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The Avidya Forest never sleeps. Tighnari knew that fact all too well. Even more so now, as he lay awake, restless in bed, flinching at the sounds of the booming thunder. Every time he thought he might doze off, another crack of thunder would strike the ground and he’d be jolted awake.
Despite using his hands to push his ears down onto his head, and then turning to using a pillow to muffle the sounds, his ears were too sensitive and the sound of thunder always managed to reach them.
He groaned in frustration, wrenching the pillow off his head. Then, quite suddenly, his ears perked and swivelled as he noticed another sound amongst the bolts of thunder.
Footsteps. Footsteps he would recognise anywhere, including in the middle of a thunderstorm. However, where the footsteps would be light, heaviness took their place.
Cyno was the only person he knew to be reckless enough to travel in such conditions but be logical enough to make it through unscathed. Unscathed by the storm at least.
He flung his blanket off his body and swung his legs over the side of the bed sighing. What had that stubborn scholar got himself into this time?
As he reached the door, he heard a knock and swiftly opened it. He was met with the sight of a drenched, cloaked figure with piercing red eyes, the left (or at least Tighnari’s left) hidden by a tuft of white hair. His polerarm, in a tight grasp next to him, wavered slightly, as well as the figure, from being used to support the General’s weight.
“Cyno…”
Tighnari’s eyes met the singular red one with sympathy.
Cyno was shivering, clutching his polerarm for dear life. “Hello Tighnari.” His voice raspy from disuse.
Tighnari lightly tugged him inside, and closed the door behind them. He helped take off Cyno’s cloak, and lean the polerarm against the wall.
Cyno followed him to the bed where he climbed on and layed down without a word. Tighnari pulled his desk chair from its place to the side of the bed, and sat down. He carefully propped Cyno up with a few pillows before removing the desert jackal headpiece. He examined Cyno’s body for injuries and noticed multiple scratches and bruises along his arms and legs.
He was in the middle of removing Cyno’s chest piece when his body shook with a chesty cough. Tighnari placed the back of his hand to Cyno’s forehead, of which was burning hot despite the weather outside.
“Fever…” Tighnari murmured, “You should know better than to travel in these conditions.” The armoured chest piece now fully removed.
Cyno only groaned in response. Tighnari tried not to wince at the deep bruising on his chest.
“What happened?”
“Eremites. Hired by a scholar.” Cyno mumbled.
Tighnari shook his head, ears wobbling in the process, and left his seat to mix together some medicine and retrieve bandages.
Tighnari retrieved a mortar and pestle from his shelves, eyes roaming his collection of herbs. He selected a few, before grinding them up. Tighnari glanced back to Cyno but the other showed no sign of acknowledgment. He sighed and returned with the poultice and some bandages he kept around.
He practically collapsed into his chair and took a closer look at his wounds to decide whether they needed stitches. Thankfully, none of them were deep enough, but they would need medical attention. He bit back a wince.
Tighnari applied the poultice to the wound. He worked relentlessly, constantly whispering apologies when he felt Cyno wince. Time was distant to Tighnari, nothing came between him and his patient. His friend. Lover. Outside, the storm roared and the rain patted against the roof. All of these were but a faint buzz in contrast to the sight before him.
After the he cleaned the cut, he bandaged it up, flinching at the sudden boom of thunder he had forgotten about whilst worrying for Cyno.
Cyno frowned. “Are you alright?”
Tighnari gave a small smile.
“Yes, the thunder just,” another crack of thunder made him jump, “caught me off guard.” He murmured.
Cyno clumsily reached his hands up to Tighnari’s ears, to weakly press them down on his head in a half-hearted attempt to block out the sounds of thunder. It didn’t really work but it made Tighnari laugh. It reassured him if nothing else.
“Thank you.” He said happily, reaching up to hold Cyno’s hands in his. Nothing else mattered. He was content in the moment, he could almost pretend like Cyno had not shown up with littered with scratches and scars. Almost.
“No, thank you.” Cyno returned the smile. “Lay with me?”
Tighnari rolled his eyes, but relented, for both their sakes.
“Fine, but be careful to not put strain on your injuries. Let me know if they cause you any pain.” He leaned back and got up from the chair, returning it to its place at his desk. While he was up, he put water on to boil and scoured through the cupboards for tea leaves.
After he found what he was looking for, and prepared the tea, he returned with two cups for them both. He climbed on the bed, being careful as to not spill the tea, and handed Cyno his cup.
He took it gratefully and sipped it, sighing in content. Tighnari placed his free hand in Cyno’s, who’s hand was laid on the bed in between them. Tighnari’s palm found Cyno’s and their fingers intertwined. Gods, he loved this man so much. How could he not?
The laid there, sipping tea for some time until they had drained their cups. Tighnari made a quick trip to the kitchen with the cups and put them away. He returned to see Cyno’s sleepy figure staring into space.
He sighed and circled the bed until he was at Cyno’s side.
“Cyno, you feeling better?” He spoke softly, in an attempt not to rouse Cyno too suddenly. Cyno turned his head. Their eyes locked but Cyno’s seemed foggy. Tighnari smiled and reached his hand out to slowly rub his his cheek with his thumb.
