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The two highest, top of the top ranked opponents of the sparring match of the year had been circling around each other for the longest while. Leaving the audience holding their breaths, only waiting for the inevitable to happen.
It was something of a tradition but of course. The war dance of sorts. Especially amongst mer-folk. The opponents in the battle ring assessing each other. The warrior from the opposite side which was the general idea behind the sea ballet happening at the moment on the arena.
Alas it was anything but a friendly hoedown as it was all part of the combat. The trident against the sword. Their chosen weapons by each of their family tradition.
Not that neither of them would ever harm the other, not on purpose anyway. As this was not war. Simply a friendly neighbourhood sparring match. Friendly in a fashion they weren’t exactly enemies but not really best of friends either. Frenemies in the eyes of the onlookers as it were.
That of course did not mean there weren’t plenty of feelings involved for either party.
As it was, these two princes from the two neighbouring underwater kingdoms had been rivals since children. The whole thing having started in fishy-garden and having continued all the way through each level of school and way up until adulthood.
Now, as the two rivals were both part of the elite military force, the peacekeepers for the United Underwater Nations, it still went on. The rivalling rivalry.
Sparring always having been part of their interactions. Each of them wanting to prove they were able to beat the other in basically anything they chose to compete in. Only usually, their play fights having ended up in a tie. Neither winning nor loosing. Sometimes, their friends even joking it was by agreement, by design somehow. But neither prince cared to either deny or conform their friends suspicions.
There certainly was more to the reason as to why neither of the princes had ever won over the other. A secret they had never shared, not with others anyway.
As it was, eves since their secret having become a… well a secret long ago, such a dire one at tha at least in their own minds, neither of them having dared sharing it with each other either. It was a huge secret after all!
The very fact the the two, not best friends, not enemies either, had fallen for each other.
Them both having come to terms with this fact long ago though. The stolen moments in the darkened corners during their teenage years when it had kind of started. The sneaking out together. The time they had spent learning the others wants and needs, quirks and whatnots.
Alas on the surface, they had played it cool. Remaining the frenemies to the max they had been designated as from the get go. Always competing with the other, hanging out with their own crews when in public view. Always sending out slurs to rile up the other during a sparring match.
Just like it was now. The bad mouthing of the other with weapons drawn.
The sword against the trident.
The match having gone on for a while, neither winning, nor loosing. Again, no surprise for any in the audience, yet it was all captivating for them, watching the best of the best play-fighting each other.
There was the fatigue of the watch from the night before still looming over the opponents. Not to mention the prolonged match without ending. Not at their best yet entertaining just the same.
Suddenly, out of the blue, something unexpected happened.
A slip of the sword, blood on the floor. One of them wounded with blood gushing out from the deep cut.
A mistake?
All part of the game?
It was a first, true. The two opponents always having been careful not to hurt the other. Not much anyway. True, there were bruises and cuts and al that. But those usual happened during the more amorous sessions and in private.
And no, it was not part of the plan! The cry out in worry revealing for sure!
“Cody!”
Obi had immediately rushed to his not-friends side, worry and anxiety written all over the prince’s gorgeous face.
Cody’s crew was already at his side tending to the cut.
But Obi had caused it. Something he had never imagined doing. And yet here he was, sword in hand with Cody’s blood on it as scolding proof of his grave mistake!
Cody’s crew had given him the emergency treatment before moving the prince to a more comfortable venue. The med tent of the training arena. Obi following suit, the knowing nods from his own crew following his actions.
“I’m okay Obi.”
Cody looked pale though, not assuring at all to his not-friend. The cut was deep and in a bad place, Cody having already lost a lot of blood. Thankfully though, his entourage consisted of a trained medic and a skilled one at that. Kix treating Cody as they spoke with each other.
“He’s going to be alright.”
Kix was trying to assure Obi, knowing full well despite their supposed secret what the two were in reality. The best kept secret to be more exact as everyone and their pet knew that the two were a romantic couple.
“He… is bleeding… a lot.”
Obi’s voice was chocked as he observed the treatment of Cody’s. Obi not really wanting to look, but he had to. He had to know Cody would be alright.
“Well, I am a miracle worker after all.”
Kix made a little joke, Cody having called him up that on occasion. As it was. the jest was flying right past Obi as well. The the other prince only wanting to know his precious Cody was alright.
“Cody…”
Obi wasn’t as convinced as that though, not easily anyway. Sensing his partner’s feelings, Cody motioned for the others to leave the two alone for a moment after Kix having finished the treatment.
Reaching with his hand, Cody’s palm cupped Obi’s face. Drawing his partner close to him, trying to assure Obi the best he could it had not been Obi’s fault and that he, Cody would be alright.
“I will be alright, love. Trust me, okay? Tt was an accident after all. And Kix and his team are the best.”
“You’re sure?” Obi was still choked, his voice coarse. “I was so worried when…”
Cody pressed a finger against Obi’s lips, silencing the merman of a prince of his.
“Trust me, sweetheart. I. Will. Be. Okay.”
Obi could only nod, but he had to believe his partner.
“Now, love… all I need to heal properly and most perfectly… is your kiss.”
Obi could not help the small smirk forming onto his lips. As whom was he to deny his partner the best medicine ever devised by mer-kind!
Leaning all the way in, his own lips on Cody’s, Obi kissed Cody gently, lovingly, softly at first. But Cody wanted more. His hand reaching behind Obi’s neck, drawing the other merman impossibly close there was nothing between them, not even air. Lips on lips for a most passionate kiss.
After all, Cody was the wounded one and in urgent need of a touch to heal him. Something only Obi could provide.
It lasted a longest while, the lovers kiss.
Finally breaking off, the two princes staring at each other for a long spell. The worry still present in Obi’s eyes, but thankfully fading. As Cody’s response to the kiss had certainly helped to convince him otherwise.
“I will be fine.” Cody smiled then,“with your magical kisses and Kix meds, I will be good as new in no time. Trust me on this one, love.”
Obi knew Cody was right of course. A small smile emerging.
“Now gimme more of that magic, sweetheart.”
Obi obliged gladly. It was his duty after all. To take care of his loving partner.
Unbeknownst to the supposedly secret couple, they had had an audience during their private make out session. The the crews of their friends having gathered outside the med tent only waiting for the news of Cody’s state.
“Called it!” One of them stated rather knowingly.
“It wasn’t even a secret anymore dummy!” The other one called out.
“Pay up!”
“Fine!”
The catfish certainly out of the basket now! Or perhaps it had swam out from there long ago?