Title : Learning To Be Better
Author : peaceful_sands
Fandom : Fantastic Four
Characters : Johnny and Sue Storm
Rating : PG-13
Word Count : approx. 400 words
Prompt : Fantastic Four, Johnny Storm, postcards home
Disclaimer : All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.
Learning To Be Better
He'd let them down enough, knew he wasn't the man they wanted him to be. He wasn't the man he wanted to be, but he wasn't good enough to be different, better. So he'd left. It was all he had left to offer by way of apology and true regret.
He didn't keep in touch, no phone calls or emails, nothing two way, but he did send postcards home. He didn't want Susie to worry. He lived below the radar, out of sight, in the hope that for most people he would fall out of mind as well.
He wished he could have his family back, that he hadn't thrown everything away with childish flamboyance. He wished he'd seen the right thing to do back then, before he felt that the only thing to do was to leave and learn to be a better man.
He walks into the latest dive that he gets to call home, heads up to his room and lets himself in. He's tired from working a full day's shift, tired of keeping his 'gifts' under control and the energy it takes to be 'normal', tired of being alone.
He closes the door behind him, sets all the locks and takes off his jacket, relieved to be able to finally let himself be comfortable. He opens the door to the lounge and sees . . . his sister. "Hey," is all he manages to get out before he feels himself wrapped in her arms. He wants this so much, to be able to go home, to be able to be himself, Johnny Storm, but he needs her forgiveness for his immaturity first.
"This isn't what I expected," she says, tightening her grip on him. "I know – I know we said things, but you didn't have to go. Johnny, you didn't have to leave."
He draws back so he can look her in the eyes, but he doesn't let go, his hands still holding hers, "I had to show you that I could be better, that I could grow up."
"It's time to come home, Johnny," she says and he feels as the weight lifts and he knows he can be the man they all need him to be now.