Chapter Text
Flins gazes upon the graveyard he calls his home. Everything is peaceful as it can be- the ghosts flickering in and out of view from their usual spots. Something tells Flins though that this peace might not last soon, something is about to happen that will change his and the ghosts lives here in the cemetery.
'Lives' is ironic considering, well, the ghosts are dead and technically he was in a deep sleep before he was awakened.
He turns his gaze towards the direction of the Piramida, his face turning into a frown.
It has been too quiet lately.
It's as if his life has turned back before he met Varka. By that he means the only visitors he get are Nikita, Illuga, and occasionally the other ratniks. And he only leaves his lighthouse to patrol and eliminate the Wild Hunt once again.
He suppose, that once Varka goes back to Mondstadt, once his life is over as a mortal, Flins' life would go back to as it is right now.
It seems like Flins finds himself in the same dilemma all those months ago: missing someone. And torturing himself thinking about the future without Varka.
That's what is bothering Flins.
In the year and a half he met Varka, the man has wormed his way into his heart and life. There's not a week that goes by without the Knight inviting him for a night, or a few nights, to Nasha Town or to Favonious Keep just drinking and merrying away with the other Knights or Ratniks. Occasionally, he also managed to cajole Illuga to join them. There are also days when Varka simply visits him at the lighthouse, just the two of them and the ghosts together. At times, Varka accompanies him to his patrols, or help him to immediately respond when the Wild Hunt suddenly appeared somewhere unexpectedly. He's so used to Varka's presence that it's throwing him off- kilter now that the man has not made his presence known to him for weeks.
Normally, when Varka is about to travel again or be busy, he'll either send a letter to Flins or personally tell him about it. But now, there was none of those. He even asked Illuga if he knew something but the young master have no idea either where the man went. He's not somewhere dangerous as far as Flins can tell, that's what the group of knights who passed by last week told him anyway, but they were also clueless to where is their Grandmaster.
Just where is the man who stole his heart could be?
He very much feels like a flower who craves the sun.
Shaking his head, Flins feel ridiculous. He is a hundred years old fae, he should be able to handle his feelings better than this. He might as well head to town to get his lamp fixed again and clear his head.
And so, the fae turned into flames and blended in with the surroundings to reach his destination.
Flins is having trouble, the usual merchant he commisions to fix his lamp apparently went to Natlan. Flins can be very picky about who will handle his lamp, but this time he has no choice but to make do with someone else. He tried to ask the forger but she's already swamped with other projects and Flins feel bad to add another to her list.
He spotted Aino, the genius kid whom Varka cherishes too, and he considers asking her. However, the kid was currently & tearfully saying goodbye to her beloved robot family. It seems Miss Ineffa-if he remembers correctly- is also heading towards Natlan. It seems like a bad time. Moreover, he doesn't have Varka with him. Flins love children but they can be too wary whenever he approaches them; a problem that he never experience when Varka is with him. The kids instinctively trust the big bright man.
"Ineffa," Aino sniffles, "don't forget about Uncle Varka's letter too, okay?"
Flins, who was about to walk away, paused upon hearing the name.
"Yes, I won't. Are you sure--?"
"Enough! Aino will be fine!"
"If you ever need help or in trouble, remember to go to Grandmaster Varka immediately, okay?"
"You said that five times already! I know, okay?Uncle Varka promised that he'll take care of me!"
"Remember to-"
"Ineffaaaa, board the ship already! That way *sniffs* you can come back home to me quickly."
Flins walks away then, having determined that Varka seems to be in Nod Krai. Where could he possibly be though? He heads toward The Flagship to try his luck.
Who will he find first: Varka or someone who can fix his lamp?
It turns out he'll find neither.
Flins stood under the awning of a nearby establishment that was quite hidden from view, staring blankly into space. First, he's been missing his dearest knight. Second, his lamp is broken. And third, he cannot find his dearest knight nor someone to fix his lamp. It is quite understandable that the fae is actually feeling quite dejected.
He suppose, all he could do now, is to go back to his lighthouse and try to find someone who can help him in Piramida tomorrow.
Flins closes his eyes and took a deep breath to stabilize his mood.
A shining blue gem inlaid in a golden casing and decorated with swirling gold patterns mimicking the wind greeted him as soon as he open his eyes.
Flins' eyes sparkled at the sight, his irises growing bigger and circular like a cat that just saw something it likes... And this gem, it is something that the fae likes very, very much.
Starting from the casing that compliments the gem and is artfully holding it in, Flins love how beautiful the wind shaped patterns are done. The gem's beautiful shine and the way it catches the light... Breathtaking! And the shade! Oh, the shade! The color! It is exactly what Flins has been looking for and wanting for a long time now!!! It is simply too perfect!!!
Flins slowly reaches out a hand to grasp the gem, 'The exact shade of Varka's eyes...'
Only once he was near enough, the palm holding the gem closed its fingers around it.
My gem!!!
My precious!!!
The fae's face was quickly & completely devoid of emotion in a split second and he slowly lift his eyes to look up at the owner of the hand.
Well what do you know, it's the man he has been missing all this time.
