Chapter Text
The rain hadn’t let up for hours, not even a little. Cyno's cloak was heavy with water, Collei leaned into his side and he covered her with the rest of his cloak.
When he went to Mondstadt a few days ago he was merely supposed to help with the situation but when he arrived and got to know about the girls backstory and her illness, he folded. She reminded him too much of himself. So without a second thought or a moment of hesitation he said he'd take her. Lisa trusted him and knew he meant no ill will and therefore agreed. She knew Tighnari was also more than capable of treating or at least keeping the symptoms under control with his herbs and such. Plus, Sumeru was probably the best choice for Collei. Especially with Cyno and Tighnari as her main caregivers.
The move was quick. She was without medication and they needed to set off as fast as possible, they rested for a day and then early next morning, set out from Mondstadt on foot. Cyno didn't have the time to formally explain everything to her, he just told her he'll be bringing her along somewhere safe and somehwere where she can heal.
So yes, in short he wasn't supposed to return with a whole child! But he couldn't just leave her. Sure it was reckless and done on a whim, which is quite out of character for him, but there's a first time for everything right?
Her small hands clutched at the fabric of his cloak, and she hadn’t spoken for hours, only coughing. Even after taking multiple stops and pauses it didn’t seem to be getting better. He had no clue how to help nor what to do.
Before they were even half-way to Sumeru, Cyno had started to doubt himself if he was the right person to take her, if he was capable.
He had no clue how to look after a child, let alone such a sick, frail and damaged one. Not only was she weak physically but her mental state wasn't the best either. All the information he knows about her came from Lisa and Jean, he didn't pressure her into talking. He tried not to pry too much into her background but he needed to know at least the basics. Turns out, the people in the Knights of Favonius barely knew anything as well. The main thing was that she was 'taken care of' by The Fatui, specifically The Doctor. Well that title was fitting alright. If anything, his medication kept the girl alive and well—......enough. He figured she was having withdrawals from the medication. They had to find a substitute fast.
During their trip, Cyno didn't touch her nor did he force her to talk, rather he maintained a safe distance, until the night fell. She always stuck close to him during those hours, muttering something about how dark it was, how she had nowhere to run. Whatever that meant. He always let her come close when needed. It was like...trying to pet a stray cat, except this wasn’t a cat, it was a child.
But yet again, during their trip every time he crouched beside her and asked if she was alright, she nodded. She didn't complain so he had no clue what to do besides offer her water and some more food. He was helpless and felt utterly stupid. He was no doctor. The best he could do was sometimes mimic Tighnari's potions, badly, but he didn't see any familiar plants.
At some point it got so bad he had to carry her for several miles.
Cyno was used to dealing with people yes, but this was different. This wasn’t about catching a fugitive, this was completely different. A kid with so much trauma. The best he could do was promise that he'll get her somewhere safe, and that was it.
While his mind was spiraling with questions and thoughts such as:
'I don’t know what I’m doing.'
'What do you feed someone like her?'
'How are you supposed to comfort a child?'
Cyno is grown, he is well into his adult years, and he's a married man, but kids? Kids were out of the question and have been for years.
Nonetheless, we move on.
The two kept on walking.
Now, with the lights of Gandharva Ville finally lighting up their path, he tightened his grip around her shoulder ever so slightly. His legs ached, clothes soaked wet. His head was throbbing yet he still went on.
"Um.." Collei began.
"Almost there, it's just up ahead" Cyno said, figuring what she wanted to ask.
Finally...home.
Both of them were exausted and Cyno almost collapsed at the mere sight of the familiar door.
Inside Tighnari sat at his desk, he was writing something about some plants again, per usual. He didn’t hear the approaching footsteps due to the loud rain falling against every outside surface, so when a knock came at the door.
He blinked. Who could it be at nearly two in the morning. His ears twitched. Another knock, softer this time. He wasn't expecting anyone.
"Nari, it's me."
A familiar voice.
Tighnari stood up at the sound of his voice, the chair scraping against the floor and tipping over due to the rush he was in to get up. His voice, he sounded so tired. He knew Cyno had gone to Mondstadt but was he supposed be back this soon?
