A Roman Heart

48 hours before

He took a deep breath as he felt his limbs regain mobility.

Young Pharaoh's tablet was rekindling the museum around him, and like all other exhibits, his was coming to life for one more night.

He brought one hand to one of his shoulders, rotating it with some discomfort, while the other rested on his stomach. The night before, as a result of the wedding and adoption, he had received too many "loving" slaps on the first from the Huns, Vikings and Neanderthals, who had also insisted that he drank with them and, although it had not been anything alcoholic, since the museum did not have such drinks, but cartons of juice and cans of carbonated soda, the experience had been somewhat difficult for his stomach, which, for several days in the previous week, had not received enough sustenance, thanks to him not seen the reason to do so.

He sighed thinking that he had really hit rock bottom these days.

Never, ever, not even in Thanos' dungeons had he thought of ending things.

In the Museum, he had, and he regretted to say, that that thought would not be something that he probably could not avoid thinking about in the near future, but now... now he had other variables to take into account and this circunstances removed his mind at least a little from the previous gloomy feelings.

_If you will excuse me, my liege - he felt a voice at his feet said - I would like to introduce myself.

He blinked somewhat confused at first, until he remembered Octavius and looked down to meet a double line of Roman soldiers, led by a higher-ranking officer.

_Good evening - he said, leaning down and then kneeling on the ground so that he could see the Roman better.

_There is no reason to apologize, Signore - the man replied - My name is Marco Filipo and I am one of the tribuni angusticlavii (administrative and high-ranking combat members in the legions) of our General and, as of today, also an aide-de-camp of the heir to the throne.

His eyes widened in surprise.

_Forgive me, I don't think I understood correctly. Could you explain to me what your duties consist of?

_Of course, Signore. My main function from today is to assist you in your daily activities, organize your night and prepare your audiences with our citizens, commanders and, of course, your father the noble Augustus and his husband - explained the soldier and then point out the eight men who accompanied him - The contubernium (group of eight men) that accompanies me are as today your personal escort.

He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

This was something totally new to him.

Not even in Asgard, which, as one of the oldest worlds, had a strict monarchy, had he had a personal assistant and escort.

That had been his brother's privilege as… the first-born of the house. Odin had always assigned Einjar around him, until the warriors and Lady Sif, were strong enough to dispense the royal guard.

In his case, no one had bothered to do something similar. Which had been explained once he knew his biological origin. The ruler of Asgard was not going to waste the blood of his people on someone who did not belong to them.

Octavius, on the contrary, demonstrated his importance by not letting a second pass without pointing out that he was on the other end of the rope with respect to the attitudes of his former adoptive father.

_What… - he began to say while clearing his throat - what are my activities for the night then?

The aide-de-camp removed a roll of paper from his waist and began to detail what he assumed will be from now on his daily responsibilities.

72 hours later

This Mobius was as exactly as he expected.

A volcano about to erupt, covered by the most orderly and composed façade that existed.

He smiled sideways seeing how the man organized his thoughts, surely around what he was beginning to learn about Loki's life between them.

Ahkmenrah's father, for his part, feigned total innocence and carefreeness, while like him, he measured this character from head to toe, in the same way as in London, he had done with Larry.

He denied thinking how innocent the night guard and Ahkmenrah had been on that occasion.

In a few simple and short minutes, the sagacious Egyptian had found out even the ethnic origin of the guard in question, including where he lived, family and the fact that his own son considered him “important” enough to introduce him personally.

Of course, the young Pharaoh was somewhat obtuse and it had taken him three years to connect the dots and put a name to the relationship he had with the native of New York.

Despite this, Merenkahre had been sure that, sooner rather than later, his son would decide to make the journey back to North American lands and, before embarking on the return flight, he had asked him to speak in private and had confessed that he knew that his son would return to his museum and that, since he could no longer accompany him, he hoped that someone of his same rank would undertake to take care of his child and watch over him.

And as his word as Emperor demanded, he had delivered.

During the courtship that had led the young Pharaoh and the night guard to establish a relationship, he had kept a watchful eye on those two. When he did not find any kind of problem among them, he had not intervened and had just continued watching at distance. After all, Larry Daley was the right person for Ahkmenrah and his son Nick, who was the only family member who had the right to comment on their romantic relationship, totally agreed with it.

