itsananomaly | Lester's Apartment

A few more days had passed since Cutter and Connor had told Lester and Becker what their plans were for being released from Lester’s care and eventually the day had come, only it wasn’t the happy homecoming that Cutter had thought it was going to be. Things were still tense between him and Connor and he had tried to be there for Connor as he had his surgery and was recovering from it. Cutter still didn’t really feel any better than the other day, he had managed to sleep but he knew he still looked dreadful and he was worried that Doctor Jones might recommend that he stay with Lester or be put back in the hospital, which he definitely didn’t want to do. He wanted to go back to Fandom, to try and get past … everything … They still had another couple of sessions to attend before they could get the final clearance that they were well enough to leave Lester’s care and return to Fandom. He sat on the couch as he waited for the doctor’s to arrive, they didn’t have to go to the hospital for this one … this was just a final check up and report to make sure that they knew what they were expected to do when they returned to Fandom and Cutter was nervous. [part twenty-three. CW for medical trauma, injuries and emotional recovery. Preplayed with the amazing

anomaly_research_nerd. NFB but OOC is welcome!]

Connor(itsananomaly)	Connor sat on the other end of the couch, his newly bandaged hand resting in his lap. The doctors said the surgery had gone well and that he should hopefully end up with a little more use of his fingers once everything was fully healed. Connor was happy to hear that but it still kinda felt like a step backward to be back in a bandage and slint again. He sat there with Becker there as well as they waited for Lester and the doctors to arrive. Connor glanced over at Cutter, looked like he was about to say something, then shut his mouth when he saw how disconnected Cutter sill seemed. He had hoped they would be a bit better with things by now, but every time he had tried to talk or say something Cutter just seemed to not hear or not want to talk. So he kinda stopped trying to- for the time being.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter fidgeted slightly as he waited, he was never good with waiting and now that there was this strained relationship between him and Connor, he was even more fidgety and anxious and he wanted to say something but he had no idea what to say to fill that void ... that emptiness, he wished things could go back to how they had been before the funeral but he knew that would be impossible now. It felt like forever but the reality was it was only another few minutes before Lester arrived with the team of doctors who would be going over their return to Fandom and what they would need to do to make sure that they followed their post care routine. Lester looked over at Becker and then at Connor and Nick, he nodded, "if everyone's ready, I think we can begin the post care review and procedures," he said gently.
Connor(itsananomaly)	Connor glanced over at Cutter again and then to Lester and the doctors. He gave a nod. "I-I'm ready. I want to know what we have to do to be able to go home," he said simply. Becker watched, still troubled by how distance and shut off Cutter seemed. He really hoped that getting them back home, where they wanted to be, where they were comfortable, would help. Because he hated seeing them both like this. As the doctors got ready to go over things, Becker walked over and sat on the arm of the couch by Connor. He wanted to make sure he understood everything too since he was going to be the point of contract between Connor and Cutter and everyone else and would be the one checking in and trying to help monitor their progress once they got back to Fandom.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I'm ready too," Cutter said quietly and he was very careful to avoid Doctor Jones' gaze because he was pretty sure if he did look up at her than she would know that he wasn't ready for any of this ... the return to Fandom, managing on his own and he just wanted to get back to his apartment in Fandom and then he could be alone. "What ... what do we have to do?" he forced himself to look up at Lester, who was watching him with concern. The doctors started to go through their list, it involved a lot of daily and evening medications and then some gentle exercises that they wanted them to start taking as well. "And," it was here that Doctor Jones spoke up, "I want you to know that I'm available to talk anytime that you wish, you may choose to talk to someone closer to Fandom either on the island or the mainland and I'm more than happy to assist you in seeing another counsellor, if you do wish to talk to me, all you have to do is ask either Captain Becker or Mr. Lester and they'll make the arrangements," she said gently. Cutter still couldn't look up at her.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor listened to everything as closely as he could, thankful Becker was going to be staying as involved as possible at least for the first few weeks to make sure they adjusted ok. Connor was feeling alright but there was definitely still a bit of brain fog and he definitely was not back to 100%, but the thought of getting back home, back to Fandom, was enough to motivate him to do whatever he needed to do to get there. "I... understand," he said softly with a small nod to Lester and the doctors.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"I've already started making the arrangements for the trip back to Fandom" Becker said with a soft smile. "You both have done well, and I'm really happy for you." Becker then turned to Lester and the team of doctors. "Everyone should have my number already, so if anyone needs to get a hold of Cutter and Connor but can't, they can reach me."