...

---【Tick, Tock】---
---【Tick, Tock】---
---【Tick, Tock】---

Although Heizou had not brought a clock, he could hear the ticking of a clock to the eleventh hour. The echoes of the sounds amplified second by second, eventually overwhelming him.

He tried to calm himself down and reminded himself that nothing bad must happen.

Heizou's thoughts and nervousness engulfed his mind; nothing else could be thought of.

Heizou kept trying, and eventually he suppressed his nervousness and the sound of the clock in his mind.

The time was about 17:00.

He looked at the setting sun from the harbor and tried comforting himself by taking a break by staring at the vermillion reflection of the sun by the sea.

He was reminded of all the times they had together, how much "fun" he and Kazuha had; how much they love eachother.

"Alright, Heizou... You got this!" He thought.

Time passed. Hours passed in what felt like seconds. It was only an hour away until the moment of truth.

"Heizou, everything's ready. You should rehearse once more." Suggested Tianlin, his voice trembling from nervousness and excitement for his friends.

Heizou then began delivering his heartfelt speech and practiced kneeling down in one knee, bringing the ring up to he who would soon wear it ー or maybe not. Who knows? It was all up to his luck and their love.

"Alright I can do this..." He comforted himself once more. However, he felt apprehensive about the event.

Time passed by instantly, the sun had set and all that was left was an obsidian colored sky, empty; devoid of stars today.

Was this a sign?

Second by second, he grew more anxious. Kazuha would be here any moment.

The venue was beautifully decorated and everything was well prepared.

-------------

E

ventually,

Kazuha had arrived. Heizou got to his position and prepared. Kazuha had looked around the venue, thinking there was an event.

Suddenly, a warm familiar touch met with Kazuha's shoulders. It was Heizou's hand.

"Hey, Kazuha... It's nice, don't you think?"

"Oh there you are!
And Yeah, It
looks wonderful."

"Thanks to your boyfriend ー
the best one ever ー you get
to witness it. It's all for you,
my beloved."

"Did I forget something? Was there
An occasion today?"

"Not that you'd know, of course.
It's going to be your first."

"Wait- is this..."

Kazuha looked around the Venue. A place decorated fully with beauty.

Heizou looked to the side and saw the Qixing looking at them, hidden. However, Heizou saw them and waved, signaling them.

Suddenly. Some fireworks got launched and some fireflies were released, showing a beautiful display of lights.

One of the fireworks were in the shape of a heart, and it lasted the longest in the sky.

Kazuha looked in amazement, and couldn't speak in awe of such transient beauty.

"You did this for me?"

"Yep, I love you so much."

Heizou sighed,
and held Kazuha's hand.

"Kazuha...

Every moment I share with you are the best moments of my life. I cannot imagine a life without you. Ever since we met all the way back, I had fallen for your charms ー your kindness ー your- everything!

You make me feel special and make me feel things that I don't and will never deserve. You have shown your kindness, your love and your care for me and I feel like its a gift from the archons ー a blessing.

Everything we've been through... everything we shared... You're the only person who I shared things to openly, and you're the only one I Want to share everything of mine to....

You've been the perfect boyfriend for and to me, and I feel like I've not been a good one back. However, it didn't stop you from sticking with me."

Heizou sighed once more, reassuring himself mentally.

"Kazuha... You're the only one who ever cared for me. I love you with all my heart... and I would never, ever , try to hurt you on purpose. I apologize for anything I may have done to hurt you.

I want to be someone you can rely on; someone who will willingly give up their life for you. I want to be there for you in times your feeling down; in times you're sad. I want to commit myself fully to you, and I feel like you've solved the case in my heart, although you aren't a detective."

Heizou sighed, and kneeled down on one
knee. and took out the ring from his pocket.

"Kazuha... will you-"

Suddenly... Heizou's eyes widened in shock.

An arrow had struck the ring and caused it to get thrown into the sea. The Qixing watched in terror. Heizou's frustration began to rise up, as all the feelings engulfed him to the point he couldn't think straight.

Meanwhile, Kazuha's surprise and excitement faded in a flash, only to be replaced in horror.

The atmosphere was tense, making Heizou unable to breathe well.

Suddenly, a familiar woman dashed through the venue, grabbing someone who seemed to look like a treasure hoarder.

It was Yelan.

She looked at the two who were in despair due to the situation, and told them what had happened.

"Good evening gentlemen, I apologize for any inconvenience has occurred.
This pathetic excuse of a person was trying to assassinate one of you. Luckily I managed to track him down and capture him. He will be punished severely by myself, the Qixing, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs. I apologize for not apprehending this criminal quicker." 

Tears fell out of Heizou's eyes, as only anger and frustration could be seen from his face.

"You bastard..."

Suddenly, Heizou grabbed the treaure hoarder by the collar and clenched his fist. His anemo vision glowed brightly, concentrating all the anemo energy to his fist.

However, he saw the terrified face of Kazuha looking at him, allowing him to see his own actions beyond his rage.

