And the stars look very different today...

[zunesareawesome]

It was a way out. But it wasn't home.

Truthfully, after Norfinbury, anything would be better than that place, but the cold truth was--there was no way to find his own universe out of the endless multiverse, even if Norfinbury's busted technology had worked properly. He was stuck, here, with a megalomaniac Flynn--granted, a Flynn that managed to open up a portal out of there. Maybe that's what it took to get out of Norfinbury.

Or, Peter thought sometimes on bad days, Norfinbury only released you once you became the twisted version of yourself it wanted you to be. A specially-designed virus inflicted on countless worlds.

Besides, he ought to know something about that.

He didn't stay long on earth, he couldn't. Maybe it had something to do with the mystery of how they were revived in Norfinbury, their bodies recreated or cloned or healed, or maybe it was something that was gonna happen to him anyway, but he could feel the Light burning inside him, inside his head almost as soon as he landed. A desperate need to take to the stars. He'd managed to create a ship and took off.

Time passes, and scientists notice something odd about several exoplanets they're monitoring, especially ones marked as 'earth-like' or other planets in zones that could make them potentially habitable. Bright bursts of light and changes in the composition of the atmosphere or surface, it was inexplicable. Possible evidence of intelligent life? If they didn't know any better, especially with the rocky planets that now somehow boasted extreme changes, it was like something was terraforming them.

There was cause for alarm when Mars suddenly turned blue and green a few months later.

Meanwhile, a small blue-and-orange ship that looked suspiciously like a slightly more organic-looking Milano was racing towards the earth.

Comments

[bookbrawler]

Oh.

[He knows enough about Peter and the situation Jones is now in to be worried anyway without his reassurances, and that answer doesn't...sound all that great. But maybe it's nothing?]

No, don't worry about it. [He tries to sound cheerful, even if it's killing him on the inside. If he stops smiling, he really might break down.] You'll get a chance to send it someday, I'm sure.

Are you sure you're okay?

[luckythief]

[Someday.

He almost falters and tells Stone everything, about the Expansion, the flowers, how they had been so WRONG and how there were so many more flowers and how he plans to stop it all and how furious Peter will be and how all he wants is to go home.

But he can't.]

Hey. I'm Ezekiel Jones. Of course I'm okay.

cw suicidal ideation

[bookbrawler]

[That reassures Jacob somewhat and another laugh, a real laugh escapes him.]

I think Quill's gonna have his hands full with you.

[Please be okay, Jones.

He swallows, not sure how he can broach the subject, but he had to, he had to at least say something.]

Look, uh...if anything happens. You know, if Flynn does his thing again and sends me after you and Peter for whatever stupid reason. You protect yourself, okay? No matter what the cost.

[His voice hitches. He's really going to lose it. Jacob clears his throat, and tries to keep his voice casual.]

I don't wanna hurt you again, y'know?

cw suicidal ideation

[luckythief]

[How can you ask him that, Jake?

Ezekiel freezes and there are cracks running through his pretens when he draws in a sharp, audible breath at the request. He drops his head again, staring at the keyboard for the longest time, clenching his fists and puffs his cheeks.

So he was right. Flynn was still a horrible jerk to Jacob and Jacob was expecting him to be so in the future. For a moment the anger and helplessness threaten to overwhelm him and Ezekiel closes his eyes.]

... Sure thing, Cowboy.

[He looks up again, eyes shining, corner of his mouth curled up in one of his trademark smirks.]

Next time I'll totally glue your hands together.

cw suicidal ideation

[bookbrawler]

Good.

[Despite everything, despite what he'd just asked him to do, he snorts and stifles a laugh. Because if he doesn't, he'll really lose it.

He just needs to know that Ezekiel will be safe. That he'll be okay.

That's what he's holding onto so he won't completely lose his mind.]

Better be strong superglue, cause y'know I can break out of anythin' else.

cw suicidal ideation

[luckythief]

I'm still totally gonna take pictures while you're running around stupidly, tearing at your arms.

