Nisha ✧ 20 🇵🇭✧ Any pronouns // Fandom blog for Anime, Genshin, Love and Deepspace, Tears of Themis, Obey Me, Valorant, Harry Potter, Night at the Museum, Nijisanji EN, Hazbin Hotel and Epic: The Musical •Requests are slow, but feel free to send in asks•
Absolutely no heterosexual explanation for these two
"oh but nisha, boichii explained he drew stanley doing that as an act of checking if Xeno is okay"
YOU CUP YOUR HOMIE'S FACE LIKE THAT TO CHECK IF THEY'RE OKAY??? YOU SLIDE YOUR THUMB ON HIS LIPS AND TILT HIS HEAD WITH A SMILE?! Yeah sure he's checking if he's okay cAUSE HE LOVES HIM and wants to kiss him.
Lohen x Fem reader| we meet the parents yippie (his mother really)! Written before Lohen release, so he may be ooc/ the content of this chapter may age poorly/, Slight NSFW (18+)/Suggestive content near the beginning oop-, this got way too long so the rest will be in chapter 12, so please enjoy!Not entirely proofread, apologies for any mistakes made. There is a taglist, if you'd like to join lmk WC:6.2k
Series Masterlist
A/N: I got my splint removed!!! I can somewhat type with 2 hands again! Woooo!! So here's a fat chapter for you!
The morning rain was welcoming sight after the last few days of intense heat within Mondstat. Over the last weekend, you finally purchased a bed. Lohen had insisted to get something good quality for you both to share.
His reason? “We sleep better together anyways”, was all he recounted. That and it could save on money for other renovations needed for the house or place it into a “rainy-day fund”. Ironic for today.
You were due for an assignment in Dragonspine in coming days, something you weren’t looking forward to. The cold was one thing, but to be sent on a search team to recover lost items was a completely different thing. Jean had insisted due to your knowledge around rifles that it would be best if you were sent instead of a newer recruit. Your colleagues agreed, but in truth they also didn’t want to brave the cold.
It was funny to Lohen as you had to find your winter gear in the middle of Mondstat summer just to leave for the snowy mountain. Watching you mutter and complaining to yourself, hoping he couldn’t hear. He would have loved to join you, Dragonspine was always a risk to climb, he’s heard the old stories of adventurers getting snow-blinded from the constant storms and slipping down slopes of deadly black ice. Even more fun for him to have accompanied you.
But unfortunately, he had other occupations. The Grandmaster had requested he handle a specific upcoming investigation and assignment, meaning he would happily see you off on your journey but not follow you on it.
But for right now, the world was barely awakening, the sun had not shown itself, so the dark illusion of night still comforted you both. Snuggled up close in your bed, the room was in a blanket of darkness, the pitter-patter of rain droplets against the window wasn’t much of an alarm to disrupt your sleep.
Sleeping on your side, Lohen’s chest was pressed against your back. His arms encircled your middle, his hands holding your waist and hips, pulling you closer against him. As if the imaginary space between you was not enough, his face was pressed against the nape of your neck. Soft quiet breaths tickled the skin, but your body found comfort in the feeling.
Your hand, somewhere within your sleep, found his and never felt the need to let go. Within his deep slumber, his hand quickly adjusted and found yours, intwining your fingers together, locking the digits against one another.
You knew neither of you would admit it aloud the next morning, but for now, this small time, you’d allow yourself to relax. (That or Lohen would deny it outright and say you both must’ve been that exhausted).
Your deep slumber was only broken when your natural alarm clock started to remind you, as welcoming and wonderful this state of sleep was, you must awaken. Thus, your eyes flutter awake, forcing you back into the land of the walking and wakeful. Your eyes adjusted to the darkness; your eyes tried looking for a clock anywhere in reach but found nothing. Either it was too dark, or you didn’t care to read the time. It would remind you how much sleep you could pretend to have left.
A sigh leaves your lips; your head falls back on the pillow. The window was the only column of light you could make out. It seems it was close to morning, your sleepy deduction concluded.
With the slowest of movements, in hopes not to wake him, you tried turning to lay on your back. In hopes that maybe you could be released from Lohen’s grip. But with even the smallest, almost miniscule movement, the plush mattress dipped under your weight, alerting your sleeping husband.
Always the light sleeper, Lohen’s eyes fly open. If you weren’t in the knowledge that the “Bloodthirsty Knight” wouldn’t try to bring harm to you, you would have found it unsettling. Lohen lifts his head from the pillow, his eyes scan the room then quickly come back to you.
Once his eyes see you, his alert expression slowly melts back into something softer, he lowers his head once more, this time nuzzling into your neck. His arms pull you back against his front, holding you tightly as he could.
A small sound escapes your throat from the easy force used, but no discomfort came. What did come was Lohen snickering into your neck, his hair tickling your cheek as his head moved. Exerting enough energy, you release one of your arms to get hold of him.
Still laying on your right side, you freed your left hand to tug on his messy bed head. With a few gentle tugs, Lohen barely budged, but at the stronger yank! At his hair, a small hiss left his lips.
“If you’re gonna pull, you could do it a little harder, y’know,” He murmured against your skin; a small laugh escapes your lips before you can stop it. Lohen pulled you impossible as close as he could, clinging to you tightly. “Lohen, dearest I’d like to breath once in a while, please,” your words registered within him, thinking on it he did (almost begrudgingly) relax his hold on you.
“Thank you, I feared you were going to try absorb me with how tight your hold was”, your hand does massage his scalp, a soothing apology from before. Not that he cared for such, but he did relish in your touches.
He didn’t parry your attempt at banter, instead his hands continued to firmly hold you. Lohen’s fingers wishing to sink into your skin, feel your warmth underneath every digit. His skin felt electric, buzzing for more.
The barrier of your clothing did little to quell his dilemma. His breath against your neck, the small pants released from his lips warmed the surface of your skin, while giving you goosebumps. The buzz rolling down your spine, firing your nerves off at his slow exploration left you aching for more. A small gasp escapes your lips when you feel his lips press along your neck, Lohen worried he was crossing a boundary but instead your quiet noises encouraged him to continue.
His teeth nipped at your pulse point; his lips suckled on the skin as if he was trying to memorize your taste. A groan forms in his throat at your fingers tugging at his hair. Your nails scratching at his scalp so deliciously, your grip was firm as he liked it. His focus was everywhere but always on you, time melted away as he pressed closer into you. Wishing just to sink into you, carving a place into you only for him to rest in forever.
Your breath hitched when his fingers slipped under your sleep shirt, they didn’t dare move further than your stomach, but the touch was electrifying. Lohen inhaled deeply into his nose, shuddering slightly from feeling the warmth of your skin, his body felt like it was burning. That with each touch it would scorch your skin.
His lips pulled away from your neck leaving a mark in its wake. Even in the darkness of the room, he imagined it was noticeable enough for someone to take notice. To see his claim on you, his devotion to you and only you.
He knew possible when this haze is over, you’d probably scold him about having to hide it, but he could not bring himself to care. He didn’t want it to be hidden either, he wanted everyone to see, you were his.
As he was yours.
The quiet thing he had yet said aloud, but this will do…for now.
There was a warmth settling in the bottom of your stomach, a tingling so light and faint you could have imagined it. But the pooling warmth made you grip onto Lohen’s forearm. Stabilizing yourself from dipping in.
The room was warm; in the corners of your vision, it felt fuzzy. You could argue that getting this heated over him giving you a hickey should be nothing, but the ache growing across your body didn’t seem to agree. In the darkness, against your skin you could feel him smiling against your neck, his lips were moving but you couldn’t hear a thing he was saying.
Your head relaxes against the pillow; your hand comes to a stop within his hair. The rise and fall of your chest eases back into a steady rhythm.
No movement was felt, as if the moment would shatter right before you.
He pulled away from your neck; his hand removes itself from your stomach to cup your cheek. Turning you to face him. Your foreheads were pressed together.
He really thought you’d tell him to ease up by now, but in truth, you didn’t want him to.
The mixing of breath highlighted how close you were, morning breath or not, he wanted to taste you. To find a satisfying end to his starving search. His fingers twitch against your cheek, his touch felt like lighting you aflame.
Lohen’s eyes fall to half-lidded, his lips were only a whisper away-
Yet, it felt like the air gets snatched away from both of you at the loud unforgiving knocks at your front door. The fuzzy feeling swirling in your chest, the warmth beginning to pool in your lower abdomen dissipates at the interruption.
Blinking slowly, you try to believe it was just something your mind made up, to find logic and reason within the haze of untapped arousal, but no. Because Lohen too tensed, his body felt rigid against yours.
Lohen could feel his hips aching, there was a throbbing sensation tearing at his sensation that needed to be brought to attention. You both keep eye contact in the darkness, almost as if a prayer would come to not break everything.
The knocks come again, and again. Insistent for your immediate attention. Then a faint shout was heard too, calling either yours or Lohen’s name. Only muffled by the heavy wooden door.
A curse leaves his lips. It sounded more like a snarl than anything. Almost painfully he tears himself away from you, slipping his arm from your torso, slightly heavy and numb from the pressure of your body. The tingling feelings returning to his nerves only added to his frustration. Whoever was beyond that door should pray for interruption; he swore it on his heart.
