Warning: AU in which Geist joined the Duchy instead of the Grantz Empire. Spoilers for Bravely Default and Bravely Second, but mostly Bravely Default. Also contains eventual GeistxKamiizumi and canon-typical violence.
How I came up with the idea: I was thinking about how much I ship Kamiizumi and Geist, and it made me think…what if Geist had joined the Duchy all those years ago to overthrow the ruling church, rather than later join the Empire?
As I explained on a past tumblr post regarding the writing progress of this fic, "Our Bloody Hands" is a retelling of Bravely Default from mainly Kamiizumi's point of view, being canon-divergent because Geist got recruited into the Duchy of Eternia instead of the Grantz Empire in this fic. There is a lot in Default that has to be covered, including events that take place pre-Default, such as the rebellion Braev and Kamiizumi led against the ruling church and the Toxic Mist Incident. The fact that it's a kind-of retelling made this fic especially difficult to write, hence why it took quite a long time—long enough that I'm splitting this into a two-shot. I hope you all enjoy reading it, and thank you all for your patience!
Our Bloody Hands
Summary: Bravely Default AU. Braev Lee decided to recruit the former Exorcist, Geist Grace, to join and assist the Duchy in defeating the ruling church. There were more consequences to this decision than intended, and Swordmaster Nobutsuna Kamiizumi ends up as a major part of them.
"Geist Grace…?"
Geist looked up to see someone approach him—blond, younger than him.
"Yes?"
The word escaped Geist's lips in a most somber manner. How could he not be somber and sorrowful, given what he had to do when he found out his son died because of the Plague?
"My name is Braev Lee." Steely, grey-blue eyes made their way into Geist's own. "I heard of what happened."
"Then you know," Geist responded, raising an eyebrow, "That I'm not planning to offer any exorcisms. Not too soon, at least." He knew he sounded snappy, and unlike himself in a sense, but he truly was in no mood for this.
Braev took a deep breath, unfazed by the other.
"You tried to get the sick girl on that ship quarantined." He spoke. "I was one of the few priests that supported your position against Griede's overruling of it."
Geist froze at that. He hadn't wanted to think about that incident—not now, not ever.
"The priest?" Geist faintly remembered such a thing. "That was you?"
Braev nodded. "It was me." An exhale. "I left the Orthodoxy after they overruled your plea and caused the Plague."
Geist's brow furrowed at the Plague.
"That Plague," Geist spat, "Killed my son."
"I know. And I'm sorry this happened to you." The younger man looked guilty. "But…the reason I came here is because the Orthodoxy is planning something far worse."
Geist stared at him. "What could be worse than the Plague?"
What could be potentially worse than something that killed his son, who meant everything to him?
"The…" Braev looked hesitant, then spoke. "The Grand Ritual. They plan to invoke it with the Earth Crystal."
"Shit."
Geist knew what the Grand Ritual was, and a hollow laugh escaped him.
"They'd rather destroy the whole world than do the right thing. Of course they would."
"I need to stop them. We have to." Braev started.
"We?" Geist looked to him. "And why should I care?"
Braev glared. "If they go through with it, your son will die again."
Geist froze at the idea of his son perishing again, before his jaw clenched. Not just after he brought him back—no. He refused to let his son perish a second time. That wasn't happening. Not on his watch.
"I see," Braev managed, noting Geist's expression, "That you understand the gravity of the situation just like I do. The Plague killed many, but this ritual will kill everyone. That's why we have to stop them."
Geist took a deep breath, contemplating this. In the past, he never would've went against the Crystal Orthodoxy and all it stood for.
But times had changed now, and Geist left them a long time ago.
"I'll go with you."
The Exorcist locked eyes with the Templar, nodding once.
"I'll join your revolution."
It was a little while after that when Geist met Kamiizumi. They'd gathered others who also wanted to stop the Orthodoxy's madness and save the world they lived in, and it was in the middle of this process when Braev thought it best to introduce the Swordmaster to the Exorcist.
