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Rain patterns against the inn windows. Usually rain soothes her to sleep, but tonight, Ahri couldn't. The room was cold and goosebumps slid up her bare arm as she brushed it with her fingertips. But that wasn’t the problem. She slid her blanket around her shoulders, glancing at Yasuo beside her.
Even though there were two beds, for some reason he slept on the floor beside it. His head was bowed, and his breaths rhythmic, but his hold on his sword was tight, as if he was ready to unsheathe it at any moment. She wondered what he had gone through to sleep in such a way. Wandering swordsmen were all the same, no purpose and no future, simply a dull blade, abandoned by their masters. Yet he fought like he had something worth fighting for. She wondered what that was.
Ahri studied the way his brows furrowed, the tightness of his jaw, the scars that littered every part of his body. He was handsome, she could tell beneath his ragged cowl. But unlike other men, he made no advances on her. It piqued her curiosity. She wanted to know more.
The light rain turned into a downpour as she let the blanket drop from her shoulders, standing up slightly. It had been a while since Ahri had taken someone’s soul, and she was hungry. She crept up to his side, fighting an urge to kill him right there and then. Her hand brushed his cheek and he stirred slightly, but her resolve didn’t waver. Ahri felt her desire, the emptiness, and she knew she’d need to take more souls. Her tails were weakening. She needed more. She inches closer, and closer, her own body betraying her, her nails feeling sharper.
That was, until Yasuo lifted his other hand and pressed her body into his, like she was a pillow. Ahri's chin rested on his shoulder, her arms at her own sides in surprise, and she felt that desire to kill him dull a bit, simply tucking itself away at the back of her mind. His hand, calloused and rough, brushed her lower back. Even though she was the one in the warm bed, her body was cold but his was anything but that. Warmth radiated from his skin, almost burning her. It felt nice. Ahri felt herself pressing her body into his slightly, bringing her arms to hug his back, letting out a small sigh. She felt no urge to return to her bed, and simply closed her eyes and took in his scent.
He smelt like rain on the outside, but his soul was loud. She could feel the edges of it, tempting her. Ahri brushed the surface of his memories, not allowing herself any deeper. His was painful and filled with sorrow and regret. There was so much she wanted to know but so much he didn’t say. They were simply strangers, in a strange sort of friendship. She knew nothing of him, and he knew nothing of her but they had a feeling of trust.
And safety.
Ahri focused on the rising of his chest, and the feel of her hands on his back, tracing every line and contour of his muscle, as she soothed herself to sleep. She let out a longer sigh, and this time Yasuo stirred for real.
“..Ahri?” He murmured, and she almost felt ashamed, realizing how much she enjoyed his embrace, and her disappointment at the thought it could end. She closed her eyes pretending to be asleep, It didn’t work, she felt his hand slowly leave her back, missing the warmth it brought. With care and gentleness she didn’t expect from a fighter like him, he lifted her slightly out of her arms, and she could feel his eyes on her face. The absence of his warmth was like a slap to her face, the cold air burning her skin where he’d touched her. She wanted it back.
Ahri opened her eyes, which glowed slightly in the dark, her pupils yellow slits, captivating yet scary. His breath hitched, and her hold on her tensed.
“I was cold,” She said, “Could you hold me more?”
It was ironic, Yasuo was the one who initiated the embrace, yet she was the one explaining herself.
“There are blankets on the bed. You can have mine too if you want.” Yasuo replied dismissively, his voice sleepy and low. Her brows furrowed with annoyance, “It’s still cold though.”
He didn’t look convinced, so she put on her best puppy, no —fox eyes, “Please?”
When Yasuo made no move to push her away, she leaned into his body, bringing her arms to her back again. Ahri missed the warmth, letting out a small sigh at this victory.
Yasuo’s hold was tense, his arms were simply raised at her sides, barely touching her. He didn’t know whether to return the gesture or not. It was to be expected, Ahri’s eyes fluttered open. He seemed like he was lonely, she doubted she had any family or friends, let alone a lover. Lover. The word is not foreign to her, she’s had plenty, way too many to count. And yet, none of her lovers had the same bond she did with Yasuo. She wondered if that made him her lover, or more.
“Hold me,” Ahri whispers in his ear, and she can feel his shoulders tense, but he does so, gingerly placing his hands on her back. They are so close she is practically in his lap. Their relationship has crossed the line of simply bodyguard to client. Yasuo holds her like she could break in his arms. His uncertainty seeping through his hands. It’s cute. She breathes in, smiling to herself, his body relaxes, and soon she falls asleep in his arms.
When Ahri awoke, she is in her bed again, and Yasuo is gone. She dressed herself quickly, getting ready for the day. She walked downstairs to see he is waiting for her at the door. A breath falls from her lips at the sight of him. As Ahri walked up to him, he avoided her eyes, awkwardly staring at the floor.
“Let's go,” She nods, following his pace. No one mentions that night, they simply walk, enjoying each other's company but keeping a distance. By now the awkwardness had faded, and he acts like nothing ever happened.
When the sun sets and night overtakes the sky once again, they head to another inn. As per usual, one room, two beds. He turns the other way as Ahri changes into her under clothes, yet Yasuo remains in the same clothes. Sitting at the side of his bed, while she lies in hers, enveloped by blankets. This time, he doesn’t sleep, and she can tell something’s on his mind.
“Can’t sleep?” His head raises to her eyes, “Want me to hug you again?”
