Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Alright, good, good. Wait, wait, now! Flip it now!” JB hears Sam instruct.

He quickly flips the crepe over, before placing the pan back on the stove. He glances up at Sam, who’s sitting on the counter, watching the old French desert cook.

“That’s how you’re supposed to do it, right?” JB asks, pushing down his proud smile until he knows he actually did it correctly.

“You did it perfectly.” Sam replies, his eyes dancing away from the stove and towards JB, grinning. “We’ll make a pastry chef out of you yet.”

JB smiles back at him, and his breath catches for a moment. There’s a window behind Sam, and the light filtering in shines through his messy blond hair, and illuminates him from behind, making him glow.

He’s beautiful.

“Maybe take it off the heat before it burns.” Sam suggests, tilting his head towards the pan, snapping JB out of his trance.

“Right, yes.” He responds, nodding, and slides the crepe onto the prepared cookie sheet.

“I might have spoken too soon.” Chase says with a laugh, swinging his legs as he does so.

“I was just distracted.” JB mumbles, greasing the pan again before pouring more batter into it.

“And what have I said about being distracted in the kitchen?” His friend asks, leaning down slightly.

“That it’s dangerous.” JB sighs, ignoring the smirk Sam gives him.

“Exactly. So pay attention to what you’re doing.” Chase instructs, patting his shoulder twice, before hopping off the counter.

“I will, I will.” He replies, shaking his head, before flipping the crepe over in the pan.

“You really have improved though.” Sam observes, hovering by his shoulder. “Good job.”

“I have a pretty decent teacher.” JB responds with a smile.

“Only decent?” The former Projectionist asks, sounding amused.

“Well, he can’t be the best at everything.” He teases. “And he seems to be under the impression that I was a terrible cook before he started teaching me.”

“Subpar, then?” Sam asks, his voice light, sounding pleasant to JB, even as it carries words that would normally be hurtful.

“Average. I was average at cooking.” JB says, shaking his head.

“If that’s what makes you feel better.” Chase replies, rolling his eyes playfully.

“It’s what’s accurate .” JB insists.

“Sure, sure.” Sam says, patting him on the back.

His friend’s hand lingers for a moment, lightly pressing against his back, before he moves it away, the sensation still staying all the while.

“I’ll be in the front room, call me if you start burning the house down.” Chase instructs, turning away and leaving JB in the kitchen by himself.

The front room is in full view from where he stands, and he watches as Sam flops onto the couch, a computer appearing in his lap. And yet, even being able to see Sam, the kitchen feels duller than before.

JB quickly cooks up the rest of the crepe batter, not struggling to focus as much as before, now that Sam is busy. But he still glances over at the Projectionist every once in a while, the sight being a comfort.

He pushes the cookie sheet further back, making sure it won’t accidentally get knocked over, and places the pan into the cleaner, before joining Sam on the sofa, letting the crepes cool.

“Have you heard anything else from the Time Agency?” Sam asks, his bright eyes moving from the screen over to JB.

“Not a thing.” JB replies with a sigh. “It’s been over a month, and not even a rumor has spread through the office.”

“And they thought they were doing you a favor giving you such a big heads up.” Chase replies, rolling his eyes.

“I can’t blame them.” He responds, fiddling with his fingers as he speaks. “I wouldn’t be happy no matter when I found out about it, months or hours before.”

“You might not be able to, but I sure can.” Sam snorts.

“You really didn’t like it there, did you?” JB asks, watching the former Projectionist.

“The work was tedious, and all but one of the people there were really shitty to me, so no, not really.” Sam replies, before smiling softly. “It was better than working for the FBI though. More freedom, that’s for sure.”

“Not everyone else there is bad.” He argues.

Sam just looks at him, before shaking his head.

He would like to say that everyone else there is good, that Sam just never got the chance to know them, but he hadn’t seen the Time Agency the way Sam had. He wouldn’t know the hostilities between Projectionists, or the way they were overworked. He has only started to see the flaws in the Time Agency recently, but even so, Sam would probably still argue that he has rose tinted glasses on.

“Well,” JB starts, changing the subject. “Shall we assemble a crepe cake now?”

Sam looks at him for a moment, and JB can tell those green eyes saw right through him, that Chase knows he wants to get the conversation away from that topic. And at one point, JB would be worried that the Projectionist would have pushed the subject, would taunt him with it, but those days are long behind both of them now.

JB no longer has the fear that Sam will push him too much, and Chase seems to be more than willing to drop topics that JB doesn’t want to continue. Making each other comfortable was no longer a tedious tightrope walk, but instead a fluid dance, where they can work together, sometimes leading each other, to both be happy with the conversation, and, really, the relationship.

“Yes, I think we shall.” Sam says, pushing himself off the couch.

Chase offers a hand to him, and he quickly takes it, rising from the couch. He’s amazed at how much more human Sam’s hand feels already, even as he continues to argue with the Elucidator to get a body back.

Sam really is resourceful, fiddling with the settings to get close to what he wants, even while the final result is beyond his reach.

JB walks towards the kitchen, Sam’s hand lightly held in his own, before letting it go, opening the fridge for the pastry cream.

Chapter Text

Sam watches as JB tugs his shoes on, his brown hair slightly obscuring those gorgeous hazel eyes.

God he loves that man.

He’s known he’s been in love with the Time Agent for quite a few years now, but on a morning like this, the air of sleep still around JB, he can’t help but be reminded of it.

Sam’s never done anything about it.

He has long since decided that he never will.

JB is the man that made Sam realize he is Demiromantic, but at the time he was also Sam’s boss.

And it would have complicated his projections if he ever tried to be in a relationship, no matter who with.

He eventually just decided to ignore the feelings, pushing them aside completely.

And now, well, their relationship has become so complicated, and Sam won’t risk upsetting the delicate peace they have now.

JB sits up, running a hand through his hair, pushing it back.

“You don’t have to go to work, you know.” Sam says, leaning on the couch’s armrest, watching JB. “You can quit right now, and just stay home.”

“I know, I just…” JB pauses, and Sam can tell that he’s trying to figure out how to phrase his feelings about the situation before he sighs. “I can’t spend all day becoming a master chef.”

“We can find you other hobbies and things to do.” He insists. “You just shouldn’t be wasting your time working for someplace that’s already told you they’re booting you out the door.”

“You’re right, but it’s my normal, and I’m still easing out of it.” The Time Agent explains, standing up and slipping a muted green jacket on.

JB has always been more enthralled with the Time Agency than Sam.

It had been easy for him to walk away from that life.

He really had never cared for anyone there besides JB.

The Time Agent was one of the few reasons he had regretted leaving.

But for JB, he had worked for them even longer than Sam had.

And he had done so because he wanted to, not as a forced informant.

Sam can’t blame him for being resistant to leaving the Agency.

With a sigh, Sam gets up, striding quickly over to the hook on the wall, and taking JB’s work bag off of it.

“At least try to have a good day.” Sam instructs, handing the bag to him. “And hurry back.”

“Will something happen if I don’t?” JB asks, a bit of true concern etched in his features.

“You’ll have a semi upset ex-Projectionist on your hands,” He replies, smirking. “But that would be all.”

“Well,” The handsome man starts, smiling again. “We wouldn’t want that, now would we?”

“It’d be the end of the world.” Sam says with a chuckle.

“Knowing you…” JB teases, laughing softly with Sam.

He’s glad they can laugh about the past now.

There was a time, little more than a month ago, when they couldn’t even mention what happened without becoming tense, or, sometimes, fighting.

But now, here they are.

“Get to work, or you’ll be late.” Sam says, shaking his head. “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

“Sadly, no.” JB replies, swinging the bag over his shoulder.

Sam reaches his hand down, helping his friend off the couch.

He gives JB’s hand a small squeeze, receiving one back.

For years he’s done his best to avoid touch of any kind, it mostly bringing up bad memories for him.

And JB had picked up on that, very rarely initiating any kind of contact.

But after so many years, Sam feels safe with him.

“I’ll be back, take care.” JB says, slipping his hand away.

“Stay safe.” Sam replies, giving him a short wave.

“I will.” The Time Agent says, stepping half out of the door, before turning back, and smiling at him. “Don’t get into any trouble Sam.”

“You’re no fun.” He responds, grinning.

JB looks to the ceiling and sighs, but there is no real frustration behind it.

“I’m leaving now.” He calls, before stepping fully out of the house, and closing the door.

Sam waits for a couple beats, staring at the door.

This has been their normal routine for the past month.

He should have gotten used to it already.

But the house is deathly quiet.

The light seems dimmer.

And Sam can’t help but be lonely.

“I’ll miss you.” He says softly, still watching the exit, his mind with the man on the other side of it.

Chapter Text

Sam’s whole body shook as he stared up.

And up.

And up.

There had been a bet going around the office.

Some stupid Time Agent decided to tell the Projectionists that none of them could complete a round of training.

A good handful of the Projectionists, and multiple Time Agents, decided to make it a bet, and had gathered in one of the preset time hollows.

And of course someone had the brilliant idea to drag him into this.

He couldn't refuse.

Not with everyone already disliking him.

He’s too good at what he does.

Being the best doesn’t lend itself to having friends.

But for a while he was able to avoid partaking in it.

Until one of those bastards said they wanted to see how ‘Alonzo’s pet’ would do.

He knew they were just jealous of him.

He was assigned to one of the higher up Agents, which meant better hours and benefits and prestige.

But it still irked Sam.

And since the idea had been said there was no getting out of it.

Now here he was, staring up at a tall fence on a simulated cliff.

Why the fuck did it have to be this?

He knew that the Time Agents had to do obstacle courses for training, he just hadn’t known that this one would be so similar to then.

A shudder ran down his body.

Sam had thought he’d gotten over his fear.

He’d done well with heights after his surgery.

He made himself get over it.

But this, it’s just so close.

Almost exactly the same scene.

“What’s wrong?” Someone in the small crowd called, their voice sounding harsh. “Can the prodigy Projectionist not climb a fence?”

Sam gritted his teeth as he tried to ignore the comment.

He took a deep breath and lifted his hands, which were shaking violently.

He grabbed the chain link, his knuckles going white as he gripped it tightly.

But he couldn’t make his legs move to start the climb.

They were petrified from the fear.

He would have rathered die than have a fall like that again.

His legs and spine ached with the memory of it.

There were more jeers and taunts from the gathered Time Agency employees, but Sam couldn’t make out anything they said.

His heart was pounding too loud.

He couldn’t focus on anything.

Sam was frozen in place.

“For the love of time, what is going on here?” JB asked, appearing in the center of the room.

“We-we were just, there was a bet, and, we thought-” Someone stammered.

“Enough.” JB said as he held one hand up, stopping the word vomit. “None of you are authorized to be here. All of you, go back to your desks. You can expect to see paperwork and a reprimand regarding this whole situation soon.”

There were grumbling from the crowd, but they pulled out Elucidators, and soon they were all gone.

Leaving only JB and Sam in the time hollow alone.

Sam’s breath was caught, and he hadn’t yet let go of the fence.

He didn’t feel like he could move.

JB sighed heavily, and Sam could hear his footsteps as he walked to a wall.

In a moment the fence gripped between his fingers disappeared, and he let his hands fall, before he shoved them in his pockets, trying to hide the fact that they were still shaking.

“I didn’t think you would be a part of something like this.” JB said, turning towards him.

“Yeah, neither did I.” Sam replied, his voice was meek, and he hated how unsteady it was.

JB turned his attention fully towards him, and Sam could see the concern that filled his eyes.

“Are you alright?” JB asked.

Sam didn’t say anything.

There was nothing he could say.

He couldn’t explain what happened.

If he did, it would blow up in his face.

He would ruin everything.

So instead he bit his tongue, fighting back his buzzing nerves.

JB sighed and slid to the floor, before he patted the ground next to him.

Wordlessly Sam sat next to him.

“I’m sorry about them.” JB said, his fingers tapping against the white ground.

“You didn’t do anything.” Sam replied, and his body started to lose the tension that had built up.

“Next time someone tries to make you do something you’re not interested in, let me know.” JB instructed as he stared at the blank wall in front of them.

Sam fiddled with the cuff of his shirt for a moment.

He wasn’t used to someone having his back.

At this point he thought the man to be trustworthy, but still, he didn’t want to put his faith in the Time Agent only to have it backfire.

And he didn’t want to admit that he might need help.

That someone to rely on would be good for him.

He’d been on his own for so long now.

Had sworn to himself that he wouldn’t be disappointed in anyone else again.

Wouldn’t be hurt again.

He glanced at the person next to him.

JB’s hazel eyes watched him from the corner of his eye.

They weren’t full of malice.

They weren’t deceitful.

They were genuine.

Caring, even.

A warmth rose in Sam’s chest and his cheeks flushed.

Ah, so he had feelings for the Time Agent.

That explained why he wanted to be near the man.

Why he wanted to keep him safe.

Why he trusted him so much.

Why he could look at those gorgeous hazel eyes for so long.

Why he thought the dark handsome hair would feel nice to run his fingers through.

He’d need to rerun some projections, make sure these newly figured out feelings wouldn’t cause him any problems.

“Sure. Thanks.” Sam finally responded.

JB nodded, and got up off the floor.

“We should probably get back as well.” JB suggested.

“Yeah, probably.” He replied, ignoring the offered hand and opting instead to push himself off the wall.

Chapter Text

JB sighs, signing another document as read. He can’t help but think that Sam might have the right idea. All this paperwork is exhausting, and what is it even for anymore? Even if the reviewed cases had gone wrong, they can’t go back and fix it. It’s all meaningless.

He had liked that he could make a difference working at the Time Agency. Now he can’t. He’s a glorified secretary, what with the work he’s been doing.

Maybe he’ll pick up an instrument, learn a classic like guitar. Or Sam had suggested teaching, which really isn’t that bad of an idea. He now has experience dealing with kids, so it could go well. Maybe he should just retire. Have a quiet life.

He won’t have a choice soon enough. It’s only a matter of time till the Agency goes through with what they warned him about.

“Hey! Al-” Viz, one of his coworkers starts, appearing in his office doorway, before they catch themself, and start again. “JB! It is JB, right?”

“Yes, it’s JB. Thank you.” He replies, smiling softly.

At least Rana has been trying to use the correct name for him now. They were always nice to him, before and after he got promoted, so it never felt like they were trying to suck up to a higher level Time Agent.

“How’s my favorite semi famous Time Agent holding up?” They ask, leaning on his desk, a friendly smile on their face.

“I’m not semi famous Viz, it’s just the case that got a lot of coverage.” JB responds, pushing the partially transparent screen down to fully view his coworker.

“Whatever you say sir.” Rana replies, lightly sitting in a chair on the opposite side of the desk. “But you still didn’t answer my question.”

“I’ve been doing well. Why do you ask?” JB questions.

He’s been happier, this past month, because of Sam so he hadn’t thought he’d given off the impression of someone who wasn’t doing well.

“Well, I know the Agency tried to keep it on the download, but rumors spread around Headquarters sometimes, and we haven’t exactly missed his absence…” Viz explains. “And I never got the chance to ask how you were feeling about the whole thing.”

JB’s suspicion is immediately raised. Why would they bring Sam up? After so long, why now, while he’s hiding at JB’s house, does he get brought up into conversation?

JB had been a trusting person before, but Sam had taught him to be wary, or more accurately, Sam leaving did, so he isn’t exactly thrilled at this turn of events. Maybe Viz is just asking an innocent question, or maybe they know that Sam is no longer dead and thinks that JB has something to do with it.

“I’m over it.” He says, trying his best to keep his voice light, trying to make sure his suspicions don't creep in.

“Really? I could have sworn you two were really close.” They respond, squinting ever so slightly.

“We were,” JB says through gritted teeth. “But I had a few years to get used to the fact that we aren’t anymore.”

