But he never called.

A week has gone by, and Steven never called.

But in his defense, he was just asleep.

He has no idea what happened in the hall.

When he woke up the next morning in his own bed, he convinced himself that it was all a dream.

Of course it what a dream.

There's no way anyone would ever have been that kind to him.

Or wanted to spend time with him.

It's more likely than it was an illusion his mind cast rather than a reality.

And just to be sure, he checks his phone, and sure enough her number is nowhere to be found.

To him that means none of it was real, but to Marc it means he just deleted the number.

Steven went about his week like normal, but never goes above the 5th floor.

All while Cleo waited patiently.

She waited for him to call.

But he never did.

She didn't have a way to contact him, so she waited.

She figured he would call eventually.

She figured he would call when he's ready.

But for seven days and seven nights, her mind couldn't get the nervous Brit out of her mind.

" And he lives in your building, correct?" Dr. Kaufman asks.

Cleo sits on the couch in the office of her therapist, nearly halfway through their weekly session.

" Correct," Cleo confirms.

" Why haven't you gone down to his flat?"

" Because he hasn't called."

" And why is that stopping you?"

" Because... because I don't know if he'd want me to."

" Do you want to?"

Cleo pauses once the question is asked. Her constant wondering over her neighbor would suggest that yes, she does want to. That she does want to go down the flight of stairs and knock on his door and... and...

She just wants to see him. To talk to him.

" Yes," Cleo says truthfully as she looks the woman in the eyes, " I do."

" Then I have something for you to do," Dr. Kaufman says as sh closes her notebook and leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees, " Today, when you go home... just knock on his door. That's it," she waits patiently for a response, but it never comes, " Alright?"

Cleo gives a subtle nod in replacement of words. And this time, it's the therapist who notices that their time is up for their session. Cleo exits the office and faces the brisk London air. As she walks down the street to go back home, her mind combs over the words from Dr. Kaufman. To just go and knock on his door. That's all. That all she has to do, and yet she finds it to be a difficult task.

A simple task that her mind convinces her its difficult. It's so easy. She has to pass by his floor to get back home anyway, she wouldn't even have to go out of her way.

Once her brain comes back from its automatic state, she realizes that she's standing in front of her building, staring back at her reflection in the glass door. She walks into the musty old building and heads to the lift. The doors close and it takes her as far as it can go. The doors open, and a breath she's been holding in for the duration of the ride finally leaves her lungs as she steps out into the dimly lit hall. Her short legs take her to the wooden door with chipped paint. Her hand curls into a fist and makes contact with the door. She knocks three times, and then waits.

And waits.

She hears some shuffling on the other end, she hears a latch unhinge before the door slowly swings open to reveal the neighbor that never called.

" Cleo," Steven says breathlessly, his eyes wide as if in disbelief," What, um... whatcha doing 'ere?"

Cleo looks up at the man in front of her, and despite how innocent he looks, her irritation only grows within. She pushes it aside, wanting to try her best to have a civil, well manered conversation about their feelings.

" May I come in?" She asks, outwardly projecting a calm appearance.

Steven nods rapidly, moving aside and opening the door wider so she can step inside his flat. She walks in and instantly notices how cluttered his flat is. Dozens and dozens of books scattered everywhere, some neat and orderly, some placed carelessly. She sees a fish tank with a little goldfish, and on top even more books with postcards acting as decorations for the fish.

This must be what the inside of his head looks like.

" I-Is there something you wanted to talk about?" Steven asks nervously as he twiddles with the sleeves of his jumper.

Cleo turns around to face him. She looks up into his eyes, but sees absolutely no signs of remorse. She sees that he doesn't think he's done anything wrong. He just appears confused and ever so curious.

" I..." Cleo starts, and then sighs as she struggles to think of the right thing to say, " I was expecting a call. Or... or at least something."

Steve's eyebrows furrow at her words.

" What?" He asks as his head tilts, " But I don't have your number."

" I gave you my number, Steven," She says, trying to remain understanding without undermining her own feelings, " After I played a song for you... I put my number in your phone."

