[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]

[The cold is down in his veins. Jon lifts his head back up to Algric, seeing that iced over face. Nods once, like he's made a decision.]

I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere.

[A half-hearted joke as he climbs out from under the duvet. There's the sound of a door opening, and cloth rustling before he comes back, a couple more heavy winter blankets in his arms. He spreads them over the bed. Nods. Then climbs back in, fully intent on keeping his promise.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ For a split second when Jon comes back, it seems like he's alone there, that there's nobody in the bed and never was --

And then Algric is simply there again, still frozen to the spot while Jon piles on the blankets. They will help, at least. Maybe an electric blanket next time would be better. ]

[eyediot]

Need an electric blanket next time.

[That's what he decides. Can he even get one? His current timeline self would definitely notice such a large purchase. He cozies up into his little next, hearing the way the bits of frost on the first duvet crack as he moves it. It is better. And it'll do for now. He intense to keep his promise one way or another.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Very much so. Fortunately, after that initial wave of cold, Algric begins to thaw slowly, until he's breathing again, and the horrible frost recedes slowly. Still cold, but not terrible. ]

[eyediot]

[If he were able to sleep like people, he'd be well on his way now. Jon sort of wishes he could. But the Eye is always watching and he can't no matter how hard he tries.

Once the frost starts withdrawing, Jon moves his hand (still under the pile of blankets) over to Algric to take his hand. After a few minutes of watching, he'll close his eyes. Just to... pretend.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric instinctively clutches his hand in turn. The closer Jon gets, the more he thaws, until it's simply rather damp in the bed, and Algric breathes easily again.

He sleeps through until morning without incident. ]

[eyediot]

[By morning, Jon's... as close to 'asleep' as he can get. A sort of restful trance with his eyes closed. He scoot closer gradually over the night, being right next to him again, but still under the different blankets. But his head is tucked up close to Algric's now, breathing easily.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric opens his eyes to see Jon, then, and the last of the ice falls away as he warms. He just ... stares for a long moment, happy beyond words, taking in the sight of him. ]

[eyediot]

[The thawing out leaves the bits of blanket and sheet they share damp. It's enough to rouse him out of that trance, shivering uncomfortably. And then looks up at Algric.]

...Morning. [A little nervous smile.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He blinks at that, noticing the dampness and the extra blankets. ]

... I froze, didn't I.

[eyediot]

...A bit.

[He's smiling though.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Well, that's good at least. Algric relaxes. ]

Sorry. Glad you - you stayed anyway.

[eyediot]

Iiiii did not. I stayed right here.

[Well. Except to go get blankets but.]

[curriculum_fictae]

You - you must have, yes. Or else I'd be digging myself out.

when your dyslexia kicks in and has you misread a tag completely and you roll anyway

[eyediot]

....How often does that happen? Every night?

HAHAHA it's all good

[curriculum_fictae]

Most. Most nights. Yeah.

[eyediot]

I see.

[He looks thoughtful for a moment.]

Definitely an electric blanket, then.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric blinks? Then laughs. ]

You - you don't have to stay and freeze.

[eyediot]

I told you, I wasn't going anywhere. And don't plan to. [He squeezes his hand softly again.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric flushes at that. ]

Then - then we can get one. Somehow.

[eyediot]

Somehow. Right.

[That elicits a sigh from him.]

If the me here knew, then I could just use my own card...

[curriculum_fictae]

... I can text him and tell him?

[eyediot]

[Don't mind him jumping to the worst possible way to do anything. He doesn't know any other way.]

Tell past-timeline me that a future timeline. two and a half years his future, who is also the Avatar and a monster that feeds off the fear of people's paranoia and their own life horror stories, is here and wants to use the account past-him owned to buy himself an electric blanket to sleep next to his-- [What is Algric to him?] his other monster partner who turns into an ice sculpture?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Wow, Jon. Good to know your foot can still go directly in your mouth. Martin opens his mouth - then abruptly crumples in on himself. ]

Yes. That's basically exactly the conversation I had with Martin. Minus the electric blanket part.

[ But definitely including the monster part. ]

[eyediot]

[.... He just said something wrong there. The problem is, what.

He looks properly ashamed though.]

R-right... You... Of course you did.