Little John

Robin stared at the star marking drawn on the huge man's chest. It didn't look right on that otherwise smooth expanse of flesh. That beautiful skin should be clean, white. Robin poured water from his flagon over it, scrubbed at it with the end of his tunic. It began to vanish. Over and over, Robin poured water upon the flesh of the man on the ground...over and over, he wiped at the offending spot until it was gone...
And the large man awoke.

Bewildered, a tiny bit befuddled, he stared at Robin for a moment before sitting up. He thanked the younger man and then told Robin, he had been captured and put under a spell. When his rescuer murmured words of comfort, the massive man looked up, searched the blue eyes of the man who sat so close to him, searched and found something that put him at ease. It was something that told him this was a friend, a real friend.
"You appear well enough now, " the blond man said in relief, his eyes showing his pleasure.

The large man sniffed at himself and grimaced, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "I am, thanks to you, but I stink like a pig."
"Aye, that you do, " Robin agreed cheerfully, "but we're near the river and the day is warm and you can bathe, now can't you?"
"That I can, and will, gratefully. The hulking form of the man who had just fought with Robin and lost, rose and he seemed even larger. He removed his leather jerkin, dropped it carelessly upon the ground and then striped off his breeches. He missed the look of admiration in Robin's eyes, and then the disappointment when the stranger retained his undergarments. The big man waded into the river and splashed happily in the cool water.
He stepped in deeper, until the water rose to his chest, and then wiggled around in the depth, removed his underpants. "And what is your name, my fine rescuer?"

"Robin of Loxley."
"Nay, " the big man said, glancing at the hood that covered the other man's head. "More like Robin of the Hood, I think." He grinned impishly, friendly as an overgrown puppy.
"Robin of the hood?" He lowered his hood, allowed the sun to catch and gleam on his long, blond hair as he let the feel of the word linger on his tongue. He decided he liked it and smiled back in pleasure.
"Aye." The giant glanced at the long, blond hair and lingered there for a moment, mesmerized.
Delighted with the interest, Robin inquired, "And you, sir?"
"John, of Little."
"More like Little John, I think, " Robin teased.
John's gaze shot up sharply but he saw only admiration and wonder in the blue eyes of the man who stood at the river's edge. He chuckled in relief and said, "Little John; I like that."
"More like John of Little Length if you ask me, " crowed Will of Scarlet from his perch higher up on the shore.
John flushed darkly in embarrassment. Rage twisted his face before he pivoted abruptly, turning his back on the other men. He tugged on his drawers again, the running water making it difficult and ruining his disposition even more.
"I think John of Little or Nothing fits better, " Dickon
remarked, then laughed, his whole face beaming in joy.
"John of little or nothing!" Much echoed, dancing around. He flung himself on Tom's neck who immediately heaved him back off. He landed on the soft grass with a grunt but was unhurt.

"Oh, Aye, though John of Little Worth sounds as good, " Will continued, standing up, walking down to the water's edge. He viewed the dark red neck of the huge man in satisfaction. "Turn so I might have a good laugh! Turn I say! I am in need of a good joke."
"Enough, " Robin ordered sharply. "Be gone. I wish to speak to Little John in private."
"But, Robin, " Will protested, "We..."
"I said be gone, Will. Have you gone deaf as well as rude?"
Their eyes did battle but Robin won. "Nay." He threw a look of animosity toward the heavy man who still stood with his back turned. He stalked off, cuffing Much as he passed him. Much yelped but he followed without returning the slap. The other men tagged along.
Robin stood, silent, perplexed, as he watched his friends leave. What had gotten into Will? "They're gone now, " Robin said gently; "You can come out now." In spite of his words, the big man only remained, frozen in the water, body stiff and tense, his breathing erratic. "Come, ease your anger. They meant no harm."
"They did." And he stayed in the water though Robin could see goose bumps forming on the muscular arms.

