I can see Flins with the trope of "wait we weren't married/courting this entire time." Sue me.
Like you accidentally appealing this his courting rituals/notions and Flins rolls with it. (We could be mean and say he knew dam well the entire time but liked you too much to question it)
But yeah, imagine your suprise when someone like jokingly teases you for having Flins as your husband and you are just staring at them, like huh? Then you have to go back and think at what moment did you confess? Sure he holds and kisses the back of your hand, but he does that with everyone? Right? (Not really)
He shares his collections with you, even the most prized gems in his collection, he does that with everyone right? Even his bone puzzle thingy, he has to have shown others right?(No)
He offers food to you, that you know he doesn't do often. You've rarely seen him eat. Much less offer whatever he has, even if its water, he'll ask if you'd want some, but you've shared with him? So where's the problem?
After the wild hunt is spotted nearby he is in your area, like instantly, like he has a radar in his head. That's because he is a light keeper, right? (Not even close to the truth)
Sharing pieces of clothes(like his gloves if you get cold), offers you a space outside the cemetery to talk, hangs onto every story you've ever told him like its trivia, knows your tastes to the capital T.
When you bring this to Flins he will just look at you simply and ask if you seriously did not know you two have been courting since the start and that he happily shares the sentiment.(he will have a specific smile on his face. He was just waiting for you to figure it out)
Varka is the "you can't keep touching me like that, my spouse will be upset" while he's suffering from an injury and is on various medications to help ease the pain.
Dare say back "I am your spouse." He will pass out and then you'll repeat the process over and over again happily.
When he is conscious again, he'll get all sentimental about it. Me thinks Varka would recite his vows when hes away for long periods of time, that and whispering to his wedding band as if you're beside him .
Varka can be a lot of things but lovesick and homesick for him is a deadly combination. Not only from the fact he is highly devouted to you, but also home for him is not just Mondstat, its where ever you and the family he has set up, is. Letters about his (adopted kids) knights, how some are improving, any sentiments about your daily life, anything really. Even pictures will ease the pain a little.
When he does reunite with you, yes its grand, large, and merry, the Grandmaster finally has come back! But after the drinks, the songs, dances that can go on for hours, he will pull you aside and sit down and just breathe with you. No words, no stories, just quiet air around you. The wind has guided him all through life and finally back to his home with you.
The only time you have ever gotten into an argument with him, is because of his health. Varka can take a lot, but the fear that one day he won't be laughing at his own jokes beside you, eats away at you.
So when this is brought up? Of course he tries to joke, maybe blow it off and be quick to show you that he is fine and well. But sometimes its not enough, sometimes it reaffirms your worries. One evening it finally happens. The fear he was being reckless or neglectful, that time had finally slipped by. You could not take it anymore.
But this time, instead of jokes, bundles of affection to distract you(and himself), he listens. Why? Because he can hear the genuine fear in your voice. The worry, doubt, and frustration. He sits with you and doesn't say much, only holding your hand. When you finally finish speaking, he only smiles softly, a somber one. Another joke? No.
"Im lucky to have you...instead of thinking i can lift the world, you see me as what I am..a man...I am just a man." He doesn't argue, he doesn't fight it, because you see him as what he is, a reminder he is human, a good one, and that grounds him. One that means you still care, not about his title, but about him. Varka, not the Knight of Boreas, not the Grandmaster, but as Varka. Your sweet oaf of a man who laughs before telling his jokes. So this time he takes it to heart.
The idea of an arranged marriage with Varka, perhaps political, maybe just a marriage of convenience, but the idea that Varka doesn't treat it that way.
Yes, this man could 100% just leave for another expedition and neglect his duties as your betrothed/husband but no! He writes to you, recalls details of your days together, and sends gifts he thinks you'll like. At first, you correlate this to his nature as the "Grandmaster" persona, kind, strong, and bolstering in everything he does. But no, Varka just takes his role as your husband serious. Even if this marriage doesn't need it.
And I think that's how anyone would fall for him. A golden retriever of a man who will move the sun and stars for you and just say "it's what any husband would do for their spouse" LIKE NO, he's looking at you like you're the only piece of the puzzle he has been missing with all his time traveling Teyvat.
At some point neither one of you state "its a marriage of convenience/arranged" just that you're married.
LIKE PLEASE TELL ME SOMEONE GETS THIS. THIS MAN DOESN'T CARE IF YOU'LL EVEN LOOK AT HIM WITH LOVE YET, HE JUST WANTS TO BE GOOD TO YOU, IT'S WHAT YOU DESERVE.
->Bye, I'm gonna go obsess over loverboy Varka who just wants you happy.
Please note: I haven't played the game since like early last year/late 2023. So if Casper is too ooc/ this sucking, my bad. I will replay the game again soon. I missed my reaper ngl.
