makingthisupasigo | And the stars look very different today...

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And the stars look very different today...

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.

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[...yes.]

I...it's been a long time, I--

[The guilt was beginning to eat away at his resolve.]

He's...he's around here, somewhere. Did you want him back? I mean, obviously you want him back, but we had a deal, y'know...

A... very long time. I know.

[He softens somewhat at that, exhaling.]

We can help you, Peter. Let me help you. This isn't Norfinbury, you don't... have to do this anymore. Things can be different here.

Help? I don't need help!

[Peter's doubling down. The guilt is too great, and he can't handle it--]

No. Nothing is different.

[There's something split in his eyes, something crumbled and long-broken.]

Edited 2018-04-28 23:39 (UTC)

Peter.

[There probably can't be more unspoken things in a single name.

Flynn just shakes his head. He knows this reaction too well by now, has lived through it too many times by now.]

You sat with me, remember? When I came back? When I explained? And you told me you didn't understand, you didn't intend to do this, that this wasn't what you wanted.

You're doing it again. You're doing the same thing again and you said that you wouldn't.

[It's a little more difficult to keep his voice steady.]

You promised you wouldn't. Don't do to Ezekiel what you did to me.

I won't let you.

Edited 2018-04-28 23:47 (UTC)

[[He did. He remembered.]

You were gone.

[His voice cracks, threatening to split himself in two.]

You were gone. And I had nothing left but...but this.

And I came here and...and I couldn't stop myself. Couldn't stop the expansion. I needed it. I still do.

And I just wanted a friend again.

Edited 2018-04-29 00:17 (UTC)

I know. But this isn't the way, it never was. You tried it and it only brought you pain.

[He pauses there for a second, making sure he's having Stone cut off from the conversation. This is nothing he is ready to share.]

I need you to stop this, Peter. You don't need the Expansion. There are other ways and I can help you find them. Please, will you just... will you just trust me? Just this once, will you just believe me again?

[He knows, he knows but--]

I need it! I need the planets back, you don't know what it's like--no one knows what it's like--I need them, I can't--please, they're probably all dead and I can put new life there and I don't want them to become empty and dead--

[He sounds genuinely distraught over the fate of them.]

And I was--I was bigger, I was more, and now I'm not and it feels wrong and--

What, do you wanna fix this? Because I need you to fix this, you--the other you--could--

No, you don't. They weren't yours to begin with and you don't get to mourn a fate that you put on them.

[Flynn's voice is considerably sharper at that.]

You don't feel wrong because you don't have the planets, Peter. You feel wrong because we have suffered considerably and you're trying to deal with it. I do want to fix this. Just not like--

[There is a pause and then he just looks hurt because wow.]

Like he would have done. What are you saying, Peter? You want the other me back? That other guy?

Edited 2018-04-29 01:29 (UTC)

...well that's besides the fact that they are now and I could save them!

[He balks, the guilt that he's buried for so long is making itself known and he's trying desperately to squash it--]

It helped, okay? The expansion helped and it made...made it easier and--and--

[He freezes.]

...no. No, I don't mean that. Of course I don't mean that! I was--I was just saying he knew the magic to or whatever--

You thought you were saving me, too, remember? But you didn't. The Home, the Expansion, this isn't saving, Peter. You don't save anyone like this.

[His breath hitches for a moment as he struggles, trying to simultaneously fight back the memories, keep Stone out of the conversation and not break down and yell at the Celestial until his voice gives out.]

All that death and suffering, Peter, it has to stop. This isn't Norfinbury. You can have a good life with music and dancing and you don't have to be alone. I'm here now! Let Ezekiel go and let me help you get better.

[With every word his walls are cracking further and something in his face crumples. Too long of not dealing, too many mistakes, it was all too much.

Everything that he'd done to Flynn, that for one shining moment in Norfinbury he thought he had a chance at possibly making it somewhat right failed, and then he'd thrown himself back at this, back at all of this and he just--]

...how?

How can you possibly help me?

[His voice breaks, threatening to shatter completely.]

