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]

[Jon listens quietly while Algric unloads all this. He had asked for it, hadn't he? These bits and pieces of Algric - Martin's - hopes for some future and how he's fitting what he has in front if him neatly into little slots that fit and discarding what doesn't. Of course it hurts Jon. But it's one of those things he's dealt with on his own since he found the words for what he is and how to explain it to people he'd expressed interest in - some left abruptly, some stuck around hoping he'd change his mind, and others tried to make it work anyway but. Well, his own shitty personality ruined it plenty on its own.

By the time Algric finishes, his eyes are glassy. Both hands brought to clasp in front of his mouth.]

I'm sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ God. See, this is why he didn’t want to tell you - why he’d gotten so angry when his mother had said it. He goes a bit limp himself, looking back at Jon with residual anger and quiet pain. ]

There’s - there’s nothing to be sorry for, Jon. I love you. I just - after she said that, I got furious, and you walked in, and ...

[eyediot]

No, just- you. Had to sit and listen to that be...because of me. So. I'm sorry. F-for that.

[God. Using him to insult Martin. That simmering anger he felt initially starts to bubble again. He's clearly trying to push past it, his voice heavy.]

It, it doesn't matter even, since you're not going back.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric just shakes his head gently. What else can he say? It's true that his mother used Jon against him, but ... well. Mum uses everything against him. ]

That's right. I'm - I'm not going back. Not to her, not to my timeline, not to any of it. I tried. That - that was it.

[eyediot]

[Jon only hesitates when the waitress comes around. He watches Algric another moment before turning his attention to her, ordering tea for them both, and a couple of pastries. She nods, doesn't feel like questioning the amount for one man, before heading inside.

Jon sighs shakily, rubbing at his own hands. He's nervous. This whole thing has him nervous, from the hunger and being overwhelmed by the fear there, to the deeply personal hurts it brought up.]

That was... it. Yes. [He laughs one mirthless, broken chuckle.] I guess we all had to be a little broken to work in Archives.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric flashes Jon a look of gratitude at that. That invisibility aura is still strong, and it's especially active right now. ]

Yeah. Yeah, I - I think so, honestly. That was how it preyed on us.

[eyediot]

Still is, if we're being honest.

[He idly rubs at his ring finger before nervously moving a few things on the table where he wants them.]

We should... We have to let Martin know. S-so he doesn't... come here and get it worse.

[curriculum_fictae]

R-right. I. I guess so.

[ He looks down at his own hands, the missing pinkie. ]

But it wasn't that much worse than a normal visit. I'd just ... forgotten? Hoped for better?

[eyediot]

That... That was normal?

[His heart aches at that. Jon reaches for his hand, taking care to give attention to that missing space, not avoid it.]

Then. Then I'm glad you've been staying with all of us.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He clings to Jon's hand for a moment. ]

She's always been like that. Yes. Not - not even the first time she's used you against me, heh. Though at the time you were my crush at work.

[eyediot]

[For the waitress that comes back to bring their tea, Jon is just looking sad, wistful at the skyline. Hopeful he can chagne something but isn't sure what. But the tea is hot and steaming, and the morning pastries come after.]

I...I-i know she's your mum, but... [Maybe it's okay? That she's gone in Algric's time? Is that too harsh to think.]

[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?