"Allow me to introduce you to my friend." Braev looked to the man robed in his kimono, and then to Geist. "Geist, this is Nobutsuna Kamiizumi, one of the greatest swordsmen in this realm and my closest friend."
Geist observed the other quietly. The man's hair was dark, his face and posture full of some sort of calmness, but…
A hurricane lay within his grey eyes, eager to spark the revolution Braev wanted to create so badly—and more.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Geist." Kamiizumi spoke, offering a hand for Geist to shake. "Braev told me much of you."
Geist looked to the hand, then to its owner, before finally shaking it.
"A pleasure to meet you, too."
Geist's eyes made complete contact with Kamiizumi's eyes, and they did not stop staring at each other as they let go of each other's hands. Not for another few moments, at least.
The defeat of the ruling church was glorious.
Geist felt his whole being crackle with pride as he slashed at those damned officials. Revenge felt sweet, sweet to take vengeance for what they did to his son!
He wanted to see more blood. He wanted to hear them scream. He kept slashing and giggling and—
A certain katana blocked his rapier.
"Geist!"
The Exorcist's head snapped up to face an obviously displeased Kamiizumi.
"We are not here to slaughter the enemy." The Swordmaster spoke, both of them lowering their swords. "And you—"
"Killed all of them?" Geist simpered, gesturing to the array of corpses around them. "Yes, Swordmaster, I know. I know I killed them. I want to kill more."
Kamiizumi shook his head. But as he did so, the Exorcist swore he saw the hurricane restrained in the other's eyes. The man wanted to fight with abandon like him, too, but didn't do so. Why?
Geist swore he'd bring the hurricane out of that man.
"You are not killing more people." Kamiizumi stated. "Not today. If anything, I need you to bring back a few people from the dead so we can negotiate proper surrender with them."
"Proper, my ass!" The Exorcist raised an eyebrow. "War has never been proper, and revolutions are included in that. They are acts of rebellion. How in the hell do you expect them to be proper?"
"By making things right." The Swordmaster's eyes narrowed, and Geist saw the fiery winds within them stir. "The Orthodoxy failed to help the very people that followed them. The Duchy of Eternia will act for the good of the people…and of this world."
Geist was quiet, saying nothing, but then he chuckled faintly.
"So," He drawled, "Your leader—your friend—is quite an ambitious man, too. I've met quite a few of those, Tsuna, and I know they don't always live up to their promises."
He raised an eyebrow, and in one movement had the tip of his rapier milimeters from the Swordmaster's throat. Kamiizumi nearly flinched, but did not, locking eyes with the Exorcist.
"Do you truly have faith in the Templar?" Geist asked. The look in his eyes was half-doubt, half-curiosity. "Do you truly have the gall to follow him, Swordmaster?"
Kamiizumi's jaw clenched, briefly, and he swallowed once. He didn't dare to look away from the older man as he spoke.
"Yes." The words were sure and hard. "I do have faith in Braev. To follow him and his ideals. Right to the very end—the bitter end, if it ends that way."
Silence fell between them again, and Geist lowered his rapier. Then, he giggled, once or twice, echoing throughout the area.
"You have the fire to do so. I'll give you that." Geist took a few steps closer, right until they were completely eye to eye, and far from having personal space. Kamiizumi slowly inhaled, saying nothing, and Geist tilted his head a little bit, leaning forwards to whisper in his ear.
"I like fire."
It was then that Kamiizumi quivered, a short puff of breath escaping barely-open lips. Geist smiled, pulling his head back, locking eyes with him, and the two stared into each other's eyes for what felt like a long, long time.
"I don't know if this is a good time."
"Why wouldn't it be?"
Both of them stood in the newly built training hall of Eternian Central Command. Geist circled the Swordmaster, a very faint smile on his face. Kamiizumi's expression showed nothing, though his eyes said differently.
"Edea will be coming here for her first lesson with me." Kamiizumi spoke. "Braev asked me to train her in the way of the sword, and I intend to uphold that."
