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"Have you gotten your fill of dancing yet, Princess?" a red-headed squire asked of her younger royal companion as the pair twirled in the twilight of the empty courtyard.
Princess Lavinia had been so crestfallen that Jane had decided not to attend the ball proper out of protest to her mother, deeming the very idea of a gown derogatory to her status as a knight in training, that she'd followed the older girl away from the festivities. She'd stared with longing eyes until Jane had seen her and decided to keep the promise she'd made to dance with the princess this night, simply doing it privately instead.
"No, Jane, I want to dance with you forever!" gushed the younger girl excitedly, spinning to face the taller redhead with eyes sparkling in adoration, "It's so much fun! And you're so very good at it! And you're so beautiful, even without a gown! And the courtyard is so romantic! I'd never get to dance with you this much inside! Father would make me dance with all his royal diplomats, and Count Florence always steps on my toes! I'm so glad I snuck away!"
Matching the spin and pausing their mirrored moves, Jane chuckled as the little princess bounced and flapped her arms as she gave this lengthy rambling profess. When it was done, she dipped her head graciously to the raven-haired royal. "You are too kind, Little Majesty."
"Oh, but I mean it, Jane!" Lavinia continued to gush, coming forward to cling to the taller girl's front and grab her hands in a clumsy but more intimate dance hold. "Promise me you'll dance with me this much at our wedding? Even more!"
Jane's head went back in surprise, this event being news to her. Trying to be tactful, however, she pushed her way past it and smiled patiently. "Another flattering prospect, Little Majesty, but when was this decided? I don't recall agreeing to marry anyone."
"Silly! I decided aaages ago!" Lavinia laughed breezily as though it were the simplest thing in the world. "I'm going to be Queen, and you're going to be my King. And we're also going to be knights! And you're going to train me to be just like you and we'll fly on dragons together and have adventures while Cuthbert stays at home and cleans up after Pig!"
Torn between fluster and flatter, Jane gave a marveled tut. She'd had no idea the princess' admiration for her ran so deep. "Princess," she said gently, "While I'm sure that all sounds lovely now, are you sure you don't want to wait just a little longer to make a decision like that? I realize it won't be long before the king is considering things like that, but it's an awfully big choice, and I'm sure there are far better suitors that could vie for your hand."
Adamantly, Lavinia returned a confident and brief, "Nope. I've decided."
Feeling her cheeks warm at the very idea of marrying the princess, hundreds of terrifying ideas accompanying such a weighty notion, not to mention the tension of how absolutely certain Lavinia sounded, Jane tried to loosen her hands so she could step back for some space to think. She tried, "Oh, but think of how grand the competition would be for your--"
Suddenly Jane gasped as a realization came to her. "Jester and Smithy!"
Now Lavinia's head was the one tipping, puzzle obvious on her face. "Jester and Smithy? No, I want them to stay just as they are. They're very good at their jobs and I like them."
"No..!" Jane exclaimed, and seeing the princess continue to look puzzled, and now a hint offended at being challenged, the squire rushed to explain, "I was supposed to judge their dancing competition, but I've only run off on them all night!"
Rolling her head in irritation at herself for how scatterbrained she'd been tonight, she then looked down when she heard Princess Lavinia gasp with glee. "More dancing?!"
Expression softening, Jane hemmed and moved to crouch lightly, Lavinia's hands still clinging to hers as she bounced some more in anticipation. The squire nodded. "Yes, Princess. Would you perhaps like to come and assist my judgement? After all, a promise is a promise." And, with any luck, it would distract from any further talk of weddings.
"And this way you can keep both promises!" Lavinia pieced together, "Oh, of course, Jane. You're so clever. But I want everyone to dance, okay?"
Standing and turning for another courtyard off near the kitchens, Jane gave an endeared chuckle for Lavinia's never-ending enthusiasm. "If you insist, Little Majesty."
The princess still maintained one hand held as they walked, and soon enough Jane found herself reunited with her friends. They'd thrown her her own little get-together after she decided not to attend the grand ball, out where the kitchen yard met the gardens. The group of four others looked up as the arriving two came to the picnic table they'd seated themselves at.
"Back already?" Smithy, the quiet, rugged blonde greeted.
"Yes, I'm quite surprised," another blonde boy in a blue bell cap nodded agreeably, "So how long have we got you for this time? A whole minute? One and a half, even?"
Crossing her arms, Jane rolled her eyes despite a half smile. "Ha, ha, Jester."
"We're going to judge your dancing~!" Lavinia announced, tossing both of her own arms up in delight.
Jester and Smithy shared a glance, meanwhile Pepper and Rake did the same across the table.
"Uh, actually, about that," Jester informed, "We'd sort of unofficially decided you'd won, what with all your fancy footwork trouncing Gunther earlier." The boy in blue mimed some intricate weapon work to punctuate his sentence.
Jane blinked. "Oh?" Looking to Lavinia, finding disappointment edging in her face and her eyes imploring, the taller girl then looked back to her friends. "Well, that is very kind of you," she granted, honestly flattered, "But it's also not fair. I said I would make a call on your dancing, and that is what I still owe you. So, if you will trust that there will be no further interruptions this night, then declare a real winner I shall!" An index finger rose pointedly in resolve.
Pleased to hear this, Lavinia added eagerly, "And I want everyone to dance!"
Another set of looks was exchanged around the table, small smiles joining this time.
Rake, the lanky boy with shaggy black hair, shrugged as he rose. "Well, if the princess demands it..."
"I do!" Lavinia nodded sharply, beaming to see her subjects all standing to join the fun.
"What choice do we have~?" Pepper, the short kitchen hand with a long black braid giggled.
"None!" Lavinia cheered.
With all four contestants spread moderately in a more open area, Jane seated herself on the table's bench.
"Since I have already technically won the first challenge," she reasoned, "I shall provide the music this time, yes? What's a dance competition without music, after all?"
Lavinia pouted a bit, twisting her head between Jane and the others. She wanted to dance more with her idol, but then again, she was also supposed to be judging with her...after a few seconds, it seemed a decision was made and she plopped herself on the bench beside Jane, wiggling to get comfy and smiling again in anticipation.
Glad to see this agreeable, Jane called, "Jester, do you have something I could play?"
Gesturing graciously, the thin blonde boy indicated a satchel he'd left on the table. "Check the bag, m'lady..!"
With a soft chuckle at the overly showy presentation, Jane did dig into the bag. There was an assortment of tools for merriment, including several small instruments, but Jane managed to find one she actually knew how to work. An ocarina. Holding it set, she faced her friends.
