Work Text:
The clock in the hallway had long since struck past midnight. The usual hustle and bustle of the Knights of Favonius headquarters had faded into a deep, heavy silence. But for Lohen, the work never ended.
His footsteps were heavy, echoing sharply against the marble floor as he marched down the corridor. In his arms, he carried a towering stack of papers which contains the supply requisitions, patrol logs, mission reports, and inventory checks. It was a mountain of work that should have been divided among five officers, yet it had all landed squarely on his desk.
He reached the heavy oak doors of the Grand Master’s office. He didn’t bother knocking; the door was slightly ajar, a sign that the occupant was still awake.
Lohen pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The office was warm, smelling faintly of old paper, expensive leather, and the unique, earthy scent that always seemed to cling to Varka. The Grand Master was sitting behind his massive desk, reviewing some documents of his own, looking as calm and immovable as a mountain.
His usually neat mint-green hair was messy, strands sticking to his forehead from stress and fatigue. His red eyes were dark, the circles underneath them pronounced. He looked sharp, beautiful, and absolutely furious.
Without a word, Lohen walked up to the desk and practically slammed the stack of papers down. The impact made a loud thud, causing the inkwell to rattle.
"Here." Lohen said, his voice low and clipped, lacking its usual warmth on his tone. "The reports you asked for. All of them."
Varka looked up, a slow, easy smile spreading across his face. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest, completely unbothered by the younger man's obvious irritation.
"Fast work as always, Lohen." Varka chuckled, his voice deep and rumbling. "Though I must say, you look like you’ve just fought a whole regiment of Hilichurls. Is everything alright, Vice Captain?"
"No." Lohen said bluntly, crossing his own arms tightly over his chest. His Cryo vision seemed to hum faintly, the air around him dropping a few degrees in his anger. "Everything is not alright. Your 'efficient' team is a joke, Grand Master Varka. Half of them can’t even fill out a form correctly, and the other half are too busy polishing their swords or drinking at the tavern to do their actual jobs."
He took a sharp breath, trying to control his temper, but it was spilling over.
"I am doing the work of three men. I am checking their math, correcting their mistakes, and covering for their laziness while they sleep soundly in their beds. Why am I the only one who takes this seriously?"
Varka’s smile widened, seemingly amused rather than concerned. He stood up, his massive frame towering over Lohen, and walked around the desk. He reached out, intending to pat Lohen’s head or squeeze his shoulder in that comforting, dominant way he usually did.
"Aww, is my little rabbit tired?" Varka teased, his voice dropping to that warm, playful tone that usually made Lohen melt. "Such a hard worker. So responsible. What would I do without you to carry the weight of the world, hm?"
He leaned in slightly, his eyes twinkling. "Maybe you just need to learn to relax a little. You’re too serious, you know? You’re young, you shouldn't—"
"Don't."
Lohen stepped back, dodging Varka’s touch completely.
The rejection was sharp and cold.
Varka’s hand froze in mid-air, the smile on his face faltering just a fraction.
Lohen wasn't in the mood. He wasn't in the mood for pet names, he wasn't in the mood for jokes, and he certainly wasn't in the mood to be treated like a child who was throwing a tantrum. The exhaustion in his bones was real. The frustration was burning him up inside.
"I am not in the mood for games, Grand Master," Lohen said, his voice flat and distant. He deliberately used the formal title, creating a wall between them. "I finished the work. I submitted it. That is all."
Varka blinked, the playful glint in his eyes dimming. He realized quickly that Lohen was truly upset—hurt, even.
"Lohen, wait—" Varka started, reaching out again, wanting to soothe the ruffled feathers, wanting to pull that pouty, angry face closer and kiss it better.
But Lohen was already turning away.
"I am going to my quarters," Lohen said, not looking back. His hand was already on the door handle. "I have had enough of this place for tonight."
"Lohen, don't just—"
The door clicked shut.
Silence rushed back into the office, heavier than before.
Varka stood alone in the middle of the room, his hand still outstretched, staring at the closed door. A low sigh escaped him.
"Stubborn as a mule..." he muttered to himself, shaking his head. But there was no real annoyance in his voice, only a deep, fond exasperation.
