Sensitive to the heart

Jae ha x reader

Fandom: Yona of the dawn

Genre: Some cute fluff

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Jae ha had woken up due to the bright moonlight shining in his face. The man squinted and rubbed his eyes, trying to adjust to the brightness and mostly trying to get used to the fact that he is no longer resting. Groaning, Jae ha stood up, looking around, noting that everyone was sleeping and then spotted Yoon’s bathing bag, which contained towels, shampoo, and body wash.

‘He wouldn’t mind if I took a bath right now, would he?’ Jae ha thought.

Jae ha shrugged and grabbed the bag before walking off to the nearest lake.

-At the lake-

Jae ha set the bag down and stared at the lake, looking at its glow from the moon. The lake was calm, with no ripples, no waves, just quiet steadiness. He soon began to undress. Jae Ha pulled out the ribbon in his hair, letting it fall behind him. And then removed his robe and pants, allowing them to pool at his ankles. Once he was finished removing all of his clothing, he stepped in the lukewarm water, sighing at the warmth. Jae Ha stepped further into the water till it was above his stomach. He closed his eyes and slowly brought his head into the water before walking over to the supply bag and reaching over to find the shampoo bottle but only to realize it wasn’t there. He could’ve sworn that he had brought everything with him.

A loud cough snapped him out of his thoughts and brought his gaze up to a girl who was sitting in a tree with the shampoo bottle in her hand. “Are you looking for something, Jae Ha?” she teased, tossing the bottle in the air and catching it.

“What are you doing up?” Jae ha asked entirely, ignoring the girl’s question.

The girl sighed and jumped off the tree, tossing the shampoo bottle to Jae ha. “The moon was too bright, plus I was cold,” she explained while sitting down on a rock and taking off her shoes before dipping her feet into the water. “Why are you up?”

“The moon as well, it was quite bright.”

(Name) nodded as she watched her feet make ripples as she swung them back and forth. Jae Ha walked to where (name) was sitting and rested between her legs. The girl shivered as she felt the drops of water from Jae Has hair drip on her leg and lightly pushed the man away.

“Don’t you wanna join me, (Name)? Not every girl gets this opportunity to see me in such a state.” Jae Ha cooed as he swept his hair behind his ear, watching (name) giggle.

“No thanks, I already took care of myself earlier. And lucky me, getting to see a naked man! My favorite thing to do at night.”

“Your lost, sweetheart, I guess you could just watch me, but I don’t think you’re the type of girl who watches people take baths.”

(Name) giggled and was about to push herself up but only to have Jae Ha grab onto her ankles and pull her back down. “I thought you wanted me to leave Jae Ha?”

“I was kidding, don’t leave me. At least not right now.”

“Mhm, okay.” (name) replied, “What do you expect me to do? Sit here and watch you take a bath?”

Jae Ha placed a finger on his lip before snapping his fingers at her. “I know what you can do! You can wash my hair! You always know how to wash my hair right.”

(Name) laughed and signaled Jae Ha to come to her. “Okay, I’ll wash your hair. I can’t miss a perfect opportunity.” So (Name) grabbed the shampoo bottle and poured some into her hands before washing Jae Ha’s hair.

Jae ha moaned and leaned back into (Name), telling her how much he loves it when (Name) washes his hair. Which caused her to giggle and lightly tug at Jae Has hair making him yelp.

A few minutes later, Jae Ha had washed out the shampoo and washed his body as (Name) was picking up his clothes and folding them to be there when he needed them. Once Jae Ha was done, he made (Name) turn around.

Once (Name) heard his towel drop she closed her eyes and turned around, immediately walking into his chest and hugged him. A blush rose onto Jae ha’s face as he felt her embrace tighten around him. Jae ha slightly chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “What’s this for (Name)?” He asked while burying his head into her neck.

“Have I ever told you how much I love you?” She suddenly asked, making Jae ha lose his breath. “I love everything about you, Jae Ha.”

“Even my ugly leg?” He mumbled.

Even though Jae Ha has hated his dragon’s leg and always thought of it as ugly and people wouldn’t like him for it, (Name) always did. She wasn’t lying when she loved everything about him. (Name) had always thought that his leg is what made him for who he was to this day. His leg has saved tons of people from death or being hurt. She thought his leg was great.

“I should smack you for saying that. But I won’t cause, you’ll still say it no matter how many times I do it.”

Jae ha chuckled and tightened his grip around her, “I’m sorry (Name).”

(Name) sighed and rested her cheek over his heart listening to it pump. “Jae Ha, I love your leg. Your leg has saved multiple lives including mine. Whatever low life loser said that nobody would accept you were wrong. You have many people accepting you for who you are! Including me. I’ll always accept you Jae Ha, that’s an oath on my life! What do I need to do to make you see how I see your leg?”

Jae Ha was stunned. Nobody had said that to him. Is this the feeling of being loved for what you are? More thoughts entered his mind as he thought about (Name). He felt tears form in his eyes as he pulled away from (Name) and smashed his lips onto hers. The girl was taken back but shortly kissed him back. He put his hand on the back of her head and drew her head closer to his face.

They both pulled away with bright red faces and panting for air. (Name) rested her forehead onto Jae Ha’s. She then placed her hand onto his leg and gently stroked it and whispered; You should probably put your clothes on.

“I thought you liked what you were seeing.” He grinned before picking up his clothes and putting them on.

“Don’t get me wrong. I could stare at your body all day and never get tired of it. Now, if you excuse me, I’m heading off to the camp. Come join me when you’re finished.” (Name) said before walking off. But Jae ha was quick and grabbed onto her wrist, bringing her into his chest and hugging her tightly.

“Thank you (Name),” Jae Ha spoke, “Thank you for always being there for me. And I love you too. Never forget that.”

(Name) smiled and nodded her head, “I’ll always be here for you, Jae Ha. Grab Yoon’s bag and i'll be waiting by the trees, and we can walk together.”

“I was going to make you walk with me either way. Someone might kidnap me.”

“Nobody would kidnap you, and if that was to happen; they return you in no time.”

“Oh, gee, thanks.” Jae Ha grumbled as he let go of (Name) and grabbed the bag and towel.

(Name) laughed as she stood there waiting for him to get back, “Come on,” she said as Jae ha walked up to her, “You make me tired.”

And with that, they walked back to the camp hand in hand and made sure that Jae Ha didn’t get kidnaped.

Incoherent Akatsuki no Yona Whatever

Okay I may have read more than 180 chapters of this manga in three days, and now I'm gonna die month after month... Anyway, here I go with one of my long, unnecessary lists (of course this is gonna be FULL OF SPOILERS):

First of all they are all precious and have to be protected

Except for the Advisor Guy (he almost killed a child that was in his path) and the Sky General Dude (who is turning out to be just an envious little shit)

And I mean I feel slightly bad for hating Advisor Guy because he is smart and the only not noble powerful person at court, but as of now, I can't stand him

Yona is amazing, I usually can't stand shoujo manga heroines, but she is one of a different kind

Yona and Hak are fine slow burn OTP material

The dragon warriors all had messed up childhood/life before Yona, and my heart hurts

Until now I've loved Every Single Female Characters, and their interactions

Gi Gan the pirate captain is one hell of a woman

Lili is a tsunami, she doesn't beat around the bush and has been able to become so strong, even without knowing how to wield a weapon

Also her bodyguards are so precious

Omg the princesses of Xing

Especially Princess Kouren: the idea of a girl that spent 17 years of her life becoming a fine warrior to protect everyone, after a monster left heads of her people in front of her castle... I mean, wow.

Yu Lan loving her husband and him trusting and loving her so much after all

Kan Iguni is a power of her own, she wasn't much in the story but her fan and her silence mesmerized me

The scene where Yona cut her own hair to follow Hak down the cliff

Okay I know it was not... YET

Yun being the mother of the group, his goodbye to the priest and let's not forget he wants to read all the books in the world

Kija saying goodbye to the Grandma

Yona giving Shin-ah his name

Shin-ah and his mask

The pirates in Awa

Yona killing the slaver with her arrow

The idea of Zeno being 2000 years old, yes it breaks my heart

He was like so chill for entire chapters and then he dropped off the bomb like "yeah miss don't worry, the more they hurt me the stronger I get, I've been alive since King Hiryuu, I know I can't die, believe me I've tried"

The look in Yona eyes that lets everyone know that you Don't Mess With her and her family (my girl, if I think about her dead eyes in the first chapters, she has come so far)

The Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch, I died

Hak calling himself the Dark Dragon until they all gave up, I mean the man can keep up with the others so

Yun being super chill when people mistake him for a girl, because he knows he is too pretty

Lord Tae-Jun having a satisfying redemption arc

Hak just making a habit of hugging people he cares about, not just Yona #letboysbesoft (this was the moment I had to go and look, and of course this manga is written by a woman, it is amazing)

The group being carefree and happy, going around helping people, I'm gonna miss those days now that they are in the palace

But the shift was so well done throughout the series: you could see how the tales of their actions spread and everyone started to know them, nothing was gonna be simple anymore

Can we talk about how cute is that Hak is like Yona best cheerleader: that's my lady everyone, when she wins the archery gamble, smirking, when she fly-kicks the guy harrassing Lili, isn't my lady amazing, when more archery

AND THEN JUST BLURTING OUT THE CONFESSION OF HIS UNREQUIED LOVE IN FRONT OF EVERYONE

The drangons were like what just happened

Yona was like what just happened

Yun was like what just happened

Ao was like what just happened

I WAS LIKE WHAT JUST HAPPENED

When Yona "greeted" Hak

The water kiss (*melts again*)

Yona drinking a possibly poisoned medicine, so she could tell Hak she loved him

The scene was perfect, because I was so sure this was gonna be dragged on with her not remembering the fire and everything: but then she just tells him and everyone hears (except for Tae-Jun, Heuk-Chi covers his ears and drags him away, sparing the poor dude's life, the whole thing was hilarious)

Btw the Dark Dragon and the Happy Hungry Bunch drink respecting women juice

The Wind Tribe makes me soft

Kija is too pure for this world

Jae-Ha and Hak, I swear

Like Jae-ha feels all his dragon instincts towards Yona and maybe more, but he spends 90% of his time like

Now if I just can see Hak and Yona kick ass together, like the power couple they are, I can die happy (please don't make Yona waste away in the castle, pleeeeeeease)

Kija and Jae-Hae protecting their brothers, smashing everything so they didn't have to show their powers at the competition

The last chapters made me so mad, like my hands were slightly trembling: the palace is suffocating, they are divided, used and embarrassed; seeing them coming out victorious even this time will be so satisfying

Last but not least I still don't have an opinion on Soo-Won. I don't get why he had to go through all the rebellion and killing the king. He is conquering the whole world and strengthening the nation, but why couldn't he do it with Yona and Hak? What was Yona's father really thinking? Why his passive way of dealing with the other countries? He knew his daughter would one day obtain the power of the Gods, so why not letting her touch weapons?

The more I think about all this, the more the whole picture escapes me. I'll see you in a couple of years (T.T) with more theories and more answers I hope.

(Just kidding please hit me with your theories and everything I forgot to put in the list!)

Kiznaiver - Thoughts

I just finished Kiznaivers and despite people on both sides saying that they love it or hate it, I can say that it fits the niche that I was looking for, so I really liked it. I like shows where romance is prevalent but not the most relevant plot point of the show. The cast wasn’t as bad as I thought they were going to be, and I ended up enjoying this more than I should’ve. I’m about to get hyper-critical on a show that was given a 9/10 on MAL because that 9 was purely based on enjoyment.

Pros

Voice Cast

Good cast of characters (at times)

Good concept

Good script (at times)

Amazing art

Stunning music

Cons

Some of the characters aren’t that great

Lots of things are left hanging or just never got addressed ever

Story and writing can leave some things to be desired

Was not done to its fullest potential

Spoilers and full thing below!

Story

I separated stories and characters this time because I felt like I wanted to address both on their own.

The script was written by Mari Okada who’s known for writing the script for other sob stories like Anthem of the Heart and Anohana. I really like her writing despite criticism saying that her style is melodramatic. The script was a bit stuck at times during its idle moments, but when it was trying to hit, sometimes, it truly resonated with me. But I’ll admit, the tone of the show had a few mixed messages at times that took away the impact of her writing. It was unfortunate but between the mascot things and the Trigger art style, I understand how people think that the show can’t be taken seriously.

The story itself... needs to be taken with a large grain of salt. Or maybe a small pile. Heck, just take the whole bag of salt. It establishes more questions than they could ever answer within their run. While you can mount most of this to humans and their stupid ideas, I have a hard time believing that this happened in modern-day Japan with kids under the government’s eye with mascots roaming about. Yeah... it gets off to a bit of a rough start.

Characters

In this kind of show, characters are vital to the show’s success. This show takes the classic “seven deadly sins” and spin them off using a mix of classic anime tropes. We have the “lifeless kid”, “tsundere”, “thug”, “eccentric freak”, “ikemen”, “cold bitch”, and “insane masochist”. We also have the “mysterious girl” to top it all off, but I found her annoying throughout the duration of the entire story. It didn’t even matter once her backstory was revealed, I didn’t like her. 

But want to know the weird thing? I liked the tsundere and thug. Chidori and Tenga were my favourite characters. This cast was written pretty well. Maki the “cold” one gets the development she deserved. We barely touched upon the other characters besides Noriko, Katsuhira, Maki, and the environment. Maki’s development had so much potential, and luckily, they used a lot of it. However, as I mentioned before, too many ends were left undone. We see characters have issues that are never addressed. One character arguably has an eating disorder, and I was waiting for them to come out, say, it, and show us that it’s okay to come out. And for a male character at that. Why couldn’t we have that? And Maki’s development, she’s bisexual. It’s canon. Nice. I think they could’ve gone further into it. Where and how did Chidori and Kacchon meet if he wasn’t “always like this”? I felt that the romantic connection between Niko and Tenga was kind of forced within episodes eight and nine, but that scene in episode eight and nine was so well done by all standards. Given the certain circumstances, maybe it didn’t hit that hard, but for me, it gave a pretty good impact. The love confessions were so well acted that even if the feelings flew over my head, I still felt bad for them.

The way I see it, Noriko and Katsuhira go way back and their past is the reason why they wreak havoc on these other people’s lives (I weirdly didn’t like either of the leads). Noriko does it because she’s in pain, and Katsuhira is like this because he never got over his childhood crush and doesn’t understand anything. Chidori deserves better than she got, I don’t know why she gets so much hate. Her design is cute, she has the perfect voice, and she’s transparent making her very easy to read. Tenga is super transparent too. He’s the kindhearted thug, and I like that trope. His genuine liking towards Chidori comes across easily. I also like the whole “trying to set people up but falling in love along the way” when it’s done right (look at Toradora). Yuta is good, but we got nothing on him. Maki is great. She got the development she deserved, and even though it took a whole chunk of the show, it was one of the best parts of the series. Hisomu is just a messy insert character who is a masochist because it fit the niche of the series. He also spews wisdom at times because he’s a plot device. I didn’t strongly hate any of the cast.

Art

Yuzuru Tachikawa has worked on Death Parade and Mob Psycho 100. And with Trigger’s style, the anime turned out great. The OP and ED were stunning in their own right. Even when the anime got emotional, it was still good! The art did its job great and showed the eccentric side of their characters in a way that made me believe them even more. 

Sound

This is one of the strongest parts of the anime. The OP by BOOM BOOM SATELLITES was so catchy, fitting, and I know they won’t ever make a song like that again because of the tragic death of one of the two members but this song was such a high note. The ending was great and with the visuals, I liked it! The score was done by Yuki Hayashi which I didn’t find out until after I watched the show, and if you don’t know what he has worked on, he has done Haikyuu, My Hero Academia, and more. When they use the soundtrack, it’s really good. I just wish they let it showcase a little more.

The voice acting! Where do I even start? 

Another role for Kaji, and honestly, I have heard too many main characters by him now. My outlook was like Katsuhira. It was so bland. His performance as an actor was great leaving little to ask for, but I almost wish this role was given to a smaller voice actor to get their big break.

Tomoaki Maeno has blown me away quite a few times with his performance in Death Parade and Hak in Akatsuki no Yona. He was also really good as Doujou in Library Wars and the White Blood Cell in Hataraku Saibou. However, he has had quite a few misses for me. One of the biggest misses was the main character role as *cough* Dino (*STOMPS FOOT*) in Blend S.

Nobunaga Shimazaki is quite a capable voice actor too, but he is mostly known for a certain niche with his higher voice. Ironically, this character in Kiznaiver doesn’t hesitate to swim. One of his most notable roles is Haruka Nanase from Free. I personally know him for playing Shinichi in Parasite and Kaidou from Saiki. I would say something more, but as his character wasn’t developed much, what can I say? A voice actor only gets as good as the writing does.

Ironically, both Yuka Terasaki and Hibiku Yamamura are known for voicing the child versions of a lot of main characters but don’t get as many main characters themselves.

And I tried to see whether there was any other Terasaki role that I would want to watch, and honestly, there wasn’t anything (since I hold general consensus and genre above voice actors). I wanted there to be, but there wasn’t any. Her performance for Chidori was so powerful, innocent, pure, naive, and raw that I was genuinely surprised. Terasaki got married a little while back. Congrats! Maeno and Terasaki both gave me surprises performance-wise.

But you know who else surprised me? Kuno. Misaki Kuno. I only know her for voicing children or babies or the token mascot pig. This was genuinely surprising. I had already heard Sugita and her having a heart-to-heart conversation, and I heard her interview saying that she had a hard time with this role, but it came out beautifully.

Rina Satou is a very, very, very strong voice actress. She’s almost as old as Sugita and Nakamura. She’s married with a kid, and this role was done just a year before that news came about. In fact, this anime came out in 2016, but within that same year, she revealed she had a kid and was married. You probably heard her voice somewhere, but she doesn’t have a whole lot of mainstream leading roles. She does have a seiyuu award for Best Leading Actress though.

