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l3m0ncyan · 2 years ago

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New to Life | Chapter 13

MoonKnight System x Hispanic! Latina! Teen! Reader

Warning: Teen drinking, Vomit lmaoo, men being weird

Masterlist

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Y/N sat in the passenger seat of the white pearly cab. Jake kept his sight on the road, remaining silent throughout the car ride. She looked outside, and it was still dark out. Glancing at the analog clock on the radio it was 1:49am

She was only awake in order to keep the destruction of her and the other two alters safe. If it wasn’t in jeopardy, she would have ignored Jake Lockley.

“So why do you need my help again?” She finally broke the silence.

He didn't look at her, instead opening the glove compartment and pulling out a tan file, which he handed to her.

Nothing was written on it, despite her expectation that it would have a case number or the words "CLASSIFIED" in bold lettering.

She paused before peering inside, where she found documents and news articles, but at the top of the pile was a square photograph of a man with stubble and a low ponytail. He appeared to be in his final years of college.

"Okay, what about him?” She shrugged and motioned to the file on her lap.

"Keep looking through it," Jake groaned.

“It would be easier for you to just tell me…” She mumbled.

Y/N did as she was told and flipped through the file's pages. She read the articles and noticed how each one mentioned a cybercrime occurring in different parts of London, far apart from one another. The majority of those were small business owners and middle-class citizens.

“So he’s robbing people virtually?”

“Yes”

"I still don't see why you need my help, he's literally scrawny, and I bet you can take this guy down by yourself," Y/N leaned back.

"I know that, but he is very paranoid. College students are the only ones who can approach him." He cast a glance at her. "Usually, girls with an American accent"

"Hell no," she said as she closed the file, seeing where it was going.

“Y/N,” Jake said firmly.

"No; he's creepy, and me and Mania have only fought ordinary criminals." Like purse snatchers." She drew her arms across her chest.

“Mania?” Jake tossed a quick glance at her before returning his attention to the road, "You named the parasite?"

“Parasite?!”

"Uh, it doesn't like being called that, you ought to apologize," Y/N said nervously.

“I am not saying sorry to a—“

“Don’t” she pleaded.

“He better not go the second time!”

"Parasitic leech," Jake finished, his voice tinged with disgust.

“That is it!”

Mania suddenly stretched out a few limbs. One pair rushed to wrap themselves around Jake's neck. The others clung to the steering wheel. Taking over the driving duties from Jake.

“Shit!” Y/N yelled out

Mania began to swerve the cab on the street. Tires were heard screeching. Fortunately, there were no cars around to play bumper cars with.

Jake would try to steady the vehicle with his hand, but Mania strangling him stopped him. He struggled to peel the black tentacles away from his larynx.

“I am going to kill this piece of shit” Jake said between chokes.

"Mania, stop!" Y/N would grab the stems of all limbs and try to pull them away, but she was being hit side to side as the cab veered left and right.

“Not until he apologizes!”

Y/N grunted as she was once again thrown against the cabs door, “We’ll all die before that happens!”

“I'll make sure this one stays dead” Jake growled, referring to Mania.

A horn blew and there was a flash of lights as they all fought. They all turned to see a massive truck speeding towards them. Mania and Y/N let out a scream, and Jake's eyes widened.

Mania immediately returned to Y/N's body, leaving the wheel vacant. Jake rushed to return the vehicle to its lane. He then slammed into the breaks, creating a large force that caused him and Y/N to violently jolt forward and back.

The truck sent one last blow of its horn as it passed by them.

The two stayed quiet in the cab as only the sound of the sleeping city revolved around them.

Y/N caught her breath and glanced at Jake. He had a frown, and his eyebrows were furrowed as he looked at the street.

“…I still haven’t said yes to the job” She finally speaks.

Jake scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief, “You are still difficult; even after we almost die”

Y/N tightens her lips before continuing, “Technically, we can’t die because I have Mania and you have Khonshu—“

He cut her off, ignoring her last statement, “You tagged along after I said I’d pay you”

Jake finally looks over to her, who has her arms crossed.

"...Money ain't worth this," she crossed her arms. "Can't you just get someone else?"

“You are getting paid”

“Not enough”

“It’s more than what you get a day working in the museum,” he finally looked at her.

“At least my wellbeing is safe,” she said with an attitude.

"Weren't you saying that you don't die because of Manic?" he challenged.

"Mania, and you also have powers to help, far better than what I can do," she clarified.

Jake was on the verge of losing patience, which he never did, but with this girl, he felt like he was conversing with a child who kept whining.

Normally, if someone was being difficult, he'd just kill them, but in this case, he couldn't.

And it appeared that Jake's patience would be tested further as the young adult continued to argue with him. One upping him at every chance she had.

“Nadie te ha dicho que eres la niña mas enfadosa? Quien te entiende, primero que si y ahora que no” Jake pinches the bridge of his nose.

*Has no one told you that you are the most annoying girl? Who understands you, first yes and now no*

“Y nadie te ha dicho que te miras que tienes un pepino en el culo?” Y/N growled at him.

*And has no one told you that you look like you have a cucumber up your ass?*

"Hija de la chingada," he murmurs, "I'll pay you twice as much as I promised."

Y/N thought for a moment before nodding, “Fine”

—

The cab arrived at what appeared to be a three-story house. The front yard was made up of a stone driveway that circled a patch of rose bushes. It was constructed of red brick with four windows aligned on each floor.

There were flashing colored lights and people dancing inside. Outside the house, there were other people holding red cups, most likely with alcohol. The majority of the guests were college students, much like frat boys and sorority girls in teen movies.

"I've never been to a house party, especially one with people like them," Y/N scrunched her face as she shrank into her seat.

"You don't have to socialize, just go in and find the guy," Jake said, looking over to the group she mentioned.

He opened the window that showed the backseat, “There are your clothes since…”

He turned to face Y/N, who was dressed in pajamas and a large shirt. Her hair was also a mess because she had been sleeping an hour ago.

“This is the new style, you know that right? All the cool kids wear this” she mockingly said as she extended the hem of her t-shirt to show the graphic image.

"Not in England," he said, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, placing one in his mouth and flickering the flame onto it, "Hurry and change."

She turned around to see a casual crop top and jeans sitting on the red leather seats. Jake appeared to have gone through her wardrobe before they left. It's no surprise he didn't ask her to change at home. She got out of the passenger seat and went into the back of the cab, nervous.

—

She approached the front of the large house and gazed at the large social gathering. When she walked in, music was blasting into her ears, and the smell of pot and alcohol enveloped her.

“God, that money better be worth it” she scowled.

A small buzz was heard from her right ear, specifically her earpiece.

“It will, how’s the party?” Jake’s voice came through.

"Just future doctors and lawyers getting high and drunk," she said, placing her fingers on it. "I'm still confused why you have me using this earpiece instead of our phones. It's like I'm in Spy Kids."

“Because the guy we’re trying to catch has gotten everyone’s info from their devices; phones, smart watch, technology”

Y/N stopped, “Isn’t he hearing us talking then?”

“I have our pieces immune to that sort of thing”

Y/N nodded and made her way through the house, intrigued in how Jake is more tech savvy than Marc and Steven.

A large group of people was dancing to the music being played in one large room, which appeared to be the living room. It had a balcony above it where more people were talking or making out.

Walking into the kitchen, there was people having shots as everyone cheered them on. To the side we’re some who were recording while others who were unamused and on their phones.

“Question, why is he getting into peoples phones?”

“It’s a way to find out who you are. Which will be easier for us to catch once he sees who you are”

“…he’s gonna see my shit?”

There was a hum, “Si, just stay calm when he comes around, and it will be fine,”

“But–”

“Hey I know you!”

Y/N whipped her head around, and before her was a guy around her age.

He was about the same height as she was, maybe an inch or two taller. He had long-ish blonde hair that fell above his shoulders.

His pale skin accentuated his blue eyes and freckles. He wore a blue and white striped sweatshirt with jeans and sneakers.

Y/N furrowed her brows as she stared at him, trying to remember if she had ever spoken to him. His accent matched the rest of England's, and he didn't resemble the man in the photo, so who was he?

He gave a small laugh and said, "Guess you don't know who I am, I'm Nickalus, but you can call me Nick for short. We have the same class; you usually sit next to me?"

Y/N made an ‘ohh’ sound as her head lifted in understanding, even though she didn’t recognize him. “Right, you… sorry I didn’t recognize you”

“It’s alright, no one really does,” he said bashfully.

Y/N gave an awkward smile and nodded, resuming her efforts to look for who she had come for.

Staying in the background didn't seem to be working when a girl their age approached them with two red cups and said, "Come on! Nobody can hide from me, so drink!"

“Nah, I’m good,” Y/N raised her hand to dismiss the offer.

“Same with her,” Nick pointed to Y/N with his thumb.

The girl ignored Nick and turned to face Y/N. “You are from the States, right? You know the legal drinking age is 18, right?” She taunted Y/N as she leaned in close.

The aroma of the dozen mixed alcohols filled her nostrils as she brought the cup closer to Y/N's face. Y/N took a look at the red liquid. It was a lovely ruby color and appeared to be sweet, but she knew it wasn't.

“Y/N…don't do it” Jake came through the small earpiece, “Remember why you are here”

Y/N stayed quiet as everyone in the kitchen began to cheer her on. Nick looked nervous beside her. Hesitantly, the two took the cups in their hands. The yelling became louder, submitting them even more to peer pressure.

“Drink, pussy!”

"Don't," Jake finally said before Y/N chugged it, causing him to sigh.

Her mouth was filled with the bitter taste of alcohol. It left a hot sensation in her esophagus as it passed through. Everyone cheered when she finished the cup and crushed it. Nick could only watch and follow.

Her face felt immediately warm. Her tongue was tingling, and without a pause, the same girl brought more to the two.

And Y/N continued to drink.

She couldn't help herself; after all the stress of college and keeping so many secrets, this was like a breather. It was also the first time she felt like she was in one of those college party movies. With less sex and more booze.

Jake was also there in case anything went wrong. That is, if he didn't decide to abandon her.

She started to feel tipsy after about five drinks, and everything around her seemed a little off. She set the cup down and turned to face Nick, who appeared to be far from sober. Despite the fact that she barely knew him, she grabbed the cup from him.

"OK, bud, I think you've had enough," she said as she patted his back.

He shook his head, “I can take it”

She objected and motioned for him to leave. Everyone else in the room booed, but she ignored them and followed Nick.

"Thank you, we barely met, and yet you helped me out," he said, surprised.

"Yeah, just watch your drinking," she said with a quick smile.

“I will, maybe we should–”

Before he could finish, the screeching sound of a microphone echoed from the living room. Seeing people follow the commotion, they followed as well.

The music stopped, and so did the dancing. They were all looking up at the indoor balcony from before.

The guy from the file was, as expected, at the top. The same stubble and low ponytail.

“How’s everyone doing?!” People cheered, and others raised their cups of alcohol.

“Good, good. Everyone knows, we are close to ending this year, right? Everyone is moving up. But for us seniors, it’s our last fucking year before we actually behave like adults”

People agreed with hoots and cheers. He raised a cup, and so did everyone.

Y/N squinted at his figure, trying to make out his personality, cringing at how he was trying to give off some sort of TV host vibe.

“To the last year of our lives! Class of 2023!”

The audience erupted, and the music began to play again. He sipped from his cup and scanned the crowd.

That's when his gaze was drawn to Y/N. It was a look that showed she was the one he was looking for.

As he smiled and began to walk downstairs, her eyes widened. Y/N slightly panicked, mostly because she was not in the right state to fight if it came to it.

"Fuck, he's coming to me," Y/N said, turning away from Nick and holding the earpiece down. "What should I do?"

“Maybe if you weren’t drinking, you would know." Jake mumbled.

“I could just leave if I want to”

"Do you remember the USB I gave you? Let him take you to his computer, plug in the USB, and wait for everything to download. Flirting is usually useful."

Y/N groaned and turned to face Nick before sneaking away from him. Being left to win the heart of the Alexander Hamilton lookalike.

–

Jake took another puff of smoke from his cigarette and blew it out the window after turning off the mic. He saw Y/N from one of the large windows while staring into the large mansion. She stood awkwardly by the stairs, waiting for the party's main attraction.

“Why did you lie and say she was needed for this mission? You could have easily went in and finished it quickly if you had not brought her”

Jake didn’t need to look to know who it was. Khonshu sat in the backseat, near the small window.

“I just wanted to see if she could do things like this.” Jake didn’t take his eyes off of her.

"Are you sure she can do this?" Khonshu hummed. "The little maggot can't even kill without causing chaos, let alone do it herself. Her own parasite is doing it for her. She's also now intoxicated."

“She doesn’t have to kill anyone for this,” Jake scrunched his face, “Either way, if she ruins the plan, Ill just step in”

Through the window, he followed her figure as it stumbled her way behind the target and soon disappeared upstairs.

"I just want to see if she can handle herself, just for entertainment," he said, blowing out a cloud and tapping the cigarette to release the bundle of ash at the end.

It was silent before Khonshu continued, “I hope you aren’t already getting attached to her like the other idiots”

Jake stopped from putting the cigarette into his mouth again, ��...That won’t ever happen, especially for a brat like her”

He looked to one of the windows on the third story and could see the two teenagers walk in. Y/N, and the guy talked before sitting on his bed.

–

As the guy made his way to his mini fridge on a table, Y/N drummed her fingers on her knees. She took the chance to look around and try to find the computer, but she felt like she was dissociating. Still, the computer wasn't hard to find when it had a huge set-up like one of those Twitch streamers. She just had to find a way to download the files without him noticing.

“I will do it; keep him busy,” Mania said before coming out of her lower back and grabbing the USB from her pocket.

It made its way to the computer and plugged in the small device. As Y/N stared, her anxiety increased as she realized she was going to be caught.

“What's your go-to flavor for Buzzballz?” He asked.

She looked back at him with surprise and squinted, “Uh…”

“Don’t tell me you never tried it,” he laughed and brought out one, “You look more of a ‘Chili Mango’ kind gal”

He handed her a small round yellow bottle. The top has the silver part that any tin soda can has.

She looked down at it, feeling nauseous about having any more booze. Still, it was a way to keep him distracted. She clicked it open and brought the rim to her mouth, letting her body consume more liquid.

Immediately, her head felt like it was spinning. It was like she just spun in a circle for twenty minutes, and she was still feeling the symptoms.

Y/N felt the right side of her bed dip down. The guy was too close for comfort, and he raised a finger to her face. It then traveled down and rested on her shoulder.

"Too bad I'm graduating, we could have been something," he says into her neck.

Realizing the situation, she sobered up quickly and sat up, “Hey, how about you tell me about your place. It’s real big”

“That’s not the only thing that’s big”

“Done! Let us get out!”

“Okay! Well this was fun but I have to go, exams tomorrow you know” She stood up and began to back away to the door.

He followed and steered her away into a wall. Cornering her.

“Hey, I show you my room and you aren’t going to reward me?” He stood more defensive. Using his size as an advantage.

"That doesn't mean shit," she squinted, attempting to flee from the side but being stopped by an arm.

“Girls like you just make me harder” he smirked which gained him a sickened expression from Y/N.

“Hell no, let me get him!”

“Wait!”

Mania took control of Y/N's arms, blackening them as if she had dipped them in tar. It grabbed the guy's shoulders and pushed him up against the wall.

“Oh my god, what the fuck?!” He yelled.

He kicked his legs in an attempt to break Mania's grip. Y/N tried to lunge back to unclutch Mania, but it was obvious that this was not going to work.

"Mania let him go! He isn't worth it!" Y/N grunted as she continued to try to pull away. Mania began choking him gradually before huffing.

“Fine”

It dropped him and retracted back into Y/N’s body. He choked as he used his hand to soothe his throat.

He finally looked up and scowled at Y/N, “What the fuck are you?”

She remained motionless, her mouth agape. Her secret had been revealed, and it was to a complete stranger.

A stranger with the ability to expose her with the click of a few buttons. He had most likely heard about the 'monster' in the news.

He began to stand up, keeping his eye on her, “If you’re that alien from the news, you are about to earn me recognition. I'll let everyone know”

Y/N’s eyes widened, “Look you don’t–”

When they heard sirens outside, their voices fell silent. A blue light shone through the window. When the man rushed to the window sill and saw two cop cars, he knew. People began to flee the house.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” He ran a hand through his hair, “I’m turning you in to save my arse”

He turned back and Y/N was gone.

—

Y/N bolted through the back door and, with Mania's assistance, jumped the fence. Her feet landed on the sidewalk. Y/N kept running until the white cab passed her. It honked, and the window slid down to reveal Jake.

“Hurry or i'm leaving you” he said which rushed Y/N to the passenger side of the cab.

As she caught her breath, Jake began to drive away. Her eyes were closed, her head tilted up, and she was heaving from all the running and panic.

"Did you do what I asked?" He cast an eyebrow at her.

She nodded and brought out the USB from her pocket, “Yup, police came right after it finished downloading”

Jake tucked the small device into the pocket of his jacket. He cast a glance at Y/N, who was looking ahead with a worried expression.

He looked back onto the road, “Que paso?”

*What happened?”

“...I screwed up. He found out about Mania and now he’s going to be tell the police and I might be arrested” Her eyes stayed glued to the road.

Jake hummed, “Not going to happen…”

“Huh?” she turned to him

“I called the police. Told them that I wanted to report drug use in a party full of minors. If he does say anything, they'll just think it’s just the effects”

“But there wasn’t any– You planted drugs in the house?” She finally looked at him.

Jake remained silent, with only the low music from the radio playing in the background. "Did you just have some laying around?" she asked, taking his silence as a 'yes'.

He didn’t say anything which made it easy for her to ask, “Can you get me weed?”

“No,” he said with a stern voice.

She huffed and roughly threw her back onto the seat. With that sudden movement, she slowly sat up. Jake noticed her turning pale and looked at her. Sweat started to form on her brow and neck.

Y/N felt nauseous and her mouth began to fill with extra saliva.

Registering what was about to happen, Jake’s eyes expanded, “No, no! Not in here!”

Y/N ignored him as she felt her throat fill with a warm substance that wanted to escape. Her body recoiled without hesitation. Her mouth forced open, letting whatever it was out. Her eyes welled up as she retched.

Jake switched between looking at the road and back at Y/N. As the odor began to fill the car, he grimaced and rushed to lower the windows.

“Whoops…I can clean it up?” Y/N smiled sheepishly.

Jake frowned and stared straight ahead, saying nothing to avoid saying something he would later regret.

–

Y/N was awakened by a throbbing pain in the head. She tried with little success to ignore it in order to get another hour of sleep. The light from the sun stung her eyes as she slowly opened them, forcing her to close them quickly.

She slowly sat up and used her arm to create a barrier between the beams and her orbs. Once conscious, she felt all the feelings of a hangover.

Her stomach felt empty, as if she had emptied it all out, which she had. Her hair was stuck to her forehead from sweating the night before. Aside from that, her head felt like it was being squeezed with a tight grip.

She held her skull as she slowly stood up and shuffled to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and scanned each shelf. Her eyes fell upon a bottle of water which she quickly took in her hand.

Once she unscrewed the cap, she jugged a huge gulp of the cool liquid.

She wiped her mouth and walked into the living room, then into the bathroom.

When she looked in the mirror, her hair was all over the place and her under eyes were darker than usual.

Her face transformed into Manias within a second, holding a sharp smile.

“You look hilarious”

Not amused, Y/N only stared, “I thought you would have helped with hangovers”

“I only help you not act like a fool, while your body just does it on its own”

Y/N rolled her eyes as Mania chuckled. She reached for her toothbrush and toothpaste to remove the bad taste from her mouth.

“You remember what happened last night?”

“Pretty much, especially leaving Jake cleaning duty” she cringed at the last part.

A knock came from the door which made Y/N stop cooking at the stove and move to the front of the apartment. She knew who it was without looking at the peephole.

Marc was standing in front of her, his hands in his pockets. He looked down and raised a brow, his confused expression quickly turning playful.

“Looks like you had fun last night. You went to one of your first college parties?”

Y/N scoffed, “I thought you would be freaking out right now. You know, especially from you and Steven’s talk yesterday”

Marc shrugged, “You’re standing in front of me aren’t you? So you made it home safe. Plus you might be too busy with a hangover to hear yelling from me. Steven though…”

His body tensed up quickly and Steven took over. He looked over at Y/N immediately. She knew immediately that he was about to talk her ear off.

And here she thought she left her parents lectures back in America.

“Did I not warn you Y/N?! Blimey, I’m surprised you got home last night, you could have woken up on the sidewalk!” He gestures to the outside of the building.

Steven’s yelling feels like it’s piercing Y/N’s mind. She tenses up and squeezes her eyes shut with the pitch sound.

Turns out, Mania wasn’t liking it either.

“Tell him to shut up before I eat his bowels!” Mania screeched.

“Steven! Shh!” She put her pointer finger against her lips.

Steven stopped and realized the situation, “Oh! I’m sorry but that is your fault”

“Okay whatever I’m sorry,” she waved it off and walked over to the stove to finish cooking breakfast which she and the two sat down to eat.

——

Y/N walked down the brick path of the campus that led to the building of her class.

It was actually sunny out, yet still cold. It left her to wear her usual sweatshirt and jeans combo for the day.

However she wasn’t thinking of the day or about her fashion statement. After exposing herself to a person about Mania, she worries that her secret will be out to the world soon.

She hasn’t even explained it all to her family. Anytime the topic came up, she would change it. Which probably made it worse to gently lay news in the future.

“Why are you worrying about it so much? We are fine” Y/N could hear Mania was smiling.

“For now, what if next time Jake isn’t there? What if we hurt someone, deeming us as a threat to society?”

“That won’t happen, you are exaggerating”

Y/N adjusted the straps of her backpack on her shoulders, “Can you at least put yourself in my position? It would really—“

“Hey Y/N! Is that you?!”

She turned around and saw a familiar blonde running up to her. Reminding her of a scene that would play out in a show.

“How did he know your name?”

“Uh, yeah, Nick right?” She wrinkled her brows together.

“Oh wow you remembered!” His eyes seemed to sparkle with her acknowledgment of his existence.

She gave a small chuckle, “I mean yeah, I don’t forget faces, especially ones that go crazy with frat drinks”

He gave an embarrassed smile, “You remember that huh, thanks for stopping me before it got out of hand. Speaking of which, were you there when everyone got chased out by cops?”

“Yeah, I was able to run out before they caught me”

Nick nodded, “By the way, were you with the host before the cops came? I heard him yelling about an alien or something”

Y/N swallowed thick saliva, “Oh? I didn’t know that. I was in the restroom when I heard the sirens”

“Hmm, weird then, maybe it was the drinks” he shrugged.

Y/N agreed and let out a quiet sigh as the topic changed.

The two continued walking down the path to the building of their lecture block. There the two continued to talk and soon enough, Y/N was able to form a new friendship in London.

———————

Omggg I am so sorry for the 3 (?) month hiatus. I was deep writers blocks ass. Anyways this chapter I kinda wanted to focus more on Y/N’s and Jake’s relationship in order to start off the arc of her figuring out more about Mania. Also new character!

Let me know if y’all want any scenarios added onto here (please I beg, I need more creative juices flowing, college is sucking it all out of me :,))

Tag list: @itsjusspele @dustyinkpages @scoliobean @moonywritings @zeros-rot

Btw let me know if y’all want to be tagged in the next chapters :)

#marc spector x teen!reader #steven grant x teen!reader #marc spector #moon knight #hispanic reader #platonic #steven grant #marc spector x reader #steven grant x reader #layla x teen!reader #latina reader #Jake lockely x teen!reader #jake lockely x reader

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mariasabanahabanabana · 2 years ago

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It's September and Tumblr knows ( well, almost September )

Steven: What are you drinking there? Y/N: Tea. Steven: Oh, really? What kind? Y/N: Tea...quila.

#marvel incorrect quotes #incorrect moon knight #marc spector x reader #marc spector #steven grant x reader #steven grant #jake lockley #jake lockley x reader #Steven Grant x latina reader #Steven Grant x Mexican reder #Marc Spector x latina reader #Marc Spector x Mexican reader #Jake Lockley x latina reader #Jake Lockley x Mexican reader #tequila #Spotify

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mrs-gucci · 3 years ago

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mrs-gucci writes Clyde Logan

◆ join the adcu taglist ◆

**all of my pieces are written with a female reader character.**

>> return to adcu masterlist or mega masterlist <<

【ｃａｎｏｎ】

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【ａｕ＇ｓ】

werewolf au

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𝕗𝕝𝕦𝕗𝕗 HC’s: werewolf!Clyde & Reader With Werewolf Kids

medieval au

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l3m0ncyan · 2 years ago

Text

New at Life | Chapter 1

Steven Grant/Marc Spector x latina!teen!reader

Masterlist

Next Chapter

Summary:

Moving to a new country for university, a Hispanic 18-year-old girl by the name of Y/N L/N sets off to start her adult life in London.

Adapting is difficult, but when you befriend a man in his 30s who works at a museum gift shop, has DID, and is on a mission to save the world from a crocodile goddess, things become easier than you expected.

Note: This takes place month before the show. Meaning Steven still doesn’t know about Marc.

———————————————————

Y/N stared at her open suitcase, even though everything was neatly folded and packed, it seemed like she was battling her luggage. She continued to use all her might to keep the suitcase shut as she tried to zip it closed but the clothes withing threatened to erupt.

Even though it was barely 11 of the morning, it was still too early for her to be using all the energy on packing her things. With an annoyed mutter beneath her breath, she leaned her body weight onto the top of the case, “Why won’t you fucking close?”

With enough pressure, she finally used her free hand to zip the suit case shut. She stood up and took a deep breath and fixed her hair, “See, was that so hard?”

After her grunting, she took a second to listen to the movement of the house. There was none. The only thing she could hear was the quiet chatter of her parents waiting in the living room.

Walking out of her room one last time, she looked back to make sure she had everything before walking into the living room. Immediately she was met with the aroma of the pozole her family ate last night. Now thinking of it, there won’t be much of that to where she’s going. Her mother's delicious home-cooked meals, the comforting routine of her own house, and the familiarity of everything around her - all of it would be left behind as she headed off.

Once in the living room, she saw her father sitting on the couch with his arms crossed as her mother stood beside him. Once they noticed her, they all turned to face her.

Her father, as always, showed no expression but her mother showed a bit of worry.

“Ya empacastes todo?” her mother asked, glancing down at the grey suitcase that her daughter held.

*you packed everything?

“Si,” Y/N nodded.

Her mother only nodded. Y/N understood why she was acting like this, afterall, she was the youngest of her two siblings. When she said that she wanted Y/N to go to college, she didn’t mean one that thousands of miles away.

She tried giving Y/N the silent treatment for the last few days, believing it would make her feel guilty and stay. It didn’t obviously.

Y/N could have gone to a university or even a community college near by, but it was already heard of in her family. Why not go bigger?

Growing up in a Hispanic household, it was ingrained in you that an education was needed just to survive. Which is why most of her cousins from both sides of her family were seen going to college.

However, her parents were the only ones from both sides who’s children didn’t pursue for that height, yet. With her older older siblings not going down the path of success as their cousins, Y/N’s parents had very high expectations for her, as she was their last child.

With her mother praising her intelligence, her aunts and uncles expected her to use it wisely. She was now in the center stage of the entire family, watching her closely.

Which is why a university in London sounded like a great idea to give your parents something to show off to their siblings and nephews.

Still, it seemed like the bare minimum in todays world, you know with the upbringing of young heroes and all.

Rumors of Spider-Man being the same age as her plus an apprentice for Stephen Strange, and a sidekick for Hawkeye made her family’s belief in her much more challenging to climb.

But how would she be able to live to that expectation, especially coming from a small city in the corner of Califoria, where people being successful was unheard of, less becoming a superhero.

