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vore-scientist · 6 years

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In Which Sophia Makes Some New Friends

A tale of the Mystic Woods

(read the other stories/comics here, and all posts related to Mystic Woods can be found here)

THIS IS A DIRECT SEQUEL TO THIS STORY

Content warnings: No actual vore in this story, sorry! But discussion of both safe and fatal (I tried to make it humorous/light hearted, it makes sense). Also GT cuddles at the end ;)

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Sophia paced around Yonah’s desk. After the unfortunate encounter with the meddlesome prince, Yonah had wandered off to get a healing potion. That was fine, while she waited she admired all the little things on the desk, and the books in languages that she had only begun to learn to read, but that someday she would be fluent in.

“Yonah?” came a voice. “Hey Yonah, you there?”

It was a man’s voice, and it was near. Sophia froze and looked around. The mirror, the small mirror on Yonah’s desk! She ran to it, and saw in it the face of what could only be another wizard.

The man had a red and black mustache, kind green eyes, a big floppy wizard’s hat, and beautiful yellow and blue wizard’s robes, which were accented with silver and black. His hands were behind his back and he was looking around expectantly, until he saw Sophia, and he startled, but recovered fast.

“Sayyyyyyy! You’re not Yonah!” said the man, smiling with suspicion, “Who are you?”

“I’m, I’m Princess Sophia of the Kingdom of Orr!” she declared without thinking. Then a terrible thought struck her, what if this man in the mirror was an evil wizard. Those existed! A continent to the west had an entire Society of Wizards who were always up to some evil.

“A princess...” then the man grinned like an idiot, “WAIT A PRINCESS? No shit!”

His face turned away and he shouted at someone out of view, “SHOSH! HEY SHOSH! YONAH WENT AND KIDNAPPED A PRINCESS!”

“HE DID WHAT! YOU BETTER NOT BE FUCKING WITH ME MICA!”

“IM SERIOUS COME TO THE MIRROR!”

A moment later a woman, also wearing a wizard’s hat appeared next to Mica and gasped. “oh dear gods that’s a princess alright!” Except for her ruby red lipstick, she had no makeup on, but she had numerous facial piercings. She had wild brown hair and large oval spectacles that made her green-brown eyes appear buggy.

Sophia fidgeted with her gown, she wasn’t some spectacle to be gawked at by whoever these people were. She wished she wasn’t in a blood spattered nightgown. She wished that Yonah was here.

“And who,” said Sophia, as sweet as she could, “are you?”

“Oh how terribly rude of us!” said Mica, still smiling, “I’m Mica, Mica Cohen! And this is Shoshana Jaffe, we’re friends of Yonah and we were hoping to talk to him,”

Sophia was stunned “Yonah has friends!?”

Mica and Shoshana burst out laughing.

“Yes dear girl, he has friends,” said Shoshana, “you can’t stay sane in a prison without them.”

“I’ve been here for two months! How have I not heard of you?” Sophia was planning to chew Yonah out about this when he felt better. What else was he hiding. Probably a lot, wizards liked their secrets... But why would he hide friends from her! How many more friends did he have?

“You mean you’re serious. Yonah hasn’t mentioned us?” Shoshana looked genuinely hurt.

“No! until now I thought he was a sad lonely man!”

The wizards laughed again.

“Well he’s not sad” said Shoshana, “angry more like, but not anymore than your average firewitch.”

“Nor is he really a man, kinda, half a man,” said Mica, thoughtfully.

“Lonely, well now, we wish we could visit more often, he is kinda stuck in one place.”

/Yeah, you can thank my dad for that/ thought Sophia. But thought it was better not to mention Yonah’s semi-house arrest sentence was handed down by her father.

“But now you’re there! This is so wonderful!” said Shoshana with glee, before turning serious, “unless, you’re lying and you’re a giant slayer, disguised as a princess.”

“What?”

“Whose blood are you currently wearing?” she narrowed her eyes.

What an odd way to phrase that, “it’s, well it’s Yonah’s but”

Shoshana raised an eyebrow, something about her presence, even through a mirror grew dark and threatening. Mica remained bright, if scared.

“Um, well you see, there was an incident this morning, with a prince, and…”

She told them what happened. They were a good audience, gasping and cheering at all the right places, and they didn’t interrupt her. Until she got to the part where Yonah ate the prince. They both looked a little green.

“He, ate the prince?” Mica’s voice shook. He and Shoshana exchanged worried looks.

Uh oh. Guess Yonah’s friends didn’t know. Too late now.

“Y-yes, but he spit him out! He ran off after that.” They relaxed, a bit, but continued to look at her suspiciously.

“And then you called” Sophia ended lamely, “that’s it!”

“And the blood?” Shoshana hadn’t noticed that Sophia failed to explain it.

In reality Sophia just forgot.

“Yonah’s… insides got roughed up by the prince’s armor and I ended up in the line of fire when he coughed”

She looked up from her gown to see the two wizard staring past her. Shoshana grinned wickedly.

“Ah, Yonah, Sophia here has been telling us all about your adventure from not moments ago!”

/“SHE WHAT!”/ cried Yonah. Except, as the words made it to his lips a stabbing pain in his throat stopped him, closing his airways as he coughed himself catatonic. So instead he just sat down and stared at the mirror through a slightly teary haze.

“Yonah, this young woman says that you’re a man-eating giant now! Can you lend credence to this? Has our Yonah truly become the monster that the professors said he would? Yonah, eater of men, kidnapper of princesses!” the sarcasm heavy in Shoshana’s voice.

No. no no no no no. no NO. This was not happening. This day was so crappy to begin with.

“He’s not denying it, so it must be true!” Mica said, matter a factly.

This wasn’t at all how he expected this to go down. He had kept his instances of “man-eating” hidden from his friends, sure that they would never speak to him again if they found out that he’d ever eaten a human.

But… they weren’t mad.

Didn’t matter. Getting teased about it was almost worse. He rubbed the moisture from his eyes.

“It’s not like you go around hunting humans” said Mica before getting serious “and it’s not like you were keeping this hidden while in school. You weren’t, right? You didn’t eat anyone at school? Was tasting us not enough?”

For the first time, Mica and Shoshana looked genuinely worried. Maybe they HAD been wrong about Yonah.

“No, No. I-I didnt eat anyone.” said Yonah, his voice high and quiet, he looked scared, “typically, giants only eat those who break into their houses, to steal or to kill” he recited. They’d heard the line before.

And regardless, the school was never his home, Of course he wasn’t ever interested in eating his fellow students. Tasting them was another matter, plenty of them smelled incredible. His friends did and still do occasionally allow him a taste, just to tease him.

Up until Sophia he wouldn’t have even dared to eat them! It was too dangerous. A thief he could risk swallowing and spitting back up before they died. Standard procedure to shock and punish them. And a Slayer’s life was forfeit. When they failed and escaped they usually returned and one way or another someone would end up dead.

“What about professors? I feel like some of them deserve to be eaten” Mica continued, all previous concern now gone, he was back to antagonizing.

“N-no, I just said that-“ but apparently Mica wasn’t listening and Yonah’s interjections fell upon uncaring ears.

“Like Professor Thuorbir! What a prick.” said Mica.

“I think he was also a giant slayer!” said Shoshana, her voice containing energy that Mica’s didn’t even come close to, “you should totally eat him, he’s still an asshole. Fucker rejected my research proposal for a third time!”

Gods this was not happening. Yonah put his now burning face into his hands.

“I’m not gonna eat Mr.Thuorbir,” Yonah managed to say through is stupor. Though he silently agreed that the man certainly deserved it, regardless of giant slaying. His head was buzzing.

Mica looked at Shoshana incredulously

“Shosh, that was because your proposal was to research a spell that would have turned the entire Mystic Woods PINK, down to the littlest ant! None of the professors would have approved that” he said before turning to Sophia. “The one before that, she wanted to propose researching a spell that would give the caster dominion over all bees. All of them. Knowing full well that attempting godhood is ILLEGAL.”

Sophia giggled and tried to imagine her father’s kingdom becoming a uniform shade of pink. Oh dear. Maybe she should tell her father, in case Shoshana actually attempted it.

“Well, just because they don’t want an army of bees” said Shoshana, nose in the air, arms crossed. “And it wasn’t a proposal to actually do it, just to design a spell that could.”

“I hate you both, you know that,” said Yonah.

“We know you mean love!” said Shoshana.

“Anyways, it can’t have really happened,” said Shoshana. “Not the way you said it did at the very least.”

“What do you mean?” Asked Yonah.

Mica looked at her in shock, he had clearly believed the story. This wouldn’t be the first time Shoshana had gone along with a ridiculous farce just for the drama of it, but as far as he knew, Yonah hadn’t spoken to Shoshana that recently, not without him present. And Yonah’s pain was real, his embarrassment was real.

Shoshana sighed and rubbed at her glasses.

