#ban ryu x soo yeon

[alcorian-cycle]

Ban Ryu is the definition of touch-starved.

[sumbacky]

THEYRE SO CUTE 

[bublegunn]

Me @ my OTPs:

[wenskexing]

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

[deokmis]

Please return safely, I'll be waiting for you.

[alviolaudable]

Their Relationship: Deep or Shallow?

Okay. So I read a blog regarding Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon’s relationship saying that their love story is shallow. Obviously, my eyebrow was raised the whole time I was reading that. However, I wouldn’t judge anyone just because they are thinking that way to my ultimate OTP since we are entitled on our own opinions.

If you’re only watching the drama, you can really say that, yes, their relationship is not that deep knowing that they only have four encounter including Ban Ryu reading her letter. But there’s actually a back story wherein Soo Ho and Soo Yeon had befriended Ban Ryu in their teenage years.

And that my friend is another loophole of Hwarang. It’s actually the official webtoon of the series under Kakao Talk so it’s legit.

It shows there that Ban Ryu is a guy who loves reading, who prefers being alone rather than being with lots of people, and the circumstance that changed him as a person.

I don’t know exactly the reason why he stopped seeing Soo Ho and Soo Yeon since I still can’t read Hangul, but base on the illustration it’s because of one of his father’s doing that traumatized him so much.

Even though Ban Ryu ignored Soo Ho and Soo Yeon, they still waited for him. And being the Soo Yeon that she is went and grabbed him by the arm (maybe to ask Ban Ryu to be with them) only to be pushed by him. Of course, that naturally angered Soo Ho and the friendship band or something like that; that Soo Yeon gave to Ban Ryu also broke. 

Then Ban Ryu said something bad that made Soo Ho punched him so hard. It’s also really obvious that Ban Ryu didn’t actually meant what he said as he was seen crying at night while searching for the friendship band that Soo Ho had thrown in the river. So basically that’s the reason why Ban Ryu and Soo Ho ended up as enemies, and that explains as well the soft look on Ban Ryu’s face when his friends mentioned that the girl on the crowd was Master Kim Seub’s daughter and the sister of Soo Ho.

Anyway, annyeong to those who are saying that it’s only Soo Yeon who is investing too much in their relationship. I would really like to prove you wrong since it was shown here that Ban Ryu is the sweetest “boyfriend” you can have when he gave Soo Yeon a ring made of flowers which he really put much effort in making.

He can actually give something else aside from that but why gave her the ring? Simple! It’s because he wants to reassure her that he loves her and that he wants to be with her forever. Haha! That’s only my theory since you know, most guys (but not all) are afraid of commitment. And that’s base as well on Ban Ryu’s personality as he is not the type of guy who can be persuaded to tie the knot down that easily. Beep! Yes, another loophole of Hwarang.

Moving on, I also like the fact that Ban Ryu is fighting the Demons (which are both his Fathers) that plagued him all his life just by thinking of Soo Yeon. It must be a really tough fight but obviously it’s always her welfare that prevails. See? Ban Ryu is really trying his best to be a better person. *Sigh* If only this was shown in the drama then everything would be perfect.

I was also annoyed that during the famous scene in episode 10 where Soo Yeon had knock her brother out, not a single interaction was shown between the two of them where in fact after that incident it was shown in the webtoon that they go out and it seems that they enjoyed each other’s company well. Like seriously, I was asking for more Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon moments people!

As a conclusion, let’s go back to the title of this blog. Is their relationship deep or shallow?

Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon’s relationship has roots that if you dig further you can really go deeper. Their love story didn’t start just because of a mere butt grabbing incident, neither because Soo Ho is Ban Ryu’s enemy, or because of that more or less two minutes screen time that they shared together in the drama.

It really has a beginning which the PD of Hwarang failed to realize. I’m not an expert but it would be much appreciated if they make a “five-minute” flashback about their relationship so that the viewers can’t have this so called misconception about them. And I really hope that there will be an improvement between Ban Ryu and Soo Yeon’s screentime after their kissing scene, since I’m only watching Hwarang right now because of them.

