Chapter Text
At first, the world looked white, nothing out of the ordinary. Ceaseless working and endless worship, it was thought nothing could break this cycle on what she and her siblings had created. No mortal, no sickness, no nothing could destroy such a thing.
Except for a god.
Then, the world looked red when she stepped forward and faced a god she once knew. All before they could strike him down, she finally realized what had happened to her. Now she was forever scarred by what she thought was her brother.
Blubbering out blooded words thanks to the sliced up throat, she tried to fight back but it was all for naught as she was too weak. Her siblings are gone thanks to his betrayal, his stench of death. Bleeding ichor forevermore, she heard her death was drawing near. Though the form that came to kill her wasn't her brother, but… that bastard vessel of a Lamb.
Heket quickly sat up. Panic written on her face and if she still had a prominent voice, she would have yelled out a whole slew of curses. Her breathing was completely hampered and by instinct, she grabbed onto her neck which was covered with blood soaked bandages.
She was fine… for now, 'Gods, that was terrible.'
Even after countless decades have passed for the ex-god, actually waking up was still an odd change… especially when rousing up from a nightmare. She felt exhausted from the reminder of her past failures, and the faint burning sensation from her throat was almost driving her into madness.
It was still night outside thankfully. Heket did not need to be working with a frazzled mind. The sight of someone like her lost completely in her mind did not bode well with her.
Faint movement right next to her caught her attention. In her bed was a wooly person, their back turned to her and a faint snoring coming from them. A crown was on the nightstand staring at the outside world like a guard dog waiting for its next meal.
Right, she was married to the Lamb. The new god of Death, the last of their kind, the foolish mutton that dare defy them, the cretin that destroyed The Old Faith, the… whatever other obscenities she could think of to insult them that asked for her hand… in which she accepted it.
Heket still couldn't believe that, she surely thought of it as a fever dream, the true nightmare. Yet night after night, she wakes up smothering them while the Lamb mutters sweet praises to her. She at least thought that at the end of the wedding day, she would stab a knife into their chest and call it a fine day.
Yet that never came. Her hatred for the wooly thing was put to the side for something else. An odd companionship.
Before even joining their cult, hell; before even acknowledging their existence during their 'supposed' execution, Heket thought of them as just a worthless worm. Not only did she follow through with Shamura's plan on wiping out sheep kind, she may as well have a higher kill count than any of her siblings, and with glee in fact! Not only did this thing survive being beheaded, but came into the possession of her blasphemous brother's crown.
She knew she would hate the damn thing. Her anger for it spiked when Shamura announced that Leshy was dead because of them. Heket swore that she would put that little venison in a pike and torture them for all eternity.
She failed that… twice. Now she was practically forced to serve under them and help complete their plan on converting the land on worshiping them and them alone. Heket never paraded the fact that she now has to pull up crops from dung field farms and play nice to the locals because some higher power told her to.
She longed for the absolute power she'd once possessed; missed the feeling of flames dancing on her hands. Everyday, every decade, the memories of endless devotion and blood being absorbed to become more powerful were slowly fading away.
Heket's eye drifted off from the Lamb towards the ceiling. Why, why did she accept the Lamb so easily? Her prideful self would never be a consort, she would rather stay dead than accept the proposal. Though it would be futile, she would've ended their life here and now, awaiting their revival so they can kill her and save her the trouble.
Making a quick glance to the unmoving lamb, Heket reached under her pillow until she felt something metallic. Her own personal knife. A reassurance when a mad follower attacked her during her sleep just for a 'prank'…
Now she could end this farce. It would be so easy to plunge it in their esophagus and… and…
Heket nearly jumped out of the blanket when a pair of arms wrapped around her. She must've not noticed that the Lamb turned around and hugged her in their sleep. They looked so… peaceful, calm, unlike the vengeful person she used to face against. Little by little, her glare was softened and was replaced with a deep, but thoughtful frown. Despite her grievances with the dastard of a god, there were some odd upsides to them.
They were sharp witted, too sharp in some cases. If something happens they will know, and punishment will sure to follow. Not too severe, sadly, there was some kindness in the Lamb's non-beating heart. Despite their outwardly cute appearance, they were mature. Something she comes to appreciate when infightings happen, especially if she's involved.
And without using her hands, she can actually have a proper conversation with someone, granted that it was not always a polite one. Barbed insults and rather vicious threats from the both of them, hours upon hours of things to make fun of to the other; and it has become a routine. To everyone watching the two, they would think they were engaged in a staring contest; but to the devious sheep and voracious toad, they were in a (rather childish) battle on who opts out first.
Usually it would be Heket, her appetite always calls for much needed feeding. It only comes to her surprise that the Lamb took personal pleasure in cooking for her, slipping in extra bits of meat in her bowls as well. Their answer was that they enjoy their 'talks' and her not bending over like their followers.
