You and Me at Six, Loverboy

[Jasper]

January 17th, Year 1

The low buzz of people talking around him was barely audible to Jasper as he stared down at his drink. Here everything was seemingly peaceful, the war hadn't grazed the small town yet. He supposed that was one of the reasons they could meet there, it was untouched by the vile darkness that was quickly approaching. The whispers on the wind, and people picking sides were all mere fantasy at this point.

Families weren't torn apart yet, leaders weren't make as poor as mistakes yet either. Everything was relatively 'peaceful'. It was like there was a false sense of security in the walls surrounding the place. This town just waiting in limbo for the approaching storm...

Mismatched hues slowly gazed up from the wine cooler in front of him, a light drink in comparsion to all the others but it was a taste the Jasper had craved. A slight tinge of alcohol taste to it, but it was mostly fruity and covered it well. He hated the taste of pure alcohol, that's why he tended to stay away from ale, wine, and all those other drinks.

And the wine cooler was a distant memory that reminded him of home. Long evenings spend on the porch talking with friends and family, joking about life as if there wasn't a problem in the world. God how he missed those days, it was like some sort of foreign memory now though. He would have to make new memories.

The sound of the bell jingling over the door caught his attention, his eyes slowly drifting towards the entrance. The ringing was louder to him than anyone else. The place was packed and yet he was able to pinpoint it above the noise. The familiar face that stood only a few feet away should of brought him comfort, but he felt nervousness bubbling in his chest. This was risky, all of this was. They often risked this, seeing eachother in the shadows. He didn't understand why they did it but he knew he'd do it again, over and over until he was caught. He wondered if his partner would do the same...

He cleared his throat brushing away his thoughts. He lifted up his hand to warrant the king's attention. "Clopin, over here!" He raised his voice as loud as it would go above the jabbering crowded bar.

[Clopin]

The gypsy king picked up the sound of a familiar voice shouting over the buzz of people chatting and clinking their drinks. He had been to America only once or twice, usually with the help of magic. But judging from the attitude of the people here, the war hadn’t reached them yet.

His eyes met Jasper’s, and a surge of feelings rushed through him. Clopin could never really help who he fell for, especially when it came to one of the members of an army he had sworn against. When he was Simba’s second in command, Jasper had been a council member, and the two of them spent many nights deciding on battle strategies and other things. Paired with a few drinks, feelings were confessed, and the two became secret lovers.

When Clopin became frustrated with Simba and left to create the Rogues, he had never really forgotten Jasper. But with the two of them belonging to opposing sides, the last thing he needed was someone seeing the two of them together, especially with himself being such a public figure.

He joined the other at the bar, ordering a glass of absinthe.

“Jasper…what if someone sees us here? It’s such a public place.” Clopin said, turning to look over his shoulder out of habit.

[Jasper]

Situations like this always caused things to be messy. Secret lovers running around in the dark, behind their peoples' back just to see a glimpse of one another. It resulted in dangerous events that could unfold. Yet Jasper knew this is why he picked this place. It was loud and busy too active for anyone to care, and those who did wouldn't say a word. This place was meant to hold secrets. Scandals, affairs, betrayals, anything and everything. It was like an ex-pirate's dream.

“Jasper…what if someone sees us here? It’s such a public place.”

A dark brow raised at his partner's worried tone. A smile gracing his features before setting his hand on Clopin's to gently reassure him. "We'll be fine, I've been going to this place since I was a teenager. No secrets of mine had been leaked out before so it's safe here. Alright?" Once he gently reassured Clopin, he picked up his own drink stealing the last swig out of it before ordering another one as the bartender came over and placed Clopin's drink down. Mismatched hues watched the bartender carefully for a long moment, as he tried to gather his thoughts.

"And if someone does see us, oh well. We can play it off as trying to make peace, that or we both lose our positions and we can run off somewhere like we've been planning." He shrugged his shoulders as if it wasn't a problem, in truth however it was a different story. Both of them had people to look after, to care for, if they were outed then it would be an issue but who knew. It could provide more opportunities than problems.

"Let's not worry about that though, how have you been dear?"

[Clopin]

The gypsy smiled uneasily when Jasper suggested that they could run away together. Yes, that had been their plan at one point, but with everything that had happened, he couldn’t quite see himself leaving France, no matter how much the other meant to him.

The absinthe was strong, just how he liked it.

“I’ve been quite alright, I suppose. There’s been a couple attempts at some coups to take back the throne, but it seems that they all fail before they can actually begin.” Clopin said, with a wink. He sipped his drink, and lightly rested his hand on Jasper’s own.

“How have things been since I left? Are your soldiers adjusting well to you?” Clopin asked.

[Jasper]

"As well as one would think." Came a dry reply from Jasper. His fingers gripped Clopin's and his mismatched gaze watched the way they held each other. He could help but wonder how much longer they could trot on this thin line between secrecy and discovery. Every time they met it became more dangerous and he felt as though the world was beginning to crush in around him. Guilt felt heavy in his chest for reasons he would not explain.

"I'm not sure how much longer I'll be a leader for the Freedom Fighters. It's just begun but I can feel the change around me. Somethings bound to happen. What though? I'm not quite sure. It's good to hear you've been able to handle yourself."

"I've been worried about you, Clopin."