Chapter Text
Horus
Horus didn’t know if he should have made tea or coffee for his visitors as he sat in the lounge of his apartment, waiting. It was early afternoon and sunny as usual, but after the news from Isis, Horus had all the curtains down and the lights on for privacy, and he’d been told to be ready for Maat and Isis’ visit, with their special delivery in tow.
I haven’t seen Uncle in thousands of years, Horus thought, as he’d thought many nights over the course of his life. Well… that’s partially true. He’d seen Seth in his dreams plenty, and not just the vivid one recently of Seth’s first time on the sun boat. He had dreams of seeing Seth in Khemmis, Seth during the trial, Seth in his arms during the sentencing… on top of a million fantasies over the years, all more ridiculous than the last. Some of them were part of his fantasy of finally getting Seth freed from his punishment on Ra’s sun boat, and Seth smiling as he ran into Horus’ arms, and then they went off into the sunset together…
It was all rather silly. And seemingly pointless, since Seth was freed without him doing anything. It was a bit humbling.
The air shifted, and Horus sat up. He wore one of his nicer suits, given this was one of the rare occasions where he was acting in his role as a god, and Isis always expected him to act in accordance with his station in such instances. The suit was deep blue with gold lining, and a pale red tie. It was comfortable, and one he’d gotten from a tailor whose family he’d watched over for generations, and who still venerated him. He wore his headdress, as well, and felt a little warm under it, even though that was purely made from his magic. He so seldom wore the headdress these days that he felt more comfortable without. Putting it back on reminded him of a time where he’d felt safer and stronger beneath it. Where he could hide some of his nervousness away. Where he felt stronger because he was like the other gods with animal masks.
Like Seth.
A portal of dark energy appeared on one of the room’s walls marked with Maat’s ostrich feather, and a tall, thin woman with dark skin stepped through. She wore a severe but beautiful black suit, and had her hair tied back in a tail, with her tall white ostrich feather poking out of it. She nodded at Horus and walked around the large table.
Horus tried to pay her respects as he stood and said, “Maat, it is good to see you again,” but his eyes were on the god walking behind her.
Seth was taller than Maat, so it’s not like she’d hidden him, but he was strangely quiet for the man in Horus’ memories, and was hidden by dint of that after a fashion. After so many years living amongst humans who wore various amounts of full-body clothing, it was strange for Horus to see Seth’s bare chest under his usekh and gold armlets, especially behind Maat’s sober suit.
But not bad strange, given, well, Seth was still as handsome and alluring as he’d ever been. Horus worked on keeping his blush hidden. It’s not like I’ve never seen him like this before.
Seth wore his black sha headdress with its clean white khat, which hid his eyes. He had a neutral expression on his face. He otherwise looked little different than the man Horus remembered holding in his arms all those years ago as the other gods gathered like jackals around them. Seth glanced thoughtfully around the room, and Horus wondered how strange it looked to someone who’d been battling enemies on Ra’s sun boat for as long as Seth had, who’d missed out on so much of human history.
Isis stepped out after Seth, wearing a bright green suit. Her dark hair was short, her eyeliner was sharp, and she frowned at Seth as he stepped aside for her. “Sit,” she ordered at him, like he was a dog.
Seth grimaced, but walked up to one of the chairs and pulled it out, sitting at the table.
Isis looked at Horus, and there was a familiar emotion in her gaze: the look of disappointment when she learned how adamant Horus was in protesting Seth’s case.
I won you back your throne, Mother, Horus thought, as he’d thought time and again. You sent Seth to the sun boat, per Ra’s idea. I am allowed my own thoughts and opinions. Many had not understood why he was so adamant about asking for clemency for the god who’d made his life a ruin and stolen his birthright. Who’d murdered his father and destroyed the life of his mother. Horus never had answers good enough for them, other than balancing the scales properly. And as the centuries of Seth’s imprisonment long eclipsed the length of time of Osiris being dead with no justice and Isis being on the run, the reasoning for the outcries against Horus’ pleas grew more nonsensical.
Seth gazed at Horus, and Horus wondered what he was thinking. Did he know Horus had spoken up for him? Was Seth mad about it? Or did he think he was there to be punished more?
“Mother,” Horus said, nodding to Isis.
Isis simply nodded back before frowning back at Seth.
A car horn honked loudly in the distance, and Seth glanced towards it with a frown, almost as if he could see it through the walls.
“It’s just a human thing, Uncle,” Horus said. “It's normal.” All these years, and he’d greeted his uncle like that. It was painful and ridiculous, and Horus wished he could better get across his feelings on the matter, even with Maat and Isis in the room.
Seth stayed silent and turned back to face the table again. It was worrisome. The last time they’d met, Horus had promised not to share what happened the last night Osiris was alive. And Horus had kept his promise: what Sekhmet shared with him stayed with him. But it had likely also stayed with Seth, given the way he’d acted. Did he still think about it? Or did his time on the sun boat make it even farther from him, emotionally?
