Work Text:
It all started with the end of a sparring match. Lohen had spent the better part of a week wearing down Varka's resolve, until he finally accepted the challenge. The fight started off like all their previous ones. Varka had intended to go on the defensive and assess while Lohen tired himself out, before putting a quick and brutal end to the spar. He wouldn't ever say he underestimated Lohen, in fact he liked to think he knew the younger man's strengths and talents quite well. Midway through, however, he had to admit that the Vice Captain had improved by a lot recently. Varka had to switch tactics, but it seemed that Lohen had expected as much. In a show of boosted speed and ferocity, the polearm user put him on his back heel. Lohen grinned, and a manic gleam entered his eyes as he pushed his advantage.
Varka stumbled back, a minor misstep that most wouldn't have even noticed. Lohen pounced. Varka attempted to catch himself, using one of his greatswords to dig into the ground. Lohen lashed out with his polearm, forcing Varka to let go and try to side-step. A second of uncertain footing and a well timed feinting blow sent the two of them onto the ground. Varka ended up on his back, with Lohen practically straddled his chest. He looked at the Grand Master gleefully. Varka was pinned. Lohen had his polearm readied to ward off Varka's remaining greatsword. His other hand held his knife pressed against the blond's throat.
"Well, what's your move, Grand Master?" Lohen cooed with delight.
Varka considered his options. There weren't many good ones. Many relied on dislodging Lohen without getting slashed by that wicked knife. He trusted Lohen wouldn't go that far purposefully, but he knew what a risky maneuver and a slip of a hand could do. He felt the chill from the cryo-infused blade against his throat.
"I yield." Varka said.
Lohen's eyes went wide from surprise. His coy smile evaporated as he tried to determine whether Varka meant it. A heartbeat later, a vicious grin crossed his lips. "Really?"
"Yes. Now, do you mind letting me up?"
"Oh... uh, yes." Lohen withdrew his blade and scrambled off. He did not offer a hand as Varka stood up.
Varka dusted himself. He grinned and clapped the vice captain on the shoulder, "Well, congrats. I feel a celebration is in order... hmm, let's head to the Angel's Share."
"Sure," Lohen snorted, "Sounds more like you trying to soothe the sting of defeat, but I'll come along."
The next few days passed in a slow, grueling blur. One would think that the stacks of paper within the Grand Master's office would dwindle down, with the workload split between Varka and Jean. Unfortunately, it seemed that once they were close to catching up, there was always more. Such was the nature of paperwork. The two had made some good progress the previous week, until knights from Sixth Company uncovered enough misfiled forms and misplaced letters to fill a large box. Varka ended up with a considerable stack even after the box was sorted and redistributed. The temptation to flee crossed his mind several times throughout the past few days. He ignored it, already feeling guilty over the idea of leaving poor Jean even more overworked than usual. Part of him wondered if he was getting in her way. While Jean could focus and work with frightening efficiency, Varka's attention constantly drifted. It wasn't from lack of effort, but he often had to re-read reports until the information stuck. As a result, Jean would get much further than Varka could when it came to paperwork.
"Grand Master," Jean prompted.
Varka looked up from letter he had been staring at. It was some sort of collaborative proposal from students from Sumeru's Akademiya. "Yes, Jean?"
Her piercing eyes appraised him before she offered, "How about we take a break?"
Varka frowned, "You feeling alright?"
"Yes, I am. But I can tell you've hit your limit. You have been reading the same page for the past half hour." Her tone was direct, but not unkind.
"Ah... well, it's... very dense," Varka winced, "I can push through."
The doubtful look Jean gave him stung. She did not voice her thoughts, but instead said, "If you're worried about me, don't be. I'll also take a break."
"Well, if you insist," Varka pushed back from his desk.
He ended up taking a walk along Star Fell Lake. A bit long for a stroll to clear his mind, but it wasn't like he couldn't rush back to the city if necessary. Besides, Varka was fairly certain that a particular vice captain might be on the hunt. He didn't want to risk any civilians getting caught up in Lohen's traps. So he avoided anywhere with heavy foot traffic.
