Chapter Text
By the time Michael reached the-Jon’s apartment, Jon was leaning on it quite heavily, barely able to walk on his own. Michael supposed that depending on how long Jon had been held by the circus that might be fair. Jon didn’t seem like the type to fake that from what it’d heard though. Jon tried to walk forwards on his own, but stumbled, causing Michael to awkwardly have to do something approximating a hug in order to not cut Jon to shreds trying to catch him.
“Sorry.” Jon mumbled.
“It’s fine.” Michael said, half-dragging Jon over to the couch. “Stay here.”
“Can you-I’d like it if you could get my phone and charger so I can check the date.” Jon said, cutting off the question two words in. “It should be around here somewhere. I’d get it but you told me to-”
“I can do that.” It didn’t take Michael long to find the phone. It was on the counter. Michael brought it and a charger over, and plugged the phone in. “I’d offer to make you something but I assume it would end up being a bit…off. I don’t think I’m enough of Michael Shelley to have any of his cooking skills.” From there the conversation died out as Jon stared at his phone, waiting for it to turn on. Michael idly wondered if there were many Lonely avatar shoplifters, what with their ability to go unnoticed and go into the Lonley’s pocket dimension. Eventually, the phone turned on, and Jon snatched it to check the date.
“No…” He whispered, gently setting the phone down. He turned to Michael. “It’s, it’s been a month .”
“Oh.” Michael said, unsure of the best response here. “I…don’t mean to sound harsh, it’s hard to tell time in my hallways, so time slipping away from me is a normal event…though I suppose not usually on this scale. I’m…sorry?” it finished the ramble awkwardly.
“It’s not your fault.” Jon said distractedly.
“No, seeing as that is generally what happens if one is stuck in one of the Strangers domains. Time can…get away from you.” Jon glanced up, face showing his confusion that he voiced a second later.
“Stranger?” it hit Michael once again how little Jon knew. But then something more pressing hit it.
“Jon…when was the last statement you had before mine?” It knew the answer, but it was best to check anyway.
“I don’t know, sometime before I was kidnapped, I guess. Wh-.” Jon cut himself off once again. Michael answered anyway.
“Well, that’s not good. My statement should tide you over for a bit, especially considering…well, me. But as soon as you can I’m taking you to the institute.”
“Why wo-I don’t understand.”
“I suppose you were going to find out at some point. Better sooner rather than later, even if I have to be the one to tell you. You need statements to survive, preferably live ones but…”