Here’s the link of the webtoon in case you want to read it. If you have a kind heart, please translate it for me. Kidding!

https://page.kakao.com/home/49273442?categoryUid=10&subCategoryUid=1000&navi=1&inkatalk=0&inChannel=0

PS: When I wrote this up, episode 16 has not yet aired. Gaaaawd! I didn’t expect that Ban Ryu will “reject” Soo Yeon. A proof that their relationship is really blossoming. What Ah Ro said is right though that, “When it comes to man-woman relationship, there are good times and bad times. Sometimes the sun shines, and sometimes it rains.” That’s how it is. However, I am somehow a bit disappointed. Yes, I want them to have more screen time but I wasn’t asking for that to happen.

I’m waiting for the day that Ban Ryu will stand for himself and not for what his father is telling him to do just to gain his approval. I also have faith that Soo Yeon will not give up on Ban Ryu because that’s who she is and that is something we can never question. 

So, let’s cross our fingers and believe that they will have a happy ending since they both deserve to be happy together so much.

I know Ban Ryu is being such a jerk again about everything, but let’s not talk about that. *cries in the corner*

[careless-dreamer]

Every drama I watch I develop a second lead syndrome and an undying craving for more screentime for the second couple.

[giullia-jung-art]

Can’t believe so many people are still watching this video I made so long ago xD ...I’m so thankful ❤️

Just wanted to share it on my tumblr too, hope you like ;)

[alcorian-cycle]

Fuck, I want more fanfictions about Ban Ryu and Su Ho that aren’t just hatesex. I want to see fanfictions about how they’ve grown and helped each other grow since becoming Hwarang. I want to read about how they both realized that they don’t really hate each other. They really just like competing, but they don’t hate each other. I want to read about how Su Ho’s family asked him to do something, and when he was uncharacteristically quiet that day, Ban Ryu was the one who noticed. How he immediately recognized the conflict swirling in Su Ho’s eyes, because it’s the exact same conflict that he felt every time his father asked him to sabotage his friends. How he almost called out and asked him what was wrong. How he bit his tongue because he was the last person who ought to give a lecture about this. I want to read about Ban Ryu realizing that both Kim siblings have loved him in their own ways- Su Yeon loving gently but passionately, Su Ho being his balance and other half. Ban Ryu healing from the loveless childhood that Park Young Sil gave him, finding comfort in Su Yeon and letting Su Ho push him uncomfortably onto self-discovery, and finally letting them give him the compassion and acceptance that he needs so badly. Eventually letting them forgive him. I want to read about how Su Ho brings out the things he’d rather not think about- when he did those awful things that Park Young Sil asked of him, in secrecy, he buried his one values deep in his heart, and the person who challenged his apparent heartlessness was none other than Su Ho. Su Ho made a mess of him and forced him to think about the friends he was hurting. Su Ho forced him to follow his own heart.

Ugh I just want to hear more about how much Su Ho and Ban Ryu’s character development hinges on each other, a push-and-pull motion.

I know this mostly became me ranting about Ban Ryu but he’s my favorite character and I have feels.

[hui-ing]

Tagged by @qiankunge to fill this out!

3 ships: Ban Ryu x Soo Yeon from Hwarang, Kim Ji Ah x Go Gwi Nam from What's Wrong With Secretary Kim, Xiao Xingchen x Song Lan from The Untamed

last song I listened to: Midnight Sun by Seven O'Clock

last movie I watched: I have no idea tbh, I don't watch movies that much

currently watching: Right now I'm rewatching The West Wing with my parents - I've been meaning to pick up Descendants Of The Sun again after enjoying the first few episodes, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet

currently reading: the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson!

currently craving: I wanted ice cream just now so I went and got some... idk if it counts as a craving anymore if it's being fulfilled though?

how's it going? It's going alright - there are some things that could be better, but that's true most of the time for most people I think.

I'll tag @duskanddawnreese @haoranghae @nose-bandaid @zopsera @little-writing-worm @justdoityo @magicbehindwords and anyone else who wants to!

[strange-wanderings]

Tagged by @hui-ing to fill this out!

