[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]

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. ]

[eyediot]

[Oh. Before he can pull away, Jon goes the extra bit to kiss him softly.]

What did you want to do? A-after this casserole of course.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Ah, that's. Just perfect, isn't it? Algric blushes prettily at that. ]

I - I think you need to rest, Jon. So I thought I'd join you on the couch.

[eyediot]

...Wouldn't mind, but there's... [He wants to suggest the guest room, but this timeline Martin and Jon pair have laid claim to that one. He nods.]

The couch, then. How are you feeling?

[curriculum_fictae]

Right, I'd hate to intrude.

[ So, couch for both of them. ]

Me? I'm fine. Today was - was good. Mostly.

[eyediot]

I think I can tell. [He smiles, still close and in his bubble.] Not freezing and not hot, so. That's a good sign.

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-yeah. A - a Goldilocks day, I suppose.

[eyediot]

You say that like it's a bad thing. [One hand to the back of Algric's head to keep him close, forehead to forehead.]

You deserve that much. Just as much as we deserve some time to ourselves.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Good. Good, that's nice. Algric breathes in the clean scent of a freshly showered Jon. ]

I don't know about deserve, but...

[eyediot]

I do. So.

[Jon lets go just so he can pull Algric's plate closer.]

You eat. I'll get the couch set up.

[curriculum_fictae]

Fine, fine. I - might be the only one who needs to now, ironically.

[ But he has no argument, so he'll tuck in. ]

[eyediot]

Hmp. [Just a small show of affection, leaning to kiss his forehead before he goes to do that. Blankets, the softer pillows he could find. Goes the extra couple of miles to make it look like a nice little nook with the extra blanket set up.

It's too nerdy isn't it. This is too nerdy. Even for him. Christ.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It might be a little too nerdy. But perhaps it's worth it when Algric finishes eating and ... ah. That soft joy on his face is very pleasant. ]

This is - this is so much better than what I thought might happen tonight.

[eyediot]

[Jon's half-reaching to start pulling it down but-- He looks over his shoulder like a deer in headlights.]

What... were you thinking might happen tonight?

[Wait did he ever have that conversation with Algric in his time? Did it ever come up? He can't remember.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Jon, please. He doesn't mean anything like what you're thinking. ]

I was thinking I'd have to mourn you again. And Tim.

[eyediot]

[Oh thank god.]

Right. ...Yes, I would say this is. Better than that.

[curriculum_fictae]

...

What. What were you thinking?

[eyediot]

Iiiiii don't know. I-i don't, um. Remember if we had any... conversations? About us.

[God.]

It doesn't matter, it's not what it's about anyway.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. OH. Algric flushes rather brightly about that. ]

N-no, no I - I found out from. Someone else at work. Actually.

[eyediot]

[Wait waitwaitwaitwait. All other conversations are set aside, who the fuck has been gossiping about that about him at work, the one place he never brings his personal life to - at least before the Archives.]

Who from?

[curriculum_fictae]

Does it matter, Jon?