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Jedediah and Octavius’s fates were sealed.
Ahkmenrah’s tablet was home in London, safely in the hands of Ahk and his parents. The entire museum was more than happy to give Ahkmenrah the gift of waking up next to his parents every night, even if it meant a potential permanent sleep for the New York residents. With hugs and words of love, the two groups of exhibits parted ways. And though the future was uncertain, it was a reality that all of the museum’s exhibits could support. Ahkmenrah deserved to reunite with his family, and if it took a sacrifice to allow the family to stay together, then the entire museum would risk it. It was an elaborate way of thanking Ahkmenrah for allowing them to live and breathe in the first place.
The two miniatures had no more than an hour until the sun rose and they’d return to their wax state. But unlike every night since the tablet’s arrival, there was no guarantee they’d ever wake up again. Years could pass—decades, even—before the tablet's magic returned to New York. Or, it may never cross the ocean again, leaving all of the exhibits in a permanently petrified state.
The future was scary, sure, but Jedediah loved adventure. But that didn’t mean that he wasn’t a little anxious.
Jed and Octavius had already said their goodbyes to Larry, thanking him for all he did for them. Larry brought them together and forced them to look past their differences to work together as a team. And if it weren’t for Larry’s insistence and leadership, the never-ending war between the Wild West and Rome would never have ceased. Words couldn’t summarize Jed and Octavius’s thanks to Larry, but they all knew their history. Words were hardly necessary.
Now Jed and Octavius were standing alone atop a bench in the middle of the Hall of Miniatures. The lights were dim, casting a gentle shadow over the room. The goodbyes weren’t over yet. Jed faced a new challenge: how to say farewell to Octavius.
This goodbye was far more challenging than his chat with Larry for two reasons. The first reason is that Jed’s history with Octavius was far longer and more complex than his history with Larry. They had fought battles together and escaped death multiple times. The second and far more intricate reason was that Jed was in love with Octavius.
It’s hard to pinpoint where Jed’s feelings all began. Maybe, sometime during one of their fights, Jed realized that the sparring became more entertaining than spiteful. At a certain point, after years of fighting, their fights became for amusement rather than malice. They still had a rivalry, but their skirmishes were rooted in tradition. What fun would their evenings be without a clash?
Rivalry had turned to friendship after their first near-death experience. Walking side-by-side on the sidewalks of the city after a fiery crash was harrowing, both men fearing that daylight would come and they’d be no more than dust. Their faces were covered in soot, and their clothing was tarnished; it would be a poor way to end. Not a word was uttered on their trek home, but there was a silent agreement between them: no more fighting. Make it home alive. And when they crossed the museum threshold, securing their safety, they exchanged a civil handshake. The Wild West and Rome were no longer in a constant war, and Jed and Octavius cemented their friendship.
But Jed didn’t remember when he first looked at Octavius with admiration or when his heart first skipped a beat during one of their chest bumps. He couldn’t remember when he started to feel lonely without Octavius, spending his nights sadly leading the railroad construction while secretly longing for his Roman friend. Jed knew he was a passionate man, always quick to feel extreme emotions and express them in a grandiose manner, but he was rarely a jealous man. Until Lancelot came around, and Jed couldn’t hear the man’s name without feeling a tinge of rage. Octavius looked at Lancelot with heart-shaped eyes, and Jed didn’t like one bit of it.
But it gave Jed an inkling of hope. Could Octavius look at him like that?
Jed had a decent amount of time to think during the plane trip back home, and he couldn’t help but reminisce. He thought about the fall into the vent, escaping from Pompeii, and nearly dying by Octavius’s side. Twice. The first time, Octavius’s request for Jed to hold his hand had taken Jed by total surprise. The second time, Jed held tight to Octavius, taking any grain of comfort he could. Holding Octavius’s hand felt like touching a ball of lightning, and Jed would’ve rather gone up in flames than let go. It wasn’t until Jed was left alone with his thoughts that he put the semi-obvious pieces together.
Jed was in love with Octavius. It explained it all: the racing heartbeat, the jealousy, the desire to always be with Octavius, and the willingness to be physically close to him. Jed couldn’t believe he hadn’t realized it sooner.
And knowing that information only made this goodbye more difficult.
The Hall of Miniatures was quiet, all things considered. From their position atop the bench, Jed and Octavius were mostly out of sight. Their dioramas couldn’t see them well, given the perspective. They were alone, one last time.
Jed clapped his hands. “Well, boy,” he announced, “I s’pose this is the end of the tracks. Last stop on the train. Everybody off!”
Octavius stood away from Jed, staring at the Rome diorama with a bittersweet expression. “I’ll miss your confusing remarks, old friend,” he said solemnly.
