Let's get the lingo down first:

(Y/N) – Your name

(H/C) – Hair Color

(E/C) – Eye Color

Alright, so since that's over with, let's go on with the story.

------------

"Laurance?" You called out, knowing deep inside that he wouldn't reply.

Ever since Garroth came back, he had become isolated to his own thoughts. He usually hid away somewhere where people wouldn't think he would be. The only reason that you had even the slightest clue where he was, was because you were feeling adventurous one day and decided to check out the ruins of the Irene temple.

You had been so concerned with his well being for the past few weeks. Even after weeks, Laurance still was isolated. Although you knew they were friendly with each other, heck, they acted more like brothers than friends, you knew something was wrong. Something was wrong with the turd you knew.

You followed the trail of redstone torches left by your comrades who had ventured into the ruins earlier. You had adjusted to the dark hallways by now that led to the crypt. None of you wanted any sneaky tomb raiders who somehow made it to the island accessing that part of the ruins.

As you entered the crypt, you could see the outline of a man carefully pawing the mosaic on the wall. His redstone torch was in his hand, very close to the mosaic, almost giving you fear that he was going to accidentally burn it.

That fear quickly washed over as you took a deep breath knowing he would be gentle with it. When Laurance had control, he was the calmest person you knew. When Laurance didn't have control however, you didn't even think he was THAT person.

"Hey," you greeted softly.

He turned slightly, getting himself off the mosaic gently. Even in the darkness, you could tell that it was him. His brown hair was styled in a way that seared an image in your head forever. Laurance's blue eyes almost held that feeling of a challenge but still filled with compassion.

"(Y/N)? Are you snooping on me again?"

You blushed in the darkness, hoping he couldn't tell you actually were. Some of your (H/C) hair came across your face, helping you hide even more.

"I was worried about you," you replied trying to soften the awkward tension, "You've been acting distant to everyone and I thought if you talked to someone about it, you would stop doing this."

You can hear him take a sharp breath before staring into your (E/C) eyes with a hard stare.

"Why are you trying to help me?" You can see him kind of smile but it felt painful to both of you. "I'm a monster, (Y/N), a freaking monster. Monsters can't be saved."

You can see his eyes crystallize with tears. You've never seen him so vulnerable, so soft, so...done with everything.

"You're not a monster, Laurance. What makes you say that?"

"(Y/N), I'm a Shadow Knight, but I'm not. I'm a human, but I'm not. I don't know what am I but I know for sure, I'm a monster," he took another sharp breath as if he was breaking down with every word, "Heh, I'm also a horrible person. I've gotten my brother back, someone who's been gone fighting his ACTUAL brother and here I am, sulking. Sulking because he's such a good person."

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. "What do mean because he's such a good person? I've barely met the guy and I know, he's a nice guy but didn't you tell me he betrayed you guys?"

There was a thing that happened that you'd never thought you saw when you went to see him.

You saw Laurance smirk.

Smirk, out of all the things, he smirked.

"You really don't know that much about Garroth, do you, (Y/N)?"

It was true of course, you hadn't met Garroth before he disappeared into the Irene dimension but you knew the others talked so fondly about him whenever anything triggered it. Now that you met him, you saw what the others saw. He really was great.

Although, you didn't think he could get any worse from the story you heard about how he got into the Irene dimension but from the look Laurance had, you felt like you were about to stand corrected.

You slowly shook your head as he chuckled a little at you. "I don't know him as good as you or Aphmau."

"Well, a little history lesson for you, (Y/N)," Laurance said walking away from the mosaic as you trailed behind him, "Garroth is one of the best people to get back on their feet after something happens, it just so happens that the last time he tried to rebound from an event, it hit him harder than usual. But even after he was forced to marry someone he didn't know, he still got to start a new life with no life and kept under the radar for 3 consecutive years."

He turned his head back and looked at you with the most confused look on your face. Laurance cleared his throat and continued on.

"What I'm saying is, even in the darkest moments, he rebounds so quickly and so happily. Like right now, that guy has the biggest smile on his face than I think even Aphmau has seen. But me, I'm stuck in an endless cycle of regret, it's vicious but I've grown accustomed to it. I'm so jealous that he can do that without a care in a world while I'm here, calling myself a monster," he turned around, "Well, that's partially true. At least when the woman he loved was even close to not being his, he didn't kill a bunch of people."

You bit your lip remembering what Aphmau said about one of the times when he was in his Shadow Knight form.

"Well, he betrayed you guys and knocked you out."

"At least he didn't kill people, (Y/N)," he paused, "That sounded better in my head. A LOT better."

"Didn't he try to kill you?"

"Last time I checked, I'm still alive. I'm a wanted criminal, he's a hero."

"Killing your own brother is heroic?"

"Well, when your brother is a malicious High Priest, you make exceptions," he remarked, shrugging.

"I think I get your point," you smiled at him, "You know, you should stop calling yourself something you aren't. Laurance, you're hardly what you think you are."

You could see him try to respond but he stopped himself and took another breath.

"It's hard feeling you are endangering the people around you with something you can't control. I don't feel as if I can vent to anyone else. I know Vylad is the closest person to what I am but for some reason I can't talk to him about it without being furious with myself onto why I can't control anything," you could tell Laurance was trying to express his thoughts and you were grateful for it so you didn't intervene as he continued, "But, (Y/N), you're the person I've known for the shortest amount of time but I'm still venting to you for some reason."

"Call me your personal therapist," you joked, making even yourself laugh.

"Heh..." he chuckled, "Hey, (Y/N), I thank you for your help but I don't think I'll be back up there any time soon."

Your laughing ceased. Your smile wavered and you could feel something blurring your vision. Subconsciously, your hands balled into fists until your knuckles turned white. Every breath you took made your chest hurt.

Something inside you broke.

You came here so he would return back to his friends, the people he's spent most of his time with, the people he trusted.

And you weren't going to let that go in vain.

Laurance looked at your hand as you made your way to his face, cupping his cheek, making him turn away from your touch.

"(Y/N)..."

You shushed him as you made him look back at you reluctantly as your hand traveled from his face down his arm connecting with his hand.

"Laurance, come back with me. Face your fears. We've all missed you."

You pulled him closer to you and connected your lips together for a brief moment making sure you got his attention. You released from him to the point where both of your foreheads were touching.

Laurance laughed, breaking the silence. "Well, when you ask like that..."

"Shut up and come with me."

You both released fully from each other and hand in hand, you both walked up out of the crypt with the biggest smiles on your faces.

----------------

A/N - So, all you people who's senpai is Laurance is probably fangirling so hard right now...XD. So sorry if this isn't as great as some other one shots but I'm a noob at _____ x Readers. Anyways, I hoped you all enjoyed! I'm pretty sure we all love you so very much unless some people in TGA want to correct me...Buh-bye!

-ML