Decerto ch. 26
Title: Decerto
Chapter: 26/?
Pairing: HyungJun/KyuJong, YoungSaeng/YunHo
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: The job of a fighter is to do one thing: win. As preparation for the annual Decerto Tournament goes underway, two longstanding rival houses purchase their newest fighters, each with their own motives for crowning their fighter as Champion. But only one fighter can ultimately win...and for the other, it means death.
A/N: RP with yeonah. Crossover with Super Junior, DBSK
The next few days passed quickly, with relative peace in both households. HyungJoon was busy most of the day and evening, but did spend some time with KyuJong at night, the rabbit happy to stay in his room the entire night. They all practiced hard, Daniel making sure they gave their best effort in everything. There were a few incidents with Xander (SungMin took great joy in dumping the tiger in the dirt when he got cocky), but other than that practice was very productive.
"How's that coin coming along?" Daniel strolled over to where he'd sent HyunJoong to practice every day after the tiger had warmed up in a few matches.
HyunJoong looked over his shoulder, at Daniel with a wry smirk. "I'd say it's going well," he said, holding the coin up between his thumb and finger to him. The coin bulged at the center, blowing up like a balloon before reverting to its original shape. "How's that?"
The dragon nodded in approval. "Good, you've gotten much faster and can stretch it farther. Do you feel more confident about wielding metal as a weapon?"
"No, not yet," HyunJoong shook his head, rolling the coin around in his hand, the coin rolling of its own volition. "I don't know how confident I'll be in using it at the tournament Daniel, it may distract me."
"You'd be surprised what you can do under pressure," Daniel said, lips quirked. "Keep it with you just in case. Either way, you survive this tournament and keep practicing. By the time next year comes around, if you keep at it, you'll be able to use it as efficiently as KyuJong uses his plants and I use my ice."
"We'll see," HyunJoong nodded, the coin spinning around on top of his knuckle. "Kyu's had years of practice in his garden, a year won't make up that much of a difference, let alone a couple of weeks."
"Think of it as a challenge to keep on practicing and improving," the dragon chuckled. "Just a few days ago you could barely bend that coin. Keep at it, and I think you'll be surprised."
"I think you have for more confidence in me that I do in myself," HyunJoong said, sighing softly as he pocketed his coin. "Can I go back to sparring now? I feel like a monkey playing with money."
"Yes yes, go ahead," Daniel shook his head in amusement, stepping away. "But I want to see some metal work in there every now and then, even if it's just hardening your fist to give a punch more force. You can spar with SungMin when he finishes cleaning up the mess that is the platform."
"Hey!" The dog's ears were back as he carefully pushed the stone of the platform back together.
"Yes, sir," HyunJoong made a flourished bow to the dragon before strolling towards where the dog was. He couldn't help but glanced towards the Jung practice field, eyes immediately looking for a certain red headed dragon. The past few nights he'd been spending time outside with the dragon, sometimes talking, sometimes they couldn't get their lips off of the others to try to talk. It was an odd quasi relationship they had, but it was one of the few things HyunJoong had to look forward to during the rigorous training.
JungMin was at that moment sparring with one of the oxen, wings flared out as he landed hit after hit. His technique had improved, YunHo nodded, and though he still liked to taunt his opponents and get them riled up, it wasn't his sole method of fighting anymore. He'd even made the dragon change into his fully-human form a few times to test how well he could fight without his wings and tail to balance him. Though there was a slight difference, JungMin seemed able to accommodate what form he was in easily enough. Except for his fully-dragon form, no one found him intimidating enough to take seriously.
Watching with keen eyes, YunHo frowned when he noticed JungMin's feet were placed a little awkwardly, not distributing his weight properly. Moving to dodge the ox's attack, the dragon whirled around to hit him with his tail. The ox, anticipating this, grabbed his tail and slammed the dragon onto his back on the ground, pinning him down.
This had happened several times before. But in those matches, JungMin had never screamed in pain.
"Stop! Stop the match!" YunHo climbed up onto the platform as the ox got off of JungMin, eyes widening when he saw the awkward angle one wing was bent at.
"I'll get the doctor," RyeoWook said quietly, scurrying away from the field, brushing past YoungSaeng who had been watching the training from the side.
YunHo approached the dragon carefully, knowing from past experiences that dragons in that much pain were dangerous to be near. "JungMin, lie down on your stomach so we can look at your wing," he said, voice firm but gentle. The dragon was shaking as he tried to sit up, breath catching harshly in his throat.
After a moment JungMin rolled over onto his stomach, uninjured wing twitching as he tried to move them, making another noise of pain. YunHo crouched down next to him, eyes narrowing in worry when he saw the way one of the main joints in JungMin's wing had been dislocated, the wing deformed.
YoungSaeng did his part as best he could, keeping the fighters back with a stern look so the doctor could get through. When RyeoWook returned, he shooed everyone back to the house, letting the doctor work on JungMin in peace.
The doctor looked over the wing, brow furrowed as he gently probed at the muscle. "Dislocated at the joint, ripped some of the tendons to his flight muscles. He's be grounded for a week or so, even with dragon's fast healing. I'll need to get the wing back into the joint, if you could hold him down?" he looked at YunHo warily. "He's not going to like this one bit."
"Oh fantastic," JungMin got out, biting down on the material of his sleeve to stifle any sounds.
"Try to stay still JungMin, or it'll hurt more," YunHo said, carefully holding down JungMin from moving. He could feel the dragon shuddering violently at the pain. "Make it quick."
"I'll give you some painkiller afterward, quit whining," the doctor grumbled. Moving around he held the dragon's wing up gingerly, setting his foot against JungMin's back before wrenching the wing to the side. YoungSaeng winced slightly but there was an audible popping noise as the joint went back into place.
JungMin's yell of pain was muffled slightly by his sleeve, the dragon shuddering and instinctively trying to kick. YunHo kept him pinned down until it was over, JungMin panting at the pain and swearing. "Fuck, are you trying to tear it off completely?!"
"You would know if I did," the doctor retorted, pulling out a syringe from his bag and injecting it into the dragon's hip. "This should knock him out for a few hours so he's not tempted to try and use the wing. It'll have to be bound for a couple of days so he doesn't accidentally pop it out again."
"Let's get him to his room then," YunHo shook his head, frowning slightly. Seeing the dragon wasn't going to be able to get anywhere on his own, he turned to RyeoWook. "Call the ox back to carry him, before he passes out halfway there and injures himself more."
Nodding, the rat hurried off to grab the ox, the doctor packing up his things and following after him towards the house once he had finished binding the dragon's injured wing.
"He's going to be even pricklier than usual," YoungSaeng said quietly, arms crossed. "There's only a couple weeks left before the tournament, this could set him back."
"He'll have to train harder when he's healed, but I'm not going to mess with how his wing heals," YunHo shook his head. By the time the ox arrived, JungMin was out cold, YunHo helping get the dragon onto the ox's back. "Guess no flying for him for a while."
