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The cottage sat at the edge of Starfell Valley where the trees thickened enough to swallow the noise of Mondstadt whole. Ivy crawled over the stone walls in dark green spirals, silver bells hung from the eaves chiming softly whenever the wind brushed through them, and faint golden light glowed behind the round windows despite the late hour.

Inside, dried herbs hung from wooden beams in neat bundles. Lavender, mint, valberry leaves and more. Jars of powders and glowing fungi lined shelves beside simmering cauldrons, and the entire house smelled faintly of cedar smoke and flowers after rain.

She preferred it that way. Silent, warm, and calm, away from the city, far from the daily hustle and bustle, far from the endless bustle of knights and commissions and people who only ever sought witches when they needed something. Which, admittedly, was often. She enjoyed being alone in her own space, in her cottage accompanied by her ingredients, her books, her record player and her cat. And although she enjoyed solitude, there were some people in Mondstadt whom she liked, or at least tolerated much more than the rest.

Like Lisa, who always arrived with some dessert and gossip to share, as well as new books that might interest him.

Mona, who would go to see her for advice and support as if she were an older sister, while enjoying the food she prepared for her, knowing about the issue Mona had with money.

Jean, whom she adored for her tranquility, for the peace she transmitted to her every time she went to visit her at her home, especially since Varka’s return as she had a little more free time.

And Varka himself.

Although Varka had somewhat forced his way into her life, and unfortunately for her it was difficult to say no to him, he had become, much to her dismay, a good friend. Which was exactly why she had spent the last three days preparing medicinal tinctures and accelerated healing potions for the expedition team currently stationed far from Mondstadt.

The final vial clicked softly onto the wooden crate. “There,” she murmured, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Everything ready, I think I have everything Varka asked for,” she said to the air, even though it was just her and her cat there.

A soft meow answered from nearby, her black cat blinked lazily at her from atop the counter. “Yeah, I know, you don’t have to tell me,” she sighed. “He’s late, again, to no one's surprise.” He had promised he would retrieve the shipment before sundown, and the sky outside was already sinking into indigo.

After carefully finishing sealing the jar, she placed it to one side with the others, and then headed towards the stove to heat the kettle.

And it was then that she could perceive the sound of a series of footsteps, soft footsteps, almost mapped out on her garden patio, as if whoever was there was treading deliberately with too much care.

That wasn't Varka, the mere sound of the footsteps was more than enough to know it wasn't him, because Varka stomped around like the Anemo Archon himself had personally declared stealth illegal.

There was an intruder. No one went to that area, and those who did, her friends, usually warned her beforehand, no one appeared unannounced, and knights and travelers were advised to avoid that specific area.

Moving carefully, without making a sound and avoiding being seen through the window, she approached the kitchen counter where a dagger was resting next to the chopping board, gripping it tightly between her fingers. She could hear the sound of the wind ringing the bell outside, and along with that she heard the sound of the gate being opened, which was then preceded by the sound of footsteps again.

Her eyes narrowed and the air in the cottage changed immediately, dendro energy threading beneath her skin in quiet anticipation as she extinguished the lantern with a flick of her fingers. Through the window she could see the shadow of a figure, she couldn't glean too much information from it, but it was clear that it was a man, perhaps a little taller than her.

The sound of knocking on the door echoed through the place, the music that had previously filled the air was now completely silent, and his cat watched curiously from its spot, as if it were not a critical situation. For a few seconds there was silence, only the tinkling of the bells outside, and then the handle of the front door moved slightly, as if someone were trying to open it.

And the moment it opened, vines exploded from the wooden floorboards.

The man barely had time to react before thick green ivy snapped around his wrist and yanked him violently forward, his spear clattered across the floor. Another vine coiled around his ankle while a third wrapped around his waist hard enough to slam him against one of the support posts near the staircase. She hadn't even given him time to defend himself, quickly gaining control of the situation in her favor.

“What the hell— “

A stream of dendro that shout out of her made the vines' grip stronger, causing his body to slam against the post again, stealing a groan from his lips, before he opened his eyes disoriented, surprised.

