Chapter Text
Seth
Seth thought he’d be more mixed up after Nephthys’ visit: that he’d want to get out and do something or just resort to staring at the ceiling again. But their talk seemed to take a weight off his chest, and after sitting alone in his room for an hour or so afterward, he pulled up a book he’d started reading on his phone, and just got lost in that.
He had occasional thoughts about talking to Horus, based on what Nephthys had brought up, but he didn’t know how to do that. Horus was pushy and glad to talk about Seth's problems, but Seth didn’t push the people he cared about that way. It was likely one reason Nephthys sought Seth out, after being so used to him avoiding her.
Seth lowered his phone to gaze out the window at the darkening sky, thinking of how both he and Horus had lived through things they didn't talk much about on the regular. He couldn’t imagine what Horus had gone through for much of his life, first under Seth’s rule, and then reigning as a king. Imagining Horus keeping quiet about what Hathor did was… a new tangle in understanding the younger god.
And he imagined that Horus might not have brought it up because he didn’t want to bring it up. Though that reminded Seth of all the times he’d pushed Nephthys away, afraid of what she’d say.
Horus wasn’t pushing Seth away, but maybe he stayed quiet because he didn’t think Seth would listen. But if Horus was there for Seth, was Seth meant to reciprocate? Horus had confessed to him and had advocated for Seth for centuries. Did Seth owe him a polite ear at least?
He's still my jailer, Seth though with some annoyance. Even if he's a nice one, what do I really owe him?
Given it wasn’t precisely something Seth could fix on his own, he turned to what he could do, which was study more of human history, learn more about modern self-distance and strength training, and try to adapt more to sticking around here longer.
He returned to the classes at the dojo, where his students were actually excited to see him. They didn’t come all the time, but they came a lot, and their enthusiasm was oddly infectious. He could recognize each of them by name, and learned more about their family situations, which made him glad they were able to come as often as they did. The sun boat had seemed so distant from humanity, which Seth imagined he'd appreciate more. But it made it easier to forget why he'd fought in the wars he had. Not just to help his siblings rule, but so their people could live in as much peace as possible. And in his absence, while he'd protected the world from greater threats, humanity had still suffered. He couldn't say he necessarily loved humanity on the whole, but he saw Anubis in these young children, struggling to make something of themselves.
He wanted to help where he could.
The people who ran the class offered to let him do three a week, which he accepted. He still had a lot of free time, and it meant he wasn’t stuck in Horus’ apartment as much. And he got permission from Horus to go to a local gym to train, though Seth had to work hard not to break the equipment. He discovered there was even community there, and he got to know the regulars, even if he was wary of talking to them. But he nodded at a few every now and then, and was even asked about his techniques at times, as people took him for a professional of some kind. Although in some ways he technically was, it was still strange to be asked. It reminded him of when young hopefuls would come to his temples to pray for guidance and strength, and how new recruits would listen hopefully to his lessons on combat.
Slowly, he acclimated to living in a world where Nephthys knew most everything, and where Nut knew, and Horus knew, and he kept on moving farther from the sun boat, rather than back to it. Nut messaged Seth almost every day, just to say hello and see how he was doing, and he sent her back little quiet thank you’s and noted that he was doing fine. Nephthys had sent him some reading recommendations on human history he might be interested in, and he was spending much of his days doing that, on top of reading everything else he’d missed. It still gave him a depressed view of the world, but he hadn’t exactly been in love with it even before Osiris’ death: he’d just done his duty.
He also had a lot of access to different art and history from different lands, which intrigued him. He hadn’t had much time for such study before his sentencing. And the freedom now was a bit overwhelming.
Anubis – apparently with Khnum’s suggestions, according to the text messages – sent Seth some movies and shows to watch. Sometimes with the comment, “Horus will hate this,” which Seth found somewhat strange.
Seth watched the movies on the bigger TV in the living room, and, despite Anubis’ comments, Horus would still come sit with him to watch at least some of it, not making any comment other than to offer snacks.
Seth wasn’t sure what to make of their relationship, but he could tell he was adjusting to living in the regular world, while Horus also picked up his own routines.
Sometimes Horus was just busy with work, and he didn’t bug Seth all that much. Seth realized he felt a bit forlorn about that somehow, like he needed someone to be paying attention to him, which was annoying. It was nice that Anubis, Nephthys, and even Nut, were talking to him, and trying to incorporate him into their lives. Isis still kept her distance, but she also didn’t bother Seth, or apparently get on Horus’ case enough to bother Seth, so he took that for the semi-blessing for what it was.
Seth considered approaching Geb, but wasn’t sure how to handle that conversation. His father was somehow more distant than Nut was. They’d never been close, partly because Seth always wondered if he should be wary of his father, given the similarities of their domains. But Geb never bothered Seth about the movement of the sands, or tried to lecture him about it.
