* 𝙷𝙰𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙳 𝙶𝙰𝚉𝙴 .

no surprise, vahn's only actual canon not - relationship is with haurchefant. i call it a not - relationship because they never went past the stage of mutual pining. this partially due to hesitancy on vahn's part in growing close with someone in that manner but unfortunately due to the events at the end of the vault , they would never be able to grow past the open secret they'd kinda become leading up to that.

haurchefant is one of the people who take both who vahn is outside of the being the warrior of light and then the hero persona that's been created around him and does not treat him any different for the stark difference in the two. in fact , he's able to see that there is a difference between the two in the first place and gives him space to not only be a hero. through their time together vahn actually begins to trust him , actually trust him , something that some of the scions aren't even awarded until far later.

vahn's dynamic with him is what initially starts his healing process in heavenward and honestly makes him feel like it's maybe alright to live for more then just what he has been living for so far , revenge. it's to the point that romantic feelings begin to sprout for the elezen man , something both unexpected and frightening to vahn as he does not allow himself to get close to others. but there is a part of him that doesn't want to run away from whatever it is between them and having his feelings seemingly returned is something that only deepens this growth within him as a person. suddenly hunting down his father , killing him and then his own death is not the only future that he could have. he could have a future here , with this man who sees him as more then a title and the actions he's taken in the name of survival.

however , when haurchefant takes the attack meant for vahn during the events of the vault , it's much like the ground is pulled out from underneath the warrior of light , and when the other dies from the injury it pushes back any progress vahn'ik had made during his time in ishgard farther then it had been initially. he drops any positive feelings towards being a "hero" and sees it like a curse , like a blade resting above him just waiting to drop. being a hero it may be his duty but he will not allow it to corrupt who he is and always was in his own mind.

a vessel for his rage and revenge.

something i think about is a piece of dialogue i created based off of haurchefant's comment that "a smile better suits a hero" and it's from vahn saying "but i was only ever a hero in your eyes" ( gpose below because pain ). the statement isn't true , because many people see vahn as a hero , but it's only in the other's eyes that he felt like he was worth the title.

finally kissing the person you’ve been pining for .

a kiss shared during a game  ( truth or dare ,  spin the bottle ,  etc ) .

kissing your lover to show you forgive them .

neck kisses that turn into love bites .

wiping away your lover’s tears as you kiss them .

a kiss to prove you don’t have feelings for them .

a last kiss before one goes away .

biting your lover’s lip amidst a kiss .

an emotional kiss bringing one party to tears .

a kiss while being reunited after a long time .

kissing your lover in a moment of sheer joy .

a kiss while slow dancing .

sharing a spontaneous kiss with a stranger .

an abrupt ,  heated kiss during the middle of a fight .

kissing them to shut them up .

a kiss to wake your lover up in the morning .

sharing a kiss in a heavy downpour of rain .

kissing your partner to seal a marriage .

a possessive kiss that is meant to stake a claim .

a kiss to resolve suppressed romantic/sexual tension .

a kiss attempting to convince the other party to stay .

kissing the top of their head as you hold them .

a risky kiss between forbidden lovers .

stolen kisses while hiding away from a crowd .

a kiss that leaves lipstick stains .

a kiss shared on a rooftop while the sun sets .

a flirtatious kiss on the back of the hand .

sneaking off to a public bathroom to make out .

a kiss on the forehead as the other sleeps .

an  ( accidental / mutually )  drunken kiss .

caging your lover against a wall with your arms to kiss them .

a kiss after joining your lover in the shower .

a kiss after receiving good news .

a tentative ,  exploratory kiss between friends .

a kiss shared between enemies during combat .

kissing your lover after believing you’d lost them .

a kiss after a devastating event ,  meant to comfort .

a possessive kiss in front of a jealous third party .

kissing your lover under the night sky while stargazing .

a kiss between two people in a fake relationship .

a kiss that seals a promise .

kissing your lover lazily first thing in the morning .

holding your lover by the jaw to kiss them .

kissing the tears from their cheeks .

a kiss to your lover’s stomach as you travel down their body .

an abrupt kiss that you melt into after a moment of hesitation .

sleepy ,  domestic morning kisses in the kitchen while making breakfast .

a rushed kiss before one party leaves for work .