To Bexa with angst part 2!
Alright sorry I took so long with this one.
I'm surprised I finally managed to get it done, woot.
I hope you guys enjoy the last chapter! I'm so nervous about this one.
There might be some typos and what not lol, but either way enjoy!
The next day when the sun had finally set Jedediah slowly emerged from his tent and looked around confused. 'I think I drank to much last night.. What the hell happened?'
He walked over to check on Octavius and saw a group of his own men standing around the General, he frowned when he came closer seeing pooled below Octavius.
"Hey what in tar nation do ya guys think yer doing? Leave him alone!"
The group of men backed away and shook they're head, one spoke up.
"We weren't doin' nothin boss, we's just checkin' yer handy work."
Jed walked around and stood in front of the General and look to the man who spoke up in shock, brief flashes of last nigh slowly breaking through the fog.
"I-I couldn't have done this, I was drinkin' in my tent, I woke up in my tent.. I.."
"We saw ya, drunk as a fiddler's clerk, sitting right here" He pointed to the floor by the stocks. "Yelling at the General"
Jed felt his stomach turn horribly as though he was about to upchuck anytime soon, he waved his men away, who without question quickly went about their own business.
Sinking to the floor Jed looked up at the unconscious Octavius, what he did to the other man was dishonorable, beating a man when he's locked down wasn't a fair fight at all, sure he was upset that the General had snuck into his tent, he might have exaggerated a little when he thought he was trying to kill him, but now that he stopped and thought about it that just didn't seem like something the proud Roman would do.
He stared up at the bruised and bloodied face, even still the man looked handsome... Wait handsome? Jedediah never thought any man was handsome, maybe it was because of how exotic the Roman was to him, coming from a different century, his accent, they way he held himself, his thoughts and ways of life.
Shaking his head the younger man sighed, gosh darn it, he wasn't supposed to be feeling this way towards his rival, he felt torn inside, that kinda thinking wasn't allowed.
A weak groan caught his attention, Octavius slowly stirred, a small whimper of pain escaping his lips as he tried to stretch his body.
Scared chocolate eyes were then staring into worried blue ones.
"Octavius.. Wha-" Started Jedediah but Octavius started to panic and struggle against the stocks, quickly Jed reached over and unlocked him.
The General suddenly pulled away and collapsed to the ground, his body sore and unwilling to move, Jed was instantly by his side.
"H-hey it's ok, I ain't gonna hurt ya.. Can ya tell me what happened last night?"
"You, you're what happened!" Yelled Octavius, his voice cracked and hoarse as he pointed an accusing finger "You a-and that damned drink of yours! G-get away from me!"
The cowboys stomach turned violently as he watched Octavius stare at him with horror in his eyes, the beaten man struggling to drag himself away but soon fell again to the floor, Jed tried to reach out and help him but Octavius panicked even more.
"Don't touch me, please Gods not again, please don't touch me!"
Lowering his hand and licking his dried lips, Jed dropped his voice to a hushed tone, he had a feeling something more that a beating happened.
"Octavius.. What did I do?"
Octavius' back arched and drop with each breath, slowly he was able to find his breath and stared down Jedediah.
"Y-you.. you forced.." Biting his lip the Roman struggled to keep the tears at bay "You forced yourself... u-upon me"
Both men were silent as Jed let the words slowly sink in, he closed his eyes as more of last night memories came back.
He remembered forcing himself into Octavius mouth, watching as he struggled to breath, the blood flowing from his broken nose, watching as the life slowly began to leave his body that ached for air, smacking his face till he came back around.
"Oh God Octavius.. I-I didn't know.. I mean I don't remember.. I was.."
He knew being drunk was no good excuse for what he did, he felt sicker than ever, how could he have done such a horrible thing. God he was so pissed with himself, he deserved to go stand outside and wait for the sun.
Octavius watched the Cowboy silently, he felt himself start to panic when anger crossed his face, thinking not that the Cowboy would be angry with himself, breathing became increasingly harder, his vision was swimming, his body started to shake.
Jedediah snapped out of his thoughts when he saw the General start to shake and his eyes roll back.
'Shit!'
Jed reached out and took the General into his arms, trying to calm the panicked man.
"S-somebody help!" He cried out, wasn't long till a few men joined his side and helped him pick up the jerking body.
"Look's like he's havin' a panic attack Jed" One said and another spoke up. "We need to get him somewhere safe, get him cleaned up."
Jed nodded and helped the guys lays down the now unconscious Octavius and watched as one brought a bowl of hot water and some cloths, Jed reached out and took the items.
"I'll clean him up.. This is all my fault.. I need ya to go get a doctor and you go let the Romans know he's over here, case they wanna come grab him.."
His men nodded and ran off, he turned to Octavius and gently removed his armor, he started with washing his face of the blood, he went over to his own clothes and pulled out a pair of pants, they didn't quite fit him but it'd be good enough for Octavius.
