Voice in My Head (or what we did on our holidays)

Chapter 5

Summary: In which it is Marc and Steven's turn to have a little chat.

Marc Spector flopped back onto the hotel bed, still clutching the burner phone he had just wrestled from his own other hand. He didn't like taking control of the body against Steven's will. Regardless of the way Khonshu thought of Steven, Marc couldn't see him as just a disposable vessel. Steven was a person. A kind, funny man who just lit up when he talked about the things that interested him most. Talented, too, and dedicated to his studies, even if he didn't have a job that appreciated that knowledge.

Now Steven was furious with him. He was completely silent inside their mind, but Marc found himself struggling to take deep, even breaths. Sighing, he turned his head towards the travel alarm clock, only to catch a faint image of Steven's face in the glass.

"Look, Steven, it's not like I don't want you to have friends..."

"I'm not taling to you! And, and, how would you know we're just friends? And I'm not talking to you!"

Steven's reflection turned away from him, lower lip quivering as he no doubt attempted to maintain his silence.

"When you, when we, get...involved with people, we don't just tie ourselves down, we put people we...care about in danger."

"Give me my body back, you ice-cold commitment-phobe!"

The reflection glitched, vanished, and Steven sat up on the bed, ruffling his hair back to his idea of normal with a whine of frustration.

It had been like this in the cafe in London. Every windowpane, every teaspoon, even the swirling surface of his cup of coffee had shown him his own face, but not. Marc. Mouthing at him to stop telling Eddie too much. Crossing his arms at the wrists across his chest. No, no, no. All Steven had wanted was to share his troubles with a handsome tourist. It was pretty sad that he was getting so excited about a listening ear that wasn't painted gold, and a soft pair of lips that smiled and tried to offer advice. Steven hadn't wanted more than that, had he?

Marc made a scoffing sound in his head, causing Steven to jump up and rush to the bathroom mirror.

Marc tidied their hair before Steven could stop him, grabbing at his arm and slapping the fussing hand away.

"Yeah, right, you weren't thinking about kissing that guy at all. It's practically tragic how touch-starved you are. I thought you were going to jump him right there when he wrote on your hand."

Steven glared at his debonair reflection.

"Whose bloody fault is that, then? It's not like you let me actually date anyone. I am literally chained to my bed alone every night because of you!"

Marc's eyes flashed.

"Not now, and not HIM!"

"Oh don't tell me I'm possessed by a homophobe!"

"Fuck no, Steven, I don't care what gets you off, it's just..."

"What? You don't fancy him? He's bloody gorgeous! You know what, I don't care! I'll date him while you put your bloody fingers in your ears and hum."

"It's not that dating him drags me along like a spare dick, it's the baggage he brings to the party."

"What?" Spluttered Steven.

"I did try to warn you. That guy is Eddie Brock, investigative journalist. He's looking for a story, not a boyfriend."

"I know what he does-but he's not like that."

"It's not just that...Khonshu says he's dangerous."

"Oh, so Khonshu doesn't like him now? I'm supposed to listen to my imaginary friend's imaginary friend? Perhaps it's time we booked into the nuthouse? I'll make the call and reserve us a nice, soft room."

Steven was yelling, now, and Marc-in-the-mirror looked ready to lose his temper.

"Khonshu says Eddie has another being inside him!" Marc blurted out in a rush.

Steven was grippping the sides of the sink, head hanging down as he attempted to calm himself enough to reply.

"Like, Eddie's an avatar of some dusy old minor god too? What are the odds of that?"

Steven shook his head in disbelief.

"No. Khonshu would know if it was like that. I get the feeling he doesn't have the words to describe what Eddie has."

"Well that's just great isn't it Ask him to try. Go on. Have a go."

"Khonshu says it is something older than the gods, and from beyond out stars."

"Just my fucking luck," said Steven.