Prompt: Man it would be cool if you could do something like set and like ancient Egypt or something. Maybe like Nico is a slave or something like that for a new business or one of the numerous friends and they fall in love.


Anubis glanced up at his father.

Seth was sitting on his throne, the red of his Pharaoh outfit a stark contrast to his darkened skin. For some reason, he had chosen the colour red, even though it was believed to be the symbol of danger. Not that any of his helpers would say anything about it, let alone the slaves.

Seth had called him in for a meeting today, and Anubis, who had a less than subpar relationship with his father, had expected the worst. He had been pleasantly surprised when Seth had told him that he was to be the new superior in the burial rituals. This was considered an honour among the high priests, and Anubis had never even dreamed of achieving such a status. (He suspected it was the fact that he was the most qualified and that he was the Pharaoh's son.)

Anubis thanked his father and headed towards his chambers to gather his burial garments. There was a new addition to his attire, a choker in pure gold, with emerald details. He slipped it around his neck and fastened it with a clip on the back. It fit perfectly and would let everyone know that he was a superior.

Brushing down his robes, he started walking down towards the ambalment chambers. They were all located in a separate building not too far from the Pharaoh's palace. The embalming and the associated rituals where considered holy, and there were only selected people allowed in the chambers at any given time.

The slaves bowed their heads as he passed them, averting their eyes as they saw his robes. The guards outside the burial chambers straightened as he approached, staring straight forward as they should.

As he entered the building, he was once again hit with the heavy scent of the embalming oils and burning incense. The scent was strong enough to overpower the scent of the dead bodies waiting to be buried. The dead had never bothered Anubis, he had a fascination for the entire process of guiding the dead to the afterlife through the rituals. He felt somewhat responsible for their journey in the beyond.

Anubis brushed aside the thin veil that shielded the embalming chamber from the rest of the building. As he stepped inside, he noticed a figure that was bent over a dead body on the stone table in the middle of the room. The person turned their head and gave a smirk as he spotted Anubis in the doorway.

"Hey," Nico said, straightening up to his full height.

Anubis felt his traitorous heart flutter. He was well aware of his massive crush on the other male. He walked over to him and inspected the body.

Nico had started to embalm it, to slow the process of decomposing. He was the son of a superior and had been stationed as Anubis' apprentice in embalming and burial rituals. They had quickly become friends, and their relationship had only grown closer over the past year and a half.

Nico squinted, "What's with the jewelry?" He traced the green gemstones in the gold.

"Father made me a superior," Anubis said, trying not to flinch at the closeness.

Nico whistled softly, "Well, you've earned it, after the hours you've put in." His fingers brushed over the superior's exposed collarbone, making goosebumps raise on Anubis' back.

Nico smirked at him, probably noticing his reaction. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but was interrupted by one of the lower burial workers entering the room. He cleared his throat and stepped away from Anubis.

The worker glanced down at Anubis' neck, noticing his new necklace. His eyes widened slightly before he bowed low, "Superior."

The son of the Pharaoh waved his hands, "Please, Ammit, you have known me for years."

Ammit looked up at him from his bowed position, he smiled softly, "If that is your wish, Anubis."

Nico had turned back to his embalming, his brow furrowed in what Anubis suspected was irritation. He wasn't sure what had irked him, but he was keen on getting to work.

The process of embalming and mummification of the dead bodies was slow and tedious. First, Anubis and Nico worked together to embalm the body while Ammit prepared the cloth. They then all worked together to mummify the corpse, finishing with the eyes. When one body was done, they started on the next one.

It was night when they were allowed to leave, the bodies never ending. Ammit headed off to his sleeping quarters, and Anubis left to get some food with amici in tow. The superiors had a feast each night, the food abundant, and Nico loved to steal a bite or two. Now, they didn't have to steal, seeing as Anubis was a superior himself.

They grabbed some food and made their way to Anubis' quarters. Nico always gushed at the size of his rooms, it being much bigger than most others, except his father's, of course.

Nico flopped down on the bed, his plate of food in hand. He popped a grape into his mouth, "How come you never take as many breaks as you want during work."

Anubis raised an eyebrow at the question, taking a seat at the foot of the bed. "Well, it's my responsibility and duty to carry out the burial rituals. And I know for a fact that I am the most capable, so there is no other that can perform the rituals as I do." He started peeling an orange, the refreshing scent welcome after the sweet scent of the dead.

Nico sat up beside him, a serious look on his face, "I'm just worried, okay. You have a tendency to overwork yourself, and I don't want you to collapse or something. Least of all, that you turn up as one of the bodies I have to mummify." His voice had turned soft at the end, making Anubis turn to him.

Nico's eyes were downcast, his teeth worrying his bottom lip.

The son of the Pharaoh placed his hand on top of the other's, Nico's eyes flashing up to his. "Hey, I'm not going to die any time soon, Nico."

The son of Hades scoffed but it was half-hearted, "Yeah, well, I've heard that one before."

