It was a mirror dimension, that day. And it was exactly what Morty's brain visualized in the few seconds between Rick telling him and him being dragged through a portal. He had to squint his eyes from the blinding light he was suddenly bathed in. Mirrors, everywhere. Sun, everywhere. The air was cool and fresh, a clear day. The sky, Morty noted as soon as he was able to open his eyes a little more, looked practically identical to earth's when there wasn't a single cloud in sight. What wasn't like on earth, however, was the fact that everything — and Morty really meant everything — was made from mirrors. The floor he was standing on (had he ever stood on a mirror before?), the houses lining the street they were standing on, their bricks, windows, doors, even the grass that came in tufts from in between the houses and the sidewalk was weirdly made from it. Its reflective blades were swaying softly with the air. Morty wondered whether it were actually mirrors, like on earth, or whether it was a special alien material. Probably alien. Rick dragged him along by his arm while his eyes were still adjusting to the brightness as well as their new surroundings.

"Rick?"

"What, Morty? We need to move, I'm not ex-urp-exactly welcome here."

After years of this, Morty only met that statement with a huff of exhaustion.

"I was just-just wondering, you know, what happens when it rains? Whe-where does the water go? Who cleans-"

"Morty, would you pleeease just keep up an-and stop asking a-a million questions. If you really want to-need to know just ask someone. Oh, wait, you can't be-because you'd be arrest-urp-ed."

So with a quick eye roll, Morty stayed silent.

They rounded a corner, Morty still in Rick's grasp with one arm, shielding his eyes from the light with the other. Or, well, at least he was trying to — the sun came from every direction. Now, for the first time, he saw people. Actually, really, people. Morty gaped and missed a step, almost stumbling, which was rewarded with a rougher tug on his arm. They were — they were mirror people. Morty didn't know how else to describe it. They looked human, upright, two legs, two arms, hands, feet, head, just like him. But instead with almost translucent, reflective skin on their bodies. He couldn't tell whether it was all their skin or whether they were wearing clothes that were just reflective as well, though.

"R-Rick, they're-"

"Yes, now, come on. If they notice we're not one of them, we-we're done."

"If? We're the only ones h-here that aren't a mirror!"

"Shh!" Rick stopped abruptly, halting Morty with him, who stumbled briefly. "I'm aware of that, you-you little shit, don't be so loud. You think I'm an idiot?" He looked around to see whether someone had heard them. There were a few, singular mirror people walking down the street, all a good distance away from them. They were safe.

They resumed walking quickly and Rick explained: "The- these idiots are basically blind from living here." Morty couldn't imagine why as his eyes had started to water at that point even though he was still trying and failing to shield them.

"Their eyes are very close to a human's, anatomically, so you can imagine why."

Morty saved himself his answer.

They rounded another few corners, Morty was barely seeing anything, squinting heavily or sometimes closing his eyes completely and just letting himself be pulled along in the hopes that there were no steps or curb stones coming. He wondered how Rick managed to maneuver them so confidently. But then again, he was Rick. Probably had to do with his cybernetic eye or something.

They eventually came to a halt that made Morty, once again, stumble.

"Jeez, Morty, pay attention."

"S-Sorry, Rick, I just can't see-"

"Shh, there are more people here."

Rick pulled Morty to crouch down with him and Morty could make out that they were hiding behind something. He wondered briefly how well that worked with everything being, well, reflective.

"Morty, run!" Rick let go of his arm and was gone. Morty stood up quickly and looked around in a panicked manner seeing neither Rick nor whatever threat he was running from. There were many tall slabs of mirror left and right and in front of him, they looked like they were arranged simply to confuse him, throwing the rays of light from one side of him to the other and then right back at his face. Morty groaned as he tried to figure out what direction to go, his heart beating in his throat.

"Morty!" He heard Rick's voice in front to the slight left of him so while holding one arm up to protect his eyes he held the other one out in front of him as to try and not bump into anything and started moving carefully, though as hastily as possible.

"Stop it, right there!" That new voice came definitely from behind him. He tried walking even more quickly but walked right into one of the slabs.

"R-Rick! You gotta help me!" He tried as he felt his way around the slap.

"Come on, Morty!" That was the only answer.

Morty was panicked. He couldn't see, couldn't get away, and didn't know what he was doing.

"I can't see, Rick!" His voice was high-pitched.

"You can make it, just open your fucking eyes and run!" Rick's voice didn't seem far and he couldn't fathom what was keeping him from just getting him and pulling him by the arm or hell — carrying him with him if need be. Just open your fucking eyes. Well. He started moving forward more quickly, more carelessly.

"I said stop!" That other voice again, followed by something gripping at his wrist. It felt prickly and sharp-edged and awful, "Rick!"

Then, a shot rang out and he heard something shatter. It sounded much like a mirror and Morty, while still walking quickly, flinched harshly at the sound. Maybe this planet was more like earth's mirrors after all. Then, suddenly, the ground beneath Morty's feet started to slope and he stumbled, walking too quickly to stop in time. Within the next two steps, the sloping got so steep that it felt more like a ravine to him than anything else, and without the gift of eyesight, he fell to his knees and started tumbling. He could faintly make out the sound of more gunfire as he yelped and a few moments later came to a stop on flatter ground which was definitely as hard as mirrors as well. Good thing none of them had broken through his fall and found their way into his flesh.

