From a palace rooftop perch, Jae-Ha watches Hak train Sky soldiers.
He's not surprised to see a smile flash across his little brother's face. Jae-Ha is quite aware Hak just got back from another rendezvous with Yona. Ever since making up, those two have been finding private nooks all around the palace to connect.
It's certainly made Jae-Ha's life more interesting to watch them. Finally! Letting their guard down and playing a bit. It's been making him feel a little playful himself.
And fascinated.
At a time when Yona and Hak could easily be stressing over their delayed coronation - because nothing can happen until Lili and Tae-Woo are back - they're instead focusing on how each day their growing child becomes stronger.
And even though Hak could be trying to coop up his beloved wife until he's gotten to the bottom of the threats on her life, he's instead been happy to know she's moving freely throughout the palace to do the work that's important to her. And the country.
Jae-Ha wasn't sure what a reign under Yona and Hak would look like exactly, but these past few days have started to give him a glimpse. The whole palace a glimpse. And if that's any prediction of what could be to come… it's worth fighting to preserve.
Jae-Ha's eyes land on the mountains in the distance. The landscape sends his mind wandering elsewhere...
"Take care of her," he whispers as he remembers the last time he saw Lili...
::-:: A few days before - hours before Lili and Tae-Woo's departure ::-::
Lili stands just outside the palace gates, looking out at the mountains in the direction she's about to journey.
"Leaving without saying goodbye?"
Lili glows at the sound of Jae-Ha's voice. "I was thinking about it."
He takes a seat beside her. "Lili Dear, are you mad at me?" He watches her consider and raises his brows. "Oh, you are. ...oddly, when you make that face at me, it's kind of a turn on."
Lili smacks his arm and rises. She throws her hands down at her sides in frustration. "I hate that!"
Jae-Ha can't suppress his smile at her fury - he's only been here for about one minute.
Lili notices his amusement and throws her hands up in exhaustion. She begins to pace. "This is why I didn't want to see you."
Jae-Ha watches her. Waits. And when she finally stops, he asks. "Tell me."
"I really, really… wanted to see you. I always want to see you. Being near you is...," Lili huffs and turns her back to him. She takes a deep breath. "Listen. I'm leaving and I don't know if I'll get to see you again. To me, I just wanted you to know… you're a really special person."
Jae-Ha rises, "Something tells me you don't get this mad at all the special people in your life," he pulls Lili into a hug - a touched expression on his face, "And of course you'll see me again!"
Lili laughs against him. He always makes her laugh. That's why this has been so confusing. Jae-Ha is handsome, sincere, a great listener, talented, hilarious, and outrageous. She had wondered all this time if maybe… liking being around someone this much is what love is. But spending time with Tae-Woo has only further confused this notion.
Lili sadly acknowledges the space and silence left between she and Jae-Ha even now. There's affection and yet… for some reason nothing has ever happened.
Lili looks Jae-Ha straight in the eyes. "This moment, right now, is what I don't understand. You've never tried to kiss me. Ever. Even now."
"If I kissed you... you wouldn't be able to forget."
"Uh… good?" Lili is pissed he sees a problem.
"You're not thinking this through."
"Do you always think it through before kissing a girl?"
"Well, in your particular case…"
"OH HO! And just how am I different than other girls?!"
Jae-Ha has known this conversation was coming - ever since she arrived at the palace and he saw the way she looked at him. He knows why he hasn't kissed her. I treasure our friendship. And your happiness. I want you to succeed. But he doesn't want to tell the truth if it will just draw her in further. So he goes another direction. "I doubt you need any additional distractions at the moment."
"Don't men like these kinds of distractions?"
"Flings, yes. Relationships… are more than distractions." Dragon lives are short. Your life is going to be long. "You deserve someone who can be devoted - to you."
"I don't mind… about Yona."
Jae-Ha absorbs those words with a sad shock. He takes a step back and speaks now more like a father to a daughter than one friend to another. "You're going to be a general now."
Lili stares at him with surprise at the sudden seriousness.
"You can't walk into a battle like love giving up so much at the start. As a leader, protect your people. As an incredible girl with her whole life ahead of her - protect your heart. I have things I must protect, too."
