Work Text:
"How long is the drop?"
Tyler chuckled at the question from his friend. He turned around to face John and smirked.
"It's about the same height from the top of your ego to your IQ," he laughed.
John gasped dramatically, feigning offense at Tyler's words. "Well at least I have some form of IQ to jump down to," he retorted.
Tyler ignored him and brought his attention back to their task. The two men were standing at a cliff's edge, staring into the dark waters below. Strong winds blew around them, occasionally making John sway with the force of it. Tyler, however, remained perfectly balanced as he looked up at the dark sky, watching the stars. The pair was waiting for midnight to arrive, before beginning their task.
For the past 675 nights, Tyler had been teaching his friend how to master and control Jumping . At precisely midnight, John would Jump to a nearby universe where another friend of his, Evan , would be waiting.
With a few minutes left to midnight, John stepped up to the very edge beside Tyler. He squinted at the waves crashing below him, trying to calm his nerves.
Tyler glanced at him, sensing the other's anxiety. He placed a hand on John's shoulder. "Remember your training, be sure to breathe, and you'll do fine."
John shook his clammy hands and tried to swallow the lump in his throat. His first Jump to another universe. Sure, he had made other Jumps before, but only to a neighbouring planet. John was still a novice Jumper, and had only studied the theory of Jumping between universes. Now he was about to do the real thing.
"Tyler," John asked, "Why does Evan want me to start with Multiverse Jumping ? Why not do Galactical Jumping if it's easier?"
Tyler seemed to ponder the question before answering slowly, being careful with his words. "Evan thinks you have potential. Most people spend years studying Jumping only to struggle with even going around a single planet. Galactical Jumping takes longer to master, let alone travelling through the multiverse. It took me most of my life to get to this point and I still mess up my Jumps sometimes." Tyler paused and looked down at his shorter friend. "John, two years ago you didn't know we existed. Now look at yourself, you're a better Jumper than the best of us."
John grinned at his friend. It was true, two years ago John was unaware of the existence of the Cliff Jumpers . He remembered how he first met Tyler, on the very same cliff they were standing on. If it had not been for him, John was sure he would not be alive to see this day.
John looked down again, and sighed slowly. A glance at Tyler, and he knew that it was time. He turned around, walked a few paces, and turned back to face the edge. He let his eyes drift close and he took a deep breath, centering himself.
‘John, I’m going to say something and I want you to remember it, alright? In my eyes you're someone who I care about. You're amazing and kind and you make me cry sometimes because what if I'm not a good enough friend and you leave me like everyone else? When I look at you I see someone who has unknowingly saved my life.
I look at you and I realise how stupidly wonderful it is to have you as my friend. And sorry if you don't see yourself that way, because you should. You're cool and funny and weird and awkward but it's you, and it's your own special charm. Just know that no matter what, I love you.’
John’s eyes shot open and he broke into a run. With each step he took, his heartbeat quickened. Right at the edge, John’s feet pushed him up and off the edge. For a moment, he was flying, arms raised, like a bird soaring in the night. He could not resist letting out a whoop of delight as he welcomed the freeing feeling.
He leaned forward, eyes closed once more. Now falling head first, he swung his arms anti-clockwise and forced his body to spin, before tucking them to his sides. The air around him seemed to move with him and suddenly John was falling through a thick fog.
As quickly as the air condensed, it cleared. From where Tyler stood watching, he cheered loudly. He looked back at the spot he last saw John and chuckled softly, for now there was nothing. Tyler then leaped off the edge and after his friend.
Almost a million light years away, John landed softly in front of a small cottage. He opened his eyes and fell to the ground in relief. The front door of the cottage burst open and a short man ran to John. He looked down at the man sprawled out on the ground and laughed, John joining him. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the moment. Finally the man helped John onto his feet and into a hug.
“Evan, I did it! I made the Jump!” John yelled into the other’s ear.
Evan pulled away and grinned at him, proud of his friend. Just then, a familiar chuckle came from behind him and he turned around to see Tyler walking up to them. He grabbed John and pulled him into a hug of his own. Catching Evan’s eyes over the young boy’s shoulder, he flashed him a soft smile.
“I guess you’re no longer a novice then, eh?” Tyler said to John.
John shook his head happily. “Nope! I made the Jump,” he declared proudly.
“Actually, Smitty kinda helped. Remembering his words was what pushed me to do it,” he whispered sadly.
Tyler and Evan sobered at the mention of their old friend. The three men stared up at the sky, and they knew Jaren would be proud of them for what they have become. Together they walked towards the cottage, thoughts filled with past friends, current achievements and a future filled with possibilities.
FIN