Uhhhhh…. Oh shit I passed out.
Barely up and Yasuo jolted awake, breath caught for a few seconds like after a bad dream. Yet there was no memory of this, just empty thoughts. As his breathing evened, he noticed his surroundings and something quite 'wrong'. He was in bed, somewhere. In a house.
Wait, where… ?
Then the second thing he registered was the presence by his side, making him turn to look. Yi. As soon he felt relief flood from the mere sight of his soulmate deep asleep. Oh. Guess we're safe then. Of course they were somewhere safe since he was comfortably settled in a bed, in a quiet place. It would be quite a stark difference if they were painfully surviving in the woods in wait for the sunrise.
Impossible to get his gaze off the latter, even if he tried. Yasuo rolled on his side, to face him without struggle and stayed like this. Yi was sleeping, head resting on his bed and one of his hands entwined. With his. Miraculous and ridiculous at the same time that he didn't notice yet and enjoyed it nonetheless. Was it part of being soulmates ? To get used to each other's presence quickly ? To seek contact ? He didn't know if that was his own initiative or if Yi did it on purpose. In any case, the result was the same and he squeezed gently his hand as to check the truth.
Not even a day since he indentified his soulmate yet it felt like he knew him from before. Just a general feeling, rather difficult to explain since it was obvious they never met before the war.
Wait, a day ? He had no idea what time it was, if it was early morning or the end of that same day. His latest memory was being carried to a village and there was still some natural light out there. No way to know how long he slept neither but it must have been quite long.
Trying to count or give numbers randomly wouldn't help him so Yasuo didn't. Far too tired but a lot less compared to the moment Yi found him down. It would take a lot more time to completely recover, as reluctant as he was. He didn't like to sit still in one place for too long while the war raged outside.
However, now he had Yi by his side and he needed to rest too. So maybe it wouldn't be so miserable to stay at the village a few days. Caring about health went in the two ways, it was time to worry for his soulmate. From what he could guess, the latter wasn't wounded – he wouldn't have been able to carry him then – but he still required some sleep. The fights weren't easy on anyone and without problem he could imagine Yi never slept a lot, prefering to look after allies.
I'll make sure he gets some rest. If the latter was as stubborn as him, it might be a little difficult to convince him to stay down and recover but he would find a way. Probably the idea of keeping an eye on Yasuo wasn't bad, he would comply.
Right then, the first urge was to take him in bed too. Just to let him get some sleep, nothing else. No. Not even thinking about it. This was probably very uncomfortable for Yi to stay in such position, no doubt it would ache later.
Yasuo gave it a few thoughts about how to properly do this without waking him up. It would be difficult but he was determined to take him closer. Gotta stand and pick him up. Yet the risk to wake him was high. During all this Yasuo stayed in the same position, lying on his side with soft gestures to the latter. Hands lingered to keep contact, always.
Okay, let's do it.
Yet he had just the time to sit up in bed before Yi stirred lightly and sighed, awake. Sleepy eyes opened, falling on him after a lazy look around the room. Ah, shit. He was never really good at being discreet.
« Hey, hello. Sorry for that, I swear I just wanted to have you lie down without waking you. » Despite himself he spoke fast, that same fluster lurking nearby since he found his soulmate. Without thinking he returned to face Yi and pressed forehead to forehead after following what felt right.
The latter wasn't completely awake, that was obvious. Still very quiet, he seemed to fight the urge to sleep more, some motivation to stay focused. He returned Yasuo gaze, especially when they stayed in such close contact. Then he squeezed his hand, on reflex or not, bringing attention back on this detail.
« Not your fault. Although indeed I wouldn't say no to a peaceful rest. » He sounded just like he looked, a little out of it yet there was an effort to pay attention to his surroundings.
No idea why but Yasuo couldn't help a rather soft side to take over, greatly tempted to take care, give affection that wasn't supposed to happen so soon but it was so nice to feel. Where this tender side came from ? He had no idea he would react this way to his soulmate but maybe it was just to that kind of character.
The mood shattered next second, when the same kid than before barged into the room : « Oh ! You're finally awake ! »
What the fuck is this ? The boy was too young to be bearable, Yasuo knew from the start he wouldn't want to be bothered. Not like this. Not right now. So he got pissed instantly, putting some shy distance with Yi to fully judge that kid.
« Yeah, we're awake. Now get out before I make you. » No idea why so much violence in the tone and mood but he had to get it out for the occasion lost.
Yi intervened, as the boy looked at him with wide eyes : « It's alright, don't worry. But I think we'll still need to rest a little more. I'll come with you, I have something to ask to the adults around. »
Not even the time for Yasuo to hold him back or anything. Yi stood and reached the kid near the door, steps barely betraying his exhaustion. It only hurt to know he was still in quite a pitiful state, both were.
