Bound by a Blade (PauPat)

Chapter Seven - Avoiding

Pau swung the training sword with a grunt, just barely missing his opponent: Eriko. He growled in frustration, unable to regain his balance before Eriko struck him on the back. Pau fell forward, breathing heavily as he felt Eriko's boot on his back.

The axe fighter laughed as he helped his opponent stand up. "Well fought," he said with a shrug.

Pau sighed and dusted himself off. "Whatever. You only won because I'm off my game today."

"Yeah, sure. You're definitely not just being a sore loser."

"Shut up, would you?"

The mercenary trudged over to one of the wooden benches in the training tent, taking
a deep breath. "I'm winded," he sighed.

Eriko sat next to him and stretched his arms behind his back. "Mhm, sure."

Pau glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The curly haired man shrugged. "I mean, I think you have a pretty good idea."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Mhmm?" Eriko wiggled his eyebrows.

"Eriko, have you been drinking?"

"You're not 'off your game.' You're just distracted."

Pau rolled his eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You and Pat have been avoiding each other lately."

Pau froze. "... I beg your pardon?"

"Something happened between you two."

"Eriko, I don't-"

"Don't even try to deny it."

Pau groaned in frustration. "Will you let me finish?" he demanded. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to talk about this."

"Of course you don't. You don't want to admit you have a thing for him."

"Eriko!" The mercenary covered his face, trying to hide its redness. That only encouraged his friend, who burst into laughter.

"Oh gods, your face!" Eriko shouted between bouts of laughter. "I was right! Tyra owes me so much money now!"

An idea popped into Pau's mind. "On the topic of Tyra..."

Eriko's laughter subsided. "What? What about her?"

"You two have been talking a lot more lately. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Ah, well..." Eriko looked at the ground, rubbing his shoulder a little. His pale cheeks were tinted pink.

"There we go, now I know your weakness too." Pau smiled smugly. "We both learned something about each other today."

Eriko's face lit up. "So you admit it!"

"Wait, no-"

"You like him! You like Pat!"

Pau grabbed the back of Eriko's head, clamping his hand over his mouth. "Keep your damn voice down!" he demanded through gritted teeth. "What if he hears you?!"

Eriko managed to escape from Pau's grasp, letting out a low, dry laugh. "What are you so worried about? It's not like he'll be creeped out by it. He's into men too, y'know."

They both paused. Eriko immediately covered his mouth.

"Damn it. I wasn't supposed to tell you that."

"... Why not?"

"I'd better go." Eriko stood up and quickly started leaving the tent. "Thanks for the sparring match."

Before Pau could say anything else, the axe fighter was gone.

... What the hell was that about?

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"Pat!" Pau shouted when he saw his friend in the near distance. He could see the cleric's shoulder's tense, confusing him as he began to approach him.

Pau cleared his throat. "Hey, Pat," he greeted.

Pat only responded with a "Hm" of acknowledgement, currently working on repairing a staff.

"... What are you up to?"

Pat only shrugged.

Pau sighed in slight annoyance. "Um... What happened to this staff?"

"It broke."

The mercenary had to bite his tongue to avoid groaning. "You don't seem very talkative today."

"Yeah."

"Any particular reason why?"

"I'm just stressed out, okay?" the healer snapped.

Before Pau could say anything, Pat got up and started race-walking away from him. "Pat!" he called out.

"Damn it!" Pau exclaimed, before sighing and running his hand through his hair.

It's official. He hates me.

He hates me because I can't control myself.

Damn it, why couldn't I control myself? I just had to start thinking about-

An idea suddenly came to Pau's head.

He ended up injured after almost every battle he was faced with. Nearly every time he got injured, he ended up in a medical tent. One medical tent in particular.

Pat's medical tent.

The mercenary looked off into the thick forest, a sly grin on his face. His eyes narrowed with mischievousness, twinkling like those of a reckless youth.

But that's exactly what he was. A reckless young man who was about to throw himself into danger, just so he could talk to his friend again.

Pau turned around and began walking back to his tent, a proud smile on his face.

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This book is actually getting reads now oOF-

TL DR: Pau is a horny gay dumbass

Those of you who are reading this, thank you all so much, you lovely folks. Sorry that this chapter sucks ass, lmao. The big gay and juicy drama are coming up soon, I swear.

Until next time, my loves.