His instinct pushed him to stand and run away, surely it would be enough to escape. But no, Yi was frozen on the spot. Errrrr. What to do ? This wasn't planned at all, he would have prefered not to meet the other man so soon. Too late. Also, there was four spectators and nothing good to take from it.
« Yi ? Can we talk ? » It sounded soft, just like when they were in private but without a doubt a clear contrast to what the others used to hear.
Feeling his face heat up a little, Yi nodded to the man, getting up while fully resigned. Nowhere to go. He feared what would be brought up but in any case he would take responsibility. As he took his leave to follow Yasuo, he felt the gazes stuck on him till he was out of sight.
Heavy silence as they went far enough not to be heard nor seen.
Time to talk. Yasuo had a unreadable expression, it may be anger or more like anxiety, worry. He seemed restless, what left Yi somehow scared. Here we are. Gazes meeting, a certain fondness still managed to show on Yasuo face, enough to get the latter to relax.
« Hey. » The same soft tone used just before. « How are you doing ? »
« Fine, fine. » Yi a bit lost, not sure about this. He had been expecting something worse. « … I'm sorry. For this morning. »
« Oh, for that ? Really, don't feel like that. You're free to do whatever you want. I'll never force you. » Nothing to fear, Yasuo sounded genuine.
So honest it gave Yi the need to do the same : « I wanted to stay, this morning. But I didn't know if you'd agree. »
« And I'd have appreciated that. You're welcome to stay as much as you want. » Words spoken as he reached for Yi, arms open to welcome him, circling his waist. The latter didn't protest the reduced distance, it was soothing to be held.
« Thank you... » The blush already present never left, lightly intensified by these latest words.
Against him he could feel Yasuo's hands not so calm, something must have been bothering the man. Making eye contact with him, Yi saw indeed a kind of apprehension. There is something else on his mind.
« What is the matter ? Tell me. »
« Eh ? Errrrrr… You know, I liked these times. When we're together. I know, this was temporary but… could we… help each other ? Like more often ? »
What, seriously ?
This would be more than Yi dared to hope. Yasuo, asking to meet on several occasions and not just to chat but for sex. After the taste they got of such times, it seemed unbearable to return to solitude. Yi was astonished. Didn't think he would ask for this. To me. Sweet hope, burning bright.
That frozen reaction left Yasuo to panick : « Or maybe not ? Fuck, I shouldn't have asked. I apologize, that was so dumb... »
« I accept ! » Seeing such flight after the lack of response pushed Yi to make clear his answer. « I'd really really like to keep this. What we have. »
In an instant tension fell back to normal, Yasuo sighing of relief : « Holy fuck thanks ! » Head resting against Yi's shoulder, show of how glad the man was. A hand went to Yasuo's back to pat him.
« I'm happy you offered this, never I'd dare to ask again. Thank you, Yasuo. »
Acting on this surge of love, Yi lifted the latter's chin to press an eager kiss to his lips. Soft touch, teasing tongue asking to open then initiating shy touches once Yasuo returned the kiss in equal fervor. Amazing, truly. The answer seemed as genuinely given than the first contact. As long as they could hold it, the kiss last, hungry mouths moving to each other's. At one point they had to break it, before it got Yi more flustered than he already was though the other man's state was not far.
Gentle aura around them, the same kind of understanding. This was some of the instants Yi felt like there was a link between them, mutual care. It would take just one step to think it was love. No, it's not like that. Never failed to remind himself. But still, there was something.
« How are we doing this ? I mean, when do we meet up ? » Joy lingered in Yasuo's voice, turning it warmer.
It's sounds like a date. Please don't think like that. Their meditations too were a kind of meet up but there was no intention behind. It confused Yi a little, not very happy to have his heartbeat go crazy just for a potential other meaning.
« I don't know ? Tomorrow ? » No idea how things had to be planned, he just suggested without thinking it.
« Okay, good ! Erm… my place ? »
Knowing all this was about having sex, when and where made Yi blush even darker. This wasn't some mere tea party or chatting. Are we really planning this out loud ? He nodded hastily, not wanting to voice this.
« So that's it ! Everything is well ! You can go back, I've bothered you enough for today. » Gentle words, soft stance as Yasuo let go the other man.
« You're never a bother, please. See you tomorrow, meditation ? » The challenge was not to show the impact this conversation had on him, fight back some composure.
« Yes ! » Large grin splitting Yasuo's face.
But just before their ways parted, he went back to Yi. Stepping into his space, Yasuo pressed a kiss to his cheek, short attention given before retreating with a playful expression. « See ya ! »
The following instant, Yi was alone, having watched the man run away without any sort of visible reaction. But his head was spinning. AH ! This was overly touching, in more than one way. He keeps being openly affectionate… I might think it's genuine. Not a good day for his heart, too many things happen in short span and it left him less assured as time passed. Will need some rest. Thanks the gods we're not meeting tonight, would have been too much.
This was done, he could go back with the others. Oh no, they will ask what happened. No doubt about it, judging from the stares when he followed Yasuo.
Indeed, he came back and immediately the attention came back to him as quick, five pairs of eyes scrutenizing him.
« Oh, hello Soraka. Didn't see you arrive. » Quick pretext, he didn't know what to say nor what they would do to him.
« Hi ! How are you doing ? » Cheery welcome, all that he expected from Soraka.
No one said a word. For now. Yi could feel Karma and Caitlyn holding back questions. At least he could count Camille out of it, nothing to fear from her except a scowl.
« Very well. And you ? » He really hoped the others wouldn't let her hear of the topic, four persons were already too much aware. Bless her for not knowing.
« Good, as usual ! Also, congratulations ! »
What ?
This last word left a cold on general mood, everyone looking at Soraka with questionning eyes.
« What are you talking about ? » Karma seemed to guess what the other may be refering to but she did sound curious.
« Ah ? Well, I saw you and Yasuo when I was crossing the gardens. So, you're in couple now ? »
She saw. Damnit. Yi was speechless while around him the others seemed more than thrilled by this. Wait, if it was when we kissed… oh no.
« 'Nothing like that', here is your definition of being together ? » Caitlyn was quick to ask.
« I don't mean to be nosy but, Soraka, what did you see exactly ? » And Karma of course had to follow too.
« You guys are so curious ! But maybe Yi doesn't want me to tell ? » She asked him, a touch of uncertainty.
Attention back to Yi, growing resltess under such stress. Can't blame her or Yasuo, it's just bad luck. « You… you can tell. » He wasn't sure about what she saw, maybe it was just the peck at the end. Or when they were standing 'close'.
« They were kissing, that's it ? » Shen's occasional speech, each time it hit hard.
« How did you guess ? » Soraka sounded amazed, genuine in every fiber of her being. « Indeed. I apologize, Yi. It wasn't correct to pry on something private, even if that wasn't my intention. »
« Nothing to apologize for… It just happened. » I just want to go away. Or at least not talk about it.
« You know how to dodge questions, Yi. But I understand why you prefered not to tell us this particular information. » A smile on Caitlyn face, not really threatening but clever, just like her opinion on this matter.
Karma looked toughtful, not having talked yet about the news. Then she spoke up : « The situation is far more complicated than we think, isn't it ? »
« Yes. » That's an understatement.
The topic was let down again, without a doubt they had enough sense to get that this was private and didn't require to be shared. Soraka still had this worried look on her face when she glanced at Yi. She doesn't understand. It felt sweet to see her concerned, he wished he could tell her there was nothing serious.
I don't even know what is going on between me and Yasuo. It would be difficult to explain. For now they were close friends, nice words to refer to a 'profitable' and mutual deal.
Mmmmh, I don't know how this will work out.