Chapter Text
After being on his own again, Peter hesitated with the idea he had boldly announced in front of Elias. Would Martin really appreciate it? Or would it create a rift between them?
All the time his assistant had refused his gifts still lingered in the captain’s mind. Anything new would make Martin uncomfortable. Peter understood that as he was the same.
As he was worrying about it, the only thing that made him smile was the thought of silly Elias. To propose, just so he could also get custody over Martin if the assistant was adopted, really sounded like the Institute head. While Peter had missed him, the reason alone was enough to warrant a quick divorce again. It still made him smile.
But this was not the time to revel in their banter. No, he had to find a way to keep Martin safe. To keep the young man from being swept away by the powers that grew inside him.
His thoughts went on and on until they got to Jonathan.
The captain grimaced. He didn’t like the Archivist at all.
The man was similar to Elias. Only even more stuck up. Less fun, too. The Archivist was also meddling with too many things he had no clue about.
But no matter how much Peter didn’t like the man, it was clear that Jonathan meant a lot to Martin. Even if the captain couldn’t understand why.
Furthermore, Peter was told that it was thanks to the Archivist – albeit while being in a coma – that Martin had returned to the Institute after his fall from the Tundra.
Peter sighed and saw it as a good course of action. Now that he wasn’t planning on giving Martin to The Forsaken anymore, there was no reason left to keep the two separated. It might be even his best bet.
Hence, on the next day he was at the Institute again, he went straight to the Archive.
A tall, broad-shouldered lady immediately stepped in his way. “What do you want?” she demanded to know. She had a slight tremble in her voice. Where there might have been ruthlessness before was a slight touch of fear now.
Was this the one the Archivist had retrieved from The Buried?
From the corner of his eye, Peter could see two more people staring at him. They weren’t as hostile but it looked like they didn’t know who he was yet.
Peter smiled cheerily. It always helped best for hiding his discomfort. This time it was because of the attention. Most of the time, it was simply because he was being around people. “Am I not allowed to meet my department heads as the Head of the Institute?”
The woman in front of him opened her mouth. Before she could say something, the door to the Archivist’s office creaked.
Jonathan Sims stood in the doorframe, squinting his eyes at Peter. “I am not going to talk to you if it is not about Martin.”
“Well, then you are in luck because it is exactly about him.”
The Archivist had made a movement to appease his colleagues before he let Peter in his office.
The captain felt like a weight dropped off his shoulders when there were three pairs of eyes less that were staring at him. Yet, the Archivist’s presence alone already made up for it again. It was uncomfortable. Peter forced himself to breathe deeply. He had to do this if he wanted to help Martin.
Maybe it was obvious because the Archivist just looked at Peter with an expectant gaze. He kept himself from asking any questions.
Jonathan was very different from Elias.
Peter didn’t know where to start.
Should he tell about Martin using The Forsaken’s and The Eye’s powers? That would be too much for the beginning, wouldn’t it? Should he talk about Martin’s fall from the Tundra? That might antagonize the Archivist immediately. Peter had to get him on his side. No, it would not be a good start.
The captain didn’t notice how long it had been quiet for until Jon cleared his throat.
He gingerly looked at the new boss and then suggested: “Would it be easier if I asked?”
Peter stared back helplessly, stuck between a nod and a shrug.
The hint of an amused smile on the Archivist’s lip did get on Peter’s nerves.
Maybe he was a bit like Elias.
“Why are you here?”
So, Peter told him. He told him everything, started by how Elias had planned to go into hiding. How Martin’s plan had surprised the Head of the Institute but was a good chance for Elias.
He told of the bet, of how Martin became his assistant, of how good of a job the young man was doing. Jonathan also learned of the accident on the Tundra and how Martin had gotten closer to both Elias and Peter over the last few months.
At last, Peter also talked about what Martin had done and in what precarious situation they were now.
When he finished, he was breathing heavily. His voice had become hoarse. Never before had Peter talked that much at once. Even when Elias had wanted to get something out of him, he’d stop him in time once he had the information. But in this case, the Archivist had just let him talk.
“Dear lord,” Jon muttered flatly. He took off his glasses and ran a hand over his face. He was aghast, as he stared past Peter, trying to work through all the information he just got.
