Work Text:
Grandmaster Varka of the Knights of Favonius returns to Mondstadt on an unassuming morning, with no prior warning whatsoever. Swann, positioned at the front gates of the city, screams upon seeing him. His partner stands there, agape. Varka takes it in stride; he pats Swann heartily on the back, his grin broad and beaming.
No one pays much attention to the stranger riding alongside the Grandmaster, too busy celebrating the fact that, after all these years, he’s finally returned. Swann runs inside the city to spread the news while Varka leads his men through the gates. Everyone is smiling— after all that time away, it feels impossibly good to be home. Varka smiles, too. He turns his face towards the sun, the breeze stirring his hair. Then, he turns to his companion, still beaming. His eyes soften imperceptibly.
Word spreads quickly in Mondstadt, and soon crowds of citizens are gathered in the streets to greet their Grandmaster and welcome him home. Kaeya and Amber are the first Knights to arrive at the scene. They stand amidst the crowd, Amber beaming and Kaeya’s smile softer, watching their fellow knights proceed towards the headquarters.
Above the din of the clapping and cheering, Amber leans in and says, “We should head back with them! I want to see Acting Grandmaster Jean’s expression when she sees the Grandmaster.”
“Yes, we should,” says Kaeya, somewhat absentmindedly. Amber glances at him to see his gaze fixed on Varka. His brow is furrowed, like he’s trying to puzzle something out.
Amber blinks. “What is it?”
“Oh, nothing.” Kaeya straightens and glances at her, a curious smile playing on his lips. “I was just noticing that our dear Grandmaster seems to have brought home a guest.”
They watch as Varka stops in the square and extends a hand to the stranger that had been riding alongside him. It’s a strangely chivalrous act, one that the stranger seems to take in stride. Varka helps him dismount, and Kaeya’s eye narrows as he takes in the stranger’s pale complexion and long black coat. His hair is strange, like purple fire that cascades down his back. Certainly not someone from around these parts.
“How intriguing,” Kaeya murmurs, mostly to himself.
But there’s no time to dwell on it— they have a Grandmaster to greet, after all. Kaeya and Amber slip from the crowd and start heading back to headquarters.
---
With all the chaos and celebration of Varka’s return, it takes until they gather for a meal and drinks at Angel’s Share for anyone to learn the stranger’s name.
“This is Flins,” says Varka, beaming at his guest. His voice is warm with fondness. “He’s a Lightkeeper from Nod-Krai. Saved our asses a couple times when we were first up against the Wild Hunt.”
“A pleasure to meet you all,” Flins says, bowing his head. He’s the picture of politeness, his hands clasped neatly in his lap as he turns to Diluc. “Master Diluc, if I may— I passed by your winery on the way here, and it is simply gorgeous. Your dandelion wine is exquisite as well. You are certainly a talented man.”
Diluc blinks. “Oh. Thank you.” He reaches for another glass, his expression softening imperceptibly. “I appreciate it. Since you’re new here, first round of drinks are on the house.”
“A generous offer. Would you happen to have any Shneznayan firewater?”
“Firewater?” Kaeya leans in, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “That’s a strong drink.”
Varka laughs. “Don’t underestimate him, Kaeya. Flins could drink all of us under the table, including me.”
“Oh?” Kaeya raises an eyebrow, intrigued. Flins simply smiles and accepts his tankard from Diluc. He hides his mouth behind it, but his yellow eyes flick to Varka, watching as the Grandmaster tips back his own drink.
As the night wears on, everyone grows increasingly tipsy. Many stop after the third or fourth drink, but Varka and Flins keep going. True to Varka’s word, Flins seems unaffected by the many drinks he’s had. Kaeya is starting to suspect that their new guest may not be entirely human, but that’s unsurprising. Mondstadt is full of those types, after all.
“So,” Kaeya says, leaning closer. Flins’ eyes are pupiless, he notices, and startlingly gold. “Nod-Krai, huh? What made you decide to come here?”
Flins swirls his drink. “Ah, Sir Varka was kind enough to invite me. Us Lightkeepers are tasked with defending Nod-Krai against the Wild Hunt, but it has settled recently. I was told to take a vacation, and Mondstadt seemed the perfect place to start. It’s a beautiful land.”
