Chapter 13 Preview, Part 3 (X Romance)

Like promised, the continuation of the X preview 👀

As expected, $xname anticipates your move and leaps easily to the side. A tap of $xtheir wooden sword against your spine tells you $xthey has already won--yet neither of you stop.

It's expected, perhaps, that this was how it would go. Usually you stop sparring once your partner wins, but knowing how outmatched you are, the both of you continue on.

For every misstep, you get a tap of $xname's sword somewhere else it would have been lethal. Your chest, your gut, your back, the side of your neck. $xname does not gloat about it, $xthey doesn't taunt you, $xthey doesn't say a single word. You don't take it personally. Instead, you start to pay attention.

Learning to guard your weak points is, you realize, what $xname is teaching you with this.

"Good," $xname says as you take a break to catch your breath after several rounds of it, feeling sweat upon your brow as you pant heavily. $xname, meanwhile, doesn't have a hair out of place. "You're getting better. I like a quick learner."

You exhale a laugh, shaking your head. "Are you trying to distract me?"

"Of course not." $xname smirks, resting the flat of $xtheir straight sword atop $xtheir shoulder. "I'm using praise as motivation. Is it working?"

"Maybe." You take another breath, straightening your posture again and re-taking your stance. "Let's keep going."

$xname's smirk sharpens, and this time, $xthey is the first to attack. It is a telegraphed and straightforward swing, one you have learned how to deflect, and you're certain $xthey holds back on $xtheir usual strength and speed--but not by much. You feel the force of $xtheir hit rattle up your arms as you block and redirect it, then grit your teeth as you go in for a counterattack.

$xname sidesteps it fluidly, but rather than the tap you expect from $xtheir sword somewhere on your body, you instead feel a tug on your garments that has you staggering sideways. Right into $xname.

$cxthey catches you, the blunted wooden edge of $xtheir sword poised against the front of your neck, pressed against your skin. $cxtheir face is much closer than it needs to be, the width of $xtheir blade the only thing keeping the two of you apart, and suddenly your heart pounds for an entirely different reason than the exertion.

"Is this part of the motivation?" you say, your voice low, and $xname's smirk sharpens.

"No," $xthey murmurs back, eyes lowering to your lips. "This is just for me."