3 ships: Ban Ryu x Soo Yeon from Hwarang, Wangxian from The Untamed. Sorry, there are only 2 ships I like.

last song I listened to: Golden Goose by A.C.E

last movie I watched: Groundhog Day

currently watching: Nothing really. I’d like to watch the Mo Dao Zu Shi and Tian Guan Ci Fu animated series, though.

currently reading: Again, nothing really, but Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series and Terry Pratchett’s  Discworld books are on my reading list.

currently craving: Plums, I think? Or maybe strawberries. Some good fruit.

how's it going? Not Good, to be completely honest. Seasonal depression and quarantine have been dragging me down, executive function has been low, anxiety has been high, and I haven’t really been taking care of myself. At least I have things to distract myself from stress

Tagging @haoranghae @hongshoes @exohsehun99

[runawayfuture]

Ok, I was tagged by @little-writing-worm for this game! Let’s go:

RULES: Tag 9 people you want to get to know better

TOP THREE SHIPS: Hm, that’s a little hard. I don’t ship much, but there is one ship that I absolutely love - Ban Ryu x Soo Yeon, (Hwarang). I think Cimorene and Mendanbar (Enchanted Forest Chronicles) are a really great power couple, and Eowyn and Faramir (Lord of the Rings) have an interesting dynamic as well.

LAST SONG: Sorry - The Rose

LIPSTICK OR CHAPSTICK: Chapstick

LAST MOVIE: Um, I know I watched Labyrinth with a couple of friends a while ago. I watch more TV shows than movies, I’ve been watching Descendants of the Sun recently

READING: I just finished the second book of the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson and I plan to start the third soon! He’s an amazing author, if you like fantasy I would suggest you check out some of his stuff :)

I’ll tag: @queer-namjoon @straykids-woojin @inmyfeelix @fezzlets-oksquirrel @avengerspotter @bananabeanz @everythingbetweenthestarsandsea

[ferociouspompom]

Hwarang OS: Always

Fury rose within him like a red tide.

A breath. And another.

But still the words rang in his ears. “You should have done it right. Then I would not have had to step in. Do you not agree?”

There was violence in his motions as he left the room at the Okta, pausing at the door to breathe deeply.

Calm.

But it would not come. Not when Kang Sung was but a symptom of a much larger cancer in his life. Not when his future hung on the whim of Master Young Shil. Defiance would cost him, and his father, dearly.

He took long strides, desperate to create distance between himself and those he called his friends, the atmosphere of the Okta suddenly stifling and wrong.

When had Hwarang House become comforting?

When had it become home?

A hand wrapped around his wrist. Ban Ryu jerked his arm, lips curled into a snarl as a sharp warning formed on his tongue, but he stilled when he registered Miss Soo Yeon as she stumbled. Anger ebbed away as he took in her large eyes and earnest gaze. He looked away from her, regretting his momentary ferocity even as his pulse quickened anew.

“Come here for a minute.”

She looked pretty and delicate in soft pink, a bottle clutched in her free hand as she gestured behind herself.

That curious lightness, a weightlessness that only she inspired, overtook his body as she led him away, her hand slipping from his wrist to wrap around his fingers. The room was abandoned. Miss Soo Yeon turned to face him, her lips curved into a smile and a blush painted on her cheeks.  Looking away, half afraid she would read what was surely in his eyes, Ban Ryu noted that their hands were still linked. He coughed pointedly.

A tremble went through her as she looked down, hastily untwining them and taking a small step back as if introducing propriety between them. The loss of her fingers against his caused a tightness in his chest.

He worried that she expected him to say something in the short silence that followed. He had not yet said a word to her, not when she had accosted him in public, not when she had slapped him, not when she had soothed the mark with her own hand. He preferred to listen, to revel in the cadence of her sweet voice and the sparkle in her eyes.

“Thank you,” she began, her smile widening into a grin, “The performance last night was nice too.”

She seemed to bounce with eagerness.

I will watch your dance from the front row. Do not stress and good luck with your performance. I shall always cheer you on.

What had started as her apology for their first meeting – and an assurance that she would explain it all to her brother – had turned into a collection of letters he carried within his clothing. He read and reread them in every private moment, imagining her expressive features as she spoke the words to him. He had studied her brushstrokes, seeing the slight tremble in her fingers when she had promised to always cheer him on.

Always.

So much promise held in a single word.

