[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]

W-well - yes, I've been trying, but. I also got them attacked by Not-Sasha, and. And this version of Jon is becoming an avatar much faster than you did. And Martin's been hurt by the Lonely already, plus I make him jealous with everything I do.

[eyediot]

Oh.

[That's... not great. Salvageable, probably, but not great. And eugh Not-Sasha. That was one being he had no problem being happy he killed.]

Which... means he'll probably be sought out a lot faster by the others. Elias will probably push faster if he knows.

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-yes. So - so I don't know how much I've helped as much as I've accelerated.

The current plan is to blow up the Institute and run.

1/3

[eyediot]

Hm. It was Gertrude's plan. Might work.

[Its bugging him though, just this little thought.]

What are you even doing to make this timelines's Martin jeal-

[eyediot]

[OH. Oh my god.]

[eyediot]

He kissed you?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ JON. Jon please. Algric immediately goes bright red, ashamed of himself? Look, this is a weird situation, he has no reason for it, and yet he feels guilty. ]

Y-yes! Yes he. He did kiss me. We're, ah. Sort of on our way to a. Relationship ... shaped ... thing?

[ And then, with another flicker of guilt: ]

Y-you were dead, and I didn't even know if you'd heard me, or returned it, and - and I am weak to every version of you, Jon.

[eyediot]

[There's a strange sound of laughter from him, warm and full and soft. Jon leans up to press his forehead to Algric's, hand cupping the back of his head.]

It's all right. Wish I knew what you did to get through to me, though.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric groans a little, but slumps against Jon in relief. That's - okay, that's good, he's not angry. Or jealous. ]

Honestly? I have no idea. I suspect Tim had something to do with it.

[eyediot]

[How can he be jealous that his past self has something so good? Jon is glad, more than anything. Algric deserves the attention and affection, an dhe remembers how he was at this stage in time. He needs someone too.

When Algric slumps, Jon wraps arms around him again, holding him close.]

I could- could always go. Let you have him and I take care of the rituals and Elias. [He's still laughing a little, clearly joking.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ God. He's glad Jon finds it funny, at least. He makes a strangled noise that turns into a laugh eventually. (And clings back to Jon with all his strength.) ]

Absolutely not. If you do that, I'll - I'll come after you and ruin all your plans.

[eyediot]

[He's in good spirits about it now, but it'll be a different story when he sees them all together.

He rubs Algric's back, trying to soothe.]

I wouldn't do that.. not to you. Though, pretty kind to think I have plans.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh yes, that might be quite painful. But for now it's just the two of them.

He sighs a bit, leaning into that. ]

Hope springs eternal, yeah?

[ Though it begs the question-- ]

What - what were you doing at the end of the world?

[eyediot]

[Jon sighs through his nose at that. His tone takes a more sombre tone.]

Aimlessly wandering? Nowhere to go, no one to look for. Going through each of the domains and.. [He sort of grimaces to himself.] I... sort of. Took out some residual anger on some of the other Avatars that were still left.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. That's ... sad? Revenge doesn't sound like it's healthy either, and yet. ]

Did you - kill them?

[ He's not judging, just curious. ]

[eyediot]

... It isn't as satisfying as you'd think.

[Yeah he killed a few of them.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I mean. A few of them had to be.

[ He's thinking of Not-Sasha. But, mostly he just leans in a little closer, hand on Jon's head. ]

But ... you didn't have anyone to protect, did you.

[eyediot]

[Jon sits quietly, soaking up the feeling of Algric's touch for a few, selfish moments.

When he speaks again, his voice is quiet.]

After Not-Sasha, I thought... Thought maybe taking them out would. Would help the victims of their domains. Make it easier or-or not... as bad. [And when had he even mentioned anyone else still alive? That everyone in the world was suffering for the rest of their lives because of him?]

After Jude Perry, I... I realized it. Didn't matter. I wasn't changing anything. [More to himself:] Pointless.

[He still has all his recordings from those places. He makes a mental note to make sure no one here ever hears them.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric is happy to give that to him. Not feeling like he's selfish in the slightest. ]

Oh. Oh, I didn't realise --

[ That there were other people still suffering? God, they must all be like he was in the Lonely, tormented -- ]

You're - you're here now. That means that you can change things.

[eyediot]

[Jon, for his part, presses his face into Algric's shoulder, clinging to him. He scrunches his eyes closed tight trying to will whatever wetness was starting to form back where it came from.]

I hope so. I hope we can.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric just holds Jon tightly, gently. Squeezing his own eyes shut. ]

It's - it's okay to cry. If you want.

[eyediot]

It's-- All right. I'm fine.

[He may cry. He'll probably cry later.]

[curriculum_fictae]

No, Jon. You're - you're not. You've been through something so terrible I can barely imagine it.

[eyediot]

....If I start, I might never stop.

[curriculum_fictae]

Then I'll be here for you until the flat fills up, and then we'll have to open a window.