seventeen. (Tighnari x Sprout)
#SYN-: when he realized maybe he’s not supposed to be alone #W.C.-: 0.6k #T.W.-: headcanons
Tighnari had identified as aroace from the moment he turned ten.
It was simple- He’d grown up in a neighborhood where humans were half of his classes. Plus, the Akademiya’s students were also mostly made of plain old people.
The second he’d discovered the term, that was when he agreed to get his ear pierced. And that was when he started identifying as aroace.
He still remembered the feeling of the needle pushing through the sensitive cartilage, the weird pressure that was the clip being put in place. He could feel the little olive branch charm he’d chosen dangling against his temple.
Olive branch. A symbol of purity, and a symbol of peace.
Tighnari believed he would be pure for the rest of his life. He thought he’d be alone, with nothing but the peace of the forest.
And he believed that. For seven more years.
Until one particular day.
“It’s not that they grow due to the Electro currents,” Tighnari sighed, looking at the trainee to his right, “it’s that they grow in that area because the Electro currents can protect them. It’s simply coincidental that they can conduct the electricity.” He adjusted the box in his arms while the trainee fixed something in her notes.
The one to his left frowned. “But, doesn’t that mean that those lotuses you like also grow to be protected by the currents? Since they grow in the water,” he pointed out. Tighnari sighed.
How unfortunate he was to be a prodigy.
“No, the Nilotpala Lotuses do not grow in that area for protection. They grow in humid areas with adequate, more-than-average shading, as well as—”
Someone shrieked as they ran into him.
“Sorry-! I’m sorry, oh- I didn’t mean to- Are you okay?” She panicked, reaching out a hand to help him gather his things. Even though she was the one on the ground.
Tighnari hadn’t even registered that he’d dropped the box.
To him? Time was moving slower.
Soft, slightly messy hair. The color hit him first.
He was used to associating the color with decay— a light, cold brown. But here, it was bright, alive, hiding a face he, for whatever reason, so longed to see.
When she did look up, to make sure she didn’t bump him again, he felt something in his chest tighten.
Emerald eyes. Another striking color he wasn’t entirely used to. He’d held fireflies that weren’t as bright. And they—
No, no. Something was wrong. Not with her. With him.
This feeling was… Off.
Why were his hands sweaty, his eyes so wide? Why could he feel his skin crawl?
Why did it feel like he couldn’t breathe?
He watched as she carefully, anxiously, picked up his fallen things.
A scratch on her knuckle. From what, only Archons knew- Especially in Sumeru. Black leggings, dust smudged on her thigh. Tanned arms covered in freckles.
“I- I should be apologizing, not you,” he muttered so lowly that even he could barely hear himself.
He crouched down to help her, opening up files so she could tuck the papers away. Plant types, their reliance on other elements, whether they were edible…
“That’s the last one.” She smiled awkwardly, gently tapping Tighnari’s shoulder. He was still staring. He blinked, looking back down at the box, struggling to think of something, anything to say.
And usually, he was the wordy one.
“I- Thank you,” Tighnari spoke blankly as he picked the box up from the ground. She followed him up a few minutes after, barely bowing her head in acknowledgement. She smiled, awkwardly, “I’ll, uh… See you around.”
Tighnari watched her turn and walk away, down the street, finally letting go of a breath he didn’t know he was holding. One of the trainees elbowed him in the side, making him drop the box again.
“Looks to me like someone has a crush…” “I DO NOT—!”
