ᴛɪᴍᴇs ᴜᴘ

     She had been wandering about with no destination in mind. The illness that the world spoke of had not been an illness at all. It was a linking between two people that the illness connected, and Merida could not see the benefit of it. Having escaped a girl that had filled her mind with a past that was not hers, she had hoped to escape for a few moments to think. Overwhelmed, hands were shoved into her pockets, she is brought to a stop as a somewhat familiar face catches her.

     “Oh… Hey.” He keeps using words she does not understand “What is a grill?” Merida is never shy about asking questions, and especially not with him since he offered his help. She loses interest in the her question as once again another memory foreign to her fills her mind. She stands in a room filled with objects and furniture not her own, with references and purposes she does not understand. Holding a sword, she holds it up weakly trying to wield it. Her arms feel tired, and she nearly drops the sword as she swings it. She turns, feeling disappointed in herself, in someone else, in everything-

     She turns, catches a glimpse of who she is in the mirror. And she is him. It must have looked like she had zoned out, because Dave stares at her concerned.

     “… I saw you! I mean… I saw past you. It doesn’t make sense. Not yet. You were in your room and I… I have to go. I have to go or things will get worse.”

You’re about to explain to her exactly what a grill is when her face goes all slack like Raven having a premonition. Uh-oh. That’s unexpected. You want to reach out and steady her shoulder, but you started her acting weird by touching her hand; what if it’s something you --

          “I have to go or things will get worse.”

     ❝whoa hey,❞ you say, knitting your brows together in concern,  ❝what do you mean you saw past me. what the hell does that -- whoa.❞

You sway and lean against a lamppost, vision suddenly blurring and swimming. You’re not in Hive City anymore; you’re in someone’s home, a rustic, sweet-smelling someplace in the Scottish highlands. You’re not sure how you know that; all you know is you’re stepping out to a field and whoa mom holy fuck your hands are really small and white and it suddenly hits you what she meant. Past you. She lapsed into a memory or something, right? That must be what’s happening to you now.

It’s some kind of tournament, and it hits you suddenly that all these gangly, ungainly dudes are trying to fight for your hand. It’s disgusting and archaic and it fills you with a deep pool of anxiety -- Just as you’re starting to make sense of it again, you sway back into the present and find yourself face-to-face with the person whose past you were just reliving. You laugh nervously.

      ❝jk i get it. thats...❞ You trail off, staring at her. You feel a sudden pang of sympathy and an awkward thrill, like you’re witnessing something you shouldn’t be, like you’re intruding on a secret. You shudder to think of what she’s seeing from your head.  ❝this is not normal. what the hell do we do about it.❞

TG: karkat TG: hey TG: karkat no

You really didn’t expect him to cry. The fact that he’s breaking down like this is almost more than you can take, and you put your hands on his shoulders, the sides of his neck and face without thinking. 

TG: karkat dude why are you sorry? dont be sorry TG: none of this is your fault TG: its not your fault youre not MY karkat like thats TG: just fuckin bananas to me that youre feelin guilty about this TG: its not on you ok its just not TG: so dont cry TG: things between us are gonna be fine man i understand how it is and id like to be friends with you ok?

[You bring your legs up to your chest and wrap your arms around them.]

GC: Y34H… GC: TH4T SOUNDS S1M1L4R? GC: L1K3 GC: W1TH YOU 1 WOND3R3D 1F YOU WOULD ST1LL H4V3 3ND3D UP D4T1NG M3 1F 1 W4SNT TH3 ONLY L1V1NG S1NGL3 G1RL ON TH3 M3T3OR GC: 1 4M NOT QU1T3 SUR3 HOW YOU 3ND1NG UP W1TH K4RK4T 1N 4NOTH3R T1M3L1N3 F1TS 1N TH4T, BUT 4T L34ST 1T W4SNT VR1SK4

[You playfully smile a bit at him.  You don’t actually know what caused the different pairings, so you don’t really want to try to infer any meaning from them.  It would probably only succeed in making you sad, really (spoiler, anything you think about too much succeeds in making you sad).]

GC: W1TH KOUH4 1 WOND3R 1F 1 MOV3D TOO F4ST GC: 1F H4D 1 NOT PURSU3D H1M 4S 1 D1D, WOULD H3 ST1LL H4V3 CHOS3N M3 OR P1CK3D SOM3ON 3LS3? GC: WH4T 1F 1 JUST GOT TH3R3 F1RST 4ND H3 WOULD 4CTU4LLY B3 H4PP13R W1TH SOM3ON3 3LS3

[You squeeze your legs and go silent for a moment, shaking your head to dispel the thoughts.]