The stairs leading up to the residential quarters seemed steeper than usual, every step a heavy burden on his tired legs. Lohen walked slowly, the anger in his chest slowly simmering down into a dull, heavy ache. He didn't want to be at headquarters anymore. He didn't want to be Vice Captain. He just wanted to disappear.
He reached the door—his temporary quarters, or perhaps the guest room connected to the main suite. He raised a hand and knocked lightly, twice.
No answer.
He turned the handle, and it clicked open easily. It wasn't locked.
Lohen stepped inside and closed the door behind him, leaning his weight against it for a moment, letting out a long, shaky breath. The room was dimly lit by a single bedside lamp, casting warm shadows against the furniture. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Without bothering to take off his boots or even unclasp his cape, Lohen dragged himself towards the large bed. He didn't care about the crease in his uniform, or the dirt on his shoes, or protocol.
He simply let himself fall forward, face-first onto the soft mattress.
THUD.
He buried his face deep into the pillow, arms sprawling out loosely on either side like a broken doll.
From behind, he looked small. Defeated.
His mint-green hair was a complete mess, sticking up in different directions, sweaty and tangled from stress. His shoulders, usually held high and proud like a true Knight, were slumped forward, trembling ever so slightly. The usual sharp, intimidating aura he carried on the battlefield was completely gone. All that was left was exhaustion.
He let out a muffled groan into the sheets, the sound vibrating against the fabric.
"Ughhh..."
He looked absolutely wrecked. His eyes were squeezed shut tight, eyebrows furrowed, and his mouth slightly open as he panted, trying to calm his racing heart. The frustration, the tiredness, the annoyance at his subordinates, and the sting of Varka's teasing all mixed together into a heavy knot in his stomach.
He just laid there, spread out on the bed like a crumpled piece of paper, looking miserable and utterly pathetic.
He hadn't even been there for five minutes when a low, rhythmic knock sounded from the other side of the door.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
It wasn't loud, but in the silence of the room, it sounded like a hammer hitting his skull.
Lohen didn't move. He didn't even lift his head. He just pressed his face harder into the pillow, letting out a low, annoyed growl that vibrated through the mattress.
"Go away," he mumbled, his voice muffled and thick with fatigue. "I'm not coming back down. I submitted the reports. That's it."
He expected the door to stay closed. He expected Varka to sigh, shake his head, and leave him alone to sulk like a child.
But the Grand Master was nothing if not persistent.
The handle turned slowly. The door creaked open, letting a sliver of light and the sound of heavy footsteps enter the room.
"Is that how you treat your superior officer?" Varka’s deep voice rumbled from the doorway, warm and amused. "Locking him out in the cold?"
Lohen still didn't turn around. His shoulders tensed up visibly, his fingers gripping the sheets tightly. He looked like a child trying to hide under a blanket, hoping the monster would go away.
"I said I'm tired," Lohen muttered, his voice sounding smaller, more fragile than before. "And I'm still mad at you."
Varka chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that filled the room. He closed the door softly behind him, clicking the latch shut, effectively sealing them inside together.
"Mad at me?" Varka asked, his footsteps heavy and deliberate as he walked across the wooden floor. "What did I ever do to you, Rabbit? I merely praised your hard work."
He reached the side of the bed and looked down at the figure sprawled across it. Lohen looked absolutely pitiful and undeniably adorable, lying there like a discarded doll. His uniform was creased, his hair was a bird's nest, and his face was completely buried, refusing to show itself.
Varka sat down on the edge of the mattress. The bed dipped significantly under his weight, causing Lohen to roll slightly towards him, even though the younger man tried to resist by digging his elbows in.
"You shouldn't be mad at me." Varka said softly. He reached out, his large, warm hand resting firmly on Lohen’s back, right between his shoulder blades. He could feel the tension there, hard as stone. "You have the right to be mad at your subordinates. You could have just as well told me then to assign them in a different unit."
Lohen’s body relaxed just a fraction at the validation. The anger was still there, but it was slowly being melted by the heat radiating from Varka’s hand.
"But..." Varka sighed, his thumb rubbing slow, soothing circles into the fabric of Lohen’s coat. "That doesn't change the fact that you are the only one I trust to get things done right. The only one sharp enough to carry this burden."
