This is my side blog that I will be reblogging and commenting on some fanfics and I'll be reblogging some of my other interests fanart and the likes here instead of my main blog (@/the-ghost-0f-t0m0) in which I mainly do incorrect quotes for twisted wonderland and obey me shall we date.
On here though I'll be reblogging things like cookie run kingdom, twisted wonderland and so much more.
Anyways yeah so that's what this blog will mostly be about so stay tuned ✧♡
pairing: lohen x fem! witch, dendro user reader
summary: lohen expected to pick up a shipment for varka. he did not expect to get pinned to a post by magical ivy and immediately fall in love with the woman threatening him with a dagger.
warnings: varka being varka, love at first sight, lohen is down bad, flirting, accidental meet cute, suggestive themes and sexual tension, weapon threats, no use of Y/N, third person narration. english is not my first language, i apologize if there are any spelling or grammatical errors.
word count: 5.5k
a/n: this was supposed to be something much shorter, to post while i plan and write other things, but oh well… i hope you like it as much as i do! thank you so much for reading :))
The cottage sat at the edge of Starfell Valley where the trees thickened enough to swallow the noise of Mondstadt whole. Ivy crawled over the stone walls in dark green spirals, silver bells hung from the eaves chiming softly whenever the wind brushed through them, and faint golden light glowed behind the round windows despite the late hour.
Inside, dried herbs hung from wooden beams in neat bundles. Lavender, mint, valberry leaves and more. Jars of powders and glowing fungi lined shelves beside simmering cauldrons, and the entire house smelled faintly of cedar smoke and flowers after rain.
She preferred it that way. Silent, warm, and calm, away from the city, far from the daily hustle and bustle, far from the endless bustle of knights and commissions and people who only ever sought witches when they needed something. Which, admittedly, was often. She enjoyed being alone in her own space, in her cottage accompanied by her ingredients, her books, her record player and her cat. And although she enjoyed solitude, there were some people in Mondstadt whom she liked, or at least tolerated much more than the rest.
Like Lisa, who always arrived with some dessert and gossip to share, as well as new books that might interest him.
Mona, who would go to see her for advice and support as if she were an older sister, while enjoying the food she prepared for her, knowing about the issue Mona had with money.
Jean, whom she adored for her tranquility, for the peace she transmitted to her every time she went to visit her at her home, especially since Varka’s return as she had a little more free time.
And Varka himself.
Although Varka had somewhat forced his way into her life, and unfortunately for her it was difficult to say no to him, he had become, much to her dismay, a good friend. Which was exactly why she had spent the last three days preparing medicinal tinctures and accelerated healing potions for the expedition team currently stationed far from Mondstadt.
The final vial clicked softly onto the wooden crate. “There,” she murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Everything ready, I think I have everything Varka asked for,” she said to the air, even though it was just her and her cat there.
A soft meow answered from nearby, her black cat blinked lazily at her from atop the counter. “Yeah, I know, you don’t have to tell me,” she sighed. “He’s late, again, to no one's surprise.” He had promised he would retrieve the shipment before sundown, and the sky outside was already sinking into indigo.
After carefully finishing sealing the jar, she placed it to one side with the others, and then headed towards the stove to heat the kettle.
And it was then that she could perceive the sound of a series of footsteps, soft footsteps, almost mapped out on her garden patio, as if whoever was there was treading deliberately with too much care.
That wasn't Varka, the mere sound of the footsteps was more than enough to know it wasn't him, because Varka stomped around like the Anemo Archon himself had personally declared stealth illegal.
There was an intruder. No one went to that area, and those who did, her friends, usually warned her beforehand, no one appeared unannounced, and knights and travelers were advised to avoid that specific area.
Moving carefully, without making a sound and avoiding being seen through the window, she approached the kitchen counter where a dagger was resting next to the chopping board, gripping it tightly between her fingers. She could hear the sound of the wind ringing the bell outside, and along with that she heard the sound of the gate being opened, which was then preceded by the sound of footsteps again.
Her eyes narrowed and the air in the cottage changed immediately, dendro energy threading beneath her skin in quiet anticipation as she extinguished the lantern with a flick of her fingers. Through the window she could see the shadow of a figure, she couldn't glean too much information from it, but it was clear that it was a man, perhaps a little taller than her.
The sound of knocking on the door echoed through the place, the music that had previously filled the air was now completely silent, and his cat watched curiously from its spot, as if it were not a critical situation. For a few seconds there was silence, only the tinkling of the bells outside, and then the handle of the front door moved slightly, as if someone were trying to open it.
And the moment it opened, vines exploded from the wooden floorboards.
The man barely had time to react before thick green ivy snapped around his wrist and yanked him violently forward, his spear clattered across the floor. Another vine coiled around his ankle while a third wrapped around his waist hard enough to slam him against one of the support posts near the staircase. She hadn't even given him time to defend himself, quickly gaining control of the situation in her favor.
“What the hell— “
A stream of dendro that shout out of her made the vines' grip stronger, causing his body to slam against the post again, stealing a groan from his lips, before he opened his eyes disoriented, surprised.
The dagger she held in her hand rested near his neck, its edge gleaming in the rays of the setting sun. “Who the hell are you?” she said, bringing the dagger's edge closer to his neck, allowing him to feel the cold metal.
The stranger blinked once. Twice.
And then, to her utter disbelief, he smiled.
It wasn't a nervous or scared smile, but a real smile, as if he were enjoying the situation.
Her eyes narrowed further.
Slightly taller than her, broad-shouldered, silver-haired, with a mole under his right eye and with sharp eyes that should have looked intimidating if not for the fact he currently seemed entirely distracted by staring at her face, and that smile on his lips, as if he were living his best moment.
“…You’re not Varka,” she muttered, analyzing his face, looking for something that might tell her who the hell he was.
“No,” he agreed softly, with a voice that sound warm, the kind of voice that sounded entirely too amused for a man currently tied to a wooden post by aggressive magical ivy.
The vines tightened slightly around his arms when he shifted. But instead of complaining, of uttering a curse, of letting an expression of pain appear on his face, his smile deepened.
Something flickered across his face, something that seemed similar to enjoyment, entertainment, even pleasure.
Her brows slowly furrowed, confused by his reaction. “…Why are you looking at me like that?”
His gaze deliberately slid, slowly as if he were performing a detailed scan, from her face to the delicate, shimmering dendro vision hanging at her waist. And finally, he raised his gaze again, settling on her lips, unable to resist licking his own at the sight of those lips that seemed to beckon him.
“I am trying to decide,” he said, smooth as silk. “If getting attacked by beautiful witches is a common occurrence around this part of Mondstadt or if I’m uniquely fortunate.”
She watched him silently, the confusion more than evident in her gaze, which made everything more entertaining for him. For a few seconds they both remained silent, simply observing each other face to face, he being able to feel the cold of the dagger's edge still grazing his neck.
Then another vine snapped around his chest and tightened hard enough to pin him flatter against the post. His breath caught slightly, but not in pain. Not if she took into account the way his face had contorted in an expression of excitement, of anticipation, as if he were waiting to see what else she wanted to do to him. As if he even longed for it.
Archons preserve her.
Was he really enjoying being in that position with her? Wasn't it just a facade?
“You broke into my house,” she accused.
"I didn't even open the door," he said, as if that were nothing.
"That's still trespassing."
He tilted his head slightly, nodding. “Well... you have a point.” His eyes glittering, still smiling, still entirely too calm. Her grip on the dagger tightened.
“Who sent you?”
The question finally seemed to drag him slightly back to reality, though not much.
“Varka,” he answered immediately. “I am the Vice-Captain Lohen, Fifth Company of the Knights of Favonius.”
At the title, she hesitated slightly. Only slightly.
“And why,” she asked carefully, “would Varka send you here instead of coming himself as we had agreed?”
