The Witch of Juniper Street: Chapter 1 (Lohen/Reader)
(See above for AO3 link.)
Rating: Explicit
Fandom: Genshin Impact
Pairing: Lohen/Reader
Tags: Modern with Visions, Alternate Universe - College/University, Friends to Enemies to Lovers, Living Together, Eventual Romance, Slow Burn, PWP
Synopsis:
"In these woods, a wary traveler may stumble upon a white rabbit hiding beneath a juniper tree. Its eyes are the eerie color of scarlet, its fur as pure as snow, as it conceals itself in those evergreen leaves. Yet one must never chase after these impressionable creatures, for they'll lead them to their timely demise, watching as they drown deeper into the abyss, all without a tear to be shed."
This was a fairy tale you read as a child, guileless in all manner of life. Love was another such enigma, eluding you as you met a peculiar classmate in one of your classes, whose saccharine attentiveness and considerate gestures caught your heart, yet whose fleetingness left you yearning for more.
"A snow-bound, fickle hare", they called Lohen--as you so badly wanted to vomit when you caught him in that alleyway, drenched in blood with weeping bodies strewn all over. Innocent for a moment and dangerously sinister the next. A prey turned predator.
"Pfft, someone certainly has quite a scowl on her face. Don't tell me you're gonna rush me to the authorities after seeing this mess. Because I'd suggest you reconsider. Otherwise…" Nearing you, he whispered, "…You won't get an answer to your confession."
In this quaint city, where elegant townhomes are clustered together with flowery garlands and cobblestone sidewalks interwoven in between, there would be one apartment flat that stood out from the rest, where its wrought balcony was covered in an assortment of climbing vines and decorative flower pots.
As sunlight filtered through the antique curtains, you blearily rubbed your eyes, opening the doors to witness a warm, cloudy dawn rising from Cider Lake. For a while, you longed to see what the view was like from back home, where snowy mountains rose into the bright blue sky. To gather around the fireplace and tell stories of faraway places hidden beneath the horizon of the world. Mondstadt was one such place, one of the oldest cities that carried much history and heritage in the odes they sang, the crusades that were set afoot, and the folktales still sung around the town square. In the backdrop, the Favonius Cathedral rose above the rooftops, its spires catching starlight on their fléches. And nestled in the middle of it all was the famed Sternenlicht Academy of Arts and Sciences, a private college dedicated to nurturing the next generation of scientists, theologians, and pharmacists.
With a campus spanning five thousand acres, its main building was built on the site of an old medieval fortress, once used by knights of a bygone era. Old battlements can still be found around each edge of campus, appearing like sentinels guarding the numerous courtyards and gardens found within, while students wander to and fro, whereas some are content to peruse the open-air coffee shops and taverns in the area.
The moment you received the acceptance letter, you were both astonished yet anxious about how far it was from home. What were the people like there? What should you pack for the travel ahead? And would you handle being in such a new place?
"Still can't believe I'm almost finished with my first semester here…" you wondered, picking up the watering can. Watching the purple clematis bloom with its unfurling pistils, as they dotted the vines like purplish stars, you sighed, feeling the softness of their delicate, beautiful petals linger on your fingertips. You loved how much life ebbed and flowed in these little plants, how peculiar they were in what conditions they thrived in, and the particularities of each flower, where one would bloom slightly bigger or smaller than the others. But you also wondered about their medicinal properties, which seemingly worked like magic in curing the common cold.
"So what is it that you want to do? Horticulture? Medicine? The possibilities are endless. Any of them could potentially lead to a fulfilling, high-paying career," your high school advisor would say, a generic sales pitch in getting as many students as they can to apply for college.
"Is it really as simple as it sounds? I just…" Looking towards the sky, you murmured, "…Want to see what it's like here."
Choosing horticulture on a whim, you sought to invest as much time as you could before settling on what degree you wanted. Or if you really wanted to stay here the next four years, for that matter.
"You still have loads of time to explore your options! No need to settle on one if you're still deciding," your roommate reassured, her chipper attitude like a frolicking beam of light. As was her goldendoodle, who was currently running around in circles in your bedroom, rambunctiously rolling through the blankets that lay scattered on the floor.
"Huh? Hey, how'd you get in here, Lumi?" you gasped, nearly dodging a headbutt to the ankle, as you dove down to wrap her by the chest.
"Arf! Arf!" she barked, pulling over to slobber sticky dog drool across your face.
"Whoa, okay…Was not expecting her to shove her way through the door. Hehe, sorry about that," Linnea apologized, quickly picking up the mischievous little thing in an armhold. "Anyways, breakfast is ready. Whaddya say about berries and waffles today?"
"Ooh, sounds delicious. Just gimme a sec to get ready," you said, awkwardly scratching your cheek while still in your pajamas.
"Sure thing, it's just on the kitchen aisle. But don't be late to your first class, alright? That professor is one tough nut to crack if you end up accumulating too many tardies when you don't sign in on time."
"Even if attendance is only five percent of your grade…?" you tsked, a disgruntled look on your face. "I shouldn't have stayed up so late trying to catch up on those assigned readings."
"You know what they say. A little pick-me-up latte from the Cat's Tail oughta do the trick in keeping you awake during class," Linnea laughed, slinging her bookbag over her shoulder. "Anyways, I'll be heading off now! See ya later!"
"Yeah, yeah…Tell me how that trip to Brightcrown Canyon goes for you." You smiled, waving her off. Out of anybody here, you appreciate Linnea's company, especially since she grew up close to your hometown in Snezhnaya. It was no surprise that she'd picked wildlife sciences and geology, for she had a fondness for all things that fascinated her.
"Hehe, will do! I can't wait to photograph some Crimson Foxes on the way there! Those guys are gonna look so cute when I paste them in for my thesis project."
Meanwhile, outside the window, a plume of smoke was expelled from an idling motorcycle. Eyes furtively glanced at a message they received on their watch, stating to be on the lookout until 5:00 PM tonight. Popping a piece of bubblegum in his mouth, he chewed on it absentmindedly, his eyes roving over a piece of scratch paper. With neither name nor date of birth written on it, there was only one thing that stood out to him.
"First-year horticulture student…minoring in medicinal science…Hmm…" he muttered before crumpling up the piece of paper. With a bored look, he flicked open a cigarette lighter, watching it burn the balled-up paper as the edges blackened to a grisly char. "I wonder if she'll last longer than the others…" he tsked, letting the rest of it simmer on the sidewalk like a concrete stain.
