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The sun was up high and the cobblestone streets of Whiterun was busy with routine. Farmers selling their cabbages and markets filled with chatter of sales and families buying for dinner. Until a loud shout broke the air.
“FOS RO DAH!”
Sat on a roof, dangling his feet, Keith was trying to keep it together as he watched gleefully from afar as Kevin went flying through the sky. ‘ What is this- his third or fourth time he’s tried to approach the Dragonborn's sister? What is he trying to accomplish here?’ And of course not far long, golden boy comes running along the direction Kevin went flying. ‘ Now this never gets old.’ Silently he jumped the roofs following close behind before pausing and crossing his arms, seeing Kevin layed out in a pile of straw, surrounded by sheep. “Well, looks like she went easy on him today.’
Jesper, bless him- didn’t waste any time in helping up his friend, dusting him off and giving him a look over. Keith could only smirk as he kept his gaze on Jesper as he chewed Kevin out for talking to her, rambling on about whether she could have killed him or turned him into cheese or whatever. ‘Why is he so worried? It was only a few feet high.’ But of course Jesper continued to hover over Kevin..maybe a little too much, to Keith’s dismay.
Kevin oh Kevin, on the other hand was clearly enjoying the attention. Leaning on Jesper as they walked, trying to convince the golden boy to just carry him instead, telling him how strong he was. Oblivious to his flirtings, Jesper just carried on like normal, too focused on him limping to pay him any attention. Keith gave an uncomfortable scoff, No way is he flirting, hold on, he’s not interested in Jesper is he? Isn’t he seeing Irileth anyway?’ The thief walked the roof’s watching them up high. As Kevin smirked down below. ‘He has to be joking..right?’
Climbing down a pipe not too far, the two guards entered The Bannered Mare, Jespers arm wrapped around Kevin carefully before settling him down on a chair. Keith kept to the shadows, leaning on a pillar. Huffing and muttering to himself clearly annoyed.
“He can’t really be serious.”
“Oh yeah he is. Kev got himself thrown again hasn’t he?”
Keith tensed up and slowly turned toward his peppy friend, who clearly was ignoring the fact he managed to just scare him, and watched his two friends talk idly to another. ‘How long was Dave standing there??’ “I think he’s doing it on purpose, you know. It’s a bit much if you ask me, getting injured on purpose but I think it's cute nonetheless.” “Cute?” turning his head sharply he squinted, seeing Kevin and Jesper laughing looking at them intensely. “He’s not cute, he’s an idiot. Isn’t he with Irileth?”
“Kev told me they were seeing other people so he's trying out something different.”
“So he’s flirting with golden boy?”
Dave tilted his head, scanning Kieth over for a moment then turned away with a chuckle mimicking Keith's crossed arms. “Pardon me Keith for saying this but are you perhaps…jealous?” Keith stiffened, ‘No way, he wasn’t jealous- why would he be?’
Seeing Keith grow speechless by his side, Dave hummed a nod and patted Keith's back. “Don’t worry buddy, I understand. Kevin’s a handsome fella. Anyone would like him.” “NO! What? What made you think I liked Kevin? It’s who he’s flirting with that I’m-“ the thief’s words started to fade as realization hit. ‘Shit.’
. “Oh so it IS Jesper then!” Keith put a hand over his face with a sigh. ‘Why did I say that- what’s wrong with me?.’ Proud of himself, Dave leaned in and whispered in his friend's ear. “Don’t worry buddy, I got an idea, follow my lead!” Before he could protest his guard friend pulled him along all the way to their friends table, interrupting their conversation. “Hey! Heard Kev here was rejected and thrown around by the Dragonborn again." Kevin put down his drink mid sip and rolled his eyes toward Dave, not before looking at Keith briefly. “She’s actually warming up to me! Honestly it wasn’t that bad.” Jesper made a strangled noise. “Kevin. I swear I heard her laugh when she did it this time!” He paused suddenly as the others sat down and spoke after a few blinks. “..She can LAUGH?” Dave hummed and shook his head. “Oh yeah, she hates your guts. Never even heard the Dragonborn laugh. Have you?” Keith huffed a little with his arms crossed. “No I haven’t. Maybe Kevin here needs to stop flirting with everybody he sees before he gets in trouble.”
“Ooh is that jealousy I hear?” Kevin leaned forward grinning at Keith, who just scoffed in return. “Why would I be jealous of a guard who gets thrown around?” In retaliation, said guard put a hand over his chest while Dave couldn’t help himself but to chuckle to himself despite watching the tension in Keith’s shoulders and Kevin’s offence. “At least I am man enough to make a move! I don’t see you doing anything.” Jesper tilted his head in curiosity looking back and forth between the two men. As they continued to bicker. ‘Wait. Jealous? What are they going on about?’
