Princess and the Jester JESS MARIANO

Early morning dip

The first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room where (Y/N) lay awake beside Jess, his peaceful breathing a gentle background melody. She had been tossing and turning for hours, excitement bubbling in her chest about her plan for the morning—a spontaneous trip to the lake for an early swim.

Gently nudging Jess awake, she whispered, "Jess, wake up. I have an idea."

He blinked awake, squinting at her in the dim light. "What time is it?"

"It's 6 am," (Y/N) replied with a grin. "I thought we could go for a swim at the lake. It's such a beautiful morning."

Jess rubbed his eyes, a slow smile spreading across his face. "That sounds amazing. Let's do it."

They quickly got ready, Jess throwing on a t-shirt and shorts while (Y/N) slipped into her swimsuit—a cute bikini she had bought recently, though she had been feeling a bit self-conscious about her body. As she tried to hook the clasp of her bikini top behind her back, her fingers fumbled, and she let out a frustrated sigh.

"Hey, Jess," she began tentatively, "could you... um, could you help me with this? I can't seem to get it."

Jess turned around, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He took a moment to process her request before nodding, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "Sure, yeah. Just... uh, turn around."

(Y/N) faced away from him, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks as Jess stepped closer. She could sense his presence behind her, his fingers gently brushing against her skin as he tried to fasten the clasp of her bikini top.

"Sorry," Jess muttered, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'm not very good at this."

"It's okay," (Y/N) replied softly, her heartbeat quickening at his proximity.

After a few more tries, Jess finally managed to secure the clasp. "There you go," he said, stepping back.

(Y/N) turned around, offering him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Jess. Sorry for the awkwardness."

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "No worries. Ready to hit the lake?"

They grabbed their towels and headed out to Jess's car, the anticipation of the morning adventure outweighing the initial awkwardness. The drive to the lake was filled with quiet excitement, the cool morning air brushing against their faces as they neared their destination.

Parking by the lakeside, (Y/N) took a deep breath, the sight of the serene water stretching out before them calming her nerves. They found a secluded spot and walked hand in hand to the water's edge.

"It's beautiful," Jess remarked, his voice filled with wonder as they stood ankle-deep in the cool lake.

(Y/N) nodded, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. "Yeah, it really is."

Without hesitation, they waded further into the water, the gentle ripples lapping at their legs. As they swam and splashed playfully, (Y/N) felt a newfound freedom in the water, the initial self-consciousness giving way to pure enjoyment of the moment and the company.

After some time, they returned to shore, drying off with their towels and basking in the warmth of the rising sun. Sitting side by side on the sand, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel grateful for Jess's easy acceptance and the way he made her feel comfortable in her own skin.

"You know," Jess started softly, turning to her with a warm smile, "you looked great out there."

(Y/N)'s cheeks flushed, surprised and pleased by his compliment. "Thanks, Jess. I appreciate that."

He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "I mean it, (Y/N). You're amazing."

Her heart warmed at his words, grateful for his understanding and support. They sat together in companionable silence, the quiet lapping of the waves and the warmth of the sun enveloping them in a cocoon of peace and newfound closeness.

As they eventually packed up to leave, (Y/N) couldn't shake the feeling that this morning at the lake marked a new chapter in their relationship—one filled with trust, acceptance, and the promise of many more adventures together.

Driving back home, the air between them felt lighter, infused with a newfound intimacy and understanding. And as they stepped inside, ready to start their day, (Y/N) knew that her fears and insecurities about her body had lessened, replaced by the confidence that Jess saw her for who she truly was—a person worthy of love and acceptance, just as she was.