[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

[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.

[eyediot]

[Jon levels a look at him.]

Destroyed the world.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, okay, we weren't competing in the mess olympics, Jon.

[eyediot]

[God he really did take this whole world for granted huh? He's practically beaming when the tube rushes past to a stop, reveling in the rush of wind.]

I'm just saying, no mess you've made here could be as bad as mine. Cheer up.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ All the casual clamour of the world around them, taken for granted. Algric steps in, making sure Jon does too. ]

I - I am cheering up. I am very glad to see you.

[eyediot]

Well-- I'm very glad to [He steps in with Algric's tug] see-- [And loses sense of his own weight for a second, finding himself right... in front of him. Nose almost touching Algric's.]

... You.

[Is it possible for an eldritch Avatar to blush?]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Oh. Whether Jon can blush or not, Algric is red enough for the both of them. He blinks down at Jon, automatically reaching out a hand to steady him. ]

C - careful there. Nearly. Fell onto me.

[ A nervous laugh. ]

[eyediot]

[Jon holds his breath for a moment as the tube door closes behind him.

This isn't the place.]

R-right. I.. Wouldn't do to. Hurt you right after finding each other again.

[God, Jon would do anything not to hurt him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Nope, not so much. Though - given Algric's aura, absolutely no one is looking at them. ]

You weren't going to hurt me, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Normally he'd make a face at even indirect jokes of his stature but honestly? It's fine.]

...Should we... I mean, it's a few stops... [Sit. Please sit. He needs to sit, knees weak.]

[curriculum_fictae]

-- oh, right. Just. Here.

[ He finds a spot, then, tugging Jon into place next to him. ]

[eyediot]

Sure. [Oh thank god. Jon heaves a sigh and. Kind of leans against him. Just how long was he in that space between timelines? And how long was he unconscious in that basement? He has no idea. But he's draining bit by bit.]

...This still doesn't feel real.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric loops an arm around him gently, leaning his head down. ]

I know. But - but it is, truly. I've been here for a while now.

[eyediot]

[He swallows thickly. Not wanting to scare him, but-]

I keep- Keep waiting to see Helen open a door and.... I dunno, tell me this wasn't real.

[curriculum_fictae]

I - I thought that too. But she's been here, and I haven't disappeared.

[eyediot]

....She's much more powerful in my time. So, I...

[God. He needs to trust him. Jon has to trust.]

All right.

[curriculum_fictae]

After the world's ended. Right. I can - I can only imagine.

[eyediot]

If she hasn't taken you back, then... She has no reason to try to take me.

[First stop. Two more. Jon settles in against Algric a little easier.]

I'm sure it'll be fine.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It's ... nice. Sitting like this on the tube, with Jon's head against his shoulder. Mercifully uncomplicated. Even with past Jon, he always has to consider Martin's feelings. ]

It - it has to be. I won't let you go back to an apocalypse, Jon.

[eyediot]

[He could get used to this. A quiet, semi-normal life with Algric. If he could get some other identity or something, it could work. Maybe.]

And I am willfully choosing not to go back, so. That works out.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Wandering monsters, maybe? Algric and ... well, they could find another name for him, yes.

Algric clings a little more. ]

D'you think you can control that? You're - you're a full avatar, right?

[ No fear, only concern. ]

[eyediot]

[His metaphorical hackles go up at that question. He's been seen.]

Y-yes. I...am. I think I could? I still don't really know how I ended up at Hilltop. [He suspects... Well, the Web and Annabelle but... No proof.]

[curriculum_fictae]

... mm, well. We can figure that out later, I guess.

[ The tube slows; this is their stop. ]

[eyediot]

Agreed.

[It feels like the worst thing ever, standing up and pulling away from Algric. But after everything that's happened, coming out of the tube and looking around his block feels... nearly nostalgic. Sure, he doesn't need to eat or drink anymore, but god he's half tempted to pick up some pastries or something on the way up.]

....I don't know why you were there at Hilltop, but. I'm glad you were, Martin.