A/N: The moment we've been waiting for! Plus a few more shenanigans, of course ;)

"Five more minutes…" Jaeha grumbled as Hak shook him awake. Hak just shook him harder.

"Get up, Droopy Eyes. This was your idea."

Jaeha swatted at him, but sat up all the same. "Did you sleep at all, Hak?"

He grabbed Jaeha by the arm, helping him to stand. "What do you think?"

It'd been another restless night for Hak, but a very different kind of restless. Their first night in Fuuga he'd laid awake feeling sick to his stomach, not daring to believe he'd have a chance with the princess. But this night he tossed and turned with nervous anticipation. He just couldn't stop picturing the look on her face when he finally asked her to marry him for real. Every muscle in his body felt tight with excitement, hoping against hope…

Apparently she'd told half the town she was in love with him. And she'd cried out for him in her sleep, comforted when he held her hand. He warmed at the thought. Hak felt a hundred times lighter than he had before, and at least a little more confident. Plus, he had the dragons to help him this time.

"Just don't fall asleep during your proposal." Jaeha stretched, shooting him a grin.

"Ha, ha." Hak rolled his eyes at the other man, but he couldn't resist the smile that sprang to his face. "Come on, the others are already down there."

The hallways were dark so early in the morning, in the twilight before dawn. They didn't have long before the household woke, though, and Hak was determined not to get caught.

"Do you smell…burning?" Jaeha paused as they rounded the corner toward the kitchens.

"Ugh." Hak groaned, speeding his steps. "I really wish Yun was here."

"No, Blue Dragon! That fire is much too high!"

Hak and Jaeha entered to find Zeno dancing around, laughing even as he tugged Sinha away from the flaming oven. "Careful now, careful!"

"Now you tell him to be careful!" Gija cried. He held out his arms, appalled. "Just look at me! My clothes are ruined." Indeed, his normally pristine white clothes were covered in soot.

"Maybe we should trade names, White Snake," Hak snickered. "You're the Dark Dragon now."

Jaeha covered his mouth with a hand, failing miserably to hold back his own laughter. "Gija dear, your hair…"

Gija rounded on him, his eyes wide. "What about my hair?"

Jaeha closed the distance between them, the corners of his mouth twitching. He took a lock of Gija's hair between his fingers. "The ends are singed."

"No!" Gija wailed. He dropped his face into his hands. "Not my hair. Anything but that!"

"There, there." Jaeha pulled Gija into a hug, grinning behind his back. "We'll just cut it short. You'll look so handsome…"

Gija moaned, but the sound was muffled into Jaeha's shoulder.

Hak sighed. "This is a disaster. Can any of us cook?"

Sinha merely shook his head while Zeno shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face. "We really need the Lad, don't we?"

"Hey Lord Hak!" As if things couldn't get any worse, Tae-u and Hyeong-dae materialized from around the corner. "What're you doing here?"

"And what's burning?" Tae-u added, scrunching his nose.

"Not these two," Hak groaned. "What are you doing here?"

"We just got off guard duty," Tae-u said. "We took the early shift so we'd be off for the celebration tonight. Seriously," he added, sniffing the air. "What's that smell?"

"It's me." Gija pushed off Jaeha, hanging his head. "Sinha nearly cooked me!" Jaeha patted his shoulder while Ao scampered over, offering an acorn.

"The Fellow is making breakfast for our Lady!" Zeno cut in, pointing at the basket they'd found. It was pitifully empty. "He's asking her on a picnic."

"Woah!" Tae-u and Hyeong-dae gushed, shooting Hak knowing looks.

"And to think you were crying over Princess Yona just last night." Hyeong-dae grinned. "I thought she rejected you, Lord Hak?"

"She'll definitely reject you if you show up to breakfast empty handed," Tae-u agreed. "Too bad. Lady Lili was sure you'd get engaged today. She even bet me 500 rin on it! Easy money."

"Oho, so you bet against our Hak?" Jaeha materialized at Tae-u's side. "Would you double down and bet me as well?"

"Don't do it, young Chief." Gija grumbled, fussing at his hair while Sinha wiped him down with a cloth. "He can't pay you if he loses."

"White Snake, you think he'd lose?" Hak deflated. "You'd bet against me too?"