The dagger she held in her hand rested near his neck, its edge gleaming in the rays of the setting sun. “Who the hell are you?” she said, bringing the dagger's edge closer to his neck, allowing him to feel the cold metal.

The stranger blinked once. Twice.

And then, to her utter disbelief, he smiled.

It wasn't a nervous or scared smile, but a real smile, as if he were enjoying the situation.

Her eyes narrowed further.

Slightly taller than her, broad-shouldered, silver-haired, with a mole under his right eye and with sharp eyes that should have looked intimidating if not for the fact he currently seemed entirely distracted by staring at her face, and that smile on his lips, as if he were living his best moment.

“…You’re not Varka,” she muttered, analyzing his face, looking for something that might tell her who the hell he was.

“No,” he agreed softly, with a voice that sound warm, the kind of voice that sounded entirely too amused for a man currently tied to a wooden post by aggressive magical ivy.

The vines tightened slightly around his arms when he shifted. But instead of complaining, of uttering a curse, of letting an expression of pain appear on his face, his smile deepened.

Something flickered across his face, something that seemed similar to enjoyment, entertainment, even pleasure.

Her brows slowly furrowed, confused by his reaction. “…Why are you looking at me like that?”

His gaze deliberately slid, slowly as if he were performing a detailed scan, from her face to the delicate, shimmering dendro vision hanging at her waist. And finally, he raised his gaze again, settling on her lips, unable to resist licking his own at the sight of those lips that seemed to beckon him.

“I am trying to decide,” he said, smooth as silk. “If getting attacked by beautiful witches is a common occurrence around this part of Mondstadt or if I’m uniquely fortunate.”

She watched him silently, the confusion more than evident in her gaze, which made everything more entertaining for him. For a few seconds they both remained silent, simply observing each other face to face, he being able to feel the cold of the dagger's edge still grazing his neck.

Then another vine snapped around his chest and tightened hard enough to pin him flatter against the post. His breath caught slightly, but not in pain. Not if she took into account the way his face had contorted in an expression of excitement, of anticipation, as if he were waiting to see what else she wanted to do to him. As if he even longed for it.

Archons preserve her.

Was he really enjoying being in that position with her? Wasn't it just a facade?

“You broke into my house,” she accused.

"I didn't even open the door," he said, as if that were nothing.

"That's still trespassing."

He tilted his head slightly, nodding. “Well... you have a point.” His eyes glittering, still smiling, still entirely too calm. Her grip on the dagger tightened.

“Who sent you?”

The question finally seemed to drag him slightly back to reality, though not much.

“Varka,” he answered immediately. “I am the Vice-Captain Lohen, Fifth Company of the Knights of Favonius.”

At the title, she hesitated slightly. Only slightly.

“And why,” she asked carefully, “would Varka send you here instead of coming himself as we had agreed?”

“To retrieve a shipment of healing tinctures, Varka was busy training the new recruits and sent me in his place.” His gaze flicked briefly toward the crate behind her before returning immediately to her face. “Though admittedly, he neglected to mention the part where I’d be assaulted upon arrival.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“You could always search my coat, feel around to see if I have anything unusual.” The way he said it made her narrow her eyes instantly.

“That sounded intentional, as if you really wanted me to do it.”

“It was, sweetheart.”

The bastard actually looked pleased with himself.

Her cat jumped onto a nearby shelf, tail swishing judgmentally while she continued glaring at him.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“Varka would have warned me.”

“That,” Lohen said, “does sound like something he should have done. But it seems that wasn't the case.” The ivy around his wrists shifted again as he adjusted experimentally, he looked down at the vines and then back at her. “…These are impressive, by the way, and very tight.” She raised an eyebrow, he was trapped under her control and now he was praising her? There was something wrong with that man, what he had in good looks he probably also had in his madness.

And something must have been very wrong with her too, because she felt a tingling in her stomach at that.

His smile widened. Archons, he was absolutely doing this on purpose.

“You enjoy being restrained?” she asked before she could stop herself, the question slipped out sharp and incredulous.

Lohen looked genuinely delighted by it. “Only under very specific circumstances.”

