Back to Normal...ish

[François Laffont]

He could barely keep it together. Again. But this time, for a change, he was happy. How long did this all last? It felt like months if not years even though he knew it didn’t take nearly as long. He could not help, François wasn’t used to that much worry thrown at him. Of course, the fact he had too much to deal with his feelings alone didn’t help. It made him unable to properly control his power and quiet down other people’s feelings, making his own fears and worries go through the roof and beyond. Sometimes, he even wondered how he managed to put up with all of this. But he did and he now had the reason why.

All of his worries were washed away when he saw them coming back from the rescue team. Didn’t matter who was injured, they were back, and alive. He let out tears of joy seeing them coming back. He couldn’t care less that men are not supposed to cry and that kind of shit. Clearly whoever came up with that never had their friends coming back from a suicidal mission. Now, they all needed some rest and Franck knew and respected this. As long as he knew they shall all live, what did it matter that he shall wait a day or two for them to be in good enough shape to meet him? He will let them rest and once their bodies will have recovered from their injuries, then he might start worrying about how their minds took it.

When he heard Erika was back in her room, he thought it was a good time to check on her. He waited at first, assuming her family would like to be with her. He also thought Felix had more rights to check out how she was more than he, considering he risked his life and all. Then, he should be his time, right? Well, he supposed Ellen didn’t really care about who had priority so she probably came in before everyone. As long as she was not in there as he would come to visit Erika. He didn’t want her around to make things worse.

It was surprising how fast Franck learned his way through the south wing, considering he barely ever went there before the past week. But he got to Erika’s room. He gently knocked on the door. “Erika. It’s me, it’s François. Can I come in?” he asked her, waiting patiently on the other side of the door for her to either open up or tell him to enter.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

   Needles to say, it had been a busy couple of days after arriving back at the school. The first two days had been spent in and out of the hospital for check ups, and then there was the constant visits and people hanging around. And then there was of course this entire thing with Trevor that had taken up a lot of her time. All in all, things could have been worse. The past week had flown by with little effort, and quite frankly, there hadn't been much time to sit around, thinking about what had really happened.

   Maybe she was still in denial, or maybe she just needed to let it sink in. But the ironic part was that regardless of what had happened, the kidnapping, the torture, the entire situation, there had been only one thing occupying her mind, which was sort of ironic. It had happened so sudden too; Not in a million years had she expected to end up being with Trevor. Not when they met, and certainly not after getting kidnapped. Yet, here she was. In a relationship with whom she had previously considered a slug; A shady character she was better off staying away from than sharing a bed with.

   There was still a lot to figure out; A lot to do and talk about. Not only between the recent couple, but everyone else. Erika had purposely tried avoiding as many people as she could. Surely, the fact that she didn't have any classes to go back to immediately helped this a lot. She wasn't ready to talk about it. Or, she hadn't felt ready as of yet. The constant pity stares didn't exactly make her feel any better about it either, but she figured it was what it was.

   When the brunette heard the familiar voice of Franck, she couldn't help but to let a relieved sigh escape her lips. She hadn't talked to him in what seemed like forever, and she could only imagine how worried the younger boy must have been. Jumping out of her bed, the telekinetic rushed towards the door and opened it without much hesitation. For a second, the brunette stood there and took in the familiar face of the boy she had come to adore so much, so quickly. ''Hi,'' she said, a meek smile forming itself on her lips. And then she reached her hands out and gave the younger boy a much needed hug.

   ''I missed you,'' she added softly. She had almost forgotten how comforting Franck's presence was. It was like having your very own human teddy bear; No matter what, she knew she could always count on him, and he always spoke his mind. She appreciated that. He kept her grounded. He was her very own support system, and she couldn't help but to feel as if he didn't get nearly enough appreciation.

[François Laffont]

Franck didn’t intend to leave the place without seeing Erika. There was nothing she could say or do to make him change his mind. It didn't matter in what state, both physical and mental, she was in. In fact, the more troubled she was and the more he would want to see her more. Luckily for him, Erika was not trying to hide in her room away from everybody. Or if she did, apparently he had a VIP pass.