GC: 1N MY T1M3L1N3 YOU 4ND K4RK4T 3ND3D UP R34LLY CLOS3 GC: BUT 1 DO NOT TH1NK YOU D4T3D 4T 4LL GC: TH4T M1GHT H4V3 1ND1R3CTLY B33N MY F4ULT, THOUGH GC: 1 STOPP3D TRY1NG FOR  4 R3L4T1ONSH1P W1TH K4RK4T TO PURSU3 ON3 W1TH YOU 1NST34D GC: 1 L1K3D YOU GC: YOU W3R3 FUNNY 4ND 4DOR4BL3–1N TH3 COOL3ST K1ND OF W4Y OF COURS3–4ND QU1CK W1TT3D 4ND 4 HUG3 SOFT13 GC: (YOU ST1LL 4R3 TH3S3 TH1NGS PS) GC: 4ND K4RK4T D1DNT KNOW WH4T H3 W4NT3D FROM M3 4ND W3 W3R3 C1RCL1NG 4ND FRUSTR4T1NG 34CH OTH3R GC: BUT 1 GU3SS 4FT3R 1 STOPP3D TRY1NG TO D4T3 H1M H3 R34L1Z3D WH4T 1T W4S H3 W4NT3D?? GC: SO WH3N YOU TWO ST4RT3D 1NT3R4CT1NG, H3 W4S R34LLY J34LOUS OF YOU GC: 4ND YOU FOUGHT 4 LOT GC: 4ND YOUR FR13NDSH1P K1ND OF B3C4M3 FOST3R3D OFF OF TH4T F1GHT1NG 1N 4 W4Y 1 TH1NK??? GC: SO TH3 D1FF3R3NT YOUS PROB4BLY SH4R3D 4 D1FF3R3NT TYP3 OF CLOS3N3SS B3C4US3 OF TH4T

You shake your head adamantly. You can’t help it; you hate the way Terezi is talking about herself, the way she thinks stuff would’ve gone down with you.

TG: dude thats not it TG: i liked you before the meteor and i wouldve tried to be with you either way TG: like even if thered been 50 babes on that meteor all jonesing for my dick i wouldnt have overlooked you TG: i know that doesnt matter now but i dont want you thinkin thats not what that was about between us ok TG: i really did like you terezi TG: i know it wasnt ME who dated you but i can tell you how much every version of me who made it to that point liked you and it was a lot

Karkat comes up, and your stomach turns over and over, and you mimic Terezi by drawing your knees up to your chin.

TG: so we fought TG: that was our closeness TG: spectacular TG: makes sense why he reacted to me telling him about my feelings and shit the way he did TG: poor fucker was probably blindsided

Still, glancing sideways at Terezi, you can’t help thinking she seems so damn sad. You nudge her and then slide an arm around her shoulders.

People have been freaking the fuck out.

Frankly, you’re not sure what the issue is, or why everyone’s been all in a tizzy over what seems like...nothing. Well, okay, it’s obviously not nothing, but Terezi’s got you thinking this place is all up in flames on a good day, so whatever’s happening now seems pretty damn calm in comparison.

You’re drinking a bubble tea and walking down the street, listening to a playlist, when a familiar shock of orange curls catches your eye and you freeze. Merida. A smile ghosts over your lips and you jaywalk to catch up with her, ducking your head down close to say hey.

     ❝sup.❞ You flash her a grin, all teeth. ❝didnt expect to see you on this side of town. you got plans?❞

A hand props itself upon the spirit’s waist as he contemplates his company. And, momentarily, Jack finds himself subject to the scrutiny of two, the ferret Dave had discovered staring intently alongside his carrier. The silence marks Jack at a momentary loss of words, before to his lips arise something of a subdued chuckle.

“I’d say you’ve got some pretty weird taste in “godly” attire.” The winter spirit remarks. Not that he really has any room to talk. Therefore, it’s in the moment following that his tone sobers in favor of curiosity, a hand outstretching as they walk to skim the head of the critter Dave bears towards their destination.

“I’m all ears though, go on.” Jack now urges him despite eyes steadfast and downcast to the aforementioned ferret. “What can you do?”

The dude makes a jab at your getup and you laugh sharply, like you’re not used to making the sound. Yikes. He’s got some burning skills for a dude who seems to be cold by nature.  ❝dude no fair i didnt pick my clothes,❞ you explain. ❝they came with the title. but for the record theyre mad comfortable and like totally cute.❞

He asks what you can do and you shrug tightly. ❝honestly i cant really do anything for the time being except fly for like 15 minutes a day which frankly is kind of bogus. usually i can mess with the flow of time though. i mean as a general rule i DONT because nothing good ever comes of it but. yknow. its a thing i guess.❞

GC: NO!! GC: 1T 1S NOT H1S F4ULT GC: H3 TR13S GC: 1 KNOW WHY 1M W1TH H1M, 1 KNOW WH4T H3 S4YS GC: 1 KNOW H3S B31NG G3NU1N3

[You fidget.  Ew, talking about this “feelings” thing is hard.]

GC: 1T 1S 4 P3RSON4L PROBL3M TH4T 1 STRUGGL3 W1TH GC: 1 4LW4YS WOND3R WHY 1 W4S CHOS3N BY SOM3ON3 GC: OR 1F 1T COULD H4V3 B33N SOM3ON3 3LS3 GC: 1T 1S NOT 4 TH1NG TH4T C4N R34LLY B3 R3CONC1L3D BY MY M4T3SPR1T

[There’s a momentary hesitation before you continue.  You picked up on another change in your timelines.]

