that one time travel psl

[eyediot]

sad bad end s5 jon and tim on a monster road trip



[Algric had given the trio a fair warning of what was happening. Not the specific details of what he was coming from, but he was from a little further along Algric's timeline, and came through Hilltop Road. Never pleasant, but he's here now. IT took a few days of settling, readjusting, and putting some firm self-imposed boundaries on himself before Jon felt comfortable enough to see the others.

After a few minutes of surprise and staring, Jon ends up sitting alone with Tim for a few minutes; the others having some things to take care of themselves. He sits there, fiddling a bit with his fingers, trying not to be self conscious. He can't do anything about the myriad of different, newer scars, nor about his black sclera or so many other things about himself now.

But god... Tim. Alive and not shouting at him right this second. How novel.]

Tim... I.. [Where does he even start.]

Comments

[curriculum_fictae]

Yeah. I think so too.

[ He hesitates, a moment, having seen that Look earlier. ]

Is - is something else on your mind?

[eyediot]

[Jon stalls a bit, fidgeting his hands before splaying them flat on the table to center himself. Tamp down the anxiety gnawing at him every second he thinks too much about this decision.]

You... you said the other me, that. Elias tricked him into destroying the world?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, Jon. Algric reaches out to take one? Such a small gesture, but full of just as much love and concern as he's always shown. ]

Yes, that's right.

[eyediot]

[He doesn't really notice it, too inwardly focused. But he nods.]

Then. I made the right decision. If that's his game then I have to take myself off the board completely.

[But oh god does it hurt to say even that. It was like he had to force the words out of cement.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It takes Algric a moment. Then his eyes go wide. ]

W-wait - you mean you're going to --

[eyediot]

[Having it said out loud, it feels so much worse. It means he has to follow through on it. God.

He nods not quite able to meet Algric's eyes.]

It's the only sensible thing to do to avoid it happening. It's not all about me, right?

[Yeah he made this decision a while ago and he's been sitting nursing it to himself since.]

[curriculum_fictae]

It - it is, but - oh god, Jon, are you sure?

[ He can't help but reach forward, framing Jon's face with his hands. ]

[eyediot]

I- no. No, I'm not. I'm terrified. But I can't let him use me.

[curriculum_fictae]

... Right. Right, I - I think it's the right choice, I just ...

[eyediot]

[Jon carefully places his hands over Algric's watching him. He doesnt have the heart to admit he tried at least once and couldn't do it.]

If I can manage it. I'm sure it'll be all right in the end.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ His voice is so quiet. ]

I'll help you. If you want me to.

[eyediot]

I... might need it. I was going to ask Martin. But...

[But can this time's Martin do it?]

[curriculum_fictae]

... You can still ask him. But. I think - I think it will be easier on him. If he doesn't have to be the one who does it.

[eyediot]

That's... what I thought too. I thought it'd at least be right to ask him.

[He's so keenly aware now of what he's asking of Algric and what he's asking of Martin. But this... He's fairly certain Algric can handle better.]

Thank you, Algric.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Yep. He's just ... well. Endured more. ]

Of course, Jon. You shouldn't have to do this alone.

[eyediot]

[Jon nods quietly, taking that in. Letting it settle.]

It's probably smarter I don't? Who else would be able to get an ambulance ready?

[Still bad jokes.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Literally anyone else, honestly, but.

[eyediot]

You know what I mean.

[curriculum_fictae]

I do know what you mean.

[eyediot]

Sorry, I'm just-- Scared.

[How weird it feels to admit that. But he is.]

[curriculum_fictae]

... Of course you are, Jon. You're - you're talking about blinding yourself. It's a terrible thing to have to do.

[eyediot]

And we still don't know if I'll even survive it.

[Yeah, what's there to be scared of.]

....But I want Elias to lose more than I'm afraid of that.

[curriculum_fictae]

R-right.

[ God he hopes Jon doesn't just die. He looks desperately miserable for a moment. ]

I - I know, I just. I. Please - please survive, Jon.

[eyediot]

I will do my hardest not to.

[Just having it out and knowing someone will be there... helps. Jon rests his cheek on his hand, watching Algric.]

Is future-me still ...Stupid? [He thought about using a different descriptor, but no for this, it's the only one.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric looks away, face red. God, what a question. ]

W-well - yes. He is. But, ah. He knows how I feel, and. We worked that out.