Chapter Text
It’d been on days like these that Lohen grew to truly appreciate the lesser-known advantages of his Cryo vision, in this case that being his added resistance to the cold.
Naturally it’d also meant that, more often than not, the enemies around these parts, too, wielded Cryo in varying capacities and ways, forcing the vice captain to get a little bit more creative with his kills and tactics as he’d climbed the imposing mountain of Dragonspine.
Of course, he’d adored it. Every new struggle had his blood boil and surge in a way that’d made him nothing short of utterly giddy. He’d slice through abyssal monsters whose Cryo shields couldn’t quite keep them as safe as the poor creatures thought they’d be, eventually pierced through with the impossibly sharp tip of Lohen’s spear.
Lohen had to admit, too, that the look of horror that would twist their ugly faces was more intoxicating than the Dawn Winery Dandelion Wine that the Knights recruits adored to drink so much.
With a satisfied, hot breath, the vice captain of the 5th company straightened out and fixed up his uniform, looking over the massacre before him with no-little satisfaction before turning as to continue up to his destination: Albedo’s laboratory and ‘kinda’ home.
Though he had no business with the Chief Alchemist, per se, Lohen had to admit that he’d been somewhat obsessively thinking of his creation-turned-brother Durin, instead.
Albedo would, without a doubt, be an incredibly exhilarating sparring partner, though Lohen had been rejected when it came to sparring with him enough times as to get the hint. He’d been a busy man, and one of the few within his brothers-and-sisters-in-arms whom hadn’t yet fallen for any of Lohen’s… surprises.
Naturally, nor had Albedo’s newest family member, though that could easily be contributed to the simple fact that Lohen was yet to properly get to know the dragon.
He does know, however, of Durin’s incredible power. Of a terrifying, bloodthirsty beast that lies just beneath a cute, innocent facade.
He’d heard tales of the dragon from both Varka and the other knights. Of how he’d channeled abyssal energy that ultimately sealed Rerir- the very man that’d probably contributed to giving Lohen at least some kind of complex. Beyond that impressive feat, however, had been the clear lust for a good fight.
Battlefields of monsters wiped in an instant when no one was looking.
Eyes that seemed to darken when approaching an enemy.
The unmistakable adoration for battle that, so far, Lohen could only ever spot in his own reflection.
It’d stirred something within the young vice captain. His stomach flipped in an unfamiliar way at the mere thought of a fight with the drake. Of just how good the blood would taste in his mouth whilst he’d fought a dragon capable of tearing him apart.
He’d thought he’d had his chance a couple of weeks back, when the fallen angel Nicole had the two of them speak. Speaking, however, felt a lot less appealing than meeting the dragon polearm to claws, though the prospect of a fight right there and then with an audience seemed to spook the poor guy.
He’d still remembered those adorable, deeply crimson eyes widen before he’d fled, deeply uncomfortable at the prospect of fighting an ally, no doubt. Certainly not afraid, however. Not by a mile.
It’d been no fear of getting hurt himself, but rather that of hurting someone.
To be so certain of your own strength had ultimately been what rushed warm blood to itch just beneath Lohen’s skin, the thought of fighting the dragon circulating in his mind enough to the point where he’d needed to bite his tongue as to not actively groan in longing in the midst of Knight meetings.
He’d felt restless. Needed to wipe that certainty off of pretty, soft features or, instead, eat frozen, mountain dirt at the hands of the unassuming dragon.
Lohen could tell that Durin was just as into fighting as he’d been, but understood that some had… performance anxiety, so to speak.
But by the archons was he determined to rile the other man enough to have him just as pumped for the confrontation. Atop the mountain, none would be there to see it, so hopefully Durin’s walls could come down a smidge and he could let loose for a good fight.
Thinking about it all had made Lohen all giddy and warm again, his breathing quickening in a way that not even actual fights would have him do, at times. He’d approached Albedo’s lab now, as such took as much of a calming breathing as he’d found himself capable of. He’d jumped the gap of the broken, wooden bridge with ease, unbothered by the dangerous groan of wood as he had. He’d ran a restless hand through his hair soothingly before rounding the corner into the small cavern.
Thankfully, both brothers had been present at the site. Albedo sat concentrated at his desk, changing tasks rapidly between writing, drawing and picking up a verity of vials and ingredients. He’d appeared utterly absorbed in his own world, as had often been the case, and filled the cavern with natural, calming ambiance of the turn of pages and the quiet clinking of glass.
