alwayskayaking | Duplicity Inbox

[Jon sets the photo album aside and just gives into the instincts for a little bit. There's no time pressure on this. He can fix the album and Tim's memory soon. Just after a little lie down. He turns himself on the couch and slumps down so that he's sprawled across Tim's lap on his back. It's only a moment before he turns onto his side and curls around the man.

Maybe he just meant Jon could put his head on his thigh. At the moment, that's not where the Archivist's head is. It's more on taking over Tim's lap in its entirety and acquiring further pets. The purring has increased in volume, and Jon nuzzles against Tim's hip once he's down.]

This is nice...

Whooa-- [Tim is shocked when Jon crawls fully into his lap. He had indeed expected Jon to simply rest his head in his lap so it was a surprise. Not that he tries to stop Jon at all as he gets settled.] Glad you're comfortable. [Tim doesn't sound too upset. In fact he starts to pet Jon much like a cat.]

[Jon just makes a contented sound as he's pet and the purring continues for a bit. He knows full well this inappropriate, though, and that human sense of guilt about it does eventually have him opening his eyes and looking up at Tim again.]

Why are you letting me do this? I know we're not... that close.

[He lifts one hand as he asks and places it on Tim's torso, beginning to knead with his fingers and sharpened nails.]

[Tim hums as if this thought hadn't struck him before. At last finally admitting.] I don't know. I guess because it seems like you could use it. You always look so tired. [He shrugs a shoulder.] And we might not be close, but it's not like we hate each other or anything.

[He chuckles at the fingers kneading at his torso, but doesn't stop it. He said Jon shouldn't be embarrassed by his more feline instincts right now and he meant it.] Hey now, don't rip the shirt.

[Jon blinks at the gentle chiding and withdraws his hand.]

I need to file my nails down again.

[He goes back to puzzling as he gazes up at the other man.]

Would you want to be closer? To me? I don't really know how to be close to you.

[They'd worked together in Research for years, enough for Jon to develop a professional respect for Tim's work, if not his silliness. But that hadn't much translated to any sort of camaraderie.]

Fixing the book, bringing the real Sasha back to our memories... that will help, right?

I mean... yeah, sure. I guess. [It was strange being asked like this. He can't remember when someone last asked him: do you want to be friends? point blank like this. Maybe back in primary school?

He scratches at his neck. Feeling suddenly unsure of how to answer.] I dunno, I guess we could hang out more? Not at work. Hanging out at work is what we are back home. I could, I dunno, do whatever you like to do when you're not at the archives some days? And maybe you could come kayaking with me sometime? I just got a new kayak. Came with the book. Hm, maybe I should check it for holes.

[Do you want to be my friend? Check Yes or No.
☐ Yes
☐ No]

Tim, I've literally never been kayaking. Aren't they usually only for one person?

[He's not going to mention that he doesn't have much of a life outside of work or whatever activities he thinks someone else will enjoy. Except...]

There's a carousel at the London Zoo I used to ride as a treat. They have one here that's not bad...

[☐ Hard Maybe????]

You can get them built for two. It's not that hard to get the basics of it down. Or we could just rent you one for a day or two and go put side by side. It's how I learned.

[The hand petting Jon stops for a moment. Really? Carousels? It just seemed so... not Jon.] You know, if this is your way of trying to say you've always had the hots for me you can just say so. [Tim does NOT really think that as he starts to pet Jon again. He's just being an ass now.] I promise not to tell Martin. [It should be nearly impossible to miss the playful tone in his voice. Just more proof that Tim isn't taking this seriously.]

[Jon rolls his eyes hard enough to roll his head along with the motion and then grabs for Tim's arm. Unless the other man pulls away quickly, his hand is getting chomped on in retaliation. It's not enough to break skin, but Jon is absolutely biting him with intent, tail beginning to lash.

The question of kayaks is... questionable. Tim has seen Jon's noodly arms, right? He thinks this might end up with him just rolling upside-down somehow and drowning.]

[Tim raises an eyebrow at Jon grabbing his arm. He doesn't pull away because he's curious as to where this might go. When Jon actually bites him Tim sits dumbfounded for a moment.] Jonathan. Sims. Are you really biting me right now? [He tries to sound upset, but really he's more amused then anything else. Also confused.]

[As Tim sounds amused rather than angry, Jon keeps his teeth locked on the other man's hand and growls as his tail continues to flick. He's not entirely sure where he wants this to go or how, but it feels right to play like this right now. No breaking skin. Like Peter, he's trying to keep it playful rather than inflict actual pain.

It occurs to him belatedly that this is probably something he should have asked if it was okay to do. Tim might be indulging him with pets. He hadn't agreed to deal with Jon as a cat, regardless of Jon's instincts.]