Does he mean Yona and Hak? "I feel like you're looking at a big picture I can't see. It scares me. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone, OK? I won't be here to heal you."
Jae-Ha pulls Lili into another hug. "Let's both not do stupid things while you're gone, deal?"
"Deal," Lili smiles.
"Unless you want to with that young general. That, I completely approve of."
Lili smacks Jae-Ha again, shaking her head but also a bit embarrassed about how well that idea sits with her.
Jae-Ha begins to walk Lili back to the palace. "You know what's so good about friends versus lovers?"
"Well now that I know where we stand, it better be good."
Jae-Ha smiles. "You get to keep friends forever," he takes her hand and kisses it. "You're a special person to me, too, my dear Lili. Be safe on your trip. And come back so we can keep that friends forever thing in motion," Jae-Ha glances up at the palace gate where Tae-Woo emerges with Hak and Yona. "Though I have reason to believe not a hair on your head is going to be harmed."
"Ungh!" Forearm meets forearm.
Lili steps backward, then comes at Tae-Woo again. "Yah!"
"Mm!" Tae-Woo absorbs the hit, carefully taking her limb toward him to prevent as much bruising as he can.
They're so close to Soo-Won now. Shin-Ah went on ahead to verify it's the hidden Village of Hakuryuu up ahead. They'll need to enter carefully.
Lili catches Tae-Woo's eyes on her. It sends a shock from her head straight to her heart.
"Hhh," she misses this time.
Tae-Woo moves an open palm against her stomach to balance her. She feels the contact of that strong hand of his and then her thighs weakening in reaction. She shoves herself back from his touch like it terrifies her.
Fuck. Focus. She looks at a tree off to the side. Brown bark. Boring. Focus on boring. All the little details of the tree. Lili has goals and responsibilities right now. It's no time for overwhelming feelings. What the hell is wrong with you, body?! Just. Stop.
Is she flushed? Tae-Woo notices the pink rising on Lili's cheeks. He wonders if he's working her too hard. She's seemed… distracted.
"Is it Soo-Won?"
"Huh?" Lili looks Tae-Woo straight in those dark blue eyes. She regrets it immediately and snaps her attention back toward the boring brown bark. "What's that supposed to mean out of nowhere."
Tae-Woo holds a closed fist against his lips as he considers. Is he saying too much? He's wanted to ask her things so badly lately... but he's been trying so hard to keep whatever distance he can. Well, too late to recover on this one. "We're really close to him now. I thought… maybe you were thinking about him?"
Lili sighs. Given the mission we're on, I should have been. But SOMEONE had to go for a naked swim… "I'm sorry I'm not doing so great today. If that's what you mean."
"No!" Tae-Woo backpeddles, sincere concern on his face. Shit. "This is hard work. I'm not judging you," he scratches behind an ear, "I don't care what pace we go. Sorry I said that before… there was a rumor you two were friends. I didn't know if it was true…"
There's an awkward silence between them. Lili staring at a tree. Tae-Woo staring at Lili.
And then he can't help it, "... was it… true?"
Lili glances up at Tae-Woo. He's never asked her a question that personal before.
"I don't want to tell you..."
Tae-Woo smiles gently. "Why's that?"
"Don't you hate him?"
Tae-Woo's smile disappears.
SNAP! In an instant Lili is horizontal under Tae-Woo against a bush.
"Shh," he mouths down at her. She hears the breaking of underbrush from footsteps. It's getting louder, closer.
Lili watches Tae-Woo as he looks up toward the sound. He's so serious, focused. She's captivated.
And then the sound of whoever is out there is so, so near. Lili steels herself. She knows how to fight now. She will if it comes to it. Her first time has to happen eventually.
Tae-Woo can feel Lili tremble beneath him. He instinctively pulls her tighter against him. He's ready to jump into action, but also takes care to find her hand and give it a squeeze.
And in that frantic moment, Lili realizes unequivocally… she has feelings for this boy. And even if she cannot pursue him, if she can just be near him… it feels like she can truly breathe.
"I'm sorry," Tae-Woo carefully gets up off Lili.
Lili notices the sound of the stranger is gone. "For what?"
"Getting so close to you."
"...I didn't mind."
