In The Dark (Sequel To Light) -Clementine/Louis, Clouis, Louisentine

Chapter 17

AJ didn't completely understand the concept of love when he was younger. The only type of love he had a clue about was familial love, the kind of love he had for Clem, having been raised under her watchful eye ever since he was a baby.

Because of this, it had taken him a while to adjust to the fact that now Clementine shared her love with someone else, in a way that was much different to the kind of love he knew. It had been confusing, and a little bit gross, but he eventually came to understand it. Understood that at the end of it all, Louis made her happy, as she did for him. And that was all that really mattered.

Which is why, he thinks, everything that had happened hurt just that little bit more. Not just for how he felt, no. Because Clementine and Louis hadn't been the only example of love he had watched grow alongside himself over the years. Now, as he timidly opened the door to Violet room, he could see just how broken this whole ordeal had made her. And as painful it was to see one of his closest friends like this, he couldn't even begin to imagine how she must have been feeling right now.

"Violet?" He calls her name cautiously from the doorway, hoping to see a sign of life from the figure curled up on the bed.

Violet lifts her head up from her tucked knees, her one good eye taking a while to find and settle on AJ. Once she sees that it's him, she gives him a small, tired-looking smile, that takes much more effort than it should.

"Hey bud," Violet calls back, and AJ knows the hoarseness he hears in her voice can only come from hours of crying.

"What're you doing here?"

AJ takes this as an invitation into the room, closing the door behind him as gently as he can before heading over to Violets side, hopping up and taking a seat next to her on the bed. "I don't really know what's happening, but... I wanted to check you're okay"

"Appreciate it, little man," Violet tells him gratefully, her first real smile, one that doesn't have to force, appearing on her face. "You want the grown-up answer, or the kid answer?"

"I think I can handle the grown-up answer."

"Well... No, I'm not. I'm trying to see how there'll be a time where I am, but... It's hard to see"

"I think you will," AJ tells her confidently. "Be okay, that is."

"You sound so sure."

"You're one of the strongest people I know. I know you're hurting now, and that hurt might not ever really go away. But you'll find a way to deal with it. You always do."

"Yeah. I sure hope so..."

"You won't be alone through this, Vi. We'll all be here for you."

"It's... It's just hard right now, you know? Everything's still so fresh, and... I'm trying to think of anything else BUT that. It's not working all that while. It's all I can think about..."

"Clem said she wanted to speak to everyone about making a plan. But, she also said that would involve Zara. Are you gonna... be okay with that?"

Violet let out a long puff of air which ended in a humorless chuckle, shrugging her shoulders at AJ. "Not in the slightest. But it's not like I've got much of a choice."

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It's only a few hours later that Clementine has them rounded up in the schools dining room, one of the most unused rooms in the school. The large wooden dining table had been wiped down from dust, to make way for whatever plans Clementine was to layout.

The room was filled with a general hum of conversation, quiet murmurs between everyone as they discuss the potential upcoming plan. Clementine herself is currently the only one sat at the table, a sheet of paper in front of her and a pen in her hand as she draws up the layout of Nathan's base, both to the best of her knowledge, and the best of her memory. Louis is stood next to her, murmuring gentle notes in her ear about parts he remembers, parts that may help them in any way.