Chapter Text
Jedediah and Octavius were in love with each other, which was strange, a cowboy and a Roman emperor, who would have thought something like this was possible? But even before romance was born they were already an odd duo, so who cared? They were friends, and had been enemies for over 50 years, but thanks to Larry they managed to develop something that became so strong that it was impossible for anyone else to interfere.
And that strange companionship passed on to their children, somehow. Tiberius and Maya had a tense start, after all who expects to like someone who seems to curse you when speaking in their mother tongue? But after a good intervention by Octavius and Jedediah (and some English lessons for Tiberius), both began to put up with each other and later developed a friendship. And for his parents that was perfect.
And that night, it was movie night at the Museum of Natural History in New York. Night guards Nick and Tilly said they picked classic movies, Maya just hoped there weren't any romance movies with sad endings, she and Jedediah had cried enough with "Brokeback Mountain", not that the others needed to know that, it was a little their secret.
The name of the movie was "Operation Cupid", it was about two twin sisters who are separated as babies and who are reunited as adults, and then decide to switch places to bring their parents back together.
Maya was very focused on the movie, it was surprisingly interesting, that is until Tiberius, who was beside her watching the movie, nudged her with his elbow.
When Maya looked at him, he discreetly nodded to a place in the room near them. That's where Octavius and Jedediah were, and Maya rolled her eyes when she saw them.
Jedediah had certainly been bored with the movie, as he slept like a little angel on the Roman general's shoulder, and Octavius had one of his arms draped over the cowboy's shoulders, while his hand was stroking the blond hair. Otávio was obviously trying to contain a smile.
"They are so obvious." Maya huffed and threw herself back onto her cushion, she received a nod of agreement from the Roman beside her. For young Smith this was nothing short of frustrating, she could see the obvious romantic interaction between her father and Mister Octavius. "Why can't they just tell each other they like each other? It shouldn't be that hard." She snorted again as she fixed her fallen hat on her blond hair. Okay, she understood that feelings were sometimes complicated, but how can you meet the love of your life if you don't take a chance?
"Both are strangers and are afraid that their feelings will get in the way of their friendship. So they decided not to say anything and continue in this unfortunate situation." Tiberius explained briefly and concisely, he had also noticed the feelings of both, in fact he had never seen Otávio so in love, not even when he married his mother in his other life.
Maya grunted. "I'm tired of seeing them dancing around each other like Salon ladies, we need to do something to get the two of them together soon." She was determined, she couldn't stand to see her father act like a sad fool in love anymore.
Tiberius stared at her for a few seconds. "I didn't understand the first part, but I think you mean that they aren't moving and that we must help in some way." He replied more seriously.
Ever so formal, Maya kept her thoughts to herself. "That's it compadre." Maya looked at the movie again, the bratty twin girls. An idea came to mind. "And that!" She screamed getting the attention of other miniatures, who silenced her, she quickly apologized and turned to the man beside her. "And that!" She said in a screamed whisper, staring into the confused gaze of the heterochromatic-eyed man beside her.
"What?" He whispered not wanting to draw any more attention than Maya already had.
The cowgirl pointed at the film excitedly, her expression so full of enthusiasm, Tiberius thought she might explode at any moment. "Let's do cupid operation." She said smiling big. "To bring our parents together." Maya said her excitement doubling in two.
"I guess I should remind you that this is not a Maya movie." Tiberius said, that was reality, and the possibility of it going wrong and them ending up interfering with their parents' relationship was very high.
"Of course I know that, but you agree with me that we need to do this, and I have a great idea. So?" She was staring at him expectantly, in fact she was looking forward to the whole damn situation.
Tiberius stared at her for a moment, if he didn't agree she would do it anyway, that girl was impulsive. But if he agreed, maybe it would be possible to contain his excitement a little. "Shit…" he cursed under his breath. "Fine, I'm in." That was a bad idea.
"Yee-Haw!" She cheered as low as her voice could manage, which wasn't much since they still got stares. She looked at him with shining eyes. "Operation Cupid will start tomorrow, so meet me at the diorama bench early." It wasn't a request, Tiberius would go as soon as he woke up.
"You're actually going to use that name because of this movie." Tiberius stared at him with boredom in his eyes.
"No, I'm also taking into account your gods, there's a certain cupid?" That seemed to cheer the Roman up.
"Yes, maybe it's a sign that Venus is on our side." Tiberius smiled, the goddess of love must be blessing them, or so he hoped.
"Now Roman, let's watch the movie." The blonde spoke with a sideways smile, surely thinking about the next night.