Chapter Text
“Nari, I’m very frond of you.”
It was such a stupid pun– but Tighnari’s face didn’t change, nor did he move from his spot on the plush bed. The morning sun casted ribbons of golden light on the two of them as Cyno pushed himself up from his spot in a nest of plus pillows.
It was their old ritual…They’d meet after many weeks of being apart. The young botanist and the general. Tighnari would never admit how much he looked forward to these fleeted meetings. Cyno’s red eyes narrowed as he moved close to Tighnari and pressed a warm kiss to his cheek.
“One more go?” He cooed into Tighnari’s large pointed, canine ears. Such softness, care in those words and Tighnari nodded in reply. This meeting was different then their meetings in the past, and Tighnari was still trying to figure out why. This time Cyno was gentler, calculated. He didn’t want them to leave their hidden bungalow, not even for a moment it seemed.
“One more…then I need to get back to the village and my paper…I have another due by the end of the week.” Tighnari stretched and Cyno planted a kiss on his shoulder.
“Mmm, stay with me a little longer.” Cyno dragged his lips up to Tighnari’s jawline, his calloused fingers sliding down to Nari’s stomach.
Tighnari could tell something was wrong, but he didn’t wish to break the moment…these rare moments where the two of them could be alone like this. He merely nodded and shuddered at the touch. Cyno was quick to pull Tighnari close and into his lap. His already hard cock pressed into Tighnari’s softer and slightly smaller one. Such fervor, the normally composed person that Tighnari couldn’t resist…They were compelled, hypnotized and love-drunk.
Cyno dragged the nearly depleted lube bottle back towards the two of them, dripping the liquid on his fingers before he began to rub his hands up and down their cocks in tandem. Tighnari let out a soft sound, biting his bottom lip as Cyno began to suckle at his collarbone and up to his shoulder, adding more marks to Tighnari’s olive skin.
Tighnari’s eyes opened a crack to look at Cyno for a moment, the sadness in his heart welled. In his mind he knew why Cyno was being so clingy…so desperate in his need to take and kiss every part of his boyfriend. With every stroke Tignari could feel the greed in Cyno’s breaths.
“C-cyno, take me. I want to see your face.” Tighnari asked, pushing his lover's head up and planting a wet kiss on his lips. Cyno’s eyes always reminded Tighnari of the sunset over the desert. Serious, but still gentle…wise. Without much effort Cyno laid Tighnari on his back and climbed atop the canine-blooded man. That silky smooth tail wagging, giving away how much Tighnari was enjoying this moment.
Cyno was the only one who could see this…see Tighnari like this. He made that promise the first time they kissed, the first time Tighnari laughed at one of Cyno’s jokes. The first time Tighnari didn’t return sass at a well calculated joke that surely Cyno had spent weeks orchestrating the punchline. Cyno grunted, and Tighnari sighed as the general lifted his leg and pressed his cocked against his entrance.
Again, there was the desperation….that greed. Cyno thrusted, fully sheathing himself in his lover. Tighnari was quick to wrap his arms around him, holding him close as Cyno pistoned himself in and out, picking up speed with each second they made love. Tighnari could barely hear anything…Everything was drowned out between flesh hitting flesh and Cyno’s tender moans. Nari was already feeling overstimulated as his cock twitched against his stomach and white ribbons of cum painted their stomachs.
“N-nari.” Cyno let out another deep sound before he pressed deeply into Tighnari, joining the man below him in orgasm.
—
“So…I’m being sent to investigate something in another nation.” Cyno had stated a few hours later as Tighnari brushed his hair back.
“So?” Tighnari replied, his pale eyes focused as he began to make simple, small braids in Tighnari’s silvery tresses.
“I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
Tighnari’s suspicions were confirmed. The botanist may be a slight recluse, but he still knew how to read people’s emotions well. Even people like Cyno, who could be serious at most moments and strange at other moments, his attempts at breaking tension with stale humor or asking about his card games.-
“You’ve been on long missions before. I can wait.” Tighnari replied simply as he tied Cyno’s hair with a elastic tie before pushing it over his boyfriend’s shoulder.
Cyno breathed deeply in. “You know you don’t have to wait for me, right? We aren’t married. It’s fine.”
Tighnari let out a sigh before pressing his lips against a scar Cyno’s shoulder blade. “I’ll wait. Don’t insult my patience.”
They moved into silence, Cyno looked like he was ready to argue, but—at the last moment decided against it. Despite all the judgment the general could dish out, he’d never win against Tighnari.
—--
“I got the herbs you were looking for.” The traveler, Lumine, moved into the small room that Tighnari made as his ranger office and bedroom. It had been many weeks since Tighnari and Cyno had last seen each other, though a letter did make it his way.
