This one is coming to you one day late, but I plan to get today's out on time.

This one is also a bit gayer than the last one, but it also contains the slightest glimmer of drama. But, honestly, given the fact that the prompt was "fighting", I think I'm justified. I mean, think of how many much angstier routes I could have taken with this. Instead, I just gave you more squabbling and flustered Hector. I can't promise the rest of the prompts will all be so fluffy.

Anyway, today's prompt was actually supposed to be "flirting", from a Valentine's month OTP prompt list, but I misread it at "fighting", so you get this instead.

When their bimonthly spar finally reached its conclusion, Eliwood was panting heavily, his chest heaving and his face beet red, but the tip of his blunted training rapier was pressed against Hector's neck.

For a moment, they both froze, trying to catch their breath; then, with a melodramatic groan, Hector slowly lowered his axe. "Damn," he wheezed, "I really... thought I... had you there."

"So... did I," Eliwood admitted between gasps, withdrawing his sword from Hector's throat and leaning on it like a crutch. "Y-you've... gotten faster."

Hector deflected the compliment with a low grunt, staggering back, discarding his axe entirely, and sitting heavily on the ground. "Still not... as fast as you."

After only a moment of hesitation, Eliwood sheathed his sword and joined Hector on the ground. "Maybe so," he said, "but you're... still stronger. If you'd landed... even one hit, I would've been... done for."

"Still." With a great sigh, Hector flopped onto his back, his eyes sliding closed. "I'm impressed. You're... quite the opponent, El."

Despite himself, Eliwood let out a breathless laugh, slumping over into an unbecoming slouch. "High praise, coming from you," he muttered, hiding his pleased smile behind his palm. "You're certainly no weakling yourself... I'm increasingly more and more glad that we're on the same side."

"Yeah, same here," Hector responded, though he made no move to sit back up or open his eyes. A brief, comfortable silence fell between them; then, without moving, Hector added, "For more reasons than one."

Eliwood looked up from his lap. "What?"

Still, Hector didn't so much as twitch; he remained sprawled out limply across the ground, his eyes closed. "I'm happy we're on the same side," he said after a moment, "and not just because you're a good fighter. I dunno if I could handle... not being on the same side with you."

The mere idea gave Eliwood pause. Him and Hector on opposite sides? Fighting against one another, not in a friendly test of skills, but with actual intent to harm? It was enough to make him shiver. "...Yeah," he muttered. "Me either. Just thinking about it... feels wrong. I mean... if we were fighting each other―truly fighting―then something would have to be amiss, right?"

"Definitely," Hector agreed. "I think... if we were fighting, then there would have to be some sort of... misunderstanding, or something. 'Cause, otherwise..." He lay his arm across his face, hiding his eyes from view. "...I couldn't bring myself to actually hurt you."

Eliwood tried to picture it. Hector swinging Wolf Beil at him with unbridled ferocity; yelling in that dramatic way he always did on the battlefield; coming at him with every intention of leaving him dead on the ground.

He tried to imagine doing the same to Hector.

"...Yeah," he said quietly. "Me either."

A brief, awkward moment passed; then Hector heaved a sigh, rolling onto his side. "Besides," he said, "it'd be weird if we actually disagreed on something that big. Y'know, since we're both... good people, and all."

Eliwood hummed softly. "I don't know," he said. "I mean, it would be weird, but... sometimes, good people can still be on the wrong side. And, I mean, we've had big disagreements before. You remember those kids that tried to pickpocket me that one time―what was it, four months ago?"

Even though his arm was draped across his face, hiding most of his expression, Hector's scowl was still evident. "Yeah," he grumbled, fists clenching. "Little punks."

Despite himself, Eliwood chuckled. "I see you still hold a grudge. Not that I'm surprised. You were furious at them, even when I told you it was fine. ...We had a big fight over it, remember?"

Hector turned his head away, even though his eyes were already covered. "...Yeah."

"We may have compromised in the end," Eliwood continued, "but... I mean, what if it had been about something bigger? What if they had been... I don't know, murderers instead of pickpockets, and I had still told you to just let them go?"

"You wouldn't," Hector shot back without hesitation, removing his arm from his face and turning back towards Elliwood. The look in his eyes was... intense. "You're nice, not stupid," he continued, his voice firm. "You wouldn't let someone like that―someone who truly deserved to be punished―get away scot-free."

Eliwood couldn't help but quail slightly under the certainty in Hector's gaze. "O-okay, but if I did, then you would fight me on it, wouldn't you?"

"No," was Hector's response, so flat and monotone that it was impossible to refute. "Not a chance."

Eliwood blinked at him. "What?"

"You heard me." Hector pushed himself off of the ground so that he was face-to-face with Eliwood, his legs crossed lazily beneath him. "I'm pretty sure you're usually right about that kind of stuff. So, if we didn't agree, and I couldn't change your mind, I would just have to live with it." His face was very serious, but also almost... casual. As if he thought this was blatantly obvious.

"B-but... back then, we fought about those pickpockets for a long time," Eliwood pointed out, a bit shaken by Hector's words. "You wanted to hunt them down and teach them a lesson―"

"But I didn't, did I?" Hector interrupted. "Because you said not to."

