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“Khonshu, can we talk?”
Silence. He should have expected such. Even as a Moon Knight the God is ever busy. He would hear his call if there was true concern, but to coax him forward would take more drive to speak through the thousands of prayers. Luckily Eric knew a thing or two about religious tasks at hand.
That was why he was currently kneeling at the altar that resided in The Spector Manor. Not only was it Marc, Steven, and Jake’s home. It now also belonged to him and Brielle. Many naturally assumed that was because he became a Moon-Knight. Well….There was more to it then that. So much more.
Enough for him to make this prayer.
There before the Altar he knelt. To give respect and try to be a louder voice through the choir always ringing in the skull of that of Khonshu. A beautiful Altar it was. With more residence in the estate now it was able to be kept far more maintained. Brielle often came up to do her studies in the beautiful attic. Change out the food and water, light dusting, and lighting incense and candles.
Khonshu showed he took great pleasure to know that she felt safe and comfortable enough to use the attic for her means of study. The moon always seemed to shine just a little brighter whenever she needed to stay up late to study. Give her enough light so she didn’t have to irritate her eyes with warmer colors like candles.
“You don’t have to show up or anything. I just need to know you hear me right now. I’ve…..Got something pretty important to talk to you about. Damn, why does this feel so awkward?” Eric grumbled, as he slumped on the back of his heels. Should he be wearing his moon gear? Was being in his lounge wear disrespectful? It’s a Luna Snow sweater. Shit has a moon on it, so that’s kinda the same thing….right?
He would rest his head on his hands, as the elbows rested on the table to the Altar. His wine eyes would look across the offerings. Golden bowls with trinkets and food that was offered. Statues and stones. Flowers and bottles filled with things. Had to give a small snort at the scrunchie around one of the statues. It was white with gold stars all over it. He bet Brielle bought a set and figured the star one would make a good offering. Or maybe she bought it just for the offering itself. He had to smile at that.
Her mother had left quite a religious scar across her. The catholic guilt that comes with being a Dhampir. It was comforting to see that she was doing her own thing. Not religious, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was she chose to do it, compared to being forced to. Just because her daddy was a Avatar for the God didn’t mean she had to do anything special because of it.
He was happy to know his baby felt safe her.
She felt……
Protected.
“Hello? Do I gotta speak Arabic? It’s rusty, but I can.” He spoke to the ceiling window. Had his eyes stare up to the moon. He wanted to speak to the God. He needed to speak to him. He had something important to ask. Something really important. Didn’t seem he was available tonight. Hey…He tried. Guess whatever was going on was pretty important for him to be busy with. He can ask another time…..
He sighed, and blew out the candles and incense. Let the smell of Jasmin fill his lungs as he climbed himself out of the attic. Down to the top floor and went about making a check across the estate. No need, since the whole purpose of The God was being a protector. Call it self soothing to do. To see the locks were indeed clicked closed and that nothing was out of place.
Checking in on his daughter was one of the soothing affairs. He would enter her bedroom and make sure her blanket was pulled over her. He gave her head a soft kiss before making sure her night light was on before leaving. She may be all grown up be that didn’t mean she had to act it all the time. He would do his best to let her have a child’s comfort wherever he could.
With the bedroom door closed he would go and enter the bedroom that was now shared with the original Moon-Knight of New York.
Much of the white bedroom had been splashed with shades of black when Eric officially moved in. Made for a eye sore to most, but they both found enjoyment. There was comfort in moonlight and darkness. Moonlight to shine down on them as they slept.
With how the body was laid out he could make a guess who fell asleep was Steven. He could tell easily with how he starfished on the bed. Practically waiting for someone to join the bed and cuddle him.
He wouldn’t keep him waiting. He would join him in bed, and it was instant. Steven was now stuffing his face in Eric’s chest and seemed to be deeper asleep than before. Made Eric smile. Steven was always so cute and sweet. He needed more sweetness in his life, and right now it was in his arms. Soft curls between his fingers and the scent of tea in his lungs.
He can talk to Khonshu about his question another time. He was going to enjoy this.
———————————————
“Got all your homework done?”
“Yes, dad.”
“Not gonna finish it up in the back seat again?”
