San looked at the young soldiers practicing swordsmanship in the training grounds under the August sun.
He yelled out orders, observing every single man and their stance while they move their swords towards their opponent.
"Always keep your guard up and think before you react." He ordered watching the young fighters move swiftly, slashing their swords.
"When they attack it's your job to get them on the defense. Always switch your position so your opponent needs to be the one to get away."
The boys listen carefully but also focus on duelling.
"Wars are not supposed to be won by running." He whipped his head to find Wooyoung standing in the shade, squinting against the afternoon sun.
San frowned and turned back to monitoring the disciples.
Wooyoung had been acting very distant and cold after coming back from Amaris. But then again when did they not act cold towards each other.
"No one wins a war. Someone else just loses." San replied. He heared the slow footsteps coming up behind him and saw the younger stop beside him from his peripheral vision.
"Would you like to see who loses?" He asked suddenly, throwing San off guard.
"What?"
"Let's duel." He suggested casually, looking at the youngsters practicing.
San stared at him for a few seconds, scanning his face for any kind of amusement but his jaw was set and eyes determined. He turned to look at him slowly, the corner of his lips lifting up slightly.
"What seems to be the issue? Scared you might lose to me?" Wooyoung muttered leaning close with a leer.
San scoffed, running his hand through his hair and grinning.
"You wish." He whispered back.
He unsheathed his sword and gestured Wooyoung to chose a sword from the rack.
Wooyoung walked gracefully and picked up a broadsword similar to San's Rapier.
San ordered the soldiers to clear the field and take a break until they duel. The boys looked at between the two royals glaring at each other and taking their position.
San gripped his sword tightly in his fist.
They circled each other for some time not saying anything until Wooyoung lunged at San who easily blocked it.
He was quick and cautious.
The dark haired male attacked this time with full force aiming for San's neck.
He twisted away and brought his sword against Wooyoung and steal clashed against each other with enough power that the noise ricocheted on long after they moved away.
Wooyoung was light on his feet and moved gracefully while San's moves were rather sharp and precise.
San brought his arm down on his, harder. A little more strength with each blow, until he could see Wooyoung's arm beginning to falter.
Just as he thought he was going to push the other's sword to the ground, Wooyoung retaliated by bringing his left hand up and striking him across his cheek, cutting his skin just a little bit.
San hissed but quickly recovered by twisting Wooyoung's arm behind him and holding it there as Wooyoung let out a low grunt.
San held him in place standing behind him breathing heavily, his breath fanning against the younger's sweaty neck.
"Now who's losing, darling?" San whispered in his ear.
Wooyoung pursed his lips and in a fleeting second, sweeped his leg across the other's but San was quicker, he lifted his legs causing the younger to lose his balance and fall to the ground with a grunt.
San fell on top of him, placing his hands beside Wooyoung's head to support himself.
They stared at each other through burning eyes and heavy breathes. San's heart galloped in his chest from the intense fight. Their bodies pressed against each other. San gazed into the younger's brown eyes brimming with anger and something else he couldn't quite decipher.
He almost forgot about the cut on his cheek, until he felt the drops rolling down his skin and landing on Wooyoung's skin, just under his eye.
Wooyoung shut his eyes feeling the warm liquid on his cheek. San lifted his left hand and gently wiped the trail of blood.
The crimson liquid smudged across the younger's flushed skin.
Wooyoung's eyes fluttered open at the touch and he looked at San, realizing the position they were in.
He gulped and averted his eyes, looking anywhere but his eyes, which gazed at him intensely.
"Get off me."
He pushed the taller and got up, dusting his clothes. He touched his skin and looked at the blood coating his fingers.
He glanced at San, then his wound and walked away with a huff.
San stood there, still catching his breath until a servant rushed up to him with a piece of cloth and a band-aid.
"Your Highness, please follow me to the infimary."
San shook his head, taking the band and cloth from her hand.
"There's no need. It's just a small cut. I should be able to dress the wound myself."
He said and walked towards his room.
He entered his chambers to find Wooyoung going through the bookshelf at the corner of the room.
He barely acknowledged his presence and went back to the books.
"You're quite good at swordfighting if I am being honest." San said sitting on the bed.
Wooyoung looked at him impassively.
"You are bleeding."
San chuckled softly, shakily his head.
"It does not matter. I have been through worse." He smiled.
Just then a hurried knock echoed through the room.
"Come in."
The door burst open and Yoohyeon rushed inside looking at San with wide eyes.
San's heart dropped.
"How did this happen? Who did this to you?" She asked worriedly, her words filled with slight anger.
Wooyoung looked away and continued searching the shelf.
Yoohyeon immediately went quiet after noticing that they weren't alone in the room.
She slowly took the cloth from his hands and wiped the almost dried blood from his skin.
Yoohyeon gazed at San, as if scolding him for not being careful enough.
San laughed at her expression.
"Oh stop overreacting darling. It isn't even that deep."
He mumbled grinning. Yoohyeon rolled her eyes and dabbed his cheek before applying the band aid on the wound.
"You always say that. One day you're going to be hurt deeply if you don't be careful." She muttered, rubbing her thumb gently on his face.
San smiled and leaned in to give a quick peck on her lips. Yoohyeon's eyes widened as she quickly looked at Wooyoung who didn't seem to notice them both.
She slapped his arm lightly and turned a bright shade of red.
"I'll make sure not to get hurt. I promise."
🥀
YOU ARE READING
Elysian - Woosan
Fanfiction"The Empire is willing to end this war, but only if we grant something of great value to them." "And what did you offer them?" Wooyoung asked apprehensively. "You shall be betrothed to the Crown Prince of The Ellesmere Empire."
