My Atlantis... // Cynari One Shot

My Atlantis...

For as far as Tighnari can remember it, Cyno has very often said those three special words. Whether it was just plain and straight-up ‘I love you’ or a stupid pun or joke. The only thing the fox didn't know was if those were
meant to be romantic or platonic, but he was sure it was the latter- ‘cause
if it's romantic then why that instead of a move? Well, was Tighnari in love with Cyno? Yes, he totally was. Did Cyno love him back? That's what Tighnari had been trying to figure out for years.

~~~~~~~~~~

It has been three months ever since a certain traveler was seen in Sumeru. It also has been a month since the forest ranger has last seen the General Mahamatra. The latter exiled himself to Aaru Village and helps the traveler and other allogenes on crafting a plan to rescue the Dendro Archon Lesser Lord Kusunali. Cyno does write letters but the sandstorms have recently become more common, resulting in almost no interaction between the two as no bird nor human can get it from the desert to Gandharva.

Tighnari was at Pardis Dhyai admiring the beauty and checking up on Hapaysia. The fox got reminded of the old times with Cyno to the point that a blush couldn't be hidden. But it didn't take long until his blush was replaced with a sad smile. A friend, Nilou. She is a great friend, and pure. It doesn't surprise the fox that many people would fall for her, but he didn't expect the moments he saw his best friend and the dancer talking to each other with wide smiles and deep blushes. Tighnari's heart shattered at that moment and never tried to confess ever since.

~~~~~~~~~~

After Tighnari was successful in lying to the traveler, Paimon, and Dehya about his injury, he got off of Kakarta and leaned himself against the wall. The fox looked at his arm, a glowing Lichtenberg scar, Electro power flowing through it. The scar was overflowed with Electro, giving constant shocks to the Dendro Allogene. The shocks hurt constantly, and it didn't stop. Tighnari's nose started bleeding, his heart aching and pumping rapidly. As he wiped away the blood, he knew what was gonna happen and he hated the fact that it happened so soon... Too soon.

The disbelief was so strong, it could've been seen as a joke. “Heh... Didn't really want to admit it, but—" The forest ranger's monolog was interrupted by another sharp pain. He held onto his clothing at his heart, trying to somehow oppress the pain. His ears couldn't even hold themselves up. A reflex that would usually happen when loud sounds are summoned. For some reason Tighnari smiled in delusion, hoping for it to be a dream. He needs to live, lead the forest watchers, and take care of Collei.... but... it was reality.

"My journey ends here." Tighnari rearranged himself to sit a bit comfier. His nose continued bleeding as the fox continued his lonely monologue. "You have my best wishes Traveler and friends. Save Sumeru in my wake." Blood started coming up his throat, leaking from the side of his lips. For the last time, he thought of everyone. "Collei and Cyno...” A faint blush appeared, having both romantic and platonic love in it. His eyes lit up a bit as Tighnari accepted his fate. "They'll do just fine. I hope my passing won't affect them too much."

What a hopeless lie. It will affect them, and Tighnari knows that. "I really wish I could see you Cyno..." The fox’s head went more and more lightheaded as his muscles went numb. “One... last... time...” Tighnari's eyes closed as his head fell back against the wall. Right before he finally lost consciousness, he thought about how he hoped that Nilou will make him happy instead of crying and taking care of him. “I love you Cyno, always and forever... That will never change even as I draw my last breath.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Cyno walked to Pardis Dhyai, worryingly. Birds were chirping but it didn't calm the general. The Traveler told him Tighnari got injured, but was able to treat it and would be fine. However strangely when Cyno arrived he couldn't see the fox anywhere. "Tighnari, I'm back." The General Mahamatra decided to enter the Pardis Dhyai building and saw a sleeping Hapaysia. It was odd and when Cyno stepped closer he couldn't believe what he saw to the side of the sleeping girl. The Electro Allogene felt himself staring, his eyes shaking with fear.

"Nari..?" His legs started running on their own. "Tighnari!" Cyno crashed down beside the fox and held him close, panicking slowly. "Tighnari, hey it's me! Funny joke but I thought I was the one who jokes between us so time to wake up now!" Cyno placed his hand on Tighnari's cheek to fully face the fox's face. The sudden coldness surprised the matra as his world started to crumble more and more. His eyes started to hold his tears as his vision got blurrier and blurrier.

"A-archons... You're so cold..." Cyno's voice started breaking. He let Tighnari's head go as his eyes couldn't hold in his tears anymore. The warm, yet cold feeling tears trailed down the general's cheeks as he fully broke down. "Nari!" It was no use. All he could still hear were those darn birds as he hugged Tighnari's body close to him. Cyno tried saying something but all that left his months was a loud cry. A loud scream.

He couldn't keep him safe. Ever since he rescued Collei, Cyno couldn't stop but think about something cruel happening to other loved ones. Teyvat is in fact a cruel place. There are too many bad guys. Cyno did a promise and swore to protect his loved ones, but he failed.

𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛'𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑢𝑠. 𝑀𝑦 𝐴𝑡𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑠, 𝑤𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙...

"Why did you leave me too..?"

~~~~~~~~~~

After staying for quite a while crying and crying, Cyno looked at the Lichtenberg scar Tighnari has. Its glow seemed to fade away. The General Mahamatra watched as the last glim of light was fading away, but at the same time, the world around him started to disappear. Everything was white and instead of seeing a dead Tighnari, Cyno saw the forest watcher standing in front of him.

Before any words could leave his mouth, the fox spoke up. "Hey... do you remember... you told me that you... loved me?" Suddenly, Tighnar's face blacked out. "Ehe..." The world turned from white to black. Everything seemed unreal. Tighnari was also fading and what Cyno saw wasn't a good, healthy for but instead one that was in the same state the current one was. "You liar..." Tighnari cried as he said these words and everything after faded away.

Cyno sat in shock as his mind snapped back to reality. His sadness and grief grew ever stronger, believing that those were his best friend's final words. "Nari..." Of course. Cyno should've realized it. He is smart, but not enough apparently to realize what it meant. Tighnari had loved him. And he? Cyne loved him too. Tried to discard those feelings with jokes and Nilou because it wasn't ‘normal'. It was at this moment that the Electro Allogene finally calmed and accepted Tighnari’s death. "I love you too... I'm so sorry..."