Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Behold, the Prinzessin der Verurteilung!”

“Fischl, huh? Interesting, though it matters not. My Itto will make swift work of the Prinzessin next turn.”

“Heh, I'm afraid there won't be a ‘next turn’ for you, Ayato.”

“How do you mean? You only have six dice, Aether. You can't possibly defeat the rest of my characters this round.”

“Challenge accepted,” the Traveler responds with a grin. “You've already exhausted your dice for this round, giving me free rein to combo my attacks.”

“Oh no!”

“I start by playing: 'Countdown to the Show’!”

“Wait, doesn't that card cost three dice?” Yoimiya questions from the sidelines. “What in Teyvat is Aether thinking?! Now he'll only have three dice to try to finish things off.” 

“Three dice in exchange for four draws, yes,” Heizou answers calmly from his own seat in the circle. “The move may appear reckless at first, but these next four draws may very well hold the keys to Aether's victory. We'll have to wait and see.”

The group watches with vested interest as Aether plucks the top four cards from his deck and adds them to his hand, his eyes darting to and fro with intense concentration.

“Now, using the three Forging Billet points accumulated on ‘Wagner’, I equip Fischl with 'King's Squire’. Her attacks now deal +1 damage, and her next elemental skill this round costs two fewer dice.”

“Uh-oh…”

“At the cost of one Electro die, I equip Fischl's talent card, 'Stellar Predator’. This activates her elemental skill, ‘Nightrider’, dealing two Electro damage to your Gorou and summoning Oz.”

“This isn't looking good for you, Brother,” Ayaka remarks.

“I'm still not convinced he can beat me this round, though. He's only got two dice left—hardly enough for one more attack. Meanwhile, my characters still have several HP each.”

“Actually…I think I'm starting to see where Aether might be heading with this,” Heizou says, stroking his chin.

“Next, I equip Fischl with the 0-cost artifact 'Gladiator's Triumphus’ and activate the 1-cost consumable 'Minty Meat Roll’. As long as I have no more than two cards in my hand, Fischl's next normal attack this round will only cost a single die. I currently have three cards, so I'll go ahead and activate this now too—‘The Boar Princess’!”

“Impressive,” Kokomi chimes in. “‘The Boar Princess’ means that, whenever an equipment card gets removed or replaced this round, Aether will gain an additional Omni die, allowing him to extend his round even longer. So this is his strategy, huh?”

“—Fischl, attack!”

Ayato winces, realizing the peril he’s in.

“Ouch,” Yoimiya reacts. “That's three Physical damage right off the bat. And since Fischl has her talent card equipped, Oz triggers too, dealing two extra Electro damage!”

“Don't forget that Yelan's burst is active from last round, too,” Heizou adds. “Each time Aether's side uses a normal attack, her 'Exquisite Throw’ unleashes one Hydro damage. That's enough to KO Ayato's Gorou, plus trigger Electrocharged to deal piercing damage to the other characters on the bench.”

“I must admit, Aether, I seem to have severely underestimated your dueling skills,” Ayato says solemnly. “With my Gorou fallen, I select Thoma to replace him as my active character.”

“Just try not to get too attached to your Thoma,” the Traveler cautions. “Fischl's coming for him next.”

“Still, as impressive as that was…isn't Aether out of dice now?” Ayaka voices her doubt.

“Not once I activate this,” the Traveler answers himself. “Say hello to 'Lyresong’! This 0-cost card allows me to retrieve one equipped artifact. Not only does this trigger 'The Boar Princess’ effect and give me one new Omni die, but it also lets me re-equip ‘‘Gladiator's Triumphus’ to reset its usage, lowering the cost of my character's normal attack once again. So now, Fischl, attack!”

“Unbelievable… Another seven total damage onto my Thoma, plus one Piercing damage to my Itto. Please tell me that the last card in your hand isn't what I think it is…”

Aether smirks proudly, flipping around his card to reveal it to the group.

“That's right—another copy of ‘Gladiator's Triumphus’.”

“Argh!” Ayato grumbles, punching the air. “Good game. You got me this time.”

“Good game,” Aether reciprocates, opting to not call the final attack following his opponent's concession.

“Wow! I can't believe you actually pulled that off!” Yoimiya exclaims, rocking forward onto her knees. “Aether, you've got to teach me your tricks sometime!”

