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Jedediah stood with a few of his men; Sampson (or Sam), Billy, Aiguo, and William (though everyone called him Will, or Willy). They had been building the railroad track, as they were locked in behind the glass, and therefore couldn't start a war with those Skirt Wearing Pansy's next door.
"Doodah, doodah, the Camptown racetrack's, five miles long, oh, the doo-dah day..." Jedediah's men sang, a song all the men sang, besides Jedediah himself.
Aiguo set down the track, and said in Chinese, "can someone give me some rope?" He just needed to tighten it, tie it in place, the secure it properly.
"Yeah, here you go," Jedediah handed the rope over, pulling his hat off, and wiping sweat away with his rag, smearing dirt over his forehead. He had learned Chinese when he woke up in the Museum, and he was unsure if he knew it in his past life, but it was a useful thing to have learned.
Aiguo took it, "thanks boss —"
"Aiguo!" Called a female voice, and immediately Aiguo stood up, taking his hat off, and wringing it between his hands shyly. The others four men began laughing quietly, stopping their singing, seeing the woman in a red dress running over, skirt hitched up, black hair pulled up into a tight bun, "you forgot your necktie." She said, handing over a black necktie.
Aiguo flushed, "ah, that well..." He smiled, in a heavy Chinese accent, "I was vooking for that this mornin'."
"Yeah, and you're lookin' for smoochin' you are," laughed Billy, making Sampson laugh and bend in half.
Aiguo glared to them, "ey! Shut it!" He looked back to the woman, and smiled softly, "are you okay, dearest?"
"I'm fine," she replied, smiling as she tied the necktie around his neck, and smiled with pale pink lips.
"How's ya day, Daiyu?" Asked Jedediah with a grin, and looked to to Aiguo.
"Oh, I fine Diah," smiled Daiyu, she struggled sometimes with English words, but it was all fine.
Jedediah smiled, "good. Aiguo, ya lookin' like yer seein' God 'imself!"
"You would to if you had a wife like Daiyu," sneered Aiguo, but paused in his sneer as Daiyu pressed her lips to Aiguo, and the man kissed back, closing his eyes.
Will and Billy laughed and make noises like making out, and Jedediah laughed as well, holding his side. Sampson crossed his arms and smirked, "ya so whipped, Guo!"
Aiguo pulled back, not even listening, "I'll see you later dearest, I love you..."
"I love you too," Daiyu smiled, kissing her husband again, before walking off.
Aiguo smiled softly, then frowned, hearing the others laughing, and he glared, hitting them with his crumpled hat, "shut up!" They just laughed more, holding their hands up, blocking the attack.
Jedediah and Octavius were friends now, and Octavius had a wild side that Jedediah enjoyed. And, it was another night were the two were going fro a drive around the museum. Jedediah walked over to the edge of his exhibit, his friends coming with him.
"What 'r' ya followin' me for?!" Jedediah asked, pausing, as he turned to his men.
"Well, we wanna see who ol' Jedediah is abandonin' his friends for," Sampson said, arms crossed.
"I ain't abandonin' ya, Sam," scoffed Jedediah, as he flicked his hat up.
"Oh really, then, where ya going?" Asked Billy, hands on his hips.
"With ya girl," smirked Jedediah, and they laughed as Billy pushed him. "Oh that's right, Linsey likes specky gingers, such as yerself." And again they laughed.
Billy scoffed, "laugh all yer want, Linsey likes me! For some reason..."
"She knows, that's what ma'er," Aiguo laughed.
Billy smiled, "does this mean we can go back to our misses?"
At that all the men seemed to soften, and looked to Jedediah hopefully.
Jedediah scoffed, "you lot 'n' ya misses. Yeah, go on." He waved a dismissive hand. It's like they forgot they had a Mayor, and that really, Jedediah had no control over them really. But, he's fine with it, The Mayor won't stop them really, and he then pulled the rope, "see ya later." He slid down, and rushed over to Octavius who was leaning on the car, "Ockie! You a'ight?"
"Yes, I thought you wasn't coming, my friend," Octavius said, who got off the car and walked over.
"Sorry, the boys were naggin' me," Jedediah said, pointing up to them, and they watched with opened mouths. "That's the same look we 'ad we ya told us you 'n' Linsey were married!"
Billy flushed, "piss off! Linsey 'n' I are —"
"'R' what Billius?" Asked an American woman in a green dress, arms crossed.