[Tim gives his hand a lazy waggle. Maybe without the bracelet he would have been more forceful about removing his hand from Jon's mouth. For now he's still amused by the contact and still a bit curious how this will go.] Well, aren't you a naughty kitty. Am I going to have to get a spray bottle of water?

[Right. Yes. He's going to die a little now. Jon's whole face lights up with color as he lets go of Tim's hand. It's probably going to be uncomfortable as he shoves himself up and off and reaches for the photo album. It's a moment before he can drag himself out of his more feline mindset to find words.]

Sorry. That, uh... that was inappropriate. I think- I'll see about the photos. And memories. I'll get back to you.

[And standing up.]

[Tim surprises himself when his hand seems to grab for Jon's wrist almost on it's own. Suddenly the idea of being alone in this giant apartment felt overwhelming. Maybe he really should get a submissive as soon as possible. Considering he was just enjoying how large the place was before Jon showed up he's left wondering what's changed. Perhaps the photos were making him feel homesick.]

It's alright. I said you should lead your best cat life, right? You don't need to be embarrassed. [He lets go of Jon's wrist as he doesn't want Jon to feel like he was being forced to stay.] I was just teasing a little. I didn't mind.

[Jon is just reminded of playing with Peter and the talk of disobedience... and the results of it. He really doesn't need to fall into that sort of headspace with Tim. Not without significant discussion, if his experience with Peter is anything to go by. Then again, Alessandro hadn't required nearly as much discussion, but that was just lying in his lap and being pet... and making out.

This really isn't helping the heat on his cheeks.]

I- It's not- I'm having trouble, uh... s-separating out... It's weird letting myself be like this with you, Tim. You must think it's weird.

Well, yeah. [He smiles with tired amusement.] Of course it's a bit weird, but weird is kind of what we do. Right? Boss.

[Jon's continuing to sputter, far too flustered to have a good response. His tail is fluffed up, curled a little between his legs, and his ears are down.]

That's not- you know what I mean! Even if- Friends don't just- When have you ever?

With a half cat man? Never. With a coworker? More frequently then I think you'd like to hear about. [He probably shouldn't look so proud and smug when he says that.

Although for Jon's sake he quickly relents a little bit.] And I'm not saying we even have to do anything. You just don't need to run off all embarrassed. Look! I can even make one of those statements you love so much. Statement of Tim Stoker and the day my boss had some fun pretending to be a cat for awhile. Jon turned into a cat for a bit and enjoyed himself for awhile. The end. [Clearly the most detailed statement ever.]

[Well, now he's being mocked. Jon's somewhere between mortified and indignant.]

I thought you were 'Joe Spooky' for your Statements. [Jon tone is waspish, and he holds the photo album close, glaring.]

I didn't want to repeat myself and become stale. Although Joe Spooky was pretty great if short lived.

[He can see the way Jon has gone from embarrassed to upset. The cat ears and tail make it hard to miss.] So, which was it? Was it the suggestion you should enjoy yourself for a day or the fact that I was mocking the statements the part that annoyed you the most? [Not that he really cares. He's already betting everything he has that it's the fact that he was mocking the statements.]

Neither!

[It's definitely that second one, if his tail fluffing up is anything to go by.]

I have work to do. I need to go.

[He's going to start stalking to the door before realizing that he's taken off his shoes. And his hat. And his tail is out and on full display. Stalking out is going to be a little less dignified when he has to shuffled sullenly back to the sofa to step into his shoes.]

I'm sure you do. [While Tim doesn't outright roll his eyes the way he sighs as he speaks probably gives away that he really wants to.

That is until Jon starts to head out the door without retrieving any of his clothes. He's unable to help the way he starts to grin again at the grumpy, puffed up cat. While Jon slips his shoes on Tim collects his hat to hold out towards him with a victorious smirk on his face.] You do know that as the boss you're not going to get in trouble for taking a long lunch or the rest of the day off, right? It's called a perk.

[Jon is huffing and puffing as he finishes with his shoes and snatches the hat back. It's jammed awkwardly onto his head, one-handed. That still leaves the damn tail. Jon reaches behind himself to catch it in his freehand, and it takes him a few tries with the way it's lashing. The tip flicks back and forth, clearly speaking to his agitation.]

Some of us hold ourselves to a higher standard than some people. [A beat.] I need to use your toilet. Please.

[Somehow with great skill and effort Tim keeps himself from laughing as he watches Jon fight with his own tail.] You know, it might not thrash so much if you relaxed a little. [He says being intentionally unhelpful.] Down that hall. First door on your left.

[Jon isn't going to dignify that advice with a response. Instead, he marches away, muttering low to his tail to 'stop that.' It's a few minutes later that he emerges looking a bit silly in his hat, but much less feline. He's walking with as much dignity as he can muster, chin slightly raised. His accent has been put on a bit posher than is his usual wont. More reminiscent of the early days than the casual one he speaks with now.]

I'll be going, then, and get back to you about the album.

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