on-air

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/41897898.

Rating: Explicit
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: M/M
Fandom: 原神 | Genshin Impact (Video Game)
Relationship: Cyno/Tighnari (Genshin Impact)
Character: Cyno (Genshin Impact), Tighnari (Genshin Impact)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Camboy Tighnari (Genshin
Impact), Top Cyno/Bottom Tighnari (Genshin Impact)
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2022-09-24 Completed: 2022-09-26 Chapters: 2/2 Words:
8579

on-air
by boo (smallghosts)

Summary

Tighnari is a camboy. Cyno first clicks on his stream for the fake fox ears, but he stays for
something else entirely.

“Let me get this straight,” Kaveh says. “You met a cute camboy and gave him
a fuckton of money. He hosted a private stream for you, and instead of having
cyber sex, you… played Genius Invokation TCG with him?”

Cyno sips his coffee. “Yeah.”

Kaveh slumps back in his seat. “Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, lend me your
strength.”

Notes

this is all your fault, riya. i hope you like it ♥

 acquaint

Cyno loves his job. He just doesn’t love his coworkers.

It’s an early Monday morning, but he can hear Alhaitham and Kaveh bickering in the distance
already. Normally, he has more than enough patience to deal with their antics, but he had a long
night and has yet to get any caffeine in his system.

Cyno pinches the bridge of his nose as he boots up his computer, already looking forward to his
lunch break so he can unwind and play some online Genius Invokation TCG. He hears Kaveh slam
a door, cuss Alhaitham out one last time, and make his way to Cyno’s office.

His door bursts open, and Kaveh saunters in, his blond hair in disarray. He slides a cup of coffee
across Cyno’s desk, slams a folder down, and unceremoniously plants his ass on the chair across
from him with an annoyed huff.

Cyno sighs and sips his coffee. “What did he do this time?”

“I forgot to put milk in his coffee,” Kaveh says. “Then he called me a good-for-nothing secretary.”

“You kind of are,” Cyno replies. He picks up the folder and starts shuffling through the files
inside. “A good-for-nothing secretary, that is.”

“He’s such an asshole,” Kaveh continues, ignoring Cyno entirely. “I do good work around here,
you know, and how am I supposed to remember how everyone likes their coffee? Caffeine is
caffeine.”

“I suppose,” Cyno agrees absently.

“And anyway,” Kaveh plows on, fiddling with the pen tucked behind his ear, “if he wants a better
secretary, he could just fire me and hire someone else—”

Cyno hums. “That would be good for the overall workplace environment.”

“—but no, he keeps me around anyway!” Kaveh finishes, throwing his hands in the air. “It’s
almost like he enjoys arguing with me.”

“I think you both enjoy arguing with each other,” Cyno says, glaring at Kaveh over his papers.
“Get some help.”

Kaveh pauses, arching an eyebrow. “You’re in a pissy mood today.”

Cyno rolls his eyes and takes another sip of his coffee. “I’ve had enough of your antics, is all.”

Kaveh’s face lights up, and he snaps his fingers. “I know!” he exclaims, pointing at Cyno. “You
just need to get laid.”

Cyno nearly chokes on his coffee. “I do not.”

“I’ve got just the thing,” Kaveh says, getting up. “Don’t you worry.”

“I am incredibly worried,” Cyno replies, brows furrowed, but Kaveh is already skipping away.
“Also, you didn’t put sugar in my coffee, by the way.”
The door swings shut.

Cyno heaves a tired sigh. He’ll just have to live with bad coffee and even worse coworkers another
day.

And live with bad coworkers he does.

Kaveh hauls him out of his office for lunch, and he finds himself playing on his phone while his
coworkers make small talk over iced tea and butter chicken. He tunes out Kaveh’s ranting and
finds himself locked in a match with one of his online friends.

Candace clears her throat. “What do you think, Cyno?”

Cyno blinks. “What?”

Candace and Kaveh exchange a look.

“You know,” Candace says slowly, stirring her drink with her straw, “it’s nice to enter the dating
scene—”

This again. Cyno sighs and turns back to his game. “Sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of me
beating this loser.”

Candace raises her hands in surrender. She takes a sip of her drink, then goes back to listening to
Kaveh rant about Alhaitham.

Cyno opens the chat log on his phone and starts typing.

Lord_Jackal: Sorry. Got distracted by my coworkers.

hanamizakaheroics: WHAT DID THEY WANT?

Lord_Jackal: They said I need to go out more. Find someone.

hanamizakaheroics: DUDE, BRO, MY HOMIE

hanamizakaheroics: DID YOUR COWORKERS JUST TELL YOU TO GET SOME

BITCHES?

Lord_Jackal: That does sound like something Kaveh would say to me, yes.

Lord_Jackal: Whatever. Let’s keep playing.

hanamizakaheroics: YEAH YEAH

hanamizakaheroics: BUT I DO HOPE YOU FIND SOMEONE, BRO

hanamizakaheroics: LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND!

Lord_Jackal: And I’m going to beat you this round. Your turn, Itto.
Cyno doesn’t think much of it until he gets home and receives an unsolicited message from
Kaveh.

Kaveh: i think this might be of interest to you (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

Kaveh: [Sent a link]

He sighs and rolls his eyes, but clicks on it nonetheless, only to nearly choke on air when he’s
greeted by a barrage of inappropriate titles, obscene ads, and thumbnails of half-naked bodies.

Oh, he’s going to kill Kaveh.

He clicks off all the pop-ups, idly wondering just how many viruses he’s going to have to deal
with. Once his screen is free, he gets ready to leave the page, only for something to catch his eye.

The thumbnail of this stream is fairly innocuous, all things considered. VulpesZerda—the cam
model’s screen name, apparently—isn’t even naked, just wearing a baggy shirt with nothing
underneath, but he is wearing a pair of dark green fox ears on his head. It’s a surprisingly detailed
and realistic headband, soft and fluffy-looking, and Cyno is possessed with the inane urge to touch
it.

He clicks on the link. Just to sate his personal curiosity.

The sight that greets him makes his face flush against his will.

Vulpes wasn’t naked on his thumbnail, but he’s definitely naked now. The fox ears are still on, but
they’re slightly askew, and there’s a golden earring dangling from one of the ears as he moves.
He’s wearing a thin black collar around his neck, a leash attached to the latch on his throat, and a
facemask over his mouth.