YoungSaeng sighed depressively, hanging his head. "Does that mean he's going to need someone to keep him company now?" he asked.
"Probably not while he's asleep, but it couldn't hurt," YunHo smiled a little at YoungSaeng, watching the ox carry JungMin inside before following.
"Which means me," YoungSaeng bristled, cross his arms over his chest. "A grounded overinflated dragon is not my idea of pleasant company. He's going to be impossible to be around."
"If you don't want to, no one's forcing you," YunHo shrugged, looking back at him.
"Who else is going to do it, the rat?" YoungSaeng rolled his eyes. "No one else around here can talk to him for more than a minute without getting steam blown in their face, and unless Master Kim lets that tiger over here to keep him calm, that leaves me."
"Somehow I don't think he'd be any happier in the company of someone who obviously doesn't want to be there," YunHo raised an eyebrow at the snake. "Aren't you being a little insensitive?"
"Excuse me for not feeling sorry for the dragon," YoungSaeng retorted, looking away. "Fine, I won't have anything to do with him now, he doesn't like my company anyway."
YunHo frowned at that, stopping and turning around to face him. "What is wrong YoungSaeng, this is very unlike you to talk like this about an injured fighter."
Scowling, YoungSaeng looked up at YunHo, his eyes slightly milky looking. "I don't know what you're talking about, when have I ever talked about an injured fighter before? It's just the stupid dragon, who doesn't like me cause I figured out his little secret."
"That's hardly enough to rationalize this behavior," YunHo frowned, head tilted slightly to one side before motioning YoungSaeng closer. "...Come here for a second."
"...What?" YoungSaeng took a hesitant step closer. "What are you looking at?"
Stepping forward, YunHo tucked one hand under YoungSaeng's chin and tilted his head up to look at YoungSaeng's eyes with a critical gaze. Brushing his fingers lightly over the skin of YoungSaeng's cheek and neck, he made a soft humming noise in the back of his throat. He hadn't been training fighters, including snake fighters, all this time for nothing. "So that's it. Why didn't you tell me you were going to start shedding?"
"What difference does that make?" YoungSaeng pouted, pulling his head away. "I'm fine, I don't have to change for another day or so and I was going to tell you then."
"Don't wait too late," YunHo's lips quirked as he sighed. "And definitely put off keeping JungMin company until after it's over." Snakes tended to be very...moody during shedding season.
"Fine fine," YoungSaeng sighed, rolling his neck a little. "I'll probably.. not be joining you for dinner tonight, I'm going to soak in a tub for as long as possible, I'm itchy all over. Sorry."
"It's fine, go rest," YunHo tucked a lock of hair behind YoungSaeng's ear, the most he could do out in the open where anyone could see. "I'll be checking up on you sometime during the shedding to make sure you're doing okay."
"I should be fine... this is the first time you've ever noticed," YoungSaeng said, smiling a little. "I will warn you, if you check on me and I'm in snake form, don't touch me, I'm liable to bite."
"Understood," YunHo chuckled. Being bitten by a deadly snake wasn't on his list of things to do. "And this is the first time we've spent so much time together in years. Go on inside, I need to check on the dragon and make sure the ox didn't leave him in a position that's going to hurt his wings more."
"Alright, good luck," YoungSaeng nodded, turning and heading back into the house. Not the best of times for him to have started shedding, but at least it wasn't during the tournament itself.
Watching what was going on at the other side of the field with wide eyes, KyuJong blinked owlishly. "Oh, that really didn't look good."
"No, it didn't," HyunJoong murmured, having paused in his fight with SungMin when he heard JungMin screaming in pain. His tail flickered nervously, far too distracted now wondering if JungMin was okay.
"Probably a broken wing," SungMin shrugged, bouncing lightly in place. "Can we continue?" KyuJong glanced at HyunJoong.
HyunJoong's lip curled upwards slightly in a snarl and he turned to face SungMin. "Fine, let's continue," he said lowly, leaping towards the dog with a balled up fist, backhanding SungMin.
Unprepared, SungMin yelped as he narrowly avoided landing in the dirt, skidding backwards. "What's your problem?" He lunged forward to attack.
"You irritate me," HyunJoong replied, sidestepping the attack easily. Swinging out his leg, he caught SungMin's ankle and yanked hard to trip him up.
The dog went down properly this time with a yelp and a thud. "I didn't do anything!" He rolled back to his feet and lashed out with a fake to the left, then a proper hook to the right.
Catching the punch in the jaw, HyunJoong barely felt it as he snagged the dog's wrist and spun him around, pinning his arm up between his shoulder blades. "You're always doing something to irritate me," he huffed, kneeing SungMin in the back hard to body slam him to the platform.
SungMin winced, struggling and unable to get up. "Okay, okay, I give! Stupid moody cat."
KyuJong watched with a frown, staying near the edge of the platform.
Releasing him, HyunJoong stood up, looking at KyuJong with an unreadable expression before jumping off the platform and walking away. "I need a break Daniel."
"Go ahead," Daniel frowned slightly. KyuJong looked between them before biting his lower lip and hurrying after HyunJoong.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly when they were far enough away.
"I'm fine," HyunJoong said, leaning up against the wall of the house, rubbing at his head. "Just... distracted, and he was pissing me off."
"To be fair, he didn't really say anything bad," KyuJong said, watching HyunJoong with a worried look. "Is it cause JungMin was hurt?"
"He's always got a snide attitude with me," HyunJoong muttered, looking across the field to the Jung houses empty training fields. "I know what you're going to say Kyu, I know I shouldn't be worried about him like this or let it get to me, but I can't help it. I am worried."
Gaze softening, KyuJong sighed before sitting down. "Sit down for a moment, we've been standing all day," he patted the space beside him lightly. "There's nothing wrong with being worried. It isn't something you can control. How have things been going, between you two?"
HyunJoong looked down at him for a moment before he sighed and slowly slid down the wall to sit. "Fine I guess," he said, stretching out his legs. "We don't really... talk that much, and it's usually him teasing me or something."
"Doesn't seem to bother you as much as before," KyuJong noted, watching HyunJoong's expression with a small smile.
"I found it's better to just shut him up than try to argue back," HyunJoong shrugged. "It's not really a relationship though... I don't see it lasting."
"Because of your personalities, or because of the tournament?" the rabbit asked, leaning back against the wall.
"Both, he's loud and annoying, and we should really focus on the tournament, not on stealing kisses late at night," HyunJoong said. "Nothing's going to come of this, and I'm sure he knows it too."
"I don't know, he doesn't seem like the most logical of dragons," KyuJong smiled sadly, drawing his legs to his chest and resting his cheek on one knee. "Maybe he hopes. Not that I want to encourage something that just isn't going to help either of you."
