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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Mhm.

[ security is more or less cyno's comfort zone, be it area security, or performing as a bodyguard - he's done both, and been quite good at it. still, the military was where he felt most at home, outside of his time spent at school. his time with tighnari. those years had been the best of his life.

cyno takes a sip of wine, then settles down onto the sofa. ]

Botany - glad you're still doing that. [ it was always tighnari's passion, after all; cyno still remembers how he would light up when talking about flowers and mushrooms. ] You could always open a little flower shop. Or an apothecary.

[ tighnari doesn't sit right away, looking back to the rest of the apartment as he takes a sip himself. but he decides he's done enough snooping and follows to sit beside him on the sofa after that. ]

Of course. I'm not one to drop my passion so quickly.

[ just as cyno knows and remembers him by, it's still the same even after all this time. though there's a moment of surprise that shows until he laughs a little. because it's really funny that cyno says that when... ]

I was actually thinking of a flower shop, yes. It isn't nearly as ranged and busy as my current work but, I have been liking the idea of it.

[ no, he's not, is he? tighnari has always been passionate about botany and mycology, and cyno is glad to see that that hasn't changed. he's a little envious, honestly - cyno himself has always struggled to find the place where he fits. his passion is and always has been.. people, quite simply. this city, their nation, and protecting it. it's why he'd felt at home in the military.

when tighnari settles, cyno crosses one leg loosely over the other with an easy expression on his face. ]

Really? Guess I hit the nail on the head.

[ a lucky guess, hmm? ]

That would suit you, I think.

[ imagining tighnari running a cute little shop.. yes, yes cyno can see it quite easily, to be honest. tighnari surrounded by beautiful, fragrant flowers all day. ]

It's not what most have expected for me to potentially settle on. After all, it's more of an occupation to settle down in one place with than all the current traveling I do on and off with my specialist work.

[ and yet cyno really did have such a lucky guess, huh. his tail idly flops onto the sofa's armrest with a quiet thought. after all, saying a flower shop would suit him isn't something he had expected to hear but... there's a look of appreciation. ]

If you're looking for something similar to military work, have you not considered the police force? Or perhaps even something like a detective? You've always been a good judge of character, it might be something worth trying if you want to settle for something in the city.

[ though he can understand the appeal with military work, you could be stationed quite about anywhere. traveling is an adventure in itself, and.. looking at this loft apartment, cyno does seem to be the type to always be on the move so. ]

[ a lucky educated guess, at least. he likes the sound of that, though - of tighnari in an apron with his hands covered in soil, surrounded by beautiful flowers and bouquets.. yes, yes he thinks that would suit him just fine. ]

If you need help with startup costs, I'm happy to invest.

[ he's always been quite good at being frugal, after all. cyno's sitting on quite a powerful nest egg. he tilts his head thoughtfully. ]

Hmm, that's not a bad idea. I've considered detective work. I'd like to work in special victims.

That's awfully kind of you to offer. Are you sure you don't want to think it over some more?

[ or even give it a little bit of thought? while he appreciates the thought, and it's actually quite tempting, he's probably sure he can be fine on his own regarding the costs. still, cyno always has been willing to aid him in any way possible if he could. he's always had a good heart. ]

I can more than see you investigating about. Sticking that nose of yours in anything suspicious.

[ it's said a little teasingly. his free hand reaches up to tap cyno right no the nose. a small boop! ]

[ that snoot boop!! cyno smiles, catching tighnari's hand by the wrist before he can pull it away, his thumb rubbing slow, gentle circles to the vampire's palm. he feels nice and warm after his good feed. ]

I do have a bit of a nose for trouble.

[ investigative work would come naturally and easily to him, he has to admit, and the idea of being able to help and protect people, to bring justice to those who have been wronged.. it's certainly appealing to him. cyno has always been a bit too soft for his own good, when it comes to helping complete strangers. ]

And I'll think it over, yes, but I can't imagine myself changing my mind.