“To retrieve a shipment of healing tinctures, Varka was busy training the new recruits and sent me in his place.” His gaze flicked briefly toward the crate behind her before returning immediately to her face. “Though admittedly, he neglected to mention the part where I’d be assaulted upon arrival.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“You could always search my coat, feel around to see if I have anything unusual.” The way he said it made her narrow her eyes instantly.
“That sounded intentional, as if you really wanted me to do it.”
“It was, sweetheart.”
The bastard actually looked pleased with himself.
Her cat jumped onto a nearby shelf, tail swishing judgmentally while she continued glaring at him.
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“Varka would have warned me.”
“That,” Lohen said, “does sound like something he should have done. But it seems that wasn't the case.” The ivy around his wrists shifted again as he adjusted experimentally, he looked down at the vines and then back at her. “…These are impressive, by the way, and very tight.” She raised an eyebrow, he was trapped under her control and now he was praising her? There was something wrong with that man, what he had in good looks he probably also had in his madness.
And something must have been very wrong with her too, because she felt a tingling in her stomach at that.
His smile widened. Archons, he was absolutely doing this on purpose.
“You enjoy being restrained?” she asked before she could stop herself, the question slipped out sharp and incredulous.
Lohen looked genuinely delighted by it. “Only under very specific circumstances.”
Heat flashed instantly across her face and his eyes immediately caught it, which only motivated him more.
“Oh, you’re blushing now,” he murmured, his tone full of mischief.
“You’re tied to a post.”
“And having a wonderful evening so far, sweetheart,” he smiled sincerely, to confirm his words. "Aren't you?"
She opened her mouth to respond when suddenly a shrill chime echoed through the cottage. Both of them glanced toward the table, a small device no larger than a lantern sat glowing softly and vibrating atop the wood. A modified dodocommunicator, with a small screen that allowed you to see who was on the other side.
The screen flickered and then Varka’s face appeared. “Well! There you are—”
She stared at him in disbelief, releasing her grip on the dagger to reach for the device, Lohen still tied up behind her.
“You.”
Varka blinked, then squinted. “…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You forgot to tell me you were sending someone,” she murmured,
“Oh.”
She raised an eyebrow, slightly moving the device to show Lohen that it was still attached to the post with glowing ivy, still smiling.
Seeing that, Varka burst out laughing, so loudly it crackled through the device. “Oh, this is incredible,” he said, laughing, moving closer to the device to try to see them better.
Lohen sighed deeply, without losing his smile, a playful sparkle in his eyes. “She’s very welcoming, another thing you forgot to mention Varka.”
“You deserved it,” she muttered.
“I absolutely did not,” Lohen shook his head, trying to look innocent, but his smile and mischievous gaze gave him away completely.
Varka was still laughing, actually wiping tears from his eyes. “This— this is the best thing that’s happened all week.”
“You could have warned me,” she snapped.
“I thought I did it, I swear.”
"It would have been useful to know that someone I didn't even know by sight was coming, so I wouldn't think they were trying to rob me."
"But— But he was wearing the knights' uniform, didn't you see?" Varka said, trying to get out of the situation, he knew how fierce she could be when she got angry.
"Oh, please Varka, as if anyone couldn't steal a uniform and pass themselves off as one, it wouldn't be the first time."
Varka sighed, knowing that she was right. “Okay, you’re right. Sorry, I forgot, but I was busy.”
She snorted. “Your favorite pastime is delegating your responsibilities to Jean, tell that story to someone else.”
Lohen made a very poorly concealed sound that suspiciously resembled a cough hiding laughter. His eyes watched her in wonder, he really liked that she didn't keep quiet about anything and stood up to even the Grand Master.
Varka pointed accusingly through the screen. “You're lucky I adore you, not everyone talks to me like that.”
She rolled her eyes, knowing that Varka cared for her too much to seriously reproach her, and all three of them were aware of the truth in her words when speaking of Jean. “How can you say that to me when you practically begged me to be friends? “
"Shhh, that had to stay between us! I have a reputation to uphold."
“Mhm, whatever you say Grand Master,” she blurted out with amusement, while Lohen continued to gaze at her in ecstasy, as if she were the most incredible person he had ever seen.
“So,” Varka said far too casually, “has Lohen caused any trouble?”
Lohen smiled lazily from where he remained restrained. “None whatsoever,” he said smoothly, eyes fixed entirely on her, almost as if Varka did not exist even though he was responding to him. “In fact, I’d say I’m more than fine, the company is… amazing.”
The implication hit instantly, heat rushed back into her cheeks. And Varka, being so perceptive, of course noticed it.
“Oh, this is even better than I thought.”
“Varka,” she warned.
“What? I’m just saying—“ he began in a playful tone. “The least you can do after attacking the poor man is invite him in for tea.”
"I want to make it clear that I wasn't bothered at all by being attacked by her," Lohen interjected, causing her to turn and look at him, her eyes widening in disbelief. "It was a pleasant surprise."
"For Archon's sake, what kind of people are they accepting into the Knights now? Is there some kind of test to see how mentally unstable they are?” she murmured, still feeling the blush rising up her neck and face, and that tingling again in her belly. "This one here isn't right”
Lohen's laughter, deep and seductive, reached her ears, and judging by the reaction it caused in her, seeing his face out of the corner of her eye and thinking how attractive he looked like that, she wasn't right either.
Varka nearly choked laughing again. “I don't know what you're talking about,” Varka wheezed. “He’s fine! I'd even say he's doing more than well, look at his face, it looks like it's his birthday.”
“This is your fault.”
“Yeah,” Varka agreed cheerfully. “But now you have to deal with the consequences.”
Lohen shifted slightly against the vines again. “No rush,” he said. “I’m quite comfortable.”
She shot him a look, noticing that he looked unbearably pleased with himself.
Varka grinned knowingly from the communicator. “Well,” he said, voice suddenly suspiciously innocent. “Good luck to both of you.”
The screen went black before either of them could respond and silence filled the cottage again. The two of them were alone, because even her cat had left, leaving her with the knight.
Slowly, she turned back toward Lohen. Still tied up, still extremely handsome, still staring at her like she had personally descended from Celestia to ruin him, as if she were a dessert he eagerly wanted to taste.
"You seem too comfortable in your position, even having the nerve to flirt with me so shamelessly,” she said, taking a step towards him, noticing how his gaze seemed to darken, the black of his pupil overshadowing the color.
"I can stop if you want," he replied quietly, seriously.
“…You sound disappointed by the idea.”
“I am.”
Another pulse of warmth spread across her face at his words and the ease with which he uttered them.
With a sigh, she lifted her hand. The ivy loosened immediately, unwinding from his wrists and torso before retreating slowly across the floorboards. Lohen rolled one shoulder once he was free, stretching his arms slightly, and then he bent to retrieve his spear. But instead of immediately stepping away, he walked directly toward her, slowly, deliberately, as if he were a hunter stalking his prey, until only inches remained between them.
Her breath caught despite herself, he was even taller when he wasn't tied up and stood in front of her like that. One gloved hand gently took hers before she could react. Then, with effortless elegance, Lohen bowed slightly and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles, his eyes never left hers.
“I should tell you,” he murmured. “There’s usually a dinner involved before I let someone tie me up.”
Her lips twitched despite every effort to remain serious. “Oh, really?”
What was she doing? Why was she playing along?
“Mhm,” his thumb brushed lightly against the back of her hand. “Though for you, I’d be willing to reverse the order.”
He was a dangerous man, clearly out of his mind, but that didn't make him any less attractive, any less captivating. It's not like she was entirely sane, after all, she was a witch. And she could play hard to get all she wanted, but she was more than aware that she liked all of it, it made him far more interesting than any other man who had ever tried to approach her before.
She laughed softly then, unable not to. At that moment, with that image before his eyes, Lohen discovered that there were simpler ways to ruin a man completely than with magic, like her laughter for example.
“You use lines like that often?”
Lohen tilted his head thoughtfully. “No,” he said honestly. “You’re actually the first woman who’s ever pinned me to a post with magical vines.”
“…What an honor.”
“It truly is.”
