Smoke billowed from Captain Gi-gan's pipe as she stared off into the distance. The lively chatter of her crew faded into the background as her brow furrowed.
This battle was necessary.
But it wouldn't be easy to win, even with the recent additions.
She glanced over to her crew, smiles stretching wide across their faces as they taunted each other about who was going to end up with Yoon as their wife; the said pretty boy whacking them in the back of their heads with a wooden spoon.
"Captain Gi-gan," A delicate voice called, jostling her out of her thoughts. "Here's some food."
The captain turned out and was met with the sight of a certain red-haired princess extending a bowl of the stew Yoon made for her. The captain accepted it with sincere thanks and began to eat. Yona lit up at the sight of Captain Gi-gan enjoying the food, and the sentimental praise Yona expressed for her comrade wasn't lost on the captain.
The older woman conveyed her gratitude to Yona for retrieving the senjusou and the princess beamed at her words.
Captain Gi-gan sighed. "When this fight ends, I'll break up the pirate crew. I want them to return to their normal lives."
The princess stared at the captain in surprise, but her gaze was trained on you and Jae-ha as you both disappeared below deck.
"There's just one," The captain murmured, turned her attention back to Yona, "Who will be a challenge."
Red hair swayed as the princess tilted her head. "A challenge?"
Captain Gi-gan rested her arms against the rail, pipe held loosely in her hand, nodding. "It's Jae-ha. This boat is his home."
"So then when the pirates disband, he's got nowhere to go?" Yona guessed.
The captain chuckled, "You've come to take him, haven't you?" A knowing gleam in her eye.
"...I want to, but he said he didn't want to leave with me." Yona explained after a pause.
"That might have something to do with Y/N," Captain Gi-gan gave her a side glance. "If you convince her to come with you, then Jae-ha would follow."
The princess immediately shook her head. "I don't want to coerce them. If they want to come with me, then I want it so that it's by their own free will."
Yona's expression was filled with confusion as Captain Gi-gan's shoulders started to shake with laughter. Taking a puff of her pipe, she turned her head, exhaling the smoke out to sea. A smirk made its way onto the captain's face and realization dawned on the princess.
She must consider them very close and care about them a lot to test me like that... Yona thought to herself.
I think I understand why though, Her eyes drifted to Yoon, Shin-ah, and Kija until they finally landed on Hak, who had his head thrown back in laughter, eyes shining in amusement as the pirates argued over a flushed pretty boy and a protesting Hakuryuu, with Shin-ah watching the whole ordeal studiously. I would do it for them too...
She recalled your words from your conversation earlier.
"Yona, can you kill someone?"
At the time, she avoided the question. It was so similar to what Hak had asked her before he agreed to teach her archery at the start of her journey.
She didn't want to hurt anyone.
Her father never wanted her to touch a weapon.
He never wanted her to bear the pain that would inevitably come with it.
For them, my comrades, my friends, Yona thought fiercely, I will become strong enough to protect them, too.
Her eyes widened as she found Hak's cobalt eyes staring straight back at her. Yona yelped as she flailed backwards, startled, tripping over a notch in the wood beneath her.
She felt wind rush past her and strong arms snaked around her shoulder, steadying her.
"Easy there, Princess."
Yona flushed a deep red, rivaling the one from earlier when Hak had poured honey on her hands. Her bodyguard peered closely down at her.
Why does she look so red?
Nah, there's no way.
He helped her gather herself to her feet, taking notice of her bandaged hands for the first time. He frowned. He didn't like to see her hurt. It made him feel like killing anyone who dared to touch her.
Years of unrequited love put Hak in a sphere of doubt every time she blushed around him or showed an indication of returning his feelings for her. Yona herself wasn't faring much better.
When was the last time she told him how much he meant to her?
The night her father was murdered was the most heartbreaking, earth-shattering night of her life. The man she thought she loved betrayed her, and stole the throne from her.
Yona's eyes grew wide as it hit her.
Soo-won's betrayal cut her deep, to the very core. He was her cousin, her best friend, that she had known since they were very young. But it wasn't just them, Hak had always been there too, watching over them both from the sidelines even before he became her bodyguard.
How had she not seen it before?
What was Hak going through? How much did he push away his feelings of anger and hurt when Soo-won's betrayal struck him to keep her safe?
Hak was staring down at Yona curiously. She had a faraway look in her eyes that she only got when she was deep in thought. His eyes narrowed as droplets of water started to fall from her eyes.
"Princess?" The tears glistening in her eyes when she met his eyes made him tighten his hold on her, examining her in alarm. "What's wrong?"
Yona sobbed into her hands, her body violently shaking as she was overwhelmed with the flood of emotions.
Anguish.
Regret.
Pain.
Hope.
Love.
