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Needless to say, they did absolutely nothing and the maniac has continued to torture you by popping up at your door, sitting at your chair, sometimes even just outright laying down your bed. “When did you become part of this household?” “You mean how I got your key? Don’t worry about it, little mage. You adore me, anyway.” Oh, you could just rip his hair out.

It might be the first time you’ve ever wanted Alice’s experiment to be repeated. Unfortunately, you can’t exactly threaten the life of a skilled warrior and go against your own principles solely because he was annoying.

You really did just have to suck it up and adapt. Which shouldn’t be that hard. Except of course, it very much is.

Right now, Lohen found himself sitting right beside your work station, nudging every once in a while. He heard you murmur a while back, “Do you not have work to do?” but he chose to ignore it for the sake of not being kicked out. Instead, he observes.

You were busy practicing a type of magic you’d found fascinating. You’ve never had the chance to learn it until Alice gave you the key a few days ago—to try and make up for giving you the Vice Captain.

“In my defense, dear, I tried telling you it was him! You cut me off, so it’s your fault.” What a way to deflect the blame!

“Say…” Oh no, he’s speaking again. You sighed and turned your gaze toward him, setting your hands on the table. You probably needed a break, anyway. “What.” “Don’t be like that! I’m trying to offer myself as a test subject, here.”

“Excuse me?” Did you hear it right? Probably, given that he’s all smiles as he chewed gum (you don’t even know where he got it, really). “You’re trying something, yes? I’m a very willing torture— erm, test subject. No grudges.” He held his hand up, swearing as he grinned.

“Do you even know what I’m trying to do?” You sighed, clicking your tongue as you rested your chin on your palm, looking at him in distaste.

He’d be lying if he said that gaze of yours didn’t do anything near making his heart skip. Ah..I should focus. “Given who your mentor is, something probably bordering dangerous.” He tried shrugging it off in an attempt to conceal the slight shake in his voice. He’s excited. He’ll probably end up unable to function properly for at least 3 days.

You hummed in agreement. Can’t argue with that. “Still..you have duties as a Vice Captain, right? Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you that. Are you sure you have time to be hanging around with me like this? Well, leeching.” His smile faltered a little before it went back to normal, “I’m quite free. Besides..” he leaned closer, “I’m yours, anyway.”

Shivering lightly, you pushed him by the chest. That does no good to the heart. Proximity is dangerous, treat it with care. “I believe we’ve already established you’re not a rabbit and you’re not my pet.” He rolled his eyes, murmuring softly to himself, “not what I meant.” before recovering to a better heard voice. “Does it not increase your chances? Of success?” “Again, you don’t even know—“ “Then say it already.” He sounded a bit exasperated now.

Now, you’re not as eccentric as your mentor nor the other Hexenzirkel members. But, you had to be, to some degree, to even be accepted as an apprentice. To be someone who challenged fate itself, someone who can promise change.

Thus, you’re no different in terms of desires. You’ve been trying different ways of magic, typically similar to your mentor, but less hazardous to people or were-people. And lately, you’ve been interested in Alchemy and Environmental Engineering. Which brings you to your current experiment: a device, life-form, or even simply a potion that can alter a space or land into a better version of itself. A direct opposition of the Withering found in the wilderness of Sumeru, something that creates improvement rather than help innovation. However, a device would be better. You’re not about to risk utilizing the art of khemia, nor do you want to go for something as simple as a potion.

Lohen’s eyes scanned you for a moment as a small pout almost reached his lips. “You’re taking too long to answer.” That seemed to snap you back to reality, as you looked at him once again. “I’m thinking of creating something that can be attached to humans. A device to improve the land they’re walking on.” You respond while in deep thought still, gears turning and turning to find the best possible way to make it happen.

“How..benevolent.” He hoped it was something like an explosive device. Well..experiments ought to still show unfortunate results. “As I’ve said, I don’t mind being used.” You hate how his voice seems to sound excited at the end of his sentence. “A flawed device is prone to explosion. You’d end up losing a limb.”

“Sounds fun.”