Heat flashed instantly across her face and his eyes immediately caught it, which only motivated him more.

“Oh, you’re blushing now,” he murmured, his tone full of mischief.

“You’re tied to a post.”

“And having a wonderful evening so far, sweetheart,” he smiled sincerely, to confirm his words. "Aren't you?"

She opened her mouth to respond when suddenly a shrill chime echoed through the cottage. Both of them glanced toward the table, a small device no larger than a lantern sat glowing softly and vibrating atop the wood. A modified dodocommunicator, with a small screen that allowed you to see who was on the other side.

The screen flickered and then Varka’s face appeared. “Well! There you are—”

She stared at him in disbelief, releasing her grip on the dagger to reach for the device, Lohen still tied up behind her.

“You.”

Varka blinked, then squinted. “…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You forgot to tell me you were sending someone,” she murmured,

“Oh.”

She raised an eyebrow, slightly moving the device to show Lohen that it was still attached to the post with glowing ivy, still smiling.

Seeing that, Varka burst out laughing, so loudly it crackled through the device. “Oh, this is incredible,” he said, laughing, moving closer to the device to try to see them better.

Lohen sighed deeply, without losing his smile, a playful sparkle in his eyes. “She’s very welcoming, another thing you forgot to mention Varka.”

“You deserved it,” she muttered.

“I absolutely did not,” Lohen shook his head, trying to look innocent, but his smile and mischievous gaze gave him away completely.

Varka was still laughing, actually wiping tears from his eyes. “This— this is the best thing that’s happened all week.”

“You could have warned me,” she snapped.

“I thought I did it, I swear.”

"It would have been useful to know that someone I didn't even know by sight was coming, so I wouldn't think they were trying to rob me."

"But— But he was wearing the knights' uniform, didn't you see?" Varka said, trying to get out of the situation, he knew how fierce she could be when she got angry.

"Oh, please Varka, as if anyone couldn't steal a uniform and pass themselves off as one, it wouldn't be the first time."

Varka sighed, knowing that she was right. “Okay, you’re right. Sorry, I forgot, but I was busy.”

She snorted. “Your favorite pastime is delegating your responsibilities to Jean, tell that story to someone else.”

Lohen made a very poorly concealed sound that suspiciously resembled a cough hiding laughter. His eyes watched her in wonder, he really liked that she didn't keep quiet about anything and stood up to even the Grand Master.

Varka pointed accusingly through the screen. “You're lucky I adore you, not everyone talks to me like that.”

She rolled her eyes, knowing that Varka cared for her too much to seriously reproach her, and all three of them were aware of the truth in her words when speaking of Jean. “How can you say that to me when you practically begged me to be friends? “

"Shhh, that had to stay between us! I have a reputation to uphold."

“Mhm, whatever you say Grand Master,” she blurted out with amusement, while Lohen continued to gaze at her in ecstasy, as if she were the most incredible person he had ever seen.

“So,” Varka said far too casually, “has Lohen caused any trouble?”

Lohen smiled lazily from where he remained restrained. “None whatsoever,” he said smoothly, eyes fixed entirely on her, almost as if Varka did not exist even though he was responding to him. “In fact, I’d say I’m more than fine, the company is… amazing.”

The implication hit instantly, heat rushed back into her cheeks. And Varka, being so perceptive, of course noticed it.

“Oh, this is even better than I thought.”

“Varka,” she warned.

“What? I’m just saying—“ he began in a playful tone. “The least you can do after attacking the poor man is invite him in for tea.”

"I want to make it clear that I wasn't bothered at all by being attacked by her," Lohen interjected, causing her to turn and look at him, her eyes widening in disbelief. "It was a pleasant surprise."

"For Archon's sake, what kind of people are they accepting into the Knights now? Is there some kind of test to see how mentally unstable they are?” she murmured, still feeling the blush rising up her neck and face, and that tingling again in her belly. "This one here isn't right”

Lohen's laughter, deep and seductive, reached her ears, and judging by the reaction it caused in her, seeing his face out of the corner of her eye and thinking how attractive he looked like that, she wasn't right either.

