Love Blooms

Chapter 4

badump...

badump...

badump...

"sure," you said, trying to keep yourself composed. he nodded and kept your hand on his cheek, relishing in the cooling sensation that came from your palm, closing his eyes.

"thank you," he said absentmindedly, taking a deep breath to completely calm down. then, he let go of your hand and let it fall to your side. "i needed that. now... i should probably get ready for the speech."

you nodded, "alright, i'll head back inside and come get you when it's time."

"thanks."

you left him outside, mainly also for him to process your words, and went to hang out with the newlyweds. after sitting down, cyno raised a brow to subtly ask what happened to which you nodded to say i'll explain later.

"oh Y/N, where'd tighnari go," cyno's partner asked. "i thought you two left together?"

"he had to get ready for his speech," you said.

"ah okay," they replied, nodding their head. "that makes sense. we'll probably do toasts in another 20 minutes or so."

"i'll go get him when you're ready to start it," you said. "i think he just needs some time to clear his head."

"hey hey lovebirds," someone rushed over to the table and tapped their shoulders. "one of you needs to help me with the cake... we wanted to make sure it's what you both wanted."

"i'll go," cyno said. "you two hang out here."

"alright," his spouse said, leaning their head back so cyno could press a tender kiss to their lips. you giggled from across the table.

"he's so different from when he's not talking to you," you said to them.

"i know! it's a 180 difference, almost like i'm married to two different people."

you both laughed at this and then they got serious. they moved their chair closer to you so you both were next to each other. they leaned in and whispered, "Y/N, do you like tighnari?"

there was no point in trying to hide, so you nodded sadly.

"oh Y/N," they cooed and hugged you, you could smell champagne. "i promise, one day it'll all work out. i'm cheering for you!"

"he only sees me as an underclassman," you said. "and you know... right now i'm okay with just being near him even if it's being friends."

"how long are you staying in sumeru," they asked you and separated from you. "you have time, no?"

"i have 6 months," you said. "then i have to go back to inazuma."

"i see," they pursed their lips. "well... i would offer advice but, i know you're capable on your own. you have plenty of time after all-"

"WHAT?! please give me advice," you whined. "it's hard enough as it is having interest in a guy who is 1) getting over someone, 2) is so busy and 3) only sees me like a classmate."

"if he really saw you as a classmate, i don't think he would have invited you to stay with him in gandharva ville."

"you think," you asked them, the small percent of you that got carried away easily was squealing.

"i know so," they said. "also, when tighnari said he doesn't drink... i was really surprised. i think he doesn't want to show you any of his 'lacking' areas. he wants to show you the only good sides of him."