Chapter Text
The day Cyno realized he was in love with Tighnari was…less than preferable.
He’d woken up late and therefore had to walk a lot farther in the desert to catch a ride into Sumeru city. On the way of course he ran into some treasure thieves that needed to be stopped. All he wanted to do by the time his feet touched the grass leading up to the city was to keep walking until he was in Gandhara village. But there were scholars that needed to be given lashings and punishment before he returned to the only place he really called home.
It only took an hour to get everything done.
So of course Collei was gone by the time he finally arrived.
Tighnari strangely was sitting at the desk in his room. A place he rarely used when the sun was out. He turned at the sound of Cyno groaning, his own tired expression melting as his lips turned up into a sly smile. “General Mahamatra, what’re you doing here?”
“Visiting.” Cyno leaned against the wall. “I’m not interrupting you, am I?”
“Not at all. However, I must say your timing isn’t the best. I’m afraid Collei won’t be around till tomorrow.”
Tomorrow? This really wasn’t his day. “How come?”
“You’ll never believe it but Amber’s in the city. They just left ten minutes ago.”
He’d just missed them.
Today really wasn’t his day…
“We can always do something together. Although- I know I’m no Collei.” Cyno picked up on the slight guilt in his voice.
Cyno and Tighnari had been friends for many many years. From the day Cyno gained the courage to approach him rather than continue to stare at him from afar, the liking they took to one another was quicker than anyone else they’d met prior to Collei.
It took just a day for the word ‘friends’ to be exchanged between the two. And two years into the future- Tighnari essentially gave a part of his home and life to Cyno by taking in Collei. They became confidants. Partners in raising her. So the thought he felt inferior to her was strange to think.
“You’re right.” He sighed. “You’re Tighnari.” Cyno pushed off the wall, leaning over the forest watcher’s shoulder instead. “What’re you working on?”
“Just a paper.”
“An important paper?”
“All papers are important.”
“Important enough that you can’t take a break?”
“Depends on the break.” Tighnari smiled. They were so close he could smell him. He often smelled like the earth after rain. A unique scent. A really sweet scent. “I haven’t taken a break to do anything fun since…well since I was in the Akademiya.”
“Well that’s no good. Fun is as crucial as food, water and…and…”
“Friends?” Tighnari raised an eyebrow playfully.
“Friends…family.” Cyno licked his lips, shrugging. “A mix of both.”
They’d never said they were each other’s family. But they shared Collei and cared for her like a sister. And they were close friends so…so they were family. Right?
The longer Cyno thought about it the more conflicted he felt.
“Do you want to get dinner?” Tighnari placed his pencil down.
“Sounds good.”
“Alright. I’ll go whip something up.”
“I can help.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Tighnari stood up, placing his hands to his hips. His tail wagged, gently brushing against Cyno’s feet.
“You sure?” Cyno stood up straight as well. He stepped close to Tighnari, careful not to push the tail off from its place on his toes. “I know how much you love my duel soul recipe.” He smirked. “Rice…chicken…fish…don’t tell me you don’t want any.”
Tighnari sucked in a deep breath. “That does sound quite appetizing…but you should go easy on yourself today.”
“I’ll be perfectly fine. I’ll feel worse if I disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.” Tighnari often said kind things that comforted people. Especially his friends. It was somehow sweeter considering his personality could be considered more on the cold side than warm. Or so Cyno had been told.
Tighnari had always been different with him.
Cyno didn’t know if he was because he was scared of his title or if he’d always just had a soft spot for white haired jokesters. Either way, Cyno grabbed Tighnari’s hand, yanking him along outside. “Let’s go.”
“You are so stubborn.”
“You’re one to talk.” He faced the green haired man, walking backwards with a smile on his face. “I feel as if every time I visit you’re stressing yourself out with something new. And I always tell you the same thing every time I’m here. Take good-”
“Care of myself. Yes I know. I tell you the same and look at you now.” Tighnari’s thumb brushed the underside of Cyno’s eye. “These dark shadows get deeper and deeper every visit.”
“So we’re both stubborn.”
