Chapter Text
Seth
Things were quieter in Heliopolis for a few days, and Seth spent most of it sleeping, for what felt like the first time in ages. Horus was focused on catching up on administrative tasks in the palace now that he was back, and his secretaries were happy to keep him busy. He’d been able to accomplish much even while he was away, but now he could do more, and it kept him occupied once dealing with Nephthys was out of the way, and they awaited the return of Isis and Maat.
Seth often stayed on the bed while Horus worked at his desk, or exercised in the free space. It was still confinement, after a fashion, but he was able to sit on the window and look out at the city and wonder where he would even go if he could leave. Anubis was in the palace, as was Nephthys, and Osiris could be lurking anywhere.
It’s better to stay here, Seth thought with a glance back at Horus, who was reading a papyrus scroll. I can keep an eye on things. Horus had made himself even more at home in the room, and Seth had simply come to accept it. It meant the place felt less like where Seth went to mope during his reign, and more like a shared space that Horus sometimes dominated, but familiar enough that Seth could take up his own part of it without suffocation. It was a tender balance, but a good one.
Anubis checked in every day, multiple times, letting Seth know he was fine, Osiris hadn’t come to take Anubis over, and Anubis was still making progress learning to use his abilities. Khnum was ever at his side, usually a smiling presence who stuck to Anubis like a burr. Anubis would sometimes glare at Horus, but they mostly kept things civil.
“Mother is talking,” Anubis said one day as Seth sat on the steps of Horus’ throne while Horus talked with some of his secretaries. The official audience had been dismissed, leaving the hall empty, so Anubis was better able to talk without being overheard.
It was late afternoon, and sunlight poured into the area. Horus had started keeping Seth at his side during audiences, which initially alarmed the public, but at Horus’ insistence on getting audiences done now that he was returned, people settled into the routine, and most just ignored Seth. Seth imagined most of them enjoyed the fact that Seth was almost always a step below Horus, or usually behind his throne. It made it seem more obvious who was in charge, and who had lost their trial.
Anubis had come in after the audience was dismissed, to catch Seth before Seth and Horus retired for the evening. Now Anubis’ expression was worried. “Mother mostly apologizes or talks about raising me… but she’s talking. More than she’s done in years.”
Seth nodded slowly. It made sense, now that Nephthys was out of her cell and Horus had been pushy about her speaking up. With all the years of Nephthys lying to Anubis about his parentage, it made sense that she’d be doing her usual routine of groveling for forgiveness.
“During your reign, I begged her to leave with me so many times,” Anubis said, gazing into the distance. His jackal mask made him look more severe. “And she always said no, because she had to ‘make up for your crimes’ or something.”
Seth sighed and realized at some point his opinion of Nephthys had drastically lost its golden luster. He would likely always love her, but… he was just tired. While he’d been punishing himself for his failure to stop Osiris from going as far as Osiris had, and for hurting Isis and maybe Nephthys, too, Nephthys had been punishing herself. She’d said to Seth in the past it was to make up for Seth’s crimes, since he was her husband… but did it really matter to Seth? It just felt like another burden of his to bear, as if it was his fault she suffered in this particular way. But he’d broken their marriage the first time he saw her after dealing with Osiris. I wasn’t the one who told her to sit in a cell for hundreds of years, he reminded himself. And I wasn’t the one who forced her to make that deal with Osiris. Or to lie to me.
“You won’t see her?” Anubis asked. There was a mix of hope and resignation in his voice. Anubis didn’t bring it up in their conversations, but he was still clearly a son who missed easier times with his parents.
Seth felt like he was letting Anubis down, but still shook his head. “Nothing would be accomplished by that. I still have nothing to say to her.” When he saw Anubis’ expression grow sadder, Seth said, “I know you want us to get along, but… that just doesn’t seem to be something that will happen.” He sighed. “We’ve hurt each other too much. Confessing to what happened, fully, won’t return things to the way they were.”
