kayakking | (no subject)

I suppose so.

[He catches his breath, something about a hand in his hair always stops his heart a beat or so, unexpected and gentle. It's a good start, at least.]

We've got a lot of time to work it out.

Right? Probably a real long time.

[That was a thought... Another time. Definitely not today.]

Good side is we're unlikely to ever be bored.

That is true. There's... Always going to be something to do.

[Snickers. Because sometimes you're 12.]

What did I say.

Nothing. Nothing. [He laughs and leans in, snagging another good and solid kiss.]

I'm just looking forward to it.

Tim stoker, I would guess you are a romantic if I didn't know better.

[He isn't complaining though.]

Good thing you don't know better.

You're absolutely right, I don't. That must be why I'm here with you now.

You never could put down a mystery.

Clearly, it's exactly what I'm doing right.

Clearly.

How are you holding up with everything else?

I go from successfully not thinking about it to it's all I can think about.

You?

...I'm not sure. I'm- There's a lot. And a lot of it I'll admit I'm a bit terrified of.

But then we have moments like this and it's... Worth the fear for now.

[Good lord, what a sentiment. He leans a little on the other man.]

If I'm a romantic, you're the softest man I know under all of those quills.

[Uugghhhhhh Tim.]

Only after being thoroughly tenderize by four years of almost dying.

Yeeaaaah that.

...

I'm really glad you're here. Right now, with us.

[He exhales deeply, smiling at him and the others.]

I am too. I wasn't sure at first but.. I'm glad I have the chance to stop it all before it gets worse.

I mean, that too.

[He lets out a deep breath and sinks a bit into the cushions. Jonah against him, the sights and smells of the holidays. The burble of conversation filling the house...]

I can't even imagine it. The situation you described. I mean, I can, but I can't.

... Hopefully you'll never have to. It's... Mind bogglingly huge in scope, and I think if I wasn't what I am, I wouldn't be able to properly comprehend it all.

Definitely working on that never.

[The plans were starting to come together, but seemed particularly fragile when he looked at them too long...]

Good.

[He can feel that though, the worry over plans. He lowers his voice.]

Algric told me about your plan.

[He looks up at Jonah's face, trying to read into it.]

Yeah? Good. [He looks back down and-]

... I don't want to lose this.

I don't either. [His tone is firm in that. He keeps his eyes ahead and not at Tim.]

He made a promise to me. To tell me when you both leave to... Do your plan.

I don't like it, Tim.

.. You have to admit it's practical, though.

There's a crucial factor missing.

Do you know how to get into the tunnels from outside the Institute?