Archive of Our Own

“Cyno? Could you put the deck of cards down please? This is supposed to be a dinner, not a TCG competition. I’m starting to think you meet up with us just because we’re the only ones still willing to play with you?” Tighnari added a dramatic sigh as a bit of flourish to his statement, never one to keep away from the theatrics.

Cyno could not help a slight pink tint covering his cheek at how easily his intentions had been discovered. Of course that wasn’t all there was to it, but he had hoped to maybe play a game or two, or three. He should have known Tighnari would read him like a book.

“Ah- of course, right away Nari.” Cyno bundled his cards together and let them slide back into his battle tomb, closing it up and laying it to the side. Perhaps later there would be some time. He did not want to make his boyfriends feel unwanted.

Immediately he was faced with a Tighnari turning away from him to face Kaveh instead, continuing some conversation that had apparently been going on while he had been distracted by his cards.

“See, Kaveh? It's just that easy. If you tell Cyno what’s bothering you, then he can fix it. He won’t know until you mention it to him. Trust me, I’ve tried. He just doesn’t seem to pick up on anything." Feigning disappointment, Tighnari shook his head. Cyno thought it was quite rude. He believed that he was very good at picking up on subtleties in any conversation. But he knew to remain quiet, as speaking his thoughts aloud would lead to his worldview being shattered right in front of his eyes. He wasn't ready for that.

“Of course he would listen to you. He is basically like a puppy to your commands” Kaveh had his face perched up, chin leaning on his hands like he was facing the most difficult riddle instead of… Speaking about Cyno like he wasn’t sitting at that very table.

Alhaitham came to Cyno’s defense before he could even think of what to say, making a gentle warmth blossom in his chest. “The only reason Cyno doesn’t listen to your demands is because they are unreasonable and selfish. He shouldn’t have to cater to your every whim. You are the only one that minded.”

Ah.. It was so very like him, to tell the brutally honest truth without any attempts to sugarcoat it. Sometimes it seemed like Alhaitham was trying to be extra rude when Kaveh was the one he was speaking to. Tighnari had assured him that it was nothing to worry about though, and since Kaveh never seemed upset for too long, Cyno eagerly took his word for it.

Before Kaveh could get to that stage of moving on from Alhaitham’s claims, though, he sure wasn't quiet about his distaste for them. Throwing his arms up in the air in a flurry of dramatics, he seized the stage that was set for him. “Really?? Do you never have anything nice to say? If that’s the case then you can also just be quiet!”

Ah.. It was that time again. Cyno wished he hadn’t put his cards away now. He missed their entertainment value through a conversation as mind numbing as this one was turning out to be.

“I was just telling the truth. If you have an issue with that then maybe it's you that’s the problem.”

“What?? Why do you always think that it’s you that’s in the right! You also make mistakes just like anybody else!” Kaveh huffed out in offense, sticking an accusatory pointed finger in Alhaitham's direction.

Alhaithem was about to respond with what would no doubt be another insult to Kaveh’s pride when Tighnari cut in. “That’s enough, you two! You both will be apologising to eachother right now, or neither of you is welcome to stay at this dinner table with me or Cyno!” Tighnari was an absolute miracle of authority. The words he spoke carried the weight of the world. It seemed impossible for anyone to try to deny them, much less to succeed. Neither of the two feigned even an attempt. A few looks back and forth, and one cast at Tighnari’s annoyed expression were enough for Kaveh to relent.

“I’m sorry. Your words are just so infuriating sometimes!” Kaveh seemed genuinely remorseful, even if still agitated by the preceding argument. Satisfied enough with this apology, Tighnari turned to the cause of the entire argument in the first place.

“I’ll think carefully when I speak.” Is all Alhaitham had in terms of an apology, and it would have to do.

“Good. Then we can move on.” Tighnari decided to settle the discussion. Cyno felt infinitely thankful for his interference. A feeling his boyfriend gave him more than often. “How about we speak about scheduling our next date?”

Ah, right, how could he forget?

Having to upkeep a relationship with a serious lover was something one could definitely describe as tough. For a guy with Cyno’s schedule that statement was all the more true. Having three? It was something entirely different. Trying to schedule in for a full free day between the four of them was a nightmare. Possible, but just about the most difficult thing one could want to accomplish.

