Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jon sighed for the fifth time in the past 10 minutes. He had to restart the statement twice already because the noise from outside his office kept distracting him. It couldn’t be helped, he figured. He was stressed, and only tried to force himself to work in hopes it would take his mind off the fact that the police were supposed to interrogate them about Gertrude’s murder today . As if the whole situation wasn’t awful enough already. Jon scowled at the thought of cops coming into his archives. He sighed again and stood up from his chair.

He walked out of his office to join the rest in the common area. It only took a few seconds for Sasha to notice him and scramble for an excuse for not working. Tim beat her to it, though,

“Sorry, boss. See, I’m not sure we can do much work with all that stress, you know?” His tone was too dramatic for anyone to believe he was being serious. Jon sighed and decided to let it go. He actually was too stressed to try and argue.

“I know you are attempting a joke, but I do believe there’s a lot of pressure. I wouldn’t expect or require any of you to work as usual. All I ask is that you keep it down, so I can do my wo–”

He was interrupted by a quick knock on the door leading to the archives, followed by a head peeking through the gap. It was Rosie, probably here to remind them that the police will be here soon.

“Hey, police came early. I brought them here.” She said, pushing the door properly open. “I have to go though, Elias wanted me to reschedule a meeting. Good luck!”

And she quickly left without giving Jon a chance to respond. He cleared his throat and gestured for the two police officers to come in. He was trying his hardest to maintain his professional attire, until he noticed that unlike the blonde, broad woman, her partner stayed outside the door, staring at him intently. Then it clicked. 

“Ashes- Basira? ” He almost choked on his surprise. “You’re a cop? ” He didn’t even bother to try and hide the disgust in his voice. 

“Jonny, listen—”

“Don’t ‘Jonny’ me, that’s the job you said you don’t wanna talk about? Well I can see why, considering you’re a fucki–” Jon stopped, seemingly remembering they weren’t there alone. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Tim and Sasha exchange a look, and then Tim pulling out his phone and furiously typing something. After a few seconds, a buzz could be heard and Sasha was pulling out her phone in response. Great. Well, there goes his professionalism. They are never taking him seriously again. 

“Well, but what did you expect? You know what I was like when we first met.” Frankly, she did sound ashamed. Jon did not care, she should be.

“Yeah, at first! I thought you’d come to mind after... Well, everything ,” he pointedly avoided saying anything even similar to ‘band’. “We all did. Actually, they still don’t know, do they? Well, guess what.”

He made a move to pull out his phone, but the other cop finally seemed to snap out of her confusion and cleared her throat. He looked at her as if he only now realised she even existed.

“Oh. R-right, yes. Sorry. Yes, we, uhh.. We’re old.. acquaintances .”

“Friends.” Basira pitched, and Jon only threw them a pointed look. He hesitantly reached out a hand to the blonde police officer.

“Jonathan Sims, I’m the Head Archivist.” 

When she made no move to shake his hand, he pointed to his colleagues. “And my assistants, Sasha, Tim, and Martin. Is there an order you.. two would like to talk to us in?” 

“Detective Daisy Tonner,” came in reply. “We’ll start with you, if that’s alright.” Jon nodded and noticed the way Dai- well, no, the detective had to give a pointed look at Basira to get them to realise they were here for a reason. Jon nodded and led them both to his office. He quickly regarded his assistants before leaving.

“Please, don’t make too much noise. Neither the walls nor the door are soundproof.”

The interrogation was draining, to say the least. And that wasn’t even regarding the fact that he had to stifle his growing annoyance and disappointment that came with seeing Ashes again, which normally would be great, he had to admit he missed her, but really, a cop?  

His punk-with-pyromaniac-tendencies friend that broke into buildings with him and scribbled “ACAB” all over the walls, as well as covered for him on more than one (but less than five) occasion?? He struggled with wrapping his head around it, and was itching to get this over with so he could just talk to them alone. And, well, snitch to the rest. He just hoped that miss detective Daisy wouldn’t find his probably apparent boredom and irritation as suspicious. Which, obviously she probably does, because that’s just his luck.

When they were finally done with him, he left them in his office, to in turn send someone in. They said the order didn’t matter, so he sent in Sasha, leaving Tim for last. Knowing him, Tim might take either the shortest or the longest, and he didn’t want to have to make either Sasha or Martin stir in their nervousness. He sat down and  pulled out his phone, going to find the chat that was only barely active since Death to The Mechanisms. 

3:58 P.M.

To Dead not Gone

First mate : u will never guess ashes “secret” job

First mate : spoiler: disappointing

He looked up from his phone and noticed Tim staring at him intently. He sighed.

“Yes, Tim, go on, if you must.” He said it with annoyance, but he had to put actual effort in trying not to smile just a little. 

“Sooo.. Acquaintances, huh?” Jon didn’t think Tim could smirk any wider.

“Really? Of all the things, you pick that? Yes, acquaintances. Well, no. We were friends at uni. I was dating someone at the time and it was not them. Uh, her. Basira.” Jon sighs. He can’t think of a reason for why he’s getting so chatty other than the stress finally letting go.

“You don’t have to lie about their pronouns, you know, we’re not pricks.” Tim said, almost offended.

“Oh, I’m not. She goes by they/she. I didn’t try to accuse you of that, I just wanted to make sure you know who I’m talking about.”

“Alright then. But yeah no, I just didn’t expect that you’d have any kind of social life, let alone friends.” Jon knows Tim is joking now, but he also doesn’t blame him for thinking that. He didn’t exactly try to present himself otherwise.

“And you thought me having a significant other was more probable?” He raised his eyebrow at Tim. The whole time Martin just listened in, most likely too stressed about the police to try to join in. Tim pitched his eyebrow in turn, a knowing smirk creeping up on his face.

“‘Significant other’? Are you that much of a pompous ass or does that suggest the possibility of you not being straight as a ruler?” If Martin wasn't so nervous he’d stop Tim by now. But he didn’t, and Sasha wasn’t there. Jon was too taken aback to be offended about being called a pompous ass.

“Straight as a- wait what? What even made you think I was?” Jon’s phone buzzed from his pocket, but the question threw him off so much that he didn’t even notice.

“Wait, you’re not? I don’t know, you’re just so.. Posh, I guess. Stuck up, and all that.”

“Even if I was all that, that’s still not a great argument. I mean, King Arthur himself was a queer man so what made you think I couldn’t be just because I’m trying to be professional?”

“He what? I didn’t know that.” Jon knew he’d regret talking so much later. He already felt his professional attire slip, and it won’t be easy to build back up. But he figured after almost yelling at Ashes when they were all right there already made irreparable damage. And he really was feeling rather relaxed now that he was done with the interrogations, especially that there was a friendly face. Well. Maybe he should apologise and actually try to hear them out. Just maybe.

“Well, I think being in a poly relationship with a man and woman would be considered as queer. You just don’t pay attention.” He replied, fighting himself not to go off on a whole rant about it. Not to Tim, anyway.

“What, like at school? I don’t think they taught us that.” Tim was so confused it could be funny. Jon scoffed.

“Obviously they couldn’t, what if the poor kids turn gay.” He cut himself off. This was still a workplace. And an institute of education, which made it even worse. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to go on like that.”

Right as Tim was about to try to get him to continue, the door to Jon’s office opened and Sasha walked out, gesturing at Martin that he can go in there now. Tim dramatically sighed.

“Why do I have to be the last, huh? Do you hate me that much, boss?”

“Obviously not. You’re just the only one that is likely to try to hit on them to try and get out of being questioned, which takes up a lot of time. And just for the record, it won’t work on Basira, and I doubt the other one would be interested in you.” Tim rolled his eyes, but didn’t even try to deny it. Instead he patted the couch beside him and looked at Sasha, but she pointedly ignored him and sat in her desk chair.

“Right?” She said to Jon. “She did look kinda butch” She said in a hush voice, throwing a look at the closed office door. Jon tried (and miserably failed) to conceal a smile.

“Right.” He then felt another buzz and took out his phone. 

4:12 P.M.

To Dead not Gone

Br(ass) bitch : Are they mopping floors at Tesco’s

shipfucker : Or selling faulty yoyos in a weird alley

First mate : lMAO

First mate : but no not that type of disappointing 

First mate : shes a COP 

First mate : honestly i think that deserves like

First mate : at least a kick 

still not a real boy (gender neutral) : That’s Disgusting! 

powdered tim : the one time toy soldier gets online and it decidedfs to speak the truth

powdered tim : ACAB

shipfucker : ACAB

Br(ass) bitch : ACAB

archIVYussy : ACAB

bullied into getting a degree : ACAB

First mate : ACAB

Jon put down his phone as the door to his office opened again, a paler than usual Martin stumbling out. He flopped onto the couch as if he was going to fall over if he didn’t sit immediately. 

“That was so awful. She’s scary .” He said and covered his face with his hands, while Tim stood up and went into the office instead, with not as much as a silly gesture. Guess he actually was more stressed than he let on.

“It was short, though. I feel like they took at least twice as much time with me, and even more with Jon.” 

“Yeah, the nice one seemed to notice how stressed I was. Uh, Ashes, you said their name was?” Martin replied to Sasha, but looked at Jon in question.

“Oh, uh, no, their name’s Basira. Ashes was a.. nickname. From back when we were at uni.” Jon so hoped they would drop it at that. He was not planning to tell them about the Mechs anytime soon, and he’s already said too much with Tim. Building back up the professional attire that would break would be close to impossible. 

The room went quiet for a moment. Somehow that was even worse. He looked around the room, looked at his phone to discover no new messages and looked at the time. Oh, maybe tea? Jon stood up and started walking towards the breakroom. 

“Would anyone like tea?” He asked, and Sasha and Martin just looked at each other. “Does.. that mean no?”

“L-look, Jon..” Martin started, stopped, and sighed. Sasha waved a hand at him.

“Sorry, Jon, but your tea is nasty. I’d love tea, but let Martin do it instead.” Oh. Right. He didn’t think it was that bad. Significantly worse than Martin’s, yes , but not awful , surely. But, Jon nodded and sat back down. Martin stood up instead and went to prepare tea. Awkward silence fell again. Well that’s just great. 

“Sooo..” Sasha started. Maybe she was feeling just as awkward as Jon? “Friends from uni, then? How did you meet?”

“Oh! Uh, through a friend. I mean, my then-girlfriend. She insisted she has to make her friends my friends. And she succeeded, I think. I think I grew closer to some of them than she ever did. Basira, for example.” Sasha stared at him, not unlikely shocked by how many words that weren’t regarding work orders he just said at once.

“Good! You keep in contact?” She seemed genuinely interested. Which shouldn’t be a surprise, but Jon was surprised nonetheless. He was their boss. Their boss who he was sure they didn’t really like. 

“Rarely, anymore. We’re all busy with adult lives now. We keep a group chat, but it’s mostly inactive. And Georgie.. My ex, we.. didn’t exactly part on good terms. Which was my fault. I was an ass.” 

“I mean you still kind of are.. But maybe you should reach out. If she thought you deserved her friends, she’d surely think you deserve forgiveness.” Jon thought for a few seconds. Maybe she wasn’t wrong. But how could he even go about trying to apologise? He really was awful to Georgie. But he did miss her. Just, as a friend. And he missed the Admiral. Just as he was about to respond, Martin came back with two steaming mugs.

“Could someone please fetch the other two? I made one for Tim as well, though I don’t know how much more time he’s going to take.”

Jon immediately stood up. Great opportunity to abandon the conversation that made him feel too seen for comfort. And right as he got back in the room with the two remaining mugs, the door to his office opened and out came Tim, as well as Basira and the other cop. 

“All done?” Jon asked as he set one cup down, taking a sip from the other. He didn’t have to ask Martin if it was his, he always got his tea in the same cup. Tim nodded and sat back down at his spot. He had an exhausted look on his face, as if stress draining from him left him tired, not chatty like Jon, or lightheaded like Martin. 

“Yes, we are all done. For now. You should all be prepared, though, my partner will come back in case we need anything more. As there are only four of you, I won’t be needed for that.” Daisy said, stance still intimidating. She was about to take her leave, when Basira spoke.

“Can you wait for me in the car? I’ll just take a moment. I’d like to speak to the Archivist alone.” Jon felt a shiver go down his spine at the way they said it. He looked around the room, but no one else seemed to be uncomfortable with the phrasing. He’ll blame it on Elias and the way he says the word archivist as if it was some kind of insult. Or, actually, maybe the opposite. 

Daisy hesitated at the question, but finally nodded and left. Jon felt his phone buzz, but ignored it, and instead went to his office, gesturing to Ashes to follow him. Once they were both inside and she closed the door, he sat at his chair and set his mug down. The comfort of being in a place he knew and was his was enough to overpower the awkwardness.

“Sorry, I didn’t ask if you wanted tea. I can ask Martin to make one for you.” He said and pointed towards the other chair for her to sit in. 

“Nah, it’s okay, I’ll just be a moment. Just.. Do you really need an explanation? I still stand by all cops are bad, and I know how bad it is that I’m just one of them now. I desperately needed a decent pay job, and with my education there weren’t many positions that wanted me, I mean can you see me? And then I got sectioned and it was too late for me to–”

“Ashes. You’re rambling. Calm down. I shouldn’t have reacted like that in the first place. I was.. shocked. But...” Jon took a breath, thought about his words. “I won’t tell you that I’m alright with you being a cop, because you know my thoughts about cops. But, I.. I’ve missed you?” He looked at Basira, who was looking at the desk instead of him. He sighed, he was shit at trying to comfort people. “And none of us are going to hate you because you got sucked in when you were desperate and are too deep in to leave. Think of it like.. Like, I don’t know, drugs? Obviously it’s different, but–”

“I get it, Jonny. And now you’re rambling.” They looked at him now, a slight smile. He managed to get his message across. He smiled back. “And I’ve missed you too. All of you guys, and I’d have told you all and quit already, but Daisy needs me. She doesn’t look like it, but she does need me.”

“I understand,” Jon said. He didn’t understand. But he didn’t need to. 

“So, what’s with the whole pretentious fuck thing?” Ashes’ usual attire was back now. Jon sighed and shook his head in dramatic disapproval, but he smiled as well. 

“That’s what happens when you suddenly get promoted to a position you didn’t even want and are not even close to being competent enough for it..” Jon wondered for a second. “Though I’m guessing you’d know that, based on what you just said.” Basira just chuckled and nodded. 

“Guessing that won’t stop you from telling the others?”

“Oh, I already did. That’s what you get for being busy with a job or something. Honestly, don’t get it.” There was a knock on the door. Basira turned around in the chair. “Yes?” 

The door opened and Tim peeked in. “Boss, it’s almost 5pm. I think we’re gonna go home.” He was less cheery about it, and Jon didn’t blame him. He looked tired. 

“Yes, you can go ahead. I’ll clean up, so tell Sasha not to worry about it. You’re all free to go. Though I do expect proper work tomorrow, as none of you did much today, even if for an understandable reason.” Tim didn’t even argue. He nodded and left. Jon sighed.

“You’re like that towards them all the time? How do they not hate you yet?” Ashes looked at Jon, almost taken aback.

“I’m pretty sure they do. Not like I can change that now. I was so stressed during my first month as head archivist and started being like that, and.. Too late to back out. If I don’t keep it up like this, no work will be done. The archives are a mess, but they were so much worse.” Jon sighed, his head hurt from just thinking about the state the department was previously in. “I’ve only managed to get them to look like that by being like this.”

Ashes looked at him like they didn’t buy it. 

“So, you’re just anxious because you think they’re too good for you and that they wouldn’t want you as a friend. Did I read that right?”

“What-, No, I–” Jon looked at her wide eyed. She just nodded.

“Of course I did.” She looked at the time. “I’ve gotta go. Daisy’s waiting for me.” They stood up and went to leave.

“Basira, just..” Jon stopped her. He thought about how to phrase what he wanted to say.

“Actual names, alright, serious now.”

“When.. if you’re ready to actually quit, I can always try to get you a job here. You’d like it. Lots of.. reading weird stories people give. And you don’t need to worry about being qualified, Martin–”

“Thank you, Jonny.” They spoke over him, cutting him off. “I’ll seriously think about it. I have to go, though, if I know Daisy, and I do, she’s about to start getting impatient.” As if on cue, their pager bleeped.

“Yeah, okay.” Ashes nodded at him and left. Jon sighed, gathering up the papers on his desk. He had to record the damn statement he was supposed to. But he knew that if he didn't go and clean up now, as he promised Tim, he’d be too tired later. He sighed and took his phone out.

4:54 P.M.

To Dead not Gone

shipfucker : Speaking of secret jobs we still dont know where Jonny works

First mate : not telling u

First mate : its the first kind of disappointing

First mate : js really boring

still not a real boy (gender neutral) : Oh, I Wouldn’t Say Boring!

still not a real boy (gender neutral) : You Just Didn’t Get To The Good Part Yet!

First mate : wait u kno where i work

still not a real boy (gender neutral) : Yes! And I Can’t Wait Until You Get Good!

still not a real boy (gender neutral) : Though I Really Dislike Your Boss!

still not a real boy (gender neutral) : Annoying Prick :o(

powdered tim : lolget good jonny

First mate : die

Chapter Text

Tim stared at the clock again, urging it to go faster. He's been here 38 minutes and he's already bored out of his mind. The fact that he's pretty sure the statement he was supposed to follow up on was a dare doesn't help. What happened the day before, Jon apparently not being as antisocial as they all thought doesn't help either. Maybe they would manage to befriend him after all. Tim almost chuckled at the thought of 'befriending' Jon, like he was a stray cat. Which, I mean..

"Hey, Sash?"

"Nope, we haven't even been here half an hour. Work first." She cut him off before he even managed to fully turn towards her, her eyes stuck to the screen, typing furiously.

"One, yes we have, and two," Tim stopped to look at Jon's office door. Still closed. Probably won't be opening for some time, but better safe than sorry. "And two, don't you think that we might actually have some chance to, you know.. befriend him or something?"

She actually stopped and looked at him, considering.

"You actually think so? Just because he had friends in college?"

"Yeah, you don't? We are likable, Sasha, I gave up because I didn't want to make him uncomfortable, thought maybe he just likes being on his own or something. But he does have friends, so that's probably not the case."

Sasha stayed silent. She thought for a while. A while that, for Tim, felt like hours. She then nodded. "Well, what do you want to do?"

Now it was Tim's turn to go silent. Except, not for long, soon enough he was smirking already.

"Group chat, ease him into our company via phone. He can't be stuck up through text, right?"

Sasha raised her eyebrow at him. Frankly the idea seemed ridiculous to her. But she nodded, just as Martin was coming back with three mugs of tea. No one questioned why he was already taking a tea break.

"I'm guessing finding his socials falls on me?" Sasha questioned, not even looking at Tim as she nodded in thanks to Martin handing her a tea.

"Well, yeah. Obviously. I'm shocked you didn't already." Sasha snorted, and Martin looked at them confused.

"What are we talking about?"

"We plan to try to adopt Jon, like the wet cat he is." Tim said way too loudly for anyone's comfort, and Martin instinctively looked at the closed office door. He then shrugged and went back for the last mug, meant for Jon.

He ignored further Tim and Sasha banter and headed for Jon's office. He was about to knock, when he heard a soft hum. Was it coming from behind the closed door? Surely not, that would mean it was Jon. That couldn't be it. But when he knocked, then opened the door slightly after getting no answer (which wasn't that unusual, Jon tended to zone out over his work), it became obvious that the song came from the office.

Martin stepped into the room and put the mug on Jon's desk, only then deciding to speak, as the man didn't even appear to notice the tea. Martin suspected that Jon must have gotten to work way earlier than them, though he couldn't tell how much earlier.

"Jon, tea." He startled slightly, the melody immediately cut off. Martin figured Jon didn't even notice he was humming in the first place.

"Yes, thank you." Jon looked up at him, for once. Only then did Martin notice the dark circles under his eyes, or how messy his hair was. Wait, did Jon spend the night here? Is that why he was so caught up in work so shortly after work even started? Martin thought that maybe Tim deciding on trying to get Jon to warm up to them wasn't that bad of an idea after all.

9:04 A.M

Tim Stoker added SashJame , Martin K. Blackwood and JSims

Tim Stoker renamed group Archives

Tim Stoker: bfeore you leave boss hear us out

Tim Stoker: me and sahsa thiink this can incrase work efficienvy

Tim Stoker: because yk nobdy has to come all th e way over to tell eacohther stuff

SashJame: If u ignore Tims awful typing

SashJame: But yes, I do think this can be beneficial

SashJame: Martin?

Martin K. Blackwood: wait am I also supposed to say something to convince him?

Martin K. Blackwood: okay, well. I'll be able to ask if you actually do want tea beforehand? I guess?

Tim Stoker: Brillaint convincing skills

Martin K. Blackwood: mean

Jon sighed. He rubbed his eyes, fighting to keep them open. He didn't mean to stay overnight, he just lost track of time. And if that wasn't enough, the statement he was about to record crashed his computer. Which meant he had to get up, get out of his office and try to find a tape recorder. He had no idea where he left it last night, and hoped to find a spare.

He stood up, and his vision spun. He sat back down, then stood up again, slower this time. What hour is it again? He looked at his phone. Eleven notifications? Did his news about Ashes urged the rest to talk more often? He unlocked the phone, hoping to look at the messages without opening them. Huh. That's a new one. Jon pocketed the phone, deciding to ignore it for now. Wait, the time? He looked at the wall clock instead. 12:26. Great, about time for a break anyway.

Jon walked out of his office, finding no one in the common room. He sighed, relieved at not having to interact with people. He was too tired to pretend to be polite. He looked around, hoping he'd left the tape recorder somewhere on sight, when he heard a brief knock on the door to the archives, before he heard it open.

"Hello, Jon." Elias. Jon is going to rip his own goddamn hair out if he has to interact with that man for more than 10 seconds. He took a breath.

"Yes, Elias? Did something happen?" Jon dug his nails into his palms. He just wanted to leave this place and go home to sleep. How is he supposed to survive another 5 hours if he has to talk to Elias?

"Oh, no, nothing much. I just thought I'd ask how the interrogations went." And of course he came here for something absolutely useless. Forget ripping his own hair out, he was about to rip Elias' hair out.

"It was fine. Now, can I maybe go on my lunch break, or are you going to ask more unimportant questions?"

Elias left. Thank the gods or whoever. Jon sighed and pulled out his phone. Now he will take the break, even if just to spite Elias.

12:35 P.M

To Archives

JSims: Only if none of you come up with the same excuse to try and add Elias.

Tim Stoker: ew why woudl we even talk abt el*as

Tim Stoker: let alone to el8as

JSims: Well then, I suppose I can agree to this.

JSims: But I trust it won't interfere with your work, Tim.

Tim Stoker: wait why me speicfically

JSims: I trust Sasha to do her work regardless of anything you do, and I doubt Martin is even able to willfully avoid work.

SashJame: clocked

Tim Stoker: thats just utnrue

JSims: You know it's not.

JSims: When are you three coming back?

JSims: It seems I have misplaced my tape recorder yesterday, and I need it.

Martin K. Blackwood: we'll be back soon

Martin K. Blackwood: do you want us to bring you something?

JSims: Oh

JSims: Actually, yes, I could eat. I'll pay you back when you get here, is that okay?

Martin K. Blackwood: oh you dont even have to

Tim Stoker: thats what friends do ;)

Tim  set the nickname for Martin K. Blackwood to Martin

Tim Stoker: martin whats yoru middle name

Tim  set his own nickname to KING

JSims: That's ridiculous.

KING: sash yours is arleady awesome ill leave it

KING: no its not its true

Tim set the nickname for JSims to partypooper

partypooper: Goodbye, Tim.

KING: wait what

SashJame: ???

SashJame set the nickname for Tim Stoke r to (kaya)KING

(kaya)KING: wait thats brillaint howd u knwo i like kayaking

SashJame: vibes

(kaya)KING: you mean stalkign dont you

SashJame: perhaps.

12:49 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: whats with tims and not being able to type normally

powdered tim: wiat yuo knw other tims

powdered tim: are you chearintg on me

First mate: tim r u actually blind

powdered tim: waht

powdered tim: jonny where do u worok

powdered tim: i wnana meet othe r tim

Jon put his phone away. No way he was gonna tell them. No way he'd risk them coming here. No way he'd risk them meeting Tim, Martin and Sasha, and absolutely ruin their opinions of him. He might as well just parade all over the archives in D'ville costume. He heard his phone buzz twice, and he stood up, knowing it was Tim and deciding to ignore it. Instead he wandered around, looking for the tape recorder, waiting for work Tim and the rest of his assistants to come back.

Jon gave up quickly, thinking about what Sasha has told him the day before. And he did actually want to use his lunch break to the fullest by not working like he usually would. Fuck Elias for annoying him.

If she thought I deserve her friends, she'd probably think I deserve forgiveness. That's what Sasha had said. He sat back down and pulled out his phone, ignoring the group chat notifications. He searched for Georgie's name in his contacts.

12:54 P.M

Private conversation with Georgiest

Jonniest: Hi

Jonniest: Uh

Jonniest: So, I was wondering if you'd have some time to meet

Jonniest: I'd like to talk

Georgiest: oh dear

Georgiest: you dont want to get back together do you

Jonniest: No.

Jonniest: We don't have to talk.

Georgiest: no wait

Georgiest: we can talk

Georgiest: also u know you dont have to mask while talking to me right

Jonniest: I don't have to what?

Jonniest: If you aren't comfortable with meeting, we don't have to.

Georgiest: text like that for one

Georgiest: but also I absolutely do want to meet

Georgiest: the Admiral missed you

Georgiest: and

Georgiest: well

Georgiest: i did too

Georgiest: even if i absolutely do not want to date you ever again

Jonniest: Neither do I.

Jonniest: When are you free?

Jonniest: To meet, I mean.

Georgiest: i know what you mean you autistic ass

Jonniest: I'm

Jonniest: Not autistic

Georgiest: keep telling yourself that

Georgiest: im free on saturday

Georgiest: i still live in the same apartment

Georgiest: you can come over

Georgiest: the Admiral really has missed you

Jonniest: i'll be there

The door to the archives opened, Tim going in first, having apparently just said something funny, considering Sasha and Martin were giggling like crazy.

"Hey, boss, smiling at your phone, I see." Tim winked. Jon was taken aback, confused, and definitely not smiling after that. "So, who're you texting there?"

"My ex. Now, have you seen the tape recorder?" Jon stood up from the couch, eager to go back to work. And maybe eat first. But he didn't want to have to ask Martin if he actually brought something for him. That would be weird.

"Jon. Jon we don't text exes. That's like rule number one." Tim said, absolutely not trying to remember if he saw the tape recorder.

"I haven't heard of such rule. And if you must know, I'm not trying to date her again. We're better off as friends. Besides, Sasha told me I should." Jon furrowed his eyebrows at Tim. Who even sets up rules like that? Does anyone? He just wanted to go back to the statement. Has Martin really brought something for him to eat? He looked over at the man, noticing he did actually hold something. Jon was dying to know.

"Ooh, yeah, I have. I suspect it went well?" Sasha asked, except unlike Tim, she started to walk around the room, looking around in drawers and desks.

"I think. She said she's fine with meeting to talk and that the Admiral missed me." Jon paused. Stupid. He didn't even know why he answered, and Sasha obviously doesn't know who the Admiral is. "Uh, her cat. The Admiral is her cat."

Sasha only smiled at him. Jon noticed that Tim also started to look around, as well as Martin, who set down the paper bag on his desk first. Well, maybe he forgot after all. That was fine. Jon was surprised he even offered in the first place.

"Um, you don't actually need to help me look. I just wondered if any of you have seen it." He said, suddenly awkward about them helping him with something so little as finding a tape recorder.

"Don't mention it, boss. You know I'd do anything not to have to do actual work. I can look for the tape recorder all day long." Tim was actually looking under his desk. Jon sighed.

"Well, you won't. I found it." Martin handed the tape recorded to Jon. Except, just as Jon was about to take it, he retracted his hand back. What? "Oh, I almost forgot! You didn't say what you wanted, so.." Martin reached for the paper bag. He didn't forget. Or, he did, just not about Jon. He handed Jon the tape recorder and the bag now. Jon took it with a nod.

"Thank you, Martin. How much do I owe you?"

"You don't have to pay me back. It didn't cost a lot. Treat it as a, uh.. A gift?" Jon considered him for a second. He nodded.

"Okay. In that case, thank you for the gift. And for finding the tape recorder." He turned to Tim and Sasha. "And thank you both for the effort of trying to find it. I'll, uhh. I'll go back to my office, then. Thank you." He turned and left. The whole interaction felt awkward. But, Jon thinks, they're just his coworkers. His subordinates, really, but he doesn't like to think of them that way. But they're just his coworkers and nothing is going to happen if he feels a little awkward with them.

He sits in his office and sighs. He takes the statement he was about to record before. He'll eat the.. chocolate muffin? Well if that's not a nice surprise, then Jon doesn't know what is. But he'll eat it after he records the statement.

"Statement of Thomas Neil, regarding his experiences working in malarial research during the spring of 2010. Original statement given February the ninth 2011. Audio recording by Jonathan Sims, Head archivist of the Magnus Institute, London. Statement begins.."

Chapter Text

Jon stood outside Georgie's apartment. He was having second thoughts. Of course he did, what if she did not want him around? What if Sasha's wrong and she will not forgive him? He doesn't think he deserved forgiveness. What if he just turns and leaves? Georgie doesn't know he's been standing here for the past 15 minutes anyway—

The door opens. Jon looks wide eyed at Georgie, who, in her defense, is trying not to laugh. She fails miserably, though.

"How did you know I was here already?" He asks, looking at her as if she just told him that he's made of bread.

"Because it's 6:15, and you said you'd come at 6, and you're never late." She explained. She then walked through the door and hugged Jon. He stood frozen for a few seconds, but was hugging her back soon enough. "Besides, you tend to just stand around when you worry."

"I, uhm..I thought you hated me. I was awful to you." He said after Georgie let go of him.

"Jon, we were in college. We were basically still kids, I wasn't that great to you either." She chuckles. "Well, the fact that I turned out to be lesbian doesn't help."

"Oh. Well. Yes, I suppose it wouldn't." Jon shifted in place. Standing still for so long is never good for him. He can already feel the pain that is going to result from that.

"You're not gonna just stand around, are you?" Georgie asked and walked back into the apartment. Jon followed, and shut the door behind him. He felt something fuzzy against his leg.

"Oh, hello to you too, sir!" He said, taking off the shoes and immediately sitting down on the floor to pet the cat. "Oh, for sure, I have missed you as well." He heard Georgie giggle. He was also pretty sure he heard her take a picture. He did not care, because he had the Admiral for company now.

Georgie cleared her throat, and Jon looked up to see her holding a 1/3 full bottle of whiskey. Oh, so that's how it's going to be.

8:36 P.M

To Archives

partypooper: respecftully ky s

JSims unsent a message

partypooper: I apologize.

partypooper: That was not meant for this group.

(kaya)KING: wiait what did that say

partypooper: Nothibg fro your eyes

partypooper: Nothing for your eyes.

SashJame: I take it the reunion with Georgie went well

partypooper: I have no idea what yorue talking about.

partypooper: you're*

8:41 P.M

To Dead not Gone

All cops are besbians: @First mate

All cops are besbians: @First mate

All cops are besbians: @First mate

First mate: kys

First mate: not even repsectfully

First mate: almst told my coworkers to kys bc of u

All cops are besbians: yeah bout that

All cops are besbians: ill be coming over soon ;)

First mate: I'll inform them.

All cops are besbians: ew

All cops are besbians: what the fuck

JSims set the nickname for Basira Hussain to assigned cop at birth

assigned cop at birth: hilarious

assigned cop at birth: yk whats else hilarious

assigned cop at birth: that i know where you work and im police and also going there on monday

First mate: can u pls censor the word p*lice that like is

First mate: rly bad ://

assigned cop at birth: everyone but ivy knows youre not fr

assigned cop at birth: (Ives, jonny is being /s)

First mate: yeh i am

First mate: Ashes, do not come.

