[Right...Iris' book. He hated that book. Even if it had been useful.
The reminder that his murder of Bart was supposed to be a fixed point just made this all the more confusing. And so did the claim that Bart didn't blame him. How could he not blame him?! The part of him that wanted to be angry wanted to believe it was condescension, but it reeked of that same self-deprecating attitude he'd had most of their conversation. And that irritates him almost as much.]
How is it your fault if I kill you? Even if you knew I was going to kill you, that line of logic makes no sen-[Catching himself, he flinches, biting his tongue.] Wait! No! Nonono, I don't want to know. Don't tell me any more details about it. Just stop!
[Wasn't Bart the one who said he didn't want to talk about his death? So why did he keep talking about it?! Knowing you're own future was rarely a good thing, and the more Bart told him the less he wanted to know. It brought up too many questions, most of which he had no way to answer.
Taking a breath, he tries to calm down, and focus on the more important part of their conversation.]
If you know your death by my hands really is a fixed point, then I still don't understand why you're so eager to be closer to me. The offer to go our separate ways and ignore each other, live and let live, that I can get to some degree. But this "family" thing you were offering? [Yes, he does make a point of putting air quotes on the word 'family'.] Wouldn't getting closer to me just make the inevitable outcome worse?
And what about the people here who might remember me? Are they going to just be okay with that, too? Which version of me do they even remember? Me now, or me from the future?
[...Is Helen here? Half of him hopes she is, the other half desperately hopes she isn't.]
CW: suicidal ideation, attempted murder
The reminder that his murder of Bart was supposed to be a fixed point just made this all the more confusing. And so did the claim that Bart didn't blame him. How could he not blame him?! The part of him that wanted to be angry wanted to believe it was condescension, but it reeked of that same self-deprecating attitude he'd had most of their conversation. And that irritates him almost as much.]
How is it your fault if I kill you? Even if you knew I was going to kill you, that line of logic makes no sen-[Catching himself, he flinches, biting his tongue.] Wait! No! Nonono, I don't want to know. Don't tell me any more details about it. Just stop!
[Wasn't Bart the one who said he didn't want to talk about his death? So why did he keep talking about it?! Knowing you're own future was rarely a good thing, and the more Bart told him the less he wanted to know. It brought up too many questions, most of which he had no way to answer.
Taking a breath, he tries to calm down, and focus on the more important part of their conversation.]
If you know your death by my hands really is a fixed point, then I still don't understand why you're so eager to be closer to me. The offer to go our separate ways and ignore each other, live and let live, that I can get to some degree. But this "family" thing you were offering? [Yes, he does make a point of putting air quotes on the word 'family'.] Wouldn't getting closer to me just make the inevitable outcome worse?
And what about the people here who might remember me? Are they going to just be okay with that, too? Which version of me do they even remember? Me now, or me from the future?
[...Is Helen here? Half of him hopes she is, the other half desperately hopes she isn't.]