It won't stop…

Cheeks still damp with tears, Yasuo made his way between hills and valleys. What a horrible feeling, as if his chest was empty. He didn't even mean to cry, this felt like a bodily reflex to such separation. Pain was merciless.

Yet he went on, one step after the other, until distance was put between him and Yi. If the first time they had been separated left a rather bitter taste, now it was truly awful. Because he knew he wouldn't see him for a while. They had no idea how long this would take, what was going to happen. Or if Yi would make it out alive, as simply as that. Yasuo hated that thought, he kicked it down for good but it still hurt to imagine. He wouldn't be here to look after the latter – even though it was more the opposite most of times – he couldn't guaranty his safety.

Take care of you, darling. Not even doubting his soulmate, far from it. Yasuo knew too well that the latter could survive without problem. He had the skill, the speed and most of all the good sense not to run into the noxian lines. Unless there was a serious matter, Yi wouldn't fail. He trusted him not to.

Then why feel that much ? This question wasn't really fair. They were soulmates, barely found and already struggling with the fear of loss. It could be so cruel to be separated by early death.

Since tears didn't stop pouring, as faint as it was, Yasuo wondered silently. Was their bond complete ? Was this short time enough to make their link last ? Separation was meant to hurt but this was really too much, barely one hour after. How would it go after a day, a week, a month ? He hated to imagine that, this wasn't going to be fun. Wiping his face clean, Yasuo carried on, back to the fights.

By now he was a bit far of the actual battlefield. Sun almost up, shyly hiding behind low clouds on the horizon. Muffled, just like Yasuo's mood in this sad morning. Could sadness have such physical impact ? Before he would have greatly doubted it but now it was different. Each step separated them, without hope to meet soon.

No way he would arrive so fast to the village. Yasuo had traveled so much from his homeland, surely he wouldn't make it this day.

First night alone. Oh it made him feel like shit. No soulmate to hold in his arms, no gentle words to soothe his worries. No Yi. Only the wind by his side and the solitude it carried. If only time could pass in a second, to be able to find him again.

Several times Yasuo came to a stop, turning to look behind at the afar. It hurt so much. Their link made him face the 'right' direction on instinct, at least he still felt connected to him in some way. Crazy ideas came up but he couldn't give into that. To run back to Yi sounded so sweet but he would still have to go away at a moment. No way to dodge this pain, it was part of his responsibility for deserting.

Sometimes it felt like they both looked after each other, even with such distance. Merely a gaze in that specific direction then a warm feeling bloomed in his chest. Maybe he was already going mad, maybe this was a soulmate thing, maybe just his imagination. In any case Yasuo clung to these small details.

Otherwise, he felt sadness. Not just his. Just like the time they were so angry at each other for leaving him behind, now he felt faint sadness that seemed to come from the other side of the link. He would have felt comforted if it didn't mean that Yi was equally sad.

To be missed was such a gentle feeling but not worth inflicting this to his soulmate. It will be alright. Maybe if he focused on positive things it would be better. He just had to be patient, though he wasn't known for that quality.

Yasuo wasn't wrong, he barely reached more familiar land once night was falling. This meant he would have to sleep outside before resuming the walk next day.

Sighing in defeat, he found himself a quiet spot under a tree, well hidden just in case. The only surprise would be to meet any kind of animal but this was still better than finding some lost noxian soldier. In theory there weren't any in this region, prefering to attack another place.

So went his first evening alone since he returned to Yi after their rest at the village. Incredibly lonely. All he could do was wishing for quick sleep, like a prisoner hoping for a quick death. It would cut directly his longing for a time. Sadly it never really went as he wanted.

In the darkest hours, leaning against the tree, he thought about his love.

Both awake, lonely, longing. I need a kiss…

All seemed dull, awful. Why did he have to leave ? He was so happy with Yi. All this thinking could get a bit depressing, maybe the result of so much distance between them. Like homesick but instead his heart ached from being far of his beloved.

This was the ultimate test to his dedication. Duty had to be carried on, no matter how hard it was on both of them. In this moment, when everything seemed bad because of the absence of his love, he had to stay strong. It would eventually get better.

The mark tingled lightly. To reach for it was always a bit difficult without taking off this armor part. Yasuo still did it, to remind himself this wouldn't last too long. It still helped, even so slightly. Maybe worth a smile but it soothed his increasing sadness.

How was he going to survive months without Yi ? He started to think about it seriously. It stung and stung, never letting go.

Just the time to realize his vision got a bit blurry, eyes filled with tears. Again ? He wasn't a kid anymore yet this still happened. Small tears that fell shyly before it became too much. How could he get so emotional over this ? Not that he didn't miss Yi but was it so necessary ? Too sensitive, maybe because of distance.

Quiet sobs in that otherwise silent night. Barely a breeze to rustle the leaves nearby. If it went on like this, hopefully he wouldn't have anything to cry next day.

Come on. Do it for him.