"you're aware that with just staring at me you won't ever learn the techniques of archery, right?"
wonwoo aimed perfectly and had shot three arrows at bullseye in a row, an extraordinary score if mingyu was the one to say. the way his fingers curled around the defined bow and how he shot arrows were a form of art on itself and mingyu couldn't help but to be fascinated.
they were on the open field just outside the kingdom's walls where wonwoo was busy fulfilling the promise he had made with mingyu the day before. the elf had learned a lot about daggers, swords and other weapons in the practice room, so now it was his turn to learn the servant how to use a bow and arrow. mingyu had gotten permission to take two bows and a target from king seungcheol's armory, so here they were.
"and you're aware that you look particularly good in my clothes, right?" wonwoo let out an annoyed sigh on the sight of mingyu's smirk, simply proceeding with placing his fourth arrow on the bowstring. without hesitation he shot it right at bullseye, leaving mingyu's mouth agape once again.
"perhaps you should pay more attention to what i'm showing you instead of what i'm wearing." even if it was only a deep collared white shirt with sleeves that reached his elbows and a tight plain black trousers, which confused wonwoo as mingyu's legs were way more muscular, mingyu seemed captivated by his appearance.
"you're lame." mingyu sarcastically complained, though he was unable to wipe the grin off his face. "now, my prince. if you would like to show me how to do this?" mingyu had walked up to the elf and stood in position next to him, still having absolutely no clue how to handle his bow.
while wonwoo's movements were so effortlessly and calm yet so fast, mingyu was aware that it was a lot harder than it looked. a little extra help could do no harm, right? especially not from the elf who hadn't fought with any other weapon in his twenty years of existing.
"i'll help you, get here." unaware of mingyu's mischievous grin, wonwoo got closer and guided mingyu's hands to where he had to hold the bow along with the arrow. "you put this hand here, midway the bow, so you can lean your arrow on your fist and you can easily aim for your target."
"now you hold the fetching of your arrow against the string, yes, like this, and you hold it in between you middle - no mingyu- your middle and your index finger. the shaft must lean agains the bow, else it will shoot in the complete opposite direction. as you pull the string, you want the tip to almost touch the wood and when you aimed at your target perfectly, you let go of the fetching, understood?"
it was when wonwoo stopped talking and looked up at mingyu, when he noticed the proximity between them. he reminisced about the night before, in the library, where they had shared such a heartfelt, tender kiss. "please tell me you payed attention to what i was saying just now?" wonwoo interrupted the moment, wanting to continue his lesson instead of letting things escalate again.
"i did, i did." mingyu confidently spoke, wishing for wonwoo to stay close to him like that for at least a little more. however, wonwoo stepped aside and made space for mingyu to prove his words.
"well then, i would like to see you try." he crossed his arms and threw an exaggerated judgmental glance at mingyu, who huffed proudly and got in position. he recalled wonwoo's instructions and did exactly what he had been told.
but despite the fact that he had actually payed attention to wonwoo's directions, aiming seemed a lot harder than he expected it to be. and before he knew it, the arrow had hit the grass far behind the target.
"at least you can't say anything about my strength! i've shot it way past the target!" mingyu proudly pointed out, while all wonwoo could do was chuckle because of his puppy-like behavior. how could he even be harsh on him when he acted this way.
"oh mingyu.. how do you want me to scold you when you keep acting like this?" wonwoo let out a content sigh, gesturing for mingyu to try it again. "now please try to aim a little better so you get at least somewhat close to the target."
the arrow had stroke a spot not even near the actual target, making it a concern for them both if mingyu would ever be able to learn the art of archery. mingyu however, was still as driven as when they began and reached for another arrow from the luxurious quiver made from the best leather.
"just concentrate on the tip mingyu." wonwoo gave a last instruction right before mingyu let go of the fetching. to his luck, the arrow hit the target. even if it was just the wooden stand that prevented the actual target to fall down, he came closer than his previous attempt.
"you see that wonwoo! i did it!" without hesitation mingyu dropped his bow and his quiver full of arrows and took a sprint to wonwoo. in his speed, mingyu accidentally tripped over his own feet and stumbled forward, taking the elf along in his fall.
but still somehow, mingyu wasn't able to stop laughing. and so was wonwoo. they accepted their fate and remained in that exact position on the floor, tears rolling over their cheeks as they revel in warm hearted laughter. and wonwoo, who had no experience with any feeling beside loneliness, swore that his heart had never sparked so much happiness in his life before.
"you can be so dumb." wonwoo giggled, hiding his face in the crook of mingyu's neck on top of him so the younger had no chances of catching his furious blush.
"hey! i'm not dumb!" mingyu yelled in defense, but could barely remain serious when the sound of wonwoo's giggles reached his ears. they were so deep yet so contagious and comforting. the affectionate young man couldn't restrain himself from planting a sudden long lasting kiss against the elf's forehead.
"god, what are you doing to me?" he whispered as he let go, his lips only brushing scarcely over wonwoo's silky soft skin.
"i could ask you the same question." wonwoo whispered in return.
their laughter had died down, making place for content smiles and rapid heartbeats uniting into one. perhaps it was all too soon and they moved forward on a too fast pace, still uncertain of a possible future that lay ahead.
but they knew one thing for sure; they wanted to spend the time they had left, together.
