Archive of Our Own

They were both quiet, maybe too quiet for Cyno’s liking.
Was that wanderer really a friend of the loud and talkative Captain of The Crux?

Their conversations became more and more frequent since they embarked on the journey, but since the sunrise of this day they didn’t speak much, so Cyno felt he had to this time.
He looked around him observing the scene, a well-timed joke would be just perfect now.

Thick clouds were covering the monochrome sky, but the light was able to escape well enough so they could see, do they even know what time it is now? Despite the dullness of what’s above, the leaves of the Tianheng trees were as golden as ever, waving to the faint calls of freedom. There was some silent beauty to it all.
“Regardless of the season, Liyue radiates beauty in each of its corners.” Kazuha’s whispery voice cut his thoughts short - he didn’t even notice he was looking around with him.
Guess that joke can wait a bit - Kazuha has been the conversation opener the moment they met at the border of the two nations; it was a matter of time he would start it this time. “It is.” Cyno’s reply was only the tip of what his thoughts were threading. But Kazuha was more than able to fill the gaps; he’s used to it.

“A stone face might intimidate enemies, but a relaxed expression like this won’t hurt you, general.” Said expression didn’t last as Cyno furrowed a brow and sighed, “You are not the first to say that, you know.” Kazuha nodded “I’m well aware, Captain Beidou told you that multiple times during your card duel against her, correct?” He took silence as a response before resuming “That’s her way of having fun, that’s why she wasn’t complaining when she lost to you.”
“If only all opponents were as easy-going as her.” His hushed tone was enough for Kazuha to predict his past experiences, laughing at what his imaginations had for him. “Well, in any case, I just think a face with no tension suits you more.”

But before Cyno could process the alleged compliment, Kazuha’s face suddenly changed expression, as if an epiphany just hit him. He stopped walking, loudly humming to himself, listening to something that cannot be heard - “Tension…” Cyno stopped as well, waiting for his ‘literal inspiration’ to lay its fruits.
Expectedly, this is how the journey was for them; Kazuha periodically stops to put together a haiku, while Cyno would tell one of his jokes every time the silence was unbearable. While Kazuha didn’t laugh at them, he did enjoy listening to them as if they were a form of art.
“ Stone standing solid. ” Kazuha spoke at a slow pace.
“No second line this time?”
“It will come to me eventually. Don’t rush the winds.” He kept his teasing smile as he continued walking, causing a strange feeling to tickle somewhere in Cyno’s chest.

“Speaking of intimidating enemies, glad to see you’re not perplexed over seeing them again.” It was one of those instances where his hand wasn’t even resting on that sword-handle “There’s no high chance we would encounter another ruin guard, you know.”
“I’m more concerned about the stray Fatui with their elemental attacks. I could’ve handled that ruin guard on my own.”
“Grave dangers mustn’t be faced alone, my friend.” The seriousness of his tone caught Cyno off-guard.
It felt really out of place for a wandering samurai to advise that to the General Mahamatra of all people. While his expression wasn’t saying it, his silence made it clear to Kazuha.

“I might be used to wandering on my own, but having a companion in difficult situations to aid me is necessary.” Cyno’s vague expression turned into skepticism. So, Kazuha continued “What if you saw an unknown danger one day in the desert, and you had the choice to either get help or defeat it on your own, what would you choose?”

Cyno went silent. He would possibly summon the Path Clearer, but what if that wasn’t an option?

“I had an old traveling partner who faced the fate of losing to oblivion.” Kazuha started “I don’t rue his death - he died a hero, but sometimes on some stormy nights, I wonder if his death was the only solution.” His tone wasn’t of grief or regret, Cyno couldn’t read what it was, but somehow, it felt familiar.
“If he died for whichever that cause was, it must have been a very important one.”
“It was, indeed.” He nodded.
“It must have been difficult to let go, knowing their death could be evaded somehow.” Cyno isn’t the type to give advice or speak from the heart, but once he does…
“But part of accepting their death is respecting their choice of how they walk away from life, even though we might not understand all of their reasons.”

Kazuha’s calm smile returned to him “So you understand?”
Of course he understood.
It always hurts the most on the first time; losing a dear friend; “Being matra means putting your duty before everything in your life. It’s just essential to keep the moral order stable.
But I will remember your words of advice.”

“I don’t think you really needed it, but sometimes we can be easily blinded by honor.”
"…I’m sorry for your loss.” He only nodded in response.

“You represent your title pretty much, General Mahamtra.
You have a strong soul to complement the grip over your staff; An…” With awe, he closed his eyes, carefully picking the right words. Cyno was flattered, maybe too flattered. He looked away, wondering why he had to be so deliberate about everything…
“…essence of pure gold.” the answer was out eventually “This is it, this is my second line."
So, it was just the haiku…? “Th-thanks.”
He tried not to be rude and ask, but he might have, -maybe, probably, kind of, somehow- knew this haiku was about him.
But he doesn't want to tell him directly, the situation is already awkward as it is.

"You know, my friend had an electro vision as well, just like yours and Captain Beidou’s. I guess fate wants me to find harmony in the element of my homeland, ironic, don’t you think?”
The conversation was left open-ended, he was probably referring to himself being away from home, but why did Cyno feel like there was something more behind that?

But he looked up and the sky was getting darker, the clouds were getting thicker and thicker. It could be the start of something coming “Speaking of storms-” Kazuha mumbled.
“Do you think it’s going to rain?” Kazuha raised his head up sticking out his tongue giving a stumped look.
“I can’t be sure, if there is a coming storm there would be no hint of breeze. But it could be because of this area.” They were surrounded by mountains from most directions, it’s possible the air was blocked by them. The trees from far away were still too, so they wouldn’t help.

Kazuha started making his way up, attempting to find a spot where the air is clearer, Cyno follows after him, walking carefully but steadily across the rising road.

Once the view of the Sea of Clouds was apparent a strong gust of wind attacked them. Cyno used his arms as a shield, but Kazuha laughed pleasantly, as if the wind was playing with him.
“I guess this is our answer.” Said Kazuha before he faced the sea again now that the wind is calmer.

It made a question pass in Cyno’s mind;
How could a simple laugh sound so handsome?

The skyline contrasted the rest of sky with an oversaturated orange ending with a gradient of blue. The trees and the sea reflected the color of sunset forgetting what they were before it.

Kazuha closed his eyes, diving in the ballad of the wind. It was like the breeze called only his name and nature only reflected his image.
The world was a still painting and he was the center of it. Listening to the deep sighs and whispers of the unseen - connecting with it like an ethereal being.
Can’t this moment freeze like the picture it had made in Cyno’s memory?

Kazuha turned back to him, laid-back rubies meeting the adoring ambers.
“It seems the scenery has gotten to you.”
“Huh?”
He only giggled in response, choosing not to elaborate.
Cyno coughed trying to stabilize whatever is pounding on his ribs, calming it down before Kazuha backtracked his steps “C’mon, now. Since it’s getting dark, we need to rest. There’s an inn that shouldn’t be far away.” Cyno obliged, trying not to think of the reason behind Kazuha’s tease, but the latter stopped mid-way, suddenly struck by deep thought.
Once more, he hummed deliberately to himself then faced Cyno. “The last line, it finally came to me.” he announced in calm triumph.
The general raised his eyebrows in genuine anticipation, his gaze focusing on the relaxed lids and the delicate smile, on the streaks of hair gently dancing with the singing breeze.

He recited; words of flowers tinted with a color of mischief:

“ Stone standing solid,
essence of pure gold.
The wolf smiled - it warmed like home. ”