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In Teyvat, red hair was rare.
And he doesn't mean burgundy or a red brown hue. He means red. Pure blood red.
He's heard those of those with unnaturally bright crimson hair are descendants of Natlanese. Back when the expedition was traversing through the lands of Natlan, he can only count with one hand the amount of redheads he saw.
Yet no person could compare to the real thing except him. Out of all, it was the dawn winery master. He wore that red so well. Red like the blood he, oh, so loves.
When he was young, tucked on his bed, his parents would tell the mythos of Mondstats' early past, the nobles and fables about the anemo archon itself. Then after finishing the tale they would bid him goodnight then follow a pat on his head. He had grown up wondering, not of the glory but hopes he would replicate the battles of the epics.
His father says nothing of that dream. Leaving him endlessly wondering.
Then that bastard Eroch happen. A shame that bastard had killed himself. Lohen would've love to pry his organs apart then hang the man himself. A great deal has happen since then and Lohen's no longer the little brat who looks at weapons rather, he's now the one who fights instead.
Being a knight was way better than being an adventurer.
Though, there were some things that was different from what he initially knew. Like the code of chivalry, teamwork and the unreasonable amount of paper work. One of the things that he notes, was the tales of the aristocracy he had once heard contrast heavily with what he learned now.
Eula, her temper, on some-days run either hot or cold unlike her arrogant family. Jean, who was the carbon copy of Seamus. The most anxious acting grand master he's ever known. He's fairly acquainted with them and vice versa. The information he gathered was enough to deem them an ally.
All except Diluc. He's heard of him, of course. He, too, was a causality under Eroch's graft.
Lohen remembers the first time he saw him and thought how unfair it was for a man to be that gorgeous.
Unfortunately, he doesn't have that much of an opportunity to chat with the man. The timing was never right with Diluc leaving and him joining after that, then the expedition and more. Besides, he prefers the smell of battle rather than the tavern.
It was just never meant to be.
Him, a son of a normal couple whilst Diluc was the uncrowned king of Mondstat. He doubts they'll even get a chance to talk in a first place.
Lohen yawns bored out of his mind. His spine popping as he languidly stretches.
The spot he chose, completely hidden, giving him an immaculate view of the venue, the perfect for spying—oops, he meant surveying the expo. Lohen swallows a yawn. His eyes tearing up when he hears nearby merchants bargaining.
The expo had no need for the knights nor any sorts intermediary. If conflict arose he could either join or get banned.
On the other hand, he could pass the time by terrorizing the fifth company, but alas, Varka had promised if he behaved then he'll get a fight with the knight of boreas himself.
His initial dreariness parting once his gaze zeroed on a familiar figure.
While, he knows the trade expo was a convocation of the many. Lohen didn't expect to see him here. He reckon no one knew he was here in the first place.
A tall frame clad in black as if in mourning. Diluc strides with quiet confidence befitting of his repute. The crowd parting ways letting Diluc stop in front of nervous looking merchant.
Lohen stoop forward, figuring there was no harm in gazing upon the atypical man.
Big eyes, small lips and a delicate face, cold air brushing against his rosy cheeks, his eyes shone with indifference. Even from this distance Lohen thought the man was luminous.
He licks the inner parts of his teeth when Diluc tucks a hair behind his ear. He really was pretty.
And it doesn't go unnoticed, with some of the crowd trying to catch faint glimpse of the man. He hopes Diluc had bought a bodyguard or two. His eyes catch a another figure approaching.
A woman with short black hair with gold accessories adoring her person. Her stride unhurried yet confident. Diluc's shoulder raised. Tension high. The woman laughs. He tilts his head. Should he interfere?
Too far too actually hear what they say. Lohen watches as the woman reaches out a hand— fiddling with the ends of Diluc's long hair. Surprisingly, Diluc makes no attempts of quashing her motion. His face showing signs of fatigue.
He leans into to the wall, shifting his torso and giving himself a clearer view of the duo.
Thankfully, he had picked up mouth reading rather early in his life.
"I am not a cat that needs to be pet."
My, comparing the esteemed master Diluc to a cat. Now that he thinks about it Lohen could see the resemblance…
The lady laughs, twirling the hair with her sharp claws. "Will you not revisit another coiffure, Master Diluc?"
Diluc huffs. Turning away. "I'm content with how I am the moment."
