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“Look Ockie, all I’m sayin’ is that when we’re not fighting, at least us cowboys are actually doin’ stuff - rodeos and things like that” he snorted “hell, as far as I’ve been told, you Romans just sit around eatin’ grapes! If I had to pick being a roman or a cowboy, I’d absolutely stay cowboy.”
Octavius scowled in feigned annoyance at Jedediah, giving a hard stare before softening to laughter.
“We absolutely do ‘do stuff’, you’re always just busy when we are. Trying to fight Dexter, or Larry, or Teddy” he stated, listing off the ‘fightable people’ on his fingers.
Jed smirked in disbelief “Oh yeah? Name one thing you Romans do when we ain’t fighting-”
“-we hold dances!” Octavius interrupted “We hold formal dances.”
He chuckled for a moment as Jedediah processed the statement, moonlight flickering across the displays as he thought of a worthwhile comeback. Octavius leaned back, resting against his discarded helmet as he gazed triumphantly at the cowboy.
“I don’t believe you, there's no way in hellfire you Romans dance, it even says on your plaque that y’ ace-high romans don’t. Couldn’t imagine you doin’ a line dance that’s for sure.”
“While that is true, at the moment we’re all rather fond of ballroom dancing. I saw it in that Jane Austen film Larry showed us a couple of months ago and I’ve gotten rather good at it now” glancing sideways at the roman, Jed lifted an eyebrow “If I do say so myself, that is.”
“Oh yeah? Prove it”
“If you insist, we are, in fact, holding a dance tomorrow evening - providing no one attempts to steal Ahkmenra’s tablet again. With that in mind, I would be honoured if a great dance critic such as yourself came.”
Jedediah snorted, rubbing his hand across the back of his neck as the two sat on the edge of the display, fingers catching loosely in the creases of his neckerchief.
“I suppose I oughta come now you've given me a formal invite, but don't be expectin’ me to turn up in best bib and tucker.”
Octavius beamed, chocolate eyes gleaming in the twilight as he picked up his scuffed helmet, swinging himself over the edge of the diorama onto the waiting rope. New shreds of sunlight began to creep through the blinds as he swiftly descended, not wanting to be caught away from his own display.
“I suppose I’ll see you there then?” he called upward, voice echoing slightly through the quieting halls.
“I suppose you will.” Was the distant reply “But don’t get it twisted, I’m only comin’ because I’m curious, don't forget that!"
Hesitating on the rope to his own diorama, Octavius smiled inwardly, pink tinting his cheeks as he began the painful climb again. "Don't get it twisted?" Why, that would imply Jed had thought of another reason to go. Surely there was a possibility that he might-
Octavius brushed away the thought, after all, Jed was just a good friend. Nothing more. Nothing less.
The last dregs of sunset bathed Jedediah’s face in a warm glow as he came to life, shaking out the pins and needles as the tiny town began to bustle with action once again. With four hours to the beginning of the dance, he rushed to see Octavius; sliding swiftly down the rope as he began to search for him. Hopefully they could kill some time together before the dance began.
“What do you think you are doing?”
Jedediah groaned, freezing reluctantly as he neared the rope to the roman diorama. He was greeted by a tall figure, clad in gleaming armour.
“I have been told to stop anyone from entering while the dance is being prepared. Especially any of you cowboys.”
He glared in annoyance at the soldier, adjusting his hat as he did so.
“I aint lookin’ for trouble. I just wanna see Octavius.”
“Likely story.” the soldier sniffed, staring haughtily at him, “Besides, he’s busy, so beat it cowboy.”
Balling up his fists, Jed scowled as he turned back around, trying not to let the soldier get the best of him. Octavius had been telling him to not let his anger get him into any trouble, if it did -especially today- then who knows how Octavius would react.
Now what would he do while he waited? His railroad wasn’t getting any longer now it had reached both ends of the diorama. And now most of the people in the museum had been fought three or four times. Without Octavius, there was simply nothing to do.
Then it hit him. He rushed back to his diorama, swiftly climbing back up the rope as he headed towards the station.
Abigail Boone was the seamstress of the town, known for her expertise on formalwear, and her friendly nature. And besides Octavius, one of the only other people Jed felt he could call a friend. Oftentimes, she could be seen standing at the railroad watching the trains go back and forth, due to lack of things to do; the miniatures seldom needing any new outfits, rendering her skills often useless.
