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Heizou found himself lazing outside near the training area at the Tenryou commission. It was the time of day when most of his fellow officers were out on patrols or doing paper work, which gave Heizou the perfect chance to have a late afternoon nap, a habit he’d picked up from Kazuha. Speaking of Kazuha, Heizou wasn’t sure what they were to each other. They were certainly closer than friends. He doubted most friends would spend time together as intimately as they did.
They had never found a proper label for what they were, though he supposed calling them partners would make sense. While Kazuha had not joined the commission officially due to due to his possession of a blade that would that would demarcate his status as a Samurai, he was a fellow officer in an unofficial sense. He was allowed into the building and would often be found in Heizou’s office or talking to the others who worked there as if he was a coworker.
It helped. He was awfully good at getting Heizou to do the duties he wasn’t so fond of. He’d even managed to get Heizou to use the training field to properly practice swordsmanship, something his fellow officers thought to be impossible due to Heizou’s stubborn nature to stick to his family's martial arts.
He was awoken by the sound of footsteps. He took a moment to mourn his nap before checking to see who was approaching. To his delight, it was Kazuha. His long, platinum blond hair tied back, freckles on his face and skin tanned from living outside was immediately recognizable.
“Hm, what is it you’re avoiding today, detective?” Kazuha teased upon spotting him.
“Some reports I have to redo… and a patrol, I think.” Heizou stretched slightly. “Why are you here, Kaedehara?”
Kazuha crossed the training and took a seat next to Heizou under the sakura tree. “Visiting Ms. Kujou. I’d heard you had quite a large amount of paid leave that you hadn’t used.” Kazuha looked at him directly. It was the same look he had when he’d found out Heizou hadn’t taken a vacation in a year or more.
“Hmm, well, crime doesn’t stop when you take a break.” Heizou looked away. He didn't want to enjoy the shiver that ran down his spine, one that felt closer to pleasure than fear.
“It is rather hard to protect people from crime when your ‘Dear Partner’ needs to drag you off to enjoy any time alone, don’t you think?”
Heizou took his hat off to hide his face. Kazuha was awfully good at leaving Heizou flustered, and when Kazuha was this set on Heizou having a break, it usually ended with Heizou taking a month off. “... you already got the papers for a month or more of paid leave don’t you?”
Kazuha handed Heizou the leave request along with a pen. Heizou frowned at him, but still signed it. He was curious about what kind of plans Kazuha had for them once they went on their break.n. He always planned good vacations despite his meagre means.
This led to a romantic trip to a ryokan with an onsen, just the two of them. Heizou was quite excited. It was a retreat typically frequented by couples with a scenic view of the foggy island of Tsurumi.
What made the trip a little harder than travelling to other islands in the area was that the train had yet to be extended to Tsurumi Island. Few people lived there permanently and the boats that went there were sufficient for the tourists.
After getting off the boat, they climbed into a horsebus to take them to their ryokan. The horsebus was cramped with many other travellers. Some were more traditionally dressed while others were in the newer fashions from Fontaine or Mondstadt. Heizou had his head on Kazuha’s shoulder when they’d settled in.,
Kazuha nudged him softly as their stop quickly approached. Heizou made a small whine. He was rather warm sitting next to Kazuha, and it was quite cold outside.
Eventually, the bus came to a stop and the two got off. Snow now coated the landscape, and it was beautiful. A small town at the base of the hill the only thing that differentiated it from the rest of the snowy ground was the small pinpricks of lights.
“Heizou, do you plan to stand out here and catch a cold?” Kazuha gently tugged at Heizou’s hanten sleeve.
Heizou turned his head to look back at Kazuha, pouting. “Is it a crime to enjoy the view?”
“Well, you would know that better than I, detective.” Kazuha pressed a soft kiss to Heizou’s lips as he led him to the lobby to check-in for their rooms. Only one person was there along with a few gas lamps lighting the space along with a check in desk and some storage beside it holding keys for the rooms.
Kazuha talked to the woman at the front desk. He handed over the mora needed to pay for their stay, and received the key for their room in return.
