Chapter Text
They met years ago now. Wandering outside of Inazuma for incredibly different reasons, but they had both stopped in their tracks at the aqua glow on their other’s hip. It wasn’t often you’d see someone local to Inazuma who wielded an Anemo vision. They had briefly conversed about this - or, Heizou had approached the other and excitedly asked his name. He had softly but confidently responded, turning to face him fully; “Kaedehara Kazuha,” and that had given Heizou enough confirmation it was okay to keep talking to the boy.
Heizou really didn’t need a lot of feedback to keep him talking. Oftentimes, in fact, he missed other people’s cues to stop talking. Luckily for him, Kazuha didn’t seem to mind at all when Heizou would go on tangents, talk for hours, ask questions and hardly wait for an answer. They’d bonded quickly, much to Kazuha’s surprise, over both being outcasts in their own ways.
Kazuha was an ex-fugative, and Heizou was… unpopular socially, due to being labeled as “ loud, obnoxious, and overly comfortable ”. Kazuha didn’t find this to be true at all, but perhaps his perception of Heizou and his patience for him made him lenient.
They spent many hours together after their first meeting, Heizou boldly requesting to join Kazuha on his journey, and Kazuha allowing it as most people would get bored quickly, or wary of how far from the safety of the city they were getting.
Heizou never seemed to get nervous. The first time trouble had arisen, Kazuha had reached to draw his sword to fight the enemies that had appeared. Before he could take a step, his sword only half-drawn, Heizou had launched forward and started beating them down with his fists. As Kazuha watched, he saw Heizou using his vision to propel himself, to add more power behind his hits. A catalyst who specializes in physical combat? Kazuha had never seen such a thing, and was enthralled.
Despite his reluctance, and his strong resolve to never let anyone in close. Keep everyone at arm’s distance, keep everyone away to spare himself the regret and the loneliness of losing someone… Heizou crept his way boldly into Kazuha’s mind, ensnaring him, captivating him.
After they parted on the day they’d met, Kazuha found himself curious. He was thinking of Heizou; his confidence, his demeanor, the way he fought, the way he grinned when they were both safe and asked if Kazuha was okay. The way his breathing settled and he felt like he could hear Heizou’s heartbeat reverberating in his own skull, his palms growing sweaty as he felt an innate connection to this person.
They met again, and again, each time growing more familiar than the last. Heizou proving himself to be reliable and self-sustaining in battle, kazuha growing to trust that Heizou was strong and capable, that he wouldn’t throw himself into things recklessly. He was slow to get to this place, but somewhere along the way he hadn’t felt his stomach drop out and his heart stutter at the first sign of danger knowing that he had someone accompanying him that he’d regret losing.
Typically they met outside the city, but on a couple of occasions Kazuha accompanied Heizou into the city. The crowds overwhelmed him, but Heizou linked their arms so they’d stay close together and wouldn’t lose each other as Heizou navigated them easily to where he was trying to go.
Kazuha was surprised to see how people reacted to Heizou striking up conversation. Like they were exhausted before it began, like they were putting on a show, like they were on the defensive. Heizou spoke boldly, saying what he meant in blunt terms, but Kazuha had always admired that about him. Other people seemed to see it as a flaw and called it abrasive, which Kazuha could hardly comprehend.
“He means you no harm, and harbours no ill-will toward you.” Kazuha had spoken softly once to a large man who had been getting tense. Heizou hadn’t noticed, and was speaking to him about a commission he’d accepted from him, explaining how what the man said was there wasn’t there.
The man had grown frustrated, as he was confident he was right in the information he’d had. “He did as you’d asked, and the result isn’t what you had hoped for. But he still followed your instructions, sir.” Kazuha spoke, thinking nothing of how Heizou and himself were still linked arms in front of the man who looked at the two with partial confusion before grumbling and handing over the payment he owed Heizou. Heizou thanked the man graciously before they walked off together, Heizou praising Kazuha for being able to get the man to stay calm and pay him.
Heizou often wasn’t paid for the work he did due to his poor communication skills and people thinking he was lying, or playing a prank on them. He was goofy, and liked to joke around, but it caused people to mistrust him more often than not. Kazuha decided to accompany Heizou back to the city any time Heizou needed to report back about a commission.