"Two wrongs don't make a right." He thought.

He let go of his fist and turned back, intending to walk away.

"Listen here, I'm not going to hit you for what you've done to me. I know better. However, the fact that you don't understand that and held your grudge against me for so long, stalked me, and did this horrendous act proves how much of a disgrace you are. You'll be punished enough by the law and will be charged for attempt of murder."

Heizou than walked away, wiping away the tears off his eyes.

He then frantically went near the sea, searching for the ring.

Tianlin, Ningguang, Keqing and even Ganyu came to him.

"What in the name of archon happened here?" Said Ningguang.

"Heizou... it's okay" Said Tianlin, disappointed at himself for letting something such as this happen.

Heizou yelled, "I'm a good-for-nothing, useless and pathetic person! All I do is mess up-"

Suddenly, Tianlin and the others hugged him.

"We'll find it eventually..." Said Tianlin, comforting him.

Ningguang then sighed and raised her voice.

"Keqing, Ganyu, come with me to find Beidou. Let's try to find the ring, like she found all the things of the first jade chamber for me." Ordered Ningguang.

"Alright." Nodded the two in unison.

They then ran as fast as they could, to find Beidou.

Heizou then broke down in Tianlin's arms as Tianlin reassured him.

Soon, Tianlin too, went to check for any damage that the hoarder might have caused.

------------

Heizou stared at the Harbor, watching the moonlight reflect on the sea. His eyes began to lose its light and he began to feel transparent.

Tears uncontrollably fell from his eyes, however the only thing his face showed was a broken straight-faced expression.

Suddenly, Kazuha walked to Heizou after regaining his senses from petrification due to shock.

"Uhm... mind if I sit here?" Said Kazuha, his voice soft as ever.

Heizou did not reply, he didn't hear anything, nor did he see anything.

Kazuha then sat beside him and hugged Heizou, which caused his senses to slowly regain from the overwhelming feelings he had.

"It's okay... you don't have to get frustrated...."

Kazuha then tried his best to help Heizou. He said comforting words to him and hugged him for a long time.

Later, after a while, Heizou sighed in disappointment of himself.

"I'm sorry you had to see that." Apologized Heizou.

"Hey... were you planning to propose to me?" Inquired Kazuha.

"Not that it matters... I blew it!" Suddenly, Heizou slammed the floor.

"It's not fair! Why?... why does everything have to go this way... why am I so pathetic... "

The question "Why?" Echoed in Heizou's mind, overwhelming him once more. However, Heizou felt a warmth pulling him out of his sorrow.

It was Kazuha's gentle hug. However, it felt different. It was tighter than usual.

"Shut up. You're not pathetic. You're perfect, and I don't give a damn to whoever says you aren't."

"But-"

"No. No buts. You're someone I never deserved, but I'm glad I have you. Please Heizou, don't feel disheartened... when you're under sorrow, I can't help but want to take your pain for myself..."

Heizou remained silent.

"Besides, who even needs a ring for a proposal? I'll happily accept it, even if it's not traditional, if it's you..."

Suddenly, Heizou broke down in Kazuha's gentle arms; crying and yelling "I'm sorry."

After a while. Kazuha asked:

"Who was that person? And what did you mean by 'grudge'?"

Heizou's eyes widened. He let out a small smile and began telling him the story on how he was a treasure hoarder who he had arrested in Inazuma.

Kazuha listened with all of his attention.
He then hugged Heizou once more and said the following words:

---------------

"If it's fine with you, can you confess once more? I want to give you my answer, and you don't have to give me a ring yet."

---------------

Suddenly, Yelan reappeared behind them, startling them.

"Here. Catch." Said Yelan, before disappearing.

She had given Heizou a different ring. However, it was more exquisite than the one he had gotten.

He then saw a tiny note attached to it too.

The note read:

"To Heizou,

Take this ring as a replacement in case something happens. I had gotten extra rings incase some situation arose. Please give it to your beloved.

-Tianlin"

Heizou felt overjoyed as his frown curved into a bright smile.

He then bent down on one knee once more, and said the speech once more. After his speech concluded, he reached the part he was going to say before getting interrupted.

----------

"Kazuha... will you allow me to commit myself to you and be a part of your family? In other words, will you marry me?'

-----------

|
\/

"Yes. I will."

----------

Kazuha then kissed Heizou on the lips, causing the light in his eyes to slowly come back.

In addition, the stars revealed itself before Heizou's eyes.

Kazuha then said:
 
-----------

"I wish to be with you forever, my love"

------------

With that wish said, two shooting stars appeared before them. A wonderful sign for their glorious future.

------------

『◇The End◇』

Note: Hello everyone! That's the end of the story of this fanfiction! Sorry for not uploading for like a long time. I was waiting for a perfect moment to upload this, and what better day than Valentine's day? I hope you all enjoyed reading my work and thank you for this wonderful journey and all the support.

In addition, I'm planning to write a Xingyun story soon! If you'd like to read it, please stay tuned.

With that thank you all!