Chapter Text
“If you ever do that to me again, I will kill you.”
Kaveh doesn’t think he has ever been as close to Tighnari’s face before. Tighnari has him grabbed by the front of his club jacket and pulled him in right to his face. If Kaveh could concentrate, he would be able to count each individual lash on his coach’s eyes.
“I don’t ever want you pulling that shit again. I know we’re friends and I know what you’re like but what you did yesterday? Unacceptable Kaveh.” He finally lets him go and Kaveh stumbles back.
Kaveh had been expecting Tighnari to lecture him about last night’s event, however he had hoped he would at least wait an hour or two into their training session. But no, Tighnari ripped into him the moment Kaveh stepped into the building. Maybe if Tighnari lets out all his frustrations now, before they begin, then he will not work Kaveh too hard in their training.
“Right, whatever. What’s done is done. But I don’t want to see you jeopardising your career for the sake of some boy.”
Kaveh’s eyes widen.
“I… not you too!” Kaveh wails and clings to Tighnari’s arm. He pushes in closer until Tighnari understands what he wants and wraps his arms around him in an oddly positioned hug.
“I don’t like him like that! That’s all the media has been talking about!” Kaveh looks up and sets his big bright eyes on Tighnari.
“Coach… you have to do something. Alhaitham is going to tarnish my reputation.”
“What in Tevyat is wrong with you?” Tighnari pulls away and sets his hands on Kaveh’s shoulders, partly to keep him stable but more so to keep him away from Tighnari.
“I won my first gold medal last night, but I can’t even feel good about it cause the only news in the media about it is pictures of me and Alhaitham talking!”
Kaveh pulls away from Tighnari and takes his phone out of his jacket pocket, unlocking it quickly and turning it to his coach. His little gold lion keychain dangles as he passes the phone over.
“Ok wait,” Tighnari takes the phone and checks through the articles Kaveh had pulled up.
He scrolls and sees that Kaveh is right. Everyone is having the time of their life speculating about these two skaters’ relationship. Pictures upon pictures are posted, of Kaveh bumping into Alhaitham, of Alhaitham smiling back at him and lastly of Kaveh leaning down to Alhaitham’s ear on the podium. Tighnari didn’t even know there were that many possible angles to shoot from in the arena.
He giggles and then looks at Kaveh. His little prodigy has the longest face imaginable. Mouth downturned and brows knit together. He suppresses a laugh and hands the phone back to Kaveh.
“I just pointed out his stupid hair sprout! They’re making such a big deal out of this.”
“Consider this your divine punishment for how much stress you caused me last night.” Tighnari grins.
The pair hear a collection of footsteps approaching them so they turn and find Nahida waving a hello with two very dejected skaters following her.
“Good morning Tighnari, Kaveh.”
Nahida is soft spoken and extremely polite. Kaveh adores the lady. Whenever Tighnari does not feel well, Nahida will happily take care of Kaveh and accept him into her training slots.
Alhaitham behind her does not too bad, just a little sheepish. But on here other side, Scaramouche is glowering like an angry cat, ready to nip at someone’s ankles.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but the boys have something to say.” Nahida pushes Alhaitham forward first.
“I am sorry, for making everyone worry about me. It was not my intention.” Alhaitham speaks like his usual self, so Kaveh assumes that he’s all back to normal. Even his hair is combed down today.
“And now Scaramouche please.”
He clears his throat and crosses his arms.
“I may have… kicked Alhaitham’s headphones under the cabinets. They were on the floor and I tripped on them.”
Nahida pinches his arm, and he scowls.
“I am sorry for the inconvenience.” He finally manages to mumble out.
“It was one thing for Alhaitham to jeopardise his own time slot. But you could have well cost Kaveh his spot too.” Nahida seems to also be in a lecturing mood.
“You are very lucky that Kaveh was so kind to help you. You would have lost your place. You can’t just outright refuse to look for solutions when a problem arises. You are strong, and sturdy, like a great oak, but you must also be willing to move and sway with nature when the time comes.
“And Scaramouche. That is no way to treat someone else’s belongings.”
Scaramouche scoffs and leaves, no longer wanting to stay in their little circle of personal growth.
Kaveh glows at the little bit of praise he received from Nahida and bats his eyelashes at Tighnari. His coach does not agree in the slightest and thwacks his head lightly.
The door to the rink opens wide and Cyno steps in. He puffs out his chest and stalks over to their little ragtag group.
“Good, you’re all here. Firstly. Well done on your performance Alhaitham. Exquisite as always.” He first bumps the taller skater and turns back to everyone else.
“Secondly, I have called the police, and we have managed to procure the tapes for the security cameras in the arena. This matter will be dealt with utmost care I promise you this.”
Tighnari laughs and Kaveh hears a crash come form the other side of the room. He looks over and sees Scaramouche had dropped his equipment. “Hey now. I said I was sorry didn’t I?”
The room fills with giggles and guffaws and Scaramouche starts yelling at Cyno.
“Your team isn’t so bad.” Kaveh nudges Alhaitham.
The taller skater looks down and smiles and Kaveh’s heart skips a beat. He looks away quickly ad clears his throat.
“I won yesterday, but it was only because you were distracted. So it doesn’t count as a true victory. I will beat you next time. For real.” Kaveh crosses his arms and fixes Alhaitham with a glare.
“I saw the tail end of your performance. I think you won it fair and square actually.”
“Lying doesn’t suit you.” Kaveh sniffs and turns his nose up.
“Thank you, Kaveh. If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have skated last night.”
Kaveh’s eyes widen in shock and he relaxes his body, leaning closer into Alhaitham.
“Of course, I would help you. We’re friends now are we not?”
And Alhaitham cannot disagree. He had started his skating journey alone, with no one to support him or hold his hand. But now he finds himself surrounded by people who deem him as a friend. From Nahida who took him under her wing when he was a proud teenager and helped mellow him out and teach him to skate better, to Cyno, his closest friend and confidant, who is always willing to fight anyone and everyone if it means keeping Alhaitham safe. To Kaveh, a relatively new addition to his circle, but one he values immensely. Alhaitham smiles again and looks down at his feet. He hopes they can continue to grow closer now that they have set aside their differences.
“Say Kaveh, Layla is coming by later today, you think you could take a look at my costume designs and help me out? I’m a little sick of the plain shirts.”
Kaveh’s face lit up. “Of course! I love talking with Layla about our costumes. What were you thinking? Maybe some glitter or some beading here or-“
Alhaitham laughs.
“I’ll leave the details to you Kaveh. Thank you. You truly are wonderful.”