Chapter Text
It all started when Kazuha chose the not-so lovely idea to attend Teyvat University; he was intrigued by the classes there, so he figured that it would be his choice (especially the poetry subject they taught for second-years an up).
What Kazuha did not expect, however, was to be roomed with another person he didn't know. The poet-in-training doesn't even recall his new roommate's name — if anything, Kazuha only remembers that he was a second-year.
It's during a rainy night, when Kazuha finally meets him.
Today is supposed to be the day that Kazuha meets his new roommate. He's not exactly eager to see who it is, nor is he mad — he's just... neutral, in a way. But one thing that the poet-in-training does not respect, is being late to something important.
Kazuha doesn't even know this guy, and he has already grown to dislike him.
The door to the shared dorm is practically kicked open as a male rushes in. Kazuha's seconds away from throwing the chair next to him at the sudden intruder, when he recognizes the guy in front of him.
The dirty blond hair that's pulled into a fluffy updo which is now drenched with rain, light blue eyes widened form embarrassment as Kazuha stares at him; shocked and mildly concerned.
"Though I have never met you before, I find myself wondering why you're covered with rain." Kazuha voiced his thoughts, carefully putting the chair back in its rightful place as he approaches the rain-covered roommate, silently grabbing a towel from the kitchen counter.
Wordlessly, Kazuha brings the cloth to wipe the water from the other male's face, deliberately ignoring the lovestruck expression on the damp features — he wasn't exactly looking forward to a roommate that became attracted to people so easily, but Kazuha had no say in the matter.
After the fabric is rendered completely wet, Kazuha gently pulls the male towards the inside of the kitchen, squeezing the water out of the towel before reaching out once more to continue drying the unnamed roommate without speaking.
Sky blue hues meet scarlet ones. "What's your name?" the question comes out a bit shaky from the lack of warmth that the male was currently missing, yet Kazuha can hear the shyness in it. "I'm Tomo Kokoro." he introduces himself.
Kazuha's momentarily taken aback by the abrupt question, but he soon regains his composure and gives a obligated smile to soothe whatever awkwardness was in the room.
"Kaedehara Kazuha."
The next days seem to pass like air. However, Kazuha does take notice of the frequent stays that Tomo has started to make ever since he began to speak with Kazuha; yes, Kazuha is sure that Tomo has already fell for him — it's embarrassing, really, because Kazuha rarely talks to him.
Kazuha would never be as hopeless as this man is — never.
But.
Somehow, Kazuha will often find himself gazing at the stars in an oddly comfortable silence with Tomo — one that Kazuha sees as peacefully relaxing, as if they were communicating without any verbal sentences; it made Kazuha feel... secure.
So, on another quiet night that takes place months after they've met, Kazuha speaks up.
"Why have you chosen Teyvat University instead of the other prestigious colleges?" Kazuha questions, voice a mere whisper to keep whatever mood that wavered between them.
Tomo looks surprised by the white-haired male's sudden inquiry — and this time, Kazuha can't blame him. Simply because Kazuha has never initiated their conversations, let alone continued them. After a few seconds, Tomo responds.
"I made a promise."
The answer temporarily leaves Kazuha baffled, and the port-in-training inwardly hopes that Tomo can't spot the shock that's probably visible. Did he make an oath to his guardians? Or to his siblings? Maybe a lover?
Nevertheless, Kazuha ignores the questions in his head and lets Tomo answer ambiguously — Kazuha has never been one to dig around in past memories that he had no relation to; the thought alone of being nosy disgusts him.
"Promises are..." Kazuha cautiously words his next sentence. After all, one wrong statement and this intriguing conversation will end. "fragments of the human mind — a simple act that is meant for reassurance." he explains with a concealed riddle. "Many tend to break them, whether intentional or not."
Tomo shifts his attention to the poet-in-training, head turning to stare at Kazuha with his eyes widened in apparent shock. "Is that so?" he mutters. The poet-in-training glances back momentarily, scarlet hues landing on the roommate thoughtfully.
A curt nod. "Most are scheming, others desperate; despite the varieties of reasoning, it all ends the same way." Kazuha mumbles, a glint of reminiscence shining along with the color of the stars in the night sky.
Curiosity takes over better judgement. "It seems like you have experience on that topic." Tomo murmurs absentmindedly, vision returning to the scenery above the two. "Would you like to talk about it? Not sure if this conversation will go anywhere with me talking about my own life." he suggests, placing his hands on the ground behind him so that he could hold himself up.
Kazuha mentally debates with himself. "I haven't..." he hesitates, noticing the regretful look on Tomo's face. Kazuha sighs to himself. "I believe that it wouldn't benefit you if I told you." the poet-in-training chooses a vague response rather than an informative one.
