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justsomerandomfanfic · 11 days ago

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A Midnight Waltz With The Pharaoh - Ahkmenrah X Female Reader

Title: A Midnight Waltz With The Pharaoh

Ahkmenrah X Female Reader

Additional Characters: Larry, Teddy, Sacagawea (Mentioned), Dexter, Rexy, Octavius, Jed, Reader's friends, Nick (Mentioned), Christopher Columbus (Mentioned), Eastern Island Head (Mentioned), and The Huns (Mentioned)

WC: 4,154

Warnings: Halloween fic, italics, teasing, banter, flirting?, nicknames, confession, friends to lovers, and it's just a lot of fluff

The golden leaves of Autumn gently blew in the October breeze, making their way to the ground. Sidewalks and nearby parks were practically covered in fallen, dead leaves; in hues of gold, yellow, red, and brown. Street lamps were on bright, lighting the way for those few who passed by in the dark of night. It was the middle of the month, on a weekday. You were helping Larry decorate for the upcoming spooky holiday; Halloween - with some additional help from a few of the other exhibits.

Teddy and Sacagawea were helping set up the little plastic, glow-in-the-dark pumpkins; placing them on the front desk with the fake battery candles that they had placed earlier. Dexter - who had always had a soft spot for you, and never misbehaved with you - helped with sticking the paper black bats, ghosts, and pumpkins to the walls. And, with the help of Rexy - and Octavius and Jed leading the dino - you were able to hang up the many paper banners, and fairy lights.

Halloween was a couple of days away, and you were super excited. Halloween was probably your favorite holiday. You loved the costumes, the food, the candy, parties, movies; just having fun. It was a time that made you feel like a kid again. You loved Halloween, so much so, that the day after Halloween, you were back to planning the next one. You always ended up with a plan for your Halloween costume months before the actual date.

Finishing the many banners and fairy lights, you thanked Rexy for helping you, giving him a few rubs on the nose. "Thanks, Rexy." You cooed, before looking down at the remote-controlled car, "And thank you, Oct and Jed. You both were a great help."

"It was our pleasure to assist you, dear friend," Octavius spoke, his head popping out the window.

"Yeah," Jed, popped his own head out the driver's side window, "Let us know if ya need any more help!" He tipped his hat.

Nodding, you waved them goodbye for the time being, watching as Rexy followed after his bone, down the hall.

"What an enchanting transformation," You heard a voice, making your smile instantly brighten. Turning around, you watched as Ahkmenrah entered the main room. His golden attire reflected beautifully against the museum lights as his eyes surveyed the Halloween decorations for a moment, before turning back to look at you. "Are these apparitions and pumpkins a part of your more modern festivities?"

Walking over, you felt butterflies instantly erupt in your stomach, you clasped your hands together in front of you. "Yeah, we use ghosts, bats, pumpkins, witches, and more for Halloween. Anything creepy and spooky is used." You shrugged, "Fun, right?"

He nodded, his head tilting slightly to the side as he looked at all of the decorations. "Indeed. The holiday does sound quite enjoyable." You had actually explained Halloween to Ahkmenrah a while ago. He knew the history, the traditions, and whatnot. Overall, you were really excited for Ahkmenrah to experience his first-ever Halloween. Well, with you, at least.

You couldn't help the way your heart raced whenever Ahkmenrah was near. His radiant, gentle smile, deep blue eyes that seemed to hold centuries of wisdom, and the way he carried himself with such effortless grace had captivated you from the moment you met him.

It was unlike anything you'd ever experienced. This soft, flowy feeling that seemed to wash over you whenever he was near, or even when just his image crossed your mind. It wasn’t just his undeniable good looks; it was the way he spoke, gentle yet commanding, and the kindness that radiated from him like the sun. And oh, how easy it would be to worship that sun, to bask in his warmth forever, if only you had the chance.

The thought made your cheeks flush, and you mentally shook your head, embarrassed by how hopelessly smitten you sounded, even in your own mind.

Quickly snapping out of your thoughts, you cleared your throat. "So, are you planning to dress up for the Halloween party tomorrow night?"

He looked at you curiously, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Dress up?"

"Yeah, like in a costume," You explained, "If you want, I can go out and find something for you in the morning. We could make you a wizard or... I don’t know, anything you want!" You laughed softly, your excitement bubbling over.

