[Bart goes very still at that, because his whole life, especially the parts where he was older and racing towards an end he knew, knew was coming, are vivid in his mind.]

Do you know how I ended up with Max? He was the closest thing I've had to family, and he's gone now. Maybe he could come back, but apparently he's not interested. But it wasn't like anyone could have planned me ending up with the old man. I thought he was just some old fossil Wally dug up because he certainly couldn't be bothered training a sidekick.

[A pause, then he continues, the irritation clear in his voice.]

Yeah, that's right, my cousin, my actual family pawned me off on someone else like a puppy who overstayed his welcome. Grandpa Barry still vanishes almost every time we're in the same place for more than like five seconds, and he's the only reason I'm here and alive.

Having a family doesn't mean some wonderful thing that's full of picnics and presents. It's work. It's arguing and being angry and just...being there. I don't even get to see my best friends as often as I might like because they're unaffiliated.

It's not a scrap, and you're no stray. It's an offer. A chance to start over, more or less. Because I don't like where our story ended back home, and maybe we can write something different.

[Maybe one where they both live. It's a depressing thought, but Bart backs up, deciding maybe it's better if he just gives Thad his space.]

I'd rather not talk about dying right now. It's one of those things I wish I actually could forget.