suffusion | ★ ( HOTEL: IC CONTACT. )

[ for cyno, it is much the same. he has let others into his heart recently enough, but tighnari..

tighnari, and collei. they are his life. his heart. his family, his reason to wake up in the morning, even beyond his own sense of duty and work ethic. cyno fights for sumeru and her people, he fights for those he loves, to make the world a better place for them, a safer place, day by day. and so they, too, are his weakness as well; there is nothing he would not give for tighnari, up to and including his life, the breath in his lungs. ]

Next time..

[ he murmurs, weakened by that irresistible fondness in tighnari's eyes, knowing that same deep, undeniable love is reflected in his own expression. next time. yes. he likes the sound of that.

and next time, it would seem, is right now, for cyno is soon cradling tighnari's face in both of his rough hands, and kissing him again. ]

[ of course tighnari sees it in him. he has always known, he would be blind to not see how cyno looks at him. with how much the general mahamatra extends himself for both collei and him. how far he goes for their sake, the effort, the dedication he has towards them. tighnari isn't completely naive and oblivious to not see it.

it was almost a silent agreement, for the both of them to not say anything. to not label it, to put words to what it was. but clearly now they've taken a step past that line - pushing through in that simple admittance of his desire to kiss, and tighnari accepting it willingly.

just as he accepts it now as well. feeling those rough hands cradling his face so gently, ears folding back into his dark hair with a soften look in his two-toned gaze. lashes flutter to a close again as he returns that kiss sweetly, his own hands dropping to rest on the other man's waist to slowly encircle it.

though there's no hiding the way his tail starts to wag, swishing side to side as hands squeeze cyno gently. ]

[ if cyno had a tail it surely would be wagging as well, but his surging happiness shows in other ways - in the way he holds close to tighnari, in the way he still cannot stop smiling even as they kiss again. he's pleased. more than pleased. cyno is absolutely over the moon. he kisses tighnari again, and again, and again, their lips sliding together, before he's sinking his teeth gently into tighnari's lower lip.

gods, he could kiss tighnari for hours and never tire of it. ]

We should..

[ .. talk about this. shouldn't they? there's so much to be said, despite how much they both already know of one another's hearts, so much that doesn't need to be said, since they've said it a hundred times with their smiles, their deeds, their lingering touches.

cyno pulls back, but only enough to be able to look into tighnari's face, into his forest colored eyes. ]

.. talk.

[ each kiss is languid, soft, a simple touch to share affections with one another - it isn't rushed, heated, or anything too demanding. and yet it still has his heart racing, especially so when he feels the sink of those teeth that entices a surprised noise from tighnari. however, the start of those words have his gaze fluttering open, peering at him while he takes this brief respite to catch his breath. ]

...ah.

[ right. as obvious as it may be to another, even with things left unsaid, it would probably be best to discuss it. if it's what cyno wants, tighnari can't really turn it down or away. even if it would be so easy to go back to the way things are. so he nods after a moment, his head tilting to gently press their foreheads together. another noise leaves him, one of affirmation. ]

Then, let's talk.

[ the moment tighnari responds, cyno thinks that perhaps he should have waited for this, should instead allow them both some time to simply enjoy this night and this moment without having to weigh it down with conversation. it's okay for them to just.. have this, isn't it? to allow themselves to indulge in something they've wanted for so, so long?

cyno wonders why this should be so difficult in the first place. if two people care for one another, shouldn't they be able to express that, without fear and without worry? if only things were so uncomplicated. ]

Do you remember that night - it was a long time ago - before you graduated? It was a quiet night, nothing particularly interesting happened. We sat together on the terrace outside of your apartment. It was summer, very warm, we were drinking peach iced tea.

[ cyno remembers it, he remembers it as if it were yesterday. his thumbs smooth across tighnari's cheeks, fingertips sifting into his dark hair. ]

We talked about the stars. You pointed out our constellations, and we talked about a potion that could turn me into a scarab. That night - that's when I knew.

