Work Text:
"Do you ever think about the legacy you'll leave behind?" Rodney asked one day during dinner.
John considered it, then casually said, "No."
"You had to think about it," Rodney pointed out, pointing his fork at John.
"I thought about what sort of thing I could do that would leave a legacy behind," John said. "And then realized that I've never asked myself that question, so I guess I haven't thought about it."
"You've never considered that after declassification, your heroics mind end up in a history book?" Rodney asked.
"Who knows if they'll every declassify this, and who will even care by that point," John said. "And it's not as if I'm ever single-handedly saving the world."
"It doesn't have to be single-handedly," Rodney said. "Besides it's more about thinking what you'll leave behind. Since natural conception isn't going to happen for us—and even if it were, children are ephemeral as well—don't you want something that people will remember you for even in a hundred years?"
John looked at him. "No?"
"Why wouldn't you want that? There's a saying that you only truly die when nobody remembers you," Rodney said.
"But isn't that some touchy-feely nonsense that you usually deride?" John asked.
"I'm obviously not talking about death in a medical sense," Rodney said. "But you have to admit that people still know who Einstein was or Newton."
"Or Hitler," John pointed out. "But yes, I'll admit you can achieve glory beyond death. I just don't know what I'd gain from it. It's not as if I'll be alive to enjoy it." He considered it for a moment. "Actually, I'm not sure I would enjoy it if I were alive. Frankly, the idea that I'd happen to save the world and everyone would know doesn't sound appealing at all."
Rodney stared at him.
"Imagine paparazzi everywhere we go on Earth," John said. "If that were to happen. Maybe saving the world still wouldn't be as important in that regard as being a Kardashian."
"Oh god, I can't believe you mentioned that name in a discussion about my legacy," Rodney complained.
"Is that the discussion we're having?" John asked. "Then why did you ask if I thought about it?"
"I was just introducing the topic without being entirely egocentric," Rodney said.
"Since when?" John asked with a grin.
Rodney glared at him. "And I was sort of curious about your thoughts."
"Well, now you know them," John said.
"So I do," Rodney concluded. "Although, to be fair, it's not really up to debate that you'll end up in the history books."
"It isn't?" John asked, looking curious. "What do you think I've done that guarantees me a spot there?"
"Marry me!" Rodney said. "You know how in the biographies—"
John laughed.