[Flynn closes his eyes for a moment, struggling for control. The horrors of being locked in his own head for so long, of what his other self did, to Ezekiel, to Stone -- he pushes it all away for now, trying to focus on Peter.

He's not holding out hope. He's tried to reach Peter too many times for that (so many times, SO many times) but he'll try. He'll try again and again and if by some miracle they can avoid an altercation, he'll take it.]

The Library is a force for good. We have many resources. We can heal your mind. Help you leave the horrors behind, and that need for the Expansion.

...and what if you can't?

[He rubs his face, trying not to make how upset he is obvious.]

You probably can't. You're just trying to stop me, aren't you? I know you, Flynn. This you.

You "know" me? You don't know me. You don't want to know me!

[And suddenly the anger is there.]

I've been trying to save you for so long but you keep pushing me away, you keep telling me who I am, how I am. You just see what you want to see, as usual.

I do know you! I-- [He's had this arguement before, he knows it, but he's frustrated that--]

...it's not true! I did everything for you, man! Yeah, I know--I messed up, I did it wrong, but I did it for you, I tried so hard to save you. Or what I thought was saving you.

[His voice trails off.]

...maybe you can't save me.

[He falls silence, his face pained.]

Maybe I can't.

[Flynn drops his gaze, staring at the floor.]

I want to. I really want to, Peter. God, I've tried so hard... And I'd keep trying. If there was time, I'd keep trying.

[His breath hitches and again, he closes his eyes. When he looks back up his expression is still stricken with emotion but also firm, stern almost.]

But you must understand that I will not let you do to Ezekiel what you did to me. So I'm asking you again. Where is he?

[Peter looks away too. Weighing his options. If he accepts Flynn's help, he admits to himself that he's done wrong. And the guilt would crush him into oblivion. Especially after what he's done here. Destroying so many lives...all those planets, all those people--

--he shudders and shakes his head.

He looks back at the screen, that broken look in his eyes disappearing under a wall of ice.

He can't...can't let himself down that road.]

I guess if you won't help me I'll have to do it myself.

And I'm coming for earth.

[With his new buddy, Ezekiel. Except he'll be better.]

[The words strike him like a blow and he brings up his hand, almost touching the side of his face where Peter hit him so awfully once and it's like he can feel the bones crack all over again. Only this time it's not his face that's breaking but his heart and all the warmth that's left is going out of Flynn under that icy stare. The barrier holding back the avalanche of emotions cracks under the pressure, spiderwebbing like breaking glass and it almost shatters right then and there.

I messed up, I didn't realize what it was doing to you. I'll fix it. I'll fix it, we figure it out. I'm real sorry. About everything.

I'm coming for earth.]

Liar.

[It's soft and broken and there's tears clouding his eyes. He doesn't bother to wipe them away - what for? - just allows them to fall while his distraught look changes to something steely, unforgiving.]

... Then I'll stop you. Once and for all.

[And this time it truly feels like saying goodbye.]

Where's Ezekiel? What have you done with him?

[He hears the quiet liar and for a moment he's confused, he doesn't understand why Flynn would think he's lying.

But then--he remembers...and he tries to bury it under, so far deep it can't hurt him. Because if he lets it out it hurts too much. And he's spent more than a millennia doing his best to run away from pain.

I'm sorry, Flynn. I failed you.]

Once and for all? You actually think you can kill me?

[That gets a laugh. It's probably a a fake laugh.]

He's fine. He's here, actually. Endless Mountain Dew and beer and video games. I really don't think you oughta be worried about him?

[Flynn's hands hurt all of a sudden and then he realizes they're clenched into fists so tight his knuckles stand out white.]

After he destroyed your flowers? Wrecked all your plans? Come on now, Peter, we both know that's just not true.

[Because Flynn knows Peter, too. And Flynn remembers viscerally how terrible Peter had been just for Flynn being "mean" to him. He's not sure he even wants to know what severing his connection must have evoked.]

He better be alright. I loved you but you're no longer my priority here.

