#i appreciate genshins efforts but its really not that. significant

[mybeautifulboy]

found under a beijing opera performance

i feel a sense of impending doom

[pocket-luv101]

Cecilias // CynoNari

Fandom: Genshin Impact Ship: CynoNari

Summary: Tighnari helps Albedo design a card back for Cyno.

“Cyno has an unexpected fondness for plants like desert shrubs, lotuses and roses. You can use flowers for the border of his new card back. He wants Dvalin to be the centerpiece so you should choose a Mondstadt flower to match. Unfortunately, I’ve only read of the flowers here and I’m not very artistic so I can’t make further suggestions.”

Tighnari walked along the cliff with Albedo. The view was breathtaking and he wished that he could share it with Cyno and Collei. They were both busy with their own sightseeing though. A pleasant breeze passed him and filtered through the swaying Cecilias. He wanted to collect a few flower samples to bring back to Sumeru and study. Albedo joined him because the view would give him inspiration for Cyno’s commission. During the hike, their conversation naturally drifted to Cyno.

“Aether wrote to me of his adventures in Sumeru. Cyno was not how I imagined the General Mahamatra to be. Though, he did say that he’s the Adventurer Cyno on this trip.” Tighnari couldn’t read Albedo’s expression to know whether he truly enjoyed Cyno’s joke or not. “I’m curious how you and Collei came to know Cyno. He doesn’t seem like the type to mix work and personal relationships.”

“Actually, we met through his work. He suspected me of academic corruption and investigated my study group.” Tighnari had told the story of how he met Cyno countless times because many people would ask the same question as Albedo. Shock briefly passed his face and he quickly added: “It was a misunderstanding. You can imagine my surprise when the General Mahamatra approached me with flowers and apologized for wrongly suspecting me. I must’ve left a good impression because he asked me to care for Collei on his behalf.”

“Since I have a little sister, that decision is a significant sign of trust.” Albedo nodded. He was often busy with his alchemy and I couldn’t play with Klee whenever she wished. He took solace in the fact that Mondstadt was a carefree city and she could always find a knight to help her. “Cyno and I have a lot in common, it seems. I am captain of an investigation team and we enjoy dry humour.”

“It might be more accurate to call his puns forced rather than just dry humour.” Tighnari walked further up the mountain where the wind was stronger. He was certain that he could hear the silence that would often follow one of Cyno’s jokes. “I’m glad that you like his jokes. They’re not the best jokes but he puts a lot of effort into them. So far, only Nahida has laughed at his jokes. On the other hand, your comment about jokes not needing to make people laugh will encourage him to tell those puns the entire journey back to Sumeru.”

“His jokes are quite witty.” Albedo tilted his head in confusion. He thought that Tighnari would’ve appreciate Cyno’s puns because he was also a scholar. On the other hand, he also considered Aether and Sucrose to be intelligent yet they didn’t laugh either. Humans were truly confusing at times. “I will listen to his jokes so you don’t have to.”

“It’s not about that.” He realized how his previous words could sound like disdain for his humour and corrected Albedo. “The reason I’m glad Cyno’s jokes is because he’ll have one more person who understands him. Due to his reputation as the General Mahamatra, people are far too wary of him. They only need to give him a chance to see how kind, loyal and funny he is. Don’t tell him about that last one. It’ll further encourage his bad jokes.”

“You really care about Cyno, don’t you?”

“Of course, we have a close relationship.” He nodded in agreement but there were deeper feelings that he didn’t voice. Tighnari held the Cecilia flower against his lips and its pale colour contrasted with the blush on his cheeks. “I want him to be happy. I learned how to play Genius Invokation TCG just for him. The game is unexpectedly fun. Though, it’s impossible to force myself to laugh at his jokes. I respect Cyno too much to lie about his puns.”

Tighnari began to ramble about Cyno like he would with his love for plants. With each word, a fond smile grew over his face until his feelings were impossible to hide. He didn’t appear to realize it himself. Despite how he wanted Cyno to find more friends who understood him, a part of him couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. His mother warned him that fennec foxes could be territorial.

