Chapter Text
Horus gravitated between an ecstatic joy that he was back at Seth’s side after weeks of keeping his distance, knowing the sandstorms made Seth’s thoughts on their fight abundantly clear… and a sharp rage at his father… and Sekhmet.
All these years, hearing stories of his father from Isis, Nephthys, Maat, Thoth, even Ra on the rare occasions she visited… None of them compared to what Seth had told him. Horus’ image of a wise, generous ruler who’d been good to his wife, his family, his subjects… And now this. Encapsulated in a god of war who’d fled to the desert to escape him.
Horus tried to focus on Seth, breathing in the scent of his hair, lightly caressing the soft skin of his chest.
The weeks away had been more difficult than Horus thought. Isis had scolded him for sighing more than once as he gazed towards the desert, though she’d also asked him what had happened. He’d stayed closed mouthed beyond vaguely saying he was giving Seth some space.
“Is he pouting?” Isis had asked, smiling softly. “He used to do that when we were younger. He has the most adorable pouty face, it’s so silly.” She'd laughed. Then she patted Horus’ arm and left to work on her medicines.
Horus had taken care of plenty of work while he was home, which had piled up in his absence, even with Isis at the helm. It had been distracting, anyway. But at night his bed felt empty, and his arms grasped for someone who wasn’t there.
He almost laughed. They’d barely had two nights together and already he could barely sleep properly without Seth there.
But it felt like something had shifted between them. Something greater than just bodies. He could be easy with Seth in ways he wasn’t, and even when Seth was challenging – which was much of the time – it was fun.
He wanted Seth at his side… wanted to be at Seth’s side… and the distance created by an argument he didn’t understand was baffling, particularly when he didn’t know how to make amends.
He’d been hopeful when he headed back to the desert after the storms ended, ready to get down on his knees to apologize if needed, though he kept his cool. He hadn’t expected anything like what he found. What he heard.
He’d seen Seth shaking. Knew there were details Seth was leaving out. Couldn’t even begin to imagine how truly horrible Osiris had been to him, based on that quick summary near the end.
Now Horus simply wanted to keep Seth in his arms and fly him somewhere far away, where no one could hurt him again.
And he wanted to talk to Sekhmet. He wanted answers. Beyond that, depending on the answers were… well he didn’t know what he’d do.
…But he couldn’t even talk to her about it, not with his promise to Seth.
And it would mean going back to the capital anyway. Abandoning Seth when Seth might - hopefully - need him.
…It could wait. Horus ducked his head against Seth’s, and settled for sleep, feeling somewhat relaxed back here again, with Seth safely tucked in his arms.
It was still dark out when Horus opened his eyes as Seth shifted his legs slightly in the darkness.
“Are you feeling any better?” Horus asked quietly.
“…What does better mean?” Seth asked after a time, his voice oddly blank.
“…I don’t know,” Horus replied.
“…Then maybe,” Seth said, quietly.
Horus was hopeful there, but not much. “What do you need right now?”
“…Can he come back?”
Horus blinked. “What?”
“You’re Pharaoh. Your mother is Isis. Can he come back?” It was obvious who he was.
“…Not to my knowledge,” Horus replied. “He’s certainly never made a reappearance himself… I used to ask Mother, if she’d tried to bring him back, and she said such things were beyond her ability. Even Ra couldn’t bring him back.”
“…If you could, would you bring him back?” Seth was frozen in Horus’ arms now. “He’s your father, after all. And you’re Pharaoh.”
“…No,” Horus replied, wondering just what Seth thought he was capable of just because he sat on his father’s throne. On Ra’s throne. Though it was true a lot of people thought he was capable of the impossible, if only because Isis sat beside him. And he was powerful, in his own right, and even he didn’t know what he was fully capable of just yet, but he had the sense that bringing people back from the dead wasn’t in his repertoire. As a child even Isis had pointed out that he’d been more similar to his grandmother than his father in terms of powers.
For once, Horus was grateful that was seemingly the case.
“I would not bring him back, even if I could.” There was a bit of anger in Horus’ voice that he couldn’t fully hide. Not directed at Seth, though. “I don’t know what I would do if I saw him, now. Nothing good, for what he did.”
Seth swallowed heavily. “He wasn’t all bad. He was a good ruler. A friend to many. Wise. Egypt prospered under him, and the people were happy. Your mother loves him.”