Tae-Woo looks at her an extra long second, then suggests, "Jae-Ha might."
Lili's expression goes on a journey from mild confusion to amused revelation. "You don't know Jae-Ha very well, do you?"
"Not really…"
Lili rises, "We're not lovers. He's an important friend of mine." A very perverted friend.
As Tae-Woo watches Lili walk back to their training area, he's as intrigued as he's ever been with her... and more excited than he knows he oughta be that she's not with Jae-Ha.
Tae-Woo peeks through the flaps of the tent where Lili sits. Her cheeks instantly go pink at their scenario.
Shin-Ah still hasn't returned, so they'd set up the tent to get some rest. Just the two of them.
"I can sleep outside…" Tae-Woo offers.
"Don't be ridiculous," Lili gestures toward a blanket for him she set next to hers. She notices his hesitation. "Hey, listen, you don't have to be shy about it. ...I noticed."
Tae-Woo freezes, color rising in his cheeks, too. Has that he likes her been that obvious? "Lady Lili, I-"
"You don't have to say a word about it. I shouldn't put you in that position."
Tae-Woo moves into the tent enough for the flaps to close behind him. "Have I been making you uncomfortable?"
That sends Lili wondering - wait, has he been onto her this whole time? That even though she can't have him, each time they touch she wants to jump him? That seeing him half naked nearly sent every ounce of her composure packing!?
"Yes. I mean, no! It's not your fault. You can't help it."
Tae-Woo is starting to feel like he really screwed this up. "I'm here to protect and train you. I won't cross that line."
"You men and your lines lately," Lili mutters in frustration.
Tae-Woo is so damn confused. He looks at her without a clue what to say.
"I'm sorry. That actually wasn't about you. You have all the reason in the world to keep boundaries and I respect that. Han-Dae is lucky to have such a devoted boyfriend."
Tae-Woo's jaw drops and his eyes nearly pop out of his head. "What did you just say…?"
Lili stares back completely innocently. "Han-Dae is lucky."
Tae-Woo's biological instincts go into overdrive. Not even thinking, he blurts defensively- "I like women!"
Both Tae-Woo and Lili stare quietly into the empty space of the tent between them, suddenly both retracing their entire conversation. The blushing all around steadily increases.
By the time she's the color of a beet, Lili crawls into her bedding without a word.
Tae-Woo looks at her, his bedding right next her, then at the tent door. He doesn't know what the right thing to do is. The things he's feeling compelled to say - and do - are coming from some primal place. And he hasn't ever felt it this strongly before.
Lili stares at the dirty beige tent wall. Damn, no distant tree details to focus on in here. Nothing but him. And how can she face him right now when every detail on his face, the sound of his voice, the way he's so well-mannered toward her… draws her in.
Lili hears him starting to leave and can't bear it - she turns over and quietly calls, "You should come to bed."
Tae-Woo has a brief internal struggle, then crawls under the blanket next to her.
They lay facing each other, their hearts pounding, eyes locked.
"This is stupid but… I'm embarrassed about earlier. I want you to know… Han-Dae is only a close friend of mine. Nothing… more."
Lili smiles and laughs. "I'm an idiot. I can't believe this entire time I thought that."
Tae-Woo mirrors her smile. "To be fair, this entire time I thought Jae-Ha was your boyfriend."
They continue staring, soft smiles, hopeful eyes - the want between them tangible in the heat of the air. They both feel it. And now, finally, they kinda both know they both feel it.
Lili opts to speak freely. "I'm really happy it's been you training me. You're so… patient. And encouraging. You're already a general - I think I have a lot more to learn from you."
They've been so careful to keep their conversations to being about the weather or training tactics. In this new intimacy, their voices change as though they're letting their guard down, opening the gates to something much deeper, and are welcoming the other in.
"I never really thought of myself as General. I always thought Lord Hak was coming back… and only lately has it really sunk in... this is for real."
"Everyone in your tribe respects you so much. I respect you so much," Lili proclaims.
"I think the same about you. And I see why your tribe follows you with pride. I mean, how quickly you've been progressing? You really push yourself. I've been impressed this entire time. You should know that. And I've heard stories about you standing up against the former king to protect the princess. You're… a really cool girl."