Lohen was about to step out of the bed, but your hands quickly pull him back down only to press a kiss to him cheek. You find your voice after clearing your throat, your lips tickle at his ear.
“You’re paying me back for the hickey.”
Despite his frustration, he huffs a laugh and leans down to nod. His lips kiss your cheek. “Whatever you say my captain”, the knocks come again. With a roll of his eyes, he leaves your embrace.
He leaves the bedroom, groaning as the knocks bounce around the front room of the house. With a “alright, alright I’m coming”, he unlocks and opens the door. (Although he acts like it takes forever just to spite them. I mean they were taking away from his direly needed time.)
When he finally opened the door, Lohen was greeted with a panting knight, the poor fool held out a few letter stacks. He quickly tried to catch his breath; he could tell he came at the wrong time from how little the vice-captain spoke to him. Catching his breath, he quickly gets it out.
“The Grandmaster is moving your assignment up a few days; he states it’s gotten dire sir. So instead of Sunday, you’ll be leaving in two days”, He hands Lohen the letter from Varka. It was official and signed. Varka even added his deepest apologies for any problems that were to arise.
“Terribly sorry sir, but the situation has changed and things have progressed a little bit too-”, He begins trying to apologize, Lohen dispels his fearful nature.
“I understand, please inform the Grandmaster I’ll be ready to leave tomorrow night if needed…just let me tell my wife first.”, he adds it with an (frankly unsettling), smile. The knight nods again and salutes to leave. As soon as the door closes, Lohen wanted to crumble.
He was supposed to have at least a few more days. Now its possibly the day after tomorrow, at the latest? He gritted his teeth, eyes rolling back. At any other point in time, he’d be jumping at the reins to get ready to go, but right now? Right now? The excitement from his morning wood was reminding him of what was stolen from him moments ago, and now he must go tell you that he’s due to be gone soon?
“Anemo Archon be with me.”, but not even Barbatos would let him off for this one.
The assignment could take days, possibly weeks of him being away from home. That puts a damper on all things upcoming. He still hasn’t received an invoice from his parents; he still needed to tell you about the information from the church.
Your footsteps quickly approach, Lohen was standing completely still staring at the back of the door.
“Lohen… Lohen?”, you repeated his name. His deep cycle of thoughts was broken when he felt you approach closer. His mind quickly was made up. Turning to face you, the life comes back to his eyes.
“I have to leave for my assignment in two days. There was a change of plans and now its been moved up.” He explains, he was hoping for you to be upset or even angry. But instead, you nodded and didn’t offer argument.
It was expected as being part of a knight’s duty, things happen. (He wants you to be a little greedy with him, but he still appreciates your level-headedness)
“So that means you’ll group up with expedition or the team you’re given today or tomorrow…perhaps the Grandmaster will call you for a meeting-”, you were already thinking of the procedures to be taken from the information. Which makes Lohen inwardly chuckle, you truly were such a busy body, you take work so seriously.
He stops your deduction but cupping your cheeks, squishing them with the palms of his hands. (you think this habit of his needs to be put to a stop, but you won’t ruin the fun he has)
“No.”, he says with a closed-eye smile.
“Hwuh?”, your muffled voice sounds in shock, it was cute.
“No, because we are taking the day off.”, he stops squishing your cheeks and instead settled on pinching your cheek. Taking your sleepy cuteness in was so much for him, that and seeing the hickey on your neck. The cuteness aggression was getting the best of him.
“We?”, you repeated in shock again.
“Yes, we. We are instead going to do a fun-little drop in on my parents. I’m tired of waiting and want to get it over with. So, I’m going to tell headquarters that we had a small family emergency, so we need the day off. Easy-peasy.”
“Isn’t that lying?”, you deadpanned but he instead patted your head, Lohen shakes his as he continues his slight mockery.
“Not if its somewhat true, besides the Grandmaster should be reluctant to give it to me seeing as he spurs this on me. And this early in the morning too mind you.”, He ceases his petting at your swatting hands.
“And if he says something, I can just give him something else to focus on, its been a while sense I’ve tested his awareness, think of it as payback.”, he shrugs and begins thinking about some ways.
“You mean spiking his drink again? I swear I feared I’d be laid out somewhere if you kept trying that on me”, your worries earned a barking laugh from Lohen, so badly he had to hold his stomach. His giggle fest was so profound you’d think a tear came to his eyes.
“Really? Well maybe I should for old times. You trust me too much to leave your drinks unattended near me, what, should I give you something to relax? Burn you from the inside out? I can make anything you desire babe, name it and its yours.”, he happily listed the options off.
Your silence and displeased look was more than enough fuel for him. You begin to think you should never have said anything at all. Lohen takes it with pride. He has yet to successfully get you, most times you either forget the drink or someone else offers to take it. Looking back, it’s ironic. He notes all the opportunities now, almost shockingly way too many.
Perhaps his growing soft spot for you stopped those attempts. He didn’t like the idea of (unwanted or unnecessary) harm coming your way from his hand. Even with something as simple as a little spiked drink (The Grandmaster has been found hunched over from failing one of these little “checks”).
He was really wrapped around your finger now that he thinks about it…
“Lohen?!”, your voice breaks him out of his thoughts, your arms were crossed. Awaiting his final sentiment about the days agenda. “We’ll visit your parents today, should I bring a gift, I’d feel odd just appearing at someone’s home without anything.”, you were already pondering it over.
Turning away from him you walked back to the bedroom, thinking about what you should wear, what gift to bring, what time you were going to “drop in”, all that. Once you were back upstairs, he let himself smile a little.
His smile was interrupted at your scream of pure terror. Such a sound causes him to panic, quickly climbing the stairs at an alarmingly quiet yet intense speed. He appeared in the bedroom, scanning for you, instead the bathroom light was on. Entering in the doorway, Lohen witnessed you inspecting your new marking.
“Its huge! How in Barbatos’s name am I supposed to hide this? Lohen!?”, you hissed his name. The hickey was about the size of a singular coin of mora, accompanied with small marks from his teeth nipping at your neck.
Lohen nearly fell to the floor laughing, holding his stomach. His smug little smile and snickers earned him a look from you. Not a kind one. You playfully kicked at his size.
“Ah- uh, you could hide it, if it bothers you so much.”, he reasons, trying to find balance back on the bathroom doorframe. You shot him a glare. “How? Wear a scarf? It’s the middle of summer?! Archons..”, you whispered under your breath.
Thankfully, through the grace of some Archon out there, you did find a summer outfit that had a high enough collar to hide it. You are meeting his parents after all. Lohen was pushed out the bedroom to allow you to get ready, he took his seat on the stairs feeling liked a kicked puppy.
“I see nothing wrong, you look wonderful babe”, he called from outside the door. When the door quickly opened and a pillow came flying out towards his head (he easily caught it, but won’t deny the force of the throw), he giggled like a small child being sneaky. It was all too cute.
It was a good morning to say the least, he just hopes the afternoon is the same.
--
Your nervous hands gripped so tightly onto Lohen’s hands he thought you were going to strangle him. He had to reassure you twice already that its fine, and most likely his parents will adore you. (He already does)
Despite the lack of feeling in his hand, he too felt nervous. He was starkly reminded at how poor of “courting” and “handling” he had with you. Not in a traditional sense some would think, but rather how hurried everything was. Perhaps his parents may point that out. If he had the chance to do all this over, he would have unraveled you slowly, taken his time to dissect you and this relationship.
These ideas however can wait another time, “you can always court someone in your marriage” Lohen reasons, though it seems impossible. He takes a glance at you, walking hand in hand with him, he can feel your anxiety radiating off of you.
As troubling as it was, and somewhat nerve racking, he found it charming. Some he’s courted in the past barely showed their emotions upon meeting his parents, but to see someone he revered and respected so highly squeeze his hand like a lifeline was warming his heart. It meant you cared.
Reaching the house, he watched you take a deep breath, prep yourself then nod. Lohen gives your hand a good squeeze, then he raised his fist to knock against the door.
He didn’t tell his parents about this drop in, but it was the middle of the week, in the afternoon with nothing significant going on. They must be home today at least.
Seconds pass before the door cracks open, revealing an a slightly older woman. Her eyes adjust for the rays of sunlight behind you, casting a shadow forward. Once she adjusted, her eyes widened upon recognizing her son’s features.
“Lohen?”, she whispered, almost in disbelief. Your gut felt like it was going to lurch forward, but you swallowed it down. She quickly looks beside him, her gaze falling onto you. “Oh my…”, she whispered. With stern quickness she ushered you inside, she began explaining that it was only her home today.
“I do apologize, I was not expecting guest so please excuse any mess…did you two come far?”, her voice was soothing, motherly in tone. However, her astonishment was hard to miss, perhaps she was going to have a relaxing afternoon. Standing in the front entrance of the house, you quickly took off your shoes to show respect for her home. With a quick set of introductions out of the way, she shook your hand, smiling at your presence.
“You seem so lovely, Lohen did mention in some of his letters about his famed captain, but to meet you in real time, oh my.”, she showed you through the home.
“We came from the port, I forgot to mentioned in my letter that we moved in a few weeks, almost a month ago.”, Lohen answered, he maneuvered himself through the space, his mother seemed displeased about the neglected information.
She eagerly welcomes you to join them both in the living room. The questions she ask began to fly past you, whirling into deeper questions you didn’t want to think too deeply about.
“So, when were you going to mention your marriage?”
