Chapter Text
They’re sitting on Jon’s couch. Jon mindlessly flips through the channels on the television as Tim decides what food to order for the both of them.
It’s been so long since Jon has wanted to eat real food. Unless, he counts Mikaele Salesa’s house or his time in the tunnels during the Eye-Pocalypse. He doesn’t.
It’s so surreal after the end of the world. After what he caused. It’s painfully mundane . Jon can hardly believe that this used to be his life. A slow, peaceful day with his boyfriend. He doesn’t want to know or know how long it’s been since he’s had one of those…
Without warning, Jon knows what Tim decided on a second before he speaks up.
“Are you okay with Italian? It’s from the place down the street.” Tim looks up from his phone briefly to meet Jon’s eyes, while Jon forces himself not to look away.
“Yes, that’s fine Tim.”
“Awesome, the site said it’ll be about 15 minutes.” Tim turns off his phone and puts it on the coffee table in front of them.
“Good to know.” Jon almost curses himself for the unintended pun. Not that Tim would understand it.
“Have you picked something to watch yet?” Tim casually leans against Jon as Jon reminds himself not to move away. It’s an odd feeling to be so close to Tim after all this time.
“No, I’ve not found anything that has drawn my interest so far.” His first choice would be a documentary, but he suspects the Eye will insert all the information into his mind, regardless if he wants it or not. Which would tamper his enjoyment considerably.
Minutes pass as Jon continues to search through the options while Tim makes suggestions. Most of which get politely dismissed. Jon does not want to watch an action or horror movie, his life’s been too much of those.
Unfortunately, it’s not surprising to Jon when knows their food is about to be delivered.
“Food is here,” Jon mutters under his breath without thinking.
“What was that, love?” Tim turns to look at Jon.
“The— Oh, I… uhm— ” Jon stammers, still unsure on what to tell Tim about… well, him and everything he went through and knows.
Just then, there’s a knock on the door and Tim gets up to retrieve their food.
Shit – Jon desperately needs to organize his thoughts and plans. Before, Tim gets suspicious of him hiding something.
Tim returns in no time with the take away containers and drinks. He places them all on the coffee table and the delicious aroma fills the air.
“What were you saying before, Jon?” Tim hands Jon his meal and then picks up his own.
“Oh… i-it’s nothing. I— I said… I saw the delivery person outside the window before they knocked.” Jon tries not to fidget under Tim’s gaze. He’s always too good at reading Jon.
“That’s it?”
“Y-yes, I promise.”
“Okay...” Tim’s expression shifts with heavy skepticism. “You’d tell me if there was something else bothering you right?”
“Of course.” The lie feels heavy on his tongue. This Tim has been nothing but kind and caring to him. Still, Jon can’t bring himself to interrupt their quiet morning.
Tim looks unconvinced, but says nothing more on the subject.
In an attempt to distract Tim further, Jon gives him the remote. “You choose.”
“Are you sure? You’ve rejected all my picks so far and—” Jon cuts him off.
“ Yes, I’m quite sure,” Jon insists.
“Well, no backing out now.” Tim gives Jon a classic ™’d grin and it feels natural to give him a smile back.
Tim stops on a movie about vampires, however Jon promptly vetoes it. He revives a small pout, but thankfully Tim doesn’t ask any follow up questions.
The knowledge they actually do exist puts a damper on Jon’s already low interest in that genre of movie.
In no time at all, Tim finds a cheesy rom-com. They eat quietly as they watch the movie. The plot is wholly predictable, but it’s comfortable after the uncertainty Jon experienced in the… past? Future?
It’s one of the questions burning in his mind. Is he actually in the past? What happened to his timeline? Could he be in a time loop where he’s doomed to eternally End the World? No, it couldn’t be that. He remembers the future. This time?
Did he get sent to an alternate universe? If Annabelle was correct it’s possible… would he have then taken over a different him? What happened to his original world? Did he save it or damn it further?
Will he be able to even change this world’s fate or will he cause more destruction by trying?
Jon wishes the Eye would let him know . Unfortunately for him, so far The Eye only seems to be generous in the unhelpful information it’s willing to share.
Just then, Tim’s infectious laugh fills the air because of a joke Jon doesn’t hear, but Jon can hardly take his eyes off him.
Tim looks so… happy, so him . His smile is so full and bright and his skin is free of worm scars. There’s no signs of the many sleepless nights and almost haunted stares.
Jon’s decision is made. No matter the consequences, to his life he will not let Tim become the man who sacrificed himself in the Unknowing for a second time.
If it comes down to keeping Tim alive or having Tim hate him forever. Jon already knows what his choice will be. Tim will not die again.
Jon dreads telling Tim about the Entities, the Archives, Jonah Magnus… and everything else. (Especially the Circus.) Jon doesn’t want to see Tim lose his light for a second time. Yet, Jon hates the thought of lying to Tim, and he refuses to repeat his mistakes.
He’ll tell Tim everything, just— not today. He wants to relish in the calm for a little longer.
Tim’s voice pulls him out of his reverie. “You’re staring, love.”
“Sorry…” Jon immediately averts his gaze away from Tim. Still all too used to the lectures from his (former) colleagues and co-workers.
“Hey hey, it’s fine, I’m kidding.” With one hand, Tim reaches out for Jon’s and squeezes it gently. “I don’t mind it when my very handsome boyfriend can’t take his eyes off me.”
“T-Tim!” Jon sputters as a blush spreads across his cheeks.
“What? It’s true! Stare all you like, love.” Tim brings his other hand up to cradle Jon’s face. “I’m yours forever and always.”
A sharp sting shoots through Jon’s heart at Tim’s words, they held such sincerity and promise. ‘ His’ original Tim said something similar when they took a break, after Jon was promoted.
“I’ll always be yours, Jon. One day you won’t value your job over us. And I’ll wait for that day forever if I have to.”
Jon had been worried about how it would look to Elias— Jonah, if he showed obvious favoritism to one of his assistants. One he asked for by name. So he asked Tim if they could take a step back for a while. Jon will never forget ‘his’ Tim’s heartbroken face. What a fool he’d been.
“I love you, Tim.” Jon leans into Tim’s touch, it’s warm and comforting. “I’m realizing I should say it more.”
“I love you too,” Tim smiles brightly and he kisses Jon’s forehead.