“Ya estas lista?’ her father spoke, breaking her out of her narration.

*are you ready?

She blinked, “Huh?”

“Uy pues, si ya estas lista? Estas sorda o que?” his tone was harsh, but it always was.

*if you are ready? Are you deaf or what?

Annoyance, was probably the only emotion he ever showed. Y/N doesn’t remember a time where he never scowled or insulted her. Maybe he was born with no feelings besides anger.

“Oh, si. Ya estoy lista,” she says quickly.

*Oh yeah. I'm ready

He grunts and begins walking to the truck. Quickly, she grabs her belongings and loads them into the backseat. As they drive away, she gives one final look at her childhood home before it disappears from view.

——

As Y/N arrived at the airport, she was greeted by her two older siblings along with her nephews. The oldest, approaches her with a smile, mixed with joy and sadness. She wishes her luck and tells her how much she will miss her. Of course, Y/N can’t just leave without teasing her about how the “real” reason she is leaving is to escape her kids. This earns her a small push before her brother approaches her.

He tells her to not come back with a british accent while nudging her playfully.

“Man stop. I’m not, don’t want you getting a brain tumor” she replied, shoving him back lightly.

After saying her goodbyes to her family, Y/N made her way to her plane. She felt a mix of emotions - excitement, nervousness, and a tinge of sadness. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes once she sat on her seat. She feels the plane start to move, slowly at first and then picking up speed as it made its way down the runway.

——

“Ladies and gentlemen, Cosmos Air welcomes you to London. The local time is 8 of the morning. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisle clear until we are parked at the gate." a feminine British voice came through the airplane speakers.

If the turbulence hadn't jolted Y/N awake, the announcement certainly did. She stood up and stretched her arms, feeling the stiffness in her muscles from the long flight. She gathered her belongings and made her way down the aisle, following the stream of passengers towards the main area of the airport.

As she stepped out of the airport, she stood still, taking in the surroundings of the country. Y/N already had a good idea of how London would look but it was still different seeing it face to face. The architecture, the people, the sounds, and the smells were all so different from what she was used to back home.

"Alright, let’s see where my apartment is at," she said quietly. She pulled out her phone to look for the address and without any delay, she called a cab and headed off to her place.

——

Pushing through the throngs of vendors and people milling about the street, Y/N eventually arrived at a large brick building that looked like it had seen better days. It was a tall, multi-story structure holding several floors. In the front side of the building had two-pane windows, each with the curtain of whatever resident lived there.

Looking at the whole picture, it didn’t look the best but then again she was only a recent highschool graduate. So affording a modern suite in a better part of London wasn’t very possible for her.

She walked up the front steps of the building, standing before a long intercom that was plastered beside the doors. Y/N looked for the button to call the owner. She hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before she buzzed herself in and waited for a response.

The sound of crackling filled her ears, and a voice asked for her name and apartment number. Y/N responded, her heart was racing, she was rather excited but highly nervous still. With a click of the door, she tugged on the handle and was let in.

An old man who sat behind a wooden wall where one could still talk to him through a small opening peered at Y/N over his glasses, his eyes sharp and inquisitive. "Was it you who called from the states?" he inquired.

Y/N nodded, "Uhm, yeah, can I start heading in? Or how does that go?” she was already nervous so she couldn’t help how her voice trembled.

He gave a small laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yes, the room is ready. You can move in already," he said, gesturing towards the door. "I take it you never moved out on your own?" he asked, his tone gentle and understanding.

"Nope, I traveled by myself too," she added, hoping to redeem herself in his eyes.

The man smiled kindly at her, his demeanor reassuring. "I see, well if you need anything just let me know," he said, before handing her a key and giving her detailed directions to her new apartment.

As Y/N waited for the elevator to get to the fifth floor, she couldn't help but notice the dingy and worn-out state of the surroundings. The elevator was surrounded by mirrors, which had seen better days, with tags and scratches marring the reflective surface.

"Not so different from California then," she muttered to herself, trying to make light of the situation.

After what felt like an eternity, the elevator arrived with a beeping sound, and the doors slid open with a creak. Y/N stepped out of the elevator and into a narrow hallway with green carpet and beige walls. The hallway was dimly lit, with flickering fluorescent lights casting a pallid glow on everything around her. As she looked down the hallway, she noticed that each apartment door was painted a dark teal color, with a golden number stenciled onto it.

She made her way down the hallway, examining each door until she finally arrived at her own. Excitement coursed through her veins as she fumbled with the key, trying to get it into the doorknob. Once she stuck it in and turned, it didn’t budge. The door remained stubbornly shut.

She tried many times again and again, maybe it was how she was holding it? No. Her grip? No. The thought of having to go back to the old man on the first floor filled her with dread. She was the one out of the her three siblings who didn’t like dealing with conflict or confrontations. Hell, one time she couldn’t even tell a waitress that she got the wrong order because she didn’t want to anger her.

Aside from her social anxiety, she didn’t want to humilate herself just because she can’t open a damn door.

Her last thought was to just slump down to the floor and hope that the door magically opened on its own. Just as she was about give up, she heard the door behind her open, causing her to jump slightly in surprise.

“Ah, are you having trouble with the door?” A man's voice broke through her thoughts, and she turned to face him, grateful for the distraction.

Y/N's eyes fell on the man standing in front of her, who appeared to be in his late 30s. He had tanned skin that looked like it had seen the sun more than a few times, and his dark wavy hair was slightly disheveled.

He was dressed in a grey jacket that looked expensive, and a satchel was slung over his shoulder. She couldn't help but feel a little envious of how put-together he looked compared to her own disheveled appearance.

Her cheeks flushed with a tinge of embarrassment, “I wasn’t being too loud was I?”

“...What if I said you were, just slightly?” He winced, almost pinching his thumb and pointer finger together to emphasize the amount.

He appeared timid, his shoulders slouched, but you could tell he was tense. He did, however, have a soft, kind expression on his face and a friendly smile.

“May I?” He motioned to the key, trying to bury the topic of who was loud.

Y/N was immediately removed from her thoughts, "Oh! Yeah! Uhm yes please..".

She stepped aside, allowing the man to approach the door. He took the key from her and inserted it into the doorknob, giving it a few twists and turns. She watched as he worked his magic, observing the way his hands behaved.. Suddenly, there was a satisfying click, and the door swung open with a few jiggles.

"Thank you so much, I would have had to sleep on the hallway floor haha…" She chuckled and nervously rubbed the back of her neck.

"Oh, no need to worry, love! When I first moved into this flat, both my dear mum and I had our fair share of troubles. I still haven’t a scooby why they haven’t tried fixing it," he furrowed his brows as he stared at the doorknob.

She paused and cocked her head to the side, wondering if she heard correctly. Was the word ‘scooby’ a slang word in Britain? Realizing now, she might be hearing more with her time being in London.

When he saw her confused expression, he immediately explained himself. “Oh! Your accent tells me you're not from around here, specifically England, right?"

“Yeah, aside from the accent, it was obvious huh?” she scratched the back of her head, feeling somewhat vulnerable at being outed.

He nodded but still kept a smile, “It was, I won’t lie. Well if it was the word ‘scooby’ that made you miffed, then it is just a word many here use for ‘clue’, not sure why though,"

She nodded for a long period until she spoke up again, “What does ‘miffed’ mean?”

Steven blinked before giving a small chuckle, “It means confused,”

Y/N made an ‘oh’ sound and nodded to the new found knowledge of british slang. He then asked if there was any american slang words he should know about. She took a minute to think of any, trying to filter through her vocabulary.

“Well, I know ‘heavy’ is a word to say if something is emotionally serious” She continued to think but she couldn’t think of anything else, “Yeah no, I can’t think of anything else,”

This time it was his turn being confused, he stood still trying to analyze the last phrase, “So yes you can think of something, or…”

She furrowed her brows at him but then it clicked, “Oh right! Well the phrase ‘yeah no’ just means ‘no’ and vice versa.”

“Oh, so that’s what it means. I don’t understand why you just wouldn’t say a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’,” he placed held his chin.

She shrugged, “I mean same with you Brit’s, why not just say ‘clue’ instead of saying the name of a dog who solves mysteries,”

“You have a point, guess we both learned something new,” he said before his eyes widened, “Oh right! Uhm my name is Steven. Steven Grant,”

He stuck his hand out at her, which she returned the gesture. His hand felt calloused, which was odd since he didn’t seem like the type to do hard labor, “I’m Y/N. Y/N L/N” she smiled.

“Well, I shall be seeing you more around here Y/N. I am glad to be the first to welcome– oh my god!” He notices the time on his watch and suddenly jolts up. Y/N jumps at the reaction, thinking maybe she had offended him in a way.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I have to get going to work, it was nice meeting you!" He yells before rushing towards the the elevator, pressing the button, and entering. As the doors close, Y/N gives him a wave which he does in return.

She smiles, grabbing all of her belongings that she left on the floor and brings them inside the apartment. She still thought of the encounter with Mr.Grant, how he was probably one of the kindest people she has met in her lifetime. Part of her hoped that she would see him again, hoping he would be the rock she needed as she adjusts to London.

The moment she walks in, she is immediately in the living room. The wooden floors creak beneath her as she puts her things down and shuts the door. Taking in the size, it wasn’t the biggest but it also wasn’t the smallest. Straight ahead is a large window that overlooks the city, allowing sunlight to flood the entire apartment.

Turning to her left was a kitchen. The design was odd, the kitchen was almost a room of its own, except the front wall was non existent except for a wide bottom-half of a beam. Infront of it was a wooden table and two wooden chairs. Aside from looking weird, she didn’t complain since it had everything from a fridge to a stove and sink.

Across from the kitchen area was a white wooden door. Turning the doorknob, she was met with a very simple bathroom with big white tiles on the floor. A white ceramic sink is located on the left wall, and the pipes are visible at the bottom. A dusty square mirror can be found near the top. The toilet is across from the sink, and the shower is next to it at the far end of the room. It has a tub that is attached to the floor and a silver showerhead on the left which seems it has rusted. The shower curtain is white but has a yellow stain.

She steps out, making a mental note to buy a new one. She walks towards the corner of the apartment, trying to find a bedroom door but there is none. "Nowhere to sleep?" She asks herself, until she remembers she is renting a studio room.

Meaning she would have to plan the placement of her bed in the living room at a later time. At the very least, they provided her with a couch, so she won't have to sleep on the floor for night or until she gets a mattress.

Once she explored all the hidden kinks of the flat, she began unpacking and putting things together. She covered the couch with a bed sheet, since she didn’t know who or what might have sat on it. Adding her pillow and blanket, she moved on to putting up the calendar.

She takes a step back and marks when her classes begin, “I have a month then?”.

A month to gather money for her apartment and wellbeing. She’ll probably leave job hunting for tomorrow. Y/N returns to the couch and lies down, her mind setting up schedules and such to have a successful four year life in London.

However it was cut off when she heard and felt her stomach growl, giving her an unpleasant feeling. "Right, I haven’t eaten since the plane,", she takes out her phone from the pocket of her jacket.

With only a small amount of money, she looked through Google for cheap place to grab something to eat. Since she didn’t want to go to a fancy restaurant where she had to dress better than what she was wearing, she chose to go to a McDonald’s nearby. Thank god for western influence in Europe.

She stood up from the couch and grabbed her tote bag from the floor. Once she put on her shoes, she beelined to the elevator.

The elevator was going to be something to get used to when trying to leave. Usually she would only step out of the front gate of her house and go into whoever’s car that was going to give her a ride.

As she waited for the elevator to make it to the first floor, the noticed the lights flickering. It was only for a moment before they stopped and continued to buzz.

With the way the doors fail to unlock and the price for a studio apartment, its no wonder they couldn’t afford to fix the electricity.

The elevator chimed and she expected to be at the end of ride until she noticed the small analog screen showing she was only down a level. The doors opened and an elder woman walked in.

Y/N gulped, it was one small fear she had when riding elevators. Sharing them with a complete stranger and having to be in complete silence. With the way the elevator slowly descended to each floor, she can already sense herself trying to force the woman into a conversation.

“So, how is England?” she slowly turned her head to the woman, holding a smile.

“Uh, I believe it is fine, as long as the queen is,” the woman said quickly, looking away from Y/N.

Y/N nodded but continued her nervous rambling, “Right, I forgot about the queen. Question from a foreigner though, what happens if she dies which I hope she doesn’t anytime soon. Do we not work for a week? Or is that something only for british students? Actually now that I think about it, do you guys have the faces of all the kings and queens in each classroom? Do you guys celebrate a king or queen day? Or are they separate?”

The old woman only widened her eyes but stayed quiet. In Y/N’s peripheral vision, she could see the woman clutch her purse closely. Understanding her discomfort, Y/N immediately stopped talking, straightening her position and looking anywhere but the woman from the awkwardness she had just created.

As if the the old woman’s prayers have been answered, the elevator chimed and opened to a different floor. Quickly, she rushed out without looking back.

Once Y/N was left alone and the doors closed, she cursed herself, “You are so fucking stupid. You could have just stayed quiet”

Since the fast food chain was only a 30 minute walk, she decided to use that time to look around. As she did, she quickly noticed the differences from her hometown and London.

Aside from the fact that it was colder, even though it was July, the buildings appeared older. It was the type of area that she always dreamed of living in since she was in middle school. Maybe that was the reason why she chose to attend a university there. It was still nice though, it was a nice change of pace instead of hearing sirens and such every once in a while. For now.

The walk was rather relaxing, especially after putting in her earbuds.

Once she arrived, she ordered her food and quickly ate beside a window. The sun was still up and it didn’t seem like it would be setting soon. Checking her phone for the time she saw that she had enough time to continue to explore the city. Mainly to see where the nearest groceries were and what other stores the area offered.

——

The elevator doors opened with its signature chime revealing Y/N holding a bag full of groceries. After spending all day, her feet were swore from her adventure and all she wanted to do was lay down.

Once she reached her door, she grabbed her key and positioned it to the keyhole. However, she paused, trying to remember how Mr.Grant pulled it off again. She inserted it and jiggled it, hoping for that same clicking sound.

“That’s not it,” she muttered under her breath.

Once more, but this time she turned the key from left to right, then left again. Maybe it was a pattern she had to follow.

She groaned, “Not it.”

Without realizing, a few of the tenants on the floor passed by her, some smirking at her failure. “Of course, I mean how can anyone not know how to open a door? They must be utterly ridiculous,” she mocked a british accent.

After a few more tries, she gave up and leaned her head against the door, letting her arms fall limp. It as a pathetic sight. She rethought of what her parents told her, and they were right. She won’t be able to anything on her own.

She heard the elevator chime and its doors open once again. Expecting another tenant to come and ridicule her, she sighed.

She decided to continue mocking the british accent because why not? If they can make fun of her, then so can she. “Continue to walk away and laugh as I try to unlock my damn door instead of helping me because that makes you so much better than me, you god damn buffoon,” she mocked once again.

“Is that really what we sound like to you?” Steven’s voice spoke up.

Y/N raised her head immediately, earning her a short jetlag. She looked over to Steven who wore a smile that practically said, ‘Here comes your knight in shining armor’.

“What if I said yes?” she flipped herself, leaning her back towards the door.

He only gave a small laugh, “Then I would say you need more practice with your accent if you really are trying to fit in. Need help with the door?”. He gestured to the door.

“Yup,” she nodded and handed him the key. She moved away from the door but stayed close to see how he did it.

With a simple click, the door opened and he held his arms out, gesturing to his accomplishment, “Ta-da!”.

Y/N could only stand there, surprised, “Okay you have to be fucking with me, is there a pattern or something that everyone was told except me?”

"Not exactly," he said quietly, "all you have to do is nudge the key a few times to the left after you turn it and– pop!”

"So there is a pattern," she nods. "Anything else I should know about?"

He looks up, trying to remember any valuable information, "Not really, just remember to lock your door, since there have been break-ins, but that is only in the second floor,"

She nods and walks inside with her bag of groceries, but then stops, "Thanks by the way, for helping me with the door, and sorry about the horrible accent," she rubs the back of her neck.

"Oh no worries, love; if you need anything else, I'm just a knock away." He smiles and waves as he walks to his own apartment, which is right across from hers.

Y/N closes the door to her apartment and locks it, listening to what Mr.Grant said. She makes her way to one of her suitcases and pulls out her sleepwear for the night. Once she changes clothing, she walks to the window, the creaking of the wood floor following behind her. She looks at the overview of the city, lights begin to illuminate as the sky darkens.

She brings out her phone, putting the camera at an angle to get the best view of the buildings. Once snaps a shot, she uploads it to her social media with the location tagged to it.

———————————————

This is my first in a VERY long while since I wrote a fanfic. (Since middle school and yes those were cringy af). So I apologize for grammar and spelling mistakes I make. Please let me know if there’s anything I should fix 🙏

Also if things don’t make sense, it’s cuz I wrote this late at night and I didn’t know what the fuck I was writing.

#moon knight #steven grant x teen!reader #marc spector x teen!reader #hispanic reader #marc spector x reader #platonic #steven grant x reader #latina reader #moon knight x teen!reader #moon knight x reader #moon knight x y/n #moon knight x you #x reader #fem reader #marvel #marc spector #steven grant

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l3m0ncyan · 2 years ago

Text

New At Life | Chapter 6

Steven Grant/Marc Spector x latina!teen!reader

Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

——————————

Marc could nearly see the wheels spinning in her brain as she attempted to make sense of the perplexing scenario. Who wouldn’t be? In barely a month, Y/N had gone from knowing her neighbor Steven to realizing he wasn't who he claimed to be.

They stood in the midst of the restroom's turmoil with the flickering lights and the continuous flow of water from busted pipes. Their gazes were fixed, transfixed by the weight of the discovery. Y/N was the first to break the stillness.

"Are you a superhero?" she said, leaning her head slightly to one side.

He wrinkled his brow and shook his head slightly. "Not at all," he said, stepping passed her to scan the corridor for any other dangers. He was satisfied and motioned for her to follow him outside.

She stopped, doubtful if she could trust him. After all, he was vastly different from the man she knew earlier. The faint call of "come on" from the hallway prompted her to act. He went cautiously, maintaining a defensive stance, while Y/N trod gently behind him.

"Why did you fake a British accent? Are you running from someone?" Her remarks came out in whispered tones, her nervousness heightened by the idea that the cane-wielding guy and his followers were still lurking.

Marc stayed motionless as his footsteps echoed through the deserted corridors. The metal racks were thrown about, with the goods on them screwed across the floor. The walls were damaged with deep gouges, serving as reminders of the previous creature's rampage.

“Are you?” she prodded again, her patience wearing thin.

Once again, he responded with silence, much to Y/N's dismay. She rushed forward and grabbed his sleeve, forcing him to stop. He turned to her, an irritated look in his eyes. "There's no time for explanations."

Exiting the corridor, they entered the expansive museum space. Everything appeared normal – no shattered displays or artifacts in sight. Marc scanned the area before resuming his pace.

Exasperated by his continuous evasiveness, Y/N tugged at his sleeve once more. He met her gaze with a scowl, but she held her ground with determination.

“I know i’m being annoying, but I just found out there’s a cult following me and my supposedly neighbor.”

Marc regarded her intently, his earlier sternness giving way slightly. Although she tried keeping a strong front, he noticed how her hands trembled. She was afraid, and he couldn’t blame her. The one friend she made might have turned out to be fake this whole time. He relaxed his face slightly and sighed.

“Steven is real, alright? He's just a…” he trailed off, searching for the right words, “a different personality, and he doesn’t know it. That's why you can't tell him.”

The news wasn’t too startling, it was actually relieving to hear Steven was real. Still, it was a weird feeling. Has Marc always been there?

She didn’t question him the reason why, most likely to keep doing his business as that white cape figure. Yet, she didn’t need to tell Steven. He was smart enough to figure it on his own and knew he would find out sooner than Marc thought. “Okay,”

They stepped out into the expansive room, their belongings strewn across the floor where they had tossed them earlier. The openness left them feeling exposed, knowing that the cult leader might be watching, and another wolf-like creature could be lurking nearby. But Marc didn’t show any sign that they were in danger.

Y/N gathered what remained of her and Steven’s bags, both now torn to shreds, leaving only their wallets unscathed. She cradled the ruined bags before heading to a nearby bin, discarding the tattered remnants.

“What about the man?” She turned her gaze to Marc, who was already making his way toward the museum’s exit.

“His name is Arthur Harrow,” Marc replied, his focus unwavering as he strode forward. “He’s trying to bring back Ammit to continue her work.”

Y/N nodded. “Ammit, the one who’s killing everyone, right?” A simple nod from Marc confirmed her understanding. Once again, silence enveloped them as Y/N was able to piece together what was happening at that moment. The cult were coming after Marc but with Steven being involved, she found herself caught in whatever war was happening.

Exiting the museum posed no immediate danger, and they were greeted by the chilly night air. The streets were sparsely populated with cars, which would make sense since it was late. Scanning their surroundings for any potential ambush, they found the area relatively deserted, save for a few waiting for a bus.

Approaching the bus stop, they idled a few feet away from the other passengers.The awkward silence between them felt palpable. Marc stayed focus occasionally looking side to side, but never glancing at Y/N.

The bus would arrive in about ten minutes, a relatively short wait, but the tension between Y/N and Marc made it feel longer than it actually was. Succumbing to her impatience, Y/N finally broke the silence.

“So, how did you get those powers?” Her question held a touch of annoyance, and she purposely kept her gaze averted, mimicking him.

“Not a topic open for discussion,” Marc’s response was curt, shutting down her question.

Y/N’s shoulders slumped, and she couldn’t help but groan in exasperation. “You’re so boring,”

“I’m not meant to be entertaining.” was Marc’s stoic retort, effectively ending their interaction. Fortunately, the bus arrived soon after, diffusing the uncomfortable atmosphere between them.

A line formed as everyone tried to go on board. Y/N followed behind but noticed Marc wasn’t joining her. Glancing back, she realized he had remained at the same distance as before.

“You’re not getting on?”

He shook his head, “Got other stuff to do, you’ll be safe for now. Don’t tell Steven anything about me.” His last sentence carried a harsh edge.

Y/N nodded before hopping into the bus. She boarded the bus and secured a window seat. As the bus pulled away, she looked back to see Marc, only to find him gone. Yet, in that same moment, she caught a glimpse of a white figure leaping onto a nearby building, vanishing into the night.

———

The London morning unfolded gently, Steven was back and they both avoided the events from last night. Nonetheless, an air of unease hung around Steven, which was hardly surprising. They now found themselves on the bus, with Steven deeply absorbed in thought.

"It's strange," he mused aloud, his hand absentmindedly rubbing his chin as he gazed down at the floor, lost in contemplation. "I feel like something happened last night, yet it feels like a dream. What did we do yesterday?"

Y/N's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by the question coming so early in the day. She considered the words Marc had given her, urging her to keep his identity under wraps. And she certainly didn't want to test whether his warnings were true.

Turning her attention to Steven, whose eyes seemed lost in memory, she couldn't help but picture Marc lurking in the depths of his gaze, waiting for her to falter.

Then again, Marc had never told her to keep the events, only to avoid mentioning him.

"Well," she began thoughtfully, choosing her words with caution, "I remember Donna being angry with us for showing up late, and we had our overnight shift. We met some weird dude, and we had an overnight shift. Then there was a dog or something in the museum, but that’s about all I remember.”

She conveniently kept out the part about the "dog" turning out to be a wolf-like creature sent by, who is now known as, Arthur Harrow. She also refrained from mentioning all the chaos and danger that happened. It wasn’t the time and place for Steven to have a panic attack on the bus.

Steven nodded in response to her account, appearing to accept it. "I guess it must have been a dream I had."

“You had a weird dream?” She inquired, trying to keep up the image she didn’t know a thing.

He nodded, sumarizing the events from last night to which Y/N only brushed off as a fever dream. It was safer this way, allowing Steven to believe it was not real.

They reached the museum's entrance, climbing the stairs and stepping inside. Immediately, their attention was drawn to an area cordoned off with yellow and black tape. JB, in the midst of sealing off the last section, noticed their entrance.

"Hey there," he called out, lifting his hand to halt their approach. "You two aren't getting any closer."

"Something went down here?" Steven inquired.

JB shrugged, glancing back at the taped-off zone. "Yeah, looks like a pipe burst last night, turned the toilets into a mess."

Y/N bit her lip, knowing the truth was steadily unveiling itself, just as she had expected. She felt a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. Steven would eventually find her lie, which would then force her to confess why she had done it — revealing Marc.

“Are you going to look at the footage?” Steven turned to JB, who nodded. Y/N had nearly forgotten about the museum's security cameras. A growing unease clenched at her chest as they followed JB to the room where he usually worked.

Inside, an array of screens covered the walls, each displaying different angles of the museum. They stood behind JB as he searched for last night's footage.

Y/N hugged herself, swaying slightly, torn between the wanting the truth out and the longing to keep the facade. She yearned to continue living a simple life, where her only concern was her job and her cozy flat, free from cults and vigilante of a neighbor.

JB's question cut through her thoughts. “Both of you were there?”

Their eyes widened. Y/N glanced at Steven, her shrug serving as her only response. Perhaps she would stick with faking shock, playing it off like she didn’t even know any of this took place.

The footage began playing, showing them crouched behind a display. Y/N anticipated the appearance of the wolf-like creature after they tossed their bags, yet the screen never showed the creature’s presence.

"Switch to a different angle," Steven directed JB. The video continued, revealing their hasty escape, the chase that led to the demolished restrooms.

Steven's gaze remained locked on the screen as the realization hit him. JB turned to them, disbelief etched on his face. "No way! You two wrecked the restrooms! Larry from maintenance is going to tear you both apart."

Y/N shot JB an annoyed glare. "Then don't tell him."

Steven shook his head, the truth dawning on him. "No, no, there was a jackal— skip to the end!"

With a resigned sigh, JB complied. The final clip revealed Y/N and "Steven" exiting the restrooms. In the vast expanse of the museum, Marc's eyes met the camera, a glare etched across his face. Y/N entered the frame, trailing behind him.

"It's still the two of you, mate," JB confirmed.

Steven's eyes remained fixed on the screen. He turned to Y/N, who met his gaze with an air of tension.

—

Standing outside the museum, Y/N exchanged a glance with Steven. "Sorry," she offered apologetically.

He shook his head. "No need to apologize. It wasn't your fault, blame that creature."

Y/N nodded, "Yeah, I kind of blacked out there. I still feel bad for getting you fired."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. It wasn't your doing. Maybe it's a sign to move on from that toxic job," he reassured her, his smile encouraging. This only tugged on Y/N’s heart, she has been lying to him and it was obvious, yet he continued to be cheerful towards her.

The bus rolled up to the stop, the queue of passengers waiting. Steven turned to Y/N once more. "Are you sure you can't remember anything?"

She shook her head, a lie forming on her lips. Guilt tugged at her, a mix of already getting Steven fired and now lying to him.

Steven's hand brushed his pocket, seeming to recall something. "I think I'll take a walk. You go ahead and catch the bus." With that, he started walking in the opposite direction from the bus stop, leaving Y/N behind before she could respond.

———

Back in her apartment, Y/N found herself dialing her sister's number. She told her about what happened; cutting out the part of the cult and jackal of course. Coming up with lie for why she got fired.

“Well, that’s their loss. You’ll find another one soon,” Her sister reassured her.

“Yeah, just please don’t our parents I can't deal with their 'I told you so' right now." Y/N almost begged.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Speaking of parents, I had another showdown with Mom," her sister said, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Y/N paused, “About what?”

Her sister hesitated. "You just focus on doing what you love, alright?"

Y/N's eyebrows furrowed. "Just tell me.”

"Mom was on one of her moods again, and she started interrogating me about whether I convinced you to leave home. I had to argue with her about letting you do what you love, but that only made her more furious. Dad chimed in with some stupid shit too."

"What did he say?" Y/N asked, already having an idea.