"Are you going to stay in there all day?" When the other man did not answer, the blond pointed out. "You'll freeze." The giant remained mute, a solid block of anger. "Don't let your gall well up inside and give you sickness. They meant no harm I say."
"When you leave, I will come out."
"Don't be foolish, Little John."
John turned, his features revealing the turmoil within him. "Don't call me that!"
"Hold! I meant no harm, and that is the truth! And I think you know this full well. I don't even know why they spoke as they did but I assure you it was meant as teasing."
"It was not!" John argued belligerently.
"Why do you say that?"
"They saw."
"Saw what?"
"Me."
"However, I see you and you do not look at all tiny to me. Why would their words anger you so?"
John searched the other's face and realized Robin honestly did not understand. He drew bravery up around him and said, "I am..." The last word was spoken so low, Robin could not hear it.
"What?" he demanded. "Speak up."
"I am...small..." He flushed darkly.
"You do not look small to me, " and again, Robin admired the broad expanse of chest.
"I am...small...down below..."
"No, I saw your legs; they..."
"My..." and again the word vanished into the air, unheard. John lowered his head in shame.
"What? You must not mumble so, Little John. I did not hear you."
"My manhood...MY MANHOOD!" he bellowed and then turned bright red. "I am...small..."
"All men are little until they swell with pride and need. Surely, you know that." He waited but the only answer he received was a dark flush again. "Haven't you seen yourself when you are swollen?"
"I have never puffed up like a squirrel's cheek much less like a cow's bladder as some men say they do, " John remarked honestly, but with a tint of shame in his words.

"But you are older than I am...surely..."
"Nay. I have tried, but..." Rage gripped him again. He stalked from the water, jerked on his breeches.
"Your wet drawers will soak them, " Robin protested. "Shouldn't you remove them first?"
"Leave me, Robin. Take your own advice."
"But..."
"I will crush you!" John howled, taking a step forward, shaking his fist at the other man.
"You are big enough. Come, if I vow solemnly not to mention your tiny privates..." He dodged a fist. "Nay, hold! I will behave! I promise! I was only trying to lighten your scowl." John growled at him in menacing tones. "If my teasing will not give you succor, then perhaps food will. We killed a boar this morning and he cooks in our camp. It is the king's meat but should be eatable. What say you, Sir Gripe and Sulk? Will you sup with us this fine evening?"
"Nay." He tugged on his leather jerkin, had trouble with it. Robin was there without warning, helping him put it on. John froze, moved a step backward, and stood glaring at him. The open friendliness, the admiration, he saw in the other man's face removed the anger within him as rapidly as a tax man did gold pieces from a poor man's purse.

"Please stay."
The tone was quiet, pleading, and the other man could only nod. Strange feelings were tingling the back of his mind, the edges of his loins, silencing his voice, making him feel emotions he had never experienced before. He scowled at his hands trying to sort out his emotions.
"Then come." Robin helped him finish dressing. He put his arm around the giant, and they walked up the bank, through the forest, and on to Robin's camp. Will watched them enter the small area, a look of enmity on his face. Again, Robin eyed him in bewilderment. He shrugged and led John to the food, sat him down and then went to the blond Will. He gripped the other man's arm, and whispered, "Don't be like this. We could use his strength."
"You mean you could use his strength!" Will accused hotly. "I saw the way you looked at him while he bathed!"
<Ah, > Robin thought in understanding. <It is his jealousy he shows.> Both pleased and irritated, the young man demanded, "Do I yell like a stuck boar when you go off into the woods with Tom or Dickon?" Robin shook his head. "We are all free men here, William, and I'll not have you forgetting that."
"I know we're free, Robin." Yet, he glowered at the man who stood close to him, the man who held his arm.
"Sleep away from us tonight, " the hooded man requested calmly. The look Will of Scarlet threw toward Little John would have frozen any other man, but John's face remained as stone. "I am asking him to join us. I'll not have you making it a bad thing for him if he decides to remain and fight beside us. Do you understand?" When there was no answer, Robin's grip tightened. "I asked, do you understand?"
"Aye! I understand all right! You want his hardness inside you! How can he give you pleasure? He is smaller than a..."
"All men began tiny, Will, or have you forgotten?" His eyes met the other's and refused to let go until the other man nodded, once. Will jerked away, vanished into the forest. Robin signaled at the others who followed their friend into the deeper part of the wood. Only Much remained behind. He sat up in a tree, watching the giant in fascination. "Go with them."

