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*-*-*-*
The traveler woke up to two interesting rumors this morning: First, people say that the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius is dying. And second is that he’s (finally) gotten himself a wife (!!!) to take back home.
Waking up in the City of Freedom is never a dull moment, it seems. Lumine was just looking forward to catching up with her Mondstadt friends when she headed back with Varka from Nod Krai, but it’s always a pleasure getting her serving of steaming hot, probably incorrect, gossip on the side.
Her curiosity led her to the Favonius Cathedral where she finds the Knight of Boreas incapacitated on a makeshift hospital bed, surrounded by two prominent members of the church Deacon Dahlia and Deaconess Barbara, as well as the Librarian Lisa and the Acting Grandmaster Jean herself.
Lumine’s initial thought was, “Why is there no infirmary in Mondstadt City?”
And the second one was, “Is Varka really dying?!?!?”
Paimon thankfully beats her to the awkward question. "Hey everyone!! What's up with Varka?"
"Hey Honorary Knight and Paimon," Jean greets them, pauses, then came the exasperated sigh. "The Grandmaster... fell down Starsnatch Cliff. You could say he was a little... distracted."
Varka tries to sit up but was reprimanded by Lisa. "How many times have we told you not to move, Varka. Barbara is still healing you."
In a very typical Varka fashion, he just laughs it off with a wave. "Ahh - it's no big deal! A few broken bones won't kill me. And it doesn't hurt anymore! I have to thank our talented Deaconess for that."
"I thank the Grandmaster for the praise but with all due respect, you fell down thousands of feet above ground, it's a miracle you survived with just a fractured hip and several shattered bones, but surely that must still hurt?" Barbara comments, still pre-occupied with her task.
Dahlia lets out a playful scoff before calmly saying, "Of course, the Anemo vision holder who has the Anemo Archon's favor, and also happens to be his strongest soldier would be saved by Lord Barbatos himself."
Of course, the Barbatos fanbo - I mean, herald, would say that, Lumine thinks.
"Even for something as silly as jumping off a cliff to retrieve a letter."
Varka's expression turned into that of a surprise. "Wow, you mean Barbatos actually saved me?"
The traveler wasn't sure if Dahlia wanted to sigh or roll his eyes but he remained somewhat polite, "Eyewitnesses claim that there was a strong gust of wind before you reach land. You could've landed safely without the help of Lord Barbatos if you tried landing on the waters below the cliff."
A small giggle then came from Lisa. "C'mon Dahlia, you've got to give Varka here a little break. He just didn't want his precious letter to get wet. I'm sure Barbatos knows that too."
Varka looked uncharacteristically sheepish scratching his cheek. "Well, it came from an important person after all."
"So it's true what they say that you've found yourself a wife to take home, Varka?" Paimon blurts out and Jean starts coughing. Lisa gently pats her on the back.
Everybody looks at Paimon incredulously as if telling her they've been trying to thread the topic carefully for some time now, but she just went ahead and asked away. "Whaaaat?"
Varka stares at them in disbelief. "Pardon me. A wife, you say?!?"
"Varka... they're likely talking about Flins," Lumine interjects.
"FLINS?!?!?!?" Paimon and Varka echoes at the same time.
Why are you surprised too, Paimon???
"Ohhh~ Not a wife but a husband then?" Lisa chuckles, eyes filled with glee. "Congratulations Varka."
"No, no - wait - "
Dahlia raises an eyebrow. "Wasn't the person on the letter someone named 'Kyryll'?"
"HEY, WHO'S BEEN READING MY LETTER - "
"Oho~ so there's two of them? Aren't you being a little naughty, Grandmaster?"
"That's very disappointing, Grandmaster. Surely you're aware of the knightly values we must uphold?"
"No, wait... It's not - But who - wait, where's my letter??"
"Sorry, we had to look through the suspicious items in case you died." Dahlia pats around his pockets and retrieves a pristine white envelope. He hands it over to Varka and winks. "I gotta say, sending your 'bare form' over letters is not really advisable, Varka."
There was a collective gasp of disbelief from everyone and someone even muttered an, "Anemo Archon, forgive him."
Varka pauses, thinks back on the content of the letter, then it dawns on him. He barks out a hearty laughter. "HAH HAH - I'm afraid you're all mistaken. Ohhhh, it's not like that. First of all, it's the same person. Kyryll and Flins, that is. And uh, you see, he's... just really a funny guy."
Not one person in that room appears to believe him, so he expands, seemingly intent to defend his...friend? or whatever, "Here, here, look. I'm not showing anything else, just that one line so you see what I mean."