Maintaining his connection with his lovers was a whole extra layer of trouble in Cyno’s life he’d been entirely unprepared for. If anyone told him just a few short months ago how much his life would have changed between then and now, Cyno would never have believed them.

Yet here he was, sharing a meal at his favorite cafe with all three of them. He’d never been very good at predicting where life would take him next. Cyno’s thoughts started to wander further off as the rest of the table went over what dates they would be available.

Sometimes, and that really was only sometimes, he longed back to when he had just a single boyfriend. Not because he thought it would be better, simply because it used to be much easier when he could come over to his boyfriend's home whenever he returned from a mission - and those would be their dates.

Everything used to be simpler back then, in a time before Alhaitham had become the acting Grand sage, back before Cyno had ever started to gain a big reputation as the general Mahamatra. Back during his Akademia days.

From the moment he first laid his eyes on Tighnari he’d known that Tighnari was the one for him.

Loving Tighnari was thoughtless. He’d fallen hard when they first met and never looked at anyone else again.

Tighnari cared for him like Cyno never could. Taught him the way to care for himself, gave him a home to return to. Nari cherished him in a way far beyond how anyone else could. He was the one who made Cyno complete.

Cyno had never considered another partner after, because he knew that he would always want to be with the one who held his heart, and Tighnari didn’t plan on letting it go.

Cyno only became acquainted with Alhaitham after the downfall of the Akasha, and the return of their dendro archon. He’d seen him before, of course. While Alhaitham still acted in his role as the scribe, both attended many of the same meetings - and neither got to give any input on them. Only when he took up the position of Grand Sage (temporary as he always insisted on it being), did their lives start to intertwine in a way that would allow their feelings to blossom.

Alhaitham despised overworking, yet whenever Cyno had to stay late, he would find the other had somehow always suffered the same fate. Long evenings powering through on his own became just a little brighter with the company of someone he wished to call a friend.

Theirs was a love of little words, communicated through acts alone. Though at the time, Cyno wouldn’t have called it ‘love’ yet, that’s what it was.

Alhaitham rapidly grew to be someone he enjoyed spending time with. Both of them often snuck off to the other's office to perform their more menial tasks - of which there were many during Sumeru’s grand restructuring. When Cyno fell asleep from exhaustion it was on Alhaitham’s shoulder, and when Alhaitham finally collapsed it was Cyno who would carry him home.

Perhaps it shouldn't have felt so odd when the same warmth Tighnari always awakened within him would one day respond to Alhaitham's presence the same way.

When Alhaitham came to him with the proposal for this new shared relationship of theirs, Cyno had no reason to deny it.

Kaveh was the last one to round out their group. Between being Alhaitham’s lover and Tighnari’s youth friend (and presumably long lasting crush), there was never a reality in which he would not have become a part of their love triangle turned square.

Kaveh had been a complete unknown to Cyno before meeting him with Tighnari. Love took time and effort, and there hadn’t been enough of both. Thus Cyno had never gotten quite as close to their youngest as the two men who held his heart.

There were no years of relationship or workdays exhaustedly spent together to fall back on. Despite that, Cyno didn’t mind his presence. He was a good addition, certainly one that made sure the conversation never fell quiet - even if his relationship with alcohol could be problematic at times.

When Cyno emerged again from his thoughts it was to all three dendro users staring at him expectantly. What had they been discussing..?

“My apologies. We were talking about our plans, weren’t we? I got lost in my own thoughts.”

Kaveh let out a frustrated sigh. “See! This is exactly what I’m talking about!” Kaveh gestured over to Cyno, and he.. really regretted letting himself trail off again. Clearly it had done some damage to his relationship with Kaveh, which was something he had never intended. Their bond was already fragile enough as things stood. It did not need any further meddling.

“Kaveh, Cyno doesn’t mean to ignore anyone. He just tends to struggle paying attention when he’s in a group setting - he’s much better at doing so one on one. How about.. How about, next time neither me or Alhaitham are available, Cyno joins you on an outing? As an apology. Then he can show you that he cares.” Tighnari gave Cyno that look. The one that told him he would be going with Kaveh, whether he wanted to or not. Cyno swallowed thickly.

He was glad to have someone stick up for him, but those words did not calm his rapid mind at all. To hang out with Kaveh? They never spent any one on one time together, that much was true, but that also had one very simple reason. They really had nothing at all in common with one another. No hobbies, no work, no activities. Nothing. What would they even speak about..?