“If it aint Jedediah Smith as I live and breath” she beamed, wrapping him up into a hug as he approached “I aint seen you runnin’ around here in a while! You been off with that lover boy of yours or somethin’?”
Jed froze for a moment, flustered all of a sudden “What in tarnation are you talkin’ about Abby, you know Octavius is just a friend.” She raised an eyebrow, “But funny enough, I am here because of him.”
She grinned knowingly, ushering him quickly into her shop, with an exited air about her.
“So what can I do ya for then Jed? If it’s about Octavius, and you came to me, it must be important.”
“To tell y’ the truth, he invited me to a dance.”
“As friends do.” She stated sarcastically, pulling up a chair for him to sit.
“Yes exactly.”
Abigail rolled her eyes and sighed as he sat down. He seemed to be more absentminded than usual, which -while difficult to beat- was uncharacteristic of him.
“...and I said I wouldn’t get gussied up for it, but I don’t wanna make a bad impression see?”
She nodded, glancing at him through the corner of her eye as she rummaged through her stacks of fabric.
“Octavius sure must be some guy, you never care what you look like” her voice muffled by the tower of fabric in her arms.
Jedediah peered round the stack at her, frowning in confusion.
“It ain’t like that Abby, stop sayin’ it is.”
“I wasn’t saying anything of the sort. Anyway, a new jacket and necktie right?”
Sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, he nodded. “If it ain’t too much trouble.”
“Not at all, but Jed? Find yourself a scratching rake, you look a mess. I ain’t dressin’ someone who looks like a human tumbleweed.” She laughed at his miffed expression, shooing him to the back of the shop.
“Hey, I thought my hair made me look rugged!”
“’Bout as rugged as a louse.” She teased. “Just find a comb will you? And my fabric chalk, I’m sure it’s back there somewhere.”
Jed grinned as he was pushed to the back, throwing his hat at the countertop -and missing- as the small woman playfully shoved him into the pits of the dusty, fabric burdened shelves.
A few hours later, Jed found himself being pushed out of the door, new outfit and all. Abigail had worked quickly and expertly, hands deftly cutting and stitching the fabric to create a perfect fit.
“Go have fun with Prince Charming at the ball, Cinderella!” She called mischievously from the doorway, waving an energetic farewell. “If you need me I’m gonna be watchin' a film with Larry and the others, so don’t be needing any emergency stitches!”
Jedediah grinned, flushing a light pink at the thought of Octavius being his ‘prince charming’. He ignored the thought.
“Thankin’ you kindly Abby. I don’t know what I’d do without you!” He called back, excitedly rushing towards the edge of the diorama in hopes not to be late.
Abigail smiled as he ran off, “He didn’t deny Prince Charming” she thought to herself, eyes gleaming with amusement. “Hell, he didn’t hate me for calling him Cinderella which sure is somethin’.”
Jedediah nervously smoothed the back of his -freshly combed- hair as he approached the entrance to the dance, cursing himself for leaving his hat in Abigail’s shop. Candlelight illuminated the buttons on his jacket as he made his way into the villa, sleek marble pillars lining the path to the main hall, muffled music growing louder as he reached the doorway.
“What are you doing here, cowboy?”
He grit his teeth as he froze in his place, slowly turning around to see who had spoken. The tall soldier from before stood behind him, arms folded haughtily.
“For the last time, soldier, I am here to see Octavius. I have been formally invited.” Jedediah spoke slowly, taking the time to enunciate each word. He needed to remain calm.
“And for the last time, cowboy, I don’t believe you.” The soldier imitated. “There is no way our leader would invite the likes of you to an event such as this.”
“I ain’t got time for games, I’m tellin’ the truth for hellfire's sake-”
“Jedediah! There you are my friend.”
Jed’s eyes lit up as he heard Octavius speak from directly behind him, soothing voice calming any anger that was brewing within.
The soldier sneered, “General, I was under the impression you wouldn’t invite such a person to this event. The last time any of them came here-”
“Thank you” Octavius interrupted, placing a hand firmly on Jedediah’s shoulder. “for your concern, soldier. But I can handle myself perfectly well. Jedediah is a guest, and close friend of mine, and I would rather you not behave so rudely towards him.”