“I’ll miss your fancy talk. ‘S nice to know someone who speaks so eloquently.” Jed glanced at Octavius, noting the man’s slumped posture and distant gaze. “Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout, Octy?”
Octavius sighed, rolling his shoulders back into a more upright posture. “I’m reminiscing on my time here,” he replied, “I’ve been a General for so many decades. It’ll be difficult not to wake up and lead my men anymore.”
“Technically speaking here, you’ll always be leadin’ your men. You’ll just be frozen.”
“A relic of the past,” Octavius mused. “A shell of myself.”
Jed’s heart sank upon heaving Octavius’s melancholy. It was unnatural to see his friend act so down and depressed, even with the circumstances. But Jed related to his struggle; he’ll miss being in charge of the railroad. Jed adjusted his hat. “This might not be the end,” he supplied, hoping to bring a level of optimism.
Octavius gave a grim chuckle. “Yes, it might. And who knows how long it’ll be until Ahkmenrah’s tablet returns? Months? Years? Decades? Or, it'll never cross the ocean again. We’ll be stuck.”
“Look, time might move like molasses, but we’ll wake up again someday,” Jed replied. “Ahk wouldn’t leave us hangin’ forever.”
“I hope you’re right.” Octavius fidgeted, clasping and unclasping his hands in a soothing manner. He went quiet again, watching the tranquility of the Roman diorama.
The whole room was eerily silent, save for Jed and Octavius’s conversation. Jed didn’t like the quiet. In his book, silence meant something was wrong. Or, at the least, there was no action happening. Both were bad outcomes.
Jed wordlessly meandered to Octavius’s side, sitting on the ground beside him. Octavius, noticing this, followed Jed’s lead and sat down. Together, they stared at the diorama, both internally grasping for words. Jed kept adjusting his hat because of his nerves. Octavius, if he noticed this trait, said nothing.
“You know,” Jed spoke up, breaking their tense silence, “you run a tight ship over there. I’ve always looked up to you for that. Well, metaphorically speaking.”
To Jed’s delight, Octavius cracked a grin. “Thank you, my friend,” he replied. “I try my best. But a good leader is always learning and listening, trying to improve at every opportunity. I dare say that I’ve learned a thing or two from you, Jedediah.”
Jed raised his eyebrows. “From me?” he exclaimed. “What have I done to teach a guy like you?”
“Your men listen to you! You have a very strong handle on things. You’re a much more fun leader than I could’ve ever hoped to be. My men don’t want me around to have fun. I was disciplined— too disciplined sometimes.”
“Well, hey now, just because you like things to stay in line don’t mean you’re boring.” Jed gently knocked his shoulder against Octavius’s. “You’re the best one in the whole dang place!”
Octavius turned his head away from Jed’s gaze. “I’m not you, though.”
“I wouldn’t stick around if you were like me, boy,” said Jed. “I need a fella like you to keep me above board. Besides, you’re good company. My best nights started after our little drive in the park.”
A beat. “You mean that?” Octavius asked in a small voice. “Even though we nearly died?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die,” Jed reaffirmed, gesturing a cross over his chest. Octavius visibly reacted to the word “die.”
“Well, if you insist upon it,” muttered Octavius, “then I’ll take your word.”
The two men lapsed back into a loaded silence. Octavius slouched where he sat, gazing longingly at the diorama. Jed’s gaze was equally as longing, though he kept stealing a glance at Octavius.
Jed shared the same concerns as Octavius. Jed mused upon the group that he had commanded for decades. They were good men, and though they could never break through that blasted wall, their enthusiasm and teamwork were enough to make Jed proud. For many years, working on the railroad had brought Jed a cure for boredom. And for decades, he thought he wasn’t bored. It wasn’t until a friendship with a certain Roman general that Jed realized that he had been stuck in an endless cycle of boredom, with no spice to excite him. Jed has never been bored since.
With the memories of the adventures he and Octavius had had together, Jed knew he’d never be bored again.
“I wonder what the world will be like when we wake up again,” Jed pondered. He took his hat off to run a hand through his golden hair, then situated the hat back on his head.
For a brief moment, Octavius looked like he wanted to bring a counterpoint to Jed’s musing, but he cleared his throat and second-guessed himself. “If we wake up, I’m sure the world will be much different,” he answered, “I wonder if we will be here the next time we wake. Will we be in a storage facility by then?”
“If we are, I’ll get my boys to open the boxes and let everybody out. I’ll find ya, and it’ll be just like ol’ times again.”
“Jedediah, how would you go about opening sealed boxes? You don’t have the equipment for that. We’re tiny, or have you forgotten?”
Feigning insult, Jed crossed his arms. “Fine! Use your big fancy sword if ya have to! Point is, we’ll get out of the boxes. Who knows what kinda adventures we could get up to in a new buildin’?”