In the darkest hours of the night he had wondered at his dedication to the performance – a performance for the Queen no matter what anyone else said. But now pride swelled inside him at her praise.

Ban Ryu blinked, giving her a slight nod to acknowledge her words. It seemed to bolster her.

She held out the bottle in offering, explaining, “This is rare liquor. Please take it.”

His breath caught in his lungs as he considered her gift.

Was it an indication of how little she knew him – he usually did not imbibe alcohol – or an indication of how well she could read him – that she recognized he would need it to numb himself from the approaching storm?

And in that moment of silence, as he considered the best way to accept her gift, he heard footsteps thundering down the hall. The door burst open, and Soo Ho flew through them like a force of nature.

The punch was so unexpected that he was flat on the ground before he registered the pain. The rage that had briefly abated came back in full force. He needed to hit something and Soo Ho had just presented himself as a willing target.

Miss Soo Yeon’s gasp brought him back to his senses, and a coolness chased the wrath from his limbs as he realized that he could not hit her brother, not when she stood in the same room. So he lay there, muscles tensed, jaw clenched, as Soo Ho raged incoherently and punched him again. And again.

There was a sudden crash accompanied by the tinkle of broken glass. Ban Ryu’s eyes found Miss Soo Yeon’s as her brother slumped into him, unconscious.

In a daze, he watched her roll Soo Ho off him before taking his hand. She helped him up, her hands brushing over his back and arm and sending electricity shooting through his body. She released his hand only to clasp the other, as if she did not wish to break contact.

Her mouth was twisted in distaste as she stepped over the prone form of her brother, pulling him behind her.

And in that moment, he knew he would follow wherever she led.

This was my first Hwarang piece :D I’m very happy with how it turned out!!

[unsaltedbutterandwheatbread]

Inner Duchess’ Thought of: 9 K-Dramas Premiere’s Week

Last week felt like a very busy week since we had 9 K-dramas’ premiere episodes along the week. I repeat, NINE K-DRAMAS! I feel proud of myself for watching (or at least peeking) 6 out of that 9 dramas and I will share my thoughts about them. I’m not ranking them but order it by alphabetical instead.

Because This Is My First Life / 이번 생은 처음이라

Our leads: Lee Min-ki and Jung So-min.

Such a refreshing drama! The story is about Nam Se-hee and Yoon Ji-ho, who end up live together in one house where Se-hee is the landlord and Ji-ho is the tenant. Se-hee needs to pay the house’s mortgage so he rent one of his room in his house and Ji-ho needs a place to live in Seoul. Many things happen, Se-hee and Ji-ho decide to tying the knot, even though they know each other not long ago and yeah, no love between them (yet).

This drama gets my attention because of its slice-of-life genre and all the characters’ problems feel so close to me: things about getting a good job, things about survive in a big city, things about married a perfect man, things about live separately from parents, etc. Because the characters are 30-ish years old, I feel like their problems are (or could be) my problems since age 30 is just a few years away from me :’D This drama also like questioning me what would I prioritize for my future: good career or having marriage (or maybe both?)

Black / 블랙

Our leads: Song Seung-heon and Go A-ra.

Honestly I didn’t plan to watch this drama since I kinda bored with the theme. But well, later I found this drama quite interesting. The story is about Kang Ha-ram who has an ability to see the shadow of death, the “thing” that will appear on someone’s back when their death is around them. She and people around her thought her ability is a curse and Ha-ram herself afraid of that thing decide to wear sunglasses everywhere she goes. Then she meet Han Moo-gang, a detective whose actually her childhood friend. Things happen and suddenly Moo-gang possessed by a grim reaper.

One thing I wait from this drama is Ha-ram and the possessed Moo-gang hand-in-hand help people from their death. Episode 1 is more interesting that episode 2 but this the point: the ending scene of each episode is such a tease and make me want to watch the next episode so bad! 

Go Back Couple /  고백부부

Our leads: Son Ho-joon and Jang Na-ra.

Just like Black, I didn’t plan to watch this drama. The story is about an unhappy married couple, although they've married for a long time. Choi Ban-do and Ma JIn-joo used to love each other but then they regret married in young age. They decide to separate and divorce, wishing they could turn back time when they were a stranger for one another. One morning, their wishes fulfilled and they back to the time when they still a 20 years old university student.