Billy's enraged face turned soft and smiled, "nothin' hun..."
"That's what I though, now come on, I need ya." Linsey said, in a tone to not be taken lightly, and Billy nodded, taking off his hat and wringing, walking off with his wife, happily taking her hand. He shot a glare at the others, as they laugh.
"Suck up," smirked Jedediah, "ready?"
Octavius was laughing slightly, not expecting a woman to have sway over the "Big Barbarian Cowboys".
Octavius had visited one afternoon, and was watching Jedediah and his friends carry a few crates, and Jedediah had said he's be with him in a few moments. He could hear the small group singing, as Jedediah rolled his eyes, muttering out commands. The roman was having a lovely conversation with Linsey, and Daiyu, and two other women, who were no more than girlfriends; Ella, who was a rather large woman dating William, and likes the colour blue, and a small, tiny, and skinny woman called Sophia, who was with Sampson, and liked the colour pink.
Ella was holding to leather gloves, "hones'ly, ya'd think those fella's 'ould remember to get dressed."
"Yes," Daiyu said agreement, "we 'ave to do ever'thing."
Sophia smirked, "you should probably give Will his gloves, Sophia." She had a proper British accent, as she was taken directly from Britain years and years ago.
"Righ'," sighed Ella, walking over.
The conversation was inaudible, but as Octavius watched, he saw William - the long, brown haired male - take his hat off and smile all shyly, and flushing, kissing her in thanks as he took his gloves back. Jedediah was falling about, and the Roman faintly heard him yell, "yer a stur'ing mess, Willy!", actually, all the men were laughing at him.
"Do they all take their hats off?" Asked Octavius, having seen "Billy" do the same a few days ago with Linsey.
Linsey hummed, "yeah, the' do. It used to be charmin' courtesy and respect for men ta remove their 'ats in the presence of a woman."
"But, they now do because they is flustered," Daiyu said, messing up a word, but Octavius knew what she was saying. "Respect. Flustered. Gives something for hands to do..."
And, it was true, Octavius saw William turning his hat, this way and that way.
"It is worse for when a man gets a pretty woman like us." Sophia said, which would sound cocky, but she loved herself, and loved supporting the other women, it made them feel good. "You think that's bad? You should see Sampson. He once nearly frayed his hat beyond repair when I agreed to go out for a drink with him."
"So, they do that, because they like you?" Octavius asked, learning a lot about the Western Domain.
"Oh yeah!" Grinned Linsey, watching as William's face fell, as Ella walked over to them, dress hitched up. "They tease each other relen'lessly though."
Octavius heard William yell, "bye babe!", and saw as the others mockingly called out "bye babe" after him.
Ella smiled, and looked to Octavius, "Ol' Jedediah will be 'ere soon, he says."
"Thank you."
"Hey, Bocephus!" Jedediah yelled, knocking the box, hearing Larry and Teddy fall silent outside. "Little help over here!"
The box opened suddenly, and Larry stood there, in a suit and tie, "hey. Hey, fellas. How you doing?"
The men began climbing out, and Jedediah and Octavius pulled themselves up on the ledge. Their men behind them were fighting off packing peanuts.
"Well, lookee here. If it ain't Mr. Big-in-the-Britches himself, come back just in time to see us off!" Jedediah called, annoyed.
"Yeah, Jed, I heard. Look, I don't even know how this happened," Larry said.
"Yeah. Yeah, real mystery how this happened." Jedediah said sarcastically, waving his hands, as Larry's phone rang, and buzzed. "Maybe the answer's on that magic buzzing box there in your hand! You weren't here, Gigantor! That's how it happened!" Jedediah yelled, and Octavius, who was messing with his toga, began pointing in agreement at Jedediah. "Ain't no mystery!"
"The fact is, Larry, there's no one else here to speak on our behalf during business hours," Octavius said with a shrug.
"None, none, dum-dum." The Easter Island Head said, and the Neanderthals began grunting in agreement and laughing.
"Hey, guys! It's okay! I'll call the board in the morning, all right? I got some pull now. I'll handle this." Larry said, looking to everyone before turning to Jedediah and Octavius. "We're gonna be okay here."
""We"? Did you hear that?" Jedediah asked, arms crossed as he looked to Octavius. "You hear Daydream Johnny?" He asked, and Octavius nodded, messing with tassels. "There ain't been a "we" ever since you put us on the "pay no mind" list." Jedediah yelled. "And that's a cold place to be, boy." To be fair, Larry did look like he felt guilty, as if being scolded by a parental figure.