First mate: :)

assigned cop at birth: warn your friends

assigned cop at birth: tim tried to hit on daisy last time

assigned cop at birth: shes not coming this time

assigned cop at birth: you can imagine why

First mate: i thought itd work

assigned cop at birth: im not scared of you jonathan

First mate: ew

8:53 P.M

To Archives

partypooper: Cops again on monday

SashJame: ??? what

partypooper: Basira will be coming in on Monday.

partypooper: I have not been informed what for.

partypooper: Daisy will not be attending, as someone has tried to hit on her last time.

partypooper: I wonder who that was.

(kaya)KING: hm im not sure

(kaya)KING: myabe martin?

partypooper: Because Martin is, of course, frequently flirting with women.

Martin: I

(kaya)KING: did you just call martin gay

"Jooooon." Georgie snatched the phone out of his hands. "Who the hell are you texting so much,huh, Jonny?"

"Work matters?" She raised her eyebrow at him. "It was a bit work matters. In the way that I almost texted my work chat to 'respectfully k-y-s' and then Ashes said she has to visit again and I had to tell them."

"Wait, Ashes? Why would Ashes need to visit the Magnus Institute, of all places, let alone again? Has something happened? I didn't even know you were still in contact."

"Because we weren't. Not until they came into my workplace to conduct a police investigation." Jon rolled his eyes.

"Police investigation at that boring ass place? I'm not even gonna touch the fact that Ashes is a cop with a ten foot stick, but really? Did someone like. Steal a statement?"

Jon stood up and went over to the cupboard he knew had alcohol in it, and took out a bottle of wine. Damn his high alcohol tolerance. Damn the nights he spent "training" that tolerance, before, during, and after shows. He poured himself a glass.

"Someone murdered the previous Head Archivist." He drank half of what he poured, filled it again and went to sit back down next to Georgie. "I'm like at least a bit suspecting my boss. Either that or he's just a creepy, annoying fuck."

"Gods, Jon. Sorry." She took the glass from him and took a sip, then gave it back. "That's messed up."

"I'm okay. I mean, unless the person who killed her is also after me, in which case I am not at all okay. Or, I am now but definitely won't be later. If they kill me as well." He drank most of what he had in his glass.

"What? Jon, stop, no one will kill you." Georgie sat up, Jon shrugged. "I'm serious! Like, cops may be useless, but Ashes isn't. They'll do their job properly. Besides, if someone even tries, I'll sic the Admiral on them." Jon chuckled. While that way of comforting would not work if it was anyone else but Georgie, it did now. He did feel just a bit better.

"Though, now you have to tell me about your coworkers. Especially that they almost suffered the results of you drinking too fast." Jon sighed.

"There's nothing to tell! I don't think they even like me, Georgie. And I've worked with Tim and Sasha even before I became the Head Archivist." Georgie looked at him for a few seconds, staying silent. Then,

"Are you being a prick?"

"What? No! Well. I mean, just a little. But not in an actual prick way. Just, you know, your boss way."

"Jon, if you say you're a prick 'just a little', then you're definitely awful." She sighed. "And I really mean that in the nicest way possible, because I like you."

"I'm also pretty sure Sasha wanted the job I got. I don't know why I got it, because I absolutely did not want it. And Tim started to ignore me for a while at first. So I'm pretty sure that me being promoted instead of Sasha is why he hates me. Which isn't entirely fair, I did not want the job, and I am aware that I'm not qualified, while Sasha is and she's so much more competent, and if I don't prove that I am competent, then they'll never respect me, and—"

"Okay! Okay, Jon. Whatever you're doing now, stop. Stop. And you don't need more of that." She said, taking his almost empty anyway glass away.

"I'm not even drunk."

"And you will not be getting drunk! You'll spiral. But, just for the record, I don't think your coworkers hate you. Especially if you've known them for a long time. You just have to try to open up and try to see if they're not actually being nice to you. Because we both know you don't notice that."

"I notice!" Jon denied. He knew it's true. He didn't know why it's true. He tried to notice. "…What if I text you what they say and you'll tell me if that's them being nice?"

"No. That's tipsy-therefore-loose-tongued you talking. I bet you don't even use your phone at work."

"Yeah, true. But there's also Martin. I didn't know him before. And he lied on his CV." Jon covered his mouth. Even sober, he's awful at keeping secrets. "You didn't hear that from me. But he is awfully incompetent, and let a dog in the archives on our first day, which was already stressful enough, because Gertrude did nothing to try and keep the archives organized and Elias told me I need to do that, and they were a mess and it was awful, and I may have sort of told him I'm gonna fire him there and then? And it doesn't help that he cannot do the job. And I was kind of sort of mean to him a lot."

Georgie looked at him. Not even confused, she knew he was like that, but dumbfounded that he said it all out loud. She sighed.

"So, of course, now you're afraid to start being normal because if they respected you when you were awful, they surely wont if you start being nice, and they already don't like you anyway so why should you even try? Am I right? Did I get it?"

"…" Jon tried to reach for the glass. Georgie snatched it away.

"So I was right. Well, here's what you do. Step one: you already have a chat, so step one is done, a way of communication outside of work. Step two: you offer help, even if you don't think they need it. But, offer, not just start helping. That's actually it. If they do like you, everything else is going to work out. If they don't, nothing happens. You just have to try and be nice. Not prickly and snappy. And!—" She raised a finger at him, noticing he was trying to interrupt. "And I realize you're not doing that on purpose. But here's the trick," Georgie was being over dramatic now. He knew it, but he also knew she was right, in her own way. "You apologize. You say, 'sorry guys, rough day'. Because most people are nice, and they understand."

"…" Jon nods. "It was Sasha that told me I should try to get in touch with you."

"Okay, I'll ignore the fact that you completely changed the topic just because I'm awfully curious." The Admiral jumped up on the couch they were on. He walked past Georgie, straight to Jon. Georgie scoffed.

"Ashes was interrogating Tim, and Martin was making tea, and we talked a little. Well, Sasha was curious about how I knew them, and I told her that it was because of you, and.. I actually don't remember exactly what I said. I only said anything in the first place because all stress drained all at once, and you know how I get. And she said something like 'If she thought you deserve her friends, she'll probably think you deserve forgiveness', or something." Georgie gave him a look and sighed.

"Jonny, you stupid, stupid man. My coworkers hate me, my ass." She stood up and headed to her bedroom. "I'm going to sleep. You're welcome to use the couch. Goodnight, Jerk."

Jon scoffed.

"I'm not calling you a bitch."

"Spoilsport." She flipped him off.

Jon was definitely cheery. Martin figures that even he couldn't deny it, if asked. Martin also figures that Jon is probably the only person in the universe that's cheery at 7:03AM on a Monday. Nevertheless, he lingers while passing his office, to hear the humming just a bit longer. It may be only the third time he's ever heard Jon sing (if that even counts as singing), but he'd listen to it all eternity, if he could. Not like he'd ever tell anyone, though. Not like there's a chance anything could ever happen between them.

Jon is humming again, when Martin passes by his door the next day, while going on his lunch break. It's a different song now, and Martin could swear he heard some words, though he couldn't make them out. Then, again, when Martin comes to Jon's office to give him tea. He stops right when the door is opened, so the next time he hears the song, he stands in front of the door first, for a moment.

Tim teases him about it, something about being 'so starstruck that he has to prepare for seeing his face'. Martin wonders, if Tim ever heard the melodies Jon hums. He wonders, if Tim heard them, did he think of them in the same way Martin did?

And of course, Martin notices first, when one day the office door isn't closed properly and the humming can be heard from where the rest of them work. Or, Sasha and Martin work, and Tim tries to convince them to leave 20 minutes early. 'Cmoon, the day's almost over anyway. We could catch the early tube.' ('Tim, only you go by tube, and it comes every 15 minutes anyway').

Martin also notices, however, that when Sasha and Tim notice the humming, they look around the room, not being able to locate the source. He almost smiles at himself, proud, for some reason, that he's the only one of Jon's assistants, that has heard the songs before now. He could even, maybe, if he tried hard enough, daydream that the reason for that is that the songs were meant for Martin, and Martin only. But he doesn't try. Not now, anyway.

4:43 P.M

To Archives

(kaya)KING: anyone else hear that

(kaya)KING: ??

SashJame: yeah

SashJame: where is it coming from

SashJame: and what song even is that

JSims: I don't hear anything.

JSims: Maybe try to focus on your remaining work instead.

(kaya)KING: oh it stopped now

Martin: pity

Martin: i liked it :)

JSims: .

JSims: Back to work, please.

(kaya)KING: ominuos

(kaya)KING: martin what does the k stand for

5:19 P.M

To Dead not Gone

powdered tim: i hate ants

powdered tim: did i ver say htat

powdered tim: i htae ants

archIVYussy: Ants are very important

archIVYussy: Would you like me to tell you why?

powdered tim: no

powdered tim: ants are evil

powdered tim: nothibg can make me unhate them

powdered tim: and i dont wnat to know more about them than i already do /nm

archIVYussy: Then don't open my rant channel, because I will be talking about ants

First mate: how can ants even b evil

First mate: theyer so tiny

still not a real boy (gender neutral): You'll Learn Soon Enough About That, Jonny :o)

First mate: worms on the other hand

First mate: TS y do u only ever get online to be ominous

still not a real boy (gender neutral): I Like To Be Involved In Interesting Matters!!

Chapter Text

There was a knock on the door to the archives, and when it opened, Rosie peeked in. Sasha stood up from her seat, being the only one facing the door. She walked over to the door, to see a man standing slightly in the back. He had long hair and was fairly tall, but stood in a way that made Sasha think he tried to appear shorter.

"Someone here to make a statement. I'm leaving them in your hands." Rosie said and left, gesturing the man towards Sasha. He nodded and gave her something that was probably meant to be a smile. He stepped into the archives.

"I'm, uhh. I'm Jordan? I was.. told to look for the head archivist?" He looked around the room and gave a polite nod to Tim and Martin.

"Yes, sure. Just a second, I'll go get him." Sasha left the man and headed to Jon's office. She knocked on the door and opened it, without waiting for an answer. "Jon? A man is here to make a statement."

Jon sighed and stood up. As if this day wasn't tiring enough already. He followed Sasha outside, and almost ran away when he saw the statement giver. Damn Ashes. Damn Ashes and their pettiness.

Except, the man looked almost as shocked as Jon felt.

"Jonny? What?—"

"Uhh, no. Nope. We are not doing this here." Jon grabs the man's arm and almost drags him into his office. Sasha looks over at Tim and Martin.

"Soo.." Tim says, as soon as the door closes behind the two. "Another 'acquaintance'? That also didn't know he works here."

Sasha shrugged. Not like it was any of their business—

"What if we steal his phone and just tell the rest of his friends so this doesn't happen every single time?"

"No, Tim."

"What on earth are you doing here?" Jon wasn't mad. Of course not. It's been ages since he saw Tim, and it was great to see him again, but.. Right, the 'but'. He didn't tell them for a reason.

"I should be the one asking asking that question, considering I came here to make a statement, and I'm told to look for the head archivist and you show up!" Tim slumps in the chair. He knew he was going to regret coming here, he just didn't think this would be the reason.

"Oh, well, excuse me for daring to get in your way." Of course Tim didn't want to see him. Why would he? The band was done, they didn't need Jon around anymore. "I can request Sasha to take your statement instead."

"Don't get all posh with me, you know what I meant." Jon didn't. But he didn't say anything. "But coming here was stressful enough on it's own and now it turns out that I have to say all this shit to you, who I haven't seen for a long time, because someone has been avoiding all his friends."

Oh. Right. Jon looked away.

"Sorry. I can actually get Sasha to take your statement, if you'd prefer that."

"Don't be. I.. actually get it. I was close to cutting myself off to. But it, uh. Doesn't help, does it?" Jon shook his head. Tim nodded in understanding. "And, uh, you don't have to do that. It's.. good to see you again."

Jon tried to smile at him. He did, but he's pretty sure it looked more like a grimace. Tim didn't seem to mind. Jon cleared his throat.

"Right, then. I'm just gonna.." He scrambled around his office for the tape recorder. Stupid, really, as it was already sitting in front of Tim, and running.

ARCHIVIST

Huh.

JORDAN

Hm?

ARCHIVIST

Did you..?

JORDAN

What?

ARCHIVIST

The tape recorder?

JORDAN

Oh, uh, no. Why do you have it?

ARCHIVIST

Well, uhm. There's certain statements that don't record digitally. And I suspect yours will be one of those.

JORDAN

..why?

ARCHIVIST

Because I know you're not insane or a liar, and those that do record digitally are mostly statements of insane people and liars.

JORDAN

..right.

ARCHIVIST

Well, uhh. (clothes shifting) Shall we?

JORDAN

Right. How, uh.. How does this work?

ARCHIVIST

Well.. I.. say some stuff like your name and date and then you just. Tell it? I guess.

JORDAN

And.. you trust my narrative flow enough for it to be comprehensible?

ARCHIVIST

It doesn't have to be.

JORDAN

Okay.

ARCHIVIST

Right, then. Statement of Tim..

JORDAN

Uh..

ARCHIVIST

What?

JORDAN

You do know Tim isn't my real name, right?

ARCHIVIST

(beat.) I forgot.

JORDAN

(mocking) Did you think Gunpowder was real too?

ARCHIVIST

I know your name isn't Tim! I just.. Nobody ever calls you Jordan!

JORDAN

Nobody calls the rest by their real names either. You're just uncreative, Jonny. Besides, 'Jordan' sucks, Tim is cool. I just.. got comfortable with Tim.

ARCHIVIST

(teasing) ..You know, there's a name for that.

JORDAN

(irritated, but joking, friendly even) I wonder if there's a name for throwing someone out the window for being a fucking prick.

ARCHIVIST

(I'm gonna ignore that) ..Right. Statement of Jordan Kennedy, regarding..?

JORDAN

Several weird things I found while working in pest control.

ARCHIVIST

Statement taken direct from subject, 3rd November, 2016. Statement begins.

ARCHIVIST

Right. Statement ends.

JORDAN

(sounding tired) Well. That was weird.

ARCHIVIST

What do you mean?

JORDAN

The, uh, narrative flow. I was joking before, but..

ARCHIVIST

..but?

JORDAN

I didn't even stutter once.

ARCHIVIST

And.. that's a bad thing? I don't get how that's got anything to do with.. narrative flow.

JORDAN

It felt like narrative flow. Don't you notice? That I.. hesitate and stuff. When I talk. When not in character.

ARCHIVIST

..No, I guess I don't. Stuff like that doesn't bother me.

JORDAN

(scoffs) of course it doesn't, you.. almost respectable man.

[CLICK]

Jon set the tape recorder aside.

"Right. Would you like tea? I can ask Martin to make one more, I'm.." He looks at the clock. "Almost certain he's about to get up to start preparing it... Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Oh, it's nothing. So, Martin?" Jon stood up and walked out of his office without a word. "Don't be like that, Jonny!" Tim followed him.

"Martin, when you go make tea, could you make one more?" Jon didn't register Martin looking at the clock and a faint look of surprise on his face. "Earl Grey, one sugar."

"Heey, you remembered!" Jon scoffed.

"Of course I did. Who do you take me for?"

"Someone who's absolutely shit at making tea?"

"…Right. Point taken. Good thing we have Martin, then." Tim choked on a laugh. "I'm going to put lemon in your precious earl grey if you dare." Sasha and assistant Tim shared a look, Tim's accompanied by a huge smirk.

"Ew, alright." He sat down on the couch. Jon shot him a look, but didn't say anything. He was glad Tim wasn't stressed anymore. Martin stood up from his seat to go make the tea.

"And.. Who am I making tea for?" It took Jon embarrassingly long to understand what Martin meant.

"Oh! Right, this is, uhh, Tim. Another.. friend from college." Jon pointed a look at Tim, hoping he'd get the hint and won't mention even a word about the band.

"Wait, didn't you say your name is Jordan?" Sasha asked, before their Tim got to say anything. Meanwhile Martin left the room.

"I mean. Yeah. But it's kinda awful, so I mostly go by Tim, because me and Jonny were—"

"It's nothing interesting. Same as Ashes. Uh, Basira. It just stuck." Jon looked at him pointedly.

"I think we're missing something, guys." Assistant Tim said and stood up.

"I don't think you are, there's nothing interesting about—"

"There's two Tims now. I have achieved it. I met another Tim. He's even almost as cool as I am."

"Excuse you, I'm plenty cool. There's videos to prove that— Wait. Wait, uh, you're Tim?" He also stands up. "Wait, yeah, that'd make sense, since the other one's Mah-tin, and you.." He looks at Sasha. "Sasha? I'm guessing?" Sasha nods.

"Is this the moment we fight for dominance to see who gets to keep the name?" Archives Tim said. "If Jon has to call us both Tim while we're in the same room, his brain will evaporate." Jon goes to protest, but is cut off before he even starts speaking.

"Uh, I've known him first. So, technically, I should get to be Tim. But I'm nice, so he can just call me Gunpowder, while you stay Tim. See cause me and Jonny.." He wasn't actually going to tell them. It was just hilarious to see Jon desperately try to keep it secret, as if there isn't so many Mechanisms related stuff online. Hell, they even had a small fan base. They have both seen the art.

"I can always call you Jordan." Jon smiled. It was petty.

"I am going to shoot myself in the head if you do that." He smiled his pettiest smile back. Though Jonny was the most petty person in the universe, so his wasn't even close.

"YOU chose the name!" Jon only teased him because he knew Tim not only didn't mind these jokes, they made him feel validated. No matter how weird that could seem.

"I'm allowed to hate it regardless, Jonny!!" They were both 'yelling' theatrically now.

"..Right… So, you're.. Gunpowder, I'm guessing, and I'm Tim." Jon was dumbfounded. Then, he was trying really hard not to laugh. And then he wasn't trying anymore, because Gunpowder did laugh, which made Jon laugh, which in turn made Gunpowder laugh even harder, and he had to sit back down.

Martin came back with three mugs. He stood in the doorway, dumbstruck. He looked at Tim and Sasha in question.

"We don't know either." Sasha said.

"Riiight.." He gave her her tea, set one down and gave the other to Tim.

"We'll go get the other ones." Jon said, trying to breathe steadily. It wasn't even funny, really. It was Tim's fault. Both of them. He drags Gunpowder off the couch.

Martin can still hear giggles from the other room. It's muffled, but he's pretty sure he heard Jon say something that sounded awfully like a death threat, but also awfully comedic?

The two men were coming back, calmer now. Martin wonders, if that's how Jon is with his friend now, at.. however old he was, how much more of that had he been in college? Martin doesn't think there's anything else he could want to know more than that. He was dying to ask, but he realized how weird a question that would be. Tim, however, had other questions.

"If you are Tim, and Basira is Ashes, why is Jon just Jonny? I mean, not that it's bad, of course.." He sits on the couch, delighted with the fact that it was time for lunch break.

"Oh, no, it is bad. And Jonny is just uncreative as fu—" Jon punched Gunpowder's arm. He almost wants to do a whole theatrically offended act, but he decides against it. Jon would probably throw him off of a roof if he did that.

"I am not!"

"Should I remind you of the Marquis de All The Knives? You're a great.." He wants to say singer, writer, performer. Damn Jon and his stupid need to keep the cool part of himself secret. "You're great, but you're terrible with names, mate."

"I'm going to sic the Admiral on you. Anyways, I should—" Jon retorted and looked at the time on his phone. "Oh. Or I guess not. It appears that it is lunchtime." He usually would ignore that fact, but he figured today was as good a day as any to do anything to spite Elias by taking his lunch break.

"Yeah, boss, you're stuck with us now, for the next half an hour.. Maybe you could tell us about the whole, uh, Marquis de All The Knives?" Tim said. Jon scrambled for an answer that didn't involve the words 'college band' or 'mechanisms'.

"Oh, uh. We did.. um—"

"RPG campaigns. Jonny is a brilliant GM, but awful at making up names." Jon could kiss him. Except, no, he couldn't, actually. Okay, maybe hug him. Instead he nodded. Tim and Sasha let out an 'ooooh' in unison. Martin didn't seem to be impressed. Oh well. It's not like Jon needed Martin to be impressed by him.

"Oh, wait. I just, uh. Remembered something. There was an infestation here, right?" Jon froze. Tim instinctively reached up to pick at his scars.

"How do you know that?"

"I was meant to be on the job. You know, pest control. But I got sick, so, uh, I wasn't." Gunpowder only faintly noticed the strained reactions. "What.. What was it?"

"Worms." Jon answered his question as if he was spitting. Martin shuddered, Tim grimaced.

"Fuck worms" Tim said, Sasha and Martin nodded.

"Fuck worms." Jon repeated, pointedly. Gunpowder looked at each of them.

"Oh. So, like my, uh.. ants." He and Jon looked at each other. He could tell Jon was thinking. Then, he was nodding.

"Yes, I suppose. Like your ants. I just.." Jon sighs. "I just hope they are not connected."

"Well, about connections, didn't Toy Soldier seem to be.. weirdly aware of this?" Jon considered him. He seemed to not put too much thought into it before now.

"I mean.. Doesn't it always do that, though? It's.. peculiar, but that's just its charm, I think. Just.. usual Toy Soldier stuff. And it said it knows Elias, so I'm guessing.." Jon hesitated. He sounded more like he was trying to convince himself about this, than it actually being a reasonable explanation.

"Maybe… But it also said it hates Elias.. I- I mean your boss. But, regardless, it doesn't talk to people it doesn't like..? I don't know, actually. Just- just thinking. Don't pay any mind to me. And also, I'm gonna get going. I did just come here to make a statement." Gunpowder pats down his pockets, presumably checking if he still has all his belongings. He turns to Jon.

"Right." Jon says, looking anywhere but him.

"Don't give me that. I better see you again soon." He points a finger in Jon's face. "Little birdie told me Nastya's gonna be visiting. We should all go out."

"Wait, what? Really? Why did I not know that?"

"Because you never read the group chat, genius. She's been talking about that for ages. Marius as well. Finally got a degree and stuff." He headed for the door. "I know your secrets, Jonny. Pity if they stopped being secrets.."

"Goodbye, Tim." Jon flipped him off, hoping none of his assistants paid enough attention to notice. Well, as they say, hope is the mother of fools.

1:26 P.M

To Dead not Gone

powdered tim: so

powdered tim: heard were going dirnking with @First mate

winged beast (a fly): really?

powdered tim: sure ;)

shipfucker: Is Jonny aware?

powdered tim: sure

powdered tim: @First mate confirm this

5:12 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: tim i dont use my phone @ work

First mate: u kno this

powdered tim: confirm 

First mate: ye

First mate: ive been blackmailed

powdered tim: you lvoe me ;)

First mate: p sure i dont

still not a real boy (gender neutral): How Did It Go? :o)

powdered tim: told you it knows

First mate: TS r u like

First mate: in contact w bitchard

still not a real boy (gender neutral): I Would Never Talk To Him!!

still not a real boy (gender neutral): I Don't Like His Eyes ;o(

still not a real boy (gender neutral): I Have Other Contacts :o)

First mate: ur so strange

First mate: weirdo

still not a real boy (gender neutral): Thank You!! You Don't Know The Half Of It!!

still not a real boy (gender neutral): Yet :o)

JSims set the nickname for WoodenMan to strange and unusual

First mate: (/ref)

First mate: wait wdym yet

The next day, Jon didn't even have the time to worry about Toy Soldier and the weird stuff it keeps saying recently.

On top of having to go up to Elias' office twice already and him giving the archival staff (though, really, mostly Jon) a ton of useless paperwork, Jon spilled hot tea over himself, meaning he had to either sit in wet clothes and be cold, or take the top layer off and also be cold; Martin has arrived to work late, meaning Elias had one more reason to be annoying; and Tim was awfully irritable today. Which wouldn't bother Jon half as much if it was in the mean, snappy way Jon was when irritable. No, Tim seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown since morning, and Jon—

Jon's phone was going off. He forgot to mute the notifications, and.. He accidentally looked at the messages he just got. Jon was awful at comforting people.

11:24 A.M

To Archives

(kaya)KING: fuck

(kaya)KING: fuckfuck fucfkfuckfuck

(kaya)KING: tapes unstickigng

(kaya)KING: n if that wasnt enough

(kaya)KING: cramps

(kaya)KING: great

(kaya)KING: im gna commit

SashJame: tim

(kaya)KING: can u tell boss i went on earlt lunch

(kaya)KING: i

(kaya)KING: smeone just called me miss

(kaya)KING: i need home

(kaya)KING: i need home

SashJame: tim wrong chat

(kaya)KING: sash can u tell jon if

(kaya)KING: oh

(kaya)KING: fuck

(kaya)KING: great

(kaya)KING: excatly what i need

(kaya)KING: icant deal wit hthis rn

partypooper: Breathe, Tim.

partypooper: Go home

partypooper: Take the rest of the day off

partypooper: Hydrate a lot

partypooper: And stop by my office if you need naproxen.

(kaya)KING: im

(kaya)KING: no im okay

(kaya)KING: uoure like

(kaya)KING: the vest

(kaya)KING: i srsly love u rn

(kaya)KING: thank u

(kaya)KING: but respectfully i need to leave right tf now

(kaya)KING: thank u

partypooper: You shouldn't feel the need to thank me for basic decency.

(kaya)KING: theresbasic decency and then theres whatvr you are

Chapter Text

Jon wanted to scream. He always was awful at comforting people. His solution was always to rationalize it, find a sensible solution, explain. People did not want that. They didn't like when, instead of rubbing their backs or giving a hug, he explained how the thing you're anxious about could never possibly happen, it just wouldn't make sense.

He wanted to scream. He missed the days when he could say 'lets do practice' and do just that, without anyone complaining. Well, maybe his grandmother (but always only temporarily), maybe Tim's parent (but only halfheartedly), maybe Georgie, when she was trying to focus and he was "just singing" just a bit too loud. But the audience loved it. Jon wonders briefly if the people applauding at every over-the-top screaming-singing bit knew how much they were all powered by his frustration.

And Jon had so much of it. He wanted to scream again, when going into Elias' office for the third time this day, which meant having to get out of the basement the archives were in (via stairs) and then two stories up (also via stairs, because the lift was broken, and when it wasn't, people always gave him weird stares for using it). His feet ached, his knees felt like they were about to bend the wrong way. And Jon knew he's only going up there for some useless crap that could've been handled via 2 sentence long email.

Jon wanted to scream, and he wanted to beg anyone from the Mechs to offer him to sing together again. He's missed just hanging out to sing, not even as practice, barely talking in between, as well as those times they gossiped more than sang during practice. He's missed a lot about The Mechanisms. But right now, he wasn't even sad about that fact, just frustrated.

1:27 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: im gonna scream

First mate: or

First mate: burn this fucking building down

powdered tim: didnt yo7 say you dont use your phone at work

First mate: n its true

First mate: when elias isnt being a fuckass

First mate: i wanna rip his godawful earrings out

First mate: homophobe

First mate: its hard to believe how homophobic this guy can act

First mate: considering hes in some weirdass situationship with one of the institute donors

First mate: im almost certain they fucked in the building at least once

First mate: which is frankly disgusting

First mate: but regardless

First mate: how can a gay dude be homophobic

shipfucker: You tell me

First mate: im

First mate: not homophobic tho

shipfucker: You kill lesbians

First mate: no i dont

First mate: they did that themselves

First mate: i js work here

First mate: HES CALLING ME TO HIS OFFICE AGAIN

First mate: HOMOPHOBIA

powdered tim: adn i thought you were being for real

First mate: I AM FR

First mate: mods ban this guy

strange and unusual: I Can Take Care Of Him For You :o)

First mate: what does that mean

First mate: TS?

First mate: wdym

First mate: wdym

First mate: respond?

2:10 P.M

To Archives

SashJame: anyone else hear like

SashJame: calliope music??

SashJame: and

SashJame: a mandolin???

SashJame: who even plays mandolin anymore???

SashJame: and why are they doing it here??

SashJame: what????

partypooper: mandolin?

partypooper: oh ffs

partypooper: There's probably someone at the door.

partypooper: Can you please let it in, Sasha?

SashJame: it???

partypooper: Yes?

SashJame: ??? okay

SashJame: oh shit

SashJame: yeah

SashJame: uh

partypooper: What?

SashJame: i showed it where your office is but its just standing there

SashJame: tim be glad youre not here

SashJame: im getting serious uncanny valley here

SashJame: no offense to your friend jon

partypooper: None taken. I'm sure it would be delighted to hear that.

partypooper: I'll be just a moment, I'm coming back from Elias' office.

SashJame: ??

SashJame: sure

2:14 P.M

To Dead not Gone

strange and unusual: Jonny, I Am Here!!

strange and unusual: Where Is Your Other Friend :o(

strange and unusual: The Fun One?

First mate: sent him home cz he felt bad n now im getting yelled @ for doing it

First mate: i swear this guys a homophobe

First mate: y do u even ask

strange and unusual: I Wanted To Apologize To Him :o(

strange and unusual: I Didn't Know He Was Your Friend :o(

First mate: what

First mate: what

First mate: nikola what

First mate: what did you do to tim

strange and unusual: Oh, Nothing!!

strange and unusual: Tim Is Fine!!

strange and unusual: But Someone I Knew Hurt His Brother :o(

strange and unusual: And He's Your Friend :o(

First mate: im

First mate: ill tell him

First mate: ill be js a second im escaping douchard

First mate: he js shot me a look like he knew im talking abt him

strange and unusual: Not For Long :o)

First mate: what

Jon almost flew into the door to the archives. He was desperate to sit on Georgie's soft couch and never move again, with the Admiral laying on his stomach. His.. everything hurt. Jon didn't understand why he hurt and that was frustrating. But it didn't make it go away, and so he hurt.

When Jon saw the Toy Soldier standing absurdly still in the middle of the room, he was glad. Yes, he has missed it, of course. But he was glad, because now he can focus on it's peculiarity and handling it. And on trying to get it to not freak out Sasha any more than it already has. Jon briefly wondered what Martin thought about it.

But then the Toy Soldier spun around, cheerfully, before Jon got to say anything.

"Hello, Old Chap!!" Jon didn't try to muffle the fond smile. He hasn't seen the Toy Soldier for far too long.

"Hello to you too, my good sir. Shall we move to my office?"

"Oh, rather! Is that where Elias is?"

Jon stopped in his tracks. Of course. He felt Sasha looking at him, now.

"No, we are not going to see Elias." Toy Soldier looked away. "No, you're not going to see Elias after you decide to leave."

The Toy Soldier frowned. Then it smiled, turned to Sasha and Martin, saluted, and went to Jon's office. Jon nodded at the two and went after it.

The Toy Soldier left quickly, it couldn't have been in Jon's office for more than 10 minutes. It said something about not liking the institute and too many eyes. Jon would worry about that more if he didn't hurt and if he wasn't so frustrated at that fact. Seeing the Toy Soldier again distracted him, yes, but not for long.

He briefly considered actually begging Tim or Ashes to go out and do something, but that would involve far too much walking for his liking today, as much as he would appreciate it most of the time. Not when he had to walk up and down three stories of staircase four times today for absolute bullshit. He took out his phone. May Elias go fuck himself, maybe if he wasn't such an ass, Jon wouldn't be on his phone during work hours. He felt prickling at the back of his neck, as he thought that.

2:31 P.M

Private conversation with Georgiest

Jonniest: georgie

Georgiest: jonny

Jonniest: georgina

Georgiest: jonathan?

Jonniest: i am inclined to stop by your humble threshold this fine evening, as well as purchase an amount of alcoholic beverages on my way there

Jonniest: would the most illustrious lady of the house prefer whiskey or vodka?

