✔ || Save Me [[SEQUEL to DISTRACT ME]]

Chapter 4

Taehyung had proven to be a brilliant flyer, learning within a day how to convince his body to stay airborne. Eden had followed his lead, and she had quickly matched his skill level. She was faster, her wings slim and angled for speed while Taehyung's were wider and built for stamina. But that didn't stop him from trying to beat her. Racing was their favorite game.

Raphael called the hatchmates to the ground, and Taehyung obeyed before his sister. She had always tested the rules, though never went so far as to completely disrespect the archangel.

Taehyung jogged a few steps upon landing and shook out his wings to cool them. His blood sang in his ears and his eyes were as wild as his windblown hair. Raphael opened his arms and Taehyung immediately burrowed himself into the archangel's embrace, grinning against his throat. The elder never showed this kind of affection to Eden, or anyone that Taehyung had seen for that matter. But that was okay. That meant Taehyung was special.

"Good work, little one," Raphael praised. "You are doing so well."

Taehyung tilted his head to grin at his mentor. "Thank you, sir!"

Eden landed in a crouch, always one to show off, her grey wings still lifted about her head. She spread her primaries, allowing wind to filter between them, before standing and joining her brother and mentor.

"How was that, sir?" She asked, breathless.

"Good," Raphael nodded. He released Taehyung, who pouted, and said, "Follow me, younglings. It is time to begin the next phase of your training."

Eden grabbed Taehyung's hand as Raphael led them through one of the hallways spidering out from the Lookout. Taehyung, too excited to be patient, asked, "Sir? Where are we going?"

"Eden will be working with a messenger now," Raphael explained, turning his head to give Taehyung an eyeful of his side profile. The boy's heart stuttered and he flushed, looking down.

"W-what about me?" Taehyung mumbled.

Raphael turned back around and picked up his pace. The hatchmates followed. "You, little one, will be working with me."

"Why?" Taehyung pressed, "Shouldn't I work with a guardian?"

The archangel slowed to a stop and turned to him. "Do you not want to work with me?"

Taehyung quickly shook his head, "Of course I do! I was just curious, I promise."

Raphael smiled approvingly. Eden spoke up, "Excuse me, sir, but does this mean that Taehyung and I won't get to play together anymore?"

"Of course not, Eden," Raphael promised. "You just won't be learning together. That is the way with all younglings. You two are ready for more specialized training."

How specialized could training with an archangel to be a guardian be? But then again, archangels knew practically everything. They were the ancient ones, all-powerful and eternal. Surely Raphael knew as much as - if not more than - a guardian.

The hallway opened to another courtyard, this one far smaller than the Lookout, and within it stood a woman whose clothing told Taehyung that he was a messenger. Her tunic was wrapped tightly around her body and was a slightly darker shade of blue than Eden's, but her skin-tight pants were the same deep brown. While Taehyung's clothes were large and billowy, theirs were specifically for speed and aerodynamics. 

"Here is your trainee," Raphael said, nudging Eden forward.

Eden looked at Taehyung and latched onto his hand, giving it a squeeze. Her voice betrayed her nervousness, "So, uh, see you around, Taehyung."

"Yeah," he breathed, anxious at the prospect of losing his sister. "We'll see each other soon."

She nodded and then lifted her head and strode to her new mentor's side. The woman glanced between Taehyung and Raphael, something unreadable on her face as she mused, "I see the old one died."

"Remember your place," Raphael ordered, his voice deep and commanding.

The woman lowered her head and led Eden away. Taehyung turned to Raphael, "Sir, what did she mean?"

Raphael ruffled his hair affectionately, "Nothing, little one. Come, we have much to do."

Taehyung straightened, trusting his mentor, and followed the archangel back through the halls. They randomly passed other angels, and all of the older ones looked at him strangely. He puffed out his chest when he realized that they must be jealous because they didn't have an archangel as their mentor. He couldn't blame them.

Raphael took his hand suddenly and Taehyung blushed, flustered. "Are you alright, little one?"

The boy nodded, his face still a light shade of pink, "I'm perfect."

"Good," Raphael hummed and continued to lead him through the winding hallways.

They came to a massive door of impressive mahogany. Raphael turned to Taehyung, "Here is where you will learn. Remember the way here so that you may return by yourself each day."

Taehyung bobbed his head and followed the archangel inside, widening his eyes as he took in the room. It was huge, with a high arching ceiling, and bookshelves on every wall filled with different volumes from throughout celestial and terrestrial history alike. The center of the floor was empty, and Raphael led Taehyung there and circled around behind him to push gently down on his shoulders. His fingertips brushed Taehyung's alular feathers and the boy gasped softly at the pleasurable jolt that went through his body, trembling. Raphael didn't seem to notice and knelt across from him. Taehyung bit his lip, excited, and Raphael's eyes followed the movement before flicking back to his face. "Let us begin, little one."

Trying not to squirm under the weight of the archangel's gaze, Taehyung grinned and offered a sheepish nod.

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{A/N: Ffs guys I'm actually going to die I have an online class that's pretty much all group work and last night I was like "do I have a meeting with these guys tonight? Nah if I did they'd text the group chat" and then I go online and. Not only was there a meeting. It was a meeting with the PROFESSOR. I love dying and being dead fml}

{Anyway, short chapter I know, but tomorrow is when shit gets real so get ready}