But now, Heizou had no such obligation. Kazuha was sitting under the shade of a tree, legs stretched out in front of him as he leaned back against the bark. He watched Heizou as he reenacted a fight he was describing, strong but brief wind currents being summoned by the call of his vision as he punched and kicked and maneuvered his body. Sometimes he would play the role of who he had been fighting, dramatically falling to the ground, a puff of dry dirt erupting around him before he’d get back up and kick where he’d just been lying, laughing maniacally.
Kazuha watched with dreams in his eyes, a flutter in his heart; the boy before him having easily consumed his entire mind.
Kazuha didn’t remember when it had happened. He couldn’t remember when it started. But somewhere along the way he’d fallen for Heizou and his antics, his bold personality that refused to bend, bow, or break. He was everything Kazuha lacked when he needed it, and it felt so natural to be with him.
Heizou was intense, he was loud, but when he needed to… he could be quiet. He could listen.
Kazuha wasn’t always very outspoken. But when he needed it most, it seemed Heizou would instinctively create silence. They would listen to the wind; heed it’s guidance.
Sometimes they’d walk for a day in the direction the wind was blowing just to see where it would carry them. Listening to the twigs snapping under their feet, smelling the ocean… tasting the bitter air of autumn in a dense forest; the pine, the fur, the oak. Making a small fire to keep warm in the colder seasons, huddling together for their shared heat and comfort. Watching animals in silence as they went about their lives; eating, sleeping, exploring.
Or moments like now.
Reunited after too long; the other side of the war. When all seemed serene, calm, quiet; Kazuha was no longer being hunted. He could get close to the city again. There were brief moments of hesitance in getting so close, in being seen, but Heizou caught word of him and found him immediately. He’d thrown himself at Kazuha, hugging him tightly, almost knocking them both off their balance before he grinned and expressed how much he’d missed Kazuha, how he was relieved to see he was okay.
Heizou now had many stories to tell, and to show. They too often had to part ways, and this last spanse of time had lasted far too long.
Heizou had a duty to fulfill as a detective for one of the leading clans of Inazuma, and Kazuha had been a wanted man, only recently free of such allegations and all he wanted was to roam once more. He loved Inazuma, and quietly loved Heizou, but he revered being alone.
More than that though, and much to his own dismay, he revered being alone with Heizou. The shared space, the shared silence, the sem-shared serenity when he’d watched a butterfly land on Heizou’s sleeping nose.
When had this happened? When had his time alone, wandering, become so… lonely?
It wasn’t lonely before. It was peaceful, it was free. Now there was longing drawing him back towards the crowds he regretted even thinking about. Back toward the city that once hunted him. Wanting something out of his reach; wanting a consistency that was too far away.
Head-over-heels for a fantasy that could never become reality. One where Heizou would wander with him, and want the same things. One where Heizou would feel content with just existing, and moving, and seeing, and sharing .
Kazuha wished to share everything with Heizou. His space, his time, his wishes, his fears, his history, his plans, his poems… his life .
But he wasn’t confident. He wasn’t sure enough, and it seemed proven that Heizou did not want the same. Every time they bid each other farewell, Heizou wouldn’t look back.
Kazuha did. Often, he would linger for a few minutes close to the city, listening to the bustle of people, the sounds overwhelming his senses, just so he would still feel close to whom he instantly missed.
“Kaz?”
Kazuha snapped back into the present, blinking a few times to see Heizou crouched in front of him. Sitting on his heels, balancing on his toes as his knees hovered in front of him. Kazuha shook his head a little to clear it, finally meeting Heizou’s eyes.
“Apologies, I seemed to have gotten lost in memories.” Kazuha said softly, a small smile to match his tone.
“What kind of memories? You looked conflicted.” Heizou mused, smiling as well as he watched Kazuha with curiosity that was unparalleled.
Kazuha loved this look. The slight scrunch of his nose in anticipation of the information. The twinkle in his eye, the spark for learning something new . It was no wonder he made an incredible detective.
“Well?” Heizou prompted after a moment of silence, a cheeky grin on his face as he narrowed his eyes.
Kazuha tucked some of his hair behind his ear, eyes drifting downward to the dirt between them from where he sat on the ground. “I was remembering some other stories you’ve told me before, and some of the times we shared wandering Inazuma.”
“Oh?” Heizou questioned, frowning lightly now; “Why the less-than-satisfied expression?” Heizou seemed to worry now, plunking himself down into the dirt across from Kazuha, folding his legs beneath him.