The way he looked at her made warmth curl low in her stomach. Not playful now, not entirely, there was still teasing there but beneath it sat genuine fascination, wonder, like he genuinely could not believe she existed.
“And,” he continued softly, stepping just slightly closer, “if I’m particularly lucky… perhaps the last and only one.” Her pulse skipped, while his gaze dropped briefly to her mouth and the returned to her eyes. “…Though,” he added, voice lowering. “I certainly wouldn’t object if it happened again under different circumstances.”
The implication in his tone sent heat rushing through her all over again. She tilted her head slightly.
“Careful, Vice-Captain.”
“Mhm?”
“You sound very eager to end up restrained again.”
Lohen smiled slowly. “If it’s by you?” he murmured. “Absolutely. No victory on the battlefield has ever felt as incredible as that, and I love to fight.”
Archons.
She should throw him back outside. Instead, she found herself stepping closer too, close enough now to catch the faint scent of leather, steel and cedar clinging to him. Close enough to notice the way his breathing subtly changed when her fingers lightly brushed the front of his uniform.
“Maybe,” she said softly, “next time you should announce yourself before entering a witch’s home.”
“Maybe,” Lohen replied, eyes darkening with amusement, “next time I’ll intentionally forget, if that leads me to this.”
A laugh escaped her before she could stop it. And judging by the utterly smitten look on his face, Lohen seemed to decide right then and there that he had just won the lottery.
She should have stepped away, that was the sensible thing to do. Instead, she stayed exactly where she was, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from him, close enough to notice the smug little curve of his mouth every time her gaze flickered briefly toward it.
Lohen looked entirely too pleased for a man who had been ambushed twenty minutes ago.
Though, admittedly, he also looked entirely too handsome leaning there in the middle of her cottage with his spear resting casually against one shoulder and ivy leaves still caught in the silver strands of his hair. One of the vines had even left faint green marks along his wrists.
His eyes caught her staring, the bastard smiled immediately. “You’re admiring your work.”
“I'm considering whether I should tie you up again and, while I'm at it, shut you up for a bit.”
“Making me promises already, sweetheart?”
He was danger, a temptation made flesh.
A breath of laughter escaped her despite herself. Lohen’s expression softened slightly at the sound, like hearing her laugh had done something irreversible to him. Which, honestly, judging by the way he kept looking at her maybe it had.
The kettle in the kitchen began whistling softly, but neither of them moved. Then finally, she tilted her head toward the doorway.
“Well,” she said lightly, “since Varka apparently volunteered me to entertain his Vice-Captain…” Lohen’s brows lifted with immediate interest. “…I suppose I can allow you inside for tea.”
“Just tea?” he asked smoothly.
The look she gave him was slow and deliberate. “Oh,” she murmured, turning toward the kitchen, “I imagine that depends entirely on your behavior.”
The man nearly looked like he stopped breathing.
She could feel his stare burning into her back as she walked away, entirely aware of the sway of her hips beneath the loose fabric of her dress. And when she glanced back over her shoulder, Lohen was still standing there staring at her like she had personally rewritten the laws of Teyvat.
“…Vice-Captain?”
He blinked once, dragged violently back to reality. “Right,” he said hoarsely. “Yeah. Tea. Of course.”
She smiled faintly to herself and disappeared into the kitchen. A second later, she heard him murmur under his breath: “I’m going to marry this woman.”
Her lips twitched instantly. “You know I can hear you, right?”
“Good,” Lohen replied without a shred of shame.
She laughed softly again as she began preparing the tea set.
Behind her came the quiet sound of boots against wooden floors before his presence settled near enough to send warmth curling along the back of her neck. He leaned one shoulder against the doorway, arms crossed loosely now, watching her with utterly shameless admiration.
“So,” she asked while reaching for the teacups, “do all Knights of Favonius flirt this aggressively after being threatened with a dagger?”
“No,” Lohen said immediately.
“Just you?”
“Just me when I’m standing in a candlelit cottage with a beautiful witch who tied me to a post and then invited me inside afterward.”
“…You make that sound strangely romantic.”
“It was strangely romantic.”
She glanced sideways at him. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And yet,” he said smoothly, stepping closer, “you still invited me in.”
That low warmth returned to her stomach instantly.
Arrogant man.
Though the way he looked at her, like she was something precious, something devastating. Something he already wanted more of… It made it very difficult to stay unaffected.
She handed him a teacup, their fingers brushed. Lohen looked down at their hands briefly before meeting her eyes again. "Did you put something strange in this?" he asked, looking down at the teacup.
"No... what would I gain from that? A body I'd have to get rid of? I'm not in the mood to bury someone today."
No enchantment or potion had ever ruined a man this quickly before, and she managed it even without casting a single spell.
“Well... anyway, if I die tonight,” he said solemnly, “I want it officially recorded that I died the happiest man in Mondstadt.”
Her brows lifted. “That dramatic already?”
“You attacked me, pinned me against a wall, looked at me like you might kill me, then invited me into your house afterward.” He took a slow sip of tea without breaking eye contact. “I found the woman of my dreams.”
She laughed under her breath, shaking her head. “You don’t even know me, Lohen.”
“I know enough, sweetheart.”
“And what exactly do you know?”
Lohen stepped closer again, close enough now that she had to tilt her head slightly upward to hold his gaze. “I know,” he murmured, “that you’re beautiful when you’re angry.” Heat flickered across her cheeks. “I know you live alone in the middle of nowhere because peace matters more to you than attention.” His fingers brushed lightly against her wrist. “I know you’re powerful enough to disarm a knight twice your size without hesitation.”
His voice dropped lower.
“And I know,” he continued softly, eyes darkening with unmistakable intent, “that every time you threaten me, I like you more.”
Her breath caught slightly, that man was impossible. Impossibly irresistible.
“Careful,” she whispered.
“With?”
“You’re looking at me like you plan on staying.”
Lohen smiled slowly. “If you keep looking back at me like that,” he said, “I may never leave.” It was no longer the vines on his wrists that kept him there in the cottage, but her, with her words, her gaze, her smile...
Silence settled between them then. Warm, heavy and charged.
The candles flickered softly around the room, golden light dancing across his face while the wind outside rattled gently through the ivy climbing the cottage walls.
Neither of them moved away.
Lohen simply kept looking at her with that same devastating expression, amused, fascinated, hungry. Like he still couldn’t quite believe she was real.
And the feeling was becoming dangerously mutual.
“You’re staring again,” she murmured softly.
“I know.”
“At least you’re self-aware.”
“I don’t think self-awareness is helping me much right now.”
A quiet laugh escaped her.
Lohen visibly melted at the sound of it, actually melted. His shoulders loosened, his smile softened, and for one brief moment the shameless flirting slipped enough for her to catch something unexpectedly genuine underneath all that confidence.
He was completely gone for her already.
That realization sent a dangerous little thrill through her chest.
She took a slow sip from her teacup without looking away from him.
“What exactly is going through your mind right now, Vice-Captain?”
Lohen exhaled a soft breath through his nose. “You truly want an honest answer?”
“That depends. Is it scandalous?”
“Extremely.”
Her lips twitched upward. “Then there's no doubt that I want to know.”
He set his teacup down carefully onto the counter beside him before stepping closer again. Not rushed, not hesitant either, just certain, until there was barely any space left between them at all.
“I think,” he said slowly, voice low and warm enough to send heat down her spine, “that if you asked me to stay here forever, I would.”
Her breath caught slightly despite herself and judging by the look in his eyes… He noticed. Of course he noticed.
“You’re very bold for a man who got overpowered in under a minute.”
Lohen grinned lazily. “In my defense, I was distracted.”
“By what?”
“You,” the answer came instantly, too instantly. Like there had never been any other possibility. His gaze dipped briefly to her mouth again before returning to her eyes.
“And now,” he continued softly, “I’m standing in a witch’s cottage drinking tea while she looks at me like she’s deciding whether to kiss me or ruin my life.”
“Maybe both.”