He’s splayed out on his bed, stretching himself out on two slick fingers, letting out quiet moans as
he jerks himself off to a silent rhythm. Every movement makes the golden earring on his fox ears
jingle, and Cyno is briefly mesmerized by the way the light catches on it.

There aren’t as many viewers on this stream compared to the others on the page, but donations are
regularly flowing in. Cyno supposes that Vulpes is catering to a niche audience, what with the ears
and all.

Is Cyno a part of that niche audience? He does like what he sees, though he’s never really put
much thought into his kinks.

Either way, it seems only polite to donate as well, so Cyno goes through the hassle of setting up an
account and linking his credit card information. He’s not sure if he’ll ever come back to this
website, much less to this specific camboy, but he has more than enough money to spare.

After he’s done setting up, he returns to watching the stream, but he stares at the chat for a
moment, confused about when it would be appropriate to donate. He’s never done anything like
this before.

Cyno is snapped out of his thoughts when Vulpes lets out a little yelp, turning his head over in a
futile attempt to muffle the sound, and then he’s coming all over his hand.

For a moment, Vulpes lies there and catches his breath, his entire body flushed. Cyno has to pinch
his wrist as he fights off his own arousal. Then Vulpes is dragging himself up by the leash and
righting his fox ears, his two-toned eyes finding their way to the camera as he cleans himself off.

“I needed that.” The mask is still obscuring the bottom half of Vulpes’ face, but the way his sweet
eyes curve suggests that he’s smiling. “It’s been a long day. Did you like the show?”

!Vanguard donated 1 600 primogems

Vanguard: don’t forget your plug, cutie!

“Oh, you’re right.” Vulpes laughs lightly. He has a beautiful laugh, as melodic as a birdsong.
“How could I forget? Thank you for the reminder.”

He retrieves a furry object, and Cyno tilts his head, wondering what it is. Then Vulpes turns it over
to the camera, revealing a shiny silver plug, and Cyno’s eyes go wide.

“This one’s for you,” Vulpes says, spreading himself open again, and carefully inserting the tail
plug between his legs.

It’s green and fluffy, and it matches his ears.

Oh. Cyno swallows hard. Fuck it.

!Lupus_Aureus donated 28 800 primogems

Vulpes freezes, his eyes going wide with surprise. The dazed expression suits him. Even with most
of his face covered, Cyno can tell that he’s pretty.

“Oh,” Vulpes says quietly, tucking a strand of dark hair behind his ear as he leans forward, almost
like he doesn’t believe it. “That’s… a lot of money. I’ve never seen you in my chat before.”

Lupus_Aureus: It’s my first time.

Lupus_Aureus: I’m not entirely too sure how this sort of thing works. My apologies.

“Don’t apologize,” Vulpes admonishes. “I have to close off the stream now, but I want to thank
you. “Come back this time tomorrow, alright? I’ll have a surprise for you ready and waiting.”

Lupus_Aureus: That won’t be necessary.

“Come back tomorrow,” Vulpes says again, sounding a little more stern this time. “I’ll make it
worth your while.” Then he adjusts his ears again and waves to the camera. “Thanks, everyone.
Have a nice night.”

The screen goes black, leaving Cyno turned on and confused all at once.

“You’re in a better mood today,” Kaveh says the next morning, something entirely too knowing in
his gaze. “Did you like the link I sent you that much?”
“What link?” Cyno replies tonelessly, taking another sip of his coffee. “I’m just glad you actually
remembered to add sugar this time.”

Kaveh sighs. “Fine, keep your secrets,” he says, taking a seat. “Just wait until you hear about what
Alhaitham told me earlier.”

Cyno levels him with an unimpressed look. “If I have to listen to you rant about Alhaitham, then
you need to sit there and review all of my latest jokes.” He clears his throat and retrieves his
notebook, flicking it open halfway through. “Let’s begin with jokes sixty-five through seventy-five
—”

Kaveh gets up, throwing his hands in the air. “I’m going to Candace,” he says. “She’ll listen to
me.”

“Candace is just humoring you,” Cyno calls after him.

Kaveh flips him off and lets the door swing shut behind him.

Cyno takes a sip of coffee and smiles against the rim of his cup. It really does taste sweeter.

Cyno makes it to the stream that night just on time.

Vulpes is sitting on his bed, a large white shirt draped over his delicate frame. He looks a little
tired, judging by the way he rubs his eyes as he adjusts his fake ears to sit right on his head.

!Lupus_Aureus donated 1600 primogems

Lupus_Aureus: Are you okay? You look tired. Don’t overexert yourself.

At the sound of the alert, Vulpes perks up. “There you are,” he says. “Oh, don’t worry. I just
submitted a paper, so I’m doing this to relax. I’m alright, really.”

Lupus_Aureus: If you say so.

Vulpes laughs lightly. “You’re far too sweet to be someone watching this sort of stream. It really is
your first time, huh? Well, I did say I’d make your next visit worthwhile. Eyes on me.”

It’s not like Cyno could look away even if he wanted to. Vulpes flicks a lamp on, and the light
exposes the sheerness of his shirt. There’s the silhouette of something lacy underneath, and it
makes Cyno’s throat go tight.

Vulpes lifts his shirt over his head, exposing the flat expanse of his navel, pulling it up slowly to
reveal a yellow bralette held together with floral lace and a matching pair of panties.

“I’ve worn this before,” Vulpes admits. “It’s the only pair I own. But since you’re new, I figured it
would be a treat. I hope you like it.”

Oh, does he like it.

!Lupus_Aureus donated 10 000 primogems

 Lupus_Aureus: You look lovely. Yellow is a nice color on you.

Vulpus’ eyes sparkle a little. “Thank you,” he says. “Speaking of colors, what’s your favorite
one?”

Cyno could answer this in several different ways. Green and brown, earthy like his eyes, or yellow
for the beautiful lace on his skin. The real answer, though—

Lupus_Aureus: Purple.

“Interesting choice,” Vulpes says, tapping his cheek in thought, a cute habit. “I think I have just the
thing for you.”