When he saw her face again, it was as if none of this happened. Well, there were still some traces, mostly like something that changed in her eyes or something. It made Franck feel ashamed to have been such a wreck when obviously she went through far worse. Instead of working on his feelings, on a way to overcome the pain and worries, he drowned in them. And while he fought to regain some form of control over his emotions, he let the tide of other people’s feelings make him drift some more. But it was over. Well, not entirely. He could still fell some fear of what they might do in retaliation. But for now, he was not thinking about that. He was far too happy to see his friend standing just there in front of him.

All Erika needed to do was extend her arms a bit for him to come closer and hug her. The two of them kind of needed it actually. Franck used it also to scan through what she had been through. He felt everything, going backwards from the moment she was brought back here to when she got kidnapped. This part of his power was slightly different than just skimming on the surface. He felt everything like usual, but it did not stick. He wanted to know just how much she suffered as this was his biggest worry. He did get that. But something else also. Something he would like to go back with her about.

Of course, all of this happened in shorter a time it took to explain it. He smiled at her as she said she missed him. “You know, if I could have, I would’ve come with the others to rescue you all. It was just, well, I didn’t quite fit what they needed for the operation. I prayed for you all to be back safely,” he said. Surely she knew all this. Then again, Franck was a bit of a coward. It might not have been a bad thing he didn’t come to help, he probably would’ve jumped and scream at some point. He gave her a sheepish smile after saying such a thing. “How are you now?” he asked. Well, he knew how she was, of course. It was the point of being an empath. That didn't change he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss something while going through what she endured.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

   Despite everything, things were OK. She hadn't had much time to think about what had happened. Or at least not properly think about it. To be honest, Erika's mind had been too occupied trying to avoid it, and trying to figure out what the hell was going on between her and Trevor. Now that she had (To some extent), the brunette felt a little lost. She didn't know where to start, and where to stop. There was just so much going on at once, and she didn't feel like dealing with all of it. So, for now, it had been better to ignore it and continue like everything was just fine. Because in theory, it was.

   Peeking up at her friend, Erika offered him yet another meek smile. She didn't blame him for not being there. If anything, she was sort of glad he hadn't been. She didn't want to see Franck get into harm's way. He didn't deserve that. ''I know you would have,'' Erika said, nodding. ''What matters is that you're here now, yeah?'' With that, the brunette pulled back and gestured for the two of them to sit down on the couch. Before answering his question, Erika walked over and sat down with her legs crossed and her arm leaned over the back of the couch. How was she? Truth be told, she didn't know. She knew it could have been worse. She knew she probably should have felt worse too. ''I don't know,'' she began and fell silent.

   ''I mean, I don't think it has sunk in yet, you know? There has just been so much at once, and I haven't really given myself the time to sit down and think about it. The worst part is going to sleep.'' She hadn't been able to properly sleep for a week now. Well, apart from the nights she had spent with Trevor anyways. Now that real life was back in swing, Erika didn't know how to continue - or going back to what was considered normal, because in the end, nothing was normal anymore. Or at least, it didn't feel like it. ''Maybe I'm still in denial.''

   Sighing, Erika shook her head. What was there to say? She was fine? Because in some sense of the word, she was, while at the same time, she probably never would be again. It was overly confusing, and at the same time sort of refreshing. She didn't want to deal with what happened. She was... Happy, in a way. Which of course, she could thank a certain boy for. ''I think the worst part of it all is the way people keep staring at me, as if I'm some broken toy they need to pity.''

[François Laffont]

Franck actually chuckled when talked as if she was worried for him. For him! He didn't want to be the drama boy that needed comfort, especially not from someone who clearly had it harder than he. She had been tortured. Kidnapped and tortured. What he endured seemed very little in comparison. “I think you just stole my line here,” he said. But he came in and sat down on the couch as she gestured him to. He was not expecting her to hold a grudge because he didn't come to save her. Many others did not and not necessarily because they didn’t want to but because they wouldn’t have been of much help. Being too many would only have made it harder to succeed and risk more of them to be hurt. Still, the fact it was now over removed a very heavy weight off Franck’s shoulders.