“You don’t believe-“ Sophia started to say

“Oh I believe he’s eaten people. Comes with the territory at this point. But you’re” she eyed Yonah, “You’re kind of, too small to swallow a person whole, right? You’d have to, oh I don’t know, rip into them with your teeth like they were a prime rib.”

/Ugh, what a great image, thanks Shosh/ thought Yonah.

“It’s not really worth trying to claim the prince survived for our benefit. If eating people was a dealbreaker we wouldn’t be friends with dragons or ogres or that Sphinx that guards the gates to the tunnels of-“

“Yonah did swallow the prince whole!” Sophia wasn’t about to let the wizards think she had lied, “And yes, he’s killed a few assholes that way but he let the prince live! And thieves too! He eats them all the time but always lets them go!” She was almost shouting now, “And! And Yonah swallows me all the time! And if you haven’t noticed, I’m in one piece.”

All eyes were on her and everyone was silent, no one moved or blinked, but Yonah’s face became scarlet. Sophia played with her dress in her hands, and looked up at Yonah.

“Um, was I not supposed to tell them that?” she squeaked out.

“Yonah HaEsh, how could you!?” Shoshana yelled, no longer playful, “eat a princess!? You could kill her! She’s not a knight or a giant slayer! What on earth were you thinking? So we need to rescue her from you?”

Yonah’s embarrassment had turned to anger as his hair started to smoke and the roots glowed orange. He was breathing sharp breaths, seething with anger, until one got caught sending him into a into another coughing fit and onto the floor. Sophia took the opportunity to rectify her mistake.

But there was no need. Shoshana has gone white.

“Oh dear, I think I overdid it!”

“You think? Now Yonah thinks we hate him! Next time don’t seem so serious,” Mica chided her. Shoshana muttered something about wasting her skills and addressed Sophia again.

“But seriously, how!” she said, “How does he physically manage to swallow a person whole? And you said he eats you all the time! How the fuck has he managed to avoid fucking up and killing you or the thieves!” color had returned to her face. No longer bothered by Yonah’s plight, even though she had caused it. Mica shot her a death glare.

“Oh like you weren’t thinking the same thing!”

Mica sighed. “I was but I have the manners not to voice it. We could have called back tomorrow. But it’s too late now.”

They both looked at Sophia expectantly.

“Oh um, well, the thieves he just spits up real quick but myself... Yonah, enchanted me, so that he can’t hurt me” Sophia explained everything as Yonah wheezed in the background, still on the floor, but no longer in danger of coughing up a lung.

Shoshana’s eyes sparkled with greed. Mica was deep in thought.

“Wait are you sure this was an enchantment, because it sounds like curse.” Mica finally said.

“Well,” said Sophia, “the difference is a matter of perspective isn’t it.”

Which was true. One could see gems falling from ones mouth when one talked as a blessing, until everyone in the kingdom wanted you as their piggy bank and your voice was hoarse from being made to talk non stop and the economy is ruined by your gem contributions. Then it’s a curse. Becoming a glass statue would be a curse, but that’s not how it worked.

“That must have been an expensive procedure,” said Mica.

“It was, but he got the money from my dad,” Sophia made the last few words harsh and final. She was still bitter that her dad had instructed and funded Yonah to traumatize her into running back home. Jokes on him, it hadn’t worked and Yonah was her friend now! Showed him!

“He managed to only cast half a curse! He could publish with a trick like that” she said thoughtfully, but with a touch of envy.

“There would be a problem with rational,” Mica pointed out, “he would have to invent a fake reason! He can’t say he did it so he could eat one specific person and not worry about them dying!”

Shoshana nodded and laughed.

“To answer your other question, I don't know how he does it, because you’re right, by all means he shouldn’t. But even he doesn’t know.” Sophia said, the wizards were disappointed. Sophia tried to brighten their mood by suggesting they investigate it. They considered this with great pleasure.

“I’m just unable to picture it,” She was talking to Sophia again. “I-“ she shuddered with wicked glee as she had a new thought. “ Yes, I’d like to see it for myself. I don’t suppose, since it was your idea to research this, that you would be willing to give us a demonstration?”

That surprised both Sophia and Mica, but Mica’s grin said that he liked that idea.

Now it was Sophia’s turn to go red. Sophia rubbed her back of her head. Let someone watch? Having just seen Yonah eat the prince, she wasn’t sure if she wanted Yonah’s friends to see it. Even if they had joked about him giving into his more monstrous heritage. Sophia had seen it. That side of him did exist. But it had been her idea. She regretted planting the idea in their stupid wizard brains.

“I’ll, consider it, but Yonah’s in no condition right now.”

“Oh of course not dear! Just call us or something, there’s not rush,” Shoshana winked, “especially if it’s a regular occurrence, plenty of opportunities to observe.”

Yes, Sophia was realizing that about the thieves as well. She wondered how regular they were too, and if she could get involved in thief catching.

Shaking badly, Yonah got up from the floor, pulling himself up to his stool. His face was very red, and his eyes glistened, tears steaming up his face.

Sophia turned to him “They’re over it, I explained it, you can stop being such a big baby and extinguish yourself”

Yonah glared at her but his head stopped smoldering and his eyes were back to brown.

“I think,” he wheezed, “I think I need to lie down, let the healing drought actually take effect.”

“Yonah darling you do look awful, we’ll get out of your hair, but don’t think we are done talking about this! Next time I expect a demonstration!” said Shoshana “goodbye Princess Sophia it was an absolute pleasure meeting your highness!” and before Mica could say a word she waved a hand in front of the mirror, turning it back to a normally mirror.

“Thank you Mirror” Sophia said, placing a hand on the golden edge. It made a small hum of acknowledgement.

“Come on let’s get you to bed,” Sophia looked up at the disheveled and gaunt wizard who picked her up and held her close to his chest as he walked back to his room. The sun had been up for an only hour yet the day felt like it was already over. He needed a nap.

He released Sophia onto the night stand, took off his hat, did not take off his slightly blood stained night robe, and collapsed face forward on the bed, breathing heavily.

Sophia sighed and climbed down the nightstand and using the still loose bed sheets, climbed onto the bed and onto Yonah. He didn’t protest, or make any sign that he knew she was there, but he had to know.

“Hey, you did good today, and your friends still love you, and I’m still your friend. I don’t think you made friends with that prince but he seemed like a dick so who cares.”

A painful chuckle shook from beneath her as Yonah rolled onto his back, Sophia scrambling to keep up with the rotation. Sitting on his chest as he stared up at the ceiling with his eyes closed. he brought his hand up to pet Sophia gently. His hand was warm and rough, and Sophia leaned into it, tickling his palm.

She fell asleep like that, Yonah’s warm hand of a weighted blanket.

Yonah had one last panicked thought before sleep took him.

/Had Shosh said DEMONSTRATION?/

[Thanks for reading! please reblog!]