“When did you two get married? Where? Did you have a ceremony? Are you going to have one?”
“Lohen don’t tell me you courted your coworker?! What would your superiors say?”
“How long did you intend to court? Only a few weeks? Months?”
“Have you thought about future plans in your marriage? Children, living expenses, where do you live in the port area? Are there any schools or places for childcare nearby?”
You had to give the woman credit; she was being stern about her son’s interpersonal relationships. Thank goodness the Knights of Favonius are much kinder (also lax) about such. Everyone at 5th company and headquarters seemed overjoyed at your union, less likely talking about the superior/inferior implications.
“Well, it’s not necessarily inferior ma’am, I see Lohen on equal terms of leadership for the sake of 5th company ma’am. I have no intention of placing him as such.”
She seemed skeptical of your response but took it well. Lohen was insistent that your professional relationship wasn’t bordering into your personal. The intimacy you share is for behind closed doors, he happily boasted. It made his mother laugh, but she quickly corrected her manners and nodded.
“That pleases me, we were worried about your marital status, which is why we contacted the Cardinal for aid, we just didn’t want you wasting your life away too soon…with how dangerous work for the Knights can be, your travels from Nod Krai, we just wanted to ensure that you had a marriage that could work. One that could last.” There was a small sound of bitterness in her tone. No, not bitterness, but something somber. Fear perhaps? You could not place it but there was something leading deeper than what it seemed.
“Well, we are married ma’am, so there is no need to worry further. I can assure you that I won’t be leaving Lohen’s side any time soon.”, your smile added warmth to your answer.
“She’ll have to pry me away from her.”, he added, causing you to nudge his side. But he was not wrong.
A few more minutes of talking, Lohen’s mother offers some refreshments, some “road snacks”, as she didn’t want to take up too much of your time. A bummer really since you both did get the day off. (Jean owed it to you from times before)
“Would you mind dear [name]? A little help and chat?”, from her voice, you had no choice. You quickly followed her into the kitchen, passing by you saw old pictures of Lohen from his childhood. You noticed a gap in the years frankly, but in the earlier pictures he was adorable.
You almost miss the slightly off edge he has. Almost, but it adds charm to him now, you think. Your footsteps approach the kitchen, his mother was quickly setting a small tin of cookies, grabbing jams, teacups, and mugs out. She smiled once you entered, urging you closer.
“I thank you for popping by today, I do apologize at the lack of preparation and time, I would have done a little bit more than this.”, she frowned a little.
“Oh no, thank you ma’am, you allowing us into your home for a visit is very kind of you.”, you were being polite, standing closer towards the counter she huffed a little.
“It gets tiring you know? Meetings so many in the past many years, just hoping one stuck.”, she sighs. Your brow raised in confusion. “Excuse me?”
“Matches, courting attempts, I swear some of the girls we picked weren’t going to last, but we tried anyways. We just wanted him to have someone, but here you are! The one that stuck, its miraculous, really.”, it sounded like a compliment, and probably intended to be one, but it did sting a little.
“For instance, that Elise girl? Lovely, terribly so, just the sweetest..”, you nodded in agreement, Elise was sweet, and one of a kind. You wondered if she had returned to the city any time soon. But your mind quickly shuffles that away to continue listening.
“I thought they were lovely together, just the cutest, but unfortunately the signs appeared, and suddenly Lohen writes to us from Nod Krai that he not longer wished to court her. I was so disappointed! But I understood, some things weren’t meant to be it seems.”
“I see, well fortunately you won’t have to worry any longer ma’am.”, you reassured her, you arms crossed over each other. She turned to look at you, a kettle in her hands.
“Why’s that dear?”
“I do not intend to leave. Or be pushed away, nor do I think Lohen has a similar intention.”, you state firmly, keeping eye contact with her.
There was good intention in his family’s cause of finding him a marriage that can stand the test of time, but with that good intention, it simply what it is. An intention.
You tried not to think about how many people Lohen had to meet on his parents accord, the idea made a shiver crawl up your spine. You too understand the sentiment, your parents and family tried similarly. But at some point they gave up to allow you to explore.
“Well, many have said that, and…here we are. I don’t want to imply you won’t stay [name], but I also don’t want my son explaining to me that he lost another one, a good one at that.”, she added quickly. “You’re a wonderful woman, from what I’ve read. And heard, whispers from town travel you know.”
Was it really whispers if some people shouted it? Not really but you agreed, nonetheless.
“Again, ma’am. I do not have the intention to just leave, Lohen and I are married legally. The church approved it, if needed I could show you my marriage license.”, if it took to convince her with evidence, (like you originally planned), then that’s what you’ll do.
She stares at you for a moment, setting the kettle down on the stove top she takes a good ponder at you. The wheels turn in her head, but at how serious you were, she decided to take your word for it. With a smile she apologizes for her slight scrutiny.
“I apologize then, I just wanted to be double sure, now, strawberry or blueberry? I also have some raspberry cookies, some crumpets I picked up..”, she quickly changed her tune, warming up nicely. You help her make some tea and coffee, chatting about Lohen as a child.
Stories of his early childhood, offering to show old baby pictures if she had any lying around, her small hints at grandchildren which left you stuttering. Your mind drifted back to earlier that morning, the warmth on your face made her laugh.
Upon returning to the main sitting area you found Lohen sitting perfectly still. Narrowing your eyes at him, he shakes his head as if nothing happens. He instead steals a cookie from your plate, listening in on your conversation with his mother. You talk about all sorts of things, things he blanks out on. Only occasionally sharing a joke or laughing, but he mostly remained quiet. Just observing your interactions, mesmerized by them.
He was listening in on your conversation, standing silent as a statue near the kitchen doorway. Hearing the multiple confirmations of you staying, not just because of his job, but for the possibility of him- it made many things shift in him.
Your conversations stretch into early evening/late afternoon. You unfortunately bid goodbye to his mother, her yelling from the front door “I hope to see you soon!”, but Lohen smiled and waved. He remained eerily quiet, the entire walk back he barely spoke. Too deep into his thoughts. You didn’t ask, fearing it would ruin his mood, or do something worse. Instead, your hand found his as you walked.
Upon touching you, his hand squeezes yours happily. But the grasp on your hand felt different, not the carefree holds he usually has, not the teasing flickering of his fingers to try and tickle your palm, but it felt firm. Desperate in its hold, that if you let go, you’d disappear from him.
He was thankful his mother did not mention anything further about the church, because as you approached your shared home, he knew what he needed to do. To clear the air and get things off his chest.
You felt similar, your mind quickly drifts back to the stack of letters from Elise sitting in your work bag. Hidden away to help you settle your growing feelings, to affirm the possibility of his.
Once the door was closed, the air was cold. Almost sucked out of life, sitting, waiting for something to spark. For a few seconds it was taunt like a drawn thread, waiting to snap. Taking a seat on the comfy sofa chair, you watch Lohen disappear into the house.
You watch, waiting for him to return. Silently you hated how quiet he truly could be if he wanted to, you had no idea what he was doing, his footsteps were deadly silent in this moment.
When he returned it was with an opened envelope, presumably a letter. Your heart spiked a little, worrying he found the letters and would confront you on them. Would he be upset at your small invasion on his privacy? That you spoke to his ex? You could argue you were just handed the letters, but it didn’t feel right with you.
Goodness your mind was pouring over every action, as he approached closer he handed the letter to you. Instead of the envelope you were expecting, this one…held the insignia of the Knights…and the cathedral…the address too.
“What...what is this? Lohen what is this?”, you asked, bewildered, your hands gently take the folded paper, opening it to read the contents. But your eyes remained on him. His expression was unreadable.
“It’s a letter from the Cardinal, confirming his conversation with the Grandmaster on my occupation status…from what the Grandmaster told me, and handed to me, a little while back…since the Grandmaster spoke to him on behalf of me.”, his eyes could not look away from yours, he was waiting, anticipating the fall.
“Why…when…?”, you asked, your words lost on your as your eyes scan the page. He understood your confusion and questions.
“Shortly before the party, the Grandmaster cornered me and asked about what was going on. He spoke to the Cardinal, then confirmed it towards me, he handed me the letter shortly after, I just never got the chance to tell you…until now.”, His throat felt tight. Not tight as in fear of crying, but tight in disappointing you. He didn’t want to withhold this from you any longer, it coming off his chest was nice, yes. But he fears now that you felt differently about him.
“I didn’t want to hide this from you, I was going to tell you- because of the poor timing this week and-”, he stopped when your hands sat in your lap, your eyes looking up to meet his.
“Why didn’t you tell me Lohen? Did you think I’d be mad? Did you not trust me or want to tell me?”, your eyes search his, looking for something to answer. You weren’t upset about the confirmation, rather concerned he felt the need to let the details slip from him. That perhaps he was worried you’d take it wrongly or be upset with him.
“I…”
“You?”, you parried after.
“I didn’t want you to leave.”, he quickly let it out. The words escaped him. Freeing themselves from the very depths of his soul.
He didn’t want this to end, he knew that. This marriage shouldn’t just disappear into thin air; it shouldn’t die because of an issued time constraint. He’d be dammed about it too, but he wouldn’t hate you if you did.
He couldn’t bring himself too, perhaps he was just too weak about it. Perhaps he loved you too much for it. You could take anything from him, anything, but not this. Not the happiness and love you have brought into his life, not the joy he gets from just being around you. He would not know how to survive without it.
