The darkness, although warm and filled with celebration, chilled Sen to the bone. It was one of those nights, she could tell, one that could swallow her up and never let her see the light of day again. A primal fear set in as hurried past the groups of people dancing around bonfires, their faces blurring and their voices cutting to her core. What they said, she didn't know, but all sounds were menacing to her ears…

It's okay, she told herself for the thousandth time. It's okay, I'm safe. I'll be fine once I sleep.

Although she knew it was true, she couldn't help but pick up her pace. They might not reach her if she ran. A hand locked on her shoulder and she nearly screamed. They had caught her, it was over, over…

"Hey, Sen."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Sen sighed - whether in relief or frustration, she herself could not tell. Looking back at him, she asked, "What is it, Jae-ha?"

She wondered why she had bothered asking—the concern in his eyes was clear even in the dull light of the lantern he carried. It would be so easy to make him use her, hurt her, destroy her… The idea was too tempting. She shook her head to rid it of such thoughts.

"Oh right—I'm sorry," she said, taking a step back. "I got held up. I'll be gone in a moment."

Leave me alone.

"Why?" he asked. "You'll miss all the fun. You deserve it after your hard work."

The look on his face wasn't clear except for his smile - one of mockery, no doubt. His sarcastic appreciation burned, but she would never let him know how badly it hurt.

"How could I distract from the true heroes?" she asked with a smile. "I know you wanted me gone earlier, but Gi-gan delayed me. Don't worry, you'll never see me again."

Let me go.

"I never said I wanted that," Jae-ha said irritably, running a hand through his hair. After a moment's silence, he added, "I'm sorry for being an ass earlier. I didn't—"

"There's nothing to apologize for," Sen said with a cold laugh. "It was the truth, after all. So don't say you're sorry, I won't accept it."

To her satisfaction, Jae-ha didn't reply and just stared at her with a pained expression. How she'd missed that reaction!

"I've got to go now," she said, turning away. He needed not see the sick pleasure on her face. "Have fun on your journey with the princess—I won't be there to pollute her."

Ignoring the lump in her throat, she began to walk. Each step was a stab to her chest, but every bone in her body was telling her to go faster, to run, to hide…

"Can't you stay?"

Sen stopped in her tracks. A spark of anger flashed briefly in her eyes before dying away, as if never there. It was so late, did it have to be now…

"Do what you want," she sighed. Something in her chest overflowed, which emotion it was, she could not remember… "Let's get it over with."

"What do you mean?"

Had she been any less tired, she might have laughed. Why would he play dumb? What was the point?

"What else?" she asked, turning around. Her eyes glowed with a sickly flame. "Use me like the whore I am."

Jae-ha covered his eyes with his hand and sighed. After a moment's silence, he said with a hint of frustration, "Come here."

Sen shook her head. Some lingering pride kept her from obeying mindlessly. Jae-ha sighed again, set down the lantern and walked towards her. Once he was but a step away he stopped and opened his arms.

"Come here," he repeated in a far gentler voice. Sen's eyes widened.

Oh.

He didn't mean to harm her. He wasn't the enemy. She didn't have to get hurt.

Sen stepped forward and squeezed her eyes shut. She heard the rustling of his clothes as he pulled her into his embrace. It pained her to be unable to reciprocate, but her body refused to move.

"You are very brave, you know that?" he whispered, kissing her hair. "And so strong…"

"Don't say that," Sen pleaded. The comfort she felt in his arms terrified her.

"I'm sorry," he added softly. "So sorry… don't know what got into me…"

"It's not your fault," she muttered thoughtlessly. "I know I can be a bitch sometimes…"

"Maybe," he said. Sen let out a faint laugh. "But you're so much more. Fighting like that alone… you're so kind."

Stop.

"Selfless…"

I don't deserve this.

"So strong…"

No!

A tear rolled down her cheek, then another, and another again. She thanked her stars that she knew how to cry silently. He'd never find out how his words affected her…

They stood there in silence for some time—whether it was hours or just a few minutes, neither of them could tell. Eventually, Jae-ha asked again, "Can't you stay?"

"I don't know," Sen sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I have nowhere in particular to go, but I doubt I'd be welcome to join you."

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind," he replied, a faint hope rising in his heart. "I definitely wouldn't."

"You aren't the only dragon, Mister," Sen said, gently pushing his arms off her. It hurt to leave that gentle embrace, but it had to be done. "And you know I'm as useless to them as I was to Gi-gan."

"I'll talk to them," Jae-ha said, reaching out and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You know how much Yona adores you… and the others don't have the heart to tell her no."

"I don't need a messenger," Sen laughed - an honest, cheerful laugh for once. "Which way will you be going? I'll meet you there tomorrow morning."

"Why not stay here tonight?" Jae-ha asked, taking her hand. "It would be simpler."

"I can't," she said, her heart softening at his touch. "If I really am to leave with you tomorrow, I'd like to send my family one last letter. But tomorrow - I promise to be there tomorrow."

Jae-ha hummed in response, clearly less hopeful than a minute before. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Can I see you there?"

"Why? Go back and celebrate. You've been waiting for this moment for what, ten years?"

"Thirteen," Jae-ha corrected her. "And I'll go back after, I just want to make sure you get there safely."

