"You've really never ridden a horse?" Larry asked incredulously, staring at Ahk in openmouthed surprise. Ahk shook his head.
"When I was Pharaoh, Larry, horses were not in Egypt, not even to pull Chariots. The closest I have ever come to riding a horse was when Nick and I rode Rexy whilst chasing Cecil to retrieve my tablet." He sounded slightly sad, but there was soft smile on his face at the memory.
Larry blushed slightly at the cute expression on the Pharaoh's adorable face, and stumbling slightly over his words, asked, "W-well, I can ride. Wanna see if we can borrow Texas for a short while?" The blush amplified as Ahk looked up with a beaming smile glowing across his face.
"Yes, please!" Larry stood, trying and failing to not blush even more, and yelled for Teddy out his office door, where he and Ahk had been watching Lord of the Rings. Ahk had made an offhand comment about how he had never ridden a horse, and Larry had paused the movie, not quite sure if he had heard Ahk right.
Teddy showed up a few minutes later, Sacagawea seated behind him and holding onto his waist. Larry felt Ahk's hopeful and excited presence behind him, the body heat from his exposed chest radiating onto his shoulder.
"Lawrence, my boy! What do you need?" Teddy greeted in his usual booming way, his face bright with an enormous smile at the two. Texas snorted in greeting, nuzzling Larry's shoulder fondly. Ahk hesitantly patted the horses nose, smiling like a child when Tex mouthed at his fingers fondly.
"I was wondering if we could borrow Texas for a while. Ahkmenrah here has never ridden a horse." Larry met Ahk's eyes and grinned, the young pharaoh next to him smiling cheekily back. Teddy looked behind him at Sacagawea, grinned, and dismounted. He helped Sacagawea down, and passed Texas's reins to Larry.
"Have him back before Sundown. Have fun my boy." He gave a knowing smile and walked off with Sacagawea. Teddy knew that Larry was actually very good at riding now, because after he initially borrowed Texas while chasing Cecil down, Teddy had promptly told him that his form was godawful and had given him several weeks of lessons. Now, he knew how to ride rather well. Larry led Ahk and Texas out back via the loading ramp, before mounting and helping Ahk up behind him.
"Hang onto me." He said, guiding Ahk's arms around his waist, blushing as he did so. The younger man didn't hesitate, and held on tightly, his chin resting on Larry's shoulder. The night was warm, and the moon full, giving a bright glow on the grass between the concrete. Larry picked up the reins as Texas snorted and scented the fresh air.
"Let's go Tex." Larry said, tapping his heels into the horse's side gently. The stallion took off at a gentle trot, and Larry could feel Ahk's happiness behind him as his arms tightened. They didn't speak for a long time, just listened to the sounds of shoed hoof beats along the concrete as Texas cantered along, Larry leading them to the park.
Upon reaching the park, Larry slowed Texas down to a walk, letting the horse meander along as Ahk looked about him, smiling in wonder.
"It's beautiful…" He breathed, wide eyes taking in the huge trees, dirt walkways through the forests, and the moonlight casting a silvery glow on the leaves.
"Yeah." Agreed Larry, giving Tex's neck a gentle pat. "What do you think of horseback riding?" He turns and meet's Ahk's bright eyes and blushes when he sees the content smile and blush on the younger man's face.
"It's wonderful Larry."
"A… ah. Yeah. It really is." He turns back, hiding his growing blush. Ahk, upon realizing this, tightens his arms around the night guard's waist and cuddles close to his back. Larry lets out a breath of surprise, but smiles softly, and turns Texas back towards the museum, heading back at a smooth lope. A few minutes later, and some breathless laughter later, he is galloping Tex down the drive to the loading dock, Ahk's cloak streaming out behind him. Larry slows the horse to a stop, and jumps down, helping Ahk to slide off. Texas nibbles at his jacket as he leads the horse and Ahkmenrah back to their exhibits just as the sun starts to come up.
He returns Texas back to a knowingly smiling Teddy with a thank you, and he walks with Ahk back to his exhibit.
"Thank you very much for the wonderful evening Larry." Ahk says with utmost seriousness and a smile. Larry blushes and scratches the back of his head awkwardly.
"Y-Yeah man. No problem." He meets the green eyes, and holds out his arms for a hug, with a tilt of his head. Ahk rushes into his arms with surprising speed, holding Larry close to his chest. The night guard hugs him close, getting the feeling that Ahk has been affection deprived for far, far too long. Ahk pulls back reluctantly with a blissful smile on his face.
"I must be back into my sarcophagus. I will see you tomorrow, yes?" He sounds hopeful, and Larry knows that he could never disappoint him.
"Yep. See you tomorrow." Larry gives him a smile and watches as Ahk climbs into his Sarcophagus. He shuts the lid and locks it after he returns to his mummified state when the sun rises, the tablet stopping its golden glow. He walks away, whistling, tired, but still smiling, remembering their ride in the park. He knows that he will never forget it, not even in old age.