The General observed carefully as Silas and Kendrick sparred in the clearing before him, their swift movements kicking up small clouds of dust. Kendrick's strikes were sharp and deliberate, showing clear mastery, while Silas, though quick and strong, struggled to keep up. Despite his natural talent, his youth and inexperience made his moves predictable. Kendrick, with his years of training, could read Kio's intentions before they even fully formed, deflecting each attack with ease."Time out," Silas gasped, dropping to one knee, his hand braced against his thigh as he caught his breath. His chest rose and fell rapidly, and his face reflected frustration more than fatigue. "I'm still so weak... I can't even land a hit," he muttered, dejection heavy in his voice."Don't be too hard on yourself, Silas," Kendrick replied, his voice steady as he stood straight, offering a hand. "You're still young. You just need more practice. When I was your age, I was much worse than you."From the sidelines, the General's deep voice cut through the quiet. "Silas, your form is solid, but you're too direct. An experienced opponent like Kendrick can see your moves before you make them. Incorporate feints—draw him into reacting to something that isn't there."Silas looked up, determination replacing his earlier frustration. "Yes, General," he said earnestly, his mind already working to absorb the advice.The General nodded but remained silent. "Leon, anything to add?" he asked, expecting input from his second-in-command.But when no response came, he looked towards Leon. His eyes narrowed in irritation. Instead of critiquing the spar, Leon was off to the side, distracted, his attention entirely on Cheri. Gently, he plucked a stray leaf from her long luscious hair."Leon," the General's voice rang out, his voice tinged with annoyance, "come spar with me."His gaze snapping up, Leon turned toward the General, a flash of surprise in his eyes before it softened into his usual grin. "As you wish," he responded, striding over as he rolled up his sleeves.The General, however, was already drawing his sword, his tone cool but firm. "You're too relaxed. In battle, you won't have time to dawdle."Leon chuckled, rolling his shoulders back, still unfazed. "Relaxed? I just like keeping things fun." His eyes flicked to the General's blade, and without waiting for further instruction, he was on the move.The General lunged without warning, his sword flashing toward Leon's midsection. Leon twisted away just in time, but the intensity in the General's attacks immediately caught him off guard. This wasn't their usual sparring match—there was something different, something more aggressive in the way the General moved.The spar quickly escalated, their movements a blur as they traded strikes. The sound of metal clashing echoed through the clearing. As the fight intensified, their bodies brushed against each other, the proximity sending waves of tension through the air. The General's strikes became more forceful, his usually measured movements replaced with something fiercer, more emotional."What's gotten into him?" Leon wondered, briefly distracted as they traded blows. The General had never fought like this against him. Did something happen to the General? Or did he upset him? His mind wandered to their interactions from the past few hours, flashing to the scene of him and Cheri from earlier. Was the General... attracted to Cheri? Did he overstep his boundaries and seem too affectionate with her earlier? He made a mental note to be more mindful around Cheri in the future, maintaining a respectful distance between them.As they jabbed at each other, Leon managed to grab the General's wrist, deflecting a swift slash. For a brief moment, time seemed to slow. Their faces were close, mere inches apart, breaths mingling in the charged air. For a heartbeat, the sounds of the clearing disappeared, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. Neither of them moved, frozen in the intensity of the moment. The General's eyes flicked to Leon's lips for just a heartbeat before he steps back, trying to regain composure.Slicing through the tension, the General pulled his arm free, a sharp twist of his wrist causing his blade to inadvertently graze Leon's forearm. A thin line of red appeared on Leon's skin.Leon, catching his breath, looked down at the scratch on his arm and then back up at the General, amusement returning to his expression, though softer now. "Careful now, General. You almost went 'God of the Battlefield' on this humble Captain."The General said nothing, his sword still raised, though his expression was carefully neutral once more. He forced his voice to steady itself. "You need to stay alert at all times."......................................................Later that evening, the General stood outside Leon's door, a small bandage kit in hand. His irritation with Leon from earlier had faded soon after their spar and now, he was left with a sense of guilt at having injured him."You're here to patch me up?" Leon asked, a teasing grin lighting his face as he opened the door.The General's expression remained serious, though there was a softness, a trace of concern in his voice. "You should have taken care of that wound hours ago."Leon stepped aside, gesturing for the General to enter. "It's just a little scratch, I forgot about it"The General didn't respond, walking over to the bed where Leon sat and motioning for him to extend his arm. He inspected the scratch—nothing too serious, but it needed to be cleaned and dressed.The room was quiet as the General began cleaning the wound, his touch careful but firm. Leon watched him closely, sensing the controlled precision in the General's movements, and tenderness in the way he handled the bandages."You're always so... meticulous," Leon remarked, breaking the silence."It's necessary," the General replied, his focus still on wrapping Leon's forearm. "Details matter. In a fight... in everything."Leon chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "You don't need to be so careful with me, General. I'm not made of glass, I can handle a little roughness."The General's eyes flicked up, meeting Leon's gaze briefly. "You're my captain. It's my responsibility to protect you." His voice was firm, but the words carried an undertone that felt heavier than duty.Leon looked down, silent as he collected the words he wanted to say. With the usual lightness in his demeanor softening, he said, "I've always admired you, you know that?"Leon's voice grew quieter, almost reverent as his eyes glazed, as though recalling a distant memory. "The first time I saw you was during the Battle of Yunang. You were... unstoppable. Even in a sea of enemies, you were so stoic, so composed. Watching you move - it was like watching a force of nature."The General's fingers hesitated, lingering on Leon's arm longer than necessary as his heart quickened in his chest."But being that way all the time," Leon sighed, his voice carrying a trace of melancholy, "it must be exhausting. Always having to be so strong, so perfect." His gaze softened, his smile now a mere shadow of its usual brightness. "At least when you're with me, you can relax. You don't have to be a god.""I get it," Leon continued. "You've got a lot on your shoulders. But..." He paused, his gaze holding the General's. "You don't always have to carry it alone, you know."The General's heart squeezed at Leon's words, a surge of emotion filling his chest. Others were often fooled by his calm and cold exterior, rarely thinking about how human he was and how he felt deep down. His memory flashed back to a few days ago in the same room, when Leon had brought up the topic of trust. Although Leon had offered to help, certain worries and troubles were his to shoulder alone. He couldn't allow others to get too close to him, and suffer the same sleepless nights and hours on edge. And most of all, he couldn't allow anyone to discover his secret beneath his mask. The General finished bandaging the wound, tying it off with a quiet efficiency."You should rest," the General said, turning toward the door. "We have much to do tomorrow."Leon watched him, the tension between them lingering in the air like an unsaid word. "Goodnight, General," he called after him, his tone softer than usual.The General paused at the door, his hand resting on the frame for just a moment before he stepped out, leaving Leon alone with the charged silence he left behind.