Speaking of pages-
Durin sat quietly nearby on the stone floor, eyes and expression bright with wonder as the Dragon flipped to another page of a book he’d held protectively within his grasp. His features were light, notably tinted red with the cool crisp of the air, yet he appeared utterly unbothered by the chill of the mountain.
Lohen supposed it’d only been fair, given his origins and his elder brother’s preferences of scenery, but he couldn’t help but secretly enjoy the expressiveness of the purple-haired man, already imagining how it would translate beautifully into the heat of battle.
He’d always loved fighting against more expressive individuals. To see the way their features twisted and turned with every blow and strike. He’d loved when they’d squirm, and felt a rush of adrenaline whenever he’d see them watching his face in turn.
“‘Mornin’,”, he’d hummed playfully into the cave, keeping his footsteps louder than usual yet his voice calm as to alert the two of his presence. He needn’t start his to-be begging on the wrong foot by interrupting Albedo’s experiments via startling the two men, even if he’d highly suspected such a thing impossible. The Alchemist had been pretty good about backing the vice captain up in the past, as such Lohen hoped for the same kind of assistance this time round.
Predictably, Albedo remained rooted where he’d been stationed, sounding out a quiet ‘good morning,’ and ‘I’ll be with you in just a moment, make yourself at home.’ Before returning undisturbed focus towards his experiment.
Durin, on the other hand, simply watched Lohen for a moment, brightening up and smiling warmly at him the second the other man waved his hand at the drake.
“Good morning,”, Durin spoke calmly, taking a moment as to delicately bookmark where he’d finished reading his book, closing it with a soft thump before he’d stood up. His tail swished as to stabilise his movements, the dragon taking a moment as to walk towards a bookshelf and return the object of his attention with upmost care, “what can we do for you?”, he’d then asked a little more nervously, glancing over to Albedo for guidance even when the other man was still solely occupied with his work.
It’d been clear that he’d tried his best as to appear more approachable as his time in Mondstadt extended. By the sounds of it even his ‘formal form’ had very little opportunity to interact with beings other than his creator, as such some awkwardness was to be expected. All would, however, report rapid and genuine improvements when it came to interaction, for which Lohen did, genuinely, give him a bit of a metaphorical ‘pat on the back’ for.
“I’m mostly just passing by,”, Lohen shrugged leisurely, walking casually over to the bookshelf that Durin stood beside, pretending not to notice the way that the dragon jolted at the unexpected proximity, “cleared out some monster camps nearby for you both, so no need to worry about patrolling too hard these next few days.”, he’d smiled slyly as he’d often had, tilting his head to then quietly read the spine of the book that Durin had only just been reading.
‘Tales of the wind: Vanessa’s legacy’
An interesting read, though Lohen personally deemed it a little unrealistic. Not nearly as bloody as the actual history would have you believe it’d been.
“Oh,”, Durin swallowed a little thickly, Lohen making no attempt as to hide the way he’d followed the nervous bob of Durin’s Adam’s apple. “Thank you,”, he’d beamed with little delay, smiling so sweetly that it threatened to give Lohen cavities, “Albedo has been really busy these last few weeks, so that’ll help out a lot.”, he’d added warmly, surprisingly making no attempt as to make any distance between the two of them.
Perhaps it’d been social inexperience, with the dragon worried he’d offend Lohen if he were to take a step back.
“It’s only fair I help out every now and then,”, he’d turned as to face Durin fully, crossing his arms over his chest before leaning against the bookshelf he’d only just been paying attention to. He’d smiled up at the other man, warranting an immediately relaxed disposition from the other. How endearing. Ever more so had Lohen wanted to see those eyes darken, and for the dragon’s teeth to be bared at him stained with copper-tasting blood. “Especially when Albedo always assists me with my strange, mechanical ideas.”, he’d trailed off a little, looking over to the still-busy alchemist with only a glance.
“He really is the best.”, Durin’s words were disgustingly sincere, gentle warmth and adoration lacing them.
“Ah, but don’t cut yourself short,”, the 5th company vice captain tutted somewhat, looking the other up and down when his head turned back to him, “you’ve done some truly impressive things in your short time with us. I practically owe you my life after Rerir.”
The flush of Durin’s cheeks was immaculate. His deeply crimson eyes now grew to be only the second most red thing about him. Lohen had to bite his own cheek as to not smile too smugly at the reaction.
“There is really no need to owe me anything,”, he’d stammered, looking away as he’d assured the other man, “I wouldn’t be able to do it without everyone else. I’d been only a piece of the puzzle.”
