Morty doesn’t know whether to bristle in annoyance (he doesn’t need Rick’s validation!!) or puff up with pride (except he really, really does need it, and sometimes he thinks he hates that). “Y-y-yeah, Rick, thanks,” he says sarcastically, hiding that damning pride. “I-I just figured, y-y’know, if I ever wanted to…” A memory flicks through his mind of Rick lying to his parents, saying he’d do great science things. “…I-I dunno, do somethin’ with my life, I gotta… I need to start figuring out wh-what.” He holds the laser gun he made on his own, a bit put off by how messy it looks. It works, though, and that’s all that matters, right? His cheeks burn slightly in embarrassment.