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[mrballisticsdummy]

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[statementfuckingends]

Tim just nods. He is extremely familiar with what that tone means.

"Suppose I can appreciate you not blowing everything to kingdom come and out the other side. It's not like some of us need another existential crisis about it."

[mrballisticsdummy]

He leans back, elbow shifting the notebook a bit and if Tim is still being nosy, he'll be able to read what looks like a letter to someone. It doesn't have a name at the top, but it's clearly an apology of some sort.

There's also a note in the margin. It reads "Jon Mean Girls." No other context.

"Yeah, so really, if you think about it, you should be grateful. Honestly."

[statementfuckingends]

Honestly that note just makes Tim try and picture Jon wearing pink. It's as unsuccessful as it is hilarious.

"Yeah, let's not push my forgiveness that far," he comments dryly. "I'm still debating that punch in the face."

[mrballisticsdummy]

Tim would understand Jacobi's previously hilarious joke. That's why Jacobi likes Tim.

"Hey. I said you could hit me. I didn't say you could hit me in the face," he protests. "I don't look good with a black eye. It's not cute."

He rubs the back of his neck. "Hey, do you think you could get me a casualty list? Injured and dead?"

[statementfuckingends]

"You think I look any better? Just because I make the scars work doesn't mean I can rock bruise couture." Even if it's not really a black eye, it's just the side of his head.

But that's a fair enough request to him. "Far as I'm aware, you'll want to add Jon and Taylor to your list. He's fine, bloody spooky X-man, but Taylor got sniped in the head, and she already hates you."

[mrballisticsdummy]

"I've already talked to Jon," he tells him. "Or rather, he's already reached out to bitch at me. And Taylor's definitely going to kill me if she sees me. But she's a kid, so what am I going to do? Stab her? Yeah, my stock's already in a free fall; that's just DOA."

He isn't pleased by hearing any of that. "Who else?"

[statementfuckingends]

"When I've gone and found more out I'll let you know. Sounds like a few more people got offed too but I don't really know anyone well enough to ask for the names. Rita thinks I'm an arse."

But so far she doesn't know he's friend with Jacobi, which is probably the only thing keeping her attitude to him above sub-zero.

[mrballisticsdummy]

"Yeah, thanks," he tells him. "I can ask Jon, too, I guess. I'm not asking Rita. I'm trying not to bother her too much. Part of the Plan," he says, emphasizing the word. Making it sound significant.

"Have you ever...tried to undo something this big? With - people?"

[statementfuckingends]

He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he considers it.

"Not really. I spent most of the last year going downhill until I got to finish it all off with the plastic explosives." He shrugs one shoulder. "Haven't really needed to apologise for that, given the circumstances."

[mrballisticsdummy]

He sighs. "I just - have to do better, then." And Jacobi can do that. He's done that. It's just like what he talked about with Jon. He just has to Do Better.

"You shouldn't ever apologize for plastic explosives," he smirks, looking up. "Not when you mean to. But - what happened? Why did you blow up a circus? And keep it light on the existential horrors, if you can."

[statementfuckingends]

Okay that gets a genuine bark of laughter.

"Mate, you've known Jon how long and you think a spooky circus from our end of things isn't gonna be an existential nightmare?"

He straightens up, shifting so he's resting his shoulder on the bars instead. "Circus of the Other belongs directly to the Stranger. They were doing their whole ritual to destroy the world, or remake or some bullshit, and we stopped it. With a bang."

[mrballisticsdummy]

"Hey, I said light, not non-existent. I know you can't help that you're from a shithole."

But he runs fingers through his hair, away from his face. "Isn't your world always about to end, though?"

[statementfuckingends]

He gives a light scoff. "If I'm remembering some of the old statements correctly? More or less. The lot of us work under the Eye, apparently, which got really damn good at screwing up everyone else's rituals to end the world on their terms. We got to personally interrupt one called The Unknowing."

[mrballisticsdummy]

There's something about Tim's statement that triggers a memory in his brain. Words that Jon had told him. What did he talk about -

God, he had been so drunk.

"Tim, I'm only asking you this because it seems like a touchy subject and I'm safe behind these bars. But - uh - the Circus thing. And the ritual. Did it have to do with your brother?"

[statementfuckingends]

What good humour was on Tim's face drops immediately, and he pushes off the bars to look down at Jacobi in a moment of open shock. But then it's gone, buried under a defensive layer of resentment.

He's going to smack Jon. Because it had to be him, he listens to all the tapes and Martin wouldn't.

"Not the ritual specifically, no." His voice is flat again, humourless. "The Circus, yeah."

[mrballisticsdummy]

Oops.

Oh well.

"To be fair, Mr. Grumpy Face, I? Was exceptionally drunk. And Jon was....drinking. Does he get drunk?"

Jacobi's always the first to go, so he never remembers. "He never said your name, but - " The detonator. Their relationship. It kind of makes sense.

[statementfuckingends]

"He was always a lightweight when I knew him. Can't say if being a spooky freak now changes that." He's gonna be salty for a while.

But, well. Since Jacobi already fucking knows. "My brother was an urban explorer and just so happened to go into the wrong building. The Circus was there first and they turned him into a bloody sideshow."

[mrballisticsdummy]

"And you blew it the fuck up."

Good.

Good. Jacobi would have made the same sacrifice.

[statementfuckingends]

"Gave it was it was about four years overdue for."

But he's tired now, between his aches and the sudden change to an incredibly private topic, so he pushes off the bars properly now with a stiff smile.

"I'll message when I find out who else got Robocopped."

[mrballisticsdummy]

He doesn't want him to go, but only because he doesn't want to be alone again. It's a selfish reason, so he doesn't say anything.

"I think I'm going to go with Terminator," he points out, turning back to his desk. "Seems more my aesthetic."