[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]

[ It's been so long. Maybe he's never seen it? That seems likely too. ]

Mm. I guess that just proves my point.

[eyediot]

...That just means I have my work cut out for me, then.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric winces a little at that. It's not the wrong thing to say, exactly, but he hates the thought of being work for Jon. ]

... Yes. I - I am rather pathetic like that.

[ The word rings with a full lifetime of misery and issues. ]

[eyediot]

You're not.

[He can feel that misery, that self-hate after years of it. He doesn't tug at it.]

You've just... had experiences with people who don't... think.

[curriculum_fictae]

I-I mean, yes, but. After a while the pattern is your own fault, right?

[eyediot]

[Jon sighs, resting his forehead against Algric's shoulder.]

No.

[curriculum_fictae]

Jon ...

[eyediot]

Martin.

[curriculum_fictae]

W-well - well I won't get over it in one conversation, so. I guess you do have your work cut out for you.

[eyediot]

[He pulls back to just... Look at him. Fondness and love there.]

I will gladly do it if it helps.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That softens him instantly. ]

If. If you're sure, Jon ...

[eyediot]

I am nothing if not stubbornly sure.

[curriculum_fictae]

... Yes. Yes, that is. Quite true.

[eyediot]

And I already said I'm not leaving. So. You're quite stuck with my stupidity.

[curriculum_fictae]

You are very stupid.

[ He says that as fondly as possible. ]

[eyediot]

Right. I need someone who knows me well that can point out when I'm being especially stupid.

[curriculum_fictae]

I can certainly do that for you.

[eyediot]

So... we help each other. You stop me from being especially stupid, I stop you from thinking negative about yourself.

Deal?

[curriculum_fictae]

Deal, Jon.

[ That deserves a kiss! ]

[eyediot]

[Oh shit. If he keeps being rewarded for little things like this, he may actually start to think about what he says before he says them.

He blinks up at him, then smiles all nervous.]

R-right. Good.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ See, there you go. Two purposes at once.

Algric smiles. ]

Can I get you anything?

[eyediot]

Uh. Nope. No, I'm. I'm good. Right here.

[Half crawled on him and in his arms. It's not a bad place for Jon Feral Cat Sims.]