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[the_archivist]

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Jonathan Sims/The Archivist ⬤ The Magnus Archives
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[hearstheblood]

[She hums a soft sound, not relieved as much as just relaxing slightly, nodding once. Better is enough, for now.]

Sorry it's late, I wasn't around for Christmas. [There's a few months left of chill, at least, so it isn't entirely useless.] Does it fit all right?

[the_archivist]

It's fine. I appreciate it. And yes, it fits really nicely. Thank you, Daisy.

[hearstheblood]

-you're welcome.

[It's the barest pause, of someone not used to being thanked, not used to feeling thanks or pleasantries are even relevant to her interactions. She hesitates a moment, then steps back, nodding her head toward the interior of the flat in invitation.]

Did you want to come in?

[the_archivist]

[Jon understands that. No-one's had any reason to thank him in a long time anyway.

He nods and steps inside, clutching the bag to his chest.]

Ah, I got this for you.

[hearstheblood]

Yeah?

[The gesture is surprising, just a little. It's not as if Jon was primed to invite her over for cocoa and holiday specials.

Still, she holds out her hand for the package after a moment, curious to see what's inside - and despite everything just a little wary, on instinct.]

[the_archivist]

[Jon holds the bag out to her, intensely awkward about it, but that's hardly anything unexpected.

It isn't much, but he'd managed to find a nice sewing kit in a leather pouch, with different sections for needles and thread.]

I got it over Christmas.

[hearstheblood]

[She opens the little kit not sure what she's expecting - not sure what kind of gift Jon gets anyone, let alone her. What she finds is needles, thread, even a thimble and a little pincushion shaped like a hedgehog. It brings a faint smile to her face, just a curl at one corner of her mouth, and she plucks loose a needle and tests the point and temper. It feels strong. Not one of the cheap, brittle ones, ready to snap the first time she tries to mend heavy trousers.

She still lifts her eyebrows as she glances at him, for a moment impassive.]

The pincushion's cute.

[the_archivist]

[He is very unpracticed at it. Before things had started to go badly, he'd usually defaulted to a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates - something almost universally appreciated but without much personality to it. But this... this is more than that. And when Daisy smiles he feels a deep sense of relief... and pleasure.]

I thought so. I hope it's alright. It seemed sturdy enough.

[hearstheblood]

[She smiles in earnest then - a brief flash of teeth, an expression that isn't blunted under her habitual steady cool.]

It's nice.

[It's a compliment. She knows how difficult nice can be. After another moment's regard she closes the kit carefully, putting it on the kitchen table. The gift makes it easier to ask the question on her mind, in all its uncomfortable intimacy.]

You're all right now?

[the_archivist]

[That relaxes something inside him, knowing that she liked it. Like he'd done something right for a change, instead of breaking everything he came into contact with.

The next question makes him flinch. He gives a small nod.]

Yes. I mean, I haven't hurt anyone since.

[hearstheblood]

[Not a full answer, but she doesn't expect that he's one hundred percent after that. Or whatever percent he was before the whole event.

She turns to put the sewing kit on her table.]

Your supply of statements is holding up, then?

[the_archivist]

[It's the only measure that he has these days.]

Yes. Martin brought more with him. And I was- I was sated for quite a while.

[hearstheblood]

Good.

[She takes a slow breath, ordering her next statement in her head. It's the sort of thing she doesn't usually voice, and she wants to be sure it comes out the way she means it to.]

You know, if you ever need someone to try to stop you, or settle you down. You can call me.

[the_archivist]

[It's a strange offer to hear from her. Even though they've been here for months and she is much softened, there's still part of him expecting threats and a knife at his throat.]

I- I appreciate that. I probably shouldn't go outside at all honestly.

[hearstheblood]

[She gives him A Look at that, before turning to pour him a drink. Even if he doesn't want it, she'll take one to brace herself for his usual self-recrimination.]

You'll have to get groceries sooner or later. And pay for them.

[the_archivist]

[Jon takes the drink when it's offered and twists the glass around in his hands.]

I can get deliveries

[hearstheblood]

Really.

[That's his answer. Hide in his flat until he crumbles away to nothing. I'd he can even still do that.]

[the_archivist]

You can't deny it would be safer for everyone.