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It was a normal day at the border guard, Ropord was carrying out his duty training the soldiers under his care. Well technically, this is Ragna's unit, but he does most of the work as vice-captain anyways. On the other hand, Fel was off to the side training himself relentlessly, swinging his sword with a precision and power that feels unattainable to the average soldier. However, this was the border guard where such thoughts would be proven wrong by the commander standing tall. A veteran here would know that he was someone who climbed from the very bottom to the very top, pushing pass many challenges along the way. Moreover, this display by the shepherd was pretty much a natural occurrence nowadays and there was no time to gawk at an impressive display in the mists of the grueling training by a certain religious someone. At least, they weren't in the axe unit, belonging to the crazy barbarian. Time passed quickly and it was time for dinner. Ropord sat in the middle a table with his unit and Fel sitting at the edge of the same table. The soldiers here use alot of energy training, making the majority them big eater. As everyone was eating to their hearts content, Ropord noticed Fel pushing around his food instead of eating. Yes, he thought it was odd, since fel usually digs in without a second thought, and after all he wasn't a picky eater. As he stood up to leave after finishing his meal, Ropord noticed Fel’s plate was full. He hadn't eaten anything. He knew Fel is a grown man and can take care of himself, but he still worries that Fel wouldn't be able to spar with him if he doesn't eat. "Are you a baby bird or something, you barely ate" a snide remark slipped out, he been with the other madmen far to often, so some of their mannerism rubbed on to him, especially Fel's. However, instead of the usual retort from Fel, the man just stared at him silently.
"Are you deaf or something?” another comment slipped out.
"Huh, you look...pretty " Fel spoke cutting thru the award silence.
"What?" Ropord was taken aback
"Your pretty" Fel said with straight face
"Is that a new insult your trying out?"
"Pretty" As he answered his eyes widen for a moment, but Ropord didn’t catch it.
"Seriously, you know that’s not..." before he can finish what he was saying Fel stood up and started walking away.
"What the fucks wrong with him" he whispered under his breath
Fel whipped his head back and yelled out "I HEARD that want to fight?"
Now that sound more like him, but why is his face so... pink? "Sure..."
They were out in the calm quiet training ground together each holding a weapon. Fel carried an average sword issued by the army, since idol slayer can't really be used for sparing, while Ropord held his usual sword. The spar started with Fel rushing in. His sword moved in a clean powerful arc. Ropord parried the strike with practiced precision. The two sparred so often he picked up on a few of Fel's habit. Fel relied mostly on instinct so his attacks were fast and hard to predict. He on the other hand relies on calculations and making predictions, so Fel was pretty much his foil. As the two continued their spar, Ropord noticed that Fel’s attack was becoming weaker and clumsier. He parried Fel’s incoming attack cleanly and pinned Fel to the ground holding his hands behind his back.
"Hey, if you’re not taking this seriously, then let’s stop" said Ropord as he let out an annoyed sigh.
"Are you insulting me?" Fel let out a grunt
"What? No Seriously what’s wrong with you today" As he said he noticed Fels body felt hot. Before he could properly process this information, Fel grabbed Ropord's arm and pinched it, forcing Ropord to move back, giving Fel the opportunity to stand up again. Fel attempted to stand up but his body refused to cooperate and he ended up in an awkward half standing position. Ropord looked at this ridicules situation and tried to hold in a laugh but failed "You’re sick?" He asked as he tries to regains his composer. Fel managed to somewhat stand up and looked at Ropord who was still laughing at him "Pretty..." the comment slipped out before he could stop it. Luckily, Ropord did not hear him. He was to busy laughing his ass off. "Sorry sorry you a wild shepherd sick? Really?" Now that idiot is getting on his nerves, but Fel doesnt have the energy to do anything. He is on the brink of passing out already. He could only send death glare in retaliation, which, apparently, Ropord found absolutely hilarious. Fel knew that what he is going to do will haunt him till the day he die but... "Hey... can.. you take me to the medical tent?" asking this idiot to take him to the tent was better than passing out on the training ground and other the madmen finding him in the morning. The other madmen would have had a field day with that, and they would never let him live that down.
"...You're serious?" Ropord doubted he ears
"Yes, you dense fuck" Fel said before violently coughing
"Oooo, It worse than I thought" Ropord said feigning concern
"No shit... just help me to the tent OK?"
"Yeah yeah just don't cough on me alright don't want to get whatever nasty diseases you have."
"....Fuck you" Fel replied exhausted.
“Hey now I helping you” He said as he put Fel arm over his shoulders to support him. Fel was barely able to walk and was practically dragged by Ropord
“Why are you so heavy. You fatass” Fel can’t retaliate anymore. He could only listen to Ropord ramblings, swearing in his mind that he would get back at him later.
When the two were finally at the medical tent Fel had fully passed out. “Hey sooooo he’s sick” Ropord said nonchalantly. The medic stared at him with suspicion “Are you sure you didn’t knock him out”
“… See for yourself.” Replied Ropard.
“Oh… my lord he’s burning up!”
“Yeah he sick. Can I go now?”
“Just a minute, can you stay with him for a bit? I need to run and get some herbs from the supply tent.”