“I know,” Anubis said, still looking a bit glum. “I don’t expect them to go back to how they were. Though I am glad she’s talking.” He smiled bitterly at that. “I would have liked to have known the truth sooner, though.”
Seth grimaced, recalling his many regrets in that department.
“Though it’s interesting to know that you at least joined together in a way to keep it secret,” Anubis said, raising an eyebrow at Seth.
“…We didn’t,” Seth said with a frown. “I think we both assumed one of us would say something, but I guess neither of us did.” He was honestly surprised with Nephthys’ continued silence on the subject over the years. Part of the reason he’d drowned himself in liquor and incense was his fear that one day Nephthys would say something, and Anubis would be done with him. But it never happened. Then Seth tried to work up the courage to just say it himself. But that never happened, either. So they lived in an unofficial stalemate, both too cowardly to move forward with their lives, or to help their son caught in the middle. If I’m disgusted with anyone, he thought, it’s myself. He lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Anubis. We should have told you.”
Anubis sighed and said, “It’s done. And I can’t say I’m averse to the both of you at least talking to me properly again. Even under these circumstances.”
We did stonewall him a bit, Seth thought. Even beyond our own drama. “You were always talking to her during my reign, though. What did you talk about?”
“Mostly I talked to myself,” Anubis said with a grimace of his own. “Or at least that’s how it felt. I knew she was listening, but she didn’t say much, other than to mind you, because you were my father, and to focus on my training.”
Still better than physical abuse, Seth thought grimly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she wasn’t talking to you, either.” He had hoped Anubis at least had some respite in his mother over the years, even if she’d lied. He hadn’t realized even that was gone. It made him feel more bitter about his own actions.
Anubis shrugged. “Enough with the apologies. What’s done is done.” Anubis gazed up at Horus, who was listening to a secretary say something. Anubis’ expression bent in distaste. “I’m surprised he brings you out here. I would imagine he’d hole you up in his rooms.”
“He likes it when he can keep an eye on me,” Seth said, though he knew it would only make Anubis more annoyed. “I think it keeps him calmer.”
Anubis scoffed. “What, is he a child with a special toy rather than an adult attempting to rule a kingdom?”
Khnum stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Anubis’ left shoulder, making Anubis’ expression soften.
“Having your mother at my side used to calm me,” Seth said, his gaze resting only briefly on Khnum’s fingers before returning to Anubis’ face. “Gods enjoy the company of others to some extent. It’s relaxing. And if it keeps him focused, then I’m all for it.”
“You’re not his spouse,” Anubis said, still annoyed.
Seth scoffed. “Hardly. But we’re working together, and that’s what matters.” Horus was a lot calmer lately, now that Seth wasn’t actively fighting him as much. Horus didn’t go into rages. He certainly wasn’t whispering sweet nothings to Seth or treating Seth in the way Seth had treated Nephthys when things were good, but Seth didn’t expect that, and things were still better. And not just him trying to convince me he’s the better partner, Seth thought.
Anubis sighed in frustration.
Seth smiled and pressed his right hand to Anubis’ arm, “Just leave it be, Anubis. I’m handling it. But thank you for worrying about me.” When he let go, he added, “I’ll consider visiting Nephthys. If she’s comfortable with it.” He imagined she wouldn’t be, which would at least solve that issue. But he could make the attempt, anyway. He felt he was in a little better shape to.
Anubis smiled and said, “Okay.”
Horus finished talking with the secretaries and stood, walking down from the throne and up to Seth. He glanced at Anubis, who glared. Then Horus looked at Seth and said, “Come,” before walking away.
Seth nodded to Anubis, who frowned, but nodded back. Then Seth followed Horus, only a half-step behind. He imagined Anubis would have more to say about this later, but it was Seth’s duty.
I’ll have a lot to talk with Isis about when she gets back, Seth thought glumly.