And Koutarou Nishiyama... right... him... his BL career (assuming he has one) is paying off because you can certainly see it shine? I don’t know. The writing didn’t let this character go far. Maybe another role will make me respect him as an actor.

This show had a strong voice cast, and it’s one of the strongest parts of the show.

My Top 10 Shoujo/Josei Ships

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, they are problematic which is why they rank last. No doubt. But like, they’re ten and children make mistakes. Especially children who are as unfortunate as Natsume. Natsume himself is probably the most offensive one in this list. But I just...really have a soft spot for brooding bad boys who secretly want to be saved by the cheerful nice girl and that’s not going to go away ANY time soon. I grew really fond of these two as the series went on. I just did.

Man, these two used to be a lot higher when I was younger (like the same age as them lol) KKJ was the first true cosplay I ever did! So...um, not so much in the anime (although he’s not totally innocent but he is better). Chiaki has...issues. Lol. To say he’s insecure...is probably an understatement. But when you look at his upbringing, it’s really no surprise. Maron is the only person he truly seems to care about so he’s going to cling and be needy. But she knows how to handle him. She’s always in control (not in a bad way) but in a way that’s good for both of them. I love how mature she is. He will learn from her....if he hasn’t already. Okay, they’re married with a baby so I would think adult!Chiaki has gotten over what made the teenage ship problematic. Besides, they totally have God’s approval; what more do you need? XD

  *laughs* Who here watched this for the episodic Phantom Thief plots?

*crickets chirp*

OF COURSE YOU F*CKING DIDN’T.

Ya all watched it hoping for these two....RIDICULOUS TSUNDERE...GOOBERS TO TURN AROUND ONE DAY AND CONFESS HOW MUCH THEY DREAM OF GETTING MARRIED TO EACH OTHER...

MeimixAsuka is the absolute classic “love-hate/ slap slap kiss” ship DONE RIGHT. Which is great because so many are done very very wrong (and I can think of quite a few in, ironically non-Japanese media...aimed at children...that can honest to God, be interpreted as downright abusive. *coughiCarlycough*

But not these two. They are so f*cking innocent. Delightfully innocent. Like, their most offensive action is to call each other “idiot”. But God forbid anybody ELSE do that...oh no, if you dare bad-mouth one in front of the other, he/she gets so mad. And that’s like the cutest shit ever.

OH HEY. IT’S THE ONE BL SHIP I ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT!! Um...well, these two are great. I thought they were great in college when I went through my fujoshi stage (ugh) BUT I STILL think they’re great NOW. This is the anime version of The Odd Couple. With more gay. xD These two are sweet as chocolate. Their interaction is just precious. What’s more important? THEY’RE ACTUALLY GOOD FOR EACH OTHER. No rape. No forcing feels on each other, great chemistry, comforting comforters; all the reasons you’d ship a regular boyxgirl pairing. This one just happens to be two boys. AND I STILL DON’T KNOW IF THIS EVER TURNED CANON AFJLFJLFJDLJF

This is one of those very few Childhood Friend Ships I’m all for. It’s kind of crazy that they were able to rank this high when I haven’t even finished their story yet. BUT I LOVE THEM. I was going to pick a ship and say “Imagine _____, except they’re little kids.” But actually, I’m having a hard time comparing them to another ship I can think of. So...they’re KINDA ‘Slap Slap Kiss’-ish but Seiya does not hide his feelings. AT ALL. He’s pretty out-spoken about it. And all he wants to do is sweep her off her feet...but it’s basically the other way around xD As for Ririka...going by Shoujo Logic, her crush on (wow he’s so boring I can’t even remember his stupid name LOL) is superficial and she subconsciously has deeper feelings for Seiya that she’s unaware of...but damn, she sure gets fired up when he’s hurt in front of her! So that gives me hope.

This is just a given. It’s HIGHLY unlikely you would find another “Best Shoujo Pairing” list WITHOUT them. So he’s already there but HURRY UP AND REALIZE YOU LOVE HIM, AHIRU. Lol dammit. The only hint we get from her is “Fakir always makes me stronger” and that SINGLE LINE is deeper than ANY thought she ever had about Mytho. Hell, I’m pretty sure Ikuko herself ships them hard. Their entire relationship is so beautifully crafted...just like the rest of the series except maybe for Ahiru’s crush on Mytho which just had me going “LOLWHY” the entire time.

“SLAP SLAP KISS” LITERALLY. All they do is fight...and then kiss. xD They’re always saving each other, supporting each other, underneath all those insults, then they get married and have two cute kids. Some people think Kazune’s too hard on her...but it’s “tough love”. He has to be because that’s what motivates her. Every single thing Kazune does in the series is strictly for her sake. Their main problem is miscommunication...but I think that goes away quickly so who cares?

Yes, yes, I know. We have two major problems here: The first is initial sexual harassment. Obviously.

But here’s the second problem:

IT’S  JUST TOO DAMN FCKING HOT.

Tooyama Ema knew how to turn up the sexual tension to ELEVEN with these two. Good lord, did she ever. This is by far the sexiest manga I’ve ever read!! Whoever coined the phrase “DOKI-DOKI MOTHERFUCKER” surely had to be reading about Yukina making Shigure do things and Shigure making Yukina do things. While the ship (born from blackmail) should strictly fall into ‘Guilty Pleasure Smut’ category, it only teeters on the edge. For me, at least. Why? Because the character development is actually really damn good. Shigure goes from Cold, Uncaring Magnificent Bastard to Excellent Tsundere Boyfriend Material quite steadily and beautifully. He’s also the only character in the series who can handle Yukina’s personality flaws. Basically, “he’s good for her” while the others are...um, terrible. xD

HEY. IT’S “ANIME TWILIGHT EXCEPT IT DOESN’T SUCK” SHIP.

It’s an ancient story. ‘Vampires make sexy boyfriends’. I believe this has been going on for a reeeeeeeeeeeeeeally long time. Like.....since the 30s, maybe? When did Anne Rice start writing? IDK ANYWAY IT’S A THING. Cutesy human girl wants vampire. The vampire is broody, dark, emo. “I’m dangerous. Stay away from me. You’ll only get hurt”. But they still turn into an off-again, on-again thing because he can’t make up his f*cking mind on whether to protect her at his side or “protect by neglect”. We’ve all heard it before.

EXCEPT THAT IS NOT THIS STORY.

No, it’s cutest f*cking damn vampire romance I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing. And yeah, I did watch Karin and Tsukuyomi Moon Phase but I’m partial to vampire stories for women so fck that. lol. So...where to start. First of all, Riho loved him way before she even knew what he was. When she finds out, she still loves him. And he does do the “You’re better off not being with me because danger”. But he doesn’t say this to be edgy or to manipulate her; he says it because what he does is actually dangerous enough for her to get killed and he doesn’t want that. But she doesn’t give a damn. And he treats her like a princess. And she finds out how lonely he is and vows to always stay at his side and he respects her f*cking decisions and they go on cute dates and always comfort each other and just afjalfjalfjaijfIWEJFILOVETHISSHIPSOMUCH.

Before I get to #1, here’s some honorable mentions:

SakuraxSyaoran from CCS

YonaxHak from Akatsuki no Yona

KurosakixTeru from Dengeki Daisy

KirarixHiroto from Kirarin Revolution

DaichixNajika from Kitchen Princess

TamakixHaruhi from Ouran High School Host Club

ZeroxYuuki from Vampire Knight

Note: I am not good at top lists. This was insanely f*cking hard to do.

So....drumroll..........

WHO SAW THIS COMING?

WHO FCKING SAW THIS COMING?

IF YOU DIDN’T,

YOU DON’T KNOW ME.

GET OFF MY BLOG.

These two pairings are....like...they affect me in ways I just cannot fathom. Like...I literally do not understand how they’ve cast these obsessive spells on me...but they have. Fanart records do not lie. And mine...for both of them is ridiculous.

So why?

The best answer I can come up with is...

“Most emotionally deep”. They inspire me. They make me squeal with joy and break down sobbing. They give me warm fuzzy feelings while at the same time, tearing my heart to shreds. I just can’t get enough of either one. It’s almost like they’ve touched my soul somehow. I just don’t know. I don’t think there’s a ship that expresses the feeling of ‘soulmates’ stronger than these two ships. I feel like Takuto and Mitsuki and Issac and Rachel were born so they could meet each other. They’re both oddly similar...and yet different as night and day seewhatIdidtharwiththepics. I think “sacrifice” and “salvation” is what I respond most to when I think about ever-lasting true love. And everything about these four characters’ development is centered around these two things.

@thedragonsweek2019

Day Five of The Dragons Week 2019 Prompts! This time it’s Family Bonds and since I’m centering this around Lina it’s time for Lina bonding with her family the Happy Hungry Bunch! For reference Valerie is my OC and married to Hak, Ura is their son.

“It’s great everyone is doing better now, probably because we’re back in Kouka.” Yona noted as she added a bit more to the fire as the stars were out and it was their only light source. Dinner had finished and everything was cleaned up and she giggled watching Zeno chase around Lina and Ura. “Ok you three how about you sit down for a bit?” she sighed and sat down next to her husband that was holding their newborn baby girl. “Mommy, where did the baby’s name come from?” Lina asked as she approached her parents. “You and daddy had said she was named after someone important.” Jae-ha chuckled as he pet the young Ryokuryuu on the head. “That’s true little one, she was Auntie Valerie’s mother actually. You wouldn’t remember her as she passed away when you were just a baby.” “Oh please, she was just as much my mother as she was yours.” Valerie chuckled, taking Ura into her lap as she sat next to her husband Hak. “That’s why when Yona sweetie suggested it I thought it was a great idea.” Yona smiled at that, pulling Lina into her lap as she hugged her close. “In the short time I knew Captain Gigan she was already like a mother to me, and that was only a few days. She inspired me to become stronger and helped me better myself. She taught me so many things and was a great example. I could see why you two loved and respected her so much, so that’s why I wanted to name our second daughter after her.” “I’m sure she would have been honored, princess.” Kija spoke up. “Knowing her she would have tossed me into the sea if I denied your suggestion Yona love.” Jae-ha laughed, cradling his baby girl in his arms. “After all she was a big influence on both our lives, who knows if we would have met like we did had I not been in Awa? I probably would have been running from the dragons forever.” “Well you were the hardest one to get to join us.” Hak brought up. “The only one that joined us faster than White Snake was Zeno, but that was because he was secretly stalking us the whole time.” “Zeno already explained that mister.” Zeno chuckled as he took his seat. “Zeno arrived last after the miss gathered the other dragons to test her.” “How did you meet everyone Papa?” Ura asked, looking at his father the Thunder Beast. “Yeah I wanna know the whole story how mommy met daddy!” Lina chimed in. “And how you met Uncle White Snake, Uncle Shin-ah, Uncle Hermit and Grandma Yoon! Mommy said Uncle Darkness Dragon protected her in the castle but what from there?” “Oh my, seems it’s time for a story then.” Jae-ha chuckled. “Would you rather start Hak or should Yona-chan?” “Well I can chime in.” Valerie offered with a chuckle, looking at Ura. “I met your Uncle Jae-ha when we were young, caught him stealing from a vendor because he didn’t know about money and had left a really bad place. I took him home back to your grandma and she took him in. As for your father… I met him during a tournament I went to, from there I found out he lived in the Wind Tribe and went to visit every now and again.” “After we left the palace gramps sent us to find Ik-su, and that’s how we met your Grandma Yoon.” Hak continued. “Yeah and I’ve been keeping you guys alive since then.” Yoon rolled his eyes. “You were half dead then and barely made it, I still remember Yona begging me to save you. From there we went to find Kija’s village.” “Which the first time I saw the princess my blood called out to her and I knew I had found my master.” Kija took over from there, admiration on his face as he looked at Yona. “Lina, your mother was brave and strong coming to my village and asking for my help, I gladly accepted my role and lead them to Shin-ah.” “…. Yona offered me to come with, gave me a name…” Shin-ah spoke up, smiling as he recalled this and Ao purred on his shoulder. “Ao liked her right away so I knew she was a nice person… From there we went to find Jae-ha…” “So daddy came with you after that like they did?” Lina asked. “Actually Droopy Eyes found me first.” Hak grumbled at the memory. “Wanted me to join the captain at the time. He actually was dodging the princess when we got into town.” “And told her to leave.” Yoon chimed in. “He was quite rude when we met.” Kija added. Yona giggled at that. “They are right, your father turned me down at first Lina.” She smiled at her daughter. “Only because unlike your Uncle Kija, your father didn’t want to just join me because of the legends or his dragon blood. Though it was cute when he tried to sound so threatening.” Jae-ha looked away as his cheeks were slightly red. “Yes, yes, I know I am never going to live that down. The biggest mistake I ever made was denying going with you, my dearest wife.” He then kissed Yona on the cheek. “But then again you wouldn’t have captivated my heart so much as you tried to prove yourself.” “You mean Uncle Jae-ha actually didn’t like Auntie Yona at first?” Ura asked. “Not exactly, he just didn’t want to be forced to be her dragon.” Valerie explained. “In fact I found her very alluring when we first met, just it had to be my choice to follow her.” Jae-ha said, smiling as Yona leaned her head against his shoulder. “From there it was all downhill Lina as your mother just kept on amazing me until I just fell so hard for her that I couldn’t stand to have her out of my sight.” “And you were nothing but charming especially during Captain Gigan’s test.” Yona giggled, looking at her husband lovingly. “Even telling me to hide from her that you helped me, so determined to help me pass and following me when you didn’t have to.” “Well we both were glad I did that, Yona dear.” Jae-ha pointed out. “Your stubbornness always got you into situations that aren’t good for my heart.” “Says the man that admires my strength and determination.” The princess countered. “Not to mention you’re the one that doesn’t try to talk me out of things as often as the rest.” “Well you did say you hate being held back my love, and it is a turn on, every time…” Jae-ha purred, leaning in to kiss her. “There they go.” Yoon rolled his eyes. “Sometimes you swear those two just got married and not six years ago.” Hak remarked. “Awww come on Hak honey, you do just fine when I can get you to forget your pride.” Valerie teased with a wink. “Eeewwww…” Ura groaned and looked away. “Lina your parents are weird, they’re always so kissy and stuff.” “Oh you don’t know anything Ura!” Lina stuck her tongue out at him, giggling then at her parents making out in front of the group. “Daddy just really loves mommy a lot and he wants everyone to know.” “Trust me we’ve been given enough examples to the point that the princess doesn’t get embarrassed by his public affection anymore…” Kija groaned as he looked away. “… He just likes to make Yona happy.” Shin-ah said. “Zeno thinks the missy and Ryokuryuu are still a cute couple!” Zeno laughed. “Aahhhhh!” the little baby in Jae-ha’s arms was the only noise that got the couple to stop kissing, as she turned to her newborn with a smile. “Don’t worry little one, mommy and daddy haven’t forgotten you.” Jae-ha chuckled, kissing the baby’s forehead. “Lina, would you like to hold your little sister?” “Can I?” Lina looked surprised as her father handed her baby Gigan. “She’s so tiny.” “You were that tiny too once.” Yona giggled, holding Lina tight in her lap as she nuzzled her cheek. “You too Ura.” Valerie chuckled, hugging her son. “So when did you marry mommy then daddy?” Lina asked after a moment. “Uncle Darkness Dragon said you’ve been married for six years but that’s how old I am. And Gigan was in mommy’s tummy for months.” Yona blushed madly as she really didn’t want to discuss that to her daughter. Jae-ha just chuckled. “Well after some time on the road and traveling I realized just how much I love your mother and she fell for me as well, one day it just came out and we confessed to each other. I was the luckiest man alive when she chose me as the love of her life.” He smiled, kissing Yona once more but briefly this time. “The princess you met in Xing helped arrange our marriage as a thanks for all the amazing things your mommy did for her. You were born a few months later little one, the day you saved your mother’s life.” He ruffled his daughter’s pigtails which made her giggle. “You came out of your mommy’s stomach early you see, just ask Grandma Yoon.” “… Well that is true.” Yoon shrugged, deciding to let it go as he sure didn’t want to explain to the small children where babies came from. “So I came early to save mommy right?” Lina asked, as her parents had told her the story of her birth before, and she always took pride in the fact she saved her mother and Yoon. “That’s right Lina, all the more reason you’re my precious treasure.” Jae-ha said, hugging his family as he showered his girls in kisses. “Just like your mother is the princess of my heart.”

