THE RECORDING ANGEL.

                        “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies,                                                  but the silence of our beloved.”

                                                            ───────

          “….??????” Still confused, he could only sit and consider Thoth’s words. He may have also been trying to dig a little too deep to find a hidden meaning that probably wasn’t there, but he couldn’t help to be cautious around him. After a moment of silence (by his own decision since his husband was clearly growing anxious from it), he heaved a defeated sigh and wrapped his arms fully around the other, nuzzling his cheek against him.

   “Alright. If that’s what you wanna do, we’ll do it. Onsens ain’t too bad, I guess.”

   Maybe some peace and quiet would do them good. Not to mention being kid-free for a few days sounded nice.

    Yeah, he’s pretty sure Apophis didn’t really get the hint that he wanted some.. adult play time after a whole week of sleeping. But that’s fine, it’s not like this is the last opportunity he’ll have. But a soft giggle leaves Thoth’s lips at the affectionate nuzzling.

  Yet even if he could let that rest, wanting to be affectionate was something he couldn’t help. So, the moon god carefully wiggles around until he’s facing Apophis and physically as close as he could comfortably be. Raising his hands out of the water, they’re carefully placed on the sides of the snake’s face before gently and lovingly stroking his cheeks with his thumbs. Thoth gives a small smile before he leans closer to brush their lips against one another’s before he places slow kisses on his beloved sun’s lower lip quite teasingly. After that, he pulls away.

          “….? Why?”

   Apophis was genuinely puzzled by Thoth’s response, so much so that he picked his head up and leaned it around to get a look at his face.

   He despised humans far more than him, but even that wasn’t something he’d expected to hear. “Uh… we do that here, don’t we? The kids ain’t that much of a bother.” There must’ve been a point he was missing, not being able to really read into Thoth’s true intentions like he usually could. “…You don’t wanna get out and see anything?”

      “I do, it was but a suggestion.” He blinks once, twice, thinking. “I was simply thinking about how you like warm things and sleeping on them, and how one of Im’s friends mentioned an onsen a while back. I know we can take a hot bath together like this, but I think trying one out together wouldn’t hurt.”

          Though triumphant, his nod is solemn, knowing that Thoth’s silence gave way to his victory on this. And should he have argued, he would have had one hell of a fight on his hands.

   With Thoth leaning back against him, his chin moved to the top of his head and rested there, eyes fluttering shut from the sensation of his palm being kissed. Before the hand could be pulled away, he cupped his cheek and ran his thumb in a repetitive manner, a soothing motion against his skin. He allowed silence for a little longer, before finding it a tad uncomfortable. After all, he was asleep for a solid seven days straight. Apophis didn’t want it to be quiet anymore!

   “…We haven’t had any real fun since the wedding.” The last place they toured was France, right before they had gotten hitched. He traveled the world for three thousand years, so it was sort of a hobby of his.

   “Any place you feel like checkin’ out?”

   At the sensation of the snake’s head atop his own, Thoth can’t help but give a soft chuckle of amusement. It was followed by a content sigh at the soothing strokes against his cheek, making him relax only more.

  Leaning into his beloved’s touch and moving the hot water around with his fingers, Thoth thinks of an answer for a moment. There were many beautiful countries he wants to see, places he wants to explore; but what exactly was where was unknown to him. He does want it to be a place that has barely any or no humans at all. A place that oozes peace and tranquility.

          The moment Thoth joined him, Apophis gently brought water up and over his shoulders and arms, warming him properly. With a sigh, he rested his chin on one of his shoulders.

   “Nope, sorry, not allowed! Don’tcha think you’ve done quite enough for anyone for a little while? I’ll cook, it ain’t no big deal. You’re still in your R&R period. No if’s, and’s, or but’s, don’t wanna hear it.”

   Thoth had done something miraculous a week ago. Creating an entire human heart from clay after days of research, and then successfully putting it in a human. It was a selfless thing for him to do… too selfless for Apophis’s comfort. Imhotep and Djoser would be happier, sure, but the two gods weren’t necessarily on this realm of existence solely for those children. They had their own lives to tend to, a marriage to keep in tact, and without a doubt, still needed to finish healing. If he didn’t step in now, before he knew it, Thoth would end up throwing his comfort and happiness away for the sake of others again.

   Like hell he would let him. Over his dead body.

   There’s a soft huff he gives in response to that, but he otherwise complies. Even if the moon god could act somewhat defiant at times, he knows full well that he’s allowed to be spoiled and even put on a pedestal. He won’t admit this out loud, however. So, he doesn’t argue against his beloved’s words.

