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Larry doesn’t know what to expect when the traveling shipment arrives and is set up rather proudly next to its corresponding diorama.
McPhee had asked him in an hour early, apparently trusting him more than the moving company - which in a way was an honor since the man only ever nitpicked his work, but it still wasn’t a raise.
This was only a little bit better, or at least enough for him to not care. How could he when he’d get to experience a life size Jedediah?
He couldn’t even imagine how his little friend would react, nor could he predict just how Octavius would.
Octavius and Jedediah’s friendship was only a friendship in name because hell, he hadn’t even gotten along or done as much together with his ex-wife.
The only problem was neither of the idiots were brave enough to push the précispice and make it official.
Merely, fully, oblivious that their counterpart was madly in love with them.
The night guard just wasn’t sure how this fact would go over when involving wax Jedediah.
He’d just have to wait the hour and see.
This…this is about right. Well, not entirely. It’s not what he expected and it was.
Jedediah, no matter big or small, seemed enamoured by the Roman general. Or maybe a better word would be smitten.
And Octavius? Well the Roman general still held his usual air of authority and…presence was now all contained delight.
A slight hue hitting his cheeks and a look in his eyes that Larry knew all too well.
Acknowledgement.
And who could blame the general? This wax Jedediah was outright flirting, his intentions very clear. The cowboy leant over, a hand under his chin, a smug amused smile on his face as he talked one on one with the smaller man.
Where Jed was Larry didn’t know but he doubted he’d be the happiest at this display. In fact maybe he’d already seen it and headed off. Except if that were the case Octavius would have a much more concerned look on his face; even if he was being hounded with attention.
The pair notice his arrival then, Jedediah with a tip of the hat, an offered hand, and a “Howdy,” when Larry was expecting as per usual “Gigantor.”
“Ah my liege,” Octavius greets with a smile. The terminology something Larry was of course used to whilst it seemed average sized Jedediah wasn’t with the way his bent nose crinkled and eyebrow raised.
“So where’s our Jed?” Larry had to ask. Looking a little closer into the dioramas, and then back towards the floor when he didn’t find anything - figuring the only other place the little cowboy would be was in the RC car which was absent.
Octavius frowns at the questions, “Apologies my liege, I’m not quite sure. He was off before I even vacated Rome,”
Larry frowns in turn, concern building in his chest. Reaching for his flashlight on instinct, almost as if it were something more, Larry excuses himself to set off to find the man who knew nothing more than trouble.
Octavius moves to ask to go with him, obviously feeling the same concern for his...friend.
The wax Jedediah steps in instead, offering to help in the search and take Octavius along with him.
With things agreed, they branch off in search of Jed.
Jed shoots off the moment flesh and blood replaced less than durable plastic.
The night was young, there was apparently a giant version of himself, and Jed had something very important to gather.
Nick had brought him a cat. One Jed was going to give to Octavius since the man never stopped fussing over how much he wanted one.
Jed could admit he wanted one too, but if things went well in time the cat they would share.
Nick had taken the liberty of taking pictures of several little plastic models he’d found in the store, Jed picking out which one he thought the Roman would like the most.
He’d ended up on a plush, near lion like tabby. Feeling like it fit the man’s dramatics and culture mighty fine.
He just hoped the little tabby-cat had some spunk to keep them on their toes. That and watching Octavius fret when there wasn’t actually a threat was dare he say it: cute.
He finds the cat awake, alive by the tablet's magic in Gigantor’s drawer. It immediately scurries into the corner at his appearance and hisses.
Jed had wanted some spunk but he’d also wanted to meet the kit and show her off to Octavius as soon as the man was finished with training up his men.
He could see it would take quite a bit longer than that, sadly, he didn’t like to disappear on his kemosabe but he didn’t have much of a choice.
Taking a seat apart from the feisty kit, Jed waits. Knowing the kit would have to come to him.
Having another Jedediah around is frankly overwhelming. Octavius was madly in love, entranced by his counterpart and yet too much of a coward to truly pursue him.
Yet suddenly, in all his glory there is another who has no reservations about affection and he doesn’t know how to handle the attention.
Still he’s quite worried about his Jed’s absence. They often weren’t apart and if they were it wasn’t for long and they were often informed about there whereabouts.
This time there was no warning, heads up, or even an estimate of when he’d be back or when they’d be together again.
Wax Jedediah aids with some comfort to keep his mind off things, and he’d be lying if he didn’t wish his own cowboy shared his interest.
Then again that only made him a hypocrite. Fortune favors the brave. It was the cry of his people, something he’d jeered through countless battles.
