Keeping Him Loved

Chapter 28

        Raven helped (y/n) back to her feet after she succesfully knocked the both of them down during their sparring match. He was too heavy to flip without using his own weight against him, and (y/n) hadn't been given many opportunities to try it. To quickly end the match, she had used all her strength as well as her own weight to bring Raven right off the ground and onto his back. He had gotten up first while she sat in the dirt to catch her breath.

        They were the only two outside in the dirt clearing. Most of the people using the training grounds were fighting indoors. The few that were outside with them kept their distance and minded their own business. There were still others who watched both areas from the sidelines, but they kept their thoughts to themselves as well. The weather was just right, and (y/n) felt rather comfortable feeling the breeze. The critical stare that Raven was giving her was a little unnerving though.

        "You can go ahead and say it, whatever it is. I know you won't mean any harm."

        "You're making sound decisions even while your mind is distracted. I can't tell whether I should compliment or criticize you." Raven tilted his head. "There isn't really much I can teach you. You were not taught by a mercenary, so the best I can do is experience your shortcomings for myself and try to correct them."

        "Sounds like criticism to me. You aren't too bad yourself, as always. You fight with the goal to survive, and I fight with the goal to kill." The differences in their styles of fighting made them natural enemies. (Y/n) took Raven's outstretched hand and got to her feet. "Wait, how would you know if I'm distracted or not if I did everything right?"

        "You usually shy away from taking quick match ending options. You probably didn't notice, but you drag out your fights. Today was much faster paced than your normal." Raven pointed out. They had fought many times before, so he had gotten used to her patterns. "That's unusual for..." he stopped himself from calling her an assassin. They were not alone in the training grounds, so he didn't want to be overheard. "I didn't expect it," he added to cover up his nearly made mistake.

        "I guess that makes sense." (Y/n) herself wasn't really sure if she agreed with that. It was his fault their fights took so long afterall. She didn't dare to use her special stones in public, and they were no use in friendly sparring matches. Of the three, two didn't kill, but (y/n) would rather not risk anything. It was nothing for Raven to keep up with her quick attacks. He was highly underestimating himself.

        The sound of someone's approaching steps caught (y/n)'s attention over the sounds of fighting. She had been specifically listening out for that noise. Her expression immediately betrayed her delight when she saw that it was Add making his way towards them.

        "Either you actually have nice timing, or you were nearby waiting," Raven said when Add was close enough to hear.

        Add bore a mocking smirk. "Why do you want to know? Are you worried about being flipped into the dirt in my presence?"

        "You're on the training grounds right now. No one would bat an eye if I hit you right here and now. You could event attempt to back up those useless words of yours," Raven noted. It was actually more of a threat.

        "No thank you," Add immediately declined. "I don't enjoy physical fights. They're a waste of energy, and I'd rather not ruin my clothes. Not really in the mood for any of that." He shrugged and crossed his arms. "I only came here to keep my word." He turned his attention to (y/n). "Are you done here for the day? If not, I'll wait until you decide to go home."

        The training grounds was probably the very last place Add wanted to be. (Y/n) liked the thought of Add being willing to stay in a place he didn't like for her sake, but she wasn't about to take advantage of that at the moment. "I'm ready to go now. I think I've gotten enough practice in for today."