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"This is so boring. I hate this." Tighnari complained as he sat up from his bed, arms crossed against his chest as he wore an irritated expression on his face.
"You've only been in your bed for about ten minutes." Cyno cites the obvious as he prepared some Zaytun peaches for the Forest Watcher. "Besides, you know what—"
"Yeah, yeah. I need to rest my leg for at least a week or two. I get it, Cyno." He huffs, glaring at his own leg that was bandaged and elevated by a pillow that Collei had sewn for him. He hears the desert man chuckle before sitting down on a stool beside him, offering the plate of sliced peaches to Tighnari.
Cyno would have made a joke about this whole situation if Tighnari didn't hate it so much that he had to go on leave. He had already assigned the patrol routes for the rangers, as well as other tasks that they'll be covering for the day.
Though it's disappointing that he doesn't get to update his research for about two weeks and learn something new about his subjects and variables, at least his sanity will be saved from those stupid adventurers who thinks all of nature's life forms should be approached, touched and consumed upon the first sight of them.
That's one thing he's thankful for.
But that was exactly what had happened and why he's in this predicament in the first place.
While on his patrol, and collecting various specimens from different plant species, an adventurer had gotten lost within the Avidya Forest. Which meant that this idiot of a human being did not read the Avidya Forest Survival Guide.
As he guided the man toward Gandharva Ville, he turned behind him to see that the adventurer stopped and had been staring toward the small pond of water.
"Hey—" Before he could finish, he was pushed aside as the stupid adventurer ran for a drink of water. Though Tighnari could have easily held his balance from it all, it did not help that there were no nearby trees he could support himself on. The ground also had an out for his safety as it was very muddy and slippery due to the recent downpours from previous days.
So, in short, he slipped.
And it was not a slip that he could easily brush off.
Because it hurt like hell.
Thankfully, there was a forest ranger nearby who had carefully assisted Tighnari, alerting the others to provide a first aid kit as she took him back to his hut.
She had also told the other rangers to take the adventurer back to Sumeru City if possible, not anywhere near where Tighnari is. She had already suspected that if this adventurer sticks around longer and Tighnari himself sees him, he might use him as a test subject.
Which they do not want.
"Tighnari?" A very familiar voice greets them both. Looking to their side, they see none other than General Mahamatra— Cyno, standing in front of Tighnari's home.
"What—"
"Less talking, Cyno. Please open my door." Tighnari tells him. Cyno blinks before he hurriedly opened the door to let Tighnari, and the ranger supporting him, in.
Long story short, the ranger had explained what had happened, along with what Tighnari had experienced himself. Cyno, who is apparently visiting Gandharva Ville, had taken the responsibility to take care of his fox friend.
The ranger seemed relieved that someone can help Tighnari out, hearing how much Cyno says he's very capable of taking care of him. Even telling a joke to her that she did not understand but Tighnari refused to acknowledge to avoid Cyno's detailed explanation.
With Tighnari's guidance, the ranger treated his awful sprain with the right ointments and medicines that can help reduce the swelling, bandages and elevated his foot up. She wishes Tighnari to have a very fast recovery before leaving his hut.
And though he greatly appreciates what the rangers had done to give him a hand with his current situation, it does not change the fact that—
"This was that stupid adventurer's fault. He had apparently eaten a mushroom not too long ago before I found him. Based on the report that was given to me, it caused dizziness, nausea and unquenchable thirst—"
"Tighna—"
"If he had just read the survival guide as said upon entering the Avidya Forest, he could have avoided being kissed by the mushroom's non-existent lips AND getting me bedridden." Tighnari complains as he munches on a peach slice. He could have been patrolling today like always to clear out possible withering locations and avoid danger. Only then, can he go back home to see that Cyno had apparently visited him and they'd have dinner while they exchange stories of their day before the said desert dog utters one or two of his jokes.
"Hey, you're going to be fine. After all, you have me to take care of you." Cyno smiles at him. Tighnari, on the other hand, looks uncertain of this. Not of Cyno's capabilities in taking care of someone, but because of his humor.
"Oh, great." Tighnari says deadpanned.
"Don't act like you don't appreciate me, Tighnari. You love me!" Cyno says confidently before the other man pushes him off the wooden stool. He catches himself, of course.
"Whatever you say." Tighnari rolls his eyes, but cannot stifle the smile upon his lips. He leans his head back on the pillow, trying to get himself to relax except he can feel Cyno smiling even without looking at him.
"Don't—"
"Look! I'm not saying anything. It's just…"
"Just?"
"I know your situation is not what you wanted but I just want you to know that," He coughs. "Foot injuries take a long time to heel."
Tighnari lifts his head up and stares at Cyno, who's now laughing as if it's the best joke he has ever told anyone. His tail starts swishing in an irritated manner, and if he didn't have such an injury, he'd kick Cyno in the shins.