"Hopes what? That somehow despite us being fighters owned by two different houses we're going to end up living the rest of our lives together like some sort of fairy tale?" HyunJoong snorted, shaking his head. "No, hopefully he's not that delusional. You got lucky Kyu, not all of us will be that lucky."
"You don't have to be delusional to hope for something if you want it badly enough," KyuJong replied. "If he likes you, it isn't very far-fetched at all. And he is a hatchling, remember."
"But it isn't reality," HyunJoong shook his head. "We're just slaves, and if we both miraculously make it through the tournament, there's no guarantees one of us won't be sold off to pay for our master's debt, or to bring in a stronger fighter. If he doesn't understand that then I will make sure he does."
Sighing softly, KyuJong watched him sadly, wishing there was something he could say to make it better. "If you both weren't slaves, and the tournament didn't exist...do you think you would have had a chance with him?"
"What you're asking is something I can't imagine Kyu," HyunJoong replied softly. "We are what we are, and even if I could change that, I don't know if it would work even then."
"But you like him, don't you?" KyuJong asked. "If you're seeing him, even if it isn't realistic, you must be able to see something with him."
"Why do you even care so much Kyu? You've got your perfect romance with the Master, why are you even bothering," HyunJoong snapped, finally getting annoyed with KyuJong's constant questions. "Leave me alone."
Jumping slightly in surprise with his ears popping out, KyuJong frowned slightly. "I care because I'm worried about you," he said quietly. "And our 'perfect romance' can fall apart just as easily, or did you forget he's engaged and I'm entering in the exact same life-or-death tournament you are?"
"You won't make it past the second tier, you're not going to die," HyunJoong said, getting to his feet. "At least you can be with him and talk with him without being afraid of getting caught. I don't want to talk about this anymore," he said, turning and walking away.
"HyunJoong, wait," KyuJong sprang to his feet, looking after him helplessly. Well that hadn't gone as well is he'd hoped. Sighing softly, he looked up towards HyungJoon's window.
Why couldn't they just be happy?
**********
Practice went abysmally for the rest of the day, Daniel finally ordering HyunJoong off the field when he tried to decapitate SungMin when the dog looked at the tiger funny. After dinner HyunJoong went for his late night walk, but when the dragon didn't show, he eventually gave up and went back inside. It was likely the dragon was too hurt to see him anyway.
The next day wasn't much better, HyunJoong spending most of his training time working on element training because Daniel told him he a "murderous look in his eye". HyunJoong supposed he was right, but he was anxious and snapping at anyone that got too close. There was no word about JungMin's condition, and the dragon wasn't out on the practice field again that day either. Not sure whether or not to even bother, HyunJoong stood at the door of the slave quarters after dinner, looking up at the sky.
JungMin had been on bed rest the entire day, laying out on his stomach on the bed with his eyes closed. Painkillers stopped him from setting anything on fire, but it wasn't enough to put him back to sleep when he'd spent most of the time napping anyways. At some point YunHo came by to check up on him and talk for a moment, something the dragon appreciated even if he didn't always get along with his owner, but he'd had to leave to watch over the other fighters before long. So JungMin spent the vast majority of the day alone.
Alerted to the fact it was night time by the sound of crickets outside, JungMin carefully pushed himself back into a sitting position, hissing in pain when his wing was jostled. It was bound up in a folded position behind him, and if he didn't accidentally hit it against anything it felt far too numb for his liking. It wasn't damaged permanently, right?
He couldn't imagine never being able to fly again, like Daniel. He'd probably die if that was the case. Losing their wings wasn't like breaking any other bones or losing other limbs. Being sentenced to a life on the ground was enough to turn many dragons suicidal. JungMin didn't know how the Kim dragon could keep on living after his wings had been torn to shreds.
That being said, if JungMin stared at a wall for much longer, painkillers or not the room was going up in smoke.
Getting to his feet and wobbling a little, JungMin steadied himself against the wall before heading to the door. Some fresh air, he needed to see the sky.
Thankfully he made it outside unhindered, the dragon breathing in deeply and looking up at the sky wistfully. Looking back at his bound wing again, JungMin's shoulders slumped and he made his way away from the entrance and towards a hill by the practice field. He couldn't make it to the Kim gardens, not like this. Sitting down dejectedly on the hill, the highest point he could find, JungMin shifted to stretch out on his stomach again, burying his nose in the blades of grass and feeling the wind in his hair.
With his eyes upward, HyunJoong didn't see the dragon coming across the field, but the wind shifted and he smelled the familiar scent on the breeze. Blinking in confusion he started to look around, stepping out of the doorway and out onto the field, he followed the scent until he spotted the dragon sprawled out on the ground.
"You can't be comfortable like that," the tiger said quietly, crouching down next to the dragon and looking at the bound wing. "What happened?"
Lifting his head from the grass when he smelled HyunJoong approaching, JungMin blinked up at the tiger, glad to see him. "This is probably as comfortable as it's gonna get for the next while," he said resting his head in his arms with his head tilted so he could still see HyunJoong. "Ox decided to sit on me during practice."
"Got to watch out for that," HyunJoong said, quirking his lip slightly and laying down in the grass next to him. "Does that mean you're out of the tournament or is it not broken."
"Not broken, thankfully, just got dislocated," JungMin sighed, looking out-of-sorts. "Grounded for a week or so."
"That's rough," HyunJoong frowned a little. "I was... concerned... when I heard you were hurt."
"You were?" JungMin looked up at HyunJoong, tip of his tail curling a little. "I thought you weren't the sentimental type," he murmured, though his lips had curved upwards into a soft smile.
"I'm not," HyunJoong grumbled. "I heard you screaming, anyone would be concerned. Glad to see you're relatively okay though."
The dragon chuckled tiredly, not seeming to have his usual energy for taunting. "I didn't think you were going to come over, or if you were even outside."
"I don't only come outside for you, you know," HyunJoong snorted. "I like fresh air too... though I can't say I wasn't a little disappointed I didn't get to see you yesterday."
"I didn't say you did," JungMin wrinkled his nose at him. "I was kinda drugged under with painkillers most of yesterday. Still am, but at least I'm awake this time."
"Well... I hope you feel better soon," HyunJoong said, scooting a little closer to the dragon, leaning in to press his lips against JungMin's in a gentle chaste kiss.
JungMin responded instantly to the kiss, tilting his head a little more and pushing himself up to return it, eyes closing. The dragon loved being close to the other man, and being in isolation all day wasn't helping.
Lifting up his hand to frame the dragon's jaw, HyunJoong deepened the kiss, wanting to get as much as he could. He had really missed the dragon the day before, and though it should really bother him that he was getting attached, he couldn't bring himself to mind right at that moment. Not when JungMin's lips were so soft and warm.
Eventually though, he did have to pull back, looking into JungMin's with a sad smile. "You need to hurry up and get better, so I'm not so worried about hurting you," he murmured.
