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“Oh wow, these flowers look nice!” The dancer exclaimed. She took a small smell of the flower, making her let out a relaxing sigh.
“They smell wonderful too.” She grinned. Nilou turned to face the General, who wasn’t too far from her. He was merely watching her do whatever she did while crossing his arms. Whether he intentionally meant it or not, it looks a bit intimidating. “Come, you have to smell it.” The red head invited. Cyno hesitated a bit before making his way towards the flowers.
He leaned to the flower, taking a small sniff of them. The smell was nice, however it felt…rather strong. At least for him. Cyno let out a soft hum. “Do you think Candace would like them?” Nilou asked. The albino thought about it, Candace would like anything her girlfriend gave her. Whether or not Candace herself liked them or not, the fact that she was getting her gifts in the first place was enough to warm her heart.
“I personally think the scent is a bit strong, however I believe that Candace would like it—no matter the gift.” Cyno replied, Nilou gave a small giggle. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I guess I have to up my gift-giving game!” She smiled. Before Cyno could say anything, Nilou bought two different bouquets and paid the shop owner. They both exchanged ‘thank you’s before Nilou dragged Cyno to the next stand.
Their next stand was jewelry. Nilou quickly let out a soft ‘oooh’ before looking at gems. There were many different types, from earrings to necklaces to the color of the stones and their size. The red head was quickly enchanted by them, it felt awkward for the general to just be…standing there, watching her.
To avoid making himself feel more awkward, his eyes started darting around. Trying to find something to take his attention away, what he did notice was the amount of people here. Were there always this many here? Before he could answer the question himself, his eyes captured an item.
It was a small stuffed animal. It didn’t look any bigger than 20cm, not to mention it was a lion. Rather than being realistic, it was more cartoonish. The mane wasn’t lots of strands of fake hair, but instead just one shape. The shape of a star. It was sitting down and had a grumpy but cute expression on its face.
It reminded him of something…someone.
A certain…architect.
Cyno made his way to the stand, luckily it was just across from them. The stand owner quickly fixed his posture.
“W—What can I do for you General?” He stuttered, probably cursing himself in his head. Cyno didn’t say anything, what he did do was take a closer look at the stuffed animal. Some people around him stopped by to take a look at what the general was doing at a stand made for children.
“The lion,” He said firmly. “How much is it?” Cyno asked, pointing at it. The store owner gulped before giving him a price.
“2,000 Mora—But it’s on the house! For you!” He quickly added, trying his best not to upset the man. Cyno shook his head. “No, you’re making a business. I will not take something without paying you in return just because of my status.” He affirmed. The albino reached for his bag of mora, placing it on the table.
“Sir—This is far too much.” He choked on his words.
“I’m aware. Please keep it.” Cyno added. The store owner figured it was useless to argue with the general, He gave the stuffed to the albino. Once he hand it in his hands, Cyno took the chance to look at it from all angles. It was indeed well made. “Thank you, have a nice day.” He said before making his way back to Nilou, who was about to finish paying.
She gave the mora to the store owner, also thanking them. Once she was finished, she turned to face Cyno.
“Ah, I was wondering where you went off too. I was just hoping you’d come back on your own.” She gave a small laugh. Her attention was caught by the stuffed animal he was holding.
“Cyno, I didn’t know you were someone who likes stuffed animals.” Nilou pointed out. He shook his head.
“I’m not, at least—I don’t think so. However, I saw this across from us and…it just reminded me of someone.” He explained. “What do you think?”
“Well, it’s very cute.” Nilou grinned. “I love how it’s more cartoonish than realistic, it makes it even more lovely.” Cyno only nodded.
“What did you get?” He asked, this was Nilou’s que to show him the small box she had. She laid the flowers on a nearby table before opening it. Inside had nice gold earrings, with a small blue gem hanging from them.
“I got these! I think they fit with Candace’s aesthetic, don’t you think?” Nilou asked, excited as ever. Those earrings might quite literally be the perfect earrings for someone like Candace.
