The princess rested against Kija, her breathing even and undisturbed even by his touch. The night before they had decided on their living arrangements for now, come to this apartment and seeing how it had so many rooms split up: Zeno and Kaya moving to one room, while Yona and Kija moved into two of the others.
It had been alright at first, a sensible choice, yet Yona had found that she wasn't able to fall asleep like that. The bed was soft and warm, but she just couldn't feel comfortable, not like she had back in the days when she slept alone every night at the palace. During their travels she had grown much too used to having someone at her side, to listen to someone's breathing, the comfort of someone's company putting her at ease. At first that someone had been Hak, then Yoon and even though neither of them were with her right now she had found it hard to go back to sleeping by herself and left her room, seeking out the others. Maybe, she had thought, one of them is still awake and willing to talk for a bit, just long enough for her to get too tired to stay awake.
However, that was not necessary, as it had turned out, since her eyes fell on Kija the instance she carefully opened her door and stepped outside. The sight had brought a smile to her face, as she watched Kija breathe, already in deep slumber. Her personal watchdog, who stubbornly refused to leave her side. Knowing him, she understood that he wanted to make up for Hak, Shin-Ah and Jae-Ha's absence, by watching her even more closely and making sure that no potential threats this place might hold would be able to hurt her. A slant of light illuminated Kija's silver hair as his chest rose and fell with every breath. Yona couldn't help but think he was beautiful. Her fingers touched his hair, brushing it aside without disturbing his sleep. He was precious to her, just like each and every one of the others and a warmth spread inside of her at the sight of her comrade, her friend. Smiling at him once more, she changed her plans, heading back into her room to retrieve her own pillow and blanket and settled down next to him. In no time at all, soothed by the sound of Kija's breathing, Yona was fast asleep, her head resting on the White Dragon's shoulder.
And hours later now, she still slept peacefully, oblivious to Kija watching her and thinking about her like this.