EDEN :3

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Thus mostly being the Jedtavius art...

matching jedtavius icons!

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Author's note (1): Of course, this picture had to be the cover for this chapter because it inspired me to write it. If you don’t mind, I need to share something about it.

We can see London’s great architecture in the background, with a beautiful fountain, the sunrise, and these two miniature men in what looks like a boat. Jedediah’s hand is definitely on Octavius’s back, and you’re supposed to tell me that, given the whole scene, they’re not together?

Well, they’re husbands in my heart, and you will definitely see it as you read this chapter.

Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy it as much as I fangirled while writing it. x’3

P.S. It’s a chapter full of fluff like the previous one.

Jedediah and Octavius’s wedding was a beautiful celebration, filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt moments.

When Nicky invited them onto the mixing console for a dance, they happily accepted. Along the way, they received warm congratulations from fellow cowboys and Roman soldiers alike, and they even had the chance to talk with the miniatures from the Pompeii diorama.

The Pompeii citizens were eager to apologize for what had happened at the British Museum, but Jedediah quickly reassured them that there were no hard feelings. He admitted he probably would have reacted the same way if a volcano buried his diorama in lava every night.

His understanding earned their respect, and the man who had once dismissed him as an annoying cowboy offered a sincere apology—seeing their reconciliation filled Octavius with warmth.

Once the celebration ended and Larry announced that only an hour remained until sunrise, Jedediah and Octavius changed back into their familiar attire. Saying goodbye after such a wonderful night was bittersweet, but the Roman General assured his husband he would be at his side the moment the tablet’s power brought them back to life.

After sharing a lingering embrace and a few tender kisses, Octavius returned to his diorama. Jedediah, in turn, made his way back to the Wild West exhibit and climbed inside with the help of the rope. Though they were forced to part for the day, they did so with the comfort of knowing they would soon be together again.

Making his way to his usual spot beside Kayce, Jedediah settled into his familiar pose. He rested his hands on his hips, tilted his head as if listening to his friend’s story, and fixed his gaze on the distance. Yet his thoughts lingered on one question: when would he see his husband again?

What the cowboy didn’t realize was that he’d see the Roman General just as he always had seen him.

The following evening, the tablet’s power breathed life back into the museum, and Jedediah felt his body stir. He glanced around and quickly realized he wasn’t stumbling or fighting off the dizziness he’d expected.

“… I don’t know about ya, but it sure doesn't feel like it’s been that long since I got married,” he remarked, turning to Kayce, who was in the middle of a stretch.

“Maybe it’s only been a couple of days, Jed,” the other cowboy replied with a chuckle. “Though I reckon ya ain’t complainin’…”

Jedediah smirked as he headed towards the rope dangling from the Wild West diorama. “I sure ain’t—especially if it means I get to see my husband.”

“… It’s good to see ya like this.”

Jedediah glanced back over his shoulder at Kayce, who had fallen into step beside him.

“We all knew Octavius was the right one for ya,” the other cowboy said with a warm smile as he reached his friend’s side.

With a chuckle, Jedediah tipped the brim of his hat. “That’s exactly why I married him,” he said, then grabbed the rope and climbed out of the diorama.

The moment his boots touched the floor, Jedediah set off across the Hall of Miniatures towards the Roman Empire exhibit. He hadn’t gone far before he heard Kayce climbing down the rope behind him.

Turning, Jedediah chuckled with his hands resting on his hips. “Come to see a Roman soldier, man?”

Kayce laughed heartily as he caught up with Jedediah. “Yeah, I am. There’s that cute Roman soldier I danced with at your weddin’…” he said, earning an amused chuckle from his friend. “Don’t worry—I haven’t forgotten he’s your husband’s second-in-command.”

“Now, there’s nothin’ wrong with that,” Jedediah replied, giving Kayce’s shoulder a few friendly pats. “I sure hope it works out for ya. Just don’t spend a couple of years workin’ up the courage to tell him how ya feel, alright?”

Kayce let out another laugh and waved the comment off. “Comin’ from the fella who took his sweet time with Octavius? Don’t worry—I ain’t gonna wait that long before askin’ him on a date around the museum.”

As the conversation ended, Kayce and Jedediah watched Octavius bid his fellow Roman soldiers good evening before grabbing the rope dangling from the Roman Empire diorama.

