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Ever since Morty woke up that morning and got out of bed, a turtle of some sort kept following him around. At first he thought it was cute, given how small it was and its size that could fit right into Morty's palm. He cooed everytime its little legs made noises to follow him, cooed everytime its eyes blinked.
The day went on as usual; he grabbed a box of cereal, and poured it into a bowl before going to the fridge to grab milk. But as soon as he opens the fridge, he felt sharp teeth digging right into his leg.
He slowly turns his head just to find out the turtle was biting him. In a panic, he yelped and frantically shook his leg in hopes the turtle would get off, but to no avail as the turtle persisted and bit down on his leg harder. The only go-to option now was to yell his grandpa's name.
"R-RICK!! T-THERE'S A TURTLE BITING MY LEG!!"
Surprisingly, Rick immediately came in the kitchen, eyes widened. "A turtle, Morty?"
"YES!" Morty cries, trying to pry the turtle off, and in the process he fell on the ground, whining.
"O-oh, shit, Morty, t-this is probably one of Poseidon's little minions," Rick pauses, burping, then helps Morty pry off the turtle. "I-I hooked up with his daughter, you see, and suddenly she wants to become human like me, so I helped her to become one, but her father's pissed. Really pissed, Morty. H-He's rewarding anything to any sea-living creature that manages to get their hands on me."
Once they have successfully took the turtle off his leg, Morty sighed in relief, then glared at Rick in frustration. "W-why would you do that?!"
"She just wanted to be human, that's all! N-no biggie! It's not my problem he's so pissed off," Rick groans, grabbing the turtle to seal it in a container materialized from his hands. "Plus, I've dealt with most of them, this is probably the last one."
"But it's YOUR problem now that he's pissed off! He'll probably want revenge!" Morty yells, standing up to seem tougher. "I-I mean, just look at that turtle! I-i-it could've bit my leg off or something!"
Rick sneers. He places the container on the kitchen's counter, crossing his arms. "It could've bit your leg off? D-don't make me laugh, Morty. It didn't even manage to make you bleed."
Morty huffs. "It's just a what-if scenario! That's the worse that could've happened!"
"And clearly, you're being dramatic," Rick spits.
"Can't you even try to be a decent grandpa by worrying about me?! I didn't even ask for a grandpa like you!" Morty whines.
Rick felt his ego shattering. He gnashes his teeth. "Fuck you, Morty! I didn't ask for a dumb grandson, either!"
"Oh, fuck you, too, Rick!" Morty snarls. "Y-y-you're like full of crap, b-but still shitty on the outside as well! You-you're just one big ol' lump of shit!"
"Maybe Evil Morty could've been a better partner after all," Rick grumbles, attempting to get back at him.
"W-what? Seriously? You-you're comparing me with Evil Morty now?!" Morty laughs sarcastically, before jabbing an accusing finger at Rick angrily. "T-t-then I bet even Rick Prime can be a better grandpa than you!"
Rick clenches his fist in rage, wanting so badly to have a good comeback to shout, but Morty was right. In the many countless realities Rick has seen, Rick Prime treated Morty way better. If Rick hadn't wiped off every sweet little memory Morty had with Rick Prime, Morty wouldn't even allow Rick to lay a finger on him. He wouldn't be dead present day.
"Hah! You-you scared to talk now, you pussy?" Morty provokes, snapping Rick out of his rumination.
Rick starts getting anxious. "I-I'm not scared, you little shit!"
"Oh, yeah?" Morty smirks, crossing his arms in triumph. "W-well why aren't you talking?"
"Because you're fucking right, Morty!" Rick shouts, lashing out. "D-do you like that, huh? You like hearing about how you're soooo right?"
Morty's smirk fades away instantly as his eyes widen, taken off guard all of a sudden. "W-wait, what?"
"Rick Prime..." Rick sighs, momentarily trailing off, groaning as he shoved utensils and the container to the ground in a tantrum. "He's a better grandpa than me, okay?! He fucking loves your guts! He-he's this caring and nice guy to you, asshole to everybody else, has a soft spot for you and shit!"
"W-when?" Morty stammers, still in a state of shock.
