Steven feeling bashful that he's got a crush on Layla, scared Marc will be angry again. But Marc and Layla reassure him they care about him and Layla returns his feelings. Fluffiness
Platonic Marc & Steven, Romantic Layla/Steven
Steven and Marc had a system, even when one was in control the other was always present, the feeling of knowing they were still there even when they altered roles. Always looking out for the other, always protecting the other from danger, giving advice when needed. Leaving notes when the other needed reminding of something, making sure the other was safe. Acting as a comfort, knowing they were never truly alone, both acting as a protector to the other, the closest friend they had. Always looking out for the other, knowing when something was wrong. They had become better at communicating with the other, respecting boundaries. which caused them worry when one was too quiet for too long. Steven had become quieter than usual lately, when Marc tried speaking to him, Steven had become less responsive. No matter how much he tried to reach out, no matter how much he tried to connect to him, nothing was working. Slowly becoming detached and distant, like he was putting up walls and shutting the door in Marc's face, telling him to leave him alone. He was always present, but he locked his words away, something troubling him, consuming him, gnawing away at him. Like he was watching as an outsider, merely observing Marc's life as a bystander. But Steven refused to inform him of what was upsetting him, no matter how much Marc tried to coax it out of him he refused to speak.
Marc knew Steven was shy, he was socially awkward, nervous and at times sarcastic, but he was a kind natured person. He wasn't as good at conveying his emotions, causing frustration and often resorting to sarcasm to get his point across. He couldn't blend into crowds like Marc could, he couldn't form bonds like Marc could. But when he was upset, he withdrew into himself, forming a shield that even Marc had trouble lowering. He found himself restless, irritable, worried about what he'd done or said that might have upset Steven, whether he'd forgotten something important. Trying to probe answers out of Steven and finding himself hitting an endless wall. But Steven would have hinted, left a note, he would have given him a hint as to what the problem was.
Layla had picked up on this, she knew how close they were and how much they trusted one another, they had been intertwined in one another's lives for years. The small mannerisms and behavioural patterns that made them so different. Steven was sensitive, more so than Marc, he didn't have a bad bone in his entire body; he wore his heart on his sleeve and was always there for others. Doting on both Marc and Layla, making sure they were always cared for. But recently, there was less presence of him in their lives, less reminders of his existence than his mere belongings. Steven had relented into becoming a distant background figure, avoiding them both. She had become rather fond of Steven and had come to care for him as Marc had, worming his way into her heart. She could speak to him without judgement or hesitation, knowing Steven would merely listen to her, allow her to vent and speak where he felt comfortable and helped support her. She'd come home to her favourite meals, a warm bath and presents more times than she could count from Steven. He was a natural romantic. "Have you had an argument?" she questioned, she knew they couldn't avoid one another due to sharing a body, forced to cohabitate and give one another space in their own way. Sometimes Marc's temper could upset Steven, due to acting before thinking, causing Marc to feel guilty for using Steven as a scapegoat when he was irritable.
Marc shook his head, conflict filling his features as he tried to contemplate the reasoning behind Steven's actions. Nothing was coming to mind which caused his frustration to deepen, the more he wracked his brain the less answers he had. "No... nothing... I don't get it, I don't understand why..." he pressed, fear lingering in his tone. Remembering the fear of possibly losing Steven during their near death experience, when Harrow shot them and they met Tawaret. When he realised how much he needed Steven, how much they needed each other. The loneliness he felt without Steven, it was a feeling he never wanted to experience again, fearing his life without the softer brit.
"Is he upset?" Layla asked, she knew Steven was very sensitive, due to being bullied, scapegoated and ignored in the past, by his coworkers and Khonshu; often undermined or underestimated. She knew he would close in on himself, avoiding further hostility until someone apologised or he felt like showing his face again.
Marc nodded, but that was the part he couldn't understand, what was the cause of Steven's distress? Desperately trying to find a solution. "Yeah, but I don't know why? He keeps shutting me out" he huffed, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. Trying to find the endless answers, endless possibilities, but he was drawing a blank, nothing was coming to mind. He would never be able to make up with Steven if he didn't know the root cause.
