Yasuo couldn't, it was too much. His soulmate. Already he felt like he got it bad and would never recover. How dared the gods give him such a man as soulmate ? Merely a first true meeting but he seemed genuinely kind. And a fierce fighter.
Be sure, make it real. He brought a hand to the latter, despite the soreness of the war aching low. Yet before he could indeed brush his face, he stopped. No daring.
His special someone, his other half. They were meant to complete each other and now he got a mountain of emotions to deal with in such ridiculous situation.
« Y-You're not going to disappear ? That's not a dream or a joke ? » Still the disbelief. Now he dared and touched the latter's face, as gentle as he could with his own trembling.
A light laugh answered him : « No but if it is a dream, then it's a good one. Now please stop talking and let me. » It went from almost sweet to dead serious in less than a second.
That change actually got Yasuo to stay quiet, although his thoughts remained loud. So he complied and let the latter do, just as hands made a close inspection of his wounds.
« Thank you. Are you hurt elsewhere ? »
Obviously he had already spotted the biggest wound, not even bleeding anymore. All was dry now but still aching. Yasuo was relieved nonetheless, the other man was very careful and made sure not to press on this uselessly.
« No, no. Just, I'm so tired and this was the last straw. » Not really proud of himself for admitting this but he could say it.
Quiet hum, as the latter considered the situation. Then he spoke again, meeting his gaze : « You need to cover the wound, at least until we find a village to properly take care of it. I doubt you have any bandage so the only solution is your scarf, whatever you call that. »
Hey, not nice. But it was true, he had nothing of the sort and the other man seemed to have nothing except his armor.
« Mmmpf, fine. But just a bit, I like that one. »
It was still large enough for the other man to take a good piece of it without causing too much damage. In a strange reflex Yasuo closed his eyes and braced himself at the sound of fabric tearing. Another sigh for this day, a little saddened to see his precious scarf cut. On the other side, it would probably hurt a lot if he had nothing to cover the wound, at least to keep it clean.
Then the latter got to work, pulling Yasuo closer to have enough room to bandage. Silence settled during this, to a point even him didn't dare to break it. His soulmate gave all attention to what he did, firm yet careful hands over him.
Still, it was peculiar to have him in direct contact with skin but Yasuo could just blame himself for his poor choice of armor. Now he shall take responsibility since his side was a little exposed.
Nothing to say unless to break the latter's concentration so he indeed stayed quiet. Meanwhile he let his own heart go crazy on the latest news. He's here. My soulmate. Just thinking about it made him a little emotional, struggling not to show it so soon.
At last it was done, his wound securely bandaged in the limits of their situation.
« I hope this will do. Now we have to move, it's not safe here. »
« Totally agreed. Just, how do we do ? » It got Yasuo a little unsure because this wasn't going to be easy.
« You can't move ? » Hint of equal worry, sweet to hear.
« Still a little but I can't stand. Like, really. I feel like shit. » It wasn't fun to admit a weakness, even less right now when they were technically in danger.
« I see. »
Yasuo winced a little but the latter said nothing else. He seemed to consider several solutions for their problem. Only now he registered the hand lingering on him all this time. Maybe neither thought about it at first, like a reflex.
No way to ignore it now that he felt it, warm contact over his leg even through fabric. So he did what burned him and covered the latter's hand with his.
As soon it made him react, gaze down as to indeed check what was done. Then he looked back at Yasuo, new emotion not really clear but present nonetheless. Oh it would be interesting once they were something safe, to discuss and register everything between them.
« I can carry you. Just, it won't be very practical since I have a blade too. » It came out less calm then before, possibly to push emotions for a moment. It wasn't useful right now.
« Okay okay. » Quick nod, still under the lasting feeling of warmth. This would be quite difficult if a mere touch got to them like this.
The other stood and then started the difficult task of carrying Yasuo in a rather stable way. He couldn't even stand and walk even with help or his legs gave up and buckled. Ahhhhh…. Not pleasant at all, he felt like a burden and everything ached.
They still found something correct, carrying him over his shoulders and holding his arm to be sure he wouldn't fall. For Yasuo, it wasn't much the overly ridiculous position he was in than the display of strenght made at the occasion. The latter picked him up with little effort, seemingly. Damn.
After making sure they forgot nothing – especially their respective weapons – the latter didn't wait any longer and moved. They had to find a village soon.
Not make this more difficult than it was for his soulmate, Yasuo stayed rather quiet the time of the walk. They still had to stay low and not catch attention, as long as they were in the area of the fights. It never ended, clash of steel resonating afar.
Little by little the rhythm lulled him to a more sleepy state, unsure about what he was doing at the moment. Just, he was holding someone close and he was happy. No idea why he felt like this, knowing how horrible war was. But it lingered, clinging to them.
« Take it easy, don't exhaust yourself. » Small whisper, since they were close enough for this. He still cared for the latter, his soulmate after all. And he would hate to see him hurt in an attempt to help.
« I'm already exhausted so I might as well make it quick. How do you feel ? » Still a little breathless, this must cost him in extra energy.
« Mmmh not really bad. Just too tired. »
« The village shouldn't be too far from here. Hold on a little longer. »
Was it him or the latter still sounded gentle with him, despite the whole mess they went through ? As dead innerly as he was, Yasuo felt this spark thrumming with life. It was nice. Maybe this was normal for soulmates, to be at ease so quickly.
Like this, he could hold him as much as he wanted – in the limits of his remaining strenghts of course.
Soon he would fall asleep or pass out, it wasn't sure because of his condition. Yasuo didn't have the will to fight it, having given too much since he joined the fights.
Suddenly a question came, kicking his priorities. Wait… Last effort before he would indeed lose grasp on reality.
« Tell me…your name ? »
It was dumb, wasn't it ? No meet someone and not ask for a name as quick. Yasuo had troubles to think straight, why he didn't sooner. And now it was vital, he needed to know. To make it more real.
« Yi. My name is Yi. » Said in a breath, as soon as the latter registered the question.
Yi…
« Eh, it's nice…mine's Yasuo. Remember it, the best swordman you'll ever meet… » An attempt at sounding proud and confident but he wasn't really in the right position for this.
Piece by piece, his heart was complete. Now he had a name to cherish.
« I will never forget you, Yasuo. »
Somehow Yi's grasp on him tightened, making this new link stronger. Too good to be true. In a way, yes, because merely a minute after that soft exchange Yasuo passed out. Body exhausted but mind perfectly at peace.
Nothing bad would happen now that he had his soulmate by his side.