I do arts here, I got bored easily so forgive me if I don't post anything about game I flaunt about in the past, I may... perhaps... hv undiagnosed adhd but I lowk don't want to check, either way!! welcomeeeeeeee
DNI: basic dni (just be a normal decent person guys, it's not that hard.)
Fandom: Ensemble stars, crk, Honkai star rail, Honkai Impact 3rd, Genshin Impact, Obey me!, twst n many more
Note: do NOT mention ANY ships in here, unless I have spoken about it positively
Recent fanfic: [Life with you. Leo tsukinaga/reader.]
"Who in the expeditionary force is the one who fights for the pure love of combat itself, not for glory, not for victory even?"
Pose this question to someone from Mondstadt, the answer would almost always be the same: a certain prank-loving figure, often seen chewing bubblegum, who nonetheless steps to the very front at the most critical moments... that is, Lohen.
[Till Death Do us Part] 10: Introspective into the Heart
Lohen x Fem reader| domestic fluff again (sue me), moving in together, sharing the same bed(its a couch really), Lohen is a menace but when is he not?, wedding dreams, calm before the storm ass chapter. (Not really a storm just actual plot progression). Taglist is at the bottom this time, there is taglist if you'd like to be apart of it, lmk! Likes and reblogs are appreciated, and please note this is not entirely proofread, if there are any mistakes, my apologies in advanced! WC: 4.2k (shorter than I had like, oh well)
Series masterlist
->A/N: important authors note. In case you missed it or, didn't know, this past weekend, I broke my finger. (It got slammed in a car door by accident and is fractured, a small line in the bone), so this chapter was written halfway before that happened. I would have loved to included more but unfortunately that can't happen. Also this does mean chapter 11 will take a few weeks to come back to. My apologies in advanced. Just thought I'd be clear with everyone at the get-go. -Berri.
The house was quiet.
Which was a first.
The last few days, not the last 3 weeks, it has been hectic. From the sudden change from your landlord, to Lohen suggesting just for you both to buy a home closer to the port for work’s sake, to now.
Moving furniture, enlisting the help of friends, coworkers, even local citizens came along to help. It warmed your heart at how willing the people of Mondstat was to come and help their favorite couple from the Knights of Favonius when in need.
But for right now, for once, the house was quiet.
You still had a laundry list of things that needed to be done, there was still the need to contact the property tax office, getting home insurance, changing your combined addresses under the same name. Now that you think about it, you may have to go back to the marriage office, seeing as you both own property under the same name and license. But as much as all of that could take time and space in your mind..
You were exhausted.
Beyond exhaustion, just plain tired.
So right now, you were curled up in a cozy chair, once from your previous apartment. The chair was large and fluffy, with comfy pillows, you were snug in a blanket. A nice cup of a warm drink rested in your hands, the mug steaming as you relaxed. Off in the distance you could hear Lohen doing something upstairs, perhaps finishing moving things on his end.
You sipped your drink, your eyes fall to a half-lid as you felt the beast of sleep try to take you into its comfort, resisting as much as you want, you could not deny how welcomed it was.
With the arrival of his footsteps, Lohen peered into the living room to see you, still many boxes scattered around you, his eyes softened when he spotted your comfy retreat. Stepping closer, he nudged you over to scoot into the warmth. A small groan left your lips, all of which he responded with a gentle flick to your nose.
“Scoot, you look to comfortable for your own babe, you look like you’ll melt if I don’t interfere.”
“Let me, I’m tired. I deserve a little comfort after the month we had.”, you sigh but make room for him, allowing him to sit in the chair. You were both squished together, as much as you wanted to complain about comfort, you didn’t.
One look from Lohen was all you needed to confirm. He was also tired.
“I still wish you did not push yourself; we could have taken longer to move.”, you leaned against his shoulder, adjusting to get comfortable. Lohen freed one of his arms to wrap around your middle, his fingers dance at your side, eliciting goosebumps along your skin.
“Its fine, like I said before, we knew it was going to be a hassle, so why not get it done and over with now? Now we only must move the last bits and be done with it.”, he hummed, resting his head atop yours.
“Lohen, we don’t have our beds. That’s the last pieces we need.”, you tiredly laugh. But he just shrugs, a small overlook on his part, but it was fine. Camping it out in the living room for the last week, while not good for either of your backs, was fun.
