Chapter Text
Jonathan Sims wasn’t qualified to be The Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute.
In fact, he wasn’t even sure what an archivist did, although he didn’t think it could be too different from the work he was already doing, seeing as he was being offered the position.
He was going to take the offer, regardless of whether or not he thought he could do it, because this wasn’t about the job for him. It wasn’t about the title, or the raise, or even his pride, no this was about the opportunity.
Being Head Archivist meant he would have access to the actual statements that the Institute had, it meant that he would get to choose who he worked with and what sort of follow up and research they did, and it meant that other than the people he chose to work with he would ostensibly be left alone.
As Elias explained what the position entailed, he was already thinking of who to request and how to make the most of the promotion.
“Well Jon?” Elias’ cold gray eyes locked onto him in a way that shook Jon from his daydreams. “I do so hope you’ll say yes. I see such potential in you.”
“Mr. Bouchard, it would be an honor. Of course I accept.”
Elias smiled, but it was one of those soulless, practiced smiles, and offered his hand to shake. Jon tried not to seem too eager as he took it, although he wasn’t sure why it would matter if he came across as too excited. He already had the job, and he wasn’t planning on staying in the position any longer than he had to.
“There’s a few forms I’ll need you to fill out, and we’ll have to make arrangements to transfer people as your assistants. In the meantime work on moving your effects into the office in the archives. I expect you to be ready to begin Monday.”
“Yes, sir. I actually know who I’d like to request as my research assistants.”
“That saves me a lot of time.” Elias turned to his computer to search the employee database for whoever Jon requested.
“Timothy Stoker who I work with in research, and Sasha James in Artifact Storage. We all know each other and I know they’re both very competent. The three of us will make a good team and our synergy will reduce the delays that always come with adjusting to a new position.”
As Elias typed away, Jon felt a surge of pride in himself for so eloquently promoting his suggested team. Everything he had said was true, but Tim and Sasha were also his friends, and they were trustworthy which was the most important thing.
“Consider it done. I don’t imagine either of them will refuse the transfer, not with the benefits offered and your glowing praise of them. Now I believe you have some paperwork to fill out, so I’ll let you return to work. I look forward to seeing how the archives will grow under your watchful eyes.”
Jon did his best to remain calm as he stood, it wouldn’t do for Elias to see just how excited he was. “Thank you Mr. Bouchard.”
Even after he had left the office, Jon was struggling to maintain any level of professionalism.
He ducked into the single person bathroom near the HR office that hardly anyone knew about and checked himself over in the mirror as he composed himself. It was hard to not purr or make some such other non-human noise when he was just so ecstatic. He adjusted the bandana that kept his ears hidden and smoothed his skirt.
He was going to be working in the Archives, just him, Sasha and Tim. All of those statements to read and research, all of the resources available to him and the privacy. He was confident that he could tell his secret to Tim and Sasha, both of them believed in the paranormal and they were just good people in general, and they liked animals. If everything went well, he wouldn’t have to be so reserved and secretive all of the time because it would just be the three of them, working together in a paper filled basement with nothing to hide from each other. Sasha would probably be upset about not getting the promotion herself at first, so he wanted her to know as much about the situation as possible as soon as possible. After all, he was planning on quitting once he had achieved his goal.
Once he was presentable he continued on his way back to his desk in research. As he approached his station he saw Tim leaning back in his chair to watch him, clearly curious about what Elias had talked to him about, so instead he took a little detour to talk to his friend.
“Well I’m guessing you didn’t get fired.”
Tim was smiling at him and Jon saw that he had some crumpled paper he was obviously planning to throw at him, and Jon was in such a good mood he was going to let him.
“Quite the contrary.” He slapped the paper wad out of the air before it could hit his face and fought the urge to chase it as it bounced under another desk. “You can expect a raise by the way.”
“Oh?” Tim’s grin grew wider. “You buttered up the big boss on my behalf? Jon, I didn’t take you for such a flirt.”
“I am nothing of the sort, in fact from here on out I intend to make your job much harder.”
Tim rolled his eyes, and the next thing he said was much quieter. “You could definitely make something harder.”