Tomo seems to understand the subtle tell that Kazuha didn't want to explain and deeper — if he object to it, he doesn't show it. "Maybe another time." he opts, and this time, Kazuha doesn't object.
Kazuha stands up from his sitting position, looking down at his roommate with a small smile. "I suppose so."
.
.
.
Kazuha wasn't exactly curious when it came to the reason why Tomo was drenched when they had first met — but even if he wasn't interested in the answer, he still ended up finding out. Because right now, the said problem was right in front of him; a white cat.
Confused, scarlet eyes raise to Tomo's embarrassed blue ones. "Pets are not allowed in the dorms, Tomo." he informs — perhaps his roommate didn't know, Kazuha assumes as he raises an eyebrow at the baffling scene he's currently witnessing.
However, the shameful look that washes over Tomo's face speaks volumes.
"You are aware of that." Kazuha says — not a question; a statement. After that, it only takes a few seconds before the poet-in-training figures out what Tomo is attempting to do.
Noticing that Kazuha understood what he was doing, Tomo panics slightly. "I am not against the idea of putting him back on the sidewalk—"
"I'm willing to help." Kazuha cuts him off, already knowing what conclusion Tomo was jumping to. "I have a person in mind that could take care of it for the time-being as we situate the needed supplies for the pet." he offers loosely.
A glint of happiness shows in Tomo's eyes. "Who is this person?" he asks, already putting the animal into a portable cage. "Do they like cats?" the roommate inquires with a smidge of skepticism.
An amused smile dares to break across Kazuha's face.
"Certainly."
"No. Absolutely not."
Scaramouche's arms are crossed as a disapproving scowl shows on his features, indigo hues sharpening as he glares at the animal that's peering up at him with curiosity.
Kazuha bites back a laugh. He needs to be reasonable. "It'll only be for the inspection — you have already had yours, and I'm sure that your roommate wouldn't mind." he says, gesturing to the cat-decorated cupboard.
Annoyed, Scaramouche narrows his eyes at the decor. "He would." he pauses. "...probably. I haven't talked to him ever since he assumed that I was a robber." the male murmurs, clearly irritated at the memory.
The thought of could you blame him? passes through Kazuha's mind, but he doesn't have a chance to speak it — because now Tomo is now entering the room with the cat in the portable cage. Yet before he can greet his roommate, Scaramouche shows a smug grin and utters something that has the white-haired male freezing on the spot.
"Is this your boyfriend, Kazuha? I knew he was your type, but I didn't think you'd make a move so quickly." Scaramouche teases as a taken aback blush washes over Kazuha's features. Tomo's eyes widen as he registers the embarrassed look on his roommate's face.
Kazuha clears his throat. "Not at all." he denies, putting a hand over the lower half of his face in a pitiful attempt to hide his flustered state. "I... didn't..." he stammers a bit, completely uncharacteristic.
Scaramouche laughs, victorious. "Leave the cat here — I think I just got my payment." he muses with the biggest shit-eating grin Kazuha has seen, turning on his heel and sending a fucking peace sign as he enters his own room, shutting the door behind him and leaving the two roommates alone.
The silence is incredibly uncomfortable as Tomo awkwardly opens the cage and places the cat onto the floor. Kazuha suddenly has the urge to behead Scaramouche for making the room tense.
"I'll just... ignore that." Tomo clears his throat, and Kazuha's scarlet eyes widen in surprise. Didn't his roommate have a crush on him? Was he not going to dwell on the matter any longer?
Tomo must read this on the poet-in-training's face, because he smiles nervously. "I... have no intention of making you feel uncomfortable, Kazuha." he admits with a bashful chuckle. Kazuha freezes his actions on the spot. "Even if there's the slightest chance of happiness, if it's at the expense of you — I will not do it."
Kazuha's gaze lifts up, as if shocked by the kindness — the white-haired male hesitates, pursing his lips before he speaks. "And what if I do have the same feelings that you do?" he questions, irises trained on Tomo petting the cat lovingly.
"I will still keep quiet." Tomo answers, immediate and determined. "It's not a relationship if there is only one person." he says calmly, oblivious to the inspiration that the sentence gave the poet-in-training.
Kazuha's attention falls to the floor, deliberately ignores the fast pounding of his heart against his chest at the fondness that Tomo has for him. He shouldn't fall for someone so reckless, because he'll only be sucked into a careless lifestyle.
Yet...
Kazuha clenches his fists, scarlet hues softening as he repeats the words languidly, keeping it in his memory.
"It's not a relationship if there is only one person."