Reincarnation: Beyond Mortal Bounds.

The old training room was dimly lit, the heavy wooden beams overhead casting long shadows on the floor, where two figures stood poised in the stillness of a late afternoon.

The scent of sweat from their previous training hung in the air, layered with the faint aroma of oil from the aging equipment surrounding them. Vaelorian adjusted his stance, steeling himself against the tumult of emotions that swirled beneath his composed exterior.

"Alright, Riven! We're done with this! Time for dance lesson!"

Vaelorian instructed, his voice steady but tinged with an undertone that betrayed his inner conflict.

He gestured for Riven to step closer, a mixture of eagerness and dread bubbling within him. Riven ambled forward, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

This part of their lesson was one Vaelorian would rather skip, but he'd made a promise, and he wasn't about to go back on his word.

"You sure you're ready for a round of dancing after that ass-whooping you just gave me? I mean, I'm good, but I'm asking for your own good you know, my natural grace might be too much for your poor heart to handle." he teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Natural grace?" Vaelorian scoffed, suppressing a smile while shaking his head and without his permission onslaught of memories flooded from the previous night's slow dancing.

Vaelorian hates to admit it but the dance had been very intimate for him. Each part of his body Riven had touched had sent sharp jolts of electricity through him.

He doesn't know how much of this he can handle.

Both boys stepped closer, Vaelorian's hands hovering at Riven's waist, this part of the younger boy's body has become a dangerous territory that threatened to unravel all his restraint.

"You talk like you're the best dancer in the empire for someone who'd only just begun learning how to dance...again. Have you forgotten that you tripped over your own feet just a moment ago?"

Riven chuckled, leaning in with a smirk. "Only because I was too distracted by how handsome you looked while showing me how to block attacks from someone."

There it was—the sudden compliments.

To Riven, it might be his way of playing around but to Vaelorian, it's everything. It's false hope, the knife that's aimed at his restraint and soon enough it'll cut through, igniting every fiber of his being and making it impossible for him to keep his hunger for the younger boy hidden.

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Vaelorian replied, attempting to mask his flustered state. But it was difficult, nearly impossible, with Riven so close—close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating off him.

The younger boy tilted his head, a playful glint in his hazel eyes. "Fine...but let it be known that I was desperate enough that I resorted to flirting with you just to get out of this grave I dug for myself."

"And, I'll be sure to tell anyone who cares to listen that it didn't work because you're awful at flirting." Vaelorian replied smirking smugly.

"How dare you?" Riven exclaimed in mock grievance and Vaelorian just smiled shaking his head. He's used to the younger boy's antics already.

"Enough playing around, Riven. I need you to focus."

"I am focusing! You're the one who keeps inviting dangerous thoughts into my head."

Riven replied in almost a whisper as he leaned closer, teasingly brushing his body against Vaelorian's, the contact sending a wave of warmth coursing through them both.

"Riven…" The warning was more breath than sound, resonating with a mix of firmness and unspoken desire. "This is serious." Vaelorian said sounding calm and looking visibly annoyed but he was a mess on the inside.

What kind of torture is this?

With a coy smile, Riven stepped back, a playful pout on his lips. "Fine! I'll stop, you're no fun at all. I miss Anya in times like this."

The mention of Anya turned Vaelorian's insides into a knot of jealousy.

"I'm sure you wished you were with her right now, huh?" he asked casually, attempting to conceal the wounded feeling in his chest.

"I mean, yeah. She gets my jokes." Riven countered, the confidence lacing his voice radiating through the air like an intoxicating perfume.

Vaelorian swallowed hard, the weight of those words hanging between them, heavy and stifling.

"Right!" he mumbled, forcing himself to maintain composure despite the undeniable ball of envy flaring within him.

"Jealous?" Riven asked mischievously, a smile dancing across his lips.

"Hardly!" Vaelorian retorted with the lightest hint of bitterness.