The dragon chuckled softly, meeting HyunJoong's eyes. "Just don't touch that wing, or dump me on my back, and we're all good." He sat up more properly, tugging the tiger closer. "Why don't you ever have your ears and tail out unless I'm annoying you to the point of wanting to kill me?" he tweaked one human ear.
Growling a little at the tug, HyunJoong pulled JungMin back down to lay on top of him, hands on the dragon's hips. "Habit, my first master hated the site of a signs animal form, even a half form so I learned very quickly to keep it hidden. Except when I'm angry, or in the ring."
"Humans are stupid," JungMin pouted down at the tiger, balancing with his elbows against the ground and his good wing extended slightly. "I like seeing your ears," he traced along one curved shell with a fingertip.
HyunJoong's eyes fluttered slightly, looking up JungMin with a wry expression. "That so? Fine then," he sighed, giving his head a little shake, his ears popping out. "There, don't see why you like them so much," he said, one ear twitching.
"Cause you look like a cute kitty, when you're not being grumpy," JungMin grinned widely, tweaking one ear and scratching behind it lightly.
"I am not.... cute," HyunJoong's turned into a moan at the scratches. "St..stop that," he whined.
"Why, you obviously like it," JungMin smirked, continuing what he was doing. "And yes you are, you're adorable."
"I'll break your other wing, don't call me cute," HyunJoong said, eyes closed and purring softly.
"Okay, how about hot?" JungMin inquired, enjoying watching the expression on the tiger's face and listening to his purring, his tail waving in the air behind him.
"Just shut up," HyunJoong grumbled, pulling JungMin down for another kiss. He didn't want him to stop the scratches though, and was purring even louder.
Kissing HyunJoong back, JungMin decided to take advantage of the fact he had two hands, alternating between ears as he deepened the kiss. HyunJoong's purring was vibrating through their chests.
Being careful of JungMin's wing, HyunJoong's hand slid up the back of the dragon's shirt, splaying across his skin. He enjoyed the kisses, but he kept getting distracted by the ear scratches and let out a small growl of frustration amidst his purrs. "Of all the times for your wing to be broken," he grumbled, biting at JungMin's lower lip.
"Sorry I can't break it on demand," JungMin pouted against HyunJoong's lips, growling softly at the bite. "So, if you're like this when I play with your ears, what happens if I go for your tail?" he teased, tweaking at HyunJoong's ears.
"Depends on which tail you go for," HyunJoong replied, nipping at JungMin's hand.
"Was that a hint?" The dragon chuckled in amusement, tweaking the tiger's nose. Taking advantage of the fact HyunJoong's head was turned to try biting his hand, JungMin leaned in and kissed the tip of one cat ear.
"Maybe," HyunJoong replied, his ear twitching as it was tickled by the kiss. "Not sure the middle of the practice field and you with one broken wing is the best time for it though," he said, tracing fingers over the dragon's skin.
"Sadly," JungMin sulked, nipping lightly at the ear and shivering at the fingers against his skin. "Do you think anyone will notice if I sneak into your room through the window?"
"The guards might," HyunJoong murmured, growling at the nip and retaliating with one of his own. "Not that they really do much of anything, but if Kyu spots you we're both dead."
"Nosey rabbit," the dragon sniffed, growling a little in return. "Fine, I guess we're waiting for my wing to heal. First I can't fly, now this."
"Next time, don't let an ox sit on you," HyunJoong said, tweaking JungMin's nose. "We're fine like this for now though, right? Even if we're both getting a little frustrated."
Nipping at HyunJoong's fingers, JungMin pouted and nodded. "Yeah, we are, I'm just sulking. At least we can still make out," he grinned at the tiger.
"Important things, right?" HyunJoong chuckled, shaking his head a little. "We have the tournament to look forward to, they don't check rooms or bother us unless a fight breaks out."
"Looking forward to that more than the actual tournament," JungMin smirked, fingers lightly brushing against HyunJoong's ear. "See, you should have your half-form out more often."
"... It may have some merit," HyunJoong replied, the purring starting again. "Just with you though, the others will wonder."
"Funny, with all that tiger pride I would have thought you'd have your tiger-ness showing a little more often," JungMin teased.
"Don't start," HyunJoong huffed, pouting up at him. "Once the teasing starts, I go back inside."
"No fun," JungMin pouted. "It's not a bad thing to be proud of who you are, you know. I'm proud I'm a dragon, even if our reputations suck."
"I am proud of being a tiger," HyunJoong bristled. "I never said I wasn't and I don't know where you come off being so high and mighty about it either. It's my choice about what I do or don't do and do you know how many times stupid idiots pull my tail just to see how I'd react? Too many are still living."
"Hey, no need to turn into a porcupine on me," JungMin frowned, sitting up a little straddling HyunJoong's waist. "I was just saying."
"I know what you're trying to say, but tiger's get a bad reputation for being too prideful," HyunJoong said, turning his head to look away. "I have a lot of pride to be what I am, just because I don't flaunt it around like a cub doesn't mean I don't."
"I never said you don't, I was just wondering that's all," JungMin sniffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "And don't go crying to me about bad reputations, you're talking to the sign king of bad reputations."
"Then why tease me about it?" HyunJoong grumbled poking JungMin's stomach. "Can't imagine why youwould have a bad reputation anyway."
"Yah, I'm not all that bad," JungMin snatched at HyunJoong's hands. "I haven't burned the house down, have I?"
"Doesn't mean you haven't wanted to," HyunJoong teased, poking him again. "Why else would you have crawled out here to lay down in the middle of a field."
"I walked, I didn't crawl, and it was cause I missed seeing the sky and figured if I was going to be alone I might as well be alone somewhere I actually wanted to be," the dragon huffed, grabbing HyunJoong's hands and pinning them down.
"You're not alone," HyunJoong pointed out, not even trying to free his hands. "Unless you want to be alone, I can go back inside. Save myself from getting teased."
"Who's doing the teasing now? And I didn't say I want you to go back inside," JungMin wrinkled his nose down at the tiger. "Don't go putting words in my mouth."
"I was just saying," HyunJoong rolled his eyes, freeing his hand to reach up, curling his fingers in JungMin's shirt again and pull him back down for a kiss. "I wouldn't put words in your mouth, maybe just my tongue."
JungMin didn't bother replying to that, kissing HyunJoong back happily and deepening the kiss so HyunJoong could follow up on that idea. Sure they argued like cats and dogs most of the time, but in the instances they did get along, it was all worth it. And JungMin didn't tell HyunJoong just how happy he was the tiger had joined him up on the hill.
They stayed on the hill like that trading kisses for another hour or so before it was decided to head in. It was nearing midnight and one of them at least would have to be up before dawn. HyunJoong made sure JungMin would be able to get back to his house alright before heading back himself. Now that he knew JungMin was pretty much himself despite being injured, HyunJoong was able to sleep fairly peacefully that night. The thoughts he had been keeping down about getting attached would come back up the next day, but he would deal with it then.
