Recluse ( Lautrec X reader )

Lautrec (14. Saudade

Running through the fields Lautrec felt the sun's radiating warmth upon his face. With no clouds in sight, the blue sky seemed to stretch on forever. Adjusting the bag over his shoulder he was but a boy of 10 in search of a greater status.

His gaze fell upon a woman down the fields who sang a soft lullaby. Oblivious to his presence. A maiden from the looks of her gown. Beside her was a girl. Beside her stood a girl, no older than himself, with piercing eyes that locked onto his.

Lautrec froze, unsure of how to react. Lowering his head to look down at his dirty shoes riddles with holes from the hardships he's endured. A path so wild of nature with barely any food or water. The girl's unwavering gaze made him feel seen, but also uncomfortable. He hadn't encountered anyone in miles, and the isolation had taken its toll.

How is it to be in this land of nowhere there was a maiden and a young girl with no man or knight to guard them in sight?

Seeing from the clean skin and soft angelic features that these two strangers are of better standards than himself. Garments of white they were in a sanctuary space of their own.

He whose a commoner.
He who is now seen lower than a commoner.

Taking in a deep breath his eyes were squinting as he attempted to get a better look.
She, the young girl never looked away. Eyes from afar they gazed at each other.
Tugging on the woman's dress pointing to his direction. Lautrec could see the girl mouthing her of his presence. The woman never once turned to look.

Her hand gently held the young girls chin making her look away from him. Lautrec's eyes closed not surprised. Of course no one would dare look at him. If she described how he looked to the woman. The woman would have found it to be disturbing and wished for the young girl not to look. If he were a knight things would be different. If he was in silver, black, bronze or even golden how all would gaze upon him.

He continued on his path, but couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Looking back, he saw the girl had broken free from the woman's grasp, her eyes still fixed on him. Their gazes met once more, and Lautrec felt a mix of emotions: hatred, disgust, and curiosity.

He stopped once more to meet her piercing gaze. As he thought. "What could she be thinking of me? Am I so horrifying. Is this her first time seeing someone like myself? Of filth and stench. Of dirt and mud. Of sweat and blood."

Why would it be any different than someone whose battles or wages war for centuries?
Biting the bottom of his lip.

But beyond the truth her eyes seemed strong, her face seemed sharp of feature. Her hair was wild as the grass fields when let grow. Perhaps she may not realize it but she herself can be mistaken as such a normal "girl".

Lautrec followed his trail of hardship through the burning sun. Not long was he in a small village. "Mm? Hahaha! Knighthood? Boy you are nothing good but than to shovel the shit of my horses." The knight laughed kicking him down to the pool of mixed mud and filth from what is left of the horses.

"Fool." The knight said mounting on his horse leaving Lautrec to lift himself up. "Damn it.." Lautrec lifted his bag up once more in search of something. Something that was calling his soul beyond this world. Battered and humiliated his encounters with the knights left him feeling bitter.

Sitting on a small mounted gate his eyes gazed at the stars from above. How the lights of these stars would shoot across the skies. He imagined what if there were other worlds. If there was a portal or another way beyond the one he is in now. What things are awaiting over the lands? What creatures ?

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence. "How are you feeling?" It was the same girl from the fields.
"Go away! Don't speak to a commoner, like me." Lautrec said with disgust.
Her formal tone and genuine concern caught him off guard. "Don't say you are a commoner. You don't have to say that. I saw you on the hill, I was worried for you. But I'm not allowed to feel or think or act. I wish to know you. Where did you come from? I can't offer much but maybe we can be friends?"

Lautrec's initial harsh response softened as she offered him a white cloth, her eyes sparkling with kindness.
"From afar I wouldn't be able to say much. This close I have the right to ask. How are you doing?" The girl didn't seem to be a big talker. But after hearing about how strict her upbringing is. There may not be any other child around. Seeing how harsh most of these people are all she wants is a friend.