-

“Lohen!” Your voice rang out and echoed in the silence of the forest, startling the animals that quietly gathered. This included the boar, which you currently have the appetite to fucking eat, that attacked the device that was strapped on Lohen’s ankle. Obviously, it exploded.

Your worried voice sounded so tantalizing to him. Better than he thought it would. He was fine—quick enough to use his spear in taking it off of him before it did any real damage to his ankle.

But you didn’t need to know that.

Panting from running as fast as you could, you cleared out the smoke coming from the device, eyes immediately trying to discern his current state.

Lohen looked somewhat pained (you’re not sure if it’s that or he’s actually excited), breathing sometimes coming out in quiet gasps (really, hopefully from pain). “How much does it hurt? Did the boar bite you in any way, as well?” Your questions were hurried but logical, as you tried to be. Kneeling beside him, your face contorted with nervous anticipation. You still couldn’t quite see the damage yet. Somehow, a piece of cloth is covering the ‘wound’.

“It’s not too bad..” he says after a while with a grunt, biting his lip. Then, he signaled you to come closer with his hands before it found yours, grasping. You let him entwine his hands with yours without thinking much of it. “What is it? Your pain tolerance should be high enough. Wait here, I’ll try and make a heal—“ “Little mage, listen.” He cut you off, resting his forehead with yours. Your eyes looked at him with quiet regret. This is exactly what you told him would happen.

Still, you waited for his words as he closed his eyes every now and then, seemingly collecting himself.

After around 10 minutes passed with you two being on the same position, it was starting to get suspicious. You didn’t yet have it in you to remove his hold on your hand as it could very much be something to ease the pain, but his choice of look was starting to feel strange. Did he have to rest his head on your forehead like that? Eventually, the proximity and physical contact got you as you felt heat rise from your neck and to your cheeks and ears, gulping. This is not what you should be feeling in this situation.

As you contemplated whether or not you should move and say something, a few minutes had passed once again. This time, Lohen’s composure fully broke. “Are you that worried for me, little mage?” “Obviously! Look, come on and get up—“ “hold me, then.” “You don’t sound pained at all?!”

You were nearing your wit’s end when his other hand, the one not holding yours, removed the cloth covering the ankle where the device was attached. Aside from the fabric itself being somewhat torn, he looked completely fine. Was he bluffing? You couldn’t be too sure yet, and you’d rather not risk accusing someone to be faking pain.

“..how did it not..?” Your confusion was adorable, he thought. “I do believe I avoided the actual explosion.” You nodded and gulped, relief flooding your senses before you tried standing up, only to feel his hand grip yours tightly. “A-ah, it does still hurt, you know?” He’s quite the terrible actor, given that his expression shows he very much wasn’t in pain. You grunt, “Does it now?” He nodded, trying his best to fake a frown despite the smile gnawing at his lips. You sighed deeply.

Whatever it is he’s trying to gain from this, he did still help you. So you suck it up once again, lifting his arm and letting it rest upon your shoulders as you helped him get up.

By the time you were back in your humble home, you’d have heard the endless tales of his battles. All you got from it was that he was reckless, really. Still, you sat him atop your bed as you collapsed beside him as well. He basically had you carry him, the way you had to drag his weight! He grinned, lying down as well. “Well? The pain?” Ah, right. “Subsided.” You hummed, “great. Thanks, you can leave.” His eyes widened slightly as he tried to wince. “O-ow..? Uh, not that much.” Oh, great. Suddenly it’s not bearable.

“And what will help?” Absolutely nothing, you surmise. There’s no cure for his insanity. “I think…” he began, thinking for a moment before your sight changed from the side of your bedroom into his something harder. Like a chest. Like, his chest. Why do you always somehow find yourself in this situation, you wonder?

“This, probably.” He continued as he sighed in relief, trying to keep his chuckle to himself as his hands wrapped yours around him. “It’s not a very effective way of healing, I’ll have you know.” You mumbled against him as you tried distancing. He snickered, “Really? Don’t lie to me, little mage. Last time I experienced this I turned back into a human.” Like hell that’s a legitimate solution! Before you could respond, he sat upright, sitting you on his lap as well as he inhaled your scent. His arms wrapped you, making himself comfortable as he sat back. His subordinates can rest for a while before he trains them. They probably need it, anyway.

