[SB] A Dark Cloud On A Sunny Day

[François Laffont]

That group vacation for the Spring Break was a great idea. Franck never would have been able to afford a trip to Mexico on such a luxurious cruise ship otherwise. What was even better was the fact that everyone seemed pretty happy. They could all relax and enjoy their break. He felt that even the staff members who accompanied them were more tolerable. Franck sure saw his share of behaviours that would normally not be allowed but it didn't seem to matter as much. Yes, everyone was having a good time.

Except for one. Franck loved how the mood was up. Since he could feel everything, it made him in a very happy mood himself just to sense that everyone was also. Normally, it was hard for him to pick up one particular feeling in a crowd but when there seemed to be one who was down while everyone was happy, he could notice it. He frowned and looked around, in case he might be able to spot whoever was not sharing this pleasant moment with the rest of them. It was almost over after all, they should be having fun while they still could. It didn't take him very long to figure out who it might be.

As he approached Artemis James, it was clearer to Franck he was the one not really enjoying himself. He came over to him and stood not too far from where he was. “I can’t help but to notice that everyone is having fun except for you. Is there something wrong?” Franck felt bad that someone did not have as great a time as the others. And, being who he was, he had to try and see if he could not help him about it.

[Artemis James]

The ocean stretched out for seemingly miles, a stretch of endless blue right up to the horizon, the ship causing few ripples to spread across the silken mirror of water. The sky was almost clear, flecked with white cloud, the sun beating down with a sunny disposition.
It was a shame not all were affected by it; as the crowd of students and staff around him on the top deck drank, ate, gossiped and partyed, Artemis stood with his folded arms leaning on the railing of the ship, looking out across the ocean. A small warm breeze ruffled his hair and drew a sigh from his lips, leaning down further until his chin was resting on his folded arms. When he'd first heard he was going on this cruise ship on a holiday which frankly he couldn't have even dreamed of pior to coming to Bellefonte, Artemis had been ecstatic. He had hoped, despite his better judgement, that perhaps such an excursion away from the Academy would be what Lucy needed, that he could reach out to her and that perhaps they could start to build on new fondations of their sibling bond; How wrong he'd been.

Lucy had been increasingly hateful, and now it appeared she wanted nothing to do with him anymore. She seemed more then glad about him staying away from her, and had expressed that openly. Then there was the twins... They were revelling in the entire situation, taking pleasure in teasing him and riling him up... Then there was Lucy's confession. A lie or not, it was still a horrific move to pull just to upset him. Sometimes, Artemis couldn't help but doubt them even being siblings. How could she so heartlessly treat him this way? Then again, how could he continue to believe that beyond all the mouth and bravado, that his twin was in there somewhere? He was a fool.

He pouted sadly, before suddenly blinking and lifting his head up at the sound of someone addressing him. He assumed it was him anyway, considering he was perhaps the only person on deck without a grin on their face. He looked over towards the source of the sound, recognising the guy as the one who he'd met in the forest outside of the Academy; The french guy. Franck.
"Oh no, I'm fine, honestly," He lied, forcing a smile on his face and waving a hand at the guy; The last thing he wanted was to bring someone else down with him. "Just feeling... seasick."

[François Laffont]

Poor Artemis had no idea how useless it was to lie to him about his mood. Franck gave him an indulgent smile as he was pretty sure none of them could believe it. He knew most people didn’t want to be open books and reveal how they felt so easily but Franck was still feeling bad for the boy, perhaps even more now that he was trying to put on a show for him. “I’m pretty good at knowing what mood people are. In fact, that’s my ability,” he admitted, to show Artemis it was useless to try for him.

Franck leaned against eh railing and observed Artemis. He would not pretend he knew the guy but this was more than just some seasickness. Franck however was drawn to the sadder people, wanting so much to help them and have them cheer up. It was true right now also. Even though he knew his power at making things better was limited, he still wanted to try. They all deserved a fun trip, even if right now it was a trip home. “I’m not asking you to tell me what happened if you don’t want to, but if I can do something to help you feel better...” he began to say. Franck believed you could feel better just talking about it, since it no longer weighed only on you. Of course, he shouldn’t force him, this was why he suggested he could help in any way, even if that include doing anything but talk of what happened to make him so down.