“No dad.”
“Uh huh.”
“Daddddddd-!”
Brielle would whine at her fathers worry, as she tried to finish her coffee between him braiding her hair. Nothing complex, more so just the hair that sculpted her face so it would stay out of her eyes. Pull it all back into a bun that would be sealed with a crescent band and a few star clips. Definitely got better at girl-dad hair. She had to appreciate that.
“Your papers are on the coffee table-“ Eric would say. Didn’t even have to turn around to know that was what Steven was running around for.
“Thanks, love-!” He would kiss his cheek before grabbing said papers to put into his brief case.
Just a normal morning at The Spector Manor. Getting his daughter ready for school, making sure Steven had his papers for work, and then getting ready himself to run errands while the other two were busy with doing human lives.
“I’m going to run some errands today. Nothing much. Get some food for the fridge, collect from the warehouse, just the essentials. Do you guys need anything while I’m out?”
“I need a poster board.”
“…..It’s due this Friday, isn’t it?”
“……Maybe….”
“Well, better than the night before. I’ll give you that. Doll face?”
“Hm….I don’t think I need anything. Marc the same. I know Jake is out of smokes. Oh! We definitely need more lotion. The seasons are changing. Our hands are just a mess. That is definitely needed. And uh……Hm. Nothing else comes to mind. You always have everything covered. You are the best-!”
Steven gave Eric’s cheek another kiss, and Brielle gave a gagging sound at it. Now she was getting her cheek smooched by Steven, and her other attacked by Eric.
“IM BEING AMBUSHED-!” She wailed, with more gagging noises.
A very happy home it was.
“Yeah yeah. Go on and get to the car. I’ll drop you off and then Stevey. Go on and hurry up. You’ll be late. Go on and get-!” He would pay her back, before gabbing his leather jacket to follow her out.
The Dhampir’s would slip on their sunglasses and Steven would grab his brief case to follow. She jumped into the back seat, Steven the passenger, and they were ready to go. A roar of the engine and they were off.
A peaceful drive, for the most part. Brielle was still relatively new to the hero life. Some things he just didn’t need to discuss in front of her. He didn’t keep secrets, no never. If she asked he would answer. He just wanted to try and give her a slice of normal. He rather try and fail than never give her a chance at all.
Once she was dropped off, after hugging them both, he would get to the real work.
“Is Khonshu giving me the silent treatment?”
“Hm? The silent treatment? What do you mean?” Steven would ask, with some concern.
“I tried to talk to him at the Altar last night. Didn’t respond. Is this just because I’m new to being a Knight? Am I just over thinking it all?”
“Well, he is a God. He can get pretty busy. Especially right now with the time entanglement. What were you trying to talk to him about?”
Steven would look over with those sweet eyes. Eyes that always reflected whatever moon was to come when night fell. So full of love and always devoted. Can make it hard to lie to him with such raw emotion on the sleeves.
“It’s….Private…..”
“Ah! Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry-!”
“Nah nah. It’s fine. I’m just over thinking it. I’m sure I can get him on the radar eventually. Just figured I ask you guys.”
Steven would give his hand a comforting squeeze. Even with out knowing what was going through his head he was giving him emotional support. No need to pry or say words. Eric didn’t know how he got lucky to have Steven. Not just Steven either. Marc and Jake were there all the same. Whenever they came out they were there too.
Eric parked in front of the office building and leaned over.
One kiss for Steven, one for Marc, and one for Jake.
“Love you. Keep me posted.”
“Love you too. I will-!”
Steven waved goodbye and Eric was able to go about his day with the errands. He figured to go to the warehouse first, since he would get cold things from the store. Better to get the weapon smith handled with first. Nothing like loading the trunk up with guns, flash bangs, and holy water to start the morning.
Grocery shopping was far more normal. Er. Sorta. Still had to load up on garlic.
Garlic, poster board, veggies and fruits, kosher salt, wine, bleach, just the basics. He did make sure to grab the lotion of course. Three separate types. Eucalyptus for Steven, non scent for Marc, and Peppermint for Jake. Just because Steven was fronted often didn’t mean Marc and Jake deserved any less attention to detail.