Impossible. It couldn't be.

Steven's eyes go wide as saucers as he looks directly into hers. He feels his heart pumping blood at a faster paces as his mind goes over her words.

" That was real?" He stutters, his voice slightly trembling.

" Yes, Steve... that was real," Cleo says, her eyebrows furrowing as his nerves grow, " Why would you think it wasn't?"

Steven's thoughts rush through his head, unable to stay focused or calm. He feels his chest tightening as the air becomes harder and harder for him to breath.

" Because..." He tries to speak, " Because... cause I-I woke up in my own bed... a-and your number wasn't in my phone so I thought..." he lets out a dry laugh, " I thought I'd dreamt it."

Cleo's irritation leaves her body and is instantly replaced with concern for the man in front of her. She never intended to make him panic.

" Steven..." She says as she slowly approaches him, " Steven... it's alright. It's okay."

" It's not... I-It's not okay," Steven says as he rapidly shakes his head from side to side as his breath becomes labored and desperate, " I-I can't tell the difference between my waking life and... and dreams," Cleo gets close enough to feel the heat radiating off of him, " And I... because of that, because of my bloody sleeping disorder... I hurt you."

And with that, Cleo's heart clenches. Her gaze softens as she reaches forward to gently cup Steven's hands and gives them a light squeeze to signal that she's here and she's not alone.

" You didn't hurt me, Steven," She speaks softly, " It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong."

Cleo sees that her words aren't helping draw Steven out of his panicked state. His breathing turns into hyperventilation, his pupils are blown and a layer of sweat builds up and covers his skin. His hands shake under her touch as Cleo's eyes stay focused on his.

" Steven... listen to my voice," She starts, " Let's take a seat. We're gonna sit down on the floor, okay?"her knees bend as her body goes down to the floor, their hands still locked, which encourages him to copy her actions, " There we go, that's good," she keeps her eyes on his, but his chest still rapidly rises and falls, " Steven, takes some deep breaths with me. Ready? Deep breath in..." they inhale together," Deep breath out," they exhale together, " Deep breath in," they inhale together, " Deep breath out," they exhale together, " Deep breath in," they inhale together, " And deep breath out, " they exhale together.

While Steven's breath slowly crawls back to a normal pace after repeating the exercise, his mind is still frantic and his heart is still accelerated, but yet his eyes are dead set on hers. His eyes never leave hers, not even daring to look away for even a second.

" There we go," Cleo whispers, " Now... can you tell me about your happy place? Somewhere you feel at peace, or comfortable or happy. It can be anywhere. You don't even have to have been there physically... just tell me about any place that makes you happy... okay?"

Steven swallows deeply, his eyes trained on hers as he ponders over her question.

" M-My home," He answers breathlessly, " I-I remember... I remember being in my room as a kid and... I just felt... I-I dunno..." he blinks multiple times as the sentences form in his head before leaving his mouth, " I just... I remember my mum and how she made me feel... safe."

Cleo nods as she listens, encouraging him to go on.

" Tell me more about your home," She says, " Tell me about your surroundings. What you saw, what you heard."

" I-I remember... I remember always having coco cola on my birthday," Steven says, his mind recalling memories as his body begins to calm, " I remember... music," he says, the memories flowing through his mind as a deep breath escapes his lungs, " There was this... this music playing. I don't remember much about it but... but it made me feel... it made me feel calm. It was just so," his eyes flicker back and forth between hers as his body settles against her touch, " beautiful."

His panic attack soon subsides, finding himself getting lost. Getting drunk from her gaze and from her touch.

And while Cleo is glad that she was able calm him down, she doesn't move. Her body is stilled. She keeps her hands in his and her eyes remain fixated on his. His beautiful brown eyes. She sees so much complexity behind them, and it makes him ever so captivating. She doesn't even want to move, she wants to stay exactly where she is.

" Thank you," Steven whispers.

" You don't need to thank me, Steven," She says softly.

Cleo decides to try and pull her hands away, but Steven is quick to tightly grasp them and pull them back to his lap.

