Set around Chapter 82-83, after Yona fights off Hiyou and is injured.

Thank you all for the reviews! Sorry this took so long, but I think it's my longest chapter yet- plus I have had a side project because we need more Hak/Yona. Keep an eye out for a separate Hak/Yona story in the works. :)

Re-reading Akatsuki no Yona, I found this part of the story to hold a few of my favorite moments regarding Yona and Hak's relationship- I had overlooked it for the most part in the first time I read it (maybe I was too caught up in the action to savor the romantic?), but for me at least, it holds a lot about their characters' development and changing dynamic- as well as some foreshadowing to future events in Sei.

The sight of Yona lying on her stomach, motionless, was the scariest moment of his entire life. Beside him, Kija gasped and Jaeha stiffened, but Hak could not move. He was paralyzed, some part of his brain screaming at him, at the others, at her.

"She'll live! She'll live!" were the first words out of Yun when he saw their stricken faces, but Hak could not be so easily convinced, not when she looked that pale. That lifeless.

Kija and Jaeha immediately ducked back Hak to kneel at her side, but he stood still, unable to move. He listened as the rest of them spoke, as Yun relayed what had happened to them.

They slashed at her back. Fortunately the wound isn't too deep. That was good, right? His eyes fixed on a bead of sweat on her brow. Even with a shallow cut, fever was always a danger, even if Yun was taking care.

Terror. Rage. Helplessness.

She looks so small. He often forgot how tiny she was. She was always so lively, so fiery… but so fragile. How could he have forgotten? What had he said?

"I'll stay annoyingly close to your side forever."

But he hadn't done that. He had been caught up in this mission- her mission- but what was it all for if she died?

Yun was called away to help the doctor with Tetora, leaving Jaeha and Kija to talk between themselves.

"How on earth…? It all happened while we were away…"

"And the reason we didn't bring the princess to Suirei in the first place was to make sure she'd be safe… to think the principal offender was staying at this inn…"

Their voices trailed off, and Hak could feel their gazes move to him.

"Thunder Beast…" He knew he should acknowledge them, but he wasn't sure he could. His eyes were still on the princess, roving over her bare shoulder, trying to decide if her paleness was due to the injury or simply lack of sun. "Hak. She'll live."

"Hak?" Jaeha stood. His voice was serious. "She is safe." They weren't going to leave him alone, were they? Hak cleared his throat.

"This time," he said- his voice was more of a rasp than a whisper. "I could kill a hundred men to keep her safe. But I can't do anything if I am not there." Both dragons were silent for a moment. Then they were on top of him.

"Siiiiiiiiiiit," they said in unison, pushing him down to the floor. He fell, clumsily, as Jaeha patted his shoulder.

"You make us worried with a face like that. She'll never love you with that hideous grimace on your ugly mug," the Green Dragon crooned. "Kija, Shin-ah, and I will go track this son-of-a-bitch Hiyou down, and you keep an eye on our Princess, eh?"

"Wha-" Jaeha covered the White Dragon's indignant protest.

"You just stay here and watch over her for us. There's a good Hak." A half-hearted insult rose to Hak's lips, but in that moment, Yona groaned softly. Before he knew what was happening, he was across the floor, at her side. Even in her sleep, she looked pained. She must have shifted in her sleep, enough to hurt. So reckless…. He reached to pull a strand of her hair out of face, making the geseture as casual as possible for the three onlookers.

"Droopy Eyes, White Snake…." He sighed, then looked over at the pair for the first time since he entered the room. "Give him hell from me." Jaeha flashed him a daggered smile.

"That, I can definitely promise." He tossed the spear Hak's way- the feeling of the weapon in his hand was a small comfort. "Come on, you two-"

Then, with the slam of the door, it was quiet, and all Hak could hear was Yona's soft breaths. Another pesky, short strand of hair had swept across her cheek. Now that everyone else was gone, he gently moved it out of the way, cupping her cheek in the process.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. He stiffened as she stirred, nuzzling his palm. He sat very still for a few moments, soothed by the feeling of her even breath on his skin. Then he pulled away.

What was he supposed to do? The sooner they hunted down these Nadai smugglers, the sooner this would be over and she would be safe. That was what he had thought. That was the thought that had sustained him throughout Awa, too. But there were always going to be people who needed help- who Yona wanted to help. Who was he to say she should stop?

It was a long time before she woke.

"Hak… you're back."He was unprepared for the tidal wave of relief that hit him when he heard her voice.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, voice gentle. "Do you want me to call Yun?"

