Work Text:
Whimsical sea breeze
Emerald reflects waters —
No . That won’t do, it does not flow the way he wishes. Kazuha is too distracted, far too distracted to compose a poem. After all, it was easy to get lost in this particular sea of emerald. And those, quite adorable mind you , twin moles. A picture of elegance for them to reflect off the open sea — if not for the very source of them floundering and flailing around in the waters.
Kazuha could chuckle at the sight, truly. And he’d be at the end of Heizou’s scolding afterwards (was that really so bad?). His detective friend had led him here on his latest trail, and boldly claimed that the missing delivery to Naganohara Fireworks had been dumped into the sea. Then, bafflingly enough, dove in without a second thought. ‘It was just my intuition! Just wait here!’ . And to the samurai, that was assurance enough that they’d be down there too. But watching Heizou flap his arms around wildly and diving under repeatedly gave quite a silly image for his friend to witness. Did he…truly need no help here?
So no…Kazuha wouldn’t compose a poem like this. But he could very well still commit it to memory.
Eventually, after a particularly long dive, Heizou returned up with an ‘aha! ’ “I told you they’d be here, Kazuha. Hmm…it’s quite a heavy load, though. Perhaps we should tell Naganohara to get a boat.”
Kazuha just admired that his dear friend had an expression much like his other friend’s cat — when she would be triumphant in thinking she’d succeeded in tricking Kazuha into giving her a second treat. His words nearly didn’t even register for a brief moment.
“That sounds like a good plan. I know how heavy deliveries for Naganohara Fireworks may be. Though, it’s a shame that whatever is in there is likely unusable in this state…”
Heizou swam his way back towards Kazuha. “Mm…yeah, that’s true. If only they’d ended up somewhere more convenient.”
“Or perhaps, not lost at all,” Kazuha replied, a laugh escaping his lips this time. But that rids Heizou of a good mystery to solve, does it not?
“I could probably get the Tenryou Commission to help with that. Madam Kujou is quite fond of me, you know,” Heizou continued as he returned to shore. He wore a cheeky smile.
“Is that what you’d call it?” Kazuha was still amused. “But I hope you can make something happen.”
By now, the detective had reached him and was standing right in front of him. Awkwardly, Kazuha averted his friend’s gaze. It would be rude to stare if…!
“Kazuha, can you hand me my haori?” He snaps out of the thought, nodding probably far too quickly before retrieving his friend’s haori that had been left with him. “Thank you.”
Noticing that the other had shed his usual upper wear otherwise, Kazuha couldn’t help himself with a sigh as he reached over to help Heizou tie his haori on. Really, you couldn’t have been better prepared had you known we were coming here? Heizou always told him there was no time to waste in a case. But it was alarming how little he’d end up caring for his well-being in the process. That’s what makes Kazuha his good partner, right?
After adjusting his friend’s haori and getting another mumbled ‘thank you’, Kazuha became suddenly aware of the close proximity he had placed himself in. He froze, hands and all, taking in the close sight of Heizou’s green eyes once more. Oh so beautiful. He wishes he could compose his poem now, but his detective was always distracting his brain one way or the other.
His heart pounds against his chest, seeing as Heizou made no move to remove himself either. A dangerous predicament, really. Kazuha was lost, unsure of how he got here or how to leave. If anyone happened to stumble on them now, it would look as if —
“For now, we should head back. Naganohara needs to know what happened. I can figure out the rest of the details later.”
“Of course,” Kazuha murmured, finally taking his cue to step away. Step away before he runs a hand through wet locks, grab his hand to warm it up. Any other impulses that could’ve overcome him.
Kazuha was well aware of his feelings for Heizou. And as gifted with his senses of the world as Kazuha was, he had gained quite a bit of observation skills from his recent lifestyle of wandering. So he wagered that Heizou felt the same way. What was this standstill they’ve found themselves in?
—
“Ugh.” Heizou let out an audible groan. A plea, a desperate cry even — one of boredom, that is. He was sprawled out on the ground, resting next to Kazuha just outside of Inazuma City. Away from prying eyes and whispering voices.
“What troubles you, detective?” As always, Kazuha would find his way to Heizou. It lit a fire in his soul to watch grand ambition and aspirations with his own two eyes. Heizou was unlike any other that he’d seen. Maybe it was their shared anemo visions that always had the wind guiding Kazuha back.
Kazuha has accepted his own feelings as a part of him. He lets things take their course, and this was their current course. He had no reason not to embrace his own self — lying was only futile. His feelings for Heizou only grew day by day. He’d wait, until the time was right. Until the clear turmoil stirring the other’s brain like a whirlwind would cease.