“Heheh, sure. We've still got plenty of time tonight, if you're up for another round.”

“Yes, please! I'll go grab my deck right away.”

Yoimiya leaps to her feet and skips towards the exit. In her haste, she fails to notice the newcomer standing in the doorway, and a high-pitched yelp rings out across the room as the two individuals collide.

“Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!”

“It's no worries,” the newcomer says, calm and unfazed. “I heard quite a buzz coming from this direction, so I figured I would stop by to see what all the commotion was about.”

“Ah, Kazuha!” Heizou pipes up. “You just missed the epic finale between Ayato and Aether.”

“So it would seem. I would love to hear all about it later, if someone is willing to fill me in.”

“Sure, I'll tell you about it later tonight. Anyway, how did the seminar go with Mizuki?”

“It was—ah—good. Definitely a lot to think about. I'm sorry I missed hanging out with you all this afternoon. I'll definitely be more available tomorrow.”

“No need to apologize,” Kokomi reassures him. “This is a vacation; you're allowed to spend it however you wish.”

“Thank you, Kokomi.”

“Will you join us here now?” Heizou asks expectantly. “Or, what are your plans for the rest of the night?”

“Hm. I'm thinking of soaking in the hot tub for a bit, since I didn't get a chance to do so earlier.”

“Are you looking for company? Or were you aiming to get some alone time?”

“I would love a companion, actually.”

“Okay! I’ll come join you in just a second, after I help clean up a bit here first. You go on ahead and get ready,” Heizou says, reaching to sweep up some loose dice on the ground.

“Nuh-uh, not a chance,” Ayato objects, intercepting Heizou's hand. “Don't you dare keep Kazuha waiting. We'll take care of things here. Besides, this TCG party is just getting started. You two lovebirds go enjoy your bath date, okay?”

The comment causes Heizou and Kazuha to flush simultaneously, the red on their faces outshone only by the scarlet in Kazuha’s eyes.

“R-Right. Good luck then,” is all Heizou manages to stammer before he flees the room, boyfriend in tow.

“Ugh, I can't believe Ayato had the audacity to call us 'lovebirds’ in front of everyone like that.”

“Is it not true, though?” Kazuha says.

“Sure, but that doesn’t make it appropriate!” Heizou retorts.

“Don’t you think you’re being a bit too guarded about our relationship? What reason do we have to not wear it proudly?”

“I don’t know… I guess sometimes, I still have a hard time believing it’s real.”

“Then, what better place to practice believing it than here, surrounded by trusted friends?”

“You’re probably right…”

Sensing Heizou’s continued unease, Kazuha decides to change the subject. 

“You look good in that outfit, by the way.”

“Huh?”

“With the yukata top and the leggings. And with your hair tied up. It suits you.”

“T-thanks. You look nice today too.”

Kazuha smiles—that beautiful boyish smile that never fails to take Heizou’s breath away.

“Better with my clothes on?” the samurai says, teasingly sliding a sleeve off his shoulder. “Or off?”

Heizou gulps nervously, his temperature already rising.

“Off. Of course.”

Kazuha's smile widens as he finishes stripping out of his yukata, letting it drop gracefully to the floor. Heizou's jaw drops with it, his eyes locked on the masterpiece that is Kazuha's naked body. No matter how many times his boyfriend has stood bare before him like this, Heizou can never seem to get enough of it.

“Well? Are you going to get changed, or are you just going to keep staring?” Kazuha flirts, prematurely ending the show by wrapping a fresh bathrobe around his torso.

“You’re so unfair,” Heizou pouts in response. Reluctantly, he rips out of his own clothes, trying hard not to think about the way Kazuha’s eyes ogle his body, before enveloping himself in the safety of his own bathrobe.

Without exchanging any further words, the two proceed to the hot tub, where the steam does wonders to clear Heizou's mind. Although this is his second visit today, he's looking forward to the experience just as much as ever, especially now that he gets to share it with his favorite person.

They discard their bathrobes on the provided benches, then wade into the water. With every step, Heizou can feel a new part of his body tingling from the intense temperature gradient. It's only once his heart is submerged that he can start to truly relax. 

He finds a spot against the far wall to sit, patting the ledge next to him to invite Kazuha to join him. Like an alligator skimming the water’s surface, Kazuha glides over, his silver hair flowing elegantly behind him, swishing into Heizou's chest as he spins around to sit.