"Dancers ready~?"
"Ready~!" four voices chorused back.
Jane started playing, Lavinia raised her arms, and the young princess declared, "Dance!"
And dance the small group did.
Rake and Pepper had no form whatsoever, swaying loosely, but their lack of talent was partly due to the fact that they caught each others' eye as they moved side by side, seemingly undecided about something. Then both giggled as they came close to take hold of each other and swirl just a small bit before seeming to find that overwhelming, tripping over one another's feet and letting go once more with another fit of giggles. They now tried to carry on separately once more.
Jester danced with light, springy motions full of his usual energy. He was quite talented and wasted no effort in showing off. He was a showman, was he not? Now was the time to pull out all his stops and truly prove he was the best dancer. His best poise was used to bend him into the most graceful and difficult arcs as he elegantly shifted his lithe frame.
Smithy's method was methodical, grounded, slow. Each motion was full of purpose, but also did not lack skill. He moved steadily to a perfect beat, though his gestures were not quite as loose or showy as any of the others'. In fact, glancing at his friends, the thought did cross his mind that with the increased competition, even if it was just Rake and Pepper, that he ought to increase his own odds of winning. Hmm, but what could he do to put him over the edge..? What would look extravagant and skillful, but still fit in with his style?
A small sly smirk came to him as the young blacksmith got a very cheeky idea that very much played to his strengths. His literal strength.
Patiently, he waited for his moment, and when Jane reached the end of her song, Smithy quickly sidestepped behind Jester, his toughest opponent, timing it just right as he reached his hands around the lighter boy's waist and hoisted him into the air.
Jester's world froze for a moment, his eyes widening and his breath hitching to find himself suddenly floating. He felt a sudden wave of some tickling sensation he'd never felt before rolling through his gut as he felt secure hands keeping him aloft and swishing him in a mildly dizzying mid-air rotation. A cool and gentle breeze was created past his cheeks, something he suddenly noticed as he was no longer in control of his own direction.
Then, too soon and yet not, Jester found himself back on the ground, light as a feather, delicately placed and released. He made his only mistake during his routine now, tripping slightly over himself as he attempted to reorient and process the rampant butterflies still rampaging unexpectedly through him. As he stabilized, his eyes found Smithy, the one who had undoubtedly done this to him, and found the blacksmith perfectly poised in a charming bow, smug smirk in place.
Jester wanted to be snarky, indignant, to call foul on this unfair bit of pranking flare, but for some reason he couldn't muster the emotion. Instead he felt that tickle rise towards his cheeks. He'd...never been lifted like that! It wasn't even a thing done in modern 800s dance! And yet...Smithy...that feeling...that rush..!
The surroundings were beginning to come back now, Jester's heart slowly calming itself as he registered the rest of his friends clapping, obviously impressed by Smithy's big finale. Smithy himself noticed Jester's unusually tied tongue and offered a humble quip of his own.
"What's the matter, Jester? Did I sweep you off your feet?" A soft chuckle followed the jest, and the others did so a bit more strongly.
Jester knew it wasn't meant harshly, but he couldn't help another sting of stun as he realized the suggestion was quite accurate. He gawped at Smithy's soft, gentle but strong face, suddenly overwhelmed by a new wave of butterflies hurrying their way from his gut to color his cheeks.
Not used to being tongue-tied, he was almost glad to hear Princess Lavinia cheering, "Smithy wins! Smithy wiiiins~! That was sooooo good!" The others seemed to nod and relent in very sportsmanlike agreement, and Smithy looked up from the micro amount of concern that had crossed his brow to give just as subdued a victorious smile.
"Well, if you insist, I graciously accept this honor." Another humble bow.
Jane pressed, "I've never seen anything like that during a dance, Smithy!"
A modest shrug. "Working iron all day does make a person seem much lighter by comparison to the armor they wear." Shyly, he lifted his well-toned arms in a factual demonstration of their strength. Teasing during a friendly competition was one thing, but he didn't like to boast about himself.
Jester's gaze swept naturally over Smithy's bare muscled biceps. His large, reliable hands that had so warmly encapsulated his hips a mere moment ago. One of his own hands landing gingerly on his pelvis, the boy in blue felt ghosts of the sensation and was sure he was almost...liking it? Did he want to do that again?
Noticing he was the only one yet to say anything, Jester now shook his head and cleared his throat, kicking his wit into gear.
"Well, Smithy, as underhanded as your tactics may have been, I must say that was quite a display of using your brains with your brawn, and as I am a fan of good wit, I shall humbly concede to your victory." He now performed his own overly grand bow.
Pleased to see his friend still acting like himself, Smithy stepped forward and offered his hand to shake. "Until the next contest, eh?"
"Right. Until the next..." Automatically Jester had reached to take the offered shake, but now he felt that large leather-gloved hand wrapped around his own, once more instantly reminding him of how the touch around his waist had been. Had Smithy's hands always been so warm? Was Jester feeling warm all of a sudden? The thought of Smithy suddenly and easily pulling him close with the grip he had flicked through his mind, and Jester definitely felt warm. Being held in such secure, strong, but tender arms...
The fool's tongue had tripped over itself once more. Clearing his throat again, he hurried to correct himself and ease the worry creeping onto Smithy's face. Letting go of the other blonde's hand, Jester entered a short springy jig and finished, "Time is what I've not got lots of; Think a pillow's what I would love; Hour's late and dancing feet dirty; I'll see you all now bright and early!" It was always easy to rhyme when nervous.
Lifting a hand in grinning farewell, Jester waved before turning from the group and trotting away at a brisk pace, quite sure he needed some time to himself to think right now.
After him, Jane called sarcastically, fists on her hips, "So it's alright if you run off from the party, is it?" Jester did not slow or look back, so she simply sighed and shook her head. Her friends offered small shrugs, but everyone supposed if Jester was tired, there was no point in forcing him to stay.
...
The next day, sun high in the sky, Smithy was hammering away diligently at his anvil, currently bending a curl of hot iron around the end of it, constructing a new doorknob to replace the one that had fallen loose in the grand hall last night. Some of the king's guests had been rather unruly.
Lifting the circlet of a handle to inspect his work, Smithy gave a satisfied nod and moved to dunk the molded metal into the water trough to harden it up. Under the hiss of steam, however, he heard a sound that did not belong in a blacksmith's workshop. Grunting of a distinctly non-pig variety.
Turning to look at his life-long companion just to ensure the noise wasn't somehow hers, and indeed only finding Pig to be answering his look with just as much of a perplexed expression as a pig could muster, Smithy set his tools down to inspect the source of the sound.