Careful not to look he pulled the pants over Octavius hips and removed his tunic.
We he saw the rest of his body he couldn't take it anymore, the Generals torso was covered black and blue, he bolted out of the tent and started throwing up.
He felt a hand on his back and looked up seeing the doctor.
"I'll take over Jedediah..."
"Thanks" Jed winced at how cracked his voice sounded.
After some time several Roman guards approached and entered the tent, none bothering to look at the Cowboy. They re-emerged with the General, who was slowly waking up and leaning on a one of his guards, one carried his clothes and armor.
Jed was about to stand up and ask the guards if Octavius was ok when one of them shoved him back to the ground and glared.
He stayed down and watched them leave until they were out of sight.
"I gotta fix this.."
Several days passed by and not one minute was Jedediah not thinking of Octavius, he knew what he had planned wouldn't make up for what he did, he'd spend the rest of his life making up for what he did.
He fought with himself about what he was feeling and knew he couldn't fight it no more.
He wanted that poetic speaking skirt wearer in his life, whether it was through daily wars or him maybe someday becoming his lover, he didn't care, he needed him.
He sat on the ledge of his Diorama waiting for any sign of the General, not long ago he sent one of his men to go and tell Octavius that he had a peace offering to give, after that he told all his men to go take a walk, which they all agreed, none of them wanted to see what Jed had planned.
Soon Octavius appeared followed by two guards which he had stand back as he stood in front of Jed, his face hard and cold, but Jed could see the hurt and pain in his eyes.
"One of your men said you had a peace offering. Let's see it and see if it's worthy of an offering."
The younger man could hear the hate and hurt laced in the words and slowly stood up.
"Ya sure.. Listen Octy-"
"It's Octavius" Corrected the General
"Octavius" Repeated Jed "I.. I just wanna say how sorry I am.."
"I came here to see your peace offering not to listen to your lies"
Octavius turned to walk away but Jed reached out and grabbed his wrist spinning him round to face him.
Octavius face cracked and panic started to seep through, Jed instantly let go and raised his hands in defeat when the guards drew there swords.
"P-please, I got an offering, just hear me out.."
Octavius swallowed nervously before nodding warily.
"I've been thinking.. a lot, mostly about ya.. I tried tellin' myself it's wrong, I mean guys don't think like that here, it's not right.. But I can't stop it, it's tearin' me apart knowin' that I hurt ya and how I feel for ya.."
The older man listened in confusion as Jed started rambling, Jed went quiet and licked his lips, he turned and ran over to a wagon full of brown bottles.
Octavius watched curiously and stepped closer but covered his mouth when the smell of moonshine hit him.
"Jedediah.. if this is some joke.. How dare you offer this filthy and foul drink as an offering!"
"No it's not an offering.. Well sorta.. Just.. Let me show ya"
Jed started removing wooden blocks set in front of the wheels all the while talking out loud.
"I'm givin it up, no more drinkin, I'm probably gonna get the shit beat outta me when the boys get back, they love this stuff, but I ain't gonna have this stuff around no more...
It ain't no excuse for what I did.. But I.. "
Jed went silent as his face turned red. Octavius watched in shock as Jedediah started pushing the wagon towards the ledge of the Diorama, he knew how much the Cowboy's loved their drink, he knew how much Jedediah loved his drink.
They both watched the wagon fall over the edge, never once did Jed frown or flinch at the sound of crashing bottles and wood, he kept his eyes on the Generals face.
"Why?" Was all the General could ask as Jed sunk to his knees.
"Yer more important ta me than drinking and I wanna spend the rest of my nights making it all up to ya. What I did was horrible, I should be hung for what I did.. I.. I don't know what it is I feel for ya, not sure if it's l-love.. But I feel somethin' for ya... Please forgive me?"
Octavius felt his heart swell from his actions and words, he knew Jed was baring himself to him.
He reached down and grabbed Jedediah arm and pulled him up.
"The rest of your nights?" Jed nodded "Forever.."
Octavius smiled slowly at first, soon Jed was smiling as he leaned closer letting his lips barely brush the older mans lips, quickly he pulled back.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't.. I just-" Octavius silenced him by putting a finger to his lips.
"It's ok.. I accept your apology.. I may not forgive you today or the next day.. One day maybe.."
"I'll do what I can to earn it.."
Octavius nodded and turned to head back to his Diorama before stopped and glancing back to the Cowboy.
"I shall see you tomorrow night then.. I get to drive.."
"Sure thing partner.." Jed felt relief flow through his body as he watch Octavius disappear, he heard loud footstep and saw Larry approaching.
The night guard sighed at the mess on the floor and glared at Jedediah.
"I hope you don't think I'm cleaning up whatever that is"
The cowboy paled and looked over the ledge at the mess, he was definitely going to have his hands full for quite some time
I'm surprised I finally managed to get it done, woot.
