#I TRIED SO HARD NOT TO GIVE UP AHDSGDHSAH

[maaarshieee]

⎯⎯ ୨ Budding Love ୧ ⎯⎯

ੈ♡˳ Tighnari x Gn!Reader *ೃ༄

ੈ♡˳ 1.9k words ┊ Fluff *ೃ༄

ੈ♡˳ Masterlist *ೃ༄

author's note ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

the one i got for my secret santa is @aquatik for the @2022gisecretsanta event! Merry christmas, i hope you like this fic i wrote for you !! have a good day/night! ^^ its not Christmas themed or anything, just general fluff eheh I HOPE THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH DKCHDIHDD ❤❤❤

One of the more respectable merchants that has something to do with the forest Tighnari ever came across was a fellow botanist with a small stall in the Grand Bazaar in Sumeru City.

Collei was the one who told him about this particular stall, and the person who ran it, so he gave it a visit since she urged him to do so. He doesn't understand as to why she's so persistent, but he begrudgingly gave it a chance in his free time. He does love plants, so what's the harm of it?

Your business is quite slow, often overshadowed by other bigger stalls but it did very little to deter your passion for becoming a great florist as Collei described. What made you so different in Tighnari's eyes once he got to know you? It was definitely the genuine care for every plant you get your hands on, admiration of the structural composition of each flora, each mushroom, and the ever-growing love you have for the beautiful nature each nation could offer. Every time your delicate hands start arranging flora in a bouquet, caressing the charming hues of each petal, each leaf, there was a spark in your eyes and the way the corners of your lips would crinkle in delight when you pull it close to your nose, inhaling the pungent smell each plant gives.

Tighnari doesn't understand why, but when he first saw you at the Grand Bazaar, his tail grew confusingly restless behind him, watching the plants seemingly lean close to your form, basking into your presence that's easily comparable to the healthy rays of the sun, rejoicing for the love and care you abundantly provide.

He had seen you before, back when he still studied in the Akademiya, though he was never close to you. In fact, he was sure that you didn't even know who he was. Tighnari can't recall why exactly, but perhaps you were quite the hectic senior; from actively criticizing the Akademiya for what it has become, fancying plants more than other people, and your sharp tongue when it comes to the Grand Sages. Having enough of the Akademiya's nonsense halfway into Tighnari's first year, you dropped out, not without unpleasantries leaving your mouth and a couple other scholars following behind your trail. That year, the Akademiya suffered great losses of unique and intelligent individuals and additionally inspired a young budding fox, who's now the 'leader' of the Forest Watchers.

It appears that not everyone in the Akademiya was foolish, seeing how you've consistently done anything in your power to change the school to no avail. Tighnari never would've thought he'd meet you ever again since he heard gossip that you'd fled to a different nation, far away from Sumeru to achieve whatever dream you once had in the Akademiya. Still, now it seems like they've mellowed down over the years. Cold and calculating eyes now soft, and warm, a face that was once fierce now purely friendly and all gentle smiles. Well, whenever you were working with plants, that is. He supposes, that one of the reasons you attracted few customers was your aloof personality.

So imagine his surprise when you gave him a smile and a small wave, walking toward the counter to greet him. "My my, it's been such a long time, hasn't it?" You started, crossing your arms. Tighnari paused, giving you a blink before a confused frown tugged on his lips. But before he could speak, you asked once again; "Your name is Tighnari, right?" He raised his brows in shock, taken aback that you'd remember his name. "Yes yes, I remember you! And of course, I've heard quite a lot of you, especially around Gandharva Ville." You said with a knowing smirk on your lips, tilting your head to the side. Sumeru is not a stranger to multiple rumors and gossip, so of course, you've heard about the famous 'Forest Watcher' that is Tighnari. He shouldn't be surprised, that's for sure, but he didn't think you'd have an interest in Sumeru's affairs other than what happens in the merchant industry, let alone his accomplishments.

"Though I think the most memorable one was when you corrected that one researcher at a conference—" Tighnari flushed at that, turning away and mumbling a quiet 'that's enough' under his breath, which made you chuckle in turn. He didn't even know you were there when he had gotten his Vision, probably because you hadn't started a ruckus. Then you'd invite him into your stall, to behold his eyes with various flora, most he had never seen before due to never being outside of Sumeru. He has read about them, sure, but he never thought he'd ever see them in person, let alone touch them.

As it turns out, the real reason why you have such a small stall is that you barely visit it. You focus more on interior or exterior design that includes plants, decorating for festivals or occasions, and fixing up personal gardens. Tighnari thought it was rather ambitious, especially when you told him you'd travel all over Teyvat to do your work if you ever receive a letter from someone across the nation that required your assistance.