“You know Kaveh, we may not be able to attend the market with you this Sunday, but Cyno happens to be free.” Cyno was about to ask Tighnari how he could have possibly known such a thing, before realising that he was Tighnari, of course he knew. It seemed his fate was sealed, then.

“I would be delighted to join you, Kaveh. What does this market sell?” Maybe if it was something they both enjoyed, it wouldn’t be so bad.

-------

After having wandered around the city centre for a few short hours, Cyno could confidently say that he had no clue what the theming of this market was supposed to be.

One stall had clothes, the next specialised in woodcarvings, the one after featured a grand fruits display and the one after that had a cartography kind of quality of maps. There was zero common ground between anyone’s stock, and somehow Kaveh seemed just as excited about the products of every stall.

“How about this decoration? It’s ornate wood, and handcrafted too! For such a low price, it’s really a bargain. We absolutely must have this for our living room. I’ll prove to Alhaitham that I'm the superior decorator this time. “

It was.. Artsy. Some shape of two winding branches that divulged into multiple sections, all with gaping holes at the end. It was clearly meant to be a vase of some kind based upon the visuals of a tree (as everything at this stall looked to be), but Cyno, try as he might, couldn't figure out a way in which it would fit any normal amount of flowers inside. Would each flower have to be individually placed in the opening of one of the ‘branches’? It might have had just the smallest inkling of charm if it weren’t for the exorbitant pricetag that it had, killing off any purpose it might have served - something Kaveh apparently considered to be a good value? He would never understand the price of art. All put together, Cyno thought it looked awful, and certainly not worth the price, and he could already tell Alhaitham would think it to look even worse. Kaveh would be impressing no one with this piece of decor.

“If you wish to impress Alhaitham, may I suggest looking around for a different piece? I am sure there are many things he would enjoy much more at this market. Like…” Cyno’s eyes searched over the stall’s options, eyeing a white tree-like decoration, meant for holding up keys. The theming was similar enough - they were both trees, anyway. (What a concerningly specific stall this was), but one was vastly more practical than the other. And it featured a much easier to swallow pricetag.

“How about this one? It’ll serve a purpose. I’m sure Alhaitham will be quite the fan of that. And it doesn’t take up too much space in your home.” Cyno tried to give a subtle suggestion to Kaveh, just a little something to help him out, but was met with much more resistance than he’d expected.

“Who’s the architect between the two of us? I’ve known Alhaitham for far longer, and I know him much better than you do.” That much was likely true, but there was a large difference between knowing someone and understanding them. Cyno thought that Alhaitham was the perfect example of that rule. “I’ll prove that I am right! Lend me some mora, will you? I promise I’ll pay you back soon.”

Cyno found Kaveh difficult, occasionally. The attitude he had towards mora, for one, he found appalling. He understood it when people struggled with their finances under normal circumstances, but he felt no remorse for Kaveh. Going into debt over putting food on the table was tragic, driving yourself into financial ruin over an absolutely ridiculously priced art piece was not. It was plain irresponsible, and Cyno was not going to cooperate in this.

“No, I will not be lending you any mora for a piece of decor. Find something cheaper priced or do not buy anything at all.” Cyno could admit his tone was less than pleasant, his stance on this issue quite firm. It seemed to somewhat scare off Kaveh, but not enough to make him shut his mouth.

“It won’t be too much. And I’ll have it back for you in a week's time, no problem! You can ask Alhaitham, I always return his-”

Cyno cut him off. It was rude and unprofessional, but his answer wouldn’t change, no matter what Kaveh said or who he chose to involve. “I’m not allowing myself to be a part of the irresponsible way in which you wish to throw around your mora, and that is final.”

Kaveh didn’t bring it up again.

---------

Cyno had been turned into little more than a packaging mule with all the different materials Kaveh had bought by the time that he finally saw a stall he thought worth investigating. Apparently his boyfriend wasn’t as strapped for mora as Cyno had assumed earlier, or he was spending money he had gotten someone else to lend to him. Cyno feared he didn’t want to know the answer to that question.

Seeing as Kaveh was still very busy at the same stall retailing ‘authentic paints’ (whatever that may truly mean) he had been at for the past twenty minutes, Cyno figured it was fine for him to deviate slightly from his side to go scope out something actually interesting

“Kaveh, I’m going to the stall with cards over there. Try to keep within budget while I am gone. Can I leave your bags with you?”

