Teddy knew how Booster would come and go, even back when heâd been an active hero Booster hadnât always been there. And that was fine. Other heroes mightâve thought him flighty or unreliable but Teddy knew it was because he was doing important work on the time stream, keeping it stable as best he could. It was something none of them could manage and that he got no credit for it was truly one of the worst injustices he knew. But, when he had been about, theyâd always been close, staying in the same Justice League headquarters when they were on missions or tired after a patrol. He remembered late-night fridge raiding, card games till the sun came up or just chilling with a beer and watching TV. Honestly they were some of his best memories, he kinda hoped theyâd be able to have that again so long as he was here.
And then any such happy thoughts were promptly steamrolled out of his brain when Booster let him know what happened. His own defence mechanisms had kicked in and he resorted to trying to make out it was no big deal. This was a different time, he wasnât the same Ted, Booster probably knew a whole bunch of Tedâs and they couldnât all have great endings. Knowing himself he figured it was kind of inevitable.
âW-well you didnât have to!â He snapped, crossing his arms and huffing quietly, âThe last thing Iâd have- that I DO want is any kinda fuss. Iâm a schmuck with an insect motif. Thatâs about it.â he walked away, turned around and walked straight back, pacing on the spot. âYouâre blowing this way outta proportion Boos. You lost someone, thatâs hard but câmon Ted Kord? Folks like me are a dime a dozen and Iâm positive the JL carried on like nothing happened.â Hearing a lot of people even bothered to attend his funeral⌠his funeral, was kinda shocking and thinking about it too much made his stomach clench up. âA-and,â he shook his head, âAnd you canât mess with time like that! Itâs your job to fix it, not try and mess with it to get some guy back. So⌠so there!â Oh God and he was crying, Teddy didnât know what to do with the crying. âJaime?â he asked after a pause, âAnd heâs okay?â Again, everyone more important than him.    Â
Nobody ever knew that Michael has been busy doing important work. He was keeping the reality they grew up in safe and nobody ever thanked him for his services. Maybe deep down there was part of Booster that wishes that there was a chance for some recognition. Â It would be nice for someone to appreciate what he does but thatâs also not why he does it. Thereâs nobody else that can get this kind of job done. Michael doesnât want to think about what the universe would look like without him â at least his sister is still over in his Universe. She could help aid Rip. Itâs enough to get some relief off of his shoulders. This only distracts his mind for a moment until focusing in on the trauma thatâs attached to their words. No matter how long Michael had to stay in one place, the adventures that they had meant the world to him. It gave him some normalcy in a world where he was still searching for himself in.
There wasnât any place for happy thoughts when voicing details of his memories. All Michael knew is how much his heart ached hearing Ted be so adamant that he didnât deserve to be remembered. He doesnât know how to convince his best friend otherwise but will never stop trying. Nothing will change his mind. He spiraled so deep into his depression that he grew a beard. Which is weird even for Booster but has kept it ever since. Although . . . Â this detail wonât be brought up. Itâs not about himself and whatever happened as a result of his grief.
âIâm not blowing it out of proportion. We had one funeral for Blue Beetle and another for Ted Kord. You should have seen the crowds that came to say their goodbyes. The Trinity spoke at your funeral, Teddy. Everyone was there.â Maybe Michael shouldnât have said anything but this man left an important mark on all their lives in some way. âI KNOW! Rip already gave me a lecture about it . . . several times. I know I couldnât mess with time like that but I just wanted you back. I wanted my best friend back so badly that I considered doing anything to have one more adventure with you.â Oh, the crying wonât stop, will it? Somehow the blond pulls himself together. âJaime is okay, misses you . . . but weâre doing alright. I convinced him to join the Titans finally over in my universe. I thought it would be good for the kid . . .â