While shopping he would get a ping from his phone. He pulled it up to see Brielle sent a photo to the group chat.
“I know that guy-“ She sent under a photo of her professor having on the projector a depiction of Khonshu.
Eric wasn’t always the best with his words, but he was smiling ear to ear. He never got moments like this growing up. To have these moments of thinking ‘this is a moment I want to share with my dad. Let me share!’ And do it.
To be involved.
He would click the image and have it a black heart emoji. By the moon emoji on it he figured Steven saw it to. Then the man typed.
“Aw! You studying Egyptology?!”
“Yeah. It’s a required course to take a history class. What an easier grade than Egypt?”
“You enjoy the class though. Right?”
“Yeah. It’s funny just going I Know That Guy.”
Brille and Steven would text away, and Eric would just keep smiling. Happy to watch the two, technically four, people he cared so much about getting along so sweetly.
“Shit! Gtg. Luv ya Abs!”
Abba…..
Abba…..
Moments like this……He really felt normal. His baby girl was trying to not get caught by her teacher, Steven was working in his office, and he was grocery shopping.
This…..?
This is the things he fights for every night.
Now if only Khonshu could talk to him already….
—————————————-
“You look rough. The hell happened?”
“Jackals…..”
Marc was now sitting in the passenger side, looking like shit, as Eric had come to pick him up. Good thing he had his Moon-Knight outfit on. It would unwrap itself to reveal his outfit he came to work in. A few blood stains but that’s a given when wearing white.
“The hell were Jackals doing here?”
“Would like to know as well! Anubis and Khonshu are always fucking arguging. Why am I caught in the middle. Huh?! The hell did I do?!” He groaned, as he rubbed at his face. Next was him smacking his head on the dashboard.
Marc was not a happy camper.
“….You wanna scream, cry, or just take a long drive….?”
“….Drive.”
“Ight.”
Eric had finished the groceries long ago, same with sorting out the weapons, so there was no issue in taking a nice and long drive. He would do it all night if that was what helped Marc process the rough evening. Being forcefully fronted isn’t nice. He may have never experienced it, but he has been yanked out of meditations and nightmares. Maybe that wasn’t even comparable. He will never know, and hopefully he never had to know.
He would turn his music off and just drove with no real direction. Didn’t need one. Just a quiet night drive. Brielle was already home so it could just be the two of them. Just as long as he needed.
In the corner of his eye he would see Marc fidget. Pick at his nails, pull at his chapped lips, just tick away as he tried to find a way to breathe again. Eyes were glassy with no clear place where they looked. He was just in this state of stress. Rocking and muttering. Eric could only guess it was Hebrew. Prayers?
He wasn’t going to pry.
He just stayed driving.
Was about a hour later when Marc seemed to find his voice again.
“Sorry…..”
“For-?”
“….Don’t know….”
Eric offered a hand over the center console. A offer. He didn’t grab Marc’s hand. He didn’t reach out. He left it there for if he needed it.
A squeeze was given.
“Wanna grab something to eat?”
“Stomach hurts too much.”
“I need to refill on gas. Can grab you a soda while there.”
“…..That be nice…..”
Eric squeezed the hand back before getting the car next to the pump. He would step out to fill up and Marc would fidget again. Not as bad as before at least. Just picked at his nails again. At least his eyes were more focused.
After filling up he went inside and grabbed him some ginger ale to help sooth his stomach. He also grabbed a fresh pack of smokes for Jake. Two birds with one stone. Back out again and Marc would now nurse the drink.
“Must be acting like such a baby.”
“Nah. I’ve held actual babies. Not even close.”
“Hmph…..”
“Let’s get you home, pretty boy. Clean up and snuggle up. Ya want that?”
“….Yeah….”
Eric leaned over and gave Marc a kiss to his cheek. Let it linger for a while. Use that cold blood of his to help cool down the stress that filled his Marc up.
“How do you even stand me?”
“Easy. I like my food chewy.”
“Fucking blood sucking nerd….”
Marc was smiling though.
That’s what mattered.
That’s what always mattered.
——————————————-
“Arise my fists!”
Eric groaned at the voice in his head. Dammit Khonshu. The one time you talk it’s when he’s knocked out cold. Him and Marc had gotten really cozy too. Cuddled nice and close on the couch. Had watched a movie and fell right to sleep.
