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Feeling something tighten its hold around his body, Kazuha almost jumped out of bed in shock before realizing it was just you.

He strained his memory, hoping to regain some sense as to why he was lying in bed with you in a unfamiliar room.

His face went beet red at some interesting, ideas as to what..activities, the two of you might’ve partook in- no no snap out of it Kazuha, don’t entertain such vulgar thoughts.

…Though he was not opposed to the idea-

“Mmm…Kazu?”

He immediately felt his face take on a red hue, shaking himself out of his dirty fantasies.

Focusing his gaze back on you he couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle. Shirt slightly falling over your shoulder, hair tousled, and with the appearance of one who just woke up (which you in fact, did just wake), you groggily looked up into his face, eyes slowly adjusting to the morning sun.

“Good morning, Y/n.” His expression softened into a small smile. Kazuha relaxed, falling back into your hold. Although his face seemed unable to rid of the rosiness…

You smiled and cuddled into him once more.

“Morning, my love.”

Blushing at the nickname, Kazuha continued, asking the question that had been plaguing his mind for the past few minutes.

“If I may ask, er, what happened last night? I can’t seem to recall much at the moment.”

Now it was your turn for the heat to creep up your face, remembering the events that took place the night before.

Noticing this, instantly it felt like Kazuha’s face was on fire. So did we-

“Ah well,” you cleared your throat. “You accidentally drank Venti’s cocktails, and got drunk.”

Ah, that would explain the fuzziness and mild headache.

Wait.

A sudden suspicion popped up into Kazuha’s thoughts, instantly feeling embarrassment creeping over him.

Could he have accidentally- confessed?

Fuck. At least that’d explain the current predicament.

“And did I er- say, anything? Or, you know, do anything?” He asked, feeling a bit nervous and hoping he didn’t embarrass himself too much.

You giggled.

Oh no.

“Heh, you were really giggly and clingy. Kept asking me for a kiss,” you smirked up at his blushing face.

“And then- well..” You faltered, feeling your face heat up.

Oh. OH. Dear Barbatos…

Kazuha felt the sudden rush of memories coming back.

The cuddling. The teasing from his companions. The-

He hid his face in the crook of your neck.

“Shit.”

You started to laugh as Kazuha reminisced on everything.

The kissing. The confessions. Oh my archons he really did seem to make a fool out of himself.

“Don’t be so embarrassed, I found it pretty cute.”

Kazuha groaned, turning his head back to look at you. “Well, that was definitely not how I planned on confessing to you. But, all’s well that ends well, I suppose.”

He smiled at you, getting over the humiliation and focusing on the present, which was you.

You smiled back at him, before leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on his lips, pulling him closer.

Kazuha felt as if his heart was about to beat out of his chest.

This was when he completely melted. The softness of your lips, the gentle hold you had on him. He wished to wake to your beautiful face every morning to come. He wished the moment could last forever.

Your lips tugging and pulling at the other, letting light hums escape time to time, the warmth and comfort of each other’s love had you both letting the carefully guarded vulnerability seep out through ways words could never describe.

You cupped his face as he tangled his hands in your hair, allowing the kiss to get more passionate. You allowed Kazuha’s tongue into your mouth, feeling your heart jump at each press of your intertwined muscles. Lips molding into each other, your breaths running out from the desperation of another.

Unfortunately, oxygen was needed as you both reluctantly part for air, panting lightly while gazing deeply into the other’s eyes.

“Kazuha?”

“Yes, dove?”

“Did you mean it, when you told me that you loved me?” A pit of nervousness gathered in your stomach.

He felt warmth creeping up again.

“Yes.” He smiled softly, caressing your face gently. “I love you, more than you could ever imagine.”

Smiling in relief, you leaned closer to his lips once again. “And I, love you more than any universe could allow.”

With that, the new lovers connected their lips once more, basking in each other’s presence.

—

“Where the hell are they?” Lumine sighed in exasperation, shaking her head. “They’re ten minutes late.”

“They’re probably fu- mmph!” Paimon covered Xinyan’s mouth with haste, looking at Fischl and Mona nervously with a apologetic smile.

“These mere peasants dare keep thy Prinzessin awaiting for thou? I do have pressing matters to attend to with thy Immernachtreich blooming upon thine people,” Fischl huffed. “Mein Fräulein means, she would like to hurry up and go on the adventure,” Oz translates.

“Shall I divinate the answer?” Mona pulled her scryglass out.

“Look! There they are!” Paimon pointed at the two figures approaching them.

“Sorry we’re late,” you grinned. “Got caught up in some stuff.”

“Stuff, huh?” Xinyan took a teasing glance at Kazuha, who simply looked away to hide the growing blush dusting his face.

“Would the stuff happen to be Kaz-” “Okay!” Lumine cleared her throat, clapping her hands together.

“Let’s get on with the adventure!”

As the others went ahead, you couldn’t help but intertwine your hand with Kazuha’s, feeling comfort in his touch.

“Are you two coming or not?” Xinyan yelled back at the pair.

“Oh my archons, Venti! Guess what?”

“What, Y/n?”

