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It was the rainy season and you were called out to help someone in the nearby village, it was definitely much too dark to be arriving home this late but at the very least you made it.
You turned on the kettle before making your way to your room first for some dry clothes to put on after a hot shower. Your hair was dripping along with the rest of you. You hadn’t really had the protection to stay out of the rain considering it was an out of the blue call. Most of the civilians who needed your help knew that you could be asleep, but there had been a flood and a couple had gotten caught in it. There had been a few injuries that they wanted to get checked out before it could turn into something worse.
So you had made it there and back within an hour and half. You could only hope it was quick enough to not mean you had a cold on the way.
You were just getting out of the shower when you heard a commotion coming from your living room. At first you nearly stayed in the bathroom unsure how anyone could have entered, but then you remembered that Varka was a) stronger than most people, and b) he might have forgotten the key you had given him a few weeks back in case he wanted to stop by.
Although robberies could happen it was less likely in your case. But, just as a precaution you grabbed the long rod you had in your hallway typically to steep the firewood.
Upon seeing the wet blond tresses of your boyfriend, his back was towards you; you set the rod down by the fireplace which was crackling. Something you hadn’t done before leaving the front of your home.
You smiled softly as he turned around beaming at you. “Were you out?” He asked, pointing to the wet floor.
“Yeah, I had a patient call. Did you use your key?” You turned to look at the door, it looked fine.
You hear Varka’s laugh from behind you. “Yes, it’s always with me.” You turn and look him up and down.
You really could have showered together at this rate but you were already warm, and he was covered in water dripping head to toe.
“Shower or towel?” You grin up at him.
“Towel.” He replies, softly and you roll your eyes at him before turning around to fetch him two large towels.
When you come back he’s still standing in the same spot. Looking devilishly handsome. You hand him the first one so he can attack his hair. He does so very swiftly before starting to pat dry his neck and shoulders.
“You’re gonna have to strip if you plan to accomplish anything, darling.” You tease him. You place the other towel on the back of the couch and approach him.
“Your master plan, hmm?” He coos but you just shake your head, before starting to help him at least with his top half. You have no idea how he made it here with all that armor on. It must weigh him down but he never shows it.
You’re both quiet as you get to work, relieving him of his cape, arm guards, and unclasping the top of his black chest plate to reveal his open black shirt underneath. You can feel the blush on your face at seeing his exposed chest but you move on so that you won’t be on the receiving end of his teasing.
He reaches down to remove the shirt eyeing you all the while. You roll your eyes at him, he knows you like seeing him shirtless; it’s nothing new. But you laugh anyway.
He grabs the towel he was using to finish drying off. You leave him there as he sits on the ground to undo his boots.
You check the temperature of the water on the stove. He must have turned it off when he arrived. There are two cups waiting on the side.
You reach up to get the hot cocoa from your cupboard. Then over to your fridge to grab a spot of milk. It makes it creamier for you. Once you’re done fixing your drinks you head back into the living room.
Varka is leaning against the back of the couch in his underwear. You’re trying to laugh at the way he’s angling on the couch. He’s trying not to get it anymore wet than it is.
“You could still take a shower you know?” You mumble as you reach his form, you keep the cups close to you briefly. He reaches his arm out to take one of them from you, and you sigh.
“I’m fine, sweetheart. I just might be naked when we go to bed.”
“When aren’t you?” You sniffle, before taking a sip of your warm beverage. Yes, the milk definitely helps. Varka takes his as it is, though you know he’ll notice the lack of marshmallows. He’s always obsessed over them since you were teenagers. It was kind of funny actually.
“No mallows?” He pouts.
“Sorry, I don’t drink this that often.”
“I’ll try to remember to get some, or you could make some for me…” He trails off.
You roll your eyes. “Ridiculous.” You comment softly.
You’ve finished your drink before he’s finished with his, so you load up all this various armor and clothes, and go to hang them up in your bathroom. It’s the most warm place in your cabin right now. The fire only covers so much of the area and you don’t want to burn any of his clothes, especially the fur pelt that always hangs around his shoulder.
