Prologue
Wednesday.
" Wake up, little one."
" That a new nickname? Just accept that I'm never gonna stop calling you Khonkhon. "
You sit up, staring at him standing next to your bedside table. He huffs and walks off, sitting on your kitchen counter.
" Hurry up, idiot, he's already awake. "
" So I'm 'idiot' now? "
You laugh, sparing a quick glance out of your window before getting ready.
Khonshu was always asking you to run errands. Be it taking care of something Marc couldn't do, or just...plain stupid things. Khonshu would never admit he once asked you to get him birdseed because he was curious what it was. Nor would he admit he treasured the friendship you shared with him over the few centuries you had spent with him as his apprentice of sorts. Luckily, the great god of the moon didn't have a hankering for any vengeance today. Now to get to your other job.
Now, here you stood on the bus. Khonshu was always nowhere to be seen in crowded areas.
As the bus was currently leaving its stop, you felt the vehicle start moving, only for it to stop and open its doors again for a very dishevelled and breathless Steven Grant to board. You move in amongst the crowd and sit on one of the empty seats, and watch as he coincidentally makes his way over to the very seat next to you.
" Morning Steven, sleep well? "
You greet him with a wave. He looks at you confused for a second, before his eyebrows raise and eyes widen in recognition.
" Oh! You work at the café across the gift shop, don't you? I've definitely seen you around before, haven't I? I'm Steven- oh wait, you already know my name. Silly me. "
Cute. You laugh, introducing yourself. You try to make small talk with him on the way to the museum. After all, how could Marc expect you to just watch from afar like some stalker? Big demands for a god-in-training. Gotta have some fun, at least.
Meanwhile, Steven was caught off guard by how you knew his name, but he didn't. He remembers your face though, how you looked so amazing even with an apron on, how you smiled at customers...No, no. Absolutely not. You haven't even talked to them before, Steven! He reprimands himself, feeling embarrassed.
Both of you arrive at the museum, still chatting away. Steven was talking about how Osiris became the god of the underworld, with how he got dismembered and all. You nod along and make the occasional comment of 'Woah.' or 'That's amazing', trying not to sound like you didn't hear the real story from Osiris himself. Suddenly he stops and looks up at the poster hanging proudly on the musuem front frowning.
" ...That can't be right. "
You hear him mutter to himself, about how the Ennead had way more gods than those on the poster. You glance at Khonshu, who looks curiously, and agree, before suggesting that he point it out to the higher-ups.
Waving goodbye to him at the entrance of the museum as he goes to lecture the girl on littering, you think to yourself, his smile is cute. You stood there for a while, watching him doing what he loved most. A pity he never got the job for tour guide. You hurry away as Donna approaches, walking briskly to the café.
Nothing, as usual, happens, except for Dylan who stops by Steven's counter, and leaves him looking thoroughly confused and flustered. You roughly hear out the words '7 p.m.' and 'this Friday'. You frown slightly, the jealousy already seeping in.
" Don't tell me you're falling for that pathetic worm. "
" Oy. Don't be mean, Khonkhon. What, you jealous? "
Your words come out in a whisper, in case someone walks by. You can practically hear him roll his non-existant eyes before disappearing. You steal a glance at Steven, before realising he was gesturing to you, pointing in the direction Dylan went and mouthing, 'Can you believe it?'
You force a grin and show him a thumbs up.
The day passes by in a blur. Customers come and go.You catch Steven staring at you multiple times, laughing to yourself as he turns red and continues working.
Soon, your shift ends. Steven waves to you before leaving. You can't help but smile, and wave back.
You are one of the last few to leave the museum, and Khonshu walks alongside you on the way home, briefing you about an 'outing' he had planned for you and Marc. Quirking an eyebrow, you ask.
" Me and Marc? Wouldn't that make it suspicious that both Steven and I both don't turn up for work tomorrow? "
" It shouldn't be a problem if you don't fail. "
Sighing, you look around, seeing if anyone was watching, before Khonshu places a hand on your shoulder, and teleports you to a quaint little village in the mountains.
--
Back at Steven's apartment, the sound of falling sand and the ripping of tape was all that could be heard.
Tape, sand, restraint, check. He kept a mental checklist.
" Night, Gus. "
That was when the real challenge started. He fought to stay awake, solving puzzles, listening to podcasts. Minutes flew by, and Steven could feel the feminine voice of the podcast becoming white noise, the words blurring together like a song on repeat, no longer registering in his brain.
Then he woke up face-flat in a field.