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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[ there really is no easy answer as to why this feels so nostalgic to tighnari. as if he's been in this moment once before - no, not once, so many more times than he can count, how being right here is where he's meant to be and always will be. but he knows his own upbringing, he remembers his life so far quite well and he knows he's never felt this way before. and yet, his heart feels so strongly that he has.

it's difficult trying to make sense of it, as he sinks into the protective warmth that envelops him, and entices him into a deep sleep that he knows he won't wake easily from. and he was right. however, as morning comes does the peek of the sunlight trickling in, coaxing and gentle as it washes over them both and tighnari shifts just a bit.

one ear sluggishly flops up, the other still buried into his dark hair while he listens to the distant chatter of birdsong. the witch knows better than to waste any morning time and does stir himself further awake, yawning as he stretches a little and nudges his head against cyno's in an affectionate head bump. ]

..Cyno, it's morning.

[ cyno is quite a light sleeper, but beside tighnari he sleeps well and deeply, the most restful sleep he's had in.. years, honestly. perhaps ever. but when the fox stirs and bumps their heads together his eyelids flicker, and he begins to wake.

a low grunt rolls roughly in his throat, and cyno shifts against the sheets, blinking blearily. morning sunlight slants through the curtains, filling the room with a warm, ethereal glow that surrounds tighnari's hair and ears like a halo, bringing a soft, curving smile to cyno's mouth. before he says anything at all, he first leans in, pressing their mouths together in a warm, seeking kiss, just because he can. because he wants to. ]

Morning.

[ he murmurs, in a voice gone gravelly, his words a whisper against tighnari's soft lips. he chuckles, sweeping an arm around his partner to scoop him in close. ]

I could get used to this.

[ oh, the immediate warm kiss that greets him first earns a look of surprise. ears flicker back, his tail sweeping up into a high curl as he smiles against that mouth smoothing against his own. he's more than content to kiss back, chest rumbling with a soft purr. it really is so easy for cyno to coax the fox into purring - that blanket of contentment enveloping him.

though it smooths into a hum when he hears the roughness in the jackal's voice, a shiver running down his spine with a wiggle closer at the guide of the arm scooping him close again. ]

As could I.

[ waking up to him like this, seeing the warmth and affection on cyno's face more frequently. he nudges their noses together with a soft sigh. ]

Much as I would love nothing more than to stay in bed with you, I definitely need a bath before I start up breakfast for us three.

Mmnf.. but -

[ he starts to complain, then sighs, because tighnari is right. collei will be awake soon, if she isn't already, they don't have the luxury of lying around together all morning, enjoying one another. another time, perhaps. for now, they have responsibilities. one of which is their personal hygiene.

so cyno grunts his reluctant acceptance, then nods, even as he leans in to steal another quick kiss. ]

All right, all right. To the bath it is, then.

[ he says, then sits himself up, arching his back in a luxurious stretch that makes his spine pop. ]

No but's.

[ two-toned eyes twinkle with some amusement as that complain comes to an end, he knows how exciting it must be for them both. to take that step into a relationship, diving headfirst like they did the night before. it's the thrill and desire of wanting to touch, touch and be near. especially coming from tighnari who is in this weird middle of it being so familiar but actually so new.

fortunately, tighnari has good control, despite that moment of weakness last night. chuckling softly at that stolen kiss, he reaches to poke his nose lightly until he moves off the bed entirely on his side. his arms stretch upwards, his incredibly fluffy tail curling up high until he gives it a quick shake and makes his way toward the bathroom.

since he's already naked, he hardly needs to take the moment to disrobe, though he makes a quick reminder to himself to gather said clothes from the floor and wherever else they may have ended up after his bath. he reaches to start the water running, the warm run allowing a bit of steam to fill the room. ]

[ cyno feels it, too. that familiarity. that connection. he's felt it from the moment their eyes first met, when he held tighnari in his claws, seconds from taking his life. it's a feeling that hasn't gone away in all the time they've known one another, and cyno doesn't understand it, but he does accept it.

flipping the blankets off of his legs, he climbs to his feet, ambling after tighnari into the bathroom. ]

Mm.. [ he murmurs, slipping his arms around tighnari from behind, tugging him in while the water fills. he dips his head, nuzzling his nose and mouth against tighnari's shoulder, pressing kisses there, his smile curving. ]

The bath isn't ready yet, you silly oaf.

