Chapter Text
YEAR 2
Tighnari drew an arrow, aimed, and shot. He shook his head in frustration, walking over to the dummy to retrieve his arrow again. It wasn't a good enough shot. He knew he wouldn’t often need to fight, but he needed to keep his family safe, especially if Cyno wasn’t there.
The kits were now two years old already, and could be left alone a little more often. Tighnari took his alone time to practice his bow.
It took a while for him to be able to take it up physically again. Not that he didn't want to get physically active, it was just hard combining physical work out with botanical research and taking care of three kits.
“Mama?” Aya ran up to Tighnari and hugged his leg, looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Aya? What is up?” Tighnari knelt down, patting Aya's hair gently.
Aya simply pressed herself against Tighnari, cuddling up against her mother.
“Have I been out for that long??” Tighnari asked himself, getting up again and holding Aya's hand as he walked back inside. It was just Aya and him at home. Cyno had decided to take both the boys to his office in Sumeru City, and Collei was at the Akademiya as a representative.
Aya pointed at a small box of sweets on the table, tugging Tighnari's hand.
Tighnari followed Aya's hand before raising an eyebrow. “Aya, you didn't even finish your lunch today.” He sighed when Aya pouted and whined softly. He couldn't deny his girl at all. “Fine, fine. I'll give you half. Mama eats the other half.”
Aya squealed, taking the sweet and digging in.
Tighnari let out a soft, but happy sigh as he fixed Aya's hair. It was in a braid, though his own wasn't today. He had cut his hair again. It wasn't back to his bob cut, it was just medium length now. And braiding his own hair seemed impossible.
“Aya, want to sit with mama? I need to finish writing some reports.” He walked towards his office, smiling as the kit followed.
Tighnari was able to finish his reports, while Aya walked around his office. She, unlike her brothers, didn't touch anything she shouldn't.
“Baba?” Aya called out.
“Baba is at work, Aya. He should be back soon.” Tighnari looked back at his daughter. “Oh, don't look so sad. Do you miss your brothers too?” Tighnari picked Aya up, placing her on his lap.
“Miss baba…”
“Yeah, I miss Cyno too.” Tighnari took out Aya's braid, stroking his fingers through her hair.
“Cyno…” Aya copied.
“No, that's baba for you.” Tighnari chuckled. “Cyno is baba. Though Cyno is such a pretty name, isn't it?”
Aya nodded, eyes sparkling. “Cyno pretty! Pretty name.”
Tighnari nodded. “I agree. We should tell baba when he comes home that he has a pretty name.”
Aya nodded, moving up to stand on Tighnari's lap. She grabbed his ears as a way to support himself.
“Ah, Aya!” Tighnari squeezed his eyes shut. “That hurts.” He tried not to freak out, to not freak Aya out.
When Cyno stroked or massaged his ears, or even slightly tugged them, it didn't hurt. But Aya was gripping and tugging them in a way that did absolutely hurt.
Aya didn't let go until Tighnari had to take her hands himself. “No.” She pouted, reaching for Tighnari's ears again.
“Aya, listen to me. Don't touch and tug ears like that. It hurts.” Tighnari explained, ears flat on his head.
Aya looked at Tighnari with confused, tear-filled eyes. All she understood was that her mom was upset, and she got told ‘no’.
Tighnari sighed. His daughter was too young to properly understand. He could only distract Aya by turning her around and starting to massage some essential oil through her tail.
When he was done, Aya climbed off Tighnari’s lap and grabbed her mother's tail. She had forgotten all about the ears.
“Oh? Want to return the favour? Here, stick your hands out.” Tighnari put a little bit of the oil on Aya's hands, so she could also try to massage Tighnari's tail.
Tighnari couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he finished his report.
Once he was done, and Aya deemed herself done with Tighnari’s tail, he got up. Now, he needed to deliver his report. And he would take Aya with him. She was the old ladies’ favourite.
Aya didn't let her mother's hand go once as they walked over to Gandharva Village. She tripped only a few times, but she was a brave girl, and she didn't cry.
She was also a shy girl, and she hid behind Tighnari’s legs as Tighnari handed over his report. All the people talking made her ears go flat against her head. How did her mother act so chill?