Flins stared impassively at the knight for a moment, before turning his face away, then his body followed next, and then he crosses his arms for good measure.
He is simply the perfect picture of an upset grown-up man.
No, I am not talking to you. First, you disappear without a word. Then you appear again, tempting me with a gem I so desired, and then not giving it to me??? A sin. Unforgivable.
Varka can't see his face right now, but he has a feeling that the ratnik is pouting right now. Well, pouting as much as his dignity allows him. The knight rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, thinking hard how he shall approach his dearest.
'It seems like he's still mad at me,' Varka thought wryly and sadly. He took a golden chain out of his breast pocket and easily attached it to the gem in his hand. Slowly, he approached Flins.
The fae is stubbornly still not looking at him, which suits Varka's plan perfectly, but he knows the man can feel him approaching from behind.
"Flins."
The fae tried his hardest not to shiver when the grandmaster's deep voice whispers his name so deliciously in his ear.
'No, I will not give in. I am mad. This idiot. This hulking idiot wolf.'
Flins felt Varka's arms moving up and around him. 'Is he planning to hug me?'
But in the next second, Flins felt something light, yet also heavy wrapping around his neck. He glances down and saw the blue gem earlier is now hanging off a golden chain. Flins uncrossed his arms and touched the gem. 'It's a necklace? Heavy too. This must have cost a fortune.'
He stares at the gem, and feels that the more he looks at it, the more he loves it. It really has Varka's eye color.
Varka gently lifted Flins' hair up to free it from the necklace once he finished locking the chain properly. He looks down at the smaller man to gauge his reaction. The Grandmaster can see that his dearest loves his gift, but he is still not acknowledging his presence.
He clears his throat awkwardly, "Umm, I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I didn't know my actions would hurt you. I was careless and an idiot. I promise not to do it again."
Flins gave the other man a sideway glance, "You disappeared without a word."
Varka lets out an embarrassed laugh, "I'm sorry about that too. I want to surprise you. The day after you suddenly left me, I boarded a ship to Fontaine to find you a gift. You said you want a gem with my eye color so I tried my luck there. It took me some time to find it, but I guess I succeeded, no? It has the same color of my eyes and I can see that you love it, ahahahaha..."
Flins ponders upon the knight's words. Something about him being upset and suddenly leaving Varka, causing the Grandmaster to think that he is upset with him which led to him leaving Nod Krai without a word for weeks to find him a gift that he wants...
The ratnik's eyes widen a bit when he suddenly remembered what Varka is referring to. Unbeknownst to him, the flames in his lamp turned pink once again as he remembered the feeling of jealousy.
Jealous, he was so jealous!!!
Varka raises an eyebrow as he saw the flames turned pink but made no comment on it. He has seen this pink flames before- multiple times in fact- but he isn't quite sure yet if Flins' would appreciate it if he points it out. Afterall, Flins obviously take pains to hide it whenever it happens. Curiously, it only happens too when he and Flins are alone (or so he thinks).
That aforementioned day, Flins has just cleared the Wild Hunt that suddenly appeared. Curiously, after the battle is done, he found a beautiful and shiny piece of gem glinting in the moonlight. Flins' was instantly captivated. He didn't think twice before picking it up and putting it inside his lamp. When he looks up, he found that the night has arrived.
"Hmm, Varka must be in the Flagship right now, if I remember correctly." He has decided then, that he'll go to town to drink with his beloved knight and celebrate his new found gem. He plans to show it off to Varka too.
When he arrived, the Flagship is exceptionally lively already. He spotted Varka easily and made his way towards the man.
"Varka."
The man turned upon hearing his name, and when he saw the ratnik, his lips broke into a big, sweet smile. "Flins! Come, drink with us."
It was only then that he saw who Varka is drinking with.
"Miss Elsa, Miss Anna. What a surprise, it is lovely seeing you both. How do you fare these days?"
"Teacher!" They chorused.
"Oh, they are your students?" Seamus, the Seneschal of the Church of Favonius, asked. He was sitting besides the two girls.
"No wonder they were an excellent help earlier, they have an exceptional teacher." Frederica said as she stood up from her place beside Varka and went to sit down on the other side of the Seneschal. She made a gesture of offering her previous seat to Flins.
Flins gave her a small bow and his thanks. He naturally wouldn't decline the chance to sit beside his beloved- even though the man is so oblivious to his feelings. Varka gave him a bright smile before getting up, saying he'll grab a drink for Flins himself.
"You flatter me, Madam Frederica. But I must know what do you mean by 'help' earlier?"
"We responded to a Wild Hunt outbreak earlier," the knight replied. "When we arrived, a group of ratniks are already engaged in battle. So, we just joined the fight. These two students of yours hold up on their own pretty well. Elsa even managed to defeat a Wilderness Hunter on her own."
"Elsa is a great warrior," Varka adds as he slides back down to his seat and hands Flins a mug of wine. "I saw you execute one of the moves I taught you too, well done! You too, Anna, you're getting quicker on your feet."
Elsa is blushing, "It's all thanks to your guidance, both of you. I am grateful for all your teachings."