Lautrec gulped as he looked away.
"Go away." Lautrec said harshly. "Here." She reached out with a small white cloth. "I won't accept it." Lautrec bent his knee resting his arm on his knee gazing back up to the sky. "You'll get me in trouble. Probably say I stole it. You are annoying."

"I'm sorry." She said softly but she never lowered her arm instead she got closer with her head down. "Please accept it." Lautrec looked down at her once more. "You shouldn't be near me." Lautrec was more afraid of being blamed if something happened to her. The punishment or even death that would await.

The girl sighed as she rested her hands onto the blocked fence pushing herself up. "Stop it! You'll dirty yourself." Lautrec watched her try to lift herself up as the gown tore slightly. "Stop it! Annoying girl!" Lautrec stood up helping her up. "You are all dirty now." Lautrec said annoyed.
"It's okay. My sister will clean my gown and she's excellent at sewing!" The girl said cheerfully.

Raising her hand up with the cloth Lautrec flinched away. "Don't touch me." But she still got closer as he stepped back falling from the edge of the gate. "Damn it. You made me fall." Lautrec said getting up as the girl sat on the bricked fence. As Lautrec stood up the girl asked. "Does it sting?" She asked seeing the scars and bruises on his cheeks and beneath his eye. "No. I'm a man. Nothing hurts me." Lautrec said proudly. "I'll become a knight one day."

The girl smiled. "Knights are more kind to ladies. You'll have to be kind." Lautrec laughed at her statement. "That is a lie. Knights aren't kind. They are ruthless killers serving their lords. What would you know of knights? You are but a girl. Spoiled brat."

The girl looked down for a bit. "Because I'm to be married to one some day. And I hope of him to be kind. I don't want to be with someone ruthless."

Lautrec watched the girl tilt her head to the side as she looked at him. Lautrec tilted his head as well mimicking her. "Why do you tilt your head?" He asked. "To see your face from every angle. I want to remember you when you become a knight."

Lautrec straighted himself as he pushed himself back up onto the fence to sit beside her. "You think I'll become a knight?" He asked. "Yes, I do. Maybe you'll become my knight."

Lautrec looked up to the sky. "Why would you want one?" The girl smiled. "To protect me and keep me safe. And maybe we'll explore other far lands or places beyond the skies!" Lautrec looked at her finally acknowledging her. "Why don't you have one now?" He asked curiously. "Because, I'm not supposed to be alive." The girl tilted her head smiling. Lautrec smirked. "That isn't true. Why wouldn't anyone want you?" He couldn't believe her for a second.

She's of better standards than him. No one wants him. How would no one want her. "Didn't you say you were to marry a knight?"

The girl smiled. "Yes, but he's to be cruel to me. My sister said I'll have no choice in the matter. I will have his babies and then I'll be away from everyone and everything. I won't be with anyone or anything anymore." Lautrec swallowed the ball in his throat. Lautrec's protective instincts stirred, and he vowed to safeguard her. "I won't allow that to happen. I'll protect you, I promise."

Lautrec jumped down and knelt on one knee as he leaned his arm across lowering his head. "I Lautrec will be of my ladies service. I will protect you and guard you of all who wish to do you any harm."

The girl smiled as she jumped down. "Sir Lautrec, I will be honored to have you as my knight. But I wish for you to be of a better knight than any other. Follow your destiny."

Lautrec looked up to the girl as she touched his face with her hands. Whispering a small prayer a ray of light circled around illuminating the darkness as his wounds were healed. The thirst and hunger were gone. "Find a god or goddess to serve. Service for their love and wisdom and they will protect and guide you."

Lautrec's eyes widened as the girl tilted her head smiling an angelic smile. At that moment, Lautrec knew he would do anything to serve a goddess as kind and loving as this girl. Her words echoed in his mind: "Find a god or goddess to serve, and they will protect and guide you." Lautrec's journey had just begun, and he was no longer alone.
If any goddess he is to serve is to be this kind and loving he would kill anyone.