When he looked back at the captain, he had a scowl on his face. “Where is Martin now?!”
Peter returned it with a scowl on his own. “Shouldn’t you know it as the Archivist?”
At those words, Jonathan deflated quickly. The tired look returned to his face. He rubbed his neck as he nodded. “You’re right. And … I can trust you, yes? This is for Martin?”
“It is.”
“Okay, I’ll ... go look for him.”
“Martin, please. Please stay. Please let us talk.”
Jon’s pleas rang out behind him after the Archivist stopped being dumbfounded by actually seeing his former assistant.
“No.” Martin’s answer was clipped. He was ready to move on when Jon reached out to take his hand.
“Please. You can’t hide from me forever. Let’s just talk for a bit.”
Martin gritted his teeth. He felt the same irritation rise in him when he was bothered by other co-workers. It was too much attention. He was being seen too much instead of being able to quietly see others.
So, he shook his hand and tried to get out of Jon’s grip. “Do you know how to take ‘no’ for an answer, Jon?”
The grip faltered only for a little moment.
Martin wasn’t quick enough to pull away.
“Please,” Jon repeated. “I have been trying to talk to you for so long but you’re never around.”
Martin held his breath. He had waited even longer. Even before Jon was in a coma. He had always hoped Jon would look his way, to be a little bit kinder. He had hoped that one day all the things Martin tried would at least get a bit of recognition.
“Why are you being like that? What have I done wrong?” Jon continued to ask.
Don’t get mad, don’t lash out at him. You’re disappointed, yes, but don’t let him know. You don’t want to be the asshole. You don’t want to be insensi—
Martin snapped.
He turned around and yanked his hand away as he snarled: “You were the one who ignored me for months. The one who didn’t care whatever happened to me. You never even once returned any pleasantries, so why should I care now?! It’s too late, Jon. Some things only work within a certain time frame. And sometimes it’s simply too late.”
Jon’s thunderstruck face stopped Martin right in his tracks. He shouldn’t be saying that. He was just tired. He also hadn’t had that kind of attention on him for a while, he just needed to get used to it again.
Also, now that Jon was willing to talk to him, maybe they finally could really get to know each other.
But as he opened his mouth, Jon got the jump on him: “Really, Martin, I just want to talk. Peter is worried; he asked me for help.”
Martin took a deep breath. Of course. Of fucking course Jonathan Sims wouldn’t come to him on his own!
As he was seething inside, the assistant’s voice was ice cold when he stared down Jon: “Get out of my sight, Archivist!”
“That,” Elias groaned, “went exceptionally bad.”
“Really. Are you sure your Archivist is any good, Elias?”
“I am currently doubting my own decisions, Peter, thank you very much.”
“I trusted your decisions. That’s why I went to him in the first place!” Peter complained.
“Excuse me, I am sitting right in front of both of you. I can hear you, you know? And I don’t know why Martin took it so badly! I just ... wanted to talk!”
The three of them sat in the Archive after the workday was over. The two Heads of the Institute had deliberately waited until the other Archival staff had left. They didn’t want to have any other unexpected problems pop up for now.
Elias lowered his chin and glared at Jon. “You have read so many things and Know so many thing. But building a relationship with your former assistant is the one thing you cannot do?”
“He’s still my assistant!” Jon shouted, indignant. “There has never been official paperwork that he has transferred from the Archive. He’s still part of my team!”
He took a breath and stared back at his boss. “Why am I talking to you about it anyway?!”
Rolling his eyes, Elias threw a glance at the captain next to him. “Because Peter thinks we’re his best bet with us Knowing a lot. And because Martin has feelings for you.”
Jon blinked rapidly. He seemed to be parsing what Elias had just said.
The Head of the Institute almost grabbed his Archivist and shook him, as his employee decided to go on the route of denial: “Yes, but, well, no. I mean, Melanie and Basira have been talking about it? But the way he was talking to me ... I don’t think it’s true anymore? Maybe it’s a thing of the past?”
Groaning quietly again, Elias rubbed his temples. “Maybe Martin would truly have been the better Archivist,” he muttered.
“You are not going to get Martin!” Peter immediately exclaimed.
“I know, I know.” Elias lazily waved his hand in the captain’s direction.