It had been a while since Varka last saw Lohen. In fact, he hadn't truly spoken to him since their latest spar. Lohen had a habit of interrupting Varka's work and granting a welcome distraction. Jean's presence, however, provided a good deterrent. She was vigilant about keeping Varka on task, and would not entertain Lohen's antics. Worse was when Lohen tried to test her resolve and he ended up with some sort of punishment - often sent away with paperwork for him. Subsequently, the vice captain avoided the Grand Master's office when Jean was around unless strictly necessary.
The monotony Varka had been subjected to made him miss Lohen. Lohen's eagerness for battle and penchant for utilizing underhanded methods certainly made things interesting. Others might have misgivings over his eccentricities, but Varka thought it added to the vice captain's... charm. If one could call it that. Either way, he kept the Grand Master on his toes. Even now as Varka found himself keeping an eye out for hidden traps along his path.
Varka tried to push past his pondering and enjoy his walk. He was mostly successful; though even he found it hard to truly relax while on guard for traps and ambushes. He considered checking what Lohen was scheduled for, though whether Lohen adhered to said schedule was hit or miss. It wasn't like the vice captain to make himself scarce, unless he was up to something. Varka noted to try to check up on Lohen when the opportunity arose. Satisfied with the plan, Varka realized he was already back in Mondstadt city. So much for a break.
At the very least, it seemed that Lohen was still alive and being his usual self. That was what the vice captain's recent reports indicated. The word of a few knights who had run into him corroborated that much, as well. Varka ultimately didn't have too much time to investigate further. Somehow the days back home were busier than his time in Nod-Krai. Well, perhaps not the last few months of the expedition, but overall. A little over a week had passed since the latest spar with Lohen. Towards the end of the week, Varka happened to run into some knights from Fifth Company - lacking their vice captain. When he asked about Lohen's whereabouts, they seemed a little unsure themselves.
"Vice Captain's off 'hunting' again. Apparently patrol routes weren't scratching that battle hungry itch," Ursula said with a shrug, "Maybe talk to Mika? Lohen's been pestering him lately."
Varka sighed, "Again?"
Ursula hummed an affirmative with a nod.
"I'll deal with it. Thanks." Varka was already moving as the knights bid him a farewell.
Mika was easy to find. He was in the library, making use of a table to spread out a few different maps for comparison. The young knight was completely absorbed in his work. He consulted his notebook, before making small marks on the map that sat central on the table. Part of Varka was disappointed to see Lohen wasn't around. It was a slim chance that he would be around, but it would have made things more convenient.
"Hey Mika," Varka greeted, before rushing over to hush the startled knight. He said in a whispered hiss, "Watch it. Do you want Lisa to kick us out?"
Poor Mika shook his head, staring at the Grand Master with wide eyes. "N-No, sir. Sorry."
Varka took a step back and sighed, "Nothing to apologize for." He looked to the table. "What are you working on?"
Mika relaxed almost immediately once he turned back to the table. That was one thing Varka could admire about the surveyor: nearly all of his nerves went away when it came to his work. Mika ghosted a hand over the main map. "I am comparing current monster locations with previously noted ones to see if there are any changes in their settling patterns."
"Ah." That sounded equal parts interesting and boring but overall like something important. "Anything interesting yet?"
"I need more information." Mika replied.
"I see." Varka looked for subject change once it seemed Mika wasn't going to explain further. "Well, I wanted to check in as I heard Lohen has been bothering you again."
"Oh, the vice captain?" Mika's brow furrowed. "Well, I have seen him more often, but I wouldn't say he's been bothering me. Yeah, he sometimes gets in the way, but he's actually been quite helpful lately."
"Helpful how?" Varka had a feeling there was some sort of catch when it came to Lohen's help.
"Uh, I suppose it was a little bothersome that he kept taking my notes, but we came up with an agreement. I've provided him a copy of my notes about monster locations of interest. In return, he's been reporting what he's seen while out." Mika explained.
