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Ice cream and cuddles had gradually become Jake and Layla’s thing. Not always in the wake of a mission or a nightmare, just in general. She and Steven had game nights, whereas she and Marc did…whatever boring shit married couples did. Jake stayed away from that. But it was so good having something that was theirs. The easy touches caught him off guard sometimes, but he really liked that too. Layla never pushed, knowing it would never go further. Just snuggles and ice cream and being friends.
Jake had to admit, it was a lot more fun having ice cream when the portion was cartoonishly oversized.
It’d actually been a while since Jake needed to shrink the body for a mission. He’d half considered getting one of the giant store-brand ice cream tubs to try and recreate the experience. But lo and behold, Khonshu had him run down some creeps right across from a police station. Rather than staying to talk to the cops, Jake had pulled his standard disappearing act (by now the local authorities thought Moon Knight was able to move through shadows or vanish into pools of moonlight. It was fun watching an urban myth come alive). Which is how he ended up a block away and not quite three inches tall.
Layla swore she hadn’t followed him on the mission, and it was a complete coincidence that she was there to scoop his tiny self up afterwards. Jake had his doubts, but didn’t push.
“So, you get the guy?” She teased, putting him into her jacket pocket.
“I always get the guy.” Jake huffed. “Otherwise Khonshu would--”
“I would what, my Knight?”
Jake groaned. “Nothing Jefe.”
“He’s not going on another mission now.” Layla turned to face the god.
Khonshu peered down at the pair. “Obviously.”
“So what do you want?”
Khonshu squared his shoulders. “I wanted to ensure my son’s well being. I do not care for this tactic, as it leaves him vulnerable in the aftermath.”
“We talked about this. I can handle myself. Even if Layla hadn’t been around, I know places to hole up.”
“Am I not allowed to care?” The wind whipped up, just a bit.
“Easy guys.” Layla put her hands out. “Look, let’s get a snack and the two of you can fight over who loves who more.”
Khonshu sagged for an instant. “I will contact you afterwards.”
“You’re invited, idiot.” Layla rolled her eyes. She didn’t get along with the bird, but she could appreciate his love for Jake. “Nobody can see you anyway, so it won’t be a problem.”
Khonshu managed to look surprised. “I…would be happy to join.”
Jake smothered a grin. “Bueno. Let’s hit that little shop across from the flat, they’re open late.”
“You remain in public like this?”
“The shop’s quiet at this hour. They’re used to me grabbing a couple 99s then hiding in the back.” Layla shrugged. “Nobody will see him.”
“What is a 99?”
“Oh Jefe, it’s awesome. We’ll get you one.” Jake promised.
“I do not need to eat.”
“Nobody NEEDS ice cream. It’s a treat.” Layla walked towards the shop.
The god stalked after her. “I see. Then I will sample it.”
Jake kept his voice as quiet as he could. “Thanks Chula.”
“No problem. Maybe some sugar will lighten him up.”
-
Layla collected the plastic tray holding three 99 cones and retreated to the darkest corner of the shop. Jake of course didn’t need a whole cone to himself, but it was a cheap thrill.
Khonshu hovered at the edge of the table, strangely unsure. “Should I--sit?”
“If that would make you comfortable.” Layla set the container on the table and fished Jake out of her pocket. She sat so he was shielded from any prying eyes.
Khonshu hummed. “As this is Jake’s preferred style of eating, I will join him. ”
“What--” The question barely left Jake’s mouth before Khonshu appeared next to him on the table, the exact same size. “Whoa. Jefe I’ve never looked you in the…eye holes before.”
Khonshu straightened himself up and Jake wondered if he’d meant to make himself quite so small. “I do not see what you find so fascinating about this. ”
“Give it time.” Joke hopped onto the end of the plastic device. “Gotta hand it to the Brits, this shit is fantastic.”
“I could do without the banana.” Lalay picked up the cone in the middle, leaving the end one for Khonshu.
The god, still not sure of himself, stretched onto tiptoe, trying to grab the Flake bar from the top. He couldn’t quite reach it. A tiny drip of melted ice cream landed on his beak. “Ridiculous.”
“Jefe, climb up here.” Jake stifled a laugh. He didn’t want Khonshu to go off in a huff.
Khonshu did so, now able to sit or stand to reach the treat. “Erm. Jake, how do I…”
“Well, you can’t lick it.” Jake knew the god didn’t have a tongue. “I guess you can sort of bite the ice cream or the Flake.”
He did his best not to stare as the god buried the tip of his beak into the tutti frutti mound. It was easier when he was preoccupied with his own massive cone.
‘You’re going to make us fat.’ Steven’s sleepy voice surfaced. ‘You alright?’
“Pretty sure I burned a million calories fighting the last set of crooks.” Jake murmured. “Everything’s cool Patojo.”
‘ ‘Kay. Tell Layla I said hi.’ The voice faded back out; the taste of fruit was enough to bring Steven around most of the time. Jake didn’t mind sharing, but the last thing Steven needed was a tiny surprise Khonshu.
Well, same size as them surprise Khonshu.
The bird had made a good sized hole in the ice cream, but his face was now plastered with the stuff. Layla ripped a tiny patch of napkin and placed a bit near each of them. Khonshu didn’t say anything, but Jake saw him use it to swipe his beak clean.
Layla reached over and picked out his Flake bar, biting it in half. “Hey!”
“You’re not going to finish it.” She taunted, placing the rest back into the ice cream. This ritual was nearly as old as them going for ice cream. “You worried about germs?”
“Please, you and Spector have swapped every fluid imaginable.” He broke a piece off the bar.
“This talk is not conducive to enjoying ice cream.”
“Lo siento Papi, I didn’t realize you were squeamish.” Jake said, sarcastic.
“I do not need to envision my former Avatar’s proclivities.” Khonshu copied Jake and broke some of the Flake bar off. Jake wasn’t sure where the food was going after it entered the beak, but at least melted ice cream wasn’t dripping out of his skull.
“So, what’s the verdict?”
“It is…enjoyable. It is a lot. I still don’t understand why you prefer it this way.” Khonshu blinked back to the edge of the table, normal sized.
He was holding the cone.
Jake shrugged. “Just one of my many endearing quirks, Jefe.”
“Indeed." The god vanished, taking the cone with him.
“Hey Chula, thanks for putting up with him.”
“He’s fine if you’re around.” Layla said. “But I’m glad to get some ‘us’ time. It’s been a bit.”
“True.” He took another lick. “I think I’m about done here.”
She picked up the remains of the Flake bar and added it to her own diminished cone. “Yeah, me too. Let’s head home.”
Jake hopped into her free hand, enjoying the combined sugar, post fight, and fun outing with Khonshu highs.
It was a good night.