Favors
There is much to be said for intraplanetary and interpersonal persuasions.
He hadn't told Jim. It was not in his nature, universe-altering friendship or not.
Why would it matter to him, anyway? He'd already lived, died, looped around to tell him the tale.
Not worth the confrontation.
He had no duty to this alternate version of himself. They were not the same person.
And yet, he knew what the elderly man was asking. He understood it.
An act of faith, he had said. And looking into those eyes which were black holes unto themselves, shimmering back and forth eternally...
It is illogical to ask for favors.
But it does feel right.
There's nothing quite like being the First.
It takes time to come to terms with his emotions. Of course, in multiple ways.