He’d accepted it all wholeheartedly, but Kazuha hoped a gentle nudge would get Heizou there.
Only with a little hesitation, he grabbed onto Heizou’s hand as he laid next to him. In contrast, with no hesitation whatsoever — Heizou adjusted his hand so that the arrangement was much more comfortable. As if it was just an instinct to him. Kazuha fought a smile.
“I’m being punished, Kazuha. Madam Kujou reprimanded me for not doing my patrols and now my case load decreased this week.” With his free arm, Heizou covered his face. His lips stuck out in a pout, which Kazuha tried not to focus on.
“Why don’t you do them?” Heizou was relatively new to the Tenryou Commission. He’d only split with his previous agency a short while ago. He wasn’t leaving good impressions in all ways, by the looks of it. But Kazuha knew he was a valuable asset to them, and now they wouldn’t let him go. Specifically Sara, who saw something in his detective prowess more than anything else. The only part Heizou would like to be known for.
So really, Kazuha didn’t even need to ask. He knew — was able to read Heizou like an open book. But to miss out on his passionate ramblings, that would just be tragic.
“There’s no point in a detective doing any of that. Hmph,” Heizou responded. “I’ll just leave all of those matters to them. What I seek is mystery. I don’t need to fight, or patrol. I don’t need their blades or job title.” He then removes the arm draped over his face, turning towards Kazuha and pointing at his head with a frown. “I only need my intuition. To figure out what’s most important. I can track down crime and leave the blunt nonsense to them. Our goals are not the same. I just need my reputation to grow…I need the big cases…”
It was all a stepping stone for something bigger. For a mighty cyclone to be known all throughout Teyvat, for crime to be halted before it even begins. This, Kazuha knew. He held onto Heizou’s hand tighter, subconsciously.
“I see. Then what are you to do in moments like this?”
“I don’t know. My mind is restless, honestly…can I even leave these cases to anyone else? I’ve been there for a shorter time than anyone else but everyone seems to flock to me when they need answers.” Kazuha frowned at that response. Heizou’s tired expressions lately and worn out movements — he determined the culprit. He was overexerting himself.
That will not do.
“Have faith in them. Your superiors do, right? You should take moments of rest as they come. Enjoy yourself.”
“And do what?” Heizou’s response rolled off the tongue bluntly. He looked at the samurai in question, as if trying to study him. Was he really devoting so much time to detective work that other hobbies became an afterthought? Kazuha pondered for a moment.
Heizou never seemed to spend time with others apart from Kazuha himself. Has he not experienced the joy of a meal shared between friends? Suddenly, a warm smile surfaced over Kazuha’s face as he quickly stood and ushered Heizou to join him.
“Come with me.” Kazuha immediately latched onto Heizou’s hand again, selfishly seeking his warmth once more. The other man seemed a bit flustered in his confusion. “There’s a food stall I’m quite fond of in Ritou. We should be able to make it in good time if we leave now.”
“Why?” Heizou asked. Kazuha merely moved in close, faces close together before bringing his free hand to flick Heizou’s forehead before he could question further.
“Why not? You’ve got nothing else on your plate. A warm meal is good for the soul, especially when you have a friend to share it with.”
Heizou smiles then, tender and with an emotion Kazuha doesn’t dare to describe yet. “Oh. I’ll hold you to it, then. Shall we, my prince?”
Any boldness Kazuha had came to a screeching halt. He turned around, dragging Heizou with him, who merely barked out a laugh behind him. He cherished him, even when he was a handful.
—
“Seriously, Kazuha! What were you thinking?” Heizou held onto Kazuha’s arm with great force. A tight grip that was a warning, despite Kazuha being able to escape at any time he wished. But he did not wish to. He was just in awe.
Heizou’s eyes scanned over him, checking for any serious injuries. “Please Heizou, do you think I am so delicate?”
Perhaps he’d given the detective a little scare — which Kazuha did feel a little guilty for. They had been ambushed on their little celebratory ‘new case win!’ walk. He’d taken a pretty reckless blow in concern that Heizou, with prior injury, would overexert himself once again. He found he does not regret his motion, but Kazuha wishes he would never see the look of pure terror on Heizou’s face again.
But now, as he looked over Kazuha, Heizou’s expression was careful and meticulous. He looked at him as if he were a gem that needed to be cared for. A glance he never thought would be directed at him.