Jang Na-ra is really no aging at all. She’s almost 40 years old but this role of 20 years old university student still suit her. I only get peeking on first episode but I will try watch the second episode this week. It’s not like I don’t like the drama, but I still have no interest in the drama. Hope will like it because the story is kinda light and no need to thinking hard XD

Mad Dog /  매드독

Our leads: Yoo Ji-tae, Woo Do-hwan, Ryu Hwa-young, Jo Jae-hyun, Kim Hye-seong, and Hong Soo-hyun.

The main idea of this drama is about a team leads by Choi Kang-woo, a former detective, which have a role to investigate insurance fraud’s cases privately. BUT YEAH THERE’S WOO DO-HWAN EVERYBODY! My current crush after watch him in Save Me :x

But not only Woo Do-hwan, I found Ryu Hwa-young is so great in this drama and I didn’t expect I’ll love her! Anyway, I feel a little Lookout’s vibe as they work as a team, just like in the Lookout drama (but I hope Yoo Ji-tae has a different fate with Kim Young-kwang in that drama XD). I’m such a trash about this genre and definitely add this drama to my Wed-Thu schedule!

The Package /  더 패키지

Our leads: Jung Yong-hwa and Lee Yeon-hee.

Another drama that I didn’t plan to watch to. The story is about a small tour group from South Korea travels to France and lead by a Korean tour leader in France, Yoon So-so. The travelers themselves have their own stories and how they end up taking the tour, including Yoon So-so herself.

I grew up as a tourism high school’s student and at first I only want to check the drama since I never found a drama with this theme before. And actually, I love the drama! I usually love travelling show since I could feel like I join the journey and no wonder I love this drama. And add Jung Yong-hwa, he’s such a cutie pie hereeee! :3 Oh yeah, there’s Yoon Park here too, he appears as a mysterious man and I kinda sure he’s So-so’s ex fiance, but we’ll see. Oh by the way, I found out that Air France sponsored (what is the correct way to say it?) this drama and no wonder it sets in France. OH I’M SO EXCITED OF THIS DRAMA and definitely will add to my Fri-Sat schedule ^^

Witch’s Court /  마녀의 법정

Our leads: Yoon Hyun-min and Jung Ryeo-won.

MY FAVORITE ON-GOING DRAMA! Honestly this is another drama I didn’t plan to watch to BUT IT TURNS OUT TO BE MY FAVORITE! Ma Yi-deum is not like another heroine we had in legal drama: she’s more like an anti-heroine, acted perfectly like a witch, and kinda annoying. She uses many drastic methods to make sure she always win all her cases. After got an incident with her senior, she is transferred to a special division that handle any kind of sex crimes. She teams up with Yeo Jin-wook, an older-rookie prosecutor who used to be a psychiatrist. 

Ma Yi-deum is soooo annoying yet so refreshing for me and Jung Ryeo-won nailed it. She’s the reason why I hooked up with this drama. She is so fragile since her mother left her when she was a teenager but she won’t show it to the world. She acted so tough and sometimes so witch-y and that’s why I love her. On the other hand, we have a calm, gentle, and good-looking rookie prosecutor, Yeo Jin-wook who could balance Yi-deum. And yeah, they really have a good chemistry! I don’t know will Yi-deum and Jin-wook end up together or not but I really love them as a partner at court. This drama topped my on-going drama list and yeah definitely add it to my Mon-Tue schedule.

As you could guess, I didn’t watch another 3 yet: 20th Century Boys and Girls, Revolutionary Love, and Avengers Social Club but I think I will try to watch the first 2 episodes. Avengers Social Club most likely to be the first I will check out since I kinda like the synopsis. For Revolutionary Love, I think I will check it out for Gong Myung (ah he’s such a cutie with his spectacles ;D) and for the 20th Century Boys and Girls, I didn’t think it will suit me but we’ll see.

