Chapter Text
The lemon cupcakes sat on the table in neat rows. Larry nudged one errant cupcake back into its place, accidentally smudging a bit of frosting with a finger. A small curse escaped him before he remembered to breath and calmly wiped the frosting from his finger. No one had wakened yet, and he wanted to get the sweets into everyone’s hands before he made his announcement.
Nicky had helped him frost the cakes that morning. He was a smarter kid than Larry felt he deserved to have.
“Are these bad news cupcakes, dad?”
“What? Why’d you ask that?”
“Well, I don’t think you’ve ever made cupcakes before. And you’ve seemed sad lately.”
“Maybe I just like cupcakes?”
“Maybe. Except that when you and mom told me about the divorce, you gave me an entire pint of ice cream beforehand.”
Larry had just replied “Huh” before spilling the beans to Nicky. What followed was a pep talk far too mature to be coming from a kid so young.
Now here he was anxious for everyone to begin roaming so he could get it over with. His anxiety ramped to a peak when he noticed Teddy riding over.
“What’s the occasion, Lawrence?” Teddy eyed the cupcakes from his perch on Texas.
“I… I’m leaving, Teddy.”
A distraught expression crossed Teddy’s face. “But you have done so well for yourself here, my boy.”
“And I love this job! But,” Larry suddenly lost his confidence as more of the exhibits began trickling in. “I’ll explain after everyone gets here.”
Once everyone had a cupcake in hand, or pierced on the tip of tail in Rexy’s case, Larry stood overlooking the rotunda.
“Thanks for being so patient, everybody. I just want to start off by saying that this is the greatest job I’ve ever had.”
“What’s going on Hoss, this ain’t your usual style of roundup?” Jed piped up.
“I know. Well, I’ve managed to find a financer for the unlosable key ring. Daley Devices is going to be a reality.” A murmur rippled through the crowd.
“Congratulations Lawrence!” Teddy cheered from his spot. “Bully!”
“Thanks Teddy. There’s more. Because of this opportunity, I have to leave my position at the museum.” A louder murmur went through the crowd this time.
Octavius’ tiny hand went into the air, silencing even the largest exhibits. “While we are very disappointed, we wish you the best the Gods can provide you, Larry.” Light applause followed the declaration.
Heartened by Octavius’ words, Larry finally braved a scan of the room for one face in particular. He only managed to spot a swirling cloak exiting out of the hall. Larry finished his announcement with a brief ‘Thanks’ and hurried to the stairs to catch the fleeing young man. Handshaking impeded his pursuit and he arrived at Ahk’s chamber only to find it empty, save the two Anubis guardians.
“Do you know where he went?” The two statures shrugged.
Larry wandered the halls, saying thanks to the ‘good lucks’ and hugging a few emotional exhibits, including more than a few teary-eyed Huns.
It wasn’t long before he crossed paths with Teddy and Sacagawea taking a late-night horse ride through the halls.
“Have you guys seen Ahk?”
“I haven’t seen him since your announcement, Lawrence. We truly will miss you, my boy. What about you, my dear?”
“I last saw him heading through the Grand Gallery toward Human Origins. We will all miss you Larry. Some more than even you would know.” The pointed look she gave Larry made him squirm.
“Thanks, guys. I’m going to visit all the time, don’t worry.”
Larry let Texas on his way then headed off in the direction Sac had said. Larry rarely spent time in that part of the museum, usually just passing through as a routine door check at the beginning of the night and right before the end of his shift. He headed through the Grand Gallery and Human Origins before finally finding the man in the Hall of Minerals. The hall surrounding the glass-enclosed rocks was empty, save for one robed figure, who sat before a large mineral ore block. The block sat at a height, surrounded by circular steps. It was on these steps that Ahk sat.
“Wow. That’s a big rock.”
“It weighs four-point-five tons.”
“Wow!” Larry stood quietly at Ahk’s side, letting the younger man continue his quiet observation of the green and blue mineral.
“Sometimes I come here to study the rocks. It’s amazing what modern scientists can observe with just a sample of the Earth.” Larry nodded along with Ahk’s musings. He paused when there was as shift in Ahk’s tone. “Other times I just like to remind myself that I won’t outlast everything around me.” The simple statement took Larry aback.
“What?”
“This is azurite-malachite, Larry. Did you know that back in my time, we used azurite as a pigment? Long after the wax exhibits melt, after these walls fall, and finally my mummified remains crumble to dust, THIS,” he gestured to the ore, “this will still be here.”
“Ahk, that’s…” Larry was at a loss for words. Ahk turned to look at him. Larry noticed a sad note of distress.
