[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

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin appreciates it either way. He manages a small laugh. ]

I'll make sure to ask while we're there.

[eyediot]

[He nods and goes back to finishing his breakfast.

As the day goes on, he feels a bit better about deciding to take a break from the tunnels. The statements aren't getting easier, and he's finding himself more and more tired after them. Probably just his body finally settling in after the trauma and healing.

The end of the day finally rolls around and he only stayed a few minutes late - checking the lock on the tunnels, making sure everything's in order for tomorrow, watching Sasha for just a few minutes... But true to his word, he's at the cafe within a reasonable time of leaving work.]

Martin. [He grabs his seat there and ...feels almost relieved to see him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ As promised, Martin is there waiting for him. He ... doesn't have much by way of clothing, but he did laundry today, at least, and his jumper is neat and clean if also still terribly grey. He doesn't have a menu or anything in front of him yet. Instead, he'd brought a book to read while waiting for Jon - and is pleasantly surprised to find that he barely had to wait at all.

Martin gives him a smile and a wave.]

Look at that. You made it after all.

[eyediot]

I told you I would.

[The doubt, Martin! It stings. Though, considering how much the current timeline Martin won't come near him and that Tim hates him and Sasha is.... Perhaps Jon isn't entirely unprepared for degrading comments.]

You were right, easy enough to find.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He's mostly just teasing. Mostly. The part that isn't is the same part that would have considered going into the tunnels if Jon hadn't shown up. ]

I thought so. Haven't been in here in a long while, but.

[ But the place is cozy and quiet, with a warm savoury smell that promises at least some kind of supper to go with their tea. Quiche, probably. And sandwiches.

The waitress smiles at Jon and drops a single menu in front of him. ]

[eyediot]

Oh - thank you.

[Menu in hand, he glances it over. He's really just checking if they have a nice tea to go with sandwiches, but. It is a nice little cafe.]

You weren't waiting long, were you?

[curriculum_fictae]

No, no. Only a few minutes, maybe.

[ He leans over to sneak a peek at the menu himself. There's quite a nice variety of teas, from sweet rooiboses to redolent chais, as well as a standard array of blacks and greens. Plus sandwiches. ]

How was work?

[eyediot]

[When Martin leans over, Jon holds the menu over so he can see it easier.]

It was... All right. As we're getting closer to Halloween it's... Nice to. Be dealing with obviously fake statements.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He's just a hairsbreadth away from touching Jon like that. Dimly chilly. ]

Ah. Yes. I remember that. I had to work intake once in October a while back. Not fun either.

[eyediot]

I didn't think I'd be this relieved, to be quite honest.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yeah? Nice to know that it's not real? Nothing that can actually hurt you?

[eyediot]

Don't have to feel the crawling paranoia or unease.

It's just... simple.

[curriculum_fictae]

... Yeah. Yeah, I - I get it. I'd love to go back to that.

[ He leans back a bit, having seen enough of the menu. The waitress returns a moment later, too, and cheerily asks Jon what he'd like. ]

[eyediot]

[He gives her his order - a simple black tea and a sandwich - before really looking at Martin again.]

...You could, you know. Maybe this is a chance for you to.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin requests a rooibos and a nice focaccia, and the waitress whisks away promptly.

He blinks, slowly, at Jon. Not comprehending. ]

What do you mean?

[eyediot]

I mean...

[Martin had mentioned that if they try to leave the Institute, they'll die? Or something? His memory's a bit hazy from that night. So much had happened.]

The you, this you. You aren't working for the Institute. You don't... have any obligation to it.

[curriculum_fictae]

No, Jon. I don't.

[ But the look he gives Jon is ... very soft. A little sad, too. ]

That doesn't mean I want to leave.

[eyediot]

...You... Still want to be connected to it all?

[That seems so... strange, to Jon. A chance to get out, to live without all this happening, to not... have to deal with Tim's anger or Elias... being Elias or Not!Sasha...]

You could be free.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin laughs a little at that. It's a quiet, strange sound. ]

I don't care about all of it. I care about - about you.

[eyediot]

[There's a metaphorical pin dropping somewhere in the back of his mind as he watches Martin. He's unmoving, waiting for his tea and sandwich to come, but he cannot look away from him. It feels like.... Like the world's paused for just a moment, holding its breath.]

...What?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh god. Was that the wrong thing to say? This Jon doesn't know him that well yet, does he? Martin goes even paler than he already is, looking stricken. ]

I - it's just - look, I just mean - we're friends and - and that involves caring --

[eyediot]

No... [His tone is calm and questioning, more curious than anything else. But there's an understanding there. Something Martin said before that he'd left alone but comes back up.]

You mentioned before... Back at the Archive when you turned up. 'The man you love'.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Shit. Jon's figured it out, hasn't he? Martin goes very still at that, ashamed of himself. He shouldn't have brought this up at all.

But it's pointless to lie now. He just ... hunches in on himself a little. ]

Yes. Yes, I - I did.

[eyediot]

[Jon watches him carefully for a few moments, before a quiet sigh. Nothing horrible! Just an exhale of some relief.]

Well. I suppose it's flattering to want your boss to meet the person you love. [Like making holiday office parties less awkward, or the fact that Martin's been staying with his boss instead of this mystery man!! Phew.]

I'm sorry, I probably... That was. Likely inappropriate to bring up.

[Since he realized he was spiraling and everything, he's trying to cut back on being creepy and invasive of others' privacy.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin just stares at Jon for a moment, mouth open. Did he really - did he just -

Why is he in love with someone this stupid?

His mouth works for a moment as he tries to figure out what to even say to that. Correct him? Pretend to have a - what, a boyfriend? Who? Who on earth would even be believable. ]

N-no, you're - you're fine, I don't. Mind the. Topic.