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“Oh, it’s good to see you again!”
Cyno nodded, his visible eye going soft when he greeted the girl in front of him. It wasn’t often that the scholar had time to visit the Avidya forest, but once in a while, it felt refreshing seeing the vast green decorating the entire place, pleasant weather, and gentle breeze prickling his skin—well, mostly, of course. Cyno was just lucky to catch the perfect weather to escape the hot deserts, slowly getting tired of watching the colors of sand.
“But I’m pretty sure your only reason is to see the famous botanist?” The little, teasing smile of the girl didn’t go unnoticed. Raising an eyebrow, he opened his mouth. “I have no clue what you’re getting at, but I’m also here to see you, too.”
Collei giggled softly. “I merely jest. Today is a good day to relax, too, so you caught just the perfect time to visit!”
“So, no patrolling? Not… whatever you two doing?” Cyno gestured with his hands, obviously knowing what these two are researching, and protecting, but he was in no mood to point out the details.
“Nope. Just a relaxing day. Catching our breaths and doing things like… Umm…” she put her finger under her chin and began to tap it. “Follow your hobbies?” Collei’s face slightly scrunched up, closing her eyes shut as she was still thinking hard. Cyno waited for her to continue, crossing his arms while he wordlessly looked at her.
“Oof. I don’t think I have a concrete hobby… but that’s fine! There’s a lot to explore and enjoy!” Collei announced enthusiastically, her lips still holding a warm smile. It was lovely to see her with energy, fully knowing her past was cloaked with darkness. Cyno remembered the little kid wrapped in bandages, fighting for her dear life, her lilac eyes empty and dead. She was ready to accept death so easily, but now… Collei changed for the best.
Cyno couldn’t help the smile that formed on his lips.
“… Cyno? Are you still with me? You kind of spaced out.” Cyno felt a hand on his shoulder, lightly shaking him.
“Ah. My apologizes. The journey was long.” Cyno said, voice hinting at his exhaustion.
Collei shortly hummed and retreated her hand. “Then you know what I’m gonna say, right?” She walked past him and stopped, pointing at a hut in the distance while her other hand was placed on her hips. “Time to rest!”
“Yeah… that sounds good.” Cyno didn’t even want to argue, since resting sounded far too wonderful to reject the kindness of her offering, even though the weather was too pleasant for a quick stroll. It was still midday and the urge to enjoy the outside lingered in his chest, but the idea of sleeping was still stronger.
Collei turned around, eyes slightly wide. “And here I thought you’d put a little fight. It seems you’re really tired.”
Cyno sighed and shook his head. “Well—Your humble offering is kindly accepted. But before I throw myself into comfortable sheets, I want to greet Tighnari. Where is he?”
Seeing Collei’s smile change to something he couldn’t decipher, she answered. “In his hut! Pretty sure he’s working or documenting his current work. Oh, he’ll be delighted to see you.” A quiet giggle escaped her lips.
“Mh. That’s nice to hear. Seeing a friend is always a delight.”
“Yes. Seeing a friend.” She nodded and pat his cloaked shoulder.
Cyno decided not to comment further on this, confusion written all over his face. “Alright. I’ll see you soon around.” He glimpsed at her nodding before he turned around, making his way towards the hut where Tighnari was resting.
Arrived at Tighnari’s place, his visible red eye observed the residence of the forest watcher. It was not too big but comfortable enough, but the big leaves acting as a door were always open. Cyno knew both Tighnari and Collei knew what they were doing and how to protect themselves in the rainforest, and yet he wondered if it wasn’t uncomfortable resting like this. Well, if they didn’t mind all the bugs flying and staying here, too…
Entering the hut, he looked around. “Tighnari? It’s me—” when Cyno saw the figure before him, he immediately closed his mouth shut, looking surprised.
Here he was. Lying on his bed, resting peacefully.
That was indeed a pleasant sight to see, but that wasn't the only thing that caught Cyno’s eyes.
No.
Tighnari was cuddling his dark green tail, arms wrapped around the fluff while he looked peaceful in his sleeping form.
Tighnari looked absolutely adorable.
Cyno’s hand pressed against his lips, trying to stifle the sound that threatened to escape, too entranced to tear his gaze away from the sleeping forest watcher.
But it was too late. Tighnari’s ears were twitching, his form stirring and faintly moving. Cyno heard a light sleepy noise coming from him, signalizing that he was waking up.
This was not his intention to disturb Tighnari’s sleep, the slight feeling of guilt mixed with fascination—surely no one else witnessed him sleeping all cutely since the botanist mostly doesn’t let his guard down
Tighnari slowly opened his eyes and Cyno held his breath. Should he back off for his sake before he fully came to his senses? But he knew it would be in vain, Tighnari would hear him anyway. It was not his intention to walk in where Tighnari was in his most vulnerable state.