Cyno’s breath hitches in his throat when Vulpes pulls out a dildo that’s a deep shade of violet. He
doesn’t know much about sex toys, but it looks far too big for someone with a slender frame.

Lupus_Aureus: That looks like an uncomfortable fit. Will you be okay?

Vulpes shakes his head, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You’re cute,” he says, moving his
panties aside to reveal that he’s already prepared himself, his hole slick and wet. “I’ll make it fit.”

Cyno watches with rapt attention as he sinks down onto the dildo, taking it with a startling amount
of ease, bottoming out with a sweet moan that he tries to muffle with his hand. He’s not wearing a
collar today, but the yellow lace rubbing against his skin makes up for it.

!Lupus_Aureus donated 10 000 primogems

Lupus_Aureus: I’m sorry for underestimating you.

Vulpes’ eyes shine at the message. “I forgive you, but don’t do it again.”

He’s so pretty, and the light is warm against his skin as he fucks himself on the toy slowly and
carefully, like he’s savoring it. Cyno gets so caught up in watching him that he nearly forgets about
himself.

That is, until Vulpes licks his lips, looks up at the camera, and says, “Are you touching yourself?
Does it feel good?”

Cyno digs the heel of his palm against his pants, then mutters, “Fuck it.” He wraps his hand around
himself, then looks back up.

Vulpes tilts his head. “I’d feel better,” he taunts.

Cyno tightens his grip. He would. His palm is dry and calloused, not nearly as satisfying as a pliant
hole would be. At least he’s aroused enough that he’s leaking, making it easier for him to stroke
himself.

More donations start streaming in, and Vulpes starts fucking himself in earnest according to the
requests. Slower. Faster. Harder. Place a hand on your throat, bend over. His thighs start aching
from the strain, and Cyno feels a pang of sympathy, as well as the urge to place his hands around
his waist and help him.

Vulpes reaches down to stroke himself, but his hand is shaking slightly, and there’s no rhythm to it.
He must be close.
 !Lupus_Aureus donated 10 000 primogems

Lupus_Aureus: Could you do something for me?

Vulpes looks up, his pupils blown wide. “Anything,” he says breathlessly, and if that doesn’t do
things to Cyno’s heart.

Lupus_Aureus: Let go of yourself. Come untouched.

Vulpes’ eyes widen, but he complies, letting his hand fall away. He sniffles a little, his eyes
shining, shaking with effort as he takes the dildo all the way to the base one last time. He bends
over a little when he comes, and Cyno tightens his grip on himself and spills all over his hand in
unison.

More donations come flooding in, and the chat surges with messages like holy shit and that was
hot.

Cyno cleans himself up before sending a donation of his own.

!Lupus_Aureus donated 38 400 primogems

Lupus_Aureus: It was worth my while.

Vulpes props his hand on his cheek, tilting his head. “I’m glad you came,” he says.

Lupus_Aureus: I could make a joke about that, but I won’t.

Vulpes chuckles. “You’re ridiculous,” he replies. “Generous, too. You really don’t have to spend so
much on me.”

!Lupus_Aureus donated 10 000 primogems

Lupus_Aureus: You’re worth it. Get yourself something nice.

“I’ll get you something nice, too,” Vulpes says. “I have some time to kill today. Would you like a
private show?”

!mirrormaiden donated 1600 primogems

mirrormaiden: playing favorites already?

Vulpes shrugs. “Is there something wrong with trying to thank someone properly?”

Cyno smiles, amused and a little endeared.

Lupus_Aureus: It’s okay. You don’t owe me anything.

The rest of the chat titters, saying things like how ungrateful or host a private stream for me
instead.

Vulpes laughs again, shaking his head. “You’re a weird guy,” he says. “I’m doing this because I
want to, alright?”

Lupus_Aureus: Alright. How does this work?

He sits through Vulpes saying goodbye to his viewers, enamored by the blunt way he talks.
There’s nothing particularly seductive about his voice, and he’s pulled his shirt back on to hide
most of his body. It’s like he’s not trying, not really, and it’s enough to tell Cyno that this line of
work is just something he does on the side to earn money.

Then he gets the notification.

VulpesZerda is inviting you to a private stream!

Cyno is greeted by the sight of Vulpes without his fox ears on, his hair pinned back with a floral
hair clip. He’s still wearing the mask.

“Lupus,” Vulpes greets. “It’s nice to have you here.”

Cyno’s fingers hover over his keyboard. He hesitates for a moment.

Lupus_Aureus: Thank you for the invitation.

“Thank you for being so generous,” Vulpes says. “I’m not really sure how to pay you back.
Nobody has thrown so much money at me before. I figured I could give you free rein to do
whatever you want to me.”

Lupus_Aureus: Don’t do anything you don’t want to.

“I wouldn’t, I promise,” Vulpes says. “So, is there anything you want to do?”

Cyno pauses, chewing on his lip. Truth be told, he’s already come once, and as pretty as Vulpes is,
he’s satisfied with that. Around this time at night, he usually just loads up Genius Invokation TCG
and plays a few rounds before bed.

Now that’s an idea.

Lupus_Aureus: Do you know how to play Genius Invokation TCG?

Vulpes blinks. “What?”

Lupus_Aureus: It’s an online strategy card game.

“That’s not it,” Vulpes says incredulously. “I know how to play, it’s just…”

Lupus_Aureus: Then let’s play.

Vulpes bursts out laughing, really laughing, and it’s such an infectious sound that Cyno finds
himself laughing along.

“You’re hilarious,” Vulpes says. “Okay. I’m still on my bed because I was expecting, well…” He
shakes his head and laughs a little again. “Let me move. I’ll be right back.”

His screen fades out, and when he returns, he’s sitting by his desk. Instead of his fake fox ears, he’s
wearing a headset with cat ears on it, and he’s actually wearing proper clothes. Somehow he
manages to look even more attractive this way, more like a real person and less like a product
trying to be sold.

“Okay,” Vulpes says. “I’m back.”

Lupus_Aureus: Welcome back.

Lupus_Aureus: You look nice.

Vulpes snorts. “You’ve seen me naked and in lingerie.”

Lupus_Aureus: Still, you look cute.

“Thanks, I guess,” Vulpes says, ducking his head slightly, a light flush dusting his cheeks. “Send
me the link.”

