Canon-Compliant, Fluff, Confession Sequel to the first chapter (Today's Date)

"General Mahamatra."

Cyno promptly sat up in his makeshift bed, reaching for the polearm laying beside him as if it were second nature. "Yes?" he called out to the guard standing in his doorway. He could see the moonlight pouring in through the opening- it had to have been around midnight, what could possibly be happening that required his presence?

His first instinct was to assume the worst had happened- that someone had sought him out with ill intentions, but upon closer inspection, he noticed his fellow Matra didn't look alarmed in the slightest. If anything, his brow was furrowed in an almost confused manner. "Your, uh... friend? is here to visit."

Which one of his friends would go out of their way to visit him so late into the night? Did something happen? He set aside his polearm, tapping his foot as he anxiously watched the guard step aside to let in the visitor.

Out of everyone he knew that would possibly want to see him- the last person who he had expected to enter that room was standing right before him, brushing the sand out of his tail and flicking his ears in annoyance. "Tighnari?" he uttered, red eyes wide in confusion.

Usually, Cyno would be the one to swing by Gandharva Ville to visit Tighnari and Collei. The forest watcher was never fond of the desert due to his fox biology, something which Cyno knew very well. The fact that he came out all this way must've meant something bad had happened. He practically launched himself from off of his bed, meeting Tighnari in the middle of the room. "What's wrong? Are you okay? Is everything alright with Collei?" his hands found their way to Tighnari's shoulders, grasping them as firmly as he could without hurting him.

"Cyno," Tighnari huffed, bringing his hand up and resting it atop his arm. Upon closer inspection, he seemed a little disheveled. "I have something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" the General Mahamatra could feel his heart sink in his chest as he braced himself for the worst.

"Are you today's date?" he asked.

"What?"

"Because you're a 1/10."

Cyno stared at Tighnari, long and hard. His mouth was slightly ajar, yet not a sound spilled from his lips. His heart was pounding in chest, his head was spinning, his hands were firm yet his fingers were trembling- all of this worrying, just for Tighnari to hit him with a joke? "Are you telling me..." he swallowed, unsure that this was actually happening. "That you came all the way out, from the forest to the desert... Just to tell me a joke?"

Tighnari clicked his tongue, shaking his head in disapproval. "You don't understand, Cyno." He wriggled his shoulders free from Cyno's grasp and took a few paces around the room as he spoke. "This has been in my head ever since the last time I saw you, all the way in October. I had it all planned out too- I left early in the evening to avoid the desert heat during the day, and I also allowed plenty of time to walk since I figured it'd be hard to find a caravan in the dead of night. I asked your colleagues in advance where you would be, drew it out on the map and everything."

Cyno huffed softly. No wonder he looked so rough- he really did get everything down to the last detail. "Must've been one hell of a joke for you to have made all of this effort just to see me."

"No." Tighnari crossed his arms, an unamused look on his face. "It was a horrible joke, really. But, it made me realize something."

The forest watcher turned on his heel, taking a few strides toward his companion. The semi-annoyed look on his face had evaporated into something softer, more uncertain. Cyno's hand seemed to have a mind of it's own, finding it's way to Tighnari's arm and resting softly against it. "What is it?"

"It made me realize that perhaps you were right," Tighnari's green eyes flickered away for a second. "I think I do love you, Cyno."

Before Cyno could actually process the words, pair of lips were pressed softly against his own. If his heart was pounding earlier, then it was most certainly about to burst now. The General Mahamatra found himself frozen in place, unable to do anything except stare. Time felt as if it had slowed down, yet Tighnari had pulled away far too soon for his liking. "Tighnari, I-"

He blinked, coming back to his senses and noticing the tears welling in his eyes. The forest watcher surged forward, wrapping his arms around Cyno and clinging onto him for dear life. "I missed you, too," he mumbled, voice muffled from being pressed against his chest. "With each visit it takes longer for you to come back. Collei and I are starting to worry for your safety, you know,"

Cyno pursed his lips, returning the hug and running his hand through Tighnari's hair. "I'm so sorry, Tighnari," he hummed, just barely above a whisper. "I promise that things will go back to normal and that I'll be able to visit you more frequently. I'll be fine out here, alright?" Cyno inhaled slowly, taking in the scent of palm fronds and fresh dirt- it was so specific, so incredibly Tighnari, that it made him feel as if he was home. He pressed his lips to the crown of Tighnari's head, leaving a soft kiss against his hair. "And, I love you too, Tighnari. When I get back, let's go on a real date, alright?"

Tighnari squeezed him tighter. "Then you better hurry up with your work," he scoffed. "Don't leave me waiting for any longer, okay?"

Although he sounded annoyed, there was no mistaking the way his tail was swaying from side to side. "I'll try," Cyno chuckled softly.

Author's Note

Almost went to sleep without posting this LMAOO? It's still 1/10 for me though, so it's the thought that counts. I had this chapter planned ever since the beginning, and now that it's out I feel at peace. Do you guys like it when I make continuations of chapters? Let me know if you'd like to see more! As always, thank you guys so much for sticking with me and my semi-irregular posting schedule!

Word Count: ~1k Words