summary: in which cyno decides to do some late night reading, but it seems he’s not the only one who’s had that idea.
genre: fluff
warnings: time of writing is before sumeru and cyno’s release
word count: around 1.6k
other: gn!reader
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silence shared by candlelight.
The libraries of Sumeru Academia were renowned for their shelves of unparalleled knowledge. Books covering any topic could be found in all shapes and forms- from heavy hard-back novels to old scrolls and flimsy parchments. High ceilings and tall pillars would stand proud in the libraries’ vast halls, meeting onlookers with a sense awe and breathlessness.
In the day, sunlight would filter through large windows and specks of dust would be caught in beams of light as they drifted through the air. Stepping into such places seemed to transport one from the bustling corridors of life to a secluded bubble of reality where the only sounds to be heard were the occasional hushed voices and muffled footsteps. Like another world, suspended in silence.
To Cyno, these winding passageways of books and scrolls were like a second home; a well-needed escape from the noise and energy of the rest of the Academia. Here, his mind could wander unconstrained in the limitless stretches of his consciousness, alone and undisturbed.
Of course, he’d also come here to read. For just as the library was to the world, each book in these shelves contained a world of its own. To open the first page of a book, to read the first words, was equivalent to setting foot in a new reality and watching a journey unravel before you. That, in his mind, was the best part of any story.
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You wandered through the library, a heavy book tucked beneath your arm as you surveyed the shelves before you with a critical eye. The book you carried was the first of a series- one you had thoroughly enjoyed so far- and the cliffhanger it ended on had you on edge and intent on finding answers; those answers in question contained in the second volume. Only one problem; this second book seemed to be impossible to find, even after hours of searching.
You knew this library well. Days upon days you had spent in here, whether you were studying or immersing yourself in a novel. Finding this one book should be easy enough, no?
No. For like finding a needle in a haystack, no matter how deep you dug, you would return empty-handed.
You turned another a corner, into yet another branch of this vast library. This aisle was almost empty, the exception being a cloaked student reading in the corner. He didn’t seem to notice your presence; or, at least, if he did, he didn’t acknowledge it.
Two ears resembling those of a jackal were sewn onto his hood, pierced with golden rings. You wandered absentmindedly if the cloak had been made like that or if the student had sewn them on himself. Something made you suspect it was the latter.
Turning your attention back to the books, you scanned the shelf in search of the second volume of your series. Your eyes settled on a book by the same author, and for a moment your heart leapt-
Before recognising it as a different series you’d already read. Your excitement evaporated as quickly as it had come and you continued examining the rest of the bookshelves, your hope withering with each passing second.
And again, to no surprise, you found nothing. No signs of this book. Why did it seem so intent on evading you? You let out a heavy sigh and rubbed your temples. You had a class starting shortly, so you’d have to leave the library defeated once more. As you turned to leave the aisle, a voice broke the silence.
“Are you looking for something?”
You stopped and looked back to see the cloaked person staring at you. His crimson eyes seemed to study you from beneath his hood. You hesitated for a moment before answering.
“Yeah,” you sighed, shoulders sagging. “I’m looking for the second book of this series,” you held up the book tucked beneath your arm for the student to see. “But I can’t find it anywhere. Do you know where it might be?”
The stranger’s gaze turned from you to the book.
“Yes, that one is difficult to find…” he mused, staring into space for a moment as he considered the whereabouts of its location. His attention suddenly snapped back to you, gaze boring into yours. Something resembling chills ran down your spine at the intensity of those eyes. “Try the aisle to the left of the stairs. It should be there.”
You hurriedly thanked him (to which he simply dipped his head and returned to his book) before making your way out of the aisle. You had a class starting in a few minutes, but you intended to check that location later.
Perhaps your search wouldn’t be in vain after all.
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By night, the libraries of Sumeru Academia were a different place. After sunset, moonlight instead of sunlight fell onto the carpets, an ethereal silver-blue glow filling the book-lined halls. Shadows hung around every corner like thick cobwebs, seeming to grab at one’s own shadow as they walked by. The musty smell of old pages clung to the cool night air.