I hope you guys enjoy the last chapter! I'm so nervous about this one.
There might be some typos and what not lol, but either way enjoy!
The next day when the sun had finally set Jedediah slowly emerged from his tent and looked around confused. 'I think I drank to much last night.. What the hell happened?'
He walked over to check on Octavius and saw a group of his own men standing around the General, he frowned when he came closer seeing pooled below Octavius.
"Hey what in tar nation do ya guys think yer doing? Leave him alone!"
The group of men backed away and shook they're head, one spoke up.
"We weren't doin' nothin boss, we's just checkin' yer handy work."
Jed walked around and stood in front of the General and look to the man who spoke up in shock, brief flashes of last nigh slowly breaking through the fog.
"I-I couldn't have done this, I was drinkin' in my tent, I woke up in my tent.. I.."
"We saw ya, drunk as a fiddler's clerk, sitting right here" He pointed to the floor by the stocks. "Yelling at the General"
Jed felt his stomach turn horribly as though he was about to upchuck anytime soon, he waved his men away, who without question quickly went about their own business.
Sinking to the floor Jed looked up at the unconscious Octavius, what he did to the other man was dishonorable, beating a man when he's locked down wasn't a fair fight at all, sure he was upset that the General had snuck into his tent, he might have exaggerated a little when he thought he was trying to kill him, but now that he stopped and thought about it that just didn't seem like something the proud Roman would do.
He stared up at the bruised and bloodied face, even still the man looked handsome... Wait handsome? Jedediah never thought any man was handsome, maybe it was because of how exotic the Roman was to him, coming from a different century, his accent, they way he held himself, his thoughts and ways of life.
Shaking his head the younger man sighed, gosh darn it, he wasn't supposed to be feeling this way towards his rival, he felt torn inside, that kinda thinking wasn't allowed.
A weak groan caught his attention, Octavius slowly stirred, a small whimper of pain escaping his lips as he tried to stretch his body.
Scared chocolate eyes were then staring into worried blue ones.
"Octavius.. Wha-" Started Jedediah but Octavius started to panic and struggle against the stocks, quickly Jed reached over and unlocked him.
The General suddenly pulled away and collapsed to the ground, his body sore and unwilling to move, Jed was instantly by his side.
"H-hey it's ok, I ain't gonna hurt ya.. Can ya tell me what happened last night?"
"You, you're what happened!" Yelled Octavius, his voice cracked and hoarse as he pointed an accusing finger "You a-and that damned drink of yours! G-get away from me!"
The cowboys stomach turned violently as he watched Octavius stare at him with horror in his eyes, the beaten man struggling to drag himself away but soon fell again to the floor, Jed tried to reach out and help him but Octavius panicked even more.
"Don't touch me, please Gods not again, please don't touch me!"
Lowering his hand and licking his dried lips, Jed dropped his voice to a hushed tone, he had a feeling something more that a beating happened.
"Octavius.. What did I do?"
Octavius' back arched and drop with each breath, slowly he was able to find his breath and stared down Jedediah.
"Y-you.. you forced.." Biting his lip the Roman struggled to keep the tears at bay "You forced yourself... u-upon me"
Both men were silent as Jed let the words slowly sink in, he closed his eyes as more of last night memories came back.
He remembered forcing himself into Octavius mouth, watching as he struggled to breath, the blood flowing from his broken nose, watching as the life slowly began to leave his body that ached for air, smacking his face till he came back around.
"Oh God Octavius.. I-I didn't know.. I mean I don't remember.. I was.."
He knew being drunk was no good excuse for what he did, he felt sicker than ever, how could he have done such a horrible thing. God he was so pissed with himself, he deserved to go stand outside and wait for the sun.
Octavius watched the Cowboy silently, he felt himself start to panic when anger crossed his face, thinking not that the Cowboy would be angry with himself, breathing became increasingly harder, his vision was swimming, his body started to shake.
Jedediah snapped out of his thoughts when he saw the General start to shake and his eyes roll back.
'Shit!'
Jed reached out and took the General into his arms, trying to calm the panicked man.
"S-somebody help!" He cried out, wasn't long till a few men joined his side and helped him pick up the jerking body.
"Look's like he's havin' a panic attack Jed" One said and another spoke up. "We need to get him somewhere safe, get him cleaned up."
Jed nodded and helped the guys lays down the now unconscious Octavius and watched as one brought a bowl of hot water and some cloths, Jed reached out and took the items.
"I'll clean him up.. This is all my fault.. I need ya to go get a doctor and you go let the Romans know he's over here, case they wanna come grab him.."
His men nodded and ran off, he turned to Octavius and gently removed his armor, he started with washing his face of the blood, he went over to his own clothes and pulled out a pair of pants, they didn't quite fit him but it'd be good enough for Octavius.
