Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Why is there a tape recorder in here? I don’t like that there was that death creep hanging around Jon.”

“Seriously. Poor Jon, I hope he’s okay.”

Jon stirred. “That is a very good question.”

Georgie and Basira looked at Jon in shocked joy. Georgie spoke first. “JON! You’re AWAKE! Oh Thank G! How are you feeling?!?!”

“Um… surprisingly okay.”

Basira thought that might be a bit concerning but he was her friend so she would be nice about it. “Well, I’m relieved that you’re okay Jon. We might want to investigate why you’re doing so well after a six month coma though.”

“Six… six months?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.” Jon was somewhat horrified.

Georgie reassuringly grabbed his hand. “Hey, it’ll be okay. You have us to help you through it.”

“Wait… six months… where’s Tim?”

Basira let out a sad sigh. “He didn’t make it. Daisy either.”

Jon stifled a sob. “Oh G… I am so sorry, Basira.”

Basira wiped a tear from her eye and sniffled. “Thank you.”

“Where’s… where’s Martin?”

Basira was a tad bitter. “He’s been hanging around with Peter Lucas.”

Jon was horrified. “WHAT?!?! PETER EFFING LUCAS?!?!”

“Yep.”

“Well… we’ve clearly got to put a stop to THAT.”

“My thoughts Exactly.”

Jon started getting out of bed. “Okay let’s go-”

Georgie gently scolded. “Jon! Wait for a nurse to check you over first!”

Jon rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh but relented. “Okay, fine, send one over I guess. Also, Basira, may I please have the statement in your bag? It smells delicious.”

Basira rolled her eyes teasingly and handed it over. “You’re so creepy you know.”

“I’m hungry.” Jon took the statement and began reading.

“Which is also creepy, considering what you’re hungry for.”

“Oh come on, be nice.”

Basira chuckled. “Whatever, weirdo.”

“Ha! This one’s about zombies!”

Basira let out a huff of amusement. “Wait, seriously? Zombies?”

“Yep!”

“Okay I might actually want to stay around for this one. That sounds kind of fun.”

Georgie gave a snort of laughter. “Okay you two have fun with your Halloween Special -

“Well, I did apparently miss Halloween while I was in a coma -”

Georgie broke down laughing. “Fine, fine. Though I would have thought that trying to take down a circus of evil Fear-driven mannequins was Halloweeny enough for you.”

“Meh.”

“Well, I’m going to get a snack from the cafeteria and when you’re quite done I’ll fetch a nurse. You two want anything? Zombie movie snacks?”

Basira and Jon chuckled.

“Just water please.”

“Of course.”

Chapter Text

“Thank you for the clothes, Basira.”

“Of course.”

“They look like Martin’s…?”

“They are. He’s been living in the office and I stole some.”

“... Ah.”

“Thought it might help our case some if you were to show up in his too-big clothes looking all adorable.”

Jon was a tad bit flustered and embarrassed. “Um… thank you… I guess?” He walked into the bathroom and came out in a few minutes.

“Perfect. Now just make sure you bring that sad puppy-dog look in your eyes and I’m sure this will go swimmingly.”

“What ‘sad puppy-dog look?’”

Basira and Georgie laughed.

“What?!?”

Georgie rolled her eyes. “Oh, Jon. You’re so precious.”

“WHAT?!”

Basira chuckled. “Come on, Jon. We’ve got to go save Martin from himself.”

Jon nodded. “Right. Let’s go get Martin.”

…

Jon was nervous. “Where… where is he these days?”

Basira shrugged. “I dunno, probably his office?”

“Okay.” Jon walked up to Martin’s office door and knocked. They both heard Martin swearing softly from inside.

“Go away, whoever you are!”

“Martin, it’s me. Jon?”

Martin let out a sharp breath. “Um… I’m… busy.”

Jon tried the door.

Martin let out an exasperated sigh. “The door is locked, Jon. Go away."

Basira looked at Jon and shrugged. “I told you.”

Jon smirked. “Give me a plastic card.”