A smirk spread across Jedediah’s face as he tipped the brim of his hat. “Looks like one handsome fella’s headin’ my way…”

Octavius descended with practiced ease, and as his sandals touched the floor, he adjusted his helmet and, the moment his eyes met Jedediah’s, smiled warmly. Crossing the short distance between them, he greeted his husband with a quick, affectionate kiss.

“Good evening, my love,” he said, then turned to the other cowboy. “And good evening to you as well, Kayce. Would you happen to be meeting with Manius tonight?”

Kayce let out a soft chuckle. “Is he lookin’ for me?”

However, before Octavius could answer, Jedediah gave his shoulder a gentle tap. The Roman General turned just in time to see his second-in-command climb down from their diorama. “… It appears your question has already been answered, my friend,” Octavius said, nodding towards Manius as he slipped an arm around his husband’s waist.

As soon as Manius’s sandals touched the floor, his gaze lifted to the trio waiting for him. It lingered on Kayce for a moment, and the warm brown eyes looking back at him drew a faint blush to his cheeks. He quickly composed himself before stepping forward.

“Good evening, General,” Manius greeted Octavius with a respectful nod. He then turned to the others. “Good evening to you as well, Jedediah… Kayce.”

Kayce returned the greeting with a tip of his hat. Jedediah, however, could tell his friend needed a bit of encouragement, so he cleared his throat. “It’s good to see ya, Manius,” he said with a smirk, gesturing towards Kayce. “My friend here's got somethin’ he’d like to ask ya.”

“Certainly,” Manius replied, folding his hands behind his back in the formal stance he always adopted around his general. “What is it?”

Kayce shot Jedediah a glance before stepping forward. He looked down for a moment, then met Manius’s warm brown eyes with a smirk. “… Would ya like to take a stroll around the museum with me?”

The invitation was so direct that it caught Manius completely off guard. Warmth rushed to his cheeks, and his heart skipped a beat as he met Kayce’s gaze. Though he noticed the other cowboy’s easy smirk, a smile tugged at his own lips. “… The only places I have visited are the lobby and the planetarium. I would love—”

Manius stopped short when Jedediah let out a chuckle. He knew the cowboy wasn’t making fun of him, but it dawned on him how eager he must have sounded about exploring the museum with Kayce. Clearing his throat, he composed himself and straightened. “… I would be delighted to accompany you.”

“… I sure was hopin’ you’d say that,” Kayce said, leaning in closer. “… Cause I’m thinkin’ you were lookin’ for me anyway…”

The color in Manius's cheeks deepened instantly. Flustered, he looked away, unable to hold Kayce’s amused gaze. The other cowboy answered with a playful chuckle, then glanced over his shoulder at Jedediah. “Mind if we borrow your remote-controlled car?”

“Sure thin’. I’ll show ya how to drive it,” Jedediah replied. He stole one more kiss from Octavius before leading the way to the wooden bench where the little vehicle was tucked away.

Still flustered, Manius continued to stare into the distance dramatically before glancing at Octavius, who responded with a chuckle.

The moment reminded Manius of his general before they had been shipped to the Smithsonian archives. Back then, Octavius had been struggling with the thought of leaving both their museum and Jedediah behind, especially after they had finally begun to grow closer. Perhaps his general had been a touch dramatic about it, but Manius had understood those feelings then. Now, he realized Octavius understood exactly how he felt.

Walking over to his second-in-command, Octavius rested his hands on Manius’s shoulders and gently motioned for him to take a deep breath. After receiving an encouraging nod from his general, Manius smiled faintly and headed towards the remote-controlled car.

Once he’d shown Kayce how the controls worked, Jedediah wandered back to Octavius’s side as Manius settled into the passenger seat. Smirking, the cowboy cupped a hand to his mouth. “And don't forget the computer in the lobby!” he called after them.

Octavius let out a quiet laugh and shook his head. His husband certainly had ways of being bold.

Manius, of course, had heard every word. He shot Jedediah a glare that meant no harm, his cheeks still pink, then cleared his throat and glanced back over his shoulder. “… Thank you, Jedediah. Should we happen upon a video of kittens, I shall be certain to leave a smile and a wink in the comments.”

