Chapter Text
He breathes softly, one cautious foot silently stepping in front of the other.
The shop appeared empty, windows shattered and floor covered in grime from the dirt and dust that built up over months. Shelves were looted and mainly sustained useless items; children’s toys, tv’s with broken screens, dusty books and a small section that was once dedicated to bright birthday decorations. But stepping into the last aisle - His eyes widened when he spotted the remaining unopened cans, empty prayers slipping through his lips as he rushed forward to pick them up and examine their expiration dates.
It had become rare to find food these days and he had decided to check out this shop on a whim. He certainly didn’t have high hopes but desperate times called for desperate measures.
He happily bit his lip once the date registered and he realized the canned zaytun peaches were still safe to consume. They were his favorite!
He quickly began shoving the cans into his backpack, but not without periodically glancing around to make sure nobody - or nothing - was approaching. Unfortunately, he could only make use of four cans and he had to leave behind three because they had gotten moldy. He was desperate but not desperate enough to risk getting sick. Medicine was not any easier to find.
“Better than nothing,” he whispered to himself, slipping his bag back on. He clicked the buckles together to secure it in front of his chest.
Then he peeked around the corner once more before making his way to the exit, carefully avoiding the crunchy leaves and glass scattered on the floor. Upon setting foot on concrete, he remained cautious and scurried along the side of the buildings to go back the way he came from. He hurried, crouching along the bushes until he reached the end of the town and he carefully made his way into the forest. From here, he would follow along the road but from within the forest. Avoiding being seen and avoiding strangers was always the safest option, otherwise he would most likely end up without his supplies or dead.
It was silent besides the weak chirps of birds and the crunch of the leaves beneath his boots.
He ignored the rumbling of his stomach and began twisting his hair into a bun. Over the past few months, his hair had grown longer but he felt dread at the thought of cutting it even though it would be more convenient for him. Washing it and maintaining it had become a routine more complicated than worth it, if he was honest. But still - it helped him feel more grounded, a reminder of all the time that has passed.
Upon reaching a worn out and broken ‘Welcome to’ sign, he ventured deeper into the forest. He came across a small river and he walked upstream, further distancing himself from any towns. After about twenty minutes, he finally slowed down as he came across two small tents hidden in a small clearing, crouching down slightly to hide behind a bush and look around. It seemed empty.
Before he could reveal himself, he felt the sharp edge of a blade against his neck and he gasped loudly, “It’s me!”
Exasperated groans filled the air in return as the blade was swiftly removed.
“You can’t just leave without telling us and then try sneaking back in here!” Tighnari scowled as he came out from behind a green tent, right ear twitching in irritation. His tail swayed from side to side, fur standing.
From behind himself, Cyno murmured in agreement as he pulled Kaveh up and checked him for injuries. he carefully hid the blade back in his pocket. Tighnari joined him, moving towards them quickly and almost coddling the blond. A few months ago, he might’ve felt slightly offended at the lack of confidence they displayed in his ability to protect himself but now he realizes it's their way of protecting themselves as well. With a huff, the fennec fox stepped back, eyes still roaming over him before he sighed in satisfaction. He slapped Kaveh’s arm, eyes now glaring.
“You better have made that unannounced trip worth it.”
Despite the glare and harsh tone, the blond knew it was more out of concern than anger. Okay, and maybe some upset feelings but not to worry!
Kaveh grinned widely as he unbuckled his backpack, swinging it to the ground and immediately digging into it. From the corner of his eye, he watched Tighnari’s ears not-so-subtly perk up in interest. Cyno didn’t hold back and freely peered into the bag.
“Ta da!” He exclaimed, pulling out the cans of fruit.
Zaytun peaches were his favorite, but they were also Tighnari’s favorite. Which made the sight in front of him even more amusing! He watched the other man’s jaw drop in barely contained joy and he rushed forward to snatch the can, carefully examining it as if it would soon dissolve. Cyno huffed out a puff of amusement next to him. “How?” He asked.
“I have my ways.” Kaveh replied, his smug smile competing with his friend's genuine smile.
Tighnari rolled his eyes, chuckling and rushing back inside the hut. They assumed he would bring their can opener so they could finally have breakfast. It had been a while since they ate more than once a day, and even longer since they’ve had fruit. He internally prayed the peaches were sweet.
Sure enough, the dark-haired man came back out in the process of opening the can. The blond felt giddy inside - happy that he was able to provide this small luxury to his best friends. It had been a while since he’d seen such genuine excitement from the fox.
Even Cyno hadn’t seen many bright days, despite still cracking his usual jokes and playing with his TCG cards.
“Okay, two slices each.” The fox neatly organized their portions on a tree stump that they dubbed as their dinner table for the past week. The three of them gathered around the paper plate, eyes stuck to the peaches and mouths watering. “Kaveh, you have the honor of the first bite.” He said playfully.
The blond let out a laugh, sheepish but excited to sate his hunger. The fruit didn’t look very fresh but they had been deprived of sweet flavors far too long so he didn’t care.
He reached forward, grabbing his first slice and taking out a small bite. He chewed slowly, savored the delicious juice that flooded his mouth and felt his eyes roll to the back of his head. He let out an embarrassing moan and desperately shoved the rest of the slice into his mouth.
Seemingly a cue for the other two men, they quickly copied his motions, groaning with happiness as the sweetness filled their bellies and quenched their bitter thirst.