"You won't be able to fly there," Sen said. "I can't find it from above in the dark. It's fine, really."

"Then we'll walk," Jae-ha said, turning around and picking up the lantern, all while firmly holding her hand. "If you want me to come, that is."

Although a polite rejection was at the tip of her tongue, Sen stopped herself and looked around. The darkness still felt menacing and she worried what may become of her if the man by her side were to leave. After a moment's consideration, she nodded. Jae-ha smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Lead the way."

Their journey was long, silent, and uphill, but both felt quite comfortable. The moon was high in the sky by the time they arrived at Ki Yaen. Sen stopped at the sight of the first house they came by - Ke-sel's inn. Although the windows all seemed shuttered for the night at glance, she decided it would be better not to get any closer before sending Jae-ha off. Turning to him, she smiled.

"We're here," she said. "I'd invite you in, but I doubt my friend-"

"It's okay," Jae-ha replied. It was obvious she wouldn't let him follow her in even if he asked. "I have to go back anyway."

"Yes," said Sen, wondering what else to say. After a moment, she added a hesitant, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he said, staring absentmindedly at the ground. An awkward silence befell the two of them. The light of Jae-ha's lantern flickered knowingly, enveloping them in a warm, hazy glow. Perhaps that was the reason why in that moment, Jae-ha seemed even more ethereal than usual. His usually defined features appeared more gentle, his lips more inviting than ever and those eyes - Sen flinched as his eyes turned to her, catching her staring. She looked away, mortified, and cleared her throat.

"I have to go now," she muttered, tugging at her hand. "It's been nice, I'll see you tomorrow, so-"

"Sen."

She shivered at his tone. Perhaps she was tired and that's why it seemed a bit more serious than usual. It's as simple as that, so why couldn't she look in his eyes?

"Can I kiss you?"

"Sure," she said, still unable to lift her gaze. She was afraid of what she might see in his eyes. He let go of her hand and gently cupped her face and, leaning closer, kissed her - on the cheek. Sen's eyes shot wide open.

"Well, that will be all," laughed Jae-ha, stepping away. "I've got to go now. See you tomorrow!"

"You!"

Nearly speechless with anger, Sen reached out, grabbed him by the collar and pressed her lips against his. A deep satisfaction welled in her heart at the sight of his wide eyes, but Jae-ha's surprise only lasted a second. His free hand wrapping around her waist, he kissed her back - a sweet kiss without any intentions behind it, unlike the ones they had shared before. Sen's grip loosened on his collar and her hands slid down to his chest as his hand slowly moved up her back. Eventually, he pulled away and looked down at her with a satisfied smile. She pursed her lips.

"There," she said, pretending to still be angry. "Do it properly next time so I don't have to show you."

"Oh, there's a next time?" Jae-ha asked, lightly kissing her forehead. Sen shrugged.

"It depends," she replied airily. "Will you tell me which road to meet you at? More kisses might prove to be difficult otherwise."

"The North-Eastern road," said Jae-ha, letting go of her waist. "We're leaving at noon, so don't be late."

"I would never," Sen vowed, pressing her hand to her heart. Smiling at him one last time before she turned away, she added, "Good night, Jae-ha."

Good night, he wanted to reply, but there was something blocking his throat as he watched her walk away. Although he hoped she would look back, she disappeared behind the inn's door without doing so once.

…

Feeling light as a cloud, Sen closed the door behind her and smiled happily to herself. With the taste of Jae-ha's lips still fresh on her own, all worries and demons she carried before seemed to have disappeared. Warned of her presence by the sound of her steps, Ke-sel stuck his head out of the kitchen.

"Dreyvet cra," he said, looking at her with a mixture of pity and curiosity. "I've heard of Kum-ji's defeat and, um, that."

"Whatever you're about to say, don't," Sen said mildly. Although Ke-sel had interrupted her daydreams, she didn't want him to ruin her good mood entirely. "I've heard enough condolences today to last me a lifetime."

"What did you expect?" Ke-sel shrugged. "A round of applause?"

"Nothing," she said irritably. "Nothing happened so I want nothing in return. I just wish everyone would shut up."

"You're leaving tomorrow, no?" he inquired. "Even if people talk, you won't be there to listen. You should know this better than me, you've done it before."

"More than a thousand times," she replied with a sigh. "It gets so tiring…"

"His lordship would be happy to buy you a manor," Ke-sel told her, watching closely for her reaction. "You could settle down, get married, have kids..."

"Catch my husband having an affair," she added with a sneer, "try to get a divorce, fail, spend the rest of my life regretting giving up my freedom. Sounds fun."

"Your pessimism irritates me," Ke-sel said, rubbing his temples. "Do you think you can sleep?"

"Four hours, maybe."

The innkeeper sighed and went into the kitchen. When he returned, he brought a small cup filled with a transparent liquid and placed it before Sen. She looked at him in surprise.

"What's this? You want me to drink my troubles away?"

"I'm not getting you drunk, Missy - you'd ruin the reputation of my inn. Go upstairs," he said, pushing the cup towards her, "get some sleep and let me be. Go now, shoo, shoo!"

Sen did as told with a softened expression. After drinking the liquid, she lay down on the soft bed and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.