"Let me stay, Robin. I'll keep one eye closed."
The hooded man sighed and returned to the fire and the food. "You're not eating, Little John?"
"I waited for you."
"That was kind of you, but you will often grown hungry if you wait for my presence before you eat." Robin knelt down, cut off a chunk of the roasting boar and handed the dripping slab to the male beside him. "Eat and then we'll talk about you joining us."
"I do not think the other one would welcome me." He threw a troubled glance at the section of trees and shrubbery where Will and the others had vanished.
"He does not lead here, nor does he speak for the others."
"Do you?" John asked quietly.
"Aye."

Again that look of appreciation came to the blue eyes, giving John the sensation that the younger man considered him a rare prize, and again, that tingle began in his loins. He lowered his eyes to stare at the meat in his hands as he pondered that strange occurrence in the lower part of his body.
"John of Little Length, " Much teased, dropping from his tree perch. He ambled forward, poked at the giant, then ran away a few steps, uncertain of the outcome of his touching.
"Much, no, " Robin ordered firmly. "He is our guest."
"A bed guest, Robin?" Much asked eagerly. 
"Perhaps. They opened that new cask of wine this evening, did they not?" The younger man nodded, beaming in life and vitality. "Bring us each a cup, will you?"
"Can he bed with me?" the young man asked eagerly. He took a few tiny steps forward, poked a finger into John's firm shoulder. When John growled at him, Much stumbled backwards, misgivings on his innocent face. Yet, when John laughed, Much, giggled as well.
"Much, the wine..." Robin prompted.
"Can he sleep with me?" Much inquired hopefully.
"I think not."
"You have Will and Will has you and Dickon and Tom, but I have no one!" Again, he brooded forlornly. "I get cold, Robin."
"I know you do." Robin rose, went to him, put a comforting arm around the quivering shoulders. "I know you do. He may want to sleep alone."
"Huh?"
"Some do. Now, be a good fellow and go for the wine." Smiling in happiness, Much left.
"Sleep with you?" Little John inquired, forgetting his meat once more.
"Much has a tendency to speak without thinking. Don't dwell on what he said." He looked pointedly at the cooling food. "isn't it to your taste?"
"Aye. I'm hungry enough to eat the Sheriff himself."
"We have never gotten that hard up, " Robin said with a friendly smile. His eyes swept downward from the bushy hair, over the naked expanse of hairless chest down to the groin area. They lingered there. Little John felt frozen and then he felt heat rising upward through his body, originating in his genitals. Robin glanced upward, saw the redness of the face, the open mouth, noticed the odd breathing pattern. "Are you ill?" he asked gently. There was a knowing look in the blue orbs.
"Ill?" He felt stupid, lack-jawed.
"You seem to be...warm. Are you...all right?"
"Right?" Little John shook his head. "I think the wizard's spell has left me a little dazed." He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
The sun began to sit. The shadows began to take on a darker tint.
Much came back with the wine. He handed the wine to Robin and John, and then hunkered down, his eyes never leaving the other's man's face. "He is a big one, isn't he, Robin?"
"Yes." 
"Won't he squish you?"
"No. Much, you speak too much."
"Won't he tear you? He must be big down below as well."
Robin choked on his meat. "Much, be silent!" He handed his meat to the younger man. "Gnaw on this and keep your mouth busy eating." Robin lifted his cup. "To Herne!"
"Herne?" John's perplexity was obvious.
"The hunter, our protector." He drank deeply. He watched the giant drink thirstily and said, "Much, fetch him more wine and then go in search of the others. Stay with them."
"I don't want to, Robin! I want to stay with you two!" 
"Much." 
"You will need help if he squashes you!"
"Be silent."
"And what if he is so big he gets caught inside..."
"SILENCE!" The boy was surprised. "Go to the others and stay with them, and, Much, leave now." Though Robin's tone was gentle, it was also firm. The young man pouted but he did what he had been told. Within moments after returning with the jug of wine, he had left again, going in search of his comrades. 
John and Robin drank cup after cup until John stood up abruptly.