He leaned forward, bending his massive frame down until his mouth was right next to Lohen’s ear, his face brushing lightly against the younger man's neck.
"They say I'm too young to love you." Varka whispered, deliberately quoting Lohen’s own words back to him, his voice dropping an octave. "But they never say I'm too young to work myself to death, apparently."
Lohen shivered violently. The irritation, the exhaustion, and the overwhelming affection he felt for this man clashed inside him. He let out a shaky breath, his fingers finally loosening their grip on the sheets.
"You're making fun of me again, old man." Lohen muttered, his voice muffled but no longer cold.
"Never." Varka promised. He slid his hand up from Lohen’s back to the back of his neck, massaging the stiff muscles there gently. "I am simply stating facts. You work too hard, Lohen. You care too much. And right now... you look like you're about to fall apart."
Varka’s hand moved lower, gripping Lohen’s waist and giving it a slight, firm squeeze.
"Turn around." Varka commanded softly, but there was an undeniable authority in his tone. "Let me see that angry face of yours.”
He let out a long, shaky sigh, the fight finally draining out of him. Slowly, grudgingly, he rolled over.
He looked even worse up close.
His cheeks were flushed a bit, irritated red, contrasting sharply with his pale skin. His eyes were glassy, dark rims underneath them making him look exhausted and fragile. His mint-green hair was sticking up in chaotic tufts, messy and sweaty, and there was even a slight crease mark from the pillow pressed against the side of his face.
He looked like a mess.
Lohen stared up at Varka, his red eyes glistening slightly, his lips pushed out into a deep, genuine pout. He crossed his arms over his chest again, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity, but it was impossible when he was lying down in the middle of the bed looking so vulnerable.
"There," Lohen whispered, his voice grunted. "Happy now?”
Varka didn't answer right away. He just looked at him. His gaze was intense, sweeping over Lohen’s flushed cheeks, his messy hair, the way his uniform was slightly askew, revealing a sliver of pale collarbone. The older man’s eyes darkened, the amusement shifting into something hotter.
Varka groaned softly, shaking his head. His hand reached out, his large palm cupping Lohen’s cheek completely. His thumb brushed over the soft skin under the eye, wiping away a slight sheen of sweat. "You look absolutely ruined. Who made you this upset, hm? Who made my sharp little knight turn into such a pitiful thing?”
Lohen leaned into the touch instinctively, despite himself. The warmth of Varka’s hand was so comforting, so grounding. He closed his eyes for a second, letting out a small, shaky breath.
"You did." Lohen accused weakly, opening his eyes again to glare up at him, though the glare lacked any real heat. "Hmph. You treat me like a child. You tease me when I'm serious. And then everyone else leaves all the work for me.”
Varka’s expression softened completely. He leaned down further, his face hovering just inches above Lohen’s, casting a shadow over him.
"You are the most capable man I know. That is exactly why I rely on you." He moved his hand from Lohen’s cheek to tangle his fingers into that messy green hair, gripping gently but firmly at the nape of his neck, holding him in place.
Lohen’s breath hitched. He could smell Varka’s scent. Leather, and pine filling his senses. He wanted to push him away, to stay mad just a little longer... but his body was betraying him. He was leaning up instinctively, his lips parting slightly.
"So stubborn..." Varka chuckled darkly, his thumb brushing over Lohen’s lower lip. "Do I have to punish you for ignoring me earlier?"
Lohen shivered, his pupils blowing wide. He looked up at Varka through his lashes, the anger in his eyes replaced by a swirling mix of need and exhaustion and deep, deep affection.
"I hate you." Lohen whispered, but it sounded more like I want you.
"No, you don't." Varka smirked, leaning closer, their noses brushing. "Now tell me what you really need.”
"Don't... don't treat me like glass..." Lohen hissed, his voice low and raspy, trembling with a mix of pleasure and defiance.
Lohen tried to glare up at him, trying to force that terrifying, icy aura he used on the battlefield. His expression twisted into something darker, almost manic.
"You know I could snap your neck right now if I wanted to." Lohen whispered, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards into a shaky, unstable smirk.