Ahkmenrah chuckled, a sound that made your heart instantly flutter. "I appreciate the offer, but I think being a Pharaoh will suffice."

You grinned, rolling your eyes playfully. "Fair enough. You’re kind of a natural at it."

"Perhaps it's the centuries of practice,” His smile widened, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, "And what about you?" He then asked, his expression turning curious. "What will you be for this celebration?"

"Oh, uh, it’s a surprise," You replied, fidgeting slightly with your hands in front of you. "It’s part of a group costume with my friends. We planned it months ago."

"Your friends?" He tilted his head. "You were planning to spend the holiday with them?"

"Yeah, we usually go to a party together every year," You admitted, a small smile on your lips. "But this year, I decided I’d stay here and celebrate with you, Larry, Rexy, Dexter, and everyone else."

"Have you considered asking Larry if your friends could join us here?" Ahkmenrah suggested, and his question made you pause.

You shrugged, the idea hadn’t really crossed your mind. "I don’t know if that’s allowed. You know, with the whole secret about the exhibits being alive and all." You gestured vaguely. "It’s not like the special night program we do sometimes where everything’s staged. This would be... Different."

Ahkmenrah nodded thoughtfully. "I see. That is quite understandable. Still, if it’s something you’d like, perhaps Larry could make an exception."

You shook your head, waving your hand in the air dismissively. "Nah, it’s okay. My friends don’t mind, and honestly, neither do I. I’d rather be here with yo- everyone. It feels more special this way. Our first Halloween all together."

His expression softened, his warm smile making your heart skip a beat. "Then I look forward to celebrating this holiday with you. It will be... A night to remember."

"Yeah," You murmured, returning his smile as warmth spread through your chest. "It definitely will be."

~~~

Later that night, a few hours before dawn, as you were busy playing hide-and-seek with Dexter, Ahkmenrah made his way through the museum with determination. His footsteps echoed through the quiet halls as he searched room to room, finally finding Larry and Teddy; spotting them from the balcony near the stairs.

He approached them, his usual calm demeanor replaced with a subtle urgency. He had been thinking about it for a good thirty minutes now, and he felt that it was important.

“Larry,” He began, his voice steady but with an edge of sincerity, Larry turned, raising an eyebrow, but his face softened when he saw the seriousness in the Pharaoh's expression. He glanced at Teddy and back, “I apologize for interrupting.”

“Nonsense,” Teddy grinned, “We were just finishing up away. Besides, I should go check on Sacagawea before the night ends.” He bowed curtly to both of the men, “Ahkmenrah. Lawrence.” With a final nod, Teddy turned and exited the room, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he left.

Once Teddy was out of earshot, Larry turned his attention to Ahkmenrah, a curious glint in his eye. "So," He began, a half-smile forming, “What’s up, Ahk?”

The Pharaoh hesitated for a moment, then spoke clearly, “I have something I must ask of you.”

~~~

The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as you scrambled through the museum, making sure everything was set for the Halloween party. The walls were lined with banners, paper ghosts hung from the ceiling, and soft fairy lights flickered in the dark corners, casting a warm glow over everything. The punch bowl sat on the table, the bright orange liquid inside reflecting the light from the nearby jack-o'-lanterns. You made sure it was filled and had enough cups around it, then turned to double-check the party games.

The board game stack was neatly arranged, and the pin-the-broom-on-the-witch poster was ready to be hung. You had planned this party carefully, wanting it to be perfect - it only made sense why you were the one to organize the party, you were the museum’s event coordinator after all - and now, it was finally coming together.

The music from an old Halloween playlist drifted through the air - classic spooky tracks mixed with upbeat songs like “Thriller” and “Ghostbusters.” The eerie melodies provided the perfect backdrop as you hummed along, adding the final touches to the decorations you had helped set up the day before. Your eyes flickered to the clock on the wall. It wasn’t quite time for everyone to arrive, but you were ready for them. The sun was just beginning to set…

“Everything ready?” You heard Larry from beside you.

Turning, you nodded your head and let out a sigh, “Yeah, all ready, and almost time for our guests to arrive.” It was only then that you realized Larry wasn’t dressed up at all. He was still dressed in his usual night guard uniform. “You’re not dressing up?” You asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m in my costume. I’m a night guard.”

