curriculum_fictae: (Default)
Martin K(nife) Blackwood ([personal profile] curriculum_fictae) wrote2020-06-16 06:15 pm

[PSL] time travel, time travel

[ 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? ]
secreteary: (pic#14180201)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 04:28 am (UTC)(link)
[he REALLY doesn't know what to do with that one.

he just rubs his tingling left arm absently, still smiling. but it's every so slightly strained]


Of...of course I'm here. We're friends, right? So... Nowhere I'd rather be.
eyediot: (In the deep city streets in the summer o)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Jon watches and... That's the. The arm that got messed up by the Lonely. Hm.]

..I know, Martin.

[God, he really does say that a lot, doesn't he. No wonder he becomes a fucking monster for the Eye. Vine, Jon.]

And. And we are friends, if. I hadn't made that clear. [God now is the perfect time to talk about that thing but how the heck does he do it.]
secreteary: (pic#14180216)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
That's certainly a relief, especially with how you were before Algric showed up.

[it's not meant unkindly. just stating facts.]
eyediot: (s5; but that just reminds me how)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
... Yes.

And-- And I am sorry for that.

[What's that? Sincerity in his tone?]
secreteary: (pic#14180223)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Martin might be crazy because it just might be!!! he grabs the sides of the chair and scoots closer to the bed, leaning closer, all full of concern and reassurance.]

It's okay, it really is. Sure, some of your behavior was definitely unacceptable, but after what we found down there? I can't say I don't see your perspective, if that makes sense.

And, you know, you've been better lately. S-since he showed up.
eyediot: (but my memory could not be saved)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Better now than going crazy before. I just... Didn't have any answers. [Just. A soft exhale, not quite a sigh.] Tim said if he'd known answers would've calmed me down this much, he would've built some kind of time machine already.

[He rubs at his forehead a moment before reaching to try for his glasses, gets them on.]

...But how is your arm?
secreteary: (pic#14180218)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
[a small huff of laughter.] Yeah, that sounds like Tim. I understand the thought though, if that really was all you needed...

[he didn't trust you.

Martin frowns as he mentally waves that off, then holds up aforementioned limb.]


No change. I'm sort of...almost adjusted to it, at this point. [he shrugs.] People pass over me more easily, so it might take a while for anyone to notice that I'm here after visiting hours.
eyediot: (s5; but that just reminds me how)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Ooooh that's not good. Jon looks genuinely worried. He grunts and pushes through the pain to sit up properly, extends his hands out.]

May I?
secreteary: (pic#14180212)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
[a confused frown.]

Sure?

[...]

Wwwwwwwhy?
eyediot: (boi)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
Because I'm worried.

[He takes Martin's arm in both his hands, just. Looking at the damage. God, it's... Further along than he thought it would be. He still doesn't know when this happened.

Jon wishes he knew how to stop this. But, he gives one short nod, then. Sort of. Awkward-casually just. Holds Martin's hand. Satisfied.]
secreteary: (pic#14180215)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
[oh.

Jon's just...kind like that. that's all.

even still...]


It's.

[Martin feels his face getting warm, staring at their hands.]

I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me. Just...take care of yourself.

[he's saying the words, but by this point he's become so distant from his own mind, staring at their hands and really getting lost in it, that he doesn't have the conviction in them that he normally would.

as if to prove this, a hint of color comes back into his fingertips.]
eyediot: (*deep inhale*)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Not letting go.]

I do worry, and I think we all know I'm very bad at that.
secreteary: (pic#14180225)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know that. I'd say you're quite good at it, actually.
eyediot: (but my memory could not be saved)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Jon, really really doesn't think he has the emotional fortitude to have another big deep talk while he's in the hospital still. He may have to here, but he'd rather not. He'd rather this just. Be simple.

His voice is just. Tired.]


Then you're giving me far too much credit than I deserve, Martin.
secreteary: (pic#14180201)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
[POT]

Sometimes...

[MEET]

Sometimes we're not the best judge of what we deserve or not.

[KETTLE]
eyediot: (like a stained glass window)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
Yes.

Which is why I got very drunk and Tim very aggressively gave me a kick in the ass. About. [He instinctively wants to keep it vague, not be direct, just say 'a lot of things' but that's not entirely fair here.] About you.
secreteary: (pic#14180212)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Me? What about me?

[he racks his brain for anything he might have done wrong (a long, anxiety fueled list) and what he might have done right (a pitiful post it note)]

Is this about choosing "Algric" as a name? He said something about my "game face"?
eyediot: (that it's me who was to blame)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
What? No.

[What nonsense was Tim sending to Martin that night???

He looks down at their hands and. Just. Gives it a little squeeze.]


For. For whatever you think of me, I am an idiot at times. Unfortunately, I'm not. Entirely the best at. Personal things.
secreteary: (pic#14180216)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
[hey sorry Jon but you're getting a really fond, just-shy-of-being-lovesick smile.]

I never said you weren't an idiot. For as smart a man as you are, you're also incredibly stupid.
eyediot: (take you with me)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Yep, there it is.]

I've been made incredibly aware recently by multiple parties.
secreteary: (pic#14180204)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Maybe that's what you get for a few weeks of suspicion and stalking...?

[is he

is that

TEASING]
eyediot: (s5; and tell me 'don't look down')

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
Is... Are you...?

Are you teasing?

[Martin, are you teasing a grown man's paranoia????]

Come on...
secreteary: (pic#14180201)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
[oh oops

he shrinks a little, smile suddenly very uncertain]


...Too soon?
eyediot: (My dreams were shattered)

[personal profile] eyediot 2020-08-08 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
No, no, just--

[Sorry, he's. Taking that in. Jon gets as close as he can to expressing his feelings without actually saying it, and the first thing Martin does is tease. Lord. It's so different from his near-heart break with Algric.]

Didn't expect it.
secreteary: (Default)

[personal profile] secreteary 2020-08-08 06:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Martin didn't either, actually. he quietly blames it on affection with nowhere to go.]

Just got caught up in the moment, I guess. Bad attempt to lighten the mood, maybe.