“Yeah, yeah, leave them here, that’s fine.” Kaveh kind of waved him off, but since he specifically said that it would be alright to leave the bags, Cyno placed them next to Kaveh before he departed.

He did not go far, merely crossing the street to the stall selling trading cards. Most notably: Genius Invocation TCG cards. They featured quite some rare collectibles, too!

This was the perfect time. A new series of cards had just been released, and through all of his overtime working at the Akademiya during the last few weeks, Cyno just hadn’t gotten around to viewing it yet. This would be his chance to scope out some of the packs and get a look at the prices of the rarer cards. Today would be worth it even if just for this.

Though it wasn’t cheap, the stall seemed to have reasonable pricing on all other items. Cyno saw no reason for that not to be the case for the newer set. It had already been out for a month, so the first release markup had since worn off. Today was a great time to do a thorough investigation. He was sure he wouldn’t be leaving the market empty handed.

--------

Cyno’s experienced motions carried him through the twentieth pack he had opened, smiling as he looked over his small new legion of support cards. There were plenty of doubles, as well as some triples, unfortunately. They would be near completely useless. Merely convenient for deck archival reasons. He was somewhat lacking in rarer cards too. But with the baseline set in place, now it was much more convenient to take a browse through the rarer cards.

There were a few of particular interest to him, especially the new character cards had potential. He did always love to construct new decks for any composition of character cards - even ones supposedly unable to work together at all.

Cyno carefully selected a few. He would surely be back for more some other time, but it was hardly a smart move to already spoil all of the fun. He would rather keep some for later than be greedy and burn himself out.

“I would like to purchase these cards, please.” Handing over the correct amount of mora to the salesman, Cyno beamed at the cards in his hand. He should store them safely in his spare card tomb before he somehow managed to lose one.

He had chosen to wear a more casual outfit today rather than the entirety of his general mahamatra uniform, so his tombs weren’t so neatly hidden away beneath his robes. Cyno did not particularly mind this, though even he had to admit that wearing two tombs at once looked sort of silly. It was a silliness that he could certainly live with if it meant that he now had a place to put all of his new cards, though.

“Cyno, there you are! What do you have?”

One of the cards Cyno had been holding was snatched out of his hands and held up to the light like Kaveh was trying to study it in great detail. It was a rare card, depicting the leader of the Temple of Silence, Sethos. It was supposedly a good card, and one reflecting the image of a very dear friend, so to Cyno it was priceless.

Kaveh, though, didn’t seem all too impressed by his newly acquired prized possession.

“Isn’t that one of those cardgame cards?” Kaveh’s sigh was audible, his disdain impossible to miss. “These are just made for children. They’re worthless. But they're so expensive! You aren’t falling for that scam, are you? Shouldn’t you be any more clever than that? With you being the general Mahamatra and all?” What did…? Did Kaveh think he was foolish for liking a game? A cardgame he enjoyed playing in his spare time? What little of it that his position gave him.

“You should stop wasting your time on this. Let’s go look somewhere else.” Cyno narrowed his eyes, not pleased with the way this interaction was going. “Kaveh, I think I am very capable of deciding for myself when I want to leave this stall. You are free to carry on without me if you do not wish to wait. I will catch back up and find you when I finish.” Kaveh was acting like a child, and Cyno did not think it inappropriate to scold him like one. He could wait, or find some other way of entertaining himself. Cyno was not his caretaker.

“No no, Tighnari complained about it too, and that’s after already complaining about your jokes! You have to be rid of this obsession, it causes you to not even be able to pay attention to anyone around you.” Cyno wanted to protest, to tell Kaveh he was being unfair because he only lost his focus that one time. His brain wasn’t usually so scattered. He simply had a lot on his mind that day. He wasn’t proud of his actions - but he didn’t think the cards were to blame.

The words died on his tongue as he watched Kaveh tear the card he held in half, then into quarters.

“See? No more distractions.”

Cyno swallowed back any reaction he had, stilled his tears before they could come pouring out.

He stared at the remains of his card in Kaveh’s hands, flinched at the way they were put down so harshly upon the market stall he had obtained it from mere moments ago.

“Yes.. Thank you, Kaveh.”