So, wishing you have a busy week till November! :D

[fyeahhwarang-blog]

undefined

Soo-yeon and Ban-ryu (x)

[whispersatdawn]

Safeguard

GIF Credit to: @ygo-gx

Pairing: Yeo Wool (Jo Yoon Woo) X Reader

Genre: Angst/Fluff

Word Count: 2,615

Request: Hey! About the hwarang requests, could you write about yeo wool? So the plot could be about him, and (y/n) worrying about him being killed while sparring with the other hwarangs(anyone really). He's trying to reassure y/n everything is going to be ok. It could either be fluffy or smuty - angst really whatever is easier and more enjoyable for you to write ✌ thank u again!!  - @allaboutthespn

Sutabaksu was usually loud and full of people, but today, the popular teahouse erupted with immense chatters. Because it was also a day that the Hwarangs were able to leave the Hwarang House and return home, most of the beautiful knights decided to stop by for some tea, doubling the number of customers. Unsurprisingly, women flocked and surrounded the elite males to question the gossip that spread like wildfire in the capital city of Silla. “I heard that Princess Sook Myung ordered a fight in a few days,” one gisaeng cried, distressed. “Is it true that you all will be sparring against each other?”

The Hwarang who sat across from the equally beautiful gisaeng let out a scoff as if he also could not believe it himself. He looked over next to him where sat his other elite friend who released a long sigh. “It’s true. This isn’t like any other training we’ve done so far. We could definitely lose our lives this time.”

“Oh no!” the gisaeng said, anguish in her voice. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and she let out such loud sobs that everyone else in the teahouse could hear. Though she was the one showing her sorrow in the open, for sure, everyone else was feeling the same way.

At another table, across the room, you could hear the conversations going on around, but that couldn’t stop the unpleasant thoughts in your mind that blocked out everything but one Hwarang that you were particularly worried about. You needed to see him. Anxiousness filled you. You couldn’t help but lick your slightly chapped lips as your eyes darted at the entrance door every few minutes, impatiently waiting. Why isn’t he here yet? Did something happen to him? He said we would meet at this time... Your heart felt like it would burst soon. It was not until you noticed a cup placed in front of you that you snapped out of your thoughts. Steam rose, and the scent of ginger filled your nose. You looked up to find your two closest friends looking at you with empathy. “Thank you,” you said, picking up the warm cup to take a sip.

“Ginger tea helps with nausea,” Ah Ro explained as she and Soo Yeon took a seat across from you. “I know how worried you are, (Y/N). I’m also worried about them, especially my older brother, but you should take care of yourself so that you don’t fall ill.”

Soo Yeon nodded her head in agreement. “I’m also worried about my older brother, but he’s a great fighter. I can’t help but be more worried about Ban Ryu.”

“What was the princess thinking?” you muttered. “Ah Ro, since you also stay in the Hwarang House, you must know. What’s been happening?”

“I’m not really sure. I just usually take care of the sick and injured knights. Some of them just mentioned about how their training was going to change. It became more intense recently. They even brought another group of males who are really great at martial arts to act as the Hwarangs’ servants and helpers. It’s as if they really are preparing to go to war.”

“No one’s allowed to watch the sparring, are they?” you asked your friend, quietly. Fear slowly found its way back to you.

Ah Ro shook her head. “I’ll be there as a physician in case something does go wrong. Other than Her Majesty, no one can enter.”

The three of you grew silent. Soon, you were aware of the shift of topic from the talks around you. “Yeo Wool’s here!”

Even with the uneasiness of the upcoming fight, with one glance at the stunning man who walked through the door, all of the women in the room dropped their conversation and had their attention stolen by the elegant Hwarang. No matter how many times you’ve seen Yeo Wool, you also couldn’t help but become quite speechless by his aura. Ah Ro looked at you and smiled. “I’ll take my leave now. I should probably return home and check on my older brother.”

“Me too. Hopefully, I’ll be able to run into Ban Ryu as well,” Soo Yeon said.

Both of your best friends stood up and said goodbye to you before exiting Sutabaksu together to find their own loved ones. Not sure what to do you next, you just picked up your cup of ginger tea, taking another sip of the spicy yet slightly sweet drink as you waited. Once Yeo Wool spotted you, a smile instantly appeared on his face. He read your expression and was able to see your nervousness right away. Returning after staying in the Hwarang House for a while, he realized how much he missed you. How was it that you looked prettier each time he came to see you? Yeo Wool approached your table. “I apologize for my lateness. I do hope you didn’t wait long, (Y/N).”