"I'm fine." Typical. "Where is everyone?"

"Yoon is tending to Tetora. The dragons are tracking the smuggler who escaped, Hiyou. Hiyou is the one who delt Nadai to Suirei and helped spread it. It doesn't involved only Suirei. The whole town is corrupted by black market trade.

"I see."

"Will Tetora be alright?"

"Yoon said he'd never let her die, so she should be fine," he said lightly. Yona shifted her weight onto her arms, attempting to get up.

"…Ugh!" He reached out, both agitated and exasperated.

"Please don't move. Tell me if you need anything." Yona blew a strand of hair out of eyes.

"I just want some water." Giving up, she moved back to lie down again, and nearly fell. Hak's arm snaked out around her back. Then he gingerly moved her into a seated position. Her shoulders were bare, and she shivered slightly. He removed his outer robe and draped it over her. She made to move again and he tsked, grabbing her wrist.

"Don't move," he said softly, trying to convey the fervent nature of the request as gently as he could, hoping she would listen. Her head nestled into the crook of his neck. "Please, leave your body in my care." She seemed tense, and coughed when she took a sip. He stared, uncertain if she had managed to get anything down. Usually he would make fun of her about now, but he wasn't in the mood.

"Were you able to drink?" Her face was flushed.

"Y..es." Good. He put down the cup and refilled it, just in case she wanted more. She shook her head.

"Somehow you're acting nice today, Hak." The corner of his lips curled upwards for a moment before he smoothed his expression.

"Un-think-able. Was there ever a time I wasn't nice?" She looked up at him through her long eyelashes.

"Such a big mouth." Then she looked down at her hands.

"Hak, I fought with a sword. I tried to follow what you taught me, and it worked." A bubble of emotion rose inside of him. He was relieved. He was glad he had taught her. He was glad that he had pushed her. He was proud.

But he could not get rid of the overwhelming feeling of wrongness. Of the awareness that this never should have happened.

"If you haven't taught me, I would've been in trouble. So, Hak…" She drifted off as her eyes turned up again to meet his. For a long moment, she stared at him, mouth slightly open. She seemed sad, and he wasn't sure why.

She was right. She fought. She had done very well.

It was he who had failed. Yona looked away suddenly.

"I've had enough water." Her voice wavered.

"Princess?" As he leaned in, he saw tears in her eyes.

"Are you hurting because of your wound? Should I call Yun?"

"No! It's nothing-"

"Nothing? But, you're crying-"

"Hak." She turned to him again, appealing to him, her hand reaching for his arm. "You've done nothing wrong, Hak!" Taken aback, he did nothing but blink. Her eyes darkened. "So you shouldn't always have to take responsibility for my wounds. This is…" Her voice steadied, sounding stronger and more certain. "This is my wound."

Hers.

"You shouldn't have wounds," he said, very quietly.

"I will if I continue this path," she said softly. "If I want to keep living."

"You frighten me sometimes," he murmured. He enveloped her hand in his.

"I do? How?" He shook his head, allowing himself to rub her palm with his thumb. Memorizing the calluses- rough edges that he had worn into her, in weeks of training she had ordered him to give her. "You're still being awfully nice, Hak."

"Is it that bad?" he asked dryly. "If you really insist, I'll stop." She laughed, then groaned softly in pain. "You still look terrible, Princess. Go to sleep." To his surprise, she didn't protest at all as he wrapped his arm back around her and lowered her back down to the floor. As he turned away to look at the window, she tugged at his sleeve. He raised a questioning eyebrow, and she colored a little.

"You'll stay?" she asked sheepishly. She didn't know that by now?

"Annoyingly close," he promised, then waggled his fingers at her. "Sleeeeep." She relaxed, nodded, and closed her eyes. Hak sighed, running his hand through his hair.

Her tears left him feeling unsettled. He didn't want to make her cry. He didn't want her to be upset that he felt responsible. But how could he not? She looked at him with that same fierce conviction, with the strength of a Queen, as she did in Awa. And she had succeeded today- she was right, she had survived to this point because he had taught her the sword, and he was glad and grateful and proud, but it wasn't enough for him. It wouldn't be enough until she was untouchable. Invincible. An impossible dream.

But it was her willingness to see these crusades to the end that scared him. That she was not longer protected in a castle with scores of guards under royal decree. That she was going to be vulnerable. That she was determined to be on the front lines.

He kept thinking- all of this time- that he would always be there to protect her. But he was wrong about that. As much as he wanted to deny it, there were some fights she might have to face alone.