Chapter: 26/?
Pairing: HyungJun/KyuJong, YoungSaeng/YunHo
Rating: R overall
Warning: AU, violence, angst
Summary: The job of a fighter is to do one thing: win. As preparation for the annual Decerto Tournament goes underway, two longstanding rival houses purchase their newest fighters, each with their own motives for crowning their fighter as Champion. But only one fighter can ultimately win...and for the other, it means death.
A/N: RP with yeonah. Crossover with Super Junior, DBSK
The next few days passed quickly, with relative peace in both households. HyungJoon was busy most of the day and evening, but did spend some time with KyuJong at night, the rabbit happy to stay in his room the entire night. They all practiced hard, Daniel making sure they gave their best effort in everything. There were a few incidents with Xander (SungMin took great joy in dumping the tiger in the dirt when he got cocky), but other than that practice was very productive.
"How's that coin coming along?" Daniel strolled over to where he'd sent HyunJoong to practice every day after the tiger had warmed up in a few matches.
HyunJoong looked over his shoulder, at Daniel with a wry smirk. "I'd say it's going well," he said, holding the coin up between his thumb and finger to him. The coin bulged at the center, blowing up like a balloon before reverting to its original shape. "How's that?"
The dragon nodded in approval. "Good, you've gotten much faster and can stretch it farther. Do you feel more confident about wielding metal as a weapon?"
"No, not yet," HyunJoong shook his head, rolling the coin around in his hand, the coin rolling of its own volition. "I don't know how confident I'll be in using it at the tournament Daniel, it may distract me."
"You'd be surprised what you can do under pressure," Daniel said, lips quirked. "Keep it with you just in case. Either way, you survive this tournament and keep practicing. By the time next year comes around, if you keep at it, you'll be able to use it as efficiently as KyuJong uses his plants and I use my ice."
"We'll see," HyunJoong nodded, the coin spinning around on top of his knuckle. "Kyu's had years of practice in his garden, a year won't make up that much of a difference, let alone a couple of weeks."
"Think of it as a challenge to keep on practicing and improving," the dragon chuckled. "Just a few days ago you could barely bend that coin. Keep at it, and I think you'll be surprised."
"I think you have for more confidence in me that I do in myself," HyunJoong said, sighing softly as he pocketed his coin. "Can I go back to sparring now? I feel like a monkey playing with money."
"Yes yes, go ahead," Daniel shook his head in amusement, stepping away. "But I want to see some metal work in there every now and then, even if it's just hardening your fist to give a punch more force. You can spar with SungMin when he finishes cleaning up the mess that is the platform."
"Hey!" The dog's ears were back as he carefully pushed the stone of the platform back together.
"Yes, sir," HyunJoong made a flourished bow to the dragon before strolling towards where the dog was. He couldn't help but glanced towards the Jung practice field, eyes immediately looking for a certain red headed dragon. The past few nights he'd been spending time outside with the dragon, sometimes talking, sometimes they couldn't get their lips off of the others to try to talk. It was an odd quasi relationship they had, but it was one of the few things HyunJoong had to look forward to during the rigorous training.
JungMin was at that moment sparring with one of the oxen, wings flared out as he landed hit after hit. His technique had improved, YunHo nodded, and though he still liked to taunt his opponents and get them riled up, it wasn't his sole method of fighting anymore. He'd even made the dragon change into his fully-human form a few times to test how well he could fight without his wings and tail to balance him. Though there was a slight difference, JungMin seemed able to accommodate what form he was in easily enough. Except for his fully-dragon form, no one found him intimidating enough to take seriously.
Watching with keen eyes, YunHo frowned when he noticed JungMin's feet were placed a little awkwardly, not distributing his weight properly. Moving to dodge the ox's attack, the dragon whirled around to hit him with his tail. The ox, anticipating this, grabbed his tail and slammed the dragon onto his back on the ground, pinning him down.
This had happened several times before. But in those matches, JungMin had never screamed in pain.
"Stop! Stop the match!" YunHo climbed up onto the platform as the ox got off of JungMin, eyes widening when he saw the awkward angle one wing was bent at.
"I'll get the doctor," RyeoWook said quietly, scurrying away from the field, brushing past YoungSaeng who had been watching the training from the side.
YunHo approached the dragon carefully, knowing from past experiences that dragons in that much pain were dangerous to be near. "JungMin, lie down on your stomach so we can look at your wing," he said, voice firm but gentle. The dragon was shaking as he tried to sit up, breath catching harshly in his throat.
After a moment JungMin rolled over onto his stomach, uninjured wing twitching as he tried to move them, making another noise of pain. YunHo crouched down next to him, eyes narrowing in worry when he saw the way one of the main joints in JungMin's wing had been dislocated, the wing deformed.
YoungSaeng did his part as best he could, keeping the fighters back with a stern look so the doctor could get through. When RyeoWook returned, he shooed everyone back to the house, letting the doctor work on JungMin in peace.
The doctor looked over the wing, brow furrowed as he gently probed at the muscle. "Dislocated at the joint, ripped some of the tendons to his flight muscles. He's be grounded for a week or so, even with dragon's fast healing. I'll need to get the wing back into the joint, if you could hold him down?" he looked at YunHo warily. "He's not going to like this one bit."
"Oh fantastic," JungMin got out, biting down on the material of his sleeve to stifle any sounds.
"Try to stay still JungMin, or it'll hurt more," YunHo said, carefully holding down JungMin from moving. He could feel the dragon shuddering violently at the pain. "Make it quick."
"I'll give you some painkiller afterward, quit whining," the doctor grumbled. Moving around he held the dragon's wing up gingerly, setting his foot against JungMin's back before wrenching the wing to the side. YoungSaeng winced slightly but there was an audible popping noise as the joint went back into place.
JungMin's yell of pain was muffled slightly by his sleeve, the dragon shuddering and instinctively trying to kick. YunHo kept him pinned down until it was over, JungMin panting at the pain and swearing. "Fuck, are you trying to tear it off completely?!"
"You would know if I did," the doctor retorted, pulling out a syringe from his bag and injecting it into the dragon's hip. "This should knock him out for a few hours so he's not tempted to try and use the wing. It'll have to be bound for a couple of days so he doesn't accidentally pop it out again."
"Let's get him to his room then," YunHo shook his head, frowning slightly. Seeing the dragon wasn't going to be able to get anywhere on his own, he turned to RyeoWook. "Call the ox back to carry him, before he passes out halfway there and injures himself more."
Nodding, the rat hurried off to grab the ox, the doctor packing up his things and following after him towards the house once he had finished binding the dragon's injured wing.
"He's going to be even pricklier than usual," YoungSaeng said quietly, arms crossed. "There's only a couple weeks left before the tournament, this could set him back."
"He'll have to train harder when he's healed, but I'm not going to mess with how his wing heals," YunHo shook his head. By the time the ox arrived, JungMin was out cold, YunHo helping get the dragon onto the ox's back. "Guess no flying for him for a while."