"Well, there's no guarantee is there?" Gija lifted a hand to his face, but it did nothing to hide the chuckle in his voice. "It didn't go as planned the first time you asked her, now did it?"

Hak shot him a glare. "Uncalled for," he grumbled. Teasing him was one thing, but to do it in front of Tae-u…

"Wait, wait, wait." Tae-u rounded on Hak, his mouth hanging open in shock. "You already asked Princess Yona to marry you? And she said no?"

"No!" Hak protested. He would kill the White Snake for this. "I didn't ask her, and she didn't say no."

"The Fellow meant to ask her, but failed!" Zeno cheered, as if this were something to celebrate. "That's why he's trying again today."

"What?" Tae-u and Hyeong-dae gasped. They fell into each other, going slack with surprise.

"Lord Hak." Tae-u blinked, like he couldn't quite believe his ears. "You're really going to ask Princess Yona to marry you? Over breakfast?"

"I told him it had to be breakfast." Jaeha threw his arm around Hak's shoulders. "Otherwise dear Yona will find out from someone else. The whole city will know by noon, at this rate."

"Yeah, if you don't shut your big mouth," Hak muttered, stomping on Jaeha's human foot.

"Hey!" Jaeha yelped, jumping away. "Don't be such a meanie, Hak!"

"Forget about it," Hak said, turning back to Tae-u. "I'm not doing anything with the princess…" He trailed off, a grin fighting its way to his face. Who was he kidding? He was too excited to lie about this. Even if it meant the whole town would find out, there was no way he could hide it from them now.

"Right." Tae-u rolled his eyes. "Don't bother lying, we're not idiots!"

Hak surrendered to his grin, letting it stretch into a satisfied smirk. "That's debatable."

"Lady Lili told me it's true the princess is in love with you," Tae-u went on. "So you're the idiot if you don't ask her."

"Honestly, your luck is incredible Lord Hak!" Hyeong-dae added. "To think, the last time you were here, she didn't even consider you a friend! There's no way we thought you'd ever be her boyfriend, let alone marry her…"

Tae-u burst into laughter. "Way to knock him down a peg!"

Hak's grin vanished. "Since when have you been so close to Lady Lili anyway?" He pressed Tae-u, deflecting with all his might.

"Mundok made me show her around after dinner." Tae-u shrugged, but he tugged at his collar too, one of his tells.

"Oh really?" Hak chuckled. Revenge on this kid would be sweet. "Mundok loves to arrange marriages, you know. Maybe you're the one getting engaged, hm? I can't wait to see Lady Lili bossing you around."

"Don't make this about me!" Tae-u looked away, a blush creeping up his neck. "Besides, even if Lady Lili is beautiful and smart, she's kind of scary."

"Scary? I think that means you like her." Hak wiggled his eyebrows. "And what're you laughing at, Hyeong-dae?"

"The Sky Tribe soldiers said King Suwon was engaged to Lady Lili before Princess Yona." He grinned, slapping Tae-u on the back. "I guess no woman can resist the charms of Wind Tribe men, huh? We're stealing all the king's women away!"

Hak rolled his eyes, smacking the boy behind his head. "We're not stealing anyone. Don't be so full of yourself when you're the single one." He rounded back on Tae-u. "And if that king is really interested in Lady Lili, make sure you watch your back. And tell her first, before he has a chance."

Tae-u huffed, going red. "I said this isn't about me!"

"I'm the single one, huh?" Hyeong-dae smirked. "Ah, so you are taken, Lord Hak?" Then they both were laughing at him all over again.

"Ahem. We're losing time here." Jaeha tugged at Hak's sleeve, drawing his attention. "Maybe we should give up on cooking," he suggested. "Looks like there are some nuts and fruits over here…"

"Fine, but she missed dinner! We need something more filling, like rice balls at least." Hak groaned. There was already sunlight peeking through the windows, which meant the regular kitchen staff would be arriving soon. "And I want to make her fried dumplings."

"Fried dumplings? That's oddly specific." Jaeha frowned at him. "Why?"

Hak's cheeks flushed. "Because she likes them. Don't worry about it!"

Jaeha raised a skeptical brow. "Do you even know how to make them?"

"It can't be that hard, can it?"

