Returning to the museum was hard at first especially since the parents of the brothers didn't seem to wake. They didn't want to be awake so Merenkahre had asked the gods for something which included to wake when the time was right. No one could blame the two knowing they would mourn in their own way.
The Egyptian section of the museum was off limits to the public due to refurbishment. Larry had also the gates locked due to Merenkahres wishes. When Larry had announced to the museum that the brothers wouldn't reawaken. He received multiple opinions, some positive, some negative. At one time he could handle the chaos but it seemed that trouble found them all the time. Octavius, Lancelot and Attila had taken multiple positions around the museum keeping nosey annoying exhibits out of Egypt. One of the Anubis statues was allowed out and would stand in the way of the doorway keeping everyone back.
A week had passed since the news of the brothers passing and the museum's liveliness was starting to come back with the exception of the fact that Nick was leaving. Whether it was for good was up to the young man.
He was in for his last night shift before he would be leaving halfway through it. Nick didn't know how he felt about the museum, never mind actually working in it for good. Not after him 'dying' and losing the love of his life. Getting changed he walked towards the lobby floor where he found his father and Dr McPhee talking. Standing beside them was another man who had his back to Nick who remained beside the wall watching the way the three talked until Dr McPhee left with his goodbyes before the museum came to life.
"Urgh, dad. Who's this?" Nick asked, walking over while checking his watch. Two minutes until sundown.
Larry could only look up from where he was speaking to the man who nodded swiftly walking towards the office hiding his face from Nick.
"Oh, he's filling in for your position"
"But what about the museum? Have you told him"
"Oh, he knows," Larry said in a happy tone confusing his son who could only sit on the desk as Rexy came alive roaring the museum awake.
Teddy jumped down from his horse greeting the two as Sacagewa made her appearance with both Jed and Octavius who were at full height again. The two holding hands as they discussed something with a particular armoured knight. Octavius had a new scar underneath his armour and it seemed he would have it every time he woke up. Larry greeted them all with a smile and was in shock when he heard a jingle of jewellery as Merenkahre and Shepseheret emerged from the Tomb with gentle smiles on their faces.
"My King and Queen, what do we owe the pleasure" Lancelot greeted them as he always did. Shepseheret could only smile looking at the knight who seemed to get the picture, moving out the way allowing the two to pass.
"The gods bestowed news on us. Is it true, Larry?" Shepseheret questioned, Larry could only nod.
"Lawrence, what is going on?" Teddy turned to the night guard who froze forgetting the sole reason why he had asked them to meet in the lobby the night before.
"I would like to introduce you all to the new night guard who will be taking Nick's position for the time being," Larry said with a smile on his face.
"Gigantor, have you gone mad?" Jed asked moving in front of Octavius who remained leaning against the nearby desk. Attila could only laugh at his long time friend who smiled knowing the hun had spotted the surprise behind them all.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Nick said, his mouth went dry as he recognised the other man and froze on the spot.
"I would say he is crazy"
The familiar teasing tone had all eyes whipping around to the stairs where a certain man was leaning against the rail playing with the torch in his hand. He smirked at their shocked expressions.
"Kahmunrah?"
Shepseheret was the first to make a move as the man nodded, wearing a smile as he was pulled into a hug by his mother. Merenkahre rushed forward to hold his son ignoring the others, the two parents hugged their son tightly to their chests.
"How!?" Lancelot exclaimed, only to hear a roar as Rexy roared out with happiness disappearing down a hallway leaving them all smiling.
"The Tablet" Kahmunrah bluntly answered, walking over to the exhibit in his night guard uniform.
"But, where's the jewellery? Why are you wearing a uniform?" Jed asked while taking a seat on the desk with Octavius watching his every move.
"Oh about that, I'm human" Kahmunrah said with a smirk, he turned away from their looks as he walked off without a care in the world. The Egyptian pulled Octavius with him intending on speaking to the Roman general alone.
The two disappeared into the office with Kahmunrah firmly shutting the door leaving the others confused.
"Just how?" Larry turned to Merenkahre who could only mutter about the tablet.
Looking at the time, Nick realised he would have to leave very soon. He nodded at his father as he grabbed his bag from behind the lobby chair. He was in the process of saying his goodbyes when Kahmunrah and Octavius returned, the Roman looked exhausted. Jed was quick to wrap him up.
"What did you do?" Jed demanded.
"I extracted the rest of the tablet light from your partner. So he may need some sleep" Kahmunrah explained, his parents nodding at him.
