I was thinking of something small and quiet but still a surprise. Maybe bring some food over so we can celebrate it all together? He's told me about food he likes, but I don't know what to bring for a desert.
Small and quiet is good, he wouldn't appreciate anything bigger. As for dessert.. hm, he likes candied ajilenakh nuts quite a bit, but I don't know if you could get it in time. Any candied nut would probably suffice, or honeyed dates.
I got him a new journal, and I'm taking him to a mushroom grove I found on the outskirts of Epiphany. I also got him.. this.
[ attached image! though it's shaped to be fitted to tighnari's type of ear. ]
I learned how to make a special version candied ajilenakh nuts so maybe I can try making him that. I found a nut here called a pistachio that's similar enough so it should work.
Those are all very thoughtful. I know he'll really be happy because it's all from you. I got him a photoalbum and something else, but that last one is a surprise for even you.
He had slept well and for more than long enough, so assumes at first that the problem must be dehydration. When drinking some water doesn't settle the issue he begins to mull over what he had eaten the previous day to try and pinpoint a cause. There's nothing he can think of, but over the course of the day the feeling does not abate and instead develops into a sensation that he can only describe as an itch under his skin that only gets worse the more he ignores it.
It's shameful that it takes him so long to realise just what the problem is.]
Oh, no...
[Of course it's that. The two days of the year where he almost completely takes leave of his senses. How could he have forgotten that it was coming? Without a single preparation or even the beginnings of a thought of one, he finds himself staring out of a window at the chilly, frosty landscape below and wondering just... just how he's supposed to get through this without utterly embarrassing himself.
Tighnari rubs one of his ears absent-mindedly only to grunt and pull his hand down as the sensation sends electric little prickles across his entire body. He grits his teeth, hugging himself with both arms wrapped tight around his torso.
He has to-- He can't possibly stay here. He doesn't want Cyno to see him like this.
he'd noticed that tighnari was not his usual self from the moment they woke up, but he'd kept his counsel. perhaps he'd had bad dreams or hadn't slept well, perhaps he simply wasn't feeling particularly well, any number of cogs could be turning, and tighnari may have very well simply shaken it off after breakfast.
so cyno had set to his morning chores without complaint, eating with tighnari before clearing the freshly fallen snow from their path, then falling into his usual morning training drills in the crisp winter air. it's late morning by the time he steps inside again, considering the day before him, and what he'll do with it, but before he can settle on a task, tighnari's fidgeting catches his attention, as well as that quiet, frustrated grunt.
hmm. it looks as if he hasn't shaken it off at all. stepping nearer, cyno places his hand, gentle and supportive, against the small of tighnari's back. ]
What's wrong?
[ there's no use beating around the bush, not when both of them are direct, earnest people. ]
[By the time Cyno returns from his morning training drills Tighnari is beyond agitated, and for various reasons. So much so that, despite his keen hearing, he doesn't seem to have noticed that the other man is there at all and the gentle pressure of Cyno's hand against his back has him jolting as if someone just struck him.]
Ah--! Nothing!
[Several things are wrong with that response. The first and most obvious being the dramatic flinching, but then there's the way his voice pitches up, the faint colour on his cheeks and dilated pupils, and the way that he is very obviously lying.
He shakes his head, trying to maintain his composure while waves of warmth fan out across his body from the spot where Cyno had touched him.]
It's just-- It's nothing, Cyno, I'll be fine. I'm just feeling a little...
[Aroused. Insatiably, uncontrollably aroused. It's starting to give him a headache.]
[ even were tighnari a skilled liar, cyno would like as not see through it with ease. it's part of his job, to know when people are telling untruths, to be able to read every little tell and understand what a person is thinking. but it's clear on tighnari's face, nonetheless. there's also the fact that he was so distracted that he didn't hear cyno's approach - something cyno is quite sure has never happened. his brow knits with concern. ]
Unwell?