“Seems so.” Tignari tossed a few new piles of wood into the stove. He took a brown apron into his hands, tying it across his waist. Cyno sat himself in the grass, waiting patiently for Tighnari who was already pulling an assortment of mushrooms from a woven basket. “So, how long do you plan to stay this time?”
“The usual. Two days maybe.” He narrowed his eyes at the pinched expression Tighnari was making. Slight- barely noticeable- but evident to him. “Are you sure me showing up today isn’t bothersome to you?”
“No, of course not.” The knife made a firm clunk sound as it cut through the mushroom and met with the board. “It’s just- do you think you’ll ever stay for longer than a few days?”
“Do you want me to?” Tighnari’s hands shook as he dumped the tan mushrooms into the pan. They sizzled as they began to brown. A good excuse for him to avoid Cyno’s orange eyes.
“It could be like a fun sleepover.”
“Sleepover?” Cyno leaned forward. “I didn’t know such things would interest you. You’ve always been so…mature.”
“Are sleepovers only for children?”
“No. They just seemed so above you.”
“Well they’re not.” Tighnari cut the last mushrooms up, laying them across the plate. It grew quiet as he finished up. Both men feeling the weight of his words as well as the implications.
He wanted Cyno to stay.
And Cyno, Cyno didn’t know if he wanted to. Let alone could.
“You can use the stove now.” He finally said once he’d finished. Cyno blinked a few times, benching his thoughts, before coming to his feet. “I’m sorry if it sounded like I was forcing you to stay. I just meant-”
“You didn’t.” Tighnari’s cheeks were dusted pink. Perhaps from the heat or maybe from embarrassment. Either way it turned Cyno’s insides soft and made him wish for nothing more than to ease his mind. “Have you met the traveler yet?”
“Hm? Lumine?” A wide grin spread across Tighnari’s face. It was peculiar. Especially for Tighnari who’d always done a great job at keeping his emotions contained and wasn’t one to be grinning like that for just anyone. Hell- Cyno had never seen Tighnari look so excited about him.
So what was so special about Lumine to cause this expression?
“What?” That sounded too blunt. But Cyno didn’t have much control over his voice at the moment.
“You brought her up, why are you questioning me?”
“Because of your face.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Tighnari buried his expression into his sleeve. Pretending to wipe up invisible sweat before he turned. “I’ll be back.”
His tail swished as he stalked away.
What the hell was that?
Cyno was left to deal with this interaction all by himself for 6 whole minutes.
God, where had Tighnari even gone? To send love letters to his new girlfriend?
He'd met the traveler twice. She was very funny and kind and quite the powerful fighter. They’d become allies, even though Cyno wasn’t one to look out for just anyone. But Tighnari was all giggly. And gushing. And he just up and left when being slightly questioned about her. So what was going on between the two? And how come neither mentioned anything before?
When Tighnari came back up the hill, a bottle of grape juice, two glasses and a few mushrooms in his hand, he came across the image of Cyno lost in thought. Lips pinched, one eye hidden by his white hair while the other was downcast.
His famous meal left to burn under the heat of the stove.
Tighnari sighed, stepping closer to his friend after leaving the things on the grass. His fingers rested themselves to Cyno’s waist, awakening him from the depths of his mind. Instead he fell into the abyss that was Tighnari’s gentle eyes as he smiled up at him. Before speaking he leaned down, blowing out the fire of the stove before rising to face him again. “Do you like the traveler?”
“She’s…cool.” Cyno swallowed as Tighnari’s hands touched his. He used his apron to wipe the grains of rice and left over fish from the skin. Once nothing was left he rubbed his thumb into him, easing his nerves. Cyno slightly disliked how Tighnari could read anyone easily.
But he also really loved it. Because he always knew how to stop him from spiraling.
“I think she’s cool too. But- just between us,” He licked his lips. “I think you’re so much cooler.”
Would he still think so once Cyno began to cry?
Probably not.
So Cyno sniffed, sucking up his emotions to turn to the meal instead. “I burnt it..”
“I can see that. And smell it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Cyno, you know me. I’ll eat your duel soul regardless of where it’s been and how cooked it is.” Worrisome. But sweet.
“And what are these for?” He eyed the mushrooms as they laid the food onto the blanket before sitting down.
