Son Hak saving you from a group of men
Pairing: Hak x fem!reader
Word Count: 2k
Synopsis: While gathering herbs, you get surrouned by bandits - until a mysterious, cocky stranger swoops in to save the day. But you’re no damsel in distress, and you’re ready to show him exactly what you’re capable of.
Warnings: tensioooon y'all, Hak is so damn inviting I just had to write this
I know a lot of my followers are here for jjk, kny and maybe aot, but I enjoyed my fruits basket fanfic soo much that I just had to write for Hak hehe
Even if you're not a fan, I'd love you forever for a little like <3
The forest is quiet as you weave through the dense underbrush, your hands skilfully plucking at the delicate leaves of a healing herb nestled in the shade. The sun filters through the green above, and for a moment, you take in the peace of nature, away from the bustling energy of the village. It's not every day you get the chance to help restock the supplies of your mother’s pharmacy, even though you’re always more than happy to help.
After all, collecting herbs means at least a few minutes of peace, a few minutes away from your mother’s desperate attempts to match you up with a random man. You know she only wants your best. After all, your father is the love of her life. It’s only natural for mothers to wish for that happy ending for their daughters, right?
You can’t help but grimace. Marrying a jerk from your village isn’t exactly your vision of a happy ending, though. If it was for you, you’d be happy enough by becoming a pharmacist just like your mother while getting to train with your father from time to time.
A pharmacist…That bouquet of moonshade bloom looks exceptionally good today. Its healing properties will be of great help for your father when he finally returns home-
Your focus on the herbs is abruptly shattered when the sound of rustling leaves catches your attention. Did someone follow you? Your mother, by any chance? No, you are the only one who knows about that secret place, the only villager who comes here. But who…?
You glance up, fingers tightening around the handle of the small blade strapped to your waist. Your father told you over and over that a knife can be a dangerous weapon in the right hands, that you should never use its powers carelessly.
A group of rough-looking men steps into view, their eyes narrowing as they spot you. Your heart drops to the floor, fierce eyes following each and every step. This can’t be good. This definitely means trouble.
“Well, well,” one of them drawls, smirking as his gaze sweeps over you.
“What’s a pretty thing like you doing out here all alone?”
You straighten, willing yourself to appear unfazed.
“Just minding my business,” you reply evenly, your hand inching closer to the hilt of your sword.
“And I advice you to do so as well.”
But they don’t seem inclined to leave it at that. No, instead, one steps even closer, his grin widening in a horrendous way.
“We’ll take real good care of you. No need to be shy.”
Your heart pounds as they close in, and though you’re confident in your skills, you know you’re outnumbered. That won’t stop you from giving it your all. Little do they know you aren’t a shy and weak girl from a nearby village. No, you are the daughter of a captain who serves under the crown itself. He never cared about the fact that you are a girl, always trained you like a son. Exactly for moments like these.
Just as your fingers wrap around your blade, a blur of movement descends from the trees.
“Now, now,” a unfamiliar, teasing voice cuts through the tension.
“Is this the part where I ask if I’m interrupting something?”
The men freeze, startled by the sudden interruption. Your head snaps up toward the source of the low and somehow taunting voice, your grip on your blade tightening. A tall figure emerges from the shadows of the trees, moving with the grace of someone who has seen far too many battles.
He’s tall, there’s no doubt in the fact that he’s quite muscular underneath the dark cloak he’s wearing. His strikingly blue eyes flick to you briefly, his smirk cocky and self-assured, before settling on the men again.
Who on earth is he?
“Interrupting? Not at all,” one of the bandits sneers, regaining his composure.
“But this isn’t your business, stranger. Why don’t you move along?”
The man chuckles, an easy, confident sound that only serves to irritate the bandits further.
“Oh, but you see, I just can’t help myself when it comes to damsels in distress. It’s a weakness of mine.”
“Damsel in distress?”, you hiss through gritted teeth
You bristle, ready to argue that you’re no damsel, but the situation is too tense to waste time on resentment. Besides, the stranger’s interruption has bought you a moment to steady yourself, and you intend to use it.
The bandit leader narrows his eyes.
“You’ve got a death wish, pal.”
“Maybe,” the man replies casually, lifting his glaive off his shoulder and twirling it with practiced ease.
“But I’ll still take my chances over yours.”
Without warning, one of the bandits lunges at him, a blade drawn. You barely have time to process what happens next - a flash of steel, and the man goes flying backward, clutching his chest and groaning in pain while you didn’t even manage to pull out your knife in the meantime.
The stranger doesn’t stop there. He moves like lightning, his glaive cutting through the air in wide, precise arcs that force the other bandits to scatter.
And you? You just watch him like a fool with your mouth open.
“You lot really are a disappointment,” he comments with a mocking sigh.
“Is this what passes for banditry these days?”
One by one, the men fall like rice sacks. Some manage to run, tripping over their own feet in their haste to escape, while others are left sprawled on the ground, groaning in defeat. It’s over in a matter of moments, leaving only you and the stranger standing amidst the chaos.
You are loss at words. Did this…really just happen?
He plants his glaive in the dirt and turns to you, his smirk softening into something almost friendly.
