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The early morning sun crept through the curtains of Tighnari's humble abode, casting a warm glow over the living area. Tighnari wakes up, feeling groggy and weak, which isn't something he'd expect to feel in the morning, especially on the day of Emilie's visit. It'll probably wear off once he's fully up and awake, so he gets up and does his morning routine.
Throughout his routine, there is that subtle and yet persistent fatigue, but he figured that would go away once he has something to eat. He greets Cyno who is already in the kitchen making tea and breakfast. Cyno can tell that from Tighnari's body language that he is excited for Emilie's visit, yet at the same time, there were subtle signs of Tighnari not feeling his best; from the fatigue in Tighnari's movements to his face slowly draining in colour.
“Tighnari, you look a little off. Are you feeling alright?” Cyno asked, pouring a cup of tea and passed it to Tighnari.
Tighnari accepted a cup and forced a smile, trying to mask the weariness behind his eyes. He sipped the tea, hoping a small bit of caffeine would drown out the fatigue. “I'm okay, just a little tired, nothing to worry about.” He replied, trying to reassure Cyno. “More importantly, Emilie is coming over.”
His excitement at Emilie's arrival served as a motivation to hide his sickness. He is a huge fan of her work, and since their relationship was more long-distance and they communicated mostly by letter, he treasured the moments when they do meet face to face. He couldn't afford to cancel their plans over a little tiredness, especially since the three of them live busy lives; Cyno often crosses between the rainforest and desert as a general mahamatra, Emilie is a self-employed perfume designer and also works as a forensic cleaner, whereas Tighnari himself patrols the forest, organises lectures, does his research, and is Collei's mentor. In addition to their busy lives, Tighnari needed to make his time with Cyno and Emilie perfect, even when his body was betraying him.
With Cyno knowing Tighnari since their akademiya days, he knew it would be difficult to deceive Cyno. And with Emilie's detective background, it would be difficult to deceive her as well. But even so, he can't afford either of them to spend their day worrying about him when he organised their day together.
Cyno observed Tighnari, sensing the determination behind his words. He knew how much Tighnari looked forward to Emilie’s visits, and he understood the long-distance challenges of their relationship. But he also knew Tighnari had a stubborn streak a kilometre wide when it came to his own health. Cyno also knew that if he pushes on, Tighnari would resist and they could step into an argument, which wouldn't be helpful for Tighnari's sickness. So the only option was to observe him, at least until Emilie arrives.
Tighnari continued to go about his preparations, determined to make everything perfect for Emilie’s visit. He tidied the shelves, stocked up on some of her favorite snacks, and even went so far as to groom and oil his fluffy fox ears and tail. But as he moved around, his body subtly betrayed his exhaustion, his movements becoming slightly slower and more laboured.
A short while after, Tighnari's large ears pick up the sound of footsteps. His heart leapt, knowing it must be Emilie. He took a few seconds to compose himself before greeting her with a warm smile. Emilie is there outside the entrance, her radiant smilie and rosy pink eyes illuminating the room. Emilie herself took in the sight of Tighnari, while unaware of his body betraying him.
“Tighnari!” Emilie exclaimed, her rose pink eyes lighting up at the sight of him.
Tighmari returned her smile, his heart warmed by her presence despite the fact that his skin was pale, clammy, and there was a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead. But even so, he refused to let his discomfort show. “Come in, make yourself at home.”
Just as Emilie enters, Tighnari notices a distinct a fragrance with a combination of flowers from both Sumeru and Fontaine. “Is that your new perfume?”
“Mhm, you taught me so much about the native flora in Sumeru, which inspired me to test out some of the combinations.”
Before they had the chance to nerd out, Cyno approaches them with a TCG card in his hand, putting on a dramatic flair. “It is I, Cyno the Adventurer!”
Emilie couldn't help but giggle at his dramatic introduction. “Cyno the Adventurer? I'd say, that is a rather intriguing form of introduction.” She chuckled, intrigued by Cyno's way of communicating.
Cyno gave her a sly grin. “Ah, well, when you’re the great and fearless adventurer, you must always be prepared with a dramatic entrance.”
Tighnari rolled his eyes at Cyno, but he couldn’t help but smirk. “Ignore him, he’s just being his usual ridiculous self.”
Emilie laughed again. “I think it’s charming,” she said, casting a warm smile in Cyno’s direction. “Always good to have someone who adds a bit of drama to life.”
Cyno beamed at her compliment. “See, Tighnari? Some people appreciate my dramatic flair,” he teased, giving his partner a playful nudge.
Tighnari rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yes, well, some of us prefer less theatrics and more practicality,” he retorted, trying to maintain his composure despite his growing fatigue.
