That's incredible. She told me once she'd been to another place like this. How many of them? Actually, come home and tell me! Then you can take me to the movie. ☺️
[ Harry enters with a pep in his step that he's been missing more often than not. The ritual's been tolling for Tim - physically and spiritually, but he's not so absorbed in his own mission that he hasn't noticed. Grief seems to be the thing this month, something that can only be worked through in time. To see such a sudden change in him brings a smile to Tim's face - he sits at Harry's desk, smiling back at him as he unwraps his hand. ]
No changes that I've noticed. But I did drop the knife. We used the disinfectant wipes, so it should be okay, but maybe you should make sure.
[ After three weeks of this, Tim's pretty confident he knows what normal looks like, but he has Harry check anyway. It puts his mind at ease, and it makes him part of the process. He's not done for the day until Harry says he is. ]
[ He'd been to another purgatorial nightmare realm besides this one? Why does Grace retain the memory of it and Harry doesn't? Going through all the implications of it would be enough to make his head and his heart hurt, this other life that Tim will never know about because Harry can't recount it to him. Was he happier there, having some of his old crew? Had he found love there, too? Would he go back, after they unlock the meaning of this place (and others like it?) and find the choice, rather than return home with him? ]
It sounds like it. Whenever you talk about him.
[ He smiles, despite all the raging questions, it's amazing news, good men given a second chance like Harry was. Tim grabs for Harry's hand with his good one and squeezes. ]
Did it work, then?
[ The poisoning. He remembers vividly the day Harry told him, and the one he'd said he left his feet untainted for the captain. ]
[ His brows furrow, halfway between offended and fond. Harry sure does know him inside and out, doesn't he? ]
It isn’t overthinking. It's...well, that's a lot of information, isn’t it? Your mind must be racing. To have more of you given a second chance. It's such a blessing. Your lieutenant and your captain deserve that. Any of you would.
[ Tim leans in, capturing his lover with a kiss. It's good news. Great news. He grins, wide, all teeth. ]
[ Hand half closed, to not bother his wound, he strokes the side of Harry's cheek, and leaves a kiss there, and then another. It fills his spirit to see him happy and hopeful like this, the sort of things that he knows Harry wants to feel, but so seldom does. ]
It must be such a relief. I would be glad to.
[ Tim lets him do the honors of pouring it out, accustomed at this point to letting Harry dote on him so he doesn't have to be on his feet. ]
To Lieutenants Irving and Jopson, and Captain Crozier. May their own second chances bring them happiness, and may God watch over them, wherever they may be.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2026-01-20 06:33 am (UTC)That's incredible. She told me once she'd been to another place like this. How many of them? Actually, come home and tell me! Then you can take me to the movie. ☺️
no subject
Date: 2026-01-20 06:48 am (UTC)I'm on my way.
[Although he stops to get a bottle of wine from the bodega.
When he does enter their room he looks much happier than he has much of the month. Tim gets a kiss on the cheek after Harry puts the wine down.]
Alright, let's have a look at you.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-20 06:26 pm (UTC)No changes that I've noticed. But I did drop the knife. We used the disinfectant wipes, so it should be okay, but maybe you should make sure.
[ After three weeks of this, Tim's pretty confident he knows what normal looks like, but he has Harry check anyway. It puts his mind at ease, and it makes him part of the process. He's not done for the day until Harry says he is. ]
What'd she say about your crewmates?
no subject
Date: 2026-01-20 11:35 pm (UTC)That she met some of them in another place. Lieutenant Irving, Captain Crozier, Mr. Jopson...
[He glances up at Tim's eyes.]
Me. Although she did not talk to me much.
...and Mr. Hickey.
But nevermind him. It sounds as if maybe, maybe the Captain went on after... after me. I thank God for that, I do. It makes me very happy.
He was a good man, Tim.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 12:48 am (UTC)[ He'd been to another purgatorial nightmare realm besides this one? Why does Grace retain the memory of it and Harry doesn't? Going through all the implications of it would be enough to make his head and his heart hurt, this other life that Tim will never know about because Harry can't recount it to him. Was he happier there, having some of his old crew? Had he found love there, too? Would he go back, after they unlock the meaning of this place (and others like it?) and find the choice, rather than return home with him? ]
It sounds like it. Whenever you talk about him.
[ He smiles, despite all the raging questions, it's amazing news, good men given a second chance like Harry was. Tim grabs for Harry's hand with his good one and squeezes. ]
Did it work, then?
[ The poisoning. He remembers vividly the day Harry told him, and the one he'd said he left his feet untainted for the captain. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 01:07 am (UTC)[He puts his hand on Tim's forearm and looks at him earnestly.]
Tim. I can see in your eyes that you are overthinking this. Whoever that version of me was, it is not the man I am. I am here. With you.
[He smiles.]
I think... I think perhaps. Which would give me such relief, to know that I did not do it for nothing.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 06:00 am (UTC)It isn’t overthinking. It's...well, that's a lot of information, isn’t it? Your mind must be racing. To have more of you given a second chance. It's such a blessing. Your lieutenant and your captain deserve that. Any of you would.
[ Tim leans in, capturing his lover with a kiss. It's good news. Great news. He grins, wide, all teeth. ]
You're in the mood to celebrate?
[ Looking towards the bottle of wine. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-21 06:18 am (UTC)[He kisses back, eyes half closed. For perhaps the first time he can consider the fate of his former crewmates without a sense of doom.
He pulls back, smiling.]
To at least drink to their health. I don't know how to explain it, Tim. I just feel... [Always a sensitive soul, Harry's eyes tear up.]
I did Irving's autopsy. But somewhere he's alive, and no matter the hardships he has the same opportunities that I do.
I don't know. But I feel hope.
[He wipes at his eyes with the back of his hand.]
Ah. Would you like a glass of wine with me, my darling?
no subject
Date: 2026-01-22 01:45 am (UTC)It must be such a relief. I would be glad to.
[ Tim lets him do the honors of pouring it out, accustomed at this point to letting Harry dote on him so he doesn't have to be on his feet. ]
To Lieutenants Irving and Jopson, and Captain Crozier. May their own second chances bring them happiness, and may God watch over them, wherever they may be.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-22 04:15 am (UTC)He lifts his glass and it trembles slightly.]
Yes.
[He can't think of anything else to say, so he just drinks deeply before doing his glass down and leaning in to kiss Tim on the cheek.]
I pray their second chances are even half as beautiful as mine.