Rough ☆ Jake

Changing.

I could tell Jake was becoming more tense as we rode closer to the border, his shoulders were drawn up and his hands were fisted tightly around his horses reigns. Even his horse could sense the tension in its rider. I watched as the horses ears flicked back and forth as if worried that they were riding into danger.

The town that we planned to split up came into view hours later, by then everyone had fallen silent, no one really liking the idea of splitting up. My eyes flicker over all of the guard and the king, no one said a thing but I could see the tension in all their shoulders, Jake's being the most tense.

We dismount as it was night now and we all would stay here before most of us left to go after the stone.

I take my time as usual to get Max unsaddled and brushed down, tonight I wanted to take longer to avoid being asked to join them all for a drink. I didn't mind a drink here and there, but my stomach was tying into knots for some reason, as if it could sense something was going to happen and it wouldn't be good.

I roll my shoulders a few times as I put the brushes that I was using away, giving Max one more pat on the neck before I head to the inn at an steady pace. I was so ready to fall face first into a nice soft bed.

"Seori, can I talk with you?"

I held back a big sigh as I was stopped as soon as I turned to head down the hall to the rooms. "What is it?" I turn to face Jake.

"Can we talk in my room?" He asked as he walked past me down the hall.

I wrinkled my nose a little as I smelt the scent of alcohol linger after he passed by. I say nothing as I follow him to the door right across from my room, I bow my head a little as I stepped past him as he held the door open for me. Closing it shut before he kicked his shoes off and sat down heavily on his bed, he let out a big sigh as he ran a hand over his face.

"I know we've never really been on good ground, but I need to ask you to please watch over my men as you go into Kiji."

My eyes widen in shock, never would I have thought the king would think I was capable of taking care of his guard.

"You must think highly of my skills, or you just don't care if I give my life for your men."

He shot up to his feet, the look on his face was one as if I had just slapped him. "In no way am I implying that I don't care for your life."

"Then you think highly of my skills?" I quirk a brow as the corner of my lips pull up.

"I think you're capable of handling yourself and helping my men if needed." He said with a slight eye roll.

"Was that all you needed to say to me?" Honestly I didn't see why he had to pull me in here just to ask me to watch over his guard, I was going to anyways.

My back goes stiff as he takes a few big strides closer, he only stopped when he was a few inches away.

"Take care of yourself as well, don't go getting into trouble, you seem to have a problem with staying safe."

"It's not that I have a problem with staying safe, I'm just unlucky." I defend. I didn't go out looking for trouble, it just always found me.

Jake let out a breath of a laugh through his nose. "Seems that way."

I hum and cross my arms, I think it was just me but things were feeling weird right now.

Jake opened his mouth to say something just to close it right back and shake his head.

"Just be careful." He said as he placed a hand on my shoulder.

I clear my throat and nod my head. "Will do, sir." I don't know why I said it that way, my legs were stiff. I just wanted to duck out from under his hand and dart out the door.

"Have a good night, Seori." The way he squeezed my shoulder made my hands ball up, something was going on and I didn't like it.

~~

The next day the air still felt as thick and awkward between me and the king, I kept catching him watching me as I saddled Max up.

I reach in my saddle bag and pull out my royal guard coat, the royal blue color would give us away very easily.

"This isn't safe for us to carry." I say as I hand the coat over to Jake.

"You're right, anything that links you to me would mean trouble for all of you." He said as he folded the coat.

I give him a nod before turning and going back to Max.

"Seori."

I turn with a smile on my face. "Sunoo?"

My eyes widen as I'm pulled into a hug by the bright boy. It takes me a moment to wrap my arms around him to return the hug.

"Be careful." Sunoo said as he pulled away.

"I will." I say returning his bright smile, my heart felt warm as I saw genuine worry in his eyes, but it clenched in pain at the same time. It felt good knowing he had grown to care for me, but knowing he was growing attached to me made me worry. How would I be able to leave easily if we were all growing attached? Well, some of us. My eyes go to the king as he was once again watching me, this time his brows were pulled down a little.

When he caught me looking his eyes widened before he turned away to talk with Sunghoon and Jay.

"Be careful over there." Jay said as he stepped over offering his hand.

"Will do." I say with a small smile as I shake his hand.

"Let's get going, we're burning day light." Heeseung said as he mounted his horse.

I hop on Max and pat his neck, it was going to be a long ride.

I wait for the others to leave the stable before I turn Max to follow. My eyes meet the kings for a moment before we exit the stables.

Something was changing and I didn't like it. 

*~*

Sorry this is shorter then usual but it felt right to end it there.

Idk what I'm doing tbh *crying* I want to try and get them closer but idk how to do it!!

I apologize for the shit show you're going into in the upcoming parts.