#soft vore #safe vore

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petri808 · 6 years

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How We Got Here

The complete story from Hak/Yona Week 2018 in 1 post. 9K Words

The battle over Kouka kingdom was finally over and while back at Hiryuu Castle, Yona and Hak reflect on their lives while awaiting the next step of their journey to begin. This story starts off at the present but jumps back through time in a progression of age before coming back to it; Hak & Yona POV’s. Some portions are taken from the anime/manga while others are totally made up.

~~~XXX~~~

It had been 3 years since Yona or Hak had been forced to flee and now they were back at Hiryuu Castle surrounded by their friends, supporters, and the Generals of the 4 other tribes of Kouka Kingdom in the great meeting hall. Anyone related to the assassination of Emperor Il were either dead or in prison awaiting their punishment.

But to move swiftly towards reestablishing a sense of normalcy and peace in their kingdom, the Generals immediately approve to reinstate Yona as the Queen. However, according to their laws, the Kingdom could not be ruled solely by a woman and so it was necessary for her to be married, and soon.

“My husband has already been selected,” Yona states matter of fact, “Hak will be the King. Does anyone disprove of my choice?”

The four generals look at each other and it’s Tae-Woo who speaks first. “We already figured that out, so when’s the wedding?” The crowd snickers and cheers.

“Little miss,” Zeno speaks up, “might I suggest a month from now? That should be enough time for preparations to be made and enough time for guests to travel here.”

“That’s true,” she taps her chin, “because I would like to invite Captain Gi-Gan, and Princess Kouren, and Princess Tao, and…”

“We get it,” Geun-Tae laughs heartily, “if there are no objections from the other Generals, I move to set the coronation and wedding to be held one month from today.” No one objects…

~~xx~~

For as long as he could remember, Hak’s grandfather would drag him to Hiryuu Castle for visits, some time’s lasting days, other times a few weeks at a stretch to train the Sky Tribe’s soldiers or for other official duties as the General of the Wind Tribe. At first, he didn’t understand why, considering it wasn’t necessary for him to be there, but when he’d question it, was simply advised to do as he was told and to go keep the Princess company.

They were close in age, she being 2 years younger than he was, but she would often get on his nerves. Yona could be a spoiled brat and yet other times, sweet and caring. She’d want to play games, then throw a tantrum if she lost. She was good at playing the cutesy act to get what she wanted and most of the time he would give in, but not always…

Stalking the young Princess, Hak, crept around the bushes he knew his friend was hiding behind ready to make his move. The young boy of 7 grinned, as he sees her crouched into a ball and reaches out… “Gotcha!”

“Ahhh!” Yona jumps up, turning around at both the sound and the way her friend’s fingers jabbed at her sides. “Hak!” screaming at the boy who surprised her from behind. “Don’t scare me like that!”

“Then Y-you shoulda…” clutching his stomach as he doubled over in laughter at her flushed and puffed out cheeks, “…hid better!”

“Omph!” pushing him onto his butt, “you’re so mean to me,” flailing her arms at him in exaggerated swings.

Hak looks up a bit surprised at Yona’s burst of physical retaliation, “Princesses shouldn’t be hitting people.”

“And Princes shouldn’t be mean to Princesses,” crossing her arms in a huff.

“Then it’s good I ain’t a Prince,” he stands up, brushing off his pants with a smug look, “Princess.”

“Oooh, y-youuu!” shaking she’s so angry. “I really… hate you sometimes!” Yona storms away furious at Hak for making fun of her while he just laughs even harder.

“No, you don’t!” he calls after her. “You’ll be begging me to play again!”

Too bad for the young boy that his grandfather had seen the ending of their argument and after a long-winded chastising and a few good cracks, dragged him to Yona’s room to apologize…

Being cooped up behind the walls of the castle, Yona didn’t have any other children her age to play with or talk to so visits by her cousin and or Hak were really the only times she got to just be a kid. Her relationship with the young Wind Tribe boy was a love hate relationship, sometimes he was nice to her but most of the time loved to tease and toy with her and it drove her crazy.

She would complain to her father, but he would just smile and tell her to be nice. Hak was a boy and boys were often rough and tumble, it was just their way, but he meant no harm. Yona would still whine and her father reminded her that him being around would always keep her safe and sound. When she asked why, that was how she learned Hak was training to take over as General someday and that information did make her feel a little better…

Yona woke up with a start in the darkened room. It was another nightmare but like always, she could never remember the dream, only the feelings of abandonment or being left all alone, were all that remained in its wake. Getting out of bed, she walks to another part of the castle, seeking out the only friend she had. “Hak,” kneeling next to his bed, pushing on his shoulder, “Hak?”

“UghHuh?” the boy turns over seeing the Princess sitting there, he rubs his eyes. “What are you doing in my room?”

“I had another nightmare,” she sniffles and wipes the drying tears from her cheek, “I don’t want to be alone, can I stay here tonight?”

Conflicted at how he should respond. He was pretty sure that it was not proper for a girl, let alone a Princess to be sleeping on the same bed as him, but if he told her no and she complained to his grandfather, would he be the one who gets yelled at for making her cry? “Um, I guess so,” closing his eyes to go back to sleep.

“Thank you.” Yona slips under the covers, lying on her back next to the boy. It was a little weird to be sleeping this close to Hak, but she also felt safer, like he was going to scare away her bad dreams. She turns her head and notices he’s already closed his eyes.

“Go to sleep,” he mumbles.

How did he know she was looking at him? “C-could I hold your hand?”

“Ugh,” he grumbles but seeks out her hand and grasps it, “happy now?”

“Yes,” blushing as he squeezes slightly, his hand was so warm, his touch, gentle despite his grumpy attitude, and yes, it made her feel a lot better. After that first time, Yona would often seek Hak out whenever nightmares plagued her…

As they grew up, it became harder and harder for Hak to be around Yona. Call it adolescent hormones, but every time she was close by, no longer was she just the childhood friend he’d play games with or make snow angels with during winter. Still a spoiled, whiny brat, but as each year went by, her beauty grew along with the feelings bubbling inside him. Problem was, he also knew her heart belonged to another.

It didn’t help that his grandfather would often make comments or not so subtle hints as to whom he’d love to see together. Pushing, dragging Hak to visit Hiryuu Castle, forcing him to stay for long periods of time under the guise that Yona needed a friend. ‘Get used to it,’ Mundok would say, because soon enough Hak will take his place as General and be one of the protectors of this empire, and of her.

But adding fuel to that fire, he is asked of by Emperor Il to become Yona’s bodyguard. Was the Emperor conspiring with his grandfather to drive him into an early grave? Hak had declined but Emperor Il was not deterred, ‘think about it,’ was the response as he walked away. What was there to think about? Yona didn’t need a bodyguard, she needed a baby sitter!

Speak of the devil but who came running up to complain about the Fire General’s son, claiming he was harassing and trying to court her. First off, Hak found it amusing, second why did she come to him, as he yelled at her to go tell her cousin and maybe he would help her before skulking away. Okay that response had a tinge of jealousy, but he knew the clueless girl wouldn’t figure it out.

This was why he told the Emperor no, behaving professionally around the Princess always went right out the window, and any other person would be punished if they spoke to her in that manner. But, even after she apologized and bribed him with fruit, that only made his head spin more. No, what he really needed was a place to hide and calm down…

‘Tae-Jun is at it again…’ Hak closes his eyes trying to tune out the escalating argument. He hears a couple of guards talking nearby, that’s the Fire Generals son, he’s grabbing the Princess, we can’t do anything against him, someone go get Emperor Il… ‘Damn it… I need to leave it alone otherwise from now on I’ll always… Exhale.’ The memory of her apology… He hears Tae-Jun call her cute and that he wants to touch her…

Hak stands up.

“No! Stop!” Yona cries out for help, desperately trying to pull away from the older boy...

It was hard enough to listen to, but the moment he sees Tae-Jun being handsy and rough with Yona, Hak is even more furious. He knows that kind of reaction would be no good, so as he swiftly strides over, formulating the only plan he could think of, or rather use the one emotion she always created in him.

“That’s enough,” Hak swoops in, pulling Yona away from the man’s grasp. “Who gave you permission to touch My Princess?” Both Yona and Tae-Jun are shaken. “The Princess and I made our life-long pledge to each other when we were kids. Right Princess?” cuddling her close and teasing her hand, “What’s the matter Princess? Don’t be so shy.”

She laughs nervously with an honest blush, partially caressing his chin, “Not in front of other people.” And when she is asked if she loves Hak, responds with a straight face clutching at his arm, “Yes, I love him. I really love him.” Now Hak is the one blushing in surprise at how serious she sounded, almost wishing it had been true.

But Tae-Jun refuses to believe it could true, stating his own position with the assumption this boy was nothing special, and demanding to know who he even was. “I am the Wind Tribe’s next General, Son Hak,” he asserts with more authority in his tone. But, even after Hak states that the Emperor himself asked him to be her exclusive bodyguard, Tae-Jun challenges him and pulls a sword. Thank the gods that the Emperor showed up at that moment and forced the Fire tribe’s son to back down and make a hasty retreat.

Now Emperor Il turns to address the two kids now parted and standing several feet away from each other, questioning their true relationship. Of course, they both deny it, Yona with just denial and Hak his usual indifference that he thought the idea would keep the suitor at bay. Now with Hak in a vulnerable state of mind, Emperor Il asks again, and the boy finally accepts the position formally, promising to always protect Yona.

