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[forestwatcher]

forestwatcher

You've reached Tighnari. I'm not able to answer right now, so just leave a message and I'll get back to you when I can.

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birthdaaaay

[cashewlater]

[ tighnari will awaken in the morning to the scent of a delicious breakfast cooking - eggs with mushrooms and peppers and a rasher of bacon, and when he wanders into the kitchen he'll find an impressive spread waiting for him. fresh fruit and warm herbal tea, toasted oat bread, a pitcher of iced water, and a plate full of fresh baklava.

he's slipped something else into the oven as well, but that will come later.

also, at the end of the table is a neatly wrapped box with a bow. ]

[forestwatcher]

[Tighnari had been aware that it was his birthday soon, though he hadn't really been keeping track of the date. For him, it's often been just another day, though the people who have been living in Gandharva Ville for long enough to find out when it falls usually tried to make it a little bit special. He feels Cyno slip out of bed early in the morning but only lets out a soft hum and stretches himself out into the warm spot the other man left, already having some idea of what he was planning.

He dozes off again, eventually, but awakens not long after to the smell of breakfast cooking. The young man gets up, pulls on a robe and tugs a brush through his hair, and is idly smoothing his ears as he walks into the kitchen with a smile.]

What's all this..? [Of course he knows, and there's a wry look on his face as he sidles over to the table and picks up a cup of tea.] Mm... is today a special occasion?

[cashewlater]

[ though his back is turned, cyno can nevertheless hear tighnari's footfalls as he approaches. his hearing might not be as sharp as tighnari's, but it's still nearly preternaturally keen! he doesn't turn right away, but first finishes the dish he'd been washing, setting it aside. ]

Is it?

[ cyno chuckles, soft and smooth and easy, before he's drying his hands on a towel and beginning to pile up a plate with food, which he soon slides across the table toward tighnari. stepping nearer, he hesitates only a moment before leaning to press a soft kiss to tighnari's temple. ]

Good morning.

[forestwatcher]

Mm, good morning.

[He smiles as he tilts his head towards the kiss, his eyes dropping half closed and then opening again as he reaches up to snag Cyno with one hand around the back of his neck to pull him in for a proper kiss. Tighnari lingers against it for a moment before he lets go.]

Are you planning to spoil me today?

[Leaning his elbow against the table, he looks up at the other man with a soft expression.]

I suppose I should have seen it coming.

[cashewlater]

[ the kiss is sweet and warm, and cyno hums his appreciation against it; when it breaks, he lingers a moment, nudging their noses together before he finally withdraws, an easy smile curving his mouth. ]

I spoil you every day. [ mostly true. ] But, yes.

[ it's his birthday, after all. naturally, cyno doesn't think much of his own birthday, but tighnari's is very important indeed, he needs to know how special he is, how much he means to cyno, and cyno has to make sure he knows. of course, he tells him every day, in words and in deeds, but if he's got the extra incentive to spoil tighnari, he'll absolutely take it. ]

Eat, before it gets cold.

[ he'll pile up a plate for himself, in the meantime, and slide into the seat across from tighnari. ]

[forestwatcher]

[Mostly true, Tighnari has felt very spoiled since they had confessed their feelings and even before that. Today being his birthday he had expected Cyno, if no one else, to make a special effort if only because he knew that the other man would want to mark the day even if he himself thought little of it.]

Heh, all right, all right.

[He tucks in to his breakfast without delay, and once Cyno is seated he moves one foot forwards and slides it over the top of the other man's. His toes curl and he smiles just enough to curve the corners of his mouth as he continues eating.]

It's good. You worked hard.

[cashewlater]

[ it's the little things that cyno loves. the brief glances, the gentle, fleeting touches, all the little details that display their love for one another. cyno eats up every one like a man starved. he's loved tighnari for a long, long time, and it feels so good to not have to hold it in any longer, to be able to love him openly, and freely.

all this to say that the arch of tighnari's foot against his own earns a soft smile, though it doesn't distract cyno from his food. he worked hard on it, he wants to enjoy it while it's warm! he scoops a mouthful of eggs and mushrooms into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully, swallowing. ]

Not too hard. But I'm glad you like it.

[ down goes a mouthful of bacon, as well. ]

I'd like to take you out today, too, if that's all right.

[forestwatcher]

[Ah, but of course he likes it. Cyno knows all his favourite things. The man may not talk a great deal but he does listen, and he watches, and he remembers. Tighnari takes his time with the mouthful of food he has before he swallows and replies, nodding slightly.]

Of course it's all right. We'll have to wrap up warmly, though.