Tighnari put a gentle hand on her head as he talked to his fellow Forest Watchers. It was nice to be out like this. Honestly, the entire pregnancy and the first year had been filled with new things, figuring stuff out. But now, it was as if nothing had changed at all.
Once Tighnari had finished his rounds, holding Aya's hand tight, so she wouldn't get lost, he took his kit to his favourite tree.
“An important part of growing up, Aya, is climbing trees. Trust me.” Tighnari explained. He helped Aya climb up onto the thick branch he liked to sit on. He followed, sitting next to her in a way that she was sandwiched between him and the tree.
The girl was mesmerised by the view. Tighnari had seen it many times, but somehow, together with his daughter, the view was even better than usual.
They sat in the tree for a while, with Tighnari pointing out sights to Aya.When the sun started to set, Tighnari gasped. “Archons! We have to go home.”
Tighnari jumped off, rolling when he landed to minimise damage.
“Archons!” Aya echoed.
Tighnari reached up for Aya, smiling when she jumped down into his arms.
To speed up their journey home, Tighnari carried Aya all the way. He opened the front door, gasping for air. He hadn't run like that in a while. He really was getting out of shape, huh.
“Tighnari??” Cyno called out, walking over with his polearm just in case it wasn't.
“Baba!!” Aya wiggled out of Tighnari's arms, running to Cyno. “Cyno, Cyno!”
Tighnari held up a hand, catching his breath. “I will… Never run… Again.” He wheezed. “I'm home.” He smiled.
Cyno picked Aya up, hugging her tight. “Cyno??? Uh, dunno who he is. As far as I know, I'm baba only.”
Tighnari rubbed his neck, laughing awkwardly. “I told her your name...”
“Cyno!! Pretty name, baba have such pretty name.” Aya pressed her lips against Cyno's cheek. The way she always saw her mom do.
Tighnari laughed softly. “She's not wrong~. Cyno is such a pretty name.” He blew a kiss to Cyno as he walked over to his boys.
“Mama!!” The boys said in unison. They both hugged Tighnari before they, together, told Tighnari all about their day in Sumeru City in the way only 2 year olds could. Barely comprehensible and with many detours.
But Tighnari listened with full interest all the same, tail wagging slowly.
“Nari, did you get mushrooms?” Cyno asked, standing behind Tighnari with folded arms. Tighnari had said in the morning he would go out to forage with Aya.
Tighnari's tail stopped dead in its tracks between Cyno’s feet. “Ahaha… I forgot.”
Cyno couldn't help but laugh softly. “Oh no, no mushroom soup tonight. What a shame…” He shrugged as he walked over to the kitchen.
Tighnari squinted his eyes. “You didn't want to eat it at all anyways, did you? Fine, we'll eat something else.” He got up, almost prancing over to Cyno and hugging him upon seeing that Cyno’s arms were empty. That wasn't allowed.
Cyno wrapped his arms around Tighnari, swaying them side to side gently.
Tighnari smiled, cradling Cyno's cheeks with his fingers. He almost kissed him, but not quite. “Did the boys enjoy being with you today?” He asked, reaching up to take Cyno's hat off. He knew Cyno got so used wearing it, but at home, Tighnari preferred seeing Cyno without it.
Cyno tilted his head to the side slightly, pressing a soft kiss on Tighnari’s wrist. “Yes. Though, Kaveh ended up caring for them. They just gravitated to him.” He smiled, eyes soft. “I took them to the café. They got to taste some new food.”
Tighnari glanced at the kits, who were all curled up together and napping. “Good. We tired them out today. Maybe they'll sleep on time.” He wrapped his arms around Cyno's neck, leaning in and pressing soft kisses on his cheek.
Cyno laughed softly. “Aya, maybe. Ashan and Arad definitely are the problem children.” He turned his head, catching Tighnari’s lips with his own.
Tighnari smiled into the kiss, his eyes fluttering close. This was perfect. Cyno was perfect.
“Oh!”
Tighnari sighed softly against Cyno's lips, parting from Cyno and looking past him. “Welcome home, Collei.” He couldn't help feel a little bitter. Intimacy with Cyno was sparse with three kits and a teenage adopted daughter. But he smiled at Collei anyways.
Oh, the joys of parenting...