[ cyno's free hand lifts to tighnari's face, pressing knuckles to his cheek and brow. ]
You do feel a little warm. Would you like me to draw you a cool bath?
[ maybe something cold to drink? cyno's no skilled medic, not like tighnari is, but he likes to help regardless, and he knows more than enough to get by, things he's picked up from tighnari himself. it hasn't yet occurred to him that tighnari's issues might be.. something else entirely. ]
[His pupils dilate further when Cyno touches his face like that. Oh, gods. It's worse when it's him. It's so much worse. He feels himself flushing hotter simply from the proximity and swallows down the strangled little whine that tries to push itself out of his throat.]
No, no.
[And he's leaning, following the movement of Cyno's hand against his cheek without even thinking about it. His arms are still folded tight across his chest, his fingers gripping white-knuckled against his elbows.]
I think-- I think I just... I need to go out and get some air, that's all.
[It's not that he's embarrassed about what is happening, he tells himself. It's not that, because it's natural and normal and nothing to be concerned over. What he's worried about is... how forceful he knows he can be under this influence, and how he doesn't want to treat Cyno like that even if he knows the other man would let him.]
[He didn't think that Cyno would want too much of a fuss, and so he doesn't prepare one.
On the morning of Cyno's birthday, Tighnari gently kisses him on the cheek before slipping out of bed just before the sun starts to come up. They're both early risers but you have to be up early to beat Cyno out of bed. Since it's a special occasion, he makes the effort.
Naturally he has it all planned out and he hasn't been too subtle about getting the food he planned to cook for the other man's breakfast - all of his favourite things - but the gift..? He'd managed to keep that a secret.
When Cyno inevitably joins him long before he's finished cooking, he looks over his shoulder with a warm smile and tilts his head back a little to receive the kiss planted to the corner of his mouth.]
[ tighnari's assumption is correct, of course; cyno doesn't need a fuss, doesn't want one, he only wants a nice, normal day with tighnari by his side. the only thing missing is collei; the more time passes, the more he aches to see her, to know she's all right, but he is growing more content here, with time. he isn't sure how to feel about that.
nevertheless, tighnari slips out of bed, and cyno very nearly wakes. not only is he an early riser, he's also an incredibly light sleeper, but sleeping beside tighnari always makes him feel warm, and safe. it allows him to let his guard down a little bit. so he sleeps on, for another hour or so, perhaps, until he finally stirs to the scent of delicious food. it wafts into the bedroom - the smell of eggs and rice, cheese, bacon.. mmm.
when he wanders into the kitchen, still dressed in his sleeping clothes, cyno smiles, approaches, presses his face to the back of tighnari's shoulder. ]
.. smells good. [ he murmurs, his voice still rough from sleep. ] You didn't have to, 'Nari.
[But - and it goes without saying - he wanted to. Cyno's birthday might be more important to Tighnari than it is to Cyno himself but he will take the opportunity to make his partner feel special.
With everything cooking and not in danger of being burned he turns around and loops his arms around the other man, clasping his fingers against the small of Cyno's back. He smiles at him, nudging their noses together, then plants a soft kiss against his lips.]
I have a gift for you as well, but you can have it after breakfast.
[There had been some thought put into it. He's fairly sure Cyno will like it.]
And you will have my attention for the entire day.
[ tighnari turns, slips those arms around him, and cyno can't help his warm, soft smile. it's so easy for him to smile, when he's with tighnari. it's so easy for him to feel warm and open, to shrug off the stoic shell he wraps himself in, and allow himself to be tender and soft. though cyno is very much the general mahamatra - fierce, strong, serious - he is also this, deep in his heart.
touching their foreheads together, he hums against tighnari's soft lips. ]
A gift, hmm?
[ once again, tighnari didn't have to, but.. cyno had gone out of his way to get gifts for him on his birthday, so he can hardly begrudge tighnari doing the same. especially if it makes him happy to do it. ]
Your attention is absolutely what I want the most.