GC: 3V3N WH3N 1 D4T3D YOU 1 C4M3 UP W1TH CYN1C4L R34SONS 4BOUT WHY YOU CHOS3 M3

Ah, right. You almost forgot there was a version of things in which you and Terezi dated. It kind of kills you to know you broke up, and hurts even worse to hear she was second-guessing herself with you; even if she just said it’s not something that’s related to a matesprit...you can’t help but feel bad. You should’ve tried harder.

TG: i getcha TG: i mean like TG: i guess thats somethin i kinda struggle with too truth be told like TG: im never really sure if someone likes me for me or if they just like me for the circumstances TG: kinda sucks

You hesitate, then speak slowly.

He’s trying not to lose any semblance of composure at the idea that whatever reincarnation might have taken place would’ve done so immediately following the incident, but his stomach drops. He can’t help it. There’s no way Jason would make him wait if he had a say in the matter. Why would he, after he saw the way Percy had reacted to everything?

(Or… well, the way he didn’t after that whole… kiss thing. What if that mistake…?)

“Definitely not a few hours, I… Yeah. I’m Percy, by the way. Percy Jackson.” It’s not like he needs to clarify when they’re on a first name basis, but that’s always stuck with him. He wonders what habits will die off, the longer he stays in this place. “Do people usually lose their memories when they come back?”

Gods, anything but that. “Got that right. I’m just glad you said something, it’s– pretty hard to believe, but it doesn’t sound all that off to me.”

TG: dude i dunno tbh like TG: in all honesty im probably the wrong person to ask TG: i mean i think sometimes they do but its not so much to do with memory as it is with like TG: uh sorry if this goes over your head im like kind of a time god so this shit is second nature to me but

They don’t really die. 

Something shocks Percy from the inside and lights him up, but not in a warm or theatrical sort of way. More of a jittery and uncomfortable one, where he can’t tell if this is just a sick joke or if this world has another trick up its sleeve. Could it really be possible that these scientists can even fight off permanent death? 

(Gods, this is bigger than a mess, but if it’s true–)

“Didn’t get the memo, I–” He can’t even finish the remark, eyes already flitting around for another answer, or something to stabilize him. “Glitch, like a game? How’s that even…” Why lie? Unless this is some agent sent his way to confuse him even further, there’s no point. And there have to be people who’ve gone through the same thing, right? Even if no imperial gold is involved, it has to be true. 

He grasps something worth living for in the fists that form at both sides and takes in the first breath that counts in forty eight hours. Setting fatigue aside like an old antique, Percy gnaws on the inside of his cheek and doesn’t mask the relief in his eyes, swirling and hopeful and wide. “Look, I can’t thank you enough for filling me in. Dude, I just… Wish I’d known that about a week ago. And don’t sweat it, seriously, I’m good.” 

The dude’s lost someone; that much is immediately clear. You try to keep your face impassive and listen to him fumble his way through grateful, half-formed thoughts -- your voice keeps sticking in your throat, like it’d be cruel to tell him what you perceive to be the truth.

TG: no problem dude its just TG: first of all ok im dave nice to meet you TG: second of all TG: whoever you lost would already be back by now like TG: as far as i know the reincarnation is like an immediate thing

Inattentive even beyond the usual, Percy can barely hear the other speaking over the ringing in his ears. It’s sporadic, but not enough to ignore an offer to take him to the hospital of all places. Like they could do something to help him. These dreams are really going deep if they aren’t real – his stomach churns at the lingering question he doesn’t want to ask out loud.

“Yeah. Thanks – I’m all right.” Been worse physically - maybe not so much however else. The next part prompts a delayed tilt of his head, brow creasing in the meantime. “The way? What way’s that?”

You frown slightly. He’s obviously not all right, whoever he is, but it’s really not your business.

TG: dude you dont know? TG: (right sorry ok obviously you dont fuckin know) TG: people here like TG: they dont really die TG: i guess its because the scientists figure people think if they kill themselves here theyll wake up in their own world TG: idfk how it works tbh all i know is there was a version of me here that got beheaded and then revived and i know some of my friends have told me it works that way for everyone TG: you dont die you just like...glitch and come back 

He’s too tired to bother fighting the exhaustion –  yeah, that’s how bad it’s gotten. A piece of him is unsure of if he’s under the pressure of another test considering the past few days and how they’ve drained him of most colors, but Tartarus never seemed like such an elaborate thing. Definitely not one where someone leaves their cell phone (which, mind you, he has serious trouble identifying at first) on a bench, either.

Maybe he’s too tired to walk away, because Percy makes no mistake of approaching the stranger a few paces ahead. Small distractions are good, but he doesn’t think about why. One of those things where you can’t afford to. 

“Think you dropped this. Left it for a pigeon or something.”

You’re usually not so careless with your phone, so it startles you when someone tells you that you left it behind. Startles you a lot more when the dude doesn’t just take the damn thing for himself, honestly, but then you think the resale value on a Citta iPhone is probably piss-poor. You take it back, examining the guy.

TG: oh TG: thanks

TG: hey no offense but are you sick or something? because like TG: you dont look too good TG: i could take you to the hospital or whatever even if i think its kinda dumb for hospitals to exist in this place considering the way people die