They had been through so much together. The numbness that had overtaken her when her father died was only shattered by Hak. He had been there for her, above all else. She couldn't imagine life without him by her side. Yona remembered when he had fallen off the cliff when they were still in Wind Tribe territory searching for the priest when they had been ambushed by Fire Tribe soldiers. She thought he was going to die. Then, he had gone searching for his spear in the middle of the night when he was still hurt and she remembered waking up, feeling panic overcome her all over again. She fled to the forest to look for him, but he had found her first instead. Yona remembered tearfully berating him as she told him that he had to stay by her side.
It was selfish.
She knew she was being selfish.
After all, he gave up his freedom to keep his promise to her father.
At least, that's what she always thought it was.
But Yona's earlier conversation with you echoed in her head. What if it was something deeper than that? Something more than just responsibility to her father? Dare she say, to her?
"Hak, I-"
The amount of concern in his eyes pierced her to the core, causing all the words she wanted to say die on the tip of her tongue.
"Yes, Princess?" He prompted when she failed to speak.
Yona jumped, "I-I-I," She stuttered.
Hak brought her closer to him, studying her intensely and Yona blushed at his proximity.
"Princess..." He whispered into her hair and she squeezed her eyes shut.
His voice, when had it started to sound so alluring?
He moved too pull away, but Yona caught his sleeve, gripping it tightly. Hak choked, staring at the princess whose eyes were covered by her hair.
She needed to ask him about these feelings.
She needed to tell him how she felt.
She needed to know if he could ever return it.
"Hak...I-"
Yona was cut off as Shin-ah's soft voice reached her ears.
"Boats...Boats have gathered at the harbor."
That caught the attention of Captain Gi-gan as she looked at the blue dragon in alarm. "How many?" She asked quickly.
"7..." Shin-ah responded quietly, still gazing out into the distance.
Yona covered her mouth with her hand in shock, "7 boats?!"
But Shin-ah wasn't done. "People with weapons are on board."
Captain Gi-gan's lips pulled back in a snarl. "That damn Kum-ji! Does he plan on intimidating us?" She tapped her pipe against her shoulder. "Gather the brats." She ordered.
As the crew made their way below deck with the captain in the lead, she suddenly remembered that you and Jae-ha were most likely asleep. Captain Gi-gan sighed, rubbing her temples.
This couldn't wait.
"Yona," She called out from over her shoulder, successfully gaining the princess and her bodyguard's attention. "Could you wake Y/N and Jae-ha for me?"
The princess smiled, nodding happily at the task. Captain Gi-gan chuckled at her excitement over something so trivial, but then again, Yona did seem to take pride in the things she was able to accomplish. For a princess who once knew nothing, she was turning into a formidable force to those who threatened her.
"Do you know where their quarters are?" Hak questioned the bouncing princess beside him.
She hummed, "I think I remember." Squinting her eyes as she tried to recall the path you led her on before reaching your room.
"You think?" Her bodyguard teased.
Yona puffed out her cheeks. "Hak~" She whined childishly before darting down below the deck.
He blinked in surprise as a memory popped up into his mind of her. Young and immature, worrying over unimportant things like her hair and clothes back when things were much easier.
She was so innocent back then.
Hak turned to Kija and Shin-ah before he got too caught up in his memories. Yoon had gotten swept up with the other pirates who had trailed behind the captain a few minutes ago.
"We'll meet you there."
"Alright." Kija acknowledged, and Shin-ah dipped his head, then the two dragons headed off to go find the captain.
It didn't take him long to find the princess. She was wandering blindly from door to door, hesitating. The hallways were lit up with a warm glow from the torches placed by the doors.
"You really don't remember which one it is, do you?" Hak smirked.
"Stop teasing me!" Yona demanded, the pout forming on her lips caused his heart to stutter.
Why is she so darn cute...
"Ah! I think it's this one!" Hak almost crashed into her as Yona suddenly stopped in front of the last door.
"Are you sure you're not just picking it because we passed all the other ones?" He teased her.
She brought up her fists defiantly, scowling, "I am not!"
"Yeah, yeah, sure Princess." He waved her off.
Despite the dynamic of their usual teasing, Yona could help but smile instead of yell at him. She had seen you and Jae-ha tease each other, and she was starting to see it as affectionate rather than just irritating.
Hak stared at her suspiciously when Yona didn't shoot back a witty remark. He stepped closer to her, pressing her up against the door and as his tall frame leaned over her. Yona brought her hands up to clutch the front of his robes, not drawing him closer but not pushing him away either, refusing to look at his face as hers turned a familiar shade of red.
"Really... Just how much are you going to push me..." Yona opened her mouth in protest, but he came closer to her, pressing his body against hers. She was reminded of how he had done this before, when they were in the woods after Yoon had healed them and he had gone to fetch his spear.
What if he wasn't checking for her temperature for a fever that time?
What if...
He had meant to kiss her?
But Hak just knocked against the door above her, and her eyes shot open as her heart filled with disappointment.
Why did it hurt when he pulled away?
Yona finally acknowledged the answer.
The truth.
She wanted him to kiss her.