Varka nearly choked laughing again. “I don't know what you're talking about,” Varka wheezed. “He’s fine! I'd even say he's doing more than well, look at his face, it looks like it's his birthday.”

“This is your fault.”

“Yeah,” Varka agreed cheerfully. “But now you have to deal with the consequences.”

Lohen shifted slightly against the vines again. “No rush,” he said. “I’m quite comfortable.”

She shot him a look, noticing that he looked unbearably pleased with himself.

Varka grinned knowingly from the communicator. “Well,” he said, voice suddenly suspiciously innocent. “Good luck to both of you.”

The screen went black before either of them could respond and silence filled the cottage again. The two of them were alone, because even her cat had left, leaving her with the knight.

Slowly, she turned back toward Lohen. Still tied up, still extremely handsome, still staring at her like she had personally descended from Celestia to ruin him, as if she were a dessert he eagerly wanted to taste.

"You seem too comfortable in your position, even having the nerve to flirt with me so shamelessly,” she said, taking a step towards him, noticing how his gaze seemed to darken, the black of his pupil overshadowing the color.

"I can stop if you want," he replied quietly, seriously.

“…You sound disappointed by the idea.”

“I am.”

Another pulse of warmth spread across her face at his words and the ease with which he uttered them.

With a sigh, she lifted her hand. The ivy loosened immediately, unwinding from his wrists and torso before retreating slowly across the floorboards. Lohen rolled one shoulder once he was free, stretching his arms slightly, and then he bent to retrieve his spear. But instead of immediately stepping away, he walked directly toward her, slowly, deliberately, as if he were a hunter stalking his prey, until only inches remained between them.

Her breath caught despite herself, he was even taller when he wasn't tied up and stood in front of her like that. One gloved hand gently took hers before she could react. Then, with effortless elegance, Lohen bowed slightly and pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles, his eyes never left hers.

“I should tell you,” he murmured. “There’s usually a dinner involved before I let someone tie me up.”

Her lips twitched despite every effort to remain serious. “Oh, really?”

What was she doing? Why was she playing along?

“Mhm,” his thumb brushed lightly against the back of her hand. “Though for you, I’d be willing to reverse the order.”

He was a dangerous man, clearly out of his mind, but that didn't make him any less attractive, any less captivating. It's not like she was entirely sane, after all, she was a witch. And she could play hard to get all she wanted, but she was more than aware that she liked all of it, it made him far more interesting than any other man who had ever tried to approach her before.

She laughed softly then, unable not to. At that moment, with that image before his eyes, Lohen discovered that there were simpler ways to ruin a man completely than with magic, like her laughter for example.

“You use lines like that often?”

Lohen tilted his head thoughtfully. “No,” he said honestly. “You’re actually the first woman who’s ever pinned me to a post with magical vines.”

“…What an honor.”

“It truly is.”

The way he looked at her made warmth curl low in her stomach. Not playful now, not entirely, there was still teasing there but beneath it sat genuine fascination, wonder, like he genuinely could not believe she existed.

“And,” he continued softly, stepping just slightly closer, “if I’m particularly lucky… perhaps the last and only one.” Her pulse skipped, while his gaze dropped briefly to her mouth and the returned to her eyes. “…Though,” he added, voice lowering. “I certainly wouldn’t object if it happened again under different circumstances.”

The implication in his tone sent heat rushing through her all over again. She tilted her head slightly.

“Careful, Vice-Captain.”

“Mhm?”

“You sound very eager to end up restrained again.”

Lohen smiled slowly. “If it’s by you?” he murmured. “Absolutely. No victory on the battlefield has ever felt as incredible as that, and I love to fight.”

Archons.

She should throw him back outside. Instead, she found herself stepping closer too, close enough now to catch the faint scent of leather, steel and cedar clinging to him. Close enough to notice the way his breathing subtly changed when her fingers lightly brushed the front of his uniform.

“Maybe,” she said softly, “next time you should announce yourself before entering a witch’s home.”

“Maybe,” Lohen replied, eyes darkening with amusement, “next time I’ll intentionally forget, if that leads me to this.”