Hak reflects on that afternoon later in the evening when he is all alone. Despite their protestations, did the Emperor now believe that his daughter and the future Wind Tribe’s general may have feelings for each other? He couldn’t tell by Emperor Il’s expression what he thought since he always maintained a smile. But one would think that if he didn’t want Yona to be so close to someone like him, he wouldn’t have offered the position again, right?

‘Ugh,’ this was exactly why he didn’t want it in the first place! Yona’s presence always flustered him, made him loose his focus, and his mind. The first time the Emperor had asked it was just him and his grandfather present but when Yona was around, he didn’t think twice about accepting. It was bad enough that the girl he loved, was in love with another man, and now he had to live in the castle, watching over her. Yup, he had lost his mind alright.

Hak flopped onto his bed with his arm over his face, grateful that his grandfather had returned home shortly after hearing the news. The old man had been over the moon that his grandson was getting even closer to the royal family, not just because of nobility gains, but simply because it warmed his old heart. Yona was like a grand-daughter to him, and to know that Hak would be there to protect her made him feel so much better.

Not that it made is grandson feel happy. Hak had been trying to bury his 15-year-old’s emotions and hormones for the Princess and now, that was going to be ten times harder than it had ever been before.

Once he had taken the position at the castle, and pledged to protect Yona, that promise became both his curse and his salvation; if he could manage to keep his emotions in check. Sarcasm became his way of dealing with the Princess. Hak knew she hated it, but what would be his alternative? Admit to being desperately in love with her and when she turns him down shattering his heart into a million pieces, run away to commit suicide, maybe jump off a cliff or run his own blade through his chest? Sounds drastic, yes, but a possibility when you know deep down there will never be another woman for you like her.

This situation was the ultimate torture that you could ever put any man through and not expect them to go insane. Every day, week, year that goes by and you are forced by your title and position to be around the one person that your heart desires and the one person you believe you’ll never have. To sit back and watch them fawning over another that wasn’t you, have to listen to them talk about it, ask you about it and why, because you are the only one they’ve told this secret to.

Hak told her that he would be happy for them, would serve them for as long as he lived, and said that enough to where he had tricked himself into believing it too. Her cousin wasn’t a bad guy, a little strange and airy, but they had all grown up together, played together on the castle grounds, and if it made Yona happy, then that was all he wanted for her.

Most days he could keep his heart in check, and then there were days that the cliff sounded like a better alternative. It was like being in an out of control carriage on a very hilly road and you wonder should I jump now, then talk yourself into believing that it will eventually get better. He wasn’t sure what Yona saw him as, maybe a big brother by the way she behaved around him, but when she would act all cute and innocent, say things that could be misconstrued… Yeah, those were the days he wanted to jump…

After Hak helps Yona to get on her cousin’s horse, she makes a comment about his handling of women and that he must be entertaining many at home… “Don’t get the wrong idea,” Soo-Won tells her. “We’ve been discussing who I’m going to be engaged to. But, let’s stop talking about this, I can’t talk to you about this sort of thing.”

‘What!!! And he’s still treating me like I’m some little kid!’ “Well,” trying not to seem flustered, “I’m about to be engaged too.”

“Huh? To whom?”

“To Hak.” ‘Did that just come out my mouth! And Hak needs to stop staring at me like I’ve gone crazy, even if it’s true!’

“That’s great! Congratulations...”

Once the horseback riding is over, and her cousin leaves them alone, Yona is sulking with Hak standing nearby. “To think he’d believe such a lie,” she drops her head onto the railing.

Hak mumbles to himself, “You’re the one who’s cruel. And annoying…” She has no idea how much those kinds of statements hurt him…

“But father this hair! Why is it so red? Even my mother had flowing black hair. It makes me look weird.”

“It’s not true. Right Hak?”

“Yes, Emperor Il, nobody has said that the Princess’ hair is strange. But if I may be so bold to say, there’s definitely something wrong with her head.”

“Shut up servant! Father do something about this guy! Even though he’s my servant, he’s so arrogant!”

From all the work she put into preparing for her cousins visit, being harassed by Hak at every turn, being told by her father that she couldn’t marry who she wanted, scared by some strange stalker, and being somewhat rejected by the person she loves, Yona retreats into her room for the evening. She was confused, angry, conflicted, and frankly tired that everyone was treating her like a little girl, ‘I’m turning 16 in less than 5 days, I’m not a little girl anymore!’ Flopping onto her bed, part of her wants to cry, maybe scream, definitely scream but that would only bring people running to check on her.

What her father had told her had scared her as well, being the Princess, she would always be a target so whomever was around her could get hurt too. Could she have been seeing things when she thought there was someone following her? Maybe her father’s words were still messing with her mind? Yona curls her legs up, this was easier to deal with when she was younger, because whenever she was feeling scared she’d run to Hak and crawl into bed with him cause he would hold her hand and make her feel safer.

‘Hak!’ Speaking of that man, ‘how dare he say I had a strange head?! He’s always making fun of me, teasing me, taunting me… Why is he so mean to me when we’re supposed to be friends! I just don’t understand it. I mean, he’s always been blunt and never holds back what he says, but the older we get the worse it became and now he’s such a sarcastic ass!

Ugh and now Soo-Won thinks we’re engaged no matter how I tried to say otherwise. Okay, I guess I can see how it seems believable because Hak’s always with me, but that’s because it’s his job! Great, that makes two men that think Hak and I are in a relationship, not that I care about what Tae-Jun thinks… That’s totally not the point! He didn’t even try to disagree when I said it, just stood there with his mouth hanging open catching flies! Where was his stupid comments when I needed it?!’

She sighs, and closes her eyes, there was nothing more she could do tonight but hope that things will change...

In all his short 18 years, through fighting, political bickering, and battles with his own heart, never had anger or pain risen to the level of pure hatred, and all he could see was red as swords pointed at the girl he lived for. It didn’t matter that these were soldiers he had fought with, trained, or that the man ordering their execution was the one betraying them all because in that moment, all that mattered was her. The girl he had sworn to protect, she who held his heart, and more than his own life… he would kill for.

Every, last one would die by his hand if need be, because Yona was the only one that mattered, the only thing so precious in his life that if she were to die here and now so would his soul, withering away like a dying flower in winter. By the luck of the gods they still had at least one supporter and he managed to spirit the Princess away to the forest.

“Princess Yona, do you need to take a short break?”

She sits down to rest. “Hak, did Min-Soo die? I wonder will I die too? Will Soo-Won kill you too?”

“I’ll never hand my life over to that asshole.”

“Don’t die, Hak…” her eyes slowly closing, “because if you die, I will never forgive you…”

But now what? As he watched the broken girl resting against the tree, Hak needed to focus on his survival instincts to get them through this, but his own heart was aching. He loved Yona, but he thought he had loved Soo-Won too, and the Emperor. He may have felt the Emperor Il was a little weak or naive but such a kind soul and to have been assassinated, in front of Yona. ‘Leaving her all alone, you good for nothing King!’

Part of the aching was the guilt that he hadn’t done his job of protecting the castle. The King had been killed and Yona was left unprotected. Why hadn’t he investigated sooner when things started to seem uneasy around the grounds, the unsettling quiet that had descended. ‘I promise you,’ he wipes her dirty, tear stained cheek, ‘one day we’ll be back at your castle…’

‘Yona…’ The Princess was what he needed to worry about, especially since she had become a doll simply being led along with no mind of her own. Told when to eat, to sleep. If there were ever a time he was needed, it was now. Hak clenched his fist. Is this what Soo-Won had wanted? Had he planned all along to draw her in close only to kill her and her father to take the throne by force?

He was all she had in the world, the one semblance of normal still left in her life and he’ll do everything he can to protect the last of her innocence.

“Fire at the Princess!” Upon those uttered words Hak stepped in to block, taking an arrow to his back.

“Hak!! Hak! Are you alright?! Hak…”

“Please don’t concern yourself, it’s making me uncomfortable.” Leaping away, he takes her to a secluded bush. “Hide here, and please stay perfectly still.”

“Hak,” seeing blood, “You’re bleeding.” ‘He was injured protecting me…’ Yona waits but, overhears that they are going to kill Hak. She is torn as to what to do until she remembers why she left Fuuga… It was wrong to expect Hak to always protect her, she needed to do something.

Rushing out of hiding she slams into the soldier aiming for Hak and confronts Tae-Jun with a renewed fire in her soul. All the domino effect of pain that Soo-Won’s actions had started, and now seeing Hak, a man she had once thought invincible being struck down… Yona grabs a sword and frees her hair from Tae-Jun’s grip before rushing to confront the soldiers with Hak dangling from the cliff.

“Get Away From Hak!!” swinging at them. He screams at her to run away but she refuses, clutching at his arms. “No! Never! Hak… If you die I won’t forgive you!!” Tears stream down, dripping onto his face and it stops his resistance, but as the soldiers close in they slip off the cliff… falling…

The next thing Yona knows, she is waking up in a house of some sort, bandaged. “Who are you?” she asked the boy sitting next to her and is reminded of the cliff. ‘Cliff… Hak!’ “Hak! Where is Hak?!”