While thinking, he fixed his gaze on Jon. He had had so much time to plan for the Watcher’s Crown. Sometimes, he also boasted himself at being good at coming up with quick solutions. But this was a new situation with a different goal.
At least he had a vague idea on how to do things, thanks to the Ceaseless Watcher. If only Jon was as good. It would spare him a lot of headaches for now.
Since his Archivist wasn’t, Elias explained: “We need someone to ground Martin. Anchors, as you are well aware. With two powers tugging at him that strongly, we need someone strong enough to keep him more or less human. And,” he made a face of disgust, “as people are wont to say, which ‘good’ power is better than love?”
Jon shifted in his seat. It was obvious that he was very uncomfortable.
Elias was relentless in his stare. On the one hand to not give Jon any other option. On the other hand, the Archivist’s discomfort also fed him for a little bit. It was definitely better to watch someone than to be watched – something that made him understanding Peter more now.
In the end, Jon caved and nodded. “Okay. If you think it really works. And if you are sure that Martin still ... likes me.”
“I am, Jon.”
The Archivist sighed. “He still won’t talk to me. So, if you can come up with any plan for him to actually talk to me ...”
“I could try to Know where he is and if Peter keeps The Lonely at bay, we can help you find him. It shouldn’t be too hard to corner him here in the Institute.”
“I can also tell you, where he is,” Peter chimed in. “We have a meeting tomorrow morning, for example.”
Elias turned around and stared at the captain. Jon did the same.
Immediately a thin layer of fog engulfed the sailor as his protection as two avatars of The Eye were directly looking at him.
It seemed to take Peter a lot of effort to not straight up disappear but Elias didn’t care. Instead, he asked: “Martin still talks to you?”
“Well ... he’s only angry at you two.”
“And you didn’t think to tell us earlier?” Elias huffed. “That makes planning a lot easier! Jon, tomorrow, you go to the meeting instead of Peter! Meanwhile, the two of us will do our best to make sure he doesn’t get away again.”
It had been a long while since Jon had listened to anything Elias told him as his boss. But this time, the Archivist looked at the Head of the Institute and simply nodded. It was not without worry, but it was the same determination to not lose Martin to the Eldritch Powers.
Martin Knew something was wrong when he was about to enter Peter’s office. He felt a tingle in his neck and stopped. Something was definitely not right. He frowned and looked over to Rosie.
It took a moment until the woman noticed his presence. She almost jumped as she looked up. Promptly, a smile slip on her lips again. Rosie was very practiced at hiding all her anxiety behind smiles.
“Oh. Martin!” her voice was cheery. Too cheery. “I didn’t see you coming. You have a meeting with Mr. Lukas?”
“Yes. Is someone in the office?”
Just like how Rosie rarely noticed him being around these days, Martin knew that she also rarely saw Peter. He wasn’t expecting her to tell him if their boss was around. He was expecting something else and it came: “Ah, yes. Mr. Sims is already here. He said that he was invited to the meeting, too.”
Martin smiled, joyless. “I see. Thanks.” With those words, he turned around to leave.
After just a few steps, Peter appeared in front of him. “Martin! Where are you going? I thought we have a meeting?”
“We’re rescheduling, Peter.”
“But—”
“No. We’re rescheduling and don’t you dare telling anyone the new date!” Martin snarled. He didn’t care that they were still within Rosie’s earshot.
Like that, he walked past his boss. As he felt Elias’ gaze, he just lifted his hand to flip him off.
Deciding that it was a good day to work from home, Martin left the Institute again.
Things continued like that for several days.
If Martin got to the Institute or ended his day, Jon would always be there at the entrace, waiting for him, trying to talk to him.
If he had any meeting with anyone at the Institute, for some reason the Archivist needed to be there as well.
If he was out to get groceries, Jon would be standing in an aisle awkwardly.
Every time Martin just knew that either Peter or Elias had a hand in orchestrating them meeting.
And every time when he did his best to ignore the Archivist or reminded him that he didn’t want to see him anymore, he would see that defeated and lonely look.
Still, Jon tried.
Every time he did, Martin grew more furious. Each hurt look in Jon’s eyes also hurt Martin.