A laugh escaped her before she could stop it. And judging by the utterly smitten look on his face, Lohen seemed to decide right then and there that he had just won the lottery.

She should have stepped away, that was the sensible thing to do. Instead, she stayed exactly where she was, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from him, close enough to notice the smug little curve of his mouth every time her gaze flickered briefly toward it.

Lohen looked entirely too pleased for a man who had been ambushed twenty minutes ago.

Though, admittedly, he also looked entirely too handsome leaning there in the middle of her cottage with his spear resting casually against one shoulder and ivy leaves still caught in the silver strands of his hair. One of the vines had even left faint green marks along his wrists.

His eyes caught her staring, the bastard smiled immediately. “You’re admiring your work.”

“I'm considering whether I should tie you up again and, while I'm at it, shut you up for a bit.” 

“Making me promises already, sweetheart?”

He was danger, a temptation made flesh.

A breath of laughter escaped her despite herself. Lohen’s expression softened slightly at the sound, like hearing her laugh had done something irreversible to him. Which, honestly, judging by the way he kept looking at her maybe it had.

The kettle in the kitchen began whistling softly, but neither of them moved. Then finally, she tilted her head toward the doorway.

“Well,” she said lightly, “since Varka apparently volunteered me to entertain his Vice-Captain…” Lohen’s brows lifted with immediate interest. “…I suppose I can allow you inside for tea.”

“Just tea?” he asked smoothly.

The look she gave him was slow and deliberate. “Oh,” she murmured, turning toward the kitchen, “I imagine that depends entirely on your behavior.”

The man nearly looked like he stopped breathing.

She could feel his stare burning into her back as she walked away, entirely aware of the sway of her hips beneath the loose fabric of her dress. And when she glanced back over her shoulder, Lohen was still standing there staring at her like she had personally rewritten the laws of Teyvat.

“…Vice-Captain?”

He blinked once, dragged violently back to reality. “Right,” he said hoarsely. “Yeah. Tea. Of course.”

She smiled faintly to herself and disappeared into the kitchen. A second later, she heard him murmur under his breath: “I’m going to marry this woman.”

Her lips twitched instantly. “You know I can hear you, right?”

“Good,” Lohen replied without a shred of shame.

She laughed softly again as she began preparing the tea set.

Behind her came the quiet sound of boots against wooden floors before his presence settled near enough to send warmth curling along the back of her neck. He leaned one shoulder against the doorway, arms crossed loosely now, watching her with utterly shameless admiration.

“So,” she asked while reaching for the teacups, “do all Knights of Favonius flirt this aggressively after being threatened with a dagger?”

“No,” Lohen said immediately.

“Just you?”

“Just me when I’m standing in a candlelit cottage with a beautiful witch who tied me to a post and then invited me inside afterward.”

“…You make that sound strangely romantic.”

“It was strangely romantic.”

She glanced sideways at him. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet,” he said smoothly, stepping closer, “you still invited me in.”

That low warmth returned to her stomach instantly.

Arrogant man.

Though the way he looked at her, like she was something precious, something devastating. Something he already wanted more of… It made it very difficult to stay unaffected.

She handed him a teacup, their fingers brushed. Lohen looked down at their hands briefly before meeting her eyes again. "Did you put something strange in this?" he asked, looking down at the teacup.

"No... what would I gain from that? A body I'd have to get rid of? I'm not in the mood to bury someone today."

No enchantment or potion had ever ruined a man this quickly before, and she managed it even without casting a single spell.

“Well... anyway, if I die tonight,” he said solemnly, “I want it officially recorded that I died the happiest man in Mondstadt.”

Her brows lifted. “That dramatic already?”

“You attacked me, pinned me against a wall, looked at me like you might kill me, then invited me into your house afterward.” He took a slow sip of tea without breaking eye contact. “I found the woman of my dreams.”

She laughed under her breath, shaking her head. “You don’t even know me, Lohen.”

“I know enough, sweetheart.”

“And what exactly do you know?”

