cashewlater | for @suffusion

for @suffusion

[ the forest is quiet.

cyno knows these woods like the back of his hand. he knows all of sumeru, has trekked nearly every inch of it - nearly - for he fears no beast, nor the darkness of the unknown. his work takes him all over the land, through the deserts and forests alike, and though he works for no one, he does not hurt for mora, for cyno is the most gifted hunter and tracker in sumeru. no quarry has ever escaped him, and he has never failed to deliver on any job. this job will be no different.

it isn't an easy hunt. not only is this area of the forest unfamiliar to him, but his prey is sharp and smart, with an incredible sense of hearing. cyno's footsteps are all but silent, but the sensitive ears of the witch can detect him even at his most stealthy. it's fine. he's brought in difficult prey before. if stealth could only get him so far, he has other methods, though he must take care - should the rumors prove true, this witch is powerful, tricky, wise, and cyno could easily find himself on the wrong end of his quarry's wrath. but he was ready for a fight, if it came to it, and it would.

for five days he simply watches. listens. the witch hears him, he knows, but cyno is well hidden, and cannot be found. he scales the trees and watches from the branches, stock still, his clothing camouflaged, his pale white hair tied up and rubbed with charcoal to keep it from standing out. for hours he sits, vigilant, watchful, learning the witch's patterns and strengths, behaviors, taking their measure, and even that is not easy, but cyno learns over time that his adversary favors the bow and dendro magicks, that they know the forest well, and make use of all of its parts. in the end, cyno can only hope to overpower them by force and speed alone, striking fast, getting in close before the bow can be drawn on him. it'll have to be enough, with the element of surprise unavailable to him. but he'll use the tools he has.

his eyesight, for example, sharp in the night. his keen sense of smell. his own good hearing, and his powers of observation. his patience.

cyno strikes in the night, when the witch is far from their hut, gathering samples of bioluminescent moss. he's fast as a bolt of lightning, moving comfortably in darkness, taking them from behind and knocking them to the loamy earth, with his spearhead at their throat. ]

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[ collei seems almost more intrigued by the seelie than by tighnari, having never seen such a thing before. she's heard stories of the forest spirits, but cyno had never allowed her to delve deeply enough into the woods that she would stumble across one herself. he gives her what freedoms he can, but she is young, and ill, and he is perhaps.. overprotective in some ways. not so overprotective, at least, that he feels the need to follow her to the washroom, thankfully.

once they're alone again, cyno sits back in his chair, meeting tighnari's gaze again, his brow set, and furrowed. ]

Honestly, I don't think there's anything to think about. If you can help her.. I'll do anything. Go anywhere.

[ if it meant curing her eleazar, cyno would lay down his own life, so spending some time here in this forest hardly seems a steep price to pay for her well-being. even a chance at ridding her of the disease is something he would fight for, tooth and nail. but.. tighnari. how much will this ask of him? there may be a strange, unknowable connection between the two of them, and an easy (if strange) bond, but that didn't mean that tighnari needed to offer up his services. ]

Anything you need.. you'll have it. Work. Mora. There's no question. [ though he frowns, loosely crossing his arms. ] Did you sleep?

That's just it Cyno, it isn't really anything about where you need to go and do. [ tighnari meets his gaze, unmoving and straight forward. it does involve cyno in the way that this is his daughter they're talking about. if anything, it relies more on what he's willing to give up for her, regarding the decisions that will need to be made. but over all... tighnari thinks it's something that can be manageable. something that can be done. even though it may ask more from the forest and... consequently tighnari.

he blinks when the question comes to him, glancing briefly off to the side before shaking his head. though he isn't nearly as rested as he should be, his resources have been used up quite a bit last night and this morning. his posture straightens, recomposing himself to lessen any worries or concerns on him. ]

I slept enough. Don't worry, it won't be an issue. [ won't cause any trouble for what he's about to share. his gaze flickers out the window, looking at the woods outdoors until back to cyno. ] If you want Collei to receive treatment, you'll need to leave her here. I'm not sure how long it'll take, as I mentioned last night it could be anything from a couple of months to even a few years... but here is the best place for her to be.

