Jake stood in front of Seoho, panting as he tried to catch his breath. He wasn't about to give up in a spar but he could feel how sore his body was getting from the blows he had already taken. “I concede,” he eventually declared, dropping to the floor in a sitting position once Seoho relaxed into a more neutral stance.

“Not too bad,” praised Seoho as he went to grab a bottle of water before walking back and handing it to Jake. “You're getting better at this,” he added. “You're also getting better at knowing when to stop,” he mused, looking amused at Jake's scoff.

“I may be known for overdoing things but I've come to respect when to stop a spar before something breaks,” mumbled Jake before he took a gulp of water before closing the lid. “One day I'll beat Jay in a spar,” he declared with determination, huffing at Seoho's chuckle.

“You'll have to defeat me first,” reminded Seoho before he went over to help Jake stand, grabbing him by the arm and helping him stand.

“I swear Yeonjun isn't as harsh at this than you are,” grumbled Jake as he brushed himself off.

“Yeonjun is also holding back in most of the spars,” pointed out Seoho as he shrugged, turning and walking towards the back door, opening it and entering.

“Yeah but so are you,” retorted Jake as he went to follow Seoho, letting the screen door close behind him as he entered the kitchen.

“Had fun I see,” remarked Seungmin as he turned from the stove to look at Jake and Seoho.

“It's been one of those days,” grumbled Jake, pouting at Seungmin when he chuckled at Jake's antics. “What 'cha making?” He asked, wandering over to the stove after closing the back door.

“Ramen,” responded Seungmin as he turned back and stirred the noodles with a pair of chopsticks. “It's not much but it'll do,” he added. “When is Jeonggeun coming back from his classes?” He asked.

“In a bit I'm pretty sure,” responded Jake before checking the time. “He may stop by the cafe later, who knows,” he added, shrugging before he went to shower and change out of his sweaty clothes.

~

“Do you think those two are soulmates?” Asked Seungmin as he went back to focusing on the stove to make sure the noodles were done.

“I know they are,” responded Seoho as he went to lean against the kitchen island. “But neither are smart enough to realize it it seems,” he mused, looking thoughtful as he grabbed his tablet and looked through his messages to make sure he wasn't missing anything.

“Did you figure it out from the way they acted around each other or is it that their tattoos are the same color?” Asked Seungmin as he turned off the stove, picking up the pot and bringing it over to the kitchen island where Seoho put down a pad to set the pot on. Seungmin put down the pot and grabbed some chopsticks for Seoho before handing them to him. He then started digging into the ramen, grabbing a small bowl to use in case of spills.

“I'm immortal remember,” reminded Seoho as he shrugged. “We can sense this kind of thing,” he added, taking the provided chopsticks and digging into the ramen. “I've known from the first meeting, though I think due to Jake's responsibilities he won't pursue it until Hwon gives the okay or things sort of resolve on their own,” he explained.

“Do you think it will resolve on its own?” Asked Seungmin after he slurped up some noodles. “It seems like being a part of the guard is a lifetime commitment,” he remarked as he went to scoop up some more noodles.

“The lifetime commitment only goes for those who are like me,” reminded Seoho as he shook his head. “Besides, in my years of living I've never seen any of the kings prevent soulmates from being with each other, well except Dongju and his soulmate but that's an entirely different issue anyway,” he explained.

“Ah,” hummed Seungmin as he looked thoughtful, slightly tilting his head to the side in thought as he continued eating.

~

“I hope you didn't eat all of it without me,” called Jake as he ran into the kitchen after getting dressed. He nearly slid into the kitchen island before stopping himself at the last second, going to grab some chopsticks before digging in.

“We saved some for you don't worry,” reassured Seungmin as he pushed away from the kitchen island, being done with his portion for now.

“Now that you're done I'm going to take a shower now,” declared Seoho before leaving the two brothers alone.

“What'd you two talk about?” Asked Jake as he noticed how serious Seungmin looked.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” responded Seungmin as he waved his hand dismissively. “I just had some general questions for him and the kings as a whole is all,” he explained. “I wanted to see things from another guard's perspective,” he added.

“Do you think I made the right choice?” Asked Jake as he paused in his eating to look at Seungmin.

“I think so,” responded Seungmin. “But there were other options out there,” he explained. “But in terms of making sure we were fine, I think this one was the best choice,” he added as an afterthought.

“I see,” hummed Jake as he nodded his head, going back to eating and occasionally checking his tablet for anything from the guard chat.

~

Jeonggeun eventually came back to the house, looking troubled as he contemplated something that had happened earlier that day.

“Are you okay?” Asked Jake once he noticed the troubled look on Jeonggeun's face.

“I'm fine," mumbled Jeonggeun. “Something happened in class today but it'll be fine,” he added.

“Is it the one you're sharing with Allen?” Asked Jake.

“No, just some people not thinking twice before starting stuff,” mumbled Jeonggeun.

“Ignore them,” sighed Jake. “We'll be home before you know it and there won't be much other issues,” he added.

“Right,” hummed Jeonggeun as he nodded.