[ to most, it must be so easy, so simple to be able to express without any worry or concerns. and certainly it's easy to share how much he cares for the other man - but there's only so much he can express how he really feels towards him, given each their own responsibilities. but more importantly, the burden he fears would push cyno in a difficult situation. after all, being general mahamatra of all things, he has so many more important duties and things that require his attention. and yet, he still spares time for tighnari, for collei, still reaches for his company - is here now even. it doesn't need to be difficult, but it is. and he knows he shouldn't be selfish, should be content already with what they have. however, right here, in this moment, there's something that keeps pushing him to indulge further, to express it out loud. to stop skirting around feelings, shared or otherwise, to simply say it how it is.

he blinks when cyno begins, his gaze steady and holding that red gaze straight on. of course he remembers that night. he almost remembers every day he's spent with cyno, from his meeting with him, to their buddling friendship that surprised even him. to find himself drawn and enjoying his company, to learn more about the man that was behind the intimidating cold front most saw cyno to be. he hums softly to confirm, mostly listening, closing his eyes as thumbs smooth over his cheeks and his head tilts into that drifting touch.

though, his lips twitch into a softer smile, chuckling. ]

You wouldn't stop trying to come up with jokes about scarabs after that. How even as a scarab you'd always find your way back due to your "insect-tinct." And "I wonder if I would be too cool for school; given my amazing ‘beet-itude.'" [ but that's how tighnari could always tell cyno was in a good mood, he'd slip in some jokes, testing tighnari who would groan and lightly shove him away but. ] ...I had already known by then too.

[ when he would open his door, to greet Cyno, who was always eager to share a new joke with him, or simply talk about nothing.. he had become so painfully aware of how much cyno had wormed his way into his heart and settled a permanent place there. ]

[ that cyno's schedule is a busy one - that's irrelevant, to him. he would sacrifice all of his time for tighnari and collei, should they ask it of him (though he knows they never would). it's the danger that keeps him from speaking his heart, the worry that, should they deepen their relationship any further, that the target on tighnari's back will become even broader, even darker, for anyone who would want to use another to get to cyno, to seek their vengeance.

but really.. was that even true?

it was quite obvious to anyone and everyone, after all, that tighnari and collei were his dearest companions; would being tighnari's partner, his lover, really make a difference? right now, at least, cyno can't help but think that no, no it wouldn't. so why does he still hesitate? why does he not simply let it all out? ]

Heh.. those were good jokes. I hope they didn't bug you too much.

[ but to know that his feelings were returned - it made cyno's chest swell up tight with emotion. his hands moved, sliding down tighnari's face and along his throat, over his shoulders and down his sides, holding him close, as close as he could. ]

I've loved you for as long as I can remember. And I'll never stop.

[ not for as long as he lives and breathes. cyno isn't sure whether or not he believes in soulmates, but if they are real, surely tighnari must be his. there is no one in this world he loves the way he loves tighnari, no one he could possibly hold as close to his heart in this way. ]

[ by this point, anyone would know where it would hurt cyno most, but it wasn't as if tighnari wasn't capable of defending himself. so the mere idea of potential danger... it's never bothered him. it hasn't ever really been a worry. it was simply... wouldn't cyno deserve better? it's a brief thought, but when he peers again into cyno's face, sees that love and affection that reflects back at him - his heart tightens a bit painfully.

perhaps they were both foolish. dancing around, skirting around words, trying to protect one another when really.. haven't they always been doing that? it really would make no difference. he shivers at the trail of those hands, tail twitching with a quick swish side to side. there is a roll of his eyes at yet another joke, but to hear the following words after...

his heart aches. good, but painfully. a breath exhales slowly while arms encircle cyno more to press them together in a loose hug. nudging his nose against a cheek. ]

I know.

[ tighnari has always known. known for as long as he has shared those very same feelings. even though hearing them out loud, to hear cyno say it himself... it ignites a warmth in his chest, because everyone would hope to have their feelings return and tighnari is of no exception. cyno is quite possibly the only one who would ever have his heart like this. he cannot see himself ever possibly loving someone else as much as he loves cyno. not in this way. and the way cyno continues to look at him, those very thoughts are surely returned. ]

I've always have, and will, love you, Cyno. Nothing will ever change that fact.

[ words emit in a soft whisper, quiet in this moment for only him to hear and no one else. ]

[ i know, tighnari says, and cyno nearly chuckles; of course he knows. cyno has made no attempt to hide it, and he might have held himself back from saying the words, but he showed it in a hundred other ways, both big and small. his love for tighnari isn't something that can be easily contained, it isn't something that can be shoved into a box and tucked into the back of his mind - it's something that struggles to be free. he's not strong enough to restrain it.

perhaps they were foolish to dance around it. could he have learned the taste of tighnari's lips years ago, and not wasted all of this time? well. perhaps so, but also, cyno won't take up time complaining about it. he has tighnari now, and that's all that really matters, isn't it? and he's hearing his dearest feelings returned. like tighnari, he has known on some level that his feelings were reciprocated, but hearing it, watching tighnari's mouth shape the words - it floods him with fondness and warmth.

he'll never forget the sound of it.

cyno closes his eyes, leans into tighnari's warmth, breathes in his unforgettable scent. he's setting this moment, in all of its detail, to perfect memory. ]

I suppose this was a long time in coming.