“Oh I saw them in the forest. I’ve never seen them prior to today.”
“What do you think they do?” He lifted the green mushroom by its red base.
“Don’t know. Should we try them tonight?” Cyno frowned, staring at the man pouring juice into their glasses.
“Are you trying to get me to partake in an experiment with you?”
“No, of course not.” There was a brief moment of silence. “Well if I were- would you go along with it?”
Workaholic tricky little fox.
“Let’s eat first. I don’t want to wake up an hour from now thinking I had a full course meal only to find it was a hallucination and a mushroom ate our food.”
Tighnari chuckled. “That would be funny indeed…” His ears twitched at Cyno’s unamused face. “I mean tragic. Tragic indeed.”
The two ate while reminiscing about the long month they’d spent apart. Tighnari was feeling the burden of people’s expectations and desires to get to know him. As usual. Collei was learning a lot. Quite quickly compared to other forest watchers. She’d even become famous amongst the people of Sumeru city as well as the forest for her kind nature.
How was the disease?
Fine. Progressing slowly, Tighnari expressed.
Cyno had been busy at work reprimanding people whose egos had grown too big for their hands. Tighnari often worried about the many enemies Cyno was making in doing his job. There was always a whisper at the very back of his mind.
A what if.
What if one person rose up one day and just so happened to overpower the short electro user? What if rules changed and Cyno lost his role? Would he be susceptible to attack?
“You can always stay here if things change.”
“This is the second time you’ve said such things tonight.” Cyno laid back, rubbing his newly bloated stomach. “What’s got you so nervous over me leaving?”
“I- I’m not.” Tighnari’s face turned cold. He grabbed the mushrooms they’d left off to the side. Now that dinner had finished- they could begin. Tighnari took a pocket knife from his waist, cutting up one shroom in half. He offered a piece to his laying companion who simply opened his mouth for Tighnari to dump it in. “You really trust me a lot to do this for me.”
“You really trusted me to take Collei in.”
Tighnari swallowed the other half of the mushroom. He laid beside Cyno. His hands on his stomach while Cyno kept his behind his head.
He found himself staring at the fluffy eared man. His eyes were hazy. Lips shiny with the red stain of juice.
He’d always been such a pretty man.
Cyno sometimes felt jealous of his small face and all consuming eyes. People flocked to him so easily. So different from the intimidating looks of Cyno’s sharp eyes. A nickname he’d been given by scholars was “the desert dwarf”. It seemed like the universe’s joke that two opposites such as them could be so close.
Yet here they were.
“You’re so satisfying.” Cyno sighed, laying his head to the crook of Tighnari’s shoulder instead.
“Satisfying.” Tighnari repeated the word, breaking it down.
“Satisfying. Your personality is pleasing. Your face is pleasing.”
“Pleasing.” Tighnari started to smile again.
“Oh you like that?” Cyno sat up, biting his lip to stop himself from smiling too hard. Tighnari laughed, pushing his chest playfully as he turned his face away. “Do me now.”
“Do you?” He snorted.
“Mhm. Give me an adjective.”
“Hmm…dwarf-”
“Don’t even joke.”
He laughed again. Once he finished his eyes were wide. Cheeks red. “You’re so…dreamy.”
Cyno felt warm as soon as he heard that word exit his mouth. Dreamy. “Why?”
“You always come around when I’m feeling extra tired. And when I sense you or I see you…I remember who I am. You’re a part of my dreams, Cyno. And you’re probably the only person I can count on to make me feel so good.”
There was a lot to unpack in these words. But Cyno was more focused on Tighnari’s plump cheeks and narrowed eyes. He really did look so happy right now. Being with him.
It made him swallow. Because Cyno was also really happy to be with him.
He reached out to push the neon strands away. But his fingers carried on, down his cheek to his chin. Tighnari blinked, searching his face. “Do me again...”
“You’re irresistible.” What was this heat at the core of his stomach? Why was it calling for him to get closer to him?
“Irresistible, huh?” Tighnari’s nose crinkled. “You know, I think Collei is a bit mad at me for how I spoke to her in front of Amber.”
“How did you speak to her?”
