Chapter 2: Memory and Brother
Chris finally woke up from his slumber, turning to his surroundings he found himself in a comfortable bed that had clean sheets. Sitting up, he felt far better than he had in a few years. Stretching his limbs he then stood up and scanned the room he was in, trying to look for clues who his savior was but to his dismay he didn't find anything that could tell him who saved him but then he did find documents that could help them in out witting Wesker.
The documents he found had some information about the Umbrella Corporation's transactions and experimentations, seeing their importance Chris then took care of taking all of them by placing them in a bag he found in the room. Scanning the room again, Chris then thought of who was his savior and how did he get in this room. The questions that were in his mind boggled him.
Going out of the room he was in, Chris trekked the halls hoping to find answers for the questions that boggled his mind but then more questions came up. Freshly decapitated bodies of zombies littered both the floor and the walls, following the trail, Chris was surprised to find a a dimly lit laboratory filled with experiments that were obviously purposely killed. Holding his gun, he came forward and cautiously explored the premise. Not moments later, he then saw a stronger light flicker open, pausing in his tracks he listened for any noises but then none came.
Going to the source of the new light he was baffled to see the mansion's floor plan all spread out for him. The entrance and exits, hidden passage ways, laboratories, testing areas, and everything else; it was all written there. Remembering the room, the trail of zombie carcasses, and now this ; it had Chris think someone was doing all of this for a reason. Coming closer, he took out the digital camera that he brought with him that he bought during his birthday and took the pictures he then went on his way of following the floor plan.
An hour, it took Chris Redfield an hour to find his team, well, what was left of his team. They were covered by the blood of the rotting zombies and they looked tired. Approaching them with a smile of relief, Chris was able to notice that they were looking at him with disbelief. Tilting his head to the side, he couldn't help himself from voicing out, "What's wrong?"
Jill gave him a glare and retorted with pure exasperated annoyance, "Seriously, what's wrong? Chris, we've been fighting non-stop and searching for you for five hours! And here you are, barely bruised and battered asking us what's wrong!? Chris, we're tired. We're..." Chris was annoyed at Jill's reaction, cutting her off before she could continue ranting he then stated, "I've already found enough information for us to leave this mansion. Besides, I've also found the map pointing where the exit is." As Chris had expected Jill was silenced, turning to De Chant and the remaining members of their team he then gestured them to follow him.
Chris was able to lead them safely towards the mansion's exit without even meeting any zombies, lickers, or any other experiment done by Umbrella. Now safely in the confines of the helicopter that they used to come to the mansion, Chris contemplated everything that he'd seen. The mysterious presence that saved him, the laid out information, killed zombies and experiments, and the cleared exits. Chris couldn't help but wonder who was the master mind of it all.
Going through all the people who could be possible for orchestrating the following events, Chris then marked that something inside him was amiss. Shaking his head, he then observed his team and noticed they were indeed exhausted by the mission. Wanting to make up to them, he decided to get his team a few days of recommended rest.
As soon as Chris and his team were able to return, they underwent the normal procedures of debriefing and filling up paperwork after missions that were made. The amount of paperwork Chris had to do was more than the usual of those of his teammates because as being the captain he had more responsibilities to deal with.
Finishing said papers and having them submitted Chris went back to his quarters, there he again contemplated about the events that had just happened in the mission that they've just finished but then out of the blue, due to his tiredness he thoughts strayed about his ordeal being a captain and the responsibilities that were entailed with such a position. Captain. That word made him involuntarily see flashes. Clutching his head, Chris fell on to his knees and memories that he didn't used to remember flashed right infront of his eyes.
Chris was sitting in an office typing away documents of sorts, beside him was captain Wesker. They were both sitting in a black stylish couch found in that office and both of them were busy taking care of important documents that were really needed to be finished. Chris felt his captain sigh heavily, turning to give him a look Chris saw that his captain was looking at him. Giving his own silent question, he was then given a direct answer " Chris, you don't have to stay here and help me. You should go home and rest."