Why was Jon even trying? Was it because of Elias? Was Elias threatening his Archivist somehow? There was no reason for Jon to seek out Martin. The assistant didn’t want to get his hopes up, either.
But when Jon stood in front of his favorite cafe the next time, it was enough.
As Martin stormed off before Jon could even greet him, he typed in a text to both Peter and Elias: Meet me in my office. Now.
Maybe he was a little surprised to see both of them already in his office when he arrived. Especially with Peter’s habit of not checking his phone. Maybe Elias had a hand in that.
Martin didn’t care. Even before the door closed, he shouted at them: “What the fuck are you two doing?!”
“What are you talking about?” Elias cooed, feigning ignorance.
He was met with a glare.
“Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been setting up my little meetings with Jon!” The assistant circled them until he stood in front of them “What are you trying to accomplish?”
“We just want you two to talk,” Peter explained in a pleading tone. It was rare for him to rise to speak even before Elias.
Martin didn’t fully register it. Instead, he scoffed. “Oh, yeah, sure. For what? I have made clear, that I don’t want to see him anymore! And yet you use your powers to make these oh-so-inconspicuous meet-ups happen! Don’t tell me it is for my own good!”
“It is ...” The captain’s voice was so quiet that Martin didn’t really hear it.
Instead, he tried to piece together what Peter and Elias could get out of it. Then a realization hit.
“Oh gods. Oh. No,” he laughed dryly and wiggled his index finger. “You are not doing that!”
“Doing what?”
“Is that your way to mark Jon with The Lonely? Because you know I would not let you if you did it the traditional way? And that’s why you’re trying to do it slowly through the emotional way? Seriously?”
Peter opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Even Elias seemed too stunned at the moment.
But as Martin was on a roll, he didn’t pay attention. He started pacing in front of them.
“Is that what you want, Elias? Really? Do you want the Watcher’s Crown – do you want the end of the world that badly? You can just ask me, you know? I’ll gladly do it for you if the only other way you have is to use your damned Archivist! One would think you have at least one other backup plan after two hundred years! Oh, right!” He whipped around and pointed at Peter. “We still have The Extinction! You know what, I’ll just become its avatar! I think I know enough to help it emerging a bit faster. And then the world will end and there will be no going back from that! How does that sound, hm?!”
“Martin!” Elias called out in an exasperated tone.
“Martin ...” Peter called out in an imploring tone.
“What?! It is what you want, isn’t it?” Martin growled. It was just then he noticed he was out of breath from all the shouting. He paused for a bit.
While the captain looked even more desperate than he normally looked at paperwork, the Head of the Institute sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
It was also Elias who broke through the silence again: “If you just tried to Know a bit, you would see that that is not my plan. But I admit that we have made a mistake by trying to get Jon to talk to you. He’s ... obviously a touchy subject. But would you at least listen to Peter?”
“Martin ...” the captain started again as the ball was thrown to him. He stepped towards his assistant with an outstretched hand.
For a second, Martin was about to flinch back. He quickly forced himself to stay calm. It was Peter. It was alright. He was safe with Peter.
Indeed, the sailor just came close and put a hand on his shoulder. He did his best to look Martin in the eye, as he gently asked: “What can we do to calm you down?”
The assistant held eye contact for a few moments. The cold presence calmed him. The firmly placed hand kept him to the ground.
Martin took a deep breath, then he lowered his head slightly. “Sorry I was shouting at you, too, Peter. It’s not your fault.”
“I think it partly is.”
The words made Martin sigh softly. “Maybe.”
He looked past the captain towards Elias. “But it is still mostly his fault. So, if you want to convince me that you are not trying anything stupid, Elias ... Well, you can give me the Institute. I’m practically the Head already anyways. And then Jon would be my Archivist.”
He could see how Elias squirmed. The man had put so much effort into making his Archivist into what he is now, after all.
But Martin was serious. Both in taking over the Institute as well as in finding ways to end the world on his terms if former Jonah Magnus kept on pursuing his plan.
Elias seemed to know it and was debating with himself for a long time, before he finally said: “Well, I can make you the heir if you sign the adoption papers?”
“What?” The word left Martin’s mouth without any emotion before he fully realized it.
