curriculum_fictae | [PSL-Adjacent] time travel side story

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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?

From:

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.

From:

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?

From:

eyediot

I never mind that.

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

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Arguably, you did follow him through hell.

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

From:

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.]

From:

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. ]

From:

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.

From:

curriculum_fictae

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

You're - you're thanking me?

From:

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.]

From:

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-- ]

From:

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.

From:

curriculum_fictae

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

That - that seems like a fair trade to me?

From:

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.

From:

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.

From:

eyediot

What, mine?

[Oh. Yeah Algric probably never did hear that recording huh. Jon clicks his tongue once, thinking about it. Then shrugs.]

Never knew my parents, died when I was too young to remember them. Was raised by my grandmother who... wasn't entirely thrilled by having to raise me. Did everything she could to keep me occupied on my own because I was. Overly curious and very annoying.

From:

curriculum_fictae

... Oh. Jon, I. I'm so sorry.

From:

eyediot

[Oh that surprises him]

Fo-for what? She did what she could considering she didn't want to.

[He shrugs. Really none of it truly bothered him. Hindsight and all.]

Between me wandering off all the time, police bringing me back, and my generally being a menace, I rather think she did all right.

From:

curriculum_fictae

That's still - you ought to have parents who love you. That care for you. Even - even I have memories of that.

From:

eyediot

[That statement of open sincerity and... kindness catches him off guard. He knows what he was like as a child, and looking back he knows how hard it was for her to raise him; attitude notwithstanding, she was older and hadn't been prepared to raise another child.

Jon watches him before swallowing thickly and tucking his head down.]

A-all the same. That's... what it was like, m-more or less. Found the. The Leitner when I was eight, and... [Sigh.] Felt... fairly alone and kept to myself throughout school.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric just holds him closer, smiling softly. ]

I'm - I'm sorry for that to. I know how miserable it can be. At least, it was for me.

From:

eyediot

...It shouldn't have been. You're- Martin, you're an actual good person.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Gently: ]

Does it matter?

From:

eyediot

...I think good people should be surrounded by other good people. Good things, good feelings. Not to. To be left alone, or. Thinking they don't matter.