[ for how long they have danced around it, right now it feels easy and simple, as if they have been lovers for years. but in many ways they have been, haven't they? cyno nudges his nose along tighnari's cheek, his jaw, leaving a soft line of kisses there. ]

[ tighnari would be a fool to not see it, really. of course, it really solidifies it to hear the words uttered, and admittedly he wouldn't mind hearing them again. just like he wouldn't mind being kissed by cyno again, and again, merely taking in the man's scent and feeling him here within his arms as well as beneath his fingertips.

it's almost dreamlike. with the distant melodic tune of music, a gentle breeze with bright colors of the flora and the ponds beside them. but still he keeps his attention solely on cyno, taking in the contentment that glows brighter on his partner's face. ]

Suppose it was, in a way.

[ though as hidden as it technically was, it was also always there. tighnari chuckles softly, a hum sounding after as his tail starts to sway with the feel of those kisses. his heart stutters, quiet and gentle, guiding their noses together in a languid nuzzle. in a way, this does change things - but at the same time, it doesn't. their feelings may have been enlightened to one another, yes, but it can easily go back to the way things have always been. which is why he directs cyno to look at him - meeting that gaze while he observes him closely. ]

But I want to hear it from you directly. What is it you want.

[ he wants cyno to be certain of it. whether it's to keep thing as they are, or something more, tighnari is willing to accept and give him whatever it is he wants. but for his own sake, he wants to hear it. see it for himself without any worries or doubts. ]

[ ah, and there it is..

really, cyno wonders if there could ever be any other answer than the one he has to say. could he possibly go back to the way they once were, now that this box has been opened? now that he knows what it's like to kiss tighnari, and hold him this way? sure, very little would actually change, one way or another, but.. cyno isn't sure he's strong enough to go forward with the knowledge he has now, and never kiss tighnari again. of course, he cannot know his dear friend's heart, either, cannot know what it is what he wants. all cyno can do is answer on his own. ]

I.. [ he starts, then pulls back to look into tighnari's face, his eyes. ] .. I only want to be with you, in whatever capacity you will have me.

[ an unfair answer, perhaps, but it is the truth. he would never hold tighnari to anything. still, that isn't all he wants, is it? tighnari deserves to know what it is that he's feeling. ]

But were I to have exactly what I desire - [ his eyelids flicker downward, and cyno appears almost.. shy. almost demure. ] - it would be.. to have you as my partner, in every way I've always wanted. To keep holding you, and kissing you, and dancing with you.

[ calm composure keeps tighnari steady, quiet and patient as he waits for cyno to answer. like him, he is aware of his own feelings on it all, but he wants to hear it from him, wants to know cyno's own answer. two-toned forest eyes meet with scarlet red, ears perking forward at the start of those words, and his heart lurches.

there's a look of fondness that fills his gaze and a thumb traces the spot beneath one red eye. truly, tighnari doesn't see it as an unfair answer, after all it would have been the same answer he would have provided himself if cyno had asked it of him. to be with him, however he will have it. whether it's like this - his eyes close for a moment, his tail lowering with an almost anxious twitch of the end.

however, those words continue again, and eyes widen when he peers back at him. to catch that shyness in the way his gaze flicks down. ah. the way his heart stutters and skips, it's fleeting and fast, like a young teen stumbling about when facing their crush. for a moment, tighnari lets it sit, until he presses forward to give cyno a chaste kiss. afterward, he pulls back with a soft smile. ]

Then that would make two of us with that very same desire. [ that almost demure is cute, and though he almost wants to tease - he does want to make his own feelings known. ] I want to be with you. So, if you'll have me... then, why don't we try?

[ those words - they make him happier than cyno could ever rightly express. warmth burgeons in his breast, swelling and rising like the desert dunes, filling him up with a content pleasure that nearly undoes him.

the two of them. together. together in a way that cyno's always wanted. he can hardly take it in.

releasing a shivering exhale, cyno tips their brows together until they touch. for a moment he says nothing, only remains like this, close to tighnari, feeling the warmth of his hands and the brush of his breath, enjoying his scent and nearness. to think that this could be their new normal, now.. ]

Okay. Yes. I'd like that.