Sometimes, while Seth was at war, he’d gaze into the desert and wonder if Geb was watching. Or just in the middle of another of his naps and completely oblivious. His siblings never spoke much of their father, either. They were all too focused on ruling Egypt, focusing on their followers, or their own private pursuits.
Seth wasn’t planning to think on Geb much, either, but Anubis’ comments had made him consider it more. But he wasn’t sure what to do with it.
Geb himself took the issue out of Seth’s hands by showing up one day as Horus and Seth walked to the dojo. Geb was standing by a light pole, wearing a bright brown suit that looked quite sharp on him. His head was bare, and his hair was closely shaved. Golden bracers glinted under his suit cuffs. Osiris’ resemblance to him was quite sharp, which was a bit off-putting to Seth. But Seth wouldn’t back down from meeting with Geb. He had no reason to. If Geb was mad about Osiris or anything else, he could make things clear himself.
Geb looked over to them as the pair approached, and then nodded to them both. “Seth. Horus. Nut said you’d be here?”
Why does my whole family enjoy ambushing me? Seth wondered as he and Horus walked over. “Father.”
Then again, he wondered if Geb also noticed that Seth was evasive. Maybe he knew it was hard to keep in touch otherwise.
“Grandfather,” Horus greeted the older god.
Geb’s expression was neutral as he said to Seth, “I hope you’re doing well. I heard you train humans here.” His right hand was in his pocket, but he met Seth’s gaze, looking cool and unbothered. “Is that going well?”
“I’m about to have a class,” Seth said. “And yes, it’s fine. Did you need something?” He imagined he sounded dismissive, but he wanted to focus on his class, not his weird non-relationship with his father.
“I just wanted to see what you were up to,” Geb said. “Nut’s spoken more of you, and I thought you might call, but…” He gazed at Seth pointedly. “Of course it’s been a while and you have a lot to catch up to, but…”
Seth was a bit annoyed that he was apparently meant to keep everyone abreast of his activities. He could see that was a popular thing on human social media, as they called it, but Seth found it unnerving and irritating. He liked seeing at least what Anubis was up to, and Nephthys posted with relative frequency to the socials she kept use of. He didn’t check on his other family much, and he kept his presence online to a minimum: he didn’t want to be ejected from that space as well.
Though he supposed he wasn’t sure how else Geb was meant to get in touch if the older god didn’t just call him like Nut did. Seth didn’t go out to do anything other than the classes. He read books or watched things in Horus’ apartment. He seldom ate. He slept when he could. The rare times he reached out to anyone he wasn’t already close with was to a few self-defense forums he’d found here and there to learn more from modern human martial experts.
He was still wary of the other gods, his father among them. And Seth certainly wasn’t the one who would have started that conversation. And he would have been wary if Nut, Nephthys, or Anubis had tried, just like he was wary of Anubis’ comments about Geb. That Nut had simply talked about him to Geb in a way that seemingly wasn’t negative was already interesting.
He still wasn’t used to her trying to keep them as a family of any kind.
“You could watch the class,” Horus told Geb. “If Seth is okay with it. And so long as I ask. And if it’s Seth you’re focusing on. Seth wanted to give some more demonstrations today.”
Seth wasn’t sure if he was grateful for Horus taking over or not. But he supposed this was fine. Better than trying to come up with things to say to his father.
“Oh,” Geb said. “If I’m not intruding…? I don’t want you to be late or anything…”
“It’s fine,” Seth said, forcing a smile. “As long as the people who run the classes are okay with it.”
Geb smiled back at him, ever so slightly, and Seth turned away quickly, not sure how to take that. He’d shown off for many people before, but his father was one person he’d long since given up impressing.
The people who ran the dojo were okay with it, so long as one of their own staffers was available to stand watch, too. As it was, with so many adults in the room, the children were a bit rambunctious, and Seth had them do exercises to get their energy handled.
Geb sat in a chair in a corner, watching quietly. If he had any criticisms, he didn’t voice them. He’d only been introduced as Seth’s father, and interested in seeing his son’s performance as an instructor, which the people who ran the dojo were happy to oblige.
But they eventually got to the part of the class where Seth needed someone to demonstrate on, and he called Horus up. For once, the younger god wasn’t in his bird form. He’d worn simple clothes this time, which he could exercise in, unlike Geb’s suit. It made his body look more obviously fit than Seth regularly saw. The pants he was wearing looked rather good on him, too.
Seth wore long shorts and a tank-top - something some of the trainers he'd followed had used - which allowed him maximum movement. His hair was tied back, not because he needed it, but to encourage his students with longer hair to protect themselves. Seth walked around Horus while he talked, making sure his students’ eyes were on him. They were still a bit restless, but their exercises had helped a lot. And they were curious about Horus, who was something of a stranger, still.
Seth had Horus reach his left hand out so that Seth could demonstrate a few types of grabs. He could feel the firm muscles in Horus’ arm just from the strength of his hand. But he filed that away: he knew back during the trial how strong Horus was, even though he’d discounted it. As a god, Horus seemed to have improved.