His smile widened immediately. “Archons,” he murmured. “Please, I would gladly submit to that, to you.”
Heat curled low in her stomach at the sound, the confidence, the teasing in his tone. The fact he somehow made wanting her sound almost reverent.
Her fingers toyed absently with the edge of her teacup before she tilted her head slightly. "Don't you think people will start talking if they see you've been gone for so long?"
“I intend to stay much longer than I already have… If you’ll have me.”
“And the shipment for Varka?”
“He can wait,” he quickly dismissed the matter.
“You’re abandoning your duties?”
“More like I’m prioritizing my future.”
That made her laugh again, softer this time. Lohen looked entirely too pleased with himself for causing it. Then his expression shifted subtly as his eyes traced over her face once more. Slower now, more intent, while his hand brushed gently against hers where it rested near the counter.
“I’m fairly certain I’ve found the woman I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life bothering.”
She watched him, raising an eyebrow. “That quickly?”
“I’m efficient.”
“You’re insane.”
“I’m in love already, actually, but insane probably too.”
That one caught her off guard enough that she actually looked away for a second, smiling helplessly despite herself. Lohen noticed that too, his voice softened immediately. “There it is again.”
“What?”
“That look,” his thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles. “The one that makes me want to stay.”
The warmth in her chest deepened dangerously.
Archons, this man.
She should have been alarmed by how quickly he affected her.
Instead, she found herself stepping even closer until the fabric of his uniform brushed lightly against her sleeves.
Close enough now that his breathing slowed.
Close enough that his eyes darkened instantly.
Her voice dropped softer.
“Careful, Vice-Captain,” for archon’s sake, how he loved it when she referred to him that way.
“With you?”
“Mhm.”
Lohen smiled slowly.
“I don’t think careful is a word in my vocabulary, sweetheart.”
Then his gaze flickered toward the hallway leading deeper into the cottage before returning to her face with unmistakably sinful amusement.
“…So,” he murmured, “is this the part where we continue pretending you invited me in only for tea?”
Heat flooded straight through her and he looked devastatingly satisfied by the reaction.
The smug bastard.
She reached up slowly, fingers curling around the front of his uniform near the collar. And then, leaning just enough to brush her lips near his ear, she whispered, “That depends.”
Lohen went completely still. “On?”
Her nails dragged lightly against his chest as she pulled back just enough to meet his gaze again. “Whether you behave,” she murmured. The sound that left him was somewhere between a laugh and complete surrender.
“Archons, I will be the most obedient man if you ask me to,” Lohen breathed, staring at her like she was something catastrophic for his self-control. “You do realize I’m completely at your mercy now, right?”
Her brows lifted faintly, amused. “Oh?”
“Mhm,” his hands settled loosely at her waist, careful despite the heat simmering in his gaze. “I’m serious. I don’t think there’s anything you could ask of me tonight that I wouldn’t do.”
A slow smile curved against her lips. “That sounds dangerous.”
“For me? Absolutely.”
She hummed softly, her fingers still curled around the front of his uniform. “And if I asked you to get on your knees?”
The answer came immediately. “I would.”
No hesitation, no embarrassment, just complete and devastating sincerity. Lohen had met plenty of witches before and none of them had ever made him willing to kneel without using magic.
The heat that rushed through her nearly made her lose composure entirely.
Lohen noticed instantly, looking unbearably pleased with himself.
“And if I told you to stay?” she asked softly.
“I’d stay.”
“To leave Mondstadt behind?”
“I’d pack my things tonight.”
“To jump?”
“I’d ask how high while already doing it.”
A laugh escaped her before she could stop it.
Lohen looked completely ruined by the sound, smiling like he’d just been handed the greatest treasure in Teyvat. “There,” he murmured quietly, almost dazed. “That laugh again. Archons, I’m finished.”
“You’re dramatic.”
“I’m devoted… to you,” the words landed warmer than they should have. Especially with the way he was looking at her now, teasing still, yes, but underneath it sat something frighteningly genuine. Like he truly meant every word.
His forehead dipped lightly against hers. “And the worst part,” he murmured softly, “is that I don’t even mind.”
Her fingers slid slowly up the front of his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall beneath the fabric of his uniform. “No?”
“Not even a little,” his smile turned dangerously soft. “I think you could ruin my entire life and I’d thank you for it afterward.”
She shook her head, laughing quietly under her breath.
“Looks like you fell hard, uh?”
“I fell the moment you pinned me against that post.”
“And here I thought knights were supposed to resist danger.”
“Oh, I fully intend to surrender to this one.” The warmth in her chest deepened helplessly at that. Then Lohen’s gaze flickered once more toward the hallway deeper inside the cottage before returning to her with shameless intent.
It should’ve concerned him how quickly he became obsessed with her. Instead, Lohen found himself hoping it would only get worse.
“…So,” he murmured, voice dropping low again. “Should I continue proving how obedient I can be, or are you finally going to kiss me?”
also here is a whole website that not only has a shit ton of adventures and such but lets you search for any item or npc or whatever and see their stats and info at your fingertips
SYNOPSIS | the captain and vice captain of the fifth company– they could not be more different from each other in the eyes of all and sundry. but in the battle field, it was no doubt that the two of them are like two peas in a pond.
NOTE | first post in a long time and it's about lohen lmao. also, i need more imunlaukr and mare jivari lore asap please and thank you hoyoverse <3
1,664 | WARNINGS: not much, a cuss here and there and lohen.
“grandmaster varka?”
“is there something that matters, aether?” varka glances at the honorary knight, looking over his person to check if he was injured or hurt anywhere after the battle against the corrupted dvalin from the magic bubble that alice made. after confirming that the traveler is unscathed, he nods to himself and urges him to continue.
“is there something you want to know?”
“i'm a little curious about…” aether ponders over his words before deciding to give it a go. take it or leave it.
“you've mentioned about lohen, the vice captain of the fifth company in the knights of favonius,” aether notes the way varka grimaces at the aforementioned name and resist a snicker. “and how he always disturbs the peace of wherever the wind blows him to.”
“you can say that again,” he exhales loudly, like a parent tired of cleaning up the toys of his children. “that rascal goes around inviting people to spar with him as if it's equivalent to a dinner party or a drink at the bar!”
“reminds me of someone we know very well, eugh.”
paimon shakes her head, praying that the sudden mention of a certain ginger does not call fate for them to meet once again. they had endured enough with the battle against dottore after rerir, the clean up of what's left of the wild hunt and then the abyssal corruption in the magic bubble. any of the sevens could tell how much they deserve some peace and quiet, even for just a week or two. hopefully longer, paimon crosses her fingers.
“he's much more professional inside the knights of favonius business and all, but the moment you set aside the serious stuff he immediately goes running around trying to find a good fight.”
“sounds very bothersome for you, huh.”
“and embarrassing too!”
“speaking of which, does that mean even the grandmaster can't control that freak show of a knight?” paimon prods, arching an eyebrow in question. “what does that say about how you keep your knights in check, oh grandmaster varka?”
“yeah right, go ahead and tease me, as if the two of you can do the same. if you want to try, be my guest!”
“i think it will end up with him asking us to fight him, not the other way around,” aether shakes his head amusingly.
“but! as a matter of fact we do have someone in our midst who can somewhat manage him.”
aether perks up in question. he wonders if there's actually anyone out there who can not only keep up but also do damage control before and after lohen's crisis woven path.
“really!?”
“of course! there's nothing that the captain of the fifth company can't do when it comes to that rabid bunny!” he proudly exclaimed.
“really? a bunny?”
“captain of the fifth company?” aether mulls over loudly. he hasn't heard anyone mention anything about the captain of the fifth company, only their maniac of a vice captain. now that he's thought about it, he didn't see them in nod krai either.
“their name is y/n!”
what kind of captain could actually tame the bloodlust and battle-crazed vice captain of the fifth company?
“they're crazy, that one. i almost thought they lost their mind when they said they wanted lohen as their newest recruit when he just applied for the knights.”
varka places his hands on his hips, voice booming.