“Ah, and so humble to boot.”, Lohen praised further, pushing his luck as he’d reached out his hand, a single, gloved finger gently touching the dragon’s chin, making Durin’s eyes widen. With one smooth motion Lohen then turned the drake’s head as for him to look at him once more, inexplicably enjoying the attention of those pretty eyes on him.
Naturally, not willing to overstay his welcome, he’d crossed his arms over his chest once more the second those draconic eyes began to scan his cool face. There’d been something inevitably darker about his features, though whether Durin could spot it or not had been uncertain.
“Seeing how I stood no chance against Rerir, how about you train me?”, Lohen finally asked, thinking it as good a moment as any.
“I don’t-“, Durin swallowed thickly once more, yet this time followed the action with a calming breath, regaining the majority of his composure remarkably quick, “I don’t think I’m qualified to train you,”, he’d attempted to reason, his signature, bright smile attempting to return to flustered features, “you’ve far more experience. If anything, you ought to train me, instead!”, he’d joked, though Lohen knew better than to let the opportunity slip through his gloved fingers.
“Oh? Sure,”, Lohen shrugged, “if that’s how you’d rather spin it, it’s no problem with me. So what- should we go up the mountain to that spacious spot or-“
“H-hold on, now,”, Durin laughed awkwardly, lifting up his hands in surrender, “I hadn’t meant to make it sound as though I’m challenging you to a fight.”
“Oh,”, Lohen, for a moment, feigned surprised realisation. But fell quickly back into character with a darkly teasing smile, leaning just a smidge closer to the dragon with a dangerous glint to his eyes, “well, I absolutely did. I want to fight.”
“I-“, an utter loss for words, though quickly recovered with a genuine question, “have I upset you, perhaps…?”
“No no, nothing of the sort,”, Lohen assured easily, some warmth even seeping into the gentle affirmation, “I’ve deep respect for you, and I’m incredibly thankful for all you’d done. But, as is with all whom I hold in high regard, I simply must experience your strength first hand.”, he’d backed off a little, leaning fully against the bookshelf with his back, instead. He could near-enough see the deep breath that left Durin’s bewildered, parted lips.
“I… don’t know.”, the dragon spoke uncertainly, the subtle glance cast in his brother’s direction not going unnoticed.
“Don’t worry,”, Lohen waved a dismissive hand, “I’m certain Albedo can attest that this is my default state of being.”
“That is true.”, Albedo responded with a thoughtful hum without missing a beat, looking over to his uncertain brother with a slow, calm blink, “this is Lohen’s way of making friends.”, the blond further assured, the vice captain currently intruding on Durin’s personal space just about ready to jump for glee. Albedo, truly, had been an ally amongst allies. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, though. I’m sure Lohen would understand.”
And although the possibility of backing out did throw a bit of a wrench into everything, Durin hadn’t immediately latched onto that as an excuse to not go.
In fact, he’d clearly considered it. His eyes darted somewhat between the two other men in the cavern, before they’d ultimately landing against Lohen’s once more.
“I just… don’t want to hurt you.”, Durin spoke with utter honesty, the worry enough to have Lohen’s heart simultaneously skip beats and race against his chest all at once.
‘I want for you to hurt me!’, he’d almost called out with a rush of bloodied excitement, ‘I’d like to see you try.’, came another, darker voice. Instead, though, as he did possess some self restraint, Lohen’s eyes narrowed in reassurance, his features softening for reasons unclear.
“Don’t worry, I know my limits really well,”, he’d grinned up at the dragon, “if the either of us wants to stop at any point, we will! I admit that I love pushing limits and boundaries, but I’d never get to a point where I’m losing myself, alright?”, he’d assured, determination utterly infectious.
A moment passed of silence. Thick and considering as Durin’s features fought between a grimace and excitement.
Finally, with what can only be described as a defeated sight, the dragon solemnly nodded his head.
“Alright,”, he’d rested a hand over his hip, eyes closing as he’d taken a breath. “We can spar, as long as you let me know if I’m going too far.”
At that, Lohen could do little more than laugh excitedly, pushing himself off of the bookshelf as though a giddy child. He’d near-enough beamed at Durin, eyes dark and spontaneously enamoured with the prospect of what’d been to come.
Even more excitingly, however, upon Durin’s crimson eyes reopening to look at Lohen all over again, the vice captain felt the hammer of his heart against his ribcage:
Durin’s eyes were dangerously dark. Solid in colour as they’d looked at Lohen as though nothing more than a disgusting, pathetic, everyday monster.
And that.
That had Lohen’s blood properly rushing with adrenaline.