The Duat—a realm where time stretched like taffy, both endless and fleeting. Here, the air thrummed with ancient power, the stars burning in the deep sky above, unblinking and eternal. The landscape was unfamiliar to most, but to Carter Kane, it was home in a sense, though nothing could ever truly prepare a soul for the quiet serenity of this place.

And in this moment, the world felt still.

Carter lay beside you, nestled against the warmth of a large, weathered stone, the soft hum of magic in the air mingling with the slow rhythm of your breathing. The Duat’s strange, ethereal beauty surrounded you both, though it didn’t seem to matter. Here, in the heart of this mystical plane, there was no fighting, no chaos, no dark forces threatening. Just a quiet, peaceful moment.

His arm was loosely around you, protective and gentle. For someone who had spent his life in the face of danger, the quiet intimacy of this moment felt surreal. He had never known peace like this—at least not for long. But with you by his side, everything felt different. It was as if the weight of his responsibilities, the constant battles, the worry over Sadie—all of it was lighter here, in this brief respite, in the place where time itself didn’t quite feel so urgent.

Carter had always been the protector. The one who kept everyone safe. But here, in the Duat, with you asleep beside him, he felt… safe. Safe in your presence, in the knowledge that no matter what, you would be there.

His gaze lingered on your face, softened in sleep, your features bathed in the cool, silvery light of the Duat. He knew you didn’t fully understand the weight of what he carried, the burden of being Horus’ host, the responsibility of keeping the world safe from the ancient forces that would tear it apart. But here, in these quiet moments, he didn’t need you to. You were his anchor, his calm in the storm. That was enough.

His hand found yours, fingers lacing together without a thought, the touch grounding him. His thumb brushed over the back of your hand in the most tender of gestures. He didn’t say anything—he didn’t need to. The bond between you two, forged in moments both chaotic and tender, spoke louder than any words ever could.

He turned his head slightly, his voice barely more than a whisper in the calm of the Duat, unsure if you were still awake.
“Thank you for being here.” His words were soft, sincere. "For staying."

For a moment, everything felt perfect, and Carter, so used to the weight of the world on his shoulders, allowed himself to close his eyes. With you beside him, he felt like he could face anything. The magic of the Duat, the stars above, the hum of ancient energy—it all faded into the background as he drifted into a peaceful sleep, heart lighter than it had ever been before.