Maat stayed standing and said, “The rules will be simple. Seth is on a probationary period to see if he can acclimate properly back into the human world. If he starts up any large conflicts with the humans, he will be returned to the sun boat for another 1000 years, at which point his sentence will be reconsidered.”
That’s harsh, Horus thought, gazing at Seth, who was contemplating the table some more. Do they expect him to start a war right out or something? He tried to imagine Seth standing in the desert thinking it would get him anywhere, and watching as human tanks went in completely different directions. He tried to imagine Seth taking over a modern seaport, and the idea was too ludicrous.
“As the one who defeated him in the past,” Maat said, meeting Horus’ gaze, “you will be in charge of ensuring he toes the line.”
It seems like a strange reward for winning, Horus thought. Unless they somehow expect me to be the first to complain about his behavior, which, surely they realize won’t be the case. Certainly, if Seth tried to start World War III, Horus would stop him. But any other god would probably report Seth for even twitching wrong. And Horus wouldn’t do that. And given Horus’ history, Maat had to know that, even if Isis said he was being given this duty because he kept asking for Seth’s freedom. Why agree to it? Because everyone else said no? Or because they wanted to see him regret his decision to try to get Seth’s freedom?
“There’s also the matter of no other god is powerful enough to watch over him,” Isis muttered, crossing her arms as she glared at Seth. “With Osiris still in Duat and most of the other gods in their own corners of the world, focusing on,” she fluttered her fingers in frustration, “you’re the only one who can be trusted with this anyway.”
That makes more sense, Horus thought, trying not to smile. For once, the gods keeping more to themselves and not caring about other people worked out for him. Though if Seth was happy about it, he didn’t say anything.
“But I’ll be watching, too,” Isis said, glaring at Seth. “My office is near Horus’ apartment. I’ll know if something is wrong.” She looked at Horus with a frown. “You’ll tell me the minute he steps out of line.” She spoke as if she knew Seth would.
Well, she can see the future to some extent… But Horus imagined that if she’d seen some specific event, she’d have never let this happen. Or at least Maat would have been more easily convinced to stop it. So likely this was just her frustration and anxiety. “Of course, Mother,” Horus said, gazing at her with as neutral an expression as he could. He wasn’t going to be calling her every five minutes, if that’s what she expected. He hoped she’d just be drawn back into her work at the hospital.
“I prepared a list of suggestions for duties he might be able to perform going forward,” Maat said as she pulled out her cellphone and quickly tapped something out.
Horus’ cellphone dinged with a new email, and Horus opened it up to scroll through it. He knew Maat’s penchant for detailed contracts and would have to take his time on it. Thankfully, he was able to read quickly, and didn’t see anything amiss, though it was relatively strict on Seth’s movements.
Horus wondered if this whole business was overwhelming, and that’s why Seth was so quiet. Horus wasn’t exactly trained for helping people from thousands of years ago acclimate to the present day, and he hadn’t exactly planned where to begin. Godhood would protect Seth from many issues that humans faced, and Horus’ money would make a lot of other things easier… but it was still going to be hard to acclimate to likely new languages, new etiquette, and modern technology…
Seth wasn’t even paying attention to his cellphone. Perhaps he knows what they are somehow and doesn’t care? Horus thought. If he didn't know, Horus imagined he'd have been more curious about them.
Or Seth just assumed his attention was unnecessary and had resigned himself to whatever other people decided for him. Just as he had for the sentencing.
“Good,” Maat said once Horus was done reviewing. “And this will not impact your duties?”
Horus shook his head. The humans didn’t need him precisely as much as they used to, though he still made his rounds to check on those who prayed to him. He had odd jobs when he chose to work, and mostly just spent his time responding to godly requests of one type or another. “Seth might even be able to help me with that.” It was something he’d thought of years ago, and he still believed it was a good idea.
Maat eyed Seth with a speculative look, and then shrugged. “I have a spell on him as well, to track his whereabouts. It shouldn’t affect his abilities, but it will let me know if he breaks the contract.” She met Horus’ gaze to ensure he understood she was serious.
He believed her.
Maat looked back at Seth. “As was stated when we took you from Ra’s sun boat, Seth: you will not start war with the humans or begin or take part in their destruction. And you will not attack your fellow gods unless in matters of self-defense. Horus is your keeper. If you attack him, you shall return to the sun boat. You understand?”
“Yes,” Seth said, quietly.
“This is too dangerous!” Isis said, glaring at Seth and clearly fed up with staying silent. “The damage he could cause before we can stop him…”
“You’ve already made your disagreements clear, Isis,” Maat said severely. “Horus has not given up his petition for Seth’s early release, and Ra finally agrees. Seth has served his sentence.”
Horus thought that was an interesting description of things. But he needed to calm Isis down. “I can look after myself, Mother,” Horus said, calling their attention to him. “Plus, Seth has been quiet this entire time you’ve been here. I feel like that shows his intentions well enough.” Seth hadn’t called for sand to destroy things, yelled, or started otherwise destroying the place. He was simply sitting, silent. It was worrisome, given how much it reminded Horus of when Seth had lost the third match all those years ago. But at least it would hopefully reassure Isis enough to leave.