Georgiest: oh for sure, good sir! an assortment of choice would be appreciated. Let's not limit ourselves!! we are most distinguished gentlemen, after all, and it is friday. Most perfect day to go all out!

Georgiest: i shall transfer the amount of money to cover my half of the expenses after you, good sir, inform me how much they cost

Jonniest: I hear you and I listen, and yet listen in turn to my truest words: you shall not need to pay me back, for i am rich as fuck and nobody can stop me

Jonniest: diversity win: queer man got his paycheck

Georgiest: i knew that part of you would not change

Georgiest: no matter how responsible you get

Georgiest: not that i dont believe in you and your money spending

Jonniest: u dont believe in me and my money spending

Georgiest: yeah i really dont

Jonniest: how much would my boss kill me if I told my employees to go home two hours early and then also leave

Jonniest: considering he called me up to his office like 5 times today already

Jonniest: one of those was literally because i told tim who was unwell to go home n rest

Jonniest: n he was mad bc i did that

Georgiest: sorry to disappoint jonny but you'd have to wait anyways because im busy till like 4:30

Jonniest: betrayal.

2:44 P.M

To Archives

(kaya)KING: oh yeah

(kaya)KING: i hate uncanny valely

(kaya)KING: i am glad i wasnt there

SashJame: it was actually quite polite??

SashJame: when not

SashJame: standing around ominously

Martin: im pretty sure it had something against el*as

SashJame: which is a plus

Martin: yes

Martin: also

Martin: somewhat weirdly nice voice

SashJame: truest

SashJame: jon before you tell us to get back to work

SashJame: youve been on your phone for the past 10 minutes

partypooper: Well. No denying it, I suppose.

partypooper: If Elias wants me to work effectively, maybe he should stop calling me up to his office (which is miles away) just to inform me that he purchased printer paper.

(kaya)KING: preach

(kaya)KING: but also thas rule no. 1.4

SashJame: lmao

SashJame: do we charge if he didnt know???

partypooper: What?

Martin: tim decided that we have to censor.. his…. name

partypooper: Ah yes.

partypooper: I'll make a note of it.

partypooper: Regardless, are you feeling better now, Tim?

(kaya)KING: ye boss thabk you again

partypooper: No need.

partypooper: However, can you make a note to reach out to a statement giver on monday?

partypooper: I'd ask Sasha or Martin but, no offense, Tim has the highest success rate when reaching out to statement givers.

partypooper: And judging by the statement this one gave, it won't be that easy.

(kaya)KING: i

(kaya)KING: thank you?

SashJame: none taken

SashJame: im better at other things

SashJame: (stapling)

SashJame: and martin's our tea boy

partypooper: Quite.

(kaya)KING: did i just get validated??

(kaya)KING: on work matters??

(kaya)KING: me????

(kaya)KING: martin whats your middle name

Martin: kamomile tea

(kaya)KING: thats defineitly the truth

(kaya)KING: love it

partypooper: Speaking of tea and tea boys

partypooper: Martin, may I please request a cup of tea?

partypooper: And yes, Tim. You like to joke, and I am aware I have made remarks about your productivity before, but you are very good at the researching part of the job

partypooper: I requested you for a reason

(kaya)KING: im

(kaya)KING: stop im gonna cry

partypooper: What?

(kaya)KING: why are you suddenly nice

partypooper: Because I never intended not to be

partypooper: But regardless

partypooper: Martin

partypooper: Martin please

partypooper: Martin please don't make me have to make my own tea

SashJame: sorry jon hes busy

partypooper: :(

Tim has set the nickname for Martin K. Blackwood to Martin Kamomile

(kaya)KING: boss i didnt know you were capble of that

partypooper: I am not 40, Tim

Martin Kamomile: arent you?

partypooper: Martin.

Martin Kamomile: yes ill go make tea

partypooper: Thank you

partypooper: How mad would El*as be if we all left half an hour early but put down that we left normal time and then proceed to gaslight him into believing we were in fact here if he happens to have issues with that?

SashJame: very

SashJame: lets do it

(kaya)KING: 10/10 prank

(kaya)KING: lets do a prank that we change the locks to his office

(kaya)KING: would be hilarious

Martin Kamomile: jon do you wanna do a prank where you open the door to your office because I accidentally poured a bit too much into the mug and am about to deliver the most stressful cup of tea ever

partypooper: Yes, that would be hilarious

(kaya)KING: hey lets do a prank where we all go for drinks next week

SashJame: brilliant idea mr stoker

(kaya)KING: thank yuo thank you

(kaya)KING: i tend to be brillant

partypooper: Your spelling, however, is not

(kaya)KING: bully

Martin stepped into Jon's office with the tea in his both hands. He went slow, trying not to spill any of it. He managed so far, and was relieved when he realized that Jon has in fact opened the door to his office for him. He saw, out of the corner of his eye, Jon putting down his phone and moving to stand up, presumably to take the tea, but a flash of pain shot across his face and he stilled.

Martin didn't mind. He never would mind. He carefully set the tea down, not spilling any of it. He grinned proudly at Jon before he could think twice. Jon, however, smiled back at him, in a way that made Martin think was almost fond.

"Thank you, Martin." He nodded and moved to get out of the room. "Wait, could you, uh.." Martin looked at Jon in question. "Stay, for a second. And close the door. Please. If you don't mind, of course." He seemed nervous. Martin nodded and closed the door.

Jon took a sip of the tea, humming in content, before clearing his throat.

"Yes, well. I, uh.. Sit down, will you? Don't just stand there." Jon gestured to the chair, and Martin sat down. Well, now he was nervous too. "I want to.." Jon sighed. He took a breath. And he took another, this time closing his eyes for a second. Martin didn't interrupt that. Jon started again.

"I want to apologize to you." Jon said and seemingly absentmindedly took a piece of paper and fiddled with it. Martin opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off. "I was being very unfair to you, for.. well, almost the entire time you've worked for me. I was stressed, and I was taking my frustration over my own incompetence out on you. I.. am very aware that Sasha should have gotten this job, not me. I was also worried that none of you would treat me seriously if I let any of this slip up. Which.. I was recently made aware of was wrong. So, I apologize, Martin. I shouldn't have been treating you like this, if I dare to call myself a compassionate person. And you didn't deserve that."

Martin was stunned. He was pretty sure his jaw was hanging open, but he couldn't bother to even try and close it. He felt tears prickle at his eyes, but Jon wasn't looking at him, instead looking at the piece of paper, all torn now. And Martin.. Martin was sure that if what he felt before wasn't a crush, then it was definitely real now.

Weird thought, really. The man was apologizing for being awful to Martin, which, frankly, he really was, and all Martin felt was fondness. Fondness of how nervous Jon seemed over this, of how he had to fidget with the piece of paper to be able to express all this, of how Martin knew deep in his core that Jon was being genuine, even though he looked everywhere but Martin.

"I, uh. I forgive you." Martin wanted to say much more. But his words always seemed to work much better on paper, never in person. "And thank you. For, uh, that you try. To be nice. I know I'm not the most competent, and—"

"No, Martin. That's-" Jon took another breath. "You are perfectly fine. You learn quick and you rarely make the same mistake twice. It's not your fault that you couldn't finish your education."

"I—" Martin felt tears in his eyes again, this time threatening to spill. The fact that this time, Jon was looking straight at him didn't help.

"God, Martin, I'm- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"No, no, you're.. Thank you. I, uh. Nobody ever… it was nice. Thank you." Martin covered his eyes with one hand. He could feel Jon's awkwardness. There was a long moment of silence.

"Is.. Is this the moment that I ask if you need a hug? Or.. I don't- is that even appropriate? You dont know me that well, it might be weird for me to suggest—" Jon is cut off by Martin's giggle. He still has his eyes covered, head bowed and shoulders slumped, but now he's also shaking with quiet laughter. "..What's so funny?"

"Nothing, Jon, it's- it's nothing. Yes, I would appreciate a hug. Thank you." Jon stood up, trying and failing to muffle the pained sound at the action. He stood there awkwardly, waiting for Martin to stand up as well, and takes a step once he does.

Jon can't remember the last time he hugged someone. Martin can't remember the last time someone hugged him. The hug they shared was a wrong, awkward one, Jon seeming shorter than usual when standing so close, Martin's chin digging into his shoulder. Somehow, it was enough.

3:21 P.M

Private conversation with Georgiest

Jonniest: gerogie.

Jonniest: georgie

Jonniest: georgie i am distressed

Georgiest: jonny ily but im also on a date so go fuck yourself you can tell me later

Jonniest: i hugged martin

Georgiest: oh we are definitely talking about this later

Georgiest: goodbye jonathan youre lucky she went to the bathroom

Jonniest: theres no bathrooms in abandoned buildings u aint fooling me

Jon tried to do more work. He really did. Chose a statement he thought would definitely record digitally, and all. But he started the recording over three times already, finding himself staring numbly at the words on the page. He hugged Martin. He apologized to Martin, and Martin forgave him, and then Jon hugged him. Jon hugged Martin.

He was going to explode. He still wanted to scream. Instead, he counted down the minutes until he could get out of the building, go to the nearest not-absurdly-expensive store and buy (not really) extraordinary amounts of alcohol. Georgie was right, it was friday. The only thing that could try and stop him from getting blackout drunk was the threat of a massive hangover.

Jon started the recording over again, trying to focus at least on the standalone words, if he kept losing focus trying to read whole sentences.

Finally, Jon found himself standing in front of the door to Georgie's flat with a bottle in his hand. He wouldn't carry it, really, he wasn't trying to look like a drunk, except his bag was unbelievably small and wouldn't fit more than one bottle. Jon knocked on the door again.

"Chill, dude, I'm going!!" Georgie yelled from inside the flat. Jon resisted the urge to bang at the door just for kicks. He figured that the only kicks that would get him were those of Georgie kicking him out. When she opened the door, he smiled anyway, genuinely. "Brought offerings, I trust?" She said theatrically. Jon matched the energy immediately.

"Oh, right you are, fine lady of the house. For I am bearing not only what you see with your very own eyes, most truthfully, more are stored away." Georgie chuckles and lets him in.

"Cheat. I can't compete with that."

"How am I cheating? How would cheating even be possible during.. whatever that even was." Jon set the bottle on the table and took the other one out his bag.

"Is that all??" Georgie asked, sounding almost disappointed.

Jon raised an eyebrow at her. "Georgie, there's two of us, not ten. Even with my annoying ass high tolerance, I don't think we'll finish these." Georgie seemed to consider him, and nodded. Jon looked around the apartment, searching for the Admiral. Georgie snorted.

"I swear, it's like you only come here for him." She sat on the couch. "Sit, Jonny. You have something to tell me about. Don't think I've forgotten.

Jon did sit down, though not too happy about the telling her part.

"I'm pretty sure you do too, though. Date?"

Georgie rolled her eyes. "I was exaggerating, or, uh, joking. It wasn't a date. Would be nice if it was, but it wasn't. You were right about the abandoned building, though, and it was insanely fun."

Georgie stood up and went to the kitchen, to come back with two glasses and diet coke.

"Point and laugh" Jon said, not moving at all, while Georgie set the glasses down and poured vodka into both, filling only one with coke. He took his glass and downed it immediately.

"So, Martin?" Georgie prompted. Jon sighed.

Jon felt properly buzzed. He was taking up the entire couch now, Georgie sitting on the floor, her back rested against it. He absently thought that if he wanted to kick her in the head, it would take very little effort. He sipped from his glass, now also containing the diet coke as well as whiskey.

Jon didn't need to scream anymore.

Georgie was on her phone, doing god knows what, occasionally typing something furiously. Please, someone convince Jon she isn't drunk texting a crush. She probably is, and Jon wouldn't listen to anyone trying to tell him otherwise anyway. He started humming.

"Deep in my cups and my whiskey.."

"Sing something else," Georgie cut him off, setting her phone aside. He looked at her in more question than shock, numb from the drink.

"I thought you liked Ulysses dies at dawn, though?"

"I lied. It's my least favourite album." Jon looked at her, almost dumbfounded. "I know, I think it's weird too. I don't dislike it. I just very much prefer every single other one. Sing something lesbian."

"But.. I don't understand?? You love greek mythology?? And especially anything Odyssey related?""

"Well, there's no Eurolychus. There, you have it."

"Because I don't like Eurolychus, Georgie. He's a bastard and a prick." He finished his drink and nudged her with his foot, handing her his glass so she could pour him another. They did have half a bottle left, still.

"He had every right not to trust him! Odysseus is literally known for being a fucking liar!"

"He was also literally like a brother to him. Eurolychus married Ctimene, gods sake. If he didn't doubt him, maybe at least some of the bad things wouldn't happen. They were so close! But no, he had to open the damn bag." Jon took his glass back, full now, and took a big sip. "Also, I don't get why you keep calling him Odysseus. Ulysses literally sounds better."

"One, no the fuck it doesn't, and two, it's called the Odyssey and also I read it in greek and his name is Odysseus, so you're wrong." She heard Jon mutter 'nerd' under his breath, but chose to ignore it. "Sing something lesbian." She snatched his phone. Then shoved it in his face.

"Sorry, Georgie, I'm not lesbian so I can't. Ask Tim." Jon unlocked the phone without question.

"Tim isn't lesbian either?? Considering he's a dude???"

"Well, our Tim, yeah, but character Tim had a weird gender thing going on. Tim will know, he made Tim. Our Tim, not character Tim. I mean.."

10:38 P.M

To Archives

partypooper: tim

partypooper: youre the only real one here

(kaya)KING: thabks boss?

partypooper: can you tell jonny why eurylochus is NOT a bad guy and also sing something lesbian for me

partypooper: wym boss

partypooper: wait who is this

(kaya)KING: tim??

(kaya)KING: and who is this

partypooper: o shit

partypooper: thats work tim

partypooper: how did i misread archives as aurora

partypooper: im goergie

partypooper: georgie

partypooper: but also jons gonna kill me bye

"Jon" Jon kept muttering the words to Broken horses. "Jon what's aurora chat named now? And also sing something else."

"I like singing broken horses! It's dead not gone."

"You like broken horses because you get to do fun things to your voice. Sing something else." Jon muttered something about that being completely valid, but started quietly humming our boy jack, more melody than words. "Sing something better."

"What am I, spotify? You don't get to skip." Jon flipped her off, finished his drink and sang Laid in blood. Georgie took his empty glass and filled it in thanks. She was still drinking the same one she started four of his drinks ago. Well, he bought it, so..

10:43 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: tim

First mate: the real one now

First mate: bc i accidentally txted jonnys work chat because i misread archives as aurora and theres also a tim there

shipfucker: Hello Georgie

First mate: naaaaas heeeeey hii

First mate: @powdered tim

First mate: cmon stroker can at least respond properly

First mate: stoker

First mate: diabolical typo

powdered tim: whta

First mate: r u a lesbiam

powdered tim: i lvoe dick

First mate: can you sing lesbian anyway

First mate: jonnys a stubborn ass and says he cant cause hes not a lesbiaab

powdered tim: now????

First mate: fair point

First mate: whhen are we going out

shipfucker: I have tickets for my airplane for two weeks from now on

First mate: brilliant

First mate: bring pierogis

Jsims set the nickname for R.Anastasia to shipkisser

shipkisser: Again, not polish

ArchIVYussy: Pierogi is already a plural

First mate: what

ArchIVYussy: One pierog, two pierogi. Saying "pierogis" is like saying mices /nm

First mate: i love my autistic friends

First mate: im gna kill georgie

ArchIVYussy: Welcome back. Please don't

First mate: im not really gna

First mate: but also @powdered tim

powdered tim: what

First mate: if ure gna be like that then notghin

powdered tim: huh

First mate: talk about character tim and the gender thing hes going on

powdered tim: jon let me sleep olease its 11pm

First mate: tim :(

First mate: tim youve made him cry on the admiral

First mate: but also good fuck this guy

JSims sent a photo. [Photo ID: Jon laying on the couch, one hand dramatically clutching his shirt over his heart, the other on his forehead victorian child-style. He's balancing an empty glass on his lower stomach, and in the corner of the photo, the Admiral's tail can be seen.]

First mate: how mad do you all figure he will be if i "accidentally" send it to his work chat

shipkisser: About that, you said his work chat was named "archives"?

First mate: yeah?

First mate: oh shit did he not tell you where he works

First mate: what a bastard

First mate: hold up hes tryna empty the 1/3 full whiskey bottle as quick as he can

First mate: hes drinking straight from the bottle hes gonna get everything sticky

First mate: gods i wanna be so petty and tell you where he works right now

11:03 P.M

Private conversation with icantspeakrussianhoe

icantspeakrussianhoe: Delete these after

icantspeakrussianhoe: But Jonny still does not know when I arrive

icantspeakrussianhoe: So what if you just conveniently tell me and I surprise him

thenlearnidiot: see if it was anyone else i wouldnt cause thatd make him uncomfrotbl

thenlearnidiot: cant bother you know what the word is

thenlearnidiot: search up magnus institute and see head archivist

thenlearnidiot: his dumbass is gonna b e so happy to see you

icantspeakrussianhoe: I know

thenlearnidiot: his dumbass is also about to go from singing drunk space pirate to yelling drunk space pirate and i have neighbors

icantspeakrussianhoe: Good luck

icantspeakrussianhoe: I dont envy you

Chapter Text

Jon woke up to Georgie blasting music and singing along, prancing around in the kitchen. How she managed to avoid a hangover was beyond him. But, to be honest, a big chunk of his memories from the previous evening were missing. He grabbed his phone to look at the time, and forgot to even check it when he saw the notification. He sat up abruptly (and quite dramatically), wincing at the pain that shot through his head in protest.

He was going to murder Georgie.

11:19 A.M

To Archives

SashJame: i have so many questions

SashJame: but also jon is right

SashJame: eurolychus is

SashJame: hold up im looking up synonyms for awful

SashJame: what the fuck is odious

SashJame: also it just says "a load of pants"

partypooper: I'm

partypooper: Please forget all this

SashJame: it asked me if i wanna see vulgar slang

SashJame: clicked yes

SashJame: "crap"

Martin Kamomile: honestly sasha, such language in a work related enviroment

Martin Kamomile: im not mad, just disappointed

Martin Kamomile: such foul language.. this is not the respectable institute i work for!

Jon snorted and put down his phone. Well, maybe it wasn't such a big deal after all. Maybe Georgie was right, he was being unreasonable. They were nice people and they weren't going to hate him for being incompetent or unprofessional.

"Giggling at your phone, I see?" Georgie has never been right in her entire life, Jon's just now decided.

"I am not physically capable of expressing amusement, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Good, I'll just laugh at your drunken photos by myself." She handed him a glass of water, and when he took it and stuck his other hand out, she gave him aspirin. Actually, Georgie's the smartest person ever. She is not even capable of being wrong.

"Work Tim said we should get out for drinks." He said, swallowing the pill and drinking all the water. "God bless my high tolerance, I cannot be getting this drunk with them."

"Worried you'd tell Martin something you shouldn't?" He hates Georgie. He's never speaking to her again.

Martin felt the change after Jon's apology in the week following it. Even if he saw frustration on his face, Jon never said anything to express it, not towards him. He even gave Martin a template he could use so he doesn't forget about details. Martin didn't ask, but he knew Jon wrote it down himself.

There were some other changes that came with Jon presumably being more comfortable around the three of them. For example, he was humming again quite often. Though right now, as Martin was about to go into his office, he was pretty sure he heard… chanting? Jon was whispering something in a language Martin couldn't even begin to try to recognize. He stopped, of course, when Martin knocked, but he couldn't take his mind off of it even one and a half hour later. He turned to Sasha.

"Hey.. Do you know if Jon knows any foreign languages?" She looked at him, stopping her typing, intrigued.

"No.. we could ask, but I'm not sure. Why?"

"You wanna find a way to subtly—" Tim received a proper shove in the arm for that. "Fine, I'll text him." He pulled out his phone to quickly type in the question, sent it to the group chat and pocketed it. "Now tell us why."

"I was going to anyway!" Martin thought about his words. How do you even.. "I think he was chanting? Or, I mean—"

Tim burst out laughing.

"Don't laugh at me!! He was whispering something like crazy!! I couldn't even make out what the language was and I'm pretty good at languages!"

"Can you imagine?" Tim said through laughter, tipping back in his chair. "I'm like 90% sure he was just muttering to himself while working. He does that. No, Marto, I'm sure he was summoning somethi—"

Martin kicks Tim's chair, almost tipping him over if it weren't for Tim's fast reflexes.

"You petty bastard—" Tim said before laughing again at the face Martin made. Martin caved in and also laughed, though nowhere near Tim's volume. He was sure his could be heard in the halls.

Later, nearing work's ending hours, when Martin was giving Jon tea again, he heard humming instead. Though, unlike other times he heard Jon hum, when the melodies were clean and soothing, this one was ragged, frantic. What kind of music did Jon listen to? Martin knocked on the door and opened it when the humming stopped abruptly and he heard a 'come in'.

"Tea." He said simply, stepping in and placed the mug on Jon's desk, replacing the empty one.

"Thank you." Martin didn't make a move to leave. He wanted to tell Jon that he heard the humming, he heard it so often, that he loved it, that he wanted to keep hearing it. Jon looked up at him again, noticing he didn't leave. "..Was there anything else? Do you.. need help?"

Martin shook his head and left. Jon stared after him before going back to his work. He didn't notice when he started humming again.

5:28 P.M

To Archives

partypooper: Sorry, I dont use my phone at work much

partypooper: Just a tad bit of russian, though even that mostly contains of swear words

partypooper: Why?

Martin Kamomile: just curious

(kaya)KING set the nickname for Martin K. Blackwood to Martin Kurious

(kaya)KING: martin whats yoiur middle name

Martin Kurious: you got it, actually

(kaya)KING: wait really

(kaya)KING: wait

(kaya)KING: no i fucing didnt

Martin Kurious: no, obviosly my middle name is kurious

(kaya)KING: is this revenge

Martin Kurious: yes and it will continue until you apologise

(kaya)KING: never

(kaya)KING: it was hlarious

SashJame: not really

(kaya)KING: you wound me

partypooper: Question

SashJame: huh

SashJame: ???

partypooper: Tim, were you serious about the going out for drinks?

(kaya)KING: YES

(kaya)KING: WHY DO YUO WANNA GO

partypooper: Uh

(kaya)KING: you dnot have to

(kaya)KING: but we were meanign to ask you for ages

SashJame: yeah jon

SashJame: were a fun bit

partypooper: I know

partypooper: But Im not

partypooper: Not in the way you are, at least

Martin Kurious: wed love to have you even if you mope around i think

(kaya)KING: what he said

(kaya)KING: tho i would pretend you dont mope

(kaya)KING: prefer

(kaya)KING: where did pretend come from

SashJame: get diagnosed

(kaya)KING: IMSORRY??

partypooper: Potentially, when would it be?

(kaya)KING: potnettialy friday which is potenrtially tomorrow

partypooper: Im definitely not going now.

(kaya)KING: NO IMS ORRY JON

(kaya)KING: JON PLESAE

(kaya)KING: PLEASE COME BCACK

(kaya)KING: BOSS ILL DO ANTYHING

(kaya)KING: ILL BUY YOU ALL THED RINKS

(kaya)KING: youre a lightweight tho ight cause im not that rich

partypooper: I was crossing the road but if you insist

partypooper: How on earth did you spell lightweight right but failed at "back"

SashJame: he was typing it very slowly trying to remember what its spelled like

(kaya)KING: why is everyone ganging up onme

partypooper: Thats what you get for being mean to Martin

SashJame: what he said

Martin Kurious: :)

(kaya)KING: HES SCHEMING

(kaya)KING: HES FOING THAT ON PUROPSE

5:36 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: georgie hes like weirdly hilarious

First mate: help??

assigned cop at birth: o shit tim you werent joking

assigned cop at birth: also ill be coming tomorrow

First mate: im going to shoot myself in the head

powdered tim: I TOLD YOU

powdered tim: HOW DARE TOU NOT BELIEVE ME

assigned cop at birth: youre a liar??

First mate: ashes u cant come tomorrow

assigned cop at birth: im the police???

First mate: ashes u cant come tmrw im going for drinks with my coworkers for the first time ever

assigned cop at birth: …. ill tag along??

First mate: NO YOU WONT

First mate: YOURE NOT COMING TO THIS INSTITUTE

First mate: im locking the door

First mate: ill sic elias on you

assigned cop at birth: dont make me laugh

assigned cop at birth: ill sic daisy on you

First mate: is that your lady friend

assigned cop at birth: youre projecting

powdered tim: again

shipkisser: Who is it :)

First mate: there isnt anyone

powdered tim: martin and he looks exactly how youd expect him to when u think jonnys crush

First mate: I have no crush, I'm 30.

powdered tim: youre not fooling anyone

First mate: brb i gotta go summon yog sothoth

Jon heard a knock on the door, interrupting his statement. He sighed, annoyed. He's going to get a goddamn sign with 'Statement in progress, keep quiet' written on it so everyone stops interrupting him all the time. The door opened and Sasha peeked in.

"Officer Hussain is here." Jon sighed again and rubbed his eyes, pushing his glasses up.

"Tell them to wait or something. I'll be there when I finish the statement." He saw Sasha hesitate. "..Yes, I understand. She's a cop and all, not your friend. Wait."

Jon stood up and looked around his office, then in his bag. He took out a book and handed it to Sasha.

"Give them this. I knew they'd be coming, it'll keep them busy." Sasha looked like she was about to laugh, but took it. "But, do tell them it's from me. It actually would be weird if you just gave her a book."

"Alright, I will. Thanks." She left. Jon sighed again.

"Statement resumes.."

Jon stood up, finally having finished the statement. He got out of his office, into the common room, to be met with almost uncanny silence. He looked at Tim in question, his desk the only one facing Jon's office door. Tim just pointed a finger to Basira, who was deep in their book. Jon stifled a laugh. They terrorized his assistants. Of course they did. He went over to the couch and stood in front of them.

"Don't try." Jon tried. He took the book out of their hands, closed it and set it aside.

"Why are you here?" He asked. Basira took a while to answer. Whether it was because they were annoyed, or because they got deep into the book and had to regain focus, Jon didn't know.

"Statement."

That threw Jon off.

"What?"

"I'm trying to find a way to quit. And I need to get this down first. And you work in this. So, statement."

Jon sighed. Again. Then he lead them to his office.

They were finished with the statement just around the end of his work. Jon was exhausted, and now anxious about the going out for drinks. What if they all changed their minds suddenly? What if he does go and he turns out to be so boring to them, that they never want to talk to him again? What if—

"What's wrong?" Jon heard a voice, cutting his thoughts off.

"Nothing."

"You got that spiraling look. Is this about me saying I'll join in for the drinks? I was joking. I don't know these guys, I wouldn't even want to go out with them."

"It's not that." Jon took a piece of paper to start ripping it. There was a moment of silence.

"Jon—"

"They're waiting for me." Jon stood up abruptly.

"Have fun." Ashes stood up as well and left, Jon only grumbling something in response. It wasn't that he didn't like seeing them. But he had his plan set up and they messed it up by coming, let alone for a statement. He figured he'd apologize for being prickly later. Because so far, what Georgie told him has been working.

Tim, Sasha and Martin stood outside the institute, waiting for Jon.

"Come on, how long does it take to put on a fucking coat?" Tim finished speaking just as the door to the institute opened and Jon walked out. "Perfect timing!"

"Uh. Why? Well, doesn't matter. Shall we? Elias stopped me on my way out and I do not want to think about him."

"I so get that." Said Sasha and turned to start walking, the rest of them following.

Jon didn't have to ask which place they were going to. He figured he'll be able to tell from the turns they were taking, even though they'd been walking for a good 20 minutes now. He'd been to most pubs around here, aside from new ones. But he doubted they'd choose a new one. He just hoped it wouldn't be one he has performed in, but— Of course it was, Jon sighed, seeing where they're going.

Well, at least he can hope the workers changed since then. How much time can one spend working at a pub, gods sake.

Apparently a lot. He immediately spotted a guy that he definitely spent time joking with while setting up the stage. Maybe he wouldn't recognize him?—

"Holy shit! Jonny?"

Well fuck him then I guess.

"Um. I'll be just a second." He quickly said to his assistants and went on to talk to the guy.

"Well, if it isn't our dear first mate."

"That's captain to you." Jon said just a bit too loudly. He was 90% sure at least Martin heard him, having the most sensitive hearing of them all as well as standing the closest. "Though, not anymore. You've heard, I presume."

"Yeah. It's a pity, but, well, understandable too. God knows I haven't moved on, and look what good that brought me." The man gestured to his name tag and the bar. Jon nodded, in a way he hoped was sympathetic.

"There's always time. If I did, you can too." That earned Jon a smile. He smiled back. "Just, please, don't mention anything if any of these guys come over here." He pointed at Tim, Sasha and Martin, the former giving him a wave. "They have no idea, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Spoilsport. Though, I think that's stupid. For what's it worth. Hiding the very cool part of you."

Jon gave him a hum of acknowledgement. The guy poured four drinks.

"On the house. For all the times you've played here." He looked at him surprised, but nodded, smiling.

"Thanks. At least someone on this planet knows how to treat a captain." Jon winked at him and left, trying to keep the four glasses from spilling. A mistake really, as he turned and saw Tim staring right at him. Well. No one would believe him anyway, would they?

Jon walked over to the closest free table and set the drinks down. Tim was still looking at him. Jon sat down, pretending he cant see him.

"So, how much were those?" Shit. He's smart. Jon forgets that sometimes, which, I mean, can you blame him?

"Uh, on the house. I know the worker."

"Yeah, I could tell."

"I'm gonna fire you. Or something." If this was the other Tim, or, really anyone but Tim, Sasha and Martin, he'd replace 'fire' with 'shoot'. Instead, he gestured for them to sit as well, which they did.

"So, start us off, boss? You know, being the boss." Tim said, smug. He probably thought Jon was terrible with alcohol. As if.

"Sure." Jon took the drink and downed it immediately. "Though, don't call me boss in a non-work setting."

Sasha and Martin both looked at the drinks suspiciously, the former only having took the glass to sniff it's contents. She winced at the smell. Meanwhile Tim, who couldn't care less, followed Jon, making a face after drinking it all at once.

"What is this?" Sasha asked, watching Tim's reaction.

"Uh, not sure. But, I thought it was nice."

"Shit just burned down my throat, that's gotta be handmade." Tim said after clearing his throat twice. And then cleared it again.

"Oh, I wouldn't be surprised. Pretty sure he always has a bottle, likes to warm up the—" Right. The bands. Which he was supposed to shut up about, and they were surely going to make that connection if he said it. "Well, regardless, if you two don't want that, I can go get something else for you."

"Definitely, thanks. Though, what do we do with these?"

"Just leave those, I'll drink them. Any preferences on what to get you both?"

"Oh, I'd love something sweet. At least at first. Martin?" Sasha said and turned to the man, who just nodded. "Sweet, twice." Jon nodded and stood up.

Martin didn't know how much time has passed, since they all came here. He knew that he felt his head spin a little, as every time when he drank. He knew that Tim looked properly drunk, even though Jon, who definitely drank more than him, was only chattier and more animated than usual. He was currently trying to talk to Tim, who was giggling constantly. Sasha, on the other hand was listening intently, finding what Jon was saying very interesting.

"See, that sounds like a good solution, but the truth it it always happened in very unfortunate circum- stances? Like, an obvious example, Tiresias, who Hera turned into a woman only because he disturbed copulating snakes— Don't laugh, Tim! I'm serious! Tiresias was a pretty unfortunate man, that wasn't even his only time being cursed by a goddess!"

Martin, though sure that what Jon was talking about was incredibly interesting, only stared at him instead. He somehow didn't realize that Jon was a big talker before. Which, of course he was. And Martin, well. Martin liked that fact. He could imagine, sitting together, drinking tea, listening to Jon talk about yet another thing he knew weirdly much about.