Flustered, the soldier’s demeanour relaxed from his defensive position, bowing his head in apology. “I apologize, General. I was speaking out of line.”
“And I should hope you do not do it again. You may go.”
Jedediah shivered slightly, he hadn’t heard Octavius sound so firm, and he wasn’t entirely opposed to seeing him like this again. He turned around quickly, becoming face to face with the roman, their noses almost touching. Octavius quickly stepped back, nervously, his strict attitude from a minute ago shifting back to the anxious behaviour Jedediah was used to seeing.
“Sorry, I was standing a little too close wasn’t I. I do apologise.”
He was no longer wearing his usual armour, instead a creamy toga draped itself loosely over his body, accompanied by a crimson sash thrown over his shoulder and tied tightly at the waist. His chestnut hair, usually pressed flat by his helmet, bounced in small ringlets around his head. He looked cherub- esque in a way, if a cherub was tall, handsome and decidedly not a marble statue of a baby.
Jed stopped his thoughts there.
Octavius? Handsome? Never.
Turning and leading the way, Octavius took Jedediah into the hall, numerous shining candles lighting up every inch of stone and marble in the room. The floor swayed with intricate dance, executed perfectly by toga clad, roman diorama citizens.
Jed looked down at his own outfit nervously, his usual blue shirt was buttoned up all the way with a formal necktie replacing his red neckerchief. As well as this, he had replaced his leather vest with the new jacket Abigail had sewn for him; making him look considerably more put together than his regular look. Or that’s what he thought when leaving her shop earlier that evening.
“Should I have worn a toga or somethin’? I feel like everyone’s staring at me.”
Octavius looked at him fondly, “I think you look rather dapper Jed. Besides, you’re a cowboy. I don’t think a toga would have suited you.”
As the music came to an end, he held out his hand “Now, could I ask you for this next dance?”
Jedediah looked back at him, gingerly taking his hand as he was pulled toward the dance floor. Placing one hand around Jedediah’s waist, Octavius led the dance, smoothly swaying together across the floor. Looking around, Jed caught the eye of a bystander, a sneering look flashing across her face as their eyes locked for a split second. Suddenly he felt anxious again, feeling so out of place within the room. He could feel scornful eyes watching him as he moved across the floor with Octavius, a few whispers heard here and there.
“Ockie, do you get the feeling that people are staring?” he whispered nervously.
Octavius shook his head slightly, “I don’t think so” he gave Jedediah a concerned look “But if you want to we can stop.”
Grimacing, Jed looked at him “I don’t wanna stop you from having fun Oc. I was only coming because I was curious anyway.” He smiled anxiously, “I might go sit at the side, you can keep dancing if you want. I’ll be fine.”
Octavius nodded slightly, awkwardly turning to dance with someone else as Jedediah made his way to the edge. He frowned, why was this affecting him so much? Usually he felt confident around Octavius and yet, now everything he did felt wrong, eyes always staring and judging him. He perched on the edge of a stool in the corner of the room, fidgeting with the fringe of his jacket and glancing quickly around before gazing after Octavius. There was nothing better to do now, so he might as well watch his friend have fun.
He scowled at himself for behaving like this, the old Jedediah wouldn’t have been so soft for a Roman, wouldn’t have even come to such an event if he didn’t have to. And still, here he was. Octavius made him like this, the old Jedediah wouldn’t have cared so much that people were staring. He was sure of it.
As he was thinking, a couple approached him, dislike embedded in their stares.
“We’d heard rumours that our leader was” they looked at each other, “friends, with someone new, but we didn’t realise how much of a... cowboy he was.”
Jed looked up confused, “Why’d you say it like that?”
They sneered at him, the music almost becoming bitter to the ear as they spoke. “Well, General Octavius has been known to want become more acquainted with others in the past -of course he never actually has. We just weren’t expecting the person he did choose to become acquainted with to be so... different.”
Scowling, Jedediah looked away. “We ain’t like that, I don’t know how many times I’ve had to say that today.”
The two gave him a sceptical look, the man sat beside him now beginning to join in. Eyes began to settle on him once again, and Jed did not like it one bit.