“Mmm, how do they get the futons to be so much softer than the ones at home?” Heizou found himself snuggling into it. The kakebuton was made slightly thicker to provide warmth in the cold of winter.
“Hmm… perhaps they air them out more,” Kazuha murmured. He kneeled down on the tatami floor, and looked inside the small closet inside of the room.. He seemed to be looking for the other shikibuton and kakebuton.
Heizou turned his head to look at his dear samurai. Kazuha was at his most annoying when he was like this, sticking to his family's noble traditions. He had far more grace and care for others than any other samurai Heizou had ever met. “You can squeeze into mine, you know,” said Heizou.
“I suspect you’d rather be free of my hands when we do go to bed.” Kazuha said it so casually that Heizou couldn’t tell if he was saying it absent-mindedly or if he was intentionally riling Heizou up.
Either way, Heizou shoved his head into the pillow and whined,“Kazuha! You can’t say things like that before dinner!” Heizou sent a glare in Kazuha’s direction, which only made the blond laugh in that soft and ever-so-charming way. It was really quite unfair that one person could be so graceful, hot and beautiful all at the same time.
Kazuha hummed softly. “I suppose I have to go ask them about the missing futon so I could inquire about their food options as well.” Kazuha stood up and walked to the sliding door with his slippers on before leaving the room.
As soon as Kazuha had left, Heizou hid himself in his sheets as his cheeks turned red. Surely Kazuha would wait longer into their trip to hint at being so thorough in his affections… What was he planning? It made Heizou feel far too warm and tingly.
When Kazuha returned, he had with him a larger shikibuton and kakebuton. An older woman accompanied him, carrying two trays which included all of their food courses. She sat the trays down on the tatami before smiling and wishing them a good night.
They sat themselves down to eat while Heizou made sure to keep the sake away from Kazuha. He was certain that the umeshu would be enough for Kazuha to get a gentle buzz.
The meal was amazing, especially the fried tempura. It was the star of the meal. The meal was so good that he forgot for a moment what Kazuha had said earlier. When the meal ended, he found himself ready to rest.
Kazuha placed the trays near the door before he turned to look at Heizou. He closed his eyes and smiled. “Why don’t we make use of the fact that no one can hear us?”
The best part of sex with Kazuha, besides the obvious appeal of him fucking Heizou’s brains out, was how careful and sweet the aftercare was. Somehow, Kazuha always managed to make him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Staying at a place with an onsen meant that they didn’t need to spend time stoking a fire to warm bath water. Since it was a pool frequented by other people, it felt extra rude to not wash up first.
Kazuha’s hands gently massaged the knots in his back away aided by the warm water of the hot spring. Heizou glanced at his shoulders, as usual Kazuha had marked him up a fair bit, how on teyvat was Heizou meant to cover them all up? It didn’t seem to be Kazuha’s priority at that moment.
“It’ll be real obvious what you did, you know! People will think a kitsune came after me!” Heizou pouted slightly.
“Shh, don’t want to wake up someone, now do we?” Kazuha pressed a kiss to Heizou’s neck.
“Still doesn’t answer my question.” Heizou grumbled quietly.
“Don’t worry, we still have six days.” Kazuha poured some more water on Heizou so he didn’t get too cold. “I’ll make sure to help get you home if you’re still sore.”
Heizou gauked. Kazuha really was shameless! “You’re so mean! Can’t you at least wait till we’re home to leave me bedridden?” Heizou turned his head to see Kazuha, who looked far too pleased with himself.
“Well, it’s hard when you’ve been so busy for so long, fawn,” Kazuha said softly. Suddenly, a sense of deja vu came over Heizou. He felt like he’d heard that somewhere long ago. He almost thought he could imagine someone who looked like him calling out that same name.
“Something wrong?” Kazuha stopped pouring the water over Heizou and kneeled down to face him.
Heizou blinked, pushing that thought to the back of his mind. “I’m fine. Something just came to mind.”
“What was it?” Kazuha went to hold Heizou’s hand, squeezing it to help ground him. “You sure everything’s alright?
