Genshin Impact One-Shots

Lohen | Actions Speak The Loudest

"Hey... Ursula, what you told me last evening... is that actually true?"

"What do you mean actually? Yes, I heard him say their name under his breath in a lovesick puppy kind of way...! And he started to laugh creepily afterwards..."

"I'm still having a hard time believing this..." Gunther rubs his temple upon hearing a determined confirmation from Ursula, yet he steals a glance at the vice captain, trying to envision such an image of the lovesick male.

Lohen appears fairly... normal? Or at least, as normal as he has always been. He's currently leaning back on a wooden chair, expression serious, as he's carefully wiping a jagged blade that was used earlier in battle. He tilts it toward the air, the sunlight reflecting off its pristine surface.

And then he suddenly smirks. A knowing, satisfied one.

Ursula mouths a "told you so!" toward Gunther, jerking her chin forward. The latter waves his hand dismissively, not quite convinced as of yet. Lohen is evidently satisfied with how clean and sharp his blade is now; it isn't unusual for the male to show that satisfaction through a shift in expression.

Right...?

A laughter breaks the silence, startling the two snipers. It initially starts off softly, sounding of deranged amusement, before gradually getting louder and unsettling. Lohen's gloved hand reaches up to his face to partially cover it, his grin widening, and then he runs his fingers through his gray green hair.

"Ah, (Y/N), (Y/N), (Y/N)..." he murmurs in a sing-song sort of manner. "Such a pleasing entertainment in my mind. I wonder why?" His fingers tap rhythmically—slow, in contemplation—against the wooden table.

Speak of the devil... no, angel. Because that's what you are in his mind.

Your familiar figure is now approaching him, an important-looking leather notebook held tightly in your arms. As always, your face lights up when your gaze meets his dull red ones. Although the vice captain is quite the character with his immense enjoyment for fighting, reminding you of a dear ginger-haired friend of yours, he's responsible and has helped you out plenty, even with the most simple tasks.

"Lohen, some reports from Varka," you announce your reason for the abrupt visit, handing him the notebook.

He takes it with a small smile, brushing his fingers against yours, an intentional whisper of hidden feelings. You don't notice anything amiss, of course. You never do. All the lingering stares, light touches here and there, and unconscious murmurs of your name...

You simply perceive them as the quirks of your vice captain. Nothing more.

After all, he enjoys dousing his blade with poison.

"Varka seems to request you often," Lohen observes casually, attempting to start a conversation that he wants answers to. "You must be reliable."

You hum in thought. "Perhaps? He never explicitly stated that, though..."

"He doesn't have to," he chimes in easily, spinning the blade in between his fingers in a rhythmic way. "It's all in the actions, (Y/N). Watch them closely. Just like how you watch your enemies."

With those cryptic words, you find your gaze trailing the blade's movements, seeing the way it glides between his gloved fingers like silk. Despite its high quality sharpness, no tears are in sight, not even a puncture. It flicks up in the air for a moment, spinning dangerously, before getting caught in a swift grip.

All you recall feeling is a rush of air past your face.

And now a pointed blade is staring right at you, so closely that if you dare make a sudden movement, you're certain you'll feel a pinch, and blood will draw.

"Lo... hen...?" you manage to breathe out after what seems to be an interminable time of having an intense eye contact with the glinting tip. You swallow nervously, slowly flickering your eyes to him.

He regards you with a simple smile (one that looks way too polite, considering what he's currently doing to you), turning the blade on its side to lightly glide the coldness across your cheek, moving to trace the outline of your face carefully, like he's working on a masterpiece. Then, he flips the blade to hover the tip at the corner of your lips.

You stiffen.

Lohen notices and chuckles, his head tilted as his eyes sparkle in sheer amusement. "Don't worry, you can trust me, hehe. You're like a terrified kitty. Don't be."

His reassurance definitely does not make you feel any better whatsoever. If anything, you're concerned at the way he's now stepping closer to you, breathing in your space, as he lifts your chin with the blade's flat surface. His gaze meet yours in a curious, playful way, and the expression present seems oddly affectionate.

"You know..." the Vice Captain murmurs, leaning in even closer, "I've always preferred my fights to be up close and personal. To feel my opponent's breathing and see them squirming makes everything feel so much more exhilarating. Buut..." He withdraws the knife swiftly from your face. "To feel this way while being in close proximity with you? Now that is interesting. You look even more... lovely from this distance, hehe."

Before you get the chance to say anything, let alone react, he steps back with a faint smirk. The scent and warmth of him lingers, filling your senses, almost suffocating. Your lips part to make a comment, but no words pass; it's as if they're frozen and sealed deep within your throat.

And those observing eyes of his... you feel trapped. Not in an unpleasant way, though.

"Actions speak louder than words, don't you think, (Y/N)?"

-♡-

I got a sudden burst of inspiration to write again because of Lohen, so thank you to this cutie.