*I don't own Jane and the Dragon or its Characters

This story is going to have a surprising twist. I'm not sure if it would be fantasy or sci fi but you'll have to wait until later chapter's. For now I hope you'll enjoy and forgive Jane for being a bit hostile. She has a good reason for it which you'll find out later.

Looking out my window I can see that it's barely daybreak, yet a certain red-headed knight is leaving for patrol.

Breathe in

"I can do this"

Breathe out

"I can't do this"

Breathe in

"I can do this"

Yelling out my window, I ask "What's the hurry?"

"It's too early to start a fight Gunther" said Jane before she flew off on Dragon.

I'm not sure I can do this

Like always we were off to a bitter start, but the only difference was in me. She doesn't know yet, but I'm ready to reveal my secret. What is it? You'll learn that later, what I'm really worried about is how Jane feels about me.

Why does Jane hate me so much? Is it because I'm not as kind and funny like Jester? Because I'm not as handy as Smithy? Because I can't cook like Pepper? Because I don't know the difference between a rose and a lily like Rake? Because I can't fly like Dragon?

I know why, because I treated her badly, because I couldn't be honest about my feelings, because my father is a bad man, because I have no friends. Love, is a hard concept for me to understand. All my life I've been no better than that practice dummy that stands in the courtyard. No one treated me well, except Jane. A long time ago, I knew I liked her better than the rest, that I didn't want to share her, that I only wanted Jane to look at me. I know that I was greedy, wanting her to acknowledge me no matter what the cost, so I cursed at her, argued with her, did whatever it took to make Jane look at me, just so she'll look at me, which caused her to despise me.

I guess I can tell you one thing right now, the truth is I'm ready to change our relationship. I can't bear the thought of Jane not next to me, I need her. That's why my mission is to make her love me. Closing my window, I change and reassure myself in the mirror "You can do this"

The courtyard

After doing target practice, Jane returned ready for our lesson. Waiting for Sir Theodore, I thought I'd try small talk. So I asked Jane "So... Did you sleep well?"

"What if I did? Is there any meaning to it whether you know or not?"

Small talk, big failure

"I guess not then"

Walking into the yard without a sword in hand, Sir Theodore looked amused as he informed us "Jane and Gunther, today you're going to be locked in a dungeon"

"What?"

"You mean locked in a dungeon with Gunther?" asked Jane

"That is correct"

Pushing me away from her, she walked up to Sir Theodore with pleading eyes "But Sir I can't stand this bog weevil"

Jane hates to be teased, but I love how she looks when she gets mad "Afraid you'll catch the plague?"

"Bog weevil!"

"Frog rider!"

"Maggot!"

"Enough! You two are fellow knights, and you must learn how to work together no matter the task. Today you must learn how to escape a dungeon for when you're ever apprehended by the enemy"

"But Sir Theodore" complained Jane

"And I also forgot to mention that you'll both be tied up"

That sounds interesting

"Will we be tied up separately or with each other?" I asked

"You'll be tied up together back to back"

Great! I'm finally getting a chance

Eagerly, I said "Let's start our lesson then"

The Castle Dungeons

Walking down dark hallways, we stop in front of the largest dungeon "Go in"

Sitting back to back in the center of the dungeon room, we sit still while Sir Theodore ties us up.

"Do we really have to do this?" Jane asked

"Sir Theodore, make sure it's nice and tight and really hard to get out of. I want to really experience the terror"

"I assure you Gunther, these knots are hard to get out of"

"A bit tighter please, it can't be too easy"

"Be quiet Gunther"

Whispering in Sir Theodore's ear, I asked "Please make it tighter"

"There all finished, now I'll hopefully see you two before dinner time"

"Don't go Sir Theodore!" Pleases Jane

"Make sure not to kill each other" he chuckled

"Wait Sir Theodore! Don't go!"

"He can't hear you Jane, he's gone"

"Ugh! What do we do?"

