Author's Note: Thank you to the Fanfic Lurker for the lovely review. I was quite flattered by it.
Disclaimer: The Knight and Rogue series belongs to Hilari Bell.
Title: Stolen
Summary: Romance and humor have never been Michael's strong points
Words: 484
Fisk was saddling up Tipple when Michael suddenly blurted out, "Fisk, you're a thief."
"Correction, Noble Sir, I was a thief," Fisk said irritably. "I am not currently a thief."
"Yes, you are." Michael's broad smile was not one you would usually see on the face of someone accusing their squire of thievery. Then again, Michael was happy quite a lot, and especially at inappropriate times.
"I don't do that anymore, Michael. You know that." Fisk tightened the girth on Tipple's saddle, causing her to stomp in annoyance. Fisk swung his foot away from the horse's oncoming hoof.
"Fine." Michael still had that stupid grin on his face. He then proceeded to swing himself up onto Chant, looking like he was having the time of his life.
"Why are you so accursed happy?"
"I have a great many things to be happy about."
"If you say so, Noble Sir." Fisk mounted Tipple and dug his heel into her side, causing her to break into a trot.
Michael was nearly left in the dust as Chant refused to move. "Fisk! Fisk, wait!" The squire rolled his eyes and stopped Tipple.
Eventually both horses were moving and the two boys were riding alongside each other.
It was funny, how Michael rode. He almost looked like a lady on a horse, except without the whole awkward sidesaddle position. He rode unnaturally gently, but, now that Fisk thought about it, many things Michael did were unnaturally gentle.
"So, Noble Sir, what have I done to lead you to believe that I'm a thief and a vagabond?"
"Well, you've stolen something quite precious to me."
"Pray tell, what is this thing?"
"Guess." Michael had a childish smile on his face, and Fisk wouldn't admit how much he liked that smile.
"This is idiotic." Michael pouted, and Fisk resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I haven't stolen anything precious to you."
"Well..." Michael started.
"Do go on."
Michael took one hand off of Chant's reins, probably not a wise decision, and laid a hand on Fisk's shoulder. "You've stolen my heart."
Fisk stared at him blankly for a few minutes, not sure what to make of that, and tried to find it in him to glare but then burst out laughing. "Michael," he said between giggles, "Michael, that was terrible."