Chapter Text
Past
Tighnari sat at the table in his small little apartment. It was way past the time he should be going to bed. The candles placed on the table had long since burned out. Which isn't saying much as they weren't the biggest candles anyway. The food sitting across from him has grown cold. His own food had been eaten an hour ago, as he was hungry and tired of waiting. The other person would have understood.
The hybrid’s ear drooped as he looked at his phone. It was 2am in the morning. He had class at 8. It was time to give up. With one last effort, he tried calling the other one more time. At this point, he just wanted to know if the other was okay. Alive and not in pain on the side of the road. He took his bike to work so the possibility of him being injured was higher. Tighnari sighed as he looked at his phone.
His ears perked up as he heard heavy footsteps approach the door. They sounded heavy and off beat but he knew who they were. He sucked in a deep breath. He could feel the pressure building in his eyes. Upset was an understatement.
The door knob slowly turned and a figure slid in. He tried to remain quiet. It never worked, remaining quiet. Tighnari always heard him. Always.
The door slowly shut. The white haired male that entered the room slowly took his shoes off and tucked them in the cubby designated for him. He slowly turned around and jumped in surprise. His eyes widened when he saw the table set. The cold food along with the burned out candles.
Tighnari made eye contact and that was all it took. Tears started flowing down his face. He was quietly staring up at the male who just entered the apartment.
“Shit.” The white haired male said.
“Shit, that's all you gotta say.” Tighnari felt anger building in his chest. More tears slid down his face.
“Nari. I'm so sorry. I- I..”
“You promised.”
“I know, I know. I'm an idiot too.” He sighed. “I don't deserve any forgiveness.”
Tighnari crossed his arms. “What did you do Cyno?”
Cyno sighed, “I ran into Al Haitham, Nilou and Dehya. The later two begged and begged to go out with them to get a drink. I said one was all I had time for. One turned into… more. I lost track of time and… shamefully forgot about tonight. I had to wait out the alcohol and before I knew it, it was 1:30.”
“You… forgot…” Tighnari dropped his head into his hands.
“Nari….”
He lifted his head back up. “I only get to see you, every other month at best!” He slammed his fist down. “Hell, it's been 4 months since the last time. I begged and begged for you to be here. And you forgot about me.”
Cyno stepped closer.
“Do you even know what today was?”
Cyno thought for a sec but before he could answer, Tighnari spoke up. “We have been together for 2 years today.”
Cyno looked defeated. He knew he fucked up bad.
“2 years. And this isn't the first time you ‘forgot’ about me and went out with your friends. Does drinking and hanging out with them mean more to you than me!?” He had stood up at this point. Fist on the table, pushing his shaking body up.
“I see how I stand. It feels like I don't compare or mean anything to you anymore. Time and time again you come and visit and get dragged out to a bar with other away from me. You even know how hard it is for me to go to those places with my hearing but damn an invite would of been great!” Tears continued to flow. Cyno reached forward but Tighnari blocked his hand.
“2 years of dating and many many years of friendship, gone. I'm done, Cyno. We are done. I can’t keep doing this. I rarely get to see you and when I do, we make all these plans to do stuff and spend time together, you always ditch me and forget about me.” He knew for his own sake, he couldn't keep going.
“Tighnari… please, I'm sorry! I'll try better next time!”
“You said that last time and the time before that, I can't do this anymore. It's … “
Present
….exhausting”
Tighnari mumbled to himself. He's been working long days at the research facility lately. If he had to describe his current job in three words, they would be ‘it is exhausting.’ He's getting tired of being tired. The long days and late nights just to be getting nowhere.
He was currently researching the medical properties of plants. The current location the hybrid worked at didn't help him get anywhere. He had asked to fix up the greenhouse himself so he'd be able to grow plants to further his studies but was denied every time.
He's been thinking about taking Amir up on the offer of joining the park rangers. Tighnari practices archery at a range fairly close to the facility that acts as a station to the rangers. Him and Amir really hit it off and even sometimes partake in friendly shot offs. Tighnari normally wins. He has told Amir about his research (atleast parts he is able to and willing to). Amir told him to join the rangers. With his abnormal hearing abilities and shooting abilities, he'd be perfect. They even would make a perfect spot for Tighnari to grow plants for his research. The rangers needed someone like him.
And Tighnari needed them. To be able to break free from this suffocating lab.
He sighed and looked at the time. The main office of the forest rangers was about to close for the day. He took a deep breath and picked up his phone. Another reason he desperately wanted to leave this place, it reminded him too much of his ex. They met very early in their Akademiya careers. Both studying together and helping each other with their weaker subjects. His ex studied Chemistry as Tighnari himself studied Biology. They had similar classes and saw each other a lot. They clicked very easily. It was comfortable.
His ex was also interested in criminal justice, so he double majored in that. Keeping him constantly busy. But he always found time for the hybrid. Even when they were just friends.
Hell even after their breakup, his ex really wanted to still hang out with him but the wounds were still deep. The breakup really hurt Tighnari. He didn't want to. But he had.
I wonder what Cyno is up to nowadays. He thinks to himself. He hoped he finally got his head out of his ass. Tighnari wanted nothing but the best for Cyno. Never wishing ill on him. He was still a great guy, just needed to figure stuff out and straighten up.