She clicks her tongue, "Shame." finally letting go of Diluc's hair.
With Diluc facing away Lohen is unable to pinpoint what he says but the lady laughs, her hand reaching down and down—on Diluc's back. She escorts him, the hand slowly wrapping around his waist.
They left easily after that.
Lohen should've let it go yet his mind was focused on that one hand. Resting on that slim waist.
A lover? No. It did not look like that. Close? yes. But not intimate.
Lohen tilts his head. Bits of his bangs falling into his face. Curious. How curious.
While he didn't witness Diluc's glory days as a knight. He's heard it from the older knights and the veterans. Longing, respect and awe all in one mouth.
It isn't hard to imagine it. Young Diluc as a captain, riding a horse. Red-blood hair cradled gently through the wind, a striking face to boot, and a disposition akin to the sun. It must've been quite a sight.
Among the eccentric, and the unreliable bunch that was in the headquarters. Diluc must've looked like a prince who had come to life from a fairy tale. An ideal knight. A young captain brimming with unlimited potential but that wasn't what excites him, no. Even though he was no more of a knight. He still posses prowess of great combat.
He's heard of it. From the loose lips and drunken admission.
How he could easily fend off against larger enemies despite his lean frame. Able to wield multitudes of various weapons and not fear at the face of danger.
Lohen wished he could've joined the knights sooner. Such a shame. He wonders how much prowess Diluc would have if he were still in the knights.
Will he injure him gravely? Will he shower with him with no mercy? Would he not split him in half like butter with that claymore of his? Just thinking about it makes him giddy.
Lohen startles from his thought when a kiss of a breeze grazes his skin. The sound of laughter and redolence of liquor heavy in the air.
Mondstadt evermore valued festivities. This time was no any different. Something about reliving the Travelers fable with Dvalin? Whatever, he had no intention in fighting civilians either way.
In this dark corner, Lohen is where he needs to be. The intel he got said it would be right around this corner. Surveying the area when he noticed a familiar figure.
Oh?
Lohen's day was getting better and better by the second. The uncrowned king has come to grace his presence and the crowd easily part ways but who is to say mingling wasn't allowed?
Like a moth to a flame. Lohen vacates his spot, setting out for the plaza.
Diluc doesn't engage in the activity nor engage in confab, his eyes deep in thought.
He has a feeling they both were waiting for their guest. Lohen approaches. Legs moving. Commence. Pursue. Execution.
Varka has warned him on many occasions not to disturb Diluc. Him and the other knights as well.
Diluc's distaste for the knights was no secret. If memory serves him right, there was even song about it. Regardless of Diluc's aversion towards the knights. He was still deemed an important figure towards both Knights and Mondstadt.
Except Lohen never did abide towards anything.
Lohen stops in front of the taller man. He lowers his torso and head even adding a hand to his chest for good grace. A smooth, baritone voice, "Would you allow me the honor of escorting you, Master Diluc?"
In such an open space he doubts Diluc would fuss up a scene.
They held each other's gaze for a moment. He resists the urge to shiver when the eyes of a hunter pins him in place.
For a trap to work, patience is a must.
Diluc extends a hand. Lohen doesn't bother hiding his smile. "…You may." He takes the hand. Pleased to find it warm despite the glove.
Lohen adjusts Diluc's hand, letting it tuck snugly on the corners of his elbow.
"Shall we?" Already afoot. Diluc easily following his steps.
They take slow steps around the venue. Watching for any disturbance.
At this proximity, he can vaguely catch a whiff of Diluc's scent. He hadn't expect the man's scent to be so…flowery. A combination of cecilia and cyro mist flowers. Unexpected, but not unwelcome.
"What are you looking to accomplish?" Diluc mutters.
Lohen chuckles even more when he feels a a grip strong enough to threaten. "Relax," he purrs, "On what grounds does a knight like myself, could extort such a person?"
Diluc eyes grew heated. Lohen left himself enjoy the view at this distance while he can. "Do not take me for a fool."
"We both know what we want," Lohen shrugs, "But if its a fight, then I won't decline."
"I will not fight you."
"You've heard of me?"
"Varka." Is all he elaborate.
Tsk. Looks like he had to increase Varka's poison intake from now on.
"If Mater Diluc denies me of request, then can I make another request as compensation?"
"I suggest you don't waste your time."