"Guys, I'm just going to drive Nicky to the airport. Kahmunrah are you okay? On your own" Larry asked, Kahmunrah could only nod, sharing a smile with the night guard.
"I will be fine Larry, get the young man to his plane" Kahmunrah bluntly said waving his arms as he took a seat ignoring the looks from the others. Larry could only nod jogging off towards his car. Leaving behind very confused exhibits.
"Kahmunrah, what about your brother?" Shepseheret asked her son not wanting a negative answer.
"He will appear in due time, mother, just give him time," Kahmunrah said walking off down a nearby corridor. The saddened tone showed them that the older brother didn't know the answer.
Elsewhere…
"You ready for this?" Larry asked, turning towards his son, Nick nodded hugging his dad one last time before the two separated. Larry was left smiling receiving a text from Dr McPhee. He was quick to reply back saying both 'sons' were on the flight. Not expecting an answer, Larry walked back in the direction of his car with a knowing smile on his face. He was still shocked at the news from this morning but Dr McPhee ensured he had everything covered since Larry and the exhibits were the reason the Museum was still standing.
After a long walk, Nick soon found himself entering the aeroplane which would take him to Zante. It would take a whole 12 hours that he was hoping he would have someone good beside him. Heaven forbid he had a child. With Dan's money, he had booked in an upper class meaning more leg room and a bed. Which he was so thankful for. He would have a neighbour but a simple curtain would block them out. For takeoff he would have to sit beside the stranger which he hoped would be a good person. Heaven forbid if it was someone like Lancelot, god help him.
"Is this seat taken?"
A gentle voice broke him out of his thoughts as he took his headphones off only to gasp at the said individual.
"Ahk?"
"Hey Nick"
Nick was in shock helping Ahk put his bag away and strap in.
"How?" Nick said, turning to the one who he had said his goodbyes to a week ago.
"I don't know, I woke up in a bed with no clue to why I was alive. Kah appeared in the room, he said he had been waiting for me to wake up. Turns out, the gods answered our heartfelt prayers and others. We woke up in McPhee's house. He in a sense 'adopted me' as I woke with identification beside me and my made up life. Dr McPhee according to paperwork took me in when I was seven. Kah was quick to catch me up, turns out he is my biological father on paperwork. The past week I have been learning about modern day culture and…I really wanted to see you so two days ago, McPhee got in touch with Larry and…" Ahk cut himself off as the plane started moving. He went white. Nick could only sigh, wrapping an arm around his friend.
Ahk leaned into him when the plane took off, he held tightly to Nick's hand. The older man didn't mind.
"So, how old are you?" Nick asked.
"19" Ahk answered once the plane levelled out.
"No offence but why did you get on this plane?"
Nick was interrupted by lips pressing against his own. Nick couldn't help but pull Ahk close, the two fought each other until the plane moved, making Ahk pull away with fear in his features.
"I think I got my answer," Nick answered, wrapping an arm around Ahk.
"So, do you have an actual name?" Nick whispered when a flight attendant came over offering them food. Nick shook his head at her.
"Ahkmen or Ahk will do. On my identification it says, Rami McPhee" Ahk answered. Passing over his passport.
"Dare I ask how old Kahmunrah is?" Nick teased.
"35. He had me when he was 16 on paper anyway" Ahk answered, leaning into Nick who only smiled
"So, does this mean we can be together now?" Ahk questioned lifting his head only to muffle a yawn with his hand.
Nick could only nod, "Would you like to be my boyfriend, Ahk?". He received a sleepy nod, "yes, it's exhausting being human again" Ahk whispered as Nick directed them towards the double bed. There the two lay on the way to Zante, Nick couldn't help but text his father a quick thank you message as he closed the curtain blocking out the light as he wrapped Ahk up in his arms. The man he had always wanted to hold was finally in his arms and in his soon to be future.
For once, Nick couldn't wait to land and get to the hotel not because he hadn't seen his mother in months but because he wanted to share his world with his new boyfriend. Since, sleep wasn't coming to him. Nick was quick to text his old ex-boyfriend with the news that he had pursued his crush and thanked him for his advice. He knew he wouldn't get a reply until later on due to the time difference. For once, he was excited to see Don and his mother but for now he would just hold the sleeping nineteen year old in his arms close. It would seem life liked him for a change.
A day later…
Nick couldn't believe it, he was here in Zante sitting at a table with his boyfriend beside him watching him interact with his mother and step dad. Dan and Erica got on perfectly well with Ahk who could only smile. To others he was known as Rami but to Nick he was known as Ahk.