“a knight who uses a polearm in the ranged company? are you crazy!?” he reenacts what he had formerly said to the captain. “no one could ever predict their mind when it comes to strategic planning and decision making, but they're a great captain! coming from a noble family, they even made their estate the designated headquarters for the fifth company. generous and chivalrous when it comes to other people, but they tend to close in on themselves. cool and calm like the breeze that passes throught the hills of starsnatch cliff, unpredictable like the howling winds of the ocean and terrifying when the storm hits the shore.” varka wore a smile on his face, recalling memories of the years behind the passages of past times. when he had made them captain of the fifth company, it had caused a ruckus from the knights that doubt the skills of the quiet and young fellow. so many had exclaimed that they lack experience at that time, having only spent less than three years in the knights before being promoted as vice captain and then as captain.
but most importantly–
“now that i thought of it, it makes perfect sense that they chose someone who rarely wields a bow in the ranged company.”
aether tilts his head in confusion.
“why? don't they need someone with a ranged weapon? i too also found it puzzling when i saw lohen's weapon of choice.”
varka barks out a joyous laughter.
“well, that's because his captain doesn't wield a bow and arrow either!”
“huh!?”
having spent the day with the ever eccentric vice captain of the fifth company, lohen, hunting out in the wild for a commission that the latter was assisting him with, aether feels like questioning how such a man was able to secure his position within the knights and if his captain lack compos mentis when they assigned him as their vice president.
aether's not one for judging the book by its cover, but no one can blame him for such a thought. anyone who first laid eyes upon lohen had the same wonders.
however, he does fit chivalrous when it comes to casual settings. it's like he was raised in nobility with his prince-like charm.
the man in question wraps up the elk that the two of them had captured moments ago. with the commission being to hunt down an elk for its hide and carcass, asking who to come to for help in skinning and butchering lead aether to lohen after a game of who's who. it confused him at first, wondering how the vice president from the knights of favonius would know how to hunt and skin an animal. but still, with kaeya's assurance, led him to this moment after witnessing lohen's crazed eyes while hunting down the elk.
like a predator sneaking upon its prey.
“you sure know what you're doing, huh?” aether groans as they simultaneously lift the animal up to the cart, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “i've never hunted something this big before. it would be a waste to eat only a small portion and leaving the rest to rot.”
“you can always store the rest for any day though?”
“and where, in all my time travelling with no permanent place, can i store such a large amount of meat?”
“meh, sounds like a ‘you’ problem,” lohen snort at the unimpressed traveler and started securing the elk in the cart, careful to make sure it wouldn't fall during the transportation. “there must be a big feast for such a large meat on demand, i wonder which family it is for.”
ah, so he has a knack for gossiping too.
“it's a feast for a bachelor party, some big family in the noble lineage. i don't remember which family for, however.”
“sounds bland,” lohen tuts disapprovingly. “i hope he doesn't do something that will thin the line in his marriage, it always happen in a bachelor party. i'd hate for his unfortunate bride to suffer in the near future from heartbreak, should he be exposed.”
aether archs an eyebrow in question, taking his position beside lohen as they push the cart in front, starting their journey back home with the elk in possession.
“you seem to know about a thing or two…”
“when you've attended enough of those, you'll understand.”
“and i'm assuming you had?”
“of course i had! and from some gossips too!” lohen chirps happily, “news spread fast within these walls.”
the two chatter amidst their travel, sharing gossip here and there. aether realizes there's more to lohen than just a crazed warrior lusting for the smell and taste of blood. the more he shows himself, the more colorful his character becomes aside from the murky green hair. his eyes remain suspiciously dull, however.
“i'm a little curious.” aether pinches the wooden handle of the tray.
“shoot.”
“i've never seen the captain for the fifth company before. everyone from the expedition have returned, but i haven't heard anyone being addressed as the captain before.” aether glances beside him. he then realizes…
just how giddy lohen gets when speaking about his captain.
“oh captain! my dear, dearest, captain!”
“huh?”
why is his smile… suddenly got so bigger? and why the dazed eyes!?
lohen breathes in deeply before exhaling, as if wondering where his captain could be or calming his own erratically beating heart just at the mention of his captain.
“an unforeseen event occurred that needed my dearest captain's attention just a few months into our expedition. they had to trek their way to mare jivari all alone!” he places a hand on his chest, looking so crushed at the loneliness he wonders his captain is going through. “honestly, i could've forced my way to come along but they strictly said that i'd be placing myself in solitary confinement if i don't heed their orders.”
the restless lohen, placed in solitary confinement… that's an odd image to imagine, that's for sure.
aether was about to inquire about the details pertaining to mare jivari when lohen flushed a bright pink at an idea.
“i wouldn't mind being locked up alone with them as my punishment if anyone were to ask.”
“what the fuck?”
a sneeze rang throughout the caravan.
“captain, did you catch a cold? in mare jivari?”
“i'm fine, just an itch.” you rub your nose, taking a few deep breaths before resting your back against the wall of the caravan once more, relaxing your fatigued muscles.
“i hope lohen doesn't cause any trouble while we're gone.”
the rapunzel plot with lohen. except that lohen is rapunzel and reader is flynn rider/eugene.
tw: stabbing, mentions of blood and death
rapunzel!lohen who isn't actually stuck in the tower and being gaslit by his 'mother'. he's been sneaking out ever since his hair grew long enough and figured out her schedule just so he could get back in time. they also look nothing like each other. how can she claim to be his mother? does she think he's stupid?
rapunzel!lohen who knows why mother has kept him close. his magical hair helps to keep her young and lohen can't help but respect the means she's taken to do so. he personally thinks it's rather pointless and unsustainable in the long run.
rapunzel!lohen who used to think mother's excuses were amusing, but they've grown repetitive over the years and now he's bored. the outside world is far more interesting and he wants out.
rapunzel!lohen who continues to stay, however, because he just wants to "mess with the hag" and "pay her back" for taking care of him. but once he's had his fun, he'll leave forever and cut off his hair. the upkeep is quite a hassle. he'll miss using it to bungee jump off the tower though.
rapunzel!lohen who stores various handmade knifes, poisons, anything that can be used as a weapon high up in the small corners where mother can't reach, but he can. while she's not at home, lohen does target practice, close combat with the daggers and creates poisons through trial and error.
who does he test them on you ask? himself of course. might as well put his powers to use.
rapunzel!lohen who befriends a black widow spider and names her charlotte. at first, he wanted to see if he could harvest her poison but the thing scuttled around so fast that he couldn't catch her. (lohen also tripped on his hair multiple times.)
the cat-and-mouse chase went on for a few days before lohen baited her out with a fly he sniped on the wall. charlotte took it and in the end lohen decided not to harvest the poison as thanks for the thrill she provided him. plus, he'd rather talk to her than mother. hence a friendship was formed.
rapunzel!lohen who, while lounging up in the air, hears someone enter the tower. it's not mother as she would always call for him to hoist her up, so who is this intruder?
rapunzel!lohen who from his vantage point sees you skulking around the room, looking cautiously from left to right. once you deem the coast clear, you clutch your satchel close and visibly exhale. whatever's in there must be important to you, and lohen finds himself wanting to know what it is. oh, and to teach you a lesson. breaking and entering is so very rude.
rapunzel!lohen who drops down without a sounds and presses a blade to your throat, smiling as you freeze up and drop the bag. he kicks it to one side and addresses you.
"no sudden movements, alright? unless you want to die. though, i don't have any problems fulfilling that particular wish if you have it."