"Who says I'm wasting my time?" Lohen laughs, staring him up and down, "You certainly are a sight for sore eyes."
"…Blasphemy."
Sooner than he liked, the shouting starts. There was his guest of…treasure hoarders? But judging from their attire his best guess was a band of misfits.
One, two, three…Twenty-seven in total and attacking the citizens in broad daylight, either they were very brave or very stupid.
They split. Brandishing their weapons. He clicks his tongue when they scattered. He hates it when there are people around, makes it harder for the enemies to focus on him.
Lohen strikes his dagger already slashing two. Warm blood spurting from the wound. He could deal with the aftermath later, he had to hurt them before they hurt the populace.
They both make short work of dismantling the enemies. Slowly the rogue's go down one by one. He lands a blow right to the other guy's throat follow by a spin knocking another sucker out.
He hears shouts of mayhem and one shrill young voice resonating the space. Lohen turns to see a large man brandishing a blade against a little girl.
Shit.
Before innocent blood could be spilled. He sees a blur of red zeroing in. Lohen lips tugs upwards.
Predictably, Diluc swoops in. Cradling the young girl against his chest. The blade slashes down. A good chunk of hair was chopped off. Barely missing the red head's head.
Diluc falls to the ground with the child in his arms. Lohen dashed. Seizing the scoundrels face and smashing into the ground.
He feels brief bliss when he felt the jaw crack. Sending tremors through his arm. Not a second later more bust in holding various weapons. Three charge at Lohen. Two at Diluc.
Lohen slid his way to slash their throats. Dodging like a slippery snake, delivering an upper cut and a knee to the stomach sent them quick into to dream land.
Quickly, he set his eyes on Diluc. Pinpointing his status.
The girl stood trembling behind Diluc, while the two men were waiting. The first one charges, Diluc pushes the girl away from his person. Ducking down and trucking a mean punch to the rouges stomach.
Coughing, the rouge quickly goes down and Diluc wraps his arms around the man's neck, brings the man down, leaving the poor sap on a choke-hold.
The other man, who was still unrestricted follows next with foolhardy.
He could help, he should've helped but Lohen's feet were stuck to the ground.
Perhaps anticipating this, Diluc throws a kick to the mans knee and when the man collapse, Diluc straddles the man. His legs wrapped around the man's neck and shoulders forming a triangle choke. Doing all of this while still doing a chokehold on another man.
Lohen smiles. Bright and wide.
He stares shamelessly. Like a man who had gained access of a boundless well. Drinking in the sight of the fair man in front of him, depleting air of his enemies.
Enraptured by the light casting down on him. The way the wind combs his messy hair like spilled blood.
It was a beautiful sight, one he was unable to look away from.
That's it. That's the scene he was looking for.
Not the pristine image of a pure knight. No, what he wants is the aftermath of that pristine knight. Varka, Kaeya, Jean and the other knights may miss the old Diluc. Unlike them he had set his eyes on the current one.
He will gladly kneel at Diluc's feet and let himself die by such glorious deed.
He startles when he hears cries of fear. The last one runs like a mice caught in a trap.
"Oh, no you don't—Just as Lohen was about to fire his crossbow. A strong calm voice interrupts him.
"Move."
Lohen turned back. His eyes widened for a moment.
At his feet lay two men barely conscious. Diluc stood straight wielding his flame to form a flaming bow and arrow. The flaming arrow sparks with ember, crackling loudly like firewood, even from this distance Lohen could feel the might of its temper.
He doesn't wait, Lohen moves and Diluc lets go. A high whistling sound emits, wind and smoke soon follow. Lohen doesn't look away, he watches the arrow hit the mark right at the center of the back of the man's head.
They both watched as the last man falls.
Diluc raises an elegant brow, "I presume you bear wires?"
Lohen presents the wires. Shooting of his best smile, "The standard or the wired You choose."
He was a bit disappointed when Diluc had chosen the former. But who is he to complain, today certainly had been a good day.
He makes quick work on tying these rogues up. Making sure it was tight enough to hurt. Lohen grins. He'll have time to mess with them later.
Once he made sure everything was secured. Lohen stands with wide strides, a bit too fast and too decisive to be considered worried.
A man with regal posture matching befitting of his breeding in the middle of mayhem. Casting a brief glance at Lohen.
