#yonaxhak

Your three opponents shared a look before Hak rushed at you, swiping at your feet with his spear. You leaped clean over it, landing lightly on your feet. The wind rushed past you as you felt the strength behind his attack. He came at you again, and you dodged him again. At this point, the other two had started to join in. You crouched, then jumped back as you evaded the strikes aimed at you. You could tell, though, they were still holding back. Bringing up your arms in a defensive position, you feigned losing your footing, causing the masked man to stumble so his strike wouldn't hit you and you saw your opening.

Curling your hand into a fist, you punched him hard in the shoulder while he was off balance, and swept your leg under his feet. He fell down hard, sword landing a few paces away. You turned your attention back to the other two.

You heard a shout.

"Shin-ah!"

White hair streamed behind him as the man with the claw launched himself at you.

Your eyes twinkled with mischief and you sprang forward to meet him. His right hand grew abnormally large in size as you both got closer to each other. You ducked under it as he slashed at you, catching his upper arm from the outside and pushing down harshly on his shoulder, slamming him into the deck. Wood splintered under the force and you looked up, grinning as you caught the dark look in Hak's eyes.

This was what you wanted.

You moved first, darting forward precisely. He swung at you, much faster than last time, and you didn't get out of the way in time. Your cheek stung from the new abrasion, but you barely noticed it. Not missing a beat, you grabbed a hold of his spear the next time it danced closer to you, just missing the bladed end as you grabbed the staff firmly at its halfway point. Stepping closer to him, you thrusted the blade down firmly; using it as leverage to flip backwards, yanking it out of his hands. You landed in a low crouch right behind Hak as his weapon clattered on the wood deck a few feet away, kicking him forward in the back harshly. Hak tripped for a second before catching his footing, spinning swiftly on his heel to face you.

He didn't see your leg coming. 

Your kick caught him ruthlessly in the side, sending him sprawling hard to the ground.

Hak's eyes held subtle approval as he picked himself up off the ship's deck. You readied your stance again, bouncing lightly on the balls of your feet as the three formed in a semi-circle in front of you.

"That's good enough." Captain Gi-gan interjected, effectively causing the four of you to relax. "You pass."

The boy and girl that arrived with Hak and the others let out a cheer at the captain's announcement, and you held out your hand for the fighters to shake.

"Great match." Despite the cut on your cheek, your eyes glowed brightly, body still buzzing with adrenaline. "It was fun! Let's have another one soon!"

Hak shook your hand, resting the other on your shoulder for a split second before he went back to the cloaked girl's side. The white-haired man followed suit a little more reluctantly, and the one called Shin-ah just tilted his head, looking adorably confused.

You shouldered past the crew who were looking at you with a mix of awe and admiration, breaking out of the crowd on the other side and joining Jae-ha's side. His eyes were shadowed by his green hair, and you bent your head, pouting.

"What's the matter, big guy?"

It was a running joke between the two of you, because he was so tall. He would often make fun of you, teasing you every second of the day and using his height as means to do so. You furrowed your brow in concern when he stayed unusually silent, but before you could inquire further, you were cut off.

"Go home." Captain Gi-gan's sharp voice cut through, startling both you and Jae-ha out of the bubble you two were in. You pushed through the crowd once more, this time, with Jae-ha trailing right behind you. He was so close to your back that you could practically feel the warmth radiating from his form.

You both arrived in time to see the white-haired man step forward. "If this person cannot join, then we—"

"Kija." The cloaked girl intervened, "It's fine. It's as Captain Gi-gan says."

Your eyes widened in astonishment.

It.. couldn't be...

"But..." You caught sight of familiar violet eyes flashing with grief and determination. "There's a reason I can't retreat either."

You didn't hear Captain Gi-gan's next words as you frantically pulled the pieces together in your mind.

Red hair.

Violet eyes.

Princess Yona was alive!!

Your mouth dropped open. The rest of her group was staring at you oddly, except for Hak, confused by your reaction.

"Princess?" You whispered. Yona's head shot up, recognition overcoming her features as a wide smile broke out across her face.

"Y/N?!"

You both reached for each other at the same time, meeting in the middle, embracing tightly.

"I can't believe it." You murmured in disbelief, "You're alive!"

Yona sniffled, nodding her head against your shoulder. You pulled back after a few seconds, wiping a few tears from the corner of your eye. You caught Hak staring at you, leaning against his spear leisurely with a cocky smile on his face.

You rolled your eyes with a grin. "Yeah, yeah, it's good to see you too."

Then, you turned to your captain, bewilderment flickering in Captain Gi-gan's gaze as she studied you.

"I trust her." You announced determinedly, "Will that be enough?"

Surprise flitted across Captain Gi-gan's features. You rarely said those words. It took months and many trials for her to gain your trust and even longer for Jae-ha, who you were closest to out of everyone in the crew.

