[PSL] time travel, time travel

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin had always known that Lukas would kill him in the end. If not along the way, then surely at the end, once he'd gotten what he wanted out of Martin, whatever that turned out to be. When the Lonely rose up to swallow him, he'd accepted his impending death with ... what?

What did he have left, really? Numbness, mostly. A hallucination of Jon in the Lonely, looking for him, but - but that was impossible, ridiculous. His mind playing cruel tricks. He settled himself down in the frigid surf, knees drawn up close to his chest, unshed tears frozen to his cheeks and lashes.

And then. A door. A door that shouldn't exist, that couldn't exist. That he shouldn't take at all. The Lonely was terrible, yes, but it was quiet, and it was peaceful. Martin was aligned enough with it by now to very nearly enjoy it, in a strange and terrible way. The Spiral would be infinitely worse than this quiet beach.

But ... it was hope, too. In a strange way. Hope enough that Martin found himself turning the door handle and stepping through, leaving the false comfort of the Lonely behind him.

The transition was unpleasant. Long. But Martin couldn't remember it after; he only remembered stumbling out through the door of a supply closet somewhere deep in the Archives, blinking up at the dim bulbs that pretended to be sufficient. What time was it? Had he escaped? Where were Lukas and Elias now?

And where was Jon? ]

Comments

2/2

[secreteary]

[but then Jon starts falling like a ton of bricks.

cool.

it feels like it's happening in slow motion, just enough that Martin can act on the impulse to run and dive, reaching his arms out as far as they'll stretch and hoping desperately that he'll keep Jon from hitting the floor--]

[curriculum_fictae]

Jon!

[ Algric realises what's happening a moment after Martin does, and he dives at nearly the same angle, just coming from the opposite direction. Between the two of them they keep him from hitting the floor too hard --

And bonks his head into Martin's on the way down. ]

[secreteary]

[a strangled sort of noise comes out of Martin when he collides with Algric that's hard enough to daze him for a moment.

the two of them succeeded in catching Jon, his head only centimeters from the floor and lolling backwards, since Martin is supporting Jon's upper back.

Martin shakes the fog of the impact and sputters:]

Algric, a-are you alright? [???????!!!?!?!]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric will get his head, then, after he stifles a curse at hitting his own head. ]

F-fine, I'm - I'm fine, I -

[ Since Jon is safe, he manages to look at Martin again. And once again, he's surprised by swell of warmth that rises up like a blush in his face. ]

He fixed me.

[secreteary]

[as this is the first time they've properly looked at each other, the surreal nature of Algric being in their lives really penetrates Martin's mind in a way it hadn't before.

it's bizarre beyond words. but...by now, Martin has accepted Algric's presence, for better or worse, so he's able to wrap his head around it far more easily than if he'd been able to look at Algric since the beginning.]

Then- That's brilliant.

[Martin smiles.]

I'm. That's wonderful for you. [a small chuckle.] It's nice to properly meet you? Bit awkward way to do it, though.

[he sighs, then starts carefully lifting Jon.]

But we can worry about that later. Let's get him on the air mattress.

[kayakking]

[Tim, for his part, remains as quiet as he had. If anything, the lined tension he'd held through them figuring out what to do had settled into a softer wonder. For a little while, just a little while, he can put aside the questions of what it means to Jon to be able to do that. To Algric for having it done to him, even with consent.

No, it's very clear, watching Algric and Martin that whatever happened was unilaterally good... and...

He's relieved? The most he'd been since Jon started easing up at work. He's absolutely, completely relieved. Quietly as to not disturb the moment, he pushes himself up, gets the liner out of the bin and tied up. And delicately settles into one of the chairs. He leans on his good elbow, just... watching these two finally meet with a softer expression than he'd managed since-

Before Prentiss, really.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He ... really is meeting himself, isn't he? He hadn't thought about it like that, and yet. He stares at Martin with a wonder he hadn't had before, a sense of physicality that comes from actually seeing someone vs. just hearing their voice. It helps that they're close enough that his lack of glasses don't get in the way, and ...

The thought that this could be nice is - new? Surprising. Algric has never liked himself on any level, and low key hating his past self had just been ... part of that.

The thought that he doesn't have to hate himself is alien. And relieving. ]

It's - it's nice to meet you too. Properly.

[ He manages a smile that mirrors Martin's own. Real, if hesitant.

A glance over at Tim to make sure he's still all right through this - and he is, goodness, maybe even happy for them? Yes, that looks like happiness on their behalf - before he moves ahead of Martin, consolidating the pillows and drawing back the blankets so Martin can set Jon down in the middle of them. ]

Right, ah. I hope he's all right. It - it can't have been easy. I could feel how much damage Elias had done.

[kayakking]

[When their eyes meet, Tim flashes him a small smile. He lets them finish settling Jon into bed. (Good god, he hasn't even begun to untangle what he feels about Jon in this? Worry? It is definitely worry.)

Speaking of... He focuses on Algric.]

And.. how are you feeling? I mean- Not to detract from the good part. But nothing else, you know- weird?

[curriculum_fictae]

I feel ...

[ How does he feel? Better, for sure, but there's some mental soreness there. He sort of winces as he tries to feel around his own head. ]

I - I feel a bit as though I've just had a nasty blister lanced. It hurts, but it. It's so much better.

