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]

...Sure. I can do that.

[It's such a small thing. He can do that much.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Look, it's a lot to Algric. He reaches for Jon more than a little desperately, clinging to him. ]

[eyediot]

[He stifles the surprised sound in his throat; not that he doesn't like being held by Martin or Algric, but the surprise and. Well. Jonah's right there asleep. He wraps a hesitant arm around him before moving to properly hold him.]

I'm... I'm sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He just ... needs to hold Jon close. And he's afraid he'll hurt Jonah if he does the same. ]

It's not your fault. Peter did this.

[ He's going to find Peter Lukas and make him pay. One way or another. ]

[eyediot]

I know.

But I'm still sorry things like this keep happening. Especially when. When you both should be happy.

[Ring shopping. The only worse thing would've been if he'd shown up at the ceremony itself, wouldn't it be?]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Yes. Basically. Algric is realising that now - and it makes him more determined to remove Peter. ]

That's just our lives, isn't it? We'll never quite get there.

[eyediot]

[Jon squeezes him gently, wanting to be support, if nothing else.]

That doesn't mean you don't deserve happiness.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He appreciates it, okay. Incredibly. ]

That's ... different.

[eyediot]

I don't see how. You've both gone through so much. You both saved the rest of us... You deserve to at least have this happiness without suffering.

[curriculum_fictae]

We're - we're not good people any more, all right?

[eyediot]

What, and I am?

[He pulls back just to look at Algric, seeing Jonah sleeping again just behind him. No, he isn't any 'not good' than they are.]

No one is pure, Algric.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric looks back at Jon, his expression just ... exhausted. Wavery. ]

No, but ... ah. We've been. Rather worse lately.

[eyediot]

[Jon watches him. Then so carefully moves his hands to cup the taller man's cheeks.]

I won't ask details, but. Do you enjoy it?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric leans into that, squeezing his eyes shut. ]

More than I should have. Yes.

[eyediot]

[Oh. Hm. Well. At least Algric is aware he probably shouldn't.]

You're still aware, though.

[One more glance to Jonah, sleeping even though it looks like he's starting to toss a bit (a nightmare? Probably.) before focusing on Algric and. Leans up to kiss him softly.]

[curriculum_fictae]

... Yes. We - we both are. A-and the man we hurt deserved it, but ...

[ Well, Algric's heart is soft, even as a monster. The kiss startles him but - but he leans in a bit more desperately after, needing comfort. Needing a little humanity that Jonah can't provide. ]

[eyediot]

[He holds it there, happily giving Algric the comfort he wants until he finally breaks away, thumbing along his cheek.]

Just... Don't lose yourself. I-i guess is... what I'm saying.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He lingers for a long moment, then, before finally pulling back. ]

I won't. We won't. I - I still love you, Jon.

[eyediot]

[That's a direct hit, his face looking stricken for a moment.]

I still love you too. But you're engaged.

[He should... Step off. Leave him be, just. Go sneak into the Institute and get statements for his ...twin? Is that it now?]

[curriculum_fictae]

... Yes. I am engaged.

[ He glances back at Jonah's sleeping form, utterly smitten. Then back to Jon's stricken one. ]

I'm - I'm sorry. You still have your Martin, though. And - and I know he loves you just as much as I do, if not more.

[eyediot]

[At the very least, Jonah is still sleeping, however fitfully through his nightmare.]

Don't be sorry. It's a bit of a comfort to know some of us can be happy? Have something happy. It's... nice.

[A bit of hope restored for him and Martin's future, maybe.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. It - it means you and Martin can be happy too. That you will be happy, if you work at it, and. And I think you will.

[eyediot]

[He settles for just. Holding Algric's hands.]

And I think you and he will too. So... So believe that for yourself.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric laughs weakly. ]

Sneaky.

[eyediot]

Have to be sometimes. And will have to be if I'm going to grab statements for him.