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Illuga liked to keep himself busy, as busy as he could be, so he wouldn't have to feel the emptiness inside since Lohen left Nod Krai a month ago. It hadn't even been that long since they had gotten together, and now there would no longer be times when they fight against wild hunts together, or enjoy Illuga's cooking, or sneak out of camp late at night for some quality time. Now all he could do was waiting for new letters from Mondstadt.
The wild hunt problem had significantly mellowed out, but he devoted himself to his new duties to protect the land he loved so much. But no matter how much work he took on, the pain and longing deep inside ate away at him, and his only solution was to work himself to borderline exhaustion. Nikita became increasingly worried watching Illuga grew paler and dark circles under his eyes heavier day by day, but instead of forcing him to take vacations, he suggested that Illuga should get a pet.
Illuga objected at first, because the advice didn't even make sense. He thought his dad's goal was to get him to relax, and taking on a new responsibility seemed the opposite of that. With how much work there was to do, he's in no place to take care of an animal. Getting a pet would also mean he needs to spend more time at his home in Piramida, which he had been avoiding like plague. He didn't have to stay at Cliffwatch Camp 24/7 anymore, but he stayed there because he disliked how empty his home felt. Besides, he already had Aedon, and there's no way he'd let anyone say Aedon isn't his no.1 companion. To his surprise, Flins was firmly on Nikita's side this time, and if those two were working together, then Illuga knew it was only a matter of time when a small animal would show up at his front door.
So he gave in, because he didn't want his old man and dear friends to worry any longer, and because he wanted to have some choice on the matter. After he sat down with Aedon for half an hour and exhausted all possible variations of "just because I'm getting a pet doesn't mean I'll love you any less", Illuga set out to pay Lauma a visit. As per usual, he helped out with some chores for the Frostmoon Scions, and Lauma generously offered many snacks.
"So, Miss Lauma, " Illuga said a bit nervously, he's still not that comfortable with the idea yet, "I was wondering if there are any animals under your care...who's looking for a home."
Lauma's eyes lit up with warmth. She led Illuga to a large room in the back and Illuga was immediately surrounded by puppies and kittens who were rolling on the ground flashing their bellies, asking to be pet. Illuga, a battle-hardened soldier, squad captain of Nightmare Orioles, was not immune to such cuteness overload.
But then he felt a stare on him. Standing across the room was a rabbit with greyish fur with a hint of mint green and dark red eyes. His fur was dirty and roughed up as if he'd just been in a fight. Unlike all the other animals who were already trying to win his affection, the rabbit stared him like he was sizing him up.
There's something really familiar about this rabbit. He stopped petting the kittens, trying to comprehend how strange it is. Then without warning, the rabbit charged at him at full speed. Illuga barely had time to react, he took a step back and fell on his ass, but he managed the catch the rabbit in his arms.
Now he could finally get a better look.
"Lohen?"
The name slipped out before he could process what a ridiculous thought that was. But then again, the resemblance was uncanny.
"Looks like he chose you." Lauma seemed a bit amused, "how interesting, he wouldn't let anyone get close, and he fought off all the other animals who tried. It was a miracle he let me tend to his wounds."
Illuga looked down at the rabbit who was now clinging onto the straps of his coat and refusing to let go, and smiled back. "I guess it is meant to be."
Lauma provided him with necessary supplies and a very detailed rabbit caring guide before they parted ways. The rabbit stayed in Illuga's arms and showed no desire to escape on the way back. He seemed to know he's home as soon as Illuga opened the door, and flopped in the middle of the floor like he owned the place, eyeing his new home curiously. Illuga, on the other hand, was a ball of excitement and anxiety when he made sure everything was properly set up, nearly tripping himself on his new family twice.
"We'll need to give you a name." Illuga breathed a sigh of relief when he finally joined the bunny on the floor, after triple checking he had bunny-proofed the entire house.
The bunny appeared entirely uninterested in such a discussion and chewed on his fresh lettuce lazily.
Illuga thought about the name for some time. He grabbed a few books and looked for ideas, but nothing felt right. All he could think about was how much this bunny reminded him of Lohen.
The bunny decided that he was done with the lettuce and rolled himself away. Illuga let the bunny sniff his hand before giving him a tentative pet, and to his surprise, the bunny allowed it.
"Well, we don't have to decide now. " he said, smoothing the bunny's fur. "We'll find something for you. How about you get some good rest? You've had a long day."