“Hey!” Jedediah protested, but when Octavius gave his waist a gentle squeeze, the cowboy let out a quiet sigh. Though Manius’s teasing had ruffled him a bit, he couldn’t suppress an amused smirk as he watched the almost-official couple head off together. Chuckling, he tilted his head at Octavius. “… Now that's manifest destiny.”

The Roman General chuckled softly at the remark before pulling him into a tender kiss. Jedediah’s smirk widened as he wrapped his arms around Octavius’s neck.

“… I’d say someone’s happy to see his husband, ain’t he?”

“Of course I am,” Octavius said, pulling back a little. “How are you feeling?”

“… Well, I didn’t lose my balance the moment my body stirred back to life…” Jedediah said softly, his arms still draped around Octavius’s neck. “And Kayce figures it’s only been a couple of days since we got married, so… I reckon he’s probably right.”

As the words left his mouth, Jedediah frowned slightly. Octavius still wore the same warm, knowing smile he’d worn moments before, and it didn’t take long for the cowboy to suspect his husband was keeping something from him.

“… Why do I get the feelin’ you're hidin’ somethin' from me?" Jedediah asked quietly.

Before Jedediah could press the matter further, the sound of familiar footsteps echoed towards the Hall of Miniatures. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted Ahkmenrah approaching with a warm smile. “Well, if it isn’t our favorite newlyweds,” the pharaoh greeted them.

“Good evening, Ahkmenrah,” Octavius replied, placing a fist over his heart and bowing slightly. “Is everything prepared?”

“Yes, you may follow me to the lobby,” Ahkmenrah said with a nod.

However, the pharaoh noticed the confusion on Jedediah’s face, and a soft laugh escaped him as he glanced back at Octavius. “You did not tell him?”

“Whoa, hold on a second,” Jedediah said, raising both hands in surprise. “… How long has it been since the last time?”

Ahkmenrah turned his attention back to the cowboy, stepped closer, then crouched, offering his hand for them to climb onto. “It has only been one day, Jedediah…”

At last, everything clicked into place. Jedediah turned to Octavius with a look that said, Oh, you sneaky little thing. The Roman General only laughed softly before taking his husband’s hand.

“Come, my love. I do not wish to keep you waiting any longer.”

Still suspicious of whatever Octavius had planned, Jedediah studied him closely. However, the reassuring warmth in his husband's expression eased his concerns, and he climbed onto Ahkmenrah’s hand.

The three of them reached the lobby, where they found the museum exhibits going about their own activities. Around them, everyone was busy enjoying the night, and they even spotted Theodore on horseback with his beloved Sacagawea, keeping watch to ensure everything remained in order so Dr. McPhee would have nothing to worry about. After all, there was no night guard on duty at the moment. Tilly was there, but she was far too occupied with Laaa to keep track of everyone.

Soon enough, they saw Lancelot at the entrance, carefully studying a map. The knight looked up as soon as he saw the pharaoh and the two miniature men approaching, and he set the map aside with a welcoming smile.

“Good evening, dear friends,” Lancelot greeted them. “Are you ready for a new adventure?”

At those words, Jedediah immediately turned to look at his husband. “… Are ya takin’ me somewhere?”

“That would be correct, my love,” Octavius replied, lifting a hand reassuringly. “I promise you; we will be in no danger. You have my word—you can trust me.”

“… Can I really trust ya with this?” Jedediah asked with a chuckle, but when he met Octavius's gaze and saw the same gentle reassurance in his deep brown eyes, the cowboy couldn’t help but smirk. “… Well, after everythin’ that happened at the British Museum, I suppose I can.”

“Thank you,” Octavius replied softly. “Now, I must ask you to close your eyes.”

Jedediah raised an eyebrow, but he shrugged and did as he was asked. A chuckle from Octavius, however, made him open them again. “… What?”

“My apologies, my love, but I do not trust you,” Octavius said.

Jedediah stared at him with an unimpressed look as the Roman General pointed to his scarf. With a quiet sigh, the cowboy understood. “… Fine. Go ahead,” he mumbled, removing the scarf and handing it to Octavius.

With a nod, Octavius carefully wrapped the scarf around Jedediah’s eyes, tying it securely enough to keep it in place without causing discomfort. Once satisfied, he took his husband’s hand and looked towards Ahkmenrah and Lancelot. “I believe we are ready now.”

“Excellent! Then let us be on our way,” Lancelot replied, picking up the map and a familiar-looking hockey bag.