A sleepy Jae-ha answered the door, and Hak blinked, peering around the green dragon who was running a hand through his hair, to see your form nestled in the bed, an adorable frown on your features. Yona turned around to face him.
Gosh she felt shorter than usual with the both of them towering over her.
"Captain Gi-gan needs you two in her quarters. Shin-ah's spotted ships."
Jae-ha's eyes widened, all trace of exhaustion gone as he shifted back into ruthless pirate mode. "Got it, we'll be right there." He nodded tersely.
He flashed Yona a charming smile, recognizing her nervousness. "Don't worry, Yona dear, it'll all be alright." He said flirtatiously.
Yona felt Hak's chest vibrate as he let out a low growl, wrapping an arm around her shoulders protectively and she stumbled into his chest. Jae-ha smirked at the Thunder Beast's possessiveness.
"Just get Y/N up," Hak snapped curtly, "You're already late."
The green dragon held his hands up in surrender, a smug smirk on his face. He shot Yona a wink as Hak pulled her away from the troublesome dragon.
Jae-ha closed the door, but didn't shut it all the way, knowing that you didn't like light blinding you when you first woke up. He crouched beside the bed, eye-level with you. Your eyes were shut, breathing even. His eyes softened, he really didn't want to wake you up, but this took precedence and he didn't want anyone to see you sleeping, knowing you felt uncomfortable with that.
He shook your shoulder gently, trying to rouse you from your slumber. Your brow furrowed, sleepily batting away his hand. Jae-ha couldn't help it as the corners of his mouth pulled back in an adoring smile.
Cute...
He got up, leaning over to whisper in your ear, "Y/N," With his coaxing, you opened your eyes slowly. "Captain Gi-gan needs us. There's been a development."
You scrambled up to a sitting position, terrified eyes scanning for any signs of a threat and Jae-ha hushed you, pressing two fingers to your wrist quickly.
"Not like that," He apologized, nosing your hair as you relaxed slightly. "Apparently Shin-ah's spotted some ships."
You nodded, raising your arms up at him and gazing at him with puppy dog eyes. He laughed, the sound sending warmth flooding all over your body, and he obliged; picking you up easily, with an arm hooking under your knees and the other supporting your back. Your hands immediately wound around his neck, tucking your head into the crook of his neck.
Jae-ha tried to calm his racing heart as your breath hit his skin, lighting it on fire. He still wasn't used to it, but he certainly wasn't complaining. Soft, ambient lights lit up the hallway as he carried you to the opposite end of the ship, where Captain Gi-gan and the others most likely were.
Nudging the door open with his shoulder, both of your eyes flew wide open. The room was crowded, and everyone was looking at you. The pirates were scattered around the room, with Yona and her dragons plus Yoon taking up almost all of one side.
"You're late." The captain smirked, gaze regretful as she looked at you, but you smiled back reassuringly. She knew how hard of a time you had trying to fall asleep, but she wouldn't have called for you unless absolutely necessary.
Everyone turned their attention back to Captain Gi-gan as she began to speak. "Kum-ji is probably planning to go through with a large-scale trafficking deal soon." Jae-ha pushed through the crowd, making his way to an open spot on the floor beside Yona and the others. He sat down carefully, arranging you comfortably in his lap.
If you weren't so tired, you probably would have blushed.
"If shots are fired at the harbor, the people living in the area will end up getting hurt, so we will attack Kum-ji's boat instead." Captain Gi-gan stated.
Jae-ha held you tighter as he felt you tremble against him at the mention of the bastard's name. His heart thumped against his rib cage, soothing you as you pressed an ear against his chest, closing your eyes to block out everything else.
"The problem is, we don't know when it'll be carried out, and we don't know which boat the girls will be on." Jae-ha interjected, voice low, but clear enough to reach everyone in the room.
"That's right," Captain Gi-gan agreed, "Kum-ji will have people at the dealing that can be used as hostages. If we recklessly attack the boats, the people being sold will get mixed up in the fight."
She tapped a finger to her chin in contemplation. "On the other hand, the girls will be taken to the Kai Empire if we stand by and do nothing."
"Is there another way to ensure the safety of those women?" The captain addressed the crowd around her, opening up the floor to ideas.
One of the pirates pointed out that because it's such an important deal, there was a high chance of Kum-ji being there, and with their new allies, things should go much smoother than they were originally expecting. Jae-ha mindlessly ran a hand through your hair as he listened to the clamor. Your grip on the front of his robes tightened, and he dropped a soft kiss on top of your head.
"...We still need a little more information." The captain's determined voice rose above everyone else's. "We will restore freedom to this town."
The sound of steel splintering wood rang clear across the room as Captain Gi-gan stabbed the table with a dagger, eyes burning with resolve. "This time, I too will take up my blades. Follow me until the very end you brats!"
Jae-ha didn't notice the worried look exchanged between the girl in his arms and a particular red-haired princess.
