These following days were odd. By that, different of their dayly life on the Morning Star since Yi started to pay visit after visit. Indeed, he didn't come back since Yasuo asked him to go away.
It had been strange at first, not to see this peculiar entity at the captain's side, both retired in one of the quiet places of the ship. Himself indeed felt the change because everytime he was the one to call Yi, an invitation to come. Then it shifted slowly to a habit, the latter coming by around the same time when he saw Yasuo unbusied. From this point it was silently stated that they would talk once he came to his meditation spot.
So Yi had stopped appearing on the ship. Stark contrast to everyday routine, they almost had a special time dedicated to these meeting.
At first Yasuo wondered if the latter was just busy somewhere, maybe he would come back at another time. Strange to feel so alone when he could simply walk outside his room and seek some useless fight with Jinx. I miss him. Even more since their discussion.
Wanted to see him gone to think by himself but it resulted in a sad feeling, emptiness. It showed how much he held him close to his heart, despite knowing very well that it wasn't requited. Regrets for pushing him away, not the nicest way to do so but at the moment he was worked up.
I should apologize.
Not the right mood though. He just stayed in bed, tangled in the blanket. Sometimes got up to let their small companion out of the room. At least one of them was sociable.
Innerly he still hoped Yi would be free to come here soon, just to go back to less overwhelming topics. As long as they avoided talking his feelings.
If that day was doomed to be spent in his room then so be it. It would be a good occasion to worsen his sleep schedule, by napping when he could.
By next day Yasuo knew something was wrong. Yi could have come way sooner than that if he wanted. Again, loneliness was too bothering. He's mad at me ? Unlikely yet he kept thinking about what could explain this absence.
To talk with Yi was always entertaining and he learned many things. But now he wasn't here. Another reason to act gloomy, wandering in the ship. Played more often with the lizard or whatever species it was, the only one who couldn't talk nor judge him.
Oh. Maybe he's waiting to be called before coming ? It took him so long just to think that. Quiet epiphany. Would make sense, since before Yi was always waiting for a sign to come around. When it wasn't a habit yet.
And knowing a bit of the latter, it could be true. So polite and cautious, he would rather not come than to barge in when unwelcomed. After their latest words exchanged, possible.
I told him to go away. But for how long ? Since he never specified the time, Yi must have taken it as warning to leave for long.
If that hypothesis was true, then it was up to Yasuo just to call him and everything would be fine. But again he was held back. He took it wrong, maybe. Or don't want to come anymore. There was so much possibilities and not many very happy ones.
Not like he literally shut his door to the latter's face but it was similar.
But most than anything, Yasuo was scared, creeping thought. What if he called Yi and he didn't answer nor came ? It was always better to give it a try, at least to be sure but he feared the non-answer. Like talking into the void.
Please, I didn't mean to push away.
Feelings were hard to understand and even more to express. Without a doubt he made a mistake during their conversation and it passed as a rough refusal. But at the moment he was the one being refused. Oh, all this was complicated. Both drawn to Yi and decided not to go too far or it would hurt.
Yi ?
Late – if that really showed since in space time never seemed to pass – the perfect occasion to sneak in the kitchen again. Surely the other two had already noticed how absent he was for some time, a ghost in the ship. But he disliked the idea of staying nearby Jinx, she would just find a reason to mock him. More than she already did, anyway.
On his way Yasuo found their tiny companion, who jumped of joy at his sight. So he had company for this late exploration.
Still lost in his thoughts, idly playing with the lizard as he considered his whole life. Deep sigh, slumping against the table. What am I doing ?
Always the same question, would it be right to call Yi, at the risk of breaking his own heart in case of silence ?
« Any idea to help me ? » Small mumbling adressed to the only living being with him. His companion blinked a few times, make a cute face of would be confusion.
There wouldn't be any help from it but sometimes he liked to let his thoughts out loud.
« Are you done sulking ? »
« What the fuck ? » So surprised by that voice, without a real source nearby. High-pitched, even more than Jinx's so it wasn't her. Yasuo looked around, startled.
Then appeared from nowhere a small being, floating in the kitchen. What is that…. ? Unlike any species he ever met before but the general aura it gave was alike Yi's. All in soothing blue tones, sparkles and foreign shape. But that one didn't even look like an human, like Yi did in some parts.
Oversized hat – or hood ? - pointy hears, long braids and a sort of mask that still let to see half the face.
Silence in the kitchen as he stared bewildered at the newcomer, trying to understand what it was. Another god or whatever ? Rather a goddess, from the sound of the voice but he was never sure. It was too different from any other tone.
And oh, at their side was another smaller creature, around the same size than the lizard. But this one floated too, or was it flying ? Hell did he know, it was already more than hallucinating to meet two different cosmic entities in the same life.
It looked like silence wasn't to the latter's taste : « Hey ! I asked you something ! Don't ignore me ! »
« What do you want me to say ? I thought I was alone. Who are you ? » Despite the strange circumstances, he relaxed a little with that fall of tension. The other didn't look really threatening.
« Oh, I guess I should have introduced myself. I'm Lulu, humble enchantress, at your service ! And this cute noodle is Aurelion Smol, my friend. » As she indicated her companion. Indeed it wore its name very well.