[ the sigh that leaves the fox is definitely exaggerated, tail twitching in an attempt to have some self-control and not let it wag away. despite his words, he easily leans back against him as they both slip right in with plenty enough space to lounge in.

ears flicker back, his body beginning to naturally melt against the nuzzle and peppered kisses along his skin. it's quickly becoming the norm for another purr to bubble out of the fox. it feels nice, good - and though he holds himself back from saying as much, he knows it's probably obvious from his body language. ]

Is the temperature of the water fine for you?

[ cyno likes it, the sound of those purrs, the way they make tighnari's chest vibrate, the way they soothe cyno as well, calming him like a ray of warm sunlight against his skin. it makes him smile, humming in response, his chin dropping to rest on tighnari's shoulder. ]

Mm.. it's perfect.

[ it could be nearly any temperature, and cyno would be content with it, so long as it meant keeping close to tighnari. his tail sweeps beneath the water, wagging slowly back and forth as he nudges his nose into the crook of tighnari's jaw. it's been less than a day yet this feels so comfortable already, so easy, as if they have been lovers for many long years.

exhaling softly, he smooths his hands down tighnari's sides. ]

This is nice.

[ peering over again, his look softens considerably to see such a smile on cyno's face. the happiness that flutters in his chest warm and gentle, delighted to be part of the reason why. he keeps an eye on the water levels until it's filled enough to turn it off. with that done do ears flicker back into his dark hair, his own tail curling over to heavily flop over cyno's own. ]

Mmhm, it's very nice.

[ the nudge has the fox tilting his head, exposing some of his neck with a hum now. it really is far too easy for him to give himself to cyno - though he had been these past few months, piece by piece through letters and exchanges of words... small touches. now it's almost as if he can't get enough. a soft sigh of pleasure escapes him as those hands smooth over, shivering a little. ]

Shouldn't spend too much time...

No, we shouldn't.

[ is what he says, but he also doesn't seem to be rushing, either. especially not once he feels that shiver, which makes him smile, his lips curving against tighnari's skin. they really shouldn't fool around right now, not when they're supposed to be getting ready for breakfast, not when collei might be potentially awake, but it's so tempting nonetheless, to touch him more. ]

But I want to. I want to learn everything about you. I want to kiss every inch of you.

[ he murmurs, soft against tighnari's shoulder, one hand sliding over his partner's belly.. but he restrains himself, and doesn't go further. instead, with a displeased grunt, he reaches for the soap and washcloth. ]

.. later. I'll need to go collect my things, but when I return..

[ a breath catches at those words, ears quivering back with another drawn-out shiver when a hand slides over his belly. he can feel the depths of his stomach churning with a distant burning pleasure. his hand smooths over his partner's, pressing over it with a squeezing touch. he doesn't guide him further, but he also doesn't pull it away. of course he wants to learn everything there is about cyno in return too.. ]

.. Later. We'll have plenty of time to learn.

[ that quiet promise for when he returns has his tail swishing within the water, unable to hide that budding excitement. he clears his throat and reaches for a different bottle of soap, one meant for fur care. he takes first cyno's own tail onto his own lap, lavishing it with the soap. ]

For now, we clean up.

[ when i return.. it's a promise, one that excites and enamours him, and the way tighnari reacts to his touch is enough to make him consider otherwise. blood is very quickly rushing south..

so he clears his throat and attempts to redirect his attention to cleaning them up, lathering up the washcloth and using it to begin scrubbing gently at tighnari, rubbing the soap over his shoulders and back. it lathers up nicely, and cyno's callused hands are gentle. ]

That feels nice.

[ those fingers in his thick fur - tighnari works his tail nicely, rubbing the soap through it, massaging gently. he hums. ]

Your touch is gentle but furm.