------

The atmosphere at their table at Lambad’s tavern was more lifeless than at a funeral. A silence hung heavy in the air between them, where no one dared to break it. Cyno wasn’t unfamiliar with a comfortable silence. He often found it tough to carry a conversation if it wasn’t about one of his very niche interests, and when Tighnari or Alhaitham found themselves busy with their work, they weren’t very vocal either. He loved working side by side, simply enjoying the warmth of their company, even if no words were spoken. It was one of his favourite ways of spending a couple hours’ time.

This silence wasn’t like that. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and tense. Cyno didn’t know how to break it. He wasn’t sure he wanted to. If it hadn’t been for the reservation Tighnari made for them, they wouldn’t have come here.

Kaveh had also noticed it. Cyno was sure of that fact, because his solution for it was.. Different.

“Another red wine, please! I’m drown- drink- the opposite of drowning over here!” Kaveh’s voice was loud. Cyno would never compare himself to Tighnari in terms of hearing capabilities, but his ears were also sensitive to loud, sudden sounds. Sounds like yelling. He liked his peace, and Kaveh was making a mockery of that. The wine was undoubtedly to blame.

“Their fish rolls are good, huh? You want another? You should take it, take it.” Kaveh made some drunken semblance of an attempt to salvage the situation. Cyno wished it would work.

Cyno put in the effort to hum in agreement with the statement. They were. It hardly made up for his lack of a wish to be here. “I don’t need another. I’ve had enough.”

“No, no no, you need more! You don’t eat nearly enough. Have mine.” And despite his clear protests, Cyno got the rolls forced upon him anyway. Pushed onto his plate like their presence alone would get him to consume them.

“Kaveh, I won’t-”

“I always tell Nari, he has to feed you better. Look at how thin you are. Through all that skin you’re showing I can just see your bones! It looks so unhealthy! You know, I would tell Alhaitham too, but he always rolls his eyes at me. Can you believe him? He can’t actually think you look healthy like this, right?”

“Kaveh-”

How thin he was had nothing to do with either of them. Neither had any influence over the systemic abuse the previous sages had forced him through when he did not know any other way to live than to starve. If anything, they were the reason you couldn’t see his bones anymore, always pushing him to eat a healthy meal even when he had overworked himself until deep into the night. They weren’t allowed to be blamed.

“Not to even speak about the way you dress yourself. I can understand showing off the way Alhaitham does with his muscles, but that doesn’t mean you have to take off everything, does it? It’s totally inappropriate. What if any children see you?”

“Kaveh- !”

Children were terrified of him anyway, and in the desert, any fabric was additional baggage that would slow him down. That wasn’t an option. He was the one they called upon when a fugitive fled into the great red sand. He was the last line of defense stopping criminals from being able to escape their rightful judgement. There was no backup. Failure was not an option. And if justice came at the price of an exposed chest, then that was a price he was all too happy paying for it.

“And that helmet, what is it supposed to be? You’re not actually a hybrid like Tighnari, are you? So why do you wear something with those ears? It’s probably really inconvenient too. And it’s plain awful to look at. I’d just toss it if I were-”

“KAVEH!”

His headpiece was something that he fought for. The proof of who he had become. That despite being nothing but an orphan from the desert, he had conquered all. He’d risen to the rank of General Mahamatra by the merits of no one but himself. It was his prized possession. It was his. He didn’t wish to hear another word.

Finally, he wasn’t interrupted, Kaveh staring up at him with some dazed kind of confusion. Cyno pushed back his chair and stood up.

“I’m going to the bathroom.”

He left Kaveh on his own as he made a run for it, tail tucked between his legs. Though this run wasn’t especially fast, speed staggered by his need to compose himself.

Cyno pushed the door of the bathroom shut behind him, letting a heavy breath of air finally escape. It was suffocating trying to pretend like he wasn’t suffering. That same iron grip he had felt for so many years as the sages used him until he would inevitably shatter under their demands tightened again like a noose around his neck.

But things were different now.

He didn’t wish to pretend any longer.

He didn’t want to act like he was okay. But Cyno had never learned what it was like to break. Now that he finally had the chance, he couldn’t let go of that habit no matter how hard he tried.

He didn’t know how long he sat until he walked further into the bathroom. A toilet, a small sink and a mirror, that’s all it was. Like his own small prison.