He tried to push Varka away physically, shoving at his chest, trying to look fierce, trying to prove he was still the sharp, deadly Vice Captain. But Varka didn't flinch. He didn't look scared. He just looked down at him with that heavy, knowing gaze, his eyes burning into Lohen’s soul. He caught Lohen’s wrists in one large hand, pinning them gently but firmly against the mattress, immobilizing him completely.
The Grand Master didn't rush. He moved with the slow, deliberate weight of a man who knew exactly what he wanted and knew he had all the time in the world to take it. He shifted his position, moving up the bed until he was kneeling between Lohen’s legs, his massive frame casting a warm shadow over the younger man. He leaned forward, supporting himself on one arm beside Lohen’s head, bringing their faces level once more.
Varka’s hand began to move again, slowly undoing the clasps of Lohen’s coat, pushing the heavy fabric aside to reveal a bit of the white and blue shirt underneath. His fingers traced the outline of Lohen’s ribs, feeling the rapid heartbeat hammering against the skin. Oh how many layers he had to undo.
"So beautiful..." Varka murmured, his voice rough with desire. His eyes never leave Lohen’s face, drinking in every reaction, and every shaky breath. He lowered his head, and instead of kissing his lips immediately, he pressed his mouth to the sensitive spot just below Lohen’s ear, then trailed down, slow and hot, along his jawline, down to his neck where the black collar rests
"You work so hard." Varka whispered against the pale skin, feeling the pulse fluttering wildly beneath his lips. "Carrying all those burdens... fighting for everyone... protecting Mondstadt."
His hand slid down Lohen’s chest, palm flat against his heart, then lower, mapping out the curve of his hip, squeezing firmly.
Varka’s hands were large and warm, spanning easily across Lohen’s chest as he slowly pushed his limits. His fingers traced the delicate ridges of Lohen’s ribs within the fabric, feeling the way the younger man’s breath hitched and his body arched instinctively into the touch.
He lowered his head again, but this time, his lips pressed against the center of Lohen’s chest, right over his heart. He kissed the fabric there, warm and open-mouthed, feeling the frantic rhythm beating against his lips.
"My brave Rabbit." Varka whispered against his skin, moving lower, kissing down the sensitive line of his abdomen.
His lips were sealed against Lohen’s again, swallowing every gasp and whimper, his tongue claiming the younger man’s mouth with deep, passionate strokes in his clothed back and thighs. While his lips worked their magic, his hands were busy elsewhere, large and warm, moving.
Finally, he pushed the heavy cape off Lohen’s shoulders, letting it slide down his arms and pool uselessly on the bedsheets.
They were sitting right in the center of the mattress, surrounded by soft sheets and dim light. Lohen leaned forward, resting his weight completely against Varka’s solid frame, his cheek pressed flat against the Grand Master’s broad chest. He could hear the strong, steady heartbeat thumping beneath the skin, a rhythm as reliable as the mountains.
Varka sat tall, his legs spread comfortably, engulfing the smaller man completely. His large, powerful hands held Lohen’s shoulders firmly, keeping him close, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles over the tense muscles. Slowly, one hand traveled up, cupping Lohen’s flushed cheek, his rough palm warm against soft skin.
Lohen tilted his head slightly into the touch, his red eyes looking up through heavy lashes, a faint, tired pout playing on his lips.
"You're so boring." Lohen murmured in annoyance. "But... you are one of a kind.”
Varka’s expression melted. He lowered his head, pressing his face into the crook of Lohen’s neck where his collar rests, his face lightly against the sensitive skin there. He kissed the spot just beneath Lohen’s ear, warm and possessive.
His hands moved down to the heavy dark blue coat draped over Lohen’s slender form. With care, he grasped the fabric and began to slide it down, easing it off Lohen’s arms and letting it fall behind him onto the bed, leaving them in a pile of deep blue velvet.
Now Lohen was left sitting there in just his crisp white and blue dress shirt, the collar sharp against his pale neck.
Once all the buttons were undone, Varka placed his hands firmly on Lohen’s shoulders. He spread his fingers wide, covering as much skin as possible, and with one smooth, deliberate motion, he pushed the shirt downwards.
The white and blue fabric slid off Lohen’s slender shoulders, past his elbows, and slipped off completely, landing softly on the mattress beside them. Varka as well remove the collar that rests on his delicate neck.
