[Heizou's POV]
It didn't take long before the guards were finally able to catch up to the scene and apprehend the immobilized enemies. This trap is fortunately not fatal to one's health but rather completely petrify them like statues made of grass and moss. Although the question now is how to undo it.
I carefully took care of y/n and carried her back all the way to camp. Honestly, the amount of trouble this girl can do is ridiculous, yet it greatly helped to put things under our favor. I had her body laid in a tent then went to look for anyone who is an expert on elemental synergy. There must be a way to reverse the petrifying process.
After gathering those who were knowledgeable in elemental synergy, even had the Traveler come along and have them check on y/n's condition. They were mostly puzzled on the situation as they never really encountered anyone who would have self-inflicting abilities from their visions.
"Traveler, how does the trap actually work?" I placed a hand on my chin as I pondered.
"Well, with the use of the natural area, y/n used something like a dendro link to connect her vision to the whole area with the use of the nails we planted. Then once the vision is completely connected with the area, it will proceed to immobilize anyone standing on it, most especially to those who were giving off elemental energy"
In other words, something must've gone wrong during the execution of the trap, which leads to y/n getting herself inflicted by her own ability. This is going to be a problem.
I slightly turned my head up to look at the Traveler. "Does the trap usually have a time limit before it wears off?"
"I'm not sure..." They gave a troubled look, well, that is until someone cuts into the conversation.
"I suppose if we give it a day, the grass and moss will shrivel away.. Since it's made of the vision's ability, surely it wouldn't last very long and disappear in its own" A female adventurer commented her insight. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try and wait it out.
I had everyone dismissed and they all left the tent, leaving me alone to watch over y/n.
I honestly don't know what I'd do if I end up losing her. The thought terrifies me and I don't want to think about it, but seeing her situation right now, I should've been there to watch over her. How can I protect her when I can't even prevent this from happening.
I shouldn't wallow in deep regrets, everything's all done now. The least I could do is try to be patient.
I slowly approached her body and placed a hand over her cheek.
"Please... Be back to normal soon... I missed you" I muttered before planting a kiss on her forehead.
***
I slowly opened my eyes, felt something warm and gentle caressing my hair. It was a nice feeling.
When I looked up to see what this nice feeling was, I found myself lying on someone's lap. My eyes meeting with her e/c ones and it took me a whole moment to realize that she's finally back to normal.
She let out a giggle as she continued to caress my hair. "Good morning, detective"
I suddenly felt my eyes becoming quite watery and my heart began to pound so harshly. I then turned to face her, with my head still laid on her lap and my arms then wrapped around her waist. She's so warm and comfortable, I feel like the luckiest man in Inazuma already.
"H-Heizou...?"
"Please... Let me stay like this for a bit.." I mumbled.
It was a blissful moment, to be able to get this close to her after such a long time. I missed this warmth.
Once I was already satisfied, I slowly get off of her and sat up, turning to face her. When I looked at her, I noticed her cheeks flushed in light pink that stretched until the tip of her ears.
"How... are you feeling..? You just got petrified.." I glanced away as I lightly scratched my cheek.
"I feel alright.. The petrification wasn't harmful but, I must admit, it was slightly uncomfortable.." She sheepishly chuckled while scratching the back of her head.
I looked at her for a moment then suddenly flicked her forehead.
"Ack!? ..Okay, I might at least deserved that" She rubbed her forehead.
"Honestly, just when I just told you to be more careful..." My hand then proceeds to caress the strands on her side bangs and let it slide off my palm. My eyes fixated on her h/c locks then when I slowly glanced back at her, I could see the softness in her gaze, just like that time when we were in Mondstadt.
My right hand suddenly moved on its own and cupped her cheek. I slowly leaned in close to her with my eyes glancing at her lips for a moment before I shifted my gaze back into her eyes.
"...May I..?"
***
[y/n's POV]
Before you knew it, you felt your lips being pressed against the detective's and you slowly reciprocated the feeling back to him with both of your eyes closed.
It was as if all of your worries were being swept away from that one magical moment. You both held each other without any signs of letting each other go, neither one breaking away from the kiss.
The kiss was prolonged and deepened, and when you both finally pulled away, you looked at each other's gaze with a blush dusted on both of your faces.
"...What took you so long..?" You muttered under your breath, trying not to break down and cry after months of agonizing and wondering if the redhead ever feels the same way as you felt for him.
"Goodness, you have no idea how many times I've been trying and attempting to show you how much I feel for you" He let out a light chuckle then a sigh. "I love you, y/n... I've been meaning to tell you that for months... But it seems that my selfishness and my paranoia have been pushing you away instead, thus it took me this long to finally confess to you" He added as his hand was still cupped on your cheek and his thumb caressing it.
Just when you both were about to kiss again, the tent opened, revealing the Traveler and Paimon entering. You both quickly pulled away in surprise with slight redness tinting over your cheeks and the tips of your ears.
"Heizou! Some officers were looking for you- y/n! You're finally okay!!" The silver haired companion hovered over and had clung onto you. "Paimon was so worried you wouldn't go back to normal!" She whined.
"Paimon, c'mon... Give y/n some space, she had just recovered.." The traveler went over to pull Paimon away from you slowly, which lead to the both of them bickering. Typical duo, you thought as you chuckled at their presence.
Heizou got up and fixed himself. "Alright, I'll be off to meet with some of the officials" He then looked over to you one last time and swooped in to steal a kiss from your lips. "I'll be back soon, okay?" He smiled reassuringly then left the tent.
You were left speechless for a moment from the sudden stolen kiss. Funny enough, the traveling duo happened to witness it and their faces were shocked and flustered.
"y-y/n??? Did we miss something?? Cuz Paimon was certain that the both of you kissed just now!"
"I..." You were out of words to answer them then you just buried yourself under your blanket, internally screaming in embarrassment.
'AAAAAAAAAHHH!!! DOES THAT REDHEAD EVER HAD ANY SHAME AT ALL!?' You thought while rolling over back and forth on your sleeping bag under the blanket.
Somehow the day started very well for you that you almost forgot that you're still in the middle of a mission to apprehend the Fatui.