Disclaimer: I don't own the Fantastic Four, movies or comics, or Chris Evans. I'd be rich if I did.
I'd like to thank yaonne- san, ShadowWolfDagger, amber, rose and penny3 (your crit was appreciated) for reviewing, and everyone who reviews after the fact.
Do you guys want me to remove the recap at the beginning of the chapter? Plz tell me, I'll go with the majority.
Warnings: this will have mentions of child abuse.
This is an AU, it's gonna have flashbacks, and there is a 12 year old gap between Sue and Johnny, at the start of the story. Takes place after Rise of the Silver Surfer.
Johnny
Chapter 6: Going Home
"Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love is by far, the truest type of love." Herbert Wilson
Previously on Johnny: Finally reaching Sue and Ben, Reed, still carrying his precious bundle, said, "Let's get the little guy home."
With Reed still carrying Johnny and Ben clearing the way, the Fantastic Four headed towards the plane ignoring the questions from the reporters, the flashes of the cameras, the screaming of the fans, and the whispers of "Who's the kid? " and "Where's Johnny?". Thankfully the chaos didn't rouse Johnny from his restful slumber. 'He must have been tired,' thought Reed.
They reached the plane as fast as they could and Reed handed Johnny to Sue, who climbed in and got him buckled up and comfortable, as the guys got seated and Reed revved the engine. She then buckled herself in and said, "All right, we're good to go," and with that they were on their way back to the Baxter Building.
When they arrived at the Baxter Building, parking in Reed's lab, they all got out, Reed once more cradling a still-sleeping Johnny after he'd removed him from the plane, surprisingly enough without rousing him. Ben who still carried the manila envelope said, "Why don't you guys put him to bed. I'm gonna go change and then we can talk about the situation and what's in this thing," he pointed at the envelope as he said the last part.
Nodding, Sue and Reed left for Johnny's room, both lost in their own thoughts, while Ben, still carrying the envelope, left for his room. Entering Johnny's room, they duo didn't bother to turn on the light because it was only ten in the morning and still bright outside. Reed held Johnny securely in his arms while Sue pulled back the covers. When she signaled for him to he then placed Johnny on the large bed, compared to Johnny, and Sue pulled the covers back up, tucking him in. She then kissed Johnny on the forehead, running her fingers through his short hair. Reed couldn't help but admire her and think that she'd make a great mother. As for himself, he didn't know anything about dealing with kids and was just winging it.
He was pulled out of his musings by Sue, who said, "You know it's so strange to see him like this again, so little, so vulnerable. You know, he was this old when our dad died and he had to go into the foster care system," Reed was shocked, he'd always thought that Sue had taken Johnny in after their father had died.
Taking Reed's silence and look for what it was, Sue explained, "I was seventeen years, I couldn't get guardianship over him for an entire year, which was how long he spent in foster care. I was a grade ahead and had gotten a full ride to Princeton, so I went. Johnny was in California. I talked to him on the phone at least once a week for the duration of that year, I couldn't afford to fly out and see him. He didn't tell me about it, Reed…My five year old little brother was being abused Reed...he was being abused and I didn't know it."
Then she started crying and Reed walked over, took a seat next to her on the bed and pulled her into his arms trying his best to comfort her, "He was being abused, Reed…and he didn't tell me…Why didn't he tell me, Reed…He was being abused while I was in college having fun, making friends, dating…You know every time I called him, he would tell me how awesome everything was, how great his foster parents were and I'd feel better." She paused taking a deep breath and then started talking again, determined to get this off of her chest.
"I felt better because he was happy, so I didn't have to feel guilty and Reed all this time my little brother was protecting me! He went through so much and downplayed it, heck he probably ignored it to protect me, to spare my feelings, probably never talked about it to anyone, never getting closure. But me… I couldn't protect my little brother, I didn't even realize anything was wrong. What kind of big sister does that make me, Reed? I failed our parents and I failed him…I failed my baby brother…I failed him."
And with that she started sobbing uncontrollably, too far gone to form words, and Reed tried even harder to comfort his wife, rubbing her back, kissing the top of her head and starting a litany of soothing and loving nothings. When she had calmed down, she pulled herself out of his arms, wiping the wetness off her face and said, "Thanks."
"Anytime," said Reed, smiling.
Sue managed a half-smile and said, "Let's go to the dining room, Ben's probably waiting for us." Reed nodded, standing up then helping Sue to her feet. Holding hands they both walked towards the door, stopping and turning to face Johnny when they reached it. Looking at him, curled up comfortably under the comforter, a tiny curled up fist resting on top of it, they both smiled and whispered, "Sweet dreams, Johnny," then shutting the door the husband-wife duo headed towards the dining room.
…TBC…
(If you want me to?)
Over 840 words! Yay.
So whaddya think? Good, iffy, bad, better, could be better? Should I continue? Reviews and constructive criticism are always appreciated.
*wishes really, really hard*hope you enjoyed it, yours truly, Brownie.