The four of them made their way out of the lobby. As they passed the reception desk, Octavius glanced back and spotted Kayce helping Manius climb onto it. The sight brought a warm smile to the Roman general's face. He was happy to see that his second-in-command might have finally found someone who made him as content as Jedediah did.

Once they stepped through the revolving doors, Lancelot retrieved the map from the bag and studied it with Ahkmenrah. Jedediah had no idea where they were headed or what awaited them, but he trusted Octavius. After studying the map, the knight nodded confidently and pointed ahead. “That way!”

With Ahkmenrah still carrying Jedediah and Octavius in his hand, the group made their way along the sidewalks of Central Park. They walked for nearly twenty minutes, and during the journey, Jedediah eventually asked whether they were getting any closer to their destination. The question drew laughter from everyone, especially Octavius, who found his husband’s impatience endearing.

Before long, they sat in Ahkmenrah’s hand, giving their legs a much-needed rest. Though he never complained, the cowboy leaned his head against Octavius’s shoulder as the Roman General wrapped his arm around his husband’s waist, pulling him close.

“… Seeing you like this, all cuddled up together, is quite different from watching you in the middle of a fight,” Ahkmenrah remarked with a soft chuckle.

“What can I say? I'm full of surprises,” Jedediah replied, earning a quiet laugh from Octavius.

Eventually, they reached their destination, and Lancelot carefully folded the map. “Here we are!”

At the announcement, Jedediah immediately reached behind his head to untie the scarf. However, Octavius gently caught his hands and stopped him.

“Not yet, my love.”

The cowboy let out a quiet sigh, his impatience growing more obvious. Octavius couldn’t help but chuckle softly before standing and placing his hands on his husband’s waist, making sure Jedediah wouldn't fall from Ahkmenrah's hand.

Even with his eyes covered, Jedediah heard the pharaoh move closer to something, felt him lower his hand, and heard Octavius offer a quiet word of thanks. Moments later, the sound of Lancelot searching through the hockey bag reached his ears, prompting Jedediah to shake his head slightly. “I really have no idea what’s goin’ on or where we are…”

“Patience has never been your strongest quality, has it, Jedediah?” Lancelot teased, earning soft chuckles from both Ahkmenrah and Octavius.

“Oh, quit givin' me a hard time, will ya?” Jedediah replied.

A gentle squeeze from Octavius made him sigh, and soon after, he felt his husband step away. The sound of Octavius climbing onto something solid—perhaps stone—followed. Shortly after, the Roman General reached out and gently took hold of Jedediah’s hands. “You can jump,” he said softly.

“And risk trippin’ over my own feet? No, thank ya,” Jedediah answered. Still unable to see through the scarf, he turned his head towards Ahkmenrah. “Could ya bring me a little closer to whatever that is?”

The pharaoh never had the chance to respond. Before he could, Octavius stepped in, slipping one arm around Jedediah’s waist and the other beneath his legs, then lifted him effortlessly into his arms.

The unexpected motion made the cowboy blink beneath his blindfold, but a quiet laugh escaped him. “… Well, that works too,” he murmured.

Octavius shook his head, a fond smile on his face.

As the Roman General held his husband close against his breastplate, Ahkmenrah and Lancelot gathered everything together, while Jedediah heard the distinct sound of something being lowered into the water. The pharaoh then turned to Octavius, who stepped into the floating object. After making sure it was steady, he carefully set his husband down and untied the scarf over his eyes. “… You can open them now.”

Jedediah slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Sure enough, he and Octavius were in a small plastic boat floating in the middle of a fountain. His gaze wandered over the fountain's decorative structure, amazement softening his features. “… I can't believe it,” he murmured.

“This is the Bethesda Fountain,” Ahkmenrah said softly. “It is not far from the museum.”

Jedediah took in the breathtaking view before his attention drifted to the boat's interior. A folded tissue served as a blanket, while two cups and a bottle of wine rested beside a small assortment of cheese, crackers, and grapes. A pair of plastic candles tied it all together, and a guitar lay carefully tucked alongside everything else.

For a moment, he was too stunned to speak, but he eventually looked up at Octavius. “… Did ya come up with all this?”

Octavius’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Yesterday, I told Larry I wanted to celebrate our wedding somewhere a bit more romantic than the museum,” he explained. “That was when he mentioned this fountain was only a short distance away. As you probably guessed, Ahkmenrah told me he would be staying… a little longer, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity. Larry packed everything I had asked for into his bag and gave it to Lancelot.”

