the side of the table, so the globe was clearly seen but wouldn't get in the way of work.
'She'll be watching over you. So be strong, okay?' Mansa said gently.
Benjamin felt small, sitting at the front desk inside the grand hall of ZPD headquarters. He wanted a hug from Mansa, to cry and forget everything that happened in the past months. But he knew he can't.
'Mansa...' Benjamin tried to talk while holding back tears.
'Call me chief at work, Ben- I mean, Clawhauser.'
The buffalo standing next to him looked blurry, as Benjamin took a deep breath and said determinedly,
'I'll try my best, chief.'
THE END
(Stay tuned for Zootopia: ClawBogo Edition)