Her parents were known for undermining her and her siblings' ambitions, often making remarks like, "You won't succeed."

Her sister hesitated. "Nothing worth repeating. Just remember, don't let their negativity get to you, alright?"

Y/N hummed, having that as a confirmation. They exchanged goodbyes, and the call ended. She at the couch, her mind was filled so many unwanted feelings and thoughts. Now theres more thanks to her parents. She rubbed her face in frustration.

It was as if her being content was just too much for her so life needed to tone it down. Tone it way down.

Just then, a door slammed from Steven's place, an unusual occurrence for him. Y/N stood up from the couch, already forgetting about her parent’s judgement and walked over to the door.

As she approached, she hesitated. What could she say? Most likely an apology, she felt responsible for ruining his life. But thinking about it now, she realized it wasn't entirely her fault. Her guilt eased a bit.

Blame was on Marc. If only he had been more careful, they could have avoided this mess. This thought made her more motivated to tell him. She grabbed her jacket and rushed out the door.

He opened it, looking stressed. He was about to speak when Y/N interrupted, "I know you might be upset with me, but I need to talk to you."

Steven seemed taken aback. "I'm not mad. Why would you—"

Before he could finish, Y/N slipped into his apartment. "Okay, so remember your blackout? It wasn't just a sleep thing. It was actually—"

She halted when she noticed a woman behind her. The woman had brown curly hair, a navy blue and brown jacket, jeans, and boots. Y/N gave her a friendly wave. The woman reciprocated before Y/N turned back to Steven, realizing she had barged in at a bad time.

Y/N cringed, "I'm interrupting something, aren't I?"

Steven introduced her to Layla, his wife, though Layla added, "For the time being."

Y/N's eyes widened. She held her questions, assuming it might involve Marc instead of Steven. Regardless, she didn't want to create more trouble.

Y/N nodded, "I'm Y/N, his neighbor across the hall." Layla smiled warmly. Feeling like an intruder, Y/N gestured to the door, "I'll leave you two alone."

Steven interrupted, holding up a finger, "Actually, I have something to show you both."

Curious glances were exchanged between Layla and Y/N as they focused on Steven rummaging through a bag. "There's so much interesting stuff here," he said, about to reveal something before stumbling, changing his mind.

"Steven, what's in the bag? Where did you get it?" Y/N inquired, moving closer.

Steven began to explain, mentioning a storage room accessed with a key he found in his pocket, "Under the name—"

"Marc Spector?" Y/N interjected.

Steven paused, surprised. "How do you know that?"

"That's why I'm here. You've been blacking out because of—"

"The scarab that points to Ammit's ushabti? The one we fought for?" Layla interrupted, holding a golden scarab.

"I didn't even know what it was. All I know is that a man's after it," Steven explained, but Layla was too angry to listen.

"He's telling the truth," Y/N interjected. Their attention turned to her for an explanation.

"He's Marc, too. He has two personalities: himself and Steven," Y/N revealed. She glanced at Steven, who appeared shocked.

"I met Marc last night when we were attacked by that jackal. He saved us but got us fired," she tried to lighten the mood. Sensing the tension, she continued, "He told me not to tell you, but you would've found out anyway."

It was a message directed at Marc, who was likely listening. The threat Marc gave seemed empty, considering Steven was still present. Perhaps it was because he didn't want to see Layla, his wife.

"I was going to tell you, just didn't know how," Y/N turned to Steven, who waved it off, saying, "It's alright."

Layla stood with her hands on her hips, processing the shocking revelation. It was understandable given she had just learned her husband had another life in London that wasn't really his.

"Okay, if this is all true, then what exactly is going on?" Layla inquired, looking between Y/N and Steven.

Y/N turned to Layla and explained, "I don't have the complete story, especially with Marc being stone, but I think you're the only one who can help us. There's a cult after both Steven and me, led by—"

"Arthur Harrow, yeah, I'm familiar with him and his group. Marc and I have been dealing with them for a while," Layla said, casting a glance at Steven.

Y/N breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, so you know why—”

"Steven Grant? Can we have a word?" a voice interrupted from outside the door, accompanied by a knock. All three exchanged worried glances, with Steven looking the most panicked.

"They've found us," Steven uttered.

Layla looked at Steven in confusion, prompting him to explain that it was related to the restroom incident from yesterday.

"I doubt they'd send the police," Y/N reasoned. The knocking grew more insistent, and Steven gave the two women a desperate look before attempting to unlock the door.

Y/N scanned the room for a hiding spot, her gut telling her that it wasn’t the police that was outside the door. Slowly retreating further into Steven's apartment, Layla whispered to the teenager, "Over here."

Y/N followed Layla, who opened a window and climbed out. As Y/N tried to do the same, her foot slipped, and she let out a small scream. Layla managed to catch her arm just in time, preventing a potentially deadly fall.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Y/N joined Layla behind the overhang. They stayed silent, straining to eavesdrop on the conversation inside.

Not much was audible, except for discussions about a stolen item, which Steven denied any knowledge of. Y/N whispered to Layla, "Could it be the scarab?" Layla nodded, "Most likely." More muffled conversation followed, but it was too indistinct to decipher. That changed when Y/N's name was mentioned.

"Any chance you know where your 'cousin' is? She wasn't home when we checked. She lives across from your place, right?" one of the officers inquired of Steven. He shook his head, puzzled, "Why would you need Y/N?"

"She was involved in the museum incident, and there are a few other matters she needs to be questioned about. For now, we'll take you to the office," one of the officers stated, taking out handcuffs to detain Steven. The sound of a door closing was the last thing the two women heard before silence took over the apartment.

Layla was the first to descend and verify that they had indeed left. Once she confirmed it, she signaled for Y/N to come down. Alone in the apartment, the two women contemplated their next move.

“What are we going to do?” Y/N asked.

Layla paused for a moment, retrieving the golden scarab from her pocket. "We're getting him back," she declared.

"We?" Y/N felt a surge of fear at the idea. She was still learning to pay bills and be self-sufficient, not how to rescue a friend from the clutches of a cult.

Layla noticed Y/N's apprehension and couldn't help but smirk. "You can stay back if you want, but remember what you heard back there. They're looking for you too."

That sobering reminder dispelled any doubt. Y/N realized she might end up in the same predicament regardless, so she might as well try to help Steven.

"Okay, I'll go too. Just know that I don't know how to fight," Y/N admitted. Layla chuckled softly and gestured toward the door.

—

The sun had already set as Y/N clung to Layla's waist, determined not to fall off the motorcycle. Even with a helmet securely in place, she had no intention of letting go. They used the tracker Layla had on Steven's phone, a detail Y/N didn't question, and found themselves about fifteen minutes away from his current location, which showed no sign of stopping.

"Sorry if I'm intruding, but Marc," Y/N began, "he never told you about his split personalities to you?"

Layla shook her head. "He was always the secretive type. I just thought..." She let the sentence hang, choosing to change the subject. "Are you a student here?"

Y/N nodded. "Yeah, I guess it's the accent, huh?”

Layla replied with a soft hum, steering the conversation toward topics like London and her previous visits to America. In reality, she was trying to keep Y/N's mind occupied, knowing full well that the girl must be terrified after all the events of the past day.

The red dot on Layla's phone suddenly stopped, snapping her out of her thoughts. "They've stopped at a building, probably their hideout," Layla observed, feeling Y/N squeeze her even tighter. She offered words of comfort in response.

They arrived at a large, old, and seemingly abandoned brick building. Dim yellow light spilled from the windows, casting an eerie glow on the vegetable garden outside. Surprisingly, cult members were lounging around, playing soccer or reading, a far cry from what Y/N had imagined.

"I expected them to be in robes," Y/N whispered to Layla, who nodded in agreement. Leaving the motorcycle behind, they silently approached the building and ducked under a window. Faint voices could be heard, so they peeked inside.

No one noticed them, as everyone's attention was fixed on someone else – Steven Grant. He looked tense, scanning the building for an escape route. Harrow, the cult leader, stood before him, engaged in a heated conversation about obtaining the scarab. However, there was a problem.

"Didn't you have the scarab?" Y/N asked, puzzled. Layla nodded, producing the golden artifact from her pocket. Her eyes widened as she glanced back at Steven, who was edging away from Harrow.

Layla stood up and tapped Y/N's shoulder, saying, "I have an idea." Before Y/N could inquire, Layla began walking toward the hideout's entrance.

"Where's the scarab?" Harrow demanded loudly, losing patience. Steven, trembling under the pressure, shouted back, "I have no idea!"

"We have it!" Layla declared, holding the scarab high. Y/N stood beside her, feeling the weight of numerous eyes on her, her nervousness palpable. Steven stared in disbelief, mouth slightly agape.

"You couldn't possibly comprehend the power you're holding," Harrow extended his hand, gesturing for Layla to surrender it.

Ignoring him, Layla and Y/N walked over to Steven, who seemed bewildered. Y/N inquired, "Are you okay?" Steven shook his head.

"Good, summon the suit," Layla instructed, but Steven blinked in confusion and glanced around. "The what?"

"He doesn't know about the suit; that was Marc," Y/N explained to Layla, who cursed softly. She swiftly handed the scarab to Steven, then grabbed both of their arms, saying, "We need to run."

The three of them raced away, ascending a flight of stairs. One cultist blocked their path at the top, but Layla managed to push them over the railing. Steven and Y/N watched in awe before Layla urged them on with a "Come on."

They continued their ascent, their legs aching from the effort. Just before reaching the top, Y/N felt her right bicep being tugged. Glancing back, she saw a large man gripping her. He wasted no time, pulling her back and shoving her to the ground, her scream echoing.

Layla and Steven tried to rush to her aide but another man cut them away from getting to her. Leaving Y/N and the big cultist alone.

Layla and Steven attempted to come to her aid, but another cultist blocked their path. Y/N was left alone with the large cultist, looking up at him with fear and trembling arms. He raised his fist, ready to strike.

Suddenly, one of her arms extended toward him, wrapped in dark, living goo. She watched in astonishment as the goo formed a tentacle-like limb, wrapping around the man's neck. Her arm picked him off the ground, and then hurled him across the room. He collided with the brick wall, creating a crater.

The cultists were taken aback, their attention now fixed on her. She was just as stunned as they were. The black goo retracted into her skin, leaving her with her normal arm. Layla and Steven stared at her, the defeated man no longer a concern.

"How did you do that?" Steven asked.

She shrugged, stammering, "I... I don't know."

Cracking sounds came from Harrow's direction. The trio turned to see him, muttering something as he slammed his cane into the ground. The floor cracked open, emitting a purple light. A deafening roar echoed from the crevice, and a pair of claws emerged, followed by two jackals.

Layla yelled at the others to run. They sprinted up the stairs, encountering a few cultists along the way, their adrenaline pumping. The three burst into a room, and Layla slammed the doors shut, barricading them with a piece of wood. The doors thudded as the two creatures attempted to break through, reminiscent of the museum incident.

Steven frantically scanned the room for an escape, but all he found was a window, high above the ground. Panic welled up inside him.

"We're trapped in an evil magician's cave," he muttered, running his hands through his hair, which only escalated Y/N's anxiety.

"Shut up or I'll lose it," she snapped. Steven quickly apologized, assuring her they'd make it out. Layla turned to him, gripping his shoulders, and mentioned the suit Marc had used in the museum. But Steven shook his head, glancing nervously at a nearby mirror.

"Or you could let Marc take control," Y/N suggested as the doors started to crack under the pressure.

"No, no, no! I can't," Steven panicked.

Seeing it was futile to argue further, Layla considered Y/N's earlier power.

"Can you do that thing again?" she asked.

Y/N looked at her hands, then back at Layla. "Maybe. I can try."

"If you're not sure, don't push it," Layla warned.

"Well, I'm gonna get hurt either way if I don't do something," Y/N replied with a determined smile.

Facing the doors on the verge of bursting open, Y/N controlled her breathing and whispered encouragement to herself, hoping to awaken her powers once more. Unfortunately, the doors flew open, revealing an empty hallway.

"Did they leave?" Y/N wondered, her confusion mirrored by Steven and Layla.

Suddenly, Steven shouted, "Watch out!"

A jackal leaped at Y/N, its fangs and claws poised for attack. She attempted to shield herself, but her mysterious power kicked in again. The black goo materialized, enveloping the creature and holding it above her. The jackal snapped and struggled, but it couldn't reach her.

Y/N quickly spotted the window. "Duck!" she yelled at Steven, who stood in its path. Her limb tossed the creature through the window.

The black goo retreated into her body, and she smiled proudly, knowing she had protected her friends. Steven cheered, "You did it!" while Layla sighed in relief.

However, Y/N's smile faded. "Weren't there two?"

Their eyes widened at a growl, and before they could react, a jackal slammed into Y/N, carrying Steven with her through the window. Layla, fortunately out of harm's way, peered out the window and witnessed the two plummeting from a considerable height.

Y/N cursed loudly, and the ground approached rapidly. Adrenaline surged through her, her heart pounding in her ears. She screamed, "Come out now!"

A cold sensation emanated from her back, and thick black tentacles sprouted from her body. They extended to the ground and pierced the concrete, slowing her descent.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, Y/N took a quick inventory of her limbs, relieved to find no injuries. She let out a sigh of relief.

"That was amazing!" A voice rang out, and Y/N turned to see a man dressed all in white, with the same glowing white eyes as Marc. He sported a stylish white tuxedo that almost seemed to gleam under a nearby lamppost.

"Steven?" Y/N inquired.

"In the flesh," he replied, adjusting his blazer and tie. "Looks rather smashing, don't you think?"

"British people actually use the word 'smashing'?" Y/N laughed.

"Jesus, we look like Colonel Sanders," a different voice interrupted. Steven glared at his reflection in a glass door, while Y/N furrowed her brows and noticed that the reflection was responding to Steven.

"Fine, you'll see," Steven rolled his eyes and turned to Y/N, asking if he looked great in the suit. However, Y/N was gawking at the door's reflection.

"You alright?" he asked, waving a hand in front of her eyes to bring her back.

"Maybe I hit my head when I fell, but is your reflection talking?" Y/N questioned.

The reflection in question was Marc, and he seemed just as confused as to why Y/N could see and hear him. This was something that people outside of Steven's body definitely couldn't do, for obvious reasons.

"Marc?" Y/N confirmed.

Marc hesitated but nodded, “Yeah.”

She took a small silence, thinking of how odd this situation has become. Yet she couldn’t help give out a small chuckle, “Well, look at that. Can’t really do much to me in this form can you?”

That statement was met with a hard flick to her forehead. She rubbed her forehead and looked at Steven, questioning, "What the hell?"

"It wasn't me! It just moved on its own!" Steven protested, raising his hands defensively.

She tilted her head, realizing who was to blame, and glared at Marc in the reflection. "Really?"

"Bark and all bite," he said smugly. "Anyways, how you have those powers?"

She was about to answer him until she paused, "Oh, so you can ask questions, but I can't?" Y/N retorted, crossing her arms.

Marc groaned, "I answered a few. Now it's your turn."

"You never answered how you got the powers, though," she raised an eyebrow.

"I think there’s a better time for this. For now, let's just—" Steven's body was suddenly pounced upon by one of the jackals, and he was thrown through a wooden gate, with the creature in hot pursuit.

"There's another one," Y/N muttered, scanning the area and spotting a small crater on the ground where the second jackal had landed before. "Shit."

"This is actually funny, two idiots now have to fight a feral dog," Marc smirked. Y/N squinted at him and asked, "Shouldn't you go help him?"

"Maybe, but he wants to play the hero," Marc replied.

She rolled her eyes and decided, "I guess I'll go help him. Quickly, before the other one shows up."

Speaking too soon, the one she mentioned tackled her down to the floor from gods know where. It pinned her down, making chomping motions toward her face, its drool flying everywhere.

The same cold feeling from earlier returned, but this time, it covered both her legs. The black tar-like substance thickened and, seemingly of its own mind, kicked the jackal off her, sending it flying into a brick wall.

Y/N stood up, catching her breath, as the living goo retreated into her body. The jackal shook its head before its eyes locked onto Y/N. It didn’t hesitate to charge at her once again.

Before she panicked, her arms extended to the black subtance; instead of being the dull limb like always, in a fast motion it became a replica of a sword. Her arm shot towards the jackal and went through it’s chest; impaling it. The jackal let out a cry of pain as her arm pulled back, its body disappeared into dust.

“Took a while but you did it,” Marc commented, to which she forgot was there.

She let out a groan, “I’m not exactly in control, alright?”

Speaking of control, she remembered about Steven fighting the other jackal. Ignoring the other alter, she rushed over to aid him and Layla, who was being dangled upside down by a leg.

Y/N extended her arm toward the creature hoping the same black goo would impale it like the other, but nothing happened. She continued to shoot her arm outwards but the same outcome would be. Her shoulders sagged in disappointment, she looked around the floor for a weapon.

“That was kinda embarrassing,” Marc spoke up from the reflection of a nearby car window. Y/N only ignored him, spotting an empty bottle of wine on the floor.

She threw the bottle at the jackals head which only seemed to anger it even more. It dropped Layla, focusing its attention more on the older teen. The black limb appeared from her shoulder and didn’t give the jackal time to attack before it wrapped itself around it and threw it far.

Y/N ran up to Layla and asked her if she fine, which she was. She helped her to her feet, unfortunately heavy footsteps came near. Layla pulled Y/N behind her, creating a human shield.

The jackal stared them down, it’s fangs bearing as drool dripped from its jaw. Layla couldn’t see it, but Y/N could. She tried summoning whatever power she had but failed.

As a way to distract it, Steven called the jackal over. It’s attention now focused on him, it walked towards him, leaving Layla and Y/N alone. They took a breather, both their hearts pounding from the interaction.

Any sort of belief in her being able to fight the jackal was out the window, ironically, so there was not much to do but throw glass bottles at it and hope it gets a concussion. From the corner of her eye, Y/N noticed Marc just staring at Steven bickering with the creature.

“Shouldn’t you go help him?”

Marc thought but shook his, “He wanted to play hero, let him,”

“Who are you talking to?” Layla jumped in, she had been looking at Y/N for a moment and began to worry.

She hesitated, knowing it would sound insane but continued, “I, for some reason, can talk to Marc through window reflections.”

Layla’s eyes widened, she placed her hand on Y/N’s head and spoke softly, “Sweetie, I think that fall might have done something to you, I think we need to take you to the hospital after this,”

Y/N shook her head, “No, no, I’m not lying–”

The jackal flew into the air suddenly. The two turned to see what was the cause, seeing only Steven staring at his fist. He slowly looked up to the two girls and burst into glee.

“Layla! Y/N! Did you see that?”

Layla and Y/N only smiled for his joy, that was until the jackal did a roundabout and gave Steven a kick, making him fly yards away from the two.

Even though Steven was already quite tired, he didn’t quit out on fighting the creature. They continued to brawl and the two girls continued to watch. It was rather quick, having lead to Steven and the jackal being hit by a car.

The two girls waited to see the fight continue as the jackal began to get up, expecting Steven to do the same. Though, he remained on the floor unconscious. Both began to worry seeing as the creature moved its way to him.

“He’s not waking up,” Layla pointed out.

Y/N focused her sight on Steven then to the jackal. Her head felt like it was pounding from thinking of what she could; the only option being to distract the monster as long as she could.

Running from Layla and to the scene, she could hear Layla yelling out for her. Ignoring her calls, she began to whistle at the jackal, catching its attention.

“Hey, mira por aca!” she yelled out, the jackal responding with a gruff roar and slowly creeping to her.

She let out a tense breath once she saw a good distance between the two, he plan working. But it was now surviving that she had to worry about.

Thinking of punching the jackal into the moon, she extended her arm expecting a black tentacle to come out. To no avail, she was left defenseless. She continued the same move, but nothing. Her stress was beginning to rise back up.

The jackal did not give a moment to let her think when it ran on its fours and lunged at her. Her skin ran cold with only her heart beating in her ears. Falling onto the floor, she covered her face but once again nothing came.

She peeked through the gaps of her arms; waiting to see the sight of black limbs wrapped around the creature. Instead she saw the familiar grey cloaked figure holding onto the legs of the jackal.

With the change of suit, she was sure it was Marc leading.

He pulled the creature away from her before throwing it against the wall of a nearby building. With his back turned to the teen, he turned to her.

“Stay with Layla,” he pointed at her, before he ran up a building to lead the jackal away.

Y/N stayed on the floor, her chest rising up and down as she catched her breath. Behind, she heard Layla’s voice calling to her and helping her to her feet.

Layla turned Y/N’s body towards her and scanned her face, “God, are you alright Y/N?”

She nodded, “Barely,”

Layla gave a wonky smile, “Well it is expected when one decides to become bait,”

She offered a small chuckle before she remembered about Steven and Marc. “Crap, I should go find them,” She tried to run off but Layla grabbed onto her wrist.

“Hey, I think you had enough for one night, go home,”

“I’m fine, I just gotta check on them.”

—

Marc stood infront of a statue that had mirrors as one of its many features. He wasn’t taking in the art but rather was in a dispute with his reflection; it being Steven.

“Look I swear to you, once I repaid my debt, you will no longer hear or see from me again”

He had hoped that it would be easy to come across his alter that he could go back to trying to fix the problem he had started. Unfortunately he ended up arguing. There were already many thoughts running across his mind that this was all just the cherry on a disgusting pie.

Steven spoke with a strong tone, in effort to get his life back. To be back to dealing with the main problem being employment instead of a mad cultist.

“Yeah, well, that blood is on my hands. You ruin peoples lives. Everything you touch, you ruin. You abandoned your wife. Left her stranded!” Steven yelled within the mirror.

“I did not! I am protecting her. You don’t know what your talking about,”

There was no stopping, with Marc dragging his fingers across his scalp, he felt himself turning to stone from the how much tension his body was going through.

“Then there’s Y/N! You didn’t think about her at all and now she’s in this mess!” Steven finally yelled out, seeming to break the current of the argument.

Marc turned immediately to Steven, pointing his finger at him, “You brought her here yourself, you got yourself into trouble and of course she followed,”

“Trouble that you started.” Steven clarified.

Marc shook his head, his jaw clenched, “You don’t know what were dealing with,”

“Right, is killing people how you deal with it?”

“Layla and Y/N will be safe,” he reassured him, but it was pointless.

As if it was a push for Marc, the bell from the nearby church began ringing. It was a far toll yet it felt like it was the statue itself ringing. The noise started melting with Steven’s voice, overwhelming Marc.

“Just shut up,”

Steven didn’t though, he continued. The bell was louder, how?

“Steven, shut up!”

Each hit from the bell banged in his head. It was a large thumping feeling; perhaps it was his brain or Steven had found a way to give him a migraine. It didn’t matter.

His hands twitched and soon his entire body flexed. Like some sort of natural response, he raised his foot and forced down onto the mirror of the statue. Repeating the action, over and over again. Each blunt to the reflected glass was met with a loud ‘Shut up’.

The bell, Steven’s voice, and now the sound of glass meeting the floor engulfed him.

“Marc,”

His actions stopped and he looked over to the figure of the teen standing idly to the side. She was confused with the situation; especially not knowing what to do with the information she just overheard.

Breathing out, he turned from her. “Go home,”

“Not really possible since it’s thousand of miles away,” she let out nervous laugh, hoping he would see the humor, which he didn’t.

“Go home,” he said more heavily towards her.

She stayed quiet, seeming as if the harsh tone worked until she said a simple, “No,”

Eyeing her up and down, he scoffed “I don’t have time to deal with you,”. He strode passed her, however she sprinted to his line of view.

"I didn't have time to deal with all of this, but here I am. I could have stayed in my apartment and pretended Steven had never been taken away, but I didn't. I could have told the world that you are a vigilante, but I did not. And I have plenty of reasons to do so because I am afraid of who that man is and what he is trying to accomplish. But I did not. So don't tell me to go home and pretend the past several days didn't happen.”

It was only them two now, all passerby’s had left home, something that neither of them could do. Even if they could, it would be easy bait for Harrow to come after. That man’s name ringed in Marc’s mind like the bell from earlier, a bell sounding the seconds counting down.

“I’ll call Layla, ask her if you can stay with her until all of this blows over,”

There was something that felt hypocritical to Marc, something awkward that he would face when making that call to her.

“And when will it blow over?”

Marc stayed quiet, which was as clear to Y/N that hoping for things to be alright wasn’t enough.

“Let me come with you,” she said with a firmness in her voice, outlined with a hesitant tremble.

He immediately turned down her idea, for many obvious reasons. Each reason resulting with Marc being responsible for what could happen to her.

"Harrow seems to be familiar with you, and also with me and the place where I live. If he really meant to knock you off course, he would go for either me or Layla to stop you; though I doubt he'd be able to get to her."

It was true; Harrow is aware of her and has seen her develop close to Steven. If something happened to her, Steven would not hesitate to take control of her body.

“I could be taken hostage to lure you back,”

“And you’re any safer with me?” it was more of a sarcastic statement from Marc’s part.

“Safer than being alone here, I can’t control,” she glanced to her sleeved arm, “whatever this is,”

“Then go back home, you would be safer there,” Marc stepped to the side and walked around her.

A force yanked him back by his collar, causing him to stumble. All of her patience had left her body.

“You don’t get it! Harrow is psychotic, you think a plane ride would be the one thing to keep him away? If I go to my family I wouldn’t be the only one in danger,”

His expression doesn’t show it, but she was right, Harrow is fucking insane, that’s how he rose to that position. There was no denying of the only choice he had.

“I don’t want to die being the reason my family are killed, because you fucking messed up.”

It was as if the wind had stopped for a time, and there was no concern about Harrow else than her. He gave a tight breath and nodded.

————————————

SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE

Edit: Took out the cringe as much as I could

Taglist: @itsjusspele @dustyinkpages

#hispanic reader #marc spector x teen!reader #moon knight #steven grant x teen!reader #marc spector #steven grant x reader #platonic #marc spector x reader #latina reader

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l3m0ncyan · 2 years ago

Text

New at Life | Chapter 2

Steven Grant/Marc Spector x latina!teen!reader

Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

———————

The sun poured through the window of the studio, easily waking Y/N up from her sleep. Her sleep schedule was terrible, usually she would find herself waking up in the after noon, but not today. Still, she struggled to get up until the alarm she set last night began to go off a second after.

As she sat up from the couch, she could feel the bones in her body pop. A groan escaped from within her throat while she continued to sit on the brown sofa. It seemed like it wasn’t going to be the best place to sleep, making it her goal to get a mattress as fast as possible.

Squinting at the window, her eyes were blinded from the bright light of the morning. God, did she miss her old room, but there was no point to sit and wallow. Standing up, she made a mental note to buy curtains as well.

Y/N proceeded to begin her day, cooking a small breakfast meal with the groceries she bought from yesterday and then heading to the shower to wash off the grogginess still left in her. Now she found herself rummaging though her luggage, throwing articles of clothing out to make things easier for her, “I swear I packed it,”

With her hair still dripping from the shower, the collar of her t-shirt began to get damp. She rushed herself, trying to save herself from ending up with a wet shirt. After rummaging, she finally found what she needed and held it up, letting out an ‘Ah-hah!’.

It was a cotton, long sleeve, burgundy button down, one that she found in a thrift store. Actually, most of the outfit that she’ll be wearing were thrifted. She put on the long sleeve, tucking it into her clack slacks after buttoning. Since she didn’t have any professional looking shoes, she went with black boots. Her hair was a disaster trying to be held together; she had no idea how to style it without looking like a suburban middle-aged woman, so she just brushed it out and added volume.

She walked up to the mirror, turned, twisted, and even performed a small dance to see if she would be comfortable. "That's all they're going to get from me," she slouched. She grabbed her bag from the wooden dining table, plus the 6 copies of her resume that she printed out yesterday. Locking her door, her feet automatically walked her to the elevator and out to society.