As she listens to boy named Yoon prattle off Hak’s injuries, what he has done to try to mend him, and that tonight will be critical to see if he even survives, Yona prays. “Please save him!”

“That’s what I’m doing… Don’t you think that helping you is what I’m supposed to do? You still haven’t given a single word of gratitude…” Yona sits glassy-eyed as Yoon berates her. “…Have you ever even said a word of thanks to this guy? Even though he goes this far to risk his life to protect you?” Yona thanks Yoon and apologizes, but even with Ik-Su’s assurance that this wasn’t Hak’s time to die yet, it left her worried…

She awakens in the early morning hours to find Hak missing and in a panic runs into the forest searching for him but trips. Sitting up, tears rushing down her face, he finds her screaming about him.

“…You seem fine,” he smiles, “what happened? Did you have a bad dream?”

But she was too furious with him to deal with his sarcasm. “Even when you’ve been hurt badly you still over do it! I thought you were going to die! Please,” more tears pooling, “don’t just leave on your own!” Wiping at her face, “You’re the only one that must be by my side…”

And she meant what she said. It may still be selfish of her but Yona never wanted to be without Hak. She knew she didn’t understand what was going on, her naivety meant she needed him more than he needed her just to survive but frankly, it would feel strange not to have him around anymore…

“Hak!”

“An earthquake!” Hak jumps to his feet as the wall of rock tumbled down, blocking the entrance to the tunnel. ‘Crap!’ He had heard her call out his name seconds before the collapse. True and ultimate fear gripped his entire mind and body, no soul at the realization that Yona was trapped behind the cave in of solid rock. ‘No, No, NO!’ This can’t be happening, after all they’ve been through till now for her to die from suffocation because of these backwards thinking mountain folk!

Damn it, if, no, when she’s safe and sound she’s never to leave his side again! He was an idiot to listen to her commands, this girl was great at getting herself into danger and he just let her do it this time like the good servant that he was. Hak pounded his fists on the boulders, dug stone after stone, swung his spear at it only to be laughed at by the unyielding force of nature.

He prayed, begged to the gods, ‘Please don’t take her away…’ to the Emperor to bring her back to him. He couldn’t lose her, just couldn’t even stand the thought of not having Yona by his side. She was finally starting to grow, standing up, becoming the Princess he knew laid dormant inside, and his promise to get her home again, it wasn’t fulfilled yet! Even after all the harrowing events that had led them to this point, this was the first time that Hak couldn’t breathe.

Why couldn’t he foresee these kinds of events? Why can’t he seem to protect her when she needs him the most, first at the castle, the cliffs, and now here? All he could ever do right was deal with the aftermath and consequences. Yes, he’ll find a way to save her and he didn’t give a damn if anyone tried to stop him. He’d cut them down too.

Hak unleashes his anger at the stone as soon as the villagers tell him where to dig and by god he was going to get to her in time! ‘Hold on Princess!’ It was like an inhuman strength fell into his body as he bashed at the rock, swinging and destroying the wall that separated him from her and his friends. No matter if it was a few inches or several feet of rock, it would bow to his will.

And when he finally broke through, the relief at seeing her unharmed let all the anguish drain away. His ailing and aching body was heaving from the extraneous work, but it was over. “Princess!” Hak drops the axe, rushing up and grabbing her, wrapping his body around her tiny frame holding so tightly she couldn’t move if she wanted to. He didn’t even have the strength left to cry. She was safe, that was all that mattered.

Each day that passed by on their journey through the Kouka Kingdom, she noticed that the way Hak was behaving slowly began to change. He was always the sarcastic pain, teasing her and annoying her whenever the opportunity presented itself but still, the thing that confused her was his clinginess. In the past, it seemed he did anything he could not to touch her or be too close and yet now, sometimes she couldn’t get rid of him.

Sure, after the incident at the Blue Dragon’s village and his promise to stick by her side, it made sense, but it had begun before that. And what about the way he touched her, grabbed her? Like at the entrance of Fuuga when he had asked if she was ready to pay with her body, though she had no idea what he meant. Or how about the cliff’s when he’d pinned her against the wall and she thought he was going to kiss her.

The list could go on and on and slowly she began to understand what some of it meant, or at least the weird feelings it was triggering in her. In Awa, as he licked the honey from her hand, looking as if he was enjoying it way more than just for the sweet taste… Her body heated up and maybe deep down she was enjoying it too. No, she shakes her head, Hak was just her friend, someone that protected her. He was staying close just to make sure she was safe, that’s all.

Yona couldn’t fully grasp why he was behaving this way. The others would sometimes make comments about it, they, even strangers asking, assuming she and Hak were together. But she would deny it, and so would he, most of the time. She remembered his reaction to Kija trying to pay him to leave, furious that the guy dared to separate them. But things only worsened after Jae-Ha joined their little travelling band. That flirty pervert really got on Hak’s nerves anytime he got too close to her.

But the one thing she did understand was if this was his way of showing he cared for her life and for her safety, at least it was comforting. She knew that no matter what lay in their path, nor battle they needed to fight, Hak would always be there to protect her. And if that meant putting up with his bizarre behavior, well then it was a small price to pay.

Okay, and maybe it wasn’t so bad to have his attention focused on her. She may not know the ways of the world yet, but she was starting to see the way that women looked at him, or even looked at her with jealousy.

Hak was getting tired of all of Jae-ha’s teasing. Yes, he gets it, everyone can see how he feels about the Princess, except apparently her, but it’s something he’s been dealing with for… let’s just say too long. It was all complicated, they had grown up together, practically their entire lives spent around each other so maybe it was simply a matter of convenience that he had fallen for her while she on the other hand still couldn’t get over her pining for the man who had tried to kill her.

That was a lie. There were other pretty girls around him, willing to throw themselves at his feet but none of them had ever gotten him to turn his head in their direction. He didn’t even know why he had fallen for Yona in the first place. A childhood felicity turned crush became a deep seeded yearning for the Princess even though most days, she acted like such a spoiled brat. Yona was beautiful, no doubt, probably the most lovely female ever to grace their kingdom.

God help him every time Yona said something that could be misconstrued like oh I’ll just nestle closer to you if it’s cold, if only she knew what such words could do to a man. But he couldn’t get upset over it when she was saying it with the childlike innocence that made her the sweetheart that she was. He wished she could understand without changing that side of her.

On the flip side, as much as he loved the purity, as her courage grew, and her individuality and strength increased, have mercy, this only served to drive his arousal up tenfold. It was getting harder to hold back those feelings. Hak was a man of action after all, and it only made sense that such métier would peak his interest, especially coming from her. And what he wanted, was to help her see her dreams through of serving her people. To become the true ruler of Kouka with the grace that her father had instilled in her coupled with the fire her ancestor bestowed upon her by the Gods. A balance, a force from heaven so to speak to restore order and peace in their lands.

It might have been fate that brought them together. The orphaned boy who because of who had adopted him led to his meeting the Princess. A boy who became a general and tribal leader with the skills worthy of being deemed the protector of said Princess. Did the Gods know she would need someone to guide her, care for her until she was ready to meet her destiny? If one believed Ik-su, their lives had been pre-destined long before their births.

Either way, be it providence or simply luck of the draw, what was done was done and it boiled down to one simple fact, this boy was in love with this girl.

Yona wasn’t sure at what point Hak was no longer just her friend or bodyguard but something else entirely because there was no dramatic shift in their relationship, at least not one single point in time that she could say, there, that’s when it happened. But it did change during their travels and by the time they had made it to Shisen, Yona was seeing him in a different light, one familiar and yet so completely unlike the feeling she was used to.

With Soo-Won it was almost as if she had convinced herself of being in love with him. Fawning in a juvenile longing over a boy that really did nothing to reciprocate her feelings only treating her like the little sister he never had. Maybe she had swayed her heart towards him, he being the only other royal she knew, and when you grow up being told you needed to marry a royal, it made sense to latch on to a convenient choice.

Hak on the other hand was always around too, just as much and more than Soo-Won. Why hadn’t she considered him? Well, he wasn’t a royal as he had so bluntly pointed out in their formative years, but he had always been in line for General, the highest position in a tribe, wouldn’t that be similar, she had once thought so.

Of course, he was always picking on her, making fun of her or teasing her… but then again… he still looked after her, made sure she was okay, safe, even kept her secrets. Hak would whine and then do what she wanted, they would fight and then make up again. Neither seemingly capable of turning the other away. And, he was the one person she would always run to, even as a child…

She didn’t want to admit he had been right, what he had said at the gates of Fuuga, that once they became fugitives and he was no longer the General of the Wind tribe, he had no obligation to protect her. She had forced herself onto him, but he could have refused, slipping away somewhere safe and sound, and yet he continued to put his life on the line for her.