Layla softened, clearly Marc wasn't going to get anywhere if this kept up, he would just keep hitting a wall and keep feeling worse. They would keep going around in circles, Steven was avoiding Marc so no matter how much he tried he wouldn't speak to him. So long as Marc was the one trying to reach out, so long as he was the one pushing Steven to answer, he would keep drawing blanks. "Let me talk to him" she suggested, she was someone Steven trusted and cared for, she was someone familiar. They had a lot in common and she had become protective over Steven, he was more approachable and mature than Marc at the best of times. Steven would listen to her. This was the only way they had a chance of finding out why Steven was upset, why Steven wasn't speaking to them.
Marc shifted, contemplating whether this was a good idea, what did he have to lose? He didn't want to involve Layla in this, she was blameless and she hadn't done anything wrong. Usually he and Steven handled this between them without question. Layla had been a huge help to them when they were fighting Harrow for the scarab, trying to prevent him from summoning Ammitt. Steven had come to find comfort in Layla, able to be himself and show her his interests, hobbies and resourcefulness. Steven wasn't answering him, but maybe he would answer to Layla. Marc sighed, relenting, giving Steven control, his eyes rolling back as his features became softer, less hardened, giving Steven control. He wasn't going to switch back until Steven opened up about his feelings.
Steven blinked, his doe brown eyes wandering around the room as he realised where he was, feeling as though he'd just woken up from a long dream. He'd been content with just hiding, enjoying his own company, brewing in his feelings. Then he was ripped from the silence into the world again. What? He was in control? How? He'd hidden for so long and let Marc do as he pleased. Why was he summoned? Were they in danger? Had something happened?
Layla softened, she would know those baby brown eyes anywhere, that bashful nervous nature, Steven was back. The way Marc's hardened, skeptical and hardened gaze shifted into gentle, curious and warm features revealing their shift in alters. It felt like an eternity since she had seen him, realising she'd missed him. She had never been more relieved to see anyone, holding back the urge to scoop him into her arms and smother him. Not wanting to scare him. "Hey Steven" she smiled fondly, taking him in before he may possibly vanish on her again.
Steven blinked, realising Layla was sitting nearby, her hands clasped nervously on her nap, oh bollocks. Her gentle brown eyes, the softness of how her curls framed her face, the warmth of her smile, the way she dipped her head when she was nervous. His cheeks flushing pink as he nervously avoided her gaze, licking his lips. His heart was going a mile a minute, his hands clammy from nervousness "Uh... hi... um... why? Why did Marc" he stammered.
Layla softened, she hated seeing Steven so twitchy, his eyes filled with anxiety and hesitation, as if he was going to be scolded for something. Like he was being pranked or teased. He was scared to be present, scared to be the one in control, like he was trying so hard to revert control back to Marc. She didn't want him to leave, she wanted him to stay "Marc and I were worried about you, you've been distancing yourself" she explained. Like he was upset with them, like he was hiding from them, she didn't want him to handle his feelings on his own. He needed to tell her what was wrong, he needed to speak to them.
Steven softened, guilt twisting in his gut as he clenched his hands, they knew, well Marc did but he had forgotten why. Remembering when they were back in Cairo in Alexander's tomb, fighting against Harrow. When she had leaned into him, when she pressed herself to him and breathed in his scent. Leaning into him to kiss him before he spewed word vomit. How much he had wanted to kiss her, how much he'd wanted to touch her, a gorgeous woman standing in front of him. "I... um..." he stammered, how could he tell her, how could he possibly say it? What about Marc? They had finally accepted each other, forming a bond where they worked together. No longer shutting the other out, aware of their presence. He'd already kissed her, acting on his attraction to Layla, making it known how much he wanted her, albeit awkwardly. The way he looked at her, heart eyes, as if she was the moon itself, the epitome of heart eyes and smitten. He couldn't hide how much he loved Layla, how deeply she had become woven into him, that he couldn't imagine another moment without her. He'd been so lonely, he'd had nobody, coping with his own company and trying to find ways to pass the time. How safe he felt around her, knowing she praised his intellect, saw him as reliable, supported him. Showed him kindness, sincerity and tenderness. He knew she liked him too, from how flirty she was, how his more calm nature brought out her dominant side. The smirks she gave him when he said something clever or intellectual, in awe of how resourceful Steven actually was. The way he stumbled over his words and avoided eye contact shyly, playing with his fingers. How he was always just in awe of her and she found his boyish nature endearing. How could he tell them both he was hopelessly in love with Marc's wife? A married woman?
