Bendytime to right after Melting Clock

[chainedbyred]

Russel became very aware of several things all at once. One, that he was actually aware of something. Second, that he was on the floor of Medbay, and third was that he was only in his plantsuit. Why was he on the floor? Because he had suddenly gotten much too big for his bed, and he'd fallen out of it. Why was he suddenly so aware? Because he'd

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[greennotgold]

Fletcher didn't like leaving Medbay while Russel was a baby, but he did have to come back to check on Jujube. So that's where he was, sitting on the floor with the puppy in his lap when Russel came bursting in.

He looked up, and pushed himself to his feet -- displacing the dog with a confused puppy whimper. "Brother! Is that you?" Duh, Fletcher, who else would it be?

[chainedbyred]

"Yeah," he smiled a bit, despite his annoyance. But then he just stood there. For the moment, he had forgotten the acute desire to punch someone.

[greennotgold]

Fletcher grinned, and rushed over to him and clung. "Brother, you're back to normal!" So happy. So so happy. Today was the best day.

[chainedbyred]

He hugged his brother tight, glad things were back to normal. He didn't press into what had happened during that mission right away. He didn't want to ruin this. But he was going to have questions.

[greennotgold]

Jujube didn't seem to care; he'd found some loose scrap of paper on the floor to play with. Fletcher, though, was overjoyed. He looked up at Russel. That smile wasn't going anywhere.

"Did they break the clock?" he asked. "Is everyone else back, too?"

[chainedbyred]

He shrugged. "I guess. I wasn't there." But other people didn't really matter, in his mind. He crouched down in front of his brother. "I really hope you rescued my clothes when I got too small for them..." he said, smirking despite himself.

[greennotgold]

Fletcher laughed slightly. "I did. They're folded up in the dresser, don't worry."

This was the best. If Russel was back to normal, it was highly likely Dr. Henderson and everyone else was, too. "I'm glad you're back. You were kind of a handful when you were younger."

[chainedbyred]

"You handled me just fine. Sorry I brought up Dad so much, though." He ran a hand over Fletcher's head. "You okay?" He hoped that was all he needed to ask. He wasn't sure how else to approach the subject.

[greennotgold]

At that, Fletcher looked down. That had been painful... But he hadn't really been lying when he'd told the younger Russel that their father might have been in one of the pods. He knew other people on the ship had somehow been gathered from other time periods, so it could be true... He still felt like a liar, though.

"Yeah... I'm fine," he said, but didn't look up. He was still feeling down from the mission and the kidnapping. But was it really okay to still be upset about it? It was over. He'd even talked to Billy about it.

[chainedbyred]

"I'm sorry I wasn't there," he told him, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. He squeezed him closer. He didn't want to push him, but he just hoped the door was open wide enough.

[greennotgold]

Oh. So Russel wanted to talk about that... Fletcher clung back, and nodded. "It's okay. It was really scary, but..." He took a deep breath. "I mean, I'm okay..." He didn't sound very convinced, though.

[chainedbyred]

His fists clenched a bit, gathering Fletcher's shirt in his fingers. But they relaxed shortly after. He looked closely at him, and sighed. "Is there anything you should tell me?"

[greennotgold]

"...I..." He paused and swallowed heavily. He should tell Russel. It was only right, and he had to get it off his chest. "I killed someone."

[chainedbyred]

Russel had felt his heart ache a few times in his life. When he learned the truth about their father. When he had injured Fletcher with his overzealous red water attack. When Ed hadn't come up out of that tunnel under that altar. After some of his more terrible nightmares. And right now. When Fletcher made his confession his arms tensed in pain and rage.

He pulled him in even tighter, as if he could pull him inside himself to a place he could be kept happy, safe, and innocent. Innocent? It was too late for that. Safe he would ensure. He just hoped he wasn't too late for his happiness.

"Tell me how it happened." His voice was thick, but controlled. Partly because he knew talking about it would help his conscience, partly because he wanted to know who needed a fist in their face.

[greennotgold]

Fletcher was grateful when Russel pulled him tighter. Somehow, he'd been expecting him to push him away in revulsion and demand to know why. He clung more tightly, but he felt guilty for bringing it up right after Russel had gotten back to normal. They should be celebrating that and making sure Russel was the one okay.

"We-- we were going to be killed," he said into Russel's shoulder. "Reda was going to sacrifice us to their goddess. But we got ourselves untied and everyone else was fighting them off, and Billy gave me a spear to protect myself, and..." He choked. "One of the Oryans was going to attack someone, I had to stop him, but I..."

[chainedbyred]

"-You did what you had to do to make sure you came home. I know it sounds strange, but I'm glad you did. The most important thing for you to do is come home." Russel's voice showed less emotion, but he still spoke fairly quietly. He'd been able to get himself under control while Fletcher explained.

"Those people, they made their decisions. They were adults, and they can face the consequences. You're just a kid."