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Nikita is the Starshyna of the Lightkeepers. Holding such a title is already a dead giveaway that he doesn't have much time on his hands. But he also has those who he wishes to keep an eye on, like Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins and Illuga. Thanks to him, the two of them get along nicely, and Nikita gets to know about Flins’ wellbeing through Illuga, and vice versa. That, and he sends letters to the man that lives in a lighthouse at least once in two weeks, once a week if he has more time on his hands. It's an extremely rare occurrence that he has time to visit Flins physically, but today was such a day, and now the chance has arisen, he doesn't pass it up.
The Final Night Cemetery is dark and gloomy, but also holds a peace. Nikita has always found it that way. But ever since he knows the Ratnik living in the lighthouse on the small island, he finds a form of comfort in it, a comfort that screams ‘Flins’.
As the Starshyna approaches the lighthouse, he's quick to spot a white piece of paper stuck to it at eye level. Unfolding it, he read;
‘Dear Illuga,
I'm afraid I'm not at home at the moment, but in Nasha Town. If it's of urgency, come see me at the Flagship. Or perhaps, if in need of a beverage, yourself, feel free to join me. There will always be more than enough space for you to join in.
Flins’
Nikita smiled to himself. It was nice to see that his trusted Ratnik finally started going out more. It was about time! As he read it, a beverage did sound good, in all honesty, and to drink one with Flins at that. It made Nikita feel like he was going to go out for a drink with his son that finally turned into an adult! He couldn't possibly return to Piramida or wait for Flins to return here now.
-
The moment Nikita entered the Flagship, it was loud, but the source of it was also visible upon first glance; the Knights of Favonius were sitting all together around a table, and they were as lively as ever. Nikita didn't have much against them. They helped a great bunch with fighting the Wild Hunt, after all. Actually, by doing so, they were part of the reason why Nikita has a day off right now! Aside from their aid to Nod-Krai, all the Knights that Nikita has had an encounter with were great people. He really didn't have a reason to be against them, truly… or so he thought.
Upon glancing around the tavern, it wasn't hard to spot his Lightkeeper. Flins usually blended into the shadows well, but there was a certain noticeable blonde with a blue coat standing next to him, making Flins just as noticeable as the blonde himself. But oh, what Nikita saw was a sight he'd rather not have seen.
From a quick glance, it seemed that Varka and Flins were each having a drink of their own and were just having a friendly chat, but Nikita was a man who always saw everything, so he also saw the way Varka was leaning against the wall, extremely close to Flins with a smile on his face that only a person who was actively flirting- no, someone who was absolutely smitten could wear. His eyes were set on the Ratnik, only being able to be torn away if they were interrupted. And then Flins… he was holding his glass in a certain way that showed that he was being attracted to the Grand Master. He did nothing against the blonde being extremely much in his comfort zone, and he even looked up at him with bedroom eyes! His smile was subtle, barely there, but it matched the look of his eyes, and Nikita almost wanted to grab the Ratnik by his coat and drag him away from that Grand Master.
‘It could also be a look of boredom covered by Flins’ polite nature.’ the Starshyna thought, partially in denial, before he pulled himself together (not that he had to do much in order to do so) to approach the two. As soon as Flins noticed him, his expression turned softer, more innocent, also a different kind of fond than it carried a second prior.
“Ah, Starshyna Nikita. To what do we owe the pleasure?” Flins greeted him, getting Varka to look at the Starshyna as well and smile his usual, wide, outgoing smile.
Nikita put on a fake smile. “Oh, I was just at the cemetery,” he said honestly. “I thought I'd follow the guide of the note you left behind. Mind if I speak with you? Alone?”
Flins glanced at Varka for a split second before responding. “Of course.” He said with a slight nod. He watched as Varka got the hint and moved himself between the two Lightkeepers to return to his Knights, but not without placing a chaste kiss on Flins’ forehead, to which the Fae let out a pleased hum.
Nikita almost narrowed his eyes as he could see Varka bend down a little right in front of Flins and as Flins watched the Grand Master retreat.
“Is it of importance, Starshyna?” Flins asked as he looked at the leader innocently, absently swirling his drink in his hand, one hand going behind his back.
