Disclaimer: I do not own Moon Knight or any of it's characters. I only own my OCs.

This is my first Moon Knight fanfiction and only my second fanfiction ever written. I am open to suggestions so please review and let me know how I did.

Side note: Marc will be a little older when his brother dies and his mom will have preexisting mental health issues. Also this story does diverge from canon a bit.

PS. I do not know Spanish at all so I apologize ahead of time if I mess up Jake Lockley's Spanish.

Chapter One: The Early Years: Part One

Marc Spector was told from a very young age, that he had a very overactive imagination. So, when he told his parents of the little girl living in the mirrors, they just brushed it off as his imagination. Every morning when Marc woke up he would look at the mirror next to his bed and gave his morning greetings to the girl in the mirror. Then he would go about his morning routine before heading off to preschool. His parents, thinking Marc created this "imaginary friend" because he was lonely, began discussing having another child. Unbeknownst to them, this "imaginary friend" was a separate personality named Iris Spector.

Iris Spector doesn't remember when she was created. Iris only remembered being in a deep sleep then suddenly every fiber of her being was yelling at her to WAKE UP! Iris had sprung awake, and found herself in the middle of a field of flowers. The sky gray with overcast, the wind causing the flowers to dance. She had noticed two other figures sleeping in the field but was distracted by a sound. She followed the sound, and as she drew closer, she realized it was crying. Iris quickened her pace til she reached the source of the crying. Iris stopped in front of the little boy, who sat with his knees drawn up to his chest. She sat down next to him and introduced herself. "Hello there. My name is Iris Spector. It's very nice to meet you."

The boy continued to cry and not move from his position.

"Its okay to cry and let it all out. Mom always said it was bad to keep things bottled in. You can tell me what's wrong when your ready. Don't worry, Ill stay by your side. I won't leave, unless you want me to of course."

The little boy looked up from his legs and sniffled, "Do you promise not to leave me?"

Iris gave the boy a warm smile, "I promise." She brought her pinkie finger up, "How about we pinkie promise?"

The little boy looked from the pinkie to Iris before grasping her pinkie with his pinkie, cementing the promise. "My name is Marc Spector by the way."

Iris flashed him another warm smile, "Iris Spector. Nice to meet you."

From that day forward, Iris was always present, like a shadow. Marc always felt her presence, it felt like he was always wrapped in a warm, cozy blanket. Safe. As their bond grew, Iris discovered that she could create things in Marc's mind. So on top of a grassy hill that overlooked the field of flowers, Iris built their house. The house was inspired by a home she saw on HGTV. It was victorian style home with a roundabout porch. Iris dubbed the house their safe haven.

"When ever there's something you can't handle, just retreat back to our safe haven. I'll make sure to watch over you." Iris said as she gave Marc a tour of the home.

Marc held her hand as she guided him through their home. "I'll protect you too."

When they went outside, Iris leaned against the railing of the porch and looked out over the field. She breathed in the fresh air before saying, "This is what I want in the future. A safe place for us where no one can hurt us."

Marc leaned against the railing next to her, "That would be nice. Might be a little boring though."

Iris giggled and said, "like it could ever be boring when your around Marc Spector."

Marc Spector was very lonely until Iris showed up in his mind. Marc was only three when Iris was awakened for the first time. His mother was having another mental episode and he had ran up to his room to hid from her. When his mother got like this, she would become mean and sometimes physically attack Marc. So Marc hid in a small crawl space he discovered and pulled his chest of toys in front of it. He curled into a ball, silently weeping. He could here things being thrown around downstairs. Heard his mother's foot steps coming up the stairs and drawing ever closer to his room.

Marc couldn't handle this, it was too much. So he retreated into his mind where he met his safe person, Iris.

Iris took control of the body as if on instinct, just in time to here the door slam open. Iris moved the body as far back into the crawl space as she could to create more distance. Unfortunately, mother had nearly thrown the chest in her desperate search for her son, unveiling his location.