He brings out the letter and keeps the entirety folded, except for a small part by the end,
'I trust you will forgive the liberties of my enclosing a self-portrait of my barest form, as proof of my utmost faith in you.'
Varka refuses to show the "self-portrait" but says it's just a painting of an unbridled beautiful blue flame. "There's another story here, but just think of it as a soul or something. His barest form. Get it?"
Lumine almost chokes on her own spit. Pffffttttttttttttttttttt. This cheeky fae. Barest form, a blue flame. Okay. "Oh Flins... I'm so sorry. You have to try harder to get it across."
"Isn't he just so cute and funny?" Varka looks genuinely giddy and proud, no one had the heart to tell him, no. No, they don't get it.
They also didn't have the heart to tell him that they saw another part of the letter above that last one which sounds suspiciously intimate,
'Nod Krai has grown significantly calmer as of late. And though your absence has been brief, I find myself yearning for your companionship. I can't help but wonder if the sentiment is shared.'
Once again, it's Paimon who asks the most awkward question. "But you guys... aren't really together?"
Varka carefully folds the letter, places it back the envelope like it's made of glass and chuckles. "Nah, we're good companions and friends."
Yeah, cause good friends almost die from deeply treasuring a letter and a portrait. Makes sense.
"You're an idiot, Varka."
"I agree."
"I agree."
"I agree."
"I agree."
"Whaaaaaat?"
*-*-*-*
Albedo finds himself a visitor on his campsite in Dragonspine. "Grandmaster. To what do I owe this visit?"
"Hey Albedo! Am I interrupting something?" Varka pulls out a chair and makes himself comfortable.
Varka looks a bit better than the last time Albedo saw him in the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. He can't barely move then, but now, it seems that all that's remaining is his left arm if we're only judging by the remnant cast and bandages.
"Not really. It's fine, Grandmaster. You now have my undivided attention."
Varka lights up and exclaims, "Great! Great!"
"Mm mm."
"So, uh, this is a personal favor." He clears his throat. "I wanted to commission you to draw a portrait of myself."
Albedo looks at him deadpan. "Grandmaster, just so we're clear. Respectfully, I cannot draw you naked."
Varka almost falls from his chair. "I - no. Where did that come from?!?"
"Oh, were you not asking me to draw your nudes to send back to Mr. Flins?"
"Okay, who told you that?"
"Is this not for Mr. Flins?"
"No - I mean, yes. I mean, not the nudes."
"My, I didn't take the Grandmaster to be such a player. Mr. Flins would be heartbroken."
Varka couldn't help but just laugh and helplessly sigh while ruffling his own hair.
Albedo lets out a small laugh. "I'm only messing with you, Grandmaster. I would be honored to sketch something for you."
They talked about several poses and angles. But in the end, Varka chooses a simple one. Just him facing directly in front, eyes almost crinkling into crescent moons while smiling widely with his teeth out. He mentions that Flins always tells him he looks handsome like this.
Albedo tried his best to hide a fond, knowing look. He'll be sure to make this sketch something that would please Mr. Flins. Although, Albedo doubts that Flins wouldn't find anything that has the Grandmaster's face on it less than pleasing.
Just a random person's hunch.
*-*-*-*
It's late in the evening when Kaeya finds that the light in the Grandmaster's office is still open. He was just fetching something he left that morning from the headquarters when he notices it.
When he checks on him, it seems that he was trying to pen a letter, and is struggling with it a bit with the broken arm. "Grandmaster, do you need help?"
Varka looks up from the paper and immediately grins when he sees him. "Kaeya! It's late. How are you still here?"
"I could ask you the same."
"Just struggling a bit to write with these wrists. Whew. Never jumping off a cliff again. Wouldn't recommend," he laughs and Kaeya laughs with him.
"I could just write it for you. Would be much faster, don't you think?"
Varka contemplates on it a bit before asking him, "Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Let me see what you got."
He checks the papers scattered on the desk with almost illegible handwriting, finding that most of them are either crossed out or incoherent. One in particular caught his eye,
Roses are red,
Violets are blue;
Mondstadt is my favorite,
But so are you.
Kaeya almost wheezed out loud.
Don't laugh, Kaeya. Think about the horses. Think about the burning RAGE when you thought the horses wouldn't come back.
"You know what, you can just dictate what you want to say and I'll note them down."
Varka initially struggled to get his thoughts across, but soon finds himself not lacking for words. It seemed more like he was talking to this 'friend' than asking Kaeya to write down his words. Kaeya thinks that's better.
...I'm sorry I couldn't respond to your letter sooner, my friend. I found myself in an unusual predicament where I kinda broke most of my bones jumping from a thousand-foot cliff.
