It takes a while for Illuga to realise just what kind of person Lohen truly is. No, it's not about the man's bloodthirsty nature; that one was quite easy to figure out after he saw the newly arrived vice captain throwing himself into the middle of the Wild Hunt again and again for sports. Instead, it's about how absolutely deranged that man is when it comes to dealing with his desire.

Although, in the first place, Illuga doesn't quite understand what is it about him that attracted the man's attention. He's not particularly strong—nothing close to the hunk of a man that is Grandmaster Varka; nor is he particularly attractive—unlike the ethereal beauty that is Sir Flins. Now, he can understand if Lohen is interested in either of them… but him of all people?

Illuga simply cannot comprehend how things end up turning out this way.

At first, he thought that the vice captain is visiting his house to have a discussion with him about how to handle subordinates, but how come the conversation is steering further away from troops management and somehow evolved into sharing their daily lives? Not that he particularly minds, just that he doesn't understand where the conversation is going. Nevertheless, it seems like Lohen enjoys hearing about his personal training routine. He wonders if the vice captain minds sharing about his as well…

“Can I kiss you?” Lohen asks so easily, cutting him off in the middle of explaining about mandragora.

The way it is said so casually makes Illuga suspect that it is, in fact, a casual thing for the other man. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the thought of that annoys him a little—so much so that his eyebrows scrunch up together.

“What do you mean by that? Is this some kind of new distraction tactic?” Illuga responds, his tone defensive. He doesn't realise how much it also sounds like he is pouting.

“Hmm, so that's not a no.” Lohen smirks as if he has already won, then slowly moves to corner Illuga against the wall. “Does that mean I've got a chance, then?”

Before Illuga can answer, Lohen swiftly closes the rest of the distance between them and connects their lips together.

The kiss is rough, more teeth than one would expect for a first kiss. Illuga momentarily blanks out due to the suddenness of the kiss before coming back into his senses and immediately fights back. He tries to push away the body pressed against his and struggle away from the kiss, yet it poses to be a challenge as they are equal in strength. He contemplates butting their heads together, but before he can do that, he feels Lohen bite hard and tries to shove his tongue in.

A fighter's instinct sometimes works faster than their brain. Illuga throws a punch that lands squarely on Lohen's side face before he even realises what's happening. It leaves him feeling a little guilty, he doesn't think that level of what he supposes should be called harassment deserves that harsh of a feedback. However, the moment he sees blush spreading on the other man's face and the red in his eyes sparkling brighter with delight as he licks the inside of his most likely bleeding cheek, Illuga can't help but think he didn't punch hard enough.

“Sir Lohen!” Illuga snaps, finally managing to push the sticky man away from him. “Just what do you think you're doing!”

“Kissing you.” Lohen licks his own lips, then continues tonguing at his bruised cheek, seemingly savouring the sensation of the event that just transpired.

“Why!” Illuga can't help but raise his voice, breath heaving, face turning red from both anger and embarrassment. “If you dislike me so much and want to make fun of me, you don't have to go this far!”

“But I don't dislike you, Little Birdie.” Lohen chuckles, he almost wants to shiver from pleasure and amusement at seeing Illuga so flustered and… breathless. “In fact, I like you quite a lot. Especially after that punch. Very feisty. I like that.”

“I… you… huh?” Illuga feels like his brain is not working properly, or maybe it's his ears? He's not sure anymore.

“Actually, you can hit me a little harder,” Lohen continues, the spark of interest in his eyes looks blindingly bright. “You know I can take it.”

Illuga's face immediately turns a shade darker, looking even redder than before. He really really wants to throw a set of punches at Lohen now, especially at that stupid little (pretty) face, but he knows that it will just further delight this oddball of a man. So instead, he takes a deep breath, then steels his expression.

“Get out,” he commands, pushing Lohen towards the door, then shoves the man outside. “Don't come back before you finish reflecting on your bad behaviour today!”

“Ah, so I'm allowed to come back?” Lohen teases further, enjoying the faux composure on the lightkeeper's face.

Illuga simply responds by slamming the door right in front of that annoying man's face. Once back inside his own home, he slides down against the door and curls up right there and then, wishing the ground could swallow him whole.

Outside, Lohen stares at the closed door for a moment before laughing uncontrollably. He then grimaces at the pain from the bruise on his cheek, stroking lightly at the place his dear Little Bird has punched him.

“I'll be sure to come back!” he says to the man behind the door before making his way back to the camp.

As he walks, he can't help reminiscing at the several different expressions the little lightkeeper made due to his provocations. He then wonders just how many more expressions he can coax out of the other man... The thought sends shivers down his spine.

It seems like the days he is going to spend in this land will be much more interesting than before. Lohen can't wait to come back and meet Illuga again.