"There you are." She reached in and grabbed Marc by the leg and dragged him out. Iris tried to fight back by their mother was much bigger than them. So Iris did the only thing she could do, shield Marc from their mother. Iris took on all of it, the physical and mental abuse until their mother deemed that they had been punished enough. When the mother had finally gone from the room, Iris let the sobs she was holding in out. Why? Why was she doing this to Marc, to us, her child? Why didn't she love us?

This was too much.

Iris only let Marc take control once the body had stopped aching.

When Marc had turned four years old, a new light entered into his life, a brother. At first, he was apprehensive of this new addition to the family but soon fell in love with the idea of being someone's big brother. Mother even seemed to be healthier and happier now. She had less episodes now and the episodes weren't as violent as before.

During these times Iris was not needed often. She was still always present in Marc's mind and would come out to play sometimes. Her services were only needed if Marc was bullied too harshly or if mother had a really bad episode. Iris was content as long as Marc was safe and happy.

Everything seemed to go smoothly until Marc's tenth birthday. Marc had just finished getting dressed and noticed a present on the foot of his bed. He looked over at the full length mirror sitting next to his bed. "Is this for me? You didn't have to get me anything."

In the mirror, a now 10 year old Iris Spector smiled back at him. "Go ahead and open it. I think your really going to like your present this year."

Marc excitedly ripped open the wrapping paper and opened the box. Inside the box were figurines of the Tomb Buster main characters and a signed Tomb Buster poster. "No way!!! How did you get this?!"

"Well, remember how I had suggested we do a few extra chores to make some extra cash. Well that was because I wanted get you a really nice present for your birthday."

"Wow. Thank you Iris."

"No problem." They heard Marc's little brother call for him from downstairs. "You better go, tell Randy I said hi." Iris then faded from the mirror and went back inside the safe haven.

Wake up. Wake up. WAKE UP!!!!!! Iris was jolted awake with a force she had never felt before. Fear filled her every being. Instead of her feet hitting hard wood floors, she nearly fell into deep dark waters. Iris realized that she was not in the mental safe haven but on her bed floating in a black chasm of water.

"Marc? Marc!" She called out desperately, her cries echoing in the cavern. "What's going on? Marc please answer me!" With her cries still not being answered , Iris began to panic. What was going on? Why isn't he answering? Iris took a deep breath to calm herself, this was no time to panic. I have to take control of the body. Something is terribly wrong. Iris took another deep breath and went to take over the body from Marc. Nothing could have prepared her for what awaited her when she took over.

Randall Spector had drowned that day in the cave, and any love Wendy Spector had for her eldest son drowned along with him.

Randy's shiva was too much for Marc already, but the nasty things their mother said to him pushed him over the edge. Iris had to take over the body for the rest of the week, letting Marc rest in their recovered safe haven.

Iris was strong.

She could handle this, she has taken on the abuse from their mother before, she will do it again.

Iris wasn't prepared for just how much worse their mother got or how much Marc would retreat into his mind.

Iris was getting tired. This was becoming too much.

On Marc's twelfth birthday, he had decided to give Iris a rest. She had been fronting a lot lately as their mom had begun drinking more on top of her decreasing mental state. Marc fronted and his birthday was just as macabre as his eleventh since it was also the anniversary of Randy's death. His mother was at her worst when it got close to Randy's death date. Today was different though, mother was harsher than usual, angrier. She claimed he planned out his own brother's death and this upset him to the point that he ran to his room. He locked the door behind him.

He curled up into a ball, clutching the Tomb Buster figure Iris had gotten him two years ago. Mother came up the stairs, banging on the door trying to get in.

This was too much.

He couldn't handle this, not without Iris.

Iris was too exhausted, she could not help.

This was too much!

Steven Grant was born. A polite british boy inspired by a character in Tomb Buster. Steven Grant looked around the room, "What a mess. Better clean this up before mum sees this." Steven began to clean up the mess, not noticing the impending doom trying to get into the room.