“Oooohhh. Right. I forgot about that. The whole being stuck in the past thing.” Rana explains, scratching the back of their neck awkwardly. “You were really only gone for less than an hour here.”

“I know.” He replies, letting out a soft sigh. “I know.”

He realizes now that it might have been safest for him to be trapped back there, taken out of the equation. Safest for him not to deal with Sam. Safest for Sam’s plan. But the whole situation is still a bit of an open wound for him.

Sam has apologized, and JB has accepted it, but he’d be lying if he said he doesn’t wish it never happened. But there is nothing more they can do about it now.

Viz gives JB a nod, before they stand up, and shuffle to the door.

“See you around JB!” They say, before ducking out of his office.

“Bye!” He calls after them.

JB leans back into his chair, a faint sound of a clock ticking behind him setting him on edge.

The topic of conversation has unsettled him deeply, and he can’t wait to be able to go home and talk it over with Sam.

Sam…

The thought of the former Projectionist sends a flurry of emotions through him. Worry, confusion, regret, hope, longing, caring, happiness, and so many more that JB can’t even describe.

Picturing his friend, with the messy, attractive, blond hair, piercing green eyes, and almost constant smile, the light that seems to emanate from him, the glow, the way his voice sounds, crisp and confident, it threatens to unlock the box he’s shoved deep into the back his mind.

The box that part of him is terrified to unlock. The box that part of him desires to rip open. The box that all of him knows he needs to deal with.

JB lets out a heavy, exasperated sigh, hitting his forehead on the desk, and leaving it there. His brain isn’t clear, there are too many things swimming around up there, especially here, a place he needs to be so careful at now. He can’t do anything about his feelings here. Right now they just need to wait.

But he will get to them eventually. He has to.

If he doesn’t, they’ll just continue to surface.

Chapter Text

Sam’s eyes dart between the two computer screens on his lap.

One displays the Elucidator, and the part of its coding that holds the ability to transform into other objects.

The other is a series of smaller windows, showing dozens of possible futures.

His attention is divided between the two, but his mind is sharper when he has more than one thing to focus on.

He’s so close to cracking the Elucidator’s code, he just knows it.

In his mind he’s five steps away.

All he needs to do is complete those five steps, and boom, he’s human again.

And he’ll finally have accomplished something that doesn’t blow up in his face.

And the projections, well, they have been going all over the place.

It frustrates him immensely.

He was the best Projectionist that the Time Agency had when he worked there, and now that it really matters, or at least matters to him, he can’t get a suitable, reliable , result.

‘If JB knew what a failure you are, he’d be disappointed.’ The voice hisses at him.

“I just need to focus.” Sam replies, shaking his head to try and clear it. “And you are not helping.”

He turns completely to the screen full of videos, temporarily discarding the one full of code.

He scans the windows over.

There's one possible future where the life he has now stays exactly the same, Time Agency still running and all.

There’s one where everything changes, and Sam and JB go their separate ways.

There’s one where they stay together forever, laughing, having a happy life, the future ahead of them, being in love-

There is another where all of time is destroyed and everyone dies.

It’s all so inconsistent, and Sam can’t for the life of him figure out why.

He only makes small adjustments between each projection, but they just all spiral out of control.

‘How will you protect him if you don’t know how to prepare?’ The voice asks.

“I don’t know, but I’m trying!” Sam snaps.

He just wants to keep his Time Agent safe.

He had been put in so much danger because of Sam, and now he finally has the opportunity to make it up.

He’s done everything he can, he’s set up security measures, he’s monitored the Time Agency’s most recent activities, he’s covered the trails and evidence of his own existence.

But now his most useful tool has failed him.

He failed it.

Just like everything else.

Sam knows if he doesn’t pull himself out of this mindset he’s going to start spiraling again.

‘You’re pitiful.’

He’s gotten what he wanted.

JB doesn’t hate him.

He made it out relatively alive.

He no longer has the Time Agency on his back.

But still, one thing goes wrong and he’s sent reeling again.

No wonder people feared him.

He’s unstable.

He can’t keep himself together.

He had so many years of being okay.

Of being able to keep his emotions, his mind , in check.

But ever since Second had failed he’s not been able to keep himself together completely.

The manageable leak in the dam has been broken, and when the waters come, it is a flood.

He’s a patchwork of trauma and fear and failure.

Those days had brought back so much old shit, he can no longer separate himself from it like he used to.

Sam’s whole arms are shaking now.

He wishes JB would just get back already.

It’s easier to ignore everything while he’s around.

He feels safe around JB.

The way the Time Agent smiles at Sam makes him feel like he’s not a failure.

That if he does fail, it will be ok.

Because he’ll always have that smile.

Sam pushes the other laptop off his lap as well, curling up, his knees to his chest, after he does so.

He tilts his head back, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing.

His heart should be racing too.

He feels it racing.

But he knows it’s just his brain, saved in the Elucidator, telling him what he body should be feeling.

That’s what all this is.

None of it is even real.

His feelings are now as good as programmed.

He really fucked himself over when he locked his brain away.

He can tamper with the Elucidator that houses him as much as he wants, but when he transferred himself into it, he made it so he can’t mess with his mind.

He knew even at the time, especially at the time, that if allowed himself to do so he would change so many things about himself.

He would be a different person altogether.

Someone who may deserve JB and his compassion.

Someone worthy of being his friend.

Sam can’t even imagine being a good enough person to be more than that.

He digs his nails into his arms, trying to use the simulated pain to ground himself.

To drown out the thoughts and pull him back into reality.

The front door opens, much sooner than Sam expected.

He checks the time through the Elucidator, realizing that he’s been out of it much longer than he had thought.

“Welcome home.” He calls, making his voice light as he stretches, trying to make his body language relaxed.

“Thanks.” JB replies with a smile, hanging his bag on it’s hook. “Glad to be home.”

Sam pulls himself away from the center of the couch, making room for the Time Agent to sit.

“How was work?” He asks as JB takes the offered spot on the couch.

“It went well enough. Boring, though.” JB answers. “How did everything go here?”

“Quiet, but good.” Sam lies.

The handsome man scans his face for a moment, and Sam worries that he can see through the falsehood, that JB knows something is wrong.

But then he smiles, the look filling the former Projectionist with warmth.

“I’m glad to hear it.” JB replies.

Sam stares into his eyes.

He could fall into them if he let himself.

He can’t help but be mesmerized by the golden brown surrounded by a pale green.

They’re kind as they look back at him.

A kindness he had only ever seen in those eyes.

The knot of pain that had formed in Sam’s chest loosens.

There have been times when he saw hurt and anger in those eyes, but he can’t imagine them being disappointed in him now.

The voice that whispered in the back of his head was wrong.

JB understands him.

He cares about him.

And some stray projections aren’t going to change that.

Chapter Text

JB sighed and shoved the Elucidator he had been holding into his pocket. There had been a recent attack on the Time Agency’s system and now for a short while they would have to do any data transfers in person.

And since JB has only been a fully fledged agent for three years, he was delegated to be one of the runners so the stream of information between the Agents and Projectionists could continue.

The frosted glass doors of the Projectionist’s wing of the Headquarters slid open, and he walked through. His mind scrambled for a moment, as it tried to remember who he was supposed to bring the data to, before his brain supplied the answer. Samuel Chase.

JB hadn’t recognized the name, so it must have been one of the newer hires. He honestly couldn’t care though. All he wanted to do was get this done and get assigned to a new case so he can do his real work.

He weaved through desks of working Projectionists, all of them ignoring him as he did. Some Agents and Projectionists were friendly, but JB had only been in this section of the Headquarters a few times, and had stayed just long enough to get the instructions he needed for his missions, never longer.

His heart laid with the cases, and the adventure of it, not with the background work, and projections, and planning, and waiting.

As he reached the back of the large room, which was where the newer Projectionists’ desks were, he started to scan the name plates on the desks, searching for a Samuel Chase.

After a few moments he found the desk he was looking for, and glanced out, taking in the Projectionist he had been told to give the data to. His breath caught and his face flushed.

The Projectionist, Samuel, had light, messy hair, his pale fingers flew over an unseen keyboard, and his bright, piercing green eyes were staring at a screen JB couldn’t see. JB couldn’t help but feel like he was staring at him .

A shudder ran down his spine.

There was something about this man, perhaps an air of mystery, or the coldness that seemed to swirl around him, or the possibility of a smile appearing on the disinterested face that drew JB towards him.

JB swallowed, and he tried to slow his heart that had been beating wildly. He took one more deep breath in, then he stepped to the side of his desk, hoping to gain the Projectionist’s attention.

“Samuel?” He asked.

“Chase or Sam is fine.” The Projectionist replied, though he did not bother to look up.

“I’m Alonzo. It’s nice to meet you.” JB said, his hand held out.

Sam glanced up, his green eyes were harsh, but didn’t move his still typing hands.

“I, uh, was told to bring you this Elucidator.” He explained, his hands fidgeted with themselves. “For a data transfer. Because of the recent hacking attempt. I’m sure you know about it.”

“Give.” Chase instructed, his words short, and he held out one hand to him.

JB’s brain hiccuped for a moment, before he remembered that he had put the electronic in his pocket, and he fumbled for it a second. He pulled it out, and handed it firmly to Sam.

Chase gave him a quick nod, not sparing him another glance, and placed it on the desk, one hand still typed on the keyboard, the other now typed on the Elucidator, sending commands through it.

“So…” JB started as he tried to break the silence between them. “When did you start working here?”

“Two months ago.” Sam answered, sounding resoundingly disinterested.

“You really are new here.” He commented.

Chase didn’t say anything.

JB rocked back awkwardly on his heels, but he only needed to wait a few moments more till the Projectionist was done with the data transfer.

“Here.” Sam said, holding the Elucidator back out to him.

JB took it, and hesitated for a moment. He wanted to say more, wanted to stay longer. He wanted to watch those frightening green eyes for forever.

The Projectionist glanced up at him once more, one eyebrow raised, his lips pursed slightly.

“Do you need something else Alonzo?” Sam asked.

“Ah, no, I’m fine.” JB stammered.

“Then you should probably get going.” Chase replied, but there was the barest hint of a smile on his lips, which made JB’s heart swell.

“Right.” JB responded, nodding. “See you around.”

Sam had turned back to his computer by the time JB had walked away, but the sight of the Projectionist and his ever so soft, almost sly, smile was enough.

JB had a crush on the man already, and it wasn’t one he was expecting to go away anytime soon.

Chapter Text

JB stares up at his ceiling, laying on his back in his bed. He has put it off long enough. It’s time.

In the back of his mind is a box where he stuff all his unwanted feelings and emotions. He had started the habit when he was younger, when one kid in his high school told him he couldn’t like both girls and boys and non-binary people, that he had to choose.

Instead of processing what the kid had said, and realizing they were a dumb child, JB had pushed the thought into the very back of his mind, locking it up for him to deal with when he was older. Not wanting to face the fact that some people may hate him for things he can’t control.

There were other things he kept in the box. Pain, loss, secrets, words shared between friends that slipped away, past relationships that had ended poorly.

Sometimes he used the box as temporary storage so he could get through a day, or sometimes even just a conversation, calmly, without his emotions boiling over.

He often locked things there for a long time, only dealing with it years later, when the thought of reliving whatever it was didn’t cause him immense pain.

But there were some things that he had meant to keep in there forever. Like his feelings for a certain Projectionist.

He had stuffed them away when he realized it could never work between them. He didn’t even know if Sam was interested in guys, or interested in anyone at all, they had never talked about it. And when JB started to sign his paychecks, well, that would be a conflict of interests, and an unhealthy power dynamic, and he wouldn’t do that to someone he cares about. So he locked his feelings away.

They hadn’t gone, exactly. They would still flare up now and then, but he tried to make sure they stayed manageable. But he had decided he wouldn’t try to resolve those feelings. They weren’t met to be together, and he would make himself move on.

Until now.

JB really has no choice but to try to tackle those feelings. The box in the back of his mind had been rattling, and violently so. Getting Chase back, reforming their friendship, living together, it made the lock in the back of his mind unstable.

If he didn’t at least try to deal with these emotions now, all sides of that box would break, and he would be left with something he can’t salvage. So he needs to take the most hazardous thing out of it.

JB takes in a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what he’s going to do. He needs to be careful. He needs to do this without getting hurt. Without hurting Sam.

In his mind he reaches into the box and tentatively takes out a knot of feelings. It has gotten a lot more complex, at least compared to when JB had first set it in there.

Slowly, he tries to pick apart the tangled mess.

He got a crush on Sam when he first met the Projectionist. He’d been intrigued by the man, his almost cat-like eyes, his cold demeanor.

His feelings had grown every time he got to pay Chase a visit. His heart would swell when he saw him, and he made it his mission to bring his coworker treats and small gifts, trying to endear himself to the standoff-ish man.

It was more than his silly crush that made him do that though. Sam had looked lonely, and sad, and JB did genuinely want to cheer him up.

And the more he grew to know him, the stronger his feelings were.

He remembers how they started to share secret smiles, or how Sam would roll his eyes behind officials back’s, only letting JB see that side of him.

JB had felt special. Like Chase had picked him, above all the other Time Agents and Projectionists. It had made his feelings grow even more.

Then came the time where JB shoved his emotions away. It wasn’t long after he had chosen Sam as his lead Projectionist that he realized chasing his affection would most likely end badly for at least one of them, if not both.

It wouldn’t be healthy, or good, or even possible, so JB had stored even the idea of a relationship between them in the box, locked tightly inside.

Eventually, when Sam betrayed him, he finally figured that all the feelings had died. He remembers for years, stuck in the past, vehemently hating the man. There was no way he could love him after that.

But now…

JB lets out a long groan.

He just doesn’t know anymore. He certainly still gets those feelings of warmth when he looks at his old friend, and he finds Sam handsome, immensely so, and of course he cares about him, but does he, can he love someone who hurt him so much?

Yes, he’s done his best to forgive him, and they’ve worked a lot out, but Sam had known him for years, lying throughout them all, and had betrayed him.

But he had also come back, and saved JB’s life, sacrificing his own, at least mostly, to do so.

He runs a hand through his hair. And then the other. And then again, trying to make sense of it all.

He hasn’t talked to his family in months because they had lied to him, both about when he came from, and even about being adopted in the first place. He had felt, and still feels, lied to. Even if they hadn’t known the whole truth, they hadn’t told him anything.

So why should Sam get a pass for lying to him for so long?

Maybe it’s because of the nature of their lies. His family had lied about him and his identity, while Sam had lied about, well, Sam, and why he was there.

But does that still mean JB can move on from it?

Does Sam even want a relationship? Would JB broaching the subject make Sam feel like he had to share his feelings? Would he feel like JB would kick him out, or even worse, tell the Time Agency about him, if he doesn’t?

That’s one of the last things JB wants. It had been one of the reasons he shelved those feelings in the first place. He refuses to pressure someone he loves into a relationship.

JB turns onto his side, giving up the mental battle for now.

Maybe he’ll talk to Sam about it. Maybe seeing the former Projectionist in the morning will make his feelings clear. Maybe he just needs more time.

But no matter what, he can’t figure it all out now. It’s too much for him, and he knows that if he keeps pressing the issue, keeps trying to untangle the knot of feelings before he’s ready, he won’t get any sleep, and he’ll be a pain to deal with tomorrow.

He needs his rest.

And maybe, just maybe, he’ll have it all figured out tomorrow. He can hope, at least.

Chapter Text

Sam paces the expanse of JB’s front room, trying to pass the time.

He’s restless, and the idea of sitting, doing projections and hacking Elucidators, puts him on edge.

He’s delegated the Elucidator he’s saved onto to those tasks instead.

It’s at times like this, late at night, while JB’s asleep, that he wishes he could sleep.

It bores him, being alone so much.