Ignoring what his captain said, he continued on typing and decided to lean on said person. Chris felt his captain sigh again, barely pausing from his work he gave a spare glance to his captain and retorted, "I am the team's point man and apparently, aside from you I'm the only one who's alot more responsible in finishing and doing things. Particularly, in doing paper work. Besides, I will not allow you from failing in performing your duties as captain just because of the fact you're forgetting your health due to the reason of finishing paper work."
Turning back to his paper work Chris continued his typing but then sighed when he felt his captain still staring at him. Finishing and saving the last remaining file, Chris finally gave in to his captain's stare. Looking at Wesker he then softly said, "Albert, look, I'm already finished. We can now both go home. You'd just have this printed out in the morning and sign it. After that you could now rest a little."
Albert Wesker's expression seemed to have softened too at what he'd said. A small smile then followed and Chris then heard Wesker say with a warm pleased tone, "Its been awhile since you've called me Albert, Chris. Awhile since you've loosened up with me. Awhile since you've considered me more than just your captain. That I am your friend. I...I missed that... I missed you."
The flashes ended there. Pulling himself together, Chris stood up. Remembering those flashes made him think, "No, it isn't possible. I...I never called Wesker by his first name nor did I consider him as my friend. I never considered him more than my captain. He...He was my captain. He betrayed us. He betrayed me." The last sentence made him pause and shake his head thinking, "That...That isn't right. Yes, he betrayed all of us in S.T.A.R.S but that doesn't make any sense at all why...why I'd even say that kind of thing." Sighing, he decided to take a long bath to soothe his nerves.
After finishing his bath and getting dressed Chris decided to tinker with the pad he found a month ago. Seeing the object made him think how he got it. Pad/Tablet that was what it was called. Chris knew that this kind of technology wasn't still available to the market but then he found it. He was at New York at that time and it was his off. As much it was crazy to go in a zombie infested city alone, he still went there as something inside of him told him to do so.
Being in New York he found shelter in one of the high rise buildings there. The Red Tower, it belonged to a well known weapon manufacturing company that supplied the U. S. Government before the world got too infected by Wesker's creations. And aside from being a weapon manufacturing company it also was a company that went in the technology business. The Red Industries, RI for short.
The Red Tower barely had any signs of zombies inhabiting the building and it was surprisingly stocked with food. Staying at the tower's penthouse Chris found the tablets and their blueprints. There he studied them and now he was able to make two out of the ten tablets he brought with him functionally operational. During his free time, Chris was able to find himself able of programming the tablets. Apparently, the flashes which occasionally came to him were sometimes useful.
Chris out of his surprise was able to program the tablet with a lot of functions, ranging from simple calculations to complex ones, then to possibility of doing things a computer can do. The information of how to do such things just came to his mind and they stayed there. As much as instinct told him to wonder how did it happen he ignored it. He chose to dismiss the need of questioning and focus on the fact that this information can help him.
Staying in the tower for sometime he was able to finish programming the tablet. What he's doing now are most likely improvements in either software or to the clock, Chris was now able to see that he just spent two hours tinkering. Shaking his head he then decided to sleep.
The following weeks involved investigating about the information they got and tracking Wesker. It had now been two months since the encounter with the feared monster and because of this people got more edgy thinking that Wesker might be plotting something evil again. Chris in the meanwhile was getting tired of the edginess the people around him kept on showing.
Finishing their recent mission and debriefings, Chris went out to get away. He went out to be alone, alone from everyone. Finding himself far from the protection and noise of the city they were based in, Chris lied on the green grass and closed his eyes. Focusing on the silence and cold, he felt partially at peace but then he felt someone watching him. The presence felt oddly familiar, not opening his eyes he then called out "Come out, Wesker. I know you're there." Not moments later Wesker came out of the shadows with a smirk taunting Chris, "I actually thought when you'd notice me, Redfield."