Seth didn’t react to that comment, either. Horus recalled the dream, where Seth had been so angry and focused on not giving in. Yet here he was, quietly obedient.
Horus didn’t like it at all. What happened to you on that sun boat?
Isis breathed in deeply, still angry, but didn’t disagree.
“Then that’s that,” Maat said, reopening the portal. “I have other duties to take care of. Will you be staying, Isis?”
Isis glared at Seth more, and then met Horus’ gaze.
Horus didn’t back down from her look. If he was going to be given the opportunity he’d been waiting for, he wasn’t going to pass it up.
Isis finally sighed, and resignation entered her expression. She said, “Contact me if you need help.” Then she got up and followed Maat through the portal, which shut behind them.
The room was quiet afterward, and Horus looked back at Seth, noting the tension in his body even without Maat and Isis in the room. Horus tried for a smile and said, “Are you hungry? I can get you something to eat.”
Seth looked up at and studied him. After a time he asked, “Are you going to poison it?” There was a bit of his old sarcasm in his tone, but not much.
Horus winced, but he liked that Seth was talking to him, anyway. “No. You’re in my care, and I’m not meant to add to your punishment.”
Seth snorted and leaned back on the chair while crossing his arms. “Isis and Osiris will be disappointed.”
Horus was a bit annoyed at that. “They’re not the ones charged with watching over you.” Horus frowned. “Do you think I’m just them in another form?” He’d long since demonstrated he was neither of his parents in terms of his rule. But then again, Seth had been absent for much of it.
“I think you’re yourself,” Seth said, with some contempt. “A stranger in over his head.”
Horus put his phone down on the table and laced his fingers together. “I kept my promise,” he said, which made Seth frown. “I didn’t tell anyone what happened that night.”
“What night?” Seth demanded.
“The night Osiris assaulted you.”
Seth’s right hand twitched slightly, but his expression remained calm. “How do you even know about that?”
“Sekhmet told me.” They hadn’t had time to talk about it before Seth’s sentencing. Seth only knew that Horus knew a little. Unless Sekhmet had visited him, or Ra had said something… But Horus didn’t know that, either. And if Seth thought Horus would poison him, would Seth even trust anything Horus said?
Seth snorted. “Of course she did.” He shook his head, smiling bitterly. “I should have killed her when I had the chance…” But he made no move to dissolve into sand and get away. He just sat in his chair, his shoulders bowed slightly, making him look oddly small. “I was surprised when she didn’t show up to tell me this is all some kind of game.”
There was a kind of bitterness in Seth’s tone, and Horus wondered if Seth had protested the move at all. If he’d wanted to stay on the sun boat, if only to stay out of Horus’ care. But it was also oddly phrased. So he asked, “You didn’t know Ra had suggested this?”
“Ra and I don’t talk much,” Seth said. He grimaced. “One day she was mocking me, as usual, and then the next she said I was wasting my time on her stupid boat, despite the fact she only made me row half the time and defend her boat the rest. Then after that, Maat and Isis were there, with Isis furious about the whole thing, and Maat saying they were letting me go.” Seth shook his head. “Ra pretends at being fickle, but she’s always been a plotter. There’s something more to this, but I have no idea what.”
“Isis didn’t say anything?” Horus asked. He realized he should have asked more about this. Ra agreeing to this was too strange. Too dangerous. But he was far too distracted by Seth being present in his apartment for that. He’d only wanted Maat and Isis gone so he that he and Seth could be alone, so Seth could finally talk. It was the first time it had been just the two of them since Seth knocked Horus down in the sand.
“Not to me,” Seth replied. “Neither Ra nor Isis are my closest friends, after all.”
“But you served on Ra’s sun boat for millennia,” Horus said. “Surely she trusts you to some degree.” He couldn’t imagine Ra trusting just about anyone. He’d barely spoken with her at all over the years, though he knew she found his attempts to free Seth amusing.
Seth grimaced. “So did a lot of gods. Ra grows bored at times, even of taunting me.” After a moment he snorted and added, “Maybe Isis feels that this is Ra’s revenge on her now that Ra’s grown weary of me. Even if it was Ra’s idea to send me to the sun boat in the first place.”
“Do you think that’s what’s happening?” Horus asked. It was certainly a possibility.
Seth shrugged. “I have no idea.”
Silence reigned again. Horus marveled at how, after all this time, they’d had something like a conversation. He wanted to cradle it in his hands, fractious as it was. Seth was here and going to stay here. It was reality.
But Horus could also tell that Seth was deeply uncomfortable, reasonably so, and likely to get more uncomfortable as they explored.
Finally Horus asked, “If you don’t want to eat anything just yet, is there anything you want first? Getting you reacclimated to the world will be difficult, but we need to start somewhere.”
Seth studied Horus for a moment before saying, “I want to talk to Anubis.”