Chapter Text
Aaron had finished cleaning out his small house and had a few small boxes of things to take back. The others helped him carry it to the carriage led by the scientist.
“Everything else is yours for the taking, alright? You can even have the house. I don’t think I’ll be coming back. Just take care of it, please. It means a lot to me.” Aaron said with a smile as he glanced at his friends trying to pack the boxes in the old carriage. And failing. The scientist laughed.
“We will, Mr. Blackwell, thank you. And again, please, on behalf of all of us, let me apologize once more…”
“Now, now, there’s no need.” Aaron said, holding out a hand. The woman just stepped back with a small smile. “You returned the favor quite well, I must say.” He laughed as he saw Scarecrow push Enty near the horse, trying to convince him it’s ok to pet it. “I’m able to be with my family because of your help.”
“As am I.” The woman said with a smile. Aaron reached out his hand to shake hers. She took it and met his gaze. “Will you ever come back? The world could use such a scientist as yourself.”
“Maybe someday by accident, or if we ever figure out how to travel casually…but I have a new home now.” He said, releasing her hand.
“I understand. Well, for what it’s worth, the devices and notes you have donated to us will be most beneficial to the future.”
“I’m glad to hear it, that means a lot.” Aaron said as they walked towards the carriage. “Just don’t let that nobleman near any of it.”
“You have my word.”
“What happened to him anyway?”
“He hasn’t made any moves. I believe your friends scared him quite badly.”
“That’s the lunatics for yah.”
“You care about them quite a lot though, it seems.” She said slyly. Aaron just laughed as he eyed Enty, Elderane, and Gabriel all curiously examining the strange world around them. He saw Scarecrow walk out of the local pub with a drink in his hand and a smile on his face as he took in the Victorian alcohol. Aaron shook his head.
“I do indeed.”
~
The carriage had arrived at the machine site, and the others had unloaded the boxes, and each held one in their hands as they walked. Aaron and the others had spent the past few days altering the machine, and they believed it ready to use.
“So…you are certain it will send us home and not…kill us?” Elderane said wearily as he approached the platform and set the box in his hands down. Aaron nodded.
“We used the data from previous uses to pinpoint our home dimension. We removed all time altering mechanisms but left the dimensional ones. It’s day now, so the spirit world shouldn’t be an issue.” Aaron said. They had considered every variable. Elderane looked at him nervously then took in a breath.
“Well…I trust you, Blackwell.” The elf said, picking his box up again. Aaron smiled and turned as the other scientists approached.
“Everything is ready to go.” The man said, reaching his hand to shake Aaron’s. Aaron accepted with a smile. “Sorry again for…almost killing you…several times…”
“It’s quite alright, I understand. You weren’t the first ghost to try and pull one on me. I’m just glad you all are safe.” Aaron said with a laugh. The trio of scientist smiled back and nodded.
“Thanks to you.”
“I believe it was a team effort.”
“Just…take my advice, guys…” Aaron said, eying the trio. “Don’t mess with this stuff much more. It’s more trouble than it’s worth.” He said, recalling past…temporal misadventures. The trio nodded.
“We will be careful.” The scientist said. She shook Aaron’s hand once more before he turned and walked to the platform where his friends were.
“Right. Let’s do this correctly…” Aaron said, handing the box in his hand to Scarecrow. Scarecrow took it as Aaron began messing with the machine. The piercing ringing from before returned, causing them all to cringe at the sound. Elderane huddled closer to Gabriel as the word distorted around them. He prayed Aaron got this right.
But…he knew if he did mess it up, at least wherever they’d end up…they’d be together.
The group squeezed their eyes shut as a bright white light engulfed them, the sounds of the world fading to silence.
~
Aaron staggered back as the floor appeared beneath his feet. He rammed back into a wall as he got his bearings. He kept his eyes squeezed shut as he shook the horrid ringing from his mind. After a moment it faded, and he fearfully opened his eyes.
He was in their living room.
It was daylight.
A calming morning’s sun was shining through the white curtains, casting calming light on the gray carpet. The storm had passed.
Aaron breathed a sigh of relief and set the box in his hands down. He looked over and saw all four of his friends standing confused as their senses returned to them.
They all made it.
“We’re home!” Enty yelled setting his box down.
“Good. I need coffee…” Scarecrow muttered as he tossed his box onto the couch and made a beeline for the kitchen. He missed the coffee machine.
Aaron smiled as Enty followed him, eager to get proper breakfast. Elderane walked up to Aaron and put a hand on his shoulder.
“I should never have doubted you, you moron.” Elderane said warmly. Aaron smiled back at the compliment.
“Thanks, Eld. Means a lot.” Aaron said. He felt tears threaten to fall behind his eyes. He pushed them away.
“Want to unpack?” Gabriel asked, eying the various boxes. Aaron shook his head.
“Not yet…I could use a break from my world for just a bit…”
“Let’s go out and do something!” Enty yelled as he bounded back. Scarecrow followed him in with a smile as he drank his coffee.
“Like what?” Aaron asked, leaning against the wall as his friends stood around him.
“Well, you died, I say you should get to pick.” Scarecrow said with a shrug. Aaron just shook his head.
“You’re never going to let me hear the end of this, are you…”
“Nope.” Scarecrow said as he took a sip from his coffee.
The others laughed as Aaron rolled his eyes. He thought about his options. They could use a vacation after all this…
“How about a vacation…maybe a road trip somewhere?” Aaron said. The others lit up at the idea. “I can rent us a bigger van.”
“Yay! I love it!” Enty yelled as he jumped in place.
“I would like to see more of this world…” Elderane said as he pondered with a smile.
“We can see some cool churches!” Gabriel said.
Aaron laughed at his friend’s excitement. He eyed the last of his roommates.
“Crow?” Aaron said with a smile. Scarecrow just sipped his coffee and rolled his eyes.
“Sure, whatever.” He said with a shrug. Enty ran and hugged him, nearly causing him to spill his coffee. “Enty, the hell! Get off!”
“Can I sit next to you in the car?”
“If you get off me!”
“Maybe we can go to the forests of your world…I would love to see them…OH! OR YOUR AVIATION HEADQUARTERS!” Elderane yelled excitedly.
“I think I got banned from a few of the air sites…” Scarecrow said as he looked away, lost in thought.
Aaron just leaned back and laughed as his friends began discussing and arguing about destinations and plans. He really had the weirdest family in the word. Four doppelgangers and an elf. But they were still a family, nonetheless.
He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes as the troubles of the past few days were drowned out by the laughter and yelling of his friends. They were there for him and he would be there for them.
Every time.
He took in a long breath and released it, happy to be home.