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buriedwithadonkey · 11 days

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Beat the Heat (Ahkmenrah x OC)

Description: After all the events of The Night Grows Dim, Ahk and Wau enjoy their peaceful, and well-earned, life together.

Notes: i really didnt want to let go of wau and ahk so i wrote a little blurb about them escaping the overwhelming heart of a southern egyptian summer. reminder, wau is paankh. WC: 2.8k

Paankh stared up at the sky. His hand, placed at his brow, shielded his eyes from the sun's blinding light, but it did nothing to protect him from the beating rays of heat coming down like an oven's fire, nor the thick humidity surrounding the Nile island. He stood at the shore, his feet partially submerged in the water, and looked out across the distance.

A few clouds lingered on the horizon; northwards the river flowed, and north was where the city of Nekhen lay, its' gleaming walls too distant to see from the northernmost end of the island. But Paankh remained apprehensive about being spotted, and thus rarely ever stood on the clearing at the sandy shores of the island's north edge. He stared for a little while, then turned, and trudged back uphill towards home, sweating in the midday summer sun. He watched his feet, how they sunk into the crackling mud, until he reached the top of the hill.

The notes of a flute hummed like the trilling of birds, wafting on the waves of heat that clouded the horizon. Amongst the chirping of hoopoe birds and the distant honking of geese, Ahkmen sat in the shade of the reed ceiling which covered the yard in front of their home. His melody was bright––alternating between notes of staccato and legato, which matched the steady pacing of Paankh's feet till he stopped in front of the home's outer gate. There he stood, staring at Ahk till his music ended and Ahkmen looked up with a hazy smile.

"Hot?" He asked, resting his flute and hands in his lap.

"… yes," Paankh said after a moment of thought.

Ahkmen laughed, leaning his head back against the cool plaster of their home.

"And the water? Are we still forbidden to go down into it?" Ahk asked, raising an eyebrow.

Paankh pursed his lips, and crossed his arms.

"No," he said flatly. "We never were. I was only checking for crocodiles and any… people."

"Paankh, you say it like it's a filthy word," Ahkmen said, setting his flute aside before he stood. He walked over, exposed his skin to the midday heat, and took Paankh's hands. "Not all humans are bad, you know."

"They aren't good news," he said quietly, staring at their hands together.

When Paankh looked back up at him, Ahkmen had a scrunched expression on his face.

"It's… very hot," Ahk said. "It might not even be worth the walk down to the river to cool off, it's so hot."

Paankh immediately began to scan the ground, and let go of Ahk's hands. Ahk watched him with great curiosity, following after him when Paankh wandered, stepping away from the home and its' shades.

"You go back home," Paankh said as he continued to search.

Ahk frowned.

"Why?"

"Go relax. I will be back with something for you in a few minutes, alright?" Paankh said, turning to look Ahk in the eyes.

Holding back a soft chuckle, Ahk instead nodded and left, glancing over his shoulder at Paankh, who would bend down periodically.

A few minutes later, as guaranteed, Paankh came back with a large, green palm leaf in hand. Its fronds shuddered with each of his footsteps, which alerted Ahk to Paankh's presence far before he emerged from the palm groves below the hill. Again, Ahk had to hold back a laugh, but this time a chuckle managed to escape him.

"What are you doing?" Ahk asked, grinning brightly, and squinting in the overbearing sun.

Paankh lifted up the branch, which was twice his height when fully stretched out, and thicker than his arm.

"Shade," he said simply, and with ease held it over Ahk's head.

Ahk looked up, seeing the blue sky sparsely through the thick fronds, and laughed.

"Are you serious?" He asked.

Paankh frowned.

"Yes," he said.

"Is this –" Ahk noticed the freshness of the main branch, and the pale fibers on the ripped end, "- did you tear this off a tree??"

Paankh glanced to the side.

"… does it matter?" He asked slowly.

Ahk shrugged, and stepped forward along the path.

"I suppose not. But since you were so kind as to bring me shade, I think we should go to the river," Ahk said, and the two slowly padded away from their home and down the hill.

In the fall and winter seasons, and in the spring, it was both tolerable and enjoyable to walk barefoot around the island, and feel the grasses and soft earth that covered its' surface. Now in the summer, the ground was far too hot to touch with bare skin, so the pair of them wore woven reed sandals, both pairs of which Paankh had learned to make after much trial and error. So they walked with even steps, settled in the quiet of cawing birds and the work of Ahkmen's shade. Paankh matched his stride with Ahk, and thus continuously protected the former Prince from the sun's harsh glare, which Ahkmen often lamented as being hotter than most summers he had seen.

Still, Paankh would listen patiently, and watch his step with expert carefulness, ensuring he would not step on any of the small creatures who dwelled on their island. Back and forth his gaze would go, between the shining face of Ahkmen, which shone brighter than gold, even in the dark, and the earth below where Paankh would regret to step on even an ant.

