Exited was an understatement. You were bursting to get to the museum tonight, not only because you wanted to see what Larry ended up doing with the cat, but you wanted to see Ahkmenrah again.

After that kiss, you just couldn't stop thinking about him. And maybe it was all your thinking about him that manifested your next cool thing, your art teacher wanted to submit your portrait into a competition. You knew Ahk would be exited about that too.

So the second night fell you rushed your way over to the museum, snuck in the side door as usual and skidded down the halls to find where everyone was hanging out for the night. And of course because you were running in the hallways, Rexy assumed that meant playtime. He jumped out in front of you, wagging his bone tail.

"Hey Rexy! Where's the gang huh? Where are they?" You asked.

Seemingly understanding, he reached down and picked you up by your shirt, both shocking you and making you laugh.

"Ahah! You're gonna take me there are you?" You snickered.

He carried you down the hallways, entering into the main entrance room where most of the exhibits were up and roaming.

"Uh- Larry" Teddy spoke up, spotting you dangling from the dinosaurs mouth.

Larry turned and almost got whiplash at the sight.

"HEY! Rexy, drop them! Gently!" He demanded.

"Ah it's fine, I asked him to take me to you guys anyway" you laughed.

"Drop them... Rexy I swear-"

Completely ignoring the gentle part, since he literally didn't even have a brain to think things through, he simply opened his mouth and dropped you. The group was quick to rush over and catch you before you hit the ground, and you landed awkwardly with Sacajawea holding one arm, Larry holding a leg and Ahk with his arms under yours.

"Thanks guys, that would have hurt" you laughed.

Putting you down properly, you caught your balance again and pulled on your shirt to readjust it. Larry sighed, turning to the dinosaur.

"What did I say about gentle?" He said.

Rexy just shook his tail wanting to play fetch. So Larry rolled his eyes and picked up the bone, tossing is down the hall for Rexy to scramble after.

"You ok?" Ahkmenrah asked.

"I'm fine, that was kind of fun actually. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. Guess what?" You replied, practically bursting with joy.

"Uh... what?"

"My portrait of you is being entered into a competition! My teacher thought it was good enough to place in the top three if I entered!"

"Really? See I told you it was amazing!" He smiled.

"All your practice and hard work is paying off (y/n), I'm sure you'll have art hanging in this very museum one day" Teddy congratulated.

"Ahh, I don't know about that. But who knows maybe I'll win this and get some cred in the art world. I have to write a short description about it, which I plan on doing later tonight. With Ahk's help of course, the portrait is of him"

Ahk smiled, glad to be of help. And to have an excuse to spend more time with you.

"I'd be happy to help- oh-" he replied, but was cut off by the feeling of something pulling his cape.

Turning to face it, the cat from last night had wandered on over and began to kneed at the cape trying to make a nice spot to sit.

"Oh he's still here, how'd you manage that?" You asked.

"I threatened to cry if Larry didn't let me keep him" Ahk joked, although that joke probably had some truth to it.

"Turns out the front desk lady is married to a vet. So when she came in as I was ending my shift she offered to get him checked up, and as I was talking about finding it last night the first visitors of the day came in and started cooing over 'the new museum cat'. Long story short the day staff figured he'd be a good mascot" Larry explained.

Well that was awfully convenient, the exhibits liked the cat and so did the visitors. Looks like Ahk would get to keep his sacred cat after all.

"You guys got a name for him?" You asked.

"The staff figured since cats were a thing in Egypt, they'd call it Bastet. Ahk was pleased" Larry replied.

"It's a fitting name for such a cat with a regal attitude. You should have seen him earlier, lounging on my sarcophagus like he owned the thing" Ahk added.

It was definitely a good name for a cat with attitude, a regal appearance and a glare that told you he owned the museum now. If all the day staff loved the new mascot too and themed him after an Egyptian god, you could only imagine the bling on the collar he'd eventually have would be perfectly fitting with the aesthetic of ancient Egypt.

All caught up on the events since last night, and not having any art classes planned for the day because of your latest assignment, the exhibits figured a game of dodge ball would be fun. And Larry was quick to start moving fragile objects out of the way as balls got thrown around.

You and Ahk though, went down to a quieter part of the museum to write your description for your art piece. At the end of one of the halls was a window that overlooked the city, and you both decided to sit by that window to work. Maybe the night sky could give you some inspiration.

"So I've already done the part about the technical stuff. The canvas size, the materials and all. But I also have to write a bit about who the subject is, and why they're important" you explained.

"I suppose you could say it's a rendition of me, since no one really knows what I actually look like. Most people have only seen my sarcophagus... or perhaps my dead mummified body if you're a scientist" Ahkmenrah suggested.

"That's what I was thinking. I'm not sure people would believe me if I said I met the real Ahkmenrah"

Writing down the brief explanation on who he was, you added to your decision.