“Wait- what is this all about? Did I miss a chapter somewhere?” Keith cleared his throat, averting his eyes and settling on glaring at Kevin instead who started to smirk back. ‘That sneak- he did that on purpose.’ Dave on the other hand had put his hand on his own mouth trying his best to not speak. Nobody spoke a word as Jesper stared them down, everyone sharing glances toward Dave who looked far too excited for his own right. Jesper looked around at everyone and narrowed his eyes. “Well? Come on! Someone has to explain- Dave?”
The once chatty guard now dead silent, locking eyes with a glaring Jesper. “Oh don’t look at me like that Jesper- I can’t take it! Okay! Okay! Keith’s jealous of Kevin for taking a swing at ya.”
“DAVE!” Keith hissed, leaning towards Dave who just kept on going, it was too late now, floodgates are open. “I’m sorry buddy! I couldn’t take the pinning any longer! Me and Kevin here set it all up. Even the Dragonborn’s are in on it.
“..w-what?” Jesper stammered as he stood up from the table as Keith sank in embarrassment covering his face with his hand. ‘This can’t be happening right now.’ “Dave! Don’t spoil the plan!” Kevin whispered loudly. Dave stood up in protest motioning his hands at Keith and Jesper. “Oh! You know they were never going to get the hint! They are both stubborn and dense!”
Keith narrowed his eyes, “Dave-“
“-Are you boys quite done with your screaming? You're going to scare everyone off!”
Hulda hissed, putting her hands on her hips. As she walked towards the table of loud men. Looking around the four quickly noticed, The Bannered Mare had stopped its chatter and was now staring back at them with a few of course, chuckling at Hulda’s scolding. Seeing her annoyed, Dave wasted no time in quickly grabbing Kevin by the arm and started to drag him off bowing politely at Hulda. “Well in that case! Me and Kev have to go! We have to uh- he’s going to help me with laundry!” “Dave, I’m not-” Before he could protest any further Dave gave Hulda a quick kiss before dragging Kevin out with him by the back of his shirt.
“Wait my helmet! Dave!”
“Oh don’t worry buddy, I got spares!”
Hulda could only shake her head with a smile watching him longingly. Jesper sat down awkwardly before looking up at Hulda apologetically.. “S-Sorry Hulda..”, She let out a sigh before eyeing them both, then with a nod she walked away. Leaving the last two men alone.
The Bannered Mare went back to its faint buzz, like nothing had happened. Jesper on the other hand, started to fidget with his hands. Glancing up at Keith as they sat in hushed silence. With their friends no longer there to keep the conversation going, they continued to share glances at each other awkwardly until Jesper couldn’t take it any longer. “Were..you actually jealous?”
Keith sighed in defeat as he gave the exit one last look before meeting Jespers eyes. “..Of course not, why would I be jealous?” “I don’t know, Kevin seems to think you're jealous of him.” Keith groaned at his response and shook his head. “Why is that the first thing you guys think- I just think he should stop flirting around.” Jesper eyed him carefully, clearly confused as he started to poke his sweet roll. “So you got mad at him for flirting- are you sure you're not jealous of him?” “No! Gods- Jesper I was mad because he was just using you, with his bad flirting!”
Jesper scoffed and pointed a fork at Keith. “He was actually inviting me for drinks for helping him out! I hardly think he’s using me.” Before Keith could protest further, Jesper then proceeded to grab a bite of sweet roll to only clank it at his helmet. Both went quiet, until Keith started to chuckle. “Really Jesper?” “S-Shut up." Jesper huffed as he pulled off his helmet in embarrassment and shook his head. Placing the helmet on table. It was until Jesper looked up that he realized Keith’s gaze was focused on him. “W-What?”
Keith stiffened and looked away briefly, “..I have never seen your face before.” “Oh..” Jesper watched him surprise for a moment before smiling softly looking down bashfully, biting a piece of his sweet roll. “You know, I’ve never seen your face either..” Hesitating for a moment, letting the silence grow, he reached forward. Pulling down his mask with confidence before quickly stealing Jespers roll, taking a quick bite. “..A bit too sweet for my taste.” Jesper could only blink in shock, as he took in the thief’s face. Not at all paying attention to the man stealing his dessert, now mesmerized by the sudden reveal. ‘He’s..handsome.’
“Like what you see Jesper?” He started to sputter in protest, turning a bright red. Keith couldn’t help but to chuckle as he finished the last piece of sweet roll before leaning in close. “Now Jesper, do you still think I’m jealous of his looks after seeing me?” Keith smirk started to grow wide as Jesper turned red. “..N-No I guess not..”
“Good, now if you excuse me, I have to go kill Dave and Kevin.” Keith pulled his mask back up, giving Jesper a wink before nodding at Hulda a goodbye. Before Jesper could even get a word in, Keith was gone, leaving him stunned. Jesper put a hand on his chest, now alone, with a far off gaze. ‘W-What just happened?’