[ cyno can't imagine a world in which he wouldn't want to help tighnari with anything. ]

[ oh... ears perk forward when his wrist is caught, stilling for a moment until he feels that thumb rub slow and soothingly. it sends shivers down his spine - that he does very well not to show. after all the years he's kept his feelings to himself, it wasn't about to slip up now. with how well-fed the vampire was, it would be easy pull his hand back and resume things as they were.. and yet he doesn't. he keeps his hand there in that grip, his tail thumping softly against the sofa once. ]

Don't I know it.

[ it's said in an airy tease, lips quirking behind the ridge of the wine glass before he helps himself to another sip. tighnari isn't overly conceited on certain matters, but he does like to think he knows cyno well enough to offer suggestions like this. feels a little prideful when the man seems to agree and even consider it. ]

We'll see. I've had ideas regarding locations and otherwise so, I should be fine on my own, but I wouldn't turn down a little help.

[ to be perfectly honest, cyno has ulterior motives, naturally. of course he wants to help tighnari simply to help him - because starting a business is exhausting and expensive - but also because it would mean keeping the fox in his life. if he was a primary investor, well, they'd be bound to see one another again, right? his motives aren't entirely altruistic. now that he's found tighnari again, cyno can't imagine letting him go. they came back into one another's lives for a reason, didn't they? cyno doesn't like the idea of fate, but.. it feels a little bit like destiny, to stumble across tighnari again like this. like he's being given another chance. a chance to be involved in the life of the only person he's ever loved. ]

I'll look over my finances and get back to you.

[ even if he knows full well what his final answer will be.

he doesn't drop tighnari's hand. the vampire's skin feels so warm beneath his touch, that soft, squishy pad on his palm still so supple and soft, just as he remembers it. all these little things about tighnari.. he has never forgotten. slowly, his fingers weave through tighnari's, and he takes another sip of wine. ]

Are you living in the city, or was this just a fortunate coincidence?

Mhm.

[ a light hum responds, two-toned eyes observing cyno further. tighnari assumes there's probably more to it but he cannot really fantom why at the moment. it isn't as if something as small and quaint as a flower shop will bring in heavy revenue. and any perks would be generally nonexistent except the occasional bouquets, he supposes. well, he won't question it. not when he's more distracted by the way his hand flexes a little against the workings of the other man's fingers. even more so as those fingers weave through his own and he finds his heart leaping a bit. it's tempting to curl his hand against the other's, to intertwine them further together... something he quickly refrains from doing.

it isn't so strange coming from cyno. he's always been a little affectionate, with lingering touches between them, that he knows better than to think anything of it. knows better than to overreact to it. so, tighnari remains where he is, taking another drink of his wine as if to chase off his own feelings about it. ]

I am, though it's closer to the outskirts. A group of old colleagues requested some help on a project a while back so I've only just recently moved in.

[ it's an old dance between them, and one that it seems they are easing back into without a problem, as if no time has passed at all. cyno's affection, tighnari's denial.. this is nothing new, for them, and ten years has not changed it, it would seem. though he knows that tighnari is not interested in him, he cannot help but be affectionate with him, to touch him at any and every given opportunity.

and gods, how he's missed it.. ]

I see. Outskirts is probably best for you.

[ less loud, out there. more peaceful along the fringes of the city. he takes another sip of wine. ]

It's really good to see you again, Tighnari.

Closer to work, and easier on my hearing. With how busy the city gets - I'd probably get sick of it quickly, haha.

[ it would be the most obvious lie to say he didn't miss this, miss cyno, especially with how everything sweeps him up so easily. feeling as if he's falling face first into familiar waters.

but it comes with an ache. because he wants more of it. wants these affections to be real and true. to be something more than simple platonic touches shared between friends. which is why he downs the rest of his glass, gently pulling away his hand afterwards from the other man to move his now empty glass onto a nearby table. ]

Mm. It's good to see you again too, Cyno. I hope these years have been good on you otherwise.