Careful not to look he pulled the pants over Octavius hips and removed his tunic.
We he saw the rest of his body he couldn't take it anymore, the Generals torso was covered black and blue, he bolted out of the tent and started throwing up.
He felt a hand on his back and looked up seeing the doctor.
"I'll take over Jedediah..."
"Thanks" Jed winced at how cracked his voice sounded.
After some time several Roman guards approached and entered the tent, none bothering to look at the Cowboy. They re-emerged with the General, who was slowly waking up and leaning on a one of his guards, one carried his clothes and armor.
Jed was about to stand up and ask the guards if Octavius was ok when one of them shoved him back to the ground and glared.
He stayed down and watched them leave until they were out of sight.
"I gotta fix this.."
Several days passed by and not one minute was Jedediah not thinking of Octavius, he knew what he had planned wouldn't make up for what he did, he'd spend the rest of his life making up for what he did.
He fought with himself about what he was feeling and knew he couldn't fight it no more.
He wanted that poetic speaking skirt wearer in his life, whether it was through daily wars or him maybe someday becoming his lover, he didn't care, he needed him.
He sat on the ledge of his Diorama waiting for any sign of the General, not long ago he sent one of his men to go and tell Octavius that he had a peace offering to give, after that he told all his men to go take a walk, which they all agreed, none of them wanted to see what Jed had planned.
Soon Octavius appeared followed by two guards which he had stand back as he stood in front of Jed, his face hard and cold, but Jed could see the hurt and pain in his eyes.
"One of your men said you had a peace offering. Let's see it and see if it's worthy of an offering."
The younger man could hear the hate and hurt laced in the words and slowly stood up.
"Ya sure.. Listen Octy-"
"It's Octavius" Corrected the General
"Octavius" Repeated Jed "I.. I just wanna say how sorry I am.."
"I came here to see your peace offering not to listen to your lies"
Octavius turned to walk away but Jed reached out and grabbed his wrist spinning him round to face him.
Octavius face cracked and panic started to seep through, Jed instantly let go and raised his hands in defeat when the guards drew there swords.
"P-please, I got an offering, just hear me out.."
Octavius swallowed nervously before nodding warily.
"I've been thinking.. a lot, mostly about ya.. I tried tellin' myself it's wrong, I mean guys don't think like that here, it's not right.. But I can't stop it, it's tearin' me apart knowin' that I hurt ya and how I feel for ya.."
The older man listened in confusion as Jed started rambling, Jed went quiet and licked his lips, he turned and ran over to a wagon full of brown bottles.
Octavius watched curiously and stepped closer but covered his mouth when the smell of moonshine hit him.
"Jedediah.. if this is some joke.. How dare you offer this filthy and foul drink as an offering!"
"No it's not an offering.. Well sorta.. Just.. Let me show ya"
Jed started removing wooden blocks set in front of the wheels all the while talking out loud.
"I'm givin it up, no more drinkin, I'm probably gonna get the shit beat outta me when the boys get back, they love this stuff, but I ain't gonna have this stuff around no more...
It ain't no excuse for what I did.. But I.. "
Jed went silent as his face turned red. Octavius watched in shock as Jedediah started pushing the wagon towards the ledge of the Diorama, he knew how much the Cowboy's loved their drink, he knew how much Jedediah loved his drink.
They both watched the wagon fall over the edge, never once did Jed frown or flinch at the sound of crashing bottles and wood, he kept his eyes on the Generals face.
"Why?" Was all the General could ask as Jed sunk to his knees.
"Yer more important ta me than drinking and I wanna spend the rest of my nights making it all up to ya. What I did was horrible, I should be hung for what I did.. I.. I don't know what it is I feel for ya, not sure if it's l-love.. But I feel somethin' for ya... Please forgive me?"
Octavius felt his heart swell from his actions and words, he knew Jed was baring himself to him.
He reached down and grabbed Jedediah arm and pulled him up.
"The rest of your nights?" Jed nodded "Forever.."
Octavius smiled slowly at first, soon Jed was smiling as he leaned closer letting his lips barely brush the older mans lips, quickly he pulled back.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't.. I just-" Octavius silenced him by putting a finger to his lips.
"It's ok.. I accept your apology.. I may not forgive you today or the next day.. One day maybe.."
"I'll do what I can to earn it.."
Octavius nodded and turned to head back to his Diorama before stopped and glancing back to the Cowboy.
"I shall see you tomorrow night then.. I get to drive.."
"Sure thing partner.." Jed felt relief flow through his body as he watch Octavius disappear, he heard loud footstep and saw Larry approaching.
The night guard sighed at the mess on the floor and glared at Jedediah.
"I hope you don't think I'm cleaning up whatever that is"
The cowboy paled and looked over the ledge at the mess, he was definitely going to have his hands full for quite some time