Varka wondered if Lohen was finding a way to get out of his own reports by simply telling Mika and getting a copy of what Mika had written. Another thing to look into later. "About how long has this agreement been in place?"
"Around a week? Captain Eula nearly challenged the vice captain to a duel the last time he swiped my notes. Captain Kaeya intervened, fortunately... but it got me to thinking. I proposed an exchange, and it's been going smoothly since." Mika had a small smile, like he was proud himself.
That was conveniently about the same time that Varka last saw Lohen. Was Lohen forgoing the time he usually spent messing with Varka to focus on Mika of all people? Nothing against the surveyor. Actually, Varka was about seventy percent sure that Mika and Lohen were... friends? At least the closest to a friend that Lohen had among the knights. Still, it was a little odd. Varka wasn't sure if the timing was merely coincidental. He didn't have enough context to draw any conclusions.
Realizing how much time had passed, Varka cleared his throat before he replying, "That's... good, I suppose. Have you seen him recently?"
"Yes, just this morning in fact." Mika gestured to the map with the feathered end of his quill. "Apparently he's been seeking out Dvalin, over by Stormterror's Lair. No sign of Dvalin since Lohen's been there, but he'd taken out a few Ruin Hunters before he gave up."
Varka sighed. Last thing he needed was Lohen pestering the Dragon of the East for a fight. Varka considered that he might owe his old drinking buddy a few rounds to get his help with smoothing over any misunderstandings. It seemed, based on Mika's words, that the vice captain had already moved on. A small blessing if true, as deterring Lohen from a challenge was a pain.
"Any idea where Lohen is now?" Varka asked.
Mika flipped through his journal. "Hm. He might be heading to the outskirts of Dragon's Spine? There have been reports of a Lawachurl leaving the mountain. Nothing confirmed, but enough for Sir Lohen to take interest."
A single knight taking on a Lawachurl would have been concerning, if the knight was anyone other than Lohen. Lohen could be reckless, but he wasn't stupid. He had faced such challenging enemies before. Varka was fairly certain he would be fine.
"Well, I'll leave you to it. I'd heard Lohen had been bothering you, but if you say he's not, then I'll drop it. Keep up the hard work, Mika." Varka gave Mika a pat on the shoulder, nearly causing him to drop his quill. "Let me know if you hear from Lohen, alright?"
Mika nodded. "Of course, Grand Master."
Another week passed on, slow and boring. Varka tried his best to find some variety in his duties to break up the monotony. He made excuses to oversee patrol routes - to ensure efficiency, of course. He even involved himself with some of his knights' more petty squabbles to get away from his desk. When Jean asked, he claimed he was solving interpersonal matters and up-keeping morale. Something she did not buy, but also couldn't outright condemn him for. However, she reminded him that his stacks of paperwork only grew taller the longer he was away. He did have to admit that she had a point.
Finally free for the evening, Varka stepped out from headquarters. He sighed with a stretch. He felt he had earned a drink at the Angel's Share. Just as he was about to start walking in that direction, he spotted a familiar head of teal hair.
"Lohen!" Varka called out, beckoning the man over.
Lohen waved off the knight he was talking to and approached. His tone carried a teasing lilt as he asked, "Heading out for the night, Grand Master?"
"Yes. Join me for dinner? It feels like it's been ages since I last saw you." Varka punctuated his offer by clapping a hand upon Lohen's shoulder.
Lohen's eyes widened for a second, before he smirked. "Not afraid I'll poison your drinks?"
Varka chuckled, "I might welcome it, if you could get me out of work for a day."
Lohen snorted, "Where's the fun if you're expecting it? Much less fun if you want me to."
"Either way, you will come, yeah? Catch me up on what you've been up to." Varka used his hold on Lohen's shoulder and tugged him closer.
Lohen didn't resist the pull. "Sure, though if you have been working then you must have seen my reports."
"Oh, you mean the reports you foist onto your fellow knights and claim as yours?" Varka started walking, arm still around Lohen.
"Eh, does it really matter as long as the reports are accurate and on time?" Lohen shrugged.