“It was nothing and yeah, anyway, I still have knots in my hair thanks to you.” Heizou elbowed Kazuha. Kazuha chuckled, sitting back up. He began running his fingers through Heizou’s hair to untangle it.
“Mm yes. I mustn't let my dear lord be seen in any unkempt manner, hm?” Kazuha seemingly couldn’t help but kiss Heizou’s head again.
“Indeed.” Heizou let himself relax, falling against Kazuha’s chest. “Perhaps I’llneed to actually request more time off for a wedding, hm?” Heizou looked up to Kazuha, smiling.
Kazuha burst out laughing. He buried his head into Heizou’s hair and let out a small snort. It felt so genuine, not like the polite, subtle laughs Kazuha normally made. His was so endearing with how raw it was. It was rare to see Kazuha so uninhibited.
“I love you.” Heizou felt the words slip out unintentionally, his face flushing upon realising what he had said. Kazuha stopped laughing and looked down at Heizou, his eyes shining in a way Heizou had rarely seen.
Heizou turned around to face him, “I didn’t-” But Kazuha cut him off with a ferocious kiss. Heizou fgasped, letting Kazuha take the chance to grab his face and pull him in closer. Kazuha poured such passion into the kiss.
After what felt like forever, Kazuha broke the kiss, gasping for breath. Heizou similarly began to heave, trying to fill his lungs with air. It seemed that the steam and heat emanating from the water was making it harder to breathe.
“Kazuha?” Heizou’s voice wavered, nervous.
“Sorry… I just- I love you, too.” Kazuha rested his forehead against Heizou’s.
“... well, are you going to get into the water or just stay there?”
“Alright.” Kazuha took off his towel, folding it carefully before slipping into the water next to Heizou. He cuddled up to Heizou, slipping his arms around him and resting his head on Heizou’s shoulders.
Heizou leaned into Kazuha’s touch, relaxing and allowing himself to close his eyes. He didn’t notice Kazuha stared lovingly at him. “You're beautiful, you know?” Kazuha murmured.
Heizou felt his smile widen. Perhaps he enjoyed praise too much, especially from Kazuha.
“You're so dreamy, Kazuha…” Heizou nuzzled himself closer to Kazuha. In response, Kazuha tickled Heizou, making him laugh uncontrollably.
“Hey-” Heizou managed to attempt to swat away Kazuha’s hands in-between giggles.
Kazuha smirked, intensifying his tickling. Heizou almost felt sore with how much he was laughing. “I’m-” Heizou tried his best to communicate, but ended up just elbowing Kazuha to show he was through with this.
Kazuha stopped immediately, rubbing his sides. “You alright? I didn’t go too far?” Kazuha reached out towards Heizou.
“I’m fine. Just go back to being your sweet self.” Heizou turned around, straddling Kazuha’s lap and placing his head in-between Kazuha’s shoulder and neck. He pressed kisses wherever he could reach.
“Hmm and now you're tickling me? I should drag you back to our room and punish you,” Kazuha teased. Kazuha was good at helping him rest when he needed it, doing small tasks, making dinner, prepping a comfy futon and more.
“Well, you deserve some kind of punishment for how bossy you’ve been about all this,” joked Heizou. He began to relax again, his eyes closing.
Eventually, Kazuha reasoned that if they stayed in the bath much longer, they’d be mostly pruny. Kazuha got them some nice robes to wear. They were comfy and had been kept warm with some hot coals.
The two returned to their room, and looked out at the view of the mountains from their small balcony. They were beautiful now that the mist had cleared.
Kazuha looked at Heizou and broke the silence. “You said… you loved me, earlier.”
Heizou looked away. “Yeah…” Heizou thought for a moment before continuing. “Look- I don’t want to pressure you into something-”
“You won’t.” Kazuha took Heizou’s hands firmly, and pressed kisses to the knuckles. “I don’t want to tie you down to a man clinging to the past. You’re moving towards the future… while I’m stuck in the past.”