Now he’s awake, and it seems Jake was to. Guess Marc was still frazzled from earlier, so Jake was in charge tonight. Could see it clear as day in the body position and mannerism. The resting face of disgust. The cracking of his neck. It’s gonna be a long night.
“What’s up?” Jake yawned, as he tried to get his body into the groove. Before Khonshu could send the orders there was howling and clawing from outside.
The Jackals.
“The hell did you and Anubis get into this time?” Eric groaned, as he rubbed at his eyes. Maybe it was better if he didn’t know. It was either something that would melt his brain or be something so stupidly petty he would end up fighting the God himself.
“Clean the riff raft.”
“Yeah yeah-“ Jake stood up and had his suit wrap up around him. Probably shouldn’t bring acting as casual as they were. The house was currently under attack by fantastical creatures that were sent by a God to probably kill them. The only real concern either of them had was for Brielle. Eric already was going to make sure to check on her anyway.
“Bri Bri, we got a mess outside to clean. Keep your sword on your bed. Alright?” He spoke through the open doorway, as his own suit wrapped around himself.
“What did Gramps do this time?” She whined, as she pulled her headphones off.
“Probably something stupid. Stay on guard.”
“Got it, dad.”
With that secured he was able to climb up to the attic and onto the roof. There Jake stood. He looked down to the estate below, with a frown that could be seen even through the bandages.
“They really fucked up the gates and garden. Stevey is gonna cry his eyes out. Hell, even I’m sad. That was some hard work.” Jake would take out a cigarette that Eric got him. Lit it up and had the wrappings move to let him take his hit. Needed it. Was pretty sad to see.
“Least plants are replaceable.” Eric would bluntly say.
“True that, Guapo-“ He agreed, before handing the cig over. Eric lowered his own mask to take a inhale. Dammit Anubis. Or should he say dammit Khonshu? Whatever. They had a mess to clean up. Always them having to clean up the messes of those higher on the other worldly plains.
“Ready when you are.”
Eric let out a long breath before letting Jake finish it off.
Now was time to finish them off.
Masks up, weapons drawn, and they were like strips of moonlight across the grass. Slicing and dicing with no care. No morals or hold backs. These were threats and this was their home.
A home with their daughter inside.
There were perks to being ruthless, but they’ll never outweigh the cons. At least for tonight they can be given dignity in knowing the blood they were spilling was justified. Anubis was trying to pull shit, and as Guardians Of The Night they are to protect the Manor. Khonshu’s church. Protect their home.
Seems all this was had been just one big threat. No bite. All bark. Suppose whatever was going on between the two God’s was petty affairs. Just beings wasting one another’s time and resources. How fun. Now they had a property that was covered in torn up herbs and destroyed flowers. What a pain.
“Think we can salvage anything?” Jake would kick aside the dead beast that had been shredded over a garden patch. Maybe the blood could make for good fertilizer? Anything goes at Spector Manor.
“Definitely, but do you really want to waste your time doing that? Right now?” Eric genuinely asked, as he looked over the dead creatures around them.
“…..Yeah….Think I do…..”
Of course Jake would. He’s the protector after all. He’s hard but that’s for a reason. Just as much as he was cold he was warm. If there was a way to try and save this garden then he’s gonna try. They didn’t have much to call their own, but they had a few things. Jake had his cabbie, Marc had his home, and Steven had the garden.
And he’s gonna keep that damn garden.
“Well I better show you how, so you don’t fuck up.”
When you are as old as him, and been so involved with magic, you learn a thing or two about gardens. The herbal remedies and flowers. He knew what could be saved and what was doomed. He knew what to do, and for once Jake was going to follow orders from someone that wasn’t Khonshu. He trusted Eric with this project and whatever he says will be done.
What a way to spend the night. Using dead Jackals to fertilize a garden. Those bones were going to make for quite the lawn ornaments. Guess when it’s all over the leftovers could make for a solid offering.
Hm…..Maybe that will get his attention.
——————————————
“Does this work, Shu Shu?”