Mmm... you're not too bad yourself.

[ which sounds in a satisfied groan, though the touch and scrub is gentle - the feel of any bit of cyno's callused hands over skin feels pleasant. he starts to melt under the motions, but keeps himself aware enough to not distract too heavily from his own task.

he digs his fingers deep into fur, full intention on being thorough in massaging the soap through to provide the best kind of attention to his furcare. his ear flickers back at the word, hearing the slight annunciation in the word but not getting it just yet. ]

Well... of course it is, if I'm not you'll have terrible knots in your fur. We don't want it to be matted.

[ the joke flew over his head... ]

[ tighnari................. tighnari did you not get his joke

it's fine he'll keep trying. ]

No, that would be an awful matter.

[ even despite his ridiculous jokes, however, cyno continues scrubbing at tighnari's back until it's nice and clean, and even after that, he continues to rub, treating him to a little back massage. ]

I would knot want to deal with it.

[ the annunciations continue and tighnari's hands slow a little, one ear twitching before that heavily wet dark tail raises and slaps against cyno's chest. ]

Those are terrible.

[ an exasperated sigh leaves him, though laced with a quiet fond.

he runs his fingers briefly through cyno's tail once to double-check he's gotten through it all. mm, much better than before, he's satisfied. he gently slides it off after, moving his own tail onto his lap now to work on it next. ]

Keep going and I might be tempted to bite you again.

[ not the tail slap!! cyno chuckles, pushing that tail back down and out of the way again, before he's leaning in to press a kiss to the nape of tighnari's neck, nuzzling into his hair. ]

Is that a threat, or a promise?

[ he enjoys the bites. though for now he pulls back a little to begin cupping water into his hands to wet tighnari's hair and ears with, of course very careful to keep from getting water into his ears. after that, he's glancing around for the shampoo. he's cleaned up here at tighnari's place often enough to know which bottle is which, at least, and he's soon spilling some into his palm and beginning to work it into a lather through tighnari's soft hair, making sure to massage and scratch gently at his scalp. ]

[ that tail is pliant under cyno's touch, easily being swept aside and even going as far as to curl around his partner's leg at the feel of those lips on his neck. it sends a shiver down his spine, lashes fluttering with a content hum. ]

That depends.

[ though, not really, not when cyno enjoys it and.. admittedly, so does tighnari. his head tilts to make cyno's job easier as he works on wetting the top of his head. a purr quietly making itself known while those fingers lather and smooth through. ]

I see you remember.

[ of course cyno has cleaned up here from time to time, but still his care and attention to detail is more than obvious. especially when someone like tighnari is so particular about what he uses. ]

[ ah, that sweet purr.. cyno loves to hear it. it speaks to tighnari's comfort, to how happy and comfortable he is, and the warmth of the moment. he'd do anything to keep hearing that lovely, rippling sound. smiling, cyno continues to work the lather, making sure to get it deep into the roots of both hair and fur. ]

Of course I do. I have a good memory.

[ especially when it comes to things involving tighnari.. and also, he wants to respect the fox's space and things. ]

Go ahead and rinse when you're ready.

[ wetting tighnari's hair was easy enough, but it'll be better for the fox to rinse it himself, to be sure all of the suds are washed away. ]

Ah, thank you.

[ a soft murmur leaves him, having just finished tending to his own tail now so he lowers his head to make it easier to cup up some water to rinse everything all off. fingers soothe through to wash his head entirely before shaking it off lightly. after does one hand sweeps damp locks of hair aside, ears flopping back while he wipes at his face. ]

Here, let me help you now.

[ he turns to face cyno more properly, coming to pour some shampoo onto his own hand and gesture for cyno to dip his head a little. it's quite domestic - taking a bath together like this, having his tail submerged still is good for one thing in that the weight of the water keeps it from wagging too much at the thought of this. ]

[ it was absolutely domestic, and quite intimate, as well, in a way that is very different from the carnal pleasure they had indulged in the previous night. this is a sign of trust, of acceptance, and an exchange of vulnerabilities. it might seem like a simple, ordinary bath with a lover, but cyno is in truth exposing himself a great deal, here. he's putting so much trust into tighnari's gentle hands.

but ah, it's worth it. cyno hums his assent and tilts his head forward, laying his ears back against his hair in order to keep the water from getting into them. and once he feels fingers in his hair, he hums softly, the customary tension in his shoulders easing away immediately. ]

Feels nice..