He nodded as she started to explain how she felt. He could understand. Her feelings were pretty mixed up. He also knew what she meant about sleep. He did not mean to compare his own experience with hers but he had terrible nightmares about religious freaks going after him when he first found out about his power. Even now, he simply had to watch a horror movie before going to bed to make it almost impossible for him to sleep for several hours. He placed a hand over hers as she talked. “It’s just too fresh yet. Just... I don’t know, process it one memory at a time, as it comes,” he suggested her. It took him time to deal with being a mutant. She didn’t have that problem, since she was born in a family where everyone was one. He was alone in this. “It changed you, you’ll have to accept and deal with that,” he added, this time more certain of what he was talking about.

He gave her a little smile. He wouldn’t say she was a broken toy. Like he said, she changed and she wasn’t sure yet how much and what to make of it. “You don’t seem too shocked by all of this. I mean, you are, I can tell. But there’s something else... something positive,” he said. Maybe she should hold onto to it. Plus he was curious as to what caused this light to shine in her around all that darkness. Could it be Felix? Despite all that, he was still hoping for his two friends to be happy and, why not, to be happy together. Felix sure proved his feelings for her enough by throwing himself in harm’s way like he did.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Sighing, Erika nodded slightly. She didn't want to remember it, deal with it or process it. She wanted to forget all about it and focus on the good things. She knew that it was of course going to be hard, and that one of these days, she had to focus on what had happened in order to move forward, but right now? Right now she wanted to focus on the good things. The happy things. Maybe it was selfish of her, but all things considered, Erika hadn't been this... Happy in a long time. It was weird, seeing as how she had just recently been tortured and kidnapped, but...

She didn't know. Was she not allowed to be selfish and go with whatever made her feel good? What made her happy? Maybe that was what stopped her from telling everyone where her heart had been directed towards as of late. She had called things off with Everett, as she didn't see them moving forward from all of this, and then there was Felix, whom she hadn't spoken to. Well, apart from that one time in the forest where she had told him not to wait for her.

Scrunching her eyebrows, Erika bit her lower lip. She wanted to tell Franck, but she already knew the younger boy was rooting for Felix. She couldn't handle more drama right now. She didn't need people to tell her what she was doing was wrong, especially not since it was the first time she was genuinely happy. She didn't want anyone to mess that up. She didn't think she could take it. Not now. ''I suppose I'm just in denial and glad to be home.'' It wasn't a lie. Sure, she left out some details, but she was glad to be home, and she was in denial. Sort of, anyways. She had yet to come to terms with everything, and she needed to clear her head on her own.

[François Laffont]

If Franck could, he’d be hugging Erika all day and not give a shit what others would say about it. His heart could burst at the thought of his friends safe again. All that happened... it had been a nightmare. He prayed to wake up and find them all back. Some died. Too many. But at least they came back. Felix feeling worst than ever but he didn't want to think about him just yet. He might later, when he’ll question Erika a bit as to what might have happened exactly. The way Felix talked of it, he was under the impression she not only turned him down as a boyfriend, which anyway they both expected a little, but also as a friend. And that one came as a surprise. He wanted to elaborate on this. But first, hugs.

Franck could also sense her happiness. It was more than just relief for being back. There was something else. He was curious to know why. If he was backing up Felix a hundred percent, he was also Erika’s friend. In the end, he wanted both to be happy, even if that meant not together. He waited for her to talk to him. It was not the answer he expected. He paused a moment but finally smiled to her. He didn’t know why she didn’t want to tell him. “Trust me, the feeling is mutual. You really got me worried I went back to praying, you imagine? Now, I suppose God didn't listen because I’m gay and a mutant which means he loves me more than the rest of mankind but you came back so maybe I’m wrong,” he said, chuckling a little. He scooted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“I can’t imagine all that happened to you, but I’m really happy to see you again,” he told her, his tone softer as he spoke those words. He didn't want her to make a joke out of it as much as his first comment.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Resting her chin on top of the back of the couch, Erika only managed to offer the younger boy half of a smile as he talked about praying. She hadn't thought how it must have been for Franck, Elsa or anyone else who had friends that had gotten kidnapped; Not only had the experiences they had encountered at the SPECTRE headquarters, but it couldn't have been easy for people back here either. They had been gone for a month and a half without anyone having any idea where either of them were. If the roles had been reversed, Erika didn't know how she'd be holding up. She couldn't imagine having someone she cared about being ripped away and...