What Seth didn’t expect was when, halfway to Seth’s chambers, Horus pulled him into a storeroom and shut the door behind them. It was dark inside, but they could both see just fine with night vision. Horus pressed Seth up against a wall and pressed his nose to Seth’s collarbone. His body hot as usual, and his grip on Seth’s right arm was tight. His left arm pressed against the wall over Seth’s shoulder. He left no room for Seth to escape. “I heard you talking with Anubis, and it made me itch the entire time.” His voice was a mix of annoyance and lust.
Seth breathed in deeply and said, “I’m not going to stop talking to him. If you can’t handle that, you’re going to have to get over it.”
Horus breathed against Seth’s shoulder and pressed himself more against Seth’s body. “I didn’t care that you were talking to him. But I couldn’t focus beyond the idea of you on my lap on the throne.”
Seth wanted to roll his eyes at the old fantasy Horus had spoken of in the past. He was glad at least that Horus had never acted on it. But now he could feel how hard Horus was. At least he pulled us into a storeroom so no one else could see, Seth thought. And at least it’s not Anubis that’s annoyed him.
Horus opened his mouth and lightly pressed his teeth against Seth’s skin, not biting, but keeping the threat there.
Seth reached out and cupped Horus’ crotch, making the younger god hiss. But Seth wasn’t going to be bullied. “Are you just going to threaten me? You getting horny at the turn of a phrase isn’t my problem.” Seth squeezed his hand lightly, making Horus wheeze a little. “Maybe what you lack is better focus.”
Horus didn’t bite down, but he moved his lips and pulled back to gaze into Seth’s eyes. “Maybe you should read me my reports, then. I’ll focus on them that way.” There was challenge in his words. Nothing soft and gentle. Not quite a threat, either. Something in the middle.
Seth didn’t think he wanted soft and gentle right now. The conversation with Anubis had frustrated him more than he thought, and the idea of seeing Nephthys was making his heart race. He needed something to get his mind away from it. “Maybe if you stop letting Anubis distract you, I’ll think about it,” Seth said, keeping his gaze sharp. He also refused to let Horus take Anubis away again like that. Yes, Seth had no real power in the situation, but he’d try as hard as he could to keep Anubis now.
“He couldn’t be further from my mind,” Horus said before he leaned forward and snuffled around Seth’s left ear.
Seth breathed in deeply. “Prove it.”
“…Get rid of your shendyt.”
Seth dissolved the garment even as Horus pressed Seth back into the wall and then lifted Seth’s legs, letting Seth’s knees rest over Horus’ shoulders. His left arm supported Seth’s back to keep him from banging his head into the wall. Horus licked his finger before pushing it into Seth’s ass, squirming around in a way that made Seth grunt.
“My mother should be here tomorrow,” Horus said as he thrust in and out of Seth with his finger a bit more.
Seth was surprised to find he was pressing himself against Horus’ hand, and his cock was responding to Horus’ ministrations. He realized he was getting used to this and was growing impatient. “Good. Now fuck me before I fall asleep.” He wondered if the order would piss Horus off.
Horus snorted before pulling out his finger and returning with his cock.
Seth was loose enough from the previous evening and their past experiences that he didn’t need much stretching, and he appreciated the slight burn as Horus pressed inside him. It meant Horus was focused fully on him and no one else. It meant Seth was grounded in the now. They were rutting in a dark storeroom, but this wasn’t the basement. They’d have to leave eventually. And Horus was desperate for him, but not in an angry way.
“What will you say to Isis?” Horus asked as he thrust back and forth to go deeper into Seth’s ass. His big cock pushing inside and forcing Seth to use his sand to compensate a little and make the path easier. “Will you tell her about this, just like you told her about the rest?”
“You told her first, remember?” Seth replied, grunting at each thrust. Horus was a bully even when he wasn’t trying. But his grip kept Seth from getting bruised under the assault. “Why? Do you want me to talk to Isis about your fucking cock?”
“I didn’t need my cock last night to make you cry,” Horus said, grinning in the dark as he increased the pace of his thrusts, even as Seth’s face burned. “You fell apart on my fingers, remember?”