“Thank you, I’m sorry for asking this from you. But I wanted to keep this quiet while Collei and Paimon were away.” Tighnari took the package of Mondstadt herbs from Lumine’s grip before going to his desk to separate them.
“I’m sorry…but, Albedo mentioned that these herbs are often used to make a potion for morning sickness.” Lumine was smart. She was also very quiet and mild-mannered. Tighnari knew she’d keep these words to herself. “Albedo thought they were for me, it was pretty funny— awkward.”
Tighnari looked over his shoulder and offered her a small smile. “Remind me to meet with Albedo sometime. I’d love to exchange notes with him.”
Lumine went silent as she watched Tighnari work, She probably had a lot of things to say, a lot of things to mention, but Tighnari was so focused on his alchemy.
“Do you want to…talk about anything? I’m all ears if you need to get anything off your chest.”
“I’m pregnant, Lumine. It’s not very complicated. But of course it makes me feel unwell, and I suppose that can make my work difficult sometimes… if I’m out on the field vomiting and feeling dizzy.” Tighnari was always straight to the point, he didn’t wax poetic or sugar coat things.
Lumine puffed out her cheeks. “Well, I mean…It’s exciting! I think…Do you have any plans…like when you get later on—I can’t imagine.”
“I suppose my plans are the same. I’ll take this as a simple challenge.” Tighnari closed his eyes for a brief moment, he knew Lumine’s heart was in the right place, but honestly Tighnari just wanted to get on with his life, continue with his work. Carrying Cyno’s child was just a slight damper in his schedule. He could write and research from his room in his later trimesters, he could still gather samples around the area…he could wear bigger shirts to hide his bump…
“Thank you again, really, Lumine. Thank you for getting Collei and Paimon out of the way for a while. I don’t want Collei to worry—and honestly my ears can’t handle Paimon today— especially with the side-effects of pregnancy.”
“I won’t tell anyone until you are ready Tighnari, you have my word.” She placed her hand over her chest, her golden eyes determined and Tighnari felt slightly less stressed knowing she’d never lie or out him.
Relief.
Tighnari had nothing to worry about. He had always worked things out, alone or in a group of friends or colleagues. This is why the Akademiya wanted him to teach, to extend his knowledge since they often thought so lowly of the forest at times.
Cyno would be back; the forest wouldn’t wait for Generals or their pregnant botanists.
—
“Momma.” A little girl with gray locks and tall ears rushed over to Tighnari’s side. Her cheeks were rosy as she stretched her arms out, asking wordlessly to be picked up. She was also showing off a flower, like starlight with its sapphire and gold petals. Tighnari pulled the little fennec into his arms, observing the flower. His smile softened at the little girl's proud expression, so happy at her prize.
“Kalpalata Lotus?” He narrowed his eyes and looked around, confused as to where he had gotten the flower, the one that grew on cliffside vines. “Where’d you get this, Sania?” He examined the flower, but didn’t take it from her grip, knowing it would make her upset.
She smiled cheekily. “Auntie.” She went to play with the petals gently and Tighnari adjusted his grip on the little girl. The toddler looked like she was tired from her babysitting session with Collei. She leaned her head on Tighnari’s shoulder as they began to walk back home. Even at such a young age, Sania was so much like Cyno. Calm, smart, curious, funny when she smiled. It also didn’t help that she looked a lot like him.
Like Cyno, thinking about him made Tighnari’s chest hurt. He denied it to his friends. Told them he was fine, no matter what, they’d see daddy again someday.
Tighnari lost contact with Cyno— not long after he found out he was pregnant with Sania. But deep down Tighnari knew that Cyno was alive and managing. Cyno was chosen to lead the Matra because he would stop at nothing to uphold what is right. That was a blessing and a curse for the Akademiya. All their crime would eventually come full circle. Whatever Cyno was doing— well it was all for the good and the less he knew about Tighnari and Sania—well the less he’d have to worry so far away from home.
This was all things that Tighnari repeated in his head, it was all a cope. He often wrote letters to the Akademiya, to anyone who was close to Cyno. Asking if there were any news of his work— but he’d get the same replies:
He’s still away—
No bad news, but no good news.
He’s deep undercover–sadly, classified.
We haven’t heard anything, sorry.
Tighnari let out a sigh as he patted Sania on the small of her back. Happy she seemed like she had such a good day. Happy the forest was still alive and flourishing. Happy the corruption had seeped back to whence it came.
Yet—- Tighnari’s heart still had a spot of ache. His own personal withering.
“Momma.” Sania tugged on Tighnari’s hoodie. Her pale green eyes were focused on something behind them.
A cloaked figure stood there, staring at the two of them. Familiar, if not a little battered.