Saeran flicked his eyes up to Jaehee. 

"Take him to the Dungeon. I'll tell you my plan at lunch. Don't say a word of this to anyone." He addressed the last part to the other guards as well. They nodded solemnly. 

...

Yoosung felt strange, memories of when he first arrived at the Cold flashing through his mind. He had laid in this very bed, staring up at the strange ceiling... Confused and bewildered by the rowdy resistance. Now he was one of them. He had trained, he knew how to survive in the harsh weather, he knew how to work with the rest of the members. 

He was strong now (aside from the fact that he had just been stabbed). 

"Yoosung." Emille's soft voice interrupted Yoosung's thoughts.

"Emille, hey."

The brown-skinned woman smiled broadly, Aubin asleep on her back, secured by fabric. Emille sat down on the edge of Yoosung's bed and took his hand in her own.

"I knew the whole time," she murmured softly, "about how Saeran loved you."

Yoosung felt his cheeks go hot.

"The night that you fell asleep outside at the campfire, Saeran brought you here, and kissed your forehead." Emille pressed her thumb to the same spot.

Yoosung looked down, fidgeting under her brown eyes. 

"He really does love you, you know," Emille said proudly and smiled again.

"I love him too." The words warmed his heart.

"I know. C'mon, it's lunchtime."

...

Saeran was already on his throne when the Cold began filing in for lunch, but things were quieter now. Maybe news of Yoosung's attacker had traveled fast. 

Yoosung and Emille sat down across from Cylus and Jaehee, and they all looked nervously at each other. The four had talked about the attack this morning, but Jaehee seemed particularly nervous, glancing worriedly at Saeran. 

The meal was eaten quickly, everyone anticipating Saeran's obvious announcement that was to come. The leader sat stoically in his seat, frowning to himself.

No one left the hall when they finished eating, just sat and waited for Saeran to start speaking. 

"My friends," his low voice echoed through the silent room, mint eyes scanning over the crowd.

"As many of you already know, there was an attack last night."

Murmurs. 

"Our Queen," Yoosung buried his head in his hands in embarrassment. So Saeran had picked up the title as well, "Was attacked, and stabbed. He's recovering, but the attacker has given us information.

"Aithne knows where we are. We have been discovered. The Emperor has spotted us, and is no doubt planning an attack."

More whispers, cries of outrage from some.

"However," Saeran continued, "Will we let them do that?"

"NO!"

"Exactly," Saeran replied, satisfied, "So."

His dark eye's flashed across the Cold. "We attack as soon as possible."

Battle cries.

"Blacksmiths." Saeran pointed to a section in the room where several burly members sat. They were already nodding, pulling designs out of the large pockets of their aprons.

"Jaehee, I want training leveled up. More one-on-one, more endurance." The brunette nodded, cracking her knuckles.

"Vanderwood, I want another order by tomorrow. All other job reps, come see me for assignments."

Yoosung watched as people got up quickly, heading in separate directions down the hallways to their specialties. 

He got up himself and began gathering food for the rest of the immobile patients in the infirmary. Vanderwood stopped him with a hand on his forearm. 

"You're a patient too, now."

No use arguing, Yoosung walked back the infirmary, poking at his bandages, wincing in pain as he realized it wasn't the best idea. 

"Freaking heal already," Yoosung whispered to his wound in exasperation. As he sat back into his bed, he peeled back the bandages and rolled his eyes. The wound was stitched, clean, and only hurt if he prodded it. 

"Some patient I am," he murmured and got back up from the bed. 

"Aye, Yoosung," A man from a few beds over with a large stitched incision over his stomach called, "What was all that commotion about?" 

"We're attacking Aithne," Vanderwood interrupted Yoosung as he walked into the room, tossing bread-rolls to the patients.

"Attacking?"

"It's now or never, Marcus, so heal up quickly if you want to come. We've delayed it for too long. I've been here longer than Saeran and even I know that." 

"Of course," Marcus replied, and tore into his roll with hunger. 

"Hey, Vanderwood," Yoosung said in a lax manner, "I'm feeling fine. Can I go up?"

"You mean outside? They're making snowshoes up there, but don't stay up too long or Saeran'll kill me. By the way... you two make a good pair."

Marcus laughed loudly and Yoosung hid his burning face as he walked quickly from the infirmary.

"Remember, you still work here!" Vanderwood called after him, grinning, for once. 

Yoosung raced happily up the stairs to the door, then burst through the doors, feeling the snow and cold and wonderful fresh air on his skin. Inhaling deeply, he laughed breathlessly, gazing up at the sky in wonder.

No matter how many times he came outside, he believed he'd always be in awe. The mountains that cupped the valley were obscured by clouds, which were letting large snowflakes fall softly to the already frosted ground.

In a shed to the left side of the fortress, a couple of people lounged around a fire, their children romping around in too-big snowshoes, as the adults weaved thin strands of wood together around a frame. 

"Hey," Yoosung said cheerily, and sat down next to them, picking up a frame for himself as the snow fell around them.

...

Yoosung knocked on Saeran's door, yawning tiredly. He had taken off his bandage several hours ago, as he felt fine, and now he could feel the stitches catching on the fabric of his shirt. Everyone had been insanely busy, making progress and preparing for the invasion. Saeran had spoken again at dinner, and they were to leave in 10 days, or as soon as Yoosung had completely healed, which Yoosung had been promptly flustered by. 

"Saeran?" Yoosung called out carefully, entering the study. 

"Hm?" Saeran looked up from his desk, rubbing his eyes. In front of him lay several books and maps, and Yoosung recognized the documents he had originally brought to the side as well. 

"It's late."

"I'm aware."

Sighing, Yoosung stepped forward, "Do I sleep in the dorm?" 

Saeran looked up and shook his head, "I want you with me so the incident that occurred last night won't repeat."

"Okay... well I'm going to bed, I'm actually really tired. Will you come to bed soon?" 

"Yeah," Saeran replied distractedly. Yoosung leaned over the desk and pressed his lips to Saeran's temple, begging him internally to stop working. 

Saeran didn't respond. Yoosung let his hope drop and he walked out of the room.

...

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hey probably smut next chapter im not sure yet tho lol I LOVE YOU ALL 

ALSO, HELLA AWESOME SAERAN FANART! by ambearlicious on mystic messenger animo ;)