[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]

[Jon is finding he really doesn't like thinking about it in that way soecifically... but it isn't incorrect ]

Yes.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ God. What does he think of that? A roiling mess passes through Algric. Some part of him desperately wants the man dead for everything he's done - for what he's done to Martin - for what he might yet do to both of them. Months of low key torment, interrupted by brief moments of horror. Or, in Martin's case, all horror. He would relish Peter's death, and that scares him a little.

But Peter is tangled with Elias somehow, he's sure of it. And that danger makes him pause, despite the quiet agony pouring through him. ]

Yes. I - I want you to. More than - well, a lot of things. He's hurt me, a-and he's hurt this timeline's version of Martin too ...

[ A deep breath. ]

B-but if you kill him, Elias will know.

[eyediot]

[Jon is at least patient while Algric sorts through his thoughts. But.. ah. That is the problem, isn't it?

He sort of nods, face against Algric with a soft exhale.]

All right. I'll leave it be for now.

[curriculum_fictae]

Thank you.

[ His voice softens a little. ]

I'm - grateful. Desperately. That man has ... has caused so much pain.

[ It bubbles beneath the surface of Algric, a festering wound still unlanced even by his positive experiences. ]

[eyediot]

I know...

[No Eye assisted knowledge needed there. He remembers how the Institute was when Peter was running it. He remembers Martin's voice in the Lonely before he disappeared. That was all he needed to know about how much damage Peter had done to everyone around him.

Jon rubs his back softly, as if trying to bring him back down from that.]

I'm sorry. Go.. go back to sleep.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He appreciates it, Jon. And he relaxes obediently, eyes drifting shut again.

But he doesn't sleep just yet. The ache is too profound now that his attention has been drawn to it. ]

No, don't be. I ... avoid it with them. Talking about it, I mean. I'm afraid to hurt them.

[eyediot]

... You don't have to with me. If it would help you, I mean.

[There's the thread there, the hint of a meal. Jon holds his breath, fighting it down. He won't try to pull it out of him or influence him that way. But it's an open offer if Algric ever does want to talk about it.


He lowers his voice, clearly fighting himself.] Not... right now though. I wouldn't recommend it.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It would be delicious. Fresh and ripe, fragrant with misery. All the more pleasant for being familiar.

Algric looks at him, questioning.]

Why not?

[eyediot]

[Jon, meanwhile, keeps his eyes down. He can't bring himself to look at Algric.]

The trip to this timeline.. took lot out of me. And Looking at you earlier. I... don't want to feed off you.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Oh. Algric's eyes go wide for a moment as he realises what Jon must be going through. He immediately opens his mouth to offer, to insist --

But Jon's downcast expression makes him pause, at least. ]

And ... and if offer anyway? If I want to? Knowing what the effect will be?

[eyediot]

[The hunger is pulling at him. An outright offer. It would be better than letting it go on until he tracks down some random on the street.

But he doesn't want to do that to Algric.]

I.. i really would rather not... [It isn't a hard 'no'.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ No, it isn't. Algric can sense that, but he can sense Jon's hesitation too. It's not an easy choice to make. ]

What if - what if I tried just one small thing? One encounter, not - not my whole life story. Just enough to. To take the edge off.

[eyediot]

[His hands tighten their clutch against Algrc's back, holding him tighter. There's clearly something he's fighting.]

Are you sure?

[curriculum_fictae]

Completely sure, Jon.

[ He sees that fighting, though, and he hesitates. ]

If - if you're comfortable with it. I don't want to talk you into something you don't want.

[eyediot]

[Some of the tension releases, giving way to that need. But he's still holding on.]

I, um. I-i have. [Deep, shaky exhale.] Some old statements. In my bag still, I can use those. For now.

[It's like gnawing on stale bread with a filet mignon in front of him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

O-oh. Well that's - that's good. I'm glad you have something.

[ A pause. ]

Will it be enough?

[eyediot]

It will be, for now.

[That decided, he relaxes again in his arms.]

I can figure out something more permanent after some rest.

[Something that is not Algric and making him relive whatever story he gives in his nightmares.]

[curriculum_fictae]

All right, all right ...

[ Just don't go too long or else he'll force feed you, damn it. ]

I just - I wish I could do more for you.

[eyediot]

[He'll probably need it. He won't admit it.

At the words, he finally lifts his head to look Algric in the eyes.]

You already are doing so much.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That gets a watery smile. ]

By - by just existing?

[eyediot]

...Yes. By existing and.. being here. W-with me.

[There had been so many factors and he wasn't sure if he'd be accepted or qander alone again.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Versus not. Right.

[ A deep breath. ]

I'm not going anywhere now. And neither are you.

[eyediot]

Couldn't make me go anywhere else.

[He shifts, only so much so he can touch the back of his fingers to Algric's cheek.]

You should rest some more.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric leans into that gently. ]

I - I will. I am. The rest know I'm safe, so. We can stay here all night.

[eyediot]

Good. [That they won't worry about him, he means.

He shifts up a little more for a... hesitant soft kiss.]

I'll be right here.