“I know you’re not,” Heizou said sternly, before meeting his gaze after heaving a sigh of relief. They’ve already tended to the injury he’d found. “But it doesn’t mean I won’t worry about you anyways. I wish you weren’t so self-sacrificing.”
“I wouldn’t call it that…”
“Really? I’ve always known you to drop anything for a friend. Won’t you look out for yourself, too?” His voice was pleading, and Kazuha felt bad again. He knew there was more to this, more to this concern of Heizou’s. It was written all over his face earlier.
“Heizou.” Kazuha cupped his face gently. “I hear you. And I’m okay, alright?” His voice was soft, assuring, in hopes of calming the detective. It was rare to see his happy and confident outward appearance gone with the wind.
Heizou instantly relaxed in his hold, and Kazuha wiped away a tear that previously threatened to shed. He wished to let his hands linger on his friend’s cheeks, or to plant comforting kisses on his moles. But he holds back. Now is not that moment. Not yet.
“Fine,” Heizou breathed out. The other then blinked in realization of their proximity and fled from Kazuha’s hold. A shame, he thought. Though the pink tint in Heizou’s cheeks was satisfactory enough.
Kazuha’s heart begins to ache a little. The detective’s intuition would normally be sounding alarms by now. And frankly, he wants nothing more than to pour his love fully into Heizou’s hands.
Yes , he is becoming aware of this — his feelings are not just of attraction, but tender love. A word that holds a lot of meaning…a promise. The distance between them now made Kazuha hesitant. Was there a chance it could not be reciprocated after all?
But then Heizou traces a hand over Kazuha’s bandaged arm, causing the samurai to startle and shudder. The motion made his longing increase tenfold. He supposes bold moves were needed now and then. Swiftly, he grabs ahold of Heizou’s hand and presses gentle kisses to his knuckles.
“Thank you so much for caring for me,” Kazuha said, letting go. His own rashness shocked him, but surprisingly, Heizou did not move at all. The detective’s face was flushed but otherwise unreadable, as if trying to overcome an inner dilemma. Focus on me , Kazuha thought. Me, right in front of you.
Heizou smiled, that expression coming back from prior times once more. It was a tender look that was nothing but admiration (did Kazuha deserve such high standing?) and affection. Kazuha still hadn’t dared to name what it expressed for him this entire time.
But if he may be so bold, it looked like an expression of love.
—
Maybe he was becoming impatient. Such impatience is unbefitting of a noble samurai and wanderer such as himself — but Kazuha was never one to ignore his whims, nor his flaws. They made him who he was.
At times, it felt a bit hopeless. Heizou was incredibly intelligent in all things, his intuition leading him to victory when his brains faltered. Nothing gets past him — nothing. It was even highly likely that he’s picked up on Kazuha’s behaviors around him. It’s possible he knows what Kazuha feels for him. He seems to know it all — all but his own feelings on the matter.
Kazuha was aware that Heizou’s own feelings would sometimes complicate things for him in a case. His judgment falters when it comes to making a choice at times — signs of his deeply caring heart. He trusts Kazuha enough to let him and let him see. It wasn’t trust he’d ever break. Which is why the samurai didn’t want to interfere with his feelings on this regard. It was personal to Heizou — and it was about Kazuha.
So he should be patient.
But sometimes patience was difficult.
Especially when the very detective he treasures so much is tugging him along and laughing, on a beautiful autumn night in Ritou. He tugged him to the docks, before promptly dropping and sitting, waving his feet around and letting them touch the cool waters. Kazuha stood and watched fondly before joining him.
Wasn’t it a sight to behold when he’d trust Kazuha enough to let all of his walls down? To be at his most vulnerable and free? A sight of Heizou with no analytics or seriousness, no professionalism or unruliness for the sake of breaking the mold — he was just Heizou. It was something only Kazuha got to see. The thought made his heart threaten to fly free out of his chest.
He remembers encouraging words from his friend, saying that Heizou was an ‘oblivious idiot!’ and Kazuha should just ‘tell him already!’. He considers doing so now, but words escape him.
“What’re you looking at?” Heizou asked, resting his weight on his own palms and glancing over at Kazuha.
Hm. You.
Instead of voicing it, Kazuha pulls a stray leaf from the water and twirls it aimlessly in his hand. It reminds him of home. A saddened feeling twists into his chest. Heizou, who had been waiting for a response, noticed the sudden shift. He clasped a hand, firm but gentle, to Kazuha’s shoulder.
It has been some time since he’d felt so close to tears. Why now?
“Are you alright?” Heizou’s words pierced through the fog and Kazuha turned towards him. This felt safe.