She sat up, holding out her arms, playfully. Even in the darkness, she can see the blush on his cheeks, dimly illuminated by the windows with no curtains. Yasuo doesn’t find it funny, but she laughs openly, “Just joking.”
Ahri settled down, continuing, “But the offer’s still open, if you'd like.”
Yasuo's face reddened even further, he was easy to fluster, and for a moment she thought he might actually take her up on that offer.
“I'm fine. Get some rest, the journey tomorrow is long.” She pouted in disappointment, but turned to the other side, rested her head on the pillow and tried to sleep. It came too quickly and easily to her to be good.
His face haunted her dreams, dead in her arms because of Ahri's doing. It replayed in her mind over and over, killing him, taking his soul, his memories, his being, reducing him to nothing but a shell of a man, an empty void. Ahri had done it so many times before with no remorse, but his lifeless face brought tears falling in shaky whimpers. It’s not real it’s not real it’s not real it’s
“Ahri!” Her hands were clenched above her head in a defensive state, nails digging into her palms. Yasuo held her shoulder, concern shown on his face. She sat up, brushing his arm away, and held her knees, trying to breathe. He sat on the side of her bed, saying nothing as he watched her tears fall. Instead, he brought his arms around to hold her tightly as sobs shook through her body. Ahri’s nails dug into his shoulder, burying her face into it as she cried silently. He said nothing, rubbing her back.
When Ahri calmed down and there are no more tears left to cry, he makes no move to leave her side. The sky is beginning to lighten, rays of light peeking through the windows.
“Stay,” She says, her voice hoarse and raw from crying, “Please.”
Yasuo nods, and true to his word, he held her through the night, even as she woke up. With a pang of guilt, she realised he hadn't slept. Still, he greets her in the morning with no annoyance or hate lined in his voice.
“Sorry about last night,” Ahri whispers, but he doesn’t hold her at fault in any way.
“Don't be,” He said, and with a moment, he added, "I get them too.”
Ahri mumbles a quiet thanks, so quiet she's sure he wouldn't hear. Then they leave for the next day, ready to pretend nothing ever happened.
Holding each other through the night became a habit after that. Night after night, they lay in each other's arms. Living for centuries gave her a lot of stories to tell, so he’d stay up all night listening.There was one story Ahri kept to herself, and he didn't pry. Sometimes they'd had nightmares. Wordlessly they would offer comfort, not pressing for details.They both had secrets, neither was willing to tell. Then the morning would come and it was like nothing had ever happened.
It’s been so long since Ahri had been close to a human like this. She knows it isn’t right, she knows she can’t control herself. So as the sun sets and they head to an inn again, Ahri notes that this is their last night together. She watches Yasuo, waiting for his breathing to fall into that steady pattern that told her he was asleep, so she could sneak out the door, and they could be strangers again. The travel to Bilgewater was long, too long for comfort.
Awake at night, she held her knees and rested her head against them, watching him. A part of her wanted him to never fall asleep, a part of her wanted to kill him right now. A run in with bandits gave her the soul essence she needed, and her tails sat at her sides, fluffy and healthy again, but it wasn’t their memories she wanted. There was no need to kill them, she remembers.
Yasuo simply knocked them out, turning to leave their bodies on the floor.
“What, so you’re going to leave them there?” He looked back at her in confusion, mistaking her question for mercy, “We should end their lives.”
Yasuo, however shook his head, "There’s no need to bring attention to ourselves like that, they won’t bother us again.”
Ahri frowned, kicking a limp hand away from her foot, walking over their bodies. She left them a passing glance, craving their souls but scared of what he would think.
“Wait,” She says, soft as a whisper, “Let me take their things, at least.”
Their memories were sad, as usual. Stealing to provide for their families. She almost felt pitiful for the wives and children they’d leave behind. Yasuo was a few steps in front of her, close enough that she’d catch up easily, far enough that he couldn’t see what she was doing. Ahri couldn’t tell if he was naive or simply trusted her that much. His trust annoys her. With a sigh, she lets their memories go, even though she aches for them. She kills just one of them. It isn't enough to satisfy her, but it's enough to keep her going.
Before she can change her mind, and kill the rest she ran to catch up with Yasuo, who didn’t even seem to notice she left.
“I killed them.” Ahri said, with a smile, waiting for his reaction. Would he be disgusted? Would he call her a monster? This is who she is, and he needed to learn that now before he had to learn the hard way. But in her disappointment, he didn’t even seem to care.
“What?” Her smile fades. Why can’t you just give me a reason to leave you? “Don’t you care?”
“I’ve killed far too many to judge.” Yasuo said.
Ahri thinks over the moment, wondering if she should have just killed them all after all. Curse Yasuo. Why now was she suddenly feeling empathy for humans? Once she was sure he was asleep, Ahri rose out of bed, dressing herself and gathering her things. She left a few coins for him, and a note. Turning her back to leave without even a glance before he murmurs her name.
Ahri stood at the window, frozen. Her plan had failed. She turned quickly, thinking of an excuse only to find that he was still asleep. His hand lay at his side, not on his sword. How easy would it be to kill him right now? She sat in front of Yasuo, so close to his face she could feel his warmth again. One hand of hers took his, the other resting on his cheek, as she leaned into his lips. If he was dreaming about her, she’d better make it a good dream. She closes her eyes and enjoys the moment. Yasuo doesn’t stir, even as she leaves his lips and rises to leave.
“Thank you for everything,” Ahri says to no one, as she slips through the window and into the night once more.
Moments after she left, Yasuo opens his eyes, bringing a hand up to his lips, wondering what it meant.