Love Blooms

Chapter 27

in the blink of an eye, your time in sumeru was over. it felt like yesterday when you arrived for the first time. you were finalizing all your packing, making sure not to leave anything behind. you were really upset and sad, the idea of leaving sumeru filled you with a sense of dread that you didn't like one bit.

tighnari didn't like it either. after all, both of you had only been dating officially for a very short amount of time (even though it definitely felt like longer than that). both of you were very reluctant to leave each other, and you really disliked the idea of going back to inazuma despite all the friends you made while there.

your boyfriend and your small group of friends walked you to the dock to say farewell, everyone was very sad to see you go.

"oh Y/N, i don't want you to go," cyno's spouse hugged you tightly. "is there any way you can stay and live here?"

"i'm not sure," you said somberly. "i'll come back though, i can promise you that."

dehya smiled sadly, "i know that we don't personally know each other that well, but i wish you a safe journey home. i wish you could have stayed longer so we could have gotten to know each other."

"same," you separated from cyno's spouse.

"have a safe trip," al haitham said. "on kaveh and i's behalf, we hope you return soon."

"aww," you cooed. "thanks!"

"it's because you're the only sane one here," al haitham said.

"sureee," you said, playfully rolling your eyes.

unfortunately, cyno had an urgent mission so he wasn't able to say goodbye, but he sent a card with his spouse so you could hear his goodbye. after they gave you his letter, they turned to the group. "everyone! let's leave tighnari and Y/N alone now. everyone done saying goodbye?"

they all agreed, saying goodbye once more as they walked away to give you and tighnari some alone time. you turned to him, being met with a tender hug. he squeezed you firmly, hiding his face in the crook of your neck. you knew he was upset, becoming very very clingy over the past few days whether he realized it or not.

"i'll miss you," he said, trying to keep his voice even. "don't forget to use the terminal, okay?"

you nodded, "i won't! we'll get to talk to each other everyday!"

lesser lord kusanali had shut down the akasha terminal, however tighnari had asked al haitham if it was possible for a terminal to be made that allowed two people to communicate over long distances. luckily it was possible, so now you and tighnari could communicate with each other even though you're in different nations.

"i'm relieved," tighnari said, separating from you and holding both of your hands in his own. "i love you, alright?"

"you're acting like you won't see me again," you teased. "separation anxiety?"

"i guess so," he said. "i've gotten so used to having you around, i don't know if i can re-adjust."

"just call me when you miss me," you said. "9 times out of 10, i'll be free."

"if you say so," he said, then cupped your cheek. "now tell me you love me again."

you sighed, looking into his eyes with love and adoration. "i love you, tighnari."

he kissed you deeply on the lips, making sure that you felt all of his pent up emotions. you felt all of it, all of his feelings. it made you feel even more sad that you wouldn't be able to wake up next to him, you wouldn't be able to hug him, you wouldn't have outings together.

and the sex. the sex was good too.

point is, you wouldn't physically be around him and enjoy your time with him. it hurt you a lot, and you had decided to learn the terminal so you could use it effectively to communicate with him anytime you got the chance.

he separated from you, breath fanning your lips. "stay safe for me, okay?"

"i will," you said. "thank you, tighnari. i'll return sometime, okay?"

he nodded, pressing one more kiss to your forehead and then pulled out a small bag. after he undid the strings, he shook it gently onto his palm revealing two very simplistic rings.

"i know you have your bracelet, but i wanted to have something even more official."

you gasped in realization, it's a promise ring. you let him slide it on your ring finger, and right before he let it fully fit, he said his promise. "i, forest watcher tighnari, promise that i will love you and will be committed to you. i'll be with you, either in spirit or in person, and i'll support you no matter what you decide to do. that's my promise to you, Y/N."

he handed you his ring, taking off his glove and allowing you to slip it on his bare hand. you took a breath, thinking about how to phrase it. "i, Y/N, promise that i'll continue loving you for the rest of my life, just like i always have for years. you've given me so much, and i can only hope that my heart is good for compensation."

you finished putting it on his finger, sliding his glove back on his hand. he smiled at you, "your heart is priceless, Y/N. i only wish i could give you even more."

"you've given me your love, right? that's all i need," you said earnestly.

"last call! please board the ship if your stop is inazuma," a sailor called from your ship.

you pecked him on the lips, grabbing your remaining bag, "i'll see you later."

he nodded, "yeah. contact me when you get there safely."

tighnari watched you run to the ship, placing your bag down and getting your ticket stamped by the sailor. he gave you a small sad smile, then the boat lifted anchor and set off for the land of inazuma. you waved to him, your wave being reciprocated. he mouthed something, and it made you smile with joy.

i'll see you again soon.

a/n: aghhh the angst ;-; i didn't want to do this to tighnari and Y/N, i rlly didn't want to :( made me lowkey tear up while writing this. dw tho, there's more to come so please don't feel sad for too long!!