——

Usually she would have just applied online, but she really needed a place to work. Additionally, she heard you get a higher chance of getting hired if you asked upfront. Making the mall a goldmine, she walked to one perfume shop that had a ‘Hiring’ sign at the front. Again, she believed it would be easy until she located the manager and asked about the position, only to be met with the manager’s scowl and a rude, “The spot has been filled,”. Lord, did she feel so much rage from that encounter. With a quick mutter of “Fuck you too”, she walked off, she didn’t need to worry about it, she was barely starting, and she still had a long way to go. – After hours, Y/N had no luck with any of the five other places she went to. She even went to some other places of business on her way out but nothing. The sun was starting its first phase of setting and she was just sitting on a bench with her elbows on her knees and hands holding the bottom of her chin. She wasn’t alone though, next to her was a man in gold clothing while he was painted gold himself. He had a gold suit that reflected in the sun, almost blinding Y/N. He was motionless, only holding a simple pose. It seemed almost humiliating to do, but Y/N found herself able to pour out all of her frustrations.

“I dressed the part, printed my damn resume, and you’re telling me none of them wanted me?” she vented, her voice laced with exasperation. “Like they ask for experience when they are the reasons some of us can’t get any. They think they are so superior, like yeah right. Working at a convenience store and sex shop makes you so elite,” she muttered between bites of her hotdog, staring at the people passing by with envy.

Lost in her thoughts, Y/N's contemplation was interrupted when two girls approached her, requesting a favor. She sat up and rose from the bench, "Oh, sure," she responded, taking the phone from them. Motioning the girls to stand by the golden man, she instructed them to say something cheesy like "golden." They complied, and once she returned their phone, they thanked her and began to walk away. But Y/N couldn't let them leave without reminding them of one thing. “Oye! You guys forgot to tip him!” she called out, pointing at the golden hat on the floor.

"No se hagan culeras," she added. *Don’t be assholes

Wide-eyed, the girls hurriedly contributed to the hat before scurrying away. Y/N scoffed, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Maybe you should hire me as your manager or something," she mused, before continuing to take a bit of her hotdog.

Grabbing her hotdog again, she continued to eat before a flyer landed on her foot. Her chewing stopped as she looked down and picked it up. It had Egyptian hieroglyphics in the background, and a sarcophagus in the front, with the words 'NOW HIRING' in large white letters.

Her eyes widened, pushing the flyer to the gold man’s view, she exclaimed, “It has to be a sign right? Does it have an address?”. She looked closer and it did with the qualifications. It seemed like they were hiring right away. Checking the time on her phone, she had enough time to go check it out before retreating.

She stands up to leave, opening her wallet and taking out two pounds, placing them into the tip hat. “Once I am working, I will come back with more,” she smiled before she dashed away to the Ancient Egypt Museum.

As she approaches the museum, banners flutter in the breeze, displaying some of the exhibits. Aside from that, the museum is a pale white being held with white columns, almost a resemblance to the hall where the statue of Abraham Lincoln is located. Large stairs lead to the front doors of the museum which scare Y/N due how her energy has depleted.

As she fights the journey up the stairs and takes a quick break to catch her breath, she walks in to see numerous exhibits. Glass-encased statues and tombs, Egyptian art, and a small gift shop. She can't remember the last time she visited a museum, but she remembers being interested in the topic thanks to her grandfather who would go on and on about history and archeaology, Ancient Egypt being one.

Since the flyer offered a job position in the gift shop, she heads straight there. However once she gets close, she sees a familiar neighbor at the register.

Steven waved goodbye to a boy he had been speaking to, "Take care of Tawaret, alright?" As he resumed organizing the items that had been knocked over, the corner of his eye caught sight of Y/N standing in an awkward stance. Intrigued, he paused his task and greeted her with a warm smile. "Well, if it isn't my dear neighbor, Y/N."

Y/N approached him, her voice laced with a playful tone. "And if it isn't my locksmith," she replied, her steps bringing her closer.

Continuing his task, Steven maintained a light-hearted demeanor. "Indeed, that's what I am. So, what brings you here today? Are you a fan of Egyptian history?"

"I mean it’s cool, but i’m actually here because of a flyer,” Y/N shrugged casually, fishing out a flyer from her pocket and handing it to Steven. He brings it close but then moves it back when he tries to read it, something that Y/N has seen her parents do. "You want to work here?" he asked, squinting at the words on the flyer.

"Yeah, if it’s cool, so far no one has tried to give me an interview or even a handshake," she says, leaning against the front desk of the gift shop, looking down as she is reminded of the rude managers from earlier.

Steven looks at her with pity but gives her an encouraging smile, "Of course, it's alright. Tell you what, why don't I put in a good word for you here?"

Puzzled by the unexpected offer, Y/N tilted her head slightly. "Why?" she inquired.

"Well, it might just speed up the process for you and help you land a job here," Steven explained, his eyes reflecting a genuine desire to assist.

"I mean, I get that, but why are you going out of your way to help me? We've only known each other for less than an hour," she stated, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and skepticism.

It was true, if she was in his position, she wouldn’t bother to help her neighbor. Let alone interact with them.

"True, I suppose," he mused, "but it doesn't feel right to withhold a helping hand. At least, that's my take on it." Y/N's gaze remained fixed on him as he offered a smile. Having the skill of a people watcher, she was able to tell if someone exuded goodness and those who were terrible. And in this case, he had gold splashed on him with how he radiated warmth and kindness.

"Not to mention," he added with a shrug, "it would be nice to have someone else working the shop with me."

She nodded in understanding, grasping his situation. "Well, if you're open to it, then sure—"

"Stephen! "The sharp voice sliced through their conversation, causing both Y/N and Steven to jump. Y/N turned to her left, finding the source– a woman with bleached blonde hair and eyes that were capable of making children cry.

Once the woman approached them, she crossed her arms and locked her gaze onto Steven, completely disregarding Y/N's presence. "Are you selling to our customers or babbling on about nonsense?" she spat.

Steven’s demeanor seemed to delfate with the way his cheerful character became gloomy. His shoulders slumped, the twinkle in his eyes extinguished, leaving behind an almost stoic expression. "It's Steven, once again, Steven," he emphasized, tapping his name tag for emphasis.

"I don't bloody care. If you're not pulling your weight, your role in the gift shop will be taken away," she declared, waving her finger at him as if scolding a child.

While the woman continued to bicker Steven, Y/N took the chance to sneak a glance at her name tag, revealing the name 'Donna.' It seemed to match her demeanor perfectly.

"Understood," Steven replied, but then turned to face Y/N. "However, I was actually talking to my…" He paused, his lips thinning as he formulated an answer. "…cousin. She's interested in applying for the position of gift shop associate. I highly recommend her," he stated, placing a reassuring hand on Y/N's shoulder.

Y/N tensed at the sudden spotlight being cast upon her in their conversation. Donna's scowl mirrored the other managers that Y/N has encountered. It must be a cultural norm in England.

Glancing up at Steven, he subtly directed his gaze towards Donna. "Oh, um, nice to meet you. My name is Y/N," she greeted with a smile, extending her hand. Surprisingly, Donna accepted the handshake, though her expression remained one of confusion.

"Your cousin, huh? How can I be certain you won't disappoint me?" Her gaze shifted to Steven, one eyebrow raised in doubt.

"I assure you, she would never deceive you. She's a dedicated worker, always eager to learn and grow," he said as he looked at Y/N, almost as if he was referring to yesterday when they were both learning new phrases.

Seeing that Steven was the only one trying to make her shine, she got rid of her daydreaming and spoke up, “Yes! I thrive on being busy and I almost never complain. Plus I learn real quick if you teach me,”

Donna's suspicious gaze intensified as she questioned Y/N's American accent. A sense of urgency washed over Steven as he realized the glaring inconsistency. He looked over to Y/N who seemed to be piecing together a story in her mind.

"Well, I actually grew up in the United States," she confidently stated, ensuring that her words sounded truthful. She just hopes that Donna won’t ask about the family tree. She swiftly changed the subject to the interview, “Over there, I learned to multitask and the importance of respecting my superiors." This however, was a lie; first of all she didn’t believe in the phrase “respect your elders” and secondly she never worked a day in her life. But it seemed like lying is what will help her if she really wanted work there.

Donna's gaze lingered on her, as if scrutinizing every word she said. After a pause, Donna relented, her tone laced with resignation. "Alright, fine. Consider yourself hired. It's only because this one," she gestured towards Steven, "has been giving me a headache." Steven arched an eyebrow at the insult but accepted it to stay away from arguing, and potentially losing his name tag.

"You begin today and then–" Donna started to explain before she was abruptly interrupted.

"Wait, today?" Y/N's voice held a hint of surprise.

Donna responded with an aggressive and rude tone, making it clear that she had little patience, "Yes, today. Is that going to be a problem?".

Shaking her head in response, Y/N chose not to engage in further confrontation. Donna then turned her attention to Steven, delivering a cutting remark, “You will train her today, I expect her to be far better than you". With that, Donna walked away.

"My first job and my boss is a complete bi–" Y/N began to vent her frustrations, but before she could finish her sentence, Steven interjected, "I know she's an absolute tosser, but trust me, you'll get used to it," he said with a reassuring smile.

Y/N nodded in agreement. There was a pause before Steven realized his new task and exclaimed, "Oh right! As it turns out, I will be your mentor, for which I am grateful". He made a small bow with his palm on his chest which Y/N couldn’t help but chuckle at his action.

For the rest of the day, Steven spent it by teaching Y/N the basics of working in a gift shop. He started by familiarizing her where each product belonged and taking inventory. As they moved on to the cashier duties, Y/N couldn't help but feel a nervous flutter in her stomach. However, Steven's presence by her side made her nerves flatten thanks to Steven being by her side, giving her a thumbs up. Even after making countless mistakes, Steven never raising his voice or belittling her efforts.

"I believe that's all the time we have for today. Tomorrow, I'll show you the stock room and all that buzz," Steven announced, beginning to tidy up as the museum visitors started to depart. With a nod of understanding, Y/N followed closely behind him as they headed toward the locker room.

Inside the locker and break room, a few people gathered their belongings , ready to leave. The lockers, arranged in a row toward the back, were rather small. On the opposite side, there were two tables accompanied by a handful of chairs, positioned next to cupboards and counters. A microwave sat on the counter, while a whiteboard displayed the day's assigned duties on a white fridge.

"Well, here's the break and locker room. It's not the most extravagant, but it's better than nothing," Steven remarked, opening his locker to retrieve the familiar satchel Y/N had noticed earlier. He continued, "I'll give you the door code tomorrow."

Once Steven closed and locked his locker compartment, a sudden realization seemed to dawn upon him. His head shot up, causing Y/N to instinctively take a step back. "Have you had your lunch? Now that we're on the topic," he asked, concern evident in his voice. Though Y/N hesitated, not wanting to burden him with guilt, her silence confirmed it for Steven.

“Well," she began, her voice trailing off, "I ate earlier today." "Oh, bollocks! I was too caught up in training you that I completely forgot about the most basic needs," Steven exclaimed, running his hand from the top of his face down in frustration. Looking around, he pondered for a moment, searching for a solution. "Well, let's get you some dinner then. There's a place down the street that might still be open," he suggested, eager to go.

Her eyes widened, and she waved her hands dismissively. "No, no! It's alright. I bought groceries yesterday, so I'm pretty sure I have something to eat," Y/N assured him. Steven raised an eyebrow, not fully convinced. "No offense, but I'm sure the moment you get home, you're going to knock out in bed," he remarked knowingly.

He was right. Y/N was exhausted, and all she craved was a good night's sleep. She pursed her lips, contemplating whether to accept his offer. She didn't want him to spend more money on her, considering all he had already done. Letting out a sigh, she relented, "Alright, but let's go for something cheap.”

They both exited the museum and strolled along the street, heading towards a nearby bus stop. Steven came to a halt, but Y/N continued walking, oblivious to the fact that he wasn't following. With a quick call to get her attention, she turned around and hurriedly made her way back.

"We're taking the bus?" Y/N inquired a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Of course! If we go on foot, it'll probably be closed by the time we get there, and it would be past your bedtime," Steven replied with a playful smile.

She rolled her eyes, retorting, "I'm 18, you know that, right? Besides, I don't think I have any change for the bus fare." Y/N took out her wallet and opened it to confirm her lack of change. As expected, she was right.

However, Steven waved off her concern, insisting that he would cover the cost. Y/N opened her mouth to protest, but it was difficult to do so earlier, so she nods. Plus she might give her legs a break from running around in the gift shop. —— The small restaurant had a handful of patrons, with white tiled floors and pale yellow walls. The rhythmic sounds of the grill and utensils filled the space behind the front desk where the kitchen was located. Y/N glanced up at the menu, feeling overwhelmed by the variety of noodles and drinks on display. Unsure of what to choose, she shifted back and forth, thinking of her options. Sensing her dilemma, Steven stepped in and recommended a few dishes, highlighting his personal favorite with tofu.

"If you're not a vegan like me, the Classic Thai is also popular," he shrugged, noting its meat content.

Nodding in acknowledgment, they approached the cashier to place their order. Steven took charge and ordered for both of them, and once it came to pay, he handed the cashier a bill. As the cashier reached out to receive it, Y/N's eyes caught sight of a tattoo on their arm.

"Hey, I like your tattoo," Y/N commented, flashing a smile.

The tattoo depicted a scale, intricately detailed with crocodile heads on either side. The cashier returned the smile and glanced down at their tattoo. "Thank you. It's a sign of a miracle," they shared.

Y/N nodded slowly, her brows furrowing slightly, “I see, it’s nice,”

Feeling a shiver crawl up her spine, Y/N glanced back up to find the cashier's gaze fixed on her, still wearing that eerie smile. Her eyes widened, feeling the hair behind her neck stand. The cashier's unwavering stare seemed to penetrate her very being. Seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity, until the jarring ring of a bell shattered the tension. The cashier finally averted her gaze, retrieving a bag with their drinks. Breathing a sigh of relief, Y/N couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of unease as they made their way towards the exit.

As they approached the door, a nagging thought tugged at Y/N's mind. Her instincts screamed at her to keep moving forward, but an unsettling curiosity lingered. She refrained from glancing back at the cashier, trying to leave fast. However, she thought she heard a "goodbye" reached her ears with the mention of her and Steven’s last names. —— On the bus once again, Steven and Y/N settled into their seats, with Steven cradling the bag of food on his lap and Y/N holding the drinks. With about ten minutes left before their next stop, Steven took the opportunity to strike up a conversation.

"So, what's your take on London so far?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Y/N, still mulling over the unsettling encounter at the restaurant, was caught off guard. She paused for a moment before responding, "Well, I've only been here for two days, but most of the people I've met were assholes, except for you, of course."

Steven chuckled, but quickly reprimanded her for her choice of words. "Oi, mind your language. But you're not wrong, not everyone here has been great."

Momentarily forgetting about their previous topic, Y/N smiled in confusion. "I didn't think you were so sensitive about cursing," she remarked, before correcting herself, “Nevermind, you do look like it,”

A hint of amusement danced in Steven's eyes as he raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to offend me? I just think someone your age shouldn’t have a vulgar vocabulary."

Y/N let out a scoff. "Well, you'd probably faint if you met the people I went to high school with."

Intrigued, Steven tilted his head and asked if she was currently attending college. Y/N nodded, and his face lit up with genuine excitement. "Congratulations! That's fantastic!" he exclaimed, offering his warm congratulations. Y/N returned the smile and expressed her gratitude for his enthusiastic response. Despite the ups and downs of the day, she couldn't help but appreciate Steven's positive attitude.

She mentions how she was accepted to a university near London, which is why she moved there in the first place which brings out more questions.

"Well, I'm not too familiar with the US, but aren't there universities closer to where you live? Why fly thousands of miles?" Steven inquired, genuinely curious.

Y/N hesitated for a moment, only providing a superficial answer. "Well, there are some nearby, but I just wanted to…," she trailed off, not delving deeper into her reasons, "Make my aunts and cousins jealous."

Steven nodded, sensing that there was more to her decision than mere family rivalry. However, he didn't pry further. Sensing the lull in the conversation, Y/N decided to change the subject.

"I think it's my turn to ask about you," she said, turning her attention to Steven.

"Alrighty, what do you want to know?" he replied, gesturing for her to unleash a barrage of questions.

She started by asking about his age, and he chuckled in response. "36," he revealed.

Y/N clicked her tongue playfully. "Dang, so I was close."

Amused, Steven raised an eyebrow and teased, "You were guessing my age? Taking offense, are we?"

"I said 40, but I guess you're younger than you look," Y/N shrugged nonchalantly. Steven dramatically placed his hand over his heart, pretending to be deeply wounded.

"Do I really look that old?" he asked, feigning shock. Y/N locked her gaze on him, tilting her head from different angles to see if she may have overestimated his age.

"Well, not anymore, but honestly, it might be true," she replied, sitting up straight. "Your aging is sped up because of Devah."

"You mean Donna?" Steven corrected her.

“Whatever," Y/N rolled her eyes dismissively. Steven couldn't help but laugh at her attitude towards their boss. He can’t blame her. Maybe he should have warned her about her before he tried helping her land the job.

—— "So, anything creepy ever happened here before I continue unpacking my apartment?" Y/N asked, her curiosity piqued as they waited for the elevator doors to open on their floor.

Steven looked at her, slightly taken aback by the question. "Are you talking about paranormal weird or people weird?" he clarified.

“Both”

The building, for the most part, was relatively quiet. Occasionally, heated arguments between couples could be heard echoing through the halls. There was that one incident when the electricity went out for the entire complex, forcing everyone to open their windows until it was fixed. But overall, not much out of the ordinary. "Not really, just the occasional flickering lights, but this building is quite old. I wouldn't worry too much. Just be cautious around people in general," Steven reassured her.

Y/N nodded, but her mind wandered as she observed the mirrors inside the elevator, noticing how they were positioned to face each other. She remembered seeing how mirrors facing each other could be used to create a portal. The flickering lights suddenly took on a new meaning in her mind, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it than just faulty wiring.

Once they reached their floor, Steven unlocked his door but decided to wait and see if Y/N would be able to open hers this time. "Just nudge the key to the left, right?" she asked, seeking confirmation. He responded with a simple "mm-hmm." That's exactly what she did.

Left. One nudge. Two nudges. Three nudges. Four. And click!

The door swung open, and Y/N stood there in shock. "I did it," she muttered to herself, then turned to Steven, unable to contain her excitement. "I fucking did it!"

"You did it!" he exclaimed, sharing in her joy. They continued to celebrate, their voices echoing through the hallway, until a neighbor shouted at them to quiet down. "Will you two just shut it already?! People are trying to bloody sleep!" The sound of a slamming door silenced them.

"Pinche—" Y/N began, but immediately stopped when she heard Steven clearing his throat.

*Fucking–

"Sorry," she quickly apologized, raising her hand in acknowledgment. Steven gave a nod, accepting her apology, and bid her a simple "goodnight."

Y/N sat at the table and unpacked the takeout food. She examined it closely, revealing a dish of fried noodles topped with chicken. The aroma wafted up, enticing her senses. Unable to resist any longer, she eagerly took a bite, savoring the burst of flavors. Her eyes widened in delight, and she leaned back in her chair, fully appreciating the deliciousness of the meal. The thought of returning to the restaurant already crossed her mind.

———————————

Slowly trying to make Y/N talk to Steven more.

#marc spector #steven grant x teen!reader #marc spector x teen!reader #moon knight #hispanic reader #marc spector x reader #platonic #steven grant x reader #latina reader

95 notes · View notes

l3m0ncyan · 2 years ago

Text

New at Life | Chapter 3

Steven Grant/Marc Spector x latina!teen!reader

Took me long cause I was trying to figure out how to start it

Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

————————————————————

Y/N's first week at the museum's gift shop was busy and overwhelming. Since she was the new employee, she had to take on most of the tasks while other employees slacked off or were absent. Plus she wanted didn’t want to embarrass Steven, especially with the way he elevitated her.

Her tasks included restocking shelves, organizing the mess left by customers, and wiping down the front desk, for some reason. After she’d finish, she would try to sit down to relieve her aching body but would be stopped once Donna came back with a new list of instructions. And of course, Y/N would be up on her feet before Donna could finish her sentence.

As the days went on and Y/N's energy drained, Steven grew concerned for her. It was her first job, and she was being worked relentlessly. He attempted to help with some tasks, but she insisted on doing everything herself, leaving him to watch as she hurried around the gift shop.

One day, Donna handed Y/N a sticker gun and told her to mark all the snow globes on clearance. Once she was done, she had to stack them on a designated shelf. Y/N immediately nodded and started applying the stickers, not minding that it was July and nowhere near December.

Seeing Y/N's relentless pace, Steven approached her and joked, “You don’t have to push yourself so hard, don’t want you to combust,”. However, Y/N was too focused to notice. Eventually, she finished marking all the snow globes, feeling relieved. But then she realized she still had to put them on the shelf, which made her groan in frustration.

Steven offered to help, saying it would be faster. This time, Y/N welcomed his assistance. As they both worked to put the snow globes on the shelf, Steven broke the silence, “Anything on your mind?”.

Y/N had a lot on her mind. She was stressed, tired, and on the verge of tears. Steven's worried expression reminded her of her siblings telling her to take a break after a study session, which only made her feel more homesick. She didn't want to break down and prove her parents right about her.

She was considered an adult now, and adults shouldn’t cry to people, especially to their own neighbors who they’ve only met for about a week.

But instead of sharing her true feelings, she simply replied, "I'm fine, thanks for the help, by the way." She grabbed the empty box and went to the register to assist a waiting customer.

After they left, Steven approached her again, “Alright, just take things at your own pace, you don’t have to prove Donna anything,”.

He took a box that he was tasked to take to the stock room and went on his way. Y/N was left with the flood of customers coming in, and Donna passing by to boss her around more.

After two hours, her body felt so tense that it might be considered sculpture in the museum. With her brain constantly firing actions and thoughts, her body felt like it was on autopilot. Luckily, it was finally time for Y/N and Steven's lunch break, granting them 30 minutes of rest, which was much needed, especially for Y/N.

—— Y/N eagerly waited for her granola bar to drop from the vending machine, watching as it descended into the slot. She grabbed a chair, leaned back, and heard her bones crack. Getting back up, she took a sip of water and a bite of her granola. She twisted her feet and neck to find some relief when Steven joined her at the table, holding his lunch.

"I did tell you to slow down," he said, sounding like he was giving her a lecture.

Y/N let out a tired sigh and replied, "I know, but I got things done fast though, didn’t I?”

Steven nodded and began eating his sandwich. Y/N finished her granola bar quickly but was still hungry and didn't have any change for another snack. She regretted not packing her own lunch.

Noticing her playing with the water bottle, Steven looked down and offered her half of his sandwich, “I’m sure that protein bar and water won’t fill you,”.

Y/N looked at his offer and shook her head, “I can’t that’s your lunch,”

“I will be fine, you however won’t and you still have a long way before the end of the day.” he insisted.

She hesitated but eventually accepted the sandwich, thanking him quietly before taking a bite. It was delicious, maybe it was her growling stomach talking or maybe Steven was an amazing sandwich maker, but she didn’t care.

Once she finished, she looked up to see Steven's surprised expression. He didn’t expect her to be so hungry, but he smiled nonetheless. Y/N wiped her mouth and felt a tinge of embarrassment.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to down all that in just seconds,” she said.

Steven waved it off, “It wasn’t that, it just looks like you haven’t eaten.”

Y/N looked away, knowing he was about to worry him, “Well I was kinda in a rush this morning, so I didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast,”

Steven's eyes widened in shock. She was working herself to death with her body running with no food. “How are you still standing?” he said rather loudly, “You have to put yourself first, a job won’t be as important as your wellbeing,”

Y/N shrank in her seat, feeling like she was being lectured by a parent. He went on about the importance of eating breakfast, even bringing up an Egyptian story. She learned in the past few days about his love with Egyptian facts and stories. It was probably why he didn’t try to resign.

"I'll give you my phone number in case you forget to eat or need someone to pack your lunch," he offered, pulling out his phone. He realized he should have given her his number earlier.

Comparing their phones, it was clear who was the younger one. Steven had a simple gray flip phone, while Y/N had a touchscreen phone adorned with stickers of her favorite shows and movies. After exchanging numbers, Y/N saved Steven's contact as "Neighbor Steven."

"It was nice negotiating with you," Y/N quipped before putting her phone away. Steven looked at her with a mix of confusion and amusement. With only ten minutes left of their break, Y/N excused herself to use the restroom.

After coming out of the stall, she walked to the sink, washed and dried her hands, and looked at herself in the mirror. Steven had been right—she looked like she had only slept for an hour. As she attempted to fix her hair, she noticed the lights above flickering and heard a buzzing sound. It reminded her of the elevator lights. Maybe there was an electrical issue in London. She shrugged it off, not wanting to dwell on it.

She walked out of the restroom and headed to the gift shop where Steven was was already starting on his assignments. “You freshened up?” He asked, as he took out blue hippo plushies from a box. She nodded and only promised that she won’t overwork herself.

———— Nearly a month had passed, leaving only a few days until the end of July. During this time, Steven and Y/N have gotten closer to where everyone at the museum were convinced that they were actually cousins. Really it felt like they were siblings.

As a result, Y/N often acted like a younger sister to Steven.

Steven was peacefully asleep when his phone rang, causing him to jolt awake. He reached for his phone on the nightstand and checked the caller ID, unsurprisingly finding it was Y/N.

"Why are you calling so early?" he groggily asked, his voice tired. However, he was immediately met with Y/N's loud voice on the other end of the line, which instantly woke him up.

"It's about time you answered! Are you ready?" she exclaimed.

Confused, Steven furrowed his brow and asked, "Wait, what time is—"

Before he could finish his sentence, he heard Spanish cursing coming from the other end of the line. "Ay chingado, Steven, did you just wake up?" Y/N questioned.

Taking Stevens silence as a yes, she continued, “Dude, we’re going be late for work!”.

Wide-eyed, Steven checked the time and realized they had only ten minutes before the bus departed. Realizing he missed his alarm, he quickly got up, but his ankle was held back by the chain still attached to his ankle cuff. Sighing, he worked his way out of the cuff and got ready. He tended to his goldfish before heading out of his apartment to meet Y/N, who stood there with her arms crossed.

“About time you came out! Let's go!" she urged.

They stepped into the elevator, and Y/N leaned back against the wall as the doors closed. "Good thing I called you. Was your alarm clock broken or something?" she asked.

Steven shrugged, “I’m not sure. That usually doesn’t happen,”

“Yeah, guess I’ll have to record my voice as your new alarm,” she teased.

"Please, no," he chuckled in response.

When they reached the ground floor, they quickly exited the apartment building and made their way to the bus stop. They arrived just in time to catch the bus before the doors closed, but it was already packed, leaving them standing amidst a crowd of people. Standing on a crowded bus had become a common occurrence for them.

Y/N and Steven managed to make it to the museum entrance just in time, weaving through the crowd. Y/N glanced at Steven, asking if their dear boss will be a ‘female dog’ for todays shift. Despite trying to get used to Donna’s personality, she found it hard to like her. The more she had to deal with her, the more reasons she found to dislike her. . Inside the museum, they joined the bustling crowd. Seeing a little girl stuffing a candy wrapper into a pyramid model, Steven told Y/N to go on without him. She nodded and watched as Steven approached the girl.

Steven seemed to enjoy sharing ancient Egyptian facts with others, especially children. Y/N couldn’t help but think of how he would a great teacher if he wasn’t stuck playing gift shopist. He didn't seem like the type to play favorites or get angry at someone for not understanding something.

Y/N made her way to the locker room to store her bag and lunch. Her coworkers greeted her with a "good morning" or simply ignored her, which was fine by her. Returning to the gift shop, she logged into the register and tidied up any items that had been knocked over. Then she went to the rope barrier and unclasped it, allowing visitors to enter.

