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Cyno doesn’t notice until he brushes against Tighnari’s arm as they are walking the streets of Sumeru. He should’ve noticed sooner with the way Tighnari was clutching his groceries to his chest, ears folded flat to his head. Honestly, where is Cyno’s brain? When his arm grazes Tighnari’s tense shoulder, the latter huffs and drifts further from him. Cyno ignores the stab of hurt in his stomach. He hadn’t meant to make it worse, whatever it is.
“Tighnari,” he says, “Are you all right?”
Tighnari’s only answer is a snap of his luxuriant tail. His expression is flat, lips slightly parted, eyes almost closed. His ears vibrate and flutter against his head.
“Tighnari?” Cyno tries once more. Tighnari is unresponsive, save for the way his heavy lidded gaze drags up Cyno’s face as if even seeing is a chore. The brown paper grocery bags crinkle in his taut grip.
“Hey,” Cyno coos in attempts to soothe him.
“And so Collei,” Tighnari murmurs. His words come slow as if they are a puzzle he must piece together as he is speaking them. He’s resurrecting the conversation they were engaged in earlier, before Tighnari had lapsed into a semi catatonic trance. Is Tighnari unaware of his malfunctions? Cyno isn’t nervous just yet, but his concern for his partner has him swallowing and blinking several times. No amount of repetitive body movements will ease the situation, but it’s the only function his brain knows how to conduct.
“She was,” Tighnari trails off, lost for words, searching for the conversation.
“Umm,” Cyno starts, but Tighnari doesn’t let him finish. In a rapid blur he darts down the road. Cyno follows after him. He dodges shoppers, loiterers, and passers by, just as gracefully as his fox. His heart thumps hard in his ribs. The wind lifts his vail of white hair and the sun filters hot across his face. It feels good to run. It feels good to chase. He’d find it more enjoyable if his target wasn’t his distressed boyfriend. In his rush, Tighnari drops his groceries. Cyno collects them from the ground as he goes. He follows Tighnari out of Sumeru city and into Gandharva Ville. Tighnari settles beneath the leaves of a tree, resting his back against the trunk. Cyno doesn’t make his presence known visually yet, though he’s sure Tighnari can hear his rapid heartbeat. Tighnari breathes heavy, eyes closed. His tail swooshes back and forth in a gradual rhythm. Cyno wants to be beside him, but he thinks it’s best to wait. Tighnari did run away from him after all. A few minutes pass, and Cyno decides it is okay to approach, though his lover’s heart is talking more than his rational mind.
“Tighnari,” Cyno says. He slips from his hiding place and stalks under the tree.
“Cyno,” Tighnari gasps and flinches.
“You didn’t know I was here?” Cyno asks.
“I,” Tighnari opens and closes his mouth. He understands it’s unusual of him to not be alert. It’s his standard to be vigilant of his surroundings, especially with his sensitive hearing and sense of smell. “No, I didn’t,” he hangs his head.
“That’s okay. Can i sit beside you?”
“Yeah,” Tighnari sighs.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, please,” Tighnari says. He sounds exhausted. Cyno settles beside him, careful not to get too close.
“How’d you find me?” Tighnari asks.
“I tailed you,” Cyno says.
“………”
“Do you get it?” Cyno asks, “Because you have a-“
“I get it Cyno,” Tighnari’s head lulls back. A slight chuckle rolls off his tongue, his hazel eyes bright, hair sweeping the base of his neck. He is so beautiful despite his clear exhaustion.
“You must be feeling terrible,” Cyno says, “You never laugh at my jokes.”
“That’s because they’re unfunny,” Tighnari says, “Look, I’m sorry I ran from you.”
“It’s all right,” Cyno croons, “Just tell me what’s wrong so I can help,”
“Don’t feel bad. This isn’t anything you can fix. I just got overwhelmed. I Love Sumeru city, but it’s so loud.”
“So that’s what happened,” Cyno mutters.
“It’s so loud,” Tighnari repeats, “It’s so loud! It’s so loud!” he flaps his ears, “Then you touched me and I wasn’t in control and.. and .. I’m sorry Cyno.”
“Shhh Hayaati,” Cyno hushes him gently. It aches to see his fox all worked up. “Don’t apologize okay? Shhh. It’s all right. I’m sorry for exacerbating your distress. Just breathe all right?”
“You aren’t annoyed with me?” Tighnari asks, lips parted, eyes enormous. He looks a decade younger, childish with hope.
“Of course not,” says Cyno, “What gives you that impression?”
“Cause I’d be annoyed with me,” Tighnari passes his hand over his face. Cyno’s heart sinks. It hurts to see Tighnari so hard on himself, the confidence and knowledge that makes him shine replaced with despondent sorrow.
“I’m not,” Cyno says, “And you shouldn’t be either. It can’t be helped.”
Tighnari is quiet, but he gives an eventual nod.
“That’s better,” Cyno says. He longs to touch him. He wishes he could cradle Tighnari in his arms and protect him from his own jagged, unfair feelings.
“Hey,” Cyno says, “When you’re feeling up to it, why don’t you let me groom your tail?”
“I’d appreciate it,” Tighnari says. The corners of his mouth pull up in something close to a smile. “Also, can you massage my ears? I feel like they’ve been blown inside out. I can barely hear my own self disgust.”
“There’s my Tighnari,” Cyno grins, pleased that the love of his life is regaining some of his bite. “It would be my honor,” he touches his hand to his heart, accepting the task as if it is sacred. It is to Cyno. His duty is to Sumeru and it’s archon, but his faith is to Tighnari. Tighnari’s comfort is Cyno’s ultimate priority. His happiness transcends even Celestia.
“Thank you,” Tighnari leans and presses a kiss to Cyno’s cheek. Then he dunks his head into Cyno’s lap. Cyno reaches down and strokes Tighnari’s tufted ears. He drags his nails down Tighnari’s ear, scratching around the base.
“Oh perfect,” Tighnari moans. His eyes slide shut. The leaves and boughs cast shadows on his serene countenance. His tail swishes back and forth in what Cyno knows is a happy pace. His smile widens and brightens as he rubs at Tighnari’s ears. He’s glad to have him here, in his lap. He’s glad he can do this for him, sate and coddle him. Tighnari chitters, a jubilant sound in Cyno’s experience.
“Do you know what would make this even better?” Tighnari purrs.
“A joke?”
“May the Lesser Lord sweep you into an eternal dream before that happens.”
“Rude,” Cyno pouts.
“Honest,” Tighnari corrects him, “But I was gonna say a conversation. I’ll go to sleep with you doing this if you don’t talk to me.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Assuming you can’t carry both me and my groceries back to camp, yes.”
“I could pull it off.”
“Cyno,” Tighnari peeps open one eye to glare at him.
“Fine,” Cyno pinches the tip of his ear. It twitches. Tighnari gives a grumpy snuffle but doesn’t move.
“Do you want matra drama, criminal activity updates, or Sumeru news?” Cyno asks.
“Let’s here the coworker tea,” Tighnari says with a lopsided grin.
“Gossip rag,” Cyno returns his smile