Heket had, or at least tried, to laugh at the time, she wouldn't admit it but she was somewhat happy that she's speaking to someone so not uptight or dumb. That and hide a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
The worst, or rather, best part, is the fact they don't judge the grievous injury she carries nor to her siblings. They never go the easy route of ridiculing her missing throat nor ceaselessly stare at it for long. Hells below, the Lamb regularly helps bandage hers and Shamura's up without even saying a peep.
Heket outright refused their help by her own stubbornness at first. Why would she let the vessel of the one who causes them suffering go near their injuries? It was only by Shamura's insistence that she even let the foul fiend take a look at her neck. What she thought was going to be the most humiliating time of her existence, was only met with this unusual indifference. Not even the usual insults the Lamb says to her weren't full of malice, just… sadness.
After she was bandaged up, they would go about their day, leaving her with a… comforting smile. When tomorrow comes, they act like it never happened and return to their annoyingly joyful self.
She was… happy because of it?
Years passed and the two continue to be around each other to the point where they're inseparable. Heket never expected the two to create such an odd bond. Perhaps she has grown so soft because of her mortality that she has begun to crave for their company. Even more so when the Lamb all of a sudden declared that they should wed.
That time left her speechless, and she was confused, maybe angry as well. What deep slated dimension places her where the Lamb liked her that much? Instead of punching them, gutting them, slicing them apart; Heket silently agreed to it. There was… basically no resistance on her part. She didn't know why but she thought it was the right thing to do.
Her siblings were still angry at the Lamb till this day; she vividly remembers Leshy trying to choke the Lamb only to realize he killed a random passerby instead. Not that the god couldn't care for their ire, they have found true companionship.
Ignoring her kin, she still has to wonder why they choose her to be an eternal lifelong partner. They can basically have anything they want, whenever they want. And there were mortals she knew that groveled in their presence, wishing to feverishly rut with them and have a happily ever after. So having the Lamb come for her… she truly doesn't know how to feel about it. Or deserve it for that matter.
Well… one thing for certain, Heket did like that she had some control back to her without the tremendous amount of workload slammed onto her back… and flaunting it.
Nonetheless, that Lamb sure is a mature, selfless, attentive leader. Always there when she needs it. Despite her previous foulness on them, she could never replace them. She cares for the Lamb, her 'Rotten mutton'.
So caring in fact that the grip on her knife loosen.
'Damn that Lamb,' Heket is too far gone thanks to this thing. This dotting wooly, little…
…
Wait…
Now that she's thinking about them so provocatively, there was a lack of noises coming from them. Not only that, she can see that they weren't moving as often. As if they were focusing.
She narrowed her eyes on her lamb, 'You're bad at fake sleeping, Lambert.'
She waited only for a few seconds before hearing a chuckle from them, 'Was waiting for you to notice. Didn't want to bother you,' They answered in her head, not even opening an eye to check on her. Though the arms wrapped around her body reassured her that they were not letting go.
'How long have you been awake?'
Another few seconds before opening their weird eyes to her, 'How long have you been holding that knife?' They answered rhetorically. Heket glared at the Lamb before turning her back on them, 'I'm sorry but you were restless, thinking a lot. I just couldn't help but look.'
'Intrusive as always,' She thought offhandedly.
'It's in my nature, dear. Only reason my cult isn't burning to cinders,' Heket felt them sit up, still wrapping around her while placing their head on her shoulder to look at her, 'Even still, isn't a spouse supposed to care for their lover and make sure they're okay?'
Heket squirmed from those words. Through the darkness, the Lamb can see her cheeks lighting up.
'Still getting used to that, are we?' The Lamb thought in a teasing way, 'Couldn't believe someone like yourself would be so easy to fluster.'
'Complete nonsense, Lamb,'
The two chuckled, though silence took hold. The Lamb can see that there was something in her mind, a faint one at that, 'You still have something troubling you. Please, tell me.'
Heket looked hesitant to answer, though after calming her nerves, she asked, 'How could you forgive someone that has caused your entire race to go extinct?'
'Who said anything about forgiveness?' Heket slightly turned towards them from the immediate answer. The smile on their face was gone and the way their eyes looked to be lost made her spine shiver, 'I never wanted it, nor will I ask for it. Truely, I will keep that burning reminder forever.'
'Then why the hell you spare my sibling's lives? Why this?' Heket points to the both of them, 'If I was in your situation, I would've done nothing but torture the damn thing for the rest of time.'