How We Got Here

The complete story from Hak/Yona Week 2018 in 1 post.  9K Words 

The battle over Kouka kingdom was finally over and while back at Hiryuu Castle, Yona and Hak reflect on their lives while awaiting the next step of their journey to begin.  This story starts off at the present but jumps back through time in a progression of age before coming back to it; Hak & Yona POV’s.  Some portions are taken from the anime/manga while others are totally made up.  

~~~XXX~~~

It had been 3 years since Yona or Hak had been forced to flee and now they were back at Hiryuu Castle surrounded by their friends, supporters, and the Generals of the 4 other tribes of Kouka Kingdom in the great meeting hall.  Anyone related to the assassination of Emperor Il were either dead or in prison awaiting their punishment.  

But to move swiftly towards reestablishing a sense of normalcy and peace in their kingdom, the Generals immediately approve to reinstate Yona as the Queen.  However, according to their laws, the Kingdom could not be ruled solely by a woman and so it was necessary for her to be married, and soon.  

“My husband has already been selected,” Yona states matter of fact, “Hak will be the King.  Does anyone disprove of my choice?”

The four generals look at each other and it’s Tae-Woo who speaks first.  “We already figured that out, so when’s the wedding?”  The crowd snickers and cheers.

“Little miss,” Zeno speaks up, “might I suggest a month from now?  That should be enough time for preparations to be made and enough time for guests to travel here.”

“That’s true,” she taps her chin, “because I would like to invite Captain Gi-Gan, and Princess Kouren, and Princess Tao, and…”

“We get it,” Geun-Tae laughs heartily, “if there are no objections from the other Generals, I move to set the coronation and wedding to be held one month from today.”  No one objects…

~~xx~~

For as long as he could remember, Hak’s grandfather would drag him to Hiryuu Castle for visits, some time’s lasting days, other times a few weeks at a stretch to train the Sky Tribe’s soldiers or for other official duties as the General of the Wind Tribe.  At first, he didn’t understand why, considering it wasn’t necessary for him to be there, but when he’d question it, was simply advised to do as he was told and to go keep the Princess company.  

They were close in age, she being 2 years younger than he was, but she would often get on his nerves.  Yona could be a spoiled brat and yet other times, sweet and caring.  She’d want to play games, then throw a tantrum if she lost.  She was good at playing the cutesy act to get what she wanted and most of the time he would give in, but not always…

~  

Stalking the young Princess, Hak, crept around the bushes he knew his friend was hiding behind ready to make his move.  The young boy of 7 grinned, as he sees her crouched into a ball and reaches out…  “Gotcha!”

“Ahhh!” Yona jumps up, turning around at both the sound and the way her friend’s fingers jabbed at her sides.  “Hak!” screaming at the boy who surprised her from behind.  “Don’t scare me like that!”

“Then Y-you shoulda…” clutching his stomach as he doubled over in laughter at her flushed and puffed out cheeks, “…hid better!”  

“Omph!” pushing him onto his butt, “you’re so mean to me,” flailing her arms at him in exaggerated swings.

Hak looks up a bit surprised at Yona’s burst of physical retaliation, “Princesses shouldn’t be hitting people.”

“And Princes shouldn’t be mean to Princesses,” crossing her arms in a huff.

“Then it’s good I ain’t a Prince,” he stands up, brushing off his pants with a smug look, “Princess.”

“Oooh, y-youuu!” shaking she’s so angry.  “I really… hate you sometimes!”  Yona storms away furious at Hak for making fun of her while he just laughs even harder.

“No, you don’t!” he calls after her.  “You’ll be begging me to play again!”

Too bad for the young boy that his grandfather had seen the ending of their argument and after a long-winded chastising and a few good cracks, dragged him to Yona’s room to apologize…

~~

Being cooped up behind the walls of the castle, Yona didn’t have any other children her age to play with or talk to so visits by her cousin and or Hak were really the only times she got to just be a kid.  Her relationship with the young Wind Tribe boy was a love hate relationship, sometimes he was nice to her but most of the time loved to tease and toy with her and it drove her crazy.  

She would complain to her father, but he would just smile and tell her to be nice.  Hak was a boy and boys were often rough and tumble, it was just their way, but he meant no harm.  Yona would still whine and her father reminded her that him being around would always keep her safe and sound.  When she asked why, that was how she learned Hak was training to take over as General someday and that information did make her feel a little better…

~

Yona woke up with a start in the darkened room.  It was another nightmare but like always, she could never remember the dream, only the feelings of abandonment or being left all alone, were all that remained in its wake.  Getting out of bed, she walks to another part of the castle, seeking out the only friend she had.  “Hak,” kneeling next to his bed, pushing on his shoulder, “Hak?”

“UghHuh?” the boy turns over seeing the Princess sitting there, he rubs his eyes.  “What are you doing in my room?”

“I had another nightmare,” she sniffles and wipes the drying tears from her cheek, “I don’t want to be alone, can I stay here tonight?”

Conflicted at how he should respond.  He was pretty sure that it was not proper for a girl, let alone a Princess to be sleeping on the same bed as him, but if he told her no and she complained to his grandfather, would he be the one who gets yelled at for making her cry?  “Um, I guess so,” closing his eyes to go back to sleep.

“Thank you.”  Yona slips under the covers, lying on her back next to the boy.  It was a little weird to be sleeping this close to Hak, but she also felt safer, like he was going to scare away her bad dreams.  She turns her head and notices he’s already closed his eyes.

“Go to sleep,” he mumbles.

How did he know she was looking at him?  “C-could I hold your hand?”

“Ugh,” he grumbles but seeks out her hand and grasps it, “happy now?”

“Yes,” blushing as he squeezes slightly, his hand was so warm, his touch, gentle despite his grumpy attitude, and yes, it made her feel a lot better.  After that first time, Yona would often seek Hak out whenever nightmares plagued her…

~

As they grew up, it became harder and harder for Hak to be around Yona.  Call it adolescent hormones, but every time she was close by, no longer was she just the childhood friend he’d play games with or make snow angels with during winter. Still a spoiled, whiny brat, but as each year went by, her beauty grew along with the feelings bubbling inside him. Problem was, he also knew her heart belonged to another.

It didn’t help that his grandfather would often make comments or not so subtle hints as to whom he’d love to see together.  Pushing, dragging Hak to visit Hiryuu Castle, forcing him to stay for long periods of time under the guise that Yona needed a friend. ‘Get used to it,’ Mundok would say, because soon enough Hak will take his place as General and be one of the protectors of this empire, and of her.

But adding fuel to that fire, he is asked of by Emperor Il to become Yona’s bodyguard.  Was the Emperor conspiring with his grandfather to drive him into an early grave? Hak had declined but Emperor Il was not deterred, ‘think about it,’ was the response as he walked away.  What was there to think about?  Yona didn’t need a bodyguard, she needed a baby sitter!

Speak of the devil but who came running up to complain about the Fire General’s son, claiming he was harassing and trying to court her.  First off, Hak found it amusing, second why did she come to him, as he yelled at her to go tell her cousin and maybe he would help her before skulking away.  Okay that response had a tinge of jealousy, but he knew the clueless girl wouldn’t figure it out.

This was why he told the Emperor no, behaving professionally around the Princess always went right out the window, and any other person would be punished if they spoke to her in that manner.  But, even after she apologized and bribed him with fruit, that only made his head spin more.  No, what he really needed was a place to hide and calm down…

‘Tae-Jun is at it again…’  Hak closes his eyes trying to tune out the escalating argument.  He hears a couple of guards talking nearby, that’s the Fire Generals son, he’s grabbing the Princess, we can’t do anything against him, someone go get Emperor Il…  ‘Damn it… I need to leave it alone otherwise from now on I’ll always…  Exhale.’  The memory of her apology…  He hears Tae-Jun call her cute and that he wants to touch her…  

Hak stands up.

“No!  Stop!” Yona cries out for help, desperately trying to pull away from the older boy...  

It was hard enough to listen to, but the moment he sees Tae-Jun being handsy and rough with Yona, Hak is even more furious.  He knows that kind of reaction would be no good, so as he swiftly strides over, formulating the only plan he could think of, or rather use the one emotion she always created in him.

“That’s enough,” Hak swoops in, pulling Yona away from the man’s grasp.  “Who gave you permission to touch My Princess?”  Both Yona and Tae-Jun are shaken.  “The Princess and I made our life-long pledge to each other when we were kids.  Right Princess?” cuddling her close and teasing her hand, “What’s the matter Princess?  Don’t be so shy.”

She laughs nervously with an honest blush, partially caressing his chin, “Not in front of other people.”  And when she is asked if she loves Hak, responds with a straight face clutching at his arm, “Yes, I love him.  I really love him.”  Now Hak is the one blushing in surprise at how serious she sounded, almost wishing it had been true.

But Tae-Jun refuses to believe it could true, stating his own position with the assumption this boy was nothing special, and demanding to know who he even was.  “I am the Wind Tribe’s next General, Son Hak,” he asserts with more authority in his tone.  But, even after Hak states that the Emperor himself asked him to be her exclusive bodyguard, Tae-Jun challenges him and pulls a sword.  Thank the gods that the Emperor showed up at that moment and forced the Fire tribe’s son to back down and make a hasty retreat.  

Now Emperor Il turns to address the two kids now parted and standing several feet away from each other, questioning their true relationship. Of course, they both deny it, Yona with just denial and Hak his usual indifference that he thought the idea would keep the suitor at bay.  Now with Hak in a vulnerable state of mind, Emperor Il asks again, and the boy finally accepts the position formally, promising to always protect Yona.

Hak reflects on that afternoon later in the evening when he is all alone.  Despite their protestations, did the Emperor now believe that his daughter and the future Wind Tribe’s general may have feelings for each other?  He couldn’t tell by Emperor Il’s expression what he thought since he always maintained a smile.  But one would think that if he didn’t want Yona to be so close to someone like him, he wouldn’t have offered the position again, right?  

‘Ugh,’ this was exactly why he didn’t want it in the first place!  Yona’s presence always flustered him, made him loose his focus, and his mind.  The first time the Emperor had asked it was just him and his grandfather present but when Yona was around, he didn’t think twice about accepting.  It was bad enough that the girl he loved, was in love with another man, and now he had to live in the castle, watching over her.  Yup, he had lost his mind alright.

Hak flopped onto his bed with his arm over his face, grateful that his grandfather had returned home shortly after hearing the news.  The old man had been over the moon that his grandson was getting even closer to the royal family, not just because of nobility gains, but simply because it warmed his old heart.  Yona was like a grand-daughter to him, and to know that Hak would be there to protect her made him feel so much better.

Not that it made is grandson feel happy.  Hak had been trying to bury his 15-year-old’s emotions and hormones for the Princess and now, that was going to be ten times harder than it had ever been before.  

Once he had taken the position at the castle, and pledged to protect Yona, that promise became both his curse and his salvation; if he could manage to keep his emotions in check.  Sarcasm became his way of dealing with the Princess.  Hak knew she hated it, but what would be his alternative? Admit to being desperately in love with her and when she turns him down shattering his heart into a million pieces, run away to commit suicide, maybe jump off a cliff or run his own blade through his chest? Sounds drastic, yes, but a possibility when you know deep down there will never be another woman for you like her.

This situation was the ultimate torture that you could ever put any man through and not expect them to go insane.  Every day, week, year that goes by and you are forced by your title and position to be around the one person that your heart desires and the one person you believe you’ll never have.  To sit back and watch them fawning over another that wasn’t you, have to listen to them talk about it, ask you about it and why, because you are the only one they’ve told this secret to.  

Hak told her that he would be happy for them, would serve them for as long as he lived, and said that enough to where he had tricked himself into believing it too.  Her cousin wasn’t a bad guy, a little strange and airy, but they had all grown up together, played together on the castle grounds, and if it made Yona happy, then that was all he wanted for her.  

Most days he could keep his heart in check, and then there were days that the cliff sounded like a better alternative.  It was like being in an out of control carriage on a very hilly road and you wonder should I jump now, then talk yourself into believing that it will eventually get better.  He wasn’t sure what Yona saw him as, maybe a big brother by the way she behaved around him, but when she would act all cute and innocent, say things that could be misconstrued…  Yeah, those were the days he wanted to jump…  

~~

After Hak helps Yona to get on her cousin’s horse, she makes a comment about his handling of women and that he must be entertaining many at home… “Don’t get the wrong idea,” Soo-Won tells her.  “We’ve been discussing who I’m going to be engaged to.  But, let’s stop talking about this, I can’t talk to you about this sort of thing.”

‘What!!!  And he’s still treating me like I’m some little kid!’   “Well,” trying not to seem flustered, “I’m about to be engaged too.”

“Huh?  To whom?”

“To Hak.”   ‘Did that just come out my mouth!  And Hak needs to stop staring at me like I’ve gone crazy, even if it’s true!’

“That’s great!  Congratulations...”

Once the horseback riding is over, and her cousin leaves them alone, Yona is sulking with Hak standing nearby.  “To think he’d believe such a lie,” she drops her head onto the railing.

Hak mumbles to himself, “You’re the one who’s cruel. And annoying…”  She has no idea how much those kinds of statements hurt him…

~

“But father this hair!  Why is it so red?  Even my mother had flowing black hair.  It makes me look weird.”

“It’s not true.  Right Hak?”

“Yes, Emperor Il, nobody has said that the Princess’ hair is strange.  But if I may be so bold to say, there’s definitely something wrong with her head.”

“Shut up servant!  Father do something about this guy!  Even though he’s my servant, he’s so arrogant!”

~

From all the work she put into preparing for her cousins visit, being harassed by Hak at every turn, being told by her father that she couldn’t marry who she wanted, scared by some strange stalker, and being somewhat rejected by the person she loves, Yona retreats into her room for the evening. She was confused, angry, conflicted, and frankly tired that everyone was treating her like a little girl, ‘I’m turning 16 in less than 5 days, I’m not a little girl anymore!’  Flopping onto her bed, part of her wants to cry, maybe scream, definitely scream but that would only bring people running to check on her.

What her father had told her had scared her as well, being the Princess, she would always be a target so whomever was around her could get hurt too.  Could she have been seeing things when she thought there was someone following her? Maybe her father’s words were still messing with her mind?  Yona curls her legs up, this was easier to deal with when she was younger, because whenever she was feeling scared she’d run to Hak and crawl into bed with him cause he would hold her hand and make her feel safer.  

‘Hak!’  Speaking of that man, ‘how dare he say I had a strange head?!  He’s always making fun of me, teasing me, taunting me…  Why is he so mean to me when we’re supposed to be friends!  I just don’t understand it.  I mean, he’s always been blunt and never holds back what he says, but the older we get the worse it became and now he’s such a sarcastic ass!

Ugh and now Soo-Won thinks we’re engaged no matter how I tried to say otherwise.  Okay, I guess I can see how it seems believable because Hak’s always with me, but that’s because it’s his job!  Great, that makes two men that think Hak and I are in a relationship, not that I care about what Tae-Jun thinks…  That’s totally not the point!  He didn’t even try to disagree when I said it, just stood there with his mouth hanging open catching flies!  Where was his stupid comments when I needed it?!’

She sighs, and closes her eyes, there was nothing more she could do tonight but hope that things will change...

~

In all his short 18 years, through fighting, political bickering, and battles with his own heart, never had anger or pain risen to the level of pure hatred, and all he could see was red as swords pointed at the girl he lived for.  It didn’t matter that these were soldiers he had fought with, trained, or that the man ordering their execution was the one betraying them all because in that moment, all that mattered was her.  The girl he had sworn to protect, she who held his heart, and more than his own life… he would kill for.  

Every, last one would die by his hand if need be, because Yona was the only one that mattered, the only thing so precious in his life that if she were to die here and now so would his soul, withering away like a dying flower in winter.  By the luck of the gods they still had at least one supporter and he managed to spirit the Princess away to the forest.  

“Princess Yona, do you need to take a short break?”

She sits down to rest.  “Hak, did Min-Soo die?  I wonder will I die too?  Will Soo-Won kill you too?”

“I’ll never hand my life over to that asshole.”

“Don’t die, Hak…” her eyes slowly closing, “because if you die, I will never forgive you…”

But now what?  As he watched the broken girl resting against the tree, Hak needed to focus on his survival instincts to get them through this, but his own heart was aching.  He loved Yona, but he thought he had loved Soo-Won too, and the Emperor.  He may have felt the Emperor Il was a little weak or naive but such a kind soul and to have been assassinated, in front of Yona.  ‘Leaving her all alone, you good for nothing King!’

Part of the aching was the guilt that he hadn’t done his job of protecting the castle.  The King had been killed and Yona was left unprotected.  Why hadn’t he investigated sooner when things started to seem uneasy around the grounds, the unsettling quiet that had descended.  ‘I promise you,’ he wipes her dirty, tear stained cheek, ‘one day we’ll be back at your castle…’        

‘Yona…’  The Princess was what he needed to worry about, especially since she had become a doll simply being led along with no mind of her own.  Told when to eat, to sleep.  If there were ever a time he was needed, it was now.  Hak clenched his fist.  Is this what Soo-Won had wanted?  Had he planned all along to draw her in close only to kill her and her father to take the throne by force?  

He was all she had in the world, the one semblance of normal still left in her life and he’ll do everything he can to protect the last of her innocence.

~~

“Fire at the Princess!”  Upon those uttered words Hak stepped in to block, taking an arrow to his back.

“Hak!!  Hak! Are you alright?!  Hak…”

“Please don’t concern yourself, it’s making me uncomfortable.” Leaping away, he takes her to a secluded bush.  “Hide here, and please stay perfectly still.”

“Hak,” seeing blood, “You’re bleeding.”  ‘He was injured protecting me…’  Yona waits but, overhears that they are going to kill Hak. She is torn as to what to do until she remembers why she left Fuuga…  It was wrong to expect Hak to always protect her, she needed to do something.

Rushing out of hiding she slams into the soldier aiming for Hak and confronts Tae-Jun with a renewed fire in her soul.  All the domino effect of pain that Soo-Won’s actions had started, and now seeing Hak, a man she had once thought invincible being struck down… Yona grabs a sword and frees her hair from Tae-Jun’s grip before rushing to confront the soldiers with Hak dangling from the cliff.

