5:30 PM ~ Lohen x Reader
cross-posted on ao3
tags: fluff, gender neutral reader
summary: You flirt with Lohen instead of looking at the sunset he wants to show you.
words: 980
"Turn around for me real quick. You aren't busy, are you?"
It sounds like Lohen has plans for you. About that arranged hangout with Kaeya you should be at in ten minutes - have been preparing for when Lohen came around, actually... Arrangement? What arrangement? Your evening is free as far as you are concerned. "I'm not busy. What is it?"
"You'll see." Lohen gives your left shoulder a light push so you turn around. A second later, you are blind. Fabric covers your sight completely and not a sliver of light is left.
"No, I do not see. Anything, for that matter."
"Good."
"Can't you tell me what this is for?" You raise your hand and adjust the fabric.
"Hey~ don't you trust me?" With both of his hands on your shoulders to steady you, Lohen's voice is right beside you. "You're in good hands."
No doubt. Or all doubt. Should you risk it? Probably not. But how can you turn down Lohen? "Alright. Yeah, I trust your capable hands."
"That's the spirit! Don't worry about a thing." One hand remains on your shoulder, the other is placed on your lower back.
People are talking as he guides your steps, but you are too focused on placing one foot in front of the other - not to mention Lohen's hands on your body - to make anything out of it. It feels as if they are talking about you and looking at you. What are the people thinking, you wonder.
You leave the voices behind and the wind picks up. Lohen is unusually quiet. His hands are warm.
You stumble, one foot caught at the step of a staircase. You don't fall. Lohen has a good grip on you.
"Be careful."
You abstain from making a snarky remark. Wooden stairs... are you heading up to the Old Sanatorium Site? What does Lohen want there? Or the mountain between Dornman Port and Millhaven, that has wooden stairs too. Did you walk uphill or downhill after you left the city? You don't remember. You bet on the Old Sanatorium Site. If you are right, you will take your provocations up a notch.
"Almost there. You have to climb now."
You have to what now? Lohen lets you go first on the ladder. It takes a while but you climb carefully and stand on solid ground once more without the use of sight.
You remember having to climb north of Millhaven. Are you wrong? Nah, you stay with your bet.
Two more minutes of walking uphill and Lohen makes you halt and slides off the blindfold. You are met with squirrels perching on a rock with a golden sky in the back. To your right and higher up on top of the mountain lies the Old Sanatorium Site. Your bet was successful. Not exactly there but here goes nothing.
When your eyes land on Lohen, you hesitate with your attack. Lohen is somewhat abnormal. A smile, but it's not playful, instead it's tight. His arms clamped to his sides now that his hands left you. His chest rising only slightly but too quick to be deemed normal. His voice didn't betray any of that. Well, except that it wasn't as prevalent and lively as you are used to.
Realisation hits you- Lohen is nervous.
That is not something you can pass up on.
"Everything alright?", you lay on a buttery voice. "Was the walk too much for you? Your breathing is unstable." To prove your point, you lay your hand on his chest. His heart is beating faster, if you are not mistaken.
"What are you-"
"Have you eaten enough? Slept unwell? You're so tense." Your other hand runs down his arm.
"Or...", you serve a wicked, sly grin and take his hand in yours, "are you nervous?"
You hear his feet shuffle, but he doesn't move away. His eyes are fixated on yours.
"Nervous? What? You don't know what you're talking about. I am not nervous. There is nothing to be nervous about."
The hand you are holding twitches and is otherwise limp. Too stunned to react but too pleased to pull away? Cute.
You hum in mock agreement and nod exaggeratingly.
"I, I just-" he stops and restarts with more composure. "I heard the sunset would be quite a sight tonight and you always work so hard, you deserve to take a break too."
"That's so thoughtful and sweet of you." You squeeze his hand. You can't tell for sure in the warm light of the sinking sun, but Lohen's face looks flushed.
He takes your chin in his free hand and turns your head away from him. His earring glints in the intensifying sunlight. "Eyes on the prize."
Your eyes stay right where they are, on Lohen, opening your mouth to negate. "I can look wherever I want. But the sky is a pretty", you step away from Lohen and position yourself so that Lohen is covering of the sun. "...background for your mesmerising eyes."
You hold your hands out in front of you forming Ls, framing his face. "Click. Wish I had a camera on hand to preserve the view."
"So... does that mean you like it?" Crimson eyes glowing, smile brighter than the sun, Lohen looks so happy.
"I like you."
You tread closer again. Now you know for sure that Lohen is blushing. The sun does not color a face so pretty.
~~â—‹~~
Kaeya approaches you the next day. "I thought you were running late, and what do I see? You, getting kidnapped by Lohen. Why am I not surprised? ...Am I right to assume I better refrain from asking for details?"
"How does one aquire a camera?" Your body might be next to Kaeya, but your mind is not there. Lohen did something last time and you can not let it stand like that. Now it is your turn.