Basira chuckled and handed over her card and Jon clicked it into the side of the door against the lock, making the door pop open.

Martin startled. “Oh F!”

“Sorry Martin, but locks can’t beat the credit card.”

Martin looked up, planning to scold him, but then… Oh G. There he was in Martin's clothes which were clearly several sizes too big for him, the sleeves going far past his hands. His big now green - hadn't they been brown before? - eyes staring at him, pleadingly. Martin had dreamed of this exact scene so many times. But now that it was finally here…

“Martin?" Jon slowly started forward, a soft nervous smile on his lips. “Martin, I'm back."

And he was. He was back. Martin had the overwhelming urge to run over and hug the man fiercely but… but me mustn't… Peter would disapprove…

“Martin?"

Ughhhh! Jon was doing that whole puppy-dog eyes thing that Martin couldn't resist. Truly nobody could but especially not Martin. Martin grimaced and pushed his chair back. Okay, fine. One hug wouldn't hurt anything. He opened his arms in surrender. “Okay, come here."

Jon buried himself in Martin's arms and nuzzled into his chest. Oh. G. Martin felt the breath catch in his throat. This was…this was cruel. He briefly considered pushing Jon away but no, he…he was simply incapable of doing that. Jon made little happy sounds. Martin sighed. He knew Peter Lukas was going to kill him but at the moment he somehow didn't care. If he were to die at this exact moment he would die happy. He relaxed against Jon, noting that he still smelled like hospital. Which only made him clutch him tighter, desperately remembering the past several months of pining for a man he thought would never awaken. And yet here he was, solid, warm, and real. And so very fuzzy wearing Martin's sweater. Martin closed his eyes and took it all in.

Peter materialized. “This doesn't look very lonely, Martin."

Basira eyed him dubiously. “Martin, is this our new boss?"

Peter was somewhat affronted but also somewhat pleased at being ignored. He liked not having to talk directly to people.

Martin stammered in fear. “Y-Yes, this is P-peter Lukas."

"Huh.” Basira looked him up and down, assessing him. "Okay.”

Peter spoke again. "Martin, this doesn't look very lonely.”

Martin extracted himself from Jon's arms and looked down at the floor. "I'm… I'm sorry…"

“I'm not angry, Martin. Just… disappointed."

“Oh F OFF!" Jon got up in his face. Which required him to bring over and stand up on Martin's chair because of the height difference. “What are you, a disapproving parental figure? This is extremely inappropriate behavior for one's boss.”

“Martin is supposed to be Lonely and frankly it's none of your business-"

“Oh F OFF!" Jon was very frustrated. “Martin is supposed to do whatever Martin wants to do. You're an Avatar of the Lonely, of course you want Martin to be Lonely. That's literally what you DO!”

Peter was getting irritated. "He made a deal.”

Jon raised an eyebrow. "A deal?”

"Yes. As long as he stays Lonely I'll protect you archival loser nerds from certain death.”

“Huh." Jon looked at Martin. “Is this true, Martin?"

Martin looked at his feet and sadly nodded.

“Well." Jon nodded to himself. “It looks like we won't be needing your services any longer Peter. Because we've got a new Avatar in town." With this he released a burst of static and made his eyes glow.

Peter chuckled. “Oh, Jon. I am so much stronger than you. You're but a baby Avatar. You can't hope to protect these people by yourself."

Jon was somewhat offended at this. “Well…well you can't have Martin!”

Martin sniffled. This was uncomfortable.

Jon put a reassuring hand in his and squeezed tightly. “It's going to be okay," he mouthed.

Martin gave a nervous smile.

“MARTIN! BE LONELY!” Peter was angry.

Jon was angrier. Peter suddenly found himself sprawled on the floor after a sudden punch to the face.

Basira was impressed. “Nice, Jon. I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“He was being mean to MARTIN.” Jon shook his injured hand then glared down at Peter with his arms crossed. He was also still standing on the chair so it was a pretty amusing sight. “NOBODY is mean to Martin. Or ELSE.”

Martin sniffled. Jon turned to him and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Martin. It’s going to be okay.”