“Goodness,” Tighnari mumbled, breathless. Cyno nodded rapidly, eyes wide as he mechanically chewed.
They made eye contact while giggling like school children, grabbing their last slice each and taking small slow bites to savor the fruit while it lasted. It reminded him of before everything went to shit, when everything was relatively normal. Before they lived in a permanent state of fear and urgency.
There was a sickness which was spread from the withering, it manifested as a brain eating bacteria and it spread rapidly before it could be contained. There was nothing else it could be traced back to. Researchers scrambled and scholars sputtered meaningless words as more and more people became infected and eventually succumbed to death. Although, as bizarre and unrealistic as it sounded, death meant more of living in a decomposing state. Zombies, some would say. Or more kindly, call it the undead.
Either way, it resulted in thousands of lives lost. As it spread across Sumeru, it eventually also spread across borders. Kaveh had only just returned from Liyue when all borders closed, and the outbreak was a very unpleasant welcome. There was not enough time to do much of anything besides seek refuge.
His mind wandered back to the present when he felt Cyno shift beside him and he barely had enough time to release a groan before the TCG cards were stacked in front of them.
Tighnari hid a smile as he shook his head. Kaveh didn’t bother hiding his - too dizzy with the thrill of the sweet and happy moment they had just experienced. He disposed of the plate and settled back on his knees to join the game.
-
A few hours later they remained gathered around their small bonfire, which they only left lit for an hour before forcing it to die down. They couldn’t risk attracting attention; even if it was at the cost of their warmth at night. The fire bristled at them, flames dancing and swaying softly with each other.
“Do you really think she’s alive?” Tighnari’s gentle voice broke the silence. He laid on his back, ears limp and eyes glued to the starless sky.
Kaveh sat in front of the bonfire, blanket drawn around him and he pulled his eyes away from the sparks to watch his friend. Cyno poked the fire and scooted closer to the fox.
“Of course she is,” He replied, setting down the stick he was using to crawl under the blanket with his lover. His voice held no doubt.
The moment felt too intimate for him to simply watch but privacy was much more of a luxury nowadays and they had quickly grown used to each other being altogether anyway. He knew they needed him more than they let on. He stayed in place.
“Collei is a fighter,” He urged on, “You guys raised her, you know she’s alive.”
From his spot, he could see the tears filling the fox's eyes. They remained glued to the sky but his hand squeezed Cyno’s and he nodded slightly.
“Listen to him, he would know. Collie saved him, remember?” The white-haired man continued, voice light and teasing. It worked and Tighnari snorted out a laugh.
It was true, when the outbreak occurred, he had found Collei at the Akademiya and brought her with him as they rushed to her home in Gandharva Ville. On the way, someone hopped out of the trees and tackled the blond. They snarled and growled as they tried biting his neck while he struggled, screaming and just as he was about to call out for Mehrak - an arrow pierced through their eyeball causing them to spill their entire body weight onto him.
After a brief pause, he hurled the body off him, panting and he looked up to find Collei trembling in front of him. Her bow frozen in the air, eyes teary. He didn’t hesitate to push himself towards her, pulling her into a hug and they both ignored the sickening blood covering his clothes.
After that moment, it became difficult to refer to those beings as people and most people took to calling them an ‘it.’ It was dehumanizing but it was fitting, he supposed. He felt completely unprepared for the whole situation, only to find out from her, that it had begun weeks earlier and there was no cure yet.
After reuniting with Cyno and Tighnari, they holed up in Gandharva Ville with some other people. Within a week, they built walls and formed a community, protecting each other and only certain members would leave to search for food or other basic necessities. When strangers came by pleading for help, they’d check them over for injuries or weapons and assist them. Most remained, aimless and alone. Some left, never to be seen again.
It was good for a while, until an unexpected uprising occurred.
They had welcomed a couple, whose intentions were twisted but they hadn’t realized until it was too late. They had spread their own agenda, like the sickness itself, it speared into peoples minds and tore them from the inside out. Soon enough, people were turning on each other, fighting amongst each other for power - which truly, could not be afforded or owned - until they killed each other. Few people remained after this. Without enough security, the gates were accidentally left open one day and the sick from the outside got in. Of the remaining people - those that didn’t make a run for it, unfortunately didn’t get to see another day. In this chaos the three friends violently bumped into each other, by mere coincidence as panic flooded their senses.
Unfortunately, as they reached the kitchen where Collei was residing at the time, she was nowhere to be found.
Since then, they;ve wandered the area searching for her. They’ve been on the move, searching for her. It’s been nearly six months but they won’t give up. He knows they all feel guilty for not having gotten to her earlier, even though they all did their best. He knows the pain he feels will probably never measure up to the anguish his friends feel, as her guardians.
“Hey now!” Kaveh joked back, making them laugh once more. “We’ll find her.”
And he was sure they would. She was young but she had been through so much already, forced to grow up, although she used that trauma to strengthen herself.
“I can’t wait to see her again,” Tighnari sighed. His lover kissed his cheeks softly.
With that, Kaveh killed the fire, mourning the loss of their only source of warmth. He was exhausted and tomorrow they would move again so they needed to get plenty of rest. He hoped they found Collei soon.
He crawled into his tent and curled up into his blanket, doing his best to ignore the sense of dread steadily building up in the depths of his belly.