“Get Away From Hak!!” swinging at them.  He screams at her to run away but she refuses, clutching at his arms.  “No! Never!  Hak…  If you die I won’t forgive you!!”  Tears stream down, dripping onto his face and it stops his resistance, but as the soldiers close in they slip off the cliff… falling…

The next thing Yona knows, she is waking up in a house of some sort, bandaged.  “Who are you?” she asked the boy sitting next to her and is reminded of the cliff. ‘Cliff…  Hak!’  “Hak! Where is Hak?!”

As she listens to boy named Yoon prattle off Hak’s injuries, what he has done to try to mend him, and that tonight will be critical to see if he even survives, Yona prays.  “Please save him!”

“That’s what I’m doing…  Don’t you think that helping you is what I’m supposed to do?  You still haven’t given a single word of gratitude…” Yona sits glassy-eyed as Yoon berates her.  “…Have you ever even said a word of thanks to this guy?  Even though he goes this far to risk his life to protect you?”  Yona thanks Yoon and apologizes, but even with Ik-Su’s assurance that this wasn’t Hak’s time to die yet, it left her worried…

She awakens in the early morning hours to find Hak missing and in a panic runs into the forest searching for him but trips.  Sitting up, tears rushing down her face, he finds her screaming about him.  

“…You seem fine,” he smiles, “what happened?  Did you have a bad dream?”

But she was too furious with him to deal with his sarcasm.  “Even when you’ve been hurt badly you still over do it!  I thought you were going to die!  Please,” more tears pooling, “don’t just leave on your own!”  Wiping at her face, “You’re the only one that must be by my side…”

And she meant what she said.  It may still be selfish of her but Yona never wanted to be without Hak.  She knew she didn’t understand what was going on, her naivety meant she needed him more than he needed her just to survive but frankly, it would feel strange not to have him around anymore…

~~

“Hak!”

“An earthquake!”  Hak jumps to his feet as the wall of rock tumbled down, blocking the entrance to the tunnel.  ‘Crap!’ He had heard her call out his name seconds before the collapse.  True and ultimate fear gripped his entire mind and body, no soul at the realization that Yona was trapped behind the cave in of solid rock.  ‘No, No, NO!’  This can’t be happening, after all they’ve been through till now for her to die from suffocation because of these backwards thinking mountain folk!  

Damn it, if, no, when she’s safe and sound she’s never to leave his side again!  He was an idiot to listen to her commands, this girl was great at getting herself into danger and he just let her do it this time like the good servant that he was. Hak pounded his fists on the boulders, dug stone after stone, swung his spear at it only to be laughed at by the unyielding force of nature.  

He prayed, begged to the gods, ‘Please don’t take her away…’  to the Emperor to bring her back to him.  He couldn’t lose her, just couldn’t even stand the thought of not having Yona by his side.  She was finally starting to grow, standing up, becoming the Princess he knew laid dormant inside, and his promise to get her home again, it wasn’t fulfilled yet!  Even after all the harrowing events that had led them to this point, this was the first time that Hak couldn’t breathe.

Why couldn’t he foresee these kinds of events?  Why can’t he seem to protect her when she needs him the most, first at the castle, the cliffs, and now here?  All he could ever do right was deal with the aftermath and consequences.  Yes, he’ll find a way to save her and he didn’t give a damn if anyone tried to stop him. He’d cut them down too.    

Hak unleashes his anger at the stone as soon as the villagers tell him where to dig and by god he was going to get to her in time!  ‘Hold on Princess!’  It was like an inhuman strength fell into his body as he bashed at the rock, swinging and destroying the wall that separated him from her and his friends. No matter if it was a few inches or several feet of rock, it would bow to his will.      

And when he finally broke through, the relief at seeing her unharmed let all the anguish drain away.  His ailing and aching body was heaving from the extraneous work, but it was over.  “Princess!” Hak drops the axe, rushing up and grabbing her, wrapping his body around her tiny frame holding so tightly she couldn’t move if she wanted to.  He didn’t even have the strength left to cry.  She was safe, that was all that mattered.

Each day that passed by on their journey through the Kouka Kingdom, she noticed that the way Hak was behaving slowly began to change.  He was always the sarcastic pain, teasing her and annoying her whenever the opportunity presented itself but still, the thing that confused her was his clinginess.  In the past, it seemed he did anything he could not to touch her or be too close and yet now, sometimes she couldn’t get rid of him.

Sure, after the incident at the Blue Dragon’s village and his promise to stick by her side, it made sense, but it had begun before that. And what about the way he touched her, grabbed her?  Like at the entrance of Fuuga when he had asked if she was ready to pay with her body, though she had no idea what he meant.  Or how about the cliff’s when he’d pinned her against the wall and she thought he was going to kiss her.  

The list could go on and on and slowly she began to understand what some of it meant, or at least the weird feelings it was triggering in her. In Awa, as he licked the honey from her hand, looking as if he was enjoying it way more than just for the sweet taste… Her body heated up and maybe deep down she was enjoying it too.  No, she shakes her head, Hak was just her friend, someone that protected her.  He was staying close just to make sure she was safe, that’s all.

Yona couldn’t fully grasp why he was behaving this way.  The others would sometimes make comments about it, they, even strangers asking, assuming she and Hak were together.  But she would deny it, and so would he, most of the time.  She remembered his reaction to Kija trying to pay him to leave, furious that the guy dared to separate them.  But things only worsened after Jae-Ha joined their little travelling band.  That flirty pervert really got on Hak’s nerves anytime he got too close to her.

But the one thing she did understand was if this was his way of showing he cared for her life and for her safety, at least it was comforting. She knew that no matter what lay in their path, nor battle they needed to fight, Hak would always be there to protect her.  And if that meant putting up with his bizarre behavior, well then it was a small price to pay.  

Okay, and maybe it wasn’t so bad to have his attention focused on her.  She may not know the ways of the world yet, but she was starting to see the way that women looked at him, or even looked at her with jealousy.  

~

Hak was getting tired of all of Jae-ha’s teasing.  Yes, he gets it, everyone can see how he feels about the Princess, except apparently her, but it’s something he’s been dealing with for… let’s just say too long.  It was all complicated, they had grown up together, practically their entire lives spent around each other so maybe it was simply a matter of convenience that he had fallen for her while she on the other hand still couldn’t get over her pining for the man who had tried to kill her.

That was a lie.  There were other pretty girls around him, willing to throw themselves at his feet but none of them had ever gotten him to turn his head in their direction.  He didn’t even know why he had fallen for Yona in the first place.  A childhood felicity turned crush became a deep seeded yearning for the Princess even though most days, she acted like such a spoiled brat.  Yona was beautiful, no doubt, probably the most lovely female ever to grace their kingdom.  

God help him every time Yona said something that could be misconstrued like oh I’ll just nestle closer to you if it’s cold, if only she knew what such words could do to a man.  But he couldn’t get upset over it when she was saying it with the childlike innocence that made her the sweetheart that she was.  He wished she could understand without changing that side of her.    

On the flip side, as much as he loved the purity, as her courage grew, and her individuality and strength increased, have mercy, this only served to drive his arousal up tenfold.  It was getting harder to hold back those feelings.  Hak was a man of action after all, and it only made sense that such métier would peak his interest, especially coming from her. And what he wanted, was to help her see her dreams through of serving her people.  To become the true ruler of Kouka with the grace that her father had instilled in her coupled with the fire her ancestor bestowed upon her by the Gods. A balance, a force from heaven so to speak to restore order and peace in their lands.

It might have been fate that brought them together.  The orphaned boy who because of who had adopted him led to his meeting the Princess.  A boy who became a general and tribal leader with the skills worthy of being deemed the protector of said Princess.  Did the Gods know she would need someone to guide her, care for her until she was ready to meet her destiny?  If one believed Ik-su, their lives had been pre-destined long before their births.

Either way, be it providence or simply luck of the draw, what was done was done and it boiled down to one simple fact, this boy was in love with this girl.

~

Yona wasn’t sure at what point Hak was no longer just her friend or bodyguard but something else entirely because there was no dramatic shift in their relationship, at least not one single point in time that she could say, there, that’s when it happened.  But it did change during their travels and by the time they had made it to Shisen, Yona was seeing him in a different light, one familiar and yet so completely unlike the feeling she was used to.

With Soo-Won it was almost as if she had convinced herself of being in love with him.  Fawning in a juvenile longing over a boy that really did nothing to reciprocate her feelings only treating her like the little sister he never had.  Maybe she had swayed her heart towards him, he being the only other royal she knew, and when you grow up being told you needed to marry a royal, it made sense to latch on to a convenient choice.  

Hak on the other hand was always around too, just as much and more than Soo-Won.  Why hadn’t she considered him?  Well, he wasn’t a royal as he had so bluntly pointed out in their formative years, but he had always been in line for General, the highest position in a tribe, wouldn’t that be similar, she had once thought so.  

Of course, he was always picking on her, making fun of her or teasing her…  but then again…  he still looked after her, made sure she was okay, safe, even kept her secrets.  Hak would whine and then do what she wanted, they would fight and then make up again.  Neither seemingly capable of turning the other away.  And, he was the one person she would always run to, even as a child…

She didn’t want to admit he had been right, what he had said at the gates of Fuuga, that once they became fugitives and he was no longer the General of the Wind tribe, he had no obligation to protect her.  She had forced herself onto him, but he could have refused, slipping away somewhere safe and sound, and yet he continued to put his life on the line for her.  

And now look at the situation, the one she had first given her heart to, killed her father and ordered her execution, but the one who deserved her heart, who showed time and time again how much he had earned it, was the one she hadn’t chosen.  Until now.  Her soul warmed to the realization that Hak was the one who truly deserved her heart and she was ready, at least on the inside, to give it to him.

But now she wasn’t sure what to do about these newly found emotions.  She wasn’t ready to tell him how she felt yet, when they had so many other things to focus on, like surviving.  Yona knew she was already a burden on Hak, and no, this just wasn’t the right time. Eventually she’ll have to, when she was ready, maybe, even if it had to wait until their Kingdom had been restored.

~~

She knew it was necessary for them to go their separate ways, it would be faster in order to stop the attack on Xing, and it’s not like she wanted to be away from Hak, nor would he like the idea either.  If something were to happen to her he would no doubt tear this Kingdom apart in his grief.  But she couldn’t take him in case she ran into the one person she knew Hak wanted dead.  

“Hak, you go ahead over to the wind tribe first.  I will slow-down Soo-Won’s, the Sky tribe’s army’s.”

“You know you’re not going anywhere without me, right?” Min-Soo offers to accompany her and Algira but that isn’t good enough.  He reaches out, “Wait a moment, you think I’m going to let you go alone?!”

“Just go.  The Wind tribe is surely waiting for you Hak.  I might not be able to do much, but I’m going to try doing what I can so that I won’t have any regrets.  And, then we’ll go and meet with the four dragons, Yoon, and Ao.  Okay?” smiling big.  “I’ll just be gone for a little bit!”

“I,” lowering his head, “understand.  I’ll be waiting.”

“Hak…” clutching at his hood, Yona pulls him down for a quick kiss. Hak is so surprised that he can only stare down at her wide eyed, even after it ends, his mind blank.  “Well,” she blushes, stunned with herself, and turns to leave, “I’ll be going now…”

As soon as she was in the carriage heading to seek out Tae-Jun’s assistance, Yona puts her head down to mull over what she just did. Something in her body propelled her forward before her mind could even process why, she had reached out and pulled Hak into that kiss.  What was she thinking when she saw how sad he looked, that in case she never saw him again, he would hopefully know how she felt?  That she didn’t want to leave, and it was a promise to come back to him?  

In all the years she had been in love with Soo-Won never once had she even considered acting upon her emotions and yet today with Hak, she had done just that.  The inclination to want to feel his lips against hers flowed so smoothly and easily that after it was done, and her brain had caught up with her actions, only then did it hit her.  ‘Oh my god I kissed Hak!’  

What was Hak thinking now?  She hadn’t stuck around to find out but based on the stupefied look on his face, his mind had probably blanked out.  He was always the one to tease her, touching her, and doing other perverted things, but when the act was committed on him, he reacted strangely.  What if he didn’t like it?  He had pulled back didn’t he, ‘maybe he’s gonna be mad at me now!’ Clutching her face in horror, ‘No! I need to focus right now but, please don’t let him be mad at me because I…’  

Why was it so hard to admit it, to get the words, ‘I want to say out of my mouth?’  Maybe that was part of the reason for the kiss, to act without words, to convey how much she wanted him to always be with her, in any way, shape, or form, for the rest of their lives…        

~~

“Hak I’m sorry about yesterday!”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I’m sorry…  I overheard your conversation with the people of the Wind tribe.  I’ve always felt like I stole you away from the Wind tribe, and what’s more you have, you have a fiancée.”

“Fiancée?  Ahh, you mean Ayame.  I see, that’s why you were pushing me to go back, and said that stuff about returning my freedom?”

“Yeah but, I don’t think that you’re unneeded or anything like that, it’s just that, you’re very precious to me, so, stay with me…”

‘I can’t take this anymore!’  “What’s with that, I told you, didn’t I?  Many times!  I won’t leave you!  Like hell I’d leave you!!  And that’s not because I feel obligated not to.  Get that through your head already!!  The place I go home to is here!!”

“I’m sorry…”

“I accompanied you, was overwhelmed by your strength and passion, and decided to live for you.  The pride of serving someone…  The one who taught me that was you!!”

“Hak…” wiping away the tears.  “You might have been exasperated by all the things I’ve said but, can I ask you one thing?”

“Yes?”

“What will you do about Ayame?”

“Ugh,” running his hand over his face.  “Look I don’t like being at the center of misunderstandings, so I’ll just say this…” Facing her directly once more.  “The one I like is you damn it!!!”

“Eh?”

“Don’t ‘Eh’ me!!  I said Ayame has a partner already.  I like you and I don’t have a fiancée goddammitt!!  I'm tired out for today!!  Have you understood everything?”

“Y-yes…”

“Great!  Ahhhh! Much better.”  Hak walks away standing tall and feeling lighter than he ever has after releasing all that weight from his heart leaving a bewildered and bright red Yona sitting there to process what just happened.

After wolfing down dinner, Hak settles onto his bedroll and closes his eyes.  He felt so much more relaxed that the burden of hiding his feelings for Yona would no longer be necessary.  It was out in the open, with witnesses, she heard him loud and clear, and it looked like she understood every word he had spouted.  Sigh, he had buried those emotions down for so long…  Would he be able to carry on as if nothing had changed?  

He still wasn’t sure what her opinion was or how she may feel now, even that kiss back in Saika, was there a meaning behind it?  Yona has kissed him so smoothly, casually…  He wanted to be angry that she had pulled such a thing on him but, it also didn’t make sense since she wasn’t one to act in that manner.  How many times over the years he would tell her to just confess to Soo-Won how she felt and yet she was too embarrassed.  

How, when did the Princess develop the courage to up and kiss him?  He could ask her, but chances were greater that she would clam up in embarrassment again. That girl, so innocent and childlike and yet for all his physical strength she was so much stronger than he. In a relatively short time, he watched her go from broken to a force of the heavens and it only made him want to be with her, in whatever capacity he could take, for the rest of their lives…            

~~

Things couldn’t be more dangerous as they were right now for Yona and the growing opposition to Soo-Won’s position.  It seemed as his master plans slowly fell apart and the Princess’ supporters grew in both number and title, so too did the attacks in order to maintain the power he had taken by force.  And this latest battle was no different, with the resistance force defeating and pushing back the royal army but not without casualties… including Yona.

She had been hurt before in fights, but never this grave, and that left everyone on high alert for if the Princess were to die, so was the hope of saving Kouka Kingdom.  Yoon did his best assuring their group that she was by no means at deaths door, but it would be tenuous for some time, and that her unconsciousness was due to her bodies attempt at healing.  And so, they waited, the dragons taking turns guarding her tent and their campsite, Jae-ha, surprisingly falling back into a leadership role like he served in Awa. It helped to keep their spirits high, and their progress from slipping but Hak was beside himself and refused to leave Yona’s bedside.  

Two days later, Yona finally opens her eyes and turns her head to see Hak sleeping next to her, still clutching her hand, and a weak smile crosses her face.  All she can tell is it must be nighttime and if it wasn’t for the moonlight, Yona may not have known it was even him.  Who was she kidding, sighing in her head, who else would it be?  Slipping her hand from his grasp, “Hak?” she whispers caressing his face with the small amount of strength she can muster.

His brows furrow and eyes pop open.  “Princess?!”  Hak’s so happy to see she’s awake, he forgets himself and hugs to her prone body, repeating her name over and over as the tears he had been holding back finally stream down his face.  

“Hak…” she repeats, cradling and caressing the back of his head as tears of her own pool in her eyes, “it’s okay Hak…”

“No!” sobbing aloud, “it’s not okay!  You shouldn’t have gotten hurt, this is my fault, I didn’t protect you…”

“You know that’s not true,” voice soft and serene, “Hak you can’t be everywhere, I should have protected myself better.”

“Yes, it is.  I know Zeno did his best, but there were too many attackers, so I shouldn’t have left your side,” clutching at the bedding and burying his face deeper into the fabric. “What if…  There’s no way I could go on if I lost you…”

Yona’s heart skips and her body flushes, but unlike before, a sense of peace washes over her.  She stops caressing his head, “Hak, please look at me…”  A few seconds pass, but he finally lifts his face to look at her and what he sees is such a tranquil expression, it calms him instantly.  She smiles and places her hand against his cheek, “I love you.”

“Prin…cess…”  

Like a repeat of their first, Yona clasps both of his cheeks and pulls the dazed man closer and settles her lips against his in a soft kiss, repeating those three little words upon their release.  Hak props himself up and rolls to his side, still stupefied, touching where her lips had left their lingering warmth.  Yona lightly giggles at seeing her tough man acting like a confused little boy.  “Hak, you’re not dreaming,” taking hold of his hand, “I said I love you, I have for awhile now, I just couldn’t get the words to come out.”