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter really wished he could sound more happy, returning to Fandom was all that he had ever wanted but ... he had thought their homecoming would be different, that he would actually feel something but instead he forced himself to look up at Becker and return that soft smile, wishing he could have the energy to be more overjoyed, "thank you, Becker," he said quietly, "for everything," Then he looked up at Lester and the team of doctors, "thank you," he said and he fidgeted slightly at he made brief eye contact with Doctor Jones, "for helping us, for getting us to be able to get back to Fandom,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	""Yes thank you for everything," Connor said with a sincere nod and smile. "I... I know we wouldn't be here, ready to go home, without everyone's help. Thank you, everyone," he said again as he looked at Doctor Jones, the other doctors, and finally over at Lester. It wasn't the homecoming relief he had expected, but it did feel good to know they were going home, that they weren't being sent back to the hospital or being kept under Lester's care anymore. It... it would be good to get back to Fandom, back home... at least Connor hoped that it would.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester gave a small smile at that, the other doctors nodding their appreciation as well, "you're welcome Connor, Nick ... you've made really good progress on your recovery and we're really happy that you're able to move to the next phase, to head home to Fandom ... and I want to add to what Doctor Jones said, if you ever need to talk to someone, you can call me as well ... just because you're no longer going to be in my care, it doesn't mean you can't reach out to me ... I want you both to know that," he looked especially over at Cutter as he said it and Cutter forced himself to nod. "Thank you James," he said softly, "it ... it means a lot that you helped us, it ... thank you," It was the only thing he could think of to say.
Connor(itsananomaly)	"Thank you Lester. That... all of this... it means a lot to us. I know we couldn't have done this without the team." Connor gave a small smile as he tilted his head slightly. "So, does this mean we are cleared? We're able to go back home now?" he asked hopefully.
Lester(thearcfamily)	Lester smiled warmly at that, "it does, you and Nick are welcome to return to Fandom at any point that you'd like, we'll make sure you have a copy of what you need to do and everyone's contact numbers but as of right now, you are no longer in my care and you can return home,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter managed a tired smile at that .. home, they could go home and he hesitated and for the first time since he had sat down on the couch, he turned over to look at Connor ... there wasn't a lot of emotion in that gaze but it felt wrong to not at least try and say something ... What could he even say? There was a few more moments of silence and then, "we're going home Connor," he said quietly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled the first real smiled he had in days at that news. They were finally done with doctors and hospitals and could go home. Connor turned and looked at Becker as he put a hand on Connor's shoulder. The smile on his face said everything he didn't need to. Connor turned towards Cutter and without even thinking, he leaned over and slid his arms around him and gave him a hug. "We did it, Nick. We made it. We're finally going home," he whispered as he held on for a moment, hoping that now it would be alright and things would be fine between him and Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter tensed at that hug at first and then after a few moments managed to relax as he awkwardly embraced Connor ... he felt so unsure about everything now and hugging Connor, about to be able to head home to Fandom ... he didn't know what their life was going to look like and that scared him, he didn't want to be without Connor but at the same time, he didn't know how he could be ... Eventually his embrace got tighter, like he was scared he was never going to be able to hug Connor after this, "we're going home," he trembled, "we're actually going home,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker watched as Cutter and Connor hugged each other, somewhat relieved to see Cutter return the hug at last. They would be ok. They would figure things out. They had each other and that had gotten them through all of this. They would figure things out.... "I'm going to head out" he said softly to excuse himself. "It's time for the afternoon check-in with my team." And of course that was the only reason... he wasn't at all trying to slip out before the tears he felt brimming in his eyes had a chance to make an appearance. "Thank you, Becker... for everything," Connor said as he pulled back from Cutter closely but still kept one arm slipped around his shoulders. Becker gave a nod and a smile and then slipped out the door.
Lester(thearcfamily)	"Thank you Becker," Cutter echoed after him as he left, he trembled as he stayed as as close as he could to Connor, leaning against his arm, grateful that he hadn't completely pulled away. Lester watched them, blinking back tears of his own, "I'll finish up here with the doctors and make those lists for you," he told them softly, pleased to see that there seemed to be some of kind of emotional response in Nick after days of seeming cut off and distant ..."we won't be long," he promised and then he turned to follow the team of doctors out of the room so that he could finalise the last of the official paperwork that meant that he was no longer Connor and Nick's carer and that they would have everything they need to return to Fandom.