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For once, Alhaitham awakens to the early dawn light first. He used to loathe waking up before his scheduled waking hours. There was no reason to exchange his rest for a glimpse at the sunrise, an objectively beautiful sight but one that doesn't change from day to day, no matter what Kaveh says.
Now, he has a very good reason to be awake.
Alhaitham's limbs are entangled around Cyno's body. He brings him closer, burying his face in his hair. Good. He's not awake yet.
As expected of the General Mahamatra, Cyno is one to set to work the moment the sun rises. Their relationship, instead of being an additional initiative to stay in bed, just gave Cyno more of a reason to get up early. Alhaitham has awakened one too many times to Cyno eating breakfast, two mugs of coffee ready on the table.
Anytime Alhaitham insists it's his turn to cook breakfast for the two of them, Cyno just shakes his head.
"If you can ever stumble out of bed without tripping over your sheets - yes, you trip on a weekly basis, don't lie, I can hear it - go ahead."
Cyno wasn't particularly wrong, Alhaitham isn't exactly the most coherent in the morning. He barely made breakfast for himself even before they were dating, preferring to buy it on his way to work. But he does hate losing to Cyno, no matter the occasion.
So maybe they can indulge in Alhaitham's desires instead. He adjusts his grip on Cyno, not too tightly, but enough that it would be a pain to get Alhaitham off of him. If he times his breathing properly, maybe Cyno will be convinced he's still asleep.
Of course, nothing gets past Cyno.
"Alhaitham," Cyno says, his voice still rough with sleep. "I know you're awake."
Alhaitham stays silent, which of course, does nothing to convince Cyno.
"You're going to make both of us late."
"You know I would never do such a thing," Alhaitham replies, his voice slightly muffled. "If we stay in bed for about 30 more minutes, we'll have enough time to buy breakfast from a food stall. Kaveh leaves before us, and he always makes coffee if no one else has. We'll be fine."
Cyno sighs. "And what if Kaveh is in a rush?"
"The coffee at the Akademiya is not preferable, but will do in a pinch."
"You and I both know the coffee there is horrible."
"Well, the coffee available to the public is. Lesser Lord Kusanali makes a fine mug herself."
Cyno scoffs, which is equal to a chuckle this early in the morning. "Only you would ask our Archon for a cup of coffee."
"So that's a yes?"
"As long as you don't trip when we have to leave, yes."
"No promises." Alhaitham smiles into Cyno's hair. Victory has been achieved, at least for one morning. Maybe he'll be able to get on a winning streak the rest of the week.
The two fall back into silence, their breathing in sync with one another. Alhaitham knows 30 minutes isn't enough to actually fall back asleep, but he closes his eyes anyway. It's a privilege, he thinks, to enjoy Cyno's warmth this close. Cyno, who never seems to stay in one place too long, for he needs to protect all of Sumeru. For a few minutes, he's allowed to be close.
They're precious moments, Alhaitham thinks. He chases after them at any chance he has.
After a few minutes, Cyno breaks the silence. "You know, if you just wanted to cuddle more in the morning, you could've just asked."
"Well, that's not as exciting, is it?"
Cyno has nothing to say about that, and instead, settles closer to Alhaitham's heart.
Alhaitham keeps his promise of only staying for 30 minutes and not tripping out the door. The walk to the Akademiya is peaceful. Perhaps a few months ago, the few people out in the streets would gawk at two prominent figures of the Akademiya walking together, but nowadays, it's a common sight. Their relationship may not be public, but the General Mahamatra working well with the former Acting Great Sage is common knowledge at this point.
(Though, their friends would always point out that their relationship actually is public. Alhaitham would rebuttal that they have made no public announcement and they are careful with acts of affection when others are around. Apparently, that's not necessary when one "looks at Cyno like the way you do, Alhaitham, literally you act like a married man." The conversation prominently ends when Alhaitham comments that being married doesn't sound so bad and Cyno and Kaveh start coughing on their drinks. Tighnari just gives him a flat stare, one that he's been at the receiving end of as of late.)
