#It’s nearly 1:30 am in the morning jere

[1eaf-me-alone]

Hello! Can I have a fools funnel and cranberries with Cyno please? (With Cyno to reader?) thank you!!!

𝕾𝖆𝖋𝖊 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖒𝖊

Character: Cyno

Word count: 1.9k

Prompt: “I think I'm falling in love with you”

Warnings: description of violence and harassment

Other: gender neutral reader, fake dating au!

— — — — — — —

“I’m yours now.” They laughed, pushing you against the wall. You felt trapped, you couldn’t escape- no one was there to save you. You tried to scream- they clasped their hand on your mouth. You tried to kick, to punch, but the others restrained your hands. You couldn’t reach your knives. You looked up desperately trying to think of a way to escape from them.

They smiled at you maliciously, attempting to get closer to your lips, getting near to you pressing their face onto yours. 

You moved your head shaking them off of you making an effort to get them away from you. You glared at them malevolently. “Get. Off. Me.”

They slapped your face “being a little feisty, aren't we? Do I need to do this the hard way or...”

“HEY stop right there” 

A voice came from from the shadows. 

“Who speaks?”

Your harasser turned their head to see where the voice was coming from as you did the same too. Out of the shadows came a man wearing a cloak, his face was covered.

“let them GO”

A snort came from your tormentor 

“And who are you to tell me what to do”

You finally managed to get their hand off of you. 

“He’s my boyfriend.”

Your perpetrator’s face fell instantly. Yet they didn't make a move to back off. 

The mysterious man in the cloak stepped forward. Although you couldn't see his eyes you could feel an icy glare underneath his cover.  He pulled a spear from under his cape, lunging forward. 

“I said LEAVE”

Startled they stuttered backing away as they turned and scampered off. 

You crouched down, picking your bag and the fallen objects from the floor.  You turned around seeing the man kneel to help you too. 

You stuffed the last thing in your bag as you stood up from the floor

“What's your name?”

The man pulled his hood off,  white hair cascaded down his shoulders as he turned his head to look at you.

“Cyno.”

“Thank you Cyno.” 

You paused.

“Hey as an act of gratitude would you like to come to the tavern with me? I'll buy you anything you like” 

Usually, Cyno would decline. Usually, he wouldn't care to go to the tavern and talk with a random stranger. He liked to be alone, doing his work- doing what he's good at.

But this time for whatever reason he felt like going. 

— — — — — — — 

You beamed leading Cyno towards the tavern. You chose a spot, sitting down on the wooden chairs as the waiter came in and took your orders.

Once the waiter left cyno turned towards you, a serious gaze formed on his face. 

“Is this the first time this has happened to you?”

“No. It's the fourth time this week, and they keep getting more violent and aggressive and-”

You looked down, knowing you had said too much, you cleared your throat going in for a sip of your drink. 

“ um so... What do you do for a living?”

Cyno looked at you. His crimson eyes pierced through yours- although not in a threatening way. 

“Let's say... I make people remember their mistakes.”

You stopped. A thought coming into your mind. 

“So. If I pay you would you protect me from my persecutors?

Cyno leaned in, his chair squeaked as his eyes narrowed- interested in what you had to say.

“What exactly are you asking for?”

You opened your eyes to look at Cyno properly. Hs eye moved back and fourth between you. 

“I would like you to fake being my boyfriend. Like a bodyguard. So you can protect me and have those creeps at bay.”

Cyno had done many things in his job. Follow people from the Akademiya in debt, people who had smuggled supplies,  stolen, cheated,  had run away... The list could go on and on.  Not once had he EVER been asked to fake being someone's boyfriend to catch and put criminals in their place. 

He sighed- whether he had done it before or not it was still his job to make sure people didn't step out of line- and if they did they had to pay. 

Cyno nodded, finally making his decision. You discussed the prices and gave him an advanced payment. Both of you agreed to meet at the tavern the next day to discuss how exactly the job would work. 

You finished your drinks, called the waiter as you paid the bill and waved goodbye to Cyno. 

— — — — — —

From that day on Cyno became your “boyfriend” he made sure you weren't harassed and always stuck by your side. He made it his job (because it was) to have your safety secured- and as long as you were with him you no longer felt unsafe. 

Soon you began to enjoy each other's company. It was no longer a job for Cyno to keep you safe because he would do it anyway- whether he was paid or not. He began to care for you, love you, trust you. He loved hearing you laugh and smile

Although his shifts only required him to be with you for a few hours he found himself going over that time. Enjoying being with you.  Whenever you had to kiss or hug he no longer felt humoured or forced to do so. Rather he enjoyed it whenever he got to kiss you, whenever he could feel your lips against yours, your embrace against yours. Soon enough Cyno wanted to be your actual boyfriend. He didn't want it to be fake- he wanted to be with you. 