It took roughly a minute for them to say anything, 'It would be so easy, wouldn't it? I can basically do anything, without any repercussions. To just let loose and not hide my fury towards any of you. And now that I know I can revive you or siblings…'
A chill ran through her when they thought of those words. She felt their arms shake, and whatever anger they could muster can be seen from their face. Even in the corner, she could see that their crown was staring at them, its edges turning razor sharp. By experience, she knows it wants its owner to kill something.
Heket was afraid; she remembers the terrifying gaze they gave upon her when they fought. Just the reminder alone almost made her shrink.
In their anger, the Lamb finally noticed the fearful look Heket was giving to them. Never did she ever make that type of face towards them, like she doesn't want them near her. Having that thought, they quickly calm themself down as well as making their crown return to its normal form.
'I am sorry. Yes, I have every reason to. But I'm not you, I'm tired of meaningless bloodshed. So I do better, and so can you. That's why I gave you all a chance to change, to be different.'
Heket stared at them before responding with, 'But… will it be enough?'
The Lamb hopelessly shrugs, 'I do not know. Maybe it will never be enough,' they looked at her, placing their hand onto her own and holding tightly, 'But it has gotten the love of my life, hasn't it?'
Heket blinked at sudden flirting. Just like that, their more jovial demeanor returns. If she were to admit, it bring her at ease. She makes a noise akin to a sigh, 'Aren't you charming.'
'I try, Heket,' The Lamb chuckled as their smile grew, 'You know, I think I need to add being hypocritical to your shortcomings.'
She returned her glare to the smiling sheep, 'Yeah, and why would you say tha-' her mind quickly added two and two together on what they mean. Oh right, she accepted the marriage proposal despite them killing her, 'Oh.'
The Lamb laughed at that. Though a bit embarrassed from the slight lapse, Heket wanted to join them but then an eruption of coughing brought her to a halt. It took her minutes before the cough fit ended, but both of them can see the blood coming out of her mouth and already stained bandages.
Without saying a word, the sheep god got up from their bed before lighting up a nearby candle and kneeling down at the dresser. The crown looked at its owner, sensing them wanting some privacy with their wife. Looking at the outside world once more for any intruders, it magically shuts the window curtains and closes its eye.
The Lamb came in front of Heket, showing her a bundle of clean bandages, a rag with a bucket of water and a little jar of some sort of pastel salve. Heket looked at the items before back at the Lamb again. Though with limited light, she can see their small smile on them. Not to mention that they don't have their bell accessory on their neck. The obvious red line looked to be stitched, perhaps the reason for their revival thanks to the crown.
They were indeed thoughtful.
Nodding to them, Heket turns away so they can help her. Slowly, the Lamb unties the knot of the dirty bandage. They must have done this for what, several thousands of times?
Once the last of the clotted cloth was removed, the Lamb dipped the rag into water before wiping away the blood that spilled from her throat and mouth. Everytime that the rag turns dark red, they would dipped the rag in water again before doing the process all over again until she was fully clean.
Now that there was no excess blood running down her neck, they checked for anything that could cause a problem. Though there was nothing new, it was still a sight. Narinder really did a number on them, they could imagine how gruesome and bloody just from taking a part of someone by force.
Right, she doesn't want pity for the injury. Ridding those thoughts, the Lamb opens up the container before dipping their hand in the paste. Getting the right amount, they spread it around the hole. The red salve stung Heket's neck, almost reminding her of the burning when she first got the wound. As quickly as the burning came, it went away and was a lingering afterthought.
After she was done writhing from the substance, the Lamb wrapped her neck with the clean bandage. When she was fully wrapped, however, Heket expected them to tear the cloth.
To her mild amusement, the annoying Lamb reached under her pillow and pulled out her knife. With a bit of a flourish to taunt her, they cut the leftover cloth before stabbing the weapon onto the bed frame right next to their wife's head. Heket, fighting the urge to not smile at this intimidation tactic, responded with a dismissive, 'You're hilarious.'
'Again, I try,' After they throw away any remaining items while she puts her knife in a more discreet location of the bedding, she lets out a small yawn, 'You must be tired. Holy day tomorrow, just for you, alright?'
Seeing her nod, the Lamb pecked on her cheek before blowing the candle's flame out. When the two were about to go to sleep, Lambert heard a rough voice.
"Th-than-"
Lambert's eyes widened when he heard the garbled noise next to them. They sat up and shook their head to the toad, 'You don't need to say anything, Heket. I underst-'
'Shut up, will you?' The Lamb comically gasped when her arms pulled them towards her chest. Their mind froze for a moment, but they still heard her think, 'Sometimes you're too damn caring, Lambert. All I want to say is…'
…
"...Tha-ank y-you… love."
Lambert watched her overcome by her sleep. They smiled as they cuddled up with their beloved. Before sleep takes them as well, they uttered to her, "You are welcome, love."