Nikita still looked at Varka, making sure he was far away enough so he couldn't eavesdrop, and he then leaned a little closer to his Lightkeeper. “Say, I doubt that I have to ask this, but… are you aware of what that Grand Master is trying to do to you?”
Flins blinked, his eyebrows raising slightly at the fact that Nikita wasn't beating around the bush. He wasn't even expecting Nikita to bring it up, since he was his boss, after all. Private life and work life should always be separated unless the situation is so dire it must be brought into work. But Flins also knew that underneath this Starshyna, there was a man that had the heart of a kind soul, an honest man, and perhaps even a father's spirit.
And right now, Flins had fallen victim to that father's spirit. But Flins smiled nevertheless.
“Ah, so you took notice of it,” Flins murmured out, bringing his glass to his lips to take a sip, having no haste at all. “Fret not, Starshyna Nikita. I am fully aware of his behaviour. Perhaps it delights you to hear that it's reciprocated, and a more established connection has already blossomed out.”
Nikita didn't find that “delightful” at all!
But he couldn't say that. He had to keep calm and keep his composure, especially because Flins sounded so pleased, as if his relationship with the Grand Master has been something he's yearned for ages.
“Ah, good, good.” He said anyways. “Just making sure, I don't want a knight to make my Ratnik’s life difficult… and potentially interfere with his work.” He added the last part to come over more professional.
Flins chuckled. “Your worry is appreciated,” he closed his eyes momentarily before looking at his boss with a lighthearted fondness. “I'm in capable hands, I can assure you of that. Besides, having such a strong connection with the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius is surely to come in handy if there's dire need for another collaboration with them, don't you think? Not that I intend to have this relationship be for business purposes.”
‘You better be in capable hands.’ Nikita thought, but he dared not to say that out loud. At least he could be reassured by the fact that Flins was very capable as well, and that he wouldn't need anyone's help in case things went wrong, and he wouldn't dwell much on a possible heartbreak. “You're right. This could work in not only your, but our favor as well, so long as the relationship continues to be stable outside of work matters as well.” He glanced at the Grand Master from across the room. He was cheerfully drinking with his Knights, and while Nikita didn't like the fact that he had Flins wrapped around his finger, at least he knew that Flins had found someone who indeed was capable, and admittedly, was a fine match for him (no matter how much Nikita didn't want to believe that). “Well, I'll let you two reunite. I ought to get going, anyways.”
“Very well,” Flins hummed. “Thank you for the care of my wellbeing, Starshyna. Have a safe trip.”
“Thank you, Flins,” Nikita showed him an honest smile before he grew stern again. “Don't make it too late, you hear? I saw that you're on the schedule for tomorrow, so don't try anything funny tonight!”
That made Flins laugh. “Haha, but of course. I keep my schedule in mind at all times, and Varka's on night watch tonight, so I can confidently say that I'll retreat on time. I wouldn't dare refuse an order from the Starshyna himself… Take care now, Mr. Nikita.”
-
“So that's the course of action out of the way. Now for who will do what—”
Nikita was interrupted by a knock against the wall. He and Illuga were plotting an attack against a large group of the Wild Hunt that had been active again nearby in the conference room, but since the room didn't have doors, the only option without rudely interrupting the small meeting was by knocking on a wall. Both Nikita and Illuga immediately turned to look at the source of the sound.
“Yes?” Nikita responded, and a fellow Lightkeeper peeked into the room, her face showing that she was a little nervous and unsure about disturbing the Starshyna and the Squad Leader of the Nightmare Orioles.
“Uhm… Sir Illuga, there's a guest for you. He wishes to speak with you as soon as possible.” She informed, staying right where she was, continuing to only show her face to the two men.
Illuga frowned for a mere two seconds before a realization hit him, and he stood up from his seat. “Ah, of course!” He said hastily. “Apologies, old man, I'll be back shortly!” He excused himself without even waiting for a response.
Nikita smiled as he watched the boy go, allowing him to do so without a word. However, when Illuga and the other Lightkeeper were gone from sight, that smile faltered fast.
Illuga never left this old man hanging so abruptly.
