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Illuga hadn't been sleeping as of recently.
It was embarrassingly obvious if anyone even glanced at him. The Lightkeeper had dark bags under his eyes, a slower reaction time, and issues focusing in general.
Today, Illuga's squad was invited to Favonius Keep to celebrate a major win against the Wild Hunt and to strengthen their alliance.
Illuga decided to accept the invite, mostly for his squad to have a break rather than himself.
When they arrived, Illuga quickly realized this was not his cup of tea. It seemed all the knights were drinking. While Illuga didn't mind alcohol, he could never imagine drinking as much as these knights were! The other Lightkeepers also seemed astonished, but they quickly joined in. Not nearly as much as the Knights, thank Celestia, but still. Illuga sat awkwardly by the fire, greeting back to knights who said hello to him and his squad.
Soon, Varka came by, laughing as his large and strong hand slapped Illuga's back, though gentle enough that Illuga didn't move.
“Illuga! Good to see you here! Want some dandelion wine?” Varka asked, grabbing a bottle.
“Um… I guess one drink wouldn't hurt,” Illuga said.
Varka laughed, though Illuga didn't know why. He poured him a glass and handed it to him. “Here ya go! Have fun tonight!” Varka smiled and Illuga returned it before Varka went to keep an eye on his drunk knights.
Illuga sipped, and… it's no wonder dandelion wine is so famous. Before he knew it, the entire cup was gone.
The Lightkeeper quietly listened to the multiple conversations before it got irritating and he went for a quick break outside the camp, specifically at the Lightkeeper camp right next door.
The quiet didn't last long though, as a familiar knight snuck behind him… “Hi, birdie,” a voice whispered in his ear.
Illuga jolted and he turned to punch, but thankfully, the knight ducked in time. “Sheesh… you're so easy to scare,” the Vice Captain chuckled, faking brushing dust off his outfit.
Illuga pouted, looking back to the night.
“Whatcha doing out here all alone?” Lohen asked, plopping himself right beside Illuga.
“Just… needed a break. My head hurts,” Illuga explained.
“Ah. Yeah, tell me about it…” Lohen rolled his eyes, his head in his palm. “Let me tell you, those drunken knights are so loud. Can't even get a proper night's sleep without them cheering about something!” Lohen complained.
Illuga was a little confused. “Surely, you knights don't drink every night…?”
The Vice Captain snorted, sipping a cup of… something. It smelled very apple-like. “You doubt Mondstadters, birdie…” Then Lohen glanced at his drink. “Oh, hey, want some apple cider? It's not alcoholic or whatever.”
Illuga eyed him suspiciously. “Are you going to spike it?”
“Ha! No, no. In fact, why don't you drink mine?” Lohen held his cup out for Illuga to try.
Illuga stared, and maybe it was because he was tired or maybe just stupid, but he decided, why not?
He took a swig of the apple cider, finding it tasted… well, like apples. Illuga hummed, Lohen asking, “Well? How is it?”
“It's good,” Illuga said.
“Great! I'll get you a glass! Or well… myself a glass. You can have the rest of this drink,” Lohen stood up and bounded off, Illuga left back in silence.
When Lohen came back, Illuga couldn't help but yawn, leaning back against the metal building.
“You look exhausted,” Lohen commented lamely.
“Yeah…” Illuga rubbed his eyes and he took the drink Lohen offered him.
“Tell you what, why don't we spar and maybe that'll help tire you out?” Lohen said, a malicious smile on his face.
Illuga hesitated, not having any energy at the moment. To his surprise though, Lohen followed it up with, “Well…. Never mind. It wouldn't be fun anyway.” Lohen put his palm in his hand, staring out to the sky.
Illuga looked at Lohen quietly, his eyes examining every detail. “Pretty… wait, what?” Illuga shook his head, sighing heavily.
“Sorry… I… might on a normal day but… I just can't today,” Illuga said, surprising Lohen, who immediately perked up.
“You mean… if I help you get proper rest, you'll spar with me? Willingly?” Lohen looked extremely excited by the prospect.
Illuga felt as if he just made a huge mistake as Lohen ran off before he could reply.
Okay, so he's definitely spiking the drink.
Illuga's mind raced with ways he could somehow avoid drinking it. Who knows how long he'd be asleep for if Lohen managed to get him to drink it?
When Lohen came back, he handed Illuga a cup. Illuga glanced at the cider. It looked fine… still, he didn't believe the knight didn't do anything to the drink.
Lohen watched him expectantly, which really added fuel to the fire of Illuga's suspicions. Lohen didn't say anything though, just drank a bit of his own drink.
All Illuga needed was an opening… then maybe he could swap their drinks…
Thankfully, the perfect distraction arrived in the form of two knights trying to shoot their guns. Lohen glared at them and he said, “Hang on, I'll be right back,” and he rushed back to Favonius Keep, presumably to scold and likely punish them.
Illuga watched, to make sure Lohen was gone, before carefully switching the drinks, tasting Lohen's drink. It tasted normal.
Finally, Lohen came back, dusting his hands off.
“Lohen… what did you do to them..?” Illuga asked, his eyes narrowing.
Lohen tilted his head, “That's nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about.” Lohen sat back in his spot, picking up Illuga's drink and twirling it.
Illuga huffed, a slight blush on his cheeks.
Lohen then sipped his apple cider. He paused for a moment and Illuga knew Lohen knew he swapped the drinks. “Well… seems the nightingale does have some talons!” He laughed, wiping the liquid off the corner of his mouth. “Unfortunately for you, though… I'm immune to poison.”
Illuga's breath hitched and all the color drained from his face. Shit. “Look, I-”
“Haha! Relax~ I'm not mad! In fact, I'm very impressed! That was a valiant effort that deserves a reward,” Lohen said. Illuga didn't like where this was going. Lohen chuckled, “See, I had a feeling you would do that… so I spiked both our drinks!”
Illuga choked. “How did you know I switched the drinks then?” He asked.
“I gave my own drink the stronger dose,” Lohen grinned, similar to that trickster cat in that one book.
Illuga sighed. He never should have thought he could outsmart Lohen. “How long will I be asleep?” Illuga asked, exasperated.
“Come on, birdie! Will you relax? It's just eight hours! I'm not insane!” Lohen exclaimed. Illuga gave him a deadpan look. “Okay, I'm a little insane, but! But! You're not one of the knights I'm testing, so you'll be fine,” Lohen said.
A beat passed between them.
“How much longer until I…?” Illuga paused, already feeling his mind growing blank and his body starting to shut down. The last thing he felt was Lohen gently guiding the Lightkeeper to lay down on him, and the last thing he heard was Lohen whispering, “Just rest. I'll make sure you're safe and sound, birdie.”
Illuga couldn't help the small smile that grew on his face before he passed out.
—
When the Lightkeeper woke up, he was back at Cliffwatch Camp with a note next to his bed. Illuga sat up and plucked the note up to look through it.
‘Come down to Favonius Keep when you're ready to spar! P.S. If you need help sleeping again, you know who to come to!’ Lohen drew a smaller version of himself winking, with his tongue out at the end of the message.
Illuga sighed fondly, and he tucked the note away before going to find his polearm.