[ he murmurs softly, while goosebumps wash down his arms and back in a gentle, warm wave. ]

[ it doesn't go unnoticed by tighnari, after all they could have easily taken their turn bathing. but cyno followed suit and even guided him in - how could he deny that opportunity? carefully, he straddles the man's lap more properly, so that cyno doesn't have to strain too much when he tilts his head. his fingers move gently, wetting the curve of those ears and even rewarding them with sweet scritches until he moves on.

gingerly he smooths the shampoo into white hair, massaging the scalp to ease in thoroughly. a soft hum starts to sound while he does, pausing to briefly kiss a damp ear. ]

Good.

[ to see cyno so relaxed, to get rid of any of that tension, brings contentment to tighnari. he noses against an ear briefly until he returns to cleaning them gingerly for a few minutes. eventually, he takes a few scoops of water with his hand to rinse it lightly before he leans back. ]

Alright, you can wash the rest of it off now. About time we got out of the bath anyway.

[ do they haaaave to get out of the bath? it's so nice and warm and intimate.. those kisses to his ears and the gentle massage has him rumbling deep in his chest.

but yes, of course they do. collei may already be waiting for them, and cyno realizes he's.. going to have a bit to explain, when the two of them exit tighnari's bedchambers together. collei is more than old enough to understand romance and what it means, and fond as she is of tighnari, he can only imagine that she'll be pleased, but still. cyno has never had a partner as long as he has had collei, not since her mother disappeared on them the moment her eleazar became apparent.

but he'll face all of that in a bit, once they're at that point. for now, he dips his head and rinses out his hair and ears, before.. he gives a good shake, splattering water droplets everywhere. ]

[ there's a lingering distant worry when he thinks about likely explaining to collei what is different between cyno and him now... not that collei hasn't warmed up considerably to tighnari by now, and tighnari definitely would do anything to continue to protect her. to help her. she's an important factor in his life now as well and of course having her approval is important but. he's never been in this position before, so he isn't sure what to expect.

it really feels as if he's falling into something blindly, with no insight on what is to come or happen. it's a bit terrifying - but observing cyno before him, he has a comforting feeling that everything will be fine. and even if things don't go how they may want it... it won't change how he feels, that he intends to continue helping them.

the sudden shake and splatter of water droplets have him sputter and break out of those thoughts, grabbing the nearest towel to toss onto the jackal's head with an exaggerated huff. ]

At least dry off properly.

[ he's not at all surprised when tighnari gets prickly with him, and a soft, amused chuckle issues from beneath the towel thrown over his head. ]

Sorry.

[ he's not that sorry..

but he does as he's bid anyway, carefully standing and squeezing the water from his hair and tail before he's stepping out of the bath, and rubbing himself down with the towel, pressing it to his fur to wick away the moisture. ]

Are you ready to face Collei?

[ they might as well discuss it.. ]

[ there's another soft huff, but it's light-hearted. not entirely as fussed as he may have come off. he focuses on properly drying off himself, taking a towel himself to rub majority of the clinging moisture away until he reaches for a brush to get through any detangling. an ear twitches at the coming question and he grows quiet.

it's a valid thought. and definitely something they should discuss. so, it isn't as if he's against it, but there's a flicker of some hesitation. he may as well be honest. ]

As ready as I can be. [ ... ] But, I am a bit worried. Do you think she'll accept me wanting to be in both your lives more than I already am?

[ will she think that he's trying to take her father away? it's far from it, and of course he realizes some of his worries and concerns are in hindsight a bit ridiculous. but consequently cyno would know his own daughter best so if he wants to get some insight, better now than ever. ]

for @suffusion

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