[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]

[ 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?

[eyediot]

Yes... That may be the best idea. [He squeezes Algric's hand again. He's going to be found. He knows it now.

It figures. As soon as he says he'll protect Algric, all their actual protection is gone and he has to make good on it. The next stop comes easily enough, another rider on the other side of the car relieved to see them leaving. And another tube coming back the other way doesn't take but a minute.]

We need to be careful.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric, meanwhile, hasn't quite noticed that his invisibility has thawed. He's gotten so used to no one caring that he doesn't notice when people do look in his direction. ]

... Why? What's going on?

[eyediot]

[Jon keeps his eyes forward as the door opens.]

Invisibility cloak is gone.

[curriculum_fictae]

Wh-what? That's not possible, I'm -

[ He'd agreed to be a monster, hadn't he? So why are the people on the street glancing at them normally? Why does he have to weave around people instead of them instinctively avoiding him?

And ... why is the colour returning to him? Slowly, yes, but that glassy, fuzzy texture is evaporating like an ice lolly on a hot day. ]

The ... the Lonely. It's leaving me.

[eyediot]

[If that's true, will they even need the electric blanket? Jon keeps one hand on Algric, keeping him close and keeping all eyes out.]

I still haven't known what the counter to the Lonely is but- whatever you just decided, I guess is it.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric remains silent as they walk for a moment, thinking deeply. ]

I ... I decided to stay with you. Even if it cost me my humanity. I was - I was definitely ready to go full monster.

[eyediot]

[A beat.

Huh.]

I suppose choosing to stay with someone would be the antithesis of the Lonely.

[curriculum_fictae]

And ... and that means that by choosing to become a monster, I stop turning into one?

[ And start backsliding towards humanity, apparently. Which - is actively dangerous now. He clings close to Jon, powerfully nervous. ]

[eyediot]

Iiiiiiii am not sure on that one? The Lonely is... still hard. And I'm not about to knock on the Lukas' door.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric shivers. ]

Let's. Let's not.

[eyediot]

Right. So we will... Go home. And rest. And prep for meeting tomorrow morning.

[Normal! They're having a totally, completely normal conversation!]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Totally, completely normal. Algric picks up the pace at least. ]

At - at least you won't freeze now?

[eyediot]

No, I-i won't.

...Do you think we even need the blanket?

[Hey-- Mr Tall Man, excuse you! Jon may be the Archivist, but he's still much shorter with a shorter walk-span than you, sir.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I - I don't know. Maybe?

[ He reluctantly slows again, but he's nervous. ]

[eyediot]

[It's fine, Jon's keeping an eye out. He can feel the pressure, though. That Eye getting closer. Not that his flat is any safer than anywhere else, but there's a sense of childish security in being Home, and Home Equals Safe.]

We'll test it tonight. If we need it still we can grab one after the meeting.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ There might be some of the Lonely's fog still clinging there, after all. It's certainly less exposed than being out on a random London street. ]

As long as you'll be warm enough, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Might be. At least his street is crowded so they're less obvious to anyone without the Eye. But he still ushers Algric into his building quickly.]

I'm sure I will be. I was fine last night, right?

[curriculum_fictae]

I ... I guess so. I just don't want to hurt you.

[ Even though it's growing less likely by the second. Algric shivers a little as they go inside, feeling dimly feverish. ]

[eyediot]

You won't. [Of that, he's confident in. He gets the flat open, gently getting Algric inside.]

Go - sit, all right? [Even through just these small touches, Algric is too warm.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Too warm compared to what he was before, and rapidly approaching "too warm even by human standards." No such thing as a clean escape, after all.

He nods a bit, moving to sit down on the couch. ]

R-right. I - I feel a bit tired, I think.

[eyediot]

[He's worried. All the concern in the world is etched on his face as he watches Algric sit. Jon swallows thickly, nods, then moves.

Hot cup of tea (no, he's already too warm, but if its a fever he'll come back to that), maybe just some ice water.

The weight of a gaze has his hands trembling and he can feel it driving into his back. Nothing he can do about it now.

Jon takes a steadying breath and comes back to Algric, a glass of iced water and a small ice pack for him.]

Here. Take your time.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ There's hardly any fog protecting him now. Only thin scraps leftover from Algric having lived here for so long - not enough to keep Elias from Seeing them, if he wants to.

He may be drifting back towards humanity now, but that just makes this all the more dangerous. In more ways than one.

He takes the glass of water gratefully, sipping at it. Then he grabs a blanket from the back of the couch and huddles in it. The shivering is worse now, as his face blazes with unhealthy heat. ]

Th-thank you. I don't - I don't know what's happening. I felt fine on the tube...