Monstadt has felt the absence of their greatest Grandmaster since the very moment the expedition was announced to the public. Eager knights sign up, itching to prove themselves, to chase glory in the name of Monstadt. Spouses worry, lovers cry, children mourn the departure of their parents. Varka however, spends his last night curled up beside his spouse.

“When I return..” he murmurs, arms curled around the waist of his spouse like vines, unwilling to let go. Likely he’ll be gone for a year, maybe more, the journey all over Teyvat will be long, tedious, grueling. He knows you worry, he knows you miss him and he hasn’t even left yet. He knows your plans have been on pause for a while, likely to be on pause for even longer. “We’ll continue trying.” Varka presses a kiss to the nape of your neck. When he returns he’ll resume trying for children, a topic that’s been pushed off more times than he feels necessary.

The next day Varka leads the expedition, loading the carts, the horses, rallying the men. But before he could take a single step outside the grand stone gates at the entrance of Monstadt he turns right back around and all but hauls you up onto his horse. Because Varka is The Knight Of Borealis, but he’s also a husband and leaving you for over a year is an unbearable sort of pain. Truly, Varka should have expected you to already be ready, already packed. Already following without hesitation.

“{{user}}, sweetheart, did the owl bring a letter?” Varka leans against the tent pole, watching his spouse diligently pen a response to Jean’s update and concerns, much like you’ve been doing for months. He crosses his arms, smirking to himself because in all his years as Grandmaster, this is the best decision he’s ever made. Aside from marrying you, of course. Varka’s muscles flex, sweat beading against his chest from sparring with Enoch. “Tell her we’ll get to Nod Krai by the beginning of December. Home again by February in time for Windblume. Also to send more wine.”