Tighnari crossed the room in three steps and yanked open the door. His eyes immediately falling on the scene before him.
Cyno stood under the awning, hood down, soaked straight through and expression as blank as always, eyes lined with dark circles. Next to him, a girl, slim, pale, wrapped in a too-thin cloak, while Cyno's covered her as well.
She looked like she could barely keep her eyes open. Her hands were trembling.
Tighnari stood there, robe hastily thrown on over his sleepwear, ears tilted forward. His hair was a wet mess, he had washed it not too long ago.
He stared at the two of them. The girl barely met his eyes. Her clothes were worn, her boots caked with mud, and the way she leaned toward Cyno, it wasn’t fear. It was trust, recent and mustered up, forced in a way.
And Cyno… Archons, Cyno looked exhausted, his eyes were droopy and unable to focus on anything. Even his voice earlier sounded so drained. That man walked across the desert multiple times and still had a pep in his step but now, completely different.
Tighnari didn’t ask questions. Not yet. He stepped aside and opened the door wider, ushering them in. "Come in. Both of you. Sit by the hearth."
Cyno nudged Collei gently forward, one hand briefly steadying her back. As she walked, Tighnari caught the faintest tremble in her breath, a suppressed cough. His eyes narrowed, mind already jumping ahead to tea, dry clothes, and medicine.
Cyno helped Collei down onto the seat, kneeling next to her as if he wasn’t soaked to the bone or shaking from exhaustion himself. His hand didn’t leave her arm. He wanted to make sure she felt safe with Tighnari as well. "Collei, this is the man I told you about" he said gently.
"He's a really good person and he can help you. I know it's hard for you, but even if you don't trust him just know I'm here, I'll keep you safe, just how I did during the past few days."
Collei watched his face. She wanted to believe him, she wanted to trust the other man as well but just, couldn't. She didn’t want to be naive again and her trust was broken many times before. With Cyno, it was the kinda trust you made with someone when you needed to survive. 'I'll keep you safe, just how I did during the past few days', that sentence hit hard. He did 'prove' himself during their journey. He did keep her safe. She simply nodded as a reply, her grip on his hand tightened ever so slightly. Obviously still hesitating.
Tighnari walked to them, he placed a towel near the girl and then reached over to remove Cyno's hood. "Dry off, the towel is soft" He told her with a flat smile before tossing the other towel on Cyno's head.
Collei took the towel and muttered something under her breath, probably a thank you. She ran it over her arms, face and hair to dry off. It really felt soft.
Cyno moved to sit beside her, but he didn't move afterwards. Just let the towel sit on his head.
Tighnari tsked. "Honestly..." He reached, his fingers working the towel into Cyno’s white hair. As much as he acted nonchalantly, he was very much confused, concerned and a bit worried but also relieved that Cyno was home at last.
Cyno didn't protest, rather he leaned into the feeling. He had been away from home for too long, and not only home, but Tighnari too. They were used to distance but sometimes the distance became too much even for them.
"You’re drenched" Tighnari muttered. "You’re lucky, because otherwise I would've thrown you back into the rain and told you to wring yourself out before coming in!" His tone wasn't loud nor angry at all, it was just the usual between them. He obviously didn't mean it, but they were best friends since childhood basically, and married. They acted exactly like that, like a married couple.
Collei sat still, now clutching the towel against her chest after drying off. Her eyes were heavy, but she kept them open long enough to glance between the two men. Something about the way they moved and spoke to each other, how Tighnari touched Cyno’s hair without asking, how Cyno leaned into it without a word, it made her shoulders settle for a moment. This was a safe place. These two had a deep relationship with eachother. They trusted eachother.
Tighnari now moved the towel lower, wiping over Cyno's face before letting it rest around his neck. "Go change."
Then he turned to the girl, keeping his distance. "Collei, right? I'll give you some of my old clothes, though they won't fit you perfectly" and with that he moved to the wardrobe in the room. Rummaging through the clothing before pulling something out. Definitely too big but it'll do, anything was better than wet clothes. He placed them next to her and then turned to where Cyno had moved, giving Collei both the space and the comfort of changing.
