[She draws a sharp breath of hesitation at first.]
[It's safe here.]
[Yona has told herself that over and over and over again. True, "safe" is somewhat a relative term for this place. There are still dangers beyond the city and even a few that manage to creep within when the powers that hold their sway over this place begin to shape and manipulate the people and the city around them. But it's safe here for her. For Yona. She doesn't have to hide her hair. She doesn't have to be Rina. Her enemies — or rather her enemy and the men he's brought to heel — are not here.]
[It's safe here. It's safe here. It's safe here.]
[If she doesn't say it, she forgets. But she says it to herself, and it gives her the courage to say,]
H-Hak...?
[Because it means it's safe here for him, too. It's safe to say his name without worrying about the consequences. Still, she's afraid that she's just seeing and hearing things because it is safe. He doesn't need to be here to look after her, or keep making good on his stupid promise to stick annoyingly close to her like he's reminded her over and over that he will. Her heart is pounding in her chest and she's grateful not to be holding her watch herself or he'd know how much her hands are shaking even if he can already see the ways her eyes are already starting to glisten. She hates it sometimes when she cries because it sometimes makes her feel small, weak, and helpless. Like all she can do is cry. But if the tears get to be too much for her to hold back right now, Yona doesn't think she'll mind them.]
two;
[It's safe here.]
[Yona has told herself that over and over and over again. True, "safe" is somewhat a relative term for this place. There are still dangers beyond the city and even a few that manage to creep within when the powers that hold their sway over this place begin to shape and manipulate the people and the city around them. But it's safe here for her. For Yona. She doesn't have to hide her hair. She doesn't have to be Rina. Her enemies — or rather her enemy and the men he's brought to heel — are not here.]
[It's safe here. It's safe here. It's safe here.]
[If she doesn't say it, she forgets. But she says it to herself, and it gives her the courage to say,]
H-Hak...?
[Because it means it's safe here for him, too. It's safe to say his name without worrying about the consequences. Still, she's afraid that she's just seeing and hearing things because it is safe. He doesn't need to be here to look after her, or keep making good on his stupid promise to stick annoyingly close to her like he's reminded her over and over that he will. Her heart is pounding in her chest and she's grateful not to be holding her watch herself or he'd know how much her hands are shaking even if he can already see the ways her eyes are already starting to glisten. She hates it sometimes when she cries because it sometimes makes her feel small, weak, and helpless. Like all she can do is cry. But if the tears get to be too much for her to hold back right now, Yona doesn't think she'll mind them.]
[It won't be a bad cry for a change.]