Shin-ah mimicked the motions that he recalled Calista do on multiple occasions and repeatedly carded his fingers through Yoon's hair, only stopping when the boy gathered himself enough to tear himself away. But the blue dragon wasn't offended.
He understood.
The memory was sound, fully embedded in the youngest's mind. It would be a lifetime before he would even come close to forgetting it.
It was a while before Yoon's cries had completely ceased, calming down with the aid of the comfort of his friends, people he had come to call his family.
After Ik-soo took him in, he thought that that clumsy priest would be all that he would have for the rest of his life. Not that he minded. Ik-soo needed someone to look after him, and although he would never admit it, after meeting him for the first time, he couldn't imagine living without him.
Looking after the clumsy priest, and learning how to look after those rare beasts, stubborn fighter and strong-willed princess, made him feel capable.
But he didn't feel so capable now. Looking over his shoulder, the youngest was startled to find Kija, Jae-ha, and even Hak, gazing at him in concern.
With both Calista and Yona unconscious, it never crossed his mind that they would ever be worried about him.
He shook his head, suppressing a smile that threatened to overtake his face. They were worried about him. How incredibly unnecessary.
However, he couldn't stop the warmth that bloomed in his chest despite their less-than-desirable situation at their obvious care for him. But there was no way he was ever going to voice it.
Glancing down, Yoon's fingers curled into a fist as he squeezed his eyes shut.
A slight smile curved at the corner of Shin-ah's mouth at the restraint he demonstrated and he raised a hand, patting his head.
An indignant cry of outrage burst from Yoon as he swatted at the blue dragon, causing Kija and Jae-ha to crack a smile along with their dragon brother.
Hak crossed his arms across his chest, trying his best not to be impatient at such a rare heartwarming moment amongst the chaos, but he still needed to know the estimated time the princess and his sister were going to take to heal.
He grimaced and looked away, shoulders tensing. "Yoon."
Somewhere between Shin-ah comforting him through his tears and reminiscing the old memory of the rare display of affection and vulnerability that Calista showed him in the past, he moved from sitting between his patients to being tucked protectively into the blue dragon's side.
"R-Right!!" Yoon blurted out quickly, pardoned by all of them as he repositioned himself back between the two bedrolls, nearly throwing Shin-ah's arm off of his head in his haste.
He alternated between both of the girls as he described their injuries in depth to the others. Yona would be okay. Her back injury was severe but he was hopeful that it would heal with some time and appropriate care. As long as he was able to keep it clean and apply the rest of the senjusou they had, he predicted she would be stable within a week.
But in regards to Calista, he was less sure.
She had pushed herself too hard. Her body was exhausted with the fatigue that plagued the normally sharp and vigilant assassin. After the bar brawl combined with the emotional events she had been through with Shin-ah that followed after, and then to be attacked by Hiyou and his drug puppets, it was a wonder how she lasted as long as she did.
But her luck had run out. And for that kind of harm she caused to her body, it couldn't be cured with the senjusou.
Shin-ah stayed stiff throughout the entire time Yoon was talking, legs folded in front of him, a hand absentmindedly petting his trusty squirrel companion every so often. If he felt anxious or unrest at anything, it didn't show in the slightest behind the rigid edges of his mask and tense posture.
Kija grew progressively more and more agitated and Jae-ha's eyes darkened, fingers tapping restlessly on his crossed arms. Both of their mouth's were pressed in a hard line, but Kija's eyes watered dangerously, whereas Jae-ha chose to look away the second Yoon showed them Calista's mangled shoulder.
But Hak, he couldn't handle it. His nostrils flared, dark gaze fixated on the princess' injury. He refused to look at his sister.
He couldn't bear it.
Kija, being the ever concerned dragon who wore his heart on his sleeve, took notice of his internal battle and started forward to console the ex-general, but was stopped short by the green dragon.
Jae-ha threw him a look that very clearly told him not to get involved, and slowly shook his head.
Backing down in defeat and helplessness, Kija yielded, sinking back down on his knees.
