3.

There are references to self harm in this chapter. You can't say I didn't warn you.

Rick sat in the bathtub, cigarette in hand. That day wasn't a particularly bad one, but he just knew his Morty didn't like him. He hoped that he would be good enough, but what if good isn't something a Morty like him wanted? A trillion self hating thoughts ran through his mind. He took a long drag from the half smoked cigarette, examining a few old slash marks on his thigh. After about five seconds of thought, he just discarded the cigarette in the toilet instead of on his chest or thigh. Someone knocked on the door.

"Hey, sweetie, are you in there?" Beth asked.

Rick realized she thought he was Morty, and replied," Nah, it's me."

"Okay; just wanted to make sure everything was okay," she muttered, walking away. What did she mean by 'okay'?

The next day was a Wednesday. Of course, Beth and Jerry wanted Morty to attend school. Rick wouldn't normally object (D-422 at least), but today was the first day he could really spend time with his 'grandson'.

"I-I dunno, Beth. I mean, look at him!" Rick gestured around Morty's face.

"He looks fine to me, Dad," Beth said, unconvinced.

"Who's the-the genius scientist, Beth?" Rick retorted.

"Whatever, fine. When Morty can't get into college, I'm blaming you," Beth said, pointing a finger in her father's face. Rick rolled his eyes.

"So-so I'm not goin' to school today?" Morty perked up.

"Yeah, M-Morty, we-I need your help with something," Rick smiled, grabbing Morty by the arm. He led the boy downstairs and into the basement.

"D-does your family like me?" Rick whispered loudly as he closed the door behind them.

"Uhh, I guess… I mean, they think you're our Rick, so…" Morty muttered. Rick nodded.

"Do you w-wanna go somewhere? L-l-like an adventure?" Rick offered, retrieving his portal gun from his jacket. Morty nodded quickly. Rick thought for a moment, and punched in a few coordinates. He opened a portal and walked into it, Morty following close behind.

"M-Morty?"

"What, Rick?" Morty asked.

"Uhm…well… D-do you like me? Like, as in, as much as your old Rick?"

"I dunno…" Morty mumbled, avoiding eye contact. The truth was, Morty was still grieving over the loss of his Rick. It would have been easier if Morty had some time to breathe and think about the situation, but no. He just had to get shipped off to the Cidedel of Ricks and be auctioned off to another one.

"It's a simple question, Morty," Rick stated, his tone changing from nervous to cruel and cold.

"I-I'm just confused right now, Rick," Morty stuttered, looking away now.

"Oh…" Rick whispered, " I understand…" He forced a smile. Morty smiled back, forcing all the anxious thoughts out of his mind.

The world around them was pastel and pretty, with pink skies and yellow dirt. It looked like they jumped right into a storybook. Morty was enchanted with the lavender flower-like things and peaceful creatures that fluttered around the two.

"W-wow, Rick. This is amazing!" Morty grinned. Rick was silently smiling as he watched the boy explore the alien planet. He saw Morty approaching a beautiful flower; it was pink and orange, almost resembling the sky. Rick recognized it as one of the most dangerous plants in the galaxy. Would it be better to let Morty get sick and nurse him back to health, or to save him now? Rick chose the latter, and swiftly snatched Morty away from the poisonous plant.

"H-hey, you-you gotta be careful, Morty. Look, that right there, that flower's poisonous as hell," Rick pointed to the beautiful plant.

"Oh, geez…" Morty muttered, clutching the lab coat. Rick combed his fingers through Morty's hair, murmuring sweet things to him. Morty stayed, enjoying the positive attention, but it soon became creepy.

"Uhh…t-that's okay, Rick… I get it…" He protested, gently trying to worm away. Rick relaxed his grip. He mumbled an apology and began walking again. Morty frowned, his thoughts from earlier slowly coming back. He shooed them away, instead focusing on having a good time.