He looks at her, “You waited until you almost died to tell me this!” Face palm, “I swear you enjoy torturing me.”

Pouting, “I do not,” growing into a grin, “well maybe sometimes, and that’s only because you do it to me!”

Laughing, “we’re both kind of idiots aren’t we,” sigh, “you know if we hadn’t been pushed out of Hiryuu Castle, I would have taken my feelings to the grave.”

“And I would have never realized that it’s you who I should have given my heart to, not him.  I don’t know if I deserve you, but Hak, you definitely deserve me, a thousand times over for everything you’ve done for me.”

“Princess…”

“Yona.”

“Y-you want me to call you Yona?  But…”

“Hak, if we do take back Hiryuu Castle, and if I regain my position, will you… be my King?”

“You’re serious?” she nods.  “You can’t be…  I’m not King material...”

“Oh, so would you rather I marry someone else?”

“No.”

“Well then, I guess you have no choice.”

“Why do I feel like I was just blackmailed?”              

“You don’t need to decide now, Hak…”

“Idiot, of course I’d marry you!  King or not, I don’t want anyone else to have you!”

“Then it’s settled,” patting his arm, “now go back to sleep.” She closes her eyes, a smile on her face.

Hak narrows his eyes, ‘this little…’  “Yona?”

“Hmm,” peaking at him.  “Did…” before she can say anything more, Hak had swooped in and crashed his lips roughly against hers, gaining a small squeak out of the young woman. After the initial shock, Yona melts into the kiss, lifting her head to add pressure, and her fingers threading into his hair while Hak cups the back of her neck to lend support and keeps himself propped up to her side.  

A deep rumble in his chest breaks the still of the air, to be answered by a purr of her own and when they finally break from the kiss, Hak keeps his forehead leaning against hers.  “Should we tell the others?” she asks quietly.

“We can worry about that tomorrow, but since it was droopy-eye’s turn to guard, he probably already knows.”

They hear a ‘Tch’ coming from outside and Yona giggles, “You’re probably right.”  

“Now,” he gives her a small peck, “time for you to get more rest,” settling on his side and closing his eyes.  “Good night, Yona.”

“Good night,” yawn, “Hak.”  As she closes her eyes, Yona utters a small prayer of thanks to the Gods for the angel beside her and for some reason, she knows everything is going to be alright.  

“Yona?” there is a knock at her door, “Are you ready to go down to the temple?”  Her mind is jostled out of the memories she had just been daydreaming about, their childhood, all the struggles, how they’d finally overcame their hearts…

“Oh, yes I am Yoon. Is Hak on his way?”

“Yes, Jae-Ha is escorting him.”

“Alright, I’ll be out in a minute…”

And now here they were, about to be married, a new Queen and her King.  Everything was ready for the wedding and coronation ceremonies happening that afternoon.  Guests had been arriving over the past week, all the food was being prepared, flowers and decorations set up.  But as excited as they both were for their future together, Yona and Hak were also nervous.  They each sit in separate rooms, their kimono’s on, Yona’s hair and makeup done, now all that remained was to wait until they were called upon.

This had been such a long journey for the two, if you counted back to the beginning.  So many memories stemming over their lifetimes starting as childhood friends and ending at the beginning of their adulthood. Good times, bad times, hardships, and times of happiness.  And while they sat in their rooms, awaiting the next step of this journey, the memories of how they got here flowed through like an endless river.  

Their childhoods filled with playing on the castle grounds, oh how Hak loved to tease her when they played, like that time he scared the hell out of her during hide and seek, and yet whenever she was scared, he was also the one she ran to for comfort.  It wasn’t until she was older that she realized how improper it may have been to sleep next to him, but at the time, if it helped the nightmares to go away, so it didn’t seem like that big of a deal.

It must have been inevitable that her father would choose Hak to be her bodyguard considering they were often with each other, and even from a young age, he had proven himself to be a skilled warrior worthy of protecting a Princess.  But if you counted the fact they also bickered constantly, no, back then it didn’t make a whole lot of sense to her and it was much later after the promise was made that she found out, Hak had originally turned down the position.  If he had said no once, what made him say yes, the second time?  Had that encounter with Tae-Jun made such a big impact on his decision?

All Yona knew, was that if Hak was a pain before that moment, she could have sworn his sarcasm and teasing only escalated after it, and it drove her crazy.  He was so quick witted, making fun of her looks, her size, her intellect, nothing got past him, and wasn’t afraid to say things even in front of her own father, the Emperor!  She had no idea why he would act that way.  Well okay, so maybe she fueled some of it, taking advantage and using him for her own devises.  Hind sight is easier to help one see why things may have happened a certain way.

But if there was one thing she was sure of now, is that when she needed him most, Hak was the only one to take her side, no questions asked, with a fierce loyalty that was unmatched even by the Dragons born to protect her.  That night of her father’s death, and when her innocence was shattered forever, Hak was the dark angel who saved her.  When the Fire tribe soldiers had them cornered on the cliffs, again, he put his own life before hers, and it ignited a blazing virtue in her own soul.

And yet, the first time she saw Hak truly get scared was not during an actual battle but when they were looking for the Blue Dragons and the tunnel had trapped them.  She herself was afraid of never seeing him again, but the look on his face when he broke through, and the way he hugged her so tightly afterwards, he really had been terrified.  It was a new side to Hak that was starting to draw her in closer.

Yes, somewhere along the way she had started to look at Hak through the eyes of a lover.  She wanted him, craved his company and attention. She would get irritated if other females were around or made any moves to get close to him, and when he’d turn them down it made her feel better, relieved.              

Having those feelings bottled up only made situations start get a little awkward or it would cause them to behave in ways that confused each other.  Like the first time she kissed him or when he confessed his feelings for her.  Actions triggered by raw emotions that bubbled in their hearts waiting for freedom.

Too bad it took a long time for them to adjust to these feelings.  You could blame inexperience, naivety, just the circumstances that surrounded them as the reasons.  I mean, it is difficult to worry about liking someone when you need to put more effort into simply surviving.  Now she can laugh about it, but it was a weird timing to tell a guy you loved him after you almost died.

But, looking back at it all, Yona, Hak, neither would trade those precious moments or memories for anything in the world.  Their lives before her Sixteenth birthday were fun times despite the bickering and the tragedy that came afterwards had led them to the greatest gift either could have ever asked for.  Lifetime friendships, adventure, and a love that will stand the tests of time.

~~xx~~

“… I have waited so long for this moment little miss,” Zeno whispers, smiling as he guides Yona towards the man she was about to marry.  “I’m glad you are my new Queen.”  

“Thank you, Zeno,” taking a deep breath, Yona smiles at how regal Hak looked in his ceremonial kimono, flanked by the dragons and Yoon that is was all so surreal.  “It’s almost too good to be true but we made it here…”

| 2017 Personal Rewind |

for two hours over here, actually. But it’s time for me to ramble about it! But I won’t make you scroll over it for an endless time, instead I’m offering you to read it by clicking keep reading ;)

FANDOMS

Okay, so fandom-wise, this year has been quite Cartoon-dominated. I think I watched like 10 cartoons, but only 2 anime. And that’s with someone who actually called cartoons out for how childish they can be and how they don’t fit my humour (I’m all about them anime-humour apparantly). So I myself was surprised when I noticed how many cartoons I watched this year:

Steven Universe I watched this one before 2017, and 2017 had the longest hiatus for SU ever, so uhhh yeah it wasn’t the best year but we had the Zoo and Abduction Arcs SOOOO yay? Like most, I have noticed a drop in excitement, but I still love this show for things it does so I can’t be too mad.

Star vs the forces of evil I am not sure if I watched season 1+2 this year or last (damn my memory), but I know I wasn’t too fond of this show. I didn’t think it was bad, it simply didn’t fascinate me the same way SU did. Even with battle for Mewni, I only liked the Eclipsa and Moon Parts and not much beyond that. In the new season I’ve grown to really like Tomstar for some reason, but I still think the episodes are too random at times and there is sometimes too little connection between them. But maybe I’m just too used to SU being slow-paced that I can’t handle how fast Star is jumping between events.

Voltron I'm not sure if S2 was this year or last year, but any way Voltron has been part of my 2017. I’ve had a phase where I really shipped Plance due to the Ouran High School Host Club Vibes it gave me back when I watched S1 and this year it decided to come back at me.  Else, the material has been great! I love the series, and how serious it is and how it doesn’t focus on romantic love AT ALL. I really like that, even if I started this Section with saying what I shipped. I’m so hyped Matt is back and the Keith almost-sacrifice scene really got me like I actually thought they were gonna do it. They never get me with almost-deaths. NEVER. 

Wakfu As Season 3 came closer so grew my expectations. When I finally watched it, I was blown away. I won’t sugar-coat that the Time-Paradox thing was 1000% Bullshit, but it won’t stop me from loving this season, even if it had it’s weak elements. But I just loved the rest too much and while I am picky with it, I can’t get myself to not enjoy it (which I’m really happy about because I hate it when some elements ruin something for me). If you wanna hear more of me rambling, go here for the post and here for the s3 tag.

Miraculous Oh I have a love-hate relationship with this show. I can see the potential and all, but it’s just too episodic for me, relies a bit too much on the cute love-square that changes progress every episode. The characters don’t always feel like what is established about them (for example, Adrien loved Ladybug, yet in the new season he KEEPS being overly nice to Marinette like dude sure you’re a bit oblivious but ughhh) and there are no conflicts present for more than one episode.  I really don’t like how they lured me in with the first episode being story-heavy and then keeping nothing happening for like 5 episodes. The only episodes I can even remember what actually really happened were “The Collector” bc of the obvious Gabriel-Adrien-Drama, the episode where her aunt (?) visits bc I heard she’s plot-relevant, but I don’t see how tbh; the episode with the Owl because it actually went out of the usual formular for an episode and Robustus because it had some story I guess in the last few seconds.  I really hope the season picks up soon, I’m like 10% invested haha.

Tangled The Series Holy fucking shit. Like I started watching it while doing other stuff and I started right before “Queen for a day” aired, so by the time I caught up, I could actually watch that episode and what can I say? The animation is beautiful, and you think it’d be a cute little series and suddenly there’s death and everyone’s hopeless and betraying and ??? WHAT HAPPENED. Varian and Cass are super enjoyable and I love the way the series is going! I’m super sad it’s going to end so soon! If you wanna know more of my thoughts, go here.

Teen Titans I BINGE-WATCHED THIS IN LIKE 1-2 WEEK/S. While I had to study so yas. Well I have to thank Tangled for the short hiatus I guess, because I was like “Man I need something else to watch then” and was like “I could just watch 1 or 2 episodes of Teen Titans each Saturday, I wanted to start that for a while!” and suddenly I was 10 episodes in. I love the characters, I love Raven, I love Star and I love Robstar as you probably noticed. I was surprised how much plot the show actually had (and how brutal Robin could be if he wanted) and I never really found episodes annoying except the ones that focussed extremely on other teams or superheroes, I’m just not invested enough in the DC Universe to care about these guys haha. I thought S3 and S5 were kinda weak and it also bothered my how Characters sometimes really shift in their characterstics SOMETIMES to further the plot. But it never got to the point that it annoyed me extremely.  Also it doesn’t even feel like “Stranded” happened at all in S5 cri hahahahaha. Also I don’t know where to place Trouble in Tokyo but I wasn’t too fond of the movie anyway so I guesssss it doesn’t matter. I liked it, I really did, but it felt a little too straight forward sometimes and depending on the placement to the seasons, it doesn’t fit a lot either. BUT that’s nitpicking.

So yeah, anime-wise, I don’t even know what I watched this year and what was last year. I just remember Akatsuki no Yona, which was fine I guess. Reverse-Harem for the win! Though it’s the first time I actually found the main love interest so unlikeable I ended up rooting for someone else completely even though I know who was going to be end-game. I’m honestly just sick of these man-ly, seducing men who play hard and are all like STRANGE honestly?? Like I wouldn’t want to be treated like he treats Yona. I ended up really liking her and the guy who looks like a girl (Yoon) together; I just loved how Yona influenced him and made him stand up for them on the boat and everything.

PERSONAL LIFE

 This year, especially the second half, has been quite hard on me. My family has been horrible the whole year and I finally feel like it gets to me. I’m just... tired. I’m just numb. I’m so good at pretending I’m happy --- even to myself. But it tired me out and I finally start to notice it. I’m selfish, I know that, but I couldn’t even get myself to be sad - and that’s... an excuse. I know that. I just don’t want to actually be sad. I wanna enjoy my life, I don’t wanna drag myself down, but where did get me?

Anyway, on a more friends-based level, I guess it went good? It was a good year. It was one where I found new friends, deepened some other friendships... and feel like I’ve lost another one... Maybe some of you noticed the time when I got together with a friend for a short amount of time because we both felt like it was where we wanted to go. It went good, really good - at least that’s what I thought. It was slow sure, but for the most part I realized that what I really want is someone close, not necessarily a romantic interest.

More or less out of the blue that ended per text message. And after that, I half fell apart and half felt like it was no problem. And then I really began to get socially paranoid. I was paranoid before, don’t get me wrong. But suddenly I felt like everyone (especially he) was avoiding me, like they pretended to like me. And always when I wanted to express it to him, it stopped. It was like he was playing with me, but I know it couldn’t have been that, because he couldn’t read my thoughts after all. It got better in like November/December too and I hope it stays that way, and maybe one year to do in 2018 is to actually address my feelings -- even if it may end up making everything even more awkward and maybe ruining how good we have gotten.

On the bright side, I’ve gotten closer to two other friends and have made like 3 new friends this year whom I hope to grow closer to in 2018. 

ALL IN ALL

I can’t say this has been the best year, especially the second half. There were too many self-doubts, too many crisis, too many thoughts I’d like to stop, too much school-stress and too much emotional garbage. But at the same time, there was many to balance it out. Most of that being friends, old and new ones.  

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

Good God.

I finally managed to watch the final episodes of the show, and even though it wasn’t the most pitch-perfect ending ever (and even though I skipped like all of the final season), I still gotta dish out my thoughts on the whole thing. It’s not my tippy-top most favorite show, but it’s definitely the one with the most lasting impact on me. I mean, considering it created one of the biggest fandoms of all time, I’m pretty sure I’m far from alone there.

Obviously have to start from the beginning. I think I got into MLP around the 2nd season, maybe in the middle of it but definitely before the 3rd. I don’t exactly remember, since it was so long ago, but the first two seasons might hold some of the most saccharine, mindless nostalgia of all. Every single episode holds some spot in my memory, even the filler episodes with the cheesy notes to Celestia at the end of them. Honestly those were adorable, even if they were the classic kid’s show trope of “Let’s explain the moral to the kids who don’t have half a brain” but it’s actually pretty charming. That’s nostalgia talking, by the way. Obviously. If I found a new show today that did that, I’d roll my eyes a little, and I probably did when I was first watching the show. 

But, it’s an understatement that this was my life. Of course, I was at that time of my life where one thing could very easily become my entire world, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t matter to me. The pretty solid, unchanging artstyle gave me an opening to try and draw it, and for years I exclusively drew ponies, and even when I had a human character, I’d only be able to draw them in pony form, so I ended up meshing their stories into fanfiction on how they could become ponies. My “Icon” character at the time, Satyr, was probably the first original character I drew, and I can still remember the exact drawing I made of him. Obviously a pony, he was sort of larger and masculine, conveniently blinking eye so I didn’t have to deal with that, basic hair/tail styles, and for some reason a jagged zig-zag pattern going laterally across his body, like those “How would a horse wear pants?” memes. I thought it was really good, so I kept going, and here I am ages later still drawing stuff. I couldn’t even bare to fully ditch the shitty characters I made (and I’m going to explain them without context because I just feel like it): Satyr got split into his immortal and prince-ly side; Diane, a manic serial killer, shrunk down but kept her impossibly anxious personality; Gaseous is basically all the same, except he doesn’t meet the rest of the crew in what parts of his story I know about; Sistenagon (here we go with the weird names, they don’t mean anything) still kept his (her? Don’t actually remember which I called it) wasp-y nature, except in the form of an insect-based fairy tribe leader; Stelerachyt, who I drew as a Diamond Dog, is still a big, fluffy, dog, but turned into a more regal and kingly type of person; and Myriad Alloy (the only one with an actual pony name) got a complete makeover, and actually became my favorite end result after all is said and done.

Like, I love ranting about these guys. They were basically my own Mane Six. And yes, Satyr TOTALLY dated Twilight. Why wouldn’t he? Main character a Main character. Plus, he was supposed to be me, and I totally wanted to hit that. I’m not ashamed to admit it.

I mean, I guess a big part of why I actually went down that path was because of the large fanbase. I didn’t begin with the beginning of the show, but I guess I came in with the first large wave, so all of the stuff I made got just enough attention to make me think people wanted to see what I was making. If I started out with OCs, no one would’ve cared, and I very well could’ve stopped.

Even apart from that, this show definitely kick started my downward spiral into femininity. I mean, it’s pretty self-explanatory. Everyone “knew” MLP as being something super shallow, only to be enjoyed by shallow little girls, then they pumped out Friendship is Magic and everyone else loved it, so I gave it a shot, and I loved it too. Obviously every fandom has the people who openly, irrationally hate them, but the whole thing was welcoming enough to keep it solidified in my mind, and bish bash bosh, it kept going and will probably keep going into eternity. It’s funny, even then I drew Satyr with the more feminine pony design (not entirely because drawing the male pony type was harder), so I was setting myself up for the future.

I guess this kind of gives me a window to talk about My Life as a Teenage Robot, because for as long as I could remember before actually watching the show, I seriously despised any instance of XJ9 I could find. If an image of her popped up on screen, I would close it faster than if it was porn found while around my parents. I don’t know why she was so harshly ingrained in my mind. You could argue I just hated “girly” stuff before I realized I actually loved it, and didn’t want to face my emotions, but I wasn’t exaggerating at all about that porn thing. I actually couldn’t look at her for more than a second. But, one day I decided to cave in and see what was up, and soon enough she became one of my favorite cartoon characters of all time.

