Chapter Text
♤ Lukas Pannacossa ♤
The Gem Sea had grown relatively quiet for the past few weeks, Lukas noticed.
Not entirely, no- monsters of unimaginable power still ran amok in its depths, the seas still stirred with power, even within its stasis as uneventful. The world continued to spin as it always had, and perhaps how it always would. One monster outplays another, climbing up the hierarchy until a bigger fish comes into play and consumes the other mercilessly. A game for power so large that someone such as him was not even considered a piece. Not a rook, a knight, a pawn - but merely the ink that stains the board and paints the way for the true pieces to be moved, removed, rearranged. Lukas never sought to be more than that. Not in a self-deprecating sense - but he always preferred the shadows. They were easier, more manageable. Familiar, even. Being a piece within the game would only seek to complicate it all. He already grew tired of seeing so many get caught up in such games. But, luckily....he didn't need to rub elbows with those types much at all anymore. He had found his people. Samara had proven an invaluable ally, and more than just an acquaintance. She had proven herself a dear friend, despite the nature between them as leader and follower. Her charge had brought them through much of everything - her sense of strategy impeccable, with a blaze of magic to match. He looked up to her, in many ways.
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Thus, when Samara had explained to him casually that she had taken on more allies for their attempts to overthrow the empire, Lukas didn't think much of it. Samara was wondrous at recruiting, he could swear that there were more backing their cause each and every day. He had been given a simple task- go greet the new recruits, update them on the situation and his tagging along for their mission, and if they had questions, lead them back to her office so they may talk. Easy. He wasn't much for words, but he could handle that much. He headed down to the rooms that had been provided to the recruits. His one worry was that he wasn't sure exactly their names, or their appearance. He hoped he had found the right room as his half-gloved knuckles pressed to the mahogany of the door. He steeled himself for a moment, drawing deep breaths before he gave the door a firm knock.
He heard the shuffling and murmurs of people behind the door- he knew that sound all too well. Though the hesitancy in being answered did concern him. Thus, he gave another, louder knock. But before he could hit his knuckles to the wood a third time, the door opened, and thus he tucked his hand below his cloak.
What he saw behind the threshold....was certainly not what he was expecting. He had thought perhaps someone strong- adept with magic as Samara, perhaps someone with a swift blade and a swifter tongue. But his eyes immediately landed on a bare chest. His shoulders tensed a moment, and his eyes snapped up to meet the recruit's unexpected height. Not that they were leagues taller than him- but when his eyes had met their well worked chest...well, he was still flustered nonetheless. His eyes met theirs, a russet with a sparkle to them that he had never quite seen in the recruits he had been put in charge of. They met his grey with an eagerness.
"Oh! Kia ora! I'm Kiri." The cheerful one smiled wide and extended one of their larger hands to him. Lukas had never heard the greeting, nor could quite pinpoint the accent that curled their voice, but there were always chances for one to see something new in their life, right? Lukas took the offered hand and gave it a firm, quick shake. Before Lukas could gather the small speech he had rehearsed on the walk there, Kiri turned their head and called over their shoulder. "Everybody! Up and up- Samara's..." They trailed off for a moment before they shook their head with the huff of a chuckle. "Sorry, what's your name?" Kiri asked just as hastily as they had moved to gather their friends.
Lukas seemed to smile from behind his mask as he replied with a simple, "You can call me Lukas."
As the name left his lips, Kiri repeated it under their breath to memorize it before turning back to the room. "Samara's informant, Lukas- he's here! Cmon, let's get ready!" They called out, before they leaned more into the doorframe, smiling down to the blonde man. He took that as his queue to continue, clearing his throat.
"Samara has put me to...escorting you all on your mission for today. She trusts in your ability - but this is imperative to her, and wishes for it to go as smoothly as possible." Lukas explained, though he was having a hard time not letting his gaze wander. They were only wearing a cloth red skirt with their hair all a mess...it was hard to not find it a little bit alluring. His mind wasn't helping, with the occasional curiosity if this person could carry him off on their shoulder. They probably could.
"Ah, not a problem at all- we'd love to have you. But- probably' gotta give us a few minutes, if that's alright?" Kiri replied, glancing back to see that their companions were for the most part trying to get ready. Though, that did consist of their emaciated looking hexblood friend shaking the abnormally large bird they took as company almost ridiculously hard to try and get him up.
Lukas quirked a brow, far more surprised by the appearances of those two than Kiri, but he said nothing of it, instead managing a gentle, "I will...make preparations for our vessel. Meet me by the dock when you are ready." Before he ushered himself away, drawing a deep breath and finally easing his nerves. He thanked the gods he hadn't fed in long enough that his cheeks couldn't flush.