"And I can't even watch?" Geist pouted, a frown worming onto his face. "It would be so adorable to watch. It's always so cute when children start to learn swordplay, you know."
"Geist," Kamiizumi sighed, "Please."
Geist went silent, gazing at the Swordmaster as his smile vanished. Kamiizumi thought that Geist wouldn't leave him alone, but then Geist up and vanished.
And good timing, too, because Edea arrived moments later for her first lesson.
…Or so he thought.
"Master?"
"Yes, Edea?"
"Who was that man with you? The man in the bloody robes standing with you?"
"…I don't think this is a good time to talk about him, Edea."
"Why?"
"He's someone that your father and I know well. Whether we fully trust him, however, is another matter."
"You mean he's black as pitch, Master?"
"…Not quite, Edea. It's complicated between us."
"Please refrain from talking to my pupil, as well as being in the sight of my pupil."
"Really?" Geist raised an eyebrow, looking to the Swordmaster standing in the doorway of his room. "You dislike me so much? Or," He giggled, taking a step towards the Swordmaster, "Do you just want me all to yourself?"
"It's nothing like that." Kamiizumi shut the door behind him to ensure privacy, before looking to Geist again. "It's a matter of trust, Geist. Given your bloodlust tendencies, as well as your unpredictability, I don't know if I can fully trust you. If you were fighting alongside me, who knows if you would just turn on me for bloodied amusement?"
"In other words," Geist's look was pointed, "You don't trust me because of my sadism."
The Swordmaster couldn't lie. "Yes."
The other huffed. "How ironic."
"Oh? How so?"
Geist took another step towards the Swordmaster. Then another. Kamiiizumi took it as a challenge and didn't step back. Both men were rather close to each other again in terms of distance, and Geist knew he was getting into the Swordmaster's personal space.
Just like in the past.
"You're just as sadistic as I am." The Exorcist's voice dropped to low tones, as if they were standing in a crowded room and he only wanted Kamiizumi to hear all of what he was saying. "Deny it all you want, but I know what I saw the day we felled the Church."
Kamiizumi was speechless. A neutral expression overtook the Swordmaster's face, but Geist knew well that his grey eyes gave away something else—the fear of being found out. The Exorcist leaned in, gazing directly into the Swordmaster's eyes with his red ones. Gazing right into each other's eyes was pure routine, and occurred in nearly every conversation they ever had. This one was no exception.
"I saw a hurricane in you, Swordmaster," Geist breathed, "And one day you will let it all out—rage, destruction, beauty and all."
Kamiizumi looked conflicted at such a statement.
"Destruction is never beautiful, Geist." He finally spoke.
Geist smiled.
"I argue otherwise. I think you know otherwise, too."
Kamiizumi felt like Geist was hanging over him, like a shadow.
He did not entirely despise it, much to his surprise. But he did not entirely like it, either. If anything, he felt more confused whenever Geist was around. Geist had respected Kamiizumi's wishes not to appear in front of Edea, as well as not speak to her, but that didn't prevent Geist from directly talking to the Swordmaster himself throughout the years.
One day, Kamiizumi felt a bit sick of it. Nauseated, even.
"Don't you have anyone else to bother?"
"Mm, let me think." Geist put a hand to his chin, a mock-quizzical expression upon his face, before giggling. "Nope~!"
"Crystals." Kamiizumi had a mind to talk to Braev about this. "Geist, does it ever occur to you that I might want to be alone sometimes?"
Geist stopped walking with him, pausing before he nodded.
"Yes."
"Then," The Swordmaster managed, "Will you please leave me alone for a little while?"
Geist looked disappointed, but nodded. He took a few steps back, before disappearing into the shadows.
He wasn't gone for long, though. When Braev called Kamiizumi in to inform him about the civil war, Geist was standing by the Grand Marshal's side, a gleeful grin on his face. The Swordmaster couldn't help but think, for better or worse, that Geist would be sticking around for longer than he thought.