" But I do," He says, the slightest hint of confidence lacing his voice, " I do need to thank you. You've just been... You've been so bloody nice to me. You've been there for me more than other people in my life and... And I just want to thank you," his thumbs unconsciously rub over her knuckles, a gesture that makes her skin rise in temperature, " You didn't have to do any of this..."

" But I wanted to," Cleo answers truthfully, his eyes pulling on hers like a magnet, " I just... I really want to help you."

Their bodies inch closer and closer together, drawing each other in.

Steven's hands tightly grip hers, never wanting to let go. As their faces get close enough to feel each other's breaths, his eyes quickly flicker down to her lips and then back up to her eyes. He swallows loudly once more, finding his mouth to be dry.

Cleo takes notice of his actions, finding her body taking over. She could so easily give in. It's obvious to see what Steven wants, and she wants the same thing. But she can't. She can't give into her desires, despite her mind and body working in tandem and screaming at her to do something.

Her eyes flicker between his, and then clears her throat and averts her eyes down to her lap.

A simple actions that has Marc longing for something, longing for anything from the depths of the body.

Steven takes a deep breath. He takes the hint, knowing that their moment has come to an end and that it will go no further than it already has. A moment that is foreign to him and, by right, should be scary... but it's not. The drum roll before the embrace brought him a sense of desire he's never felt before. It made him feel wanted for the first time in his life.

And despite not being in control of the body and not fronting within the mind, Marc experienced it all. He felt Steven's desire, but also a desire all of his own. He finds himself being drawn to this woman as well, despite fully knowing that nothing can come from it, at least nothing good. He is bound by his oath to the God of the Moon, and because of that, he cannot have her, or anyone else for that matter. He already has one failed marriage, and doesn't have the heart to do that to her. He shouldn't. He can't.

" How are you feeling?" Cleo asks as she brings her eyes back up to meet his, hands still connected on his lap.

Steven clears his throat.

" I'm alright," He says with a nervous grin.

" Would you like to go get some fresh air?" She suggests, wanting to find an excuse just to spend more time with him, " We can... go get some pizza?"

" Without cheese," Steven adds, " I'm a vegan."

His words make her smile.

" I'm a vegetarian."

Her words make Steven smile as well.

The pair get up off the floor and exit the flat together. They ride the lift down to the bottom floor and walk out into the streets filled with darkness and only illuminated by streetlights and moonlight.

They walk together side by side as Steven leads her to a vegan pizza shop he found way back when. And while Cleo does eat cheese, she's more than happy to try a vegan alternative.

Steven orders his slice, and Cleo orders hers. She reaches into her back pocket to pull out her wallet, but by the time she turns to face the cashier, Steven has already paid. As he grabs the receipt, Cleo places some cash down into the tip jar.

They grab their food and then walk out into the street to enjoy their meal on a stroll. Steven watches as Cleo goes to take her first bite, and as soon as the food hits her tongue, her eyes go wide.

" Ya 'iilahi (Oh my god)" She says, then looks over at Steven, " This is amazing," he can't help but chuckle, " Good enough to make me stop eating dairy."

" I'm glad I converted you to my religion," Steven says, then takes a bite of his slice, " What made you go vegetarian?"

" My grandmother. She ran this... farm by Lake Qaroun. She had all of these animals there. Camels, geese, sheep, cows, horses... I spent so much time with them that I just... I could never imagine them as food," Cleo says, reminiscing on those times as she takes another bite.

" Your grandmother sounds pre'y cool," He smiles, " Do you grow up in Egypt?"

Cleo hums, her mouth full of pizza.

" How long have you lived in London for?"

" I've had my flat for about 7 years now. This is one of the longest times I've ever been home for. I'm usually..." She trails, " I'm usually out in the world. Actually being an archaeologist instead of just going to see my therapist every week."

" What changed?" Steven asks, " I mean, you can just go on another adventure if you wanted to... right?"

