Work Text:
“Join me.”
“Huh?”
Kazuha stood on the ramp that was leading from the ship to the dock, a box of supplies held in his arms that he needed to store in the ship.
Gorou and Kokomi were standing on the dock to say their goodbyes to Kazuha.
Beidou let out a laugh and walked from her spot next to Kokomi who she had been talking to, taking the box from Kazuha, “I’ll finish putting this on, take your time.” She walked up the ramp yelling hello at someone who waved their greetings to her.
Kazuha turned and watched her go before making eye contact with Gorou again, “Join time on my travels.”
Gorou blinked.
Kokomi giggled.
Kazuha watched for a response.
Gorou opened and closed his mouth a few times.
Kazuha waited a few moments before sighing, “I see. Well, I won’t beg you.”
Kazuha walked down the ramp and grabbed a box from one of his crew mates walking up the ramp.
Gorou stammered, “hold on-“
Kokomi looked at him with pity, “he’s already on board, Gorou…”
“Lady Sangonomiya…” Gorou mumbled numbly looking at her.
Kokomi smiled gently, “You know, you’ve always been a dear friend to many, Gorou.”
“I-“
She shook her head, “Besides the point, You can go.”
“I can’t just-“
“Gorou.” Kokomi spoke softly, “Go. The resistance is to be a piece of history books which will have your name written in it, we’ll manage from here. Go with him, you want to, right?”
“I do but-“
Kokomi’s smile was reassuring, “He won’t wait for you, you know.”
“But…”
“What is holding you back, Gorou?”
“What about you?”
Kokomi laughed gently, “I am Kokomi Sangonomiya, Divine Priestess of the Sangonomiya Shrine, entrusted with maintaining Watatsumi Island. I think that after all the battles, I have the ability to defend myself.”
“Well… yes but…”
Kokomi realized where his true worry was, “Oh… Gorou, I’ll miss you of course, but I won’t be alone, I promise, besides Captain Beidou returns to Inazuma for trade fairly often, this won’t be the last you see me. There will be many times to come.” She reaches up and scratches behind Gorou’s ears which twitch a little at the motion.
Gorou stared at her, “Lady Sangonomiya?”
Kokomi pulled her hand away, “Yes, General?”
“May I…”
Kokomi smiled a bit brighter and giggled, “You are relieved from your duty, General Gorou, thank you for your service.”
Gorou’s eyes lit up.
Kokomi giggled a little more and wrapped her around him, giving her dear friend a goodbye hug, “You two send letters okay?”
Gorou nodded as he hugged her back.
Kokomi pulled away and smiled at him, “and if Kazuha says one thing wrong you make sure to include that in the letters so I can show in the full force of the Sangonomiya shrine’s power.”
Gorou laughed a bit, “Of course, Lady Sangonomiya.”
Kokomi’s smile became a little lopsided as she looked at him, “You can just call me, Kokomi, Gorou.”
Gorou’s eyes widened gently.
“Uh- yes- alright- I can do that Kokomi.”
Kokomi giggled, “You’ll get used to it, seeing as I won’t respond to a single letter if I don’t see a “Dearest and treasured Kokomi, wonderful and beautiful friend of mine” at the beginning of them.”
“I-“
“Kidding, “Dear, Kokomi” will do.” She smiles.
“Ah right! Dear… Kokomi.” Gorou looked at her.
They stood there for a few moments.
“Alright Alright! What are you still doing here, Go!” She grins as she makes motions for him to shoo.
“Ah right!” Gorou leaned forward and gave Kokomi another quick hug before running up to the ship and up the ramp.
He turned and waved at Kokomi.
She smiled gently and waved back, watching him disappear into the lower decks to find Kazuha
So long, dear friend. Have safe travels.
“Lady Sangonomiya!”
Kokomi turned and saw Kujou Sara on the ground where it meets the sea and deck.
“Lady Kujou Sara!” She nods at her walking towards her to speak with her properly.
“I was asked to escort you to the Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko wishes to have an audience with you.”
Kokomi nodded.
Ah, Business. Well, one day it won’t be for that I’m sure.
Kokomi steps forward, grabbing Sara’s hand when she holds it out to help her off the docks and down to solid ground, before letting go and following her away, sparing one last look at the ship that now gave shelter and a home to her two dear friends.
~~
“Kazuha!” Gorou ran up from behind him, circling to stand in front of him.
“Ah- Gorou.” Kazuha looked vaguely surprised as he set the cargo box down in the stack, turning to look at him more.
“You were serious right? We can travel together?” Gorou’s eyes were light and his tail wagged both excitedly and nervously.
“Yes I was but-“
“Okay!”
Kazuha looked at him in subtle shock.
“I was hesitating cause it was short notice but Kokomi told me it was fine and that she wanted me to go if I wanted to and- well actually she says we have to write her letters and she also says that-“
“Do you wish to join?”
Gorou stopped and looked at him for a moment, “Yes, I wanna travel with you.”
Kazuha smiled, “Alright.”
Gorou grinned and hugged Kazuha, who stood there awkwardly for a moment before returning it.
Gorou pulled away from him and Kazuha looked at him, reaching up and scratching his ear.
Gorou leaned into the touch silently.
