[PSL-Adjacent] time travel side story

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Is this part of the other PSL? MAYBE ... tbd.

But - this is the Martin who went back in time to the second season, before everything really started going to hell. It hasn't been the most pleasant ride - seeing himself, accidentally triggering Not-Sasha's attack, the confrontation with Elias - but it's been better. He'd begged Michaelen not to take him back for multiple reasons. Yes, he thinks help more here, but ... he also doesn't want to go home to die. Not when there's a Jon here who's willing to love him, when Tim is blossoming into a new best friend, and even Martin is slowly moving towards self-acceptance in a literal sense.

For the first time in months, Martin - no, Algric - sees the shape of what a peaceful life could be. This could be a world where he lives in Jon's flat for the rest of his life, where he doesn't only have to be a helpful ghost. The Lonely is still too strong in him, but he feels it weakening in spots, where Tim and Jon and Martin have all helped him remember what it's like to have human connection.

That's why he's here at Hilltop Road. He dares to hope now; he dares to consider the possibility that he might get to keep all of this. And if he wants to keep this, he has to make sure there's no way back to the hell he left. Michaelen's appearance had scared him more deeply than he wants to let on.

As he mounts the steps to the rickety old house, Algric takes in a shivering breath. It's fine. It's fine, this is fine, he's just - just going to look. And if there's a creepy basement with a crack in the world, he's not going to go through it! He's just going to. See if it's there or not. If he thinks his timeline is on the other side or not. ]

Comments

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Good. Algric settles in next to him. ]

Oh god, yes. I kept expecting a fight to break out.

[eyediot]

I'm not so sure it will here.

[Mm cold tea.]

I think you managed to salvage that friendship.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Look, he'll get you hot tea if you ask him. He blinks at that. ]

I did?

[eyediot]

Yeah, you did. You got them all talking. I never did that in our turn.

[curriculum_fictae]

W-well - no, but. I had an unfair advantage.

[eyediot]

Unfair or not. You still helped them.

[He looks SO proud.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I - well, maybe, but --

[eyediot]

No but. You did that. [He nudges shoulders with him.]

You should be proud.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He blushes profoundly at that. ]

I - I don't know about that. It's been such a mess, Jon.

[eyediot]

I do know. Believe me, then. You saved them.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric drags in a deep breath. Then reaches a hand out for Jon's face. ]

As long as I save you too.

[eyediot]

[Oh... His face warms under Algric's hand.]

L-little late for that.

[curriculum_fictae]

What, because you're a monster?

[eyediot]

[it's true but you shouldn't say it.]

Yes. And destroyed a world. Literally made the worst mistakes possible.

[curriculum_fictae]

And now you're here, with the world not-ended. Surrounded by friends and two of your boyfriend.

[eyediot]

And I'm only dating one of them. [As far as he knows.]

But. Yeah, I'm here and world not-ended. So ....You don't have to save me.

[curriculum_fictae]

As long as you don't go running off into danger again.

[ He leans a bit closer, peering at Jon's eyes. ]

[eyediot]

[Well now it's his turn to blush, right to his ears. He is Looking Back.]

Y-you do... remember who you fell in love with?

[curriculum_fictae]

Of course I do. And it's sort of part of the charm, just.

[eyediot]

Thennnnn you can't be mad when I do it again, because you know I'll probably do it again.

[It's not like he takes pride or tries to do it. It just happens.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh no, I'm going to get mad every single time, Jon. I'll get mad as many times as it takes to blunt this impulse of yours.

[eyediot]

...This impulse.

[He isn't sure.... how that sits with him. It's borderline insult.]

It'll be a long time to work, then.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He means it affectionately, truly. Even if it didn't come out that way. ]

Well, then I suppose I'll have to stay with you for a long time, yeah?

[eyediot]

I suppose you will. A long, long time.

You all keep reminding me, I'm very stubborn.

[curriculum_fictae]

Exceedingly stubborn, Jon.

[ He leans forward to kiss his forehead. ]