The moment Yuri’s hand met Leif’s skin, they simultaneously felt like they’d been drifting alone and suddenly were moored together. For Yuri, he thought this moment must be to their lives what the big bang was for the universe. He leaned forward, his lips close enough to Leif’s ear he could almost taste him.
“We should leave. Fight another day,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.
The comforting warmth that Leif started to feel when Yuri showed up threatened to swallow him whole now. The loss of blood, the adrenaline dump, and everything that had happened up to now had Leif at the end of his tether. He tried to take a step forward, but he stumbled into Yuri’s arms. Once Yuri was supporting his weight, he slumped into unconsciousness. Yuri was surprised. Leif was so clearly capable and
