[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]

[Thank god he didn't look too deeply into that question.]

Yeah. It's... I mean, a lot of people consider it kind of old fashioned? It's.. I dunno.

[curriculum_fictae]

Old fashioned for your husband to take your name?

[eyediot]

[Your husband stalls his thoughts for a few seconds.]

I-i just... I remember hearing Georgie talk about it some back in Uni and. I always... Not that I ever really thought I'd get married at this point, but I never set my heart on someone taking my last name because, really, it's a big expectation to put on someone and--

[Well now he can't stop.]

[curriculum_fictae]

But it's something you always wanted, I bet.

[ Algric is utterly charmed. ]

[eyediot]

[And the thought train stops.]

...Yes. I-i have.

[But even without the no sex thing he has going for him, Jon never thought anyone would want to marry this disaster of a human being. And now he's not even human.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Gosh. He's the cutest and Algric is desperately in love. ]

W-well - we should. You know, maybe date first? But, eventually. Ah. If things turn out all right.

[eyediot]

Right. Yes. Agreed.

["If". Always the chance he fucks it up somehow. Jon doesn't know if he'd ever forgive himself if he hurt Algric.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Good. I'm glad you've agreed to our first date, then.

[eyediot]

Our what?

[THIS HAPPENED SO FAST.]

[curriculum_fictae]

You agreed to date first.

[eyediot]

Well- Yes. Yes?

[The missing article in that statement makes such a huge difference in meaning.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. So - ah. You'll have to order for both of us, probably.

[eyediot]

[Oh. OH. He sees what's happening now.

He doesn't like that idea though. Jon thinks about it, his face going through a couple different expressions of thought before he smiles. It's all hopeful that Algric doesn't take this the wrong way.]

Maybe, but. I may have a different idea?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric straightens up a bit. ]

Of course.

[eyediot]

Do you trust me?

[curriculum_fictae]

........

Y - yes. All right, yes.

[eyediot]

What do you want to eat?

[That part's important here. He'll get to the rest after he knows, but he doesn't want to Know.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Ah - well - I could really go for some Thai, I think...?

[eyediot]

[Hm. That's not something he can cook here with these ingredients. But if the Jon in this time knows he's here, then he won't mind him using his charge card.

Jon nods to himself and goes to his bedroom to dig out his spare card and comes back with his jacket.]

We'll make a couple stops on the way, then. Just think about what you want and let me know.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric moves to get his own then. ]

O-oh, right. Okay. I'll follow your lead?

[eyediot]

[He's having some doubts of his own idea here, but he hopes it...works. And since it's him, he grabs his own key from his bag - wandered the apocalypse alone and he still carried it with him. An idiot.

But he walks them down the block, to a couple thrift stops. Picks up a larger heavy throw blanket, and a nicer reusable box. Another shop has some old plates and flatware.

The Thai place he gets them to is familiar. The staff behind the counter recognize him from late nights ordering when he couldn't sleep.]

Whatever you want.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric hovers behind Jon as they go, invisible to anyone except for him. He ... thinks he might know where this is going? And the thought makes him blush furiously. ]

Ah - pad thai? And some of those summer rolls, the ones that come with the peanut sauce.

[eyediot]

[He nods and adds it to his usual order. For their credit, the staff don't make a show of how surprised they are that he's changing anything on his usual order.

It takes a few minutes but the food comes. And Jon carefully places it all in the box he bought and starts walking Algric a different direction.]

Pretty sure we can find a nice place out.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He follows still, pink all over. ]

Are you - are you taking us on a picnic, Jon?

[eyediot]

I-- thought it might be nicer than dealing with sitting in a restaurant where staff can't see you the whole time we're there.

[Yes, yes he is.]