Regardless, the two have their own careers. The Grand Scribe, as much as Alhaitham likes his position, does not interact that much with the General Mahamatra. Cyno tries to visit when he can, but it's not unusual for Alhaitham not to see him for several days at a time.
At least today, Alhaitham doesn't have to wait so long.
"I'll see you tonight," Cyno turns toward him as they reach the doors. "I only have to investigate some reports of a ley line disorder near . I'll be back before dusk."
This, too, is a newer development. Cyno used to be more inconsistent about informing his loved ones of his whereabouts before he ran off to where his justice was needed. It's necessary when Cyno could be called at any second.
Alhaitham respects this. He'll always wait for Cyno, no matter how long it takes.
But he'll admit it's nice, to know where Cyno is. To know Cyno will always come back. Something in his chest uncurls at that.
"I'll see you," Alhaitham nods. In an act of impulsivity, he brushes his fingers against Cyno's hand. It's a pale imitation of holding hands, but it's all they can do in public. "Stay safe."
"I always do," Cyno promises with a slight smile.
The two separate. Alhaitham watches Cyno walk off, his hair flowing behind him.
After that, the rest of the day is nothing exciting. By default, that makes it one of Alhaitham's favorite kind of day. Now that things have settled in the Akademya, he can actually do the straightforward, tedious work he was meant to be doing.
He did, at some point, actually bother Nahida for some coffee. Though he's no longer Acting Grand Sage, he does find himself more productive working alongside the Archon. Her endless curiosity, if nothing else, makes her an excellent conversation partner.
The day continues on with nothing interesting to note. That is, until the late afternoon. He passes by a few Matra, new recruits by the looks of it. Nothing extraordinary, until he catches the tail end of their conversation.
"Oh, did you see General Cyno? He looks…"
Alhaitham immediately redirects himself to Cyno's office. Anyone who he passes rightfully steps out of the way. A million thoughts race through his head. If Cyno is injured and locked himself in his office instead of going to the Bimarstan again, he will have to drag the other man there himself.
Once he reaches the Matra headquarters, he immediately throws Cyno's office door open. "Cyno, I can't believe-"
Alhaitham stops. He stares.
Cyno has changed out of his work attire, his headdress set aside. That alone is usually enough to stun Alhaitham.
But there's a new addition. A new, incredibly large addition.
There, emerging from Cyno's back, are two great wings. They look similar to a hawk's, though they are large enough to presumably carry a human. And instead of a tawny brown or gray, they're a blinding white, matching the color of Cyno's hair.
"Oh, Alhaitham, good," Cyno looks towards the door as if he doesn't have wings sprouting from his back. "I was about to send you a message."
"Cyno," Alhaitham takes a deep breath. "What is on your back?"
Cyno turns towards Alhaitham. He winces when his wings knock over something. Deciding they were probably nothing important, Cyno continues on. "This is just an unfortunate effect of the ley lines. You know how common it is for Spantamad students to get a little too close to them. I have no choice but to intervene. I sustained no other injuries, in case you were wondering."
"I've never heard of ley lines giving people animal features."
"Well," Cyno shakes his head. "There's not a lot we know about ley lines. Luckily, this is only temporary. It should wear off tomorrow morning. Which actually brings me to our next point. It's probably best we spend the night separately-"
"No."
"No?" Cyno raises an eyebrow. "Last time I checked, you don't have the room to accommodate these….new additions."
"We'll figure something out." Alhaitham knows it's not logical, but he actually is attached to the idea of spending more time lounging in bed with Cyno. He can't have a winning streak if they sleep separately now.
And well, Cyno looks quite stunning with the wings. Ethereal, like how the Anemo Archon is depicted in Mondstadt's cathedrals.
Cyno, for once, doesn't seem to want to argue about it. "I guess if anyone can turn their house into a nest, it would be you. You really are insufferable sometimes."
"And yet, you continue to fowl for me."
A beat. The two laugh for an indescribable amount of time.
It becomes increasingly clear that Cyno might've had a point. The moment Cyno enters Alhaitham's house, his wings unfold and some poor vase falls to the ground.