And now look at the situation, the one she had first given her heart to, killed her father and ordered her execution, but the one who deserved her heart, who showed time and time again how much he had earned it, was the one she hadn’t chosen. Until now. Her soul warmed to the realization that Hak was the one who truly deserved her heart and she was ready, at least on the inside, to give it to him.

But now she wasn’t sure what to do about these newly found emotions. She wasn’t ready to tell him how she felt yet, when they had so many other things to focus on, like surviving. Yona knew she was already a burden on Hak, and no, this just wasn’t the right time. Eventually she’ll have to, when she was ready, maybe, even if it had to wait until their Kingdom had been restored.

She knew it was necessary for them to go their separate ways, it would be faster in order to stop the attack on Xing, and it’s not like she wanted to be away from Hak, nor would he like the idea either. If something were to happen to her he would no doubt tear this Kingdom apart in his grief. But she couldn’t take him in case she ran into the one person she knew Hak wanted dead.

“Hak, you go ahead over to the wind tribe first. I will slow-down Soo-Won’s, the Sky tribe’s army’s.”

“You know you’re not going anywhere without me, right?” Min-Soo offers to accompany her and Algira but that isn’t good enough. He reaches out, “Wait a moment, you think I’m going to let you go alone?!”

“Just go. The Wind tribe is surely waiting for you Hak. I might not be able to do much, but I’m going to try doing what I can so that I won’t have any regrets. And, then we’ll go and meet with the four dragons, Yoon, and Ao. Okay?” smiling big. “I’ll just be gone for a little bit!”

“I,” lowering his head, “understand. I’ll be waiting.”

“Hak…” clutching at his hood, Yona pulls him down for a quick kiss. Hak is so surprised that he can only stare down at her wide eyed, even after it ends, his mind blank. “Well,” she blushes, stunned with herself, and turns to leave, “I’ll be going now…”

As soon as she was in the carriage heading to seek out Tae-Jun’s assistance, Yona puts her head down to mull over what she just did. Something in her body propelled her forward before her mind could even process why, she had reached out and pulled Hak into that kiss. What was she thinking when she saw how sad he looked, that in case she never saw him again, he would hopefully know how she felt? That she didn’t want to leave, and it was a promise to come back to him?

In all the years she had been in love with Soo-Won never once had she even considered acting upon her emotions and yet today with Hak, she had done just that. The inclination to want to feel his lips against hers flowed so smoothly and easily that after it was done, and her brain had caught up with her actions, only then did it hit her. ‘Oh my god I kissed Hak!’

What was Hak thinking now? She hadn’t stuck around to find out but based on the stupefied look on his face, his mind had probably blanked out. He was always the one to tease her, touching her, and doing other perverted things, but when the act was committed on him, he reacted strangely. What if he didn’t like it? He had pulled back didn’t he, ‘maybe he’s gonna be mad at me now!’ Clutching her face in horror, ‘No! I need to focus right now but, please don’t let him be mad at me because I…’

Why was it so hard to admit it, to get the words, ‘I want to say out of my mouth?’ Maybe that was part of the reason for the kiss, to act without words, to convey how much she wanted him to always be with her, in any way, shape, or form, for the rest of their lives…

“Hak I’m sorry about yesterday!”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I’m sorry… I overheard your conversation with the people of the Wind tribe. I’ve always felt like I stole you away from the Wind tribe, and what’s more you have, you have a fiancée.”

“Fiancée? Ahh, you mean Ayame. I see, that’s why you were pushing me to go back, and said that stuff about returning my freedom?”

“Yeah but, I don’t think that you’re unneeded or anything like that, it’s just that, you’re very precious to me, so, stay with me…”

‘I can’t take this anymore!’ “What’s with that, I told you, didn’t I? Many times! I won’t leave you! Like hell I’d leave you!! And that’s not because I feel obligated not to. Get that through your head already!! The place I go home to is here!!”

“I’m sorry…”

“I accompanied you, was overwhelmed by your strength and passion, and decided to live for you. The pride of serving someone… The one who taught me that was you!!”

“Hak…” wiping away the tears. “You might have been exasperated by all the things I’ve said but, can I ask you one thing?”

“Yes?”

“What will you do about Ayame?”

“Ugh,” running his hand over his face. “Look I don’t like being at the center of misunderstandings, so I’ll just say this…” Facing her directly once more. “The one I like is you damn it!!!”

“Eh?”

“Don’t ‘Eh’ me!! I said Ayame has a partner already. I like you and I don’t have a fiancée goddammitt!! I'm tired out for today!! Have you understood everything?”

“Y-yes…”

“Great! Ahhhh! Much better.” Hak walks away standing tall and feeling lighter than he ever has after releasing all that weight from his heart leaving a bewildered and bright red Yona sitting there to process what just happened.

After wolfing down dinner, Hak settles onto his bedroll and closes his eyes. He felt so much more relaxed that the burden of hiding his feelings for Yona would no longer be necessary. It was out in the open, with witnesses, she heard him loud and clear, and it looked like she understood every word he had spouted. Sigh, he had buried those emotions down for so long… Would he be able to carry on as if nothing had changed?

He still wasn’t sure what her opinion was or how she may feel now, even that kiss back in Saika, was there a meaning behind it? Yona has kissed him so smoothly, casually… He wanted to be angry that she had pulled such a thing on him but, it also didn’t make sense since she wasn’t one to act in that manner. How many times over the years he would tell her to just confess to Soo-Won how she felt and yet she was too embarrassed.

How, when did the Princess develop the courage to up and kiss him? He could ask her, but chances were greater that she would clam up in embarrassment again. That girl, so innocent and childlike and yet for all his physical strength she was so much stronger than he. In a relatively short time, he watched her go from broken to a force of the heavens and it only made him want to be with her, in whatever capacity he could take, for the rest of their lives…

Things couldn’t be more dangerous as they were right now for Yona and the growing opposition to Soo-Won’s position. It seemed as his master plans slowly fell apart and the Princess’ supporters grew in both number and title, so too did the attacks in order to maintain the power he had taken by force. And this latest battle was no different, with the resistance force defeating and pushing back the royal army but not without casualties… including Yona.

She had been hurt before in fights, but never this grave, and that left everyone on high alert for if the Princess were to die, so was the hope of saving Kouka Kingdom. Yoon did his best assuring their group that she was by no means at deaths door, but it would be tenuous for some time, and that her unconsciousness was due to her bodies attempt at healing. And so, they waited, the dragons taking turns guarding her tent and their campsite, Jae-ha, surprisingly falling back into a leadership role like he served in Awa. It helped to keep their spirits high, and their progress from slipping but Hak was beside himself and refused to leave Yona’s bedside.

Two days later, Yona finally opens her eyes and turns her head to see Hak sleeping next to her, still clutching her hand, and a weak smile crosses her face. All she can tell is it must be nighttime and if it wasn’t for the moonlight, Yona may not have known it was even him. Who was she kidding, sighing in her head, who else would it be? Slipping her hand from his grasp, “Hak?” she whispers caressing his face with the small amount of strength she can muster.

His brows furrow and eyes pop open. “Princess?!” Hak’s so happy to see she’s awake, he forgets himself and hugs to her prone body, repeating her name over and over as the tears he had been holding back finally stream down his face.

“Hak…” she repeats, cradling and caressing the back of his head as tears of her own pool in her eyes, “it’s okay Hak…”

“No!” sobbing aloud, “it’s not okay! You shouldn’t have gotten hurt, this is my fault, I didn’t protect you…”

“You know that’s not true,” voice soft and serene, “Hak you can’t be everywhere, I should have protected myself better.”

“Yes, it is. I know Zeno did his best, but there were too many attackers, so I shouldn’t have left your side,” clutching at the bedding and burying his face deeper into the fabric. “What if… There’s no way I could go on if I lost you…”

Yona’s heart skips and her body flushes, but unlike before, a sense of peace washes over her. She stops caressing his head, “Hak, please look at me…” A few seconds pass, but he finally lifts his face to look at her and what he sees is such a tranquil expression, it calms him instantly. She smiles and places her hand against his cheek, “I love you.”

“Prin…cess…”

Like a repeat of their first, Yona clasps both of his cheeks and pulls the dazed man closer and settles her lips against his in a soft kiss, repeating those three little words upon their release. Hak props himself up and rolls to his side, still stupefied, touching where her lips had left their lingering warmth. Yona lightly giggles at seeing her tough man acting like a confused little boy. “Hak, you’re not dreaming,” taking hold of his hand, “I said I love you, I have for awhile now, I just couldn’t get the words to come out.”

He looks at her, “You waited until you almost died to tell me this!” Face palm, “I swear you enjoy torturing me.”

Pouting, “I do not,” growing into a grin, “well maybe sometimes, and that’s only because you do it to me!”

Laughing, “we’re both kind of idiots aren’t we,” sigh, “you know if we hadn’t been pushed out of Hiryuu Castle, I would have taken my feelings to the grave.”

“And I would have never realized that it’s you who I should have given my heart to, not him. I don’t know if I deserve you, but Hak, you definitely deserve me, a thousand times over for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Princess…”

“Yona.”

“Y-you want me to call you Yona? But…”

“Hak, if we do take back Hiryuu Castle, and if I regain my position, will you… be my King?”

“You’re serious?” she nods. “You can’t be… I’m not King material...”

“Oh, so would you rather I marry someone else?”

“No.”

“Well then, I guess you have no choice.”

“Why do I feel like I was just blackmailed?”

“You don’t need to decide now, Hak…”

“Idiot, of course I’d marry you! King or not, I don’t want anyone else to have you!”