Heizou looked back at Kazuha Instead of looking at Heizou, ,he was looking at Heizou’s hands. “But… Kazuha, you don’t keep your code in some… way to cling to the power and respect you demade because of your blade. You’re trying to genuinely protect people… I’ve never met another samurai like you.”
“Even still, I’ve continued to disobey the rules and the laws set by those who work for the Emperor. I’m still just as much of a criminal as any other samurai.”
Heizou sighed, and grabbed the sides of Kazuha’s face to make him look at Heizou. “You have the heart of what I and many others believe to be true Samurai honour. You treat everyone with respect and sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of protecting those who cannot protect themselves.”
Kazuha’s eyes shined with tears, which fell onto his flushed cheeks.. Heizou had rendered him speechless.
“You would never ‘hold me back’. If anyone says anything, I’ll punch them. You are the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with,” said Heizou. He took ahold of Kazuha’s hands and squeezed them. “I assumed… that you’d be happier with… someone different than me. I’m a troublesome person, after all.”
Kazuha sniffled a little, staring at Heizou in shock. “How could I be happy with anyone else?” Kazuha looked back down to Heizou’s hands before quoting a poem Heizou knew he had heard before, “On this mountain path, where the red leaves lifeless lie… my heart calls for a companion, echoing the deer’s cry.”
Silence filled the air for a moment before Kazuha continued. “It’s something someone in my family wrote a long time ago. Sorry… I just thought it reminded me of you.”
“So all of you Kaedehara’s have been poetic types, huh?” Heizou allowed himself a sly smile.
“Perhaps. I can’t claim to know all of them.” Kazuha wiped his tears away.
Heizou relaxed, laying down and placing his head in Kazuha’s lap. “Well, then can I consider you a partner in the romantic sense…?” Heizou swallowed his nervous energy.
“Of course,” Kazuha whispered, placing a chaste kiss to Heizou’s lips before continuing to detangle Heizou’s hair. It was soft to the touch and still slightly damp.
Kazuha glanced outside. “Heizou? There’s snow falling.” Heizou made some grumbling noises before looking to the sky.Small flakes were slowly and gently falling down from the sky just like Kazuha had said.
“Mm, so that’s why it’s been so cold,” Heizou chuckled, watching the snow Kazuha continued to detangle his hair.
“There was already snow deer.” Kazuha smiled softly
“Mm… that is true.” Heizou was slowly falling asleep. It wasn’t that surprising; Kazuha had been rather spirited, and they’d traveled to an island at the far end of Inazuma.
“Goodnight, deer,” Kazuha murmured quietly.
“Mm… night,” said Heizou, his words muffled. He snuggled closer into Kazuha’s lap. As he fell asleep, Heizou’s chest slowly rose and fell in time with his breathing, his heart beating softly in Kazuha’s ear. This, along with the cozy atmosphere of the ryokan, almost pulled Kazuha into dreamland along with Heizou. Instead of falling asleep, Kazuha watched the snow for a while longer, not wanting to wake Heizou. Selfishly, he wanted to enjoy the peace of a quiet night with his deerly beloved.
Eventually, Kazuha knew they needed to get ready for bed. Kazuha tried his best to pick up Heizou in a way that would avoid waking him. In the past, even if Heizou was a heavy sleeper, Kazuha had still accidentally woken him up on occasion.
He placed Heizou onto the futon before pulling the blanket over him, not wanting Heizou to wake up cold. He went over to the fireplace to start a fire. This would keep the room warm through the frigid Tsurumi night ahead.
He placed the wood and kindling inside the fireplace, and lit a match. He threw the match in, allowing the flames to build. Kazuha used his vision to help stoke the fire. Once it was sufficiently lit, Kazuha got up to slip in under the futon next to Heizou.
Heizou unconsiously snuggled up to him, seeking the warmth of Kazuha’s body. Kazuha smiled, always happy to cuddle Heizou. The soft sounds of Heizou’s snoring, the fire and the slight breeze created the perfect lullaby for Kazuha. He slipped into a cozy, pleasant sleep. Perhaps, when the two woke, they could go enjoy the snow.