".<Claws>." (Cyno x reader)

~~ Eremites ~~

The sun was high in the sky when the group set out to the desert. Cyno pushed the group to move as quickly as possible to make sure the Eremites didn't move camp.

Y/n slowed her pace to Alhaitham. "Did you see Cyno earlier? He pulled Kaveh aside. Do you think Kaveh said something?" Y/n asked, worried.

"I'm not sure. We should find a way to weasel out some info from Kaveh. It's better to be safe than sorry." Alhaitham agreed, though his face and tone did not convey his concern.

"You shouldn't worry anyway. Even if we can't get anything out of Kaveh, I doubt he knows anything. He made an irrational guess about us." Alhaitham shrugged.

"Right. Right..." Y/n said, embarrassed.

Y/n glanced over her shoulder and saw Tighnari dragging behind. His ears were droopy, and his tail was almost dragging in the sand. Y/n fell back further and smiled at him. In return, Tighnari gave a weak grin.

"Are you okay? Do we need to stop?" Y/n asked, worried.

"No. I'm fine, I just don't do too well in these warmer temperatures." Tighnari sighed, glancing up at the sun high in the sky.

Y/n shifted her gaze back to Cyno in the lead. She cupped her hand around her mouth and hollered to Cyno. "Hey, Cyno! We should stop for a bit!"

Cyno rolled his eyes and pressed forward. Y/n started to get irritated and brought Tighnari to a small tree. Underneath, Y/n helped Tighnari down to rest. "Cyno, we are resting! I'm sorry, but I don't want anyone to pass out."

Dehya and Kaveh flopped down in the shade. Dehya stretched and leaned against the trunk. Alhaitham glanced at Cyno, who was fuming. "It's reckless to push them like this. You should know this." Alhaitham followed to the shade.

The sun was inching closer to the horizon, and Y/n knew they'd need to keep going, but Tighnari still didn't look well.

Y/n stood up and glanced in Cynos' direction, who was impatiently pacing in the distance. Y/n caught his attention, and she signaled him over.

"I have a thought..." Y/n spoke when Cyno arrived.

"That's a first..." She could have sworn he had mumbled, but she ignored the remark.

"We are running low on daylight, and we need to catch the Eremites before they abandon camp. So, I think two of us could go and investigate, and the rest of the group sets up camp here. The two said, can come back and report." The H/c offered.

The group greeted the idea with unsteady expressions. "I was thinking, Cyno and I will go. I have knowledge of ruins, so if there's anything there, I might recognize it." Y/n explained.

"I don't hate the idea." Alhaitham agreed. "Dehya and I can look out while Tighnari rests."

Kaveh scrunched his nose. "What? I can look out too!"

Alhaitham gave a knowing glance at his direction.

"Anyways, you two better get moving quickly if you want to make it back before nightfall." Alhaitham said a matter of factly.

"Fine. The rest of the group can stay here, and we will meet back up in this exact spot. If we run into trouble and aren't back by sunrise, then come check." Cyno agreed begrudgingly.

The pair said their goodbyes and hurried off across the dunes. The sun was low in the sky by the time they made it to the camp. They both crouched behind a builder gazing down at the camp.

"You stay here and keep watch. I'm going to take a look around." Cyno whispered, leaning towards her so his lips were by her ear.

Y/n narrowed her eyes, "What?! Why do I have to stay?!" She whispered, yelled back.