"Why don't you just relax and think it through"

"I guess"

Through our backs, I could feel Jane's heartbeat.

How can she stay so calm?

Her heartbeat was slow and steady while mine was racing. Not wanting her to hear it, I make another attempt at small talk "So... Did you do something with your hair?"

"I washed it"

"Yes, that's nice. So... What kind of soap did you use?"

"Gunther!"

"What? I only asked you a question"

"I use rose-water"

"No wonder"

"What? Is anything wrong with that?"

"Nothing, it's nothing"

"You better tell me!"

"You smell very nice, that is all"

"Oh, um thank you. Are you sick or something?"

"No, I was just trying to make conversation"

"Well stop it, is getting annoying"

This isn't going to work

Taking out a concealed knife, I cut the rope "There are you happy now?"

"Yes much better"

"How do we get out of here?"

"I'll have to think about that"

Sitting on the ground, I look at her while she's trying to think of a plan "Jane are you going to the ball tomorrow?"

"The ball? Yes, I am but why do you care?"

"Maggots Jane, are you looking for a fight?"

"And what if I am?"

"Woman! I'm just trying to talk to you"

"Maybe if you weren't such a donkey, I'd actually have time to think"

"What have I done that's made you this way?"

"You... You... Nothing, I hate you. Always have, always will"

"You know what? I hate you so much I can't bear to look at you"

I love you so much, it hurts to look at you

"You're the last person I'd ever want to think about"

"Looking at you makes me sick"

Looking at you makes me nervous

"Then why are you still looking at me?"

"I'll look at you if I want to!"

I want to look at you

"Than I'll look at the wall, away from your eyes"

"I'm not done with you, you better face me!"

"..."

"Do you hear me!"

Grabbing her wrist and turning her around, it wasn't anger on her face but tears "Jane, what trickery is this?"

"Are you happy now Gunther? Does it feel good to see your rival suffer?"

"Jane... I"

"Just leave me alone"

Throwing my knife out the window, I embrace Jane tightly. But she fought back hard "Let go!"

"This isn't over"

"I hate you, and I want you to die!"

"Do you always cry like this?"

"Yes! So let go of me before I kick your arse!"

I didn't know

Feeling overwhelming guilt, I apologized sincerely "I'm sorry"

"For what? Being born?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for being born. I'm sorry for making you cry, I'm sorry for hurting your feelings"

Letting go, I ask her "Tie me up"

"Why?"

"I deserve it, I'm a bad person"

Tying me up, she's still upset "Now I won't have to bother with you"

"You know this is kind of hot"

"What? Are you mad? Are you enjoying this?"

"Yes I am, what are you going to do about it?"

"Will you be quiet? This isn't a game"

"Jane I need to find out why you hate me"

"You're a rude, arrogant, stubborn, donkey face buffoon."

"I know I'm rude, arrogant, and stubborn. But I'm no donkey face buffoon"

"You're grumpy, mean, insensitive, selfish, have a large ego. And I hate it when you look at me!"

"Well guess what I'm going to continue to look at you all I want!"

"This is why you make me sick!"

"Stop it! Stop yelling at me. What is it that you want from me?"

With cold eyes, she replied "To go away"

Feeling as though I was punched in the heart, I the rope off my hands with another concealed knife, and sit in the corner "Just pretend I'm not here like you always do"

"I do not"

"Do too! Like the other day when we had to hike up the mountain, but you wandered off on your own. Thanks to you, I was walking high and low looking for you"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know"

"You should be sorry. What were you even looking for?"

"I was looking for flowers"

"Flowers?"

"You know what? You know what?"

"What?"

"I...I...I"

"Out with it!"

"Why do you hate me so much Gunther? Why do you make my life so difficult?"

Huh? I don't really hate you

"What makes you think I hate you?"

"Because you treat me terribly"

"Look! There's a bunch of stuff I need to say, but I'll start by saying sorry"

"What? I don't understand is this a prank?"