“Mm. We do have Windblume coming up. Will you stay to participate?”
“Of course,” says Flins. He seems to hesitate before saying, slowly, “This Windblume festival of yours. I’m told it has some… romantic connotations?”
Oh. Kaeya straightens, a smirk stretching across his lips as he leans his cheek against his face. “Indeed it does,” he replies. “It’s not exclusively for romance, of course, but many do take it as an opportunity to confess their feelings to the one they admire. Traditionally you’d give your special person a Windblume— a flower. Dandelions are a popular choice for that.”
Flins bobs his head. “I see. Thank you, Sir Kaeya.”
“No problem,” says Kaeya. “Got someone on your mind? If you want a nice spot for a first date, Cape Oath is a popular choice.”
For a moment, Flins stares at him. It’s a little unnerving, given his lack of pupils. Kaeya is about to ask what’s the matter when Flins laughs and tips back the rest of his drink.
“Well, it would certainly be a lovely day for a romantic excursion,” he murmurs, a little absentmindedly.
Kaeya sips his drink, debating whether to try and pry into the non-answer. Before he can say anything, though, Varka is sliding into the chair next to Flins. He doesn’t even seem to notice Kaeya; his gaze is fixed entirely on his guest.
“Flins! Have you tried the dandelion wine here yet? It’s different when you drink it in Mondstadt.” Varka shoves a tankard towards Flins, who takes it with a chuckle. Varka watches him drink it, his grin soft and his eyes crinkled in the corners.
Kaeya raises a brow. Oh.
“Indeed, it is delectable.” Flins lowers the tankard and smiles at Varka. “Every bit as amazing as you promised.”
“Tomorrow,” Varka says, leaning in, his voice low and serious, “I’ll take you to the lake outside the city. It’s gorgeous out there, and you can fish. Would you like that?”
Flins ducks his mouth behind his collar, not fast enough to hide the way his smile grows. “I would be delighted, sir knight, but I fear I could not rip you away from your people so soon. Surely tomorrow you will still be busy.”
Varka pouts— honest to Barbados, he pouts, and Kaeya hides his snort into his drink. Well, now, he certainly sees what’s happening here. Perhaps he should have given that Windblume advice to the Grandmaster, not to Flins.
He watches as Varka tries to convince Flins to go fishing with him, and Flins lectures him sternly on resting and spending time with his people. Intriguing. Very intriguing, indeed. It seems that Mondstadt’s dear Grandmaster has brought back more from Nod-Krai than new battle scars and stories to tell.
Kaeya gets up to fetch another drink. When he comes back to the table, Flins is regaling Amber with a tale about the Wild Hunt in Nod-Krai, and Varka is watching them with a smile. Kaeya scoots his barstool closer to the Grandmaster and murmurs, “Hey, Grandmaster. You should really make a move during Windblume, y’know. Types like him don’t come around every day.”
“Huh?” says Varka, squinting at him. Then he laughs, clapping Kaeya on the back so hard that Kaeya nearly tips over. “Captain Kaeya, don’t tell me you’re drunk already.”
He’s most certainly not drunk already, but Varka is already slipping into Flins’ and Amber’s conversation, his laugh loud and booming. Kaeya takes another sip of his drink. Perhaps he’ll try again later, when Varka is not the one who is so drunk.
---
Marjorie is organizing some coins in a case when the bell above her shop door jingles. In steps a tall gentleman, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. He stops in front of a glass display and stares unblinkingly at the coins there.
Strange… Marjorie clears her throat. “Hello there! Welcome to With Wind Comes Glory! Please, feel free to take a look at my collection.”
The gentleman looks up and smiles politely. “Good morning, miss. I apologize; I couldn’t help but notice what a lovely set of coins you have here. Are they Enkanomiyan?”
Marjorie blinks, surprised he’d known. “Yes they are, actually! Keen eyes you have there, sir.”
He laughs, abashed. “Ah, I’m just a hobbyist. I enjoy collecting coins and other ancient relics. They are simply fascinating, don’t you think?”
“Right,” Marjorie agrees, perking up. “They contain so much history within them… it’s really quite cool. I—”
The bell chimes again, and Marjorie nearly jumps at the sight of Grandmaster Varka himself stepping into her shop. His broad shoulders nearly don’t fit through the doorway, but he squeezes himself inside and stops right next to Flins. In a tone half-exasperated and half-fond, he says, “Knew I’d find you in here.”