Octavius’s features softened. “You always call our evenings ‘adventures,’” he observed.
“Well, they are, ain’t they? Every day, we discover somethin’ new. We travel the museum! We watch those motion pictures Gigantor puts on the big screen for us. I learned to drive! That was an adventure!”
“An adventure with nauseating consequences,” Octavius replied humorously. His remark earned him a lighthearted slap on the shoulder.
“Point is, Octy,” continued Jed, “we’ve had some dang good adventures. And one of these days, we’ll have s’more. Tonight isn’t goodbye, boy. It’s just a parting of ways.”
“And what if tonight is a goodbye?”
Jed’s throat went dry. “We won’t think like that,” he responded. Before the two men could fall into a blank silence, Jed spoke up again, “I meant what I said about lookin’ up to you. You’re a fine leader, Octy. And there’s not a doubt in my mind that you’ll always be a fine leader.”
Octavius was quiet, and Jed momentarily thought their conversation had ended. Octavius was still and unresponsive, staring blankly at the Roman diorama. Jed thought about reaching a hand towards him and tapping his shoulder, but Octavius cleared his throat before Jed could act on his impulse.
“I’ll always look up to you, my friend,” Octavius said, his voice rough and small. “I am quite saddened that our adventures are coming to an end, even if it is temporary. I’m sure my men—if they were awake—would love that I will no longer spend my evenings away from duties. But, if I am speaking honestly, a part of me prefers to spend the evenings with you.”
Jed adjusted his hat. “Well, hot damn, Octy,” he chuckled. “That’s just about the most thoughtful compliment I ever did receive. Imagine tellin’ your past self that you’d rather spend your time with an ol’ cowboy like me instead of your fancy men with their fancy swords. Gosh, I feel flattered.”
Octavius playfully rolled his eyes. “Oh, don’t let your ego go to your head.”
“It’s too late, boy. It’s gone.”
“Forget I said anything. Your ego doesn’t need any more inflation.”
“Can’t take back words. It’s out in the open.”
To Jed’s delight, Octavius let out a genuine laugh, complete with a wide grin. A smile looked really pretty on Octavius’s face. For the first time all night, it was like there was no impending doom. Sunset was an afterthought. All that mattered was this moment between them, as comfortable and fluid as if it were any other night.
When Octavius had ceased his laughter, he removed his helmet and set it aside. He ran a hand through his curly hair, loosening it after being compressed by the heavy metal. Jed averted his eyes; it flustered him too badly to watch.
“Do you ever think about our past selves?” Octavius questioned, switching the topic.
Jed raised an eyebrow. “Our past selves or our real past selves?”
“Both, I suppose,” Octavius said with a shrug. “The lines are blurred.”
Jed exhaled strongly, mulling over his response. Octavius was right; the memories Jed had were fuzzy. He could remember bits and pieces of his historical self—he recalled some of his expeditions and one nasty encounter with a grizzly bear—but everything else was hazy. He knew he wasn’t a shining example of perfection, but he must’ve made enough contributions to warrant a museum exhibition.
But wax-figure-Jed was a far cry from real-life-Jed. Centuries had passed, and times had changed. Jed had adapted well to these changes—technology still eluded him, but learning to drive came easy. He was a better person now than ever before, which only made the lines between reality and wax even murkier.
“I think about my real self sometimes,” admitted Jed. Octavius looked on with curiosity.
“Do you retain any memories of your historical life?” Octavius asked, speaking slowly as if afraid to stir the pot.
“Bits and pieces. I remember explorin’ and discoverin’ new lands. I manifested some destiny back in the day! And I had a rough encounter with a big ol’ grizzly once. I was lucky to live! I seem to remember a scar, but I ain’t never found a mirror to check.”
“Where is the scar?”
Jed gestured to the side of his face. “I think the critter got me right there,” he said, “D’ya see anything?”
Octavius leaned closer, close enough that it made Jed’s heart thump aggressively against his chest. Despite being no more than wax and wire during the day, the tablet gave him some semblance of true humanity come nighttime. Jed learned that he had a heart when he started noticing his feelings for Octavius. His heart would always pound loudly and fast. It wasn’t necessarily an unpleasant feeling.
Octavius brushed a stray hair from Jed’s face, his eyes scanning Jed’s features. He traced a finger from Jed’s temple to his earlobe, “Right there. It’s extremely faint, but you do have a thin scar.”
Jed clapped a hand to his face, the tips of his fingers brushing Octavius’s. “I do?” he exclaimed. “How faint is it? What does it look like?”