Varka is washing out your mugs at the sink, when you return. You take a seat on the couch while waiting for him.
He plops down next to you, kicking his long legs onto the couch and leans back to lay his head on your legs. You smile at him from above. He’s closed his eyes and sighs. “This is my favorite place, you know.”
“My thighs?”
He opens one eye to look at you. “No, although they’re good too. I just like being with you.”
This man is the worst, because he knows what to say to make you feel utterly besotted with him. You appreciate that more than he knows.
You thread your hand through his hair, combing it so it doesn’t become matted because it’s wet. He hums happily. You try to ignore the feel of the vibrato against your legs.
“What made you come out here in the middle of a storm?” You whisper.
“I had already planned to come see you. I can’t help the weather. Besides, you gave me a treat.”
“A treat?” You mumble. His hair is starting to dry from the fire’s warmth.
“Your eyes watching me strip is its own reward.”
You scoff at him, “Varka be serious.”
“I am,” He pauses, looking at you now with both eyes. “Knowing you like looking at me reinvigorates me.”
“My dear Grandmaster, anyone with eyes should find you attractive.”
“I’m not talking about them. You’re the only one I love and cherish in this way. It means something that I like looking at you and you like roving your eyes over me. It’s honestly very sexy.”
You start laughing. “There you go again.”
“What? I find you incredibly sexy. That’s not a crime.” He quips.
“It’s not. Nor will you get your way tonight. I might get sick, and we don’t need you getting sick.”
Varka grabs the hand that’s in his hair and pulls it towards his chest. “Do you feel ill?”
“Just some sniffles right now, but as you know I really get sick when it happens.”
“Yes, and I'm as strong as an ox. Rarely do I get ill so I’ll take care of you if you’re unwell.”
You smile. “Alright but don’t say I didn’t warn you if I can’t breathe tomorrow.”
He sits up suddenly. “Nonsense. Now let’s go to bed.” He orders, and before you know it he has swung you over his shoulders and starts walking down the hall.
“Varka!” You mumble against his back.
You feel his joyous laughter vibrate through his body as he enters the bedroom. The sheets are still a mess from this morning making it easier for him to place you in your place.
You’re in the dark but you can still see his outline as he sheds his last piece of clothing and joins you in bed.
You expect him to wrap his arms around you like always, but he doesn’t. You turn towards him and reach for his face. He drags himself closer to you, as you kiss him softly.
He pulls you on top of him as he kisses you back. You can feel him sigh against your tongue. You pull back to make sure, “You okay, Varka?”
“I’m perfect, sweetheart.” You nod before settling against his chest. “I just love you, that’s all.”
You reach for his other hand that’s not slung around your waist, intertwining your fingers. “I love you too, Varka.” You mumble quietly. It’s not the first time you’ve said it, but it always makes you feel at ease.
Like he said earlier, it’s just nice to know he feels the same. You exist with him, on equal levels.
He presses a kiss to your hair, and you smile. You fall asleep to the sound of his heart beating rhythmically.
In the morning you do wake up to a stuffy nose, and even worse a sore throat. You’re normally okay dealing with just one but both at the same time is insufferable.
You’re attempting to get out of Varka’s arm when he opens his eyes. There is dim lighting in the room from the windows. “Damn my superpowers don’t work on you. Stay in bed, I’ll get you sorted.”
He proceeds to lay you on the pillow and cover you properly this time before leaving the room.
You can hear him in the kitchen doing god know what. By the time he comes back you’ve lulled into partial sleep. Trying to stay awake but too warm from the blankets. It’s very cozy.
“You can rest after this, sweetheart.” He calls as he sits next to you, he’s in one of your larger shirts. It just barely covers him.
You sit up slowly, and take the cup he’s brought. One whiff it, tells you he’s concocted something.
You eye him suspiciously. “It’s just a remedy we take when one of the soldiers gets sick. I added honey for you to sweeten it.”
You take a hesitant sip, and nearly gag. So many conflicting spices. The honey only helps it go down. “I know it’s awful, but it works better than medicine most of the time.”
