you don't listen anyways; i'll be quiet, i don't really feel like fighting

[cashewlater]

It's.. fine, Tighnari.

[ it isn't fine. it's never fine, when this happens, and it's always clear, exactly what is going on. cyno's home situation has never been good, never been comfortable, but cyno plows through it, because he has no other choice, because soon, he'll be eighteen, and he won't need to deal with this ever again. though he has no memories of his mother, cyno can't help but think that his father had been a happy man, back then, before she left him alone with a squalling babe. that he hadn't simply given cyno up to the system is a miracle in and of itself, one that cyno's father is always sure to remind him of. he drinks, and slurs, and slams cyno to the wall.

i kept you, when your own mother didn't even want you. you owe me, kid. ]

I just got into a fight. That's all.

[ which isn't necessarily an untruth, even if cyno still feels incredibly guilty keeping the reality of it from tighnari, but what else is there to say? he can't tell him the truth, even if it's as clear as the bruise around his eye. beneath his oversized hoodie, his ribs ache. cyno shifts from foot to foot, where they stand at the entrance to tighnari's home, adjusting his backpack, fiddling with his thick, fluffy hair to better cover his bruised eye. he chews his lower lip, worrying at the golden stud there. ]

Anyway, I'll.. see you tomorrow, yeah?

Comments

[cashewlater]

Cyno can't help but feel a little silly for this, for allowing himself to cry in front of Tighnari.. he's always trying so hard to be strong, to tough it out, that breaking down just feels wrong. Like he should be trying harder to tough it out.

But Tighnari is so gentle, kissing his temple in a way that makes him sigh. Slowly, Cyno begins to relax. ".. sorry. I got your shirt wet."

[tighnauri]

"It's okay. You can get my shirt wet anytime, Cyno," Tighnari says with the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. He reaches for his hand, lacing their fingers together.

"I'm here for you."

[cashewlater]

Their fingers slide together, and Cyno glances upward and into Tighnari's face, his eyes wet and red-rimmed. He looks open and vulnerable in a way that Tighnari has likely never seen before either, in a way that Cyno never shows, even to those closest to him. He gives Tighnari's hand a gentle squeeze.

".. I know. Thanks, Tighnari. I don't know what I'd do without you."

[tighnauri]

"I really wish you could spend the night," Tighnari says quietly. Or that Cyno could get some proper medical care or just get away from his father forever.

[cashewlater]

"I can spend the night, I just - " he says softly, then glances aside, ashamed of his fear. "If I don't tell him.. it'll just piss him off."

[tighnauri]

Tighnari's eyes lit up at Cyno relenting but there's still worry that clouds them again.

"Okay, then what you think is best is what we'll do."

[cashewlater]

Cyno breathes a sigh of relief, then nods. "Right, I'll just text him real quick," he says, then tugs his phone from his pocket and begins punching in a quick text to his father, letting him know he'll be at Tighnari's place for the weekend. Once it's sent, he feels.. lighter, knowing that he won't have to go home for a few days.

"Okay, all done."

[tighnauri]

Tighnari watches him, staying pressed close with his arms loosely around his waist, making sure to be careful of the tender spots.

"Good," Tighnari smiles at him. "I wish it was for longer but at least this is something."

[cashewlater]

It's really nice, having Tighnari close like this.. it makes him feel warm all over, happy in ways he's a little too shy and frightened to express. Leaning into Tighnari, he sighs softly, a smile curving his mouth. Being around Tighnari makes him.. so effortlessly happy.

"Yeah, you have me all weekend now," he says, one corner of his mouth quirking upward. "What do you wanna do?"

[tighnauri]

"Hm... well, you could help me in the garden," Tighnari says, teasing of course. He enjoys the closeness with his best friend more than he should but he can't make himself wiggle away.

"We could just watch movies."

[cashewlater]

"Yeah, I could do that. Tomorrow, then?" It's a little late for gardening now.. and besides, he does like to be near Tighnari, like this. Cyno's smile is warm as he nods. "Movies sound great."

[tighnauri]

“Mhm,” Tighnari says and if the other really wants to he’d be happy to drag him into it in the morning. He’d find something that wouldn’t pain him as much.

“What are you in the mood for then?”