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]

If you say so.

[ Cuddling is happening now. ]

[eyediot]

I do say so.

[Mm, yep. Algric chest is the best pillow to rest his head on.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Indeed he is. He looks down at Jonah's leg, though, still worried. ]

I - I didn't think you could still be hurt, you know.

[eyediot]

[Meanwhile, he's not looking. Jonah closes his eyes and soaking in the softness of this whole situation.]

I don't think I can? Just... It never healed right. So I suppose it just lasts with me like this now.

[curriculum_fictae]

Things from before can - can persist like that?

[ He strokes Jon's hair gently. ]

[eyediot]

Maybe? I think so. I haven't... been able to fix the skin of my hand either.

[curriculum_fictae]

... Oh. I didn't even think about that. You are still scarred.

[eyediot]

Y-yes. I am.

[He doesn't like thinking about them thooooo]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric leans over to take that scarred hand gently. ]

I still like the way you look, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Jonah's breath catches in his throat at that. He'd been careful with that hand, keeping it more to himself and using his non-dominant one when handling Algric. But the scarring is ugly, grooves in the palm just enough for fingers to slot into but slightly shifted, like oil paints smeared. They never did heal right after all that digging.]

...Thank you.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric smooths his fingers along those scars, gently feeling the way it's grooved. Strange, yes. But. He bends his head down and kisses Jon's palm gently. ]

[eyediot]

[Jonah tilts his head when he feels his hand being moved and... Watches. So much is in that scarred hand - loss, ruin. Jude's anger and delight at ruining it. Algric being so gentle and loving with it just... Hits him. His eyes flutter fast, wetness prickling at them.]

I don't deserve you. Y-you know that, right?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ His coolness is as much a contrast to Jude's burn as the obvious love is. Algric loves him. With all his heart, with everything that he is, through multiple timelines. He leans his head against Jon's hand after, eyes closing a moment. ]

Jon ...

[eyediot]

I was so-- So horrible to you at the start. Mean, nasty. You didn't deserve that then, and. And I didn't tell you any of what was going on after that. [SNIFF.] And even when, when you had a plan, I still had trouble just... listening, I kept trying to do the one thing that you asked.

[To not talk to him. God, if it had been asked of Jon from those first few days in the Archives, he would have reveled in that request. But by the time Peter took over, Jon was desperate, and able to really focus on who he cared about. And who wasn't there anymore.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Jon. It's - it's all right.

[ He opens his eyes again, looking at Jon with utter love and affection. ]

I forgive you.

[eyediot]

[He slowly curls his fingers against Algric's cheek, just... Watching, blinking back those tears.]

...I'll do. I'll do whatever I have to. T-to keep you safe.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric leans in a bit, resting his forehead against Jon's. ]

I know you will, Jon. I know you can do it to.

[eyediot]

....I have to. So I can properly deserve you.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He laughs a little. ]

C-can we agree that we deserve each other?

[eyediot]

...Sure.

[It's one sided, there. That hasn't changed for him. Jonah hasn't earned his spot with Algric, not yet.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Sigh, Jonah. Algric is trying damn it. ]

All right. Because - because you know I love you. I need you in my life.

[eyediot]

And I need you.

[But he can't hide that quizzical, half-curious look in his eyes.]

Don't see why you do though.

[curriculum_fictae]

That - that was a joke, right? Of course I need you.

[eyediot]

[He sighs, pressing his face into Algric's chest. Right, he can't ask.]

Y-yes, a joke. Bad one. Sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ A soft sigh; he holds Jonah that much closer. ]

I love you, Jon. I've loved you for - for a long time. I need you on an emotional level. If - if you weren't here, I'd figure things out, but I'd be miserable. I stayed by your bedside for months just - just hoping you'd open your eyes even for a moment.

[ A pause. ]

I ... still wasn't fully happy, even here. With Jon and Tim and Martin. Something was missing, and that was you.