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Tighnari was everything in a best friend Cyno could’ve ever asked for.
They had met during their time studying in school, somehow making friends in the same circle of people. Funnily enough, it was at a loud frat party when Cyno’s social meter finally ran out, and he excused himself to the back porch. What he didn’t expect was to meet Tighnari all of the sudden.
He had seen Tighnari around, but they had never gone past small talk. There were quite a bit of animal hybrids that attended the school, and they mostly kept to themselves. Society wasn’t so messed up that hybrids were shunned from human spaces. But they tended to enjoy each others’ company instead due to their similarities, even if they descended from different species of animal.
Even so, he had seen Tighnari around, but they had never gone past small talk. They shared a couple core classes, but he knew their majors had to be different with how little he saw him around.
But there Tighnari was, admiring the succulents potted on the railings, actively avoiding the party indoors. It was then that Cyno decided to just say fuck it and attempt to make friends for once. How could he resist the adorable fox stranger’s vibe?
The pair ended up staying outside for hours, talking about school, bonding over stuff they’d been watching on Netflix, talking shit about their other friends, and laughing at Cyno's bad jokes until they couldn’t breathe. Cyno had never experienced anything like that. He’d never made a friend so quickly. It’s probably one of his fondest memories.
Tighnari was in school for business, he wanted to become an entrepreneur. Cyno shyly admitted his own major was in criminal justice. He was on the fence about going to law school, he wasn’t looking forward to having to do more school.
When they graduated and had to move on to get big-boy jobs, the pair decided to get an apartment together. It would make adjusting a little easier on them both. Plus Cyno couldn’t complain about the cheaper rent.
The next few years would be the most fun Cyno has ever had in his entire life. Living with Tighnari wasn’t just something that kept him afloat financially. The pair grew closer as friends. Every bump in the road and Tighnari was always there for him.
Cyno was prone to making stupid decisions due to his easy-to-set-off temper. Tighnari was always the one who dug him out of whatever mess it was he managed to get himself into.
When Cyno was having a hard time, Tighnari was the one who fed him sweets and found new shows to binge on Netflix. He ultimately was the best distraction from his turbulent emotions. He would act silly, make jokes, and talk about whatever Cyno wanted to make him laugh. Cyno knew it was all a farce, he could always see how Tighnari was constantly worried underneath it all. His brow would remain slightly pinched, no matter how bright Tighnari’s smile appeared.
Tighnari was his unofficial official therapist in moments like these. Any and everything on his mind he would confide in his best friend. There were times when Cyno felt like he was suffocating. A panic would spread itself from the center of his chest. Cyno couldn’t bring himself to speak or else his tears might slip out. If he didn’t get it under control, he would end up feeling nauseous for hours. All his energy was redirected into keeping his breaths steady and deep.
When it was especially bad all Cyno could do was lay in bed in a fetal position and let himself cry it out. Tighnari was there for all of it sometimes, and he helped as he could. Sometimes Cyno felt guilty, wishing that some days his friend would rather be at his beloved flower shop when Cyno felt a bad wave coming on. That way he wouldn’t feel so burdensome. But Tighnari assured him that he never felt burdened. He never outright said it, but Cyno knew it just by the way he acted. As expected, his best friend was almost always at his side when he needed him most.
❀
Cyno would always be most grateful for their life talks in the middle of the night. They would lay side by side sometimes talking about the future. How they would love to travel, how they would someday explore a new place, and experience living abroad. Tighnari loved these conversations enough to entertain their wild outlandish plans, but deep down Cyno knew his best friend would never permanently be able to leave the life he’d created for himself, he loved the small business he’d built from the ground up. And if Cyno was being honest with himself, he enjoyed working at the local police department, a promotion to detective would be the best thing that could ever happen to him. But the life talks continued, threading moments of joy into Cyno’s memory.