“I’m going to fetch you some medicine for sleep, then if you want I can lay with you?”
Cyno nodded, too tired to utter a single word.
“Okay, just stay here for me and try not to fall asleep just yet. I won’t be gone for long.” Cyno simply nodded again.
Tighnari stood up and creeped to the cupboards and pulled out some simple pain relief and sleep medication. He let the tension fall from his shoulders and pushed down the anxiety. He knew Cyno would pull through. He was just a bit tired.
He filled a small glass with water and returned to the bed. Cyno was still clinging to consciousness, but seemed as though he could nod off any second. Tighnari huffed, slightly amused, and part relieved.
He put the glass on the small table beside the bed with the medication, and gently tapped the other’s hand. Cyno looked back to Tighnari, then to the medication. “Here. This should help.” Tighnari promised.
Cyno reached out and took the tablets. He placed them on the back of his tongue, took a sip of water, and washed the two tablets down his throat. Tighnari smiled.
“There you go. I’ll lay with you now, as promised.” He walked round to his side of the bed and carefully got in, trying not to disturb the other. Cyno had to lay on his back because of the cut on his chest, so Tighnari tried to make it more comfortable by curling up next to him and wrapping his tail protectively around Cyno’s waist. He stuck his head in the crook of Cyno’s neck, ears tickling his chin.
“Tighnari?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for taking care of me.” Tighnari lifted his head to look Cyno in the eyes. He smiled softly, losing himself in those intense red eyes. There was no place he would rather be.
“You’re very welcome.” He buries his head in Cyno’s neck again before continuing, “I love you.” He felt a hand reach to his head and he melted into the soft hands tangling themselves in his hair.
“Love you too Nari.” His hands moved to scratch the base of his ears and Tighnari purred approvingly.
Eventually Cyno’s hands stopped their movements, and his breathing evened out. Tighnari took the opportunity to snuggle closer, squeeze his tail tighter and nuzzle his lovers neck affectionately.
They fell asleep together, at peace and at home.
———————————————
Tighnari was only slightly surprised to wake up first.
Next to him, Cyno slept on. Tighnari smiled. He deserved the rest. Tighnari was drawn from Cyno’s sleeping figure by a knock at the door.
“Master?” Collei’s muffled voice came from the other side of the hut.
Tighnari quietly left his bed and cracked open the door. He held a finger up to his lips.
“Cyno is still resting his injuries at the moment. Is there something you needed?” He whispered.
“Oh, General Mahamatra Cyno is here?”
“Yes, he arrived last night.”
“How is he?” She asked, biting her lip in worry. Tighnari smiled softly.
“He’s doing well. His injuries were not life-threatening. Is there another reason why you’re here?” He asked patiently.
“Oh! Yes, uhm, about today’s patrol…”
Tighnari tilted his head, causing his ears to fall floppily on one side. Collei cleared her throat.
“Canicome?” She blurted out quickly, scrunching her eyes and tensing. Tighnari laughed quietly.
“Yes, of course. I do believe you are ready.” Collei opened here eyes and gave him a look of pure disbelief.
“Really?” She asked, eyes wide.
Tighnari nodded. “Really.”
She gasped. “Yes!— Uhm, I mean, thank you Master Tighnari.”
“It’s no problem Collei. I’ll see you later.”
“See you later Master!” She skipped off, humming happily. He shook his head in endearment and turned back inside. As he walked back, Cyno stirred. He blearily opened his eyes and groaned.
Tighnari huffed in amusement.
“How are you feeling?”
“Stiff.” Cyno replied, voice scratchy with sleep.
“Just means you’ll be stuck here with me and Collei a bit longer.” Tighnari gave a lopsided smile. Cyno huffed a laugh.
“Fine with me.” He yawned and patted Tighnari’s side of the bed. “Come back.”
Tighnari rolled his eyes and joined him, sighing at the warmth. Cyno smiled and looked at his tail. “Can I pet your tail?” He murmured.
“Mhm.” Cyno carefully reached a hand down to Tighnari’s dark green tail, and lightly brushed his fingers through it. Tighnari sighed again, melting into the sheets and closing his eyes in bliss.
Cyno reached the other hand up to run his fingers up and down the soft fur of one of Tighnari’s ears. He delicately brushed his fingers along the inside, rubbing in circles with his thumb. Tighnari purred, ears pinning back against his head and tail lightly thumping against the mattress under Cyno’s hand. Cyno laughed quietly.
“Do you like that?” He mumbled.
“Mm. So good. Keep going.” Tighnari replied sleepily. Cyno leaned down and placed a kiss to Tighnari’s forehead.
“I love you.” He whispered.
“Love you too.” He yawned, showing his canines, and nuzzling his face in Cyno’s neck. Not long after, Tighnari’s breathing evened out and his tail swished slowly in peace. He purred lightly in his sleep, content in the warmth. Cyno chuckled, brushing Tighnari’s hair out of his face and smiling.
He yawned and hugged Tighnari closer. He fell asleep and soon the pair were sleeping deeply again in each other’s arms.