Two Boys in Love

A Quiet Diner For a Lovely Conversation

Jedediah sat within a busy (and suspiciously plastic) diner. He was there to meet with his sworn enemy and crush (?)

He was conflicted when thinking about the roman soldier. What had once been a fiery anger had dulled into something different, but no less passionate. He, of course, hated the notion that he could even slightly admire the centurion. After all, any well-intentioned god-fearing man would think better than to go cavorting around with what had been the enemy since the day they had arrived at the museum.

Just as these thoughts exited his mind, Octavius walked in. They locked eyes, and Octavius gave him a nod of acknowledgment before sitting down.

Jedediah was thankful for the dull lighting, it helped to disguise his continually reddening face.

Why was he so flustered? They were there to make peace between their people, but part of him wanted it to be more than that.

He internally scolded himself. How could he be attracted to the person he had despised since day one? He blanched at the thought. Attracted? To this guy? He vividly remembered the day they first met, and the rage that had built within him during their aggressive introduction. He envied the flashy armor and the army he commanded. The rest was history, so to speak.

Octavius cut through the silence.
"I trust that you're ready to make good on our agreement?"

Jedediah felt the words pour over him. Time seemed to slow as Octavius' firm tone and accent enveloped him.

"Take a picture, it will last longer." Octavius cut in sarcastically after a somewhat awkward pause.

Jedediah dawned a somewhat incredulous expression at the realization that he had spaced out.

"I was just thinkin' of what to say s'all! Yes I'm ready t' make good on it!"

"Excellent. I should expect nothing less."

He said with a playful glint in his eye. Or maybe Jedediah had imagined it.

"In all honesty, I'm tired of fighting with you. Politically speaking, you and your people could make... Strategic allies."

Jedediah couldn't help but admire the care behind Octavius' words. He put so much care behind everything he said. He was intimidated by his extensive vocabulary, but behind the intimidation he felt a sense of admiration.

"I agree. Besides, We ain't got anything to fight over,"

"Yes, Quite the contrary!" Octavius agreed.

"In fact, I admit that I admire your leadership skills, despite their reckless nature."

The complement surprised Jedediah, even though it was back-handed.

"Er, yeah! I admire you too!"

They both seemed to realize what he had said at the same time.Jedediah's ears burned, but he decided to stick with the statement anyway. Octavius looked smugly at him from across the table, despite his own embarrassment.

It was true that he admired the cowboy's leadership skills. Octavius had controlled armies nearly his entire life, but as he watched Jedediah talk to his men, as something akin to a family, he noticed the enthusiasm with which those in his command followed his orders. Jedediah had the ability to bring people together and ready them for conflict in a way that Octavius had never seen before.

He admired many other things about the cowboy too. His bravery, His enthusiasm. He admired the way that Jedediah believed he could accomplish anything, despite rolling his eyes at the westerner's cocky demeanor

"Your people, do they know of our plans? I know they can be unpredictable when faced with... Change."

"They know. The ones who don't like it will come around. 'When in Rome..'"

Octavius laughed at the western phrase. Jedediah loved that laugh. He loved how sharp it was. He admired the genuine warmth that came from it.

"You know, It's far more pleasant to just talk like this. I will admit, the constant tension was not ideal. I'd much rather talk with a.. friend.. than an enemy."

Octavius said. He seemed to stumble over the word friend, as if it didn't fit right to him.

"I think it's nice too." Jedediah agreed quietly. He allowed himself to appreciate the words that his newfound ally had spoken. He marveled at the title "Friend". How far they had come, even in this one evening. They both got the impression that had it not been for their petty arguments, they would have been friends -or more than that- long before.

Octavius seemed equally perplexed by the interaction. Even in this short conversation he felt a deep connection to the cowboy. Perhaps it was companionship?

What surprised the soldier most, though, was the feelings that accompanied it. Underneath the warmth of a new friendship, he felt a sense of longing. A feeling that seemed to start in the pit of his stomach when the evening began, and had quickly worked its way up to the front of his mind. What he was longing for was something he wasn't willing to admit. Even to himself. His face reddened.

He glanced at the clock on a nearby wall, seemingly startled by the time. They had sat in the diner well into the early hours of the morning.

"We should go. Before we get stuck here." Octavius said.

Jed felt a creeping disappointment, and it was clear in his face, despite his vain efforts to hide it.

Octavius extended his hand to the cowboy, pulling him into a firm handshake.

"Thank you, for your time." Octavius said with a sort of mockingly professional tone.

"And back to you." Agreed Jedediah, with an amused tip of his hat.

Octavius held the door open for him.

"We should do this again sometime." He offered quietly, trying to stifle the hope from his voice.

Jedediah nodded.

"Well shoot, you know where to find me, hombre," he replied, walking toward his exhibit. He smiled inwardly to himself. His mind was racing with the notion that Octavius actually wanted to see him again.

Octavius turned red and started to walk home, letting Jedediah's response envelop his mind. By all accounts, the evening had gone swimmingly.