Another one of his favorite conversations that they visited often was about tattoos. Tighnari was more sporadic about it and had a Pinterest board of ideas that he could never fully commit to. Cyno loved to give him shit over the more cheesy designs Tighnari adamantly defended. There was nothing too “basic” or “cliche” in his eyes. So what if Cyno teased him for the “florist with flower tattoos” irony Tighnari vibed with? Cyno knew what he wanted for his first tattoo. Well, he knew sort of. He knew he wanted it to be meaningful, cliché as his own ideas were… Cyno didn’t want to just get something on a whim.
Eventually, that led them to make a promise one night. It was an ordinary type of weekend, if he remembered correctly, Cyno was feeling extra moody after a shitty week at work. Tighnari being Tighnari cheered him up with coupons to go try out the new ice cream and shake place that had opened up down the road. When the pair made it to the shop Cyno was thrilled to find a variety of flavored ice cream to choose from. Tighnari ordered something kind of fruity shake for himself and the pair took a seat in one of the booths.
Cyno couldn't remember talking about anything too specific until he noticed the adorable couple sitting across from them. They were immersed in their own conversation, sharing a single large milkshake with two straws poking out of it. Cyno remembers bringing it up because it was such a cute setup, they looked picturesque, very quaint, like they were filming for a movie or something. But Tighnari has always been more perceptive, and he noticed the matching tattoos they had on the back of their arms, right above their elbows. Matching in a mismatched way, one had a sun while the other had a moon. They were drawn in the same delicate art style, Cyno couldn’t help but admire the crisp linework.
Cyno remembers the excitement painted on Tighnari’s face very clearly. His best friend all but shouted at him how matching tattoos would be perfect for their firsts. He was very adamant that they could take however long Cyno needed for planning, Tighnari was willing to wait. It scared Cyno a little to agree, but deep down he knew that he wanted it too. Matching tattoos with his best friend was the answer he had been looking for. Surrounded by the delicious scents of the small shop, he pinky promised Tighnari that night, they would plan their first tattoos together.
❀
Cyno was someone who never quite learned his lesson from overdrinking in college. Even now, there are too many times he lets himself get overly intoxicated, stumbling his way back to his bed to sleep it off. It was one of those types of nights where he and Tighnari had decided to go see a few friends from school and catch up at a bar. Cyno was someone who never backed down from keeping up with whoever it may be, and unfortunately for him, he was horribly unsuited for the multiple rounds of tequila shots.
Tighnari took it easier and didn’t let himself get plastered, just tipsy enough to have a good time. The entire night he voiced how his main concern was stressing how his journey back home was gonna go trying to get Cyno back without having to physically carry him. In the end, that’s exactly what ended up happening, he carried Cyno back to their apartment on his back.
Cyno was gleefully unaware of how tiresome it was for Tighnari. He was merely swinging his feet slightly, humming along to the song stuck in his head from the bar. He giggled at each and every one of Tighnari’s complaints, his ear twitching in irritation. Cyno could only profusely apologize in a playful manner. Cyno knew that Tighnari knew Cyno would regret it all in the morning and beg for his forgiveness in a more serious way, so he was letting him off easy. No need to worry about it now.
When the pair finally arrived at their doorstep Cyno wouldn’t stop wiggling, demanding to be let down. It sent them both down in a tangle of limbs and giggles. Tighnari was a little less enthusiastic, but he laughed along with a drunk Cyno.
Cyno can’t remember much, but he remembered Tighnari lugging him inside and making sure he was sober enough to sleep. He helped the drunken man wash up and get ready for bed. It was a joke when Tighnari gently kissed his forehead goodnight like a parent would for a small child. But in the few seconds Cyno felt Tighnari’s lips on his skin, it was the safest he had felt in a long time. After that Cyno swore it was the best sleep he’d ever had, even if the following morning greeted him with a hangover.
❀
Tighnari eventually found himself dating someone. Cyno liked the guy… enough. Every new outing with the three of them had Cyno appreciating the dude—Alhaitham, more and more. They complimented each other well… enough. He found out the pair had met at Tighnari’s shop randomly one day when Tighnari was closing up shop for the night. Ironically, Alhaitham was rushing to buy a simple bouquet for someone else he was seeing at the time. Things obviously didn’t work out for them, and a heartbroken Alhaitham had opened up about the whole experience when Tighnari asked how things were going the next time Alhaitham stopped by for some flowers for his mother.