He spent the whole day talking to you about plants, marveling at the assortment of flora and mushrooms he's yet to grow and study, listening to you ramble about design and scientific facts, and you'd listen eagerly in return to what he has to say, informing you what he knows about certain things. It was honestly refreshing talking to someone who was as passionate as he is in the biology of nature, sharing deep respect when it comes to the earth they live and breathe on. It was as if he was back at Sumeru, reciting knowledge he has and each other would correct and remind him what they'd gotten wrong or forgotten. You'd often visit him to further discuss various things, but also volunteer as a Forest Ranger. Tighnari was hesitant at first since you've never done ranger duties before, but to his surprise once again? You handled it just fine, giving clumsy, irresponsible adventurers the same level of lectures as he does. Now people who mindlessly waltz in Avidya Forest have to worry about encountering troubles to get a lecture from either one or both of you. And it always brings a big smile to his face that he has to hide with his hand. Though it didn't go unnoticed to you, since his tail never fails to reveal his true emotions, silently giggling at his reddening cheeks.

"Underestimating your own senior, General Watchleader?" You teased as you tucked away your bow, watching his surprised face flash to brief embarrassment, then morphed into a displeased expression. "Please don't call me that." Tighnari huffed, crossing his arm as he watched you slide down on a tree trunk, landing right in front of him with a basket full of fruits. You merely laughed at his reactions, shaking your head. "Oh? Everyone seems so keen to do so! Why is it that when I do, you start getting flustered?"

Tighnari's cheeks burned a little hotter, and he swore that it was only because of the sun's heat. "I do not get flustered because of you." He rolled his eyes with a click of his tongue, pointing in a different direction to continue patrolling around Avidya Forest, and immediately shuts your voice from his head once you start teasing him again, a smirk on your lips that you always wear whenever he's around. As much as he refuses this fact, you'd always have to physically stop yourself from bursting out in laughter once you see his tail swishing side to side.

But of course, you have to eventually leave to travel around Teyvat once more or become too busy with your own priorities. Tighnari understands, after all, everyone has to make a living... However, he's grown quite fond of you for the past few weeks you've conversed. So what does Tighnari do, much to your amusement? Commission you day by day to 'arrange flora' for him, volunteering for the Forest Rangers since they're 'conveniently missing some members' or helping Collei with her personal garden. While you don't mind since he's consistently paying you the exact Mora he's promised, it's quite funny to you when you've immediately caught on to his intentions.

"So," You started, hands on your hips whilst you followed the fox across the forest, barely restraining yourself from touching his big, fluffy ears as it twitched and moved to listen to every sound he could, but he hummed in acknowledgment, so you continued to speak. "When are you gonna properly ask me out?" Now that was a shock. Tighnari froze on the spot and you hadn't even realized until you bumped into him, almost knocking him down to the ground. Caught off guard, you quickly grabbed his shoulders to keep him from falling, a nervous smile forming on your lips. Jumping to conclusions due to his perplexed reaction, you said; "It- it seems like I've misinterpreted some signals..."

Tighnari stiffened as he turned to suddenly face you, grabbing the collar of your shirt as he yelled, a pitch higher than his usual tone, "No, no!" Now he's completely embarrassed, face red, ears flat, and hands lightly trembling. Blinking at him in surprise, you stared into his averted eyes, waiting for him to speak again but he ultimately faltered which brought a grin to your face. "Oh? Then the famous General Watchleader admits he's been vying for my attention for the past few days?" You teasingly leaned close to his face and he immediately backed away, giving you a pointed glare as his grip tightened on your shirt. "Nonsense, of course not!"

"You've spent more than you should for commissions directed to me that I'm concerned for your financial situation—" Says you as you tilted your head with faux innocence, continuing to prod his patience. His face twisted to annoyance quickly, but the reds that dusted his cheeks hadn't faded. "I know how to handle my mora just fine." Tighnari huffed, finally releasing you and crossing his arms, turning his back on you. You just hummed, nodding at his words before saying; "But of course, it's not like our General Watchleader emptied his wallet just for me to rearrange his office for the 4th time this week, no?"

Tighnari sighed into his hands, unable to bear the heat spreading from his cheeks down to his neck. He wasn't subtle at all, someone with half a brain cell would guess that he was truly trying to spend more time with you even if it meant splurging all his Mora. You were a busy person that took upon the job of a merchant to make a living, so he thought it would be very selfish of him to ask for more of your time when you should be working to pay for the expenses of your day-to-day life, so decided to commission and request your services to his own home. Embarrassing, sure, but it worked! He managed to talk to you more, even helping you with your work until he was so familiar with it that he began assisting you at your stall from time to time. He just didn't like the fact you caught on so quickly.

Of course, Tighnari couldn't just admit that! He already humiliated himself before his peers just by clinging to your side a lot whenever you volunteered for Forest Ranger work and enthusiastically talking to you, so announcing that he's deeply fancied you since you met at the Grand Bazaar just like that? Absolutely not!

"You've surely misinterpreted my intentions."

"Of course, of course, my mistake, Sir Tighnari."

The corners of his mouth twitched, and your grin stretched wider.

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