At the shore, where the trees provided their own ample shade, Paankh stuck the palm branch back in the earth, and stood at his full height with a soft grunt and sigh. Ahkmen was already making his way to the water, where he slipped off his sandals and set them away in the shade near a large rock. Paankh did the same, and followed behind Ahk.

This particular bank was on the western side of the island, and faced a shore of hills of boulders whose cracks were filled with trees and bushes, which in the north progressed into the white mountains of Waset. The wind blew sparsely in the nook, and though the immediate shore was shadowed by the trees, the river itself glimmered always in the sun, and Paankh thought of the Goddess Anuket, whose waters flowed with passing flowers and groves of tiny fish amongst the speckled reeds. Their scales sparkled like silver streaming through the water, and Paankh would often watch, enraptured by their fluid movements.

Ahkmen took his first steps into the water, and his shoulders rose with tension at the sudden change in temperature, which for Paankh, brought a small smile to his face. But Ahk still waded forward quickly, and soon was submerged up to his knees. Paankh stood his ground where the lapping waves kissed the changing sands, content to watch.

"It's still cold, actually," Ahkmen said, turning round to face Paankh.

"A little," Paankh agreed, and met Ahk's eye.

Paankhentef's arms were crossed, and his thoughts more distant, but forever grounded in the instance. He thought of the dappling of Ahkmen's skin as light danced through the tops of trees; looked at where his white loincloth tightened around his slim midsection, and at the dark, coiled locks of hair that would soon be heavy with cool water. His legs, smooth, tan, and muscled, now vanished into the shadowy water, and would only show themselves in the sparse light that made its' way through the tall palm fronds and the pink tamarisk flowers and leaves that grew on the shore. Paankh stared and absorbed all of this, and never once let his expression fall.

"Don't go too far into the water," Paankh said as Ahkmen began to wade further. "I don't have our skiff ready at hand."

"Don't worry yourself," Ahkmen called back, continuing forward. "All is good, my brother."

Paankh laughed, took another few steps into the water, and stayed there, where the running river came up halfway to his knees. Ahead of him, Ahkmen inhaled deeply, and Paankh watched the back of his chest expand and reveal both ribs and muscle, before Ahk jumped and vanished beneath the river with a great splash. Strings of water flew up into the air, glittered for only a moment, and fell back into the stream as waves reverberating out from where he had dived under.

It was only a few seconds before Ahkmen remerged from the water, taking a deep, gulping breath as he did. As expected, his dark hair was now heavy and shining, and the rich coils hung like curled streamers rather than the thick bush they usually were. Framing his face alongside the droplets of water now coating his freckled skin, Paankh watched with special delight as Ahk ran his hands over his hair and pushed it all back to open his eyes.

Again, and as always, his face was shining, beaming in his smile and pale eyes surrounded by dark kohl, which was blurred in the water. Ahkmen waved excitedly over at Paankh, who returned with a small, but equally joyful wave.

"Come join me!" Ahkmen said, gesturing Paankh to come forward.

"You know I'm not good at swimming," he said with a curt laugh.

Ahk swam a little closer, and it was clear he was crouching on the river floor to keep his shoulders underwater.

"We'll stay where you can touch the ground, yes? Come!" He said, laughing, and gestured him forward again.

A smile broke out across Paankh's face. Rarely could he ever maintain a 'no' for long; Ahkmen need only ask another time before he broke, and agreed to whatever Ahkmen desired. He followed with slow steps as Ahkmen swam out into the river on his back, keeping his eye on Paankh. He paid the cold no heed, and was soon submerged up to the base of his chest, where he stopped and took a deep breath.

"Ha!" Ahk laughed as he swam up to Paankh, slowly circling him. "You're so stoic. How did I say it once? Like a bull?"

"That was you describing my stubbornness, if I remember correctly," Paankh said in a deep voice.

"Perhaps." He began to swim away, into deeper water. "Even a bull would be more expressive in such pleasant waters; would maybe frolic, or even call out for his mate!"

"I can do both of those things," Paankh said with a growing smile.

"Oh really?" Ahk asked amusedly.

Paankh let out a call that sounded more like a dying sheep than a bull, before diving headfirst into the water. He was not a fast swimmer, but Ahk was in reach of his stretched arm, and Paankh was able to grab his ankle and pull him towards him. Ahkmen, caught up in his laughter and surprise at the sound Paankh had made, nearly swallowed water as he went under. The two of them writhed, splashing up great waves before they both emerged. Laughter spilled between them like the water dripping down their bodies, and they fell once more into the river in delight.

Eventually Paankh was able to collect himself enough to stand, and raised Ahkmen up by his armpits, swinging him halfway in the air and half in the water. Paankh grinned and laughed at Ahk's pouting lips and furrowed eyes, before letting go and allowing him to stand on his own. Immediately, Ahk devolved into giggles, and leaned on the sturdy weight of Paankh's shoulder. In turn Paankh wrapped his arms around him and gently squeezed.

"Oh, Paankh," Ahk sighed giddily, hugging his waist, "aren't you happy we decided to live here, instead of in the Field of Reeds?"

