𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐒 || ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴏᴏᴋ

Chapter twenty three

The shine of the sun seeped in through the large window of the mated pair's bedroom. Jeongguk stirred, the light hitting his face. He turned to the other side, rubbing his eyes. When he opened them, he was met with a cute sight.

His pure blood alpha was sleeping soundly, a pout resting on his pink lips. His hair was a mess, falling to his closed eyes. He looked peaceful and perfect.

With a lazy smile, Jeongguk brushed the hair out of his eyes and admired the beautiful man. His eyes trailed from his perfect eyebrows to long lashes to his soft lips and to his bare chest. His gaze paused at the elder's tan skin. Subconsciously, he licked his lips. Then, he leaned forward and pecked Taehyung's lips.

A low grumble left the elder as his sleep was disturbed. Jeongguk grinned wider when his alpha opened his blue eyes.

Taehyung awoke to be met with the sight of his gorgeous omega smiling at him. What a way to start his morning. Immediately, a smile fell on his lips as well.

"Good morning, alpha," Jeongguk greeted. Taehyung sighed, still smiling.

"Good morning, beautiful," He giggled at that. Taehyung drank in the sound. He definitely needed to paint a portrait of Jeongguk laughing. But he figured his art wouldn't do justice to the beauty Jeongguk has when laughing.

"I forgot to say something last night," Jeongguk began, tracing Taehyung's features. The alpha quirked an eyebrow at that.

"Really?" Jeongguk hummed. "But I thought you moaned and screamed enough last night," he smirked. Jeongguk blushed a deep red at that.

"I hate you," he pouted, still continuing to trace his finger over Taehyung's face. Taehyung smiled.

"Your actions speak otherwise," he said, glancing down at Jeongguk's finger on his lips. Jeongguk's eyes met his. His pout formed into a smile.

"You're right," he agreed. "Which leads me to what I forgot last night," he said. Taehyung hummed, listening intently.

"I love you, alpha." Jeongguk said, an honest gleam in his eyes. Taehyung's breath hitched. This was the first time someone had ever said that to him. He didn't think those words would ever be directed at him. He stared at Jeongguk's eyes, looking for any kind of hesitation or lie. He found none. He exhaled, a large smile falling onto his face.

"I love you too, My Highness." Taehyung replied. Jeongguk's eyes moved from his boxy smile to his sky resting eyes. He cupped the elder's cheek and leaned in, kissing him. Taehyung responded immediately, wrapping his arm around the younger's waist.

That was how their morning was spent.

•

•

•

"This is our training grounds!" Hoseok spread his arms wide and showed them the arena. The four looked around, taking in the weapons and space. "Here you can train yourselves, of course." Hoseok chuckled, turning to them. He glanced down at their swords and spoke.

"Swords are not the only weapon, as you know," he grabbed a bow and arrow from the wall and held it out to them. "Bows can be pretty useful for a battle," he remarked. Lisa reached out and took it. Hoseok hummed, amused.

"You know how to use them?" Lisa looked at him and shook her head.

"No,"

"Ah. Well, you should learn!" He said and began to babble on again.

Jeongguk looked at his best friend, who seemed lost. She had been like that since the morning, during breakfast, and now here as well. He untangled his hand from Taehyung's. The alpha looked at him, and he smiled, motioning towards Lisa. Taehyung nodded and walked over to Seokjin, who was looking at spears.

"Hey," he said, putting an arm around Lisa. She looked at him and smiled, though her eyes remained gloomy. She glanced over at his mate mark and smirked.

"Had fun last night?" She teased. Jeongguk rolled his eyes.

"Sure did," he paused when she chuckled. "Speaking of, how was Aegis?"

"Snores." She snorted. "But, apart from that, he was nice." Jeongguk nodded. She fell quiet again, and he sighed.

"Alright, spill." Lisa glanced at him with a raised brow, and he mirrored her.

"What?"

"What's bothering you?" She sighed at the question.

"It's stupid," she mumbled. Jeongguk shook his head.

"C'mon, Lisa, I'm your best friend. You're supposed to tell me stupid stuff," he smiled, victorious, when she laughed at that.

"Okay," she breathed out. "Last night, I had a dream," she began, and he nodded, prompting her to keep going.

"I was in a vineyard, and there was someone else with me, a man. I couldn't remember his face, but I felt like I should know him. It was weird, and everything was so white, you get me?" She asked, turning to him. Jeongguk nodded.

"Yeah, I do. What were you doing in the dream?"

"He was chasing me through the yard, and I was laughing so much. It seems like a regular dream, I know, but it felt important." She finished. Jeongguk hummed, thoughtfully.

"What if it was your future mate?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows. Lisa rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh, please," she huffed. "Is it bad that I don't think I'll find a mate?" She asked him. Jeongguk furrowed his eyebrows at the question.

"Of course you'll find a mate! You're just worried about the quest. That's why you're thinking this way," he said. Lisa didn't look convinced, but she nodded.

"I hope you're right,"

"Besides," he continued. "You and Seokjin make a good match," he smirked. Lisa sputtered, a blush on her face.

"No, we don't!" She yelled. "After all, he is avoiding me." She huffed, crossing her arms. Jeongguk glanced over at Seokjin, who was practising archery. His mate, on the other hand, was practising javelin throw.

"You know, now would be the perfect time to see if he is avoiding you," Jeongguk said, pointing towards the archer. "Ask him to teach you."

Lisa thought about it. Jeongguk was right. She nodded and walked towards Seokjin. Reaching his side, she faked a cough. Seokjin spared her a glance and then continued to aim. She rolled her eyes and decided to tap his arm.

With a sigh, he turned towards her. Lisa smiled at his annoyed face.

"Hey! Can you teach me?" Seokjin looked at her and her bow.

"Find a professional," he said.

"Oh, right. Forgot you hated me and is avoiding me." She sassed.

"Oh my goddess," Seokjin groaned. "Stand here," he said and moved to give her space. She moved to where he pointed, a white line.

"Now, stand straight," he instructed. Lisa fixed her posture and raised her bow. He gently placed a hand on the small of her back. Lisa decided to ignore it. "Roll your shoulders back," Lisa did that. Seokjin clicked his tongue.

"Just once," she 'oh'ed, and obeyed his words. "Now release your breath, pull tighter," he whispered. His breath hitting her hair. She let out a chocked breath. "Release the arrow." He commanded.

The arrow fell two feet away from her. They blinked at the fallen wood. Then, with a sigh, Seokjin went and took it in his hands.

"You need more practice." He smiled for the first time at her, and Lisa ignored the skip of her heartbeat.