You watched Yeo Wool as he took a seat. A server came by to take his order, but once the server left, your Hwarang turned his attention fully to you. “You’ve been well?” he asked you with a playful smile.

“Please don’t act like nothing’s wrong right now...” you said.

Yeo Wool chuckled. “How can anything be wrong when I get to spend time with the most amazing person in Seorabol right now?”

“Yeo Wool...”

“How about it, (Y/N)? What do you say about going to Okta tonight?”

His eyes twinkled in anticipation as he took his fan and waved it up and down, cooling his face. Few strands of his long hair that even women envied flew back. You did not respond and continue to stare at him. You knew he wanted to break the tension, but you did not want the serious situation to be avoided.

“Alright then...” he replied, his eyes flickering elsewhere for a second when he found your stare and silence overwhelming. “It’s okay. Ban Ryu and Soo Ho also rejected my offer to go. Pity, but I guess we can just stay here.”

You slammed one of your palms down on the wooden table, the loud sound echoing. Customers around you whipped their head over to you to witness the action. Yeo Wool continued to sit with a calm posture, but he didn’t dare to move an inch as he sensed your seriousness. “You could lose your life...” you whispered to him. Your voice was soft, yet stern.

Yeo Wool softened. Before he met you, he had always acted nonchalant towards other people and their businesses. Though quite nosy about what was going on around him, he never genuinely cared about another’s problem. He usually just stood on the sidelines and quietly watched. As soon as you came into his life, with your vibrancy and little side of sarcasm, going up against his sharp personality but at the same time matching well with it, he found someone he could really be sincere with. You were the last person he wanted to upset.

Yeo Wool’s soft hand reached for yours, the one that you used to slam down at the table. He lifted your hand up and rubbed it smoothly, relieving the pain that you felt on your palm. “I know,” he replied, knowing that there’s nothing else he could say to really put your heart at ease.

“Isn’t there a way to prevent this from happening?” you asked.

“I’m sure if there was, it would’ve been done,” Yeo Wool admitted. “I don’t think the chief instructor wants us to spar either. The princess probably thinks that we’re not strong enough to protect the king. In a way, she’s not wrong. When it comes to protecting the Royal Family, we’ll have to put our lives on the line for them. I guess... if we can’t handle taking a life, ours will be taken.”

“It’s still not right. You all can still train hard without putting each other at risk. If the princess all of sudden have the Hwarangs kill each other, there will barely be enough to fight and defend the Royal Family later.”

You shook your head, unable to comprehend the princess’ decision. Tears began to blur your vision, but you tried your best to hold them back by blinking them away. “I’m not judging your sword skills at all, Yeo Wool, but I’ve never seen you in a fight. How can I be so sure that you’ll be fine? What if you have to go up against someone like Soo Yeon’s older brother?”

“Do not worry about me, (Y/N). I’ll be fine,” Yeo Wool promised. He squeezed your hand gently in assurance.

At the same time, the server returned with Yeo Wool’s tea, setting it in front of the flawless male. Yeo Wool softly blew the steam away and took a sip of his own ginger tea. You looked down at your own cup of tea to see your own reflection. There was no steam left as your once warm drink had cooled. You appreciated Yeo Wool’s effort to console you, but it was not enough to help your appetite. “Do you know who you’ll be going up against?” you asked, looking at him again.

Yeo Wool placed his tea back down. “Though the selection of opponents could change at any time, as of now, it’s Han Sung.”

“Han Sung...” you repeated. “Is he the grandson of Suk Hyuk Jae? The one with the half-breed brother?”

Yeo Wool nodded his head.

“Ah Ro told me about him,” you continued, “and that he has such a cute personality. Interesting how he chose to be a part of Hwarang when his grandfather is against the Silla Imperial family. I heard that he doesn’t really like to fight.”

“Han Sung used to be in another group, but for some reason, he was kicked out. He’s been staying in our room instead. I agree with Ah Ro that he is cute.”