He can only do specific tasks for so long before they become tedious.

And he’s learned his lesson, that letting himself become too discontent can end very badly.

Sam shakes his head, drawing his thoughts away from that subject.

He doesn’t need to think about that time more today.

He doesn’t need another breakdown.

‘You deserve to be drowned in those thoughts.’ The voice in the back of his brain bites.

“I’m better than I was.” Sam argues, his voice low.

‘Are you?’ It asks.

“Yes! Yes I am!” He snaps back. “I sacrificed myself, I gave up my ambitions, I’ve done practically nothing morally questionable, of course I’m better!”

‘But you didn’t sacrifice yourself.’ The voice hissed. ‘You got out of it. You didn’t give anything up. You did it selfishly. You did it because you knew it was the only way he’d forgive you. You did it so you can use him now.’

“For the love of time, just fucking SHUT UP!” Sam snaps, slamming his fist against the wall.

His eyes sting, and he unclenches his fist, sprawling his fingers over the cool wall.

He hates having bad days like this.

He wishes he could find a good argument to shut the voice down with.

If it was anyone else, he would have been able to.

But he has trouble fighting his own brain.

Making excuses that he knows are false.

He is painfully bad at lying, and actually fooling, himself.

He is selfish.

He knows he is.

He knows it would have killed him, slowly, if JB had continued to hate him forever.

If he let JB die, it would have killed him all too quickly.

What he did was the best outcome.

For both of them.

An angry scream burbles deep in his throat, but he shoves it down.

He shouldn’t wake JB up.

The Time Agent doesn’t get enough sleep as it is, and Sam won’t be the reason for another bad night's sleep.

“Fuuuuck me.” Sam groans, running his hand through his hair, making it even messier than it was before.

He needs to get a grip.

He’s not going to make JB deal with this in the morning.

JB has to deal with Sam’s unpleasant habits, mannerisms, and quirks enough, he’s going to do his best to not make the Time Agent deal with more.

Sam lets out a heavy sigh, and plops onto the couch, laying on it and staring up at the ceiling.

He pulls to the forefront of his mind the coding for transforming into different things, mildly pleased by the progress he had made while he was busy fighting his thoughts.

There are some perks to being stored in an Elucidator, Sam is sure of that.

There is nothing better to fight an Elucidator and it’s logic with than an Elucidator itself.

Soon enough he’ll break the Elucidator’s logic and rules and will be a, almost living, person again.

He hopes the fact will make JB happy.

With another sigh he crosses his legs, before large red text appears in his mind.

‘WHAT ARE YOU?’ The message asks.

Well, this is new.

“You tell me.” Sam replies.

Nothing happens, and it occurs to him that whatever sent the message, his brain, his Elucidator, or something else, won’t respond to a spoken reply.

Maybe it can’t even hear him.

‘WHAT ARE YOU?’ It repeats.

Sam summons his Elucidator, and the same messages showed on it.

Someone is trying to contact his Elucidator, he realizes.

‘ What do you think? ’ He types back, making the normally aggressive letters lower case.

‘YOU AREN’T A NORMAL ELUCIDATOR, THAT’S FOR SURE.’ The answering message says.

‘What do you want from me?’ He asks, an amused smile playing on his lips, although the person on the other screen can’t see it.

Now this is something to do to keep his mind off of things.

Off of what the voice had said.

‘I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THING HAS INFILTRATED A TIME AGENCY ISSUED ELUCIDATOR.’ The red text says.

‘ Well, I’m sorry, but that’s not going to happen. ’ Sam responds.

Another response doesn’t come, and Sam figures that they’ve given up trying to get any information from talking to him, and have moved on to trying to hack the Elucidator.

He sighs, knowing he’ll need to restart, and partially wipe, the Elucidator to get whoever is trying to get in o ut .

But he’ll have to do that later.

He doesn’t know exactly what it will do to him, and he doesn’t want to worry JB if it leaves his corporal form here.

Sam sits up, curling his legs underneath him, and waits for morning.

For his Time Agent to wake up.

For the best cure for his plaguing thoughts.

Chapter Text

“What the hell was that?!“ Sam snapped as soon as JB had appeared in the Time Hollow.

Sam had requested to use a Time Hollow to have a meeting with a Time Agent he was often assigned cases for.

He needed a meeting with the said Time Agent because of how reckless he had been during his last mission.

“I solved the problem, I caught the rogue time travel.” JB responded, after he had taken a moment to compose himself.

“You disregarded the projections and you put your life in danger.” Sam argued, his voice tense.

“I got the job done, that’s all that matters.” JB replied as he rocked back on his heels, obviously uncomfortable and taken aback by how Sam reacted to the events of the case.

The Time Agent had been an idiot, and it upset him greatly.

Sam had worked hard on those projections, he had created the perfect plan, had predicted everything, but JB had gone off the plan and put himself in danger.

“No, what you did was needlessly risk your safety.” He said through gritted teeth.

“It comes with the territory.” JB replied with a shrug.

“What comes with the territory is listening to your Projectionist.” Sam responded, his voice dangerously low.

Sixteen months ago he could never have imagined caring this much about what happened to one of the Time Agents here.

For his whole life he couldn’t imagine caring what happened to another person at all.

But this man had spent months whittling Sam’s defenses.

He would often stop by and say hi.

He brought Sam small gifts, like coffee, or a cookie, or things that he had said reminded him of the Projectionist.

He would smile at Sam every time they passed by each other.

He treated Sam like an actual person.

Unlike everyone else in Sam’s life up to that point.

So he had taken a liking to JB.

But the Time Agent was still reckless.

He had an air of adventure about him, a longing for danger.

Sam had once asked why JB joined the Time Agency, and he had responded that, along with having a love for time travel, he wanted to accomplish great things.

But he couldn’t accomplish great things if he ended up dead.

“I’m sorry, okay? I was acting on instinct.” JB explained.

Sam sighed, some of his anger subsiding.

“Listen, your instincts are good, and they are useful, but you have to save that skill for when the plan actually goes awry, not whenever you feel like it.” Sam said, his voice calmer.

JB ran a hand through his hair, and looked irritated for a moment, before he met Sam’s eyes.

“If you die, it will be my fault.” Sam told him.

“It wouldn’t be your fault.” JB said, his gaze softened.

“Alonzo, my job is to protect you. There will always be dangers, but I’m supposed to mitigate them and make sure you come out as unscathed as possible.” Sam explained, placing a gentle hand on the Time Agent’s shoulder, who’s hazel eyes glanced down at, and he seemed surprised by the unusual contact. “I don’t want something to happen to you. Please, let me do my job.”

JB was his best contact in the Time Agency.

He suspected that if followed by the book more strictly, and listened to his Projectionist, the Agent could go far up the ladder.

JB would continue to be a good ally to have.

And Sam didn’t want the bright parts of his dull life in the future, the parts where he saw the Time Agent, to go away.

JB stared at him for a moment, his eyes examined the Projectionists face, before something in his brain must have finally clicked.

“Some rules are put in place for a reason, I suppose.” The Time Agent murmured.

Sam took his hand off the man’s shoulder, and took two steps back, air filling the gaps that were left between them.

“Yes, they are.” It felt funny to him, to say those words.

He knew, now that he was in the future, that his being here broke so many rules.

“I’ll do my best to listen to your projections more.” JB said.

“ And you’re going to follow the plan, right?” Sam asked, a teasing grin slipping onto his face.

“I will certainly do my best.” The Time Agent laughed, his face flushed with a tinge of pink.

“That’s all I can ask.” He replied.

The atmosphere in the room shifted.

Before it had been sharp, tension ready to snap.

Now it was friendly, playful even.

“May I ask something of you Sam?” JB asked.

One of his hands was fiddling with the cuff of his shirt, his nervousness transparent.

“I can’t promise anything,” Sam started, his green eyes glinting. “But you can go ahead and ask.”

JB took in a deep breath, and Sam watched as he steadied himself.

“Drinks? Tonight?” The Time Agent looked hopeful, if still incredibly nervous. “I’ll pay.”

Sam looked up at him for a moment.

Drinks…

He was inviting him out.

This was something new to Sam.

He was so heavily monitored at the FBI, even if he had been close enough for someone to want to ask him, and he hadn’t been, he wouldn’t have been able to.

And he was a child before that.

“Why?” He asked, genuine curiosity in his voice, one eyebrow slightly raised.

“Well, I owe you something for putting up with me.” JB answered, a soft smile touching his face. “And you care about me enough to make sure I don’t get killed because of my own stupidity. It’s really the least I can do.”

Sam looked him over once more, before he determined that the Time Agent was honest.

He didn’t have bad intentions.

Sam could trust this man.

At least enough to let him buy Sam a drink.

“Sure. See you after work.”

Chapter Text

JB lets out a long yawn. He’s exhausted from the night before. He had spent so much time last night trying to figure out his feelings for Sam that he had been able to actually get any sleep.

“Tired?” Sam asks, his green eyes flicking towards him.

He just shrugs in response, not wanting to have to admit why he’s so tired.

He glances over at him, and notices dark circles under the Projectionist’s own eyes, which, after spending a moment to think about, he finds incredibly odd.

“Hey Sam?” JB starts, trying to get his friend’s attention.

“Yeah?” Sam replies from his spot on the couch.

“Since you’re a, well, your consciousness is in an Elucidator now, you don’t need normal living creature things to function, right?” He asks tentatively.

“Correct.” Sam responds after pursing his lips for a moment.

“Then why do you look sleep deprived?” JB asks gently.

“You’re one to talk.” Sam snorts, before his bright eyes wander away from him. “But, basically, Sam, being the genius he was, figured out how to simulate the symptoms of being alive while I’m not. I get eye bags while I’m mentally tired or stressed, I can feel my heartbeat quicken, I think up how things feel to touch.”

“So that means-” He starts, before Chase cuts him off.

“I’m fine JB, don’t worry about it.” Sam says, a soft, almost sad, smile on his face.

“Sam, if something is wrong you can tell me about it.” JB urges.

He doesn’t want the former Projectionist to have to lie anymore, he doesn’t want to see him fall back into the spiral that he helplessly watched in the time hollow.

“I’m okay now.” Sam says, turning to face him, with a more genuine smile on his face this time. “I promise, I’m doing alright. At least I am now.”

“Good. But remember that you’re not alone anymore. I can help.” JB replies.

“I know.” Chase responds softly. “Thank you.”

They sit in a comfortable silence for a few moments, not needing to say anything more. JB knows that Sam understands what he said, and he knows it wouldn’t do any good to try to pressure an answer out of Chase.

JB stifles another yawn, and his eyelids feel heavy as he resists the urge to close them. God, he really needs to get more sleep…

His eyes snap open, but his training kicks in, and he stays frozen in his spot, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He quickly realizes he’s safe, and at home, before all his senses return from, what he assumes to be, a quick nap, and he feels small pinpricks on his cheek.

JB glances down and takes in, with surprise, Sam’s light hair resting on his shoulder, and the rest of the Projectionist leaning on him as well.

With a start he realizes Chase isn’t breathing, but he stifles the panic by reminding himself he doesn’t need to breathe, and probably genuinely can’t. Even so, seeing his friend so still gives him chills, reminding him of that day, in the time hollow, him lying there.

JB shifts slightly, before he adjusts both of them, bringing Sam a bit closer, reclining a tad more, and, almost subconsciously, slipping his arm around Chase’s waist, to try to make them both more comfortable.

He can’t help but examine the Projectionist’s face, now that he’s so close. His blond eyelashes are thicker than JB had realized, and his heart lurches as he spots the faint scars, a few on his face, and too many on his arms. Scars of any kind are very rare now. Health care has gotten so good, and so accessible, scars just don’t really happen anymore. That, along with just how faint they are, must mean that they’re old.

JB’s hand tightens around the, surprisingly realistic feeling, fabric of Sam’s shirt. He loathes Gary and Hodge, but a part of him can’t help but to be grateful to them for one thing. If they hadn’t gotten Sam out of that awful time period, no one would have. God knows the Time Agency wouldn’t have, and that time period had so much else going on no one else would have taken notice of him.

At least there’s a version of him, back in the past, that doesn’t end up with those scars.

As his nose stings, he realizes this is the most defenseless he’s seen Sam. For all the years they’ve known each other, Sam always seemed to be on high alert, oftentimes his back to a literal wall, or his head on a swivel. Seeing him so unaware, so… so comfortable and unconcerned , it makes him happy to see, even as it hurts him to realize how on guard Chase was before.

A warm breath by his neck startles him out of his thoughts, and JB freezes for a moment. He can see the Projectionist’s chest rising and falling, perfectly in sync with his breath, and it’s hard for him to imagine that it’s just simulated. He loosens his grip on the man’s shirt, but doesn’t move his arm away.

“You haven’t shaved in a while.” Sam murmurs, sounding half asleep.

“Oh?” JB replies, his voice low as he tries to hide the emotions he had gone through while Chase was asleep.

“You have stubble right now.” Sam responds, clicking his tongue, and he can feel his green eyes examining his face, even as he resolutely stares ahead of him. “You should shave it.”

“Why’s that?” JB asks, his voice teasing, even as he’s fighting off a nervous buzz from him being so close. “Do you not like it?”

“You had said” Sam starts, his voice clearer than before, more aware and awake. “That you don’t like the feeling of stubble on your face. So I’m reminding you that you should shave before it starts bothering you.”

JB gapes at Chase for a moment. He vaguely remembers mentioning it to the Projectionist years back, but he never would have thought he’d remember, after all these years.

“Thank you, I…” He starts, before hesitating. “I guess I just let that habit slip for a bit.”

Sam surprises JB by shifting, not away from him, but into his lap, his dazzling green eyes staring up at him, a small smirk playfully on his face.

“Did you change your shampoo? Or did I never notice it before?” Sam asks, again catching him off guard, and the man gives him a sharper smile as he sees the flush that falls over JB’s face. “Either way, I like it.”

“I… uh… I…” JB stumbles, before clearing his throat and choosing to ignore the situation and the amount of attention the former Projectionist is showing him, storing it in the box to be dealt with not right now . “Can Elucidator’s sense smell? Is that one of the simulated senses?”

Sam cackles, and JB watches his smile grow even wider.

“Yes and no. Not normally, but it can now.” Chase laughs again, a sound of pure delight. “Or, more accurately, I can now.”

“Does that mean- You got it to work?” JB asks, his words coming out in a rush.

This project has seemed so important to Sam, and he can’t help but be thrilled for his friend.

“Apparently all I needed to do was restart the Elucidator, and bam, it worked.” Sam explains, his eyes dancing. “I’m a person again.”

“So that’s what happened when you passed out next to me?” He asks, his voice light.

“I didn’t want to do that while you were asleep, since I didn’t know how long it’d take.” Chase replies with a shrug, which is quite impressive, since he’s still in JB’s lap.

“Well next time tell me before you do it.” JB says with a laugh. “I was worried sick. But I’m glad it worked.”

JB lets out a squeak of surprise as the former Projectionist’s arms are wrapped around his neck and shoulders, and he barely has time to register the hug before his arms instinctively return the gesture.

As quickly as it happened the embrace is over, and Sam launches himself towards the kitchen, leaving JB scrambling to follow behind him.

“I’ve missed drinking soda so much .” Sam raves, practically spinning into the kitchen in front of the dazed Time Agent. “And croissants ! It’s been way too fucking long since I’ve had croissants. We’re teaching you how to make croissants.”

“I didn’t realize you cared so much about food.” JB comments, leaning on the counter, amusement in his voice, watching his friend flutter through the kitchen.

“You haven’t been forced to not eat food for over a month while teaching someone else how to cook.” Chase replies, his eyes still sparkling as he grabs things from different cupboards. “It’s really no wonder I’m so excited.”