“Hi handsome.”

“Hey lovely,” Heizou replies, fishing beneath the surface until he happens upon Kazuha’s hand. He gives it an affectionate squeeze, using the touch to pull Kazuha into a kiss. Between the heat from the bath and the intoxicating aroma from Kazuha’s lips, Heizou finds himself becoming incredibly light-headed, and he has to make a deliberate effort to hold onto consciousness.

“So, what did you and Mizuki talk about this afternoon?” he asks, hoping some casual dialogue will help keep him grounded.

Kazuha's thumb starts rubbing circles over Heizou's palm, and quickly it becomes clear that this conversation won’t be particularly casual after all.

“I told her about my recent anxiety,” Kazuha explains quietly, “—about how I feel bad because you're always working so hard at the police station; meanwhile, I'm able to continue traveling the world, without ever having to worry about putting food on the table.”

“Kazuha, I've told you before: I don't mind at all. I'm happy to help provide for both of us. Besides, I can't imagine what I would do with my life if I wasn’t working on cases.”

“I know…”

“...Sorry, it was rude of me to interrupt. Go on; what guidance did Mizuki have to offer?”

“She reassured me that my feelings are valid. She tried to remind me that feeling guilty isn't the same thing as being guilty. She told me that I can come to the bathhouse whenever I want to clear my mind, and that I should lean more into my poetry to help express how I'm feeling. She…”

Kazuha trails off, his gaze floating somewhere far away, and for a moment, Heizou wonders if the heat has finally gotten to him too.

“Is everything okay?”

“Mm…”

“Hey now, that's the least convincing 'mm’ I've heard from you in a long time. Come on, out with it. What's going through your mind?”

The nervous expression on Kazuha's face is enough to make Heizou's heart ache. He wants to give him a hug, but for now, he needs to give Kazuha space to answer.

“...I told Mizuki that, sometimes, I wish there was more I could do to help when you come home stressed from work. I do my best to help with the cooking and cleaning, but most days, it still doesn't feel like enough, you know? So, she agreed to teach me a new technique—a way that I can help you relax, by ‘eating’ your nightmares.”

“Hm, sounds intriguing. And do you think this technique could actually work?

“I'm not sure, but…I want to try it with you, Heizou. Tonight, if you're up for it. I want to see if I can maybe use this to alleviate some of the burden you carry on your shoulders. …Will you let me?”

Heizou has seldom seen his boyfriend so determined before. Kazuha is currently hovered over him, strands of platinum hair tickling his face. They’re back in the shared bedroom now, settled into their sleep clothes after a thoroughly enjoyable bath. 

“Are you sure you're okay with this?”

“Yes. I'm curious to see how this goes.”

“Just to clarify, part of this technique involves putting you to sleep. Once you're asleep, you're still fine with me continuing?”

“For the tenth time, yes! I trust you with my life, Kazuha. I know you won't do anything to hurt me.”

“I'm glad you feel that way… Still, this technique doesn't come without risk, especially since I haven’t had a chance to practice it yet.”

“It’s alright. What’s the worst that can happen?”

“Mizuki warned that there’s a tiny chance you could get stuck in the nightmare if the technique isn’t executed properly. Fortunately, I think I understand enough of the theory behind the technique to avoid that situation.”

“Good. Then there’s nothing to worry about, right?”

“If you say so... Okay, lie back, and close your eyes.”

Heizou does as he’s told, letting his weight sink into the bed where he’s currently outstretched. He takes a moment to check in with his own body, mentally unwinding the muscles in his neck, his back, and each of his limbs.

“That’s it,” Kazuha whispers into his ear. “Now, inhale nice and slow, as if trying to catch the slight fragrance of a blossom in the air. And, let it out… Relax your shoulders. Picture yourself enveloped in the soft embrace of a cloud… Very good… Now, let go of your troubles… And feel yourself become lighter in body and mind. The next step requires some visual preparation. So don’t open your eyes until I say so.”

Heizou waits patiently, floating through a sea of stars for a number of minutes. Or is it seconds? Hours? Time becomes an arbitrary concept, with no clear beginning, middle, or end.

“Alright, you can look now,” Kazuha says at last.

Heizou’s eyelids flutter open, and he gasps when he discovers that he’s no longer in the comfort of the bathhouse room, but rather outdoors on the bustling streets of Narukami City. The sun looks to be shining fiercely in the sky, yet the air feels thin and stale, with not a lick of warmth.