“I didn’t want you to leave. I want you to stay, for us to stay…like this. Happily married, or at least what I think is happily married.”, He kneeled before you, his hands finding yours as he looked at you, a pleading man.
Like always, you manage to surprise him, even in this. Your hands turned upward to hold his, the letter falling to the floor, forgotten.
“Why would you think…I wouldn’t stay?”, your voice was soft, unprecedently soft. Fragile just like this. “I never once thought about leaving, not once…I even told your mother how much I’d like for us to remain this way…so why Lohen…did you think such?”
He couldn’t find an answer for that, but from his body language you could guess. He wanted, so desperately wanted to show you, tell you, let himself be vulnerable enough just to spell it out for you. His cowardice and fear of you seeing something you didn’t like was interfering with everything.
“You’ll see something you won’t like...that’s why.”
Your hand lifts from his, coming to cup his cheek, like always he softens into your touch, as if you were alleviating wounds. But this time your words carried such an emotional hit, he worried he’d die right there from.
“I won’t like what I see? Lohen, dear, beloved why would you say such, I like everything I’m looking at right now-what do you mean-”, but he shakes his head at your words. The confirmation of “like” wasn’t enough, it wasn’t so enough he started laughing, a pathetic almost sad laugh flees from his lungs. His hair moves with each shake.
“No…No, no…that’s not. That’s not what I want.”, he says shakily. You quickly try to comfort him, but his hand holds yours tenderly, pressing your hand firmer against his cheek. As if it will ground him deeper that you were still here.
“Then…what-what do you want?”, your voice was small, worry and concern were laced in your features. You wanted to fix this, to amend all of this, no matter how. You lean forward in the chair, trying to seep deeper, to take a deeper look into him. If you could, you’d scoop any fear from him and dispose of it yourself.
But with a shaky breath, Lohen huffs a small laugh, his face turns upward to meet yours. A true, small smile was on his lips. No matter how terrifying it was, dangerous, or even leading him to a nasty sting. He’d do it, now better than ever. He’ll find a way to forge himself out of the pain.
lohen seeing reader. stare at his collarbone in his adventurer outfit. lohen smirks knowingly. grabs reader by the back of their head, gripping their hair roughly and pulling them towards his chest. “if you wanna lick it, i’ll let you.” SEND TWEET.
REPOST REPOST REPOST IMMEDIATELY REPOSTING hi anon i love you for this. oouggh... lohen adventurer's outfit... drool..........
knocking on the door to lohen's office, you waited a moment before it opened, and you were met with a sight you wish to forever ingrain into your mind. fuck, you never knew lohen would have this kind of outfit, nor did you ever think he'd even wear something like this.
the collar of his white top was unbuttoned enough to expose some of his chest, and he had on a black vest which accentuated his oh so delicious waist which you wanted to grab right there and then without a care in the world. your eyes trailed back up to his neck, and his sexy ass collarbone you wanted to leave marks on was practically displayed for the entirety of teyvat to see, egging you on and—
"shamelessly ogling now, aren't you?" he asked knowingly, feeling your eyes staring straight at his practically bare chest. you quickly looked away with an awkward smile while you coughed into your hand. "c-captain! you requested—" interrupted mid speech, you were suddenly dragged into his office by the wrist as you heard his door slam and click shut behind you. oh fuck. "hey, wait—" you let out a whine as he grabbed you by the hair to shove your face towards his chest.
"go on, you slut. i know you wanna lick it, suck it, or whatever. i'm even being kind enough to give you the opportunity," he said with a mocking grin, tightening his grip on your hair. "mmh- lohen-" fuck, he smelled heavenly. it was enough to almost make you salivate—he had to have done this on purpose right? it's not like there was really anything special going on today, but of course he did this to rile you up.
glancing up at him through your lashes, you reluctantly stuck your tongue out, giving small kitten licks to the exposed skin on his chest. "oh come on, i know you can do better than that."
"shut the hell up," you huffed, rolling your eyes as you reached a hand out, dragging it up his waist and snaking it into his shirt to squeeze his chest, eliciting a groan from him which drove you absolutely insane. "haah- fuck, that's it, bunny—keep- nngh- going," oh, he was really doing this on purpose now.
you bit down hard, nearly drawing blood as he whimpered, breathing shakily and rutting his hardened cock against you. you tugged lightly at his nipple, moving your mouth up to leave quite a few hickeys along his neck and collarbone.
you winced as lohen yanked your head back, staring up at the complete mess you left him in. he was breathing heavily, face flushed with a furrowed brow, and a small line of drool coming from his mouth. fuck, he looked so hot.
"hey, don't think you're even close to done yet. on your knees, now."
holy shit im going insane ouu shii im uaughuhug 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤
Absolutely no heterosexual explanation for these two
"oh but nisha, boichii explained he drew stanley doing that as an act of checking if Xeno is okay"
YOU CUP YOUR HOMIE'S FACE LIKE THAT TO CHECK IF THEY'RE OKAY??? YOU SLIDE YOUR THUMB ON HIS LIPS AND TILT HIS HEAD WITH A SMILE?! Yeah sure he's checking if he's okay cAUSE HE LOVES HIM and wants to kiss him.
imagine Lohen with a partner who is a baker with healing abilities!
You are a sweet, kind baker who lives on the outskirts of Mondstadt! Your home is also your workplace, your bakery! It's a cozy, welcoming environment and most of the knights of favonious visit to relax and enjoy your pastries!
But your pastries contain a special ingredient! No. It's not poison. It's your healing magic! Since you aren't on the battlefield with others, you wanted to incorporate your healing ability in a helpful way, and since you loved baking, you decided to combine the two together!
Everyone in Mondstadt was aware and grateful for how lovely you were!
And.. everyone included that one guy.
Vice Captain Lohen of the 5th company.
You had no issues with him, but you've heard the rumors about him. He was a sadomasochist who always has a taste for blood and battle.. They talked about him like he was a campfire story or urban legend! You haven't met him yourself, but surely those rumors were just rumors. Right?
That was until you got to see him first-hand.
It was another peaceful night at your home, and you were just finishing with closing the bakery for the night! But you begin to hear strange noises from outside. It was unexpected and unnerving considering that this rarely happens, but when it does.. it doesn't mean anything good. So, you took a small peek out your window to see what was happening. And what you saw was... something.
It was Lohen! And he was fighting a horde of monsters by himself! Oh my goodness, he could get seriously hurt! Or worse!
You ran to the kitchen to grab a knife and ran to the scene as fast as you could! Hopefully Lohen was okay and you weren't too lat-
Ah-
It looks like he dealt with the horde by himself, all the monsters are down! You looked a bit ridiculous with the knife in your hand.
But Lohen looks bruised up! You ran to him and offered to patch his wounds with ointments and your special cream puffs and he accepted your offer!
Bruises and all, Lohen was smiling, he had a real goofy smile too.. does he not care about his wounds? Or is he used to this?
You sat him down and began to clean his wounds gently, during the cleaning, the two of you begin to talk! You asked him why he was fighting a bunch of monsters at night.. he responded: "I was going on a nightly stroll! Nothing out of the ordinary! These cream puffs are amazing by the way! I like the tingling sensation it gives.. hehe."
Lohen didn't want to admit it out loud but it felt so, so.. good. And your pastries were divine! He didn't know that they could also heal his wounds! He's so happy that he got to meet you, even if it was like this! You were so kind and gracious to him!! What a sweetheart! Your like a bunny surrounded by a bunch of wolves..
So this was the famous baker everyone was talking about! What a silly way for the two of you to meet! Maybe he should lure a horde of monsters in front of your bakery so he can come in and save you!! Then afterward, you can take care of him.. he wants to feel your warm. Soft fingers trail over his burning wounds again and again!!
In which it's the one night of the year you can be yourself; a mysterious stranger complicates things.
❥ Lohen x fem!reader ₊˚⊹
—
words: ~2k
additional info: royalty AU, written before Lohen release
As the crown princess, you were expected to mingle with all of the guests at every ball. At least, that's what your parents expect of you. They claim that a future monarch must be familiar with their subjects. That also included the important figures from neighbouring kingdoms who were in attendance. Having to maintain diplomatic relations and whatnot.
But today was different.
This was a masquerade ball; no one would know who you are. You would just be another mask among the sea of guests.
And how did you spend that freedom?
By staying glued to the wall, of course! You were sick of having to cater to the whims of others. While your parents were always displeased with how you conducted yourself during their masquerade balls, they couldn't force you to do anything. The masquerade balls were meant to be fun, after all. And you found that being all by your lonesome was your idea of fun.
Instead of being the center of attention, you were the one doing the observing for once. You hated having all eyes on you. One mistake and it's all over for your reputation. You were always walking on eggshells whenever you made a public appearance. Which was quite often, unfortunately. If you had a choice, you'd rather be spending your days as a shut-in.
Alas, you never had a say.
You swirled the wine in the glass you were nursing. You were going to need some more soon. Getting drunk wasn't part of your plans for tonight, but you did enjoy having a drink or two on occasion. You had never been drunk before anyway, and you'd like to keep that up. Getting caught all undignified like that was an unpleasant thought. While it wouldn't have mattered tonight with your identity obscured, you hated the idea of losing control like that.