Octavius pulled away and returned to his seat. “Faint enough to where I had never noticed it before tonight. It’s uneven and thin, but it’s very faded, practically unnoticeable,” he replied. “You have battle scars, my friend. How noble of you to fight a beast and return triumphant.”
Modern technology may elude Jed, but modern ideals came naturally. When your days require perfect stillness, you have to listen to the passersby to keep yourself entertained. Over the decades, Jed had listened to passing conversations in all different languages, some animated and lively and others morose and hushed. He heard murmurs of news from outside the museum and vividly remembered hearing tell of these events. History was always evolving and expanding, and Jed felt a sense of pride to witness it.
Jed knew how much the world had changed since his time and place. For starters, cowboys were almost an entity of fiction nowadays, far removed from their historical counterparts. For another, buildings were taller and people could fly to their destinations. No need for a transportation railroad or weeks on horseback. But perhaps one of the most surprising developments Jed heard was that marriage between same-sex partners was both legal and normalized. If Jed weren’t frozen at the time of learning this, he would’ve dropped to his knees from the sheer overwhelming nature of the news.
Jed didn’t remember what romances he may or may not have had in life, but he knew the romances he wished to have in his second life. He acknowledged how his eyes had lingered on the women and the men in his diorama. He wouldn’t dare tell a soul—there was no telling what opinions the others would have—but he was aware of his feelings.
And then his eyes locked on Octavius, and they never looked away. Jed knew he was in deep trouble, especially since Octavius somehow knew how to make him blush and lose all eloquence.
Jed cleared his throat. “What about your life, Octy? What did brave ol’ Octavius get up to in the real world?”
Octavius shrugged his shoulders, shifting his armor slightly. “I wish I could tell you, my friend,” he replied, “but, like you, I am fairly clueless.”
“Ah, come on. You’ve gotta remember somethin’!”
“I…I don’t recall anything for certain,” Octavius explained, “I know I fought in the Roman military, but I don’t recall my position. I don’t know if I died in battle. I don’t even remember anyone I interacted with in my historical life. But in a way, I’d like it to stay that way. My life now is far more adventurous and fulfilling than my past self’s.”
“Well, gosh, I think I should feel flattered,” Jed joked, gently knocking his shoulder against Octavius’s. “Just so ya know, my life now is way better than it was back then. Much less dysentery when you’re made of wax.”
“There were many plagues that ravaged Rome,” Octavius shared, looking dramatically into the distance. “Thousands fell, thousands more were left scarred, but those days are long gone. It doesn’t affect wax.”
“‘S nice, right? Not having to worry about much.”
“We still have to worry. We don’t know the limits of this waxy form. We’re alive, Jedediah, but not in a traditional sense. Who’s to say we couldn’t die?”
Jed sat up straighter. “Where’d all this Roman melodrama come from, Octy?”
Octavius ran a hand through his hair and shook his head dismissively. “Nothing, nothing. I just—“ he sighed and began fidgeting with his hands— “think nothing of it. It’s nothing.”
“Hey, hey,” Jed coaxed, putting a cautious hand on Octavius’s armored shoulder. “You can talk to me, partner. It’s our last night for a while. Let me lighten the mental load for ya.”
Octavius looked at Jed with a piercing, pitiful stare. His deep brown eyes were shimmering with tears that threatened to spill. Jed felt paralyzed; this was the most vulnerable Octavius had ever been around him.
“I…I still think about the hourglass,” Octavius admitted in a hushed tone. “In my worst nightmares, I watch you suffocate. I see the life drain from you. And I cannot do anything to save you. Ah, illam odio! I know you’re safe and out of harm’s way, but my mind can’t help but fixate! What if I wasn’t quick enough? What if the sand went just a little higher? What would’ve happened to you?”
Jed didn’t have a verbal response for a moment. His mind was catching up to the implications of Octavius’s words. He had nightmares about him? He felt guilt and responsibility? Jed blinked, snapping himself out of his momentary daze, and murmured, “I have nightmares too.”
Octavius furrowed his eyebrows but said nothing in response. Jed knew he was offering him the chance to elaborate.
Jed cleared his throat and removed his hand from Octavius’s shoulder. The warmth lingered. “I still think ‘bout it,” Jed admitted. “Sure, I put on a brave face for everyone. But the truth is, boy, I was shaking in my boots! I didn’t know if I could actually bite the dust—or sand, in my case. But you did save me, and that’s all that matters!”
“And if I hadn’t, I would’ve lived with it forever. You risked your life to save me . Do you have any idea how foolish that was?” Octavius’s tone was growing grim and serious. He sprung back from Jed, leaving a heavy space between them. “You almost died for my sake! We could’ve fought together!”
