"You've been swinging that sword around since midday." He pants, dropping his arms as he turns to face the one calling out to him, sweat beading down his temple. "And it is long after dark now." There he stands, arms crossed, fingers tapping against his upper arm. "When are you going to call it to an end."

"I have to be ready when I fight for the position as a guard Captain."

"It is a good aspiration to want to be a guard Captain." He leans forward slightly, bending at the waist. "Too bad you are too young."

"There's no rule on age. I've asked."

"I wouldn't allow it. It is ultimately our decision who gets to try for such a place. I would never allow that."

"Then, I'll train harder." His arms shake as he raises his sword again. "Prove that I'm ready." And begins the motions once more, huffing and swinging, spinning and slashing. His companion sighs deeply.

"Alright," he nods in affirmation, prepared for the challenge that's laid before him. "I can see you need some motivation." His arms unfold from over his chest, and he steps forward, walking beside him, coming to stand at his back. The guard falls still as he hears him crack his fingers, his arms raising around both sides for show, and his arms lower slightly to look between both hands, held up and fingers spread. His arms lower even more ever slowly, as he looks between the two hands, watching silently as they slowly lower. The young guard yelps in surprise when the fingers dig into his sides, bending forward at the suddenness, the other following him as he does. "No, no, lift your sword, you want to train so badly, then we'll train." His fingers still. "Come on, lift it."

"Tuhuhus!"

"Lift your sword, Andre."

The young guard does as he's told, cautious lifting his sword again, and the fingers climb up to his ribs. "Tuhhuhus! Stohohop!"

The Power hums quietly. "Hmm, I don't know, should I?"

"Yehehehes!"

"You've lowered your sword again." He digs his fingers into his lower belly. "Lift it back up." His fingers travel around to dig into his flanks. "Lift it, Andre."

The younger angel arches his back, squirming side to side, anything to get away from those relentless fingers. "Tuhuhus! I—I cahahan't!"

"Sure, you can, it's rather easy." He pulls his fingers away, grasping his arms firmly, and lifts them to chest level. "Keep it there."

Andreus nods, giggling still under his breath, and tenses when the fingers return to his sides. They just sit there, resting gently, and he waits on bated breath for what he knows is to come. They jump to his belly and dig in again, spidering over it furiously, and he shrieks in surprise, his arms dropping again, and he tries to jump forward. An arm curls around his waist, tugging him backwards, and he slams himself back against the Power's front as he tries to pry the hand clawing at his belly away. "Tuhuhuhus!"

"I should do this more often." He hums over his shoulder. "You don't laugh nearly enough."

"Stohohohop!" The tip of his sword drops to the dirt under them. "Ihihiht tihihihickles!

"I know it does," he leans in close to whisper in his ear. "That's why I'm doing it."

"Tuhuhuhus! Plehehehehease!"

"I'll tell you what, because you said 'please', I'll make you a deal." He finally relents, holding his hand out for him. "You give me the sword, and I'll let you go," he snorts softly in fond amusement. "For now, anyway." Andre nods quickly, placing the hilt of his sword in the Power's hand, Titus curls his fingers around the hilt of the sword and pulls it back, withdrawing his attack. The younger angel curls his arms around himself, still giggling quietly, trying to rub away the remaining tingles. The Power rests the flat of the sword over his shoulder, chuckling at the young giggling guard, curling his arm around his neck as he turns them in the direction of the Pavilion and the Barracks. "Come on you, you're getting cleaned up, and then it's straight to bed."

"How did you even know I was out here?"

Titus nods to the Pavilion above them. "I could see you."

"Are you going to send me back to my barrack?"

The elders fingers rub at his shoulder lightly. "Nah, you can come stay the night with me."

"But you only have one bed."

They look at each other, one up, the other down, and the Power presses his forehead to the young guards. "That's never been a problem before, you little octopus."

"I am not an octopus."

The Power chuckles, leading him up to the stone path that leads to the stairs. "I'd beg to differ. I can't even count the number of times I've looked for the source of the heat against my side, only to look down and see that familiar face of yours, all peaceful and full of the bliss found in comfortable sleep."

"Why do you care about me so much?"

"Because you're mine, kiddo." He rubs his fingers over the back of his head as they step over the final stair, into the empty lounge, the others having retreated to their rooms for the night. "Because, you're mine."