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1.
There was an angel above him, sure she had almost run him over, but he could not find it in himself to care, he trusted her, this Layla, even if she called him Marc and was angry at him for some reason that he was sure the man who kept appearing in his reflection might tell him. But, then again, this man managed to conceal himself for so long that he probably wouldn't.
As she talked to at him, Steven got the idea that the man in his reflection had seriously hurt her, not even given her any signs that he was alive, but wife?? He hadn't expected that, at all. This Marc bloke had seriously fucked it up, he told her where is flat was, holding her waist and savouring her gently, resting his head against her shoulder with shaking hands. This was a new level of crazy. "I eat one steak and the world goes bloody mad," he mumbled to himself for the second time that day, he could hear Marc scoffing at that in his head.
Steven fumbled with his keys, desperately trying to explain to this mysterious beautiful woman that he only wished that she was his wife, but she really didn't seem to believe it.
Steven probably wouldn't have either if he was in Layla's shoes.
It took a lot of convincing, French poetry, hieroglyphics and a knock on the door to convince her that he was not Marc, that his name was Steven and when he had finally managed it- she seemed less angry. Steven liked it when she was less angry, she had more of a glow about her.
"I would never divorce you- this Marc is a right twit, yeah?" Oh Steven had a lot of words in his head for Marc, and twit was at the base level of them.
2.
After the first meeting, Steven just felt his love for her grow, Layla was incredible, she was everything that he wasn't, everything was so special about her- she liked the same poetry, she knew languages and was interested in Egyptology. She was a dream.
When they had a moment, when it was just them and they were laying down to rest for the night, a crude tent built, knowing they would need their rest for the battle ahead, Steven looked at her, “Layla luv- you sure I haven’t made you up?” Layla laughed, “made me up?” She asked, turning to face him, watching his face in a way that made Stevens burn.
“You’re just so- so bloody perfect,” he muttered, now embarrassed with his own line of thought- but it made her laugh again. Steven listened, his own embarrassment meant nothing, he’d embarrass himself in front of Horus, in front of god, in front of Odin, in front of Zeus- all the big gods if it meant she would laugh again.
Layla grinned, he really was nothing like Marc, "you really are different Steven, thank you," she brushed back his curls, she hummed lightly, closing her eyes. “No- you didn’t make me up- I exist.”
Steven smiled and held her face, “good- I like you-“ After a moment Layla leaned into it, “I like you too Steven, a lot.”
3.
The next time they managed to talk after that was after the whole mess was over, they were in Stevens apartment, he was sat at his desk, looking over at Layla as she sat on the bed, “you know- when you were in the scarlet scarab costume-“ he mumbled, his cheeks bright red, “you looked incredible. Like- better than anyone ever has before-“
Layla laughed, laying back on the bed, “what’s the cuff for?” She asked, averting the conversation. “Oh ya know- sleep walking innit- well now I know it was Marc all along- but I guess-“ he sighed and walked over, stopping at the foot of the bed, “I guess I like having it there- feels safe. Yeah?”
Layla nodded, watching him with a smile, “come join me,” she patted the spot next to her, Steven blushed and climbed next to her, “you ever do puzzles?” He asked, looking up at the roof, “sometimes.”
“I’ve been trying to keep awake, because I was scared of sleeping- I think I was right to be. I wasn’t in control and it was a load of shit- I missed work a few times- cos I was so tired and the bus was hell to catch- didn’t even have my license- Marc’s got his though.” It seemed to be catching up on him, now he was lay in a bed, because he yawned, sighed and closed his eyes, “maybe I should sleep- would- would you stay with me?”
Layla smiled and kissed his forehead, letting Steven wrap his arm around her and lay slightly on her, resting his head over her heart, “for however long you’d need me Steven.” “I need you forever Layla.” He mumbled, snuggling into her with another yawn escaping him.
4.
Steven stared at the mirror, “now listen mate, stop being such a bloody twat and talk to her, properly.” He seemed to be in a heated argument with Marc. Which made Layla raise her eyebrows and check in on him. “Steven? You alright?” She asked softly.
Steven jumped like he had been burnt, gripping the counter and his face softened, “Layla luv- it’s you.” “Who else would it be I? I live here.”
Steven laughed a bit, shooting a glare to the counterpart in the mirror and heading over to Layla, “hi- I was just- talking to myself- to Marc- and Jake,” Layla smiled, nodding and straightening his shirt, “well who else would you be talking to?”
Steven laughed nervously again, “I-I wanted him to talk to you?” “Talk to me?” Layla questioned, giving him a gentle hug, resting her head on his shoulder, “I didn’t want him keeping anymore secrets, he hurt you and was a bloody idiot to try and divorce you.”
Laylas heart melted, “oh Steven, you didn’t have to do that- you’re so so sweet to me,” she grinned and kissed his cheeks softly, it seemed to be Stevens turn to melt as he ducked down into the kisses and grinned, “did you know- kissing helps you live longer?”
“Did you make that up just now?” “No!! Of course not!! It’s true!!”
Well- Layla did want him to have a long life!
5.
“Thank you Steven,” Layla smiled, Steven looks up from his book surprised and she let out a giggle. Wiping her eyes slightly- to which Steven immediately looked worried, “Marc and I had a talk- it was nice-“ she sat next to him, taking his hand and Stevens face turned into a beam, turning to her, “good!!” He said excitedly.
Layla smiled and kissed his cheek, “thank you for talking to him,” “just needed a bit of sense knocked in him innit? Jake helped too-“ but- Steven clearly bristled with pride, his chest puffing out slightly as Layla squeezed his hand and leaned their foreheads together.
“Well he had it knocked into him,” Layla grinned, Steven giggled slightly, “Mhm, I did it- what’s your favourite colour?”
Layla pulled away, the sharp turn in conversation making her laugh, “gold,” she said, after a moment of silence between them- it was never uncomfortable, Steven was the type of person that you could sit for hours in silence doing other things and it would never be awkward and Layla loved that about him.
”You are gold, so so gold- you make everything round you feel gold,” he smiled more, brushing some curls back away from her face, twisting a curl around his finger. “I like white- but that’s a shade so I guess I should pick a colour- orange is pretty good, it’s like gus ya know?”
Layla smiled fondly at his ramblings and nodded, “you are white- pure and good.”
1.
Layla smiled as she got ready, wrapping the pearls around her neck, her nails neatly painted red, matching her cherry red lips. The dress she was wearing was a deep red, low cut round the back and front, exposing her cleavage, she and Marc were supposed to be going on a date, but as she slipped her heels on she heard a soft “wowww-“ from behind her, spinning round she saw Steven, his mannerisms and face, nervously twisting a woven bracelet around his wrist, tugging at it as his eyes dragged down his body.
He just stared at her, not sure what else to do but throw his arms around her in a long hard bear hug, lifting her off her feet.
Layla gasped, wrapping her arms around his neck and cupping the back of his head in her hand, Stevens eyes were wide and he kissed her wordlessly, unsure of what else to do when she just looked so so perfect.
Layla laughed, playing with his hair gently, “you look stunning-“ he whispered, kissing her wherever he could on her face, grinning madly. He truly felt like the luckiest man in the world- maybe Marc wouldn’t be getting that date because Steven and his lips were a bit too happy to see Layla.