"Don't you ever get tired of risking your neck for my sake?"

He's not even hurt that badly, it's just a scratch because this time the guys after Yuri were more prepared. While Ashe hasn't obtained the same noteriety as His Majesty for walking into what Yuri dubs "Crime Alley" to lift wagons for old ladies, many of Yuri's rivals and fellow "businessmen" know that someone trails the Savage Mockingbird and fires arrows at anyone who tries to harm him.

This guy had a Levin Sword, and a bolt of lightning had hit Ashe's arm. Yuri insisted on patching him up himself, because he feels guilty even if he'd never admit it.

"Not really," Ashe says as Yuri peels back his sleeve and rubs some salve onto the burn. He doesn't even wince, it's the same salve Lonato used to give him for cuts and bruises. "It's no worse than some of the injuries I got training with the knights."

"Oh." Yuri goes silent as he keeps working, his expression growing more somber. "There," he says, tying off the bandage, "that should hold it."

"Thanks."

"You'd better go see His Majesty, let him know you'll be out of commission for a couple days," Yuri says, and Ashe shakes his head. This isn't the first time they've had this talk.

"He and the others know I've been looking out for you," he says, "and they understand."

"You're a knight," Yuri says slowly. "You're supposed to be protecting the King first and foremost, then your fellow knights, then the people, then the Church, and if there's time then maybe those Alliance guys." He looks down. "You're a busy guy, Ashe, you don't have time to waste protecting scum like me."

For all his bluster, all his angry declarations of pride in breaking the law and stealing and swindling, Yuri can be incredibly insecure. Why should a proper knight waste his time hanging around a guy like me? Go, sit with your highborn friends, enjoy being cream of the crop, pretend I'n not here. Even when they were kids, Yuri asked why the son of a nice guy like Lonato was bothering with some runaway from House Rowe.

Yuri always says someday he'll explain everything, but Ashe doesn't care whether he does, he only knows Yuri is an important person and he wants to protect him even if it means getting the occasional burn or bruise or scratch.

"I decide what I have time for," he says firmly, cupping Yuri's chin; Yuri just barely raises his eyes, arms folded over his chest. "And protecting you will always be one of my top priorities. Even if they didn't understand, I'd still follow you and I'd still take care of anyone who tried to hurt you."

Yuri slowly looks up, genuine disbelief and uncertainty on his face.

"You hate what I do. You're always trying to make me stop."

"That doesn't mean I want you to die." Ashe wraps his good arm around Yuri and tugs him close, Yuri going tense for a moment before leaning into him. "You risk your life protecting the people you care about, but who protected you, Yuri?" Yuri's teeth worry at his upper lip, his eyes shifting to the side before looking back down at Ashe.

"Who'd want to protect the Savage Mockingbird? I was doing fine by myself."

"Even if you were, I do this because I want to. I chose this role of my own accord," Ashe says. "You're worth it. Even if it means I might get a little banged up in the process." Yuri makes a grouchy face at him, even as he leans closer.

"No fair taking my words and using them against me."

"I mean them." Ashe brushes a kiss to his cheek, because he can't quite reach the top of his head like this. Yuri's only about an inch taller than him, but still. "Anytime you're in trouble, I'll be there with that arrow and those ruffians won't know what hit them." Or they will, but they'll be too injured or dead to do anything about it. Yuri sighs, smiling just a little.

"Just promise you'll bring a Hexlock Shield with you next time, okay?" Ashe laughs.

"It's a deal."