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Out of everything you could’ve thought of doing, falling in love was not on your list.
And of course, it had to be with the one and only Kaedehara Kazuha. Who would’ve thought?
Honestly, he did seem to be your type anyway. Was it the way he’d be a bit softer to you compared to others? Or the way his voice would seem to be able to soothe you? Maybe when he’d look out for you in little ways? Who knows. Luckily for you though, you could fake shit, so acting like nothing was going on with your feelings wasn’t that hard.
But then, we all need some kind of outlet for those bottled-up feelings, such as writing a little diary or being a bit more affectionate than usual. So, you ended up writing little notes signed with a little leaf at the end, leaving them in places you knew he’d find them in. Of course, you made effort in making the penmanship seem different, it’d be stupid if you get caught because of something as little as that.
And honestly, you found it a bit embarrassing that he’d read the notes to you whenever he found them. Endearing, even. You did tend to wonder why he would read it out loud, though. To catch the writer, you , red-handed? Psh, please.
“There seems to be another one,” Kazuha ushered you to go over to him. Speak of the devil , you thought as you were now at his side, peering over his shoulder. “Really now? What does it say this time?” You asked, feigning cluelessness.
“ ‘Archons, who gave you the right to my heart? I want it back, lover boy,’ it says,” Kazuha read aloud, both of you not noticing Beidou right behind you as he did.
“Oho? Kazuha has a little admirer, I see.”
“It’s kinda adorable how they’d just leave it here and there, look they even know you play the leaf!” You pointed to the signature doodle at the bottom, proud that you could boast about your own creation without them being aware, almost like an inside joke you had to yourself.
Beidou side-eyed you for a moment before turning to Kazuha, “got any idea who on my ship would pull something like this?” You blinked, the way Beidou had looked at you… Was she aware? Oh no, no no no no. Probably not. You kept your eyes on her as she and Kazuha talked about the culprit behind the love notes. You’re probably overthinking it. Play it cool, [Name]. Play it coo—
“[Name]? You’ve been a bit silent now? Have an idea?” Kazuha’s voice startled you, making you jolt before clearing your throat, not noticing the knowing look on Beidou’s face. You put your hand on your chin, pretending to think about it and shaking your head after a few moments. “No, sorry.”
“Ah, that’s fine. They’ll come forward soon.” You internally laughed, oh if only you knew, Kazu .
————
You were just chilling on the deck, messing around with your sword, and enjoying the fresh air when Souta, one of the crewmates, told you Beidou was looking for you. You fixed your hair up as you raised a brow, “me? Why the hell is she looking for me?”
“Yeah you, don’t know why though,” he shrugged. “You should get there now.”
“And I thought I could practice some moves,” you sighed, sheathing your sword and fixing your vision strapped onto your belt as the other crewmate deadpanned. “Please don’t. Last time you did that, you almost set the crux off course.”
“Hey! I didn’t get that carried away, geez,” you huffed, marching your way inside to look for Beidou. Nami, another crewmate, popped into view as she crossed her arms beside Souta. “How much do you wanna bet it’s about the note thing?” She nudged the boy, who only looked at her as if he expected this.
“You’re seriously betting on that? … A thousand mora.”
————
“Ah, [Name]! Just the person I was looking for, Come over ‘ere for a sec,” Beidou ushered for you to sit next beside her as you reluctantly did so, eyeing the bottle of sake suspiciously. “Did you really just invite me over so you could make me drink?”
Beidou snorted, “you’ve got me wrong, inconspicuous note writer.” You nodded mindlessly for a moment before her words clicked in your brain, and you immediately backed away, attempting to form words to defend yourself but all that went out is “AIEEE?!” She laughed at your dilemma, “Don’t forget I have a keen eye and know you, [Name].”
You sulked, slumping down next to her and hiding your face in your hands. Yeah, you really should've known. Beidou had a knack for figuring you out first. You decided to mess around with your shoes and stared at the floor, unable to keep eye contact with the captain. “Do you think he knows?” You asked quietly, voice barely a whisper.
You heard Beidou hum from beside you as she took a gulp of sake before answering. “Knowing him, he's probably aware of it for a while now,” you let out a tiny whine at that. ‘ I'm so fucking stupid why am I like this should I just jump off the ship and drown? ’ Beidou laughed before glancing at who was leaning against the frame of the open door.
Kazuha had been standing there the whole time while the two of you idly chatted, his face sporting a smug look once he had heard you and Beidou exchange words. He inaudibly sighed, a small smile on his face as he watched you hit yourself on the forehead. Eventually, he went over to you, grabbing your hand after a smack one too many times. “I think that’s enough, no?”
You froze at the sight of Kazuha, had he heard everything? Do you have to admit to it now? Oh dear archons fuck shitty fuck. A nervous grin made its way onto your face. “Heeey there, Kazuha buddy. Whatcha doinʼ over here? Haha… ha…”
Beidou could only snort at your horrible attempt to save yourself from your own problem. Right when you were about to ask her for assistance, she had immediately found an excuse to leave you two alone, something about needing a new bottle of sake. “Enjoy your play date~” She snickered when she saw your face contort into a mix of horror and embarrassment.
“Wha— Beidou! ”
Once the Electro captain was out of sight, you refused to meet eyes with Kazuha. However, you could see in the corner of your eyes that Kazuha was clearly amused, or at least that's what you think based on his expression. The silence continued for a few minutes longer before Kazuha decided to make you face him himself.
He placed a hand under your chin and gently turned your head to look at him. Your face felt like it was on fire, and you assumed it was burning red as well from the chuckle Kazuha had let out. “You look so flustered for someone whoʼs so bold in writing love letters.”
“W—well, that's different!”
“Hm? How so?” Oh Celestia, the tease in this man's voice is driving you nuts .
“Staying anonymous gives a sense of security and confidence… and boldness which is still confidence but— oh you get what I mean!” You internally winced at how your voice just went a few octaves higher from the nervousness building up. “This was not how I expected my confession would go, aha.”
“As do I. I was planning to recite one of the many haikus I had written and accumulated, but not everything goes to plan, no?”
“At least we have something in common— wait what? ”
Kazuha laughed at the genuine shock you showed on your face. “When you said I had stolen your heart, mine had already belonged to you, my love.” He took your hand and placed a chaste kiss on your knuckles.
At this point, you didn't care about keeping it together in front of. You covered your face with your free hand, “Why are you so—” You shook your hand, letting out a tiny squeak. “You're so— you—” You clutched your chest as if you steady your beating heart.
Kazuha cupped your cheeks, “Am I so what, love?” He teased, a sly smirk on his face as he picked on you for the second time that day.
“So damn irresistible.” You puffed out your cheeks like a squirrel, seeing that this man was joyed from flustering you. You definitely didn’t like that Kazuha can actually be a tease if he wanted to.
He hummed, “I know.” Seeing you pout from all the teasing, he smiled. “Would you like me to say aloud one of the many haikus I have at the moment?” You nodded rapidly. If he gets to quote one of your notes (albeit indirectly), then he should give you a haiku in compensation, maybe even more if he wants to!
He hummed, closing his eyes as you assumed he was thinking which haiku was suited for this moment. Unexpectedly, he leaned in to kiss the corners of your mouth, catching you off guard. You giggled, “Didn’t you say—” He placed a finger on your lips, silencing you. “I know which haiku would suit this moment now.”
I kiss the corner
of your smile, and I can taste
laughter in your soul.
—J. S. Parker