[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]

[ Algric tugs him down close then, cool but not unpleasant next to him.

Then he takes out the little burner flip phone. ]

Right. Texting a message on this is kind of a pain.

[eyediot]

Lord... I don't have my own phone or I'd let you text... myself.

[Man how weird would that have been.]

Did you want some tea or... Something in the meantime?

[curriculum_fictae]

Do you want to make me some?

[ He seems delighted by the thought. ]

[eyediot]

I... can, yes.

[If it means he gets to not sit here and get anxious while Algric types that message out on the slowest phone imaginable.]

What kind?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Probably for the best all around, yes. ]

There's - there's a nice rooibos in there.

[eyediot]

Then. A nice rooibos it is.

[He hops right up to work on that.

But the problem is, he wants to know what Algric tells them too. How will they react? Gah. Damn his paranoia.]

I'll - Let you do you own milk and sugar. [That's polite, right?]

[curriculum_fictae]

Or you could Know what I like. I'll give you permission for that one.

[ Milk and a little honey. ]

[eyediot]

[Milk and a little honey it is. But he smiles.]

So, soy milk and a little cinnamon? My.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That surprises a laugh out of Algric. ]

Jon, please.

[eyediot]

I know, I Know. I'm fairly sure I still have fresh honey here.

[And he'll get to work on that.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Thank you.

[ He beams after Jon for a moment, utterly lovesick. And then turns to his phone to text ... well. Jon. ]

Are you awake?

[eyediot]

[It's still daylight.]

Yes? Something wrong?

[curriculum_fictae]

No, no. Nothing wrong at all. It's a good thing.

[ How to explain this ... ]

The you from my timeline found me.

[eyediot]

[ .

.


. ]

What?

[curriculum_fictae]

Through Hilltop Road somehow. He found his way back from his point in my timeline.

[eyediot]

[There are SO many things here.]

From before he died?

[curriculum_fictae]

... No.

[eyediot]

You said he died.

[curriculum_fictae]

Well - yes. But I was wrong about the second death. He killed Peter Lukas.

[eyediot]

Should I come back? Would this be easier in person?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Would it be? Algric ... abruptly doesn't want them to be in the same room together, and yet. ]

I don't want you to get hurt. Like I hurt Martin.

[eyediot]

[Oh. That's a real fear.]

Then he's further along than I am.

All right. You said he came through Hilltop Road? Case 0092204?

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. Yes he is.

[ So, so much further, Jon. You have no idea. ]

That's right. That awful house. I found him lying on the floor of the basement.

[eyediot]

I see.

What now?

[curriculum_fictae]

I. I don't know.

[ His expression goes utterly soft as he looks down at his phone. ]

I think I'm going to stay with him for a while, though.