“And? I don’t here you complaining about sleeping on top of each other.”, he pinched at your side.
“I know, I’m basically using you as a pillow and an unofficial cooling unit”, you rubbed your eyes. The last week was also pushing towards summer, so having no air conditioning now meant “using” Lohen’s cryo vision came in handy.
Not that he was complaining, anytime he noticed you getting hot or overheated, he would just pull you close and press a cool hand against you. At one point you both had to sit outside just because the heat outside was better than inside.
But at night like this, with the cool winds coming over the port, salt-infused air bring a chill to end the day with, bundling up like this was fine. You yawned again, cursing yourself for feeding into your sleep. Time seemed to be moving past you, slipping through your fingers as of late.
From working through the day, to unpacking in the afternoon and evening, it seemed as if you barely had time to yourselves.
Something Lohen seemed to agree with. You already are moving together, bought a home too! But it felt like he hasn’t had this for the past few days, times to settle down and forget about any other worries.
As uncomfortable as it was becoming for you both to remain in this (no longer) big comfy chair, neither of you moved.
“We should get up for bed.”, you suggested, but didn’t even dare to get up. Lohen gave a tired smile, rubbing his eyes he agreed.
“We should, but do you want to get up only to sleep on the floor again?”, he asked, you shook your head.
“Well, then what now hmm?”, you drawled, already feeling yourself enter the land of dreams. Your eyes fall to a close, another yawn escaped you, your head was already resting on Lohen’s shoulder. He adjusted to have you rest against his chest, his heartbeat lulling you deeper and deeper. The rhythm comforting your tense body, the exhaustion lifting.
Lohen huffed, “always the first to knockout…I told you it ruins the sleepover.”, but it held no bite. Your soft snores comforted him. As much fun as “yay we get to live together”, was eating at his brain, the chaos that followed was always something unpredicted.
But you took it well, with charm, Lohen thought.
Despite how much work you take on in your regular duties, you were supportive throughout this whole process. At points he did have to trip you out of your guilt, feeling as if you were taking advantage of Lohen’s kindness. Every time he had to remind you that he was more than happy for this, and that he was hoping for this to happen.
He could tell you that despite sleeping on the floor for the past week, his dreams have remained peaceful. No odd dreams, or memories coming to eat away at his mind. His hand would search for yours under the covers, naturally lacing your fingers together and his mind would remain at ease.
Maybe he was getting soft? Who knows, usually he tried fighting through everything, testing his limits, but right now, his beloved captain and wife was tired. So, he could be tired too.
Thankfully you both did not have to do things alone, Grandmaster Varka, Jean, Lisa, Miss Alice, Klee, Kaeya, and everyone came out of their way to help. As much as he wanted to deny it, seeing how much everyone insisted, how could he not?
Plus, it meant not paying movers.
For now, as much as he wanted to continue teasing you for being a granny for your sleeping habits, he won’t. Just this time. He’ll let you sleep.
His mind wanders, thinking deeper about this home, yes a home. Not just a house. With you inside it, Lohen was assured on this. From the pictures you packed, the little niche knickknacks, trinkets from his travels from Nod-Krai, some of which you side-eyed (why the hell does he have that??), this space felt like a home already.
Even if you were missing your beds.
He was just set on buying a large bed and telling you to suffer with him, that or “procrastinating” on buying his bed. “Oh no, there’s only one bed [Name], and it would be a shame to make your husband sleep on the floor again!”, all while batting his eyelashes, yeah he had that agenda already set.
Not that he thinks you’ll mind. You were dead sleep against, out like a light and heavy as a log against his chest. It was cute, your fingers were clutched against his shirt, your face scrunched as you were within your dreams. Lohen’s arm was already going numb from being wedged in between you and the couch, but would he wake you? No.
Instead, he pressed a kiss to your head, wishing you a silent goodnight. His head leaned back against the cushion of the couch as he too entered some peaceful dreams. His dreams always ended the same, in darkness, confusion and a sense of blankness overtaking him. But recently, his dreams have filled with you both under the tree at the lake.
His dreams beg the question if he had the chance, could he have proposed there. Like properly, not with this arrangement. Not with the marriage’s main factor being based on the risk of losing his employment. But instead, if he courted you properly.