Once he was certain the white dragon would stay put, Jae-ha risked glancing at Hak. The Thunder Beast's body was wound up tight, shoulders tense and mouth pursed in a hard line. But much to the green dragon's surprise, he didn't stalk out of the room to exact revenge on the man responsible.
He just stayed. And stared.
All five heads lifted as the adjoining door on the opposite side creaked open once more. Zeno's head popped out and he blinked twice, baby blue hues landing on the youngest in an instant.
"Kiddo!! Come help with the Miss over here." He piped up, waving him over even though it was unnecessary as Yoon scrambled to his feet.
Kija stiffened in alarm. "There's another injured person?!"
"Tetora was stabbed." Yoon relayed to him, composing himself on the outside. In order to treat patients, he had to be calm so that he didn't startle them. And although he was more than confident that such a skilled fighter like Tetora wouldn't necessarily need it, he knew that it would give Lili peace of mind to see him in control. "We called a doctor to take a proper look at her but it's a serious injury, so I'm going to help out."
He hurriedly selected and packed a couple of herbs and medicines out of the array of supplies that were laid out beside Yona's bedside. Calista had refused treatment earlier on the minor cuts she received, but he had to at least stop the bleeding from her shoulder after he knocked her out.
She had jostled it when she tore after Shin-ah and stopped him from pursuing Hiyou, causing it to reopen, and that was most likely the reason why her body shut down almost instantly.
He couldn't stand to see her in agony, so he pinched a nerve on her neck, putting her to sleep immediately and instructed a visibly worried Shin-ah to lay her parallel to the princess.
Knowing how nervous and uncomfortable the stubborn fighter was being treated while she wasn't conscious, Yoon firmly directed Shin-ah to feel for broken bones over her clothes, carefully and cautiously. One wrong move and it was possible to make things worse to the point where she wouldn't wake up at all.
Yoon suppressed that intrusive thought and swallowed hard to force it down. Geez. It was a wonder how she had managed to stay alive for this long, being as reckless as she was. Stupid. Stubborn. Hardheaded.
He fought back a smile. But it was those characteristics of hers that merged with her strength and virtue that made her who she was. He couldn't count the number of times she had saved him or risked her life for his.
She was a stupid fighter, that was for sure. But she was also their stupid fighter. Theirs to fret about and worry over.
She subjected herself to this after all. And now, she'd have to deal with his mother henning.
Pivoting on his heel, Yoon left to go join the Ouryuu and see what he could do to help. He would do everything he could to not break stride and keep going.
Just like her.
As soon as the door closed behind him, a collective intake of breath was audible from the men that remained, an unforeseen weight settling on the shoulders of the three dragons that remained, and one very troubled bodyguard.
"My god!!" Jae-ha exclaimed, face wrought with dismay, making him appear even older than he actually was as he gritted his teeth, nails making crescent moons as his fingers curled into fists. He couldn't keep his knees from buckling as he weakly sank to the floor beside Kija. "All of this while we were out...!!"
He was still reeling at the fact that not only Calista, but Yona and Tetora as well, were badly injured. The urge to hit his head bubbled up but he forced it back down. Doing that might make him feel better for a second but it would do nothing to help the situation.
And it wouldn't be beautiful.
Jae-ha's fleeting moment of humor disappeared as the reality of their situation sunk in. What they had gone through and who they had faced.
And he wasn't there.
Kija looked equally as troubled and conflicted as his brow creased, blue eyes cloudy with sorrow. Eyelashes sparkling with unshed tears fluttered closed. "Even though we didn't bring the princess to Suirei in order to keep her safe, the main culprit was at this inn all along."
Jae-ha didn't say it outloud, but the graveness in his unusually serious features spoke volumes as Kija voiced everything he was thinking.
But Hak.
Hak was the scariest. He remained deathly silent, as white as a sheet. His hands had curled into tight fists earlier the second his gaze landed on the princess and his sister, drawing blood as his fingernails cut into skin. But he didn't wince.
He didn't show any emotion at all.
Broad shoulders hunkered down as Hak fit his bulky frame in the tiny space beside the slumbering princess. Not too close where it would be considered inappropriate for a bodyguard of meager status, but not too far away where he couldn't notice the change in her expression.