This time, Jedediah was left speechless. As he met Octavius’s gaze, all he could see was the love his husband had carried for him over the years. The warmth in those brown eyes was enough to make his own eyes sting with tears.

“I know we are not exactly drifting down a river or anything…” the Roman General began, his voice laced with uncertainty.

However, Jedediah didn’t let him finish. “You're kiddin’, right?” he said with a soft laugh, slipping his arms around Octavius’s neck and looking at him with affection. “… It’s perfect.”

At those words, the last of Octavius's worries melted away. He returned the embrace, holding Jedediah close for a quiet moment before pulling back just enough to meet his blue eyes. “… I’m so glad,” he murmured.

“Well, we will leave the two of you to enjoy yourselves,” Ahkmenrah said, extending a hand towards the knight. “Lancelot and I are heading back to the museum, but do not worry—we will come find you before sunrise.”

“Thanks, Ahkmenrah,” Jedediah replied.

As the pharaoh and Lancelot took their leave, Jedediah turned his full attention back to Octavius and glanced around the little boat again, letting out a chuckle. “… I still can’t believe ya came up with all this, Octy.”

Octavius laughed softly as he helped his husband settle onto the makeshift blanket. Once Jedediah was comfortable—one leg stretched out, the other drawn up to his chest—the Roman General reached for a cup and poured a little wine into it.

“I have told you before, my love, and I will gladly say it again,” Octavius said with a fond smile. “When it comes to things like this, I can be quite the hopeless romantic.”

Handing the cup to Jedediah, he met his gaze once more, a teasing warmth in his eyes. “Though judging by your expression… I do not believe you mind in the slightest.”

A faint smirk tugged at Jedediah’s lips as he accepted the cup Octavius offered. “… I actually like it,” he admitted as Octavius poured himself a glass of wine. His voice softened as he looked down at the cup in his hand. “… It makes me feel… loved.”

However, Jedediah gave a small shake of his head and let out a quiet, self-conscious chuckle.

“God… I ain’t usually the type to say stuff like that. But you really do have that effect on me, don’t ya?”

Hearing this, Octavius’s expression softened into a warm smile. He lifted his glass, took a small sip, and met the cowboy’s gaze again. “… I certainly hope I do,” he replied gently. “After all, we are married now.”

Octavius's words still felt almost unreal. Even now, it was hard to believe they had finally reached this moment after everything they had been through together. Yet there wasn’t a single thing Jedediah would trade for it.

“Now,” the Roman General said, setting his wineglass aside, “allow me to begin our evening with this.”

Reaching for the guitar resting beside them, Jedediah let out an amused chuckle, tilting his head as he watched him. “Oh yeah? Ya can play the guitar?” he asked, smirking. “Since when?”

A hint of surprise crossed Octavius's face before he cleared his throat. “… I have been teaching myself during breaks between my soldiers’ training sessions,” he admitted. “Whenever I could find a spare moment.”

Jedediah raised an eyebrow, his smirk only widening.

Seeing this, Octavius gave him a sheepish smile and settled the guitar in his lap. “I should warn you… I am still learning,” he said quietly. “You will have to forgive me if it does not sound very good.”

The Roman General softly played the first chord, but the guitar responded with a harsh, out-of-tune note that made him wince. “… Give me a moment,” he said, adjusting the tuning pegs. “It seems this instrument has other ideas.”

After several unsuccessful attempts—each no better than the last—Jedediah couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement. “… Want me to give it a try, honey?”

It was the first time Jedediah had ever called him anything other than his name or “Octy.” The simple endearment caught Octavius completely off guard, filling him with a quiet warmth. Little by little, his husband was lowering the walls around his heart, and it meant more to him than he could put into words.

With an embarrassed sigh, Octavius looked up and nodded slightly.

Jedediah chuckled softly, then moved closer and took the guitar from his hands. After a few careful adjustments, he tuned the instrument with practiced ease. To make sure it was right, he played a gentle melody he had picked up over the years.

Watching him, Octavius slowly removed his helmet, letting the evening breeze stir his gray curls. He slipped an arm around Jedediah’s waist again, saying nothing as the soft notes drifted across the fountain. He listened, his eyes never leaving the man beside him.

