Chapter 9

It wasn't real.

It couldn't be real.

How long had he dreamt of something like this with no hope of it ever coming true?

How long had he longed for this?

It didn't even matter anymore, Hak's mind was a blur as he continued to kiss Yona softly as he held her face in his hands.

At some point, her own arms found their way around the back of his neck and her hands slowly began to run through his hair. An action he returned in kind as he moved one of his hands around to the back of her head and twisted one of her crimson curls around his finger as her head lay cradled in his hand.

Yona was hesitant at first, seemingly unsure on how to reciprocate given how new this sort of thing was to her, but she did her best. And as she slowly got a feel for it, she began to relax and melt into his arms.

A dream. This had to be a dream.

But it was not a dream. She was here, she was in his arms and was returning his affections with what seemed to be the same sort of desperation he felt. It was better than any dream, because it was real.

He moved his other hand to wrap around her waist and pull her closer, though he knew it would never be close enough.

He couldn't even feel the cold of the wind that whipped through the doorway anymore as they sat there within each other's embrace. It was like nothing he'd ever experienced before.

He broke off for a moment, allowing them both to catch their breath and so that he could gaze into her eyes. Eyes that were now finally looking back at him the way his had always looked at her.

Had they always been so warm? So vibrant? He wasn't sure –wasn't sure of anything anymore as he gently stroked the line of her jaw with his thumb.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that" he whispered, leaning back in to rest his forehead on hers.

"Funny, I could say the same thing" she replied, still a bit breathless and now completely flushed, causing him to breathe a laugh.

"Careful. With words like those I might not let us leave" he teased, his mouth now pressing more soft kisses to her temple and she hummed in contentment.

"That wouldn't be so bad? Would it?" she countered, holding the hand that still supported her head with her own.

She knew it was still freezing outside as more snow began to sweep in through the doorway, yet the cold seemed more like a distant memory as her attention was engrossed in the feeling of Hak's warm callused hands holding her close.

The sensation of his lips on hers still lingering between them.

"You know," Hak muttered into her hair "This is technically the second time you've kissed me"

"What?" Yona replied drawing back in surprise to look at him and see if he was making it up.

"It's true" he continued "Or am I the only one he remembers little princesses chasing frogs looking to change them into princes?"

Suddenly she remembered what it was he was referring to and became flushed all over again, now at the embarrassment of her impulsive childhood self.

It was true, though it had only been a peck on the cheek.

She and Hak had found a small pond on one of the many occasions they had gone exploring, when they noticed that there were frogs hiding everywhere in the tall grasses that lined the muddy banks.

Upon this exciting discovery, they had raced to chase after the little critters, doing their best to try and catch one.

Unsurprisingly Hak managed to catch one first. He had joked that she had give it a kiss before he let it go because she was always acting like a spoiled little princess.

When all he got in response was a confused look he explained to her that in fairy tales when a princess kissed a frog it would turn into a prince.

She had crinkled her nose up at the suggestion of kissing the slimy little frog still covered in mud and pondweed. Instead she had simply put on a wicked little grin before quickly sweeping in and giving him a kiss on the cheek saying that she'd rather give him one instead because if they were lucky, maybe it would make him more charming since he was "always so awful to her".

"Let's not bring up things I did as a kid" she groaned, looking away in embarrassment.

"Well, you have to tell me if it worked at least" he grinned.

"What do you mean?"

"Am I more charming now? Am I princely enough to replace a frog?" he teased and received a whap on the shoulder in response.

"I thought you said you weren't going to be my prince" she laughed.

"Well, that depends I guess on if you want a prince now doesn't it"

"I don't" she said, eyes now finding his again.

"Then what is it that you want" he asked softly, drawing her back to him as their breath rose around them like smoke in the winter chill.

"You" she whispered into the space between them, "Just you. Just as you ar—" but she could barely finish the words before his lips found hers again.

{*****}

Warm.

Hak was always so warm, she thought to herself as they both began to slowly wander back home before it started to get dark out.

They had stayed up at the fort for a few hours before finally deciding that they should probably head back. Both of them had been reluctant to leave the privacy and the sweet nostalgia that their little hideaway always brought them.

Had been reluctant to extract themselves from each other's embrace, not only because of how cold it was, but for how long they had waited to have that moment with each other after so much time wasted in hesitation.

Once they finally managed to head to the doorway of the little house they said a last goodbye to the golden eagles that still soared through the valleys despite the wind and started down the trail home, hand in hand.