“I suppose I am…getting there.” Kazuha’s response was honest — because Heizou deserved his trust. Just had he had handed his own to Kazuha so plainly. Heizou seemed to understand. It wasn’t hard to catch on, given that Kaedehara was a well known name. A diminishing one, however. And it all ends with him. Kazuha wasn’t sure why he’d get so vulnerable now. Did being around Heizou in the late hours of night do this to him?
Instead of further questioning like Heizou would otherwise do, detective habits , he just nodded. Kazuha thought that it would be the end of it, before being tugged into a tight embrace. He gasped out in surprise, Heizou’s hold on him being strong and comforting. It told him of his own promises.
Heizou’s heartbeat kept him grounded, the steady thumps against Kazuha’s own at rapid pace being an odd mix, however.
Kazuha imagines kissing this man senselessly, shoving him down right now and peppering them all over him as thank yous. Thank you, thank you, thank you. A declaration of the love he’s been waiting to let out this whole time. He doesn’t. But he wants to.
He’s used to letting his emotions be free in the wind, never to conceal them. Kazuha cannot keep this up much longer.
To his surprise, Heizou tucks loose strands of hair behind Kazuha’s ear and presses a kiss to his forehead. Fleeting, yet still there.
Just as the vulnerable moment shared between two hearts that trusted each other very much.
—
After that night, Kazuha feels better. Perhaps a moment to let all negative energy out every once in a while is all that he needs. The bubble that threatened to burst within his chest has been soothed. His patience has returned to him, as does his understanding of his feelings.
Kazuha watches Heizou’s restless energy at work for his current case. Unusual activity, supposed trickster kitsune out to cause trouble. The cyclone was on the case! …Or so he was told. Kazuha isn’t sure of his own role in this endeavor (but something told him that Heizou just wanted an excuse to bring him along. And he wasn’t complaining).
After a while though, there seemed to be no lead. Heizou appeared frustrated. Kazuha began to fret, praying to the Archons above that this detective was not about to start focusing so hard on a case again that he neglects all other necessities.
“I could get it if…” He mumbled under his breath, chin in hand. His brow was furrowed and his gaze was nothing but sharp and serious. Kazuha scolded himself for finding this look unfairly attractive. “If these tracks are here, then…”
“Heizou?”
“Ah — but then that means…no, wait…”
“ Heizou .”
“It doesn’t make any sense. I…”
“ Heizou . Listen to me.” Kazuha’s voice came out stern, stepping in front of his friend. “You need to take a break. Step back for a moment.”
This was a side of Heizou that no one else saw. When his brain would overthink a case and begin to fry itself over every little detail. Frustration was the enemy, if he’d just take a breather then come back to it in a few hours — Kazuha will know he’ll hear that the case is closed soon.
“Kazuha? What is it? Did you figure anything out?”
“No. But we’re getting out of here.” Heizou opened his mouth to protest, but this was a demand and not a request. Both were aware of this tone. Kazuha either uses it when he’s about to draw his sword, or he’s about to reprimand.
“Okay. I guess I could use a break. Ah, man alive…this is frustrating.”
“You’ll get it. You just need to rest your mind a little. Sometimes it makes things worse to get into such a state.”
Heizou nodded, and they found a clearing to relax at. Heizou begins to recount the details of the case and Kazuha closes in on him, pressing a finger to his mouth. “Shush. No more of that. You need a distraction.”
“There isn’t a whole lot of that around here.”
Kazuha sighs. Heizou’s stubbornness was something else. But then, he speaks without thinking. “I’m here.”
“Yeah? Are you my distraction?”
“Mhm. Eyes on me, Heizou.” Kazuha looks at him, teasing glint in his eye. His face remains ever stoic as Heizou blinks rapidly. If he could see the other just fluster this time — it would serve as a reward for caring for his detective once more. It was only fair. He kept their faces close, a challenge.
But he didn’t.
Hmph.
“W-Wow Kazuha. That is a quite convincing expression,” the other gulped. Well, close enough. He backed away, a pout surfacing. How come Heizou wouldn’t bite back with a smooth remark? He knows he’s capable of it.
“It seemed to do the job just fine.” Kazuha waved his arm before catching a stray leaf. Ready to play a song for his deer. He began to take a stroll, knowing the other would follow.
…
If he’d turned around for just a moment, he’d have seen Heizou’s face flush a deep red. His intuition finally kicked in. Kazuha…I have feelings for Kazuha?! He held a hand up to his face, to compose himself for his incredibly perceptive friend, before tagging along.
Took you long enough, detective.