“Doushin Shikanoin,” a familiar—yet not entirely pleasant—voice greets him.

“Ah, Madam Kujou Sara. Fancy seeing you here. Um, do you happen to know how I got here? I’m pretty sure I was inside the Aisa Bathhouse just a second ago.”

“Aisa Bathhouse, huh? Slacking off again, I see? And presumably with that fugitive boyfriend of yours, no less?”

“With all due respect, Madam, the war is over. Kazuha is no longer a wanted criminal.”

“It makes little difference to me. But to answer your question— No, I have nothing to explain how you could have been at the bathhouse one second, and here the next. Perhaps, if you would pull your head out of the clouds for half a day, you would know the answer for yourself.”

“Duly noted. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'd best be getting back now…”

“Shikanoin,” Kujou Sara commands. “Before you go, I have some vital news to share with you.”

“Oh?”

“The corruption case against the nobleman Takeda Yakumo has been thrown out. The court alleges that you fabricated evidence to resolve a personal vendetta. Behind the scenes, the other doushin have been calling for your dismissal from the Tenryou Commission.”

“No… That’s impossible…” Heizou murmurs. “I poured my heart and soul into that investigation. A ‘vendetta’ against Mister Takeda? What an absurd accusation! I barely even know the guy!”

“‘Barely know the guy?’” says a new voice, chilling and sinister. “I beg to differ. I think you know me quite well.”

A ghostly figure flies into the scene, and Heizou’s eyes go wide with horror as their features come into view. Despite their best efforts to mask their identity with luxurious clothes and a tidy appearance, the figure’s despicable face is one Heizou could never forget in a million years: the face of a murderer—the face of a man who killed his childhood friend in broad daylight at the festival nearly twelve years ago.

Heizou’s knuckles go white with how tightly he clenches his fists. Elemental energy begins to course through his body, ready to release a burst of Anemo at any moment.

But just as he prepares to pounce, a steady hand grips his shoulder, urging restraint.

“Breathe, Heizou. You’re okay.”

It’s Kazuha. 

Or at least, it’s his voice. Heizou spins around, shocked to find nothing—no one—there to physically hold him back.

“You’re okay,” Kazuha repeats. “You can wake up now. I’m almost done.”

All of a sudden, Heizou finds himself being sucked backwards with nauseating force. His vision blacks out, and his ears pop under the immense pressure, until all that’s left is the overwhelming sensation of being sucked.

Sucked.

Sucked.

“Fuuuck.”

Reality hits Heizou like a truck. His eyes fly open, and he nearly faints when he peers down to discover his clothes removed—Kazuha’s face nestled between his legs, mouth wrapped around his cock. 

“Ah, you’re awake.”

“Kazuha? Nngh, what— What are you doing?”

“Eating your nightmare,” Kazuha replies matter-of-factly. “Is this okay?”

Heizou’s head falls back, each swipe of Kazuha’s tongue along his length ripping moan after sensuous moan from his throat.

“Mmph, yeah. Take it easy… I might not…last long at this rate.”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to worry about ‘lasting’ this time, Heizou. Just let it go. Let go of your nightmare.”

“But…” Heizou protests, trying hard to keep his speech from slurring, “—want you.”

Kazuha pauses what he’s doing to look up, his expression shimmering as he locks eyes with Heizou.

“Oh? How exactly do you want me?”

Heizou opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. Instead, he’d reduced to using gestures, opting to twirl his finger in the air to beckon Kazuha to turn around.

Kazuha wastes no time, placing one final kiss on Heizou’s tip before repositioning himself on the bed. He settles onto all fours, straddling Heizou’s face. Wearing nothing but shorts, he squirms with excitement, eager to see his boyfriend’s reaction at what’s underneath. 

Heizou swiftly pulls aside the cloth, peeking through the leg holes to catch a glimpse of Kazuha’s perfect ass. From the way the fabric strains around Kazuha’s waist, Heizou can tell he’s already hard, too, which only serves to heighten his own arousal further. To think that Kazuha managed to get so worked up just from sucking on him…

Still, none of this compares to what Heizou uncovers next: wedged deep between Kazuha’s buttcheeks, an elegant silver buttplug capped with a radiant ruby.