Just then a rushing sound drew their eyes to the other side of the room. Somehow Sinha had ripped open a bag of rice, scattering the grains all over the floor. Ao scampered around them, sucking as many as she could into her tiny squirrel mouth until she looked about to explode.

"Lord Hak, all you can cook is fish over the fire. And it's not good, trust me." Tae-u grimaced. "You're going to need reinforcements. We'll go get them."

"No, wait!" Hak called, but it was too late. Tae-u and Hyeong-dae were out of the room before he could even swat the air where their faces had been. He sighed. "Let's hurry and finish before they get back. Fruit and nuts are fine, I guess. Do we have any cheese?"

"Hak, this is that tea Yona likes," Sinha said, in his sweet, quiet voice. He held up a bag he'd found. "I can make some for you."

"Yes, that would be very helpful, Sinha." Hak smiled at him fondly. "Just don't burn yourself on the oven."

"That advice would've been helpful half an hour ago!" Gija grumbled.

But they'd barely gathered a few provisions when Tae-u and Hyeong-dae reappeared, this time with head chef Nobu in tow.

"I hear our Lord Hak wants to make Princess Yona fried dumplings for a special breakfast, eh?" Nobu winked at Hak, a sly smile on his friendly, round face. "Lucky for you, I was already on my way down." He paused, his expression falling as he surveyed the room, from the burn marks on the oven to the rice scattered across the floor. "Woah, who destroyed my kitchen?" His eyes narrowed on Gija, taking in his conspicuously sooty clothes.

"Ah, we'll clean it up, don't worry!" Gija grabbed a broom, ducking his head. Zeno and Sinha followed him with a mop and bucket, the three of them setting quickly to work.

"You'd better," Nobu nodded. "I need my kitchen clean. After all, it's not every day I get to make a proposal breakfast, for a princess no less!"

"It's not — " Hak choked. Literally everyone was going to know soon.

"Don't bother hiding it!" Tae-u clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, you know you need our help."

The pitter patter of footsteps running down the hall interrupted them before Hak could deny it again.

"Big brother! Big brother!"

Hak had barely any warning before a familiar little body came crashing into him.

"Tae-yeon — oof," he grunted, catching the boy. "What's gotten into you?"

"I want to help make your breakfast for Princess Yona!" He leaned back, smiling as he pulled Hak down to sit beside him on the floor. "I heard Tae-u talking to Chef Nobu."

Hak groaned, turning to glare at Tae-u. "Were you shouting it down the halls?"

"Don't be mad," Tae-yeon took Hak's face in his tiny hands. "They were outside my room. I wanna help with your wedding cake too!"

Hak froze. "My what?"

"Aren't you gonna marry Princess Yona while you're here?" He asked, his big eyes so innocent and wide. "Everyone's saying you're in lo-ove!" He drew out the word, making a kissy face. "Grandpa said we'll have a wedding before the holiday is over."

Hak froze. A wedding. In days. What would her highness think about that?

"I don't think so." He frowned. No matter how happy and hopeful Tae-yeon looked, he couldn't let the rumor mill get any more out of hand. "Her highness hasn't agreed to that."

"Just ask her!" The boy shook him. "You have to ask, you know."

"That's good advice." Jaeha bent down, patting Tae-yeon on the head. "Did you hear, Hak? Ask this time."

Hak stifled a groan. "Droopy Eyes…"

"Don't worry, Lord Hak!" Hyeong-dae chimed in, slinging an arm around Tae-u's shoulder. "We'll follow you and Princess Yona on your picnic to make sure you don't mess it up this time!"

"Yeah," Tae-u snickered. "If things go wrong, we'll jump in and ask her for you."

"Gods, no, please," Hak begged. "The whole point of the picnic is to get as far away from this town's meddling as possible."

"Come on!" Hyeong-dae wheedled. "What're friends for? We'll make sure it works out!"

"I think my grandson can handle asking a woman to marry him on his own."

They fell silent as Mundok swept into the room, surveying them with his watchful eye.

"Do you realize how noisy you're all being?" The old man raised an eyebrow at them. "You'll wake the entire clan."

