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“Happy New Year!”
The cries from the rest of the tavern were still somewhat loud through his headphones, but were at least quieter than they would be otherwise. He tried to focus more on Cyno’s lips. His first New Year’s kiss and it was perfect. They’d kept it short, apparently, Kaveh and Alhaitham still taking the opportunity of being surrounded by people who wouldn’t remember their kiss - though they’d hidden it somewhat behind one of Kaveh’s binders that he’d brought specifically for the occasion. Gamila and Wajiha were also still kissing, although smaller and with obvious talking between. Dehya and Dunyazad weren’t even trying to hide their own, while Sethos and Hat Guy looked like they hadn’t kissed at all, though Tighnari knew it had probably been faster than Cyno and Tighnari’s own.
The party went on for a while, the group signing to each other about random topics, playing TCG, and drinking until Kaveh passed out.
The streets were cooler, a soft breeze in the air as Cyno and Tighnari waved the other couples off and started making their way home. There were still fireworks in the distance, the two stopping to admire them. The spot that Kaveh and Tighnari had set up the year before had seen a lot of use, especially around festive periods, and could be seen from both Sumeru City and Port Ormos. Every time someone was there letting off fireworks, it made Tighnari’s heart swell with the memories of their celebration almost a year ago; Them and their friends together watching fireworks in the desert, protected from the heat in their cooled observatory.
“We should celebrate Hat Guy’s birthday over there in a few days.” Cyno signed to him, a small smile on his face, “We don’t have to have fireworks, just some drinks and getting together.”
“I don’t think Hat Guy celebrates.” Tighnari replied, stumbling his signs slightly from the alcohol.
“All the more reason. It’s not fair we’ve all had celebrations and he hasn’t. He’s starting to come to more things now Sethos is getting him to come along. He even came to yours even though he said he hated gathering mushrooms.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to ask, but if he wants a quiet one with Sethos, we shouldn’t push it.” Cyno kissed his head gently and he knew it was a quiet sign of agreement, “These headphones are starting to hurt my ears. I’m not used to them being folded down for so long.”
“We can try to find someone who can make comfier ones.”
“Thank you.”
Tignari snuggled into Cyno’s shoulder as they watched the blues and greens fill the sky, the occasional red and purple punctuating the display before continuing on their way home.
“So anyway, when does your heat start around?”
“You know we don’t have to wait for it, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“No. I meant that I’ll need to find that perfume Gamila made for us last year. I know it made April a bit more difficult for you but I’m guessing you want to see how long it lasts this year rather than using it right at the end like last year.”
“About a week, though it’s not a set date. It might be earlier this year or later now that we’ve been intimate before.”
Cyno nodded, opening the door and letting Tighnari go through first. The house was enough to muffle the noises outside, so Tighnari took off his headphones, shaking out his ears and letting them bob back into the natural, upright position.
“That’s so much better.” He sighed.
The night was quiet enough and they were drunk enough that getting to sleep was easy. Waking up, on the other hand, was more of a feat. If they hadn’t agreed to go to dinner at Wajiha’s place, Tighnari would have happily snuggled with Cyno for the entire day. He was warm and the air outside of the blankets was anything but. Cyno had already set up the bed to be more like a nest, knowing that Tighnari’s heat was coming, and that just made everything all the more cosy and difficult to tear himself from. He was half cursing himself for agreeing to do anything social on New Year’s day, but logically knew it was a celebration and one that was meant to be spent with friends where possible.
Usually, Tighnari and Cyno would both be working on New Year’s day. People waking up in the forest were common, confused and hungover, as well as crime being much higher. It was a blessing that the two actually got the chance to have the day off at all, nevermind that they got to spend it with friends. Of course, Tighnari was worried about Collei and Amber taking over his role for the day, but Collei had assured him that she could do it and he needed to let her take some independent leadership at some point. He wasn’t sure about Cyno’s side of things, although he had assured him that one of the higher level Matra had begged him for the work experience. It meant that they could spend the morning with Kaveh and Alhaitham before heading over to Wajiha’s house and Collei and Amber would join them when Forest Watching died down around 2pm. They’d let Wajiha and Gamila know and they’d planned the dinner for early afternoon so that the two wouldn’t miss out.
The celebrations were lively, but surprisingly respectful of Tighnari and Alhaitham’s sensory needs.
“Master Tighnari!” Collei had run into his arms as soon as she arrived, Amber waving from the door, “Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year, Collei. Did everything go smoothly?”
“Of course not, but we got it all sorted out and located everyone in the forest.” She beamed. Seeing her so proud of herself made him feel warm, proud of her in turn and telling her as much.
“It seems like you’ve found your Collei-ing.”
“Just… one day without jokes, please.” Tighnari sighed, although not fully meaning it. Realising he didn’t fully mean it. He ruffled Collei’s hair, going to find Gamila for some herbs to hold him over.
When they sat down to dinner, a huge feast that Gamila and Wajiha had put together for them all, Tighnari looked over at his friends and family, smiling softly. It seemed like every year their little circle got bigger, now not so much a little circle.
“To our friends and family.” He raised his glass, the others joining the toast, smiles all around.