Chapter Text
Being the child of Set doesn’t get you much respect in the underworld, and Anubis learned that very young. When he was barely a fledgling god, just a small pup who could barely reach his scales without a stool, a member of Osiris’s court cornered him after a trial. The man was gruff, nearly twice Anubis’s height and about three times his weight. “Messing with the scales, are you, boy?” the man accused, voice as rough as his appearance. “No, sir,” Anubis replied dutifully, “I just read what the scale says, sir.”
The man’s eyes narrowed, lips curling into a derisive smile. “Oh, I’m sure you do, boy.” he drawled. “It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s that father of yours.” The man’s lips have twisted into a sneer since he began talking. Anubis blinked up at the man; he’s never met Set and Set’s been imprisoned since before Anubis was born. “Whispering into your ear, is he? Sowing discord like always?” the man grunted. “No, sir. I’ve never met him and Uncle doesn’t even like his name said in the palace if he can help it.” Anubis admitted.
“Do not fucking LIE to me, boy!” the man exploded, so loud it made Anubis’s ears ring. He shook Anubis by the shoulders, pulling a flinch from the young god. “I’m not lying!” Anubis cried, tears welling up in his eyes. This did little to quell the man’s rage as he just kept shaking and shaking and shaking Anubis until…
“STOP IT!!” Anubis screeched and reached deep for power Uncle taught him to only use in emergency. It sent the man flying back until he hit a wall. The noise got the attention of Osiris, who had been in another room, and he came rushing in. All he saw was a previously loyal courtier crumpled against the wall and his nephew trembling across from him. He saw red and motioned the young one over. “What happened?” the blue god questioned his child, careful not to put his hands on him. Anubis wrung his hands nervously as he began to speak. “I dunno, he was just loud and scary and he wouldn’t stop talking about Father!” Anubis sniffled.
At the mention of Set, Osiris turned to a blubbering former courtier as he shouted. “He’s lying! He’s lying! He’s twisting the truth!” the man insisted but Osiris will always believe his nephew over anyone else. “Guards!” Osiris shouted and his true loyalists came running. The traitor continued shouting as he was dragged away. “I KNEW IT! I FUCKING KNEW IT! THAT BOY WILL TEAR YOU UP FROM THE INSIDE OUT! DON’T TRUST HIM! DON’T FUCKING TRUST HIM!” The man was dragged out and Osiris pulled Anubis into a hug, the boy shivering in response. “I’m sorry, Uncle.” Anubis mumbled into Osiris’s robes. Osiris simply hugged him tighter, “Don’t be. You didn’t do anything wrong. That man was wrong, not you.”
Anubis nodded in agreement to his Uncle’s words, but Osiris kept going. “You are so loved, Anubis. You know that, right? Your aunt and I love you so so much.” Anubis’s hands clenched on his Uncle’s robes but all he said was, “I know, Uncle. I know.”