The ever slight furrow of her brow as her nose scrunched up in pain. The restless fidgeting in place, only to cease when her face contorted in agony, undoubtedly from straining her back.
Propping up a knee, Hak rested his elbow on it, chin digging into the palm of his hand as he finally looked at the deathly pale figure laying past the princess.
At his sister who had dedicated every single piece of herself to the safety of the beloved princess, the dragons, genius pretty boy, and him; regardless of the cost to herself.
And as Jae-ha and Kija, sensing Hak needed just a moment to process everything, stepped outside. But as they neared the entryway to exit, the white dragon tripped over his feet and the green dragon barely caught him.
They had to pretend they heard nothing. Nothing more than the whistling of the air circulating in the room. And that was it. Nothing more.
But the two of them as well as the eerily sullen blue dragon knew what they heard from the ex-general as he shifted in place, dark fringe preventing anyone from seeing the emotions flitting across his face.
No one would ever be able to forget the broken whisper that shattered the silence.
"I'm sorry."
///
One.
Two.
Three.
Yona wasn't sure how much time had passed, but when she finally stirred, she was startled by the sound of invisible tears.
"Someone is crying..." She whispered to herself, straightening up only for her eyes to fly open in shock. It didn't hurt.
Cautiously, she moved forward, growing curious at the four distinctly colored blobs she saw a little ways away amidst the dark fog that encumbered her mind. She was no longer unconscious, having a decent understanding of what was happening, but she couldn't confidently say that she was awake either.
Perhaps she was in a realm that laid somewhere in between.
Yona carefully crawled closer. Even though her back didn't hurt, that didn't mean her actions here wouldn't harm her present self. And now that she closed the distance, she could see them better.
Dragons?
Crouching down, the princess rested her hands on her knees as she lowered herself to their height. Puzzle pieces fit perfectly as the dull colors of evergreen, pearl white, ocean blue, and golden yellow resonated within her memory.
"Are you all perhaps... The white one is Kija?" Yona trailed off, inquisitive nature giving way to alarm and concern as her gaze landed on the one in front of her, smacking itself in its face. "What's wrong?! Why are you hitting yourself with your tail?!"
She begged him to stop, reaching out to place a placating hand on the tail that was whipping back and forth. She couldn't stand to see Kija punishing himself, it broke her heart.
Once she was sure that he stopped, Yona turned to her left. "The green one is Jae-ha? You're making such a sullen face... That's not like you, Jae-ha."
The green dragon lowered its head, forlorn and hurt gaze unable to meet hers.
Then, she cooed softly, a noise resembling a comforting sound that a certain assassin had used in the past. "Shin-ah, what's the matter? Why are you crying?"
Tears rolled down the blue dragon's face, and Yona's heart twisted painfully in her chest. She couldn't hope to replicate the comfort the Calista was able to provide Shin-ah. Her friend was always able to understand him a little better than she could. They had such a strong bond.
One day, she hoped to have that with—
Patting his head softly, Yona offered up a gentle smile as she coaxed him to look up at her as she erased that thought from her mind. "Please, don't cry... It's alright."
A light tap on her shoulder made her twist to look behind her, and her expression turned puzzled, but it cleared in understanding when the golden claws rubbed her back with the utmost care.
"Zeno, right?" Yona smiled as the yellow dragon nudged its nose against her shoulder, black eyes peering at her with such empathy that she knew it couldn't be anyone else. "... Are you trying to make my back feel better?"
The blue dragon ducked its head under her hand, eyes closing at the contact and her focus shifted once more, reassuring them all, "I'll be fine, don't worry."
She knew that the dragons often worried about her, but she wasn't accustomed to this level of emotion surging forth from them. And for it to be showcased so openly by the ones who usually hid what they were feeling was a feat in it of itself.
Jae-ha guarded his heart behind eloquent words and gestures, Shin-ah's soft spoken nature hindered his ability to convey what he was feeling, and Zeno's heart was still a bit of a mystery to her. She never really knew what he was thinking half of the time they were together.
And for Kija, the dragon who tended to wear his heart on his sleeve for all to see, even he had a habit of concealing just how much he felt for those that were close to him.