“I’m alone, Larry. Stranded in time.”
“You’re not alone. A lot of things from your time are still around. Remember the falafel? Your guys’ pyramids and tombs are still intact!” Ahk looked at him unhappily. Larry struggled for more to say. “You’re not even the oldest living thing here at the museum. Rexy is, what, 70 million years old? He’s not a great conversationalist, granted, but still.”
“Why must you go?”
Larry slumped. “Is that what this is about?” Larry slung his arm over Ahk’s shoulders. “I’m going to visit. I’m not gone forever. I’m not ceasing to exist. Do you want another cupcake?”
Ahk’s face dropped and he pulled out of Larry’s embrace.
“No, I do NOT want another cupcake.” Larry watched as Ahk stalked over to one of the glass display cases containing smaller rock specimens.
“Are you sure? Attila and the Easter Island Head are going to eat all the leftovers if we don’t act fast.” And I don’t think either of those guys needs more sugar.”
Ahk remained silent. Larry could see the stony expression on Ahk’s face reflected in the glass.
“If you’d rather be alone…” Larry patted Ahk once on the shoulder before turning and leaving the hall.
-
Larry’s final two weeks were a long list of goodbyes, awkward training of the new guard, and a distinct lack of Ahkmenrah.
Doctor McPhee hadn’t slacked in finding a replacement for Larry. (“Ooh! Cupcake! Wait, no, not Ooh. Ooooooh, cupcake. Why cupcake? Why are you plying me with sugary confections? Has the dinosaur reassembled itself in aquatics again?”) Larry, feeling kind, didn’t want to do what Cecil, Gus and Reg did to him. Therefore, much to McPhee’s confusion, Larry was actually going to TRAIN his replacement.
His replacement was a young guy, kind of laid back and a bit spacey. Larry sat with him the first night, waiting for Rexy to wake up. The large dinosaur came to life and Larry looked at his replacement, Steve, for a reaction.
A moment of silence passed while Rexy bounded about like the giant puppy with a new toy that he was. Steve just stared before nodding slightly.
“Cool,” he said calmly.
That was about it for any reaction from Steve over the two weeks of training. Larry was a little jealous when Dexter didn’t antagonize Steve, but the relief of knowing everyone was going to be in good hands was more than enough to make up for it.
He didn’t really get to speak with Ahk one-on-one until his last night. The night was already half over and the gang had decided to throw a going away party for him. Ahk had said ‘Goodbye’ as part of the group farewell at the beginning of the party, but had disappeared pretty quickly after that. Larry discretely excused himself from the party. Larry found Ahk in his chamber, pacing around his sarcophagus.
“Hey, Ahk. You left kind of quick, I didn’t get a chance to see you.” A guilty look flitted across Ahk’s face.
“Larry…”
“Look, I know that last conversation ended on an awkward note. I just wanted to make sure we were cool, y’know?”
Ahk stopped pacing, but was staring a hole into the ground.
“Soooo, are we?” Ahk seemed to snap out of his reverie.
“Are we what, Larry?”
“… cool?” Ahk was now boring a hole into Larry. “Just be honest with me, man.”
“Cool? Are we cool, Larry? Honestly?” Ahk took a step away from Larry. “We are very much uncool.”
“That word doesn’t have the same meaning-“ Larry cut himself off. Ahk was full on glaring. “Sorry.”
“You are leaving, Larry. Why am I supposed to be okay with that? I honestly thought about ordering you to stay. But then I remembered your lessons on treating fellow man with respect and equality. As childish as it feels, I just want to say, ‘No, I am Pharaoh and King, and I say stay.’”
Ahk moved even further away from Larry, towards a dark alcove.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for you, Larry. I wish you all the best the world can give you.” Larry followed Ahk into the shadows. They were now out of view of the sentries and anyone who could wander past the entranceway.
Ahk couldn’t retreat any further. He finally looked Larry in the eyes. Larry hesitated, a little caught in the throat. Goodbye was easy until you had to actually go through with it.
“Ahkmenrah-“
“Larry.” Ahk lifted his hand and brushed it lightly against Larry’s face, an unexpected tenderness in his eyes. Larry tried tried to keep his face from betraying the shock and confusion he was feeling, but it was too late. Ahk’s soft expression morphed into embarrassment. He dropped his hand.
Ahk turned away, unwilling to look Larry in the eye again.
“I apologize for my foolish behavior. Goodbye Larry. Guardian of Brooklyn.” Ahk ducked away from Larry boxing him in and strode out of the chamber. Larry stood, still dumbfounded, before snapping himself out of it and returned to the party. He didn’t see Ahk again until months later.