Collei stood in the doorway awkwardly, trying not to look at Tighnari or Cyno. Seeing them so close together, she felt like she intruded. “H-Hi.”
Tighnari walked over, desperate to stay close to Cyno, but parental instinct took over. He chatted with Collei, helping her unload the groceries she took with her.
Dinner, bathing the kits, taking care of their tails, reading to them, making sure they were actually asleep… It took way too long to finally have alone time again.
Tighnari sighed, wiping some imaginary sweat from his forehead. “Three sleeping kits, one teenager in her own room…” He looked at Cyno with soft eyes. “I like the voices you used in the story tonight. It was cute~.” He took Cyno’s hand, leading him outside.
Cyno laughed softly. “You were almost as invested as the kits, Nari.” He teased. He followed Tighnari without complaining.
Tighnari took him to an open spot nearby. He sat down on the ground, tugging Cyno down too. It was a perfect spot for stargazing. “The kits love t
hat specific story about Lesser Lord Kusanali, hm? Maybe, we should let them meet her one day...”
Cyno wrapped an arm around Tighnari, looking up at the sky.
Tighnari rested his head on Cyno's shoulder, ear occasionally twitching against his neck.
The silence was comforting. They just existed in each other's space.
Once it started getting a little colder, they made their way back inside. Tighnari went to prepare some tea, while Cyno observed from a distance.
Cyno's eyes on him made Tighnari blush ever so slightly, and his tail wagged too. “Is this tea okay?” he asked, walking over to let Cyno sniff.
When Cyno nodded, Tighnari let the tea steep. He turned to Cyno, playing with his own hair a little shyly. Cyno's piercing gaze did things to him. It made him feel like his Akademiya self again, developing a crush.
How could he still feel like a shy boy after being together with Cyno for so long?
He reached up to rub his own ear, pretending to clean it. But it was a semi way of courting another for his kind.
Tighnari yelped softly when he saw Cyno right in front of him. Their floor caused Cyno to walk so quietly! And he also heard his own heartbeat more than anything. “You're so quiet.” Tighnari pouted.
“Sorry, did I scare you?” Cyno reached up to scratch behind Tighnari’s ears. “That wasn't my intention.”
“I know. Don't worry, you're not scary at all.” Tighnari stuck his tongue out a little. “Despite what everyone says, you're not scary at all.”
“Well, I hope I'm a little scary? I have a job to do.” Cyno folded his arms. Tighnari was pretty much the only one who didn't see him as scary.
Tighnari hummed, thinking about it. “I suppose, but I never had to experience that side of you.” He smiled innocently. “I intend to keep it that way.” He turned around, brushing his tail against Cyno's face as he poured the tea into three cups. “I'm going to give one to Collei as well.”
Cyno nodded, staying behind as Tighnari left. Tighnari couldn't see the box Cyno got out of his pocket.
When Tighnari got back, he took the cup Cyno handed him eagerly, sipping his tea. “Ahh, this one is so nice.” He walked over to their bedroom, which was downstairs.
The kits and Collei had their rooms upstairs. He put the cup down on a little bedside table, stretching.
“What a long day it's been.” He yawned, sitting on the bed. “Don't look so tense, Cyno. Now is the time to relax. You are off the clock, the kits are asleep.” He reached out a hand, eyes soft.
Cyno slowly walked over, taking Tighnari’s hand and squeezing it softly. “I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be so tense, but…” Cyno shook his head, sitting next to Tighnari. “Something about today's work has left me uneasy in a way it hasn't made me feel in a long time.” He sighed. “Can't even think of a joke about it.”
Tighnari squeezed Cyno's hand. “That bad, huh?” He asked softly. He chewed on his cheek, not really sure what to say, or how to comfort Cyno. His partner unfortunately didn't share this enough for Tighnari to be used to it. He put a gently hand on Cyno's thigh.
“You do know it's not your burden alone to carry? Even as the General Mahamatra, you are not alone. You have the other Matra, the entire Akademiya at your back.”
Cyno nodded, pressing their foreheads together gently. Honestly, just being close to Tighnari was enough to help him settle down.
Tighnari smiled softly, stroking a hand through Cyno’s hair. “What else is bothering you?” He asked softly. “You are rarely in this state.”
Cyno shook his head, laying down on his side of the bed and pulling Tighnari closer.