"Larry, what's done is done." Octavius said, tone firm, in an "end of discussion" way, his tone more disappointed than angry, as he looked dramatically off in the distance. "Even the glory of Rome had to come to an end."
"Would you please not look dramatically off into the middle distance when you say that? It makes me feel worse." Larry begged, his heart dropping to his stomach, feeling sick and pale.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Octavius said, defiantly.
"Where are you looking? Where are you looking?" Larry asked, following Octavius' gaze. He moved back into the angels view. "I'm over here," he waved a hand.
Octavius snapped out of his gaze, and shrugged, pointing, "just a bit of wall over there."
"Look, guys, maybe it won't be so bad," Larry said.
Attila the Hun made a mocking nose in his native language, and made a "blah blah" motion with his hands.
"Yes, you make a good point," Larry said, walking over. "But this is the Smithsonian we're talking about here."
Suddenly, Dexter chattered.
"Dexter, you don't know that," assured Larry, but frowned, when Dexter threw his nose up, and waved his hand.
"You're missing the point, Gigantor! They're shipping us out!" Jedediah said, devastated.
"Larry, I know you're trying to make us feel better. I can see that you're genuinely slightly bothered, but it's never going to be the same. All of us here, together," Octavius said, getting depressed with each word, "in this place."
"It ain't never gonna be home, boy," Jedediah said, sadly. "Hoo-wee."
"Jedediah, please!" Teddy said, and Larry looked over. "Lawrence, these are emotional times for all of us. But it is our last night as a family, and I don't want to see it squandered in self-pity. So who will join me for one final stroll through these hallowed halls?"
There was grunting and nodding. People walked off, ready to take a final walk.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Asked Octavius, jabbing his thumb to the side.
"No." Whispered Jedediah, looking down, "I'm just gonna squander it in self-pity."
Sophia easily climbed out of the box and said, "well I am!" She said, nodding, arms crossed. She looked to Sampson, "you coming Sammy?"
"Of course I am, sweet'eart!" Assured Sampson, his hat off, fiddling with it. "Er... come someone 'elp me?"
Sophia rolled her eyes and leaned over, pulling Sampson up, "come on."
Sampson laughed nervously, and scratched the back of his head, "thank you."
Sophia merely hummed, and gently kissed Sampson, who looked like he had found all the gold in the Goldrush, and followed after Sophia eagerly, who clearly wore the pants in the relationship. Jedediah laughed, and watched as his friends went with their partners, all seeming to be in some form of a love fog.
"God, they're whipped."
Jedediah was thrown about on the floor, trapped in an hourglass of sand. Each grain had hit his hat, and wriggled into his shirt, scratching his skin, and getting into his boots and gloves, and it was hard to breathe. He didn't regret getting Octavius to safety, he would do it all over again, and again, and again, but he doesn't love the situation he's in either, with Exhibit's fighting over the top off him, and the sand above him was thinning out. Any moment now, he'd be six feet under.
Suddenly, the Cowboy heard Octavius yelling, and saw him rushing over to hourglass. He put his hand to the glass, "Jedediah! They need us!"
"I ain't gonna make it! Afraid this cowboy's been to his last hoedown! Octavius, remember me as I was, wild, and free, and..." Jedediah said, dramatically, the sand was under his chin now. He reached a hand up, placing it against the glass, where Octavius' hand was.
"No need for final words," Octavius assured, and was frowning.
"Whoa, I'm not finished yet," said Jedediah.
"Oh..." Octavius thought about what could help, what could he pick up that was strong enough?!
"I want to get to the story of our relationship, the evolution from enemy to friends."
"No!" Snapped Octavius.
"It'll make you cry!" Assured Jedediah, pointing to Octavius. The sand reaching further, and was now covering his lips, sand getting in his beard, and he took a deep breath of air through his nose.
"No! Because, you are going to live!" Octavius began untying his helmet.
Jedediah saw Octavius, before he closed his eyes, now surrounded by blackness, and everything muffled. The sand had now covered his face, and hat, it was heavy and hot, itchy and crushing. He reached up desperately, trying to find a way out, but his hand disappearing under the sand, just as quickly as it appeared.
Octavius pulled his helmet off, and raised it, and in a moment of panicked anger, yelled, slamming his weak helmet against the glass, and it cracked. He did it again. Another crack, and the pressure was too much. It smashed. Sand rolled out of the hourglass, and out tumbled Jedediah, through the heart shaped hole, coughing, hacking up sand.
