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“Squad Leader?”
Illuga jolted from his half-asleep stupor, eyes snapping open as he tried to regain his bearings. His back was facing the door his subordinate entered from—Vlaicu, he quickly deduced by the voice—so there was a chance that he hadn’t noticed Illuga’s reaction; a very slim one, but still a chance.
It was only natural for something like this not to go unnoticed, after all. His squad was a tight-knit group, always looking out for each other. Illuga was thankful beyond measure to have such attentive people by his side, as a leader and in general. But that didn’t make him feel any less guilty for being caught sleeping over the reports he was supposed to be taking a break from.
He took a calming breath before twisting in his seat, eyes widening as he took in the sight of his squad member standing just past the threshold. He wasn’t sure what he had been expecting to see, but it definitely wasn’t Vlaicu looking as nervous as a recruit on the first day of training. His being a bit flushed was nothing out of the ordinary after having just returned to base from Piramida, but the way he was fidgeting certainly was.
“Vlaicu? Is everything alright?” Illuga turned his body fully in his seat. He attempted to stand, but an outstretched hand prevented him.
“I’m fine, Captain—sorry, didn’t mean to worry you, it’s just,” he walked over as he fished out a letter tucked away in the flap of his coat and handed it over to Illuga very carefully, like the paper would crumble to dust between his fingers if his grip was too firm or if he moved too quickly. “This is for you.”
Illuga took it without hesitation, bringing it close and turning it over and back in his hands as he examined the envelope. Illuga hadn’t been expecting any sort of correspondence, official or otherwise, and especially not something so formal-looking. The paper was clean and sturdy, obviously high-quality, and…scented? What in Celestia? It was so faint that Illuga could only discern that it smelled refreshing and oddly familiar to him somehow.
But before he could inquire further or at least thank Vlaicu for bringing this to his attention immediately, the door was closing behind the ratnik, leaving behind only a cold gust of air and a small flurry of snow.
Strange. Everything about this entire situation was so strange, Illuga thought as he set the letter on the table before him.
Aedon twittered from his spot in the window, his golden body giving off just enough light to cast a dreamy glow across the small space—a sad excuse for a bedroom, so Illuga had been told. There was a bed in the corner, and a small window above the metal desk and chair that let in some light. It was more than enough, as far as the ratnik was concerned, especially for how little time he spent there.
“Don’t worry,” Illuga gently placated as he stretched in his seat, groaning as he felt the pull of his muscles. It did little to quell his bone-deep fatigue, but he at least felt lucid enough to give proper attention to the situation at hand.
He took the letter back into his hands and brought it closer to read the many lines spanning the front of the envelope—all handwritten in large strokes. Impossible to miss.
Captain Illuga of the Nightmare Orioles
URGENT
Highly Sensitive Information of the Utmost Importance
To be viewed by the recipient and the recipient only!
(in the privacy of his quarters)
Illuga laughed through his nose as he read and reread the lines, warmth spreading throughout him slowly like ink dropped in water. He recognized Lohen’s swirling and surprisingly neat penmanship at a glance, which answered his previous questions but raised about a dozen more in turn.
The scent of Lohen’s perfume was much easier to distinguish once the envelope was open, especially once the letter inside was unfolded. It wasn’t overpowering, but Illuga still felt as though it had smacked him across the face, the soft, floral scent and something distinctly Lohen. It had been far too long since he had seen his knight, if even the slightest hint of his scent was enough to render him speechless.
Would it be absolutely shameless of him to bury his face into the paper and inhale as much of it as he could into his lungs? How about rubbing it over his pulse points in hopes that the lingering traces would seep into his skin, no matter how unlikely it was?
Instead of letting that train of thought spiral any farther, Illuga smoothed out the tri-folded paper and began reading.
My dearest Illuga,
Reports cannot spontaneously disappear from your desk after leaving them untouched for one night (don’t take this up with Alice or Nicole), so you'd better not be stuck to your chair when this letter finds you.
One line in, and Illuga was already rolling his eyes, the overly familiar feeling of fond exasperation washing over him like waves crashing into the rocky shores outside of Kipumaki Cliff. Who else but Lohen would begin a love letter in such a way? Besides himself, who else would see the words as the declaration that they really were?
“You’re overworking yourself again. It’s alright to rest. Take care of yourself.”
“I love you. I love you. I love you.”
It’s been long enough for it to have molded to the shape of your ass. (For which I am extremely jealous, just so you’re aware.) I know this because the marks you left me when last we met have long since faded, which is a grave offense that must be rectified at once.
It had been 35 days—the longest they had been apart since first meeting. Illuga had been counting.
The especially nasty bite mark that my choker couldn’t fully cover lingered the longest, but even that one is completely gone! I so loved how everyone couldn’t help but stare and knew that I belonged to someone. What kind of look would they have had on their faces after seeing the matching pair on my hips in the shape of your fingers, I wonder?
You’ll give me more soon, won’t you?
While I shudder at the mere thought of never receiving another, I swear to you my affections run far deeper than even the darkest, most painful bruises you could ever bestow upon me. Each mark of yours across my skin is a gift I so treasure, yet they could never compare to the ones you’ve carved into my heart. That is to say, my sweet little bird, I am yours—every part of me, forever.
Illuga felt lightheaded. Lohen, the possessive bastard, had always proudly shown off lovebites as though they were trophies. Still, seeing such a confession written so plainly—the reassurance and knowing that Lohen was undoubtedly his—he couldn’t tell whether his being so enamoured or embarrassed was causing heat to creep up onto his cheeks and down his neck.
Archons above, how was he this far gone after just that?