  Rather, Thoth lets himself sink further into the hot water, leaning back against Apophis’s chest. Letting himself relax, he wordlessly takes hold of one of the other’s hands and begins to slowly trace his fingers over it, intrigued. The snake’s hands were bigger than his, stronger - they fit perfectly in the bird’s own hand ( as if made for each other on purpose ). Entwining their fingers, he then pulls that same hand to his face to place a soft but love-filled kiss upon it.

          “You ate without me? That’s treason, mutiny! I was starvin’, you know. Those little shits filled the fridge with garbage, not a damn piece of meat in sight!” But, despite his playful act of defiance, he naturally follows Thoth to the bathroom, meanwhile continuing his very obviously feigned complaining until the water’s turned on.

   “Guess I could always eat later, anyway.” Just wanting to be able to be near the other, he gladly discards his own robes, of course eagerly helping Thoth with his own and slipping in first, his husband’s hand in his own, guiding him in.

   No matter how hard he tried ( which wasn’t often at this point ), Thoth couldn’t escape being helped or spoiled by his one and only husband. So, as he was helped with discarding his robes, he lets it happen - together with being guided into the ( maybe a tad too big ) bathtub that is filled with steaming hot water.

   And without any hesitation at all, the bird god lets himself rest against the snake’s chest, making himself comfortable right between his legs before giving a content sigh.

          “Aaah, so you want me to make you pay, is that it?” There is, for but a split second, a rather devious, sultry smirk curving the snake’s lips… before he simply places Thoth back onto his feet and folds his arms in the sleeves of his robe – that he conjured over his shoulders once more after reentering the house – but not without turning to him and allowing an affectionate and small smile to replace the previous one.

   It was nice to see him well rested, up and about again. For his own sanity he had remained asleep by his side, the entire time. Luckily there were no distractions.

   “Well, well~? Are ya hungry? Want some tea? What do’y need babe, I’m all ears!”

  It’s a chuckle that leaves his lips at the somewhat sudden, softer behaviour - simply because it was nothing short of adorable to him. There’s a small but warm smile on the moon god’s lips as he gazes up at the other, arms folded loosely. Without a doubt, was Thoth aware that the snake hadn’t left his side while he slept  ( it’s unknown how, he just knows ).

          As much as he loves attention from the creator god, Apophis’s normally white-pale face begins to burn bright red the moment those talons scrape across his bare skin. It doesn’t help that the boys are now mocking him with snickers and raised eyebrows. So this was his play the entire time, huh? What a cruel thing to do to him…!

   With a defiant huff, Apophis simply swipes at Thoth’s feet with his leg and catches him in his arms. As if he’d let him get away with this.

   Being the petty, chaotic, dark being that he was he made sure to glare a lovely little black snake into existence that would so lovingly crawl right up Im’s pantleg before turning away and leaving (the snake being harmless, by the way).

   “I’m gonna make sure ya pay for that one, sweetheart.”

   There is no sound from him at the sudden action, only an expression of surprise when swept right off his feet and into the snake god’s arms. Without a doubt, Thoth had expected retaliation of this type from his husband, so he just gives a soft huff of a sigh - but that was more at his son letting out a shriek at the snake before grabbing it and yeeting it into the nearby empty trashbin. Thoth knows he needn’t worry, so he doesn’t.

          Like a puppy being greeted by it’s master after being separated for a long while, Apophis immediately clings to Thoth, throwing his arms around him (grocery bags falling to the floor, of course), nuzzling him and kissing his face– the whole nine yards. He’s not a sniveling, disgustingly affectionate person, he just… maybe missed his spouse more than usual. He’s completely oblivious to the lesson he’s being taught, because he’s an idiot. He does realize it after he’s given a deadpan stare from both of the boys.

   Well, this is embarrassing.

   “Hey, that ain’t playin’ fair, Toto… what a mean thing t’ do to me when you first wake up!” Absolutely doting and affectionate to Thoth, demeanor changing at the snap of his fingers into something more dangerous and deadly when shooting a murderous glare in the other direction.

   Again… goddamn kids.

     “Mnh, I wouldn’t exactly get far in life by playing fair with you all the time.” When you marry the snake god of darkness, it’s only natural to play along in some of his games on occasion. And to be honest, it’s not like Thoth was doing it against his will. He also simply wanted to be affectionate with his most beloved again, after what felt like so long ( sleeping together feels like it doesn’t truly count, since they were both unconscious ).