“Oh, Grandmaster Varka. I was simply perusing this lovely lady’s collection.” The gentleman points to one of the coins. “This one is Enkanomiyan. Isn’t that fascinating? I wonder how it ended up here, and how many hands it passed through on its journey.”
Grandmaster Varka grins. He looks so out of place in Marjorie’s humble little shop; he’s taller than half the display cases. She’s never had him as a customer, and she has to wonder why he’s here now. Is he accompanying this gentleman?
Said gentleman turns back to Marjorie. She can see the genuine excitement in his eyes, and it makes her wince inside when he asks, “How much for this coin, miss?”
“Ah… it was quite hard to get my hands on, so 300,000 mora.”
The gentleman frowns. “Hm… I’m afraid I don’t have that much on me. A shame. Well, then, miss, would you happen to have—”
“Hold on,” Grandmaster Varka interrupts, digging in his pockets for a mora pouch. “I’ll get it for you.”
“Hm?” The gentleman blinks up at the Grandmaster. “Varka, there’s no need, truly—”
“No, I insist. C’mon, Flins.” Grandmaster Varka grins down at him. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t? Here, Miss Marjorie, please give me a minute.” He begins to dig around in his pouch, and, still a bit startled, she reaches down to unlock the case.
Flins picks up the coin, turning it over in his palm with reverence. He seems totally absorbed in admiring the coin, all its grooves and marks and the places where it’s been nicked. Grandmaster Varka, meanwhile, is doing the same with his… friend? Guest? His expression is soft, his smile small and satisfied. He looks strangely besotted.
When the Grandmaster approaches the front desk, coins in hand, Marjorie leans over the counter to whisper to him. “You know, Windblume is coming up. You could come back later and purchase something else to surprise him with.” She grins— it wouldn’t be the first time romantic hopefuls have come into her shop, looking for a trinket to buy to gift their prospective date. “It’s always nice to give a gift on the first date.”
Grandmaster Varka blinks at her. “What? Sorry, I think—”
“Varka,” calls Flins. “Look at this.” He comes drifting over, holding an ancient wine glass Marjorie thinks came all the way from Fontaine. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
Whatever Grandmaster Varka was about to say goes unsaid as he turns his attention to Flins. He seems to be talking more about Flins’ small smile than the wine glass as he says, “Yeah, it is beautiful.”
---
The library is always quietest in the afternoon, when Lisa has her tea. She’s grateful for it— tea is best enjoyed in peace and quiet, if not with the company of friends. Cup clinking gently against the saucer, Lisa lifts it to her mouth for a sip, then reaches for her book. Finally, an opportunity to make her way through a few more chapters.
Or not, she thinks sorrowfully as the door creaks open. It’s only Kaeya, though. He saunters inside, making himself at home in a chair, and Lisa smiles over the rim of her cup. “Kaeya. What a pleasant surprise.”
“Good afternoon, Miss Lisa. You’re looking lovely as always,” replies Kaeya. He props his chin up on his fist and idly runs a finger over the spine of a book. “Busy day today?”
“Not particularly.” The regular stream of patrons and no overdue loans— by all means a nice day. “What brings you here?”
“Just wanted to visit,” says Kaeya. “Although I did want to ask… have you met our new guest yet?”
“Not yet, no, but I have heard about him,” Lisa says. The tall, mysterious gentleman who had accompanied Varka and his knights back home. Lisa has to admit, she’s quite curious. She’ll have to find a way to meet this stranger and parse out who he is, because she did not expect Varka to bring someone back with him.
Kaeya leans back in his chair. “He’s a Lightkeeper from Nod-Krai. His name is Flins. Nice guy. Very polite. Funny, too.” Then Kaeya’s expression shifts, something almost mischievous crossing fleetingly over his features. “The Grandmaster definitely has a reason for bringing him along.”
“Oh?” Lisa raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “And what might that be?”
“Oh, you know.” Kaeya’s shoulder lifts in a half-shrug. “Windblume is coming up.”