With Jon’s above average hearing he wasn’t sure if Tim meant for him to hear that so he decided to play it safe and not acknowledge it. “I’m just going to let you find out what’s going on on your own. Expect an email from Elias soon. Now stop drawing frogs and get back to work.”
“You’re not my boss.” Tim balled up another frog drawing to throw at him as he walked away.
“Ha, just wait Tim.”
~
Jon was practically vibrating with excitement as he set up his desk. Today was his first day as Head Archivist, today was the first day of a new chapter in his life, one that would hopefully be more honest and productive than any other. Tim had finally stopped teasing him for dressing like an old lady, something he did often, and gone to help Sasha set up her desk, leaving him alone for the foreseeable future. He wasn’t going to tell them everything on their first day in the archive, but he would soon. And as soon as he did he wouldn’t have to hide so much of himself under scarves and skirts and coats. He could start dressing more like an old man than an old lady. He could just imagine Tim’s face when it was all out in the open, and it was priceless. He was prepared for the teasing, he was prepared for the pranks, he was even prepared for the touching he knew they’d both want to do, and strangely enough he was looking forward to it.
He had just gotten his stationary and pens in order and straightened up for a moment to stretch his back and bask in his good fortune when an unfamiliar voice cut through the silence.
“Hey, sorry, haven’t seen a dog have you?”
Jon turned sharply and saw an unknown man poking his head through the door of his office. “I-I’m sorry what?” Who was this man and why was he asking about dogs?
“A dog. A spaniel I think?”
Jon’s mind was working overtime to make sense of what was happening. “In general or-?” The strange man smiled awkwardly, “No, in the archives!” Jon could feel all his hair starting to stand on end. “Why would there be a dog in the archives?” He almost hissed the words, anger and fear building due to this unexpected situation.
“Oh, cuz well-”
“Who are you??” He had started to approach the door where the intruder was stammering, his anger overriding his instinct to run and hide.
“Oh ah, Ma-M- Martin!” He entered the office and held out a hand to shake. Jon stopped and glared at the offending hand like it might burn him.
“Cuz I may have let him in?” Martin continued, pulling his hand back when he saw the way Jon was looking at him.
"Wh-WHAT? Why?” This man had let a dog loose in the archives? A Dog. Of all the possible animals a dog was the worst one.
“Well I didn’t mean to!” Martin held up his hands defensively as he tried to explain. “Ya know we were outside, making friends, and then I had to come in but m-my hands were full, and the door’s really heavy, so, so I had to use my foot, and then he just sort of-” He gestured helplessly to the archives as a whole, “Got past me?” It was taking almost all of Jon’s concentration to keep his composure and not betray too much with his body language. “Why were you coming into the archives?”
“Oh I- Uh I work here.”
“No you don’t.”
He and Martin stared dumbly at each other for a few seconds before Jon continued. “I requested Tim, and I requested Sasha. And you-” He fought to not growl as he spoke. “Are neither.”
Martin suddenly looked aghast as realization dawned on him. “Oh. Ooooh! Oh…. You’re Jonathan Sims…. Yeah, uh, Mr. Bouchard said I’d be working for you.”
It was all Jon could do to take a deep breath and turn away. “Well he didn’t tell me anything about it.”
“He- uh he said that ahm- Well he transferred me from the library so-” Martin continued.
Jon summoned all of his determination and rage and turned back around, squaring his shoulders and looking Martin in the eye.
“So I’m your boss.”
“I mean I guess.”
He was going to kill this man.
“Which means that technically, I have the power to dismiss you, if this dog situation is not resolved immediately.”
“I mean, yeah, probably.” Martin gave him a dopey smile and Jon resisted the instinct to bare his fangs at him.
“OH! Oh! Yes!” The offender’s eyes widened as he realized the the second time in their short conversation how he had fucked up.
“Right, yes, sorry, I’ll-” Martin was backing up through the door, hands flapping uselessly as he tried to figure out how to salvage things before disappearing down the hall.
Jon slumped back against his desk and gripped the edge with white knuckles.
“Sorry!”
He jumped when Martin passed by the open door going the other way.
Jon had to take a few more deep breaths to calm himself.
“Well that’s……” He stiffly walked over and closed his office door so no one could see him seething. “..... Not ideal.”