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It was a quiet night in the rainforest when Y/N wandered into the hut, seeking the company of their fennec friend. It wasn’t unusual, being a routine the two picked up overtime. Over the duration of their friendship, Y/N would often seek out Tighnari in times of mental burden, as a result of the bond formed between the two. Whenever trouble arose, there was an intense pull in Y/N which directed them into the arms of Tighnari, every single time. Letting out a tense breath, Y/N stood in the middle of the lonely hut with an impatient grumble. He’s meant to be off shift right now… where is he? Their eyes drifted to the walls caging them, an uncertainty poking at them like needles. Desperate, Y/N found themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. They made the entire journey here just to still be stuck in their own head. That darn fox… that torturous scum!
No.
Misdirected anger… Y/N sighs and takes a seat on the edge of Tighnari’s tidy bed. Gently, their fingers glided across the familiar soft fabric. For some reason, it’s cosier to sleep under sheets that aren’t your own. This thought lingered in Y/N’s head, a simple temptation. Who knows how long it’ll take for Tighnari to return? Better yet, how would Tighnari feel coming home to a friend in his bed?
After a rather short contemplation, Y/N quickly slipped off their shoes and dove under the sheets, like a fox leaping into snow. Y/N wasted no time getting comfortable, enveloped by the soft sheets. Serves Tighnari right for not being home when Y/N needs him. Besides, it’s not like Y/N hasn’t slept here before… He won’t mind. In the deafening silence of Tighnari’s bed, Y/N’s mind began to wander again… There was an overwhelming sense of loneliness in the air, paired with a hollow feeling which impaled Y/N. Unfortunately, Y/N has been battling with these feelings for a long time. Deep down, Y/N resented themselves for it. They felt cursed by an eternity of agony, which creeps back up on them endlessly like an assassin, always on your tail. It’s… annoying. It’s got to be annoying.
Fuck… So fucking stupid. With a tremble, Y/N pulled the blankets over themselves tightly. Why are they even here? It’s selfish. It’s dumb and selfish. They should leave. Clearly, Tighnari is caught up with something. He’s not going to have the energy to deal with Y/N’s dramatic ass when he returns home. Y/N can’t expect Tighnari to always be there as a saving grace whenever things just get a little tough. Despite all this, Y/N found themselves paralysed on the mattress. It lingered with the scent of Tighnari and it hypnotised Y/N, chaining them to the bed. Maybe it is selfish of Y/N to wander into a friend’s home and expect to be coddled and comforted.
Eyes sore and a pillow left soaked, they sat up with the blanket still engulfing their figure.
Perhaps they should leave.
“I thought I could hear someone in here,” the voice of the Forest Watcher sounded gently as he pushed past the leaves of the doorway, bow slung over his shoulder. His presence was an immediate ray of light in the room, but it stabbed Y/N with guilt. Y/N shouldn’t be here. But it’s too late now. They watched wordlessly as a concerned Tighnari hung his bow on the wall and then slowly walked over to the bed, eyes scanning Y/N carefully. “Is-”
“No- I’m sorry. I’ll leave.” Y/N quickly cut Tighnari off and pushed themselves off the bed, releasing the blanket and reaching to grab their shoes. Y/N would hate to be a burden at this moment. Catching them by surprise, Tighnari’s gloved hand placed onto their shoulder. The touch seemed to transfer a warm tingle, and Y/N relished in it.
“Hey, hey,” Tighnari hushed quickly. “You don’t have to leave.” Y/N did halt at this. Unmoving and trembling now, they avoided eye contact. Tighnari took a moment to take in the scene. He examined Y/N’s puffy eyes and wavering demeanour. With a tone of gentle encouragement, Tighnari guided Y/N, “Sit back on the bed…Would you like some tea?” With a sense of instinct, Tighnari slid off his glove and placed the back of his hand on Y/N’s cheek. Cold. He pulled the blanket back over Y/N.