The bunny bumped his hand with his nose in agreement.
"Alright." Illuga got up from the floor and stretched. He muttered to himself as he moved to his desk:" Time to write Lohen back."
The bunny perked up at the mention of the name, followed him, and hopped onto his desk.
"That got your attention." Illuga chuckled, "you know, I can't wait to tell Lohen about you."
The bunny jumped at him again, this time putting his little paws on Illuga and nose booped him again, and Illuga was about to melt from the cuteness. How could he ever thought this would be a bad idea? Illuga scratched the bunny behind his ears and the bunny seemed to be trembling with happiness. Lohen would love him, he thought. Illuga knew Lohen had a special affection towards bunnies. Illuga imagined Lohen's reaction to his bunny counterpart and smiled to himself. He decided he'd ask Lohen for name ideas.
But then a thought hit him.
"...Lohen?" He tested his theory.
The bunny hopped on his desk cheerfully.
No, no, the bunny could not be Lohen. He must have been reading too many light novels when he couldn't sleep. Humans do not just turn into rabbits no matter what those novels said. And more realisticly speaking, there's no way Lohen's a bunny in Nod Krai right now, because according to his letter only days ago, he should be having a blast torturing criminals in Dornman Port.
Which means there's only one possible explanation. Illuga sat there with his mouth open.
Oh archons.
He had accidentally named the bunny "Lohen", because the name slipped out of him when they first met.
Over the course of next month, Illuga tried to convince the bunny that the name Lohen was reserved, and tried to get him to accept any other name, by offering the freshest berries, the best hay he could find, and handmade toys, to no avail. Despite all Illuga's bribes, Lohen the bunny simply refused to respond to any name that's not Lohen. Even Lauma, who had a long talk with the bunny, failed to change his mind. The bunny's obsession with the name Lohen was so strange that Illuga held onto his suspicions that this bunny was somehow Lohen for a while, but eventually he had to dismiss the theory, due to the facts that a) letters from Lohen the human knight continued to arrive from Dornman Port, and they were undoubtedly from his Lohen and b) Lohen the bunny had not displayed an intelligence or skill that would not befit an average bunny. Illuga already love the little shit to death, but even he had to admit the bunny's pretty dumb sometimes.
"Lohen, stop chewing my slippers." He said for the third time since morning. It was a weird feeling that this was getting less and less weird.
It should come as no surprise that Lohen the bunny was just as much of a menace as his human namesake. He would ignore all Illuga's safety rules on where he's allowed to go or what he's allowed to chew. He would wake up Illuga at ungodly hours by chewing his hair, demanding to be fed. His favourite passtimes were hiding and attacking Illuga from the most unfathomable places, and picking fights with Aedon. Illuga was worried at first about Aedon getting bullied and was about to intervene, but rather bolting for his lantern, Aedon was more than ready to prove that he's no mere plaything. Many broken household items later, a friendship was forged between them. The first time Illuga took him out for a walk, Lohen the bunny chased the neighbour's dog (three times his size) all the way back to her house, and the dog refused to leave home for a week. Illuga had to take Lohen to apologize to the neighbour, and the bunny looked so smug and so proud of himself the entire visit.
Dragana taught him how to knit, and it wasn't long before Illuga got good enough to make tiny sweaters and hats for the bunny. The bunny would tolerate Illuga putting clothes on him if bribed enough, but not for long, or he'd start biting. And that was how Flins met Lohen the bunny for the first time. Flins had come to bring Illuga his reports, and walked in on Illuga in the middle of putting a white and blue dress on the bunny. Illuga had never seen Flins break composure and shake with laughter before. He made him swear to not say a word of this to Nikita. Lohen the bunny was growling at the intruder the entire time, not realizing how the opposite of threatening he looked.
In the end he still hadn't told Lohen about the bunny, even though he told Lohen about everything else that's going on in his life, from his recent encounter with the wild hunt, to the new mandragora recipe he just accidentally discovered. Like all pet owners, he's dying to show off his little fluff ball, but to bring up the topic will inevitably lead to mentioning the bunny's name, and that's not a topic Illuga's ready to touch yet. If Lohen found out Illuga named a pet bunny after him because he missed him so much, he'd never let him live this down. He'd tease him to the moon and back. Illuga shuddered at the thought. He'd have to come up with something to deal with the name situation.
