Work Text:
The wandering samurai, Kaedehara Kazuha, found something akin to a home aboard the Crux.
Yes, the Captain of the Crux had a habit of acting all fatherly towards him and calling herself his father and her lover, Liyue’s Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing Ningguang, his mother. Despite that, he could call them and the crew of the Crux his friends.
For the longest time, his only friend was Tomo before he lost his life to the Raiden Shogun and the Musou no Hitotachi.
The Crux docks in Ritou to see Thoma waiting for them. Thoma usually is waiting for them when they dock, including his first trip back to Inazuma.
Minutes later, Kazuha finds himself standing side by side with Beidou on the dock as she talks to Thoma. He must’ve gotten lost in his thoughts as he ended up wandering through Ritou, admiring the world around him.
He looks out to sea when something warms at his back. He reaches back and collects the two visions, one glowing and one extinguished.
No, two glowing.
The last time this happened was outside Tenshukaku, but Kazuha didn’t seem to be in a dangerous environment with an archon near him. Why did Tomo’s vision-
Someone crashes into him in a hug and exclaims, “KAZUHA!” He goes still at the voice and looks up at the smiling face of Tomo. “Long time no see.”
“You died.”
“Well, yeah . Last I checked you were there.”
“How are you alive?”
“Some otherworldly force, blah blah blah, I’m alive and I’m roughly ninety-nine percent sure I’m the Electro Archon.”
Kazuha just stares at his not-so-dead friend. “Well, that may explain why your vision has reignited,” He murmurs as he gives the glowing electro vision to him before returning it to his back.
Tomo takes it and smiles. “You going to introduce me to whoever has been looking after you, Kaz?”
Kazuha nods, smiling slightly at his forgotten nickname, before leading Tomo down to the docks where Sea Drake and Beidou are talking with Thoma.
Captain Beidou smiles at Kazuha. “Thought you wandered off a dock. Who’s this?” She asks, gesturing to Tomo.
“Captain Beidou, this is Tomo,” Kazuha says, eerily calm.
“ That Tomo?” She questions.
Tomo smiles at the pirate captain. “Nice to meet you, Captain Beidou.”
“Not nice. I want to punch you for dying on Kazuha,” Beidou snaps.
“Maybe don’t do that,” Thoma mutters.
“Considering I’m almost certain I’m the Electro Archon now, you shouldn’t. Now excuse me, but I have a wedding to plan because my first decision as Archon is to have Kaedehara Kazuha marry me,” Tomo states before turning on his heel and walking off.
“Yes…” Kazuha snaps back into reality and spins around. “WHAT ABOUT MARRYING ME?!”
Tomo spins around. “Well, if I’m the Electro Archon, I’m making the imperial decision that you shall marry me. If you’re unsure about whether or not I’m the new God of Eternity, then we can pay a visit to the Grand Narakumi Shrine. I believe the former Raiden Shogun is there with Guuji Yae.”
“Yes, I obviously want to know if you’re actually the new Raiden Shogun.”
🍁🍂🍁
“What do you mean he’s in fact the Raiden Shogun now?” Kazuha questions.
The former Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko exchange a look.
“I don’t know but he’s now Electro Archon,” The former Archon says. “I’m simply just Ei now using the Raiden Shogun’s body to continue living.”
“I prefer Ei over the old Raiden Shogun. She killed me,” Tomo says.
Ei goes wide eyed. “She did what now?”
“Yeah, she did.”
Ei stares at Tomo. “At least you’re alive now.”
“Yeah, and I’m gonna marry Kazuha as my first decision as Raiden Shogun.”
“Can he do that?” Kazuha asks.
“I suppose, as Inazuma’s archon, he can do whatever he sees fit for the sake of the nation as long as he doesn’t become corrupt with power and start abusing his title,” Guuji Yae says.
“By the Archons,” Kazuha mutters. A part of him is screaming with happiness in the fact he’ll be marrying Tomo however. “If I have to marry you, Tomo, then you have to meet the people who have decided they’re my parents.”
“Fine by me,” Tomo exclaims, wrapping an arm around Kazuha’s shoulders.
“One of them is a pirate captain and the other is a member of the Liyue Qixing who can have you arrested.”
“You think that’ll stop me?” Tomo states.
“Given the fact that you’ve died and been revived by some unknown force? No, she probably won’t.”
🍁🍂🍁
Tomo joined the Crux for the trip back to Liyue a few days later, asking Yae Miko to look after Inazuma. He had been making wedding plans the entire time and Kazuha was starting to get annoyed.
What surprised him, however, is that Tomo went to Beidou to help him write love poetry for Kazuha and to help him memorise all of Kazuha’s own poems. Despite the fact that Tomo was in no way a poet, it warmed Kazuha’s heart that he had learnt all of his poems and tried writing poetry for Kazuha.
The ship dropped anchor near Guyun Stone Forest and took smaller boats to head to Liyue Harbour. Tomo is in awe of it all and the world around them, having never been outside of Inazuma before.
Beidou leads them up to Yuehai Pavillion, where Secretary Ganyu and Lady Ningguang are waiting for them.
“Hello again, Captain Beidou, Kaedehara Kazuha and… We haven’t met,” Ningguang greets.
“That’s Tomo,” Captain Beidou says.
“Isn’t that the same name as that friend of Kazuha’s who-”
“Aww, Kaz told you about me? My fiance talks about me to other people!” Tomo celebrates slightly.
Kazuha takes a deep breath as Ningguang asks, “Kazuha’s your what , Tomo?”
“Actually it’s Raiden Tomo now. I was revived as the Electro Archon,” Tomo states. “And I’m having Kaz marry me.”
Ganyu is looking between Tomo and a slightly annoyed Kazuha as Beidou proudly says, “My boy is getting married.”