Lohen was bare now, skin glowing like moonlight, sitting warm and naked in Varka’s embrace, completely exposed.
The cool air of the room hit Lohen’s skin, making him shiver, but it was instantly chased away by Varka’s heat. The Grand Master leaned down, pressing his face into the curve of Lohen’s neck, his beard scratching deliciously against the sensitive flesh, while his hands roamed freely over the newly exposed skin.
He mapped out the slender waist, the delicate ribs, the flat stomach. He squeezed and caressed, feeling the heat radiating off Lohen’s body, feeling the muscles twitch and jump under his touch.
"What a sight..." Varka whispered, kissing down Lohen’s sternum, then lower, across his stomach, right down to the waistband of his trousers.
His fingers worked at the belt and laces, undoing them quickly. He pulled the trousers down, along with the blue undergarments, and his boots, revealing Lohen's body completely. He slid the clothes off his legs, past his knees, and threw them away, leaving the younger man naked, vulnerable, and glowing in the dim light.
Lohen let out a long, deep sigh, the sound trembling slightly as it left his lips. It was a sound of pure exhaustion, mixed with relief, as if he were letting go of every single weight he had carried all day. His body went limp, melting completely against Varka’s solid warmth.
He shifted his position, moving so he sat directly behind Lohen. His large frame wrapped around the smaller man completely, engulfing him. Varka wrapped his arms tightly around Lohen’s waist, pulling him back firmly against his chest, trapping him in a safe, warm embrace.
One arm held Lohen securely around the middle, while the other hand slid up, roaming freely over the exposed skin. Varka’s palm flattened against Lohen’s chest, right over his heart, feeling it hammering fast against his ribs.
Slowly, gently, he began to caress him.
Varka held him tighter, his chin resting comfortably on Lohen’s shoulder, his beard tickling the sensitive skin of his neck. His hand continued to roam slowly over Lohen’s chest, warm and firm, feeling every breath, and every heartbeat.
He squeezed his chest gently, his thumb brushing over a nipple, making Lohen shiver and arch his back slightly into the embrace.
"F- Fuck.. ngh.."
"Let me take care of you tonight." The older Knight asked softly, his tone gentle but holding that undeniable authority. "Let me make you forget all the stress, all the work, all the tiredness... just for tonight."
He turned his head slightly, looking at Lohen’s profile, his blue eyes soft and pleading with love. The younger knight looks so utterly undone at this moment.
"May I?" Varka whispered. "Let me make you relax completely... let me make you feel good.”
Lohen didn't answer with words at first. He just let out another shaky breath, his head falling further back against Varka’s broad shoulder, exposing the long, pale line of his throat. His eyes were half-lidded, hazy with pleasure and trust, looking up at the man holding him as if he were his entire world.
"Yes..." Lohen breathed out, his voice barely a whisper, soft and yielding.
The moment Lohen gave his consent, the atmosphere shifted completely. The gentle caress turned into an undeniable force.
Varka didn't say another word. He simply leaned his weight forward, his large, strong hands pressing firmly against Lohen’s shoulders and chest. With a smooth, powerful motion, he pushed him back.
Lohen fell easily, his back hitting the soft mattress as Varka guided him down, looming over him instantly. The Grand Master settled between his legs, his heavy body pressing Lohen into the bed, covering him completely, trapping him in a cage of warmth and muscle.
Now there was nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.
"Good." Varka growled low in his throat, his voice rough with desire.
Varka took Lohen’s wrists in one hand, holding them firmly together above his head, pinning him down, while his other hand roamed freely down the side of that slender body, feeling the heat radiating off the skin. He takes Lohen’s wrists gently in his large hands. He bound them loosely with a soft silk ribbon, securing them above Lohen’s head so he couldn't move.
He lowered his head, capturing Lohen’s lips in a kiss that was no longer soft or teasing. It was deep, hungry, and claiming. His tongue pushed past Lohen’s lips, exploring his mouth thoroughly, swallowing every gasp and whimper that came out. Varka keeps marking him with sweet kisses, worshipping every inch of his beloved's body.
Lohen arched his back, pressing his body up against Varka’s, feeling the rough texture of the older man’s skin against his own smoothness. He could feel every hard muscle, every scar, every line of power against him.