Cyno had moved across the room, fingers tugging at the soaked hem of his cloak, pulling the fabric over his head and letting it hit the floor.
He paused, standing there shirtless for a moment, the rain left his skin clammy and cold. Water clung to his back and shoulders, dripping slowly down his skin.
He pulled out his own clothing from the wardrobe. Spare clothes, of course he had them lingering inside Tighnari’s home. It would be a shocker if he didn't. Some of them he left on purpose, some Tighnari had kept.
Tighnari stayed where he was, back turned to Collei, but his eyes on Cyno. He didn't fail to notice how sluggishly the man moved, his hands barely gripping the fabric.
Cyno stripped the rest of his wet clothes and changed into the dry ones. He then turned, his gaze immediately meeting Tighnari's. He didn't say anything, neither of them did, but it was obvious both of them needed to talk. Not now, when Cyno rests they will.
All that Tighnari understood now was that, that little girl would become much more important.
Collei had finished changing as well, tunic too big, the sleeves drooped past her hands and the fabric on her pants awkwardly stayed on her ankles. The clothing was almost engulfing her.
She was back on the couch. Cyno moved towards her, he grabbed the folded blanket from the edge of bed and covered her with it. "You can rest, I'll be over there, if you need me for anything, wake me up" He said.
That was the extent of what he could offer right now. There was more he wanted to say—explanations, reassurances—but his throat was sore and dry, and his head was aching. His thoughts were fogged, weighed down by exhaustion.
Collei curled a little tighter beneath the blanket Cyno had placed over her, her arms folded over her chest as she moved to lie down on her side. She was too tired to fight it. Her fingers were still trembling slightly, but she found comfort on the soft cushions and under the fluffy blanket. Warm, soft and, hopefully, safe. At least it wasn't the hospital bed and gown. No bandages that cut into her skin and made her feel uncomfortable, only the soft clothing she received from the man whom she got to know as 'Tighnari'.
There were no harsh lights either, no metal instruments clinking in the dark, no quiet sobs and no injections. The room felt rather warm and nice, the sound of rain was calming in a way, and Collei didn't even realize she had fallen asleep.
Cyno didn’t say anything more. He crossed the room, knees stiff and feet aching at every step. He didn't show weakness until now. Not infront of Collei...he couldn't.
His body wobbled, his eyes barely open.
When he reached the bed his legs almost gave out before it but he could feel a grip on his arm.
Tighnari had caught him. His grip was firm, fingers wrapped around Cyno’s arm just tightly enough to hold him upright but not hurt. He didn’t give him an earful about how he was pushing himself too hard, no, not yet. That could come later when Cyno had the strength to hear it.
Cyno slumped sideways with little resistance when Tighnari nudged him. His body moved like it was underwater, slow, heavy, unable to move anymore. His head hit the soft pillow and his eyes immediately shut. His body took a moment longer to fully relax.
Tighnari joined him soon after, slipping in beside him carefully. The bed dipped beneath their combined weight. He pulled the blanket up to Cyno’s shoulder. Then he shifted closer, an arm draping over Cyno’s waist, his chest against Cyno’s back, his tail curling somewhere loosely over Cyno’s legs.
He rested his head down, facing the back of the mans neck before his eyes shut as well.
In the morning they'll talk over everything.
The rain had stopped some time before dawn. Tighnari was up before the sun had fully risen. He hadn't meant to wake up so early—not after the night they had—but the habit of years didn’t yield easily.
He stirred beneath the covers, the warmth beside him still present and unmoving. His eyes opened slowly, immediately drawn to Cyno’s sleeping form. One arm was curled loosely near his chest, the other tucked under the pillow, hair falling over his face. The usual. He made sure not to disturb him.
He got off the bed and quietly changed into his everyday clothes, he walked towards the couch where Collei was resting.
Resting was not a word that fit her now though.
She was still asleep her cheeks flushed red, hair clinging to her damp forehead. Her breathing was shallow, occasionally breaking into a dry cough.
Tighnari knelt beside her, eyes narrowing slightly as he pressed a hand gently to her forehead, then her cheek, then her neck. Hot. Too hot. He knew he wasn't supposed to touch her but he needed to, it could be a life or death situation.