You mumble. “I’d rather drink medicine, but for you I’ll drink it. Maybe add more honey next time. I’m not like your soldiers.” He pats your hair lightly. “I know, I just want you to feel better sweetheart.”
“I know,” You reply quietly before taking a breath and chugging the contents of the mug.
You seriously want to gag all over again, but at least you feel warmth from the drink. He takes the mug from you and sets it on the nightstand.
“Now get some rest, I’ll be back soon. I just need to get a new set of clothes. I’ll be out of armor I promise.” He smirks knowingly.
You hear him enter the bathroom but after that, you’re once again asleep.
It has to be late afternoon when you wake up, the sun is still shining in the room but only barely. You move to sit and nearly lay back down. You feel better, but are incredibly weak. You'll have to tell Varka it didn’t work completely. Your throat is still sore and the back of your eyes hurt.
“Ugh.” You groan.
You hear loud footsteps, and then are greeted with Varka in normal clothes. He’s donned a pair of black slacks with a dark blue shirt. His feet are bare but you can’t quite see him without his boots.
He frowns, looking over you. “Alright, medicine it is and this soup that Sara whipped up for you.”
You smile at him, he is doing his best. Your immune system is just failing you again. He’s out of the room again in a hurry. He comes back with a bottle of medicine that he likely got out of your medicine cabinet or your desk where you occasionally create potions.
“I’m reheating the soup.” He comments, as you take the medicine.
“Thank you.” He’s frowning again at the sound of your voice. You do not sound quite yourself.
You set the correct dosage of medicine, and take it before passing the medicine back over to him. He places it on the nightstand.
“Do you remember when you caught that fever when we were kids?”
You smile. “Jean had to make you leave because you wanted to stay over until I felt better.”
“It wasn’t fair, she got to stay.” He pouted.
“Jean is my best friend and also a woman, of course she took care of me. She was also very suspicious of you. It was pretty funny.” You giggled.
“Jokes on her, I got my turn.” He mumbled.
You laugh.
“Thank you for taking care of me.” You tell him softly.
He hums, reaching over to brush your hair from your face. “No problem, sweetheart. I’ll be here until you get sick of me, or they drag me out.” His expression is soft and meaningful.
You know he means it, he’ll follow his words down to the letter.
He stays with you for a couple days while you’re getting better.
“I’ll go with you to the office, mostly to say hi to Jean.”
“Right, she’s been asking when you were coming into town. I didn’t know how to answer.”
“I’ve just been tired, is all. We’ll get drinks later.”
He nods.
He clasps your hand, as you lock the door and you begin your journey to Mondstat. Jean is in her office when you arrive at The Knights of Favonius headquarters.
She beams at you, standing when she notices you next to Varka. He had dropped your hand before you entered the building. While it was no secret to those close to you that you were dating he still did his best to appear as Grandmaster when in the company of others.
“Finally, you returned to the city.” She teases you.
“I heard you’ve been asking about me, Jean.” You walk around her desk and give her a quick hug which she reciprocates.
“Yes, it’s been about a month or so since we last had drinks. I was beginning to worry you were avoiding us.”
You laugh, knowing it was possible it was on Jean's list of worries. “No, I’ve just been a bit busy, and tired and then I got sick. I’m happy to grab drinks with you later.”
Jean nods, then angles her head to Varka. “You okay not having their attention for a night?”
Varka laughs. “I don’t spend every waking moment with them. I mean I would love to, but yes Jean please take my darling partner out for drinks. I’ll even pay.”
“Not necessary.” You tell him.
“Well I wasn’t going to argue.” Jean sighs.
You smile at her, Varka can’t always get his way.
“I’m going to the Cathedral for a little while. I’ll be back later.”
“Tell Barbara I said hello.” Jean comments.
You give Varka a passing kiss on the cheek before leaving the two officials to have a meeting that doesn’t actually revolve around you.
It is nice to be in the city again. Like most of Mondstat it has a certain feel to it, it is home.