YoungSaeng sighed depressively, hanging his head. "Does that mean he's going to need someone to keep him company now?" he asked.
"Probably not while he's asleep, but it couldn't hurt," YunHo smiled a little at YoungSaeng, watching the ox carry JungMin inside before following.
"Which means me," YoungSaeng bristled, cross his arms over his chest. "A grounded overinflated dragon is not my idea of pleasant company. He's going to be impossible to be around."
"If you don't want to, no one's forcing you," YunHo shrugged, looking back at him.
"Who else is going to do it, the rat?" YoungSaeng rolled his eyes. "No one else around here can talk to him for more than a minute without getting steam blown in their face, and unless Master Kim lets that tiger over here to keep him calm, that leaves me."
"Somehow I don't think he'd be any happier in the company of someone who obviously doesn't want to be there," YunHo raised an eyebrow at the snake. "Aren't you being a little insensitive?"
"Excuse me for not feeling sorry for the dragon," YoungSaeng retorted, looking away. "Fine, I won't have anything to do with him now, he doesn't like my company anyway."
YunHo frowned at that, stopping and turning around to face him. "What is wrong YoungSaeng, this is very unlike you to talk like this about an injured fighter."
Scowling, YoungSaeng looked up at YunHo, his eyes slightly milky looking. "I don't know what you're talking about, when have I ever talked about an injured fighter before? It's just the stupid dragon, who doesn't like me cause I figured out his little secret."
"That's hardly enough to rationalize this behavior," YunHo frowned, head tilted slightly to one side before motioning YoungSaeng closer. "...Come here for a second."
"...What?" YoungSaeng took a hesitant step closer. "What are you looking at?"
Stepping forward, YunHo tucked one hand under YoungSaeng's chin and tilted his head up to look at YoungSaeng's eyes with a critical gaze. Brushing his fingers lightly over the skin of YoungSaeng's cheek and neck, he made a soft humming noise in the back of his throat. He hadn't been training fighters, including snake fighters, all this time for nothing. "So that's it. Why didn't you tell me you were going to start shedding?"
"What difference does that make?" YoungSaeng pouted, pulling his head away. "I'm fine, I don't have to change for another day or so and I was going to tell you then."
"Don't wait too late," YunHo's lips quirked as he sighed. "And definitely put off keeping JungMin company until after it's over." Snakes tended to be very...moody during shedding season.
"Fine fine," YoungSaeng sighed, rolling his neck a little. "I'll probably.. not be joining you for dinner tonight, I'm going to soak in a tub for as long as possible, I'm itchy all over. Sorry."
"It's fine, go rest," YunHo tucked a lock of hair behind YoungSaeng's ear, the most he could do out in the open where anyone could see. "I'll be checking up on you sometime during the shedding to make sure you're doing okay."
"I should be fine... this is the first time you've ever noticed," YoungSaeng said, smiling a little. "I will warn you, if you check on me and I'm in snake form, don't touch me, I'm liable to bite."
"Understood," YunHo chuckled. Being bitten by a deadly snake wasn't on his list of things to do. "And this is the first time we've spent so much time together in years. Go on inside, I need to check on the dragon and make sure the ox didn't leave him in a position that's going to hurt his wings more."
"Alright, good luck," YoungSaeng nodded, turning and heading back into the house. Not the best of times for him to have started shedding, but at least it wasn't during the tournament itself.
Watching what was going on at the other side of the field with wide eyes, KyuJong blinked owlishly. "Oh, that really didn't look good."
"No, it didn't," HyunJoong murmured, having paused in his fight with SungMin when he heard JungMin screaming in pain. His tail flickered nervously, far too distracted now wondering if JungMin was okay.
"Probably a broken wing," SungMin shrugged, bouncing lightly in place. "Can we continue?" KyuJong glanced at HyunJoong.
HyunJoong's lip curled upwards slightly in a snarl and he turned to face SungMin. "Fine, let's continue," he said lowly, leaping towards the dog with a balled up fist, backhanding SungMin.
Unprepared, SungMin yelped as he narrowly avoided landing in the dirt, skidding backwards. "What's your problem?" He lunged forward to attack.
"You irritate me," HyunJoong replied, sidestepping the attack easily. Swinging out his leg, he caught SungMin's ankle and yanked hard to trip him up.
The dog went down properly this time with a yelp and a thud. "I didn't do anything!" He rolled back to his feet and lashed out with a fake to the left, then a proper hook to the right.
Catching the punch in the jaw, HyunJoong barely felt it as he snagged the dog's wrist and spun him around, pinning his arm up between his shoulder blades. "You're always doing something to irritate me," he huffed, kneeing SungMin in the back hard to body slam him to the platform.
SungMin winced, struggling and unable to get up. "Okay, okay, I give! Stupid moody cat."
KyuJong watched with a frown, staying near the edge of the platform.
Releasing him, HyunJoong stood up, looking at KyuJong with an unreadable expression before jumping off the platform and walking away. "I need a break Daniel."
"Go ahead," Daniel frowned slightly. KyuJong looked between them before biting his lower lip and hurrying after HyunJoong.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly when they were far enough away.
"I'm fine," HyunJoong said, leaning up against the wall of the house, rubbing at his head. "Just... distracted, and he was pissing me off."
"To be fair, he didn't really say anything bad," KyuJong said, watching HyunJoong with a worried look. "Is it cause JungMin was hurt?"
"He's always got a snide attitude with me," HyunJoong muttered, looking across the field to the Jung houses empty training fields. "I know what you're going to say Kyu, I know I shouldn't be worried about him like this or let it get to me, but I can't help it. I am worried."
Gaze softening, KyuJong sighed before sitting down. "Sit down for a moment, we've been standing all day," he patted the space beside him lightly. "There's nothing wrong with being worried. It isn't something you can control. How have things been going, between you two?"
HyunJoong looked down at him for a moment before he sighed and slowly slid down the wall to sit. "Fine I guess," he said, stretching out his legs. "We don't really... talk that much, and it's usually him teasing me or something."
"Doesn't seem to bother you as much as before," KyuJong noted, watching HyunJoong's expression with a small smile.
"I found it's better to just shut him up than try to argue back," HyunJoong shrugged. "It's not really a relationship though... I don't see it lasting."
"Because of your personalities, or because of the tournament?" the rabbit asked, leaning back against the wall.
"Both, he's loud and annoying, and we should really focus on the tournament, not on stealing kisses late at night," HyunJoong said. "Nothing's going to come of this, and I'm sure he knows it too."
"I don't know, he doesn't seem like the most logical of dragons," KyuJong smiled sadly, drawing his legs to his chest and resting his cheek on one knee. "Maybe he hopes. Not that I want to encourage something that just isn't going to help either of you."
