Last memory before drifting away, Yi's arms around him and his name said softly. Yasuo felt quite peaceful, even though he would have loved to talk more. Sadly, his body still needed rest.
Here came darkness, catching him gently.
Only this time it clung to him harshly, like an animal to its prey. Jolting awake, Yasuo gasped aloud, breath slightly shorter.
What ?
It wasn't really a nightmare. Even as unpleasant as it felt, he couldn't remember what happened. All that remained was a faint memory, something bitter that made him shiver. It wasn't important. The worst were remembered nightmares, so painful he could feel its claws even after the waking.
Already fear subsided, leaving him more aware of his surroundings. Enough to register the lack of contact.
Wait. Where is he ?
His sleep schedule was already such a mess because of what his wound and exhaustion required, plus the time out doing nothing. Yasuo had no idea what time it was. And now Yi was missing.
Fumbling in bed, he looked for the latter but indeed, if he didn't feel him immediately against him then he was gone. What a good news to wake up to. Already Yasuo didn't feel so well, maybe it was just his brain fucking with him. Sitting up, he looked around and found nothing worth his interest.
It was intriguing though because he could tell Yi wasn't far. Not exactly like pure information but more like instinct. It pushed him to go a certain way and he felt certain to find him if he followed. It's strange. There was no explanation for this.
Now that he was up and sure not to fall asleep so soon, he made a short check-up. I'm fine. This was overall how he felt, even if he knew he couldn't trust that. Carefully trailing his hand over the bandage, it didn't hurt that much. Ok, good.
Yet he was sure they wouldn't let him to back to fight right now. At least not before his wound scarred properly. This wasn't going to be fun for him, sitting there to idle while Noxus had a bloodbath.
Soon, soon.
For now he just wanted to find Yi and resume contact. Funny, wasn't it, to grow clingy only after meeting his soulmate. He was barely able to stay calm so far from the other, feeling a sort of hitch to make disappear. As if his very soul ached to be again with the latter.
Getting out of bed, Yasuo found his scarf nearby. Clean. Oh. That was a nice attention. No idea who did it, maybe Yi among everyone else. He felt already better to put it back on, soft fabric against skin. Nice…
All good but not enough to distract him from his mission, finding Yi. A bit like a dead person, he made his way out of that small house offered as place to sleep for fighters.
This village was a bit special to explore, different from the place he grew up but he still found the latter. That instinct was good, leading him to Yi in a few minutes of curious wandering.
Just as he arrived in a rather open place, Yi looked back at him immediately. As if he knew he was coming. Yasuo's heart still made something funny the second he saw his soulmate.
Within seconds he closed distance and reached for the latter, arms laced around him in both a protective and demanding manner. Short sigh of relief.
Good…
Then he noticed the other person in the room too, not far. Probably Yi was talking with her before he arrived. Yasuo looked at her, curious, chin resting on Yi's shoulder as he embraced him from behind.
« Sorry, am I interrupting something ? Go on, I'm not here. »
Still, everyone stayed quiet after that, looking at Yasuo with surprise. Yi couldn't efficiently look at him, however he still returned the embrace and brushed Yasuo's cheek gently.
« Too late, we know you're here. Aren't you tired ? » Always so kind with him, it was incredible. It could get Yasuo blushing once more but at that point, no need to count.
« Nah I'm fine. Got a sort of nightmare then you were gone. And you ? »
It was peculiar to be right there, possessive embrace around his soulmate while there was someone he didn't know there. The woman was sitting not far, taking care of a bow in what was surely a quiet conversation.
How was he supposed to act with his soulmate ? Like, was it obvious or not ? Did people mind ? They might all die in a few days or a year, he could enjoy to hold Yi while he could. Though Yasuo held back his affection, not wanted to make a show of that to strangers.
I want to kiss, though. It would have to wait. Then he remembered they didn't even reach that point and innerly he sobbed. Oh to wait was terrible, even more when it was his own decision.
His longing was cut by Yi's answer, resuming contact as he could in the position he was : « I'm feeling better. I'll be able to join the fights soon. »
Oh… He felt it so hard, the unsaid. Yi had recovered but him not, he would still have to stay here. Yasuo didn't like that thought and pushed it away, as long as the latter stayed with him here.
« Ok ok. What were you two talking about ? »
« Noxus. » The woman spoke up, firm tone as her attention remained on her weapon.
Alright. Yasuo wouldn't have asked more, no doubt he bothered them enough for the day when he barged there.
Although Yi added more, explaining the situation.
« She had scouted the area around the village. For now noxians are heading in another direction but it's important to keep track of their moves. Several warriors of the village are ready to fight if needed. »
« Oh. I see. Gonna get ready then. Where did you put my blade ? »
« No, you still need to rest. We don't even know if Noxus will come around, the risk isn't really important. »
« But I can fight ! » Shifting from their embrace, Yasuo looked at the latter, hoping to make this very clear. « I know, I was wounded but I can still fight. You can't keep me there doing nothing but sleeping while everyone is out there. »
It wasn't his intention to have this sort of argument while someone listened but he couldn't helpt that. Yasuo felt this to be too unfair to him, he had a mission in this war and intended to finish it. Yet Yi wanted him to stay here and recover.
« I can't force you to stay, I know. I'm not forbidding you to fight this war, I'm just asking you to stay down until your wound has healed. »
Discipline again in that tone, determination to have him stay here indeed. Yi could be as stubborn as him and he just started to realize that.
« I can stand and fight. It will finish healing during the fights. »
« Or you will join the many corpses bleeding in the valley. I already found you down once, I refuse to risk it so soon. »
Harsh words but not as violent then meeting Yi's gaze, a lot of repressed emotion to be read there. It was new, wasn't it ? To be cared to such point. To know his life had a value beyond his use in the war.
« precious »