Anna nods her head in agreement, "I am thankful too! But honestly, after this one, I think I'll listen to Teacher Flins and stay behind the frontlines. I'll do my best to support all of you from the back!"
Flins smiles softly, "I'm sure you'll shine wherever you chose to go, Anna."
"Thank you teacher!"
The fae took a sip from his mug, and was surprised when a familiar yet also unfamiliar taste hit his taste buds. He looked at Varka who was already staring intensely at him.
"What do you think? It's a new brew Master Diluc is preparing for this year's Windblume Festival. He sent us a sample so we can give our opinions about it, but also I think he just wants us to have to have the first taste."
"It's delicious," the fae answered honestly. "It taste perfect already, I do not think he needs to adjust the formula anymore."
And since Varka is still staring at him, he decided why not tease the man a little? Flins deliberately used his tongue to slowly wipe the stains off his lips, "Hmm, perfect."
Flins saw how Varka's eyes darken and how the knight swallowed hard. Flins cheered internally at the small victory. He looks up at the Grandmaster through his lashes, "I would like to have a second. Do we have more of this?"
Varka reaches for his mug and Flins readily hands it over, "Of course, we still have a full crate. I'll ask Demyan for a refill."
As soon as Varka is gone, Seamus coughed and asked his ex-wife, "Am I misinterpreting it wrong or was Sir Flins giving our Grandmaster bedroom eyes?"
Elsa and Anna coughed politely at the side and the ratnik in question pretended not to have heard them. Frederica shook her head in exasperation, "Sir Flins, how's your day?"
"Frederica that's a boring question. We have wonderful drinks right now, we should ask something to liven up the party!" The Seneschal looked at Flins right in the eye. "Sir Flins, forgive me if I am overstepping, but please indulge me right now. I heard you slept together with Grandmaster Varka in his tent three nights ago~ soooo have both of you taken that next step?"
The three girls around the Seneschal looked scandalized and Frederica looks like she wants to hit the man on the head.
Flins smiled lightly, "It's true, I slept with him that night."
The girls gasped.
"AHA! I KNEW--"
"However," Flins continued. "Nothing happened. We shared a bed to sleep, that was all. He actually wanted to sleep on the floor so I can have the bed, it took me a long time to convince him to sleep with me. We did wake up in each other's arms so I guess, that's is one step forward."
Seamus let out a disappointed groan, "Aww men, looks like I lost the bet. We thought for sure you'll be together now."
"Wait," Anna says. "You're not together yet?!"
"No," Flins answered amusedly. "Let me get some things straight: first, there's an ongoing bet in the Knight of Favonious about if we slept together, and second, you thought that we're together already?"
"Yes!" Seamus and Anna exclaimed together. Even Elsa nodded her head at the side.
"Sir Flins, we call you the "Grandmaster's Wife" already at the camp."
"Teacher, we also thought you're in a relationship already since the first time we saw you together. Some of us, err, were in denial. Though I guess they were the right ones after all."
Flins is having fun listening to them, but at the same time it makes his heart warm to hear that the people around them are supportive of their relationship. He already likes the sound of being addressed as the grandmaster's wife. It sounds so pleasing to his ears. Like he really belongs to Varka.
"You guys underestimate how much Varka can hold himself back when it comes to Sir Flins," Frederica says.
"Well why is he holding back!?" Seamus says.
'A good question!' Flins thought.
"Sir Flins is an enchanting man, with an equally enchanting face. I'm sure there's a lot of people trying to win your heart, no? Like that man sitting to our right, he keeps stealing glances at you, Sir Flins. I bet he's gonna ask you out soon--"
"Who will ask Flins out?" Varka interrupts as he comes back with a tray full of drinks and food. Seamus only laughs awkwardly, not daring to answer. He recognizes the look on Varka's eyes, he might be smiling but his gaze is sharp enough to cut.
"Sir Seamus is only jesting." Flins replied. "No man will be asking me out tonight." Unless it's you of course.
Varka only hmms as he once again slides back to his seat. Intentionally or not, the huge man has draped his arm across the back of Flins's seat. The fae easily took this opportunity to scoot closer to the man and lean slightly towards him.
Varka locked eyes with the man whom Seamus was refusing to point out, and with one meaningful look from him, the man looked away and then hurriedly left the bar. Satisfied, Varka focuses back on the conversation around him.
"I must say, this wine is truly delicious," Flins says. He has already downed 3 mugs of the wine. "It's deceptively light and soft, but I can tell it has high alcohol content."
"Aye, one of the things I miss about Mondstadt is that I can drink different kinds of wine all day long~"
"Which is unbecoming of a Seneschal," Frederica mutters as she stares darkly at the man. Seamus only shrugs and stares back at her, raising an eyebrow as he empties another cup.
"Grandmaster Varka, you're here!" A chirpy voice from behind them exclaims. Anna immediately cursed under her breath and Elsa elbowed her sister as a reminder to mind her manners, but even she doesn't look too pleased.