Once the dinner was over, the two love birds found themselves walking down the golden beaches of Greece. Hand in hand they enjoyed their time together.
"How long are you here for?" Nick asked, pressing into his lover's chest. Ahk could only smile up at him. Yes, Nick was taller than Ahk, not by much but he was.
"McPhee said I had a month from our departure date before I'm required to come back. Kah agreed as long as I was careful. I can't be away from Kah for too long, something to do with the deal we made" Ahk whispered as Don and Erica came over gesturing for the two to join them on a walk. Nick nodded holding Ahk close to his side as the two walked up the many trails of Greece.
Only to be met with quite a sight, the sun setting was perfect for both couples. Ahk was mesmerised by the beauty of the island. Nick smirked watching his boyfriend witness something from his world rather than climbing into the sarcophagus as the sun rose.
Their time together was short, Ahk was invited to the wedding but he would be leaving a few days after. Nick still had a difficult decision to make, he lay in bed with his head on his sleeping partner's chest as he contemplated what to do with life. Ahk was ready to try out the world.
"Nick?" A soft knock on the doorframe alerted him to his mother. Nick was quick to extract himself from his sleeping partner and cover himself up. He walked over to his mother who smirked at him as he put shorts on and a top. Silently closing the door, Nick turned to see not only his mother but a hungover Don in the room. The wedding had been great but many of them were hungover.
"I know we said you can stay here but from the look you have for that younger man. We know farewell that you aren't staying and we want to say something son" Erica spoke with soft words.
"Follow your heart, don't stay here just because you feel the need to. Listen to your heart, that boy shows pure love through his eyes for you. Don't let him go, he's a keeper" Don said with a smile, wrapping an arm around the two.
"Sometimes I wish…I just listened to you two in the first place" Nick said with a smile, he heard movement from inside his room and thanked the two before opening the door to find his lover finding out why you don't drink too much alcohol. He couldn't help but chuckle as Ahk curled up beside the toilet.
"Feel better?" Nick asked, rubbing Ahks back.
"Not really, but I'm not spending the day next to the toilet. Not when I only have a few hours left with you" Ahk said in a teasing tone as he brushed his teeth. Nick could only smile kissing Ahk, "I don't know about that, I quite like taking care of you" Nick whispered back, "and well, I'm coming back with you, can't get rid of me that easily" Nick exclaimed, Ahk could only smile as he was pulled down onto the bed.
48 hours later…
Kahmunrah was exhausted, he entered his apartment which he had been given off by McPhee, for him and his son. He smirked remembering Ahks face when he passed on the information that Kah was his dad. He expected retaliation but then Ahk admitted that Kah was a father figure he looked up to.
"Bad night?"
He almost jumped out of his skin hearing the soft tone, whipping around he could only smile seeing Ahk leaning against the doorframe leading to his own room.
"You could say that, I don't know how Larry does it" Kah grunted out welcoming his brother into his arms. Ahk hugged him close. Ahk could only smile, feeling safe in his older brother's arms.
"Want me to help you?" Ahk asked.
"Ahk, we have talked about this. If you're not ready to return…"
"Kah, I don't mean for good. Just to see everyone. I'm gathering you have kept me non-existent"
"Yes I, Larry and McPhee have kept you quiet knowing you weren't ready"
"Good well I think it's time I return but I'm not staying for good just to…ow!" Ahk suddenly held his stomach in pain, he ran for the bathroom only to vomit. Kah was instantly beside him rubbing his back.
"I'm good Kah"
"You sure?"
"Think it's the alcohol"
Kah could only glare at his brother, Ahk smiled walking to get himself a drink of water. He hoped it was only the alcohol.
"Careful brother, remember what the medical expert said"
"I know Kah, it was a risk we had…besides Nick is alright with it"
"The fact that you can drop dead any day or the fact…"
"Kah! Enough! I've…" Ahk wasn't able to finish as his vision blurred and he collapsed. Kah reached out catching his brother before he hurt himself.
"Ahk! Wake up! Ahk!" Kah cried out just as the front door opened revealing to be McPhee who was dropping off something for the two only to gasp at the paleing man on the ground.
"Kah! Pick him up! We need to get him checked out!" McPhee shouted, Kahmunrah instantly picked his brother up and the two ran for the car, almost knocking over Nick and Larry in the process who gasped at them following.
Stay Tuned for more chapters on the way very soon!
Thank you to everyone who is reading and voting or commenting - I really appreciate it all! :)