He studied the other boy. He was probably in a worse state than he first believed. Whatever happened, it affected him deep down inside. “I don’t want to force you, but I don’t really like seeing people down. Especially when this trip was meant to be fun,” he said, giving Artemis his most encouraging smile.

[Artemis James]

Artemis's hope that Franck would take his answer without hesitation failed almost immediately, and the boy gave Franck a slightly sheepish smile. "You... You can sense emotions?" He spoke, feeling a flicker of embarrassment for having lied to him in the first place when the guy must have seen right through it. He pouted slightly in defeat, shifting his gaze back to towards the ocean. What use was there in hiding how he felt to a guy who could read his mood? When they'd met previously Artemis had been touched by the kindness this guy practically radiated, and now he could see why he seemed to have a talent for saying just the right thing at the right time; He knew how the other was feeling. Artemis wished to a degree his own mutation had been something similar... Then perhaps he could actually work out exactly where he stood with Lucy.

Artemis's eyebrows knitted together with concern as Franck went on, offering to discuss what was bothering him. Artemis didn't want to drag the guy down, not when he seemed so upbeat when he'd first come over to speak to him; but at the same time, the desire to just give in and share how truly terrible this entire experience had been for him overall was also weighing heavily on him. He narrowed his gaze for a moment at the horizon, before his expression relaxed and he shifted a weak smile to the other boy.

"... I've... I've not had the best time, really," He replied. "... Things have been. Eventful. I've made some stupid mistakes and I can't help but feel like... Something is over, as much as I don't want it to be." He bit his bottom lip, shifting his eyeline down to the ripples created by the ship as it steadily made it's way back towards the dock they'd set off from. It seemed like it had been a lifetime ago. "... I don't know if you know my sister, Lucy James. She's... She's my twin. But we... And I..." He trailed off a moment, not wanting to lay all of this heavy information on the poor guy; He looked over to Franck, giving him a small warm smile. Best warn him. "This is going to get a touch heavy, I apologise in advance."

[François Laffont]

Franck nodded to Artemis’ question. He could already feel some embarrassment for the lie. Franck was used to it. In fact, this was probably one of the most positive reaction he got when admitting what his power was, so many people getting guarded instead and feeling like he was invading their privacy. In comparison, being embarrassed meant they were not mad at him for knowing so much just by standing next to them. For this reason, he considered it a somewhat positive reaction. “I’m an empath, I can feel people’s emotions,” he explained. “Please, don’t feel bad about it. It’s not like you knew and I get why people want to say they’re feeling fine,” he assured Artemis. He got how people didn’t want to have people worry about them because they were a little down. It was just pointless with him as he would know.

The internal conflict that stirred in Artemis was all sensed by Franck who simply waited there, even if it might feel him a little uneasy. At least they were not touching as it would make him feel the emotions even more, almost as if they were his own. It was best just to know the intensity of the boy’s confusion and pain.

He had another brief nod when Artemis admitted not having the best of time. So he was ready to tell Franck some of the weight he had on his shoulders. Franck made sure to listen and even more to show the other one he was listening. He could understand it was hard for him to talk about this but the way he said it made it all rather cryptic. Did his lover break up with him or something? Franck preferred not to theorize what happened until he heard everything. It was a good idea because it had nothing to do with a lover but a sister. “Not really,” he admitted as he said his sister’s name. Another twin. Twins seemed to be popular around here.

Had he known Lucy James, maybe he would have been able to guess how bad this all was but Franck didn’t really know her. He returned Artemis’ smile, to encourage him. “It is ok. Something happened with your sister?”

[Artemis James]

Finding out that Franck was an empath didn't much change Artemis's demeanour towards him beyond feeling embarrassed for lying. Artemis didn't feel as though Franck was invading his privacy, despite the guy knowing exactly what he was feeling; Artemis had never been one to guard his emotions from others, and was more concerned with his emotional state upsetting Franck rather then Franck prying into his feelings. He knew he meant well, and Artemis was actually rather thankful for it; He'd wanted someone to talk to, as much as he still was a little apprehensive when it came to laying all of his troubles on someone else.
He gave Franck an apologetic smile, before taking a deep breath and sighing; He hadn't spoken to anyone else fully about each issue he'd been dealing with recently, and preparing himself to open up about all of it was a little nerve-wracking.
"... My twin isn't in the best place as a person, and hasn't been for some time," He began. "She's... been through a lot. I won't go too much into it since it isn't my place to say, but Lucy's been on the streets, dealt with some unsavoury people." He looked away from Franck a moment, shifting his gaze back to the ocean; The seemingly endless blue was calming to a degree. He considered going into how he had gone searching for her, ending up on the wrong end of a drug dealer's knife, but that seemed far too heavy on an issue to bring up to someone else he barely knew; He also didn't fancy delving into that memory. "... Lucy ended up being brought to the Academy when her mutation kicked in, and then mine did soon after. I thought... I thought coming here would give us a chance to bond again, but it's just... she's been..." He trailed off, leaning down to rest his chin on his arms, looking out across the water. "... Hateful. At every turn she acts like I'm this burden, that she'd rather I wasn't here. I just wanted to try and protect her, but all she seems to want to do is to destroy herself and try her best to spite me."