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Over the several weeks that their groups mingled, Lukas slowly grew closer to this odd group. Upon delivering the artifact Samara sought, she was impressed by their teamwork and found Lukas to pair well with them. Though it was a touch difficult to time his feedings with new people around who were unaware of his condition - there seemed to be little internal conflicts between him and the party....though he didn't quite like how the bounty hunter of their team would examine him at times. He felt scrutinized under his one-eyed gaze. But always before he could reach a conclusion, that same star-child would be sure to ease the tension, whether it be by meal or simple story. Lukas could feel each time it happened that Kiri had taken him under their wing as one of the many Kiri would actively go out of their way to take care of. It made his chest warm in an odd way that he desperately was trying to shove away into a chest that he could lock up and send to the bottom of the seas. He isn't supposed to make such a connection, he told himself. He had seen far too much bloodshed to let himself grow hopeful that they would all survive long enough to even think of such a thing. Especially amidst the destruction of such a large governing body as the ever-looming Sundance empire.
But oh, how Matakōkiri made it so very difficult to not adore them.
Lukas had originally thought, perhaps this one would be another brute with muscle and a penance for the empire- wanting to shed blood in vengeance, perhaps. But though Kiri had the potential to rip and tear...they didn't. Lukas could see the intention in their muscles when they would move- it was as though they treated everything with care. The way that they would wrap up Lenore's shoulder after a particularly nasty hit - how their hands held the ever-glowing dagger of Sirius, how they would clasp their armor together. Everything about them, it all just seemed so overwhelmingly gentle. But this wasn't typical- it wasn't that Kiri wouldn't hurt a fly; Lukas had seen that type before, had protected that type before. Kiri was a completely different breed. Selfless. A caretaker. A protector themselves. They weren't afraid to shed the blood of those who were hollow of heart, those who fought against them. It earned his admiration to know that, even without his presence, Kiri could handle themselves, easily. It was as though they could handle anything, with how they could fling a bolt of pure light to pierce a man one moment before turning heel and ensuring his safety, too.
That was another thing that always caught him off guard. Their magic. Kiri was always learning, always growing stronger, always utilizing their power to the best of their ability. And they were no sorcerer; their power was not simply handed to them on a silver platter, they actively trained it. And though Lukas knew deep down that just one of those bolts Kiri could summon could likely dust him in an instant...he didn't find himself worrying about it. Instead he found himself savoring the healing Kiri would allow him, like as he was doing now as he reminisced. The two had stationed themselves within one of the many rooms within the Razor's Call once again, bunked together, thanks to Kaddy and Lenore's insistence that they take the room at the end of the hall, for no apparent reason, certainly..
Lukas now was curled within the arms of Kiri, at the moment laying together in the same bed, as Kiri's gentle-as-ever hands traveled over the expanse of his back. Their hands slowly caressed up and down- not intending anything sensual by it, but meaning to soothe as warmth pulsed from their palms. Lukas had been cut up rather badly before they left port, so they had taken the time to make sure he was alright. Lukas would've been alright with a simple 'healing word', but Kiri insisted that spells like that are better for battle than healing without a designated end time. Better to have a spell to instantly make sure you're not bleeding out than to have spent it on some halfway healed cuts. Lukas sighed as he straightened his back a little more- his armor still on as he was being treated by the compassionate druid. Whether that be to refrain from growing too comfortable, or simply a matter of not wanting to be so exposed...he wasn't all too sure himself. But his mind was elsewhere, regardless. He could let himself grow fuzzy around the edges as Kiri's hands worked their, quite literal, magic into his skin. And just as always, sensation tugged at his nerves that left him feeling utterly blissful. The warmth started from their fingertips, seeping into his skin like a warm bath and finding his veins, slipping such comfort straight into his bones. It would ebb up his back, and skin would carefully, slowly regrow and patch together as meticulously as possible to ensure there was little scarring. But each time the magic would pulse, his blood would almost tingle- as though his body was expecting that something so bright was sunlight being poured into his veins. But as it continued, as he was eased to such comfort, he could just feel a wave of pure relaxation hit him. And though he didn't exactly intend it, his head ended up falling forward, resting his forehead against Kiri's bare chest.
Just as the morning he had been recalling, Kiri of course was getting ready for bed, so they had undressed shamelessly down to their skirt. And yet after months of spending time together...Lukas was no less flustered whenever he spied Kiri and their bare broad shoulders. Lukas' masked face nuzzled unconsciously against the skin there, and he hummed in his contentment, curling up nice and close to Kiri. They chuckled lowly.