Layla reached out to squeeze his hands, grounding him, comforting him. Steven had been through a lot, from realising he was created as an alter when Marc was a child to protect himself from his trauma and abuse. When he accepted that Khonshu despised him while he favoured Marc. Steven had never known any friends, he'd never been on an actual date before. She could sense he was attracted to her, the way his heart skipped a beat, dilated pupils and sweaty hands. "Steven, I've accepted you, Marc did too, we love you. I'm part of both of your lives" she soothed. Steven was like the younger brother Marc lost and had regained, his closest confidant, his best friend. Steven was everything she hoped Marc would be, romantic, sweet, dorky and patient.
Marc sighed, he knew he was hard on Steven, unfairly so sometimes, but he did care about him. He'd begun to realise the traits he'd been frustrated with from Steven were in fact admirable. Steven was resourceful, resilient, charming and endearing, how anyone could hate him was beyond him. "Don't hide from us Steven, please" he begged, he'd spent so many years being unfair and pushy with Steven, he deserved better than that.
Steven shifted, he felt like he was intruding on something where he didn't belong, but he couldn't deny how he felt about Layla. The natural chemistry and attraction they shared, that playful smirk she would give him that made his knees go weak. When he kissed her he felt electric run through him. "I shouldn't... it's wrong" he mumbled, he shouldn't have such thoughts about her, have such feelings towards her. How much he cared about them both, Marc was family, Layla was his crush. But he couldn't hide how much he'd fallen in love with Layla, the butterflies she gave him. "You're Marc's wife, but I... I fell for you anyway... like a bloody idiot" he huffed, this was a line he shouldn't have crossed. At the time he kissed her, not only because he was attracted to her, but because he wanted to spite Marc for being such as ass to him. But over time he had come to truly care for her, he came to see how affected she was by her father's passing, how Marc cutting himself off from her didn't protect her. That Marc needed her, they worked well as a team and they truly loved one another. He hated seeing her upset, angry and hurt. He wanted to make her smile, he wanted to make her happy.
Layla blushed, her eyes widening, she knew Steven had feelings for her but she never realised he'd fallen in love with her too. Marc had later explained that she was the first woman Steven had ever interacted with, which explained his awkwardness around her. Oh... so that was why he was avoiding them. It was somehow adorable and endearing, knowing he was so bashful as to admit he was in love with her that he hid like a small child.
"Marc got so angry with me when I kissed you in Cairo, I just... I can't help it. You accepted us, you're so sweet to me... you're the first person to be kind to me" he mumbled. He remembered Marc briefly taking control to punch him in the face as payback for Steven kissing her. She understood their situation, their cycle, their system, if one of them went missing for a while she understood why. Layla respected his boundaries, she comforted him when he was upset, she found his rambling endearing. Everyone else in his life had treated him as a parasite, an eyesore, like he didn't matter. Layla saw him as a dork, intelligent and sweet. Marc softened, realising how his actions had hurt Steven even with the best intentions, he tried to allow Steven a dating life and failed miserably. His missions with Khonshu and fronting causing gaps in Steven's life so his job and relationships were a mess. Steven had never had anyone to speak to, no explanations for the odd occurrences in his life. Feeling like he was going insane with the memory gaps because he had no idea Marc even existed. Then Steven became attached to Layla as a consequence, a beautiful, fiery, intelligent woman who was his complete opposite. Even he could sense their chemistry, the smiles and glances that Layla gave him, she truly cared about Steven. "Marc loves you, he really does...but so do I, I shouldn't. I just... I feel like I'm stealing you" he muttered. He didn't want to act as a wedge between their relationship, he didn't want to instigate anything. So he held back on his ever growing feelings for her, just so he could keep the peace.