“I told her to take a sweater in case it was cold and to check in with a forest ranger every hour.”
Cyno burst into laughter. “You know teenagers hate being babied.”
“She’s usually fine with it! I feel a bit guilty.”
“How could anyone be mad at you?” Cyno’s fingers shift back up to his green locks.
“You know what you are? Syrupy!”
“Syrupy! What kind of-”
“It’s because you’re so sweet!”
Cyno smirked. “I am really sweet. Which is why I feel like I should scratch your ears. Now.” His fingers brushed against the fur of his ears, causing a shudder to run down Tighnari’s back.
“Don’t!”
“Don’t? Or did you say please do, Cyno?”
“That doesn’t even sound like don’t!” Tighnari pulled away, rolling across the grass dramatically. He stood up, tail wagging with his boots dug into the dirt.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Cyno followed him, fixing his jackal hat back down as if this were a real fight. If it had been real both men would’ve taken on serious expressions- and half of the forest would be running for their lives right now. But instead they were both smiling. Playfully baiting the other to move.
“If you want to touch my ears, you’ll have to catch me.”
“Oh Tighnari. Sweet, adorable Tighnari. Don’t you know my entire career entails catching people?”
“Have you ever been successful at catching a fox?”
“There’s always a first for everything.” Cyno stretched. “I’ll be gentle.”
“Your cockiness should be studied.” Tighnari lept backwards, just barely avoiding Cyno’s hand.
“If you keep thinking about experiments you’ll find yourself caught.”
Cyno made a move to grab his waist. Tighari ducked, his tail swatting his hands instead. He cupped his hands behind his back, giggling now.
Now who was smug?
Cyno and Tighnari danced around each other. It seemed as if Tighnari purposely dragged his feet just to give Cyno hope he was close at catching him. But he always found a way to curve his body. Leap onto a tree. All while laughing so hard he was panting in between. The longer he stared at him so rosy and excited, the more Cyno wished to touch him.
They’d hugged before.
Rough housed in the grass when they were feeling more immature and goofy than scholarly and serious. Hell, once Tighnari offered to share his bed with Cyno after he’d spent the entire day walking in the rain. He wrapped his arms around him, his tail over his bare chest and hands to give the shivering man extra heat.
There was lots of lecturing.
But Cyno remembered this night quite fondly due to Tighnari choosing to put off everything else except making sure he survived the night.
Tighnari truly was his best friend.
How much luckier could he get than that?
Maybe if he was holding him right now.
Hm…yes.
Cyno jumped, his hands locking around a tree branch. He swung himself up, burrowing his body into the leaves.
Tighnari paused, his ears twitching as he tried to listen in for the location of the young man. He could hear him. However, Cyno was quick. He threw himself down, heading straight for Tighnari.
The last thing he saw was his ears pressing themselves down and his Adam's apple as he gulped before the two went rolling down the hill.
Tighnari became a sputtering, laughing mess as Cyno ran his fingers across his ears. He threw his head back, completely accepting the man laying on top of him and his defeat.
But all at once Cyno had his lips against Tighnari’s.
The two moaned into each other like it was something normal. Like they’d kissed before. They hadn’t- but at that moment they blended together seamlessly.
Tighnari opened his mouth and legs to Cyno.
Their tongues lapped at one another. The sounds filled the quiet night- a new tune mixed with the usual crickets chirping and grass rustling. Tighnari tasted more of grape juice than anything. Cyno hummed, sucking the taste on his tongue and pulling him closer. Their hearts raced hard against their chests.
Cyno’s hands were lost in his hair while Tighnari’s were occupied on the muscle across his abdomen. They brushed against his nipples causing Cyno to take a deep breath. He reacted impulsively, grinding his hips down into the space between his legs.
They were making out. Not just a singular kiss, slow and steady after a pleasant date. No…this was mushroom high, close friends feeling closer than ever and showcasing that by exchanging spit.
It didn’t even register in Cyno’s mind that this was not normal. They’d never done anything like this before. But now they were. And Cyno couldn’t get enough of Tighnari’s mewls and ears pushing against his jackal head. He buried his hand down Tighnari’s pants. Pushing it deeper and deeper, searching for the heat at the center.