He didn't have to go far, for just around the corner he found Jester jumping in place, one arm overhead and a sound of effort with every leave of the ground. He appeared to be trying to grab for a thatched overhang in Smithy's area of the yard.
"Jester?" Smithy questioned at this unusual display, "Is everything alright? Have you got jumping beans in your stockings?"
Turning to find the arrival, Jester took the jab in stride, greeting, "Ah, Smithy! No, no beans, I'm afraid. Balls."
Smithy blinked. "Balls? In your stockings?"
A brief tut from the boy in blue. "Not quite. What I mean is, it seems I've stuck one of my juggling balls on your roof." He looked up at the ledge in a great show of perturb.
"Oh," Smithy reasoned, "Would you like me to fetch a ladder?" He gestured vaguely towards the stables while taking a half step in that direction.
"No! No, no..!" Jester interjected, causing another curious blink from the other. Clearing his throat, Jester grinned awkwardly as he explained, "No need to go to all that bother..! Though I do appreciate your offer of assistance, I think I shall do well enough with a simple boost. If you don't mind?"
Smithy's brow knitted in a split-second measuring expression, processing this request, but then hemmed in acceptance. It didn't matter all that much to him how he helped his friend. "Alright," he agreed with an easy shrug, and stepped close into Jester's personal space, seemingly not noticing the small but sharp intake of breath from the other, nor the slightly stiffened posture. "Up you go, then."
Taking his cue, Jester twirled sharply in place, keeping his now petrified expression to himself. Having Smithy so close...it was even more nerve-wracking than he'd expected it to be! The flurry in Jester's stomach was quite large indeed, and yet, not nearly as large as the one he felt the next second as Smithy took hold of his waist and picked him up off the ground, as though he were only a sack of flour.
Held aloft, Jester was stunned all over to feel the exact rush as he had the night prior. Being held like this, it was still completely foreign, and yet something he could easily say was welcome. Why was impossible to say, but he was quite sure he liked this.
Noticing Jester was immobile, Smithy questioned, "Did you lose your brain along with your ball?"
Snapping to his senses, Jester immediately pretended to be fumbling with the thatching. "Only for a moment. Forgive me, but the weather is rather nice up here."
Arms tiring, Smithy gave a good-natured snort and moved to shift Jester into sitting on one of his shoulders while he held him, patiently waiting for his friend to apparently detangle his juggling ball from where it had landed.
Jester felt his face warm as an entirely new flurry rippled through his gut. Smithy's secure arm wrapped snugly around his thighs. His head so close to Jester's side. His hold really was warm, wasn't it? Oh dear.
Snapping himself out of it this time, before Smithy could begin wondering anew, Jester 'found' the ball he most certainly had not tossed up onto this roof on purpose and notified, "Got it..!"
Smithy was pleased to hear it, and expressed it with a slip of air from his nose, moving to let the fool in his arms down. "Good. Now perhaps you'd best practice your juggling somewhere with fewer roofs, eh?" A friendly smile.
Likewise, Jester laughed. "Noted, noted. But first, as thanks, allow me to assist you in your workshop for a spell!" With jaunt in his step, he made his way around the corner Smithy had come from.
One hand coming forward to stay Jester's stride, though the motion had no effect, Smithy insisted, "Uh, that's quite alright..." He had Pig helping him as always. She was good help. And besides, Smithy didn't want Jester getting injured. "It was only a favor, and mine is not exactly work you're suited to."
"Exactly!" Jester shot back, "A favor for a favor. And I insist. I can help with loads of things. For instance, do you need your...long clampy things up here?" He pointed to a particularly long set of metal tongs. "Just hoist me up there and I'll grab them for you!"
Here Smithy gave pause, analyzing the words with doubt. Wouldn't it be fairly useless to let Jester 'help' in a way that would involve Smithy working to give him more boosts?
Jester tried another option. "Or, if you gave me a lift over here, I could clean over your fireplace for you! I'll bet it's dreadfully dirty up there." He gave a light twirl to end up at the forging fire and gesture to the mantle and brick around it.
Now Smithy was definitely suspicious. He passed Pig another glance, and she gave a small series of muted puzzled grunts. Smithy had to concur.
Now Jester had paused over by Pig's walking wheel, with which she helped pump the bellows. Jester's aim was overhead, though. "Or I could clear out over Pig's wheel..! It looks as though some greenery might have snuck in the corners. Wouldn't want anything getting tangled in those spokes and gunking up the works..! Just get me up there and I'll give that greenery gunk a good...well, something very thorough that also begins with a G."
Though finding the quip entertaining, and giving a tut to show it, Smithy folded his arms and knowingly sauntered a couple steps closer to the other. "Jester...is there perhaps something on your mind? You seem to be unusually focused on...being up." What was with this sudden interest in heights? Was this part of some new bit?
"Ah, so you've noticed," Jester acknowledged, half glad, half hemming nervously that Smithy had taken the bait.
"Despite how very subtle you are," Smithy returned sarcastically, getting an appreciative tut for his line.
"Yes, well." Jester swung his arms a bit in tension, trying to figure out the best way to approach this line of discussion. Telling himself to put on his best stage face, he then clasped his hands and tipped his head towards Smithy in earnest. "I suppose the best way to begin answering your question is with another. Smithy, do you have any particular interests regarding...romance?"
Smithy's head went back a minor degree and his brow rose slightly. That inquiry seemed a bit tangential. Still, it seemed the best course to reply if he wished to have a full explanation. However, while doing so, he meandered to the doorknob he'd left in the water trough and appeared to distance himself from the topic by taking it out now and checking over his work as he dried it.
"Well, I've never had interest in the fairer sex, and since I have no need to wed for duty, for the most part I simply haven't bothered with such things."
A bit surprised, Jester then let his posture relax as he looked a little down. Even to himself, he hadn't expected to feel that much disappointment at an admittedly expected answer. "Oh, so...no interest in coupling at all for you then? Not even for love?"
Moving to attach the metal ring to the part of the knob that would hang on the actual door, Smithy shrugged and shook his head. "I didn't say that. I said I never had interest in the fairer sex."
Jester blinked. "This is true. So then...that means you do have interest in some sex?" The prick of hope in his heart was just as unexpected.
"Also true."
Measured but curious, Jester asked with caution, "So why haven't you bothered, may I ask..?"
Smithy gave a friendly snort to ease the apprehension. "I'm afraid I'm married to my duty to the king who rescued me more than I am to cavorting behind closed doors."