Cyno sends him the link.

“Do you…” Vulpes hesitates. “Do you want to turn your mic on?”

Cyno shrugs. Why not?

“Okay,” he says. “Hi. Can you hear me?”

Vulpes jolts in his seat.

“Oh, sorry,” Cyno says remorsefully. Some people find his voice too deep and unsettling,
especially the interns at work who find him too intimidating for it. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Vulpes blinks. “No, it’s okay, I just—” He inhales, then shakes his head. “You have a nice voice.”

Cyno pauses. “I do?”

“You do,” Vulpes says, sounding a little breathless. He clears his throat. “Shall we start?”

He wasn’t sure what he was expecting when he asked Vulpes to play with him. A casual round,
maybe. A part of him was expecting that he wouldn’t know how to play at all, but he does, and
he’s good.

To fill the silence, Cyno asks Vulpes questions in between turns. “You said you submitted a paper
earlier,” he says. “What was it about, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“It was a study on bioluminescent fungi,” Vulpes says casually. “I’m taking my Master’s Degree in
Botany.”

“Oh,” Cyno says. “That’s impressive.”

Vulpes hums. “It’s alright, I suppose. I do a lot of volunteer work, but that doesn’t pay the bills.
This does.”

“Student life, huh,” Cyno muses. “I don’t miss all that, but I hope your studies go well. You sound
like a smart person. I’m sure you’ll be alright.”

That earns him a quiet laugh. “You hardly know me.”

“I would like to,” Cyno says, watching his screen carefully. “Oh, nice move.”
“You’re a surprisingly genuine person for someone on a camboy site,” Vulpes notes in an amused
voice. “How did you even find my streams?”

“Ugh,” Cyno says, rolling his eyes. “My annoying coworker linked the site to me.”

“And that’s how you found me?”

“That’s how I found you,” Cyno agrees, softening a little. “I suppose I should thank him.”

“I suppose I should thank him too,” Vulpes says, switching his character. His screen erupts into a
burst of color.

Cyno smiles, amused. “For sending a generous benefactor your way?”

“Well, that too,” Vulpes says. “But also a kind one. I never thought I’d meet someone like you in
this line of work.”

Cyno tilts his head. “Someone like me?”

“Well, yeah,” Vulpes says. “You know, when a camboy offers to host a private show with you, it’s
usually about sex, not card games.”

Cyno pauses. “Would you rather do something else?”

“No,” Vulpes replies, soft and genuine. “This is fun. I won, by the way.”

Cyno takes one look at the Game Over flashing on his screen and starts laughing. Vulpes laughs
too, his eyes bright and colorful.

“I hope I didn’t bruise your ego too badly, Lupus,” Vulpes says.

Oh, how he wants to hear his name on his tongue. In a moment of weakness, he blurts out, “Call
me Cyno.”

Vulpes pauses. Then he says, “You can… call me Tighnari, if you want.”

Cyno falls quiet, soaking in the moment of honesty between them. Then he shakes his head.

“Well, Tighnari,” he says. “Want to play another round?”

Vulpes nods. “I hope you’re ready to get your ass beat again, Cyno.”

They wind up playing late into the night, and Cyno gets so caught up in it that he doesn’t realize
what time it is until he hears Tighnari yawn from behind his mask.

As soon as they wrap up their game, Tighnari winces, looking a little remorseful. “Sorry, I got a
little carried away,” he mutters, stretching his arms over his head. “This was supposed to be sexy, I
swear.”

Cyno chuckles. “You beating me that one round was pretty hot,” he says. “Don’t worry. I asked for
this.”
Tighnari goes a little pink under the light of his monitor. It’s funny, the way he blushes at the
strangest things despite keeping his cool while streaming himself naked on camera. Cute, too.

Cyno props his hand on his chin. “I won’t keep you any longer,” he says. “Thanks for the game.
Good night, Tighnari. Sleep well.”

“Good night, Cyno,” Tighnari says, raising his hand in a little wave. “I will.”

“Let me get this straight,” Kaveh says. “You met a cute camboy and gave him a fuckton of money.
He hosted a private stream for you, and instead of having cyber sex, you… played Genius
Invokation TCG with him?”

Cyno sips his coffee. “Yeah.”

Kaveh slumps back in his seat. “Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, lend me your strength.”

“Ask her to lend you her wisdom instead,” Cyno says, chucking a folder at him. “Don’t you have
work to do?”

Kaveh stares at him incredulously. “How am I supposed to get any work done now that I know
you’re an insane degenerate?”

“By remembering that you are also an insane degenerate,” Cyno retorts. “I haven’t forgotten about
that time last week when I walked into Alhaitham’s office and saw you—”

“I’m leaving!” Kaveh screams.

“Wait,” Cyno says.

Kaveh pauses. “What is it now?”

Cyno taps his chin. “Do you know anything about buying lingerie?”

Kaveh helps him browse through several websites after work, but Cyno knows nothing about
lingerie, and it shows.

“That looks really uncomfortable,” Cyno says, squirming in his seat a little at all the sequins and
straps presented before his eyes. “It doesn’t cover anything, either.”

Kaveh looks at him like he’s lost his mind. “It’s not supposed to cover anything,” he says. “What
are we even looking for? Do you know what he would like?”

“Something with flowers on it,” Cyno offers. “He seems to really like those.”

Kaveh clicks through several pages, humming to himself. “Any color you have in mind?”
Cyno mulls it over. In a brief moment of possessiveness, he blurts out, “Purple.”

Kaveh raises an eyebrow. “Alright. How about this?”

He turns his laptop over, and Cyno peers at his screen. The lingerie showcased is a deep shade of
purple, full of thick straps that criss-cross over the bodice, and adorned with embroidered violet
roses. It’s lovely, and it would look even more so on Tighnari.

Cyno nods. “That one.”

He sends Tighnari a message after.

Lupus_Aureus: I got you something. I hope you like it.

VulpesZerda: you didn’t have to

Lupus_Aureus: I did it because I wanted to, alright?

VulpesZerda: touché

VulpesZerda: alright :)

Tighnari becomes a part of his routine.

After work, he usually makes it in time to watch his streams. His schedule is somewhat erratic due
to his studies, but when he can’t stream, he always messages Cyno to catch up.

