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Elias is having a chat with Rosie in the hallway just outside his office. “Having a chat" with his employees is one of his favorite pastimes, recently. The relative location of his office allows him ample opportunity to pull people walking between departments into small talk, fully aware that his position means they’re obligated to listen to him.
Somehow the conversation always manages to edge towards whatever topic the other party is desperately hoping Elias won’t bring up. He enjoys watching the other person’s eyes dart around looking for an escape before he lets them go. Catch and release.
It's great fun. The crushing banality of office politics is one of his favorite parts of the 20th century.
He's asking Rosie if she's seen his spare pen anywhere—it just mysteriously disappeared from his desk after their last meeting, how strange—when his phone vibrates in his pocket. It's Jon.
"Apologies, I need to take this," he sighs. He sees Rosie nod and take a side-step, trying to escape, but he holds up a finger and she deflates.
"Hello, Jon," he says. Jon was out to lunch, last time he checked. He's curious why he's calling him.
"...Hi," the voice on the other end says, hesitantly. There's a long moment of silence. Elias raises an eyebrow.
"Is everything alright, Jon?"
Jon clears his throat. "Yes! Yes, sorry. I just wanted to, um. I wanted to ask about—about a purchase?" He sounds stressed.
"Is it something for the archives?"
"No, no, it's... it's just—something I wanted." He says the last part more quietly.
Elias is getting a bit frustrated, and he splits his vision between his own eyes and Jon's, waiting a moment for his perception to adjust. He still doesn't understand the reason for the call. Jon doesn't need permission to spend his own money, he's a grown adult—
Ah.
His vision has focused, now, and he can see what Jon is staring at. It's a plush, grey bunny with long ears, half flopped-over on the shelf. Surrounding it is a display of similar Easter-themed stuffed animals and decorations, but Jon's eyes are fixed on this one, specifically.
Elias has to bite his lip to keep himself from smiling.
"Well," he hums. "How much is it?"
Rosie is still standing in front of him, trapped. Meanwhile, Jon's eyes scan the shelf for the price tag. Elias notices his free hand, playing with the hem of his shirt in his peripheral vision.
"Um. Eight pounds?"
"Hmm." Elias pretends to think about it. He can't help teasing him, a bit. "I believe we already have one quite similar to that, don't we?"
He’s fairly sure Jon just stamped his foot in frustration, from the way his vision shifts for a moment. Elias redirects his sight through the eyes of one of the other toys on the shelf to get a better look at him.
“Y—yes, but…” Jon whines, quietly. Elias sees him grasp the hem of his shirt a little tighter.
It’s not like he can’t buy it himself, of course. Elias never told him he couldn’t spend his own money. The fact that he felt the need to call Daddy for permission is just about the most adorable thing Elias has ever witnessed.
He loses all interest in Rosie, walking back into his office without further acknowledgment.
“How about this,” Elias says, shutting the door behind him. He sits on the sofa and briefly misses the feeling of twirling a landline cord around his finger. “You can buy it, but you have to help with dinner tonight. Oh, and pick up some garlic since you’re already at Tesco, please.”
“Ok!” Jon says.
“And you have to help clean up, as well.”
“Ok,” Jon says, less enthusiastically.
“Good,” Elias says, smiling. “I look forward to meeting your new friend.”
He sees Jon pick up the bunny. It’s a cheap little thing, but it has a cute, almost sad-looking face and soft, silky fur. He can see why Jon is drawn to it.
“Thank you D—um. T—Thank you,” Jon sputters, catching himself.
Elias’s smile is warm and genuine. “Of course, Jon. Are you alright getting back by yourself?”
He refrains from using any of the numerous pet names he's typically fond of, not wanting to push Jon further into headspace while he’s out by himself. He knows how Jon feels about public transit when he’s like this.
Jon clears his throat and tucks the bunny into the crook of his arm. He turns away from the Easter display, heading towards the checkout. When he speaks, he sounds more like his usual self.
“Yes, I’m alright,” Jon says, sounding somewhat embarrassed. “I’m sorry for bothering you.”
Elias doesn’t need to see Jon’s face to know how red he is.
“You’re never a bother, Jon. I’ll see you in a bit, alright?” Elias says, still smiling.
“Right. See you soon.”
“Oh, and Jon?”
“Y—yes?”
“Don’t forget the garlic.”