Chapter Text
“Traveler, you're so dreamy~”
When those teasing words came out of his mouth, it was moments after he’d seen Aether fight off the Nobushis in front of him. The idea of being infatuated towards the blond traveler didn’t even cross his mind.
But here he was, walking towards Ritou, every step nervous but light, his cheeks colored with a whiff of pastel pink.
Ever since his stay in Watatsumi Island, his mind seemed to repeat the event of that day, like a broken record. Searching for every evidence and clue, anything that would help him solve the mystery he was thrown into. But he wasn’t alone. The famed traveler, known for every great deed he has done for Teyvat, also followed him on the investigation, although he only talked a minimal amount (or it might’ve been the flying companion who kept interrupting him), but he could feel himself falling and falling once more for him.
Maybe it was the mysterious being Aether was. Like a labyrinth, the life of the traveler was locked behind mysterious bars and gates. Solving cases was Heizou’s lifestyle, so maybe it was that essence in the traveler that had him smitten at first sight.
Heizou quickly knocked on the hotel door. This type of excitement and pure nervousness… wasn’t the everyday adrenaline of solving cases. Something new, something he has never felt before. It took him several books and a “That’s Life” magazine to figure out these odd symptoms. But now he knew. He knew it was love.
The door slowly creaked open, with a muffled “coming” coming from inside the room. Heizou’s eyes widened at the excitement. He knew there was no better moment than now. He knew what he had to say. He just hoped Aether would understand and accept the feelings that overflowed love Heizou has carried.
But soon his excited eyes narrowed back to normal, turning into a concerned squint.
“Oh… hi Heizou.”
Aether seemed very fatigued; black shadows under his eyes, slugged back, and a very, very forced smile. The usual sunshine demeanor gone, Heizou could feel his worry bubbling inside him.
“Huh… are you doing okay, partner? You look tired? Have you rested and eaten properly?”
Aether just forced another forced smile on his tired face, and merely nodded.
“What are you doing here today, Heizou? Do you need any help?”
Heizou shook his head in urgency, as he managed a laugh to lighten the atmosphere.
“What? No, no! It would be too heartless to put more work on an already tired person, such as yourself, don’t you think?”
Unfortunately, Aether merely huffed, as he started to fidget at the coarse tip of his roughly braided hair.
“Heh, really? Well, I have to get going, Heizou. I have a few errands to run, and pick up Paimon from the Kamisato Estate-”
“What!? No!” Heizou grabbed Aether’s shoulder as he walked out his room, “you’re going to stay here and rest! You’re not getting any work done in tha-”
“Can’t you leave me alone!?”
Heizou hitched his breath to the sharpness in the voice. He’s never heard the traveler raise his voice like that, ever. The usual calm demeanor, Aether was huffing as if was struggling to handle anger himself.
“...Everyone wants something from me, who would I be if I didn’t return it?”
Heizou opened his mouth to call Aether’s name, but no sound came out from his dry throat. How long has it been since he genuinely felt scared? Terrified?
“Came here to see me, did you… Heizou?”
“Just shut up! Shut up!”
The sharp dagger. The blood.
The sin .
Heizou felt himself choke on breath, as he clenched his heart, coughing as he tried to get rid of the lump in his throat, gasping for oxygen, slowly but surely refilling his lungs. He had to stop Aether. It was either that or let it happen again.
But when Heizou looked up, Aether was long gone.
_______
Heizou ran and ran, the wind kicking off his feet, enhancing his speed to reach his destination. Following suspects was an important aspect of Heizou’s job as a detective. Everything leaves a trace; the dirt, the trees, the water. With the amazing Anemo infused sprinting, it was no wonder all criminals were constantly on alert for Shikanoin “Cyclone” Heizou. But right now, the urgency was different than usual.
Aether. If he fights in such a state, he’ll only hurt himself.
Where Heizou ended up following Aether’s trail was Araumi, the northern tip of Narukami Island. After catching his breath, the real work came in. Looking for his partner. Taking out his magnifying glass and using his Anemo abilities to his advantage, he traced the tracks down to a large well that seemed to lead to some ancient ruins.
“Well, here goes nothing-!”
Heizou dived towards the ground, softening the fall into the puddle with a swirl of Anemo. Underground was dreary, wet, and frankly disgusting. What was Aether doing here? He wrinkled his nose at the molten smell of moss, and walked further in.