Peter pulled himself to his feet and glared at Jon. “Do you want to go to the Lonely, Jon?”

Martin rounded on him and he too punched Peter Lukas in the face. He fell to the ground a second time.

“Thank you, Martin.” Jon turned tear-filled eyes to him.

“Of course, Jon.” Martin pulled Jon in and whispered. “May I kiss you?”

Jon responded by fiercely kissing him. Then stepping down off the chair and gently pulling him down the hall to Jon’s office and subsequently into the back room. Something Martin was Very happy about.

“Let’s undo some of that Lonely, shall we?” Jon breathed.

“Please?” Martin could barely get the word out he was shaking with such absolute joy.

Peter Lucas rolled his eyes in annoyance as he got up off the floor and went to whine to Elias. This was ridiculous. Somehow Martin Blackwood was less lonely than he had been in years. This plan had totally backfired.

Chapter Text

Jon and Martin were having a nice time sharing a close cuddle in the backroom when Melanie barged into Jon’s office and threw a coffee cup at the wall.

“AHH!” They sat up together, Martin wrapping his arms and a blanket around Jon protectively. “M-Melanie, what’s up?”

“Jon is still ALIVE! THIS IS BAD!”

Martin didn’t exactly agree with this sentiment. “Um… I’m personally rather pleased that Jon is alive.”

Jon kissed his cheek in response. Martin made a happy little squeak.

“Wait, what are you even doing in Jon’s office, Martin?”

“Um… having a nice cuddle?”

Melanie threw open the door and looked down at the two on the floor. “Ah… I see.”

Martin gave a nervous chuckle. “Jon’s back!”

Melanie glared down at the two. “I can see that.”

Jon muttered. “Normally it’s polite to knock-”

“Oh don’t you DARE! You should be DEAD!”

Jon nervously burrowed into Martin’s arms. He felt safer there. Martin reassuringly kissed the top of his head. “Melanie, please? Can we not do this right now? He just saved me from Peter.”

Melanie raised an eyebrow and kicked at something on the floor. “And apparently also your shirt?”

Jon blushed and burrowed farther into Martin’s arms.

Martin couldn’t help but smirk. “Um… yah. But that was more of an additional bonus.” He kissed the top of Jon’s head again and Jon let out a happy squeak.

Melanie rolled her eyes. Jon wasn’t exactly being a terrifying threat at the moment. She could come back later when he was. “Kill you later.”

“Uh… don’t you mean ‘catch you later?’” Jon was nervous.

“No.” Then Melanie was gone, closing the office door behind her.

Martin and Jon looked at each other. “How long has she been like this?”

“Beats me - I’ve been Lonely.”

“Huh. Guess I should ask Basira.”

“Can we finish cuddling first?”

“Of course, Martin.” Jon gently pushed Martin to the floor with kisses and snuggles.

…

“Oh yah, Melanie’s been having issues. It’s been hard here.”

“Ah.” Jon was somewhat confused. “And she wants to… kill me?”

“Yah. She blames you for everything.”

“... Why?”

“Beats me. I think you were just an easy scapegoat since you weren’t here and unlike Elias she actually can kill you.”

“Ah. Feels a tad bit unfair.”

“It is. Sorry, Jon.”

Jon sighed. “It’s not your fault. It just kind of hurts.”

Basira gave him a reassuring shoulder pat. “I know.”

Jon continued. “It’s that ghost bullet in her leg that’s causing all of this-”

Basira gave a start. “Wait, what?”

Jon elaborated. “The ghost bullet that’s been there since she got shot, putting out hate and aggression… oh… right… how do I even know that?”

…

Basira was somewhat hesitant. “So… here’s the anesthetic… pray it works I guess.”

Jon chuckled nervously. “I don’t exactly like this plan.”

“Me neither but it’s what we’ve got. I’ll try to hold her down.”

“Don’t you think we should have involved Martin?”

“I didn’t particularly want to involve literally everyone around her - she deserves to have someone she can still trust.”

