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Cyno.
The General Mahamatra.
Your boyfriend.
To be completely honest, you yourself couldn't believe that a stern man like him managed to even fall in love with you. Other than that, Cyno has always been busy with his duties and responsibilities.
Since you knew that, you have always understood whenever the both of you would go on for days without a single conversation, even seeing each other faces. And you're okay with it, because you trust Cyno. Even though the both of you had been together for nearly a year, you're completely aware that Cyno has yet to utter the three special set of words to you.
It didn't really bother you anyway, since you knew the kind of man Cyno is. Despite his rather stern and fierce nature, you really enjoy his rather "dry humour". The jokes aren't funny but it's somehow funny because it's being shared by someone like him. He can be amusing, to simply say.
This relationship you both share is one that only the students and teachers at the akademiya only knew. You knew that ever since Cyno had been given the role as the General Mahamatra, he was strict with showing any signs of connection and strong relations with anyone outside. Even more so with public displays and any sort of expressions of affection to each other.
It was to the point where people even doubted the relationship you both have and believed that it was all just rumours. During random times when you're by yourself in the Akademiya, people would often approached you and confirm with you just how factual it is. Because really, to outsiders, it looks like there is nothing.
When you once brought it up to Cyno over a meal, he huffed and uttered the following words; "I don't need anyone else to believe this relationship we both have, they don't matter."
You laughed softly to yourself before stuffing your mouth with a spoonful, nodding as a sign of agreement to his words.
Though, Cyno had never thought of another scenario that may occur when people had doubts. Initially he hadn't thought he may react differently until he experienced it himself. It happened on one fine day, on a day when he was glad to have decided to return to the akademiya.
"[Y/N]."
Walking out of the House of Daena with a short but heavy stack of books, it was a surprise to see Cyno standing by the fountain. Cyno felt his chest warming at the sight of a small smile curving up your lips almost instantaneously.
You sighed his name, changing your direction to walk up to him instead. "It's nice to see you after awhile, I see that you've also gained a few scratches and injuries here and there..hm.." despite the heavy stack in your arms, you took the time to scrutinise the general's condition, to which he sighed.
"It's fine, I'll recover.." his eyes traveled to the stack of books in your arms before taking it from you. "Where are you heading?" your chest warmed at Cyno's action.
"Wait.. It's fine Cyno, I can carry it myself.. You must be busy with your other responsibilities.." you reached out for your book but Cyno simply took a step back, moving out of your reach.
"I didn't ask if you're able to carry it yourself and I didn't ask for you to decide whether I should busy myself later on as General." Cyno glared at you, to which you let out a sigh before answering.
"I'm heading back to my research study at home, I still have another stack back in the library so I hope you don't mind waiting for me to take it with me."
You quickly made your way back into the library, walking up the table that you had been sitting on for hours previously.
It wasn't much of a surprise when you walked back to see that your desk had been cleared. It was indeed a public space and any books on an empty desk could be seen as the previous occupant being lazy.
Just when you turned on your heels, you immediately bumped against a hard chest, making you stumble backwards. You would've fell if the other person hadn't hold your wrist to help you stabilise your form.
"Hi." the man simply greeted. In his hands were the other stack of books that you intended to bring home. "You're the one who had left the books here, yes? I think you didn't realise that I was sitting opposite you.."
You cleared throat, "You wish to borrow this books instead?" the man shook his head and smiled as he placed the books in your arms.
"Well.." it was his turn to clear his throat. "When I was sitting opposite you, I had noticed that you were one of the scholars that are heavily mentioned by the professors and teachers here.. The feats that you had accomplished are said to be incredible..."
You looked away in embarrassment because thanking him softly. "And seeing you, I now know you have both beauty and brains.. I can't miss this opportunity because.. I don't know when's the next!"
"So please give me a chance and let me bring you out on a date!"
You gawked at him, surely he has heard of the rumours between Cyno and you.. right?
"I feel flattered but.." you trailed off, and as you were about to continue with what you were saying, he spoke once again. "I'm aware of the rumours between the General Mahamatra and you. And with the amount of people that said it was all just a rumour, I intend to court you!"
You laughed awkwardly, looking away as you continued, "The thing is.. I'm actually with.."
"With her."
Cyno walked up by your side with your stack of books in hand, despite him being of somewhat shorter height than the student, the student appeared to look intimidated by the gaze of his eyes.
If Cyno was frankly speaking, he'd admit that seeing you take so long because of a random student made him seethe. Not only was he wasting both your precious time together, but he looked extremely persistent in taking you out. So with your books still in hand, he stood extremely close to you, glaring down onto the student with his fierce, vermillion eyes.
Cyno has never felt so bothered with a rumour in his entire life. In this year long relationship you both shared, he never imagined a day he would be. A day he would strongly wish to debunk every rumour of him and you that goes against the truth.
Despite all his thoughts, Cyno sighed, his sharp features softening before turning on his heels.
"Let's go, we're wasting precious time that would've been better spent together on something else." With that, you quickly bid farewell at the student to rush to Cyno's side.
The both of you started walking to your place in silence, until Cyno randomly reached out for the stack in your hands to place it on his own. "Hey! I want to carry that."
Cyno chuckled before shaking his head. "Let me, [Y/N]." Huffing, you finally agreed to let him have his way.
It was once again, silent but you broke it this time. "I'm sorry for taking a lot of time back there.."
"It's fine, he was the one that making us waste time.. but.." he breathed. "Do I really look that unaffectionate towards you? Does it bother you?"
You immediately shook your head, and laughed. "Cyno, to answer your question, it feels like we both are mere friends, but it doesn't bother me, because I know that as General Mahamatra, there are some regulations that we both must ensure we uphold for our safety. You don't have to say anything and do the usual couple stuff if it's what you want because I understand."
Cyno hummed, looking away. "I see.. thank you for understanding then.."
"Of course, well, you are my boyfriend and I always want you to help me understand whatever you want and whatever you're dealing with, okay?"
The General nodded, before huffing. "Good, because you're important to me."
Cyno may not say "I love you" to you, but he has other ways to tell you that he loves and cares about you.