Hak's stomach dropped. He found his jaw somewhere on the floor, belatedly rising to his feet. "Grandpa…"

Mundok gave him a warm smile. "My boy. You know I'm proud of the man you've become. I'm even more proud of the family you're making." He crossed the room to Hak, placing his hands on his shoulders. "Have courage, now. There's nothing to fear."

Hak swallowed, fighting a sudden lump in his throat. "Thank you, Grandpa…" He coughed, struggling to speak. "Do you really think it's okay? For me to ask her?" He couldn't help the last seeds of doubt spilling out of him. After all, he never could lie in front of his old man.

Mundok stared at him, his good eye glazing over as he blinked back a tear. "Grandson." He took Hak in his arms then, squeezing him so tightly Hak could hardly breathe. "I know you never felt worthy of this, but you are." He stepped back, still gripping onto Hak's arms. He met his eyes again. "You've grown so much, and proven yourself a thousand times over, my boy. Now, accept this happiness for yourself." He blinked, and a tear escaped his control, slipping down his cheek. "You deserve it."

"Grandpa, I…" Hak's chest swelled. There really were no words to express what it meant, how confident he felt, to hear the old man say that. He trailed off as Mundok abruptly took a step back from him, looking him up and down with a frown.

"What are you wearing, boy?" Mundok sighed, wiping at his face surreptitiously. "You look like a Sky Tribe soldier!"

"Oh," Hak grimaced, looking down at his army uniform robes. "My normal clothes were ruined. These are all I have."

Hyeong-dae cringed. "Oh yeah, we did sort of give away all Lord Hak's Wind Tribe clothes when we thought he died…"

"Well, they won't do." Mundok shook his head, tutting. "I have some robes you can borrow. You want to look your best, don't you?"

"Yeah, Lord Hak!" Tae-u smirked, clapping Hak on the shoulder. "Even Elder Mundok's old robes would be better than these."

"Watch your tongue, and stay out of this, both of you." Mundok admonished them with a look. Tae-u and Hyeong-dae both slunk away to pout. "Now come," he added, gesturing for Hak to follow. "The sun's already up. We must hurry."

The last day of the year dawned bright and clear. Yona woke late, the morning light already bright outside her window and the sounds of laughter and chatter echoing from the hall. Today was the most anticipated holiday of the year, and it felt like the entire city was buzzing with excitement.

Except none of that mattered to Yona. She woke with a clarity and single-minded focus on what she needed to do, and nothing would stop her from it.

Hak. You can't avoid me forever. I have to tell you how I feel.

She dressed quickly, bemoaning the state of her hair in the mirror. Of course, sleeping on it wet had left it a mass of frizzy curls. She knew better than to brush it, instead using her fingers to try and coax loose pieces into submission. When that failed she pinned half of it back with a hair pin, though the process involved quite a bit of swearing and wishing it was as easy as the palace maids had always made it seem.

It doesn't matter, she told herself, giving her reflection a stern once-over. Once upon a time, she'd have refused to leave her room over something like this. But Hak was too important to fuss over something as silly as her hair. So what if he teases me? At least maybe then he'd smile again…

By the time she left her room, the sun had well and truly risen. Everyone was bustling about, rushing to finish all the last-minute preparations. Heads turned as she made her way down the hall though, and it seemed like every pair of eyes was glued on her. She didn't recognize any of the faces, but they all smiled at her as she passed. They all took a moment to bow and wish their princess good morning.

"Good morning," she said, faintly, greeting them in turn. She'd been getting a lot of attention since they'd arrived in Fuuga, but nothing like this. There was something different about their smiles, too. Somehow they seemed warmer than they had before.

Well, it was probably the excitement of the holiday, and she didn't have time to dwell on it anyway. She rushed to Hak's room, practicing her words in her mind as she went. Hak. I'm sorry. Hak. We're home. I'm home with you. Hak… She wasn't sure exactly what she'd do when she saw him, but she wasn't above cornering him until he heard everything she had to say.

Except that he wasn't in his room at all. She wasn't surprised he was already up and about, but she couldn't help her twinge of disappointment to find it empty. Cornering him might be harder than she thought.

"Princess Yona?" She turned to find Tae-u behind her in the hall, watching her with an amused tilt to his smile. "If you're looking for Lord Hak, he's that way." He stuck out his thumb behind him, gesturing at the door next to Hak's room where the dragons were staying.