But he still missed him so much, it hurt. The ache from longing had not dulled with time, if anything, it only seemed to intensify. But when he woke up to the bunny peacefully sleeping beside his pillow, with Aedon sleeping on his fur, he began to understand something Flins had said before. This was never meant to be a distraction to numb the pain, it was meant to bring joy, by giving all his love a place to be.
He sat beside Lohen the bunny, and thought of the rare, rare times when he woke up with his boyfriend on this bed.
Often times, Lohen would attach a small parcel to his letter, the parcel containing random pieces of "souvenirs" from his recent conquests. Broken arrowheads, gears from ruin guards ("why do I take them down? Because we don't see eye to eye. Get it?"), spare parts from a Fontainian musket("they don't make them like this anymore!") , stuff like that. Illuga knew it's Lohen's way of showing him part of the world he'd never been to, because he'd always loved Lohen's stories from his adventurer life and the journey of the expedition. He kept his ever growing collections along with the letters in a chest under his bed. Then one day he received no letter, only a parcel, which was full of Lohen's handmade bubble gums.
He knew something was off, and it made his insides twist.
I've missed tasting these on your lips, my love. I wish I was there. He wrote back. Also, I gave some to the kids in Piramida--hope you don't mind. They loved them. One of them gave me this flower, and I think you should have it.
Lohen seemed back to his usual self in his next letter. And the ones that followed. He offered no story about the bubble gums, but since then they have accompanied every letter.
More months passed, and Illuga finally gave up on trying to rename Lohen the bunny. He had resigned to his fate. Maybe because he truly ran out of ideas. Maybe because he got too used to saying "Lohen get off the kitchen counter" because nothing else would work. Maybe because if he kept the name on his lips, it was as if Lohen was right here with him.
He started planning a trip to Mondstadt. Nikita would most likely make him take a vacation after this mission, and for the first time in his life, Illuga wanted to take it. He'd have to ask Lauma to take care of the bunny in his absence. He brushed the bunny's fur while doing mental math on how much damage he might need to compensate.
He decided he'd finally tell Lohen about the bunny on this trip. It had been so long, and he had imagined so many times how Lohen would take the news. He was no longer feeling embarrased. He wanted Lohen to know how much he missed him. And he'd bring all the photos he took, with the bunny wearing his little sweaters and hats.
Illuga noticed something was off as soon as he put his keys in the lock. His battle instinct told him that he's being watched. There's someone lurking in the shadows of his house.
He paused his movements, out of not fear, but hope. He would never mistake his presence. But how could it be? Had he finally lost his mind and started hallucinating?
"Lohen--" His voice cracked. He could hear his heartbeat.
Before he could say anything else, a gloved hand reached from behind and covered his mouth, and he smelled the familiar metal and mint. His knight emerged from the shadows, and Illuga's back was slammed against the door with an overpowering force. Lohen didn't wait a second to crash their lips together. Lohen kissed like he's devouring him so they'd never be apart again, and Illuga found himself kissing back with the same passion, if not more. He's done convincing himself he could wait any longer.
"Surprise." Lohen grinned when they parted for air.
Illuga panted, still couldn't believe this was real. There he was, his Lohen, in the flesh, looking just like the day he left.
"Missed me?"
"You have no idea." Illuga said, cupping his cheek.
Lohen hummed. He pulled Illuga close again and squeezed him.
"You should have told me you're coming." Illuga mumbled against Lohen's shoulder. He was going to leave for Mondstadt in a couple of days. He could have missed him. And he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed that he wouldn't have a chance to surprise Lohen.
"Nuh-uh. Gotta see if you've been keeping sharp without me." Lohen shrugged.
"Did I pass the test?"
"Aw, it's cute you think that's the only test."
Illuga shook his head, "Can't believe I miss this too."
The door rattled behind them. Like something was pouncing it from the inside.
"Whoa birdie. What you got in there?" Lohen eyed the door curiously.
Lohen the bunny probably heard the commotion outside and thought Illuga's getting attacked out there, and he's not that far off. Illuga thought. Two can play this game. If Lohen wanted a surprise, he's going to get a big one.
"Brace yourself." Illuga smiled innocently.
"Huh?"
The second the door opened, a mint-greyish fur ball launched its full weight at Lohen, and Lohen, too surprised to attack, stumbled back and fell on his ass. The bunny hopped onto Lohen's chest and growled--
"Lohen!" Illuga scolded.
Both the knight and the bunny froze.
"Hey, what did I do? I'm the one getting attacked here!" Lohen protested.