Back to ponies, some of the content produced by the fandom also had some extremely fond memories in my mind. I think I still have some songs by The Living Tombstone and WoodenToaster on my MP3 player (partially because it’s just good stuff) and for some reason playing on MLP-themed TF2 servers was actually really fun too. Some notable fandom people reacting to recent episodes was a spectacle I always looked forward to, and I still am subscribed to Saberspark and Ratchet on Youtube after all this time, probably as well as various other people who are still there but haven’t posted anything since the settling of the fandom. I just remembered, Hotdiggetydemon probably qualifies for all that too, since his .Mov series was the talk of the whole fandom. That, and Friendship is Witchcraft. I had to re-look up the name of that one though, but I still loved it.

I guess I should play favorites, huh? Favorites was the one game everyone in the fandom played. 

Favorite episode: Can’t not be a tie between the 2-parters of Season 2. Discord is a riot, and Chrysalis is actually one of my favorite villain designs of all time. I’m a sucker for both shapeshifters and bugs, so you can’t expect me to not like her. Glad she rode the villain boat till the very end, although reformed Discord is definitely fine too. Plus, the rest of the Changelings turned anyway.

Favorite song: You expect me to not tie things up here? The Flim Flam brother’s Super Cider Squeezy 6000 is great, as are the brothers themselves, and I also love This Day Aria, since it’s the focal point where people realized this show seriously wasn’t just colorful, cute ponies. The Art of the Dress is also pretty catchy. 

Actually, just remembered. Under Our Spell might be it. Took me a while to remember the EQG stuff, but that song is seriously good, and unironically better than the generic dribble that somehow magically beat it.

Favorite background pony(ies): Vinyl and Octavia are a pretty cute duo, and with the killer duet in the Slice of Life episode, ya gotta love em. Funny thing, though: There’s this background pony that looks almost identical to my current self-insert pony OC, with purple hair and a grey coat, with a seemingly writing-based cutie mark and green eyes. He’s even a unicorn too. It wasn’t intentional, I swear.

Favorite CMC: Sweetie Belle is too much. Her little squeaks are too pure. I can’t take it. Applebloom has nice colors, though.

Favorite Princess: If you don’t say Luna you’re a cop

Favorite non-pony species: Obviously Changelings, but after their reformation the honors actually switch to the Kirins, just because of how cool they look. The Yaks are pretty fun too. Speaking of…

Favorite nu-Mane Six (or are they called the School Six? Whatever, you know what I mean): All Yona. And yes, I had to look up her name was, who cares? She’s adorable.

Favorite of the Pillars of Equestria: I honestly love that they made Starswirl an actual character in the show. For the longest time, people just assumed he would stay in the form of Twilight’s Nightmare Night costume forever, but then they actually made him real! That’s really cool.

Favorite Equestria Girls design: Once again, Sweetie Belle steals both this spot and my heart.

And, of course… Favorite of the Mane Six:

Honestly, it just depends on the mood I’m in. Not even remotely lying there.

Fluttershy would’ve been my answer way back then, since I was into the shy types. There’s definitely something still there. You can’t deny that she’s the most cuddly of them all.

Twilight might’ve been a tie for the top around then too, since I was also the too-smart-for-humanity type. That leads into you liking the “smart” ones. Plus, in the latter half of the series, she did feel like she was put one step above the rest of the cast. That kinda makes her feel slightly off, I guess. Still like her, though.

Pinkie Pie’s one of those that I can imagine liking, but if I ever actually had to deal with that much energy I might actually melt. And, not in that I’m-totally-in-love kind of melting. Literal, actual melting. 

Rarity, in terms of concept, is easily my favorite type of character for the show. On the surface, she’s the generic fashionista type that every girl’s show has, but instead of her being someone who “just makes clothes” she’s actually seriously hard working and goes through all the regular motions you’d expect from an artist. Turning such a cliche on its head and giving it a much more realistic image is perfect for this show. Also, she’s purple. I like purple.

Not much really needs to be said about Applejack. She really seems like the most logical one of the group, even at the very beginning. That’s great to have when everyone else is acting like spoiled/sheltered brats (at least, when she’s not acting that way either).

But, I really gotta be honest… I’m never really in the mood for Rainbow Dash. She’s like the opposite of AJ, where she’s always some degree of arrogant, and even though watching her achieve her dreams is nice, her big head gets a little annoying for side gags. Also, if you showed me a plain picture of the Mane Six, I would’ve told you she was the main character instead of Twilight, just because she stands out so much more. I mean, the show isn’t called “Twilight Sparkle: Friendship is Magic,” but still.

If you really want a straight answer, I’m in a Rarity mood right now, so I’ll go with that. It’s probably the safest bet, because, like I said, I do love purple. Not just purple, but purple AND white put together. One of my favorite color combinations. Just add a little gold, and you’re, well, you know...

But… Yeah. All good things had to come to an end. I feel like its time came. Plus, they ended the show with the little story book thing they did in the very first episode, so as far as I’m concerned the series is complete. It did its job, anyway.

Akayona Magical Girls AU

Inspired by @akayonaladiesweek‘s prompts, I got sucked into worldbuilding a Magical Girls AU (which if the character designs cooperate might also fill the “Girls in Armor” prompt).

Read on for magical girls, rewritten origin legends, love-fueled superpowers, bowdlerized plot points and of course, adorable mascot-pet dragons!

In this version, the founding myth goes like this:

Long ago, five dragons lived under Heaven.  The Red Dragon moved the fiery sun through the sky, the Green Dragon stirred the winds, the Blue Dragon sent the rain, the White Dragon sent dust to make the land, and the Yellow Dragon painted the sky morning and evening.  The other dragons all had times to rest and play when their work was done, but the sun was always moving, and even when it sank below the horizon, the Red Dragon was busy all night moving it from west to east beneath the earth to have it ready for the next day.  So the other four dragons said “Why do you never play with us?  Why can’t the sun stop moving for a while?” and the Red Dragon said “That would be terrible for the ones down below.”

So the other four dragons, when they weren’t at work, looked down below, at the land where humans lived.  They saw people fighting and stealing and lying.  “These creatures are terrible,” they said.  “We should destroy them.  It will be a just punishment for their sins, and then our brother will be free to rest and play with us.”

So the four dragons went down toward the earth, but Heaven saw what they were doing.  “Such merciless arrogance,” Heaven said.  “These dragons must learn compassion.  I will let them go down, but when they arrive they will be no greater than humans — they will lose their memory of heaven, and they will be weak and mortal until they learn to cherish their fellow creatures.”

This happened at noon, when the Red Dragon had pushed the sun up to its highest, and he was so close to heaven that he heard its words, and he was shocked.  “Great Heaven,” he said, “I fear that my brothers’ punishment may only make them more bitter.  Please, let me go to them.”

“But with a god to look after them, what will they learn?” Heaven asked.

“If my brothers are no greater than humans, then I too will be no greater,” said the Red Dragon.  “Let me go down to earth as a human.”

And so it was.  The Red Dragon left the sun and sky, earth and rain and wind in the care of Heaven, and he came down to earth as a human.

(chatty summarizing resumes) When he got there, he saw how much of human suffering was due to misrule and became the Red Dragon King after all and got into trouble like in the original version, but the other dragons couldn’t come down from heaven to save him.  Although they’d lost their memories of heaven, they remembered their love for their brother, so they were drawn to help him, but first they had to learn their lesson — which they did by each bonding with a human girl (except maybe Yellow didn’t yet), Heaven decided to let them have some of their powers back because they were learning to love mortals but made it a shared power with the girls so the dragons wouldn’t get too full of themselves again, and thus the King was rescued by the first magical girls — called Dragon Guardians — and their divine dragon mascot-pets.

Yes, the dragons are the mascot-pets, and dragons who are no stronger than humans are adorable chibis as it turns out, but they’re the power unlockers.  As a Dragon Guardian forms a stronger bond with one or more dragons, it unlocks her powers as well as theirs — so the powers are driven by character development and dynamics, which strikes me as both fun and true to the genre.  At a certain level the dragons become able to transform into humans, and then there’ll be like a final ultimate level where they can appear as awesome godlike full-sized dragons.

(For practical purposes, though, I may need some kind of item that can unlock a base level of power, since I want more Guardians than I can supply dragons for.  Current idea: the origin story rescue involves a climactic moment where all the dragons, possibly including red, go into their full-sized dragon god modes, but then they decide to humble themselves to keep living among mortals and they “shed their scales” which they literally did and the scales are the items of power, which are in limited supply but there are way more than four of them, and the priests usually have the job of managing them.  Bonus in that dragon scales could be incorporated into all sorts of magical-girl-y fashion accessories.)

Anyway, moving forward to the present, since the dragons were “made mortal,” we have had generations of them (except for Yellow); being magical girl mascot pets I don’t think they reproduce sexually, a new one just appears, although when they get into human form romantic complications with humans are entirely possible.

On the one hand I want to stay relatively true to the canon story because that approach is more interesting to me personally, but on the other hand I think making this a proper magical girl story does call for some bowdlerizing. So here’s ideas:

No Game of Thrones stuff, firstly.  The big political conflict is that Kai has heard about the Dragon Guardian powers and wants them.  Yuhon hated the Dragon Guardian business and raised Soo-won to hate and disbelieve it.  This will probably be a long-game reveal, but the deal is that Yonhi was actually a Dragon Guardian and is in such poor health after being wounded in battle because the priests gave her a scale and said she was supposed to do this shit, so there’s a grudge (see also kicking out priests — although maybe it was Yuhon who got her into that battle and his lashing out is guilt-driven).  At any rate, Soo-won is very invested in not believing in and certainly not relying on the dragon guardian powers.  In this version Yuhon lost the war and was captured, and when Il went to negotiate, he was also captured (possible brothers’ reconciliation in captivity?), and as a result Soo-won just straight-up inherited the throne at a young age, which I think he could handle honestly, and he and Yona are probably betrothed at this point just to sew it up extra neat and tidy.  What sets off the story this time, I’m thinking an agent from Kai came and tried to kidnap Yona because they’d found out from her father that she was both an incarnation of the Red Dragon and a guardian — ie, the ultimate super-powered magical girl, potentially — and they tried to kidnap her for use as a WMD.  Afterward she and Soo-won had a difference of opinion about how to deal, she made up her own mind to go on this quest, find out if these powers were real, and if so use them to help her people and rescue her Dad and Uncle and stuff, and of course Hak’s gonna go with her.

So the love triangle is going to be less of a foregone conclusion.  Soo-won loses points early with his inability to accept what’s becoming important to her and let her use her own power.  He’s too smart to be a flat-earth atheist when he actually sees the sparkles and mascot pets, which might create some uncertainty, but I’m thinking it’s like a thematic thing where for all his genuine virtues, Soo-won under his father’s influence wants to just protect Yona while Hak wants to support her, and Hak’s still gotta win that one.

Setting out on their quest they probably still meet Ik-su and pick up Yoon, and I’m thinking Ik-su gives Yona a dragon scale to get her started.  And then we gather the dragons!  We’re still going to have secret villages, because people wanting to take the dragons away to utilize their powers is still very much a thing.  I haven’t decided about their canon powers — probably for ease of handling I’ll say those still apply when they become able to take human form, or that unlocking human-form-with-canon-powers is the next level past that.

Kija is still being pampered in his village — without the icky sexual coercion subplot this time (yay bowdlerizing) — and he will still totally fight you.  He bites Hak a lot in the beginning.  (Also having the thought that when we meet him Hak’s like “what is that, a snake?” but he has more moe proportions and a certain amount of fluff and little legs sticking out and Yona thinks he looks more like an ermine actually, so this time Hak ends up giving him the even-worse nickname “White Weasel.”)

Shin-ah is still neglected and alone, although I’m not sure yet how the problem of his power translates.  It could be pretty direct, caused by a previous generation where a blue dragon bonded with a Guardian enough to use the scary canon powers leading to the belief about cursed eyes, but it would be awhile before we could see it in action.  And we could still swing a mask of some sort if desired, like we could find him hooded like a falcon.  I suspect it’ll be extra challenging to get him to turn human even after he should be able to.  On the upside, though, he and little Ao are, like, closer to the same size, so we’re in for some serious cuteness overload with them.

Jae-ha enters a lot like he does in canon — which is possible because Gigan is a guardian.  Because of their bond she can do cool superpowered stuff and he can take human form and use his canon powers.  This also means that him going with Yona means Gigan giving up her powers (well, some of them, we can leave her with a scale — Yona wouldn’t need one anymore at that point — and she’s got a lot of Badass Normal going on too).  It also means Jae-ha accepting being a mascot critter at least for a while, but that was less of a sticking point than his canon issues, which were pretty much same (although as a mascot critter he doesn’t have wrists or ankles to speak of so it was that they’d put a collar on him).  This also adds to he and Gigan’s bits of mentorship toward the other dragons and Yona respectively, since they actually have years of experience with how this whole Guardian thing works.  (Also in the Awa arc I may bowdlerize the human trafficking bit and it’s that Kum-ji is shipping dragon scales out, so more analogous to smuggling WMD.)

And Zeno’s still Zeno, although again bowdlerizing.  Backing up to the origin myth, when the four dragons decided to destroy the humans, actually the Yellow Dragon was like “No, that would be horrible, let’s—” ::the other three all look at him:: “—let’s just hurt ‘em kinda bad.”  So because he went along he shared in their punishment, but because his was a failure not of compassion but of courage, his punishment is somewhat different.  He wasn’t made mortal like the others, and while he can work with a guardian, he can also use more of his power on his own when he shows courage — actually a stricter condition than getting himself grievously hurt, honestly.  And Kaya was totally a guardian.

(In thinking of the mascot critter character designs, I’m imagining each of the chibi dragons having their own style of horns.  Kija’s will be sort of perky upcurved antlers, Shin-ah’s will look like the horns of his mask, Jae-ha’s are more straight and angular antlers, and Zeno’s are curled like a sheep.)

We can also still have a version of the Fire Tribe arc conflict where Soo-jin is basically the “c’mon use the nukes” guy who plots against Soo-won because he does believe in the dragon guardian powers and wants to use them to crush Kouka’s enemies (like did you even get what that origin legend was about?).

And we get to have more of the female cast be guardians/magical girls!  Lili, I’m really thinking so — although I’d prefer to leave Ayura and Tetra as Badass Normals to prove that women don’t need magic to kick ass.  Maybe Tao — which would be a curveball since she’s not from Kouka, but that could be a good thing.  And of course, to get to their full potential powers, they’d have to join up and have character development and form bonds with everybody…

Hmm, anyone else?  Maybe a job for OCs…

Tagged

Maud girl, I love you, but you'll hate me for this ramble😅 A - Ships that you currently like a lot. (They don’t have to be OTPs because not everyone has OTPs.) Friendships, pairings, threesomes, etc. are allowed. Well, I'll go with all of them. For OTP, my biggest are EdWin and Royai (from FMA), Karmanami from Assassination Classroom and NaLu from FT. Friendships... I love GrayLu platonically and RoyxMaes is the best brotp😍 and of course I freaking loooove all friendships from Haikyuu and Akatsuki no Yona... And I love Zen and Mitsuhide's relationship in Akagami no shirayuki-hime and Al and Ed are best bros and the freaking platinocial relationship between Handa and Naru gets me everytime and I should probably gp to the next ask before I ramble more than necessary. B - A pairing–platonic, romantic or sexual–that you initially didn’t consider, but someone changed your mind. Asano x Nakamura... I never even imagined them as a couple... Until I read a perfect fanfiction... And now I ship⛵️⛵️ C - A ship you have never liked and probably never will. I'll be hated.... But EdxRoy (just no, okay?! Mustang's like a dad to Ed!!) and Shirayuki x Obi because Zen😍😍 (I love their friendship tho) D - A pairing you wish you liked but just can’t. Yamaguchi x Yachi because I wnat Yams to be happy... But HinaYachi is love, HinaYachi is life!! E - Have you added anything cracky/hilarious to your fandom? If so, what? Not yet, but I joined FMABigBang so I'll add Ed being an overprotective drama queen (or rather, king) dad, so stay tuned! F - What’s the longest you’ve ever been in a fandom? Hmm... Almost a year in the FT fanfom!!! Happy birthday, I guess? G - Have you ever had an OTP? If so, do you remember your first one? Who was in it? I live for my OTPs! (Which just proved why I'm still single... I have my whole life aheeeaaaad~~) I think one of my first conscious OTPs (in that I knew what that was) was Harry x Hermione and it was shattered to pieces... Damn you, JK Rowling! (I still love you). H - What is your favorite source text for fandom stuff (e.g., TV shows, movies, books, anime, Western animation, etc.)