Although she still worked hard, Y/N stopped going the extra mile like she did during her first week. The main reason was because she would end up exhausted by the end of the day. Steven had even lectured her about taking care of her health, scaring her a bit with his intensity. She knew he meant well, but he could be terrifying at times.

Fortunately, Y/N had gotten used to the museum layout, making it easier for her to find and finish tasks in different places. Most of her shifts were with Steven, as Donna still believed they were cousins. Not out of empathy, but because Donna needed someone to blame if Y/N made a mistake. Which was nearly difficult to do since Y/N was very aware of her actions and surroundings to make any clumsy mistakes.

As Y/N restocked a shelf, she overheard Steven and Donna approaching. Donna was scolding Steven, as usual, about not being a tour guide.

"Don't know how many times I have to tell you this. You're not the bloody tour guide, Stevie," Donna chastised him while he put on his name tag.

"Steven, actually. I am Steven," he corrected her, tapping his name tag. It seemed like Donna never cared enough to remember his name correctly.

After Donna finished berating him, she assigned him a task and walked away. Y/N couldn't help but glare at Donna's retreating figure and muttered, "Guess she didn't make it to third base with her date last night." She expected a smile or a chuckle from Steven, but he looked tired and defeated, most likely from being unheard by the managers.

Y/N pouted and sighed, trying to lift his spirits. "Hey, don't listen to her. Honestly, I think you'd make a better tour guide than those show-offs," she gestured towards the other tour guides who were already busy with their duties. Her words seemed to brighten Steven's mood slightly. His eyes lit up, and he straightened his posture, offering her a grateful smile.

"I've told them many times before, but they just ignore it," he said, frustration in his voice.

“You just gotta keep trying,” she offers a smile which Steven returns. As if on cue, one of the tour guides walk up to them. Looking towards Steven.

"You just gotta keep trying," Y/N encouraged, returning his smile. Just then, one of the tour guides approached them, making a beeline for Steven. The woman was dressed in a black dress and had long curly hair. Y/N had seen her leading tours before, mostly for adults, and they had exchanged a few greetings.

There seemed to be more than a casual acquaintance between her and Steven, judging by the way she smiled at him. "How's the sugar trading going?" she asked, starting the conversation in a quirky manner. However, Steven took her words quite literally and started rambling about how figs and dates would be more historically accurate snacks than what the museum provided. Y/N cringed internally, watching him struggle to maintain the conversation. Deciding to give them some privacy, she moved to a nearby shelf and continued stocking items. She still kept a distance where she can still hear the conversation however.

The woman swiftly changed the topic, "Are we still on for 7pm tomorrow?"

Steven looked puzzled, "7pm tomorrow?"

She tilted her head, amused by his confusion but continued smiling, "Best steak in town?"

Y/N furrowed her brows, when did this happen? Steven was usually too shy to speak to anyone, especially attractive women. She sensed the awkwardness in the air and feared Steven would ruin his chance if it continued. Acting quickly, Y/N moved closer to Steven, pretending to wipe down the desk with a cloth. Before the woman could scoff, Y/N discreetly kicked Steven's leg, urging him to respond and not drive her away.

"Oh, uh, right, yeah," he nodded to the woman in front of him. She smiled and walked back to her tour group. Steven watched her walk away, amazed that someone like her would be interested in going out with him. Still, he doesn’t remember when he asked her out. His thoughts were interrupted when Y/N elbowed his arm.

"Damn, look who's got a hot date. Guess I won't be seeing much of you in the future, cousin," she teased.

"Oh, hush now. You didn't think I could do it?" he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

“I mean you were only staring at her while she waited for you to confirm your date. So I had my doubts," Y/N playfully shrugged. Steven crinkled his face into a smile and lightly pushed Y/N, causing her to giggle. Their lighthearted moment was interrupted when Donna walked in with a surprised expression. Y/N groaned, not wanting to deal with her.

"Stevie, you absolute rascal," Donna chimed in, having overheard their conversation. She always seemed to be eavesdropping on her employees' lives and being a judge. Unlike Y/N, who joked about Steven's dating skills, Donna belittled him. Steven simply would nod and let her walk all over him, as usual.

“Oh, speaking of which, have you guys seen the video of that one guy dressed up as Spider-Man riding the motorcycle?” Y/N laughs awkwardly as she tries to change the subject.

Ignoring her, Donna begins judging their date plan, critiquing the way Steven is a vegan and is going to eat at a steakhouse, because how could a sane person choose to go to an all meat restaurant when their vegan? It’s preposterous. Finally Steven had enough and gave Donna a witty answer, “I don’t know, Donna. Salad? Bread?”.

His witty retort caught Donna and even Y/N off guard. Donna remained silent for a moment before scowling and walking away. Steven huffed and continued working, sensing Y/N's gaze on him.

"Dang, and here I thought I was going to be the first one to blow," Y/N smirked, placing a hand on her hip and leaning on the counter.

"I wouldn't necessarily call it that. I just gave her a response," Steven shrugged with a hint of attitude, prompting Y/N to laugh.

"I'll have to keep that in mind, though. Wouldn't want to catch you on one of your bad days and end up fighting,” Y/N playfully positioned herself in a fighting stance, fists raised as if ready to throw punches at Steven.

Steven shook his head and gently lowered her hands. "Oh, put those tiny fists down. You've got nothing to worry about."

Y/N smirked, "I'll take that as a sign to keep annoying you then."

During their lunch breaks, Steven and Y/N enjoyed sitting together, while having casual conversations about their day or discussing the latest news of villains causing trouble in New York. It was their special time together, unless Y/N entered the break room with some juicy gossip, which Steven secretly enjoyed despite telling her that it wasn't their business.

As Steven sat at the table with his sandwich, already immersed in his meal, he heard the door to the break room open. Soon, Y/N walked in, her familiar smile lighting up her face. He knew that smile meant she had some interesting information to share, which would entertain them both.

"So, guess what I found out on my way to the break room," Y/N pulled out a chair and sat down. Steven, with a mouthful of food, simply nodded, gesturing for her to continue.

Leaning forward, Y/N lowered her voice, "Remember Ava from customer service?"

Steven nodded again, signaling her to proceed. Y/N went on to reveal how their coworker who was crying to her ex-boyfriend about wanting him back, rejected her because she had been cheating on him with his best friend from another department. Steven's jaw dropped, and Y/N confirmed it by nodding, her arms crossed as she leaned back in her chair.

"You're lying," Steven said in disbelief.

"I saw them kissing in the stock room with my own eyes," Y/N shrugged casually. Steven was still a bit shocked by the revelation but accepted the information. "I hope her ex doesn't find out soon, or we might witness a scene right here at the museum."

"I actually hope he does find out. It would definitely make my week," Y/N added with a mischievous smile.

Steven nodded in agreement and then remembered the second sandwich he had packed. He slid it across the table to Y/N, who looked at it and suddenly recalled something.

"Oh yeah," she said, standing up and heading to the fridge. She retrieved two Tupperware containers and heated them in the microwave. Returning to the table, she placed one container in front of Steven and kept the other for herself. Steven glanced down at the closed container, then looked back at Y/N.

"I did some grocery shopping and wanted to make you lunch too," Y/N explained, opening her container to reveal a pair of quesadillas and orange rice. Steven opened his container and found the same dish inside. "Thank you, Y/N, but you didn't have to do this for me," he said, grateful for her gesture.

"You always pack me lunch, and you've been so helpful since I started working here. Consider it a thank you," she replied, taking a bite of the sandwich Steven had made for her before moving on to the food she had packed for him. Steven followed suit, and the two of them enjoyed their meal in comfortable silence.

For Steven, it still felt odd to share his lunch break with someone. He used to eat alone and hardly spoke to anyone in the break room. Whenever he tried to strike up a conversation, most people would simply nod or make an excuse to leave, sometimes both. He thought the same situation would happen with Y/N, where she would stick by him for a week or two before finding her own group of friends. However, to his pleasant surprise, she had stuck by his side and engaged in genuine conversation.

"When do your classes start?" Steven asked, taking a sip from his water bottle while waiting for Y/N's response.

Y/N paused for a moment to think. "I think they start this Tuesday," she finally replied.

Steven nodded in understanding. "Have you gotten all your school supplies?"

Y/N paused again, pursing her lips to the side. "I was able to get some, but I still have a few things to get," she admitted.

"Well, if you're missing anything, I might have some extra supplies I can give you," Steven offered, humming thoughtfully.

Y/N's face lit up. "That would honestly mean a lot to me," she said, feeling the weight of her student debt pressing on her.

——

"I think I'm about done here. Are you ready to go?" Y/N turned to Steven, who was locking up the register.

"Same here," he replied, finishing up his tasks. They gathered their belongings from the locker room and headed out.

As they passed JB, the museum's security man, he spotted them and turned in his chair, a smile on his face. "Heard you're going on a date, Steven," he said, teasingly.

Steven ignored him and simply wished JB a good night, already feeling tired from his shift.

"With this miracle, maybe young Y/N can get herself a first date too," JB continued, practically giggling at his own joke. Y/N forced a laugh and responded, "Fuck you too."

She let out a frustrated huff as they walked out of the museum and down the steps. "All he does is watch videos and watch people pass by. He has no room to talk. It's so annoying," she vented.

"At least you now know how your teasing makes me feel," Steven joked.

"My intentions are pure, from one friend to another," Y/N said, placing her hands over her heart in a humorous gesture.

The bus arrived just in time as they reached the bus stop. The small crowd of people poured in, and since it was late, there were a few empty seats available. Steven and Y/N sat down, stretching their limbs and holding their belongings close to their chests.

"So what are you wearing for your date?" Y/N asked curiously.

Steven shrugged, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Honestly, not sure. Plus, it's been a while since I've been on a date, so I don't even know what's appropriate to wear."

Y/N pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Well, personally, I think it's nice when a guy dresses up a bit more than usual," she said, scanning Steven up and down, making him feel slightly self-conscious. "You could definitely use an upgrade."

Steven glanced down at his jacket and button-up shirt. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

"No offense, but they kind of give off a janitor vibe," Y/N replied, a mischievous glint in her eye. Steven looked at her with a half-lidded gaze, not sure if she was being serious. "Oh, how funny," he said sarcastically.

Y/N nudged him lightly with her elbow. "I'm just messing with you. But seriously, I'm going to help you pick out your outfit."

Despite her teasing, it was evident that Y/N cared about Steven as a friend. She often stood up for him, defending him against anyone who spoke ill of him. Whenever she confronted someone, Steven would intervene, pulling her away before things escalated. Later, he would lecture her about not needing her to fight his battles, though he secretly appreciated her support. It always ended with laughter, thanks to the witty comments Y/N made.

Still, Donna was the one person she couldn’t talk back to, for some reason.

——

In the elevator, Steven suddenly remembered his offer to give Y/N the college supplies. "Oh, right. You still want those supplies I mentioned earlier?" he asked, turning to Y/N and catching her off guard.

Y/N blinked for a moment, then replied, "Oh yeah, but if you want we can do it tomorrow."

"Let's be honest, we'll both forget about it by the time we get to our apartments."

Y/N nodded, admitting her forgetfulness. "True. Alright, I guess we'll head to your place first."

As the elevator doors opened, they stepped out and made their way to Steven's door. Y/N waited patiently as he fumbled with the keys to unlock it. Finally, they entered his apartment. Steven placed his satchel on a table and hung his jacket next to it.

"It won't take long, you can hang out with Gus in the meantime," he said, gesturing towards his pet goldfish. He then walked over to a table where a stack of books and other materials were piled up.

Y/N's eyes roamed around the apartment, taking in the decor and the various items scattered about. A large bookshelf filled with books caught her attention as she entered. To the left, there was a table with piles of papers, and to the right, a bulletin board with Egyptian pictures. Rugs were scattered across the floor, and stacks of books and papers added to the organized chaos. As she stepped further in, she heard the creaking of the floorboards beneath her feet. Guess it wasn’t just her studio.

Towards the far right side of the apartment, she noticed the kitchen area. An old-style stove stood against the wall, and above it was a large vent with a light at the bottom, an unusual design choice that piqued her curiosity. She then glanced to her left and saw a table stacked with boxes, but what intrigued her were the bags of sand. Puzzled, she shrugged it off and continued towards the center of the apartment.

There, she spotted a fish tank surrounded by books, serving as makeshift support for the tank. Inside, there was a chubby goldfish with only one fin. "You must be Gus, huh?" she murmured, offering a smile to the aquatic resident.

Moving on, her gaze fell upon a small one-seat sofa facing a modest television. It sat atop a table overflowing with books. As she turned to her right, she noticed Steven's bed. Curiosity got the better of her, and she approached for a closer look. To her surprise, she discovered cuffs tied to the bed frame, with sand meticulously spread around it. "That's what the bags of sand were for," she uttered aloud, her voice laced with intrigue.

Just then, Steven walked in, carrying a stack of lined paper, folders, and pencils. “Alright, I have all the things you might need…”, his words trailed off as he caught sight of Y/N staring at his bed. His heart sank, this gave off so many red flags. His thoughts ran more wild as her silence made it worse.

"So, uh, cuffs, huh?" Y/N stood there in shock, her eyes fixed on the restraints attached to the bed. She then turned to Steven, a mix of curiosity and amusement on her face. "Okay, I don't know if this is for murderous or kinky purposes, but strangely enough, I'm not freaked out."

Steven's eyebrows shot up, surprised by her response. "Really?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

She nodded affirmatively. "Yup."

"Well, that's good to hear because both of your assumptions were way off," he said, placing the items he was carrying onto a nearby table. "What other reason could there be?"

Y/N crossed her arms, contemplating for a moment. He walked toward the bed, picking up one of the cuffs. "Well, I sleepwalk," he admitted. "And sometimes it causes me to leave my apartment unknowingly. So I use these," he gestured to the cuff in his hand, "to prevent myself from wandering off."

Y/N took a few seconds to process the information, and then a look of understanding appeared on her face. "Oh, that makes sense," she exclaimed, relieved. "I'm glad it's that and not something more concerning."

Steven let out a small chuckle. "Of course, you surely didn't think I was a–”

"A psychopath with a weird fetish?" she finished his sentence, a playful smile on her lips.

He paused for a moment, then nodded. "Uhm, in short, yes."

Y/N shook her head. "Nah, I know how to spot someone like that from a mile away. And you, sir, have no 'killing spree' bone in you."

"I see. I'm surprised you didn't freak out and run out the door," he remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

A mischievous glint sparkled in Y/N's eyes. "Oh, if I were freaked out, I would have pulled out my pepper spray and extendable pole on you," she teased. Steven looked at her in shock, not quite sure what she meant by "extendable pole."

Sensing his confusion, she rummaged through her purse and retrieved a small silver canister with a pin attached to it. Steven furrowed his eyebrows, his curiosity piqued.

"How does that work?" Steven asked.

Y/N grinned mischievously. "You'll see, step back."

Steven obeyed, taking a few steps away from her. Y/N carefully positioned the cylinder so it wouldn't cause any damage. With a swift motion, she pulled the pin, and in an instant, the cylinder transformed into a six-foot pole. Steven jumped back in surprise.

Y/N laughed at his reaction and retracted the pole back into its compact form. "See, now I don't have to worry about being mugged," she said with a satisfied smile.

Steven nodded, still a bit startled. Then he remembered the supplies he had promised Y/N. "Oh yeah, here are the supplies I promised you." Y/N looked at the stack of items and was amazed. "Oh wowm when you said it was a few things, I didn’t think that much," she exclaimed, letting out a small laugh.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Steven walked Y/N to the door. As she opened it, she turned back to him, gratitude in her eyes. "Hey, thanks for the stuff. I really appreciate it. I owe you."

Steven waved her off. "You don't owe me anything, but if you want, you can make me more of that dish you made for lunch."

Y/N's eyes lit up with excitement. "Yeah! I'll make you more tomorrow," she promised, already looking forward to it. She walked across the hallway to her own door. "Anyways, good night, man. I'll help you with your outfit tomorrow," she called out, unlocking her door and disappearing inside.

———

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows as Y/N slipped on her shoes and made her way to Steven's apartment. She knocked on the door, expecting a prompt response. Silence greeted her. She knocked again, a growing sense of unease creeping up within her. Still, there was no answer. She knocked a few more times, each attempt met with an eerie silence that sent a chill down her spine.

Did he sleep through his alarm again? Y/N pondered, a twinge of worry tugging at her. She reached for her phone and dialed Steven's number, only to be met with the voicemail greeting. She kept trying to calling him, but it was the same automated voice of Steven.

Frustration mounting, Y/N's concern turned into alarm. She started to pound on the door, her fists connecting with the solid wood. "Hey, Steven! Wake up!" Her voice echoed through the hallway as she relentlessly banged on the door. She was probably waking up the neighbors, but she didn't care. Something wasn't right. This wasn't like him. Did he pass out? Did he leave without her? He would have told her before he left.

Anxiety slowly crept into her body as she wondered about Steven. "Where is he?" she muttered.

————————

So sorry for the late update! Honestly, I was going through writers block but I am back now. Hope you guys enjoy. I tried to have Steven and Y/N’s become closer in a week as you can see.

#hispanic reader #marc spector x teen!reader #moon knight #steven grant x teen!reader #marc spector #steven grant #steven grant x reader #platonic #marc spector x reader #latina reader

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l3m0ncyan · 2 years ago

Text

New at Life | Chapter 7

Steven Grant/Marc Spector x latina!teen!reader

Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

——————

“Use your biceps strength when throwing a punch”

Marc held his palms up to Y/N. She had her fists balled and was standing in a fighting position. Which she had trouble trying to learn.

Marc decided to use what he learned in the marines to teach the teen the fundamentals of combat. In case she was confronted by Harrow's men and he wasn't there to protect her. Of course, he was going a little easier on her; no yelling and harsh punishments.

It began with blocking, which Y/N was capable of doing. Especially since she had to avoid toys that jumped at her while babysitting her nephews. He taught her how to punch and kick with all her strength. She gradually learned the proper movements and techniques for fending off enemies. However, not well enough for Marc.

Throwing a punch as hard as she could, her fist landed on Marc’s palm. Looking up smiling, hoping it was satisfactory for Marc, “That good?”. Marc thought, moving his lips to the side, “It was harder than last time”. Y/N’s shoulders slouched in disappointment, “Oh come on”. He gave a small laugh, “Your getting there though, just need more practice”

“Man, you think I’ll be ready to fight anyone who tried me?” She sat at her bed, looking up at him. He thought for a minute, “Stand up”. Y/N furrowed her brows, “Huh?”.

He then stood about three feet away from her in a fighting position, “You’re gonna fight me”. She looked at him as if he was crazy, “Uh aren’t you like winning me in, I don’t know, body muscle?”.

He rolled his eyes, "I'm not going to throw punches," Y/N sighed, "…maybe a few." She gave him a wide-eyed stare. She hesitated and stood in front of him in a position similar to his. He then nodded to indicate that she could begin.

She looked him up and down before attempting to punch him. Aiming at his chest, he dodged the incoming blow. Before she could react, Marc hit her arm. Marc was then able to throw another at her body while she was distracted. She rubbed her hand over the areas he had punched, feeling the pain.

“Fuck man! You said you wouldn’t be throwing punches!”

“Yeah I lied, I’ll stop when you punch me at least once”

She used her leg to try to kick him while staring at him. He shifted his weight to the side. Instead of waiting for an opening, she quickly kicked his side with her other leg. Marc noticed her growing confidence as she smirked. He then attempted to punch her, but she was able to avoid it.

“Gotta try harder old man” she smirked.

“Alright you said it”

The two then engaged in a punch-and-kick battle. Y/N was able to avoid almost all of Marc's attacks, with the exception of a few punches here and there. Y/N, on the other hand, was having difficulty landing a punch.

Her arms were burning from the amount of time she had to hold them up. Her legs were trembling from the amount of energy she had lost. She persisted, despite Marc's apparent lack of energy.

After a few attacks, Y/N raised her foot to kick Marc in the shoulder. She saw an opportunity to punch him as he dodged. Taking advantage of the situation, she wound her arm back, focusing on her bicep, and landed her fist on Marc's jaw.

He looked up at her, surprised, and rubbed the spot where he had been hit. "I did it!" she exclaimed, wide-eyed and almost laughing. " Marc smiled at her delight, but then kicked her ankle resulting in the teen falling on their bum

“What the hell! You said once I punched you!”

“I said once you punch me, I’ll stop punching you” he smirked.

She huffed, Marc then offered a hand to her. “But it was to show you that you have to be on alert still, even after you take down someone”

She nodded and sat on her bed before falling back. She sighed, sprawling her limbs to stretch them out. Marc looked at her before going to his duffel bag and asking, "Are you able to go to class on your laptop?" "Yeah, the professors thankfully have an option to do it online," Y/N said as he sat up. "If you had that option, why move so far?" Marc wondered.

She shrugged, “I don’t know, honestly it sounded fun coming to London. Plus I get to be independent”. Marc stared at her not completely believing her but decided to not dig further.

Y/N looked up at Marc again, hesitating on asking him about Steven. “So…when do you think Steven can come out?” She said quietly. Stopping at searching through his bag, he avoided eye contact with her.

“Soon, once I stop Ammit from coming back, you’ll get to see Steven,” he paused, “and you won’t see me again”

Well, now the teen felt very awkward. She didn’t mean to make it sound like she liked Steven more than Marc. Feeling the guilt, she thought up of what to say to make things better. “Who said you had to go?”.

Marc looked up at her, then down, trying to figure out if she was genuine. That she was. "Nobody, I said. So that's that," Marc said, pulling out a button-up jacket to wear over his white shirt. Y/N swung her feet over to the edge of the bed when she noticed he was getting ready to leave. "Where are you going?"

“I’m going out to find more information on Harrow and where the tomb is at”

“Let me come with you”

She got up and started to look for clothes and her shoes before she was stopped by Marc.

“No you are staying here”

“What? Why?”

“Because it might be dangerous and Steven would kill me if anything happened to you”

It hurt a little for some reason. Was Marc only looking after her for Steven's sake? Maybe he wouldn't care about her well-being if he didn't care about what Steven thought. Maybe if she had just worked harder, she would have gotten more points with him. She continued on, burying her sad emotions.

“But I know how to punch. Plus I got my powers to help” she smiled, hoping that convinced him.

"First and foremost, you've only been training for a day or two. Second, what if your powers stop working in the middle of a fight? Which reminds me, we haven't had that conversation yet."

“But-“

“No buts. Plus don’t you have classes today?”

“Maybe… but I can miss for one day”

“Nope, won’t happen. School first. Now stay safe, dont answer the door for anybody, and call if anything”

He went through the door and locked it after gathering all of his belongings. She sighed exasperatedly and threw herself on the bed. Looking up at the ceiling, she wondered how she got there. Particularly in Egypt of all places.

She turned it down when he told her they were going to Cairo. She was only prepared for traveling to the UK, nothing else. After much thinking and Marc explaining how she might be in danger by just staying in London, she decided to go with him. At first, it was weird since Egypt was a completely different branch of culture.

So when they arrived in Cairo, she experienced a similar culture shock to when she moved to London. It was tempting for her to post the breathtaking views, but she couldn't because her family and friends had no idea she was there. Her family, in particular, should not know because they would freak out. Perhaps her parents will have her fly back to America.

Marc would go out and drink when they first arrived because he was so stressed about finding Ammit's tomb. He would have done it in the hotel, but with the teen present, he felt uncomfortable drinking in front of her. Stevens' voice would also nag him about it. However, Y/N did her best to calm him down the first night by showing him a movie on her computer. This would work for a while, but he'd then go out and look for more information.

Leaving Y/N alone, she would take her classes. Thankfully they weren’t teaching anything yet, only introductions and talking about the syllable. After she would just watch anything that came up. Marc would then come back with takeout for them to eat, telling her how she needed to learn defense.

Which is what happened and lead to Y/N being alone once again doing classes.

She opened her laptop and went to the meeting link that the professor had sent her. She sat in a chair, her laptop on a desk provided by the hotel, and listened to the lecture. There was no lecture even, only the professor introducing herself.

After all her responsibilities were complete, she decided to scroll through her phone while kicking her feet up on the bed.

Again, nothing too interesting on her feed.

She put her phone down and stared at the ceiling. She was currently bored, and Marc was probably going to be out for a while. She checked the time on her phone and saw how he had been out for four hours. "Man this shit is boring" she grumbled.

She stood up from the bed and walked over to her laptop. Might as well watch something for the time being. Opening her laptop, she checked on Youtube if any of her favorites uploaded. Seeing that one played a horror game for an hour, she stuck with it. As the youtuber said his introduction, she went over to her bag to grab a snack.

A knock on the door was heard halfway through the video. She could hear the door becoming more urgent as she flipped her head over. She walked slowly over to it, her arm ready in case she needed to use her powers, and peered through the peephole.

To her surprise, it was Marc, but he had a more timid demeanor. Realizing it was Steven, she opened the door immediately, "Steven?". He sighed in relief and hugged her, "Thank god you are okay". This caught her off guard, she didn't return the hug until only a few seconds. Although she didn't see him for a day, she still missed her best friend.

After they parted, Steven realized he just hugged her without consent, “Crud, that was quite weird wasn’t it, sorry”. Y/N smiled and shook her head, “Nah, it was alright. I think I needed it after what has been going on”. She then looked at him with a questioning look and tilted her head but, “Also why isn’t Marc in control? Did he stop Harrow already?”.

He bit his cheek and then gestured if he could come in. Y/N moved to the side to let him inside, there he fiddled with the sleeves of his jacket. "Look I know this is going to be blunt but…Marc is killing people" he rushed the last part, looking up to see her reaction. Obviously she was in shock.

Y/N felt her heart stop. When one hears something like this in a movie, usually the audience thinks they could take the news. But when it’s real, you really don’t know how to react. Being stunned was probably a reasonable reaction.

“How? He said he was getting more info…may—maybe it’s people from Harrows group. They were probably-“

“Y/N, I know it’s mind boggling to hear but murder isn’t right. We have to go before he comes out again. Grab only necessary items and let’s go”

Y/N was breathing heavily and nodded. She started to grab her laptop and put it inside her own duffel bag. When they were finished, they rushed straight outside the hotel and Steven called a cab. They both struggled to communicate to the driver since they didn’t know any Arabic.

As Y/N pulled out her phone, trying to google the Arabic word for ‘airport’, Steven was trying his best to speak to him.

“Anything Y/N?”

“Uhh, oh! It’s matar!”

“Are you sure?”

“That’s what google translate says!”

As they both argued, the driver cleared his throat, “Eh, I speak English too, you both could have asked…”. The two felt their face warm up in embarrassment. After they confirmed where they wanted to go, they started their way to the nearest airport.

Driving through busy streets, the two stayed quiet until Y/N spoke up.

“So uh, when Marc was in control were you there?”

“As in, inside reflections?” He cocked his brow. “…yeah”

“Did you try speaking up?”

“Heh, many times. Marc would ignore me though and well with you I guess you weren’t aware”

“Wait like the whole time we have been here? That’s weird, how come I was able to before” she tilted her head. He shrugged, “Maybe it’s only here and there”. Y/N looked at him apologetically, “I’m sorry, must’ve sucked”

“Oh don’t apologize, you can’t control it. Besides, I’m talking to you now” he smiled which she returned. The cab then slowed down due to traffic coming to its path. The two looked and saw the amount of cars that were lined up. “Great” Y/N sighed.

“It’s not that bad, we can talk while this traffic moves” he recommended.

“Sure, that’s what me and my family did when we went to LA”

“Right….what should we talk about?”

“I have no idea”

The two thought for a while. Not sure on how to continue talking. Y/N would look outside to the road, maybe to get inspiration, but nothing would come up.