What if? He asked you earlier on to court you, taking you on dates, slowly proving himself to be a capable husband.
Would you have a wedding? What kind of ceremony would it be? Where would it be held? All questions his subconscious sorts and asks within the moving scenes his dreams plays. Each question creates a new scene, all with differing beginnings, peaks and dips in excitement. For one part of his dream, he dreamt of dueling for your hand in marriage. Against whom? Anyone who is willing to try for your hand.
An old mindset, but be assured, he’d win.
Lately, the dreams end the same.
You standing in the Mondstat Cathedral, adorned in white, slowly approaching him. Your face was obscured by a veil, but he always knew it was you.
The dress, outfit, everything else can change, but it was always you coming down the aisle. His heart would be beating in his ears, his eyes wide, the adrenaline building up in his veins as he felt the future of his happiness approach.
Sometimes the cathedral is empty, other times, its full of everyone you know and love. It didn’t matter, what mattered was it felt real to him. A real possibility, that it could be…well real.
Maybe his subconscious was telling, no yelling at him to let himself hope, to dream a little too vividly. To let himself indulge in this.
The next part would be the vows, they always change depending on his dreams, sometimes he knew exactly what to say, others he’d be at a loss for words, not out of fear. Just amazement. Some parts of the dreams, when he was alone, he’d dance with you first, before the Cardinal would announce you man and wife.
Other parts, you two would just laugh and talk as if it was another day, he didn’t know why, perhaps it eased him, bringing him comfort.
But always, the dream ended before he could kiss you.
He’d raise the veil, revealing your beautiful face, your eyes shining in love and adoration. Every time for the last who knows long (like a week really), it always ended before he could kiss you. Either from something waking him up or being woken up to start the day.
Time slipped through his fingers, so badly he wanted to clutch them so tightly they would break. He’d grit his teeth, jaw set tight as he felt frustration bubble in his chest. It was somewhat pathetic he thinks, its not his current reality, as much as a deeper part of him wishes it was.
But instead of letting the sunken feeling overtake him, he’d just look over at you. All Lohen needed was to see you, resting against him, sound asleep, that or already making breakfast for you two. Whatever it was you doing, he felt himself relax upon seeing you.
Dreams can become realities if you try hard enough, he knows this. Lohen accepts this as a fact, but for right now, as greedy as he needed to be, for right now he was enjoying what he already has for now. You were all he wanted and needed, dream or not.
---
The next morning, you were up and awake. Stretching up from the comfy sofa chair, you squeezed from your spot. (your spine was thankful for this). Lohen was still fast asleep, adjusting him gently, so he won’t awake with the worst neck pain known to man. After making sure he was settled, you got to work.
First was unpacking boxes and then folding them back up to be dumped for later. You walked upstairs to each room, the home had 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, which for the market was nice. How Lohen “convinced” the realtor to take a second chance on this property, than the other “desirable ones”, you will never question.
-What he won’t tell you was the “my wife really likes this one, so I like this one. Get it.”, to the realtor, he did not threaten the man, only reassured him that you both wanted this property and did not care about the more “popular” options. Lohen just wanted to get the house, not worrying about the property value for if you were to resell, because why would you? This was your home. Duh. –
Each room had its own issues, some had squeaky doors that needed to be fixed, some dusty floors that needed to be cleaned and re-waxed. But the primary bedroom was what surprised you the most. It was in perfect condition when you came upstairs.
Bathroom was already clean, swept up properly, the floors were clean, everything was in order. All your boxes were in the room, stacked in order, Lohen’s were on the opposing side of the room. Without even thinking of it, you quickly head back downstairs.
Your footsteps on the stairs must have awoken him, because by the time you came back down, Lohen was wide awake, resting his head on the arm of the comfy sofa. His eyes followed you as you crawled up next to him, eyes squint to interrogate him. It was cute, he had to admit, he could see you trying to hide your happiness under your false “seriousness”.
“Did you really prepare the bedroom upstairs already? Even when I told you we could do it together, hm? Lohen?”, you poked at his chest, but he only lazily swatted your hand away. He was awake even when you moved away from him earlier, only staying still to give you the illusion of him sleeping.