Something he is so desperately afraid to apply now. Why couldn’t he just tell ‘Diah he loved him?
Oh he knew why, knew all too well. They’d been at odds for so long, their friendship seemingly so new yet so vast. To potentially lose it so quickly, send them back to those lonely years, Octavius couldn't fathom to entertain it.
He was a coward. A disgrace to his people, but if that meant Jed would still be by his side - then he’d bare it.
Jed holds his breath as the cat curls into his lap. Seemingly ready and comfortable. The cowboy only hoped the kit did well in the car.
Larry’s there when he extracts himself and the cat from the drawer, his sigh loud enough to make the desk he’s lent against rumble.
“Hiya Gigantor!”
“Jed we’ve been worried sick,” Larry’s hand soothes out the wrinkles on his forehead before double-taking at the feline in the Lilliputian man’s arms.
Realization dawned on Larry all too quickly about why Nick wanted to go to the craft store.
“Is that for Octavius?”
A blush immediately blooms over Jed’s features, a denial on his tongue but Larry doesn’t let him get it out.
“If that-if the cat means what I think it does. I suggest you hurry, wax Jedediah looks ready to keep Octavius in his pocket ‘till the end of time,”
Jed startles at Gingantor’s words. Face going blanche. Big old him was putting the moves on Octavius?
The minuscule cowboy nearly breaks for the car before realizing he had precious cargo in his arms and looked pleadingly up at the night guard.
He didn’t like to be manhandled but Jed tolerates it for a moment as Larry - as gentle as he could - puts both him and the kit in his massive pocket.
Larry takes them back to the diorama room, figuring they’d put the cat down and hunt down Octavius and Jedediah, but to their luck they both were already there.
Octavius looked anxious whilst wax Jedediah watched on, concerned with an encouraging, comforting, smile.
Trying to no avail to soothe the fretting general, even if ever so often a compliment or two stalled the smaller man in his tracks.
“Hey you man stealing piece of candle, get!” Jed instantly shouts at the wax version of himself when Larry sets him down. The cat left behind, turning in circles and pulling the threads from Larry’s shirt.
The small cowboy has his guns at the ready, shooting at the unimpressed Jedediah.
Octavius feels his breath catch after it exhales in relief that ‘Diah was whole, safe, and in one piece. But it evades him a moment later, in confusion and disbelief.
Man stealing?
Mew . The noise very abruptly turns Octavius’s head away from the arguing between two of the same man and to a bewildered Larry.
The night guards pocket shuffling, little mews erupting that Octavius could hear even through his helmet.
His features pinch and he wastes no time in walking closer to the night guard who thankfully notices his presence.
“Oh! Right. Jed was out getting this little guy for you,” Carefully Larry pulls out the cat from his pocket with some minor difficulty. Its claws sticking deep into the navy threads.
Octavius accepts the cat into his arms with great care. The creature immediately purring contentedly and rubbing its face against the general’s cheek and jaw.
Now this Larry isn’t surprised about. Two Jedediah’s fighting over Octavius and yet a mere cat was the only thing on the general’s mind.
“Did he say he has a name?” Octavius asks lighty, not even looking up from the creature as he carefully ran his fingers through the cats mane.
Larry doesn’t bother to ask why Octavius didn’t ask Jed himself - it was obvious. The pair was still squabbling.
“No, I think that’s up for you to decide,” Larry reveals, wondering if he needed to seperate the two cowboys.
“Romulus,” it comes off the generals tongue easily. Larry isn’t surprised or simply doesn’t care and nods along; still trying to figure out if he should intervene in the scuffle behind them.
Warmth blooms further in the Roman’s chest as the cat purrs contentedly.
Such a heartfelt gift. Jed calling the bigger him a man stealer. It all swirled in the general's head. It seemed neither of them could be cowardly any longer.
Carefully maneuvering Romulus into one secure arm, Octavius takes prominent strides towards his cowboy.
Stopping the pairs bickering abruptly by clasping the man’s vest and pulling him close enough to press his lips to his cheek.
“Thank you for the lovely gift amor meus,”
Jed’s jaw dropped, a blush furiously engorging his features causing him to anxiously dip his head down so his prized Stetson could provide him some cover.
“Not a problem darlin’,” Jed returned, steeling his resolve. Knowing by their proximity and the kiss, well- big him hadn’t been able to steal his man.
Octavius lets out a relieved chuckle at the endearment, wasting no more time in dragging ‘Diah back off to Rome where they could acclimate Romulus to his new home.
Larry turns to the flabbergasted wax figure and shrugs, “Better luck next time,” although it’s a lie. Nothing would get between the two miniatures.