Layla's eyes filled with tenderness and patience, cupping Steven's face fondly to caress his cheeks, he looked so vulnerable, so scared, his heart on his sleeve. She wondered if Steven had ever experienced love before, even so much as a crush before her. How many people had misunderstood him before she came into his life. Steven was such a sweet and endearing person, naturally charming and perfect. Back in Cairo, finding the tomb, that was Steven's first real kiss with a woman, the first time he'd ever acted on his attraction to someone. He wanted more from her, he wanted to love her, have a relationship with her but he was scared to act on it. She stroked his face, sensing him relax under her touch, his brown eyes endlessly soft and calm, knowing she was soothing him. Before she leaned in close, her lips pressing against his, she was so happy to see him again. She hated knowing he felt guilt for something that was beyond his control. He was always so much softer than Marc, letting her take the lead, he tasted like honey and fresh tea. She felt the soft bristle of his skin under her hands, the same scent she had come to love. Steven blushed, his cheeks darkening as he leaned into her, he wasn't used to Layla taking the lead but he had no complaints. How she so easily closed the gap, confidently acting on her feelings. Their first kiss had been more awkward, rushed, short for time as they were seeking a tomb. But now they could take their time, enjoy the moment and just enjoy one another. This felt right, sweet, tender, awkward, no interventions, no interruptions. She smelled so sweet, perfume wafting from her, leaning into her before he could stop himself, she was just so enticing. Layla pulled away softy, her forehead resting against Steven's still cupping his cheeks. She could feel him shaking under her hands, his nervousness was endearing and only made her want to kiss him more. "I'm a big girl Steven, I can do what I want. I love Marc, I still do... but... I have feelings for you too, Marc knows it too. They're just... different" Layla revealed. The reasons she loved Steven were different from Marc's, the feelings she held for Steven were different, but she still loved them equally.
Steven's doe eyes bored into her, still nervous but loving "But..." he trailed off. He would never make her choose, he knew there was no need for them to choose, but he still had reservations. The way she touched him, the way she instantly calmed him. She made him feel so whole, so happy, he never wanted this feeling to end.
Layla hushed him, preventing word vomit from ruining the moment, hoping he would understand. "I'm Marc's wife but... we're dating and I can't deny how I feel about you...how we feel about each other so... I guess... girlfriend is a better term?" she smiled. They were involved, they were lovers and they had feelings for one another, so they were dating. But their relationship was different to hers and Marc's, but that was how it was supposed to be. She was in love with Marc for being who he was, and she loved Steven for being who he was. She loved them individually. She wanted to be with Steven as much as she wanted to be with Marc and that would never change. Steven blushed, in all his years, he never saw that in his future, for someone to be so devotedly smitten with him, to find him endearing. She wasn't ashamed of being with him, she didn't make excuses and she didn't lie to him. Layla was open of her attraction to him and he often caught her watching him, gazing at him with a catlike nature, her eyes filled with mischief. He had a girlfriend, it was so funny to realise this was his reality, a boyish excitement filling him. Mentally screaming for joy and kicking his legs.
"It's ok Steven, she loves you, you're safe with us" Marc soothed, he'd been cruel to Layla and he'd seen that, she deserved better and she had deserved that explanation. He loved Layla and he was taking the time to apologise and repair their relationship, acting as a married couple and partners in crime. But Steven was patient, kind, understanding, he helped Layla overcome her hardships, supported her, they had mutual hobbies. He learned to be better because of Steven, how to be a better partner while helping Steven gain his own confidence. Seeing how happy Layla and Steven were together, he couldn't deny their relationship, both of them loved her for different reasons. Steven shouldn't feel guilt for falling for Layla, nor should Marc see Steven as a rival when he'd been treated so poorly to begin with. They could communicate and balance out this relationship on their terms.
Steven softened, Marc's confirmation and soothing words easing any reservations he still had. Marc had given him the acceptance to court and date Layla, no longer trying to come between them. He was safe, they accepted him and he was loved. Now he had a beautiful woman sitting in front of him, watching him fondly under her curls and gazing at him like he was sunshine. He hesitated, his eyes never leaving Layla's, his heart still hammering in his chest. Leaning into Layla, this time placing his hand on her neck to support her chin as he kissed her. Closing his eyes as he enjoyed the kiss, forgetting why he was ever scared. Layla smiled against his lips, still cupping his face, humming to herself as Steven accepted her. Steven was so sweet, she couldn't imagine her life without either of them; her boys.