So all he could do was stare.
Tighnari blinked several times, gaze unfocused, the tip of his tail wiggling lightly. When he blinked more, his eyes fell in his direction. And slowly, slowly he looked more concentrated, a hint of confusion mixing in his mimic. “Cy… Cyno…?” Sleepily mumbling his name in perplexity, he began to yawn, still lying on his side on the bed while not tearing his eyes away from him. “Cyno, is that you?”
Oh shit. Should he answer? Or was it the best option to shut up and truly take his idea to walk backwards to heart?
He decided on the first option. Cyno cleared his throat and looked to the side. “Y-yeah, it’s me. Good morning?”
Another yawn came from the forest watcher and when Cyno brought his eyes back to him, he noticed how he hugged his tail closer to him. “Mmn… but isn’t it daytime?” He sleepily asked, still blinking. It seemed like he wasn’t fully awake. Cyno was almost jealous of how lucky he was to have something to cuddle. It was surely a comfortable company during restless nights.
“Wait… Cyno… you’re here…” Tighnari blinked yet again, one arm unlinking from his tail to rub his eye. “You’re here…?” He slowly sat up, now fully letting go of his tail—lying next to him and faintly waving.
“Yes, uhm… I came here to visit and dropped at your place and—” Cyno interrupted himself when he noticed Tighnari’s eyes now fully wide, his gigantic ears going stiff and on alert as his face began to take color. “You–!” His cheeks were covered in red in fast speed, now more awake. “You saw me…!”
This was what he expected. Cyno thought about it before, but Tighnari wasn’t keen to let his guard down on others. He always wanted to be on his best side and more professional with his job. And catching him sleeping like an adorable being was mortifying for him.
Tighnari quickly turned around and hid his face between his gloved hands, surely taking his time to process it. “It’s okay, really. I didn’t bust you on doing crime or anything.” Trying to sound calmer, more kind, he approached him with silent steps, one hand already in the air to place it comfortably on his shoulder.
Tighnari lowered his hands and turned his head towards him. “No words to the others or I swear I will hunt you down.” Glaring at him with pink dusting his cheeks, it was almost hard to take his threat seriously, but he knew Tighnari would actually do it and not back down to his words, so he nodded. “I will take this secret to my grave.”
Sighing, Tighnari leaned back and closed his eyes. “I’d appreciate it if you could also forget about it.”
“If you ask me, it wasn’t even bad. I don’t understand why you’re so upset about it.” Cyno sat beside him, the bed dipping at his height. “I’d do it, too.”
Tighnari opened his eyes and scowled at him. “I know! But it’s not something someone should see and…” shaking his head, he stopped his wordings. “Just… uncharacteristic of me.”
But was it really? Cyno lifted an eyebrow, his red gaze intensely looking at him. He remembered the time when he casually cleaned his ears when people were around him. Even though he dislikes lowering his guards like this, he also was doing these kinds of things… sometimes. Maybe he wasn’t fully aware back then and wanted to cease his urge to take care of large ears.
“I’m sure Collei wouldn’t mind it if she knows about it. She’d love to see her master cuddling his tail—”
“Cyno.” He warned.
“I’m joking, I’m joking,” Cyno reassured him, not wanting to feel the wrath of the almighty forest watcher.
For a short while, neither of them raised their voices, but the silence was not an awkward one. Cyno took the time to look around. Nothing changed. His studies, books, and lots of paper flew around, and looking further he saw the mess on the desk. Huh, so he can be messy, too.
Or did he have some sort of trouble and left his place as if a hurricane raged inside the hut?
Cyno was concerned now. When he turned around to face him, Tighnari’s eyes were already on him, watching him intently. Suppressing the tingly feeling that bloomed in his chest, he raised his voice. “Tighnari,” he began, the concern now visible on his face. “Are you alright? Usually, when I come here, your place is…”
“Not a mess, I know,” Tighnari sighed and put his gloved hand on his forehead after he tore his eyes away from Cyno, sighing for the second time. “Just... mildly stressed.”
Only a short glance was enough to know that his words were holding more than the truth. Even if he rested—archons know how long he was resting—the botanist appeared verystressed, his eyes barely holding themselves to be fully open, hair all over the place, and his little sighs that escaped him once a while.
“You know I’m gonna say the most obvious thing,” Cyno said, his dark-red gaze still giving him a once-over.
“Yeah, no need to mention… but I appreciate it. Also,” Tighnari fully turned to him, his tail swaying for a moment. “Is there a reason for your visit?”
Cyno shook his head. “No reason. I wanted to see you two.”
That brought a tiny smile to Tighnari’s face. He nodded. “Then make yourself home. I know you have a place close, but feel free to rest here. I should continue working on these papers.” Tighnari was about to stand up, but Cyno was quicker, grabbing his wrist and stopping him from moving. “No, you look too exhausted. Go back to sleep.”