When his arm came around her, Erika had to blink to prevent the tears to appear from her already burning eyes. Resting her head against Franck's shoulder, Erika pressed forth a smile. Closing her eyes, the brunette sighed, ''I'm really happy to see you again too,'' she whispered. No, she wouldn't make a joke of it. Not this. Not now. This meant too much; As did he. Without Franck, Erika didn't really know where she would have been right now. He was truly and genuinely her support system. If that ever changed, Erika was one hundred percent sure she'd be a goner.

''I missed you.''

[François Laffont]

Franck didn’t mean to compare what he felt to what she went through. He had no idea just how horrible it had been. He could get a good idea of it by touching her and reading her emotions. But it was still not the same as living it, with the images, with the thoughts that came to her mind back then. He would not pretend however that finding out two of his closest friends were kidnapped left him indifferent. He lost it, it was as easy as that. Had he found some way to be all alone and perhaps meditate or process what he was going through, perhaps he would have kept some composure. But he didn’t get that chance and everyone’s fear affected him even more as it touched his own feelings.

This was over though and Franck was ready to push that aside as a bad moment he went through. One they all went through. There were dead to cry still and a lot of apprehension for the future. But right now, all Franck wanted to do was be there for his friend and show how happy he was for her to be back. He let her put her head against his shoulder. He knew the closer they were, the more powerful her feelings would come to him. He was even able to read deeper into what she felt. But he was not taking that dive. He did already, just so he could have an idea of the damage they caused on her without her having to tell him all. It was during moments like this one that he found his power handy. In the end, they were right not to let them come with them to the rescue. His real role in this was now, he could just feel it.

He smiled at what she said, applying some pressure with his arm as to hug her while remaining in that position. “If there is anything I can do to help, please tell me,” he said to her. He meant it. He really wanted to help her, if she needed any help. Even if all he had to do was stay there next to her and hug her. He knew that no matter how little a gesture it seemed to be, it mattered.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

At the end of the day, Erika didn't think she was ready to properly express her feelings about what had happened. She probably wouldn't for quite some time. No, the brunette was known for her ability to block everything out and hide it deep inside, and this was by far no exception. She was going to continue to pretend everything was okay and focus on the good things in her life, which as it stood, happened to be Trevor; One of the few people that actually knew what she was going through, and could relate to.

The two of them had grown close with their time spent in the cell and what happened afterwards. They hadn't talked much about it, but the company the younger boy offered was more than enough.

"I will," Erika promised as she peeked up at her friend. "But I don't think there's much anyone can do right now, you know? I need time to just let it sink in and adjust..." And the fact that she didn't want to talk about what had happened surely didn't help either. It was too raw and too painful. There was images she'd rather want to bury deep inside than thinking about, sharing and discussing.

Lifting her hand, the same hand Eddy had tortured, Erika sighed. Whenever she thought about that moment, her veins turned to ice and her mouth was filled with venom. If she would ever be capable of killing anyone, it would be that one man.

[François Laffont]

Franck was fine with Erika not wanting to talk about it right now, or to talk to him about it. But he knew how things could go when you bottle them inside. They start eating you. Erika should know as well, she was doing the same and tasted before the pain that could result from such behaviour. Might she need a little reminder, Franck would just do so. If he was her teddy bear to get through things, he was also saying the things you might now want to hear but really should.

He nodded to what she said. “Of course. I can’t say I know what you’ve been through and I hope you don’t mind me saying I hope never to know. For now, we should just be glad you’re all back,” he said, giving her another quick squeeze. He didn’t want to think of those who died during the attack. In a way, there could have been so much more, but it was also a terrible thing to say, knowing those who died were mostly students, kids. Still, the fact his friends came back of it alive was enough to relieve Franck of all the worries weighing on his shoulders for the past weeks. Perhaps he didn’t look good saying that out loud but it was still the case. They were his close friends, he knew them more than those who died. Their lives mattered more to him, as horrible as it may sound.