No answer could be heard from Chris, looking at the lying man Wesker frowned and asked "You're already giving up? Where was the hero that I've known?" An amused laugh was then heard from Chris later accompanied with a reply, "Kill me already, Albert. I mean nothing to you." Wesker then was surprised by such an answer, noticing that Chris still had his eyes closed and that he was just called by his first name made him think if the man lying in front of him is starting to remember or already remembers things.
Testing the waters he then responded softly, "Chris, is that really your wish?" The man he was speaking to opened his eyes and mumbled, "I'm not sure anymore, " sitting up he turned to look at Wesker and continued ,"I'm already tired of doing this, Albert. I'm already tired of everything." Approaching the now seated man he sat down beside him until their shoulders were now touching. Giving a soft sigh of his own he then looked at the stars.
Chris was looking at Wesker. Now that they were seated so close, Chris couldn't help himself from sighing and leaning onto the man. At that action he felt the man beside him tense for moment but he soon relaxed. Closing his eyes again he was then surprised when he felt an arm wraping itself upon his waist bringing him closer to the black clad man. Peeking using one eye, he could see that Albert still had his eyes on the stars. Smiling for a bit he then teased, "Old habits die hard. Don't they, Albert?"
Feeling the man beside him tense again and pull away, he then held the arm holding him in place. Opening his eyes he could see that he was being analyzed, sighing again he than implored "For this night, Albert, let's pretend we're not enemies who try to kill each other. Let's pretend that what happened to the Spencer Mansion and Raccoon City didn't happen. Let's pretend that we're still...we're still friends. That we were like back then. Brothers."
Wesker was again surprised by such a request but he hid it underneath his usual mask. Tilting his head to the side as if he needed it to think, a soft plea was then heard, "I'm asking you, Albert. I...I need this." Pulling the man he was holding closer to him he then pointed out, "You do realize that I'm a monster and I could easily break your neck." A tired 'yeah' was then heard from Chris, making him think that something was definitely wrong, he threw all logic out of the window and wanted to make things better for the young man. Taking hold of the hand that was holding his arm in place, he took his gloves off and intertwined his fingers with said hand.
Feeling Albert holding his hand without the gloves made him contemplate the fact that he felt so warm than he ever was. As much as people thought that Albert Wesker was cold and hard as a dead corpse, Chris knew that they were wrong. Albert had a beating heart and a pulse, he was also very warm. Smiling about those facts he then brought the warm hand close to cheek and relished on its feel. Realizing that he was being watched he then retorted, "Stop smiling already."
Wesker couldn't help himself from smiling about the sight before him. It somehow made him happy that Chris still haven't forgotten that he was still human and that Chris was ,even temporarily, trusting him again. Chuckling when he heard him retort he then bit back, "How can I not smile when you look amusing, dear heart? You look so content right here beside me."
A snort was then heard from Chris, letting go of the hand he was holding he then glared daggers at the man trying to convey his annoyance but then his attempts back fired. After all the years of fighting, now that his memories were returning, he couldn't stop himself from admitting that he has a soft spot for the tyrant. He remembered that his soft spot had always been his captain. His friend and big brother persona. Putting on a smile he then jeered, "I'm not the only who's content here. You also seem to be happy with me, nii-san." Coming closer he then gently tried to pry off Wesker's sunglasses but then a hand quickly closed in on his wrist, stopping him from doing what he was trying to do.
Wesker just dismissed the taunt given to him, then he felt Chris moving beside him and soon realized that he was trying to take his shades off. Moving on instinct, his hand closed in on Chris' wrist and he then warned him with a serious tone , "Don't" but then Chris cut in, "I want to see your face. All of it." Forming his lips into a thin line he then continued, "I'm not the same anymore. My eyes have changed. I've become into a mon-..." Again being cut in with a persistent Chris Redfield, "You're not a monster. You...I don't care. I want to see. All of you. " Sighing in defeat he let go of the wrist he was holding and let Chris take off his sunglasses. He waited for a disgusted reaction but none came, releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding he then cautiously asked, " What do you think?"