"let's all just relax, okay?! no need for drastic measures!"
rapunzel!lohen who ties you to a chair with his hair and interrogates you. it's funny how you try to charm him into freeing you, flirting by using lines that hold no meaning to him. it gives lohen a good laugh especially when he turns the tables. a simple touch there, a light brush here and you've turned as red as a tomato.
rapunzel!lohen who figures out you're a thief on the run pretty easily. you didn't hold up well against the knife he was brandishing in your face and the threat of charlotte biting you was the nail in the coffin. what lohen doesn't expect is how you had the guts to steal from the royal family, a crown belonging to the lost prince at that. honestly, it's earned you some brownie points with him.
rapunzel!lohen who cuts a deal with you. bring him to the mondstadt city you speak of and he'll spare your life. lohen's never managed to travel that far as he doesn't know the way and had to get back on time to not raise mother's suspicions. but since you are familiar, you can bring him there. it's about time he left the tower for good anyways, he's done all he wants to already. to no one's surprise, you agree (reluctantly).
rapunzel!lohen who revels in the screams you let out as he propels the both of you down the tower. a hand around your waist and the hair securing you guys tightly together, the wind rushes past his ears as you wrap your arms around his neck with a death grip. once on solid ground, your legs give out and you collapse.
"wasn't that fun? the wind in your hair, the view as we dropped down... ah, how exhilarating! maybe we should go again!"
"no way! are you crazy?! i felt like i saw barbatos himself for a moment there..."
"careful with that mouth of yours. remember, your life is in my hands~"
"and you need me to lead the way. so maybe you should focus on keeping me alive??"
"hm, we'll see."
rapunzel!lohen who endures many trials and tribulations with you. you two meet some hooligans who start singing about their dreams, almost drown in a collapsed cavern and even meet a horse with a vendetta against you. all in all, this is the most amount of action lohen's had his entire life. if being with you can give him such experiences, he doesn't want to let you go just yet.
plus, lohen hasn't told you his dream yet.
one night, by the fire, a heart-to-heart took place.
"yeah, so that's why i wanna make loads of money so i can retire on a small little island where no one knows me."
"how practical. gotta say, that's very on brand for you."
"what about you, princess? what's your dream?"
"first of all, don't call me that again. second, i don't have one."
"you don't have one? why did i tell you mine then?!"
"i didn't tell you to. you said it yourself."
lohen's never really thought about what he wants in life. all he was focused on was getting revenge on mother and leaving, he didn't care or think about what happens after. furthermore, dreams will only be dreams. how many people have been lucky enough to fulfil them?
compared to false daydreams, lohen would much rather focus on the here and now.
"well, how about this? when you've thought of one, i wanna be the first to know."
rapunzel!lohen who finally arrives at mondstadt city with you. unexpectedly, the annual windblume festival is in full swing. streamers line the eaves of houses and petals are thrown everywhere on the streets. children laugh and weave through stalls selling food and drink. the atmosphere is bright and lively.
rapunzel!lohen who watches as you call over a few children to braid his hair. they make a game of it, going under thick stands and hopping as if playing jump rope. various wildflowers are placed as well and even though he's never been one for aesthestics, lohen can't deny that they've done a good job.
you seem to like it too, with the way you keep staring at him.
"flies will go into your mouth if you don't pick up your jaw from the ground."
"i wasn't gaping!"
"is that so? keep doing it though, it's cute."
rapunzel!lohen who enjoys the festivities with you. stealing cupcakes, drawing on the stone paths using chalk, and playing darts at one of the game booths.
lohen enjoyed the last one most. not only did he make a clean sweep of all the targets, the impressed look on your face did wonders to his ego. the stall owner didn't seem too pleased with him though. whatever, all that matters is you.
strange. when did he care about how you think of him?
rapunzel!lohen who gets dragged into the kingdom dance. his philosophy is that if he has to do something he doesn't like, he will pull someone else to suffer with him. in which case, congratulations! you are that poor, unfortunate soul.
rapunzel!lohen who quickly got into the tempo of the dance, spins and twirls with the other citizens of mondstadt alongside you. the music swells and descends around him and he switches partners with each beat. lohen catches glimpses of you every now and then across the crowd, his heart thumping faster each time he sees the grin on your face.
as the music reaches its close, the two of you finally meet each other. you bump into him with full force, hands in his and breathing heavily.
your cheeks are flushed pink and lohen can see the beads of sweat rolling down the side of your face, yet all he focuses on is the jovial spark in your eyes. it lights a similar spark inside his heart and for some reason, lohen can't look away, greedily taking all that he can of this view of you.
for a moment, time seems to stop as lohen mutes out the cheers and applause. he doesn't even realise he's leaning in until you move first, apologising in that soft voice of yours and looking away.
uncharacteristically, lohen apologises too and places his hands behind his back.
"what a bunch of idiots we are." he thinks, as he flexes both hands and wrings them together, his skin still tingling from the brief contact.
rapunzel!lohen who, come twilight, gets into a boat with you and rows out into the water near the dock. above, countless lanterns float in the sky, carrying with them the wishes of the people.
rapunzel!lohen who releases two lanterns, one for each of you. as they float up to join their companions, lohen looks back to you. the glow on your face is absolutely radiant and he finds himself unable to think or breathe.
how troublesome, you are. who knew the thief who broke into his tower so long ago would cause such feelings inside him?
true, you're nothing like the princes they write about in fairytales who come to save the princesses, but lohen never claimed to need saving.
instead, he finds himself preferring a rogue who will go along with his whims and allow him the freedom to do as he pleases. a companion who will watch his back and support him as he charges ahead. someone like you.
"it's beautiful, isn't it?" you sigh, eyes up towards the glimmering lights.
"yes, it is." lohen replies, eyes directed at you.
unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.
rapunzel!lohen who, while waiting for you to return the boat, got knocked out. when he woke up, he found himself bound and gagged on the cold floor of the tower, with 'mother' standing right in front of him. it seems the carefree times spent with you have made him complacent.
rapunzel!lohen who prays that you don't come looking for him, lest you put yourself in danger. as he struggles against his chains, 'mother' speaks.
"you really think (name) will save you? you have nothing to offer! thieves only help if you have something to give. you're just a little boy."
lohen wants nothing more than to drive his blade through her chest and ignore her words, but they still sow seeds of doubt in him.
the both of you have never established what you are to each other. all lohen knows is that over the course of time, he's grown fond of you and cares more than he should.
yes, he doesn't want you to look for him, yet a tiny part of him hopes you do. to see if somewhere in your heart, there is a space reserved for him.
rapunzel!lohen who watches with both delight and horror as you climb through the window, calling out to him frantically. delight, because you actually came. horror, as all he could do was watch you fall into the trap 'mother' laid out and get stabbed from behind.
you slump to the ground instantly, clutching the deep gash at your side. even so, all you do is reach out to him desperately.
with all his might, lohen tries to lunge forward towards you. he wriggles and lets out muffled screams, the look in his eyes feral and crazed, spit soaking his gag. however, 'mother' holds him back by his chains, rendering him unable to close the distance between you two.
rapunzel!lohen who, for the first time in his life, begs. amidst your weak protests, lohen pleads with her to let him heal you, promising her that he'll stay as long as she lets you go.
he'll do anything, just please, let him heal you...
rapunzel!lohen who rushes to your side once he's free. as he opens your vest, he clearly sees the red spreading on your tunic. you're pale and clammy and coughs interrupt your speech. lohen has to resist the urge to attack the old witch right then and there.
"shhh, it's okay, (name). it's okay, everything will be alright. once i heal you, you'll be fine. we'll be fine. we have to be."
"lohen, you'll die if you do this..."
"i don't care. you have to live, you don't have a choice in this. i won't allow you to die. so just relax, and the pain will go away."
"...okay. lohen, one last thing...?"
rapunzel!lohen who leans into your hand as you caress his cheek and closes his eyes, preparing for a kiss that never happens. in one swift and clean motion, you cut his hair off with a shard of glass, golden hair turning murky green.
in real time, the woman he once called 'mother' ages instantaneously. wrinkles replace her supple and fair complexion, forming all over her body like a tree's roots invading the earth. her hair turns white and gray as she claws at herself, shrieking about her loss of youth.
to 'aid' her, lohen pushes her out the window with all his strength, his eyes cold as he watches her disintegrate in the wind, leaving only her cloak remaining at the very bottom. once he confirms she's gone, he immediately turns back to you.
there's barely any life in you now, the tiniest movement of your chest being the only indication you're still somewhat alive. lohen presses his hands over your wound, as if it would somehow magically heal it.