I think Casper would hold a grudge against you if you left for too long. Like the chat logs, is one thing. Sure you go to bed, maybe you had work, or perhaps an assignment to finish. But when he lives with you, eats the same food as you, shares a routine with you?
You even have the privilege of holding/cuddling Azrael. So how dare you, how dare you leave for over an hour to get dinner for the both of you and leave Casper staring at a ceiling.
In his mind, he is terribly upset, but in reality, he's touch-starved and loves you too much. Casper now can barely go an hour without seeing you in sole capacity. He's already texted you 5 times to "check" on you. Lying in your bed, talked to your animal companion, even swore how "annoyed" he was. But nope, he just missed your warmth.
"Come back to me sunshine...you feel so far away." He'd whisper against your pillow, it felt like you, smelt like you, but wasn't you. So it will do for now.
When did you come home? 2 hours later. That's it. You enter your apartment and see the a grim reaper flat on your bed, curled up and sulking. "Drama quren." You muttered. (This isn't the first time)
But you set thr bags down and came up beside him on the bed, moving a white strand of ghostly hair aside from his beautiful face. Your lips press a kiss to his cheek whispering a small apology for being gone so long, some excuse about traffic. "I know you missed me Casper, I find it sweet."
"I find it humiliating." He whispered, again how dare you! But there was never any bite, instead he nodded his head for you to join him in his sulking fest, easily you stayed in his arms, tight and firm(not enough to hurt) and you stayed like that for a while.
"Casper. The food is going to get cold."
"I prefer it that way, and stop moving." He huffed, his chest felt fuzzy again, and his cheeks had a slight warmth to them. Instead of seeing the smug look on your face, he buried his head into your shoulder, clinging to you longer.
"Drama queen." Is all you can say. But he is yours, so you gotta deal with it.
Varka is a gentleman (a weird blurb + head canons)
Hes a knight. Of course he's gonna be the man to hold a door for you, offer his hand on unsteady terrain, turn around when you need to change or adjust any garment of clothing on you.
But he is also gentle in the aspect of understanding your needs. Varka is observant, he has to be for the job and duty he holds close. Not just as the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius, but also as your dearly beloved. When you feel sick, he is kneeling at your bedside offering you a hand of reassurance and making a list of all the things you need. Everyone in his estate will watch him nurse you back to health, just because its his rightful duty.
When you upset, angry, or in any spin of emotion, he will know. He will offer a hand of support or words of comfort. But never dismissing your feelings, ideas, or thoughts. (Varka can see a bad day forming a head and will do everything in his power to stop it)
But he is a little sneak. Yes, he holds his self honor tightly, and prides himself on being a good man to you, but oh when he happens to sneak a kiss along your neck when he adjusts your coat, or he offers to remove your shoes, just a kiss or two there...just to fluster you. Or perhaps when he enters your bedroom and sees you changing....he will leave, yes....but he will offer that boyish grin as if he stole a pastry from a baker successfully.
His favorite is when he unfortunately has to attend any Galas or Balls on the KoF's behalf, he will be smitted to see you all glamorous beside him, his arm being offered to only you, he may show off "like yes everyone, this is MY beloved, aren't I so lucky?". (Totally the man, despite being two bottles of wine in, is still alert enough to find you and cling to you, he can be a giggling mess but he will find you. Knight of Boreas, yeah the locator on this man is unmatched).
But even while he is somewhat tipsy(or drunk), he will hold that honor well. Varka would be the type to smother you in sleep, but if he returns home to see you already asleep (he tells you there is no need to wait for him but who listens to that?)? Why interrupt? He will sleep on the couch or the floor beside you. Or better yet? He can slouch in another room. Hes a talkative and touchy drunk, he knows this, so if you are already in deep sleep? Nope, he wants his beloved well rested. He can manage...
Some more thoughts:
He will give you the umbrella or let you hold it, even if half his body is drenched or already soaked, he will laugh it off and just smile.
Show boat, he is showing off, yes he is strong, but look- look- he made you a beautiful breakfast.
Varka is the "lift the piece of furniture so I can clean under it" he also is "jar opener"
Drunkenly he cried and sobbed seeing your wedding pictures and portraits, you come down stairs to see him holding it so close and whispering (not really) about how happy and lucky he is. (Usher him to bed please)
He also does that with pictures if his kids. They know it too, and they have to console him about being so sweet and soft about it (he tries to play it off afterwards but they know)
Always looking at you. You can yap about anything and he will never interrupt, he knows you by heart, knows your favorite stories to tell and which are repeated but his attention everytime will be as if its the first time he heard it.
You're cold? Here have his coat, no, no, its not that heavy. (It is, he knows and offers just to hold you close for warmth, he is cheeky like this)
Picture dad. He will take them at the most unforgiving times. Everyone at KOF has a bad picture of them on his desk or wall. He does not care. Those are his kids.