Martin shook the thought away. He reached for his glass, only realizing it's empty when he tried to drink from it. He looked at Sasha, then Tim. He didn't wanna interrupt Jon, but just standing up without a word would probably be mean. Well, he'll just leave it, then.

Except, Jon also reached for his drink, and stood up when he finished it, looking at the table.

"Want one too?" He asked, looking at Martin, who nodded. "Same thing?" Martin nodded again, and Jon went off to get the drinks.

"Hey, what 'bout me? Mine's empty too!" Tim yelled after him, but Sasha pried the glass out of his hands.

"I think you've had enough, big boy." She said, playfully.

"Not nearly! I still need to out drink boss." He argued, but laid his head on the table. Martin snickered.

Jon came back, setting the drink in front of Martin and smiling. He was humming, again.

10:47 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: ashes

First mate: sorry

assigned cop at birth: what?

First mate: i was mean

assigned cop at birth: what

assigned cop at birth: when

First mate: earlier?

assigned cop at birth: i dont recall

First mate: fuck u then

First mate: also i hope none of u have another fucking scary story

powdered tim: i thought you like storues

First mate: i like making up stories

First mate: not hearing abt my friends suffer unimaginable horrors

Br(ass) bitch: That's absolutely not mildly concerning

First mate set the nickname for Ben. B to jesus or somth

jesus or somth: What?

First mate: was old

First mate: and u kinda are

10:50 P.M

To Archives

SashJame: everyone home??

Martin Kurious: yes

Martin Kurious: it was nice

Martin Kurious: thank you

(kaya)KING has set the nickname for SashJame to repsonsbile and carng

repsonsbile and carng: yes tim definitely all that

(kaya)KING: yuo are

(kaya)KING: goodnigt

partypooper sent an image
[Image ID: A badly taken picture of Jon's face, the angle is weird and the image blurry. Most of Jon's face is obscured by that of a very fluffy ginger cat with moderate white spotting.]

repsonsbile and carng: take it youre home okay then

partypooper has set the nickname for SashJame to responsible and caring

partypooper: ik tim is bad w typing but that was diabolical

partypooper: goodnight

Martin Kurious: i like your cat

partypooper: not mine but thanks

partypooper: hed like u too

Chapter Text

6:01 A.M

To Dead not Gone

strange and unusual: Jonny!!

strange and unusual: I Require To Speak To You!!

First mate: ts its 6 am

strange and unusual: Yes!! It Is The Time You Wake Up Every Work Day!!

First mate: wtf do u want

strange and unusual: I Need You To Locate Something For Me!!

strange and unusual: The Previous Archivist Has Stole It From Me :o(

First mate: gertrude??

First mate: how am i supposed to find it when all u said it "something"

strange and unusual: You Will Know It When You See It!!

strange and unusual: You Have Been Getting Better :o)

First mate: what

Jon has arrived at the institute early. And while that wasn't unusual, he didn't immediately start getting into his work. He looked around the archive storage room at first, but, as suspected, there were just piles of documents. He wondered briefly, if he could get into the artifact storage but, as it was, it was probably closed and Jon, being the head Archivist did not have a key. He wasn't about to get in trouble by breaking in there, no matter how much he liked the Toy Soldier.

Instead, Jon remembered the tunnels. He's been meaning to go in there, have a look around. So, that's just what he did. He already had the supplies, he just got.. distracted.

Now, however, he had until Tim, Sasha and Martin came in. So, into the tunnels he went. He clicked the tape recorder on.

ARCHIVIST

(whispering) I am.. In the tunnels for the first time since.. the infestation. It's been some time, since then my wounds healed and my knee almost doesn't bother me everyday.

(silence, the only thing heard are footsteps and the whirring of the tape recorder, as well as occasional sound of chalk on a wall)

(whispering still) In the centre of Zantine.. (he stops, chuckles) capitol city of New Constantinople, there stood a vast palace..

(a little louder, more confident. Talking seems calming) Cavernous chambers by their hundreds were cared for by staff too numerous to count, while below,

(he speaks, only stopping to mark down his path) Tunnels and passageways unused for a dozen lifetimes, sprawled under the city like a spider's web, reaching every—

(something skittering, he stops abruptly) Hello? Wait, there's- Oh! I found a door. Except..

(Laughter and static can be heard. He's whispering again.) No.. No, no, I need to..

(fabric shuffling) Wait, I just.. I just put down an arrow here, where.. No…

MICHAEL

Are you perhaps.. lost?

ARCHIVIST

No, no, I.. I know where I am, I just need to... There.. why- why is there two passageways? There was just one—

MICHAEL

Your mind is lying to you, Archivist. And it's not the only one.

ARCHIVIST

No, I.. What is that supposed to mean?

MICHAEL

You need to pay attention to what your friends tell you. Don't let anything go unheard.

ARCHIVIST

Who—

MICHAEL

Don't forget what (static) true nature is.

ARCHIVIST

Wait-- who?

(shuffling) He-Hello? Where did y— Oh!

There's.. only one way again. And.. and the arrow, it's… right there. (sigh) I need to get out of here.

[CLICK]

8:27 A.M

To Archives

(kaya)KING: boss wehre are you

responsible and caring: @partypooper

responsible and caring: @JSims

responsible and caring: el*as asked for you

responsible and caring: we told him you were in the bathroom

Martin Kurious: i dont think he belived us tho

(kaya)KING: he totally didnt

Martin Kurious: @JSims

partypooper: shit

partypooper: Give me a second

Jon is fucked. How could he have spent so much time down there? It truly didn't feel like more than half an hour could has passed, and apparently he spent down there two hours. Was that because he talked to Michael? Was it the tunnels themselves? What did Michael mean anyway? Was he trying to imply that his friends are lying to him? If so, surely not all of them, right? But then who?

He couldn't continue his train of thought, as he reached the exit. Now he just had to.. deal with Elias. Great. He climbed out, put his stuff in the corner of the room and went into the common room.

"Apologies. I was.. busy." He was met with bewildered looks. He looked down at his clothes. Great. He must've wiped his hands on his clothes, apparently every single time he's used the chalk. "Oh."

"Doing drugs during work hours, boss?" Tim joked.

"This- This is chalk! I don't—" Jon cut off, totally not huffing. "Go back to your work, Tim. Thank you for covering for me." He went into his office and shut the door.

"Блять!" Someone tripped on the stairs leading to the archives. Martin could hear them regain their steps, and the door creaked open. A tall woman stepped in. She looked.. serious, Martin thought, though not serious with her intent, like she had something on her mind, but in general, just.. strict, smart. Intimidating, even. She didn't say anything, but Sasha was already standing up and walking over to her.

"Good afternoon! Here for a statement, I presume?"

"Uh, no, not really." Martin noticed that she had a strong accent. Which, yeah, would make sense, considering it was probably her swearing before, in what he guessed was russian. "Well, that is what I told the nice lady at the front desk, but I'm just here to see Jonn- The Head Archivist."

"Ah, another acquaintance of his, I'm guessing?" Sasha asked, earning a nod in response. "Sasha." She said, holding out a hand.

There was a hint of surprise on the woman's face at the introduction, but she shook Sasha's hand regardless.

"Anastasia. Nastya." She said and looked straight at Martin. She lost her serious demeanor now, which he thought was good. "You're.. Martin, I presume?"

Martin nodded, though he felt himself going tense. He heard shuffling and, without having to look, guessed it was Tim. Nastya muttered something along the lines of 'of course you are' and shifted her gaze to Tim.

"That would make you Tim?" By now she hid her hands back in the pockets of her coat, but as Tim went enthusiastically over to her, it became apparent that it wasn't for long.

"That's right. Timothy Stoker. Heard of us much?" She shook his hand as well.

"Oh, uh, no, not that much. Just—"

The door to Jon's office opened and a rather frustrated Jon stepped out.

"What's with the commotion, I can't hear my own—" He stopped abruptly when seeing Nastya.

"черт возьми, Jonny, you look like hell." She said, with no serious worry or malice, to only taunt him.

"Oh, иди на хуй." He went over to her. "What are you doing here? One, I didn't even know you were back, and two, did Tim tell you where I work?"

"Oh, no, it was Georgie. And I only just flew in, came here first thing to see you. You could at least act happy about that." Again, she said it with no seriousness. Then she hugged him, which he immediately reciprocated.

"I am. It's good to see you.. As much as I would prefer it not be in my workplace."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that because you will be leaving said workplace quite soon." She said and Jon looked at the time, almost surprised that it was so late already.

"I'm afraid that he won't be doing anything of the sorts." A voice cut in, none of them noticed Elias coming in.

"Oh! Elias, what—"

"In fact, I'm going to need you to do something for me. May I snatch him from you?" He shot a very fake looking smile at Nastya.

"Well, I'm afraid that won't be possible. It is.." She stopped to look at the time. "Three minutes until the end of his shift, and I'm sure nothing you ask of him will take that short."

"Unfortunately, you, lady, have no say in this. I am his boss, and—"

"And I just graduated law school, and I know exactly what you can and cannot do. So excuse me, mister, but you can come back to Jon with another request tomorrow morning." Nastya made a dramatic gesture of checking the time on her wrist. On which she did not have a watch on. "Well, would you look at the time. That leaves us with less than two minutes of Jon's work day. Sorry to disappoint, mister.."

"Bouchard." He bit out, huffed and left the archives. Tim looked at her, amazed.

"..You know, Nas, I can speak for myself."

"Yes, everyone believes that." She gave him a pat on the back. "Pack your stuff, Jonny."

Jon sighed and went into his office to do just that.

"You devoured him. That's awesome." Tim said, still wide eyed, big smile on his face. Martin nodded, almost frantically.

"Soo, are you like, his.." Sasha prompted.

"Sister, you could say. Not blood, but.." Jon returned from his office.

"Don't listen to her, I don't even like her." Nastya smacked him in the back of his head. The two left.

"Yeah, definitely sister." Tim laughed at that. "Older sister, at that. Telling you, thats exactly—" He cut off. His smile faltered, but he hid it quick enough. "Well, don't know about you, but my work day is also finished."

7:14 P.M

To Archives

(kaya)KING: boss i gto a question

(kaya)KING: very improtant

responsible and caring: (read: not at all)

(kaya)KING: sash you dont know what yorue talking about

(kaya)KING has set the nickname for SashJame to just a hater

(kaya)KING: anyways

(kaya)KING: boss

(kaya)KING: jon

(kaya)KING: jonathan sims

(kaya)KING: jonathan sims head archivist of the magnus institute london

partypooper: Are you making fun of the way I record statements, Timothy?

(kaya)KING: uh

(kaya)KING: noo

(kaya)KING: but anyways

(kaya)KING: jon are ALL your friends genderqueer

partypooper: what??

(kaya)KING: not one person that came here so far was cisgender

partypooper: so what?

(kaya)KING: jon

(kaya)KING: boss

(kaya)KING: even i dont think id manage to gather up a friend group full of genderqueer people

partypooper: Theyre not all gender queer

partypooper: And besides theres always you three too

(kaya)KING: you mean

(kaya)KING: you mean me?

(kaya)KING: the guy who you excused from work for what reason again?

partypooper: oh

partypooper: right

partypooper: Thats still Sasha and Martin

just a hater: try again

partypooper: Really??

Martin Kurious: really?

just a hater: duh?

(kaya)KING: sash have you considered that you pass like perfectyl

just a hater: ???

just a hater: no????

Martin Kurious: well im not

Martin Kurious: but im glad you think of us as friends, jon

Martin Kurious: :)

partypooper: oh

partypooper: yes i guess i do

(kaya)KING: he dropped the pefrect typing and all

partypooper: I am still capable of giving you phone duty, Timothy.

(kaya)KING: you would anywasy because im charismatic as fuck

6:00 P.M

To Dead not Gone

strange and unusual: Jonny!!

strange and unusual: How DidThe Search Go? :o)

First mate: didnt find

First mate: unless u wanted me to find the door

First mate: which i doubt

strange and unusual: Oh :o(

strange and unusual: That Was Just Michael Being Michael!!

strange and unusual: Don't Pay Him Any Mind!! :o)

First mate: what do u need my help for anyways

strange and unusual: I Don't Like The Institute!!

strange and unusual: So I Can't Look For It Myself!!

strange and unusual: I Suggest Checking In The Artifact Storage!!

shipkisser: Jonny get off your phone while you talk to me

shipkisser: Bitch

"Sorry." Jon said, putting away his phone. "It's just been bugging me lately. Nikola, I mean."

"I mean.. It's always been like that though, hasn't it? Just a bit weird?"

"Well, yeah, and it never bothered me. We're all weird. But this job and all that happened.. What if there's more to it than just being weird, you know?"

Nastya pauses. She looks at Jon, considering him.

"Is that what's with the scars?"

"Oh. Yeah. Fucked up. I don't know why I haven't quit yet." Jon tipped his head back, resting it on the back of his chair and sighed. "Nas, I don't.."

"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to." She said, turning back to her food.

"No, no, I do. You just caught me on a day that made everything much more complicated. I.. Don't know what to do. It's gonna sound cheesy and pretentious, but I- I really don't know who I can trust." Jon sighs.

"Now I'm worried. Is that still connected to the scars?"

"No, not really. I mean, kinda? I don't know. Those were because, uh. Woman made of flesh eating worms." Nastya winced. "Yeah. But that's not why.." Jon takes a breath, tries to still himself. "My predecessor was murdered. The previous head archivist. And, uh.. Well. Considering that now I'm the head archivist, I don't know—"

"Whoa! Jon, stop! That's.. черт возьми."

"We don't know who did it. We found her, I mean, Martin found her body during the worm thing. She must have been down there for weeks, and I do not envy Martin for being the one to find him. I'm.. I can't quit. There's.. The institute, it's weird. In a bad way. I've been in the tunnels again, and there was a.. thing. He messes with your mind, but.. He said something, and now I don't know." Jon sighs. He pushes up his glasses. "Sorry for dumping all this on you."

"No, I am very much glad you did. Jon, you just said you're worried someone is going to kill you, I am better off knowing about that. It's going to be okay. I'm staying here for now and we'll.. figure something out. I don't know how, but we will. Have you told your coworkers this?"

"No, I.. Well.. I don't think that it's one of them, but what if, you know.." Jon trailed off. He hated even thinking like that. "And we even got a bit closer lately. But Michael said.."

"You're gonna trust your friends or a thing that apparently fucks with your mind, Jonny? You should tell them that you're scared. That's three more people that have your back and that are around you most of the time." She paused. "Also, I didn't find a place to live yet. Let me live with you."

The way she said it didn't even sound like a question, but Jon would probably agree anyway. Living alone didn't help, most of the time he was too jumpy to sleep. He always just went to the institute instead, which made it worse. He nodded.

"Soo.. do you still play?" Jon asked. He hid his hands in his pockets, shivering a bit. Why did they decide to take a walk when it was so cold? Though, for Nastya this was probably normal.

"You're joking? Of course I do. Got better at it, too. You get any better at that goddamn harmonica?" She teased him. Jon chuckled, but shook his hand.

"I haven't touched that thing in years. I still sing, though."

"Yeah, obviously. I don't think you'd manage to shut up for any period of time. Though don't think I won't force you to find that thing and start playing again."

Jon rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Fine, mum."

Nastya didn't take long to move in. First step she took in Jon's apartment would make one believe that she owned the place. She didn't take long to take her viola out either, immediately walking over to the old piano that stood against a wall in Jon's living room.

"This old thing tuned?" Nastya asked, immediately lifting the fallboard and played a few notes to begin tuning the viola. "Seems good enough." She said before Jon could answer.

"I don't even play it, it was just here when I moved in." He answered anyway.

While Nastya did her thing, Jon was looking through drawers all around his house, muttering to himself. Of course he only found the harmonica in the last drawer. Just his luck. He tried it out to see if every note still works.

"Shut up, сука! I need to hear."

"I don't understand why you need to do that every single time, I don't hear a difference."

"That's because you're absolutely tone deaf." Nastya put the bow down and closed the fallboard, still holding the viola under her chin. "Go on." She said, turning to Jon.

"Go on what?"

"Play something, stupid." Jon raised the harmonica and.. did nothing. Nastya raised her eyebrow at him.

"I can't just play something, tell me what."

"One eyed Jacks." Jon nodded.

He hummed for a few seconds, then played a note, and winced. He started again, with a higher one, and made his way through the melody, stopping a few times to change the note.

"This is harder than I remembered." Jon sighed when he finished.

"You'll get back into it soon enough. Any neighbors I need to worry about?"

"Only two stories up, but I doubt they'd mind. Barely anyone lives here."

"Good." Nastya picked her bow back up and played the intro to Rose Red. Jon smiled and sat on the couch, relaxing. He got into his part smoothly, and only briefly startled when she joined him, taking the Toy Soldier's part. She sang quietly, more focused on the viola.

Jon managed to stay in rythm on the harmonica, but several notes were out of place, wrong, or rushed. He felt his patience running out with every single mistake, but didn't stop. The closing singing part calmed him down enough.

"I didn't know you sing now."

"That's what starting estrogen and finally being satisfied with your voice training will do to someone who loves music, Jon. Do the story bit so I can play the next one." She huffed impatiently, but it was mostly performative and she smiled.

"Really? That's awesome, Nas!" Jon sat up, but Nastya just made a 'hurry up' gesture with the bow she was holding. "Right. When the soldiers seized Rose, they killed everyone at the wedding.."

He went through the story, almost managing not to complain about not remembering parts that weren't his, even though he got stuck on his parts several times as well. Nastya said the last line and paused before playing Pump Shanty's intro.

"I'd sing Tim, but I don't remember all the lyrics, soo.." She started playing without giving him time to respond. Jon sang through the whole song alone, Nastya only joining him on the chorus. He stood up around "My blood is pooling on the floor" and almost-performed the rest of the song, gradually getting more dramatic with every line.

Nastya had to shush him when he yelled 'The thrust has just one plasma cell', to which she only recieved a middle finger paired with 'fuck the rose and you as well'. She's a hypocrite, really, having yelled with him that 'today is not the day we die'. This time Jon's harmonica part was almost good.

8:43 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: ye i wanted to but i ran out of time

First mate: the tunnels are weird like that

First mate: or its just michael

powdered tim: did you jsut say tunnels

First mate: yea

First mate: theres tunnels under the institute

powdered tim: isn t that ironic

First mate: my thoughts too

powdered tim: sure hope there isnt the withrered body of an immortality seeking fucking weirdo of a man in the middle

First mate: dont say that

winged beast (a fly): jonny, you were saying about scary stories?

First mate: dont tell me u had a Weird Thing TM

winged beast (a fly): sorry to disappoint

First mate: do u plan on telling someone abt it?

winged beast (a fly): yeah, i've made an appointment with this place

First mate: great

First mate: guess ill see u then

winged beast (a fly): wait really?

winged beast (a fly): that's where you work?

winged beast (a fly): no wonder you didn't want to tell us

First mate: fuck u

Chapter Text

Since this time Jon had the advantage of knowing exactly when his friend will be coming, he decided to wait for her outside his office. She came right on time, and when she did, Jon almost expected to see wings on her back. Which she did not have, obviously. What she did have however, was a worried, anxious look.

"Hello. Ready? Or would you like tea, first?"

"Hmm. Yes, I'd like that. Thank you, Jon." He nodded and led Raphaella to a chair.

"Martin? If you would. The tea choice is up to you." Martin nodded and stood up, to which Jon smiled, watching him leave for the breakroom. He turned to Raphaella again. "How have you been? Besides the big scary event you're going to tell me about, of course."

"Mhm. Well, good, I suppose. Certainly not as boring as whatever this is. Do you even still write?" Tim and Sasha didn't bother with interrupting or even listening in as much, until Tim heard the last part and shoved Sasha in the arm.

"Oh, no. I don't.. I don't have the time, really. Or inspiration. Or, I mean, there's plenty of inspiration here, but I'm not gonna use people's tragic experiences for stories, am I?" Raph chuckled at that. She looked just a little calmer.

"Jonny didn't mind." She said. Jon scoffed.

"The only thing Jonny did mind was Nastya screwing the Aurora. The man didn't have many morals." He stopped as Martin came back. "Thank you—" dear. Thank you, dear. Jon took the tea easily enough but was stuck staring at Martin now, shocked at his initial reflex. Where did that even come from? He never called anyone that, let alone—

"Can I have it or are you keeping it for yourself?" Raphaella poked him in the side, clearly wanting to tease him. She noticed, which meant Tim and Sasha probably noticed as well and Jon was not happy about that.

"Y-yes, of course. Uh, here." Jon gave her the mug, desperately looking anywhere but at Martin. Jon's face felt on fire. Luckily for him, Tim was almost buzzing with curiousity. So did Sasha, but she was better at containing it.

"So, who's Aurora?" Tim quickly said before anyone could even try to change the topic further. Both Jon and Raph gave him a deer-in-the-headlights kind of stare. They stood up in sync and proceeded to head to Jon's office. "Hey, no, c'mon! That's not fair!"

He was ignored.

[CLICK]

ARCHIVIST

Are you.. hm. Sitting comfortably? Ready to start?

RACHEL

(chuckle) Yeah, I'm okay.

ARCHIVIST

Sure. Statement of Rachel Hughes, regarding..

RACHEL

Flying.

ARCHIVIST

(..hm) Statement taken direct from subject, 21st November 2016. Statement begins.

RACHEL (STATEMENT)

You have known me for a long time now, and you know I've always wanted to be able to fly. Like, I'm pretty sure that when my parents first told me when I was young, that humans cannot do that, I stopped talking to them for a week. I've also always loved the story of Icarus, there's a reason I insisted on Raphaella having wings and then made them myself. I've been obsessed with that myth. Though, you remember, probably.

I think it comes with no surprise that I love travelling by plane. I've tried skydiving or bungee jumping before, but it's.. it doesn't feel like flying, it's just.. controlled falling. Overrated, if you ask me. I've had more luck with paragliding, though, once I've managed to find a well rated company and gathered up enough money for it. And it's been great, the air up there, it feels.. more fresh. There's less air pressure at higher altitudes, which is supposed to give you less oxygen with each breath, and still it felt like I could breathe easier.

As I got more into it, I searched for paragliding companies abroad. I love travelling, as I said, and being able to watch beautiful cities and sights from up there seemed ideal. And, well, since I wanted to visit Italy again, I've found one in Sicily. It was called Fly Time. Which, I thought, yeah, that's perfect. I've also decided that if I enjoy that, next year I'll go to Greece istead.

I bought the tickets, booked hotels. Everything went smooth, I managed to not overpay that much. I get on the plane to Italy, and.. the plane crashed. By some miracle, no one died, and only one person was really badly injured, but nothing that would cause long term issues.

Of course, when we got to safety, one of the first things I did after I finished panicking was call the paragliding company. I still wanted to do it, but definitely not so soon after surviving a literal plane crash. The issue was that now I had to get home. And I wasn't going to step foot on another plane for at least a year, so I figured I might as well deal with things that I know how to manage, first. Such as a phonecall.

The man on the phone, however, was really insistent that I needed to go through with this. That now was the only time that the weather would allow me to get an enjoyable experience. He said that having control over your own flight could be therapeutic, could help. I.. I agreed. I have no idea why I agreed, I so desperately wanted to go home, but I agreed to see them two days later. And I already had the hotel booked, so.. I went there. I don't remember anything between talking to the company guy and getting into my hotel room, except that I kept noticing how clear the sky was, a cloudless, light blue..

The next two days passed in a haze. I briefly remember things like eating breakfast or visiting sights, but I don't remember how the food tasted or which places I saw. It's as if everything was put on hold, even the stress and fear of surviving a plane crash, everything that mattered was getting back in the air. Everything I needed, everything I waited for was to fly.

And I did. I found the place easily enough and was greeted by seemingly the same person I talked to on the phone. I expected to see more people, at least more workers, but it was just me and the one guy. Everything looked legit, though, the process was the same as when I went paragliding here, in England.

I finally got up there. The rush of air, the easy, full breast breath, the gorgeous view beneath me... I was flying. Compared to the previous times I've went paragliding, it was.. It felt different. It was better. The air.. tasted like freedom. Like I've did it, I was finally flying, despite being human.

And then I looked up. When someone is scared of heights, people always tell them "don't look down". They're all wrong. As long as you're looking down, as long as you can see the city below you, the tiny looking buildings, the tiny dots that you can only speculate are people, as long as you see all that, you're fine. You're okay. Nothing bad will happen.

But then you look up, at the cloudless sky, at the sun. See, on a scale, you don't get closer to it at all. Yes, if you were to sunbathe in the air rather than on a beach, you'd get sunburnt quicker, but you don't feel that you're closer to the sun, you do not feel a difference. You're not supposed to feel a difference. But when I looked up at that sun, it was bigger. And not just a little bit bigger, like my mind slipped and it's eerie.

That thing was massive. It felt like it was so close, and I couldn't stop staring at it, even though my eyes hurt, felt like they were going to burn out, felt like I was going blind. And, for some reason, my mind went straight to Icarus. I, too, got too close. I finally got the freedom of flight and I got too close to the sun.

I couldn't turn my eyes away. It hurt, it hurt so much, my- my vision is still blurry and I can barely see out of my left eye because there's a big dark spot, but.. I was not scared. I felt.. grateful. I was so grateful that I got to look at it. All these people down there, the small, insignificant people, they weren't good enough. I was. It was me that got too look at the sun, to admire it in it's greatness and beauty.

I don't know how long I spent up there. I remember that I finally looked away from the sun for just a second, and all I could see was the blue sky, even when I looked beneath me, where the city was supposed to be, with the small looking buildings and tiny dots that were probably people. But it was gone. It was all sky, and there still wasn't even a cloud in sight. Only then did I start to panic. In that panic, I thought that I want to look at the sun, just one last time. I did and.. it was back to normal. And when I looked around again, confused, everything else was back too.

I landed, and only then I noticed that I was crying. Not only that, I couldn't see. I couldn't see anything, everything was a blur, dancing, shapeless colours. And I cried, consciously now, for the dumbest reason. I cried, thinking that I will never get to see the sun again. I wasn't worthy of it, after all.

I don't remember how I got back to the hotel. Hell, I don't remember how I got back to England. It can't have been by plane. But.. all I remember is the pain, alongside with loss and fear. That I won't see it again. That I won't be able to see the sun, ever again.

(beat.)

ARCHIVIST

(sharp intake of breath, voice bordering a whisper) ..Right. S..statement ends.

[CLICK]

The door to Jon's office opened again, the two people walking out. Jon was holding Raphaella's empty mug and lead her to the door. They were silent, though while Raph looked lighter, Jon's eyes were hazed, like he didn't quite see what was in front of him. She left and Jon moved to go back to his office, still holding the mug.

"Want us to take that off your hands?" Tim called out. Jon only gave a vague 'i hear you' hum, except he definitely did not hear him. He seemed to barely register the floor under his feet.

Martin stood up, to simply walk over to Jon and take the mug away. That seemed to ground him just a little bit, and he smiled at Martin.

"Thank you— Uh. Thank you, Martin. I'll just.." Jon had to cut himself off again. He felt heat rising to his face and awkwardly pointed a finger towards his office, then moved to go there. Martin nodded at him, smiling back.

Jon shut the door behind him and hid his face in his hands, just standing there. He cannot be developing feelings for Martin. He can't be. He's barely convinced that Martin can even like him, with how awful Jon's been to him for so long. He had to get a grip on himself.

4:51 P.M

To Archives

(kaya)KING: jon please

(kaya)KING: please jon

(kaya)KING: i jsut wanna know who aurora is

Martin Kurious: im confused

(kaya)KING has set the nickname for Martin K. Blackwood to Martin Konfused

(kaya)KING has set his own nickname to plaese jon i need to know

partypooper: sorry to disappoint

partypooper: not telling u

plaese jon i need to know: ill hire sasa to fins out

plaese jon i need to know: sahsa

plaese jon i need to know: sasha

partypooper has set the nickname for Tim Stoker to work on your spelling first

work on your spelling first: you cruel cruel man

partypooper: u like me anyway

work on your spelling first: its a curse

work on your spelling first: i always fall for men who hurt me..

partypooper: regardless

partypooper: could you three please come to my office?

partypooper: I need to speak to you all

work on your spelling first: oh shit is it seriuos

partypooper: Yes I believe so

Jon sat at his desk, waiting for the door to open. He repeated his scripted words in his head, fidgeting with a rubber band. Tim and Sasha got there first, together. Martin took a bit longer, but he came with a mug of tea, placing it on Jon's desk with a smile.

"I- I thought it might help." He said and Jon smiled back, though the smile was strained, nervous.

The three were standing in front of Jon's desk, as there was only one chair in the room besides Jon's own. He took the mug and stood up. He moved over to sit on the floor and gestured for them to join him. Which they did, though not without surprise.

"I, uh. Don't wanna have you standing up when I'm sitting. But I can't be really standing in one place for too long so, I thought just, uhm.. This- this is going to be awkward." Jon set the tea on the floor in front of him, playing with the rubber band again. "We.. we all know what happened to Gertrude. Uh, the previous head archivist. Well, we know she was killed, but.. Hm." He sighed. He forgot every single bit of what he planned to say. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Jon, if you—"

"I need to say this, Sasha. Now. Or I won't. And I've been told that I need to. And.. I am the head archivist now. Which makes me think.. Uh, worry. Makes me worry, because if Gertrude Robinson was killed just because of the position she was in, and we don't even know who did it, and we don't know where they are, we don't know if they aren't maybe watching us right now, and- and if I'm not their next target, and if it's not someone we know and they're just waiting for the right time, we don't know—"

There was a hand on Jon's shoulder just as the rubber band snapped. He startled at the touch, but didn't try to escape it.

"Breathe. We're gonna figure it out, boss. The four of us, we're going to make it work. Somehow. Right, Sash? We all survived an evil worm person."

"Maybe if you stop trying to joke right now—" Sasha's tone was serious, as was Martin's expression.

"No, I.. That- made me feel better, somehow. I do believe that it has to matter just a little, that we survived once already, together. Maybe we can manage a second time."

"See, Sasha, don't you underestimate the power of good comedic tragedy. Or tragic comedy." Jon chuckled. He used to say that a lot. "But really, we're going to figure it out. You're going to be fine, Jon." Tim smiled at him, reassuringly. And it worked, somehow.

"Thank you. All of you, I.. Wasn't the nicest when I first got this job. And still.. What I mean is, I'm sorry for being a prick. And thank you for having my back."

"To be honest Jon, you've been great recently. And you're fun to hang out with. I've kinda put the prickly part in the past now." Sasha said, to which Martin nodded. Jon wondered, how could it be that Martin of all of them also forgave him. Jon's been cold towards Tim and Sasha, but he's been downright awful to Martin. Even if he didn't really mean to.

"Yes, well. I'd love to go home now." Tim stood up, and Sasha followed. "To be honest I did think you were gonna come out to us or something. Can we go?"

"Tim!" Sasha shoved his arm, to which he just laughed.

"Not this time. You're free to go." Jon stood up from the floor as well, going to sit back on the chair. Sasha and Tim left now, but Martin was still there. "Uh.."

"Thank you for telling us. Uhm. I- I didn't say much, but—"

"It's okay, Martin. You didn't need to. I'm glad you listened, that was enough for me."

"Oh." Martin's face went red and he said something under his breath, though Jon couldn't quite catch what it was. He thought, though, for some reason, that he wants to hug that man again. But, Martin was leaving now, and Jon was left overflowing with paperwork. Which meant that whatever his thoughts about Martin were, they needed to wait. For a few years at least.

8:21 P.M

To Dead not Gone

assigned cop at birth: @JSims

First mate: quit your job n then we can talk

assigned cop at birth: trying

First mate: @powdered tim do u still play

assigned cop at birth: dont try to ignore me

assigned cop at birth: daisy will come over tomorrow

First mate: rly

First mate: thought shed rather shoot me than have to talk to me again

assigned cop at birth: she does

assigned cop at birth: but im too busy

First mate: yk if it wasnt u id say something

First mate: and who knows u might arrest me

First mate: or worse

assigned cop at birth: jon come on

First mate: quit your job

Chapter Text

Jon heard a knock on his office door. He dreaded that sound. There were people coming into the archives constantly, and he hated that fact.

