Archive of Our Own

Cyno wasn’t sure since when did Alhaitham started sitting next to him. The food on the plates are dwindling, and loud chatters dimming into quiet conversations between just two or three people shows that the night is coming to a close. This must be one of those conversations.

“Although the matras will be working closely under my stead to close the loopholes regarding Canned Knowledge and the Akasha, anything regarding the Akademiya’s policies are mostly not in my control. That is for the newly appointed Sages to work on. I am only able to make suggestions as far as I am aware.” Cyno glances to Alhaitham on his left. He seems to listen so intently when his head lowers a bit.

“And one of those suggestions was appointing me to be the Grand Sage?” Alhaitham grimaces. “I knew it. You should have just said you were one of them earlier.”

Of all the times they have been argued since their first this encounter, this is surprisingly the first time he sees Alhaitham looking with such intense annoyance. Cyno sighs. “I knew you wouldn’t like it coming from me, so I decided to omit my involvement initially. After all, you just witnessed a few moments where my judgement was not the most profound.”

“You had no idea that the Sages were so afraid of your judgement that they have to resort to such methods in order to keep themselves safe.” Alhaitham jumps in.

“Perhaps, but the technology has been evolved for some time. I could have seen that coming.” Cyno looks down with his eyes strained. “It shows that I still have much to hone to fulfill my position to the highest standard. So I didn’t want that to make you think that my recommendation is flawed; like everyone else, I truly believe you fit best for this position.

There was a long pause from Alhaitham, so Cyno looks up to him again. His turquoise eyes are widened, and it stops doing so when their gaze meet as Alhaitham recollects himself. 

“I didn’t expect that answer from you. I thought the exact opposite: if even you think that I am the most suitable candidate for the Grand Sage, then there really is no way for me to avoid that responsibility. And I’m annoyed that this is what might come to be, because I was not working towards a promotion.”

This time, it’s Cyno that is taken aback by how highly Alhaitham seems to regard his opinion, and then also saying it with such an adorable expression.

Huh? What is he thinking? 

“It’s not until earlier did I realize that was your intention going into this. Maybe I should have let you know before I submit my official nomination.” He smiles, trying to console Alhaitham. “Sorry about that.”

It’s was entirely possible to reach out to him in the past week, but Cyno was unsure whether or not they have progressed from ‘barely spoke two words’ basis like before. After all, what they did for Sumeru was merely what they have to do as upstanding government officials. 

His apology seems to make Alhaitham calmed down. “It’s alright. I know I can turn it down, but I’ll think about it now that I know this. After all, I get to hear more of your thoughts as I take the General Mahamatra’s input into my decisions right? That certainly will be interesting.”

“Are you saying I can talk more to you?”

“I guess that constitutes as talking. So yes, though I’m not as fond with idle chit chat, just so you are aware.”

The confirmation unexpectedly spawn butterflies in Cyno’s stomach, though he wonders why he even asked that question in the first place. In some ways, he must have had a good time tonight if it gets him to behave a little strange like this.

But then, as if that was all he thought he needed to be a Grand Sage, Alhaitham throws at Cyno various orders like a superior.

“I do not want to bring my work home if overtime ever happens, which I assume will be frequent then. And I’m going to make you help me end it quickly.” 

“That’s not in my job description, but sure.” Cyno chuckles. Is Alhaitham drunk? Sure, he can entertain that for a bit.

“And if we really need to cut into break time at the Akademiya to catch up on duties, we should go out for lunch together so we can discuss work over it. I’d like to be efficient, you see.” Alhaitham continues.

“I don’t think our schedules will overlap that much for that to happen, but alright.” Cyno should at least correct him even if this is pretty hilarious.

“Cyno, if there’s something that helps me get to be with you a little longer, I’ll do it.”

Now Alhaitham is just spewing nonsense. Caught by surprise, Cyno makes a fierce expression, hoping that it will hide the embarrassment he felt from the sudden confession, but Alhaitham’s eyes stares straight into him, flicker like fire.

And when he draws himself closer, Cyno sees no point in running away. Alhaitham caught him red-handed and he has no more cards up his sleeve to respond.

Cyno’s eyes opens wide, flushes still on his cheeks. The flicker turns out to be the bonfire before him. Instead of the lovely chatters, what he hears is the rustling of the ajilenakh trees. The familiar cold of the desert surrounds him, but a certain warmth still seem to linger in his stomach. 

When Cyno’s mind clears up, he understands now that was a dream. They did talk about the nomination at the feast, but Alhaitham never confirmed anything until he showed up in front of him and Lesser Lord Kusanali at the Sanctuary, handing in the acceptance letter with his answer. He never demands him to stay overtime or go out for lunch to catch up on work, though it did happen a couple of times when they were working on policies related to the matra. 

Researches about dream saw little progress for the past hundreds of years due to the effect that the Akasha has on the collective, so he’s unsure what he saw really means. It is a distorted version of his memory, if he has to comment on it.

Feeling restless, he closes his eyes again, hoping to find out where the dream would have taken him.