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AlHaitham stared down at his boyfriend, a frown prominent on his lips. He didn’t know what to do. Kaveh was out meeting a client and Tighnari was summoned by the Forest Watchers for an emergency, leaving AlHaitham and Cyno alone.
The scribe bit at his nails, watching at Cyno carefully stacked up little wooden blocks Kaveh had made him, only to knock the tower down with a giggle. He didn’t know what to do. He was shit with children, and even more shit with big children who had electro visions.
He stood beside one of the divans, rocking back and forth slightly as he watched over Cyno. The little was gripping one of Tighnari’s shirts, holding it close to his chest and absentmindedly rubbing his cheek against the fabric.
AlHaitham froze when Cyno turned towards him, staring at him with wide eyes and holding up one of the blocks.
“No thank you.” He said quietly.
Cyno frowned, putting his block down before reaching for the scribe and trying to grab at him. This sent a shock of anxiety through AlHaitham. His eyes widened as he stared down at his partner. He took a deep breath before deciding to bite the bullet and lift Cyno off the floor.
It was just Cyno, he had nothing to worry about. This was just his boyfriend, the one who brought them random rocks from the desert and left his TCG deck on the kitchen counter. This was just sweet Cyno, who preferred to wear anyone’s clothes but his own and refused to eat anything but dry cereal for breakfast.
AlHaitham held his breath once he had Cyno settled on his hip. He watched his boyfriend, who stared back at him with wide eyes. He prayed to the Archons above that the little wouldn’t burst into tears. It was hard not having Tighnari around when Cyno slipped, considering how much the boy relied on him.
The scribe stared at his boyfriend, smiling awkwardly. He bit the inside of his cheek when Cyno relaxed against his shoulder, one hand gripping his shirt and the other holding onto Tighnari’s clothing. He slowly began to sway back and forth, patting Cyno’s back gently.
When the little looked up at him he paused, fearing that something was wrong and his whole world would come crashing down. If Cyno started crying he didn’t know what he would do. He could barely handle Kaveh crying, let alone someone who clearly preferred to be comforted by another person.
But alas, Cyno just stared.
“Hello.” AlHaitham spoke quietly.
The little grinned, turning to rub his face bashfully against AlHaitham’s neck. The scribe’s eyes widened from the action. He nodded slowly, mostly to himself, and went to sit down on one of the divans with Cyno tucked against his chest.
Upon being settled down, Cyno sat up on AlHaitham’s lap. He looked around the room curiously, as if he had been moved all that far. He blew a raspberry with his lips and looked down at the shirt he had taken from the fox.
“Nari!” He chirped, holding up the piece of fabric to show his boyfriend.
AlHaitham stared up at him with wide eyes, his fingers absentmindedly fiddling with the hem of Cyno’s shirt. “I see.” He said as he slowly wrapped his arms around Cyno’s waist, holding him so he wouldn’t tumble backwards.
Much to the scribe’s surprise, Cyno slumped back down against his chest. Alhaitham carefully touched Cyno’s back, then began to rub up and down his spine. He didn’t want to be too bold, as if he was to begin with, just in case he would startle Cyno too much and drive the boy to tears.
Alhaitham tensed when he heard the lock on the front door jingle. He instinctively covered Cyno’s head, turning to see who was home. He relaxed upon seeing a familiar head of blonde curls.
Kaveh grinned, shutting the door behind himself. He hung his keys up next to AlHaitham’s before giddily rushing to the living room.
“You will never believe the day I ha-“ Kaveh froze, staring down at the pair on the divan.
“Not a word.” AlHaitham hissed.
“You’re snuggling with him.”
Alhaitham glared at his partner, before turning his attention back to Cyno. He smiled gently at the boy, his heart skipping a beat when the little stared back at him.
“You’re both so cute, just wait until Tighnari hears about this!” Kaveh squealed, falling down onto the couch beside the pair. He placed a kiss on each man’s cheek.
Cyno perked up at the mention of the fox. He lifted his head and glanced around the room. He pouted, his fingers twisting into AlHaitham’s shirt.
“Nari?” He called out quietly, as if expecting Tighnari to come through the door just as Kaveh did.
“He’ll be home later, Babes, remember?” Kaveh cooed, brushing his knuckles up and down Cyno’s arm. “That’s why Haitham is watching you.”
Cyno looked up at AlHaitham, his frown deepening. “Hayi…” He mumbled, slumping over and snuggling his face into AlHaitham’s neck.
AlHaitham himself didn’t move a muscle, just stared at Kaveh in a slight panic. By the tone of Cyno’s voice he could tell the little was sad, and he could not handle a tantrum without Tighnari there to help.
“Yeah, it’s Hayi.” Kaveh said lovingly, moving to scratch along Cyno’s back. He chuckled fondly to himself, slowly getting up. “I’m going to cut up some fruit, Nari should be home soon.”