“Did you know? Some members of the knights said that they once found an abandoned building, and when they decided to check, there were torn clothes all over the place–blood too!”

“You mean to say it’s a murder sight?”

“No, no. Apparently it only happens during the fifth night of the month. Two figures can be seen duking it out!”

“Yeah! No one knows what it is, some tried to get closer but ended up with literal cuts, sometimes poison..I say it’s the Wild Hunt.”

And now, the story goes: the will of two past fighters have awakened during the disaster, and now have decided to settle the score hundreds of years later.

At least, that’s what every normal citizen believes.

Unfortunately for two leaders, Grand master Varka and Starshyna Nikita, it’s just two of their soldiers going at it.

Lohen, the known battle eccentric of the fifth company, had met you, a Ratniki without much known origin, during the fifth night of the month while out on patrol.

Now it was the 6th time of your nonverbally-agreed but sequential meetings.

Once again, you started walking towards the location, remembering the details of the day vividly in your mind.

It was a dark knight full of fog, and you had just finished off the remaining wild hunt that suddenly appeared in the area: naturally, you were tired and weakened. But that was no excuse for a soldier to not dodge a sudden dagger, digging into the stone wall right beside your head. You glanced at it for a moment, eyes narrowing to the peculiar item..a dagger doused in poison. Not something you see everyday. Good thing it didn’t touch you.

Then, something emerged in the shadows. Sighing, you looked around and evaluated the situation:

First, whatever the enemy is, it couldn’t be the Wild Hunt. You’ve never heard cases of it making an entirely new weapon to kill people with.

Second, whatever the enemy is, based on the fog surrounding and hiding its face..it’s humanoid. And has great aim. You’d have to find out if it was intentional that you’re still alive.

Lastly, whatever the enemy is, it’s taking too goddamn long to step out and show itself. Probably the type to enjoy making its target suffer.

Your train of thought was cut short the second the enemy stepped forward— to your neck. Fast. It’s fast. But human, in the way it spoke in your ear in the split second before you moved to the side. “Oh? A lightkeeper?”

You almost rolled your eyes. Judging from its stature and attire, it was a knight. Great.

You’ve always found them unnerving. Especially the Grandmaster. Too friendly, too cheerful for people facing danger.

That fight ended in a draw, that’s what you believe. The knight, now you know as Lohen, was a formidable foe. You’re still not sure if he’s keeping you at arms length solely to fight, that he could beat you in any moment. But there’s no use trying to figure it out. It still serves as good training, even if he sees it more as torture.

Besides, it would hurt your pride too much if you lost to a duel with the other so-called heroes of your nation. Archons forbid the amount of rumors building up about you worsens in Piramida, you can already imagine them saying how a Ratnik who’s so above their self got thrown around by a knight. Fuck them, you say.

“I must say, you look good when you’re pissed.” Your head snapped towards the direction of the sound in surprise, only to find yourself already in your destination and Lohen sitting atop some stone debris, head tilted with his face painted in that smile of his that pisses you off even more. Yeah, fuck him, too.

You scoffed, “and you’d look better when you’re actually trying to be civil. Ever tried that?” Lohen laughed shortly at that, jumping off where he was to make his way in front of you. “I’m plenty civil! Can’t be a knight in shining armor if I can’t be kind to people, yeah?” Sighing, you shook your head. “Right. Which reason are you here for now? Taunting me? Killed some monsters nearby and found yourself here? Got lost and decided to stick around?”

Lohen’s eyes narrowed as his expression shifted ever so slightly. “Waiting for you and your weapon, clearly.” Yeah, yeah, whatever. “Still,” he continued, “I could say the same to you. Why are you here, keeper of light?” “Lightkeeper.” “Same thing.”

Huffing, you tossed aside your cloak and other unnecessary clothing, leaving you on something that’s more comfortable when it came to combat. “Here to shut you up, obviously.” Stretching, your glare did nothing to make him feel at least a little scared or wary. Personally, he really found your scowl attractive.