The two formed an easygoing friendship from there and eventually, Alhaitham ran out of excuses as to why he was stopping by the flower shop so often. Cyno couldn’t help but cackle at how Tighnari blushed as Alhaitham recounted how the sly fox had finally confronted him about it. The absurd amount of “birthdays” all in a row was definitely not true and Tighnari hated it when people beat around the bush. It was Alhaitham’s turn to blush when Tighnari explained that he had to practically hassle the confession out of him.
Cyno couldn’t help but smile at the way Tighnari was starting to laugh more around their apartment. He would always scurry around with their vacuum and duster in hand every time Alhaitham was meant to come over. He was constantly stressing about how they lived like animals when in Cyno’s opinion, their apartment was always kept spotless considering both of them cleaned regularly.
If there was anything he could complain about, it was the fact that their snuggle sessions and late-night talks trickled down to something that rarely happened due to Tighnari spending the night with his new boyfriend more often than not. It made sense, Alhaitham lived alone and it gave the couple their privacy and some space. It was not something Cyno could complain about, but deep inside he knew it was him just missing having his friend around at all times.
❀
The night Cyno found out Alhaitham had cheated on Tighnari was the first time in his life that he could honestly admit to himself contemplating murder. It hurt him to his core to see his friend turn into a shell of his once cheerful self.
He hated the way Tighnari put on a brave face, trying to keep his eyes dry as he explained how he’d happened to see Alhaitham’s phone light up with a notification from his ex. He tried to not let it get to him, but after confronting his boyfriend when he couldn’t hold it in anymore, he immediately knew there was something off in the way Alhaitham got defensive with him.
Tighnari laughed drily at himself for feeling so strongly about someone he had only been seeing for a couple of months. Cyno did his best to console him, but it was hard to keep his own anger in check. Cyno was about three seconds away from driving over to teach Alhaitham a lesson, and Tighnari, the kind soul that he was, took up for Alhaitham, saying it was his own fault for seeing someone who had just freshly gotten out of a relationship. That he should’ve been the one to know better.
Saying that out loud was the breaking point for Tighnari who let Cyno hold him close as he sobbed into his chest. The anger slowly faded away from Cyno as he held his best friend tenderly, stroking through his hair to soothe him. He was careful to avoid Tighnari’s ears, knowing how his best friend hated it when people touched them. By the time Tighnari’s tears dried, he was shaky and exhausted. He apologized profusely for breaking down like that, to which Cyno only shook his head softly, letting him know that it wasn’t anything bad. Emotions need to be let out when they felt overwhelming. He reminded Tighnari of the same words he would say to Cyno whenever he was feeling bad.
That night they found themselves on the couch, snuggled up watching random recommendations on Netflix while Cyno encouraged Tighnari to rest and drink some water to help rehydrate. Cyno reflected on himself for feeling glad the breakup happened in a twisted sense. They had quickly fallen back into their normal easy routine before Alhaitham had become a part of Tighnari’s life. It felt nice to have him back as fucked up as that sounded.
It only took two episodes of the documentary series they had chosen for Tighnari’s puffy eyelids to begin to droop. Cyno watched as his best friend peacefully went to sleep and curled up against his chest. Tighnari looked peaceful, and Cyno couldn’t help but admire him as his long lashes brushed against his shirt with every deep breath he took. If Cyno were smarter, he’d reposition Tighnari in a way that would be more comfortable for him to lay back as well, but he couldn’t will himself to disturb the peaceful fox.
❀
Tighnari swore off dating, being adamant about staying single for the rest of his life. He often debated on adopting a few pets to keep him company instead. Every new ramble only made Cyno scoff with a playful eyeroll. It had been a few months since his best friend broke things off with Alhaitham and he was returning to his usual cheery self bit by bit. For as long as he’d known Tighnari, he knew his best friend was speaking facetiously, he was far too much of a hopeless romantic to commit to his oath.
Although, Cyno had to admit that the idea of adopting a pet was very appealing.
