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When are you coming?
This has been the question Tighnari has been asking.
You promised...
It was rubbish for him to think like that, his lover is General Mahamatra. The Judicator, the justice of Sumeru. It wasn't a false promise if the general had last-minute work.
But it hurts...
He hasn't seen Cyno for a long time. It was only when they sent each other secret letters. The general will visit him for dinner, they will catch up together, and they will tell stories about their lives. Tighnari would talk about a new species he discovered and Cyno would listen to him while grooming his tail.
Thinking about it makes Tighnari miss him more.
Tighnari never let his feelings get the best of him. He is strong, and work always keeps him busy to even remember how he feels.
It's been so hard for him in the past few weeks, all he yearned for is someone to hold on to, the warmth of his lover.
when patrolling he stumbles upon a flower that blooms somehow in the forest. The flower is a rare specie and only grow in desert climate. How did it survive in the rainforest? Inspecting it, the shades of purple have a unique hue and unique shape.
The shape of a heart.
Heart of the Forest. Heart of the Desert.
Heart of...
He didn't continue there.
It's already passed midnight, Tighnari knows he should be asleep, he has a patrol early in the morning. He sighed, walked out of his hut, and sat down to watch the stars.
Do you watch the stars in the desert too?
Heh, probably not. How silly.
He chuckled thinking that Cyno might do a star pun. Cyno would explain it too. How frustrating but charming of him. He hugged his knees, and automatically his tail wrapped around him. It's really cold, Cyno probably would get sick if he doesn't wear his cloak, or rather tuck his hands on the fox's tail.
You are everywhere in my mind. I can't help but worry, you aren't taking care of yourself.
I miss you...
Come home to us... to me...
Cyno...
He felt something suddenly wet on his cheek. Oh, he is crying. He would wipe away his emotion as soon as he shed a tear, but tonight what is the point? The Forest Watcher is a human and a fox. A human that isn't a robot. A fox that is longing for his mate. As stern as he is with his students and fellow watchers— he is a fragile gentle soul. He let out a quiet sob and whimpers. He didn't want to worry little Collei about his cries for his lover, but it made him feel alone.
He is in pain.
I miss you, please come home to me... It's agonizing...
"Come home..."
His ears perked up from the sudden rustle from the tree. He quickly wiped his eyes and scanned the area. A silhouette was approaching him, and his eyes lowered with the familiarised footsteps. The figure approached the light, a smile so sincere that Tighnari burst into tears again. He ran hugging the man who was none other than the general himself.
"I'm home." Cyno cooed, a voice so gentle and lovingly as the fox remembers.
Tighnari couldn't help but cry more. His face hiding on the General's chest. Cyno hushed his cries, holding his face, wiping the tears gently with his thumb.
The fox smiled.
"Welcome home, Cyno."