Now, in return, it was the Egyptian's turn to lend a hand with his own family.

He admitted it.

He was overprotective.

With his men, with the Museum exhibits, with the guard, with Jedediah, with Nick. Loki, was simply someone else who was added to his circle of proteges.

But at the same time, he was someone special.

Legally, he had become his son. Heir to his land. And, as Jedediah's mate, he had learned to see the Asgardian through the vulnerability that they still found when they saw him. They had both taken a breath as they watched him for the past two days participate in the routine of the dioramas of the Wild West and Rome and a little in the nightly life of the museum.

The God had allowed himself to be guided and had shown great abilities, which did not surprise him at all, in his counseling of erudites and in the physical practice. Which, considering that his soldiers and evaluators weren't permissive at all, had been quite an achievement.

He had been astonished then by the pride that had invaded his body at receiving the conclusions of his men regarding the Asgardian's capabilities. Jedediah had winked at him as they retired and he had shaken his head thinking about how their history had had so many turns in all those years to find themselves where they were.

“He took a deep breath, letting the incense from the altar envelop them, while holding their hands, the main Priestess of the temple of Vesta recounted the duties of the husbands corresponding to his lineage. After which, she handed them both an orange candle, that he received by releasing one of his partner's hands.

_I don't want to sound lost ‘tavi, but… what should we do? - Jedediah whispered and he smiled with a low laugh.

_The Priestess has blessed our union, recounting our matrimonial duties. After that, it is up to us if we want to add something before lighting the goddess candle in the fire on the altar.

_Can we say a few words? - asked his almost husband.

_Yes, if we want - he clarified.

_I'd like to do it. It's… important to me.

_Then do it.

He said leaving his other hand free, after which the cowboy removed his hat and cleared his throat.

_For more... - began the leader of the Wild West turning his hat in his hands - For more than fifty years... you were a real headache. The most infuriating and challenging person I knew. I think I must have wasted entire nights yelling at you from the Wild West diorama when the guards started locking us in, just because I couldn't blow myself off by hitting your helmet with my pistols and, boy, you deserved every Smith and Wesson that was coming your way.

He could not help but lose his composure and laugh out loud, attitude that was imitated by his troops and his partner's companions of diorama, as well as by all the guests.

Yes, it had happened exactly as he has told. If they didn't fight, they yelled at each other. If they did not yell at each other, they both imagined and even dreamed how to make life impossible for the other.

_But - continued the cowboy smiling nervously - the truth is that, in all those nights when we bothered each other for sport, I also learned to appreciate many of the qualities of the man that I considered my enemy. You're… the neater person I know, Ockie. In your diorama, as with the clothes you always wear, it is almost impossible to find something out of place. You have a discipline that causes admiration. I swear that for many days I was green with envy when I listened as always at the same moment, at the same time of night, I listened to you direct your maneuvers with your soldiers, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. You are also a great leader. You know how to listen to your people and to others. And since Gigantor made us stop beating each other… you are the bravest and most self-sacrificing friend I have ever had and as a couple you still are. And I'm not an easy person to get along with, Ockie. My times weren't times to be nice. Cowboys are direct. Sometimes we sound cruel at being as direct as we are. And I am the worst of all in that sense. And... I warn you that I am not going to change, compadre. This Jedediah you see is the one that you are taking with you home today. So, if you want to regret it, this is the time, because if you say yes, I’m going to tie myself to you more strongly than a lasso to a calf in rodeo time.

Again, a concert of laughter was heard around both of them. He had said it moments before: he was a direct person. So, while staring into the blue eyes of the cowboy, he took one of his hands again on his own.