“He hurt you, likely planned worse, and had questionable opinions of the Goddess of Peace based seemingly on jealousy. I question if such a god would have kept Egypt in good health for long. And what his place would be were he to return to court now. And I feel that Mother would have been furious if she knew, to say the least.”
It was odd to think of it. So many years, he’d wanted his father in his life. He’d looked at all the holes in his existence where his father would have been, if he’d been alive. He’d imagined his parents together, eating meals with him, training him, spending time with him… He hadn’t thought it could be a reality, and certainly had no new ideas on how to make it a reality… but if he had the chance now, with Seth in his arms and that terrible history in his mind…
“All things end,” Horus said. “Sekhmet hit on something true there, whatever she meant with that phrase. Perhaps his time was done.”
Seth was silent for a long time, but eventually he leaned back into Horus.
Time passed.
“…You really think Sekhmet did it.”
“She is currently the only likely candidate,” Horus said, quietly. “No one else had motive. Perhaps she feared retribution after you left. Perhaps they made a deal that night when he awoke and it went sour after a month, so she struck. Perhaps she was biding her time before doing the deed, gathering helpers. Who can say?”
“Who would help her?” Seth asked. “He was Pharaoh. More than that, he was Osiris… People loved him. Even some of the other gods seemingly worshiped him.”
“If they knew what he—”
When Seth flinched at that, Horus changed tack, “They won’t, not if you don’t want them to, but if they knew… I think you’d have more allies than you think. And Sekhmet might have known who to go to.”
“…You think she told people?” Seth’s voice was thin, horrified.
“…Perhaps.” Horus pulled Seth close when he started shaking again. “Or perhaps she was good at convincing them through other means. We don’t know. I’ve never heard of this before, and if she had help, I find it hard to believe the story wouldn’t spread, so it’s hard to believe she did tell someone. You know how bad the gossip is at home.”
After a time, Seth stopped shaking. “…Yes. I do.” After a time, he continued, “She’s not strong enough on her own. She’s a trickster. A fighter, yes, but not strong enough to face Osiris on her own.”
“She’s the daughter of Ra. Osiris was Ra’s great-grandson. Perhaps Sekhmet has powers we don’t know of.”
Seth sighed.
“I don’t mean to question your judgment on the matter,” Horus said, feeling the sun creep up outside the tent. “You know Sekhmet better than I do. But—"
“You still want to talk to her.”
“…Yes. But it’s not important right now.”
After a time, Seth replied, “Fine. You can talk to her about it. All of it.”
Horus twitched. “Are you sure?”
“….No. But you can do it anyway.”
“…You’re very sure?”
Seth huffed and dissolved into sand, making Horus fall forward slightly. Seth reappeared near the tent flap and pushed it back, gazing in the direction of the sunrise, his back to Horus.
Horus sat up, watching him, wondering what he was thinking.
“I’m just tired, Horus,” Seth said, quietly. He sounded… defeated. “Perhaps not better after all.”
Horus stood up and walked over to him, placing his hands on Seth’s shoulders to gently rub them. Seth didn’t pull away.
“I’m wrung out,” Seth continued. “Like a cleaning rag.” He laughed, bitterly. “I’m still… afraid… angry… and empty, too. I don’t… The emptiness just seems to be taking over.”
Horus wrapped his arms around Seth’s chest and pulled him close.
Seth went with the movement, resting the back of his head against Horus’ neck. After a time, he continued, “I thought telling you would change things. And it… I think it did, but I don’t… I don’t really feel different. Just… empty…”
“It was a lot to talk about,” Horus said.
“…You think I was stupid to run away.”
“What? No! Of course not.”
“You said Isis and Nephthys miss me.”
“Well, yes, but… You did what you had to. To keep yourself safe. To heal. I would never think you stupid for that.”
Seth snorted. “I’ve been doing nothing but sleeping, really, but I’m still so tired…”
“You can take a break,” Horus said. “It’s okay.”
When Seth didn’t say anything, they just stood there together, watching the sunrise.
“I do miss more than the music, the dancing,” Seth said, eventually. “The library. Processions of our followers. Boat races. Archery contests. Even drinking contests with Sekhmet…” He chuckled. “Talking with Isis about anything, really. Your mother’s brilliant, you know.”
