Work Text:
It was the first meeting Cyno happened to be at that was so important Alhaitham actually showed up; some grand, general meeting reeling in as many Akademiya staff members as possible due to its compulsory attendance. Glad to see someone he knew, Alhaitham sat beside Cyno in the small ampitheatre. Cyno did not seem so glad to see him.
The white haired man did not acknowledge him, simply squinting ahead. It was no disappointment to Alhaitham, who figured he could get away with keeping an open book under the table for the entire meeting. If the General Mahamatra noticed this, he had no qualms with it. He seemed solely focused on the unremarkable meeting, glaring ahead with intensity.
Nothing of importance was discussed. Alhaitham contently read while other Akademiya staff droned on and on. He knew he was being rather disrespectful, but Cyno abruptly surpassed him by sliding him a note, folding his arms into a pillow and lying his head down on the desk.
Now, Alhaitham scoffed in disbelief. This was extremely audacious for someone of such high ranking. He doubted Cyno could get away with it for long. Alhaitham quickly unfolded the note to see what Cyno had to say for himself:
'I'm going to faint, so if anyone calls upon me, please let them know I am unconscious.'
Alhaitham's head snapped back up to Cyno's snoozing form in disbelief. The Mahamatra looked like he was rudely sleeping through work. It was unbelievable that he would think to pass out right there and not have the dignity to excuse himself. Alhaitham interrupted the meeting.
"Excuse me. Cyno isn't feeling well. May I take him outside for some fresh air?" Alhaitham called.
As soon as permission was granted, he gently prodded at Cyno. Incredibly, he didn't move. It seemed he truly had passed out. Alhaitham leaned close and whispered. "Hey, I'm getting you out of here. Get up." At last, Cyno stirred. He weakly lifted his head and opened his eyes. Alhaitham took a few steps back and waited for Cyno to join him.
Cyno did not get up as smoothly as Alhaitham had hoped. Once standing, he swayed unsteadily, and only took one step before he slumped to the floor. Some of the attendees screamed as if he had died, but Cyno had simply landed on his knees behind the chairs, eyes dazed and unfocused. Leaning on a chair, he got up again, and immediately keeled forward.
This guy was hopeless. Alhaitham finally rushed over and caught him, swiftly scooping him up and carrying him out of the room. Cyno rested limply against Alhaitham's chest, never resisting or protesting this rather humiliating spectacle.
"Sorry...." Cyno whispered.
Alhaitham propped Cyno up on a bench outside. Cyno immediately rested his head between his knees. His gilded helmet fell off, landing at his feet. Alhaitham quietly put it on his own head and sat next to him.
"Care to explain?" Alhaitham prompted.
Fortunately, Cyno seemed to be recovering. He murmured quietly.
"Migraine...."
"Were you seriously thinking of sitting through a meeting with a migraine of that calibre?"
"It wasn't that bad when the meeting began." Cyno protested. Alhaitham was rather surprised to feel pity and concern stirring in his chest. It was usually difficult to feel bad for anyone who would make themselves attend a meeting when they were that sick.
"Wait there, I'll get you some water." Alhaitham declared.
Cyno did not move much in this time. When Alhaitham sat back down with him, he struggled to lift his head. It now made sense why Cyno was squinting; this sunlit garden must have been blinding for the poor guy. His gaze wandered up to Alhaitham's new helmet, his hands drifted to his bare head in confusion. Alhaitham sighed.
"Yes, you dropped it. Do you get migraines often?"
Cyno nodded, accepting the water and taking cautious sips.
"And yet, you're still formidable for your strength and power. It's impressive you manage to keep up such a reputation." Alhaitham remarked.
"You can push through them when you need to. It catches up with you, but only once you let it." Cyno informed him. He passed the glass back to Alhaitham and resumed resting.
Alhaitham read beside Cyno for a while. He didn't want to bother the Mahamatra when he was sick, and he lacked any semblance of bedside manner. It was best for him to simply keep Cyno company and prevent him from falling flat on his face. Cyno seemed content with this arrangement too. No words were exchanged, both men being quiet and stoic.
When the buzz of a crowd alerted Alhaitham that the meeting was over, he decided they had been sitting there long enough.
"I'm going back to work. Will you be alright getting home?" Alhaitham checked.
Cyno got up, taking his helmet back from him with a fierce nod. Alhaitham wasn't one to dote on people any more than necessary. Cyno knew his own abilities, and if he didn't, he still had to right to collapse in the street if he chose to. They waved their goodbyes and parted ways. Alhaitham took the glass of water back to his office to drink the rest himself.
Occasionally, he would glance out the window, wondering whether Cyno actually did make it home alright. It would stay on his mind for the rest of the day.