In truth, the thought of Riven and Anya together—doing anything, rubbed him the wrong way. Now, he's forced to think about them twirling in the dazzled light of the welcome ball, laughter mingling with music. The thought sent sharp pangs through his chest.

"Just…let's focus on the dancing, alright?"

"Got it, Your Highness." Riven's tone was teasing but his expression softened when he noticed Vaelorian's expression.

"But can I say one more thing?" Riven asked gently.

"What?" Vaelorian asked without looking him in the eyes.

"You look really good when you're all intense like this." his words almost brought a smile to Vaelorian's face until he added. "Makes me wonder how you'd look when leading a girl in a real dance."

"Why are you thinking about something like that?" Vaelorian asked.

"I dunno...call it curiosity." Riven replied with a bright smile, Vaelorian on the other hand sighed deeply.

Well, that backfired! Riven thought. He wanted to make the older boy smile but he looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here right now.

Vaelorian decisively closed the distance again, hands settling more firmly on Riven's waist, the heat of their bodies drawing dangerously close.

"Let's just get this over with. It's almost time for dinner."

Vaelorian said as they shifted into position. The tension crackling in the room enveloped them like a dense fog.

Why did I say that? Riven scolded himself inwardly.

Him and his big mouth! Vaelorian probably can't stand him at this point. Riven was freaking out the more weird things he thought. Meanwhile, Vaelorian inhaled sharply, when Riven bumped into him. He attempted to push aside the erratic rhythm of his heart that was threatening to betray him as he continued guiding Riven through the motions, every sway and step igniting an almost primal desire within him to pull Riven closer still, to close the inch of distance that still separated them.

"Relax your body." Vaelorian instructed when he felt Riven's body tensed up and the younger boy nodded.

Vaelorian moved them fluidly across the floor, positioning Riven against him. He could feel the heat emanating from the younger boy's body, the intoxicating scent that lingered between them—a mix of sweat, soap, and something purely Riven.

Gosh, he wants him!

"Maybe if you dance closer, it'll help me keep my balance." Riven suddenly said grinning, and without warning, he leaned in slightly closer, their chests nearly touching. The wickedness in his gaze means he knows exactly what he was doing and for a fleeting moment, Vaelorian forgot everything but the boy in front of him.

Strategically, Vaelorian realized that being this close is a good idea even if it was both frustrating and exhilarating.

With each slow turn, Vaelorian's fingers brushed against the fabric of Riven's shirt, the way the material scrunched beneath his grip igniting electric shocks that wracked his body. Every time Riven's gaze lifted to meet his, he suddenly forgot how to breathe.

"Why does this feel so…different?" Riven murmured, his voice like a magnet pulling Vaelorian deeper into a quiet storm.

"Maybe because it is different," Vaelorian admitted, his heart racing. "We would be practically pressed against each other, if this was a real dance floor."" he added and his eyes widened at his own words.

Why had he said that? Riven is going to think he's weird for saying that. Vaelorian was freaking out!

But his thought was interrupted as the younger boy stepped in closer again, he could feel his breath against his lips.

"Hmm...you're right! Let's do this as if we're on the real dance floor" Riven agreed

"This doesn't bother you?" Vaelorian asked, his voice almost a whisper.

"No, why should it bother me?" Riven said with a hint of confusion.

"You usually have issues with everything I say and suddenly you're all open minded?" Vaelorian asked.

Riven's laugh rumbled like music against the surface between them.

"Hey! I'm a pretty chill guy, you know?" he protested.

"If you say so." Vaelorian mumbled under his breath.

"Just admit it, my charm almost threw you off balance, didn't it?."

"Your ego could use a healthy dose of humility," Vaelorian countered looking down at the younger boy, though the teasing gaze in Riven's eyes sent a shiver of heat through his veins and he looked away.

As they swayed together, the tension between them grew thicker, making it impossible for Vaelorian to ignore the longing that simmered beneath his surface. With each touch, his resolve weakened. When their bodies brushed against each other during an intricate turn, Vaelorian felt himself melt inside, his composure fraying.

He couldn't keep this up for much longer.