[ while that sits, he steps up to move over to his desk, pushing some papers aside until he grabs hold of a journal and returns to the table. carefully, he opens it and sets it down to show the page to the huntsman. there's a sketched-out part of the woods, a large tree design with a circular orb-like cocoon settled at the center of it. ] The forest here has many properties to it that aren't really easy to explain, but I can promise that being here will have a good effect on her. The nature here is effective at mitigating the effects of Eleazar as long as she stays here.

[ after all, the forest takes away any sickness, anything negative, and turns it into something. but that isn't something cyno needs to worry about. his arms cross, because that topic doesn't really need to be elaborated on. it's something tighnari will take on himself so he continues on. ] To not overwhelm the nature here, the goal is to handle treatments little by little. Which is precisely why I mentioned it doesn't have a precise timeline on how long it can take to heal her completely. It won't cause any harm to Collei, it'll probably have the opposite effect really. And of course I'll be there every step of the way.

[ there's a pause, meeting his gaze with a frown lingering on his lips. ] I know I'm asking a lot from you, to entrust your daughter to stay here with me. But it's the only method I can really offer.

[ .. it is a lot to ask. it's quite a lot to ask. cyno is silent.

for all he tries to keep his expression neutral, it's quite clear that the very idea of leaving collei here makes his heart ache terribly. she's his entire world, she has been since the moment she was born, since her tiny fingers wrapped around his own, and he's done everything in his power to be strong for her, to care for her as best as he could. asking him to surrender her now to someone else..

cyno's chest constricts, and he looks away, his posture tightening, tensing, arms crossed over his abdomen. of course he would do anything to save her, to give her a chance at life, the chance to grow up and blossom into the person he always hoped for her to be, but the selfish parts of his heart do not want to let her go. tighnari, after all, did not invite him to stay as well, and besides, if he did stay.. what on earth would he do with himself? giving up his work for collei - he'd be more than happy to, but he hardly wants to disrupt tighnari's life any more than he already has. torn and uncertain, cyno drops his gaze, a shadow flitting behind his eyes.

papa.. you're leaving me here..?

collei's voice calls out quietly from the doorway, her eyes wide, ears folded back, her banded tail curling between her knees. cyno's stony silence breaks in an instant, and he's on his feet, moving toward her, dropping to kneel with his hands warm on her shoulders. ]

Collei.. you know I don't want that. I'd never leave you anywhere you didn't want to stay. But you.. Tighnari can help you, here. He can treat you, and maybe even help you with your abilities.

[ considering that she, too, is able to wield the dendro element. ]

[ it's what he had expected.

the silence fills, heavy and tense, but he was prepared for it. from the moment cyno had arrived, tighnari could tell how much collei means to him. his literal world in the shape of such a young bright girl. but he wouldn't have offered it if he didn't think it would be good for her. good for them both. the forest's nature, gentle and soothing in the back of his mind when those vines held onto his hand last night... she has a strong will to live. she has fought her whole life against such a strong devastating illness.

but he cannot ask for them both to suddenly leave their lives behind to change everything. he cannot ask cyno to leave behind his work and everything else he has just to come here. which is precisely why he does not ask. however, he isn't forbidding him entirely from these woods, the forest has grown familiar to his presence- the one that dances with another spirit deep in his soul. however, tighnari knows it's better this way. so cyno can still provide for her once she's better, once she's finally able to go back.

his gaze watches the man as he comforts his daughter, staying where he is as the seelie hovers only for a moment before fluttering over to tighnari's side with a light gentle bump. ]

I won't force you to stay here if you don't want to, Collei. It's ultimately your decision as well. [ tighnari knows it's a lot to ask from a girl so young, but he cannot help her if she does not wish to be helped. he isn't the kind of person to do that, to try and enforce aid to someone unwilling. and he knows very well that the forest will not impose itself upon someone unwilling as well. ]

You can take some time to talk and think it over together, you don't need to give an answer right away. [ though he doesn't say it, but the sooner the better goes without saying. a hand eventually settles on his own chest as he feels a distant pain. however, he keeps himself composed, steady. ] But I would like for the chance to be able to help you.