Most of the time, Cyno doesn’t even get off, content to watch Tighnari do whatever he’s decided to
entertain his audience with for the day. He becomes intimately acquainted with Tighnari’s small
collection of sex toys, most of which he brought simply for work.

Tighnari has yet to wear the lingerie Cyno sent on a stream, but he never pushes the topic. Maybe
Tighnari hasn’t gotten it yet, or maybe he’s not comfortable with it, and Cyno would never push
him into doing anything he doesn’t want to.

When he’s done streaming, if he has the time, he’ll call Cyno just so they can play a few rounds of
Genius Invokation TCG before they log off for the night. Cyno wins most of the time, but he’s
more than happy to lose to Tighnari, especially with the way his eyes light up after.

Like right now.

Tighnari leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes sparkling. He’s probably
smiling all smug, and for a brief moment, Cyno wishes he could reach over and peel his mask off
so he could see it.

“I’m not going to rub it in,” Tighnari says in a goading tone. “Let’s go again.”

Cyno chuckles. “Alright. I’ll win this time.”

“In your dreams, Lord Jackal,” Tighnari says, shaking his head. “Do you mind if I take my mask
off? It’s getting kind of warm here.”
Oh.

Oh.

“As long as you’re comfortable with it,” Cyno says, swallowing the lump in his throat.

“I trust you,” Tighnari says honestly. Then he takes his mask off.

He’s so pretty. Tighnari is so pretty. Cyno already thought so before, but he knows it now. He
stares at him for a long moment, briefly dazed by the slope of his nose and the soft curve of his
cheek.

And his lips.

He’s smiling. Cyno can finally see him smiling, albeit somewhat nervously. Why is he nervous?
He’s the most beautiful person Cyno has seen in his life. There’s nothing to be worried about, is
there?

In an attempt to ease Tighnari’s anxiety, Cyno finds himself turning his own camera on without
thinking.

Then Tighnari’s eyes go wide, and Cyno realizes what he just did. He freezes, suddenly self-
conscious. It’s not like he looks particularly presentable right now: his white hair is thrown into a
messy ponytail to keep it out of his face while he plays, and he’s wearing a hooded tank top that he
usually uses to work out.

“Shit, sorry,” Cyno says hurriedly. “I should have asked first. I can turn it back off, if you want.”

“Don’t,” Tighnari blurts out. “I was just… surprised. I wasn’t expecting—I mean, I didn’t think—”
He swallows. “Um, you have tattoos.”

Cyno turns to look at himself. His tattoos are fairly simple, just one wrapping around his arm with
a paw stamped underneath.

“Oh, yeah,” he says. “I got them a while ago. Sometimes I forget I have them, since I have to cover
them up at work.”

“They’re cool,” Tighnari replies, smiling a little. “I didn’t think you were the type.”

“I had my rebellious academia days too,” Cyno jokes. “Except instead of cam modeling, I got
tattoos and piercings.”

Tighnari peers at him curiously. “I don’t see any on your face,” he says. “Did you take them out?”

“Well, technically, I only have one,” Cyno replies. “It’s not on my face, or anywhere visible on my
person. Think farther down.”

Tighnari freezes.

Cyno grins. “It’s on my navel,” he says. “Were you thinking of something else?”

Tighnari laughs and shakes his head, his face flushing a brilliant shade of red. “You scared me for
a second.”

Cyno raises an eyebrow. “Scared you?”

“I just… imagined… taking that,” Tighnari forces out, burying his red face in his hands.

Cyno pauses. “You imagined having sex with me?”

“Cyno,” Tighnari says, sounding pained.

He shakes his head. “Ah, that’s an awkward thing to say, isn’t it? I didn’t mean to assume—”

“Did you just—Did you just figure that out now?” Tighnari says incredulously, his pretty eyes
blown wide with surprise. “I’ve been trying to… I thought you… You really didn’t know?”

Cyno tilts his head. “Didn’t know what?”

“I want you to fuck me,” Tighnari blurts out, blunt and straightforward as ever. “I like talking to
you, and I like playing these games with you, but I also want you to fuck me.”

“Oh,” Cyno says, very eloquently.

Tighnari buries his head in his hands. “I thought you were supposed to be smart.”

“I just didn’t think… I never thought…” Cyno trails off. “I don’t want you to feel like you owe me
anything, Tighnari. You really don’t, I swear.”

Tighnari lifts his head to scowl at him. “Well, you owe me something. Your dick. In my ass.”

It’s so frank, and so Tighnari, that Cyno bursts out laughing, which makes Tighnari’s scowl
deepen. “I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you” he says. “I just realized how ridiculous this whole
situation is. This whole time, you were—and I—”

“I keep showing up half-naked and you keep asking to play cards with me,” Tighnari grumbles.
That’s true; even now he’s wearing a shirt so baggy that it keeps slipping off his shoulder. “Do you
even get off to my streams?”

Cyno props his cheek on his hand. “Sometimes.”

“Only sometimes?” Tighnari asks, practically pouting. He’s so cute.

Cyno smiles. “I just like watching you,” he says. “It’s not about me.”

“Oh,” Tighnari says quietly. “You like me that much?”

Cyno nods. “Of course I do,” he says easily.

Tighnari fiddles with a lock of hair for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip as he thinks, the light
on his screen reflecting in his beautiful eyes.

“Cyno,” Tighnari says at last. “Do you want to meet up?”

Cyno could never say no to Tighnari.

“Yes,” he replies. “I would love to.”

 intertwined
Chapter Summary

They meet up.

“Hi,” Cyno says, a little breathless. “Sorry, am I late?”

Tighnari stares at him for a moment, and then he checks his phone. “No,
no, you’re right on time. I was just early.”

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Cyno: What do you wear to a date?

Cyno: I think it’s a date.

Kaveh: oh my god! are you finally getting some bitches?

Kaveh: is it the cute fox boy?

Kaveh: please tell me it’s the cute fox boy

Cyno: It’s the cute fox boy.

Kaveh: Σ(°ロ°)

Kaveh: I MUST GO TELL CANDACE AND ALHAITHAM AND

Cyno: Answer my question first.

