Chapter Text
Valian was jumpy that night, flinching at every gust of wind against the tarp of the tent, tracking the movements of Stella around the tent when he lay down to sleep.
It was awful, to know there were active killers in his command, it was one thing to kill as a soldier, and another to kill like this.
Valian curled deeper into his bedroll, trying not to scare himself into an insomnia episode, but not daring to let his guard down too much.
His tent flap was pushed aside and he jumped to his feet much too fast to be healthy but shook off the resulting dizziness.
To his surprise, the one who slipped into his tent in the dead of night, was not some killer or other threat, but Enstarnious, who brought Orion on his back and his sword in his hand.
He must need something. “Good evening…” Valian began. “What brings you to my tent so late?”
Enstarnious seemed to consider this greeting. “I was worried you may be attacked again, and couldn’t just leave Orion, figured two sets of eyes were better than one.”
Valian hummed, “you have gotten rather comfortable with the perceived idea you can make yourself comfortable in my tent.” He half-teased. On the one hand, he was grateful for the company, no matter how thinly veiled the reason. Enstarnious shrugged and set his blade on the weapon rack near the entrance to the tent.
I can’t let this arrangement continue for more than is absolutely necessary, I am the general, and as much as he might be comfortable telling me no if he so wishes to, I shouldn’t entertain the idea anyway.
“Are you suggesting you want me to leave?” Enstarnious asked, but stepped closer.
“Not at all, but I am warning you, this will have to stop once we find the infiltrators.” Valian said, sitting back down on his bedroll. “And I may not be so helpful in terms of watching over the child yet, I’m surprised I’m awake at all.”
Enstarnious nodded. “That’s okay, you can sleep first.” He said, coming over to him and producing his own bedroll from who knows where and setting it with Valian’s and sat with him, taking Orion off his back and setting him in the large elf’s lap.
Orion looked around as though a little bewildered as to why he was moving around when it was so late and cold. Little guy doesn’t realize how close he came to being killed… let us hope it stays that way for many many years.
Enstarnious let him go, so that he could talk to Valian and grab the cards they had abandoned the night before. “Let’s play a round or two,” Enstarnious suggested. “Allow the camp to settle in for the night before we go ourselves.”
“Okay.” Valian agreed. “But I don’t know how good I’ll be.”
“Maybe that’ll let me win one.” Enstarnious challenged playfully.
As Valian had expected, he was running on unrestful sleep from the night before, and it was showing, stupid mistakes, laughing unreasonably at things that weren’t really all that funny in hindsight. But it felt nice, to relax a little after such a harrowing day.
Orion wanted to participate in the game as well it seemed, because when Enstarnious looked at his hand Orion pawed at the cards like he had any idea what input he was giving. “You think?” Enstarnious hummed at the baby who had patted at least 4 different cards in his latest attempt to help.
“He’s trying to help me.” Valian replied sleepily. “Gods know I need it.”
Enstarnious chuckled, “you’re still walloping me.” He countered.
“It’s luck now I assure you.” Valian replied.
“Maybe…” Enstarnious jerked to attention at a sound outside the tent. Without a word he handed Orion to Valian and rose to investigate, bringing his sword, and vanishing into the darkness.
Valian felt the fear creeping in again, but looked at the baby he held and reminded himself he needed to be strong for the little one. The baby made a questioning noise at him, reaching out with one tiny fist and grabbed Valian’s nose.
Valian tried to laugh but found that hard to do with the baby’s surprising strength. “Alright buddy I know I’m not your dad but please!”
He managed to coax the child to let go when he offered a little ball Stella the cat liked to play with.
Said cat glared at him as gave her toy to the baby who seemed intent on getting as much slobber on it as possible.
Valian smiled at the boy. It wasn’t his of course, but he couldn’t help but feel attached to him somehow. Maybe it was the knowledge of what had nearly happened to him, or it was Valian’s budding friendship with the boy’s father. He wasn’t certain but he would gladly lay down his life to protect this little one if the need arose.
Valian took the ball from the child and tried to play encourage the baby to play with it. Holding it just within reach of the boy and then moving it to the other side just before Orion took it back.
Eventually he gave the ball back to him when he thought that Orion was getting annoyed with him.
He could feel Stella continuing to glare at him, but she was in his uniforms again so he couldn’t bring himself to care too much.
Would something more with Enstarnious be so bad? He wondered. But what would that look like? Where is he anyway? Is he alright? Valian tried not to dwell on it, and went back to his thoughts.
He went through his choices. A sexual relationship that was just that was off the table for Valian. He didn’t want to be someone’s toy or something.
He wasn’t sure how he really felt about Enstarnious either though, on the one hand he was certainly smitten with the warrior but to what extent or for how long he was uncertain. In the past any of his attachments to potential partners had been fleeting, either because they mutually agreed to go their separate ways or Valian got a bit older (from his 15 year old crush and then reevaluating it as an 18 year old) and decided he deserved someone better.
So he may be currently smitten sure, but would it pan out in a way that would have a relationship be the most reasonable course of action?
He doubted it, he was the general and Enstarnious was… higher ranking than the average soldier sure but it would still be improper.
That and the man had a baby! Valian wasn’t sure he was ready to settle down yet, if his uneasiness regarding his parent’s pressure said anything, and even if he was, was he willing and able to take on someone else’s child? He didn’t know.
Enstarnious returned then. He looked tired, but otherwise alright. “Sorry for the delay. Just doing a once over the camp.”
Valian smiled at him, relieved. “Everything is as it should be?” He prompted and Enstarnious nodded.
“Seems that everyone is settled in for the night.” The man agreed.
Valian yawned behind a closed fist. “Excellent, may I sleep now?” He asked, eyes heavy.
Enstarnious nodded and took Orion back from him, his hand idly brushing Valian’s thigh in the process.
The simple touch sent lightning through him and he suddenly felt his exhaustion vanish. He tried to conceal the affect the seemingly accidental touch had on him, but judging by the other’s smirk, the touch was neither accidental nor its effect unnoticed.
But Enstarnious laid back on his bedroll, setting Orion next to him, his long body seemed to curl around the boy, as much as a bipedal mammal that didn’t have enough joints to properly curl up like Stella so often did, could at any rate.
Valian yawned again and the moment’s energy receded into heavy eyes and slowing heart rate.
He lay so his back was to Enstarnious, and gave father and son a little space.
A strong arm touched his hip, making him jump, but relax again when he saw whose hand was on him.
He wasn’t sure what he expected the other to do, but it certainly wasn’t what did happen, Enstarnious brought Valian closer, seeming to invite Valian into the strange family dynamic that Enstarnious was a part of, if only Valian reached out to take it.
Valian smiled, his eyes closing again, when a warm breath ghosted across the back of his neck. Maybe he could foster some affections for his new companion, if only allowing it quietly.