“I think so too, you really picked the best ones.” Nilou smiled even more, closing the box and taking the flowers into her arms. “I’m glad, I hope she enjoys them.” She replied.
“Well, I should get going. I should leave now if I want to reach the desert before it gets too dark.” The red head said, putting the items in a gift bag she also bought with the box. Cyno offered to guide her to Aaru Village but she politely declined. With that, Nilou said goodbye before taking her exit.
Now with Cyno all alone, he looked at the stuffed animal. He figured right now was the best time to find the architect and gift him this item.
The general made his way to Alhaitham’s home, he figured Kaveh would be there. If not, he might have been looking for clients. If that were the case, Cyno would have to come back later so as not to disturb his lover.
Once he arrived, the albino knocked on the door.
No answer.
He knocked again.
Yet no answer.
It seems like the latter was correct. Kaveh wasn’t here, so he would have to come back later. What about the stuffed animal? He couldn’t leave it here, Cyno didn’t think that Sumerians would steal the plush—but it’s not impossible.
It’s probably best for Cyno to keep it around him, to guarantee its safety.
The sky was primarily dark, however you could still see the sun peeking its head over the horizon. In his dark purple cloak,Cyno made his way back to Alhaitham’s house. He was hoping that someone was there. Someone willing to take the stuffed animal and give it to Kaveh. Though he would much rather do it himself, as long as the blonde received the gift, that was more than enough for him.
As he made his way to the scribe’s house, he noticed a figure sitting on the door steps. The general couldn’t make out who it was, so he got closer.
It was none other than Kaveh himself.
What was he doing all alone, out here?
“Kaveh?” Cyno called out, the blonde jumped a bit and quickly turned to face the man. It seemed like he was in his thoughts from his reaction.
“Huh—Cyno? What are you doing here?” Kaveh asked, looking surprised. “I thought you would be in the desert, or something. Doing missions I mean.” Cyno let out a soft chuckle before making his way towards the architect and sitting down next to him.
“I finished my missions, for today at least.” The albino explained, “I can say the same for you, why are you out here?”
Kaveh groaned, putting his face into his hands. “I left my keys. Either inside or Alhaitham has them.” He mumbled. Cyno was not expecting that answer, but it was better than what he thought. He thought that he and the scribe had gotten into a fight and Kaveh stormed out.
“I’m such an idiot..I have to be more careful where I leave them.” The blonde complained to himself, Cyno patted his back to comfort him.
“Well, now you know better.” Cyno assured. “I don’t! This isn’t my first time, it happens at least like…once a week. Thrice if I'm really unlucky.” Kaveh explained.
“But, I appreciate the help. Thank you, Cy.” The blonde removed his face from his hands, looking at his lover with a small smile. Cyno only nodded, sharing the same smile.
The two males didn’t say much after that, just sitting together and sharing the moment. Then the albino suddenly remembered why he was here.
“Oh, Kaveh,” Cyno spoke, catching Kaveh’s attention instantly. “Here, I got you something.” He searched around in his cloak, trying to feel for the bag he was carrying. Once he got the bag, he dug his hand into finding the stuffed animal from many hours ago.
Cyno took his hands out from under the cloak, holding the stuffed animal. It caught Kaveh off guard, looking at the fearsome general holding such a cute object.
“Uh—A stuffed lion?” He asked, smiling but obviously confused. Cyno nodded. “I bought it from Grand Bazaar.”
“It…reminded me of you.”
Kaveh’s face reddened at that. He bought it for him, just because it reminded Cyno of him.
“Of course, if it’s you don’t have a penchant for these things, you don’t have to tak—”
“No it’s…I love it.”
Cyno’s eyes widened, his face warming up.
“I just didn’t…expect you to buy anything for me, let alone something like this.” Kaveh explained, reaching for Cyno’s hands, who were holding the plush. “But, I think that’s really nice of you. Also, a cute side of you I get to see.” The blonde chuckled, the general’s face grew redder—giving a soft scoff.