Jed blinked in surprise at the shift in demeanor. “I tried to save you,” he retorted. “It wouldn’t’ve done us any good if we both got captured. Why are you still getting your toga in a twist about this anyhow?”
“First of all, it’s not a toga. It’s a tunica. Second of all, I am not hung up on this! I am merely recounting a series of events!”
“Nah, boy, this is still fresh in your mind. You think I’m a dadgum fool.”
“Jedediah—“
“No, Octy!” Jed stood from his seat, tossing his arms in the air with exasperation. He turned to face the Wild West exhibit, his hands on his hips and his back to Octavius. “You think I’m a fool. You think I’m impulsive and— and stupid! I tried to save your life! Can’t you be grateful for that?”
Jed heard Octavius give a heavy, defeated sigh. “I was worried for you, you know? Every minute,” Octavius emphasized. “I didn’t think I’d get to you in time. I was furious that you had saved me. I wanted to stay and fight by your side as a team. But you were impulsive, Jedediah! I can’t imagine why you would’ve risked your existence for me!”
Because I care for you, Jed thought. I couldn’t bear to see you hurt. I wanted us both to survive, but I want you to survive longer. Because I love—
Jed’s thoughts were interrupted by a choked noise, reminiscent of someone holding back tears. Octavius’s shoulders gently shook as he stared aimlessly at his home diorama. “This is the closest to dying we’ll get,” he mused, his voice barely steady. “Without the tablet, we’re essentially dead. Do you know how worried I’ll be for you? How many nightmares I’ll have? I would fight for you, protect you with my life, but now I cannot. I fancied myself your protector, but now I will be nothing more than solid wax.”
Jed felt a chill go down his spine. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words died in his throat. Should he comfort Octavius? He’d never heard his friend be so vulnerable. Jed couldn’t get his feet to move; he didn’t want to infringe on Octavius’s space.
I fancied myself your protector. Did Octavius not realize that Jed fancied the same?
“I think of myself as your protector too, Octavius,” replied Jed. He patted his gun holster, “These bad boys don’t fire, but that wouldn’t stop me from knockin’ someone upside the head if they messed with you. I’ll be worried for you too, boy. But I know you’ll fare better than me. You’ve got swords and brains and brawn.”
“You’re not weak, Jedediah. You have the power to do whatever you set your mind to. I never— I knew that you would’ve found a way to escape that hourglass under any other circumstances. You’re tricky like that. But time started running out, and the sand piled up, and I had to watch as you gave your ‘last words.’ I felt as though I had failed to protect you from harm.”
“I put myself in harm’s way, Octy,” said Jed. “Ain’t your fault.”
“But it is.” Octavius crossed his legs and hunched over, making himself seem smaller than he was. “I’m supposed to keep you safe.”
“Why?”
“Because I—“ Octavius groaned with frustration— “I just am. I’m a Roman General! It is my duty to keep people safe. I…I care for you. I do not want you to be put in harm’s way on my watch.”
“Well, boy, it’s my job to protect you!” Jed insisted. “A cowboy’s gotta protect his men. I appreciate you bein’ all noble and such, but you gotta look out for yourself. You can’t blame yourself for somethin’ you couldn’t control.”
Octavius stood from his spot, facing Jed with fire in his eyes. “I do blame myself! You could’ve died! And I would’ve had to watch!”
“But I’m alive and well, Octy! Look at me!” Jed patted his chest. “I’m here.”
“And what will happen if I’m not there to save you again, Jedediah? I’ll be no more than wax.”
“I won’t be more than wax either! We’re a duo, Octy! I’m nothing without ya.” Jed shifted his weight. “What’s gotten into ya, amigo? You’re actin’ all goofy. It’s our last night for a while. I don’t wanna spend it arguing with you over bygones.”
“I—” Octavius cut himself off, his shoulders drooping with sheepishness. “I apologize, my friend. I merely recoil at the fact that I cannot spend my evenings with you any longer. I desire nothing more than your safety and company. The fact of the matter is that I do not know the future. Jupiter save me. That thought is terrifying.”
Jed took a cautious step forward, unsure where the conversation was heading. “Neither of us knows the future, Octy,” he said, “But, hey, we’ve got plenty o’ memories! And when we come back, we’ll make some new ones.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Cross my heart and hope to die,” Jed replied, motioning a cross over his heart. “And I promise ya that there won’t be any hourglasses or volcanoes or any of that dangerous stuff. From here on out, I promise I won’t be in trouble.”
“Oh, please. Trouble is your middle name,” Octavius replied with a sarcastic scoff.
“Strong.”
“Pardon?”
“Strong is my middle name, actually.” Jed adjusted his hat. “My full name is Jedediah Strong Smith.”
“Is it? I never knew,” Octavius said inquisitively. “That suits you well. You may have a knack for getting into trouble, but you also have the strength to get out of it.”