You huffed, rolling your eyes. "Really, Larry? That's your idea of a costume?"

He shot you a grin. "It’s a classic."

You only huffed in reply.

Soon enough, the party was in full swing, and you found yourself standing by the punch bowl, watching the chaos unfold. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the energy in the room was infectious.

Teddy and Sacagawea were sitting together on Teddy’s platform, chatting; just being a couple of love birds. Meanwhile, Rexy was running around like a playful puppy, chasing after Nick, who was dressed in an inflatable dinosaur costume. The two were having a hilarious race around the room.

On the front desk, Jed and Oct danced together, trying to outdo each other with moves that ranged from unexpectedly graceful to downright goofy; drawing a small crowd of other miniatures who cheered them on. Dexter was also dancing on the front desk, wearing a little cowboy hat you’d given him. It was a perfect fit.

Everyone was having an amazing time, most, if not all, of the exhibits dancing on the large dance floor. Even the Eastern Island Head was humming along to the music from the hallway.

And then you looked up, your attention on Ahkmenrah, who stood on the balcony. His hands flew over the DJ controls, but it was his body - how he moved - that caught your eye. His movements were mesmerizing, you couldn’t help but stare as a smile graced your lips. Suddenly, he met your gaze, grinning widely when he caught sight of you. He waved and continued to shimmy, his hips moving to the beat of "Monster Mash". You smiled in return and waved back, a warm feeling filling your chest, and embarrassment for getting caught staring.

"Hey, kid," Larry's voice broke through your thoughts, pulling your attention away from the balcony. You tried to act nonchalant, despite your face burning from getting caught.

"Yeah, Larry?" You asked, forcing a casual grin as he gave you a knowing look.

He gestured to the museum's front doors with a lazy jab of his thumb. "I think someone is here to see you."

You blinked in surprise, confusion creeping onto your face as you glanced at the doors. "Huh?"

Larry feigned ignorance, before turning you toward the entrance. "Better go answer the door."

He gave you a gentle push in the direction of the doors, and you sighed, rolling your eyes. Looking back at him, you saw him busying himself with another cup of punch. You shook your head, then turned and approached the doors. Tugging the handle, you pushed them open, surprised when you came face to face with two of your best friends.

"Hey, girl!" Your first friend greeted you, pulling you into a tight hug. "Thought you could party without us?"

You stood there, stunned, your mouth hanging open for a moment before you burst into laughter. "What- what are you guys doing here?" You asked, still in shock, but excited all the same.

Your second friend grinned, "Your friend Larry called us," They said with a wink. “A Halloween party at midnight? Amazing! Why didn't you invite us?” They pouted jokingly, making you huff.

“I wasn't sure my boss would let me. But he called you so…” You shrugged as your first friend peered over your shoulder.

“It looks like everyone from the night program is here.” They spoke and you let out a nervous chuckle.

“Yeah, we’re all really close. They are practically family.” You tried to sound as convincing as possible, but it was true, and your friends seemed to buy it. "How did Larry get their numbers?" You then thought, but that didn't matter. Grinning, you pulled your two friends inside, feeling the warmth of the museum flood over you as you laughed excitedly. "Nevermind all that though! I can't believe you’re here! This is going to be so much fun!"

You looked back at Larry, hoping for some explanation as to why your friends were here, but he only nodded toward the balcony, gesturing to Ahkmenrah with a subtle nudge of his head. You looked up just in time to see Ahkmenrah glance down at you. The moment his eyes met yours, he grinned, and as if on cue, your favorite Halloween song started playing. It filled the room, the familiar beat echoing in your chest. His smile turned playful, and with a quick wink, he pointed down at you from the balcony; dedicating the song to you.

Your first friend wiggled their eyebrows at you, a teasing smile on their lips. "Is that your boyfriend?" They teased, voice filled with mischief as they nudged you in the side.

"No, uh, he’s just-" But the words got lost as your excitement overtook you. Trying to ignore your warm cheeks, you grabbed both of your friends’ hands, pulling them toward the dancefloor with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. "Let’s dance! We’ve got a Halloween tradition to keep alive!"

The three of you joined the crowd, dancing, laughing, and enjoying the night. And in that moment, surrounded by friends, music, and the warmth of the museum, you felt like everything was perfect.