The pair found themselves in a shelter, Cyno couldn’t deny having a puppy or even a kitty cat around was exciting. With how much Tighnari fussed about not letting the apartment get messy, he never thought to bring it up. But now that the idea came from Tighnari himself, he jumped at the opportunity to encourage it.
They scanned the various animals available for adoption, Tighnari was sure one of them would form an immediate connection, and he would know which one was the one by simply meeting them. Cyno loved seeing him so excited for something for the first time in a while, Tighnari’s own tail swished in anticipation with every new animal they met.
They stumbled upon a kennel that housed a medium-sized, frail-looking dog. Cyno checked the information sheet on his cage. Lotus was his name, he chuckled at the irony of a plant-based name. Lotus was two years old, a pit shepherd mix. He frowned at the size of the dog, obviously, malnutrition had been a factor in the way he grew.
He looked over to see Tighnari calling him over in a baby voice, giggling as Lotus licked his finger through the cage. The pair wagged their tails in tandem. Cyno knew right then that he wouldn’t have to say anything, Tighnari had his moment with the one . Lotus was coming home with them.
❀
Tighnari was an awful dog parent but in the most endearing ways.
He let Lotus run their household and training was a responsibility that fell down to Cyno. Tighnari loved to spoil their dog with treats from the dinner table, he loved to invite him up on the couch with him while he watched his shows or read his books. He was rather good at taking Lotus out on his walks, Tighnari enjoyed the quiet alone time he could get out of it.
Cyno let him get away with spoiling him for the most part, because Lotus was a smart dog that listened to Cyno when he told him to get off the couches, or when he told him to go lay in his dog bed when Tighnari wasn’t feeding him scraps.
Tighnari adamantly stuck his oath of no dating. He let Cyno know many, many times that he would stick with just Lotus, Lotus was all he needed.
He would joke that Cyno could be his other half in the sense of raising Lotus. That was also enough. Tighnari often took the joke further, referring to himself as the "cool dad" out of the two of them. Cyno should’ve known better than to take his words as more than their face value. He often found himself smiling at the idea of the pair of them being parents to Lotus. The feeling of belonging to their little family in such an important way was heartwarming. The feeling of belonging to Tighnari… was good. But he would often shake his head, clearing away those kinds of thoughts. Tighnari had never seen him like that, and likely never would. Their friendship was too good as it was, and Cyno wouldn’t be the one to ruin it.
❀
Cyno was eventually assigned a new partner at work and he found himself instantly clicking with her. He had long discarded his old dream of being promoted to detective within the police station, declining it whenever they offered. He was paid well as a senior officer and he felt like it suited him more than an office-heavy detective job would. Being out on the field is where he belonged.
Collei was smart and intuitive and always kept a cool head. She did have her moments in the office where she was more clumsy than useful, but it was never anything they couldn’t make fun of her for. Her performance out in the field was where she shined, and that’s where it mattered the most.
Going on patrol with her was a blessing because the young cop always had something to talk about with him. She shared some of her rough past, how she grew up in foster homes, some of her stories from the academy, and even more personal recent struggles. Her favorite go-to was to vent about her boy troubles with Cyno. He would often try his best to give advice or even insight into what the male brain worked like, but in all honestly, Cyno had no relationship experience of his own to use as a supplementation. Especially, when Collei went into her girl troubles, Cyno really had nothing to say then.
The day he admitted that to his young partner she had widened her eyes in surprise, asking how that could be possible considering Cyno was so old . He scoffed in response, he hardly thought 31 was old. Maybe he had just grown comfortable in his quaint little household, he didn’t need someone else in his life, he had Lotus and… Tighnari. Lotus was getting over his puppy phase and calming down, but it didn’t stop the rambunctious dog from jumping up on his hind legs to greet him every day when he came home. And Tighnari would more often than not have food ready for him, waiting on him to eat a later-than-usual dinner. Cyno would often tell his roommate that he didn’t have to wait up on him. Tighnari closed up his shop early enough to make himself his own dinner well before Cyno got home, but Tighnari was adamant about eating with him, and said he preferred the company.