          Moments later, Apophis returns to the room with a nice hot cup of chamomile tea, just in case Thoth had a little trouble falling asleep. When he sees his spouse has finally passed out, there’s a warm, tender smile on his lips. He’s glad. Hopefully he’ll remain asleep for a good while, and he would make sure he’s not disturbed.

   After a stretch and a yawn, he leaves the tea on the bedside table and crawls onto the other side of the bed, facing Thoth’s back and molding himself perfectly to his posture. His face in the back of his hair, his arms folded over his own chest and knees bent. He may not fall asleep as quickly, but being next to his beloved moon is still comforting.

          He puts his hands up and backs off, though only until Thoth has had just about enough of his own clothes. “Yeah, that went real well for ya, didn’t it?” And so, he moves in to help, the creator god in his pajamas in no time at all and placed atop a rather soft and comfortable pillow (that Apophis may or may not have fluffed up and prepared, just for him).

   After making sure he wasn’t going to move, he reaches out a hand to brush hair out of tired eyes.

   “Sleep, Toto. I’ll be back to check on you in a little while.”

   The moment he rests his head on that soft and comfortable pillow is when Thoth can feel just how tired he really is. One hand underneath and the other holding it, he blinks slowly and gives a soft smile when he feels those gentle caresses. Oh, how he loves it when Apophis is like this.. Even despite being cold-blooded, he could still be so warm.

          Cute, the way he tries to sass Apophis even in his overly tired state. No tease, no wicked grin, no hint of playful malice as he simply picks his husband up off of his feet, and carefully holds him in his arms.

   “You’re ‘bout ta find out~!”

   And to their room they go, the door closing and one could hear a subtle click of a lock coming into place. A sign now on what was usually a bare surface read, in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, “IF YOU KNOCK, YOU DIE.” Thoth is placed on the bed, beside a nice and comfy pair of sleepwear that Apophis picked out for him. The snake tugs and pulls at the clothes he’s currently wearing, preparing him for his sleep.

  He was indeed sluggish, because to everything that happened, Thoth reacted slower than he usually would. Thankfully, there was no need to react fast to anything that Apophis was doing. When the snake tugs on his clothes, however, the tired moon god gives a grumble at makes an attempt at swatting his hands away.

@memorykeep​

          “Y O U.” A dark, evil voice had come from the deepest depths of the abyss to claim him…!

   The very second Thoth stepped out of the room and closed the door, he would suddenly feel arms come around him from behind, in a rather tight and secure grip (though of course, not enough to make things hurtful or uncomfortable). As promised, Apophis had every intention of forcing the over-worked creator god to rest for as long as he needed, staying at his side the entire time.

   “GuEsS wHat TimE it IS.”

  There was no startle, only a tired and jaded response, for he knew who it was that dared and could sneak up on him followed by holding him in a tight yet secure embrace; Apophis. The snake god was the only one truly on the same level as him ( Thoth could take on the Ennead even in his sleep, if he had to ). So, rather than being scared, he relaxes in that familiar hold, his body going lax like a spoiled and tired cat’s as he grumbles quietly.

          …Even here? Apophis could’ve sworn that brat had said there was no way in hell they would ever do anything too messy in his study, so why did he have–

   ….I’m totally keepin’ that in mind, Thoth. Watch out~

   Regardless, he helped the other clean and put on his clothes, everything back in perfect order to the very detail of them sitting at the desk with all of the research together. He gave one last frustrated huff as he stared at the written incantations atop scribbled notes and diagrams, before plucking the very detailed one of the human heart. He could hardly read all of it, there were so many side notes…

   Back on the desk it goes.

   “So? What’s next? I follow your lead, after all, Toto.”

    Indeed like it all was before, it was almost as if nothing had happened. But things felt calmer, more relaxed, so it was a better atmosphere to work in. Something Thoth was more than glad about.

  His eyes catch the parchment that Apophis picks up. Looking at it properly now that he’s had a proper break from it all, Thoth makes a mental note of having to write a cleaner version of that ( he had written it so hastily, he’d be the only one able to decipher that writing ). His voice has a softer tone to it than before when he speaks.

    “The basic steps aren’t too difficult, in theory. Lull Djoser to sleep, open up his chest, place the heart and check if it’s working properly, close him back up with nary a scar and rouse him from his slumber. The incantations are to be spoken just after the heart is placed, so that it will become a real one. At the same time, two drops of blood are to be placed on the heart; that of his mother, and that of Im.” In thought, Thoth idly picks at his lower lip for a moment.