“Fuck, Zu,” Heizou growls hungrily. “You even prepped yourself for me?”

“Mmm,” Kazuha answers, his voice becoming steadily higher-pitched. “Was hoping things would come to this.”

“Such a good slut… What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“Heizou, please…”

As if fulfilling an unspoken wish, Heizou yanks down Kazuha’s shorts in one fluid motion. The buttplug is removed shortly after, exposing Kazuha's irresistible hole—pink and swollen and gaping around nothing. Heizou's fingers dig reflexively into Kazuha's skin, searching for anything to latch onto to keep him from blowing his load too early.

With a firm grip on Kazuha's hips, Heizou pulls him down closer to his face, until his butt is within tongue’s reach. He probes upwards, prodding against the tight ring of muscle at Kazuha's entrance. The resulting reaction is better than expected, and Heizou takes this as his cue to apply even greater pressure still.

“You're so wet for me, dear,” he hums between licks.

“Mm, made sure to use plenty of lube…”

“Gods, I just want to devour you,” Heizou says, barely finishing his sentence before he starts to slowly push his way in. He can feel Kazuha clamping around his tongue, his anus instinctively resisting entry. The taste admittedly isn't the best, but Heizou is more than willing to bear through it if it means helping his partner feel good.

“Gah, that’s so…dirty…”

“It's alright. We just took a bath, didn’t we?”

“Still…”

Unbothered, Heizou begins to pump his tongue in and out, reveling in the way Kazuha’s hole gradually starts to accommodate him. By now, Kazuha’s legs are visibly trembling, yet he shows no signs of giving in, instead spilling ever more desperate pleas from his lips.

“Feels good… I want you so badly, Heizou. Need you…inside...”

“Oh?” Heizou answers, pulling out from between Kazuha’s cheeks. “My tongue isn’t good enough for you, huh? Which part of me do you want, then?”

“All of you. Your cock…”

“Yeah? You want me to fill up your tight little ass? Fuck you nice and deep?”

“Please…!”

“Okay, sure,” Heizou says, his voice taking on a mischievous tone. “But you'll have to spin back around for me first. I want you to ride me—show me just how much you want it.”

Kazuha is quick to oblige, grazing his tip against Heizou's chin as he rearranges himself once more on the bed. Now that they’re facing each other, Heizou can clearly see the pink dusting his boyfriend’s cheeks—can see the lust in his eyes, and the way his mouth hangs open with need. 

He groans as Kazuha briefly takes them both in his hand, rubbing their lengths together with a sweet friction that threatens to send him over the edge. Beads of pre-cum smear across their foreskin, creating filthy noises that Heizou is just grateful no one else can hear. 

Eventually, Kazuha loosens his grip, leaving just a few fingers there to help with the final phase. He lifts himself up, guiding Heizou towards his entrance, then carefully lowers himself back down, sinking inch by inch until he can feel Heizou bottom out inside of him.

Heizou curses aloud, his mind erased of all thought except for the distinct awareness of Kazuha squeezing impossibly tight around him. His body begins to move on its own, hips bucking upward to meet Kazuha halfway, and before long, they both find themselves aboard a runaway train, hurtling towards their inevitable climax.

“Touch yourself for me, Zu,” Heizou manages to instruct through his haze. “I want to watch your face as you cum.”

“Hhaa, getting close…” Kazuha mewls, frantically stroking himself even as he continues to bounce. “Fuck, Heizou—”

His eyes screw shut as he grinds himself to completion, spurts of cum landing on Heizou’s stomach and chest. Heizou follows close behind, the knot at the base of his stomach snapping as he erupts inside his partner. The room fills with the sound of heavy breathing, and for a few blissful moments, the world seems to come to a halt around them.

“I love you so much,” Kazuha says, collapsing onto his back next to Heizou.

“I love you so much back.”

The two link hands, fingers intertwining like lock and key. Their bodies are sticky and sweaty, and honestly, at this point they could use another bath. But for now, there's nothing they'd rather do than remain here like this, gladly basking in each other’s presence.

“So…” Kazuha utters, leaning over to peck Heizou’s cheek. “How do you think the technique went? Was I successful in eating your nightmare?”

Heizou blinks at him, genuinely perplexed. 

“Um, I’m not quite sure what nightmare you’re referring to,” he replies sincerely. “All I can remember is a beautiful dream.”