Morty groaned and stayed still for a few seconds to get his bearings. He knew he was probably still being chased and should get up as fast as possible but he was in pain and felt shaky, everything was too bright and he didn't know where he was. As soon as he could, he carefully started to push himself up with his hands until he sat up. Now sure that there wasn't anything seriously wrong with him except for bruises and the odd contusion that would soon be covering his body, he went to get up all the way. One arm immediately went up to shield his eyes again. That fucking sun. He wanted to go home.

Right on cue, Rick's voice appeared right next to him.

"Morty, I've got a-all I need. Let's go!"

Morty could feel his grandfather's hand on his back and make out a green glow in front of him. Rick's hand guided him forward and as he took the first step, he yelped again and almost fell into Rick.

"Morty? What's wrong?"

"I fell." Morty said irritatedly. He could tell that there was more severe pain in his ankle before but as his entire body was hurting, he didn't think it was that bad. Apparently, it was.

"Y-Yes, M-ourhty, I saw that."

"Well, then why are you asking, Rick?" Morty's tone was harsh. Pain and frustration made him want to yell.

"Jeez, someone's not a fan of the mirror dimension. Com'ere, grab hold." Rick took Morty on his back and walked the few steps through the portal and into the much more decently lit garage. Morty's arm fell from his eyes as the took a breath. His vision was laced with dark blotches all over as his eyes tried to adjust. He slid from Rick's back and looked over at him to see —

"Sunglasses? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Rick looked over unimpressed as he pulled the black glasses from his face and raised an eyebrow at Morty.

"Y-Yes, Morty. In case you haven't noticed, it's fucking bright in the-"

"In case I haven't noticed?" Morty's voice cracked with fury, "And you couldn't have bothered to bring a pair for me?"

"The-these aren't your run-of-a-mill sunglasses, Morty. They - I made them e-urp-especially for that-that dimension. Didn't wanna go b-blind."

"And you couldn't have made another pair? You kidding me, Rick? I could've gone blind? For-for what? You needed a new bathroom mirror?" Morty was yelling.

"Stop be-being ridiculous, Morty. You're fine." Rick turned around to his workbench, put the sunglasses to the side, and pulled something out of the innards of his lab coat. He laid a small bundle of cloth down in front of him and unfolded the cloth to reveal something engulfed in the same light as that whole goddamned dimension they'd just visited. Morty averted his eyes as soon as he saw it and continued to hold on to the shelf by the door with one hand and standing mainly on his right leg.

"I'm fine, huh? You kidding? I asked you for help and you-you did nothing! You didn't even ask whe-whether I was okay be-because who cares, r-right? It's just me!"

He watched Rick for a reaction. He was with his back to him. Morty could feel the slightest sheen of tears forming. He was unsure whether they came from hurt, anger, or the possibly permanent damage that dimension had dealt them. Rick took a long swig from his flask. He then picked up a gadget that Morty knew too well. Grey, rectangular with a small blue light at the top that Rick was now holding towards him. He saw a blue outline of his face appear on the screen before a blue light scanned him from top to bottom and he felt his pain lessen and then disappear. Along with the pain, the dark blotches in his sight disappeared as well, leaving only his tears. He let go of the shelf and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand before any tears could fall.

"See, you're fine." Morty could smell the alcohol on his breath and then, he was with his back to him again.

"That's not the point and you-you know it."

Morty's anger left him exhausted. There was no point. No. Fucking. Point. Rick and Morty 100 years, huh?

Morty opened the door to the house and slammed it shut behind himself.

"Honey, you're back." His mother was in the kitchen, a glass of red wine in hand. She smiled at him in an artificially good mood.

Fuck this, Morty thought.

"Yeah, I'll go to my room."

"Is everything ok? Are you mad at Rick? You know what he's like, don't be like that." She called after him but he was already halfway up the stairs, unwilling to give his mother the time of day right now. Not like this. He was much too busy being fine.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he immediately went to the bathroom. He needed a hot shower. Even though Rick's invention is capable of curing all kinds of injuries instantly, he still felt stiff afterward every time. He quickly undressed and got in. As the hot water flowed down his body, he looked at his sheer, unbruised skin, and his perfectly healthy ankle. Like nothing even fucking happened.

After the shower, he wrapped himself in a towel and went towards his room, only to be greeted by Summer who was coming up the stairs with a bowl of popcorn in her hand.

"What are you doing? Get dressed! I have new friends over and I'd rather not have them see my embarrassing, naked little brother wandering the halls." She bit.

"I live here too, Summer." He said with a hard tone. He was exhausted. And not that kind a nap could fix.

"Also, I'm not naked." He added for the sake of defending himself.

Summer cocked her head and more quickly than he could catch gave his towel a harsh tug.

"Summer!" Morty quickly started fumbling around with the towel to protect his decency when he heard giggling come from Summer's room as she disappeared back into it and slammed the door in his face.

