Originally posted on AO3. Currently crossposting all my fics from there.
Originally written for AUgust Day 2.
"...So that's what you think."
The Maker stared at the creature in front of them. The Employer stared back.
"I see."
"...So will you help me?" The Employer sounded determined.
"You must understand that, if I do, you will have to pay a great price."
"I know. I am ready for it."
"You will have to take a different form."
"Yes. It is another reason why I'm asking for your help." He sighed, and added: "You created them. Make me like them."
"I will. But, you must understand, you cannot die. If you do... or if for, whatever reason, you were at risk of it..."
The Employer raised an non existent eyebrow.
"I cannot change your true nature. It will still exist, deep inside you. It won't be perceived by them, do not worry. But, given the circumstances explained, it can be exposed."
"I see. I will be careful."
"...This is a great change. And it may change you in ways that you are not expecting."
"...It is what it is."
"You are committed to it."
The Employer sighed again.
"You have seen, too, the way the Auditor has been behaving. I cannot allow that to continue. And..." He inhaled. "He won't listen. No matter what I say or do. And no one else is worried. They don't see it. They don't... understand." He sounded tired. "It's because of him. For his influence. For what he thinks. But he's intent of blaming that mortal."
"I am aware of that."
"And you are aware, too, of what his obsession will bring."
"Unfortunately."
The Employer shook his head.
"None of us can stop the coming of the madness up ahead. But it will not last forever, either. Or, at least, I hope I can bring an end to it with time. And..." He exhaled. "I cannot do it. Not... in this form."
"But you can as a mortal?"
"Yes. Or... at least help in some way."
"...I understand."
The Maker looked at the Employer, feeling sad for him. The path up ahead of him would be difficult. And... he would lose everything he'd know so far. But... he was right, too. And, like the god he was, he loved Nevada, the place he had taken care of for so long.
The Maker knew it was time.
"I will help."
The Employer nodded.
"I am ready."
And so, Ghoul was no more god.
"...That was interesting decision that you took."
Doc felt the definitely judgmental gaze of The Maker.
"What other option there was? He's the only one that can stop the Auditor and his acolytes."
"And that was the only reason for his revival?"
Doc was now judging the Maker back.
"What are you implying?"
"I am saying that becoming a mortal has changed you a great deal. As you were expecting, of course."
"Correct. But I do retain my intelligence and judgment, I believe."
"I agree. I am simply trying to understand your motivations."
"And I already told you what they were. I do not see why I must be interrogated further."
"..."
The Maker and Doc stared at each other.
"...I see." The God finally said.
Doc relaxed.
"I will simply add, I did not mean to imply your judgment had been clouded."
Doc raised an eyebrow.
"Then what were you saying?"
"I was just... curious about your... relationship with that individual."
"Ah."
Doc felt grateful for his mask hiding his now blushing face.
"Well. Ahem. That's private matters."
"I see."
"...I can tell you that I am more attached to him than other mortals, yes."
"...I see. Good for you."
This was a conversation that Doc definitely did not want to be having.
"...Anyway. I have more work to do. If you excuse me."
Doc left the strange, floating place, waving his goodbyes to an recently arrived Gambler.
"...Hm."
"Is something of your concern, Maker?" The Gambler said.
"Not of "concern", exactly. But I am curious of the effects of mortality on gods."
"As frequently, I do not know what you're talking about."
"Ah. Nothing is wrong, not immediately, at least."
"...That doesn't sound reassuring. Or does. I don't know."
"Let's say there might be something I will have to consider."
"Something I will, do, or have been concerned about?"
"...Correct."
"Understood."
And with that, they both nodded at each other, contemplating.
"Why didn't you tell me!?"
Doc stared furiously at The Maker. They stared back, unmoving.
"You knew it. I know that you did. But you didn't tell me. Why?"
"Is that truly the only thing you want to know?"
"Of course not!" Doc moved around, angrily waving his hands. "This changes everything, and you know it!"
"Does it?"
"Of course it does!" Doc shouted, trembling in anger. "You know in how much danger they are almost daily! All this time, and they- I- could have been exposed! We're lucky it happened when the cameras had been burned! If not, the Auditor would've been trying to kill me already!"
"I think you are misjudging things."
"AM I!?"
"Please." The Maker out their hands in front of them. "This yelling is unnecessary."
"IT'S NOT! MY KIDS- MY LITTLE CHILDREN- THEY'RE EMPLOYERS!" Doc screamed the last word at the top of his lungs. The Maker felt thankful this place was securely hidden away from the Machine, as the once god yell felt strong enough to be heard from all Nevada.
"And I don't even know how! They're not even- I'm not- I'm not even their biological father! How is this even possible? How- Why-"
The Maker raised a hand. Doc looked at them furious.
"...I understand this upset you."
"You think!?"
