[CLOSED] it hurts until it stops, we will love until it's not

[biteouttagrimes]

WHO: Rick and Enid (later Carl)
WHERE: Xavier's School for ImPorts
WHEN: Saturday, April 16th. Evening.
WHAT: Rick returns from home, shell-shocked. Enid finds this mess.
WARNINGS: PTSD, allusions to brutal violence, and all the fun stuff that comes along with TWD universe.

[ There's never a moment when Rick returns to this world after heading home where he isn't disoriented. But this time it's far moreso than the last time. While he's not suffering from any physical injuries, the mental damage is deep. He can't get his mind off of the events he just witnessed, and even as he makes the familiar walk back to the school -- his eyes are wide, he's dazed and sweating as he relives every moment Negan toyed with them.

He barely notices that he isn't the only one making this trek, and when his eyes lift to meet Enid -- they are hollow and empty, like a man who has seen some serious shit. Rick is pale, looking about ready to collapse at any given moment. And he rubs his face. Although he does recognize her, he can't seem to bring himself to speak. It's as though he's forgotten how to speak entirely.

But her presence reminds him that he has to get back to Carl now. It's just that he doesn't know if he's ready to face his son. ]

Comments

[112ounces]

[ Kaneda and Tetsuo are out. They are close to Carl's age and that might hit too close to home for Dad, probably. Maybe Joel, but Joel just arrived and needs to get situated before he can do anything. ]

There's a woman named Tex. I think she can help.

[ Only because she's the only friend of Dad that Carl knows who is a) Dad's age and b) knows how to handle Dad. ]

[itstheirworld]

[She nods at the suggestion, whoever that was anyway sounded like a good enough option to her.]

Okay, so call her. Get her over here to help.

[112ounces]

Not now. Not yet. [ He's not going to force Dad into a corner. ] He needs space. I'll give him another day or so. Then I'll call her.

[itstheirworld]

[He needs space, he says. Which reminds her that's important here too. So she takes a breathe out, looking back at Rick's shut door before nodding to Carl. She's still worried, but he's right about that - so what else can she do?]

Yeah, I guess we give him time...

[Another breathe out.]

Let me know if you need anything else, or...if you want to hang out. I think I'll go home now.

[112ounces]

I will.

Thank you, Enid. For watching over Dad.