Ah. So that’s how it is. Lisa smiles, lifting her cup to her lips again. “My dear Sir Kaeya, are you implying what I think you’re implying?”
“It would certainly seem that way. You should have seen them drinking the other day. I’ve never seen a grown man pout like that, and it was merely because Mr. Flins urged him to spend his time with the rest of us so soon after getting back.”
Lisa can’t help it— she laughs into the rim of her teacup. Oh, what she would not have paid to see that. The unflappable Grandmaster Varka, pouting… truly a shame she had not been there.
“So,” she murmurs. “This Mr. Flins… ”
Kaeya tilts his head. “He certainly is charming. You should really meet him. I–”
He pauses as the door swings open again. This time it is Varka himself who steps inside, with the mysterious stranger— Mr. Flins— in tow. Lisa curls her lip, watching as Varka gestures to the shelves. “And this,” he’s saying, “is our very own library.”
His gaze drifts to Lisa, sitting at the circulation desk, and he perks up. “Ah! And over there is our lovely librarian, Miss Lisa. You’ve already met Kaeya, of course.”
Kaeya waves but doesn’t move from his spot.
“A pleasure to meet you.” Lisa stands, setting down her teacup, and walks over to stand in front of Varka’s companion. “Mr. Flins, yes? I’ve heard much about you.”
Flins smiles and gives her a bow. Lisa’s own smile widens— what a cutie indeed. “It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Lisa. Your library is wonderful. I quite enjoy the homey atmosphere.”
“Isn’t it quaint? We have all the books you could want, of course including some Mondstadt favorites. Are you an avid reader, Mr. Flins?”
“I do enjoy reading when I have the time,” Flins replies. He speaks strangely eloquently, like a nobleman. It is, indeed, rather charming. His eyes drift over the shelves, taking them in. “Would you mind if I took a quick perusal of your inventory?”
“Please, be my guest. You’re welcome to check out anything you’d like,” says Lisa. Flins smiles at her before moving across the room to examine a shelf. Lisa glances at Varka for the first time since the conversation started and finds him gazing fondly after Flins, his lips quirked in a tiny grin.
Mm, Kaeya was not lying, Lisa thinks. Oh, what a wonderful twist this is turning out to be. Hiding her smirk, she taps Varka on the forearm and says, “You certainly brought home a lovely guest this time, Grandmaster.”
Varka glances at her and laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, Flins is great, isn’t he?” His expression softens as he looks back to Flins. “I’m trying to take him on a tour of Mondstadt, but it’s hard with Windblume coming up. Gotta make preparations, y’know? After the festival I’ll try to take him outside the city and see the sights in the countryside. Wolvendom, Dragonspine, Starsnatch Cliff, all of that.”
“Quite an ambitious plan.” Perhaps a little too ambitious for the beginning stages of romance, but who is Lisa to tell him that? At least he seems dedicated. She’ll just give Varka a nudge in the right direction, perhaps. “Surely you’ve at least got something in mind for Windblume. Doesn’t hurt to start small, you know. Perhaps with a little excursion to Cape Oath?”
“Well, yeah, I’ve got Windblume plans,” says Varka, his brow furrowing like he doesn’t quite understand. “But I can’t say I know what you mean by ‘starting small’.”
“Why, Grandmaster, surely you know—”
“Sorry to interrupt, Miss Lisa, but may I borrow this one?”
“Why, of course!” Lisa says, smiling broadly as she turns her attention to Flins. She beckons him to follow her to the desk, leaving Varka gaping after them.
---
Noelle wipes sweat from her brow and hefts her blade again. The training grounds are always warm, but right now, with the sun high in the sky, it’s especially hot. Still, Noelle won’t complain at the chance to hone her skills. The annual recruitment test is fast approaching, and she needs to improve her bladework if this is to be the year she finally joins the knights.
Grandmaster Varka is across the grounds, assisting some junior knights in their training. He’s a formidable sight, even without his second greatsword. He effortlessly parries the blows of three knights at once, and with only one hand gripping his blade— the other is wrapped tight around a tankard. Noelle watches the Grandmaster take a sip while easily deflecting an attack. She has to find time to ask him how he manages to swing his greatsword so fluidly with only one hand.