[He tolerates the cold well enough, but Cyno is far more used to the desert. He'll have to make sure that the other man is bundled up so he doesn't get sick.]

Where are we going? Or is it a surprise?

[cashewlater]

Don't worry, I have proper clothes.

[ thanks for that, kaeya. cyno smiles. ]

It's a bit of a surprise, yes.

[ with his free hand, cyno snags the small wrapped package and draws it in closer toward them, then pushes it toward tighnari. ]

If you want to know, you should open this.

[forestwatcher]

Ooh.

[People do not often get to see Tighnari break the even keel of emotions that he shows to almost everyone around him, but here his eyes brighten and he momentarily puts his fork down so he can draw the package closer.

For a moment, he looks conflicted over whether he should finish the food first. He takes a few more bites before he turns his attention to the package.

First thing is the earring, which he softly coos over before commenting he will need a mirror so he can put it on (and which he intends to do at the first opportunity). The second... a very beautiful notebook, which he admires for several moments before he can even speak.]

It will almost be a shame to write in it.

[cashewlater]

[ that bright look warms cyno's heart, and eases his nerves - he'd of course been a little anxious about his gifts, about whether tighnari would like them or not, but that's foolishness, he thinks. tighnari has always enjoyed the things that cyno has brought him, why would this be any different?

as it turns out, it's not any different at all.

leaning his cheek against his knuckles, cyno smiles, warm and fond, setting down his fork. ]

Almost. But I hope you write in it anyway. I noticed the one you're using currently is getting full.

[ and then, gesturing: ]

Open it up.

[ inside, folded into a neat square, he'll find a hand-drawn, but detailed map, that leads to the outskirts of epiphany. ]

[forestwatcher]

[If Tighnari was asked who he would trust the most to buy him a gift and have it be right, few people would rank more highly in his estimations than Cyno. It is rare that he has anything less than an enthusiastic response to the things that the other man brings for him and when it's something like this, something obviously so thoughtfully planned out for a special day, it means all the more.

As bidden, he opens up the notebook and makes a soft sound when the folded map slips out. He slides his plate aside entirely to make sure no accidents happen, then opens it up and smiles brightly as he realises what it is.]

You went scouting for me?

[Of all things to have done... this is something that really does show how well Cyno knows him.]

Where is this... I haven't been out that way yet. How did you know?

[cashewlater]

I did.

[ his smile is easy, reaching his scarlet eyes, softening them around the edges. ]

I spend a lot of my free time exploring, but.. I wanted to find something especially for you.

[ and cyno just so happened to come across the perfect thing, the perfect place, something that he knows tighnari would appreciate completely, if only for the effort put into it. cyno downs another mouthful of food, in an attempt to clear his plate. ]

We can go whenever you're ready.

[forestwatcher]

[It touches him in a way that he can't quite explain. More so than the well thought out gifts, the care that he can already see that Cyno put into this day... it all balls itself into a cosy feeling in the centre of his chest and he's smiling like an idiot at the map for several long moments before he realises what his face is doing.]

Ah-- yes.

[Right!]

I have nothing too pressing to do today. [Nothing that can't be put aside to spend time with Cyno, anyway.] But we should finish our breakfast first. I don't want to let a single moment go to waste.

[cashewlater]

[ tighnari's smile is a soothing balm to his soul. cyno knows he was a fool to doubt that tighnari would like his gifts, but he had doubted nevertheless, worried that somehow, this time, he would misstep. foolish. his partner is quite clearly pleased, and cyno can't help the little rush of pride that has his chest swelling, just a bit. pride, and happiness. ]

Of course. There's no rush.

[ they have all day, after all. it's only morning. cyno returns to his breakfast without argument. ]

Is there anything special you'd like to do today?

[forestwatcher]

I'm doing it.

[He couldn't think of anything better than what he's doing right here and now, spending time with the person he loves most in the entire world and being doted on and treated by him like this. Tighnari smiles indulgently and reaches one hand out across the table for Cyno to take it.]

I'll admit I haven't given it much thought. Only a few of the forest rangers know my birthday, and I tend to spend it away from Gandharva Ville so no one feels obligated to make a fuss.

[cashewlater]

[ i'm doing it, tighnari says, and cyno's heart lifts. ]

Well, I plan to make a fuss regardless.

[ he already has, a bit. smiling, he reaches to meet that hand, weaving their fingers together across the table. he knows well that tighnari doesn't like special treatment, but.. cyno can only be grateful that he's accepting it, anyway, given how cyno loves to freely give it. it takes time for him to open his heart, sometimes, but once he does, cyno is an incredibly loyal, incredibly loving man. ]

But I certainly don't feel obligated. It makes me happy to make you happy.