“Okay.” AlHaitham breathed out. He was scared to move, afraid that it would set off Cyno into a fit of tears. He pat the little’s hip, just as he has seen Tighnari do before when Cyno was distressed.
AlHaitham pressed his lips against the crown of Cyno’s head, then pushed his nose into the soft white waves. His boyfriend shifted slightly, then sighed against his chest. The scribe remained as still as possible, just holding the other boy and making sure he didn’t dissolve into a fit of distress.
Soon, Kaveh returned with a bowl of cut up peaches, and settled down beside them. “Ah!” The blonde hummed as he held a slice in front of AlHaitham’s lips.
“You don’t have to feed me, Kaveh.”
“ Ah!” Kaveh glared at him, until he opened his mouth to accept the fruit.
As AlHaitham munched on the slice of peach, Kaveh gave one to Cyno. The little stared at it curiously before unceremoniously shoving it into his mouth. He hummed as he chewed, something AlHaitham recognized as a subtle vocal stim. He reached for more, in which Kaveh happily indulged him.
———
“I’m home~” Tighnari sang as he entered the cozy house.
The fox took mental note of how all the lights were off except the kitchen, presumably so he didn’t come home to pitch blackness. It wasn’t too obnoxiously late, so he was surprised that even Kaveh wasn’t there to welcome him home.
He frowned, taking his boots off and placing them beside AlHaitham’s before tiptoeing his way to the scribe’s bedroom.
As he stepped into the room his heart melted. Tucked into the large bed were his three partners. AlHaitham laid in the center, his headphones over his ears and his glasses perched on his nose as he read. On his chest was Cyno, tucked under AlHaitham’s weighted blanket and fast asleep. Curled into the scribe’s side was Kaveh, also fast asleep.
Tighnari flicked the lights off, then back on again, catching AlHaitham’s attention. He grinned as the scribe lowered his book.
“Comfy?” Tighnari signed, giggling softly to himself as he gazed at the trio. He began to take his tunic off, smoothing out the creases before he went to hang it up in the closet.
He heard AlHaitham close his book, and he turned as he took his shirt off, narrowing his eyes at the younger man. He wasn’t all that surprised to find his partner staring at him.
“Like what you see?” Tighnari teased when AlHaitham took his headphones off.
“Mm.” The scribe hummed, leaning to place his book and earpieces on his bedside table without disturbing the pair glued to him. “Cyno slipped today.” He said as he took his glasses off.
Tighnari’s eyes widened. “He did?” He gasped as he yanked off his binder and replaced it with one of Kaveh’s loose shirts. “Why didn’t you send for me? I would’ve come home.”
The Acting Grand Sage shook his head, looking down to push his fingers through Cyno’s soft waves. “He was okay, Kaveh mostly took care of him.” He said quietly. “He liked sitting on me.”
“Sitting on you?” The fox echoed, tilting his head with a small smile. He shoved off his pants, electing to forgo any sort of sleep shorts altogether, and just stay in his boxers. “Like on your lap?” He asked as he crawled into bed.
“Mhm, liked laying on my chest…”
Tighnari cooed, his tail swishing in delight. He was overjoyed to hear that Cyno was getting more comfortable slipping around their other partners. He leaned against AlHaitham’s side, one of his hands sliding over Cyno’s back.
“He likes laying on my chest too. He likes being close.”
Tighnari yawned, his tail shaking as he stretched his arms over his head. He then dragged his nails over Cyno’s back, a smile curling over his lips as the boy melted under the touch. He paused when Cyno stirred more, rubbing his face against AlHaitham’s chest before lifting his head up, his eyes barely open.
“Hey, pumpkin.” Tighnari cooed lovingly.
Cyno’s head whipped around when he heard Tighnari’s voice. His eyes widened, suddenly much more awake than he was a mere seconds ago. He pushed on AlHaitham’s chest, whining softly as he tried to reach for the fox.
“Oh, baby, it’s okay. I’m right here.” Tighnari pouted, hooking his hands under Cyno’s arms and bringing the other male to lay on top of him. “I missed you too, darling.”
Tighnari pressed his lips against Cyno’s temple, before tucking the boy under his chin and holding him tightly. He leaned his cheek against his partner’s head, rubbing his back soothingly. He glanced up at AlHaitham as the youngest settled down, pulling Kaveh impossibly closer. The scribe tucked his other arm around Tighnari and Cyno, his thumb brushing over the Fox’s bicep absentmindedly.
After making sure all of Cyno’s limbs were situated comfortably and they were all beneath the blankets, Tighnari allowed himself to finally relax and succinct to slumber.
———
Tighnari was awoken by fingers pushing at the corners of his mouth. He groaned quietly, turning his head away from the touch, only for those same hands to reach up and begin fumbling with his ears.