“It was Peter’s first idea. To adopt you, so you wouldn’t feel too lonely anymore and so you wouldn’t have to be on guard all the time anymore. To simply keep you safe,” Elias explained in an annoyed tone. “We were both afraid it wouldn’t work, so I proposed to get Jon talk to you. As you love him, and he loves you. It would keep you safe in a much easier way than ... an adoption! But if now nothing else works anymore, I’m fine with that plan, too!”
The room turned silent.
Martin stared at Elias with wide eyes.
Slowly, he turned back to Peter, who was still looking straight at him.
His mouth was dry when he asked: “You want to adopt me?”
“Yes, Martin. I would very much like to.” Peter’s voice found its usual cheery tone again. A smile, a loving smile was on his lips.
Martin couldn’t trust his ears.
Someone wanted him? A father figure? After he had only cared for his mother but no one had cared for him? After he was truly alone with his mother’s death and all of his friends and close colleagues were practically dead as well?
“I ...”
“You don’t have to ans—”
“We’re not talking about it today,” the assistant muttered, not letting anyone else say anything anymore.
Martin didn’t look at the other two men. He moved and let Peter’s hand slip away. His head was spinning. Nothing made sense. He was very exhausted.
“I ... I will talk to you later.”
With those words, Martin ran out of his office.
Martin, I am very sorry.
I talked to Elias again and we went over what I have said to you. I am sorry, I put things in a way that made it easy for them to be misunderstood.
I do want to talk to you. I want to get to know you better. We’ve been working together for so long and you have done a lot and much more for me but I never had the time to properly talk to you and maybe just simply say thank you. I have always wanted to tell you a lot and yet I had needed Elias to spell it out for me to actually have the courage to seek you out. I am sorry. I miss you.
I know it is currently a hectic time for you with a lot going on. But once you’re back in London, can we maybe go grab a tea and talk in peace? Just getting to know each other with no strings attached? Things have changed and ever since we started working in the Archive, we’re both not who we used to be anymore. We should just catch up.
I look forward to hearing from you again. Please stay safe in the meantime.
- Jon
“He’s so stupid,” Martin muttered. He looked at his phone one more time. Then he finally put it away. He had read the text message so many times now, he knew each word by heart.
The assistant sat at his favorite place on the Tundra, watching the sun set.
Peter sat next to him, a mug of tea in his hands that his assistant had made him a few minutes ago.
After their talk at the Institute, Martin had gone straight to the docks. He had known that the Tundra would set sail on the next day and it had become the place he fled to now if he didn’t want to see anyone. After having been Peter’s assistant for so long, he had come to understand the captain in that regard.
“I did tell you before that you should forget him.”
“It’s not that easy, Peter.” Martin sighed. He took off his glasses and ran his hand over his face. Only when he did that, he remembered how often Jon would do so, and groaned. “I have had a crush on him for so long now and when he looks at me with those ... puppy eyes, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore him – especially after what Elias has said! You really shouldn’t have told me that I don’t have to keep my distance anymore.”
“I want you to talk to your friends again. It’s good for you. And I worry about you. But I really don’t know what you see in that Archivist. His powers are not even as good as Elias’. He doesn’t scheme as much.”
“Which is a good thing! He has a good heart, and he tries to keep everyone safe!”
“He’s also not as rich as Elias.”
“And I’m not as rich as you. Love isn’t something about money, Peter.”
“He’s also very devoted. Seems to like contact a lot. I couldn’t imagine being with Elias if he was like that.” The sailor shuddered.
Martin shot him a dark look. “Are we talking about my difficult relationship or your not-yet-marriage now?”
Peter paused. “Right. Sorry.”
He took a sip from the tea. Then, he inched closer to the young man and stayed silent.
The last rays of the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
Martin sighed and moved closer to Peter himself. He smelled the tea in Peter’s hands.
When he glanced into the mug, he saw that it was already empty. It was just the lingering scent.
At peace, Martin put his head on the captain’s shoulder. “I’m glad that we’re not related. I wouldn’t want to inherit your taste in shitty men.”
He closed his eyes. Although Peter was cold, it was still comfortable for some reason. Thinking about his words, Martin conceded: “Well ... I can’t say my taste is better though.”
