curriculum_fictae | [PSL-Adjacent] time travel side story

[ 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. ]

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[ Algric flushes at that. ]

Then - then we can get one. Somehow.

Somehow. Right.

[That elicits a sigh from him.]

If the me here knew, then I could just use my own card...

... I can text him and tell him?

[Don't mind him jumping to the worst possible way to do anything. He doesn't know any other way.]

Tell past-timeline me that a future timeline. two and a half years his future, who is also the Avatar and a monster that feeds off the fear of people's paranoia and their own life horror stories, is here and wants to use the account past-him owned to buy himself an electric blanket to sleep next to his-- [What is Algric to him?] his other monster partner who turns into an ice sculpture?

[ Wow, Jon. Good to know your foot can still go directly in your mouth. Martin opens his mouth - then abruptly crumples in on himself. ]

Yes. That's basically exactly the conversation I had with Martin. Minus the electric blanket part.

[ But definitely including the monster part. ]

[.... He just said something wrong there. The problem is, what.

He looks properly ashamed though.]

R-right... You... Of course you did.

Of course I did. What else could I do.

[ He turns away a bit, still smarting. Monster partner, eh. Is that all he is? ]

I think if I texted this Jon all of that, he would come over here with two electric blankets in hand.

[Shit.

Jon watches him carefully, brows knot. He wants to figure this out properly, but the temptation to just Know what he did in an instant...]

Maybe... I-i don't know.

[ Well. At least the anger drains out of him quickly. He's still just so glad to see Jon, even now. He sighs, softly. ]

Sorry. I - I'd gotten used to feeling human here, I guess.

[Oh.

Oh. That... doesn't look great for his future.

Jon chances reaching for his cheek, easy to shove off.]

I...I'm sorry.

[ Algric doesn't shove him off, though. Instead he leans into it, looking over at Jon. ]

It's - it's all right. I just. I need to adjust again.

[Jon's eyes never leave him. But he's thoughtful, like trying to piece together a puzzle. Trying to put the right words in the right place.]

Is... I mean, you. Is th-that what you want?

[If he doesn't want it, Jon will backpedal so fast. Let Algric be a human as long as he can. Let him have that happiness.]

[ Is it what he wants? To fall into being monsters with Jon? Or does he want to go back to the trio he's become such friends with, whom he also loves? It's ... god. That's a decision he doesn't want to make.

He closes his eyes for a moment. ]

Let's - let's not talk about that right now. I'll make us pancakes, okay? And then we can - we can take a day. Just the two of us.

[Something in him starts to close up slowly. It hadn't been open very wide or very long to begin with, but he can feel it. Preparing himself for that inevitable ending.

Jon squeezes his hand once, then lets go to get up and out of bed.]

Pancakes.. That sounds good.

[ Algric follows him, but ... pauses too. He's always been rather attuned to Jon, and now is no different. After a moment, he moves to stand in front of him, just hovering in his way. ]

I won't leave you. Either way.

[It's easy enough to block Jon. Avatar or not, he didn't get any taller. What a rip off, really.

He blinks up at Algric.]

What? I-it's just pancakes, really. If I know me, the ingredients should all be there, you don't even have to go to the market-

That's - that's not what I meant.

[ He reaches up for Jon's face. ]

Monster or - or not, I'll stay with you.

[Oh.

He blinks rapidly at that, looking up at him still. Somehow, the bottom of his stomach fell out taking his breath with it.]

You... sure? You wouldn't.. Want to stay with them? Be human as long as you could?

I'd - I'd still like to stay human, all thing considered.

[ That's simple enough. Yes, he would prefer to be human. But. ]

But I'm not going to leave you alone, god. If there's a way to stay human and stay with you, I'll try that first.

[At that, he tilts his face into Algric's hand.]

...Then I'll work on figuring out a counter to the Lonely.

If anyone can, it's you.

[ And if he can't ... then Jon will have a monster partner. ]

Only because it's for you.

[He'd heard the others in the Lonely, faint whispers just close by his ear before they were gone again. He didn't care about them.]

[ Algric flushes, then, and leans forward to kiss Jon's forehead. ]

W-well - well we can start with the pancakes, at least.

R-right.

[Is this what happens when people get to be sincere? He should try it more often.]

Don't think I've ever had your pancakes...

Never? I hope I don't disappoint then.

[PSL-Adjacent] time travel side story

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