I feel like we donβt have enough Varian Being Flirtatious Content in Vat7k media. Listen.
Like, one look at Hugo and we automatically go βyeah heβs good at flirtingβ which I firmly believe as well. But I feel like Hugo is 100% bullshitting his way through every compliment and quip and romantic interaction between people he comes across. His words are his weapons, his voice is hypnotizing, and his charm is his key in and out of things. He knows heβs good looking and uses that to his advantage.
Thatβs the issue thoughβhe only sticks around for what he needs and then leaves the second he accomplishes that. Thatβs all flirting really is to himβa resource that contributes to a process. A tool to get a job done.
Which leads us to Varian. Hugo likes teasing him, riling him up, getting a reaction out of him. But thatβs the thingβHugoβs good at getting reactions out of people. Heβs not good at having it be any more than that.
I want a moment in Vat7k media where Hugoβs flirting with Varian as usual, solely to be annoying, to pass the time, and because Hugo doesnβt expect anything more from Varian other than a roll of the eyes, or a βcut it out.β Varianβto Hugo, and probably to everyoneβjust doesnβt look like someone who is capable of flirting and doing it well.
Thatβs what catches him off guard though. When Varian trips over his own two feet and stumbles a bit while collecting firewood, and when Hugo nudges him in the shoulder and grins, βDonβt trip over your own two feet, genius,β heβs taken aback when Varian shoots him a look of challenge, βIβd rather trip into your arms, but thanks for the concern.β
Hugoβs mind stutters for a secondβit wasnβt the words themselves (who was he kidding? Yes it was) but it was the way Varian said themβor maybe the way he looked at him, Hugo didnβt know. There was a glint of playfulness in the alchemistβs blue eyes, a bite to his voice that sparked something warm in Hugoβs chest, a thrill he couldnβt help but savor.
Yet, there was also a specific sarcasm that tinged Varianβs words, showcasing a kind of annoyance that made Hugoβs mind blank and his heartbeat flutter.
Sure, Varian could insult him back, roll his eyes, let a groan slip past his lips like hearing Hugoβs voice alone was exhausting, but he never challenged back with a pickup line the way Hugo did.
Hugo hated how hot his face suddenly felt, hated how his hands immediately clammed up, hated how he sputtered for a moment, at a complete loss for words. It was like he forgot how to speakβwhat could he say? He was prepared for an insult at most, not that. Not the look in Varianβs eyes. Not the sparkle in his irises, glinting with a certain fierceness that rarely appeared.
True, Varianβs words werenβt extraordinary, so logically, Hugo shouldnβt have been this worked up. It was just the fact that it was Varian who said them. Someone who Hugo couldnβt admit that he was fond of out loud or to himself.
The worst part? Varian simply turned away, the words meaningless to him, and focused back on setting up the campfire. Hugo stood there for another second, flustered and confused before he quickly gained his composure, clearing his throat with a forced grin, βCareful there, goggles. Keep looking at me like that and I might get ideas.β
He was completely unprepared for Varian to grin back at him, light reflecting in his eyes as he quirked an eyebrow down playfully, βYeah? Who says I donβt want you getting ideas?β
Hugoβs brain short circuited. That was enough for him.
He stuttered before huffing and marching away, refusing to stand there and take the mental blow to his fragile ego. He resorted to mulling things over (cringing at himself for being so flustered) in the caravan instead of helping set up the campsite.
Nuru walks over to Varian a little later, confusion written in her expression, βWhere did Hugo run off to?β And Varian simply shrugs, βBeats me.β
Mmmβ¦ thinking about themβ¦ Hugo in denial and Varian obliviousβ¦. I love fantasy yaoi can someone kill them
