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Hugo stepped into the tent, they’d set up camp quickly, desperate to finally get a well deserved break. He was looking for Varian, they’d run into some trouble on the road and he wanted to show his appreciation to the other. When it happened he’d just played it off, they were always messing around with each other after all. Hugo did feel… bad, though. He felt like Varian was avoiding him. He thought that talking to him might help. Varian was inside the tent, messing around with something at the table. Probably alchemy or another invention, Hugo wasn’t sure. He cleared his throat. Varian looked up with a jump, knocking something over and cursing loudly as it hissed against the wood.
“Hugo!” He said, exasperated.
“What!? That wasn’t my fault” Hugo replies, crossing his arms. Varian just sighs, pulling his goggles off his eyes and onto the top of his head.
“What’re you doing anyway? Mixing things together until they inevitably blow up?” he grins. Varian stands up and pulls off his gloves, tossing them onto the table. “Yeah, yeah, something like that…” He grumbles. Hugo grins, but it’s less of a smirk now.
“I wanted to talk to you” He finally says, and Varian gives him a curious look.
“Yeah?”
“I wanted to…” Hugo sighs. “Thank you, you know, for saving my ass back there.”
Varian looks slightly surprised, but a grin spreads across his face.
“ The Hugo is thanking me ?” He teases the blonde, leaning back against him, hand to his head as if swooning. “This must be a dream~”
“Ha-ha. Hilarious.” Hugo deadpans, bringing his fist down to ruffle up the others hair. Varian smiles. “You would have done the same for me, you know? Don’t sweat it” Hugo nods.
“I guess… I felt like you were upset with me” He tries not to show that it bothered him, speaking nonchalantly. “I figured I’d pissed you off one way or another, it is way too easy” Hugo continues on with a smirk. Varian’s expression softens, giving him a genuine smile. “No, it isn’t anything like that, I guess I’m just tired… we're always on the move, and when we finally do get to rest I have other things to work on” He gestures at the table behind him, littered with chemicals and alchemy related tools. Hugo nods, looking at the supplies observantly.
“You’re pretty good at that, you know? Alchemy and inventions… all that…” Hugo finally says. Varian practically lights up at that. “You think so!?” “I do. Nerd.” Hugo grins, raising an eyebrow. Varian groans, rolling his eyes “There it is…shoulda seen that coming…” But he leans against Hugo all the same. He rubs Varian’s shoulder for a moment. When he speaks again his voice is softer than usual.
“You do seem tired. You should rest” Varian shakes his head at the statement.
“I’m fine, really, just… need to get this stuff done…” Hugo frowns at the answer. “You look exhausted, your undereyes are so dark you look like Ruddiger.” Varian huffs at the comparison.
“Come on, you’re gonna be annoying as hell if you’re sleep deprived tomorrow.” Hugo says, exasperated. Varian declines, waving the blonde man off. “Told ya, too much to do”
“I really don’t need to fall into a trap because you’re asleep on your feet, Goggles.” Hugo scolds, getting annoyed with him, but a fond look still in his eyes. Varian nods, sighing. “I… I don’t want to. I feel… I dunno, I feel useless to the team if I’m not working on something to help us, you know?” Hugo frowns at that, exhaling. “Varian… come on… don’t be stupid.” Varian raises an eyebrow. “What? Come on, it’s true, you’re so much better at it all.” he admits begrudgingly. “I want to be more like you, you know?” Hugo’s expression softens at his words. “...you’re not useless, Goggles, that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. And I love you how you are, dorkishness and all.” Hugo teases, bumping his shoulder against his. “Look… let’s get some sleep okay? We’ll talk about this tomorrow when we’re both feeling better” Varian smiles at him softly. “...Yeah, okay. You always get me to do what you want…jerk” Hugo leads him to his tent, and they finally lay down together. Hugo presses a kiss to the top of Varian’s head, his hair is soft and fluffy. “Night.” “G’night.” As Varian snores softly Hugo sighs, his normally self assured expression softening into a more caring smile. “You’re really important, dumbass… to the team, and to me.”