[secreteary]

Well...you're certainly welcome to stay as long as you need to, if it was...too draining, or anything.

[and commence the cleaning up of the forgotten breakfast. (sorry Jon.) Martin looks over at the passed out figure on the air mattress.]

You probably want to stay with Jon, anyway.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Poor Jon. Algric looks a bit lovesick for a moment, watching his chest rise and fall. ]

I - I yes. I do. But - if he wants to stay here, I'd like that. Last night was ... good.

[ He seems distinctly less blurry and cold. ]

[kayakking]

[Tim gives that some thought. It's not just Algric that looks better... Martin as well. Tim's arms, back and calves still sting a little from the scene he originally walked in on. The two of them were now nothing like the monstrous blur and chill Martin and Algric manifested before.

It's just a matter of if Jon can actually sleep with anyone else in the room, if last night is any judge. But then... given his work and sleep hygiene in general, where and with whom may not be a question.]

That... might not be a bad idea. At least for a little while. Two pairs of eyes on him, for one.

[Which really, is an easier pitch to any Martin than something to THEIR benefit.]

[secreteary]

Or three.

[it's not fair that it's taken this long for Martin to consider Tim's ailments beyond the need immediately after Helen's departure.]

Not to be rude, but you look terrible. If you needed some eyes on you, too, then you're staying as well.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, we should - we should all stay. If Martin doesn't mind.

[secreteary]

[just. a smile.]

Of course. And I can go get more shopping done for cooking.

[kayakking]

[He just holds up one hand at the call out, as if warding off the attention. But there's no arguments to the plan either.]

Right. You'll let us chip in fair share. [It's a statement, not a question. And quickly moved on, at that.] And we can use this to get everything we're going to actually... you know, DO about this mess coordinated.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ At the mention of chipping in, Algric flushes a bit, looking embarrassed. ]

I - I can't help financially, but I can clean? I'm happy to do that.

[secreteary]

You really don't have to, Tim. I'm happy to do it, really.

[personally, he thinks of it as some kind of thank you. but he doesn't want to harp on about yesterday for the nth time, so that gets kept to himself.]

I won't say no to helping clean up, though. Thanks.

[it's still bizarre, being able to look Algric in the eye. his future. looking it in the face. jesus.

there's a tiny bit of pride that he CAN provide financially. Martin, 1. Algric, ?]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric ? indeed. But - but that's soothing, being allowed to clean. Martin surely understands the importance of Algric being able to contribute in a way he finds meaningful. ]

Of - of course. I'm happy to. Not much else I can. Can do.

[ Outside of his horror spoilers. ]

[kayakking]

Then I? Will sit here and look pretty.

[He says, but sure is going to transfer over some, and without a doubt, Jon will do the same.]

So. One plan down.

[There's something in the air that leaves it open for the... other plans they really don't have any clue about.]

[kayakking]

[It does mean that when Jon peels his eyes awake and pokes his head up from the likely mountain of covers he'd been nestled into, the apartment is basically alive with domesticity.

It's likely late enough in the day, given Jon's both recent and overall sleep debt, to smell something new cooking in the kitchen, Martin's quest for groceries and sundries yielding a number of fresh options.

Folded on the corner of the air mattress is a few of Jon's good work clothes and a great deal more casual options, the likes of which haven't seen light of day since Uni, as well as some toiletries. Tim's own pickings of his own and what Algric needed was perched on the armrest of the couch bed, and Tim himself is nearby, casually slouched, feet lifted for something Algric is fussing a bit cleaner.

There's conversation, some lighter, some heavier. For most, it may be hard to distinguish, without looking, when it's Algric or when it's Martin answering, and their snippits of conversation may be downright bewildering... But Jon, may simply know which is which on a deep, simply accepted level.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric ... has a lot of side conversations he needs to have, really. With Martin especially, and Jon eventually. But. The first one comes up naturally with Tim, as he hovers with fresh gauze for Jon's feet. He'd taken care to retrieve some from the first aid kit the first moment he could manage. Given how much Jon was on his feet, they must be a wreck ... right? ]

Tim, could you - could you help me with Jon's feet?

[kayakking]

[They should be. They REALLY should be.

But the glimpse he saw earlier was... well it was fast enough that he could certainly be easy to mistake. And surely it was a mistake. (Like he hadn't just watched Jon perform some occult brainwashing. To the positive, but-)

He rubs a hand over his face, as if he could wipe out the thought and the ugly mix of emotions it welled up.]

Yeah, he still out, then?

[curriculum_fictae]

I think so. Yes. I thought - I thought it might be best to take care of it while he's still sleeping.

[ He glances at Tim, taking in his expression for a moment. They have some things to unpack in general, he knows, but - this first.

Tim gets to hold the first aid kit while Algric stoops to gently remove what's left of Jon's bandages. (He'll tend to yours next, Tim.) ]

[kayakking]

[Tim sits down next to Jon and crosses his legs, balancing the first aid kit on his far knee. If Jon is still awake or awakening, Tim's hands are rather warm as they gently lift one of Jon's legs and set it on a part of his lap. It gives a nice open surface for Algric to work.]

... What's the damage?

[From his angle, it actually is a question. Which might have been why he picked it.]