Modern AU, Fluff, Direct Continuation of the Previous Chapter.

Falling in love with your best friend never worked out. Cyno had seen it for his own eyes plenty of times in the halls of the campus dorms. After hearing so many tales of heartbreak from his classmates and his fellow friends, he was quick to learn that it'd always end in a bittersweet failure.

Cyno knew better. At least, he thought he did- but after one too many nights spent with Tighnari in the school's library, talking and laughing about anything and everything, one day, he eventually came to the realization that perhaps he hadn't properly learned yet.

It wasn't as if Tighnari had to know about his little crush on him. He had only known him for a little less than a semester- eventually they wouldn't have classes together due to their differing majors and they'd be on their separate, merry ways.

At least, that was the plan; but with every day that passed it seemed they only grew closer. Even when they had classes and work taking up their schedules, they would always find time for one another- whether it was through a study date at the coffee shop during finals week or a quick facetime call in between classes. By their final year, they had become roommates, and Cyno knew just about every little thing about Tighnari- from the way the hands that were constantly hidden under his gloves were more like paws to the way that he loved watching the performances put on by the Zubayr Theatre, even if they made his head hurt from how loud the noise could get.

Cyno had long since fallen for Tighnari, something which he had come to terms with eons ago. Yet he saw no reason to actually tell him. Tighnari didn't seem like the person who was interested in relationships, and that was fine by him. Besides, they were so close that it wasn't as if he was missing much from not making it official. Cyno was perfectly content with his current relationship with Tighnari.

By the looks of it, it seemed that the feeling was mutual.

"Can you believe this is our last semester here?" Tighnari hummed, admiring the scenery of the campus garden with a smile on his face.

Cyno was so caught up in the way that Tighnari had looked just as beautiful as the day they first talked in that history class that he nearly forgot to respond. "Feels like I only just met you the other day." He mused, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. Honestly, he probably never would've visited Pardis Dhyai if it weren't for Tighnari. He's a little glad he was so whipped- the place was gorgeous, no wonder it was always buzzing with students.

Tighnari's laugh graced Cyno's ears, prompting him to open his eyes. "I'm so glad I took that class."

Cyno raised an inquisitive brow. "I thought you hated it?"

"I did. But then I met you." It took everything in Cyno's power to maintain his composure from such an innocuous comment. "And then I realized, maybe history isn't so bad. At least, as long as you're the one teaching it, because I'm fairly sure I wouldn't understand it if it were anybody else. You should really become a teacher here- I think it'd suit you."

Cyno chuckled at the comment. "Says you? The person who would prepare entire lesson plans for our study sessions for the generic biology class we had for our first semester?'

Tighnari elbowed him playfully, joining in on Cyno's laughter. "I was excited to be able to discuss biology with someone else, okay? And now that we're graduating, I'm gonna have plenty more opportunities to do so."

"What, are you gonna take over Mr. Tubb's job as the bio professor?" Cyno teased.

The way that the fur on Tighnari's tail and ears stood on edge didn't escape Cyno's sight. "Archons, you'd think that he'd be replaced by now with how much he sucks." If it couldn't be discerned from his shift in demeanor, then his annoyance was most certainly obvious with the way it dripped from his words. "But no, I'm gonna apply to become a Forest Ranger in Gandharva Ville."

"Gandharva Ville, huh?" Cyno clicked his tongue, turning his gaze away from Tighnari to stare at the path before them. For some reason, it wasn't crowded here like it usually was.

Tighnari turned his gaze to the general direction that Cyno was currently looking toward. "As much as I liked learning, I don't think the researcher life is for me. I'd rather be out in the field actually seeing things with my own eyes, y'know."

"Yeah, I get that." Cyno nodded. "Field work is much more fun than being stuck indoors all day."

"So then, what are you going to do?" Tighnari asked, flicking Cyno softly with his tail. "Not like that history degree of yours can land you a job outside of a building."

"I..." For some reason, Cyno was compelled to stop mid stroll. He nibbled on his lip and furrowed his brow. He had never gotten that far when it came to his career- even now, when he was already almost done with schooling. Maybe he'd find an expedition team and go exploring some runes in the desert, or perhaps he'd simply stay and become a Matra. The more he thought about it, the more it made his head spin. "I don't know, actually."

That comment stirred something within Cyno- a feeling of anxiousness, followed by a sudden realization. Cyno wasn't content with his relationship with Tighnari in the slightest. He was afraid; afraid that if he tried to take things further that it would only make everything worse. But now, the horrifying reality of them actually heading down separate paths in life as he had initially intended had finally reared its ugly head, and Cyno was starting to have second thoughts about what he really wanted in life.

"Cyno?" Tighnari was quick to pick up that something was off. "It's not as if you have to answer me, you know."

