your darling angel

The sweet scent infiltrated Cyno's nose the moment he stepped into the headquarter's hallways, alluring and refreshing in the morning. And judging by the trail, it seems to be coming from your office.

His feet made quick work to speedwalk towards your office, opening the door with a smile on his face - only to drop at the sight of your confused gaze staring back at him.

Your voice trembled, hoarse. "Cyno?" A trail of blood flowed down from your nostrils as it drips from your chin, staining the wood and papers and the palm of your hand that tried to save your work. Watching your gaze turn away from him, he caught sight of the beautiful, unfamiliar flower. "Didn't... you?"

His movements felt like it wasn't his own as he crossed your office in a quick second, grabbing the vase and throwing it into the bin in the corner with urgency, before cradling your cheeks in his hands.

You haven't seen his eyes this wide and frantic before. But as you tasted the disgusting flavor of metal on your tongue, your head slowly falls to his chest as he screamed, "MATRA! EMERGENCY!"

Investigation

That was no simple flower nor the kind that can be found in the forests, with pollen akin to fiberglass and sprayed with a perfume to mimic the real deal. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the damage only reached your nose and the back of your throat.

All Matra work halted for the next few days as you rested in a spare room in the headquarters as the initial investigation started, lead by your lover despite how much he wanted to stay by your side instead.

Cyno would be by your side during the hours you're awake, and busy meticulously scouring every corner of Sumeru when you aren't.

The first day he already concluded that it wasn't any of the Matras - after all, they were the only ones privy to your relationship, not once had it crossed their mind to challenge the vicious General Mahamatra.

But it was still a person that would at least know the inside of the headquarters seeing as they easily pinpointed your office and sneaked in when the Corps of Thirty guarding the building rotated. But they too were innocent.

If it were the criminals and scholars he apprehended, the absurd amount of suspects he'd have to investigate would take him months to finish investigating. There's still a lot of things amiss in the situation, but upon hearing your whimpers after a bad cough, he knew he had to try harder. Even if it was costing him his sleep.

At some nights when he was forced to stay due to your tight grip on his hand despite being asleep, Cyno finds himself wide awake without nothing to do but stare at your unconscious form.

With no one but the moon as his witness, your lover couldn't help but spill a few tears in regret and hatred. During the worst nights, he find himself blaming himself for possibly causing this great misfortune.

He would cradle, stroke, and whisper broken apologies to your head. Gently kissing it as he tries to stop himself from another breakdown, while you do your best to pretend that you were still asleep.

Recovery

Eating, drinking, talking, even breathing hurt like hell. Even with the various painkillers and medicine you drank, the wounds won't miraculously disappear just like that.

The other Matra take turns caring for you whenever the General is away, the faces and days bled together from the heavy medicine you have to take thrice a day, and soon the only one you recognize is the face of your lover.

Seeing you like this hurt him just as much as you do, and he really tries his best to always be there when you're conscious. Even when he's out in the city, the Matra would send him a message through the Akasha to inform him that you're awake, and he would immediately drop whatever he was doing just to visit.

Initially, due to the condition of your throat, you had to eat liquid/pureed foods and they were awful. The fatigue combined with the pain kept you from eating most of the time, only managing to eat a few portions when it was Cyno spoon feeding you, only to ease the worry causing wrinkles on his face.

Speaking also became problematic and writing became tedious soon enough. But your smart and patient lover taught you the alternative of sign language, taking great care to teach you as efficiently as he could. Even if you weren't fluent, the basics were enough to get your points across.

He's never felt great relief being able to communicate with you without feeling guilt every time your throat itched from being scratched up. And yes, he also uses sign language while speaking so you can hone your skills while not feeling left out.

If there was one good thing that came out of this gruesome scenario, it was the fact that you spent so much of your time with him more than ever before. You've never felt so loved and cared for, and any doubts about your relationship faded each day he was by your side.

While it seems that your injuries wasn't that big of a deal compared to say, a broken bone, the heavy medication, bleeding and pain made you too exhausted to even leave the bed at times. Your lover would always find ways to keep you sane and entertained as best he could - card games in bed, new flowers everyday, better joke materials.

When your nose would start bleeding again, he was always quicker on wiping it off for you. Cough drops and a glass of water in close distance for when your throat is the one acting up.

Despite the delicateness of his touches, sometimes you can't help but avert your eyes when you see his melancholic gaze up close - Cyno always struggled to hide his true feelings in front of you, but the exhaustion made him easier to read.