Lohen peers at the Diluc's newest coiffure. He leans closer. Diluc doesn't lean away undeterred in his pursuit. What remains was chopped off hair with uneven choppy and jagged ends.
Diluc adjust his gloves. A sliver of burnt skin peeking out. An injury? or habit perhaps?
Diluc face hardens. Another tug at his glove, "Are the knights that incompetent to let a civilian handle this himself?"
What a pity indeed, Diluc presently remains a civilian.
"I believe your prowess speak for itself."
Diluc scoffs, crossing his arms. "As if the knights couldn't sunk any lower."
"Well," Lohen licks his lips, "If only the knights had someone capable of shaping them, then it would prove beneficial." Lohen finishes, gazing at the redhead straight on.
"…"
"…excuse me?"
They broke of they're staring contest, looking down. It was the girl Diluc had protected.
"I'm sorry," She hiccups, eyes glassy. "I'm so," A sniff. "S-sorry for ruining your hair…!" She bawls, rubbing her eyes.
Lohen inwardly sighs.
Diluc kneels down on the ground, digging out a handkerchief from his vest, gently dabbing the little girls tears.
"Thank you for the concern, but no need to cry. It will grow back."
The little girl sniffles, nodding. Diluc pats her head, brandishing a gentle-manly smile, causing the little girl to broke into a smile.
My, he truly was a prince charming from a fairy tale.
Lohen stands back knowing Diluc and the girl won't relish in his presence. Outside of Klee, children without prompt would sometimes cry at the sight of him. He has no idea why though.
While they would cry not once would they utter a sound. Red-faced, alongside tears and snot dripping down their chubby face. Lohen would sometimes watch. Watching them wondering why they would cry.
The girl leaves hand in hand with her mother whilst Diluc rises from his crouch.
His eyes fell on the lump of hair on the ground. Lohen picks it up. Remembering a long time ago that his mum had lectured him not to pick things off the ground.
Securing the mop of hair in his hold. Lohen goes as far as to tie it back with the black ribbon not letting a strand escape. He presents the hair towards the man. "Master Diluc, what do you reckon I do with this?"
"Do as you see fit." Diluc dusting himself off. The movement mundane yet effortlessly elegant.
He bets that not a day later. Rumors regarding Diluc's new appearance would certainly strike havoc among the common folk.
His grip on the hair strengthens. "Not going to stay?"
"I have matters I need to attend to." Diluc mutters, swiftly exiting.
His gaze lingered on Diluc's back, watching him leave without turning back. Then it recedes back to the lump in hand.
He should've thrown it, sell it, hell even burn it, yet Lohen did none of that. Instead, he pockets it.
Only at his private quarters does he bring it out again. Lohen perches on his mattress, the bed creaking of his weight. His gaze thoughtful of the thing in his hand.
It's like silk. Silken strands flowing through his fingers effortlessly.
His hands continue to stoke the hair. He had though it would be more tangled? Jagged? He ran his fingertips through the soft hair. The fine strands of hair that entwined around his fingertips and flowed down.
He did this several more times. Letting it slid down and forth. The suppleness comparable to an expensive ribbon.
Evidently well taken care of. He wonders who had the honor of touching such fine hair?
The maids at the dawn winery?
The cavalry captain?
Or perhaps that woman from Nod-krai?
He doesn't know what he would do if he saw Diluc being so intimate with someone. Did Diluc had a lover back when he was in the knights? or did he have one when he was journeying?
What kind of lover Diluc was? Did he ever love someone? Was he even capable of such feat? Lohen could hardly imagine. Would he smile? Would he be rough? or will he cry?
That doll like face capable of forging such savagery. That disposition of mundanity that he tries to cling he wonders what lies underneath?
Soft looking yet prickly. Moreover, deadly. "Haha," He titters, "Pretty."
He knows why they were so similar. The art of violence— they've both mastered it. That unresistant quake of adrenaline. that rush, that satisfying feeling of your hands filled with either your blood or your enemies.
That feeling of not caring who gets wounded, as long it hurts. Lohen unties the ribbon. He grips the chunk of hair. Hypnotized. Let it bleed. Let if flow. He wants to see this how this goes. A flame of fury. A serving of mercury. Waiting to put you in the infirmary.
He wants it. He wants to see it so bad.
He hopes Diluc won't let his edge go dull.