Kaveh: whatever you decide to wear, roll up your sleeves

Kaveh: trust me (·ω<)☆

Cyno: Okay.

Cyno: Also, don’t share my private life with our coworkers.

Kaveh: (╥_╥)

Cyno: Fine. You can tell Candace, but not Alhaitham.

Kaveh: (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:·ﾟ✧
His meeting ends up running longer than expected, so he has no time to go home and change. He
shrugs his suit jacket off and rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt, hoping that it’s sufficient.

It’s late in the afternoon, so the Puspa Café is bustling at this hour, filled with laughter, chatter, and
the scent of coffee. Cyno steps inside and immediately spots Tighnari nestled in the corner, gazing
out the window. Warm sunlight highlights the soft curve of his jaw, and there’s steam wafting
from the warm mug in front of him, casting him in a dreamy haze.

He’s wearing a yellow sunflower sweater that’s at least one size too big for him, and there’s an
absent smile on his face. He must be really lost in thought, because he doesn’t spot Cyno until he
slides into the seat across from him.

“Hi,” Cyno says, a little breathless. “Sorry, am I late?”

Tighnari stares at him for a moment, and then he checks his phone. “No, no, you’re right on time. I
was just early.”

They order some more food: a hot cup of tea for Cyno and an assortment of pastries for them to
share.

Cyno talks about his day, about Kaveh and Alhaitham’s bickering, and about his meeting that ran
too long because of it. Tighnari follows along as he chews on an almond cookie, then proceeds to
ramble about the latest flora that he’s been studying.

It’s nice.

It reminds Cyno of his routine, of coming home from work and watching Tighnari’s streams
before they call and catch up over cards. He knows that their relationship isn’t normal by any
means, but it’s theirs, and he wouldn’t give it up for anything.

They wind up talking late into the evening, and it’s nearly dark by the time they make their way
out of the café together.

“I can drive you home,” Cyno offers.

Tighnari takes his hands and cups them between his own, tilting his head in a way that’s almost
pleading. “Or,” he suggests, “you can take me home.”

“Is that what you want?” Cyno asks gently. “You’re sure?”

Tighnari looks amused. “Are you still worried that I’m only doing this because I think I owe you,
or something stupid like that?”

Cyno shrugs. “I just want you to be sure.”

Tighnari pokes his chest. “You should be worrying about yourself here,” he says. “Have you ever
considered that I might be using you for money, you big lummox?”

“I haven’t,” Cyno admits honestly. “It’s okay if you are. Student loans are a bitch.”

Tighnari laughs. “Well, I’m not,” he says. “We can go to your place instead. My apartment is kind
of small, anyway.”

Cyno plants a kiss on the top of his head. “Okay,” he says. “Hop in. I’ll take you to mine.”
The drive to Cyno’s apartment complex is quiet. Tighnari leans against the window and dozes off a
little, and Cyno tries his best to keep his eyes off him and on the road instead. He stirs awake when
they stop, and Cyno holds his hand on the way up.

As soon as they make it inside, Cyno turns to ask Tighnari if he wants something to drink, but
before he can open his mouth, Tighnari is grabbing him by the collar to cut him off.

“Do it,” Tighnari dares him. “Ask me.”

“Can I kiss you?” Cyno asks him instead.

Tighnari smiles. “Good,” he says. “Yes, you can.”

Cyno cups his face and kisses him. Tighnari makes a sweet, approving sound and kisses him back,
leaning into it when Cyno’s hands slide down to his waist. He presses closer, taking Cyno’s hands
and sliding them under his sweater.

He’s expecting soft skin, and that’s what he gets, but when he drags his hands up, he feels bits and
pieces of fabric.

Cyno’s brows furrow, and he pulls away, tilting his head in askance.

Tighnari grins. “You’ll have to take my clothes off for that,” he says. “Bedroom?”

Cyno takes him by the wrist and drags him over to his bedroom, glad that it’s neat inside. Not that
it matters, because the second they make it there, Tighnari is getting on his knees.

Tighnari looks up at him with his pretty eyes blown wide. “Can I suck you off?”

“Yeah,” Cyno says, voice rough with want. “Please.”

Tighnari reaches for his zipper, then takes his sweet time pushing Cyno’s pants down. He kisses
the piercing on his navel, then bites his lip when he gets to Cyno’s boxers.

“I figured you would be big, but I didn’t think…” Tighnari trails off. “Is this a stereotypical
camboy thing to say?”

Cyno laughs lightly, gently pushing Tighnari’s hair away from his face with one hand. “It’s okay,”
he says. “You don’t even have your ears on.”

Tighnari’s lips twitch. “Should I have brought them with me?”

“No,” Cyno says honestly. As cute as they are on him, he looks better this way, real and whole.
He’s not looking at Vulpes right now, he’s looking at Tighnari. “Though I have always wondered
if they’re as soft as they look.”

“Next time,” Tighnari says.

Cyno can’t muster a reply, not when Tighnari is taking him in his hands to stroke him until he’s
fully hard. All he can do is hold Tighnari’s hair back, away from his face. His lips are so pretty,
and he licks them to get them wet before he takes Cyno into his mouth, slow and steady.
He sputters a little, his pretty eyes going teary around the corners, so he squeezes them shut, but he
manages to take all of Cyno into the mouth in the end.

“Good boy,” Cyno groans.

Tighnari drags himself back off slowly, then starts sucking him off properly, using his hands
where his mouth can’t reach. Cyno grips his dark hair tighter, drawing out a moan from underneath
him. He fucks into Tighnari’s mouth carefully and shallowly for fear of hurting him.

He’s so pretty and pliant that Cyno is tempted to just come down his throat, but he decides against
it and drags Tighnari up to his feet by his hair, enamored by the way his lips have gone red and
slick with spit.

Cyno pulls his pants and underwear off all the way, and Tighnari reaches up to help him fumble
with the buttons of his dress shirt. Cyno kisses his cheek, then his forehead, and Tighnari laughs
lightly as he pulls the last button free.

“Your turn,” Cyno says, ushering Tighnari off to the bed.

Tighnari falls on his back and onto the mattress, his hair splayed out over the pillow. Cyno kisses
him again as he fumbles with Tighnari’s pants blindly, and Tighnari holds his face through it,
gasping into his mouth when he finally pulls them off.