“General Octavius definitely seems rather fond of you, Jupiter knows why.”
“I mean, even if he did invite you, like you say, you could have made some effort to fit in at least”
The walls felt like they were closing in on Jedediah as more and more eyes stared at him, judging and criticizing his every feature. The music had entirely faded away in his mind, words of disdain filling his head instead of melody.
One woman reached over and grasped at a tuft of his hair, pulling on it slightly.
“By Jupiter it feels like straw, you must have just tumbled from bed before arriving-”
“That’s enough!” Jed snapped, standing up suddenly, desperately pushing the woman away from him. “I ain’t some plaything of Octavius’ for y’all to gawk at and manhandle!”
The dancing had stopped entirely now, truly every eye was pointed judgementally at him, his outburst disrupting the whole room. He locked eyes with Octavius, who was now frozen in the middle of the dance. Embarrassment flooded Jedediah’s face as he sped towards the door, heading anywhere but that room. Octavius let go of the person now dancing with him, pushing through the crowd to try to comfort him. He was too late, Jedediah having disappeared down a corridor in the cold villa.
“That’s why the cowboys are never invited.” Someone quipped smugly.
“I don’t know why he was ever let in”
Whispers of scorn rippled through the room as the shock of the outburst began to wear off. Everyone seeming to have something to say about Jed.
Octavius bristled with anger, unable to contain his own emotions.
"Quisque comoedus est? Even after our dioramas worked together you all act like fools to our guest!” He glowered at the woman who’d grabbed Jed’s hair “I would have thought you all to know better."
With that, he stormed out of the hall, eyes ablaze, footsteps echoing through the empty corridoors of the villa. How dare they treat his dear friend with such disrespect! After all Jed had done to help them! He stopped a moment to calm himself, what use would he be to Jedediah if he was in a foul mood himself? Quickly, he adjusted his askew sash, smoothing the creases out as he fidgeted. Looking neat wouldn't help Jed, as such, but it certainly would help his own mood settle.
The music and the chatter hesitantly started back up once more as he began to search the tiny building, gossip of this evening already beginning to spread.
It wasn't long before he found Jedediah, a desolate figure slumped on the balcony, staring blankly out into the starless dark of the room; backlit by the gentle flicker of candlelight from inside the villa.
Octavius had requested that Larry left the lights off to help with the atmosphere of the dance; as well as asking him to take the other dioramas to watch a film elsewhere. Larry had given him a knowing smile when he mentioned Jedediah coming, something Octavius didn't quite understand. Every man plans a dance for his friend once in a while, it's just what people do. Everything had been perfectly planned out and now, it was ruined because his own people couldn’t keep their prejudice away.
Muttering angrily to himself, Jedediah tore his jacket off, turning to throw it against the wall in a distraught, embarrassed, rage.
"I should have realised you'd be here" Octavius murmured softly, words cutting through the anger and the muffled laughter of the party like a knife.
Immediately softening, Jed looked slowly up at the roman stood quietly in the doorway, exasperated tears pricking the corners of his eyes. He reluctantly lowered his throwing arm, quietly placing the jacket on the intricate tiles of the balcony as Octavius approached him. For the first time in his life, he looked empty, a crumpled piece of paper left in a corner to rot. Questioningly, Octavius motioned to the edge of the balcony next to him, hoping to be allowed to sit; smiling gently as he waited for the response. Jedediah nodded, face flushed an embarrassed red at being caught acting in such a way. His eyes were wide, his posture slumped in a defeated manner as he shuffled over to allow room for the roman to sit beside him.
Octavius tenderly placed a hand on top of his as the pair sat silently together, muffled music echoing through the evening as they stared out at the painted clouds of the display. Ever frozen in a solitary image, each one unique in its own depiction. White and grey acrylics blended into one, definitive image; warm orange hues of candlelight flitting across the sky, creating an effect of blissful sunrise. Something the exhibits could only dream of seeing to its full beauty.
“This balcony is where we first met” Octavius mused wistfully “Remember? Back in the 1980s when they put my diorama in.”
Jed laughed quietly as he thought back to the event. “I remember the ancient Egyptians that used to be here before you, with their fancy pyramid model. Never really got along with them.” He frowned, “but I suppose none of us ever get along anyway.”
