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]

He - he ended the world. Elias found him while he was ... was weak and miserable after searching for me. Tricked him into it.

[eyediot]

Good lord...

[It's exhaled softly, the slow dawning horror coming in a gradual wave over him.]

I.. God.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ SEE. This is why he didn't want to tell you. ]

That - that timeline is completely ruined now. Apocalyptic wasteland.

[eyediot]

[Jon knows himself. He knows if he ended the world, through trickery or not, he shouldn't even be in one piece. How is Jonah here, able and trying to actively help?

Oh.

Right. Stubbornness.]

I'm.. sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Stubbornness and horrible eldritch powers, yes.

Algric just shakes his head slowly. ]

I - I wasn't going to go back anyway. But I'm especially not going back now.

[eyediot]

No, I... wouldn't either. I don't think any of us would let you anyway.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ A rattling laugh at that. ]

I ... I'm glad of that. God, when I first came here, I didn't know what would happen.

[eyediot]

...To be honest, I still don't know what will happen. So that hasn't changed.

[He's made his decision, he just. Has to do it.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh. Well. I suppose that's true, yes. But - it's still better than what I thought might happen?

[eyediot]

At least whatever it is will be better? Than the apocalypse?

[curriculum_fictae]

...

When you put it that way ...

[eyediot]

Almost any alternative is slightly better by comparison.

[curriculum_fictae]

W-well. Yes. But. This is still good?

[eyediot]

I agree.

[Jon lifts his head to finally Look at Algric, something simmering behind his expression. Nothing heated, just. Heavy thought.]

Is the plan for now we all keep staying here?

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. Please. If - if that's all right with everyone. I like it here.

[eyediot]

I-i do too. It may be the best idea we've had. Especially for the future.

[curriculum_fictae]

I agree, Jon. I mean, I feel a bit bad for basically taking over Tim's house, but ...

[ But he can't help a little sigh of contentment. It's been so nice. ]

[eyediot]

I doubt he would have agreed if he didn't enjoy it a little himself.

[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. ]