"OHHH, Anna, Elsa, and Teacher Flins is here too. Good evening. Good evening to you too, Miss Frederica, Sir Seamus. And to you too Grand~ master ~ Varka~"
Flins looks at the new comer and his mood drops. It's another familiar face, another one of his students. 'Karen, the girl who keeps flirting with what is mine,' Flins thought dourly.
Ever since she met Varka, this girl has been flirting with the man nonstop. Not that it's working of course, Varka can be and is oblivious at times. But it's annoying to have Varka's attention, which should have solely belong to Flins, divided. Nobody has the heart to tell Varka that he's unintentionally entertaining her, because the man genuinely thinks that the girl is just eager to learn and he's treating her like a real student of his.
"Karen, it's nice to see you again." Flins greet with a small smile. "Though I can't say I'm not surprised to see you here."
Anna nearly chokes on her drink- instantly getting the annoyed undertone in her teacher's voice- and Elsa pats her sister's back. She too, is looking at Karen with an unimpressed and unsurprised look. Logically, the three girls are in a same team; so, if the two girls are here, then the other one shouldn't be too far. However, Karen just tends to show up wherever Varka is, team or no. She can even manage to go to Favonious Keep, using patrol as an excuse, to meet with Varka.
"Have you finished sending your reports to the Headquarters?" Varka asks her kindly. He is totally unaware that the man beside him is already burning with jealousy.
Small, pink flames flickers along Flins' body and he quickly cast a concealment spell. Nobody but him would be able to see the flames around him.
"Yes! Can I join you guys? Can I sit beside you Grandmaster~? I have lots of story to tell since we last met each other!"
"You are welcome to join us of course, but," Varka looks around at their current seating arrangement. The small sofa that he and Flins are seating on can only fit two people, and the chair across from them is obviously full already. "Wait here a bit, I'll get a chair for you."
The knight pats the ratnik leaning on him on the shoulder, indicating wordlessly that he's about to get up. The ratnik hesitated a bit, he was already comfortably tucked against the larger man with his arm around him. Alas, he shall has to adjust.
"Teacher Flins, excuse me can we switch seats please? You can seat on the chair that the Grandmaster will get for me, or you can get one for yourself."
Alas, maybe he shall not adjust.
Both sisters' eyes widen, simultaneously thinking, 'The audacity!' While the ex- spouses were merely enjoying the show before them.
"Very well, I see no problem with that." Flins agrees and stands up before Varka could say anything. "I'll go grab a seat."
"Flins, no need. I'll gr-"
"Sir Varka, can you please move to the side."
"Flins-"
"Now, please." The fae said sweetly.
The Knight is confused but he did as requested. The fae then turned towards the expectant girl, whose eyes are shining in joy and face already flushed red.
"Please have a seat," he says with a little bow.
"Thank you teacher!" The girl sat down with a bright smile. The seat where Varka was previously is still warm from the man's body. Sitting beside the man himself, she feels so happy she can float. She's already planning how she'll pretend to be tipsy and accidentally lean over the man, perhaps she can steal a kiss or two~?
"Sir~ Var-"
Flins then promptly sits himself down on Varka's lap.
'...Ehh?' Karen thought as she stared wide eyed at her teacher.
Across from them, the four people watching them have the same reaction as her.
Flins adjusted himself on his newfound 'chair,' primly fixing his hair and clothes. He is sitting sideways, one of Varka's thigh is already big enough to comfortably accommodate him. The knight himself is frozen in shock, half- processing what is happening right now and half- wondering if this is a drunken dream.
Karen shrieks, "T- t- te- teacher!!! W-what are you doing!????!!!!"
"Sitting, isn't it the obvious? You did say I can find a chair of my choosing."
He looks at Varka through half-lidded eyes, imitating what he saw from others before, doing his best to act seductively and cutely.
"Is this alright, Sir Varka?" He even tilts his head to the side for more effect. "I can get another chair if it's uncomfortable to you."
"N-no! Don't! It's fine, ahahaahaah. But are you sure you're comfortable...?"
"I am, very much so," Flins leans back on Varka, tucking himself on the man's side, and humming contentedly. With this position, it's even easier for him to reach the drinks on the table.
Varka has his hands awkwardly hanging in the air, he isn't quite sure where to put his hands now that he has a beautiful being on his lap. He looks down at the ratnik who does look like a content cat cuddling on his neck. "Flins, can I... Put my arms around you? I don't want you to fall."
It's an excuse. He just want to put his arm around that dainty waist. But he wouldn't do that without Flins' consent first.
Flins looks up at him through his lashes. A small smile on his lips, "Yes."
'Shit, he's so beautiful. Lord Barbatos I am begging you to give me strength.' Varka thought. He carefully wrapped an arm around the ratnik's waist, pulling the man closer to him more securely. His other hand reached for his mug and he downed the content in one go.
"Demyan, more refill!"
"S-Sir Varka! I want a drink too!" Karen says.
"Now that's more like it! Demyan! One more drink for the Lassie!" Demyan nods and was quick to follow their orders.