Octavius gave him a concerned look, “We get along fine though, I would have thought.”
“Yeah, but that’s different. You saw how they treated me in there.”
“And it was wrong, you know that.”
“Us dioramas aint supposed to be friends though, you were talking about how we met? I was trying to kill you! That aint what friends do.”
“I know… and yet, look at us. We’re such good friends now, doesn't that prove something?”
he smiled uncertainly, gently smoothing his thumb over the back of Jed’s hand.
“I still remember when you first put your gun to my neck. For a moment I truly thought I might die. And on my first night alive no less.”
“I’m still awful sorry for that.”
“Don’t be. We were rivals, you were just doing what was best for your people. Although,” he smirked mischievously, “You never did pull that trigger, did you?”
Jed punched him playfully in the arm, “You know I did, it's just that these damned pistols don’t work! Don't be making it out that I spared your life, I’m a stone cold killer and you know it.”
“Please, you don’t have a drop of killer in your blood Jedediah Smith.”
Throwing his head back, Jed chuckled, the laughter of the pair echoing through the halls.
“Using full names are we Gaius Octavius?” he snorted, much to Octavius’ feigned annoyance.
“But seriously, Ockie, I-” Jed cleared his throat, bringing the mood to a calmer atmosphere. "I didn't ever expect to be here, like this, y'know that? It's hard to remember we used to be in a competition all the time. And yet, the others still think we are."
Octavius turned to look at him, gingerly placing his hand back on Jed’s.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel like you had to come Jedediah."
He swallowed thickly, "I got too ahead of myself, I didn't think of how the others would react if I invited you-"
"But that's the thing! I ain't supposed to care what other people think, and I still got all gussied up for this event because I didn’t want to embarrass you or make you think less of me. Hell. I even wore a necktie and the others still mocked me." Jed smiled sadly, folding his arms nervously as his eyes locked with Octavius' in the gloom.
"Jedediah, even if you turned up dressed in something ridiculous, I wouldn't have felt any less about you. You've made such a change for the better in my life, I would give up the snobs at the party in a second if it meant I could spend more time with you."
In a moment of sudden boldness, he leaned over slightly, gently loosening the tie around Jedediah's neck, fingers occasionally brushing against his rough skin as he unravelled it.
"Besides, I think you look better without a necktie." He murmured lovingly, lightly tracing where it rested around his neck.
Jedediah froze, cheeks flushed a deep pink at the statement, eyes flitting momentarily downwards at the Roman before swallowing thickly.
Looking back up, Octavius' eyes met with the flustered disbelief in Jed's, realising suddenly what he had just said. He gasped, jolting away instantly.
"I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me- forget I even said it."
Jedediah said nothing, eyes absentmindedly resting on Octavius' lips as he processed the moment slowly.
"Jedediah? Jed- please say something. I can understand if that was too weird-"
"I think I wanna kiss you."
Now it was Octavius' turn to freeze.
"Wait- what do you mean?"
"I mean this."
Jedediah gently grabbed the folds of Octavius' toga, pulling him in as their lips met for a fleeting second. He suddenly pulled away.
"Dammit, I'm sorry, I shoulda asked properly-"
Octavius shook his head as he pressed back into the kiss, softly, slowly. Hands cradled the back of Jedediah's neck as goose bumps appeared on his skin. He furrowed his brows as they moved closer together, foreheads pressing against each other as the moment went on. Jed smoothed his hand over the small of his back, the music of the party fading to nothing in the background. Every second spent memorising the moment, the world melting into a dark blur around them.
The scent of wood smoke lingered as they broke apart, a giddy joy taking over the both of them as they sat huddled together.
"How long have you felt that way?" Octavius whispered, voice hoarse with joy.
"I've never not wanted you. You've always been right when you say I never pulled that trigger"
He leaned against Octavius, taking a firm hold of his hand as they sat together, staring out wistfully into the painted cloud sky.
“And I suppose you romans do do stuff.” he murmured, head resting on Octavius’ shoulder.
“Is that so?” Octavius looked down at him, tilting his head so they could make eye contact.
“I’d still rather be a cowboy though” he smiled, giving him a mischievous look.
“It wouldn't be the same if you weren't, mi amata.”