But he told her just minutes ago to keep practicing with the dummies, so Noelle gets back to work. She focuses on power in her attacks, striking the dummy over and over again, her blade carving marks into its torso. It’s easy to fall into the rhythm of it, and her concentration is only broken when she realizes that there is somebody standing at the edge of the training grounds.
Noelle blinks at him. She has seen him before— the gentleman from Nod-Krai that accompanied Grandmaster Varka back to Mondstadt. He is standing with his hands clasped politely in front of him, silently observing the Grandmaster. When he catches her staring, his expression smoothens into a small smile.
“Oh!” Recalling her manners, Noelle folds into a bow. “Hello, sir. Can I help you with anything?”
“Good afternoon. Please, there is no need,” says the gentleman— his name is Flins, if Noelle remembers correctly. He places one hand over his chest. “I was just admiring your training grounds. You all must work very diligently. I commend your efforts. Especially you, young miss— I have rarely seen such powerful blows.”
Noelle blushes and smiles, pleased by the praise. “Thank you. I am trying to work on my skills, since the annual recruitment test is coming up.”
Flins nods. “Well, I know little about this test, but I have full confidence in you, young miss. Might I have your name?”
“It’s Noelle, sir. And you are… Mister Flins, right?”
“Indeed I am.”
“I overheard Grandmaster Varka say that you’re a great warrior,” Noelle says. She’d been there when the Grandmaster introduced Flins to Jean and some of the other knights— he’d praised Flins’ combat skills against the Abyss.
Laughing softly, Flins says, “Ah, Varka. He flatters me. In truth, I am but a humble Ratnik. My combat abilities could never live up to his. He is a true knight, a formidable warrior. Look at how easily he wields his greatsword. If I were to ever have the chance to fight him, it would be a sure sign that I am moving up in the world.”
Noelle nods enthusiastically. She, too, has always admired how well Grandmaster Varka fights, the way he swings around two greatswords like they’re little more than sticks. It’s the kind of strength she’s doing her best to work towards, the kind that will hopefully land her a position in the Knights.
All of a sudden, someone shouts Flins’ name. It’s Grandmaster Varka himself, and Noelle turns to see him beaming at Flins; the three junior knights are panting on the ground behind him.
Noelle straightens her back as the Grandmaster strides over, his face beaded with sweat. Strangely, instead of leaning his greatsword against the fence like he would normally do when taking a break, he very deliberately hefts it over his shoulder. His gaze flicks to Flins, almost as if trying to make sure that he’s watching.
Flins’ mouth ticks up in a small smile. “Varka. We were just talking about you.”
“All good things, I hope?” Grandmaster Varka says, his eyebrows lifting teasingly.
“Of course, sir!” Noelle rushes to say.
The Grandmaster grins gently at her. “Excellent work on that dummy, Noelle. Give me a few minutes to have one more round with those guys, and I’ll come over for a spar.”
Noelle perks up, excitement bubbling in her stomach. “Yes, sir!”
“Do be careful, now,” Flins says, something low and amused in his voice. “It looks like you’ve run them ragged already.”
Grandmaster Varka grins again, more of a smirk, really, and this one is directed at Flins only. “Aw, c’mon. Builds character.” His arms flex as he lowers his claymore and strides back over to the junior knights.
This time, he fights a little strangely. The Grandmaster never goes easy on his trainees, but Noelle has yet to see him this dedicated in a fight. He moves powerfully, each blow coming fierce and fast. It’s only after he pauses to remove his coat and cast a meaningful glance at Flins that Noelle gets an inkling of what’s going on. Ah. She glances sidelong at Flins, who is watching intently.
This, Noelle thinks, is probably what they mean by courtship. She shifts on her feet. Certainly it isn’t a bad move on Grandmaster Varka’s part. She doubts many other people can fight like that. It certainly is impressive.
“Um, Grandmaster?” Noelle says tentatively, when he comes over for their spar.
“Yeah, kid?”
“Well— I was just wondering if you had plans for Windblume.”
Grandmaster Varka blinks at her. “Oh, yeah. ‘Course I do. Why’d you ask?”
“Nothing,” Noelle says, lifting her blade. She’ll have to remember to leave some dandelions and windwheel asters near headquarters for the Grandmaster to pick up.
---
“... And we’ll set up patrol routes here and here the day before the festival, just to clear out the surrounding area. Sound good?”