[There's a sigh.]

What do you want me to say, huh? Your worst fears have come true?

[And then suddenly, he looks stricken.

He better be alright. I loved you but you're no longer my priority here.

He's been so used to the other Flynn, used to their antagonistic relationship that he's caught completely off guard, and suddenly the rush of memories is nearly crushing him again. From before everything went wrong, before he'd seen Flynn die the first time, before he found out he was immortal.

And his heart feels like it's cracking again, splitting into shards that can never be repaired, and he knows if he lets it go completely it really will never be whole again.

His voice hitches, as he tries to clear it.]

Yeah...well. [He's trying not to let the hurt show on his face, for him to actually say it...he glances away.

And then he's angry.

Angry at Ezekiel for being Flynn's priority. Angry that he's been replaced, angry that Flynn is back to his old self and that he himself can't get there. That he's too far gone for anything to go back to the way it was.

And Ezekiel was the easiest target.

Peter growls into the screen, his eyes wide, shining with unshed tears.]

Maybe he shouldn't have done what he did.

[And there it is.

Flynn shivers because he immediately recognizes it, that anger, that destructive force of nature. There's too many memories connected to it, too much fear and it's just the worry for Ezekiel that keeps him from cutting the feed. He realizes he's still crying but his focus is elsewhere now.]

Peter.

[He's not sure how much longer he can trust his voice.]

What did you do?

What did I do?

[A bitter smirk. He raises a hand as he moves from the screen so that Flynn can see behind him. It's a pretty sweet set up, all things considered, arcade games in the back, a pool table, more computers and couches and refrigerators and off to the side a random statue of Mario and a mural of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles further still--

--but what was really noticeable was the tendril of light approaching closer and closer. It crackles with unimaginable energy, and even worse--it was holding Ezekiel.

Peter brings it closer still so Flynn could get a good look.]

It's funny, cause he's immortal so it won't kill him, but it does...something else to him. Can't really pinpoint it exactly but I think it's some kind of energy transfer. Unlimited life force, so... [A shrug.]

[At first there's a moment of confusion on Flynn's face. He can't really tell what he's looking at, something bright in the distance, ridiculous 80s memorabilia but then he can make out the tendril and then--

It's Ezekiel.]

Wh-...

[He's too shocked to even speak, the image burning into his mind and doesn't even notice when the barrier of the connection crumbles. It's Ezekiel, staked by the tendril, energy sizzling in and around his body. Peter's words seem to reach him from someplace else, somewhere far, far away.

won't kill him does something else to him energy transfer unlimited life force

Peter is powering the light with Ezekiel.

And then Ezekiel screams and when he does whatever goodwill Flynn had left towards Peter dies.

He stares at the scene with the sudden, brutal realization that his friend really is dead and gone. There's no forgiveness for that. All the excuses, clinging to what his friend used to be, trying to understand his loneliness, trying to downplay, to hold on, to blame Norfinbury, all that worked so well when it had only been Flynn suffering under his thumb. It's impossible now.

He draws in a sharp breath, suddenly overtaken by a rage and hatred for Peter he didn't believe possible. Not even back then.]

You... bastard. I'll make you pay for this.

[Peter's honestly taken back by the change in Flynn's tone, the look on his face--it's different, familiar in the way he's seen him rage before but it's also different, of a different level, and instinctively, something cold drops in his stomach and he doesn't like it--

--this is Flynn, the Flynn he was trying to get back to and failed, a Flynn he thought had been basically dead and lost to the ether of the multiverse, but he was back and he should be happy--

--and instead he's ruined everything. Peter glances up at Ezekiel, he can sense his and his life force even without looking at him, but he's hit with the guilt that 'maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all'.

But then Ezekiel did destroy his connection to his planets and the guilt disappears under the familiar comfort of despair and rage.]

...I'd like to see you try, I really would. You're not him, buddy. You don't have what it takes.

Besides, he's my new friend. You know what happens to people when they try to rescue them from me, don't you?

[He regrets the words instantly the moment he says them.]

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