[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 sits, of course. Reaching gently for Jon's hand. ]

It's - it's not quite the end. I think - if you don't mind - I'd like to discuss. Ah. What you want out of this.

[eyediot]

[Well now he's on the spot with half his script gone.]

I. Mm. I-it's been... Years since I've. Dated anyone, so I'm sorry if I'm not especially good at this. But. Right now, I want to make sure you're happy? How...ever that looks for you.

[curriculum_fictae]

I mean, I'm happy now? Truly, Jon. With - whatever you're comfortable with.

[eyediot]

[Jon watches him, waiting for some other part to be said. He knows who he is, but knows Algric isn't the same there. And that's as far as he wants to look into that; it's Algric's personal history and not entirely his own business. Even if he does want to know, just a bit.

He looks down at their hands, thumbing along Algric's knuckles softly.]

All right. Just... tell me, if that changes.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ No. He's not the same. But he's also not lying here, or hiding some expectation that Jon will change his mind if Algric tolerates him long enough. He's genuinely happy for the relationship, period.

He just blushes, instead, and radiates fondness. ]

I - I will. I really don't - I mean, obviously I've had sex, and it was all right, but it's not what I'm after in a relationship, you know?

[eyediot]

[This conversation is now veering into uncomfortabke but necessary.]

No, you never... seemed the type to, to do that. Just. Wanted you to know that... [know what? It isn't as if Jon is going to be able to change that for himself.] It isn't an entirely closed discussion. Th-that's all.

[Oooooh he's bad at this.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Look. He'd rather have it out? And given the crowded house, this might be his only real opportunity to have an uninterrupted discussion.

Even he kind of hates this as much as Jon does. ]

Jon, I - I appreciate that, I really do. But I'm fine, honestly. As - as long as you don't mind me being a complete sap in every other way?

[eyediot]

I..

[Deep breath. Shut up, Jon, and take the win given. He squeezes Algric's hand softly.]

All right. I don't think there's anything that could stop that anyway.

[curriculum_fictae]

Well. No. S-so - so if that's a problem, best to cover that first.

[ He says it lightly, like it's a joke, but that terror goes deep. All his previous relationships started off well enough, but ended with his partners mocking how pathetically affectionate he was. ]

[eyediot]

It isn't.

[He says it so fast and so sure. Then the thoughts come through and something in him ached for Algric. Where he'd been mocked for being overly affectionate, Jon was sneered at for not being affectionate enough and no one knowing how to initiate with him.

Really it's perfect.]

It isn't a problem at all.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ They might actually manage to balance each other out, it seems.

Something uncoils in Algric at that. ]

Well - well good. Just. Promise you'll tell me if it becomes one?

[eyediot]

I will. I doubt it'll happen, but I will.

[That's... that was a good conversation? It feels like it was. He knows he'll always have that worry of if he's doing enough or isn't enough, but he'll have to trust Algric to let Jon know himself.]

Thank you.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Something like boundaries, huh? Seems fake.

But Algric seems like he's been put at ease too. ]

D'you - d'you mind if I kiss you?

[eyediot]

I never mind that.

[He is so soft for this big man that would have followed him through hell.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Arguably, you did follow him through hell.

He pulls Jon in close, then, and presses a gentle kiss to his lips. ]

[eyediot]

[Hm. Nope, not good enough. No gentle kiss from Jon Sims here, he holds Algric's face close.

He's simply happy he's accepted like this.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh well okay, that's nice, as long as you're insisting then -

Algric returns it just as hard. A little desperate, a lot needy. ]

[eyediot]

[He hums into that, having done that same thing he did on the tube and almost climbs onto his lap. When Jon pulls away, he rests his head against Algric's.]

Thank you.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric rests there too for a moment, letting out a laugh. ]

You're - you're thanking me?

[eyediot]

You asked so politely if you could kiss your boyfriend after a boundary conversation. Yes, I'm thanking you.

[Hey. He called you something.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I - look, yes, okay, but even still --

[ You sure did, Jon. Boyfriend. He flushes pink at that, joy radiating in his face. And fear too. Fear that all this affection will be too much, that eventually Jon will find it miserably pathetic, like all the others had-- ]

[eyediot]

It won't be too much, Martin.

[He thinks for a minute, then smiles almost a little too smugly.]

If you have to keep reminding me that you're staying with me, then I guess I'll have to keep reminding you that I don't mind the affection.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That first statement sinks into him gently. Yes. That seems right. ]

That - that seems like a fair trade to me?

[eyediot]

[The downside of having not gotten that second statement at the mid-point. He couldn't control that one if he tried, he doesn't even realize he did it. Woops.

Instead, he leans against Algric, all fondness and soft.]

It may surprise you to know, I. Did nnnot grow up in a very affectionate home. And it might have had an affect on my relationships.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oops. Fortunately, Algric doesn't seem to have noticed it either. Unlike Tim, he didn't get a promise from Jon tom ake sure all his compulsions hurt.

He loops an arm around Jon, cradling him close. ]

What - what was your childhood like? I don't actually know.