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Nod-krai is a dark and dreary place except when the moon rises. The moon makes all of Nod-krai glimmer. But it always gets ruined by the wild hunt. When they appear they bring darkness and fog of a fuchsia colour which is beautiful in its own way, but death always follows. But to prevent that the Lightkeepers appear with their lanterns, which are just hand held suns. Though among the Lightkeepers there is a particular captain that shines the brightest. His name is Illuga. Leader of the investigation squadron also known as the Nightmare Orioles.
But the Lightkeepers aren't the only ones keeping people safe in Nod-krai; the Knights of Favonius are also there. The Grandmaster Varka is as strong and tough as they come. (I want to see him and the leader of the lightkeepers fight it would be so awesome) But with the knights there is also an individual who is... interesting to say the least, the vice captain of the fifth company: Lohen. Who is known for being reckless with their own life and being very battle hungry. The Grandmaster has joked about just setting up a large catapult and launching them at the enemy.
With this current Wild hunt outbreak the knights and Lightkeepers are working together. The Lightkeepers main focus is on clearing the fog so people can see and don't die because of it.
While the knights focus on watching their backs and keeping the enemies at bay until the fog is cleared.
Lohen of course is just "fight everything in sight" taking down every enemy they come across, getting a little injured as they do.(A little more like a lot)
After the battle and everyone groups back up to check damage of each other and equipment Lohen is nowhere to be found. Worried, Varka makes the request that Illuga finds him. now Illuga is going over the whole battle field looking for Lohen with Aedon's help untill he hears something that sounds like laughter? When Illuga finds them they are laughing covered in both their own and the enemies blood. They look beautiful in like a gorey way. Snapping out of that thought Illuga runs to them trying to clean the blood off of them so he can properly patch Lohen up.
Lohen stops laughing and just stares at Illuga with the most blank expression like they're not even present.
"Illuga?" Lohen says.
Illuga breaks out of focus mode and responds with "hm?"
"You don't have to do this I can do it later on my own."
Illuga stares and responds with "No, these need to be taken care of now so they don't get infected." Lohen continues to stare blankly. "Okay this is the best I can do for now let me get you to Piramida to better take care of your injuries." "Can you walk?" Lohen tries to stand, their body shaking and almost falling, but Illuga caught them before they could hit the ground.
"You know, I'm just going to carry you."
"That's unnecessary, I'm fine."
"You clearly aren't, you almost fell."
"Keyword almost which means I didn't, so I'm fine."
"The only reason you didn't is because I caught you!"
"While I thank you for that I will be fine Birdie. I've gone through worse."
Illuga sighs and just picks Lohen up because arguing is getting them nowhere.
"Hey, put me down!" Lohen wiggles to get free.
"No I'm taking you to Piramida and I'm going to patch up your wounds and that's how it's going to be cottontail."
The nickname registers in Lohen's head. Cottontail? Did he just? Lohen's face becomes redder than blood and they fall silent no longer struggling and accepting their fate.
As Illuga carries them they pass by the other knights and Lightkeepers who stare mouths agape but none of them move or say anything as they pass, though Varka has a smile that makes it seem like he knew this would happen.
When they get to Piramida, Illuga brings Lohen to his house and sets them down on the chair outside so he can unlock the door. Afterwards, Illuga picks Lohen back up and carries them to the couch. Illuga surveys the damage noticing it's mostly their upper body injured.
"I need you to take off your shirt, it's in the way" with that Lohen slides off the upper layers of their clothes being cooperative. Illuga then goes to get all the necessary medical supplies. As Illuga cleans and bandages the wounds he notices symmetrical scars on their chest along with a lot of others mostly old and faded. After Illuga finishes patching Lohen up he stands up and asks "Are you hungry? I can make some food."
"I can eat."
Illuga gives double thumbs up and goes to the kitchen making the very warm and tasty Nightwatch Soup. Lohen sits there thinking mostly zoning out.
Until Illuga comes back with the soup handing them a spoon and sitting down next to Lohen. "Thank you," Lohen says.
"For what?" Illuga replies.
"For putting up with me. I know most people would just not cause I'm difficult." Lohen says that last part with a bitter mocking tone. "And for the food. It's good."
"Well it is my duty as a Lightkeepers to take care of my comrades." Illuga pauses then continues staring directly at Lohen.
"Plus, I like taking care of you no matter how difficult or annoying you are. I will always take care of-.' before Illuga can finish saying what he was saying Lohen bites his hand. "Ow, what the heck!"
Lohen blinks.
"Don't just blink explain yourself!" "I- I was making sure you were real."
"Why wouldn't I be real?" Illuga asks.
"It's just no one is as nice as you are to someone like me so I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or hallucinating from blood loss." Lohen says looking everywhere except at Illuga.
It's rare, but in these moments it's just Lohen no fake smile, no hiding of how they are feeling, just true authentic Lohen. Illuga didn't know they could fall for Lohen anymore than he'd already had until now. Lohen takes the hand they bit and brings it back to their mouth but instead of biting again they gently kiss Illuga's hand taking Illuga by surprise.
"Sorry, I'll try to not bite you again." "It's okay, it mostly just surprised me, that's all. Honestly, I'm okay with the biting it's kinda ... nice?" Illuga says that last part not sure if that's the true feeling.
"Then you won't mind if I nom on your face, will you!" Lohen says going to tackle Illuga to chew on his face
"Ack Lohen stop!" Illuga says through giggles not really being serious. During the face nomming Illuga's eyes are watering from laughing and they are squeezed shut.
Then Lohen kisses him, but they're unsure if Illuga wants to so they try to pull away only to be met with hands gently cupping their face, holding them in place. When the both of them decide breathing's a real thing they pull away. Breathless they stare at each other. Illuga smiles like it's the best day of his life. (which it might be)
Lohen just looks at him and his radiant smile and beautiful eyes and the mole under his left eye feeling happier than ever.
Eventually they both sit up holding hands and enjoying the calming silence before Lohen says "Can I spar with your dad?"
Earning them a light smack on the head and a "Maybe, you'd have to ask him."
"Why would you want to?"
Lohen just smiles and says, "I have to prove I'm worthy of being with you."
Illuga fondly sighs and rolls his eyes and says "I'll see what I can do, but I promise nothing."
"Eh, good enough." Lohen then kisses Illuga again. And then stops to nom on his neck a little. "Okay no more nomming on me for the rest of the day."
Lohen pouts sadly while laying on top of Illuga. They fall asleep.
Illuga carries Lohen to his bed discarding some of his own layers and curling up with them, falling asleep soon after.
THE END.