“Cyno… Talking is important.” Tighnari slowly got up again to turn off the light, and undress. He rarely slept with clothes on. Only if he passed out. He crawled back in Cyno’s arms, a little worried.
“Nari, it’s okay. I really just need to cuddle you and sleep. That’ll truly recover me.” Cyno promised.
Tighnari hummed, looking at Cyno with worried eyes. “Okay. As long as you’re honest.” He whispered. He closed his eyes, letting Cyno play with his hand and fingers. Whatever would calm his General down.
Cyno pressed soft kisses on Tighnari’s hand. “I like your claws. Why do you always wear those gloves?” He asked.
“You know why. My hands are sensitive. Especially where the pads on my gloves are.” Tighnari explained.
Cyno paid special attention to those areas on his hands. Soft kisses, massaging his palm ever so softly.
Tighnari hummed, growing ever so sleepy by the treatment. “Hmn… Cyno…”
Cyno stopped, pressing a kiss on the back of his hand. “I’m sorry, that made you tired didn’t it?” He put a gentle hand on Tighnari’s cheek, finally letting go of his hand.
Tighnari purred softly. “Just a little.” He rested his head on Cyno’s chest, yawning. He lowered his ears, so they wouldn’t bother Cyno’s face. His tail was slowly wagging.
“Was your day better?” Cyno asked softly.
Tighnari smiled. “Aya and I had a great day. I finished up my report, and we massaged each other’s tail. I took her to Gandharva Village, and talked to the Forest Watchers. She was a little shy, though.” He felt something on his hand, but he didn’t think anything of it. Might just be a bug landing on a finger, and bugs were a common occurrence in the forest. “Then we sat in my favourite tree for a bit.” He finished.
Cyno hummed, stroking Tighnari’s hair and ears. “That sounds like a lovely day, actually. Aya loves you a lot.”
“I love Aya too. But our boys too. I’ve been feeling like I’m showing favouritism... Maybe I should have a day with our boys soon. Aya is shy, but I think she’d like Sumeru City.” Tighnari suggested. He twitched his hand, trying to get the bug he thought was on his hand off.
But the feeling of something on his hand wouldn’t leave. He lifted his hand, inspecting it. Only to see a beautiful gold band on it.
Tighnari shot up, holding his hand close to his face before whipping his head to gape at Cyno. “You…!!”
Cyno laughed sheepishly. “Do you like it?”
“What? Yes! I do! But…”
Cyno sat up, taking hold of both of Tighnari’s hands. “Consider this my way of mating you back? I mean, that is, if you…”
Tighnari couldn’t help but laugh, wiping some tears. “Even after all these years, you suck at this stuff.” He giggled. “Do I want to marry you? Yes, I do, Cyno.” He hugged Cyno tight, purring loudly.
Cyno let out a sigh of relief. The big scary General Mahamatra was often at a loss for words when it came to Tighnari. How was he supposed to act normal with such a beautiful fox in front of him.
Tighnari pulled away to look at the ring again, mesmerised. He moved back to turn on a small oil lamp on the nightstand, to be able to see it and Cyno better. Now he saw the blush on Cyno’s cheeks.
Cyno looked like the young man trying to confess to Tighnari again when he got his General Mahamatra title. A little nervous, worried he overstepped boundaries.
Tighnari smiled, crawling into Cyno’s lap. “You worry too much.” He made his tail brush against Cyno’s face. “You are mine, and I am yours. It has been that way since we met.” Tighnari couldn’t take his eyes off the ring.
Cyno hugged Tighnari’s tail close, sniffing the fur. “It’s a comforting scent… Is it a new oil?”
Tighnari placed his hands on his own cheeks, blushing slightly. “You noticed? Hm, it’s a new one made with the help of a perfumist from Fontaine.” He explained, the tip of his tail moving even faster against Cyno’s face. “Do you like it?”
Cyno nodded. “It’s a good scent.” He let out a surprised noise when the tail started thumping against his face.
Tighnari liked it when Cyno complimented his tail. After all, he put so much effort into it. He didn’t even realise he was smothering Cyno with his tail as he replayed the compliments in his head again and again.
“Na-Nari!” Cyno pulled a face when he got some fur in his mouth.
