Chapter Text
Kaveh sighed as placed the glass on the tray. Are all humans so rash? he asked himself. Such strange creatures, assuming they know everything about their world and themselves. He picked up the tray and made his way to the guest bedroom. Al Haitham was sound asleep, tossing and turning betwixt the silk sheets. Kaveh stepped back, unsure if he should intervene. Just as he outstretched his hand, Al Haitham awoke with a gasp.
“Are you alright?!” Kaveh asked frantically, placing his hand on his shoulder. Al Haitham sat up, his eyes wide as he attempted to catch his breath. “It’s alright, dove, you are safe…” Kaveh murmured, holding Al Haitham upright. The human brought a hand to his head, finally slowing from the fast-paced gasps to deep, calm breaths.
“I’m sorry, I-...” Al Haitham began. He felt a finger gently press against his lips.
“That’s quite alright. No need to fret or apologize.” Kaveh smiled warmly, though the worry in his eyes was evident. The two sat in silence for a brief moment. “...Were you…experiencing a nightmare?”
Al Haitham nodded. “They are quite frequent.” His voice was quiet. Kaveh’s smile melted.
“What did you dream of?” Al Haitham said nothing. Kaveh made a mental note to not ask such things again. “Forgive me. I shall not pry. Please, drink some water to refresh yourself.” Kaveh took the glass and held it up to Al Haitham’s lips. He looked quizzically at Kaveh before deciding to comply and drink the cold water. “Is there still pain in your wounds? Allow me to redo your bandages…” Kaveh was quick to busy himself, quietly unfurling Al Haitham’s bandages, cleaning the wound, and re-dressing it.
“Why do you insist on addressing me as your ‘dove?’” Al Haitham asked, his voice a whisper. Kaveh paused. Truthfully speaking, he didn’t have an answer himself.
“You remind me of one. That is all.” As Kaveh finished bandaging the wound, he sat at the chair at the nearby vanity, his cape draping over the upholstered back. “Well then…” he began, a tad awkwardly. “What could you have been doing in the woods so late at night? If your village told you about the dangers of vampires, surely they would have told you about the dangers of the woods, no?”
Al Haitham leaned back on the pillows, his eyes weary. “I did not have any particular motive when entering the woods.” Kaveh would have said nothing in return, but he was astute in such things. His eyes narrowed.
“Surely you must have had some reason,” he probed. But Al Haitham remained in stubborn silence. Kaveh huffed, standing up swiftly. “Fine. Tell me nothing. See if it harms me.”
It certainly did.
“If you have nothing else to say, then I suppose I’ll leave.” Kaveh turned to open the door to leave, when Al Haitham spoke up.
“Kaveh, correct?” Al Haitham began. “It truly is a luxury to be in despair and still remain on this earth.” Kaveh furrowed his brows, the statement seemingly random. But there was a look of strange determination in Al Haitham’s emerald eyes.
“Ah…right…yes,” Kaveh stammered, unsure of what else to say. “I shall…bring you some supper later.” He opened the door and left the bedroom, gently shutting it behind him.
Al Haitham brought his legs closer to his chest. How long was he going to be here? Until his wounds healed? He could not ignore the fact that Kaveh was a vampire. He may be kind, but what if something happened to Al Haitham? What could he do? There was something so saccharine in Kaveh’s voice. Al Haitham knew Kaveh was not to be trusted so easily. He was a stranger living in a mansion in the middle of a thick wood. And yet…
How long has it been since he was cherished in such a manner?
He wrapped his arms around his legs, his knees up to his chin. This vampire still confused him. He was told vampires were harmful creatures—creatures said to take and take and take with little regard for whom they destroy. But Kaveh only seemed to give and give and give. Giving so much that Al Haitham was suspicious at first. Something felt amiss, but he couldn’t fathom what…
***
Kaveh clutched his abdomen, frowning. He was starving. How long has it been since he had eaten? He’d attempted to maul small animals in the woods for sustenance, murmuring apologies as he drank their blood like a filthy monster. But that was what he was, wasn't he? An irredeemable monster? He needed human blood. And there was a delectable human right there, so close, yet so far. A beautiful human, at that. Gorgeous emerald eyes, a gaze so solemn yet so pure, soft tanned skin marred by his recent wounds. Too beautiful for Kaveh to consume. How could he? Taking human lives was already so incredibly difficult. He couldn’t do it. He’d rather starve than harm another human. At least, that was what he told himself. But he could feel his resolve (and his strength) greatly weakening. It was torture, slowly dying while comforting himself with jewels, pearls, and luxuries, long rotting and useless.
The thunder boomed outside, snapping Kaveh out of his thoughts. He decided to check in on Al Haitham. He creeped to the door and opened it gently to find Al Haitham sleeping peacefully (unlike the previous night). Al Haitham hadn’t seemed to adjust to Kaveh’s nocturnal nature yet, rising with the sun like most humans. Kaveh stepped closer, careful not to make a sound.