You were taught to maintain control of yourself at all times, after all.
You gulped the rest of your drink and prepared to get a refill. You had settled yourself near the refreshments for sake of convenience, so you didn't have to walk far.
As you made your way over, a shoulder bumped into you and you nearly dropped your glass. You wanted to tell them off; you didn't have to care about manners for once, after all. So you turned to do exactly that.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" You spoke loud enough to be heard over the ambient chatter.
The offending scoundrel, sorry, man, bowed. "Apologies, Miss. I didn't see you."
He had a head of teal hair; beyond the blue mask he wore, you glimpsed an interesting combination of red and green for eyes. As for his attire, he wore white with a blue overcoat. The overcoat had gold detailing that matched his mask. Thigh high boots covered a majority of his legs and was paired with a garter. He wore a pair of black gloves on his hands. The next thing you noticed was his silver and blue earring. What came to your attention last was his choker.
He was certainly dressed a little more... different compared to the other attendees.
The stranger tilted his head. "What's with the staring?"
You didn't hesitate to voice your thoughts. "You're dressed weird."
The man laughed. "Who are you to judge me?"
"I can do what I want," you said haughtily.
"I think you're the weird one here. No manners whatsoever." The man shook his head as he clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"I don't care for your opinion," you snapped.
You stepped around him to get to the drinks table. He followed you as you set your glass down for a refill.
You didn't even spare him a glance as you spoke. "Go away."
He grinned. "I'm here to grab a drink just like you. You can't just chase me away."
Your eye twitched.
The man poured himself a drink, downing the whole thing as he maintained eye contact with you the entire time.
He set down his glass. "So, what brings you here?"
Would this guy just leave you alone?
You rolled your eyes. "I'm here for fun. Just like every other person here."
"You don't seem to be having fun," the man pointed out.
"Wonder why." You muttered, patience running out.
He tilted his head. "Are parties not your thing? I noticed you were hanging by the wall for nearly the majority of the ball."
You narrowed your eyes. "Why were you watching me?"
The man opened his mouth to reply, but the music changed. Now was the time for everyone to find a dancing partner. That was your cue to return to your spot at the wall. At least, that was the plan.
"May I have this dance?"
You turned around; the man had extended a hand towards you. You proceeded to deliver what you're sure was your fastest rejection yet.
"No."
The man smirked. "Too bad." He dragged you onto the dance floor before you could pull away.
You stumbled at the sudden movement, but the man caught you.
"Let go of me," you hissed.
An infuriatingly wide grin spread across his face.
"No."
You glared at him. However, you couldn't do anything but follow his steps as his unwilling dance partner. His grip was too firm.
You defaulted to the moves that had been drilled into you from your dance lessons. The two of you weaved through the dance floor, the very picture of elegance. The man surprised you with how competent he was with ballroom dancing.
He twirled you around before tipping you back.
The man leaned in to whisper in your ear. "You're quite the skilled dancer." He smirked. "Princess."
You nearly fell upon hearing that, but the man held you steady.
"How do you know who I am?" You hissed.
He pulled you back up. "I'd rather we talk elsewhere."
"I'd rather not," you argued.
The man laughed. "I don't think you realize you don't have a choice here. Now, take me somewhere where we won't be disturbed."
You scoffed. "I don't have to listen to you."
He sighed. "Guess we'll have to do this the hard way."
Stepping off the dance floor, he dragged you along until you reached a secluded balcony. You had struggled the entire way, but you couldn't overcome the man's strength.
Before you could react, a knife was hovering above your throat.
You froze. "You wouldn't dare."
The man grinned maniacally. "Oh, I would."
You attempted to keep your composure. "I'll call for the guards."
The man rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. By the time they arrive, you'd already be dead. Besides, I know the guards are always invited to the balls. There's no one that will hear you."
You frowned at that revelation.
"Terrible decision on your parents' part, by the way. Who leaves their palace completely unguarded with so many people around?" He added.
Unfortunately, he had a point. Many points.
You tried to sound commanding. "Who are you?"
You hated how you were unable to hide the tremor in your voice.
He winked. "Call me Lohen."
"And what do you want from me?" You demanded.
"I want you to lead me to the treasury. Simple as that," Lohen replied.
"So that's what you're here for," you said.
"Yes. I would like you to get a move on now," Lohen prompted. "I don't have all night."
You grit your teeth, but it seemed you had no say here.
"Walk in front. Again, don't even think about calling for help. I can easily stab you in the back," Lohen reminded you.
You huffed. "Yes, I'm quite aware."
You were feeling less scared now that you knew Lohen's intentions. While he may be threatening you, he can't exactly get what he wants if he did kill you. So you had that one comfort, at least.
Lohen smirked. "Good girl."
You bristled. "Don't call me that."
He laughed. "I can call you what I want, Princess."
Backing away, he gestured for you to lead.
"Oh, and if you try to trick me, I'll definitely kill you," Lohen added.
"Wasn't planning on it but good to know," you muttered.
You proceeded to brush past him, heading towards your destination. Glancing behind you, you see Lohen following closely with his knife in hand.
"What are you looking at? Hurry up unless you want me to stab you."
You purposely slowed down. A hand pushed you, and you nearly tripped over yourself.
You spun around. "What was that for?!"
Lohen spoke matter-of-factly. "You were too slow."
You took a deep breath. You're sure that trying to punch him wouldn't go well. So, you quickened your pace.
After twisting and turning through a maze of hallways, the two of you had finally arrived in front of the treasury doors.
"I assume it's locked. Where are the keys?" Lohen asked.
"I don't know where the keys are. I've never been allowed inside the treasury," you admitted.
Lohen sighed. "Of course. Guess I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way."
He pulled out a lockpick and began working away at the doors.
How did he manage to hide all these things?
You watched him, debating running off. He was occupied at the moment, after all. He can't exactly react fast enough to catch you, right? As if Lohen could read your mind, he broke the silence.
"Don't even think about it. You'd be surprised at how fast my reaction time is."
Okay, nevermind.
You waited, praying that by some miracle you would be saved. Alas, no such luck. Eventually, you heard the sound of the locks clicking open.
Lohen held a door open for you, smiling mockingly. "Ladies first."
You glared at him as you made your way inside. Lohen followed suit soon after. You couldn't help but feel curious as you looked around. The room was lined with chests upon chests. The treasury itself was decorated with gold sculptures. Pillars with ornate engravings supported the ceiling.
Lohen made a beeline for the chests. Thankfully for him, they opened easily.
"Don't go wandering off, Princess. Stay right by me." Lohen said.
You cursed him under your breath. You did not like being ordered around like a dog.
Lohen took out a sack and began filling it with what he deemed to be the most valuable objects. He appraised them quickly, tossing aside things that weren't worth stealing.
Soon enough, his bag was full. Lohen tied it closed and turned towards you.
He grinned. "Now, I would like you to take me to the palace gardens. I'll be on my merry way afterwards."
You scowled.
Lohen smiled playfully. "What's wrong, Princess? We're almost done here."
"I hope you die a slow and painful death," you spat.
"Now, now, that's not something a princess should be saying," Lohen tutted.
You walked away silently, purposely bumping against his shoulder as retaliation.
Lohen simply laughed, utterly unfazed.
★ ★ ★
The cool night air hit your face as you stepped outside. Not a soul was in the gardens. The only witnesses would be the flowers.
You turned to face Lohen.
"I don't know how you're going to escape from here, but get out of my sight. Be gone-"
A hand reached for your face and you heard something clatter to the ground; he had taken your mask off. Lohen cupped your face in his gloved hands.
He smirked. "Well, aren't you a pretty little thing?"
You fumed, completely done with the events of tonight.
"How dare you treat me like this! I'll have you executed! Decapitate you and display your head in my room! I'll-"
Lohen kissed you.
You made a muffled sound of surprise, taken aback. Before you could even register what was happening, Lohen had already pulled away.
"Farewell, Princess."
You blinked, utterly stupefied. It took the sound of Lohen climbing over the garden walls for you to snap out of it.
"You asshole, that was my first kiss!"
taglist: @k3na0o @soonette @fireriyu @xeraaxx @salmonsaw @trangmuahe @ogras @miss-sillygoose
let me know if you're interested in being added <3
Desperately clinging to your fics for comfort at this point LOL
✦ Ageless Metamorphosis
OG Zandik x immortal Reader witnessing him in different stages of life with segments. Reader is gn. Warning: Longer fic idk why I wrote this
When Zandik was scarcely 18, he sat across from you as a junior Trainee Dastur.
Tepid sunlight cascaded over an endless sea of book spines, towering rows undulating like hypnotic waves. If the sound of your quill scribbling across the parchment paper were akin to the sound of splashing waves, then Zandik would wish to stay on this shore. You amended his notes, and the junior sat silently, nervously adjusting the golden trims of his emerald uniform when usually vanity meant little to him. However, with you, things were different.
“I see now why you wanted me to read it,” – you told him. “I believe this outline holds merit. I corrected some basic equations you wrote down, but I can say you're on the right track.”
His hands clench into fists in his lap, knuckles whitening with suppressed excitement. Was it foolish hope, or had you truly begun to believe his work on longevity might stand in defiance of Eleazar itself? Even so, you cautioned him gently, reminding him that the Akademiya’s six cardinal sins were not transgressions his supervisors would overlook:
“You should've been my supervisor,” – he quickly interjected, arms crossed. “At least, a senior co-author. Are you truly certain you intend to leave after graduation?”
