Not death. Death is far too merciful. Allow me to re-post the Tirin segment of "The Darkest Timeline";
“Hello, dear.”
“Hi, Wolfy.”
“Would you like some cake?”
“I would.”
“You’re lucky. I’m surprised we have any chocolate left.”
“Oh?”
“Since Chickenspleen’s review last week, it’s been the diner’s major seller.”
“It’s always been my favorite.”
“Oh, hush now. Take a seat and tell me about your day.”
“I’d much rather hear about yours.”
“Alright. Well, this morning I came in early and started coffee. Jeb stopped by and said hello, so that was fun. Very relaxed today. It’s a Tuesday, so I typically don’t get many customers here.”
“Go on.”
“Um, okay. Rondait came in. He was very excited about a new play he’s in. A few new faces ordered cake, and then-Oh my God!”
“Hello, dear.”
“Hi, Wolfy.”
“Would you like some cake?”
“I would.”
“You’re lucky. I’m surprised we have any chocolate left.”
“Oh?”
“Since Chickenspleen’s review last week, it’s been the diner’s major seller.”
“I love everything you make.”
“Aw, that’s very kind. Take a seat and tell me about your day.”
“I’d much rather hear about yours.”
“Alright. Well, this morning I came in-”
“No, after this morning.”
“Um, okay. Tropag tried to order beer, but I refused to serve it to him so early. Shadow and Salsy ordered some pie and admired the kitchen knives. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Please go on.”
“I won’t be able to make any more cake until Thursday, so for now I’m resorting to…dear, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Hello, dear.”
“Afternoon, beautiful.”
“Oh Tirin, you’re such a sweetheart. Would you like some cake, handsome?”
“Please.”
“You’re lucky. I’m surprised we have any chocolate left.”
“Chicken’s article?”
“Yes. Since when do you read the paper?”
“I don’t.”
“Huh. Well, take a seat and tell me about your day.”
“I love you so much.”
“Tee hee, I love you too dear.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
“What?”
Tirin appeared in the present day, gasping for breath. He sat at a moldy booth in the abandoned remains of Wolfy’s diner. Travelling back to that day took more and more energy out of him as the years went by. Even though he never stayed very long (he couldn’t if he tried) Tirin was exhausted at the end of each day. Physically and emotionally.
He always stopped before she died. He lived through that moment once, and it was more than enough. Andy’s car would burst through the wall, striking the booth and scattering Wolfy’s brains all over the recently-mopped floor. Tirin would watch it helplessly. Andy would step out of his car, coughing from all the uplifted dust and debris. He’d see what his wreckage had caused and collapse to his knees. Then Tirin would stop his screams of horror by grabbing the Australian’s face and crushing it with one hand.
Despite the relative control over time that he had, Tirin could not bring her back. He could not save her. He could not undo the commands of time, only pass through them, reliving the too few precious moments they had. He never ate cake again.
“Hello, dear.”
“Hi.”
“Would you like some cake?”
“…”
“Dear, are…are you crying?”
“I miss you so much.”