He told Collei all this as she would hum in amusement with every new little snippet about their lives. She loved to hear about what new mess Lotus managed to make, or whatever dramatic story Tighnari had told Cyno about his days at the flower shop. She would poke fun at their banter calling them a pair of grandpas for arguing over whatever mundane thing Cyno decided to bring up again to get her opinion on the matter.
Cyno isn’t sure when the nickname “Pops” became a thing between them, but Collei would laugh at his confused expression when she would explain it was because of her “daddy issues” that she found a fatherly figure within Cyno. He didn’t find it too weird, Collei was growing on him as someone he found like an adopted daughter so he let her continue with her shenanigans.
It didn’t take long for Cyno to feel comfortable enough to invite the young girl over to his home when they got off work together. She lived alone and ate horribly from what Cyno could gather. Of course, he’d run the idea over with Tighnari first, who jumped at the prospect of finally meeting the partner Cyno talked about often.
It was a great idea, Collei and Tighnari got along right off the bat. Cyno had no idea Collei harbored a secret passion for plants and herbology. He knew Tighnari often dabbled in the idea of going back to school to be a certified herbalist. Every now and again he introduced a new “super fruit tea” or dried plants that he knew were good for immunology into their diet. The pair geeked out over their knowledge while Cyno listened to them quietly. Collei also quickly fell in love with Lotus who kept jogging over to her and placing his fat head on her lap, begging for love and attention at every opportunity.
Holidays became a little more full in their little apartment. Tighnari had to replace their two-seater dining table for a four-person set to accommodate Collei and her new girlfriend. Originally it was just for Collei and her visits for dinner with “Pops” and “Nari”, but when she met a nice girl named Amber, she started tagging as well.
Their first Christmas together was one for the books, Tighnari was left with the task of trying to rescue the disaster of a stuffed chicken breast recipe Amber and Collei tried to follow together. Nobody was prepared for how messy the night would get. If anyone had a great time with the chaos of it all, it was Lotus by licking up all the food that was accidentally dropped at their feet.
Cyno relished the laughter that came from everyone. They managed to make edible food, enough of it that everyone crashed on the couches, feeling too full afterward. They threw on a new Christmas special Hallmark movie and talked quietly amongst themselves. Thirty minutes into the movie, Cyno was the last one awake. Collei and Amber were snuggled up, entangled under a blanket on their loveseat. Tighnari was resting his head softly on one of Cyno’s shoulders, the only indication that he fell asleep was his soft, slow breathing.
Cyno adjusted himself carefully, trying to not wake his friend. He wasn’t very successful, Tighnari lifted his head groggily rubbing his eyes in confusion. Cyno was quick to press a finger to his lips before nodding over to the other pair still dead asleep. Tighnari looked over and smiled fondly, nodding in understanding. Cyno took the opportunity to get comfortable, feeling a nap coming on as well. Now that Tighnari was awake he would probably get up to do some quiet cleaning knowing him. What Cyno didn’t expect was for Tighnari to lay back down with him, squishing himself into the small space left on the couch, and snuggling into his chest.
The sleepy feeling Cyno had disappeared as he focused all his attention on the muscle beating within his chest to calm down. He prayed Tighnari wouldn’t be able to feel its fluttering in between them. The fox man simply snuggled closer to him, his soft breath warm on Cyno’s body. After a few minutes, he started nodding off again, unconsciously wrapping his arms around Tighnari, and pulling him closer.
❀
It was a bad day for Cyno, he knew it would be from the moment he woke up. His anxiety was something that would sometimes creep up on him. Other times like on this day, he woke up feeling it rolling in like a storm. Tighnari knew him so well at this point that with one glance at his face in the morning, he quickly called his assistant manager, letting him know he wouldn’t be able to come in. Tighnari immediately got to work in the kitchen making Cyno’s favorite tea to help calm him.