That person being Daisy didn't help. He really did not want to deal with her. Yes, she didn't like him, she couldn't possibly make that more clear. Well good for her, the feeling was mutual.

"Come in." Jon spat, his voice filled with hate. He didn't mean for it to seep through, certainly not directed at whoever was knocking which was, as usual, Sasha. Jon took a breath, to still his tone. "Apologies. Has Daisy arrived?"

"Yea. I don't wanna be mean or something but, uh. I do prefer your friend. Even if this one has pretty hair. She could be nicer. But yeah, I'll just. Send her in?"

"Yes, Sasha, thank you." Jon watched her leave and took out a tape recorder. He did want his interactions with cops to be on record, for some reason. He preferred to keep most stuff on tape these days.

Daisy walked in and sat on the chair without a word. Jon just gave her a polite nod, knowing she wouldn't reply to his greeting anyway.

[CLICK]

ARCHIVIST

You don't mind if I record this, do you?

DAISY

Knock yourself out.

ARCHIVIST

Right.

DAISY

'course, if anyone ever hears it..

ARCHIVIST

(audible eye roll) You'll arrest me.

DAISY

(small laugh) No.

ARCHIVIST

(sarcastic) Of course, how unexpectable. So, why are you here?

DAISY

Basira told me to give you this. (fabric and paper rustling)

(beat.)

ARCHIVIST

So.. can I have it?

DAISY

I'm thinking.

ARCHIVIST

Have at it, then. (fabric rustling, chair creaks)

DAISY

I don't get it. Why she trusts you so much.

ARCHIVIST

I-I'm not sure I follow.

DAISY

I really thought you did it. But, for some reason she kept on insisting that you couldn't have.

ARCHIVIST

Wait, you thought I killed Gertrude?! Fucki— (muttering.) Why?!

DAISY

(scoff) Look at you. You're jumpy as hell, you're the only person who benefited from her death, and you're apparently obsessed with it.

ARCHIVIST

(almost disgusted) I didn't.

DAISY

Yeah. I know.

ARCHIVIST

(scoff, annoyed)

DAISY

Finally got IT to clean up the CCTV for the week she disappeared. No cameras in the archive, but we got plenty of footage of you. Watched your movements that whole week. You didn't kill her.

ARCHIVIST

Useless fucking.. (more muttering)

(a beat.)

ARCHIVIST

So, what does this have to do with that bag you brought?

DAISY

Basira likes you. She thought you deserve to have these. No idea why, but it doesn't involve me.

ARCHIVIST

(bordering on mocking) Well, thank you, Detective Tonner—

DAISY

Daisy.

ARCHIVIST

(pointedly) Thank you, Daisy.

DAISY

Sure.

(moment of silence)

ARCHIVIST

…If you don't mind me asking, hhhow long have you been sectioned, now —

DAISY

(angrily) I do mind —

..

!4 years.

ARCHIVIST

Hm. I don't suppose you'd like to make a statement?

DAISY

..'bout what?

ARCHIVIST

Well, 14 years, you must have done— seen a number of things. Weird things.

DAISY

And you want me to tell you about them.

ARCHIVIST

Well. I—

DAISY

Okay.

ARCHIVIST

Really?

DAISY

Okay. I'll give you a statement. About how I got my first Section 31.

ARCHIVIST

Hm. Well, I was largely asking as a formality, Basira didn't give the impression you were the sharing sort.

DAISY

Maybe you caught me in a good mood.

ARCHIVIST

(strained, again bordering on disgust) Right. Do you need me to go over our non-disclosure policy, or—

DAISY

Not as long as you understand my policy: if it gets out, I'll break every bone in your body.

ARCHIVIST

(scoff, angry muttering) How fucking expectable. You bastards really are all the same —

DAISY

(confused, she couldn't hear) What?

ARCHIVIST

(pointedly) Nothing. Statement of Detective Alice "Daisy" Tonner of the London Metropolitan Police. Subject?

DAISY

Traffic stop of a delivery van on the M6 near Preston, afternoon of.. 24th July, 2002.

ARCHIVIST

Recorded live from subject, 1st December, 2016.

Statement begins.

ARCHIVIST

Right. Thank you. Uh.. You alright?

DAISY

(angry) No. I never told that story to anyone except my old sergeant.

ARCHIVIST

(mirroring her anger) So? What's that got to do with me? (muttering)

DAISY

I should go.

ARCHIVIST

Yes. You should. Sasha will show you out. I'll just ask Basira about the goddamn vampires—

DAISY

She doesn't know.

ARCHIVIST

(muttering) Fuck me then I guess.

DAISY

A while back, there were some problems. Arrest irregularities, suspects being released without proper interrogation.

ARCHIVIST

(scoff, under his breath) proper..

DAISY

(pointedly) Recordings of the interviews showed the subject wouldn't say a word, but the officers doing the interview would let them go anyway.

[STATIC BEGINS]

I don't know the details of the investigation, but there's a new operating procedure now.

ARCHIVIST

Which is?

DAISY

Cases matching certain parameters have to be monitored by another officer outside the room by video. In the very specific circumstance where the suspect says nothing, but the interrogating officer acts as though they have, they're immediately removed from the room. Then, they call me.

ARCHIVIST

Just you?

DAISY

There are a few others around who do it, but it's mostly me. I cuff the suspect's hands and legs, drive them out into the middle of Epping Forest, and burn them to ashes. There's never enough left to be a problem.

I don't know if they're vampires, exactly, but that's what we call them.

ARCHIVIST

Good lord.

DAISY

Yeah. Don't tell Basira any of this. She.. She's not cut out for that kind of work.

ARCHIVIST

(almost relieved at the remark) Of, of course. I won't.

DAISY

Good.

[CLICK]

3:41 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: straight up threatened me btw

First mate: bastards not even tryna hide it anymore

powdered tim: acab

First mate: fucking yeah

First mate: gave me her statement

First mate: and then was mad abt it

First mate: fucking come on

strange and unusual: Did She Give It To You??

strange and unusual: Or Did You Take It From Her??

strange and unusual: :o)

First mate: what

First mate: how is there a difference

Someone straight up barged into the archives. Martin could hear them before he could see them, as he was busy with packing up to leave.

He wondered who could come into the archives at such a late hour and dreaded the idea of having to politely excuse them, especially considering that the noise suggested more than one person.

As such, Martin was relieved to see that the people that came in, were Jon's friends. Though he did have to admit that both Nastya and Basira looked quite intoxicated, Tim.. was being dragged behind them and protesting in a high-pitched voice. There was also one other person, who Martin did not recognize. He had long hair and smiled at Martin, when they walked past him.

"Nas, look out for the damn guitar, godssake—" Tim wailed, still being dragged by one rather drunk russian.

"Shut your face, Tim. Jonny!! Get your ass out here!" Basira interrupted and raised their hand to bang on Jon's office door, but he managed to open it before she could do that.

"What the hell are you three doing here- Wait, four? Regardless, hello Brian, what the hell are you all doing here?!"

"Dragging your workaholic dumbarse out of this goddamn institute before you turn into a book or something. Or a mummy. You kinda look like one." Nastya laughed at him and slung her arm around him.

"Eugh, you reek. Get off me." Jon tried to squirm out of her grasp, failing. Martin suppressed a snicker at the scene before him.

"This is an intervention, I can smell you getting boring. Tim brought his guitar." Jon shot Basira a look that, unlike the one directed at Nastya, had actual annoyance in it.

"Maybe if you weren't a fucking—" He was interrupted by a smack to his head. "Ow! What was that for!"

"Be nice. We're going out. To get drunk. And you will be nice to them or I'll beat you up with Tim's guitar."

"Stay- stay back from my guitar!! You've done her enough harm already!" Martin only now realized, that this man was also drunk. Somehow Nastya's and Ashes' energy meant he didn't notice that earlier.

He noticed that the fourth man, the one he haven't seen before this, was smiling at him again. The smile seemed warm, Martin thought. Except, he kept looking Martin's way, and it really started getting quite disconcerting.

Until the man almost toppled over on top of Tim. That got another totally-not-a-squeal out of him, which got Jon's attention.

"Not you too. Why are you all drunk at 5?! Grown ass people, I swear—"

"It's almost 8. And it's friday. Get off my back, mum." It was obvious she was joking, but, well. They were still adult people barging into Jon's workplace while drunk.

Though maybe they were younger than Jon. How old was Jon, actually? Martin thought that, well, he can't be that young. He had gray hairs and that weird know it all attitude that old people get. Except he can't be old either, he.. was looking straight at Martin.

"What? Martin, what are you still doing here?"

"Uh, could- could ask you the same. I was just leaving." Martin gestured to his messenger bag.

"Oh. Right. I had some more documents I needed to deal with, so I had to stay overtime." Martin did not believe Jon about the 'had to' part. He nodded anyway and moved to finally leave. "Oh- uh. Bye, Martin."

Martin waved at Jon and smiled to himself, though only after turning away. He heard more conversation behind him, but it was not his to be a part of. He left quickly.

Jon couldn't quite tell where they were. It was dark, he was drunk, and the grass was cold and wet, but he didn't mind. It was nice. Even if, for all he knew, they could be somewhere outside of London by that point. Though just as well they could be on one of their lawns.

Either way, Jon didn't mind. It was nice. The stars, the soft guitar, even if he didn't know the melody. Hell, Tim might have made it up just now. Jon was almost ready to doze off.

But then Tim started playing Riddle of the Sphinx starting at the chorus and he heard Brian sing along. Jon sat up, even if he had to steady himself on Nastya's arm.

Ashes was singing along too, but Jon was trying very hard not to look at them. He felt guilty over how mad he was at them being a cop. But he could not help it, and he wasn't about to try to change his view on police.

Jon sang along and it felt like home. He didn't notice when Nastya had taken his phone instead of her own. Or maybe he did and he just didn't care. He was back again.

And sure, maybe the Toy Soldier wasn't there, or Marius, or Raphaella and Ivy, but this was enough. And Jon was rather relieved that he wasn't an emotional drunk.

11:13 P.M

To Archives

partypooper sent a video.

[Video ID: Four people sit in a circle with the fifth person recording. One of them has a guitar and plays it, while the rest of them singing along. Brian's words were slurred and he was swaying and Jonny looked on the verge of tears, but they sang regardless, smiling at the guitarist.]

partypooper: Hes such a sap

partypooper: Do anything but admit he missed us

just a hater: hello????

partypooper: Are you Ashes

partypooper: Wait no Ashes is sitting beside me

partypooper: Who is this?

partypooper: Oh did I find Jonnys work chat?

work on your spelling first: yes htis is tim

work on your spelling first: hey;)

partypooper: Sorry but Im a homo

partypooper: Speaking of which one of you is Sasha

partypooper: Youre pretty

work on your spelling first: awh;(

work on your spelling first: no way sash is gteting more game than me

partypooper: I like boobs

work on your spelling first: i have these

partypooper: Only the girly ones

just a hater: i dont

partypooper: Dont what

just a hater: have these

partypooper: I dont either

partypooper: So Id say perfect

work on your spelling first: oh yorue nastya right

partypooper sent a video.

[Video ID: Nastya, seemingly trying to take a selfie showing a thumbs up, not realizing it's a video instead. People still singing in the background, until the guitarist messes up and Nastya gets distracted. Jonny laughs at him, to which he receives a high pitched protest,
"You try fucking playing in the dark!! Or at all, lazy ass, never learned anything—" "Hey, I wrote the fucking stories! And am a brilliant actor and storyteller and quite frankly singer too—". Nastya looked amused, until Ashes interrupted the two of them with "Brian's about to throw up" at which point Nastya realized she was still holding the phone and that it was recording, and she turned it off.]

partypooper: I meant to delete it not send

partypooper: I dont care enough

partypooper: Brians throwing up

Martin Konfused: oh is that who that was

work on your spelling first: how come martin knows mroe jon pepole than i do

work on your spelling first: also thats a big jon lore there

work on your spelling first: wrote the stories? actor? storyteller? SINGER?

just a hater: exactly?????

just a hater: i can understand the actor slash storyteller because ive heard him read statements

work on your spelling first: fukcing terrifying

just a hater: but singer?????

work on your spelling first: i dindt think he was capable of doing that

work on your spelling first: befroe today

just a hater: right???

just a hater: and he actually does sound kinda nice?????

Martin Konfused: oh i knew he sings

just a hater: what????

just a hater: unfair???

just a hater: just because he likes you better????

Martin Konfused: oh no i just over heard him hum in his office

Martin Konfused: i have great hearing

Martin Konfused: he does not like me better

partypooper: Oh shit this isnt my phone

partypooper: Thats why theres no cyrillic

just a hater: did you

just a hater: not realize???

partypooper: Girl I am drunk as shit

partypooper: You were just there

partypooper: I knew Jonny still isnt capable of shutting his mouth for 3 seconds

work on your spelling first: how are you maming zero mistakes while drunk

work on your spelling first: is he really

work on your spelling first: the only tmie i saw him talk a lot was when we wnet drinking and he was talking about tiresais

partypooper: Im superior

partypooper: Of course he was talking about Tiresias

partypooper: But no really tho he mostly just talks to himself and not other people

partypooper: And constant fucking singsong

Martin Konfused: yeah i saw him kinda wispering to himself one time

Martin Konfused: i still dont know what language that was

work on your spelling first: thouhgt you still insist he was chanting

Martin Konfused: im gonna salt your tea

work on your spelling first: HEY NO WHTA

partypooper: Oh no he was definitely chanting

partypooper: Jonny likes summoning Yog-Sothoth for shit s and giggles

Martin Konfused: HA

Martin Konfused: I KNEW IT

Martin Konfused: I WAS RIGHT

Martin Konfused: AS USUAL

Martin Konfused: SUCK IT TIM

work on your spelling first: sure ;)

partypooper: Ew

just a hater: right???

just a hater: and theyre like that everyday

partypooper: Anyways you wanna make out

just a hater: would be hard considering you are probably miles away

partypooper: Oh true

partypooper: Pity

work on your spelling first: ew lesbians

partypooper: Ew homos

partypooper: Youre just like Jonny maybe you should make out instead

work on your spelling first: not that lucky

Martin Konfused: is jon even queer?

partypooper: Duh

just a hater: obviously???

partypooper: Have you seen him?

partypooper: How come you kids arent asleep yet

work on your spelling first: wait how old are yuo

partypooper: Older than Jonny

Martin Konfused: isnt jon like fourty

just a hater: what????

work on your spelling first: well maybe not forty

work on your spelling first: but you kno

work on your spelling first: close

partypooper: Hes gonna shit his pants when I tell him you thought hes forty

partypooper: Jonnys 28

Martin Konfused: what.

Martin Konfused: what

work on your spelling first: JONS YOUGNER THAN MATRIN??

just a hater: how did you two not know????

Martin Konfused: didnt he say he was 37

just a hater: and you believed him???

work on your spelling first: istn jon gonna be mad that you tlod us

partypooper: He would if it wasnt me

partypooper: I have special privileges

partypooper: Shtit Ive been spottedht

partypooper: im gna

partypooper: idefk

partypooper: thats y she was so quiet

work on your spelling first: awh hes back ;/

partypooper: ure fired

Martin Konfused: hey jon :)

partypooper: hi :]

just a hater: ew?

just a hater: hey jon give me nastyas socials

partypooper: no

just a hater: fine ill just find her myself??

partypooper: y

just a hater: ???

partypooper: why

just a hater: shes fun i want a chat with her and you and tim and martin

partypooper: she just screamed "yes" so fine

partypooper sent a photo.

[Photo ID: Nastya's profile.]

partypooper: tim and brian are calling me homophobic for not including them.

partypooper: brian is throwing up again brb

work on your spelling first: didnt take yuo fora hair holder

partypooper: He really is

partypooper: HLLEO

partypooper sent a photo.

[Photo ID: Gunpowder Tim. It's blurry, but you can tell it is him. Beside him, Nastya is reaching for the phone to snatch it back.}

partypooper: IM BIEING CHASED BY A CRZAY RSUSIAN

partypooper: teh girl one add mee to im cool

partypooper has set the nickname for Tim Stoker to inferior tim

inferior tim: HEY NO

partypooper: im gna die if he throws up again

Martin Konfused: hello jon :)

partypooper: martin :]

Martin Konfused: yes but also im gonna go to sleep

Martin Konfused: i hope i dont miss that much

partypooper: u wont nas used up all my battery

partypooper: my phones abt to die

partypooper: gn

Martin Konfused: yes goodnight

inferior tim: bsos is gonna hate us in the morning isn t he

partypooper: no im gna hate myself for getting drunk

partypooper: i dont think anyone could hate u tim

just a hater: oh my lord i am among homosexuals

partypooper: no ure not

just a hater: do not come out to me right now???

just a hater: youre drunk??

just a hater: and ill feel guilty

partypooper: it doesnt count as coming out when im alr open abt it

partypooper: but fine

just a hater: still??

inferior tim: sahsa i htae that you have morals

inferior tim: also jon who tf is yog sothoth

just a hater: what do you mean who is yog sothoth??

just a hater: the question is why are we summoning him???

Jon's phone died. And thank fuck because he was not about to answer that question. He faintly noticed Ashes standing beside him, not really registering their presence until they spoke.

"Do you like, absolutely despise me now." It wasn't spoken as a question. And so Jon took a while to answer.

"I hate that you're a cop." He said finally. "And I will not stop hating that. You of all people should know that I have the right to hate that you are a cop."

"I know." Ashes sighed, turning their eyes away. "I'm sorry."

Jon didn't reply. Instead, even though he never did that before, he just hugged her. He knew she likes hugging. That she found it comforting. Jon didn't, but he figures that this is serious enough that it was more important than his preferences regarding physical touch.

Ashes hugged back only after initial shock.

"I've missed you. All of you, though don't tell them that." Jon said. He felt Ashes' whole demeanor change.

"'Course I wont." They said, smug, and released Jon.

"I'm going to write 'acab' on your forehead with a permanent marker if you even say another word."

"Don't bother, I have it tattooed." Ashes said, to which Jon raised an eyebrow. She raised her shirt just a bit, to show off a tattoo on the right side just above their hip.

"Oh that's awesome. Though your lady friend might not be impressed—" They shoved Jon in the arm, and then had to grab him when he almost fell. "Hey!!"

"Sorry. Forgot how wonky you are."

"Am not! What you forget is how strong you are!!" Jon went quiet for a second. "Daisy cares about you. It's in a sort-of protective way, though, which is weird. You're like the most stubborn fuck ever when it comes to having to rely on someone or having someone protect you, and here we are."

"Oh, fuck you. You and your crush on the guy who looks like he wants to take care of you while you hate when people try to take care of you."

They both went silent. Neither denied anything. And then Tim shrieked and Nastya called Jon over to help with Brian, who just passed out.

"I swear, she could just call you over instead. You're the strong one, not me." He went over to help her anyway. It still felt like home. Even if that meant having to drag a drunk Brian around.

Chapter Text

8:20 A.M

To Archives

just a hater: so

just a hater: i couldnt get over the summoning yog sothoth thing

just a hater: seeing as jon didnt respond

just a hater: probably because his phone died as he said it would

just a hater: so i just looked it up

just a hater: and

just a hater: reddit disappointed me

just a hater: so i tried looking up the chant itself

just a hater: and

just a hater: you will never guess what i found

just a hater: besides some really creepy 15 second videos

just a hater: on a lyrics site of all things

just a hater: just sitting there

just a hater: a transcripted song

just a hater: and i thought hm thats weird

just a hater: why would someone write a song that mostly consists of chanting

just a hater: so i look the song up on youtube

just a hater: very nice results

just a hater: even got a video with lyrics that also told me that its sang by the "void"

just a hater: and see

just a hater: i didnt realize it at first

just a hater: because its just a whisper for a good 40 seconds

just a hater: but then it gets a bit louder

just a hater: and you know the voice seems a bit odd to me

just a hater: and then the "void" stops chanting and starts

just a hater: well not singing but close enough

just a hater: and i realize something

just a hater: see for yourselves

just a hater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkGuYH6ng8w&list=RDgkGuYH6ng8w&start_radio=1

11:39 A.M

To Archives

inferior tim: sahs i swear to fucking god you absolute madwoman

inferior tim: OH WHAT THE FUCK

inferior tim: @Martin Konfused

inferior tim: @Martin

inferior tim: @Martin

Martin Konfused: good lord what

inferior tim: read back

Martin Konfused: okay wait

inferior tim: alrihgt

inferior tim: comeon

inferior tim: how long can yuo read

just a hater: youre forgetting hes dyslexic and also probably just woke up

just a hater: impatient ass

inferior tim: CAN YU BALME ME

just a hater: well

just a hater: no

Martin Konfused: oh god.

inferior tim: rightm???

Martin Konfused: oh god

Martin Konfused: oh god

inferior tim: exactly

Martin Konfused: tim

inferior tim: martin

Martin Konfused: tim

Martin Konfused: tim you dont understand

inferior tim: oh i undrestand alriht

just a hater: ew???

just a hater: i hope jon wakes up right now so he can fire you both

partypooper: whta

partypooper: my haed feel s masisve

partypooper: nas is aksing abt some gc idk what thats abt

partypooper: now that ive said it goodbye forever

inferior tim: is that your dying message

partypooper: yes

partypooper: actually no'

partypooper: my dying messafe n wish is that el*as finally divorces his husband so they stop fucking in the institute

partypooper: disgusting

partypooper: now goodbye forever

partypooper: im leaving uhhh

partypooper: martin can have my favourite mug

inferior tim: this is so unfair

just a hater: jon do you not want to read back on yesterdays stuff

partypooper: sasha my head is the size of texas

just a hater: oookay

11:43 A.M

SashJame added Tim Stoker, Martin K. Blackwood, JSims and R.Anastasia

SashJame: as promised

SashJame: also not sure if i said before but i love the name anastasia

Tim set his own nickname to sweetbabe84

sweetbabe84 set the nickname for Martin K. Blackwood to mario kart

JSims: tim what on earth r u doing

sweetbabe84: werent you dead

JSims: i got better.

sweetbabe84: and to answer your question i have a vreative soul and have to make use of it

JSims: u rly dont

R.Anastasia set her own nickname to Nastya

JSims set the nickname for R.Anastasia to splesbian (space lesbian)

sweetbabe84: wow boss hypocrite much

JSims: im allowed

splesbian (space lesbian): Ill shoot you into space

JSims: im not the one who ended up floating around in there

splesbian (space lesbian): You will be

splesbian (space lesbian): Mr Died in a barfight

JSims: hey it was a great ending

splesbian (space lesbian): Allow me to object

JSims: no

splesbian (space lesbian) sent a photo.

[Photo ID: Jonny laying on Tim's couch, covering his eyes with one hand and pointing a middle finger at the camera.]

JSims: what is that supposed to mean

mario kart: wow jon never took you for such vulgarity

splesbian (space lesbian): Oh I just saw thank you Sasha

SashJame: oh yeah

JSims: i regret agreeing to this

splesbian (space lesbian): Stay back

JSims: I DID NOT STEAL HER FROM U

splesbian (space lesbian): Yes you did

splesbian (space lesbian): And then you broke up after 2 months

JSims: SHE broke up with me

splesbian (space lesbian): Obviously who on earth would want to date you

JSims: im wounded

sweetbabe84: me

mario kart: thats mean

splesbian (space lesbian): God I take it back you've got them lined up

JSims: i js read everything back

JSims: im

splesbian (space lesbian): Stupid yeah

JSims: no its ur fault actually

JSims: sasha found the mechs

splesbian (space lesbian): Smart woman

SashJame: thanks

JSims: can i fire myself

JSims: just leave the archives

sweetbabe84: no boss who will tell me to get back to work

JSims: sasha

sweetbabe84: she doesnt mean it

mario kart: wait its a whole band

sweetbabe84: martin

sweetbabe84: martin babe

sweetbabe84: ive basically listened through one and a half album already and you thought that was one single song

mario kart: i just woke up

JSims: im removing all mechanisms recordings from the internet

Jonny dreaded the moment he had to walk into the Archives on monday. With how friday and saturday went, he was sure that the first thing Tim does when he sees him will be teasing. Especially that he kept talking about listening to the mechanisms.

He was just a tiny bit curious which one was his favourite, though. As well as Martin's and Sasha's.

As it turns out, however, Jon didn't get more time than that to worry about it. Elias was waiting in the archives, and Jon hoped he didn't notice the scowl that creeped on his face as soon as he saw the man.

"Hello, Jon. I will just take a quick moment, I don't want to keep you from your work for too long."

"Yes, what is it?" Jon asked, trying to be patient. He really was.

"I realize that most of your little reunions were pure coincidence and while I have no issue with that nor with your friends, I would appreciate it if it doesn't visit the institute again." Jon took a moment to answer.

"..You mean Nikola? You could've just called it by name—"

"Yes, I do mean Nikola. It is interfering with with the workflow and I do not want it coming here again." Jon furrowed his eyebrows. He did not realize that the Toy Soldier's hatred for Elias was so strongly reciprocated.

"It hasn't been in, though. I mean, once, but only briefly and a long time ago. I don't get why you would tell me this now."

"It tried to get in again. Threatened Rosie to let it into the artifact storage, which I thankfully managed to interrupt. I warn you, Jon. Keep it away from my institute. You will not like what happens when it gets what it wants."

With that, Elias left. Jon was.. Jon didn't know what to think. He really didn't like the whole thing regarding Nikola. He worried for what laid ahead in regards of it.

Fortunately, his thoughts were interrupted by Martin and Sasha coming into the archives, together as usual, since they often took the same bus. Jon knew it meant that in about two minutes, Tim will be getting in as well. He made a move for his office, but was stopped.

"Stop right there." Sasha said, looking at Martin in a silent plea for tea. Martin understood and left. "I really need to know which album you like the most. You and Tim, I already know Martin's."

Jon sighed, but smiled slightly. Anything to take his mind off of the Toy Soldier and its strange demeanor. And he really was rather curious.

"So, which one is yours? And we aren't counting either Tales to be told, right?"

"Quite right, Jon, quite right. Though, after consideration, that means we also have to include these in a separate category, song wise. I'll have you know that I spent the whole weekend fixated on this stuff."

"Uh. Well, I'm, uh.. I'm glad? I guess. Now that you have found out, I'm glad you didn't think of it as boring." Sasha looked at him as if he just said that pigs can fly. Martin came back with tea just as Tim came into the archives.

"Oh, you captured him! Perfect." Tim said, first thing after opening the door. "Let's sit, boss, we have a heated debate coming on.. Where did all the chairs go? You can take mine."

"No, thank you, Tim. I'll manage." Jon said as he took his tea from Martin. "This won't take that long. We do have work ahead of us."

"Not that much, actually! Heard from a little birdie that two of our dear archival staff stayed until 8 on friday. Which, guys, don't do that. But it does mean we have some time to spare for our important talk." Sasha said, sounding convincing as ever.

"I.. Yes, alright. I'll let my curiosity win just this time." Jon said and leaned against Martin's desk. The rest of them were sitting at their respective desks and Jon hoped Martin didn't mind him choosing his.

Tim laid back on the chair and put his legs up on the desk. Jon decided to ignore it, if not for the sake of his own sanity. He waited for Sasha to speak, guessing that she would want to narrate.

"Yes, as we are all gathered here.. The plans have changed slightly and I hope that the rest of you, by which I mean Tim and Martin, as I'm sure Jon knows all the songs." Jon snorted at this. He chose not to mention all the unreleased or deleted ones. "So, we will obviously discuss favourite albums but also.. favourites from both Tales to be Told volumes. But first the albums. I'll let Jon start."

"Ulysses dies at Dawn. I like greek mythology and, well, as Georgie put it, I get to do fun things with my voice. Not sure how much more I have to say, I am heavily biased by the fact that, uh. I took part in making it. Not easy to look at it from a listener's perspective."

"Hm. Yes, that is a valid point. And it does make sense. Considering you thought everyone knows about Calliope." Jon was about to respond, but she interrupted, knowing that it would cause a rant of sorts. "Next, Tim! Your favorite and why."

"Hm, gosh. I think High Noon over Camelot, actually." Jon made a 'makes sense' hum. "I really like the, uh, instrumentals there. Oh and, Skin and Bone was brilliant with the back and forth, I really liked that. Though. Well, Hellfire won me over alright. All I'm saying.." Tim trailed off at that. Jon tried not to laugh.

"Okay, thank you Tim. Martin? You up for it?" Sasha asked Martin, and he nodded, though he did take a moment to speak.

"I liked Once Upon a Time. It's just nice. I do like the other ones too, but I, hm. It's soft, I think? Comforting. I guess. And the story. I liked it."

"Very good opinion. Thank you, Martin. Jon, any regards before I talk?"

Jon just shook his head no, smiling. He was scared this would be awkward. But it was fine. Everything he worried about when desperately trying to hide the mechs from them, it was nonsense. This was completely fine. If anything, he could share his love for music and stories with them now, which was better than fine.

"Good. It's funny, there's four of us and each has a different favourite album. Though High Noon over Camelot is a close second for me, that Rachel woman who came in here for a statement? I would never, ever guess that she could sing like that. And she won me over with her Odin. And I loved the Loki and Sygin bits in all the songs, they just.. Hm. Fit together. Very nice."

Sasha stopped for a second and regarded them all. Jon guessed that she really got quite into it over the weekend. It was just a bit odd to be aware of that.

"Oh, though, one question before we go over to Tales to be Told. Nastya wasn't there for all the albums, was she? The violin sounds different sometimes."

"Yeah, Nas was on viola, not violin and only in ouatis and High Noon over Camelot. Everything else is Marius. That's why it sounds different. Not a viola anymore." Sasha gave a 'hm' and moved on.

"Anyway, now in opposite order. I adore Alice—"

The door to the archives opened abruptly and both Jon and Tim startled, Tim immediately taking his shoes off of the desk while Jon stood upright.

It was not Elias. It was the blue haired angry woman that came in some time ago to insult Jon and everything about him. Jon furrowed his eyebrows. Why was she here again? Didn't she hate this place?

"Do you.. have a moment?" She asked Jon, confused at the setting.

"Yes, I do. How did you get in here?"

"The lady at the front desk let me through, I had to find my way in here. It's like a labyrinth, I swear- I need your help. I need access to your library."

"Oh?" Jon said, aware he sounded teasing. Well, maybe he was teasing. Just a little. "In that case you should talk to Diana, not me."

"Yes, uh. I tried, but I don't really have the academic credentials you guys require. Apparently, I need someone to vouch for me."

"And that someone is me?" Melanie rolled her eyes. "No, because the last time we talked, which was once, we ended up screaming at each other."

"Yes, well, that's more than I've got with the rest of you guys. And, uh, Georgie had some nice things to say about you." At that, Jon looked like he just had a revelation.

"Oh, you're the— Uh, yes, I'll- I'll talk to Diana. Though why come here? Couldn't you get help from your showbiz friends?"

"They, uh.. Don't really talk to me anymore." Jon wasn't really in the mood to tease her about that. Not now anyway.

"Hm. Yes, I noticed you weren't updating anymore. In any case—"

Jon moved to go up to the library, talk Diana into letting Melanie in. He gave an apologetic smile to his coworkers, knowing that this distraction meant they would most likely not be coming back to the conversation.

