#I stopped myself before writing Yona's breakdown

[rollzerox]

Final Day

@thedragonsweek2019

Day Seven of The Dragons Week 2019 Prompts! The Future of the Dragons! Beware the angst ahead! Lina is 16 here so there’s your warning for what that means… Note this is one of the alternate endings for my AU series as I’ll have several for it. Final day and I was glad to be able to write one for each day!

 “Heh… When I swore to beat my predecessor’s record, I never expected to be a grandpa.” Jae-ha chuckled as he looked over the little bundle in Lina’s arms. The baby girl had just been born yesterday and his daughter was still recovering from bringing the child into the world, but wanted some time with her father, especially with how his health had been the past few months.

 Despite all his protests, Yona eventually got Jae-ha to start using a cane after he was struggling walking around. He couldn’t jump into the sky anymore and hadn’t been able to even really jump at all the past year. They all knew the signs, and it was approaching rapidly. Kija, Shin-ah and Zeno had been hovering all around him the whole time, and even the Seiryuu and Hakuryuu were approaching their limits, as their successors had been born and they were growing weaker every day.

 “Papa are you sure you don’t want to hold her?” Lina offered, rocking her baby in her arms as she sat in the tent. She had been confined to bedrest thanks to her Grandmother Yoon. “I’m sure Krystal would love it.”

 “I suppose once wouldn’t hurt, but my arms can’t hold like they used to.” Jae-ha chuckled, taking the baby into his arms and smiling seeing his granddaughter. He turned to his son-in-law with a smile. “Trust me when I say your heart is going to melt for this little one.”

 “It already does.” Ura gave a hearty laugh. “Pops was trying to deny the fact he was crying when he first held her.”

 “Gigan and Hawke said she’s so tiny.” Lina giggled recalling her sibling’s reactions.

 “She’s beautiful just like you Lina dear.” Jae-ha said with a smile, struggling with his weakened strength so he handed the baby to her father. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to check on your mother-“ he blinked when his daughter snatched his hand.

 “… Papa, I know why Uncle Zeno is so quiet today.” Lina narrowed her eyes. “And there’s something I want to do.” She stood up.

 “Lina, you should be resting and honestly I’m fine.” Jae-ha chuckled, but was shut up by that glare that Lina inherited from her mother. “Alright, alright, what is it? You know I can never deny you.”

 “Come with me.” Lina said, strolling outside as she helped her father walk. “And hold on.” She gestured to carry him on her back.

 “Lina you just gave birth yesterday! What is all this?” Jae-ha looked at her like she was crazy.

 “And we’re near Crimson Dragon Palace so I heal quickly, now listen to me papa.” Lina pursed her lips. “You haven’t been able to fly for years, I want to take you into the sky…. One more time.” She looked at him pleadingly, as if she knew…. This was her one and only chance. “Let’s fly together.”

 Jae-ha’s eyes widened at that, feeling the urge to hold back his tears… Leave it to his little girl to say the very same thing he said to Garou that day…

 “You should go.” A familiar warm voice said from behind.

 “Yona-chan?” Jae-ha spun around, steadying himself with his cane.

 Yona smiled as she came up to hug her husband. “Go ahead, she needs this… And so do you husband.” She pressed her forehead against his. “I love you.”

 “… I love you too, princess of my heart.” Jae-ha nearly choked, trying to hold back his urge to cry. “Please remember that, always.” He whispered as he leaned in to kiss her.

 There was a sorrow in his kiss as Yona reluctantly pulled back, smiling as she told him not to keep their daughter waiting as she turned to see Kija leading Shin-ah over, the Blue Dragon had recently gone blind from slowly losing his powers and often would bump into things. Zeno just had a sorrowful expression on his face as he sat with the new Seiryuu and Hakuryuu, along with Yona’s other two children Gigan and Hawke.

 Jae-ha smiled warmly as he obeyed, handing his cane to his wife as he wrapped his arms around Lina, and immediately he was in the air. She made sure to hold onto his legs tightly while carrying him into the sky with a powerful jump.

 “….. Are you sure about this, princess?” Hak approached the redhead, concerned.

 Yona nodded, letting the tears she was holding back flow. “… Let Lina have one last happy memory with him, because she’s going to take it the hardest. She knows her father doesn’t blame her for this, and he loves her with all his heart.” She then forced a smile. “I’ve been preparing for this day for a long time now… Not that it makes it any easier…”

 “He’s lasted so much longer than any other dragon.” Kija pointed out. “According to my village the longest dragon to live after a new one was born was ten. Even though Jae-ha said his predecessor lived twelve years after he was born.” He frowned looking at his own son who was getting older and wondered about his own fate, along with Shin-ah’s successor that was already seven and the Blue Dragon was really starting to weaken rapidly.

 “Jae-ha feels so… Weak now.” Shin-ah murmured.

 “… Ryokuryuu doesn’t have long left…” Zeno muttered, turning to see Ura come over with his daughter in his arms. “It’s still surprising he lived to see his grandchild born though. He kept good on his promise to the miss.” The Yellow Dragon sighed as tears floated down his cheeks while he clutched at his heart. “… It’s just like with Guen and the others all over again.”

 Lina made several jumps until she could reach high into the air, it had taken her years to perfect her jumping but recently she was reaching the sky so much easier. “Can you see the ocean, papa?” she asked.

 “Yeah… Makes me feel nostalgic for my pirate days.” Jae-ha chuckled, resting his head on her shoulder. “To the days back when I met your wonderful mother. I really never deserved all her love, nor did I deserve to have the most beautiful woman in all of Kouka be my darling daughter.”

 “Oh daddy, you’re just flattering me now.” Lina scoffed, chuckling as she kept on moving.

 “Well your husband would agree with me!” he countered.

 “Ura married me for my strength not my looks.” She replied.

 “And you have a beautiful daughter now, you’ll be sure to spoil her when she makes those cute faces at you.” Jae-ha chuckled, closing his eyes that were getting heavy. “… The wind feels so nice. Lina… You truly are the most beautiful Ryokuryuu…” his voice was starting to sound tired. “… I love you, my precious treasure… Always.”

 “I love you too papa.” Lina replied, smiling at him as she made another jump. “… I’m sorry you can’t do this for yourself anymore…”

 “We’ve been over this, Lina-chan, it’s not your fault.” Jae-ha sighed and shook his head. “Just this blasted dragon’s blood thinks I’m too old to protect your mother anymore. Which it might be right with how badly I’ve been slowing down over the years.”

 “At least you can get around for yourself… I’m worried about Uncle Shin-ah with how he can’t see anymore…” Lina whimpered. “And Uncle Kija can barely lift anything with his right hand…”

 “They’re stubborn though, not as much as I am but they’ll help Yona-chan through this…” Jae-ha murmured. “Besides… I can always count on Hak to be there for her. My only regret in life is causing you that much grief, just know that the day you were born was the happiest day of my life Lina, not a death sentence. I wouldn’t trade you my precious daughter for anything, and I’m proud to be your father.”

 “Papa…” Lina was crying as she was so touched from his words. She then stiffened though when she felt something burn through her dragon’s blood, as the next jump was her strongest yet… And she froze after she landed. “… Papa? Daddy?” her voice cracked, placing her father down and realizing how slump he was against her. “PAPA!” she cried.

 “Thank you for one more flight Lina dear.” Jae-ha stirred for a moment, placing one last kiss against her forehead as his amethyst eyes met hers. “… Let’s meet again above the skies one day, tell your mother I’ll wait for her…” he whispered before closing his eyes again for the last time.