“You alright, Miss?”
Miss…You lower your blade but don’t sheath it just yet. Your eyes narrow as you study him, unsure whether to thank him or demand his intentions. What did he do here anyway?
He doesn’t seem fazed by your caution at all, though. In fact, his grin only widens.
“You’ve got the look of someone who’s about to say, ‘I had it under control,’” he mocks, leaning casually on his weapon.
“I did,” you reply sharply, finally slipping your blade into its sheath.
He chuckles again, the sound low and annoyingly charming.
“Of course you did. I’m sure you would’ve handled it beautifully.”
He tilts his head, a curious glint in his eyes.
“Still, it doesn’t hurt to have a little backup, right?”
“And what do you want for this ‘backup’?” you ask, crossing your arms.
He raises his hands in mock surrender.
“Whoa, easy there. I don’t charge for being a hero. Consider this a freebie.”
You’re unconvinced, but he doesn’t seem malicious. If anything, he looks mildly amused by your wariness.
“You’re not from around here,” you remark, more a statement than a question.
“Caught that, did you?” he replies, clearly entertained.
“You’re right. Just passing through. But I’d hate to think what would’ve happened if I hadn’t.”
His gaze shifts to the bouquet of herbs you’d dropped during the commotion.
“A pharmacist, huh? Or is it an herbalist?”
“Both,” you answer tersely, bending to retrieve the herbs.
You keep one eye on him as you do, unwilling to let your guard down entirely. You hate to admit how mesmerising his fierce eyes look, how inviting those strong arms are.
Inviting…Are you out of your mind?
“Impressive,” he notes, leaning on his glaive again.
“And the blade? That’s not just for show, I take it?”
“My father taught me,” you reply, straightening with the herbs in hand.
“And I can handle myself, thank you very much.”
“I don’t doubt it. But if I hadn’t stepped in, you might’ve been forced to prove it a little too much.”
You bite back a reply, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of rising to his bait.
Hak leans casually on his glaive, his smirk as infuriating as ever. He won’t give up, won’t he?
“You’ve got a lot of fire, Miss Pharmacist. How about actually proving it?”
Your brows furrow.
“Prove it? I don’t have anything to prove to you.”
“Oh, I think you do,” he teases, straightening up.
“Come on, impress me. You’ve got a blade, and from the way you carry yourself, I’d say you know how to use it. Or was that all talk?”
Your jaw tightens. He’s provoking you and you know it, but you’re not about to back down. Not when you’re challenged like that.
“Fine. You asked for it.”
Drawing your knife, you take a step back to create space, your movements fluid and precise. Hak raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued as you ready your stance.
“Anytime you’re ready,” he announces, spinning his glaive once with a flourish.
You charge forward, swinging low before feinting to the side. He blocks effortlessly, his movements annoyingly smooth. But you’re not done. You hinge, using the momentum to aim a strike at his side. He parries, his smirk widening.
“Not bad,” he admits.
“But you’re going to have to do better than that.”
Gritting your teeth, you change tactics, using a feigned stumble to lure him into an overcommitment. As he steps forward, you twist, sweeping his legs out from under him with a sharp kick. His surprised grunt is deeply satisfying as he crashes to the ground.
You’re about to step back and declare victory when his hand snaps out, grabbing your wrist.
“Not so fast,” he mumbles, yanking you down with him.
The next thing you know, you’re sprawled on the forest floor, half on top of him, his laughter ringing in your ears, his firm muscles rough against your palms.
“You’re full of surprises,” he soothes, his grin entirely too smug despite his current position. “Guess I deserved that.”
“Maybe next time you’ll think twice before underestimating me,” you huff, trying to push yourself up.
Gosh, the feeling of his body against yours almost makes your face flush. You were never this close to a man before, especially not a man like him. He definitely knows how to fight, how to use his body oh so smoothly.
“Next time?”
His grin softens, and there’s a flicker of something warmer in his gaze.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
You roll your eyes, brushing yourself off as you stand with that faint voice in your heart screaming in agony. He rises with ease, dusting off his cloak as though he wasn’t just knocked flat on his back.
“Alright, you win. I’ll admit you’re not half bad. But don’t think this makes us even. I still saved you, remember?”
You let out an exasperated sigh.
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re irresistible,” he counters smoothly, falling into step beside you.
The banter carries you both out of the forest, and for all his teasing, you can’t deny the warmth his presence brings. For a stranger, he feels oddly… safe. Annoying, but safe.
But you can’t continue like this. If you stay by his side a little longer, you might really for his charm.
“I guess I keep going now. Have a nice journey to wherever you go next”, you finally announce while turning your step into the direction of your home.
“Hey,” he calls after you.
“Not even a ‘thank you’? Tough crowd.”
You glance over your shoulder.
“Thanks,” you bite back, though it comes out more envying than you’d intended.
He laughs, the sound warm and genuine this time.
“You’re welcome, Miss Pharmacist. If you ever need saving again, just yell. I’ll come running.”
You scoff, but can’t quite suppress the small smile tugging at your lips. Whoever this stranger is, you suspect this isn’t the last you’ll see of him.