“Then it’s settled,” patting his arm, “now go back to sleep.” She closes her eyes, a smile on her face.

Hak narrows his eyes, ‘this little…’ “Yona?”

“Hmm,” peaking at him. “Did…” before she can say anything more, Hak had swooped in and crashed his lips roughly against hers, gaining a small squeak out of the young woman. After the initial shock, Yona melts into the kiss, lifting her head to add pressure, and her fingers threading into his hair while Hak cups the back of her neck to lend support and keeps himself propped up to her side.

A deep rumble in his chest breaks the still of the air, to be answered by a purr of her own and when they finally break from the kiss, Hak keeps his forehead leaning against hers. “Should we tell the others?” she asks quietly.

“We can worry about that tomorrow, but since it was droopy-eye’s turn to guard, he probably already knows.”

They hear a ‘Tch’ coming from outside and Yona giggles, “You’re probably right.”

“Now,” he gives her a small peck, “time for you to get more rest,” settling on his side and closing his eyes. “Good night, Yona.”

“Good night,” yawn, “Hak.” As she closes her eyes, Yona utters a small prayer of thanks to the Gods for the angel beside her and for some reason, she knows everything is going to be alright.

“Yona?” there is a knock at her door, “Are you ready to go down to the temple?” Her mind is jostled out of the memories she had just been daydreaming about, their childhood, all the struggles, how they’d finally overcame their hearts…

“Oh, yes I am Yoon. Is Hak on his way?”

“Yes, Jae-Ha is escorting him.”

“Alright, I’ll be out in a minute…”

And now here they were, about to be married, a new Queen and her King. Everything was ready for the wedding and coronation ceremonies happening that afternoon. Guests had been arriving over the past week, all the food was being prepared, flowers and decorations set up. But as excited as they both were for their future together, Yona and Hak were also nervous. They each sit in separate rooms, their kimono’s on, Yona’s hair and makeup done, now all that remained was to wait until they were called upon.

This had been such a long journey for the two, if you counted back to the beginning. So many memories stemming over their lifetimes starting as childhood friends and ending at the beginning of their adulthood. Good times, bad times, hardships, and times of happiness. And while they sat in their rooms, awaiting the next step of this journey, the memories of how they got here flowed through like an endless river.

Their childhoods filled with playing on the castle grounds, oh how Hak loved to tease her when they played, like that time he scared the hell out of her during hide and seek, and yet whenever she was scared, he was also the one she ran to for comfort. It wasn’t until she was older that she realized how improper it may have been to sleep next to him, but at the time, if it helped the nightmares to go away, so it didn’t seem like that big of a deal.

It must have been inevitable that her father would choose Hak to be her bodyguard considering they were often with each other, and even from a young age, he had proven himself to be a skilled warrior worthy of protecting a Princess. But if you counted the fact they also bickered constantly, no, back then it didn’t make a whole lot of sense to her and it was much later after the promise was made that she found out, Hak had originally turned down the position. If he had said no once, what made him say yes, the second time? Had that encounter with Tae-Jun made such a big impact on his decision?

All Yona knew, was that if Hak was a pain before that moment, she could have sworn his sarcasm and teasing only escalated after it, and it drove her crazy. He was so quick witted, making fun of her looks, her size, her intellect, nothing got past him, and wasn’t afraid to say things even in front of her own father, the Emperor! She had no idea why he would act that way. Well okay, so maybe she fueled some of it, taking advantage and using him for her own devises. Hind sight is easier to help one see why things may have happened a certain way.

But if there was one thing she was sure of now, is that when she needed him most, Hak was the only one to take her side, no questions asked, with a fierce loyalty that was unmatched even by the Dragons born to protect her. That night of her father’s death, and when her innocence was shattered forever, Hak was the dark angel who saved her. When the Fire tribe soldiers had them cornered on the cliffs, again, he put his own life before hers, and it ignited a blazing virtue in her own soul.

And yet, the first time she saw Hak truly get scared was not during an actual battle but when they were looking for the Blue Dragons and the tunnel had trapped them. She herself was afraid of never seeing him again, but the look on his face when he broke through, and the way he hugged her so tightly afterwards, he really had been terrified. It was a new side to Hak that was starting to draw her in closer.

Yes, somewhere along the way she had started to look at Hak through the eyes of a lover. She wanted him, craved his company and attention. She would get irritated if other females were around or made any moves to get close to him, and when he’d turn them down it made her feel better, relieved.

Having those feelings bottled up only made situations start get a little awkward or it would cause them to behave in ways that confused each other. Like the first time she kissed him or when he confessed his feelings for her. Actions triggered by raw emotions that bubbled in their hearts waiting for freedom.

Too bad it took a long time for them to adjust to these feelings. You could blame inexperience, naivety, just the circumstances that surrounded them as the reasons. I mean, it is difficult to worry about liking someone when you need to put more effort into simply surviving. Now she can laugh about it, but it was a weird timing to tell a guy you loved him after you almost died.

But, looking back at it all, Yona, Hak, neither would trade those precious moments or memories for anything in the world. Their lives before her Sixteenth birthday were fun times despite the bickering and the tragedy that came afterwards had led them to the greatest gift either could have ever asked for. Lifetime friendships, adventure, and a love that will stand the tests of time.

~~xx~~

“… I have waited so long for this moment little miss,” Zeno whispers, smiling as he guides Yona towards the man she was about to marry. “I’m glad you are my new Queen.”

“Thank you, Zeno,” taking a deep breath, Yona smiles at how regal Hak looked in his ceremonial kimono, flanked by the dragons and Yoon that is was all so surreal. “It’s almost too good to be true but we made it here…”

#hakyona #hak and yona #how we got here #akatsuki no yona #petri808 #fan fic #yona of the dawn

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heyymonkey2 · 7 years

Text

First Night Back in Fuuga Ch 26: This Is War

AO3 Link to Chapter 26

Summary: Yona, Hak, and the Dragons come to defeat Kai… and take back the throne

When Jae-Ha finds Yona and Hak at the edge of camp in the twilight, the couple sends him off to gather Yun and the other dragons.

By the time the dark of night has fallen, they’re all making plans together in a private tent. Everyone is thrilled Yona and Hak have decided to stay and fight. Except maybe Jae-Ha. He watches on the sidelines, thinking and thinking.

In the center of things, Yona talks through various strategies with Hak. She’s amazed by him -- he knows every player’s resources, motivations, and talents. Anticipates exactly what the deadly collision of all those things will look like. Where each piece will move at every turn. And how to be ready for all of it.

There are many basics Yona has come to accept...

Worst comes to worst, their unexpected appearance at the border will earn them a head-on attack. Their odds will be pretty bad in that case. But the fallout from such a move could cost Kouka the war with Kai. They’re trusting that Soo-Won wouldn’t choose that. That is, if he’s in any control anymore.

Best case, Yona and Hak will be allowed to fight alongside their countrymen. And after Li Hazara is taken out of the equation, there will be a moment of truth at the center of the battlefield between Hak and Soo-Won. Hak has been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time...

But most likely, any settling of personal vendettas will be prevented and instead a civil war will be incited. Yona is shaken at that concept. Losing many of her own people over these continued corrupt politics? Her heart can barely stand the thought. And yet, what other way is there if they can’t get to the sitting king?

That. Killing Soo-Won… when Hak mentions it, his speech is clipped. He moves over the event as though a doctor stating how to treat a wound. There is one clear way to survive, brace yourself -- some things must be done. And yet, Yona is unable to accept the event actually happening. That Soo-Won is over in camp somewhere breathing right now. And that by nightfall, he might not be.

Hak watches Yona, wondering what’s going through her head about all this. Even though she’s made up her mind to fight and he’s made up his to support her goals… he’s her bodyguard, sensei, husband, lover, and friend. He cannot help but be sincerely full of fear. Is she afraid, too? What wouldn’t he do to protect her out there?

Jae-Ha worries about that very thing. On the side of the room, he continues to sit quietly dreading tomorrow... if Hak is distracted trying to protect Yona dear, he’ll only be half the warrior he can be. And that is a dangerous state to be in during war.

Finally, the whole family agrees -- for tomorrow to work, they will need to trust each other and most of all put their faith in Yona. Because Yona possesses a very unique talent. Something they’ve seen from visiting small villages to negotiating peace with entire countries: she moves hearts. And she has much to set in motion tonight. Any successes will directly lead to lives being saved. Because she will not continue in hiding nor will she support the current corruption in the palace -- she will be standing up to make her claim for the throne.

So with all their plans laid out, cloaked and with Jae-Ha as her escort, Yona takes off into the sky...

Kyo-Ga polishes his sword, mind focused on the task ahead… to be the best general he can for his people. He hears someone enter and turns in alarm--

“You… princess… it’s very late.”

Yona has come with Jae-Ha and they are otherwise alone. She lifts her palms wide open to indicate she comes peacefully.

“Please don’t worry, General Kyo-Ga. No one knows I’m here, nor will they ever have to. I’ve simply come to relay information… that only I can,” Yona goes on to bring up his father and what happened with Li Hazara… draws on that emotion in relation to what happened with her own father… tells him to look to that very event to see Soo-Won’s means to ends… and to look to Tae-Jun to see what a nation under her influence would look like.

