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

[eyediot]

[Hm.]

...But he's different too, isn't he.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, he is different. He's really intense. But also rather more ... gentle, at the same time? He's, ah. He's had more time to learn how to talk to people, I think.

[eyediot]

Hm...

[Jon leans, moving in a little closer while they walk like he's inspecting Algric's face closer.]

And... You like that? Maybe I should get better at that too.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric looks rather shy at that. ]

I-I mean, yes? He's more actively considerate, which is really nice. Makes communicating easier.

[ A pause. ]

Not that you aren't, just that he's a little more skilled at it.

[eyediot]

[His mouth is half open to protest I'm considerate- before he cuts that off. Jon straightens, giving Algric his space back and looks down while they walk. Mulls it over, takes it in.]

Okay. That's... Something I can work on. Sure.

[curriculum_fictae]

S-sorry. It's not a criticism, honest? He's had more time and trauma, Jon.

[eyediot]

No, I-- I get that. I get it.

I just...

[How can he explain this.]

You both... fit. Together, like. Pieces made together.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric blinks at that, pinking. ]

And - and you want to figure out how to get there with Martin?

[eyediot]

Yes?

While also realizing I am... [He laughs, breathless.] Completely outclassed by myself.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric stops at that, looking down at Jon with an odd expression. Then - abruptly, he leans down to kiss him. ]

[eyediot]

Algric?

[Oh.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Yes, oh. He's quick about it, but it's a firm kiss. ]

I invited you today, Jon. Not him.

[eyediot]

Yes, I'm still a little lost on why?

[curriculum_fictae]

Because - because you can handle situations like this better, Jon. On a couple different levels. Your compassion is still human, for one.

[eyediot]

[Jon watches him skeptically, waiting for the backpedal.]

I don't think I handled it well at all, Algric. And if he's had more experience talking with people, I don't see how I could have handled this better than him.

[curriculum_fictae]

Well. It was distinctly possible that - that Jonah would have killed her.

[eyediot]

[ . . .]

Oh.

I.. Yes. All right, I'll concede that.

[curriculum_fictae]

Th-that isn't to say he would, just that - that it was possible. A-and I didn't want to confront possibly being okay with that.

You - you anchored me, instead. I really needed that.

[eyediot]

No, right, you're right. I'm..

[A quiet sigh.]

I'm glad I could be that for you.

[curriculum_fictae]

Of course, Jon. I'm grateful.

[eyediot]

[Jon watches him, one hand still on Algric's elbow. He wished he knew what to do here.]

Maybe... maybe I can be a better anchor after it's done.

[curriculum_fictae]

... Yes. I'll - I'll certainly need you for that.

[eyediot]

...I'll do my best, then.

[There's that quiet determination of Jon's, the stubbornness to help.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Ah, yes. Algric loves that very much. He smiles a bit, leaning in closer. ]

Thank you, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Oooh his face gets a little heated.]

O-of course. Anything to help you.