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Octavius was pouting; he and Jedediah had not seen each other for three nights in a row. Normally, they’d take the car out for a spin, play fetch with Rexy until the car needed recharging, and then they’d finish the night either sparring (Octavius was teaching Jed how to properly use a sword) or they’d sit on the ledge of their favorite window and watch the outside world, talk and joke with each other until it was time to retire back to their separate exhibits before the morning light hit them.
The roman was trying to tell himself to be realistic, that the cowboy was busy and his town would always come first- but what didn’t come first was Jedediah becoming best friends with the shiny new figurine. A cowboy, just like the blonde, blue eyed one he called his best friend. Although this one was even more cocky, even more argumentative and sure of himself. He’d made a joke about Octavius wearing a skirt the first time they’d met, and Jed had patted the other cowboy on the back, throwing his pretty blonde head back in laughter. The had roman blushed furiously and mumbled under his breath about how idiotic the new figurine was, but Jedediah was too busy making more jokes with Jesse - that was his name - to even notice. So, Octavius returned home that night, feeling defeated and… jealous.
~
“Gigantor! You seen Octy around?” Asked Jed, he appeared quite worried.
Larry looked down at the mini cowboy, confused. It was unusual to see one without the other - but where Octavius should have stood, the new cowboy, Jesse, was twirling a tiny fake pistol between his fingers, unbothered.
“Why isn’t he with you?” Larry didn’t like this, not one bit.
“I don’t know! He ain’t at home, that’s why I asked you.”
Larry could see the panic within Jedediah, meanwhile the other cowboy seemed unphased, bored even.
“Were you two supposed to meet up?”
Jedediah nodded. “He’s been teaching me how to sword fight.”
Jesse, who had been quiet up until now, snorted under his breath. “Whaddya need a sword for?? Ya got a gun, partner!”
Jed elbowed the pistol out of Jesse’s fingers and kicked it aside, sending the miniature weapon flying off of the front desk. “You ain’t always gonna have a gun, I like to be prepared.”
Jesse peered over the edge of the desk, watching his gun disappear. “So, use your fists! God gave ya two hands for a reason.”
Larry watched Jedediah roll his eyes. “You wouldn’t get it.” Replied the blonde coolly.
“Keep yer enemies close-“ A hand clapped Jed’s shoulder. “Smart move cowboy!”
“His name is Octavius, and he is my-” Jed stopped mid sentence, pulling away from Jesse.
“He’s your what?” Asked the other cowboy.
“My friend. He’s my best friend.” The blonde smiled to himself, it was the first time he’d admitted it out loud. It felt good. “And right now, right now I gotta go find him- Larry, can ya take Jesse back home? I think I know where Octy is.”
Larry smiled and nodded in agreement; Jesse started to argue about coming with but Jed was already back inside the toy car and driving away.
~
The window was different without Jed, and Octavius didn’t like it. It was cold and empty- everyone else seemed to be spending their time with those they cared about- and here was Octavius, wallowing in self pity. Though not for long, because the familiar hum of an engine gradually became louder and louder, until Octavius turned from the window and looked down off the ledge, seeing his cowboy waving up at him, honking the horn a few times.
“I’m coming up!” Yelled Jed.
Octavius simply turned back to the window and looked out at the dark street below. He felt awkward and upset about Jedediah’s arrival. On one hand the roman wanted nothing more than to spend all the time he could with the cowboy, on the other, he was still feeling left out and rejected by the blossoming friendship between Jed and the new cowboy.
A rope was tossed up at the window sill and despite the roman’s hurt feelings, he was still careful to secure it so Jedediah could climb up safely.
“Where have ya been, Octy? We were supposed to spar tonight.” Jed was slightly out of breath from the climb but did not hesitate to plop himself down next to his best friend as if nothing was wrong.
“I assumed you’d be with Jesse,” Came Octavius’ reply. He wasn’t looking at the blonde, but out the window.
“Well, I was… But I was just showing him around. It’s my job, ya know, to get my people acquainted with the museum and all its rules.”
“I am aware of your duties.”
“Okay…”
Silence, then, “Did I do something wrong?”
Octavius’ eyes were still glued to the empty street outside the window when he felt Jed’s glove covered hand squeeze his knee.
“Octy?”
The roman’s eyes fell on the hand covering his knee, and then up to the little blue pools that were Jedediah’s eyes. The blonde gave him a small smile, which pulled at Octavius’ heart.
“No…” He began and let go of a heavy sigh. “It was nothing you did.”
“Was it Jesse? Something he said?”
“Perhaps he is better suited to be your friend than I am… I- ”
Jed interrupted. “Now hang on a second, why would you go and say a thing like that?”
“It’s obvious. You two are better suited for each other.”
Another squeeze to his knee and Octavius noticed that his friend's hand never left him.
When Jedediah spoke, his voice was soft and sweet, “Octy… There ain’t no one I’d rather spend my nights with than you… I was just getting the new guy settled, that’s all.”
Octavius felt heat rise to his cheeks, quickly turning his head to the side so that his friend wouldn’t see him blushing. “I… I didn’t know…”
“Hey, look at me.” And then, gloved fingers carefully tilted the roman’s jaw back so that their eyes met. Jed wore a lopsided grin. “I missed you.”
Octavius could hear his heart pounding in his ears as the cowboy was suddenly leaning in, their foreheads touching just so. “Didn’t ya miss me?” Jed teased, his fingers danced along the exposed skin of the other’s jaw, somehow bringing their faces even closer.
Octaviys’ cheeks grew hot once more.
“Yes.” Was all he could manage- his eyes fixed on Jedediah’s chapped lips. Octavius’ tongue darted out to wet his own lips.
“Good because I wanna try something, and it ain’t gonna work too well if you don’t like me anymore.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I never said that I didn’t- ”
“Sshh…” Was all Jed told him before closing the gap between them.
Octavius closed his eyes and sighed into the mouth of his best friend. Finally , he thought.
The kiss didn’t last long, in fact, the roman chased after the cowboy’s lips as they broke apart- Jedediah giving him one quick peck before placing a hand on his chest, their foreheads still resting against one another. “Did that clear things up for ya?” He asked softly.
Octavius nodded, a bit dazed from their kiss. “I… I am sorry for being so foolish.”
The blonde laughed between them before placing another kiss, this time to his friend’s cheek. “And here I thought the only person who didn’t know about us was Jesse.”
“ Us? ” Octavius asked, somehow still unsure.
“Yeah, us. I like you, even if yer helmet is preventing you from thinking straight.” Jed laughed and knocked on the metal helmet jokingly.
“I like you too…” Octavius admitted.
“I hope ya do! I don’t go around kissing just anybody!” And with that, Octavius smiled and went in for another kiss, which Jedediah accepted.