You made sure to thank Ahkmenrah later.

~~~

As the night continued, you found yourself in front of the museum’s front desk, laughing as you held Dexter’s tiny furry hands. The capuchin monkey stood on the desk, chittering excitedly, his head nodding to the beat of the Halloween song playing softly in the background.

“You’re quite the dancer, Dexter,” You teased, swaying back and forth, exaggerating your movements to match his jerky little hops. His mischievous chatter filled the air, and you couldn’t help but grin. You spun him gently, his tiny paws grasping your hand as you twirled him like a ballroom dancer. “A regular Fred Astaire, aren’t you?” Dexter responded with a dramatic squeak, hopping up and down in excitement, clearly enjoying the attention, his cowboy hat having fallen off a while ago. “Thanks for being my dance partner tonight, buddy,” You said softly, your voice affectionate.

From the corner of your eye, you noticed Ahkmenrah walking towards the both of you, watching with an amused smile on his face. He stopped beside you - a few mere feet away - leaning against the front desk, arms crossed.

"You two make quite the dancing pair," He remarked, his voice carrying easily over the low music.

You glanced up at him, cheeks flushing slightly as you rolled your eyes playfully. “Jealous, your Highness?” You quipped as Dexter jumped up on your shoulder, “He’s a great dancer.”

Dexter, seemingly satisfied with his performance, hopped down from your shoulder and scampered toward the punch bowl, leaving you and Ahkmenrah alone.

The Pharaoh stepped closer, his hands now clasped behind his back as he regarded you with an expression that was equal parts gentle and intent. Then, with a graceful motion, he extended his hand toward you, palm up, his golden bracelets catching the soft light.

“Would you do me the honor of a dance?” He asked, his eyes locking onto yours, and without hesitation, you placed your hand in his.

“I’d love to,” You replied before he gently guided you toward the center of the makeshift dance floor.

As if on cue, the music transitioned seamlessly into a slow, romantic melody that seemed almost too perfect for the moment; though a bit odd since it wasn’t very Halloweeny, but you didn’t mind. You glanced up at him in surprise, a grin tugging at your lips. “Did you plan this?”

Ahkmenrah smiled down at you as he placed his free hand lightly at your waist, the other still holding yours. “Perhaps,” He teased, “Or perhaps the universe simply wanted this moment to be ours.”

You couldn’t help but laugh softly as you looked up at the DJ booth on the balcony, spotting Larry manning the console. As he led you in the slow dance, it struck you how effortlessly he made you feel as if you belonged right there, in his arms.

“You look beautiful tonight,” He murmured after a moment, his voice so soft you almost missed it. “I had planned to tell you earlier.”

You looked up at him, surprised by the quiet confession. “Thank you,” You replied. “You’re not too bad yourself.”

Your fingers brushed against the intricate beads on his shoulder, adorning his wesekh, tracing their smooth texture absently as you lowered your eyes, suddenly overwhelmed by the weight of his gaze. Nervously, you glanced around the room, seeking distraction.

One of your friends was animatedly chatting with Christopher Columbus - your friend was fluent in Italian - their laughter carried faintly over the music, while your other friend was enthusiastically teaching the rules to Monopoly to the Huns, who were listening with rapt attention.

The sight brought a small smile to your lips, and your nerves settled slightly as you looked back up at Ahkmenrah. The question lingered on your mind until it tumbled out. “Did you ask Larry to invite my friends?” You asked, your voice tinged with curiosity. “I mean… I only ever told you about that tradition with them.”

Ahkmenrah’s smile grew softer, almost bashful, as he nodded. “I did,” He admitted, “You spoke of them with such fondness, and it was clear how important they are to you. I wanted you to have them here tonight - to share in something that brings you joy.”

His words left you momentarily speechless, your heart swelling in your chest. “That’s incredibly thoughtful. Thank you.”

He looked at you, almost shyly, and after a beat, his lips curled into that familiar smile, “I must admit, seeing you smile as brightly as you did when your friends arrived… It reminded me of something… The way the sun catches on the Nile, early in the morning, reflecting off the water…”

The way his words tumbled out with such tenderness made your heart skip. You felt your cheeks flush, warmth spreading across your face as you glanced away, trying to suppress the giggle bubbling up in your chest. You bit your lip, trying to steady yourself, but you couldn’t hide the shy, giddy smile tugging at your lips.

