- Have you talked to General Masari? - Solala approached her younger brother.

- You've been a bit too strong on him I think.

-He is a resilient man, he would recover. 

-Sar'gen... seriously? How about a sparring match? We all already sparred with Masari many times. You asked him to join your army and help with unification and after it ignored him. He is nice person.

Sar'gen who was half listening to Solala stopped with documents and lifted his head. Masari made him a bit uncomfortable but Solala was right.

- Will do.

It was a peculiar situation for Sar'gen as he was not sure how to behave around Masari. He killed Masari in his past life, he hated him for all these losses during Gazol's battle, and at the same time, he respected him the most. More to it, Sar'gen noticed that he liked to be around Gazol's general which was a mysterious feeling that he did not understand.

Sar'gen found Masari in the training hall. Masari was practicing with one of his usual sparring partners. Sar'gen moved to the corner so he would not disturb the practice to observe.

Masari had a very distinct fight style, sophisticated and deadly elegant. He had a long thin sword similar to a rapier. Sar'gen becomes enhanced by his fluid movements, like dancing. Masari was not an aggressive fighter, but it was apparent that he had a lot of battle experience and was well-versed in tactics and strategy. His sparring partner was struggling to keep up with Masari's smooth and precise moves. Sar'gen felt captivated it was a funny tingling feeling that made him uncomfortable again.

Masari was a tall and slim man, he had a nicely built and proportioned body with long legs and arms. Like many Gazol people, he had dark brown long hair that he wore in a high ponytail during the day and dark almond-shaped eyes. Sar'gen shifted his body to the other side to see Masari better, he liked to watch him. With these attractive eyes, a thin nose, and strong but full lips, he was a beautiful person.

Sar'gen felt conflicted about it as this attraction was not known to him. The Masari's sparring partner moved closer, almost touching the body of the general, and Sar'gen instantly did not like it so he stepped in.

- General Masari.

Masari stopped immediately and turned to Sar'gen

-How about a sparring match with me?

Sar'gen was leaning on the training hall pillar with his arms crossed. He looked tired but very handsome. Masari felt like his face warmed up. He hated this reaction. Sar'gen fascinated him with everything.

-Lead commander...- Masari was surprised to see Sar'gen.

However, his sparring partner was happy to give up his spot. Sar'gen laughed at this eagerness when he was handed sparring equipment right away.

Sar'gen moved to the middle of the arena. He wore a short jacket and had his hair down.

- You looked tired, maybe next time. - asked Masari with concerns.

-Oh ho...-Sar'gen smirked - I am good, I want to move around. I was tired from deskwork. Do not hold back Masari or you will get injured...by accident, - challenged him Sar'gen, smiling arrogantly.

Masari answered the call and got into position.

Sar'gen suddenly moved forward and his sword swished with a powerful blow, Masari barely managed to avoid it.

Sar'gen's style was powerful and aggressive, he had strong legs that allowed him to put a lot of power in each move. Masari never sparred with Sar'gen before, so it was difficult to adjust to such an offensive style. He never expected that Sar'gen's style would be so different from Kedra who was his sparring partner a few times before.

Sar'gen fought extremely riskily like he was betting on his life with each move. Masari was surprised with his style. He thought that the lead commander who made so many cunning plans trying to win everything without fighting would be different.

Masari started to suffer under extreme pressure from Sar'gen. His opponent was getting more and more aggressive, attacking the most vital parts of the body. Masari was on complete defense, using all his experience to protect himself. He felt that one wrong move and he would be killed instantly. Suddenly attacks stopped and Sar'gen put down the sword.

-Mmm...what are you waiting for? - Sar'gen smirked, - Attack me Masari?

Masari was overwhelmed. He was an experienced warrior but Sar'gen just destroyed him without giving him any chance. He predicted every move and his aggression was astonishing.

Suddenly Sar'gen dropped the sword and pinned Masari to the wall. 

-Oh general I scared you. - he whispered closely to Masari' ear.  

This closeness was completely unexpected and Masari's body froze from the shock. He could hear Sar'gen's ragged breath and his masculine smell covered him. Masari felt completely lost as his heart started beating erratically.

Sar'gen liked the feeling of Masari's body pinned against him, he could feel lean muscles under sparring armor. 

- Sar'gen are you here? - Kedra load voice made Sar'gen moved away from Masari.

- Yep, coming. - Sar'gen picked up his sword and turned around - Thank you for the sparring General. We should do it again.

Masari slowly moved to the bench to sit down, he crouched down, clenching his hot face. Thank Gods everyone already left the sparring arena. 

-Omg...what it was? - asked himself...listening to his still loudly beating heart...- I am attracted to Sar'gen...- it was clear to him as a day. He was attracted to the most dangerous person on the continent. - it cannot be...what to do?

Masari had never been in a relationship before. He spent most of his life training to be general and looking after his niece. He barely had time to interact with anyone else. In his family, all marriages are politically arranged so from a young age he was taught to not get close as his future partner would be selected by the family anyway.

When Gazol became part of the Ilula Empire, his family no longer had to arrange political marriages, he was free to love and marry anyone he wanted.

