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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You could never bore me. I want every detail.

[ cyno's voice is warm, his expression soft - he clearly means it. tighnari could drone on for hours about his work schedule and cyno would listen raptly, hanging on every detail. of course, he won't ask that of him, but.. he would. cyno takes a long sip of wine, reclining back with one arm flung across the back of the sofa. ]

But all right.. specifics, then. Where have you traveled? What's the best travel story you have for me?

[ his eyes settle on tighnari's face, watching him with hooded eyes.

gods, he's missed him. missed him terribly, in a way that makes his chest tighten up, in a way that makes this moment feel incredibly special. whatever it takes.. he must keep tighnari in his life, he thinks. he can't allow him to get away again. ]

[ tighnari meets his gaze for a moment, and he knows cyno well enough that he means well by his words. but, even so, he would rather not ramble on for too long. especially the more boring details of work. he returns for another sip of his drink as he tries to give it some thought. ]

I've gone as far as to Mondstadt. It's not that bad of a place, it's no Sumeru but, the species growing there are certainly one of a kind.

[ the vampire pointedly keeps his gaze leveled away from cyno, knowing full well he'll get distracted by him otherwise. possibly enough to lose his train of thought. best travel story... that's difficult for him. at some point, his travels just became work, overly digging himself deeply into his research and projects. ]

I'm not sure about best.. but I do have one that was quite memorable. Our guide assigned to us for when we went out into the wild had the worst possible luck imaginable. I hear stories now and then, from acquaintances and coworkers being unlucky sometimes. But you could imagine the worst-case scenario happening, and with our guide? It would DEFINITELY happen!

Weather would be fine and clear, next thing we knew there would be a crazy enough storm that would almost blow my ears out that I couldn't possibly stay in. Or we would find a perfect example and somehow our contained fire blew out of proportion and started a small fire in the area and burned everything! You would think the man was truly and completely cursed. And I definitely mean of the supernatural kind.

[ as expected, cyno hangs on to every word, listening intently.

of course tighnari's travels involved plants - of course that would be his commentary on another nation; cyno smiles to himself, feeling warm, and soft, even when tighnari looks away, lost in thought.

at the story, however, cyno laughs, the sound light and easy, his tail thumping gently against the sofa cushions, his fangs catching in the low, warm light. just imagining tighnari's large ears turning inside out in a storm - the imagery alone was enough to tickle him. he'd seen it for himself in the past, and remembering it.. ah, what a good memory. ]

That sounds like an interesting man. I remember that storm our freshman year, when your ears blew inside out while we were walking back to the dorms..

[ hehe ]

[ the laugh does have tighnari's eyes drawing back to the man, pupils sharpening a little - he's always captivated by the sound of cyno laughing. he rarely did it when they first met, but now it's a sound so common when they're together. it's familiar, it's something he always enjoys hearing.

though that brought back memory has both of the vampire's long dark ears folding back immediately with a light scoff. ]

That storm was terrible. Had I known, I would have probably brought along ear muffs in my bag. Not that they help too much but it would have been better than my own hands.

[ a shake of his head, his ears flopping a little. ]

.. I remember you offering to rub my ears once the storm died down, to help soothe them.

[ it was a very kind offer, and one he did not expect from anyone - much less cyno, but it was.. incredibly nice. it felt good. ]

Mm.. I remember that, too.

[ he loved touching tighnari's ears, liked to take any opportunity to do so, but the night of that storm had been the first time. they hadn't been particularly close yet then, they were only classmates and roommates, toying at the idea of friendship but neither of them felt right taking that step. in many ways, that was the true beginning of their relationship, their closeness.

but ah, tighnari looks so cute when he's being crabby like that.. ]

You got me hooked, hmm? I really enjoyed touching your ears.

[ a beat, before his eyes lift to those ears again.. ]

Can I.. ?

[ tighnari recomposes with a considering hum, before being caught by surprise by that admittance. ... huh. ]

You do realize you have your own set, right?

[ though, his tone is in a clear airy tease, because it is... interesting, that he would enjoy it. his ears flick back, as if self-conscious over them being talked about.

well.. it isn't as if he really minds. cyno is anything but gentle, especially with a part of himself that's so easily sensitive. so after a moment he does sit just a slight bit closer, dipping his head slightly with ears swerving forward within reach. ]

Go for it.

I know, I know, but touching my own isn't quite the same.

[ for.. a plethora of reasons, really. it's like how food prepared for you always tastes much better than food you prepare yourself. this is also tighnari, and cyno loves to touch him, he's a tactile person, has been since tighnari first gently pried him from his shell, and that much hasn't changed over their years apart.

of course he is very gentle as he sets his fingers against tighnari's left ear, smoothing the pads from bottom to top, feeling that soft, silky fur before he's carefully rubbing at the base, rubbing the leather of his ear between thumb and forefinger. it's just as warm and soft as he remembers. ]

You still use those same oils?

[ the nice fur softening ones he was so obsessed with. ]

Hmm, you make a good point.