A2, Charcoal on card.
Ahkmenrah, fourth king of the fourth king.
By (y/n) (l/n)

Ahkmenrah, pharaoh of ancient Egypt only 19 years old at his time of death. His sarcophagus and artefacts are on display at the museum of natural history, where my inspiration for the piece came. Using descriptions, and findings from the time I constructed a rendition of what he may have looked like. Including period accurate clothing and accessories, such as the Deshret crown and Wesekh beaded collar.

"I did get those names right, right? That's what google said anyway" you asked.

"That's right. The Deshret is the crown of lower Egypt, and Wesekh is the proper name for the wide collar of beads" Ahk confirmed.

"Ok good. I'm being historically accurate then... now I need to add about why you're important"

"I don't know, why am I important aside from being a Pharaoh?"

You thought for a moment. There were a lot of reasons you could say he was important. He ruled fairly by all historical accounts you could find, he died young showing even the powerful can experience tragedy, his tomb revealed a lot of information about ancient Egypt that we'd not know if it wasn't excavated. But you couldn't ramble for so long, your description had to be short and to the point.

"Well... you were a fair ruler, made the most of your short time on the throne and remained optimistic despite having a looming doom behind you. And even all these years later you're still on the hunt for knowledge and learning, still looking to be fair and optimistic. You knew what your job was, and you took it seriously with the people in mind rather than yourself" you explained.

A smile cracked on his lips, cheeks a little warm from the praise.

"Well, I don't mean to sound egotistical but I do like to think I was a fair ruler. Compared to my brother I was a lot more fair. If you're a ruler you have to have your people in mind before anything else, they turn to you for guidance after all. It'd be unjust to leave them strung out and only think about yourself" he replied.

"Exactly, you ruled well. Give yourself that credit, it's not egotistical if it's true" you replied.

Picking up your pencil again, you added the last of your description.

Ahkmenrah was an important figure, because in a time plagued with danger and unjust rulers he stayed true to his role as pharaoh and put the people first. He was a fair ruler, something we could all learn from. When you have the privilege to lead a nation, you must put that nation before yourself. For the sake of your people and your land. Ahkmenrah, fourth king of the fourth king is someone who would stay true to his values, even 4000 years later.

"There, that's enough information to submit. Honestly I don't even mind if I don't win. Just having my work on display is amazing enough, the more you get your work and name out there, the more people get to see your hard work and potentially even commission you something for themselves" you said.

"I'm sure you'll win, or at least place. You're bound to with your style and skill, you've put so much work into your art it's be ridiculous not to at least acknowledge you" he complimented.

"Thanks, let's hope I win. I'll use the prize money for even more art"

Closing your notebook and putting it back in your bag, you were finally done with the assignment and only had to hand in the description next class for a grade and to send it off to the judges. Even if you didn't mind if you didn't win, you still hoped you would, with that prize money you could get even better art supplies to make even better art. And of your name got out there you could make art your career.

"(Y/n), about... the other night" Ahkmenrah spoke up, seeming a little nervous.

You tilted your head, showing you were listening.

"Thank you. Truly. For just letting me vent and being judgment free, it feels like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I'd kept all that in for so long, it really needed to come out. And know that I'll gladly return the favour, and if you ever need something, I'll do my best to help" he said.

"Hey, don't even mention it. Sometimes talking just helps, gets it all off your mind. I'll listen whenever you need" you replied.

"And... about the kiss..."

That kiss... that damned kiss. You hadn't stopped thinking about it since it happened, you'd come to the conclusion that yes, you definitely did have a crush on a mummy. And you know what? Why not? He was alive and breathing when the sun set, you could talk to him and see him when the sun set. As long as the moon was out, he was alive. And he was forever a cute young adult despite being 4000 or so years old. Cute, nice, interesting and his slightly dark sense of humour was a nice cherry on top.

"That kiss, yeah?" You replied.

"I... hope that wasn't too out of the blue or anything, it just came over me and-"

"Hey, don't stress it. I liked it, I... like you"

"You do?"

"Would I have kissed you and made a portrait of you if I didn't?"

You had a point, if this were a joke or pity kiss situation it'd have ended a long time ago. You genuinely liked him, and he was head over heels for you. He'd never fallen so hard and fast, and neither had you.

"I'd love to do it again, if you wis-"

He didn't have to finish, you pulled on his beads to bring him in and pressed your lips to his. Again taking in that sweet taste of teas and spices. He didn't object, quickly melted into it and gently placed his hand on your cheek.

You weren't really sure how things would go, since you could only see him at night and such. But you didn't mind, you were willing to work with him to figure it out. Even if it took years, even if it went nowhere you were happy to just give it a shot.

For him, you'd try anything.

"See I told you he had a major crush, it's like Venus herself smacked him with a love spell"

You and Ahk didn't notice the tiny Roman and cowboy down the hall, who were off creating mischief with the RC car when they came across you and the Pharaoh.

"I was wondering when this would happen, man was so hung up it was like watching a rodeo love story" Jedediah said.

"Yes he did make it rather obvious" Octavius replied.

"Let's... leave them to it. And get that $20 Larry owes us for the who'd kiss first bet"