"Oh!" She ran a reflexive hand through her hair, pushing back a sudden pang of nerves. "Thank you, Tae-u."

"No problem." A devilish look flashed in his eyes as he leaned toward the dragons' room. "Happy New Year, Princess!" He called, cupping his hands around his mouth for added volume. Clearly it was for the benefit of the closed door, since she could hear him just fine. He bowed his head to her, snickering as he walked away.

The day was getting weirder and weirder. Still, she steeled herself, turning toward the closed door. She took a deep breath for courage as she raised a hand to knock.

But not before the door opened with a whoosh, and a large man was shoved into the hallway.

"Hak," she breathed, stepping back on impulse to avoid getting trampled.

"Princess." He blinked, and his adorably blank face looked even more stunned than she felt.

"Don't forget this!" A voice that sounded suspiciously like Gija hissed from the room beyond, and a white clawed hand shoved a picnic basket in Hak's arms. "And don't let her highness sit in the dirt!" A blanket came flying through the air next, hitting Hak in the face.

Yona covered her own face with her hands, hoping to hide her startled laughter. But it was no use, especially not when each of the dragon's faces appeared in the doorway behind Hak, one above another. Jaeha, Gija, Sinha and Zeno in turn all smiled and waved at her. She waved back, feeling soothed by the sight of them. It was amazing how they could always give her their courage, without ever saying a word.

Hak turned back, but the dragons had already slipped back into their room, closing the door with a snap.

"Good morning, Hak." It was hard to breathe, now that she was standing in front of him. While her voice was faint, she was pleased to hear it didn't shake at all. Her nerves felt a little more settled.

But then Hak turned back to her, pinning her with his bright blue eyes. They almost stopped her heart. She'd gotten used to seeing him dressed in black and gray lately, with his Sky Tribe army clothes. But today he was dressed in Wind Tribe blues, in robes of indigo and coneflower and white. They brought out every shade in those sharp eyes of his, though they turned soft and round when they met hers.

"Good morning, Princess." He coughed, shifting the basket between his hands. "I thought we could…" He swallowed, watching her with a look that made her stomach swoop. "Would you like to have breakfast with me?"

Yona noticed the tick in his voice and the twitch in his hands. Maybe he was as nervous as she felt. Somehow that gave her strength.

"Yes, I'd love to."

Hak relaxed, his shoulders falling in apparent relief. He held out a hand for her to take, and every thought in her head disappeared. Every word she'd planned to say to him died on her lips at the sight of him standing there so sweetly.

So she took his hand, and let his fingers curl around hers. Something clicked into place in her heart then. This is the man I love. The thought hit her with a surprising fierceness, but it warmed her too. Hak's expression softened, and she drank in the sight of his face. It had only been a day since they'd last spoken, and yet she'd missed him so much.

Wordlessly, she let him guide her down the hall and off the porch to the path outside. Even though there were so many things she wanted to say, all she could do was revel in the warmth of his hand over hers.

Hak steered her down a path she hadn't seen before, one that led into the forest and away from the crowd of people forming outside the main hall. He glanced furtively behind him as they went, like he was checking to make sure they weren't being followed.

They walked in silence for a while, the trees growing thicker around them. Yona watched the back of Hak's head as he walked, their last conversation flashing back to her. Princess, what do you think about getting married? Could you ever consider… What would you think about the idea of marrying me?

His eyes had been so sad when she'd pulled away.

"Hak, I'm so sorry." The words she'd longed to say to him came bubbling to the surface. Don't apologize like you're rejecting him! Lili had said. But it spilled out of her before she could stop it.

Hak stopped in his tracks, turning back to look at her. His eyebrows shot up, a crinkle worrying his forehead. "What's there to be sorry for?"

It occurred to her that he didn't seem upset at all. She squeezed his hand. "You're really not mad at me?"

He frowned, his expression falling. "Why would I be mad?"

"I never got to talk to you again yesterday, after I promised I would." She blinked up at him, hoping he could feel how much this mattered to her. How much she cared about him. "I'm sorry," she said again.

Hak relaxed, his face smoothing. "You weren't feeling well. I understand." His voice was so warm, Yona felt all wrapped up in it. "Are you better now?" He leaned closer, studying her face.

