Work Text:
Varka should have known this would happen. The storms back in Mondstadt were so severe lately, and of course, his flight home got canceled. With nothing to do for another night at this hotel in Nod Krai, he headed to the lobby bar.
The din of chatter made it hard to hear his own thoughts, but it was better that way. And with a cold beer placed in front of him, he didn't care much about making idle conversation with the people around him.
The crisp cold drink tasted good going down, and Varka gulped half the beer before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He leaned back in the bar chair and looked around the lobby.
Many locals were scattered about entertaining foreigners, trying their best to make a deal and get rich quick. Varka knew who to stay away from in these parts and he didn't dare give any of those merchants a second of his time.
He sipped his beer more slowly, blue eyes taking in the rest of his surroundings — a couple dancing by the jukebox, a group of locals playing a drinking game and cheering loudly, and a lone man leaning against the lobby counter having a conversation with the receptionist. The man stood up, his long lavender hair cascading down his back, and when he turned toward the bar, Varka's breath caught in his throat.
Never in his life had he seen someone more beautiful. High cheekbones angled toward full lips that tugged into a knowing smirk. When Varka's gaze lifted to the man's golden eyes, he realized he'd been caught staring. Varka cleared his throat and down the rest of his beer before signaling to the bartender for another.
Though he was turned away from the reception desk, Varka could still feel the beautiful man's gaze boring into his back. The shadow of someone tall and lean crowded his space and a soft voice spoke.
"Is this seat taken?"
Varka nodded to the bar tender in thanks before turning toward the man with the golden eyes. "Not at all."
The man slid into the chair and laid his hand on the counter, still watching Varka. His gaze was intense, though not unwelcome, and Varka felt his heart beat a little faster.
"Kyrill."
"Huh?" Varka grunted awkwardly.
"My name. It's Kyrill."
"Oh sorry. Pleased to meet you, the name's Varka." he responded, taking Kyrill's hand in greeting.
The moment their palms touched it was like electricity sparking between them. Varka jolted, though he did not let go. The warmth of the other man's palm was welcome against his rough, calloused skin. They stayed like that for a time, neither one quite ready to break contact.
Kyrill was the first to pull away after a few more seconds and Varka was loathe to let him go. Never in his life had he felt such a strong pul l toward a stranger.
"So, Varka," Kyrill began, "What brings you to Nod Krai?"
"Work. I was supposed to leave today but storms back home canceled my flight."
"Oh, well I suppose I could say it was fate then."
"What was?"
Our meeting."
Varka laughed, the sound gravelly and boisterous. Kyrill's smirk softened into something more genuine, making his full lips look even more kissable now that he was so close to Varka.
"I don't believe much in fate," Varka finally said, taking a swig of beer instead of fixating on the other man's lips.
"That's too bad."
"Why is that?"
"I deal in fate."
"How so?"
"Give me your hand," Kyrill requested.
Varka offered his palm with some hesitation, but allowed the other man to hold his hand and trace the lines of his palm. He'd seen plenty of fortune tellers and mystics on the streets of Nod Krai trying to get people to pay them for a moment of their time. And somehow, Varka had fallen so easily into this man's trap.
Kyrill's index finger stroked over the long line that cut across Varka's palm diagonally, then switched to a shorted one that dragged vertically from between his middle and ring finger. His hand twitched, the touch light enough to tickle.
"Anything I should be concerned about?" Varka asked.
"Not particularly. Although…"
"What?"
"Nothing," Kyrill said softly."
"Oh come on," Varka snorted. "I know how this works. You're going to ask me for money and then tell me that I have six weeks to live or some shit."
Kyrill chuckled as he pressed his palm into Varka's and threaded their fingers together. "Not at all."
"Uh huh, sure."
"It's only that I read something very interesting in your heart line."
Varka clicked his tongue and downed the rest of his second beer. "Not much to speak of in my love life."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Kyrill purred. "You see, it's very interesting, but you'll meet someone later in life who turns out to be your soulmate."
Varka felt his breath hitch in his throat. It was ridiculous that he was even entertaining such a conversation. He knew better.
"You'll meet them while away from your homeland and decide to stay in the foreign country for a little longer."
Varka raised an eyebrow. "Will I now?"
Kyrill nodded.
"And who is this soulmate of mine?"
The man with the pretty lavender hair and intense golden eyes looked up at Varka through long lashes and smiled softly. Varka felt the world around him melt away. The chatter of the people in the lobby silenced and the lights dimmed to a spotlight hanging over Kyrill. Blue eyes dipped to full lips, and before he could stop himself, Varka leaned forward and kissed him.
Kyrill scooted to the edge of his stool and moved his lips against Varka's with a passion the Mondstadter had never experienced with a previous lover. Calloused fingers slipped into lavender locks ensuring that Kyrill wouldn't be able to pull away any time soon.
They kissed and kissed and kissed until the clink of a glass jolted them out of their private moment. A fresh bottle of beer sat in front of Varka on the counter. He hadn't asked for one but he sure as hell wouldn't turn down alcohol.
"Listen, you seem—"
"Don't think," Kyrill interrupted him. "I know what I felt when I caught you staring at me across the lobby. And after that kiss you can't deny you feel this, too."
Varka swallowed tightly, not wanting to admit his own feelings. But Kyrill was right. There was something between them. A thread that connected their souls, winding so tightly that if Varka denied this beautiful man now, he would surely suffocate from the way that thread wrapped around his very essence.
"I… want to believe," he finally said, eyes dropping to the place where their hands were still connected. "But…"
"You're frightened," Kyrill finished for him. "I am, too. This is new for me. The intensity that I feel just being in your presence. If I leave now I know I'll regret it."
"Then don't leave," Varka whispered, bringing their linked hands to his lips and kissing Kyrill's knuckles. "I have a room for another night. Stay with me tonight."
Kyrill's shoulders relaxed at the words. He nodded and smiled at Varka. Not that smirk from before, but a genuine, gentle thing that made his heart beat faster, hammering away at his ribs.
"Lead the way," Kyrill said.
Varka tossed some cash on the bar, grabbed the fresh bottle of beer and pulled Kyrill toward the elevators. He had a small room at the top of the tower that only had one bed, but he was sure Kyrill would have no objections to sharing it with him tonight.