The Moment I Saw You - Cynonari (SMUT Included)

Faith Is Trust

"You will search high and low," Alhaitham spoke, "you find something, you instantly report to me or Cyno. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sir," the Forest Rangers reply.

"Try coming back empty handed and you'll have it coming. Now, scram!"

They split up. Some of them entered the woods while others roamed the city, asking for any witnesses. The smallest clue was like rain in the dessert for them.

"If he plans on going anywhere far, then Port Ormos is his ultimate destination. And we need to make sure he doesn't get to do that," Alhaitham said.

Cyno nodded, dashing in front of him. They couldn't waste a single second.

* * *

He inserted the bevel of the needle and pressed the syringe deep into Tighnari’s skin. "How very interesting," Dottore said to Tighnari who was half awake, half drowsy from the anesthesia Dottore gave him.

"You are bearing a child? Who would've thought. Are you even human?" Dottore placed the syringe down and examined Tighnari’s ears. "Were either of your parents human?"

"Go to hell," Tighnari said. His voice was still hoarse from screaming.

The room was all white and bright from the lights. He was placed down on a medical bed and his good arm was fully strapped to the bed.

"I mean I always knew the Akademiya were up to something. But to think they'd be indulging in such a bizzare experiment, without me! Can you imagine? You'd be mad too, admit it."

Tighnari couldn't bare the sight of him. He spat at his face, wishing he'd disappear into thin air. Dottore paused. He wiped the spit off the side of his cheek and slowly looked Tighnari in the eyes. He grabbed the back of his hair and pulled it until he can hear grunts of pain.

"You little lousy brat. Try that again and I'll strap you down then cut that child inside of you," he threatened.

Tighnari placed his hand on his stomach. He teared up at the thought of losing that baby. Collei and this baby were all he and Cyno had. He couldn't afford to lose them.

"Good. You're behaving. I promise I'll make it as least painful as possible. And I'll try my best to preserve the fetus."

"What're you going to do?" Tighnari asked.

"Just take a look," Dottore said. He flicked open a small box. To Tighnari’s horror, it was full of the sharpest tools he'd ever seen. Dottore glanced at Tighnari’s expression then back at the box. "Oh– Ahahahah, don't worry. You won't feel a thing. I promised you that, remember? That it as long as you cooperate."

"Just what do you want?" Tighnari said, "if you want money, I'll find it and get it to you."

"Oh, no no no no no," Dottore said, "I'm afraid you misunderstood me. This is not some hostage kidnapping situation. We are simply two– Ah, pardon me, three, intellectual beings who have decided to work together for the greater good of knowledge. That's all."

"You need help," Tighnari said.

"You know what I don't need? Your opinion. Now shut you mouth. Don't make me cut your tongue out. I could do it and without killing you. Trust me, you do not want to experience that."

* * *

The sun faded behind the clouds as Cyno and Alhaitham walked back. They had wasted half the day but gotten no where.

"Master Cyno!" Collei called. She wrapped her arms around him.

"Careful, don't fall!" Kaveh warned.

"Collei? Are you feeling alright?" Cyno asked, wrapping her in a warm hug.

"Yes but..." She sniffled, "Master Tighnari and my sibling. I couldn't protect them. I'm so sorry!" She collapsed to her knees, bowing before him.

"Collei. What're you doing? Stop that," Cyno said. He bent down to her level and lifted her chin up. "None of this is your fault, okay?"

She nodded with a smile and broke down. He held her for a minute until she felt better.

"We found something," A Forest Ranger called.

"What," practically everyone said in harmony.

"Footprints. Over here, down by the river!"

"Let's go," Cyno said. A trail of clear footprints led them down to the river where the prints ended. "The smaller pair of steps are Tighnari's, which means the others are..."

"Dottore's," Collei said.

"B-but what does this mean? The footprints end by the water. How are we supposed to find them now?" Kaveh said.

"He must've taken a boat," Alhaitham said. "If he went this way, he would've had to pass by the city and someone would've spotted him. Which means that the only way he could've went is the opposite way of the river, into the caves."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go," Cyno said.

"What, you wanna swim there? That'll take forever, we need a boat too."

"I'll get one," Kaveh said and left them.

Cyno sighed. He sat on the nearest rock he could find and put his face in his hands.

Alhaitham placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know you're stressed–"

"Stressed? I'm terrified," Cyno said. "If something happens to them, I can't live with that."

"You tell Collei it's not her fault and yet here you are blaming yourself."

"Well, of course. I'm his husband. I'm the father. And I didn't do a damn thing. I was so stupid to leave them alone. Stupid!" He stood up and kicked some pebbles into the river.

"You have to believe in Tighnari, too. He's not some helpless person who can't defend himself. Just because he's carrying a child doesn't mean he's completely defenseless. You know he would do whatever it takes to get back to you safely," Alhaitham said. He wished Cyno would think logically like he does, rather than letting his emotions take over. It does nothing but slow him down.

Cyno took a breath, taking in the view of the river. "You are right. Thank you, Haitham."