The captain’s chest rumbled as he quietly laughed. He wrapped his arm around his assistant. If he was trying to keep the cold away, he was failing to do so with his own low body temperature.
Still, Martin stayed there, feeling safe in the touch and the fog that rose around them.
“If it doesn’t make any difference,” Peter said, “then it’s surely alright if I—”
“No. I will not be adopted.” Martin’s voice was determined but not annoyed anymore. It was just another tired sigh. But one could say that his voice had taken on a fond tone.
He was protected here. He knew that now.
Next to Peter, he had even more control over The Lonely. When it still threatened to overtake him, he only had to calm himself and think of the things he should look out for, as Elias had taught him a while ago.
He was already safe.
There was a short knock on the metal door.
It was just an announcement because without waiting for an answer, Tadeas opened it and started talking, his eyes on some paper in his hand: “We somehow miscalculated how many people would be on the ship and don’t have enough rooms. What do you think, captain, shall we shift around or shall we not bother?”
Martin barely looked up from his own papers.
Since Peter had vanished to god-knows-where again, he had been in the captain’s cabin, waiting for the return as he went through a few schedules. “Don’t bother for now. They can take whatever place they get until we know how many will be gone. If we don’t have enough space after that, then we’ll shift around.”
“Huh.”
Only when Tadeas let out that surprised sound, Martin looked up. “What?”
There was the hint of a grin on the mate’s face. He was very good at hiding his emotions after having worked for Peter so long. But Martin literally felt the mischief.
“Didn’t know you are ‘Captain Lukas’ now.”
“What? Oh gods, no. I just wasn’t paying attention,” Martin quickly replied. “I’m waiting for Peter as well. And normally you tell me that kind of stuff instead of going to Peter! Also, you didn’t even say a name!” He tried to sound a bit more accusatory to cover up for his mistake.
He didn’t know whether it helped or not as Tadeas shrugged. “I didn’t know where you were since you weren’t in your cabin. So I just figured the captain should know.”
“Oh. Yeah. Sorry about that. I was looking for Peter and ended up waiting here. But yes, please handle it like I said.”
Tadeas nodded. He was about to leave when he turned around once more to Martin. “So ... you’re adopted now?”
“What? How do you—?!” Martin sputtered. His arms shot up to deny it. He waved them frantically. “No, definitely not! I will not be adopted by Peter!”
The mate broke into a full grin. “Huh. Are you telling the truth or is the captain? Captain Lukas did announce your adoption to the whole crew after we had set sail and you went to make tea.”
“What—?” That was not right. Martin wasn’t already adopted, was he?
The assistant’s mind immediately tried to Know. No. There were no papers. There couldn’t be any paper if Martin didn’t sign it as he was an adult. He breathed in relief.
Yet, it didn’t changed the fact that the sailor was telling people about it.
“PETER!”
Before the assistant had even fully finished shouting for his captain, Tadeas slipped out of the cabin.
But as the mate’s laughter still rang through the metal door, it left a fuzzy feeling in Martin’s chest.
As if he had already Known on the first day he had come to the Tundra, the feeling from him first setting foot on the ship was still around.
This truly was where he belonged.
And Peter played a big part in it.
Martin’s favorite cafe was an old place tucked in between fancier restaurants. That meant fewer people in the shop, and they had a wonderful variety of tea. It was a warm and cozy place that Martin loved a lot, especially in the evening when the lights were low and it was dark outside.
Jon was sitting on the other side of the table, shifting uncomfortably. The Archivist didn’t seem to know where to look. He avoided Martin’s gaze for a while as he kept on looking towards the waitress, waiting for her to bring their order.
Martin just let him be. He crossed his legs, leaned back and took the cup in his hand that was finally brought to them. He didn’t mind if it stayed silent. It wasn’t too bad. If only Jon stopped fidgeting.
It looked kind of adorable, though. It was as if there were too many things Jon wanted to talk about and couldn’t sort them out. So instead, he rubbed his hands, tucked his hair back a few times, and just tried to find a good start.
Martin had already taken three sips before Jon finally looked up at him, a shy, beautiful smile on his lips. “So, Martin Blackwood-Lukas now?”