Alas, your wistful smile confirmed you had already made that decision.
Though Zandik inclined his head with due respect, the cast of his lowered gaze betrayed how bitterly he cursed fate once more. Had he only belonged to the same academic year as you, he might have shared so much more with you: his scholarly frustrations, sleepless research, the burdens of looming deadlines, and endless debate during field trips amongst the dunes of Deshret’s old kingdom. Lamentably, a young heretic like him could only covet an equal like you.
You are far more intimidating than he expected. You sat there so calmly, pen moving across parchment like this is just another Tuesday. Yet when you stand back up, offering a gentle tap on his shoulder, Zandik’s face broke into an unfiltered smile he rarely wore in his scholarly career. It transforms his usually intense ruby eyes, rendering him to look exactly what he is – a mere young boy.
“I'll take your words of encouragement at face value. Otherwise, I hope not all long-lived individuals such as yourself dispense polite encouragement to humor naive mortals?”
“Maybe when I reach several centuries of age, Zandik. I am not that ancient yet.”
When Zandik was 25, you watched him work tirelessly in Dar Al-Shifa’.
With a notebook in hand and chalk in the other, he scribbled tirelessly on the board in front of him. A crease formed on the bridge of his nose, right underneath his glasses. A white medical lab coat has replaced his once-pristine Akademiya uniform.
"If I adjust the plasma conductivity here... no, this won’t do," – He mutters to himself as he scribbles furiously. Realizing he was far from alone in this room, he felt self-conscious of you watching him after hours again. A habit of yours lately, one he proudly memorized, even when your footsteps were soundless and your breathing undetected. "Oh! You're still here. Great, I will wrap it up to show you my progress."
You watch him fuss and mutter over cellular samples of the recent Eleazar patient. Simply resting your head on your palms, you remained seated by a medical table behind him. Any attempts to convince him that he was way overqualified for this run-down hospital remained futile.
"If it keeps me afloat, then so be it. And it’s not like I can scavenge better opportunities elsewhere after my expulsion," – Zandik's shoulders tensed slightly, chalk dusting the fingertips of his gloves. "They're building a new wing for experimental treatments. More patients with Eleazar are coming in… This would be the perfect opportunity to experiment on the condition. What do you think?”
You paid little heed to his pleas. Instead, you busied yourself checking the formulas written on the board here and there. Then, without warning, you turned to stare at him with such profound astonishment:
“... You wear glasses now.”
Zandik blinked at you. An embarrassing exhale escaped him, a sound halfway between frustration and affection. He abandoned the chalkboard entirely now, walking over to where you sit – "You're avoiding the topic again, aren’t you? I do not ask you out of whimsy, dear. I want to hear your opinion first and foremost. Always have."
But both you and Zandik could already guess what you would utter. You knew these parts of rural desert villages. People here do not look kindly upon those who meddle with Eleazar, nor upon anyone who tampers with the ancient Khaenri’ahn machinery buried beneath the sands. To do so was akin to cursed omens. You shook your head: “Do something reckless, and they will exile you like Sumeru city did.”
The young man crossed his arms – “And is concealing your true age and origins from the villagers not equally reckless of you?”
Your eyes widened before your gaze drifted away in solemn silence. Indeed, neither of you was innocent, and the doctor sighed before leaning closer towards you.
For seven years, since that golden afternoon at the Akademiya, through his exile, to your frequent visits to this remote hospital, the young doctor would gaze at you with an encumbered yearning. His desolation from Sumeru city was his burden alone, yet somehow, you’d return after him to ensure his well-being. Perhaps the shared disdain for the Akademiya’s taboos was what brought you to him as a senior, but to the young man, you were an image of everything he’d hoped to achieve. Was it immortality or change? His brilliant mind couldn’t grasp for an answer.
"You think I care about exile?" he asked, voice low but intense. "They cast me out once already for pursuing forbidden knowledge. I was hoping that maybe after seven years, you'd see me as more than a puny junior. We can go together, it doesn’t matter where, even in the worst possible outcome.
Silence followed.
“... Eh? It's been seven years already?! Since when?!”
You were helpless despite your seniority, Zandik concluded.
When Zandik was 35, he proudly bore the title of the 2nd Fatui Harbinger before you.
The luxurious Fatui facilities dwarfed the desert hospital; his excitement is ever maddening despite the decades. You, however, remained ageless and unchanged beside him.
"You're looking at phase one of an artificial electrolyte solution," he said eagerly, gesturing to glowing vials on a lab table while you two toured his new laboratory. "Based on Khaenri'ahn bio-tech but adapted for human physiology. This allows for a better preservation of the segments I told you about."
He presented his first progress with confidence. Imitating ancient Khaenriahn alchemy as a framework for creating clones resembling him was a new idea, finally entering experimental phases rather than remaining theoretical. You, in the meantime, wandered the polished floors of his lab, a heavy Fatui coat draped over your shoulders as you read his notes on transferring embodied experiences and memories.
“Mortality is nothing but a shackle, and for a segment it would be no burden,” – you remember he said.
“Why would it be a shackle, Zandik? Immortality is more cursed when a person acquires it. After all, a human mind cannot comprehend so many centuries without any side effects.”
“And would you consider your longevity a curse, then?” – He dared you, but you fell silent.
He leans back against the lab counter, arms crossed as he studies your unchanged face. An eternity of familiarity in this world that keeps moving without you, while everyone you’d know and love would pass and fade away.
"The segments would gather information from different times and different perspectives. Yet here I am at my height as a Harbinger, feeling more contempt than ever. None of it bears meaning if you're just going to outlive me by centuries."
Once more, you offered him that easy, distant smile: “You have much more to achieve than pursue me throughout centuries. You are a scholar after all, so I can only advise you so much as a senior. Besides, you now look more mature than I am. Had we remained at the Akademiya, most would mistake you for my senior instead.”
Naturally, a scoff escaped him. Lately, you’ve been using quips about him looking older than you. He hovers close, hand cradles your jaw with careful, gloved hands as if cautious you’d vanish like a mirage in the desert he once fled from.
“If I'm to tear down and spite this decaying world,” – He whispered. “...I can't imagine wanting eternity with anyone but you. Be it through my own flesh or through my segments."
“What if multiple clones of you existed, which one of them would be the closest to the real Zandik?”
He takes another step closer, close enough now that if either of you breathed deeply, your chests might brush: "Does it matter?”
Burdened with decades of unspoken admiration, the Harbinger leaned in to seal his lips with yours. And tragically for you two, you leaned in.
Every time that young junior presented his work, he hoped for your approval. Every coffee break, he sat by your side but never touched. That night at the desert hospital, when it hit him that you'd never age like ordinary people, and never see him as an equal in mortal life, it became a condemnation to yearn for you more. It was his unspoken ‘I've loved you since forever’ – except for a mortal, his forever was merely decades, a minuscule blink of an eye for an immortal like you.
Still here you were, hands clutching at his coat as you kissed him back. The Harbinger only pushed on with hunger to pour all his unspoken words against your lips, grasping your body flush against him even when pulled away in search of air.
“We shouldn’t, you know why,”
He knew. But his gaze hardened with pain of the expected rejection: “Do you regard me as a small blink in your life? Do not pity now, you of all people…”
“No, no,” – you shook your head, forehead pressing against his chest as your shoulder shook. “Don’t act as if I am an untouchable being incapable of understanding love. You know we shouldn’t because I-”
“Because you will outlive me, and it will break us both?”
Your eyes glistened at the thought. The Doctor only drew you closer, his head pressing to the crown of your hair.
“Or… you wish not to meddle with a heretic and let him grow old on his own?”
Thinking about it now, you should've smacked Zandik on the head more often for such words. Instead, you yielded, if only this once, to the desire between you, letting him lift you onto the table as he devoured your breath with a hunger shaped by years of discretion. Just this once, even if it meant your refusal would fracture yet another part of him.
When Zandik was 80, you watched him create segments from various stages of his life.
The lab grows ever more fervent with work and experiments. The various fragments of his own becoming have now meticulously embodied his personality and ticks from different thresholds of his life. Through it all, Zandik himself grew older. He may not have achieved immortality to stand beside you as an equal, but you chose to remain as an enduring friend. The day when he was 35, a Harbinger in his prime, you refused him. Not out of antipathy, it was a mutual decision you both agreed to. Would a heretic allow himself to wallow in his own longing till his elderly years? Each Dottore segment will give you a different answer.
Today, a familiar chorus of boisterous chatter spills into his lab. You had arrived for a visit. The youngest of the segments, the 8-year-old little Zandik, runs quickest to cling to your legs. The 18-year-old follows suit, already eager to show you his recent essay and research notes. Perhaps some things never change.
“Easy, easy there! One at a time!” – you laugh, holding packed baklava confectionery away from 8’s grabby hands as you greet everyone with little treats from your travels. Even the 65-year-old segment cannot help but play the old charmer when greeting you with a bow of his masked head.
Old man Zandik will have to reprimand his segments to respect your personal space. What a bunch of flocking children.
“You spoil the youngest too much,” – His voice rasped as he set a cup of coffee for you. Taking his seat opposite, he kept his cane in his grasp. “But I see you are eager to correct 18’s research notes. He says if he can’t get others to advise him, he’ll have you as his supervisor instead.”
