[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]

You won't.

[Said quick and with the sureness of someone who has. Definitely run and/or fought for his life already. And won.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ What a strange thought that is. He can sense that confidence, but it's so different. ]

... You're really strong now, huh.

[eyediot]

[Oh. He...sort of withdraws into himself just a hair, looking down a little.]

I... Yes. I'm. An Avatar.

[curriculum_fictae]

Of the Eye, yeah. I - I figured as much.

[ There's no surprise, only quiet sadness. He reaches out for Jon's face gently. ]

I - I guess I'm more monster than human myself.

[eyediot]

[He leans into the touch, closes his eyes.]

...I'm sorry. You-- don't.. Deserve that. [Martin shouldn't have had this foisted on him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

No. I don't. But neither do you, Jon.

[ He smooths Jon's cheek with his thumb. ]

[eyediot]

... I chose it though. I can't... explain it, but when Oliver Banks spoke to me. I made the choice.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric blinks at that slowly, confused. ]

What do you mean?

[eyediot]

[He literally just said he can't explain it dang.]

When... [hm.] There's a point where... you reach the crossroads. And you.. i think you have to be on the verge of death. That plays some part, but you have to choose. To become a full Avatar or... stay more human. And... somewhere in that, I.. chose it. Before I woke up. Oliver is the... Avatar of Death. So ....

I may be entirely wrong. I'm not sure how it works exactly. I just know I unconsciously made the choice. I thought it'd be better than dying.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Oh. That sends a chill through Algric for multiple reasons. It all makes sense? It matches with what he'd known already, and with Jon being actually powerful once he'd returned from being dead.

But it means something rather dire for himself, doesn't he? He'd turned down Peter's choice, but made a different one when actually faced with his own death. ]

And now you're - you're fully aligned with the Eye. I thought so.

[eyediot]

[Somehow, hearing it from Algric makes it... worse than he'd gone on thinking about it on his own all these months. He feels a little ashamed about it, ducking his head further from his touch.]

Yes. I-i am.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, Jon. That's not what he meant at all. He leans forward again, cupping one hand under Jon's chin. ]

I'm so glad, Jon. I - I'm so glad you're alive, and that Peter didn't kill you, and. And that you found me again.

[eyediot]

[He doesn't move his head or lean into the touch. Just his eyes shifying to look up at him.]

... And we're here now. We can... try to change things a bit. Make sure they don't go through the same things.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric nods at that, managing a small smile. ]

Yes. I - I think that will be easier with you here. I have some power, but it hasn't been terribly useful.

[eyediot]

I'm sure that isn't true. You've likely been keeping them protected and warned them of some things.

[curriculum_fictae]

W-well - yes, I've been trying, but. I also got them attacked by Not-Sasha, and. And this version of Jon is becoming an avatar much faster than you did. And Martin's been hurt by the Lonely already, plus I make him jealous with everything I do.

[eyediot]

Oh.

[That's... not great. Salvageable, probably, but not great. And eugh Not-Sasha. That was one being he had no problem being happy he killed.]

Which... means he'll probably be sought out a lot faster by the others. Elias will probably push faster if he knows.

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-yes. So - so I don't know how much I've helped as much as I've accelerated.

The current plan is to blow up the Institute and run.

1/3

[eyediot]

Hm. It was Gertrude's plan. Might work.

[Its bugging him though, just this little thought.]

What are you even doing to make this timelines's Martin jeal-

[eyediot]

[OH. Oh my god.]

[eyediot]

He kissed you?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ JON. Jon please. Algric immediately goes bright red, ashamed of himself? Look, this is a weird situation, he has no reason for it, and yet he feels guilty. ]

Y-yes! Yes he. He did kiss me. We're, ah. Sort of on our way to a. Relationship ... shaped ... thing?

[ And then, with another flicker of guilt: ]

Y-you were dead, and I didn't even know if you'd heard me, or returned it, and - and I am weak to every version of you, Jon.

[eyediot]

[There's a strange sound of laughter from him, warm and full and soft. Jon leans up to press his forehead to Algric's, hand cupping the back of his head.]

It's all right. Wish I knew what you did to get through to me, though.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric groans a little, but slumps against Jon in relief. That's - okay, that's good, he's not angry. Or jealous. ]

Honestly? I have no idea. I suspect Tim had something to do with it.

[eyediot]

[How can he be jealous that his past self has something so good? Jon is glad, more than anything. Algric deserves the attention and affection, an dhe remembers how he was at this stage in time. He needs someone too.

When Algric slumps, Jon wraps arms around him again, holding him close.]

I could- could always go. Let you have him and I take care of the rituals and Elias. [He's still laughing a little, clearly joking.]