Sneakily, Nikita exited the room as well, lingering in the opening just to see Illuga speak with… that knight!
Oh, if there was one knight that was the start of Nikita’s dislike for them, it was that one. That mint green hair, the blue and white clothing, those eyes… Nikita never felt good about that one outside of his work. Yes, that boy did his job and he did it well, perhaps even overly well, and Nikita had respect for him for that, but it doesn't go further than that! There's just something about him that even unsettles the Starshyna a little bit. That boy's sane, Nikita knew that very well, but sometimes he couldn't help but hesitate about it. It made him believe that the boy could possibly pose a threat to Illuga, but then Illuga never seemed to struggle with him. Perhaps that's because they too are in an established relationship, and that boy—Lohen—might just have something like a more gentle personality towards loved ones, or perhaps Illuga just… tamed… him. Doesn't matter! The boy gave Nikita mixed feelings, and he didn't like that Illuga had taken a liking to him, which is where his one sided and private dislike for the Knights had begun.
He was too far away to hear what was being said, but Nikita watched as Lohen cupped Illuga's face, which had a sorrowful look plastered on it. He nodded, and Lohen gently caressed Illuga's face with a thumb, smiling with a look of empathy. It wasn't long until they appeared to be saying goodbye, and Nikita rushed back to his original position to look as if he hadn't just spied on his son. He watched as Illuga sat back down, radiating sadness, which made Nikita’s slightly withered heart ache a little. But he had to act.
“Now that you're back, let's continue.” He started off, looking away from Illuga before looking back again, a frown on his face. “Are you alright?”
Illuga hummed a noise of hesitance, a weak shrug of his shoulders. This wasn't like him at all. What did that Lohen boy say to him?!
“Sorry, pops. It's just… Lohen stopped by just now,” he sighed. “He's been ordered to return to Mondstadt at the end of the week.”
Nikita raised his eyebrows. Mentally, a rude and brutal side of him wanted to cheer, but luckily his most sane and in control side felt his boy's sorrow. “I see,” he approached him, standing behind him. He patted his shoulder. “Well, you know what they say; there are plenty of other fish in the sea.” He huffed, wanting to lighten the mood a little. “Perhaps you can ask Flins to reel one in for you, since he seems to have taken a liking for fishing, haha!”
“What? No,” Illuga looked up at the Starshyna with a frown, completely brushing over that amazing joke Nikita had come up with. “We're not breaking up—we're still going to send each other letters, it's just… going to be getting used to without seeing him so often. I wasn't quite ready for his departure yet…”
Nikita’s smile faded as Illuga tilted his head down just to look at the notes on the table in front of him. He didn't have to see his face to know that his eyes looked distant, a heart devouring sense of pre-separation loneliness. Sighing, Nikita placed another hand on Illuga's shoulder and loosened his grip, changing it into a gentle hold.
“If you want to, you can stop him from leaving Piramida for today.”
“What do you mean?” Illuga looked back up, still a frown on his face, but there was a sparkle of hope in his eyes.
Nikita showed him a comforting smile. “Go spend some time with him while he's still here.” though, as if it's a repeat in history, he grew stern. “But don't you dare do anything funny! You still got work tomorrow, and I'm expecting you to be at your best!”
And then later that day, when Illuga had been long gone, leaving the Starshyna to do paperwork by himself, nearby Lightkeepers frowned with both confusion and slight concern when they heard a slam on a table and a shout coming from the conference room that went like;
“These darn Knights of Favonius, seducing my precious Lightkeepers!”
However, a few months later, when all the Knights had returned to their homeland, and when the two Lightkeepers he was referring to were standing right in front of him asking for a short vacation, both at the same time and both with the exact same dates, which appeared to be during a festival that just so happened to take place in Mondstadt, Nikita couldn't deny it from them. He allowed them to go, immediately looking for a temporary replacement for Illuga, because while the Starshyna was starting to get old, he too had been in love before, and he knew how it felt to yearn for someone. Flins and Illuga are adults. They're fully capable of deciding things for themselves, and they know what's right for them. If they are comfortable and certain about their love for people that live regions away from them, then all Nikita can do, both as a caring boss and a caring father, is support them, no matter how his personal view on their partners are.