"why did you do that? answer me."
lohen's livid. he's mad at you for doing what you did, and he's even angrier at himself for failing to protect you. but above all else, lohen is afraid.
you can see it in the way his eyes dart left to right, how tears well up in them every time he glances at his blood-stained hands, how he puts more pressure on your gash to make you stay awake.
lohen hates being helpless, abhors the fact that he can't relieve you of your suffering, that there is truly nothing he can do but wait for your eventual death.
how cruel fate is. he's finally gained the freedom he's always wanted, yet the only person he wishes to share it with is leaving him.
"i'm sorry."
"don't give me that bullshit. 'sorry' isn't going to be enough, you hear me? you better stay alive, don't fall asleep."
you let out a non-committal hum. in his bones, lohen knows you're slowly slipping away.
"...lohen?"
"don't speak. save your strength."
"i love you."
rapunzel!lohen who stilled after you said those three words. he would've missed it if he weren't so close to you. with a shaky breath, lohen repeats them back to you.
"i love you too, (name)."
"(name)?"
"hey, wake up. this isn't funny."
rapunzel!lohen who shakes you slightly and watches your hand fall limp on the floor. you're dead.
lohen gently cradles your lifeless body in his arms, rocking back and forth slightly.
"you're horrible, you know? telling me you love me and then dying. you didn't even wait for me to say it back. since when were you so heartless?"
he tucks a loose hair behind your ear, cupping your cheek with his cold hands.
"you haven't even heard my dream too. but it's fine, i'll tell you right now. i decided on it a while back, and you'll be the first to hear it."
rapunzel!lohen who dreams of building a life with you. you two could settle in a little house away from the world, where he would join the knights and you can do whatever you want. lohen will always support you.
you'll go for walks in the evening, cuddle each other in bed, and attend each windblume festival if you so wish.
the both of you could live out your lives together side by side, until you're both gray and old. then, when you two pass, your graves would stand next to each other, surrounded by your favourite flowers.
rapunzel!lohen who has only dared to dream because he met you, because he fell in love with you throughout your adventures together, making him curious of what it would be like to be with you forever.
because lohen fell in love with you, he fell in love with life too. when he thinks of his future, you are undoubtably a part of it. you are both his future and living dream. of that he is sure.
rapunzel!lohen who doesn't notice he's crying until he feels a drop on the back of his hand. his vision is blurred by tears, and a few land on your cheek. gradually, his sobs get louder and louder until they echo throughout the tower.
rapunzel!lohen who also doesn't see how the tears that landed on your cheek glow yellow before seeping into your skin. soon, your chest begins to glow as well.
pure magic seems to flow out of your chest as strands of gold spill around the room. they dance in the air as lohen looks up and watches them dissolve into nothingness. then, a gasp is heard from you.
your eyes flutter open slowly and your gaze focuses on lohen, whose eyes are puffy and red. though, there seems to be a bit of life in them as well now.
"did you miss me...?"
at your words, lohen only lets out a laugh and presses a kiss to your lips, firm and hard.
rapunzel!lohen who eventually returns to mondstadt city with you, reuniting with his family and reinstating himself as the prince. however, he soon requests to give up his position and voices his wishes of being a simple knight, to which lohen is granted.
rapunzel!lohen who after getting a stable income and proper lodgings, doesn't waste any time in marrying you, sharing his first kiss with you as spouses in the holy cathedral.
rapunzel!lohen who admires your wedding rings in the morning light after your wedding night, vows to protect you for as long as he breathes and give you a happy life, just as you deserve.
oh, how he long to grow old with you. to suffer with back pains, headaches, and strands of silver hair shining in the sunlight together. to drive around and reminisce to your kids about your high school years, to come home to you and your voice, your kisses and your sweet embrace. he wants to build a home with you, whether it’s far away and in the field where the sun sets beautifully every night or if it’s in a small, cramped apartment— decorated with things that make it a home. to hold your hand every night and listen to your whispers and laughter when he tickles your sides, to kiss you early in the morning before he goes to work, tucking you in. to see you in the morning everyday.
but for now, he’s gonna have to hide that pretty velvet box for a little longer, just until he gets your parents’ blessings.
osamu finds out about his daughter's school project the night before it's due. in a rare moment of panic, he calls you for backup.
part four of the after school series, a friends-to-lovers AU featuring you, osamu, and the relationship you build solo-parenting two girls in the same kindergarten class.
a/n: i didn’t think i had arachnophobia before researching for this chapter, but maybe i do... 😅
"I'm screwed."
You blinked back from the press release you'd been editing on your laptop for the past thirty minutes. "Well, hello to you, too."
"Sorry. I just — " Osamu's frustrated sigh rippled through the phone call. "Did ya know about this bug fair project that's due tomorrow?"
"Yes." You'd only done all the research, taken two trips to the craft store, and stayed up until 2:00 AM the previous night trying to finish it. (Misa tried her best to help, but promptly burst into tears after getting a glue stick stuck in her hair.) "Did you?"
"No!" he exclaimed. "Kina only told me about it ten minutes ago!"
"It was in the kinder group chat and end-of-week email, though," you said, only realizing how unhelpful you were being once you'd heard it.
"Figures," Osamu grumbled. "I've been so swamped with this caterin' gig for my brother's volleyball team, I haven't had a chance to check my messages."
"Well, you've still got time. It's only 7:10," you pointed out. "What bug did Kina choose? A honeybee? A monarch butterfly?"
"...the Goliath bird-eater spider," Osamu admitted. At your pregnant silence, he said, "Don't ask."
You frowned at the horrifying photos that appeared in your Google search images, now grateful for Misa’s affinity to ladybugs. "Wasn't going to."
"I tried makin' a trifold out of some boxes from the restaurant, but it looks like absolute crap."
"Do you need one? I've got extras."
"Ya do?" Osamu sounded confused. "But why?"
"For emergencies like this, duh." You shut your laptop and pushed it across your small dining room table. "I can head over right now, if you want."
"I can't do that to ya. What about dinner?"
"We just finished," you reassured him, glancing over to where your daughter sat watching Blues Clues reruns on the TV. "Besides, Misa could use the company. And it sounds like you could, too."
"Yeah. That's an understatement," Osamu huffed before pulling the phone from his ear. "Oi! Who told ya to step out of the time-out corner?"
"But daddyyy!" Kina wailed in the distance, all elongated vowels and drama. "I've been standin' here for ages!"
"You've been standin' there for two minutes. You'll survive," Osamu deadpanned. He returned the phone to his ear and said, "I swear, I'm raisin' my brother all over again."
You laughed lightly. "We'll be there in thirty with a trifold and my craft box."
"Thank ya, Y/N. Yer a lifesaver."
The sound of Osamu and Kina's bickering continued as you hung up, stretched, and pulled Misa's attention from the screen.
"Want to make a pit stop at Kina's?"
You could practically see the question mark unfurl above her head.
"But what about our bedtime business?"
"Come on, kiddo. Live a little," you joked, although you appreciated how saintly she was. "Tell you what. If you put your shoes on right now, I'll read you two books when we get back."
Her toothy grin was enough to make your heart squeeze. "Deal."
Half an hour later, the four of you stared at Osamu's shoddy attempt at a school project in the middle of his cramped living room. Arms crossed. Brows furrowed. You tried coming up with something positive to say, but Misa piped up before you could open your mouth.
"Mommy, I'm scared."
"What is there to be scared of?" Kina demanded. "He's cute!"
"He's terrifying," Misa mumbled.
Massaging the inner corner of his eyes, Osamu asked, "He's a he now?"
"Oh, yeah," Kina said, beaming at the giant cutout of the Goliath bird-eater spider she'd hastily slapped onto cardboard. From its eight hairy legs to its small, beady eyes, it was easily the most disgusting thing you'd ever seen. "His name is Tsum Tsum."