Varka broke the kiss, trailing his lips down Lohen’s neck, biting and sucking gently at the sensitive flesh, marking him as his own. He moved down to the chest, taking one peaked nipple into his mouth, sucking hard, swirling his tongue around it, making Lohen cry out and tremble violently.
"Shhh... feel it..." He murmured against the skin, moving to the other side to give it equal attention. "Feel how much I love you. Feel how much you need this."
His hand slid down lower, past the flat stomach, fingers brushing through the soft hair at the apex of Lohen’s thighs. He didn't rush. He circled, he teased, he felt the heat pooling there.
"Look at you..." Varka whispered, lifting his head to look into Lohen’s glazed eyes. "So open... ready for me."
He positioned himself perfectly, one hand guiding his own while the other held Lohen’s hip steady. He unbuckles his pants. He pressed forward, slowly, deliberately, pushing past the tight resistance, sinking deep inside that warm, welcoming heat.
Lohen’s back arched off the bed, his mouth falling open in a silent scream, his eyes rolling back as he was filled completely. The stretch was intense, burning in the most delicious way, making him feel whole again.
"Ah.. Hah!" Lohen started arching in pleasure.
The older man groaned, his head falling forward, his forehead resting against Lohen’s shoulder as he sheathed himself fully. He stayed there for a moment, letting them both adjust, letting Lohen feel the full weight and size of him.
Then he began to move.
It started slow. Deep, powerful thrusts that hit every sensitive spot inside. Varka pulled back almost completely, only to push back hard, making Lohen’s body jolt and shake with every impact.
The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, mixed with heavy breathing and deep, guttural moans.
"You feel like heaven." Varka panted, his voice strained with pleasure.
"Varka..- nhnn.. harder..!"
He increased the pace, his hips snapping forward with rhythmic, military precision, driving into Lohen over and over again. He held Lohen’s legs up, bending them back, giving him a deeper angle, hitting that spot that made the younger knight see stars.
"That's it..." Varka groaned, his hand sliding down to stroke Lohen in time with his thrusts. "Come for me, my perfect beauty.”
He keeps swallowing his moans of pleasure by kissing him deeply. Lohen's expression was dazed and blank.
Seeing the younger knight tremble beneath him, his eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears, Varka instantly read the need in them. The rough, pounding rhythm slowed immediately. The feral look in his blue eyes softened, melting back into that deep, warm adoration.
He buried his face in the crook of Lohen’s neck, breathing him in, kissing the sweat-slick skin softly. His thrusts were long and deliberate, dragging against every sensitive wall inside, but with a loving, caressing pressure.
Lohen moaned, a sound of pure bliss and relief. He arched up into the softness, his head turning to press his cheek against Varka’s temple. Being tied up made him feel even more vulnerable, but with Varka moving like this, so gently, so carefully, it felt like being cherished like glass.
He intertwined his fingers with Lohen’s bound hands above his head, holding them tight against the headboard as he moved, pouring every ounce of his love into each gentle stroke.
.............
The morning sun was already spilling through the gaps in the curtains, painting warm gold streaks across the messy bedsheets.
Lohen was still asleep, curled up on his side, his head resting peacefully on Varka’s chest. His skin was still flushed, marked with faint red bruises and love bites, evidence of the night before. His wrists were free now, the silk ribbons lying discarded on the floor, replaced by Varka’s strong arm wrapped securely around his waist, holding him close.
Varka was awake, his eyes closed, enjoying the quiet moment, running his hand slowly up and down Lohen’s bare back.
But the peace was shattered instantly.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Three sharp, firm raps against the heavy wooden door.
"Lohen?"
The voice was clear, firm, and unmistakably Jean.
Varka’s eyes flew open. His body instantly locked up like a statue. His heart hammered against his ribs.
Oh no.
This was Lohen’s room. Not his office. Not his quarters. Jean had every right to be here looking for Lohen. She had no idea, absolutely no idea that the Grand Master was currently lying naked in Lohen’s bed.
"Lohen?" Jean called again, her tone polite but insistent. "I am sorry to disturb you. I know you were working late yesterday, but there are documents that need your signature before the morning meeting.”