It was Hak's hand that now engrossed he attention as they trudged through the powder, now a little deeper than when they had arrived and already filling up their footprints.

It was so warm, just like the rest of him and it completely dwarfed her own. Yet despite that, he held her hand so gently.

Not lightly, just gentle and firm. It was as if he were afraid that if he didn't she might just disappear from his grasp as if this whole day had been nothing more than a dream.

That was what she felt at least, as she brushed her thumb across the back of his hand. Memorised every callus on his palm.

It was odd to say the least. She had always admired his skills with his hands. The dexterity and strength he had developed over the years, yet feeling the warmth radiating from his hand to her own, calluses and all, seemed at such odds with their rough appearance.

A little like Hak himself she supposed. A little rough and intimidating at first glance but warm and gentle at heart.

That was another thing that was always so warm.

His heart.

So protective of those he loved, both family and friends. Always so willing to do more than his fair share if it meant lightening the load for those he cared about, yet it was a poor decision to ever cross him.

Of that she was certain.

But here they were, walking hand in hand, side by side, back home for the holidays. Where the promise of family and a hot meal awaited them eagerly but despite this they still took their time. Still lingered on the snowy paths through the mountain forests.

Neither of them knew how to approach the matter once they were back home. It felt as if it was spoiled a bit to have this wonderful news shared with the others so soon. Something that was so personal to themselves.

She knew it might be a little selfish, but at least for the holidays Yona wanted to have this 'development' per say between herself and Hak just to themselves awhile longer.

Maybe it was the side of her that Hak was always pointing out made her seem like a spoiled little princess but the little girl in her couldn't help but find the idea of sneaking off with a boy she cared so deeply about to be alone every now and then felt ever so romantic.

"What're you thinking about" asked Hak suddenly, pulling her out of her thoughts. He was looking at her with an amused grin obviously watching her day dream for a while now.

"Nothing much. Just wondering what we do now I guess."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I guess we've just known each other for so long I don't know how else to act around you. Do I act like a girlfriend? What is that even like, anyway? Do we say anything to the others at home? Back at the apartment?" she rambled now getting lost a whole new slew of thoughts and concerns.

Would today change their relationship together? –Apart from the obvious that is. At least, would they still hang out with each other and do things together like they did as friends?

"Slow down there Princess, you'll make yourself dizzy with all those thoughts flying around your head right now. I don't think today changes anything really, other than the fact that I can probably get away with a bit more now" he added with a smirk her way.

"We'll both just keep being who we are and do all the same things. I don't think any of that will ever change. The only thing that changes is that I now don't have anything keeping me from telling you how amazing I think you are or how just being around you makes my heart feel fuller. As for the others, that's up to you. Quite frankly I don't care who knows at this point so that's up to you –though on second thought I'd be careful about your choice of words to gramps unless your keen to watch me get a beating"

She giggled at his last remark, not doubting he would be right as Mundok was liable to pick up his spear and chase Hak around the house demanding what he did to his 'precious granddaughter'!

"I think I'm happy to keep whatever this is to ourselves for now. Not to be harsh to the others or anything but for now I'm not too keen on sharing you that much right now" she said leaning into his side.

When she looked up at him to see his response, his smile could challenge the stars for their brightness.

"Well I certainly wouldn't mind keeping you to myself as much as possible either. In fact –" he said, the gleam in his eyes the only warning she got before being scooped up off the ground and over his shoulder "—I don't think I'm inclined to share at all right now."

At first she screeched, drumming her fists against his back even as they both laughed until eventually Hak gave in and settled for giving her a piggy back instead after she complained about all the blood rushing to her head.

And so they went the rest of the way down the mountain like that, with Yona's arms wrapped tight around His neck and her head resting on his shoulder as he held her legs and carried her the rest of the way home.

{*****}

Hey guys! I'm so incredibly sorry that this chapter was delayed for so long and on top of that it's rather short. I haven't given up on this story, don't worry. I just had a really hectic time with school and family the last month of so (a lot of rescuing my poor mother from dealing with her terrible sister-in-law).

Thank you so much for reading (yes I'll say it every time), comments and reviews of any kind are always welcome and I hope you all are having a wonderful summer (it's been so hot I've been dying the last few weeks and hiding in the safety of air-con)

The next update won't be as long waited as this one I promise!

Love you guys!