A New Buddy!

Is Elias who saw everyone he ever knew die and it only served to make him realize he does not actually care about people all that much. He cares about death. And Peter who was purposely isolated all his life and groomed to feel his best when he is alone but can't avoid having connections with this other important evil man.

Elias who does not care but notices people because his whole existence is based on exploitation Versus Peter whose plan was thwarted by a newspaper article because he is unable to imagine the world beyond the upper middle class (who is already poor for him).

Elias who knows the systems of oppression, who uses them as a tool, who placed himself as the opressor and Peter who also benefits from them, maybe even more than Elias, but just doesn't even realize how privileged he is.

Elias who pretends his motivations are complicated and fancy and reasonable but is doing it all for fear. Elias who destroyed the world because he was afraid of dying. Elias who died anyway. And Peter who tries to pretend his motivations are simple when his motives are confused even to himself and deeply created by birth.

Elias who let a friend die so he could watch and learn what would happen. Peter who let his siblings be punished so he would be alone. Elias who makes Peter feel lonely. Peter who makes Elias feel seen.

Evil old man who are toxic for each other. Evil old man who are so similar but also so different. Elias was "on close terms" with Mordekai Lukas. Peter wants Elias dead. Peter knows more about Elias than most. Peter is still hubristic enough to belive he can win.

Elias who is one of the evilest avatars and still one of the most normal. He likes books and filling taxes and eating cake. Peter who is evil but not as effective as he think he is but who likes boating and has the fakest cheery voice.

Elias who ship of theseus'd himself. Peter who wants to have less parts, to be invisible.

Part 1| Part 2| Part 3| Part 4| Part 5| Part 6

“Where's…. Where's Elias?” Jon entered the kitchen looking at Peter who was preparing breakfast. 

“Aren't you omniscient?”

“I am trying to not know things around you. It's a courtesy Peter. Don't be difficult.”

Peter sighed and turned around giving him a plate with food. 

“In the bed. Bring him breakfast.” 

“Is he alright? He is usually up before 8.”

“He is all right.” Peter handed him a cup of coffee. “Off you go archivist. I want to eat alone.” Jon rolled his eyes but left the kitchen. When he entered Elias’ room Elias just left the bathroom. Jon froze staring at him. 

“Very nice er… robe. I… Peter. I mean Peter told me to bring you breakfast.”

“Thank you.” Elias smiled, getting back on the bed and taking a plate from Jon. Jon sat down next to him. 

“You overslept?” Jon put coffee on the cupboard. 

“No. I was awake since 7 but didn't feel particularly motivated to get out of bed.” Elias smiled amused. 

“Oh. Did you feel bad?”

Elias raised his eyebrow looking at Jon and chuckled. 

“No. I feel good, Jon. I spent a really nice evening with my husband yesterday. We went to sleep late.” Elias glanced at Jon. 

“What did you do?” Jon asked. “I know what Peter's definition of a nice evening is. Ship documentary. But it's surely not yours.”

“I am not sure you want to hear about the details, Jon.” Elias smiled amused. 

“Why? Oh.” He cleared his throat. “Right. It took me embarrassingly long.”

“Don't worry. I am used to it. Peter needs to have everything spelled out for him.”

“Yeah um… should I go or…?”

“If that's what you want. But you can also stay and have breakfast with me… I would like that.”

“Isn't it.. weird? I mean your husband is downstairs and you two were…and…”

“Peter won’t be coming back.” 

Jon snorted. 

“He is of the Lonely Jon.” 

“Doesn’t mean he has to be an asshole.” 

“He will probably isolate himself for the rest of the day and I would appreciate company so… I think the only question that matters is: Do you want to stay?”

Jon nodded slowly. 

“Yeah…”

Elias smiled. 

“Good.” He said and started eating. Jon sighed not really knowing what to do with his hands. Finally he decided to sit closer to Elias and watche him eat. He didn't seem to mind. When the plate was almost empty Elias placed it on the cupboard and took his coffee. He leaned on Jon and smiled when Jon slipped his arm under his back. “Did you sleep well?” 

Jon sighed. 

“I am not sure what that means anymore. I slept.” He glanced at Elias and frowned looking at his wrists. Jon carefully grabbed one of his hands to look closer. There were red burns around his wrists. 

“It's nothing Jon. It's from the… “

“Rope.” Jon finished letting him go. “ I know. It shouldn't look as red. Do you have a first aid-kit?”

Elias smiled amused. 

“In the bathroom.” Jon stood up and left the room to grab it. He carefully disinfected burns on Elias’ wrists and dressed one of them that was looking worse. “Am I going to be okay, doctor Sims?” 

