Closer

If the scowl on his face was any indication, Hak was grumpy.

Under the fringe of her dark lashes, Yona observed the former General. But why?

"Go to sleep, Princess."

Blue eyes met hers across the clearing, the waning fire flickering in their depths, and she stilled at the intensity in them. His eyes are burning. What has you so upset, Hak?

"I can't sleep," Yona mumbled quietly.

"Try."

Yona frowned at the clipped reply. Raising herself from her laid out position on the ground, the meager blanket she used pooled at her waist. Carefully, she moved it aside, casting a quick glance at the sleeping Yun to make sure she hadn't woken him. The blonde boy never stirred. Kija, the White Dragon, was also in a deep slumber, seeming to have finally gotten used to sleeping outdoors. Her eyes softened as she examined her companions. They're so cute when they sleep. I'm glad in their dreams they have no worries.

Softly, Yona crossed the clearing to where Hak sat cross-legged at the base of a tree, and if possible, his scowl deepened when she sank to her knees in front of him.

"Princess…" he grumbled lowly.

Yona tried to catch his gaze. Bracing one hand on his knee for leverage, she leaned up to brush his bangs from his eyes. "Hak, what's the matter?"

He was so quick sometimes, she barely had a moment to gasp as he swiped her hand away, rolled to his feet and somehow carried her with him. Startled, she stared up into his face from her position cradled bridal-style in his sinewy arms. His eyes were dark, something swirling in them that she couldn't name, but incited a slow burning heat in the pit of her stomach. "H-Hak?"

Silently, he carried her away.

Beginning to feel irritated, Yona pouted up at him and crossed her arms. He was always this way. Direct and yet not. Always a mystery. Strong-willed and always doing as he pleased with little explanation. But still, she relaxed in his grip. Despite him acting so strange, he would never hurt her.

They didn't go far, just breaching through the trees and away from prying eyes. Hak released her and she tutted as she straightened out her clothes. Planting her hands on her narrow hips, she looked at him expectantly. "Mou, was this necessary? Couldn't you just tell me there? What is going on with you?"

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, something both sardonic and resigned in the expression and Yona wavered. He's never looked like that before.

Closing the distance between them, Hak loomed over her and she stepped backwards. When her back met the trunk of a sturdy tree, she internally winced. Of course he would corner me. He was frustrating that way. Trying to intimidate her all the time.

Defiantly, she glared up at him and quirked an eyebrow. "Will you tell me now?"

"I do have you where I want you," Hak intoned thoughtfully, caging her in between his arms.

Yona felt her breathing become shallow. Trying to lean back further, her fingers scraped against the bark and she tried not to appear as flustered as she felt. "W-What?"

He suddenly looked irritated, something vulnerable in his eyes that was there and gone in a flash. What was he fighting inside?

"Hak," Yona pleaded, "Please tell me what I've done to upset you. You wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't something I did."

Pressing closer to her, Hak buried his face in the crook of her neck, his warm breath caressing her ear. "I don't like it when you say you want that damn White Snake."

A conversation she had had with Kija earlier that day flashed in her mind, but it didn't make sense. Hak was upset about that?

"I-I don't understand," Yona stuttered. What does he mean?

Hak chuckled darkly. "You're so naïve, Princess. That damn innocence of yours is infuriating."

Her eyes widened. "You're not making any sense!"

"Princess, do you know what it means to want someone? What it means to a man to hear those words?" Shifting, Hak leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers, their lips a scant distance apart. "They can drive you crazy, you know. And to hear them wasted on that imbecile…"

A blush rose in her cheeks, burning hotly. He was so close, she could feel his warmth, the hard muscles of his body pressing into her small frame. Heat pooled lowly in her stomach, and she could feel her blood start to rush, pumping directly to her heart. I-I've never felt like this before…

Hak went on, voice grave. "A beautiful girl like you… so innocent. Untouched. It's like a spell."

Beautiful? H-Hak thinks I'm beautiful?

"I should not ask you this," Hak declared, one hand coiling around the back of her head, fingers running through her shortened red hair, before finally cupping around her neck. "But promise me, you will save those words."

Yona felt dazed, caught under a spell of her own. "Save them for who?" she asked quietly.

"You deserve much more… much more than a disgraced General, but I would ask that you save them for me, Princess."

Ducking his head, Hak pressed his lips to hers and she stiffened, her breath catching in her throat.

He was surprisingly gentle; unsure even. And yet the chaste kiss swept her away.

Have I wanted this all this time? Hak… I…

With a squeak, Yona rose to her tiptoes, throwing her arms around his neck if only to have him catch her fall as her knees buckled. Pressing her mouth to his harder, Hak made a satisfied noise and wrapped his other arm around her waist to pull her flush against him.

Hidden in the trees, Yun watched their embrace and rolled his eyes before quietly receding back to camp. "Finally… idiots."