Cyno’ eyes wandered over to his reflection in the mirror. He looked at himself, at how much more visible his eyebags had become throughout the day. The nice pair of going-out clothes he had worn (courtesy of Alhaitham) seemed entirely inappropriate for what today had become. It felt like a joke. A cruel trick that life had played on him to take away his happiness when he had finally managed to grasp onto it.

Turning on the water, Cyno cupped his hands under the tap, watching his blurry reflection as his fingers filled with clear liquid. The way his face had contorted into a frown now much more terrifying than his usual observant gaze.

He regretted the decision he’d made so many months ago, to accept this fourway tie of a relationship.

He didn’t need to fall hard for Kaveh as he had done for Alhaitham or his Nari, but to not be able to get along with him at all.. It would be miserable.

He couldn’t let that happen.

There had to be something he could enjoy about Kaveh. Something that sparked the interest of both of his lovers. Then what? What wasn’t he seeing?

What had he missed?

Another chance, just one more.

He could imagine Tighnari looking back over his shoulder as Cyno brushed his tail, asking him to just finish his day with Kaveh, give him a chance and he would see. He would learn why it was that they had been best friends for years, and had grown even closer since.

Cyno thought of him and Alhaitham sitting at their desks together. How Alhaitham spoke of the love he would feel when he was scolded upon his coming home. A concept Cyno wasn’t unfamiliar with, but that he hadn’t felt in the slightest from Kaveh.

Maybe it was just a matter of perspective. The way that they looked at Kaveh, and the way that he saw that man were much too different to have any point of comparison. Kaveh was almost a stranger. A cruel spirit haunting the back of his mind.

He just had to get to know him more. That would fix everything, wouldn’t it? Cyno prayed that was right.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a knock on the door. “General Mahamatra sir? Your friend is asking for you.”

Cyno suppressed a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose together with two fingers.

“I will be right there.”

Just tonight. Just for a couple more hours. He had to make sure Kaveh arrived home in one piece at least. He owed that to his lovers.

------

“Cynooo..” Kaveh just about whined. Cyno ignored his pleas, determined to make decent time. Tonight had gone on for long enough already. It was a disaster. And not one he wished to repeat.

“Cynoo, we gotta stop or I’ll throw up..” Cyno stilled for a moment. He would rather not deal with that. He preferred staying clean over getting home as fast as they could.

“Let’s sit down.”

What harm was there in letting this torture continue on a while longer?

Cyno let his vest slip from his shoulders, laying it out on the grass just beside the path. With his help Kaveh sat and then laid down on it. It was a lucky thing it was so late, it was unlikely anyone would come to disturb them now. On the other hand, that meant Cyno would have to spend more time in this moment, and there were little things he could think of that he would dislike more.

He stood waiting, keeping most attention on their surroundings as he let Kaveh come to his senses. At least the cold night air should be able to clear part of the hangover. Kaveh shouldn’t have drunk that much, he prayed.

He stood for minutes before he spoke any words. Soft, gentle, like he might scare Kaveh away if he sounded too harsh.

“Are you ready to leave again?”

He didn’t receive an answer to his question. Instead, a totally ridiculous counter was proposed to him. Ridiculous because it was something Cyno would say, not something he expected to fall from Kaveh’s lips. “I have a joke, if you’d want to hear it. I don't think it’s very good, but Tighnari told me it didn’t have to be.”

Ah, Nari.. That was a little mean, wasn’t it? Cyno had a great taste in jokes. But, yes, of course he wanted to bear witness to a joke told by another. He assured Kaveh of as much. “Please. I would like to hear.”

“Ahem! Here goes nothing.. Why does it always make Mehrak go so crazy when I make him carry around some cashews? It’s because he is a nutcase.

“Pffft-” Cyno laughed, unable to resist the smile wanting to break onto his face for the first time that night.

He didn’t see the way Kaveh’s face lit up at that.

“Cyno? Come sit down with me. Take some space, there’s more than enough for the both of us.” Kaveh gestured a little haphazardly beside himself as he clumsily righted himself on the jacket, his coordination likely still not as good as it normally ought to be.

“Upon my own vest?” Cyno asked, just a little amused by the ‘offer’, permission given out like he wouldn’t have been able to use his own garment before. He took a seat anyway, letting himself get somewhat comfortable upon it. Their bodies were very close. Now much clearer than before, Cyno could tell just how much larger Kaveh was. He still needed to look up even when they were seated. He wondered how Nari bridged that gap…? He was sure that they had kissed before.

