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Cyno grab Tighnari's wrist roughly, growls can be heard through his teeth. Tighnari winced from the pain, his breath is hitched as his eyes gaze to his dear friend. Cyno is corrupted, he risked it to protect Tighnari.
"C-Cyno..." he stuttered his name, he was terrified. "Hey Cyno! Its me! Tighnari! Please... snap out of it!" the response was just a growl but it was more ferocious.
He was shaking, his guilt took over him, what have he done? What did Cyno do to deserve this? Is this the price that he have to pay? Tighnari's emotion was mixed with fear and self loathing.
If only i was stronger and more careful enough, none of this would have happened.
His mind, clouded by heavy thoughts, was interrupted by a loud howl coming from the man on top of him. It hurts his ears, but he felt the agony in Cyno's screams.
"Cyno.....?"
"Ti..... nari...." the grip tightened, soon to be bruised. Tighnari care less about his own pain. He looked up, verge of tearing up.
"I'm here...!"
"It hurts..."
"We can fix this, I... I know we will! Ill be here for you..." He stumbles upon his own words, he isnt willing to give him an empty promise, but he will never leave him. Not like this.
Cyno clenched his teeth, an urge to cry out. He is aware of what is happening but his body doesn't obey him, it tightens the grip. Tighnari muffled his sobs, it burns he can feel his flesh opening. He endured it all, he endured it for Cyno, he smiles to him.
"C-Cy-no we will get out of this, we have each other. Thats what matters."
"You cant..." he already knew he couldn't, he is a botanist after all, not a cleanser of evil. He felt so hopeless, what is he thinking.
"I know I can't, but i will not abandon you at this state. Even if im—" he interrupted himself when he felt something dripping his face. Its coming from under Cyno's head piece. It felt oozey in his cheek. Is he bleeding? Or is he crying?
"Tighnari..." his voice was low but not cold. "you..."
"You don't have to say anything." The botanist reassured him, he felt the grip loosened his wrist, it stinged him, although he carefully stroke the general arm.
Cyno flinched back, growl grew darker, sending shivers to the man under him.
Tighnari ignore every warning, he will not abandon him even if he is going to be killed. He will accept this punishment, he will face facts. He will accept death he will—
Eyes widen, he felt something warm on his lips. A hand hesitantly reaching his cheek. Tighnari couldnt help but start tearing up. His sobs stifles through the kiss, it was a sweet one. Cyno was so gentle—even in his current state— he still is the Cyno, he love and cherish the most.
Lips were separated when Cyno pull back, leaving the other breathless.
"Tighnari... you can't push yourself around... you... you can't risk your own life for me." Is that what he was trying to say this whole time? Tighnari stared at him, tears falling down his cheeks. "This is my own fault..."
"Its not your fault. I chose to protect you, your body wouldn't be able to withstand the entire corruption as my own can." The botanist felt stupid, he couldnt mumble a word and lay his hand to his wet eyes, rubbing them.
Cyno gently remove his headpiece, laying it down. He cupped his lover cheeks, wiping his tears with his thumb. Tighnari finally sees the eyes that was hidden under his headpiece. The general gave him a sincere look.
"Collei wouldn't want to see her Master with that face, she would cry too!"
Tighnari couldn't help but giggle a bit as get rest his cheeks on Cyno palm.
"Yeah but would be mad by who made him cry."
"Then we won't let that happen again."
The pair embraced each other, as the morning rises, the general felt the corruption fade and gone.