Disclaimer: Jane and the Dragon and all related characters are the property of Martin Baynton, Weta, and Nelvana.
A/N: These ficlets are all over the shop, and follow no particular rules of length or setting. Some are future-set, one is modern-day . . . I hope you enjoy them anyway. A thousand thanks to Kris and OtakuChild for being my betas. Check our Kris' prompt fics too, and why not write some of your own? The prompts can be found on the Jane and the Dragon forum.
--
Blade
"Now," Jane's voice brooked no argument as she held the blade towards him, but Gunther was determined to try anyway.
"But I like it!" He stroked his stubbled chin with one hand, and offered her a smirk.
Jane simply rolled her eyes. "Nice try, Beef-head, but if you ever want to come near me again you will go and shave this instant. Your precious prickles bring me up in a rash."
Gunther sighed, defeated, and meekly accepted the blade.
--
Cradle
In his mind her hair is long and dark, her skin soft and pale. She speaks gently, and tells him she loves him. It is always night, there in his mind where she is, and his father doesn't exist anymore. He doesn't really know what she looked like, or how she sounded, but sometimes he thinks he remembers her smell, and how it felt to be cradled in her warm arms.
--
Fall
"This is so embarrassing," Jane muttered for the third time, head lowered in case he caught sight of her blush.
Gunther just laughed, and tossed her lightly in his arms, making her clutch at his sleeve. "It might teach you to watch where you are walking, and also what you eat! I am not sure I could carry you if you weighed much more."
Jane's head snapped up in anger, but Gunther simply tossed her again, a little higher this time, proving his words to be a lie. Feeling her blush growing, Jane punched his arm, and Gunther laughed harder, until she was worried he'd drop her for real.
--
Song
Jane was beginning to wonder if the castle was haunted. Just that morning she had heard a strange song coming from the stables. But when she had gone to investigate, there was only Gunther, cleaning out the stalls and complaining.
--
Blind
Every now and then Gunther Breech would turn up for gym class later than everyone else, after getting changed alone in the locker room. He'd slip quietly into class, and sit on a bench over the back until Mr. Mackay would yell at him for slacking off. Then he'd move slowly onto the court and try to dodge whatever activity was scheduled for the day until Mr. Boarmaster would call him over and lift the hem of his shirt up just enough to reveal the ugly bruises underneath. Then Mr. Mackay would yell at him for fighting, and Gunther would shove his way out of the gym, the shout of "detention!" ringing behind him.
As her classmates snigger beside her, Jane can't help wondering if she's imagining things, or if everyone else is blind.
--
Memory
Jane twirled the stem of the flower in her hand. It was dead and dry and fragile, and a petal fell off and floated onto the sand as she watched, Dragon's shadow passing overhead.
"Daisy?" The offer was a tentative one, but there was no mistaking that the flower was meant for her. "For luck."
Jane had blinked in surprise as she accepted the delicate blue flower, before smiling as she looked at it more closely. "Forget-me-not, Gunther."
"Of course," Gunther sounded confused. "None of us will."
She was caught in a cuddle by Pepper before she could explain what she meant, and when she looked again Gunther was gone.
Jane gently tucked the flower back into her pouch before standing up and brushing the sand away. She looked in the direction of home and smiled, before turning and walking towards Dragon.
--
Poison
Jester's role as royal food-taster was apparently a dangerous one, as he sampled each dish that was set before the king to check for poison. But watching Jester leave the hall each mealtime happily patting his stomach, Gunther couldn't help being envious of the job.
--
Heat
To him, Jane was heat. She was dragonflame and anger, fiery passion and hot strength. She was a beacon in his cold life, and sometimes all he wanted was to bask in her warmth.
--
Names
Jester couldn't help noticing that as the years went on, the names stayed the same but their meanings seemed to change.
--
Never and Always
They would never be friends, but they would always be there for one another.
They could never agree, but they were always united against their enemies.
They would never be lovers, but they always held each other as if there was no one else.
They would never admit it, but they would always rely on each other.