Closed starter for @odditymuse âĽ
Whether this is a good idea, all things considered, Marc isn't too sure about. Perhaps he should think about this for a bit longer, collect all the fucking pro's and con's, just to be on the safe side.
Thing is, however, there's no time for him to do such, this moment the only opportunity he might be able to get in his entire damn life. Negotiating with Khonshu is... basically impossible, all things considered; The vulture had saved his life once and keeps bragging about it. The only way to get out of this is to remind that bird about what they'd agreed on - once this is over, he gets to be free.
---This, however, can possibly be bend and shaped into a new freedom now, with Steven and him having saved the god's life this time. Freed him from confines made of stone to forever be banished. He's here again instead and Ammit's gone, Harrow a mere husk of a shell - they've done it, things have been dealt with.
"Alright, Khonshu.", Marc says, lips pressed into a thin line as he breathes, head tilting to glance up at the god of the moon with determination written into his dark eyes. "About our deal..."
Khonshu stares at him but says nothing. He's waiting, and Marc swallows as he takes another shuddering breath.
"As agreed on, I want me - us - to be freed from our agreement. But---" There it comes, and the damn vulture doesn't even seem to be surprised, "---Terms have shifted a bit, didn't they? We saved your ass this time, Khonshu. That one wasn't included. Means I get to wish for something on top of everything."
---That's... not how it works. But Marc doesn't mind. He's making the rules now while sweating and recovering from the fight that has happened mere seconds ago; His bandage-wrapped hand comes up to brush a few locks of hair out of his forehead, sticky and oily, he needs a fucking shower.
"Free both of us from your service, and separate us."
Khonshu would blink if he could, Marc knows, and the bird lets out a low hum - much less taken-aback than expected. That now surprises Marc a bit and he swallows again, stern.
"The Duat gave you ideas, Marc Spector." There's mockery lingering in the vulture's rumbling voice but Marc does not care about that, simply lifts his chin higher in what can possibly be taken as some sort of defiance; He snorts, shakes his head for a second.
"Yeah - actually, it did." No need to lie at this point. "Opened my eyes quite well, all things considered - before we came back to save your ass ... and the entire world on top of it. You're welcome."
Silence stretches for a moment before Marc shifts his stance a bit, weight from one leg onto the other, hands curling into tight fists.
"I repeat: I want Steven to have his own body. He deserves to live his own life and do to whatever he pleases without me being in the way." One reason. The other is that Marc could... see him. Touch him, perhaps, if Steven would like that. Have him there as a real person rather than someone trapped inside his body.
But also, Steven just deserves to do whatever he wants, to be himself. He's fought so hard, did so much for Marc in the end; He does not want the other to forever be just a part of him - he wants Steven to be... happy.
Khonshu tilts his head, then hums out another low sound. He takes a step closer, intimidating and assessing, as the hollow sockets stare daggers through Marc's existence. More moments pass and part of Marc gets ready for the whole begging-thing, because apparently that's what he needs to do.
He would do anything for Steven at this point.
But then, Khonshu lifts his staff---
"So it shall be, then." Surprisingly easy-going, no objection coming from his side; Marc wonders why that is, there must be a catch somewhere no? Khonshu wouldn't just give them both up like this, or? But... well, maybe he's wrong - maybe it can be this easy. Maybe this is it, finally, maybe this will be his - their - chance to---
Everything turns white all of a sudden and Marc's thoughs turn blank.
... When he blinks his eye's open, he's surrounded by... softness. Pillows against the back of his head, a thick blanket and comforter thrown over his frame. He blinks again, gaze a little bit blurry, as if he'd been deep asleep; Then he stares up at the wood above the bed...
Steven's bed. He's lying in Steven's bed.
"---Huh." Again, Marc blinks - surprised - as he sits up slowly, gaze trailing along what's in front of him; Steven's messy apartment, stacks of books and papers and paperweights and... god, all of it. So much of it. It looks even more impressive from where he is now - Marc usually does not really wake up in Steven's bed, so... this is new.
"...Fuck.", he huffs, brings a hand up to his features, palm rubbing against his forehead, cheeks, closed eyelids. What happened? Did... did they do it? Did he do it?!
"...Steven?", he asks, a mumble beneath his own breath - eyes remaining closed as he sits there, back curved, leaning forward slightly as both hands now rub all over his face, through his hair. He somewhat expects Steven to be inside his mind - what if Khonshu didn't pull through with that deal, what if they aren't separated...?
"---Steven, bud, you there?"
Fuck, he's got the most massive headache he's ever had in his entire life, he thinks - his brain feels like it's going to explode all over the place.
