[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

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. And - you see why you probably shouldn't just pop round. Martin and I were jealous enough over you.

[eyediot]

You both would be jealous over him too?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ The slowest blink down at his phone. Huh. That stings a little? It's so selfish, but he had sort of hoped past Jon would be jealous. Clearly not. ]

that's not
look, I'm just saying. If you show up here, I think he'll be upset.

[eyediot]

[He's stupid okay. There's a long, long few minutes before there's any response. Is Jon having to suss out what he thinks Algric means and didn't say? Is he trying to write the best response to smooth it over? Is he just fighting with Tim to give his phone back?

The response finally does come though.]

All right. I won't come.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric breathes a sigh of relief. ]

Thank you.
I promise, I'll be back soon. After he's anchored.

[eyediot]

Keep me updated?

[Please don't forget me.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Of course, Jon.
I'll text you every day with all the details you could want.

[eyediot]

Take care, Algric.

[There's just something stopping him from saying 'I love you' outright. That something carrying a mug in a green cozy and a mug with honey and milk to the coffee table for Algric.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ And Algric, of course, looks up and sets his phone down. ]

-- Oh. Thank you, Jon.

[eyediot]

You're welcome.

[He did say he'd make it. Once the mug is down, he'll pour the tea.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He waits for Jon to pour, then, and takes a grateful sip. ]

Other Jon's informed now.

[eyediot]

[He hesitates at that before sitting. He didn't bring a mug for himself.]

How... did he take it?

[curriculum_fictae]

Pretty well, I think? Remember they've been dealing with me for the last couple weeks.

[eyediot]

Good point.

[His hands fidget for a minute.]

He's not coming here, is he?

[curriculum_fictae]

No, no. God. I - I don't think that's a good idea just yet.

[eyediot]

[Absolutely relieved:] Good.

Don't think I'm-I'm quite ready for that.

[Not ready to share Algric.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Jon pls. Algric smiles, though, as he sips his tea. ]

That's - what's what I thought. You've barely been here twenty-four hours.

[eyediot]

Just a little more time.

[Jon sits back into the couch a bit.]

Don't think he'd be ready either.

[curriculum_fictae]

No, probably not. So - you know, get the idea in his head, then. See what happens after that.

[ Hesitantly, he puts an arm around Jon. ]

[eyediot]

[Jon is so weak to this soft man. He leans into him a bit.]

Give him some time to really think about it. He isn't used to sharing. [Did he even need to Know for that? Probably not, but it's nice to have a read on his past self.] Probably never even occurred to him that he might have to, only child.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric... reddens a little. Yeah, he already poked at Jon for this exact reason, but hearing it in that tone is a little different. ]

W-well - okay, true. And past me didn't exactly react well either. To, ah. Sharing.

[eyediot]

[Now that he's said it out loud, he hears it himself and oh.

Oooooh that conversation bit earlier- yeah. Yeah okay he gets it, he fucked that up.

He looks down, reaching for Algric's free hand softly.]

Don't know that I'm ready to share either. [Not when there's the real possibility of being left.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Good job, Jon, you finally caught up. Algric squeezes Jon's hand gently. ]

N-no, I understand. It's natural, it's just -

[ A soft sigh. ]

I've done nothing but share, so turnabout seems rather fair to me.

[eyediot]

No, that's... Completely fair.

[Jon sighs, then sandwiches Algric's hand between both of his.]

You don't have to share me, at least. I'm... all yours.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Gosh. He pinks at that, selfishly very pleased by that little statement. ]

Just mine?