[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]

[ Algric trembles against him in turn, more tears shivering down his face. He hadn't intended to go to the past, specifically, but here he was - and even with Jon here, he wasn't sure he could stomach going back.

They would just have to find another way here. Somehow. God help him. ]

You're going to stay now. Here, with me. I - I won't let you out of my sight.

[ He risks a kiss to Jon's forehead. ]

[eyediot]

I... Would that work?

[He's unfazed by that forehead kiss, at least outwardly. Something does flips in his insides, something he didn't think he was even capable of anymore.]

There's.. I mean, there's already a you here, and. I assume I'm. Still around?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric draws back a bit at that, still gazing down at Jon. ]

Yes, there is. I'm - I'm staying with both of them. And Tim. All of us together in Martin's flat.

[eyediot]

...And Tim hasn't killed me yet?

[His last memories of Tim aren't the pleasant ones.]

[curriculum_fictae]

No, we're from prior to the point where he really started hating you. Though it was a near thing.

[eyediot]

Small miracles, I guess.

[He's trying to actively not Know anything about them. Not right now, anyway. But all four of them staying in Martin's flat... That can't be a comfortable arrangement.]

I... guess while you're all there, I can stay at my own for now. Until... I don't know.

[curriculum_fictae]

No.

[ Algric grabs Jon's hands and holds them tightly. ]

Not - not alone. I'm not letting you stay there alone.

[eyediot]

[Jon blinks once.

Then smiles gently at him.]

You'd leave a. A whole flat full of us, to stay with me until we figure things out?

[Honestly? Jon's got half a mind to go destroying the other rituals. He knows when and where they are now, so why not?]

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, Jon. Without - without hesitation.

[ A pause. ]

W-well maybe a little hesitation. I'd at least want to explain, and. And you really should meet them. See Tim again.

[eyediot]

[I loved you flits back into his mind. The last words he remembered Martin saying, he carried with him all this time. All the regret of being... a complete asshole to him for years and... Look at him now.]

I... Really don't know that it'd be a good idea. [He wants to.] I mean, it's- It feels like a lifetime ago since I saw Tim and... [And he's a monster now. Tim will probably hate him on sight.]

Let's. Start small? This is really the longest I've sat anywhere and haven't heard an endless choir of screaming and pain.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh god. Algric tightens his grip on the poor harbinger of the apocalypse. ]

R-right, of. Of course. Why don't we both head back to your old flat and - and I'll make you some tea.

[ And they can discuss meeting Tim later. ]

[eyediot]

[Well he didn't really need to breathe right that second. And he's glad for it, all the same.]

Tea. That... That'd be nice.

[How novel. Tea.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. I - I have all your favourites there. We'll get it with a little cream and sugar, and some leftover scones.

[ It's so silly talking about something that small, but... ]

[eyediot]

[Something that small is exactly what he needs. He wants to do something, but won't dare do it out here in the open. It's too public, too visible.]

..I don't think I have my key anymore. Do.. Did the me here give you one?

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh, yes. I can get us inside.

[eyediot]

... How you tiptoed around a yes or no question has me worried.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric flushes a bit. ]

I, ah. I usually don't bother with a key.

[eyediot]

...Oh.

[Oh. That's what he does.]

...Do you think that works with me in tow?

[curriculum_fictae]

Jon.

[ Exasperated. Fond. ]

I can unlock it from the inside.

[eyediot]

......................................









Right.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That gets an actual laugh out of Algric. ]

Come on. Let's - let's go, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Will Jon ever get tired of hearing that laugh?

Probably not in a million years now.

He stands up with Algric, watching him a little lovestruck and tinged with a little sadness himself.]

Over tea, would you tell-- [He shakes his head, like getting a fly off his nose or something.] Do you want to tell me what happened on your side?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric catches that look and seems vaguely gobsmacked in return. He flushes to the tips of his ears.

And - then stiffens, as that compulsion nearly catches him. Fortunately, he relaxes equally quickly once Jon softens his command into a possibility instead. ]

Oh, of course. It's - it's not a great story, but ...

[ He starts walking back towards the tube. ]

[eyediot]

[He'll have to keep a better watch on his words.

Instead, for now, he squeezes Algric's hand while they walk.]

I'd still like to hear it...

[curriculum_fictae]

Then - then I'll tell you. Of course. But I feel as though I've made a mess of things.