"I am, thank you." Yona flushed, averting her eyes. Sometimes his attention was too much for her heart.

"I'm glad." Hak squeezed her hand even harder than she'd squeezed his, pulling her forward as he started to walk again.

But they'd barely made it a few yards when Yona's stomach gurgled noisily, stopping them both short.

"Was that…your stomach?" Hak burst into laughter, all his teeth flashing as he grinned. "You're louder than a bear. How very unladylike, Princess."

"Hey!" Yona protested. "I didn't have dinner, you know. It's normal to be hungry!"

"Sure, sure." Hak kept chuckling even as he released her hand, digging into the picnic basket he'd brought. "Here, you can eat these while we walk. I have a spot in mind — we're almost there."

For all his teasing, his smile was sweet when he turned back to her. He held out a skewer of golden balls, and Yona's mouth watered.

"Fried dumplings?" She wondered, surprised. "For breakfast?"

"Why not?" His smile grew back into a grin. He seemed to be in such a good mood. "I asked our head chef to make them for you. Since apparently I can't cook."

Yona watched him as he packed the picnic basket back up, the gesture hitting her in a warm, funny way. "You did that, really? For me?"

"Well yeah, you always go crazy for them," he said with a laugh. "I didn't do much, but I thought it might cheer you up." He smiled at her again. "Remember that New Year we ate them in the palace?"

Yona did. She remembered it so clearly — how lonely she'd felt, watching out her window while everyone celebrated without her. How surprised she'd been when Hak came back for her. He'd given up the holiday with his family — his first chance to see them in years — just to keep her company. And he'd stayed by her side the entire time.

It was the best New Year she'd ever had, until now.

Hak didn't seem to notice the way Yona's hands shook or the way her lips trembled. She studied the dumplings, sure she'd lose all her composure if she looked him in the eyes. So he walked ahead again, leaving her no choice but to stumble along behind him.

Hak. You've always given me everything. Even the things I'd never ask for. You always know just what I need.

She popped a dumpling into her mouth, trying to distract herself from the emotion that was welling up in her eyes. She didn't want to cry. Not now, not when there was still so much she needed to say to him. The dumpling melted in her mouth, crispy and soft and so delicious.

Somehow it only made things worse. He really did know her so well, better than anyone — sometimes better than she knew herself. She stuffed two more dumplings in her mouth, overcome by the thought of it. If she could just distract herself by chewing…

She watched Hak walking, studying the broad set to his shoulders, the way his dark hair curled against his neck. Unbidden, his words echoed in her mind. The only thing I need to be happy is for you to be happy.

It was no use. Yona fell to her knees, struggling to swallow the food even as she choked on her tears.

"Your highness?" Hak dropped down beside her, his voice soft with concern. He rubbed a thumb along her cheek, wiping it dry. "The dumplings are so good they made you cry? I need this recipe."

Yona gasped, swallowing all the food in a big gulp. Her face felt on fire. "It's fine! I'm fine! Don't look at me!" She couldn't imagine the sight she made, cheeks stuffed with food and her face a wet mess.

"I can't resist," he said, seriously. "You're beautiful even when you cry." Suddenly his arms were all around her, and he lifted her from the ground. "Sorry, Princess," he added, carrying her as he started walking again. "We can't stop here. There's not enough cover."

"Cover?" Yona hiccupped, wiping at her eyes. She just couldn't stop the tears from coming. "You think we're being watched?"

"I haven't ruled it out. My family's pretty nosy, in case you haven't noticed."

Your family, she thought. You're my family.

She closed her eyes against a fresh onslaught, resting her head on his shoulder. Hak carried her for a few more minutes, then sighed in relief.

"We made it," he announced, dropping her to her feet. "Right over here."

Yona blinked up at the sight of a huge weeping willow tree before them, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. "Oh Hak," she breathed. "It's beautiful."

He took her by the hand again, guiding her through the curtain of leaves. It was magical, really, like crossing from the real world into a fairytale. She let him pull her toward the base of the tree trunk, where he spread out the blanket.

"Here," he said, pushing her down to sit. Then he took off his outer robe, draping it over her shoulders. She relished in the added warmth, and the sudden smell of him all around her. She wrapped it tighter around herself.

