Chapter Text
There was a particularly secluded section in the House of Daena that was strictly off-limits. Unofficially, anyway.
Technically speaking, that spot in the library was free for all students anytime. After all, there were still valuable books and research reports there. It’s just.. They dare not stay there or, given the choice, not go there at all.
No one knows exactly the reason why it became an unspoken rule for students to steer clear when it came to that specific place (they even began to call it the forbidden section or the sacred spot due to how infamous it was). Over the years, various rumors and terrifying tales were spoken of amongst the Akademiya populace. The more popular ones being: a polite favor from the library ghost to stay away at night, a scholar going mad when he studied there, being cursed and electrocuted if you take even one step toward that section, and lastly a wandering Kathryine in the night.
It didn't help stop rumors when students and scholars heard one of the Akademiya’s esteemed masters (a master!) muttering about a ‘cold and piercing gaze’ as that same master would increase their pace (almost practically running by the end) whenever crossing by the library’s forbidden section.
Whatever the reason could be, it didn’t change the fact that the unspoken rule was well practiced amongst everyone.
Upperclassmen of each darshan would orient their new underclassmen of the library rules with special emphasis on the unwritten law of ‘you see that spot over there, yeah, don’t ever stay there. You can get the book that you need but you have to leave quickly’.
It was also a well-known fact that the only people brave enough, who would dare, to actually hang out in that section were the Grand Scribe …and the General Mahamatra.
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Many years ago…
Tighnari slowly walked toward the entrance of the House of Daena, carrying an armful of books that he had borrowed the month prior. He still had quite a lot of books left in his apartment to return to the library as well but considering that he already had an armful right now and it’s already so late…
Tighnari sighed. It seems that he’s going to have to take some time tomorrow. Archons, after a week of seemingly unending exams and school requirements, he was planning to just actively do nothing all day tomorrow aside from grooming his tail and hair; an activity that he had neglected this week in favor of studying and tiring his brains out. He must look like a ghost right now.
Putting each book back to their respective shelves, Tighnari started to make his way back to the exit after finishing. He stopped in his tracks, however, when his ears began to pick up the low voices of two people.
He hadn’t noticed it before with him being too tired and too busy with his task. But now though, with the addition of the library being devoid of people aside from him and these two, their voices to Tighnari’s ears were as clear as day.
Most importantly, the reason he did stop walking was because he recognized one of them.
“Hey! Be careful with that, don’t pull.”
Cyno.
Tighnari furrowed his eyebrows at that, worried and alarmed to hear Cyno in pain.
Another voice whispered something that made Tignhari raise his brow in surprise, “... rry, there are knots..” there are what?
At the same time, Tighnari resumed walking towards where the Cyno and this stranger were. Their voices gradually increased in volume with each step.
“Ah!” Cyno groaned in pain. “Don’t pull so hard, Alhaitham. Archons.”
Tighnari relaxed a bit. It didn't seem that Cyno was being beaten up although Tighnari still doesn’t know the exact situation but… the other person was Alhaitham? He didn’t know they knew each other.
Just in case… Tighnari grabbed one of the books on a table as he crossed over to the area where Cyno and Alhaitham were. They were in an area easily overlooked. Right in a secluded corner of the library where, from what he remembered, situated was a table and a few chairs hidden by the bookshelves.
He clutched the book and crouched down to slowly move towards the end of the bookshelf to see the other side. If it were the worst-case scenario, with the element of surprise by his side, then he could probably overpower Alhaitham. He might get suspended by assaulting another student but screw that, screw the Akademiya he can learn botany elsewhere anyway.
No one hurts his friend. Not on his watch.
He took a peek.
…
…. He blinked.
….. Oh. Oh.
Archons, although he was prepared for different scenarios nothing could have prepared him for this.
Slowly, he moved back, then returned the book he was clutching back to where it belonged and power walked toward the doors to the outside.
Just as he was about to open the doors, the door opened and a student stumbled through.
The scene of Cyno and Alhaitham in that secluded corner entered Tighnari’s mind. Of Alhaitham carefully combing Cyno’s hair and Cyno, with his eyes closed, enjoying the care being given to him. The concentration and reverence in Alhaitham’s eyes. And that one instance, the quick reverent kiss to the strands of Cyno’s hair.
Tighnari’s body moved before his brain could process, he grabbed the student’s shoulder. The student looked at him with wide eyes filled with terror. Of what? He doesn’t know.
Tighnari looked straight into the student’s eyes and said, “It’s late. The House of Daena’s closed for today so come back tomorrow, okay?”
The two people inside… Let them have this moment together.