The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth

Maybe you'd let me kiss you

"Maybe you'd let me kiss you. I mean if that's okay. Is that okay? 'Cause I really love you." – Mark Schultz, A Brief History of Helen Troy or Everything Will be Different

10:08AM Saturday June 13th at the Lewis and Clark Park

Once a month on a Saturday Octavius made a point of going shopping at the local market for a few sweet treats and perhaps a new play or two. The atmosphere of a busy and yet welcoming market was something he truly thrived on. Recently, he'd been aching for someone to accompany him on these trips. But the only person he could think of was Jedediah, and he couldn't ask him as it was far too similar to a date. He wondered slowly though the park, this was a short cut to the high street but at the rate he was walking it would have been faster to go the normal way. Octavius wasn't bothered by his speed though; taking in the gorgeous surroundings of the park was wonderfully relaxing.

It was then that someone crashed in to him, breaking his tranquil state of mind.

"What in sam hill?" the person exclaimed "Look where you're going ya no goo-" the person trailed off. Octavius felt he recognised the voice and then he finally got a chance the look at the man who had just about ran him in to the ground. It was Jedediah. A very agitated and upset looking Jedediah. "Octy? What are you doin' wanderin' around here? At least look where you're goin' for Christ's sake."

"I was admiring the scenery. Besides, it takes two people not paying attention for this to happen, so half the blame for that mishap is on you." Octavius shot back.

"Oh yeah? Well..." Jed looked like he wanted to yell but he couldn't find the words "Whatever, I'm goin' anyway." He shoved his hands in his pockets and then went to walk past Octavius but the other man stopped him with a question.

"I thought you were on a date today Jedediah? Has something happened?" Octavius asked with genuine concern in his voce, it was clear that something was wrong with Jed and this time he felt he should press that matter.

Jedediah turned to look back at Octavius and sighed, his eyes began to fill with frustrated tears "I got stood up."

Octavius felt a wave of different emotions all at once. Sympathy for poor Jedediah, Anger at Kahmunrah for not appreciating what he has and a slight amount of joy because perhaps this would bring Jedediah one step closer to leaving Kah. "That is truly awful." He said.

"Yeah, well whatever. I should have known it was gonna happen" he sniffled lightly then cursed under his breath, rubbing his eyes of any traces of tears "It was goin' really well till we got to the park, then his phone rang and he gives me all this crap about his friends inviting him to a football match. Of course he goes there and I can't say shit because-" Jed did a surprisingly accurate impression of Kah as he made quotation marks in the air "This is going to be my future so I've got to see as much as possible." Jed eyes fill again and he voice cracks "Sometimes I think he don't care about me at all."

Octavius was pretty sure that his heart just got broken in too about a million tiny pieces. He was also pretty sure he'd never hate anyone as much as he hated Kahmunrah right now. There were so many things he wanted to say to Jedediah, but he bit back his tongue not wanting to upset Jed anymore. Octavius thought it'd be for the best to cheer Jedediah up before talking more about his situation with Kah. "Would you like to accompany me on a trip to the market?" He blurted out nervously "It is most likely not the date you wanted today but perhaps we could have a fun time together at least? If you wish to decline I fully understand."

Jedediah's face softened and he cracked the smallest smile "Sure thing, partner. I'd like that. Take my mind of Kah for a while; he'll make it up to me later anyway... I think."