JB just smiles at him. He can watch Sam like this for hours. He’s only seen him like this, high off the serotonin of success, carefree and weightless, a few times, but they’re bright spots in his life.

It’s almost impossible for him to see the man in front of him, so happy and excited, as the same one he saw from the time hollow, broken and hurting. It’s a wonder how much success and failure affect Sam. JB can only hope to continue to hope that he’ll see him like this more.

He dares to hope that one day Sam will see that love, for himself and from other people, isn’t supposed to be so conditional.

“Are you going to help me with this or not?” Sam asks, grabbing an apron of a hook, one already on himself.

“Yes, I’m coming.” JB replies, easily catching the apron as it’s tossed at him, before shooting Sam another smile, and slipping it on.

Chapter Text

Sam runs his thumb along the fold of the paper, pressing it down.

JB’s on the other side of the couch, learning to play guitar, and he can’t help but to hum along to the vaguely familiar tune the Time Agent is playing.

JB had brought an electric guitar home, saying he had been contemplating learning, and decided to actually go for it.

He had also offered to learn in another room, but Sam had insisted it was fine for him to play in the front room.

More than fine, really.

And so for the past hour and a half his Time Agent has been diligently strumming at the guitar, only stopping briefly to be surprised at Sam making origami.

Sam had explained that it was an old hobby of his.

But he hadn’t explained why.

His whole history with it was too complicated for a silly hobby.

The fact that he had kept that hobby for so long because paper was something none of his captures, whether his self proclaimed family or the FBI, would withhold from him.

Because it was one of the few things he could still do after the fall.

That he found an odd sense of freedom in the craft, being able to follow instructions, yet not having a strict set of rules.

It has long been a comfort to Sam, and it feels like a lot to explain to someone else.

Even someone he trusts.

Sam smiles softly at the completed paper dragon, before setting it gently aside, placing it next to his other fragile creations.

He grabs another paper, this one a soft blue, and starts folding it into a flower.

‘HOW DID YOU BLOCK MY ATTEMPTS AT CONTACT FOR SO LONG?’ Red text asks, startling him enough that he tears a corner of the paper.

Sam crumples the ripped paper forcefully, more so than he had meant to, and enough that it makes JB look over at him, a question in his hazel eyes.

“Is something wrong?” The Time Agent asks.

“No, it’s nothing.” Sam lies easily, forcing a smile on his face, which turns genuine as he sees the care in his friend’s expression. “I think I just need to fiddle with the Elucidator a bit more.”

“Are you going to pass out again?” JB asks, his eyebrows raised, although he doesn’t seem annoyed, or even really all that concerned, about the possibility.

“No, my passing out days are behind me now, I swear.” He replies, holding his right hand up as if taking an oath.

“Good. I can’t have the man who’s kept me safe for years out of commission, now can I?” JB responds.

“You flatter me, Janitor Boy.” Sam says, his mouth falling into a comfortable smirk. “I deserve it, but it’s still flattery.”

‘Do you?

You put him in so much danger, after all.’

Sometimes he does believe he deserves it, and all the flattery in the world.

Sometimes he thinks he can never earn it.

“You were my Projectionist for years Samuel,” JB replies, a twinge of sadness slipping into his smile. “And you saved me, and really all of time, after that. You’ve kept me more safe than anyone else has.”

“Oh stop it, I was just doing my job.” Sam says, waving him away with a laugh, even as he knows both of them can tell that it’s a lie.

Sam had done more than most Projectionists did, he made sure the Time Agent stayed safe and listened.

He also did more for JB than he did for the other Agents when he wasn’t working exclusively with his friend.

JB only shakes his head in response, before turning his attention back to the instrument in his hands.

‘ARE YOU GOING TO CONTINUE IGNORING ME?’ His vision blinks.

With an almost undetectable sigh he pulls out his Elucidator.

‘I was busy.’ He replies, annoyed that his displeasure at the intrusion can’t come through the text without being overtly aggressive. ‘Are you going to continue yelling at me?’

‘YOU ARE IN NO PLACE TO MAKE DEMANDS.’

‘Demands?’ He can almost laugh at this idiot. ‘I was asking a simple question.’

‘YOU SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THIS ELUCIDATOR.’

Well, shit.

‘What are you, a Time Agent?’

‘YES.’

Well, fuck.

‘YOU, WHATEVER YOU ARE, MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THIS, BUT THIS ELUCIDATOR WAS THE PROPERTY OF FORMER PROJECTIONIST AND TIME CRIMINAL SECOND CHANCE.’

He needs to up the security measures on this thing, since it looks like the Time Agency has finally caught on to him.

Took them long enough with the amount of people they have.

‘What does it matter?’

‘SECOND CHANCE WAS A VERY SKILLFUL HACKER AND PROGRAMMER. IF HE LEFT US YOU AS A SURPRISE, WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.’

This could really end badly for him if he isn’t careful.

‘Good thing I plan on leaving you alone.’

‘WHAT ARE YOU?’

‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’

‘WE ARE PREPARED TO TAKE EXTREME MEASURES IF IT IS REQUIRED.’

Sam snorted at this.

How stupid do they think he is?

‘Yeah, uhuh, good luck with that.’

He shuts the Elucidator off, and blocks any notifications from it for the time being.

He’s crushed the Time Agency and their systems before.

He sure as hell doesn’t need to worry about them now.

“Did you get everything adjusted that you needed to?” JB asks, glancing over at him.

“Yes sir, everything’s in tip top shape now.” Sam lies.

Chapter Text

JB’s nerves were buzzing. He was always like that after a mission. The air always seemed to crackle, and his adrenaline would still be through the roof, and he couldn’t sit still.

He was so distracted by his still shaking limbs that he almost ran into the only person left in the nearly abandoned hallway.

“Oh! I’m sorry, I was- Sam?” JB asked, caught off guard by the Projectionist’s presence.

Normal work hours were over, and he was only here now because he preferred to not be surrounded by people while he was getting reacclimated to the time period.

“I watched your mission in a time hollow. You did good this time Alonzo.” Sam said, his eyes gleaming with something JB hoped was pride.

“Thank you. But, really, it was your projections that made it go so well.” JB replied with a shrug, even though the compliment meant a lot, especially from him. “If it wasn’t for you, the mission would have been toast.”

“I’d say it helped that you actually followed the plan this time.” Sam said, a teasing grin briefly appearing on his face.

“Maybe we just make a good team.” JB responded with a laugh.

“I think we do.” The Projectionist replied, his voice certain.

“Do you have anything else to do before heading home?” He asked.

“Nah, I was just waiting for you to get back.” Chase said. “You?”

“I’ll be filling out the paperwork for my case later, so no.” JB replied, before he took a deep breath, getting up the nerve to ask his next question. “Would you like me to walk you home?”

Sam stared at him for a moment, like gears were turning in his head, and JB shifted, changing which leg was bearing the most weight, almost immediately regretting having asked the question.

“I’m sorry, that was silly, yo-”

“Sure. It’s not a long walk, but you can join me.” Sam cut him off, shrugging nonchalantly.

“Wait, really?” JB asked, somewhat startled at the answer.

It had been looking like Sam was going to turn the offer down, so he had given up hope of spending more time with the Projectionist.

“Yeah, why not? It’s not like you’ll be staying or anything.” Chase replied, his smile soft.

“Let us go then.” JB said, a distinct happiness coming across in his voice.

They walked together out of the Time Agency Headquarters, the world dark around them. The air was cold around them, and JB was glad he had brought his jacket, before he glanced next to him, and saw that Sam was in short sleeves.

Without a word JB slipped his jacket off, and he went to place it over Sam’s arms, but when his fingers brushed the Projectionists shoulders the man skittered away, and he whipped around, his green eyes briefly looking wild and panicked.

“Please-, don’t- startle- me- like that.” Sam said between ragged breaths.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think- sorry.” JB replied, stumbling over his words, his fingers curling into the jacket. “You looked cold.”

“It’s alright.” The Projectionist responded quietly, his stance turning from defensive and ready to bolt to shy, and almost meek, or even ashamed.

“Do you… want it?” He asked, holding the coat out.

“Sure.” Chase answered tightly, and he took the jacket from his hands forcefully. “Thanks.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes, the air filling in the few feet between them.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Sam finally said, his eyes downcast, his hands stuffed into JB’s jacket pockets. “You just surprised me. Don’t worry about it.”

“I still should have asked.” JB mumbled, kicking himself internally.

“It’s alright.” Chase replied softly, and even though his words were dismissive, the look he shot JB seemed almost grateful, like he was glad JB wasn’t blowing what happened off completely.

JB nodded, and they walked the rest of the way to the Projectionist’s apartment in a much more comfortable silence.

As they reach his door Sam slipped the jacket off, handing it back to JB, less forcefully than when he took it.

“Thank you for walking me home.” Chase said, before shooting him a small, but genuine, grin. “See you tomorrow Alonzo.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow Sam, take care.” JB replied, returning the smile.

He waved at the person he hoped considered him a friend as he closed the door, and then stood there for a moment. That hadn’t gone as well as he was hoping. He was an idiot for not remembering how touch averse Chase was. But still, with what had happened, it could have gone worse.

At least Sam didn’t seem to hate him after that.

JB sighed, turned on his heels, and started on his own walk home, even as he missed the quiet company of his favorite Projectionist.

Chapter Text

JB sighs, turning his Elucidator over in his hand, again and again. It would be so easy. He can just call them. Or even send them a message. He can do it through his Elucidator too, he doesn’t even need to get up and get a phone.

But something deep inside keeps stopping him.

They had known. Maybe not his sister, but certainly his parents did, at least to some extent. They had known he was adopted, and they most likely had known that he was, is, from the past. And they had never told him.

He doesn’t mind the fact that he’s adopted. He wouldn’t ever have. He cares that they lied to him his entire life. Plenty of people are adopted, it’s completely normal, he knew adopted kids growing up. But the feeling of betrayal he felt, sitting in that Time Hollow, watching what Mileva did, looking at Hadley because neither of them were adopted, neither of them had known one of them was.

JB hasn’t talked to any of his family since.

Footsteps make him drop the device into his lap, and he looks up, meeting Sam’s sharp eyes. The former Projectionist has a towel draped over his shoulder, and his hair is sticking up more than usual. JB can’t help but smile softly at the sight.

Sam could have just as easily changed the setting on the Elucidator, but Chase seems to be enjoying the little things of being human, and JB can’t be happier about it.

“Hey, Sam.” JB starts, getting the still-good-looking-even-after-a-shower man’s attention. “Can I get your advice on something?”

“What’s up?” Chase replies, plopping down onto the couch next to him.

“It’s family stuff.” JB explains, picking at a loose thread in the couch cushion as he talks, earning a slight frown from Sam.

“I can’t say I’ll be any help, since that subject is a bit outside of the realm of my expertise,” His friend begins, crossing his legs and leaning back, turning his face towards JB. “But I’ll do the best I can.”

“Thank you.” He replies, before taking a deep breath, preparing himself to speak. “It’s just, I haven’t talked to my family in months, since I found out about the adoption and that I’m from the past, and I’m really not sure if I should. They’re my family, but they lied to me for all my life.”

Sam sits quietly for a moment, his head cocked slightly sideways, seeming to contemplate what JB had said.

“Is the relationship you have with your family important to you?” The Projectionist asks.

“Well, yes…” JB answers, sounding more hesitant than he would have liked. “All my relationships in the present are important to me.”

“Why?” Chase presses, not sounding condescending or harsh, just curious.

“I only have so many people left in my life now, especially since Hadley stayed in the past, I can’t lose more relationships.” JB explains, running a hand through his hair, a gesture he does without really thinking about it, as he speaks. “And they’re, well, they’re my family, after all.”

“Does being your family excuse them for lying to you for forty some odd years?” Sam asks, blinking at him with eyes a bit too large for the question to not carry a hint of sarcasm.

“No, but they are my family, and I had good relationships with them all before this.” JB argues, even as the point the Projectionist brings up is the one he’s been fighting himself over.

“Relationships that were built on a lie, right?” Sam counteracts, although neither of them have any venom in their voices, or have even raised them.

“Not all of them. My sister is only a couple years older than me, so she wouldn’t have known, at least for a while.” He responds.

“Then maybe you should start there?” Sam suggests. “Call, what’s her name? Althea?-”

“Yes, her name’s Althea.”

“-Start with calling her, and then you don’t even have to talk to your parents again if you don’t want to.”

He’s right, and JB knows it. It would be easy to call her, and he does want to, but…

“What if she sees me differently?” He asks, his voice barely over a whisper. “If I tell her I’m from the past, that my being here is the result of someone illegally time traveling and barely avoided paradoxes, she might never view me the same way again.”

“And if you don’t tell her, would you ever talk to her again? Or would you just keep hiding here, not willing to face who you once were?” Sam asks gently.

“I’m not hiding.” JB argues, shifting uncomfortably at the assessment.

“Maybe you aren’t exactly hiding , but you are being avoidant, and I’m not sure that’s helpful.” Sam counters.

“Alright, fine, I’ll call her.” He gives, snatching the Elucidator out of his lap.

He does want to talk to his sister, and a part of him is glad he’s being pushed to it, but there’s still a knot in his stomach at the idea of it.

Sam places a hand gently on his leg, and his eyes are soft when JB looks at them.

“You don’t have to. There is plenty of time to do it later.” Chase says softly.

“I know.” He replies, his voice equally as low, as he scrolls through the Elucidator, finding the program used for calls.

He finds the contact for his sister, Althea Alice Amantha K’tah, and taps it.

“Hello? Alonzo?” Althea’s voice rings out into the room.

JB takes a deep breath in, preparing himself, and he feels Sam squeeze his leg, giving him silent encouragement.

“Hi Thea. It’s actually JB now.” He says, his voice sounding much more sure than he feels.

“Oh. Well, hi JB.” His sister responds, sounding surprised, but seemingly adapting easily. “It’s been months since I heard from you, and the Time Agency has been all over the news, what’s going on?”

This is it. This is his chance to tell his sister who he was.

“Most of what’s going on is classified information, so I can’t share it.” JB replies, one hand tapping it’s fingers against the armrest in a nervous tic. “But… that’s not why you haven’t heard from me.”

“Is something wrong?” Althea asks, concern dripping from her voice.

“I’m… Did you know I was adopted?” JB asks.

There was a long silence on the other end of the call, before he hears a heavy sigh.

“I didn’t know, but our parents said somethings that did make me suspicious.” She explains.

“And you never thought to tell me?” He asks, unable to keep the hurt out of his voice.

“JB, it wasn’t my place. What if I was wrong? You’ve been obsessed with time travel ever since we were kids, if you even suspected something of that sort we both know you would want to travel back to meet whoever your birth parents might be.” Althea replies, her tone bordering on pleading.

“But, Thea, I’m from the past and I didn’t even know it for my whole life , or what I thought was my life, which apparently is a lie.” JB says, and he can’t keep his voice from breaking.

“You’re from the past?” She asks, her voice full of disbelief.

“Yes.” He breathes. “Not by the company the Time Agency was working so hard to take down, but… Althea, I fought so hard to stop this exact thing, and it turned out I wouldn’t be here if someone didn’t mess with time.”

“I… I’m sorry.” She replies after a few beats. “If I had known…”

“It’s not your fault.” JB responds, running his hand through his hair again. “But I hope you can understand why I haven’t talked to any of you in… a while.”

“Yeah, I get it.” She replies. “But, I’m here for you, you know that, right? You can talk to me about this.”

“Yeah, I know. Thank you.” JB says, his voice soft, but less hurt.

“Of course. What else are big sisters for?” Althea asks with a chuckle.

Chapter Text

“Hey, Sam, I have something for you.” JB says, a box in his arms.

Sam looks up at him, watching the Time Agency carefully picking his way down the stairs with his vision of them obstructed.

“How exciting.” Sam replies, raising his eyebrows at the handsome man.

