A/N: I got this prompt from jatd4ever with Gunther/Pepper and the word "I always knew I needed a little of spice in my life". Jatd4ever – this prompt actually inspired another piece. I did promise a certain insane character, and it is on the way. Inspired by "A million drums" and I have no idea who the artist is.

I don't own JATD.

A million drums

Rake was seething. Of course he was, Gunther had made a great mistake.

"Gunther, I would like a word with you." He said once he reached the other boy, keeping his voice as steady as he could. All he wanted to do was to hit the other boy in the nose for what he did to Pepper. Or rather what he had said to Pepper.

"I know you've always liked the way my lady smiled, and you probably heard I was going to go away for a while to look for new produce, but Pepper will never be yours! Her heart is mine and not even a million drums would sway her heart otherwise!" Rake tried not to scream, but from the way Jane and the dummy were looking at him, he wasn't sure he had succeeded.

"Hey," Gunther's hands were in the air, as if surrendering, "I know what this is about – and I swear she misinterpreted what happened!"

Rake narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but nodded his head for Gunther to continue. Gunther lowered his hands and nodded his head to the redheaded girl, who started her assault on the dummy again.

"Well, it was like this: I was rather peckish and I asked for a light snack, maybe some of the delicious strawberries she always has or salty pasties or just something she had lying around. I was leaning on the counter and she gave me a two pasties. I was possibly lying a bit too close to her, which I apologise for, but to defend my actions I will say that I was tired. I took a bite and I said that it was spicy."

"You told her you always needed a bit more spice in your life! Gunther, we call her Pepper! Were you meaning her?" Rake was awfully red in the face. He couldn't bear the thought of the black-haired beauty in the kitchen being with anyone else than him.

"What?" Gunther snorted, "No, heavens, no! Pepper is too young for me! I was only referring to the spiciness of her pastries!"

Rake hesitated. What if he had grabbed the dragon by the tail? It was possible. It was also possible that Pepper had misread the signs.

"Rake, I wouldn't court someone like Pepper." Gunther said.

"What do you mean 'someone like Pepper'?" Rake was on his high horse again, he knew, but he couldn't let the knight on training say anything demeaning about his lady love. Gunther would knock him on his bum sooner than Rake could lift his hand, but he had to try.

"She is a taken lady, Rake, calm yourself, man!" Gunther swatted at him, annoyed, "I'm a knight, or I will soon be, I would never use my position as a way to gain an advantage."

"So you were simply saying her pastries were spicy?" Rake asked again to make sure. Gunther seemed to be unable to keep his eyes off Jane as it were, so Rake didn't have a hard time believing him.

"Yes, and she chased me out of the kitchen with a dishcloth!" Gunther moaned.

"I will explain to Pepper and convince her to give you some more pastries," Rake smiled, "And perhaps one for Jane too. Who knows, perhaps Jane can be your Pepper?"

The gardener left the other boy there with red ears.

. . .

A/N: This was short. Hope you liked it!