Just as he turned a corner, he felt his breathing pause, and his eyes jolted open.
“Haha! What big bounty, boss! You’re so smart!”
“No need for such praise, simply put an anonymous commission to the Adventurer’s Guild, and the bait has caught its prey.”
A crowd of Nobushis and Treasure Hoarders surrounded a pale figure, tied to a stick under layers and layers of rough rope. They seemed to be praising their catch, and searching for Mora in every pocket, carelessly touching every part of Aether’s body for any money or any items of worth.
“You’ll… regret this…” gasped the traveler, as he tried to kick off the touches around his torso, but it came with no success.
“Regret what, huh? You’ll be gone after we search every part of you!”
Every careless action made the string in Heizou’s head snap.
Suddenly, the recollections flew through his mind once more.
He met him at a festival. He had so many different things from different countries… ah, that drew my curiosity oh so much.
He robbed them from the local guild… and he wanted to steal my things too.
He looked so sad… so ragged in his torn and tattered clothing.
I was so furious, I threw everything out the window, wanting to forget about him.
The next thing I knew, he was lying on the road, dagger in his heart, blood staining everything red…
“Came here to see me, did you… Heizou?”
“Just shut up! Shut up!”
Overcome by emotion, he nearly jumped off to charge towards the crowd of idiots. But he collected himself before he did so, and breathed to clear his mind and bring in the rational side of his brain. He looked around his surroundings. Electroculus, treasure chests, and… automatons?
Heizou smirked deviously, as Anemo started swirling around his fists.
I can’t let it happen again. I won’t.
Let’s settle my battle against sin.
Once and for all.
_____
“Boss! We’ve gotten everything!”
“Good good! Now, now… what to do with you? Burn you? Poison you? Stab you for a quick and easy death?”
Aether grunted, no energy left in his body. He felt himself losing, losing hope of any escape.
Ah, if only he only listened to Heizou then…
If he took his reckless self to rest for a bit more…
Will Heizou be smiling right now?
Wait…!
“Boss! Up there! A-automatons! And the… no…”
“The rumored ‘Cyclone’ of the Tenryou Commission…”
The hesitant rumbles from the criminals painted a smile on Aether’s face. With tears rolling down his cheeks, he felt himself letting go, letting go for the first time since when?
“I’m Shikanoin Heizou!” the loud, proud voice boomed, “I’ve come to arrest you under the violation of burglary and human rights violation!”
The short yet powerful figure pointed towards the criminals, who were now shivering with fear.
“Robots, attack!”
I don’t like resorting to violence… unless it’s urgent, of course!
Heizou’s laughter echoed through Aether’s mind. He watched the male kick, punch, and swirl through the criminals, accompanied the automatons who were oddly cooperating with whatever Heizou ordered.
Aether noticed a short glance Heizou gave while dancing through his martial arts routine. A bright wink reflected against the amber eyes, making Aether’s face heat up to a beautiful shade of red.
In that moment, Aether truly realized what he tried to ignore and deny for the past month. The movement, the grace,the mind, the face, the body…
Heizou was truly perfect.
____
The tight knot came undone as Heizou grabbed the shriveled figure that was the Traveler.
Hardly breathing, he felt so… weak in Heizou’s arms. Even the heroes who seemed perfect in their stories and tales have their fragile moments. Heizou heard a quiet voice, a mere whisper coming from the figure, immediately turning his head towards the blond.
“Sorry… I should’ve listened to you…”
Heizou didn’t know if he should cry or laugh. The tangled knot of emotions, the emotions that came with loving a person, cherishing every moment with… it made the magnitude of the feelings even more larger.
“No it’s okay, it’s fine, partner,” Heizou whispered, as he felt himself bringing the other’s body closer, “just get some rest, and let’s get you out of here.”
“How did you know I was here…?”
“Heh,” Heizou smirked, “don’t underestimate a prodigy detective’s tracking skills~”
Aether let out a small chuckle. “I should’ve guessed that much.”
Heizou felt his heart speed up at the sound of the voice. It was shinier than gold, softer than fur, and clearer than water, even when he was heavily injured. The detective felt an urge to get closer, closer to the traveler to shake off this giddiness. But the traveler was still in critical condition; Heizou urged himself to stop with a clearing with his mouth, as he walked forwards towards the light, with Aether safe by his side.
Ah, the warmth comforted every sense of him from the fight.
The time can wait a little bit more.
_____