You watched Yeo Wool’s face. He sported a dry smile, and you slowly caught onto his thoughts. “You don’t want him to get hurt, right?” you asked, heart aching. You have never met Han Sung, but maybe you were glad not to. If you had gotten used to his supposedly innocent face and personality, you too would have gotten your feelings in a tangle and sympathized for him like you did for Yeo Wool. As much you favored an occasion where no had to die, the princess already mentioned that it was a possible some could, and you desperately did not want Yeo Wool to be among that possibility.

Silence hung over the both of you. You wondered if things could have turned out differently if the king showed his face. Maybe, if he was as trustworthy and kind as you wanted to assume, he would not have left his warriors to be left in the hands of his sister. The sparring was inevitable at this point.

Once Yeo Wool regained composure, he looked at you, studying your tight brows and frown. He squeezed your hand, causing you to leave your train of thoughts and look up at him. A real smile appeared. “Let’s take a walk.”

You were not the type to display your affection in public. Your Hwarang was the opposite; Yeo Wool did not mind one bit if anyone watched or not, but since today was different, you also decided to make it an exception. Your hand intertwined with his, and he held onto it tightly as the two of you walked through the crowds in the capital. “I know you’re very worried about me, (Y/N)...” Yeo Wool said, continuing to look straight ahead. “I promise you that you don’t have to be at all.”

“I should trust you,” you replied, shaking your head to yourself. “I should trust that you’ll be able to make it through this unnecessary fight, that you can win it... but I also can’t help feeling the way I do. You’re really important to me, Yeo Wool. I hate thinking about how I can lose you because of this. What am I supposed to do?”

“Hm. For right now, it would just be great strength to me if you could stay by my side before I have to return to the Hwarang House. Can you do that?”

You simply nodded your head. “Yes, I won’t ever leave your side.”

Yeo Wool lifted his other hand to pet your hair as he chuckled. “Good.” You felt your cheeks start to heat from his touch but laughed in return. Soon enough, you reached your own house. You walked to the huge low table in front and sat down. Yeo Wool took a seat next to you. He placed an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into him, and you leaned into his arms. His body was so warm, and it felt so safe. “So... why did Soo Ho and Ban Ryu reject your offer to go to Okta?” you asked.

Flustered by your sudden question, Yeo Wool’s eyes widened. Then he smiled at how you tried to change the subject. He didn’t want to talk anymore about the sparring either. He would deal it with it when the time came. Until then, he only wants to leave with good memories of you. “Just between you and me,” Yeo Wool said in a low voice, “I think more than not wanting to go with me, they didn’t want to be there with each other. Last time all of us went out to go drink with each other, Soo Ho and Ban Ryu found themselves in each other’s embrace the next morning. What a sight.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “They don’t look like weak drinkers.”

“I think among us, Ji Dwi is the best at taking alcohol. I’d say I’m next. And then probably Soo Ho, but he really did drink a lot that time. He could barely remember what had happened the next morning.”

“Why didn’t you ask Han Sung to go to with you? He seems like the person you’re closest to.”

Yeo Wool shrugged. “Han Sung had to go with his brother to their grandfather’s place right away. Maybe we’ll see him before I have to go back, and I can introduce the both of you. He’s so innocent that you can’t help but like him.”

“Is there a possibility that I’ll like him more than you?” you said, teasingly.

“Nevermind. You don’t need to meet Han Sung.”

“Why not?!?!” you exclaimed. “Now I really want to meet him.”

Yeo Wool pouted, feigning hurt. To comfort him, you wrapped your arms around his waist and pressed yourself against him in a hug. Feeling as if he was going to melt in your arms, Yeo Wool couldn’t control his face and grinned at your touch. When you looked up to gaze at him with eyes like cute doe, he took the chance to lean down quickly press his lips against yours. You smiled into the sweet kiss, accepting the small peck.

One wasn’t enough for Yeo Wool, so as soon as he pulled away, he leaned back down to give you a second kiss. Many people who didn’t know Yeo Wool always saw him as someone with a more mysterious, sensual aura. He actually had pleasant side to him. “How about this,” Yeo Wool suggested, “after my sparring assignment, when I come back successful and healthy, we can go to Okta together. I will let you see exactly how these other boys act when they have their guards down.”

“Only if you swear to return safely.”

“I can assure you that I will, (Y/N). I will protect myself. Once I do that, I can show them that I can protect our king. And that I can protect you.”