Just because there were tension-filled times didn't mean there weren't any better ones, though.
Kamiizumi saw the possessed, glowing-blue armor that called Geist "Daddy." Though he didn't have any biological children of his own, the Swordmaster knew well from the look in Geist's eyes as he greeted his son that Geist cared deeply for Revenant.
As much as he hated to admit it in his mind, Kamiizumi knew that he couldn't afford to have those sorts of bonds. At least, not too strongly. The Duchy still needed to build up its power on the shambles of the Orthodoxy, and Kamiizumi knew he had work in Eisen. People could die during that work, but it was all for the ideals they shared.
Bonding with people might get in the way of that. He had to leave the sentiment behind him.
The Toxic Mist Incident occurred, and Kamiizumi was enraged.
Not that he was about to slay Qada instantaneously, of course. He needed the Salve-Maker to clean up the mess. Geist did not have the capacity to 'undo' a massive amount of Toxic Mist's existence, so they would have to do this the hard way.
"You're making him just clean it up? Not even a whipping?"
Kamiizumi allowed an exasperated sigh to escape him as he looked to the Exorcist standing by his side.
"He unleashed all the mist himself, Geist. It's only fair that he alone must clean it up."
"I can torture him." Geist offered, slowly unsheathing his rapier. "Slice him up, dice him into tiny, tiny pieces, and then put him back together as a warning for potential future punishment."
The Swordmaster shook his head. "No."
Geist stared. "No?"
"No." He locked eyes with Geist. "As much as I appreciate your…liking to punishing those who deserve it, destruction cannot solve everything. The Toxic Mist demonstrated that today."
"The only thing it did was cause a so-called 'brilliant victory,' and even then we lost a thousand of our own." The Exorcist replied, keeping the gaze between them. "Even I can't revive that many with my power. Not all at once."
"I know you can't. I know you have limits." The Swordmaster's mouth became a thin line. "I'm not asking you to go and revive everyone. It won't reverse the mistake I made."
"The mistake the Salve-Maker made. Not you."
Geist's hand went up to the Swordmaster's cheek, running the pad of his thumb over it. The Swordmaster did not slap his hand away, nor did he push it away. Instead, he leaned into the other man's touch, inhaling slowly, accepting his touch. He could smell the dried blood on Geist's clothes, but he didn't mind it—he had all these years to get used to it, after all.
"Crystals," Kamiizumi's voice dropped to a whisper. "You're right."
Perhaps he could not detach himself from sentiment in the end.
"Tell me, Nobutsuna," Geist cooed, sheathing his rapier, "Where are the dances in the midst of our revolution?"
Kamiizumi gave him a sideglance. Both men stood in the training hall in Eternia again, though it was not just peaceful chatter—they'd been exchanging blades, waiting for Edea to turn up for her training. It became a habit for Geist to stick around the Swordmaster when he wasn't with his son Revenant, after all.
"We don't have time for a celebration, Geist." The Swordmaster uttered, sheathing his katana. "And our revolution is over."
Geist raised an eyebrow, his voice dipping low. "Is it, really?"
The Exorcist disappeared—only to reappear a few steps from the other man, rather than a few feet. "The Templar is trying to secure the rest of the Crystals, now. Not just the Earth Crystal." He frowned faintly. "I have to say, I had my doubts about its energy being used for healing, but…" He chuckled. "I was mistaken."
"Doubts?" Kamiizumi remembered right then and there—Geist used to be part of the Crystal Orthodoxy, too. "Everyone has doubts, Geist."
"You don't look like you have any."
The Swordmaster blinked. "I don't?"
The Exorcist shook his head. "No." The two locked eyes. It seemed to be such a natural thing by now to lock eyes with each other. "You always seem sure of yourself, so sure of the man you follow so closely and regard as a friend. You rarely waver, if you do waver."
Geist took one step closer, not breaking his gaze.
"How do you do it?"