The easing tone did work, but Jester was still somewhat hesitant about the topic, almost like needing one hundred percent certainty before opening to it freely. An interest in romance but not the fairer sex? Preferring to keep to himself? Did that sound like Jester was starting to think, or was he perhaps being a little hopeful? "I see. But...should an opportunity to cavort arise...would you still be opposed then?"
Smithy placed his smelting down and turned to quirk a brow at the other young man. "Are you trying to ask me something in particular, Jester?"
The boy in bells cleared his throat, not wanting to be thought less of if he was wrong. But curiosity had gotten the better of him and he wanted to express his own unexpected urges. Smithy was his friend. Surely he wouldn't be harsh about it either way. Jester got himself talking. "Well, mayhaps. Just a tiny curiosity, really...for you see, I believe I've come to the realization that I rather...like having you lift me. It seems to cause a good deal of twitterpation. And now I...well, I'm starting to think the idea of a bit of brother-making might be...favorable?"
Watching Jester swish his hands animatedly and speak as though stopping would spell doom, Smithy continued to quirk his brow and tipped his head slightly to intensify the curious stare he was giving. "Really now," was all he said blandly when the explanation finished.
Hurriedly, Jester spoke again, not sure at all what this nigh lack of a reaction meant and wanting to insist that he wasn't accusing. Blast it all, why did Smithy have to be so hard to read?! "Not that I'm saying you seem inclined by nature! It just so happens that my own inclinations happened to take a particular swerve in your direction and well, having confirmed that it is indeed there, I thought I could trust you enough not to hate me entirely if I mentioned my curiosity." He wasn't the type to let ideas nag at him. He had to see if exploring this type of attraction was even possible.
A gentle hum from Smithy as his lips widened mildly as he went to collect the remaining portion of the doorknob and fasten the parts together. "Of course not, Jester," he assured, "How could I ever hate you? I'm impressed by your boldness, however. I trusted you just as hesitantly telling you as much as I have."
Jester blinked. "You've been hesitant?" He glanced around. "Here? Now, in this conversation?" Twin index fingers pointed towards the ground, not believing it.
Smithy's lips became a little lop-sided. "Of course. Isn't it obvious?"
Coming closer, Jester made an obvious show of hovering his face around Smithy's at different angles in perplex. "Uhhh..."
Another soft note from Smithy's nose as he waved the other off. "Alright, yes. Perhaps not so obvious." He was aware he wasn't the most expressive person around. He didn't need to be. "But still true. I tinker when I'm nervous." He glanced down at his hands, fidgeting unnecessarily with the completed knob.
Now Jester tipped his head and made an exaggerated expression of understanding. "Ah, I see. Well. Forgive me for not realizing you're a nervous wreck! I should have realized your profession of choice was a call for help."
Smithy actually gave a more obvious and warm smile at that, agreeing that yes, it would have been hard to pick up that particular habit given that he was tinkering almost all hours anyway.
Smiling broadly back to see an emotion he could recognize easily, Jester then also realized what Smithy had been getting at by mentioning trust and straightened himself to address, "Though...does this mean that you already admitted first that you might have found fancy in the not so fairer sex?"
A shade of bashfulness entered Smithy's smile, as well as a shade of pink dusting his cheeks, something Jester had never seen before and was almost stunned to witness. The one in stockings smacked the heel of his hand to his own forehead in a display of foolishness.
"Well color me cautious, but I suppose if I'd noticed, I could have saved myself a bundle of nerves, eh? Still, good to know we both trust each other enough to divulge our darkest desires."
Smithy shook his head in amusement. "Well, I don't like being dishonest, and it only seemed fair to say if your sights were in my direction, though I'm not sure why they would be."
Jester's head went back in surprise. "Are you mad? You're the most gentle, kind-hearted soul I can think of, and reliable as the sun. Not to mention you're the best I know at keeping pace with my wit. Who wouldn't be fond of you?"
Silently, Smithy's gaze drifted away as a few more shades of rosy alien hue tinged his cheeks. He tried very hard not to take pride in the flattery, for staying humble was his biggest value.
The other blonde scratched the back of his cap and ruminated, "Though I will say, this works out rather nicely, doesn't it? I find myself drawn your way, and you've already gotten your whole life's worth of a head start on me in experience with this sort of thing. Haha!"
Face back in its recognizably analytic form of stoicism, Smithy couldn't help finding issue in Jester's tone, almost like assuming that now they recognized they were talking about the same thing, that the fool was free to curiously cavort all he liked. Smithy wanted to shut that notion down immediately. "Are you saying you want to love me, Jester?" he asked evenly, causing the other to startle a bit at the mention. Smithy just completed his thought. "Because I am afraid, given the sinful nature of my preference, pure loving companionship is indeed all I am interested in seeking."
Just a tad overwhelmed by the idea of committing to loving someone he'd not even kissed, Jester dithered and dipped his head awkwardly. It almost sounded as though he'd offended Smithy. However, despite the suddenness of the question presented, Jester wanted to assure just as readily that he meant nothing harmful. He didn't wish to just use his friend. A bit stilted in speech, he offered, "Well, given the kingdom's policies on quiet tolerance, I would...certainly be interested to see if a courtly love is possible. I am finding myself desiring you in a way that is quite confusing my head, given I've never thought my heart to love a man."
A measuring glance met this, the blonde blacksmith returning after a moment, "And, should you decide you cannot, the position of Court Jester is much more prestigious than a humble blacksmith. I'm hardly sure it could be considered a courtly pairing at all. If it were public, your image would be tarnished." Though they were both considered in quite high positions, a jester was practically the king's right hand man. Any politics such as engaging in a sinful relationship could easily end up working against Jester should someone decide to use it, especially if it ended up being a mere fling.
Understanding, Jester sympathized, but not wanting to let the mood turn somber, he leaned in coyly. "Quiet tolerance, remember? Maybe a dirty look here or there, but I doubt the king would string me up by my bell cap. Nor you by your apron straps. Though your concern is quite touching and appreciated."
A beat. "However, if that is your concern, then we can simply be courtly to ourselves."
Smithy's gaze went downward, not expecting such a statement, humbled but also considering. Jester wasn't opposing a true relationship? He was alright with Smithy only wanting more than a quick romp in the shadows? He was still interested?
Honestly, Smithy hardly knew what to say. He was beyond flattered. He was bewildered. It was also true their king liked to tout himself as quite progressive. Still, a good place to start responding was to make certain the other boy knew the kind of scenario they might end up in. "You really mean that, Jester? You would be well within your right to feed me to the wolves and claim that it were all my doing. Should anything go awry."
