This is the song Ashe was singing.
--
Like a magpie you are, chatty and noisy and always wanting your way, he'd griped when Ashe lectured him yet again for being reckless. Telling him to stop throwing his life away, even after risking his own to sneak through the back alleys without backup just to save him.
He'd been annoyed, but once they were out of danger and safely back within their tent, Ashe was all gentle touches and soft smiles and patching him up. Giving him his spare nightshirt and wrapping him up in a soft gray blanket, apologizing for getting so grumpy. I was worried, but that's no excuse, I know you're just trying to help your mother. I just wish there was more I could do for you so you didn't have to put yourself out there like that.
And Yuri regretted even having thought of Ashe as a noisy, selfish bird like a magpie.
Count Rowe always apologized, but it was followed by how angry Yuri made him, how ungrateful he was. I give you a warm home and all the luxury you could ask for, is it so much to ask that you give to me in return? Gwendal never apologized, only told Yuri the scoldings were for his own good. Then he'd patch him up and make tea for him and plan a trip to Gaspard while the Count was busy in a meeting the next day.
Ashe could be uptight and fussy, but he would still be there to protect Yuri and take care of him afterwards. And it was those moments with Ashe when he felt true calm and safety. Just like in the old days when he'd find excuses to go to Gaspard, or he'd spend the night in their secret hideout in the woods.
Ashe was running a comb through his hair now, being gentle even as he hit a tangle here and there, apologizing when he did.
"It doesn't hurt," Yuri said. "You're the only person besides my mother I'd ever let touch my hair, you know." Ashe knew this, but it bore repeating. Ashe's fingertips gently stroked his scalp, and Yuri sighed. "You're too good to me."
"You deserve it. I know I can be a pain sometimes, always nagging you..."
"I'm just not used to anyone besides my mother demanding I stay alive," Yuri said. "And even she gets that my line of work's dangerous."
"None of us are safe during a war, that's why I don't want you risking your life," Ashe murmured, nuzzling his shoulder. "We'll know peace when this is over, and I want you around to enjoy that peace." He finished with the comb, draped his arm over Yuri's shoulder.
Like a soft, soothing wing.
"You're my peace," Yuri whispered, leaning into him. "I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't found you again." Technically, they'd run into each other after the three leaders merged their camps, but he and Ashe were together again and that was what mattered.
Ashe didn't respond, but after a moment Yuri heard him singing softly. One of the few songs from his past that didn't trigger a fight or flight response or the image of a noble's greedy hand patting his cheek and their eyes shamelessly undressing him.
Quiet. Soothing. Yuri leaned against Ashe's chest, Ashe's arms encircled him, and the harrowing events of earlier tonight were soon on the back burner. You were never safe during a war, or living the kind of life Yuri did, but sometimes you could get lucky and have that for just a while.
Ashe was peace. Even knowing how lethal he was with that bow, even knowing how forceful he could be when it came to the hills he'd die on or when it came to wanting his loved ones to be safe, it was his kindness that drove every shot and every lecture. For Yuri, Ashe was peace and love and all the things Yuri still struggled to believe he deserved.
Ashe continued to sing, and Yuri felt his eyelids growing heavy. For now, everything was okay.
I'll always feel safe knowing you're with me, little dove.