_I never expected to marry someone I will truly love - he confessed, shaking his head - The Romans of my social position cannot choose. Our marriages are diplomatic arrangements that cement the power of the Empire and that strengthen our houses. Therefore, living in this place, this second life that we have the privilege of going through, put me in front of a gift that I did not expect: that of being able to choose who to give my heart to and share my life with. That… is something that is priceless to my Jedediah. With you I am a person, not a General, not a practicing Emperor. I am someone who makes mistakes, who has to endure a scolding like anyone else and who can accept being laughed at knowing that whoever does it is not doing it to cause harm. You are the rock that ties me to the earth and I am grateful every day that you are in my life to remind me that failing is okay and that I shouldn't be perfect every moment. That I can feel tired, that I shouldn't give my men so little rest and that I have to relax and go on an adventure from time to time. You are direct, yes, harsh in your comments and statements, but... I would not want you any other way. So, as you will say:  partner, the one who has to think if it wants to repent now is you, because if you say yes, I am not going to abandon you for the duration of my life either.

The cowboy put his hat back on, a deep flush on his cheeks that he knew his own were mimicking. Both were reserved in their displays of affection and at that moment they were in front of a huge audience to which who had decided to expose themselves in that way with each other.

_Do we have to light this on and that's it?

The blond asked him and he nodded, proceeding to do so together. With the lighting of the goddess candle and the offerings already on the table, there was nothing more to say. The registers would be filled out by his people and his cowboy would now appear as his husband.

_Excuse me, gentlemen - they heard a voice speaking to them and they turned to find Loki holding one of his hands with one of Jedediah's Wild West companions.

_For your first anniversary we are going to do something better - said the man smiling as he extended a knotted handkerchief to them - but with the rush this was the best we could do and it is on behalf of all of us, Jed.

His partner received the handkerchief to opened it and then smiled.

_Thank you, guys - he said patting the man on the shoulder - Seriously.

_No problem. We all desire you both all the happiness possible – the cowboy replied, greeting them with a slight tilt of his hat to go back up to Loki's hand, who placed him again among the people of the other diorama.

_What it is? - he asked his own cowboy approaching.

_Something that I thought we were not going to have due to lack of time - Jedediah replied, showing him the two golden rings that were wrapped in the handkerchief.

Understanding he extended one of his hands and took one of the pieces of jewelry that had so much meaning in that part of the world and placed it on the finger of his partner that he had always seen married people wear. Jedediah put the handkerchief away and did the same with his own.

_I think we're finally married - he said to the cowboy, smiling.

_Actually, not yet. There is still one thing left, it seems to me – the blond commented, raising his hat with one hand.

_What? - he asked surprised when he saw him advance until he was very close.

_This - his husband said, holding his waist to give him a fierce kiss that aroused applause and laughter from everyone around them"

Now it was up to Loki and Mobius. The ones who hadn't had that many years, hadn't been through that long, but who evidently needed each other as he and Jedediah did.

He nodded to the Egyptian and this handed a document to the analyst who received it by opening the long parchment that bore Merenkahre's polished handwriting.

_This... this is... - the man began to say when he read what was written - I don't... understand.

_It is an official designation on the part of both for you - the ex-Pharaoh clarified.

_But… Why? For what? - the analyst questioned them again.

_In short, because I doubt that Loki will stay calm for a long time when he knows that you are here, we are going to have my son walking through those doors looking for you and, if I have interpreted your personality well from what I know of the story of both, the status of Loki's was one of the reasons why you didn't tell him that you loved him when you should.

Mobius swallowed hard at this, took a deep breath, and realizing he couldn't fool them, nodded.

_Jedediah must have told you by now, because my husband is a romantic, even if he doesn't believe it himself, but things are different here.

_Yes - accepted the analyst when heard him - He mentioned that... he was a cowboy who had married an Emperor and that the guard and President Roosevelt were in a relationship with...

_My son, Ahkmenrah, Fourth King of the Fourth King, Lord of the Nile and the explorer and adventurer Sacajawea - Merenkahre completed - And I must add that they are very happy couples, once they have overcome the prejudices and fears that all of them had, of course.

_Then, you give me this to...

_So that you do not hesitate to do what your heart commands when you see him enter - he said, staring at him - So that you do not let a meaningless thing as your social position prevent you from being happy and making my son happy. Especially after everything he's had to go through.

And since, of course, his readings on future events were usually spot on, hurried footsteps were felt approaching, with the furthest voices of Larry and Jedediah calling for a Loki who was evidently coming in search of the owner of his heart.