"Sorry about that," Illuga picked up Lohen the bunny, who's still kicking his little feet the air, "but to be honest, this first introduction is going better than I thought."
"No way. You got a bunny?"
"How's that for a surprise?" Illuga said, feeling quite proud of himself.
"I haven't seen my boyfriend for half a year, and the first thing he did when I'm back is launching a killer bunny at me." Lohen laughed, "this is the best day of my life."
"Gotta see if you've been keeping yourself sharp without me, am I right?"
"Illuga," Lohen brushed a lock of hair away from Illuga's eyes, "I love you so much."
"I love you too." Illuga met his gaze. "Lohen." He added. Lohen the bunny struggled in his arms in protest.
Lohen pulled him into another kiss, and they all moved inside the house. The bunny struggled free, thumping on the floor to show his great displeasure about the intruder getting all of his human's attention.
"So, what's his name?"
"About that--" Illuga was about to tell the truth when he turned around and saw his favourite human and favourite bunny both staring at him, with an almost identical expression. He shouldn't find this as funny as he did, but seeing them side by side was simply too much. He held back a laugh.
And that's when an idea hit him: he could have some fun with this. Let's see how long it takes for Lohen to catch on.
"Actually, I want to get your input on the name." He beamed. It wasn't a lie, it was his original plan that got a little sidetracked.
"You want me to name him?"
"Something like that." Illuga tried very hard to not laugh.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Lohen studied his face.
"I'm just too happy you're here. That's all." Illuga shrugged.
Lohen didn't seem convinced, but his expression softened and he didn't press further. He buried his face in Illuga's neck and hummed thoughtfully.
"Lo?"
"Tired." Lohen mumbled, "it was a long trip. And the food on the ferry was gross."
Illuga chuckled, "I'll make us dinner. Do you want to go take a shower first?"
The fact that Lohen didn't ask him to join meant the Lohen really was exhausted, and that's likely because there's not much on the trip that passed as entertainment for his maniac boyfriend.
Illuga came out of the kitchen and saw a still damp Lohen dressed in his clothes, flopped on the floor trying to get the bunny's attention by holding out his hand. Lohen the bunny eyed the intruder warily as he approached slowly, but he finally stopped growling, seeing that his human was not in any danger.
"Hey! You almost bit me!" Lohen took back his hand.
"I had a feeling you two might get along." Illuga said, amused.
"You sure are enjoying this." Lohen pouted.
"I can't help it. You two look too cute together." Illuga said singingly, "Lohen and Bunny."
Lohen's eyes were fixated on him. Then he shook his head and let out a soft chuckle.
"He sure is quick to attack."
"Well, he's just like you."
The knight and the bunny took offence to the statement simultaneously.
"Come on, 'Lua. How's he like me?" Lohen frowned.
Illuga blinked. "Do you not see it?"
"See what?"
"I mean--" Illuga gestured vaguely.
"No way." Lohen groaned, "hey, Aedon, you don't think I look like this idiot here too, do you?"
Aedon looked at Lohen, then Lohen the bunny, and then threw himself into Illuga's lamp.
"See? Aedon agrees."
"How's that an agreement?" Lohen protested, "you're supposed to be on my side."
"Alright, alright. I'll help." Illuga laughed softly, "here--hold this."
He grabbed a box from the shelf and gave Lohen a handful of bunny treats, and sat down on the floor next to him. Lohen the bunny perked up. He approached slowly, sniffing Lohen's fingers, but still seemed hesitant.
"He's still wary." Lohen observed.
"Be patient," Illuga cooed, "Lohen."
Lohen the bunny looked at Illuga. He decided to trust his human and took the treats from Lohen's hand. Illuga watched Lohen breath a sigh of relief and the corner of his mouth curled up. Lohen gave the bunny a tentative pet, and was pleased to see that the bunny allowed it.
"Good job." Illuga said, "he doesn't let most people pet him."
"Does he like me now?"
"You're acceptable." Illuga smiled, "come on, Lohen. Dinner's ready. I made your favourite."
Lohen the bunny followed the humans to the table and took his usual spot beside Illuga.
"Radishes?" Lohen shot him a strange look. "what are you doing to me, 'Lua?"
"Oops, my bad." Illuga moved the plate of vegetables in front of the bunny and set a bowl of lohikeitto in front of him. "Yours is here, Bunny."
"Are you really calling me bunny when there's an actual bunny here?"
"Fair point. Then what else should I call you?"