Sar'gen was a great warrior, a handsome man who at such a young age already united kingdoms and led the most powerful army on the continent. He was ether respected, feared, loved, and adored but cannot be ignored as everyone knows his name.

- Oh...what I am going to do? - Masari was desperate. He could not believe....that out of all possible options he would fall to the most unreachable one...

+++

Sar'gen had never previously been interested in anyone except his close friends. It was difficult for him to understand his heart completely as he never liked anyone romantically before.

Sar'gen was feeling very happy as this life brought him something new and exciting that he never had. After this, he started to spar with Masari regularly as they grew closer to each other.

He enjoyed spending time with Masari a lot. Talking, sparring, eating, everything was fun. 

Masari was a beautiful gentle person who loved to take care and give away his kindness readily. Probably he would never perceive himself as such but Sar'gen saw it through him right away.

His best people group has grown in numbers now. His strong best friend Kedra, smart and sparkly, would draw attention whenever she goes, his shy giant brother Vulal, honest and protective, his secretive but supportive sister Solala, and his new general Masari, gentle and kind who worried about him a lot.

+++

Masari opened his eyes and closed them again, breathing slowly, trying to calm himself down. It becomes extremely difficult to remain stoic around Sar'gen.

With all these dangerous missions and risky moves, Masari worried about his beloved a lot. But the most crushing thing was that he could not express it at all. He needed to have a poker face when his heart was boiling.

- Sar'gen can you please reconsider? - Masari again tried to convince Sar'gen to make the plan less dangerous or share risks between them.

-Oh Masa...- Sar'gen shifted his head slightly and smiled. He was sitting at his desk, - Not again. You worry too much my friend.

-No I am not. I just do not understand why it should always involve you taking the most risky position. - He leaned over the table but Sar'gen unexpectedly raised his head and moved his face close to Masari.

Masari could feel the warm breath of the Sar'gen on his face.

Sar'gen bumped his forehead into Masari's one and closed his eyes. It was the usual thing that he had been doing to Masari a lot to stop the argument and calm Masari down. Masari knew that Sar'gen dodging this way all his concerns but it was his precious moment of closeness that Masari cherished.

Sar'gen breathed in and out, calming his thoughts. Masari's sweet scent made his head light and fuzzy, he opened his eyes and looked at Masari's face closely. He could no longer understand himself as he sought out comfort from the person that he killed in his previous life.

+++

Kedra visited Masari after one of these meetings in his tent. 

-What are doing Masari? 

-What do you mean?

-What are going to do with Sar'gen? - Kedra was standing with her arms crossed. She decided to throw everything in. They become friends quickly as they share a lot in common. Especially they loved to discuss war strategy together. Masari liked how sharp Kedra was in her observations. But not this time...

-What? - Masari visibly panicked

- Oh please Masa...only blind people and my friends would not see it. You fall for him hard. This is crazy what eyes are you making when you look at Sar'gen.

-Oh no...- Masari stumbled backsword with a pale face. He was caught off guard that this terrifying secret would be so easily discovered by somebody.

-You are my friend, I would keep your secret Masari but I just wanted to warn you as you are getting more and more obvious with it.

- Oh Kedra...- Masari covered his face with hands.

- Masa, I would keep your secret I am a proud warrior, you know. I just worried about you. - She tapped his shoulder reassuring. 

-About me? 

-Of course. Who else? - She looked surprise. 

- It's terrible I need to stop all this nonsense.

- Hmmm... Masari, you lost me here. What nonsense? You are free to love whoever you want to love. Sar'gen is a great person, so I am not surprised that you fell for him. It's just if you think he would notice your feelings without saying it aloud it would most likely not going to happen. He is very thick-skinned.

Masari who was struggling with acceptance of this feeling stared at Kedra with disbelief.

- Aloud? Confess?- Masari muttered in shock

- Yeah, if you want for him to notice you need to confess.

-No...omg...what are you...Kedra...I did...not...No...how you? - Masari in panic started running in circles.

-Oh boy...- Kedra suddenly understood everything. It was a ridiculously hopeless situation for Sar'gen who never was interested in anyone romantically and Masari who had no experience with it. 100% fail rate.

- Masari calm down, please. - Kedra pulled Masari to sit down.

- What are you going to do with it, it's up to you. I will help with everything and I will keep your secret safe. However please do not think so negatively. You are a good person so please be confident in yourself. Love is never easy. You need to fight against others or yourself. Please think about what you want and if you need to talk to somebody I would be always happy to help. - Kedra smiled at Masari and patted his shoulder again.

-You are saying it like I have a chance...-muttered he

-Ha...of course you do. We all have the chance to won when our love interest is absolute single like Sar'gen now. 

Masari lifted his head and smiled. It always amazed him how positive thinking Kedra could be with everything. 

-Ha haha, - he laughed. He extended his hand to Kedra and said.

-Promise.

-Haha...should we do pinky promise instead...- Kedra shook his friend hand.

-You should use my help I mean it. I am pro in love...- continued she while leaving the tent, - I could share with you my 100 seductions technics. 

-Kedra go!!!- Roared Masari and pushed her out of his tent.