Even if I die, it's you.

Hwarang House

"Wh-what do you mean?" Aoibheann gasped, feeling the tears well in her eyes. "You know how my brother was called into the Hwarang house?" Danse asked, blinking away the tears. He was upset because his beloved was. "Yes?" she said, coughing to hide her croaky voice. "Well it's my turn" he mumbled, taking her hands in his "but I will be fine, I promise you. I will get out and we will get married".

Aoibheann was so upset, that she couldn't believe that in that moment. She was engaged to Sooho...even though she didn't want to be. "Danse promise me" she said, unable to stop the tears anymore. "Huh?". "Promise me we will get married" she said to him, squeezing his hands a little tighter "promise me you'll love me forever". "I swear it" he nodded, freeing one of his hands to wipe her tears "I will marry you, and we will be happy someday". 

"Danse...why does it have to be so hard?" she cried, as he pulled her into a tight hug. "Because I was born a half breed.." he mumbled, caressing her back "but we will figure it out. Together". She sighed sadly, pulling away from him and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek "I better get home. It's late. Goodnight, Danse". She turned on her heel, releasing his hand slowly. She couldn't help but feel like it was the last time she would see him. 

"Aoibheann?" he called. She turned to face him, only to  be greeted by his lips on hers. She smiled into the kiss - knowing it felt so right. He felt it too, placing his hands on her hips and pulling her into him. Once they pulled back, he smiled sweetly, pressing his forehead to hers "I will see you soon, my love. I love you with all my heart".

"And I love you" she giggled, pecking his lips "with everything I've got". He chuckled, releasing her from his hold and watching her walk back home. He knew for certain he would see her again - though he was unsure of how. He would figure it out - either that or she would. After all, she was insanely intelligent. 

_______

"We have to do something!" Caitlin exclaimed "you can't just let him go!". "I don't plan to" Aoibheann told her, as she paced their bedroom "I have to figure something out". "We can figure it out in the morning" Caitlin yawned "when is he going in?". "Tomorrow" she sighed sadly, sitting down on her bed "I'm sure we can figure something out. Let us sleep for now". 

Morning came, and the girls decided to go to the market in the hopes of clearing their heads and figuring something out. As Aoibheann walked, she bumped into someone. The person dropped their eggs, yelping. Aoibheann gasped, picking the woman up off the ground and helping her brush the egg off her dress. "I'm so sorry!" she gasped "Ta Brón orm!". The woman froze, looking up at her "you two are those girls from that faraway land who just moved here!". Caitlin and Aoibheann froze, unsure of how to respond. "What's it called..?" she tapped her chin, trying to think "ah, Ireland! Yes! I've been hoping to meet you". She bowed slightly "I'm Ah-Ro". 

"I'm Aoibheann, this is my younger sister, Caitlin" Aoibheann smiled, bowing her head in respect "we are honoured to meet you, Ah-Ro". "You two are even more beautiful than they say!" she gasped "it's my honour. I was just heading to the Hwarang house". "Really?!" Aoibheann exclaimed, holding onto her shoulders "do you work there?!". "I do" she said, confused as to why Aoibheann was touching her. "Can you get us a job?!" Caitlin exclaimed next "we really need to be in there for...personal reasons". 

"Uh sure" she nodded "just give me a day or t-" Aoibheann cut her off "they must need something!". "Well, actually, they were looking for a stable boy...and a nurse to help me". "Well I'm good with horses" Caitlin said "and Aoibheann is brilliant with medicine". "Wah! Really?!" Ah-Ro gasped "follow me, then. They need all the help they can get!". Aoibheann giggled to Caitlin. It was true - they were excellent with those things, and now she could see Danse. 

______

They arrived at the Hwarang house, and after a short meeting with the master, they were granted their jobs. Now all Aoibheann had to do was go find Danse and tell him about it! Just before she went to do that, they were called to observe  part of their training. Of course, nurse Aoibeann had to be on the scene in case any of them got hurt. 

She noticed the Hwarang were standing at their own, individual table "what's going on?" she whispered to Ah-Ro. "They're doing a drinking game" she sighed "I'm worried about my brother". Aoibheann winced, watching as they downed their drinks, Danse included. He hadn't noticed her yet. 

She bit her bottom lip, watching him stumble around, before he collapsed onto the floor. She gasped, running towards him. "What a lightweight" Caitlin chuckled to herself "and she wants to marry him?". She shook her head, watching from a distance. She petted the closest horse on the nose "what do you think, gorgeous? Are you as disappointed as I am?". Of course, she was joking. She knew he was a good man, and that her sister loved him very much. 

"Danse!" she exclaimed, kneeling down beside him and feeling for his pulse. His heart rate was up. "I need help lifting him!"she exclaimed, though his eyes fluttered open seconds later. "A-Aoibheann? Am I dreaming?" he blinked. She shook her head "no, Danse. I got a job here. I'm the nurse". He gently stroked her cheek "I knew I could count on you" he said softly "I knew you would find a way to me. I-". Suddenly, she heard a thud, and looked up to see Soo-ho kicking Danse in the side. "Oi, Half breed!" he screamed, drunk and angered by something "that's my Fiance!". 

"No, she's mine!" Danse yelled angrily, trying to stand up but Soo-ho kicked him again. Aoibheann grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, pulling him into her "don't hurt him" she growled. Everyone watched with amazement - she lifted him right off the ground! A girl! Soo-ho was stunned for a second, swinging his legs in an attempt to struggle from her grip "why? d-does he speak the truth?!".

"No" Aoibheann growled 'but he is my friend". She dropped him, picking Danse up and wrapping his arm around her neck "I'll do it myself. Useless!". She dragged him to the infirmary, placing him up on the bed and panted heavily "why did you say those things?!". "I'm sorry" he sighed, starting to sober up "I was just so happy to see you, my love". "We need to pretend we are not in love" she said to him "if my father finds out right now, I'm in huge trouble and he will marry Soo-ho and I straight away. For now, he is taking his time". 

Danse pulled her down onto the bed with him, kissing her lips softly "you're giving me a headache. Lie with me". She tried to sit up, but he pulled her back down "I just want moments like this with you". She couldn't stop her smile, snuggling into him "alright then. Just for a few moments". 

Meanwhile, Caitlin was tending to the horses. She was growing worried for her sister and if she had been caught. She heard the straw rustling behind her, and turned quickly "Aoibheann?!". She was disheartened to see a Hwarang standing there, not her older sister "oh. Hello". "Hi" he said shyly, leaning against the stable door. An awkward silence followed, before she asked "who are you?". "I'm Kim Ji-dwi". "Oh - it's nice to meet you" she bowed "I'm Caitlin". 

"I know" he nodded "I've heard of you". She laughed, giving one of the horses some apple "well, it seems everybody in Silla has at this point". He chuckled, stepping closer to her "so, you're the stable girl?". "He was looking for a boy - but he got a girl instead" she said "if I were him, I'd consider myself lucky. I'm only here so my sister can see her-" she froze. "ah yes. Your sister is engaged to Soo-ho" he chuckled "seems that Danse has a little crush though". 

"Seems so" she blushed, annoyed at herself for almost spilling the truth to this stranger. "Well, it was lovely meeting you but I must make my way to my room. I'm drunk" he said, stumbling slightly as he tried to turn away. "That's okay" she laughed "I will see you soon, hopefully". "Yes. I hope so too" he said, turning around properly and stumbling away. She watched him until he was out of sight, laughing loudly to herself. "What a silly man" she giggled to the horses "huh? yet he's kind of cute".