Kamiizumi didn't break his gaze as he answered.
"I don't know, Geist. I really don't know."
The Exorcist's lips curled up in a smile.
"Silly Swordmaster. Do you ever think for yourself?"
Kamiizumi frowned as he thought of that. Did he ever have the time to think for himself? For what he wanted? Needed?
He shook his head.
"I can't be selfish, Geist. Not right now."
"That's what you say to yourself so often." The Exorcist murmured, his smile fading. "It seems so sad, how you deliberately deprive yourself of affection. People are not built to be in pure solitude, Nobutsuna, mindlessly obeying others without thinking about what they believe in or how they feel."
Geist took a deep breath, laying a gentle hand on the other's upper arm.
"Dance with me?"
The three words were so soft. It was a strange contrast to the harsher words he'd said. Kamiizumi stared at Geist as if the Exorcist said something so…out of place.
And he wasn't wrong. It did feel a bit out of place. Unfamiliar.
Yet, also inviting.
Both men gazed at each other in silence, and then Kamiizumi spoke.
"Yes."
The dancing they shared became a routine of sorts. They danced for the fun of it, but also for solace, when they were stressed from training Edea or from the terrors of the Eisen civil war. Kamiizumi could easily remember nights with Geist's hands on his hip and shoulder, gazing ever so tenderly at the Swordmaster as he led them across the floor.
And Braev? Braev was concerned.
"You've been spending a lot of time with the Exorcist as of late when off the battlefield or not instructing Edea, 'Tsuna."
"Geist hasn't done anything to harm me, Braev, if that is what you're concerned with. He and I are mature adults that understand each other."
"Then you're aware of his reputation. That man tortures people for sport!"
"And yet you let him and Qada be put under my charge."
"I'm putting them both under your control because I know you can keep a close eye on them. Qada is one matter, but Geist? I think he's influencing you…and not necessarily in a good way."
"He hasn't encouraged me to up and torture anyone. I think he's pretty good at keeping it to himself, Braev. We have our conflicts, but it's nowhere close to what is going on between me and Qada."
"…No. It isn't."
The ceremony to induct Edea Lee into the Sky Knights was a joyous day for the Swordmaster.
Kamiizumi saw Geist beaming at him from the corner of his eye as he battled his pupil. It was all too easy to disarm her, but he knew her skills had grown. He just happened to have more experience—in years, in more forms of swordplay than she had at the moment. Assigning her as one of the Sky Knights, however, would give her more experience, and help her to grow further. He was sure of that.
She would do him, her father and the entire Duchy proud. He was sure of that, too.
As he waved at Edea on the retreating airship, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He smelled the dry blood, and he lowered his hand, turning to see the Exorcist.
"You look happy." Geist noted. The crowds around them began dissipating, now that Edea vanished from view. "She makes you proud, doesn't she?"
"Yes." Kamiizumi admitted, nodding once. "She does."
"Like she's your daughter."
He froze at that statement. Geist frowned.
"Or perhaps I'm mistaken?" The Exorcist offered, trying to backpedal on his assumption. "I just thought, from the way you've always watched over her, that you cared deeper for her than just how a master felt towards his student."
The Swordmaster let that sink in, looking to where the airship had gone and then to Geist. He was silent, contemplating it, before nodding.
"You're not mistaken, I assure you." He managed. He couldn't deny that. He didn't have any biological family of his own, after all—not even children. "Though…I'd like to keep that fact between us."
Geist thinly smiled, but nodded once in agreement.
"Very well. As you wish, Swordmaster." The tone of his voice made Kamiizumi wonder if the Exorcist saw him as something more than someone to hang around and tease.
"Geist?"
Geist looked into his eyes. "Yes?"
The Swordmaster decided it was not yet the time to ask about it, and moved on to a different subject.
"We should go."
It was Geist, for once, who looked a little confused between the two. "Where, exactly?"
Kamiizumi couldn't help but smile.
"You know where, Geist. We have work to do."