Jed felt the tips of his ears go warm. He rubbed at the back of his neck, dipping his chin to hide his blushing face. “Well, dang, Octy,” he mumbled, “Give a man a warning before you get all sappy. You have me blushing harder than a nun in a saloon over here.”
Octavius blushed pink as well, his blush especially present on the tips of his ears. “It’s the truth,” he replied, more seriously than previously.
Jed opened his mouth to speak, but his throat felt drier than a tumbleweed. He cleared his throat, “Do you have a middle name? If my middle name is Strong, you must have a dandy name too. I think Brave fits ya. Or Mighty. Steve has a nice ring to it.”
Octavius snorted a laugh, then shook his head, “Uh, no. Middle names weren’t exactly a thing in Roman times. Actually, Octavius is technically my last name by modern standards. My first name is Gaius.”
“‘Gaius?’” Jed scoffed. “That’s no name for you, boy! Nah, you’re Octy to me. All that fancy schmancy Roman talk doesn’t fit the real you.”
Octavius crossed his arms. “What is the ‘real me,’ Jedediah? I think Gaius Octavius suits me quite well.”
Jed crossed over to Octavius, facing the Roman diorama. Putting a gentle hand on Octavius’s shoulder, Jed pointed towards the diorama. “See all those guys standin’ in rows with their chins held high? Their names are all stuffy and snooty. They follow rules. But you? Nah. You’re mighty good at pretendin’ though. To them, you might be—“ Jed put on a mocking tone— “Gaius Octavius.”
Octavius let out a genuine laugh at that.
“But to me,” Jed continued, his tone shifting back to being soft and genuine, “You’re Octy. I know you— the real you, that is. The you that doesn’t hesitate to hop in a car with me and lead Rexy in circles. The you that helps me play tricks on Gigantor and Ahk. And most importantly, the you that follows my ideas, no matter how off my rocker I sound! I may sound too big for my britches, but I think I know the real you. And his name is Octy, and he’s my best friend.”
Truthfully, Jed did not know where those words had come from. He supposed, buried deep in his subconscious, he’d yearned to say that all along. His mind had written the speech for him, and the words flowed like sap. And when Jed watched as Octavius processed his speech, eyes darting wildly around, before finally landing on a genuine grin, Jed didn’t feel so flustered anymore.
“You mean that?” Octavius asked in a hushed voice.
Jed slowly nodded, “Cross my heart.”
“Why— why would you tell me all of this now?”
“Dunno when I’ll be able to tell you after tonight. I didn’t want you to turn to wax without knowing that. You’re my best friend, Octy.”
It occurred to Jed at that moment that his hand had never left Octavius’s shoulder. Octavius only leaned closer, seeking the physical comfort of Jed standing there.
“You’re utterly stupid, you know that?” Octavius replied. His words were blunt, and coming from anyone else, Jed would’ve instinctively squared up for a fight. But he knew Octavius’s moods; he was speaking kindly. Ironically, he spoke softly, still gazing at the Roman diorama with glassy eyes. “You’re a heap of trouble.”
Jed blinked and gave a nervous chuckle. “I know,” he said, “You yelled at me a lot about that tonight.”
“You get yourself into the most dangerous situations,” Octavius continued, “And yet, do you know what I worried about the most when you were trapped in that hourglass? I thought to myself: ‘he’s going to die, and I will have never told him everything I wanted to tell him.’”
If Jed had a functioning heart, it would’ve skipped a beat.
Finally, Octavius turned to face Jed, and Jed could take in the sight of him. His salt-and-pepper hair was scruffy and disrupted from his hands constantly raking through it. Wrinkles appeared around his eyes because of his smile, bright and illuminating. His hazel-brown eyes gazed into Jed’s icy-blue ones with no less than pure sincerity.
“You made every night an adventure,” said Octavius. “I never took that for granted. I never want it to end. I’ve never felt as happy and alive as I feel when I spend my evenings with you, Jedediah. You are a troublemaker and a scoundrel, and yet, I’d follow any plan you came up with. I beat myself up because I feel that I put you in danger and was the reason you nearly perished. I would’ve never forgiven myself if you had died without me expressing my— my feelings.”
“But I’m right here, boy,” Jed replied, his mouth slightly agape. “You saved me. We survived a volcano together! Heck, if I wasn’t so preoccupied with our impendin’ doom, I would’ve told ya all this back then. I don’t know what I’d do without ya, Octy.”
Octavius, quicker than lightning, brought Jed into a bone-crushing hug.