Jon sighed. “Fair enough. Okay let’s do this thing.”

…

“It’s been thirty minutes… here goes nothing.” Jon removed the bullet with relief. “It’s… it’s done-”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Melanie sat up, screaming, and grabbed the scalpel from Jon.

“Melanie, we're just trying to help you!”

“GET OFF ME! GET OFF ME!”

“Melanie, please - AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Martin came running in at the commotion and saw Melanie stabbing and trying to kill Jon. “What the…?!?!” Then he quickly scooped a whimpering Jon up in his arms and fled. Melanie tried to stand up to follow and fell, instead resorting to howls of fury. Basira simply sighed and shook her head. Her colleagues were a mess.

Martin brought Jon into the breakroom and sat him in a chair next to the sink, gently removing his shirt and wetting some paper towels to clean up his shoulder. He sighed.“Jon. What were you thinking?”

Jon sniffled. “She… she had a ghost bullet in her leg. It’s what was making her so angry. We had to remove it… Ow.”

Martin was sympathetic. “I know, I’m sorry it hurts. I’ve just got to clean it up so it doesn’t get infected. And so we can see how bad it is - do you want to go to the hospital?”

“And say what? That I was attacked while removing a ghost bullet from a sleeping friend turned into a killer enemy?”

Martin gave a soft chuckle. “Okay, fair. Probably not the best idea. But realistically you and Melanie both should get checked out. Stitches and the like?”

Jon chuckled. “She’d probably murder the doctors.”

“Fair, fair… fortunately it doesn’t seem too bad - here, I’ll just get some gauze.”

“Ow…”

“Aw, it’ll just be a few more seconds… done!”

“Thank you, Martin.”

“Of course.” Martin gently kissed Jon’s forehead. “Let’s get you some sleep okay?” He helped Jon back to his office and into his chair. “Here, I’m going to get us an air mattress from the store. You just rest up in the meantime.” Then he kissed Jon’s forehead and left for the store.

Chapter Text

Jon tried to sleep. He really did. But his head kept racing and eventually he decided what he really needed was to go for a walk. So he got up and walked to the front door with a quick text to Martin. “Going on a short walk - I need to clear my head.”

The night was pleasant and he breathed a relieved sigh upon stepping out into it. “Ah, I think some fresh air is good for me.” It was admittedly a bit awkward that his shirt was covered in blood but it was dark and people wouldn’t necessarily notice. He hummed to himself quietly as he walked along the sidewalk, watching the occasional other person walk by the other direction walking their dog or going to the nearby grocery store.

It was somewhat annoying though with all these random Eye-thoughts being beamed into his head. Oh, look. That person was eating an entire box of donuts in their car. That person was playing the ukelele… badly. Oh so badly. Why did the Eye even have to show him that? What was this, Grifter’s Bone? And he definitely could have gone without knowing what that dog was eating. Yuck! Then he felt a sudden stomach grumble - which was confusing, considering - and turned.

“Oh! Hello.”

The woman turned. “Um, hello?”

“Yes, hi. I can tell you have a story. Please tell me. I'm really hungry.”

“Wait, what-”

“About your birthday every year.”

…

“Thank you." As he walked away, Jon felt a lot more refreshed after getting her statement though he did feel a little guilty about the women he left standing there in shock behind him. He had to push it away, he just had to.

Martin was waiting for him with an inflated air mattress when he got back. “Ah, you’re just in time! Did you have a nice walk?”

“It was nice, thank you.”

“Here, let me check your shoulder. I should probably change the bandage…” Martin was impressed. “Wow, it’s already healed! That was fast! It’s just a scar now.” Jon felt himself being gently pulled towards the bathroom.

“Hmm?”

“Well, let’s clean off the blood. Then I want some more cuddle time if you’re feeling up to it.”

Jon pushed the guilt away. Yes, he wanted cuddle time. He could think about his actions later.

Chapter Text

Basira was nervous. “Jon, don’t come in here!”

He sighed. “It’s okay, I know it’s Breekon with a coffin.” He turned to Breekon. “What do you want?”

