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

[ The very picture of gentle domesticity. He pushes the plate and the mug towards Jon. ]

Good. I - I know you don't really need it, but...

From:

eyediot

Ah.

[No, he... really doesn't. It's for appearances, or just the feeling of... still being human, for himself. At least he can still enjoy taste as he takes the mug and sips at it.]

...Thank you.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric sips at his own, too, letting the warmth sink into him. ]

Of - of course, Jon. I'm glad to do this small thing.

From:

eyediot

[Is it the tea, or is it Jon's feelings heating his face up? Could be either, but survey leans more to his feelings with that soft smile creeping on his face.]

...I'm sorry, I'm not- Not quite ready to see them all yet.

[God, he's so afraid to see Tim. He has so much to apologize for.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

That's - that's okay. you can start with me, and. And when you're ready, the rest will be there.

From:

eyediot

Right...

[Slow breathing and.. God, it's so quiet. He grabs for a scone to munch on quietly.]

...I missed you.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric hesitates. Then - reaches out for Jon's hand. ]

Me too. More than - more than anything.

From:

eyediot

[He doesn't hesitate a second taking it, squeezing Algric's hand.]

Even... Even before you were taken to the Lonely. When... You were still just. Working with Peter, I-- [A shudder because... Those months of Martin being isolated, of refusing to even be near him... It hurt in so many ways. and he can only imagine how bad it got for Martin.]

I won't leave you alone. Not again.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Very, very, bad. Yes. He squeezes back. ]

You're here now. We're - we're relatively safe. M-maybe we can just leave?

From:

eyediot

[He sighs, thumbing along Algric's knuckles.]

I don't think I can stay very far from the Institute for very long.

[Yeah, he may be an Avatar, but he still.. has to eat.] I don't think I have to go in, but. Just stay in the area. I don't know.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Oh. Dammit, of course. How could Algric forget? ]

Right. Right, we'll - we'll figure that out.

From:

eyediot

[Jon squeezes his hand again. He'll have to figure out food at some point too. And probably soon. He doesn't want to just... Take it from strangers, but what else can he do? Maybe the both of them sneak into the Archives or something.]

We will. It'll work out. For now. [He holds up that scone, taking another small bite.] This works.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ It might be possible with Martin's invisibility cloak. Just, you know, disastrous if they get it wrong. ]

Yeah? How does it taste?

From:

eyediot

Like the best thing I've had in ages.

[Everything about this moment is soft. He'd missed him so.... so much.]

...I heard you. B-back then. In the Lonely.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ He - heard? What is Jon -

Oh. Immediately, all of Martin has gone red, completely overwriting any blurriness. ]

You - you did?

From:

eyediot

I did.

...The last thing I heard was... you loved me.

[Past tense. He doesn't know if that's still true now.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Well, the way that Algric's face is currently on fire might give you a hint, Jon. He gulps for air for a moment, trying to centre himself. ]

Yes. Yes, I - I did? I do.

[ Then, all in a rush: ]

You don't - you don't have to return that. If you don't want to.

From:

eyediot

I do.

[Jon gets it out before Algric even finishes the last thing he says. His eyes are focused so intently on Algric's face, but he's... soft. He spent so long alone in the Archives wishing Martin was there. And then countless days in the Lonely and the Domains regretting having never gotten to express himself.]

I do... Love you.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Jon loves him. Jon - loves him, and is saying it out loud, and. Algric turns back towards Jon, awe and absolute besotted lovesickness shining in his eyes. He might cry? He is crying, a little. ]

I - I love you too, Jon. God, I love you so much --

[ His voice cracks. ]

From:

eyediot

[Oh-- Oh no. Oh no, he's crying and voice cracking and Jon is on the other side of the table. He only lets go of his hand enough to get up and come around, kneeling to cup his cheeks.]

I-- Hey. [He thumbs some of the tears away.] I'm here, all right?

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ He's so close, and touching Algric's cheeks, and ...

He laughs a little, crying even harder. ]

You are here. You're - you're here, finally, Jon, I've missed you--

[ And he leans forward to kiss him. ]

From:

eyediot

[Crap crapcrap he didn't want to make him cry harder! Mission abo-Oh.

His eyes go a little wide but. That's fine. After the initial surprise, Jon wraps arms around him and leans into it.

This is all right.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ It sure is all right. Algric is perhaps not an amazing kisser, but he is sincere, and warm, and - and he holds Jon's face tenderly with one hand while the other loops around his back, pulling him in closer. ]

From:

eyediot

[It's all right because Jon's not very skilled at it either. But he does have to break away to get his breath, leaving him to just press his forehead to Algric's.]

...I'm not leaving you.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ This is just heavenly. All he'd ever dreamed of having those long months with Peter, hoping to find Jon on the other side of his hell. Now he finally has it. ]

You - you promise, Jon?