For a moment, Jed grasped at the air, taken aback by this sudden and unexpected display of affection. Octavius buried his nose into Jed’s shoulder, bunching up Jed’s vest in his fists. When Jed found his bearings, he gently wrapped his arms around Octavius’s shoulders, dipping his head to brush his cheek against Octavius’s rumpled hair. The scratchiness against his cheek was not unpleasant; soon, Jed would feel absolutely nothing, so he wanted to feel every sensation possible. Better to have felt everything—pleasure and pain—than having felt loneliness and nothingness.
Their hands lingered, their breaths evened, and the warmth of their bodies was comfortable. Neither man wanted to be the first to break the embrace. The looming threat of daylight was ever-present in their minds—there could only be a half-hour remaining, if that—but the thought of separating was painful. Jed’s head ached when he thought about it, physically feeling his eyes hold back salty tears. Who knew an embrace could feel so intense, so powerful?
“The sun’ll be shining soon,” Jed muttered into Octavius’s ear. He kept quiet, hoping to not jar this moment. It was the last they’d have, perhaps forever.
“I’m aware,” replied Octavius, “but I’m finding it hard to move, and not because I’m turning to wax.”
Jed let out a breathy chuckle. “Me too.”
“I…I wish I could freeze just like this.”
Jed squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to keep his composure. “It would look awfully funny,” he said, deflecting the burning emotions with humor. “A cowboy and a Roman general. We’d look like a strange pair. Don’t think Gigantor would take too kindly to us messin’ with our exhibits.”
“Perhaps not. But I don’t think we’re an odd pair at all. I think we’re just right.”
Jed nodded, his waxy heart feeling warm and fluttery. “Me too, partner.”
Thirty minutes was nowhere near enough time. Jed had so much that he wanted to say, so much that he felt like he finally could say, but the words didn’t flow anymore. He only wished to stay close to Octavius.
“Jedediah,” Octavius said, breaking Jed’s train of thought. “We should…probably return to our exhibits. The sun will be rising shortly.”
“Do we have to?” Jed questioned, fast and frantically. He pulled away from Octavius, just enough so he could see his face. “Jeez, Octy. I’m not ready. I’m not ready for any of this!”
“Jed—“
“I’d do anythin’ for Ahkmenrah, you know that, but I didn’t expect freezin’ forever to be this hard! I can’t do it! There’s so much I need to do and say! Octy, I just can’t let go yet!”
“Jedediah—“
“I…I just feel so much. I’m not ready to stop our adventures! I didn’t get to see all them shiny rocks yet! We never made it to the geodes! And we never went to the ocean exhibit! And I wanted to do all of that with you!”
“Jed, what are you—“
“And dang it, Octy, I never got to tell ya things until now! I should’ve told you all this stuff years ago! I never got to tell ya how special you are to me. All those years and you could’ve known!”
Octavius sighed with melancholy. “I—“
“And I never even got to tell ya that I thought I was gonna die in that hourglass if not for you! And when you broke that glass for me and pulled me out of the sand, I thought, ‘I could kiss him right now!’ And I wanted to hold your hand in that air vent! And when I thought we would melt in lava, the only thing I wanted to do was actually kiss you!”
The room went still as Jed realized the confession he had spontaneously made. It was as if time stood still. Jed wished it really could.
Octavius blinked. “Jedediah, what are you saying?”
Well, there’s only twenty minutes left, right? Jed thought. What could I lose?
“I mean exactly what I said,” he replied, slowly and deliberately. His eyes scanned Octavius’s face for any signs of a reaction, positive or negative. His russet-brown eyes were wide, staring at Jed with an intensity he’d never seen before.
“So, you wish to kiss me?” Octavius asked with a shaky voice. “You’ve wished to kiss me all this time?”
Jed gave a careful nod. “You’ve saved me a lot,” he said, his voice small, “and I— I didn’t realize what you meant to me until that volcano. So, uh, if you don’t want any of that, forget I said a thing. I’ll go back to my exhibit and—“
Octavius cut off Jed’s ramblings with a kiss.
Octavius’s hands came up to cup Jed’s cheeks, feeling the slightly rough stubble that grew there. Jed, after a moment of freezing with shock, followed Octavius’s lead, running his hands through Octavius’s hair. The moment was messy, driven by frantic emotions, and total bliss.
Jed could’ve held that pose until his wax lungs were deprived of air. He could’ve held Octavius until his body froze under the sunlight, and he would’ve been content to never move a muscle again. Jed felt wetness on his cheeks, and he couldn’t discern whether the tears were his or Octavius’s. In the end, the world around them didn’t matter. Jed held his entire world in his arms.
Octavius pulled back after a moment, eyes pink and breaths short. Jed’s heart broke for a second when he saw the thinly-veiled fear behind Octavius’s features. Jed tried to soothe his worries by saying something to break this tension. “So, I take it you like me?” he joked.