Actually scoffing at this, Jester plopped a hearty hand on Smithy's shoulder. "Smithy, you have been a dear friend for many a year. Wolves would be much too torturous. I'll simply feed you to Dragon! He'll chomp you down in one gulp."
At this, Smithy snorted and actually gave a curt, proper laugh, caught off-guard by the dark jest. Still, the message behind the notion of letting Jane's winged beast of a best friend gobble him down was a sweet one. It certainly left Smithy feeling a lot less broody and doubtful.
Jester was of course greatly pleased to see his crack received so well. It had successfully taken the edge off the conversation. This was good, as he still had a point to nail in place. Earnestly, he firmed the hand on Smithy's shoulder and met his eyes to say, "But in all seriousness, I would have no hesitation in admitting you were my sweetheart. Well, maybe some hesitation - goodness knows it would be even more of a shock to the court than it was to me - but I would feel no shame in it. Nor any if a love did not work out. I would be happy to keep you on as a treasured friend." Deciding to save the mood once again, he tacked on one more quip. "After all, just imagine the taxation involved in running interviews for your replacement!"
Having been listening with rapt attention, meeting Jester's eyes as his own shone more vividly with every heartfelt word, Smithy then laughed again at the crack ending Jester's speech. The young blacksmith then sighed, feeling his heart melt at how keen and yet sincere the other was about this entire proposal.
With the warmth stoking his heart evident on his face, Smithy answered, "Well, in that case, perhaps I wouldn't mind exploring such a coupling. I have a great deal of affection for you as well, after all, dear friend. I find our wits match in a most pleasing way."
Jester gestured and nodded agreeably. "Indeed. You've no right to be so clever as such a lowly blacksmith."
A smirk from Smithy. "Or perhaps it says something about your own cleverness, that you can be matched by such."
An index finger swished into the air. "Fairly noted. Just don't note it to the king, please. Then he might let you have my job, and I don't think this look suits you." Here Jester batted the dangling bells of his cap playfully.
Smithy gave a small chuckle and shook his head. "Not my line of work, no."
A brief moment lingered between them, amiable and charged with a certain swell of nervous magnetism. Gazes darted and stomach butterflies mingled before Jester did what he did best and opted to fill the pregnant silence.
"Would you like to go find a door to cavort behind, then?" he asked in cheeky sheepishness, "I'm feeling very amorous now knowing you're not about to mallet my head in for daring to breach this notion."
Smithy hummed and smiled. "And strangely, your professions have swayed me. I'm not made of stone, though my demeanor may mislead you."
It was Jester's turn to chortle in amusement while Smithy's eyes flicked to find the forge door, behind which his quarters lay, and the blonde tipped his head to indicate it. "How about that one?"
Following the gesture with his own eyes, Jester nodded in approval. "A fine door indeed."
With a short bemused hum, Smithy moved to bind the completed door knob in a spare cloth before kneeling down in front of Pig, rubbing the top of her head affectionately. "Deliver this to His Majesty, would you, Pig?" he requested kindly, "I'm sure Princess Lavinia would be delighted to receive a visit from you as well." The bubbly girl simply adored this animal.
Not really understanding much but that she was meant to deliver a package to court, Pig took the knot on top of the bundle into her mouth and gave a couple of short, acknowledging grunts. She would find where it went, no problem. If she recognized the names correctly, the royals were involved, and the smallest one in the purple dress liked to spoil her even more than Smithy. Perhaps Pig would be lucky and run into that one.
Trotting off dutifully, Pig departed, and Smithy watched for a fond second after his reliable helper before turning to stride for his quarters, the door frame of which Jester was leaning against with coyly crossed arms and ankles.
Pausing just before entering his humble room, Smithy tipped his head and gave the other one last chance to back away entirely. "You're really quite certain about this?"
"Nervous as a twitch, my good fellow," Jester shot back without a beat skipped, "But a bit too worked up to be bothered. It'd be a right shame to waste such pretty speeches about feelings as well."
Granting Jester that, Smithy bowed his head in the direction he turned as he moved to head inside, inviting the other to follow. Jester did this, and closed the door behind him, watching from behind as Smithy immediately but casually removed his thick leather gloves, tossing them to a modest night table beside an equally plain bed. He then started on the buckles of his apron.
Feeling his pulse quicken just a bit, not expecting to simply watch Smithy dress himself down, and knowing the reason he was doing so was an intimate one, Jester felt awkward. Like he was the most obvious thing in the room. Like he should be doing something, but he didn't know what.
Clearing his throat slightly, he meekly asked, "Should I be shedding layers already as well? And...should I perhaps be more over...there?" He pointed to the general bed area. Smithy seemed like he had a set plan already, which was more than Jester could say for himself.
"Mm?" Smithy glanced at the bed, and then over to Jester as he got his apron off, now going to hang it on a wall hook. "No, you're fine where you are. The bed won't be needed. As for layers, you can shed anything you like. I simply feel it would be more comfortable without all that hard leather in the way. May I perhaps take your hat?" That seemed like an article that might be an obstacle.
Confused about his not needing to go anywhere, Jester did glance up and suppose the second point made some sense. Yes, bulky clothes seemed like they might be uncomfortable if one planned to do some personal exploring. "Fair enough," he reasoned, and removed his cap to hand over, freeing his fluffy feathered locks. As Smithy graciously hung it on another hook, like any regular host, Jester pressed, "But what do you mean the bed won't be needed? Isn't that typically the place one gets familiar?"
"Perhaps," Smithy granted, now stepping closer to meet Jester face to face, "But I seem to recall you being a bit more interested in an upright stance. All we need for that is the door."
Jester blinked in perplex, feeling warmer as Smithy entered his personal space with a knowing smirk. Before he could ask for clarification, the bulkier blonde had also lowered himself slightly, reaching around the back of Jester's thighs and hoisting his legs off the ground. In an instant, Jester found his back bumping against the door, drawing an involuntary flushed gasp from his lips. His shoes were free in the air as his legs were held around Smithy's waist, the metal worker pressing their bodies together to keep Jester supported.
Those butterflies in Jester's stomach were scrambling. Smithy's face was so close to his now, eyelids lowered a slight degree. His breaths were heavier through his nose, though Jester found his own to be more rapid and needing to pass through his lips at this development. It was quite favorable a position to find himself in indeed. With romantic intent obviously accompanying the motion, being picked up by the other boy was even more exciting. That feeling destroyed the apprehension he'd been feeling, and in its place swelled a balloon of desire.
Quite favorable.