He cracked an eye open slowly, and any sort of annoyance disappeared at the sight of Cyno grinning in his lap. He sighed softly, reaching up to carefully hold his boyfriend’s wrists and guide them away from his sensitive ears. It was too early for this.
“Lay back down, bubba.” He grumbled, his voice scratchy from sleep. “It’s still early.”
The sun had barely begun to peek through the curtains, and telling by the way AlHaitham was still curled up beside them, it wasn’t even 7am. The scribe was always awake at 7 o’clock sharp, whether that meant actually getting up or staying in bed and reading, it didn’t matter. Tighnari could tell by his deep breaths that he was still out like a light.
Cyno whined, trying to yank his wrists from Tighnari’s grip, but the fox didn’t let up. Tighnari lowered the boy’s wrists to rest on his chest.
“Cy, lay back down.” He said firmly. “I’m not going to ask you again.”
The little stopped squirming, instead laying back down on top of the fox. He shoved his face against Tighnari’s torso, continuing to whine softly.
Usually at this hour, Tighnari would be too tired to care, but something about how Cyno was acting stirred up some concern. He frowned, tucking his boyfriend’s hair behind his ear. His worry only increased when he felt moisture seep through his shirt.
“ Baby ,” He sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He breathed out, cautious of his volume considering their other partners were still asleep. “I’m tired, my love, but that doesn’t give me an excuse to use my mean voice, does it?”
Cyno rubbed at his eyes with his fists, staring up at the fox with a pout and stray tears collecting on his long lashes. Tighnari cooed softly and placed a kiss between his partner’s brows.
“What’s got you so worked up? You’re never up this early.” The fox asked, rubbing up and down the little’s back.
Cyno sniffled, rubbing his cheek against Tighnari’s chest. “Nari…” he grumbled. “Nari’s gonna leave…” he said quietly, his voice dripping with sorrow.
Tighnari felt his chest ache at those words. He cooed, shaking his head and wrapping his arms tightly around Cyno. Now he understood why. Cyno wanted to see him before he went to work, probably to get some one-on-one time with his caregiver before the fox had to leave.
“Pumpkin, I’m not going to leave.” Tighnari said into Cyno’s hair. “I’m off today, that means we can spend all day together!” He dipped his head down to press kisses to Cyno’s cheeks.
Cyno giggled, squirming around and kicking his legs. He smiled widely, reaching up to hug Tighnari’s neck. “Nari!” He squealed.
“You’re both so cute, but shush.”
The pair both froze at the sound of AlHaitham’s voice. Tighnari stared at Cyno, who continued to giggle quietly. Suddenly, the scribe was rolling over and enveloping the pair in his arms.
Cyno gasped, gladly wrapping an arm around AlHaitham’s neck and trying to pull him closer, all while Tighnari laid squashed beneath the two men.
Tighnari hummed softly, completely disregarding how he could barely breathe in favor of how warm he was between his partners. He hummed quietly when he felt the bed shift, presumably from Kaveh moving.
“You two are gonna kill Nari.” The blonde said with a yawn, upon rolling over to only spot the Fox’s tail from beneath the pair. “Let the poor guy breathe.”
Cyno suddenly froze at Kaveh’s words. He let go of AlHaitham and began to push at the scribe, whining softly. “Off!” He commanded, to which the man sat up with a frown.
The little rolled off of Tighnari and pushed himself up, staring at the fox with wide, panicked eyes. He had taken Kaveh’s words to heart, and was immediately afraid that they would hurt Tighnari.
“Baby,” Tighnari chuckled softly, propping himself up on his elbows. “I’m okay, Kav was just joking. C’mere.” He sat up fully and held his arms out for Cyno to fall into.
He bundled Cyno up in his lap and placed a kiss on his forehead. He then held an arm out so AlHaitham could curl up against his side.
“You too, Lovebug.” He cooed, grinning happily when the scribe snuggled up against him and laid his head on his shoulder. He combed his fingers through AlHaitham’s silver hair, placing a smooch on the crown of his head.
Kaveh scoffed from beside them. “Me too!” He huffed, crawling over and laying down with his head on Cyno’s thighs. The little giggled, dragging his finger over Kaveh’s cheek and then pushing it against his nose.
“Hey!” Kaveh laughed, tilting his head up to try to bite Cyno’s finger.
Cyno squealed, jerking his hand away to avoid the attack. He turned to hide away in Tighnari’s neck, giggling quietly.
“Be nice, you two.” The fox cooed, leaning back against the headboard with all his boyfriends curled against him.
Tighnari nuzzled his nose against AlHaitham’s hair and closed his eyes, his tail thumping against the bed. He smiled as he listened to Kaveh whisper to Cyno, then felt two pairs of hands card through the fur on his tail.
Ah, he could get used to this.