Tighnari hit the call button on his phone once the number displayed. He took a deep breath. “Hi! This is the Avidya Forest help center! How may I help you today?”
“Is Amir in today?”
“He is! Let me transfer you over!”
“Thank you!”
~ later that evening ~
“You what!?”
Tighnari’s ear went backwards from the sharp pain caused by the yelling on his phone.
“Kaveh, watch the volume.” He rubbed his temple.
“Sorry sorry. But, you left the research institute?”
“Yes I am. And truthfully I'm beyond relieved and excited.”
“When do you start as a forest ranger?”
“Well since the research facility wasn't happy I put in a month's notice and fired me on the spot, I'm able to start next week. The first few months will be conditioning to make sure I'm in shape and to learn the grounds. Which shouldn't be too hard.”
“I could never run around a forest all day. Gross.”
Tighnari rolled his eyes, “Trust me, I know. You complained walking 3 blocks the other day to the bar.”
Kaveh huffed, “That's besides the point.”
Tighnari sighed.
“So, my boyfriend is back in town and I'd like you to meet him! He's also bringing one of his friends who has been lonely lately! I told him perfect, because I'm bringing my friend whose been lonely lately.”
“I'm not lonely Kaveh!”
“Yeah you are. You don't do much and only hang out with me. You need more friends and maybe a boyfriend eventually.”
“I'm not looking to date.”
“Well maybe you can get a friend out of this. Please Tighnari! I already told him I'm bringing my best friend!”
Tighnari groaned, “As long as it's somewhere, not loud.”
Kaveh almost squealed through the phone, “It won't be! Also it's tonight, I'll pick you up at 8!”
The phone went silent. That asshole.
Tighnari sighed and slumped into his couch. Well it can't be too bad. He doesn't have to rush home due to the research place firing him. He could also use this as a celebration for himself on getting to do what he wants. Maybe he could let go a little tonight. Talk to any guys that might seem interested. Gods this was the last thing he wanted to do tonight.
He pushed himself up. 8 will be here quicker than he thinks so he might as well shower.
~
A knock on the door broke Tighnari out of his thoughts. “Tighnari! It's 8. Time to go!”
Tighnari sighed and closed his book before sitting it on the coffee table in front of him. He pushed himself off the couch. “Let me grab my stuff and put my shoes on.” He grabbed his shoes and slid them on. He opted for comfortable shoes tonight. Tighnari grabbed his keys and wallets and opened the front door.
Kaveh was leaning against the pillar located across from the door. He raised his head to look at Tighnari. He smiled and waved.
Tighnari waved, then proceeded to lock the front door, “So where are we going?” He turned to face Kaveh.
Kaveh pushed up off the pillar and started heading to his car, “It's a hole in the wall restaurant. I heard a lot of good things about it. They even have vegan options, I checked for you.”
Tighnari followed Kaveh out to the car, thankfully his friend remembered this time. Kaveh felt so bad the one time they went out to a new restaurant only to find out it's strictly a meat place. Tighnari did have to get food on the way home as he was still hungry but he laughs about the memory. It happens. Tighnari won't be mad about something like that, especially because Kaveh wouldn't do it on purpose. None of his friends would. They are all respectful of Tighnari’s choices and as he was towards theirs. Cyno was the most respectful about it.
Tighnair shook his head. He's been thinking way too much about his ex lately. He will admit, he doesn't hate his ex by no means but why was he thinking about him so much?
Kaveh looked at him with a confused look. Tighnari shrug and shook his head again, “It's nothing. Just lost in thought.”
Kaveh turned his head back to the road and sighed, “You can talk to me about it if you need to.”
Tighnari put his elbow near the window on the door of the car and leaned his head onto his hand, “It's really nothing serious. I just been thinking about someone a lot lately and it's confusing me.”
“Oh? A guy catch your attention?”
“Apparently, he did again.”
Kaveh gave a concerned look for a second. But let it go, he knows the stubbornness of his hybrid friend.
They continued driving in silence to the place Kaveh had planned to take them too.
They pulled up to a place that looked like it had seen better days. Half the sign had the bulbs burnt out in it and there was a homeless guy sleeping on a bench in front of it.
“You know Kaveh,” Tighnari turned his head to Kaveh, “this is the last place I would catch you eating at. I'm sure you personally would rather starve.”
Kaveh sighed and turned to Tighnari, “I have had numerous people tell me how great it is. And the inside looks fabulous! I was actually one of the designers on the remodel project for it.” He puffed his chest out. “I promised the owner I would try it out. So why not tonight.”
Tighnari shrugged and loosened his seat belt. “Sounds fair to me.”
The guys got out of the vehicle and headed to the door. Tighnari admitted he felt his nerves building.
“Oh Tighnari, I see them!” Kaveh grabbed Tighnari's arm and dragged him towards a booth near the back. “I asked them to get a booth towards the back so it's easier on my noise sensitive friend.”
As the booth came into, Tighnari recognized the gray haired male reading a book. Wait I know…
“This is my boyfriend, Al Hathaim.” Gesturing towards the gray haired male. Al Hathaim turned his head and quickly flashed a concerned and shocked look. It was so quick, only Tighnari caught it.
“And this is…”
The other male came into view. The white head of hair was easily recognizable to Tighnari. It was pulled back and revealed familiar ear piercing with new added. No it can't be…
Cyno
“Cyno.”