Chapter Text
Jonathan was pissed at this bloody fucking archives. Elias just framed him for murder and Jonathan is sick and tired of acting oblivious of the happenings. So on a random Friday Jonathan matched into the office of Elias Bouchard and slammed a paper of resignation on his desk. Elias' office looked a lot less cluttered than the last time Jonathan stepped foot in it, probably because Elias was getting bored of the hassle of moving stuff around just to clean up the office of dust or worms or blood or flesh or anything really. The walls glared back at Jonathan with its eyed wallpaper and the carpet felt coarse even through his shoes. The silence stretched on between Jonathan and Elias. Before Elias could get a word out, Jonathan's back was already facing Elias and 5 steps away. Elias smirked as he glared at Jonathan's back.
Elias.
“Your grandmother really hated you, didn't she?”
Jonathan.
[though his teeth] shut up, Jonah.
Elias.
I mean look at you a snob and a screw-up. What did she do again? Oh yes, she tried to kill you.
Jonathan.
Elias… stop it.
[static crackles in the background as Jonathan's breathing got slightly faster]
Elias.
First, that leitner. You somehow pulled it though, was it the webs’s sympathy towards a child. Or maybe it was just luck. And when Judith's grandchild returned to the house she had to resort to hands-on methods. Don't you remember how she locked you away from the world just because you talked back to her? Those nights locked in your bedroom with no food or water you really are a miracle child for surviving. Do you want to know more?
[silence, it was an actual question. Fabric rustled as Elias stood up and yanked Jonathan's face to look at him]
Do you?
Jonathan.
Elias… Please… N-no
Elias
No I think you do
Jonathan.
(overlapping) Pl- [Jonathan cut himself off with a whimper followed by a sob]
Elias.
How many times did you get sick after she added something into your food? 15 times in one year? No wonder you're cautious around given food. [Elias chuckled before pulling Jonathan close into an unwanted hug] well, happy birthday, by the way, Jonathan. Oh I forgot she tainted that too. What a poor child. You must've felt so cold under that water. It was November after all. [a crash and a small broken yelp (almost scream) from Jonathan as Elias pushed him away] you saw it again, didn't you? The water coming closer ready to calm you to its depths. Do you remember how long you were under, minutes, hours? I know. Would you like to know how long you suffered under the water as it suffocated you? [Elias paused as if waiting for an answer]A₪$₩€₹ m€ Φ₹ ¡LL jρ$₮ ₮€LL ¥Φρ.
Jonathan.
N-no, s-stop… Please…
Elias.
No, I think I'll tell you. 30 minutes. You were under the water for 30 minutes. You died Jonathan. You should have stayed that way but no. Whatever wanted you alive kept you that way. [Elias reached down and gripped Jonathan's hands - tight making Jonathan actually scream only to be muffled by Elias's hand] No, no, no. Wouldn't want to alert people. They'll just take you to prison, they thought you murdered Leitner. Now you will stay at the magnus institute or I'll burn the memories of what your grandmother did so far into your head that all your dreams will be each ways of torture not just the drowning and that leitner.
Jonathan was a sobbing mess against Elias's hand, he could answer if he wanted to, painful buried memories resurfacing as Elias laid out Jonathan's childhood like a television show. Elias stood up with a content smile and looked at the mess he left Jonathan in. “good.” Elias drawled out. “Now I have a meeting to attend” and like that Elias left, dress shoes clacking against the stone floor of his office.
Jonathan didn't know how long it was sitting and crying his eyes out before Tim walked in… Just fucking great. Jonathan barely lifted up his head from the ball he made himself into on the floor to seem small. And by that confused turned annoyed look on Tim's face that he was not welcome. “What do you want, Jonathan?”, venom dripped from Tim's lips making Jonathan flinch if Tim cared he didn't show it, taking a step forward with a grimace on his face. “Why are you crying? Did you finally realise how shitty of a boss you are?”
“T-tim….” Jonathan rasped out, his throat was sore, how long was he sobbing for? “I-I” Jonathan's breath caught as he let out another sob. He was shaking too much to speak anyways. He gestured at Elias's desk in a vague hope that Tim would understand but by the confusion on Tim's face Jonathan knew that he failed at just that… He looked down, ashamed at failing something as simple as talking, and bit lightly on his left gloved hand, a stressed habit he's adapted after Sasha found out he picked his skin before. He murmured something about Elias between his fingers and teeth, knowing Tim might not hear him. A small pike of pain bloomed in his fingers but he didn't stop.
“Hey no stop you made yourself bleed” Tim pulled Jonathan's hand from his mouth and gently examined it. “honestly what's going on with you?” Tim's eyes bore into Jonathan's. Jonathan didn't utter a word, just hugged him tightly and fell asleep after crying for about 3 more minutes. Tim held the younger man as he sobbed, unable to process the emotional display of the younger man,only letting out a quiet “what” when Jonathan succumbed to his exhaustion.