[ tighnari draws his hand back, and it's like a little needle in cyno's heart.

he had hoped that these years apart might have dulled his feelings for tighnari, that perhaps he might've met someone else, that his heart might have moved on. he's dated around here and there, when he could, but.. no one could light that same spark in his chest that tighnari could. no one could make his heart race in the same way. perhaps he was fated to suffer this doomed, unrequited love for the rest of his life. tighnari's withdrawing of touch leaves him feeling cold, and lonely.

but cyno's expression remains stony, disciplined, only a flicker of a shadow in his eyes. ]

They've been well enough. The military was hard, but rewarding.

[ two-toned eyes flicker up to cyno, but seeing that his expression remains unmoving has his own heart sink in his chest. though really, he shouldn't hope for anything else, someone of his vampiric ancestry only spells trouble for the other man in the end. it will only ever boil down to wishful thinking. it burns a little in his stomach, but it could just be an effect of having drank the rest of his wine so quickly.

he turns to face cyno more properly, legs crossing with an elbow propped on his knee to rest his chin in his palm. already he misses the warmth of cyno's hand intertwined with his own, a thought he tries to distract himself from with light tapping of a finger against his own cheek. one ear flicks idly with a slow nod. ]

Knowing you, I'm sure you gave it your all. [ cyno never half-asses anything. when he does something, he puts everything into it. it's one of his many traits that tighnari admires. that tighnari has always liked about him. his head tilts a little, smiling softly over. ] Do you have any military stories to share?

[ no, cyno never half-asses anything indeed, he whole-asses everything in his life. it makes him a bit of an intense man at times, but you certainly won't meet anyone more dedicated. as for stories, though..

he frowns thoughtfully. many of his stories wouldn't be pleasant to tell, and he doesn't want to bring the mood down, but surely he has something. ]

One of my lieutenants.. she was a painter, she used to paint caricatures of everyone. She was very talented. [ he taps a finger to his chin. ] She made my scowl very prominent, said I should try to smile more.

[ he chuckles, leaning comfortably back. ]

I still have it.

[ tighnari cannot imagine there are many pleasant stories in the military, but surely there's something that has left an impression on cyno. and when he shares that something does his tail flick with interest. ]

You do tend to have a very prominent scowl. I agree that smiling more would do you some good.

[ he chuckles at that, gaze gleaming a little. ]

Really? Would you mind showing me?

[ ah yes, he should have known that tighnari would want to see it. cyno chuckles. ]

Well, I suppose since you asked so nicely..

[ cyno doesn't embarrass too easily though, so it's fine. swallowing down the remainder of his wine, cyno hefts himself off of the sofa again and meanders off into an adjacent room. there's the sound of a few things shifting around before he emerges with a small framed drawing. it's in a style similar to this, and very clearly cyno, his most prominent features exaggerated. his hair is shorter, too. ]

Here.

Aren't you kind.

[ tighnari watches him curiously, his ears twitching upright when cyno disappears into the adjacent room. exploring further and checking the whole place out is definitely tempting but the vampire stays where he is. knowing better than to wander off without permission.

he glances around for a moment until cyno makes his way back and when he sees the drawing he

immediately bursts into laughing. ]

O-Oh.

[ he's gonna need a moment here! ]

[ YEAH YEAH, laugh it up, fang boy!!

cyno frowns, then drops back down onto the sofa again with a huff, though after a moment he's smiling despite himself. he can't help it, tighnari's laughter is sweet and contagious. ]

Yes, yes.. it's very funny.

[ he says, and shakes his head. ]

Go on, get it all out.

[ laughter rings loud and clear, not bothering to try and stifle or hold back from it. though really, can he be blamed? it is a charming art style, but more so it fits cyno perfectly. a high quality gift, he thinks. ]

I- It's perfect! It looks just like you!

[ the sound continues to bubble out of his chest, a hand coming to wipe at the corner of his eyes a little as the laugh even begins to pull tears out of him.

eventually he does start to calm down, but he's still smiling so widely, giggling after. ]

Whew, it's been a while since I've laughed that hard.

