Chapter Text
They greet each other with identical expressions for different reasons. Peter is, as always, pleased with himself. Elias is, at the moment, infinitely more pleased with Jon.
A guard clears his throat when Peter leans over to cup Elias’ chin in his hand. He smirks as he kisses Elias’ cheek. That small sound of objection is the only vocal observation that will be made on the matter. Money has a way of smoothing all wrinkles. Privacy would do the same, but, well, for all he had going for him, Peter remained a Lukas at heart.
“I believe a hearty congratulations are in order,” Peter begins as he removes his coat. He folds it over one arm before setting in down on the table. He is eying Elias rather expectantly but the look also suggests that he would much prefer they were somewhere where removing the rest of his garments were possible.
“Why thank you.”
Peter makes a face. He can be so easily deflated. Right now he looks a bit like a petulant child whose picture has been found wanting by an overly critical parent.
Elias smirks.
“I realize it was your plan, but I executed it.”
“To some degree,” Elias admits. He steeples his fingers as is his habit as he cheerfully regards Peter. “I should send Martin something.”
Peter leans back slightly, still put out. Only slightly so, of course. This isn’t exactly a new game that they’re playing. “Don’t I deserve even the smallest of thanks? Haven’t these last few weeks been some small consolation to you?”
Elias sighs contentedly. “They’ve been of great comfort.”
In private moments, he has allowed himself brief doubts about his Archivist. All of them misplaced, it would seem. He’s watched Jon seek out new statements with a satisfaction he hadn’t felt in ages. After days of being rather shiftless, Elias found the time to exercise while he observed Jon, eyes glazed over as he left rough walls and noisy prisoners behind him. Why just that morning he ended up whistling in the shower.
“All thanks to…” Peter prompts, pointing a finger towards himself.
“He might have done it all on his own,” Elias decides, smiling as he says so.
“Really?” Peter asks with a laugh. He shakes his head, setting a hand down on Elias’ fingers. He brushes his own digits over Elias’ knuckles. They are slightly bruised owing to the rare interruptions he’d had while keeping track of his Archivist.
“Would he? They’re not a very motivated lot. I’ve thought to set up some team building exercises only it’s clear none of them would show up. I’m sure there’s room in the budget for posters at least. You know, the ones with kittens on them.”
“I’m sure I don’t know.”
“I especially like the one with the kittens running along a race track. The text reads ‘Meow is the time to work together.’”
Elias chuckles.
Peter grins. “Now that is something I’m willing to thank Jon for.” His look turns a bit more serious and focused. “Now. What about you and me?”
“Hm.” Elias lifts up Peter’s hand and kisses the back of it. “If it was just you and me, I could see my way to rewarding you. With the smallest and briefest of thanks.”
Peter frowns slightly before regarding Elias with bright eyes. “And then?”
“It’s possible that, in light of my recent success that I attribute solely to Jon, I might forget how unimportant your role was in the matter. In that moment, why I might even thank you a bit better than you’re used to. Were we alone.”
“Credit where credit isn’t due and all that.”
“Precisely.”
Peter could not look more pleased. His smugness occasionally leaves a bit to be desired, but in the moment, Elias simply wants to kiss the expression from his face. He’ll replace it with something more intimate and private. More sincere.
“Well,” Peter says with a feigned sigh, “seeing as I did nothing at all, I’ll take what I can get.”
Elias smirks as fog rolls in and everything fades away.