“Yes, that works.” Jean stacks the papers, tapping them against the desk, as Varka leans back into his seat with a yawn. He sets his quill absentmindedly into the inkwell, and, not for the first time, Jean glances at it. It’s so unusually colored— purplish-blue, with a gold gem set at the base. It reminds her of someone, and she has to wonder if it was a gift or a mere coincidence. Judging by the things she’s heard from Lisa, though…
“It’s nice to be back for Windblume,” Varka says, his voice soft. He turns in his chair to gaze out the window, taking in the view of Mondstadt in the setting sun. “Really nice.”
Jean smiles. “You know what else is nice? Having you back for Windblume.”
Varka chuckles. “Ah, you know I couldn’t stay away. I was always going to be back. That being said, I think it’s about time for some change.”
“Mm.” Jean joins him by the window, watching the windmills spin in slow, steady circles. “You’re thinking of stepping down, aren’t you?”
“Well…” Varka glances at her, looking more serious than usual. “Not right now. Not right away. But I think that it might be close to time for me to, you know. Step aside and let the younger generation take over. I was never too good at the administration side of things, anyways. And I’ll be wanting to travel back to Nod-Krai every so often. Still have some unfinished business over there.”
Jean raises an eyebrow, wondering if “unfinished business” means logistics or something else entirely. By the way Varka glances at the quill, his gaze softening, she suspects it might have more to do with a person than any specific campaign or outpost. Nod-Krai really has changed the Grandmaster in more ways than one.
“How is it over there?” Jean asks. Jokingly, she adds, “I hope you’re not planning to make it your permanent home. You seem to speak of it fondly.”
Varka tosses his head back and laughs. “Haha! No, no, nothing like that. You know I could never leave this place behind.” His gaze drifts back to the window, his voice softening. “It’s just that… there’s other things I can’t leave behind, either.”
Lisa was right, Jean thinks. Out loud, she asks, “How’s our guest? Has he been enjoying the city?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m trying to find time to take him over to Dragonspine. I think he’d like it there.” Varka grimaces. “Haven’t had as much time as I’d like to take him around the city. Hopefully, after things have settled down and Windblume is over, I can give him a proper tour.”
“During Windblume, you could take him up to Cape Oath,” Jean points out. “It might be a little crowded, but it’s a wonderful spot. Especially on that day.”
“I feel like you’re not the first person to recommend that to me.”
“Well, it’s the natural choice, isn’t it?”
Varka shrugs, laughs. “We’ll see.”
Jean tries to hide her frown. She can’t pretend to know for certain what’s going on between Varka and his guest, but she highly doubts either of them would be pleased if Varka let this opportunity slip away. So, trying again, she adds, “You don’t want to miss the chance, you know. This festival only comes once a year.”
“Well, yeah, of course,” Varka says. “I just have something else in mind.”
That doesn’t seem like it would bode well, but— Varka has always been a free spirit. Jean supposes that, living in Mondstadt under the guidance of Barbatos, he would have to be. She doubts anything she says will change his mind, so she says nothing. Hopefully things will work out for him and Flins.
“It’s getting late,” says Varka. “And the festival is tomorrow. Come on, we should both go home.”
Jean opens her mouth, but Varka stops her with hand. “Ah— I know what you’re going to say. The paperwork can wait, Jean.” He smiles gently. “C’mon. I want you to enjoy the festival tomorrow. It’s a day for all of us, and you should celebrate too. The work can wait until afterwards.”
“Alright,” Jean concedes, smiling back. “Let’s go, then.”
---
The day of the festival dawns warm and bright. Mondstadt looks as if it had weathered a flower tornado overnight; there is enough flora decorating the city to last a lifetime. Still more flowers are clutched in the hands of festival attendees who stroll about the streets, the brave ones offering their Windblumes while the more nervous hang back, gathering courage.
Cavalry Captain Kaeya moves slowly but purposefully towards the plaza, clutching a handful of Windblumes. He doesn’t seem all that focused on handing them out; rather, his gaze flicks back and forth, as if searching for someone. He doesn’t startle when Lisa appears next to him. He greets her with a tilt of his head, and she laughs.
“Having a good Windblume, Miss Lisa?”