He smiled weakly, before turning his head slightly to look at Franck, raising an eyebrow. "you know what she did on this ship? Some guy was messing with her, one of those ghost twins. I tried to get them to back off and leave her alone... And she... She made up this lie, I'm sure it was a lie... That she slept with the guy, just to hurt me." Artemis's voice was shaking slightly as he revealed this part of his story, quickly looking back out to sea to avoid Franck seeing the shimmer of tears over his eyes. "... And it worked. But I mean, who does that? What kind of sister pulls that just to hurt their own twin? ... I miss the old Lucy... But I don't even remember what she was like anymore before all of this, it's been so long. And that kinda hurts more... That I can't even recall so much anymore how she used to be."

[François Laffont]

The way Artemis talked, his sister Lucy went through one really rough patch and was still deep in it. Over all of his explanation however, the one thing Franck retained the most was the love the boy had for his twin. He deeply cared for her and in one might not get it from his words, being an empath would assure them of it. Franck was an only child, he never had a sibling to care for him to this extent. He, however, cared for his friends with just as much strength and immediately took for Artemis and shared his pain to see someone he cared for being so down.

Franck knew different twins. Elsa and Erika were very different while Jasper and Casper were very much alike. They all had something in common though, they would do anything to protect their twin. It seemed like the protecting was only one-sided here. He frowned, genuinely sorry for Artemis. He thought about what he said of their relationship before saying anything. “Maybe she loves you more than you think? Maybe she just doesn’t want you to fall in the same trouble she is in?” he suggested. Of course, not knowing his sister and how she acted around everyone didn’t help and it was why there was a big question mark after what he said.

Artemis then shared things she did during the trip. He flinched at the mention of the ghost twins. Somehow, he thought he was referring to Jasper. It was very much like him to prod at people to see what would come out of it. And, unlike Artemis, he knew there was a high chance the fact they slept together was no lie. It hurt him and he tried to avoid showing it to Artemis. He was not aware of his connection with the twins. Franck still felt it was a little betrayal on Jasper’s part, if it was Jasper who slept with her. He was here, why didn’t he come to him? Luckily for Franck, Artemis was also looking away and might not have noticed his trouble.

He took a deep breath, trying not to think about this and focus on Artemis but this caused a pain inside of him that resonated with Artemis’ pain, therefore only making his hurt more because of this. He gulped and took another deep breath before looking at Artemis again. “I think maybe she’s trying to tell you to stop worrying so much for her, or that she isn’t the old Lucy you once knew? People change, all the time. She found a very cruel way to do it, I give you that. It’s not something you do.” Telling you brother you slept with someone, with... he preferred not to think about it. “Sometimes, the only thing you can do to help someone is to wait for them to ask for your help. I know how hard it can be but it looks to me that the more you try to reach out for her, the more she hurts you. Maybe it ahs to come from her.” He preferred to hide the fact he believed it was not a lie. Clearly this boy suffered enough without needing to be told she likely slept with this ghost twin he didn’t seem to like at all.

[Artemis James]

Artemis had always retained a passion for his family and his siblings, something which he couldn't shake even if he wanted to. Despite how broken their family was, Artemis cared for each member deeply; Even with how his mother was, how she'd pushed Lucy to breaking point, how she'd blamed her after Lucy had failed to gain any further acting work... How she'd lied to Artemis about Lucy's whereabouts... He still cared about her, cared about her wellbeing. It seemed no matter how much those he cared for hurt him or pushed him away, Artemis remained steadfast in his resolve to protect them. Did that make him foolish? Highly likely.

