Chapter Text
Noises. It was the first thing that Octavius’s brain registered. Familiar voices with animal sounds in the background. He attempted to identify the voices. One was a man. A cheerful voice that filled him with joy. The other was a woman, a soft voice that made you want to listen. He listened to the voices until they stopped.
And then he was able to see. His vision was blurry at first, but it was clearing slowly, giving him the time to understand two things.
1. He was still in the museum, in New York.
2. He wasn’t frozen.
Both facts left him perplexed. He didn’t understand. Ahkmenrah and his tablet were in London, Octavius had been there to see the pharaoh make his decision to stay with his family.
So why was the Natural History Museum of New York alive once more? It didn’t make sense to the roman, but he didn’t have time to think more before a voice called out to him.
«- Ah, Octavius! Glad to see you up and about my friend!»
The general yelped, not having noticed the man standing in front of the diorama. The latter chuckled before kneeling to be at eye level with the miniature.
«- Theodore! Apologies. I did not see you.
- All is well my friend. I must say, it is good to see you » , said the old president, still chuckling.
«- I am glad to see you too.»
They looked at each other for a moment, before the taller man offered his hand for Octavius to climb on. The roman nodded before getting aboard, to let Teddy bring him where he wanted. Which was just to the middle of the room, so that the president would be properly sitting down on the bench, while the general was standing on the top of it.
«- You know, I did not expect to be able to walk again. It was quite the surprise when I woke up, I almost fell from Texas.»
The thought of Theodore Roosevelt falling from his horse managed to bring a smile on Octavius’s face. But it was quickly replaced by a frown as he started thinking again.
«- I must say, I am quite shocked as well. Did something happen to cause this?» And after a few seconds, he added: « Did Larry…?»
The president shook his head, a somber look passing on his face, before going back to his usual cheerful smile.
«- No. Lawrence did not bring Ahkmenrah and the tablet back. Nor is he back himself.»
That answer made the roman frown even more. If Larry, Ahkmenrah and the tablet were not back, then how was the museum awake? Did another magical object cause this? Is it dangerous?
He said so out loud, making Theodore laugh, which further confused the general. Noticing that, the president calmed down, and looked at Octavius in the eyes before talking.
«- My friend, I said that Lawrence did not bring Ahkmenrah and the tablet back. I did not say that they were not back.
- So Ahkmenrah is… Here? For how long?
- Indeed, our Egyptian fellow is here. As for how long… Well, I believe it’s only up to him.»
Theodore’s words unlocked something in the general’s mind. His thoughts were running wild in his head like scarred horses as he started thinking about what Ahkmenrah staying could mean for him. For him and for…
«- Jedediah!»
The roman’s sudden shout startled the old president, who quickly regained his composure before giving a bright smile. Teddy had known about the special bond that linked the two miniatures before they even realised it existed themselves. And so, he wasn’t surprised at all bu the following questions.
«- Theodore, is Jedediah here? Is he alright? Where is he?
- Calm down my friend. Jedediah is where he asked me to take him earlier. He is also the reason why I was waiting near the diorama room.»
At those words, Octavius’s brain made a sudden halt, trying to make sense of the meaning of those words.
«- What do you mean-
- Well, let’s not keep our cowboy waiting any longer shall we?
- No, no, you’re right. Please take me to him.»
I want to see him was left unsaid, but was still heard.
Theodore picked up the roman gently before putting him in one of his front pocket while he called Texas, who promptly arrived, ready to take the American wherever he wanted.
While the president got on Texas, and the horse started moving, Octavius was growing more anxious by the second in the pocket. Jedediah and him had a second chance. And this time, he would not… No, he could not let it pass. He would tell the blond how he felt. Even if it drove the later away. He really hoped that it wouldn’t finish that way.
The trip was fast, and from the pocket, the Roman heard music, chatting, laughing, before things went quiet again. He felt Theodore get off the horse, and prepared himself to be picked up, which happened fast after. Closing his eyes so the light wouldn’t assault them, the roman sat onto the taller man’s palm, before opening his eyes to see where they currently were. Octavius quickly recognised the outside of the guard’s office, which was sparsely used during Larry’s time in the museum.