Octavius knelt down, and picked him up, holding him in his arms, and Jedediah's head fell back, rather limp, as he took a deep breath of air that he been holding. He opened his eyes a crack, once he was sure his eyelashes were sand free, "heya there..." The cowboy swallowed back dry saliva, and saw the light perfectly outline Octavius' body.
"Hello," greeted the Roman, helping Jedediah stand.
"Let's get to work," Jedediah said, as the two walked forward.
"Have a sword." Octavius handed his sword over, then yelled, "sword!" Someone threw him a sword, and he caught it.
The two ran forward.
"So, hey I jus' wanna thank ya for savin' me back there pal," Jedediah said to Octavius the next night. He had realised he ever probably thanked his friend, and without Octavius' help, he'd be dead.
"You have nothing to thank me for —" Started Octavius, but Jedediah cut him off.
"Yes I do, I would'a died if ya hadn't got ta me," Jedediah said, looking down, messing with his fingers. Suddenly, before he knew he was doing it, he tugged off his hat, and was twisting it. "So, I owe you one. Like, big time..."
"You can show your gratitude by not thanking me," assured Octavius, but Jedediah sighed.
"Tavi," Jedediah said, and frowned at Octavius' concerned gaze. "What?"
"Your hat is fraying..."
Jedediah paused, and looked down, and... oh, would you look at that? Frayed cowboy hat... he put his twisted hat on his head, "sorry... look, just... thank you..."
"Well, you're welcome my friend..."
"Doodah, doodah, the Camptown racetrack's, five miles long, oh, the doo-dah day..."
Sampson, Aiguo, Billy and Will was hunched over a hole in the exhibit, with a pile of sand next to the hole, with shovels stuck in said sand, and seemed to be a lowering device over the hole, the four passing down tools when called for, while singing obnoxiously.
"Right, need a wrench!" Came Jedediah's voice, he had a smudge of dirt on his nose, and sweat collecting beneath his hat, and raised his gloved hand. He hated that song. He didn't used to, but after hearing it for years and finding out the men who sang had wives and girlfriends waiting for them at home, he had grown to hate it.
Aiguo handed over a wrench.
"Heya boys!" Came Linsey's voice, and all the men - besides Jedediah, who hadn't heard, perked up.
Billy pulled off his hat, and twisted it, "heya hun, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just wonderin' were Jed is," Linsey said.
Suddenly, Aiguo pulled his hat off, wringing it, "hallo dearest..."
"Hi. We want to know, could we use... um... mechanical horse?" Daiyu asked, unsure what the word is.
"Mechanical horze?" Repeated Aiguo, confused.
"She means that car thing," Sophia said, her arms crossed.
Sampson pulled off his hat, holding it to his chest, "uh... car, sweetheart?"
"Yes, you know the one Jedediah and Octavius use, we're all going to go out and spend time together," Sophia said, as Ella and Octavius walked over together, talking.
William pulled his hat off, holding down, messing with the ridge, "heya babe..."
"Hey," smiled Ella, "so... could we borrow the car thang?"
Octavius looked highly uncomfortable, as if he didn't really belong there, and in a way, he didn't. But, he got along with the two wives, and two girlfriends very well, and had befriended them rather quickly.
"Well, ain't it owned by..." Started Sampson, before waving his hand, looking at Octavius. "Whats-his-name."
Sophia crossed her arms, "it's Octavius, used it Sampson."
"Sorry Octavius," Sampson said, flushing in embarrassment.
Now all four women were here, they seemed more focused on not upsetting their partners, and didn't tease each other. It was a highly amusing sight.
"Hey, you dumbasses gonna help me outta 'ere?!" Came Jedediah's voice from the hole, a wrench being thrown up, hitting the back of Aiguo's leg. Thankfully, they had stopped singing, which Jedediah appreciated.
"Yeah, in a second hoss! Gurls 'r' 'ere!" Called Billy, barely glancing to the hole.
"You 'n' ya misses! Y'all a mess, and y'all need ta focus! Sophia! Tell ya hubby ta help a cowboy out!" Jedediah snapped, annoyed and angry, and Octavius covered his mouth, not hearing the cowboy act this way, it was hilarious, and it took everything in him to not laugh.
All Sophia had to so was look at Sampson with a raised eyebrow, to get the man moving, and turning the pull machine on, and Will quickly went to help, as Ella's foot suddenly began tapping.