Emilie teases. “Come on, Tighnari, where's your sense of fun?”
Tighnari tried to muster a lighthearted laugh, but it came out as more of a cough. He quickly covered his mouth, trying to hide the obvious.
Cyno's sharp eyes did not miss the sudden cough and the look of worry passed over his features. He took a subtle step closer to Tighnari, silently prepared to intervene if necessary.
Meanwhile, Tighnari has a feeling of heaviness in his head as he tries to steady himself. He tried to maintain his composure, but the fatigue was becoming increasingly harder to ignore and hide. Besides his dizziness and fatigue, he's also struggling with a growing headache and is beginning to feel feverish. He tried to brush it off again, plastering a smile on his face in hope that his symptoms would stay hidden for Cyno's and Emilie's sake. But it seems that the more he brushes it off, the worse his condition becomes. And he's starting to feel sick...
As Tighnari stood there, struggling to keep his balance, Cyno decided it was time to take action. He gently approaches Tighnari, placing a gentle yet firm hand on his shoulder. He leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper, “Tighnari, you need to lie down.”
Emilie also gently approaches Tighnari, placing her hand on his other shoulder as she brushes his hair away from his face. “Tighnari, chéri...”
Their combined concern and efforts somewhat crumbled Tighnari's stubborn façade as he instinctively leaned into their touch while his body is betraying his effort to stay upright. “I'm just a bit tired, that's all.” He muttered weakly, still attempting to downplay his condition.
Both Cyno and Emilie could see right through his obvious lie. “You're not just tired, Tighnari,” Cyno said gently but firmly. “You're sick. You've been pushing yourself too hard, and now your body is paying the price.”
Before Tighnari had a chance to argue back, Emilie's hand gently caressed his face whilst feeling the growing heat from his skin. “Tighnari, your skin is warm and you're stumbling.” She said with a gentle soothing voice before she starts holding him, hoping that her love and fragrance reaches out to him. “Please, let us take care of you.”
With Emilie's gentle caress and soothing words, Tighnari's defences crumbled further. He tried to resist, but the fatigue and fever were taking their toll, and he found himself leaning heavily on Emilie. “...Okay,” he mumbled weakly, his voice barely above a whisper, “I... guess I'm feeling a bit unwell...”
After he finally admitted to feeling sick, Tighnari leaned into Emilie's familiar touch, her warmth and fragrance offering comfort. Despite his earlier resistance, he decided that he couldn't ignore the fatigue and heaviness in his head any longer. Cyno also wraps his arms around Tighnari, providing additional support as they both guided Tighnari towards a large bed, carefully lowering him. He sank into bed, but the room started to spin around him as his headache had been getting worse.
“He's burning up,” she whispered, concern lacing her soothing voice.
Cyno gently squeezed Tighnari's shoulder, his eyes fixed on the forest watcher's ill complexion. “You really should have said something before, you stubborn fox,” he chided gently, his voice filled with a mixture of affection and annoyance. “We'll need to keep monitoring him. I'll go get him water.”
Emilie nodded, paying close attention to Tighnari's current state. She noticed his large ears flatten against his head, an indication that he was clearly feeling unwell. It was unusual seeing someone so composed feeling so ill, and it was tough to watch. She gently takes his hand to ask permission.
“May I lay with you, chéri?” She asked with a low, tender voice that carries her affection.
Tighnari gave her hand a gentle squeeze and nodded weakly, a quiet approval. She slipped off her footwear and eased in beside him, holding him close.
During the cuddle, Tighnari noticed that same fragrance from their hug earlier; a combination of flowers from both Fontaine and Sumeru. One flower he can smell is the Lakelight Lily. The fragrance is cool and refreshing, almost pungent even, but gentle at the same time. Another is the Sumeru Rose, which gives a pleasant fragrance. He closed his eyes, melting in Emilie's warmth and listening to her heartbeat, he pictured the Sumeru Rose and Lakelight Lily, dancing together and combining as one. These fragrances and her warmth, distracted him from his sickness momentarily.
After a short while, Cyno returned, carrying a cup of water. He noticed the peaceful, almost blissful expression on Tighnari's face and the way his ears had slightly perked up. It was so adorable, seeing him snuggled in Emilie's embrace. He'd hate to ruin it, but getting enough fluids is important.
Cyno set the tray down on a nearby table and approached the bed, a hint of amusement twitching at the corners of his mouth. “Seems like someone is enjoying themselves,” he teased gently with fondness in his voice.
But as he drew closer, his expression shifted. Tighnari's cheeks were flushed a deep, unhealthy red, and his breathing had turned rapid and shallow. Emilie felt it too, causing her to pull back slightly and create a small gap between them to let the air circulate.
