I don't even know...

First you have Flins, your dear friend who has been by your side through countless battles over multiple decades, who was there when you first signed on as a Lightkeeper and who was there when you were elected Starshyna. Your old friend, comrade in battle, and close confidant.

And then you have Illuga, the child you took in and raised as your own, who you watched grow and learn and eventually choose the path of a Lightkeeper and while it worries you you're also so proud. Illuga who's a capable and strong Squad Captain but who will always be your little boy.

And one day your darling son let's slip he might have a tiny crush on the former.

And yes Illuga is an adult and can make his own choices and you know Flins would treat him right of course that's not the issue but it's just...this is really damn awkward for you. Like, what do you SAY? Do you bring up that Flins is old enough to be the many-times great grandfather to either one of you? (You can't, that's a secret.) Do you try to hint that he might not be human? Do you have to give Flins the shovel talk now? (Oh he would find that hilarious and make so many grave jokes) Do you insist Illuga bring him by for dinner?

Do you tell your precious son about winter 30 years ago, when it was just you and your spooky fellow ratnik alone in a cold distant outpost in a blizzard and maybe not enough firewood to keep warm, and how that night ended with some less-than-thought-out decisions??

At first, Nikita writes off Illuga’s interest in Flins as a one sided crush that won’t come to pass. Nikita gets it, Flins is an attractive man. He just hopes his son won’t get his heart broken over this. He thinks this way until he starts noticing how Flins treats Illuga. The way he keeps food and water stocked for Illuga’s visits, the way he leaves his stories on a cliffhanger to make sure he comes back soon, the way he teases him and fusses over his safety….

This nightingale is also a nightlight :> (even more illuga with kuuvakhi wings!)

Tell me, Illuga…