V's Diary (One shots)

I was never there (pitBabe) [8/8]

(Author's Note)

With this chapter, the main story comes to an end. I'll write a few bonus chapters but I don't want to drag it any longer. I'm satisfied with how this turned out.

Before you read, I want to say that while writing this, I didn't think about how bad things were, it's about time Charlie and Jeff look forward. Is X Hunter team the right choice for them? maybe, maybe not. But with everything that happened, I think the pack has enough reasons to cherish the duo like they are supposed to be. They know the whole story and have been part of their struggle, they know enough to make sure that Charlie and Jeff will be comfortable in the future.

In my mind, they also help the brothers overcome the lingering trauma as they somewhat share the experience.

Babe makes mistakes in the future too, but now Charlie has the whole pack taking his side and reprimanding Babe whenever he makes mistakes. Charlie makes mistakes too, but no one punishes him anymore, they talk things out, and slowly learn to live again.

_______________

The days leading up to the duo's arrival pass painstakingly slowly for the pack, especially for Babe and Alan.

Alan feels uncharacteristically skittish, the leader who has been known for his calm composure vibrates with nervous energy.

Babe, on the other hand, surprises the team with a lack of outbursts. It's so unlike the aggressive alpha to just sit and ….. wait.

But he has learned his lessons and knows that acting out this time may cost him way more than he can afford so he works against all his instincts to wreak havoc in his mindless worry.

North, Sonic, and Dean, with their newly acquired friend Kim clean the garage for no apparent reason, it's not like Jeff and Charlie were particular about the state of their workplace, yet they couldn't sit ideally to wait, unlike others.

Another progress that has been foreseen is Way being a solacing presence to Pete. Unbeknownst to the team, when the confrontation with Babe took place, Pete was the one consoling the enigma.

Now, Way has presented himself to be the comfort Pete can look forward to. He's aware of the consequences of isolation that his brothers may face, he doesn't want that to happen so he has mediated between the two sides.
It doesn't change the fact that he's somewhat guilty of dragging them back from their safe haven.

Way can't help it, he has never been in close vicinity of another enigma. He's drawn to the other at an unexplainable level, one he's not willing to solve as of now.

…….

On the day they're supposed to travel back to Bangkok Charlie is the first one to wake up. The normal commute takes over 10 hours, but the flight tickets were emailed to them two days ago, courtesy of Babe.

He had been skeptical about accepting the favor, yet Jeff looked at the move with squinty eyes. Is he thinking of buying his way out of trouble? If so, then he has another thing coming.

Charlie moves around mechanically, after 2 weeks of therapy he had been decent on his feet. By now, he has already taken up all the chores around the house he'd normally do.

He stops at the wash basin, staring at his reflection that's starting to feel foreign. At times he looks at the facial features staring back at him with wonder, is this really him?

He fails to recognize himself more often than not, having no meaning to put to himself. Not as a person.

He splashes his face with water and then does it again, and once again.