Osamu's face drained of all color as you coughed out a laugh.
"Yep. He's gonna hate that," he murmured under his breath before gesturing toward the open door on the other end of the apartment. "Why don't ya two play in Kina's room for now? Y/N-chan and I will see if we can salvage this."
"Do you need any help?" Misa asked, eyes wide as saucers.
You mashed your lips together as the glue stick fiasco from the previous night came to mind.
"That's very sweet of you, kiddo," you said. "But unless you want a bowl cut for school picture day, then I'd suggest you sit this one out."
You watched as the girls half-ran, half-skipped into the bedroom, already debating the rules of some make-believe game they'd started during recess that day. Meanwhile, Osamu stared at the makeshift poster on his coffee table like it was the bane of his existence.
"Sorry for draggin' ya into this," he said once the girls were out of earshot. "I know there's probably a million things you'd rather be doin'."
"Besides spending quality time with you and Tsum Tsum?" you joked, gesturing toward the photo.
"God." He dragged his hands down his face. "My brother's gonna kill me."
"Maybe if we put a pretty bow on it, he'll spare you."
You rolled up the sleeves of your sweatshirt and got right to work — partly because you offered, mostly because you needed something to do with your hands.
It didn't escape you that Osamu's apartment was similar to your own, what with its bare walls, second-hand furniture, and endless piles of half-folded laundry. It also didn't escape you that this was the first time he'd ever really asked you for help. In the couple of months you'd known each other, he'd always been so suave, so put-together. A PTA heartthrob and a good cook to boot.
Now, as you watched him pad toward the kitchen in his plaid pajama bottoms and overgrown hair, he seemed...realer. Less constructed, almost.
"Can I get ya anythin'?" he asked, yanking open the door to the fridge. "Water? A carton of Yoo-Hoo?"
You gently scraped Tsum Tsum off the cardboard with your box cutter and said, "I'd kill for a carton of Yoo-Hoo right now."
Osamu chuckled and grabbed two from the fridge.
"So what's this catering gig you're doing for your brother?" you asked, thanking him as he placed your box of chocolate milk beneath a coaster on the coffee table. "He plays for the MSBY Black Jackals, right?"
"Yes, ma'am. He's the team's star setter and everythin'." He grunted as he sat down on the carpet beside you. "I'm surprised ya don't run into him more, given all yer fancy JVA connections."
"Eh, I know who he is. Watched him play a handful of times, approved some advertisements with his face on them. But that's about it."
Osamu gave you a sideways glance and chuckled. As if he seldom found people who weren't totally star-struck by Miya Atsumu.
"Well, the MSBY Black Jackals are hostin' this charity event for athletic youth programs in rural areas," he explained. "It's the first time they're doin' it, and havin' grown up in the middle of nowhere ourselves...it means a lot to us."
"Wow." You pushed out your bottom lip, impressed. "Sounds exciting."
Osamu blew a raspberry. "It would be...if Tsumu hadn't told me about it two weeks before."
You barked out a flat, humorless laugh. "Procrastination runs in this family, doesn't it?"
"Unfortunately," Osamu grumbled. "I just feel like...I got no room to breathe these days, ya know? Between the caterin' gig and the restaurant and Kina's homework..."
You set your box cutter down on the coffee table and met his gaze.
"You can say no to things, you know," you told him. "Obviously not, like, school projects and stuff. But the catering gigs. Those are optional, right?"
"Yeah. Right. Well, sort of." Osamu rubbed the back of his neck. "Remember how I told ya I quit college to run Onigiri Miya full-time?"
You nodded.
"Well, before that, my brother and I always told each other we would pursue volleyball. Professionally."
"What? I didn't know that."
Osamu nodded. "Used to daydream about it all the time. Broke Tsumu's heart when I told him it wasn't really what I wanted."
He picked at a loose thread on his pajama pants.
"Guess that's why I feel like I can't say no to him," he huffed. "One, because I still feel bad. Two, because...I dunno, maybe I need to prove to him that I made the right choice."
Your shoulders sank at his words. The way they colored in the picture of who he was — what he silently tucked away beneath all that hard work and steady, agreeable charm.
"Well, for one, you should never feel bad for following your gut," you told him, reassuming the box cutter. "And two, I don't think you need to prove yourself to anyone. Least of all me."
Something shifted in his grey eyes as you proceeded with your handiwork, the steady metal scrape of the blade filling the silence between you.
"Aha! Got it." You beamed, holding the life-size photo of the Goliath bird-eater spider like it was a prize certificate. "What do you think? Should we sneak this under Atsumu's pillow and call it even?"
Osamu scoffed, half-amused, half-sheepish. "You've never even met the guy."
You shrugged. "Do I need to?”
The two of you worked in silence for the next hour. Clipping out the fun facts Osamu had printed. Organizing them atop the trifold you'd pulled from your closet. You realized how ridiculous you both looked once you started gluing everything down — elbows locked, asses up. Bodies bent over Kina's school project like it was open-heart surgery.
"Somethin' funny over there?" Osamu huffed, meticulously working his glue stick beneath the loose corners of the paper.
"Nothing, it's just..." His ears turned red as you laughed at his slightly compromising position. "Some twenty-seven-year-olds spend their Thursday nights clubbing."
"Well, most twenty-seven-year-olds don't have kids their senior year of college."
"Touché," you snorted.
Once you were finished, you both collapsed against the foot of the couch and admired your work.
"Wow," you breathed.
"The bubble letters were a nice touch," Osamu said, gesturing to the title you'd free-handed with a Crayola marker. "Real cute."
"Oh! That reminds me..."
You retrieved a tiny pink bow from a Ziplock bag you kept at the bottom of your craft box and secured it right above Tsum Tsum's eight beady eyes. Osamu barked out in laughter.
"It's perfect," he said, eyes gleaming. Voice thick with exhaustion. "I…I can't thank ya enough."
You smiled at him beneath the warm lights of his apartment and peeled the superglue off your fingertips. "Should we see what the girls think?"
You found them passed out on the floor of Kina's bedroom not a moment later — eyes closed, cheeks pressed against the carpet. They were surrounded by an assortment of play food and stuffed animals, and they were snoring.
"I swear, they'll sleep anywhere but their actual bed," Osamu said, leaning against the door frame with a flat expression.
A snort slipped past your lips. "It's almost as if they did all the work."
His face bloomed into a soft, exasperated smile.
"Wanna carry Misa to the car? I'll bring yer craft box down."
"In a moment," you reassured him, padding back toward the living room in your socks. "I still have to finish my box of Yoo-Hoo."
It wasn't often people reached out to you for help these days. They often chalked it up to you being a mom, having different priorities. Which wasn't entirely wrong. When your pregnancy test came back positive nearly six years ago, you'd accepted the fact that your friendships would look different. More distant. Which was fine. You had handled it.
But as you collapsed onto the couch next to Osamu — limbs heavy, smiles tired — you realized how much you missed being someone's friend. Being close enough to someone to see all of them. Messy parts included.
It was nice. A breath of fresh air, almost.
You had a feeling Osamu felt it, too, as you lifted your boxes of chocolate milk in cheers and slurped them down in one go.
I think Damian should be allowed to be an embarrassing loser.
Can he recite numbers of pie and passages of poetry while his life is in mortal danger? Yes. Can he talk to his crush without stuttering? Absolutely not.
Is he fluent in dozens of languages across the world? Si. Can he communicate his feels and pick up on your obvious hints that you like him back? No. (in Spanish)
Could he win gold in multiple Olympic categories? Yes. Can he hold your hand without having to wipe sweat off on his pants every few minutes? No.
Is he trained to be level headed and composed in the most stressful, world ending situations? Yes. Can he will his heart to stop beating so fast when you're around? No.
Is he just a natural at everything he tries? Apparently not. Your first kiss, he just stood there like a statue, didn't move or breathe until you pulled away and he said, "Was that good?"
Love makes us fools and Damian is NOT the exception.