“I never thought I would be in Egypt…” she sighed. It wasn’t a disappointing one, more of a awestruck. “Neither did I” he smiled at her. She gave a small laugh, “Usually, when you come from a semi middle class town, it’s surprising to hear that someone is in a completely different country just to visit”.

It was true, especially in her family. Anytime one would say they would go to some random place, they would be met with a “Well someday”. So when she found out that she had the opportunity to move to the UK, she accepted it immediately. Some family were happy for her but others were envious.

“Well, glad that you are the one that your whole town will be praising about” he grinned. Y/N then crossed her arms and leaned back into her seat, “Hmm, bet my aunts and cousins are” she smirked. Steven sighed, “Please don’t tell me that is the only reason why you came to study in London”.

Y/N gasped and looked at him as if she was offended, “How could you think that! I would never move to a whole different place for a petty reason,” she then looked away to the window, “…it was actually one of the reasons I moved there”.

Steven laughed, “Unbelievable”

“Hey you would do it too! Those people show off so much, think they are the greatest” she sneered at the thought of her aunts.

“I believe you, I had my share of egotistical family. Once there was this uncle who would always come around and the first thing he would do is show his watch, claiming it was some rich brand. Man the day we told him it was fake was satisfying”

They both then laughed. Y/N was quite happy to know that she and Steven shared something. When she would tell her friends about problems or rant to them about something, they never really understood. Usually they believed Y/N was being over dramatic or rude to her family. Which is when she stopped telling them anything that upset her. Which then got out of hand.

Once they stopped laughing, they looked out to the road to see if the cars were moving at all. Which they did but only an inch.

“You’re telling me we talked and we’re still in the same spot?” Y/N grumbled.

“I’m with you on that, what is holding this traffic up?”

Y/N shrugged, “I dont know, maybe a car crash or something”

From the corner of her eye she saw how Stevens hand became tense. She followed up his arm, to his shoulder, and then to his face. He had the same facial movement from the time they were inside the bus and when hiding from the jackal. Meaning that Marc was trying to take control.

Before Y/N could react, Marc inhaled deeply, as if he just came out of water and trying to breathe in oxygen. He looked around and saw the cab driver, immediately he started to speak in Arabic, telling him to stop. The driver then looked at him confused, telling him why out of nowhere he knew Arabic and then proceeded to point at Y/N. Then asked why they no longer wanted to go to the airport.

Marc followed and noticed how Y/N was looking at him in a panicked manner. To her it felt like she was caught trying to sneak out by her mother. Expecting for her or in this case Marc, to explode on her for letting Steven go far to trying to leave.

Instead she was met with Marc who softened his eyes. “I’m not angry, don’t worry, it was Steven who freaked out” he squeezed her shoulder in reassurance. This time she was puzzled, he knew what she was afraid of a few seconds ago.

“How did you-“

“I’ve had experience with that same look in your eyes”

Oh right, he was a murderer. He probably saw that same look before he killed his victims. Before she could confront him about what Steven told her, he looked behind her through the window.

“I’ve seen them…” Marc muttered.

She turned to see a man in his late 20s and a boy about her age, maybe a year two younger. Marc then opened his door, rushing out. “Grab the bags and take them back to the hotel, stay there” he emphasized the last part. Taking one last glance, he walked over to the the two men who began to run away.

Shit she thought, she started to climb out the car with the bags in hand before she was stopped.

“Hey! What about the money?” The driver asked.

Y/N looked at his face and felt bad for making this poor man deal with their antics. She quickly pulled out an Egyptian pound bill that was probably more than what the man was charging her. He knew this but shrugged and waved her off.

Immediately she took the bags to an alley and hid them inside a trash can, “I’ll come back later…I hope it’s still there”. After she hid the items properly, she began to follow the sound of crashing and people yelling to watch out. Knowing it was Marc causing it.

As she caught up, she saw Marc holding a man up against a wall. The man looked at Marc with fear in his eyes.

“Marc stop!” She ran up to him. He turned to her confused, “I told you to go back to the hotel!”. Ignoring what he said, she saw that from behind him was a man holding a large metal object. Before she could warn him, the man hit him on the back of his head. Taking that as a distraction, that man who was being held against the wall, punched him, knocking him out.

Looking at his body fall down, she looked back up at the two standing before her. She shot both her arms out and piled them back in. This caused the tentacle arms to come out and grab Marc’s body towards her. This took the other two men by surprise but quickly took out their knives.

Panicking she started to lightly slap Marcs cheek to try to make him wake up. “Okay, Marc I need you to wake up for me bud” she looked up and then down, hoping he would be waking up. The men began to get closer to her, which caused her anxiety to come up. Although she had powers, she was still terrified.

“Please Marc!” She pleaded as she tried to shake his body awake.

Suddenly she felt a tug from the back of her shirts collar and she was thrown to the side. Rubbing her side she saw that they were going to her, raising their knives up. She suddenly realized that she was about to get killed. Before her existential thoughts could come through, both men were pulled back aggressively and thrown to the ground. There they were being punched by Marc. He then looked up and back to Y/N.

However, he was not Marc. Not even Steven. He might have the same demeanor as Marc but he had a more violent vibe to him. In his eyes you can tell he wouldn’t hesitate to kill.

As Y/N continued to stare at him, both men started run away. “They’re getting away!” She pointed to the ones fleeing. The ‘not’ Marc looked back and cursed under his breath, “Puta madre”. Y/N caught this and looked at him weirdly, “I didn’t know you knew a couple of Spanish words?”.

He ignored her and ran a hand through his hair. Suddenly he pointed at her, “Go back to the hotel!”. The look in his eyes made Y/N aware that she had to listen to what he said. There was no other choice.

Without much thinking he started to chase after the men.

Y/N shook her thoughts a moment after and began to follow him behind. Not too close since he did make it clear that he didn’t want her tagging along. Plus from the way he looked and fought the men, she knew that more than one would end up dead. Quickening her pace, she followed the trail of items knocked over from merchant stands and the directions from where the stares were looking towards at.

Soon, she ended up going up a tall hill. At this point she was huffing with the amount of energy she lost running. Looking at the dirt below, she saw how there were long strides between each footprint. Mostly meant that they were running. Getting closer to the top, she saw that there were drops of blood appearing on the trail. Those drops then became puddles. She felt her knees weaken. Trying to continue, she saw the body of a man laying on the floor. His torso covered in blood. Not that far after there was a few more scattered.

She felt her knees give out. As she sat there horrified, not realizing that she was on a pool of blood. She felt her limbs go numb. She looked up and saw the man who was the cause of all this.

He had a knife pointed to the stomach of the guy she saw at the cab. The man was grabbing onto ‘not’ Marc’s bicep, pleading him to stop. Still, in Marc’s eyes she could tel he didn’t care. With that, she heard the knife lodge into the stomach of the guy. She stared in extreme shock. Instantly, Marc’s body tensed up and his fluttered open.

Y/N could now see this was Marc.

He looked down at the knife and then to the man. Pulling it out, the man fell onto the floor. Marc looked around stunned at the corpses around him. His eyes then landed on Y/N. He felt his heart stop, seeing how she looked frozen in place.

“Marc…what the fuck…” she managed to say.

Marc shook his head, “I- I didn’t do this”

He looked down to the knife and was talking to the reflection, most likely Steven.

“Marc what did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything! It was probably you!”

“It wasn’t! I blacked out just like you!”

Marc ignored him and then turned to Y/N, “What happened?”. Before she could answer, their attention was caught by the boy that is around Y/Ns age. Marc then looked up to his side as if someone or something was talking to him.

“He’s just a kid” he muttered.

The wind blew forcefully which pushed Marc to walk towards the boy.

“Marc what are you-“

Marc grabbed the red scarf that was around the boys neck and held him over the cliff. “Marc stop!” Y/N yelled but Marc ignored her.

“Where is Harrow?” Marc asked him.

The boy was too busy however with the height he was hovering over. He looked around in a panic but avoided Marc’s gaze.

“Where is Harrow?!”

Still holding onto the scarf, the boy finally looked back at Marc and then the ground. “Praise Ammit” the boy said before he pulled a knife.

“Marc…” Y/N knew what the boy was trying to do. Managing to get up from the floor she began to walk over to them.

Marc shook his head but the boy ignored him and cut his scarf, leading him to fall of the cliff.

“No!” Y/N ran, holding her hand out in order to try to get the boy. She jumped to the edge of the cliff, where her arm hanged. She forced her powers to go down and get his body to try to stop it from plummeting. Still, she was too late.

She heard the loud thud of the body meeting the ground. Her eyes widened in shock. Her breaths became unsteady. Marc immediately pulled her away from the scene from below.

“You don’t need to see that”

Her attention stayed towards the cliff. “I couldn’t save him…” she then looked up at Marc, “I could have saved him. If only if I w—was faster then maybe-“. Her voice broke, she felt the tears trying to fall out but she forced them back.

Marc held both of her arms and looked into her eyes, “Hey. Don’t blame yourself, he knew the consequences of his actions and well…”.

Y/N looked at him. Her guilty expression soon turned into an angry one, “What were you doing?”. Marc stayed quiet and just stared at her. “You held him over a cliff! He was just a kid! He was scared! He probably had a family waiting back home!”, this time she let the tears fall but immediately wiped them away.

“I know! You don’t think I’m feeling guilty because of this!?” He gestured to the edge of the cliff but kept his eye contact to Y/N.

Y/N shook her head, “Steven was right…”

He looked at her with furrowed eyebrows, “What?”

She scoffed, “Steven told me about how you’ve been killing people. Here I thought maybe you were just killing Harrows goons who are adults. Not literal kids,” she got closer to his face, “How many kids have you killed Marc?”.

He paused and suddenly shook his head, “No, it wasn’t my fault”. She looked at him weirdly, opening her mouth she suddenly shut it when she heard a loud booming voice.

“When will you get rid of this maggot?”

She turned her head to where the voice was coming from. Following the structure of a crumbling building she saw that on top sat what appeared to be the body of a man with the skull of a bird. He was wrapped in grey withering cloth and held a staff with a crescent moon on top.

Y/N tumbled back, “What the…”.

Marc looked at her and then back to the bird figure, “You see him? You see Khonshu?”.

Y/N nodded slowly, “How?”

“I showed myself to you of course! Your constant nagging has detoured the entire mission!” Khonshu yelled out and then appeared next to her when she turned. Y/N immediately backed up to Marc and hid behind him. Khonshu was taller than she would have thought.

Marc put an arm infront of her. Khonshu then looked at Marc, “I thought you said she wouldn’t be interfering”.

“She won’t”

“I hope so, time is running out and we don’t need an overbearing brat like her stopping us”

Marc rolled his eyes and turned to Y/N, “I need you to go back to the hotel room and stay there”.

“What? No”

“Y/N I really don’t have time for this” he breathed out, turning around to start walking away but was stopped by having his arm tugged. He turned to see that Y/N was jerking his arm towards her. For an odd reason, she had a better grip than last time. “No no no, we aren’t doing this again”

“Please just let me come with you. Look I know I lost my cool a couple of minutes ago and I’m sorry. I know it wasn’t your fault and I know you wouldn’t kill innocent people if it wasn’t needed to. Most of this is Khonshus fault” she then glared at the god that stood behind Marc. A gust of wind then blew her hair harshly. “Oh calm down” she shook her head in an annoyed manner.

Marc nodded, “I accept your apology”. Y/N smiled, “So that means I can tag along?”.

“No”

Her smile faltered, “Oh come on! I won’t be a burden, I’ll listen to everything you say!”. Marc raised a brow

“Plus Harrow probably knows how to locate me and either way I would still follow you so…”

Marc rolled his eyes, “…fine,” she jumped happily, “but if things go side ways, you need to leave. Book the next plane ticket to America and never come back”. Marc looked at her with a serious expression and Y/N nodded.

“It seems as if you didn’t understand what I was trying to say. Leave her behind!” Khonshu banged his staff on the ground.

Marc waved him off in annoyance, “We’d be here all night trying to convince her to stay, and either way she would still follow us, just like she said”

Khonshu huffed, mostly due to how right Marc was.

“Okay, so Harrow is pretty much gonna summon a very bad goddess right?”

“Obviously!” Khonshu yelled.

“Jeez chill man,” she gestured him to calm down, “Since this is very much bad, why haven’t we or well you guys asked for the other gods help?”. She crossed her arms and waited for the two to answer.

“She’s right, can’t you just call them or something?” Marc then looked at the god who leaned by a truck.

“It’s not that easy, we would have to anger them in order to get their attention. Anger them enough and they’ll imprison me away”

“Doesn’t sound too bad” Marc retorted and Y/N turned and smiled at him. “I was going to say that”.

Khonshu huffed, “Then you two won’t have the protection of my armor”

“Dang, take a joke”, Marc nodded to Y/N’s comment.

“Alright so how would you get them mad?” Marc asked.

Khonshu stayed quiet for a second and then turned to the sky. Disappearing into the air, the two looked around. “Khonshu?” Marc looked around. Y/N then tapped his shoulder and pointed to the sun.

As the wind blew, the sun was being covered by the moon. Creating an eclipse. Y/N stared in awe, knowing that she never seen an eclipse happen as fast as this.

“Alright let’s go” Marc gestured to Y/N to follow him.

“Maggot” Khonshu scowled at her as they made their way down the hill.

Y/N sneered at him and continued to ignore him.

As they walked through small empty alleys, Khonshu informed them to hurry. “They are gathering their avatars now” he told Marc.

“No offense but wouldn’t these avatars be scattered everywhere?” Y/N inquired.

“When it’s a meeting for the Ennead, a portal will present itself”

Marc and Y/N nodded, walking down a flight of stairs into a smaller alley. They looked around for a door of some kind. The teen would point at every single one they would come across, but not being the one they needed. Suddenly they heard a rumbling come from behind. They turned and saw a wall opening up showing a dark tunnel.

As they were about to go in, Y/N stopped, “Wait, am I even allowed to go?”. Marc thought about it and turned to Khonshu waiting for his answer.

“…As long as you don’t interfere with the meeting,”she nods, quite excited to see the rest of gods she has heard so much, “Might I also remind you, you are at the bottom of the pyramid”.

Her shoulders dropped, “Thanks, as if I didn’t know that already”

Khonshu nodded and began to walk away. “Aren’t you going in too?” Marc asked him.

“Oh I’ll be there”

With that he left, leaving the two to stare at the tunnel. “Alright let’s go” Marc told Y/N.

They walked through the tunnel and it was farely a short walk than expected. At the end of the hall there was a large room that had a dozen of torches lighting it. However there was still some spots that were left dark. There were big pillars that were made out of brick. The first thing that went noticed was that at the end of the room where was three rather big statues; one of an owl, one of a winged person and at the center the head that sort of resembled King Tuts tomb. At the center of the room, stairs led you down a square platform.

With the walls being polished, Steven was able to communicate through the reflections.

“Oh, my days were inside. We’re inside the Great Pyramid of Giza”

Steven looked like a kid who was walking around Disneyland for the first time.

“Hang on this is that famous pyramid? We’re inside it?!” Y/N smiled and gave a small laugh. Steven nodded and they both looked around excitedly.

Walking down the stairs, they heard a few ‘swooshing’ sounds. After, people came out and walked to their spot and waited. Probably the avatars.

“Khonshus theatrics are unparalleled” a woman came out and smiled at Marc. She had long black hair and tan skin. She wore a long, flowy, dark orange dress with a gold necklace. “You must be his avatar”

“Hi and who might you be?”

“I’m Yatzil, avatar of Hathor. Goddess of music and love? Surely Khonshu mentioned her”

Marc shook his head, “The gods aren’t really his favorite topic”

“Not even when their old friends?”

Y/N tried her best to hide behind Marc, hoping that the avatars wouldn’t notice her. Not only because she was afraid they would kill her but she was shy with new faces, especially when they are famously known gods. It didn’t work however when Yatzil noticed her trying to hide.

“Ah, and who might this be?” She smiled warmly. The teen felt like she was being looked down as a child who was merely five. Probably made since these avatars are who knows how old.

“Uh, I’m Y/N. I just came and tagged along with him,” she pointed at Marc, “If I have to go, I have no problem-“

“Oh you are fine, if you were someone who just wandered in here, we would have cursed you” she continued to smile. Y/N looked at her with wide eyes.

“Yatzil” a man called her. He was standing behind a statue that was located in the middle. Yatzil nodded and began to walk over to another statue,

“Was she joking? Tell me she was joking” Y/N muttered to Stevens reflection.

“Uh, yeah she was kidding around…” he said unsure of himself.

“Has Khonshu told you how this works?” She asked Marc which he shook his head.

“It is a strange sensation but you’ll get used to it” she then stood behind the statue which seemed to be of her god, Hathor. A woman with horns on her head with a orb in between. Suddenly her body jolted up but she continued walking and began to call attendance; listing all the fellow gods who were at the meeting.

One by one, when each name was called, their avatars would jolt up and their eyes glowed white. When Khonshus name was called, Marc’s body as well mocked the others.

Y/N looked at his face and saw that he looked confused as he looked around.

The man who called Yatzil then spoke, “You have been banished once for nearly exposing us, Khonshu. We despise your showy masks and weapons but manipulating the sky again?” He looked at him and then gestured to Y/N, “And to make matters worse, bring a mortal to the Ennead”

Y/N looked side to side, trying avoid eye contact.

“Do that again, and we will imprison you in stone”

Marca body then jolted up and he spoke with a harsh and forced voice, “Spare me your self-righteous threats! I was banished for not abandoning humanity, unlike the rest of you!” Marc then breathed out and looked around puzzled, turning to Y/N.

“I don’t know” she mouthed and shrugged.

“We have not abandoned humanity, they abandoned us” one of the avatars spoke. Y/N looked at him, trying to think how they have.

They continued to speak and say how they only needed their avatars. Marc’s body then did the same body action as before, “Avatars are not enough! We need the might of gods!”

Y/N snapped her fingers and pointed to Marc, gesturing that he was right. The avatars stared at her and she raised her hands as an apology.

“The Avatars that remain here are simply meant to only observe”

Y/N looked at the man at the top of the stares with a scowl which didn’t go by unnoticed. “It seems like you have much to say” Y/N looked at Marc who was trying to regain his breathing. He looked at her worriedly.

“Uh right, well hi. I’m Y/N in case y’all didn’t know or maybe you guys don’t care you know, I’m fine with that too-“

“Stop rambling”

“Right sorry, but uh, from what you just said, I’m taking it that you guys just lay back and observe. So why are you guys surprised humanity just up and left you guys” she tried to keep a calm tone but she was shaking in her shoes.

“What would you know? You’ve only been on earth for a small period”

“And I have learned more about the world with being here,” she retorted, “Anyways, that’s another conversation for later. We’re actually here to tell y’all about a major problem happening”. She looked at Marc and gestured for him to explain.

“We do not meddle in the affairs of man, but we will come up with the greatest solution, speak your purpose” the avatars said.

“It’s not like the first time y’all have done this” Y/N muttered and crossed her arms.

Khonshu then went back to control Marc, “I call for judgement against Arthur Harrow”

“Charges?”

“Conspiracy to release Ammit”

“..That is a heavy accusation Khonshu, summon the accused”

Suddenly a rumbling was heard and to the left corner side, a door appeared and out came Harrow. This time he wasn’t using a cane to walk.

“So I see by the presence of Khonshus current avatar, the purpose of our meeting must be nefarious” he slowly walked in.

Y/N and Marc glared at him which he ignored. Khonshu then yelled out to Harrow, claiming he knew why they were there. Harrow stood by Marc in a calm manner, “I must say, I did not miss that voice. Anyways let’s speak about what is your concern”

“Do you not wish to release Ammit from her tomb!”

“I was visiting the dessert, but if visiting the sand were a crime then the line of sinners would be longer than the Nile”

Y/N squinted at him, “Oh that is some bull-“

“He is a deceiver!”

“Exactly!”

The main avatar, raised a hand to order the two to stop talking.

“Do not listen to the words of a shamed god, one who is unhinged. His servant is unwell” Harrow looked to Marc.

There was a pause.

“How do you mean?” Yatzil asked.

“This is a man who does not know his name. He has a passport under the name Marc Spector,”

“Stop!” Khonshu yelled.

“Employment documents under the name of Steven Grant. I’ve seen him speak to himself,”

“Shut up!”

“Threaten himself. To top it off, brought a young college student into the affairs of gods,” he then turned to Marc, “His insanity might not only bring danger to the world but might even cause the death of the young girl, Y/N L/N”

Marc became angry and lunged to try to punch Harrow but was stopped with white ring going around his wrist and bringing him down to his knees.

“We do not tolerate violence in this Chamber” the main avatar said.

“It brings me no pleasure to tell you that this is a deeply troubled man” Harrow says.

Y/N rolls her eyes and turns to him, “Oh yeah? How about you hmm? Weren’t you in Switzerland a few days ago? Same country where there is a cult that was seen killing people on the news,” she then turned to the avatars, “You guys had to have been observing the tv. Didn’t you see? How about you go check this one place in London too. He has a bunch of his followers there too”

“You mean the group of people in need? If helping women and children who have no home or food to eat is taboo, then I must be an awful person” Harrow said.

Y/N furrowed her eyes, “Where’s you cane? You know the one you used to send fucking jackals to kill me and Steven. The one that has that purple magic shit”

“I don’t use a cane, especially one with magic” Harrow gave a small laugh. He then turned to the avatars, “Khonshu has driven these two innocent souls into insanity”

“Oh fuck you. Show them your tattoo on you wrist then” she stomped over to Harrow ready to grab his wrist but she was immediately pulled away and made to kneel next to Marc.

Marc looked at her, trying to see if she was okay. He then turned to the one who did the same trick, “She wasn’t even going to hurt him!”.

The court ignored him and looked at Harrow.

“Khonshu is abusing his avatar and the people around him. There must a be stop to his antics”

The avatars nodded and looked at Marc, letting him go. They asked him if he was was feeling abused by Khonshu. Marc didn’t say anything and looked at Y/N who was still being restrained.

“Let her go too”

The court paused and nodded in agreement, letting Y/N go too. She stood up and dusted herself off.

“Thanks” she whispered to Marc

“Marc, do you feel as if you’ve been treated unfairly by Khonshu?”

“This isn’t about me! This is about him being on trial!” Marc pointed at Harrow.

The main Avatar stared at him, “He has not committed any offense. This matter is concluded”. All of the bodies of the Avatars jolted up and their eyes glowed white once again. They then began to walk away.

“Wait that’s it?” Y/N asked and looked at Marc. She then turned to Harrow and eyes him down as he walked away.

Marc stayed quiet and looked down in disbelief. Seconding that he was stressed, she put her hands on his shoulders “Hey it’s alright, we can beat that old guys ass up. How hard could it be?” She tried to smile.

Marc nodded, “Yeah, but now we are back to square one”.

Y/N thinned her lips and looked to the side, “I knew gods were useless but this shits surprising”.

They then heard someone clear their throat. Looking up, they saw that Yatzil was still in the pyramid. She looked around and then gestured them to come to her.

Hiding inbetween two pillars, the three spoke in a hushed tone. “A man might knew where the tomb of Ammit is. A medjay named Senfu. He was tasked on recording the location of the tomb, in case the gods ever decided to show mercy and set her free,”

“And where is this Senfu?” Y/N asked.

“In a sarcophagus. Find it and you’ll find your tomb” Yatzil said.

Marc nodded, “Where is it?”

“It was stolen and sold on the black market. You might want to start there”

The two nodded and they began to head out. Y/N suddenly turned her heel and looked towards Yatzil. “By the way, with what I said about god being useless, you are seriously not in that category,” she threw finger guns at her, “Highly appreciate you and Hathor”.

Marc sighed and pulled on her arm to have her hurry. “Come on. You’ll have time to talk to your girlfriend later”. Y/N blushed “Shut up!” punching Marc on the shoulder.

Yatzil gave a small laugh as they left.

The two traveled through the streets of Cairo. The air was filled with many kinds of street food and the yelling of people trying to sell. Y/N felt her stomach rumble as her appetite grew. Especially since she hadn’t had a proper meal in a day or two.

Marc came back to her with two baseball caps and placed one on her head. “What’s this for?” She fixed the cap. “To keep our identities hidden and to not catch attention” he said as he looked around. Y/N raised a brow, “This literally is screaming out ‘Hey I’m doing something shady!’. Especially with that serious frown on your face”.

“Hahah, funny. Come on” he gestured her to follow.

Walking through the busy area, Y/N stopped herself at a stand where they sold hawawshi. She tugged on Marc’s sleeve, “Hey be a pal and buy me one? Por favor?”. Marc sighed, “Fine, guess you haven’t eaten huh?”

“Nope”

Marc asked for two hawawshis instead and paid the woman making them. As they received their food, the teen immediately dug in. The taste of the meat and different kinds of spices melted into her mouth, “Oh my god, it’s so good”. Marc smiled and took a bite of his.

They walked down further and Marc’s attention was caught by a man selling juice. “Hey let me get one” he asked. The man smiled, “Of course, delicious juice just for you”. He began pouring a cup.

Before the man could finish Marc asked him where Senfus tomb was at. The man stared at him in disbelief, “Senfu?”.

Marc nodded which made the man back away and leave. “Great, you creeped him out” Y/N muttered.

“I didn’t mean to”

“You could have snuck that question in after he poured the juice. What happened to ‘Nice weather were having’”

“You two sure do love getting the attention on you”

They turned around to a familiar voice. It was their curly haired friend Layla. Y/N beamed with joy, “Layla!”. However Marc wasn’t too happy.

“What are you doing here?”

“My, my, you don’t sound too thrilled,” she sipped her juice that was inside a plastic bag and turned to Y/N, “How have you been doing? Must be boring having with this guy”.

“Been great you know, talked to a couple of gods, met this beautiful one…” Y/N sighed which earned her a smirk from Layla and Marc, “Uh but you know gods. Marc here wasn’t very talkative this whole trip. Anyways why didn’t you text me you were here?”

Marc furrowed his brows and looked between Y/N and Layla, “Wait you gave her your number? So that’s how she tracked us”

Layla rolled her eyes, “Of course not, I knew you’d be coming to Cairo of all places and I was right”

“Either way, you shouldn’t be here”

“Why? Because my name pisses off a few people in Cairo? Who cares?”

“Not the locals that I’m worried about” Marc looked up and stared at Khonshu who was standing on top of a building.

Y/N noticed and glared at him which caused Khonshu to disappear.

“Come with me, I know where you can find what you’re looking for” Layla said.

“Let’s go!” Y/N cheered not too loudly which Layla smiled at. “Why can’t you be this enthusiastic?” Layla asked Marc. He rolled his eyes, “Yeah yeah let’s just go”

The sun already set, the three were on a boat trying to get to their destination. It was long and topped with a roof that was held by poles. On the sides we’re seats for passengers that had a few pillows. The boat was illuminated by purple lights that hanged on the top.Towards the front, there was a group of people who were dancing and laughing. At the end, three people sat together looking out into the water.

Y/N looked over her shoulder and saw how the water was dark that not even the lights on the boat could reach it. She held breath and looked away. Marc looked at the water and then to her, “You alright?”. She nodded, “Yup definitely it’s just,” she looked back at the water and felt the boat shake a bit which had her grip the seat tightly, “it’s my first time on a boat”.

“Really? Well it’s just water so don’t let it scare you”

“It’s what’s inside that scares me”

Layla cleared her throat and the two looked over at her. “Oh sorry, didn’t mean to-“ Y/N fiddled with her hands. Layla shook her head and smiled, “You’re fine”.

“Right, so what’s the plan?” Marc leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees.

“Ah, doesn’t feel great being left in the dark now does it?” Layla crossed her arms and raised a brow.

Marc sighed, “Look I know you aren’t happy with me coming to Cairo without telling you. I understand”

Layla scoffed and leaned forwards towards him, “Is that your apology?”

“How about we put our shit to rest for the night, alright?”