Taking Albert's shades off made Chris see that nothing else changed but his eyes, instead of their icy cold blue shade he was greeted by a dark blood red color set of eyes which were slitted. Hearing Albert breathe out loudly and ask him about what he thinks made him realize that he was worried that he might see him disgusting. Wanting to soothe his nerves he came closer and kissed his forehead. Realizing what he did, not only his but also Albert's eyes widened in surprise but unlike him, Albert was able to recover quickly and he was given a smug smirk. The next thing he then knew was that Albert had now pinned him down and his neck was being nuzzled by a huge affectionate blonde tyrant.
Being kissed on the forehead by Chris made his doubts about disgust disappear. Looking at him, Wesker was then able to notice that even Chris himself was surprised at such an action; smirking smugly he then quickly pinned Chris and nuzzled his neck as a sign of happiness. After a few minutes, he then realized that Chris was't pushing him away; looking at his captive he then smiled slightly when he saw a resigned look on his younger brother's face. Pushing himself off of Chris he then asked, "What's the matter?"
Opening his eyes as he heard the question given to him, Chris then answered, "I just thought of today and the mission at Delaware...," pausing for a few moments he then continued with a question of his own, "Tell me, Albert, were you the one who saved and helped me when I was in that mansion?" Looking up from his position he tried to analyze Albert Wesker's reaction. Realizing that Albert wouldn't want to answer him, he then closed his eyes and sighed in defeat.
Wesker didn't expect to be asked by such a thing, looking at Chris's defeated form he then replied a serious yet curious tone, "Forgive me, dear heart. I am not the person you're talkng about. To be exact, I didn't know nor expect that you and your team would be going to that facility barely had some use for me." Seeing Chris open his eyes and frown worriedly he then placed his head near his little brother's heart, listening to every beat it made.
Having his eyes closed Chris thought that his nii-san would pry and ask him questions but then he was surprised when he felt added weight on his chest. Opening his eyes to peek he saw Albert resting his head on his chest as if he was listening to his heart. Slightly smiling affectionately he used his now free left arm to caress the blond hair which belonged to the person ontop of him and using his right hand he pulled out his phone to look for something that would lessen the eerie silence surrounding them.
Albert felt Chris run a hand on his hair and not a few minutes later after Chris pulling out a phone he then heard his little brother sing along with an unfamiliar tune. As usual his brother's voice was beautiful yet what took him off guard was the lyrics of the song that was being sung. It was full of sorrow, full of emotion. Albert knew that this was what Chris felt, just by the way he sang he knew it was his true feelings. Sorrow and regret, their fight must be plaguing him. Looking at him, he then came close and whispered at his ear "I'm sorry, Chris."
Finding a suitable tune, Chris closed his eyes and began to sing with his heart, " If I die young bury me in satin, lay me down on a bed of roses. Sink me in a river at dawn, send me away with the words of a love song..." He continued to sing remembering some things that had happened in the past. Memories which he didn't exactly think would exist back when he was at loss of his memories. Albert carrying him piggy back style when he was injured, Albert resting his head on his lap without his sunglasses while sitting underneath the sun, him hugging Albert from the back, him kissing Albert on the cheek, Albert holding him close during a cold winter stake out mission, and him being held by Albert while holding a gun and shouting about not touching him. Those memories made him smile sadly, finishing the song he then heard his elder brother whisper "I'm sorry, Chris."
Albert then felt Chris hug him. Realizing his brother's tired predicament he then continued to whisper apologies and sweet nothings to his brother's ear thinking that it would compensate for all the wrong that he'd done and the fights they've been through. But as much as he did that he knew that things wouldn't still be as they were back then. Back at S.T.A.R.S . He lost his brother that day they went to the Arklay mansion. Finishing his litany he then held his brother closer to him waiting 'til Chris fell asleep.
Not much moments later he was able to feel that Chris was then asleep, knowing this he then switched their positions as he knew that as much Chris didn't complain about his weight he was definitely heavier than him. Having their positions now reversed he was the one who continued to card his hand through his brother's hair as if he was petting him. Closing his eyes he then contentedly let sleep take its course upon him.