Of course this was going to be difficult. Yi knew it well before anouncing this to the latter but he had to. It didn't mean though that he would go too deep in the topic. Just this, Yone texted him to know where was his brother. Nothing else.
From his typical confidence, Yasuo's expression changed suddenly to worry, something a bit vulnerable. The effort to hide this was obvious and he still succeeded somehow. Yet Yi wanted to apologize for mentioning this.
It wouldn't even change anything, that his family knew where he was. They wouldn't come and force him back home. The topic remained serious, this wasn't happy for Yasuo.
Maybe it was the wrong way to get to the point. If only there was a peaceful way. Since he had none, Yi directly told him after the latter came back, probably from a walk. Maybe too blunt.
No need to hide the truth. Yasuo would want to know that, it's about him.
It was important not to make him worry too much, so he decided to make this quick.
« It's alright, Yasuo. He just wanted to know if you were still here. I answered so. » Quiet tone yet enough to be clear. Since it was in the latter's ways of communication, he put his hand over his knee, barely to reassure.
A start of fear. It was too obvious and he disliked himself for causing this. But quickly it eased down, Yasuo didn't look distressed or anything. Just a bit displeased to hear his family mentionned. It couldn't have gone worse.
He thought it was for something else. For this, Yi wouldn't ask. There was no need to make him say things that cost him his peace of mind.
Since she was no longer petted or paid attention to, Lily jumped down and left in a huff. Just the time to see her go. But the topic was too taking, none went after her. She would get her hug quota later anyway. Yi's attention came back on the latter, averting his gaze at the moment. The floor seemed a lot more interesting.
« He just wanted that ? » Always fidgetting in these stressful moments.
Easy to find what he asked there. Yone might have said more, on too painful topics. Just to keep up with his whereabouts wasn't expected. All this Yi could guess in his tense stance, obviously paying attention even though he looked elsewhere.
« Yes, just this. My apologies, I shouldn't have made this sound so serious. »
« It's fine, it's fine. Dunno what I expected, it's not easy. » Quiet honesty, far from his bravado of young years.
« I merely wanted to tell you, since it's about you. Now, case closed. Let's think about dinner. » A bit of determination there, to show they wouldn't talk more about it. Sometimes it would be enough to get Yasuo back on hsi usual cheerfulness.
« Oh, alright. Errrr I have no idea what to cook. Will see what we got in the frigde. »
Already he could sense how the latter felt better. His family drama and heavy guilt might be bothering but for now the distraction worked.
Yi leaned a bit, trying to meet his gaze where it had stayed low for a moment. When he found him gazing back, he spoke : « Pizza tonight. Sounds good ? »
« Damn yes ! But you sure ? It's not saturday yet and…what will peanut say if we can't follow the rules ourselves ? »
« You got a solid point there. Alright, let's see what vegetables are left in the fridge. »
Oh this was funny to play along. At first he wanted to give something nice to Yasuo but the pretext given was far too good to be left aside. It was true, Lily could only have her tiny special food on sunday. To break so easily their own habits would be a bad message.
Yi got up, followign his words. That smile was impossible to repress. Never Yasuo would refuse an occasion to have pizza yet he just turned it down. He will regret it~
« No, please ! I'm joking ! Please let's have pizza… »
Pointing out what Yasuo himself said just before about Lily and her rules would be mean, he wasn't. Still to see the latter jumping after him as to stop him from indeed checking what they had in the fridge. It was decided, no cooking tonight.
Quickly caught, arms around him to stop him physically but also beg to have pizza indeed. Exactly the same thing Yi had to endure each morning, when the cat followed hima round for her food. Almost clinging to hsi leg in a last hope.
This time was different, it wasn't a cat that clung to him in probably feigned despair. So Yi stood there, a practically dead weight struggling to hold him back. This wouldn't be enough, he was stronger than that.
« Alright, you win. Even though you wouldn't be able to stop me. »
It wasn't a victory, Yi offered this first. Still, it was endearing to have such stubborness for pizzas.
« Is that a challenge ? »
Oh that one sounded so bold now. A relief to hear, after such fall of the mood. Yi was glad to see he completely recovered in appearance.
« It would be tempting to try and see if you can but I won't risk it. Too much furniture around, plus the neighbors wouldn't like the noise. »
« You're just scared to lose against me ! »
No wonder how he got in such troubles before. Truly it was almost laughable to see Yasuo so ready to prove his worth.
Just to give a proper reason for respect, Yi wrestled him to pick him up then let him fall on the couch. Still he made sure not to be too violent or noisy, this was merely for the show.
« So ? » This would give Yasuo some time to think again. Still proud of himself, Yi let him stand again, hand held out. « That was fun. Now your mission is to chose which pizza you want. I give you five minutes then it's Lily who'll do it. »
Yasuo got slightly red in the face, that was still nice to see. Probably the rush of adrenalin and slight sting of shame. He would survive, they had already sparred in the past when they trained at the same palce.
Though his latest words completely obliterated the recent 'fight', the latter running to find the menu on the fridge.
« Alright ! »
No need to tell twice. Then he would have a bit of peace before making the order.
Success. He's happy now.
The evening wasn't lost.