" I suppose you're right," Cleo says as she wipes her hair away from her face, " I recently had an opportunity brought to me. It would bring me back to Egypt... but I don't know if I'm going to accept."

" What's holding you back?" He asks as he finishes his slice.

" Do you remember Baahir?" She asks, and Steven nods, " I worked with him for years. He found me... when I... when I wasn't in the best mental state. He made it seem like he could give me the world... but he really just wanted someone to do all the hard work for him. On one hand, it did help me create a reputation for myself but... there's something about this dig... it's not sitting well with me, especially after what happened last time."

" What happened last time?" Steven asks, then raises his eyebrows to fix a mistake he think he made, " Sorry, sorry. I dunno why I'm being so nosy--"

" It's okay, Steven," Cleo says, reassuring him with a gentle smile, finding his thoughtfulness ever so charming, " We had a dig in Luxor. There was rumors floating around that artifacts from the time of Marc Anthony would turn up there. While there were no artifacts... we did find a map. A map that took us... it took us back to my home," she sucks in her lips as her mind replays the memories, " We had found this... this temple in Alexandria. It'd been abandoned for years and years. The rest of the crew had gotten lost, so I had to find it all on my own," they continue their walk, Steven keeps his eyes on hers as he listens intently, " I came across a shrine. And that's when I found... the amulet. And when I touched it, I had this... this dream. A dream that, now that I'm saying it out loud, sounds silly."

" What was the dream?"

" That I was this warrior. A hero... like Black Widow. I had this amazing armor. It felt so real... but when the rest of the crew found me, I was passed out cold on the floor... and the amulet was gone. Baahir had taken it... along with all the credit."

Steven's lips form a frown as he listens to her story.

" Well, Baahir sounds like a downright twit," He says, making Cleo chuckle which, in turn, makes him smile, " I am sorry about that, though."

" It's... fine," Cleo says, " I got through it."

Their stroll comes to a temporary pause. The distance between their current location and their building is short, but they still have a few minutes left to walk before they are home. Steven turns his body so he's standing in front of Cleo, the difference in height becoming a little more obvious. Steven isn't the tallest man, per say, and his slouched shoulder's make him just a tad bit shorter. And while Cleo isn't the shortest woman, she certainly isn't the tallest. Her aura and personality make her seem so much bigger than her physical appearance is, and now in a moment of vulnerability, with her guard down, she appears how she actually is. Her forehead is aligned with his chin, making her have to lift her head up in order to look him in the eyes. And while she does, Steven has to tilt his head down in order to look into hers.

The feeling of magnets return to their bodies, once again finding themselves wanting to get closer, to close the gap in between them so there's no space left. Steven inches closer, his eyes staying locked on hers, his face being illuminated by the moonlight, allowing Cleo to fully see his face. She sees his pupils beginning to dilate, and she can only imagine hers are doing the same. She cannot deny the initial attraction, and she finds it increasingly more difficult to ignore her desires.

A moment foreign for Steven, and yet he finds himself in it twice within the span of an hour. First time, maybe it was nothing. But now, at the second time, the truth becomes harder to ignore. He doesn't know what he feels, but he feels something. A connection, perhaps, and that simple connection allows him to feel attracted to her. Everything about her. He likes it all. Her alluring appearance caught him off guard when they met, but it's not what drew him in. Her willingness to help and her confidence drew him in, her kindness drew him in even further, and her beauty makes it impossible for him to walk away and pretend like he feels nothing.

Without tearing his eyes away, Steven reaches for Cleo's hand. He gently holds it and slowly brings it up to his lips. A gentle kiss is planted on her knuckles, which sends a wave of heat up her arm. She smiles without showing her teeth, her cheeks showing pink without the need for blush. Steven lowers her hand back down, but doesn't let go. He holds on tight, this time not wanting the moment to be cut short.

Cleo reaches out for Steven's other hand that stays limp by his side, both of their hands now connected with each other. She bites the inside of her cheek as she takes in a large chunk of air.

