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]

Yeah, well, I am pretty jealous. You'll get to see all kinds of cool stuff, man. And hey, pro-tip--if you collect some art now, wait a few hundred years and it'll be worth a lot of money?

[He's trying to sound lighthearted, say what Jones would want him to say. In fact he didn't feel much else except sorrow right now. And the pain of loss.]

...uh...yeah! It's...good here.

[Maybe he should tell him. Maybe he should, and he'd come back here, and then they could figure out a way out of this.

But then what if Peter wanted the earth back?]

...seriously though, are you okay with all of this? I know it was kind of...a surprise, right?

[luckythief]

[It's... good here.

He's not sure he's buying that, like, at ALL, not with Flynn being Flynn. But at least Stone seems to be doing better. He's himself again and that's progress. Maybe he'll even find a way to stop Flynn. Ezekiel firmly believes that, believes in Stone. Earth is in good hands.

And it suddenly hits him that this might be the very last time he's ever gonna talk to him because once his plan will be set into motion he is either going to die or Peter is going to do something absolutely terrible to him. And Stone is going to die, eventually, and then Ezekiel is going to spend eternity in a universe that won't have him.

He laughs. He laughs, because if he doesn't he's going to cry.]

Oh man, I didn't even think of that! I'm going to be so rich? I'm going to be the best thief that ever liv-- no, that will ever live!

[Forever.]

'course I am. [Ezekiel Jones doesn't care about anyone but himself. Ezekiel Jones has planets in the universe named after himself. Ezekiel Jones high-fives Quill after he terraformed them.] I mean, yeah, it was really surprising at first but this is gonna be so much fun? He made me one fridge with Mountain Dew and one with beer and get this -- they both replenish themselves! What's not to like?

[Please don't leave me here.]

Besides, Earth is safe, you're safe. I can kick my shoes off and finally just stop worrying about anything. I mean, I-- [Another small hitch.] Not gonna lie, I'm kinda gonna miss you? A little. I mean. Tiny bit.

[bookbrawler]

So rich, man. And just think--you could bury some ordinary things and dig 'em up years later and they're historical, and you can-y'know, give them to a museum. [It's a playful dig, he knew if Ezekiel did such a thing he'd totally sell them at least.] You're gonna be ridiculously rich.

[Because it was easier to talk about things like that than reality.]

That's-- [A pause.] That's actually really not fair? I need to ask Flynn to make me one of those. [Okay, if it really is that great there and Quill isn't being a megalomaniac for once, Jones did actually get a really good deal.]

Earth is safe, you don't gotta worry about a thing. We won, right? We won.

[It doesn't feel like winning.]

A tiny bit? That's it? [A real laugh, even if his voice also hitches. It's getting harder to pretend nothing's wrong.] Well, I guess I should be honored the great Ezekiel Jones is kinda gonna miss me.

[luckythief]

Yeah, we won. [Earth is safe and that's wonderful.

Now all he has to do is stop the Expanse and then everything will be fine.]

Just your usual saving the world twice before Friday, right?

[When Jake laughs, really laughs, taking the first step towards dropping the pretense, Ezekiel snorts, shaking his head in amusement, eyes shimmering.]

You really should be. The great Ezekiel Jones doesn't just miss anybody, you know.

[bookbrawler]

Absolutely.

[Because it was, wasn't it?

Except this time, it cost them so much.]

I guess I should be honored or somethin', but maybe the earth is gonna be happy to be rid of you. [It's not mean-spirited at all, it was the only way he could really voice what he felt.] I guess I'll miss you a little bit, y'know. But I'm gonna enjoy the peace and quiet.

But I got this mirror, in case y'feel like tellin' me who won the title for the Greatest Pong Player of All Time.

[luckythief]

[That is absolutely fine, Jacob, because this is the only way he can really voice what he feels as well.]

Does that mean I get your number? [He smirks playfully.]

Hang on, let me get that signature. And I will definitely let you know who won Greatest Pong Player of All Time. Even though I already know - me. I'm awesome.

[He draws the keyboard towards him and starts typing, locking into the magic signature and transferring the data to his phone. While he works he takes another glance at the screen, just wants to see Stone for as long as he can and--]

Oh my God, wait a second, are you outside? You're outside, aren't you? Is that a hand mirror? Are you sitting in the sun looking at yourself with a hand mirror?

[bookbrawler]

Sure. Just dial 000-0001 and you'll get this mirror. [The driest tone.] I don't know, that guy has like, a thousand years up on you and he's Mr. 80's. I'd say he has a better chance than you.

[See? If this keeps up being lighthearted, he won't feel like he's being crushed.]

...I'm at the Annex, and so what if I am!? [Super-defensive.] There's like barely any traffic, nobody's gonna see!

[luckythief]

Yeah, but I'm me. He'd need at least another million years to get anywhere near my level.

[Stone, your super-defensive tone is giving him new life.]

You are! Mirror, mirror, on the wall – who is the fairest Stone of all?

[And because Ezekiel is also the magic spirit in the mirror right now he puts on an earnest face and drops his voice half an octave, leaning in to the screen.]

You are, my Cowboy, but Ezekiel Jones is SO much prettier than you.

[bookbrawler]

I dunno, he'd give you a run for your money. I'd still say Quill would win.

[Even more defensive!]

Really? You know, I'm two seconds away from cracking this mirror in half, Jones.

And besides, I'd win in the magic mirror contest. You wouldn't even stand a chance.

[luckythief]

Okay, first of all, you're supposed to be on my side. That cuts deep, mate. Fine, bet on Quill, but you're gonna lose money.

Second, the mirror has already spoken. I mean, it just did. It has been decided. Sorry, done thing.

[bookbrawler]

Yeah, well, can't argue with the facts, sorry. He's got the advantage here.

Clearly this mirror has been hacked and altered the results. Can't win if there's cheatin' involved, sorry.

[He wipes the mirror with a sleeve.] Oh, look at that, bad signal. See?

[luckythief]

Oh my God, you are such a sore loser.

[But he chuckles at the petty move and then he laughs, a real laugh, and then the signal gets really bad because suddenly Jake's face gets dangerously blurry. He quickly ducks his head, busily typing away on his keyboard.]

L-let me... see if I can boost that.

[bookbrawler]

To be a sore loser I'd have to be a loser in the first place, which I ain't.

[He can't help but laugh when Jones does, but then Jones sounds kinda--]

Hey, you okay?

[It was his sleeve, obviously, but he's also worried about Jones and maybe there's something wrong?]

[luckythief]

'mfine.

[He isn't fine. And he suddenly realizes that Jacob probably isn't either, is just trying to make him feel better, too, and there's nothing Ezekiel can do about it. There's nothing he can do for him just like he could do nothing for all those people on all those planets.]

Just... sorry I forgot to send you the picture.

[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.