𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣 [𝙆𝙖𝙯𝙪𝙝𝙖 𝙭 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧]

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙁𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙣

sit tight. it's a long one.

"stay safe! take this as a gift of your journey, or something." venti bowed as he stood next to the cart, holding the same bottle of wine be snatched from diluc. "thank you, venti." i smiled as i reached down to grab it, but venti wouldn't let go. i tried tugging the bottle from his grasp, but i gave up and sighed.

"thanks for the gesture, but keep it since you're attached that much." i swatted my hand in the air as i climbed onto the cart with a few sailors and supplies for the journey out to inazuma. venti clicked his fingernails along the glass of the bottle as he waved us off.

and with that farewell, i was headed back to liyue.

after a long while worth of travelling, we made it to liyue harbour. i dreamingly gazed around at my surroundings. the beautiful buildings and sculptures always fascinated me. as we pulled up at the alcor, the sailors began packing up the supplies onto the boat. kazuha leapt off the cart and dashed over to my side, holding out his hand to help me down. i gratefully took it as i hopped off the cart. i kept a tightened grip on kazuhas hand as we boarded the ship. as soon as we got on, we were greeted by a familiar face.

"y/n! it's unexpected to see you here again, although i could've guessed that kazuha would've invited you along anyways." beidou smiled as she leaned against the top of her claymore. i nodded slowly. "only if it's okay with you, will i accompany your crew to inazuma."

beidou nodded and smirked. "you're always welcome on the alcor." she spun around on her heel and walked confidently around the deck, telling people where to place things and whatnot. "we have cabins down below, i'd assume we'll be staying under there until tomorrow. that's when we leave." kazuha said as he pointed with his entire hand over at a door that faced the deck. i nodded towards it and smiled. "lets go, then."

we walked inside the door, to be greeted with a strong odour of fish. i plugged my nose as the string smell of salmon and tuna met with my senses. "eh, i'm sorry about the smell. some people are storing the fish in barrels here. you get used to it after a while." kazuha chuckled as we walked further down the hallway. the wood creaked with every step, i could've sworn i heard fish swimming in the stern of the ship. we made it to two doors that faced eachother, much like the doors in the dawn winery. "this is your room. beidou assigned it to any guests on the ship, i'd assume you'll take this one, and the traveller that's the other." kazuha pointed to the other door opposite mine. i nodded and smiled. "it'll be hard to sleep hearing that floating child squeaking the entire time." i laughed as i opened the door. there was a single bed that hovered in the corner of the room. a chair sat at the end of the bed and a small dresser sat next to the door. i turned around and impulsively gave kazuha a soft peck on the cheek.

"i'm gonna get some rest, goodnight." i smiled, trying to contain the changing colours on my cheeks. i slowly shut the door and instantly jumped onto the bed, burying my face in the pillow.

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kazuha felt his cheeks heat up as y/n closed the door. he gently touched the spot that they had kissed. kazuha slowly skipped his way down the hallway, the smell of fish quickly disappearing from his senses as he made his way to the sailor cabins. they were tiny rooms with bunk beds in each of them. kazuha entered his appropriate room and climbed up to the second bunk, lying on his back and letting an arm rest over his stomach.

was it safe enough to go to inazuma? were literal wanted fugitives.

kazuha sighed as he turned on his side, facing the wall. he contemplated his decision on asking them to come. it's not like he didn't want them to, he was just concerned. those samurais were after them more than they were him. they could be held captive if they're not careful when they entire the region again. eventually, kazuhas anxious thoughts wore him as he found himself drifting to sleep to the sound of his anxiety and the sound of the waves gently rocking the alcor.