"You have to stop being so defensive, I'm just trying to apologize"

"Wow, that's some way to apologize"

"It's not like I want to be this way on purpose, but you never give me a chance to explain myself!"

"Fine! Explain yourself since we're stuck here!"

"What do you want to know?"

"That time, when you stole all those flowers, was it really for a lady friend?"

"I made it all up"

"Then the flowers?"

"That were for someone I liked. I finally mustered up the courage and was going to tell her how I felt, but she never showed up so I threw them over a cliff. I wanted her to dance with me"

"Did you even dance with anyone?"

"The princess demanded I dance with her"

"Haha, can you even dance?"said Jane spitefully

Standing up, I said pridefully "Every proper gentlemen should know how to"

"I doubt it"

"I can show you, but I'm sure all you know is how to step on people's you're toes "

"I do not"

Got you

"Then show me" I challenged

"Fine!"

Jane started to waltz with an invisible partner, even though she looked adorable trying, it wasn't enough "Not like that"

Taking her hands in mine I take the lead, she seemed a little confused. In a slow waltz, we danced for what felt like forever. After a few moments, her eyes widened "What are you doing?"

"As you can see we're dancing. What's wrong? Are you enjoying it?"

I know I am

"You proved your point, so you can let go now."

"What is wrong? Why are you looking away?"

"It's nothing"

"If it's nothing then tell me"

With teary eyes, she said sadly "I can't"

"Don't you dare look away"

"Leave me alone"

"Just look at me Jane, won't you just look at me?" I pleaded

Looking terrified, she slapped me and pushed me away "No!"

"Then just listen to what I have to say"

"..."

"The truth is, I don't hate you. I want to look at you and I want you to look at me. I want you to tell me you like me, cause frankly I'm tired of hiding these feelings that eat away at me. I like spending time with you, I like it when I win at sparring since it means it's not over, that you'll want to spar again."

Covering her ears, she yelled "I don't want to hear this!"

Removing them from her ears, I held them tightly "No you have to hear it or I won't be able to live with myself. I love the way you scrunch up your nose when you think, or the way your eyes light up when you laugh, and how your teeth are finer than pearls. When you're tired, I just want to carry you so you don't have to walk anymore, and I want to smile at you and you'll tell me how hot I am. I want to look into your eyes and learn about every shade of green that lies in them"

"Shut up please!"

Looking straight into her eyes, I let go of one of her hands and move a small piece of hair away from her face "I want to brush your hair and fix it up so you'll look even prettier than you do now."

Placing her hand over my heart, I continued "I want to watch the sunset with you, and walk hand in hand and see every expression you make. I want you to love me and to tell you how much I love you"

"This is a lie"

Placing her hand on my cheek, I continued "I want your callused hands to touch my face, and I want you to look into my eyes and ask with a blush on your face to kiss you"

"I can't like you"

"I tried my best not to like you but I failed. I like you, I love you, for there is nothing in this world worth living for if I can't have you "

"You are not lying?"

"I'm not"

Pushing me away, she replied "I want to... No! I won't allow myself to be fooled. I can't believe you, I won't believe you"

"I know you can't trust me now, but I hope you'll give me a chance. But please just look at me at me try to tell that what I said didn't make you feel anything"

"If this is a lie, then I'll have Dragon turn you into charcoal"

"I wish it was a lie, for if it was, it wouldn't hurt so much to look at you"

"I'll give you three days, if you can't convince me by then, than I'll never see you again"

"I'll disappear if you don't believe me. But I promise you this, you're going to notice me' because you'll only be able to look at me"

Leaning against the dungeon door, it opened up sending me falling to the floor "Are you kidding me? It wasn't even looked?"

"Haha, sometimes one forgets to check the obvious"

"I'll see you later"

"Whatever"

Jesters room

"Jester!"

"If it isn't the ever charming Gunther. What do you need?"

