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]

[ Both are immensely cheering, and Algric can't help a small smile as he takes his mug and flaky cheese danish. ]

I - I know. She's ... god. It's always been complicated. Better to have her. Not in my life, I think.

[eyediot]

I...think so too.

[He carefully lets go of Algric's hand to take his own mug.]

...Children though?

[It's not a judgement or an accusation or anything. Just a question.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric instantly flushes bright red, turning away. ]

S-stupid, I - I know. I just. I thought maybe - I might be a better dad than mine was.

[eyediot]

Did I say anything about it being stupid?

[curriculum_fictae]

N-no, but - I know it's stupid. We live in a hell world, Jon.

[eyediot]

This may come as a shock to you, Algric, but the world was hell before we knew about the Entities. And it would still be a hell world without them.

2/2 sorry

[eyediot]

We just. Have to make the best and make some parts of it not quite so hellish, I think.

[curriculum_fictae]

W-well - okay, yes, true, but even so. Now I know, okay? And - and given everything, it's just better to bury that particular dream, yeah? Put it in the same grave as my poetry career.

[eyediot]

[WOW.]

Okay - first of all? Yes, poetry belongs in a grave. [He hasn't mellowed out on poetry yet, sorry.] I don't-- It's not great, poetry, any poetry.

But. Dreaming of wanting to be better and, and doing better than your parents? That's... not a bad or stupid dream. And certainly does not belong in the same grave as poetry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Jon, please. That's so rude. Algric just sighs and sips at his tea for a moment. ]

W-well - well what can I do with it? I mean, even if we wanted to have children we couldn't, a-and adopting is a bit difficult given I don't exist here.

[eyediot]

[One of the positives of being around Tim so much lately is he's learning when to bite his tongue. Best not to mention he doesn't want kids. Just stuffs that down for Algric's sake.]

I.... I don't know. [His own tea's cooled a bit so he can sip at it while he thinks.]

I-it's all hypotheticals anyway, right? At least until we. Deal with Elias. [And blinds himself.] We'll figure something out about that. I promise.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Probably something to discuss at some point, though Algric has at least given up on the thought.

He sighs a bit, settling back. ]

Right. No point in - in even dreaming. But. It's fine, Jon. I knew it was unrealistic from the start.

[eyediot]

That's not what I said.

[He rubs a hand down his face before finally picking up the chocolate cornet he got for himself. Picks a piece off and munches at it miserably.]

...I think you'd be great at it. For what it's worth.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Sorry, Jon. It's a tough topic all around. ]

You really think so?

[eyediot]

I do. Far better than I'd ever be.

[curriculum_fictae]

You'd do a great job, Jon. If - if you wanted to, anyway.

[eyediot]

Not... really.

[Another very deliberate bite of his pastry.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh come on, you know we'd make a great team.

[eyediot]

[Jon sets his mug down and just... Looks at Algric. His expression an odd mix of sadness and longing and...doubt.]

I think... You and Jonah might be. A, a great team.

[He's about to soon have a severe detriment to his capabilities, after all.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Well. Okay, yes, point, but. ]

I think you'd do just as well, Jon.

[eyediot]

I disagree. Can we--

[Lord he's uncomfortable.]

Can we not talk about this?

[Nevermind he's the one who brought it up.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Yeah um. Algric seems taken aback. ]

Sure, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Deep breath. Settle his nerves.]

Sorry. I-i don't... Mean that badly, it's just. I can't really see myself with children.

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh.

[ There's a hint of sadness there, but he buries it deeply. ]

O-of course. I understand. Perfectly reasonable, really.

[eyediot]

Especially when I'm about to, you know.

[He makes a vague gesture towards his eyes. But he does look genuinely apologetic to Algric.]

Don't think, um. Any agencies would. Really look kindly at someone with a recent issue as. That.