Anubis's Bride

"who said it was a girl?"

I stood in my mirror, fixing my hair. I know this isn't a date, but I can't help but try to look my best for him. His dark tan arms and his perfectly molded body, I felt my shirt get tighter around me each passing minute. Was the temperature rising? "Come on you big Lummox, it's time to go~" Collei startled me at the doorway. Ever since I got caught that morning when I returned home from the withering zone, Collei knew something was up. I hurried out of my room, and Collei ushered me out the hut. She gave me a smug look and smiled, then closed the door behind me. Okay tighnari, keep your cool, remember this is only to talk. Not a date. I took a deep breath and started to walk towards the cafe, I felt my head start to pound rapidly, when a smug cyno waved towards me from the entrance.

"Hi again Nari!" Cyno said. He sounded a lot more cheerful now he knew he didn't exactly have such a big target on his back anymore. (hehe-) "we meet again cyno!" I replied. I felt my heart burn to a crisp when he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the cafe. He pulled me to a little corner in the back, next to a window, and we ordered some drinks. I got a iced tea, and he got a chai latte. "So Mr. General Mahamatra. How about we get down to businesss?" I smirked as I rested my chin on the back of my hands. His cheeks turned the slightest shade of rosey pink. "Hey now, we still have some catching up to do before I tell you anything" He grinned. "How's life been?" I chuckled a little and replied. "It's been really nice, Collei has grown older and more mature , my career as a ranger has definitely taken off, and maybe the best of all, I think I've fallen back in love." I saw cynos face drop only the slightest when he heard the last remark. "Oh?" He said sadly. He tried to cover it up, but I knew what he felt. "Who's the lucky girl?" He asked. "Who said it was a girl?"

Cyno was puzzled for a moment, but his face lit up the slightest when he realized. I could see a few sparks of hope in his eyes, then saw them disappear when he thought more. I was incredibly nervous, because who wouldn't be. I've known this man for God knows how long, and only recently we've come back in touch. I could feel my legs shaking and my heart pounding as he asked again; "well then, who's the lucky guy?"

I started sweating and felt my face go red. My heart started beating faster than a hillichurl's arrow could be shot. "I- uh well- the thing is I can't exactly tell you -?" I stuttered. I looked away, then looked back to see a slightly disappointed Cyno. "I understand, we only just recently started catching up so it's normal to not have your full trust. I respect your decision Nari." My brain took a minute to process the name. He used to call me "Nari" instead of "Tighnari" when we both studied as akademiya scholars, because he would often stumble with "Tighnari" I thought it was quite cute, and I still do. "Back to the nicknames, are we?" I said slyly. "Haha, well you know me. Except I can actually pronounce the whole thing now, I just think Nari suits you better." I blushed a little externally, but I think I just about died internally at his words. "Well, how about you Cyno?" I asked. "Whats been happening with your life?"

I felt my heart get heavy when I saw his smile drop at the question.