◇Matakōkiri◇
Kiri had found themselves very fond of Lukas over the time Lukas had tagged along their ventures. He was a good friend, an excellent assassin - and a sparring partner they would never trade for anything. Those blonde curls and grey eyes had grown to be something that took up space in Kiri's mind often. 'Lukas would love this dagger' 'I wonder if Lukas' mission is going well' 'Why did Lukas not eat as much as he usually would at dinner'- Nowadays, Kiri had a hard time considering things without their mind briefly wandering to him. It was an odd feeling to them- alongside the palpitations their heart had occasionally when Lukas would practice on a dummy outside. They wondered if they needed to try and have more fruits for the good of their health. Times like this, Lukas close by and allowing them to heal him without a word of argument...it gave an odd sort of fullness to their chest that they couldn't quite pinpoint as a feeling that they were familiar with. They had felt their heart grow 'warm' as many described it- but this was different. It was almost as though having Lukas curled close to them gave a satisfaction to their soul. As though this was where they wanted him to stay. Their brows furrowed as they thought that.
Kiri had never been object to platonic affection in their existence, but such a thought tugged at their curiosities. Why was it that having Lukas so close brought them such a feeling? What was it about their close companion that created this sensation? It was almost an experiment now, in their mind. Was it just simple fondness, or was there some piece they were missing? They moved their hand then, and they hesitated only the briefest of moments before their well-manicured fingers threaded through those soft, blonde locks. Lukas didn't open his eyes, instead tilting his head into Kiri's palm and allowing them their experimentation. Kiri's fingers moved in slow, tender movements- brushing and moving his hair in slow circles, curling a lock around their finger tightly before letting it go and watching how it would lightly bounce as it fell back into place. They could feel Lukas' breaths on their skin as they laid together like that, neither seeking to move...but neither daring to name, either.
Lukas could feel how Kiri's heart would thump quicker, quicker under his ear, and his eyes cracked open to glance up at Kiri, tipping his head the slightest amount to get a peak at their expression. But seeing the look they had, the intimidated expression mixed with their cheeks turning a sort of rosy mahogany, Lukas couldn't handle it, he had to bury his face back down.
"Why are you looking at me like that..?" Lukas muttered softly, his voice torn between a soft jest and embarrassment.
Kiri snapped their head upward to instead stare at the wall of the ship cabin, clearing their throat. "Ah- sorry, sorry...didn't mean to stare." They half laughed out, their fingers stilling on the back of Lukas' head. Though even as they raised their gaze, they still had the same look to them when Lukas looked up again. Though Lukas hated confrontation, he cared enough to know what was on Kiri's mind. Perhaps it was time for them to sit by the window and speak with the stars, and he had interrupted it. Perhaps he had said something during the confrontation with the enemy that ticked Kiri off. Such a thing never happened, but he didn't have a clue what else it could be.
"You look troubled." Lukas pointed out, and he slowly pulled back, lying on his side and propping his head up by his elbow so he could meet Kiri's gaze. He tipped his head to one side, a sort of...compassionate, gentle look to his soft grey eyes. "What is it that dwells your mind?" He asked, and Kiri actively tensed up at the idea that they would need to sort their thoughts into explanation. They sighed deeply, and instead chose to flop onto their back, running a hand through their dark waves thoughtfully. Though Kiri didn't have an explanation, they thought perhaps communicating would help sort the thoughts in time. So, they began.
"I...don't know what to do, exactly." Kiri admitted, their voice taking a quieter tone than usual. Lukas scooted back to make room for them to turn over, pressing his back against the cabin wall as his eyes flicked across Kiri's hesitant expression.
"How so?" He inquired, and though the room's tension was thick, it was moreso thick like being in the bathroom after a piping bath, instead of thick with bitterness. It was difficult to take deep breaths without each word feeling heavy, but it wasn't necessarily bad.
Kiri's hands tapped their own stomach a moment in thought, before coming together and entwining their fingers, coming to a more restful than nervous position. They thought for a long, quiet moment before speaking up. "I've never....felt like this, before. Yeah, sure, my walkabout was sure to be eventful...but I didn't expect that...all this would happen." They admitted, that cheerful edge to their voice muted for the moment as they gestured to the cabin. "And I feel as though I've got everything straightened out now; That governor's dead, I saw my family, Lenore is doing better, I've made friends, I've helped people-" They took a deep breath mid ramble, realizing that they were starting to get a little choked up at the overwhelming feeling in their throat like an unwelcome obstacle. They clutched their hands together before breathing out deeply. "I know what I want - that I want to help people. But there's...small things between me and my goals that… I haven't figured out. It's… drivin me a little mad." Kiri said as they tipped their head back and closed their eyes against the pillow. At the least, getting such things off their chest felt good. It was better than the months of acting strong they had taken to before Lukas came along.
