(Follows after the events of Lohen' story quest! If you haven't played it yet/want to avoid spoilers, do not read!! Scroll down!)
(Content warning for hints at depression. Mentions of stabbing and bleeding. And maybe angst???? Not sure if it classifies as angst. potentially a sweet, soft ending.)
(Reader is gender neutral!)
After the events of destroying the remains of Ursa the drake and Adorno's passing, Lohen was placed in solitary confinement for his part in the experiments.
Most would expect him to not care about being punished, but you thought otherwise. His father figure died in front of him, there's no way he would be fine after that. So, you wanted to see him, even if it meant breaking the rules and sneaking into the confinement, it didn't feel right to leave him alone.
You found the room he was in, it needed a key obviously, but luckily for you, there was a lock pick on you at all times In case for situations like this. You can thank Lohen for that.
The door slowly opened, you took a peek inside and found Lohen lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling. It was disturbing, he looked stagnant.. and his eyes looked as if there was no life behind them. No emotion. Absolute nothingness.
You lightly tapped the door a few times to signal your arrival, after all, you didn’t want to startle him.
"Lohen.. hey, it's me. I came to see you. Mind if I step in?"
He truly sounded dead inside. It was completely different from his usual personality. You could feel your heart ache from seeing him like this.. it hurts. You wanted to check his body for wounds he may have gained after the battle, even if they were patched up and healed.
"Is it okay if I check your hand? I heard that you.. stabbed yourself. I want to make sure it's healing properly."
With his permission, you sat next to him and examined his hand wound. It's healing. Yeah. But you could see blood dripping from the bandages. It was foolish to not bring any antibiotics, luckily for you there were tissues and water bottles to use..
The silence in the room wasn't peaceful, in fact it was suffocating. Your head was filled with questions you wished to asked. But there is a time and place for everything.. you knew he was grieving and-
His monotone voice caught you off guard, you weren't expecting him to speak..
"I-I wanted to see how you were doing. I was worried about you.. and you can see why, you aren't taking care of yourself."
"No. If the knights find out that your here, you'll be stuck in confinement with me. Just go away."
"Lohen, I'm here because I want to be here.. I could care less about the knights, besides, everyone is at the ceremony."
"Hm. Shouldn't you be there?"
"Nope, I wasn't gonna go without you anyways."
"Whatever, it doesn't change the fact that you shouldn't be with me. Don't you get it?"
"I know, I'm perfectly aware. If I get caught then I-"
"No, it's not about that getting caught. I'm talking about how your always around me. Time and time again, I keep showing that I'm not a good person. I'm selfish and ruthless, and you? The complete opposite. I'm not good for you.."
He wasn't wrong. You two were opposites. It didn't matter to you. In your eyes, you balanced each other.
"You need to stop giving the wrong people chances. Stop being so.. so kindhearted to everyone. Stop forgiving everyone.. and especially to someone like me. In a world like this, others see it as a weak point and use it against you. It's pure naivety. Didn't I warn you about this?"
Once again, he wasn't incorrect. The people of Mondstadt knew you as kind but blind. There were instances where cruel individuals took your kindness for granted.. and emotionally scarred you.
But that doesn't mean you give up on kindness or isolate yourself from the world. And you weren't going to give up on Lohen.
"No. No, that's wrong. Don't believe in that! You made a mistake, that doesn't mean you aren't worthy of chances. You've already taken the first step to change, you took accountability and accepted the punishment! And I'm not a mind reader, but I can tell that your thinking about what happened in the Lab.."
Lohen froze after hearing those words. Your words were like an arrow, it shot through his heart, not in a good way either. It hurt. Because it was the truth. He hated the effect you had on him.. it drove him to pure insanity. Yet, he had nothing to say in defense.
"To correct you, it's not about forgiveness or kindness. It's trust. I trust that you will and can change. I wanna stay by your side and watch you grow from past mistakes! And if you prove me wrong, then I have only myself to blame."
You make him sick. Disgusting. You.. and that sickengly sweet and trusting attitude. Why can't you go away and leave him alone? Why do want to help him?
"Besides, aren't you training your knights to become stronger so they would have to experience that feeling of powerlessness? Don't you have their best interest? You cared about Mr Adorno and Theodore too! Even if you express it in ways others don't agree with, you do care about others!"
He couldn't take it anymore.
He wants you to leave, but deep down.. he wants to beg you to stay.
"Alright, Alright. Fine! I get it. You believe in me.. thanks, I guess."
"Hehe, there's no need to thank me. I wanna see you get you better, okay? But it's getting late, the ceremony is probably over and that means everyone is returning to their designated areas, I'll see you later, oka-"
"Eh? No? What do you mean no?"
"You can't go. I-.. I want you to stay with me."
"Really? Well, I don't mind being here with you. I can stay here with you a little longer! Say, is there anything to do in solitary confinement?"
Your response made Lohen Crack a tiny smile. Not an arrogant or cocky one. It was a smile formed from genuine happiness, it was happiness that he hadn't felt in a long time.
How come it was only you who made him feel this way?
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