"Well... Um... Never mind"

"Gunther holding back? Well that's a first"

"I need help with... Um...romance"

"Is it the donkey down the road? A bar wench?"

"Of course not, it's a girl"

"Who is it?"

"It's... Ja..Ja.. Jane"

"No way! Absolutely not!"

"Please!"

"Anybody but her"

"Why?"

"I love her"

"Well I haven't seen you try"

"I thought this might happen someday. Look, I can't ever be with her, I'm not allowed to"

"She doesn't care about social class so why?"

"I can never give her a family"

"You mean..."

"I'm a...a...a.. Eunuch"

"Literal or spiritual?"

"What do you think?"

"I'm sorry"

"Do I have your word as a knight that you'll treat her well?"

"Yes"

"Fine, if you're going to love her, than you better do it right. What do you need to know?"

"How can I convey my feelings to her?"

"Just be honest, good honest not creepy honest"

"Do I have to be so vulnerable?"

"If you want her to know you're serious about her, then yes"

"Should I wear nicer clothes?"

"Just be yourself, but not your jerky self. And remember to bathe"

"I'll have you know I bathe every three days"

"Not good enough"

"What?"

"Use perfumed oils that will enhance your smell"

"What about my hair?"

"What's wrong with it? You mean the fact you look like a scary villain? Or the fact that you're way of speaking isn't the most pleasant"

"Look! I'm working on it. Are you going to help me or not?"

"Jane's favorite flowers are poppies"

"What kind of guys does she like?"

"She would never tell those kinds of things. You'll have to ask Pepper, but be careful, she's a gossiper"

The kitchen

"Pepper!"

"Gunther what are you doing here?"

"I'll get straight to the point, am I appealing?"

"Apple pealing?"

"No, I'm asking if you think I'm attractive?"

"Gunther I'm sorry but this is not proper for I'm a married woman and I have no intention of leaving Rake"

"I'm not flirting with you, I'm only asking if I would be considered attractive to a girl of the court"

"Is this girl Jane by any chance?"

"Pfffft...Haha... No?"

"I knew it"

"Fine it's true. I came to ask what kind of men she thinks are attractive?"

"She always did think Jester was adorable, poor thing doesn't know he's a eunuch. If you just show her your awkward sweet side then I'm sure she'll come to like you"

"When have I ever been sweet?"

"Let's see, that time when you picked all those flowers for Jane but she never attended the ball"

"You knew?"

"We all knew except Jane, smart girl but she's a little slow when it comes to romance. She's never given her heart to anyone, so it's ready for the picking as soon as it's ripe."

"Is my hair alright?"

Taking a small piece of rope she gathers all my hair and ties it up "Look at your reflection"

"Is that me?"

"All you have to do is tie your hair and you'll look much neater. Jane likes strawberries so why not go with her to pick some"

"But she's always with that overgrown lizard"

"Just leave it to me"

The courtyard

"What is this?" asked Dragon

"It's a cake for you"

"Foooood"

After swallowing the cake in one bite he was fast asleep in no time "what did you do?"

"A cake mixed with herbs that will make him sleep for a few hours. Now go ask her"

"I will, after I change clothes"

Going to my room, I put on a new tunic, and since I had no perfumed oil available, I used watered down maple syrup for a nice scent. Then headed off to Jane's room. Knocking on Jane's door, I asked "Can I come in?"

"Yes"

At the sight of me, she looked ready to laugh "Gunther, you look different"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go search for strawberries... In the woods... With me"

"Now that you mention it, it would be nice to bring some for the princess, alright let's take Dragon."

"He's asleep"

"We can take a horse"

"Actually, I wonder if you'd like to walk there with me"

"But won't you get tired?"

"Are you kidding I'm the picture of health"

"Gunther"

"Yes Jane?"

"You should probably change or you'll ruin your nice clothes"

"This old thing, no worry let's go"

I don't care as long as you notice me

Packing a sack of supplies and getting a basket from Pepper, we head of to the forest. For a while the only around us are birds. Looking beside me, Jane looked bored. While I was thinking of ways to entertain her, she broke the silence "Gunther, are you alright?"