He’d just barely grazed him when he heard the leaves rustle.
“Let him go!”
Tighnari pushed Cyno off, gasping. Both men extended their heads, looking out at the forest watcher currently holding a lantern and sword. His eyes were huge, hands shivering as he took in the strange sight that was Master Tighnari and the General Mahamatra on top of each other.
“S-So sorry! I thought you were an animal attacking someone!” He laughed slightly. But the sight of Cyno’s narrowed eye, his heavy panting with his pearly canines in full display caused him to gulp. Tighnari licked his lips, ready to reassure the man only for him to quickly bow. “I’m so sorry again. I’ll- I’ll take my leave. Please forgive me- I’m sorry.” He scurried off.
Cyno wiped sweat from the tip of his nose. Turning his head further from Tighnari.
He was quite embarrassed.
Too embarrassed to face the man he’d almost touched.
He didn’t know which was worse. The fact he’d been caught making out with his best friend like they were silly children or that they’d been kissing and getting lost in it all. And now that it had stopped- something had to be said.
But what should he say?
“...I didn’t-”
“We should head back anyways.” Tighnari cleared his throat. Standing up slowly and extending a hand to the surprised Cyno. “It’s awfully late and we both need sleep.” So this was his way of dealing with things? Of course. Tighnari was kind. And intelligent. He’d gone over every possible statement in his head and this would lead them to the best outcome he’d decided.
So Cyno nodded, taking his hand and allowing him to pull him up. “Do you uh…think he’s ok?”
“Knowing Amir he’s either halfway back to the village or he’s kicking himself deeper into the forest.” Tighnari sighed deeply. “Let’s hope it's the first because I can’t be bothered to check on him tonight.”
“Are you alright?” Cyno reached for his shoulder. He stopped himself just before they could touch.
“Those mushrooms weren't the best idea is all. Shall we?” He didn’t wait for a reply before he walked away.
Cyno followed behind closely. It was quiet- and awkward the entire walk back to the village. Cyno thought of inquiring about Collei’s whereabouts but everytime he thought of anything he was flooded with feelings and thoughts. The leftover imprints of his lips are still hovering on his flesh. It would take months…maybe years to forget this.
Maybe never.
Had just one mushroom really ruined five years of friendship?
Tighnari stopped at the door to his home. Cyno lingered behind, still thinking of what he should say to fix this somehow. “You can take Collei’s room.”
“Tighnari.” The green haired man rested his hand on the door. But he looked back at Cyno. Waiting. What should he say?
“Did I make you feel uncomfortable?”
Tighnari turned completely.
He faced him. Nose flaring, lips pursed. Cyno blinked and stepped back nervously.
But Tighnari stopped him. He grabbed his hand, yanking him forward so hard Cyno yelped. His hands wrapped around his waist, Cyno’s back hitting the door frame as Tighnari pushed their noses together. They were so close…their mouths open and sharing the same breath.
He shut his eyes without a second thought. Waiting…yearning for another kiss.
But Tighnari only stroked his cheek, coaxing them to open again and to take in the depth of his own.
“Cyno…I love you.”
Once again, he didn’t wait for Cyno. Their lips collided. They tilted their heads to fit together. Going much slower than in the forest- surprisingly. Tighnari took control. He helped Cyno’s lips move, each kiss gentle and wet.
Here he was…getting lost in the touch of the most liked man in Sumeru.
His best friend.
Again.
It was all so peculiar. How easy it was.
When he twisted his head again Cyno finally gained the courage to kiss him harder. To hold his cheek and open his mouth once more to him. He lifted Tighnari up, carrying him to the bed at the corner of the room. The young man kicked off his dirty boots before being laid there, the kiss never breaking as Cyno laid on top of him.
He kept wondering when it would stop.
When the kiss would end and they could face each other to discuss things or go back to being awkward. Anything more besides these deep kisses. The caresses under the blanket. The moans and whimpers as their lips become red and swollen.
“Say it again.” Cyno muttered at the quick break for air.
Tighnari licked Cyno’s lips before rubbing his nose to his. “I love you, Cyno.”
“Again.”