“I’m an adult man, Captain Beidou.”
“I’m allowed to be a proud father.”
“You’re not even a man.”
“You think gender roles are gonna stop me, Kazuha?”
“No,” Ningguang, Kazuha and Ganyu say at the same time.
“So Beidou decided to be one of your figurative parents, Kaz. Then who’s the other?” Tomo asks.
Ningguang raises a hand. “Make Kazuha even slightly sad and I will have you arrested.”
“I’m an archo-”
Ningguang cuts off Tomo. “I’ll. Have. You. Arrested. Clear?”
Tomo gulps and nods. “Of course, Lady Ningguang.”
“However I’m not forgiving you for dying on my son.”
Kazuha sighs and stares at the ground.
“Captain Beidou! Lady Tianquan!” Tomo and Kazuha turn around to look at the tall man approaching beside the shorter woman.
“Hello, Captain. Hello, Lady Ningguang. Hello, Kazuha. Hello, Ganyu. Hello, new person,” The woman chirps.
The man chuckles slightly. “Hello to you as well, Kazuha and his associate. I am Zhongli, civilian consultant for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.”
“I’m Hu Tao, 77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Staff and Zhongli’s boss,” The woman says. “If you even need a funeral rite, come pay me a visit.”
“Oh, did you do mine?” Tomo asks. Kazuha goes tight-lipped as Zhongli and Director Hu stare at Tomo.
Hu Tao breaks into a smile. “You died?! What’s it like in the afterlife?”
Tomo shrugs. “Pretty neat. The afterlife is different from person to person. Mine were the rolling hills of Narukami Island with sakura trees and the artificial breeze Kazuha would always make for us. It felt like he was there but when I turned to look at him, he wasn’t there. I could wander forever or scream until I lost my voice but it was forever the rolling hills and sakura trees and Kazuha’s breezes.”
Warmth spreads across Kazuha’s chest. Before he died, Kazuha and Tomo would sit underneath the sakura trees on Narukami Island and would send a breeze to ruffle his friend's hair.
“Aw, your boyfriend is so cute, Mr Kaedehara,” Hu Tao gushed.
Kazuha’s checks go hot. “He’s not my boyfriend!”
“I’m his fiance!” Tomo exclaims. “And did Director Hu do my funeral rite or not?”
“You had been dead for weeks at that point, Tomo, and I did your funeral rites in Inazuma .”
“Aww, Kazzie did my funeral rites,” Tomo gushes. Kazuha rolls his eyes and crosses his arms, but he blushes nonetheless.
“You two… Are you getting married? Mr Tomo called you his fiance,” Zhongli asks.
“Unfortunately, yes. I have little say in regards to if we’re getting married or not since he’s the Electro Archon now and I don’t want to be a criminal in Inazuma anymore,” Kazuha states.
“You’re an archon? You should meet my friend, he’s an Illuminated Beast,” Director Hu says.
“Illuminated beast?” Tomo looks at the Director confused.
“Similar to youkai. They’re also called the Adepti of Liyue,” Kazuha explains.
“He is an Adeptus,” Hu Tao says. “The Vigilant Yaksha, actually. He knew Rex Lapis before he…” Hu Tao trails off and flicks her eyes to Zhongli then back to Tomo and Kazuha. “Well, died. I’m still convinced Ganyu and Xiao were Rex Lapis’s children, adopted prob-”
A man brandishing a spear and bearing a mask appears next to Hu Tao. “What is it?!” He exclaims.
Hu Tao turns to the man. “I said your name, that’s on me. Put the polearm away and take off your mask please, Xiao.”
This Xiao huffs and straps the polearm to his back and takes his mask off and hangs it from his waist.
The Vigilant Yaksha looks like a teenage boy. That is… not all that surprising for an immortal being.
“Xiao,” Hu Tao, gesturing to Tomo. “This is the Electro Archon, apparently.”
Xiao looks him up and down so Kazuha decides to improvise. “Mr Zhongli, could you give me and Tomo a tour of Liyue Harbor? He has never been outside of Inazuma before.”
“I’ll pay Hu Tao for your services,” Beidou interjects.
Hu Tao places a hand on Zhongli’s shoulder. “You’re giving him the tour. Time to possibly expand to Inazuma.”
“I’d like a tour,” Tomo says. “If I enjoy it, who knows. I can allow you to expand to Inazuma.”
“Everything in Inazuma can kill you,” Beidou states. “It’d be good business.”
“Mr Zhongli, give the Electro Archon a tour of our amazing city,” Hu Tao exclaims. She whispers to him, “Aya, don’t mess this up. The Sakoku Decree didn’t allow us to expand but now we have a chance to expand with the Archon’s blessing.” She smiles at Kazuha and Tomo. “I’m going to read up on Inazuma funeral customs. On the tour, ask them about Inazuman funeral rites. Or stop by Wanwen Bookhouse.” Zhongli nods.
With that, Hu Tao walks off.
Xiao sighs through his nose and turns to Zhongli. “You and I need to have a discussion later.” The Vigilant Yaksha follows the Director.
Zhongli takes Tomo and Kazuha on a tour of Liyue Harbour, explaining historical significance, culture and recommending several restaurants that he and his lover quite enjoy visiting.
They stop by what he finds out to be the Wanwen Bookhouse and Director Hu mentioned. Aside from the attendee, there’s two other customers; two men seemingly to be his age, one wears icy blues and white with hair a white-blue mix and the other is in white, navy blue and gold. The latter is flipping through a book titled A Legend of Sword . The former is looking around, wary of his surroundings.
“Hello, Mr Xingqiu, Mr Chongyun,” Zhongli says.