[ it certainly does fit cyno. it's captured his frightening scowl quite well, though it's clear the artist also saw the soft kindness in his eyes, a little touch of warmth that betrayed the truth of the man behind that frown.

really though, cyno can't be angry when tighnari is laughing so jovially, lighting up the space around him like the summer sun. gods, but he's missed this man, missed him more than words could rightly convey; being around tighnari again.. it just feels right, feels warm, and pleasing. it makes cyno happy, even if they can never be what he truly wishes they could be.

the temptation to reach out is strong enough that cyno can't deny it - he gently swipes the corner of tighnari's eye with his thumb, wiping the tear away. ]

Well, I'm glad my face is funnier to you than any of my jokes.

[ a soft sigh escapes him once he's able to properly catch his breath, nudging a little at the hand that reaches out to him with a tilt of his head. it happens before he even realizes it - his subconscious need and desire to stay close whenever a touch comes between the two of them. even though he knows he shouldn't.

though the other man's words pull a few more chuckles out of him, his hand now brushing aside some of his own longer strands of hair. ]

I'm afraid your jokes just were never my kind of humor.

[ they were never really the kind of jokes to get any laughing out of tighnari. even though the vampire didn't react well and overly positive to them, he didn't entirely hate them. not that he'll ever tell cyno that. but cyno's jokes were always a good sign of the werewolf's good mood so, how could he ever truly hate them? ]

[ the way tighnari tilts his head into cyno's touch can't help but give him a little, foolish flicker of hope that perhaps his feelings might be reciprocated, but.. he shouldn't assume as much, he knows. tighnari is very patient with him, he thinks, very kind to accommodate cyno's affection with him, and that is the extent of it. after all, tighnari has never outright rebuked him, but..

well. he remembers the night of their kiss, remembers it well. tighnari hadn't been receptive then, and there's hardly more that cyno could do to express his feelings if a kiss hadn't been enough of a clue. tighnari isn't interested, and while that makes his heart ache, cyno respects it. he won't push. he would never push, lest he lose tighnari entirely, a fate worse than a lifetime of unrequited loneliness. he should be happy simply to have tighnari in his life to begin with, especially after so much time has passed.

still, he lingers, his thumb smoothing down the curve of tighnari's cheek. his skin is so incredibly soft, still so nicely warmed from his feed. ]

Yes, yes. I'll continue to delude myself into thinking that someday I'll find the perfect joke to make you laugh.

[ the vampire has always been careful, and will continue to be, even if he indulges in such smaller touches now and then. after all, cyno he feels has been patient to extend such gentle platonic touches. which he surmises has to boil down to a werewolf's instincts and their attachments with their packmates. clans with vampires, they are hardly one to be touchy with another, always a respectable distance and any approval met with either a shake of a hand or nod of the head.

but he has noticed it differently with werewolves. notice cyno does not seem to shy away when it comes to tighnari, and though the first time it happened it surprised him greatly - he's gotten used to it, adapted, grown warm and soft under small attention. like a man almost touch-starved. however, though he may be, he knows it is nothing to see differently. it's precisely why he has to surmise it as at most something familial coming from a jackal with no pack, something shared between two close friends. though.. could he really call them close after all this time? after the two of them drifted off, after tighnari ensured their friendship was simply a thing in the past...

one ear flicks to the side, tail twitching as he wants nothing more than to tilt his head to kiss the palm of that hand. press smaller kisses down to that wrist, lap at the skin there and - his thoughts are getting ahead of him again. he shakes his head, both to chase off that soft brush of the thumb, and the sound of cyno's words with tease. ]

Keep dreaming, my friend. Because I highly doubt there will ever come a day when that comes to be.

You break my heart.

[ someday.. someday he might think of the perfect joke!

honestly, though, tighnari isn't entirely wrong. werewolves tend to be much more affectionate with their pack than others are, touch is common, a way to express themselves, for they are social animals in the end. but of course, that isn't the only reason he loves to be affectionate with tighnari. it isn't the reason he wants to lean in, to press his mouth to tighnari's and finally learn how he tastes..

cyno's throat bobs as he swallows thickly. ]

More wine?

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