[ he's a little less eloquent than he might want to be, the excitement fluttering behind his ribs is enough to make him a little nervous, in the best sort of way. ]

I'm yours, then. I always have been.

[ the expression on tighnari's face softens considerably as their brows touch, and even though cyno doesn't answer right away... he doesn't say no either. it's alright even if he does, but since with how everything has been until now - isn't it worth taking that step? to try and not hold themselves back for a change? certainly, tighnari feels that cyno of all people deserves every bit of happiness he finds himself in, deserving of all the love that can be given after everything he's done.

gingerly, tighnari holds cyno's face in his hands, simply smoothing thumbs over skin as they drink in this warmth and shared closeness. enjoying just being able to hold him like this. that warmth continues to swell, heart racing a bit more in its excitement at those words, unable to stop himself from smiling a little more.

okay. yes. it may not be eloquent, or filled with rosey colorful words, but tighnari doesn't need it to be. it was enough, and an answer in itself that makes him cradle the man closer. ]

Just as I have always been yours. [ even if it goes without saying, because who else would have his heart but cyno? contentment fills him, more than happy to stay here in this little bubble of theirs but they have nothing but time right now. so, he hums a bit with thought, head tilting a little. ] A productive talk this turned out to be, don't you think?

[ no, it wasn't eloquent, but it was cyno; he's nothing if not a very direct man, to-the-point even at times like these. he can only ever be as he is.

those hands on his face.. they feel so warm, so wonderfully familiar, and cyno cannot help but to break into a smile, a real, bright, broad smile, something incredibly rare. cyno's expressions are usually quite muted, soft and not terribly effusive, but right now he can't hold himself back - doesn't want to hold himself back. this smile is for tighnari and tighnari alone.

his arms sweep around his partner, squeezing him close as he laughs a soft, low laugh, nudging their noses together; when was the last time he felt so unabashedly happy? ]

Well worth coming to this floor, I think. Here -

[ cyno releases him, but only so that he can kneel and carefully pluck one of the lotus blossoms from the water. lifting it, he slips it into tighnari's hair, weaving its stem through the strands to keep it in place, in the absence of a human ear. ]

One for each of us.

[ to remember this night by. ]

[ a surprised sound squeaks out of tighnari at the sweep around him, tail and ears perking high while he blinks quickly. but the sight of that happiness that blooms in cyno like that bright red rose behind his ear - his expression settles on soft amusement, chuckling as he takes in the sound of that chiming laugh.

moments like these are always a reminder how much he cherishes the other man. cradling him with a return of that nudge, tail sweeping behind him as he hums in agreement. would things still have gone this way if they hadn't come to this floor? or would it have gone differently? he grows a bit somber at that thought, but it's quickly gone when cyno suddenly pulls away.

his gaze flickers down as his partner kneels, watching him for the moment. a smile lifts again while he stays still to make it easier for his partner. an ear flicks, raising a hand to gingerly touch the edge of a soft petal until he steps closer again to offer a gentle kiss in return.]

You sap. [ his tone is airy with tease, poking cyno on his chest afterwards. but there's a soft appreciation that glows obviously.] I'll be sure to perserve it, thank you.

[ of course he could never forget this moment. ]

[ oh, cyno is absolutely a sap. he always has been, and he always shall be. he's terribly weak to those he loves, and being close with them, giving them gifts, doing them favors - nothing pleases him more than this. nothing makes him happier. generally speaking, he asks for nothing for himself, needs nothing for himself, but this - he'll take this. tighnari as his partner, something he's only ever allowed himself to contemplate in his dreams..

it's now a reality. ]

Mm, mine too.

[ he wants to keep this rose for as long as he can, dried and pressed into his favorite book to look upon whenever he needs the fond memory. cyno has very few keepsakes and mementos as a general rule, but this is a clear exception. with a knuckle beneath tighnari's chin, cyno lifts his face a little, nuzzling their noses together. ]

Lotus say that we rose to the occasion.

[ please.. ]

[ tighnari leans into the touch, allowing the lift with ears flicking forward until

that. almost immediately his ears fold back flat, his expression reflecting the same. ]

Don't you start.

[ however, he doesn't look too bothered by the sound of jokes despite the grumble. only because he knows this is a clear indication of cyno's good mood.

so, just this once, he'll forgive him for it. except really he eventually always does excuse these jokes in the end. ]

Otherwise I'll have a thorn to pick with you.

[ he says this. so very very flatly. help. ]

[ cyno knows full well that he's taking a risk here, cracking jokes during a sweet, wonderful moment like this, but he could hardly help himself. the opportunity was waiting to be seized.

but then tighnari - ]

Did you just..