Anubis furrowed his eyes, placing his food down on the floor. Turning completely, he pulled Nico into a sideways hug, his fingers splaying out on his back. He could feel Nico stiffen before he melted in his arms, his hands coming up to cling to the back of Anubis robes. He didn't cry, but his form told Anubis everything he was feeling.

"I'm not going to leave you, like they did."

Nico stifled a sob, the memory of his deceased mother and sister always present in his mind.

Anubis damned the events that cost them their lives. Nico would have been so much happier if he had his whole family.

"Well, I did get to meet you," Nico spoke up softly. He started to pull his head back to stare at Anubis.

The son of the Pharaoh cocked his head in confusion, making a smile break out on Nico's face.

"You always look like a dog when you do that," he said, stifling a laugh.

Anubis scowled, he disliked being called a dog, but if it somehow made Nico happier, he could probably bear it.

Nico's smile faded for a second, replaced by an unreadable expression.

Anubis frowned, "What is it?

The son of Hades shifted uncomfortably, "Um… I gotta tell you something, but you have to promise me that you won't hate me…"

"I could never hate you, Nico."

Nico smiled softly, "Okay, um… I kinda, sorta like you…"

Anubis felt his eyes widen, "Like me? Like me how?"

Nico rolled his eyes, "Romantically."

"Oh," Anubis said, stupidly. "Oh!" He blushed deeply at his own reaction.

Nico bit his lip.

Anubis grasped his hand lightly in his own, gauging Nico's expression. "I like you, too."

He grinned at the blush that crept over Nico's cheeks. The son of Hades smiled sheepishly back at him.

They grew silent for a while. Anubis could feel his hand slowly grow clammy.

He cleared his throat, "So… what now?"

Nico shrugged and furrowed his brow as he looked at Anubis.

The superior felt Nico's hand creep up his arm to curl around the back of his neck. He looked at the other's face, feeling his eyes drawn to the bow of his lips. A pink tongue flicked out to wet them, and Anubis unconsciously tracked the movement with his eyes. He glanced at Nico's eyes, noticing his slightly enlarged pupils. He felt the need to wet his own lips, watching as his apprentice's eyes flickered down to his mouth at the action.

The son of the Pharaoh needed Nico closer, closer than they had ever been before. He leaned forward to close the distance between them, slotting his lips against the other's.

Nico made a soft sound against his mouth, sending a shiver down Anubis' spine. He raised his hand to slip it into the other's hair, feeling the silky strands between his fingers.

He felt Nico's fingers tighten on his nape, his nails lightly biting into his skin. He slipped his hand out of Nico's, and wrapped it around his waist, pulling him closer. The son of Hades moaned softly and moved to straddle Anubis.

This position was very different, good different. Now, Anubis could have Nico pressed up against his chest, feeling his lips open against his own, his tongue flicking his. He could slip his hand underneath his apprentice's shirt, the soft, warm skin a difference to the cotton.

Nico arched into him, making something hard brush against Anubis' stomach. The sensation made him pull back to glance at the other's face. Nico was beet red, clearly embarrassed. Anubis felt heat pool in his lower belly.

He surged up to capture Nico's lips again, revelling in the sound that escaped his lips. He made a momentary decision to flip them.

Nico squeaked as he was flipped down onto the bed, Anubis hovering over him. He looked ravishing from this angle, his hair splayed out on the sheets, and his lips swollen. Nico was staring up at him, his pupils blown out of proportion.

Anubis slipped his hands beneath the other's shirt, pulling it up and off. He was met with pale, silky smooth skin. His fingers traced one of the old scars on his hip. He leaned down to lick another one, watching the hairs rise on the male's chest. He noticed the hardening nipples, and decided they needed some attention. He mouthed his way to the left one, enveloping it with his lips. He flicked his tongue out and felt Nico's hand grip his arm as a hiss escaped his lips.

Anubis grinned, giving the nipple a soft bite before he moved on to the other. Nico's hand had decided to start its own adventure, moving slowly downwards. It ended its journey at the top of Anubis' pants, one finger slipping underneath.

Anubis dragged in a short breath as he felt the hand slide down under the top of his pants. He felt it flutter across his underwear, before it stopped to cup him completely.

Anubis' mouth fell open as he leaned his head against Nico's chest. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry.

He heard Nico chuckle.

When he glanced up at him, he could see the grin that had spread across his face. Raising an eyebrow, he silently asked what he was laughing at.

Nico shook his head, leaning up to steal a kiss, "You're just so cute. And really hot."

The son of Hades grabbed the bottom of Anubis' shirt, pulling it off. His hands slid over his chest, pinching his nipples on the way. He bit his lips as he felt the muscles on his abdomen.

His expression suddenly turned serious, "I hope you know that I'm in this for the long haul."

Anubis felt his heart swell. He leaned down and crushed the other in a hug. "Yeah. I'm in it for the long haul, too."

Nico's hands pulled him closer, his face buying into his neck.

"The long haul."