In the sci-fi au I’m picturing the ship as like a research vessel

So new researchers arriving, all the previous ones are gone. When they ask why they say something about an accident then are ushered aboard. Only they find out that’s not completely true there is still one person aboard.

Elias greeting them as the ship’s ai and off to the side is another person watching them. The researchers barely spare him a glance until they notice the wires and plates stitched together with skin. His eyes are far away, as he stands completely still, introduced as the head engineer of the ship, until Elias’s speech is finished then he leaves.

The new researchers learning quickly to say nothing bad about the head engineer, but also not to try to get close either. Trying to talk to the head engineer about stuff other than work is almost as dangerous as insulting him.

Workplace accidents can happen to anyone after all.

Jon thinking the researchers avoid him because of his altered form, not knowing Elias is purposefully isolating him. Jon’s reliance on the ship being reinforced, and Elias reminding him every night that only he will ever care about him.