[ cyno's smile blooms like the rose behind his ear, fondness burgeoning, filling him up so full he feels fit to burst with it. a chuckle bubbles from his lips just before he kisses tighnari again, this time with more confidence and assurance, a little more forwardness.

to think that this is his new reality, now - that they can kiss whenever they want to. ]

[ cyno really is taking a risk, jokes that could potentially ruin the moment, but fortunately for him tighnari is in a good mood - how could he not be? a good enough one to humor him just a little though he emits an exasperated sound.]

It won't happen again.

[ so no getting used to it! though cyno's picked up mood is quite infectious, unable to stop himself from smiling wider as cyno swoops in for another kiss.

his tail curls high, pleased by the confidence in this kiss, nudging their noses together as he kisses right back. affection like this isn't something he's quite used to but - with cyno, he can tell he'll never get tired of it. drawn into it so easily. ]

[ their happiness and excitement is all but tangible, as if it's charging the very air around them, and at his hip, cyno's vision flickers and flashes, dancing with light. his lips part, his head tilting to better accommodate their mouths, and they kiss, and kiss, and kiss, cyno's breath coming in shivering rushes. his hands smooth down tighnari's back, keeping him scooped in close as if cyno never wants to let him go again.

he doesn't.

the kiss breaks in time, but cyno stays close, so that their lips and noses brush with every murmured word. ]

I could kiss you all night long and never tire of it.

[ he's waited for it for so long, after all, and thoroughly convinced himself that he would never know the feeling, that he would never experience this sensation. yet here they are, and he couldn't be happier for it. ]

[ each kiss is returned just as sweetly, sighing softly into them, though the moment those hands smooth over skin does his back arch with his fur standing a little on end. it pulls small shudders from him, his tail curling low to coil a little around cyno's leg.

a purr-like rumble sounds from his chest, that swell of warmth and contentment burning so brightly. really, he can't help but agree with cyno's words. this sensation... the feeling of kissing him, it's almost addictive. ]

Mmm, tempting as that is - you can kiss me whenever and wherever. We have any time to do that.

[ It's spoken in an airy tease, because they had come here to explore and yet here they are kissing away like a couple of teenagers in love. not that he blames him, or really minds, he's more than content to receive such affections from him.

even so, he pulls a bit back, taking the moment to finally catch his breath. a bit dizzied with a fuzzy warmth that settles comfortably in him. ]

We should go back to exploring this floor, or head to another. Your choice.

[ that sweet little purr.. cyno loves the sound of it, loves the gentle vibration against his lips, and one hand slips up to settle against tighnari's chest to better feel it. he's heard it before of course, plenty of times, but this time it feels different, special, but maybe that's cyno simply being a sap again. ]

Mm.. you do have a point.

[ whenever and wherever. he loves the sound of that. ]

Let's move on to another floor. I think this one has.. fulfilled its purpose.

[ they've danced, they've kissed, they've confessed to feelings that they've held dear and close to their hearts for years.. yes, anything further would be overstaying their welcome, he thinks. so cyno offers his arm to tighnari again, to lead him back through the gala and toward the elevators again. ]

I always have a point.

[ though it's said with some amusement, brow raising with a look over. the purr shifts into a hum when he feels cyno's hand linger as if only just then was he aware of it. his tail loosens from it's previous coil to sway contently side to side.

he would say the floor definitely has done just that and more but. he's sure they're both still reeling in from this turn of events. he can feel it in the way his nerves seem to buzz excitedly, ears twitching as he glides a hand along cyno's arm.]

Another floor it is. Have one in mind? Or are we leaving it a mystery again?

[ tighnari hardly minds what they decide. he has nothing to worry about when he's with cyno, whatever it is they'll be able to face together just fine. his arm slips in with cyno's own after, following with while they make their way through the chatter and music of the gala. leaving behind the festivity to move back into the elevators once again.]

[ having to detach from tighnari to walk through the gala again is a bit of a disappointment; now that they've unlocked this particular door in their relationship, cyno just wants to spend every moment holding and kissing him until their mouths are sore and they've mapped every inch of one another. he very much is, in fact, feeling like a giddy teenager in love, as if all of this is brand new, and he isn't a grown man.

but there will be time ahead of them - all the time they want - to explore one another. ]

Hmm. I'll leave that choice to you.

[ he says, as they slip back into the elevators again, their fancy clothing dissipating, popping back to what they had previously been wearing. the flowers, thankfully, remain. ]

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