"I think it would've been suitable either way," Paankh said, staring off in thought. "But it's impossible to know the circumstances of our existence in the Duat."

Ahkmen laughed and parted himself from Paankh, instead taking his face in his hands.

"You're so cute!" Ahk cooed, squeezing Paankh's cheeks together.

"Come now," Paankh frowned. "Didn't you want to swim?"

"Of course, of course," he laughed, and fell back into the water with a splash. "All things in due time, my heart!"

Paankh chuckled, sat on the river's floor, and watched as Ahk backstroked through the water, splashing up droplets between his gulps for air. As his swimming skills left much to be desired, Paankh would usually find a place to sit where the water would come up to his shoulders, and watch Ahkmen and all his surroundings carefully, wary of any predators. Although hippopotamouses and crocodiles inhabited the northern reaches of the delta more than they did Upper Egypt, Paankh felt as though it wasn't worth the risk of letting his guard down.

But all throughout the day, there was no sign of any large animals, not even the Nile perch that would occasionally swim by. The sun was halfway between the crest of the sky and its' resting place in the western mountains by the time Ahkmen trudged back on shore, weighted by the water in his hair and his loincloth, and the exhaustion of his muscles. With a great sigh he collapsed on the grassy earth, and stared upwards. Paankh followed him and seated himself beside the Prince.

A soft wind blew, heated by the northern air, and passed through the heavy braids in Paankh's hair as he sat down beside the reclined Ahkmen.

"You'll probably want to bathe in the river before going home," Paankh noted quietly, intertwining his fingers with Ahkmen's, hidden within the grasses.

Ahkmen sighed, his eyes half-lidded and his lips slightly parted.

"I'll want to bathe in your river at home," he mumbled.

Paankh raised an eyebrow.

"How forward of you, master," he laughed, leaning in teasingly.

Ahk shook his head, but a bright blush came to his face as he began to stammer.

"I didn't… I'm just tired," he said through his own dampened chuckles.

"You can never lie to me, Ahkmen, ibib," Paankh said softly, raising the back of Ahk's hand entwined in his own, and kissing the soft, olive skin.

"Perhaps not," Ahkmen sighed, opening his eyes to meet Paankh's gaze, the blue irises glittering in the aging light of day. With tender hesitancy, he returned Paankh's kiss on his hand. "But never can you lie to me, either."

"I have no desire to. Unless it's to tease you, of course," he added with a chuckle.

"Right," Ahkmen said, rolling his eyes and smiling.

The two stayed where they were for a little while longer, drifting between watching the shore, the coming clouds, and one another's eyes; where the sky rested in Ahkmen's eyes, and the earth in Paankh's.

"Ready to leave?" Paankh asked after a long silence.

"I think so," Ahk said, and nodded.

In the first light of sunset, Ahk dove back into the water, rinsed the dirt off his back, arms, and legs, and grabbed his sandals at the riverside before walking back up the trodden path to home. Paankh swung his arm over Ahk's shoulders, and the two of them walked together in stride, content in the early evening air. He took in deep breaths, and the warmth in his heart spread out to encompass all things in a golden glow.

Their footprints lingered in the earth as they reentered home and set away their sandals. Ahkmen, exhausted from his long hours of swimming and the uphill walk home, collapsed on the bed that, in the summer months, they rarely used.

"Ready for dinner?" Paankh asked.

"Absolutely."

Fried cabbage and lettuce, seasoned with onion, garlic, and fresh coriander was their meal, sided with cone bread that Paankh and Ahkmen had baked together a few days before. Ahkmen climbed the ladder to the roof, and from there took the large bowl from Paankh, lifting it easily onto the roof so Paankh could ascend with both hands. There, the two sat upon old carpets and woven reeds, satisfied in the warm air and cool breeze, the pleasant gardens below, and the company of one another's silence and full mouths.

Although the steam coming off the food was impossible to see in the dimming light, the scent of it filled their noses, and tantalized them with the distinct flavours of seared spices and fried vegetables. They ate quickly and savoured each bite with loving enjoyment, and scooped the oil off the bowl with torn bread.

Above, the stars slowly revealed themselves, and the intricate workings of the Milky Way came to brilliant light in the moon's quiet new phase. Paankh thought of the aspects of Khonsu gathering together in Khonsu pa-Khart's home, and the immense drinking that would occur, and of the shabtis who surely continued to serve them. But he left those thoughts behind, and pulled Ahkmen into his arms so that his weight was against his chest.

Slowly, with each breath and the up and down fall of Paankh's chest, the stars blurred in Ahkmen's eyes, and he drifted into a warm and close sleep, his legs curled up around Paankh.

Paankh stared up at the mass of glowing lights in the dark blue sky, and likened them to the specks of gold in the darkened veins of lapis lazuli. His eyes soon grew heavy as well, and with a nudge from his foot, he pushed away their now-empty bowl of food, scooted down onto the soft carpet, and fell asleep with Ahkmen in his arms.

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