The two spin around the one that was looking at the book smiles. “Hello to you too, Mr Zhongli. It’s been a while. Chongyun and I were simply stopping by so I could pick up a few books I ordered from Yae Publishing House in Inazuma before heading out.”
“We are going to get myself some more popsicles from Wanmin restaurant before heading out to find evil spirits before trekking up Juyeun Karst to pay my aunt a visit,” The one with white-blue hair says. He must be Chongyun and the one with a book must be Xingqiu.
“Who’s with you, my liege? They don’t seem to be from Liyue based on their garb,” Xingqiu asks.
“Inazumans,” Tomo says. “This is Kaedehara Kazuha, my fiance who travels with Captain Beidou, and I am Tomo, Electro Archon.”
Xingqiu and Chongyun look at him confused.
Kazuha sighs. “Don’t ask. We can’t really explain, especially since a few weeks ago I thought he was dead.”
Chongyun goes wide eyed. “You were dead? What was it like? Did you encounter any negative spirits? What-”
Xingqiu places his chin on Chongyun’s shoulder. “You’re bombarding him with questions, qin aide . Who’s to say he can even remember?”
Chongyun smiles softly as the nickname Xingqiu calls him before looking at Chongyun. “I am sorry, I should’ve asked if I could ask you about the afterlife.”
Tomo shrugs. “I remember it, it was lonely and no, I didn’t encounter any negative spirits. Unless you count that Rostam fellow and that Signora lady when they showed up. Keep trying to convince me to help revive them.”
Zhongli looks at Tomo. “Signora? As in La Signora?” Tomo furrows his eyebrows and nods. “She was one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. He hadn’t heard anything…” Zhongli trails off. “Nevermind.” He smiles at Xingqiu and Chongyun. “I do hope you enjoy your trip to Juyeun Karst. Tell the Adepti and Shenhe I said hello.”
Xingqiu nods. “Of course, my liege.” He picks up a few books, takes Chongyun’s hand in his and walks off. As they walk off, Kazuha sees Xingqiu kissing Chongyun’s cheek, the latter going beet red.
A small part of him wants that to be him and Tomo.
🍁🍂🍁
Ningguang had watched Zhongli lead away Tomo and Kazuha while Beidou had just left to do some business.
“Ganyu? I need something,” She states.
“What is it that you require, Lady Ningguang?”
“I need someone to assassinate Tomo.”
“Isn’t that murder?”
“Yes, but he's an Archon now. A simple human death would be just like knocking him out for a bit.”
“So who shall I get?”
“Get the Snezhnayan, Ganyu.”
“Which one?”
“The ginger.”
“Why him?”
“We have power over him. We know things he probably doesn’t want a certain consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to know.”
Ganyu nods and walks off, heading to Northland Bank.
Ningguang is in her office ten minutes later when Ganyu walks in with the Eleventh and youngest of the Fatui Harbingers.
Tartaglia smiles his very un-Snezhnayan like warm smile. “Lady Tianquan. How can I assist you?”
“I need you to assassinate someone.”
Tartaglia goes wide eyed. “Come again.”
“I need you to assassinate Tomo, a friend of Kaedehara Kazuha, who travels with Captain Beidou.”
“Now why would I do that?” Tartaglia inquires, arching an eyebrow and crossing his arms.
Ningguang leans forward and says, “You’ll do it or I’ll tell your lover that you woke up Osial and almost destroyed the city he lives in.”
Tartaglia gulps. “How do you know that was me?”
Ningguang shrugs. “The Traveller told me.”
Tartaglia sighs. “Very well. What did he even do?”
“Oh, he died on Kazuha.”
Tartaglia cocks his head. “So if I assassinate him like you want, he won’t stay dead?”
Ningguang shakes her head. “No, he shouldn’t.”
🍁🍂🍁
The Crux crew stayed in Liyue for a few weeks before heading back over to Inazuma.
Tomo insisted that Zhongli and his lover come to the wedding as well as Ningguang, so they were to sail out a week after the Crux because Tomo stated that the wedding was going to be a week after they returned to Inazuma.
On the way over, Kazuha told Tomo he was going to invite some friends or he’d leave him at the altar. So Kazuha planned on sending out letters to Sangonomiya Kokomi, Gorou, the Kamisatos–they had to come, technically speaking, since Kamisato Ayato is the Yashiro Commissioner–Naganohara Yoimiya and Arataki Itto.
At the mention of Naganohara , Tomo insisted they get fireworks for the wedding. Kazuha told his friend-soon-to-be-husband that he’s planning the wedding, but don’t go overboard and make it so he’ll enjoy it.
He found out from Beidou after their second last trip to Inazuma, the one before the trip where he was reunited with Tomo, that Thoma had finally gotten married to Kamisato Ayato and there was some minor scandal because ‘ A Commissioner can’t marry some lowly housekeeper ’. Kamisato Ayato had fired anyone in the Yashiro Commission who had this mindset.
Despite this, Kazuha is rather surprised when the ship docks and the Kamisato siblings and Thoma are standing there, the latter holding hands with Kamisato Ayato.
They start filing off the ship.
Upon seeing Thoma, Tomo shouts, “HEY, IT’S THE MALEWIFE!” Ayato smiles and Thoma rolls his eyes, annoyed. Ayaka suppresses her giggles. Kazuha just glares at his friend. “I’m not wrong , Kazzie.” It’s Kazuha’s turn to roll his eyes.
“Greetings, Raiden Tomo,” Kamisato Ayato says. “How was Liyue?”
“It was excellent, Commissioner. We made wedding plans,” Tomo states.
The siblings look at Tomo confused. Kazuha sighs. “His first decision as Archon is to have me marry him,” Kazuha explains, smiling slightly.