Kazuha looked at Gorou, his hair slightly in front of his eyes, ears twitching gently, eyes fluttering open and closed, a gentle smile on his face.
Ah. So now I understand. This is what a home feels like. I had forgotten till now.
Kazuha leaned into him again and gently hugged Gorou, who melted back into Kazuha’s arms like puddy and hugged back, tail wagging happily.
Kazuha pulled away to look at Gorou, smiling gently before setting his head on Gorou’s shoulder, melting into the gentle scent of foliage and grapefruits.
Home.
Kazuha thought.
Gorou held him close.
This is my home.
~~
To my Dearest and Treasured Kokomi, wonderful and Beautiful friend of mine,
Kokomi giggled when she read the opening of the letter.
The crux is stopped in Liyue Harbor for now, since the rest of the crew is from Liyue we’re docking for a few days. Kazuha says that he wants to introduce me to a few people. I believe her name was Xiangling. He says that he thinks that we’ll get along. Apparently she’s a cook or chef or something, I’m not sure. I’m excited to meet her though, maybe she can teach me how to cook a few things so that when we stop by Inazuma I can cook you a few things.
Anyways, everything is going smoothly, I’m still trying to adjust to working on the Crux but Captain Beidou is patient and Kazuha helps me out if I mess up.
In some way I miss being on the battlefield with you, though I can’t say I miss it too much. It’s rather entertaining on the Crux.
Not that I don’t miss you, Kokomi. Of course I do.
Anyways- I hope that’s enough of an update for you- how is everything in Inazuma?
I hope everything is going well, let me know if you need any help and keep me updated.
Sincerely,
Gorou. <3
Kokomi smiled softly and she set the letter to the side looking at the second from the envelope.
Dear,
Sangonomiya
Kokomi hummed, short entrance for a proclaimed wandering bard.
I would have assumed one letter from Gorou would be enough but Gorou insisted I write since you said we should both send letters.
Speaking of, For the time being we’re docked in Liyue Harbor, it’s not my first nor my last time here but it is Gorou’s first and he does seem to be experiencing some culture shock.
There’s no need to worry, I can handle him- and Beidou has taken a liking to him as well so I don’t think she minds.
How are negotiations? Are they still ongoing? Make sure to rest, your job is tiring.
Sincerely,
Kaedehara Kazuha.
Kokomi smiled.
“Lady Sangonomiya!”
Kokomi looked up towards the opening of the little cave. Nobody but her and a select few knew of her secret spot.
She smiled at the woman who wandered into the cave, “Ah. Lady Sangonomiya, you really are here.”
Kokomi smiled, “Miss Kujou Sara. I’m sorry I was a bit drained and went here, I did not realize I was late for tea.”
Sara shook her head, “It’s fine.”
Kokomi smiled and set the letters to the side, making note to write back later, she stood up and walked from the small table to Sara, grabbing onto the woman’s hand when offered help out of the cave.
‘Ah.’ Later that day Kokomi thought to herself while she sipped from the teacup, sitting across from the military woman. They were talking about some strategy tactics until at some point the conversation dispersed into mindless chatter.
Normally Kokomi would be drained from such activities, but the peaceful smile Kujou Sara had was enough to make it enjoyable.
Kokomi smiled softly.
This is what home is like.
~~
Dear Gorou and Kazuha.
Thank you for sending your letters. If you’d like, you can write them together so you don’t have to write two.
I hope meeting those friends went well. I’m glad you’re both enjoying your time on the Crux.
Inazuma is doing well. Negotiations continue to move smoothly. I believe Miss Kujou Sara is mostly to thank for that, if not for her the tri-commission would likely have been much less understanding in our wishes. She truly has been great to work with.
Kazuha, I thank you for your worries, I’ll keep them in mind, but I am rather adept in balancing out my time and energy.
Gorou, I will let you know if I need any help but please just enjoy your time.
I miss you both. Keep sending letters.
Thank you, and don’t get into too much trouble.
Sincerely,
Sangonomiya Kokomi.
~~
Tens of letters back and forth.
Kokomi knew it was coming when she opened the most recent one and saw the familiar handwriting that had filled out so many reports to her.
Kokomi.
I think I’ve found home.
I love him.
Gorou.
She almost laughed at how short it was.
Writing a response.
Gorou,
Then tell him that, not me.
I’m happy for you two.
Kokomi.
She didn’t plan for the response to be from Kazuha.
Dear,
Sangonomiya.
He did end up telling me.
If I might suggest.
Why don’t you take your own advice and tell her?
You deserve a home too after all.
Sincerely,
Kaedehara Kazuha.
~~
Dear,
Kazuha
I didn’t need to.
She told me.
Kokomi.
~~
Kokomi surfaced from underwater.
“You really can hold your breath for a long time, you know.”
She looked over at the beach and saw two boys standing next to her lover who was sitting in the sand.
She swam out of the water and hugged the two boys, all three collapsing to the ground.
Quiet laughs and grins were shared.
Kokomi rested against Sara’s shoulder, who in turn leaned her head on Kokomi’s.
Kazuha scratched Gorou’s ears while the boy laid in his lap.
The sun beat down on the two couples and they looked at each other knowingly.
This is what home is like.