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Tighnari Collapsed into a stack of herbology reports, and Cyno - who had been observing from the corner of the room, marked down the exact moment it happened.
“I wish death on whoever decided medicine had to work this way,” Tighnari muttered, not lifting his head, yet reaching for a feather pen that lay discarded on his table. “I mean seriously, this is hell.”
Cyno sighed. He pulled off his head dress and set it aside, only to rub the bridge of his nose. He watched his friend, who, yet again spoke of the same thing, he’d already been complaining about most of the day, almost like he’d forgotten that he had in fact, told Cyno this before.
“Maybe you should take a break, Nari?” Cyno tried to coax him into finally resting, the sound of his voice made Tighnari’s ears twist in his direction.
Cute .
“I don’t want a break, Cyno. I want answers.” Tighnari replied, and Cyno was tempted to make a pun about ‘ searching for the root of the problem ’ but one look at how Tighnari’s ears had once again pressed against his head killed the impulse.
Cyno walked over to Tighnari and tapped his fingers against the table, which thankfully made his ears twitch towards the sound. It was more self indulgent than anything - Cyno didn’t like it when Tighnari’s ears were flat like that.
Tighnari’s tail was swaying slowly side to side, passing Cyno’s leg multiple times. He took the falling pen from Tighnari’s limb hand before it could fall to the floor along with the vial of ink.
“Tighnari,” He started to speak, leaning down a bit and lowering his voice. He knew the other was already half asleep, but if he fell asleep like this; Tighnari would wake up and blame Cyno for the pain in his neck.
Cyno reached down to try and wake Tighnari, but as soon as he touched the other, he could feel his skin burning.
“You’re feverish.” Cyno said, and Tighnari groaned, pushing his head up from the papers.
“No, I’m passionate.” He replied, making a gesture to the documents. “Passionately dedicated to my work.”
“Woah, congratulations,” Cyno started, and he could feel the way Tighnari physically sank into his side with resignation when he heard Cyno’s tone of voice. “You’re practically burning with ambition. ” He finished.
Tighnari groaned, pushing away from Cyno, only to nearly fall. “Why do I even put up with you?” He asked.
Cyno could see the way he was about to go back to the desk, so he quickly stepped in, pulling Tighnari away.
“No you don’t, I’m setting you on forced rest,” He said, guiding the other to the bedroom. “You have a fever, you’re overworked, and you need a break.”
“You’re sick.” Tighnari responded, “Sick and cruel, the evilest man alive..” His voice drained of bite the further he continued to insult the other.
“And yet,” Cyno began as he nudged the bedroom door open with his foot, and gently pushed Tighnari inside. “I am the one carrying you, like the tragic drama queen that you are.”
“I am not tragic!” Tighnari protested, his tail twitched against Cyno’s arm, and it sent a chill that should not have felt like that through Cyno’s body. “I’m misunderstood.”
“You’re delirious.” Cyno corrected, before leaning closer to one of Tighnari’s long ears. “Now go lay down before you confuse the floor for a suitable pillow.”
Cyno stirred Tighnari toward the bed. The other sunk into the mattress like it was the sea, and he, a drop of rain returning after a long journey to the skies.
He rested his arm over his eyes. “Tell the Avidya forest I died doing what I loved most in the world.”
Cyno grabbed a glass of water from the nightstand and put it to Tighnari’s lips. He found himself giving the other a soft smile.
“Don’t make illness jokes.” Tighnari warned, which did nothing to stop Cyno.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, that would be.. In- fever -ior humor.”
There was silence thicker than a cryo slime's ice crown, before Tighnari pointed to the door.
“Get out.”
Cyno stifled a small laugh, before leaving out the door.
He came back a couple of moments later with a cold cloth that seemed to do numbers for Tighnari, who relaxed even further (if that was even possible) Into the mattress.
Tighnari was silent for a bit, closing his eyes.
Cyno stayed for a bit after that, watching Tighnri’s expression smooth out the wrinkles that had been prying it the past few days.
Cyno could feel his heart pounding. Once he was almost sure Tighnari was asleep, he pressed a gentle kiss right where his ear ended and his forehead began. He wasn’ sure if that was allowed, but it felt right.
It was only when he was in the doorway, about to close the door and let Tighnari get a well deserved rest, he heard the other mutter a small ‘thank you’.