You must've had some history with that girl. Captain Gi-gan noted to herself.

"She needs to complete a task to gain my trust. One that you cannot do." The captain said pointedly to you, noticing that your stance had widened defensively in front of Yona.

"It's okay," Yona placed a reassuring hand on your arm, causing you to look at the princess in surprise. "I can do this."

Captain Gi-gan gave the princess the task of collecting senjusou from the Vanishing Cape. It was a rare medicinal plant that had special properties, enabling accelerated healing. Her comrades had protested against it, but you didn't miss the way the young boy's eyes lit up at the prospect of faster healing, easily concluding that the kid, whose name you learned was Yoon, must have some knowledge in the medical area.

Jae-ha had taken Yona to complete her trial, and you stayed behind with everyone else that was left behind as well.

When you asked him directly about his knowledge on medicine, Yoon seemed taken aback, but then Hak bonked him on the head, answering for the pretty boy. "He patches us up after our fights and takes care of any other injuries."

Yoon rubbed where Hak hit him. "I wouldn't need to if you rare beasts would stop being so careless!" He snapped, glaring at the former general.

"So," You sauntered over to Hak as Kija began bowing, apologizing profusely to the pretty boy. "Glad to see that you're alive."

He grinned, uncrossing his arms, extending them for a hug. You laughed lightly, accepting it without hesitation.

"How long has it been?" He asked, pulling back.

"Several years at least." You concluded, counting your fingers.

Hak chuckled, ruffling your hair fondly as you tried to swat him away.

"Still causing trouble, I see." He teased.

You huffed. "Hak, you big meanie!" You whined childishly.

Yoon looked at you curiously. "How do you two know each other?"

You brought your arms up to rest against the back of your head. "I was a servant in the castle for years but then I left. I served as the late king's personal attendant."

"Speaking of which," Hak looked at you curiously. "Why did you leave?"

You shrugged, "His Majesty wanted me to see the world." Closing your eyes as you remembered what he said to you on that day,

Don't regret your life by not living it.

Then, you turned to Hak. "What brings you here all the way to Awa? Along with..." You glanced at his companions. "Everyone?"

"We're on a mission," Hak crossed his arms. "The Princess is searching for the four dragons."

"Yah, Thunder Beast!" The pretty boy hissed. "I thought we were keeping that a secret!"

Hak cocked his head to the side. "Not from Y/N."

You grinned, gaze turning serious as you faced his friends.

"I'm not a threat," You promised. "I would never bring harm to Her Highness."

Yoon eyed you suspiciously. "Why?"

You sighed crossing your arms against your chest. "Contrary to what you might think of me, I remain loyal to the late king, and Her Highness. I have no ulterior motives."

He frowned, not completely satisfied, but you ignored it. After all, you were used to it.

A pained smile broke out on your face but then, it suddenly vanished.

"There's a storm coming." Captain Gi-gan muttered to herself. "That girl's going to be in trouble if she doesn't hurry."

You and Hak exchanged a panicked look. He banged the blunt end of his spear against the deck, gaining the attention of the captain.

"Take me to her." He demanded, jaw set. The captain sighed but motioned for them to follow her as she made her way off the ship.

There was a knowing gleam in your eye, grinning slyly at Hak as you and the others trekked off the ship and up a grassy incline. "Still like her, do ya?"

"Shut up." He shot back, a pained smile stretched across his face and didn't reach his eyes.

You stopped dead in your tracks. "Wait, you really haven't told her?"

He sighed, "It's complicated."

You let the subject slide. There obviously was more to it, but he didn't seem in the mood to talk, his whole body tense the entire walk up to the cliff-side.

You could practically feel Hak's glare burning into you when they arrived, staring at the nearly vertical drop. "She'll be fine." You reassured him. "Jae-ha's with her."

"I don't trust Droopy-Eyes within an inch of my life." He mumbled.

You let out a hearty laugh, "Droopy-Eyes?!"

Hak grinned. "What? It fits him."

"Just like White Snake?" You smirked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't call me White Snake!" Kija exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at you as a vein popped out of his forehead. You stuck out your tongue playfully in return.

Yona retrieved the senjusou and delivered it to Captain Gi-gan. You shared a side glance with Hak as they returned back, soaking wet. Your expression cleared when Yona explained that she nearly was swept off the cliff, but Jae-ha saved her.

That she didn't accomplish it without his help.

But then, as Yona announced she would go back down and get it by herself this time, you couldn't help it. Barking out a laugh, they all turned their attention towards you.

"Sorry, sorry," You apologized, waving your hand, "You've just come a long way since back then, haven't you, Your Highness?"

