Work Text:
Meetings with Elias were always difficult. Jon often left them with double the workload and a reprimand for not having enough haste in getting things done, despite the fact that he already stayed so late into the night at the archives that he just spent the night there more days than not.
But today, Jon could not handle this. He was already overwhelmed by the whole Prentiss situation, and having Martin stay at the archives. He could not do this today.
Jon stepped out of Elias's office, tears prickled in the corners of his eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. He quickly made his way down to the archives, avoiding eye contact with anyone. And once he reached the archives, Jon was in his office before Tim could even get out a question.
"How'd it go with double bo- ah." His answer was the loud shutting of a door. "Got it! Not well.."
Jon sank into his desk chair, placing his forehead into his hands. As if in an attempt at a distraction, he grabbed a statement, he couldn't waste precious time.
But his attempts at making any progress were little, he read the same line over and over again, his breaths coming faster and more shallow each time, with the tears that he had been using all his effort to hold back spilling out.
Jon leaned back in his chair, gazing up at the ceiling and blinking as rapidly as he could. it was silly, This was his office! He could cry in it all he wanted, but nobody wants to in the end.
Jon was thrown back to awareness by a gentle knock and then, without waiting for permission to enter (which Jon was a bit grateful for, given the fact that he doubted he could get any words out without completely shattering in his current state) entered Martin.
"Hey Jon…I brought you some tea?" He took a few steps into Jon's office, and placed the mug on the desk, in the familiar spot where the wood had somewhat discolored in the simple shape of the bottom of a mug.
Jon fumbled for a response, attempting to gain his composure. It was ineffective.
"Thank you, Martin." The words came out softer than he had intended, choked and Shaky.
"Oh! And also I uh-" Martin held something out from behind his back.
"I figured you might be a bit stressed. And frustrated and so I- I mean whenever I'm stressed… coloring? Kind of helps? Gives the mind something else to do."
Jon realized that what Martin was holding out was a small coloring book, the front page covered in beautifully vibrant illustrations of every plant one could imagine, he was also holding a small pouch of colored pencils.
"I erm- sorry it's silly. I just figured I'd offer to help? I uh- I can go- if you'd rather me leave you alone?" Jon cut him off, reaching a hand out. It wouldn't hurt to take a break, Elias would never be satisfied either way. And although Jon wouldn't ever admit it out loud, Martin's presence often felt grounding and secure, in a way few things did.
"No! It- it's nice, thank you, Martin. And please, stay. Let me just.." he quickly stood from his desk, wiping his face before pushing a few things aside, clearing off the space on his desk. Jon then turned, taking a stack of papers off a chair in the corner of the room, and sliding it over next to his own.
Martin smiled a sweet, soft thing that caused a warmth to bloom in Jon's chest. Martin set the booklet and pencils down on the desk, then sat next to Jon, they were close, but not quite touching, he almost wished that they were.
"You can just tear out the page you want when you find it."
And just like that, the two sat in companionable silence, the only sound being the faint scratching of pencils against paper. Jon found it a calming sensation. Martin radiated warmth and comfort. Martin felt safe.
Every so often their hands would bump, both reaching for a new color. Jon would turn away, hiding the faint pink glow rising to his cheeks, unaware of the fact that Martin did much the same.
Jon found Martin had been right, the simple task of coloring in a small mosaic floral design washed over him, a lovely bliss that he wasn't sure he had felt in a long while.
After what could have been 5 minutes, or hours, Martin stood to his feet.
"I should probably get back to work- wouldn't want to keep you distracted from your own, I hope it helped!" Jon smiled at him, if only he could express just how much it had.
"Thank you, Martin. It really did. I appreciate it."
And just like that, it was only Jon once more.
So many words left unsaid, but it was fine, he had time.
Jon gently folded the coloring page and tucked it away into his bag, where it would be safe.