Cyno wove through the maze of bookshelves, paying no mind as shadows brushed past his legs or as the cold air pricked his skin. He made his way to a secluded corner near the stairs, in which a table stood between two chairs at the end of the passage. He was familiar with this little space, having spent many nights here reading in blissful solitude before.
He bent down and reached under the table. His fingers brushed against something hard and cold. With a little effort, he pulled out a heavy lantern and set it in the middle of the table, sending a silent thank you to the librarian (who had grown quite accustomed to his nightly visits). He opened the lantern’s hatch and from within it drew out a matchbox- another thank you was sent in the librarian’s direction.
Cyno struck the match against the matchbox and lit the lantern’s candle. The bright flame burned inside the metal box, flickering and dancing as it cast a ring of light around the table. He sat down in one of the chairs and pulled out his book. Opening the page signalled by his bookmark, he began to read.
Cyno had always found comfort in the silence and the twists and turns of the many bookshelves of this library- like a maze that he alone knew how to navigate.
Or at least, that’s what he thought. But it seemed that he was not the only one who found the library’s old books by darkness a pleasant company.
A sound pulled him back to reality- muffled footsteps- and he looked up from his book, peering into the darkness. A silhouette shifted at the end of the corridor, but he couldn’t distinguish any details.
He wondered who else would still be in the library at this time of night; even the librarian had left. He heard the muffled thud of a heavy book and a quiet “ow” from down the corridor, followed by an even quieter “sorry”.
He hesitated for a moment, recognising the voice. Where had he heard it before?
Before he had the time to figure it out, the silhouette stepped forwards into a shaft of moonlight, revealing a (moderately) familiar face.
You winced, rubbing the top of your head, a heavy book in your hands- different to the one you’d held earlier. Cyno noted that you’d found the book you were looking for, yes, but perhaps he should’ve warned you of its somewhat high position on the shelf.
He saw your eyes flick to him, and you stared at each other for a brief second, as if both asking each other, What are you doing here?
After a moment of eye contact and slightly awkward silence, you simply shrugged and took the chair on the other side of the table, sharing the lantern’s ring of light. Cyno’s eyes followed you as you sat down and opened the book, tilting your head as you took in the first words of this story and waited for it to come to life around you. The corners of your lips twitched in a little smile as you read.
You had a nice smile, he thought.
He looked at you as you turned the page. Something about the action, though so quick and simple, seemed so… careful. Gentle, almost. As if you, like him, respected these books.
You must have noticed his staring, because you paused to look at him, eyebrow raised in a quizzical expression. The candlelight danced in your eyes as if a fire had been lit behind them. Cyno found his attention drawn to them like a moth to a flame.
He only blinked in response to your unspoken question before returning to his own book.
And so, the night was spent in silence. No words were passed between you, and no pleasantries were shared- the only thing you shared was the warm glow of the lantern.
And yet, Cyno found himself enjoying your presence almost as much as he enjoyed the library’s.
Perhaps it was the way that you treated the books with care, or how you didn’t judge his presence here at such a time of night- joined him, in fact- but he found himself wondering whether and when he’d see you again.
And as you both left the library that night and went your separate ways, still not a single word spoken, he hoped that he may have the pleasure of sharing this experience with you once more. Maybe one day he’d even learn your name.
ok so i have some more cyno brainrot at long last.
just, like…
imagine him reading to you. you’re lying down, head on his lap as his fingers run through your hair absentmindedly, only lifting his hand up briefly when he turns the page. his voice is quiet and soothing as he narrates the story. your mind wanders through tales and images of heroes and villains, victories and losses, mysteries and riddles, beginnings and endings. it’s almost as if he brings the book to life around you.
at some point, you find yourself growing tired, and your eyelids begin to feel heavy. before you know it, you’ve dozed off, dreaming of epic battles and magical worlds.
unaware that you’ve fallen asleep, cyno carries on, although at some point he realises the even rise and fall of your breaths and looks down at you, only to find that you’re asleep. he sighs, though out of fondness, not disappointment, and sets the book aside. though he doesn’t visibly smile, his heart is warm and gaze is loving as he looks down at you. he brushes your hair out of your face and presses a soft kiss to your forehead.
and wonders what he ever did to deserve somebody like you.
blakekathryn
gummygunk
kaledo-art
origamiaround
prguitarman