Taking his hand away from your cheek after he had spaced out for too long, he watched in silent curiosity as you curled his middle and ring finger to his palm, extending the rest of his fingers before holding up his hand. I, L, Y. The first code he taught you.

Cyno couldn't get the words out of his mouth as he closed his eyes, hoping that you didn't see his unshed tears as he mouths 'I love you, too.'

Aftermath

The perpetrator was indeed one of the criminals related to the Court of Desolation case. However, the thing that made him stand out was that he was one of the few people to have been escorted inside the headquarter during the investigation phase.

Upon seeing your less than professional interaction with Cyno when passing by, he devised a plan to get back at the General as a last hurrah.

A public trial was held for the crime he had committed against you, and the whole of Sumeru watched the battered man be sentenced to a life in prison. The raw fury in the eyes of the General Mahamatra as he stood in front of the criminal and practically screamed his judgment haunted many of the audience to this day.

But the unofficiated threats were permanently etched in everyone's mind, "If you, or anyone else in this nation for that matter, dares to harm my lover again. I will make sure that you will die by my hand, painful and agonizing, until you're begging for a death sentence."

News of your relationship spread fast like wildfire yet you didn't feel any kind of fear that the incident would happen again. No one dared to speak your name in any bad manner, with rare occasions of meeting you with newfound of respect for your previous predicament.

Your sense of smell and taste were slightly muted to the damage you sustained, but that was the worst of the side effects thankfully. The feast with the Matras after your wounds had fully healed was a blessing, everyone encouraging you to try each dish and asking how it tastes or smells to get accustomed to your adjusted senses.

Out of all the side effects however - the sight of Cyno embracing you and giving you affection in broad daylight now that you don't have to hide your relationship anymore, was the best.

"We met in Liyue, he's amazing." You smile, squeezing the blond's ahoulder. "He's a well known traveler across Teyvat, even in regions he has yet to visit!"

"I just help those who need it, not that much of a big deal."

Aether blushes and rubs his neck. Aether blushes. And you're touching him in a way that only close friends do.

It's fine, Cyno wants to think. You're allowed to do whatever you want in your life, he sure as hell won't stand in your way. He already stepped aside back in the days, as you excitedly told him how one of his worst fears came true you were leaving for adventure.

Everything to make you happy.

But his mixed feelings would always get in the way and unleash endless internal conflicts. It wasn't simply about not having you around, it was some kind of longing sitting inside his chest and screaming at you not to go.

It was the distance that made him realise: he was, and still is, far too in love for his own good.

And Aether could get in the way of that.

"We meet again, Traveller." The General nods, pushing down such shameful thoughts. "I'm glad to see you are both fairing well."

"It's all thanks to [Name], actually." Aether nudges you in the ribs. "They're really helpful, no matter the task."

You smirk. "Oh, what an honour. The traveller complementing me, a common, mortal nobody."

"Hey, I'm not that annoying!"

"Maybe. But you sure snore at night. That is annoying."

"Wh-! I don't. I know for a fact-"

No, you don't sound like close friends. You sound like a married couple. What just happened in this handful of months? Did Cyno hesitate too long and lost his chance? Now that he had decided to expose his deepest feelings?

"You guys! Paimon is starving here."

Paimon's shrill voice cuts short the bicker, as the Matra's jaw clenches. Good time, credits to Paimon, but seeing the two of you stroll towards the tavern didn't ease the knot in his chest the slightest.

Your laughter wasn't addressed to him nor to his uncanny jokes. He wasn't the one making you smile.

He was the moon and he'd just been eclipsed by the Traveller's brightest light.

Dinner was... Gut wrenching, to say the least.

You'd known Cyno long enough to tell apart his feelings even as he wears that stoic facade of his. While Paimon and the Traveller didn't have a single clue about the situation, you could feel his dry gaze burning holes on both of your figures, as if the sun had ascended back to the skies and everything around had turned desert.

He was feeling something you'd never quite seen within him.

It took you a bit too long to realise that the fair, lawful General Mahamatra was jealous, of all things.

He was so subtle with it, carefully hid his resentment in his voice and choice of words, in his gestures and mannerisms. But worst of all he didn't propose a single joke during the meal, not even when you laid the chance on a silver platter for him.

That had your mind reeling for the rest of your time together, and even afterwards, as you waved goodnight to Aether and Paimon. As you walked these streets you still know by heart with your dearest friend by your side.

As you choked on the thick air surrounding the two of you.