“I would do the same with Thoma if I was in his place,” Ayato mutters. Thoma stares at him, mouth gawking. Ayato smiles. “You love me, you’d agree to it.”
Thoma smiles and kisses Ayato on the cheek. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Speaking of weddings, we need to head to Naganohara Fireworks to see Yoimiya,” Tomo says.
Ayaka’s face lights up. “Can I come, please? I’d love to see Yoimiya again,” She asks.
Ayato looks at his sister. “I don’t think I can say no or you’d sneak off to go see Miss Naganohara. Stay with Kazuha and the Archon, at least,” He requests before turning to Kazuha and Tomo. “If that’s okay with you, Raiden?”
Tomo nods, smiling. “I’ve never met Yoimiya but I’ll keep an eye on your sister.”
Ayato sighs. “Thank you.” The Commissioner flicks his eyes over to his husband and smirks slightly. Thoma swats his arm.
“Come on, please! I want to see Yoimiya!” Ayaka exclaims, already walking off.
Kazuha smiles and grips Tomo’s hand, dragging him along after the young girl.
They pass from Ritou onto the Narukami Island mainland and are leaving Konda Village when Kazuha looks at Tomo again.
His ears are slightly red and he’s looking slightly scared when he realises the area around them is what his afterlife was like .
“Miss Kamisato, you can go ahead a bit if you want. Or just head straight for the Naganoharas, if you would like,” Kazuha offers. “You have a Cryo vision. I imagine you are perfectly capable of protecting yourself if necessary.”
Ayaka smiles and starts to walk a bit faster towards Inazuma City.
When Kazuha believes she’s out of hearing difference, he hugs Tomo. “It’s all going to be okay, Tomo. I’m here and you’re alive. Living, breathing, chaos-causing. I will be right by you the whole time.”
Tomo bends down and rests his head on Kazuha’s shoulder, wrapping his arms around Kazuha’s waist.
They hold each other close before Kazuha steps back a bit. Tomo is smiling. Kazuha places a hand on his cheek and lifts himself up a bit. He kisses Tomo on the cheek and whispers in his friend’s ear. “Everything will be fine, Tomo. I swear on my name and life.”
Tomo blushes slightly and smiles at his friend. “Ya know, if you’re gonna kiss me, you can at least make it on the lips.”
Kazuha stares at Tomo, deadpan. “What would I be receiving for kissing you?”
Tomo hums slightly in a way that makes Kazuha certain he has an idea. “I’ll do anything you want.”
Kazuha arches an eyebrow.
“And I could get you that lyre you wanted. Do you still want it? You had expressed interest in it when I was alive the first time.”
Kazuha is just staring at his friend now.
Tomo sighs. “And I’ll tell you about how I fell in love with you,” He whispers.
Kazuha’s feelings for Tomo are… complicated at best. But the fact that Tomo is in love with him… It makes his heart ache for knowledge in regards to this topic.
Kazuha sighs. “One kiss?”
Tomo’s face lights up slightly. “Yes. And all three of those things I just said.”
“You swear?”
Tomo nods. “On your life.”
Kazuha gulps and mutters, “Very well. You cannot tell anyone, however. This…” He gestures between the two of them. “It stays a secret.”
“I swear on your life and mine , Kaedehara Kazuha, as the soon to be Kaedehara Tomo.”
“You’re taking my surname?”
“Have to get rid of my family’s name somehow.” So Kazuha takes a deep breath and lifts himself up a bit again. This is truly happening , he thinks.
Kazuha softly kisses Tomo.
The kiss…
Kissing Tomo feels gentle and peaceful, like nothing is wrong in the world. Like nothing could go wrong. At the same time it feels needy and desperate. Like he needs to have it happen.
Archons, Kazuha would want to kiss Tomo a thousand times over just to feel this bliss. Or, better yet, never stop kissing him.
Kazuha pulls away slightly, face warm. Tomo is just staring at him, smiling at him slightly.
“Kazuha-”
“Damn the world,” Kazuha snaps. He takes Tomo’s face in his hands and kisses him again, pulling him close.
Tomo is still for a minute before kissing Kazuha back with an equal force, but still soft. Still loving. He wraps his arms around Kazuha’s waist and pulls Kazuha against him, eliciting a soft gasp from the wandering samurai.
Tomo pulls away slightly and rests his head against Kazuha’s, noses brushing slightly.
“I… Words, uh…” Tomo babbles.
“Never die on me, never leave me and never return, never abandon me again and I will kiss you until I can't breathe everyday until the day my life on the mortal plain is over. Make me a youkai or some other immortal spirit, a kitsune for all I care, and I will kiss you everyday until we are stardust and void. Promise me, Tomo .” Kazuha’s voice is hoarse and his ears are teary but there’s authority in his voice.
Tomo smiles at him and kisses his nose. “I swear on my name, my life and my title. I swear on my vision, my nation and my people. Now we should probably catch up with Ayaka.”
Kazuha nods slightly. Tomo slips his hand into Kazuha’s and kisses his knuckles. Kazuha links fingers and drags Tomo towards Inazuma City.
With linked hands and standing closer than before, Tomo and Kazuha walk towards Inazuma City.
“You said you fell in love with me,” Kazuha whispers.
“Oh, archons , I have to explain that disaster fire,” Tomo mutters. “So, it’s kinda complicated but-”
“I love you too.”
Tomo stops in his tracks. “You do?” The words are barely audible.
Kazuha smiles. “If you were to tell anyone, I would simply deny it.”
Tomo sighs and continues walking hand in hand with Kazuha.
Not long later, the two reach Naganohara Fireworks where Kamisato Ayaka is talking to Naganohara Yoimiya. The Shirasagi Himegimi is beaming behind her fan and laughing. The Queen of the Summer Festival is smiling, hands on hips, looking tall and proud.