“To give you this coffin. Your cop friend is in there.”

Basira choked back a sob. “...D-Daisy?”

“Yep that’s the one.”

Jon nodded. “Ah, thank you. You may go now.”

“I… I wanted to kill you?”

“No. Go away now.” Jon glared at him and static rose and Breekon fled with an annoyed shout.

…

Jon needed to rescue Daisy from the buried so he tried to make an anchor. He presumed some of his own flesh would be the best kind so he tried to cut off a finger. It was gruesome and awful and kept failing.

Melanie came in. “What are you doing?"

“Um… hi Melanie…"

“I said, what are you doing?" Then she turned around and called, “Martin, get in here, Jon's being a mess again!" She turned back to Jon. “Look, I know you have some self-hate issues but you don’t have to do this. I’m… I’m sorry about the other day, okay? I know you were trying to do the right thing. It doesn’t make you a terrible person.”

Jon tried to say something then gave an exasperated sigh as he heard and then saw Martin come down the hall and into the doorway to his office. “What's up?" Then he looked over at Jon…and the blood. “Jon!" Martin hurried to his side.
“Okay Jon, where's the thing you used to injure yourself?"

Jon sighed. "I wasn't trying to-”

Melanie rolled her eyes. “He dropped it in the desk drawer when he saw me."

“Thank you, Melanie." Martin quickly opened the drawer and took the knife. Then he hurriedly started looking over Jon, checking for injuries. “Jon, what happened? Are you okay?"

Jon sighed again. "I was trying to chop off a finger to make an anchor so I can save Daisy from the buried and I thought that some of my own self would be the best kind-”

Martin was incensed. "So you went with a FINGER?!?!"

“Well…um…yah?"

“When you could have used, I don't know, like a vial of blood or something?"

“Uh… I mean…"

“He really isn't that bright." Melanie was somewhat amused.

“No he Really isn't." Martin was annoyed and gently took Jon's hands in his to check all his fingers. “I'm not seeing any injuries - just blood -"

“That's because it didn't work. Like…the finger came off but then it healed instantly as soon as the knife came out.”

"Good G, JON!!!!” Martin pulled Jon into a fierce hug pinning his arms to his sides. “Can I even leave you alone?"

Jon was somewhat annoyed. "I said it healed back -”

"And THANK G FOR THAT or else I'd be calling you an AMBULANCE right now!”

Jon let out an exasperated sigh. "Look, Martin, I need an anchor -”

"As you've said.” Martin pulled back with his arms crossed. "Bad Jon. Bad Archivist. Shame."

Jon smirked - he couldn't help it.

“BAD, VERY BAD!"

Jon leaned in and silenced Martin with a kiss. Martin kissed him back for a few seconds before pulling away.

“You're not getting off that easily!"

“Oh?” Jon kissed him again. Martin melted for a few seconds.

“That’s cheating!”

“No, it’s using my strengths.”

“Your cuteness?"

“Exactly."

Martin sighed and ruffled his hair. “Well, you are very cute. And I’d rather you not get terribly injured because I hate to see you suffer!”

“Well… I need to rescue Daisy. And I need a good anchor. I’m… I really don’t want to get stuck down there so it needs to be a really good anchor.” He chuckled bitterly. “I wish we had the Bone Turner, he could just take out a rib and we could be done with it.”

Melanie and Martin shared a look.

Jon was confused. “... What?”

Martin was hesitant. “Um… Jon… we… we have the Bone Turner. He attacked the archives when you were in a coma… Helen’s got him.”

“Ah.” Jon nervously nodded. “O-okay then. Let’s go to him.”

Melanie shrugged. “If you want, sure.”

Martin was nervous. “But J-Jon… this… are you… are you sure?”

“I have to, Martin.” Jon’s voice was shaky but resolute.

“Then I’m going with you.” Martin sighed. “Because as much as I absolutely hate this, I also know that when you get your mind set on something and there’s no changing it. And I’m not losing you to some coffin.”

