Chapter Text
Jack was pretty sure Greg was going to wake up soon. He still had no clue how to get his memories restored and Jack wasn't sure if it would hurt. He didn’t want to try it on his own. He didn’t even know how much was lost and trying to restore something that didn’t need to be restored sounded like an accident waiting to happen.
He needed a spot to put Greg down. He didn’t want Greg to struggle and fall. Jack knew some of the rocks were sharp and he wasn’t sure where exactly the exposed tree roots and the ground began. Jack adjusted again and went to the nearest clearing.
He was right when he thought Greg would wake up soon. He started groaning and making a slight effort to get away before they got to the clearing. He woke up a few moments after he was put down. Jack listened as his heart rate increased as the human panicked. How much did he remember?
“Who are you? What are you?” Greg created distance between the two of them.
“What do you remember?”
“What am I supposed to remember? Answer my question!”
“I can’t answer that if I don’t know how much you forgot!”
“Well if it’s so important I was supposed to get to my dorm today!”
Jack froze. Greg doesn’t remember the last two years? As far as he was concerned they hadn’t even met yet. How was he supposed to convince Greg he was trying to help when Greg didn’t know him? Greg didn’t deserve this. It didn’t help that Slender clearly thought he was better than everything if he was unconcerned about how much damage another greater demon would cause if their proxy couldn’t remember being a proxy.
“You’ve been living in your dorm for two years.” Jack should not have said it like that. That gave Greg even less of a reason to trust him.
“How would you know?!” Gregs tone was accusing.
Jack flinched at the volume, and the way it was said. Even though Greg wouldn’t say these things normally, and he knew the accusation was only because he was scared, it still hurt. Was it wrong? He’s stalked and killed people before.
Jack didn’t get a chance to form a response. Some demon, Zalgo from what he could tell, was coming over. Jack pushed Greg behind him as he stared in the direction he thought Zalgo was coming from. Just because the greater demon wouldn’t hurt Jack didn’t mean Greg was safe.
Greg cowered behind Jack more as he looked at Zalgo. Jack unfortunately could not tell what Zalgo was feeling. Unlike his daughter the demon didn’t have a heartbeat and was an expert in manipulation. Not easy for Jack to try and get a read on.
“What happened here? Do you need help?” Zalgo sounded genuine but Jack wasn’t sure if he believed it.
“What do you want?”
“I just want to help. If you need it of course.”
Jack felt Greg grab on to his hoodie. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to accept whatever Zalgo was offering. Jack growled softly before he responded again.
“Would you help him? Or would you try and control him?”
“You think so little of me. I wouldn't take anothers proxy if that’s your concern. I think you would try and kill me if I did.”
“Will you actually help?”
“Lazari likes you. So yes. Now, what happened?”
“He,” Jack pointed to Greg and pretended he didn’t notice how he tensed “had the last two years of his memories removed. If you can get them back without causing permanent damage I’d be grateful.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“I would say I’d make sure Lazari wasn’t hurt but she can take care of herself and I need to make sure he’s safe.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Really?”
“I think this will cause the most chaos.”
“Oh yeah. You're an embodiment of chaos. I don’t know how I forgot that. Is this going to hurt him?”
“It might. To restore everything I need to see where the cut off is.”
Jack turned back to Greg. Gregs heart was hammering in his chest and Jack wasn’t sure if he could convince him this was for the best. Jack didn’t want to force him but wasn’t sure if it was an option. Greg pushed closer to Jack. The purpose Jack didn’t know but he was more trustable than the chaos embodiment in front of them. The bar was so, so low.
“Are you alright? If you have any questions you want to ask then ask.”
“Did I really lose two years of memories?” Gregs eyes were drilling into Jacks soul. Too bad he couldn’t see the expression.
“Yes. You know me. Quite well at that. Though telling you isn’t really a viable option. I can’t tell you about a good chunk of the memories you're missing.”
“You trust this?” Jack barely trusted it, but he’d take the gamble for once.
“He knows me enough to understand what I would try. Also his daughter might help me.”
“This might hurt?”
“I’ve never done this before. You also heard why.”
Greg was probably glazing nervously at Zalgo. Then Jack heard the quiet agreement. Greg agreed. Jack looked in the direction Zalgo should be and nodded. Jack moved so Greg was easier to see. He heard the shuffling and movement of Zalgo.
He listened to Gregs heart the entire time. Still beating out of his chest. Jack listened as the process started. He listened as Greg started to sound like he was in increasing pain. Jack listened as Greg sounded like he was dying. Jack was there when Greg finally fell over. Zalgo finished soon after and left Greg panting.
“He should be fine. Memory restoration is not something I usually do. Give it a few hours before trying to do anything.”
“Thank you.”
Zalgo left without another word. Jack went to make sure Greg was still conscious. He would be carrying him anyway but it was something he would need to know anyway. Jack picked up Greg again and started making his way to the edge of the forest. He couldn’t go out at the moment.
Greg grumbled a bit before he decided trying to get out of Jacks arms wasn’t worth the energy. Jack could try teleporting with Greg. He didn’t really know if it was going to work though. He’d try it though, the sooner Greg could get to a bed and rest the better. Jack also had to get back to the mansion and talk with Slenderman again.
Alright, teleport to Gregs room, then back to the edge of the forest to have as much time as possible to prepare for whatever Slender was going to try and tell him. He imagined being in Gregs room with Greg still in his arms, he made sure everything was as close to perfect. He couldn’t mess this up.
They got there. Jack almost lost his balance. He hadn’t teleported so far or with another person before. He got Greg onto his bed and made sure he was fine. Greg seemed conscious and able to think, albeit with a bit of brain fog. It would have to do. Jack teleported himself back to the forest and started the trek back to the mansion.