"Hones'ly!" Snapped Jedediah, pulling himself out with the help of his men, and standing, "y'all as useless as road ki—" He paused, seeing Octavius with his friends wives and girlfriends. Octavius was smiling softly, eyebrows raised. Jedediah quickly pulled his hat off, and twisted it, "h-heya Ockie... what'ch ya doin' 'ere? N-not that I'm not 'appy ta see ya! I'm very 'appy! As 'appy as moon is on shine!" Jedediah wanted to hit himself, his knuckles white.
"I was wondering if I may borrow the car. I promised I would take Ladies Sophia, Daiyu, Ella and Linsey for a night out, and I know how protective of that car you are." Octavius said, softly and slowly with a smile.
"Wha? Yeah, course ya can! Yer never 'ave ta ask!" Assured Jedediah with a shy, bashful laugh, "go a'ead!"
Octavius smiled, "thank you Jedediah."
"Y-yeah, no problem!"
Once the four girls and man was out of sight, the other four men laughed at Jedediah, who hit them with his hat, annoyed, and blushing.
Jedediah was stacking up crates, and boxes with Sampson, Billy and Will were loading up a wagon, and Aiguo was fixing a wheel on the wagon.
"Doodah, doodah, the Camptown racetrack's, five miles long, oh, the doo-dah day..." The men sang, only this time with one more addition to the group.
"I come down there with my hat caved in, doodah, doodah," Jedediah sang, not even realising he was singing along with his men. "I go back home with a pocketful of tin, oh the doo-dah day..."
"Ah, I see your singing along Jedediah," came Sophia's voice.
Sampson pulled away from the box hoisted on his and Jedediah's shoulder, and Jedediah stopped singing, falling back with a yell. Sampson smiled, pulling off his hat, "heya sweet'eart. Are you okay, do you need somethang? Not that I ain't 'appy to see ya —"
Sophia leaned up and kissed him, "I'm fine Sam, I just came to tell Jedediah that Octavius is here and waiting for him. But, then I heard Jedediah singing the Camptown song."
"No I ain't!" Grumbled Jedediah, pushing the crate off of him painfully.
"Yes, you were," Aiguo said, looking up, and wiping his forehead with the back off his hand.
"But..." Jedediah swallowed, "no I ain't..." His mind fell back to his working, about how between a few yells of commands, he went back to what he called "a blank haze of working", and realised, "oh, I was..."
"You settlin' down?" Asked Will, eyebrow raised in shock.
"Nah!" Yelled Jedediah, pushing his hat up slightly. "Who'd I be settlin' down with?! I'm wild 'n' free!"
Billy frowned, "well, 'ow about that Mary chick?"
Jedediah sneered, "Mary? Now don't go given that girl any idea's! I'm warnin' you! Soph—" He turned, pointing to the girl, but paused, seeing Sampson being peppered with kisses, and he was utterly delighted. "Sam! Get back ta work!"
Sampson whined, "sorry boss." He looked to Sophia, "thanks for visitin' me..."
"My pleasure," smiled Sophia, before looking to Jedediah. "Go on, Octavius is waiting for you."
Jedediah's eyes widened, "perfect! See?! Spendin' less time around Mary, 'n' more time around my pal! That'll quit my be'aviour!" He rushed off.
Sophia sighed, "who's gonna tell him Octavius is the reason he's settling?"
But, none of the guys answered, just watched their friend rush off with childish delight.
Jedediah finally understood who was making him sing that stupid song. He finally figured out what he was feeling. And, it didn't happen when he was in the vents, and heating, nor when he was in Pompeii, nor when he was dying on that roof, holding hands with Octavius as he watched the stars.
No...
It was when Octavius had yelled, "you'll rue the day you mocked us with your huge sword and hypnotic blue eyes!" Then, defended himself with, "his eyes are very blue."
Jedediah had founding himself thinking, 'are my eyes not blue enough?', then came the though of, 'well, colour me shocked... I like Octavius.' Yes, the realisation was just sudden as sudden as I make it out to be.
As he lay on that rough top, and said, "I'll take that hand now," he realised he had been a fool. Years wasted on petty rivalry, and years wasted on Jedediah not putting the pieces together. What a fool he was. But, he can't say anything now, because here he was, sat on the bench in the middle of the diorama, with Octavius next to him, having said his farewell to Larry, ready to go back to being a... a plain old museum exhibit.