Karen preens at the attention. Even if she's shocked by her teacher's actions, she knows for a fact that the Grandmaster is still single and that there is no lover waiting for him back in Mondstadt. She had asked the other Knights about it. She doesn't know what's wrong with Sir Flins, but Grandmaster Varka is too kind in indulging his eccentric personality and...actions.
"Sir Varka did you know~? I also managed to take down a Wilderness Hunter on my own last time~!"
"Oh that's amazing! How did you do it?"
Anna raised an eyebrow and muttered lowly, "She only dealt the final blow. It was the other ratnik infatuated with her who wounded it gravely."
"Shh." Elsa says.
"With a swing of my sword like this! Hiyaaah! And then I quickly followed up with another thrust, just like how you taught me! Aren't I amazing?"
"Yes, you are! It seems you are improving every time I see you. You're such a diligent person, Karen! Keep it up, I'm sure your family is proud of you for choosing this path."
Karen flutters her eyes at the compliment, "They are~ You know, speaking of my family, even if they're proud of me for joining the Lightkeepers, they're still asking me about my marriage~ it's so embarassing, but well, I am already of marriageable age~ they keep teasing me if there's someone I already like to be my hus~band~"
"Oho! By that tone, it seems like there's already a lucky guy, eh?"
The girl twirls her hair in pretend shyness and cuteness, "Yes~ there is already someone in my heart~ someone really close to me~"
Flins is silently watching his former student in annoyance and boredom. The girl is persistent if nothing else. Nowadays, Karen is only one of the two persons who triggers his...basic instincts as a fae. By that he means his innate possessiveness, jealousy, and malicious pettiness. If he doesn't have so much control over himself, he fear he may have been like the other faes during their heyday and eliminates her immediately.
Well, that was the worst case.
Faes are noble, graceful, and knowledgeable beings-- that is as long as you don't covet their precious treasures. Most faes are gentle and patient, they can also be playful, but if someone repeatedly test their patience that playfulness can instantly turn into something more dangerous.
And this Karen has been tempting him so, so dangerously to listen to his instincts and burn her to ashes.
Flins doesn't have a habit nor desire of killing or harming humans, especially if they did not wrong him first. This girl is simply in love with his beloved, and while she easily tests his patience and possessiveness, he know she doesn't actually deserves to be harmed just because he's jealous. It's funny that she thinks she even have a chance.
Speaking of his jealousy and possessiveness...
He sees how the girl coquettishly touches Varka's arm and pink flames surges around him. The flames spread around Varka and flicks the girl's hand off.
Don't touch him! He's mine!!!
"Aww!" She cries as she removes her hand quickly, as if she was burned.
Varka is instantly worried, "Are you okay? What happened?"
"I'm fine! I was just surprised at how hot you are, Sir Varka. I- I didn't mean it that way haha, I mean of course, you are hot that way too. So dashing and handsome. But I mean, umm, your temperature, your body heat, is too hot."
"Am I?"
"That's natural, he already drank a lot." Seamus says.
"Our Grandmaster can run a little too hot indeed," Frederica adds. "Especially when he's drinking, his temperature rises enough it can scald anyone who touches him randomly. I suggest you be careful, Miss Karen. Don't do it again."
As a woman herself, Karen was quick to understand that there's a warning in the knight's tone. She drew her hands closer to herself.
Varka looks confused, "I know my body's temperature rises whenever I drink, but I never knew it can be hot enough to scald someone. Flins, are you okay? I'm not burning you, am I?"
Flins nuzzles closer to the side of the Grandmaster's neck, smiling contentedly. "No, I'm fine. I love your temperature. It's cozy~"
Then, acting as if he's concerned, he touches Varka's cheeks and forehead. "But are we sure you're not sick? You're not actually having a fever, are you?"
He pulls Varka's face towards him, so that they were eye to eye, and since their position is already so close, their noses bump into each other. For a few seconds, they just stared at each other, lost in each other's visage. Flins can feel Varka's arm around his waist tightening its hold on him.
Varka, on the other hand, is once again thanking the heavens for having met Flins. He can't believe he was blessed enough to meet someone so enchanting. He's one of the reasons why Varka doesn't regret going on this expedition. If he can have Flins...
He bumps his forehead to the ratnik. "I'm not sick, don't worry to much. As they said, I'm just too hot."
Then he pulls back, he feels like he has already taken too much liberty with the smaller man. "Tell me if my temperature becomes too much for ya."
The Grandmaster took another swing at his drink. 'Control yourself, Varka!!!'
"Damn I thought they were finally gonna kiss!" Anna whispers harshly to her sister. Loud enough for everyone on her side of the table to hear her.
"Anna, behave yourself!" Elsa whispers back. But even she was disappointed. At least Karen, has her mouth opening and closing as she processes what she just saw. 'She looks stupid,' is what matters to Elsa.
Seamus sighs in disappointment. 'At this point, their relationship is still going nowhere...' he thought wryly.
Frederica says nothing but she glances at Flins meaningfully. Varka isn't the only one in the KoF who suspects that he isn't human. Afterall, her ancestors were personally helped by Lord Barbatos, whom they fondly recorded as a fairy. She's fully aware about the magical creatures in this region, as well as the ones back in her own homeland.
