Chapter 347: Never Again
Soren was supposed to head out. He had business—serious business. Like seizing all of Nicholas' properties in person to make an example out of him and scare anyone else who even thought about going against Riven. That was the plan. But then he spotted Riven lying on the ground like a ragdoll, arms sprawled, chest heaving as if he'd participated in a battle.Soren sighed. Of course.
He bent down, scooped Riven up with one arm, and set him on a bench. Riven's ears drooped pitifully, but Soren knew he needed to do what he had to do, Nicholas had escaped, and he could not give him the chance to make a comeback. If he were wise, he would not return, but he will be prepared in case he does. He dusted off his hands and turned to leave, until Leon opened his mouth.
A few cocky words later, and Soren found himself pointing a sword at Leon's throat. Just like that. No hesitation, no pause.
Leon didn't even flinch. In fact, this was a natural response for him. Eliminate those who offended him, eliminate threats, he built his world brick by brick, and he would make sure only those he allowed existed in it.
Still, because Riven was right there watching, Soren told himself to be the bigger man. He wanted to put his sword down and leave.
He was about to, until Leon tilted his head and said it... Commented about his 'pretty face'.
Leon asked for a sword, to make it even. He will make it even alright.
Before he could answer, Riven suddenly jerked up and shouted, "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!" His ears were stiff, his tail puffed like he'd seen a ghost.
Both men froze mid-step. One second Soren almost stabbed Leon with his sword, the next he was standing still with the most neutral face he could muster.
"Oh, nothing," Leon said quickly, flashing a toothy grin. "Just men being men."
Riven's eyes darted between them. He expected Soren to deny it, maybe scold Leon, but Soren only crossed his arms and stood there silently. That silence said everything.
Riven dropped his shoulders, baffled. "…What does that even mean? Men being men? I've got all the... Well, facilities, but never once in my life have I felt the sudden manly urge to—" He waved a hand dramatically, "—point a sword at someone's throat!" He said this to himself, though.
Soren's patience snapped like thin ice under heavy boots. Without a word, he reached to the side and pulled a sword from behind one of the benches. Riven blinked in surprise—he hadn't even known there were weapons hidden in the courtyard. Apparently, the whole place was secretly stocked like an armoury, so they were prepared if there was an intruder.
Soren tossed the blade at Leon carelessly. The metal glinted as it spun through the air, and Leon only barely managed to snatch it by the hilt. His jaw tightened. If he hadn't caught it just right, he would've ended up with a sliced palm—or worse.
He narrowed his eyes at Soren but said nothing.
Then Soren moved. No hesitation, no warning. His strike came fast, a blur of steel.
Leon yelped, sword jerking up instinctively to block. The clash rang out across the courtyard with a sharp clang! He stumbled back from the sheer force, his boots scraping against the stone floor. Soren didn't let up, pressing forward, and Leon kept retreating until—
Thud!
His back slammed against a cold pillar. Leon hissed in pain, teeth gritted, his breath fogging in the icy air.
Meanwhile, Riven stood frozen on the bench with his mouth hanging open. His ears twitched, his tail stuck straight out, his eyes round as saucers.
That was…
Hot.
His face burned red as the thought zipped through his brain, they were getting a bit too dirty, cough, cough.
The way Soren's arm muscles flexed as he pushed forward. The sharp sound of their blades colliding. The elegant footwork—almost like a choreographed dance.
It wasn't just fighting. It was art.
And oh no, it got worse.
Soren leaned in, the line of his jaw sharp as steel, while Leon—sweating, panting—stared back at him with equal intensity. They were so close Riven swore he could hear sparks crackling between them.
Eye contact.Sweat glistening.Heavy breathing.The occasional brush of shoulders and hands.
"Heheheheheheee," Riven giggled to himself as he lay on the bench like slime. He couldn't really move, but he enjoyed the scene in front of him. He felt like a creep when he made that sound.
Riven's fujoshi heart was beating like a war drum.
"They're dancing," he whispered to himself in awe. "Oh my god, they're actually dancing."
Every strike of steel looked choreographed, every sidestep and counterattack almost graceful. It wasn't just a fight—it was practically a ballroom performance.
Riven's eyes widened more with every exchange. Was that… was that skin contact?! When Soren's forearm brushed against Leon's as he shoved the sword away, Riven nearly fell off the damn bench.
His mind spun out of control. This is it. This is how forbidden love begins! Two rivals locked in combat, yet unable to deny the magnetic pull—
"Stop staring like that."
Riven snapped out of his daydream and realised Soren had glanced at him mid-swing with a glare sharp enough to slice steel.
"Whaa-" They're fighting in front of him, of course, he was going to stare!
Their duel had gone on for what felt like forever—ten whole minutes of steel clashing, boots scraping, and heavy breaths turning to steam in the frosty air. At first, Riven had been thrilled, but after the fifth dramatic spin and parry, his excitement fizzled.
"Hey!" Riven whined, rubbing his arms against the chill. "Just say it's a tie already! I'm bored! And I'm cold! Let's go back inside!"
The two men froze mid-swing, both of them sucking in sharp breaths, sweat steaming in the cold.
Soren lowered his sword first, walked straight to Riven, and without warning, pinched his chin and kissed him firmly—making sure Leon had the best view.
When he pulled back, Riven blinked, dazed, and instinctively turned toward Leon. But Soren's hand caught his jaw, forcing him to look only at him.
"I know exactly what you're thinking," Soren murmured. "That Ronan incident was once. Never again."
Aww, he was against threesomes.