Tighnari glanced back, laughing softly at Cyno’s face. “Sorry, I just can’t help it.” He turned around, facing Cyno. “My tail means a lot to me.” He purred ever so slightly.
Cyno put his hands on Tighnari’s hips, smiling. “I know. It is truly a wonderful tail.” He knew he was making Tighnari go crazy with the compliments. “It’s soft, smells good, and it’s so poofy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a perfect tail before.”
Tighnari wrapped his legs and arms around Cyno, eyes hazy. “Really?” He just wanted to hear more.
Cyno hummed, leaning in to whisper in Tighnari’s ear. “I love how much care you put into your tail, and in your hair and ears. They always look so good.” He whispered, squeezing Tighnari’s hips and pulling him closer. He blew some air into Tighnari’s ear. Cyno was fuelled by Tighnari’s soft panting, by his hips rocking back and forth slowly.
Tighnari shivered with every soft breath into his ear. It felt like soft shocks going through his body.
Cyno pulled away ever so slightly, looking at the state he got his fox in just from complimenting him. He thought about it, thinking back to that one request Tighnari made while pregnant.
Tighnari moaned when he got an actual shock, eyes wide. “Wh? Cyno?” He looked down to find one of Hermanubis’ purple bands slithered around his waist.
“Did that hurt?” Cyno asked, a little worried.
Tighnari bit his lower lip, imagining what Cyno could do with his powers.
“Nari??”
“Oh, no, it didn’t hurt at all.” Tighnari looked at Cyno with hungry eyes. “I wonder, just how big are his claws?” He licked his lips, placing a gentle hand on Cyno’s chest.
Cyno let the power go through him, wrapping one of Hermanubis’ claws around Tighnari’s body. It encompassed his entire waist.
Tighnari squealed, covering his face with his hands, but peeking through his fingers. “O-Oh.” He breathed out.
Cyno tightened the claw around Tighnari, squeezing him ever so slightly. It being a claw filled with Electro, it gave Tighnari continuous little shocks. Cyno was still a little scared he’d hurt Tighnari, but the fox was in heaven.
Tighnari trailed his fingers over the claws, trembling from excitement. He knew Cyno was careful, and scared. He understood. Hermanubis had probably never been used in this way before. He tapped the claw, yelping when he was dropped just a little bit on the bed when Cyno disabled his ability. He hadn’t even realized that he’d been in the air. “Cyno,” Tighnari purred, crawling closer. “I want you to tie me up.”
Cyno covered his face with his hands. “Nari, are you sure?”
Tighnari huffed, pushing Cyno down and crawling on top of him. “You question me entirely too much. I know what I want.” He reached back, to open himself up.
Honestly, his hesitance is just too cute. I bet no one can imagine the scary General Mahamatra being so shy and unsure in bed. That’s only for me to see.
Tighnari dug his claws into Cyno’s chest as he worked on himself. He just didn’t expect his arm to suddenly be pressed against his body. Nor did he expect one of the bands to sliver around his neck. It caused him to give a surprised moan.
Cyno finally gathered himself a little, and was determined to satisfy Tighnari’s crazy ideas. He let the bands guide both of Tighnari’s arms safely behind his back before pushing Tighnari on the bed, and turning him around. Of course he would mourn not being able to see Tighnari’s face, but the moans were more than enough.
Tighnari was stunned at the sudden change, and he had to take a moment to adjust to the new position. Every time he tried to move his arms, the bindings got just a little tighter. He couldn’t help but move his head a little bit, just to get choked a little more.
When Cyno attached his mouth to Tighnari’s hole, Tighnari gasped out. “C-Cyno!” He didn’t expect that!
He twitched slightly as even Cyno’s tongue was imbued with Electro. It felt so good, that all he could do was moan. He didn’t even know Cyno could make his tongue shock.
Then, more bands slithered around Tighnari’s body. It was like Cyno learned how to do something new, and was slowly getting more and more used to the powers.
One of the bands tightened around Tighnari’s cock, and with the first shock it gave, Tighnari’s climaxed with a high-pitched moan.
Tighnari couldn’t even get any words to stop Cyno out as the Electro shocks kept him up, and didn’t allow his cock a moment of rest. It was like he didn’t climax at all, with how hard he still was. But he definitely did, and he was so sensitive when Cyno pushed himself in that Tighnari sobbed from the overstimulation and pleasure.