You chuckled, a cup in hand.
“Ah, doesn’t it remind you of someone when they were a Trainee Dastur?”
Old man Zandik scoffed. Of course, they inherited his bodily experiences, perhaps even their adoration is part of him. Notably, you no longer looked as intimidating as you had when he remembered you from his youth. Poised as always, you sat ever the same, physically unchanged in posture and youth. Meanwhile, Zandik aged; his hair grew longer, and his skin wasn’t spotless. It’s basic biology; his reflection did not offend him.
“You know, I think you have changed,” – The Harbinger noted.
“...Me? Do we have matching wrinkles at last?!”
“Do not mock me now,” – he shook his begrudgingly, until his weary gaze settled deep into your eyes. “You look different. Your eyes look ever more distant. I assumed it was fatigue in your eyes at first, but you are not one to skip leisurely repose.”
You said nothing. Your gaze was indeed distant, despite the ever-gentle smile.
“Maybe you should get back to wearing glasses, then, because nothing in me has changed. Which, by the way, they looked good on you when you wore them at 25.”
“Hmph, my eyesight is perfect. At least you remember the years now. It’s unlike you.”
The bickering between the senior and their junior resumed back and forth. Except that by this coffee table, it looked like an old man scolding an ignorant juvenile for being absentminded, while you chuckled and humored him over coffee.
“Then in that regard, you haven't changed at all despite your years.” – your youthful hand came cradling his wrinkled one. “It's like I'm looking at the same 18-year-old I first met who sat across from me in the Akademiya library.”
The contrast was clear in your shared touch; his skin was now papery with prominent veins against your ageless one. Alas, you refuse to concede that your accumulation of decades had numbed you with inferential grief. He turned his palm upward to intertwine fingers with yours. For a moment, neither of you spoke.
“We didn’t meet at the Akademiya first.”
You blinked in confusion, “Eh? Yes, we did. You shared your outline papers and whatnot. That’s the first time I met you.”
The old man regarded you with a wistful smile, “Hm, are you certain? I recall it differently.”
“Hey now, don’t pull my leg. We were both Akademiya students, though I was about to graduate when you were still a junior. I know that much for certain!”
“Ah, you are right, you are right. Never mind, perhaps my mind was just wandering.” – Zandik didn’t insist on the topic, softly deriving a different question quickly, "Will I see you tomorrow? The younger clones always ask when their senior advisor is coming by."
“Same time, as usual,” – You stood up. “I need to check on Feofan again since his corneal repair surgery. He seems to be faring well so far. But I will see you tomorrow.”
“Suit yourself.”
With a quick peck to his temple, you scurried off without further words. His cup of coffee remained untouched till it cooled, while Zandik watched you silently depart. Once again, the heretic would rather let decades go by instead of confessing the unstated. He did not lie - he actually knew you before the Akademiya.
When Zandik was 8, you stumbled upon him as he ran away from a swarm of kids hurling rocks at him. You, of course, don’t remember it, for you never asked for his name then.
Tears blurred his vision when he ran. Scratches stung skin until little Zandik collided with your legs by accident. Fallen backward, he remembers lying there sniffling. With a stern bark, you reprimanded the street children and shooed them off. And why would you remember a fleeting encounter where you kneeled by a small kid, checking his scratches and mending him? The little child only stared at you with big ruby eyes that day, shakily explaining what happened.
When Zandik died on his 85th birthday, you didn’t come to visit.
Omega Dottore and Nahida doing the gnosis transaction and when Nahida asks him to delete all his segments, he asks if he can keep the 8 year old segment because that kid has been claimed by his wife as her baby and she will not be losing that segment over her dead body and Nahida says okay fine cause she is not taking a child away from a mother (Even if that child is a dottore segment)
in another life, i would make you stay a gojo satoru (fix it) series
pairing ⸺ reincarnated!gojo x reincarnated!reader
summary ⸺ you are a sorcerer, married to your husband who bears the burden of being the strongest. firsthand, you watch the love of your life fall apart, the world burdening him until, finally, he dies at the hand of sukuna. as you watch him through the broadcast, you blankly volunteer to be nextand you die, praying to whatever merciful god out there that, in another life, you and satoru get the happy ending you both deserved—
until you wake up from your dream, gasping.why the hell was your dream so vivid? you were some sort of magician? with a smoking HOT husband? and why the fuck does the guy that's ten minutes late to the first day of lectures look EXACTLY like him?
warnings ⸺eventual smut fluff and angst (the holy trinity), hurt/comfort, reincarnation fic, basically you and gojo have a miserable life in canon and get reincarnated into a modern au where i fix everything and give you the romcom you deserve, canon typical violence, jjk manga spoilers, mentions of blood and injury, major character death, fem reader implied
masterlist
01 ⸺ What a Weird Fucking Dream
the first day of your semester is precendeted by a very odd dream involving sorcerers and a hot ass husband. which you then see in lecture (3.7k)
02 ⸺ Note to Self: Don't Call Random Guys your Husband (soon!)
setting: modern zombie au, ex boyfriend lohen x zombie reader
cw: some blood and gore, cannibalism(don’t eat humans you’ll get mad cow disease. reader is a zombie so it’s ok), geographical inaccuracies(?)
“Let’s break up.”
You haven’t even had the opportunity to take a sip of your freshly purchased milk tea when Lohen suddenly confronts you with this decisive statement. Furrowing your eyebrows, you carefully set your drink on the cafe table. “Are you trying to annoy me? Is this another trick to raise my blood pressure?”
Lohen leans back in his chair, looking utterly uninterested in the conversation. The usual sleazy smile he wears when he teases you is nowhere to be seen. “Nah,” Lohen shrugs. “I just don’t want to date anymore.”
Even when he supposedly isn’t trying to annoy you, it seems that Lohen has the innate talent of doing so with every word that comes out of his mouth.
Nevertheless, you try to find some sort of reasoning in his nonsensical words. “Is it because of something I did?” Lohen shrugs, attitude so flippant you feel your eye start to twitch. “Then, is it something you did?”
“Hmm? Why would that be the case?” He even has the shameless audacity to glance around the cafe, not taking you seriously. Your patience runs thin at his flippant words, and you slam your hands on the table to push off your chair.
The screeching noise of your chair against the floor finally causes Lohen to properly look at you in the eyes. “So, you want to break up because you feel like it? If it’s like that, then I’ll also do what I want just because I feel like it.” Swiftly, you grab your undrunk milk tea and smash it on his mint green hair.
As the liquid stains his shirt and travels down his face, you expect Lohen to lose his cool or even snap back, but all he does is push his dripping hair out of his eyes and offer a condescending smirk. “So quick to anger? It’s not like the world is going to end if we break up.”
Back then, all you could do was seethe and boil in your anger as you watched Lohen saunter out the cafe, never glancing back a single time. Since that fateful day, you never saw him again. Not on campus, nor in your shared lectures. He didn’t even return to your shared apartment to claim his belongings. It was like he disappeared off the face of the earth.
But that was three long years ago, and you have mostly given up on enacting revenge on your crazy ex-boyfriend. You used to wake up every morning in a bed that was too big for just one person, conjuring up a new way to kill Lohen, and then go to sleep in clothes too big for your size, wondering how to avoid being sentenced for manslaughter. Now, you’re simply content to watch the wheatfields of Qingce village, living out the rest of your days in peace.
When the first wave of the zombie outbreak occurred, you were occupied with an assignment in your apartment and had no idea what was happening. However, it wasn’t long before your body started to ache all over, and a horrible hunger began to well up within you. For some reason, the urge to consume meat was unceasing. Fueled by the incomprehensible compulsion, you consumed the meat in the freezer raw, but that did nothing to ease the pain. It was only when you saw how your nails had turned into sharp black claws and the ashen greying of your skin that you realised that something was wrong.
A quick glance at social media and the outside environment confirmed your fears. For an inexplicable reason, you had mutated into one of the first zombies to plague Teyvat.
It took days of careful experimentation, but you soon realised that unlike the typical zombie that roamed the streets, you had retained your sanity. Though you just looked like a fresh corpse (perhaps because you were still a healthy human when you turned), the other mindless zombies easily accepted you as one of your own.
After realising that you were undead, your first thought was this: “Wouldn’t it be possible to kill Lohen without any repercussions now? Even if I die in the process, at least I can still bring him down with me.”
With that petty reason in mind, you left your two person apartment in Nod-Krai for the long trek across Snezhnaya to Mondstadt, which you recall to be Lohen’s hometown.
But the journey is long and arduous, and though a zombie cannot get cold or nor do they need to sleep, the land of Snezhnaya is still a massive one. With stiffened limbs and having to hide from any human you stumble across, your trek across the frozen land undoubtedly takes a very long time.
Somehow you ended by the border between Mondstadt and Liyue, but between having the hassle of stitching up your organs more than once (not that you need them, but you’re still very much attached to them) and the alluring appeal of living the rest of your zombie days in a quaint village, you more or less gave up on the idea of taking a huge bite out of Lohen’s annoying face.
It’s a little regretful that you won’t be able to live out your fantasies of killing him, but watching the sun rise and set everyday isn’t so bad. It’s peaceful and quiet, aside from the occasional zombie. Of course, the moment you’ve given up on revenge is the moment Lohen decides it’s time to come back into your life to mess everything up.