“I love you…”
“Again.”
“Cyno, I love you-” Cyno’s tongue jammed its way into Tighnari’s mouth, halting him.
The time to end didn’t come for a majority of the night.
They remained in each other’s arms. Kissing. Sharing love until sleep seemed to overcome them both just before midnight struck.
It didn’t really hit Cyno that he was deeply, overwhelmingly in love with Tighnari till he woke up. Alone in his bed.
Hair a mess.
Groggy.
With…a problem in his pants.
At least kissing was all they’d done.
Collei knocked on the door a few minutes after he’d awakened. They embraced quickly. A rosey smile on Collei’s face the entire time Cyno complemented how much she’d grown in just a few months.
“If I had known you were visiting I would’ve invited you to come into the city with Amber and I.”
“Ah…it’s probably for the best. Don’t want Tighnari feeling left out.” Collei nodded, failing to notice the way Cyno choked on his name. “Where um…where is he anyways?”
“Cooking breakfast. He seemed tired. What were you two up to last night?”
Flashbacks to Tighnari calling his name as he kissed down his neck flooded Cyno’s mind.
“Just- dinner. And…stuff.”
“And…stuff?” Cyno fixed his clothes. “Sounds like fun. Do you think you two will do more stuff tonight? If so- can I join?”
Cyno coughed. “No…thanks.” Collei frowned. “Are you hungry? I’m absolutely famished.”
Collei hurried Cyno outside and to the dining home.
Tighnari was leaning over the stove, scooping perfectly browned pancakes onto three plates already lined with berries and mint.
The sight of him made Cyno freeze. His heart dropped to his stomach only to rise back up just to slam itself into his chest over and over again.
He was looking dreamy to him now.
Collei took the seat where she usually did, leaving the two chairs on opposite ends of the table for Tighnari and Cyno. Rather than take a seat and continue to entertain her- he approached Tighnari for once.
His apron was back on.
It took all Cyno’s strength to focus on him now rather than the memories of last night. However, the sight of red marks across his neck made by his own teeth ruined whatever calm he had. “Good Morning, general.” Tighnari said. He wasn’t cautious or awkward. In fact, he was smiling. “How did you sleep?”
“Quite well, Master Tighnari.” Cyno tilted his head. “And you?”
“Good thank you for asking. Although, I decided to wake up early to get some work done. Make breakfast for my two favorite trouble makers.”
“Trouble makers?” Cyno pouted. “When was the last time I was troublesome, hm?”
“Yesterday. You were exhausted after a long day of trouble. I know you.” Tighnari poked Cyno’s nose.
“And how about you? Do I need to remind you of how many rules I’ve broken for your research?”
Tighnari smirked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Mmm, of course not.” Cyno stepped closer to him. So close he could feel the heat from his forehead on his own. Tighnari’s cheeks were red. His eyes searching Cyno’s face. Tighnari often teased him to make him laugh. But this time…it was different. They were flirting.
This was flirting, wasn’t it?
“You know,” He whispered.“Some things should just be kept between us.” Tighnari's eyes trailed away from Cyno to Collei.
Oh they definitely were.
“You mean like…last night?” He took a shaky breath. “Do you think we could talk about last night?”
“Last night.” Tighnari blinked, eyebrows furrowing. “What about last night? We had dinner and went to bed.”
What?
No.
They spent all night making out in each other’s arms!
Right? That happened right?
It never occurred to Cyno that perhaps he hallucinated the kissing. But that was because it had really happened. He stared at the red marks on Tighnari’s neck. The young man raised his fingers to the bruises.
“Reaction from the mushroom.”
Liar.
He was lying.
He knew teeth marks when he saw them.
Cyno was often quick to trust and believe in any reasoning or theories from Tighnari. But this…this wasn’t something so easily erased from his mind.
And he was smiling still.
For so long at this point. A creepy, eerie, painfully wide smile that was starting to shake as he flipped the final pancake on a plate. “Collei, tell me all about last night!” He took all three plates into his arms. Carefully laying them at their spots. Leaving Cyno by the stove.
His heart felt empty. Growing with each passing second as disappointment flooded his whole system.
No…he couldn’t just let this go.