What Is Love? Wanderer X Reader

Hanging with Cyno Chap.2

The next day...

you were In the middle of your studies, just when one of the rangers knocked on your door frame and brought you a letter, and upon inspection you knew exactly who It was from with you quickly opening it up as you read the familiar handwriting, The General Mahamatra had some time off and so he invited you to come hangout as It had been a while since you last did

you smiled and put the letter away as you went to go let Tighnari know you were leaving for the afternoon. and your teacher only told you to have a good time before you set off but not without teasing you slightly, ever since you came to live In Gandharva Ville you'd gotten close to Tighnari and Collei but most of all Cyno, he was another person you looked up to besides Tighnari but you had a bit of a special bond with him, maybe It was your both being from the desert or maybe it was your ability to laugh at his jokes you didn't know, but you found a good friend In each other over the past few months In which case you adored each other

you went to meet up with him in the city, heading to Lambad's Tavern though you were a little young to be there, but you never drank when there but only had food, and besides it was the best place to play rounds of Genius Invokation TCG, in which you tried besting Cyno many times 

upon coming up to the tavern you pulled the door open, before heading inside to the somewhat bustling environment as you started looking around for Cyno, and you saw him sitting alone at a table in the back and you quickly headed over to meet him 

Upon sensing someone approaching Cyno looked up, and a smile came to his face 

"Glad you made It"

you smiled with a nod and sat down, "wouldn't miss this for anything"

"How've you been?" he asked

you started, "I've been good, still trying to become a forest ranger as usual"

Cyno nodded, "Tighnari told me that you've been studying very hard lately, but don't push yourself"

"I know when to take a break, but I'll be fine...after all if I can brave scorching desert I can do anything"

Cyno gave a slight chuckle, "Right"

just then one of the servers came asking what you'd like, and you ordered a pita pocket while Cyno just opted for some Scented meat balls which he'd wanted to try out, 

Cyno leaned back as he crossed his arms, "how's Collei?"

you smiled, "she's doing good"

"That's good, I wanted to drop off a little something for her could you send It for me"

you nodded, "of course"

you then curiously looked at Cyno's arms as you saw a few new scars there, but then you blushed as you realized you were looking at his muscled arms for too long 

"Is something wrong?"

you shook your head, "no! I just...you have some new injuries."

Cyno looked at his bicep, "Yeah I was handling a scuffle the other night, I ended up fighting some eremites."

"Oh, you need to be more careful you know."

Cyno smiled a little, "Thank you for the concern, but I'll be fine I've gotten worse injuries in the past"

moments later your food had arrived, and you happily started eating the pita pocket, it was good but In your eyes It couldn't compare to the one's that Collei made. 

Cyno smelled one of the meat balls, "It lives up to the name"

he then tasted one and he let out a pleasant hum at the flavor, you then asked to try one and Cyno obliged In which you accidentally burned the roof of your mouth, huffing as you fanned your mouth and the sight made Cyno crack a little chuckle "Careful"

"I know! It's hot but really good" you said 

"I think so too"

you had a sip of your water from the clay cup, before you continued eating your pita pocket while continuing to chat with Cyno for a while longer, and when you finished eating It was time for your TCG duel In which Cyno had brought his deck for you to use

Cyno went first and rolled the dice, before he put down his first card, he then gestured for you to go ahead as you looked at your cards carefully deciding which one to throw down

you rolled the dice before you put down your card and Cyno nodded his head at your play before he took his turn again. In which case left you speechless as he he waited for you to go next

you sighed, "okay...looks like I won't be going easy on you anymore."

Cyno's lips curved, "You've been going easy on me? let's have It then"

you rolled the dice and got the perfect set before you smacked the card down, and Cyno was slightly taken aback as you used your attack card to take out his two cards

"I'm Impressed, has Tighnari been teaching you some tricks?"

you giggled, "No, I've been teaching myself."

Cyno took his next turn and took out one of your cards, in which case you put down your next attack card which ended the game with you winning for the first time ever against him 

Cyno then crossed his arms, "Well done,"

Cyno then took out some mora placing it on the table, in which the server soon returned to collect as he'd paid for your meal

"Would you like to walk for a bit?"

you nodded and followed the Matra out of the tavern. following him as you walked along together through the now slightly lit streets of Sumeru city, 

you stretched your arms above your head, then letting them fall to your side as you looked up to see the sky that had turned shades of orange with some pink, It was now the end of the day 

you started, "Cyno"

"Hm?"

"Do you ever think you'll do something else later In life?"

Cyno was a little surprised, he then thought "well I've never thought much about later in my life, my only focus is the now after all I'm twenty three...and being the General Mahamatra is all I've known for the past few years"

you put your hands behind your back, "I get that,"

Cyno let out a sigh, "But...one day I'd like to fully be able to relax and enjoy the rest of the time I have left."

you smiled, "Me too!"

Cyno smiled, "you have way longer than me anyway In a technical sense. but what about you?"

you started thinking, "hmm...maybe I could become the head forest Ranger like Tighnari, or perhaps even join the Akademiya one day"

"hm...I don't know about the other one, the studies can be tough and sometimes the people corrupt"

you turned to look him in the eyes as you walked, in which he caught your gaze which made a little flush come to his cheeks "What?"

you smiled, "I know you're worried about me, but I'll take your advice"

Cyno gave a nod, he then smiled gently as you walked ahead of him a little bit watching your braid sway behind you as you walked, Cyno had no idea you'd become so precious to him in the span of a few months after you'd first met, but in his line of work he didn't know if he'd be good enough for someone like you but he tried to convince himself otherwise, and after all you yourself did feel something for Cyno but you didn't dare to tell him because of your fear of being turned down, you thought he must only see you as a friend.