Tae-Woo doesn't look away. Dark blue eyes to dark blue eyes, it's a meaningful gaze they hold, each further realizing that they may have been feeling the same thing, confused the same way, and frustrated by the same want. A want that's more and more in this tent tonight beginning to feel like a need.
The held moment between them is a silent, mutual confession.
And Tae-Woo just keeps not looking away. Happy disbelief. The sentiment is so overwhelming, Lili feels a tear slide down her cheek. He wordlessly reaches to brush it away. Her lips naturally part as she inhales in preparation for the touch-
"Pukyuu!~" Ao chirps from the tent entrance.
Both Lili and Tae-Woo snap their heads toward the sound with alarm.
Ao is sitting on Shin-Ah's shoulder. Shin-Ah scratches the little squirrel's head. Everyone is relieved the blue dragon's mask is on. No reaction to see here.
"Soo-Won is there. It's best if we go now. In the darkness."
Soo-Won.
Every time that name comes up, Wind warriors get agitated.
Lili can't help but be disappointed as she walks beside Tae-Woo on their way into the hidden Village of Hakuryuu. So much of the warmth this boy was just emanating just faded into coldness. His soft expression tightened into what looks more like preparation for a fight.
The moon is out and Shin-Ah's white mane is easy to follow with its reflection of the light. But the open night air is cold, dark.
Soo-Won.
It's dawning on Lili that this is it. This is the moment she came all the way out here for. It's on her to make this go well. But truly… it could go very, very badly.
Lili grabs Tae-Woo's hand and stops. He turns, concern all over his face.
"Please be careful," Lili begs.
She's not afraid of Soo-Won as much as she's afraid of Tae-Woo and Soo-Won. Because: Hak.
"I'm not gonna let him hurt you," Tae-Woo swears.
All Lili can do is squeeze his hand, like he did hers just hours before that day. I don't think Soo-Won will hurt me. But if I need to… I will protect you.
Tae-Woo sees the worry in her eyes. He pulls her against him tightly. She wraps her arms around him. He feels her steady heartbeat and it calms him. She feels the warmth of his body and it gives her relief. It's hard for them to let go, but they know they have to.
"Just a little further," Tae-Woo takes Lili's hand and leads her after Shin-Ah.
Soo-Won stands beside Ik-Soo as he watches the silhouettes emerge from the forest edge.
Ik-Soo glances at Soo-Won's frown. Ik-Soo had already known for days that things would come to pass this way. Now he can only hope he's brought Soo-Won to the right state of mind to face it.
Lili stops a short distance before the former king. Shin-Ah, Ao, and Tae-Woo stand at her side.
There he is - alive. All in white. That radiant blonde hair. Those mysterious eyes you never know if are honest, but that you always wish were.
The sight is overwhelming to Lili. She hadn't expected seeing him again to be a tidal wave of feelings, but it is.
Lili gasps for air as she tries desperately not to get emotional. She sees Soo-Won's frown and she knows… "I'm so sorry I'm not her."
Soo-Won's expression softens so slightly at that. Maybe he's a little happy to see her, too?
"Lady Lili," Soo-Won opens his arms to her.
Lili moves to him swiftly and he wraps his cloaked arms around her in a warm embrace.
Tae-Woo steps forward, eyes wide, hands on his spear.
Masked Shin-Ah looks toward Ik-Soo. The priest's wavy bangs cover his eyes. He nods calmly to the blue dragon.
Lili burrows her fingers into the cloth of Soo-Won's cloak as if to verify he's real. She recognizes this scent, these hands, this man. But then she remembers… Jae-Ha. He hurt Jae-Ha so badly. And Min-Soo…
She pulls away and looks up at him, conflicted. And back to why she's here.
"The dragons said you had a message for the princess. Is that something I can hear and bring back to her?"
"This is a matter urgent beyond trust, Lady Lili. We must leave immediately."
And that was the sound of Lili's plans falling apart.
She tries to gather her thoughts as her heart sinks. "We?"
"I need you to take me to Kuuto."
"Not a chance!" Tae-Woo growls.
Soo-Won doesn't move his gaze from Lili. His desperate plea is to her alone.
And, as the leader of this mission, the call will be hers to make.