"What's that supposed to mean?" Jeongguk asked, looking over at his father who was sitting on his chair and was staring at the riddle in the book.

"with blood and gold

& a promise in hold

be what you need to be

but beware, your soul

will not be yours to keep"

He read for the tenth time now and cautiously glanced around before shutting his eyes close mumbling to himself, "With what you need to be must mean shapeshifter."

"Okay yes that makes sense, shapeshifter. The yellow eyes belong to the man who can do that," Jeongguk's thoughts clicked, "If that's the case, his soul is not his to keep anymore that means he offered himself to something in exchange of this power."

"Dark powers, that's what it is." Jonhan massaged his own temples and looked at his son who was figuring out the riddle, piece by piece.

"With blood and gold means for this ritual, he had to get those two, he had to offer his soul and had to make a promise to get this ability," Jeongguk explained what he understood and his father nodded, "Yes, that explains."

"And whoever it is alive for a purpose, after it's done, this ritual will take his soul and I have a strong feeling, Hansung knows about this." Jonhan said what he had on his mind from the day since he visited his former best friend's house.

Jeongguk didn't say anything and stayed quiet because he kind of agreed with his father.

His boyfriend's father was being shady and himself said whatever is happening doesn't make him worry at all and whoever it is won't hurt him.

That leads to only one conclusion and that must be because he knows the one behind this, really well.

"Don't tell Taehyung about this, whatever the matter is Hansung is his father and he will obviously feel bad thinking he might be involved," the older man suggested, pushing his glasses up his nose bridge after closing that book and locking it in his table drawer.

"I will keep it with me, son. The less people know about this the better for now."

"Yeah okay but Taehyung needs to know about this someday right?" the blond said resting his back on the chair he was sitting on, "If Mr. Kim is actually involved in this, Taehyung should know and have to be cautious."

"I can't let him be in any danger, dad." Jeongguk sucked in a sharp breath, anxiety building up and he was now worried.

"But we aren't very sure about this, on the basis of some assumptions we can't just accuse him of something and if this turned out to be wrong, what will Taehyung will think of us. Think about the guilt he will be under. So just wait for some time before anything," his father tried to make him understand and Jeongguk understood.

"You're right."

"But be careful, Jeongguk. Hansung doesn't like you because his son is dating you against his will. He will never harm Taehyung but you- just be careful son and if possible for some days, stay a little away from him. I know this sounds absurd but son I just don't want you in trouble, I want you safe."

"Dad I get what you're saying but this isn't the actual solution. Staying away from him will do nothing but create distances between us." Jeongguk didn't like the idea one bit even though his father actually did have a point.

"Jeongguk, you were attacked once in the past, it was that shapeshifter if you forgot. Look I am not saying that Taehyung is bad or anything, it's just his father is so after me and you, it's dangerous to keep getting close to him when he doesn't like it. It's just for some days, until we catch this man."

"Dad, I get you but our relationship is already so complicated. We never were on good terms and your rivalry with this dad is also between us. Even if we are trying to get close to each other, there's something that's holding us back, we still have to go a long way and this distancing, it will be the end of us and I can't afford it, dad. I might have just fallen for him a little too hard to even think about that, no."

"You're in love with him, son." Jonhan smiled, Jeongguk looked down at his lap and shyly smiled back, "Maybe you're right."

Love was a big word.

And Jeongguk didn't know if he was allowed to name whatever feelings he had for Kim Taehyung was love but obviously in all these years, he never felt this way for anyone.

No one made him feel like Taehyung did and he might secretly call that love, so yes he was in love with him.

It hadn't been a long time since they got together but this bond was something he wanted to cherish for a long time.

"I can protect myself dad and I don't have to stay away from him to do that." he pulled himself to his feet and started walking out of the mage's cabin.

"Just be careful, Gguk."

★

"Hey, you okay?" the brunet asked reaching out for his boyfriend's hand who aimlessly stared at the two wizards practicing the spells in the campus training area.

They had their practical classes outside and both his and Taehyung's were done so they were sitting on a bench near.

"I am alright, babe, don't worry." Jeongguk smiled, tightening his grip against the other's hand. Taehyung sensed something was off, something was bothering the other but he can't force him to say it if he didn't want to, all he could do that moment was to make him feel better and happy.

Taehyung leaned closer and pressed a firm kiss on the latter's cheek resulting a soft giggle out of him, "Hey, I am alright baby, don't worry."

"And teachers are here, we might get suspended," Jeongguk informed breathing heavily.

"Oh shit, right." Taehyung almost forgot that they were surrounded by people here and there and it wasn't the right time for this however that smile he brought on the other's face, worth it.

"Tae, do you think our past kind of affects our relationship like the trust between us is not adequate and it's because of our rivalry and what our dads have." Jeongguk asked.

"It was a part of us and for the first few days, yes I was a lot skeptical about what if all of these was a prank but now no, this can't be a prank, I like you too much to let those thoughts haunt me anymore," Taehyung slowly retracted his hand out of the other's hold only to cup his cheeks and smile at him.

"No, the past doesn't affect our relationship, I trust you."

"Tell me are you worried thinking about all these? Please don't." Taehyung hugged the other from the side and buried his face on the other's arm who was smiling so hard now, "You're adorable."

"Says who?"

"Says me," Taehyung knitted his brows at the latter.

Jeongguk just patted his head and smiled mumbling, "My baby bear."

"I am a bear now?"

"Shush and now come on, let's get somewhere else, we already are done with our practice so they won't bug if we left," Jeongguk stood up and pulled the older one dragging him with himself as they were walking inside the campus again.

"Where are we exactly going?" Taehyung inquired, not caring at all because he was ready to go anywhere if it was with Jeongguk.

"Somewhere where no one will see us," Jeongguk said and dragged him to the boy's washroom on the first floor and Taehyung knew why he did that.

It was their kissing-hour of the day.

Jeongguk locked the door even if it was not allowed but hey sometimes he can take advantage of him being the mage's son.

Once locked, he slowly pushed Taehyung against the door and smiled wrapping his arms around his waist.

However he didn't just stop there and pulled Taehyung up. As a result, the older's legs hugged the others waist, yelping at the sudden closeness.

"Jeongguk, mmh," Taehyung couldn't speak when the other started leaving sloppy kisses on along his jaw while his hands tightly grabbed onto his shoulders.

Jeongguk never felt this warmth in his chest in his whole life, his seventeen year of life never had someone who made him feel this way.

Taehyung was a miracle to be honest, circumstances gave Jeongguk him and he couldn't ask for more.

The blond one was leaving kisses here and there on his neck, cheek, ear and forehead making him giggle so cutely and look up at his boyfriend.

"What are you even doing?"

"I don't know but seeing you laugh and smile is my favourite thing so can't help myself," Jeongguk said booping the tip of their noses together and rubbing them.

"I love you."

Those three words echoed in Taehyung's mind as Jeongguk spoke.

Before Taehyung could reply to anything, he crashed their mouths together and Taehyung lost himself in that touch.

★

ah man,

this book will end soon

so get ready for the twists !!