«- Theodore? What are we doing here?
- Well, you did ask me to take you to Jedediah. And that is what I am doing.»
Octavius’s eyebrows went up when his face changed from a look of confusion to one of realisation. He turned towards the door, anxiety rising in him again.
«- He’s in there.
- Indeed he is my dear fellow.» Theodore said while looking down at the miniature in his hand, whose gaze didn’t leave the door. Gently, the older man talked again. «Do you think you are ready to go in?»
Octavius looked away from to door to stare at the one holding him. He could see the concern on the president’s face, carefully hidden when you didn’t know what to look for.
«- I…», started the Roman, breathing in before moving his gaze to the door once more. «I think I am. I think I am ready.
- Very well. Let us go then.»
Teddy walked fast to the door, before pushing it open. The inside of the room was even more of a mess than what it was when Larry first took the job after Cecil, Gus and Reginald. Books were pilled in a corner, uniforms were on the couch, papers were on the floor and the desk… The desk. Octavius couldn’t look away from it. On it, pacing from left to right while muttering to himself, was the one the Roman’s heart desired. He seemed to be completely lost in his mind, as he didn’t turn towards the door when it opened.
«- Jedediah…»
Hearing his name made the cowboy pause, and look up. Theodore took that as a sign to move forward, and gently let the Roman get off his hand before going away, closing the door behind him. His mission was now done.
«- Octavius… I-»
Jedediah didn’t have time to finish his sentence before he was pulled into a tight hug by Octavius.
«- I am never letting you go again.»
The blond gave a small smile before resting his head on the brunette’s shoulder, giving back the hug.
«- I’m not planning on going anywhere. I am good right here. With the one I love.»
Octavius tensed, before pulling away from the hug, grabbing the other by the shoulders, looking flabbergasted, mouth wide open. Jedediah’s brain was just catching up with his mouth before he mirrored the Roman’s look. Just with a face a lot more red.
«- Dang it.
- Jedediah Smith, what did you just call me?»
Jedediah pulled away from Octavius’s grasp on his shoulder, taking a step back as he rubbed the back of his neck, looking anywhere but into the Roman’s eyes.
«- Well… I may or may have not just called you the one I love?»
It was at this moment that Octavius wondered yet again how he ever fell in love with that blond idiot of a cowboy. He pinched the bridge of his nose before exhaling slowly, a smile forming on his lips. He let his hand fall, before approaching Jedediah, closing the space that had formed between them. The Roman put his hand on the cowboy’s cheek, gently turning his head so that they would be face to face again. Once it was done, his other hand came to rest on the opposite cheek, his thumbs softly stroking his dearest’s face.
They stayed like that for a bit, looking into each other’s eyes, before Jedediah’s gaze went away as started talking again.
«- I’m sorry about last time. I was just scared. And the thing is, I'm not scared anymore.» He looked up again, meeting Octavius’s eyes once more. «You know what I mean?
- I'm starting to amate. I’m starting to.»
The Roman brushed the other’s lips before breathing in and out, getting ready to talk.
«- Jedediah, the last time we talked, I couldn’t tell you something important. Now I will. Jedediah Smith, you are the most wonderful, most stupid, most beautiful person I have ever gotten the chance of knowing. And I would like to spend the rest of my time with you. See, I may be madly in love with you. So what I want to ask is… Jedediah, would you do me the honour of becoming my lover?»
Octavius heard the cowboy take a sharp breath before he dared to look at him again. The blond had the brightest smile he had ever seen, and it made his heart skip a bit.
«- Yes. Without hesitation, yes.»
The Roman smiled back, and got even closer to Jedediah, getting their noses to brush against each other’s. Looking into the blond’s eyes, he asked a silent question, and got a nod as an answer. It was all the approbation he needed to fully close the distance and kiss the love of his life.