Her fever had worsened since last night. Yes he had noticed even then but he hoped it wouldn't get worse, yet it did.
Her Eleazar was flaring up, the visible marks on her grew darker. It didn't take a genius to notice she had it, he'd been around too many people with it not to notice how it looks.
Yet he never treated someone with it, there was no cure for Eleazar, well not a mortally good one. The best he could do was work on subsiding the effects and the pain.
Tighnari turned his attention back to her, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. It clung to her skin, damp with fever sweat. "Poor thing" he murmured, more to himself than her. Eleazar was cruel, but a child like her fighting it for so long, she truly was something else.
He crossed the room to where a bowl of cool water sat beside a basin of medicinal herbs. He dipped a clean cloth into the water, wrung it out, and returned, folding it carefully before placing it across her forehead.
The fever needed to break. That was his first goal. First that then he'll find a way to deal with her Eleazar pains.
At this point the sun had risen fully, Tighnari stuck close to her, attempting to break her fever in a few ways. Cold water, herbs, water and mushed herbs, sweating it out..
He didn’t have the same training as a doctor or a medic but he’d dealt with far too many unknown illnesses in the forest not to have learned a thing or two. Some of his acquaintances had Eleazar and he got to learn how it worked.
Tighnari sat back with a soft sigh, wiping his hands with a towel. His ears twitched at the sudden rustling behind him, the sound of bedsheets being pushed aside. Then came the creak of the bed, the faint thud of feet hitting the floor. Cyno was awake. It was almost midday. He didn’t blame him, the man was exausted last night.
He didn’t turn immediately. He just reached for another cloth, dipped it into the cool water, and wrung it out.
"I thought you’d sleep longer" he said quietly, "You looked half-dead last night."
"I'n awake now, do you need something?" Cyno said simply, voice low and rough from sleep, he reached up to rub his eyes.
Tighnari gave a small huff in return. "No, but you'll have to explain everything to me later. Cyno you brought an Eleazar patient to me, a child no less." He sighed. "It's flaring up, her fever is steadying, it hasn't gone up in an hour." Those were the only good news, that her fever wasn't getting worse.
Cyno said nothing at first. He just stood there, as though unsure whether to come closer or stay where he was. "I’m not—" he paused, looking down at the floor, jaw tight. "I’m not a caretaker. I don’t know how to—" he bit his lip. He didn’t move from his spot. His arms had folded across his chest now, shoulders hunched slightly like the admission had taken more from him than he’d expected. He kept his eyes down, somewhere between the floorboards and Collei’s still form. He wanted to do something for someone, to save someone, yet of course he couldn't do it correctly.
Tighnari sighed. "Bring me nilotpala lotus, as much as you can find." This was his way of making Cyno useful and also not to have him dwell on everything in the moment. Yes he wanted answers but now the first thing they needed was to stabilize Collei. Having Cyno standing around worrying and berating himself would do no one any good.
Cyno looked up at him and nodded without hesitation. He dressed up swiftly, the half-dry cloak was back over his shoulders. He moved to the door, not needing to be told twice. "I’ll be back quickly." And with that he left. His footsteps fading into the distance.
Tighnari stayed, checking the girls fever ever so often. Cyno had no training in child care. No, neither of them had it. And yet... he had brought her there. Carried her through rain, across regions. Had shielded her body with his own. Had not slept. Had not asked for help. Had not complained. That girl must mean something to him, it was rare for the man to ever do something as reckless and as sudden.
The front door was opened a while later. Not slammed or pushed in a rush. Cyno.
Tighnari didn’t look up right away "Tell me you found some."
Footsteps approached,
"I found seven" Cyno said as he moved to look at Collei. She looked..bad but he had high hopes. He handed the flowers over to Tighnari and watched him, he wanted to be useful.
Tighnari moved to crush the flowers into a mixture. "How long has she had it?"
Cyno sat nearby, he had nowhere to be so he stayed. "Since she was born. Lisa told me everything they had on her, which wasn't much."
"Nothing about the medicine used on her before I'm presuming."
"No, but she was under The Doctor for years."
