For this kiss prompt, I’d love to see 50 and/or 52 for Yuri/Ashe if you’re up for it! I just discovered your blog pretty recently and I’m loving all your fics ❤️
(I saw you making your way through them! glad you like my work so much! made Yuri NB here because I’m powerful like that)
War had a way of making one think they were short on time. Everything from training and planning to cooking and cleaning felt like it had to be done as fast as possible. Because what if you didn’t have time later? What if something happened to you? Your business-- whether it be a dirty dish or an untold secret-- could go unfinished.
And unfinished business was one of the main reasons ghosts existed.
It was this reasoning that finally persuaded Ashe to venture down into Abyss with a single goal in mind.
He had intend to march directly to Yuri’s room but it turned out that wasn’t necessary. Yuri and Hapi were conversing right by the entrance.
“Just for a few hours, alright?” Yuri was saying.
Hapi nodded. “Sure thing, Yuri-bird. You deserve it.”
“Heh. I don’t know if that’s true.”
“You’ve been running yourself ragged since Chatterbox came back. I’ll keep everyone at bay while you do your thing.”
Ashe stopped in the hallway. Was Yuri overworking themselves? Maybe this wasn’t a good time...
Before he could finish that thought, Hapi waved to him over Yuri’s shoulder. Yuri turned with a fleeting look of surprise. “Hey!” Ashe called, stepping into the light. “Sorry to eavesdrop. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Good timing, friend. I was just coming to find you.” Yuri’s face softened into a small smile.
Ashe, flustered, found himself smiling back. “Did you need help with something?”
“Hey, Yuri! I’ve got something to report!”
The smile fell from Yuri’s face as the Abysskeeper approached. Hapi stepped between him and Yuri and said, with her usual tact, “Yuri isn’t here right now, can I take a message?”
The Abysskeeper scowled. “I can see them right behind you.”
“That’s stupid, Yuri isn’t even around today. What did you need to report?”
“I’m supposed to give Yuri my reports.”
“Yeah, well, you tell me and, if it’s important, I’ll tell them.”
It was then Ashe caught the shooing motion Hapi was making behind her back. He bit back a laugh and took Yuri’s hand as the Abysskeeper rolled his eyes. “Come on,” Ashe whispered.
Yuri looked equally amused but let Ashe pull them into the Shadow library. If Yuri truly needed time to get away from work for a while, there was no place more secluded than the lower levels of the library. The broken staircases and unlit sconces meant only those desperate to read every book available bothered to explore beyond the main floor.
It wasn’t long before they were far enough down that they could no longer hear Hapi or the Keeper. The farther they went, the darker it became. Ashe’s satisfaction at being able to help Yuri get away was slowly being eclipsed by anxiety. How long had it been since anyone was down this far? It was too dark to know to certain if they were truly alone or not.
A hand slipped into his and Ashe forgot his fear in favor of reveling in Yuri’s touch. “Thanks,” Yuri said. “You’re good at reading people, you know that?”
“I have a knack for knowing when someone needs help,” Ashe said brightly. “From what you and Hapi said, I got the feeling you needed alone time. I was surprised when you said you were coming to find me.”
“Hm. Being with you is a bit like being alone.”
He heard Yuri chuckle. Ashe was less afraid of the gloom now and more frustrated by it-- he wanted to see Yuri smile again. Even before the war, a genuine smile from Yuri was rare. The two spent a good deal of time together and Ashe liked seeing those smiles most of all. Being on the receiving end was a gift that made his heart skip a beat.
“I mean that in a good way,” Yuri clarified. “I never have to perform around you. I don’t have to watch my words or wonder if you’re trying to get something from me.” Yuri laced their fingers through Ashe’s. “Even just being near you feels nice.”
It was no wonder Yuri wanted a break if that’s how they felt around everyone else; like they had to be Lord of the Underground all the time. “I’m glad to hear it.” Ashe felt his face heat up. “It feels nice being near you too.”
Yuri stopped walking. Ashe stopped too, unwilling to let go of their hand. “Ashe?”
Ashe smiled, even if Yuri couldn’t see it. “I care about you too! It’s nice to have another commoner friend who grew up int he Kingdom. Not many people understand--”
“No, I mean, I care about you, Ashe.” Yuri’s voice had grown quiet. Stiffer. Ashe felt them move closer. “That’s what I was coming to tell you. You matter to me. A lot, in fact. Maybe too much.”
Ashe’s mouth had gone dry. He should probably say something to all this but his mind was blank.
Yuri went on. “This war is heating up. Things are getting serious. I didn’t like the idea of getting killed before I could make myself clear, so I was just on my way to find you.” They snorted. “Guess the Goddess agreed I’d waited long enough, since you showed up right then.”
And still Ashe had nothing to say. He was flattered and shocked and overjoyed and relieved and in disbelief and so many other emotions-- there was no way to convey them all.
“Heh. If I went overboard you can say so. Or I can walk away and you can pretend this didn’t happen. I’ve said my piece either way.” Yuri’s hand fell from Ashe’s
Panic took over. If Yuri moved away now, they’d be lost to Ashe in more ways than one.
Before Yuri could get far, Ashe lunged forward to grasp them. His hands closed over Yuri’s shirt and he felt Yuri go still.
Feeling his way blindly, Ashe ran his fingers up Yuri’s front until he felt skin. Further up, he touched softer skin, slightly moist. Skin that parted as Ashe’s finger’s lingered. That was it.
Ashe leaned over and kissed that spot. In contract to his explorations, Yuri’s hands found his shoulders immediately and their fingers dug in as the kiss went on. Ashe moved his hands out of the way and cupped Yuri’s face instead.
With a more secure hold on Yuri, Ashe felt more comfortable pulling back ever so slightly. “Me too.” He murmured against Yuri’s lips. “I wanted to tell you-- I care about you too. I care a lot. I--”
He was tripping over his words and his face was burning and he could feel Yuri’s lips form a smile. So Ashe pressed in again. There could be more words later. Preferably in a bright, though still hidden, place. For now, he was content to memorize the taste Yuri in the darkness.
