curriculum_fictae | [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? ]

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From:

eyediot

You deserve more than that. But yes, that's. A good starting point, I think.

[Jon just... Settles to rubbing Algric's back, trying to soothe.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Jon rubs small circles of colour into Algric’s back, then, that slowly bleed over his shoulders. ]

Me? I don’t - I don’t deserve anything. I’d be - I’d be happy to make sure you and Tim live, and Martin doesn’t end up like me, and then - and then disappear.

[ That is, in fact, more or less his plan. ]

From:

eyediot

Well.

[HM!! It sounds like Martin's thought a lot about it.]

I'm not happy with that. And I'm sure Tim wouldn't be either. [If Tim's immediate question of 'How can I help' happened when Jon told him what Algric had to do is any indication.]

I don't want you to disappear.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ GEE I wonder why. It is a mystery.

Algric winces a bit at that, but ... can he argue? No. Not really. Not after all their kindness, even when they were skeptical of his humanity. ]

I - I -

[ He swallows thickly. ]

I would like to stay. V-very much. Rooming with you has been - has been lovely, Jon.

From:

eyediot

[Hm. Yep, gonna resolve right now to get a bigger place, even if he has to move to a cheaper area.

He gives Algric another soft squeeze.]

It's been... Nice having you living here too.

[Not 'rooming' or 'staying' with. Living with.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Gosh. Algric’s eyes widen; he sure caught that specific phrasing. It brings sharpness back to his face, especially around where he’s blushing. ]

I - I’m trying, you know, I really like - living with someone else? When it’s just me it’s not worth it to cook, or clean, or. Or anything but.

[ He lowers his eyes. ]

I’ll live with you as long as you’ll have me, Jon.

From:

eyediot

Good.

[He lets out a soft sigh against Algric's shoulder. He is getting a little uncomfortable - just only because of his back. He grimaces a bit where Algric can't see before gently pulling away, but keeping a hand on him.]

I'd like that.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Oops, sorry Jon. Algric carefully pulls away too - but that sharpness remains, especially where Jon keeps a hand on him. He seems ... better in a way that Jon hasn’t seen yet. ]

We’ve - we’ve gotten pretty close in a couple weeks, haven’t we.

From:

eyediot

Uh... I. Yes. We have.

[An understatement for the two of them.]

Oh, that reminds me, I got something that I think will help. [He shifts to rifle through his bag and offers a cell phone.] Thought this might help you some. I already put in some of our numbers for you.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric blinks at that for a moment, then takes the phone wordlessly. ]

Oh! Oh, that’s - yes, I do desperately need that. I can’t believe you have an actual landline here, though.

From:

eyediot

The flat came with one, so I didn't see the need to change that.

[But okay. Things are... working out. And Algric is looking a lot better... Maybe his theory is on the right track.]

It came in handy anyway.

From:

curriculum_fictae

Y-yes, I. I can’t imagine what I’d done if you hadn’t had one. Probably tried to go to the Institute to find you.

[ He shivered at that. ]

From:

eyediot

...I'm glad it didn't come to that as well.

[Yeah he would not have been happy about that. Algric would've not only walked into a mess, but Elias....]

Tim told me you talked him down from destroying it.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Elias would have done something terrible then and there. Something infinitely worse than what he did in that hallway. ]

... Yes. Because he was going to - to slop some petrol around and light it on fire. As if that would actually do the job.

From:

eyediot

Good lord...

[Tim. Yeah he's glad Algric stopped him.]

He wants us all to get together and talk before you and I go in. I told him the tunnels are the safest place to work.

From:

curriculum_fictae

Oh, yes. That’s - entirely correct. Elias can’t see us down there.

[ A deep breath. ]

I would very much like the Institute gone but - you know, planning. N-not just for blowing it up proper? But also what happens to - to you and Tim and Martin when you can’t go back to work.

From:

eyediot

I suppose that will need some planning as well. I suppose Tim could always go back to publishing.

[But what would Jon even do? Or Martin and Algric? There are so many factors. Plus, even with the Institute gone, they need to stop this Unknowing as well.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ That gets the flattest look. ]

I-I mean the part where you three die, Jon.

From:

eyediot

W-well yes, that too.

[LOOK.... Yeah he's not into the whole dying thing either, especially after just promising that he wouldn't.]

I assumed since I just promised I wouldn't that it wasn't necessary to say again.

From:

curriculum_fictae

W-well yes, but - I’m saying that’s a consideration. Also a reason why I didn’t want Tim just blowing up the Institute.

From:

eyediot

Right.

[He sighs and just. Leans against him. At the very least, Algric is big and secure enough he can do that. Normally he'd lean back against the couch but...]

We'll figure something out.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ He is big and nice and maybe cold, yes, but glad to put an arm around Jon. ]

Right. Right. I’ll - give you all the info I can.

From:

eyediot

[He nods. Honestly? Great pillow.]

All right. It doesn't need to be right now.

[A beat.]

You know, I don't mind the - the not being able to lay on my back, but I really cannot wait to be able to walk properly again.