[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 considers that for a moment. ]

True, it isn't.

[eyediot]

Think you might be the only one who'd consider it...

[He doesn't want to assume Algric would give him that label, but...]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric stares forward for a moment, just a bit nervous. ]

I mean. It's not boyfriend material, no.

[ A beat. ]

Maybe husband material?

[eyediot]

[He can feel that nervousness starting to grip around them like a wisteria vine, slow and gentle and wrapping around them both.

Jon turns his eyes to look at him. He's still holding his cheeks. Still in close, breathing him in. But that...]

Are... Are you sure?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He is sort of joking? In a way where he's totally not joking, and red, and. Good lord, that was probably a mistake. Jon seems so earnest. ]

W-well maybe. Engagement first, you know.

[eyediot]

[There's a giddy sort of energy to his nervousness here. He's... God, Jon's never considered himself in a position like this?

And Algric may just... be overwhelmed by a lot of other factors here.]

P-probably. There's, uh. A lot to consider too.

[curriculum_fictae]

R-right, we are. You know. Still stranded in the past? And not going home any time soon.

[eyediot]

Right. E-exactly. And how would- any of it even work? Can.. Can anything like me even get married?

[He's not human, does it even fucking count?]

And names and... [Even if Algric was just... saying it for the sake of saying something, it still means the world to him. He knows nothing will likely come of a wish. Best not to pin any hopes on it.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ There's ... a lot of questions there, really. but Algric decides to focus on just one. ]

I mean, I. Rather like the sound of Algric Sims?

[eyediot]

...Not, uh. Not Jon Diggly?

[A fond smile worms its way across his face.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That's -

Oh my god Jon. Algric goes beet red. ]

N-no - how - no!

[eyediot]

[It's a soft tease, really. He knows nothing is going to happen, not like what he wants.

He kisses the corner of Algric's mouth once and simply... Watches his face.

God, he wishes. It's plain in his eyes.]

You don't have to do that.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric looks back at him with a strange sort of longing in his eyes. He really does want that? It's just - you know, fast. They only really confessed to each other yesterday.

(But Jon has wandered the apocalypse pining for god knows how long, and Algric has had a couple weeks to sort through his feelings.) ]

Do what, take your last name?

[eyediot]

[Thank god he didn't look too deeply into that question.]

Yeah. It's... I mean, a lot of people consider it kind of old fashioned? It's.. I dunno.

[curriculum_fictae]

Old fashioned for your husband to take your name?

[eyediot]

[Your husband stalls his thoughts for a few seconds.]

I-i just... I remember hearing Georgie talk about it some back in Uni and. I always... Not that I ever really thought I'd get married at this point, but I never set my heart on someone taking my last name because, really, it's a big expectation to put on someone and--

[Well now he can't stop.]

[curriculum_fictae]

But it's something you always wanted, I bet.

[ Algric is utterly charmed. ]

[eyediot]

[And the thought train stops.]

...Yes. I-i have.

[But even without the no sex thing he has going for him, Jon never thought anyone would want to marry this disaster of a human being. And now he's not even human.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Gosh. He's the cutest and Algric is desperately in love. ]

W-well - we should. You know, maybe date first? But, eventually. Ah. If things turn out all right.

[eyediot]

Right. Yes. Agreed.

["If". Always the chance he fucks it up somehow. Jon doesn't know if he'd ever forgive himself if he hurt Algric.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Good. I'm glad you've agreed to our first date, then.

[eyediot]

Our what?

[THIS HAPPENED SO FAST.]

[curriculum_fictae]

You agreed to date first.

[eyediot]

Well- Yes. Yes?

[The missing article in that statement makes such a huge difference in meaning.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. So - ah. You'll have to order for both of us, probably.