"I'm fine why?"

"I think there's a bee following you"

Swatting at the bee, it finally flew away "See I'm fine"

As we kept walking, there was this annoying sound "Gunther is that you?"

"What is?"

"All that weird humming?"

"No"

"Then what is that sound? It sounds like it's getting closer"

Looking back, I notice some bees following us "Jane I think we should run"

"Why?"

Turning her head' she saw them "Let's go"

Running as fast as we could we tried to avoid them, but they were fast "Gunther what did you do?"

"I don't know"

"Over there Gunther let's jump into that lake!"

Dropping our sack of supplies and the basket, we jump in. From under water, we waited for them to leave before we reemerged. With a frown she started yelling "We could have been hurt"

"I'm sorry"

"What's that smell? This whole time I've been smelling something"

Coming closer, she realized "Are you wearing maple syrup?"

"Yeah"

"Are you an idiot? What were you thinking?"

"I just wanted to smell good alright. Besides I like maple syrup"

"Haha! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard"

Great this is just great

"No wonder the bees were following us. They were attracted to your scent"

"Oops"

Her frown was replaced with a smile "Haha! Gunther sometimes you really can be kind of..."

"Kind of what?"

"Anyway let's go"

"Kind of what?"

"Must be your stupidity messing with my mind, but you can be cute sometimes"

Yes! This is great

Getting out of the water, we sit for a while waiting for the sun to dry our clothes naturally. It was quiet but Jane broke the silence again "You know, you don't smell bad or anything. You usually smell like leather. But once when you helped unload all that cinnamon you really smelled great that day"

"Are you falling for my charm Jane?"

Trying to act tough, she looked away "Of course not, I'm just saying you should be more natural"

Taking a stick, I poked her cheek "You mean like that?"

Finding a bigger stick, she broke mine "Like that"

"Are you trying to start a fight?"

"And if I am?"

Taking two wooden swords out of the sack, I hand her one "let's spar"

Excited, she started to attack me but I evaded it "Gotta do better then that"

"You'll be eating dust when I'm through with you"

Spinning around her, I tapped her shoulder "Shall we dance?"

As she turned around, she plunged for me "I'll end this"

"Oh no you won't beautiful"

She froze, she looked confused. Using this opportunity, I smacked the sword out of her hand "I win"

"That's not fair, you cheated"

"You must have gotten distracted by my good looks"

"Ugh! Forget this in going home"

"Wait Jane we haven't gotten the strawberries yet"

Taking hold of her wrist, I turned her around to find she's blushing "Jane?"

"I'm so angry at you I can't stand it"

Maybe she doesn't get it yet. But perhaps she likes me too. I could use this

"Have I inflamed you're interest?"

"Leave me alone"

"Jane do you feel embarrassed?"

"Be quiet"

Taking her hand, I said "Come on Jane, let's go look for strawberries"

"Let go of my hand"

"You don't like it?"

"I don't hate it, but it makes me feel weird"

"Admit it Jane, you like me too"

"Never"

"I still have time, no rush"

"What makes you so confident?"

"Because these feelings aren't fake"

After a few minutes, we finally come across the strawberry patch "Let's pick a lot"

As I picked them, I would pop a few in my mouth "You're supposed to be picking them not eating them" Jane scolded

"If I'm working I need to be compensated in some way"

"You're right"

"These are so sweet, here try these"

Taking them from my hand, she pops it in her mouth and smiles "These are the best strawberries I ever had"

"It's because you're here that everything tastes sweeter"

"Stop that"

"Stop what?"

"You're starting to sound like Jester"

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No it's just feels odd that's all"

"Let's pick these instead. Even though they're smaller that taste much better"

"You're right"

Filling the basket with wild strawberries, we sit against a tree enjoying it's shade. This time I broke the silence "Jane do you like Jester?"