And you might wonder... but no, it wasn't a hyperbole. It's what actually happened.
I don't usually do this. Like, jump on cliffs or something. And I usually keep my wits with me.
It's just that, I was reading your letter atop that cliff that day and the wind blew and took it away.
I could no longer remember when I started letting the wind guide me for every decisions I make. And at that moment, I thought, if the wind wills that you'd part from me, will I let it happen?
I guess the answer lies on these broken bones. Crazy, right?
Anyway, look at me rambling. You can just ignore that.
Mondstadt is still as warm as it was in my stories, my friend. Windblume is happening next week, and how I wish you could see it too, but I know your Lightkeeper duties are keeping you. One day, perhaps.
In your last correspondence, you said you wonder if the sentiment is shared. You need not ask yourself that for you know that I always think of you.
Keep yourself safe, my friend.
- Varka
Kaeya has never been more confused in his life after he penned that down. "Friend", my ass???
What in the situationship? Oh Archons.
Before Varka could notice anything, he discreetly added a P.S. under the guise of slow writing.
(P.S. This is Kaeya, Cavalry Captain of the KoF. I'm the one who helped him write this letter and I gotta say, I'm sorry, Mr. Flins. Our Grandmaster has been single since forever, so he's kinda bad at this, as you may already know. Maybe in denial. But he's definitely not a bad person, so please be patient with him. Hang in there!)
*-*-*-*
Varka hangs out with Razor and Rosaria in one of his rare day offs. They went on a picnic under the biggest tree in Windrise, where Razor could also roam and hunt boars, and Varka and Rosaria could fish.
Rosaria isn't very resistant today, Varka thinks. Perhaps she's way past her rebellious age, and is already maturing into such a fine lady, it makes an old man cry (Rosaria, probably: Old man, I'm already in my 20s).
"So I heard you're taking home a husband?"
If Varka wasn't too surprised about the question, he might've actually cried. Rosaria, finally initiating a conversation?!? Baby daughter is spreading her wings. (Rosaria, probably: Old man, I'm already in my 20s)
"Nah, can't probably take him home." Varka just laughs it off. "Ooof, fish escaped."
Rosaria huffs, "It's that complicated, huh?"
"Maybe I'm the only one making it complicated. You know me sometimes."
"That you are," Something got caught in Rosaria's fishing line and she immediately stood and braced herself to reel it in.
"WOAAHHH," Varka cheers her on on the side, and,
1...
2...
3...
She catches a big one!!! HIGH FIVE!!
Around the same time, Razor also returns with quite a big boar. The three of them prepares the fire and their catch, only struggling on the part of which dish to cook. The cook is the one who decides, and of course, it's the most skillful one of them all: Rosaria.
"So in the end, I was the only one who didn't bring anything to the table?!?"
"You suck at catching fish, and your cooking is not that great, so what did you expect?"
"Hey!"
It was getting a bit chilly so they're still gathered around the fire after eating. They mostly exchanged stories about Mondstadt during the years that Varka was out on the expedition, and Varka also recounts his adventures across the lands, especially in Nod Krai.
Varka was especially proud of how Razor's gotten so good at speaking. The young man could already hold his conversations quite well.
"Razor, why don't you give that to him now?" Rosaria nudges Razor, and Razor only nods before pulling something out of his small bag.
Varka was confused at first, but puts both of his palms out.
"Razor gives this to Varka." The little wolf places several wolfhook fruits on his hand and a stalk of lampgrass. "Razor saw Varka looking at blue fruit and lamp plant... Varka happy. I give you... so Varka happy."
Varka was beyond touched. He didn't expect the little one to pay close attention to him. He might've really stared at the wolfhooks and lampgrass in Wolvendom for quite some time cause those strangely reminds him of someone.
Varka couldn't be any happier that his little boy is turning out to be such a sensitive soul. He ruffles his hair. "Thank you, kiddo. You're right. I'm happy receiving them."
Rosaria starts stoking the fire when she talks to him again in a voice that almost seemed like a whisper, but Varka hears it loud and clear. "I know you're used to taking care of others. And that sharing your burdens doesn't come naturally to you." She exhales, as if it's taking a lot of her to say it. "But just know that there are also people who cares about you too. So if you have something on your mind, you can always come to us."
Varka felt his heart expand a few times in his chest and he sniffs. "Isn't the young lady too reliable today?"
"Shut up, and I'm in my 20s old man."
Varka laughs and stares at these children. Probably one of the best things this world gave him even if he couldn't be a proper guardian to them. "Thank you, Rosaria. Right now, probably all I need is a hug from you guys. So what do you say, wanna hug it out?"