Then think of the gift as a little something extra.
[It's a gift all on its own for Tighnari himself, every day, to be able to have this. To be able to see this side of Cyno and have it all to himself. He smiles and leans in to kiss him again, then again, affection pecks against his lips that he seems to be coaxing him to chase.]
I was surprised you stayed in bed for so long after I got up. [He comments then, glancing over the other man's shoulder in the direction he came into the room from.]
[When Cyno gets up, he'll find a tajine on the dinner table. Inside will be some cookies that look like the back of different TCG cards, bags of dried fruits and nuts, a clippable strap, and lastly a card.
Inside the card, Aether's written a little message:
Dear Cyno,
Happy birthday! I'm glad we've become friends in Teyvat and even better friends here. I know we can always count on each other, but today, I'm counting on you to have fun and celebrate your birthday. I looked for a card that fit your sense of humor just for you.
[ His second text takes a moment to come through as Kaveh sits and stares at his device in a strange mix of relief and— and something. Something he can't quite place.
Kaveh's fingers are trembling as he types. ]
i'm. I know it's early, I'm sory but I'm at Alhaitham's place and he's not here, none of his stuff is here.
[ With Tides having become Kaveh's go-to for clothing and a number of other things, it's been a while since he's come back to Luan Street. Not that it has really changed that much— The birds still fly overhead, beautiful and vibrant in both appearance and song. The stalls are still full of a variety of foods, and the shops still bright with different colors of clothing.
As always, he's left with the feeling that he could browse for hours and hours, lose himself amidst the color and the sound and the fun— but today, he has a reason for being here, one that keeps him hovering close to the station until the next train gets in, and Cyno disembarks.
Without hesitation, Kaveh strides to him, greeting him first with a smile and then with a half-hug around his shoulders. He looks different now, with his jackal ears and fluffy tail, almost as if he's taken on some of his partner's features for himself; he's still the General Mahamatra though, one of Kaveh's best friends and companions. ]
You ready?
[ Personally, he's a little scared. But that's neither here nor there. ]
he's been thinking about getting another tattoo for quite awhile now, but things continued to crop up, life continued to be distracting, and he had never quite gotten around to it. but now? now, kaveh wants one, and, well, cyno won't let him go it alone! they might as well do it together, hmm?
so here he is, stepping off of the train, glancing around for kaveh - but his friend soon approaches without cyno needing to find him. he smiles. ]
[ Kaveh nods, and his smile is brilliant— although maybe tinged with just the smallest bit of anxiety. He's excited too, but unlike Cyno, he doesn't have any tattoos at all. He's chosen something quite complicated and large for his first, and it's nerve-wracking. ]
I do.
[ He holds out a sheaf of papers— a carefully-drawn sketch, a self-portrait showing where he wants it on his body, the same original artwork again but with color for reference. He may have over-prepared just a little... ]
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text - backdated to 12/27
Tighnari's birthday is coming up and I wanted to do something for him. I'd like your help and some advice since you know him better than I do.
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What are you getting him?
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I got him a new journal, and I'm taking him to a mushroom grove I found on the outskirts of Epiphany. I also got him.. this.
[ attached image! though it's shaped to be fitted to tighnari's type of ear. ]
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Those are all very thoughtful. I know he'll really be happy because it's all from you.
I got him a photoalbum and something else, but that last one is a surprise for even you.
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action, late January
He had slept well and for more than long enough, so assumes at first that the problem must be dehydration. When drinking some water doesn't settle the issue he begins to mull over what he had eaten the previous day to try and pinpoint a cause. There's nothing he can think of, but over the course of the day the feeling does not abate and instead develops into a sensation that he can only describe as an itch under his skin that only gets worse the more he ignores it.
It's shameful that it takes him so long to realise just what the problem is.]
Oh, no...