"Now," he added, taking a seat beside her. He looked down at her with so much tenderness, that for a moment she couldn't breathe. "I know the dumplings didn't offend you. Why are you crying?"

This is so embarrassing, she thought. I just wanted to tell him…

She coughed, wiping at her face again. "Hak," she croaked, her voice stolen from her. "I don't deserve you."

She couldn't look at him, not even as he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her. He was so strong and so warm. Just his presence made her feel so safe. She closed her eyes, settling against him.

"I'm the one who doesn't deserve you, Princess." He whispered the words in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

Yona kept her eyes closed, but her hands found his face. You are the one I love. She sent the thought through her hands, and he read her mind like he always did. Before she could open her eyes again, he dropped his mouth down to capture hers.

Oh, but she'd missed this. She sighed into his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck to tug him closer. Somehow she'd forgotten just how sweet he was, just how tender, just how wonderful he could always make her feel. One kiss turned into two, then three, and four, and she lost count. A weight she hadn't even been aware of released from her chest, and she melted against his lips. His arms tightened around her, until she felt her whole body relax against his.

"Hak…" She murmured, as he kissed her forehead, then her cheeks, his fingers trailing behind to gently wipe her fresh tears.

"That was wetter than I expected," he said, after a while.

"Hak!" She drew back, grabbing him by his shirt. "Don't tease me when I'm emotional!" She shook him to punctuate each word.

"Princess," he grinned. "If you're going to ravage me, at least cook me dinner first."

She gasped, but Hak only laughed. "See?" He winked at her. "I made you feel all better."

Then she was laughing too, rubbing the last of her tears from her eyes.

"Are you still hungry?" He gestured to the picnic basket. "Or thirsty? Sinha made you that smelly tea you like."

Yona hummed. "Maybe in a bit." She was far too comfortable where she was for now, settled in Hak's lap with his arms still draped around her. She placed her hands on his chest, looking up at him. "About yesterday…"

"Ah," he said, a smile playing on his lips. "You mean when I asked you to marry me?"

"You didn't ask me to marry you!" Yona huffed, curling her hands in his shirt. How could he be so casual about it? "You asked me what I thought of the idea of it, someday."

"Well?" He grinned down at her, unruffled. "What do you think? I've waited a whole day for your answer."

Yona's mouth worked. He was unbelievable.

"No," she said, finally.

"No?" Hak sputtered, his eyes widening. His smile vanished, and he leaned back, turning his face like she'd struck him. "You don't have to be so harsh about it."

"No, I don't want to marry you someday," Yona continued. She pulled him back to her, waiting until he looked in her eyes again. "I want to marry you today, Hak." Her voice rose, full of all the feelings she always struggled to tell him. He had to know. He had to. "I wish I'd married you yesterday, in fact!"

She grabbed his face then, tugging him down until his forehead rested against hers. "Because we don't know when someday will be too late." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "If you'd died in that flood, or we'd died in the battles with Kai…" Her voice broke. "No one would have ever known how much I love you, not even your family." Her throat closed so tightly she could barely speak. He has to know. "I don't want to wait for someday because I want to be your family right now, Hak. You're already my family."

The look on his face was too stunned for words, and she couldn't wait for his answer. She closed the last distance between them, crossing the cracks in his armor until she was kissing him with every ounce of love and want in her body. Hak stiffened, letting out a soft "oh" of surprise, and she almost stopped. Almost. But then he melted into her, grabbing her closer, feeding her love right back to her. His hands were everywhere all at once, stroking down her cheeks and tangling in her hair, running down her back and holding her by the waist.

"I love you." Hak murmured the words against her lips. She pulled back as he did, but just barely, blinking up into his eyes. "Every time I even look at you, I feel like the luckiest man alive."

Yona sucked in a breath. Her heart was so happy she thought it might burst. "I love you too," she whispered. Then she was kissing him again, harder this time. Harder and harder until he leaned back, falling unceremoniously as he pulled her with him to the ground.

There were new things to be discovered everyday, Yona supposed, but this. This. The feeling of Hak pinned beneath her, his body at the mercy of her hands, his face and shoulders and chest ripe for exploring, his lips so open and waiting… Nothing could ever be as wondrous as this.

