Bound by a Blade (PauPat)

Chapter Sixteen - To Battle

 "Nervous, huh?"

 Pau sighed heavily, burying his head in his arms. "I'm beyond nervous," he retorted. "Every time I think about it, it gets... hard to even breathe."

 Pat gently rubbed Pau's shoulders, kissing the side of his head. "You're panicking, my love," he said softly. "Remember, we've been preparing for this for almost a year. You're ready for this."

 "But what if I mess it up?" he said, louder than he wanted to. "What if I mess up and get everyone killed? Everyone in the Resistance has placed their trust in me- a mercenary who only knows how to fight for money- and they could all die if I fuck this up!"

 "Pau, deep breaths. You're panicking again, take deep breaths."

 Pau breathed deeply and leaned back in his chair. "You... You're right. I'm calm."

 Pat smiled and rested his chin on Pau's head. "Good," he soothed. "It's gonna go fine. We're gonna get married after this mission, remember? So it has to go well."

 Pau sighed again and cracked a tiny smile. "Yeah. We both have to get out of this alive, then we can be happy together for the rest of our lives."

 "What should we do once we have the rest of our life together to look forward to?" Pat asked, slowly wrapping his arms around his lover. "We might be given very high status in the kingdom if we actually manage to dethrone King Magnus."

 "Well, in order to do that, we'd have to find the rightful heir to the throne." Pau said with a shrug. "Besides, I'm not really interested in getting a lot of money and status."

 "Then what do you want? We'll have to do something with ourselves when this whole thing is over."

 "... I want a simple life."

 "That's rather vague."

 Pau chuckled and closed his eyes gently. "I'd love to keep travelling around the kingdom, like I did when I was a mercenary. But maybe, instead of fighting, I could teach swordsmanship to children."

 "Like that woman you met when you were young."

 "Yeah... Like her." He sighed dreamily and looked up at Pat. "But I want you to be there with me. We could travel together and teach kids that combat and support are both equally important in battle."

 Pat giggled and kissed Pau's forehead. "That sounds lovely. We could go down in history as the couple who taught Dalywen's greatest warriors."

 Pau felt his throat tighten at the mere thought. "The couple who taught Dalywen's greatest warriors... It's a date."

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 Cold.

 Wet.

 Pain.

 What was the plan?

 I don't remember the plan.

 I don't remember anything.

 Pau lunged forward, sending his sword through his opponent's chest. He couldn't even hear the cringe-inducing sound over the cries of triumph and death all around him. As the soldier fell to the ground, Pau could only look around for his next opponent.

 All I can do now is fight and wait for the next order.

 Oh yeah, I'm the one who's supposed to be giving the orders.