[ no matter how much he may try to soothe his own ears, it could never compare to cyno doing it himself. though, it's been such a long time now since that day, since cyno himself has petted tighnari's ears. the anticipation of it has his ears quivering a little when those hands rise up.

his eyes lower, leaning into the gentle stroke against his ear, it twitching briefly in short surprise until it rests against the cup of that hand. the rub is so incredibly soothing he almost starts to purr. fortunately, he's aware enough that he catches himself, sighing softly instead. ]

Of course I do. Good fur care is extremely important for your health.

[ it wouldn't be tighnari if he didn't use his essential oils! ]

[ right? see, tighnari understands. touching someone else is always nicer than doing it to yourself, just as rubbing his own ears will never be as satisfying as having them rubbed by someone else. by tighnari, specifically, but he won't allude to that, won't pressure him to feel like he needs to return the favor.

he doesn't manage to get a purr out of tighnari, which is regrettable, but he can still feel the way the vampire begins to settle comfortably into the touch, soothed by it in a way that cyno thoroughly understands. he smiles warmly, fondness burgeoning in his breast like a rose opening beneath the sun. ]

Of course it is.

[ cyno is a hygienic creature as well, after all, even if he doesn't quite go to the same lengths as tighnari does when it comes to his own care. he keeps clean and brushed. that's enough, right? he hums, continuing to rub the space where fur gives way to hair. ]

Just as soft as I remember..

[ .. but he doesn't want to overstay his welcome. after a few moments, he begrudgingly withdraws his hand. ]

[ it's extremely short-lived, the feel of those fingers that draw along his silky soft dark ears. there's a temptation to chase after, to completely ease into cyno and allow him to bury those hands into his hair. his tail gives a single gentle thump against the sofa before he straightens himself, leaning back against the sofa again. ]

Goes to show that I'm still sticking to my routine.

[ for a moment, he almost reaches out to touch cyno's own, but he knows better than to suddenly invade into his personal space without permission. however, he remembers the touch of that fur earlier back in the woods. ]

Yours felt only a bit rough, from what I felt earlier. Next time I'll have to bring along something to help fix that.

[ tighnari isn't the only one feeling that way. cyno would love nothing more than to slide his fingers through tighnari's soft, beautiful hair, to cup his hand behind his head and pull him in until their lips touch -

cyno has to shake himself. what in the world is he thinking? it's as if he's been catapulted back in time, as if he's a college student again, stricken by and painfully in love with the best friend that will never love him in return. it's quite powerful, just how quickly his feelings have come surging back, as if they'd never been gone at all. truly in all of this time, cyno has never gotten over tighnari, never moved past his feelings, his heart has clung on, hanging behind in the past, aching, pining, knowing full well what it desired. ]

Next time, hmm?

[ he can't help but brighten visibly at that, a smile blooming across his face. next time. he likes that. likes to know that this will continue, that tighnari will take his place back in his life again. cyno reaches for his wine glass and swallows down what remains. ]

Good. I look forward to it.

[ tighnari mulls over his wine as he hears cyno's softly uttered words. the young vampire can't help but wonder if this is a mistake. his feelings have not gone anywhere, so deeply embedded in his heart that its dug claws so tightly around there's no way he can escape from this feeling. a forbidden love of a vampire smitten with a werewolf. most would have a field day with that, and it's tighnari's current life.

he downs the rest of his wine, nerves buzzing lightly but only faintly. it is what it is. it's alright, tighnari should be happy enough that he still has this friendship with him. and he is, really. cyno's friendship is one of the most cherished connections he's ever had.. to be able to have it again, he can't ask for anything else. ]

You're free to contact me whenever. My work at the moment is on-call, so I can set time aside whenever. Of course you're free to come with me if I do get called in but it won't be the most exciting thing for you.

[ when he's called in to provide an insight of opinion on something, he knows his coworkers won't mind if he had company but his research isn't exactly the most exciting of topics for most people. his tail thumps quietly against the couch, hanging over the armrest with idle sways. ]

[ a mistake, perhaps.. but this is a mistake that cyno is happy to make, he thinks. perhaps he's a fool, perhaps it would be wise, and in their best interests, for them to enjoy this single night before slipping back into their own lives, separately, with only fond memories of one another to last them their immortal lifetimes. that would be smart. that would be safe.

but cyno is reckless, when it comes to tighnari. he's irresponsible with his own feelings, willing to risk not only his physical safety, but that of his tender heart as well just to have the chance to be by his side. to see his smile. ]

Of course it would be exciting. Just being with you is exciting.

[ perhaps it's the wine making him bold, making him more tactile even than he naturally is, but cyno can't help but to run his thumb over tighnari's knuckles, where his free hand rests against the sofa. ]

I want to see your life.

Hm. The supposed thrill of being caught and whatnot?

