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"Lohen."
"Hm~?"
Lohen stops bouncing his leg, looking over the meeting table to see Illuga staring pointedly at him.
"What?" Lohen raises an eyebrow, "I'm listening."
"Uhuh," Illuga drawls, "So I'm sure you can tell me what this report is about, then."
"Still don't know why Varka sent me here instead of Nannina," Lohen grumbles under his breath. And naturally, Illuga hears it. Lohen could swear that man hears anything.
"Well, you came anyway, didn't you? So focus a little, please."
He mumbles an unintelligible response. Lohen came to see Illuga, in truth. It's the only reason he even dragged himself out of bed. He feels a bit better than in the morning after waking up, even if his little birdie is nagging the hell out of him.
He clears his sore throat, "Of course. Can't ignore orders from the Grand Master."
Illuga shoots him a 'Really?' look. They both know full well how Lohen's track record for listening to orders looks like.
"So," Illuga sighs, continuing, "I was saying that there's been an abyssal disturbance a bit too close to where Madam Hiljetta is stationed."
Lohen goes through his mental catalogue, trying to remember that name. It sounds familiar, so it has to have left some impression on him—oh.
He bursts out laughing, incredulous, "That Hiljetta? The Black-Barrel Hag? You're joking."
Lohen remembers the (rather embarrassing but humbling) ass beating he got from the old woman back when the Favonius expedition was traversing Voidsea Outlook to find somewhere to settle a more permanent camp.
Everybody knew of the Black-Barrel Hag's reputation, and nobody but Lohen took her up on her challenge.
At least she told him, however meanly, that he has some gumption to him for even daring to fight her.
"I'm not joking," Illuga sharply cuts through his thoughts, "She isn't immune to abyssal energy, and I heard from Tolfin she recently injured herself or something."
Lohen ponders over it—he supposes old age does have its disadvantages, no matter how strong the granny is.
And so does sickness, doesn't it? A nasty little voice reminds him.
He brushes it off. He sits straighter, "Alright, then, want me to go deal with it?"
"I think the intention was for both of us to go," Illuga squints down at the paper again.
"What, the higher ups matchmaking again?" Lohen holds in his laughter.
Illuga groans. "Not that I'm against it, per se, but…" he glances up at Lohen again, focusing on his neck. "Are you sure you're alright? You don't usually go out without your choker."
Too perceptive, Birdie.
"Oh, I just forgot to put it on," he waves him off quickly, his eyes folding into crescents, smile a bit too wide, "Besides, I get to spend more time with ya, everything's perfect!"
He hold's Illuga's gaze for two more beats before the latter relents, and stands up.
"Alright, let's go then," Illuga shrugs on his coat, "This should be quick work."
Lohen hops up, copying him.
Yeah, I'll make it quick.
The haze of the worsening fever is counteracting the thrill he's supposed to get from battle. Lohen clicks his tongue, swinging his crossbow open and shooting down the abyss-empowered hillichurl.
It's fucking annoying, is what it is.
This isn't even a real challenge. As soon as he says that, a Mitachurl spawns up.
A shield one.
He smirks.
He dances around the creature as it charges forward, shield down, and stabs it thrice in the back weak points. He throws a small dagger into its head for good measure as well. Before he can relish in the victory, he hears the draw of a string and whirls towards the tower—there's a pyro shooter up there.
He blinks, and catches the bow an inch away from his face.
Lohen twirls it around and loads it into his already open crossbow, and shoots that one down too.
It sure is getting hot.
A wave of sudden dizziness overcomes him, but he manages to stay on his feet and deal with the remaining shield Hillichurl on his side of the field before falling to his knees.
He chances a glance in Illuga's direction; good, he's still on the other side of the camp, holding his own.
He's beautiful…
The abyss around him swirls; it's different from the Wild Hunt's energy, but different from the abyssal power back in Mondstadt. He remembers the shuddering aura of that dark place where the walls were too tight and the crying was too loud—
He snaps out of it; his head's on the ground.
His breathing is coming harder.
"Lohen!" The scream he was waiting for echoes from across the field, as he unsuccessfully tries to pick himself back up.
He sniffles—oh, great, now his nose is congested, too.
Fucking lovely.
In his unfocused vision, he sees Illuga quickly slice down the remaining monsters, and immediately race across the now empty camp.
"Lohen!"
The polearm is discarded, and Lohen gets a fun view of Illuga's legs as the man kneels down in front of him, supporting him up with a hand on his back, another on his chest.
"What happened?" Illuga's red-ringed pale blue eyes are darting all over his face, checking every inch in panic.
Lohen, tense, brings up a tired hand and pats Illuga on the abdomen. "Just a lil' fever Birdie, nothin'…" he sniffles again, "Nothin' serious."
He watches as Illuga breathes in relief, slowly calming down. The he frowns, and Lohen smiles.
More nagging coming his way.
"I really wish you'd take better care of yourself."
"Well," Lohen smiles mischievously, "I have you for that, Birdie."
Illuga's loud sigh is music to his ears.
Lohen yelps, feeling himself get tugged of the ground and into Illuga's arms. His alarm turns into bubbly laughter, relishing his position.
"What? Not scared I'll pass you whatever illness I caught?" he follows up with obnoxious kissy noises.
"I think we're way past that point," Illuga deadpans playfully at him.
Lohen giggles feverishly (literally), now feeling every bit of the headache that he'd been ignoring, and plants a peck on the man's jaw.
"Shall we test your immune system some more, then?" he teases, finally allowing himself to rest his head against Illuga's shoulder and relax into his hold.
Auburn hair tips prick at the side of his face. It feels nice.
"You need rest, Lohen," Illuga answers gently, fingers drumming against his arm.
"Hehe. I know," Lohen mumbles, cuddling in closer.
It's a bit too warm, but he doesn't mind.