“Yes, officially on the paper. I didn’t want to ... lose my mother’s name. But seriously, let’s keep it at ‘Blackwood’ at the Institute. I don’t want to make matters even more complicated. Although everyone is already talking.” Martin rolled his eyes. He put down his cup. The little clink the tea service made was one of his favorite sounds. It was immediately followed by another sound he loved.
Jon laughed. It was a bit awkward. His eyes shot to the assistant, as if he hoped he wasn’t offending him. But he was laughing. “I think they are, yes. But that part is not official yet, is it? The thing with Elias ...”
“Yeah, Elias is still trying to get Peter to marry him again. But for now Peter is done with paperwork after the adoption. So, it’s not really my Institute yet.”
Martin took another sip from the tea. The memory of Elias chasing the captain in a desperate attempt to get him to go through the marriage contract was one he particularly enjoyed. By now, Peter was out on the sea again to avoid the Institute Head. Elias was fuming. But he was still trying. Additionally, his conversations with Martin had gotten its familiar touch from the time in the prison back.
Elias would be a very strict father, but a loving one nonetheless.
Martin still couldn’t believe that the man was truly trying to be a part of his ... family. And now the young man even had his crush sitting across of him in a cafe.
It had been too long, but he could finally really look at Jon. As he took in all the features on the Archivist’s face, he softly asked: “How have you been?”
“O-oh. Hm, fine, I think.” Jon rubbed his neck and looked through the barely visited cafe. “Things have been rough but I’m starting to get settled. Especially now that the pressure from Elias is gone. Melanie is still not happy, but I think we’ll get it sorted out. I’m just ... if you’re asking about right now, I’m just kinda hungry.”
Martin nodded. He knew what Jon meant. Even if Jon didn’t seem to be ready to admit it yet.
But as things stood now, it was something the Archivist had to change.
That was why Martin answered: “Yeah, me, too. We should get something to eat then, shouldn’t we? I’ve got this.”
He saw Jon look up in surprise from the corner of his eyes as he turned his gaze over to a young lady sitting by herself on the other side of the shop. She was hunched over her phone and just peeked up for a moment to meet his eyes before she was whisked away by fog.
“M-Martin!” Jon shouted in shock, as quietly as possible.
The assistant looked back at him with a shrug. “What? We’re both hungry. It’s just for a bit. I’ll let her out again, soon. I can See her.”
The Archivist stared at him. His shock did not come from fear or disgust. It was more the disbelief that Martin had actually done it. In the end, Jon swallowed and nodded. “... o-okay.”
They finished their respective tea as they waited. They caught up on some trivial matters. Yet, it felt so comfortable that they both knew they would do it again very soon.
The moment it was about to turn into comfortable silence, Martin noticed the woman appearing at her table again. It hadn’t been a conscious choice on his part. He had just felt satisfied with everything.
Thus, he sighed and made a motion with his head in her direction. “There she is. Go.”
Jon shot him a quick smile. It was clear that he was nervous.
He fidgeted with his cup as long as it took the young lady to grab some money with jittery movements and place it on the table before she left.
That was when the Archivist followed her quietly.
Martin lifted his cup again. Only when he tried to take another sip, he remembered that it was already empty. He looked at his watch and decided to order another tea for both of them.
Shortly after their new tea came, Jon returned.
It had barely been ten minutes, but Martin wouldn’t know since he hadn’t checked his watch the whole time. He definitely hadn’t.
“Good meal?”
“Y-yes.”
Jon looked nervous about it. But he had a satisfied smile on his lips. It was enough for Martin.
“Oh, thank you for the new tea.” With a little hum, Jon drank it. Then he met the assistant’s gaze again. “Why her though? She didn’t seem to have a problem with The Lonely before ... just now.”
Martin blinked.
“...”
“...”
“... she was going to try to ask you out.”
“Oh.” The Archivist nodded. Then: “Ooooh!”
He began to blush. It was a lovely color on his cheeks. Jon raised a hand to hide his face. Mostly it was to hide a bashful grin that was creeping onto his lips. “Well, don’t let Melanie and the others know.”
Martin blew his tea as he simply agreed: “Not planning on it.”
And if one had watched Martin the whole time, they would notice that the hint of a gentle smile graced his lips again for the first time ever since he fell from the Tundra.