The red-haired princess beamed at the praise, but there was a sadness behind it. You patted her on the shoulder comfortingly, glancing up at Jae-ha, who had yet to meet your gaze. You frowned. The others went to Yona as you walked over to the brooding green dragon, smiling for a second as you faintly heard Yoon yelling and scolding the princess for being an idiot. You knew he was just worried about her.

"Yah, Jae-ha." You elbowed him in the ribs, frown deepening when he didn't playfully push you away or make a teasing comment about wanting to touch him. "What's the matter with y-"

You were cut off as he grabbed your chin, tilting it upwards so that you could face him. Your heart started to beat faster, his face was so close to yours. Gently, with the utmost care, he moved your head to the side, eyes darkening as they landed on the strip of blood stark against your cheek. The blood had since dried since the sparring match, but you didn't get a chance to clean it, so it still stung faintly.

Jae-ha's jaw clenched at the sight, not missing the way you tried to hide your wince as he brushed over your cut. His violet eyes grew dark, fixating on Hak.

The Thunder Beast looked up, rubbing the back of his neck guiltily. He could practically feel Jae-ha's glare burning into him.

The green dragon bared his teeth, breath becoming heavier as his eyes flashed in anger and Hak took a step back, trying to ease the tension and show that he wasn't a threat.

"Jae-ha..." You murmured softly, still standing between them, acting as a shield.

He barely heard your soft voice through the red haze, jolting a little bit more out of it as he felt your fingers tentatively brush against his hand. His chest was still heaving and he looked like he was about to murder the former general.

"Jae-ha..." You hushed gently. Taking a chance, you wove your fingers together with his, bringing your other hand up to embrace him carefully.

"It's okay," You whispered, breath hot as it fanned against his neck. You closed your eyes. "I'm okay."

Jae-ha closed his eyes, releasing a shaky breath as he slowly began to calm down and come back to you. You held him close to you, repeating words of reassurance until he fully relaxed against you.

After his breathing had steadied for a few moments, you dropped your arm and tried to pull back. You were stopped, your hand still joined with his. You looked at him, puzzled. "Jae-ha?"

A small gasp escaped from your lips as you felt his other arm curl around your waist, pulling you flush against his chest. You were sure you were red by the heat you could feel on your face. Looking up at him questioningly, you were surprised to find him staring straight back at you, unusually serious.

He dropped his face down close to your ear. "Don't scare me like that again." He whispered brokenly. Your mouth opened in shock as realization dawned on you.

He was worried...

You nodded slightly, and you swear you felt him hug you tighter. Then, the two of you pulled apart. You did your best to squash the rising disappointment and ache at the loss of contact, blushing when you turned around and saw everyone else staring at the two of you.

You had forgotten that they were there.

Jae-ha shot Hak one last warning look, which the Thunder Beast dipped his head in grim understanding.

If he ever hurt you again, Jae-ha would not hold back, no matter how much he was impressed by Hak's combat skills. Your safety came first before anything else.

Shortly after, Captain Gi-gan had let Yona join, thoroughly impressed by the young girl's stubbornness and sheer will, and the group had dispersed. The captain, Shin-ah, Kija, Yoon and the pirates went back to the ship for dinner, with the pretty boy snapping at the pirates' teasing remarks the whole way back. Yona had held back and then disappeared in the opposite direction, the others too far ahead to notice she was not with them. 

You looked in concern at Yona's retreating form, turning to Hak, who just shrugged his shoulders before following the princess. You made a move to follow the pirates, stopping when you noticed that Jae-ha wasn't following you.

"What do you need?"

Jae-ha looked up in surprise at your genuine tone. He let out a sigh, "Nothing, don't worry about me."

You crossed your arms, sticking your bottom lip out in an adorable pout that made Jae-ha unable to contain a fond smile.

"Don't you remember what I told you would happen if you tell me not to worry?" You questioned, mischief twinkling in your eyes. His brow furrowed in confusion for a second before the memory came flooding back to him full force.

"Y/N," Jae-ha protested, backing away with his hands out in front of him to ward you off. "Wait!"

You didn't.

Running full speed, you launched yourself at him with a battle cry, tackling him to the ground. He landed with an 'oof', wrapping his arms securely around you as you two slid back several feet, before stopping just short of the treeline.

"Geez..." Jae-ha's eyes fluttered shut as he caught a whiff of sweet jasmine from your hair. It washed over him in waves, bringing with it a soothing sense of comfort.

Of course, having you so close, it was proving to be difficult to calm himself down.

He looked down at you, who was snuggled in his arms contentedly, your arms circling around his neck.

"I warned you..." You mumbled into his shoulder. "You can't push me away. I'm not going anywhere."

Jae-ha felt his heart beat a little faster.

"Now, what do you need?" He caught the concern in your eyes and contained a tremble as a flood of emotions almost overwhelmed him. 

Pulling you impossibly closer to him, he rested his chin on top of your head. "Stay with me?" He asked you quietly.

You closed your eyes.