You want to be ravaged, Hak?

"Princess," he gasped, just as she discovered the soft skin at his neck. It was so nice to kiss. He was so nice to kiss. Her lips wanted more and more…

"Princess," he urged, his voice firmer this time. He took her face in his hands. "Careful now, or we won't have anything to save for our wedding night."

Hak's teasing words set her face on fire. She came back to her senses in a rush, mortified and overwhelmed and lightheaded, and yet… She still wanted more. How did he do these things to her?

He sat up, pulling her with him. "Gods," he muttered. "You'll be the death of me."

She watched him, studying the flush of his skin from his cheeks to his neck, and the way his dark eyes met hers. It made her want him even more. "I don't want to wait to marry you," she said again. Her tone dared him to defy her. "Do you?"

Hak swallowed. "No." His voice dropped an entire octave, rough with something raw and wanting. "I'd marry you today, Princess."

Yona swallowed back fresh tears. I will not cry again, she swore. She cupped his face in her hand. "Then you can ask me whenever you're ready."

"You're going to make me ask?" Hak deadpanned. His eyes fluttered as she ran her fingers over his jawline. "After all that?"

Yona fought to keep a straight face. "Obviously."

"Hmm." Hak quirked an eyebrow, considering her. "You know, I think I need a nap first." Without warning he tugged her off him, then swung himself around to lay his head in her lap. "I've barely slept thinking about you the last few nights, you know."

Yona laughed, releasing some of her nerves. Whatever he said, it was all feigned nonchalance. He was just as overcome by his feelings as her, she could tell. Hak. Do you know how precious you are to me? Somehow the words wouldn't come, but she hoped she could show him. She'd spend her whole life showing him.

She started by brushing his hair off his forehead, letting her fingers linger at his temple while he closed his eyes. "Who said you could make me your pillow, hm?"

"You should know, Princess, if you marry me I'll use you as a pillow all the time." He squinted one eye open at her. "You're too comfortable. How could I resist?"

"I suppose you wouldn't have to," she allowed. "What would be my other wifely duties, may I ask?"

"Let's see." Hak closed his eyes again, and settled even more into her lap. "I wouldn't say no to a back rub every now and then. You know I have the back of an old man after sleeping outside against trees all those nights."

"That seems fair," Yona agreed. "As long as you return the favor."

Hak's lips twitched. "I see how it is."

"And what else?" She poked his cheek, grinning as he frowned.

"Well, you'll have to put up with my snoring."

"I already do that."

"You might need to patch me up from time to time."

"That's a given."

"I'll want to kiss you all the time."

"I don't see the problem," Yona said. "That would be part of your duties as my husband, after all."

"Oh?" He sat up so suddenly it surprised her. Before she knew what was happening, he'd pulled her back to sit in his lap again, and wrapped his arms around her. "Maybe we should practice a little. Just to be sure we're ready."

"We've already practiced a lot," she laughed, as he drew her lips back to his. It was a searing kiss, more confident and comfortable than he'd been before. It was over too soon.

"And what else would you expect of me?" Hak held her chin in his hand, tilting her face up to look at him. For a moment she was too breathless to think at all. "As your husband," he added, smirking at the look on her face.

"Oh!" She flushed. "Well you have to know I won't cook much."

Hak laughed. "Me either. That's for the best." He shifted his hand to cup her cheek. "But I'm asking what you want of me, Princess."

She gripped his robes. "No matter where you go or how long you're gone," she said, "always come back to me."

"Always," he promised.

"And smile for me every day."

He chuckled again. "I think I can do that."

"Hak, you already gave me everything." She caressed his face, filling herself with the warmth in his eyes. "Just stay by my side, okay?"

"How many times do I have to say I will…" Hak sighed, exasperated as ever with the question, but he smiled at her anyway. "Maybe I could finally convince you if I were your husband," he mused. He leaned in, kissing her gently, softly, slowly. "In that case…"

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Marry me."

It was a question, but it was a command, too. The first thing he'd ever really asked of her.

"Yes." The word left her in a rush. "Yes," she said again. "It would be my honor."

Hak crushed her to his chest. "Trust me, Princess," he said, and the words heated in her ear. "The honor is all mine."