[Of course it's that. The two days of the year where he almost completely takes leave of his senses. How could he have forgotten that it was coming? Without a single preparation or even the beginnings of a thought of one, he finds himself staring out of a window at the chilly, frosty landscape below and wondering just... just how he's supposed to get through this without utterly embarrassing himself.
Tighnari rubs one of his ears absent-mindedly only to grunt and pull his hand down as the sensation sends electric little prickles across his entire body. He grits his teeth, hugging himself with both arms wrapped tight around his torso.
He has to-- He can't possibly stay here. He doesn't want Cyno to see him like this.
But, gods, where would he even go?]
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he'd noticed that tighnari was not his usual self from the moment they woke up, but he'd kept his counsel. perhaps he'd had bad dreams or hadn't slept well, perhaps he simply wasn't feeling particularly well, any number of cogs could be turning, and tighnari may have very well simply shaken it off after breakfast.
so cyno had set to his morning chores without complaint, eating with tighnari before clearing the freshly fallen snow from their path, then falling into his usual morning training drills in the crisp winter air. it's late morning by the time he steps inside again, considering the day before him, and what he'll do with it, but before he can settle on a task, tighnari's fidgeting catches his attention, as well as that quiet, frustrated grunt.
hmm. it looks as if he hasn't shaken it off at all. stepping nearer, cyno places his hand, gentle and supportive, against the small of tighnari's back. ]
What's wrong?
[ there's no use beating around the bush, not when both of them are direct, earnest people. ]
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Ah--! Nothing!
[Several things are wrong with that response. The first and most obvious being the dramatic flinching, but then there's the way his voice pitches up, the faint colour on his cheeks and dilated pupils, and the way that he is very obviously lying.
He shakes his head, trying to maintain his composure while waves of warmth fan out across his body from the spot where Cyno had touched him.]
It's just-- It's nothing, Cyno, I'll be fine. I'm just feeling a little...
[Aroused. Insatiably, uncontrollably aroused. It's starting to give him a headache.]
... Unwell.
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Unwell?
[ cyno's free hand lifts to tighnari's face, pressing knuckles to his cheek and brow. ]
You do feel a little warm. Would you like me to draw you a cool bath?
[ maybe something cold to drink? cyno's no skilled medic, not like tighnari is, but he likes to help regardless, and he knows more than enough to get by, things he's picked up from tighnari himself. it hasn't yet occurred to him that tighnari's issues might be.. something else entirely. ]
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No, no.
[And he's leaning, following the movement of Cyno's hand against his cheek without even thinking about it. His arms are still folded tight across his chest, his fingers gripping white-knuckled against his elbows.]
I think-- I think I just... I need to go out and get some air, that's all.
[It's not that he's embarrassed about what is happening, he tells himself. It's not that, because it's natural and normal and nothing to be concerned over. What he's worried about is... how forceful he knows he can be under this influence, and how he doesn't want to treat Cyno like that even if he knows the other man would let him.]
Really. I'm all right.
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action | 23/06
On the morning of Cyno's birthday, Tighnari gently kisses him on the cheek before slipping out of bed just before the sun starts to come up. They're both early risers but you have to be up early to beat Cyno out of bed. Since it's a special occasion, he makes the effort.
Naturally he has it all planned out and he hasn't been too subtle about getting the food he planned to cook for the other man's breakfast - all of his favourite things - but the gift..? He'd managed to keep that a secret.
When Cyno inevitably joins him long before he's finished cooking, he looks over his shoulder with a warm smile and tilts his head back a little to receive the kiss planted to the corner of his mouth.]
Good morning, sleepyhead. Happy birthday.
