#cod lou x reader

Lou is perceptive. He knows right away, no matter how masc presenting you are, that you are a man. It's cause you're soulmates 😍 So he addresses you properly at all times, even attempting to ensure others do as well.

And, as good as it is that he stands up for you...we all know that he is kind of an absent parent when it comes to his job. So, he's not always there to help you. Perhaps it's one of his jealous groupies kicking you out of the male dorms, telling you you have to stay in the female dorms. Or it's one of the professors who, by God, they desperately seem to try, but they always "forget" before bashfully correcting themselves. It's your fencing instructor that insists on going easy on you, because, well, You know.

It happens when he's there, as well. When he takes you out, maybe a shop keeper pulls out something for "his beautiful girlfriend." He's quick to correct. "I have brought my boyfriend with me today, not my girlfriend." The shopkeepers always apologize quickly, and laugh nervously, but he can see it wearing down on you.

But you have so many stressors in your life. He expects you to break down at some point, he just isn't sure when or about what. It could be anything, as his familiars frequently remind him. And he can't really blame you. Between trying to learn magic, constantly having to reaffirm your identity, being stolen from your home, and dealing with bullies, he would rather you break down than bottle it up and hurt yourself.

The day had finally arrived. He had stopped by your room to invite you on a date, when he heard soft sniffles.

He lightly knocked, not waiting for a response before letting himself in. He watched you try to compose yourself, but it was too late. He was zeroing in on you with open arms and a crushing hug.

"What ails you, beloved?" He whispers in your ear as he gently rocks you.

"I don't belong here," you sniffle.

He fights back the hurt in his heart at his soulmate saying he didn't belong here. You weren't saying it to hurt him, even though it stung.

"You belong with me," he couldn't help but say.

He heard you snort derisively, and he fought the hurt once again.

"You deserve a real man," you snarled, the word "real" dripping with anger and snark.

"I already have a real man-"

"Everyone here says you don't!" You shouted, pulling away from his grip, standing up to begin pacing.

He remained where he was, seeing that you needed space.

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone thinks I'm a girl! No matter how hard I try, or how hard you try, they never understand!" You looked at him with frustration all over your face.

"But you aren't a girl-"

"I know that, you know that, but no one here seems to know that!" You sat on your bed, burying your face in your hands. "If no one is gonna accept me, then what's the point of me being here?"

Lou stood up, and sat next to you, grabbing one of your hands and threading his fingers with yours.

"You are my Prince Charming. You are the one who taught me to feel; the one who taught me to love. And if we need to fight side by side until the end of days for people to accept that, then I will gladly do so."

By now, you had moved your other hand off your face, and were staring at him, your eyes full of doubt.

"If it comes to it," he leaned in pressing his forehead to yours, "if you never feel that Saligia is where you can be seen for your true self, I will follow you to somewhere that does."

"You mean it?"

"Of course, my prince," he hummed, nuzzling his nose against yours.

You seemed to calm down a little at that. He truly meant it. He held no attachment to Saligia, except that it was where he met you. If you continued to feel like you didn't belong here, he would follow you in a heartbeat.

"Thank you," you whispered. "I love you."