Leaning even closer, the pair's faces a mere couple inches apart, Smithy warned, "This is your last chance to turn from sin."
Here Jester let out an involuntary tut of amusement. Really, Smithy was the one naturally inclined to favor men, and he was more hesitant than the boy who had just found the possibility within himself. Rolling his eyes with some endearment, Jester responded, "We're in our teens, Smithy. We're well overdue."
That said, he tossed his arms around Smithy's neck and became the one to initiate their kiss. Right away his fingers tunneled into Smithy's naturally spiky pale yellow locks. His fingers gripped the other tightly and pulled him close, kissing with an assertive passion. This should make his message clear, yes?
Flustered, Smithy's brow went up at such an insistent beginning to their exchange. He felt his own cheeks warm and his heart pick up its pace. It was hardly a skilled kiss, but it hardly needed to be. Jester's lips were soft and smooth and not at all lacking in communicating their desire. Nor did they seem to regret the decision in the following seconds, which was quite welcome. They pressed and kneaded on instinct, stirring Smithy's gut with a flame it hadn't felt in such a while. It motivated him, and he accepted that this was happening, letting himself sink into that rising flame of sin and kissing the other boy back.
Jester squirmed in Smithy's grip, a hot wave washing over him as the other's coarse lips seared back against his. They were just as warm as the rest of Smithy. It was impossible not to feel embraced by the heat coming off of the other, secure and cozy. Without his gloves as well, his palms felt so much warmer, his calloused fingers curling much more intimately into his supple legs. Jester almost wished his stockings weren't blocking them from letting their fleshes meet.
Seemingly like reading his mind, Smithy's right fingers began kneading in place, massaging curiously at the thinner boy's leg. A hushed hiss slipped from Jester's nose and he wriggled minutely again, something which Smithy could only interpret as encouraging.
He explored further, running his palm over Jester's rear, feeling the fool's legs pinch harder around his waist as he did so. The blacksmith smiled against the lips he suckled, finding the tense reactions quite cute. His hold only adjusted slightly to let that right hand wander more freely. He didn't find Jester heavy to hold at all. His hand was open to roam, caressing slowly up the side of the boy in blue's tunic, wishing perhaps he'd taken off at least one layer, and then massaging around his ribs.
So lithe, so slim. Jester's hidden skin had to be just as soft as his lips, fair and unflawed. Smithy hummed desirously to imagine his friend in fewer garments, and only continued to knead his lips eagerly against the ones just as hungry for this sensation swelling between them.
The fluffy-haired fool was not in fact finding any regret in his actions. Quite to the contrary, he was amazed to find the fact that it was a man or his dear friend barely registered at all. He was fond of Smithy, and he wanted to be held in his arms. That was about as far as it went. At the moment, he was also quite fond of the physical contact between them.
Seeking more, Jester had two hands that were free to wander in his position. A nervous spark ignited in his belly to think that he was allowed to do something so bold to another, but it was a pleasant excitement. Both of Jester's palms glided over Smithy's broad, burly shoulders, taut with the effort of keeping him up, but hardly seeming strained at all. Something about this made a melting tremor ripple through Jester's insides. It seemed he truly admired Smithy's strength.
In response to this, seemingly egged on by the groping glides over his exposed arms and his chest only sporting a plain gauze shirt, Smithy let his own free-roaming hand find the front of Jester's tunic and work to unlatch the center seam, fingers soon burrowing past the thick, stiff cloth to caress the other boy through his own gauzy underlayer. Through this thinner cloth, he could feel more smooth, soft skin and the telltale bumps of a slender rib cage. Jester's neck craned as he gasped and clung closer to Smithy, stunned to find his own ribs so sensitive to another's touch.
Since the way Jester clung made it impossible to kiss, Smithy simply took cue from the motion and kissed down his neck, burrowing his lips into the crook of flesh now accessible thanks to an open collar. Jester gushed again and only dug his fingers tighter into Smithy's hair and around his bicep.
"Auh, Smithy...it does seem you have love to give, after all...quite well, I might add..."
Against the smaller blonde's tender flesh, Smithy gave a small smile and returned, "I did say I'm not made of stone. You've tossed in your penny, so I'm afraid the pound is yours as well now." As Jester gave an airy, heated chuckle through his pleasure, Smithy continued, "Glad as I am that you're enjoying yourself under me, I do still imagine you'll want to be let down so you can do the penetrating? It is my place to submit to you."
Having noted that during their exchange, a stiffness was forming against his gut, he pushed Jester into the door and rolled his hips to dig his own into the base of the bump in Jester's tights.
Jester groaned again, feeling his face flush to have this pointed out. He also realized that yes, traditionally in their society, it was a sign of status for a man to penetrate another. As the more prestigious of the two, it would be expected for Jester to take over at some point. The idea of letting the blacksmith of lower standing carry on, however, to follow the path they had started and to penetrate him, sent a devious roil through Jester's insides.
"Actually, if I am honest," he spoke up with a bashful yet impish edge in his voice, "I rather like where I am." Was the point of this not that he'd wanted to experience more of Smithy's strength? Shifting to place his forehead against Smithy's, trailing his fingers affectionately down the back of his muscular neck, he informed, "I did not opt to use my status to make you submit to my interest. I don't intend to bring it into this now. I will not broadcast the fact that you've sullied me if you do not."
Feeling his own face flush at such a suggestion, and quite taken by the earnest, sultry expression those large, soft eyes were sending him, Smithy could hardly argue. Still, he hesitated.
"You're quite certain? You seem very eager to jump head first into sin for a beginner, Jester."
A soft chuckle. "And for a life-long sinner, you are strangely obsessed with following every unspoken rule, Smithy."
Shyly, Smithy glanced to the side. It was in fact because he'd been this way all his life that he tried to balance it out by being as pure as possible. As well, it was just his way to be as good as he could. He did not like to be troublesome.
Jester pressed kindly, "I love and respect you too much as my friend to ruin you with this. Still nervous as a twitch, but I trust you, too. No filthy underling I'd rather let soil my saintliness."
A gentle snort from the thicker boy, knowing the comment was not meant to be taken seriously. Then, all at once, he came forward to press his chest firmly against Jester's, pinning him more solidly against the wood behind him as his hips released their pressure as much as they could. With one hand diving into Jester's stockings to secure a hold on his left buttock, the other hand moved to pull those tight blue leggings down and off. It was clumsy, especially because he was attempting to remove yet another gauze underlayer with them, but he was determined.