Morty blushed and immediately changed in his room. Jeez, he didn't wanna do this anymore. He couldn't. There wasn't a single person, who — the thought made Morty sink down onto the edge of his bed and start crying. He was spent. Not a single person who gave a single shit. Not about how he felt, not about respecting him, not about him being okay by any means of the definition. He tried — he tried to be kind and good and, and — Morty buried his face in his hands as he began sobbing, mindful of being quiet so no one, especially not Summer and her squat next door, would hear him. He wanted to be good, a good kid, grandkid, brother, travel buddy, and he — and that hurt him most — he couldn't figure out what it was that he did wrong, so horribly wrong. How he deserved this. No friends, no girlfriend, no family to rely on. What was left?

Eventually, he looked up from his hands to his window. It was evening, night had just fallen and the stars were coming out, one by one. Like an endlessly big, peaceful family. Yes, the stars. He'd been so close to them, so many times. Up close, most of them were just as beautiful as they were from his bedroom window. Some even more so. Morty had gone up to the window and continued sobbing, though now with a painful pull towards the distant, the unknown instead of with frustration and hurt about the here. Like the stars and the darkness surrounding them were promising him — he wasn't sure what, exactly. But at least something different than this, and that's all he needed right then. And why the fuck not? He snapped into action.

Grabbing his duffel bag from under his bed, he hastily threw a couple of sets of clothing in there through blurry eyes. Then his phone, a picture of Jessica and everything not from earth that he had ever gotten his hands on and had now stashed in his room. Who knew what he'd need?

While he was rummaging around drawers and boxes for anything useful, he thought about what his actual plan was. He could try and get Rick's portal gun. Though if he had it, as usual, on his person, that would be next to impossible. What would be his excuse for why he needed it?

Or the ship. He could fly the ship. There were no endless possibilities with it but it was good enough for sure. And he still had his bike that converted into a space vehicle for solo missions. No. Too small, too slow. Plus, the thought of taking something of Rick's, something that would annoy him if it was missing, was nice. But a few questions remained: How would he get the security system of the ship offline? Even if he could swap the keys off Rick, which was a risk in itself, he wasn't sure whether the AI would just let him fly out of there like that. Also, the ship was in the garage where, as far as he knew, Rick was, too. Would he go as far as trying to knock Rick out or lock him out of the garage? He didn't know whether he could or would.

When he was done packing, he decided he'd just casually stroll down there without his bag first to check the situation. He stood behind his door and waited a few beats straining to hear something, someone. Except for the muffled talking and laughter from next door, everything seemed to be quiet. He opened the door and walked towards the stairs and then garage. He felt like he was doing something wrong, like since he had made the decision to leave, this had already become way less his home. Like he was here illegally.

When his hand was finally on the knob of the garage door, he hadn't met a single person but from the dull clattering was sure Rick was in the garage. Fuck. He turned the knob anyway.

There was Rick. He had opened the driver-side door of his car, swaying. Morty briefly looked around and noticed the disarray Rick had caused since Morty had last been in here an hour ago. He took a couple of steps inside.

"Shiiit, Morty, didn't - didn't h-hear you -urp-come in." Very drunk then.

Might be lucky, Morty thought.

Rick clumsily sat himself down on the driver's seat of the ship.

"Rick-" Morty didn't know what to say, being deceitful to get what he wanted didn't come very naturally to him.

"Rick, you-you really shouldn't drive l-like this, you know?"

"M-Morty c-can you help y-your grandpa - grandpa Rick out? I-I need some-urp-thing for-for the gun."

"The gun?"

"Y-yeah, I'm making a-a gun, M-Morty. W-with the - urp - s-stuff we've gotten f-from tha-that mirror di-dimension."

Morty stayed silent for a beat as he figured out what to do.

"Sure, I-I'll get you what you want, jus-just let me drive - I-I mean alone. I-I'll get it, I promise."

"Y-You sure? I-I'll come with- with you."

"N-No need, Rick. J-just tell me where to go. I-I-I'll be fine."

Rick burped as he thought silently, his brain moving with slow, dull thoughts, no doubt. He also looked about ready to pass out.

"C-come on, you need to go to bed." Morty tried. He felt a weird sort of detachment from the whole situation. He walked around the car and lightly tugged Rick out of the ship. Morty then made his way towards Rick's room, following after the stumbling man who didn't complain. He watched him sit down on his cot and then flop down uselessly. That was easy.

Without saying goodbye, Morty closed the door to Rick's bedroom and quickly snuck upstairs to grab his bag. On his way back to the garage, he briefly hesitated when his gaze accidentally got caught on their family photo that stood neatly framed on the sideboard in the upstairs hallway. The Smith family. After a second, he continued walking and eventually closed the door to the garage. Success.

The driver-side door of the ship was still open. He threw his bag on the passenger seat. The keys? Morty quickly looked around, praying Rick doesn't still have them in his pocket. Morty felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. What if someone came in? What if Rick was gonna wake back up? Morty knew that both was unlikely but the longer he stayed — there! The keys, yes.

Morty quickly got into the driver's seat, closed the door, started up the engine, and steered the ship right into the night sky.