anomaly 006 . fourth wall

[dinosize]

Noticed a few of you complaining that you were bored.

Extra hands are always welcome in maintenance.

Comments

[coolnickname]

Stephen, look I - I was fine with your like, communicating in two-word grunts when you were -

[Alive.]

[Not gonna cry.]

When you were here, right? But can I just say? It's sort of the opposite of helpful right now.

[dinosize]

I don't know how to explain it. [ He is frustrated, and it all sounds so unbelievable. ] There's more than just time, there's other worlds, and things in between. I got a second chance, that's all.

I'm - sorry. I thought I'd leave you with Nick. I thought everyone would - would rather -

[ Rather have Nick than Stephen. The one who was always right, who didn't care what was in his way, who played by his own rules and saved lives. Not Stephen. Stephen was just a shadow.

He couldn't let Nick die for him. Not him and Helen. ]

[coolnickname]

A second chance?

[Connor's not doing that hopeful-puppy look on purpose, Stephen.]

[dinosize]

I'm - I'm trying.

[ He hadn't realized until just now that he does want to go back. ]

[coolnickname]

Look, mate, even if you are a hallucination, I - we really miss you, okay?

What'd you want me to do?

[dinosize]

Just -

How are you? All of you.

[coolnickname]

We're okay. I mean - we're not okay okay, if you see what I mean. But - we're getting by. Keeping the world safe from woolly mammoths on the motorway and stuff.

[He grins, suddenly.]

I learned how to shoot.

[dinosize]

About bloody time.

[coolnickname]

Abby's still better than me.

[dinosize]

Obviously.

[ Curl of his eyebrow says he's not surprised.

He's almost, almost smiling. ]

[isahumanbeing]

Would rather what, Stephen?

[dinosize]

Rather you than me, all right?

[coolnickname]

Um, can't we just have you both back?

[isahumanbeing]

I'm sorry, Connor. I wish there was a way.

[isahumanbeing]

That wasn't your call to make.

[dinosize]

Is it ever?

[isahumanbeing]

Stephen, I didn't want you to die.

[dinosize]

It wasn't my life for yours. It was all the lives you save against the ones that I might.

[isahumanbeing]

You can't know that.

[dinosize]

Know that you're more important? Know that I don't want you to die? Know that this whole thing is so fucking unfair, and that I want the last ten years of my life back?

[isahumanbeing]

Stephen, I--

[A little choked off sound. Totally not getting emotional.]

[dinosize]

You're sorry?

[isahumanbeing]

[No response but it isn't complete silence. He is forcing himself not to break down. It's not working out too well.]

[dinosize]

Nick?

[ Stephen has had his heart broken before. In fact, he's not so far from that now. But he's never heard the sort of wavering from himself as he hears in that one word. He's never felt this sort of sweeping, all-encompassing loss. ]

[isahumanbeing]

[A few wavering breaths and he manages to compose himself enough to speak.]

Yeah... I'm here.