"Heart Of The Azure Dragon"- Taekook/Vkook-Book 1 Of "The Sacred Beasts"

Chapter- Nine

Taehyung's pov-

I arrived early, as usual, and waited by the entrance of the cafe, feeling the cool afternoon air wrap around me. The thought of seeing Jeongguk tonight made my heart race, even though I was trying to stay calm. This was our first official date, and I wanted everything to be perfect-well, as perfect as I could manage. It wasn't like I'd had much experience in the matter.

Then, I saw him.

Jeongguk walked in, his presence undeniable. He was wearing a black turtleneck under a fitted blazer, making him look like he'd just stepped out of a fashion magazine. The way the dark colors contrasted with his hair was striking. He looked... breathtaking. My heart skipped a beat before I could stop it. I couldn't help but stare for a moment.

He looks so good...

I heard his thoughts, soft and unsure, like he was hoping to impress me, though I was already beyond impressed. I could sense his tension, the slight nervousness he was trying to mask, but that only made him more endearing. I couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at my lips.

He looked at me then, his expression shifting slightly. There was a moment of hesitation, and I saw him glance up and down, taking in my outfit. I was wearing a simple brown cardigan over a white T-shirt, and black wide-legged trousers that I thought gave off a laid-back, classic vibe. It wasn't extravagant, but I liked it. I wanted to feel comfortable. Yet, judging by the way his eyes lingered on me, it seemed that I had succeeded in making a good impression.

He looks so... perfect.

I heard his thoughts again, but this time there was more warmth behind it, a soft admiration that made my stomach flutter. I wasn't used to hearing someone think about me like that, and it made me feel... strange, in a good way.

"Hey," I greeted, my voice calm and composed, though my heart was beating a little faster than usual. I didn't want to look too eager, but I was eager. I couldn't deny it.

Jeongguk's lips curled up, and he gave a small nod. "Hey." His voice was deep, slightly nervous but still steady. He stepped closer, and the distance between us felt... intimate, even though we were just standing in front of the cafe.

I looked at him, watching the way he shifted uncomfortably, though his eyes never left mine. There was something magnetic about him-something that drew me in without words. I couldn't help but smile again, seeing him like this, so unsure yet so captivating.

"You look amazing," I said softly, more to reassure him than anything else.

His cheeks turned a subtle shade of pink, and I could tell from his thoughts that my words had hit their mark.

He actually thinks I look good?

I smirked a little. Yes, Jeongguk, you look more than good. You look... amazing.

He cleared his throat, trying to mask the growing fluster in his expression. "You too. You really do."

My chest warmed at his words. It was clear that he wasn't great at expressing his feelings, but he was trying, and that meant something to me.

"So, where to?" he asked, shifting his gaze toward the door of the cafe.

"Follow me," I said, turning and walking in first. I could feel the eyes of others on us as we passed, but all that mattered was the space between me and Jeongguk, the way our steps seemed to fall into rhythm without us even trying.

We sat down at a quiet corner of the cafe, and for a moment, I just took in the sight of him. His nervousness seemed to fade as we got comfortable, and his thoughts were more relaxed now, more at ease.