“Naturally,” she hums. “I just saw Jean. No Windblume could compare to how lovely she looks today. But I’m afraid she isn’t the Grandmaster I’m searching for now.”
“No sign of him yet,” Kaeya says. “Perhaps he’s still preparing things.”
“I do hope he has it all planned out,” Lisa murmurs, twirling a rose between her fingers. “This festival only comes once a year. It would be a terrible shame if something were to go awry.”
“Speaking of.” Kaeya tilts his head towards the gentleman ambling through the plaza. Flins has his hair swept up in a loose ponytail, and he’s clutching a large handful of flowers. He pauses before the statue of Barbatos, covered in wreaths, and stands there as if admiring it.
Kaeya and Lisa exchange glances, then move towards him.
“Mister Flins! What a pleasant surprise.” Kaeya offers him a Windblume, which Flins takes after a brief pause. “I do hope you’re enjoying the festival so far.”
“Oh, it has been lovely,” Flins agrees, with a faint smile. “The atmosphere is so wonderfully joyous… I understand now why it is Mondstadt’s most celebrated festival. This ‘Windblume’ tradition is quite curious, too.”
“You’ve gotten some yourself,” Lisa notes, her eyes twinkkling mischievously. “Quite a few admirerers, hm?”
“Ah— actually, these are all from Varka.”
“Oh?” Perhaps the Grandmaster does have things worked out after all. Still, it’s strange that he isn’t with Flins. Kaeya would have thought that such a declaration should not end with one party rushing away. Shouldn’t both of them be at Cape Oath by now?
Lisa, seemingly coming to the same conclusion, frowns and says, “And where is he now? Surely he did not just walk away after giving these to you.”
“He did,” Flins says, blinking. “I presume he had something to attend to. After all, he is the Grandmaster. I am sure festivals like this require his dutiful attention. I shall simply wait for him here.”
Well… that is certainly not a good look. Kaeya purses his lips, debating how to phrase his next sentence. Beside him, Lisa taps a finger against her mouth. Flins simply gazes calmly at them, his expression somewhat curious. “Is there something the matter?”
“Well… Mister Flins, do you—”
“Flins!”
The three of them turn as Varka comes sprinting up the stairs to the plaza. When he slows to a jog a little ways away from them, Kaeya spots the small box clutched in his hand. It looks suspiciously like—
“Varka,” Flins says, his placid expression breaking into a pleased smile. “You’re back.”
“Sorry it took so long. Ran into the kids, and they tried to rope me into a game— you know how it goes. But I got this.”
Flins gingerly takes the box, nestling it in his hands between all the flowers. “Thank you. I do hope you did not break your coffers for this.”
“Aww, c’mon,” says Varka, beaming. He looks utterly besotted, and Kaeya has to bite back a laugh. “You know stuff like that isn’t a problem when it comes to you. I’d buy you a million gems if you asked.”
“That seems financially unwise,” Flins says, but his smile is small and fond. “I doubt your Knights would appreciate that.”
“Oh, no,” Kaeya butts in. “If it will help him, I have no objections.”
Varka gives him a curious glance. “Help me with what?”
Kaeya lifts a brow. Oh, this man is serious, isn’t he? How has he even made it this far with Flins?
“Dear Grandmaster,” Lisa says, lifting a finger to her mouth, “surely you know the power of gift-giving. Now, far be it from me to order you around, but if you want to secure a good spot at Cape Oath, you should leave now.”
“Ah, yes.” Flins hides his mouth behind the flowers, but Kaeya swears that he catches a glimpse of a smirk. “Is that not the place of choice for a first romantic excursion? I have heard the views are lovely. Varka, shall we go?”
Varka blinks at Flins. “Do you want to go? We can.”
Kaeya resists the urge to grab him by the shoulders and shake him. Truly a miracle that Varka has made it this far. “Grandmaster, you should really be the one making that offer.”
“... Alright.” Varka crosses his arms, his brow furrowing. “I feel like something’s going on here, C’mon, spit it out.”
“Er…. Flins, darling, could you perhaps give us a moment with the Grandmaster?” Lisa says.
Flins, mouth still hidden behind the flowers, nods and ambles off.