Before he could answer the medic was already running out of the tent. He simply sighed a placed Fel on one of the beds. “Guess I’m staying with you for a bit” Ropord grumbled.
“You’re so pretty” Ropord heard a whisper from Fel who was laying on the bed eyes unfocused.
“This again? Are you dreaming about a woman or something? You pervert.”
“You’re… pretty”
“Seriously, who are you talking about”
“You. You’re pretty”
Ropord sudden felt his face get hotter “Stop joking around you idiot.”HE can't believe what he's hearing. There's no way this was happening.
“You’re so so sooooo pretty”
“Seriously stop, am a grown ass man” Ropord face was as red as a tomato at this point. He really douubted his hearing. What is his rival was saying?
“Pretty…” Fel said once more, before he lost consciousness
“Sorry for the wait I couldn’t find the right her…” Before the medic could finish speaking Ropord was out of the tent. He was blushing violently and his heart felt like it would explode at any moment. “Me pretty? NO way he was probably hallucinating, but why is my heart like this” He let out a sigh trying to calm himself down. Ropord was overwhelmed, really overwhelmed, and so he decided to deal with this pressing issue tomorrow morning “It’s probably a misunderstanding right? Right? Right?” Ropord got back to his tent and entered quietly, so the others wouldn’t wake up and forced his eyes shut and fell asleep.
Fel opened his eyes and slowly sat up and looked around to see medical supply, herbs and a medic leisurely organizing everything. The medic looked back at him “I can’t believe it myself, but your fully recovered. You can go now. Breakfast starting." Fel got out of the bed and walked out of the medical tent trying to remember how he got there. His memories from yesterday were all scattered. “Did Ropord carried him there. Ughhhhh He should have asked the medic about it” Fel beat himself up for for not remebering anything. He would have to deal with the embrassment of getting knocked out cold by a goddame fever. On top of that, he didn't even know who got him to the tent. How could he not remember? He walked into the dining area, heading straight to his seat, when his eyes landing on Ropord already sat at the long table. Suddenly, all the blank spots in his memories were filled. He stopped right in his track, as ALL the things he said and every single detail flood into his mind. Fel's face slowly turned bright red, because of how embrassed he was. He didn’t even get near his table before running out so fast most soldiers didn’t notice he was there. On the other hand, Ropord noticed Fel blushing and realize the man remembered everything. His attempted to keep his face neutral, but failed with his checks blushing obnoxiously. A pair of eyes picked up on the event unfolding and made their move. “So, what’s going on?” Of course, the barbarian had to notice thought Ropord depressingly. “It nothing” Ropord surprised himself with how calm his voice came out
“Reallllllly?”
“Yeah yeah” ropord answered dismissively
“Rem wanna spar when we’re done?” spoke the commander in his usual tone
“Forget it your no fun.” Thank god, the commander took his attention away.
He’s face was still red, but he managed to keep it together somehow. After he finished eating he told his unit to continue their training on their own since he had “things” to deal with.
Ropord walked to the nearby forest to find Fel, since he usually trains there when the training grounds get to loud. He was right Fel was there swing his sword in beautiful arcs. He was mesmerize for a momoent, then remembered he had so much dirt on the man infornt of him. “Hey you” The moment Ropord spoke Fel froze still and slowly turned to look at the other man. “You haven’t eaten, I don’t want to carry you back to the tent again you know.” Ropord already started to feel his heartbeat faster but kept calm. Fel on the other was already in shambles face red, hand shaking and eyes wide. Ropord find it kind of funny Fel was this flustered, but he also needed to know “Were you calling ME a grown ass man pretty?” and a little teasing couldn’t hurt.
“I HATE you so much”
“You’re not denying it- “Fel hand lunged at his mouth, shutting him up.
“You’re SO annoying.”As Fel spoke Ropord grap his wrist and moved Fel’s hand of his mouth
“But I’m pretty rightttt” said Ropord as he thought “Teasing him is so fun, why is he so cute…. Wait CUTE? Oh... FUCK” His face immediately changed color and Fel clocked it .
“What are you thinking? Fucker”
Ropord’s mind raced “Shit shit shit this is not how it supposed to go”
“hell NO, YOU started it” Ropord moved backwards
“OH, WHAT SO WRONG ABOUT THINKING YOUR PRETTY” the two stared at each other
“Soooooo you admitted it?”
“fuck you” Fel retorted as he rolled his eyes
“Your cute” said Ropord as he thought “idiot” the comment slipped out
“YOU” Fel heard it he knew he heard it and swung his sword at Ropord
The Ropord dodge, barely, and grab Fel’s arms throwing him to the side.
“OK ok I thought you were cute ok? Happy now?” Ropord admitted hoping to ease the situation.
“WE’re even now” Fel said smiling “cute” the comment slipped out of Ropord’s mouth again.
“Why… god… why does it have to be you” Ropord finally realized it. When did his standard drop so low?
“I can say the same to you, bastard” Fel answered mockingly.
“We’re keeping this to ourselves, Yeah? Ropord asked
“Fuck Yeah, those madmen are gonna have a field day if they know about this.” Replied Fel straight forwardly.
“Want to Spar?” Ropord asked confidently
“Always”