When Kazuha and Tomo walk into Naganohara Fireworks, they go silent and their cheeks go a faint red.
Tomo smiles. “I’m looking for Naganohara Ryuunosuke, if he’s still the owner?”
Yoimiya shakes her head. “Not anymore. He’s my dad. I’m the owner, Naganohara Yoimiya. How can I help you?”
Kazuha smiles. “Tomo wants some fireworks.”
Tomo nods. “If the Archon was planning to get married and the wedding date was, say, next week, how many fireworks could you make?”
Yoimiya shrugs. “Depends on if I have enough materials. Why are you asking? I know Inazuma now has a new Archon but whoever it is hasn’t been inducted as Raiden Shogun so very few people know who it is. Guuji Yae, the former Shogun and the Commissioners know.”
“Thoma and I both know as well,” Ayaka says.
“That would be me,” Tomo states and Yoimiya goes wide eyed.
“You… You’re the Raiden Shogun?” Yoimiya questions.
Kazuha and Tomo nod. “So if I pay you for all the fireworks you can make in a week, could you make some?” Tomo asks.
“I could do it but I’d have to start right away,” Yoimiya explains.
“Can you show me how to make one, please?” Ayaka requests.
Yoimiya’s face lights up. “Yes, if you want! I’ll also have to ask my father for help, as well.”
“Actually, Miss Yoimiya,” Kazuha intervenes. “I have a special request.” Kazuha briefly lets go of Tomo’s hand to reach into his pocket and pulls out a note.
She takes it and looks over it. “I know this kind of firework.” She looks up and smiles. “We stopped making them seven months ago because they were an explosive risk and I didn’t want to be reported to the Yashiro Commission again but I could make a small amount of them. They take a bit longer though so twelve would take a full day of work. You’ll also have to pay me for any damage that may occur because, again, explosive risk and if I get reported to the Yashiro Commission, you have to cover me.”
Tomo nods. “Of course. But, uh, what kind of fireworks was it?”
“Remember when I got those fireworks for your seventeenth birthday and we set them all off at the base of Mount Yougou?” Kazuha asks. “That’s the Naganohara Fireworks note from Mr Naganohara when I purchased them.”
Tomo stares at him before turning to Yoimiya. “Can we stay to see you make the fireworks?”
Yoimiya lets Kazuha and Tomo stay and watch her show Ayaka how to make fireworks. She even allows them to make one, though since she’s the only one with a Pyro vision, she has to help quite a bit.
In the blink of an eye, the sun is beginning to set over Inazuma.
“We should probably escort you back to the Kamisato Estate, Lady Kamisato,” Kazuha states.
“Aw… Well, I had fun,” Kamisato Ayaka says. “Yoimiya, would you like to come with us?”
“If I went with you, I’d more than likely end up staying the night and I don’t really want to sit through whatever is bound to happen between Thoma and your brother. Plus, I’ll be having an early morning if I want to make the fireworks for Tomo and Kazuha’s wedding. You can stop by in the morning, if you’d like.”
Ayaka looks slightly crestfallen.
“Ya know, if it’s okay with your father, Miss Naganohara, Ayaka could stay the night. I’ll cover on your behalf,” Tomo offers. “If the Yashiro Commissioner gets upset, send him my way.”
“My father loves Ayaka. He won’t care if she stays the night,” Yoimiya replies.
“Then we shall make our leave,” Kazuha states. “Until next time, Miss Naganohara, Miss Kamisato.”
Kazuha and Tomo finally leave Naganohara Fireworks. A few moments after stepping outside, Tomo turns to Kazuha. “Do you trust me?”
Kazuha slowly turns and glares at Tomo. “ Why .”
“Do you trust me, Kazuha?”
“You know I trust you, Tomo.”
“Good.” Tomo grasps Kazuha’s hand and pulls him into a side alley.
Kazuha is against the wall and looking up at Tomo with a distasteful glare. Tomo studies his face and brushes a thumb along Kazuha’s bottom lip as he whispers, “I haven’t stopped wanting to kiss you since you kissed me, Kaz.” Tomo flicks his eyes to Kazuha. “ Please .”
Kazuha lets him.
Whatever their relationship is now, with the recognized component of love and the kisses and the closer than usual stances, none of it mattered to Kazuha when Tomo kissed him.
Tomo latches his hands onto Kazuha’s waist, holding him close as Kazuha grips his clothes. The softness soon comes to a slow close and Tomo rests his head on Kazuha’s shoulder.
“You have no clue, Kazzie, how much I thought about kissing you before… And now I actually can, Archons . I might find a way to make you a youkai so I can get this forever.”
Kazuha smiles slightly. “I want to show you something.”
🍁🍂🍁
Tomo is splashing in the surf as they walk along the beaches of Araumi when they reach the chasm Kazuha insists Tomo sees.
“What is this place?” He asks as Kazuha leads him up the small chasm.
“You will see. Trust me, Tomo,” Kazuha says,
Tomo loves Kazuha, he does, but sometimes things like this push his patience.
When Kazuha stops, Tomo stands beside him. The area around them is small and there’s a blade in the ground.
“That’s my katana,” Tomo whispers.
Kazuha nods. “It is. After your Musou Isshin, I fled here. I gave you your memorial rites and left it here before fleeing. After I reignited your vision and blocked a strike from the Raiden Shogun, I left your vision here. I came back for it a while later in fear it could get stolen.”
“I was there that day. When you blocked the strike. For a brief few moments while my vision was reignited, my spirit wasn’t in my afterlife. It was there, with you. I immediately decided to never, under any circumstances, infuriate you ever again for my safety.”
Tomo is smiling softly as he walks behind his blade and sits against the rock. Kazuha stares at him for a few moments before walking over to sit beside him.
