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]

[He keeps watching him, like he's waiting for something else, but...

He blinks, moving to stand and tuck his chair back in properly.]

We'll try our best to.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric follows, then, shifting in closer. ]

... Thank you, Jon.

[eyediot]

[When Algric steps closer, Jon looks up at him, something imperceptible but... Not entirely happy in his eyes. But his voice is soft and easy, that way it was when he offered the panic room.]

Of course, Algric. You're welcome.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Huh. That's ... an odd look, despite the soft tones. ]

Is everything all right?

[eyediot]

Hm?

[He pauses gathering his jacket back up, making sure the mess from before doesn't get on him.]

Yes, it's fine.

[He's just emotionally raw and upset and, despite the easy conversation here at the end, it's still... rough.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Hmm. Well. He thinks he can sense a bit of that, so he leans in a bit more. ]

Are you sure? That wasn't fun for you either.

[eyediot]

Yes, I'm sure.

And no, it. It wasn't.

[He leans when Algric leans in.]

We should, um. G-get back. Get you back to Jonah.

[curriculum_fictae]

And you back to Martin?

[eyediot]

[Hesitatiiiooonnnn....]

Y-yeah. And I can. I mean, I need to. Start planning.

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh, for. Right. I mean - I can help with that, if you want?

[eyediot]

No.

[A little too quick. He regrets it immediately, but. Too late to take that back.]

I'll-- I'll take care of it. A-and let you know when I'm ready.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Yeah, that gets a small flinch from Algric. ]

... All right, Jon. Just - let me know. Yeah.

[eyediot]

I will.

[He stuffs both hands in his pockets while they walk back to Tim's, head down.]

I'm sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

You don't have to apologise, Jon. You haven't done anything wrong.

[eyediot]

No, just... Being selfish.

[curriculum_fictae]

With what, wanting to handle putting your eyes out on your own terms? Pretty sure that's normal.

[eyediot]

That, sure.

But... Also with you. I-- [He looks down at where his feet walk, then up in front of them.]

It doesn't matter.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric's expression softens. ]

It does matter, Jon. I - you know how selfish I am too.

[eyediot]

Given the circumstances, I would say that's allowed.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That gets the smallest smile. He reaches out to touch Jon's elbow? Offering to loop his arm through Jon's. ]

Mm, well. We're both allowed then.

[eyediot]

[Jon lets him, shifts his arm so it's a little easier with the height difference. There's still a few more blocks until they get to Tim's - or is it just 'home' at this point? He really should look into doing whatever he'll do with his flat.]

What will you tell Jonah? A-about what happened?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Just home is how Algric is thinking of it, anyway. It's the best home he's ever had.

He goes quiet for a moment after that, clinging a bit. ]

Whatever he asks about.

[eyediot]

...Do you think he'll just Know?

[curriculum_fictae]

He's more polite than that.

[eyediot]

Oh - is he?

Tell me about it? A-about him?