Varka practically stopped breathing. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He looked down at Lohen’s sleeping form, then at the door. If Jean opened it..
"Lohen! Lohen!" Varka hissed frantically into Lohen’s ear, his voice a sharp, panicked whisper. He shook Lohen’s shoulder hard, his eyes wide with alarm. "Wake up! Wake up right now! It's Jean! She's right outside the door!”
Lohen jolted awake with a sharp gasp, his eyes flying open in confusion. He was still dazed, his mind foggy from sleep and the intense pleasure of the night before.
"Wha—? Old man-?"
"Shhh! Shut up! Don't talk!" Varka whisper-yelled, clamping a hand over Lohen’s mouth for a second, his face pale with panic. "Jean is at the door! She thinks you're alone! If she hears my voice or sees me, we are dead!"
Outside, the handle turned slightly.
Click.
"Lohen? Are you awake?" Jean’s voice came through the wood, closer now. "I am coming in.”
"Answer her." Varka hissed urgently, pushing Lohen back against the pillows and throwing the sheet up to cover Lohen’s naked chest and neck, hiding the obvious hickeys and marks. "Talk. Say you are sick. Say you are busy. Anything."
Lohen’s face went bright red. He was still dizzy, his body aching deliciously in every joint, and his voice was hoarse. He cleared his throat loudly, trying to make it sound normal.
"Uhm... yes. Jean." Lohen called out, his voice low and rough. He clutched the sheet tight to his chest. "I am... still asleep. Or rather, I am awake. But I am not feeling very well this morning."
There was a pause outside.
"Oh?" Jean sounded concerned. "Are you sick? You sounded quite hoarse."
"Yes. Exactly." Lohen shouted back, keeping his tone flat and tired. "I think I caught a cold. Or perhaps exhaustion. My throat hurts. I can barely speak."
Varka was behind the door now, holding his breath, buttoning his shirt as quietly as possible, his hands shaking. He mouthed 'Good job!' but looked ready to pass out.
"I see," Jean said thoughtfully. "Well, perhaps you should rest then. But the Grand Master is expecting these reports. Shall I come in and take them from your desk?"
NO! Varka mouthed wildly, waving his arms frantically. DON'T LET HER IN!
"No." Lohen said firmly. "I mean... no need. I will bring them myself later. Just give me... give me an hour. Please, Jean."
Another pause. Jean was efficient, but she was also kind. She didn't want to push him if he was truly unwell.
"Very well." Jean finally conceded. "Rest well, Lohen. I will see you in an hour. Do not be late."
They heard footsteps walking away, fading down the corridor.
Silence fell back into the room.
Varka let out a massive, shaky exhale, sliding down the door until he was sitting on the floor, his heart pounding so loud it could be heard. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking utterly traumatized.
"Oh Barbatos..." Varka breathed out, his voice weak. "That was too close. Lohen, you are a terrible actor but thank the Archons she bought it.”
Lohen watched Varka slide down the door, looking completely drained and terrified. He didn't say anything at first. He just stared, his red eyes narrowing slightly as he fixed Varka with a sharp, unimpressed glare.
"You are unbelievable, old man." Lohen muttered flatly, his voice still raspy.
But then, the glare slowly melted away. The corner of his lips twitched upward, forming a small, amused smirk that soon widened into a genuine, mischievous grin. He found it incredibly funny.
Varka looked up, catching that look. He saw the glare fade into that bright, teasing grin, and his heart did a flip-flop.
"Oh, don't you look at me like that," Varka started to say, starting to stand up. "It's not funny. If she had walked in—"
He didn't get to finish. Lohen didn't want to hear excuses.
Lohen reached out, grabbing Varka by the collar of his half-buttoned shirt and yanking him forward. Varka stumbled, falling back onto the bed right on top of Lohen.
"Mmph—!"
Lohen pulled him down into a deep, silencing kiss, swallowing whatever else Varka was going to say. He kissed him hard and sweet, tasting the morning and the panic on his lips, effectively shutting him up.
.............
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon as two exhausted knights dragged their feet down the corridor. They had just been dismissed from night patrol, looking like walking zombies.
"Ugh... my legs..." one groaned, rubbing his back. "I feel like I fought three Ruin Guards single-handedly."