“I suppose…” Y/N mumbled, tugging the blanket over themselves, yet already feeling a tad warmer from the touch of Tighnari’s caring hand. Watching Tighnari move to prepare the beverage filled Y/N’s chest with warmth. They always appreciated how Tighnari took care of them, however inconvenient it might be. “I um. Got caught up in my own head again.” Y/N quietly began to explain, watching the way Tighnari’s long fennec ear angled toward their voice.
“I’m sorry that happened to you,” Tighnari responded, back to Y/N as he prepared the tea. His tone was gentle, but Y/N still felt annoying.
“How was… work?” Y/N enquired, wanting to gain a better perspective of Tighnari’s day.
Tighnari turned around and walked over to Y/N, who retrieved the warm tea from Tighnari. The scent was relaxing and Y/N revelled in it for a moment, before taking their first sip. The fox took a seat next to Y/N as he spoke, “It was normal. The patrols went without much trouble and training the newbies was.. Tiring as usual,” He let out a light chuckle. “Collei asked me to observe her progress, so I got back a little late.”
“It’s admirable the way you’ve took her under your wing,” Y/N compliments, taking another sip from the tea. “You did a good thing.”
Tighnari smiled at this, and shuffled slightly closer to Y/N on the bed. “To be honest, I was unsure at first when Cyno brought her to my door but I have no regrets. She truly is growing to be an excellent forest watcher. I’m proud of her.”
Y/N hummed contently and the two sat in a comfortable silence. The fox’s company truly had a mysterious healing magic to it, which was strange but welcomed. After Y/N finished the tea, Tighnari took the cup and moved off of the bed, which disappointed Y/N slightly. The tea was amazing, as usual. Tighnari had a knack for making good tea. Y/N watched Tighnari with a slight impatience as he moved to place the cup on the desk near his bed. Come back… Come back to bed.
Y/N spoke honestly, “I’m… really upset.” Tighnari stood by the table, attention on Y/N. “When I went home, I let my head spiral about loneliness and… fear, I guess.” Y/N looked down at their hands, fiddling under the sheets. “My first thought was to come here. You’re my best friend and I’ve come here plenty of times before. I know it sounds pathetic but I just felt so empty and lost.”
“Nothing about this is pathetic at all,” Tighnari spoke, fennec ears flattening in concern. “I’m relieved you came here and you’re not stuck on your own while you’re in this mindset.”
“Please sit with me,” Y/N pleaded quietly, which Tighnari quickly followed. Tighnari returned to sit on the bed and kicked his shoes off. Tighnari’s tail hugged Y/N’s back and he just listened. He listened to Y/N ramble for as long as they needed someone to hear it. And when he could, he voiced his concerns and reassurances. Tighnari is more logical than comforting, but he’s learnt sometimes all people need is someone to listen to them. So that’s mostly what he did. He listened. As the conversation drifted into silence, the blanket slowly slipped down Y/N’s frame. When Tighnari went to fix it, Y/N leaned into his space, resting their head on Tighnari’s shoulder. Welcoming the position, Tighnari breathed slowly and wrapped an arm around Y/N, gently tracing patterns on the back of their shirt with his ungloved fingers.
Tighnari’s ears didn’t fail to catch Y/N’s whispered request, “Can I stay the night?”
“Of course,” Tighnari smiled softly and took a bit of control. He gently guided Y/N to lay down with him. They’d been in a similar situation before yet Y/N still felt a tingly sensation under their skin being in such close proximity to the fennec. Comfortable now, Y/N shuffled closer, laying their head on Tighnari’s chest. His heartbeat was rapid, but so was Y/N’s own. It felt like home being in Tighnari’s company, especially like this. Y/N closed their eyes as they felt Tighnari’s hands start to comb soothingly through their hair. The sensation was therapeutic.
“Thank you,” Y/N mumbled. For your company, for your friendship, for your comfort, for your care, for you. Thank you for being here, in my life.
Y/N was quickly lulled to sleep.