[IC - update post]

[actualizedname]

 [Earlier this morning a tiny teenaged boy went out to explore ruins in camp.

Some time later, said tiny teenager reappears at the outskirts of camp, eleven inches taller, thirteen years older and very confused.]

Somehow, I think I'm lost.

Comments

[allmiracles]

If everyone left, and you traveled so far in the future ...

Weren't you lonely?

[actualizedname]

...yes. I was.

[allmiracles]

That wasn't what we wanted.

...

I'm sorry. I left you all alone.

[actualizedname]

If this works, you won't have.

[allmiracles]

[wiping her eyes briefly, nodding]

You have to say "it will work."

[actualizedname]

It will work. With all of us working on it, how could it not?

[allmiracles]

I want to see your miracle.

[actualizedname]

I'll make sure you do.

[allmiracles]

[hits him a little]

Ohh... I should scold you, you know.

[actualizedname]

What for?

[allmiracles]

[sighs]

You really want to save us, don't you? You haven't forgotten, even after all this time—mm, instead you dedicated your life to it...

[actualizedname]

You're worth it.

[allmiracles]

[it's very strange. she's blinking back tears again, but suddenly her cheeks are burning. it's awkward, she finds, but not unpleasant.

for a moment she opens her mouth to say something, but closes it in hesitation. there's no words to choke out.

instead she covers her face in her hands and finds herself crying again.]

[actualizedname]

[he looks anxious, even a little rattled, before taking a breath and then hugging her]

You are that important to us. I know it's a burden to bear, but you're important and it's something we all chose to do, because we value you that much.

[allmiracles]

It's ... not just that ...

[rubbing at her eyes, but the tears don't stop]

But right now, I'm right here.

[actualizedname]

You are.

[allmiracles]

Can that be enough?

[actualizedname]

For now. But this isn't the future we're trying to save.

[allmiracles]

[laughing through the tears - oh hope]

I meant to keep you company.

[actualizedname]

[LOOK I'M A SOCIALLY AWKWARD SCIENTIST.]

Of course it is. I missed you.

[allmiracles]

[brightens and takes his hands. look, some things never change, and that is hope's awkwardness.]

I have a long time to make up for!

[actualizedname]

In retrospect, maybe I shouldn't have told you how long it's been.

[allmiracles]

[makes a motion with her hand, holding it up to where his head is now, and then where it used to be]

This long!

[actualizedname]

So about eleven months.

[allmiracles]

So that's how long it took for you to grow so tall?

I used to be able to pat the top of your head...