"When you were sent back to your original dimension, the Cronenberg universe, you met Rick Prime a few minutes before I came, a-and," Rick burps, continuing, "he saw you crying, comforted you and whatnot, showed you around, and.. and shit he wasn't even pretending, he genuinely cared about you, Morty. I-i-it was the first thing I saw when landing."
"Then... how do I not remember that?" Morty furrowed his eyesbrows. "D-d-did you use the fucking memory eraser gun on me, you asshole?"
"Obviously," Rick scoffs. "But not just on you; on Rick Prime, too."
"But.. I-I saw your spacheship landing with my own eyes," Morty denies, frowning. "T-t-the asteroid and everything too! A-are you lying or something? Is this a trick?"
"Oho, I staged all of that, Morty. Had a lot of time when the memory eraser gun knocked both of you out," Rick explained, waving one hand dismissively. "Piece of cake, really. I just had to make a decoy asteroid to stage a landing right near the spaceship and dissolve before it could've crushed me to death."
"Just out of curiosity... Is there any way I can see the memories again?" Morty asks softly. "Can I please see it? I-it doesn't matter anyway, you told me all about it."
Rick contemplates about it for a minute. He told Morty the whole story anyway, it likely wouldn't change anything at all. "Fine. But don't get all upset at me after you see it."
Morty smiles, immediately forgetting all about their bickering. "Y-yeah! Alright!"
Morty sat patiently, wearing a helmet, watching as Rick rummaged through various tubes of many colours. Apparently Rick stores all kinds of memories here. There was surprisingly a lot, so many that it filled the walls of the room, and Morty barely remembered it existing.
Finally, Rick picked up a red tube labelled 'Rick Prime'. He glanced at Morty, a bit hesitant. Why did he even have to keep this memory in the first place? Could've thrown it away or something, but now he has to show the memory to Morty.
"This is the one," Rick mutters, standing in front of him. Morty nods eagerly, watching as Rick was about to place the tube inside the helmet's hole. "Here goes nothing."
...
After waiting for Rick to come for so long, Morty started feeling hopeless. He began crying, sniffing as he went up a hill. That old man can be petty, but can he really be petty enough to leave him all alone? Morty sat down, hugged his knees and continued sobbing.
"H-hey, buddy," a voice similar to Rick's greets from behind. "What's up?"
"Rick?" Morty immediately perks up, turning around. He's met with confusion upon seeing Rick Prime instead.
Rick Prime snorts. "Well, technically I am Rick," he shrugs.
Morty frowns. He turns his back at Rick Prime, suddenly taking interest in the Cronenberg dimension's sky; despite it being gloomy. "Oh, y-you're the one my Rick is so obsessed with finding..."
"And your original grandpa," Rick Prime adds. He slowly sits down next to Morty, taking a glimpse at his grandson, obviously crying helplessly. He's bound to pity his own grandson once he sees him crying. "So... Why are you here?"
Morty sniffs, using his wrist to wipe away his tears. "O-our portal gun had a problem, a-a-and Rick tried to reset it, but instead he resetted time travelers, which made us get sent back to our original dimensions."
After listening to Morty's story all the way through, Rick Prime hums thoughtfully. "I see..."
"I-I-I'm worried that Rick won't even come, t-that he's petty enough to not care or s-something," Morty mumbles, blurting out everything on his mind, anxious. He hugs his knees tighter while sweating bullets.
It was heart-shattering enough to see Morty cry, and Rick Prime's pity doubled down when Morty started expressinf his worries. He makes an effort to comfort his grandson, patting him on the back. "Look, maybe I can help," he offers. "That is.. if you want me to."
The second after Rick Prime expressed sincere concern, Morty instantly leaps at him for a hug, naturally burrying his head into his chest. He smiles shyly, glancing at Rick Prime. "Y-y-you seem to care a lot for a Rick, y-y'know."
Although caught by surprise, Rick Prime gladly returned the hug. He strokes Morty's hair, easily smiling. "I-I've always cared, Morty. At least when it comes to you."
...
He's told not to be upset, but how couldn't he? Morty somewhat liked being treated that way. He would've kept the memory deep in his heart; it would've meant the whole world. In spite, Morty throws the helmet accross the room, glaring at Rick. "W-what the hell Rick? Y-y-you made me forget the only person that t-truly cared about me? A-and you KILLED him?"
