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Fae shouldn't have to deal with human ailments like illness. And yet, Flins laid in his bed inside his abode at the final night cemetery feeling like an electro slime wandering across the frozen tundra of Snezhnaya. This human form rarely felt such afflictions however, the stress caused by the increase of the wild hunt seemed to take a toll on him. Fever, aches and chills. He wanted to disappear inside his lamp for at least a week. However, his duty still called to him. The wild hunt could appear at any moment and the light keepers were already understaffed.
Every time he sat up, instantly he fell back to the sheets below him. Flins was a strong man and yet, now he felt as weak as a newborn fawn. It was becoming ever frustrating. His patrol needed to be walked; the citizens of Nod Krai required safety. And yet, the pale fae felt like he was currently lost in a blizzard on the coldest mountain peak. His body felt like he had been battling the strongest of beasts for days on end. His mind felt foggier than the legendary shrouded island in Inazuma.
The window to the room was open. The cool fresh breeze of the isle rushing in did seem to help a bit. Yet the world still felt to be spinning in slow motion. Did he simply over do it? Or was this a new illness sweeping the small nation? Only a doctor could tell him and yet he sat alone in his dwelling.
A sudden knock came from the door below his sleeping chamber. His hazed mind could hardly process what the sound was. He tried to blink away the fog, tried to get the gears in his mind to finally grind together like they were supposed to. Flins grunted in frustration the moment the sound of the knock finally registered. By then, the door had already opened and closed. There were heavy footsteps up the stairwell nearby. Someone had arrived at the light house.
“Who is there?” Flins called out, hoping the illness did not appear in his voice.
“Whoa, calm down there big dog.” A familiar voice replied.
Flins relaxed the second he realized who was visiting his home. The heavy footsteps stopped just outside his door. The fae mustered all his available strength to sit up on the bed to greet his guest. Yellow eyes softened as the familiar knight opened the door.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, grand master?” Flins hummed.
“Oh a little birdy told me you weren't on your normal route to patrol. Figured I'd come by and see if Lauma was needed on the case.” Varka laughed. “I never knew the fae could get sick like this! You look down for the count my friend!”
“It is… a very rare occasion. It seems the stress has pushed me to the brink. I just hope there is not an epidemic on the rise on our small isle. What ever would the ghosts do?” Flins did his best to match the energy of the boisterous man who just came into his space.
“I think for once you should worry about yourself instead of your local residents of the final night cemetery!” Varka smirked. “Now, when was the last time you went on a supply run?”
“I purchased supplies from Nasha Town approximately three days ago. The lighthouse is well stocked as always in case of passing travelers. Or guests such as yourself.” Flins reported.
“C’mon now Kyryll… I’m not a passing traveler or a random guest! I’m your battle companion, your friend, your-” Varka was cut off by a pillow being thrown at his head.
“If you say something crude while I am feeling under the weather, I will electrocute you.” Flins’ threat was followed by a weak glare.
“I was going to say my partner but if you want crude…” Varka teased lightly. When the lightkeeper’s eyes began to gain an eerie purple haze, the knight held up his hands in surrender. “You win, you win…”
“Did you come here just to pick on a man while he is down?” Flins complained.
“Tease you when indisposed? The accusation!” Varka chuckled. “I’d never… I came to see what you needed. Why don't I start off with making you some tea and making sure you rest?”
“Tea sounds phenomenal.” Yellow eyes grew heavy as the words slurred past his lips. His body settled back against the soft sheets. Somehow the arrival of the grand master made him feel at ease. He fell asleep listening to the sound of heavy boots walking down the staircase.
When his eyes fluttered open, the sun was much lower than he had remembered it being. He sat up, rubbing the sleep away from his eyes. After a few blinks, the drowsiness finally washed away and the room was in a much clearer view and he could finally observe his surroundings. He… expected Varka to be in the room. Had the grand master left the isle after he fell asleep?
A pang of disappointment thrumbed deep in his chest. His illness felt so much easier to bear the moment his smiling knight arrived at his home and yet, he was not here. Looking to the side, he noticed a mug of cold tea that was probably made fresh for him hours ago. His eyes scanned across the expanse of his quarters one more time. No evidence of Varka was there, a heavy weight sheltering his shoulders at the discovery.
His knees rose to his chest as he almost curled into himself. Disappointment… the only word he could find at that moment. The knight was a busy man and he had arrived unannounced. It was asking far too much to keep him cooped up in the lighthouse when he had an entire squad to command. And yet the fae felt greedy. He often did when it came to Sir Varka. A small creek sounded in the hallway beyond his door. Did a creature enter his domain? The light pressure approached his door and suddenly disappeared. Peculiar…
Summoning all the energy he could muster, Flins pushed himself up from the mattress to check the near silent commotion outside his door. His legs barely swung over the edge of the mattress when the wood swung open. Yellow eyes warmed as the sight of his knight filled all of his senses.
“Ah you're awake! How are you feeling?” Varka approached him, pressing a hand tenderly to Flins forehead. “No more fever, that's good… seems like that nap was awfully healing. I won’t have to call Lauma over here. Quite the hike from the Frostmoon Scions.”
“Please, we do not need to alert Lauma. Rest was sufficient enough in healing. Your watchful eye was helpful. Thank you for visiting, grand master.”
“Kyryll…” Varka smiled warmly. “Formality went out the window a long time ago. C'mere.”
Varka pulled him up from the bed, supporting his partner. Flins felt safe in the knight's arms, knowing he would never fall with Varka at his side. The fae returned the warm smile, chuckling softly as he was tenderly squeezed. One day, Varka would realize the formality was simply something he did to tease him in private. One day, Varka would learn the true mischief of the fae. One day, Flins would learn to rely on others and not just survive on his own in isolation.
“Your presence is enough in my abode, Varka. I… was lamenting at the fact I woke up without you in my space. I had to justify your departure as so many rely on you and yet it was still a challenge. Forgive me for being a selfish fae.” Flins murmured.
“Yes my men are important and I have a lot to do in Nod Krai. But, you, Kyryll, are my priority. I’d never leave without saying goodbye to my little lamp. Especially when you were under the weather like that. Now… do you feel up to eating something or I can make you some new tea or we can lay around, perhaps read…?” Varka offered.
“How long can I keep you on my isle?” Flins smirked.
“For however long you need me. If someone needs me, they know where to find me, I assure you.” Varka replied.
“Then let us do all three. Let me be greedy with your company a little longer.” Flins whispered.
Large hands squeezed his side, his favorite chuckle hitting his ears. Flins shoulders relaxed as his request was eagerly accepted. There was a healing quality about this knight that the light keeper hadn't experienced in his existence until now. A quality that no healer could ever conjure with a vision. It was a mending of the soul only someone so pure of heart could perform.
“You can be greedy with me any time you want.” Varka pressed a kiss to his forehead. “C’mon now… let's go down to the kitchen and get this party started.”
The knight offered a hand to the ratnik. When the day began, it felt crushing. And yet here, with Varka, he felt healed. The world felt lighter. The aches and pains were gone. The fever dissipated. He could keep fighting another day as long as the Mondstadt knight was at his side. After 700 years, Flins’ lantern felt warmer than it ever had.