Truth in Love

Hakyona drabble

The Fire tribe villagers were so thankful of their saviors they insisted on throwing a small festival in their honor. Still, after the incident, when men were grabbing for the 'Crimson dragon', it left them all wary of staying any longer.

But the Princess, seeing this as an opportunity to serve her subjects insisted on staying, though lamenting that she didn't have anything appropriate to wear.

Fawning over the chance, the inn keeper's wife and daughter quickly bring dresses and accessories to Yona's room, kicking the men out. They would help her get ready.

Hak and the others paced, stood guard, not allowing anyone near and after what seemed like forever the door finally slid open.

"Ah, little miss," Zeno clasps his hands together with a smile, "you look so cute in that!"

"That is beautiful," Yoon runs the sleeve through his fingers, "silk is quite expensive…"

Yona is blushing as everyone ooh's and awe's over the fine ruby red/gold dress and all the accoutrements the two women have pinned in her hair.

But, Hak stood silent in reverie, his feet glued to the wooden floor for she was their old Princess again, his Princess. Visions of their happier days around the castle proper, the times when he would watch her being fussed over, and could only long for more, close and yet at such a distance…

His mind races along with the fluttering in his chest, Yona was as beautiful as ever, the darling of the courts and now, truly the people. He wanted to sweep this crimson blossom up and run away to keep her all to himself.

"Hey Hak," Jaeha slaps his back, "Isn't Yona gorgeous all done up?" He laughs at the bright blush staining the man's face, "guess you already noticed, huh?"

"Hak?" A meager, softly toned voice calls his name. He blinks and finds Yona standing right in front of him. "How do I look?" She has her hands lifted, slightly blocking her mouth, obviously nervous for his opinion was the only one that truly mattered. "Do I look okay?"

The light blush gracing her cheeks only serves to darken the tinge on Hak's face. "Y-you look beautiful Princess," he manages to stammer. "You're sure to impress everyone at the festival."

"But," lowering her gaze and voice to barely a whisper, "you're the only one who I want to impress."

Hak's eyes widen and everyone around seems to move away, giving the two a small measure of privacy. "M-Me? Why?"

Fidgeting, "when this is all over, I hope you'll still see me as a potential wife."

'Oh geez.' Running a hand over his face, "wasn't my admission clear enough?" Looking confused at the others, "or did I dream up that whole confession?" Seeing them shaking their heads. He looks back to Yona, "they're saying no."

"Y-you said you like me but that could change…"

With eyes softening, he takes her hands away from her mouth, kissing the tips of her fingers, "it hasn't changed in years, so why would it now or on the future?"

Moisture gathers in her eyes, glistening in the afternoon light. "Hak…" standing on her tippy toes she plants a small kiss on his lips.

His wide eyes look over to their friends to see shock and dropped jaws on everyone's faces saying it all. "I'm really not hallucinating, am I?" More shaking heads.

She pulls his face back to hers, "no this is real…" kissing him again…

"Excuse me Princess?" She turns to see the two women standing there holding another garment, "for your betrothed," they gesture towards Hak.

"O-oh my," Yona blushes again, "Hak's not…"

"You are too kind," Jaeha swoops in, taking the garment from the women and smiling brightly with that all too knowing flint in his eyes, "we'll make sure he wears it." They bow and leave the group once again. Now turning to a glaring Hak, tossing him the clothes that seem to match Yona's dress and smirking bigger. "Put it on Mister Bethrothed, don't wanna make the villagers feel bad for their gesture."

Raising a fist to the green dragon, "Why'd you let them think!"

"It's okay Hak," Yona grabs his arm, "I don't care if a few villagers think that…"

"The rumors will spread," rubbing his face, "everyone's already finding out we're alive and now they'll think we're getting married…"

"Is it really such a bad thing?"

"I'm afraid for you Princess, Soo-Won's been biding his time even though he knows we're alive and this information could force him to act against us."

"Hak," cradling his cheek, "that is inevitable," smile, "so stop being so worried all the time and enjoy these happier moments." Turning to Yoon, "could you please help Hak get dressed, we have a festival to attend."

"Yeah, Hak," Jaeha smirks, "don't worry we'll keep Yona safe."

"I will get you later droopy eyes!" Shaking a fist as Yoon pulls him towards their room.

After 20 minutes or so Yoon comes out, pulling Yona aside, "I got him to put the garment on, but he's refusing to leave the room."

"Thank you, Yoon, I'll go check on him."

"Hak?" She slides the door closed behind her, "Why won't you…" He turns to face her, arms crossed, definitely irritated, but looking past all of that, all she could see was an almost Princely figure standing in front of her.

The colors suited him well enough, his frame even more dashing than it already was in his regular garb. She couldn't remember seeing him in such fineries, but he sure wore them well.

Yona's pulse quickens, thundering in her chest, and blood draining from her face; it was her turn to feel like she was hallucinating for they looked like…

"What, do I look weird or something?" Hak uncrosses his arms, concerned by the strange look she was giving him. He walks up and places his hands on her shoulders, "Princess, what's wrong?"

"Y-You look so h-handsome." She covers her heated and flushed face.

"Is that all?" He chuckles, suppressing the urge to run out and rub it in Jaeha's face. She shakes her head emphatically. "Then what is it?"

Yona's voice is barely audible, "I just pictured us, a-at our engagement dinner."

"Oh, shit…" he lets her go, "see I told you this was a bad idea! Tae-Jun and Kyo-Ga will definitely report this to Soo-Won."

Snapping out of her daydream, Yona grabs Hak's flailing hands, pulling him to face her. "Tae-Jun has thought we were in love for years now, and I once told Soo-Won you had asked for my hand."

"Of course, I remember both of those times, but I'm pretty sure they knew we were lying."

"Well, now they'll know it's true."

"You mean they'll think it's true."

"No," fidgeting a little, "it is true because I… like you too."

The door breaks open and they turn to see an angry Kija, hand at the ready to swipe for Hak, while his brothers are fighting to hold him back. "How dare you!" He screams, "you are not worthy of our Princess!"

"Don't mind him," Jaeha and Shin-ah pull Kija back, "just in shock, he'll get over it eventually. Come on brother," yanking him hard out of the room, "they're in love, just deal with it."

"We'll meet you at the festival little miss," Zeno smiles, trailing after his brothers and Yoon.

Hak and Yona turn back to each other, he's shaking his head and she's trying not to laugh. "Our lives are getting crazier, and crazier…"

"Yes," wrapping her arms around him, "but as long as I have you, I know everything will be okay."

"So, basically don't die, right?" He chuckles, returning her embrace and kissing the top of her forehead.

"Mmmhmm, that's an order."