[ cyno would never have thought it would come to this, that he would have to face the possibility of giving her up, and for so long, perhaps years. coming home to her after particularly difficult jobs had been what kept him going, what made it easier for him to get through tough days. to think he was facing the possibility of coming home to a quiet, empty house, without her bright smile to greet him..

but it was in her best interests. if it meant saving her life, there is nothing cyno would not sacrifice, including his own happiness. collei's eyes fill with tears, though it's clear she's trying to remain strong, and cyno gathers her small, frail body up into his arms, hugging her close. ]

We'll give you an answer soon.

[ though cyno already knows full well how he feels, what his own answer will be. he won't force collei either, but she's a strong, smart young girl, and they've been searching for so long for a way to cure her eleazar.. surely neither of them would pass up this opportunity. pulling back, cyno smooths the hair from collei's eyes. ]

Why don't you spend a little time with Tighnari? See what it's like here, all the things he can teach you. I'll be with you, too.

[ tighnari's tail hangs low, twitching at the ends, but the only person that could really reach out to her is her own father. even if there's a part of him that feels like he could do more. say more. for now, he tidies up the table a little, gathering his journal to return it with the rest of his things.

though, he pauses at that suggestion, his ears perk and he looks over with some surprise. after all, no one has really look to tighnari with the thoughts of learning from him... no, that's a lie. it happened once before but that had been... he grows quiet, gathering some things to set aside into his satchel. it's different this time around. and he isn't against teaching collei, while she's here she would have more than the opportunity to learn from him. the fox is more than willing to offer to be a mentor of sorts. he doesn't want this to feel like a prison of sorts to her. ]

If she's feeling up to it, we can take a trip around the woods. We'll stay close by so we can come back to the hut if need be.

[ and more gently, turning his gaze onto cyno. ] And Cyno, you know you're free to visit these woods when the opportunity comes. Neither I nor the forest here want to take that from you.

[ to help ease his worries and concerns, to also soothe any of collei's fears as well. the seelie chirps as if in agreement, floating up and down in with more energy. ]

[ releasing collei from his hold, cyno stands again, his hand pressed gently between her shoulderblades as she steps toward tighnari. collei isn't terribly good with strangers, she isn't good with people overall, but.. there's a definite interest in her eyes as she looks up at tighnari. for a young girl, it's difficult not to be captivated by the idea of a magical forest witch, and she definitely sees many things in tighnari and his home that catch her attention. the seelie among them.

but first, she bows her head politely, both hands clasped in her shirt. i-it's nice to meet you, mister tighnari.. thank you for your help..

cyno smiles, though his heart is already aching with the knowledge of their separation. ]

.. right. I know. Thank you. [ even if visiting isn't nearly enough. his home will feel so.. empty. so cold, without her. he'll simply have to get used to it. ] Go on, then, Collei. [ he says, giving her a gentle nudge. ]

[ his gaze softens when she bows her head, shaking off that distant familiarity of it and nods in return with a light twitch of an ear. ]

I'm happy to have helped, Collei.

[ and of course it's geunine. though he hadn't needed to help cyno those months ago, and help him again now... he is glad he has. the aspect of helping others, it feels good to do. living most of his life secluded in the forest, facing the backlash of most people only seeing the evil in what he did... it didn't bother him too much. it's what he always told himself, he couldn't really feel lonely when he had the company of nature rustling every day beside him. it's changed recently. a lot has changed recently, and sometimes he's never sure what to make of it but.. this he feels as if he was always meant to do this. his gaze raises to meet cyno's own, until he nods and gestures for them to follow while his hand reaches to take hold of his satchel. ] Come along then.