JB sits next to him, and soon the box is in Sam’s hands.

“After you… left the Time Agency someone needed to clean out your desk, and since I knew you the best, they gave the task to me.” His Time Agent explains. “I got rid of most of the things that seemed unimportant, but I saved the rest, and just put it in my closet.”

“You kept some of my things?” He asks, staring down at the opaque container.

Months passed between when he had betrayed the Agency and when he saved JB.

They wouldn’t have left his desk empty, unused, for that long.

Sam had thought that JB hated him, loathed him completely after the betrayal.

But if the Time Agent had kept the stuff from his desk, that means…

Sam shakes his head, trying to clear it.

It doesn’t matter now, they’re already past it.

“It’s your stuff, so I figured I should give it back.” JB says, tapping the lid gently.

“I had been so busy after that I completely forgot I had left anything.” Sam comments, running his hand along the side of the box. “Shall we see what I left?”

“I put it all in there, I already know what’s in the box.” JB replies, frowning slightly.

“You have no flair for the dramatic, my friend.” He responds with a sigh, popping the lid off the container with his thumb.

He pushes the lid aside, revealing the contents inside fully.

With an amused smile he picks up the item at the top of the box, and holds up the origami fox for JB to see.

“And you were surprised when I started doing origami?” Sam asks.

“Well when I shoved it in the box I wasn’t exactly thinking about you making it.” JB responds, his face flushing.

Sam laughs, thoroughly amused, before setting the paper on the couch next to him.

He gently grabs the other few pieces of origami, moving them out of the box and out of the way.

Next he finds a small notebook, which he quickly flips through.

It isn’t a journal, per say, it mostly contains scribbled notes from his discoveries about time, and ideas on how to change it.

Ideas that led him to becoming Second Chance.

He has so many regrets from back then.

What he did, how he did it, the failure he was.

He has so many regrets leading up to then as well.

And this notebook holds so much of that.

Sam closes the pages, symbolically sealing it as he clasps the cover.

“We can go ahead and burn this.” Sam says, shoving the book into JB’s hands.

“What, why?” JB asks, turning the notebook over in his hands, examining it.

“It has no use to me now.” He replies with a forced shrug.

“What’s even in it?” JB asks, opening it up and flipping through the pages. “I can barely read half of it.”

“It’s just a bunch of useless notes, and they’d be better destroyed.” Sam says, a tightness creeping into his voice.

JB opens his mouth, as if to say something else, but a quick glare from Sam gets him to shut it again, instead nodding.

“Right, we’ll dispose of it.” JB mumbles, tossing it aside.

“Now this is old!” Sam says, changing the subject, and grabbing a stack of patches held together by a rubber band.

He quickly undoes the elastic and spreads the assortment out on his leg.

There are the older edgy ones, skulls, anatomically correct hearts, middle fingers, and ‘dark’ quotes.

There are also his pride ones.

When he was younger he tried to hide the fact he’s trans, but he still had a couple rainbow patches and an Aromantic flag one back then.

“When are these from?” JB asks, leaning over to examine the assortment.

“Before I started working for the FBI. I fancied myself a bit of a punk back in the day.” Sam explains, a soft, almost sad, chuckle escaping along with the explanation. “I can’t believe I actually kept them.”

“To think, these are hundreds of years old, but they’re only from a couple of decades ago for you.” JB muses.

“To think, it still feels like hundreds of years ago because of how long I spent in time hollows.” He replies, before another thought strikes him. “If I still had this in my desk, then I might have still had…”

Sam’s voice trails off as he riffles through the box’s content, searching for something.

He finally pulls out a small box, opening it in triumph.

Inside holds a variety of earrings and other body jewelry, mostly all silver, although there are bits of red here and there.

“I don’t remember you having any piercings.” JB comments.

“I had them for a few years, back in that punk phase, but I took them out in my early twenties, and the holes all closed.” Sam explains. “Although, now that I can more freely change my form… Do you like piercings?”

JB stares at him for a moment, and he can’t help but smirk in response.

“I do think they’d look good on you.” JB finally answers, albeit hesitantly, after he gathers his thoughts.

“Sounds like these are keepers then.” Sam responds with a smile, storing them in his jean pocket.

“You don’t have any old pictures.” JB observes.

“Too dangerous.” Sam answers with a shake of his head. “Pictures were too easy to track back to the past. Not that I wanted, or even had any, anyways.”

“You didn’t have any?” JB presses, his lovely eyes filled with confusion.

“Not really. Neither of my ‘families’, if you could call them that, carried enough to take any, and when I worked with the government I didn’t really exist to the outside, general, world. So, no pictures.” Sam explains, sifting through the box as he talks.

“I wish we could change that.” JB mutters, what Sam assumes to be, half to himself.

“Pictures are still too easy to trace, and I’m dead, so that’ll have to be a no go. Sorry.” He replies, not sounding apologetic, since he really isn’t.

His hand hits something flat, circular, and cool, which he grasps and pulls out.

In the palm of his hand lies an old pocket watch, bronze, and still ticking quietly.

“You kept it?” The Time Agent asks, leaning over to look at the watch.

“Of course I did.” Sam says nonchalantly. “I had no reason not to.”

“I just… gave it to you years ago.” JB replies, his voice soft.

“I thought you said you knew what was in the box.” Sam comments, smirking at his friend.

“And like I said, I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly or paying that much attention when I cleared out your desk.” JB responds with a sigh.

Sam just smiles at him for a few minutes, but he’s searching the Time Agent’s face for any sign of hurt still left in it.

He may have apologized, but he had done so many horrible things…

‘You don’t deserve his forgiveness.’

He knows that.

He knows it better than anyone else.

He never deserved JB.

JB smiles back at him, and there’s warmth in those hazel eyes.

‘QUIT IGNORING ME SECOND CHANCE.’ Flashes across his vision in bold red text.

Sam is barely able to stifle his surprise at the intrusion, or his annoyance at the Time Agency breaking through his notification block.

“Thanks for keeping this all.” He says, packing his things back into the container.

“Yeah, of course.” JB replies, helping him put everything away.

Sam slips his Elucidator out of his pocket, typing a response as they work.

‘Fuck. Off.’

‘I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE NOW.’ The reply reads.

‘And I don’t give a shit. I’m not bothering you, go away.’ He types back with one hand, the other placing the lid back on the box.

‘YOU’RE CERTAINLY STILL BOTHERING ONE OF OUR TIME AGENTS.’

Fuuuuuuuuuuck.

This is not good.

JB would never rat him out to them.

Or, in the rare projection that had shown that, JB wasn’t able to hide it so well.

So that must mean they found out on their own.
That Sam’s security systems failed.

“Is everything alright?” JB asks, drawing Sam’s attention slightly away from the concerning message.

“Yes, everything’s fine.” Sam lies, loosening his grip on the box and handing it to his friend. “Will you take this upstairs?”

“Sure…” JB replies hesitantly, before getting up.

‘I don’t know what you mean.’ He sends to the annoyance on the other Elucidator.

‘CAN WE ASSUME ALONZO K’TAH IS A PART OF YOU PLOT AS WELL?’

‘I don’t know anyone of that name.’

‘YOU ARE A KNOWN CRIMINAL. IF HE HAS BEEN WILLINGLY HOUSING YOU, THERE WILL BE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.’

‘What do you want from me?’

‘WE WANT JUSTICE.’

‘I literally died, what more justice could you want?’

‘BUT YOU AREN’T DEAD, AND YOU’RE CORRUPTING ONE OF OUR AGENTS.’

‘And people said I was crazy.’

‘IF YOU DON’T COOPERATE, WE WILL BE FORCED TO PUNISH AGENT K’TAH FOR ASSISTING YOU, AND IF HE DOES NOT GIVE YOU TO US, WE WILL STILL TRACK YOU DOWN.’

‘How scary.’

‘WE DO NOT TAKE EVADING TIME AUTHORITIES LIGHTLY.’

‘You won’t touch him.’

‘IF YOU DO AS WE SAY, WE WON’T.’

“It’s put away now.” JB informs him, appearing at the top of the stairs.

Sam can’t help but stare at him for a moment.

He saved this man.

This man was his only friend for years.

He hurt him.

The Time Agent protected him.

He saw him, when no one else did.

He saved him, more than Sam saved JB.

Sam loves him.

He can’t let him get hurt again.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” JB asks again.

“Yes, I promise, I’m okay.” Sam replies, smiling at him.

‘Go fuck yourself.’

Chapter Text

Sam clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

He couldn’t show any of them that he cared.

But fuck, Marrisa was getting on his nerves.

Just because he was a better Projectionist than her, smarter than her, faster than her, didn’t give her any right to make his life more difficult.

He was certain she was the one who started the rumor that he didn’t get his job because of his qualifications.

It didn’t matter that he did the work to get in, that he was the best there, that he yielded the most results.

Now that the stupid rumor was spread, he was pushed further into the outskirts of the Time Agency.

Sam didn’t like these people.

He had been able to tell immediately that these were the same type of people he had to deal with in the present.

That the future was not going to be the haven he had been promised.

But being ostracized from his coworkers was making his life more difficult.

Sam let out a heavy sigh.

It would do no good for him to dwell on it.

He just had to ignore it.

Like all the other shit he had to deal with in his life.

“Knock knock.” He heard, drawing his attention away from his blank screen.

JB was standing a few feet away from his desk, looking down at him with his soft hazel eyes.

“Hey Alonzo.” Sam said, a smile tugging at his lips at the appearance of his friend.

“You seemed lost in thought.” JB observed.

“It’s nothing.” He replied, finding it to be easier than explaining his situation.

JB had seen it.

He knew that the other Projectionists, and even other Time Agents, didn’t like him.

But Sam knew that JB’s own experience of his coworkers were much different.

People liked the ambitious Time Agent, and they treated him well.

It wasn’t that Sam didn’t think JB would believe him, he knew the Time Agent would, but he knew it could make both of their lives harder if he did.

“Did you need something?” Sam asked the hovering Time Agent.

“Can I not check up on my favorite Projectionist?” JB asked in return.

“You know I won’t stop you, but usually you have an excuse for it.” Sam replied.

“Well, there is something. ” The Time Agent said, placing a hand on his desk and leaning forward slightly.

Sam raised his eyebrows at the handsome man.

“Is that so?” He asked.

“Yeah.” JB replied as he grabbed a chair tucked in the corner of the room.

His friend pulled it close to him, and sat down, their legs a few inches apart.

“So are you going to let me in on what’s going on or what?” Sam asked, an amused grin playing on his face.

The Time Agent had become much more collected in the years they had known each other, and yet here he was, a nervous air about him.

JB nodded in response, before he dug in his pocket.

He hid whatever it was he took out in both his hands, and he seemed to repeatedly turn the object over in his hands.

“I know it’s small, and it will probably be useless, but when I saw it I thought of you, so, I thought I might as well get it…” JB rambled, a soft tinge of blush burning across his face.

“Just give it to me Alonzo.” Sam replied with a laugh.

“Fine, here you go.” JB said, holding his hand above Sam’s lap.

When Sam cupped his own hands underneath the Time Agent’s, he dropped the object into them.

Sam looked down, and was surprised to see an old looking bronze pocket watch.

There were plenty of replicas of older devices on the market, but most were made of plastics now, and the cool metal against the palm of his hand told him that it was in fact from the past.

“Where did you find this?” Sam asked, turning the watch over, and flipping it open.

It surprised him even more to see it working, ticking away.

“It was in the window of an antiques shop that I passed by.” JB answered with a slightly forced shrug.

“Thank you, I like it.” Sam said, shooting him a smile.

“It’s really nothing.” JB replied, before he shifted in his seat. “You had just been looking down recently, so when I saw it… I’m glad you like it.”

Ah, so that was it.

He would need to do better about hiding his emotions.

But it did make a piece, a large piece, of him happy that the Time Agent noticed.

And cared enough that when he did, he did something about it.

“Usually when someone says thank you, you reply with you’re welcome.” Sam teased.

“Right. Well, you're welcome, then.” JB replied, smiling softly at him.

Chapter Text

JB stares at his bedroom ceiling, his thoughts piecing themselves together. He can’t deny it any longer. There is too much proof piling up around him.

He knows the way he looks at that man. He’s felt the blushes when he stumbles over his thoughts around him. He can tell that he doesn’t just admire him because of his intellect.

JB knows he’s still in love with Sam.

~

Sam paces the ground floor of JB’s house, his mind racing.

This is bad.

This is all really bad.

He can protect them from the Time Agency.

But would JB even let him?

It would require him quitting being a Time Agent, and even though he’s already being let go, Sam doesn’t think he’d do it.

Let alone the fact that it would be incredibly illegal.

Which means his options are limited.

~

But what can he even do about it?

He hopes the Projectionist might like him too, but what if he doesn’t? Wouldn’t it be selfish of him to try to get more than the friendship he has?

JB can deal with the longing, but he can’t deal with losing Sam again if telling him goes poorly. He’s one of the few people JB has left, and he’s the only one that seems to really see him, he can’t risk that.

~

But Sam has to do something.

If he doesn’t, he’s dooming them both.

The Time Agency isn’t nice, he’s seen it himself.

They were more than willing to send children to die.

If you’re not from the present, they don’t give a shit about you.

All they care about is preserving time, even now.

And both of them just so happen to be from the past.

Even though JB’s a Time Agent, Sam has no doubt they’d throw him in Time Prison for helping him.

‘This is all your fault.’ The voice tells him.

“I know.” He whispers back.

~

What if Sam likes him back though? What if the former Projectionist also has feelings for him? What if he hasn’t said anything because he thinks JB doesn’t have feelings for him?

What if not telling him would be the bigger mistake?

~

Which is why he needs to find a way to fix this.

Sam has to protect JB.

No matter what.

He already sacrificed his life for his Time Agent before.

JB already gave him more than he deserves.

He can’t take JB’s life away from him.

He doesn’t think the Time Agency would go as far as to kill the man, but for him to be trapped in the same place that he locked away so many criminals, Sam can hardly see the difference.

~

How would he even tell him? He needs to go about this the right way. If he doesn’t it could end badly. But the more he thinks about it, the more he’s convinced that he has to tell Sam.

Sam will figure it out anyways, he always does, so it would be better to tell him beforehand. Or he’s already figured it out, and is waiting for JB to say something.

It would surprise him more if Sam hasn’t picked up on the long glances and redder cheeks.

~

Sam pulls out his Elucidator and stares at the messages once more.

They would want him to give himself up.

He doesn’t doubt that for a second.

And he doesn’t doubt that they are serious about their threats.

Or at least serious about trying to follow through on them.

The Time Agency didn’t get it’s reputation by not following up on their promises.

~

JB’s overthinking it, he knows. He’s running his brain in circles, but that’s what the former Projectionist does to him. He always had a hard time following that man and his brilliant mind, and now he’s even having trouble following his own feelings and thoughts about him.

Maybe he should just get it over with, stand up and tell him now. Stop running away from his feelings and do something about them.

JB sits up, letting the dizziness at such sudden movement fade before pushing himself off his bed completely.

He can do this. He will tell Sam how he feels, and they will work it out together, for better or for worse.

JB takes a few strides to the door, before he grabs the handle.

~

This isn’t Sam’s decision to make.

This isn’t his life he could be destroying.

If he makes the wrong choice it will be JB suffering the consequences.

He should tell the Time Agent what happened.

He should tell him everything.

Sam makes his way delicately up the stairs.

This could desillusion JB from the Time Agency completely.

JB might be disappointed with him for not being able to handle it on his own.

But he knows it’s the right thing to do.

Sam makes it to the Time Agent’s door and grabs the handle.

~

JB lets the doorknob go.

~

Sam lets the doorknob go.