"You are the worst." Tighnari tells him. "Get out of my hut."
"No, no, no! I am in charge of taking care of you, so I can't exactly leave you alone." Cyno leans in and lays his head on Tighnari's shoulder. He hears a huff from the other but makes no movement to get Cyno off of him.
He feels warm and comfortable. The fake ears of his hood are touching Tighnari's fluffy ones. It's been a while since they were able to cuddle up together, after all, Cyno only has a few weeks to stay in Gandharva Ville before he returns back to the desert.
While Tighnari is a very busy forest watcher, clearing possible dangers any passerby might encounter, giving training to Forest Rangers, researching about different species of plants and making sure there aren't any troubles and disruptions to the Avidya Forests.
So for the both of them to have time to unwind despite the situation Tighnari is currently in, it feels nice. Still, the fox cannot help but feel sad.
Cyno visits and they aren't going on a date as promised? Instead they're stuck in Tighnari's hut because an adventurer with negative amounts of brain cells acted so irrationally (as usual).
Could he have avoided that if he were more attentive…?
"Hey," His thoughts were interrupted by Cyno's hand on his cheek. "Is something on your mind? Your eyebrows look irritated."
Tighnari just snuggled into the desert man in an attempt to fix his composure, but he continued to stay there, even when Cyno tapped on his nape to try and urge him to raise his head.
"....staying…" It came out as inaudible. Cyno had to make him repeat it.
"What was that?"
"How long are you staying?" He pauses. "Surely, I wasn't the only reason why you visited. Did you have urgent work in Sumeru City?" His voice was soft, but Cyno could hear a bit of disappointment in his voice.
"I did, and I have already attended to them, of course. Besides, if I had haphazardly gone here without dealing with my work, which we both know I won't do, then you would most likely scold me for it." Cyno reassures, running his fingers through the other's hair.
"All your work?" Tighnari finally raises his head and looks up at him, an eyebrow raised.
"Well…"
"You haven't?"
"Okay, I have gone to those that are urgent. The ones that cannot be ignored, and let me tell you, Tighnari, there were a lot." He knows that if Tighnari wasn't injured, he'd definitely kick him if he didn't do his tasks.
"So, I finished them, first and foremost and, maybe, told off a few of my men as well." He frowns a bit.
"But, again, I have handled them. Then, I realized that I was extremely tired, which is why I wanted to visit Gandharva Ville, to visit you. I needed to recharge." Cyno snuggles into the other. He was careful, making sure he didn't move Tighnari to avoid hurting him.
"So, I'm just an energy restoration device for you?" Tighnari's eyes narrowed, almost pouty but he won't let Cyno see him being all pathetic like that. He wouldn't be able to live this down.
"Well, that's one." Cyno admits. "The other one is because I love you, and I missed you. I went to visit you because I wanted to see you." He places a kiss on the fox's nose. "Please believe me, my love!"
Tighnari shoves his face away, huffing a laugh. "Stop with that, you dork."
"You mean, your dork."
"Of course."
Tighnari leans his head against Cyno's shoulder, feeling calm. Cyno being here always makes his day a lot better. Though the jokes that he might tell him aren't really funny, it definitely has his charm which Tighnari adores.
He smiles. Cyno being his dork would honestly sound nice.
It's silly, but it sounds nice. Very nice.
He feels Cyno nuzzling his face into his hair, making himself comfortable. "Does your foot still hurt like hell?"
"Mm.. it hurts a little less now. I guess I still have to listen to you and rest." Tighnari tells him, looking up at Cyno.
"Well, that just means that I'm a great caretaker. I already made you feel better with a couple of peaches and with my presence." Cyno says, seemingly proud. He gives Tighnari a kiss on the cheek.
"You deserve the best."
A kiss on the forehead.
"All the best."
Another kiss on his nose.
"Because you always do your best in everything you do." Cyno smiles at him before he kisses Tighnari on the lips, which the forest watcher returns eagerly.
"Need I say more?" He asks as he lets their noses touch.
"Okay, okay, Cyno!" Tighnari laughs, cupping the desert man's cheek so he can give a proper kiss back. "So this means you won't be leaving anytime soon?"
"Well, I need to take care of someone." Cyno wraps his arms around Tighnari, carefully pulling him into his embrace. "They're very important to me, and I won't ever LEG them go."
"Oh Archons." Tighnari huffs. Cyno seems pretty proud of himself for letting the fox's guard down and telling him a joke as a reward. "And who might that be exactly?"
"I think you already know, Tighnari." Cyno says as his laughing calms down.
"No, I don't think I do. I don't think I've met this person befo— Cyno!" Before he could finish, he was yet again bombarded by kisses. "Okay, okay! I know who it is now."
"Good." Cyno continues to keep Tighnari in his arms, his cheek against the fox's.
"Well, I'll be in your care, General."
"You can count on me, dearest Forest Watcher."