[ once they're outdoors, tighnari makes way to the closest rivers that make their way through the large expansive forest. he explains along the way that while he helps deal with threats to this forest, he also helps heal it. how important it is that he does his patrols, to check on more sensitive parts of the woods. at the curving paths of rivers, he shows the nilotpala lotus that grow on large lily pads, gleaming brightly like a moon floating adrift over the waters. the important part of what he does is to familiarize himself with everything in research, to every single floral and plant down to every part of their property. what uses they have, how they can help, and what can be made from them into useful concoctions.

after all, nilotpala lotus had been used to bring back collei's energy, to help with her illness, and he shares that much with her. though witch by nature, there's so much he does here, so much he needs to remember and learn.

the seelie accompanies them, drifting as it dances between the trees, even meeting with a few smaller blue whisps that watch curiously from afar. for now, tighnari focuses on gathering florals to restock his wares. but he doesn't allow himself to get too distracted in sharing and teaching a little here and there. if he did, he'd probably be out all day and he can't push collei too much. not when she's only barely recovered enough after last night's attack from her sickness. so, he'll eventually lead them back to his hut after a while, though opening up the discussion to something else as they make their way back through the bright and colorful scenery of the woods around them. ]

Is there anything specific you're curious about and want to know? It must be a lot to take in. [ though his gaze watches collei closely, he does glance over to cyno to see how he's faring. ]

[ tighnari ferries them through the forest with ease, showing them the way through the twisting paths and even off of them a little bit, though he's always cognizant of collei's condition and never pushes her, which cyno not only notices, but deeply appreciates.

of course, the girl is full of energy now, likely feeling better than she has felt in months after the treatment she received, so after a little while her interest began to outweigh her shyness. bright eyes and bushy tailed, she would pepper tighnari with question after question, clearly very interested in the flora and fungi of this deep forest, as well as the seelies in the distance, and what animals they came across. seeing her so invested in something made cyno's heart swell with happiness and pride both, even if it showed little enough through his stoic demeanor.

but soon enough tighnari is seeing them back toward the homestead, which is good and well, because collei is beginning to tire, though she bravely fights her fatigue.

i want to know how to make potions like you and papa..

cyno chuckles, mussing her hair as they step back inside. ]

She's always been interested in what I do, but honestly, I think you're the interesting one now, not me.

Ah, potions are a good essential to learn. There are so many uses to them.

[ tighnari's tail sways up and down as he comments on it, a wider smile on his lips while his eyes gleam a little. the satisfaction in preparing his concotions has always been something he enjoyed. especially when he began to research and find new potions to create and work with.

the fox continues on, oblivious to the seelie that follows right behind him that dances along with his tail. ]

I can show you the one I've put together for you.

[ his ear twitches to the side at cyno's comment, glancing over with a bit of surprise until he shows him light amusement. ]

...Her father will always be the most interesting one. Don't worry too much, Cyno.

[ tighnari moves over to his desk to refill his wares, setting away his stock of flora and other miscellaneous things until he starts to pull out what he'll need for the potion he put together for collei. ]

[ cyno offers a nod of agreement. though they might use different ingredients, potions are also a specialty of his own, having studied under a spantamad scholar for many years. collei knows the basics, at least, that much cyno has taught her, but he has no doubt that she will learn much and more beneath tighnari as well, given the amount of time they will have to spend together, and the revitalizing nature of the forest. collei is already behaving with more curiosity and energy than she has in a long, long time.

it's why cyno knows.. this is the right choice. painful, yes, but.. necessary.

at tighnari's comment, however, cyno huffs a sound like a thin laugh. ]

I doubt that.

[ dads are cringe, after all!!

after some time further, cyno sighs softly, and drops a hand onto collei's head, ruffling her hair and rubbing her soft ears, before he's kneeling to be on her level again, looking into her eyes. ]

.. so what do you think, sweet pea? Think you can stay here for a little while, and let Tighnari get you all better?

[ cyno has to fight to keep the sorrow from his voice, focusing instead on the hope that tighnari's presence brings, on the possibility that this could really work, after years of searching for a cure. collei looks somber again, biting her lip and clasping her hands.

you'll.. visit? all the time, right? ] All the time. [ and.. and you'll promise i'll be okay here? ] I promise. Mister Tighnari knows what he's doing, and I trust him. Think you can trust him, too?

[ collei's eyes shift to tighnari again.. and she nods. ]

You should give yourself more credit.