"..The Fatui huh. That's why her body is struggling so much, the medicine withdrawals must be making everything worse. She’s been coughing?" Tighnari continued.
"Since the day I met her" Cyno replied.
"And the reason you brought her?"
"...I couldn't leave her" Cyno let out a breath. "She didn’t want to come with me at first. She thought I would take her to a facility or a hospital. I told her I wasn’t. She didn’t trust me at first but she trusted Lisa and Jean, they explained it to her and she agreed, reluctantly."
The two talked over the topic until all questions were answered. Cyno didn't hold back on what he knew. The more he spoke the more both of them realized just how much the poor girl had gone through, and she was what? Ten years old?
The hours slipped by.
The day moved slowly. Cyno helped without being asked, silent but present, following instructions to grind herbs, prepare towels, clean used bowls. He did whatever Tighnari asked. By the time evening approached, Collei’s fever had dipped, not broken entirely, but lower than before. Her breathing had eased, her face not as flushed. It was getting better yet none of them pointed it out as to not jinx it. Tighnari stayed close beside Collei, replacing the compress when it warmed, checking her pulse, her temperature, and keeping notes in his head of every small change. Cyno lingered near at all times.
Then she began to move. At first her fingers twitched, gripping at the fabric of the blanket like she wasn’t sure what she was holding. Her eyebrows tightened together, her lips parted and then her eyes opened, slowly. She looked around. Ceiling. Walls. Stranger. Where was she...
Panic was obvious in her gaze but it wasn’t full-blown. The space didn’t look like a clinic. There were no harsh white lights, no cold tiles, no blue hair...but that only made it more disorienting. The images from last night came to her in a blur.
She turned her head again—and this time, she saw him. Cyno. Right..last night they arrived to Sumeru and after that...after that she fell asleep.
"She's awake" Tighnari said before stepping away. Not avoiding her, but giving her space.
Cyno moved closer. He didn’t crouch or reach for her, just settled himself nearby, so she could see him clearly without having to move too much.
Collei’s breath was still uneven. Not quite panic, not calm either. Her eyes followed him, tracking every motion like a small animal unsure if it should flee.
"You’re okay. I know this place is unfamiliar but it’s safe. You’re in Tighnari’s home. He’s a friend. You remember I talked about him?"
Then a small nod. Hesitant, but there.
"He helped with your fever, and his medicine is all plant based. It doesn't hurt, nor taste bitter. You’ve been asleep most of the day." he continued, watching her eyes shift and look around the room.
Her hand drifted toward her side, lightly brushing the thin layer of cloth over her abdomen, half expecting to feel tight bandages or medical tubing like she was used to. But there was nothing. Just soft, loose fabric.
"You have Eleazar, don’t you?" Tighnari began, his tone wasn’t blunt, but he didn’t dance around the question either.
Collei looked away. She didn’t answer.
"That’s not a judgment" he added. "I’ve seen it before. I just needed to be sure."
Collei, on account of her sickliness, she was always treated poorly wherever she went, she was often abused by passing pedestrians, had stones thrown at, and pushed around. Told that she was sick, a waste, contagious and how she'd get everyone sick. While true that there was no cure for Eleazar, only preventive care that can be provided to stop the disease from advancing to a more serious stage. It wasn't contagious.
"You didn’t take me to a clinic" she said quietly, almost like it was a question.
"No." Cyno replied.
"Why?"
"Because you didn’t want to go" A simple answer. Yet it made her heart ache. She had never been told such a thing. No one ever listened to what she wanted, they always went against her word. Her eyes trembled, tears threatening to fall.
The way Cyno said it, so plain, so matter-of-fact, only made it hit harder. Like it was obvious to him that her voice mattered. That what she wanted was reason enough.
Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to respond, but no words came instead the tears in her eyes spilled over. She didn’t sob, didn’t shake, just let them fall. She turned her face slightly into the pillow, ashamed to be seen crying even now.
"...No one’s going to make you do anything you don't want here. Not me. Not him. You don’t have to trust that right away, you also don't have to do anything. Just rest."
Months passed in a blink. Seven months went by. The seasons changed. And so had Collei.
