[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]

Right. We'll talk to them, answer anything, help plan, make sure you're settled in.

[Like it's always been the plan.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Make sure I'm settled in?

[eyediot]

Yes. Make sure you're settled in.

[curriculum_fictae]

To. To what, Jon. What do you think I still need settling on.

[eyediot]

Them? An ID, a job, somethijg more secure.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That's basically what he thought. Algric's expression cools. ]

And then? What about you?

[eyediot]

[Jon watches him, knowing he can't lie to him.]

There's a Panopticon that could use destroying... Other groups that. Really shouldn't be left alone to grow again.

[curriculum_fictae]

You mean you're going to leave. Go off to kill monsters and put yourself in danger while - while, what. Leaving me behind?

[eyediot]

Algric [god he still... wants to call him Martin even now. But he's perilously close to not knowing what to do or say here.] I...

I want you to be safe. T-to be happy, and not... messed up in all this all over again. After we deal with Elias you have a chance to be free of it. All of it. Me dragging you with me, it... I-i don't know.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric considers all that for a moment. Leaving future Jon behind, settling into his new life. Living with past Jon, letting his Lonely self drift away ...

Well. The Lonely part isn't necessary, but. ]

Fuck that.

[eyediot]

[He's ready to argue something else, has it on the tip of his tongue.

So he's caught off guard by the bluntness of it.]

Wh... what?

[curriculum_fictae]

I - I said fuck that. Fuck off with - with disappearing sadly into the distance like you're not a part of my life. I'm staying with you, Jon. I'm -

[ He swallows rather thickly. ]

I'm Algric. That - that means I'm your Martin.

[eyediot]

[That tiny speck of warmth was still buried deep in him, smothered under the wreckage of his life these last six or so months was dangerously close to catching fire again. Something goes tight in Jon's chest at the words. And he's left staring up at Algric, ignoring that they've definitely missed their stop ten minutes ago.

His voice is nearly broken when he does speak.]

.. Even.. with everything that means?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ They totally missed their stop, but. Well. This is happening. That decision forms into hard crystal inside him; he's determined, now, to manage this one way or another. If he manages to stay human, then great. If not ...

Well. This is worth it, he thinks. ]

Yes, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Jon watches him. Eyes carefully fixed, trying and failing to mask the hope and possible hurt behind them. Like he'sready for this to be wrong, fall through somehow. He can't trust himself.]

You... Know that I can't. Ask you to do this.

[curriculum_fictae]

I know you can't. That'd be pretty - pretty evil, probably.

[ He reaches to take Jon's hand. ]

But it doesn't matter. I'm - choosing this.

[eyediot]

[For his part, Jon just lets his hand sit where Algric can take it.]

Even... Wh-what happens when... You get tired of having to watch me eat? Of knowing what I have to do? O-or, when you get tired of running? What happens when you want to stop?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He clings to it then, his hand warming slowly. ]

I'll take a rest, maybe, but I'll keep going. I'll - I'll stay with you, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Jon leans over their hands, bending so Algric can't see the wetness pricking at his eyes.]

Even if I start to get weak and sick? I-i don't know what will happen after we destroy the Institute and... that device. What if we start being hunted? Wh-what then? [He thinks of Trevor and Julia, hunting down anything that wasn't human. Of Daisy in this point of time and her actions.]

[curriculum_fictae]

If - if you get sick, then I'll find a way to take care of you. And i-if you're hunted, I'll protect you.

[ As laughable as the latter promise might be, his expression is nothing but stubborn. ]

[eyediot]

[His exhale is shaky, giving away how he's breaking, piece by piece.]

I-i can't... I can't lose you. If anything were to happen, I'd...

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, Jon. Algric leans in close, then, forehead against Jon's. ]

I'll stay with you. No matter what. You - you won't be alone, Jon.

[eyediot]

[He finally squeezes Algric's hand, eyes closing tight.]

It's not about that. It's... I couldn't forgive myself if you got hurt, or.. Or worse.

[curriculum_fictae]

You'll - you'll protect me from everything you can. And I imagine that's rather a lot right now.

[eyediot]

I would certain try to. Just... [Sigh.] After everything, you... deserve an easy life, Algric. And I don't think staying with me will provide that. But. [Lord. This is hard, even with the half-joking conversation before about- About engagement and "husband material". Things Jon had given up for himself for some years now.]

But if that's what you choose, then. We'll... Make it work. Talk to the others.