Then, it clicked in place.
"Oh." Yona breathed in understanding. "I see."
Resting a hand on the dragon that resembled Shin-ah, she beckoned for the white and green dragons who were staying an arm's length away to crowd around her. It was impossible for her to hug them all at once, but that didn't mean she couldn't try and ease their worries just a little.
Because she was sure that these dragons were the personification of her comrades' true feelings.
"Are you all worried about my injury?" She whispered as the white dragon drove into her chest, sobbing into her front, and she lifted her other hand, waving the ever-hesitant green dragon to come closer too. "Please, don't cry. I was injured because I didn't have enough strength."
Yona's eyes lit up as she remembered what she was able to accomplish with what Calista had taught her. They were able to escape from that horrible man, and they were able to do it together. Giggling, she smiled to herself. "But I prevailed a little bit with my sword skills. Ayura even praised my good form. Say, Hak—"
The world around her became clearer as her eyes flew open, and it took her a moment to realize that the dragons that had seemed so real to her had all but vanished into thin air. When she came to, reality hit her like a ton of bricks and the huge figure fit into the small space beside her bedroll would've made her laugh if not for the overwhelming relief that flooded her body.
"... Hak," Yona croaked out, stretching out her fingers as if she could muster up the strength to reach him. "You're back?"
At the sound of her voice, the bodyguard turned, knees popping from staying in that uncomfortable position for a prolonged period of time, but he paid no attention to his sore limbs as he zeroed in on the princess' sleepy face.
"How're you feeling?" He immediately asked, peering at her closely in case she even thought about lying to him. "Should I call Yoon over?"
"I'm okay." Yona responded after a pause. Her throat felt unbearably dry but that paled in comparison to the fact that Hak was here.
He was here. With her.
"... W-Where is everybody?" The princess managed to ask, holding back a giggle that bubbled up to her lips as Ao pushed a peanut towards her mouth.
As she instinctively stretched out a hand to pet the lovable squirrel, she winced as her back twinged in pain and she was sorely reminded of the graveness of her injury.
"Yoon is with Tetora right now." Hak uttered lowly, steely eyes pinning her down in place and the princess smiled sheepishly. He shook his head in disbelief. She was just as bad as his sister. "The dragons are tracking down Hiyou, the smuggler that fled."
It had taken tooth and nail to pry Shin-ah away from Calista's side, but somehow, Zeno was able to convince the reluctant blue dragon to come with them. He had been brooding ever since the others returned, glued to his girl's side, but it wasn't doing any good.
He was driving himself into a corner like this.
Luckily, Zeno had a way with words, and that paired with his sunny disposition and unique bond he shared with the blue dragon, conquered the fear simmering beneath the stoic exterior that something would happen while he was gone.
"The Mister is here!!" Zeno proclaimed lively, with a wide grin that split his face in two. "So don't worry, Seiryuu!! Both the Misses will be safe!!"
Shin-ah wanted to protest that he wasn't worried, even Hak could see that, plain as day, but after everything that had happened, he couldn't bring himself to lie like that.
A certain raven-haired girl wasn't awake to reassure him otherwise if he did.
So Shin-ah entrusted her to Hak, but not without looking back several times before Jae-ha placed a hand on his shoulder to steer him so that he didn't crash into the wall. And with that, all four dragons set off to hunt down the drug lord and make him pay.
That was over an hour ago, and Hak was surprised to find that he wasn't as worried about them as he thought he might be. Somehow, his weary heart felt at ease despite not having them presently at his side.
Because he knew that if there was trouble, they would be right there to deal with it.
Their loyalty to the princess was undeniable. And...
Hak glanced over to his sister.
And the same went for her.
Leaning down, he rested his chin on top of his knees, peering at the princess blinking owlishly up at him. His bare feet were cold, lacking the slippers he had lent to the pretty boy when he left to go to the other room.
"Hiyou was the mastermind behind spreading nadai throughout Suirei." Hak told her, resisting the urge to bite his tongue and stop talking as he saw a shadow cross over her expression. He forced that feeling down, knowing full well that she would want to hear the extent of what this tyrant had caused to the Water Tribe, even if he didn't think it was good for her to hear.
