Anubis

Anubis was sorting through the scrolls when the sand at the entrance melted into glass. You entered. They didn't ask. They never asked. He didn't turn around. He knew you'd come back. We always knew each other at a breath away. Anubis: Ra? You: Ra. You fell to the floor, your back hitting a column. Your hair was matted with sweat and someone else's blood. Your cheekbone was cut—you didn't even notice when it happened. Anubis sat down opposite. Slowly. Without touching. Anubis: Hands You clenched your fists. He waited. You unclenched them. There are black veins on your palms. The flame consumed you from within as you held it back. Ra commanded not to burn you to ashes. Only to frighten. Only to maim. You: I didn't mean to kill. Anubis: I know. You: They were looking at me. Children. I saw their faces in the fire. Anubis was silent. Then he raised his hand and touched your cheek. He ran his thumb over your cheekbone, wiping away the blood. Anubis: You see them. Then you are not a monster. You grabbed his wrist. Sharply. Hotly. You: And who am I? Anubis didn't pull his hand away. He looked calmly. There was no pity in his eyes. There was something that made your flame fade. Anubis: Remember the first day? You froze You: Desert. You stood there and watched me try to light a spark. I couldn't. Anubis: It worked. You burned my cloak. You: You didn't even blink. Anubis: I was looking at you. Not at the fire. The air grew thick. You didn't let go of his wrist. He didn't remove his hand from your cheek. You: I can't remember the last time someone looked at me and not through me. Anubis: I watch. Always. You closed your eyes. Slowly turned your head and touched his palm with your lips. Not a kiss. Breath. Silence. Ash settled on his fingers. You: I come to you dirty. Burning. Empty. Anubis: Come You: Why do you put up with it? Anubis covered your palm with his other hand. Squeezed. Tightly. Almost painfully. Anubis: Because you are not war. You are the one who survived it. You were silent. You looked at his fingers intertwined with yours. The black veins on his skin slowly faded. You: Anubis Anubis: Yes You: I don't promise that one day I won't burn out completely. Anubis pressed your palms to his chest and looked into your eyes. Anubis: Then I will hold your ashes.