“General Kyo-Ga, I beseech you, if you truly have a heart for your people, then join me in ending this betrayal and bloodshed once and for all...”

Kyo-Ga’s expression turns to awe as he sees the fire in her eyes...

Tae-Woo lays awake flicking straw into the air, seriously bummed about Hak having been missing all night… tonight of all nights. Would he be back in the morning?

Flick!

“Still playing around at this hour?”

Tae-Woo turns in relief, “Lord Hak!”

Hak’s expression is that of a person about to make a request.

Yesss, Tae-Woo smiles deviously, so ready for whatever this is gonna be, “Bring it on.”

The air in the room is suddenly full of energy from the mix of steadfast loyalty and a favor to be made...

Lili is putting a cloth over Min-Soo’s forehead to calm his fever when Jae-Ha and Yona arrive with Yun in tow.

“Yun can look after him from here. We have a favor to ask of you…”

Lili looks to her friends with determination, “Anything.”

“Your father... we need to speak with him privately.”

Lili considers… this could be incredibly difficult at this hour, but… “You can count on me. I’ll go to him now.”

The morning breaks like any other -- calm, bright.

Yona smiles at Hak’s familiar scent as she comes to… her eyes open to meet his staring pleasantly back at her. They’re nestled together with the dragons. Like old times. She leans up and presses her lips to his -- her favorite thing in the world might be waking up next to this man. The feeling of gratefulness and joy radiates through her, giving her strength. Hak savors the feel of her lips -- the touch fires him up like nothing else. As they pull apart…

“How did it go?” Yona whispers.

“The Wind is behind you,” Hak brushes a strand of crimson hair off her face to behind her ear.

She smiles, hardly believing their good luck, “Kyo-Ga, too.”

Hopeful but skeptical, “Joon-Gi?”

“Lili tried, she really did. But…”

“He refused to meet with you?”

Yona nods sadly.

He kisses the top of her head and encourages, “You’re gonna have some dragons fighting on your side out there that’ll be hard to ignore,” he nods the the guys in the room, “Joon-Gi might have a change of heart on that battlefield. Anything can happen out there.”

Change of heart… Yona wonders about Hak’s heart and what might happen out there today. Hearts are tricky things. Just a day before she herself had thought she had to walk away from the people and life she loved. And in the moment it came down to actually doing it, her heart wouldn’t let her. People… are human. We’re all only so strong when it comes to things we love... or loved.

Yona sees Hak looking at Ao sleeping right above her shoulder. She looks up at Ao too -- “Don’t worry about us, OK?” she tells the little furball as she strokes his head.

“You could come with and help protect her,” Hak offers to the squirrel.

Smacking Hak’s arm, “No way! Ao is too precious.”

“What? You’re at your best when you have something to protect. Ao could just sit there and you’d be amazing.”

“I have to be amazing anyway, you know. I have you to protect.”

Hak smiles as he lets that sentiment soak in, “You know what it does to me when you say you want to protect me.”

Yona blushes, then coyly crawls up against him for another kiss.

Hak moves a hand down over her tummy as she runs her fingers through his hair. He’s never wanted to survive so badly in his life. Feeling the warmth of where his hand covers… please, gods, he prays… can I make a selfish request just this once more?

It’s time. Yona and Hak walk hand in hand to her horse. She's ready with her quiver on her back, bow in hand, and sword sheathed on her belt.

Hak offers a hand, “I know you’ve been practicing, but Jae-Ha’s been spoiling you with the flying everywhere thing…”

Yona smiles, taking his hand as he helps her up, “If you say one thing about my weight I’ll--”

“--I’d never!” he smiles right back up at her.

“You should know, I can absolutely get on my own horse now. And ride without you behind me. So don’t worry.”

“But the horseback archery…?” he raises a skeptical eyebrow.

“I’ll dismount…” Yona admits, then, “You should also know I have no intention of losing my teacher out there today. Plan on training me well starting tomorrow, OK?”

Hak laughs, “Drillmaster! A man doesn’t get to rest a single day after war, huh?”

Yona’s eyes serious, cheeks pink, “There’s so much I’m looking forward to with you, I don’t want to lose a second.”

He squeezes her hand, “To be honest, Princess... I’m worried about today. I’m getting better at accepting the dangerous situations you have to go in… but I still can’t rest until you’re back at my side.”

“I know, my love,” she squeezes his hand back.

With all his sincerity, “Don’t do anything rash. As much as I want to ride straight in there together announcing your claim to the throne… if we’re gonna beat Soo-Won, we have to be just as strategic as he is. I’m going to play my part like we all agreed in the meeting yesterday… you need to stay on the fringe -- where you will be helping tremendously. But promise me… no matter what you hear or see in the center, do not go into the fray,” his eyes aren’t a command, he does not command this woman, but a plea -- his heart set out before her to do with what she will.

Yona gently nods with teary eyes, then, “Go and come back to me quickly,” she leans down for one last kiss -- he takes her face in his hands and meets her lips passionately, his everything. He pulls back and they whisper in almost unison, “I love you.”

Their mouths hover there, so close, breathing each other in, for just a moment...

Then Hak turns and doesn’t look back. He is going to take care of this. Everything that the Thunder Beast has ever been rumored to be... is about to appear in full force.

Jae-Ha lands in stride with Hak as he heads toward the Wind Camp.

“You two… troublesome apart, troublesome together. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad it keeps life interesting but--”

“She’s not an easy woman to love.”

Wistfully, “That’s why we love her.”

“Watch it, I’m not dead yet,” Hak warns Jae-Ha with a trip.

Loving the abuse, as Jae-Ha regains his footing, “That’s why I’m here. Are you planning to go do something stupidly brave out there? I was thinking... how about we win this war and then take our time with the whole taking back the throne thing? Maybe all stay alive in the process, eh?”

Hak sighs with a frown. Jae-Ha nods, “Oh, I see. One of those… thinking ahead twenty steps things.”

“If you knew, you’d do the same. Help me protect her, Jae-Ha.”

“You don’t have to ask for that, Hak…”

“There’s blocking an arrow or getting her out of there. What I mean is -- help me protect her. Seeing war does things to people. Especially if you believe the deaths are on your hands.”

“Ah, all that prep in case there’d be a civil war… you’re not going to allow there to be a civil war.”

“Aside from those people not needing to die, starting her reign that way would…”

“Be against everything her father believed in.”

Hak pleads, “Don’t let her go into the center. No matter what.”

Jae-Ha thinks on all that that means for a moment, then, “I care about you both too much to let her do that,” he watches his friend as they arrive at the Wind tent, it wouldn’t just be her who’d be in danger then.

“I promise: I’ll protect our precious Yona’s heart.”

And that sets Hak at ease...

Lili sits in her tent with Yun watching over Min-Soo. She’s moping horribly.

“I failed her. She asks for a single favor… my own father… and I can’t even deliver on that.”

Yun looks like he’s about to lose his mind, “Usually the complaining is my line. You might have ruined me for it for the rest of my life.”

Lili continues as though she didn’t hear him, “I don’t even need to be here. I shouldn’t even be here. I need to be… out there. With her. But I can’t fight like her… I…”

She looks up -- Ayura and Tetora have just arrived.

“You made it!!”

The girls all hug, squee’ing and long-awaited-reunion-level merriment. Yun looks down at his medicine -- maybe he needs to take something for the emotional whiplash in here?

Lili pulls back from her friends, stars aligning in her mind, eyes lit with possibility...

Tetora is the first to realize, “Uh oh…”

Lili dives right in-- “Do you mind if we go see father?”

“...isn’t he about to start a war right now?”

Ayura realizes, “Small detail…”

“I know it could be dangerous, I’m willing to go alone at a point… I just need to see if it’s possible to do something for Yona. To at least try.”

When the troops have gathered in formation at the border, Soo-Won, Keishuk, and General Joo-Doh see it in the distance--

Princess Yona rides toward them with four dragons behind.

Keishuk is furious, “She came? Did you know about this?!”

“...no,” Soo-Won’s even exterior borders on cracking at the sight, but he just barely holds it together, “Defeating Kai takes precedence.”

Even General Joo-Doh is sweating about the complication, “He’s right. We’ll lose this war if we don’t work together.”

Keishuk stares suspiciously, “What exactly were you doing with the princess two nights ago, Soo-Won?”

But Soo-Won is lost in his head, frantic, “Where’s Hak…?” he’s scanning over the troops -- ah, there, just like they’d discussed, the Thunder Beast is at the head of the Wind alongside Tae-Woo.

Keishuk has seen too much of Soo-Won’s obsession on this topic, “Why are you always so concerned about that man? You have thousands of troops at your disposal!”

“...” Soo-Won is trapped. This is really happening. They didn’t leave. Then they’re… standing against him? Even if by all appearances they’re fighting alongside him now… they all know, they all know what comes next. There’s no more denying, “That man… married the princess.”

Keishuk goes white as he begins to gasp, “You knew this?! Did you take his wife into your bed? Or… you didn’t? It doesn’t matter, he has a claim to the throne -- kill him now!”

Joo-Doh puts a hand on Keishuk, which Keishuk quickly slaps off, but Joo-Doh stresses, “We cannot do that now. Wait.”

Keishuk seethes, “Unbelievable,” he eyes narrowing toward Hak, “So win the war first… but remember, there’s much confusion during war. Anything can happen on the battlefield. And if neither of you will do it… I will.”

“...he’s the strongest warrior in this country,” Joo-Doh is incredulous at the proposal.

“If it takes the entire Sky Tribe, so be it.”

Joo-Doh is silenced with shock.

Soo-Won stares forward over their thousands of men, stricken.

But -- the moment has arrived for this war to hurtle forward. Soo-Won lifts his flag. The generals see. The battle cry is deafening.

#akatsuki no yona #fanfic #hak x yona #yona of the dawn #first night back in fuuga

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