[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]

I guess I would ye-

Wait, are you-- I-i'm not mad or, or jealous.

[WHY IS ALGRIC DOING THIS TO HIM.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Not mad, maybe. But you do seem a bit jealous.

[eyediot]

This is so far from the original question of "what did you mean when you said you missed me specifically".

[He is. A Little.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, oh Jon. Algric has a point, he swears. His expression softens, and he reaches out for Jon's face. ]

I mean - that as much as I do love this Jon, it's not the same. As comforted as I was to have him, I still desperately missed you.

[ Quieter: ]

I - I had dreams where you did find me in the Lonely. W-where we got out, and. And ran off. To Scotland or something. And it was quiet, with nice cows, and ... and then I'd wake up on Jon's couch.

[eyediot]

...Guess there is some difference.

[Algric said before he was only 'fond' of this timeline's Jon, but hearing it outright... still stings a bit. Maybe Algric would do better... staying human. Staying here. That idea of being alone again starts to settle in.]

I'm sorry.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, poor Jon. This time, the sadness goes unnoticed; he's too lost in his own thoughts. What ... will he tell past Jon? That he's leaving? He has to, or else he'd just disappear.

Or is there away to keep both Jons in his life? What a greedy thought that is. ]

You're here now. I - I thought I'd never see you again, but. Here you are.

[eyediot]

Against all odds...

[He's already preparing for the worst. Get them all aligned to him. Kill Elias. Let them go and ...they all get to live happily while he disappears. There's no way back for him, but there's still time for all of them.

There's no reason to get attached.

Except he desperately missed Martin - this Martin - and doesn't want to let go.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Funny, that was more or less Algric's plan too. He looks up now, moving to take Jon's hand. ]

Anyway. I'm sure.

[eyediot]

[He swallows thickly, taking his land loose.]

Then... I-if I find a way to do it that I know won't hurt any of you, I'll do it. That'll... Get all of you free.

[curriculum_fictae]

That sounds wonderful, Jon.

[eyediot]

...Will you hold out until I can?

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-yes. I think - we'll be okay? I think we'll figure it out.

[eyediot]

[He holds Algric's hands tenderly in both of his, looking down at his fingers. ...Minus one. Did Jon even know that happened? He doesn't linger on it.]

Then I'll do my best.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Probably not, given he was dead at the time and had barely gotten a good look at Martin. Now, though, it's probably bright in his vision from the mark of the Flesh. ]

You don't have to figure it out right away.

[eyediot]

[The Flesh... The bodybuilders. He thumbs softly at one knuckle.]

No, but. The sooner I do it, the better for all of you.

[curriculum_fictae]

W-well yes, of course. I'm not saying to - to just wander around and hope it turns out all right. But we're stable, too.

[eyediot]

[Jon had wandered the Lonely for months. It had settled around him, and went with him even through the end of the world.

Stable. Working together, staying in one flat together. Until Jon came and made things more complicated.

The faint trace of Loneliness around him thickens into a murky mist.]

I-i'm glad. That'll make it easier for everything that has to be done.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Indeed. Algric still loves him, but ... he'd adjusted. And adjusting again is painful. ]

I - I think so, yes. Whatever we figure out. Sort of a long list.

[eyediot]

...I'll help with what I can. I can.. Let you know where they are, when.

Could probably guide through the Unknowing..

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh. That - that would help a lot then, yes. Actually. As long as it doesn't drain you too much?

[eyediot]

[He thinks about that for a second. Then huffs out a laugh; he can always just get Hope's statement. That would probably feed him well.]

I don't think it'll be an issue.

[curriculum_fictae]

Jon, I literally just fed you because you looked like you were going to pass out.

[eyediot]

So? I'll... eat before we go in. And.. maybe. Grab a snack while I'm there. [He kind of hates himself for this conversation. But he really has given in to analogies long before he ever became an Avatar.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Oh. Algric abruptly understands. ]

W-well if they're. You know. Terrible, then. That's not so bad?

[eyediot]

I have Breekon's statement already. May as well while I'm there.