But it wasn’t possible. Cyno had to remind himself that whenever you kissed him, whenever you looked him in the eye, or hugged him or jumped into his arms. It was just an “act” it was just his job. He had to keep being professional. He couldn't catch feelings for you, it was wrong for him to do so. He was hired to protect you. Not to fall in love with you. 

What Cyno didn't know was that his feelings were being reciprocated. You also enjoyed staying with him. You loved being with him- you loved the precious time you had with him. And oh he looked so beautiful too. His milky white hair, his fiery red eyes that gazed into yours, the smile he reserved only for you. The kisses he gave left you speechless along with the ticklish feeling of butterflies in your stomach. 

But you had to keep it proficient. He didn't actually like kissing you, he didn't want to. He was in it for the money, he was doing it because it was his job. And so you pushed your feelings back. 

 Cyno had decided that his feelings were getting in the way, that he could no longer work with you because he no longer used logic- he wasn't doing his job. And for the best he had to leave you.

— — — — — 

You sat down at the tavern, for now, it had become a regular meeting spot for the two of you. You sipped your drinks, laughing at something Cyno said as the drink snorted out your nose. A bright blush covered your face as you looked at Cyno next to you. You budged closer to him on the bench, going in to give him a peck on the cheek.

“No.”

You frown, looking confused. 

“I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore- you're safe now and you don't need me anyway. I'll give you back the payment for this month as I shall no longer be working with you. “

Cyno placed the money on the table. He stood up and left.

You stared at him confused. You thought he liked you, you thought that maybe you were growing something together. You slapped yourself. Well then, you thought wrong. 

You stepped out the tavern and walked home feeling miserable and upset. Whatever “thing” you thought you had going with Cyno was just a silly childish dream of yours.

— — — — — — — 

“Come in!”

Collei opened the door as she exclaimed in surprise.

“Cyno?”

“Hello Collei... it’s been a while.”

Cyno sat in the wooden treehouse high up on the forest, The lush green trees, the mossy green colours, the birds that chirped high up in the branches. It was a change from the highly advanced Sumeru city.

“So why did you come and visit?” 

Collei frowned, looking at Cyno. Since last time he had gained a few scratches, but he looked sadder. He looked... Upset?

Collei jumped, quickly brewing some tea for the two of you, mixing in some herbs (and a stress relief in the tea for him ) 

“Have this!” she smiled sweetly at Cyno. 

“So. What happened?”

Cyno lifted his head to look at Collei. She looked a lot better than last time he saw her at least. A natural red blush was on her face, she looked alive and well- she seemed content and at peace at last.

“I think I've fallen in love...”

He told her everything. All that had happened in the last few months, every feeling and thought he had of you- what he still felt for you. When Cyno finished his mouth was dry. He took a sip of his tea (which was by now cold)

“Well what in the archons are you doing here?”

Collei stood up abruptly, stepping closer towards Cyno and pointing at him. 

“Go after them or it's going to be too late. Tell them how you feel now or you won’t ever have the chance again now GO.”

”thank you Collei I promise I'll come-”

“GO”

— — — — — 

Cyno knocked at your door. You weren't there, he ran to the tavern- but you weren't there. 

Maybe he had arrived too late. 

He walked back slowly, turning away towards the tavern as he heard a muffled scream not too far away . Cyno ran, he ran towards the alleyway as he stopped. 

Your head was against the wall. They were there again. Forcing a kiss onto you. Tears brimmed your eyes. Your face was red from the effort of trying to fight back. Your arms were tied in ropes. 

Cyno saw red, his temper flared as fury surged into his body. 

“I warned you the first time.”

He pulled out his spear and growled. All went black as you heard a thump on the floor.

You opened your eyes. 

“Cyno?”

“Y/n are you ok?” 

He looked worried  as he quickly untied your ropes and let you free. Checking if you had any physical injuries and wounds. And leaving a sigh of relied as he found out you didn't have anything significant 

“I'm so sorry I left you.”

You stared Cyno down in the eyes, rubbing your wrists. You couldn't understand

“But why did you leave me?”

Cyno glanced up at you. This time properly looking at you. His ruby stare shon in the light. 

“I think I'm falling in love with you.”

— — — — —

Hope you enjoyed your stay at the forest! And hope you liked reading this anon

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