“Hmm. Well, I do hope you do.” Lohen says with a slight smirk, voice lower than usual as he studies your movements.

There’s something about you getting ready to fight that really makes the heat in his body swirl. Everything about you suddenly seems to catch his eye and shoots the emotions straight to his lower half. The glaring expression, too. So fierce. So brave, so tenacious, unrelenting even while getting beaten and cut all over.

His sultry gaze is interrupted by his own dagger returning to the right side of his feet. When did you get that? He didn’t have much time to ponder as he dodged the next one. Lohen grinned, quickly pulling the weapons out of the ground and jumping back atop the stone. “I wasn’t quite ready, you know. Have some manners.” Scoffing, you stood exactly where you were as you frowned. “I was kindly returning your daggers and suddenly I have no manners?” He chuckled at that. “I suppose I’ll take it back, then. Can’t have my dear fighting partner suddenly storm back due to frustration.”

You clicked your tongue. This guy was infuriating, alright. Caught all your attention— bad. You couldn’t kill him, but you wanted to leave a cut that scars this time. Preferably around the hand he likes waving around weapons so much with.

Then he spoke. “How about we make a deal?” Your brow raised, sighing in contempt. “With what reward?”

Lohen’s head tilted as he looked down at you, eyes gleaming with nothing but what you would call mischief. “If you win..well, you can choose what you want to do.” Even me, he thought. “But if I win…”

“You’re going through the Lohen special training. Deal?” Fair. Seems fair enough.

So you strike.

-

Lohen, thus far, has only defended himself from being fatally attacked. He chose to let some hits of yours land, just to feel the pain. He’s been holding back the urge to throw a shot here and there, but he opts to bite his lip until it almost bleeds instead. Your movements may have gotten worse, but it only gets him going.

He wonders if you’re gonna end up limping after this, due to fatigue. That’d be a nice sight. The way his breathing got heavier doesn’t go unnoticed by you, but with the way your brows met and you were concentrating, he doubts you’re caring much besides the fact he’s not fighting.

Though apparently you cared enough to ask him frustratedly. “What? Too weak for you to try, captain? Not worth the effort?” Oh, your ego must have been bruised. His bad, his bad. If you wanted him to strike so much..well, how good of a knight is he if won’t obey?Then, with a grin, he drives his spear as he quickly finds an opening, letting it cut the fabric near your collarbone.

He had the fucking nerve to whistle at seeing the torn fabric make your skin visible. “Quite the sight you’re giving me once again, lightkeeper.” This guy is genuinely getting to your head. It’s always his first choice of attack and body part. Meanwhile, seeing the way that section of your skin bleed is genuinely getting to his dick. He sighed in heated breath. He put distance between the two of you, letting his eyes wander your form.

Truthfully, his ‘defense’ is just a way of checking you out. Nothing wrong with it if he has the stamina, right? The way you stood right now, sweating from the heat and breathing unstable is hot, to say the least. He had to push back the urge to pin you down. “Tired already? You’re doing worse than last time.” He tutted, stepping forward towards you as he whispered with a playful tone, “Not as tough as you want to be, lightkeeper?”

You could only start stepping back to create distance.

You can only wonder how long and how many battles he has fought with the way his will to fight is seemingly infinite. You’d done good, you thought. Even defending should wear him out enough, you thought. Apparently, Lohen denies all logic if he’s determined enough.

Still, you stumble backwards and onto the ground after a while. He kneeled down, handing you your weapon with a gaze so intensely focused on your form you shivered. He leaned down right at the spot he cut, tongue darting out to lick the bruise, the metallic taste of your blood hitting as you winced at the feeling of his warm tongue. He seems to like that as he hummed in satisfaction, chuckling lightly as he whispers in your ear in a tone so low you wondered if maybe he was aroused. “Go on and try one more time, yeah? I’ll let it hit.”

You couldn’t take your weapon back without having the overwhelming need to make him bleed. He knew that, and still tried giving it. He knew that, despite knowing you wouldn’t accept.

With a bated breath, you swallowed as a shaky sigh leaves you. “..I give up.” Those three words were all he needed, and those three words were all that you hated to say. Shit. Whatever this fucking training is, he better make sure that it takes effect.

