[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]

[Lord. He stops and just. Looks at Algric, an unsure half-smile on his face.]

You'd want to do that?

[curriculum_fictae]

If it's with you, then yes.

[eyediot]

[That catches him off guard. It keeps happening, Algric making these direct statements about his feelings for Jon. He's not used to positive attention.]

Th-then. Perhaps after this.

[Ignoring how warm his face feels or how dark his cheeks are as he goes back to his food.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Aww, Jon. Algric just ... watches him for a moment, pinking in turn. ]

Thank you, Jon. I - I needed this.

[eyediot]

...Of course.

[And he means that.]

I'd... I would be happy to do this with you. Any time.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yeah? As many times as I want?

[eyediot]

As many times as you want.

[curriculum_fictae]

That could get dangerous, you know. We'll be out here every night.

[eyediot]

[Jon makes a show of looking around them - the empty park and empty sky.]

Besides stopping the other rituals, I don't have anywhere else to be.

[curriculum_fictae]

I mean, I do want you to meet the trio at some point.

[ Food finished, he moves to sit closer to Jon. ]

[eyediot]

[Jon's not quite as fast an eater, but he'll set his aside to enjoy simply... sitting. With him.]

Right, I.. That'll happen.

[And probably make a mess of things with Tim.]

...Algric, did you really call me an 'unrepentant romantic'?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ And Martin will be strange, and other Jon, but --

He flushes at that, going quite pink. ]

Y - yes. I did. Because it's true.

[eyediot]

Y-you can't just say that to people.

[His reputation!]

[curriculum_fictae]

Well. Why not?

[eyediot]

Because I--

[Oh god.]

I-it's just... A little embarrassing...

[curriculum_fictae]

Why?

[eyediot]

You have seen me, right?

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, well, it adds to the charm.

[eyediot]

[Algric said he has charm.

That's a first he's heard in a long time.]

You should tell the others that.

[curriculum_fictae]

I'll text them right now.

[eyediot]

[JFLKASJDF SPUTTERS.]

Don't.

[What did he do to deserve this punishment.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric just laughs. ]

Okay, okay. I won't. This time.

[eyediot]

Thank you.

[He sighs, all relief, resting a hand by Algric. There if he wants it.]

So... The zoo after this. Anything else?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Of course he wants it. He takes Jon's hand, then, and lightly leans against his shoulder. ]

Back to the flat, I suppose. Maybe a film or something.

[eyediot]

[He leans with Algric's weight. This is nice. He can't get over that.]

Then that's what we'll do. It's your day, so you're picking the film too.