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]

[ Oh? Oh. Algric can't help but brighten. ]

Maybe he's stuck then.

[eyediot]

Depending on how long the house construct stays there, yes. I think it's a possibility.

[curriculum_fictae]

Good. That - well. That buys us time, at least.

[eyediot]

It does. [Easy to agree. Time for what, he isn't sure of yet. Recovering? Planning? Who knows at this point.

But those words Peter told him will haunt him now. They aren't the only time displaced beings Peter's taken...]

What, um. Besides resting, what is the... Plan for the rest of today?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It sure opens some questions, doesn't it. Questions that Algric hasn't asked yet... ]

Ah, well. I. Thought I'd cook?

[eyediot]

Yeah? Cook what?

[All blurs but. He'll never say no to Martin's cooking if he's offering.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh, ah. Some stew I think. Cozy and warm, plus I can leave it cooking all day.

[eyediot]

Haven't had stew in a long time.

[Which is to say, yes he would like it. He can't see where Algric's hand is, so instead he rests his hand, open palm up, on what he's now decided is Algric's knee (it's his thigh).]

You probably need to start that so it can be going. I'll be fine.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ OH. Well. That's a bit saucy, Jon. Algric takes his hand though, clinging gently to it. ]

Are you sure?

[eyediot]

[He feels a bit better with the hand clinging to his, smiles gently.]

I'm sure. It's... I still need a couple more statements before I can pick up reading them myself, but. You need a break, I'm sure.

[curriculum_fictae]

Mm, let me read a few more then. And then I'll start dinner.

[eyediot]

I-i can wait, Martin. Promise.

[But there's not much he can do to stop him either. He squeezes his hand gently before letting go to just. Reassuringly pat his knee (thigh).]

[curriculum_fictae]

Just a couple more.

[ He takes the next few off the stack and starts reading. ]

[eyediot]

A-all right.

[And he'll listen. Lean into him, rest his head on Algric's shoulder and just... listen. Take in the fear imbued in these statements; they aren't good ones, for sure. More than a couple of times, Algric ends a statement and Jonah finds his mouth was hanging open, hungry, anticipating. Ultimately to feel embarrassed and close his mouth with a light sound of his teeth clicking before Algric can see that.]

I've never read these..

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Well. It's not pleasant, but it is good, the thinks. He's glad they're having the intended effect. ]

That - that was the intent. I went into one of Gertrude's old haunts.

[eyediot]

...We had those?

[Guess who never thought to check.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh yes. You never really bothered.

[eyediot]

...No, I guess I didn't.

[Hmph.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Look. It's good that you didn't.

[eyediot]

Yes, it's... Helping now.

[He does look up at Algric, recognition there - the red has started to recede, a small thin circle of green in the dead center of his eyes. He can at least make out the lines of Algric's face.]

I-i think I can. Read the rest from here.

[curriculum_fictae]

... All right. If you're certain, then - then I'll go get started.

[eyediot]

I am.

[Just to prove it, he moves to carefully and very determinedly kiss him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Aww. Algric smiles into the kiss, then, returning it firmly. ]

Good. I'll be back soon.

[ He carefully levers himself out of bed. ]

[eyediot]

[Algric leaves and Jonah sits for a long minute, looking at the outline blur of the door. Then at the slightly more clear statements left in the stack.

Sigh.

Grabs the next one and starts reading.

By the time Algric comes back, he's gone through three more, eyes almost clear but it's obvious it's taking some time to get through them.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That's progress, then, and Algric is glad of it. If it takes Jonah a little while to recover, well ... maybe that's not a bad thing, if it means they get a quiet night in.

He returns with a tray with two bowls and two mugs, everything steaming pleasantly in cool air. ]

Oh, you look better.