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The shadows weighed heavily on Bittergiggle as he quietly followed Toadster from lamp to lamp, the old turf grass stabbing at his feet and the stench of decay and mildew hanging in the air. It wasn't long ago that he had told his joke to the queen and released the Naughty Ones, and he was sure his companion resented him for it. So why wasn't he just leaving him for dead - much less helping him escape?
Why wasn’t the leech attacking? Because it was biting its time!
Even with the threat of death right behind him, he still couldn't help but try and think of new jokes.
“Watch out!” Toadster suddenly barked, and Bittergiggle felt a rush of air pass his cheek, turning around just in time to see a star fly straight into a monstrous little leech right behind him. It squealed in pain as its givanium splattered onto the ground, and quickly fled back into the darkness, leaving a bright green trail in its wake. He paused to process what had just happened, before casting a brief smile at the sheriff, who quickly glanced away.
“...we oughta find somewhere to hide,” Toadster huffed after a moment. “If one's bold enough to attack, there’s bound to be more. Grab my hand, I don’t wanna lose you.”
Bittergiggle froze, stammering, before reaching out and quickly entwining his fingers with Toadster’s, not willing to let himself overthink this. He couldn’t have meant anything by it- but as the two sped through the pitch darkness towards a caved-in wall, he couldn’t help but focus on how warm and soft his hand was. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt the touch of something that wasn’t one form of sharp metal or another…
The two slipped into a small cave formed by the collapsed wall and rubble, dark and dingy and just barely big enough for the both of them. Bittergiggle pulled away to look outside, and eventually let out a sigh of relief when nothing followed them in. A few small beams of light from the lamps found their way inside, illuminating the dust drifting lazily through the air and the cobwebs in every corner.
“I guess we’re stuck here for now,” he murmured, sitting down with his knees at his chest. “But at least we’re safe. I think.”
Toadster nodded, sighing heavily as he sat down across from him. The only sound in the little crevice was quiet breathing from each of them, and the rare moment of peace let Bittergiggle really see the tiredness in his eyes. He looked down at the rugged concrete floor in a mix of awkwardness and shame, before finally speaking again after what felt like an eternity.
“...why did you save me?”
Toadster seemed to flinch a little at the question, and just leaned against the wall and looked out into the distance.
“I don’t know,” he said, but his somber gaze told a different story, even if Bittergiggle wasn’t sure what to make of it. He hesitated for a moment, before inching closer and making an attempt to lighten the mood.
“Hey, Sheriff- why didn’t the frog enjoy his trip to the north pole?” He waited with a wide grin for him to turn and face him, holding himself back from giggling at his own joke before it was even done. “...it was just a tad too cold!!”
Toadster paused for a moment, before letting out a stifled chuckle, which quickly turned into warm and croaky laughter. Bittergiggle eagerly laughed with him, the stress practically melting from his shoulders in an instant. It was exhilarating to be doing what he loved again; spreading joy even if just for a moment, and even just to one person.
And something about Toadster's laugh in particular… It was like a soft and beautiful melody that he could listen to forever.
“...I… really am sorry. About everything,” Bittergiggle sighed after the silence began to last a little too long. “I still don't know why you're forgiving me so easily.”
“I'm not,” Toadster said with a quick glance away, and Bittergiggle tilted his head as he listened. “Truth be told, I'm still furious. You really screwed up back there, Bittergiggle. But… I don't know. It's complicated.”
He could have sworn he saw a little bit of green on his cheek…
“Well, we'll be stuck here for who knows how long. Plenty of time to explain, right?”
Toadster hesitated for a long time before speaking again. “I guess even after all you've done, I just can't fathom letting you get hurt. I shouldn't care- you might've killed the queen, but…”
He paused for a moment, and then sighed heavily.
“I'm nothing without you.”
Bittergiggle froze, eyes wide as he processed the sheriff's words. He stammered for a few seconds, then without any other ideas, threw his arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. He felt him stiffen briefly, before resting his chin on his shoulder and returning the embrace, his breathing soft and shaky like he was holding back tears.
“...I'm glad to get that off my chest,” he croaked.
“...if it's anything…” Bittergiggle murmured, “I don't think so. You're amazing no matter what, Toadster. And I…”
He couldn’t seem to get out the next words he wanted to say.
“...it was lonely. Being exiled. I missed you a lot.”
“I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be- I’m the one who should be sorry.”
Bittergiggle stared shamefully down at the ground, until he felt Toadster's hand gently brush his cheek. He bit back a gasp as his face grew warm and his heart fluttered, a bright smile spreading across his face. He thought about saying something- but no, he couldn't risk making the moment awkward again- he wanted to stay like this forever and ever.
Toadster slowly pulled away, just enough to gaze up at Bittergiggle, who flinched slightly as their eyes met. Neither of them had moved their hands, and Bittergiggle kind of hoped he somehow didn't notice how warm his face was getting. He couldn't believe he'd never properly appreciated Toadster's eyes before- they were warm and golden like the sun, or so he'd heard- stern and tired and yet full of kindness.
“Bittergiggle…” he murmured, smiling softly as he gazed into the jester's eyes,
“May I kiss you?”
Bittergiggle's eyes widened and his breath hitched in his throat. The question left him in stunned silence for a while, but eventually he managed to nod, just a little bit.
He let his eyes drift shut as Toadster leaned in, heart pounding through his chest as he felt his warm breath on his face, and then his lips against his own. They were completely still in each other's embrace, and he didn't want to move- somehow it felt like forever and yet all too short.
Toadster pulled away after a moment, but it wasn’t long before they pulled each other back in for another kiss, and another, and another, and another. Bittergiggle’s breathing had grown shallow and quick, but he couldn’t bring himself to care, especially compared to the pure joy that had overtaken his mind. Eventually he leaned his head on Toadster’s chest and attempted to draw deep breaths, his face beginning to get sore from how much he’d been smiling. Toadster gently stroked his horn with one hand, and Bittergiggle eagerly leaned into his touch.
“I think I’ll just go to sleep right here,” he chuckled breathlessly, looking up at Toadster.
“I don’t mind,” he smiled, adjusting his position to make Bittergiggle a little more comfortable. “I’ll wake you up when it’s safe to get going, alright?”
He nodded, closing his eyes blissfully and letting himself finally relax in the warm shadows. “...I love you, Sheriff,” he finally whispered, half to himself.
“I love you too,” he replied softly, and the exchange was enough to lull Bittergiggle into the first peaceful sleep he could remember having.