[ dads truly are cringe!! but so far, from what tighnari has seen, he is really everything to her. cyno has nothing to worry about. it's what he thinks anyways while the other man checks on his daughter after a moment of going through some of his concoction-making.

even after everything - cyno was surely taking the time to reassure himself as well. the young witch may not be capable of requesting the man stay here along with her, but at least they both know where she will be. they can meet with one another whenever he wishes, while tighnari ensures her safety here. as her gaze flickers over to him, tighnari offers a reassuring smile.

it's.. a lot. to have trust from another. but it's enough that they trust him with something like this, trust the nature here to do what it can to help. the seelie sways in a circle where it stays adrift with a series of chirp. tighnari's ears flicker back and he brings a hand over his chest in his own promise. ]

I promise we'll do the best to our ability to do what we can. You can trust me on that.

[ they can trust that he will do that much here. though, he's determined to try and get her back to him as soon as he can. but while she's here.. he can mentor her along, guide her with her element usage - yes.. she'll definitely be fine here. ]

[ and this dad is the most cringe of all dads.. even if tighnari doesn't know that yet. but his observation is, at least, correct; the two of them are very bonded, very attached, after all, they're all the other has in the world, which is what makes the idea of separation so difficult.

but.. cyno trusts tighnari, trusts him fully. perhaps he shouldn't, but deep down he knows he can, knows that tighnari is nothing if not straightforward, honest, and compassionate. he'll look after collei, and she'll live a vivid and full life here, learning all the things she's always wanted to learn, thriving in an environment that well and truly suits her.

and tighnari's reassuring smile seems to be the balm to the bruised soul, for collei soon nods, looking from tighnari's smile to her father's eyes. .. okay. i'll stay. but only if you promise it isn't forever, and promise that you'll visit a whole lot.

and at that.. cyno smiles. ]

I promise.

[ a promise made will always be kept.

many months pass, and when tighnari looks back on it's a bit surprising just how quickly it actually has come by. at this rate it'll be a year before they know it.. and the fox knows it isn't really the wish for cyno and collei both for her to be away for that long but... her progress has been going very well, all things considered. any attacks from her illness seem like a faraway distant memory. she's healed quite well, between the concoctions that tighnari makes for her along with the visits deeper into the forest to find the center heart of the woods. collei may not be able to hear the nature's words, but the treatment is always warm and gentle. like the comforting warmth embrace of her father.

tighnari deals with any negative side effects it may inflict upon the forest itself, handling it himself. though it's a part of his duties as the forest's guardian... he cannot bring collei close to those withering sections. he knows it may be a bit disappointing when she can't help him during those times, but he always reassures her that she helps so much in other ways. she learns quickly too. helping her get the hang of her dendro element, guiding her along with teachings and research to familiarize the forest like he does. at this rate, she will be able to guide cyno through the woods without tighnari's aid. it warms his heart to see how well she thrives with all that energy and curiosity.

he has been mentoring her in other ways as well, with reading and writing... encouraging her to write letters to her father. at first it meant to be a surprise for cyno, for something to have him look forward to as the dusk bird makes it way from the forest and back with a new letter every time when cyno cannot afford a visit. eventually, tighnari began to include his own letters. just to share collei's progress in his own words, how their dream of collei being completely cured is more than just a simple hope. it'll happen sooner rather than not at all.

cyno's visits come and go when he has the time. tighnari knows that, depending on his job, they can extend for quite a long time if he needs to travel far for them. but he keeps on his promise, visiting when he can, tighnari feeling a sense of pleasant warmth and joy when he comes by. happier when tighnari gets to see collei brighten up and ready to show everything she's come to learn. after all this time, how much the two of them have managed to worm themselves into a space in his heart. enough so that it.. aches just a little to think one day they'll no longer be here. but he never dwells on that sadness, focuses on the brighter end of things. focusing on his research and being the strength and support they need.

it's been a while since cyno's last visit, so tighnari has left the pair to catch up in collei's room and instead focuses on organizing his stock while he jots down the new specimen that cyno has brought as a gift for him. he stands by his desk, magnifying glass in hand while he admires the pattern and bloom of said floral. it's always so exciting to see something new... something that grows outside these woods. his tail is wagging happily along, ears perked high as he admires it some more. now and then listening to the distant chatter of collei's excited voice and cyno's more gentle one. ]

[ being without collei was far, far more difficult than cyno ever could have imagined.