How I wish I could see the cute flush on your cheeks right now! The color complements your eyes so nicely, birdie! You’ll just have to take my word for it. Even when glazed over with fatigue (and especially with pleasure), your eyes captivate me. Though the way they sparkle when you’re well and smiling, so reminiscent of rainbowdrop crystals, is beautiful beyond measure.
“You’d better be sleeping properly. I hope you’re well. I love you.”
He had just been blushing like a virgin, so why did he feel like he could burst into tears at any moment? His heart felt so light, yet so heavy. So many emotions were welling up within him, like sediment kicked up from the bottom of the sea, floating and falling in an endless loop, making everything feel like it was too much.
He needed to focus. Take a breath. Finish reading the letter.
I would tell you to write back soon, but I would much rather hear your response straight from that cute mouth of yours. If you cannot convey your reply with words alone, I stand ready with my polearm to receive your frustrations, and I offer my body to receive anything you have to offer—anything at all.
Your Knight, Bunny, Best Sparring Partner, Brat, Beloved, Lohen
P.S. As of tonight (assuming your subordinate delivered this to you as promptly as I so kindly suggested), I have returned to my original patrol route.
See you soon, birdie.
🖋️
“You owe Vlaicu an apology,” Illuga huffed as he approached his boyfriend. He felt much better after stepping into the bitter cold and running most of the way to the familiar location, but just seeing Lohen had his stomach in knots all over again.
The scent of iron and saltwater hung heavy in the air, blood painting the nearby rocks a deep crimson that appeared almost black in the dark of night. It was a sight so familiar that Illuga didn’t even blink, let alone spare more than a second’s glance at the grisly sight. Especially not now. Not when Lohen was right in front of him after so long apart.
Lohen sat on an elevated rock, spared from his earlier carnage, and craned his head to look at Illuga, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as their eyes met. Illuga’s breath caught in his throat. Lohen was like a dream, so beautiful, bathed in moonlight. It was a strange dichotomy—much like the man himself: beauty and violence.
“What for?” Lohen’s gentle smile quickly turned cheeky, eyes following Illuga’s every movement as he continued his approach.
Illuga rolled his eyes. “For whatever you said that made him shake like a leaf while he was giving me your letter.”
Lohen extended a hand for Illuga to grab onto. He looked like a proper knight, refined and courteous. That is, until he unceremoniously yanked Illuga towards him as soon as their hands met, giggling like mad as the momentum forced the ratnik on top of him. Illuga recovered quickly, though, and settled at Lohen’s side. There was little room left, but neither would dare to complain about the proximity.
“Aw, it wasn’t that bad,” the knight placated half-heartedly, breath hitting hot against the shell of Illuga’s ear. “Just threatened him a little.”
“A little?” Lohen nosed at the corner of Illuga’s jaw and pressed a searing kiss to the tender skin of his neck, dangerously close to the scar. “What’s that supposed to—fuck,” he hissed, melting into Lohen’s side as he nipped at the same spot, tongue laving over the already forming bruise.
Lohen’s laugh was breathy and a touch condescending, more of a chuff than anything, hitting over the spit-slicked skin on the column of Illuga’s neck and causing the ratnik to keen. “Oh, sorry — I mean, I gave him a friendly suggestion.” He pulled away, taking the warmth with him, and it took everything in Illuga not to chase after it. “That one tends to veer off course, no?”
“You’re thinking of Valdis, and it was literally that one time.”
“Well, whatever.” Lohen shrugged. “You got the letter, and you’re here, so…”
Illuga didn’t know if he wanted to punch him on the mouth or kiss him breathless. It’s not like Lohen’s reaction would be much different, no matter which he chose.
“Can’t get you to write a report, but you’ll write a whole letter for me?” he sighed, and rested his head on Lohen’s shoulder instead, uncaring of the absurdly large flap of his coat pressing into his cheek. He could just barely catch the floral scent coming off his boyfriend, mixed with a hint of his natural musk and metal—a welcome comfort.
A gloved hand met Illuga’s thigh just above the knee, just before Lohen tilted his head to let it rest on Illuga’s. Lohen didn’t let his hand wander as Illuga expected, but merely ran his thumb across the fabric in a slow, repetitive motion. That was somehow worse than if he just palmed Illuga through his pants from the start—the anticipation of the deceptively tender touch escalating like it so often did.
It was fine, though. Just being here with Lohen was more than Illuga could have hoped for. He couldn’t be greedy.
“Who wants to write reports?”
I wanted to write to you. I missed you. I love you.
Illuga’s heart clenched in his chest.
Right. What other answer could he possibly have been expecting to hear?
🖋️
Not long after handing the letter off, Vlaicu found himself slumped in his chair at the long table reserved for meetings. Rollon and Valdis sat to either side of him, their concern for his well-being after he sat unmoving for over half an hour, having drawn them over.
“The way the captain’s been acting… You’d think that the knight had been sent back to Mondstadt already,” he mumbled. It was unclear whether he was aware of his squadmates’ presence, yet they still listened with rapt attention. “Nope. Still in Nod-Krai. Has been this whole time. New patrol route. Very busy, apparently.”
The relationship between their Captain and the Vice Captain from Mondstadt, while supposed to be a secret, was news to absolutely no one. So, of course, they noticed the lack of the knight’s presence and the captain’s subsequent shift in behavior.
So that’s what happened.
It was quiet for so long, save for the normal hubbub around base, that the sound of Vlaicu’s voice almost had his fellow squad members jumping out of their skin.
“Hey, guys.”
So, he had known about Rollon and Valdis keeping him company. That was good.
“You know,” his voice sounded truly pained and cracked a little as he began speaking. “If you walk just outside of Favonius Keep, you can see our camp. It’s…” With great effort, he lifted his arm and gestured behind himself toward the knights’ outpost. “Right there.”