Marc woke up in his bed in the safe haven, he looked out the window of his room and could see his new personality cleaning up. He quickly got out of bed and ran down the hall until he came face to face to Iris's bedroom door. Odd, Marc thought, Iris never shuts her door. He tried to open it but it was locked, he tried it again but with no success. He could hear the bangs on his bedroom door grow louder as his mother tried to get in. "Iris! Iris you need to wake up! There's another personality! Iris! Please we need you!!"

Marc got no response. Marc could hear his bedroom door beginning to give way. "Iris, please."

His bedroom door smashed open, revealing his mother holding a leather belt.

He couldn't handle this.

Steven was too nice and innocent, he couldn't handle this. He didn't deserve this.

Iris has disappeared, it's all up to Marc now.

He has to handle this. He has to protect them.

Marc took over the body once again and took on his mother's physical attack.

Steven Grant jolted awake, as if from a bad dream. He looked around his room, which was also not his room. What was going on? Where am I? Steven was panicking now, his breathing coming out short and labored. His chest hurt and felt like it was going to burst until he felt a familiar warmth envelope him. He instantly felt calmer and that he could breathe again.

There was a soft knock at his door. Steven hesitated for a moment but once he realized that the safe feeling was coming from the person on the other side, he let them in. A young girl stood in front of him carrying a tray of chocolate chip cookies and two glasses of milk. The girl had olive skin, dark curly hair, and beautiful hazel eyes.

"Hi, my name is Iris Spector. It's nice to meet you." Iris said as she placed the tray down on on one of the end tables.

"Oh, um hi. My name is Steven Grant with a v, nice to meet you too. Are those for me, per chance?"

Iris smiled warmly, "Of course. I brought enough to share."

"Right, thank you for the cookies but what just happened? What is happening? I'm so confused."

Iris cut right to the chase, "you were just awakened, Steven Grant, and fronted for a little bit. This may be hard to hear or believe but you are a personality that shares a body and mind with a boy named Marc Spector."

Steven looked at her like she was from another planet. "Haha, very funny. Is someone going to jump out holding a camera and yell gotcha?"

When Steven noticed that Iris still looked dead serious, he began to panic once again. "No no no no! I am me, I am Steven Grant not some guy named Marc Spector."

Iris gave him a sympathetic look, "I know it's unbelievable and a lot to take in. I know when I first woke up, I was just as confused and frightened as you are now." Iris approached him cautiously, carefully, "Just because you share a mind and body with Marc does not mean your not your own person. You are still Steven Grant with a v who loves Egyptian history and lore. Steven Grant who is sweet and kind and just so loving."

Steven looked into Iris's eyes, searching for any deception but found nothing but honesty. "How do you know so much about me?"

"I don't know. When you were awakened, it was like all your information awoke with you. Wild how the mind works."

"A bit." Steven took a bite out of a cookie and nearly melted with how good it was. "How are you able to make this in our mind? It's really good."

"I've been around for awhile so I've learned a few tricks. I actually built the house your standing in right now. The Safe Haven. A place where we can go when things out there become too much. We can also interact with each other in here as well."

"Wow, that is interesting and impressive. You must be pretty powerful if your able to do all of this."

Iris shrugged and took a bite out of her own cookie, "I just do what I need to do to make sure everyone is okay. You and Marc are my priorities."

Steven just nodded and continued to eat his cookies.

Marc was exhausted, as soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell asleep. He awoke in his bed in the Safe Haven. He heard two voices chatting away downstairs and decided to go greet them. He followed the voices to the kitchen where he was greeted by Iris and his new person, Steven Grant. Steven looked just like Marc but softer with slightly longer hair.

"Good morning or should I say good evening?" Iris greeted. "How are you holding up?

Marc was silent for a moment which made Steven a little uncomfortable. "What happened back there? When I called out to you, you didn't answer. Your door was locked, you never lock your door." Marc was hurt, he needed her and for the first time, Iris wasn't there for him. "You swore you would always be there for me."

Iris looked down, suddenly fascinated with the sleeves of her sweater. "I was exhausted, Marc. I have been fronting so much lately with no rest. Even when I'm not fronting, I have to be aware of what's going on nearly 24 hours a day. I have to be ready to jump in. What mother said to us today was just too much. It was too much."