he was used to being separated from her at times, to working long hours sometimes, even traveling far from the city on his hunts, but always she would be there when he returned, ready with a smile and a hug, eager to hear his stories and receive whatever interesting gifts he'd plucked up for her. but now..

now he comes home to an empty house, to silence where her voice once filled, and chill loneliness where her warmth had been. he takes his meals alone, in silence, and he fills the empty space in his heart with work as best as he can, visiting at every possible opportunity, and those visits soon become the highlights of his life, the moments he works toward. seeing collei always fills him with joy, but.. tighnari, too. as the months pass, they get to know one another better and better, and it isn't long before cyno is bringing both of them gifts when he visits.

it feels right in a way that he doesn't have the words to explain. it feels like family, and appreciation, and love, the three of them together, and cyno can't help but marvel quietly at the thing they have built together. he was right to trust tighnari, to spare his life and protect him, not only because he is saving collei's life, but because he is an incredible, captivating person who makes cyno's heart kick up into his throat with every smile.

with a few days to spare now, cyno visits the moment he's back in the forest; it had been a few weeks since last he saw them, and he was more than desperate for their company. collei tells him of her exploits, of all the things that she has learned, and her energy is so powerfully good that he can hardly believe she is the same sick little girl he once knew. truly, she is thriving here, as if she was meant to be doing exactly what it is that she is doing. but soon enough the sun is dipping below the horizon, and collei is yawning, dozing, so cyno puts her to bed with a kiss to her brow and slips back into the living area, where tighnari is bent over the yellow cactus flower like a man possessed.

a soft smile slants his mouth, and cyno approaches, carefully settling his hand against the small of tighnari's back. ]

.. you like it?

[ he truly is a man possessed.

it can't be helped... when given something so new, how can he not be excited by it? cyno introducing something that exists outside these woods to him - when tighnari would not have been able to see for himself otherwise. he would probably be stuck here for hours if not for cyno's now presence. distantly he's aware that collei must have gone to sleep, they both had a bit of a busy day.

even so, the touch has him pausing suddenly, ears perking straight up until they lower back a little in faint embarrassment. though he tries to push past it, clearing his throat a little while he gingerly sets it down. ]

Ah.. I do. [ he's so acutely aware of that hand against his back, his tail dropping to sway slowly from side to side.] I'd like to research it thoroughly but, I almost want to save it.

[ what a dillema. maybe it's because he himself wouldn't be able to get another specimen like this on his own. and... it's a gift from cyno. for once, he wants to preserve and save it above all else. ]

[ cyno is thinking about it, too - about how easy it is for him to touch tighnari, about how warm the witch's skin is beneath his clothing, about the way it makes tighnari smile in a way that makes cyno's stomach tighten and flutter. yet he doesn't pull away, at least not yet. ]

Do whatever you like with it, I can always get you another. They're relatively common this season, when the cacti are flowering.

[ and he's certainly in the desert often enough to find them easily. cyno lingers for a moment, his thumb rubbing faint, shallow circles around the dip of tighnari's spine, before he finally draws away so he can lean comfortably against tighnari's desk, his arms crossed loosely over his abdomen. ]

As far as I'm aware it's edible, but has no useful medicinal properties, so there's no harm in saving it, for now.

[ one ear flicks, and he tilts his head. ]

Someday, I'll take you to see them with your own eyes.

I wouldn't say no to another.

[ the words sigh out softly, an almost breathy sound as he feels that faint rub along his back. it gets rewarded with a slight shiver from the fox and a quiver of his tail. though he tries not to be too distracted by that touch - the moment he even considers leaning into it does it move away. it's probably for the best. there are often lingering touches between the two of them, fleeting and light. tighnari knows it's because they have since begun to grow comfortable around one another. and yet the way it gets his heart racing a little, lighting a small fire in the depths of his chest that yearns for just a bit more... he buries it deep lest he get too distracted by fleeting thoughts. before he really acknowledges it.

as cyno draws away and leans against his desk does tighnari give quirk of his lips. anytime cyno shares his own knowledge regarding his dabbling in potion making it always has him leaning right into it. pleased to share information. ]

That's good information to know for now.