He closed his eyes a moment, listening to Franck's words, that maybe Lucy loved him more then she was letting on. Artemis smiled, and opened his eyes again. "You know, I did think so," He replied. "I did think that she did love me, you know, deep down. But to be honest, I'm increasingly doubting that." He gave a wide grin, looking to the French boy. "Won't stop me though, you watch. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment,because I just won't give up on her." He laughed a little, although the sadness was evident in his voice, his acceptance that he'd likely given himself a task that could never be achieved, despite his best efforts. He drew his eyes again to the the ocean, before lifting his head up with a soft sigh. The boy however noted the slight change i the other boy's voice, a faint layer of hurt. He raised an eyebrow and looked to Franck, who didn't seem to be showing any of the hurt Artemis was sure he'd heard in his voice. Maybe the guy had a sibling who's hurt him in a similar way?
Artemis blinked slowly at him as he listened to the guy's words, a weak smile donning his lips; His words were wise ones, understanding ones. Artemis wanted to believe him with everything he had, that Lucy would eventually reach out to him... But what if it was too late by then? What if she was too far gone? The thought struck Artemis like ice in his very soul, and frankly he pushed it out of his mind before it could settle.

"... Maybe you're right," He spoke softly, thoughtfully. "... But I'm too scared to back off. I'm so afraid that if I give her space, she'll do something horrific." His voice shook again on the last word, and he looked away, biting his bottom lip. "You know, the twin did it on purpose too. He said he slept with her just to hurt me, to get a reaction out of me... I mean, I should have twigged he would go that far. The other pulled another stupid stunt, the Jasper one. Kissed me just to see how I'd react." Artemis's eyes narrowed at at the sea. "Pathetic, huh?"

[François Laffont]

Family meant a lot to Franck too. He knew how it felt to love someone despite all the bad things they could have done or said to you. No matter how much he knew he was better off without his mother in his life, despite what she did, he still loved her and wished for a day they might reunite. He understood why Artemis was seeking such a reunion of happen with his sister. But Franck had tried and seen his heart turn to shreds and so could see where the boy was heading. If he could help him before it was too late, he would try to. Hoping could be really painful, perhaps more than knowing there was no chance but Franck still preferred to hope and if that meant burying your head in the ground, well he would and he would shove Artemis’ head underground too.

“You shouldn’t,” he replied. He did realise this comment might be ambiguous and could as much mean that he shouldn’t give up on her as that he shouldn’t look for more pain. “It’s hard to give up on someone, especially when they are this close. But you might also want to care about yourself,” he pointed out, looking at Artemis as he said that. It was what Franck tried to do. He couldn’t let any abandonment take away who he was. And it looks to him that Artemis should try and protect himself too. It was the problem with guys like them, they always ended up hurt because they cared more about others than what might happened to them. It particularly hurt when those you cared for were the ones doing the hurting.

Franck didn’t expect to be this emotional while listening to Artemis. But his words struck a chord in his heart, a very sensible one, and he couldn’t help being affected. “I know,” he whispered, barely loud enough for Artemis to hear. Yes, he was afraid too. But wait, they were not talking about him. Franck forced himself to shake it off and focus on Artemis again. He was about to add some more but Artemis started to talk again and something he said had Franck flinch. “Wait, it was Casper who slept with her?” Franck couldn’t help a sigh of relief. Yes, he did hear that Jasper kissed Artemis but it mattered less than finding out he did not sleep with his sister.

[Artemis James]

Letting all of this out, despite the weight of it, was actually feeling like a small relief to Artemis. Maybe it was Franck, like Devyn he had a talent for listening and making someone else feel better just by being there and offering a shoulder to cry on. Artemis did feel guilty for dragging Franck into his problems however, especially as he realised all of the negativity he was feeling was likely radiating off him pretty intensely. The boy smiled a little at the French boy's words, that no matter how hard it was he needed to be concerned for his own welfare too. He was speaking sense, but despite his sensible replies Artemis knew he couldn't let Lucy go; Even if it impended on himself. She needed him, deep down; He hoped, at least. She was hurting, so she was taking out her pain and frustration on herself and on him. Maybe she thought that by him attempting to protect her, that he thought she was weak? If there was one thing Lucy wouldn't stand for, it was being seen as weak. Backing off seemed like the best option, but the very thought made Artemis's heart quiver. She'd fall into that abyss, he was certain. She'd fall and he wouldn't be there to pull her back...