"Just--"
"Lyubimyy? Zaychik?" Illuga smiled innocently, "Hasi?"
"Ughhhh." Lohen groaned and slumped in the chair, "I brought this on myself."
"Hasi." Illuga repeated.
"I'm going back to Mondstadt."
"No you're not."
"Illuga." Lohen suddenly sounded serious, "what are you playing at today?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Really." Lohen suddenly flashed a grin at him, "guess I'll need to get it out of you somehow."
Somehow, they finished dinner peacefully.
"So, how long are you staying?" Illuga finally asked the question that's been on his mind since Lohen's arrival. How could one be so desperately for an answer he's not ready to hear?
"Hmm, let's see," Lohen smiled mischievously, "we'll have three days before I have to report to Favonius Keep. Then I'll have to deal with some paperwork there, then a couple more missions in Nod Krai, then... I'm pretty much here for good."
Illuga dropped a spoon.
"...Are you serious?"
"The official reason of my transfer," Lohen took a step closer to him, "is that Varka wanted a knight to be in charge of missions from the northern intelligence network, and I'm the best option for the job." He closed the distance between them until he caged Illuga between him and the sink, "I'm based here now, I just have to go report in Mondstadt every once in a while."
"And the unofficial reason?" Illuga pressed himself closer. Dishes could wait.
"You know the reason." Lohen ran his fingers in Illuga's hair, and then their lips met.
The kisses became heated, and the two of them barely made it to the bedroom with clothes discarded all over the place. Illuga's knees were backed againt the mattress. Lohen pinned him down on the bed and straddled him.
"Say my name." Lohen whispered beside his ear.
Lohen. The name was on the tip of his tongue, but his body stiffened. It was a request that would usually light fire under his skin, but now it's an alarm in his head.
"Illuga." Lohen breathed again, "I need this."
Illuga risked a glance at his bedroom door. Of course, they left the door open in the heat of the moment.
"You seem very interested in the door. " Lohen did not miss that, "is there someone else you're expecting?"
He grinded down again, and Illuga whimpered. He met Lohen's gaze and saw the familiar smirk in his eyes. Lohen knew. And he's not one who'd let himself get played. This was Lohen playing him back. There was something else in Lohen's eyes beyond teasing, something expectant, the unspoken truth between them. And Illuga found calmness washed over him. Now he could show him what he'd been wanting to tell him all along.
"Lohen." Illuga smiled, his voice soft and affectionate. And right on cue, Lohen the bunny charged into the room and jumped on the bed, eyeing the humans curiously.
"I knew it!" Lohen said victoriously.
"Did you really have to get back at me like this?" Illuga groaned, "I finally got you in bed after half a year--"
"Oh yeah, this is funny." Lohen grinned, "so tell me, how did this happen?"
"It's a long story."
"Are you in the mood for long stories?" Lohen reached a hand down and Illuga felt electricity course through him.
"You're impossible." Illuga sighed, "alright. I didn't mean to name him after you at first. But he reminded me so much of you, I accidentally said your name out loud, and he won't accept any other names. And..."
"And?"
"I liked it," Illuga laughed softly, "calling him by your name. Every time he's picking fights or going to places he shouldn't, or just being there, it's like...you're here with me. Like you never left. I was too embarrassed to tell you this in the letters before, but now I realize..." he took a deep breath, "I don't have a better way to tell you how much I missed you."
Lohen went still.
"Were you ready to hear that?" Illuga teased.
"Shut up."
"You're smiling."
"No I'm not."
"You like it."
Something flickered in Lohen's eyes. His fingers brushed Illuga's hair away and brushed his cheeks. Then he leaned in and kissed him like he's about to devour him.
The bunny sensed danger and bolted for the door.
One month later. Lohen came home one day carrying something wrapped in his cape.
"Hey, 'Lua. Look what I found in the ditch!"
Illuga put down his reports and went to see what Lohen brought back. It was another bunny, light grey-ish fur with tips of red. The bunny was shivering and stared at the humans warily, still unconvinced that he's not about to become food. It took some time for them to coax the bunny into a bath and patch him up.
"We are keeping him." Lohen announced.
"What are we naming this one?" Illuga asked.
Lohen shot him a strange look.
"No." Illuga groaned. "No. No way. Lo. Don't."
"Illuga." Lohen nosebooped the new bunny, "welcome home."
Lohen the bunny hopped over and sniffed his new family curiously.
FIN