[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]

If he.... accepts me, then. Yes, Martin too.

[Look he just woke up from a superpower induced knock out, give him a few minutes.]

I'll. Talk to him. Maybe it'll go better this time?

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, god, please. He's - he's very important, and you keep having these conversations with me first.

[eyediot]

Idon'tmeanto.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Algric's face softens. ]

N-no, I know that, I - you haven't done anything wrong.

[eyediot]

I'll talk to him.

[That's what he resolves. Anything else is... a little too vulnerable and open for Tim in this same flat.]

[curriculum_fictae]

... Thank you, Jon.

[ He puts a gentle hand on his shoulder. ]

[eyediot]

...Of course, Algric.

[Will he ever not find himself feeling soft under his gaze? God, he could probably fall back to sleep like this.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, Jon. It gets even softer. ]

Why don't you lie down again for a while?

[eyediot]

[A beat.]

I already am.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh ha ha. He rolls his eyes a bit. ]

And try to sleep.

[eyediot]

....Tim did tell you I'm not very good at that part, right?

[curriculum_fictae]

Jon, I've been living with you for over a week now. I am aware of your insomnia.

[eyediot]

Great, then you understand that I can't really bring myself to do the second half of that request.

[curriculum_fictae]

Sleeping meds in the tea it is, then.

[eyediot]

Wow. Together for less than half an hour and you're already drugging me.

[curriculum_fictae]

It's either that or Tim sits on you.

[eyediot]

...I think I'll try my chances.

[curriculum_fictae]

With Tim? Go ahead.

[ Algric slowly stands up. ]

[eyediot]

Algric....

[Jon just reaches one hand up from where he's laying for him. Don't leave him heeeeere]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He does pause, but only to look over at Tim. ]

D'you mind sitting with him?

[kayakking]

[Guess who has two thumbs and the Institute's penchant for eavesdropping?]

With is SO generous.

[eyediot]

[Jon just presses his face back down into the mattress.]

I hate this. I hate this whole situation.

[curriculum_fictae]

That's nice, dear.

[ He's gonna go do the dishes. ]

[kayakking]

[Sorry Jon, before you can even process that adorable pet name, instead of a cute soft boyfriend, you get an arsehole friend. Tim flops himself down on the air mattress next to Jon, arm over the other man's shoulders with an APPALLING lack of shame.]

I mean, you absolutely picked this.

[eyediot]

[The mattress sort of shifts with Tim's weight, popping Jon up for a half second before it evens out again.]

It was either that or drugged to sleep.

[Wait-- Wait Algric called him 'dear'. Oh god.]