Jon snorted.

“There is no need to mock me, Elias”

“I am not mocking you. Thank you, Jon.” 

Jon nodded slowly and sat down on the bed next to him. 

“Sleep some more and you should be fine. It's a doctor's order.” Elias smiled amused and laid down. 

“If you say so. Jon…”

“Hm?”

“Can I kiss you?”

Jon blinked, taken by surprise he nodded slowly. Elias pressed his lips to his, Jon smiled. 

“Get some sleep, Elias.” he whispered into his lips. Elias blinked. 

“Oh that's… “ his head was suddenly too heavy to keep it up and his eyelids closed by themselves he fell asleep in Jon’s arms. Jon was looking at him in shock, he swallowed and slowly put Elias down on the bed. He took a deep breath. Well at least Elias will rest. Jon left, closing the door quietly. 

A few hours later Jon stormed into the kitchen and threw green silk rope at Peter. Lukas blink confused. 

“Ship yard rope is not an appropriate rope to tie someone Peter. Unless you want to kidnap them.”

“I am sorry. What?”

“Did you even see his wrists? That's unacceptable.”

“Who's… oh… Elias. Well he doesn't care so…”

“Oh but I care.”

“He likes the rope. He doesn't mind it.”

“He will surely mind infected burns when he gets them from that thing. You can't just grab whatever rope is laying around the deck, Peter.”

“I am not discussing my sex life with you.”

“Oh we are not discussing anything, Peter. You are doing it in a safe way or at all.”

Pete snorted. 

“Fine by me. Who tells Elias?” 

“Wait. What?” Jon blinked. 

“I indulge him because he enjoys it. It's not something I can't live without.”

“Oh. Oh wait really? So you are… you don't like it?”

“It's enjoyable. But nothing special. And definitely too much work for the mediocre outcome but Elias likes it.”

“Huh… right. Like a chore right?” Jon offered with a half hopeful smile. 

“God yes.” Peter huffed. “This man is already too much work.”

Jon frowned. 

“Does he know that you…”

“Of course. I am not an idiot, Sims.” He rolled his eyes “ Fine. Give me that.” He grabbed the rope. “And stop tormenting me. Go look for yourself in another room.”

“Sure.” Jon smiled. Somehow he couldn't stop smiling. “Oh wait…is Elias still asleep?”

“Yes. That's odd.”

“I.. sort of compelled him to sleep…”

Peter stared at him in silence and then he looked at the rope.

“Where did you get this?”

“Um…” Jon blink “There is a shop that sells this sort of stuff nearby. Twenty minutes… why?”

Peter hummed. 

“Do they sell muzzles? Or what are they called? Ah. Gags maybe? I am interested in buying one.” He said looking at Jon pointedly. “Or both. Just a precaution.”

“I will wake him up.” Jon said alarmed and quickly turned around to leave the room.

“You better!”

(I hope you don't mind the lack of actual plot, as this contains like 98% of just shenanigans and fun.)

Peter Lukas had a wide repertoire of marinistic pet names. Most of them were taken from dangerous or deadly sea creatures. They had to fit Elias after all.

Pufferfish, Stingray, Lionfish, Eel, Sea Urchin, Jellyfish, Sea Snake, Tigerfish

All were vicious creatures, just like his lovely husband. These were also perfect for an everyday conversation. Casual, appropriate, and discreet. Elias had a different opinion in that matter, but Peter didn't care much. His little pufferfish could puff as much as he wanted to, but Peter refused to stop, and Elias had to deal with it. Elias got used to it after a while and decided it had its charm. It could be worse, he probably wouldn't stand it if Peter started calling him his sunshine or kitten.

There were also names reserved for special occasions. Like a leech.

Leech was hissed when Elias was too clingy and kissed Peter too much. Leech was growled when Elias was demanding too much money. Leech was huffed with annoyance when Peter lost a bet and Elias had this self-satisfied smile on his face. Elias liked being called a leech. Peter always said it with a little bit of fondness in his voice and with a smile that was almost predatory.

There was also my siren. It was reserved for situations when Elias tried to flirt and succeeded. He enjoyed being called a siren too, until he found out that the whole crew of the Tundra knew him as the captain's siren.

There was one more name, Peter called him like that only once, and they never talked about it again.

Elias found Peter in their shared flat sitting on the couch, exhaling fog, he looked dead and cold. His eyes were almost completely empty. Elias sighed and slowly straddled his legs. He pressed his hand to Peter's cheek and winced. Peter was as cold as an iceberg.

"Hello, sailor." He kissed him and shivered when Peter wrapped his cold hands around him.