"I used to"

"Can you tell me happened?"

"I guess he didn't like me that way. One day when we were talking I tried to let him know I like him. But he told me to stop, and to never mention it again. It's not like I cared all that much, but that was harsh"

"Jane if you didn't care then why are you crying?"

"I am?"

Putting my arm around her and holding her to my chest, I said softly "You loved him didn't you?"

Letting go of her though pretense, she confessed "I did... I really did"

"Jane just know that it wasn't anything you did. He cares about you very much"

"How do you know?"

"He told me himself"

"..."

"Jane he's not able to..."

"I know he's a eunuch"

"When did you find out?"

"Not long ago. My father left some scrolls on the table so while I tried to find him while carrying them, I came across Jesters papers. He was sold as a slave to the castle by some merchant called MB. After reading it, at the end it said eunuch due to abuse. I don't think he remembers what happened to him before the age of seven. I hope he'll never find out, I don't think I can bear watching the horror"

"If you want to cry or anything, it's alright. For now just relax and let it go"

"Why did it have to happen to him?"

"Just let it all out, you're safe here with me"

For a while she cried, talking about why she became a knight. But when she quieted down, I realized she fell asleep. Holding her in both arms, and the basket I begin the trip to the castle.

Jane's Tower

Laying her on her bed, I was about to leave when she woke up "Gunther? How'd I get here?"

"I carried you. Just rest, I'll let Sir Theodore know you aren't feeling well"

"Thank you Gunther. I had a nice time"

Walking toward her bed, I patted her hair and said "You'll need to rest if you plan to beat me at staves tomorrow."

"That's true"

Closing the door, ran down to my room to unleash my rage "Father it's your fault. You always get in my way. Why, did you do something so bad. And why did you sell Jester to the castle?"

If my father wasn't dead I could have made him pay for his sins. So now I have to find out why this happened.

Sir Theodore's Quarter's

"Sir you've been in the service to the king for a long time. And since you're wise with years, I thought perhaps I could ask you some questions"

"Please proceed"

Taking a seat, I asked "What should I do if there's someone I care about but there's a secret that could ruin everything"

"is it necessary for the other person to know? "

"That's what I'm wondering"

"Having a secret is not always a bad thing. If you believe it's better not to tell her but don't, but if you don't you have to carry the burden"

"Understood sir"

I can't tell her ever.

"Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?"

"Jane is not able to perform any duties today, she's feeling unwell"

"Understood, you're free for the rest of the day. And tell Jane to feel better"

"Thank you sir"

"And Gunther, you must better treat her well"

"Sir?"

"Aren't you infatuated with her?"

"How did you know?"

"I once was young and foolish. But because of circumstances, I lost her to another. Don't wait too long or she'll be taken by someone else."

"I know"

"You have a good heart, that's why I know you're good for her"

"Thank you Sir. If you'll excuse me I have things to do"

The Kitchen

"Gunther are these strawberries?"

"They're wild strawberries, they may be small but they compensate with taste"

"These are wonderful, what should I make?"

"Make tarts"

"Then I shall. Did Jane have a good time?"

"I think so"

"Can you call Jester it's almost dinner time"

"Fine"

"Oh and Gunther, thank you for choosing Jane."

"There are my other girls in the castle"

"Very funny"

Jesters Room

"Hey you, you're going to be needed soon"

"Did things go well?"

"Other than almost getting stung by bees, I'm fine"

"For the next step you have to let her see the real you"

"The real me?"

"Can you say for certain that you've opened up your heart?"

"Well no, but"

"Then talk with her, open up"

"I know just what to do"

Before dinner, I went to my room and wrote a note "Jane let's watch the stars tonight at the top of your tower. I'll be waiting"

Taking the note, I placed it on her bed and ran off to eat dinner.

Nighttime the top of Jane's tower

Returning from patrol, she asked "You haven't waited long have you?"