No. He would be. He wouldn't let that happen, not again. She could hate him, she could rip his heart in two, she could denounce him as her twin... He didn't care. If she was safe, then he'd done something worthwhile, but he couldn't help but feel utterly helpless at this seemingly unachievable task.

"I'm so scared," He mumbled, more to himself then to Franck, looking upwards to the blue sky; the blue was endless, calming. He remembered watching the night's stars the previous evening, and how he wished he could have stayed there forever, in the quiet, far from the painful drama with his sister and the teasing he'd suffered with from the twins. He then shifted his gaze back to Franck, blinking at him.
"Well, I don't think they really slept together," He lied to himself. "But yeah, it was Casper. You know those twins too, huh? I've never met a pair of such arrogent and infuriating people... They thought me trying to defend Lucy was hilarious." He pouted and quickly looked away, his voice having caught in his throat; He hadn't cried yet over this, and he had no intention of starting now.

[François Laffont]

Again, it occurred to Franck that those with the best advices were rarely following them. No matter how much he would tell Artemis it would be best for him to keep away and wait for his sister to make the first move, Franck knew that, in his place, it wouldn’t take much before he’d run at her rescue. Well, not Artemis’ sister obviously, since he didn’t even know her, but whoever that might put him through this kind of situation. Still, he thought it was good advice. Artemis needed to watch out for himself too. It would be painful enough to watch her destroy herself but if he kept letting her hurt him so easily... One day he might just give up on her and she’ll realise she just lost the one person who loved her no matter what. Then again, it might take an awful lot of time before that happened. Franck knew it would be long until he’d totally give up hope on his mother.

“I know it hurts but maybe she need it to hit her hard to get it,” he let out after Artemis admitted being scared. “I’m not meaning something awful have to happen to her,” he quickly let out before the boy may think he was suggesting otherwise. “But maybe she needs to face with the consequences of her act, instead of always having you to stop her before she gets there.” Then again, he had no idea what were the things she did to destroy herself. He was not implying he should let her cut her wrists or overdose or anything of the like. More force professional help on her, one she couldn’t refuse because she’d have no choice. Maybe it would be seen as a betrayal but he didn’t see what other option her brother had. “You might not be equipped to properly help her...”

Franck was particularly relieved to hear it was Casper she messed with. He didn't tell Artemis that, when the twins were concerned, it was likely to be true. He had to deal with enough and it was awful enough that his sister told him of it. There was nothing to gain from it except hurt him. But it didn’t affect him as much as if it had been Jasper. He nodded to admit he knew the twins. He finally focused on what Artemis said, having an indulgent smile appear on his lips. “You don’t like them much, do you?” Franck understood why the twins may not be liked by all. It was not easy all the time to deal with them. He frowned though when he said they mocked his worries for his sister. “Really?” Now, Jasper might drop a little in his esteem.

[Artemis James]

Despite everything, Artemis knew he couldn't give up on Lucy. He'd been unable to protect her when she needed him, way back when their mother was pressuring her, so he couldn't just let her go now no matter how much she pushed him away. Maybe she wanted to see him give up, since it would clarify that she was unsaveable? The thought almost made Artemis's heart quiver. He glanced back towards Franck as the boy went on, blinking at him slowly as he expressed the concept that Lucy needed to hit rock bottom or something like it perhaps in order to realise the descent she was on. Despite the idea making sense, Artemis couldn't help but feel that if Lucy fell any further she wouldn't be able to recover. She'd already fallen to perhaps the lowest point a living person could reach on more then one occasion. He let Franck go on though, thankful for the advice none the less. The guy's comment regarding Artemis not being properly equipped caused him to sigh softly, frowning as he looked off to the side; "... I wish it were that simple, to simply tell a staff member. It'll only make her hate me more, and she'll be even more defiant," He spoke sadly. "Authority figures and Lucy don't go well together... But I don't know what other option there is..." He trailed off, the realisation that telling someone else, someone more qualified then him, may be the only route left open. Lucy couldn't hate him any more then she already did anyway, right? It all felt rather hopeless.