"No, it's not that," Cyno shook his head fervently, rubbing his temple with his forefinger as if it would help soothe his nerves. "It's just..."

It was only now that he was realizing just how hard he had fallen for his companion- to the point where he couldn't even fathom the thought of a life without him in it. But at the rate things were going, it seemed that he didn't have a choice. He couldn't let it end like this, not when there was so much he wanted to say to Tighnari. He had to do something, anything, before it was too late.

"Archons, Tighnari, I think I'm in love with you."

He doesn't have time to catch the words before they roll off his tongue and shatter on the floor as soon as they leave his mouth. The entire world comes to a standstill, the crickets falling silent and the breeze slowing down. Tighnari could only gape at him, a look nothing short of pure bewilderment in his eyes. 

He really went and messed it all up, huh? He's half tempted to scurry away, to tell Tighnari to just forget it and pretend as if he never said it. But it's far too late for that. Now that his feelings were out in the open, the least he could do was elaborate a little more.

"When I'm with you I," he's hardly started his sentence yet he can already feel himself start to choke up. "I feel so alive. And it sounds so pathetic actually saying it out loud but I really mean it." Unable to face Tighnari, he promptly turned around, pinching the bridge of his nose as he lifted his head to the sky, fighting back the stinging at the back of his eyes. "You're so pretty and smart and funny and you're all I can think about every day. I wish I could spend every second I have with you, but we both want different things in life and I'm so scared that I won't have you around that it drives me nuts. I've felt this way for a while now, too- but it wasn't as if I could just tell you how I felt; you're my best friend and it'd probably just make things weird-"

"I don't think so."

Cyno's breath hitched in his throat. He hadn't expected Tighnari to say anything at all. Reluctantly, he slowly turned his head to look at his companion. Despite him divulging all of his thoughts just a few moments ago, he found himself at a loss for words, fumbling around in his mind for a solid moment before he finally managed to sputter out a singular "...What?"

"I don't think so," Tighnari repeated, loud and clear. "That entire thing about people who date their best friends only for it to go horribly is absolute bullshit. I mean, seriously, how could you date someone yet not consider them to be your best friend? It doesn't make any sense; what's the point in dating someone if you're not even close to them?"

Now it was Cyno's turn to be left speechless. It didn't seem like a rejection, but it didn't seem like acceptance either. He was unable to make heads or tails of what Tighnari had just told him. "So, uh, are you saying that you don't think it's weird?"

Tighnari crossed his arms over his chest. "What's weird?"

"You don't find it weird that-" Cyno wasn't sure why he was still nervous- the cat was already out of the bag, yet the butterflies had refused to leave his stomach. He swallowed nervously. "-That I've been in love with you since our first semester?"

Tighnari snorted, waving his hand dismissively. "The only thing that's weird is the fact that you have yet to get over here and kiss me already, dumbass."

Cyno stared at Tighnari for a minute, dumbfounded by the way this conversation had transpired. Was this really happening? Did Tighnari feel the same way as he did? He shook his head roughly, as if he were shaking himself out of his stupor. Of course he felt the same, why else would he be waiting for him to hurry up and kiss him?

Not wanting to wait any longer than he needed to, Cyno finally stepped forward, placing a hand on his waist and cupping his cheek with great hesitance. He felt as if he were in a dream of some sort, mesmerized by the way Tighnari's eyes fluttered shut and his head tilted to the side, ready to receive him. Cyno followed suit, closing his eyes and closing the gap between him.

His heart had practically burst out of his chest- this moment was everything he had ever wanted and more. Tighnari tasted exactly as he smelled; of honey and pine, sweet and earthy. Unable to contain the pure elation he felt, a few of the tears pricking at his eyes a few moments ago had finally escaped from his eyelids. Who knew that the feeling of being in love and being loved in turn could be so exhilarating?

The two stay in place for what feels like forever- neither of them wanting to pull away unless they absolutely had to. Tighnari was the one to break the kiss, huffing and puffing for air with rosy cheeks and a big smile on his face. He was so gorgeous- and the fact that he was finally in his arms made him all the more beautiful in Cyno's eyes. "I love you," he breathed, absolutely enamored by his best friend.

Tighnari pecked his lips softly, the blush on his cheeks deepening in intensity. "I love you too, Cyno. And I promise, just because our careers may be different doesn't mean anything's gonna change between us. We'll always have each other."

With nothing else left to say, Cyno merely leaned back in to kiss his boyfriend once more.

Author's Note

OHHH MY GOD?!?! This has to be the BEST thing ive EVER written. I am in LOVE with them. And with this chapter out, I am back on track for Cynonari SFW week so WOOHOO! Please comment what you think of this chapter because I am very proud of it :D

Word Count: ~2k Words