Well, what did he know anyway?
He sighed heavily, running a hand briefly through his hair. "And it seems like it's not just Suirei, but the entire town that's involved with the black market."
Yona's head rolled to the side, the beginnings of despair creeping up in the corners of her eyes even though Ao pressed her paws against her cheek in an attempt to cheer her up. "I see..."
She knew he had to be someone who wielded immense power and influence. She saw the effects of that through how poisoned the lands of the Water Tribe had become and through the innocent people who had succumbed to the nadai's detestable effects.
That man had the coldest eyes of anyone that she's ever met before, but after the extent of the desolation she's seen, she knew that stopping him would only be a temporary solution to aid the Water Tribe.
With all her strength combined with Calista's expertise and skill set, they still weren't able to take him down. Even if they somehow managed to, it would do nothing to rehabilitate and help the people who had already been hurt.
Yona struggled underneath the covers, propping herself up onto her elbows and gasped out, "Tetora—"
"Yoon said he wouldn't let her die, so she'll be fine." Hak cut her off automatically, starting forward when he saw her in pain, only to stop short. He had to remember his place. And it wasn't by her side as an equal or anything of the sort.
But as the princess preserved in her quest to rise, sheets slipping down her bandaged torso, only to wince and cry out in pain, her bodyguard couldn't stop himself in time.
Surging forward before he fully comprehended what he was doing, Hak caught her by the shoulders before she could face plant into the floor.
"Please don't move." He tried to urge, but it came out more like a scolding than anything else.
It's bad for my heart.
"If you need something, let me—"
Yona's face was bright red as she flushed all the way down to her neck. "I-I want some water..."
Her breath hitched as Hak slowly maneuvered her so that she could sit up without pushing herself. He draped his sleeveless coat over her, bracing a thick arm behind her back to support her, and her heart skipped a beat as he pulled her close.
From here, she almost thought she could hear his heartbeat.
... Huh? Why do I feel so tense? Yona thought to herself, glancing down at her dirtied skin and dried blood crusting the once white bandages. A-And now that I think about it... I look rather outrageous.
Her eyes squeezed shut and her hands trembled, but as she shifted, he caught her hand and tucked her into him.
"Relax." Hak's low murmur sounded by her ear, caressing the shell of the sensitive cartilage and against his better judgment, crowded her closer. Just in case she lost her balance or something. But he ignored the rapid pounding of his heart as he brought a small cup filled with water up to her lips. "Lean your body on me."
Despite her lack of proper clothing, warmth bloomed from Yona's chest and when she involuntarily shivered, she could've sworn that the man beside her clutched her closer.
Hak... is so close!!
"—Hnn," Yona coughed, tears catching on her lashes. It hurt to swallow.
Hak studied her closely. "Were you able to drink it?"
The princess nodded hesitantly even though she wasn't sure if she did. She ducked her head down. Her face still felt hot, and she didn't want him to see.
He would make fun of her for sure if he did.
What's wrong with me? Yona mulled over in her head, confusion clouding her already befuddled mind. When did I start to care how he saw me? What he thought of me?
Deep down, she thought she knew. Or at the very least, she had an inkling.
"... You're being kind of nice today." Yona mumbled, only to look up at the wrong time and catch the grin he flashed her.
"Outrageous." Hak smirked cockily. "Is there ever a time where I'm not?"
Rhetorical, of course. They both knew it. But the princess couldn't find the energy to quip back as the grin he wore didn't quite reach his eyes.
Yona slumped, pulling her hand away from his as she twiddled her thumbs.
"... Hak." She called out softly, heart sinking as he looked away from her. "I fought with a sword today. I did as you taught me to, and it worked."
Her silent communication with Calista during that fight, to look for openings and take advantage of them as soon as they appeared, their rough outline of a plan to the ugly situation that presented itself worked. They made it out alive, with only a few cuts and bruises that would heal and disappear eventually.