“Hm? I have no Idea what you are talking about my beloved [name], whatever could you mean?”, he rolled his eyes away from you as you questioned him. He did, he totally did. Why? So, you two could have it easier today, a little grunt work was nothing for him.
Look, if he was going to slack off anywhere, let it be on his reports (something you have yet to clue in on, since he seals them all up to be sent to the Cardinal), but not on the comfort of his home. One he was sharing with you, even if it resulted in him being a little pulled thin, it was fine. For you he would, for anyone else? Not so much.
“While I thank you for doing it, I was hoping we could do it together, to y’know compromise on things and their placement?”, you frowned.
“And we still can, I just cleaned up the room to save us some trouble, your concern for me is too cute babe, but trust me it was no big deal.”, he shrugged, his hand slipped free of its confinement, coming to cup your face to reassure you. You leaned into it, huffing a little, perhaps even a small pout was on your lips.
Lohen freed his other hand from sleep, while still throbbing from being numb all night, he used his hands to cup your face, his eyes narrow towards yours. “Besides, you don’t need to be a worrywart right now, okay? Just think of it as a gift to you.”, he suggested.
“Another gift to me?”, you raised a brow.
“Yes.”, he doubled down.
“So, if this is a gift, so were the rings then? Right? Any gift has a price tag; won’t you tell me those?”, you pressed, leaning your face closer to his. Lohen rolled his eyes away again, thinking over it.
“Technically buying rings for your spouse is not a gift in the means of proposing marriage, matter of fact, what even if a gift, hm?”, he tried but you quickly stopped him from the argument of “the philosophy of a gift”.
“Ah, ah! No, if you tell me I’ll do anything, how much were the ring sets? Give me a ballpark number Lohen.”, you urged, your hands coming up to cup his cheeks, Lohen’s hands remove themselves from your face. He raised them in surrender.
Perhaps a ballpark number was in order.
“Alright, alright, since you’ll get on me later…I’ll give you a rounded number, but not exact price. Deal?”
You agreed. “Deal.”
“And I get anything I ask?”, he reaffirmed your demands, with another nod of agreement, he sighed.
“…. over or around 200 thousand mora. (200k)”
“…” you stared at him, just hopelessly staring.
“What.”
“Its fine, I had a savings account.”, he reasoned. Lohen for the first time, in a long time, felt anxious under your gaze.
“Lohen!”
“Its fine, you deserve it!”, he laughed as you pressed a finger to his chest.
“I do not!”
“Yes, you do! What kind of husband would I be not to buy my wife a good set of rings? Besides, the attendant at the counter made a good commission, and you get a good pair of rings. They look good on you, and on me.”, he knew if he added the “and me”, it would possible cool you down, but unfortunately not.
You groaned and pressed your face into his chest, your feet kicking in frustration.
“Our home costed just above 450k mora combined.”
“Which you happily paid, remember, you covered a lot of the finer details, which this makes us even. This house should be in your name.”, he soothed you over, a hand coming to your head, gently petting you. His tone was teasing, but he was right.
You did, even on a captains wage cover a lot of the inspections, documentation, and paid a bulk sum for a lot of the work during the house buying process. The only thing Lohen got to finalize on was the final payment to the realtor and housing agency.
“I did it so we could have a home, I didn’t mind dipping into my savings for you.”, you pouted but eased a little when you saw Lohen’s eyes. They held so much adoration for you, even if it was a means to get under your skin.
“See, then we’re even. You don’t need to feel in debt to me, babe. I already was willing to pay the price then, I told you.”, he pinched your cheek but shortly cupped your cheek.
“Yeah, but I don’t want to feel as if this is taking advantage of your kindness Lohen, you already do so much for me.”
“As do you.”, he reminded.
“How? Name a few?”
“Put up with me, you also married me for a job remember? That and being a good superior to me, a great friend, amazing partner and spouse-”, he started listing off.
“That’s all bare minimum however, I’d do those even if we weren’t in out predicament. You placed yourself with financial qualms since the beginning.”, you pointed out.
Lohen stopped speaking and looked at you, instead of trying to argue with you on it. (He could, going back and forth with you was somewhat funny.) Instead, he cupped your cheek and spoke, a tone firm and without doubt.