Morty's completely upset, despite saying he wouldn't be a few minutes ago. Rick rolls his eyes. "Look, it's in the past, you little shit. What do you want me to do?"
"Of course you don't care! You never do!" Morty shouts before storming out of the kitchen and going to his room.
Rick clenches his fist. "Fine, fuck off for all I care!" he yells, making sure Morty can hear. He takes out the flask from his labcoat and starts chugging the alcohol in it, until it's all finished and he burps in satisfaction.
Morty collapsed on his bed face-first and screamed into his pilllow. Rick has been proven to act selfishly, whether for the better or worse, yet that exactly wasn't the reason this bothered Morty. In fact, he was practically used to this, whatever it's called. Morty sighs, turns over and stares at the ceiling. What's the point; getting all riled up over Rick?
He walks over to the window near his bed, and opens the window for some fresh air. What's done is done. There's no more changing Rick Prime's fate. Though, Morty does wish he had that kind of Rick around. He wonders if any dimension had a happy and satisfied Morty at all, or one living in a content life.
He swallows a lump in his throat. "I couldn't get to know much of you, but I miss you, Rick Prime... O-or grandpa."
While Morty was reminiscing on the little memories he had of Prime, someone tapped his shoulder and grabbed both of his shoulders to forcefully turn him around. Morty yelped, before staring wildly at the sudden presence of Rick Prime.
"Hey, Morty. Heard you missed me?" Rick Prime smiles, opening his arms.
"H-holy shit..." Morty mumbles, awe-struck. "Why are you here? I-I thought you were.. y-know, dead?"
Rick Prime smiles, amused. "I have my ways. It's better to not question it," he answers vaguely, before opening his arms. "Let's just say grandpa knows when you need me."
Morty had his suspicions. Surely, it was too good to be true. But regardless, he didn't want to care about it. Hesitantly, he hugged Prime, placing his head on Prime's chest, and Prime hugged back. A surge of joy went through Morty, and he smiled like never before. Gosh, it was amazing. Better than the memory he had of hugging him.
He started hugging Prime tighter. Morty wanted to feel all the comfort and joy while it lasted, wanted to suck it all dry. He looked up, at his original grandpa, and Prime was smiling. Morty didn't need a stupid empathy-eating parasite anymore; his dreams have become the reality.
"Don't tell your Rick I'm here, though," Prime winks.
"F-fuck Rick!" Morty exclaims, letting go of Prime. "L-l-let's go hangout, have ice cream or travel to different dimensions!"
Prime laughs. "If you say so, buddy," he aggressively ruffles Morty's hair, and Morty laughs along with him, feeling his heart warming from the playful acts that Rick would never initiate.
By Morty's request, they went to absurd dimensions for fun's sake. They watched a dimension where everyone talked like snakes yet had the body of a dog, laughed their asses off in a movie theatre where absolute comedy is treated like tragedy and got them kicked out, and ate cream resembling a haircut from each others hair. For their last trip, Prime chose the island dimension, sunbathing with Morty, and Island Jerry.
Upon arriving, Island Rick was staring intensely at Prime, mubling incoherent words, certain he has seen this face somewhere before. Yet Island Rick immediately waved his hand dismissively and went back to drinking. Island Jerry gave Prime an alcoholic beverage, and Morty a sunquick juice box.
Morty had never enjoyed sunquick as much as this. Maybe it's because of the sunny, beautiful scenery right in front of him. Or the contentment that came within. He took a deep sigh of relief; all of his worries instantly exited alongside it. Island Jerry was busy tanning, although he was tan enough, and Rick Prime is looking at the view with Morty.
Suddenly Morty's phone starts obnoxiously ringing, the ringtone scaring seaguls away, and it quickly ruins the mood. Morty mumbles apologies when Island Jerry stared, slightly annoyed. He quickly looks at the caller to realize his Rick was calling. Morty groans before picking the call up.
"M-morty, where have you been for god's sake? You missed out on dinner!" Rick reprimands through the line.
"Somewhere better off without you! Don't call me!" Morty yelled, then angrily hung up. He crossed his arms and his eyebrows furrowed.
Island Jerry stopped tanning, as well as Rick Prime stopped watching the scenery, just to stare at Morty. It's gotten awkward for a second. Island Jerry was quick to shrug it off and go back to tanning, but Prime on the other hand thought it best he addressed the issue. Prime whistled casually, whilst putting his hands behind his head, and leaned on the lounger and smiled at Morty.