Lukas hummed, nodding along with Kiri's words and thinking through it all himself. "Personal things?" Lukas would ask, and Kiri would nod quietly, their hands rubbing up and down their own chest in a manner to soothe.
"I've always been the worst at placing my feelings into perspective. I...know how I feel, somewhat- But I don't know what they mean." Kiri admitted, their eyes opening, only for their face to scrunch up with visible frustration.
"Sometimes you don't have to know what they mean." Lukas slowly said, and he pulled himself up to sit up, resting an arm curled around his leg and readjusting for comfort. He glanced away a moment in quiet before continuing, "We don't control our emotions. If we try to, it grates against the mind. Makes things difficult. Calming an emotion is one thing - attempting to rid it entirely and still staying level headed is another story. Requires a lot of suppression." Lukas spoke with experience, his voice thick with an empathy he couldn't quite voice. "Not healthy." He added as a sort of clarification, shaking his head.
Kiri groaned a tad, pushing back their hair out of their own face. They appreciated the advice- and at the least it made them feel better, knowing that at the least they might be doing well by not trying to fight against the confusing feelings that had been stirred up, but simply observing them. But, they still had an itch to know what it was, why they felt a certain way. It had been weeks of it, and in that moment it just felt as though they couldn't take it anymore. They sat up quickly- quick enough to surprise Lukas. They turned to him, one leg off the bed and the other folded under them as they began to speak. "Lukas- what does it mean when you look at someone and...you feel like you have a bat in your stomach?" Kiri asked- but raised a hand before Lukas could even get a word in. "And you feel like if you think too much that tightness in your throat will make you cry- but you don't want to cry-"
Lukas sat up a little straighter. "Kiri-" he tried to get in, but the rambling waterfall couldn't stop at the small murmur.
"-but also the idea of him getting hurt does make you feel like you could cry. Then he's emotionally vulnerable with you and you don't know how to advise him so it just makes it feel like you're awful at comforting em-"
"Kiri." Lukas cut in more firmly, raising his voice a tad to get their attention. The initial tone makes a tight bundle of nerves stir in their stomach. They sheepishly quieted down, sitting back more fully and letting their hands rest on their lap.
They had said too much, they knew that much.
"..You're.....overwrought." Lukas said, those being the words he could best use to explain, before he let a soft sigh slip past his lips. "You care for them. And it makes you nervous that something could mess it up. It's perfectly natural." Lukas assured, though he seemed a little disheartened as he glanced away, fidgeting with a button on his cloak. "If you feel that way, you should show your care for that person. Tell them that they make your heart flutter. Think through what sorts of affection you want to share. Form boundaries, give them gifts. It'll serve you well." Lukas had no doubt that Kiri wouldn't have trouble with it. But Kiri still rubbed their hands together, seemingly hesitant.
They looked to Lukas for a moment, before they got up from the bed and stood. "I....think I will. Thanks, Lukas. You're...a good friend."
Lukas eyes twinkled, signaling a smile behind the mask, and he nodded as he got up from the bed to prepare for bed. "Of course....You're going to go talk to your..." Lukas wanted to pop a small joke about the 'big man upstairs’, but shook his head from being insensitive, instead landing on a simple "You're going to talk to your dad, yeah?" He asked, and Kiri hesitated a moment as they were pulling their hair back up, winding it over their jade hairpin. Lukas hadn't particularly pried before, so even being asked of it was new.
"Em..yeah. yeah, I was...going to go talk to my dad. After everything....I just need that alone time with him." Kiri said, and Lukas nodded in agreement, pulling off his cloak and setting it onto the desk.
"Well, you know where to find me if you need anything. Try not to stay out too late - you and I both know your early-bird tendencies." Lukas said, drawing a soft laugh from Kiri by the door.
They smiled, dark lips curling upward as they nodded. "Promise, I won't be too long." They assured before heading out of the room, and up onto the top deck, even if in their hand they were tugging at a strand of hair in frustration with letting their lips be so loose. " 'overwrought'...." They repeated to themselves quietly as they sat on the edge of the ship, looking out over the ocean.