“I know.”
Seth sighed. “Good.” Eventually, Seth asked, “What would you do, if I went back? To Heliopolis?”
Horus blinked. “You’d go back?”
“I’m not saying I will,” Seth qualified. “Just… what would you do?”
“With what? Talking to Sekhmet?”
Seth sighed. “With… this. Us.” He scoffed. “If there is an us.”
Horus felt his heart race, and then smiled. “Well, my bed is a lot more comfortable than your cot.”
Seth elbowed him. “Oaf.”
Horus swallowed and laughed. “It is, though. Roomier, too. And I’ve got all these wonderful sheets I’m sure you’d enjoy sleeping on.” And jewelry and fine clothes I’d cover you in, but he didn’t say that.
“Oh?” Seth asked, tauntingly. Horus could hear the smile in his voice.
“You could wake up in my arms every morning… if you wanted.”
“Is that something you want?”
Horus nuzzled his hair. “You need to ask?”
Seth laughed a little, but didn’t reply.
“We could set up a throne for you alongside mine and Mother’s,” Horus continued, imagining it. “You could hold court with us, if you wanted. I’m sure Mother would appreciate the advice.”
“You’re Pharaoh, though. I didn’t do that for Osiris. It would be strange if I did that for you.”
“I am not my father,” Horus said, quietly but firmly, noting Seth’s twitch in response. “The desert is Egypt’s primary defense against our enemies, and you are of my mother’s generation, and wise in strategy. I’d appreciate your advice and thoughts on problems.” And perhaps if Father had listened to you rather than just… lusting after you, things might have been different. But that was a ridiculous thought. Likely it would have just given Osiris more ammunition for whatever goals he had. And it was a silly train of thought.
He smiled and squeezed Seth just a little. “And, selfishly, having you at my side during meetings would be… pleasant.”
“Ha,” Seth said. “Not serving you grapes? Or sitting at your feet?”
“If you wish,” Horus replied. The thought of Seth feeding him grapes was doing things to his brain (and his cock). “But I’d rather you at my side. An equal, like Mother.”
“Mmm… What if I run away again?” Seth asked, teasingly. “Back here. Away from you.”
“I’d give you space,” Horus replied. “Unless you wanted me to follow you. Then I would.”
“You wouldn’t order me to stay?”
“Never.” Horus smiled. “Plus, you’re the desert. Only you can control you. It’s a fool who thinks otherwise.”
Seth laughed. “You’re Pharaoh, though.”
“You’re Seth,” Horus replied, pulling him close, kissing his right ear.
“That’s not an explanation.”
Horus moved down to Seth’s neck, making the other god crane his neck slightly, to give Horus more room. “As you keep reminding me, I’m Pharaoh, I don’t need explanations.”
Seth laughed.
Horus pulled him back to the cot.
Seth had his eyes shut and just let Horus kiss where he wanted, and move Seth how he wanted, though Horus noted Seth was gently smiling.
Horus pushed Seth onto his back and kissed his way down Seth’s chest, making Seth murmur contentedly. Horus was privately fascinated by how Seth didn’t seem to sweat all that much. He wondered if was one reason Seth tasted differently than others.
He paused and looked up, seeing that Seth's eyes were still closed. "Seth, I... Is this really okay? You'll let me know if it's too much?"
"I will be far more vexed with you stopping than whatever it is you have planned," Seth replied, quietly.
"You underestimate what I want to do to you." He couldn't keep the hunger out of his voice.
Seth's soft smile turned into a grin, even as Seth shivered slightly under Horus' fingers. He cracked open one eye to gaze down at Horus, with a kind of daring look. "Your threats have been received, noted, and filed with the appropriate officials. Carry on." He shut his eyes. "I'll kick you off if I need to."
Horus chuckled and went back to kissing Seth's stomach, eliciting a pleased sound from Seth. Horus found his way down to Seth’s waist, he hiked up Seth’s black shendyt and peppered kisses around Seth’s pelvis, sometimes licking the soft skin there, especially when it elicited sleepy murmurs from Seth. Then he licked his way down Seth’s cock, and kissed the head, but otherwise left it alone.
“…Horus?” Seth murmured, clearly a bit out of it.