Cyno could only nod meekly in response when Tighnari asked him if he’d already taken his meds. His face was furrowed with that familiar worry when he came to sit next to Cyno, setting the tea on their coffee table. Cyno assured him that he had already asked off for work himself to give him a day to get back on track. He managed to chuckle when he showed Tighnari the “feel better” texts from Collei. Tighnari laughed along with him, but that worry wrinkle on his forehead persisted.
The pair began to spend that day as they normally do on bad days, it was expected that Tighnari would console and keep Cyno preoccupied with things to watch on tv, conversation, or even well-needed snuggle time.
Cyno thought back to how he would deal with his episodes on his own in the past when he was young, still a teenager. He would pace, or lock himself up in his room hiding from himself underneath the covers, praying those deep breaths would calm him down as he drowned in his emotions.
The memories felt like they happened lightyears away. What he had with Tighnari now was so good for him, he wished the younger version of himself had someone he could go to during his dark times.
That particular day his anxiety simmered down quicker than usual, he attributed it to Tighnari’s rambling about some new plants he had recently ordered for the shop. He didn’t understand half of the words Tighnari was dishing out to him but he listened nonetheless, Tighnari had a way of soothing him just by speaking. He filled the silence the entire day, while they cooked, while they took Lotus out for his walk and his potty breaks, while they watched tv, the three of them snuggling on the couch.
After spending the entire day together, the sun had long set, and Cyno knew it was about time for them to go to bed. He cringed at the idea of leaving the protective bubble Tighnari had formed for him in the living room. Lotus usually spent the night either in his dog bed or curled up at Tighnari’s feet. He contemplated stealing away their beloved dog for the night, having him sleep in his bed instead.
But Tighnari had other plans, Cyno was always floored by his best friend’s uncanny way of reading his mind. When Cyno had come out of the bathroom with freshly brushed teeth and wet hair from his shower, he found Tighnari busy carrying his pillow and favorite quilt into Cyno’s room. When Cyno tried to protest that he was fine, and that wasn’t necessary, Tighnari flicked his ears in irritation telling Cyno to shut up and just accept it. Lotus was running circles around Tighnari’s feet at the switch-up in their nightly routine. It only took a few words of encouragement and the happy pup was up on Cyno’s bed. Both of them looked at Cyno expectantly, and he had no choice but to sigh in defeat as he crawled in after them.
The body heat from both of them with Lotus squeezed in between their legs was so worth the trouble that Cyno stopped complaining. Tighnari giggled at his sour expression, cooing at Cyno’s leftover begrudging grumbles of acceptance.
It was another ordinary day with an episode from Cyno, but it ended in an unexpected way. He let sleep overtake him quickly, feeling safe and secure, surrounded by his little family.
In his sleep-muddled mind, he heard Tighnari whisper goodnight to him in the dark. He wasn’t sure if he was already dreaming, probably so, but he heard the quietest sigh come from beside him with a muttered “I love you” following it. He smiled in his sleep, mumbling “love you, too” back before completely drifting off to sleep.
In the morning he woke up feeling refreshed, a million times better than before. Tighnari woke up alongside him, groaning at how obnoxious Cyno’s alarms were. The last few seconds of the night before were completely wiped from Cyno’s memory as he wrestled a stubborn, sleepy Lotus outside for his morning potty break.
❀
The worst day of Cyno’s life happened on another ordinary type of day. When he reflected on it, the day always came to him in spurts. Moments in time filled with nothing but sadness.
It was a gloomy, rainy day. Storm clouds would roll in on and off, making Collei and his daily tasks take a little longer than usual.
They were out on patrol when they received information about a house call for a rambunctious party. They had just gotten the address over their dispatch radio when his phone started to ring. He answered it without too much thought, but after listening to the other person speak on the line, he had to pull their patrol car over to really listen to the words being said.
His head started spinning and he felt like he was going to throw up. He answered in short responses before hanging up and taking a deep breath to help steady himself.
Collei, already panicked at Cyno’s sudden change in mood, paled next to him when he explained the situation. They radioed dispatch telling them they wouldn’t be able to do the house call due to something coming up.
Cyno was so shaky he couldn’t drive anymore and was grateful when Collei jumped into action, telling him to let her drive. She quickly looked up the hospital name Cyno rattled off to her on the GPS and turned on their sirens to make it through traffic quicker.