Artemis shifted his gaze back to Franck as the boy nodded in response to his question regarding if he knew the twins or not; He pouted a little, before wrinkling his nose and casting the guy a small smile. "If you're friends with them, they don't deserve you," He spoke honestly, before his brows furrowed and he let out an exasperated sigh.
"... I asked them to leave Lucy alone. I told them she wasn't well, that she shouldn't be messed with," He explained. "Jasper described what he was going to do to her... ... They both said they were going to do what they wanted anyway, and in doing so showed that they didn't care about her wellbeing. They were pretty intimidating." He took a further shakey breath, aware that his words had started to shake towards the end of his sentence. "... They surrounded me. Said it was cute that someone like me that they could easily beat up was trying to be intimidating. ... I only wanted them to leave her alone. I was trying to protect her."

[François Laffont]

It was very hard to advise Artemis, not only because it was a very important and delicate matter but also because he didn't know his sister. He probably heard rumours on her account but he never met with her and made a personal opinion of the girl. What he knew, however, was how worried her brother was and if he couldn’t do anything to the girl who, anyway, didn’t want to be saved, he could help her brother. If he was hitting rock bottom thanks to her, he could put him back on his feet. Unlike her, he seemed the kind to both accept and be grateful for the help. Franck did think it might be time for him to stop helping out the strays. He couldn’t save everyone and he sometimes felt as if he had caused more bad than good. But he couldn’t help it. Artemis seemed like a very nice person, he couldn’t let him sink because of this.

“I suppose so,” he admitted as Artemis shared his opinion on the matter. “I’m really sorry for you.” Franck said nothing else. He could have, point out how sometimes, when you love someone, you have to let them hate you and all. But he couldn’t say it at the same time. Artemis was doing exactly the kind of thing Franck would do and he couldn’t bring himself to tell the boy this was the only solution when he knew so well he wouldn’t go that way, no matter how painful it would be for everybody not to.

Sensing how Artemis disliked them, he was uncomfortable at admitting he was dating one of them. No doubt Artemis would feel terrible for letting his anger out on them. “I’m a little more than that,” he still admitted though. Whatever happened between the three, it was clear Artemis met the worst side of the twins. He frowned though as he heard what Jasper said. He was not entirely surprise he said something like that, it was his type of thing to say, but it didn’t stop it from being unpleasant to hear. “In a way, they are not entirely wrong,” he began to say. Franck felt the need to soften the edges here. “I’m not saying they were right to say it like that, that was inappropriate. If they said it like that though I wouldn’t worry too much. They obviously did it to get you react more than because they really intended to do anything. They just wanted you to get you couldn’t decide for them. They probably heard you about your sister, despite all that.” At least Franck hoped. Alright, Casper probably slept with his sister. But whatever things Jasper might have said he would do with her... Then again, Franck was wishing so hard for it not to be true that he might just be refusing to see the truth.

He had an apologetic smile. “They tend to do that. They don’t get that not everyone likes to be toyed with.”

[Artemis James]

Artemis could see where Franck was coming from, and although he appreciated everything the boy was saying, it was always hard to take the advice you didn't want to take. Bringing in someone else, informing a staff member, felt like he was giving up; if there was anything Lucy hated more then being told what to do or not do by her brother, it was someone in authority doing so. She'd only react even harsher then before, fly off the handle and do something incredibly stupid just to prove her point that she didn't want any help. But what else could he do? Franck was speaking sense, and yet actually following through with his advice felt as though it carried too much of a risk; Lucy would pull something drastic if he brought in a staff member. The boy didn't know what else he could do, what options he had left... Lucy hated him anyway. Whatever happened in her future, and he doubted it would be anything but smooth, he couldn't let her destroy herself without a fight. He loved her, despite everything she did and every cruel word she stabbed him with, Artemis still loved his sister.

His eyes widened slightly at Franck's comment hinting to something more then friendship with the twins, or at least one of them, causing the boy to raise an eyebrow in almost disbelief. "A guy like you, someone as caring and friendly as you, is dating one of them?" Artemis spoke, before shaking his head a little, furrowing his brow, before he suddenly flinched as realisation dawned on him. "Oh man, I'm so sorry, I don't know which one you're dating but either way... Look, if it was Jasper, the kiss wasn't returned. The guy forced it on me."
Poor Franck. Artemis but his bottom lip, feeling a flurry of guilt, as well as annoyance; This guy, someone Artemis had already surmised was a decent, kind, good hearted individual, was dating one of those twins? They clearly didn't care for his feelings either, no matter whichever one it was. Disgusting. How one of them ended up with his guy was truly beyond Artemis.
His next few comments however brought on a shift, with Artemis's apologetic smile falling away as he stared at Franck, holding up his hands once the boy was done. "Woah, okay, hold on just a moment there," He spoke, pouting slightly. "I understand that as the boyfriend of one of those guys, you're biased, and I understand wanting to defend someone who you have feelings for. But you can't honestly say that what they did had decent fondations to stand on."