While he did this, reveling in the surprised but delighted squirm Jester gave him, Smithy purred, "Speaking of saints, you're lucky you did not end up in a monastery. I find that you would be quite desirable to anyone, and could drive anyone to sin if that is your mind."
Heated by the strong and inappropriate clutching of his behind, Jester found his breath thickening as Smithy not only began abruptly attacking his leggings, but came in for a few more clumsy kisses around his speech. Unable to keep his wit to himself, Jester did likewise while squirming to aid in removing one leg from his lower garments.
"Anyone, you say? You find me that fair, or are you suggesting you now consider me an easy mark?"
Immediately, Smithy felt the instinct to shut down any possible negative connotation in his words, even if it was clear Jester knew he wasn't being insulted.
"Hardly, Jester. In this moment, I am inclined to believe females are not the only fair sex. Your skin, it is smooth and supple. Your frame is lithe and your hair a pleasing wispy gold. You are beautiful. I find myself so driven for you, I could not imagine less effect on any other."
As he spoke, he'd managed to free one of Jester's legs and guided it to hook back around him, letting his coarse palm glide openly up that supple thigh, reveling in the sensation he described.
Jester found himself stunned into silence at the strangely intimate and tender response to his jest. Not only did Smithy's words make him blush once again, but they caused a swelling in his chest, warm and bright. Mildly embarrassing, but touching. And as Smithy touched him, he felt a cascade of goosebumps marching up the length of his thigh, inspiring his member to perk in a spark of anticipation.
"A poet as well?" the thinner of the two remarked, "You are surprisingly multi-talented for a blacksmith."
"I would consider myself a romantic," Smithy acknowledged, "I realize it might dull the edge to jest, but I can't bring myself to do so on the brink of intimacy. Apologies, but I suppose I'm too honest in that regard."
Only feeling a larger swell behind his ribs, Jester watched Smithy's hand lift to take his shaft in its palm. His hold was firm but tender, and so warm. Jester's spine arched as much as it could and he let out a strained exclamation towards the ceiling. Doubly he was endeared, both by Smithy's sweet sincerity in needing to flatter his partner, and by the attention he was granting to pleasure him.
Clutching at Smithy's shoulders, he felt a wave of torrid desire sweep his entire body, feeling his member respond quite readily and firm quickly as the burlier boy kneaded it. He could only huff harder as Smithy returned to suckling at his exposed neck.
Wishing there was some way to reciprocate, Jester loosened the grip his knees had around Smithy's waist just enough to lower a couple of inches, feeling another spike of nerves blending want and worry as a prodding stiffness met Jester's undercarriage. Disregarding any hesitation, Jester pushed back against Smithy's affectionate suckling to take his own turn kissing into the other's neck, pushing up under his jawline and dragging his tongue to taste Smithy deeply. Salty, as expected of such a hard worker. Deep in flavor and musk, a scent unavoidable to note as he drew so close. It was a dizzying combination of senses.
Surprised, though pleasantly, Smithy supposed Jester must not have been terribly upset by his intimate words, and let out his own soft note of pleasure through his nose. As with everything else, he was not incredibly expressive here, but an undeniable tinge was present on his face, and his breathing was easily labored.
With Jester occupying himself, Smithy took the opportunity to readjust slightly again and bring two fingers to his own lips and suckle these instead. He didn't feel the need to subject Jester to the task when he could take care of it himself. He hummed in minor strain as he felt Jester rub himself against the tip of his member in encouragement.
"Come now, it's hardly fair that I be the only one exposed like this. I want to see yours as well."
Flustered by the impatience, Smithy removed his fingers to note, "Soon enough, Jester. But I like yours." It was graceful, in his opinion, slightly long with a backwards arch that fit nicely in his hand.
"And I'm sure I will like yours, but I won't be able to tell you how until I see it."
An endeared bashful chuckle, and the larger blonde nuzzled close as he sent his wetted fingers to explore for Jester's entrance. More kissing as it was found and Smithy nudged the muscular ring with his middle finger, a sharp gasp sucking in through Jester's nose. He felt a spark of lightning dance up his spine and his entrance reflexively tensed, but he couldn't say the feeling was unpleasant as Smithy continued to massage and press, slowly letting his first knuckle sink inside, followed by the second.
Jester panted now, only able to breathe through his mouth between kisses as he let the other prepare him. He could sense the care in Smithy's motions, very aware how the other boy did not wish to cause him discomfort. This was doubly apparent by how sweetly the burly boy continued delivering him affection as he performed the action. Jester felt safe, and absolutely smothered in tenderness as he was pinned here, hovering in that embrace he'd imagined. It was as blissful as expected, and the feeling of his dear friend invading him so intimately, incredibly arousing. Jester only wanted more to continue. He felt even more impatient.
Things carried on, the pair's kisses getting rougher and their lips growing raw as the second finger entered and Jester's entrance was softened and teased. Smithy's fingers spread, crooked, slid back and forth inside that tunnel until Jester was dizzy with desire and groaning with need in every breath.
Now, finally, it was insisted that Jester was beyond ready to proceed to the main event. He appreciated Smithy wanting to be extra sure, but Jester had very much only become more certain that he wanted to do this. He wished to receive that promised pound his penny had paid for.
Eyelids heavy with lust, Smithy took the cue and rearranged again, feeling highly encouraged to deliver. Haphazardly, he pulled his bottoms down at last, just enough, his secure grip on Jester never faltering as it shifted. Jester's eyes ate the sight up greedily as he absorbed the entire scene. Smithy's large, powerful hands gripped tightly around his thighs, effortlessly floating him on air while the ardor built thickly between them. His back pressed inescapably against the door behind which they were about to complete this taboo deed. Smithy's member poised there for him to admire, thick, straight, and giving an attentive bob as though aware it was being admired. The tip glistened with a clear coat of anticipatory liquid.
"Mmh..." was all Jester had to say by this point, head lolling back in invitation against the wood planks behind him, "Worth. Want."
A low tut, relieved and mildly self-conscious. "I'm glad. As you wish, then."
Indeed, the next moment, he'd once more pressed Jester flush against that dark wood door, holding those thighs spread as he found the other boy's entrance for the final time and pushed himself to sheath inside it.
A tandem exclamation huffed from both boys' mouths, both marveling at the sensations. Smithy at the way his partner's entrance hugged him in pliant, welcoming heat, and Jester at the way this girthy invader felt so much different than the fingers had. It felt better. Both boys instantly wanted more.
Instinct taking over, Smithy began thrusting right away, sensing a perfect give from the tunnel around him and seeking to bury himself in its heat. His breath fast became a series of low, airy vocalizations with every forward motion as he was set on giving Jester every ounce of passion he could deliver.
