caring

Kokichi and Shuuichi discuss what happened in Living Memory.

this fic was written for saiouma AUgust weekend 2025 on tumblr and ao3. the prompts for day one were fantasy and soulmates, and i chose fantasy. artemis and i have a little ffxiv au for saiouma on the side that isn't... really super developed, but i had enough to write this fic. i'm not sure this is really readable without ffxiv knowledge, which was a mistake on my part, but hopefully it's still enjoyable!

The rampaging beast goes down with a thud. Kokichi pants heavily, loosening his grip on his claymore. Scratches adorn his face and arms. He grins at Shuuichi.

"I told you it'd be easy," he says, grinning. He winces a moment after.

"It might've been easier if you'd used magic." Shuuichi's voice is teasing as he casts a healing spell. Perhaps one a bit stronger than Kokichi needs, but when he takes on a healing role, he takes it seriously.

"I haven't slashed at an enemy in a good while." Kokichi's ear twitches. "I need to keep my sword skills sharp, you know."

"I know." Shuuichi smiles. "You know I just worry."

"You trust me, don't you?" Kokichi purrs, wrapping his arms around Shuuichi's neck.

"Of course I do." A smirk tugs at his lips. "I trust that you'll overexert yourself protecting me."

That earns a laugh from the Miqo'te. "When have I ever done that?"

"Do you truly want me to answer that question?

"Ha! No." Kokichi flicks his tail. "Let's report back to Solution Nine."

---

Solution Nine is such an odd place. The technology is advanced compared to the rest of Etheirys; it brings to mind magitek or the strange Allagan devices the two have interacted with over their journey.

After reporting their finished work, they don't stick around for long. They both find the place intriguing - Shuuichi especially - but a city still in mourning deserves a chance to rest.

"Kokichi?" Shuuichi tips his head. "Are you okay?"

Myste nags in the back of Kokichi's mind, fretting over what's become of Alexandria.

"I'm fine!" Kokichi chirps. His smile doesn't reach his eyes.

Shuuichi frowns, but doesn't push. He knows Kokichi isn't quick to express his true feelings, even after all the time they've spent journeying together. Given some time, he often ends up telling Shuuichi what's on his mind.

---

They sit just outside Xbalyav T'ye. Kokichi looks… not forlorn, exactly, but the way he stares into the setting sun betrays something only Shuuichi can see. He thinks he knows what his partner is thinking.

"You blame yourself for her death," he says softly, looking not at Kokichi but at the horizon. He can see the Miqo'te nod in his peripheral vision.

"I don't believe we did the wrong thing," he explains, "but that doesn't make Myste— me feel any better about it." He sighs. "I suppose that's just the way of it, though."

"What do you mean?"

"Though we were here as Lamaty'i's companions and not the Warriors of Light, we always have to make life-changing decisions." He grins at Shuuichi, but this time it's bitter. Shuuichi knows the hidden meaning in his words. We end lives. Something Kokichi has not shied away from for a long while, but still weighs heavily on him.

"I don't regret it, per se," he continues. "Really, I worry more how the people of Alexandria will handle it. They've never known death."

"It will hit them hard," Shuuichi agrees. "I think the funeral will help, though."

"I think so too."

There's a pause. Shuuichi turns Kokichi's worries over in his mind. Death is never an easy thing to process. The Viera's heart bleeds for all the lives lost on their travels as well. He knows how hard it is for Kokichi, though; long before they had met, Kokichi had vowed to never take a life.

It's funny, in a rather morbid way, how things change.

"I'm still not sure we should go," Kokichi says at last, "but I know we'll regret it if we don't. Standing on the sidelines while Lamaty'i handles the proceedings is still our best course of action."

"Do you think the people of Solution Nine hold a grudge against us?" Shuuichi asks.

"I'm not sure." Kokichi shrugs. "I would if I were them. Truthfully, I'm more inclined to think we'll be an… unhappy reminder."

"Perhaps," Shuuichi says, slinging an arm over Kokichi's shoulder, "though I don't think that's likely. If we're noticed at all, I don't believe anything but the funeral will be on anyone's minds."

Kokichi hums, leaning into the touch. "Perhaps you're right." He laughs. "Usually you're the one worrying and overthinking."

"That's why I know how to handle it when you do it." Shuuichi kisses his cheek. "There's nothing to worry about. I promise."

"I'm holding you to that."

The two laugh and share a brief kiss.

"Let's get going, Shuuichi." In brighter spirits, Kokichi stands, holding out a hand to Shuuichi. So long ago, he would never have done such a thing.

Shuuichi takes his hand.