“You know, Grandmaster, I’m surprised you’ve made it this far,” Kaeya says as soon as Flins is out of earshot. “Shouldn’t you be the one asking Flins to go to Cape Oath? It’s customary.”
“Not to mention running off as soon as you gave him the Windblumes… what will a man think?” Lisa agrees, clicking her tongue.
Varka stares at both of them. “I— what? I left because I wanted to buy the ring I said I’d buy. I commissioned it the day I got back, and I thought it would be a nice little surprise on Windblume.”
“A ring?” Bold choice for a first date. “That’s a little…”
“Bold,” Lisa supplies. “Are you sure about this, Grandmaster? Really, you should just take him to the Cape already. It might be chock full of couples by the time the afternoon rolls around.”
For a long moment, Varka says nothing. Then, slowly, his brow creases with bewilderment.
“Hold on,” he says. “Do you guys think I was trying to ask Flins out?”
“Yes?” Kaeya and Lisa say in unison.
“Everyone does,” Kaeya replies, slowly. “Noelle told me she left flowers at your door that you could give to him.”
“Jean informed me of your possible Windblume plans,” Lisa hums. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you. I would hate for you to let this opportunity pass by. It’s good you gave him the flowers, but really, you could have done more.”
Varka bursts out laughing.
It’s at that moment that Flins comes drifting back. On his finger, a new ring glimmers under the sun.
… Wait a minute.
“Grandmaster Varka.” Kaeya crosses his arms. If this is what he thinks it is, he’s about to feel extremely stupid. “What, exactly, is Flins to you?”
“Varka,” Flins scolds, “did you really not tell them?”
“I thought—” Varka wheezes, still laughing so hard he can barely get a sentence out. “I thought they already knew.”
Flins sighs, but there’s an amused glint in his eyes. He turns to Kaeya and Lisa. “My apologies, Sir Kaeya, Miss Lisa. Perhaps I should have been more transparent.”
Kaeya doubts that, given his earlier smirk and the current expression on his face— something tells him that perhaps Flins has been in on this the entire time and was simply waiting to see it play out. Still, he gestures for him to continue.
Flins gives them an elegant little bow as Varka clasps a hand around his waist, pulling him closer. Varka’s grinning, looking unabashedly amused. “Kaeya, hate to break it to you, but I’m not taking him to Cape Oath because there is no first date. That was back in Nod-Krai. We’re getting married soon— here, in Mondstadt.”
Lisa blinks in surprise.
“Seriously?” Kaeya scowls. “And you didn’t think to tell us?”
“Well, it slipped my mind! I was, y’know, busy.”
“I thought you were busy planning how to ask Flins out, not planning a wedding. Does anyone else know?”
“Uh…”
“Grandmaster,” Lisa admonishes. The humor of the situation must be getting to her, too, because she sounds like she’s biting back laughter.
“Alright, yeah, I’ll make an official announcement,” says Varka, grinning sheepishly. Flins is still leaning contentedly against him, nose buried in the flowers. Exasperated, Kaeya turns to him.
“Mister Flins, I’m so sorry.”
Flins smirks. Varka, pouting, says, “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, dear. Don’t concern yourself over it,” Flins replies, patting Varka’s arm. “Thank you for the ring, it’s lovely.”
“You like it?” asks Varka, his expression softening.
Flins leans up on his toes to kiss Varka’s cheek. “I adore it. Now, go tell your people, lest they be surprised by the wedding on the day of.”
“Yeah, I should probably do that, huh? Kaeya, Lisa, wanna come with?”
“By all means,” Kaeya says, lifting a brow. Embarrassment aside, he’s curious to see how this will play out— he wants to see the shock on the Knights’ faces when they realize that their Grandmaster came home with not just a guest, but a fiance.
Ah, well. At least there’ll be a wedding to witness. Perhaps the Grandmaster’s planning skills when it comes to romance are not so bad as Kaeya thought.
Varka lifts Flins’ hand to his mouth and presses a kiss to it. “I’ll see you later, sweetheart.”
“And you, my lovely knight,” Flins says. “I shall wait for you by the fountain.”
How unexpectedly romantic and chivalrous of him. Kaeya smirks, nudging Varka. “Not bad, Grandmaster.”
Varka gives him a half-exapserated, half-amused look. Kaeya laughs.