He crawls onto Cyno’s lap and lifts his hands over his head, allowing Cyno to pull his sweater off.

Oh. Tighnari is wearing it.

The lingerie Cyno had bought, he’s wearing it, and he looks just as stunning in it as he’d expected.
There are purple straps criss-crossing over his skin, twining over his torso, and the violet flowers
look perfect against the rosy flush that’s settled all over his body.

“I thought…” Cyno trails off, looking up at Tighnari, who’s grinning. It’s that same smug smile he
wears when he beats Cyno at a game. “You never wore it on stream, so I wasn’t sure if you got it,
or if you wanted to wear it at all.”

“Of course I wanted to wear it,” Tighnari says. “But I didn’t want to wear it for all those other
people. I wanted to wear it for you.”

“You—” Cyno cuts himself off to laugh, amazed by Tighnari as usual. He pushes Tighnari back
down onto the bed, and Tighnari goes willingly, spreading his legs so Cyno can settle in the space
between them. “You,” he says again in an awed tone. “I love you.”

It comes out suddenly, but it must ring true, because Tighnari smiles at him brilliantly, like a rose
in full bloom.

“I love you too,” Tighnari says, laughing around the words. “I can show you just how much.”

Cyno shakes his head. “Let me,” he says, reaching for a bottle of lube in the drawer of his
nightstand.

“I didn’t prepare myself,” Tighnari admits. “You seem like the type to want to do it yourself.”

“You know me too well,” Cyno says, slicking up his fingers and rubbing them against each other
to warm them up. “Ready?”
Tighnari nods, tilting his chin up, and Cyno leans down to press their mouths together as he presses
the finger in, drinking up the moan that slips past Tighnari’s lips. He makes the sweetest sounds,
soft and startled, like every bit of pleasure surprises him, and Cyno is happy to drink it all up as he
slips the next finger in, scissoring him open until he’s ready for a third.

He curls his fingers just right, and Tighnari gasps. “Cyno,” he says. “I need you, need you so bad,
please—”

Cyno kisses the corner of his mouth. “It’s okay. I’ve got you. Let me get a condom.”

Tighnari whines and shakes his head. “I want you to fill me up.”

Oh, if that isn’t the hottest thing Cyno has ever heard, but it’s up to him to be responsible. He
kisses Tighnari’s brow. “Next time, like you said.”

Tighnari stops whining when Cyno rolls the condom over himself and lines himself up before
pushing in slowly. Just the tip is enough to draw another moan out of him, and Cyno braces an arm
over him as he pushes in all the way. He’s so tight and warm. Cyno has to bury his face into the
crook of Tighnari’s neck to stifle a groan of his own.

He’s been watching Tighnari’s streams long enough to know how he likes it, so he tries his best to
do it right: slow and steady at first to ease him into it, because he takes a while to warm up,
peppering his face and shoulders with kisses to help him relax. As soon as his body is less tense,
Cyno pushes in harder, rougher, and Tighnari calls out his name over and over in a way that
reassures Cyno that he’s doing this right, he’s making Tighnari feel good.

It’s that realization that spurs him on more than anything. To Cyno, this is about Tighnari, not him.
It’s always been about Tighnari. Despite being someone who’s watched a camboy’s streams for
months now, sex has never actually been his priority, but it feels so good to know that Tighnari
wants him.

“You feel so good,” Cyno murmurs.

Tighnari shudders. “I love your voice.”

“Do you?”

Tighnari nods, barely biting back a whimper. “When I first heard your voice—oh, fuck. I nearly—I
nearly said, ‘to hell with it’ and begged you to call me a slut.”

Cyno chuckles. “What stopped you?”

“Basic human decency,” Tighnari answers. “And also the fact that you wanted to play TCG
instead. You really have no idea how hot you are, do you?”

Cyno shrugs. “It’s not that important to me,” he says. “You’re hot, though.”

“I know,” Tighnari replies.

Cyno laughs, kissing his nose. “You should. Such a good slut.”

Tighnari tightens around him, letting out a cute little yelp before burying his face into Cyno’s
shoulder. “Please, you can’t just say that,” he says.

Cyno grins. “I thought you wanted me to?”

“I do, but you’re gonna kill me,” Tighnari says. “Fuck you and your voice and your arms. You
have no idea what you do to me.”

“My arms?”

“I love your arms,” Tighnari says, placing his hands over them for emphasis. “They’re so nice. I
nearly fainted when I saw your tattoos.”

Cyno smiles. “I’m glad you like them.”

“I think I just like you,” Tighnari admits.

Cyno’s smile only widens, his heart swelling with affection. He presses down to kiss Tighnari and
fuck into him properly, as hard and fast as he deserves, running a hand under the straps of his
lingerie to pinch his nipple, rolling it between his fingers.

“Ah, please,” Tighnari begs, throwing his head back. “Cyno, please.”

“You can come untouched for me, can’t you?” Cyno responds, grinning. “You’ve done it before,
and I wasn’t even fucking you then.”

“For you,” Tighnari echoes, and he sounds so beautifully fucked out that Cyno feels himself
nearing his own climax. “Anything for you.”

That’s enough for Cyno. He thrusts back into Tighnari one last time, burying his face in his
shoulder as he comes, and Tighnari follows suit, getting the straps of his lingerie dirty; Cyno idly
thinks, through the haze in his brain, that he ought to buy Tighnari more.

He kisses Tighnari’s collarbone as he catches his breath, and Tighnari reaches up to stroke his hair.
Cyno pulls away to look at Tighnari: beautifully fucked out, his chest still heaving, his hair in
disarray, skin flushed red against the violet straps of his lingerie, a mess pooling over the skin
between their stomachs.

Tighnari yanks at his hair, pulling him down, and Cyno kisses him once before pulling away to rest
their foreheads together.

“You’re so beautiful,” Cyno whispers, placing a hand on his cheek.

Tighnari smiles up at him. “I know,” he says. “Kiss me again?”

Cyno smiles back. He does kiss Tighnari. Over and over again, holding him close to remind him
that he’s no longer a set of pixels on a screen—he’s real and whole, and he’s in Cyno’s arms.