Kazuha looks at him and says, “Turn around, Tomo. Back facing me.”
Confused, Tomo turns around so his back Kazuha. He looks straight ahead, confusion increasing by the second, as nimble fingers let out and brush through his hair. Nails scrape against his scalp and his head involuntarily moves to try and get more.
Kazuha chuckles, continuing to run his fingers through his hair. “You’re similar to one of the cats that wander around Inazuma. Tell me if this hurts.”
Kazuha stops running his fingers through Tomo’s hair, instead doing something unknown.
“Kazzie, what are you doing?”
“Braiding your hair, just as Captain Beidou taught me.”
“Beidou taught you how to braid hair?”
“I was bored one day and asked if she could teach me.”
“You’re an enigma, Kaedehara Kazuha.”
“But I’m your enigma.” Kazuha’s hands become still in Tomo’s hair. “That just came out. I…”
“It’s fine. Can you keep braiding my hair? It feels nice.”
“I have to restart. I messed it up,” Kazuha mutters.
Tomo turns around and smiles. “I’ll let you braid my hair as much as I want if you take your hair out for once.”
Kazuha sighs and reaches behind his head to let his own hair down. Tomo smiles and runs a hand through it. “Just as fluffy as ever.”
Kazuha rolls his eyes. “Let me do your hair now. I can’t do it on my own. Too short.”
Tomo sits there, letting the love of his life braid his hair a dozen times over in a blissful silence, not awkward like some silences.
It was on Kazuha’s ninth attempt when Tomo spoke again. “I don’t know when I fell for you. But I knew I loved you in a way when we set off all those fireworks. I tried to convince myself it was a love we’d share if we were brothers, that it was platonic, but I… I failed. Miserably. I never found women attractive in that way but men… I tried to convince myself I was broken, that it’d change. Something, anything . Mostly because of my family’s… opinions. But I knew I loved you romantically when you tried to convince me not to sneak into the Grand Narukami Shrine in the dead of night.”
“That is amongst your most idiotic things you’ve wanted to do. Nothing will ever beat wanting to see the Musou no Hitotachi, though.”
Tomo chuckles. “I tried to force out the feelings. You didn’t seem to reciprocate them so I tried to move on. But my feelings for you stayed. So began the secret pining. I died without ever telling you how I felt. So when I came back, and as the Archon… I knew I had to finally grow a bit of confidence and tell you. I just didn’t know how. But falling in love with you was the single greatest thing to happen to me. But now I can’t even invite whoever remains of my family because not only did I die a dishonourable death to them, I’m marrying the last remaining member of the Kaedehara clan, who they all dislike.”
Kazuha goes silent. “If we’re getting married, I have one last requirement. You don’t even have to invite them, Celestia knows that would cause a disaster, but you have to visit your parents. Just once . Yell at them for all I care. Just visit them once so they know you’re alive.”
“You’re a terrible person, Kazuha.”
“You love me,” Kazuha murmurs in Tomo’s ear as a band snaps and his hair falls against his back.
“Yeah. I do. And I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you.”
Tomo fell asleep with Kazuha curled into his side sharing sleepy kisses and soft touches.
🍁🍂🍁
Kazuha and Tomo return to the Alcor the next morning with soft smiles and hushed whispers and linked hands and hair down and slight bags under their eyes.
Beidou makes the executive decision as Captain to not ask where they were all night or what they were doing. Besides, she had a rough idea.
🍁🍂🍁
Kazuha glares at Tomo, who’s just staring at the door of the house. “If you don’t talk to them, I’ll be leaving you at the altar tomorrow.”
Tomo had agreed to Kazuha’s wishes to go see his parents.
“Please don’t,” Tomo mutters.
“Then knock. Please. We don’t even have to stay that long”
Kazuha’s eyes follow the movement of Tomo’s throat bobbing. Tomo takes a deep breath and leans forward to know on the door of his parents’ house.
A woman opens the door. “Hello, how can I- Tomo.”
“Mother,” Tomo says bluntly. “We need to talk. You and me and Father. All of us.”
Tomo’s mother turns to look at Kazuha. “Not with a member of the Kaedehara Clan present.”
Kazuha arches an eyebrow. “Then this may be the last time you’ll be able to talk to Tomo.”
Tomo’s mother glares at him. “What is he talking about?”
“Let us in and I’ll explain,” Tomo snaps.
His mother grumbles and allows Tomo and, with even more distaste, Kazuha in. Tomo leads him into a dining room where a man who looks like an older version of Tomo is sitting and talking with an elderly woman at a low lying table.
“Father. Grandmother,” Tomo says.
Kazuha leans over and whispers. “Which grandmother?”
Tomo has two grandmothers. One was supportive and caring and would never disown him. The other disowned him the second he died what his family deemed a dishonourable death.
“Nice one,” Tomo whispers.
His grandmother smiles. “Hello Tomo. Hello… white-blonde hair with a red streak… You're the Kaedehara boy he’s friends with! Uh, what is the name… It starts with a K…”
“Kaedehara Kazuha, ma’am,” Kazuha prompts.
“Yes! Lovely to meet you, Kaedehara. My Tomo has told me so much about you. You seem to be such a wonderful friend.”
“Much more than friends, Grandmother,” Tomo states. “We’re getting married.”
Tomo’s father spits out his tea.
“You take after me and your grandfather,” Tomo’s grandmother states. “Your Grandfather and I were best friends but we had an arranged marriage so we were married and only ever had sexual relations to produce your mother. Aside from that, I had my girlfriend and he had his boyfriend.”
Kazuha is beaming . “Tomo, I love your grandmother. She needs to come to the wedding.”
“Oh, when is the wedding?” Tomo’s Grandmother asks.
