[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. ]

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[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.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He just leans in a little closer, framing Jon's face with one hand. ]

Yes, Jon. I'm - I'm choosing this. No matter how you try to convince me otherwise.

[eyediot]

I just-- I just wanted to be. Up front, what you're getting into.

[He was trying to convince him to change his mind. Give Algric the chance to not be part of this, so Jon doesn't have to mourn him when he eventually leaves, or gets killed. Hurt himself now so he doesn't hurt worse later.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Well - well now I do, know. And I still choose it, Jon.

[eyediot]

...All right.

[He sounds a perfect mixture of resigned and relieved. After a breath, he tilts his head to lean against Algric's.]

All right, Algric.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ And Algric pulls him in close, holding him gently. ]

You can - you can call me Martin. If you want.

[eyediot]

[He returns it, shifting closer to him and practically sitting on his lap. Who cares, no one can see them anyway.]

I don't know. You've made it very clear that your name is Algric. And it's a, a cute name.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric reddens at. Well. All of that. ]

It's - I mean - it's a bit silly --

[eyediot]

[Who cares about personal space when Jon can bring a small space heater right to Algric.]

...I would like to call you Martin, again. E-even.. Just between us.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, Algric does like that. He smiles softly, beaming down at Jon. ]

Just. Just between us, then.

[eyediot]

Thank you, Martin.

[It's been a lifetime since he's said that familiar name, to a familiar face.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Ah. That does feel right, as much as Algric has settled into his new name. He laughs quietly, leaning his forehead against Jon's.

Something ... thaws deep inside him. The ice shifting and receding, warming. And the fog that surrounds them lessens. Someone else on the tube glares at these two engaging in such ridiculous PDA and moves off to another car. ]

Yeah. Yeah. Martin ...

[eyediot]

[Something just shifted, Jon seeing a distinct difference, but can't put a finger on it. The plexiglass windows aren't fogged and frosted over, and he feels almost too warm.

Oh no.

At least they're underground. It's not the Buried directly, but it's better than the open air.

Maybe it's paranoia. Maybe he shouldn't worry so much when things are working out better for him than they ever have. But that is the problem isn't it? Things never work out well for the Archivist. Something is Wrong.]

Should... Probably get off at the next stop and go back.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric doesn't have quite Jon's paranoia, of course, but - well, he can sense Jon's alarm at least. He withdraws just a bit, and the windows frost up a little. (But not as much as before. No, the ice has started to melt, and now it won't stop.) ]

R-right, let's. Let's get back. Grab that electric blanket, yeah?