She sped through every red light, cautious of traffic and the slick roads, but still progressing with an urgency. The phone call replayed in his head on a loop.
Tighnari had gotten into a car accident. Cyno couldn’t help but question how until he remembered his best friend complaining about deliveries he had to do for a bridal party. Was it the weather? Was there an outside factor? A drunk driver? A freak accident? Cyno felt himself spiraling, wondering what happened. Was Tighnari going to be okay?
At the hospital they were greeted by a doctor who quickly introduced himself as the head of surgery. His brain was filled with static as the stoic man spoke, explaining the current situation.
His loved one was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He was currently stable and recovering from surgery. They were worried about his vitals and keeping a close eye on him. He was being kept in an induced coma to keep him from feeling too much pain.
The hospital had already contacted next of kin and emergency contacts. It was only then that Cyno turned to see Tighnari’s mother and father sitting in the small waiting adjacent to them. His mother had her face buried into his Tighnari’s father's chest sobbing while he rubbed her back, silent tears falling from his own eyes.
Cyno felt numb to it all, he didn’t have any tears to shed because it didn’t feel real to him. He would go home and find Tighnari finishing up some dishes or playing with Lotus. There was no way this was his reality.
Collei was crying next to him, wiping her tears from her cheeks as she started to break down. Cyno reached out to her, drawing her into a tight hug. Tighnari would be okay, he was strong and he would pull out of this.
❀
A week passed and no improvement. They tried to wake him and there was no response.
A month passed and Cyno would make sure to keep the flowers he kept in the vase beside his bed fresh and lively, just as Tighnari would’ve loved them. Any new updates involving Lotus were all Cyno had to offer while he took a leave from work. The silly dog stories would fill the room every day for a few minutes before Cyno would sit in silence holding Tighnari’s hand. The only noise for hours would be the sound of medical machinery while Cyno cried silently.
Three months passed and Cyno would continually update his best friend on everything going on in his life. He’d extended his leave to be free enough to visit him every day, and to check on his flower shop. He really liked the assistant manager Tighnari had hired a while back. He’s upset they hadn’t met sooner. Gorou was a good kid who was very helpful in catching up Cyno with what needed to be taken care of. Not only that, but the kid stepped up a lot and was basically running the shop as Cyno learned.
Six months had passed and Cyno had quit his job to work at the flower shop alongside Gorou. When Tighnari woke up everything would be running smoothly, just as he had left it. He would chuckle as he told Tighnari that Gorou was basically a business partner at this point. They had hired someone else to help manage part-time since Cyno was basically part-time himself to make time for Tighnari. She was a very sweet, smart girl named Kokomi that Cyno was 100% positive Tighnari would adore.
A year later, Cyno finally stopped quietly begging for Tighnari to open his eyes when he was alone in the room. Before he would say things like how Tighnari needed to wake up. He would tell him how Lotus missed him, and how their beloved pup slept in Tighnari’s bed every night. He would tell him about how Lotus would sometimes crawl into bed with Cyno when they both couldn’t sleep, how he missed his cool parent and Cyno could tell. But recently, Lotus had started sleeping in Cyno's bed. Cyno had finally stopped suffering from his mild insomnia. Tighnari's bedroom was untouched these days, perhaps it was because his scent had finally faded enough that Lotus no longer found comfort within.
Two years later, Cyno could finally proudly tell Tighnari that Collei had started smiling again like she used to. She checked on Cyno regularly to make he was eating properly, but he probably already knew that from Collei’s own visits to the hospital. She probably told him. But Cyno had to stress the fact that Collei and Amber’s cooking had improved by lightyears. The couple had really buckled down and some of their recipes could easily rival Tighnari’s. Cyno couldn’t wait for him to try it for himself.