For both of them, it still felt almost impossible to believe they were husband and husband.

Jedediah had chosen to spend eternity by his side, and to the Roman General, that single promise meant more than he could ever express. It was everything he had ever hoped for.

As he gazed up at the night sky, Octavius pulled his husband a little closer. After a while, Jedediah let the melody’s final notes fade away. Noticing where Octavius’s gaze had wandered, he lifted his head.

The cowboy had never truly taken the time to admire the stars. Seeing them through the museum’s planetarium was one thing, but watching them glitter overhead in the open night felt entirely different.

Without really thinking about it, Jedediah set the guitar and his hat aside, then scooted back to sit between Octavius’s legs. The movement earned a soft, affectionate chuckle from the Roman General, who welcomed him into his embrace.

“… Yeah, I know,” Jedediah mumbled, looking away as a faint blush spread across his cheeks.

Octavius could only shake his head fondly. He tightened his arms around his husband, and Jedediah leaned into him, resting his head on his shoulder.

For a long while, neither of them felt the need to say anything. They stayed together, watching the stars above, occasionally sipping wine and enjoying the comfort of each other's presence.

Eventually, it was Jedediah who broke the peaceful silence. “… Do ya know any constellations?”

“Oh, of course,” Octavius replied with a small smile, lifting a hand and pointing towards the sky. “That one is Ursa Major, the third-largest constellation and one of the most recognizable in the night sky. It is said to be visible throughout the year…”

His finger moved to another star cluster.

“And that is Ursa Minor. We can find it by following the two stars at the outer edge of Ursa Major, which point towards it.”

Jedediah listened quietly, taking in both the stars above him and the passion in Octavius’s voice. Before long, he couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle and tilt his head back to look at his husband. “… Well, would ya look at that,” he murmured with a smirk. “My husband actually knows quite a few things…”

Chuckling softly, Octavius turned his gaze back to the stars above. “… It is only because I have Augustus’s knowledge,” he admitted.

Once, hearing something like that would have bothered Jedediah. But now he looked up at the night sky with understanding. “… Guess Jedediah didn’t know much about constellations, then.”

The remark brought a fond smile to Octavius’s face. Since the night of the party, they had come so far—not only in their relationship, but also in accepting the strange reality of their existence.

“… At least there is something we both understand, from what you said during our vows,” Octavius murmured, prompting Jedediah to look at him. “… We may be museum exhibits created in the likeness of two people who once lived…” the Roman General continued softly. “But we are far more than that. We are still ourselves.”

His gaze softened as he looked at his husband.

“Two miniature men who spent so long as enemies, fighting a war that seemed it would never end… only to eventually find our way to each other.”

“… I couldn’t have said it any better, honey,” Jedediah whispered.

Before either of them could say more, their lips met in a gentle kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, Jedediah kept his gaze locked on Octavius’s deep brown eyes. A fond smile played on his face as their foreheads touched. “… Ya wanna know somethin’?” he asked.

Octavius answered with a quiet hum, holding him close.

“… Maybe some things between us are changin'—and I reckon that’s completely normal—but…” Jedediah paused, looking down at their wedding rings. “… We still have that same spark we’ve always had.”

Hearing this, a gentle chuckle escaped Octavius. “You truly are opening up to me more and more, are you not, my love?”

Jedediah rolled his eyes playfully at the teasing tone, though he couldn’t hide his smirk.

Before he could respond, Octavius leaned in and kissed him again. “… I am only teasing,” the Roman General murmured when they parted. “But you are right.”

“… Of course I am,” Jedediah replied, sitting up a little straighter as a confident smile crossed his face. “I told ya before… Every adventure with me is always gonna have a little touch of romance to it, and I sure ain't gonna hide that part of myself.”

Reaching up, Jedediah gently cupped his husband’s cheeks.

“… Thank ya for fallin’ in love with me, Octavius.”

For a moment, Octavius felt as though his heart might overflow. His husband’s words carried so much meaning, and the love behind them left him deeply touched.

Without a word, he placed his hands over Jedediah’s and leaned in to kiss him again. Almost without realizing it, his arms slipped around Jedediah’s waist, and the cowboy instinctively wrapped his arms around Octavius’s neck.