After the first demonstration, Seth had the class practice a bit. He didn’t have time to worry about Geb, because he kept on eye on the kids, making sure he was there to help if needed. They were all pretty quick and smart, but he still had requests for guidance, amidst a few awkward apologies for bumping into each other and nearly poking out eyes.
When Seth was satisfied they’d managed one exercise, he called them back for another demonstration. This involved Horus wrapping his arms around Seth’s chest from behind Seth’s back, so that Seth could break out of it.
They’d discussed this before leaving the apartment. Seth didn’t know the people who ran the dojo well yet, and Horus was available, so he made sense as someone to help. Plus, it meant Seth would be demonstrating on someone larger than him, which would encourage the children on the utility of the exercise.
It was different when Horus’ broad chest was pressed against Seth’s back, and his arms rested lightly across Seth’s stomach.
Seth had been in tight spots on the sun boat many times over the centuries. There were enemies besides Osiris with tentacles and grasping hands. One particular enemy was made of nothing but hands, and it had nearly ripped Seth apart before a quick bite from Mehen had stunned it, allowing Seth to break free and stab the attacking enemy, before shoving it over the side of the boat back into the water. Seth had been wary of that enemy ever since, in all their later battles, and could sometimes hear the way it clawed at the side of the boat on its way down in his sleep.
And it wasn’t like Seth hadn’t, at least on occasion, trained with the other gods. Bastet in particular had sought him out as a sparring partner. And though Seth had also fought with his grandparents, he observed them battle each other more than fought them.
The last time Horus had been at Seth’s back, or side, really, was during his sentencing, when Horus had cradled Seth and convinced him not to fight. And Seth… had listened. Because he didn’t know what else to do.
It had been unusual to be cradled by anyone, too. And Horus had been protecting Seth from the other gods there.
He’d faced some mockery for that: his being beaten by a demigod, for all he was the great god of war. He’d fought back against anyone on the sun boat who claimed he was too weak for it. He didn’t win all those battles: most of the gods on the sun boat were older than him, and many more powerful. But he won enough of them. And even the ones he lost, his opponent would typically acknowledge Seth’s fierceness, especially if Seth could pick himself up and stumble away.
And now here he was again, with Horus pretending to subdue him. But this time, Seth could break free.
Seth’s heart was racing, but he focused on the children in the audience, watching him with excited, curious faces. Geb in the distance, with an unreadable expression. Horus, waiting patiently behind him.
Seth knocked Horus’ hands aside with the grab, saying to their watchers, “You see? Even this is something you can escape. And you have to move quickly, too.” He turned and did some mock blows to Horus, which Horus blocked somewhat easily. “As long as you stay calm and remember you can do it, you’ll be okay. Even with a bigger opponent, because size isn’t everything.”
Horus’ expression was neutral as he faced Seth, and his hands picked up speed to block Seth’s attacks. It was like he saw every move, but wasn’t pushing: just meeting Seth in every moment.
It was a nice challenge, to think up things to get past Horus’ guard, and Horus not exactly being aggressive in return, but doing simple counters that could flow into the next move set. Seth felt himself pick up speed just a little, to see what Horus was made of, and Horus responded in kind.
They danced around the mat twice before Seth remembered they weren’t here just to practice spare, and Seth backed off.
Horus lowered his hands.
Seth looked at the children, who were awed. Seth grinned and asked, “Ready to try the breaking technique on your own?”
There were happy responses, and Seth had them pair up for it.
Horus stood back by Geb, being quiet and just watching.
Seth could still feel the warmth at his back, and wasn’t sure what it meant. It wasn’t fear. It was… something else. And the sparring had been nice. He didn’t think it would be.
He imagined learning to live with Horus was going to keep being complicated.
After the class, Geb met with Seth and said, “That was good. You seem to be doing well.” He had a soft smile on his face, as if he was pleased.
Seth really thought the day continued to get stranger, but said, “I’m glad you enjoyed it. If you want to contact me like Mother does… Though you don’t have to…”
Geb’s smile widened. “I’d be happy to.”
Seth wasn’t sure how to handle that, and stayed silent as they left the dojo.
“We could go get dinner if you’d like,” Horus suggested when they got back to the street. He gave a worried look to Seth.
“I don’t wish to intrude more,” Geb said. “I’m sure you don’t want me pushing into more of your day.”
Seth wondered if Geb wanted to just get away. Or if Seth had gotten his evasiveness from his quiet father.
“If you want to get something to eat,” Seth said at last, “we can. It’s not a big deal.” He wasn't into eating, but it would probably be less awkward than this.
Horus and Geb both looked at him in surprise.
Geb finally smiled slightly and said, “Okay. I’d like to talk more, then.”
Seth nodded at him, and ignored Horus’ looks. At least if Geb was there, it meant Seth wouldn’t have to remember the way Horus felt against him, and how he was meant to deal with that going forward.