[ that burning thrill of adrenaline some may face when caught in a situation that could be potentially dangerous. like the mingling of a vampire and werewolf, for one. it's said mostly as a joke, one that sounds in tease with his voice as he goes for another drink of his wine.

and that's when he feels that hand on his again. his sharp eyes look over, staring over the rim of his glass, the ghost of that thumb over his knuckles that almost entices a shiver. he swallows quickly and turns his hand to lightly bat that hand, raising a brow and the corner of his lips. ]

Well, there's plenty of time for that. [ he has to play this off, for the sake of his own heart. ] ..Maybe no more wine for you, you'll be tipsy in no time and I didn't make plans for babysitting.

[ there's a sharp little sting in his heart when tighnari bats his hand away, and cyno is reminded of the truth - that tighnari still isn't interested, even after all of this time, despite how cyno's heart lingers there in their past. he feels the same as he once did, as he always has, about tighnari. fondness. warmth. love.

he withdraws his hand. ]

Mm. I suppose you didn't.

[ he tries to smile, but there's little enough warmth in it, little enough mirth, and cyno averts his gaze, setting aside his wine glass. ]

You're welcome to sleep here for the day if you need to.

[ his thoughts trail, not wanting to think too heavily on what could-be and could-have-beens. he has done that so much in the past, it's only torture to think it over now. instead, he focuses on his glass, setting it aside in turn. taking in the residence once more with a lingering curiosity he cannot deny. a desire to know more of his current living. ]

Hm?

[ no, he heard that right, and he looks over to meet that red gaze, his own two-toned observing him closely. of course cyno wouldn't mind, kind as ever. but... he sighs, pushing parts of his hair back before scratching idly at the back of his head. ]

It's nice of you to offer, but I don't want to intrude any more than I have already. After my earlier feed, I have more than enough energy to spend to get my way back quickly enough.

[ though.. it would be nice to save that energy instead. his mistake often is he spends too much of his energy that his hunger comes back faster than not. ]

Ah.. right. Sure.

[ part of him is so hesitant to let go of tighnari. as if, if he lets him off into the night, tighnari will disappear from his life again for another decade or two, and cyno will be left pining endlessly for his presence.

in some ways, that may have been for the best. tighnari wasn't interested the way that cyno was, and the kindest thing would be for them to separate so cyno could get over him, but.. that would never happen. decades apart had not cooled cyno's love for him, surely another century wouldn't, either. cyno is too devoted a soul, so helplessly, foolishly, desperately in love that even years apart could not scrub tighnari from his soul. he would have to carry this around forever, this ache in his heart.

he runs a hand back through his hair, glancing aside. ]

You need any for the road?

[ the idea rolls in his head some more, contemplating while his tail idly thumps against the couch. looking to the couch briefly, before around and finally settling on cyno again. ]

Some blood after the amount of wine I've had would be a sure way of getting me drunk.

[ it's said a bit amusingly, and archons know it's an even more tempting offer. but he needs to be stronger than that. he needs to refuse, so he shakes his head, a quiet assurance that he'll be fine. with that settled, he runs a hand along the top of couch with a thoughtful hum and. ]

..You wouldn't have any issues if I took up the couch for the night, would you?

[ because he doubts that cyno picked a place with two beds, and he wouldn't dare suggest joining him in the same bed. so, couch it is. ]

[ cyno shakes his head. ]

Of course not, but please, take my bed.

[ and before tighnari can argue - ]

I insist. I won't sleep well knowing you're on the sofa.

[ cyno is just that sort of man. he's generous to a fault, and he'd toss and turn all night knowing that he was forcing a guest to sleep on the couch, when he has a perfectly comfortable bed to use instead. as if the answer is already decided, cyno gets to his feet to collect their glasses, though he wobbles a bit, his head spinning. the wine has gone to his head, a little bit. ]

I see you're still as stubborn as ever, Cyno.

[ a sigh and shake of his head, but he gets it. cyno has always been this way after all. so he isn't surprised by the insistence even though tighnari had been quick to try and put his thoughts in first. his acceptance to stick with the couch. ]

Fine. I'll sleep on your bed.

[ for a moment, he watches him get up, wobbling and some concern strikes through. without another thought, he's quick to his own feet and gently rests a hand to his back. ]

Careful.. Here, let me help you with that.

[ stubborn indeed. cyno smiles. ]

Almost as stubborn as you, hmm?

[ he chuckles softly, though when tighnari rises and rests a hand against him his smile fades, his lidded eyes shifting to the vampire's face, watching him quietly, warmth lifting to his cheeks. they're so close like this.. how easy it would be to lean in, to close the distance between them again, and gods, gods, cyno very nearly does it. softened by the wine and warmed by tighnari's nearness, he dips his head, his exhale shivering -

and then the memory hits him like an icy lance in the gut - the memory of the last time he screwed up his courage to kiss tighnari. he overstepped, then. he can't overstep again. cyno's throat bobs as he swallows thickly, takes a deep breath, and nods. ]

Oh - y-yeah, sorry. I'll be fine, just stood up too fast.

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