No more work. No more Camptown song. No more wringing of cowboy hats. No more teasing his friends. And, most importantly, no more Octavius.
"Well," said Octavius after five minutes of silence. He stood up, voice thick, "I... I will miss you... my friend..."
"I'll miss ya too..." Jedediah swallowed, and stood. No, he had to tell Octavius. This'll be the last time he'll get to say it. He took his hat off, and his cheeks went a flushed red, and he began twisting his hat, this way and that. "Octavius, I-I need ta tell ya somethin', somethin' I should'a told ya a long time ago, but I only just foun' out..."
Octavius frowned, "yes?"
"I-I... I think I might... like ya... no, I know I like ya," Jedediah said, looking down, his hat all crumpled beneath his hands. "'N', 'm sorry I only jus' figured it out..."
"But, you refused to hold my hand —" started Octavius, but Jedediah shook his head.
"Nah, I mean... I b'n feelin' this way fer a while, pal, and uh... well, I didn't know what it was, until you commen'ed on Lancelot's eyes, and I got..." Jedediah trailed off. He didn't really want to admit he was jealous, but Octavius undertsood.
"Oh..."
"Look, ya don't have ta like me back, just thought ya should kno—"
Octavius pressed a finger to his lips, "stop. I like you too, I have for a while, but... I know accustoms are different for you..."
"Yeah, but it's modern day now..." Jedediah flushed, "some o' the gurls 'elp out, and... yeah..."
Octavius took a step forward, "I'm going to kiss you then, Jedediah..."
"I ain't gonna stop ya, darlin'," assured Jedediah, and swallowed, when suddenly, lips were on his. Jedediah sighed, relaxing and kissed back.
Octavius' lips were smooth, with one ridged healed cut in from fighting, and training. They were warm, and comforting, and their lips fit together well. It took a slight angling from Jedediah to avoid the helmet, for them to suddenly fit together like a puzzle piece. They pulled back, breathing softly, before leaning in again for another kiss.
It's been three years. Three years since they "went to sleep", which went by in the blink of an eye. The two were back together again, and yes, his men knew.
Jedediah, after four days of partying, had gotten to work with Sampson, Billy, William and Aiguo, worked on the railway track for old times sake.
"Doodah, doodah, the Camptown racetrack's, five miles long, oh, the doo-dah day..." They sang, as they handed things over to each other, smiling and grinning. "I come down there with my hat caved in, doodah, doodah, I go back home with a pocketful of tin, oh the doo-dah day..."
"Heya boys! How y'all doin'?!" Came Ella's voice loudly, making the men turn around. There was Ella, Sophia, Daiyu, Linsey walking over, and the men all stood up, taking off their hats and smiling, and Jedediah opened his mouth to tease his men, but paused. He stood up quickly, and pulled off his hat. Octavius was with them.
"We're fine," smiled Will, looking at his girlfriend softly.
Jedediah was looking at Octavius and smiled, "heya darlin', you a'right?"
"Oh, yes I'm fine love," Octavius smiled, and leaned down, gently pressing a kiss to Jedediah's lips. "I was just wondering, might we borrow the car?"
"Of course!" Smiled Jedediah, wringing his hat, "y'ain't need ta ask!"
Octavius smiled, "thank you." He gave the cowboy one last kiss, before disappearing with his friends wives and girlfriends.
Augio smirked, "so, love how are you?"
"Shut up!" Jedediah snapped, hitting his laughing friends with his hat, his cheeks bright red, and his face warm.
"Da ya 'ave to flirt with me in front of the boys?" Jedediah asked one day, face bright red after Octavius' had casually flirted with him.
Octavius paused in their journey to the car, and took Jedediah's hand, "do you wish for me to stop?" But, there was a look in his eyes that he had picked up from Linsey, Daiyu, Sophia and Ella. A look that said "I'm warning you know, you say the wrong thing, and you're sleeping in the couch", even though the couch part doesn't happen, but there would be some form of punishment. Like, not riding the car.
Jedediah stared, "no." And, he found himself meaning it. He'll take the teasing. He pulled of his hat, and twisted it, this way and that. "No... ya can keep flirtin'."
Octavius smiled, and nodded, "good." He leaned over, and gently kissed the cowboy, "now lets go." He walked to the car, and pulled open the passenger side.
Jedediah stood there, his cheeks a bright, shiny red, hat twisted and crumpled to his chest, and he smiled. He walked to the drivers side, and found himself, "oh the doo-dah day..."