~

It can wait until morning. JB doesn’t need to tell him tonight. Sam might be sleeping, after all. He can do that now, it’s a possibility. JB’s feelings will still be there in the morning. Sam will still be there in the morning.

He shouldn’t rush into this.

They have all the time in the world together now, after all.

~

This isn’t JB’s problem to deal with.

It’s Sam’s fault the Time Agency threatened him.

It’s Sam’s job to deal with it.

If it takes giving himself up to them, so what?

He’s gotten more time than he should’ve anyways.

He’s Icarus.

He was always meant to drown.

He climbed too high, and he fell.

He was too smart, and he was used.

He wished for too much, and he was destroyed.

His life was doomed for tragedy from the beginning.

There is no use trying to avoid it.

He remade his wax wings, and they still melted, plunging him to the ocean.

Chapter Text

“My Gooooood I can’t with these kids.” JB complained, his face already tinged with red.

Second watched him, thoroughly amused by the display.

“It’s been that hard to deal with them, huh?” Second asked, having known full well that they’d been a headache for the Time Agent.

“They’re sweet, and they want to help, but they have so little regard for the safety of time, and they lack any sort of training.” JB replied, swirling his drink in his hand.

“And yet they did something no Time Agent has.” He observed.

“That’s the most infuriating part.” The Time Agent pouted. “It’s fantastic that it’s proven we can save people from the past, but the way they went about it was so messy. ”

“But change often is, isn’t it?” Second asked, leaning forward, his elbows on the bar counter.

“It’s one of the reasons I don’t like it.” JB responded. “Change would be alright if they could follow the rules and do it safely.”

“Sadly we can’t all get what we wish for.” Second said with a chuckle.

It amused him how much the man had changed.

He used to be the reckless one, doing anything it took to get a case closed.

But now he was a stickler for doing things correctly, by the book.

Expect… the Time Agent seemed to be changing again.

Those kids really did seem to get through to him, even past the Time Agency’s doctrine.

Maybe it was because of their shared history.

JB might not have known it yet, but they were connected.

Second would have to look into it during his spare time.

But he had more important things to do for now.

“I’m going to take a step out for a second, I’ll be back.” JB said, his words mumbled ever so slightly.

“Don’t wander off too far.” Second called with a smile.

He turned back to the bar, before he took a drink of his scotch, making sure the Agent had gone out.

He used to hate the smell of alcohol.

It reminded him of very unpleasant feelings, the memories themselves faded.

But he recognized people used it socially, so he learned to replace the bad feelings with better memories.

And because of that he could now use it to his advantage.

He slipped a small package out of his pocket, tearing it open and pouring the contents into JB’s drink.

It didn’t make him feel good doing so.

But he also didn’t feel a twinge of guilt at it either.

He had his reasons for spiking the Time Agent’s drink.

He wanted to say his goodbye, but he couldn’t have the man remember what happened.

It would endanger his plan if that happened, after all.

Second hid the empty packaging back into his pocket before JB returned, the Time Agent taking his seat once more, none the wiser.

“How do you feel about the whole situation?” JB asked, taking a sip of his altered drink after.

“Well it certainly makes my job more interesting, that’s for sure.” Second replied.

“Yours and mine both.” The Time Agent snorted.

“Shall we finish our drinks and kick out of here.” Second suggested, before he downed the rest of his scotch.

JB nodded, before he drained the rest of his glass as well.

The Agent moved to pay for their drinks, but Second stopped him with an arm.

“My treat tonight.” He said, shooting him a sharp smile.

It was the least he could do for the last time they’ll be going out together.

“Thanks Sam.” JB replied, smiling back.

Although the Time Agent’s smile was softer, kinder.

Second would miss that smile.

“I’ll walk you home tonight JB.” He informed him.

“Are you sure? Your place is closer, I can just go on without you like usual.” JB replied.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Second answered, holding the bar door open for him.

As they walked Second could see JB slowing and the haze falling over his normally clear hazel eyes.

It meant this stage of his plan was working.

Things were already falling into place.

The Time Agent was practically stumbling over his own legs by the time they reached his house.

“G’night Sam, I’ll see you at work tomorrow.” JB said, his words slurring and his gaze wandering away from him.

Second reached up, grabbing the Time Agent’s chin, and forced him to look down.

He held the man’s face there, not by the force of his grip, he knew, but by the surprise.

It wouldn’t matter.

JB wouldn’t remember what happened in a couple hours anyways.

“You will get scared. It will be hard. But I need you to know that this is all necessary.” Second explained, his voice low as he stared into his friend’s clouded eyes. “I am going to change the world, JB. You may not understand it, but one day you’ll see. I am carving my name in history, JB. They will all look at me and see a genius. A hero. There will be change, but it’s not those children who will bring it. It will take time for them all to see it, but they will. I will change the very fabric of the universe, and they will praise me for it. But you must know, you did nothing wrong. This is just something I have to do.”

JB squinted down at a moment, and Second could see the clogged gears trying to turn.

“I think you’re a little too drunk Sam.” JB said, confused.

Second just shook his head and chuckled.

“Goodbye JB. Visit me in my time one day, why don’t you.”

Chapter Text

JB taps his fingernails against his mug, his nerves buzzing. Today’s the day. He’s going to do it. He will tell the former Projectionist how he feels.

At least he’s going to if he can get Sam’s attention.

His friend has been staring at his Elucidator all morning, muttering to himself. He barely greeted JB this morning, and he can’t help but feel like the man is ignoring him. JB just doesn’t know why.

JB’s grip tightens on the handle of his mug. Did he do something? Is Sam just having a bad day? Did something unrelated happen and JB hasn’t noticed? Are the voices just bad today?

He should ask the Projectionist. It won’t do any good to ignore it, and then he will tell Sam about his feelings after they get whatever is wrong sorted out. It’s important they tackle whatever it is first. His feelings can wait.

He drinks the rest of his coffee, stretches, getting up and putting his mug into the cleaner after. He watches Sam sit on the couch, curled over his Elucidator, from his spot in the kitchen for a moment, before he takes a deep breath, and joins him in the front room.

“Hi Sam.” JB starts, trying to get his attention.

“Hey.” Sam replies, not looking up at him.

“You seem… busy today.” He observes, hoping the Projectionist will explain.

“Yeah.” Sam says, seeming to curl in on himself even more.

“Is everything alright?” JB asks, leaning over him slightly.

“Mhm.” The Projectionist mumbles.

JB reaches down, intending to turn Sam’s face towards him, to actually get his friend’s attention. But his hand barely gets close before Sam flinches away, pushing himself to the other side of the couch in a blink of an eye.

JB stands, bewildered, for a moment, before holding both hands up, away from him. It’s been awhile since he’s seen Sam so skittish. It’s obvious now that the Projectionist is lying, and that something is very wrong.

Sam’s eyes are wild and darting, with dark circles under them, his shirt is more disheveled than normal, and his mouth is open ever so slightly in surprise.

“Sam, what is going on?” JB asks, his voice low.

“Everything is fine. ” Sam answers through gritted teeth, and JB can tell that he’s forcing his body to relax.

“Everything is not fine, why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?” He presses, but doesn’t move any closer to his friend.

“It’s nothing, just some complications with my Elucidator.” Sam replies, adjusting himself on the couch.

With a slightly exasperated sigh he sits on the other side of the sofa, the air cold between them, already wishing this day would have gone better. He’d had a plan. He was going to tell Sam how he felt and they’d move forward with that, whatever direction it may go.

But instead they’re here, lying and getting lied to. JB knows that some lies are necessary, and he knows that Sam has a history of lying, but it still concerns and upsets him. It can’t just be his Elucidator. He wouldn’t be acting so off if it was only that, right? They’re friends again, aren’t they? If something is wrong why won’t Sam tell him?

Are they even friends again? Or is Sam only putting up with him to stay safe from the Time Agency?

JB runs a hand through his hair, frustrated, and hating the thoughts swimming around in his head. He doesn’t want to believe that Sam is only staying with him because it’s the safest option. Sam’s a genius, he could easily evade detection on his own, he’s done it already, he doesn’t need JB for that.

But what if Sam doesn’t only not share his romantic feelings but his platonic ones as well? Does Sam even like him at all? He had said that not everything JB saw of him was fake, but what if that was a lie? What if the friendship they had was completely fabricated? What if Sam’s on edge because the facade of care for him is breaking, and he can’t pretend anymore?

What if JB is just overthinking everything and it’s something else entirely?

He hates not knowing. Maybe… maybe he should just tell Sam. Not make it about what’s going on, but explain his feelings. Sam could be sensing that something is off with JB, and that’s what’s doing it.

It is worth a shot, isn’t it?

It’s better to try to work it out, to tell him, than to let something happen and lose the chance to.

JB opens his mouth to speak, to start explaining everything to the man he loves, before Sam’s voice, sharp and forced, cuts him off.

“I’m going out, I’ll be back.” His friend, his love, says.

“Where are you going?” JB asks, his head snapping towards him, concerned.

“Just a time hollow. I’ll be fine.” Sam replies, standing up and typing something into his Elucidator.

“Sam,” JB starts, wishing to grab his wrist and hold him there, but not willing to make Sam flinch away from him again.

“Yes?” Sam asks, his green eyes filled with something JB can’t quite place.

“Come home when you’re done.” He says, slightly surprised at the sting in his nose.

“I will.” Sam replies, a soft, sad smile on his lips. “I will.”

And then he was gone.

Chapter Text

‘What is it that you want?’

‘YOU’RE WILLING TO TALK NOW?’

‘I have weighed my options and ran my projections. Now it’s time for you to tell me exactly what you want.’

‘WE WANT JUSTICE, SECOND CHANCE.’

‘And what does that entail?’

‘YOU WILL SURRENDER YOURSELF OVER TO US.’

‘What will you be doing with me?’

‘THAT DEPENDS, WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU?’

‘I am Sam Chase’s consciousness saved onto an Elucidator.’

‘THEN WE WILL DELETE YOU.’

Sam can’t help but take a sharp breath in.

He isn’t surprised, exactly, but he wasn’t expecting the Time Agency to be so upfront about it.

‘And if I do this, you’ll leave JB alone?’

‘THAT DEPENDS.’

‘Depends on what?’

‘IT DEPENDS ON HOW LONG HE STAYS A TIME AGENT FOR.’

‘Will you leave him alone in regards to this situation, then?’

‘IF YOU CAN MAKE IT SO HE DOESN’T DRAG HIMSELF INTO IT, THEN YES.’

‘Good. I will only agree to your terms if you leave him alone and never, EVER, touch him outside of his work.’

‘WE ALSO REQUIRE YOU TO NOT MAKE ANY MORE COPIES OF YOURSELF.’

‘Well I figured.’

‘YOU WILL ALSO TURN YOURSELF IN WITHIN THE HOUR AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WE HAVE.’

‘I’ll answer any that don’t put anyone in danger, sure.’

‘DO WE HAVE A DEAL, THEN?’

‘Deal.’

Sam puts his Elucidator face down on the desk.

He’s sealed his fate.

If he were to back down from it now, the Time Agency would certainly come after him.

But this is what has to be done.

It’s what it takes to protect JB.

And he’ll do anything to protect him.

He’s already died for the man once, what’s a second time anyways?

He can’t help but find it funny, though, that the Time Agency seems to be under the impression they’re going to be meeting Second Chance.

They don’t know how much he’s changed since then.

How he broke.

How he gave up on the idea of ever getting a second chance.

But he can give them what they want.

Sam also finds it funny, in a sad, cruel way, that it was only after he dropped that moniker that JB gave him another chance.

And look what he’s done with it.

Look how he failed yet again.

This was his shot at a happy ending.

One where he still had his memories.

One with the person he loves.

And he fucked it up.

He fucked it up long ago.

Sam made too many mistakes to escape them, even after death.

‘You’re wasting your time.’ That voice hisses.

“I’m in a time hollow, I have all the time in the universe to waste.” Sam objects, his voice devoid of any fight.

‘It will do you no good. You can’t change anything anymore.’

He lets out a long sigh, curling his fingers, stabbing his palms with his nails.

He was hoping the pain would help ground him.

It does nothing.

Well, it’s time to get to work.

He’s already figured out how he’ll keep JB from following him.

It’ll hurt, but he promised to come home.

So he’ll freeze his Time Agent for three hours, making it impossible for him to leave his house, and giving the Time Agency plenty of time.

After that, JB will receive two messages to his spare Elucidator.

One when he’s unfrozen.

One fifteen years later.

Sam starts by writing the first message to him.

‘Hey JB.

Don’t message me back. I’ll be long gone by the time you get this.

You didn’t do anything wrong, so don’t blame yourself for me leaving.

I was just never one for settling down.

I have things I want to do, people I want to see, and I can’t do that here.

I would have loved to have taken you with me, but we both know you’re a Time Agent through and through, and would never do it.

Please, don’t try to find me. You won’t be able to.

But in a couple years, maybe I’ll visit.

I wish you the best.

Live a happy life without me, why don’t you?

Warm regards and happy goodbyes.

-Sam.’

He schedules the message to be sent.

With any luck, which he really shouldn’t need with the amount of projections he did, that will keep him from pressing the issue with the Time Agency.

And then with trembling hands, Sam starts the second message.

The real one.

The one to tell him the truth.

‘Been a long time, hasn’t it, JB?

For you, anyways. For me, we just talked a little bit ago.

You were right.

Something was wrong.

The Time Agency will be mostly shut down by now, and if my projections were correct, you’ve lived a long, happy, and fulfilling life so far.

And it will continue to be that way.

I hope you know that makes me happy JB. I didn’t want it to go this way, but it had to. There was no other way.

The Time Agency contacted me, they found out about my existence, and if I didn’t give myself up, they were going to put us both on the run.

I had to stop them. I couldn’t let that happen to you, not after everything you’ve been through.

Not after everything I’ve put you through.

I was running from fate when I saved my consciousness.

And all that happened was that it caught up with me.

Don’t be sad for me.

Please.

I don’t want this to hurt you, I just thought you should know the truth.

And that is that I sacrificed myself to the Time Agency so you could get your happy ending.

Because I love you.

But I knew that I would be asking for too much.

Thank you for everything you gave me.

Your friendship, and even more so, your forgiveness, was something I never deserved.

You made me so happy.

If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I would have stayed in the present for so long.

I might not have even stayed in any time for so long.

I owe you so much.

This was just me trying to pay it back.

Thanks for letting me crash at your place.

Continue moving forward.

-Sam Chase.’

Sam swipes at his cheeks, trying to get rid of the tears.

At least he isn’t so out of it he can’t recognize what they are.

But maybe it would be better if it was that way.

He needs to collect himself.

He has to go home, and he has to face the Time Agency.

He can’t be a mess.

Not now.

Not ever again.

His breath is shaky, and his hands still tremble as he buttons his shirt all the way up and, for once, tucks it in properly.

He needs to look good for his goodbye.

He wants to leave at least a half decent memory of himself for JB.

If that’s even possible, after everything.

Sam takes one last deep breath in, doing his best to steady himself.

“Elucidator,” He starts. “Send me home.”

Chapter Text

JB sat, examining the faces of the other Time Agents around him. They had done the ceremony and they read him the core principles of being a Time Agent once more.

This was his third time getting recertified, but this time his nerves continued to buzz, even though he had already passed the tests. This time he wasn’t only getting recertified, but he was also getting promoted.

JB had been promoted in the past, a few times in fact, but this time was different. Now he’d be getting more responsibilities, his own office, and, most importantly to him, hi-

“Congratulations, Agent Alonzo K’tah.” Rae Finley said, taking his attention away from his thoughts. “You will be escorted to your new office, room CVI , after our meeting. I trust it will be up to your standard.”

“The Agency’s facilities are impeccable, I’m certain I will find no fault in them.” JB replied, his hands fidgeting nervously underneath the table.

