unreliable doorstop

[temporal_affairs]

Here they are, having a cute post-death reunion!

Comments

[yourheartstrings]

"I am glad to see you too," she says, nuzzling his shoulder.

[temporal_affairs]

It's about time for Timer to visit Fractal.

Also about time for him to say:

"This'd be the best time for you to head back to Eights's place. Without me. It is not at all a good time for me to go to her place. I'm betting one of her interesting friends is gonna be there."

[yourheartstrings]

"Ooooooooh," says the Joker.

And: "Do me a favour, sweetie? Hang onto these—" and Timer acquires his very own coin bandolier, full of most of what the Joker's got on her. "Just in case," she says, giving him a kiss.

[temporal_affairs]

"All right, babe," says Timer, and he returns the kiss and loops the bandolier onto his person.

[yourheartstrings]

Okay, one more kiss.

Two more kisses.

And thennnnnn she touches one of the pentagons in Timer's new coin stash, and it and she disappear.

[temporal_affairs]

Timer times his visit to Fractal, up the street (and every intervening turn), and he and his friend watch selections of Fractal's video collection and snark at the characters. Timer vaguely wonders what the Joker's up to.

[manofmyword]

[Ooh,] says a familiar voice in his head. [Chainsaw is fun.]

[temporal_affairs]

[Heh. You wanna tell the class?]

[manofmyword]

[You would not beliiiieve what this man can do with a pair of pliers. I think I'm in love,] he sighs happily.

[temporal_affairs]

[What, again? Live'un would nnnnot be pleased,] laughs Timer.

[manofmyword]

[Live'un is just gonna have to deal. I love him too,] the Joker says fondly, and giggles. [Ooh. I see where Chainsaw got his name.]

[temporal_affairs]

[Well, that sounds just ducky, doesn't it,] says Timer affectionately.

[manofmyword]

[Mmmmm. You betcha, sweetheart.]

He sounds extremely pleased with himself.

[temporal_affairs]

[I am glad that you are having fun. And that I am not the liveling of me, who would be frothing at the mouth and pacing by now.]

[manofmyword]

[If you were the liveling of you, I'd still be fucking him but I wouldn't be taunting you about it.]

Beat.

[Probably.]

[temporal_affairs]

[Eh. He'd be frothing at the mouth and pacing even if you weren't taunting him. If you were taunting him he would be debating the wisdom of showing up at Eights's house and knocking Chainsaw down. Technical term for hurting somebody till they quit challenging you. Can't exactly have fights to the death around here.]

[manofmyword]

The Joker giggles.

[temporal_affairs]

[I feel for liveling me, you know, he's not inherently jealous, as I demonstrate, but you make him all kinds of crazy, babe.]

[manofmyword]

[I know,] he sighs. [I love him, I really really do.]

[temporal_affairs]

[I know you do. I'd be way sorrier for him if you didn't. I suppose if you wouldn't've, timer would've never put me - us? - Past Nathan in a room with you.]

[manofmyword]

[I love both of you,] he says, and then giggles. [Aww, Chainsaw's wondering what I'm daydreaming about. Don't think I'll tell him.]

[temporal_affairs]

[Thank you, babe.]

[manofmyword]

He laughs unrepentantly.

[temporal_affairs]

Timer's companion is not so curious about where Timer's attention may be; Timer seamlessly goes back to paying attention to the video.

[manofmyword]

The Joker is quiet for a while.

Then he says, a little dreamily: [Whatcha up to, sweetie?]