« Yi ? » It turned out quite low compared to the previous outburst against the intruder. Yasuo wouldn't help that.
Strong nod from the kid then he ran out of the room as to guide Yi.
Before he followed, he turned to Yasuo and gave a small gesture along a kind tone.
« I won't take long. I merely need to ask them a proper bed, this wasn't the best spot to sleep and my back is killing me. »
Fair enough. Then he wouldn't worry too much. Light steps then Yi was gone, after a last smile to Yasuo. enough to feel blessed and warm for a few minutes.
Indeed it hadn't been comfortable for the latter to sleep like so he guessed either Yi didn't care at the moment or he accidently fell asleep on him. As simple as that. In both possibilities it made Yasuo's heart beat a little faster to know he felt safe enough to stay there, with him.
Now that he was alone, many things hit at once. Like the fact that they got 'caught' by a kid and he didn't even have a valid to feel pissed for that. Yes, it was quite nice but was it too soon ? He couldn't control this side, he had been so thrilled to find his soulmate and give his heart willingly, it felt like he was already falling. Was it wise ? Yasuo had no idea how it was supposed to go, no one ever told. Maybe because everyone was a little embarrassed to admit they jumped on their soulmate as soon as possible and fucked the same night. No way to know.
Thinking about it, he didn't think it would be smart to push, as much as he craved to prove the affection he piled up for years. All this build up till it could be released. But patience was important and everyone told him he had to work on it.
Yet it felt so normal to reach like they did, relishing close contact at the waking. Would it be fine ? They barely recognized each other as soulmates a day ago. They 'met' each other maybe a week or so ago. But the feelings were there, getting stronger for each second spent by Yi's side. Was it supposed to feel this way ?
Some would say he didn't have to worry like this, to claim their love was important and life was short. No need to pin and coward, wait and see till it seemed enough. Thinking about the war, was it wise to wait till it fully bloomed ? They could both die one day, as strong and skilled as they were. No way to avoid this possibility. It stayed at the back of his mind, the horrible outcome of meeting death too early to separate them. It wouldn't be fair, they had barely found each other. Maybe this explained his urgency to show and prove his increasing love.
For now he would wait. A little. See how it went on Yi's side, what was his opinion. They knew nothing of each other, possibly sharing their stories could make the link stronger. All this was too sudden, too much thinking for a poor Yasuo already plagued by guilt for deserting his duty. Soon he would have to go back.
Yi came back while he was half blanking out, half dozing sitting. Exhaustion was still quite strong, soon he would just fall and pass out again. Yet the return of his soulmate woke him up a little.
« Hey. » Soft, again. Really, how could he address a specific person with that tone ? On instinct he reached for Yi, hand held out.
Taken without question. As soon it made him smile without meaning too.
« It's good, they have a bed available for me in another house. Actually, there are two beds since I suppose you wouldn't let me go so far. » It ended like a light laugh.
Indeed Yi wasn't wrong. When he mentioned a bed in another place, Yasuo felt suddenly sad at the possibility of distance between them. But since it was offered to let them rest in the same place, he wouldn't complain.
« Oh damn yes. I'm coming. »
This was a signal to leave. Actually he was quite happy to go from a room to another, even if it meant having to wander carrying his stuff in an unknown village but he would be with Yi so no problem.
The latter helped him immediately, looking for anything he risked to leave behind. Like that piece of scarf, that Yasuo noticed. Ah. Sudden sadness of an instant then he let go. Still, it picked his curiosity to see Yi keeping it.
Once they got outside to the house meant to welcome the few warriors stopping by, he instantly felt too aware of his state of clothing. Something he hadn't paid attention to before but now it came back. Obviously they had to undress him a little to access the wound but considering his base outfit, he was left with barely more than trousers and light armor.
So he was glad to be back inside, not just because he was tired. Both were to an extreme point. They barely made it to a rather small room with a few beds, put down what they were carrying and chose a bed.
Without grace Yasuo flopped in the bed he 'claimed' for himself, already feeling sleep ready to catch him as soon as he closed his eyes for too long.
Curious, he went on his side looking for Yi and indeed he had taken the nearby bed. Although he still had to take care of his own armor. Really, Yasuo forgot about it but this right then meant the latter slept with it. No wonder why it wasn't pleasant.
It took some time but Yi did it, free of the armor. Discreet show but Yasuo paid attention nonetheless, curious for anything. Maybe a little disappointed to see the latter still wore light clothing under this but again, who was he to complain ?
About to wish him goodnight or whatever good rest, Yasuo felt like it was already too late and everything turned dark, definitely too exhausted for this.
At least he knew his soulmate was close to him, in the same room.