"The point is that you wrote them." Varka chided.
Lohen huffed, "Not sure you're one to talk. Jean does a majority of your paperwork."
"Hey! I wouldn't say the majority... at any rate, Jean is authorized to do that. Your subordinates, or Mika in this case, are not." The Grand Master's tone was a little defensive.
The smaller man frowned, "Mika told on me, huh?"
"Not exactly. I don't think he even noticed you taking advantage of him. I was looking for you last week and took the opportunity to speak with him," Varka sighed as they stood before the tavern, "But enough of that, let's go in."
"Hold on, you were looking for me, Grand Master? Whatever for?" Amusement danced in Lohen's eyes.
"Let's have this conversation at a table, not in the doorway at least," Varka said as he nudged Lohen forward.
Lohen walked inside and scouted out a table upstairs. Varka lingered by the bar. After putting in their orders, he chatted up Charles. The Angel's Share was as busy as ever. It was filled with mostly familiar faces of regulars. Regulars that were quick to invite Varka over. He declined with a good-natured chuckle, and the excuse that he already had a table. Charles cleared his throat and slid a tankard of dandelion wine and a chilled glass of apple cider across the bartop. Varka thanked the bartender after receiving his and Lohen's drinks, and the promise of food being sent up in a moment.
Lohen had found them a table tucked away in a corner upstairs. He sat leaned back in his chair, rocking back so that only two of the chair legs remained on the floor. Lohen looked relaxed if not bored. Varka, however, caught onto the way Lohen glanced to their fellow customers every once in a while. Lohen wasn't nervous, but simply alert as he always was. Varka didn't miss the fact that Lohen had chosen a seat that gave him a vantage point over the stairs, and line of sight of the balcony. He wished the vice captain would truly relax. But he knew this was closest Lohen would be to relaxed in mixed company.
He set the drinks down. "Food should be up in a bit." He told Lohen, sitting across from him.
Lohen sat up, letting his chair fall forward. He pulled the apple cider towards himself, but did not take a sip yet. "So, you were looking for me? What for?"
Varka took a swig of his wine. "I hadn't seen you for a bit. So I was curious what you were up to. Usually, I can't go a few days without you underfoot. Two weeks without you being sent away on a mission has to be a record."
"Oh? You keeping track?" Lohen teased.
"Just concerned about you changing the pattern. Though I might have been overthinking it, since you seem fine," Varka said.
Lohen laughed. "Oh, you're definitely overthinking. You know a guy like me doesn't like to adhere to a schedule. Gotta stay unpredictable."
Varka snorted. Lohen certainly liked to think he was unpredictable, but everyone falls into patterns of behavior. Even if the behavior was unorthodox. "So what has Mr. Unpredictable been up to?"
"You haven't read?" Lohen teased, "What have you been doing in that office of yours?"
Varka replied, "Pretend I haven't. Enlighten me."
"Well..." Lohen took a drink from his cider before launching into his recounting. He shamelessly told of his many failed attempts to track down Dvalin in hopes for a "friendly battle". He then listed the monsters he fought, both at Stormterror's Lair and elsewhere. Many were elite monsters, but Lohen claimed the fights were boring and ended way too quickly. Varka listened attentively. He was amused by Lohen's failed quest to find harder targets.
"Well, if you were so disappointed by your recent foes, why didn't you come to me for another spar?" Varka asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
"Hm. You've been busy lately." Lohen dismissed.
"Hasn't stopped you before." Varka pointed out. Typically, Lohen acted as if he was owed Varka's time, waltzing in whenever he pleased.
Lohen shrugged and focused on the plate of food that had been brought up. "Rather not incur Jean's wrath."
"I suppose that's fair." It also sounded like an excuse, but Varka wasn't going to push.
Lohen hummed and pushed around the food on his plate. He seemed lost in thought during the lull in conversation. He then sat up with a grin. "Varka."
Oh, that smile promised trouble. Varka was curious. "Yes?"
"I was thinking... since the local monsters aren't up to snuff, maybe it's time to look for other training methods." Lohen drawled.