Lohen stepped closer again, close enough now that she had to tilt her head slightly upward to hold his gaze. “I know,” he murmured, “that you’re beautiful when you’re angry.” Heat flickered across her cheeks. “I know you live alone in the middle of nowhere because peace matters more to you than attention.” His fingers brushed lightly against her wrist. “I know you’re powerful enough to disarm a knight twice your size without hesitation.”

His voice dropped lower.

“And I know,” he continued softly, eyes darkening with unmistakable intent, “that every time you threaten me, I like you more.”

Her breath caught slightly, that man was impossible. Impossibly irresistible.

“Careful,” she whispered.

“With?”

“You’re looking at me like you plan on staying.”

Lohen smiled slowly. “If you keep looking back at me like that,” he said, “I may never leave.” It was no longer the vines on his wrists that kept him there in the cottage, but her, with her words, her gaze, her smile...

Silence settled between them then. Warm, heavy and charged.

The candles flickered softly around the room, golden light dancing across his face while the wind outside rattled gently through the ivy climbing the cottage walls.

Neither of them moved away.

Lohen simply kept looking at her with that same devastating expression, amused, fascinated, hungry. Like he still couldn’t quite believe she was real.

And the feeling was becoming dangerously mutual.

“You’re staring again,” she murmured softly.

“I know.”

“At least you’re self-aware.”

“I don’t think self-awareness is helping me much right now.”

A quiet laugh escaped her.

Lohen visibly melted at the sound of it, actually melted. His shoulders loosened, his smile softened, and for one brief moment the shameless flirting slipped enough for her to catch something unexpectedly genuine underneath all that confidence.

He was completely gone for her already.

That realization sent a dangerous little thrill through her chest.

She took a slow sip from her teacup without looking away from him.

“What exactly is going through your mind right now, Vice-Captain?”

Lohen exhaled a soft breath through his nose. “You truly want an honest answer?”

“That depends. Is it scandalous?”

“Extremely.”

Her lips twitched upward. “Then there's no doubt that I want to know.”

He set his teacup down carefully onto the counter beside him before stepping closer again. Not rushed, not hesitant either, just certain, until there was barely any space left between them at all.

“I think,” he said slowly, voice low and warm enough to send heat down her spine, “that if you asked me to stay here forever, I would.”

Her breath caught slightly despite herself and judging by the look in his eyes… He noticed. Of course he noticed.

“You’re very bold for a man who got overpowered in under a minute.”

Lohen grinned lazily. “In my defense, I was distracted.”

“By what?”

“You,” the answer came instantly, too instantly. Like there had never been any other possibility. His gaze dipped briefly to her mouth again before returning to her eyes.

“And now,” he continued softly, “I’m standing in a witch’s cottage drinking tea while she looks at me like she’s deciding whether to kiss me or ruin my life.”

“Maybe both.”

His smile widened immediately. “Archons,” he murmured. “Please, I would gladly submit to that, to you.”

Heat curled low in her stomach at the sound, the confidence, the teasing in his tone. The fact he somehow made wanting her sound almost reverent.

Her fingers toyed absently with the edge of her teacup before she tilted her head slightly. "Don't you think people will start talking if they see you've been gone for so long?"

“I intend to stay much longer than I already have… If you’ll have me.”

“And the shipment for Varka?”

“He can wait,” he quickly dismissed the matter.

“You’re abandoning your duties?”

“More like I’m prioritizing my future.”

That made her laugh again, softer this time. Lohen looked entirely too pleased with himself for causing it. Then his expression shifted subtly as his eyes traced over her face once more. Slower now, more intent, while his hand brushed gently against hers where it rested near the counter.

“I’m fairly certain I’ve found the woman I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life bothering.”

She watched him, raising an eyebrow.  “That quickly?”

“I’m efficient.”

“You’re insane.”

“I’m in love already, actually, but insane probably too.”

That one caught her off guard enough that she actually looked away for a second, smiling helplessly despite herself. Lohen noticed that too, his voice softened immediately. “There it is again.”

“What?”

“That look,” his thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles. “The one that makes me want to stay.”

The warmth in her chest deepened dangerously.

Archons, this man.

She should have been alarmed by how quickly he affected her.

Instead, she found herself stepping even closer until the fabric of his uniform brushed lightly against her sleeves.