Horus moved to Seth’s sack, licking it all over, sucking it partially into his mouth and making the other god shudder. Horus peppered more kisses over Seth’s taint, making Seth jump a little as Horus prodded the soft skin with his tongue.
Eventually, Horus pushed Seth’s thighs back, lifting the other gods legs up a little, and spreading his cheeks. Then Horus ducked down again.
Seth cried out in surprise when Horus’ tongue found his rim.
Horus pressed in, tasting everything he could, feeling Seth’s legs tremble in his hands. When he stuck his tongue inside that wet heat, both Seth’s legs twitched.
“Horus…” Seth groaned. He was unable to do much more than moan as Horus worked him over.
Seth’s left foot lightly eventually nudged Horus’ back, and Horus pocked his head up briefly, looking up at Seth.
Seth’s eyes were glassy, his face red.
“Yes, Seth?” Horus said, smiling.
“Want… want you in me.” His cheeks reddened. “Your cock, I mean.”
Horus grinned and replied, “As you wish.” He sat up dismissed his own shendyt, then used his wind to grab the oil Seth thankfully kept in the tent still. He wet his cock quickly, feeling anxious to get inside, then settled between Seth’s legs, and slowly pushed his way into Seth’s ass.
Seth tossed his head back. “Mmmn… Horus…”
“Seth…” Horus murmured, his eyes locked on the other god’s face as he slowly thrust back and forth, burying himself deeper and deeper. He wanted to take his time so he could feel every small bit of Seth he could.
Seth’s fingers dug into the cot. “Mmmm… You’re right. There probably are benefits-mm-to a bigger bed.”
Horus laughed and thrust in hard, making Seth grunt. “Are there?”
“I want you to fuck me on it,” Seth said, between contented moans. “I want to… to wake up in your arms… Until I smell like you. And you smell like me. All the time.”
Something tightened in Horus’ chest and he grabbed Seth’s cock, pumping it hard.
Seth cried out, coming hard in Horus’ hands. Horus followed soon after.
As Horus knelt, still bent over Seth, panting, Seth eventually murmured, “I don’t understand. How I can tell you all that… With Osiris… But you make me laugh and… and this and… forget… it all.”
Horus looked up at him, surprised.
Seth’s expression was a bit dazed, but there was still an odd brightness to them. “You make me forget that all exists. That it happened. …I want that.” Tears appeared in the corners of Seth’s eyes. “I want to forget.”
Horus pulled out and went up to Seth’s side, pulling him close. Seth’s forehead pushed against Horus’ right breast.
Seth’s tears continued to fall, and he shook. “I want to forget, Horus…”
“I’m so sorry, Seth.”
“I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
Horus rubbed his back. “It doesn’t matter. It’s over. It’s passed.” Horus could feel Seth’s tears on his stomach, and wished he knew a way to fix everything. What was the point of being Pharaoh if he was so powerless?
“Don’t go away again,” Seth said, quietly, burrowing his forehead in Horus’ collarbone. “Please.”
“I won’t,” Horus replied. “I swear it.” He’d do whatever it took. He didn’t know how it would work, but… He’d figure it out.
They lay there for a time, close, breathing heavily.
“You have to go back, though,” Seth finally said. “You have responsibilities.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Seth pressed his face into Horus’ collarbone. After a time, he said, “I’ll go with you. When you go back.”
Horus blinked. “Seth, you… You don’t have to do that.”
Seth chuckled. “Can’t get rid of me that easily.” He pulled back so he could look up into Horus’ eyes. Horus could see that there was hesitation and fear in Seth’s eyes, but an odd determination, too. “I think I need to see that… that he’s really dead.” Seth smiled sadly. “All these years and I think I’ve just been hiding out here from a ghost.” He shook his head. “I thought you were him. I thought Nephthys carried him, somehow. Maybe I even thought Isis was hiding him somewhere, I don’t know. But I can’t… I don’t want to always be afraid he’s going to come out to get me anymore.”
Horus smiled sadly and rubbed his back. “You’re so brave, Seth.”
Seth laughed. “Hardly.”
Horus pulled him close again. “Truly. You’re inspiring.”
Seth huffed, but didn’t reply. He snuggled closer, and sighed. “Isis will be so mad about me about this.”
“Coming back?”
“Sleeping with you.”
Horus blinked slowly, then laughed.