Jester's voice was much less restrained. When the thrusts began without hesitation, he couldn't help but cry out in overwhelmed stun. Smithy's shaft was reaching some spot inside him that his fingers had missed, and it was sending that lightning sensation erupting all over the fool's body. Rather than being unpleasant, however, it was sating that impatience that had been building as the boys had worked up to this point. Jester quickly became greedy and hugged his entrance purposefully to draw Smithy inside of him. There was not much he could do here to aid Smithy's motions, but he encouraged as best he could with his delirious cries, head rolling and hands clamping at Smithy's burly arms.
Time and again Jester found his body rocked with shocks of rapture, and just when he thought he couldn't feel any closer to Smithy, the blacksmith hefted him to hold in one hand again, the bounce causing Jester's stomach to erupt in a fresh bout of butterflies, and those butterflies only amplified as Smithy's freshly freed hand came to pin Jester's left wrist up by his head. The other hand continued to aid Jester's ride and bob him in time with this thrusts.
Truly, Jester could not feel more pinned by Smithy's affection here, their bodies crushed hotly against one another and their breathy sounds mingling in the air. Yet still, it became even more intimate when Smithy slid his palm up from Jester's wrist to grab his hand instead.
Even thrusting as hard as he was, relentlessly, Smithy could not help but do so as lovingly as possible, Jester was noticing. How was it that he could feel his heart melting as much as he could feel his loins igniting? Surely, only Smithy was capable of pulling off such a feat. Surely, Jester could see no regret in agreeing to be sweethearts in exchange for giving this inclination a try. Smithy was already a sweetheart of the highest caliber.
This much was confirmed when despite all of the effort he was already putting in, Smithy turned his head and began applying love bites to Jester's neck while he worked. They were sloppy considering the force with which he bounced Jester upon himself, but no less ravenous because of it. Jester called out in rapture and could only clench his legs just as haphazardly around Smithy's waist in return.
The world became a blur by this point. It was a moment frozen in time, nothing existing beyond that simple wooden door and the boy pinning Jester to it with his love. The friction built between the pair with each rhythmic slide of Smithy's member, its impressive enthusiasm never waning, and only stoking the ever-increasing boil in Jester's gut until, finally, that boil spilled over.
A choked, higher-pitched cry found its way sharply out of his mouth as he tensely flinched, one final spike of pleasure hitting him full force and carrying him to release. A sudden jolt of white shot upward between the two, followed by a couple of weak drizzles.
Taking note of the pooling heat between them, Smithy cracked a small, pleased smile and seemed to take it as permission more than anything, and gave a small spurt of extra quick, short thrusts before letting a sharp vocal sigh slip from his nose as he crushed his eyes shut and stilled. His shaft gave a small series of evenly spaced pulses as it delivered its release inside Jester.
Now a brief moment was shared as the two regained their breath before Jester noted, "Well, that appeared to be good timing."
"On purpose," Smithy confirmed with a minute nod, "I've rather good control over when I finish. And I never did like the idea of finishing before I knew my sweetheart was satisfied."
Jester blinked. The levels of selflessness just kept coming with this one, didn't they? "Impressive. Is there anything you don't do perfectly methodically? Well, no worries about satisfaction, I can assure you."
A bashful, relenting smirk tugging at Smithy's lips, he returned, "Good to hear. And are you quite satisfied with your time off the ground? Because I am sorry to say, even my arms are becoming a bit heavy after all that."
It was Jester's turn for a quick snicker. "By all means, I am ready to be let down. Not to say that anything about this has been a let down. Every bit as anticipated and more, my good man."
Slight modest smile remaining, Smithy gave a nod and gave Jester back the use of his own two feet. "Just be careful those first few steps. They might be a bit wobblier than you're expecting."
Another blink as Jester held himself braced in a lean back against the door. Cautiously, he stood upright and took a couple steps away from the door, indeed finding his balance more jellied than not, and his arms swirled in order to keep himself steady. Smithy automatically took a half step forward to catch the other boy, but it appeared Jester had caught himself.
Both strangely-angled hands letting their index fingers up in dainty illustration, Jester granted a breezy, "Duly noted."
With a fond chuckle, tucking himself back into his trousers, Smithy merely let the other boy take a stretch now and adjust to the feeling of post-intimacy before doing the same.
In the silence as they did their clothes back up, Smithy couldn't help but wonder if it was turning a bit awkward for the other, however. He didn't show it well, but the burly boy held nerves that this would still cause some sort of rift in their friendship.
"Was it worth giving us a chance, then?" he polled while Jester fiddled with the many fasteners of his tunic. "Or have you lost all interest now that I've played into your desires?"
Glancing at the other blonde curiously, Jester could hardly believe Smithy could hold such doubts. Turning to take a couple of wide, showy steps Smithy's way, the fool cocked his head coyly and delivered a smarmy, "My dear friend Smithy, how could anyone lose interest in you?" Seeing the quiet boy meeting his gaze with continued uncertainty, Jester played into it and smirked with a flourish of his hand, "Let me think about it. But we should do this at least a few more times before I can decide."
Promptly, he leaned forward and delivered a short vocal peck to Smithy's lips with his own. "Tonight, for starters, if you shan't be doing anything."
Understanding the jovial assurance now, Smithy let his muted smile return. "Only sleeping."
"Not anymore, you're not~!"
Smithy sighed and shook his head, endeared by the other's comical demeanor. "If you insist. But for the moment, I believe we'd best both get back to work. Try not to lose any more juggling balls, yes?"
As Smithy opened the door, Jester gave an animated salute. "I shall do my best to keep all balls properly within my pantaloons, Sir Smithy."
Pausing as he gathered his apron and gloves back up, Smithy closed his eyes briefly and let out an unimpressed sigh. He was not one for lewd humor.
"Well, I think Pig liked it." Backing his way out the door, past the pig who had returned and was passing a curious glance between the two boys, Jester gave the animal a perky little bow before turning around and heading on his way with a spring in his step.
Coming to the doorway to lean his shoulder against it while he donned his gloves, Smithy watched his new sweetheart's retreating back for a handful of seconds before glancing at Pig.
"Don't worry, Pig. I know you're more refined than that." Reaching inside the room, he pulled out a blue cap adorned with jingle bells. "Do you feel up to another delivery, though? Our forgetful Jester's not much of a jester without this."
Looking at the item in question, Pig let a sharp, derisive snort out her nose. Right after she got back? If a pig could have rolled their eyes, this one would have.