? Hmm... Anime. Because it's lively and you can actually picture the characters miving when reading a fanfic! I agree with manga too... And sometimes books. Movies feel just too real to be placed in cartoons, though. I - Has Tumblr caused you to stop liking any fandoms, if so, which and why? No, but the haters were closed to it. Tho I did stop liking the small Usagi Drop fandom because of the manga spoilers that ruined my experience... To those who want to watch it, take my friendly advice, PLEASE don't read the manga. The anime is the fluffiest thing, so please just watch that. J - Name a fandom you didn’t think about until you saw it all over Tumblr. (You don’t have to care about it or follow it; it just has to be something that Tumblr made you aware of.) Bnha, which is why I started reading it. And Voltron.... I'll watch that soon, too. K - What character has your favorite development arc/the best development arc? Uhm... Well that's a hard one. I absolutely love the subtle and endearing development in Oreki (hyouka) and Haruhi in Ouran, but my favourite has to go to Tsukki for how well-built it was!! Furudate-sensei, I bow im front of you. Also, honrable mention to Karma in Assassination Clasroom. L - Say something genuinely nice about a character who isn’t one of your faves. (Characters you’re neutral about are fair game, as are characters you merely dislike. Characters that you absolutely loathe with the fire of ten thousand suns are exempt, as there is no point in giving yourself an aneurysm over a character that you hate.) I don't especially love oikawa. I admire him a tone, and I have a lot of his quotes forever saved in my phone, and I think he's the best setter of them all (I'm sorry, he has more experience and tehnique than Kags or Asaaahi, tho I agree that they'll become better than him in one year's time). So there: I aknowledge his amazingness altough he isn't my fave. M - Name a character that you’d like to have for a friend. Edward. I want to spend a full day with him and learn how alchemy works (and we'd complain together about how short we are). Also, Haruhi: I feel like she'd give the best advice when I'd need it. N - Name three things you wish you saw more or in your main fandom (or a fandom of choice). My faveourite fandom is FMA: everyone gets love and attention, and there's little to no hate. What I'd like for it is to make it alive again! I mean, there are events and the such, but the manga finished almost 10 years ago, guys! I hope the new live action will bring us back alive. O - Choose a song at random. Which ship or character does it remind you of? Hmm... Well On my Own by Ashes Remain was the first one that popped into my head and it kind of reminds me pf Natsu. He's that character that would always smile, but he's always surpressing his feeling ('I've been stuck in a cage with my doubt/I tried forever getting out on my own') P - Invent a random AU for any fandom (we always need more ideas). Random AU...? Honestly, I'm not the biggest AU fan, but if I had to, I'd choose 'we've been stuck in a traffic jam for two hours and we're bored, let's play cards; hey wait Gray, you're cheeting; no way I'm not!; mira, doing cutesy things won't help you win... Laxus don't give in!!; if Laxus is allied with Mira so is the thunder legion! Then I'm starting one on my own! Erza, I'll join... Great, now we have Wendy on Erza's side... All dragon slayers together! And exceeds! Wait lucy, starting a female club isn't gonna help ya! ...guys? That's not how you play pocker!' AU. Okay, I may like this one in particular. Maybe I'll write it:) Q - A fandom you’ve abandoned and why. I've abandoned the HP fandom. I still like the books, but I kinda grew out of it...? (And into anime😇) R - Which friendship/platonic relationship is your favorite in fandom? Uhm... In which one? If I'm going with FT, my favourite friendship is GrayLu. In FMA, it's a tie... I love Roy/Hughes brotp and Al/Ed brotp. In Haikyuu... Damn they're too many to choose! But I'd say the Karasuno third years: they have such a tight-knit bond!! And in AssClass it would be Karma/Okuda (it's canon in my mind but friendship in the manga). I just love how easygoing they are. Also, I love Karma/Nagisa in the second half. S - Show us an example of your personal headcanon (prompts optional but encouraged) Hmm... There are many. My fetish is seeing people sleep: I think you can tell alot about their inner selfes from the position they use when sleeping and from their habits, because they can't control or put up a façade when it comes to that. So my headcanon is that despite being loud and obnoxious, Natsu actually occupies less space than Lucy when sleeping: he takes a baby-posture, while she lashes all over the bed, sometimes punching him im sleep unintentionately. Natsu learnt to deal with it: he actually likes holding Lucy close to make sure she's safe while sleeping. She doesn't mind, especially not during winter. Oh and they also cuddle with a cup of hot coffee in their hands during the morning. Just an after-thought~~ T - Do you have any hard and fast headcanons that you will die defending? I do! I don't care if you agree or not, but Karma can be sweet, okay? Like he can actually be a good boyfriend (tho maybe a bit possessive). He's the best at telling what's on Okuda's mind and he always buys her toffee when she's feeling down. Oh and also, Riza is a very good mother, always putting her family first. Just letting you know. U - Three favorite characters from three different fandoms, and why they’re your favorites. Yes!! 1)Karma-assassination classroom. He's that one character that believes he's the best, only to get proven that he can be wrong. What's evenbegter is how he has room to develop and grow to be a better person... Plus, it seems I have a thing for evil goofballs. 2)This is a hard one, but Ed/Roy-Fullmetal Alchemist. I abso-freaking-lutely love all the characters in FMA, but these two attracted my attention. Ed because of how he thinks, how he wants to do good deeds in spite of his thorny exterior and how he miserably fails. I love the way he admits his failures and the way he deals with them can be childish (he's 14, for God's sake!) but he learns from them. Also, Roy because even though he went through Ishval, he still dreams of making the world a better place. I can respect a man who doesn't step over the ethics just to achieve that dream and who always bends and avoides hurting others, while never giving up. Maybe it's a dream, but I very much resonate with it. 3) Lucy from FT. She's the one character in Fairy Tail that has enough of a backstory and is weak enough to evolve. Moreover, she's not your typical girl: yes, she cares about how she looks, because she IS an woman, but she also cares about what's on the inside. She cares about her friends more than anything and even without being the strongest mage, still puts herself in danger for them. I love her resolve and her cute side, too. V - Which character do you relate to most? Hmm... Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran Highschool Host Club. Haruhi is the type to do things on her own and she repells the help of others to do her thing, which I also tend to do. Also, she shoulders a lot of her worries by herself. Plus, she never judges people on appearance and doesn't care about her own (being a girl, that's rare and helps me relate all the more). I just love her😍 (and sometimes am compared to her by my friends). W - A trope which you are virtually certain to hate in any fandom. Whiny female protagonist. I'm not a feminist or anything, but I've had enough of that! Yes, we all want a prince charming, but we can carry ourselves, thank you very much. X - A trope which you are almost certain to love in any fandom. Someone pursuing their dreams. Also, I love genre deconstructions (browny points if it's comedic). Y - What are your secondhand fandoms (i.e., fandoms you aren’t in personally but are tangentially familiar with because your friends/people on your dash are in them)? Voltron and Yuri on Ice (I feel like I've watched this shows even though I haven't). Z - Just ramble about something fan-related, go go go! (Prompts optional but encouraged.) Don't tempt me, I will! ( I kinda have this whole post tho) Okay so I'll rant about FMA because I feel it doesn't get all he love it deserves!!! (And because I refrained from fangirling on it up to now) And since we're talking FMA, let's talk Roy Mustang (you knew this would come). Roy is just one of those very strong people that are actually just goofballs on the interior and need love. Seriously, let's take a look at what this guy went through, ok? He's an orphan, but he never complains and learnt to love his cousins (sisters) and aunt (mom). He was taught by a pretty crazy (very talented, but Hawkeye did have a screw loose for inscripting a tatoo on Riza's back and you can't convince me otherwise) alchemist, and yet he managed to become the next flame alchemy. Despite being told not to, he joined the military with a childish dream and even after learning of the harsh reality in the Ishval war, he still went on believing that he can make the country a better place. Yet he's not perfect: he can lose his temper when it comes to those he loves (Mustang being killed) and he doesn't want any more people to die. He cheerisbes his team and wants to keep them all safe. He can be a cheapskate and also a bit of an annoying guy with Ed, and he can be obnoxious, yet funny as hell (tiny miniskirts!!!) Above all, Mustang feels HUMAN! Yes, he puts up a great act, but it's an *act*. He has a more sensitive side and you better not mess with it, or he'll burn you to ashes. This concludes the short version of my Roy Mustang appeciation post. Also, I have some headcanons about him being best dad (and his child being a daddy's girl/boy because of it) and of being a pretty intimidating Führer. This concludes my post. @bookstvseriesandanimes and @paperrabbit13 know what I'm talking about😅 And I tag @bookstvseriesandanimes @paperrabbit13 @shoujoinsights @candyforever123 @funnyshoujomoments and whoever else feels up to it:)

C.hs #1: Prom Date

Genre: Fluff, School

Category: Sweet Seventeen

Word Count: 2497 words

A/N: This has been in my drafts for quite sometime now and I finished it just in case i forget! Enjoy~

The ticking of the clock was only sound that filled in your bedroom while the dimmed desktop lamp gave the room a melancholy glow. Your parents were working overtime for the fourth time this week and your two year old brother sounded asleep in the next room. You were getting some studying done and truth be told, you were actually trying to study. For the past hour and a half, you’ve been procrastinating by scrolling through your favourite social media. You looked at the clock hung beside the door and sighed, it was only nine o’clock.

Slouching your back, you made your way to the kitchen and shuffled through the fridge to grab a soda. You nearly dropped your drink when you heard vigourous knocking at your door.

Rolling your eyes, you already knew who it was.

Your best friend, Hansol Vernon Chwe.

You swung the door open and dropped your can when you felt a heavy weight on you. His scent strong with beer. Vernon was drunk, as usual.

“Let me guess.. You got dumped by your girlfriend again?”

“Mm.” Vernon nodded, his face on your shoulder.

Couldn’t take his weight any longer, you snorted, “Come on, I’ll get you a glass of water.” you pulled him in and threw him on the couch. “Gosh you’re heavy.”

“She.. left me.. for another guy…” he said groggily.

“You dated Yona, the school’s flirt queen. Of course she’ll date you only for a week.” you said in annoyance, “Have I told you to not pursue her? This is like, what, your third girlfriend this month?”

“Why? Do you think you can do a better job of being my girlfriend?” he chuckled with shades of red and pink on his face.

You jumped, blushing. “Well I-” you frowned, “You’re drunk, Vernon.” you said as you left to get him a glass of water.

“Ha! I’m not drunk!”

“Oh yeah? Prove it.”

“You blushed when I asked you a question earlier!” he laughed with a snort. “I’m sober you know.”

You held your cheek and you splashed him with his glass of water because you felt yourself blush again. Vernon was your type but imagining you and him being in a relationship? It was just a wishful thinking, and you definitely didn’t want to lose the friendship if that ever happens. Even though you liked him since you were in the 4th grade.

“Hey what the heck was that for?” he spat.

“You’re awake now? Gosh you should work on your drinking issues.” you scratch your head.

“Don’t expect me to drink from the floor.”

“Oh I’d like to see you try.”

“Whatever. Got an extra tee for me to wear?” he stood up, walking towards your room. “Thanks.”

“Wait- I didn’t even say yes!” you called out.

“You just did!”

You sulked on the couch. It was always like this. Vernon would always stop by your apartment either drunk on one day or sober on the next. It was his way of ‘getting over’ his past girlfriends or he ran away from home, saying your apartment felt more homely than his. Your home was his go-to place to sleep in and you were basically his confidant. He was more or less a freeloader.

“So this is where my tee at.” he came out with his daffy duck shirt. “I’ve been looking for this you know.”

“Oh sorry. It was very comfortable to wear and I was so attached to it I forgot it was even yours.”

“I’d rather for you to be attached to me instead.” he mumbled.

You glanced at him and scrunched a confused brow. “You said something?”

“Uh. Nope.” he flopped on the couch next to you, forgetting about the damp area where you splashed the water at, “Got any movies to watch?”

“Yep.”

-------

You woke up the next morning and jolted out of the couch remembering you had to bring your brother to day care. Vernon had already left and your phone buzzed, receiving a text message.

>>I’ll be going home to take a shower and have a change of clothes. See you at the bus stop at eight thirty sharp.

You smiled as you put a hat on your sibling’s head, replying to Vernon’s message.

<<Got it. See you loser.

The hardest part was to leave the house, it had always been. You couldn’t do anything at least, because once your foot sets outside your door, you would receive glares, pitiful looks, and clicked tongues from your neighbours.

The kid you had in your arms wasn’t your child, but your brother.

You had expected for this to happen, given the age gap. Your parents had married young, at 16. Because of that, they worked countless nights for you, and you spent most of your time at Vernon’s place. Though they got busier two years ago. Before you knew it, your brother was born.

They’d be home during the weekends or sometimes three times a month. You hoped that the people around would understand, but the world didn’t work that way. There would always be judgment and critics, you had to accept it.

Vernon knew about your situation and much to your relief, he helped a lot quite often. People at the university thought that he was the father and he was sure that he explained more than a thousand times that the kid was your brother.

“Got you and Seungjae breakfast.” he shook the plastic bag he had in hand, carrying your brother with one arm after.

“Thanks. We stop at his daycare first and to uni we go.”

“Ew you sound like a mom.” he joked.

“Gross you act like a dad.” you echoed his tone waved your arm to signal the bus.

-------

“Y/N, we’re on duty for prom decorations.” Seungkwan, you and Vernon’s best friend, called out, carrying a box.

“Right.” You swung your sling bag around your shoulder. Following Seungkwan down the stairs, you came upon realization that you had to pick your brother up. “Seungkwan-ah, I have to-”

“Don’t worry about it.” he cut you off.

Your mouth went agape. “You didn’t even hear what I was supposed to say.”

“It’s about your brother right?” he pushed the door with his back as he let you into hall. “I told Vernon to get him in your stead since you are on duty with me for the decorations.”  

“Oh..” you smiled, “Thanks Seungkwan.”

“No biggie.” he said as he put the box on a table. “I don’t get it. Why on earth do we have prom in uni when proms are meant for high school? Oh my gosh.”

“You’re the one to talk. Don’t forget you’re the one of the people who organised this.” you giggled, tying up your hair to get ready.

“That’s the point. Gosh I hate myself for pushing this. I wanna back out.”

“Why back out? Everyone already joined. Besides, you missed the prom in high school,” you paused, “on purpose.”

“Ah.” he scratched his head. “Y/N, you know very well what the reason was.”

Seungkwan had a pretty harsh memory about senior prom. He called in busy when he actually wasn’t. The situation was, well quite dramatic. He attempted to ask his long time crush, Cheng Xiao, to be his date. Tables had turned that he ended up rushing to the male’s toilet and threw up. He said she was too cute that it got him too nervous. When he got back, Cheng Xiao already accepted one guy’s invite.

“I know. I know. Who knows she might be your date this year.”

Seungkwan blushed and threw confetti at you. “Let’s just get this done, shall we?”

“Alright.” you waved the confetti off you.

-------

You exchanged glances at your laptop then at Vernon, who was helping your brother colour his colouring book. You thought about the prom- or UniOn Dinner, as the teachers called it. There wasn’t any news from Vernon of having a dinner date, and you hoped he was still free. He was the only guy friend you were close with, besides Seungkwan.

You blushed at the thought. No way. Being the playboy he normally was, he probably already had three dates reserved for the prom. You shook your head and gently slapped your cheeks to erase that thinking.

Vernon looked at you. “You alright?”

You jumped at his sudden voice, “Y-yeah. I’m cool, I’m alright.”

“Okay.” he stretched his legs on the couch. “You don’t mind that I stay here for another night?”

“Do whatever you want.”

He nodded. The house finally quieted down as your brother fell asleep. You didn’t know why, but being with Vernon was meant to be normal. Should be very normal in fact. However, something made you feel awkward with him. It could be the prom that made you feel this way. You certainly wanted him to be your date but it wasn’t all that easy to ask him. You wanted him to make the first move.

The following morning came by quickly. You’ve finally pushed away your bottled cowardliness within and gathered up the courage to ask Vernon for prom dinner.

Should be a piece of cake, you mentally told yourself.

Or so you thought.

“Yeah I’d love to.” you stopped behind a wall to have heard a voice of a girl.

“Cool. So I’ll see you on Friday at 6pm?”

Your eyes widened. That was Vernon’s voice. You clenched your heart to cease the aching but it didn’t- it only hurt more. He sounded happy and excited. Well he should be because the girl he asked out accepted his invitation to prom. On the contrary, you weren’t. You shook your head and left for home.

You heard Seungkwan called out for you but you didn’t bother to stop or turn around. His voice was muffled by your thoughts. What is this? You surely knew that one had no right to react on such a situation unless you and a person were a thing. Well heck, you thought that this was a situation that had every right for you to react. Even though you shouldn’t.

Before anything that happened, it was already Friday. Your brother was with your grandparents for the weekend and here you were locked at home, not planning to attend the dinner. Bummed out that Vernon had already asked a girl out, it confirmed that you do like Vernon more than just a friend and by heavens you wanted to be something more.

Seungkwan texted you saying that Cheng Xiao was date and he was on cloud nine. He also promised that we wouldn’t throw up in front of her. He hoped you would catch up since you did play your part in the preparation.

“It’s impossible now.” you told yourself.

Getting off bed, you checked the clock, it was half past six and Vernon probably met up to pick up his date and went for dinner.

Just then, the doorbell rang and your lousy self forced your way to the door. For sure it would be girl scouts selling you cookies every day every two hours. You thought it was annoying.

“Look girls please don’t ask me to buy your dumb cookies.” you said as you opened the door.

“Then can you buy some of my time?”

You looked up. A suited, backcombed, and a fresh looking Vernon in front of you. “Han? What’re you doing here? Where’s your date?”

He smiled and stiffly swayed with his hand in his pockets. “I’m speaking to her right now.”

Your mouth opened and didn’t say a word, too shocked to be hearing this. “I- I must be dreaming..”

Vernon chuckled a little and leaned closer, giving you kiss on the cheek before saying, “No you’re not.”

You blushed and you were sure that you were red like your period. “What? What about the girl you asked out?”

“Yewon? No, I didn’t ask her out.”

“But I heard you a few days ago.. You asked her out.”

“Oh that? I asked her to help me find you a pair of footwear and a gown, so we met up. Nothing else.” he shook the bag he was holding. “I was going to tell you about it but Seungkwan told me you ran out crying before I could.” he sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“No I should be sorry. I misunderstood you.”

You and Vernon smiled at each other. “So get dressed, we don’t want to be late now, do we? I’ll wait here.”

You shut the door and changed into the gown Vernon got you. It was in your favourite colour, though it was new to you as reached to the ground. It had a V open at the back so it was rather revealing. You put on a little make up and fixed your hair into curls before tying it into a low messy bun.

Vernon was waiting outside, holding the hairpiece he got you. He wished he did ask you out personally but he thought he should surprise you since you took your time to listen to his problems with his past girlfriends and problems he had at home. Though he knew you since you were ten, there was something about you he couldn’t find on any other girl. Only you had it- a loving heart.

He immediately stood up when you said you were ready. He loved the way you looked. He thought you looked a ballet dancer- elegant yet sophisticated. You were the answer to his worries and he knew you like the back of his hand. There he realized his missing piece was you. And you were home to him.

You sheepishly smiled at him, quite embarrassed yet you felt ecstatic about what would happen. Even though you were quite upset of him not asking you personally, you mentally scolded yourself for running away. But none of it mattered now. He was still your date.

“You.. You look beautiful..” he said, looking away as he covered half of his blushing face.