Ahkmenrah leaned in slightly, and your breath hitched as his hand left your waist to gently cup your chin, guiding your face upward so you couldn’t look away. He then gently brushed his thumb across your bottom lip, releasing it from your teeth, his touch tender and slow.

“You have the most captivating eyes,” He murmured, his voice low and smooth, “They remind me of the rarest gems - eyes that could belong to a goddess. They gleam with the light of ancient stars, timeless and beautiful. It’s impossible not to be drawn to them… To you.” You stared up at him in awe, unable to form words. His words wrapped around your heart, making your pulse quicken. "You are truly breathtaking," He muttered, his voice soft but filled with an undeniable intensity, as if each word was a vow.

You didn’t know when the dancing had stopped, nor did you care. Everything felt suspended in time, as if the world had momentarily stopped spinning just for the two of you. His touch, the warmth of his hands on your skin, and the magnetic pull between you both was undeniable.

You could feel your pulse hammering in your chest as his blue eyes drifted from your eyes to your lips and back again. You could almost hear his heart matching the rhythm of yours, each beat drawing you closer. His gaze was filled with such quiet intensity, as though he was memorizing every little detail of you - your expressions, the way your chest rose and fell, the softness of your skin beneath his fingers.

His free hand - once clasped in yours - slowly slipped from yours to cup your other cheek. You leaned into his touch instinctively, your own hands finding their way to rest on his broad shoulders. The heat of his hands against your skin, his nearness, made you sigh.

You breathed his name softly, breathlessly. “Ahk…”

At the sound of your voice, he leaned closer, his nose brushing against yours, sending a shiver throughout your body. You could feel the warmth of his breath against your lips, each passing second stretching out like eternity. His hands gently cradled your face, tilting it just so, as if asking for permission - permission to bridge the space between you.

Your heart was racing, your mind a whirlwind of thoughts, yet there was only one thing that mattered in that moment: him.

He paused for a beat, his eyes searching yours, reading the quiet desire in your gaze. Then, without a word, he closed the distance between you. His lips brushed against yours at first, a feather-light touch that sent a thrill through your body. And then, sensing the soft sigh that escaped your lips, he deepened the kiss, pulling you closer.

Every inch of you seemed to melt into him, your entire being consumed by the softness, the heat, the intensity of the moment. His lips were warm, gentle, and yet there was an underlying passion in every movement. The world outside of him ceased to exist.

In his arms, you felt infinite, as if nothing could ever break this perfect moment. His kiss was everything you had dreamed of and more. When you finally pulled away, you both stood there, forehead to forehead, eyes still closed, breathing deeply. The softness of his touch still lingered on your skin, and the weight of his gaze, the truth in it, was more than enough to make your heart soar.

And in that moment, as you stood there in the quiet after the kiss, you both knew there was no going back. You were his, and he was yours. Mind, body, and soul.

But then, from behind you, a teasing wolf-whistle broke the stillness, making your cheeks flush with heat. You instantly pulled away from him, embarrassed, your heart pounding in your chest. Ahkmenrah’s grip on you tightened instinctively as you ducked your head, leaning into his chest to hide your burning face.

"Yeah! Get it, girl!" Your friend called out, their voice playful and loud enough for everyone to hear.

You could feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he held you, his warmth enveloping you like a comforting shield.

You sighed against him, a soft laugh escaping your lips despite the heat flooding your face. "I wasn’t expecting that."

"Don’t worry," He murmured softly, "They mean no harm." You then looked back up at him, your heart fluttering in your chest. His eyes softened when they met yours. He leaned down slightly, his lips brushing against your forehead in the most gentle of kisses. “Now, my lotus… Let us dance."

You smiled up at him, heart full, the weight of the moment lingering as the soft melody of the slow song faded into the background. The upbeat rhythm of “Heads Will Roll” suddenly blasted through the speakers, and your excitement reignited. You felt a rush of energy surge through you once more, and without missing a beat, you grinned at Ahkmenrah.

With a laugh, you took his hand, tugging him into the rhythm of the song. He gave you a surprised but delighted grin, before he twirled you out and back into his arms. You couldn't stop smiling, knowing that the night, and this moment, would stay with you for as long as you lived.

~~~

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