Eliwood spluttered incoherently. "H-Hector, cut it out," he eventually managed, reaching up to cover his face with both hands. "You're gonna make me blush."

He could practically hear the grin start to spread across Hector's face as the other boy scooted closer. "A little too late for that, I think," he teased, pressing a finger into Eliwood's flushed cheek. "C'mon, Eliwood, are you really surprised? Everybody knows you're the smart one."

Well, Eliwood couldn't exactly stop hiding his face now―he didn't want Hector to see the extent of his blush, nor the huge, dopey grin that was starting to spread across his face. "That doesn't mean you're the dumb one," he insisted, even as the flattery made his ears burn. "I can still be wrong, you know!"

"Obviously," Hector snorted, coming even closer and ruffling Eliwood's hair playfully. "But I think I'll take my chances. I may not be the dumb one, but... well, I'll be the first to admit that I'm sure as hell not the second-smartest, either."

That startled a laugh out of Eliwood. "Hector, there are only two of us! If you're not second-smartest, what are you?"

Hector scoffed. "I'm the strong one, obviously," he said, feigning an arrogant toss of his head.

Eliwood couldn't contain a snort. "Oh, yeah?" He peeled his hands off of his face to shoot Hector a mischievous grin. "Well, this strong one just got his butt kicked not five minutes ago."

With an indignant gasp, Hector clutched his heart dramatically. "The disrespect!" he cried. "I'll have you know that, in a real fight, you wouldn't even stand a chance!"

"Oh, please," Eliwood said with exaggerated disdain. "I could wipe the floor with you, you big lug."

"Oh?" Hector grinned, mischief sparkling dangerously in his eyes. "Is that so? You could wipe the floor with me? Is that right, Eliwood? Hm?"

Before Eliwood could answer, Hector suddenly leaned forward and draped himself over the smaller man like a blanket, pushing him towards the ground. "Agh!" Eliwood sputtered, trying in vain to remain upright as he was slowly pushed into the dirt. "Hector, get off! You're all sweaty and gross!"

"No," Hector replied simply; then, with much more drama, he added, "I can't! I'm so hurt by what you said... I can't seem to hold my body upright!"

By this point, Eliwood was sprawled out face-down on the ground, Hector essentially laying across his back. "Likely story!" he laughed, squirming under Hector's superior bulk. "Budge up, you oaf!"

"I can't," Hector repeated with a lugubrious sigh, going completely limp and trapping Eliwood under his dead weight. "My feelings are hurt too badly."

"Feelings my foot!"

For a moment more, Eliwood just tried to wriggle out from underneath Hector with very little success. Eventually, he just gave up with an exaggerated groan.

"Ugh, Hector, you smell so bad," he whined, though he couldn't wipe the smile off of his face.

"Hmph. You aren't exactly a bed of roses, either," Hector replied snootily.

"Then get off of me!"

"I told you, I can't!"

They were both laughing, but Eliwood really did reach up to fan the air away from his face. "Hector, I'm begging you, at least put your arms down," he pleaded between giggles.

In response, Hector shoved his armpit directly into Eliwood's face.

"AGH! HECTOR!" Eliwood shrieked, flailing wildly and jerking his head away. "Ugh! Blech! I got armpit sweat on my face! Gah! Cooties! Cooties!"

Hector was laughing too hard to make any more cracks, but he did generously lower his arms again, saving Eliwood from his pit stench. "You ready to give up yet, little lordling of Pherae?" he teased once he regained his breath.

"Never!" Eliwood cried defiantly.

"Well, if that's the way you feel..." Hector slowly began to lift his arm again.

"No! Please, anything but that!"

Hector kept his arm raised, but he didn't shove it into Eliwood's face again. "Then take back what you said."

"Okay! Fine!" Eliwood groaned, still clawing at his face as if he could physically tear away the bad smell, even as he giggled helplessly into the dirt. "I take it back! You're not an oaf! Just get off me!"

"So you admit that I'm the strong one?" Hector demanded, even though he was already propping himself up to let Eliwood slide out from under him.

Turning onto his back, Eliwood stared up at Hector, still fighting to restrain his laughter. Once he managed to reign himself in, the grin on his face vanished, and he replaced it with an intense look of contemplation. "Hmm," he said out loud, gripping his chin thoughtfully as he deliberated.

Then a bright, blithe smile crossed his face. "Nope! I could still wipe the floor with you. Oaf."

Before Hector could retaliate, though, Eliwood reached up and placed a surprisingly gentle hand on his cheek. "But, if it makes you feel any better," he said cheekily, "you are the handsome one."

With that, he slipped out from underneath Hector and pushed himself back onto his feet. "I dunno about you," he said, cracking his shoulders and bouncing energetically on the balls of his feet, "but I feel completely rejuvenated! I think we should go another round before we part ways. What say you?"

Behind him, Hector slowly fell back onto the ground, burying his face in his hands. "Sh-shut up. Don't look at me."

"Aw, is that a no?" Eliwood smirked down at him. "But I thought you were the strong one."

"Eliwood, I swear to the gods―"