[ his gaze flickers briefly to the flower until it gazes over to scarlet red. there's a little distant look, heart clenching. it's an offer that he would like nothing more than to accept. one he would he happy to be excited about, to look forward to but. with how things are... now those are more to be faraway dreams. still, he doesn't want the man to think it isn't something he doesn't want. because he does. deep down, he would like nothing more than to travel with him and see more of what there is to find.

gently, his tail brushes against cyno's leg. ]

Will you now?

Then another it is, then.

[ cyno isn't a fool, nor is he particularly naive - he knows what's happening here, he knows that something is growing between them that neither one of them could have expected - and yet, perhaps they should have. from the moment their eyes first met there has been something there, after all, something warm, something soft, something that resonated between the both of them nearly from the beginning, from the moment tighnari's hood fell back and cyno saw those beautiful brown-green eyes of his. when he feels tighnari shiver, he knows that the fox is feeling what he is feeling, knowing what he is knowing.

and yet, despite it all, neither of them seem willing to make the first move. so much seems to stand between them, and there are more important things than dalliances and young attraction - like collei's continued care and education. besides, with cyno's busy schedule..

well, tighnari simply deserves better. but that doesn't mean that cyno doesn't feel it, that his eyes don't linger overlong on tighnari's face, his gaze soft around the edges, that when that warm tail brushes him, cyno responds in kind, his own tail flicking along tighnari's. he tries to ignore the thing that is burgeoning powerfully between them, but with each and every visit it grows more and more difficult. ]

Yes, I will. Whenever you're ready.

[ because he knows full well that tighnari is bound to this forest, and will not leave it so long as it is in need of him, so long as the withering makes its boughs ache and its leaves sicken. he has an obligation and a loyalty to his work here, just as cyno has to his own, and cyno wouldn't dare to interrupt that. but perhaps one day tighnari will find the key to healing it all, and find the freedom to step away from these trees to see the world, at least for a little while. cyno will be waiting when he is. ]

I'd love to show you the desert, where I was born. Its days are inhospitable, but its nights are beautiful.

[ when their tails brush along one another, the corner of tighnari's eyes crinkle as he smiles wider. this time his tail swishes again but with a playful thwap of his own against his. he really can't help finding such comfort in cyno's company. like they have done this same song and dance once before. even though he knows that's impossible. after all, tighnari could never forget someone like cyno. hadn't been able to forget him after their first encounter. ]

Whenever I'm ready, huh? [ contemplating hum ] Even if it takes a long time?

[ it's said quietly, as if it was an afterthought. though it is anything but that. he's always thought about how exploring outside the forest would be like. fleeting thoughts now and then before everything... but after taking care of collei, after meeting cyno? they are much more apparent now. a faint wistfulness to the tone of his voice.

he steps a little closer to cyno, so that their sides touch briefly while he himself continues facing his desk. as if idle movement while he looks over the flower once more to keep his gaze leveled on it rather than cyno's own watchful scarlet red gaze. ]

..It sounds amazing. I would like nothing more than to be able to see it with you. [ a slight side glance to him, gaze bright. ]

[ the touch of fur to fur is enough to send a light, near imperceptible shiver down cyno's spine, followed by a wave of heat, but his flush does not show well on his bronzed skin, thankfully. tighnari has learned by now that cyno does not smile easily, but he is smiling now, warm and soft, in a way that reaches his eyes. ]

Even if it takes a long time.

[ he echoes, with a shallow nod. even if it takes many, many years, he will show tighnari the world beyond the borders of this forest. avidya is breathtakingly beautiful of course, and it will always feel like home to tighnari, surely, but there is an entire vista to be discovered past the embrace of its boughs. he'd be honored to be the one to introduce tighnari to the rest of the world.

tighnari draws closer, close enough that cyno can feel his warmth, and catch the floral scent of his hair and fur which has, by now, become very familiar. what he wouldn't give to bury his face in tighnari's hair right now. their eyes meet, and cyno's gaze softens, holding tighnari's without wavering, caught in the glimmer of his eyes. ]

We'll do it, then. I'll wait as long as you need.