“T-thank you.” you stuttered. Vernon reached out and placed the hairpiece on you.

“I didn’t prepare us a ride so would riding my bike work?”

You slapped his shoulder playfully. “Hansol!”

“I’m kidding.” he smiled then kissed your forehead and gestured his hand to you, “Shall we?”

“Let’s.” you responded with glee and walked to the car he had parked earlier.

“I chose the gown by the way.” he whispered.

“Hansol!” you blushed.

Having your best friend/ crush as your prom date? It could happen.

Akatsuki no Yona

Sorry for the long answer. For the “Give me a fandom and I’ll tell you”:

The first character I first fell in love with: 

Um, here will be several answers, because I had a few very important first impressions:

Yona – she was literaly the first character seen in manga, and I liked her expressions and a huge range of genuine emotions she could show and how cute she is, being all in love. The thing that totally hooked me at time was her reasons to love Su-Won. After description I half-expected her ranting daily and nightly about how handsome he is or something that silly. But it was so pure and true in-between of puppy-love and first attraction for actual human reasons… I just can’t.

Hiryuu – the first time I saw him, I was like: “I want a whole manga about him, but sadly, he more likely is just a symbolic token, who’s never gonna to show up, and actually author must be never made his personality up, thus he doesn’t exist… forget him, move on”. But I loved him all this time.

Zeno – from the first sight. But I was kind of wary of him in terms: “It’s not possible, to have there a character as just for me. Obiviously, he have a lot of behind, but there is no way for him to be much cooler, than he is now. Maybe his character’s flaws make him uncool or sort of..?” Nah, his characters flaws made him like 100 times more cool and human. And while I’m sort of tired of “character with happy faciade lied all the time. On an inside he is constantly suicidal and angsty, and holds tons of grude” trope, Zeno totally don’t come off as one of these angsty buckets.His happiness and fondness is just as true, as his grieve and dark moments. And his way to fit in any clothes is iconic to me.And imagine my feelings, when it’s become known these two above are coming as a set with addition of 3 more unique dorky bros… this far Hiryuu and Zeno were just what I dreamed of from the start.

Kaya – I see the character– I love the character. No reasons. “Hey, Zeno… Zeno, if that’s your future wife, can I go out with your future son, who obiviously doesn’t even exist, but still??? Please???”.

Tae-Wu and Han-Dae sleeping by the Fuuga gates. The first time I saw them, it was a turning point. Like: “You said you giving this manga a try and eventualy you will drop? Haha, silly Egao, welcome to your new home. Forever ”.

The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: 

Hak. To me, all his interesting and precious traits are unfolding in further details and actions. His respect to Yona, his loyality to king Il, his grieveing over the lost friendship with Su-Won, his very personal friendship with each of the dragons and Yun, his deep love for the Wind tribe, his unique himor, his little ‘kincks’, his 'Hak-faces’ and even the way he occasionaly interacts with Ao-chan (believe or not, I oftenly see, when someone headcanons on how Ao sees each of her friends, Hak is that one guy, who is left out as a someone, who don’t play with her, while in the manga are at least 5 cutiest Hak | pukyuu moments).If not for these and alike details he’d probably come off as another tsundere with severe emotional constipation and 'scary at the outside/soft inside’ 'super-sexy’ powerful male lead type of a character you can see in any other shoujo manga in a pack of 4.

Su-Won – description left an impression of standart powerhungry villian and I didn’t expected much from him. My bad. Turning point was me seeng his bitter look, when he faced Yona after the murder of Il and was quite literally pushed to kill her (“may be, he is more, than that”). But I never expected a mixature of fun, cuteness, stubborness, drama king act, mistery, inner conflict, angst and parody, that waited me on the way.

The character everyone else loves that I don’t: 

I don’t see if there is one. At the same time, I often prefer rare characters over more popular ones.

The character I love that everyone else hates: 

Mizari – well, not that anyone massively hates him in fandom now, but I kind of left a room for loving him (and Kouren team) even from the time when he talked about eating the dragons.

Garou – I don’t think there are many people, who actually hate him deeply, but still, as confusing as it sounds, I kind of can understand what he felt. And while I’m not apologetic to some of his pretty obivious actions, I guess my understanding makes me more calm and patient towards him.

The character I used to love but don’t any longer:

I guess, there is no such a character. Well, maybe I expected some more backstory or badassnes from Hiek, but not that I loved him or something.

The character I would totally smooch: Yona, Ao-chan, 'Hakuneko’, Tae-Jun. And Gulfan (but I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t allow)Also I want to hug Kaya, to bake an apple pie for Heuk-Chi, and to knit a scarf for Yun. And I’m lost what to do to Zeno, he probably would want all of this and to hug Kaya in my place. As for Hiryuu… I’d fangirl from the distance too scared of his dragons’ jealousy.

The character I’d want to be like: 

Yun and Heuk-Chi, because these men are so talanted and can do anything and are so capabale in practical tasks! And if it comes to outer look, I want Su-Won’s hair.

The character I’d slap: 

Anyone, who needs it, or look like they need. For now settled with Su-Won and Keyshuk, because I hope to see their 'moment of hysteria’. Also Gobi, because I hope someone is still home inside of his head, and I want to see that. I’d also say the royal brothers probably, but for now it wouldn’t be too useful. And we still need more canon on them.

A pairing that I love:

KaZe is my favourite. I can write an essey, so I’ll stop for now.

A pairing that I despise: 

Well, I kind of wary of yaoi and yuri fanmade pairings. Like you never know, if the author of the fic not preferred personal 'kincks’ over in-characterisation. But I admit, that reality can be not that bad (stumbled upon a few untagged and lived)). And if one of these actually’d become canon, I will accept and like it. I’d only be wary of the lemonish part of fanbase then.

Also I was not too fond of Su-Won/Lili, because I was like: “neither of these two are in love, and I want them to be happy, because they need love”. But now I think, they can be probably good enouh for each other. So now I even low-key ship it if a chance given.

How We Got Here

9-chapter story, each day/prompt will be 1 chapter.  Some portions of the story chapters are made up and some are based from the manga/anime.  There is a reason for that but if I say more it may give away too much spoiler info.

@hakyonaweeks Day 2- Teasing

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3

 Once he had taken the position at the castle, and pledged to protect Yona, that promise became both his curse and his salvation; if he could manage to keep his emotions in check.  Sarcasm became his way of dealing with the Princess.  Hak knew she hated it, but what would be his alternative? Admit to being desperately in love with her and when she turns him down shattering his heart into a million pieces, run away to commit suicide, maybe jump off a cliff or run his own blade through his chest? Sounds drastic, yes, but a possibility when you know deep down there will never be another woman for you like her.

This situation was the ultimate torture that you could ever put any man through and not expect them to go insane.  Every day, week, year that goes by and you are forced by your title and position to be around the one person that your heart desires and the one person you believe you’ll never have.  To sit back and watch them fawning over another that wasn’t you, have to listen to them talk about it, ask you about it and why, because you are the only one they’ve told this secret to.  

Hak told her that he would be happy for them, would serve them for as long as he lived, and said that enough to where he had tricked himself into believing it too.  Her cousin wasn’t a bad guy, a little strange and airy, but they had all grown up together, played together on the castle grounds, and if it made Yona happy, then that was all he wanted for her.  

Most days he could keep his heart in check, and then there were days that the cliff sounded like a better alternative.  It was like being in an out of control carriage on a very hilly road and you wonder should I jump now, then talk yourself into believing that it will eventually get better.  He wasn’t sure what Yona saw him as, maybe a big brother by the way she behaved around him, but when she would act all cute and innocent, say things that could be misconstrued…  Yeah, those were the days he wanted to jump…  

~~xx~~

After Hak helps Yona to get on her cousin’s horse, she makes a comment about his handling of women and that he must be entertaining many at home… “Don’t get the wrong idea,” Soo-Won tells her.  “We’ve been discussing who I’m going to be engaged to.  But, let’s stop talking about this, I can’t talk to you about this sort of thing.”

‘What!!!  And he’s still treating me like I’m some little kid!’   “Well,” trying not to seem flustered, “I’m about to be engaged too.”

“Huh?  To whom?”

“To Hak.”   ‘Did that just come out my mouth!  And Hak needs to stop staring at me like I’ve gone crazy, even if it’s true!’

“That’s great!  Congratulations...”

Once the horseback riding is over, and her cousin leaves them alone, Yona is sulking with Hak standing nearby.  “To think he’d believe such a lie,” she drops her head onto the railing.

Hak mumbles to himself, “You’re the one who’s cruel. And annoying…”  She has no idea how much those kinds of statements hurt him…

~~x~~

“But father this hair!  Why is it so red?  Even my mother had flowing black hair.  It makes me look weird.”

“It’s not true.  Right Hak?”

“Yes, Emperor Il, nobody has said that the Princess’ hair is strange.  But if I may be so bold to say, there’s definitely something wrong with her head.”

“Shut up servant!  Father do something about this guy!  Even though he’s my servant, he’s so arrogant!”

~~x~~

From all the work she put into preparing for her cousins visit, being harassed by Hak at every turn, being told by her father that she couldn’t marry who she wanted, scared by some strange stalker, and being somewhat rejected by the person she loves, Yona retreats into her room for the evening. She was confused, angry, conflicted, and frankly tired that everyone was treating her like a little girl, ‘I’m turning 16 in less than 5 days, I’m not a little girl anymore!’  Flopping onto her bed, part of her wants to cry, maybe scream, definitely scream but that would only bring people running to check on her.

What her father had told her had scared her as well, being the Princess, she would always be a target so whomever was around her could get hurt too.  Could she have been seeing things when she thought there was someone following her? Maybe her father’s words were still messing with her mind?  Yona curls her legs up, this was easier to deal with when she was younger, because whenever she was feeling scared she’d run to Hak and crawl into bed with him cause he would hold her hand and make her feel safer.  

‘Hak!’  Speaking of that man, ‘how dare he say I had a strange head?!  He’s always making fun of me, teasing me, taunting me…  Why is he so mean to me when we’re supposed to be friends!  I just don’t understand it.  I mean, he’s always been blunt and never holds back what he says, but the older we get the worse it became and now he’s such a sarcastic ass!

Ugh and now Soo-Won thinks we’re engaged no matter how I tried to say otherwise.  Okay, I guess I can see how it seems believable because Hak’s always with me, but that’s because it’s his job!  Great, that makes two men that think Hak and I are in a relationship, not that I care about what Tae-Jun thinks…  That’s totally not the point!  He didn’t even try to disagree when I said it, just stood there with his mouth hanging open catching flies!  Where was his stupid comments when I needed it?!’

She sighs, and closes her eyes, there was nothing more she could do tonight but hope that things will change…

Crimson Emerald Rays Preview

“Jae-ha… I don’t understand you.” The Ryokuryuu chuckled at the young princess who stared at him confused as to why he stopped her from leaving. “Why? I’m just an extremely honest guy who tells it like it is… And I like to have a lady by my side on beautiful nights like this one, so for the party tonight mind being that cute girl by my side?” Yona smiled at that, taking her seat next to him once more. “I suppose I don’t mind. I guess I’m just not used to somebody speaking so… Freely with no care or remorse how others react or judge.” Jae-ha smiled at her, taking her hand into his. “I’m sure most watch their words in front of a lovely princess after all, and not just out of respect for royalty.” “Well that’s true I guess, after all it seems like most people outside the palace were-“ Yona then realized her words were trailing off and her eyes widened. She had never told the Green Dragon that she was the princess! She had merely introduced herself as ‘Yona’ and that was it. “How did you?!” she gasped. “I had a hunch.” Jae-ha seemed amused at her shocked expression. “Also Kija has a bad habit of calling you princess in front of everyone, when we met I thought he was just calling you that instead of master or something, but then I heard Hak mutter it while we were fighting on Kumji’s ships… You could say I put the pieces together after some thinking. I was a bit thrown off at first since the rumors were that you had died but here you are.” He smiled warmly and pressed his lips against the back of her palm. “It has been an honor to meet you and fight by your side, Princess Yona. I must say the stories of your beauty do not do you justice, you’re as radiant as the dawn itself.” Yona felt her cheeks burn at that, she quickly looked away. “… So you’ve known yet you still treated me the same? … It doesn’t change anything?” “Why should it?” Jae-ha shrugged. “You’re still you, title or not. Besides I’m a pirate, or rather former pirate as of tonight. I don’t abide by any rules outside of those set by the captain, and even then I’ve been known to bend a few and get a scolding.” He chuckled. Yona giggled at that. “I could see Captain Gigan getting frustrated with you sometimes… It’s just… Refreshing, to see someone treat me as just a normal girl for a change… Shin-ah doesn’t really understand because he was isolated so he doesn’t treat me special like that but he doesn’t talk much to anyone. Yoon doesn’t like royalty so he speaks to me normally but there are times he still remembers I’m a princess… And Kija’s been fascinated with me since we met, and Hak…” she smiled warmly. “… He’s been my friend since childhood and promised my father to watch over me… But even with having known me for so long there are times he still insists on treating me the same as if we were in the palace, I don’t mind because I did ask him to continue calling me ‘princess’ so that someone remembers father’s legacy…” she explained. “… But at the same time, it’s been interesting meeting the captain and her not showing me special treatment, and how you speak to me so straightforward… I’m so used to everyone always trying to stop me as you saw before, and not letting me go for the strength I want to protect them all in return for everything they do for me… Hak’s spent too much of his life protecting me and I want to give back his freedom… Someday.” ‘Hmmm, maybe that would be the push these two kids need to come together, they’re so close yet still a huge distance between them…’ Jae-ha thought to himself. “Well you’re on the right track kiddo, after all that arrow you shot Kumji was dead on… He was about to finish me off when you got him, so your hard work and practice paid off. I owe you for that.” He placed his hand on her shoulder, guiding her to rest against him as he pulled her closer. “… Yeah… But you saved me back on the cape of no return so we’re even really…” Yona’s eyes strayed away for a moment. “… That was… The first time I ever…” “Hmmm?” Jae-ha blinked, looking at the redhead and raising an eyebrow, he then noticed her body quiver a bit, and it wasn’t that cold for her to be shivering. “…. Was that the first time you’ve had to take a life?” he decided to ask the burning question on his mind. Yona nodded, feeling her eyes tear up a bit as she chewed on her bottom lip. “… I don’t regret doing it but… My father hated violence and weapons, and what I did was something he’d hate to the very core, and probably be disappointed in me but… I had to do it.” She balled her hands into fists. “I couldn’t let Kumji continued to hurt the people of this town or anywhere else, and he when he hurt you I… It reminded me of when Hak was hurt protecting me and I was helpless, unable to do a thing to stop it or save him. I never wanted to be that helpless again, it was why I begged him to teach me archery in the first place.” “… As unbeautiful as it can be to take a life, that bastard needed to go down.” Jae-ha rubbed her shoulder a bit, trying to soothe the princess. “You did this town and many other people a huge favor, but this is why the captain always ordered us to never kill our enemies… There’s a hollow and dark feeling that can hit your very soul by knowing you ended another’s life, I imagine Hak and Kija have done it so often they don’t blink an eye because you’re far too important to them. It’s a shame though, a beautiful girl like you shouldn’t have that kind of black mark on her… But it does make you interesting, and unlike most girls I’ve met before…” Yona smiled at that. “I’ll believe that with how the others were telling me to watch myself around you.” She giggled a bit. “You have a bit of a reputation around here, Maya told me you hog all the best girls in town and none of them ever get a chance because of that.” “Hey I can’t help the ladies are attracted to my wonderful charm.” Jae-ha struck a dramatic pose. “And you’re still charming even when you’re all wet or covered in blood.” Yona laughed again. “Yoon was really getting frustrated with you back there talking to the ladies while he was trying to get your wound to stop bleeding.” “True, but the lovely company was dulling the pain easily.” Jae-ha laughed, smirking just recalling the boy genius growling at him. “You really are something, I’ve never met anybody like you before Jae-ha.” Yona giggled again. “I mean granted I only knew a few select people in the palace but still… I’ve never known someone to say such things to make me laugh like this before.” “Well I always try my best to put a smile on a lady’s face, after all that’s when they are most beautiful.” Jae-ha said, pouring on the charm as he brushed his fingers against her chin. “… And I must say you’ve got the most beautiful smile and cutest voice when you laugh, makes me wonder why Hak wastes his time making you scowl instead.” “Hak just likes to tease me that’s all.” Yona sighed and rolled her eyes. “He’s been like that since we were kids, always saying my brain is weird and stuff like that. The only thing he never mocked was my hair because he knew how much I hated it.” “Really now?” Jae-ha asked, moving his hand to slowly brush at a few locks of her crimson hair. “I think it’s simply lovely, though maybe if you grew it out more it would look even more beautiful… Like the crimson dawn itself.” Yona froze at that, shivering a bit as his words mimicked that was Soo-won… She knew Jae-ha didn’t mean it, after all he didn’t even know Soo-won nor would have heard him say those words… But for some reason it made Yona’s heart shiver and the pain of her tragic love came rushing back to her, tears floating down her cheeks just by having flashbacks of that hairpin, the night her father was murdered, and running into Soo-won just hours before… “Yona? Kiddo what’s wrong?” Jae-ha was slightly alarmed by that. “Did I say something wrong?” he immediately pulled his hand back worried he offended her or something. “Yona dear?” “Ah!” Yona snapped to attention, realized what she was doing and quickly dried her eyes. “… Sorry. I was just…” she sniffed as she finished cleaning off her eyes of tears. “… I was thinking of… The night I watched my father…” she couldn’t even say the words right then, because there was more to it. “… No wonder you broke down crying so hard at the cape and why you were so spaced out earlier, have you been holding it in all this time?” Jae-ha asked, stroking her hair. Yona shook her head. “… No, but it’s been a little while since the last time I cried about it outside of earlier today… I know it bothers Hak when he sees me this upset and I’m trying to be stronger just…” The Ryokuryuu smiled at that, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer, pressing her head against his chest. “… There’s no one here watching. And Hak is with the rest at the party. Assisting a lady in need is my specialty so feel free to use my shoulder for one night.”