"Lias." Peter breathed out, returning a kiss. "My anchor." He whispered, kissing him again, and Elias smiled softly.

"Your anchor?" He brushed Peter's hair back. Peter hummed, hiding his face in Elias' neck. "Ah... Peter. You are cold," Elias hissed. But Peter only hugged him tighter. Elias sighed, shivering already. "You will have to make up for it."

"Leech."

bonus

Once he sent him a message containing 48 emojis.

Elias sent back 100 eye emojis with an exclamation mark.

So it starts in research era, just after Jon's grandmother has died - basically leaving him with no real connections (from his perspective, Tim thinks they're besties) and making him PRIME Lonely bait. It's prodding at him experimentally, sniffing like an intrigued animal but ready to dart away at any second. Of course, in comes Peter Lukas, who's returned early from an excursion out on The Tundra and is fagging it up with Elias while the man's like "hey…check out my little Archivist. He's a little freak. I'm going to traumatise him so bad you don't even know." And Peter's like "that's nice, dear. He's looking mighty Lonely." Obviously, Elias is like "back OFF, Peter. He's my silly freakish Archivist and The Eye is like obsessed with him so you're not allowed to have him." And Peter does back off, because god he can't be arsed to deal with Elias so soon after coming back from a trip out on the Tundra, so he leaves it alone - however, it definitely is in the back of his mind, lingering there while The Lonely's metaphorically pawing at Jon like a sad cat that wants entry into a room.

Lonelyeyes does its thing and of course they get into an argument, with Elias shooing Peter away with some sort of bitchy comment, so Peter's like "fine. Fine! I can be petty. I'm going to be petty." and decides that HE'S going to fuck with Elias's little Archivist because he has free will and the divorce papers have been served. Cut to Jon being absolutely tormented by The Lonely, fog crawling into the corners of his vision and people ignoring his general presence, leaving him feeling even more isolated than he did mentally already - sometimes he feels invisible, eyes passing over him and left out of everything (or well, more so than usual, like Tim doesn't invite him places ever). While this happens, Lonelyeyes are being more toxic because "that's my fucking ARCHIVIST DON'T YOU DARE" "FUCKING FINDERS KEEPERS, BITCH!" all the while Jon is curling further and further into himself.

There's a massive blowout argument between lonelyeyes where the divorce papers are signed and Peter is like "I'm taking the child." so Elias is obviously like "what child?? OH MY GOD NO YOU FRIGID BITCH!" but it's too late! Jon finds himself snatched into The Lonely, forced into a world where he is entirely alone and nobody is coming to save him. Obviously, he's not pleased by this, but then he finds another individual in this empty version of the world, huddling away in The Magnus Institute because maybe if he stays in the same place, he's more likely to be helped? Anyway, Peter Lukas is there, toying with Jon like "I mean, I could let you out…but do you really want to be out? Would anyone really care? Surely it's better here, where it doesn't matter if you've been forgotten or not. Nobody can forget you if nobody's there to remember you." While Jon ends up wrapped up in The Lonely, unable and unwilling to really leave because there's no point in trying if nobody cares, if nobody even remembers his name, Lonelyeyes start doing their toxic flirting shit again because it's like "no…if you think about it I could totally prime your Archivist for his role. He's all alone in the archives, no distractions…he can just focus on the statements."

Basically they decide that they should just. Leave Jon in there and manipulate him into dealing with the Archives because "it doesn't matter what you do, it's not like anyone's going to care, right?" until they deal with the pest that is Gertrude, and then they can make Jon the culmination of The Lonely and The Eye all in one. Neither of them really notice when Jon eventually dies of frostbite in The Lonely until it's too late, but Jon is honestly Lonely and locked in on reading these statements in peace and quiet. Eventually, Gertrude is Dealt With and the Head Archivist position opens up for a well-trained Archivist to take her place. Sasha, Tim and Martin are still assigned to be Archival Assistants, but they have no fucking clue who their boss is, they just know that they have one. Meanwhile, Jon is very disgruntled to be back in the world of people, basically like Peter Lukas in how he avoids all people and conversations as much as possible, fading into the fog whenever he so much as hears someone breathe nearby. He doesn't really remember who he was before The Lonely, and he doesn't think that it matters. He doesn't really think anything matters.