Close enough now that his breathing slowed.

Close enough that his eyes darkened instantly.

Her voice dropped softer.

“Careful, Vice-Captain,” for archon’s sake, how he loved it when she referred to him that way.

“With you?”

“Mhm.”

Lohen smiled slowly.

“I don’t think careful is a word in my vocabulary, sweetheart.”

Then his gaze flickered toward the hallway leading deeper into the cottage before returning to her face with unmistakably sinful amusement.

“…So,” he murmured, “is this the part where we continue pretending you invited me in only for tea?”

Heat flooded straight through her and he looked devastatingly satisfied by the reaction.

The smug bastard.

She reached up slowly, fingers curling around the front of his uniform near the collar. And then, leaning just enough to brush her lips near his ear, she whispered, “That depends.”

Lohen went completely still. “On?”

Her nails dragged lightly against his chest as she pulled back just enough to meet his gaze again. “Whether you behave,” she murmured. The sound that left him was somewhere between a laugh and complete surrender.

“Archons, I will be the most obedient man if you ask me to,” Lohen breathed, staring at her like she was something catastrophic for his self-control. “You do realize I’m completely at your mercy now, right?”

Her brows lifted faintly, amused. “Oh?”

“Mhm,” his hands settled loosely at her waist, careful despite the heat simmering in his gaze. “I’m serious. I don’t think there’s anything you could ask of me tonight that I wouldn’t do.”

A slow smile curved against her lips. “That sounds dangerous.”

“For me? Absolutely.”

She hummed softly, her fingers still curled around the front of his uniform. “And if I asked you to get on your knees?”

The answer came immediately. “I would.”

No hesitation, no embarrassment, just complete and devastating sincerity. Lohen had met plenty of witches before and none of them had ever made him willing to kneel without using magic.

The heat that rushed through her nearly made her lose composure entirely.

Lohen noticed instantly, looking unbearably pleased with himself.

“And if I told you to stay?” she asked softly.

“I’d stay.”

“To leave Mondstadt behind?”

“I’d pack my things tonight.”

“To jump?”

“I’d ask how high while already doing it.”

A laugh escaped her before she could stop it.

Lohen looked completely ruined by the sound, smiling like he’d just been handed the greatest treasure in Teyvat. “There,” he murmured quietly, almost dazed. “That laugh again. Archons, I’m finished.”

“You’re dramatic.”

“I’m devoted… to you,” the words landed warmer than they should have. Especially with the way he was looking at her now, teasing still, yes, but underneath it sat something frighteningly genuine. Like he truly meant every word.

His forehead dipped lightly against hers. “And the worst part,” he murmured softly, “is that I don’t even mind.”

Her fingers slid slowly up the front of his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall beneath the fabric of his uniform. “No?”

“Not even a little,” his smile turned dangerously soft. “I think you could ruin my entire life and I’d thank you for it afterward.”

She shook her head, laughing quietly under her breath.

“Looks like you fell hard, uh?”

“I fell the moment you pinned me against that post.”

“And here I thought knights were supposed to resist danger.”

“Oh, I fully intend to surrender to this one.” The warmth in her chest deepened helplessly at that. Then Lohen’s gaze flickered once more toward the hallway deeper inside the cottage before returning to her with shameless intent.

It should’ve concerned him how quickly he became obsessed with her. Instead, Lohen found himself hoping it would only get worse.

“!? LOHEN?? ”

Your voice booms throughout the whole house, causing Lohen to raise a confused brow before setting aside his newly brewed cup of coffee to face you over the kitchen counter.

“Oh? You're finally here.” Lohen hums in a singsong tone, ignoring your currently confused state. He folds his arms over the counter and slightly bends over surface, exposing even more of his already exposed chest to your frightened eyes. “What a shame that I can't accompany you to the training grounds today. My presence is required elsewhere to keep the new recruits on their toes. Grandmaster’s orders and all.”