6:12 P.M

To Dead not Gone

bullied into getting a degree: im thinking about setting up a campaign, anyone?

assigned cop at birth: id love to but im too busy

winged beast (a fly): same here

jesus or somth: I'm available

shipkisser: Me and Jonny are too

strange and unusual: Oh, While I Do Love Pretending To Be Someone I'm Not, I Am Unfortunately Quite Busy :o(

archIVYussy: I'm busy too

powdered tim: not sure yet my job has weeird hours i may not be able to

bullied into getting a degree: that makes three

bullied into getting a degree: hm

shipkisser: Ill persuade Jonnys coworkers if you want

shipkisser: Theyre fun I think

bullied into getting a degree: oh sure

bullied into getting a degree: why not

shipkisser: Will you be okay with GMing for them

shipkisser: And @Ben will you be okay with them joining

jesus or somth: Sure

bullied into getting a degree: yeah all good

shipkisser: Awesome

6:20 P.M

splesbian (space lesbian) renamed group archive + nastya

splesbian (space lesbian): Hi any of you interested in rpg

SashJame: hell yes??

sweetbabe84: ME TOO ITS BEEN YEAR S

splesbian (space lesbian): Brilliant

splesbian (space lesbian): Mine and Jonnys friend Kofi would be the GM

splesbian (space lesbian): And aside from us Brian

sweetbabe84: awesome awesome

SashJame: agreed

splesbian (space lesbian): @Martin what about you?

mario kart: huh

mario kart: oh um

mario kart: i never did that before

splesbian (space lesbian): Thats not a problem if youre willing to try

mario kart: sure then

mario kart: but i really dont know how that works

JSims: what is even happening

splesbian (space lesbian): read the chat idiot

JSims: fuck u

splesbian (space lesbian): Pizda

JSims: im assuming thats an insult

splesbian (space lesbian): Yes and I didnt even use cyrillic so you can understand

splesbian (space lesbian): And you still didnt

JSims: i cant speak russian hoe

splesbian (space lesbian): Anyways another chat is in order

6:29 P.M

R.Anastasia added JSims, Ben B., Kofi Young, SashJame, Tim Stoker and Martin K. Blackwood

R.Anastasia renamed the group rpg

R.Anastasia set her own nickname to Nastya

Nastya set the nickname for Kofi Young to GM

GM set their own nickname to GOD

GOD: take it they agreed then

JSims: i didnt

Tim: yuo didnt have a choice

Nastya: What he said

Nastya: But yes the rest of them agreed

Nastya: Theres Tim, Martin and Sasha

SashJame: hi

Martin: hey

GOD: hello

GOD: just for confirmation, pronouns?

GOD: i use they/them so i prefer to ask others too

GOD: though if theyre name adjacent then not necessary

GOD: except for Sasha

SashJame: yes she/her

SashJame: rest are name okay

Tim: yupyup

Tim: so i raelly was right all jons friensd are genderqueer

Tim: except fro Martin

JSims: not all

JSims: and even if so what

Tim: nothng i just think you should get an achievemetn

GOD: anyways, are all of you familiar with rpg stuff?

Martin: im not

Martin: like really not i dont know anything at all

JSims: ill help u

JSims: mari u can go as usual ill tell him everything

GOD: sure

GOD: so, well be using fate system

Nastya: Awesome

Nastya: Brilliant

Nastya: I adore fate

Nastya: Ill kiss you

GOD: please dont

Nastya: Good I like girls anyway

GOD: brian do you remember fate

Ben: I don't remember shit

GOD: amazing this will be a delight wont it

GOD: to the rest of you who probably havent heard of it, its a very easy system, ill send over the character sheet and otherwise youre free to do basically anything

GOD: this isnt like dnd where a set of skills is tied to a race or class

GOD: the skills you have are based just on the character and their backstory and your own whimsy

GOD: how does that sound

GOD: there is technically a set of skills you can choose from if any of you get stuck but some of them blur together or can be replaced with something you come up with

GOD: oh and also, there isnt much math here because [REDACTED], so one set of numbery dice will be fine for stuff like rolling luck (D100) or initiative or items (D6+D8), stuff like that

GOD: instead theres + , - and blank

GOD: well get to that

GOD: but dont worry about it because jonny has a ton of these

GOD: get diagnosed

JSims: whats with u all

JSims: not autistic

JSims: fuck off

Nastya: Everyone believes you Jonny

JSims: i js like dice

GOD: jonny can i trust you with helping your friends with characters

JSims: ofc

GOD: good because i need to help brian

GOD: dumb arse

Ben: Am not

GOD: okay then, stoner

Ben: I quit

JSims: no u didnt

Ben: How can you even know that

JSims: u never throw up when drinking unless u mix it w smoking

Ben: I didn't know I threw up

JSims: twice

Nastya: We didnt tell you because we love you

JSims: i rly dont

Nastya: You especially

JSims: can we get on with it

JSims: mari

JSims: give me something to work with

GOD: how do we feel about pirates

JSims: r u fr

Ben: You know how we feel about pirates

GOD: normal pirates tho

GOD: on the sea

GOD: and we did pirates a lot so maybe you got tired of them

JSims: is that even scientifically possible

SashJame: right???

SashJame: pirates are awesome

Tim: oh yeah

Tim: though do we mean pirate-my-whole-life or something-happened-that-means-i-have-to-go-to-sea

GOD: second definitely

GOD: did you look up fate already

Tim: yeah i read some

GOD: then you got the gist just fine i think

Tim: thank

GOD: alr do we need to meet up for the character creation or are we fine

Ben: I'll come over

JSims: wait mari ure back

GOD: jonny how the hell do you think we were going to play a tabletop otherwise

JSims: …makes sense

JSims: but no i think the rest of us will be fine

JSims: i mean me n rest of archive will prob meet but we dont need a whole thing

Tim: jon are you inviting us to your flat

JSims: no im inviting myself to one of yours

Nastya: No

Nastya: Hes inviting you to ours

Nastya: Ill send the address

JSims: move out

Nastya: No

Nastya: Theyre coming over

JSims: its my flat

Nastya: Our flat

JSims: you cant say that

JSims: not when u swear at me in russian

Chapter Text

They ended up deciding on Jon's flat after all, though they did have to wait until friday. Indulging in activities such as rpg campaigns isn't particularly easy when you have a serious job, and it's even harder when said job involves worm women, a boss with weird eyes and tape recorders.

But friday came around and at 5 on the dot, Nastya stormed into the archives, telling everyone to 'pack their stuff and move their asses' and they left, Tim insisting on getting booze on the way.

Jon agreed only on the principle that 'beer only, I'm not paying and I'm not carrying anything'.

They were sat now around Jon's absurdly small dining table. Which, really, he lived most his life alone or with just one other person, wasn't his fault. And they all fit just fine. Almost. Paper and writing utensils were sprawled around the table as well.

"Alright. Nas?"

"High elf. I'm a fucking aristocrat, baby."

"Typical. I'm thinking, uh. I'm thinking dwarf or human. Tim?"

"Goblin." Tim was already scribbling on the character sheet Jon printed out for all of them.

"Good, do that. Sasha?"

"Can I do changeling?"

"Sure. Martin?"

No answer.

"Do you know your options?" Martin shook his head no. Jon started explaining that to Martin, while Nastya turned to Sasha and Tim.

"You're managing?" She asked. Tim nodded, but Sasha looked lost.

"I get skills and aspects, but what the hell is extras? Or stunts?"

"Alright, so, we get one extra, which is just an additional skill or an item that your character posesses that's tied it's backstory. It can be, for example cartography but it can also be a talking bird or a big shield."

"Mhm.. I think I get it?" Sasha didn't notice Nastya smiling at her warmly.

"Y-yes. Uh. Stunts. Yes. A stunt is your special skill, though it has to be environment related. For example, I was thinking of a flaming shot, since my character will be good at archery. But I can't just get that flaming part out of nowhere, so my environmental condition will be that there has to already be an open fire for it to be possible."

Nastya faintly noticed that her accent was slowly disappearing, even tho she's only been back for a while. She knew it wouldn't ever be completely gone, though.

"Ookayyy.. So, if I wanted to do.. Hm, Voice impersonation for example, as a distraction tactic. Would that be considered a stunt?"

"Yeah, actually. I think so, yeah."

"And.. maybe, I can only do that if it's dark around? Since it wouldn't make sense if the opponent could just see me do it, right?"

"Yes. Yes. You're s—"

"We don't get any superb skills yet, right?" Tim interrupted, loudly. Nastya glared daggers at him. So did Jon. Tim, however was unaware of any of this, looking at his sheet intently.

"No, Tim, we only get these that have a dark border."

"Thanks, boss." And he went back to it.

"I think I'll just do human." Martin said. "Can, uh. Can I be a bard?"

"Yes! Yes, definitely. Awesome." Jon fought the grin. He knew Martin would want to be a bard. "Music bard or story bard?"

"Hm, both?"

"Amazing. So, you can have skills like empathy, contacts, uh.. here says rapport but we really just say charm. Or charisma. Kofi does lots of charisma checks. Also, you can do provoke or decieve. Or, oh, lore, since if you know people, you know rumours, legends. Lore. But, really, you can do what you want."

It took them over three hours, not counting getting there and food break, but in result, everyone was happy with their characters. Martin felt like he hasn't spoke that much.. ever, really. Not all at one time. It wasn't bad, but he was definitely taking a quiet weekend.

The character creation taking so much time did mean that it was almost 10 pm now. Nastya was arguing that she won't let anyone go home at 10 in London. Which, she was probably smart. But it meant they had to stay over in Jon's small flat.

"See, I do have a guest room. Or, I had a guest room until someone just barged in and made herself home."

"сука. Focus on figuring out sleeping." Nastya pointed a middle finger at him.

"I have a big bed. If anyone wants to pair up, they can take it and there's Nastya's bed but it will probably fit only one person and there's the couch, it's pull-out so it might fit two people as well. I have blankets and can sleep on the floor."

"Jon, you are not sleeping on the floor!" Martin protested.

"What do you propose then?"

"Um." He went quiet.

"I pair with Nastya on the couch, Jon pairs with Tim on his bed and Martin takes Nastya's bed. Would make sense. Right?" Sasha suggested. Nastya froze. "I have another issue though, I don't think any of us have any other clothes."

"That won't be a problem at all, I'll just lend you my stuff. Or Nastya will." Jon said.

"Jon, I won't fit in your clothes. Neither will Martin." Tim looked at him incredulously.

"Yes, you will." Jon left, very sure of himself. He came back with two shirts, one black, blank and one with a mechanisms logo. He handed the blank one to Tim. "Try these on. I'm pretty sure they will fit just fine."

"Hey, why does he get a mechanisms shirt?! Unfair!" Tim said but took his shirt off immediately, putting on the one Jon gave him.

"Tim, there is a bathroom in here."

"Sasha, you're just a hater."

"You didn't get a mechs shirt because I sleep in the only other one I own, everyday." Martin stood up and actually went to the bathroom to change. Jon made a move to go to his bedroom again when he noticed Nastya's blank look. "Nas. Nas?"

"Whuh. What?" Nastya startled when Sasha nudged her.

"Clothes? For Sasha?" Jon said and left, soon coming back, wearing his own mechanisms shirt.

"Uh. Yes. Sure." Nastya left. She came back with a big, gray shirt. "It's long so it's comfy. Here." She handed the shirt to Sasha, looking anywhere but at her.

"Um. We don't have to share the couch if you're not comfortable with that. I could switch wit—"

"No! No. No, I'm okay. It's okay. We can share."

"Are you.. sure?"

"Yes." Well, she definitely sounded sure. The decision was made. Jon scooted over to Tim.

"I swear if they kiss on my fucking couch." He whispered. Tim managed to keep quiet for approximately half a second before breaking into a laugh that could probably be heard outside.

Martin came out of the bathroom, shirt fitting him just fine, if a little loosely. Jon suddenly felt very aware of a number of things. Martin, wearing a merch shirt of Jon's band. Martin heard the songs. Martin heard Jon sing. Martin heard Jon yell and whisper straight into the microphone.

"Oh, shit." Jon muttered. Only after a second he realised he did so. Well, here's to hoping no one heard him. Though, with how Tim was looking at him with a knowing look, he definitely did hear. "Uh, anyways. It's not that late yet, we could, uh…"

"Doctor who."

"What Tim said. Come on, Jon. Couch and doctor who."

"Oh. Fine."

They stayed up, watching doctor who until midnight. Well, 'up' is the wrong word. By the time half an episode passed, Martin was dozing off, Tim quickly following, leaning on his shoulder. In the end, only Sasha and Nastya stayed awake.

They decided to just leave the three men there, though Sasha managed to convince Nastya to nudge them awake just so they lay down properly.

They did so, somehow fitting the three of them on the couch. After that, Nastya and Sasha went to Jon's room, seeing as they were supposed to be the one on the couch and Nastya's bed was definitely not big enough for two people.

It was a bit awkward at first, of course it was. Sasha tried to lighten the mood by joking about how tall Nastya was in comparison to her, but it would seem that it did the exact opposite effect.

Sasha was sure that by now, Nastya couldn't possibly be less comfortable around her. She messed everything up already.

After a few minutes of silence Nastya whispered to her.

"Are you cold?" She asked. Sasha figured that Nastya didn't get cold too easily, probably used to drastic temperatures.

"Just a little." Sasha whispered back. Nastya started to get up. "Where are you going?"

"To try and find a blanket?"

"You don't need to. I'll warm up. Body heat and all that." Nastya went quiet. She laid back down, just a tiny bit closer.

Neither of them commented on the fact that when they woke up, they were hugging. Nastya left the room first, to see if the rest was still asleep. They were and she pulled her phone out to take a picture of the three of them, a tangled mess of limbs and Jon's hair. She went back to the room.

"They're asleep. It's only 7 am, we could just.. hm. Not sure."

"We can go back to sleep." Nastya wasn't tired. She nodded anyway and laid back down, though on her own side of the bed now. She watched as Sasha fell back asleep, noticing when her breath calmed. Then turned her eyes towards the ceiling. It would be creepy if she just stared at her when she sleeps.

She waited some more, until she was sure that Sasha was actually asleep and got up again. She left the room, only going to her own to get dressed and left the flat.

It was cold. But Nastya had her favourite coat, and she knew that when she comes back, they will be all awake and warm. It was okay to be cold, for now.

And, sure enough, when she came back two hours later, everyone was up, Jon, Tim and Sasha in the kitchen, while Martin, sat on the couch, still groggy with sleep.

"Good sleep, boys?" She said first thing after coming in and taking off her coat.

"I'm gonna kill you." Jon pointed his spatula at her. Which was frankly hilarious. "I had to explain to Sasha for like ten minutes that you just do that." Sasha elbowed him, but didn't deny it. Or look at Nastya.

"Oh. Uhm. Sorry. I like morning air. I wasn't tired anymore."

"Could have told me." Sasha was quiet, Nastya barely heard it. But she did and now felt guilty. It was true. She could have told her. She wouldn't like imagine how it would feel if she was the one just left like that. She didn't have to, and she knew it wasn't nice. Especially if you're in someone else's home, not at all familiar to you.

"Sorry." She only got a silent hum in response.

Soon everyone left, including Sasha. Nastya wished she could hug her goodbye. She didn't do it, though. She noticed that Jon didn't hug Martin either, or Tim. But, well, they were men. Men didn't do that often. As far as Nastya was aware.

They were left standing in the corridor. And they stood there silently for a few minutes.

"Hm." Was all Jon said before turning back further into the flat. He'd get to cleaning right about now, except Sasha and Martin insisted on helping with that, so there was nothing to do. "I might go to Georgie's."

"Okay." Nastya said and went to her room, shutting the door.

Isn't that just great.

1:16 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: @strange and unusual i forgot earlier

First mate: el*as told me to tell u to stay away

First mate: tf happened w u two

strange and unusual: Oh, Nothing Happened!!

strange and unusual: You Could Say We're Enemies By Nature!!

strange and unusual: The Watcher Watches And The Stranger Does Not Like Being Known.

First mate: not touching that with a 10ft pole

First mate: but he told me to tell u to stay away

strange and unusual: That Isn't Very Polite!!

1:20 P.M

Private conversation with Georgiest

Jonniest: georgie

Georgiest: yes you can come over

Georgiest: if you buy dorito on the way here

Jonniest: what am i ur sponsor

Georgiest: yes

Georgiest: todays episode was sponsored by jonathan fucking sims swearing hes neurotypical

Jonniest: bc i am

Georgiest: stop lying to yourself

Georgiest: get my doritos bitch

Jon left soon after. The weather was nice and his legs felt fine, so he decided to just walk the short trip to Georgie's flat. He did not expect to be stopped by two men with a very fake sounding cockney accent.

"Sorry, we'll jus'—"

"Take you a second."

"I'm sorry?" Jon only realized they were talking to him after a moment.

"Were told to—

"Find the Archivist."

"—That's you."

For some reason, this exact moment Jon suddenly knew who these men were. Breekon and Hope. Jon turned and started walking away.

Immediately there was a hand on his shoulder. Jon briefly thought, it felt like wood, not flesh. Briefly, because next second he was being dragged by the delivery men, who were awfully strong. Especially in comparison to Jon. He couldn't even scream, and people on the street didn't seem to care much.

It didn't take long before Jon was thrown on the ground in some dark alley.

"Oh, boys! I told you to be gentle with him! That is really very impolite of you!"

Jon was too preocuppied with massaging his leg, that now was hurting again. This must have worsened his not yet even completely healed worm injury. He watched Breekon and Hope leave, before turning to the person he was "delivered" to.

"Back to you, old chap!!" Jon scrambled up from the ground.

"I- What?! Nikola- What?!"

"Oh, don't be like that!! I just want to talk! We are friends, after all!"

"Friends! Friends don't do.. whatever this was when they want to talk to eachother! God, I—"

"I really just need you to find the skin for me! It really would be a pity if I had to take yours. It is in awful condition, I have to say." Jon instinctively reached up to touch his face.

"Nik- what- I-.." Jon took a breath. "What do you even need my help for?"

"Oh, see, as I said, I don't really want to spend too much time at the institute!! Especially now that I've been forbidden—"

"Nikola! What do you need my help for, not with!" Jon watched the Toy Soldier stiffen up, almost like a.. well, soldier that recieved an order.

"I need the skin for the Unknowing. Oh, now that is not nice, Archivist!! No more questions from you! Please locate the skin for me, old chap! I really don't want to take drastic measures." Nikola turned it's back on Jon. "Girls! You can take him back."

With that Breekon and Hope were back, before Jon could react, object or say anything else to the Toy Soldier. He was dragged all the way over to the building Georgie lived in. He walked up the stairs in a haze.

Georgie opened before he could knock, presumably hearing him come up.

"You're late. And you didn't answer my texts. And- and you don't have my doritos. This has happened once before and I do not want to recall the circumstances."

"I, uh. I was. Hm. Briefly kidnapped. Maybe. Not sure if it qualifies—"

"YOU WHAT?!" Georgie pulled Jon into the flat and sat him on the couch. "Holy fucking shit."

"Um. It was the Toy Soldier. I mean, indirectly, Breekon and Hope did, they're these two delivery guys, they were involved in a big amount of statements, and- Oh! I need to write this down to research this, Nikola said something about some Unknowing.. Uh, also, about needing my skin."

Jon said the last sentence while already pulling out a tiny notebook with a tiny pen, opening it and writing 'THE UNKNOWING" in big letters. Georgie stared at him dumbfounded.

"I cannot do this sober." She stood up and went to the kitchen coming back with a bottle of wine and a glass.

"It's- I don't-"

"Jon this is a big deal. You should be calling the police." Jon made a face. "Yes, I know you won't. But you should."

"Georgie, this is.. this is archivist stuff. Not something for cops. I mean, section 31, but they.. no, they're useless too." Jon said, but took the glass from Georgie, who took his phone instead.

3:27 P.M

To archive + nastya

JSims: nastya?

splesbian (space lesbian): Georgie?

JSims: how did you know

JSims: actually doesnt matter toy soldier kidnapped jon

splesbian (space lesbian): What.

JSims: hes back now

JSims: obviously

JSims: but you should know that

JSims: seeing as hes your brother

SashJame: ???????

SashJame: what the hell????

JSims: jon said two guys took him and then there was nikki and then they brought him here

splesbian (space lesbian): Is he hurt?

splesbian (space lesbian): Do I need to come over?

JSims: not now, no

JSims: but you may need to pick him up

JSims: not because he wants to

JSims: but i wont just let him back out alone

splesbian (space lesbian): I don't have a car

splesbian (space lesbian): Neither does anyone here

splesbian (space lesbian): Ill call Ashes

JSims: thanks nastya

splesbian (space lesbian): And also I knew because Jonny just says nas

splesbian (space lesbian): Lazy ass cant even type my entire name in

SashJame: why are we overlooking the fact that you said jon was kidnapped????

sweetbabe84: HE WAS WAHT

JSims: hes okay

JSims sent a photo.

[Photo ID: Jonny. Pointing a middle finger at Georgie and petting the Admiral with his free hand.]

mario kart: is he really?

mario kart: he doesnt tend to you know, say when hes not

JSims: in all respect for you mahtin ive known this guy for

JSims: i dont even know how long

JSims: and ive dated him

JSims: which i regret deeply

mario kart: is he bad?

JSims: no i figured out i like women

mario kart: oh

JSims: dont you worry about that

JSims: im sure hell be great with you

mario kart: what

mario kart: no

mario kart: no what

mario kart: i didnt

JSims: as much as i care about this jon is about to steal all my wine

JSims: ass

Chapter Text

Jon was in the archives early again. He could barely resist coming in on Sunday just to start his research on whatever "the unknowing" was. He remembered the tapes he received from Basira. Well, from Daisy, really, but at Basira's request. He decided to check them out only after looking around document storage room first.

Only after having gone through two full boxes of reading the topics of statements did he realize that he didn't even know what he was looking for. It's not like a statement would be just categorized "the unknowing".

Just as he thought this, he mindlessly reached to another box, seemingly random and pulled out the 6th statement from the pile. He didn't notice the cluttering coming from the entrance to the tunnels.

"Hm. Regarding a window display.. Why this one? Why did I even take this? Statement of Chloe Ashburt—" Jon quickly put the statement down. He did not meant to read it out loud, really to even say anything. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand and looked around. No one was there. Of course no one was there, why would there be anyone?

Jon put the statement back into the box, trying to ignore the need to read it, the need to know and got out of the room. Instead, he briefly remembered a different statement. At the time, he thought of it as a simple coincidence, but now..

He went over to the drawer that the statements that didn't record digitally were kept, the real ones.

"Statement of Leanne Denikin.." Jon whispered to himself, tasting the words. They did nothing for him, not like fresh statements did. Where did that thought come from?

Jon remembered this case. It was odd and the calliope music was disconcerting, but what was important was previous owner of it, Nikolai Denikin. He was the organist for what he figured to be called "Another Circus". Nastya wouldn't be impressed at how he had to use google translate for two words.

The ringmaster of said circus was named Gregor Orsinov. Which he did consider previously to be a simple coincidence, but now.. Now Jon didn't know what to think.

Is Nikola who Michael meant? What did Elias mean by saying that Jon won't like it when it gets what it wants? Nikola was acting weird, downright to almost kidnapping him, and everything would be so much easier if Jon just knew.

Jon needed to know. He went to his office and took one of Gertrude's tapes at random.

"Case 9790302. Yuri Utkin. Incident occurred in the village of Algasovo, central Russia, November 1952…"

It was weird to hear Gertrude's voice. Jon pushed past this, listening to the statement, taking brief notes occasionally. Only after the statement finished, he felt his eyes sting. Had he forgotten to blink? He couldn't tell.

It was Gregor Orsinov and the circus again. And the two men were weirdly familiar to Jon as Breekon and Hope. Jon wondered, briefly, Nikola did seem like someone who would enjoy clowns. And it did play the wooden toy character rather perfectly.

He remembered suddenly that it was Nikola that insisted on the Toy Soldier's origin being about stealing someone's voice for itself, referring to the Soldier as "he" in the story. Jon really hoped there was no real relevance in that.

As much as he would prefer to have more time to think this over, he heard voices, people entering the archives. He didn't notice how much time has passed, before this. But suddenly he felt very tired and knew he had to get up to get coffee.

He did so, and was met with Tim and Sasha's banter about their characters. He smiled, briefly at that, before telling them to focus on their job. Jon could hear Tim's eye roll, as he left to get the coffee.

He couldn't blame them. He really was excited for the campaign as well. And not just so he can take his mind off of things. Things like Nikola.

4:51 P.M

To rpg

SashJame: wait do we even have a healer

SashJame: cause none of us are

JSims: oh yea dw abt that ben always does a healer

Nastya: No its sometimes a vampire instead

Nastya: And its been a long time since it was a vampire

Nastya: Its gonna be a vampire now

JSims: fuck u might be right

JSims: weve got no healer

Ben: Yes we do

JSims: I WAS RIGHT

Ben: Nastya was right too

Ben: I'm a vampire healer.

JSims: ….

Nastya: ….

Ben: I'm a genius I know

JSims: ….

GOD: brian you stupid fucking idiot we love you

Ben: What

JSims: mari how did this even happen

GOD: he said he hadnt decided yet, we had the whole thing finished but they said they didn't decide if he wants them to be human or not

Nastya: And then he got high and decided on a healer vampire

Ben: So what, I still think it's good

GOD: thats why we love you

GOD: banjo man

Ben: Hell yeah

Tim: so we hvae a healer

GOD: yeah and they play banjo

Ben: Yeah

Ben: Me not the vampire healer

Martin: how can you be a healer if youre a vampire too

Ben: I can be whatever I want

Ben: Who are you playing

Martin: a bard

JSims: i just got a text that says, quote, "mY do or is . niCe , flufFy and wa rm (worm emoji) corr i doors [']. cOme iN nI, ce dooR Ɛ:"

JSims: wtaf

Nastya: Jonny what the hell is going on with you

JSims: fym going on w me

JSims: i didnt do shit

Nastya: Eaten by worms, maybe in danger of being killed, kidnapped and now this

JSims: not my fault???

Nastya: At least theres no weird books this time

JSims: we dont talk abt that

JSims: fuck jurgen leitner

Nastya: Whatever you say my little schizophrenic

Tim: wait yuo read a leitner

JSims: nothing recent or relevant

JSims: You may go back to your job.

Tim: dont do that i see through you now

GOD: guys

GOD: guys please

GOD: guys please as much as i appreciate this bonding and secret sharing thing

GOD: you are spamming up maybe relevant messages

Ben: What the fuck did you mean by eaten by worms and kidnapped

JSims: its not important

JSims: i wasnt actually kidnapped

Nastya: Yes you were

Nastya: And it was Nikola

JSims: no it was breekon and hope

JSims: i dont think it counted as kidnapping

GOD: our nikola?

GOD: nikola orsinov??

GOD: the toy soldier???

GOD: what the fuck

JSims: its rly not a big deal

JSims: leave it

JSims: anyways im a dwarf and have a big hammer.

JSims: +4 skill is weaponry because u shits always forget to give ur characters weapons

JSims: except for nas who 90% of the time has a bow

Nastya: Archery is cool.

SashJame: archery is hot, even

JSims: arent you a werewolf or something

SashJame: no?????

Tim: im a goblin

JSims: nothing new here

Tim: i hvae daggers boss watch out

JSims: how scary

JSims set his own nickname to Jonny

Nastya: Jonny thats the eight character youve named Jonny

Nastya: Dont you think thats a little uncreative

Nastya: And maybe even narcissistic

Jonny: i dont

Jonny: at least its obv is me

Nastya: Uncreative ass

GOD: last name?

Jonny: give me time

Jonny: i havent figured it out yet

Nastya set her own nickname to Elizaveta Mikalovna

Elizaveta Mikalovna: Bow to royalty bitches

GOD: just first name will be fine here, i just wanted to know it

Elizaveta Mikalovna: Disrespectful

Elizaveta Mikalovna set her own nickname to Elizaveta

SashJame: ooh thats cool

Ben set their own nickname to Joshua

Elizaveta: Thats horrid

Joshua: Be glad they didn't let me do William Pratt

GOD: no one else here knows who that is

Joshua: Buffy Summers is my hero

Jon wished really hard that this week could be over faster. They're all meeting for the rpg on the weekend. And Jon hasn't seen Marius in far too long and hasn't taken part in a campaign in even longer.

Time, however, went slow as ever, and as if that wasn't enough, Elias was about to come into the archives. Jon didn't have time to worry about how he knew this before he heard the tell-tale clicking of high heels.

Jon heard a knock on his office door, paired with Elias actually saying 'knock knock' out loud. He sighed.

"Yes, come in Elias."

"Oh, how did you know it was me?" Elias asked as soon as he came in with a fake sounding friendliness, so fake that even Jon could sense that it was so.

"I could hear your steps. And you're the only person in the entire world who knocks and says it out loud at the same time."

"Well, regardless, I have files for you. I need you to sort them as well as start organizing the far end of document storage. You'll never know when you need something specific."

Jon fought the urge to sigh until after Elias left. Isn't that just peachy. He did not want to have to stay for any period of time near the entrance to the tunnels. And obviously Elias has to make him do just that.

Still, he sorted out the files into piles of 'can be done by assistants' and 'have to do myself', then got up and left the room, taking the former pile with him.

"I have some files that I need you three to take care of. Elias had the awfully bright idea of making me organize the further parts of document storage, so if anyone needs anything, I'll be there."

Martin looked like he wanted to say something. He didn't. Instead, Tim spoke up.

"Don't you maybe want tea first? It's almost lunchtime anyway."

"I.. would love to. But if I don't start now, I'll have to stay a lot more overtime than I already do. I do not want this man coming down here again."

Tim made a disapproving face. Jon was pretty sure he heard him mutter 'workaholic', but chose to ignore it. Tim didn't understand, maybe he never would. Jon hoped he never would.

"How about if one of us goes with you to help and the other two stay to take care of what Elias brought here? And you take that break with us." Sasha suggested.

Jon considered it for a while. He did like spending time with them lately. And he actually wanted tea.

"Okay. But it's Martin who comes with me. Tim will distract me and if he stays here with Martin, they'll both get distracted. If Tim and you stay here, you'll be able to keep him focused. It would make sense." He paused, still not sure about his choice. "Fine. Tea it is."

Martin stood up and left to make it. Tim threw his hands up in triumph and Jon had to fight a smile.

"Sasha I had such a problem with finding a name. I'm telling you, there is so much great goblin names." Tim immediately went over to another topic.

"..And you ended up with Borkle?" She said, teasing.

"Be glad I didn't choose Mogglewog or Sparkmag. These were brilliant too. And, Jon chose Jonny! I don't hear you making fun of that."

"There was no occasion. Now, however.." She paused, dramatically and Tim laughed.

They chatted for a while, Martin came back and they spent the break together. After that, Jon left to the document storage with Martin to start their work in there. It was in an awful state still. While, yes, the archive in general has been looking better, the far end of this particular part of it was still in absolute chaos.

It was tiring. Not the organizing itself, that was actually quite.. Well, Jon won't call it pleasant. Just to be stubborn. But it was okay.

What was not at all okay, was the fact that the room was.. cramped, to say the least. Jon's legs weren't that kind to him today, his previously injured one still feeling disrupted after… well, being dragged by two not-people, so he wasn't keen on standing around for so long. Crouching was even worse for his before-worms pain, and he couldn't really sit on the floor here.

He has briefly considered taking the files out and doing it there, but he deemed the idea insanely inconvenient and significantly more time wasting.

Martin didn't distract him, at least. If he wasn't sure about something, he put it on a separate pile next to Jon, to let him decide. Jon could appreciate that. He very much liked the rare moments Martin spoke, especially to him, but being able to get into the rhythm of work was great.

Jon enjoyed Martin's company. Even if his legs hurt and they were just sorting files. It was nice.

Needless to say, though, at the end of the day, they were awfully behind still. On a scale, it felt like what they managed was just a speck in a mountain of.. dust. Yeah. Dust. There was so much of it. So much, that Jon felt a Galahad joke on his tongue.

They continued working like that, Jon and Martin in the document storage, Sasha and Tim on the recent files and research. It went smooth. Jon did record one statement that Sasha told him about, but otherwise it was all peaceful. Jon wasn't about to complain about that.