Rosaria rolls her eyes. "Ugh. Just this once, old man."
Varka gives both Razor and Rosaria a big bear hug that day until the sun completely sets.
*-*-*-*
"Grandmaster Varka, it's an hour past 12, aren't you going to head back?" There was a tap on Varka's shoulders, and he jolts right back up. He looks up to see the owner of Dawn Winery himself.
"...Diluc..?" Still groggy, he looks around the bar and realizes that no one else was there except for the two of them. "Sorry, got too much to drink."
Diluc places a glass of water in front of him, "This could help."
"Thanks," he empties the glass in one go. "Mind if I stay a little while? Just need to sober up a bit."
"Sure," Diluc places another glass of water on the table, then busies himself with wiping his cups and glasses with a towel. "The Grandmaster can usually hold his liquor well. Something weighing on his mind?"
"Nah, the weather just made me remember some cold nights in Nod Krai. A companion usually supplies me with Fire-water. That stuff's strong."
"Mm mm."
"I MEAN, DON'T GET ME WRONG. Our Mondstadt's dandelion wine is still the best of best. But somehow, Fire-water just also grew on me." Varka drinks the second glass of water. "And now, I'm looking for it even though my heart is home."
Diluc heaves a big sigh, "Are you perhaps acquainted with a Lightkeeper 'K. C. Flins' in Nod Krai?"
The sudden mention of the name made Varka flinch hard and his kneecaps bumped into the wooden table, he felt like he sobered up a bit. "I am indeed. Why mention him now?"
"This gentleman placed an order of 10 barrels of dandelion wine weeks ago, and yesterday, he placed another order of 10 barrels more."
"Huh?"
"I had an acquaintance investigate since that's not really... normal. But all the barrels were accounted for. This acquaintance said he drank them every night cause he's missing a friend."
Varka felt something in his chest squeezing uncomfortably, getting tighter and tighter by the second. He pinches the bridge of his nose and shuts his eyes for some time. "That's... "
He exhales heavily multiple times, silence stretching between them for a long time before he continues, "Would you then mind listening to the rambling of a drunk man?"
"I don't mind. Go ahead."
"I'm certain that the Northern Intelligence Network, in their vast connections and resources, already have information on this man."
Diluc hesitated for a second, but ultimately decided to nod in confirmation.
Varka also nods in return. "This man will live far, far longer than I ever could. And I guess I'm terrified.
I have long since offered myself to the wind, and Mondstadt. And if I will perish, let it be for the sake of my homeland and its people, in honor of the Anemo Archon.
I have never seen myself living past old age. I'm always thinking that one day, a battle will inevitably take me, and as a child of Barbatos, I'm destined to become a dandelion, scattered in the wind's embrace.
But lately, I've been thinking about keeping myself safe. About staying alive for longer.
I wanted to live longer just because he's there."
Varka laughs bitterly. "But what can a man like me even offer to someone amazing like that? Not a future, not stability, not even my presence.
I thought the distance would make it easier to slowly forget. In the first place, I'm but a passing star in his sky. Whatever affections I have for him, or whatever he felt for me, if there was anything - I don't dare assume - can just, disappear after some time.
But what do you mean...
What do you mean he drinks dandelion wine every night because he misses a friend..."
Varka no longer continued. He just sat there, with his elbows propped on the table, forehead resting on his hand with his eyes closed. Diluc lets him sit with his thoughts for a while.
"Here," Diluc gently placed a shot glass filled with clear, pale liquid on the table.
Varka briefly stares at it before looking at Diluc questioningly.
"It's Fire-water. I have one in my stash."
Varka eyes the drink for a long while before emptying it. He hisses when it goes down, burning a line down his throat and his stomach. It felt comfortingly familiar.
Diluc refills it just as immediately.
"Thanks," Varka gratefully accepts.
"I guess the mighty and fearless Grandmaster also gets rattled and unsure from time to time." He refills the glass again and again just as they're consumed. "There's nothing wrong with that."
"You can drink more tonight. It's on the house."
*-*-*-*
Venti finds Varka on the edge of Starsnatch Cliff, staring at the horizon. When Varka spots him, he almost fell from shock.
"Not gonna save you again if you fall a second time," Venti singsongs.
Varka adjusts himself from his seat before greeting his friend with a big, wide grin. "Barbatos, how are you doing? I'm not screaming for help this time, see?"
Venti shakes his head and clicks his tongue, "You aren't, but almost half of Mondstadt are." He plops down next to him.
"Huh? Anything urgent going on that the Knights are not aware of?"
"No, not really," Venti sighs, "Here let me see. It's something like,
'I hope the Grandmaster sires a healthy baby soon' "
Varka almost fell down the cliff for the second time that day, "Huh???"
