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“I, Li Yongqin, swear to ward the king with all my strength, to give my blood for his.
I swear to obey his commands and keep his secrets.
I swear to defend his honor and serve at his pleasure.
I will never flee, nor falter in my duty.
I shall take no wife, hold no lands, and father no children.
I pledge to His Majesty, King Kun of house Qian, my life and honor, until the day that I die.”
⚔️
“You think you can take me?” Yongqin asks with an amused lilt and a smirk playing on his face.
The question is futile, if he's being honest, No. His current opponent could not take him. Anyone who dares to duel against the great General Li ends up defeated or worse, killed. But his current opponent is not just any other opponent because even before their battle has started, said opponent has already defeated him from the moment he took an oath and kneeled in front of him to protect him from any harm and give his life if necessary. He is devoted to him.
Or perhaps he was defeated even before that, after all, the opponent has had his heart ever since they were still children — not a care in the world, no responsibilities on their shoulders — running on the grounds of the castle, boisterous laughter reverberating in the halls like the world is their playground.
General Li — ruthless and unforgiving on the battlefields.
His only weakness is the man standing in front of him.
Dust illuminated by the filtering sun kicks up around Yongqin's feet as he shuffles around. Sweat glistens off his forehead — kingsguard armor off, shieldless, unguarded. He allows himself to be this way only in front of one person.
"Again!" Yongqin's voice echoed in the room, the ceilings are high surrounded by grandiose interiors. The clash of swords echoes on the walls, as does the mutual grunt of exertion from the strikingly beautiful man whose face is inches away. The blades of their swords are crossed, gleaming under the harsh sunlight streaming through the windows, casting light upon their entwined weapons.
Their breaths mingled, dancing in a secret waltz between them.
"General Li, do not go easy on me just because I’m the King," Kun says between breaths, a smirk curling at the corners of his soft lips.
"Is that a challenge, your majesty?" Yongqin challenges, tilting his head with an amused smile and angling the tip of his blade slightly upward.
"Maybe." Kun swiftly pushed the blade away with his own in a circular motion, locking Yongqin's sword and stepping back to evade any cuts to his throat.
Kun's push caused a momentary imbalance for Yongqin, giving Kun the opportunity to extend his blade toward him.
"Ah, your majesty is indeed paying attention to his sword fighting lessons." Yongqin's smooth voice echoed.
Kun immediately dashed forward, holding his blade to his side and raising it above his head as they closed the distance.
The blow was parried, and a swift strike was done.
Yongqin flawlessly dodged the strike and replied with his own.
Their fight resembled an elegant dance—graceful like flowing water and never-ending like the rain.
Kun readjusted his stance, delivering strikes in rapid succession, much like the unceasing torrent of rain – giving Yongqin no opportunities to strike.
Kun huffed, blocking the other's blade at once before pushing him back with considerable strength.
The noise of boots scraping against the asphalt breaks the silence, accompanied only by the sound of heavy breathing.
In the blink of an eye, Yongqin's gaze shifted away from the king. His sword now lay at Kun's feet and any semblance of victory had vanished.
As the chief of the royal guards, Yongqin is expected to be the best in sword fighting skills. He has never lost a battle in his life, except for playful sword-fighting sessions with the King, he doesn’t mind losing to the King though.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Kun teases. Yongqin can’t help the matching grin that falls on his face. Kun sheathes his sword, he removes the black glove on his hand using his lips and then he bents down to extend a hand for Yongqin to take to which Yongqin did gratefully so.
When Kun pulls him up, Yongqin stands with his torso against him. They’re close enough that he can feel the rise and fall of Kun’s chest.
“What? No witty remark?” Kun grins, tilting his head closer to him, just slightly.
Yongqin can feel the heat creep up on his cheeks.
He wonders if Kun is entirely aware of the effect he has on him.
Yongqin composes himself and clears his throat, "That was a good one. Impressive. You have certainly improved a lot."
“I have the best teacher.” Kun's lips tug into a dimpled smile, too fond and, perhaps, with a hint of admiration.
Whether in a battle or in bed, Yongqin doesn't have a chance when Kun uses his beauty to his advantage, disarming him every time.
Unable to help himself, Yongqin grins and coaxes Kun to come closer, he pulls him in for a kiss and Kun follows easily. He can feel the warmth of Kun’s hand against his neck, his long, elegant fingers curling around his nape, sliding through the hair at the base of his skull.
He would give anything, do anything, to stay exactly as he was in this moment, wrapped up in the secure warmth of the man he loved more than anything he had ever known in this world.
Kun pulls away from the kiss and then he presses his forehead against Yongqin, "Meet me in my bedchambers tonight, would you?" he looks at him through his eyelashes, his cheeks flushing pink. Whether it was from the exertion put from their duel or due to their kiss, Yongqin didn’t mind either reason.
"Is that a command from the King? or from Kun?" Yonqin chuckles.
"I'm starting to think that you're unable to sleep without me, Your Majesty," He teases, narrowing his eyes at Kun.
It elicits a fond scoff from Kun.
"I'll see you later, My Yongqin," Kun caresses Yongqin's cheek. A melodic hum of content and warmth escapes Yongqin, his eyes lidded and body melting into Kun's touch.
The King's consort will arrive soon.
Time is ticking.
No crown on the King's head, No armor in the Royal Kingsguard's body.
In bed, they're just Kun and Yongqin.
Will he ever be able to hold Kun like this again?
Does Kun love him? But what difference will it make?
Ruthless and unforgiving on the battlefield but the bravest Kingsguard didn’t have the courage to voice his feelings out loud.
Yongqin swore an oath to protect the King but who will protect Yongqin's heart against his weakness which is the King himself?