"Such as?" Varka prompted.
"Well, since you're all buddy-buddy with the Hexenzirkel, maybe you could see if they would be willing to cook up some sort of challenge? A real trial. Not some moralistic play like Nicole wrote up." Lohen's eyes gleamed at the prospect.
That quiet twinge of emotion Varka had been ignoring came to the forefront. Before he could identify it, he spoke, his tone harsher than intended, "Really, Lohen? Two weeks of avoiding me and you want to ask for a favor?"
Lohen's smile vanished. "Avoiding you? You make it sound like you missed me."
"Maybe I have," Varka admitted. When Lohen remained silent, he went on. "I've gotten used to you being around. Not always, of course, but more than you have been recently. If anything, it feels like you've been pulling away."
Lohen dropped his playful inflection. Matter-of-fact and frostily, he said,"You're overreacting."
"Am I?" Varka frowned. "I mentioned the opportunity to spar, something you usually jump at the opportunity for, and you just shrugged it off. I haven't seen you in my office, but clearly you've been in headquarters, chatting to Mika and the other knights. Not even any evidence of you messing with my drinks. My walks have been rather mundane without you and your traps."
"You sound insane, you know that? Almost like you're inviting me to mess with you." Lohen scoffed.
"I never minded it before." Varka leaned back in his chair. "I just want to know why the change."
Lohen broke eye contact. Quietly, he said, "I... don't have an excuse anymore."
"What?"
Lohen sighed, before repeating himself, "I don't have an excuse to keep bothering you."
"Lohen. What are you talking about?" Varka shook his head in disbelief. "You've never needed an excuse to do whatever you want. At least you never let that stop you before."
The vice captain shifted in his seat, and his face became lightly flushed. "W-Well, before I was pestering you for a spar as a marker for my progress. The times you agreed, you always defeated me. But then the last time... I won, so..." He trailed off.
"So... what? You're happy with just one victory?" Varka chuckled, though it lacked his usual humor. "You beat me once and think you can just leave me behind?"
Lohen looked at him, wide-eyed. "I..."
Varka stood up. "Come on. Let's have a rematch."
"Now?" Lohen said with disbelief.
Varka looked down and he rolled his shoulders. "I don't see the point of waiting. I'm up for it if you are."
Lohen contemplated it, before rising to follow. "Sure."
Varka grinned. "Let's see if you were a little too hasty to write me off just yet."
The training grounds were predictably clear, given the late hour. Night had settled. Though the visibility wasn't terrible, thanks to the moonlight and nearby torches. Varka stretched while eying Lohen. The vice captain rocked back on his heels as he waited several paces away.
"Rules as normal?" Varka asked, "No maiming, fight 'til one of us calls it?"
Lohen nodded, and summoned his polearm with a twirl.
"Alright, let's get started then." Varka welcomed the weight of his twin greatswords.
Lohen darted forward in an attempt to close the gap between them. Varka let him in and used one of his greatswords to bat away the polearm strike rather than dodging. Lohen withdrew to avoid losing his grip. He rolled to the side with a grin as a gust of anemo swept by where he was crouched. Varka had a wolfish smile and raised a brow, waiting on Lohen's next move.
The air grew colder as Lohen's vision activated. He sent out a spray of ice crystals as he maneuvered around Varka. He feigned an attack with his polearm while attempting to a slash with his cryo-infused knife. As fast as Varka was, Lohen anticipated his greatswords' size would make it awkward to block both weapons. Varka stepped back from the lunging polearm's path. At the same time, he dismissed one of his greatswords. Varka grabbed Lohen's wrist as the knife slashed. Instead of stopping the movement, the Grand Master used the momentum to throw Lohen to the ground.
Lohen rolled to avoid getting the wind knocked out of him. He turned to fix Varka with a glare, only to have to dodge out of the way of a heavy greatsword. He intercepted the following swing with his polearm. Lohen laughed as the impact sent a twinge up his arm and to his shoulder. Direct blocks never went well when Varka was on the other side. Lohen leapt back to avoid the next swing, and parried the one after that. Varka was being relentless, not allowing him a second to breathe and adjust. Varka might as well have been a whirlwind, with a pair of greatswords that worked in tandem with gusts of anemo.