"So, grandson... Do you want to talk about it?" Prime asked carefully, making eye contact.
"I-I don't know," Morty grumbles, looking away. "We got in a fight about how Evil Morty is more 'useful' than me," he complains further, making finger-quotation marks. "R-Rick's always so mean. It's like he would rather die than be nice to me for once."
"Aw, buddy," Prime coos pitifully. "Do you want a hug?"
With the many hugs Rick Prime was constantly offering, Morty felt really embarrassed. Yet he went for it anyway. "Yeah. S-sure."
Rick Prime starts carressing Morty's hair, somewhat out of habit, and it further embarrasses Morty. He likes the thought of being cherished, but he isn't sure how he should feel when someone does express affection. Morty hugs Prime slightly tighter than before, wanting to get used to feeling so cared for.
"I-I-I guess I love you more as a grandpa than I do with my own Rick," Morty mutters.
Prime hums. "Love you too, grandson."
Morty's phone starts ringing, ruining another moment yet again. Morty glares at it, not needing to check to know it was Rick. He pulls away from the hug and picks up the call. "God, what now?" he grumbles.
"Y-your mom's worried and all. S-s-she told me to call," Rick burps. "Just come home now, you little dipshit!"
"Jeez, fine!" Morty snaps. "I'll come home in a few minutes."
He was having the time of his life here, yet it unfortunately wouldn't last forever. After all, special moments are only special because they have an end to it. Morty frowns as Rick Prime takes out his portal gun.
Prime gets off the lounger and extends a hand out to Morty. "Alright, let's get you home before he calls you for the third time."
Morty took Prime's hand as they went through the portal, and they're at the front door of his house. Prime lets go of Morty's hand and waves goodbye, smiling. However, unable to handle goodbyes, Morty grabs Prime's hand again. His eyes start tearing up. A crybaby he was. But he didn't want to act like he wasn't crying; he feels true to himself around Prime although they only knew each other for a few minutes.
"I know, Morty," says Prime softly, patting Morty's back. "But I have to go at some point."
"B-b-but why?" Morty protests weakly, practically sobbing. "W-why can't I become your Morty? After all, Rick d-doesn't care about the Ricks he has killed, nor the Mortys that are left alone! W-we should g-give him a taste of his own medicine!"
"I-I'm sorry, bud," Prime sighs. "I can't be your Rick."
Morty takes a big sniff in. "J-just tell me why! Please!"
Prime sighs. He then got on Morty's level to pat his shoulder. "L-l-listen here, grandson," Prime started, carefully picking his words. "I'm not alive. I-I'm just... a really advanced hologram."
"W-what?" Morty laughs, frowning. "Y-you're still dead?"
"Morty, I-I'm sorry," Prime said, sounding as sincere as a hologram could. "I made an advanced hologram in case you needed me, a-and a hologram like me is only capable of lasting for twenty-four hours. I-I'll fade away in a few minutes. Y-you have to understand that."
Morty suddenly hugs Prime tightly, his tears falling on Prime's shoulder. "No, don't be sorry. I-I don't care whatever you are," he mumbles. "You're the closest I have to a loving family member. I don't want you gone. C-can't I just get Rick to do something? M-m-maybe extend your existence?"
"Morty, you're making this hard for me," Prime mutters back, hugging the boy tightly.
Morty's already sobbing. "I-I know I'm too much, b-but I love you, grandpa Prime. So much."
Rick Prime rubs Morty's back; his final act of affection. "I know. I love you too, Morty. Remember that. Y-y-you're already so big compared to when I first held you. A real big tough guy."
Morty shuts his eyelids tightly, the remaining tears being forced out. And now he was hugging nothing but thin air. He opens his eyes again, just to be met with the half moon in the sky. Morty took his time to intensely stare at the ground before walking back to the front door of his house. He opened the door and Rick was the first person he sees, crossing his arms and looking annoyed.
Rick only took a glance at Morty. "Look, wherever you've been, I don't care. But your mom's grounding you for coming home at one in the fucking morning, Morty."
"Yeah, whatever," Morty replied, walking pass Rick and immediately going upstairs.