Marc sighed, "I'm sorry. I know it's been hard on you, I shouldn't have latched out at you."

Iris looked up at him and said, "It's okay. Anyway, I think introductions are in order." Iris needed to change the conversation. "Steven Grant meet Marc Spector. Marc Spector, Steven Grant."

"Hey"

"Hi. And it's Steven with a v by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Steven with a v."

You would think that having two other people living inside your head would be problematic but Marc was grateful for them. Steven came out when Marc couldn't handle something emotionally, Marc would protect the body from physical harm, and Iris kept the system intact. Iris had begun fronting much less often, only coming out if the system was in critical condition. Marc even noticed that he felt her warmth had lessened in intensity.

Marc had started high school, which was extremely difficult because he really didn't have any friends and rumors had gotten around about his psycho mother. It was during this time he was very grateful for Iris and Steven. Marc was more of a physical person, liked more hands on activities like gym or sports. Steven was a history buff, especially when it came to Egyptian stuff, so Marc let Steven front during history and social studies. Iris, well, she was smart in almost every subject. Especially psychology and science class. So Iris fronted during those classes and Marc took on gym, reading and math. Marc was even considering trying out for the football team, anything to keep him out of the house.

They had just turned 14 and their father had taken them out to eat and to get out of the house. He said he had a big announcement for Marc so everyone was curious as to what it could be. They entered into the small diner and sat in a booth in the back corner. A waitress brought them menus and they ordered a couple of waters.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Marc asked, taking notice of his alternates presence in the reflection of the smooth wooden table.

Father took a deep breath and sat silently for a moment, staring down at his water. Marc grew anxious with every second of silence until his father finally spoke, "I'm having your mother admitted for awhile. She will only be in there until she sobers up and stabilizes. Gets the right medication."

Marc, hell, the whole system was in shock. Their father had taken a passive stance when it came to their mother's decreasing mental health. He only came around after their mother had already abused them. Offering ice and empty reassurances. He could feel Iris's anger at the whole thing, why did it take 4 whole damn years for their father to do something, anything?! Marc could feel Steven's confused feelings, one part hurt, one part angry, another part happy that his mom was finally getting help.

Father waited patiently for his son's response.

"Why did you wait til now? Mom had issues before but it got so noticeably worse after Randy died. What took you so damn long to give a damn?"

"I don't know. I guess I felt ashamed that I wasn't enough to keep my wife sane or that I was unable to protect my family. I felt that if I did this, I would be betraying your mother. I know I should have done more earlier but I'm doing something now. Can you ever forgive me my son?"

Iris looked at their father through the window of her room. As she observed him, she took notice of how frail and tired the man looked. Her anger replaced with concern and compassion. "Marc look at him. He's trying, he's opening up. Let's meet him half way."

Steven joined Iris at her window, "I agree with Iris Marc. He's our father after all."

Marc ran his hands over his face and through his hair and let a long sigh before looking his father in the eye. "It will take some time and work for us to get back to how we used to be but...this is a good first step."

They watched as their father visibly relax as some of his tension left his body. "I know it's going to take time but I'm going to work on being better father to you."

Marc just nodded in response, he wasn't one for emotional stuff. That was Iris and Steven's department. "So when do they come to get her?"

"Actually, she's already at the facility. They took her this morning after you left for school. I didn't want you to have to see your mother being dragged away like that."

"Yeah I don't think I could have handled that mate." Steven said from the reflection in the table.

"Thanks dad." Marc said. The waitress returned once she sensed the conversation had rested to get their orders. Marc and their spent the rest of that night catching up.

The system was now 16 years old. Life had settled and they were thriving. Their mother had been in the facility for 2 years now and they only went to see her on holidays. The visits were more due to Steven and their father's insistence. Their mother did seem to be getting better, especially now that she's sober but the doctors say she's still a danger. Marc didn't know when she was going to be let out but a deep dark part of him hoped she never did.