“No problem, I don’t mind buying you anything. It’s something small anyways, I feared that you might have not liked it.”
“To be honest, if it’s from you, I don’t really mind.” Kaveh smiled. Cyno gave the stuffed animal to the architect and he placed it in his lap. He leaned into the general’s face, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“Thank you.”
Cyno couldn’t help but smile, it was out of character for someone like him. However, Kaveh would forever cherish these moments where Cyno could properly express himself.
“By the way, the lion looks like you when you bicker with Alhaitham.” He pointed out, making Kaveh gasp a bit.
“Does not!” He responded, the albino only chuckled. He leaned against Kaveh’s shoulder.
“It does so.” Cyno laughed, Kaveh only pouted and started to calm himself. If he continued to be riled up like this, it would only prove his point further.
“How long do you usually wait here?” Cyno asked, looking at the dark sky as the sun no longer peeked its head. “It really depends. I have to wait for Alhaitham to come home or wait until he opens the door.”
Kaveh groans. “From the looks of it, it seems like he’s inside, probably sleeping or has his noise canceling headphones on.” He held Cyno’s hand. “So sorry I dragged you into this, you’re free to leave.”
The general shook his head. “I’m not leaving until I know you make it inside. I don’t have anything else, and I’d much rather stay with you.” Kaveh’s face reddened, he only sighed.
“T—Thank you.” He gave up instantly, there wasn’t any point in arguing. After some silence, Cyno spoke up yet again.
“So, are you going to name the stuffed animal?” Kaveh blinked at him.
“What?”
“A name.”
“Why would I name a stuffed animal?” The blonde chuckled, Cyno only shrugged.
“Why not?” He hummed.
“Alright, what name do you suggest?”
“Kaveh Junior.”
“Absolutely not.”
The sun had risen, its light spreading across the entirety of Sumeru. Kaveh lazily opened his eyes, yawning as he tried to wake himself up. Taking a look at his surroundings, he was outside. Outside of Alhaitham’s house, he must have slept while waiting for the door to open up for him.
The blonde sighed, it wasn’t his first time. As he was about to get up, he felt some weight on his shoulders. Kaveh looked to the side to see the general, sleeping peacefully as if they weren’t outside. The architect suddenly felt guilty, for dragging Cyno into a mess that was most certainly his fault.
Again, he was surprised how peaceful he was sleeping. Cyno is always traveling, maybe sleeping at someone’s doorstep was much more tame compared to everything else. He definitely has to make it up to Cyno.
Suddenly, the door behind them opened. Kaveh quickly turned and the sudden movement caused Cyno to wake up. As the door opened, behind it was no other than the scribe.
“Why are you two out here?” He asked.
“Because someone didn’t open up! I was stuck here for hours!” Kaveh complained. Cyno rubbed his eyes and looked up the scribe. It took a moment for Cyno to fully wake up.
“You were…inside the whole time?” The albino asked, almost sounding baffled. Alhaitham nodded.
“Then why didn’t you open the door?!” The blonde exclaimed.
“You never bothered to knock.”
Kaveh and Cyno both fell silent. They were both carried away with each other last night that they forgot to do the sensible thing and knock.
“Well, here are your keys. Don’t lose them again.” Alhaitham gave the blonde his keys before walking off, probably to the akademiya. Kaveh only sighed.
“Again, sorry for dragging you into this.” Cyno shook his head before kissing the architect's cheek. “No worries, I didn’t mind sleeping with you.”
“Don’t word it like that!” Kaveh’s face grew red, the general only chuckled.
“Well, I have to get going.” Cyno said before getting up. “Take care, both you and the stuffed animal.”
Kaveh gave a small smile before nodding. “Take care, Cyno.” The general waved before taking his leave. Kaveh’s eyes fell down to the lion that his lover gave him.
He was starting to be really fond of it.