Cyno waved his hand, and all but the neck band disappeared. He wrapped his arms around Tighnari’s waist, pulling him up and close. “This is what you wanted, wasn’t it?” He asked as one hand grabbed Tighnari’s face, turning it to the side to lick up some of Tighnari’s tears.
Tighnari trembled, gasping for air as Cyno tightened the band around his neck. When he his eyes rolled back slightly, the band disappeared, allowing Tighnari to breathe again.
“You...” Cyno panted softly, thrusting in a bit of a desperate pace. “You look like a mess, Nari. Look at you...” He pushed Tighnari back on the bed, his claw coming out to wrap around Tighnari’s head, while the other wrapped around his waist.
Tighnari definitely felt like a mess. He couldn’t form a coherent thought. And when he had finally calmed down a little, Cyno enveloped him in those claws again. He was in heaven. He finally got Cyno to cross that line and it was heaven. There was so much happening, and all he could do was moan, sob and take it.
Cyno thrusted faster and harder as he chased his own climax. It finally came when he felt Tighnari clench around him with a second orgasm.
When Cyno disabled his ability and let Tighnari go, Tighnari flopped on the bed, unmoving.
“Nari??” Cyno asked, a little worried at how silent Tighnari was, and how he wasn’t moving at all. Cyno turned the fox around, who was passed out with pure bliss on his face.
“Nari?!” Cyno shook Tighnari, but there was no response. “Oh my Archons I killed him.” He covered his mouth with one hand, the other hand actually checking for a pulse.
Cyno got himself together after a while, moving quickly to clean himself and Tighnari up
It didn’t take Tighnari long to wake up with a gasp, and a few after-shocks. He gently touched his neck as he searched for Cyno, who was sitting next to him on the bed with a worried expression.
“Nari, are you okay?” Cyno asked, inspecting Tighnari’s body. There were slight indents of where his Electro bands had dug into Tighnari’s skin.
Tighnari launched himself into Cyno’s arms, showering his face in kisses. “That, Cyno, was amazing.” He purred.
Cyno let out a sigh of relief. “You had me so worried, passing out on me.” He reached up and tugged Tighnari’s ear. “Warn me if it’s too much next time.”
“Ooww.” Tighnari whined. “You made me climax twice, and choked me. No wonder I passed out. But it was so good.” Tighnari touched his neck again, a sly smile on his face. “I might be into this...”
Cyno laid down properly, pulling Tighnari close and pulling the blankets over them. “You’re truly insatiable, Nari. I didn’t even know I could do all that with my powers.”
Tighnari got comfortable against Cyno, purring. “Well, aren’t you glad I taught you something new~? Oh, and those claws?? Terrifyingly sexy to be held by.” He smiled innocently. “Thank you.”
Cyno pressed a soft kiss against Tighnari’s ear, raising an eyebrow. “Thank me? For what??”
“For indulging me in my silly fantasies. And the ring.”
“Well, of course. Now that I know it’s safe...” Cyno thought about it. They could do this more often.
Tighnari closed his eyes, yawning. “Dendro can’t do much to enhance sex. Except, maybe...”
“Maybe?”
“Drugs.”
Cyno couldn’t help but laugh. “You’d know the best plants to induce delirium.”
Tighnari hummed. “Yes, I know one that would let us be able to have sex for a day and night straight.” He sat up a little to look up at Cyno with soft eyes. He didn’t want to sleep quite yet. He wanted to spend more time with Cyno. “Actually, I’ve once supplied that to Alhaitham and Kaveh.”
“Wait, really?” Cyno brushed his fingers through Tighnari’s hair, eyes wide. He couldn’t imagine his seniors like that.
“Oh, yeah. Alhaitham asked about a year ago. I just gave it, in complete shock. But maybe you can have it next time my heat comes around, yeah??” Tighnari patted Cyno’s chest, finally settling down again.
“Love you, Nari.”
“I love you too, Cyno. Good night.”
This night has recharged me more than a good night’s sleep ever will. I feel so hyped to do anything tomorrow! I can still feel my skin tingling... Might just have to make Cyno do that to be again in the morning~.