« She, I guess ? I don't know how all of you folks like to be refered as. » Just to be clear and correct, per usual.
« Why does that even matter ? Yes, a she. But I'm not here for that. » She looked at him expectantly but in no way her stance was similar to Yi's.
« What do you want from me ? You're one of Yi's friends ? »
« Yes, that's why I'm here ! » In one instant she dashed toward him, all in fuzzy interest. « I came to see you. »
« To see me… ? » At such close distance, Yasuo felt a bit of fear. He still had no idea what such a tiny being could do but if he trusted what he learned about her kind, she could do anything. A small cute goddess.
Lulu turned around him, heavy gaze never leaving him though he couldn't see it. Then small hands on his face, soft touch like a child. « You. The reason our dear Yi comes back here. Do you really think we wouldn't notice how you're keeping him 'busy' in the same place ? » Said without an ounce of negativity, a mere statement though slightly mischievous.
SHIT
« I-I have no idea why. » Not very true, Yasuo was aware Yi came back here many times. But there was no malicious intent behind that, not trying to keep him. I wish though.
« Be honest or not, in any case I understand why he changed his habits. » Interested gaze on Yasuo, watching every detail. She looked like finding something worth her attention.
« Why ? » Not a lot he could say, he was at the moment under a thorough observation. Like an animal but for now it wasn't over the limit. Hoped she wouldn't keep going for hours.
« Don't act so modest, I know for sure you're rather on the opposite side. Because you are a splendid specimen and we're curious. Of course, I'll pass on the fact that you're reckless bordering stupidity sometimes but I get why Yi took you as his own. »
His own ? There was too many things at once, from the compliments to this charming slap to the ego.
« Hey, I'm not stupid….But what do you mean by 'his own' ? »
« His own mortal. To focus his attention on, learn new things from, talk. Maybe you don't know but we rarely interact that much with a same individual. » Followed by a broad smile.
Yasuo couldn't really tell if she was indeed so joyful or if there was a façade. But looking at her, she seemed innocent and genuine.
« Okay, I guess. » So it wasn't what I thought. Good for his heart, he could let himself calm down for useless implicit.
« Oh, were you expecting another answer ? » That smile got wider and just this indicated how much she knew.
No….I'm fucked…
« No ! Not at all ! »
Lulu floated nearby, a watchful gaze on him while she looked deep in thoughts : « All I can say is that Yi have good taste. It would be so much fun to take you to talk like that, discover so many things. Would you like that ? »
« Errrrrr…. Why would I do that ? » This sounded so much like a mind game and Yasuo got a little panicked, not very fond of the possible end.
« Lulu ! Leave him alone. »
« Hey ! It was just a joke ! I would never do that to you. » Then she went in a fit of laugh, a sound that reminded her peers.
At first Yasuo wasn't really aware of the interval, that a third party arrived in the talk.
« This didn't look like a joke. Stop bothering him. »
Short sigh, some fondness. « You need to work on that humor detector. Relax Yi, I'm not trying to take him away. I just wanted to see him. »
What ? The whole situation was surreal, Yasuo felt like missing something important. Yi ?
« Wait, you're talking to him right now ? He's here ? »
« No, not exactly. But we can talk anywhere. » Another smile offered to him before she faced another direction. « For someone worrying so much, you're quite far of the one you look after. »
This time her tone was more serious, quiet question.
It squeezed Yasuo's heart. Yi was looking after him, when he thought he was alone for days. So he didn't come on purpose ?
« This is not your business. Let us be. »
« I can't hear him but can he ? » Turning a little emotional, yearning for Yi.
« Of course. Anything. If we want to pay attention to something or someone, we hear it all. » As she petted Aurelion Smol, earning a purr.
Hearbeat going crazy, he still gathered enough courage to speak up clearly : « Yi ? When will you come back ? »
For a time silence stretched, filling the room. Yasuo kept an insistent gaze on Lulu, waiting for her to tell the other's words.
« What did he say ? »
She lingered a little in the same direction, like gazing at the horizon except it met the kitchen wall. « Nothing. He said nothing. Yi ? »
Here came pain, rough jab. The silence he wished never to find. He doesn't want…
« He wanted to see me gone. And didn't call for me afterward. »
« Yi…. » Her voice was soft, a whisper that the three of them could only hear. No longer smiling. « But right now he's asking to. Why are you like this ? Why are you scared ? »
Yasuo couldn't hear the other part of the conversation but it didn't seem very happy, from Lulu's reaction. And her words.
« ….I hurt him. »
« Well, he looks fine for now. Why don't you come around ? » Then she turned to Yasuo : « Tell him. »
More panick, words getting mixed up before he would form a proper sentence. « Yi ? I would like to…to talk again. Come here ? »
Silence settled back for a short time, each second hurting Yasuo a little more. Fear that Yi would refuse.
Lulu too was staying here, waiting patiently an answer or anything from the latter.
Then it was like Yasuo's inner pleas were answered. Yi materialized in the room quietly, face lowered before he turned to see him.
Couldn't have been more relieved to see someone ever. Yasuo's heart jumped at the sight, himself standing up though he didn't know what to do. The mood wasn't specially happy, nor bad. Just muffled emotions.
Without thinking he stepped to join Yi, reaching.
He came.