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]

[ Algric manages a weak laugh. ]

As long as it’s just a small attack.

[eyediot]

Only a small one. An easy to handle one.

[curriculum_fictae]

Maybe just a handful of worms this time.

[eyediot]

And. Not supernatural related ones.

[curriculum_fictae]

Right, just regular garden worms.

[eyediot]

Just. Regular, mundane problems.

[No time travel, universe hopping, supernatural otherworldly entities to deal with.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I would love that. Absolutely love it.

[eyediot]

Maybe one day.

[Though he's fairly certain he might be the only one of them who will get to have that.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Mm. When - when everything is done, and we settle out in the country somewhere.

[eyediot]

R-really? The country?

[Also 'we'. Did Algric mean all five of them?]

[curriculum_fictae]

I - I mean - why not? It seems nice, right?

[eyediot]

Yes, yeah, it does. I just... hadn't considered it.

[curriculum_fictae]

Well. It might not be practical, but it’s a nice dream.

[eyediot]

It is... definitely that, yes.

[A quiet place, big house, space for all of them together.... But really he'd probably hate being out of the city. Who knows, maybe it'd be easier after he blinds himself.]

In the meantime, we're all here. It's not so bad.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric brightens gently. ]

Yes, I - I like this setup very much.

[eyediot]

[Jon smiles seeing Algric brighten. That's a better look for him, yes. Algric's changed quite a bit since he tumbled out of that supply closet. All for the better he thinks.]

I agree. It's- taken some getting used to but I think. I think it's for the best.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh yes. He is much more solid and colorful now. The biggest change was after Jonah showed, but he was still looking infinitely better than the sad, invisible shade that had prompted Jon to call Tim in for help. ]

It - it feels sort of like a family? An odd one, to be sure, but...

[eyediot]

But a family nonetheless. [He finishes for Algric. And he is right.

Jon is still holding Algric's hand, thumbing circles into it gently smiling warmly at him.]

None of us are alone, at least.

[curriculum_fictae]

Right, yes. Instead of - you know, all our actual family being dead -

[ Wait. Algric freezes abruptly, realising something. He’s not sure if he likes the thought? Mostly he looks deeply conflicted. ]

My - my mum is still alive.

[eyediot]

Right, she would be.

[He remembers that implication before, the burn scar on his back. But he isn't sure... exactly how to read this.]

She... is still, yes.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He’s suddenly stiff as hell, wringing his hands a bit. He knows what he should do? And yet. ]

I - I should - I should talk to her. Try to. Find peace? Now that I. I know why.

[ Why she hated him. Why she neglected him. Why she hurt him. ]

[eyediot]

[Jon looks from Algric's face, to his nervous wringing hands, back to his face. He isn't entirely sure this is his place, considering his life and all, but he reaches one hand out carefully to Algric's.]

Only if you want that. And... [Is it okay?] You don't have to go alone? If you don't want.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric clings to Jon like he’s a lifeline, gulping in low-key panic. ]

I - but - I mean, yes, but - you don’t want to come with me. It’s guaranteed to be miserable.

[eyediot]

[Well, with that, Jon sandwiches Algric's hands in his own.]

Algric. You're going to help me blind myself. I can guarantee I don't mind.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Sigh. He doesn’t have a good argument for that, does he? ]

I - still, it’s different, if you don’t - feel comfortable -