Chapter Text
Tighnari groaned quietly. He leaned back in his chair.
He wasn't delusional.
He sat up and rubbed his temples with a sigh, ears tilted back. Maybe he should visit another doctor- no... he didn't want to hear those stupid words again. "Oh, don't you worry, any vision bearers have trouble with their elemental energy when they're pregnant, it's fiiiine! It's normal! It's probably just causing you extra trouble because you're having two!"
He wanted to scoff again. He wished he could leaned his head on his desk, but nooooo. He ruffled his hair. Usually, the kind of trouble these doctors were talking about was their vision sometimes not working, or maybe working a bit less.
He dreadfully looked to the window, where a bunch of vine mass sat where a flower pot used to be.
He'd never heard of it working too well.
He sighed and put a hand on his stomach. He was only in his third month, so there wasn't mcuh there, but just enough to see if you squinted. is this your doing...? He wondered for the umpteenth time. he shook his head. that doesn't explain enough. Why is it only doing this now? How can I stop it?
he'd asked pretty much every reliable doctor or scholar he knew of. He'd tried to study on it... see if there was anything that could explain it. But not a single source in Sumeru spoke a single word about a vision working using too much elemental energy and going haywire.
"Maybe I need to find someone who specialises in elements..." he mumbled.
He heard someone come inside, and looked up. "Cyno?" He asked. And he was correct, as his husband came inside. "Hey Nari." He replied. He came over, and noticed Tighnari's dishevelled hair. He tilted his head. He looked up at the vine mass by the window.
"Ah. No luck?"
Tighnari shook his head.
He leaned back again and sighed. "Not a single doctor believes something is wrong. I was thinking I might need to see someone who specialises in elemental energy, but I can't think of anyone..."
Cyno leaned on the desk. "I can."
Tighnari snapped his head up. "YOU CAN?!"
Cyno jumped slightly. "Ah- yes. I can. The problem is that she's not in Sumeru." He answered. Tighnari blinked. "Not in Sumeru...? Then who-"
They both spoke at the same time.
"LISA!"
Tighnari nodded. "Right- she's in Mondstadt. That's... a long trip. And leaving Collei behind isn't the best idea, with her Eleazar. I could ask someone else to look after her, but..." he pondered as he stood up and wandered. "The risk might be too much."
Then his hand, unknowingly, brushed against the wall. He felt the odd popping sensation in his hand.
And it was covered in stinging ivy.
He shivered. "Ah- actually, now that I think about it, It's probably more dangerous for her if this goes unchecked. And... everyone else."
"..."
"I- i should get someone to get rid of that..."
Tighnari looked around for someone. "Collei? Collei!" He called out. He needed to talk to her.
He saw the flash of green out of the corner of his eyes, as well as hearing her footsteps, of course, and turned around. She looked confused. "Master? What did you need?" She asked. He nodded. "Ah- good. I need to talk to you about something. I'll be going away for a while, to visit a friend in Mondstadt about something."
She looked startled. "To Mondstadt-? That's really far away- are you sure you'll be alright? With your condition..."
Tighnari sighed softly. "I'll be fine. I can handle it- my condition won't change that. As for your condition, however, the other forest watchers will be checking in on you while I'm gone. Remember to take your medicine, and don't overdo it."
She nodded. "Right-!"
Cyno walked in to Tighnari already being packed.
"Hang on. Where do you think you're going?"
Tighnari looked back to him. "...to Mondstadt? I thought i already said that." He replied. Cyno shook his head. "Why did you pack your stuff without me? It's like you're planning to... go..."
He turned to look Tighnari in the eyes. "You were going to go alone."
Tighnari nodded. "...what about it?" He asked. Cyno's expression hardened slightly. "You can't go all the way to Mondstadt alone." He firmly told him. Tighnari seemed surprised. "Wha- why?" He asked. "I can handle an expedition alone."
"It's halfway across the continent, not a patrol in the forest. You're bound to run into trouble at some point. I'm not letting you go alone." Cyno stood his ground. Tighnari tensed. "I- I just- I'm not weak! I can't let anyone else go with me. I'm strong enough to handle things myself."
Cyno's mouth pressed together. "Tighnari you're pregnant."
"I'm a safety hazard, Cyno. I don't want someone to come with me only to get hurt when my vision acts up." He near snapped. "If no one comes with me, no one will get hurt." Tighnari insisted. Cyno shook his head and stepped closer.
"You could get hurt."
"..."
He took one of Tighnari's hands. "I've handled far worse than a few wild plants." He reassured. "It's a part of my everyday life. I can handle anything the journey has at me. Whether it be monsters, criminals, or even your own vision. I swear." He said firmly.
He touched Tighnari's face. "And I swear i will protect you three with my life."
Tighnari's ears lowered. He took a slightly shaky breath.
"...I'd prefer it if you didn't actually die. But... fine. You can come with me."
Cyno relaxed, and stepped back. "Good. I'll handle in a form about my leave, and I'm not going to take a no for an answer. They shouldn't be able to argue against it, since it's about the health of my pregnant spouse. That's one of the few things they are generous about, besides the generous amount of work they give." He commented. Tighnari stifled a laugh.
There it was. Their plan was set.
They were going to Mondstadt.