Kazuha’s eyes immediately lifted to meet Heizou’s again in partial shock, not having expected the physical expression of staying to hear the explanation . Usually Heizou brushed off things like this that Kazuha said; laughing it off or pushing his shoulder a little with a goofy expression. But now he seemed perturbed; what was the difference?
“I look forward to our time spent together,” Kazuha began to explain slowly; “Our days, our hours, our minutes.” He mused, his gaze sliding off to the side as he half-slipped into memories again. Heizou just watched, almost mesmerized by the sight of Kazuha in this moment.
“I look forward to our seconds. Of our passing glances… and even though it aches, I look forward to our goodbyes with a promise of seeing each other again.” Kazuha whispered at the end, his expression looking… soft; content.
Heizou was silent, his eyes having widened slightly. He didn’t know what to say. He was rarely at a loss for words. He usually talked so much people would moan and groan and tell him to take it somewhere else… but now he truly had no words to say.
Now his mouth hung open, devoid of any sounds to form words at all.
“And though I cherish being alone, it’s become lonely without you.” Kazuha continued, not having noticed Heizou’s body language or expression. “And despite my efforts of keeping people at arms length, even just the shape of saying your name- it feels like my mouth was made to say it, to hold it.”
Heizou was lost, he could hardly keep up. What was this? A confession? How did this come up? When had this happened- why was this happening now ?
“I’m so proud of you for being a detective, for following your passions, and serving the people you care for.” Kazuha’s voice was barely above a breeze now, watching as a few leaves were plucked from the tree above them by a gust of wind. He watched them blow out toward the ocean. “And I wish my calling was adjacent to yours, but I’m constantly being drawn away from you.”
“That’s not true.” Heizou mumbled, frowning deeply now. Kazuha met his eyes again. “You come back to the city regularly, do you not?”
“The wind does not bring me here, Heizou. The earth beneath my feet does not bring me back. I fight to come back and see you, because a deeper part of me wishes to.”
Heizou was struck silent again.
“The sun is going to set soon, ‘Zou.” Kazuha hummed now, still seeming content despite his somewhat troubling words. “You should-”
“Don’t ‘ ’Zou ’ me. Stop using your fancy words, what are you trying to say to me?” Heizou asked, ever the stickler for taking things as literally as possible when spoken to.
Unfortunately, Kazuha loved to speak in metaphors, and otherwise non-literal terms. “That it’s getting late,” Kazuha offered with a tilt of his head, “and that you should head home?”
Heizou stared at him for a long moment, gaze boring into him. If Kazuha had really meant something by everything he’d just said, wouldn’t he out and say it now? Was Heizou being too sticky in his ways, should he try harder to interpret the meaning behind Kazuha’s way of speaking when it came to his feelings?
Usually he just listened and agreed and felt the weight of Kazuha’s words, because usually it didn’t apply to them .
“Why don’t you come with me?” Heizou offered, figuring maybe that way he would have more time to think and ask Kazuha more direct questions about things he’d been saying. “You know, like we used to! You could come stay the night, I promise it’s quiet at night this time of year.”
Kazuha shook his head lightly, causing Heizou distress once more.
“I would prefer to set off on foot again, walk until it’s dark. The ocean is calling me.”
“The ocean?” Heizou asked, incredulous now. “It’s harvest season, it’s too cold! Kaz’, please come stay the night. Depart in the morning, when you have more time for preparations?” Heizou pleaded, thinking he made a decent case.
But Kazuha stood silently, brushing the dirt from his pants, straightening his shirt and belt. Heizou rushedly stood as well.
“Perhaps during our next seconds, but I think these next few will be our last for now.” Kazuha whispered, voice still light and happy even as his eyes betrayed him.
Dark, colourless pools sat in his irises where usually there was a bright, vibrant flame.
“Kazuha…”
“Heizou,” Kazuha giggled softly now, raising a hand up to cover his mouth as he did; “Like I was made to say it.” He added softly, almost to himself, before he started striding off.
“Kazuha!” Heizou called, taking a few strides after him before slowing. There was no stopping him, and sleep was just around the corner. He should go home…
“Farewell, see you when next my heart calls for you!” Kazuha cried over his shoulder with a broad grin before turning to continue walking off.
This time, Kazuha didn’t look back, for fear that if this time Heizou stuck around, that he’d widness the tears in his eyes as he left.
And good thing he didn’t turn around, because Heizou
did
stay. He stayed, and he watched Kazuha disappear into the distance before he moved his heavy feet to drag himself back home, and spend each day waiting for Kazuha to reappear once again.