It’s a lovely evening, and you’re enjoying the breeze accompanying the setting sun in a rocking chair outside a house when the noise of an engine attracts the attention of the zombies milling about Qingce village, including you. Beyond the noise of a car over an overgrown dirt path, there’s a forbidding feeling that accompanies the cheerful humming emitting from the driver’s seat.
You’re not sure what compels you to stay where you are, but you do, and watch with some interest as the four-wheeled drive comes to a stop. A familiar shade of hair emerges, as do the zombies attracted by the noise. You turn to run, but your uncooperative body can only get you so far before the zombies around you start dropping like flies. Each shot from the gun is precise, no bullet is wasted. A small flicker of hope lights up in your chest before it is quickly extinguished by the sound of a bubblegum popping and the sound of footsteps you can identify in your sleep.
“My, what do we have here?”
They say that when you’re at your lowest point, the only way is up. And besides, haven’t you been dreaming of this opportunity for years? Steeling yourself, you let out a guttural roar and whirl around, fully prepared to take a nice bite out of Lohen’s neck before he puts a bullet through your rotting skull.
You really hoped that he couldn’t recognize you as you recognized him – it has been three years since you last saw each other, and your body has undergone many changes since then.
One of those changes was the deterioration of your eyesight, so you could only lunge in the direction you think Lohen is and hope for the best. Everything spun into a mess of colours, and you suddenly found yourself on the ground, wrists firmly restrained behind your back.
Lohen’s calloused hands are familiar, as is the mocking laugh from above you.
You grit your sharp teeth in frustration; even now, in this sort of situation, you crazy ex dares to laugh with such carefreeness! Surely it wouldn’t hurt to try to kill him one more time.
Twisting your entire body so that you can face Lohen, you again attempt to bite off his pretty face. Unfortunately, even a senior citizen could react to the movements of such a reluctant zombie, and Lohen has already straddled your hips and pinned you back on the ground by the time you can see clearly, one hand grasping the base of your neck and the other hand holding your wrists captive above your head.
“Hey, if you’re gonna pretend to be a zombie, at least try a little harder.” Lohen croons, bringing his face a little too close to yours. If you lifted your head by just a little bit, you could bite his nose right off. You snarl inhumanly and gnash your sharp teeth, vocal chords too rotten for you to consider using them. Lohen merely giggles at your response, leaning down to gently press his forehead against your protruding clavicles. “What will I do without you?”
You’d roll your eyes, if you could. Lohen really treats his life without any care, daring to be so close to a zombie. If you were any less sane, you should have already killed him three times over with how careless he was acting. You grumble incoherently, trying to push Lohen’s heavy body off yours. In response, the male just sighs and nuzzles closer into you, as if trying to melt into you and become one being.
Lohen continues his rambling, talking as if you could actually respond to the words of a madman. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you, ya know?” He pulls back, freeing your hands and neck to cup your face in his hands. You frown and glare disapprovingly at his motions to the best of your abilities, but Lohen has perfected that art of ignoring whatever doesn’t fuel his delusions. “It was like you were avoiding me on purpose. Are you still mad at me for breaking up with you?”
This crazy man! He didn’t break up with you; the break up was mutual. Both parties agreed to the break up! More importantly, isn’t Lohen avoiding talking about the main issue here? He’s a human, and you’re a zombie.
A zombie!
Have the years apart turned Lohen into a complete lunatic? You wrap your hands carefully around Lohen’s wrists, not wanting to accidently scratch him even if he is wearing leather gloves. You tug insistently, even “grumbling” at Lohen to let go of you. It seems Lohen has suddenly become deaf and blind, because he even draws closer to press a kiss at the corner of your mouth.
“Don’t worry.” Lohen smiles, grin stretched so wide it might have been uncanny if you weren’t used to his eccentricities. “This time, I won’t let even death separate us.”
You give up on trying to convince him otherwise. When Lohen is set on his path, the best outcome for you is to accept it and go along.
You peer around Lohen, where he had insisted you hide behind him so that the humans don’t target you. Normally it would be the zombie that targets the humans, but Lohen operates under his own set of laws. Two bodies are on the ground; one writhing in pain and the other slowly bleeding to death.
“Please, don’t kill me! We’re both humans, right?” The man who was still alive lets out a string of incoherent pleas, stammering and stuttering under Lohen’s disdainful glare. You thought that Lohen would slit his throat too, but all he does is pin the sniveling man’s arms to the ground with a pair of knives.
Lohen beckons you with his hand, and you follow his lead to crouch over the pitiful human, still clinging onto life. Producing a third knife from somewhere, Lohen gently traces a line across its neck. “Do you prefer them alive?” He turns to the other body a few paces away, the blood leaking from its wounds already beginning to coagulate. “Or dead?”
You tilt your head to inspect the heaving body, unable to drag your eyes away from the temptation of the flesh. You point at the warm flesh with a stiff finger, blinking questioningly at Lohen. The male smiles sweetly, tilting his head. “Oh, do you need me to cut him up for you? I can do that, no problem.” You shake your head, and then repeat your motion of pointing at the body, this time also pointing to Lohen’s mouth.
“Hmm? Oh, you mean you’re asking me if I want to eat?” Lohen croons, nuzzling his face into your hair and pressing a sweet kiss to it. “You’re so adorable. That’s okay, I know you need this more than me. Go ahead, hm?”
Delighted at not needing to share your meal, you turn back to the body. It’s a simple matter to bring the leg to your mouth, and even easier when the marbled flesh of the thigh all but melts in your mouth. Just like the highest grade of a cut of wagyu beef, the meat is glorious and divine. The meal is a blessing to a ravenous beast like yourself, and it’s only a matter of time before you’ve polished off the thighs. Because you’re with Lohen, you can afford to be more picky with what parts you eat, and you turn your attention to the torso of the body.
The ribs are strong and hardest to breach for a human, but all parts of the body are equal under the raw strength of a zombie. Your sharp claws make quick work of the flesh, and it’s easy enough to tune out the guttural screams of pain the way you tune out Lohen’s pestering when you’re locking in with assignments.
The skin splits beautifully, revealing the tender flesh beneath and the red, blossoming colour of fresh meat. Carefully, you separate out the heart by carving it out, carefully avoiding damaging the delicate structure with your hands. The blood stains your hands red, but it’s inconsequential when your hands have been bloodied long before you begin your feast. Heart in hand, you turn to Lohen.
He’s gazing dreamily at you, head resting in his hands. Perking up under the attention of your eyes, Lohen happily accepts your generous gift. “Is that for me? Ah, you really are a romantic. Does this mean I’m forgiven?”
You grunt, shaking your head in amusement. In your dreams. Lohen still has a lifetime of repenting before you can even forgive him for breaking up with you so flippantly.
“That’s okay,” Lohen sighs, smearing the red over his cheek when he brings his hand to fiddle with his hair. “I won’t be letting you go any time soon. Besides, we have until the end of the world, right? I’ll bring you as much food as you’d like until you forgive me.”
Finishing your fill, you wipe your gore stained mouth with the back of your hand to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, your hand is just as messy as your face, and all you manage to do is spread the mess even further.
But when Lohen smiles at you, ethereal and angelic below the glow of the setting sun, where the rays of light reflect on the water and sparkle on his skin, you can’t bring yourself to care. You grin back, red flecked skin and all. It seems Lohen doesn’t care for your blood stained teeth or the metallic tang clinging to your lips, because he brings you into a kiss all the same.
Lohen waiting patiently behind that banner doors just to jump you. Gracefully accepting all the primogems, materials and weapons you've gathered for him.
Even more ready to fight in your stead and see what adventures you'd take him to. All the strong enemies he has the opportunity to face compared to when he was moving about on his own.
And this time, not even the Grandmaster himself can decline your request of bringing him in your party.
Your music video just released, gracing all streaming platforms. Your fans racing to hit play since you posted the countdown on your socials.
You weren't a worldwide poster, but you did have a pretty big fanbase and stable following that's been on a consistent rise up since your debut.
The video started off cinematic, something more detailed and high quality that a random music video should be.
Your fans watching from their devices gasping as the main man of your video comes into shot, Prohero Dynamite. Dressed in semi formal attire, a pair of dark wash jeans and a slightly unbuttoned shirt that hugged his biceps in all the right places.
The two of you in a picture perfect scene, low strumming of your guitar in the background as the both of you repeated the scripted dialogue. A look of subtle romance in your gazes.
Both of you enter a bar, a wide shot pans over everyone. The audience shocked as they start to notice the extras in the film aren't extras at all.
A quick zoom in of a group of casually dressed people was actually most of the top up and coming heroes.
Your voice ringing through the speakers as you sang, the group joined by Ingenium, Creati, Red Riot, and Cellophane. A subtle cameo from all your close friends from high school.
The chorus picks up, the melodic sound of your voice carrying over. Dynamight twirling you on the dance floor, the two of you giggling and smiling.
Other couples join you on the dance floor, Deku and Uravity can be seem close by. While a few other stars soon trickle through the cameras field of vision.
The song slowly starts to fade, your fans knowing the videos about to end. But as your fade stops and the guitar strings keep playing, someone taps Dynamight on the shoulder, asking for your hand to dance.
The camera slowly pans in, revealing Jungkook from BTS.