I want to tell you guys about how he looks because yes - I'm thinking constant fog rolling off him like when you step out of a shower and the steam comes off your skin due to environmental temperature changes, washed out look, his hands definitely look frostbitten and he's got like cold burns (freezer burns?) on him, as well as a faint sheen of ice in his hair like frozen condensation. Always fucking freezing. Anyway, I can't decide who sees him first, but I kind of love the idea of Jon setting out files on everyone's desks before they arrive as usual, and Tim (who forgot to adjust his alarm clock for daylight savings time or something) comes stumbling in like he's late and is like "WHO THE FUCK??? JON?!" but Jon is like "nope!" and just fucking disappears. Cue Tim trying to convince Sasha and Martin that their boss is the ghost of his old coworker/bestie who disappeared randomly like two years ago, and the other two being like "okay mate. Calm down." Especially Sasha, who also knew Jon and was just as caught up in the "where the fuck is Jon" when he first went missing. So he's got a fucking corkboard conspiracy going on while they're wondering if he's been doing alright recently.

However, Tim (who has been a stupid fool and has been referring to Jon as 'MY SNOOKUMS!!' whenever he talks about it) eventually mentions Jon's actual name and Martin goes "...Tim that's on the nameplate of the Head Archivist's door. Have you just. Never looked at it." There are many emotions in Tim's heart, namely pride because he was right, but then he has so many more questions. He asks Martin why he'd know that, and Martin just shrugs and says he read the nameplate, like any normal person does, instead of trying to spot the individual working inside (okay, maybe he was doing both). However, he's also been leaving tea in the room whenever he makes tea for the others, with a little note of the tea blend in case whoever he's leaving it for is allergic to something in it. The next day, the mug he used is always washed and placed back in the cupboard, so he knows he isn't just wasting tea whenever he does it. Sasha is finally on board with the conspiracy, researching further into Jonathan Sims (a man who apparently went entirely missing, not just from the institute, which is fucking weird) while Tim tries to bump into him again. Martin, however, just keeps making him tea.

It is, of course, Martin that Jon first communicates with. Not even verbally - he just leaves a little note on Martin's desk informing him that he liked the last blend that he made. Martin immediately makes him another cup of tea using that blend, this time with a note telling him that he also likes this one, even offering a little tidbit about how awful it tastes when brewed incorrectly. Jon writes back, asking if there's a story behind that, and they quickly build up a strange little connection through these notes. Martin finds himself hopelessly charmed by the man he learns about through their communication, all the way from how he gushes so passionately about cats when he mentions feeding a stray on the way home from work one time, to how he loops his 'f's and goes from signing his full name to just a simple "-J" as they continue. Jon finds himself in a similar situation, these muffled feelings trying to break past the neutral emptiness he has lived with for so long, slightly discomforted by them but also not wanting to break this tiny link. He finds himself, for the first time in years, yearning. Not only for this sweet man who made him tea even when he wasn't sure he was real, but for the idea of connection as a whole. This, of course, goes against The Lonely, and it makes its displeasure very known.

You see, this whole time, the plot has been trying to plot. Jane Prentiss keeps trying to get into the institute, but she literally just gets sent into The Lonely the second Jon sees even a single worm crawling around the Archives. This, of course, was not something Elias and Peter expected to happen, so they're both like "wait. Wait pause. Okay. We didn't plan for this." Peter lets Jane Prentiss back out of The Lonely, but Jon just throws her right back in when he notices she's out, which leads to basically a cycle of trying to get Prentiss in before Jon can notice and just failing drastically. While Prentiss would be fine just ditching this whole thing because "ffuck this", she's also still got that itch that led her there in the first place, and it's less her thinking than it is the worms puppeting her body at this point. Worms are not very smart, and even Corruption worms can have a lessened idea of 'danger'. Can worms even feel Lonely?? Anyway. The Lonely's pissed off with Jon, so when he tries to kick Prentiss back into The Lonely after she's let out again...it doesn't let him. Which is. Bad. Jon gets attacked by Prentiss until The Lonely relents and drags her back in, and he's like. "Um. Uh oh." He can feel the worms digging into his flesh, through muscle and bone and-

Well, when Martin opens the office door and is met with a man on the floor, covered in blood and trying to use a letter opener to get out the worms still digging into him, he panics. Obviously. Like, the archival crew have been dealing with the worms same as usual after Prentiss staked out his home. Okay so I was thinking about whether Martin ends up in the Archives and I say yes he does, with the offer given through a note resting on his desk when he stumbles back into the office (after all...Jon's been working for The Eye for a while now too). but he doesn't see Jon until he walks into this room and finds him trying not to be taken over by evil parasites. After helping Jon avoid such a fate (and only not calling an ambulance because the man assures him that he'll be fine, which is freaky to think about), he is met with the realisation that. This was Jon. He looked like that, but he was also Jon and dear god Martin shouldn't be thinking about how pretty a man is when he's currently trying to wash his blood off his hands.