Cyno stirs awake to the weight and warmth of something in his arms. He yawns and cracks one
eye open to see Tighnari awake and sitting up, scrolling through his phone.

“Morning,” Tighnari says mildly.

Cyno was clinging onto him all night. His arms are still around him even now. Before they went to
sleep, he let Tighnari borrow a pair of boxers and one of his shirts. He turns to rest his head on
Tighnari’s stomach, nuzzling him as he slowly wakes up.
Tighnari huffs, amused. “Someone’s comfortable.”

Cyno hikes his shirt up to expose Tighnari’s stomach. Then he blows a raspberry into his skin.
Tighnari giggles, smacking his head to get him to stop.

“You’re such an idiot,” Tighnari says, but he’s smiling.

Cyno pulls a face.

Tighnari pats his face. “My idiot, though,” he says. “We’re dating now, by the way.”

Cyno raises an eyebrow. “We are?”

Tighnari nods. “We are,” he says. “Do you have something against that?”

“Not at all,” Cyno replies.

“Good,” Tighnari says. He shuts his phone off and puts it away. “You have work today, and I have
a lecture at noon, so let’s have breakfast.”

Cyno raises an eyebrow as he peels himself off Tighnari. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” Tighnari says, rolling out of bed. “How do you like your eggs?”

Cyno grins as he hops out of bed after him, slinging his arm over Tighnari’s shoulder to kiss the
side of his head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m egg-static to eat whatever you cook.”

Tighnari groans, pushing him away.

Cyno laughs. “No? How about egg-cited?”

“I am covering my ears!” Tighnari calls over his shoulder.

That only makes Cyno laugh harder as he chases him into the kitchen. Tighnari is already
rummaging through the cupboards, making himself right at home. The slanted morning sunlight is
warm and butter-yellow, and a piece of it catches on Tighnari’s shoulder where the sleeve of his
shirt has slid down. It’s nice, knowing that Tighnari feels safe and comfortable here, despite
everything.

Cyno wraps his arms around Tighnari from behind. He kisses Tighnari’s exposed shoulder before
dragging his shirt back over it.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he murmurs, gently backing Tighnari against the counter.

Tighnari turns around to poke his chest. “We are not having sex right now,” he says. “Be
responsible.”

“I wasn’t starting anything,” Cyno says. “Maybe I was going to make another egg pun. I have
plenty in my arsenal. Here’s one.” He clears his throat, looking Tighnari in the eye with a solemn
expression. “I think you’re egg-cellent.”

Tighnari snorts, taking Cyno’s face in his hands. “You crack me up.”

Cyno raises an eyebrow. “Did you just—”

Tighnari kisses him. He’s starting to learn that it’s a very effective way to shut Cyno up.
Cyno loves his job. He just doesn’t love—

“Cyno!” Kaveh calls out, flinging the door open. “How did your date go?”

He just doesn’t love his coworkers.

“It went well,” he replies flatly. “He stayed the night, but I drove him to the Akademiya before I
got here because he has a lecture to attend.”

Kaveh’s eyes go wide. He drops Cyno’s coffee on the desk, uncaring of the way the liquid sloshes
violently against the rim as he plants his ass on the chair across from him. “Spill,” he demands.

“You nearly spilled my coffee,” Cyno says, picking up the mug.

Kaveh wiggles his eyebrows. “How was the lay?”

“We are at work,” Cyno snaps. “Is nothing sacred?”

“Nope,” Kaveh replies. “Not with Alhaitham as our boss.”

Cyno sighs. “Well, we’re dating now,” he says. “So I suppose I have you to thank. Thank you,
Kaveh.”

Kaveh’s face softens. “I’m glad you found someone nice, Cyno.”

Cyno sips his coffee. “I’ve been meaning to ask,” he says. “How did you find that site to begin
with?”

The soft look on Kaveh’s face vanishes, but he does laugh airily as he gets up. “The same way any
guy knows about cam sites,” he responds, turning around, but not before Cyno catches the strange
furrow between his brows.

Cyno puts his cup down. “Kaveh?” he asks tentatively. “Are you—”

Candace chooses that moment to poke her head in and wave. “Cyno!” she whisper-shouts. “I heard
about the date. How did it go?”

It’s not long before the rest of his coworkers are piling in, curious to know what everyone is
gossiping about. Nilou wanders in after Candace. Faruzan follows shortly after, dragging Layla,
their perpetually tired intern, along with her.

“It went well,” Cyno says again, voice strangled. “Back to work with all of you.”

Dehya, their building’s security guard, wanders past, then does a double take. “What are you all
doing?” she asks.

“Cyno’s non-existent love life has become… existent,” Candace whispers conspiratorially.

Kaveh bursts out laughing.

Eventually he ushers them all out of his office under the threat of calling Alhaitham—though it’s an
 empty threat, because he’d rather jump out the window than interact with that man willingly—and
slumps back in his seat before pulling his phone out to send Tighnari a message.

Cyno: I hate my coworkers.

Tighnari: i love your coworkers. they brought you to me.

Cyno: I love YOU.

Tighnari: you’re so sappy lmao

Cyno: Sappy? I can do sappy. Here.

Cyno: I love you TREE-mendously.

Cyno: Do you understand the joke? It’s because sap comes from trees, and “TREE-
mendously” is wordplay on the word “tremendously” by adding the word “tree” to it.
This is splendid. I should add it to my list of jokes.

Tighnari: stfu

Tighnari: …i love you too

hanamizakaheroics: NICE TO FINALLY PLAY WITH YOU AGAIN DUDE

hanamizakaheroics: IT’S BEEN A WHILE

Lord_Jackal: Sorry, I’ve been occupied.

Lord_Jackal: I found someone.

hanamizakaheroics: YOU DID?!

hanamizakaheroics: CONGRATS DUDE I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU

Lord_Jackal: Thank you for the kind words.

Lord_Jackal: I’m still going to kick your ass.

hanamizakaheroics: DAMN

Chapter End Notes

and that's a wrap! thanks for reading :) i may or may not write a haikaveh spin-off set
within this universe eventually.

here's my twitter. by the way, the reference i used for tighnari's purple lingerie was
 also brought to you by riya, just like the rest of this fic. thank you, riya <3

edit: toothsie made some art for this fic!

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