“It’s much nicer than the grass, and you look tired. Really, I can’t believe-” Kaveh stopped mid sentence, causing Cyno to frown with worry.

“I’ve been pretty terrible today, haven’t I?”

Cyno wouldn’t deny that. The impression Kaveh had left all day hadn’t necessarily been a good one.. But it felt somewhat.. Different now. Softer.

“I was so nervous for today. I got so caught up in my head about everything. You’re a bigshot matra. The Mahamatra. I got so worried the moment Tighnari first brought you in to meet with us, and that feeling never really left me. There’s just something about you that puts me on edge! Like you’ll judge me for anything I try. I wanted to leave a good impression on you, but somehow I ended up doing the exact opposite. I completely ruined today. I’m sorry, Cyno.”

Cyno was quiet.

An.. apology? He hadn’t expected that. Kaveh wasn’t the type to quickly admit to his own mistakes, that much Cyno had surely learned over the time he’d known the man. He must be making quite the effort.

If even Kaveh was looking so deeply inside and reaching out with sincerity in his words, then Cyno couldn’t ignore that.

“I have not been entirely fair with you, either, Kaveh. I let my prejudices guide me, and did not give you the chances that you rightfully deserved. I am deeply ashamed of my actions.” He had behaved unworthy of being a good matra - unworthy of being a good boyfriend.

“No no no! I am the one at fault here! I dragged you to this market with no care if you wanted to go or not, and then I even made you carry around my bags! I am definitely the one at fault!” Kaveh looked so offended that Cyno would try to shoulder the blame! It was a little funny.

“But I never spoke out, so you could not have known of my misery, either.” Cyno shook his head. No, it was definitely his fault for being so terrible with simple communications.

“I should have known though. You never- !” Kaveh’s features softened in the middle of his argument, his frustration turning to a small smile instead. “Look at us.. It’s almost like you're imitating Alhaitham of all people. I should have known how much trouble you’d be since you get along with him so well. Hey, why don’t we agree to both be at fault and move on?”

With a defeated sigh, Cyno gave in. They would never reach a conclusion if he did not. He knew from witnessing many arguments between Kaveh and Alhaitham just how long those could last for.. It was better like this.

“Then what do you wish to do now..?” Cyno finally locked his eyes with Kaveh, holding up his pinky, soon linked together with his partner beside him.

“Why don’t we just look at the stars?”

That was possible. It was.. peaceful. He didn’t have to stay as alert this late at night. The chances of anyone walking up and recognising him now were very slim, so he allowed himself to let go of his worries.

“You know… If Nari were here I would tell him that I could ‘star’ at him all night. He would probably roll his eyes and sigh at that one.. One day, though. One day I will tell a joke that he truly appreciates.” Cyno reached his hand out to the stars in the sky. He was sure he could, it just.. May still be a while.

“Doesn’t he love them?”

Cyno looked to his side. “Do you have no eyes to bear witness to his reactions yourself? As much as I would wish that to be truthful, Tighnari never cares for my jokes.. That isn’t to say that he never will. I am determined to someday tell a joke he loves.” One day, Nari. One day. Just wait.

“Hah! Well you don’t have to try so hard for that. Tighnari told me before plenty of times how he likes your jokes! Not all of them. But there are more hitters than you think. Ah, he just likes to play hard to get. I didn’t think you’d be one to fall for that, Cyno. How long have you known eachother? You shouldn’t believe him on every word you know. Tighnari is so sneaky like that!”

Cyno chuckled, his face reddening outside of his control. Tighnari.. Liked his jokes..? Ah, he could never stop making them now.

His boyfriend liked his jokes.

Perhaps more than one of them did.

“You look happy..” Kaveh’s smile was soft.

“Of course I am. I didn’t know.. I am very happy. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Kaveh.”

“Oh, don’t mention it.” Kaveh waved it off. “Please? Tighnari will have my head if you do tell him.”

Cyno chuckled.

“I promise.”

“. . . . Cyno? Would you teach me how to play that cardgame? Genius.. Something. The one that you’re a fan of. I want to know about it. You have good taste, so there has to be something I’m missing. Oh! And I know what you’re going to say! ‘You don’t have to’ blah blah, well I want to! So don’t say no out of your own selflessness because it won't be appreciated!”

