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]

I am.

[Just to prove it, he moves to carefully and very determinedly kiss him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Aww. Algric smiles into the kiss, then, returning it firmly. ]

Good. I'll be back soon.

[ He carefully levers himself out of bed. ]

[eyediot]

[Algric leaves and Jonah sits for a long minute, looking at the outline blur of the door. Then at the slightly more clear statements left in the stack.

Sigh.

Grabs the next one and starts reading.

By the time Algric comes back, he's gone through three more, eyes almost clear but it's obvious it's taking some time to get through them.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That's progress, then, and Algric is glad of it. If it takes Jonah a little while to recover, well ... maybe that's not a bad thing, if it means they get a quiet night in.

He returns with a tray with two bowls and two mugs, everything steaming pleasantly in cool air. ]

Oh, you look better.

[eyediot]

Mm, a bit.

[He looks up, then sets all of it aside to make room for the tray.]

You're looking better too.

[curriculum_fictae]

Cooking always cheers me up. A-and the thought of having that ready for the others makes me happy too.

[eyediot]

I'm-- I'm glad.

[Jonah gets the blankets straightened out, wrinkle free for everything to be set down.]

It smells good.

[curriculum_fictae]

That's the idea. Even if it doesn't help, it should taste good.

[ He settles the tray down, then. ]

[eyediot]

And get us warm in this weather, I'm sure.

[Jonah at least sounds in better spirits. The red in his eyes is still there, but it's nowhere near as overpowering as it was. He can see clearly enough to be able to focus on Algric, meet his eyes.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Exactly.

[ That's good. It's very good ... He smiles, relieved, and tucks into his bowl. ]

I'm glad you're feeling better. I was - I was really considering going off to murder Peter Lukas for a moment there.

[eyediot]

[His hand nearly fumbles his own spoon.]

I-- [Breathe.] I seem to recall you suggesting we kill him together if we see him again.

[Yeah, his shoulder is still an ice block.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. I - did. I still ... ah. Think we ought to.

[eyediot]

...Even if that escalates our timeline a fair bit?

[Granted, Peter knows they're here now and who they are. Elias probably knows already as well. But neither side had made a move just yet. Whoever makes the first move will be starting that fight.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Even - even so. He hurt you very badly, Jon.

[eyediot]

[He absently rubs at that shoulder.]

He hurt you too. He tried to kill you.

[curriculum_fictae]

... He did. But. I think - I think he can't. Not the same way.

[eyediot]

Maybe so.

[He finally takes a bite and - even though it's been a month or so here, he still can't get over the taste of good food again.]

He still tried.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric continues to eat quietly. ]

... Yes. He did.

[eyediot]

[...Right.

He'll just. Tuck into his own bowl.]

We'll take care of him.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He continues for a moment, spoon clinking against the bowl. ]

No - no need to rush. Hopefully we don't see him again.

[eyediot]

Hopefully.

[Which means they definitely will. His luck isn't that good.]

...I am sorry. You. You had to see that house.

[curriculum_fictae]

... You recognised it?

[eyediot]

[He stares at the door, then ducks his head down to take another bite wordlessly.

How does he explain it? How much does Algric want, should know? He isn't sure. But he's asking an honest question.]

I think the Lonely manifested it from my memories. Of its own Domain.

[curriculum_fictae]

The ... the Lonely Domain.

[ What a horrid thought. He shivers. ]

Or - or a Lonely domain. Different from Peter's. And - and mine.

[eyediot]

Yes.

[He'd shared some memories of it with Algric, but. It's not the same as experiencing it first hand.]

I didn't know it would manifest.