"Of course not, it was only three hours"

Sitting beside, we look at the glittering sky "You really have a nice view from here"

"It's only one the reasons I love this tower"

"Jane is there something you want to now about me?"

"What food don't you like?"

"I don't really like all that rich people food I claim to like. Instead I like hearty stew with fresh bread"

"Can I touch your hair?"

"Why?"

"I want to know what it feels like"

"Go ahead"

Slowly, she ran her fingers through my hair. When her fingertips lightly touched my scalp, it made shiver a little but it felt good.

"Gunther are you enjoying this?"

"Oddly enough I am"

"You have really thick hair"

"Jane stop that it tickles"

"You're ticklish are you"

"Don't you dare"

Tickling the side of my ribs, I burst out laughing "haha..this..haha... This...haha... Isn't funny"

Her eyes sparkled in delight, she looked life she was enjoying herself. Then I began tickling her "haha.. Gunther... Haha stop"

I stopped, I wanted her respect. So she too stopped "Gunther?"

"You told me to stop"

"You listened?"

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I guess so. Gunther can I ask, where is your mother?"

"I don't know but I think she's still alive somewhere"

"Do you think they would have the record of it?"

"I'm not sure, but even if I did know where she was. As long as she's safe and content that's enough for me."

"How come?"

"I don't want to remind her of my father"

"I think you've really matured Gunther, you're not that much of a beef brain anymore"

Looking beside me, she was shivering a little "Are you cold Jane?"

"I'm fine"

Going down into her room and grabbing a blanket, I covered her "No you're not. Stop trying to look tough all the time. You might be a knight but you're also a woman. You need to take care of yourself"

"What about you Gunther?"

"I'm the picture of health"

Covering me with the blanket and sitting close, she said "If that was true your lips wouldn't be turning blue"

Wrapping my arms around her, I held her close "Fine, but don't sit so far"

"This is a little..."

"Embarrassed? We are just fellow comrades who happen to like each other"

"Who said I like you?"

"Then why are your cheeks red?"

"It's nothing"

Hugging her tighter, I whispered in her ear "You're so adorable"

She didn't move, she only just sat there in my arms. So I continued "when did you become so small? When we were kids you were like a giant but now, I'm bigger"

"When did you become a man Gunther? This is weird, perhaps I should go"

"Are you afraid you're enjoying this?"

"I..I... It's.."

"Please just stay right here for now. I love the feeling of you close to me. It gives me hope that you'll like me to"

"Strangely, I feel safe in your arms and it makes me nervous. I'm afraid all this will be a joke"

"It's not, if it was I wouldn't be enjoying it so much"

"I'm enjoying this too"

"Jane, would you like to go to the ball... With me?"

"You remember last time, mother said I can only go in a gown"

"Then do that"

"But you'll..."

"Jane to be honest, I was looking forward to dancing with you last time. I don't care what you wear, but I would be happy if you went with me"

"Fine! But if you laugh, I'll feed you to Dragon"

"You should see your eyes when you're upset. It's like a fire is burning within emeralds. They enchant me"

My statement made her cheeks redden. Looking away, she said flustered "Let's just watch the stars for now"

While we watched the stars, even if we were silent, I almost felt the feelings were mutual. Though she didn't look at me much, I believe it's because she felt embarrassed. After an hour or so we walk down to her room. Looking speechless, I teased Jane "What's wrong? Dragon got your tongue?"

"You're not as much a donkey as I thought"

"You call that a compliment? I could go on about how pretty you are but it would take all night"

"..."

"If you're not going to say it then I will, I had a good time with you."

"Yeah, it was acceptable"

"As much as I'd love to stare into you're beautiful eyes, I've got to go"

"I'll see you tomorrow Gunther"

"Goodnight Jane, have sweet dreams of me"

"Gunther!"

With a smirk, I said "Bye beautiful"

Standing outside her door, I look back and wonder

I hope she'll begin to see me differently

Going to bed, I hoped that even if it was just a little, something might have changed.