Cyno almost laughed at the somewhat childish attitude of the blonde. Kaveh really was a character, wasn’t he?

“Then I accept your request. Please, let me be your teacher, Kaveh.”

“Wonderful! I have your payment right here!”

“No, that isn’t-” Cyno stilled, and he was certain his heart stopped beating in his chest for a moment at the card Kaveh held out to him.. A TCG card of Sethos. It was dirty, and crudely taped together, but all in one piece. His card.

“I know it’s not supposed to look like that, and I will get you a new one as soon as I find out how that works! But.. For now.. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have broken it. I didn’t consi-”

“Kaveh.” Cyno took Kaveh’s hand in his. “It’s perfect, alright? Thank you.”

He hesitated a moment, then leaned in. He placed a soft kiss upon Kaveh’s cheek, feeling his own cheeks burn up in sync with the color appearing onto Kaveh’s face. Despite having officially been in a relationship for so long, they’d never done anything. Nothing romantic. Never kissed. Today was a first in many ways.

“Wh-what was that?”

“A.. kiss..? I hope it was alright with you. If not then I-”

“It was. Don’t apologise again, it was good! So cheer up already! And take your card. It is still yours..”

Cyno took the card, holding it pressed to his chest. “Yes.. Thank you, Kaveh. Very much.”

Cyno felt so warm inside.

-------

Cyno heard the sound of keys turning in the door, followed by footsteps and a “Cyno! Kaveh! We are back! Huh, nice new keyhanger..” from Tighnari, and only a hum from Alhaitham to announce his own presence.

Cyno answered without any raise of his voice, knowing that even if he were to whisper it, Nari would be able to hear him anyway.

“We’re in the livingroom.”

For once Cyno did not come rushing to Tighnari’s side, much too focussed in calculating his next play.

Surprisingly, Kaveh had managed to put him into a somewhat tough spot in their fourth game of the night. Of course, Cyno had no doubt he was still going to win, but how? That was the riddle he had to solve.

He was swiftly pulled out of his focus by a pair of soft lips being pressed against the side of his scalp, looking up somewhat stunned at his prettier than life boyfriend, who looked very amused at his reaction.

“Nari, I-”

“What, are you too good for us now? I can’t believe you wouldn’t even come to greet us.” Tighnari shook his head like this was something he was disappointed about. “oh, huh… That looks like a tough situation you’re in. You’ve been playing against Kaveh?” Tigunari seemed.. Somewhat impressed. And Cyno actually agreed, it was very impressive that he had convinced Kaveh to play with him, and it was an even greater accomplishment that Kaveh would manage to challenge him so well. If only they knew.

“When he puts his mind to something, Kaveh can usually achieve it.” Alhaitham said something nice about Kaveh..? “If only he applied that to more of his work.”

“Alhaitham!! I’d like to see you try to compete against Cyno then!” Kaveh chattered right back, and for the first time Cyno found their little back and forth actually oddly.. charming.

Cyno’s attention was grabbed again by Tighnari as he picked up one of Cyno’s playing cards. Sethos.

“What’s this card gone through? It doesn't look well preserved at all. Kaveh, you didn’t bully Cyno, did you?” Tighnari crossed his arms, a bit of worry slipping through his joking attitude. He knew Cyno would never let anything happen to his cards.

Cyno answered before Kaveh could. “A small child broke it. But Kaveh has joined it back together for me, and was ever so gracious to accept even a broken card in our play. I am quite grateful for his adaptability to change.” Cyno didn’t lie. He never would, and he had no desire to change that fact. He would tell Tighnari the truth later. And Alhaitham, too. Though he was also well aware that both of them would realise the truth on their own. The only purpose his lie served was the need not to have this discussion right now. It was already solved, any worries were unneeded.

Tighnari squeezed his shoulder, and Alhaitham's eyes shone with that clear understanding.

“Well..” Tighnari smiled, his eyes glowing with that devious intent Cyno fell harder for each time. “When you’ve finished this round, I know another competitor or two that would be just as eager to try to beat our champion~ we can make it a double battle, if you want.”

Cyno neither wanted nor stood a chance at keeping the smile growing on his face at bay. He exchanged a look with Kaveh, who tentatively glanced back.

Cyno gave him an encouraging nod.

“Well, if you want to get to your champion, you’ll have to break through my defenses first. I’m not such an easy opponent anymore!”