“Tomorrow,” Kazuha and Tomo reply in unison.
Tomo’s mother hiccups and collapses.
“Oh, I’d love to come,” Tomo’s Grandmother states.
“Tomo, I will not allow you to sully the family name by marrying a man, Archons forbid a Kaedehara , since our family’s reputation was worsened because of your dishonourable de-”
“SHUT UP FOR ONCE, FATHER!” Tomo shouts.
Tomo’s family move away from him. Kazuha looks over to him. Tomo’s eyes are glowing purple and lightning is arching across his skin.
Kazuha stands between them. He places his hand on Tomo’s cheek. “Don’t waste your energy on them, Tomo.” Tomo turns his face into Kazuha’s palm, placing a hand over Kazuha’s. “Besides, the Electro Archon has more important things to focus on than some nuisance people who don’t want him to be happy.”
Lightning slowly stops arching across Tomo’s skin and Kazuha turns around to glare at Tomo’s parents.
“I was there for Tomo through all of the things you put him through. He thought he was broken because of you. He died and you still saw him as a disappointment. So if the happiness he deserves will come from me and his love for me, then you never should’ve been his parents. He’s going to be my husband and then he can finally be rid of your family’s name.” Kazuha looks over to Tomo’s grandmother. “My friend, Beidou, will be collecting you in the morning to bring you to the wedding. Have a good day.”
Kazuha links hands with Tomo and leads him outside to the bustling Inazuma City.
Three days ago, the two of them made the decision to announce that the new Archon would be getting married in four days on the grounds of Tenshukaku and anyone could come. This would also be Tomo’s first official appearance as Archon, so no one yet knew who he was. So when Zhongli, Ningguang, the Snezhnayan representative for the wedding, the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger who’s also Zhongli’s lover and a few other international guests including the Traveler and Venti, the Legendary Bard from Mondstadt arrived early today, they were rather surprised it was publicly announced and Inazuma as a whole was bustling with excitement.
“Thank you.” Tomo whispers.
Kazuha looks at him. “You’re welcome. Your eyes are still purple. They’re rather enticing.”
“Purple?”
“From when you yelled at your father.”
“He rather deserved it,” Tomo mutters.
“He does deserve it because you deserve happiness, Tomo.”
Tomo stops walking. Kazuha stops walking and goes to stand in front of him. “I’m going to ask Guuji Yae if there’s a way to make you a youkai. Perhaps a Kitsune. Foxes were always one of my favourite animals.”
Kazuha smiles slightly and hugs Tomo. “So we can have forever?”
“Forever and a bit more,” Tomo whispers.
🍁🍂🍁
Kazuha and Tomo were in separate rooms at Komore Teahouse. In a matter of minutes, Tomo will be led outside to begin the procession to the doors of Tenshukaku. Kazuha will be following him after a few minutes.
Beidou and Ningguang were to walk him up to Guuji Yae and Sangonomiya Kokomi, who will be officiating the wedding. Beidou and Ningguang are fussing over him and he’s starting to get annoyed.
“I can’t believe he’s actually getting married,” Beidou says. “To someone who makes him so happy.” She turns to Ningguang. “Why did you send Childe to try and assassinate him?”
Kazuha flicks his head to Ningguang. “You’re having who try and what ?”
Ningguang smiles awkwardly. “He wasn’t going to be staying dead. He’s an archon and it was just payback.”
“Yes, payback. Killing Tomo for dying on me. Most definitely won’t upset me.”
Ningguang sighs. “Besides, I called the Harbinger off this morning. He’s still getting paid despite not assassinating Tomo.”
Beidou looks over to the clock. “We should start moving.”
Kazuha nods, kicking his nerves aside.
Ningguang and Beidou walk on either side of him down the path to Tenshukaku. As it was the wedding of an Archon, people of Inazuma were here to bear witness. Shogunate soldiers watched from their posts. People were talking and Kazuha had little doubt someone was whispering and wondering about why a fugitive of Inazuma was marrying the Archon.
Deep down though, Kazuha didn’t care. The three of them pass through the entrance to Tenshukaku. Staff and their families gathered along the blocked off path for Kazuha, Ningguang and Beidou. Shogunate soldiers mix with Watatsumi Island soldiers inside Tenshukaku.
Tomo had always been dramatic but this … This was dramatic unlike any other, but in a good way.
They’re making their way up the steps when the altar comes into view. In front of the doors stands Guuji Yae of the Grand Narukami Shrine and the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island.
Up here with them are guests they personally invited. The Traveller and Paimon. General Gorou with Arataki Itto’s arms wrapped around his neck. Kujou Sara standing nearby Sangonomiya Kokomi. Kujou Kamaji and Hiiragi Chisato standing side by side next to Kamisato Ayato and Kamisato Ayaka, the former holding hands with his husband and the latter holding hands with Naganohara Yoimiya. Standing off to the side are the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger and Zhongli. Standing beside the Traveller is a person Kazuha can only presume is Venti. Standing with the Kamisatos is Tomo’s grandmother. Standing nearby Yae Miko is the former Raiden Shogun.
Finally, standing in front of the Divine Priestess and Guuji Yae is Tomo, standing in some rather official garb that is similar to what Kazuha himself is wearing, staring at him in absolute awe.
Ningguag and Beidou move away to stand with Zhongli and Tartaglia as Kazuha stands opposite a still gawking Tomo.
“You look very… um… words, uh… archons , nice. No, not nice,” Tomo babbles.
“I understand the sentiment,” Kazuha replies as people continue to come into Tenshukaku to bear witness to the ceremony. “You had to invite the entire nation, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t invite the entire population of Inazuma,” Tomo states
“My error. The entire population of Inazuma excluding any member of your family minus your grandmother.”