Alhaitham handwaves it. "It's fine. Kaveh has three of the same kind."
"I'll buy another one later," Cyno sighs.
The two fall into their night routine, though Cyno's wings make things a bit more difficult than usual. He keeps knocking things over, whether it's the bathroom or the living area. It was a good call they decided to order carry out; Alhaitham would prefer for Cyno to not set the kitchen on fire.
Now, the question is how sleeping will work.
"I could always sleep on the coach," Cyno says. "Birds do sleep standing up, it's the closest I'll get to it. I can probably tuck my wings into a makeshift pillow."
Alhaitham frowns. "No, that won't work. Won't it hurt your neck?"
"It's the most convenient," Cyno sits down on the coach. He folds his wings, or at least attempts to, trying to fit his head underneath them.
Cyno looks less like a bird and more like a student who passed out in the library after finishing their thesis. The sight would be funny if the idea of Cyno hurting his back all night didn't make Alhaitham's heart clench.
And so, with more than enough protests from Cyno, they eventually end up in Alhaitham's bedroom. The two stare at the bed.
It's a reasonably sized bed, usually the perfect size for the both of them. Alhaitham has also spent a reasonable amount of money making sure his sheets and covers were high quality. No one has truly lived a cushy lifestyle without experiencing the pleasure of 800 thread count sheets and pillows that mold themselves to fit their owner's sleeping preferences.
Alhaitham proceeds to throw the pillows on the floor.
"How exactly will that help us," Cyno doesn't look too impressed by the action.
"You have wings," Alhaitham replies. "From earlier, I can assume your wings are sturdy enough to be slept on. However, we still need to make room for them. Hence, the pillows."
Alhaitham can admit it does look ridiculous. Cyno certainly thinks so by the look on his face. All this really does is ensure he has more hazards to trip on in the morning.
But he did the calculations in his head. They should be fine. Cyno's wings are big enough to act as pillows.
"I'm still not sure how I'm supposed to lay down like this," Cyno's wings ruffle slightly, as if they're displeased at the thought of laying down.
Alhaitham takes a glance at the wings. Judging by the wingspan, Cyno could just lay in the bed and-
"If you're thinking of sleeping on the coach, I refuse."
"I would never do such a thing," Alhaitham considered it for a few seconds, but that would defeat the purpose of bringing Cyno to his home. "We can both fit."
A few seconds later proves that yes, they can both fit. But Cyno is curled up on the other side of the bed, his wings acting as a sort of barrier to the world.
Alhaitham's pride can get thrown out the window. He wants to cuddle his boyfriend. Wings, apparently, are not conductive for a good cuddle session.
There is nothing but pain in this world, apparently. Alhaitham might as well accept that he'll go to bed cold and deprived of his boyfriend's touch. It's maddening how close yet how far Cyno is from him.
"I can hear your grumbling from over there," Cyno sits up, causing the bed to creek. "What did I say earlier? You can just ask if you want to cuddle. Is this what this was all about?"
Yes, I need to physically be near you at all times now.
"Maybe."
Cyno exhales. "Don't be stubborn about this. Here, I think I figured out something. Sit up."
Cyno faces Alhaitham this time, extending one wing towards him. He gestures Alhaitham to lay back down.
Like this, Cyno's wing acts exactly like a pillow. Alhaitham is surprised by how soft they are, better than any pillow he's ever had.
"Come closer."
Cyno is so close now, close enough that he's able to wrap his arms around Alhaitham's torso. His head rests on his chest, the gesture causing Alhaitham's cheeks to warm.
As a finishing touch, Cyno's other wing wraps around the two of them, a blanket of its own.
"Is that better?"
Alhaitham has no words. Cyno has been the big spoon plenty of times before, but this is different. He's never felt this…small in his presence. Is this how the shorter man feels, when Alhaitham wraps his arms around him? Like there's nothing else that matters in the world except the two of them?
Clearly, Cyno gets the better end of the deal.
"It's perfect. Now I can say the General Mahamatra has taken me under his wing."
Cyno's laughter rings in his ears as the two fall asleep.