Chapter Text
Cyno walks into the Grand Sage’s office with a scowl on his face, his eyes on the papers in his hands as he argues, “We’re already lacking in sufficient personnel for the matra to cover the flood of new cases. It’s unreasonable for you to expect us to…” Cyno looks up to glare at the Acting Grand Sage and finds himself shocked into silence.
Two fluffy grey cat ears peek up from Alhaitham’s hair and he can barely make out a tail draped across the Grand Sage’s seat.
“You may continue.” Alhaitham says, his usual composed expression in place as if there’s absolutely nothing abnormal here.
“….Your ears…What happened?” Cyno asks faintly.
Alhaitham clears his throat, seeming mildly embarrassed. “There was a minor accident when I was visiting the Amurta laboratory to review their research proposal.”
“Minor.” Cyno states flatly, staring at the fluffy ears.
“…the physicians at the Birmastan have assured me the effects are temporary and will wear off within a week, if not less.”
Alhaitham changes the topic and says….something. Probably about the matra personnel management issue. But Cyno is so distracted the entire conversation that he has no idea what they talked about or what he agreed to.
It’s no less distracting the next time he meets with Alhaitham over some other matra business.
Cyno never thought he’d use the word cute with Alhaitham but there’s really no other way to describe how Alhaitham looks with the cat ears and he has the irrepressible desire to touch them and see if they’re as soft as they look. He has to fight to keep a smile from appearing on his face whenever he sees those furry ears twitch towards any small sound, grey tail swaying lazily behind Alhaitham.
They make the Scribe seem more approachable, especially when his fluffy ears perk up whenever he sees Cyno despite the lack of expression on Alhaitham’s face and his typical even tone.
And Cyno finds that Alhaitham’s impassive look whenever they’re quarreling is infinitely less irritating when he can see Alhaitham’s ears flattened against his head, tail lashing agitatedly behind him.
This time, Cyno finds himself leaning into Alhaitham’s space to point out some discrepancies in the reports they’re discussing. When he straightens ready to take his leave, Cyno feels something soft brushing against his hand and looks down to see a fluffy grey tail wrapped around his wrist.
“What are you looking…” Alhaitham follows his gaze and flushes with embarrassment. “My apologies, it seems to have a mind of its own.”
Cyno can’t help staring. It’s rare to see Alhaitham so flustered.
He has to admit he feels a twinge of disappointment as the fluffy tail pulls away from his wrist and before he can think better of it Cyno finds himself blurting out “Can I touch them?”
“…What?”
“Uh, your ears. Only if you don’t mind, of course. I’m just…curious.”
There’s a moment of silence as Alhaitham looks at him, his expression more blank than normal. Cyno is getting ready to verbally backpedal and apologize when Alhaitham leans his head forward saying, “Go ahead.”
Cyno can’t believe he’s feeling so excited about this. He’s standing right next to Alhaitham so he only has to reach out to touch those fluffy cat ears and…Wow. They really are as soft as they look. He can’t help the smile creeping across his face as he pets them. Tentatively he scritches behind one ear and is rewarded with a low rumbling sound from Alhaitham’s chest and the Scribe unconsciously pressing his head into his hand. Taking a peek at Alhaitham’s face he sees his eyes half lidded with contentment.
Cyno rubs the fuzzy ears for probably longer than is appropriate but before he can convince himself to stop, Alhaitham lists forward against him. Startled, Cyno catches him by the shoulders and is about to call out to him when he notices that Alhaitham’s eyes are closed and his breaths are slow and even, clearly asleep.
Thankfully Alhaithm was already seated on the couch so it doesn’t take much effort for Cyno to lay him down in a more comfortable position. As Cyno is straightening up, he feels a soft tug on his wrist and looks down to see Alhaitham’s grey fluffy tail curled around his wrist again. He tries to pull his hand gently away but the tail has a surprisingly firm grip and there doesn’t seem to be a way to dislodge it without waking Alhaitham.
Looking at the dark shadows under the man’s eyes, Cyno doesn’t quite have the heart to do so.
Assessing the situation, Cyno figures that he has three options. Lean uncomfortably over Alhaitham until he wakes, climb up and lay down next to him, or sit with Alhaitham’s head in his lap. The first option is unfortunately unfeasible so he chooses the lesser of two evils and shifts them around until he’s seated with Alhaitham’s head resting on his thighs.
He’s not looking forward to the awkward conversation they’ll inevitably have when Alhaitham wakes up, but Cyno is hoping he can sneak away before then.
Feeling a fluffy grey ear flick against his hand, Cyno gives into temptation and resumes petting them. A sudden grumbling sound from Alhaitham causes Cyno to freeze, but he only rubs his face against Cyno’s thigh and a rumbling purr starts up again.
That’s…practically permission right? He thinks he can understand why animal therapy is so effective now.
…Not that Alhaitham is a pet. He just happens to resemble a very large overgrown cat right now.
Cyno can’t remember the last time he felt so relaxed and finds his eyelids drooping to the soothing sound of Alhaitham’s purrs. He’ll just rest his eyes for a moment.