“Then I thank you for your bare minimum, to which I reward you with my best. You deserve it [name].”
You deserved a lot, really. Not only for your work, but just your personality. He feels he should spoil you a little, but he knows you would not take well to it. Instead, he decided to find a middle ground.
“Next time…I’ll tell you upfront, yeah? So, I won’t worry you as much.” He reasoned. Lohen could feel the emotions shift through you, but you did nod, agreeing.
“Fine, but it won’t mean I won’t make it up to you.”, you offered him a small smile. Lohen nodded, pecking a kiss to your cheek. You rested your head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
“For that, “anything I want”, can you make me roast for dinner this week?”, he asked, you nodded against his chest.
“Deal, we can go shopping later today.”, you yawned a little at the end of your sentence.
“Don’t tell me you’re about to go to sleep again?”, he frowned a little, you both just woke up. He feels your shoulders shake a little as you giggle.
“Can’t help it, your heartbeat is relaxing.”, you smiled.
“You could stab me to make it stop, that or give me a good scare. Since it relaxes you to sleep.”, you playfully, and somewhat gently give his side a good jab. He barely flinched, only mockingly going “ow”, while pinching your cheek.
“Never, hurting you would be like hurting apart of myself. I would never imagine doing such.”, you pushed off him, offering a hand for him to get up. Lohen happily takes it, pulling himself up with you, his hands come to rest on your hips.
“Aww, such a softie answer.”, he pouts a little. “Was so close to getting my captain to shooting me with a bow and arrow, that could be a good training regimen now that I think about it. We could even do it in the forests of Wolvendom too.”, Lohen had millions, yes millions of ideas of just you hunting him for sport.
The idea thrilled him to no end, even before the little roulette demonstration, he wanted some kind of challenge with you to chase after him. Challenging both of your skill sets. For him patience, you closer ranged combat.
But he knew like useful you’d either say “no”, or-
“One day, but no, not today.”, you answered.
But it was never an exact no, so who knows, maybe he will get lucky.
“Ah, then another day then.”, he sighed, leaning forward to hug you, resting his head on your shoulder.
“I’m starting to think you have a thing for the idea.”, you deadpanned, but your hands come to rub his back. He sighed again as your hands pressed to the small knots in his back from sleeping on that chair all night, that and the ones from the wooden floors.
“I do, if its you.”, he answered coyly, you rolled your eyes, not trying to take him seriously.
“We should really buy a bed today, I don’t think we both can take sleeping on the floor again.”, you noted. He nodded, pressing his face into your neck.
“We can today, or tomorrow, whenever, just let me know.”, he murmured. Lohen wasn’t paying as much attention as he wished he would, too focused on taking in your warmth. The memories? Or images from his dream were still dancing around, making him feel a little sensual this morning.
You didn’t question, instead just letting him relax for once. This upcoming week would be busy for both of you, you both having assignments from the Grandmaster which would have you both be separated. It would also be the explanation for why Lohen was so dead set on getting moved in now.
The operations concerning you both were in different places, you in the base around Dragonspine with a team of snipers, and Lohen was on a “special” operation himself. He couldn’t tell you just yet, but he did investigate your Dragonspine assignment, even offering to swap out (lazy), different recruits. (He wants to say lazy but reframes.)
You pulled away from him, offering to get the day started. He nods, letting you go as you head upstairs to get ready, while heading up the stairs, he calls for you.
“[Name]?”, he calls.
You pause on the steps, coming down to peak at him from the living room doorway, your ears awaiting his request, demand, anything. “Yes, Lohen?”
His eyes observe you, his eyes play tricks on him with the image from his dream. For a moment he is silent, but he shakes his head.
“You’re buying breakfast.”, you deadpan as he snickers, with a huff you agree and head upstairs to get ready. Meanwhile Lohen felt the butterflies in his stomach flutter, that or it was the building hunger that could no longer be satiated with food alone.
No, he knew what it was.
He just felt like a little coward for not telling you, he’s so close to this, he could taste it. But he had to withhold himself, just a little longer.
H picks up the living room a little, heading into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Having you like this was enough for now, but he knows soon he will need more. Soon his touches would beg for more, asking to hold you ask close as possible and never let the possibility of letting you go ever happen.
