Star wiped sweat from his brow, the sun beating down on the palace training grounds like an angry blacksmith's hammer. It had been a few days since the poison scare... his body still felt a bit weak, but he was up and moving. Elandor had insisted on this... sword training. "You need to protect yourself," the king had said that morning, his green eyes serious. "The court's full of dangers... even with Varyn locked up."
Star gripped the wooden practice sword... light but awkward in his hands. He was no fighter... just a farmer used to hoes and plows. The grounds were wide... sand underfoot, racks of weapons along the walls, guards practicing in the distance. But today, it was private... just him and Elandor.
"Ready?" Elandor asked, circling him slowly. The king was in simple training gear... tight pants, a loose shirt that showed off his broad shoulders. No crown... just Eli again, with that playful grin.
Star nodded... raising his sword. "Yeah... but go easy. I don't want to embarrass myself."
Elandor lunged first... quick but controlled. Star blocked clumsily... wood clacking loud. "Good... but faster. Feet apart... like this." The king stepped close... his body pressing against Star's back... hands adjusting his stance. Warm breath on Star's neck... sending shivers.
Star's heart raced... not just from the move. "Like... this?" He shifted... but bumped into Elandor... their hips brushing.
Elandor chuckled... low and teasing. "Close... but relax your shoulders." His fingers trailed down Star's arms... guiding. The touch lingered... electric, like that night in bed.
They sparred more... strikes and parries. Star swung wild at first... missing a lot. "Ha! You're open," Elandor said, tapping Star's side gently with the flat of the blade.
"Ow... cheater!" Star laughed... swinging back. He got better quick... farmer strength helping. Muscles burned... sweat soaked his shirt... clinging to his lean frame.
Elandor paused... wiping his face. "Break? You're improving... fast learner."
Star leaned on his sword... panting. "Thanks... but you're holding back. Show me real moves."
The king smirked... eyes darkening. "Alright... advanced." He demonstrated a spin... sword whirling. Then pulled Star in... showing the grip. Bodies close... chests heaving together.
Star felt the heat... Elandor's scent... musk and leather. "Your hand... on mine," he whispered... their fingers intertwining over the hilt.
Banter flowed... flirtatious now. "You fight dirty," Star teased... after a fake-out that had them tumbling to the sand.
Elandor pinned him lightly... on top. "Only with you..." His face inches away... lips almost touching.
Star's breath caught... body reacting. "Get off... or don't." He bucked playfully... but it turned heated... hips grinding a bit.
Elandor groaned softly... then rolled off... helping Star up. "Focus... or we'll never finish."
More training... montage of days blurring. Mornings started early... swords clashing at dawn. Star learned thrusts... dodges... his form sharpening. Afternoons... archery. Star's aim was decent... from hunting rabbits back home. "Bullseye!" he cheered... arrow hitting the target.
Elandor clapped... proud. "See? Natural." But then he'd correct... standing behind... arms around Star... guiding the bow. Close... whispers in ear. "Steady... like my heart when you're near."
Star blushed... elbowing him. "Cheesy... king."
Evenings... hand-to-hand. Wrestling on mats... bodies slick with sweat. Star pinned Elandor once... straddling him. "Got you!"
Elandor flipped them... now on top. "Think so?" Their laughs faded... eyes locking. A kiss... quick but deep... tongues teasing.
Guards nearby averted eyes... but the tension built. BL sparks everywhere... touches turning intimate. A brush of hands... a shared water skin... lips lingering.
One day... rain poured. They trained inside... a covered hall. Swords echoed loud. Star disarmed Elandor... sword flying. "Ha! I win!"
Elandor grabbed him... pulling close. "My prize..." A kiss... hungry. Hands under shirts... exploring skin.
Star moaned... pressing back. "Here? Risky..."
Elandor pulled away... breathing hard. "Later... promise."
The montage peaked... Star transformed. From clumsy farmer to capable fighter. Confidence grew... not just in skills... but in them. "Thanks... for teaching me," Star said one sunset... swords down.
Elandor sheathed his. "More than that... it's us. Together."
Star nodded... leaning in. Their foreheads touched... intimate. "Yeah... us."
But as they walked back... a messenger ran up. "Majesty... news from dungeons. Varyn... escaped."
Elandor's face hardened. "How?"
"Inside help... traitors."
Star's gut twisted. Training over... real danger back.