Soon the weekend rolled around, as it turns out, time actually does pass quickly when you do things you somewhat enjoy. Organizing files. Was it weird that Jon enjoyed that? Surely not.

No neurodivergency here. Look somewhere else.

9:24 A.M

To rpg

GOD: hello

GOD: i hope everyone is aware that were meeting today for our first rpg session

GOD: i certainly am aware that i forgot to send anyone my address, literally only brian knows where i live now

GOD: so here

GOD sent a photo.

[Photo ID: A screenshot of google maps with their address.]

Tim: hell yeah

GOD: oh you should change your nicknames here to your character names

GOD: sets the mood i guess

GOD: we always do that

Tim: sure sure

GOD: and thank you all for sending over the character sheets, they were all.. more legible than brians

Joshua: Hey fuck off on my handwriting it's good enough

GOD: what does this say, then

GOD sent a photo.

[Photo ID: A bit of the 'Skills' area. Something was very poorly erased, and a new word was written over it in scribbles. It might, but might not, be starting with D. After that it's illegible.]

Joshua: It says 'Go fuck yourself Kofi'

Tim set his own nickname to Borkle.

GOD: i genuinely cant tell

GOD: even tims was better than yours

Joshua: Tim? Tim's writing is gorgeous obviously it was better than mine

GOD: no i mean this tim not gunpowder tim

Joshua: Ah

Joshua: Makes sense

SashJame set her own nickname to Vosk.

Elizaveta: Oh cause youre a changeling

Elizaveta: Thats brilliant

Vosk: ????

Vosk: does it mean something??

Vosk: i just thought it sounded cool

Elizaveta: …..

Elizaveta: I only forgive you because youre pretty and overall awesome

Elizaveta: Thats wax in russian

Martin: polish too

Elizaveta: You know polish?

Martin: a little

Martin: dont ask me to actually speak it

Martin: but i certanly knew when you called jon a cunt

Jonny: OH I KNEW IT SEEMED FAMILIAR

Jonny: if u said it out loud i would recognize it 100%

Martin: i think youre a little liar

Jonny: am not

Martin set his own nickname to Cedric.

GOD: cool cool very cool

GOD: is 7pm a good hour?

Joshua: Can I smoke at your place

GOD: you know i dont care ask the rest

Borkle: …

Borkle: yuo mean weed right

Borkle: ...will we get high from that

Jonny: as long as theres no nicotine in whatever it is you smoke

Jonny: but i mean you could always just go outside for that

Cedric: you people are some bad influence

Cedric: tim with drinking, now drugs…

Cedric: scandalous

Elizaveta: 7 is fine I think

Jonny and Nastya got there together, though not before Brian. He was giggling about something. Well.. Bad influence, huh. Sasha and Martin arrived together too, via same bus, as always. Tim.. was late. Obviously it's the tube's fault.

But, finally, they were all there.

"Yeah, so, uh. Martin, Tim, Sasha.." He said and then pointed to Marius. "Kofi and Ben. A.k.a Marius and Brian, if you didn't catch up on that yet." Martin nodded. Sasha was already going off complimenting their hair, Tim moving to shake both their hands.

Everything was fine.

They took some time, but soon enough they were setting up for the campaign itself.

"I think we'll start at you all already being in the port of the island. So, why don't each of you tell me how you got there?" Marius said when they were all sat down, character sheets, notebooks and various dice scattered on the table, around what looked like a hand drawn map of a ship.

They did, some having already put more thought into it previously (Nastya, Tim and Martin), the rest just making it up as they go. Though, that's not to say those were bad. Jon really missed the storytelling part of Jonny d'Ville, it would seem.

Everyone got through it smoothly. And it was time for interaction between characters, which Tim in particular was delighted about.

"Okay. You're all gathered in the tavern, now, waiting for the captain'. Well, he was running late, and what else to do in a tavern if not drink and talk? You're all sitting at the same table already." They said and gestured to the rest, letting them take the initiative. "What do you do?"

Jonny speaks first.

"I stand up. And, uh, to the rest-" Jon altered his voice just a tiny bit. "Anyone wanna drink?"

Nastya stayed quiet, though her face suggested that it was entirely in character.

"Ah, I don't really—" Brian started, before Tim interrupted him, high-pitched, squeaky voice.

"Me!! I want!!! He kinda.. points his daggers at Jonny."

"…I regard him.. and leave. He's like 2 centimeters tall. Jonny is almost 3 times taller than him." Tim pouted at that.

In the meantime, Joshua got to talking with Vosk and Cedric. Or rather, to them, as he was talking at such speed and volume that neither of them could even try to outdo him. Elizaveta was sitting there quietly. Well, she just had to get the job done. Earn the money.

Maybe they'll take her back.

They wrapped up the session only about an hour in. Marius figured that it would be a nice place to stop, for a first session, especially that they didn't know these people well yet. Everyone seemed to agree, no matter how disappointed Jonny and Tim were at this being '5 seconds long max'.

They talked some more and packed up to leave. Sasha tried inviting Tim, Martin, Jon and Nastya for a movie night, but halfway through Tim rejecting the offer because of already having plans, she remembered that she also had plans.

So they went back to their respective houses. Nastya and Jonny did end up having a movie night, though.

And when monday came, everyone was still in great moods. Even when they split, as the week before, in pairs to do their jobs.

"Good lord, how much dust can there be?" Jon said when walking into the document storage with Martin, who sneezed, as if on cue. "Bless you. Is what I would have said if I was Galahad. Which wouldn't be that far from reality with all this goddamn dust in here."

Martin snorted. Jon just smiled, proud of himself, and they both got to work.

A few hours have passed like this, until Martin heard cluttering.

"Um. Jon?"

"Yeah?" Jon only half-heartedly replied, focused on the box in front of him.

"D'you hear that?" They both went silent. Jon did hear that, he realized. And then again. His head snapped to the entrance to the tunnels.

"Uhh, Martin. Come back here. Like, get away from the trapdoor, maybe." Martin did, just as the hatch opened, and.. There was no one there. Jon stepped forward. He only thought for about half a second, before deciding. "I'm gonna get down there."

"Wh- Jon! What?! No!"

"Martin, there's someone under my archives. I knew that before, but now I need to know who it is. They.. They could've killed Gertrude. They might be after me next. I need to go down there." Jon just said and turned away, towards the entrance again.

"I- I'm going with you, then." Jon looked back at him.

"What? No, I-" Martin just gave him a raised eyebrow, challenging look. "Fine. Come on. I'll go first."

Jon walked over to the corner of the room first, taking the bag he left there last time he went into the tunnels. Then he went down, Martin watching him do that.

Words couldn't express how much Martin did not want to go down there. But he couldn't just let Jon do it alone. He looked around the room for something of his own, a weapon, maybe, if he was lucky. He didn't find anything.

It didn't take much time to get down there. Following a trail of chalk arrows took longer. Martin found his weapon on their way, though. Well, if a rusty pipe could be counted as a weapon. Finally, the arrows stopped.

"Mr. Sims?" Could be heard from further in the dark. Jon could also hear the click, then whirring of a tape recorder. How come he forgot his own?

ARCHIVIST

Uh.. Yes?

MYSTERY FIGURE

I think it's time we had a talk. Oh!— And who are you?

MARTIN

Uh..

(beat.)

ARCHIVIST

Martin Blackwood, archival assistant. Who are you?

(a beat.)

MYSTERY FIGURE

My name is Jurgen Leitner.

ARCHIVIST

Uh. What.

(beat.)

LEITNER

Do you.. not believe me?

ARCHIVIST

No, I.. I do. I know you're telling the truth. You're just.. Hm. Not what I expected.

MARTIN

Jon, can we.. Get out?

ARCHIVIST

Yes, I would like that too.

LEITNER

I don't think that's wise, I don't know how much time we have..

MARTIN

Tough.

ARCHIVIST

Let's at least get closer to the exit. I do not want to be here for longer than necessary.

LEITNER

I just need your help.

ARCHIVIST

You first. You want my help, you answer my questions. And not here. Agreed?

LEITNER

(hesitating) ..Agreed.

ARCHIVIST

Let's go.

(a beat.)

(footsteps, door creaking)

(chair scraping)

You're in luck. I can see the exit from here, so we can still be in the tunnels.

MARTIN

I'll- hm. (fabric shuffling)

LEITNER

Is that necessary? You think I pose a threat to you?

ARCHIVIST

Hm, yes. Yes we do. Keep it, Martin.

MARTIN

Mhm.

ARCHIVIST

Now.

(zipper, tape recorder is pulled out from the bag)

Statement of Jurgen Leitner. February 16th, 2017. Statement begins.

LEITNER

You're quite like her, you know. Gertrude. I suppose there's no surprise. Anyway, questions?

ARCHIVIST

Right.

ARCHIVIST

This place belongs to one of them, doesn't it?

LEITNER

You know the answer to that.

ARCHIVIST

The Eye.

LEITNER

I have also heard it called Beholding.

ARCHIVIST

And I..

LEITNER

You belong to it, too.

ARCHIVIST

(weaker) And, uh, Martin?

(beat.)

LEITNER

To some extent, yes. Not quite as much as you.

ARCHIVIST

I.. Uh.. I.. I think I need some air.

LEITNER

We don't have time for you to have a breakdown, Archivist.

ARCHIVIST

I'm..

MARTIN

Jon? (clanking of metal as the pipe is set down)

You. Don't do anything. Jon, come on.

(footsteps)

[CLICK]

Martin led Jon out the tunnels, out the room. He was shook too, yes, but really not half as much as Jon. Well, Martin didn't just find out that he's been unknowingly giving himself up to some fear god. And right now, he was focused on calming Jon. He can panic about this all later.

"Tim, uh. Do you.. Still smoke?" Jon's words were slurry, quiet. Weird question to ask in a situation like that, Martin thought.

"No, I quit two years ago. Why?"

"I'm, hm. I need to have a cigarette." Jon went to his office before Martin could grab him again, coming back with said cigarette and a lighter with a web pattern. He moved to go outside, Martin following quickly.

Chapter Text

Jon left. Elias knew that much, even though he still couldn't see the tunnels very well. He probably never would. At least he knew all the passageways leading there. It was his institute, after all, he knew how to go around unnoticed.

But, Jon left, and Elias knew that someone was in there and he did not want anyone living under his institute, it posed too much of a threat. So he went in, swiftly, right as he knew Jon's presence wasn't there anymore, and.. chuckled.

"Well. This is a surprise." He saw the man move to stand up. "Reach for a book and I will kill you." So far he didn't know if he was planning to. But he did acknowledge the pipe Jon left behind. So, he came armed, somewhat. "How much have you told him?"

"..Enough." Elias didn't care for Leitner's hesitation. He needed this to be quick.

"About Gertrude?"

"No. No, I didn't have time." Elias regarded the man. He felt anger bubble up.

"Y'know, I've wondered for so long who it could be down there. Who was helping her. I honestly never would have guessed."

"How did you know I was here?" Foolish.

"I didn't. You're very well hidden. But Jon is not, he has a somewhat.. more apparent presence. He failed to take the same precautions as you, and I keep an eye on my Archivist. So I knew he was talking to someone. And it turns out to be Jurgen Leitner himself." Elias stopped to chuckle and reached for the pipe. He's decided now. "What an honour."

"Elias, please.." Pathetic.

"What did you want from him?" Elias saw him hesitate once more.

"The files. The ones you took from Gertrude."

"Planning a little light arson, are we, Jurgen?" Elias looked at the 'weapon' he was holding. He wondered, why would Jon choose this to take with him.

"It's not just the institute and you know it. They had everything she had found on the Stranger."

"Hm, yes, I know. It's, um.. what do they call it?" Well, Elias thinks, it is at least suitable enough. Will do just fine.

"The Unknowing." Disgusting little librarian who thinks he knows what's going on. He isn't even close. Elias chuckles.

"Creativity never was their forte."

"You of all people should want to stop them." Elias glared at Leitner. What does he know? Who does he think he is.

"And we will. But I don't think we'll need your help."

"And what's.. he going to think when he gets back?" Elias ignored the way the man emphasized the 'he'. He was irritated. Can you blame him, really?

"Well, he was always going to need to fly the nest at some point." Elias breathed an annoyed laugh. "Go out and see the world for himself."

"He might die." Smartass.

"It's always a danger." Elias said, tightening his hold on the pipe. "Almost always."

Jurgen Leitner seemed to know what will come next. Is Elias this much of an obvious man? He gripped the makeshift weapon with his both hands now.

"Elias, it doesn't have to be like th—"

I think we all know what happened next. I shan't say the words.

"Thank you, Martin. Really, I've been clean for five years now, but that.. If it wasn't for you.. I'd probably fall back." Jon said, tiredly, as they headed back to the room and down into the tunnels. Martin nodded.

Martin went first, and so he saw the scene first. He yelped, stepping back instinctively, shoving Jon, who just got down as well, though lightly. Well, Martin thought, if he knew this would happen, maybe that cigarette would not be such a big deal. Hell, he could use one too, now. And he never even smoked before.

It felt unreal. How does someone even deal with this? Why does he always have to find dead people?

"Jon— Jon we need to leave. W-we need Tim and Sasha and leave." Martin wasn't even sure Jon could understand his babble. He realized however, that as Jon saw Leitner's skull, cracked open, the bloody pipe laying beside him, he had a similar train of thought.

He grabbed Martin, going back, making him go first. He went into the common room, eyes frantic, as were his moves, and still gripping Martin's sleeve.

"Get up. Both of you. We need to leave. Like, now." When the two just stared at him, Jon went over and slammed Sasha's laptop shut. "We're leaving." He said, voice raised now, and dragged Martin after him. Tim and Sasha looked at each other, then at Martin, and promptly got up.

They followed Jon out, then to the parking lot. They watched him look around, no one daring to say a word, until Jon led them to a seemingly random car, finally letting go of Martin's sleeve.

"Jon, what—"

Jon interrupted Sasha, instead shoving his phone into Tim's hands.

"Call Ashes. The code is 2007." He looked at the car, intently.

"Really, boss, your birthday—"

"Call Ashes, Tim. I'm not going to say that twice." Jon's voice was demanding. Tim thought, if he wasn't scaring them all right now, it might've been a bit hot.

So Tim did, not paying attention to what Jon was doing, while Martin was trying to get enough words out to try explaining anything to Sasha. Until Ashes picked up and Tim had to speak again.

"They picked up, uh— Jon what are you doing?"

"Stealing a car. Put them on speaker." Sasha was about to protest, but Jon was already speaking into the phone. "I fucking hope you're at work now. There's a dead man and I'm pretty sure my boss killed him. I'm also stealing a car right now but I'm only telling you that so you steer clear of me. Get in"

He said the last part to his coworkers, who stared at him in shock.

"Yes, I'm reporting a murder, Basira, no, I'm not going to call the main number. If you're already a cop then do your fucking job." Jon paused, listening for an answer, phone against his ear now, as his friends got into the old car. He got behind the wheel. It took him another while to actually start the car. Even if he did choose an old one so it would be easier, he's still hasn't done that in ages.

"No, no way the guy could walk again. No, I know that for sure. Yes, I do. All of us, yeah. Yes, we're just leaving, I just gotta.." Right as he was saying that, the engine started. "Yes, we're leaving now."

He hung up and called Georgie.

"Jon? What's up? You never call me, you hate—"

"Emergency. There's four of us and, uh, I stole a car." Jon somehow sounded sheepish about that.

"I— Okay. Are all of you fine?"

"We are, yeah. Though, Elias killed someone. We are all okay, though." Tim could not take it anymore. He was having a nice goddamn day, talking with Sasha while Jon and Martin were supposed to do.. whatever they did in that document storage, things finally got better after that damned worm woman, and..

And instead, he was sitting in a stolen car, because Jon apparently knows how to do that, and they were ditching work now, after finding out that apparently.. wait, what?!

"What the fuck do you mean Elias killed a man?!" Tim yelled, grabbing the seat in front of him.

"I— I'll see you, Georgie." Jon hang up and turned his attention to Tim, as much as he could while still staying focused on the road. "I'll tell you everything. We just needed to get out of there. Elias killed Gertrude. And now Jurgen Leitner. Yes, the librarian." He said, noticing Sasha was about to interrupt. "He was living under the institute for a long time. And, uh. Actually, I got.. um. Scared. I didn't know if it was safe, if we weren't next, me and Martin, since we were down there with Leitner, and then you two and I couldn't—"

"Okay. Stop, Jon. That's enough. For now. Tim, breathe, please." Sasha took Tim's hand and squeezed it, hard. Tim tried to. He really did. He focused on the pressure on his skin.

It didn't take long before Jon stopped the car, looking around before getting out, gesturing them to go with him. He led them up the stairs and, once again, didn't have to knock before Georgie opened the door.

"Gods fucking damn it. Of course I finally meet your friends and it's in these circumstances." She stepped back, letting the four get in.

"You're…"

"Yes, Georgie Barker. Jon's apparently moral support. Which I did not agree to."

"Jon, why did I not know that your ex Georgie was literally What the Ghost Georgie Barker." Sasha didn't really say it as a question.

"Uh. You didn't ask?"

"I'll be the one asking things now, what the hell happened?" Georgie asked instead, motioning them all to sit on the couch.

"No, first I need to know something. Jon how the hell do you know how to steal a car?" Tim asked. Focusing on the laughable aspects of the situation will make it easier to bear. He knew it from experience.

"Oh. Uhm. I was a teenager with a.. slightly skewed idea of 'punk'.. I do like to think that only slightly." Jon looked at his hands as he said that. Everything that happened and he's ashamed of stealing a car.

"Hm. Makes sense. Of course you used to be punk."

"I mean—" Jon fully intended to go off about how punk was a belief system and not something he 'used to be'. Georgie, however noticed that and stopped him before he went on a rant.

"Jon. What happened. From the beginning, please."

"Oh shit, Nas is going to kill me. Uh. Yes. Beginning. Elias told me to organize the document storage in the archives, which is the room that the entrance to the tunnels is in. And, uh, Sasha, or Tim suggested that someone helps with that, so there's two people working on that and two on the most recent stuff. I chose Martin, because he was the most unlikely to cause me any distraction." Georgie rolled her eyes at this, but she didn't interrupt.

"That was last week, and it's been going fine, until someone just- Uh. Opened the trapdoor from the inside. And.. Well, you know me. I needed to know. Especially with, well, the Gertrude thing. I've told you about that."

"Yes, you did. Go on."

"So, Martin said I can't go alone, but I insisted on going so he went with me, and.. Fuck, the pipe. It's gonna have your fingerprints—" Jon said, looking at Martin, but cut himself off. "But, wait, go on, yes. Uh. There were arrows, so we followed them and there was a man and said it's time we talked. He said he was Jurgen Leitner. And, um. Before any of you imply that, I know he wasn't lying. I don't know how, either, but I know he was telling the truth."

He stopped for a moment, but nobody dared to speak. So he continued.

"So, I took his statement. Kind of. I mostly just asked him stuff. There's.. it's gonna be very hard to explain, so I'll leave that for after the 'what happened'. But, uh. He believes Elias was the one who killed Gertrude. He said that and I knew it was true. And- Hm."

"There's evil fear gods and Jon serves one of them. We all do, but him especially." It seemed that Martin shocked even himself, being so straightforward.

"..Yes. Yes, thank you, Martin. What he said. And I- I needed some air and we left for a short while, and when we were back, we, we found him. And it was Elias, I know it was Elias. Especially that he killed Gertrude too, because she wanted to burn down the archives. And Leitner posed a threat so he just killed him too. And.. honestly, all this.. All on automatic. I.. Don't have a driving license and I haven't drove a car since.. uh."

"Since you were 19 and crashed a stolen one, yes. Okay. What do we do?" Georgie was strategic, calm. Weirdly calm, actually, but Jon appreciated that in her. He always had.

"Can I, uh. Can I panic?" Jon asked and, really, he meant it as a joke. But his voice wavered, all that happened catching up to him, as if waiting for one last trigger to be released all at once.

"Yes." That was all he needed. He buried his face in his palms, pushing his glasses up on his head. He let out a shaky breath and let tears fall on his fingers.

He heard fabric moving, someone reaching a hand towards him, but as he braced for touch, it didn't come. He was glad. He didn't have to look to know that it was Martin who wanted to try and comfort him, and Georgie who wordlessly stopped him, knowing that it does the exact opposite for Jon.

Jon took a long moment like this and everyone else stayed quiet. When he finally raised his head, adjusting back to the light, he suddenly came to a realization. It wasn't that he didn't realize that before, but it made sense now, with all Leitner told him.

"Nikola isn't human. It- It serves a different thing, it has to. Th.. It makes sense now, it.."

"Why don't you tell us about that, too?" Georgie stopped him.

"I don't know enough. It, it won't make sense— I have to call Nastya. She's at our flat, she-" Jon's phone started buzzing in his pocket. He took it out, looking at the caller ID. "Oh, she's already calling."

"Speaker?" Jon nodded at that. He did so, after picking up.

"..Nas?"

"Jonny. Jon there is police here and it is not Basira, but she claims to know them and she called you archivist once. What the hell happened?"

"Can she hear me?"

"No, she went back to the car for a second."

"Don't tell her where I am. Actually, tell her I didn't pick up at all. I'll tell you everything, but she cannot find me."

"Jon. Really. I thought we were past this." Jon could hear the eye roll Nastya gave him.

"Nas, this is more serious than trespassing and stealing cars. I'll tell you later."

"Okay. I trust you." And she hung up. Immediately after, Ashes called.

"Oh, fucksake—" Jon picked up, again putting the phone on speaker.

"I sent Daisy to your flat cause I knew you're anywhere but there. She thinks it's you, but she's only going to interview Elias tomorrow. If anyone asks Georgie, she haven't heard from you since you two broke up, and you do not go out right now."

Jon suddenly realized that Ashes knows what they're doing. He nods, mostly to himself.

"The fact that suddenly all archival staff is gone doesn't help at all. But she'll figure something out. I mean— we will. Hopefully I manage to convince Daisy that you didn't go on a killing spree and murder all your friends as well."

"I.. didn't, just for the record."

"I know, you arse. I gotta go. Daisy heard 'he didn't pick up' and she's mad." At that, they hung up.

Jon sighed. Just as things were finally good..

"Boss what the hell do we do now. I mean, we can't all stay here, but, you're on the run, apparently, and now we all are too—"

"I'm sorry. For that. You wouldn't be, but Martin was already with me and I couldn't leave you two if that meant risking anything happening to you two, I.. Sorry. I panicked and overreacted." Tim was stunned. Jon really was an idiot, wasn't he? Sasha spoke, instead, seemingly thinking the same thing as he did.

"Jon.. You literally left a man alive in a room for five minutes and when you came back, he was dead. Obviously the first thing you'd do is get to safety. And it is only a good thing that you care enough to get us there, too. Even if you did scare me a little."

"Sorry. And, of course I care, we're.. We're friends." Jon knew Georgie was about to make a snide remark and he kicked her in the shin.

"Fucker— Hey, this is my goddamn house!" Jon was pretty sure that was supposed to be a reference. A reference to what, he didn't know. "But, all seriousness, I'll let you all stay here, at least for today. After that, we'll see. Let's hope all this won't take too long. Be glad I have a guest room, too. I have no damn idea how you'll fit."

"Oh, last time Jon, Tim and Martin just took the couch, banishing me and Nastya to Jon's bedroom, so they might as well take the couch again."

Tim elbowed Sasha, Martin went red. Jon really was about to be offended, except, something didn't stick..

"Didn't that mean there were two free beds?" He said. There was a pause. "Yeah, we.. we slept on the couch so both my bed and Nastya's bed were free. You.. did not have to sleep in one bed."

"…. This is slander. I have no idea what you're talking about." Sasha wondered, how it happened that neither of them realized they didn't have to share that bed. Especially that she thought Nastya dreaded having to do so.

"Good, then. That means there's no problem. I mean, there's food, clothes.. the fact that Jon is probably wanted for murder he didn't commit and all of you will be officially declared missing tomorrow and that makes me very much vulnerable to awful police stuff, but.. Yeah, there's no problem."

Turns out they did not have to wait for something to happen for too long. The next day, a package was delivered. It didn't have a return address, but.. It was a bunch of statements. Jon knew they were for him. Especially that soon after, he got a text from Elias saying 'You have a month' with a winky face?

"Is he trying to pin the murder on me? He's not even trying to be subtle about it." Jon said. It was somewhat of a shock, with how semi-normal Elias has been before. A little weird and definitely creepy, but.. normal.

"To be fair, he probably doesn't know how to use a private number. Old men tend to be like that." Tim joked. Really, in the heart of being maybe wanted for murder and hiding from cops, jokes are all you need.

"He's not that old though, is he? It's not like he's 200 years old."

"The question is does he have a bloody red soul?"

"Definitely, Tim." Jon rolled his eyes but smiled. Yes, let's not take these very serious happenings seriously. Especially that it was 7 in the morning and everyone besides him and Tim were still asleep. Jon felt a comfort of sorts to see that both their coping mechanisms was humour (and getting burrowed in work, though Jon didn't know that about Tim yet).

Well, Jon did have work, though. And a big amount of it, too. He decided to call Nastya first, get her to come over so he can explain things. He knew she wouldn't be asleep. She always woke up at diabolically early hours.

And sure enough, she picked up.

"Leave me alone." It was muffled, a sniffle could be heard.

"Uh. Nas?"

"No."

"Are you crying?"

"Fuck off."

"Nastya. Are you reading Crime and Punishment again and crying over it?"

"I- I really love Dunya, she's too good to everyone. No one deserves her." Jon snorted. "сука, don't laugh at me."

"Fine. Can you cry over her here? I still gotta tell you everything." He hesitated. "And when Sasha wakes up, I'm almost sure I saw her reading Carmilla once."

"You're joking."

"Am not."

"A woman after my own heart."

"Sure."

"Homophobe. 20 minutes." Nastya hung up.

Jon figured that, in the meantime, he might as well start working on the pile of statements. He only had a month, and considering that usually he spent a week on one statement, suddenly having several for such a short period of time felt like.. well, overdosing. He wondered if he really could manage. He felt the pull, but it was not stronger than the fatigue after reading a statement.

"Hm, I wonder though.." Jon muttered to himself, half burying his face in his hands. "I still need to get my own statement on tape and Nas might take less than 20 minutes and I never know how long the other statements are.. Fine."

Tim, from the kitchen, only looked to him, making sure Jon's muttering to himself and not to Tim, as that would need an answer. Which Tim really did not want to have to give. He needed to think over what happened.

They're on the run. Because someone, probably Elias, killed the Jurgen Leitner. And then Jon stole a car. And so the four of them are staying in Georgie's house. Georgie being Georgie Barker of What the Ghost?, which is just as insane as Jon stealing a car.

"Statement of Jonathan Sims, Head Archi.. hm. Former Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute, London.." Tim could hear, though just barely. He hadn't heard the click of the tape recorder either, but then again, he never was that sound sensitive. "Regarding a childhood encounter with a book formerly possessed by Jurgen Leitner."

What?

Oh, shit. Jon did imply it, before.

Was Tim really not the only one who came to work at the Institute because something weird happened to him?

And Tim was theoretically only the witness, even if that meant losing his brother, was.. Was Jon the victim? Tim never liked eavesdropping (that's a lie), but he couldn't stop himself. He needed to know if maybe, just maybe, he wasn't the only one.

Chapter Text

Just as Jon was about to say 'statement ends', there was a knock on the door. He startled, hard. So did Tim, who found himself deeply engrossed in Jon's experience. Poor timing, really. Tim could see the pure terror on Jon's face and, really, he sympathized.

Tim couldn't imagine, nor did he want to, what his reaction would be if he was talking about what happened with Danny, and something just so similar happening right on cue, it..

In any way, he stepped out of the kitchen, startling Jon a second time. He offered an empathetic smile and went to open the door. It was Nastya, seemingly thrown off guard, not expecting to see him.

"Uh. You're here too?"

"We all are." Nastya gave a small 'huh'. "Jon was just recording something, he's.." Tim just pointed behind him and let her through.

"Hello." Jon's voice was raspy and quiet, still startled from his statement being interrupted. In such an inconvenient way, too.

"You look like shit."

"Like you can talk. You cried over Raskolnikov."

"Not Rodya though, I couldn't care less about the fuckwad. I mourn my wife Dunechka. They didn't deserve her. Besides, I'm on HRT. It makes me just cry for no reason sometimes." She said, sitting down beside him. "Now, talk."

It took some time to explain. It was complicated, messy, and Jon tried very hard to explain what happened without letting emotion seep through his words. When he finished, Nastya looked as if about to start praying. She didn't though, because Sasha got out from the guest room. Nastya lit up when she saw her, almost as if she's entirely forgotten what Jon just told her. He rolled his eyes.

Jon wondered, how Martin managed to sleep through them talking and his statement, since he was still sleeping on the couch where he shared it with Jon and Tim the night before. The couch, when pulled out, was quite big and they fit there just comfortably enough (not that it mattered, as the three of them were all awfully touch starved and ended up, at least to some extent, all pressed together).

What mattered, was that Nastya was up to date now. She still trusted him. Probably planned to help, somehow. Jon stood up and went to the kitchen, joining Tim.

"Tea?"

"Hm? No, thank you, Tim. I'll.. wait for Martin to get up, first." Jon said, and Tim smirked.

"Well, that won't be a problem." Tim took a breath, presumably about to shout Martin's name, but Jon smacked him in the stomach, making him lose said breath.

"Don't be an ass."

"Oh, but I'm a fine piece of it." Jon snorted. He quickly got more serious, though.

"He deserves to sleep after.. well, snapping me out of whatever state I was in when I saw Leitner." He paused. "I'm not sure I'd be able to take another step if he wasn't there."

Tim thought about it. He quite wished someone was there to snap him out when he saw that.. thing with Danny. Maybe he would be able to save him, then, just like Jon was able to act quickly. He chuckled, though it sounded to his own ears like a panicked sob.

Funny, how this was Georgie's house once. Like, maybe two days ago even. Now, Martin was sleeping through possibly every sound possible, Jon and Tim half joked — half had a heart to heart in her kitchen and Nastya was discussing something with Sasha animatedly.

"I swear, like, I get that he wrote it as a somehow precautionary tale to not be a lesbian, which is ridiculous in itself, but considering that that's what he meant to write, he did a fucking awful job with it. Not that I'm complaining. I love the way he wrote it, I wanna rip my own heart out when I think of that book."

"I.. couldn't have said it better myself. I, uh.." Sasha pulled the collar of her shirt down, just under her collarbone tattooed the words 'Darling, darling. I live in you and you would die for me. I love you so.' Nastya stared at her with wide eyes. "It was between that or, uh, 'But to die as lovers may—"

"To die together so that they may live together'. Hm. Yes. I like that one, too." Nastya's voice had a haze to it, and Sasha quickly released her shirt, letting it fall back. They both went silent, Sasha a little red in the face.

"Good lord, Tim, my sister is flirting with my employee. That has to be illegal." Jon paused. "Wait. Weren't you and Sasha, uh.."

Tim only looked at him incredulously, half-smile challenging him to go on.

"Well, y'know. Didn't you use to talk about her a lot, back in research?"

"Hm, yes.. Good times. Back when I had any goddamn taste in people. I'd—"

The Admiral jumped up on the counter. He was cooped up somewhere for the most part of the previous day, understandably so, but it was nice to see him come out. Even if just so he can get food.

"Oh, hello, sir!" Jon immediately turned his whole attention to the cat. "Now, way I hear it, you did not get breakfast yet. I shall bring this up with the fine lady of the house at once!" He pet the cat and left Tim in the kitchen, going to see if Georgie was awake.

Tim was left with the cat who stared at him intently.

"He's such a dumbass, I know. Please don't eat me, though. You look like you know things we don't."

Martin stirred on the couch, immediately going to rub sleep off his eyes. He sat up just as Jon was coming back and going to feed the cat.

