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Night-time in Gandharva Ville had settled into a gentle calm. Villagers were asleep, the area had a very peaceful and calm atmosphere. The sky stretched wide and clear above the treetops, dusted with stars that shimmered between the drifting leaves.
Tighnari adjusted the purple lantern beside his blanket, dimming the flame inside so it wouldn’t overpower the view. “This should be enough light to see the charts without ruining our ability to stargaze,” he explained, moving to carefully smooth the edges of his blanket.
Flins sat beside him, gloved hands folded tightly in his lap. He had been quieter than usual all evening, his gaze drifting between the sky and Tighnari as he spoke about constellations and the seasonal star patterns that they could currently see.
“You’re fidgeting, Kyryll,” Tighnari said suddenly, one ear tilting toward his company. “Is there something bothering you?” Flins stiffened slightly. “I’m not fidgeting.”
“You’ve adjusted your sleeve twelve times in the last minute.”
“…Oh.”
Tighnari glanced at the other man, his expression softening almost immediately. “You don’t have to stay if you’re uncomfortable. observational astronomy is supposed to be relaxing.”
“No…” Flins blurted out, then flushed, lowering his voice. “Should I say… I’m more inclined to stay here. With you, my friend.”
The words lingered in the quiet clearing. Somewhere in the distance, a night bird called, its song stretching across the air between them. Tighnari’s tail stilled behind him, ears flicking towards the sound of the bird. “With me?” he repeated gently.
Flins swallowed, staring very hard at his hands. “You always notice the small things. The flora and fauna… people too.” He lets out a small, nervous laugh. “So you’ve probably already noticed this, but as a Ratnik I’m… not very good at saying things directly.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re doing fine so far,” Tighnari said, his voice slightly softer than usual. Flins took a steady breath, shoulders rising and falling. “I really like spending time with you. Since I’ve been in Sumeru….” He paused, cheeks warming. “I like you, Tighnari. A lot.”
The forest seemed impossibly quiet after that. Even the breeze had stilled, as if waiting. Tighnari blinked, clearly caught off guard. His ears lowered slightly in thought, and for once, he didn’t answer immediately. “I was worried I might make things awkward,” Flins continued quickly, words tumbling out in a shy, quiet rush. “You’re important to me, and I didn’t want to lose the friendship we already share. So if you don’t feel the same, that’s quite alright, I certainly understand-”
“Flins.”
The light keeper stopped, finally looking up from where he had his eyes glued onto the sleeve of his coat. Tighnari was watching him with an expression Flins rarely saw from him- thoughtful, warm, and just a little flustered.
“You’re right,” he admitted, before continuing. “I do possess the ability to notice details. Including how you always volunteer for patrol routes near Gandharva Ville when I’m scheduled. Or how you bring extra snacks you claim are ‘accidental’ duplicates. You’ve been performing these stunts since you first arrived in Sumeru.”
Oh. So he was that obvious. Flins looked away from Tighnari, glancing up at the night sky, noticing the spectacle of stars in the sky. “… Those were not supposed to be discernible.”
“They weren’t,” Tighnari agreed, the faintest hint of amusement touching his voice. “I simply pay attention.”
He hesitated, fingers brushing absentmindedly against the edge of a star chart before he continued. “…I also noticed that I found myself looking forward to those patrols more than usual. And that conversations with you tend to last considerably longer than they need to.” He exhaled quietly, ears twitching as a soft breeze picked up. “I may not always understand my own feelings right away, but… I care about you deeply, Kyryll.”
Flins tilted his head, looking directly into Tighnari’s eyes. He couldn’t help himself. “You… do?” The light keeper asked, voice impeccably light. “I do.” Tighnari’s tail gave a small, bashful flick. “Though I would prefer it if you stopped doubting that.”
A shy smile crept across Flins’ face, relief softening his shoulders. He shifted slightly closer to the Dendro user, close enough that their sleeves brushed together. Above them, a streak of silver crossed the sky- a quick, brilliant shooting star.
Flins glanced up, eyes widening. “There’s one… Did you make a wish, my friend? I believe it brings you luck.”
Tighnari looked at him instead of the sky. “No.” Flins tilted his head, not understanding why. “May I inquire as to why?” He asked.
“Because,” he said quietly, “I think I’ve already been fortunate enough tonight.”
Flins’ cheeks warmed again, but he didn’t look away. Slowly, carefully, he let his hand rest beside Tighnari’s on the blanket. After a brief pause, his fingers shifted, lightly curling around his companions.
The gesture was small, almost hesitant- but neither of them moved to let go. The two remained there beneath the drifting constellations, shoulders brushing and hands intertwined, while Tighnari resumed softly pointing out stars and Flins listened, no longer nervous, just quietly happy to be close to him.