[forestwatcher]

It's a good thing that no one else knows how sweet you can be. Imagine what it would do to your reputation.

[He squeezes his fingers around Cyno's and grins, turning his attention back down to his breakfast and managing to tackle it with only one hand and the side of his fork. If the scholars who were so terrified of drawing the attention of the General Mahamatra could see him now...

Well, that's just another reason that they can't have this back home. At least not publicly.]

You'd have to go back into academia... but I always thought you quite dashing in your robes.

[cashewlater]

[ cyno's face flushes a soft pink. tighnari certainly isn't wrong. while cyno is a fierce, imperious, intimidating person, for those he loves he is impossibly soft, a pliable marshmallow of a man. tighnari learned this a long time ago - how gentle he can be, how loving - but it's surely only doubled since their relationship shifted to this new, excellent thing.

if the other matra could see him now..

.. well, honestly, cyno wouldn't mind overmuch. just because he loves tighnari doesn't mean he isn't capable of viciously upholding his duty to the law and to sumeru. he'd remind them quickly enough why he is the general mahamatra. ]

.. ah, I hated them. They felt so.. restrictive.

[ he clearly prefers wearing much less. ]

[forestwatcher]

Heheh. I remember seeing you tugging at them when you thought no one was watching.

[He's still giving his attention to his food for the most part, sparing Cyno from being seen blushing like that... but Tighnari doesn't need to look at the other man to know when he's embarrassed about something.]

You really did make for a fetching scholar, but... hmm.

[Then he looks up, glancing at Cyno from beneath his eyelashes.]

I think I prefer you in whatever you're comfortable in. And you have worn some very cute sweaters this winter.

[cashewlater]

[ cyno can only grunt in reply to the scholar comment; he doesn't miss those robes at all. his overcloak is much better, loose and billowing, easy to move around in. of course, it's been far too cold here for cyno to wear his usual attire, no matter how resistant he might be to the chill, and to discomfort in general.

which means.. yes, he sure has been wearing his fair share of oversized knit sweaters. ]

You picked most of them.

[ he says, a smile in his voice. cyno wouldn't say that he has poor fashion sense, but most of the clothing here is very dissimilar from his usual attire, certainly. ]

[forestwatcher]

Mm, I did. I do have good taste.

[He's sure that not everyone would agree, but Cyno has never complained about his taste in cosy winter sweaters. His partner is a sensible man and the idea of function over form is something that they both share, so as long as he's warm what does it really matter?

Though, admittedly, some thought had gone into it to make sure Cyno didn't just look silly. Tighnari strokes his thumb gently back and forth against the other man's knuckles.]

We should make the most of the daylight today, but this evening... I think I'd just like to spend some time with you here.

[cashewlater]

[ cyno breathes a warm chuckle at tighnari's easy confidence. ]

You do.

[ he's not too proud to admit as much. he likes tighnari's taste. so much color and interest isn't always suited to cyno, but he certainly loves the way it all looks on tighnari. scooping the last of his meal into his mouth, cyno chews thoughtfully, then smiles. ]

Yeah, I'd like that too.

[ which is no surprise, really; cyno loves their peaceful alone time. it had been quite strange at first, having so much time to himself, but in tighnari's company he's grown used to it, and even if it still feels as if he should be doing something more with it, he's come to appreciate the downtime a little more. having cleared his plate, cyno sits back in his chair, squeezing tighnari's fingers in his own. ]

I'll make dinner for us, too.

[forestwatcher]

[He had not tried to impress so much... noise in terms of clothing onto Cyno. What he had chosen for the other man had been things that would suit him, not simply things that Tighnari would like for himself... If he was going to do that he might as well just let the other man borrow his clothes.]

That sounds perfect. Just the way I'd want to spend the day.

[Tighnari cannot think of anything better.

His own plate is cleared in short order, but he still seems fairly reluctant to let go of Cyno's hand. Eventually, though, he does sigh and push himself up from the table.]

As much as I could sit here all day looking at you, we should get moving.

[cashewlater]

[ okay but them borrowing each others' clothes is pretty cute.

anyway, cyno's face flushes warm at that. no matter how long they're together, he doesn't think he'll ever get used to tighnari finding him attractive. it'll always feel so new. they could be old and married and he's sure he'd still blush at tighnari's compliments. ]

Mm, we do only have so much daylight.

[ cyno stands and gathers up both his plate and tignari's, depositing them into the sink and running water over them so they can soak. ]

Let's wash up, then.