[He'll be fine, Jake. Look how totally fine he is.

This is fine.]

And I'm gonna send them to everyone.

cw suicidal ideation

[bookbrawler]

[And he wouldn't expect anything less, pal.]

You'd really take advantage of a terrible situation, one that I clearly have no say or control in, and use it to make fun of me.

[He's still smiling sadly, though.]

That's real nice of you.

[luckythief]

Uhhh yeah. In a heartbeat.

[Admit it, you wouldn't have it any other way.]

Glad we cleared that up.

[bookbrawler]

[That gets another chuckle, another real laugh, and he's gonna hold onto these moments, even though he knows even these moments aren't safe from whatever's gonna happen to him in the future. That he could be made to hate Jones in an instant.

He's trembling slightly, as he holds the mirror.]

Just...

[How to put this into words? For all the knowledge of language he possessed, it all failed him right now.]

...don't forget me. I mean, let's face it, nobody can forget me-- [Sudden bravado to make things lighter!] But...y'know. In the future, I mean.

[Don't forget the person who I was.]

[luckythief]

[And suddenly it's too real. Too real for pretense, for dumb banter and jokes, for making light of the situation.]

I won't.

[Just that. There's no follow up deflection this time, it's simple and genuine and heartfelt.]

Never. I promise.

[bookbrawler]

Okay.

[And there's a sigh, like he's letting go of something heavy.]

Okay, yeah. Good.

[And because this has suddenly gotten entirely too real, he adds--]

Make sure I end up in history books. As a highly-respected historian, mind. And the things I've published are required reading in certain university classes.

[luckythief]

You got it, Cowboy.

[And just because he wants to give Stone something, anything,]

You know what? We're gonna name the entire university after you. And it's gonna be the place to go, seriously Yale and Oxford is soooo last century? And people at parties and art galleries will be all oh, where did you go? Stone University. Gasp!

[bookbrawler]

[He laughs again, he knows he's just saying that but a part of him wants to hold onto the thought.

It's a really nice thought.

He needs to hold onto all the nice thoughts he can get.]

You better deliver, Jones. Top-tier university. Extremely prestigious. A library that rivals the Library.

[luckythief]

The most prestigious. The best programs and teachers. Top-notch learning materials and of course all the up to date technology. And all the scholarships for people who can't-- [He clears his throat when he gets a little too carried away, yeah, let's not go there.]

-- who want to attend.

Maybe a statue of you on campus. [He grins.] A big one. Bronze. Heroic pose.

[bookbrawler]

The very best. And--[His voice hitches slightly, but he goes on.] --that would help a lotta people, yeah.

A statue? Hell yeah. Make sure they get it right, too. I want only the best sculptors workin' on that thing.

And make sure it doesn't get pranked or spraypainted.

[luckythief]

[Please.]

Only once a year. Annual celebration. It's gonna be called Jonesday and the most creative decorations of your face are being rewarded with free tuition.

[bookbrawler]

...what!?

[...and nice moment gone. He jabs a finger at the screen.]

No Jonesday! You can give the free tuition but no messin' up my face!

[luckythief]

Absolutely is there gonna be a Jonesday!

Maybe I'll extend it to a Jonesweek! Most fun week on campus!

[bookbrawler]

No! There's not gonna be a Jonesday or a Jonesweek, and keep everythin' offa my statue!

[He keeps jabbing the mirror with every syllable.]

[luckythief]

[He laughs.]

And there's gonna be music and events all around it! It's gonna be a big celebration! A revered tradition!

[bookbrawler]

No! No, no, and no!

I'll haunt your stupid statue if you do!

[luckythief]

Uh, it totally has your face so technically it's your stupid statue.

[bookbrawler]

You made it, so it's your stupid statue!

[luckythief]

In your honor!

[bookbrawler]

You still made it! It's still something you created!