Flins sighs wistfully, 'Their lips were almost touching.'
He took a peek at Karen and was satisfied to see that she looks like a malfunctioning robot. His pink flames burns bright in triumph. However, he thinks this show has gone long enough.
He faked a yawn, and gives more of his weight to press down on Varka, like he's using the man as his personal bed. The Grandmaster was quick to catch on his movements.
"Sleepy? Tired?"
"Both. I think I want to lie down already."
"It's too late and dangerous to go back to your Lighthouse, why don't you stay with me tonight? We booked a few rooms here at the Flagship."
"Mhmmm, would that be alright?" As if he's going to turn down an opportunity to sleep with his beloved.
"Of course, I can take you now to my room if you want."
"Alright."
Before Flins could even think to stand, Varka is already scooping him up. The world tilts in Flins' vision and he instinctively wraps his arms around Varka's neck as the man stands up effortlessly with him in his arms. The fae was too surprised to speak.
"Eh? Where are you going?" Seamus asks.
"I'm taking back Flins to my room first, you guys continue to enjoy yourselves. He needs to rest."
With that, he strode towards the back of the Flagship without a care if anyone is staring at them. The noise and the stares fade away as soon as the door closes behind them anyway. Once inside, the knight gently set down his precious baggage on the bed.
Flins smiles lightly, "Thank you Grandmaster Varka, but you didn't have to carry me. I can still walk."
"I want to. You already look like a princess, well, a prince on my lap earlier hahaha, there's no harm in serving my prince, is there?" Then he also sits down on the side of the bed, so he and Flins are facing each other.
'Oh archons, this man has no idea what his words are doing to me,' Flins thought. His eyes are wide and his heart is beating fast. Even his flames has returned to their normal blue color.
"I'm your Prince?"
"You certainly could be my prince."
"Then, are you my knight?"
Varka laughs and looks at him softly. Flins feels like bursting into flames at the tenderness in his gaze. "If you want me to, then yes. I am your knight."
"... Do you mean it?"
"For as long as I'm alive, as long as you want and need me to be, I am yours."
Flins smiles again; this time it's genuine, small, and tinge with a little fragility and relief he feels inside his heart. Memories of his past, of a life so long ago it feels like a dream, where guards has once swore loyalty to him and his family yet none of them could truly protect them, none of their vows felt like this.
Flins has accepted long ago that he would never be a priority in Varka's heart. He is Mondstadt's Grandmaster of the Knight of Favonious, the Knight of Boreas and one of the Four Winds, and he is known as Barbatos' strongest soldier. Varka's heart will always belong to Mondstadt first and foremost.
But at this moment, as the knight uttered a vow the fae isn't sure he deserves, it truly feels like that the man before him is undeniably his alone. Can I truly claim you as mine?
He cups Varka's face and the man lets him; staring back at the Lightkeeper with fondness. What little moonlight from the window shines down upon Varka, making his eyes look brighter. Slowly, Flins uses one of his hands to trace Varka's face with his fingers, the other one still cupping Varka's right cheek. He starts from his forehead, down to the sides of his face, to his chin; then upwards to trace his lips and his cheeks, he traces over and around his eyes, before sliding his finger down his nose bridge where he taps it thrice.
This man... is so handsome.
"I love the color of your eyes," Flins confesses softly. "I have been trying to find a gem or a stone with the exact shade of your eyes... But I am unfortunate in this endeavor. I have been looking for closer to a year now and I still can't find even one. There were some shades close to yours, but I do not want it. I want something exactly like yours, something that can bring justice to the beauty and stories within your eyes."
Varka laughs, "Really? I know you love to collect shiny things but I never knew you wanted something like my eyes."
"I want it. A gift for myself if you must. Something to remind me of you."
The knight took one of his hands and presses a kiss on his palm, "I see."
The stare at each other in silence, and suddenly all the unspoken feelings in their eyes feel loud. Flins feels himself drawing nearer to Varka...
"GRANDMASTER VARKA! HELP!!!!"
The two jumped apart, startled at the scream.
Varka was at the door in a second, "Stay here, Flins."
But how could Flins just stay here?
With a sigh, he gets down from the bed. He recognized that voice- it's Karen. Flins swear that if this is another shenanigan to get Varka's attention... So archons help him, he might actually commit a crime. They were so close to kissing!!!
When Flins arrived, he was already too late. He saw Varka gently supporting a hunched over Karen out the door and disappearing into the night. The Fae's expression darkens and his good mood tonight were gone in a snap. He quickly chanted another concealment spell on himself before the black flames of his anger grew in size and out of his control. He took deep breaths to calm himself before walking back towards their table.
"Another drink Sir Demyan, if you will be so kind." His voice deceptively even, betraying none of his inner turmoil nor the black flames still flaring around him.
"I'm sorry Teacher," Anna says apologetically. "It happened too fast. One moment she was fine, then the next she was screaming about how she needs Grandmaster Varka."
"She was definitely acting," Elsa says darkly. Such behavior is embarassing as a ratnik.
