Chapter Text
The rest of the week passed by quickly, father never came back after 'having to talk to the doctor', henry visited one more time (only shortly, he came in his breaktime) and michael still kept visiting daily. Norman decided to trust michael, not actually because he *trusts* him but more, because he doesn't trust father. And finally, today was the day norman could finally be released. His father had been talking to the nurse since he first arrived today. Michael sat by his side, having a tired face on his unusual pale face. Henry stands by his side grinning softly. "Are you excited? You are finally leaving the hospital!", henry exclaims, trying to make a good mood. Michael joined in:" when you are home i'm going to cook pasta! ..The food here really sucks...." norman just hopes michael doesn't poison the pasta. Norman just keeps starring at the wall, starring and starring and star-" norman please give us a sign that you are listening.." he answers with a nod, looking to his right, where michael and henry sit.
The door opens and william, along with dr.Adams step in. William with his poker face and dr. Adams with a tired smile. The air tenses, he wants this over to go home and lock himself away from everyone. "So norman", dr. Adams flips through some pages:" you can finally leave. I already gave your brother all your pills and your timetable, speaking therapy is monday and thursday. As soon as you're back on your feet, we can discuss wether you're attending school or get home schooled." Dr. Adams looks at the last page, shutting the folder after.
Michael shuts his door, reappearing on the other side to sit down beside his brother on the backseat. Right now henry is driving them back home, 'william was to busy'. Michael's already set on the idea of cooking, fumbling with a grocery list for pasta pesto. "You sure you want to go shopping? I can go too, uncle henry!" Henry smiles at the mirror:" don't worry about it, I'm sure norman'd appreciate you to help him get his way around home more."
Not at all, anything but that. The only thing worse would be being alone with his father, his new father, who by any means is still william but not the william norman used to love 2 years ago. You can't tell norman that the man he calls father nowdays is the same person who used to do anything for him to make him happy. He has grown cold and unloving.
The vehicle comes to a halt and michael removes his safety belt and in a second he's on normans side taking him out of his kidseat. "See you later, kiddos" henry smiles, turning on the motor again. Then normans alone with michael again. "And..." michael chuckles nervously:" how does it feel to be back Home?". Blankly norman look up at him:" uhh ok, you don't wanna talk, I get it, I get it..", Mike fiddles out some keys and unlocks the door for both of them.
The inside of the house weirdly nostalgic, ok weirdly isn't the right word. "Do you still know where your-" but michael couldn't finish his sentence, because norman already dissapeared into his room.
"Seems like michael kept the room clean for you" fredbear comments, michael indeed did, everything is like it was before but just a little bit less dusty. Sitting down on his bed, norman notices just how tired he is.
"Hey norman, dinners ready" michael hovers above his face. Norman rubs his eyes sitting up slowly:" you are probably hungry aren't you? Oh or do you wanna rather eat here alone, you are probably exhausted as well..-" norman doesn't answer. "I'm just gonna bring it here..."
The plate of pasta looked more appetizing then norman expected. Even if he can't really trust that it is edible, his Hunger gets the better side of him and he tries a bite.
It tastes like childhood, like all the times michael cooked for them, because father was working late, but atleast they could all do something together at the weekend. It tastes like michael bandaging him up or telling bullies to 'fuck off'. And without realizing, normans eyes start to water, shoving his fork full of pasta in his mouth again and again. He wants michael. Now. There is no more anger or fear, there is only the need to be held. He wants to be michaels baby brother again. But he can't say that. So he stays in his room, eating pasta. Silently.
When norman woke up again, he finds michael sitting next to him on the couch, starring at the screen intensily. Sitting up more and supporting his upperback with the couch handle, norman eyes the living room. It's dim outside so it's probably late afternoon or evening. Mike is watching the immortal and the restless, his favourite soap opera. "Michael loves that show" norman looks to the side, to find fredbear sitting with him. I'm aware norman thought and fredbear doesn't answer. Norman sits up a bit more to make it more comfortable for him, which mike notices and turns to him:" hey bud". Getting closer, norman props himself against michaels arm, closing his eyes again.
The tv gets quieter: " I know, I've said it like a thousand times before, but I'm so sorry for everything. After Elizabeths dissapearence I couldn't process my emotions differently, I just was angry all the time and I took it out on you... but when I nearly lost you, I realised that I can't lose you too, you are all that I have left norman" michael doesn't face him, but norman can see the teardrops sliding down his face, mike snakes his arm around norman, just trying to give himself some comfort and norman lets him.
"I.. b-believe you"