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Light, quick footsteps patter across the forest floor. Tighnari's ears quirk up, hearing the footsteps get closer and closer. He recognises the familiar pattern and prepares to greet Cyno.
They have been planning this for quite some time now. Since both men are equally busy in their respective work, they do not get much time together. With one being all the way in the Akademiya, punishing criminals and preventing crime, while the other lives in the forest, protecting it and guiding other Forest Watchers to do the same.
That being said, February 14th had been marked on their calenders. They wanted to take this day to spend time with each other, away from work.
Three polite knocks ring as Tighnari reaches the door. He opens it to be face-to-face with his lover, Cyno.
"You opened the door quick, Tighnari."
"I could hear you coming from a mile away."
Cyno nods as Tighnari lets him in.
"Hang your coat by the door, I don't want to sweep up the sand you bring in again." Tighnari scolds as he walks towards the living room.
Before doing so, Cyno took out the gift he brought in his coat. He follows quickly, not wanting to be apart from Tighnari. He wraps his arms around Tighnari's waist, presenting the gift.
"Here. I got this for you," Cyno offers gently.
Tighnari stares at the item in hand. A pressed flower bookmark. He recognises the flower to be of the Narcissus species.
"It's supposed to represent creativity and inspiration," Cyno continues.
Tighnari smiles kindly as he accepts the bright yellow bookmark.
"Thank you Cyno, this is really lovely. Did you know that the Narcissus is a genus of predominantly spring flowering perennial plants of the amaryllis family, also known as Amaryllidaceae," Tighnari drones on about the flower. Cyno listens intently.
-
Tighnari decided on his favourite dish tonight. Even though he asked Cyno multiple times what he wanted to have today, he just replied: "Whatever you make is what I want. I don't have a preference."
Cyno is still by his side, head buried in Tighnari's neck. They have moved to the kitchen, with Tighnari now preparing dinner. Cyno mumbles something into Tighnari's neck, a little too soft for his sensitive ears to pick up.
"What was that, Cyno?"
Cyno removes himself from Tighnari, allowing him to face the other. "I said, what tastes better than it smells?"
Tighnari looks at him confused, "What?"
"A tongue."
...
"Do you get the joke? It is because the tongue tastes but can't s-"
"Yes I got the joke, Cyno." Tighnari deadpanned.
Tighnari ponders for a second. Maybe he should humour Cyno for a bit since today is special.
"Why are mushrooms my favourite food?"
Cyno stares at Tighnari, hints of confusion evident on his usually stoic face.
"It's because I have so mushroom in my heart for you," Tighnari says suavely.
Silence.
Cyno blinks once, then twice.
Tighnari feels embarrassment slowly crawl up his spine, looking at Cyno for any hints of reaction.
Cyno remains expressionless.
...Until his face started turning extremely red.
Is...Is he blushing?!
Cyno quickly covers his face with his arm, tilting his head to the side in hopes that Tighnari would not be able to see his rising blush.
Tighnari grabs Cyno's head, each hand on each side, and forces Cyno to turn back and face him.
"Are you blushing?" Tighnari teases.
Cyno's eyes avoids his gaze, face still undeniably flushed.
"No."
"You totally are! You found that joke good!"
"It caught me off guard."
"Admit it! You loved it."
Cyno sighs, and nods curtly, smiling at Tighnari. Even though the blush had calmed down a bit, it is still prominent. Tighnari stares into Cyno's eyes. Eyes that convey so much more than what he usually says or does. His eyes are full of love and admiration. Tighnari can only hope to reciprocate it by showering Cyno with affection.
"It was a really good joke, didn't know you had it in you, Nari."
Tighnari smiles, stupidly bright. He peppers Cyno's face in kisses, hugging him tight.
"You're a dork, you know that?"
Cyno only tightens his arms around Tighnari, both of them embraced in a hug.
They hold each other like that for a little bit, enjoying being in each other's arms and feeling the warmth radiate. Tighnari breaks the silence.
"Oh, don't think that I'll be making these puns often though. It was just a one time thing." Tighnari stated.
"You mean, a one thyme thing?"
Tighnari groans, leaving Cyno's side to continue with dinner preparation. Cyno joins him.
-
Cyno was strangely quiet throughout dinner. Usually, he would crack a joke or two, earning displeasured sounds from Tighnari, and occasionally Collei whenever she joined for dinner. Tighnari could sense something was on his lover's mind.
"Cyno, are you okay? Is the food not to your liking?"
Cyno snaps his head up, looking at Tighnari with furrowed brows.
"No it's really good, I would never dislike your cooking." He ensured. "It's just..."
"Just...?" Tighnari encourages him to continue.
"Your joke is stuck in my head."
Tighnari thinks for a bit, before realising what he meant.
"You... You're still thinking about that?"
Cyno nods in agreement. Tighnari is at a loss for words. He lets out a snort, trying his best to stifle his laughter.
"Come here," Tighnari beckons with his arms open.
Cyno walks up and sits on his lap without hesitation, arms around Tighnari's shoulders. He brushes Cyno's bangs out of his eyes.
"I'm glad you liked the terrible joke. Even though it was really bad, I do mean it." Tighnari expresses, heart fond.
A beat of comfortable silence passes.
"I love you Tighnari."
Cyno looks at Tighnari, eyes shining.
Tighnari feels his chest tighten. Archons, this man is going to be the death of him.
"I love you too, Cyno."