Maybe you should've left Aether out of it, for the first day, at least. Cyno hadn't seen you in so long, perhaps he didn't like the way Aether inadvertently hogged your attention the entire time when all he wanted was to hear about your adventures.

Yeah, you'd been an idiot for that one.

But, you still had an ace up your sleeve. Quite literally. One that would grant you his forgiveness and hopefully help you say the words to him.

Because of course, it took you less than a week far from him to realise you were smitten for this dad-jokes-spitting being.

You patted your side as you approached Razan Garden in all its glory, and sighed at the feeling of the rectangular box still inside. You could do it, you had to! It took you months of preparation, you wouldn't let it go to waste.

"[Name]." Cyno's voice was soft, as if to match the atmosphere lingering in the marble gazebo. He'd stopped a couple steps ahead of you, but didn't turn to meet your eyes. "My congratulations and best wishes."

You alt abruptly at that. Where the hell is it coming from?

"Uh, thank you?" You quirk a brow. "Did I do something special without knowing?"

He chuckles under his breath. Yes, you are special and he's grateful a being so perfect can exist in this world and is part of his life. But he would never tell you that.

He turns instead. His eyes rich with emotion, gentler. "I'm beyond glad that you found the right person out there, [Name]."

Oh. Oh.

"I only ever hoped for your happiness and well-being, during this period of time."

"Cyno, wait a sec-"

He takes a step forward. "If I had to voice my honest thoughts... I must admit I couldn't find peace of mind knowing you would've been out there alone."

"Cyno-"

"But I see you're perfectly capable of handling your own," the man sighs, shakes his head. A small smile curves his lips. "Just like you've always done."

"Oi-"

And then he's placing loose hands on your shoulders, as if he's in some kind of automatic mode and has to finish the speech at all costs.

For a moment you think he's gone absolutely senile. "Still, I'm relieved you have someone who can watch your back, now. He's a kind-hearted person, level headed, the best you could wish for-"

"Archons' fucking sake, Cyno! Will you hear me out a damn second?"

Cyno almost jumps back, taken out of his weird reverie, but you're quick to trap his face between your hands. You're close, closer than you'd wanted to, unfocused in your frustrated fervor. So much his breath warms the apple of your cheek, as it wasn't burning already.

You take a breath and force more words out before you can cower away from it. "I get where you're coming from, I neglected you today and acted like a shitty friend. And I'm sorry for that."

You lower your gaze to the ground. Now or never. "But it's you, okay? It's always been you! I could travel across all Teyvat and even Celestia, but it's you and just you. So drop that thing you're on about please."

That was disgustingly corny. But hopefully did the trick, you guess.

A beat passes. Then two. You don't see his face, you don't have the courage to take a look at the mess you've made. Him being jealous didn't mean he liked you, not necessarily. Maybe you should've given him the TCG deck and call it a night.

Another beat goes by.

"So... You and Aether are not...?"

He's gonna be the death of you.

You groan, a guttural sound that shouts exasperation from the deepest parts of your chest. All rationality goes to hell as you drag him closer and slam your lips together.

You're kissing him. Archons you're kissing him-

There's no time for Cyno to react. You're pulling away in a frenzy, hoping the ground will open for the Abyss to swallow you right now. You kissed one of your friends only to prove that you're single, and in fact attracted to them. Could it be worse than that? More humiliating and disrespectful to him?

"I'm so sorry!" You wave your hands around. "I shouldn't have without your permission! Are you okay?"

You search his expression for any sign of discomfort; he looks absolutely flabbergasted, but somehow weirdly composed like a bronze statue. His lips -god you'd just kissed them- are parted in the slightest, his eyes wide and yet still. The calm before the storm.

He's showing yet another sentiment you've never really seen him wear.

"Again." Cyno says.

You blink. "Uh?"

You feel his hand slither behind you and circle your waist, as he pushes your body closer. His skin is running hot like the desert's sands and you curse at his choice, or better lack of clothes.

His silver hair falls like a curtain, his eyes sharp. Dangerous, even, if you're not careful enough.

"Please, do it again. I think I've just seen the gates of Celestia." He mutters close to your lips.

That sounds more like him. You can't help but snort at his choice of words, shuddering all the same. The implications of said words dig a flaming hole in your chest.

"How can you be so smart, but dum dum at the same time?" You whisper, one hand traveling to the back of his neck, the other busying itself with stray locks of hair.

