Archive of Our Own ^beta

Cyno...

Cyno was manh things. Strong, brave, courageous, stubborn, observant, intimidating, kind, careing, quiet, stoic, calm, nerdy... many things. All these and more made up Cyno... but there were some things he wasn't. Cyno wasn't charismatic. He had a funny way of talking and acting. He also was very withdrawn. He almost never showed emotions. Sometimes you could catch a small smile or a hint of a change in his eyes but he never verbally expressed himself.

No, Cyno was a very difficult being to read and very unique. Perhaps it was his upbringing or maybe its just who he was but vulnerability seemed to be the one thing he avoided at all costs... so when he called out Tighnari's name to get his attention in the Grand Bazaar Tighnari thought nothing ove it. No the Fox-eared man looked back to see Cyno walking over, likely to talk to him, and he smiled in greeting.

"Ah, Cyno, come to say hello?" He asked as Cyno got closer.

Cyno had a hardened and serious expression, one he often had while working, and hummed. He reached out, took Tighnari's hand and placed something inside. As Tighnari looked down he noticed... was that a rock? Yes it was. Cyno had quite literally placed a rock in his hand.

Tighnari blinked a few times as he looked up at Cyno, mouth agape in confusion. How does he respond to this? Cyno seemed to stare for a moment before humming and giving a singal nod before he turned and walked off to return to duty. Poor Tighnari's brain seemed to shortcircet as he stared dumbfounded wondering what the everliving fuck just happened? Unfortunately by the time he registered anything Cyno was out of sight and he was standing there with a rock in his hand.

Tighnari gave up thinking about it and returned to his shopping. He could ask Cyno about it when he visited for dinner that weekend. Until then, life wnet on... or did it?

No, no, it did not. Tighnari's mind was obsessed with this damn rock. When he got home he examined the thing carefully. Did it have moss or perhaps a form of minor plant life Cyno thought Tighnari wanted to study? No... no it was literally a smooth, small, round, gray rock. Honestly it looked no different from any other rock. It had a bit of sparkle to it and was certainly a good skipping stone but other then that... it was just a rock. If Cyno hadn't given it to him he probably would have tossed it outside and been done with it but he couldn't help but obsess over this stupid rock.

Why was he given it? Was it important? Was Cyno trying to signal him something important was going to happen?? What did it mean?? He squinted and eyed the rock on his desk as if it would get up and run off if he stared at it long enough. Even Collei was a bit concerned when she walked in to see it.*

"... Master Tighnari?" His tall Fennic ear flicked as he heard her voice. He looked over.

"Ah... Collei. Do you need something?"

"Well... we are suposed to have lessons soon..." Her brows furrowed slightly as she looked from him to his desk. "But if your busy..."

"No, no, it's nothing." He stood up immidiatly and headed over to the bookshelf. "We were going to practice reading right?"

"Yes, that's right." Collei moved further into the house, fiddling with her hands slightly. Tighnari hummed and nodded as he looked from the more academic bookd to the childrens books. She had a low reading level and he was still teaching her so these were good teaching materials.

As he pulled outt a book another fell off the shelf. He sighed moving to pick it up. As he did he froze, eyes fixed on the book. It was a childrens book he had gotten Collei... a book about penguins that was blth educational and easy to read. As he picked it up his eyes studdied the cover. It had pules of rocks, a penguin looking around and two sets of penguin couples on nests. His eyes then looked to the name...

"Penguin's Perfect Pebble"

The gears in Tighnari's head seemed to start turning slowly. His mouth parting as he stared at it almost in awe.

"... Master Tighnari?" Collei's viice snapped him back to reality. He shook his head, ears swaying side to side as he did. 

"Ah, apologies... I just had a train of thought." He spoke as he put the book back and joined her for her lessons. "Let us begin!"

When the weekend rolled around Tighnari prepared for dinner with Cyno and Collei. He prepared Cyno's favorite, Tahchin, and set the table. Of course Collei was first to arrive, but then Cyno made his way in. The trio had a usual casual dinner, played some TCG, and then Collei went back to her home to sleep. Now Tighnari could confront Cyno. 

"... Dinner was good. Thank you." The always greatful Cyno. Tighnari smiled softly to him.

"Thank you, I worked hard on it... though I do have a question for you now." Tighnari's smile grew at Cyno's soft gaze and minor head tilt. "Did you forget what animal I am?" Cyno's brows furrowed at this.

"Animal? No... you're a Fox. Why do you ask?" Tighnari couldn't help the smile and soft chuckle that escaped him. His tail flicked back and forth in amusment as he leaned back and picked up the penguin book he had on the table next to the couch. He also held up the stone Cyno had given him.

"Because this book is about penguins, Cyno..." He sounded almost amused by this thought. Cyno had a look that looked almost angered. His gaze was harsh and his brows knit together... his thinking face. Tighnari knew it well. Often he saw it when Cyno was playing cards or going over a case. He hummed and nodded.

"Yes... that is about penguins..." He confirmed the fact, his eyes meeting Tighnari. There was a softness to his gaze now... almost a hint of vulnerability. A rare sight. Tighnari smiled softly as to Cyno.

"I appreciate it... I understand now what you were saying." Tighnari put the book and pebble back down as he moved closer to Cyno. He carefully took Cyno's hands in his as he locked eyes with Cyno. "You are very sweet, thank you. I feel the same. Thank you for this very nice pebble." The hint of a smile formed on Cyno's face. He nodded.

"You are welcome... I'm... glad you like it." Tighnari chuckled and closed his eyes, shaking his head.

"You are such a dork..." He spoke with a fondness. It was a term he only ever used in an affectionate way twords Cyno and Cyno knew that. "Though... I will admit it took me some time to decode your message." Cyno looked down, a hint of uncertainty and guilt in his eyes. Tighnari simply smiled to him and gently tilted his chin up. "Don't feel bad... I got your message in the end. Would you like to stay the night? We could sit outside and watch the fireflies." Cyno nodded.

"I would enjoy that."

And so... the two spent that night sitting side by side, outside, watching the fireflies and night sky. It took baby steps to get to where they are now and would take more to get a bit further... hut Tighnari didn't mind. No, he enjoyed all of Cyno. The good, the bad, and the unique. He enjoyed his soft spoken words and little gestures. He enjoyed how even now they sat side by side holding hands and just wnjlying eachothers presence. His tail wrapped around Cyno as they sat there and relaxed for the night. It was just them and they knew how to understand eachother, even if it took time to read the signs.