Y/N felt like she shrunk in the seat with how the awkward air thickened. The two adults noticed and gave their quarreling a rest.

“Just so you know I’m not here for you,” Layla pointed at him, “I am here for me and the people who would die if Harrow succeeded”. She glanced at Y/N who was staring back at her.

“I am sorry. For whatever it’s worth” Marc looked deeply into Laylas eyes. It didn’t seem to work on her as she leaned back and continued to cross her arms, staring out into the body of water.

Y/N leaned into Marc’s ear, “Not really what I would want to hear if my husband decided to leave me and then up and divorce me” she whispered. Marc glared at her and she shrugged, “Just food for thought”. Y/N gestures to Layla, telling him to try harder in apologizing.

Marc sighed and looked at the people who were smiling and dancing to music that was playing. Layla also looked to the sight, smiling.

“I haven’t heard that sound since…since our wedding” Marc hesitated but smiled at Layla.

Y/N felt proud of herself that she was able to relieve the tension. She stared at the people who danced, reminding her of how her family held parties. The amount of people dancing, drinking, singing without a care in the world. It was a place where everyone could release the stress from reality and be with their loved ones. However, anytime Y/N would think about past parties, she would find herself sitting at a table alone as her cousins ignored her and aunts/uncles would talk amongst themselves.

Perhaps it was a reason why she didn’t like going out to parties as much.

Before, her grandfather would go up to her at times and spend time with her. Said how he didn’t need to be with people who faked it. Y/N loved him for that, but since he passed she didn’t have that bond again.

She blinked away the tears that pricked through her eyes when she saw how Layla held Marc’s hands. “We could have done it together” she looked deeply into Marc’s eyes and he to her.

After a while Marc realizes and grabs Laylas hands and pushes them back to her. He leans back, distancing himself again from Layla. “A little too late for that now”, Layla stares at him and leans back too, tying her hair back.

“What happened?” Y/N whispers to Marc, “I thought things were going smoothly”

Marc shakes his head, “It’s nothing”

Y/N pouts but doesnt ask for more. “So I kinda wasn’t paying attention back there, what’s the plan again and who are we seeing?” Y/N waits for Layla to answer.

“We will be seeing a man named Mogart. He is one of few who is part of the black market and I am sure he has what we are looking for” she smiles at Y/N. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen him so we can’t act too suspicious”

“So what’s our story going to be?” Marc asks but pauses when he sees that the boat arrived to a dock.

Not far from the dock, there is almost a kind of fair that is taking place. In one large area, it is fenced off to allow horses run around as they please. The horses thought are wearing a jousting kind of clothing.

The three get off, Marc grabs the bags that he brought along and hides them under a wood plank.

Y/N looks around trying to calm her beating heart when she sees an odd boat floating on the water with two men on it. “Might that be…” she taps Marc’s shoulder and gestures to boats. He nods and continues to stare.

Walking further in, Layla repeats the story the three will stick to. “Remember, your name is Rufino Estrada” she marches down the path, getting through the crowd.

“We just got back from our honeymoon in the Maldives” Marc repeats the rest.

“And I am Catalina Estrada, little sister to Rufino who annoyed him to let me tag along” Y/N looked up at Layla to see if she got it right to which she nodded.

They walked closer to the large arena style area where horses ran around while men were on them with jousting sticks. Outside of the fence were men lined up, most likely the bodyguards.

One of the body guards came up to Layla and welcomed her, leading her to the one in charge. Marc held Laylas hand to make it more believable that they are just married. Y/N just stayed by Marcs side.

They waited by the fence and stared at the man named Mogart who rode around hitting his stick to other horse riders.

“This guy is kinda giving…douchebag vibes” Y/N whispered to the two. Marc gave a small laugh, “He does, seems like he wear any kind of designer brand”

“He probably buys those fancy toilet paper rolls”

The two laughs and Layla smiles but then elbows Marc’s ribs. Mogart begins to walk toward Layla with a smile, "Layla! Such a delight to see you", he grabs her hand and kisses it. Y/N looks up at Marc with a smirk, seeing that he is not pleased, "You feeling jealous?".

"No, why should I?"

"Because that guy just kissed your girl's hand"

Marc doesn't say anything else and they both walk closer. Layla sees Marc and places a hand on his shoulder, "This is my husband, Rufino". Mogart stares at Marc who has offered his hand. As they shake hands, Mogart notices Y/N standing awkwardly by Marc, "Who might this be?" he smiles at her.

"This is my sister-in-law, Catalina" Layla then gestures to Marc, "His younger sister"

Mogart nods in understanding and shakes her hand. Y/N takes it and smiles at him.

"She annoyed me to let her come along, said Egypt was on her bucket list" Marc gives a small laugh and looks back at Y/N, ruffling her hair. Y/N forced a smile, "Yeah well, that's what he thinks, but really I knew he would be lost without me and Google maps", she looked at Marc.

Mogart laughed, "Ah I see, siblings always have each other's backs, right?". Marc and Y/N nodded. Mogart then squinted his eyes and looked at the two.

"For siblings, you two don't look like it" Mogart raised a brow.

Layla and Marc felt like they just got caught but kept their cool. Y/N then breathed out and placed a hand on her chest, "Thank god, you know how annoying it gets to be told we look identical?". She then leans forwards and whispers to Mogart, "You see, our dad had one wife and then went to another and well you can see where that puts us"

Mogart stared at her, surprised that she really put her 'family' out there. "Oh I see..." he cleared his throat and then gestured for them to follow him.

They made their way through the field, they walked through two small pillars and to where two tall glass pyramids were located. The pyramids had a yellow glow coming from the inside. In them, you can see many artifacts on display.

"Now, why a sudden interest in Senfu?" Mogart asked. Layla immediately jumped in but he cut her off and gestured to Marc, "Id actually like to hear from your husband if you don't mind".

Asshole Y/N thought as she stared at Mogart.

Marc smiled, "I think I just would love to take a look" he pointed to a pyramid to the right of him. Mogart stared at him, "Hmm, funny man. Go ahead".

The three nodded and walked in.

"Please just let Steven out before you blow this" Layla stared straight ahead to what seemed to be the sarcophagus they have been searching for.

"Not a chance" Marc retorted.

"Uh, Im with Layla. You kinda messed up back there" Y/N suggested as she looked around the pyramid.

"Again, not gonna happen. What do you see?"

Layla scanned through the writing that was on the coffin. "All I'm seeing is literature to guide the dead"

"Meaning the location to the... thingy, is not on here" Y/N looked at Layla for clarification. She nodded.

"Its actually hidden in code"

Y/N and Marc looked up at the reflection of Steven. "Will you give me a minute? I gotta talk to Steven". Layla looked at him confused but nodded. "I go too?" Y/N asked but Marc shook his head. "It'll look weird if you too just leave at the same time".

"Makes sense"

Marc looked up to Steven, "All right you wanna talk to me? Talk to me. What now?"

"What now is you give me the body and you piss off"

"Hey uh Steven, bud, pal, BFF...I don't think that's a good idea right now. I have a feeling that the moment we act differently here," she gestures her head towards Mogart, "They're gonna catch on and I don't know maybe kill us"

Steven sighed, "Fine"

"Also Marc, try not to move your head too much when talking to Steven"

"Why?"

"You look like a crackhead, especially when your talking to your own reflection, from other people's point of view"

Marc nodded.

"Check the cartonnage"

Y/N stared blankly at the sarcophagus, "The what?"

“The material used to wrap the bodies”

Y/N made an ‘oh’ sound and looked at the body before her. Marc looked at pieces of it laid on top of the chests below.

“Fold the first one in half”

Marc did as Steven told him.

Y/N felt an odd sense, as if something was telling her someone was coming. “They know” she whispered to Marc. Before he could ask, one of the security guards grabbed Marcs forearm.

“What are you doing?”

Marca reflexes responded and he grabbed the guards hand, which lead to the guard tryin to pull his gun out.

“Wait Marc!”

Marc swiftly took the gun out of the guards hand and held it pointed to him. The rest of Mogarts guards pulled out their guns and pointed them to Layla, Marc, and Y/N.

Seeing that they were cornered, Marc cursed under his breath and dropped the gun, raising his hands in surrender. Y/N followed after and gulped.

Mofarte walks into the pyramid and looks at the two. “You must have though I was an idiot”, Mogart looks at them with disgust, “Kneel”.

Y/N looks at Marc for guidance and sees he kneels, following after. Layla is then pushed inside by one of the guards, “You don’t understand, we’re trying to save many lives”. Mogart looks at her with suspicion.

“Check the coffin dude, you’ll see it” Y/N gestures her head towards the sarcophagus. Marc nods, “It’s true”.

Mogart walks over and peeks in, his eyes widen a bit. He sees how the pieces of cartonnage align the start of a constellation.

He raises head back up and looks at Y/N, “Told you” she smirks. Before they three think they made it out, Mogart smiles at the sight of outside, “It appears we have a concerned third party”.

Y/N turns and sees Harrow with a few of his men. “He’s here…”

Mogart looks at the two who are kneeling tells them to stand up. Y/N rolls her eyes and does what she’s told, “Pues quieres que este parada o sentada, cabron” she mutters.

(We’ll do you want me sitting or standing, dumbass)

Mogart makes his way out with guards guiding the three outside. There they stand upon Harrow who holds the scarab on his palm. The scarab this time is floating and point at some random direction.

“Why settle for a clue when you can have the treasure?” Harrow looks to Mogart.

“Mogart please don’t listen to him”, Layla looks at him with pleading eyes.

“Quiet!”

“He’s going to kill many lives! Please trust me!”

“Oh don’t come to me about trust” Mogart looks at her with a tad bit of anger in his eyes.

“How are you going trust some random man than your old friend?!” Y/N furrows her brows to Mogart. “Y/N stop” Marc looks at Y/N. She sighs in frustration and keeps quiet.

“Please don’t throw these accusations around. Each one of you have so much more common than you think” Harrow looks at Layla, “You know Layla, you keep thinking that distance will prevent the wounds from your fathers murder from reopening. But something stands in you way, your husband doesn’t tell you the truth”

Layla looks at Marc and he continues to glare at Harrow. “And Marc you don’t tell her because you are afraid that she’ll see you for who you see yourself, someone unworthy of love”, Marc looks to Harrow with eyes that hold so much anger. “You piece of shit”

Y/N scoffs which Harrow notices, “Don’t think I didn’t forget you”

“Oh my, I was hoping you didnt” she says sarcastically.

“Y/N, why is it that you continue to follow them?” He gestures to Marc and Layla. Y/N turns her head slightly and makes eye contact with Marc and then Layla. She looks down and then back to Harrow.

“Perhaps it’s because you believe it’ll make your parents tel you how proud they are of you or is it because you believe you finally found a parental figure who you have dreamed about? The one in which you wished your own parents could follow”

Marc and Layla look at Y/N sympathetically, but she continues glaring at Harrow. She feels a tear roll down her cheek, “Fuck you”.

Harrow smiles delighted that he was about to be spot on about her. He walks towards Mogart and shows him his cane, making it glow again with the purple hue.

“Summon the suit Marc” He looks up and sees Khonshu perched up on a building.

“Would you like to see more of this divine power?” Harrow asks Mogart, not noticing that Marc is talking to the god. Mogart nods and Harrow begins to chant. A purple fog circles around the sarcophagus and then causes it to fall apart.

“That’s only a taste of the power I hold” Harrow walks away and back to his men.

Suddenly Mogarts guards notice that Marc has disappeared. Y/N and Layla look at the spot in which he was at and then at each other.

“I- I don’t know” Y/N shrugs.

“Look up there!” One of the men yell. Layla and Y/N follow his eye sight to the top of the glass pyramid. There Marc stood with his white ceremonial suit looking down. He then grabs two crescent shaped daggers and throws them to the guards that are holding Y/N and Layla hostage.

The rest of the guards begin to run for cover while others start to shoot at him.

Layla looks at Y/N and grabs her arm, pulling her towards her, “Stay by me alright”. Y/N nods and Layla then runs to one of the bodies, grabbing its gun. She begins to shoot at the incoming guards while Y/N hides behind her. More and more guards begin to show up, shooting rapid bullets their way.

Marc jumps down, his cape making a crescent shape as he comes down. Y/N looks up with amazement.

Layla pulls Y/N to her chest and Marc wraps his cape around the two girls. The cape acts as a shield from the bullets which Y/N tries to understand the science but remembers that it’s magic. “I need you to buy us some time” Layla looks up at Marc. “I can do that” he then whips his cape open and throws multiple daggers at the guards.

“Alright come on, we need to get the rest of the map” Layla pulls Y/N’s arm into the pyramid of glass. They begin to gather the pieces before Y/N sees that Marc is being cornered by guards in the field. “Hey! I’m going to help Marc” she looks at Layla. “….Alright, be careful!”. Y/N nods and runs out of the pyramid.

“Okay dudes don’t fail me now” she breathes in and focuses her energy through her arms. Running into the field, she shoots an arm out, making tentacles wrap around a group of guards. They look around not knowing how or what is happening before Y/N swings her arm to her side. The tentacles throw the guards to the side, knocking them out on impact.

She runs up to Marc who is still busy trying to fend a few off. By a few, it’s more like a dozen.

Y/N uses more of the tentacles to hit more guards away from Marc.

“Y/N go back to Layla!” Marc blocks a guard and kicks him away.

Tentacles grab the guard that was kicked and throws him far. Y/N looks back to Layla and sees she’s able to fend for herself easily. “She’s fine! No offense but you need more help than her!”

Even though she can’t see Marc’s face, she could tell that he is staring at her a bit angry about her comment. Seeing that there’s more guards coming, she breathes in and walks over to them.

Using only the tentacles to throw them was becoming tedious. She thought up of how he was able to hit the jackals when throwing punches. So that’s what she did.

Balling her fists, she hits the air to have her tentacles mimic her movements. Punching left and right, she sees how the long limbs make the guards fly off the ground and into the dirt.

She smiles victoriously as she sees that no more are coming after. She looks over at Marc to see if he saw but instead sees how he is tensing up. His suit then transforms into the one Steven had the day he was taken by Harrow. He lets go of a man’s neck and apologizes.

“Alright time out!” He gestures his hands, “We all need to seriously chill the f out!”

If it wasn’t clear already, the British man has came in and is now putting a weird stop to fighting.

“Steven what are you doing?” Y/N looks around to see how the guards are staring at them confused.

“Don’t worry, I got this,” he holds a thumbs up to her and looks back at the guards surrounding him, “I know we are all worked up a bit”.

Y/N turns around and looks at Layla who’s by the pyramid staring back. She mouths ‘What?’ And Y/N just shrugs.

She looks to Steven and sees a guard run from behind him with a pole. “Hey hey! Watch out!” Y/N extends an arm to summon a tentacle, punching a guard away. Still more came from different ways and plunged the poles into Steven.

Y/N widened her eyes, “Ohh what the hell!”. She sees as Steven struggles to fend them off. Before she could run to help him, she is hit from behind.

Falling to the floor, she rubbed the back of her head and looks up to see a few buff men looking down at her. Lifting her arm to try to bring a tentacle out, she is stopped when another man grabs her arm harshly. She then finds herself being pinned down to the floor with her arms being held down.

“Suéltame!” She squirms under the pressure, kicking her legs up.

She looks over to Steven and sees that Marc is back in control. However he is being ganged up with multiple spears pearling through his torso and into the ground. With Layla, she tries to run over and help but is knocked down by Mogart who rode pass her on his horse.

Marc looks at Y/N and Layla with an angry worry in his face, “Layla! Y/N!”. He tries to take out a spear but isn’t able to.

Layla tries to get up but is trying to shake off the blunt force she was hit with.

Y/N feels her chest fill with rage seeing her friends being cornered and hurt. She looks up to the guard who’s pinning her down while his teammates hold her down with a scowl.

It’s a similar feeling from when she was grabbed by that one man from the cults hideout.

As her irritation grew, the man looked at her with a startled look in his eyes. She used this chance to bend her knees and kick the guard with full force to the stomach. Sending the guard flying. It wasn’t a few feet though, this time she sent the guard flying so far that he fell into body of water.

Thinking of what Marc said, she used the strength of her biceps and pulled her arm away from one guard and then to the other. Standing up immediately, she grabbed one of them from the collar of the shirt and slammed them into the floor.

She was breathing heavy and felt her chest warm. She looked to the next guard and punched him right in the nose, hearing crack in the process. Not from her but from his face.

Once she was able to free herself she looked to Marc and ran to him. Lifting a guard who was keeping him down and throwing him far to the water. Marc took this as a sign to remove the spears with all his strength, with his mask and hood appearing. Using the broken sticks to stab the rest of the guards, Marc and Y/N were able to take them down.

Marc looked to Y/N to see if she was hurt but instead saw how she looked different. She was still on hostile mode but she breathed in and out to try to catch her breath. Seeing Marc’s reaction she tilted her head puzzled, “What?”

“Your eyes”

She furrowed her brows and looked at her reflection on the golden crescent dagger that was on Marc’s chest.

Looking closely, she was dumbfounded. Her irises were a dark red with a black outline around it that almost faded into the center. She could see that her eyes were glowing a bit. As her heartbeat regulated, the crimson began to vanish and eyes went back to their normal color.

“I’m for real a whole ghoul” she looked up at Marc who made it obvious that he didn’t understand the reference. “It’s a species from an anime show, I’ll tel you later” she waved off.

Remembering about Layla, they look over to her and see that Mogart is on his horse across from them. With Layla in the middle, Marc runs to her which causes Mogart to rush in to try to grab her. Yet he can’t as Y/N sends a tentacle to him, stabbing him on the side.

He grabs his torso and commands the horse to go faster, leaving the three alone in the field.

Y/N rushes to Marc and Layla, “Are y’all okay? I didn’t mean to stab him I swear”.

Layla gives a small laugh, “It’s alright, you were just protecting us”. Marc offers her hand and helps her stand.

“We should probably look for a car” Marc looks around. The girls nod and they make their way to back to the docks.

Back at shore, the three look around for a vehicle which is rather difficult to do. They all decided to split up to try to get more ground.

Walking back to the spot that they agreed to meet back to, Marc sees Layla coming back empty handed. “Nothing?” Marc crosses his arms.

“Nothing. Either there’s some that are too risky to get or ones that are just too modern to try to get open” she sighs.

Marc nods and notices that there is a presence missing, “Where’s Y/N?”

Layla looks around and doesn’t seem to catch a sight of her, “I don’t know”

Marc feels a sort of panic and pulls out his phone to try to call her. He waits in desperation for a ‘hello’ or an ‘on my way’ but is met with voicemail.

“Damn it, she’s not answering” Marc combs a hand through his hair. Layla looks at him and places a hand on his shoulder, “Hey, she’s probably fine”

“Or not. Maybe Harrow found her and took her”

Layla senses a concerned tone from Marc and smiles amusingly, “Will you look at that, I never knew I would see Marc Spector experience being a father”.

Marc looks at her with a stoic expression. She holds her hands up, “Sorry it’s just that I don’t think I’ve seen you care so much about someone”

“I cared about you” Marc wanted to say he still did but he stayed quiet.

“Right, but you two have a father and daughter bond that sometimes turns into a sibling one and back around”

“…Maybe. I don’t know, I guess…she’s grown on me”

Layla smiles at him.

Before they could call Y/N’s number again, they a loud tire screech from a block away. Turning their heads, they see a Jeep truck racing down the street.

Coming close, they flinch as it comes to screeching stop right next to them on the street. The window is lowered and there they see the familiar teen.

“Found a truck!” She smiles with her hands still on the wheel.

Layla gives a small laugh and Marc is baffled with how the youngest of the trio found a vehicle.

“How did you get it?” He walks close to the drivers side.

“Uhm I kinda found it on the side of the street with the windows down and the keys were on the seat so I was like ‘Shit lets go’”

Marc and Layla nod slowly, “I see, wait you have a license?” Marc points at her. Y/N purses her lips tight, “I have a permit back at the US but…it’s been a while since I drove”.

“Yeah you’re not driving, go to the back” Marc gestures.

Y/Ns shoulders drop and she frowns, “Oh come on! I won’t crash!”

“Well the way I saw you driving from down the block says otherwise. You’ll get us killed before Harrow”

Y/N gasps in offense, “How dare you!”

Layla looks at the two go back and forth like siblings fighting for the game station controller. Seeing how them arguing is going anywhere though she decides to speak up.

“How about I drive?” She asks Y/N. Without much thinking, Y/N says yes and gets off the car and into the back.

“Oh so you listen to her and not me?” Marc gets into the passenger side and looks to the back where Y/N is seated.

“Duh, she’s Layla, got more faith in her”

Marc glares at her and looks back to the road.

“Y/N have you ever been to desert?” Layla looks at the rear view mirror to see Y/N.

Y/N thinks for a moment and shakes her head, “I don’t think I have”

“Well tonight will be your first”

—————————————

So sorry this was like late. I just started college and they giving me stacks of homework 😭

Anyways hope y’all enjoyed this chapter. I’ll try to get the next one out as soon as I can.

Appreciate y’all 💪

Taglist: @itsjusspele @dustyinkpages

#hispanic reader #marc spector x teen!reader #moon knight #steven grant x teen!reader #marc spector #platonic #marc spector x reader #steven grant x reader #latina reader

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l3m0ncyan · 2 years ago

Text

New at Life | Chapter 5

Steven Grant/Marc Spector x latina!teen!reader

Masterlist

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Author Note: Longest chapter I think

——————————————

The whole of the apartment was filled with rays of the sun. . The brightness of the morning woke Y/N, groaning at how her body felt so weak and sore.

She opened her eyes, blinking away the grogginess and sat up. Small dust particles could be seen in the light, evidence of the flat needing cleaning. Letting out a small groan again, she fell back onto her pillow which she soon regret when she felt an abrupt feeling come from her throat.

Y/N rushed to the restroom and kneeled down to the toilet, heaving continents of her stomach. She wiped the excess from her lips and went to the sink to brush away the foul taste.

As she brushed, she looked at herself in the mirror and noticed how pale she looked. The collar of her hoodie was damp from her sweating all night. She had dark bags under her eyes and her lips were chapped.

“I look fucked up,” she commented, spitting out the foam in her mouth. Looking back up, she was met with a quick reflection of her eyes gone and replaced with long white curvy ones. She let out a gasp before she quickly opened the faucet and splashed water on her face.

Once she looked back up she was back to normal, her eyes back to the standard color. She stared at her reflection for a moment, waiting if she might get another hallucination which never came.

Y/N walked to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast but paused when she saw the bag of groceries still on the dining table. That’s when the memories of last night hit her like a train. She remembered everything. From the walk to the grocery store to the dark alley, to the man.

Her breath hitched, the remembrance of how the man tackled her down and pinned her to the floor. How she kicked him off of her and how his lifeless body laid on the ground. Did she kill him? Her breath began to quicken with the thought of killing someone, especially just leaving their corpse in such place like an alley.

She shook her head slightly trying to shake off the thoughts, but she then began to think of how he begged her for help. How she couldn’t do anything. The guilt was eating her, thinking of how his last moments were lived in pain as he looked to the one person who could have helped.

Still, what could a young girl like her do? There may be heroes in this world, but she wasn’t one, and never will be.

Light knocking snapped her out of her thoughts, bringing a second of silence to the apartment before there was more knocking.

Instinct told her it was probably Steven as she began to make her way to the door but she stopped. There was also the possibility of the cult finding her, how did they find her apartment? Who knows.

Paranoia began to infest her mind. Against the better of her logic, she imagined the dead man from last night standing at her door knocking away. His thin and pale body leaning to the side as he tries to get inside. Darn her imagination.

Between a few of the knocks she heard a faint voice, almost recognizable. “Y/N? Are you back from work?”

She peeked through the peephole of the door, the figure seeming blurry through her vision but soon focused on a familiar face.

Steven stood at her door, pausing at each knock as he waited for an answer. He wore a comfortable outfit; a grey knit sweater with jeans and his hair styled as usual. There weren’t signs of him in distress or as if he escaped from a basement, probing Y/N’s theory incorrect.

With no response, he figured that Y/N was still at work or on her way. Steven turned to head into his apartment when he heard the rattle of doorknob behind him. Once he turned to face the young girl, he wasn’t expecting to see her in a disheveled state.

He took notice oh how her undereyes were heavy and her forehead had a sheen of sweat. “You don’t look too well, love. Did you get a fever last night? I hope you didn’t go to work in that state. Speaking of which, I profoundly apologize for missing my alarm, I bet you were yelling at me through the door,”

Y/N furrowed her brows and thought of what day it was today, “Work? We’re off today, remember?”

Steven blinked almost believing her but offered her a smile, “Ah, good one, you are such a prankster. That isn’t right though, is it? It’s Friday.”

He stood quite proudly, usually he would always fall for Y/N’s pranks but this time he didn’t. Y/N was rather confused however, was he playing a prank on her this time? Not exactly how you would do one.

She walked away from the door which caused Steven to hold the door open before it swung closed. He eyed Y/N as she made her way to the dining table to grab her phone. She wondered if maybe the events of Friday to now were all just a fever dream. Maybe it was Friday after all.

Her phone however opposed that thought, telling her it was actually five of the afternoon on a Sunday.

—

At Steven’s flat, the two sat across from each other at his dining table. Y/N explained to him how he went missing for three days, keeping out the event of last night. He seemed shocked for the most part before he frowned and took a sip from the tea kettle he prepped for him and Y/N.

“So I guess I missed my date with Dylan?”

Y/N hesitated but slowly nodded, giving him an apologetic frown. She felt terrible for him, even though he didn’t remember he asked Dylan out, for whatever reason, he seemed excited. Then again how busy was he with his mother for him to not realize he was gone for those days?

“Unfortunately, you did and if I was her, I wouldn’t be too happy to see you tomorrow at work,” Y/N crossed her arms and leaned her back against the chair. Steven nodded, looking down at his cup. He sure did seem lost in the whole situation.

There was a stiff pause before she raised a brow as she looked at Steven and spoke, “You seem very confused for someone who went to take care of their mom, speaking of which I hope she’s doing okay,”

Steven furrowed his brows and tilted his head slightly. Last time he remembered his mother was off in the countryside and thankfully well. It has been a while since he saw her and knows he has not gone to see her recently.

“My mother?”

“Yeah?”

“I never went to see my mum, it’s been months since I did actually,”

She looked at him trying to find any hint that he was joking. Instead his eyes were only resided and looked at her for the same reason.

“Right, and I am actually a ghost. I literally have the message from when you texted me,” she gestured to her phone that was on the table. She opened the messaging app ready to show him the proof but staggered.

Concerned, Steven asked, “What?”

Despite the fact that there was no reason to, Y/N attempted to scroll through the messages in search of the one she mentioned. There were, however, none.

"I swear they were right here," she scratched her head, knowing it couldn't have been her who deleted them, unless her phone had a glitch.

Steven watched as she became even more stressed before taking her phone and putting it down, saying, "Hey, I believe you but I really don't remember. I remember giving you those school supplies, saying good night, and going to bed, and now I hear I was gone for days,"

He really was telling the truth, Y/N could tell. "Yeah, I just like seeing the logical side of things," she groaned, leaning back in her chair. "Maybe you blacked out?"

"Probably," Steven shrugged, taking another sip of his tea, "but I would have been dehydrated or something if that were the case."

Y/N hummed in response and followed his lead with her tea. So much has gone on in the past few days in a quick record of time. It was honestly straining for her brain.

It was quiet between the two, but it was a pleasant atmosphere. The light sound of London's busy streets could be heard just outside the window, which easily filled the space. It was strange in this situation because the two had only known each other for a month.

In spite of this, they made silence something that they can share without feeling the need to break it.