And you dip in for another kiss. One you sigh into, one that can be called kiss, actually. It's slower, but full all the same, scorching hot, pushed by feelings that were repressed for too long.

Cyno locks his free hand at your nape, never possessive, although firm. Small sounds bubble in the back of his throat when you bite at his lower lip, then backs just enough to mutter a couple words.

"Can you really blame me? It feels like a dream coming true." He pecks your lips, then presses his forehead to yours and closes his eyes. "I was scared you'd chosen him."

"So, all those pretty words from before?" You exhale a breathy laugh, cradling his jaw.

"I'd give away everything I have and am if it meant you'd be happy. I could only wish you the best and support you." Cyno smiles, pouting after the next words leave his mouth. "But it doesn't mean I would be fully content with the outcome."

Your brain has turned to mush. This man is too dangerous for this world, a hazard for you and your poor little heart that feels like exploding. It's a threat to your common sense and rationality. But most of all, it's damaging your brakes.

What he's telling you should not be legal.

"Archons, come here." And you kiss, and kiss, kiss again and again. You map each other's bodies with your hands as if it was the last time you'd be seeing each other. You press your mouths, clatter your teeth, intertwine your tongues.

You're straight up devouring in the dead silence of the night, in a public space. But as indecent the sounds you're both making are, it feels as if the world around blurred and blended into nothingness.

You've found yourself with your back to a wall, somehow, a couple buttons loose, skin hit by the cold air of the night. You -surely more clothed than Cyno- are an absolute mess, whereas his appearance doesn't falter much even at your hands' mercy.

It's unfair, he's unfair. He has no right to be this damn perfect even in the face of chaos.

"Not here, Cy." You manage to utter. "Let's go home."

His hand stops halfway up your shirt and he detaches from your neck with a small grunt, red splotches forming already thanks to his work. He doesn't sound pleased with your choice, but wordlessly complies, knocking you off your feet and picking you up so easily it's unfair.

And embarrassing.

You deadpan. "Seriously?"

He finds your eyes, suddenly composed as if nothing happened. "You seemed quite unstable on your legs, dear."

You're audibly gasping at that, whacking his chest and glaring daggers. "You!"

"Let's continue it home, now."

Cyno is really going to be the death of you, in many ways you'd never even considered.

It's almost dawn when you finally let yourselves snuggle up to each other in the peace of your home. More like his home, since yours needs more than a bit of cleaning after months of disuse, but he's made it clear already: everything that's his is also yours.

Cyno traces patterns on the bare skin of your arm, as you card through the knots on the back of his head, formed after... Recent activity. He seems too lost in your touch to even be awake, when his fingers stop.

"What was the surprise, in the end? Was it the confession?"

Your hands still, your face tightening at the question. When did you even... Oh, right.

"Would you be satisfied if I said yes?"

He pinches you.

"Owie!"

"You should know that what has been of this night matters more than anything, to me. Of course I would be satisfied." Cyno raises a thin brow, as his hand starts to descend agonizingly slow, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. "Was I not clear enough about my feelings? Perhaps you need a reminder-"

"Whoa, hold your horses, General." You chuckle, planting a kiss on his forehead before leaning over to your bedside table, where your bag had been thrown previously. "There was no way I'd come back empty handed after all these months, yanno?"

You pull out the wrapped box, place it in his hands. Cyno stares at it quizzically, but opens the packaging with care after you nudge him in the side.

Oh, his expression is so, so priceless. Cute, too cute, so cute you could die right now on the spot for excess of sugar in your blood. He looks like a kid who's just received the toy he oh so wanted and ranted about.

"It's not just any deck," You explain. "It's a deck made of cards I've gathered around from different regions. Some were more challenging to get, but I've been playing with you for a long time, haven't I? Of course I'd win."

Meanwhile Cyno takes the liberty to browse its contents, and just like you said, they're not from Sumeru. He's barely ever seen them, some are literally unknown, and he's ecstatic at the sight. How long did it take? How much effort?

"This is…" there's no right term to describe it. "Wonderful. You are wonderful, [Name]."

He goes for a hug and you feel like your bodies fit perfectly in each other's arms, as if it was meant to be. Right now, all that matters is this. And it will always be for all you care.

You smile into his shoulder, smooch the base of his neck. "Is it too early to say 'I love you?'."

"I would actually say we're late, Love."

"I love you, then, you Dum-Dum."

"I love you."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You are like my asthma. You just take my breath away."

You make sure Cyno slams his head as you throw him off the bed.