Three years later, Cyno came in dressed in a fancy suit and tie. He chuckled as he told Tighnari about all the compliments he’d gotten from the nurses. He had tears in his eyes as he told Tighnari how Collei and Amber’s wedding was absolutely beautiful. Collei wore a white fitted suit, while Amber was dressed in a gorgeous white gown. They all had the best time of their lives, filled with laughter and cheer. Cyno begrudgingly admits to crying only a little bit. Only when Collei asked him to walk her down the aisle. Only when he noticed the nameplate set out on the church benches, it was then moved onto his reception table. It was embossed with Tighnari's name, and a large bouquet of orchids wrapped in jade paper was always set down along with it. They made it the most special day and made sure Tighnari wouldn’t miss a minute of it.
❀
Cyno stood by the hospital bed racking his brain, there was so much he needed to say, but the words were not coming to him.
The decision had already been made, The words “brain dead” bounced around in his head, but ultimately he knew it was more than that. Tighnari deserved to rest, it was time they let him.
His parents had already cleaned out his room back at their apartment. They left Cyno with some plant journals to keep as a remembrance. He held one of them in his hand, the soft worn leather on the cover bringing him comfort wherever he went.
He needed to say goodbye.
He needed to thank Tighnari for always being with him, for taking care of him, for making dinner all those late nights, for being his best friend, for teaching him countless things, and for giving him a family.
Lotus whined loudly at his feet, breaking him from his thoughts.
These days the old dog more waddled than walked, and Cyno had to carry him often when he got too tired. But when they reached the hospital room he had gotten up on his hind legs to sniff at the person on the bed, whining as he licked his fingers. After not getting any reaction he sat down next to Cyno, leaning his tired frame on Cyno's legs as he continued to cry softly. Maybe he was anxious around the hospital setting, probably a little anxious at the state of Tighnari. He’s sure Lotus had picked up on the fact that Tighnari wasn’t who he used to be.
He leaned down to pet his head softly. He wouldn’t be much longer.
Cyno took a deep breath, grabbing ahold of one of Tighnari’s slim wrists. His skin was fragile and paler than he’d ever seen it. Tighnari’s frame was skinny. His face sunken in from his time in the hospital. But it didn’t matter to Cyno, Tighnari was as beautiful as he met him on that very first day at the frat party. He’d always remain that way in his heart.
“This isn’t a goodbye, this is a see you later. Thank you, for everything,” Cyno whispered into the silence, “I love you, Tighnari. I just want you to know that I have always loved you.”
❀
“Pop Pop! Tell me the story again!”
Cyno smiles as he enters the small room quietly, taking a seat on the edge of the young girl’s bed.
“Aren’t you tired of the same story?” He chuckles lightly as the little girl whines in response, “Okay, okay, here goes.”
He rolls up the sleeve of his shirt to show off the flower sketch tattooed on his skin with the small lettering underneath.
“You see here? This is a blessing I got from a magical fox person. He was kind and loving and he spent his time learning about plants and flowers. He kept journals filled with pictures and words, always making sure his handwriting was neat and organized. He was—”
“The prettiest person you’ve ever seen!”
Cyno chuckles at the interruption, “Yes, the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. One day you’ll grow up and you’ll meet someone who will change you the way he changed me. You’ll find love in this world, and I want you to promise me that you’ll never let them go.”
The small child nods enthusiastically before taking his arm and tracing a finger over the picture and the words softly. She whispers under her breath, “Forget-Me-Nots.”
“Exactly. I found this in one of his journals and got it for him. He has one too up in Heaven. That way we won’t forget each other. We’ll meet again. It’s a secret magic spell that binds us together.”
“He's so cool. I wanna learn magic like him. Why can't you teach me?” She pouts her bottom lip as she stares up at him in mild frustration.
“I can't know the magic because I broke a pinky promise to him. We were supposed to get these together, but I did it on my own. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll be able to crack his secrets together. For now, you should get to sleep. Collei and Amber will be back anytime now and they will be very upset that Pop Pop hasn’t gotten you to bed on time.” Cyno adjusts the sheets around her, tucking the small child in before getting up to turn on her nightlight.
He clicks off the overhead light, leaving the room covered in a faint dimly lit star pattern.
“Goodnight Pop Pop! I love you!”
“Goodnight Nari. I love you, too.”
❀