Yona's eyes lit up as she recalled the particular move that Hak had taught her, to go for the leg after feinting and fooling her opponent. Half of her wished that he could've seen her do it. "Things would've been bad if not for what you had taught me, so Hak—"
The rest of her plea died on the tip of her tongue as her gaze locked with his stricken expression. Cobalt had hardened into steel, jaw clenched so hard that she swore if she listened closely enough, she would've heard his teeth crack under the pressure.
Her lavender eyes grew glassy and she pulled away from his embrace.
Don't make that face. Yona begged internally, swaying in place as the world around her spun. Without his touch to steady her, she could no longer see straight, but she knew this one thing. She wanted nothing more than to wipe all the sorrow she had caused from his eyes. Please don't look so sad, Hak.
An iron grip seized her throat, making it impossible to breathe.
"I've... had enough water." Yona wheezed to him quietly as he tried to bring the cup to her mouth once more.
Plagued with doubts and insecurities at her own shortcomings, they grew louder and louder until she could no longer hear any rational thought.
If I had more strength. If I were strong enough to fight on my own...
I wouldn't make any of them sad.
Hak's unburdened smile and laughter she had the privilege of catching a glimpse of when they were at the Wanderers' Market. How she had longed so much to see it again. But she was no nearer to seeing it again.
In fact, she feared she had pushed him away into a corner ladened with duty and honor that he had sworn to her father.
Not to her.
He had no obligation to follow her except for the promise that he had made to her father to protect her.
If she had been strong enough to fight for herself and protect the people dearest to her without sustaining injuries like this, would she have seen him laugh like that again?
"Princess?" Hak murmured in concern. "Does your gash hurt? Let me call Yoon—"
"It's not that." Yona replied, but her words lacked the luster it normally had when it came to assuring her bodyguard that she was alright. Her cheeks colored when the intensity of his stare bore into her, calling out the excuse she hadn't even fabricated yet. "— It's nothing!!"
Hak raised an eyebrow that showed he didn't believe her in the slightest. "You say it's nothing, with a face like that...?"
She stifled a sob, blinking back the harsh tears that stung at the back of her eyes. Couldn't he recognize it was because she didn't want to needlessly worry him anymore that she couldn't say what she really felt?
"Hak, you did no wrong." Yona cried out. She didn't even know why she was getting all emotional now, but she couldn't question it. Now when he was right here in front of her, looking at her through those harrowed cobalt eyes. "So you should not, have to feel responsible, for e-every single o-one of my injuries."
"T-This is mine..." The princess hiccuped, the tears budding rimming her eyes red. "This is my injury!!"
Not that it wasn't her decision before, but it became clearer after she clashed with Hiyou. For the Tribes, for her kingdom, she would stand and fight for them. No matter the consequences to her.
This is the path that I walk.
Silent cries racked her weary body.
I chose this path. So please, Hak, don't be sad.
Her earnestness wasn't lost on the ex-general, but hearing her say it like that to him, very clearly transmitting the message of what she intended to do. That when more time had passed and she was revving to go, she was going to be right back at it again.
The princess' plea for him not to feel responsible for her injuries, for this injury, echoed in his mind and he sighed to himself.
She had fallen back asleep, exhausted after pushing herself too much, but he supposed that was partly his own fault for making her sit up in the first place. He rearranged the covers over her once more, the sight of Ao curled up by the princess' head, hugging her bushy tail in between her paws causing him to do a double-take.
He hadn't realized that the squirrel had stayed behind when the blue dragon left. He had been too consumed with the princess when she stirred.
Damn, he was distracted.
Hak's fingertips grazed a strand of the princess' red hair as he brushed it away from her face, and he swallowed, hand dropping away from the brief contact. He couldn't afford to mess up again.
He couldn't allow this to happen to her again.
"... What you're saying is absurd."
Hak knew she couldn't hear him. But that didn't stop him from pouring his heart out to her as if she could. That delicate spirit she once had, now calloused and shaped by all the experiences she had lived through. He would protect it with his life.
"Princess, I thought you knew by now." He scoffed under his breath as he leaned down, resting his forehead lightly against hers in a momentary lapse in judgment stemming from his own heavy fatigue.
"You're too important to me."