Lohen's words go in one ear before going out the other ear. Every ounce of your dying attention trails down from his open chest to the black vest hugging his figure tightly like hands pressing into skin, tightly shaping his lithe, agile body that had grown some muscle from that long five year expedition he went on. The long, dark belt wrapped around his small waist nearly made you gasp like a scandalised maiden. Is it normal for someone to be jealous of a belt? Is it also normal to want to replace said belt with your own hands around his waist? Please? Pretty please?

“I can hear you, you know?”

The smirk on Lohen's face widens as your jaw drops onto the floor. While you scramble to find the words to excuse your leering gaze pointed towards at your own vice captain, Lohen lifts himself off the counter and waltzes in your direction, keeping his eyes on you to pin you in your spot (as if you can go anywhere when your jaw is still on the floor).

Oh my archons he's coming here. He's swaying his hips while coming over here. Surely it's illegal for a man to look so dangerous and seductive at the same time right? Right??

Slowly, gradually, he makes his way to you and lifts your chin up with one hand. His long fingers, no longer restrained by his old gloves, carefully trace your jawline with reverence, leaving a path of lingering warmth of your flushed face that looks ready to explode at any moment. How delicate they look— these fingers that have ended countless lives are now cradling your face like a priceless jewel, taking care of you with hands that have held more weapons more preciously than any precious gemstone.

“Look at you. Even without being able to read your thoughts, I can still hear you as clear as day~”

Lohen leans in closer and brushes his mouth against your earlobe. His lips are dry, the consequences of always being exposed to the cold air out in the wild without taking proper care of them— yet that doesn’t stop him from blowing hot air into your ear. He laughs when you jump in surprise and uses his other hand to pin you in place, roughly squeezing your shoulder to keep you from running away.

“Tell me. What part of my body excites you the most? Is it my chest? My waist? My hands?” He muses. “If you tell me, I might let you have a taste of me before we leave. How does that sound?”

You choke, too taken aback to say a word. Why did he have to make it sound so dirty when nothing was going to happen!?

“Vice cap—”

You barely manage to get his title out before Lohen's lips are on you, silencing every sentence that you had fought to piece together.

Turns out, the air in his lungs aren’t the only thing hot inside of his body. His tongue (the same one you've seen used to snap back at your shared comrades with cold remarks) finds an opening past your lips and leaves a blazing path in its wake, claiming your mouth with the same dominance he shows on the battlefield. With a tilt of his head, he pushes himself deeper inside you, keeping you on your toes as he fights his way into your self conciousness, forcefully filling your thoughts with him and only him with his kisses.

“Tch, not enough…”

Lohen pulls away and clicks his tongue for a brief moment before sealing his lips on top of yours again. This time, he pushes your body to the closest wall and crushes you between it and his body, letting you feel the thin belts dangling loosely around his thighs and his thigh strap all digging into your flesh at once. The rough manuever causes strands of his teal blue hair to fall out of his hair, brushing against your face like a paintbrush drawing on a blank canvas.

A sane person might call this feeling overwhelming but none of you can truly be called sane right now. Not when one of you is currently battling with the forces of gravity to pull you inside of him, while the other of you is letting him do it.

He doesn't give you time to breathe, doesn't want to. His hands grip your hands with the force of a bow with its string pulled, pressing you against the wall until you are squeezed to his body as tightly as possible like the belt you were oh so jealous of. He doesn't even try to pull away with his head starts to feel dizzy from the lack of air. The exhilaration and excitement pushes him to take more, take everything that belongs to you and keep it for himself.

It doesn't come as a surprise to anyone when you showed up to the orientation late with a few bright hickies blooming on your neck.

【Bonus】

“So, why are you dressed like that!?”

You finally manage to ask the one question you have been dying to know.

While you frantically try to find your lost clothing scattered all across his floor, Lohen leisurely buttons up the few buttons on his shirt while humming.

“Like I said, grandmaster's orders. Instead of greeting the new recruits like everyone else, I've been tasked with testing the new recruits. To ensure that they don't pose a threat to the knights nor Mondstadt. ”

“... Did he also ask you to dress in your old adventurer’s clothes, or was that a decision you made on your own?”

“Hm, who knows~ But if I had earlier known that you liked this outfit so much, I would've worn them in front of you much sooner.”

“Please don't. I'm begging you.”