“When did you and Cyno start dating?” Albedo considered it an innocent question until he saw the way Tighnari’s ears flattened. His blush grew and the flower he held couldn’t hide it anymore. While they were camping, Tighnari spoke with a sharp tongue and Albedo didn’t expect to see him become flustered. It was clear that Tighnari had yet to confess to Cyno.

“I heard that Mondstadt was carefree but I didn’t expect you to be so direct with your words. Even scholars in the Akademiya would have the social grace to not talk about someone’s romantic life.” Tighnari tried to brush aside Albedo’s words. He quickly realized that was impossible because Albedo continued to probe him with questions.

“Did I read the situation wrong? Alice told me that I could be too recluse and that will affect my relationships. I tend to overthink human relationships too. I thought I was improving in recent years.” Albedo mused to himself. His voice was more curious than regretful. Then, he faced Tighnari and said: “You should tell Cyno how you feel. During Windblume, people will give flowers to their loved ones and express their feelings.”

“Can we discuss the card back for Cyno?” Tighnari tried to steer the conversation away from his unspoken feelings for his best friend.

“Do you want the card back to be the Windblume that you’ll give to Cyno? It’s unconventional but people are free to choose anything that symbolizes love and freedom.” Albedo took out his sketchbook from his bag. “I have a few designs in mind based on our earlier discussion. The Cecilia flower is said to represent a once wayward heart transformed by the power of love.”

“Wayward heart?” Tighnari repeated the words and laughed softly to himself. His gaze wandered to the flowers around them and they reminded him of Cyno’s long hair. Sometimes, he would run his fingers through his hair similar to how the wind passed through the flowers now. “Cyno values justice and I can’t remember a time his heart has ever wavered. His job is important to him and a relationship would make it complicated. I won’t let that happen.”

“I know of a time when Cyno’s heart was uncertain.” Albedo surprised Tighnari. He had known Cyno for years yet he wasn’t able to think of what he could be referring to. “Years ago, I overheard a conversation between Cyno and Lisa. I think it was when Collei first came to Mondstadt. Cyno insisted that Collei should stay here.”

Tighnari’s brows furrowed together in confusion. He recalled the day Cyno introduced him to Collei. That night, they discussed how they would raise her and everything she needed. There wasn’t a hint of doubt or hesitation in his voice.

Albedo continued: “Cyno was adamant that it was dangerous to take her back to the Akademiya. The sages might treat her like a test subject.”

“I understand now.” Tighnari said and bit his lip. Cyno had told him about his childhood in the Akademiya. While his adoptive father and Lisa were kind to Cyno, they couldn’t protect him from everything. “He never told me directly but I already assumed that was why he wanted to help Collei seal the god’s remains. What made him decide to bring her to Sumeru in the end?”

“You,” was Albedo’s simple answer. “He told Lisa that there’s a scholar who he trusts with his life. This scholar was a moral and kind man who could help Collei. He wouldn’t make such a decision lightly. Cyno doesn’t consider you or Collei a burden to his job. He’s likely waiting for you to confess first like you decided to do.”

“I—”

“Tighnari!” He heard Cyno call his name from the base of the base of the mountain. Tighnari ran to meet him halfway. As they drew closer, Tighnari could see the different plants in Cyno’s arms and the subtle smile on his lips. Cyno stopped in front of him and handed him a Windwheel Aster from his makeshift bouquet. “I managed to take a picture of Dvalin and I wanted to show it to you. I picked a few Mondstadt specialties on the way here. This knight showed me where they were.”

“Thank you, Cyno. These would be great for my research once we return to Sumeru.” Tighnari slipped the Cecilia flower and the Windwheel Aster into the bouquet before he took the flowers. “You came just in time because Albedo and I were working on your card back. I made a few suggestions to him. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I trust you.” Cyno said. He noticed a few petals caught in Tighnari’s hood and he dusted them away. “The wind is strong here. What did the ocean say to the Cecilia flowers growing at the top of the cliff? Well, the flower couldn’t hear him so he just waved.”

“You must be in a great mood to make a pun like.” Tighnari laughed. Cyno didn’t expect him to do so and he was pleasantly surprised by the sight. “Let’s show that photo to Albedo. I told him you would prefer to have the dragon in an action pose mid-flight.”

“You know me well and that’s why I trust you.”