"Hopes what? That somehow despite us being fighters owned by two different houses we're going to end up living the rest of our lives together like some sort of fairy tale?" HyunJoong snorted, shaking his head. "No, hopefully he's not that delusional. You got lucky Kyu, not all of us will be that lucky."
"You don't have to be delusional to hope for something if you want it badly enough," KyuJong replied. "If he likes you, it isn't very far-fetched at all. And he is a hatchling, remember."
"But it isn't reality," HyunJoong shook his head. "We're just slaves, and if we both miraculously make it through the tournament, there's no guarantees one of us won't be sold off to pay for our master's debt, or to bring in a stronger fighter. If he doesn't understand that then I will make sure he does."
Sighing softly, KyuJong watched him sadly, wishing there was something he could say to make it better. "If you both weren't slaves, and the tournament didn't exist...do you think you would have had a chance with him?"
"What you're asking is something I can't imagine Kyu," HyunJoong replied softly. "We are what we are, and even if I could change that, I don't know if it would work even then."
"But you like him, don't you?" KyuJong asked. "If you're seeing him, even if it isn't realistic, you must be able to see something with him."
"Why do you even care so much Kyu? You've got your perfect romance with the Master, why are you even bothering," HyunJoong snapped, finally getting annoyed with KyuJong's constant questions. "Leave me alone."
Jumping slightly in surprise with his ears popping out, KyuJong frowned slightly. "I care because I'm worried about you," he said quietly. "And our 'perfect romance' can fall apart just as easily, or did you forget he's engaged and I'm entering in the exact same life-or-death tournament you are?"
"You won't make it past the second tier, you're not going to die," HyunJoong said, getting to his feet. "At least you can be with him and talk with him without being afraid of getting caught. I don't want to talk about this anymore," he said, turning and walking away.
"HyunJoong, wait," KyuJong sprang to his feet, looking after him helplessly. Well that hadn't gone as well is he'd hoped. Sighing softly, he looked up towards HyungJoon's window.
Why couldn't they just be happy?
**********
Practice went abysmally for the rest of the day, Daniel finally ordering HyunJoong off the field when he tried to decapitate SungMin when the dog looked at the tiger funny. After dinner HyunJoong went for his late night walk, but when the dragon didn't show, he eventually gave up and went back inside. It was likely the dragon was too hurt to see him anyway.
The next day wasn't much better, HyunJoong spending most of his training time working on element training because Daniel told him he a "murderous look in his eye". HyunJoong supposed he was right, but he was anxious and snapping at anyone that got too close. There was no word about JungMin's condition, and the dragon wasn't out on the practice field again that day either. Not sure whether or not to even bother, HyunJoong stood at the door of the slave quarters after dinner, looking up at the sky.
JungMin had been on bed rest the entire day, laying out on his stomach on the bed with his eyes closed. Painkillers stopped him from setting anything on fire, but it wasn't enough to put him back to sleep when he'd spent most of the time napping anyways. At some point YunHo came by to check up on him and talk for a moment, something the dragon appreciated even if he didn't always get along with his owner, but he'd had to leave to watch over the other fighters before long. So JungMin spent the vast majority of the day alone.
Alerted to the fact it was night time by the sound of crickets outside, JungMin carefully pushed himself back into a sitting position, hissing in pain when his wing was jostled. It was bound up in a folded position behind him, and if he didn't accidentally hit it against anything it felt far too numb for his liking. It wasn't damaged permanently, right?
He couldn't imagine never being able to fly again, like Daniel. He'd probably die if that was the case. Losing their wings wasn't like breaking any other bones or losing other limbs. Being sentenced to a life on the ground was enough to turn many dragons suicidal. JungMin didn't know how the Kim dragon could keep on living after his wings had been torn to shreds.
That being said, if JungMin stared at a wall for much longer, painkillers or not the room was going up in smoke.
Getting to his feet and wobbling a little, JungMin steadied himself against the wall before heading to the door. Some fresh air, he needed to see the sky.
Thankfully he made it outside unhindered, the dragon breathing in deeply and looking up at the sky wistfully. Looking back at his bound wing again, JungMin's shoulders slumped and he made his way away from the entrance and towards a hill by the practice field. He couldn't make it to the Kim gardens, not like this. Sitting down dejectedly on the hill, the highest point he could find, JungMin shifted to stretch out on his stomach again, burying his nose in the blades of grass and feeling the wind in his hair.
With his eyes upward, HyunJoong didn't see the dragon coming across the field, but the wind shifted and he smelled the familiar scent on the breeze. Blinking in confusion he started to look around, stepping out of the doorway and out onto the field, he followed the scent until he spotted the dragon sprawled out on the ground.
"You can't be comfortable like that," the tiger said quietly, crouching down next to the dragon and looking at the bound wing. "What happened?"
Lifting his head from the grass when he smelled HyunJoong approaching, JungMin blinked up at the tiger, glad to see him. "This is probably as comfortable as it's gonna get for the next while," he said resting his head in his arms with his head tilted so he could still see HyunJoong. "Ox decided to sit on me during practice."
"Got to watch out for that," HyunJoong said, quirking his lip slightly and laying down in the grass next to him. "Does that mean you're out of the tournament or is it not broken."
"Not broken, thankfully, just got dislocated," JungMin sighed, looking out-of-sorts. "Grounded for a week or so."
"That's rough," HyunJoong frowned a little. "I was... concerned... when I heard you were hurt."
"You were?" JungMin looked up at HyunJoong, tip of his tail curling a little. "I thought you weren't the sentimental type," he murmured, though his lips had curved upwards into a soft smile.
"I'm not," HyunJoong grumbled. "I heard you screaming, anyone would be concerned. Glad to see you're relatively okay though."
The dragon chuckled tiredly, not seeming to have his usual energy for taunting. "I didn't think you were going to come over, or if you were even outside."
"I don't only come outside for you, you know," HyunJoong snorted. "I like fresh air too... though I can't say I wasn't a little disappointed I didn't get to see you yesterday."
"I didn't say you did," JungMin wrinkled his nose at him. "I was kinda drugged under with painkillers most of yesterday. Still am, but at least I'm awake this time."
"Well... I hope you feel better soon," HyunJoong said, scooting a little closer to the dragon, leaning in to press his lips against JungMin's in a gentle chaste kiss.
JungMin responded instantly to the kiss, tilting his head a little more and pushing himself up to return it, eyes closing. The dragon loved being close to the other man, and being in isolation all day wasn't helping.
Lifting up his hand to frame the dragon's jaw, HyunJoong deepened the kiss, wanting to get as much as he could. He had really missed the dragon the day before, and though it should really bother him that he was getting attached, he couldn't bring himself to mind right at that moment. Not when JungMin's lips were so soft and warm.
Eventually though, he did have to pull back, looking into JungMin's with a sad smile. "You need to hurry up and get better, so I'm not so worried about hurting you," he murmured.
