It was late and Violet was having trouble sleeping. It had been a bit of a rush, to say the least, since Violet’s return. Her head had been swimming with trying to make up for the last two months she missed, plus everything that had gone on with the Hunger Games. It was all hands on deck and Violet didn’t hesitate before jumping in and trying to help.
Safe to say that it left Violet feeling pretty exhausted but at this particular moment she was finding it difficult to fall asleep. Perhaps she finally let herself relax, as best as she could, and now she was trying to process everything. At the moment she decided maybe a midnight drink of hot chocolate would calm down her mind. It was getting warmer out but it still seemed like a hot chocolate kind of night.
Everyone had been so keyed up for the last couple of weeks that even now that the danger was past, that Clarice and everyone else was home, John was finding it hard to sleep, himself. Maybe it was the fear that they'd take Clarice again - or Dash or Violet - or maybe it was just that he'd spent most of the past two weeks patrolling. Whatever it was, he couldn't sleep, which was why he found himself in the kitchen at midnight.
An affectionate smile crossed his lips as he spotted Violet. “You want some company?” he called from the doorway.
Violet turned and smiled brightly at John. “Always.” She said, then moved to grab another mug for him. “It’s hot chocolate. Thought it might be a good way to relax a little.” It was nice having him back now. John has been working so much when she first arrived that they’ve only managed to have time for quick hugs. Violet didn’t mind, after being in Atlantis for so long, she had enough faith in her community that all their hard work would pay off, even if it still seemed hopeless sometimes.
“Couldn’t sleep either?” Violet asked. “I’m sure the schedule you kept made things wonky.”
John nodded his head and moved to help her finish up so they could sit down together with steaming mugs. He didn’t mention that it was partly due to the fear of losing her again, or Dash or Clarice. Not that he could prevent it or that being awake would make the difference, but thinking about losing any of them did make it hard to sleep.
“What has you up to late?” he asked her.
It was a difficult question as Violet couldn’t quite sort out her thoughts and feelings, but maybe talking it out loud with John will put things into perspective. “I’m not really sure,” she admitted. “I’m glad to be back and all but it feels different. I know not that much time has passed, especially for me. I don’t know how to explain it.” She frowned in frustration as she looked down at her mug. “It’s like everything is new and the same all at once. There’s a part of me that isn’t sure if I’m just remembering things from another Violet or not. Does that make any sense?”
“Yeah, it does.” John couldn’t say he knew exactly what she was going through, but it wasn’t completely different from when they’d all come back from Breckentale. It had taken him time to reconcile Aiden versus John and figure out who he was now once he’d had memories of both lives. At first, he wasn’t sure what feelings and memories were real and it had taken time to integrate both sides of himself and realize that it was all him. “It’ll probably take time to get used to being here again. I think that’s pretty normal,” he offered.
Violet nodded. What he said made sense and that maybe she really did just need time to adjust to being back and everything else will fall into place. “Yeah, that makes sense. I wish it wouldn’t have happened at all, but at least I’m back now. It could have been much worse.” There was a heavy sigh of relief before she looked over to John. “Thank you guys, by the way. For watching over Dash. I hate that I left him behind but I’m glad that everyone is still here,” she paused. “Mostly everyone. I’m sorry about Marce leaving.”
“Thanks.” John nodded, quiet for a moment as he sipped at his cocoa. Losing people was never easy, at home or here, but at least he knew Marce had gone home to her own life where she was happy and safe. They’d meet her again one day and in the meantime she was happy, back with people he knew she’d been missing. That was refreshing to know after all the losses he’d lived through at home, people who were just gone forever.
“I know it has to feel weird, but I’m really glad you’re back, Violet.”
“Thanks, John.” Violet replied, feeling more at ease. “I’m glad to be back too. This feels like home.” She was able to finish her drink and she rinsed it out and did a quick wash before putting it on the drying rack. “I guess I should probably head to bed and try to get some sleep. Are you staying up for a little longer?”
John nodded. He’d probably head back to bed soon, too, but he was still nursing his hot chocolate. “Maybe we can all do something tomorrow,” he suggested, “just the four of us.”
Violet grinned. “I’d love that, and I’m sure Dash will too.” It really felt good to be back...home? The word was almost immediate in her mind, but she never really given it much thought before, but that’s how she felt. Atlantis felt like home, and it was good to be back.
“We’ll run it by the others tomorrow. Night, John.”