inspired by this post by @you-call-it-obsession
just thinking about all the trinkets in Elias’ office and how they drew Jon’s attention during his first interview. he gets flustered when Elias points it out but Elias just smiles and tells him about how he came into possession of that object.
it becomes sort of a tradition for them, that whenever Jon comes to Elias’ office, Elias will tell him a tale or two about the things he owns. more often than not, it turns into five or six because Jon is too curious and Elias enjoys his curiosity (half of the Institute is convinced they are fucking because why else would Jon visit Elias so often and stay there for so long? they aren’t)
their meetings become less frequent as Jon is made the Head Archivist and he certainly isn’t sad about it. but it makes the rare opportunity to listen to Elias talk even more precious. season 2 Jon is paranoid and tells himself he shouldn’t be as entranced by Elias and his stories but each time he can’t help himself but ask more questions
mag 92 with the statement is Elias’ subtle offer of bringing that tradition back, that’s why when everyone leaves he offers to tell Jon about Barnabas Bennett, another statement for his Archivist to feel better. he does the same in mag 102 (statement disguised as a regular story so his Archivist feeds) and then right before the Unknowing. during the latter one he openly offers Jon statements so he is strong enough during the Unknowing. there is a feeling in the air that this is their last time, Jom suspects it and Elias knows for sure that he is to stay away from Jon after his Becoming
Peter chooses a different office so Jon is free to visit Elias’ whenever he pleases. he goes there when he finds himself missing Elias too much, he gently touches all the things there, thinks back to all the stories Elias already told him. all the stuff he has no ideas about. he wishes Elias was there, so he could yell at him for turning Jon into this only to abandon him when he needed him most. and Elias watches him every time and a tiny part of him wishes he was there (unfortunately for everyone involved his evil plans are more important 😔)