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Dave and Kevin shared a tired look. They tried their best. Really they did, you would think after the first time he wouldn’t try it again. But no matter how hard they tried to stop him, Jesper insisted it's different this time. Saying he’s wide awake and had plenty of sleep, dare he say- even a pep in his step! Maybe even get rid of his fear of heights. So much to his friends dismay, Kevin and Dave could only look up and watch their friend, on the roof, sweeping away. Turning towards each other with a shared anxiety, they quickly started running around Whiterun picking up any stray hay bales, and started placing them under buildings once Jesper started moving from one to the other without any regard for his safety. Ignoring his friends' worried gazes each time he climbed a new one. “Why are they so worried? Weird, I don’t even feel scared. No wonder the thief likes to climb!”
Speaking of the thief, as always, Keith watched from afar, leaning on a wall in a nearby alley as he watched Kevin and Dave pass him by a few times. Watching them stress themselves out as they try to protect their clueless friend up above from a mighty fall. After a few passes Keith let out a sigh before he moved from the shadows and leaned back against the building with crossed arms to make himself known. Kevin gave a tired huff as he laid down another hay bale, now noticing the staring thief. “You could help us, you know.” Keith huffed amused, adjusting himself more comfortably on the wall. “No thanks, I’m allergic.”
Dave put down his load of hay and put his hands on hips. “You dirty liar.” Keith gave a chuckle, ignoring their whining and deciding he had his fill of teasing the two guards. He got up, moving closer to the tall building and looked up at golden boy. Who might he add, is actually enjoying himself, humming a familiar tune he can’t quite put his finger on. “He’s lost his mind.”
Until seemingly out of nowhere, breaking the peace- a cheese wheel flies by with a whiz and hits Jesper straight in the chest. Causing him to stumble in shock, dropping his broom. His friends whip their heads in his direction. “Jesper!” Dave and Kevin yell in unison as their friend is hit and stumbles, rolling off the roof on his way down. Seeing Jesper get hit, Keith’s face fell and made a mad dash towards the guard. “Shit! Jesper!” The others yelped but before the other two guards could move, Keith reached out with his arms, managing to catch Jesper’s fall, to then stumble back into the hay behind him with a big ‘THUNK!’ Reaching them in panic, Dave and Kevin hovered over the two. Kevin let out a sigh of relief. “Good job there buddy! Had me worried for a second.” Adrenaline still running through his veins, the thief sat up and just held Jesper tight, huffing out in frustration. “The hay wasn’t even remotely close!” Dave could only scratch his head sheepishly. “Oh yeah, so we may have laid them out a little far- but look on the bright side! You're one heck of a track star!”
Keith let out a growl in response before stopping as Jesper made a groan, overcoming his shock to look up at everyone. “W-What happened? What just hit me?” Dave tapped his chin and nodded looking around for evidence. “Oh yeah, I think it was a cheese wheel, I saw yellow.” “Who in the world is throwing cheese??” Jesper shouted in fear as he held onto Keith, now traumatized by the sudden attack. Kevin sighed tiredly and kept watch on the sky. “Oh buddy.. I think I can take a wild guess who…it has to be the Dragonborn, don’cha think?”
Silence washed over the four men as they pictured the big guy shouting cheese and launching it across the sky. Keith shook off the image and instead looked down to focus his attention on the guard, currently still in his lap. “He's kind of cute like this…” He looked him up and down briefly before dismissing it entirely. “No way.” Ignoring his own thoughts he flicked Jesper between the eyes on his helmet with a clink, making him jolt in surprise.
“Hey!-”
“So, I take it you're not going to be climbing anymore roofs today right, Jesper?”
“N-No…I’m done with roofs..”
“Then off you go, princess!” With a satisfying smirk the thief shoved off Jesper and stood up amused at the guards squawking. “E-excuse me? Princess?” Not paying him no mind, Keith brushed himself off not making any eye contact. “Its only fair since I had to save you like one. Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do.” With a wave from behind and a glance at Jesper he walked away into the shadows. “Have fun cleaning up!” "That's enough excitement for one day."
Bewildered Dave and Kevin watched him leave and in unison looked towards each other. As soon as he was outta ear shot, they started to giggle cheekily at each other. “Oh yeah, he definitely likes Jesper.” Dave nodded in approval as Kevin could only shake his head. Flustered, Jesper threw some hay in their direction which made them laugh even more. “He does not- now help me up!”
“Up you go princess!” Kevin teased as he pulled him up by the arm. Who in return was promptly swatted away. “We are not making this a thing.” Dave grinned jabbing Jesper with an elbow, now it was his turn to tease his friend. “Awh but this is the first time we get to tease you about your love life!” Shaking hay off Jesper squawked in shock. “What are you on about? L-Love life?? I got attacked by a flying cheese!”