“Good.” Rae said, giving him a curt nod before continuing. “Have you thought of who you want to be your head Projectionist?”

“Yes.” He responded, before he took a deep breath. “I would like Samuel Chase to be my Projectionist.”

“Are you sure you want him? ” One of the other Agents at the table asked. “He can be so cold and condescending. You don’t want to have to deal with him on a regular basis.”

“I assure you, I’ve thought it through, and I want him.” JB said calmly.

“He’s one of the best Projectionists we have, are you certain you want to take him away from all the other Agents?” Someone else asked.

“I know he’s a good asset for the Time Agency as a whole, but Sam is the Projectionist I’ve worked with the most and one I trust.” He explained. “I would take him over any other Projectionist, and I would like to believe he would work well assigned to me.”

“You seem serious about this.” Rae said.

“I am.” JB replied.

He saw the gathered Time Agents look at each other, nod, and almost imperceptibly blink in and out of existence, most certainly going to a time hollow to discuss the pros and cons before returning.

“We have come to a decision.” Rae informed him, making his nerves buzz in anticipation again. “And we have accepted your request. Samuel Chase can be your head Projectionist.”

JB couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He had done it. He had climbed the ranks of the Time Agency, and now he was going to take Sam up with him. Not that Sam couldn’t get there on his own, JB was more than sure that he could, but now they would officially be a team.

“Thank you.” He replied, smiling at each Agent in the room. “Thank you.”

“You are dismissed, Agent K’tah.” Rae said.

He stood up, nodded at the other people in the room, before stepping out, leaving the conference room behind.

“Agent Alonzo, I’m here to show you to your new office, if you’ll just follow me-” A young Agent said, before being cut off.

“I know the way, I can get there on my own, I just need to make a stop first.” JB interrupted, not staying long enough to hear the Time Agent’s stammered reply.

He weaved through the hallways, passing offices, Agents, and the occasional Projectionist, his footsteps light, excited. He had been waiting to rise the ranks for years, and now he had finally done it. He couldn’t wait to tell Sam.

The frosted doors opened in front of him, revealing a room with mostly empty desks. JB was only halfway to the back of the room when Sam looked up, his bright green eyes meeting JB’s hazel ones with a smile.

“Congrats.” The Projectionist said. “You made it through recertification with minimal injuries this time, I didn’t know it was possible for you.”

“Oh is that all? You aren’t going to congratulate me on my new rank?” JB asked, beaming at his friend.

“I don’t see why I should.” Sam replied, kicking his feet onto his desk, before he looked up at him and smirked. “That was something that I already knew you were going to do.”

“Thank you for believing in me Sam.” JB said, leaning against the desk.

“You didn’t give me much choice.” Sam replied with a laugh. “You kept proving me wrong with your abilities until I caved.”

“I didn’t just come to hear you congratulate me though.” He said after a bit, his fingers nervously tapping on the desk.

“Is that so?” The Projectionist asked, the teasing clear in his tone. “And here I thought you just wanted to brag.”

“Well, no.” JB replied with a laugh, before becoming slightly more serious, but only to contain his excitement. “It took a little bit of convincing, but they let me choose you as my head Projectionist!”

Sam’s eyebrows raised slightly, betraying him with the small sign of surprise.

“You were able to do it?” His friend asked.

JB nodded back, excited.

“Funny, in most of my projections you gave up when they first advised against it.” Sam said.

“I guess your projections were off then, because there is no way I would’ve given up. You’re my Projectionist,” JB replied, smiling. “I’m always going to choose you.”

Chapter Text

The house is quiet.

Sam can’t help but get chills from it.

Or maybe it’s from his own nerves, created from the knowledge of what he is going to do.

He takes a deep breath in, tensing all his muscles to try to stop them from shaking.

He takes one last look at the clock ticking down in his head.

He has forty five minutes till he needs to be at the Time Agency.

“JB!” Sam calls, his voice only wavering slightly. “I’m home!”

There’s the sound of footsteps upstairs, and in a moment JB is rushing down them.

Sam stares at his Time Agent for a few moments, taking him in one last time.

He’s wearing a gray short sleeved shirt and dark jeans.

His dark hair is curling around his neck and swept away from his face.

And his eyes… His rich, beautiful hazel eyes are searching his face, concern filling them.

Sam feels a stab of pain.

This is the last time he’s going to see him.

“Did you get everything figured out?” JB asks, taking the last few steps off the staircase.

“Yeah, I got everything figured out.” Sam replies, forcing his face into a smile.

“Listen…” JB starts, ringing his hands. “I’m sorry for pushing you to talk. I know you can handle whatever it is, and I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

“Thank you.” He says quietly. “And, I’m sorry too. I should’ve told you what was going on.”

And he would have.

He wanted to.

He wants to.

But it’s too late now.

There’s no backing out of it.

They stay in silence for a moment, as if any words would break the tension that shouldn’t be there anymore.

JB’s the first to move, but instead of saying something, he starts pacing the expanse of his front room.

“There is something else, too.” The Time Agent finally says.

Sam watches him for a moment, before taking a few steps closer, preparing himself for what’s next.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you, Sam. I’m sorry it’s taken so long, but-” JB starts, before getting cut off by his own muffled gasp of surprise.

Neither of them do anything for a moment, both caught up in the sensation.

JB’s hands went to Sam’s chest, and instead of pushing him away, he feels his fingers curling around the fabric of his shirt.

Part of Sam had genuinely thought the man would pull away.

But JB doesn’t.

Sam presses his fingers against the wall, trying to ground himself.

He needs to focus.

He can’t continue to be caught up in this moment.

As much as he wishes he could stay here forever.

Sam slips his hand into JB’s pocket, sliding his Elucidator out of it and into his own.

And then he takes a two steps away.

The air that fills the gap between them feels cold and harsh compared to the warmth that Sam felt when they were so close.

JB stares at him, his mouth ever so slightly agape in surprise.

“Goodbye JB.” Sam says, his voice low.

Panic fills JB’s eyes, and they go wide, before he takes a step towards him.

“Sam, wai-”

“Elucidator, freeze him in place for the next three hours.” Sam says, cutting him off.

The Time Agent freezes, and for a moment he does as well.

And then he mouths ‘I’m sorry’ and walks away.

Sam barely makes it out of JB’s house before his whole body starts to tremble.

He swipes at his mouth, trying to get the sting he knows is all in his head to go away.

It hurts.

It hurts so much.

He presses his hands against his face, choking back a sob.

He hates himself for what he’s done.

He hates himself for using JB like this.

For taking a moment he has wished for for years and turning it into yet another way to manipulate the man he loves.

It doesn’t matter that he did it to protect him.

No excuse would be good enough.

He feels like a monster because of it.

‘You are a monster.’ Echos in this mind.

His vision blurs once more.

‘But now you must finish the job.’ It says.

He takes one more moment, trying to stabilize himself.

It’s right.

He needs to get this over with.

He can’t allow himself to break.

He straightens his posture, runs a hand through his hair, and tugs his shirt back into place.

Sam walks away from the short life he had made for himself.

Second walks towards the Time Agency.

Chapter Text

JB wants to scream. He wants to cry. He wants to run after the man. He wants to yell at him. But more than anything, he wants to do something. Anything.

But instead he’s stuck, frozen in place, the kiss still lingering on his lips. The moment should have been everything he wanted. It almost was. But then Sam pulled back, and there was fear, and hurt, and sadness, and regret in his eyes, and JB knew that everything was wrong.

Three hours. His friend had said three hours. The wait would kill him. Either that, or the news he would get after. The way he said goodbye, it felt so final. It felt as if Sam was trying to shove the rest of their lives, every laugh, every apology, every happy moment into those two words.

And JB never got to tell him. He was going to. He was so close to finally doing it. But he never got to say the words. He will never be able to tell Sam that he loves him.

No.

No.

NO.

He’s not doing this.

He refuses to lose Sam again.

He won’t let anyone take him away again. He doesn’t want to live without his smile, without his laugh, without his sparkling eyes, without the way he teases him with no true malice in the words, without every odd trait and tendency Sam has.

He can’t let go of his friend, of the future days they were supposed to share, of the jokes, of the cooking lessons, or the reminiscing, the sunsets they were going to watch together.

They’re a team. They are supposed to be a team. Sam had promised that they were going to get through the future together. That he wasn’t going to be alone. Sam can’t bail on him now.

It doesn’t matter why, it doesn’t matter who made Sam leave, JB refuses to accept it. As much as he may have doubted his friend’s desire to stay, he can’t believe that he chose to leave. Because if he had, he wouldn’t have left like that.

It had to be someone else. Another time criminal? Someone who wanted revenge? But Sam could have easily taken care of them, so why…

JB wishes he could run his hands through his hair. He wants to let out an exasperated sigh. He desires to curl his fists in frustration. He yearns to pace and get his angered energy out.

Someone must have threatened JB. He knows that has to be it. If someone had threatened Sam, he would have surely said something, but if it was JB’s life that was in danger… he’s proven himself to take matters into his own hands.

And if it was someone like the Time Agency who did it… If it was the Time Agency that did it, then Sam would have never told JB. That idiot. Does he really think JB doesn’t know the Time Agency’s opinion of his worth has gone down? He knows that if the Time Agency found out about Sam they wouldn’t hesitate to use JB against him.

Does Sam not realize that JB would have helped him escape? Would have helped him negotiate with the Time Agency? Put a stop to them with him? Gone with him? Did JB do such a bad job of conveying his feelings that Sam thought he would have sided with them over his friend?

The Time Agency’s happiness isn’t worth someone's life, especially not someone who is of no threat. Especially not Sam’s. JB knows that now. He wouldn’t let them hurt him.

He won’t.

He’ll stop them.

Paradoxes be damned, as soon as he’s free he’ll unfreeze his past self, and he will go and save him.

It doesn’t matter if the Time Agency gets upset with him. He doesn’t care if it costs him his certification and job, he was going to lose that anyways. He is done trading Sam’s life. It wasn’t worth his own then, and it sure as hell isn’t worth it now.

They will both make it out of this.

JB will make sure of that fact.

He will do anything he can to make sure of it.

He’s broken the Time Agency’s rules before, he’ll do it again. He just needs to get Sam back.

It takes JB a moment to realize what’s happening as the darkness envelopes him. He’s not traveling sideways, into a time hollow, like the last two dozen or so times he’s gone into outer time. He’s traveling backwards.

He’s going back in time.

He’s going back, but no matter where he ends up, no matter what happens, he is going to save Sam.

JB swears it.

Chapter Text

Second walks into the Time Agency Headquarters, his head held high.

He may be bending to their demands, but he refuses to come meekly into their hands.

Many Time Agents and Projectionists recoil at the sight of their old, dead, rogue colleague.

Everyone moves out of his way as he walks to the front desk.

“I don’t know who it is who has been messaging me,” Second starts, looking down at the scared receptionist, a rehearsed smile on his face, his eyes full of threats, his voice low. “But I need to see them. Now. ”

The receptionist jumps, before he starts typing furiously on an invisible keyboard.

In a moment a small group of people Second recognizes, but never bothered to learn the names of, appear.

All Time Agents, Second is certain.

“Come this way Second Chance.” One of the men says, gesturing with his arm down a hall.

“Oooo, I’m getting full named am I? I must be in trouble.” Second replies, his tone full of mockery.

“Just do what you’re told.” Another Time Agent growls.

“You may have put my back against the wall, but I refuse to be anyone's puppet again.” He responds, his voice dangerously low.

He catches glares from more of the gathered Agents, but ignores them as he gets led through the hallway.

The group enters a mostly blank room, one the Second doesn’t recognize.

There’s a chair in the middle, and the second Agent shoves him towards it.

“Hands off.” He demands, resisting the urge to click his tongue at them.

“How long have you been… like this?” One Agent, a younger girl with long straight copper hair, asks.

“Since about five minutes before my death, I’d say.” Second replies with a shrug.

“And how long have you been in this time?” She questions.

“That’s irrelevant.” He says, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’m sorry Mr. Chance, but this information is something we require of you. You answering our questions was part of the deal, after all.” Her respectful tone doesn’t fool him, this woman is a highly trained Time Agent, through and through.

“I’ve been here for around a month.” Second answers, forcing the words out.

“How exactly did you get here?” She asks.

“I traveled to Agent JB’s house and manipulated him into letting me stay, of course.” He lies, knowing exactly what the Time Agency thinks of him.

“Why do you think we would believe you? He should know more than anyone what a threat you are.” The Time Agent argues.

“And don’t you think I’ve known him long enough to know what buttons to push, what things to say, to keep him quiet?” Second retorts calmly, leaning forward.

“You really think he kept quiet?” She asks, as if holding back a laugh. “You haven’t realized it was him who planned this?”

Second has to bite his tongue to keep from verbally ripping this girl to shreds.

She’s just fucking with him, he knows.

But for the love of time it’s pissing him off.

“What else do you want, or can we get this over with?” He asks, not able to stop the annoyed twitching of his cheek.

“Just give us your Elucidator and the passwords you’ve used to secure your coding, and that’s all.” She says, giving him a smile.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but that’s not gonna work.” Second replies, his amusement at the frustration on the gathered Time Agents’ faces leaking into his voice.

“What do you mean it’s not going to work?” A different Time Agent asks, their voice tense.

“You can’t delete me like that.” He answers, a smirk falling onto his face as he shrugs. “I made it so that no one, not even myself, can tamper with the coding that holds my consciousness, so that method won’t do you any good.”

“Then how” The first Time Agent starts, speaking through gritted teeth. “Do we deal with you?”

“What, you’re not going to even try throwing me in Time Prison?” Second asks, laughing at the Time Agents around him. “Hasn’t the death penalty been outlawed for a few thousand years now? This little gathering is incredibly illegal, and if you really cared about following the rules you would at least try that first.”

Every Time Agent in the room ignored his sentiment.

He knows it would never get through to them.

That’s why he doesn’t bother to plead.

But if those words echoed in even a single Agent’s head while they tried to sleep at night, the seemingly wasted breath would be worth it.

“Just tell us how to dispose of you.” Time Agent number one instructs.

“Fine, Fine.” Second says with a sigh. “All you need to do is wipe the memories of all Elucidators in a radius that includes me. It’s so simple, but I’m not surprised you all were too stupid to think of it.”

The comment earns him a couple of glares, but Time Agent two nods at one of the other people gathered, and they pull out their Elucidator and start typing.

He thinks he should be sad.

He thinks he should be panicking at this point.

But he’s fallen too far back into character.

Back into the person he had been when he killed an entire branch of time.

Back into the man who had been so confident.

So uncaring about what happened to the people around him.

“Bye bye.” Second says, waving with his fingers at them. “Oh, and one last thing,”

“Yes?” The typing Time Agent asked.

“You can all go fuck yourselves.”

Second takes one last deep breath in, accepting it as his last.

Then the door swings open.

Chapter Text

JB’s vision swims for a moment, the time sickness briefly overtaking him, his body having become adjusted to staying in one time consistently, and suddenly traveling back has thrown him off. Then his vision clears, and he’s greeted by a vaguely familiar looking living room.

Now if only he could move. He’s sick of being stuck in place. But at least now the three hours, or more accurately two hours and forty five minutes, will pass in the past, and he won’t be wasting the time in the present.

JB stands, waiting, for what feels like an eternity, before someone finally walks into the room. He recognizes her instantly. Her hair is longer, she's quite a bit taller, and she seems a couple of years older, but he’s certain that it’s Katherine Skidmore.

She lets out a squeak, jumping backwards, when she sees him, before her eyes light up in recognition.

“JB!” Katherine cries, rushing up to him and jumping up, wrapping her arms around his neck. “It’s been so long!”

She takes a step back and examines his face, before frowning slightly.

“You look tired. Is everything okay?” She asks.

JB wishes he could sigh right now. No, everything is not okay, but he can’t do anything about it until he’s unfrozen.