Tighnari's home had long since stopped feeling like a strangers. It smelled of dried herbs, cozy, comfortable, homey. She knew where the squeaky floorboard was and how Cyno always knocked before entering, even if the door was already open.
How Tighnari's face would drop at every new joke Cyno would say.
She felt much better being treated by Tighnari. While yes even his medicine something had a horrible taste and smell, it was never as bad. She still had bad days and nights when the fever spiked or her Eleazar burned, but she grew accustomed to it. She was allowed to rest. On her good days she was even able to go out with Tighnari on walks and short trips. She didn't do anything too straining yet.
Cyno had come and gone, often on duty, but never absent for long. Tighnari, however, was constant.
Now her focus was on learning how to write. She knew how to read most of the things but she never knew how to write, so Tighnari became her mentor in everything. He taught her about plants, herbs, fruits, everything around the forest and their home but he insisted writing was important. She agreed, she was determined to learn so she could write letter of her own. Last time Tighnari wrote a letter to Amber for her, while yes she told him what to put down, the next time around she wants to write on her own.
"I just don’t want to mess it up." She said while positioning the pen in her hand.
"Mistakes are part of learning. Write first, complain later." Tighnari stepped back, giving her space. "Start with the first line."
She bent over the page, brow furrowed in concentration. Her tongue poked slightly from the corner of her mouth as she copied the characters he’d written as reference. Her hand shook a little, but the strokes were clearer than they had been a month ago. Less hesitation. More confidence. They weren't as wobbly as before. Tighnari never talked her down, he'd just explain how she can do it better. How to hold the pen more comfortably, how to move her fingers, slowly, patiently.
"How’s this?" she asked, glancing up.
Tighnari stepped closer again, peering over her shoulder. "Mm. A bit crooked. But it’s readable. Try moving your whole wrist instead of just your fingers."
She let out a quiet exhale and returned her gaze to the parchment. Her pen moved slowly. The ink bled a little in one spot, but the character formed cleanly.
And then,
"She’s getting better" Cyno commented as he entered. He had visted a few days ago but had some matters to attend to in Sumeru City, he promised he'd be back before heading off again, and here he was.
"She’s working hard" Tighnari replied without turning. "And she listens. Not everyone does."
It was a small playful jab at him.
Collei set the pen down with a small sigh, flexing her fingers. "My hand’s cramping" she mumbled, leaning back into the chair and stretching her arms overhead.
"Break time, then" Tighnari said, stepping away from the table to give her space.
Cyno took a step forward. "I brought food from the city. Kaveh said next time we stop by he'll treat us." He pulled out a wrapped parcel. “Pita Pockets, it would be a...pity to deny."
A silence settled, instant. Tighnari paused mid-motion. Collei blinked. Slowly, she turned to stare at Cyno.
"Get it? Pita, pity, it sounds similar."
Tighnari turned just enough to glare, obviously not amused. "I can't believe I married you." He muttered.
Cyno looked pleased with himself in a way only he could be after delivering something so catastrophically unfunny.
And their little family was settled.
Yes with more horrible jokes but it was always nice to have everyone in the house. As much as Tighnari didn't like the jokes, he was glad that the man was back. You can't blame him, he's been hearing such 'jokes' for years on no end. They rarely make him laugh but he'd be a liar if he didn't say they weren't at least a bit amusing.
As for Collei. To them, somewhere along the way, the word 'daughter' stopped being theoretical. They treated her as one, fully adopted her a child they took care of. She wasn't just a patient, or someone to look after. No she became much more important in their life.
While they never forced the word 'dad' or 'father' to her, she mainly used their names or 'master' 'teacher'. And nor did they outright call her their daughter infront of her. They did it as a slip of the tongue infront of others at times, but never cared enough to correct themselves.
For example Cyno would often say:
'I need to get back home to my family', or 'My daughter would like these'.
Same went with Tighnari, whenever someone asked who she was he'd just reply with 'my daughter' or 'Cyno’s daughter'.
The first time they did it infront of Alhaitham and Kaveh they were visibly stunned, as if to ask, 'When the hell did those two get a child?'. It was a long talk with them too.
Nontherless. Their family was set.