Seth was glad it was dark, and moved his body a bit so he could wrap his arms around Horus’ neck and squeeze a little. “She’ll never want to hold your hand again, knowing it’s been inside me.” He wasn’t planning on telling Isis anything even remotely like this. Just, He’s doing better generally, and treating me fine, or something else to placate her, as well as his view of the meeting with Nephthys, and what Anubis had reported. I can’t believe I’d ever imagine saying nothing bad of Horus’ treatment, he thought, nearly laughing.
“That’s true,” Horus said, his breathing fast now as well. “I’ll switch hands next time, so both are off limits.” He leaned forward and kissed Seth’s neck, shoving himself inside Seth to the root of his cock on every thrust. He yanked Seth down each time, making Seth cry out.
“I feel like she’ll wonder about stories from the servants,” Seth said, his eyes shut as Horus pushed him towards climax. “They might find it strange you’re fucking people in storerooms.” No one had seen them come in here, but someone might walk past and hear. In the past, Seth would have been fighting to get away, but his body wanted Horus’ cock more than it ever had, and was willing to risk it.
“They already talk about me sharing your room,” Horus said as he readjusted Seth’s hips for a better angle that brought tears of pleasure to Seth’s eyes. “There’s already rumors you’re my bedmate.”
Seth knew that was inevitable, based on what Anubis had told him. With everything that had happened, it had lost its threatening power. He was curious, though, “Do they assume their blessed savior would sink so low as to rape the former wicked tyrant?” He hadn’t heard anyone making up love stories in the way priests often exaggerated the actions of the gods, and he couldn’t imagine anyone trying. But many still wanted Seth to suffer.
Horus snorted. “I think it’s a mix of things. Some say you’ve seduced me, though my work has only worked to undo the damage of your reign, so I’m not sure what the point of your seduction is.”
The idea was hilarious, but it left Seth curious. “Do you think I’ve seduced you?” He wondered if Horus ever felt that Seth was manipulating him. It’s not like Seth had yet suggested anything with policy, but Seth had made it clear he was there to help Horus improve as a god and a ruler, and he kept his eyes and ears open, listening in to conversations and reading missives when he had the patience and wasn’t resting or sparring. Sex was an easy option for manipulating Horus, and Seth couldn’t deny he was increasingly willing to use it to keep Horus from going on the warpath, at least in regard to Anubis.
“You seduced me long ago, Seth,” Horus said, pulling out entirely and shoving himself back in hard, in a way that made Seth toss his head back and bite his lips to avoid screaming, even as his cock spilled over Horus’ chest. “But it’s no threat to me. So I don’t care.” He continued fucking into Seth through Seth’s orgasm, chasing his own release. “Mother knows something of it, and I don’t care about the rest.”
Seth was floating a bit, trying to stay in the feeling, but had enough wherewithal to ask, “And if someone said I was your whore now? What then?” The idea made Seth cold, but he couldn’t say it was a lie. Not when Seth chose to stay on top of everything else. Not when Seth had pulled Horus into his bed. But a part of him remembered Horus’ threats in the past too much ignore it. At the time they’d been terrifying. Now, there was too much at stake, and that seemed the least of their problems, not when Osiris could appear and try to kill them at any time.
Horus paused, and for a while, there was only the sound of their breathing. Finally, Horus said, “I’d have them beaten for disrespecting both myself and you. I am their king, and you are my war god. What I do with you outside your duties for Egypt’s defense is my business, and not for them to speculate to my face.”
Seth laughed at that, unsure what else to say. And he didn’t know how to feel at the strange warmth in his chest for the words, my war god. Nephthys used to say things like that, and it made him proud. But after the revelation of her lies, it had left him feeling hollow. But Seth knew Horus cared for no one else this way, and that his obsession with Seth led him to distraction.
Horus yanked Seth close when he came, his fingers tight on Seth’s back. They were so close that Seth could feel Horus’ lungs working, and the shaking of his body.
Maybe it’s warm because it’s real, Seth thought as he shut his eyes. Maybe being kept isn’t so bad if I know that my keeper sees all of me. And wants it all. Because he knew Horus did. His war god, indeed.