"But I do not- I did not- Meant any harm by not telling you of this."
"You might have not." He scoffed. "But you still did."
"I know. I apologize."
"It's not enough. My kids- What am I even supposed to do now?" He passed a hand through his hair. "Not even Sam will understand why they cannot risk anything from now on, and JD-" He let a bitter laugh. "...There has never been a way to stop them. How am I supposed to-" Tears started coming out of his eyes. "I don't know what to do. I don't- I don't know anymore."
"...I'm sorry." The Maker looked genuinely remorseful. "I did not think it would affect you like this. But it did. And so- I am sorry."
"That-That doesn't-"
"Fix it. I know."
Doc passed a hand through his face.
"...I just... What am I supposed to do now?"
"...While that's an important conversation to have, is that truly the first one you want to have?"
"...No. I guess not."
"Alright."
Doc inhaled and exhaled a few times.
"How... did it happen?"
"I am not quite sure myself. I can only approximate an idea."
"Which is?"
"As you know, your nature is unchanged. And so, so is the connection that you forge with individuals."
"...The bond. The bond that connects us all. You are saying that, because my part of the bond is still godly..."
"So it became the one from those you consider your descendants, yes. It altered their nature as well."
"..."
Doc closed his eyes. He had suspected it, but... Getting the confirmation from them that he had changed his kids was almost too much.
"...What is your next question."
Doc sighed.
"Why... didn't you tell me?"
"I... could not be sure."
Doc stared at him, skeptical.
"I know what you think. But what you did was unprecedented. There was no telling of how it would affect them."
"But you knew it could change them."
"...Yes. Once again, I apologize for not sharing that. I... believed it better for you not to be worried of could-bes."
"That's not a decision for you to make."
The Maker shook their head.
"You are forgetting that, for the nature of what am I and what I know, I cannot share it all with you. As you cannot, or could not, share you own knowledge with mortals. They are not equipped to understand it."
"..."
Doc knew they were right. It... felt strange, to him, to remember his past, and to realize once more how much mortality and the life he built for himself had changed him.
"...You're right. But...I would like to know things that can affect my family. At least... that."
"I can tell you that much, yes."
"...Thank you."
"So. What is your next inquiry?"
Doc thought about it.
"...How is this going to affect them, going forward?"
"You all managed to figure out a way to transform them back to their grunt forms, yes?"
"Yes. But..." Doc gestured tired. "...How are they going to grow up? How..." He shook his head. "Us Employers are created by The Machine as we are. We came to this world equipped with the knowledge to do what we were made for. There has never been... anything like my kids."
"That is correct. And... I'm afraid that your knowledge of this particular subject is, truth be told, greater than mine."
Doc stared.
"So you don't know what will happen to them?"
"As far as I can see, their growth should not be impacted. Their bodies are normal."
"I know that, too. I already did a check up on them, when they transformed back."
"...Yes. And I am afraid that is the only thing I know."
Doc sighed.
"So we're in the dark, then."
"I'm afraid so."
Doc passed a hand through his hair.
"...Alright. For the sake of the next question, let's assume we are correct in thinking that they will grown normally."
"Alright."
"...What do... we do now? If they're exposed, we will face severe consequences."
"I'm afraid so."
"So... what? What am I... we... supposed to do now?"
"...You said that you could not convince them to be more careful."
Doc snorted.
"You had a hand in their creation. You know as well as I do there's nothing I can do or say to make them stop into getting into trouble. Sam has more sense, but they want to kept their little sibling safe, and they're also just a kid. And JD..." He rolled his eyes. "I think even Hank might be less ready to jump into action than them." He shrugged. "I can explain a bit to them, the dangers posed by their exposure. I know Sam is more interested into learning about this all. But... I do not believe it will actually do much."
"...I see."
They both stayed silent for a moment.
"...So. What now?"
"...I am afraid I do not know either."
Doc stared.
"You seriously have no idea?"
"You know as well as I do that here, in the madness, things are not as they were once."
"I'm aware."
"Improbable things are a daily occurrence now. And... I do not know anymore what will happen to anyone. Not even I."
"..."
Doc inhaled and exhaled once more. Then, he took a decision.
"So we do what we've been doing so far. We keep working, Hank keeps training them... And we prepare for the possibility of a reveal."
"...Yes. That is, I suppose, the only true option."
Doc nodded.
"Will you be ready, then? If you have to face them, again?"
Doc closed his eyes for a moment, but then nodded again.
"Yes. Things have changed, for me. ...I changed, too. I am not the same I was back then. And if I have to face the Auditor again as how I was... Then, this time, I know I won't be alone."
The Maker seemed pleased.
"Good. Then I will be ready, too, for what the Machine will do when it finds out I changed its creation."
Doc smiled.
"It's not gonna be happy."
The Maker smiled back.
"Not at all. But we will be prepared."
"That's a promise."