“Shut the fuck up,” you hissed, face hot with embarrassment. Your other friends giggled, as Venti feigned being hurt.

“Y/nnn~” Kazuha drawled, tracing your lips with a finger.

Fuck.

You could hear snickering coming from the others as you shot a glare at them.

“What is it?” you sighed, finally looking into Kazuha’s eyes, though you almost immediately regretted it.

His eyelids were drooped as he stared intensely at your lips, almost hungrily. Glancing up at you he giggled and puckered his lips.

“Kiss!”

Oh my archons. He’s too cute…

“Hehehe, you heard him Y/n, give the big baby a kiss!” Paimon cooed while you dug your face into Kazuha’s neck, hiding your expression from the teasing looks being sent your way.

“Kissss- hic- k-kiss,” Kazuha pouted.

“Shut up Kazu, you’re drunk,” you mumbled into his neck. You could hear your friends resuming their conversation about the island and such as you looked up again.

“Y/n…”

“What now, Kazuha?” You sighed glancing at his flushed face.

His hands cupped your warm cheeks as he leaned closer to your face, staring deep into your eyes. You gulped as he leaned dangerously closer to you.

Softly, he brushed his lips against yours, kissing you for a beautiful moment, a moment where everything and everyone froze, a moment where it was only you and Kazuha, and a moment that didn’t last long enough. Kazuha leaned back and giggled with red hues decorating his beautiful face. Fuck, you were burning up. The lingering feeling of his soft lips stayed, your hand reaching up to brush your lips tentatively, feeling the tingling of a few seconds ago.

You can’t take this anymore.

Abruptly standing up, you dragged Kazuha to the stairs, feeling him stumble beside you as ooo-ing could be heard behind you.

You led him to the balcony, opening the door and then closing it behind you, inhaling a breath of cool air. “H-hic- Y/n…?” You turned to face Kazuha, then pulled him towards you, smashing your lips together once more. Your lips tugged and melded against each other, panting and soft hums being heard from both persons.

He bit your bottom lip, tugging and rolling it softly between his teeth. Your breath hitched as your mouth opened, allowing Kazuha to slip his tongue inside. Your tongues intertwined sensually as you continued kissing each other hungrily, as if you could never get enough.

You wove your fingers through his hair, tugging and pulling at it, making Kazuha release small mewls into your mouth. Unfortunately, you had to part for air, as the two of you panted, your foreheads pressed together in a comfortable silence.

“Y/n..” He whispered, tilting your chin up, directing your gaze into his eyes. “Hm..?” You hummed.

Ah, he was too beautiful, his messy hair strewn over his shoulders, ponytail having fallen apart moments ago from your tugging. His eyes, like crimson jewels staring into your own with such emotion it could make you overheat on the spot. His lips, the soft pink lips that easily sang words of poetry, the lips that captured yours so easily, bringing you into a hopeless love filled daze.

“I love you.”

You hoped it wasn’t just the alcohol in his system making him say these things, because you just couldn’t resist whispering the confession back, letting the walls fall down, letting vulnerability slip out.

—

“Damn, what took y’all so long?” Xinyan wiggled her brows as you sat down, Kazuha back to clinging onto you. “Needed to get fresh air,” you said dismissively. “With Kazuha?” Lumine pointed out teasingly. “Shut up,” you flushed.

Kazuha giggled and started pressing kisses all over your neck and face. “Mine, mine, mine~” he sang in between each kiss. You grumbled, heat once again rising in your face.

“Oh??” Venti smirked at the lovesick birds, noticing the change in your demeanors.

I felt a golden light envelope us, wondering if this was what dying felt like, feeling his hold on me tighten.

Suddenly, we were above land again. Worried yells of relief came from all around us as the tension lessened. It all fell deaf to my ears, because the only thing I could focus on, was him.

His eyes were wide with shock, staring at me in utter disbelief, not being able to register someone would go after him, that someone chose to fall with him. That I, chose to fall with him.

The hoarse whisper of my name was drowned in a sudden shout. Silence fell, realizing it was I who yelled at him.

“YOU DUMBASS! I WAS TERRIFIED!” Tears pricked at my eyes as he sighed and hung his head low, avoiding my gaze. “DON’T EVER DO THAT AGAIN.” The tears were flowing now. I had a right mind to slap him across the face but couldn’t bring myself to at his expression.

“Don’t- don’t ever. Do that again.” I choked out. “Y-you hear me, Xiao?”

I cupped my hand over his cheek, forcing those amber eyes into mine. “Please.” My voice was now a tired whisper.

His beautiful eyes, oh those eyes that I find myself drowning in whenever I caught his glance, the eyes I stare dreamily into, the eyes that catch my breath, the ones I’ve fallen so far into that I’ve loved so long, glazed over, water filling those golden pools of light.

The sight pulls at my heart, the world seeming to crash around me as the first tear slipped out those beautiful eyes that have seen too much.

“I- I promise,” he choked out, softly caressing my cheek as we slowly slumped to the floor, holding one another like it was just us, only us. Nothing else mattered, he was safe, and we were together.

“Xiao..?” “Yes?” “I love you.” “I- I love…you too..”