"Why did no one wake me?" He asked, words slurred together, the question only pointed at the two people in the kitchen (considering Nastya and Sasha were back to discussing sapphic vampires).

"Jon insisted you need sleep."

"You did! You fell asleep after we both did, so you might as well wake up after us." Jon protested. "And, well, with everything that happened. You needed rest."

Martin hummed in response, a short, noncommittal sound.

"Tea? Jon wanted to wait for you." Tim said after a moment of silence. "Really, he just doesn't want my tea."

"Can you blame me? You know I like Martin's tea better." Tim scoffed dramatically.

Martin felt warm in his chest. Right this moment, Georgie emerged from her room.

"He really does. Be glad you haven't seem him grumpy and complaining cause it's the weekend and he didn't get his precious 'Mahtin tea'."

"Georgie!!" Jon turned away from them all entirely. Georgie went to the kitchen to make something for breakfast, smiling.

"I'm gonna have to go get groceries today." She said, examining her fridge.

"Oh. Right, yes, I'll pay you everything back. Just tell me how much I owe you."

"Sure."

Silence fell, except for Nastya and Sasha, still discussing.. whatever it was they were talking about, now.

"Shouldn't we all split it, actually?"

"I- I'll handle it. It's my fault you all can't sleep at your own homes, I can at least do this much." Tim shrugged.

"I mean, you didn't kill the man. Soo, not your fault."

"I didn't stop him dying, either." Jon's response was quiet. Tim barely heard it, but when he did, sympathy again overtook him. He wanted so bad to say that he understands, knows what Jon is feeling. He couldn't form the words.

Instead he dramatically patted Jon's back, which earned him a chuckle. Like it should.

"I'm.. gonna go record a statement. I have quite a lot to deal with." Jon said when he finally got his tea.

"C'mon, Jon. You're basically a missing person's case and you're still a workaholic. You did one already today."

"Tim, he said I have a month. The statements, they're.. draining. I need to try to pace myself to manage in time- You heard my statement?"

Tim went quiet.

"I- I was in the kitchen. It was hard not to hear you. Sorry."

"Hm." Jon hesitated, looking at the floor. "It's fine."

And he left for the now empty guest room, taking the tape recorder and the first statement from the pile with him.

The day passed somewhat normally, so did the next one. Georgie excused herself now to edit an episode ("Gods have mercy on me, Jon I cannot deal with this shit.") and Nastya left early the previous day, actually having to go to work. The four just hung out in the living room the majority of time.

"This is just like skipping work to have a long sleepover instead." Tim said.

"Yes, except we are probably officially missing and I'm most likely wanted for murder."

"Oh, by the way, Nastya didn't seem to surprised that the police is asking for you. Neither did Georgie. Soo.. Sharing is caring, Jon." Sasha nudged him.

"Do I have to?" Jon rolled his eyes. Martin nodded. Jon sighed.

There was a doorbell.

"Ha! Not anymore. I am so awfully sorry, but there seems to be someone at the door. It means that, unfortunately, I cannot further indulge in this conversation." Jon stood up.

"You think your better than us, with all your big words?" Tim mocked him.

"Maybe." He said with a teasing smirk and went over to open the door. "Uh. Basira?"

"I'm not a cop." They said, quickly, not even looking Jon in the eye.

"Sorry? I don't—"

"I quit. Already have when you called, but if I told you that then you'd panic so I called Daisy and told her all she needed to know without telling me where I got the info from, though I think she knew. Especially when she went over to the institute and there was nobody there, she would've ditched it if she wasn't so thorough, cause you didn't say where the body was. She's—"

"Pause. Stop. You quit?" Ashes didn't say anything. They nodded. "Good."

"Hm."

"Though, that does mean Daisy is without a partner on this case and will probably do anything to pin it on me, and I doubt she even needs much actual evidence." Jon paused, the words dripping with disgust of that reality.

"Elias insists it's not you, though. And that you'll be back soon, all of you. Daisy said there's an 'in renovation' notice on the Archive door. He said he knows where you all are, and wouldn't tell her."

"Really? Huh. Besides, why are you telling me all this? Isn't that like, confidential?"

"You really think Daisy would care about that?" They paused, and Jon shrugged. He didn't ask about what Daisy would think. "Elias did something. She wouldn't tell me much, but he, uh. Told her her statement? Like, things he couldn't possibly know, and he just told her what happened to her, not, not like normal statement, but the other way around and he refused to cooperate at all."

"Why, um. Again, why are you telling me this? She never liked me, now she probably hates me, I don't think she'd like me knowing."

"I don't know, Jon. Uh. I don't know."

Jon just pulled them inside and hugged them. Not for long, but it was enough for Ashes.

"Thanks."

"HEY! How come I never got a Jon hug?!" Tim yelled from the couch, startling them both.

"You never deserved it." Tim made a dramatic gasp.

"Yeah, you gotta work for it, man. I've known him for like 5 years before I got my first hug." Ashes said, their whole demeanor changed now. They stepped further into the house. "This place is seems so small with you all here. You guys manage?"

Martin didn't comment on how he got his Jon hug much earlier than 5 years of knowing him.

"We've only been here for two days, and we didn't really have the choice."

"Hm...Does Georgie manage?"

"She says she does, but you know her. I'm trying to find another solution but, uh. As it turns out, none of us have any family even remotely close. Or willing to take any of us in."

"I mean.."

"Fuck off, dead jokes are reserved for me." He flipped them off.

"Where's the cat?"

"With Georgie. I don't think he likes this many people around."

"Then I'm gonna leave. Really, I just came here to tell you that." And fact was, they didn't even take their coat off. "My flat is tiny, but.. Hm. Tim doesn't know you all so he's out of the question but, didn't you guys start a campaign with Marius? They have a somewhat big house."

Jon considered it.

"Maybe. I'll have to.. Talk it over with people." He sighed.

"Scandalous, I know." And they left.

Everyone was silent for a moment. Then, Jon groaned.

"Lord, I hate having to talk to people." Tim laughed at this, Sasha soon joining him.

"We know, Jon."

"…Can't I just text them?"

He didn't wait for an answer.

7:11 P.M

To Dead not Gone

First mate: yo @bullied into getting a degree

First mate: question

bullied into getting a degree: yeah

First mate: how would u like inviting me n ur newest friends into ur home

bullied into getting a degree: like what for another session

bullied into getting a degree: i didnt finish preparing yet, besides why didnt you ask on the other chat then

First mate: no

First mate: cs like were like kinda missing

First mate: kinda hiding from cops

bullied into getting a degree: what

assigned cop at birth: jonny you fucking dumbass?

assigned cop at birth: oh yeah im wanted for murder let me just tell everyone on messenger

assigned cop at birth: just tell the entire world will you

First mate: hey U TOLD ME to ask them

assigned cop at birth: this couldve been a phonecall???

First mate set the nickname for Basira Hussain to ashes of a cop

First mate set the nickname for Kofi Young to what tendencies im an artist

First mate: no it couldnt

what tendencies im an artist: i wouldnt have picked up and you know that

ashes of a cop: this is so fucking idiotic

ashes of a cop: thank god i dont have to deal with this anymore

First mate: o yea @everyone ashes is no longer a cop

ashes of a cop: and you are no longer an archivist cause the cops are after you

strange and unusual: Oh, That Isn't True At All!!

strange and unusual: Jonny Will Always Be The Archivist Until He Becomes The Archive!!

First mate: can u stop

strange and unusual: Not Really!!

First mate: atp js fuck off

powdered tim: wiat what did we msis

powdered tim: why are oyu beaing mean to ts

shipkisser: Oh nothing it just kidnapped him

shipkisser: Just usual normal stuff

powdered tim: waht

strange and unusual: I Really Do Need That Skin :o(!!

First mate: js stay away from me i dont gaf what u do as long as u dont hurt me or my friends

strange and unusual: I Need To Fulfill My Purpose!!

strange and unusual: And You Are Inevitably A Part Of That Purpose!!

"Jon?" Tim startled Jon out of staring at his phone, lost in thought. "What did they say?"

"I, uh. Made the mistake of texting the group chat. I don't know why. But, uh, Nikola.." His phone dinged. "Oh. Kofi said they'd be okay with having me and you guys over, at least for some time. Lord, this is awful. I hate relying on people like this." Jon muttered the last part, so quiet that only Martin heard him.

"Jon!" Georgie yelled from her room.

"Yes, Georgie?" He watched her open the door and step out, holding something clasped between her hands.

"Get away. Big spider, my window got stuck." Jon winced and pulled himself into the corner of the couch immediately.

"Ew, ew, ew, ew, ew." He muttered. Tim would even laugh, if the memory of Jon's statement wasn't still fresh in his mind. He really couldn't blame him.

"Isn't it raining?" Said Martin, though quietly enough that Georgie couldn't hear him.

"Martin, there are spiders outside already, he's not gonna be lonely."

Georgie went to go back into her room before Jon stopped her.

"Georgie. We'll get out of your hair tomorrow. Kofi said they can take us in for a few days."

"Hm." She considered him. "And after that?"

"And after that.. I don't know. We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

"That's okay. If you need to come back after that for another day or two, call me."

"Thanks, Georgie. You're too good."

"I am. But also, not really. Xenia." And she left to get back to her work.

They stayed silent for a while.

"God, I hate this." Jon said, getting three agreeing hums in response. "It's getting late. I may.. try to do another statement, maybe. Unless you want to go to bed, Sasha?"

"You can go ahead. If you're sure. I've seen the way you are after statements and you're trying to get as much of them done as quickly as possible. That can't be good for you."

"Yes, well, serving an evil eye god isn't good for me either. I—" He paused, seeing their expressions. "Sorry. I..I know we are all in this, we're all affected. I'll call Nas and ask her to bring over some clothes, if you'd like."

"Oh, please. I'm begging. I need to sleep in a fresh shirt." Sasha said, actually putting her hands together. Jon laughed quietly. He called Nastya as he grabbed another statement, going to the guest room and closing the door.

"Jonny." She sounded annoyed.

"Hello, my beautiful sister."

"Jonny I came over yesterday I am not coming again already."

"Please, we need clothes. You'll get to give Sasha a goodnight kiss."

"I'm hanging up."

"Nas, please, I'm begging you, I need a clean shirt."

"Why. You don't shower anyway."

"I do fucking shower! And unlike you I use soap and not shit, bring us clothes." Nastya hung up. Jon sighed. He knew she'd bring the clothes over anyway.

"Alright. Let's see.." He muttered to himself and looked over the statement before clicking the tape recorder on. "Statement of an unknown figure, regarding an encounter that.. may or may not have happened in their home."

Chapter Text

Jon finished the statement. His throat felt dry, eyes stinging and head swooning. Speeding the pace up so rapidly really wasn't good for him. But he wasn't about to ask the rest to record any, he wasn't going to let them be affected so much as he was.

He stood up, slowly, trying not to fall over and went back into the living room.

"Jesus, Jon! Are you okay?" Sasha asked, already walking over to him. Jon held himself up on her shoulder.

"Yes, uh.." He cleared his throat. "I'm okay, just tired."

Jon watched as Tim stood up, nudging Martin to help him with the couch. He was grateful. He really wanted nothing more than to bury his face in his pillow, on his own bed.. But this was just fine. Better than fine, when you're as exhausted as he was then.

There was a knock on the door and Sasha went over to open it while Jon sat on the now pulled out couch.

"Oh. Hi." Nastya said when Sasha opened the door. They stared at eachother for a few seconds, before Nastya snapped out of it. "Right. Uh. Clothes."

"Thanks."

"Mhm."

Jon rolled his eyes. They could just kiss and get it over with.

"Give me the damn clothes, Nas. I want to go to sleep."

"At this hour?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.

"I'm not 19 anymore, you know. And the statements drain me."

"…Is that because of the evil eye power?"

"Hm. I don't know… Yeah, it is."

"What, just.."

"Yeah, I just knew. I can do that now, apparently. I didn't really notice before."

"I mean, cause you're a nerd. You already know tons of useless trivia that you don't even know when you learned. So it's, like, barely anything new."

"At least for now, yes. It's just small things. I hope it stays that way." Nastya hummed in response.

"Yeah. I'll be off. I just came here to give you the clothes." She looked at Sasha while she said that, hopeful look in her eyes, though even she didn't know what she hoped for.

"Yes.." Sasha nodded. "Goodnight, Nastya." It was quiet, almost a whisper.

"Goodnight, Sasha." Nastya responded in a similiar manner and left. Sasha stood there staring after her, until Tim cleared his throat loudly (and quite theatrically).

"So.. Anything to tell us?" He said, wiggling an eyebrow.

"Wh- what? No! I.. Why would you even think— Like you're any better!! Or Martin, I don't hear you teasing him!" She got agitated, though it was obvious she wasn't genuinely upset.

"He does, though. A lot." Martin said and Tim nodded frantically.

"And I actually do something about it."

"No you don't." Sasha and Martin told him in unison. Tim gaped (dramatically).

Jon was lost. Not about Sasha's thing, obviously, but he did not expect both Tim and Martin to be, well, pining for anyone. Especially Tim, who really seemed more like a one night stand prefering guy. It did make him just a bit jealous of whoever it was that occupied their thoughts, for reasons he won't even try to identify (not because he's unable, but because he's stubborn).

He curled up on the couch, only partially listening in on their conversation. He didn't fight his eyes closing, letting sleep slowly overtake him. It was good to have company, background noise, he thought. It felt safe not to be alone, even if he was really just a side bit to their relationship, not a real part of it. As long as they were safe, it was fine. And, well, he had Nastya. She wouldn't just leave him, no matter what. Right?

Jon falls asleep and does not notice them lowering their voices, trying not to wake him up. He does not notice being covered with a blanket either, or his glasses being taken off and set aside. Doesn't notice the care all of this was done with.

Jon wakes up with a start, seemingly having had a nightmare. He doesn't remember it, he never does. He remembers the fear, though, and it lingers. He's sure everyone else is still asleep, until he sees Georgie in the kitchen. He gets up, manouvering around Tim and Martin, trying his hardest not to wake them up.

"Hey." Jon whispered, and Georgie nodded at him, looking extremely tired. "Couldn't sleep?"

"Mhm. If I wasn't already insomniac, it would be the Admiral's fault. He's been hopping around the whole night."

"Hm." They stayed quiet for a while, Jon making tea for himself. "So.."

"Mhm?"

"Heard anything from Melanie?" He asked, though not looking up from his mug.

"Melanie? Why?" Georgie raised her eyebrow at him.

"She.. She went to India? I though you'd know—"

"No, of course I know! Just, why are you interested?"

Jon stopped stirring his tea to think about it. Why was he interested, actually?

"Hm. Not sure. But, well, she did seem to at least tolerate me a bit more, last time she came to give a statement." He paused. "Though, she did call me a, uh.. 'pompous prick', I think were her words."

"Yeah, she probably did." Georgie said. "And, I mean, you kinda are."

"Am not!" Jon protested, just a bit too loudly. He snapped his head to look at the couch, to see if either Tim or Martin woke up.

"No, you used to not be. Now you definitely are."

"Hmph. But, well, she is.. enthusiastic, about certain things. I actually, hm—" Jon chuckled, "I actually seemed to share her excitement about one thing, when she came to the institute last time."

"Mm, would make sense. She really is actually interested in what she does. Moreso than me, I'd sometimes thing. And you're a proper nerd, so.."

"..Yeah, you have a type, or so it seems—" Georgie smacked Jon in the back of his head.

"She's back though, since you asked."

"Oh! Did she tell you how it went?"

"She got shot." Jon was stunned.

"But.. she survived?"

"I hope so, I'm going out with her on Thursday. Be a bit awkward if not."

"Right."

"I'd take you along but, y'know, wanted for murder and all that."

"What a brilliant remark from the piercing investigative mind of Georgie Barker." Jon said, rolling his eyes. "Is she alright?"

"As alright as she can be, she's had a hell of a time. Figured the least I could do was get her drunk and listen to her bitch about the new job."

"Oh, she found something?"

"Yeah, didn't say what though. I think she was a bit embarrassed, said all her supposed coworkers are gone for the time being."

"Really— Oh, please tell me she's not working in the archives."

Georgie stopped what she was doing, staring at the floor.

"Gods fucking damn it." She said it just a bit too loud, waking Tim. "Sorry." She said to him and left for her room to start working early.

"Oh. What happened?" Tim asked Jon, raking fingers through his own hair.

"I.. think Melanie got a job in the archives."

"King? Melanie King? Short, angry, youtube Melanie?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, shit. She's gonna have a terrible time." Tim stood up and went over to the kitchen as well.

"Tim, come on."

"What?"

"Trousers?" Tim looked at his bare legs. Then he shrugged.

"Eh. Just two of us here, boss. And besides, we just slept together."

"You mistake being forced to sleep next to eachother with sleeping together."

"Only slightly." Jon rolled his eyes.

"Majorly, actually."

"So.." Tim took a breath. "Are you- Hm. I heard your statement."

Jon took a second to respond.

"..Yes, I'm aware."

"Are you.. okay? With that?" Jon shrugged.

"Not like I can do anything about it."

"I- I wouldn't mention it, I promise, but.. Don't feel bad about what happened. To that boy, I mean. It's not your fault." Jon sucked in a sharp breath. "You were just a kid."

Jon clenched his teeth, hard. It hurt. It was better than feeling anything about what Tim just said.

"Sorry." Tim said, noticing Jon's reaction. "I just— I also had a, uh. Hm." Tim cleared his throat, but Jon looked at him, now. Glad to focus on something but his own feelings. "I had a brother. Danny, he— He's gone now. I couldn't save him, either." Tim's voice wavered, but didn't break.

"Christ, Tim, I'm.. I'm sorry." Jon reached out. Does he put a hand on his shoulder? Is that the right thing, or would that be worse? He pulls the hand back.

"That's why I came to work at the institute in the first place. Find out more about the circus."

"Th— Circus?" Jon stared at him, wide eyed.

"I, uh. I don't want to tell you everything about how it happened. Not yet, at least but, there— yeah, circus."

"Good lord. This is.. this is all very, very bad. I— I need to.. go for a walk. Yes. Get some.. some air. Thank you, Tim, for telling me. It— It wasn't your fault either." Jon said, actually putting a hand on Tim's back. "We were both witnesses to something bigger than us, something that we couldn't possibly prevent. I'm.. I'm sure you were a brilliant older brother."

Jon said and went to put his shoes on, leaving the flat. On his way out, he grabbed the tape recorder and a tape from the pile of statements that was sent. Tim stared after him, dumbfounded. He felt tears well up in his eyes.

"Damn you, Jon." He muttered and went to hide in the bathroom.

How do you even deal with this? Jon wasn't sure, of course, but it would make sense. Everything fit into place. The Toy Soldier had apologized for something. Told him to apologize to Tim for it. He didn't, of course. It felt like a breach of privacy. Now, he feared being right. He resented how much it would make sense for Nikola to be involved with that. He felt guilt pool under his sternum.

What should he do now? Should he tell Tim, and face his very possible anger, hide it and deal with Tim's definite anger and possible hatred? Should he act clueless? No, Tim would see through it. Maybe, just maybe, the lesser harm would be in telling him immediately.

Jon walked for some time now, and it was early in the morning. There wasn't anyone around. He put the tape in and clicked play. He needed to place his thoughts elsewhere.

"Case 0141010, Sebastian Skinner. Incident occurred in Gwydir Forest, North Wales, September 2014…"

Jon kept walking while listening. It's weird, the statement didn't really feel relevant— Until it ended. And Gertrude mentioned Orsinov and her ilk, 'spending more time searching for their precious skin'. Jon suddenly felt nauseous, and.. Realized he doesn't know where he is. He must've walked quite a distance, lost in the statement to the point of not realizing where he's going.

He looked around, trying to find anything that would help him figure out where he was. He didn't find anything, he did hear something though. Faint music, distant. Well, at first, at least.

"Circus.." Jon muttered, and suddenly felt very small. He looked around again, picking a random direction, hoping he'll find something that would make him just Know where he was. The music faded though, just as quickly as it raised.

He pulled out his phone and called Tim. He didn't know why. Maybe because he was the last person he talked to, maybe because he just heard the circus and he was still thinking about what Tim told him. He didn't even know what he called him for. Not like Tim could just come and get him.

"Hello?" Tim's voice came from Jon's phone, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Uh. Yes. I, uhm.. I appear to be lost. Can you look up Jude Perry for me?"

"Sorry? Who's Ju- You're lost?"

"I'll find my way back. But I need to find out more about a Jude Perry, Gertrude mentioned her on the tape. Her, and uh.. My.. friend. I guess. I don't think I can still call it a friend. Sorry, this— I need to tell you about something. I'm not sure it's true, but I—"

"Okay, Jon, you're rambling. Tell me when you get back."

"You'll hate me." Jon muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'll try to be back soon. Try to find Jude Perry.

"Sure thing, boss."

Jon smiled and hung up. He found that, during the conversation, he seemed to find his way back to where was familiar. He could easily find his way, now. It didn't take him long, either, so he stopped by a store, Georgie was running low on tea. Well, on good tea at least.

He got back into the apartment to find Tim sprawled on the couch, scribbling in a notebook while Sasha read something from her phone.

"Oh, hey boss!" He called out as soon as Jon took his shoes off. He seemed weirdly cheery.

"Hello, Tim. Find anything?"

"Yup!!" Tim jumped off the couch and handed Jon the notebook. "There you go."

"Oh!" Jon looked over the notes quickly. "Thank you, Tim."

Tim looked incredibly proud of himself. Jon almost wanted to laugh.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" And not anymore.

"Oh. It's, uh. Private. And.. not a very pleasant conversation."

"Oh. Um, alright."

"It.. It can wait for later?" Tim shrugged. "Sorry."

"Nah, sure."

Jon took time to read through the notes.

"Okay, I need to meet her."

"What?! Jon, you're—"

"She's relevant. To the circus and whatever the Unknowing is. I need to meet her."

They went quiet.

"I'm going with you."

"Tim, it's not safe—"

"You said yourself it's relevant. And you apparently have something to tell me, you can do that on our way. Sash, do we have a contact?" Sasha nodded and gave him her phone. "I'm gonna see if I can.. arrange a statement with the Head Archivist for her."

Jon only sighed.

It turned out Jude did agree to meet, but only the day after. That meant their first and foremost focus now was getting out of Georgie's flat and over to Marius's house, but it seemed to go smoothly. There was even one more bed now.

"So.. I can sleep on the floor." Said Jon, when the four looked at eachother in thought.

"Not this again." Tim rolled his eyes.

"Jon, you'll die horribly and tragically if you sleep on the floor. Like, would you even be able to move at all after that?"

"Wow, Kofi Young revealing all my deepest secrets. Who would've expected." Jon rolled his eyes and folded his arms.

"Jon we do have a fire lady to meet tomorrow, I'd prefer it if I didn't have to carry you on the way there." Tim continued, earning a groan out of Jon.

"Fine, what do you propose then, hm?" Neither of them noticed when Marius left for another room.

"Smartass. We both don't take up much space, we can share." Jon rolled his eyes again, to which Tim responded with a dramatic scoff. "Well, excuse me!! I'm a joy to sleep with!"

"Stop calling it sleeping together."

"It is though, it's not my fault your mind comes to weird conclusions."

"It fully is your fault and you know it."

"Are you saying I'm making you think of s—"

"I'm saying you're a walking sex joke machine." Jon spoke over him. "Nothing can make me believe you're not stuffing these into half your sentences, and this is one of them."

"Fine, so you know things now, whatever. Have it your way."

"What my way, everyone here knows you tried to make it a sex thing—" Marius came back now and cleared their throat.

"Can we stop discussing Jon's sex life at my house." They said with amusement.

"What sex life. There is no sex life." Jon deadpanned.

"I know, so why on earth were you discussing it?"

"I wasn't!—"

"I've got some clothes, I'm guessing you don't really have much with you. And besides, most of that is yours anyway."

"Oh, yeah that's— I fucking thought I lost that shirt!" Jon took a shirt from Kofi, that was once his favourite. "You thief. You have my long-lost jacket, too?"

"Yeeaaah, I might.. Listen, mate, not my fault!"

"Definitely your fault! I don't leave stuff, you deliberately stole these!"

"And so what if I did! I'm letting you stay at my house, take this as paying rent."

"Wh— What, I'm not even gonna get these back? This used to be my favourite shirt!" Kofi folded their arms.

"And now it's my favourite shirt." Jon folded his arms in turn.

"Fine." He said. "But I want my damn jacket back, d'you realize how long I've worked on it?"

"Oh, yeah. I realize better than you do. Complaining ass." Jon just flipped them off. He turned to Tim, Martin and Sasha, who were staring, most likely awkward.

"Uh. Clothes?"

Jon didn't have to look up the place Jude agreed to meet at. He's never been there before, he just knew. He told Tim so, as he really couldn't discourage him from coming along.

"That's weirdly cool. That you just know. Isn't it?"

"Hm. It could be. Mostly it just.. It scares me. I obviously like to learn and know things, but that's not how people are supposed to get knowledge. Is it?"

Tim thought over it.

"Maybe. That doesn't make you not human, though."

"I can only hope it's true."

"I'll make sure it's true. Me and Martin, and Sasha, and Nastya." Jon's chest clenched painfully. He cleared his throat.

"Thank you, Tim. For saying that."

"I mean it! You better believe me."

"I believe that you're willing to try."

They walked in silence for a while.

"So, is now the time?" Tim asked finally.

"Ah. Yes, it.. It might be. It's— Hard to say, though."

"Lay it on me, boss."

"I'm not sure, but.. Hm. You know the Toy Soldier? From my band, it was the main vocal in more songs than anyone else. You—"

"Yes, I know. What about it?"

"I.. I don't.. I think it might not be human. Now that I know more, I.. Don't know how I didn't notice something was off. Frankly, I just, uh. Thought it was neurodivergent." Tim snorted, but he looked.. distraught. Like he knew what Jon was about to say and dreaded it.

"Do you think it might be connected to the circus?" Tim said, really hoping his voice didn't waver.

"I- I hope it isn't, but it's.. really, it's been scaring me recently. I'm not much of a brave man, so it's not hard to spook me but it.. It's really freaking me out a bit."

Tim didn't reply. He had to think it through, which wasn't easy when all he can think about is the wave of nausea that flew through him. Yes, he wanted revenge. Yes, he wanted to know more about the damn circus that took his brother and peeled his skin raw from his face, but this.. How can he be happy about finally knowing something, when it means knowing Jon was friends with the thing.. He didn't blame him. He really wanted not to blame him.

He didn't have time to ask another question before seeing their destination. There were a bunch of people there, but Jon seemed to immediately Know which one was waiting for them. They walked over to her, and Jon had to stop Tim from shaking the hand she offered. He clicked the recorder on.

ARCHIVIST

Something funny, Ms. Perry?

JUDE

(chuckling) Uh, yeah.

TIM

Care to share?

JUDE

And who's this, Archivist, your guard dog? Besides, I think it's pretty obvious.

TIM

I am not—

ARCHIVIST

He's my collegue.

JUDE

You wouldn't let him shake my hand, though.

ARCHIVIST

Well, obviously. I'm not stupid. Whatever the Lightless Flame is—

TIM

Will you stop that?!

JUDE

(laughing) Oh, alright. Ah.. I hate explaining jokes, but um.. Imagine you're um.. a butcher, and one day an injured little lamb walkes into your workshop, and strides right into one of the mincing machines. It even brought a friend, and leads it to follow it right after, but when you go up to said friend, knife in hand, it shakes it's head and tells you "I'm not stupid". Do you get why that's funny?

ARCHIVIST

Right. But- No more abattoir metaphors, please.

JUDE

Suppose it's not really me, is it? Would you two rather be really stupid pieces of firewood?

ARCHIVIST

Look, I just have a few questions. Did you burn down a section of Gwydir Forest last year?

JUDE

Not alone, but yes. You should have seen how devastated they were, such a loss…

TIM

I'm sure the Forestry Commission were mortified—

ARCHIVIST

Why?

JUDE

…

Stop that! And it was because Nikola Orsinov asked us to. She was done with the place, and we're always happy to help, when that help is destroying something someone loves.

ARCHIVES

But—

JUDE

No more questions, Archivist!

TIM

You were a friend of Agnes Montague, correct?

JUDE

She's not one of your little stories.

ARCHIVIST

According to the statement of Jack Barnabas, she very much is.

JUDE

The burnt-face little runt? He got what was coming to him. Just like..

TIM

Yes, yes, you could easily kill us both, he's at your mercy, blah blah blah…

ARCHIVIST

I have heard it before. And from things much scarier than you.

JUDE

That a fact?

TIM

Okay, so.. why haven't you done it?

JUDE

We're in public.

ARCHIVIST

Well, you're not.. You're hardly keeping your voice down.

JUDE

You talk about god and death and demons nice and loud, and watch people bend over backwards not to listen to what you're saying. No-one cares.

ARCHIVIST

If you say so.

JUDE

Are you two trying to talk me into killing you? If I wanted, I could just reach through your chest like runny wax, and hold your heart while it cooked. No-one would even notice, if I didn't give you time to scream.

ARCHIVIST

Right. R-right.

TIM

So why don't you?

ARCHIVIST

Does your 'god' not want you to?

JUDE

(considering) Hard to say.. When I look at you I feel that burning liquid pain, eager to flow out and purify your rotten carcass… but I feel that a lot.

ARCHIVIST

Oh. M-more or less than normal?

JUDE

Hard to say when every nerve ending's on fire. Hard to tell degrees.

ARCHIVIST

(softly) Third degree, maybe?

JUDE

Though your guard dog over here, more than you.

TIM

What?! What are you—

ARCHIVIST

I have a god too, right?

TIM

Jon, she just—

ARCHIVIST

She's trying to spur you on. Don't listen to her.

JUDE

Whatever makes you sleep at night, Archivist.

ARCHIVIST

That's another thing, everyone keeps calling me 'Archivist', like I'm special and that.. that I serve the Eye. Trying to kill me for it. I- I'm new to this whole thing.

JUDE

Hm, yes.

TIM

So, is it like your 'god'?

JUDE

Oh, please, your god is nothing! The Eye, Beholding, Ceaseless Watcher, whatever you call it, that's all it does, it watches and knows, sitting bulbous and comfortable in the ignorance of infinite knowledge.

I have a reckoning, a surging tide of destruction and pain.

ARCHIVIST

The Lightless Flame.

JUDE

The Desolation. Blackened Earth. The destructive, agonising heat of burning flesh and land scoured of life. The light, comfort of fire stripped from it, leaving nothing but the terror of its approach. When it triumphs, it will leave the Eye a burned and shrivelled husk that sees nothing but its own agony.

ARCHIVIST

I, er, I think I.. I-I see. So if one.. if one wants to watch everything, to know everything and the other wants to.. destroy—

JUDE

(exhales laughingly) You don't even know what this is about, do you?

ARCHIVIST

So tell me!

JUDE

An Archivist pleading for knowledge. That, oh, that is satisfying to see.

TIM

Look, if you're just..

ARCHIVIST

You're just about my only lead, and if you're.. Just kill me, alright? If it's so easy?

TIM

Jon—

ARCHIVIST

(pointedly) If you're not going to tell me anything worth my time.

JUDE

Now you're sounding like an Archivist.

ARCHIVIST

Hm.

JUDE

And now I'm obviously not going to kill you.

ARCHIVIST

Why not?

JUDE

Consider it a favour.

TIM

(sharp laugh, mocking) Favour..

ARCHIVIST

Thank you.

JUDE

Not for you. For Elias.

ARCHIVIST

Wait, but.. I-I mean, if I serve Beholding, or..

TIM

He's in a lot deeper than you are.

ARCHIVIST

Yeah, I think so.

JUDE

The rumour is he killed Gertrude Robinson. If so, I feel like I owe him. And he clearly wants you alive, so..

TIM

What, no?

ARCHIVIST

But she was the last Archivist, so, y-your god… why?

JUDE