Demyan arrives at their table to deliver his drink, and hands him a candy. "I heard that eating sweets can help with sadness and anger."
"... You're too kind, Sir Demyan." Flins does not know how to feel about the people around them seemingly knows his feelings for the Grandmaster. While it's true that he is not exactly hide it- considering the stunt he pulled earlier too- as a noble, he still feels a smidge of shame.
"Hold on for a little longer Sir Flins," Seamus says. "The Grandmaster will be back soon."
Flins shakes his head. He has mixed feelings about the situation: frustration, irritation, sadness, and also love because he admires how Varka readily helps people in need. He knows he has accepted that Varka will always put someone in need above him, and he would likewise do the same if someone needs him...but it still hurts...
The black flames around him disappeared, but the flames surrounding his Azure flame in his lantern slowly turned grey. Flames devoid of color and life, like smoke.
"I'll go back and retire for tonight. Thank you everyone for the wonderful company, until next time."
The fae stands up and left the tavern without even finishing his drink, leaving enough money to cover his expenses tonight on top of the table. The four people he left behind watched him go without a word.
What Flins doesn't know is that as soon as he left, those four people started plotting together.
"We must avenge Sir Flins," Frederica declares suddenly.
Heads whip towards her in an instant. Seamus even rubs his eyes jokingly, "Am I too drunk already or are you a clone of my ex-wife?"
In answer, Frederica kicks him on his shin and man yelps in pain. She looks at the girls, "Once Varka is back, we must make him feel guilty about leaving Sir Flins. As he should be anyway. How can he even help someone without verifying what's wrong first or if it's real?"
Anna nods her head eagerly, "I'm in. Anything to help their relationship progress!"
Elsa hmms, "Well, I do think we must make Sir Varka realize how his actions tonight has hurt Teacher Flins' feelings."
Seamus look between the two girls and his ex-spouse. In another universe, this might have been his family; Frederica, Jean, and Barbara plotting about their good friend and Uncle Varka's love life. He shakes his head ruefully, raising his mug he says, "Operation: Grandmaster's Wife, start!"
That night, Flins remembers he floated back to his lighthouse as a sad wisp of smoke. He normally doesn't use his bed, but during that night he buried himself in it, wrapping the blanket tightly around his lamp as he cooped up inside it.
The next morning, he felt a lot better and reflected on his actions. He feels a little childish about having a beef with a mortal woman, fae instincts or no. He emerges from his lamp ready to start the day anew. He decided that if he ever cross paths with Varka, he'll act as if nothing happened.
Fate is funny though because Varka disappeared by then which sent him into another doleful mood.
The pink flames disappeared and returned to their normal blue color as Flins finished reminiscing about that night. Varka took this as his chance to once again ask for forgiveness.
"When I returned at the tavern, you were already gone. Frederica and the others berated me for a long time. They were right, I didn't pause to think how my actions would affect you. I didn't mean to leave you, really believe me.
I'm not making an excuse, I promise. I intend to return to you as soon as I dropped her off at the Lightkeeper's office here. In any case, my reasoning doesn't matter; what matters is that I made you feel unimportant to me. I'm sorry. I feel horrible. You don't deserve that. I have been careless and hurt you."
The knight slowly cups Flins face, gently pushing the fae to look back at him but also giving him enough freedom to pull away from him if Flins wants to. When pretty yellow eyes finally met his, a smile comes to his face unbiddenly.
"You're so beautiful. You don't deserve someone like me. Flins, please believe me when I say that you are one of the most important person in my life. I would do anything to keep you from harm and to see you happy. It really pains me to make you feel otherwise, I am such an idiot. Archons, Flins, I could kill for you if I ever see someone hurt you. See, I have another thing to apologize for, because I yearn to have you. I feel so selfish for wanting you all to myself."
Flins' eyes widen at Varka's admission. 'Is that a confession?'
Varka reaches for something in his inner pocket and then he offers it to Flins. The Lightkeeper looks down and saw another gem with the exact shade of Varka's eyes. His eyes once again grew in size, eagerly snatching the gem from the knight's palm and inspecting it closer.
The bigger man chuckles at his actions. "It's a pair," he says. "I had one made into a necklace so you can wear it all the time, to remind me of you as you wish. As for this one, you can keep it in one of your jewelry box so you have another thing that will remind you of me. Hahaha, see? Even my gifts are selfish. Everything is about wanting you to remember me by."
Flins shakes his head at that, "You're wrong. I love these gifts. I said so myself remember? I do want something to remember you by. These gifts are perfect."
Varka smiles softly, "Does that mean I'm forgiven already, my dear prince?"
Flins stops admiring the gems in his person and turns to look at Varka. The man is looking at him a little pitifully, like a dog using their eyes to act cute with its owner.
"Hmm, can you promise that you won't leave me again abruptly?"
"I promise!" Varka was quick to respond.
"Can you promise that you won't disappear on me again without a word? Especially if you'll be gone for a few days?"
"I promise!"
"Can you promise that you won't let Karen, or any other man or woman besotted with you, to touch you randomly ever again?"
"I pro- huh, wait what?"