He licked his bottom lip as he leaned back, still looking down on you as he hummed, one hand gripping your waist while the other caressed your thigh, eyes gleaming with…excitement? You breath halted as your eyes widened at the sight.

Did he always look so alluring? A light blush devorated his cheeks and ears, looking down at you with those eyes, breathing clearly unstable in a way that made heat rush towards a place in your body it shouldn’t. Fuck. What was the deal you made with him, again?

Then he grinned, gaze and touch lowering.

On the first day, he planned to see if you were in solely to fulfill his goal—or just a little attention. Even if he wasn't injured, you'd have time for him, wouldn't you? Maybe even coo at how he's actually unharmed today.

Except all he got was a door that was shut, locked, and with no one inside to answer his brusque knocks. That was fine, he could wait. Much to his dismay, a few hours and he was getting called again, so he figured he'd go back the next day.

The next day was a bit more alarming. He noticed your door unlocked, but you weren't inside. Or were you? He's not so sure now. It's not like he's unhinged enough to kick down your door and break in. He might sneak around the sides and take a peek, though.

So it seems, it’s either very coincidental that you weren’t here every time he was…or you were ignoring him!

Now on the third day..well, needless to say, you were definitely here. That was the good news (at least you hadn’t left). The bad news was that..what, did he not exist now? He clicks his tongue, staring once again at the shut door, looking at it pensively. Maybe he went too far the last time—nah, all he did was tease. Can’t be it.

Thinking back now, maybe he should have kicked your door down and see if you were inside. There’s nothing wrong with a worried knight trying to see if you were okay, after all! Maybe he’d have gotten to see you all defensive, see you try and knock the intruder down, only to see it was him. Maybe.

But really, what use is there in thinking about what he might have done when he could just ask?

Thus, with a heavy sigh and a slight smile, he knocks. Once. Twice. Then a barrage of it, shouting. “Helloooo? I know you’re there!” You can practically hear the smile in his voice. “Open up! See, I’m really hurt, you know?” He wasn’t, not physically. Then again, how are you to know? Guess you’d have to face him to find out.

>>>>>>>

It was strange how he cared, even stranger that he’s still caring even after realizing. It’s not that he cares that much. It just hurts to think he wasn’t part of your busy schedule, that’s all. I mean, he gave you tickets, didn’t he? You didn’t even need to spend a dime! He swallows as he’s lowered down from the platform to the backstage of the venue, stylists flocking all around him to do their job.

He has always loved attention, that much was obvious by his profession alone. But it wasn’t solely because of recognition—it was about happiness. He liked making people happy, making people smile by his actions. His breathing evened as he sat on the couch, makeup stylist following suit. Lately though, he thinks, it’s been weird. Weird how, instead of everyone’s, he’s been only looking for one. One smile. Yours.

He’s not an idiot (though his group members, more often than not, refer to him as such. It’s not his fault he has no knowledge of certain concepts!)

Obviously, there was more to it. He just doesn’t know what. He clicks his tongue as he stands up again, making his way back to another platform as they receive another signal through the earpiece.

Getting to perform in front of a crowd was always such a privilege for him. Seeing all the people enjoying themselves, singing to his heart’s content all the while the joy from being with his fellow members seeped through every laugh and giggle that made its way out of him, it was all too perfect.

And amongst the crowd, he saw something that felt like it was the cherry on top. His heart skipped a beat once again, and it continued as he felt his world stopped a minute. Heavy breathing from the choreography, hands clutching the water bottle he was just drinking from.

You really do look so beautiful when you smile. Phainon’s eyes scanned over your form, you even dressed up. How cute. How come he didn’t see you earlier? Did you only get in now?

The water bottle dripped onto the floor now, and Mydei’s eyes widened a bit seeing how still Phainon had become. Did he not even notice he hadn’t put it down?! Mydei sighed, stepping towards him. “Phainon, the water—!” Gasps simultaneously filled the crowd in front of them.

Fuck. He just slipped, didn’t he?

><

“He’s right behind me, isn’t he?”