Chapter Text
Jon hadn't been Watching, because he wasn't a creep that kept watching without permission Martin. He showed up to work sometime later on, still on time, good for him honestly. He looked like a mess and openly pissed the fuck off, but he was here. Jonah is waiting for him when he arrives. Not a word of greeting, just holding his arms open towards Jon.
Honestly, Jon kind of appreciated that he didn't need to explain why he felt like shit. Don't ask him why it was okay when Jonah did it, it just was. So he didn't hesitate to accept the hug. Jonah bundles Jon up against him, kisses his forehead gently. "Can I do anything for you, love?"
"I don't know, probably not. This is good though," Jon said, putting his head against his shoulder.
"Good. I'll be here as long as you need. And I will be terminating Martin's employment contract."
Jon blinked, tilting his head to look at him. "...You can do that?"
"It's not an easy process, and not one I often have reason to bother myself with. But for you, obviously I would."
"Huh... It's not going to hurt him to do that, right?"
"Probably not, given the Web's connection with him."
He genuinely didn't even need the Eye to know that Jonah wouldn't lie to him, so if there was a bigger risk of Martin being hurt by it then he would just say that. So Jon nodded. "As long as it doesn't hurt him much, go ahead. I'm... Yeah, honestly I'm done with this."
"Good. I'm proud of you for that."
"Save the pride for after I manage to actually say it to him," Jon said with a sigh.
"I have more for when that happens."
"You're sweet." Jon smiled dimly. He was still all kinds of pissed off and upset, but all things considered he was just so glad he had actual support from so many sides.
"You deserve it. Sasha and Tim are almost here. Do you want me out of the way?"
"No, you're alright. Right now I'm pretty sure you're far from their biggest concern either."
"Alright, then." Jonah gets comfortable, chin rested on Jon's shoulder. Humming softly to him while they wait.
"...That said,” Jon adds, “please don't antagonize Tim. I'm kicking you out if you can't play nice."
"I won't. No reason to."
"Good." Jon kissed his cheek and just sorta stayed comfy until the others came in.
Sasha honestly wasn't surprised Jonah was here, no doubt he Saw all of that. She was just glad Martin wasn't hanging around. Tim curls his lip at Jonah, but he doesn't start anything. Neither does Jonah. "Your friends are here, love."
Jon pulled back properly and lifted his hand in greeting. "Hey. Martin's getting fired."
"Oh, shit. Really?" Tim asks.
"Really. I don't usually make exceptions, but Mr. Blackwood has far exceeded the limits of tolerance."
"...No chance of Sasha and I getting unbound as well, then?"
"No. Not particularly."
Tim huffs. "Great."
"To be fair, I don't think any other job would be as lenient about things like Hunting and personal research during work hours," Sasha pointed out. Genuinely for the way their lives were going, being employed here was a really good arrangement for their needs.
Tim sighs. "It's annoying when you're right."
Sasha laughed a little and poked Tim’s cheek. "Gonna need to get used to that, I'm often right."
Jonah's smile widens a little. "Ah, young love."
Tim scrunches his nose in playful annoyance. "How dare you."
"She's been an exceptional student, Mr. Stoker." Sidling up to Sasha, Jonah rests his hands on her shoulders. "Even without Beholding, she has a brilliant mind for finding truths."
Sasha smiled. "Okay, now you're just flattering me. I mean, do it anyways, but still," she joked.
"Does it count as flattery if it's truth?"
Tim doesn't much like Jonah being all friendly and touchy with Sasha. But he tolerates it. Sasha's a big girl who can make her own choices.
Reason 110: Tim is the best. "Mm, I guess it doesn't. Thank you, Jonah. It helps that you've been a great teacher," she said sincerely, well aware she could be a lot worse off here. "Back on topic though, firing him isn't going to kill him, right?"
"I doubt it. I also doubt any of you would be particularly miserable, on the off chance that it does."
"Being mad at him doesn't mean I want him dead." ...Not exactly going to deny that she would get over it, though.
"I technically already threatened to kill him, though," Tim counters.
"I said I don't want him dead, can't blame you if you do."
"Fair. I'm honestly not sure whether I do or don't. The Beast does. But that's another matter."
"If you say so,” Jonah says, noncommittally.
"Either way he can figure his own self out from here," Jon muttered. He definitely didn't want him to die, but he wasn't in the mood for another round of defend Martin right about now.
"Agreed. I'm sure Ms. Cane will see to him from here, as well."
"Fuck them both, honestly."
Jonah’s smile widens slightly with something genuine. "In not quite so many words, I do agree with Mr. Stoker."
"So are you breaking up with him? Are we all done with that?" Sasha asked Jon carefully.
"Mm, absolutely. Don't let me talk myself out of it."
"Not a chance, Boss. We're collectively leaving his ass out on the street."
"Honestly we were worried we'd have to talk you into it,” Sasha says.
"Pretty glad we won't need to, though, " Tim adds.
"I don't have enough patience to keep pretending it's not a problem," Jon sighed.
"Good for you, Boss. Fuck him."
"That said I have no idea how to actually say it to him,” Jon admits.
"Next time we see him, we tell him he's single. Double Boss slaps him with a termination notice. We never see him again."
Jonah makes a so-so gesture. "More or less. There will be more steps involved on my part, but mostly beforehand."
"He's going to be mad,” Jon notes.
"If he even twitches in a slightly threatening way, I don't think we'd have trouble kicking his ass," Sasha pointed out.
"I'd actually murder him before I let him touch you, Boss."
Jonah seems deeply pleased by this, turning to Jon. "I did tell you he was shaping up to be an excellent guard dog, didn't I?"
"And I did tell you not to call him that," Jon said, narrowing his eyes at Jonah.
"You can't say it isn't true."
Tim curls his lip again.
"Yes I can,” Jon arguess, “it's incredibly easy to say that's not true."
"Well, if you allow for lying."
"I was serious about kicking you out if you can't play nice."
Jonah raises his hands, still smiling pleasantly. "Alright, alright. Apologies, Mr. Stoker. I assure you, I mean it as a compliment."
"Sure you do," Tim grumbles.
"It's really not a compliment," Sasha muttered, annoyed on his behalf.
"It really is,” Jonah states, matter-of-factly. “I much prefer having you here than needing to arrange for a sectioned officer to work with us. That rarely goes as well or as smoothly as I'd like."
Jon had a slight thousand yard stare. More like five hundred yards. He's thinking about his bestie/worstie.
"...That said," Jonah adds, noting Jon’s expression, "if Jon would rather I bring in an officer, it can be arranged."
"No,” Jon says, “I'd rather not get them involved.”
"They already are involved,” Jonah reminds him. “Just not with us."
"I don't want them involved with us then." Jon paused. "...At least not unless we do need them."
"Noted. I leave that to your own discretion, then. As I said, Mr. Stoker is filling that role wonderfully."
"In any case, I doubt he's coming in today, and I want to take a statement, so..." Alright team time to disband, let Jon feed.
"Of course. Do enjoy your meal." Jonah gives Jon a little forehead kiss before leaving him to it. Tim gets settled at his desk. He's got clown stuff to do. And a spreadsheet to make.