The dead Jackal would be dropped on the Altar. Was nearly sunrise now, but the moon was still shining. Damn was Eric a mess. Such a long day of balancing being human and being inhuman. Bags were under his eyes, suit was bloody, he needed a shower and stiff drink.
But not until he finally gets this off his chest.
“Suffices. Yes.”
Khonshu would step from behind Eric, and swipe his bandaged fingers across the dead animals back. Doing so seemed to make it disintegrate into sand. Now it spilled all across the Altar and onto the floor. Swirled by the wind it was, and faded from reality it had.
“You’ve been pestering me for a question it seems. Permitted you are.” Ever the elegant and formal he spoke. Well, to Eric anyway. From what the Dhampir has witnessed, from one side anyway, the God had a rather fatherly bond with the three knights. Because of that…..
This was how he ended up here.
“I want to marry them.”
You would think time had stood still. Not even the crickets could be heard from outside. Maybe….this was a bad idea. Maybe this wasn’t something he should have asked….But dammit-! It was the truth. He didn’t want to marry one of them. He wanted all of them. Call him greedy, but he loved all three of them deeply.
But…..Was it returned?
“…..Why do you request such from me?”
“You are the closest thing they have to a father. Kinda tradition to ask the father for his blessing. Their approval and all….”
“You ask for my approval, as you stand here as my boy’s temporary replacement when the time came for one? You stand here, as a fellow Moon-Knight, asking if you are worthy of them? You ask me this? Ask for your worth to be weighed as if standing before Anubis to the after life? You ponder if your heart is light enough for passage?”
“Yes…..Yes I am. I ask you if I am worthy….”
Eric would take a knee in front of Khonshu. Blade in front of him, as if a knight asking his king if he was worthy to live another day. To honor him for one more battle. If there is worth at all to anything and everything.
“…..That is not my choice, my child. That is your choice. They see me as a father, but that does not mean my voice weighs any more than yours. I speak in their dreams but they choose to listen. This is up to them. Not me. If they wish to see your worth, than who am I to ignore that prayer?”
Khonshu offered a hand to Eric, and he was helped up to his feet again. Guess he was right on that regard. At the end of the day it didn’t matter if Khonshu said yes or no. If Khonshu refused, it wouldn’t matter at all. Marc, Jake, and Steven made the final choice. Not the God.
If they wanted him…..
They would have him.
“Rest, my child. Your day was long, and the night even more. Cleanse yourself and be at ease with dreams.” Khonshu would bless, before the world around them both was nothing more than sand and moonlight. He was given his goodbye, and his duty.
Rest. He needed to rest…..
Easier said than done.
—————————————
“Fucking hell-“ Eric hissed, as he felt a sharp pain flooding his arm. Forced him awake levels of pain. He was forced to sit up and grab at his wrist. Was such a fire in his blood. He felt like someone was burning him. Was this how vampires felt in the sun? Was he finally being burned?
No…..No that can’t be. The rest of his body would be burning if that was the case. No, something weird was going on. He just had to fight the pain and focus. Force his eyes open and see what was going on.
The second he opened said eyes the pain instantly stopped. Now he was in a cold sweat. A sweat that was glistening in the sunlight from the windows above them.
In that light he saw his left hand shaking from the aftershock. Three distinct black lines were around his ring finger. It was more so like they were engraved into his flesh compared to any ink he had ever had. Why the hell did he have this? He had a Ankh on the back of his neck, sure, but this was way different on pain levels.
The hell was Khonshu doing?
All worry for himself was replaced when he heard his fellow Knight whining in bed. How he curled up on himself, and his fist was balled up. It seemed he was also in pain from his hand.
Eric grabbed it, and found there was a singular black ring around his ring finger. The pair was matching in black bands.
That’s when it clicked.
They said yes.
“….Eh. I’ve always been into the alternative life style anyway. Weddings are overated…..”
Eric brought his partner into his arms. Copper skin was meeting a cold chest. The cool soothed all the pains and aches he had. Made him smile as he snuggled closer to his newly acquired husband. Cold fingers in his scalp as they were curled up together. Legs tangled, and mutual calm.
They all said yes.
All three of them wanted Eric as much as Eric wanted him.
And when Khonshu’s boys wanted something……
What is a father to do but say yes?