In response, Tighnari's hand grasped weakly at her sleeve. “No...”
“Shhhh, I'm not going anywhere.” Emilie soothed, startled by the raw desperation in his grip.
“We're going to replace the heavy blanket with a lighter one,” Cyno informed, hoping a word of science would keep Tighnari at bay. “Every degree above 39°C worsens tachycardia. Wool traps heat, which spikes the demand for oxygen. And if we cool too fast, shivering generates more internal heat. This swap lets the heat escape gradually; thus creating a stable cerebral flow and cuts seizure risk without thermal shock.”
Cyno then carefully peeled the heavy blanket away, folding it and setting it aside. In its place, he draped a thin, breathable cotton sheet over Tighnari, which was just enough to ward off chills without smothering him.
Through the foggy fever, Tighnari was processing Cyno's clinical explanation. “Did you... memorise all that?”
Cyno's lips twitched. “I read it in one of your journals. The one you left open on the desk.”
“You read my research notes?” Tighnari's ears perked slightly, a flicker of his usual curiosity breaking through the haze. “When?”
“When you were too busy grooming your tail to notice, I retain what matters.”
Emilie stifled a laugh against Tighnari's shoulder. “He's been taking notes from you, chéri.”
“The General Mahamatra, quoting my research. Next you'll be correcting my taxonomy.” Tighnari responded with a hint of dry humour.
“Your taxonomy is already correct,” Cyno said flatly. “Now drink.”
He handed Tighnari the glass of water. Tighnari managed a few sips, his throat dry and scratchy, before glancing at Cyno and Emilie with weary eyes. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
“You're welcome,” Cyno replied, his tone gentle and filled with concern. “But please try to drink a bit more. You're dehydrated.”
As Tighnari continued drinking water, Emilie gently stroked Tighnari's hair to offer further comfort, managing to avoid his large ears due to sensitivity.
Once Tighnari had enough, Cyno retrieved the cup and placed it over on the table before gently placing a damp cloth on his forehead, repeating what he said earlier. “You should have said something sooner.”
Tighnari let out a weary sigh, his fox ears drooping. “I know,” he said quietly, his voice still hoarse. “I didn't want to admit it, not when I planned our day together.”
Cyno's expression softened hearing Tighnari's words. He understood the yearning to see those you love, especially after being apart for so long. But his heart ached at the sight of Tighnari, usually so strong and resilient, now lying there, trembling and ill.
“We know,” Cyno said gently, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder. “But your well-being comes first.”
“We'd rather have you healthy and well, even if it means waiting a little longer to see each other. Seeing you like this, sick and in pain, knowing we could've prevented it... It hurts more than any amount of wait.” Emilie added, gently emphasising her hold.
Tighnari looked back up at them both, his eyes searching theirs. His fox ears flattened against his head in a gesture of resignation. He knew they were right. He had pushed himself too far, and now he was paying the price. But hearing their words, laced with so much love and care, tugged at his heartstrings.
“I'm sorry,” he mumbled, his voice hoarse yet sincere. “I just... missed you two a lot.”
Cyno carefully pulled the chair closer, until his knees almost touched the mattress. He reached out and took Tighnari's hand in both of his, squeezing gently. “We missed you too,” he said, his voice filled with tenderness. “But next time, don't wait until you're half-dead to let us know you're feeling ill, alright?”
Tighnari let out a weak chuckle. “Deal.”
Emilie was still beside him, but with that careful gap between their bodies. She traced her fingers down his hair again. “Close your eyes and rest, chéri.”
“You have us, Padisarah,” Cyno murmured, caressing Tighnari's hand with his thumb. “We're going to make sure you get better.”
Tighnari, surrounded by their love and care, found himself letting go completely. His body relaxed against Emilie's, his tense muscles finally loosening. The exhaustion and fever made his eyelids heavy, but with Cyno and Emilie by his side, he knew he was in the safest place he could be. So with that, he drifted off to a deep sleep.
"He can be so stubborn sometimes," Cyno muttered, a fond smile playing on his lips as he watched Tighnari sleep.
Emilie chuckled softly, her fingers gently combing through Tighnari's hair. "That's our Tighnari for you," she whispered, a mixture of amusement and affection in her voice. “Always putting others before himself.”
Cyno nodded and shifted his position slightly on the chair, his hand still holding. “I swear, sometimes it's like he forgets that he's human like the rest of us,” he murmured, a hint of worry in his voice. “He pushes himself too hard, trying to take on everything himself.”
Emilie reached out and gently touched Cyno's arm, understanding his concern. “He's just too compassionate for his own good,” she said softly. “He has a heart big enough to hold all of Sumeru, but forgets that he needs to care for his own heart too.”