“Yeah buddy, you sure did, and was saved by Keith! You should have seen the way he moved! What a hero! It reminds me of the time I first fell in love-” Jesper made a groan, regretting his choices now. “Dave!”
“Oh sorr-” before Dave could finish, another cheese whizzed on by, going over their heads. They froze for a minute until they all shared a look, seemingly reading each others minds before they started to quickly back away from the area, fearing to get hit. “You know what, you guys are right, no more climbing on roofs. I think I’ve learned my lesson now.”
~
The very next day, Jesper’s mood has greatly dropped. He has been given the task of cleaning up after the Dragonborn. Having to clean the cheese from yesterday's aftermath. If it wasn’t for Dave and Kevin, he would have been there all night cleaning up cheese. Grateful for them and just a bit embarrassed by how much they look after him. He decided he should handle the rest by himself. It's only fair he gave them a break for how much they worried yesterday. So because of his painful loyalty to his friends, here he is alone. Following the sounds of shouts echoing off the buildings that lead out of town, to the trail of the Dragonborn. Making his way past a few stray cheeses and trees, he gasped. On the top of a lone tree, was one frightened sheep, screaming for his dear life. “Oh for the love of- why?”
Hesitating and watching the sheep baa at him in sorrow, he looked around for any more signs of the Dragonborn or anyone else before taking off his helmet and pulling up his sleeves in confidence. “You got this Jesper. It’s a short climb!” With a grunt he practically threw himself on the tree, gripping on the hard bark.
Unknowingly to Jesper he was in fact not alone. “Jesper! Please don’t tell me your planning on climbing that tree.” Caught red handed the guard turned to see none other than the thief, leaning on a nearby tree with his arms crossed in disapproval. Jesper slid down the tree koala style, staring back at him. “No! Of course not- I was just uh..” Jesper's voice trailed off as he watched the other study him, stiffening at his gaze. “Shit- I took off my helmet.” Jesper patted his face and cleared his throat. “It’s fine Jesper, just go for it!”, “Alright so I am climbing this tree! I’m going to save this sheep, and you're not stopping me!” Jesper then began to climb with confidence, grabbing onto branches. The faster he climbs the faster he can get away from Keith! It's not like he's hiding from him or anything, he’s got a mission. Keith on the other hand could only roll his eyes, watching golden boy’s attempt at climbing. “Pretty boy is going to get himself killed- wait pretty?” Before he could dwell on his thoughts he heard a snap, and moved just in time to catch Jesper for the second time.
“Jesper, are you sure you're not doing this on purpose?”
“I-I’m not! Look, it's harder than it looks.”
Keith grew quiet, gazing down at Jesper in his arms who furrowed his brows at him. Keith sighed and rolled his eyes.”Can’t believe I'm going to do this..” “You're lucky you're easy on the eyes, golden boy.” Instead of dropping him this time, he let a confused Jesper down gently before climbing the tree himself. ”If I don’t do it, he’s gonna try again.” “You're buying me a drink after this.” Jesper looked up in shock as Keith began to scale the tree with ease. “I don’t know if I should be happy you're helping me or offended that you don’t trust me. I can climb it by myself, I swear!”
The thief gave a chuckle as he reached the scared sheep in no time, and gently gave it a few pats before looking down at Jesper. “Yeah sure you can, Jes. Now do us both a favor and catch!” “Catch? Wha- don’t throw it dow-!” Without warning Keith with a grunt, pushed off the sheep as it screamed all the way down, Jesper catching its fall clumsy, and falling to the ground. “I told you to catch, guard!” Jesper huffed as he sat up off the floor, sheep covering half his body, trembling in fear. Looking up at the thief who just waved at him. “That's dangerous! What if you accidentally killed him??” Climbing the tree down Keith hummed. “I was aiming for you, no worries. But look on the bright side, now you know what it was like for me catching you yesterday.”
Jesper puffed up his cheeks in annoyance, as he stood up, petted the sheep. “You're insufferable.” Keith lazily picked up Jesper's helmet before walking over to the guard, looking him up and down. “So how about that drink princess?” Jesper's cheeks started to flame hot as he stuttered out words. “You- We- We are not going to make this a thing!” He snatched his helmet from the thief, putting it on quickly. He swore he could hear the smirk in his tone. Keith shrugged his arms as he gave a teasing glance at Jesper before pulling the sheep along. “Are you coming or not?” Jesper gave a pause before running to catch up. “Well… one drink won’t hurt.”