The dragon chuckled softly, meeting HyunJoong's eyes. "Just don't touch that wing, or dump me on my back, and we're all good." He sat up more properly, tugging the tiger closer. "Why don't you ever have your ears and tail out unless I'm annoying you to the point of wanting to kill me?" he tweaked one human ear.
Growling a little at the tug, HyunJoong pulled JungMin back down to lay on top of him, hands on the dragon's hips. "Habit, my first master hated the site of a signs animal form, even a half form so I learned very quickly to keep it hidden. Except when I'm angry, or in the ring."
"Humans are stupid," JungMin pouted down at the tiger, balancing with his elbows against the ground and his good wing extended slightly. "I like seeing your ears," he traced along one curved shell with a fingertip.
HyunJoong's eyes fluttered slightly, looking up JungMin with a wry expression. "That so? Fine then," he sighed, giving his head a little shake, his ears popping out. "There, don't see why you like them so much," he said, one ear twitching.
"Cause you look like a cute kitty, when you're not being grumpy," JungMin grinned widely, tweaking one ear and scratching behind it lightly.
"I am not.... cute," HyunJoong's turned into a moan at the scratches. "St..stop that," he whined.
"Why, you obviously like it," JungMin smirked, continuing what he was doing. "And yes you are, you're adorable."
"I'll break your other wing, don't call me cute," HyunJoong said, eyes closed and purring softly.
"Okay, how about hot?" JungMin inquired, enjoying watching the expression on the tiger's face and listening to his purring, his tail waving in the air behind him.
"Just shut up," HyunJoong grumbled, pulling JungMin down for another kiss. He didn't want him to stop the scratches though, and was purring even louder.
Kissing HyunJoong back, JungMin decided to take advantage of the fact he had two hands, alternating between ears as he deepened the kiss. HyunJoong's purring was vibrating through their chests.
Being careful of JungMin's wing, HyunJoong's hand slid up the back of the dragon's shirt, splaying across his skin. He enjoyed the kisses, but he kept getting distracted by the ear scratches and let out a small growl of frustration amidst his purrs. "Of all the times for your wing to be broken," he grumbled, biting at JungMin's lower lip.
"Sorry I can't break it on demand," JungMin pouted against HyunJoong's lips, growling softly at the bite. "So, if you're like this when I play with your ears, what happens if I go for your tail?" he teased, tweaking at HyunJoong's ears.
"Depends on which tail you go for," HyunJoong replied, nipping at JungMin's hand.
"Was that a hint?" The dragon chuckled in amusement, tweaking the tiger's nose. Taking advantage of the fact HyunJoong's head was turned to try biting his hand, JungMin leaned in and kissed the tip of one cat ear.
"Maybe," HyunJoong replied, his ear twitching as it was tickled by the kiss. "Not sure the middle of the practice field and you with one broken wing is the best time for it though," he said, tracing fingers over the dragon's skin.
"Sadly," JungMin sulked, nipping lightly at the ear and shivering at the fingers against his skin. "Do you think anyone will notice if I sneak into your room through the window?"
"The guards might," HyunJoong murmured, growling at the nip and retaliating with one of his own. "Not that they really do much of anything, but if Kyu spots you we're both dead."
"Nosey rabbit," the dragon sniffed, growling a little in return. "Fine, I guess we're waiting for my wing to heal. First I can't fly, now this."
"Next time, don't let an ox sit on you," HyunJoong said, tweaking JungMin's nose. "We're fine like this for now though, right? Even if we're both getting a little frustrated."
Nipping at HyunJoong's fingers, JungMin pouted and nodded. "Yeah, we are, I'm just sulking. At least we can still make out," he grinned at the tiger.
"Important things, right?" HyunJoong chuckled, shaking his head a little. "We have the tournament to look forward to, they don't check rooms or bother us unless a fight breaks out."
"Looking forward to that more than the actual tournament," JungMin smirked, fingers lightly brushing against HyunJoong's ear. "See, you should have your half-form out more often."
"... It may have some merit," HyunJoong replied, the purring starting again. "Just with you though, the others will wonder."
"Funny, with all that tiger pride I would have thought you'd have your tiger-ness showing a little more often," JungMin teased.
"Don't start," HyunJoong huffed, pouting up at him. "Once the teasing starts, I go back inside."
"No fun," JungMin pouted. "It's not a bad thing to be proud of who you are, you know. I'm proud I'm a dragon, even if our reputations suck."
"I am proud of being a tiger," HyunJoong bristled. "I never said I wasn't and I don't know where you come off being so high and mighty about it either. It's my choice about what I do or don't do and do you know how many times stupid idiots pull my tail just to see how I'd react? Too many are still living."
"Hey, no need to turn into a porcupine on me," JungMin frowned, sitting up a little straddling HyunJoong's waist. "I was just saying."
"I know what you're trying to say, but tiger's get a bad reputation for being too prideful," HyunJoong said, turning his head to look away. "I have a lot of pride to be what I am, just because I don't flaunt it around like a cub doesn't mean I don't."
"I never said you don't, I was just wondering that's all," JungMin sniffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "And don't go crying to me about bad reputations, you're talking to the sign king of bad reputations."
"Then why tease me about it?" HyunJoong grumbled poking JungMin's stomach. "Can't imagine why youwould have a bad reputation anyway."
"Yah, I'm not all that bad," JungMin snatched at HyunJoong's hands. "I haven't burned the house down, have I?"
"Doesn't mean you haven't wanted to," HyunJoong teased, poking him again. "Why else would you have crawled out here to lay down in the middle of a field."
"I walked, I didn't crawl, and it was cause I missed seeing the sky and figured if I was going to be alone I might as well be alone somewhere I actually wanted to be," the dragon huffed, grabbing HyunJoong's hands and pinning them down.
"You're not alone," HyunJoong pointed out, not even trying to free his hands. "Unless you want to be alone, I can go back inside. Save myself from getting teased."
"Who's doing the teasing now? And I didn't say I want you to go back inside," JungMin wrinkled his nose down at the tiger. "Don't go putting words in my mouth."
"I was just saying," HyunJoong rolled his eyes, freeing his hand to reach up, curling his fingers in JungMin's shirt again and pull him back down for a kiss. "I wouldn't put words in your mouth, maybe just my tongue."
JungMin didn't bother replying to that, kissing HyunJoong back happily and deepening the kiss so HyunJoong could follow up on that idea. Sure they argued like cats and dogs most of the time, but in the instances they did get along, it was all worth it. And JungMin didn't tell HyunJoong just how happy he was the tiger had joined him up on the hill.
They stayed on the hill like that trading kisses for another hour or so before it was decided to head in. It was nearing midnight and one of them at least would have to be up before dawn. HyunJoong made sure JungMin would be able to get back to his house alright before heading back himself. Now that he knew JungMin was pretty much himself despite being injured, HyunJoong was able to sleep fairly peacefully that night. The thoughts he had been keeping down about getting attached would come back up the next day, but he would deal with it then.