“Martin, you can’t follow me into the Buried -”

Martin gave a snort of laughter. “No, not the Buried. I know I couldn’t get out of there. No, I’m going with you to the Bone Turner.”

Chapter Text

Martin reassuringly took Jon’s hand as they stepped through the door and waved goodbye to Helen. “Thanks, see you soon.”

“Of course, good luck!”

Jon sighed. He didn’t much like nor trust Helen but he supposed she did have her uses.

“Hello.” Jon shuddered. Jared Hopworth. He’d never seen nor heard him in person before and was unprepared. He didn’t have static like he himself did but some other audible distortion that made his head feel funny. He didn’t feel so strong or powerful.

“Why are you here? Finally decided to release me after luring and trapping me here?”

“I… I have a favor to ask.”

Martin winced.

“Ah. Put something in or take something out?”

Jon was nervous and quiet. “Uh… take something out. Also why are you even here?”

“I was asked to come by a letter.”

“A letter?”

“Do you want a statement? It’ll cost you another rib.”

“... Fine.”

Martin let out an incredulous gasp. “JON! This is irresponsible! We’re not talking about five dollars here, we’re talking about one of your RIBS!”

Jared Hopworth turned to Martin. “Could you kindly shut up?”

Jon stiffened. “Don’t talk to him like that!”

“... Is he your boyfriend then?”

“YES!” Martin gave him a ferocious look.

Jon smiled at how adamant Martin was. Aw. Then he turned back to Jared. “But yes, let’s… let’s do it. Statement first.” He turned to Martin. “Martin… I’m sorry.”

Martin gave an exasperated huff. “Well, it’s your rib, your choice I guess.”

Jared and Jon both eyed him with slight incredulous amusement for a couple seconds before Jared launched into his statement. Martin sat on the floor and messed with his phone. Helen had re-set up the Distortion so he could turn it on… to access the twitter app. And nothing else. He didn’t even have the twitter app normally but he did here. Strange. Might as well. He spent the next five minutes feeling progressively more depressed and disillusioned with life.

Finally Jared was clearly done as Jon was saying, “Is that it? It hardly seems worth a rib.” Ah, time for Martin to come in. He stuffed his phone in his pocket and walked over to Jon.

“So. How does this… how does this work exactly?”

Jon was shaking. “Is… is this going to hurt?”

Jared shrugged. “I dunno. Won’t hurt me.”

“Uh… okay lean against me… I guess?” Martin got behind Jon, wrapped his arms supportively around his lower abdomen, and closed his eyes. He couldn’t watch this. Ugh. He held Jon as he whimpered and cried out. This was… this was awful. He kissed the top of his head reassuringly but knew it was nowhere near what he needed from the squelching and cracking sounds he could hear. Ughhh poor Jon. Good grief, the things this man went through.

Finally it was over. “This one’s yours. What are you going to use it for?”

“An… An anchor.” Jon weakly leaned against Martin who gently helped him sit down. There was no way the man should be standing after that.

“Great. This one’s mine.”

Jon shuddered. Martin held him close.

“So… you said you’d let me out?”

“J-just… start walking. There should be a door.”

Jared started off and Jon collapsed against Martin. Martin let out a sympathetic sound and gently scooped Jon and his rib (ew, his still-bloody rib… ick…) up in his arms, heading back the direction they had come in.

“Is he alive?” Helen was somewhat concerned.

“Oh, yah. He’s just… out.” Martin leaned down and looked into Jon’s unconscious face. “I’m going to take him to lie down in the office.”

“Good idea.” Melanie looked at him with some amusement. “Hmm. Not very intimidating right now, is he? Looks rather pitiful.”

“I know, doesn’t he?” Martin gazed down at him with adoration.

“You’d better take care of him.”

“Of course, Helen.” Martin gave a snort of bitter laughter. “I’m not letting him out of my sight other than to use the restroom, don’t worry.”

“Good. I hope he feels better soon.” Melanie sighed. “Darn, he’s a mess but he does try for his friends doesn’t he?”

“He does.” Martin looked down at him sympathetically. “He really, really does.”