Tighnari faltered but decided to sit back. His hand moved to his ears and lightly scratched them. “I know, but I should finish these or else…” Cyno shook his head, the silent gape he threw at the botanist told him everything he needed to know. His finger curled slightly, thumb idly and faintly brushing at the skin that was hidden under the dark fabric of his glove.
It seemed Tighnari didn’t put much of a fight, easily accepting the scholar’s conditions. Or maybe he was too tired to resist, even though his concern still lingered on his unfinished papers.
“You’re right. I will.” Tighnari muttered under his breath, eyes lasting at the hand that was resting on his skin.
Cyno let go of his wrist and looked pleased. “Good. Your work can surely wait. You’re a professional anyway, so you can fix and work it later.”
“Professionalism doesn’t mean I’m omniscient, Cyno. But you’re right, I’ll figure something out… soon.” Another yawn made his way past his lips, arms stretching before he took his gloves off.
This was his cue to leave the bed and give him the rest of the space he needed to lie down. “Alright. See you later, Tighnari. Rest well.” He adjusted his black robe and ears.
“Hold on. I offered you to stay here, didn’t I?” Tighnari spoke softly, probably from the tiredness. Cyno blinked and only looked at him. His eyes were droopy and the smile that was evident on his face made him so, so much cuter. Archons, his heart skipped a beat.
Was this even allowed?!
Cyno tried to shake these thoughts away before they threatened to make his way out and let the botanist know what thoughts he was hiding from the world, from him.
“Cyno?”
Ah. Shit. He didn’t respond and only stared. Clearing his thought he looked away, pink embellished his cheeks. “Collei already offered me the hut I was staying in the last time. It’s okay. You rest.”
“I insist. Come here.” Tighnari offered his hand–they looked so soft, but no wonder… his gloves hindered the damage to his pristine skin.
Cyno hesitated. Why was he offering him to sleep here? The bed was just not big enough for the two of them! “Tighnari, I don’t know if you’re delirious from weariness, but how on earth will I fit in your tiny bed?!”
Tighnari’s smile spread further. “I’m omniscient. I find a way for you.”
Cyno wanted to protest more, but the botanist had enough from waiting and grabbed his hand, pulling him down and back to the bed. He let out an embarrassing sound—he was so glad Tighnari was too tired to notice it, he hoped—and landed on top of him.
Soft was the first thought that appeared in his mind. Soft and warm and he immediately felt safe, secure…
Cyno quickly pulled himself together and looked down, looking at Tighnari who still had a sleepy smile on his face. His hands were now on either side of Tighnari’s head, caging him under him, and he wanted to back away, but the botanist grabbed his arms, shaking his head. “See? Place for both of us!”
“Umm…?” And he was yet interrupted when Tighnari tugged the other down, hugging him. “T-Tighnari, what–“
So much was happening in the short time, and for someone sleepy acted rather active. But now he found himself close to Tighnari, head pressed against the botanist’s chest. “Mmh. I like this. Consider this as a punishment for barging into my hut and seeing me cuddling my tail.”
Many question marks flew over his head, looking confused. Cyno was pretty sure he was red on the face right now from the way his cheeks felt too hot. “This doesn’t even make sense…” Cyno murmured quietly and adjusted himself a bit to make himself comfortable.
“It does make sense.” Tighnari simply replied, the vibration of his voice close to his ears.
And it was… quite fine with it now. Cyno closed his eyes and listened to the calming heartbeat of Tighnari, immediately feeling comfortable.
“Fine… you’re right…” getting sleepy himself, he fluttered his eyes shut, arms wrapped around him.
Cyno could get used to this… he wished he could. Even if it was just a one-time thing, he’d make sure to enjoy every second of the warmth and softness, never forgetting the safety he felt after a long time.
“Master Tighnari, do you know where Cyno is—” Collei walked in with a frown on her face. She thought the scholar would be long back in his resting hut. It’s been several hours after his arrival and she remembered him being very exhausted.
So her first thought was for him to still linger at master Tighnari’s place.
And she was right.
Before her eyes, she witnessed two figures sleeping on the bed. Cyno’s back was pressed against Tighnari’s chest, sleeping soundly. The botanist had his arms draped over him, his tail wrapped around the scholar.
Collei blinked several times before the corner of her lips tugged upwards, smiling gently at the scene.
It was about time! Collei grew tired of his master’s lingering stare at Cyno. Or when they talked about him he would go soft with a rare smile that was only meant for the scholar. That kind of smile when one was in love… was what Collei thought anyway. But his master was too obvious!
Collei didn’t want to think about the signals from Cyno either, too obvious for his own good, too.
But it was fine now. They were getting closer.
Turning around she quietly exited the room with the answer she was looking for before.