"Oops, wrong wish, wrong wish, ehe~" Venti's laughter surrounds them like a gentle breeze. "Let me see again. Hmmmnnn. They actually go like,
'I hope the Grandmaster's injuries heal soon. Anemo Archon, please protect him from further harm.'
'Barbatos guide his heart. He's confused.'
'Barsiba - Bartob - Barbatos. I don't usually ask for your help, but if you're there, I only ask that you help him find his answers.'
'Anemo Archon, let him have his happy ending.'
Annnnddddd a lot of wishes like that, I suppose. Back to worrying everyone, I see."
Varka pauses. The initial surprise fades, and then he erupts into raucuos laughter, letting himself fall back down the grass and dirt. "Hahhh... I, uh, suppose I might've."
The wind becomes calm, and they sat in complete silence. It was Venti who spoke first, "You know, friend. I would loooovvveee to have a drink with you and have a nice long chat about this, but I'm afraid I'm a liiitttle pre-occupied at the moment.
But perhaps, as the wind, I can help you instead."
"Hmn?" Varka sits up and stares in confusion. And then he realizes.
"Have you already thought about your answer?"
Varka sighs, then simply smiles in resignation as if he'd already mulled it over for a long, long time, "Yes. Yes, I did."
"I want to see him."
Venti looks at him fondly. "Well, beloved child of the Anemo Archon, that can be arranged."
When Venti's eyes and hair glowed green and the wind around them blew, powerful and intimidating, Varka stood to step back. He was unsure of what's happening. But he'd always trusted the wind to guide him. That would never change.
After a short while, he sees it. Right above the horizon, a little ball of blue flame is surging towards them like a beautiful meteorite in the sky. And when it's near, it slows down and stops just above their figures.
The blue flame glistened in its slow descent and Varka opens his palms and arms by instinct to "receive" it.
The flame turned into a figure Varka is very familiar with. He falls straight into his arms, and they almost toppled to the ground but Varka was able to stabilize his footing when the other wrapped his arms around his neck for support.
"Whew."
The moment the pair caught each others eyes, they just stood there frozen, staring at each other. Venti took that as his sign to exit and leave them alone for now.
*-*-*
"Greetings, Grandmaster."
"Hello, Kyryll."
If his feelings had a physical form, Varka supposes it would be a big, annoying blob that would crawl all over Flins, and stick to him like glue. And maybe, just maybe, the blob will also cry seeing the single most beautiful existence in the universe, finally here, right in front of him.
Flins looks at him gently, and he reaches out a hand near his face, his fingertips brushing through his cheeks, "Why are you crying?"
Varka sniffs, and he carefully brings Flins down to stand, then he claps both hand on his cheeks multiple times before wiping his tears.
Flins simply giggles.
"Never mind that, why - how are you... here?"
"My Starshyna approved of my annual leave, and I came here to spend Windblume with you, assuming, of course, that the offer still stands."
Varka cackles. "But of course, it would be this Knight's pleasure to show you around."
Flins seems pleased by that, and he adds, "The God of Wind spoke to me days ago and hinted that a certain Knight might be lonely. I suppose it's only proper that I went and pay him a visit, just in case he misses me as well. That said, I would rather not assume such things, so I wanted to hear it straight from him."
Varka smiles, saccharine and so, so full of affection, "I missed you."
Flins smiles, "Good. And?"
Varka thinks. And then he doesn't. He knows what he wanted to say, perhaps for a long time now. "Kyryll, listen." He takes both of Flins's hands in his. "You have me, completely. I'm yours, in every way you could have me. And I know it will be hard for us, but if you would give me the honor of being your companion within this fleeting life of mine, I'd give you everything this mortal soul could offer, if it makes you happy."
Flins's lips part in a soft gasp. It is very likely that that was not the answer he was expecting when he was teasing him earlier, but it also appears that it was not unwelcomed. After a short while, Flins turns his back on him, and he covers his mouth with a hand.
For a moment, Varka was scared he'd cross a line, and he was about to apologize and take it back, but all of a sudden Flins turns back to look at him, face and the tips of his ears all red and flustered, and he's pouting like a sulky little cat,
"That was very unfair of you, Sir Varka."
And Varka thinks, he's truly, completely, hopelessly, irrevocably in love with this being.
*-*-*-*
Extra:
"Beloved, I have a question."
"Yes, love?"
"I was simply wondering. I previously sent you my nude form. Pray tell why did you not send anything back?"
SO THAT WAS REALLY A NUDE?!?!?!?
That day, Varka's laugh was heard all across Mondstadt and beyond.
- END -