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nevertheless, tighnari slips out of bed, and cyno very nearly wakes. not only is he an early riser, he's also an incredibly light sleeper, but sleeping beside tighnari always makes him feel warm, and safe. it allows him to let his guard down a little bit. so he sleeps on, for another hour or so, perhaps, until he finally stirs to the scent of delicious food. it wafts into the bedroom - the smell of eggs and rice, cheese, bacon.. mmm.
when he wanders into the kitchen, still dressed in his sleeping clothes, cyno smiles, approaches, presses his face to the back of tighnari's shoulder. ]
.. smells good. [ he murmurs, his voice still rough from sleep. ] You didn't have to, 'Nari.
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[But - and it goes without saying - he wanted to. Cyno's birthday might be more important to Tighnari than it is to Cyno himself but he will take the opportunity to make his partner feel special.
With everything cooking and not in danger of being burned he turns around and loops his arms around the other man, clasping his fingers against the small of Cyno's back. He smiles at him, nudging their noses together, then plants a soft kiss against his lips.]
I have a gift for you as well, but you can have it after breakfast.
[There had been some thought put into it. He's fairly sure Cyno will like it.]
And you will have my attention for the entire day.
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touching their foreheads together, he hums against tighnari's soft lips. ]
A gift, hmm?
[ once again, tighnari didn't have to, but.. cyno had gone out of his way to get gifts for him on his birthday, so he can hardly begrudge tighnari doing the same. especially if it makes him happy to do it. ]
Your attention is absolutely what I want the most.
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[It's a gift all on its own for Tighnari himself, every day, to be able to have this. To be able to see this side of Cyno and have it all to himself. He smiles and leans in to kiss him again, then again, affection pecks against his lips that he seems to be coaxing him to chase.]
I was surprised you stayed in bed for so long after I got up. [He comments then, glancing over the other man's shoulder in the direction he came into the room from.]
Feeling lazy this morning, are you?
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(backdated) BIRTHDAY!!
Inside the card, Aether's written a little message:
Dear Cyno,
Happy birthday!
I'm glad we've become friends in Teyvat and even better friends here. I know we can always count on each other, but today, I'm counting on you to have fun and celebrate your birthday. I looked for a card that fit your sense of humor just for you.
Your friend,
Aether⭐ ]
sometime the next day!!
text | un: empyrean
[ Please answer, please answer ]
un: lordjackal
[ he has no real reason to think anything might be wrong from only one given word, but.. it's very early, and cyno is uncertain. ]
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Kaveh's fingers are trembling as he types. ]
i'm. I know it's early, I'm sory
but I'm at Alhaitham's place and
he's not here, none of his stuff is here.
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I see.
I'm sorry, Kaveh. I'm coming over.
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a date for tattoos~ backdated to a little before Alhaitham's departure
As always, he's left with the feeling that he could browse for hours and hours, lose himself amidst the color and the sound and the fun— but today, he has a reason for being here, one that keeps him hovering close to the station until the next train gets in, and Cyno disembarks.
Without hesitation, Kaveh strides to him, greeting him first with a smile and then with a half-hug around his shoulders. He looks different now, with his jackal ears and fluffy tail, almost as if he's taken on some of his partner's features for himself; he's still the General Mahamatra though, one of Kaveh's best friends and companions. ]
You ready?
[ Personally, he's a little scared. But that's neither here nor there. ]
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he's been thinking about getting another tattoo for quite awhile now, but things continued to crop up, life continued to be distracting, and he had never quite gotten around to it. but now? now, kaveh wants one, and, well, cyno won't let him go it alone! they might as well do it together, hmm?
so here he is, stepping off of the train, glancing around for kaveh - but his friend soon approaches without cyno needing to find him. he smiles. ]
I am. Got your design ready?
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I do.
[ He holds out a sheaf of papers— a carefully-drawn sketch, a self-portrait showing where he wants it on his body, the same original artwork again but with color for reference. He may have over-prepared just a little... ]
You?
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[ my friend there is no such thing as being too prepared for a tattoo. the more refs you can give to the artist, the better!!
as for cyno.. he unfolds his own paper to show kaveh. ]
Just this, in black.
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