Marc fronted for majority of the time, only taking a back seat during classes that he had no interest in. Marc had even tried out for the football team and was picked for the team. With the threat of his mother out of his life for now, Marc could focus on being a teenager. Marc had made a few friends once he joined the football team and even asked a girl out to prom. Despite this, Marc still had a few bullies due to his Jewish heritage and humble home life.

It was during one of these encounters that Iris had noticed that the system kept blacking out and coming to surrounded by badly beaten bullies. She asked Marc and Steven about this but they had no idea either. Iris was starting to suspect that the other person who was laying in the field with her all those years ago might be the one responsible. Iris kept this to herself though, she didn't want to bring it up with out probably cause. The last thing Marc and Steven needed was to worry about a fourth and rather violent personality. So Iris sat back and waited for the next encounter with the bigoted bullies, Iris wasn't going to black out this time. She was going to catch this fourth personality.

Iris didn't have to wait long, a few weeks after getting their asses kicked they were back for revenge. Iris felt uneasy the moment the group had backed them into an alleyway, spouting their antisemitic bullshit. Her worry amplified as she saw that the leader was brandishing a hunting knife. "Marc! We need to get out of here. It's four against one and they have weapons. I don't like this."

"There's no where for me to go, I'm gonna have to fight us out of here. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you guys."

The leader sent his goons to fight ahead of him, watching from behind. Marc was a lot stronger now and had taken to boxing on the football off season. These goons were easy enough to deal with, most of them were suburban brats rebelling against their parents or some shit. Iris was right there keeping her eye out for anything suspicious they might try and for their mysterious fourth personality. Marc was currently fighting one of the bigger dudes in the group, when something shiny caught Iris's attention. Iris's eyes widened, "Marc watch out!" Iris took over the body just in time for the knife to stab them in the bicep.

"Shit" Iris spat as she jumped away from the guy clutching their bloody bicep. "This is bad."

"Iris, déjame tomar el control."

Iris gripped her arm tighter, "Only if you promise to keep me awake and to tell me who you are after this."

There was silence and Iris worried that he had retreated again or was just going to make her black out but then she heard him say, "Si te lo prometo hermosa."

"Okay, I'll give you control. I'll be right beside you the whole time."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, mi amore"

Iris smirked at him, "Give em hell. Don't leave any of these fuckers standing." Iris let go of the body and handed it over to the stranger.

He smiled menacingly and if looks could kill, those bullies would have dropped dead where they stood. "con mucho gusto."

Iris watched as he took down the bullies with a gruesome elegance. She should probably be scared or worried that someone like him has been living in the shadows of their mind. Iris should be giving him a wide girth but he intrigued her. How was he able to hide from her for so long? Iris was the system and the system was her. Nothing got past her, but he did. He was like a more violent version of Marc and far removed from sweet Steven. If Iris had to guess, he was probably the personification of Marc's anger, sadness, and hatred.

After he took down the goons, he approached the leader. The leader was sniveling, snotty mess as he backed away from "Marc" until he was backed against the alley wall. "Marc" snatched the knife from the bastard. The leader fell to his knees, begging for his life, apologizing profusely and promising to leave him alone. "Marc" towered over him before crouching in front of him. He ran the knife over the guy's neck, not enough to kill him just to scare him. He could feel Iris on the edge of his mind, like a warm and cozy blanket. Safe, is what it felt like. Don't kill him, it will not end well for us.

He hurt you, I can't let that go.

I didn't say you couldn't hurt him, just please don't kill him. Marc and Steven will not be able to handle it if they think they killed someone.

Fine. I won't kill him.

"Marc" removed the knife from his neck but before he could feel an ounce of relief, the knife was plunged deep into his bicep. The leader screamed out in agony. "You come after me again, the knife goes through your heart."

"Marc" exited the alleyway and headed home. The body needed a rest and he needed a smoke. Thank you for keeping me awake.

"no es problema."

So what's your name?

"Jake Lockley at your service."

Its nice to meet you Jake Lockley

Notes:

Thank you so much for reading!!! See you next time!!!