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“The cactus flowers you picked for me can be made into a fragrant shampoo that keeps your hair healthy. I use it for my tail. The formula doesn’t include chemicals that will containment the water or harm the fish.” Tighnari told Cyno. While he wasn’t interested in botany, he liked listening to Tighnari ramble about different flowers. His voice was soothing and Cyno could hear how passionate he was.
They went to a secluded waterfall to share a bath. The water was shallow and it only reached their waists when they sat down. Tighnari cupped water in his hands and poured it over Cyno’s hair, washing away the shampoo. His hands followed the water down his lean muscles. His fingers paused over an old scar on his back. “I also made salves with the flower that you bought me. Take them with you on your next trip.”
Their work kept them busy and they couldn’t spend as much time together as they wanted. They cherished the clandestine meetings they were able to have. They idly talked about his research and Collei’s progress. The waterfall drowned out the sound of the rainforest and they were in a haven with only each other.
Tighnari could barely feel the cold water with Cyno sitting next to him. His body was warm like the sun and tempted him to nestle against his chest. He quickly pushed the thought from his mind. While people rarely visited the waterfall, he couldn’t risk someone seeing them together in such a compromising position. He tilted his head into the waterfall to cool his thoughts.
“We should head back or else the water will turn us into prunes.” Tighnari stood and made his way to the riverbank where their clothes were. He used a towel to dry his hair and waved his tail to shake away as much water as he could. He kept his fur well maintained but it was difficult to dry at times. Sometimes, he wished he had a pyro vision to dry his fur easier.
He started to slip on a robe but he was stopped by a light tug on the fabric. Cyno hugged him from behind and draped his arms over Tighnari’s shoulders. He plucked the towel from his hand and said, “I’ll brush your tail for you.”
Tighnari didn’t mind when people touched his tail or ears but having someone brush them was much more intimate. His tail swayed languidly behind him as he considered his offer. After a moment, Tighnari adjusted his robe over himself and sat down on a large rock. He looked over his shoulder to Cyno and said, “There’s a comb in my bag. Don’t be too rough.”
“You asked me to be rough last night.” Cyno sat behind him. When Tighnari saw his suggestive smile, he blushed and lightly slapped him with his tail. The contrast between his serious persona of General Mahamatra and how he acted when they were alone never failed to make Tighnari’s heart race. He was able to see a side of Cyno that others didn’t.
He laid his tail over Cyno’s lap. His hair was soft and the water enhanced the unique scent of incense and flowers that he associated with Tighnari. Cyno gently pressed the towel against his fur and Tighnari relaxed under his touch. His hands were strong yet his touch was light. Once his tail was dry, he began to comb out the knots in his fur.
“You get into hairy situations while you’re out on patrol. You always pull through so you’re a cut above the rest.” Cyno waited for his reaction but only silence followed his joke. “You see, that was—”
“A pun about hair that’s quite fitting for the situation considering you’re brushing my tail?” He finished for him. He rarely laughed at Cyno’s forced pun but he had to admit that they had their own charm. “I know you tell those jokes so people won’t be so stiff around you. However, you don’t need to bother with things like that when you’re with me. I love you.”
“I know. I like hearing you laugh though.” He kissed his ear. Tighnari watched their reflection in the water and saw the affection and longing in his red eyes. While others thought his sharp gaze was intimidating, comparing its colour to fire or blood, they were beautiful to Tighnari. He would compare his eyes to a desert sunset. Cyno added: “You and Collei laugh at Kaveh’s stories.”
“Are you jealous?” Tighnari asked and Cyno muttered a response. He didn’t know whether he should roll his eyes or chuckle at his pointless jealousy. Tighnari pulled his tail from his hands so he could sit on his lap. He rested his head against his shoulder and closed his eyes. “There’s no reason for you to be jealous. I chose you.”
His race was known for being loners but Tighnari was surprisingly popular during their time as students. He was focused on his studies so he didn’t become close with students beyond a few study groups. Cyno was the only one who could pull his focus away from botany when they were in the Akademiya. No matter if they were discussing research or playing Genius Invokation, he made him happy.
Cyno buried his face into his neck and his lips tickled his skin, making Tighnari laugh softly. Hearing that, Cyno nestled against him more and his light giggle grew louder. Tighnari covered his mouth to keep himself from being too loud and risking someone finding them. He felt Cyno’s lips curve into a smirk against his neck. He wasn’t able to see his face but he could easily imagine the expression he had at that moment. “It looks like I can make you laugh, after all.”
“Where are your hands going, Cyno? I doubt it’s to make me laugh.” He said when Cyno ran his fingers up his leg. Tighnari placed his hand over his but he didn’t push it away. He tilted his head back and, with his free hand, he cupped Cyno’s cheek. He drew him down into a light kiss that was far too short for either of them. Reluctantly, he pulled away. “I told the rangers I’d be back before the night shift so we can’t.”
“I can finish brushing your hair in your room.” Cyno offered and stroked his tail. “Do you have to go on patrol tonight?”
“No.” Tighnari shook his head. “Though, I was planning to test a few things tonight. You can help me.”