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]

[Jonah watches.

Then carefully moves to lean up and kiss him gently.]

All right.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric kisses him back, slow and tender. Despite his words, he's nervous. ]

A-and - and fair is fair, anyway, given I've seen you naked now.

[eyediot]

Maybe, but I was willing to be patient.

[The curiosity would've burned him through though.]

Still am willing.

[curriculum_fictae]

I know. I know.

[ He squeezes his eyes shut ... and turns his back to Jonah before he loses his nerve. The terror of being Seen spikes again as he waits, breathlessly, for Jonah to look. ]

[eyediot]

[Oh this is like a right this very second thing.

He almost turns away himself but... Catches the glimpse of one scar. And, well. He does want to see and Algric is trusting him.

So he does look. Steadied his breathing because it's... It's horrible.

He doesn't say anything, but hesitantly rests one hand just over the oldest scar, not touching. Hovering.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Sorry Jonah, if he doesn't do it now he definitely won't do it later.

It's just as terrible as Jonah remembers. If anything, it's worse because he's getting a clearer picture now. The marks seem to crawl with old misery. Not fueled by the Powers, no, but still deep and poisonous, even years later. A physical map of all Martin's trauma and insecurities.

The oldest is that stab wound in his left shoulder, puckered white against his pink and freckled skin. Algric winces as Jonah's hand draws close, then forces himself to relax. It's okay. It's okay. It's just Jon and - and he wants this. ]

[eyediot]

[He is exceedingly careful here. No comments, focused breathing. He doesn't touch, just hovers looking over them and taking it in.

God he had no idea.

He finally settled for gently touching a hand at one of the larger scars.]

Tell me again I shouldn't go see her.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric instantly goes taut at that, letting out a small distressed noise. But he holds still, not jolting away from Jonah. He lets his boyfriend touch the larger burn scar between his shoulders; it just takes all of his willpower not to flinch away. (It's fine, he's fine, Jon loves him, he's not judging Algric, and that pain is memory only, not even real--) ]

You. You shouldn't go see her. Martin - Martin deserves to have the chance to make peace with her even if I couldn't.

[eyediot]

[He sees the reaction and leaves his hand one more moment then pulls away. Hands carefully folded back to himself.]

Right... Right, he should.

... Thank you, for showing me.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He nods at that, turning his back away from Jonah again. ]

S-sorry. I didn't mean to - you were very gentle. It's just. No one's ever touched my back like that except - you know.

[eyediot]

No, I thought so. I won't again if you'd rather I didn't.

[For all he's unsure about this, his expression is all soft and understanding. Wanting to help.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He appreciates that greatly. ]

I - I think a little is probably. Good? I should ... get used to it.

[eyediot]

Might be good. But on your time.

[For all that nervousness and fright Algric had, he's rewarded with a soft touch and Jonah's hand offered to him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Right. That's - that's enough for today, anyway.

[ He clings to Jonah's hand. ]

[eyediot]

Of course.

[He smiles, rubs one eye - clear sign he didn't even snack on any of that - and squeezes his hand.]

I'm probably going to toss in a bit of laundry but. Have a whole day ahead of us?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. That's really sweet? He wouldn't have objected to Jonah snacking - might as well channel his misery for a purpose - but it's still incredibly sweet of him. ]

Y-yeah. I. I suppose we do. Are you hungry?

[eyediot]

Um. No actually, I'm all right. Unless you mean for sausages or something, I could make some.

[curriculum_fictae]

I meant both, I suppose. Why don't you let me cook this time?

[eyediot]

I'd like to do it.

[There's no... Weird "Jon has to be alone" vibe to it. He just genuinely wants to cook something simple for him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Huh. Well - okay then. ]

If you want to, then.

[eyediot]

I do.

[Hello quick kiss. That. May not quite be so quick.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh no. Algric is not letting him escape without a quick makeout session here. ]

[eyediot]

[It's easy to fall into, this kind of softness, with him. It's been months and it's easier. Just as much as it's easier for Algric to move him around, he may be near omniscient but he's still a twig.

Jonah ends up just smiling at him when he pulls away.]

Can I help you with something?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric leans against him for a moment before letting him pull away. Just. Cheering ever so much. ]

O-oh, um. If you like? What were you picturing?

[eyediot]

[Shit.

He shouldn't take flirting cues from Tim.]

Um. I.. Nnnnot entirely sure.

[He was kind of hoping Algric would take it from there.]