His head tilts just a little further so his forehead touches hers. His head stays there, entirely supported by her. Their eyes close, and they both remain still. The moment they both needed. Eyes closed, hands connected. No movements, no words, just them.

Steven inhales through his nose, and the scent of her Chanel perfume fills his nostrils, the smell now locked within his brain, simply because its hers.

Minutes go by, and yet, they still don't move. They stay like this until Cleo has to fight back a yawn.

" Steven... " She whispers, eyes still closed.

" I know," He whispers back, his grip on her hands tightening ever so slightly, " I just... can we stay like this a bit longer... please?"

" Okay."

Cleo doesn't dare argue. She know the importance of physical touch, and she knows a touch starved person when she sees one.

She keeps her forehead pressed against his, allowing herself to just be present in this moment with him here and now. She adores the feeling of having her hands held, and holding hands with somebody else. She wants to savor this moment and this feeling, but she's painfully aware of the terrifying reality that everything ends eventually.

Cleo gives it a few more minutes, before she finally opens her eyes. She's met with Steven's eyelids, and she almost doesn't have the heart to break him from this moment.

" We should get back," She whispers, " Don't want you to be late for work tomorrow."

Steven sighs. He knows she's right, but he wishes she wasn't.He opens his eyes as well, and upon seeing hers momentarily forgets how to breath. He straightens his head, alright missing the warmth she provided. He lets Cleo take them back to their building, letting go of one hand but still holding onto the other. They enter the building and wait in the lift, their hands still wrapped around each others. The doors open, and they find themselves standing in front of Steven's door.

" Can I walk you back to your flat?" Steven suggests.

And Cleo nods, agreeing because it means she doesn't have to let go.

Steven walks with her up the flight of stairs until they stand in front of her door. She unlocks it with one hand and opens the door, then turns around to face him, hands still intertwined.

" Thank you," Steven blurts out, " For tonight and, well... everything," his smile grows, " I-I, um... I really appreciate you, Cleo."

" No thanks necessary," She says, " I appreciate you as well, Steven," and she smiles as well, " You are truly an amazing person."

" I dunno bout that," He mumbles as his eyes go down to the floor.

" Yes, Steven... you are," Cleo says, her words making him look at her once more.

Cleo brings Steven's hand up to her lips, planting a gentle kiss on his knuckles to reciprocate his earlier actions. Seemingly simple and mundane, but it makes Steven grin from ear to ear, his stomach filling with bumblebees once more.

" Goodnight, Steven."

Their hands depart and Cleo walks into her flat.

" Night, love."

Cleo shuts the door with a smile on her face, her body still wanting more as she gets ready for bed.

Steven does the same, returning to his flat and making sure to prepare everything for him to fall asleep. As he ties on his ankle restraint, he hears a familiar and welcoming sound from above.

Cleo begins to play the piano, this time, specifically for Steven.

It sends a smile to his face once more as he lies back in bed. His worries of his sleeping disorder are still present, but they're quieted by her heavenly song. His eyes grow heavy, and this time, he welcomes sleep. He embraces it. He falls asleep happy for the first time in a long time.

And Marc, by right, should wake up happy... but he doesn't. He wakes up angry.

Angry that Steven gets to live a life he so desperately wants but can't have. Not just because of his servitude, but because Steven has no idea he even exists.

And not just that... but Cleo has no idea he exists. No idea that more than one person share this body, and no idea that one of them is in service to a God.

She couldn't possibly want to be with someone who has to protect the travelers of the night. She couldn't possibly want to be with someone who's mind is as fractured as his.

As the music continues, Marc grabs a pillow and shoves it against his face as he lets out an agonizing scream. He throws the pillow aside and sits up to punch it with his fist over and over and over again. He stops once the feather start to float around him. He lets out a frustrated sigh as he goes to unleash his foot, knowing that Khonshu has run out of patience that he doesn't even have to begin with. He's halfway dressed before the booming voice returns.

" Find out more about the girl."

His words make Marc pause in place.

" Cleo?" He asks, hoping its anyone but.

" Yes... that one."

" What's she to you?"

" Nothing... as of now."

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