Lohen welcomed the challenge. While Varka took their sparring matches seriously, it wasn't often he went all out. Lohen attempted to get a few blows in, but found himself having to retreat. It wasn't often Lohen found himself on the defensive. He was better suited for quick offensive attacks that were meant to overwhelm his opponent. Fortunately he was quick on his feet, but Varka was fast. Perhaps he was not as nimble, but certainly enough to keep Lohen on his toes. At this point, it was a matter of stamina. Either Varka's onslaught would slow enough for Lohen to retaliate, or Lohen would slip up and get caught.
Lohen gritted his teeth as his sweat cooled, nearly freezing upon his skin. He wasn't going to last long like this. His muscles were aching from how tense he was. Little cuts from close calls from either blade or anemo were adding up. He had to break out of this. Lohen suddenly dropped to the ground as Varka swung. He swung his polearm towards the taller man's ankles as he tried to slide past. Varka did jump, as Lohen hoped. But instead of leaping back to get more space, he stepped down on the shaft of the polearm. A risky move that could have resulted in Varka losing his footing. He kept his foot planted upon the polearm, making it near impossible to Lohen to pull free. Lohen ended up abandoning his grip as Varka swung down. He leapt back, finally granted the space and time to breathe but at the cost of his primary weapon.
If Lohen had been anyone else, he would have conceded. Lohen still had his knife and vision, though. He channeled cryo into his blade and felt frost through his gloves. He charged forward, sending a spray of ice towards Varka. Varka didn't move, instead using one of his greatswords like a shield against the cold. Lohen darted in for a greedy swipe. He dodged as the other greatsword moved to deter him. He tried to go for his polearm when Varka pivoted. Varka sent a burst of anemo, stronger than before. Lohen caught himself swept off his feet by it. He tried to catch himself, but landed on his back. Varka was immediately upon him, knocking away the knife. One greatsword sunk into the ground inches from Lohen's face.
Varka grinned down, "Well, isn't this familiar? Give in yet?"
Lohen was a bit miffed to have lost, but the spar was fun. He couldn't keep up the pout. "Fiiine."
Varka offered a hand and pulled Lohen to his feet. "See, you can't just settle for one victory. Can't write me off that quickly. If you need a new goal, then how about this: aim to be able to beat me every time."
Lohen let his smile sharpen. "Sure. Sounds like a worthy challenge."
"Of course it is." Varka laughed. "Now, can I expect you to stop avoiding me?"
Lohen stiffened for a moment. He then teased, "Hmm... I still maintain I wasn't avoiding you per se. But, if you missed me so much..."
"I did." Varka admitted without hesitation.
Lohen froze again, and he blushed. Weakly, he spoke, "You're not supposed to say that so easily."
"No?" There was an amused note to Varka's voice. "How about you, Lohen? Did you miss me?"
Lohen didn't meet his eyes. "Maybe."
"Just maybe?" Varka failed to stop a small smile from crossing his lips.
"Fine. Yes, I did. Happy now?" Lohen snapped.
"Not quite." Varka reached over to gently grasp Lohen's chin. Lohen allowed his touch, not making any move to get away. Varka tilted his face up until their eyes met. He continued to say, "I haven't gotten my reward."
"Reward? For wha-" Lohen stopped mid-sentence as Varka leaned down. Those intense blue eyes met his own, before glancing down at his lips. Lohen swallowed and licked his lips in response. Varka leaned in closer, and Lohen's eyes fluttered shut in anticipation. Only for Varka to kiss the corner of his mouth before pulling away. Lohen blinked, before scowling. Varka had already took a step back. The older man looked way too pleased with himself. He started to turn away.
"Varka!" Lohen called out.
"'Night, Lohen." Varka gave a wave before continuing to walk away. Lohen snatched up his polearm and put it away before stalking after him. Varka kept walking leisurely, with a stupid grin.