Consume.
Kaveh shook his head, as if shaking the intrusive thought away. He knew he wouldn’t hurt Al Haitham.
Feed.
“Enough-” Kaveh whispered to his own mind, near furious. But when he turned his gaze to Al Haitham, he clutched his stomach again, unable to bear the pangs of hunger that wracked through his decaying body. “Just…just one sip. That-...that should be enough. Oh, Al Haitham, I am so sorry…” He leaned over the bed, slipping his hand into Al Haitham’s own and slowly, half in an attempt to keep him stable, half out of curiosity. They really were soft and delicate. Such a sour attitude, paired with such fragility…Kaveh felt awful. Just one sip. One sip and he would never torture Al Haitham like this again.
Just.
One.
Sip.
Kaveh peeled away Al Haitham’s collar, revealing an untouched neck. He licked the spot, praying Al Haitham was as deep of a sleeper as he appeared. Finally, Kaveh lowered himself over Al Haitham, allowing his fangs to lightly pierce the skin. He could feel the blood rush into his mouth, and Kaveh shuddered with fulfillment. He had been so hungry. His eyes teared up with immediate regret. His heart broke. He promised Al Haitham he wouldn’t hurt him, he promised. And look now…his vampirism causing him to act selfishly and ruin whatever trust the human had placed in him.
Al Haitham’s eyes shot open. “What are you doing?!” he gasped, panic in his voice. Kaveh jumped back, furiously wiping the blood off his lips. He looked away, unable to face the betrayal in Al Haitham’s eyes. “You’re just like they said! Manipulating me just to consume my blood anyway! You monster-”
“It’s not what it looks like!” Kaveh cried, the tears finally spilling from his eyes. Al Haitham just glared. “A-Alright, it is precisely what it looks like. But I-I never wanted to hurt you-”
“Never wanted to hurt me?!” Al Haitham spat. “Was it impossible for you to think of that prior to you drinking me?!”
“At least allow me to explain!”
“Never!” Al Haitham hobbled out of bed, grimacing at his wound. His eyes widened in realization. “You orchestrated that werewolf attack, didn’t you?!”
“WHAT?!” Kaveh was horrified. He’d never do such a thing! “What are you talking about?!”
“Is it impossible for people to just leave me in peace?!” Al Haitham clutched his heart.
“Al Haitham, I was starving-”
“Oh, yes, starving!” Al Haitham scoffed. “They’re all starving, aren’t they?!”
“What is the matter with you?!” Kaveh huffed. He stepped back just in case. Al Haitham’s face was flushed in anger, betrayal, and fear. Before Kaveh could stop him, Al Haitham bolted out the door. “Wait! Al Haitham!” Kaveh called out to him, running behind. Neither were particularly fast, as they were both exhausted from their respective bodily detriments.
Al Haitham ran. He didn’t know where the exit was, but he needed to escape the manor as soon as possible. Kaveh was trailing behind him. His heart rake spiked. Blood dripped from the side of his neck where Kaveh had bitten him, staining his collar. He nearly tripped as he ran. He could hear Kaveh desperately calling after him but Al Haitham didn’t stop. How could he? Kaveh had hurt him.
Finally, he found the exit. He pushed open the large, heavy doors, the rain pouring on him. Did it ever stop raining? He didn’t know. He ran into the forest. Unlike last time, he knew he would not survive. He should not have even trusted Kaveh the monster in the first place. He was naïve. Naïve and stupid for believing it. If he had managed to fend off the werewolves he wouldn’t have gotten himself in this predicament. Finally, the pain from his wounds overpowered him, and he collapsed into the dirt. The rain washed away his tears. He felt pathetic, letting out weak sobs, covered in mud and blood. A pitiful sight.
“Al Haitham!” Kaveh called out, causing the human’s heart to drop. “Are you alright-” He paused at the sound of Al Haitham’s crying. Kaveh knelt down, his expression softening. “...I…I know you’re frightened. And…I know I have made a grave mistake.” He spoke slowly, trying to comfort Al Haitham. “But you’re wounded. I can’t just leave you here. I could take you back to the manor or…if you’re more comfortable, I could take you back to your village-”
“No-!” Al Haitham exclaimed, making Kaveh’s eyes widen. “No. Just…just leave me h-”
“Manor it is then,” Kaveh decided, picking up Al Haitham in his arms. “It’s alright. Just rest for now.”Hesitantly, Al Haitham finally shut his weary eyes. Kaveh brushed his sopping, matted hair back to examine his face. The poor thing, he looked so tired. Kaveh held back his own tears of guilt. His curse had caused nothing but utter destruction and pain. If he was in better judgement, if he wasn’t starving, he would have stopped himself. Dejectedly, he turned around, making his way back to the manor.