This kiss felt unlike any before—not simply because of their closeness, but because of everything they had confessed to each other that evening. It carried a deeper intimacy, a quiet understanding between two museum exhibits who had finally allowed themselves to be completely vulnerable with one another.

And that was how they spent their first night as a married couple: surrounded by love, sharing gentle kisses and soft laughter, and the simple joy of being together.

As the hours passed, Jedediah never noticed his eyes had fallen shut. Safe in Octavius's arms, his head resting against his husband's shoulder, he slipped into a peaceful moment of contentment. Eventually, he stirred and slowly opened his eyes again. “… Honey?”

The Roman General answered with a soft hum, pulling him a little closer.

Jedediah looked back up at the stars, letting the silence linger before speaking. “… When do ya think we'll see each other again?”

However, Octavius didn’t respond.

After a moment, Jedediah pulled back slightly, glanced over his shoulder, and narrowed his eyes at him. “… Why do I get the feelin’ there’s somethin’ else ya ain’t told me?”

A warm smile spread across Octavius's face. He had known this moment would come. It was time to share what Ahkmenrah had told him the previous night.

“… Because you are right,” he admitted.

The answer made Jedediah turn, his curiosity growing.

“… We will see each other again,” Octavius continued softly. “If everything goes as we hope… it will be for good.”

At those words, the cowboy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “… You’re kiddin’… right?”

Octavius shook his head, his eyes beginning to glisten with tears. “… I am not, Jedediah.”

Taking a deep breath, the Roman General tried to steady himself before continuing. “Ahkmenrah told me the other night that Dr. McPhee has been working with the British Museum on a collaboration to revive the night program,” he explained, his voice growing more emotional with each word. “They want to bring Merenkahre and Shepseheret here… and they also intend to create a medieval hall for Lancelot.”

For a moment, Jedediah could only stare at him.

It couldn’t be true… could it?

Was Octavius really telling him they had a chance to be together again?

The cowboy swallowed hard and cleared his throat, doing his best to keep his emotions in check before looking back at his husband. “… Ya better not be jokin', Octavius,” he said quietly, his eyes beginning to fill with tears. “I wouldn’t take that very well, and ya know it.”

The thought alone was almost too much to bear, but before Jedediah could lose himself in his own thoughts, Octavius gently rested his hands on his husband’s cheeks. The warmth of his touch and the fondness in his expression were enough to steady him.

“… I look forward to spending every night with you,” Octavius whispered. “… and I cannot wait to tell visitors to take a look at my husband’s diorama.”

Those words were all the reassurance Jedediah needed. He knew then that Octavius was telling the truth, and a broken laugh escaped the cowboy as he pulled his husband into another embrace, burying his face in the crook of Octavius’s neck. The tears he had been holding back finally rolled down his cheeks. “… I love ya, Octavius,” he managed, his voice trembling with emotion. “I love ya so much…”

His grip tightened as his whole body shook slightly, overwhelmed by the happiness and relief of knowing they would never have to be apart again.

Pulling his husband impossibly close and holding him as if he never wanted to let go, Octavius pressed a kiss to his temple. “I love you too, Jedediah,” he whispered. “… However, I do need to ask you something.”

Jedediah pulled back slightly, wiping away his tears as he looked at him. “… Anythin’, honey.”

A soft chuckle escaped Octavius as he reached up to gently brush away the last tears from Jedediah’s face. “… If we ever argue, promise me we will not try to settle it with a fight?”

For a moment, Jedediah blinked, then a quiet laugh escaped his lips. The sound made Octavius laugh as well.

“Oh, come here…” Jedediah murmured fondly before pulling Octavius closer and kissing him again.

For a romantic evening meant to celebrate their wedding, it had turned out better than either of them could have imagined.

Ahkmenrah and Lancelot may have originally planned to be the ones to return and bring them back to the museum, but the two miniature men couldn't help but smile when they realized it was their old night guard coming to find them, dressed in that familiar suit, keys and flashlight on his belt.

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Author's note (2): Well, there’s only one chapter left, and, as I’ve said before, it’ll be based on the scene in Kahmunrah Rises Again where Jedediah and Octavius fall through the floor and end up in the room with the Egyptian cat and cobra. However, I do intend to make a cut and move the chapter to the end of the movie, when they’re dancing. :3

Thank you for tuning in again! I know this chapter was probably overly cheesy, but these two really deserve it. x'3

Octavius

Jedediah