When he broke his wedding ring he was inconsolable. (It was an accident, it was already cracking from wear and tear, you two did get a new one and to make him happier you "proposed" his new one to him)
More loverboy Varka, because why the hell not! I am seriously contemplating writing a long ass fic for this man- BUT!
You know golden retrievers get happy at the mere mention of something like "Treat", this man, grown ass, bulky, built like a tank of a man. Will do this with you.
He's been away for so long! He misses you! So whenever there's mention of you whilst he is away in Nod Krai, he will get so happy, and just think about you.
He's on low moral? Oh a knight has given him a letter from you? Magically he's back to normal and is gonna order drinks for the whole entire crew at the flagship!
When he gets a little homesick for Mondstat (more specifically YOU) he has a picture of you two in his wallet, it's faded slightly, creased from him folding it constantly, but it still captures you beautifully and radiantly. He smiles fondly at it, relishing in the warmth your smile brings. He reminds himself that he will return home to you. (Similar to pictures of Rosaria, Razor, Bennet, and you. He has one in his bag too that he keeps for good luck)
👏Lucky👏 Charms👏, say whatever you want about luck, but Varka has something you made or had given him as a sign of luck for him. From a bracelet, to a written note, even a piece of cloth. He will hold onto it dearly, it reminds him of you and reminds him what he has left.
He talks about you, so much. Everyone, every single knight knows your favorite color, your favorite flavor of juice, your favorite flower, your favorite season, and some anecdote about you concerning Varka. He talks so fondly of you and brags about how much you mean to him, almost every company within the Knights of Favonius can say they too know you well.
But if he gets called out on it? He gets all sweet and soft! Blushing as if he didn't realize (he did, you occupy his mind).
In my heart of hearts, as much as Varka prides himself on his strength, leadership, and perseverance...he does have many scars, some of which when he looks at them give him a wince at the memories, but he also remembers how you scolded him for getting hurt in the mountains of Liyue, he smiles hearing your tone and how concered you were. So yes, some scars hurt, but he imagines the ghosting of your fingers to make it better.
If he hears even a syllable of you coming to Nod Krai? All hell breaks loose. One, safety, two, OH MY GOD you are on your way! Varka is gonna be a dog waiting at the door for his beloved to return. Patience and determination. He will finish every single task he has and will wait. Day in and out. That determination is strong, he is not waning in it.
When he does reunite with you? You can't do anything by yourself, nope. Get ready for suffocation love. (He honestly seems like the type to just sleep on you, be your personal blanket too), you want to go out into Nasha town? Hold on he is getting his boots on and he will give you a tour.
You wanna visit Aino and Ineffa? He needed to see the little genius anyways.
Dealing with the Fatui? He can fight, don't worry.
Dinner? He knows all the best places from his time here, he also knows the best spots to drink too.
You just want to walk around? He is going with you, walking silently beside you, smiling and beaming. He is just happy you're here and he is here too.
(I also see Varka as the type to just stand so close that you can feel him but he isn't pressing into you, just reminding you he is there and isn't leaving)
[Him and Varka fighting for first place in my brain]
Once he feels comfortable enough, I feel Flins would find ways to touch you. Its a form of grounding really. There are days he does not see you, those days spread to weeks, then months. The task of a light keeper, especially with overseeing the cemetery/lighthouse is a daunting task as is.
But it feels worse knowing you aren't there. Sure you can visit, but with the present threat of the wild hunt looming nearby, it just doesn't seem like an option. Flins loves a d adores your entire being, he views you as his most precious treasure, so of course he is protective, and cautious of your well-being.
So even if it means not seeing you for periods at a time, it is a price he must pay. All to keep you happy and safe.
But this doesn't mean this quiet yearner doesn't communicate, or breaks his own rules for you.
Letters. Flins will write you letters. So many god dam letters. His penmanship is extraordinary, eloquent, did you forget he is considered from a race of fae that were once nobility? This man writes better than even the most desperate playwrights in Fontaine. Always an anecdote about how much he loves you, thanks you for your patience, your understanding, but mostly for thr light you have brought into his solitary life.
The evenings you feel a warmth flickering near your bedside window, you don't have to look to know he is there. After a while, you leave the window open, a quiet invitation for him to come in if needed. Some nights, its just the lantern, others, he sits with you for sparse moments. He checks your doors, makes sure you have enough for breakfast tomorrow, writes a detailed list of errands for you, to remind you. But finally leaves you with another note to add with your collection.
The most romantic however, if you look out into thr distance, you can see the lighthouse, some nights you can decipher its code within the dark fog. Within the flickering lights, a simple code. A message only for your eyes.
"Rest well my love. I will be with you soon."
Flins when he does reunite with you? These moments only multiply, but now those whispers and flickers of warming adoration aren't too soft to make out. They are persistent and permanent. Now his voice lowls you to sleep, stories from beyond time.
"I apologize for my absence my dearest, please forgive me. This time I will cherish our time deeper than any storybook can hold."