"Can you promise me that, Sir Varka?"
"I promise!!! I promise that I won't let anyone to touch me randomly!"
"And that you would maintain some distance from such persons?"
"I promise!"
"Do you understand and remember everything you promised me today?"
"... I do."
"Good." Flins say. He delicately wraps his arms around Varka's neck, one of his hands going around to the back of his head to pull the man down as he also raises himself to the tip of his toes at the same time. He whispers to Varka's ear, "I do not tolerate betrayal and broken promises, my dear Varka. Thank you for the gifts, you're forgiven."
He kisses Varka's cheek.
The knight made a sound between a groan and surprise. Before Flins could plant himself back firmly on his feet, steel like arms snaps around his waist and holds him in place. Varka has buries his face on the side of Flins's neck.
"Flins, archons, do not surprise me like that. My heart can't take it." 'My self-control almost slipped!'
Flins laughs, "What surprise?" He carefully untucks Varka from his neck so he can cup his face. "This?"
He kisses the other side of Varka's face.
Varka closes his eyes and took a deep breath. "Flins."
"It seems my little kisses are too much for my dear knight?"
The arms wrapped around him tightens at his words. But he's having too much fun now, how can he stop?
He places his hands on Varka's shoulder to boost himself so he can press a kiss on his nose, under his chin, on his closed eyes, at the side of his lips...!
Flins eyes widen as he was suddenly pushed back, but before he could even comprehend what truly happened, Varka's body is already crowding him against the wall; his strong hands scooping Flins' legs up to wrap around his waist and their lips were pressed against each other.
Once Flins' legs were secured around him, one of Varka's hands made it's way home back to Flins' waist so he could pull the ratnik even closer to him. Their kiss isn’t gentle. It's a supernova. Months of tension, yearning, and self- control snapped at once. Flins' hands scramble around Varka, searching for a place to anchor himself against these waves of intense pleasure and feelings.
'Finally,' he sighs into their kiss dreamily.
One of his hands finally latches onto Varka's hair, and the other on his nape. Flins opens his mouth and Varka didn't waste a second to devour his mouth.
The Knight of Boreas was hungry. He has starved himself from eating this delectable sweetness for months. Not anymore- from now on, he shall enjoy this feast whenever he can, whenever he wants to, whenever his precious wants him.
Their tongues dance around each other, and Flins could feel Varka's canines as they kiss. He wants those teeth to mark him. The ratnik frees his neck from his coat and pulls down his collar as much as he can. He pulls away from the kiss, Varka attempted to chase him but he guided the man to his neck.
The man instantly understood his intentions and started lapping, kissing, and biting his neck. Flins moans as Varka bit him just underneath his jaw, sucking on the skin, and then layering kisses upon it.
This man... He intentionally placed a hickey there because Flins' clothes wouldn't be able to cover it completely.
Behind Flins, his lantern's flame has turned into a burning & bright red color.
"Varka~" Flins moans as the knight moved lower down his neck, leaving love bites in his trail.
When Varka heard that tone, he stopped what he was doing and pulled back just enough to look at Flins' face.
What he saw instantly made him lose his control again.
Flins' face finally have some color, flushed pink from all of their kisses and even his hair is messy. His half-lidded eyes look so seductive as they gaze upon him full of love and want. His mouth is pink, open, and wet.
Beautiful. Mine.
Varka claims those lips back immediately. Little moans slips out of Flins mouth, and Varka tries his best to make him produce those heavenly sounds. He wonders if he takes him back to the Flagship and book a room right now, would it be considered as moving too fast in their relationship? Would Flins want him to?
"Hngg, Varka..."
Nevermind, he should focus right now on this pretty little mouth of his. Varka's addicted already, he can't stop himself from kissing and claiming Flins. They were so absorbed in each other that they only noticed people were approaching their location once it's too late.
"I'm telling you, I think I saw Grandmaster Varka went this way."
"If you say so, Miss Karen. But I also already told you that he's looking for Sir Fli- whoa whoa whoa what!!!!"
A loud, horrified scream reverberates through the alley.
The new couple breaks away from each other to look at their uninvited guests. Flins was quick to notice his former student who looks like she is seeing her nightmares come to life. He was about to feel satisfied from the view when Varka pushes his face to be hidden in his chest. In Varka's mind, no one is allowed to see Flins looking absolutely debauched except for him.
"Winfried, Miss Karen. Hi."
Karen slowly slumps to the ground, her face frozen in shocked.
Varka knits his brows in concern, "Are you alright, Mi- aww!"
Quickly looking down, Varka saw just in time how Flins unlatched his mouth from his neck. There's a pout in the lightkeeper's lips and he's looking up at the knight petulantly. Varka got the message.
He's quick to kiss the pout away from his beloved's lips, whispering, "Sorry."
Winfried rubs his eyes and even pinches his cheeks and arms, once he determined that he isn't drunk or dreaming, he ran out of the alley screaming,
"THE GRANDMASTER'S WIFE IS REAL! IT'S HAPPENING! PAY UP YOU LOSERS! THE GRANDMASTER'S WIFE IS REAL! "