Steven looked around the apartment when his eyes landed on the box of chocolates that he bought for his date, which was out the window now. Y/N eyed him as he grabbed the chocolates to which he noticed, “Guess we shouldn’t let these go to waste, right? Besides, it will probably make you feel better,”

He opened the container and grabbed a piece before sliding it towards Y/N. She shrugged and grabbed one aswell, it was like any chocolates you would find for Valentine’s Day. She popped it into her mouth, her cheeks getting goosebumps at the sudden sweet taste. Steven hummed at the savory treat, his hand reaching for another.

The silence came back but they didn’t complain until Y/N found a bottle of wine sitting at the table, which she weirdly just noticed.

"These chocolates alone probably won't do the job," she said, motioning to the bottle. Steven's eyes widened as he realized what she was insinuating and he immediately shook his head.

“Absolutely not! Your mind is still developing and this will not help, just drink your tea,” he said, lifting his cup to his mouth.

Y/N's shoulders sagged as he heard the unfavorable news. Still, she wasn't surprised he objected; he'd always had fatherly instincts since she'd known him. "It's just a sip, maybe it'll loosen us up because we need it."

He looked at her, studying if she was in the right head space. She was only eighteen; yes, it was legal for someone her age to drink in the UK, but he still thought it was terrible. Yet, he knew he needed more than a few sips with this long day; he could only imagine how much stress she was under when he went cold turkey.

Steven sighed and took a hold of the dark bottle, saying, “Alright, only a sip and off to bed with you.”

“Only a sip.”

Is what they tried to stick with, but after an hour, they were about halfway through the bottle. The effects weren’t taking a toll on Steven since he knew how to keep his alcohol down, still he felt loose. When it came to Y/N whatsoever, she found everything rather comical while still keeping a conscious mind.

Some of the conversations consisted of how the two’s love life have treated them terrible. As she spun the last few drops of red wine in the mug she used for the (now gone) tea, Y/N shared her envy of how at least Steven had someone who was interested in him.

“Back at my hometown, no one looked at my direction, if they did, it wasn’t that they were focused on me but more towards my friends who were next to me,” she let out a small laugh.

Steven frowned at her statement before pouring a bit more in his cup, “It’ll happen soon, hell this was the first and I am in my 30s. Just give it time and you’ll find the one, you are still young and much more social than I am.”

"If I'm being honest, I think you are the most social. Even though you did freeze the moment Dylan spoke to you," she teased, to which Steven responded with a glance.

As the topic of relationships slowly faded, Steven and Y/N found themselves diving into stories from their childhood. With each tale, they were able to look through a window of how their two lives differentiated.

Odd how two different worlds could clash from one encounter.

With every story they exchanged, their friendship grew stronger, discovering more common ground than they could have imagined. They laughed at each other’s funny moments and empathized some trials they faced as kids.

"For my birthday, my parents would buy this big chocolate cake," Steven reminisced, his eyes lighting up with fond memories. "After I blew out the candles, they would only get one slice while they left the rest for me."

Y/N listened attentively, a smile playing on her lips as she reached for another chocolate from the heart-shaped box. "That sounds nice, different from the birthdays I had or attended though."

“What do you mean?”

A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes as she recounted the unique tradition. "Well, for one, once we blew out the candles, they would tell us to take a bite from the cake, but it was always a trick. The moment your face was only an inch away, splat! Someone already dunked your whole head into the pastry."

Steven's eyes widened in amusement, trying to picture the hilarious scene. "And you would still eat it?"

Y/N nodded with a playful grin, "Yeah, wouldn't want it to go to waste."

Her hand tried to grab another chocolate from the box, only to find it empty. Taking a look she realized that they both finished the entire thing, “Guess we didn’t let those go to waste either,” she giggled.

Steven looked at the box and turned to grab the bottle only to see the last bit of it towards the bottom, “Yup, we sure didn’t”

Y/N looked at the two containers before letting out another laugh, and Steven couldn't help but join in as well. Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe they just completely lost it, but didn’t care.

The scent of chocolate lingered in the air, mingling with the sounds of their laughter. The apartment was dark with only the light of Gus’s fish tank and the light above their heads illuminating their view. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their little cocoon of merriment. All their worries and responsibilities were forgotten for that moment.

They didn’t remember the last time they laughed this hard, especially while sharing it with someone.

———

The morning sun came, waking Y/N from her slumber. She expected for some kind of hangover but was surprised to find none. It seemed like she was a heavyweight when it came to her alcohol. Maybe.

She quickly dressed for her upcoming work shift at the museum, dressing warmly because it was chilly outside.

She sat at the table, making herself a quick plate of breakfast while waiting for Steven to get ready. Hoping he wasn’t missing again. She scrolled through social media for a few minutes, seeing how many posts some mutuals had uploaded.

One post she came across was from a woman she followed; usually, she would post recent news; politics, celebrities, and even supers would get their due. She clicked on the video and let it play, curious as to what she had missed.

The woman gave her usual brief introduction before diving into the topic, "Do I have crazy news for you guys! On Friday afternoon, law enforcement officials reported that a Hydra base had been discovered in London!"

Y/N’s eyes widened slightly but she didn’t give it much thought, continuing to listen.

"However, it turns out that this base was conducting experiments on people, what kind of experiments? It hasn't been stated, but that is irrelevant. As they tried to save the victims, one fled the building, attacking any officers who were in the way. The video I'm about to show you is of his escape."

A video was shown of a cell being opened and officers entering with their guns drawn. They were thrown against the wall and fell unconscious before they could check the room. A dark figure emerged from the dust and gunshots, with what appeared to be long tentacles that quickly multiplied into many. As officers tried to apprehend him, his limbs wound back and fired at them. The video footage was cut off before the attack could be shown.

“Crazy stuff, huh? Well us at HQ did a bit of snooping around and found out who was our escapee. His name is Marcus Bourne,” the video cut from showing the woman to showing a picture of the said man. He had pale skin and mid-length dark hair, wearing what seemed to be a grey tank top.

The moment he came on screen, Y/N’s body tensed up, her muscles stiffening. The familiar face on the screen triggered a flood of memories from that Saturday night, and she could feel her chest tightening with each breath she took.

Her breaths became shallow and rapid, ar if her lungs refused to cooperate. Her heart pounded relentlessly in her chest, its thumping echoing loudly in her ears.

“Poor guy. Everyone who is in London or near, stay cautious. Officials say if you see him to–” Y/N immediately closed out of the app and put her phone down.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably. She clutched to the edge of the seat, desperate to anchor herself. Her mind continued replaying the scene over and over again, tormenting her.

A knock echoed through the apartment, snapping her out of her thoughts. Startled, she turned her head towards the door, trying to steady her rapid breathing. Glancing at the clock, she realized how quickly the minutes had passed.

Grateful for Steven's timely arrival, she hurried to the door and opened it. Without a second thought, she embraced him, seeking comfort in his presence. His jacket enveloped her, and she breathed in his familiar scent, finding comfort.

However, she noticed that he didn't respond to the hug, and instead, he cleared his throat, causing her to release him abruptly.

"Oh, sorry. It's just... well, I don't have a good explanation," she chuckled nervously, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. At least she wasn't panicking like earlier.

When she finally looked at him, she couldn't shake off the strange feeling that something was off.

It was undoubtedly Steven standing there, but he didn't seem like himself. He was usually slouching, but now he stood tall and rigid, his jaw clenched tightly. The most striking change was in his eyes.

They appeared sharper and more intense, looking down at her with an unfamiliar intensity that made her feel small – a feeling she had never experienced with the real Steven.

She furrowed her brows and before she could speak, he said a quick, “Let’s go.”

He turned and immediately started walking towards the elevator leaving her behind. Shocked, she quickly grabbed her bag and locked her door before running down the hall to catch up to him.

The elevator door slid open, and the two stepped inside, a momentary hush settling between them before Y/N decided to break it.

"Geez, are you in a rush or something?" Her words carried a hint of suspicion, but all she received in response was silence from him.

“Steven?”

Once again she her question hung unanswered in the air. Growing tired of this treatment, she aggressively tapped his shoulder to which his shoulders tensed to.

With a roll of his eyes and an exasperated exhale, he turned his gaze toward her. "What?"

"Is everything okay?" Her voice took on a slightly assertive tone. "You're usually the one who starts the conversations."

“Let’s stay quiet on the way to work, alright?” his replies was curt, his attention set to avoid her.

Her eyes widened, caught off guard by his response. Offended and perplexed, she had half a mind to give him a piece of her mind, but another thought flickered across her consciousness. His voice – it sounded different, lacking the usual accent.

Before she could react further, the elevator doors slid open again, and he walked out without waiting for her. She didn’t have a moment to comprehend the situation before she fixed the bag strap on her shoulder and followed quickly behind.

The both of them were on the bus before Y/N knew it. It was a quiet environment between the two.

Usually Steven was the type to check in on her, make sure she was alright, but this time it was nothing. In response, it was Y/N who found herself grappling with whether he was angry at how the two became intoxicated last night.

With only a few minutes until their arrival, Y/N kept herself occupied by quietly observing her fellow passengers. Her attention was drawn to a mother gently cradling her baby, a touching scene. The following image depicted an elderly gentleman with his hand firmly gripping a cane for support. Then there was a group of friends having a lively conversation.

There wasn’t a remarkable story to see nor be able to use as a topic to break the silence between her and her neighbor. She shifted her gaze back to Steven, the question of how his accent went away still weighed on her thoughts.

Exhaling audibly, she finally broke the prolonged silence, “Look, if you’re angry about me sort of pushing you to have wine, then I am sorry,”

Anticipating his gaze to meet hers, hoping for a hint of understanding in his eyes, she found herself met with the same fixed stare directed out the window.

“I really am sorry, you shouldn’t have to deal with my antics, I just…wanted to have fun or something,” her voice trailed off, realizing she didn't have a clear reason in mind.

She avoid glancing at him, expecting she would only be met with another bout of silence. “Could you at least say something?” she pressed, frustration nudging into her voice.

When she finally looked at him, the realization hit her like a cold wave. Steven's body was tense, his fist clenched and quivering. Her gaze moved from his trembling hand to his face. His eyes seemed to be rolling back, his breathing strained.

“Steven?” Her voice was tinged with concern as she shook him gently, only to feel his tremors intensify. “Steven!”

Panic gripped her as she frantically scanned the bus for help. The mother offered a sympathetic look but averted her eyes, the elderly man stared at the floor, and the group of friends seemed to find amusement in the spectacle, recording it on their phones.

Steven's eyes widened, and a scream ripped from his throat, breaking the uneasy silence. Y/N was startled, her grip on him loosening instinctively as she wondered if her touch had triggered this reaction. His scream faded as quickly as it had come, and he looked around, confusion clouding his features like a jigsaw puzzle of fragmented memories.

“Steven, you okay? What happened?” Her voice quivered with a mixture of concern and confusion, her brow furrowing as she held his gaze, searching for answers. His posture shifted back to normal, aside from his panicked look.

He looked at her and slowly understood the situation, he sleep walked again. This time however he awoke to being on the bus in his work clothes which was odd. His sleep walking was getting worse.

“We have to get off.”

She looked at him to see if he was serious and saw how his eyes carried a genuine fear in them. She nodded and the two called for the bus driver to stopm quickly getting down from the bus.

Steven looked back and his eyes widened, recognizing one of the passengers, “Oh my god, he’s real,”

Y/N stared at the vehicle leaving and back to Steven who continued to stare, “Who?”

He shook his head quickly, “I’ll explain later, we should just go before they come,”

Steven broke off into a speed walk, heading straight to the museum which was a block or two away still. Y/N paused for a second, frazzled by what just happened. First it was the way he acted to how he was acting now. It was too much and it was just about nine of the morning.

–

Entering the museum's entrance, Steven made a beeline for JB, who, as usual, was engrossed in his phone. Despite his apparent distraction, JB always had a keen awareness of the museum's visitors.

“Ah, there you are, Scotty. You gave little Y/N quite a fright,” JB teased, casting an amused glance at Y/N, who responded with a frustrated, deadpan stare.

Aware of the tension, Steven shot Y/N an apologetic look before he began explaining his predicament to JB. Y/N stood to the side, listening as Steven tried to make JB understand, each explanation met with a witty retort.

“How do you propose I put a stop to it?”

“Just don’t let them in”

“You do realize it’s a free admission to the public right?” JB leaned back in his chair, eliciting a faint creak from the leather.

Y/N groaned before stepping into the conversation, “Look dude, it’s been a long morning, just do this one thing and after that you can continue sitting on your ass–”

“Finally, you two show up! There are boxes of items you need to set up,” Donna interjected, brandishing a box as she approached Steven and Y/N.

“Right, I'll get to that, but first, I need to –” Steven attempted to explain, only for Donna to cut him off, showing no interest in his excuses.

“You missed work yesterday; that was a warning,” she asserted, her attention unwavering.

While Steven endeavored to reason with Donna's intransigence, Y/N surveyed the museum's visitors. Her gaze skimmed over the various faces until it rested on one that was eerily familiar – the man who had purchased the crocodile figure on Friday, the one with the unsettling smile.

Startled, she instinctively stepped back, just as she heard Steven gasp, “Oh my god, that man was on the bus,”

The puzzle pieces clicked into place for Y/N. She looked at Steven with a mix of shock and realization, “The cult is following you too?”

Caught in a moment of shared understanding, Steven mirrored her expression, “You're dealing with them as well?”

Conflicted between terror and a strange solace that she wasn't facing this alone, Y/N considered that if the cult was initially after Steven, their interest might have shifted to her as a means to get to him. The question lingered – why Steven?

Donna’s impatience interrupted their thoughts. “I couldn't care less; can you two just take these –”

“Give us a minute,” Steven interjected, and he and Y/N moved away from her.

Taking the lead, Y/N guided them toward the stock room, a retreat from the mounting chaos. “Let’s just get away from here and we’ll just catch our breaths in the stock room, yeah?” She glanced at Steven, who nodded in agreement.

A male voice sounded from behind them, stopping them in their tracks. "So, you do work here," the voice said. They swung around to face the speaker. The man behind the cult was dressed in red, wielded a cane, and had a mane of gray hair cascading to his chin.

“I had assumed Steven Grant was an alias. Imagine my surprise to find you here,” he remarked, a chilling smile playing on his lips, before his gaze shifted to Y/N.

“Yet, you weren't alone, were you? You must be Y/N L/N.” The man's knowledge of her identity sent shivers down Y/N's spine; she was undoubtedly a target now.

“I honestly thought you were undercover, but it turns out you're just a young girl caught in the crossfire,” he added, evoking a sense of foreboding.

Steven scanned the vicinity, spotting a security guard and waving him over. "Oi, Ronnie! This man's been following us,” he yelled. His words ceased when Ronnie rolled up his sleeve, revealing the same scale tattoo they had encountered.

Returning their attention to the man with the cane, they approached cautiously. “Mate, I don't have your scarab, so if you'd just –” Steven began, only to be cut off by the man's headshake.

“The scarab doesn't belong to me,” he said, placing a hand on his chest and pointing to a painting on a pillar. “Do you know Amit?” he asked.

Both Y/N and Steven exchanged puzzled glances before turning back to the man. “She's an Egyptian goddess, right?” She checked Steven for confirmation which he nodded.

“She was a bogeyman for evildoers,” the man's approach compelled them to step back. “But she grew tired of waiting for sinners to commit their crimes before punishing them,” he continued, drawing closer.

“That's great. I'll be sure to read up on her in my books,” Steven tried to muster a light tone, his smile feigned.

“Yeah, she sounds great. I’ll add her to my altar with the Virgin Mary,” Y/N's attempt at humor was intended to defuse the tension.

Approaching the corridor's end, the door abruptly slammed shut, jolting them. Their gazes darted around for an alternate route, but it became apparent they were trapped in a circle of cultists. Resigned, they stood still, compelled to listen to the man's voice.

He began describing how the world might have been altered if Ammit had been unleashed. How her power could have thwarted history's malevolent figures. “She was then betrayed, by her fellow gods. Even by her own avatar.”

“Avatar? You mean the blue people? Great film,” Steven tried to inject a touch of nonchalance. Y/N nodded and joined in.

“Oh, the animated kids' show? Fantastic series,” she added with a smile, masking her underlying fear.

“Stop it,” the man demanded sharply.

“Are you planning to kill us?” Y/N's voice quivered as she blurted out the question. The museum's lights began to flicker intensely, and it became evident that this was no mere electrical issue.

The man stepped closer to Steven and whispered something in his ear. Y/N strained to hear, catching only the word "voices."

The man stepped back, rolling up his sleeves to reveal the same scale tattoo that Y/N had noticed since arriving in the UK. He then grasped Steven's wrists, using them as a balance for his cane, and asked, "Do you want to know the truth?"

The cane began to sway back and forth, a bizarre act in itself. Y/N's gaze was drawn to the tattoo, her eyes widening as she saw the scale tilting at a steady pace, as if influenced by some invisible force. The sight left her both mesmerized and unnerved.

“There’s chaos in you,” the man's gaze shifted to Steven, his own surprise evident.

“Alright, that's enough of that,” Y/N intervened, pulling Steven away. Her sudden action disrupted the delicate balance, nearly causing the cane to drop to the floor before the man managed to steady it.

He turned his attention to Y/N, his focus unsettling. "And how about you? May I see your wrists?"

As if their plea had been answered, the door they had tried to enter earlier swung open again. Casting a quick glance at their escape route, then back at the man, they seized the opportunity and hurriedly fled to the stock room.

—

After locking the door, they took a few moments to regain their composure, attempting to slow their racing hearts and quiet their racing thoughts.

“Who was that guy? How did he know my name?” Y/N's grip on her chest tightened as she felt her heart thump wildly, her legs almost giving way beneath her.

“Actually, I have seen him before, ” Steven's forehead creased in deep thought, his gaze fixed on the floor. Y/N watched, waiting for him to piece together his thoughts. With a deep breath, he began to explain.

“I thought it was a dream at first, but obviously it wasn't. It happened after I went to bed on Friday,” he began.

“I woke up in a different place, different country, I think. I had a golden scarab in my pocket and suddenly men started shooting at me. I didn't understand why at first, so I ran to a nearby town. There, I saw a crowd gathered in the center, all staring at a man with a cane,” he recounted.

Y/N immediately recognized that description, realizing it was the same man they had just encountered.

“He performed the same trick on me as he did now, but the scales turned green, and he claimed the man was pure and innocent. Then, an elderly woman stepped up, and the scales turned red. She died,” Steven's voice trembled slightly.

“She insisted she had led a good life, but the man with the cane insisted that she would do something terrible in the future. After that, they noticed me and found out about the scarab. It led to a fight, gunfire, a car chase...” Steven's hands raked through his hair in frustration. “I'm sorry. If I had just given them the scarab, maybe things would have been different. Now they're after both of us.”

He rambled on, his anxiety palpable. Y/N stepped in, “Hey, hey, it’s not your fault. Really, they have been around since I’ve came, so I doubt you have been causing any trouble since then,”

Her words seemed to catch his attention, and she went on to tell him about the cashier from the noodle shop, the one he had introduced her to. It suddenly made sense to him why she had always been avoiding that place. Then she recounted the man she saw on Friday, the one who had been asking about Steven.

“Later, I found out they were part of a cult, and now we've just met their leader,” she finished.

Steven nodded, confirming, “We did.”

Y/N's next question hung in the air like a heavy cloud, “What do we do now?”

Steven took a moment to think before responding, “We'll continue our shift. And afterward, we'll go to the police.”

“But what if they're involved too? You saw Ronnie,” Y/N pointed out, nervously picking at the skin around her nails.

“If that's the case… I honestly don't know,” Steven admitted, his fingers massaging his temples. “We'll figure it out later. For now, let's focus on finishing our shift.”

——

At the end of their shift, fatigue had settled in as Y/N and Steven finished scanning the new pieces of merchandise Donna had assigned them. Their overnight shift had left them alone in the museum, save for a few janitors quietly going about their business. As the lights flickered off, signaling the museum's closure, they knew it was time to leave.

With their bags slung over their shoulders, they began their walk toward the exit. Y/N broke the silence, her voice laced with uncertainty, "So, I guess the police station is still an option?"

Steven pondered for a moment before replying, "Well, it wouldn't hurt to try, right?"

"That's true, and I have my trusty metal pole," Y/N half-joked, though her nerves were palpable.

"Exactly, you'll keep us well protected," Steven teased, nudging her playfully.

A noise suddenly echoed from behind them, causing both of them to halt in their tracks. They turned, peering into the dark recesses of the museum, the only sources of light being the softly illuminated displays.

"Did you hear that? It sounded like a dog," Y/N whispered, her voice tense. Steven nodded in agreement.

"Probably just someone's pet left behind," Steven reasoned, starting to walk toward the sound.

Y/N grabbed his hand, pulling him back with a hushed urgency. “Don’t you think that’s weird? The cult already knows where we work, and the janitors or security guards would have reported a stray dog. Actually, come to think of it, they might be part of this too," she whispered rapidly, her paranoia evident.

Steven, however, wore a reassuring smile. “You’re being silly. It's likely nothing. I'll check it out real quick." He resumed his path, whistling and clapping his hands in a feeble attempt to coax the dog out.

Standing back, Y/N's eyes darted around the darkness, her apprehension deepening. “This is the shit that gets people killed in horror movies man” she muttered under her breath to Steven.

He chuckled softly. "Oh, come on. You know those are just works of fiction."

Continuing on they went through a few displays. Looking around with only the lights of the displays illuminating their way, Y/N looked to her left to where both the reflection of hers and Stevens was at. Staring at them, she could see that she looked quite messed up.

As Steven continued walking, she thought she saw his reflection just stand there and turn to look at her. Freaking out already, she ran up to catch up to Steven.

“Alright Steven, I'm starting to lose it here, let’s just get out of here,” Y/N pleaded.

Steven turned to her and attempted to reassure her, his voice strained but steady, “You're just still rattled from earlier. Everything's fine.” He maintained his smile, continuing to whistle in an effort to mask his own fear.

Rolling her eyes, she reluctantly trailed behind him. Truthfully, Steven's bravado was just as much for his own benefit as it was for hers. He felt the knot of anxiety gnawing at his stomach, but he couldn’t afford to show it. Not now.

A low growl reverberated from the corner of the room. Both froze, the sound sending chills down their spines. Anticipating a dog’s approach, they instead caught sight of an ominous shadow – a tall, emaciated silhouette that resembled a werewolf.

Y/N’s grip on Steven's sleeve tightened, her knuckles turning white. Slowly retreating, they sought refuge behind a display, clutching their bags for reassurance. An unexpected voice echoed through the museum's speaker, sending a fresh jolt of panic through them.

“Steven and Y/N of the gift shop,” the voice crackled. Their exchanged glance spoke volumes: they were trapped, and the situation had escalated dangerously. “Return the scarab or be torn into pieces,” the voice threatened before abruptly cutting off, leaving them alone with the looming threat.

Y/N turned her gaze to Steven, her lips curling into a bitter smile as she muttered, "I told you so." But her expression turned fierce as she whispered, "We should've just left, dog and all."

“I deeply apologize a million times, but I don’t think right now is a good time for who was right or wrong” Steven quickly whispered back.

Nodding, Y/N peeked out to assess the creature's position. It was a mummified creature with the eyes of a dog, its eerie glow piercing through the darkness. Its growls intensified as it approached, sending shivers down their spines.

Steven glanced at their belongings and motioned towards the open space. Realizing his plan, Y/N hesitated briefly before nodding. They flung their bags with all their might into the center of the room, diverting the creature’s attention. Y/N’s ten-dollar tote bag became the beast’s prey as it lunged at their abandoned belongings.

Seizing the opportunity, Y/N and Steven sprang to their feet and tiptoed away, their eyes never leaving the creature. But their escape wasn’t entirely noiseless – Steven accidentally bumped into a display, teetering a vase precariously. He shot Y/N an apologetic smile before the roar of the creature forced them to break into a sprint.

As they dashed away, their screams mingling with the creature's guttural growls, they finally saw a door ahead. Racing through it, Steven’s voice urged them onward, “Go! Go! Go!”

“What do you think im doing?!” Y/N shot back.

The grunts and growls only fed their terror. Y/N led the way, frantically checking for an unlocked door. Finally, she found one and threw it open, screaming to Steven, “Come on!”

They plunged into the room, slamming the door shut and pressing their combined weight against it. In the respite of that moment, the creature’s frenzied attempts to break in filled the air, its strength reverberating against the door.

“What the hell is that?!”

“I think it's a jackal,” Steven panted.

Y/N’s brow furrowed, “You mean those creatures from the pyramid era?”

Steven nodded in agreement, not about to correct her on the historical inaccuracy. Edging away from the door, they scanned the room desperately for an escape route or a makeshift weapon. But how could they possibly combat something so monstrous?

“Shit, shit, shit, shit. We’re screwed,” Y/N's voice trembled as she clutched her head. “I won’t graduate, I won’t even go on a date, neither will you,” she babbled in panic.

“We’ll be alright, we just have to,” Steven trailed and tried looking around.

Despite their attempts, deep breaths were nearly impossible. The relentless banging and scratching from the jackal at the door reverberated through the room, their impending doom closing in.

Y/N watched Steven, noting his focused expression as he muttered to himself. Perhaps it was the adrenaline playing tricks on his mind. There was no time for that now.

“Oye, Steven? I know this shit is getting too much, but I can’t handle losing you this fast,” Y/N snapped her fingers in front of his face.

His gaze snapped to her, then to the mirrors. “Control? What control?” he muttered, his focus shifting between the door, the mirrors, Y/N, and back to the mirrors.

“Steven, please, I'm already terrified,” she stepped back as he continued talking to himself. The door was showing signs of giving in, dents multiplying.

“Y/N,” he addressed her, his voice strangely calm, “I need you to go under the sinks.” She complied without question, making space for him. Yet, he remained standing.

“Steven?”

He looked down at her, “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe”.

Panicking, she reached out to him, “No, no! Steven!”

Suddenly, a voice echoed in the air, the same voice she had heard from him that morning. Steven’s gaze lifted, his arms stretched outwards. Lights flickered, hieroglyphs illuminated the walls, and a wind began to stir.

Facing Steven again, she saw cloth started wrapping around his body.

The door burst open, and the jackal lunged at him. Y/N screamed, shielding her eyes. She couldn’t bear to witness what was happening. Steven was gone, and she was next.

But the cries of pain didn’t come from him. Instead, they were from the jackal. Trembling, she peeked out and saw a white figure struggling with the creature. Her voice caught in her throat.

She watched as a figure in white boots fought the jackal mercilessly, her eyes fixed on the gruesome scene. The hooded figure, its cape trailing behind, turned towards her, its eyes glowing.

“You can come out now,” it spoke, its tone eerily calm.

Y/N hesitated, then crawled out from under the sinks. Keeping her gaze fixed on the hooded figure, she stood up, dusting herself off, her eyes a mix of disbelief and confusion.

“Steven?” She croaked out his name, her voice shaking.

He shook his head, looking at her. “I guess you're going to find out anyway,” he said, his voice carrying an air of gravity. With a gesture reminiscent of Steven's transformation, he unwrapped the cloth around his body.

The figure before her appeared to be Steven, yet not quite. The same demeanor he displayed that morning was there - the erect posture, the firm jaw, the intense eyes. As she sized him up, he seemed to scoff at her bewildered expression.

“You’re not Steven, but you are, but also you’re not?” Her voice quivered with confusion.

Rolling his eyes, he took a step closer, his gaze locked onto hers. “That’s because I'm not him.”

She tilted her head, her brows furrowing as she studied him, searching for answers that were yet to be revealed.

“Call me Marc.”

——————

Sorry if they sounded out of character, really trying to keep Steven lowkey patient and kinda while Marc is mean and grumpy.

Also if you want to be part of the tag list don’t be afraid to ask :)

Tag list: @itsjusspele

#hispanic reader #marc spector x teen!reader #moon knight #steven grant x teen!reader #marc spector #marc spector x reader #steven grant x reader #platonic #latina reader

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