When she looked at her hand, Franck felt her emotions coming back from deep within. He knew she didn’t want to talk about it and what he got from that simple gesture was enough for him also to want and change the subject. “What will you be doing now? I mean, the school is nearly over. Can you believe it? It seems almost trivial in comparison to what happened lately,” he said, a soft smile playing on his lips as he thought about it. A lot of things happened since he last worried about exams and the like. He still had one more year to go before college. But it was not her case. He didn't remind ever asking her what she planned to do of her life.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

"Not at all," Erika said with a meek smile, "I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. Not even my worst enemy." No, it was absolutely not something anyone should ever have to live through, let alone a bunch of kids. Things had been horrible, that much was for certain, but Erika would rather forget it had happened at all and move on. Sure, she knew that it wouldn't be easy and that she still had a long way to go, but at least she was home. That was what mattered, right? She could worry about everything later.

Franck's next question had Erika frowning. "Don't remind me," she said silently with a sigh. She knew that once school was over, summer would approach, and once summer ended, the brunette would be tossed into a position she didn't even want. Sometimes, having your entire future pre-planned wasn't as much fun as it sounded. Erika wished there was an option letting her avoid it, but even as badly as she wished for it to be, she knew that there was no way around it. "My family has pre-planned my entire future, so I guess you could say that this summer is my last months of 'freedom'," she said with a plastered on smile. "You still have a year left though. What will you possibly do without all of us to worry about?"

Well, he still had Frank, so there was that at least. And without the other kids in the way, Erika was sure Frank would rule the world. It made her smile, thinking about it. "You better take good care of Frank, you hear?" Erika murmured with a soft laughter. No, she didn't worry. She knew both Frank and Franck was in good hands.

[François Laffont]

Franck nodded as he agreed to what she said. He wouldn’t wish it to his enemies either. Taking children just because they were mutants, when they did nothing wrong at all. After all, what could possibly a girl who can eat anything have done to you to deserve being snatched and starved? Franck knew the feeling of being hated for your difference, and to be attacked for it. His mother came after him because he could not be normal and that was dangerous and the work of the devil no doubt. He still had the occasional nightmare about it. So he had a good idea what Erika would be going through. And so was ready to be here for her should she need someone.

He frowned a bit as she sighed when he mentioned summer and the end of school. She explained the problem. And it only made him frown more. “Sorry if I sound harsh, but that seems to be a problem with you, you let others choose for you. Ellen pushed away anyone you wanted to meet but she didn’t like. And now your parents choose what you’ll do of your life,” he said, using Ellen as an example to prove his point. You might not think that of Erika Bellefonte but Franck sure came to that conclusion. “It’s your life Erika. You get to choose who you want in it and what you want to do of it. If you don’t, you’ll wake up one morning and realize you never liked anything about it.” Of course, if she let them plan her life, perhaps she didn’t bother thinking what she wanted to do with it. But that should not stop her, right?

He smiled and gave her a brief nod when she reminded him he still had one year to go, chuckling as she asked what he would do. “Well, I guess I’ll have to find myself a new group of friends amongst the new guys. I already feel sometimes like the unofficial welcoming committee here, I won’t change that,” he told her, laughing a little as he said that. He was sad they will be going. Some might go to college so it was not like he wouldn’t see them anymore. “What will you be doing?” he asked, since she said her parents chose for her but not quite what they chose her life to be.

He laughed again as she mentioned Frank. “I’m kind of worried what she’ll be like after what you’ve been through. She’s so unpredictable,” he admitted. She could become crazier or depressed or not change at all. You just never know with her. “I’m glad you found something positive to hold onto to get through this. Felix isn’t feeling so good so I’ll be able to watch over him without feeling like I’m letting you down,” he told her. He worried a lot for their mutual friend. Wait, was he mutual? Felix did say something as to what they might no longer be friends. But Franck refused to believe it.