[though cyno's stony exterior seemed very apparent in their first meeting, even the second time had been similar as well... he had never really thought he'd see such a smile directed his way. especially a smile of this kind. a smile he almost wants to reach out and touch. his heart flutters at those words, turning his gaze down with another contemplating hum.]

You're willing to wait that long?

[ for someone like me? tentatively, he leans a little against him rather than it being a simple brush. his tail hangs low, ends twitching while his ears fold back into the depths of his dark hair. someone like cyno, who seemed icy and cold for an exterior and yet... so kind, warm, gentle inside... surely he deserves better. tighnari didn't have a lot of freedom- he could be happier elsewhere.

even as he confirms that he'd wait as long as tighnari needed... thumbs rub soothingly along the petals of the yellow cactus flower, imagining it to be the huntsman's bronzed skin instead. how warm his face would likely be beneath his touch and yet he does not fall into such curiosity or temptations. he merely keeps the familiar distance that neither seems to wish to breach. ]

Is that a promise? [ this time, he turns his head with one ear flicking forward, lips quirked in what seems to be an airy light tease. as if joking when he asks. after all, there's no way he would promise on something like that, right? it's silly to even consider. ] Just kidding. You don't need to answer that.

[ the tension between them is sweet as sin, and cyno leans into it without thinking, his eyelids lowering as tighnari draws in nearer still, nearly leaning into him. does he think cyno is a font of self-control? that he can stand to have tighnari so near without reaching for him? cyno's body tightens up, his jaw working as he clenches his teeth. ]

Yes.

[ an answer to both questions, though tighnari had attempted to brush off the second, cyno needed him to know it was true, to understand how valued he is, how close cyno feels to him. long visits and countless letters have built this thing between them slowly but surely, and now it threatens to erupt, the molten magma of cyno's affections roiling beneath the surface, eager to burst free. the movement of tighnari's fingers snatches his attention, cyno's gaze flickering down, then up again, his hand coming to rest against the top of the desk and then, after a moment, his rough fingers brush tighnari's. ]

It's a promise.

[ tighnari is worth waiting for. ]

[ perhaps he does. or maybe he wants to test what.. this is a little. if he's the only one feeling how strongly drawn he is to the other man. the distance growing shorter ever so slightly with their words quietening nearly to a whisper. as if meant for only one another. an ear flicks idly, cradling that flower until he sets it inside its own encased glass for temporary protection.

he only just draws his hand back to rest on the wood when cyno's own fingers brush over his. when they do, his hand carefully turns over so cyno's touch end up over tighnari's palm. he watches their hands for a moment, their bodies being close enough that his tail hooks a little around cyno's own. ]

Really?

[ when he lifts his head again, bright hazel meet with those scarlet red and find they're a lot closer than he had initially thought. it sends his heart in a tumble, racing a bit rapidly in the depths of his chest. and yet, instead of leaning away, instead of stepping back to put some space between them - he stays where he is, fingers curling around cyno's own.

his other hand raises, sweeping some strands of white hair aside as fingers brush over cyno's cheek. ]

Then, I'll be sure to check up on that promise when the time comes.

[ cyno's heart is in his throat.

gods, he feels foolish, like a young idiot in love rather than a reasonable, level-headed adult; tighnari makes him feel like a young man again, in the throes of his first romance, like a reckless first-year buck in spring. his face and ears feel warm, his heart fluttering like a pinned crystalfly beating its wings against his ribs. one would think he was sixteen years old again. it's embarrassing, really.

thankfully tighnari cannot read his thoughts, though they are partly visible in his eyes, and in his body language as he swallows thickly, opening his mouth to speak.. until tighnari's warm fingers brush his skin as he pushes cyno's hair aside. goosebumps sweep down his forearms. ]

Good. See that you do.

[ despite himself, cyno leans his head aside, until his cheek presses to tighnari's warm palm, his eyelids flickering low. ]

Tighnari, I - [ he starts, then hesitates, struggling to find the words. summoning his ferocious boldness, cyno slips his fingers through tighnari's, his free hand lifting to tighnari's wrist, thumb coasting along the delicate skin on its underside. ] You have.. no idea how grateful I am to know you.

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