Tomo chuckles as Guuji Yae says, loud and clear, “We are gathered here today for the marriage of Kaedehara Kazuha and our nation's new Archon, Raiden Tomo.” Her voice is amplified, no doubt from some form of magic.
“Marriage is a sacred thing for those who choose to get married,” Sangonomiya Kokomi says, voice also amplified. “The contract of marriage is a show of love that will never cease.”
It seems as if the wedding happens in a blink of the eye. Wedding bands were exchanged, Beidou cried, Tomo cried.
Now they face the people of Inazuma as newlyweds. Beside them, Yoimiya is ordering Tartaglia, Kujou Sara, Venti and Gorou to do something.
Ei walks up to stand beside them. Kazuha and Tomo watch her. She takes a deep breath and lifts her hand. Three seconds later, Tomo is using Kazuha as a human shield against the former Raiden Shogun and the Musou no Hitotachi. She offers it to Kazuha and he takes it gently.
“Make sure your husband uses this properly,” Is all she says before walking back over to Yae Miko.
Tomo is staring at the blade that killed him when he takes it in his hand.
A moment later, Yoimiya comes up to them, baring her bow. “As asked for. With a surprise twist,” She says. She pulls back the drawstring on her bow and lifts it up, aiming at some unseen target. Venti, Sara, Gorou and Tartaglia follow suit.
Yoimiya releases her arrow, four more following suit.
Firework sparks arc through the air from all five arrows before landing somewhere, setting off the fireworks.
Tomo wraps his arms around Kazuha as they watch the fireworks. But going above the rest, high into the sky, are the same fireworks that Kazuha bought years ago that they set off in Araumi.
“Forever and a bit more,” Kazuha whispers.
Tomo kisses his cheek and whispers, “Forever and a bit more.”
🍁🍂🍁
Tomo had some nonsense to attend to as Archon so he had some time to do what he wanted.
Unsurprisingly, being the archon’s husband gave Kazuha some benefits. Freedom over where he went, citizens coming to talk to him about things that need amending or some other issues. He still travelled with Beidou, yes, but it just happened less frequently now.
He hears a door close from somewhere nearby and his head shoots up. “Hello? Who’s there?”
A moment later, a purple eyed Tomo turns around the corner with lightning arcing across his skin. He looks at Kazuha briefly before climbing atop of the smaller man. Tomo rests his head on Kazuha's stomach and wraps his arms around his waist, settling into place. The lightning tickles his skin slightly. Tomo’s lightning never hurts him.
Kazuha marks his place in his book and places it to the side before beginning to stroke a hand through Tomo’s hair. Tomo’s grip on Kazuha’s tightens slightly. Slowly, the lightning fades away.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Kazuha murmurs.
Tomo shakes his head. “No.” He looks up at Kazuha. “Can I have kisses, please? You promised me you’d kiss me everyday until you can’t breathe everyday and I haven’t gotten that today. And on our one year's wedding anniversary, of all days.”
“You were gone before I could give you any and I haven’t seen you all day.”
Tomo grumbles. “You’re one annoying kitsune.”
After their wedding ceremony, Yae Miko had explained to Tomo how to make Kazuha a kitsune. Tomo had jumped at the opportunity. Now, he had a weird obsession with the fox ears Kazuha now kept hidden amongst his hair
Kazuha sighs and leans down to kiss his husband. He feels Tomo smile as he lifts himself up slightly. Kazuha pulls himself away when he starts having difficulties breathing. Tomo smiles up at him.
Kazuha arches an eyebrow. “Do you ever wonder what happened to Yae Miko and Ei?”
Tomo shrugs. “They both vanished after we got married.” Tomo gets off Kazuha and pulls Kazuha into standing. “Now, c’mon. I have a present for you.”
“What did you do.”
Kazuha soon realised after they got married, Tomo would get him presents when he did something stupid.
“Okay, I promise this time I didn’t do anything stupid. You remember that lyre I said I’d get for you? In exchange for a kiss?”
“You finally lived up to that promise after a year ?!”
Tomo shrugs.
🍁🍂🍁
A year ago, two people from Inazuma arrived in Mondstadt. The purple haired one became a Knight of Favonius. Her wife, a pink haired fox hybrid, became a sister at the Cathedral.
Venti recognised the two instantly as Yae Miko and the former Raiden Shogun. Ei’s hair had been cut to her neck and Yae Miko’s now went to her chest but it was them. Turns out, they had ranaway from Inazuma to start a life of freedom in Mondstadt.
So now Venti had a habit of spying on them when they went on date nights. Tonight, however, an old friend was coming to Mondstadt to join him. He’s sitting at a table in Angel’s Share waiting when his friend arrives and sits opposite him.
“Hello, Venti,” the taller man says.
“Heya, Zhongli. Kinda surprised you actually showed up.”
Zhongli waves a hand. “I have quite a large amount of spare time now since the last Rite of Descension.”
“Before we go spy on Ei and Miko, I have a surprise.”
“Oh no.”
“What?”
“Your surprises don’t often end well for me.”
Venti chuckles. “You’ll like this one. Trust me.” Venti turns towards the bar. “Hey, Master Diluc! Did you make that thing I asked you for?”
The red haired man walks over and places the bottle of wine between the two. “Connor somehow managed to create it, despite the formula you gave me being over three thousand years old.” Diluc turns to nod at Zhongli before walking back over to the bar.
Venti pours two glasses of the white wine and hands one to Zhongli. “Cheers.”
Zhongli smiles. “Cheers,” He states before sipping the wine. He stares at the liquid when he lowers the glass. “This is-”
“Yep. Friends to share the memory. Taste the same?” Venti asks.
Zhongli sighs with a smile. “Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remember.”