It broke the ice. Octavius chuckled, turning his head to hide his flushed cheeks. “I suppose you could say that,” he said. “You weren’t the only one who thought about life and death at the volcano.”
“That volcano kinda did us some good, huh?”
“In a twisted, demented, terrifying way, yes it did.” Octavius put a hand on Jed’s shoulder, right where his neck and shoulder merged. “I’m happy that I can freeze with that memory lingering in my mind.”
Jed couldn’t resist the frantic urge he had to make the most of their few minutes left together. He tugged Octavius closer to him, pressing hasty kisses to his lips, his cheekbones, the corners of his eyes—whatever he could reach. Octavius kept Jed close, equally not wanting that contact to break. While they embraced, Jed linked his fingers with Octavius’s, feeling the almost electric energy between them. Finally, he could hold his hand.
After a beat, Octavius pulled away long enough to lean his forehead against Jed’s. “We’ll meet again someday, amor. I know we will.”
“I know we will,” Jed repeated. “Thank you for the adventure.”
“Thank you for giving me that experience.”
Larry’s voice came over the intercom, breaking the moment between the two miniature men. “This is your ten-minute warning, everyone. Please get back to your exhibits. And, uh, seriously. I love you all. It’s been a pleasure. I’ll see you again someday, I’m sure.”
Jed took a deep breath. “I guess this is it, partner. It’s time that ol’ Jedediah returns to his home.”
“I better help my men prepare. I’d be a horrible leader if I didn’t.”
“I’ll be on the other side of the wall all the time. If you, uh, if you ever get lonely, just know that I’m there.”
“I know. That’s what reassures me.”
Hesitantly, the men backed away from each other. Octavius turned to grab his discarded helmet, adjusting it so that it sat right on his head. Jed instinctively adjusted his hat and vest.
The two glanced at each other, both poised to go their separate ways. There was a longing look shared between them, both fighting the urge to ignore their responsibilities and freeze in each other's arms. But they were museum exhibits first and foremost; they knew where their homes were.
“Forgive me if this is— well, if this is foreword, but I think I love you,” Octavius called from across their wooden podium.
Jed could only grin in response. “I think I love ya too. So, I guess we’re both being forward then.”
Octavius gave a low chuckle. “Farewell, Jedediah Strong Smith. Until we meet again.”
Jed tipped his hat. “Sayonara, Gaius Octavius. I’ll see you ‘round.”
Both men shared a final smile between them before they parted ways. It wouldn’t be the last time. They both knew it.
And as they stood in their final positions in their dioramas, Jed and Octavius froze with smiles on their faces, both reminiscing on the shared memories that only they would ever know.
Physically, they were frozen, possibly forever. Their bodies were solid wax, ogled by the masses. Kids pointed out how cool they thought the cowboys were. Several teens with a knack for history described Roman battles and military tactics to the people in their groups. Hundreds of people passed by the little figures every day, taking occasional photos and learning a little about history.
None of them knew the greatest historical secret of them all, the one that wouldn’t make the history books: the love story of the cowboy and the Roman, historical star-crossed lovers.
It was their secret.
Jed knew that time had passed—he could feel it—though he couldn’t pinpoint just how much. But he couldn’t mistake the feeling of life that flooded him one evening. He was alive again.
Jed’s brain ran at a million miles a second. Ahkmenrah must’ve returned, bringing his tablet with him. For however long he was here, everyone could come back to life once more. The other members of Jed’s diorama seemed dazed and disoriented, but Jed was laser-focused. He roughly grabbed his rope, pushing past anyone who stood in his way. As fast as he could, Jed descended down to the floor. Hundreds of other miniatures were congregating, trying to piece together why they were suddenly alive after so many years.
But Jed weaved through the crowd with an urgency, looking for the one familiar face in the crowd. And when he saw him, the rest of the world seemed to go silent.
Octavius met Jed’s gaze, breaking into a wide and glowing smile. “Hello again, stranger,” he said.
“Howdy,” Jed replied, tipping his hat.
“I’ve missed you, amor.”
“Not as much as I did.” Jed gave a mischievous smile. “Do you think Gigantor ever moved my car?”
Octavius raised an eyebrow, “I think we should find out. If I recall correctly, we never saw the geode exhibit.”
Jed's face softened at Octavius’s recollection. He extended his hand towards Octavius, a gentle offering. “I’ll take that hand now,” he said.
Octavius held it without hesitation.
It turned out that the car was exactly where Jed had left it. It also turned out that the shining light of the geodes served as the perfect atmosphere for a moonlight kiss, one that had been in the works for years.
And for as long as they’d have life, Jed and Octavius wouldn’t leave each other’s sights. Not this time.