Canon-Compliant, Fluff, Bonus Fanart made by kripcieu on twt! Happy Birthday Tighnari!

"I would give you the world if I could."

It was one of Cyno's favorite things to say to Tighnari. The forest watcher could tell that he was being serious- from the way his voice would soften and the way his gaze would grow more fond. As cheesy as it was, Tighnari would be lying if he said he didn't find it endearing in the slightest.

Although Cyno was serious, Tighnari didn't think he could actually make it happen. But come late December, instead of giving him a specialty dish or some flowers like any sane person would for a birthday, Cyno had brought him all the way out to the middle of nowhere, somewhere amidst the mountains on the outskirts of Lokapala Jungle and the border of Liyue. The climbing wasn't as bad as Tighnari had assumed it would be- and before long Cyno came to a halt, turning to Tighnari and gesturing behind him. "For you. Happy Birthday."

To say Tighnari was speechless was an understatement. The forest watcher could only stare, dumbfounded, at the scenery around him. On one side, he could see the luminescent tops of the towering mushrooms from Mawtiyima- and when he turned around, he was met with the sight of the grand mountains of Minlin, with peaks piercing the clouds painted gold from the sunset. Directly in front of him, on top of the little hill they were at, was a fallen tree log, next to a pair of makeshift umbrellas of leaves and twigs. "What..." he breathed softly, unable to conjure up something to say.

Cyno took this as his cue to elaborate a little more. "I've been here a few times before," he mused with half lidded eyes as he slowly approached the log. "The first time, I was chasing after some criminals and they ran all the way up here. It was only after I visited again in search of some items they dropped along the way that I was truly able to appreciate the place." Tighnari's gaze settled on Cyno, watching intently as the General Mahamatra looked up toward the glowing clouds. "It was gorgeous, comforting, tranquil," he paused mid sentence, the corners of his lips etching upward into a faint smile as his red eyes shifted to meet Tighnari's. "It reminded me of you."

Tighnari immediately turned his head away, his gloved hand rising to cover his now blushing face almost as if it were instinctive. His ears flattened against his head at the sound of Cyno's chuckling. "Can you really just give this to me, though?" He challenged, now observing the umbrellas next to the log. They were tied together intricately, with little baskets hanging from the smaller umbrella. "It looks as if this place already belongs to someone." he hummed, willing the blush on his face to go away as he looked back at Cyno.

Cyno shook his head. "I thought of that too, so I came back here to check a few times, but I've never seen anyone here. I think this place has been long forgotten; aside from the people I was after who ran here by chance, it seems as if only you and I know of it." He sat down on the middle of the log, placing his hand on its hardened surface and gesturing to his lover with his other hand. "If, perchance, there actually is someone out there, then I'm sure I can work something out. But as of now, it's officially all yours, Tighnari."

"Cyno," Tighnari exhaled slowly, a genuine smile taking over his features. He accepted Cyno's invitation eagerly, sitting next to him and placing a hand on his lap. As Cyno's hand held onto his waist, Tighnari could feel himself ease up, resting his head against Cyno's shoulder with eyes fluttering closed. "Thank you."

The two of them sat in a peaceful silence, with Tighnari taking in the sounds of the whistling winds swirling by and Cyno admiring the scenery around him. With the hustle and bustle of work and friends left behind in Avidya forest, they could finally focus on the here and now for once in a blue moon- a well needed change in their hectic lives.

After a while, Cyno finally spoke up. "It's a bit of a pity, though." The words prompted Tighnari to open his eyes, lifting his head away from Cyno in order to get a good look at him. "Try as I might, I cannot give you the world," Cyno pulled his head away from the golden clouds, looking at Tighnari with a solemn gaze. "But I can give you pieces of mine," he hummed lowly, grabbing onto Tighnari's hand and gingerly lifting it from his leg. He pressed a soft kiss against his gloved knuckles, peering up at Tighnari with all of the love in the world. "And," he muttered against the fabric, "If you're willing to share some of your world with me; then perhaps we can make a world of our own."

"That sounds lovely." Tighnari smiled softly, the blush from earlier returning to his face as he shook his head. "Besides, I don't need the world." he assured, pulling his hand out of Cyno's grasp in order to cup his cheek. "I just need you."

Author's Note

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIGHNARI! He FINALLY came home a few days ago after I got c2 Ayato, so now I have a guaranteed Shen He; I'm so happy! ALSO: HUGE SHOUTOUT TO kripcieu ON TWITTER FOR TAKING MY COMMISSION! IT CAME OUT SO GORGEOUS, GO FOLLOW THEM ASAP! The location is inspired from an actual location in-game, go find it and send a pic!

Word Count: 900 Words