[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

[eyediot]

You're not imposing. I'll take Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

[curriculum_fictae]

... All right. If you want to do it, then -

[ He looks down at his plate. Still nervous, but filled with some other, unnameable emotion. He shouldn't react this much to something this simple, and yet. ]

Thank you.

[eyediot]

[YOU CAN AND SHOULD REACT MARTIN. He sits with his own plate and starts in.]

Of course. And besides, you are helping.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He sighs softly. ]

Less than I'd like. I've probably given you all the useful information already.

[eyediot]

It's not... It's not just information, Martin.

[Christ. How does he explain this without sounding absolutely mad and also not... desperate.]

I've... So much of my time in the Institute, I've. Suspected things, and since the Prentiss attack... It's just. It's..good. To know I'm not. Mad.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin lifts his head at that. ]

No. No, you're - you're not mad. It's all real, and much more terrible than even you realise.

[ And then back to looking at his glassy, faded fingers. ]

I wish I could do more to save you from it.

[eyediot]

[Jon follows his gaze to Martin's glassy, faded fingers. As domestic and simple as all this is, it doesn't take away from the fact that Martin's been through a hell of a lot and is a man out of time now.]

...You're already doing loads. Thank you, Martin.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Suuure is. With no real way home, even, unless he wants to just die.

He just nods slowly. ]

So - so what's the plan for today?

[eyediot]

Hm. [He takes the first few bites of his breakfast.]

I've got work, and then maybe.. I think taking a break from the tunnels. So I'll likely come back home.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin can't help but brighten. ]

Would you - would you like to go out somewhere then? Nowhere special, really, but there is a lovely little café not too far down the road.

[eyediot]

Sure. [Not even THINKING about what he's agreeing to. He may not ever realize it.]

I don't get to cafe's often.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Good job Jon. Martin, of course, blushes and feels a bit like he's tricked Jon, but. well. ]

W-well, here's your excuse.

[eyediot]

Thank you. I'm.. I'm looking forward to it.

[Said with so much confidence, one might think he was projecting it a bit hard. He's not sure it's a good idea, between everything at the Institute going on and trying not to let on that this Martin is from their future.]

I won't keep you waiting after I'm off, then.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It's true; Martin would be safer staying indoors as much as possible. And yet, he suspects that no one will notice him.

He manages a small smile. ]

Please don't. It closes at eight, so.

[eyediot]

All right! I hear you, I won't stay at work late.

[How have his neighbors not confused them for a couple yet.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ You mean they totally have already and just haven't said anything yet. ]

Good. All right then. Just - just text me when you're on your way back and I'll meet you there.

[eyediot]

[They're so polite.]

All right.

[A beat.]

Where am I meeting?

[curriculum_fictae]

Do you - do you not know the little café down the road? Brown sign, has a tea pun in its name?

[eyediot]

... Right.

[He absolutely does not know.]

I'll meet you there.

[curriculum_fictae]

I'll message you with the address.

[ Just. So exasperated. ]

[eyediot]

[Hey, it's better than all-knowing Jon, right?

He does look a little put off though at being called on his bluff, idly poking at his food.]

That's fine too.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin returns to eating. A bit of warmth returning to his skin as he does so. ]

I'll probably see about some sort of part time work too. Something that won't need a background check.

[eyediot]

Oh. Um. Are you sure?

[He doesn't really know what Martin's current physical condition entails. But who knows.]

I mean, I can't stop you. But... [He worries.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin rubs at the back of his neck. ]

I'm going to be stuck here for a long time. Better if I - I make something of it.

[eyediot]

I understand.

[He just doesn't like it!]

Maybe there'll be some luck while we're out later.