[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

[eyediot]

[Jon stills and... shifts his eyes to watch him.

Just... So quiet.]

You're sure?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He's earnest, if cautious. Nervous. But - certain. ]

Of course I'm sure, Jon. I -

[ His voice cracks just a little. ]

I've missed you. You specifically.

[eyediot]

[All the knowledge in the world at his fingertips, and Jon can't possibly conceive that someone would actually miss him.]

You... You've literally been living with the me of this time.

[curriculum_fictae]

Well, yes, and I'm very fond of him too. But he isn't you.

[eyediot]

....I would say more than fond.

[He kissed you.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric flushes a bit at that, somehow not expecting Jon to Know? But of course he does. ]

F-fine, okay. He - he is you on some level. That doesn't mean I miss you any less.

[eyediot]

[Nothing he even had to Know. Just ...knowing Martin-slash-Algric at all for longer than five minutes.]

I... Guess I don't see much of the difference? Except I made horrible mistakes we're going to try to prevent him from making?

[You gotta spell it out for him, he's dumb when it comes to himself.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Rude, Jon. Just rude. ]

Jon. I just - imagine for a moment that you woke up in Hilltop Road, except it wasn't me standing over you. It was Martin.

[eyediot]

I.... would have asked him a lot sooner what he was doing there.

[The thought exercise isn't really welcome, but Algric has been... unnecessarily kind since finding him, so.]

And... I'd want to protect him any way I could. [Okay he's starting to get it.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Yes, Jon. That's exactly what he's getting at. ]

And if it turned out he loved you, even if he wasn't quite on the same page as you? Of course you'd have returned his affections.

[eyediot]

I guess I would ye-

Wait, are you-- I-i'm not mad or, or jealous.

[WHY IS ALGRIC DOING THIS TO HIM.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Not mad, maybe. But you do seem a bit jealous.

[eyediot]

This is so far from the original question of "what did you mean when you said you missed me specifically".

[He is. A Little.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, oh Jon. Algric has a point, he swears. His expression softens, and he reaches out for Jon's face. ]

I mean - that as much as I do love this Jon, it's not the same. As comforted as I was to have him, I still desperately missed you.

[ Quieter: ]

I - I had dreams where you did find me in the Lonely. W-where we got out, and. And ran off. To Scotland or something. And it was quiet, with nice cows, and ... and then I'd wake up on Jon's couch.

[eyediot]

...Guess there is some difference.

[Algric said before he was only 'fond' of this timeline's Jon, but hearing it outright... still stings a bit. Maybe Algric would do better... staying human. Staying here. That idea of being alone again starts to settle in.]

I'm sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, poor Jon. This time, the sadness goes unnoticed; he's too lost in his own thoughts. What ... will he tell past Jon? That he's leaving? He has to, or else he'd just disappear.

Or is there away to keep both Jons in his life? What a greedy thought that is. ]

You're here now. I - I thought I'd never see you again, but. Here you are.

[eyediot]

Against all odds...

[He's already preparing for the worst. Get them all aligned to him. Kill Elias. Let them go and ...they all get to live happily while he disappears. There's no way back for him, but there's still time for all of them.

There's no reason to get attached.

Except he desperately missed Martin - this Martin - and doesn't want to let go.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Funny, that was more or less Algric's plan too. He looks up now, moving to take Jon's hand. ]

Anyway. I'm sure.

[eyediot]

[He swallows thickly, taking his land loose.]

Then... I-if I find a way to do it that I know won't hurt any of you, I'll do it. That'll... Get all of you free.

[curriculum_fictae]

That sounds wonderful, Jon.

[eyediot]

...Will you hold out until I can?

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-yes. I think - we'll be okay? I think we'll figure it out.

[eyediot]

[He holds Algric's hands tenderly in both of his, looking down at his fingers. ...Minus one. Did Jon even know that happened? He doesn't linger on it.]

Then I'll do my best.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Probably not, given he was dead at the time and had barely gotten a good look at Martin. Now, though, it's probably bright in his vision from the mark of the Flesh. ]

You don't have to figure it out right away.

[eyediot]

[The Flesh... The bodybuilders. He thumbs softly at one knuckle.]

No, but. The sooner I do it, the better for all of you.