"Tell me about it," the other yawned so wide his jaw cracked. "But hey, at least the night was quiet. Except..."
They both stopped dead in their tracks right in front of Lohen’s door. They looked at the wood, then at each other, their eyes huge and confused.
"Wait right here." The first knight pointed at the door. "Yesterday night. When we did our rounds. I swear I heard sounds coming from here."
"YES!" The other knight whispered, getting excited. "I thought I was hallucinating from lack of sleep!”
"It sounded like Vice Captain Lohen was being murdered!" The first one panicked slightly, clutching his spear. "Like really really murdered! Or like... someone was twisting his internal organs!"
"Or maybe he was fighting a Slime?" The other suggested, blinking. "But Slimes don't make that sound. And why was the bed shaking so much? The walls were vibrating."
They stood there, genuinely concerned and very confused.
"But the Vice Captain is super strong right?" The first one frowned. "Who could beat him up that bad?”
"Maybe..." The other knight stroked his chin, looking like a genius. "Maybe he has a bad insomnia and he is fighting his own pillow? An epic battle against the bedding?"
"Or maybe..." The first one's eyes went wide. "Do you think he has a pet who is too rough?”
"Shhh shut up!" The other hit him on the head. "We are going to get in trouble! But seriously... I hope he is okay. He sounded like he was dying and going to the heavens at the same time."
"Yeah..." The first one sighed. "Poor Vice Captain. Work must really be stressing him out if he is torturing himself like that every night."
They shook their heads, utterly baffled, and walked away, still wondering what kind of intense training makes people sound like that.
.............
Earlier…
Durin was having the weirdest dreams. Or at least, he thought they were dreams.
He was sleeping soundly in his room right next door to Lohen’s, his tail curled comfortably around his body, dreaming of flying through soft clouds. He tried to cover his ears with his pillows. He tried to sleep. But the noises just kept going. And going. And going.
He barely slept a wink. By the time morning came, Durin looked like he had fought a whole expedition by himself. He had dark circles under his eyes, his scales were dull, and he felt like his brain had been turned into mush.
He dragged himself out of bed, yawning so wide his jaw hurt. He decided to go check on Lohen. Just to make sure he was still alive. Because honestly, after hearing those sounds last night, Durin was half-expecting to find the room destroyed and Lohen lying amidst the rubble.
"What in the name of Barbatos was that..." he mumbled, dragging his feet towards the door. "I need to check if he's okay. He sounded like he was dying. Multiple times."
He walked out into the corridor, still rubbing his eyes. He stopped right in front of Lohen’s door. It was quiet now. Suspiciously quiet. He knocks gently.
"Vice Captain Lohen? Are you awake? Are you... still in one piece?"
Being the kind-hearted soul he was, Durin decided to take matters into his own hands. He slowly reached out, turned the doorknob, and pushed the door open just a crack. He peeked inside.
"Lohen? I'm coming in—"
His voice died in his throat.
His eyes went wide. Wider than they had ever been. Wider than when he first saw the sky.
There, on the bed, tangled in a mess of sheets, was Lohen. He was sleeping soundly, his face peaceful, his head resting comfortably on a pillow. But that wasn't the shocking part.
The shocking part was the massive, muscular arm wrapped tightly around Lohen’s waist and the broad chest that he was also cuddling against.
It was Grand Master Varka lying right there, spooning Lohen like they had been doing it for years. Varka was also asleep, looking completely content and relaxed, his chin resting on top of Lohen’s head.
But that wasn't even the worst part.
Durin’s eyes traveled down, and his brain literally stopped processing information.
They were naked.
Only the thin sheet covered them from the waist down, but everything else was completely exposed. Lohen’s pale, slender back was bare, covered in red marks and bruises. Varka’s massive, scarred torso was completely out in the open.
So Vice Captain Lohen wasn't being attacked.
He was being-
"GYAH—!”
Durin let out a high-pitched yelp that sounded more like a frightened Pigeon than a mighty dragon. He clamped both hands violently over his mouth, his face turning a shade of bright red that rivaled his own eyes.
He didn't wait another second. He didn't say another word. He didn't even breathe.
He slammed the door shut as quietly and quickly as physically possible.
"...."
And outside, poor Durin was questioning his entire existence.