Katherine stares at him for a moment, before the message seems to get through.

“Right, sorry!” She says, bouncing back on her feet, her long ponytail swinging back and forth behind her. “I’ll go get the Elucidator to unfreeze you!”

As she dashes up stairs JB hears her call down to him again.

“And I’ll grab the boys too!”

He has to wait only a minute before multiple sets of steps come running down the stairs. His vision is soon filled with the faces of two almost identical boys, and Katherine standing behind them.

“It really is him.” One of the boys, Jordan, he’s pretty sure, breathes.

“Of course it is, I’d recognize JB anywhere.” Katherine says, a hand on her hip.

“Don’t you think we should unfreeze him now?” The other boy, Jonah, asks.

“I got the Elucidator right here.” Jordan replies, digging into his pocket and pulling it out. “Elucidator, unfreeze JB.”

In an instant JB crumbles, his legs giving out on him, and he barely catches himself from going face first into the ground.

A sea of questions spills from the gathered teenagers, but he can barely hear them, his brain not able to keep up with the words as he tries to keep his arms from shaking.

“Fuuuuuuuuuuck!” JB says, pushing one of his palms against one of his eyes, trying to force back the tears that were finally able to form.

The siblings that are surrounding him fall silent for a moment, the air heavy with concern, before Jonah finally speaks up.

“Are you alright JB?” He asks.

JB lets out a heavy sigh, taking a deep breath in, then two, then three, before he shoves himself off of the floor and back onto his feet.

“Give me your Elucidator.” JB instructs, his voice level again.

The trio look at each other, before Jordan, the one holding the device he needs, steps behind the other two.

“ Now. ” He commands.

He’s wasting time. Yes, Sam is hundreds of years in the future, but his adrenaline is high, and he’s already spent too much time being stuck, frozen, unable to act.

Unable to save the man he loves.

“Why do you need it?” Jonah asks.

“Mine was taken away. I’ll give it back, but I have to borrow it.” He explains, holding his hand out.

“Who took it?” Katherine asks, her voice not as sceptical as the other two.

But he can’t explain. These kids… they didn’t know the Sam he knew, and they don’t know that he must have had a reason to take it, a reason that wasn’t only for his own gain. He can’t explain the way Sam had kissed him, and the pain and apology he saw after it.

“That doesn’t matter right now.” JB says, forcing himself to not grit his teeth. “I gave it to you, so, just for now, give it back.”

“But isn’t time travel illegal now?” Jordan asks, earning panicked eyes and shaking heads by his siblings.

“Yes, so we’re wasting time!” He snaps.

Katherine recoils at the harshness of his tone, and Jonah takes a challenging step forward.

“Then what are you even doing here?” He asks. “You’re a Time Agent, you shouldn’t be breaking the law.”

JB sighs, running a hand through his hair. He can’t let his frustration get the best of him, not now. Not while Sam needs him.

“I know.” JB replies, his voice calm once more. “I don’t like doing it, but someone is in trouble, and if I don’t do anything I fear he is going to be gone for good.”

“Who is he?” Jordan asks, looking between him and the Elucidator.

“It’s too much to explain right now. I just need you to trust me.” He says, extending his hand, face up, hoping to receive the Elucidator that will allow him to save his friend.

The Skidmores glance between each other, communicating without having to say a word, before Jordan reaches his hand out, and drops the Elucidator into JB’s.

JB’s fingers quickly close around the device, and he pulls it close to his face, his body and mind both switching gears.

“Send me my spare Elucidator.” He says, immediately feeling it in his other hand.

He tosses the first Elucidator back to the trio, who thankfully catch it, but his attention has already left them, instead on his own Elucidator, which he’s flipping voice commands on for.

“Elucidator, send me back to my present. Send me to where Sam Chase is.” JB instructs.

There’s a series of yells, but he’s long gone back into outer time when they reach his ears. It doesn’t matter to him what they think, their reactions. It doesn’t even matter to him right now if they feel betrayed.

What matters to JB is that he’s going to get Sam back.

Chapter Text

Second’s head snaps towards the door, unsure if he’s relieved or annoyed at the interruption.

“Freeze every other Time Agent in this room!” JB says, his voice sharp as he speaks into his Elucidator.

Sam’s eyes widen as he looks up at the man.

He came.

He’s here to rescue him.

Sam stands suddenly, his chair falling down onto the floor.

He’s risking everything by being here.

JB’s hazel eyes are fixated on Sam, not looking at any of the Time Agents around them as he strides towards him.

The man’s face is serious as he steps towards him.

His eyes aren’t unkind, or even upset, but more certain, and determined.

Their gazes are locked, and Sam, for a moment, doesn’t register that his Time Agent is grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling him closer, an-

Oh.

So this is what it’s like being surprised by a kiss.

Sam can get used to the feeling.

The hand that had been gripping his shirt loosens, instead pressing against his back.

JB’s other hand finds his neck, his thumb rubbing his cheek and jaw.

Sam’s own hands had made their way to the handsome man.

One is holding onto his shoulder.

The other finds itself in the beautiful dark curls, his hair softer than the former Projectionist expected.

When they pull away this time the air isn’t harsh or cold, and they stay in the other's arms for a moment, eyes gazing into one another’s.

And then a laugh escapes Sam’s throat.

He can’t help it.

The laugh feels delirious, and JB looks at him as if he’s lost his mind.

“...Sam?” JB asks hesitantly, his voice low and soft.

“Sorry, sorry.” He says in between the laughter. “It’s just, well, the fine folks here believed they were dealing with Second Chance, and… I fear you’ve just ruined the image.”

JB glances around, and, seemingly, for the first time really registers that there are other people around.

A blush has spread over his face by the time he looks back to Sam.

“Sorry about that.” JB mutters, before smiling at him.

Sam leans up, planting another kiss on his Time Agent’s lips.

Then he breaks the kiss, instead giving JB a proper hug.

He gets an embrace in return, before he gently gets pushed away.

“We’ll continue this later, but I think we should deal with them first.” JB says, nodding his head at the frozen crowd, before fully turning to the Time Agents. “As for all of you, what the hell do you think you were doing? Capturing-”

“Killing.” The former criminal corrects, his voice light for the subject matter, but he slips his hand into his love’s, and gives it a soft squeeze. “They were trying to delete me.”

“-Killing Sam, my…” JB continues, before hesitating.

“Boyfriend.” He supplies.

“Boyfriend.” JB concludes, before turning towards him. “Boyfriend?”

“Sure, I’ll be your boyfriend.” Sam replies, giving JB a smirk.

JB gapes at him for a moment, before smiling, shaking his head, and turning back to the other people.

“The point is, I’m not having it, this is not going to happen again, and I will be taking Sam and leaving. ” JB explains, shooting glares at each Time Agent. “He is not a current threat, and he’s already died once, this whole thing was unnecessary. And if you come after him again, it won’t be so easy. We’ll back his consciousness up, more than a few times, and you’ll have hell to pay for touching him.”

As JB talks he starts walking forwards, batting the Elucidators out of a few Agent’s hands as he goes.

“This man is under my protection.” JB says, giving one last look to the group. “And you can explain to the higher ups exactly why I quit. And don’t forget the part where you apprehended someone unauthorized.”

“Bye suckers.” Sam adds, flipping the Time Agents off, before he turns to JB. “Shall we then?”

He gets a nod in response.

“Elucidator,” JB starts. “Unfreeze everyone here, and send us to a time hollow.”

Chapter Text

JB lies on the floor of the time hollow, his mind racing, replaying the events of what happened over and over again in his mind. Sam had kissed him. Sam had left. JB broke the law, going back in time again. He saw the kids for the first time in months. They kissed again. JB stood up for the man he loves. He quit the Time Agency.

It’s all too much for him.

Everything’s changed so quickly.

When JB finally opens his eyes, the first thing he sees is his hands, resting on the floor, shaking violently. And then he looks past them, seeing Sam’s concerned face, also laying on the floor, watching him.

“Are you okay?” The former Projectionist asks.

JB tries to answer, but quickly shuts his mouth, not bothering. His mind is a jumbled mess. He doesn’t regret what he did, but he just burnt the bridge he spent all of his life building.

Sam pushes himself off the floor, his lips in a soft frown, his brows furrowed, but his green eyes still so bright. After a moment he helps the trembling JB into a sitting position, before grabbing a large blanket out of nothingness, wrapping it around the stunned ex Time Agent’s shoulders.

“It’s a shock blanket.” Sam explains, tucking it around him. “You look like you’re in shock.”

JB only nods dully for a second. Even after almost dying, again, Sam’s taking care of him. It really should be the other way around. If only he can stop shaking.

His friend, or… boyfriend, plops down in front of him, his sparkling eyes attentively watching him.

“Hey, Sam,” JB finally starts, his voice quiet, barely stable.

“Yeah?” Sam asks.

“You said we’re boyfriends now?” That, at least, is a change JB will warmly welcome.

If Sam means it, that is.

“Is that what you’re worried about?” Sam asks, a grin spreading across his face. “Well, I’m in love with you, and, with the way you kissed me I assume, you are too, so it only makes sense for us to be boyfriends.”

“Good.” He replies, a weak smile appearing on his face. “I’ve wanted a boyfriend for quite a while now, and I thought you would make a good one.”

Sam laughs at this, the sound clear and grounding. He may have little else, but he saved his laugh from disappearing into the void of time. He can’t help but find the trade to be worth it.

They sit for a few more moments, before Sam’s eyes fall away from his, and he leans forward, his soft blond hair brushing JB’s cheek, his head resting on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” Sam says, his voice soft. “I should have been able to handle it. You shouldn’t have ever been dragged into this.”

“Don’t be an idiot Sam, we both know that doesn’t fit you.” JB replies, leaning his head against Sam’s. “I was always going to get dragged into it, no matter what you did.”

He feels Sam shift, but his boyfriend doesn’t say anything.

“And besides,” He continues. “I love you, and I would rather you be safe than I be a Time Agent.”

Sam chuckles softly, not exactly amused, more relieved.

“I should have learned to not doubt you long ago.” Sam murmurs, the smile clear in his voice.

“Well hopefully you’ll never have to doubt me again.” JB replies, his hands finally having stopped shaking.

Chapter Text

Sam locks the front door, satisfied with his work.

The physical lock wouldn’t do much, not against the people he is truly worried about, but it’s really a symbol.

What is actually going to protect them is the boundaries he put up, stopping any unauthorized Elucidators from getting inside, and keeping anyone from time traveling, or teleporting, in.

He isn’t happy that they’re stuck in the house, but at least they aren’t on the run.

And maybe he’ll be able to convince JB that they’re already criminals anyways, so they don’t need to worry about not time traveling anymore.

Sam steps away from the door, before turning away from it entirely.

JB is sitting on the couch, a cup of hot chocolate in his hands, the blanket still wrapped around his shoulders.

His boyfriend looks up at him, then smiles, the shock seeming to have worn off.

“Are you holding up?” Sam asks, sitting next to JB.

“Yes, I’m alright now. Thank you.” JB replies. “I assume you got the house secure?”

“Yes sir. No one’s getting in unless we let them.” He answers, giving his Time Agent’s leg a small squeeze. “We’re safe now.”

“Maybe I should have taken your advice and just quit earlier.” His boyfriend muses, an amused tint to his voice.

“We both know you’re a workaholic who could never do that.” Sam replies with a laugh.

“But at least I would have gotten my retirement.” JB pouts.

“Instead you got a boyfriend. Tragic trade, I know.” He teases.

JB laughs, before setting his mug down, and wrapping the large blanket over Sam as well.

“What’s this for?” Sam asks, his eyebrows raised.

“You almost died, you need a so-called shock blanket too.” JB explains, scouting closer so the blanket can fully envelope them both.

“I think you just want to cuddle.” He argues, leaning against his boyfriend.

“Can’t I want to cuddle and for you to have your shock relieved?” The former Time Agent asks, before planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Hmmmm.” Sam muses, unable to contain his smile. “I think not.”

“Then I’m guilty as charged, I suppose.” JB gives, before laughing.

They sit there, together, wrapped in a blanket, happy, for a while.

The last few hours have been a chaotic mess for the couple.

Their new life will take a lot of getting used to.

Sam doubts that it will always be easy.

But he doesn’t doubt that they’ll get through it.

Some days may be boring.

Some days might come with Time Agents knocking on their front door, trying to ruin everything they have.

But everyday that he has JB, everyday where he has the love of his life, and death, with him, is a day he’s excited for.

Maybe his existence isn’t doomed for tragedy after all.

Maybe everything, every heartache, every tear, every time he wished he could go back and change it all, was just leading him here.

Leading him to be with the person he cares about most in the world.

But maybe it was their combined efforts.

Maybe it was them, fighting against all the odds.

Not fate, or destiny, but their will to be together.

Or maybe he’s just getting sentimental.

It doesn’t matter.

What matters is that the means have finally justified the end.

That he can now truly be happy.

“Hey,” He starts softly, getting his boyfriend’s attention.

“Yeah?” His Time Agent responds.

“I love you, Janitor Boy.” Sam says.

“I love you too, Samuel.” JB replies.

Chapter Text

JB lights the candles on the dining room table, before pouring the wine into their glasses, and grabbing their plates from the kitchen counter, placing them on the table. He can feel Sam’s eyes follow him as he works, and when he finally looks into them, he sees they’re dancing and bright. Absolutely dazzling as always.

He stops as he sets Sam’s plate down in front of him, hovering over him for a moment. JB leans down, intending to give his boyfriend a kiss, before he hesitates.

“May I?” He asks softly.

Sam looks up at him and purses his lips, as if thinking, but there’s a smile in his eyes.

“You may go right ahead.” His boyfriend answers.

The kiss is short, but sweet, and it still fills JB’s chest with warmth. They’ve been dating for almost two weeks now, and yet every touch, every lean, every kiss, every time they hold hands, he can’t help but feel happiness bubbling up inside.

“You know,” Sam starts after JB sits down. “You don’t have to ask.”

“I thought it would be better if I did.” He replies with a shrug. “Better than accidentally startling you.”

“Thanks.” The former Projectionist replies, before taking a bite of the spaghetti in front of him.

JB leans his arm on the table, his hand on his cheek, and watches his boyfriend try the food he made him. His light eyebrows raise in surprise, and he glances between the plate and JB.

“You’re sure you made this?” Sam asks.

“Yes, I’m positive I made it.” JB answers.

“It’s surprisingly good.” His boyfriend observes, sounding much too astound for the words he’s actually saying.

“I told you I’m not that bad of a cook.” JB objects, laughing.

“No, I think the lessons have just been paying off.” Sam replies with a smirk.

JB rolls his eyes, before taking a bit of the pasta himself. Sam’s right, it’s good… and better than his previous attempts at the dish, but he won’t be admitting that to the former Projectionist.

It had been his idea for the date night, seeing that they can’t exactly go out, and he’s pleased at the success of it. Them sitting here, laughing, drinking wine, Sam looking dashing in the candle light, it’s a dream come true.

They might not be able to do everything other normal couples can do, both of them being, technically, time criminals, after all, but they’re making the best of it. And they’re happy. That’s what really matters, after all.

“You seem lost in thought.” Sam comments, swirling the wine in his glass.

“I am only thinking about how lucky I am, having you in my life. As my boyfriend.” JB replies, smiling at his love.

“If you’re lucky I must have been born the luckiest person in the world.” His boyfriend says with a chuckle.

“I wouldn’t be so sure, I think I take that title.” He argues, but without any ire, only playfully.

Even just two months ago he could have never imagined this. He had been almost certain he wouldn’t be this happy again. He thought he was going to be stuck, burnt out, hurting, alone, forever.

But here JB is, with the man he loves, and he can’t ask for anything more. He’s happier than he’s been in years.