Cyno nodded again. “It's because of his big heart that we love him though,” he murmured, his gaze returning to Tighnari. “But we also need to make sure he doesn't burn out completely.”
“Agreed,” Emilie murmured, her fingers moving to gently brush the hair away from Tighnari's forehead. “We'll have to make sure he takes better care of himself, even if we have to force him to rest sometimes.”
And so the night passed in a quiet rhythm of care. Cyno took the watch, sitting vigil on the chair beside the bed while Emilie dozed lightly beside Tighnari. Every now and then, he'd gently press the back of his hand to Tighnari's forehead, monitoring the fever. Around midnight, Tighnari stirred restlessly, mumbling something about botanical research and patrol routes. Cyno managed calmed him down with a soft hand on his shoulder, followed by reassurance that the forest can wait.
By the time dawn crept through the curtains, Tighnari's fever had broken. His breathing had evened out and the flush in his cheeks had faded to a more natural warmth. He slept deeply now, truly resting for the first time in what must have been days. He eventually woke up feeling better. The headache had faded to a dull ache, and the fatigue had lifted enough that he felt capable of sitting up without assistance.
He blinked, looking around the room. Cyno was still asleep on the chair, though he looked deeply uncomfortable, his head tipped back and his legs sprawled awkwardly. Then his gaze found Emilie, snuggled against him. A memory flashed in his mind, Her hair was a disaster, tangled and wild. She was beautiful.
Tighnari watched them both for a long moment, his heart full. Then he quietly eased himself out of bed. His legs were weak, but he managed to stand. He padded to the kitchen, moving slowly and began preparing tea.
The sound of movement woke Cyno first. He stirred, blinking, and immediately noticed the empty bed. Panic flickered across his features before he spotted Tighnari in the kitchen, standing at the counter, pouring water into a teapot.
“What are you doing?” Cyno asked, his voice rough with sleep. He was on his feet immediately, crossing the room.
“Making tea,” Tighnari replied calmly. “I thought you might appreciate it after a night in that chair. You should have taken the sofa.”
“I wasn't leaving you.”
“I know.” Tighnari turned, offering Cyno a small smile. “But you need to take care of yourself too.”
Cyno studied him for a moment, noting the steady hands, the clearer eyes, the improved color in his cheeks. “You really are feeling better,” he observed, a note of relief in his voice.
“I am.” Tighnari gestured to the kettle. “Now, sit. Let me do something for you for a change.”
Cyno hesitated, then nodded, settling at the small table. Emilie wandered in a few minutes later, drawn by the sound of voices and the scent of tea. She looked sleepy, but her smile when she saw Tighnari upright and moving was radiant.
“Look at you,” she said, draping herself over his back in an affectionate hug. “On your feet and everything.”
“It's just tea,” Tighnari protested, but he leaned into her embrace.
“It's progress,” she countered, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “And I'm proud of you.”
They settled at the table, drinking tea and eating breakfast Tighnari had prepared. The conversation was light while the morning sun climbed higher, spreading warmth across the room.
“So,” Cyno set down his teacup. “What should we do today? Since our original plans are still, technically, cancelled.”
An idea came to Tighnari's mind. “I have a thought.”
“Oh?” Emilie leaned forward, intrigued.
“I still can't do anything strenuous,” Tighnari said. “But I have a new research project I've been working on. A taxonomy of regional perfume ingredients, comparing their cultural significance and practical applications. I was wondering...”
“Wondering what?” Emilie prompted gently.
“Wondering if you might want to collaborate. Your expertise in perfume design, combined with my botanical knowledge... we could do something interesting. Create something new.”
Emilie's face lit up. “Tighnari! That's brilliant! I would love to work on something like that with you.”
“Excellent,” Cyno said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Meanwhile, I'll be providing moral support and occasionally interrupting with terrible jokes.”
“That's exactly what you'll be doing,” Tighnari agreed.
The morning passed in productive research; Tighnari organising notes while Emilie drew connections, and Cyno occasionally interjecting with absurd puns about flowers and fragrance. And by afternoon, they had outlined a structure for their project and were deep in discussion about different extraction methods.
The research, the collaboration, the easy banter with the two people he loved most, and it was exactly what he needed. The time Tighnari had spent with them shifted something inside him. He learned to accept care, to let people in, to trust that his loved ones genuinely wanted to be there for him. And though his stubbornness never quite disappeared, it did soften.
So in the weeks that followed, Tighnari found himself resting more and allowing himself to take breaks. And when Cyno or Emilie asked if he was feeling alright, he answered honestly. Because he had learned, that being strong didn't mean doing everything alone. It meant knowing when to let others help.