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]

I wonder too.

All the same we'll find someone. Let the others know, talk to Tim...

[That's the bit that has him nervous all over again.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He reaches out to squeeze Jonah's good shoulder. ]

Tim will be happy, I promise.

[eyediot]

I'm glad you think so. Just... Naturally assume no one's happy around me these days.

[He can't really bring himself to look Algric in the face at that. Because surely Algric was happier before he showed up. Before he had that guilt of leaving Jon behind, of knowing what the world turned into in his absence. That seeing Jon suffering things Algric can't even see is weighing on him. Peter's words sunk in deep with that wound, and Jonah notices him going for the unfrozen shoulder. ]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric ... stops at that. He can sense the Lonely boiling up at that, can't he? A shiver goes down his spine. ]

I'm happy, Jon. I'm happier now than I've ever been.

[eyediot]

I'm... I'm glad.

[He absently rubs at the bad shoulder, still not quite able to look.]

I'll do what I can to keep you happy.

[curriculum_fictae]

Just being here with you makes me happy, Jon.

[ He hesitates. ]

Can I ... can I take another look at your shoulder?

[eyediot]

Um. I... Sure.

[Not entirely sure why. But he asked. Jonah takes a breath and carefully works out of his shirt again. The scar is still there, marring his shoulder. At the angle he can't even get a good look at it himself.]

Anything wrong with it now?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, Jon. Algric gently reaches out to touch the skin just past the edge of the scar. ]

It still looks terrible.

[eyediot]

[It's hard to tell in a split second if the edge of the scar jumps to meet Algric's touch or if it's stationary. But Jonah takes a sharp breath - just Algric's touch is chilled.]

It... Probably will for some time. He had his grip on me for... I don't know how long in there.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh god. That's not right either way? Algric draws his hand back. ]

I - I can see that. It's deep. And I don't know if me touching it is going to help. You probably need Tim.

[eyediot]

Do you think it might be too much the other direction?

[curriculum_fictae]

That ... could be. B-but. If I touch it, you hurt, right?

[eyediot]

... Yes.

[Honesty. Honesty, for him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric just nods sadly at that. ]

So - so let's try Tim.

[eyediot]

All right. We'll ask Tim.

[with nothing else, he starts putting his shirt back on fully, shivering with the cold even as it's covered again.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric watches this, then goes to the closet. Taking out a soft blue-grey jumper and holding it out. ]

Here. Wear this.

[eyediot]

[He eyes the jumper, wondering just when did Algric really move in? He'd home now, Jonah supposes. With far less confidence than he feels, Jonah takes it and carefully pulls it over.]

You sure? One of your favorites isn't it?

[It's so soft.]

[curriculum_fictae]

It is. That's - that's why I'd like you to have it.

[ It's warm, and not just because it's extra fluffy. Well-loved by Algric, which means maybe it might counteract the Lonely a little. ]

[eyediot]

[His breath catches at that, looking up at Algric surprised. Swallows thickly and looks back at it running fingers over the knit fabric.]

I... I'm not keeping it, I'll wear it for now. But it's yours, Martin.

[curriculum_fictae]

If it still being mine helps, then all right.

[eyediot]

... Thank you.

[His fingers tug at it a bit, hugging himself in a way he only feels safe doing in front of Algric. Smells like him a bit, warm from him.]

I'll try not to ruin it.

[curriculum_fictae]

I'm sure it will be fine, Jon.

[ He steps in to hug Jonah from behind as well, pulling him in close. ]

[eyediot]

Mm... We've already discussed my ruining things being a charm point. That for whatever reason you like.

[But he does lean into him a bit.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric laughs. ]

Mmm, that's true. So it'll be fine either way.

[eyediot]

Still don't understand that.

But all right. I guess for now a warm compress or. Or something.