He took a deep breath before sighing, letting his arms drop to his sides. "Franck, I told them about Lucy's mental state, yet they showed complete disregard for that. They didn't care if they made her worse... They only cared about what they wanted, not caring if it potentially pushed her further to the edge... And yet you're saying that's fine because they were showing me that I couldn't decide for them?" Artemis then took a long, deep breath, a small smile returning to his lips. "... What they're doing is bullying, Franck, plain and simple. Upsetting people to get a reaction to gain some kind of self gratification isn't some quirky personality trait. It's cruel." He then took another moment before raising his hands up, gesturing in small circles over his chest. "I'm.. .Guessing all of this isn't exactly making you feel too good... ... I'm sorry," He spoke, referring to his emotions, giving the boy an apologetic grin before it fell away, and he stepped back slightly, as though some more distance between them would help. "... I don't want to ruin your day."

[François Laffont]

The relationship Artemis had with his sister Lucy made Franck glad he had no sibling. He didn’t want to think what could happen if he had any. What if they turned up like their mother, extremely religious to the point of condemning all of what Franck was, despite all the good he offered to this world? Despite how Franck loved to say he accepted who he was, he still felt many insecurities. It wasn’t always easy to admit you were different.

He chuckled, looking down at the waves as Artemis came up to the conclusion he was dating one of the boys. He never really told anyone. Well, except Erika, but it was to know whether it was a good idea or not. And Frank, but it was her fault, she was the one who assumed he was not having any bedroom action. And, well, the Dirty Laundry liked to point he was seeing them. But other than that, no one knew. He didn’t know if he should be doing that really, to talk of Jasper, referring to him as his boyfriend. They both agreed they were dating but Franck also said it was an open relationship. Maybe he should have asked himself what the rules of an open relationship were first. He didn’t really like how Artemis implied he was nice and they weren’t but he already knew how much he disliked them so he tried not to think about this. He looked back only when Artemis tried to defend himself about the kiss he shared with Jasper. “It’s alright. I am dating Jasper, but I know how he is. He did that trick on me too, to be honest. And, well, we have an agreement,” he told him. He didn’t want to say open relationship and all, since he figured he didn’t want any detail to begin with. He did realise he seemed to dislike Jasper more, so it would make things awkward between them. “Don’t feel bad for what you feel about them. I’m not forcing you to like any of them for my sake.” Still, Franck preferred not to hear too much insult thrown their way, or any detail on the kiss, returned or not.

He startled a little as Artemis’ feelings shifted all of a sudden from mere words on his part. He realised his mistake and felt bad about it. Once again, he didn’t express himself properly and it ended up badly. “No, of course not. I’m sorry if I didn’t say it right. If they end up causing more damage to your sister, it’s all on them and I won’t defend them for that. But I don’t think it fell in as deaf ears as you might think. They’ll consider it... I just don’t know how much of a difference it’ll make.” He didn't want to hear it was bullying. Because it would mean they bullied him into kissing them, sleeping with them, dating one of them. “It’s not really for their pleasure... Well, not only. They’re curious, they’re like kids, they don’t get how painful it can be sometimes. They like me because I play along so when I don’t want to anymore, they tend to let me go. I can’t say I know how to get them off your back but telling them to stay away from your sister was probably the best way to make them want to see her more,” he said. It probably didn’t help Artemis feel any better. He had a little smile in his direction, especially when he apologised, getting that his words might have hurt Franck too. At least it was how Franck saw it. “It’s okay. I don’t want you to feel bad because I might be close to them. And don’t think I’m being against you because I’m taking their defense. If they were the ones complaining about you, I’d do the same for you. And I’m not really on their side either. It’s true they can do whatever they want but they didn’t need to make you suffer, or hurt your sister, if they did. I can ask Jasper to get off your back if you want. I don’t know if it’ll work but I can mention you’re a friend and it’s rather awkward that he gets physical with you. I know it’s not much.” Franck shrugged at these last words, offering him a little smile. It was the best he could do, he thought. Because he doubted they would listen to him more than they listened to Artemis.