Chapter Text
His hands, so gentle, so warm, so comforting; proof that the world hadn’t tainted his sweet soul.
Whenever she grew worried, he’d glance at her out of the corner of his large golden eyes. His eyes -- those breathtaking eyes that made her wonder how a person could be born so beautiful. To think his people, his village, had deemed them a curse cut her soul. She’d never understand. So much sweetness and gentleness flooded them, especially when he gazed her way and on occasion, offered her that rare smile that made her heart pound. When she’d began to tremble, his hand would find itself inching closer to hers, his pinky just barely brushing hers, letting her know that he was there.
It surprised her when Yona had revealed the things he’d gone through: all the hatred and disgust and shame put on him by the very people he had rescued. They’d never really tried to get to know him. Her eyes would tear up at the thought, and Shin-ah would notice how she tried so hard to keep her composure. He’d stop in his trek to ask, “Are you okay?” Just a simple question. She wouldn’t want to worry him, so she’d shake away her tears and muster a small smile. But he always knew.
“It’s okay. It’s okay...to cry.”
There were times she couldn’t hold back anymore, and she’d sob into her hands as Shin-ha stood there watching her with sorrow in his face. He’d hold out his hand, offering his comfort to her. And she’d take it gladly as he led her to a quiet place where she could sit next to him and struggle to calm her heart.
The last time she’d broken down. Shin-ha hid her face from the group, because he knew she hated crying in front of them. “We’ll be back.” That’s all it took. They knew the Blue Dragon was rather reserved, and while he was kind, he still struggled with expressing himself. Though when he was around their new member to the group, they’d seen how often he reached out to her, slowly giving her parts of his heart and soul. He took her hand and led her to a secluded place, where the grass brushed against her ankles and the breeze ruffled her hair, soothing her.
“I’m sorry, Shin-ha,” she whispered into her palms that she had pressed to her eyes. “I’m sorry for always worrying you and you having to comfort me through all this.” But he didn’t mind. She knew he didn’t. But she couldn’t help her guilt.
Shin-ha placed his fur around her shoulders as she continued to sob, Ao crawling onto her and nudging her cheek. This time, however, she wouldn’t even look at him or try to muster her strained smile. She’d reached her limit. She had her own troubles and stresses, and she always would, they all would, because the world was endlessly full of them.
So her eyes grew wide when Shin-ha’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to his chest, so his heartbeat beat against her ears. His embrace was so calming, the way he held her made her feel so secure and so, so loved. She gripped his shirt, crying into him. “Shin-ha…”
His hold so gentle, so warm, so comforting, so protective.
“I don’t want to see you cry,” he spoke softly, and she pulled away to see tears on his own cheeks. She smiled, this time, a smile he hadn’t seen from her before. Not a smile that was trying to force itself through pain, but one that understood his, and wanted to comfort him, too. She reached up her hand and brushed his tears away, moving her hand to his cheek, but stopped short. Was it too much? He didn’t seem like someone that really liked to be touched. But he took her hand and rested it on his cheek, and he pulled her in again. They leaned their heads together, their actions speaking louder than words themselves ever could. Unspoken words of adoration.
A silence so gentle, so warm, and so full of love.