Chapter Text
The singing birds in the trees welcomed the hours of a new morning in Sumeru.
Weeks of celebration have passed in the Land Of Wisdom and the people of Sumeru were welcoming the very last day of celebration with an empty but hopeful feeling for there were more celebrations to come in the future.
Alhaitham had woken up earlier than usual. Since it was the last day of celebration in Sumeru, the Acting Grand Sage’s assistance was required to read up the surveys that had been given out to the people of Sumeru to read their opinions on the festival. Many scholars, forest rangers and mercenaries were eager to share their enthusiasm and ideas on the organization.
His house had been empty for a week now.
Alhaitham had always imagined himself back to living alone and yet at the time, he hadn’t realized how incomplete it would feel. He would be lying if he said that he didn’t feel a void every time he would wake up to an empty house, he almost missed the annoying sounds his roommate would make when he would wake up in the morning or the constant hammering in the middle of the day, disturbing his research.
Kaveh had left a mark all over the house and Alhaitham couldn’t help but feel the emptiness he had felt behind.
It was hurting him. At first, Alhaitham had believed that it was due to the chemicals' influence on his brain but ever since he had left Gandharva Ville, Tighnari had assured him that all of it was gone.
Therefore, he couldn’t understand why he felt this bad about Kaveh finally moving out of his house. He was constantly worried for him, the papers he would read in a few minutes took him hours to finish and his mind always circled back how his heart still aches thinking about his last conversation with him.
He couldn’t understand why he felt this bad so much when the effects were supposed to be gone. How did it all make sense?
Alhaitham went to work, his mind filled with questions. He shouldn’t be worried about it for now, today was the last day of celebration in Sumeru and he had a meeting later in the afternoon with Lesser Lord Kusanali to discuss the issues on the candies.
After a quick trip to the House Of Daena for a morning meeting concerning recruiting new sages for the darshans and a two hour lecture in the afternoon on Vahumana Darshan’s new discovery on the ruins in the desert, Alhaitham only had time to grab lunch and start reading a new chapter of his book that the General Mahamatra joined him at Puspa Cafe to go to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
When they reached the top of the Akademiya, the doors of the Sanctuary opened, inviting both the Acting Grand Sage and the General Mahamatra inside.
Alhaitham had only met his Archon a few times but he had never walked into the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Its immensity and the greatness of the place was proof of Lesser Lord Kusanali’s wisdom and strength.
When he had taken the position of Acting Grand Sage, it was required to meet the Archon at least once a month to have an in-depth discussion on the state of Sumeru and its future. However, there were also times of emergency when the Archon herself desired to meet the sages. This meeting was an emergency.
“Ah great, you are both here on time. I hope you are both doing well.”
Alhaitham turned his eyes, now facing Lesser Lord Kusanali in person. No matter how many times he had met her, her presence always shook him to his core. Her benevolence and energy almost appeased all his worried thoughts.
“Lesser Lord Kusanali. We came here to discuss the strange events that occurred throughout the festival. I am certain you are aware of the details.” Cyno bowed followed by Alhaitham.
Strangely enough, their Archon wasn’t alone in the Sanctuary of Surasthana. He was surprised to see that standing behind her, leaning against the wall so the Sanctuary, was a young boy with a huge hat. His hair and eyes shining an indigo color that he did not recall ever seeing before. However, by the look of his extravagant purple and red attire, Alhaitham could easily understand that he was not from Sumeru.
The young boy seemed to be listening, however, he didn’t know any signs of wanting to be here, let alone be involved in the discussion.
“Indeed. I assume you have managed to figure out where the problem originated from, but it would be best if I explain.” The Goddess Of Wisdom crossed her arms. “The festival had organized many activities to celebrate my birthday and I wanted to give a chance for the people of Sumeru to enjoy the festivities by organizing a distribution of candies throughout the land. Anyone being able to participate would be granted a candy incorporated with elemental reactions that allowed the brain to rest and dream peacefully for a bit of time. No harm wouldn’t have come for the people. It had only meant to provide the chosen few a well-rested festival with a beautiful dream awaiting for them every night.”
Alhaitham remembered the story the Knight of Flowers had told them during the first day of celebration. He could still recall how little faith he had in believing he would be getting one of those magical candies. Weren’t there supposed to be only a few? From what he had gathered, a good portion of the population had suffered this weird phenomenon.
“However,” The Dendro Archon carried on, “There seemed to have been a change in the recipe and someone had deliberately added their own flavor to the mix. I would tell you the identity of the person at fault but something tells me you could figure it out on your own.” She smiled, slightly.
“Considering he hadn’t said a word since the moment he had walked in, I am assuming he had already confessed to the crime.” Cyno crossed his arms, his cold tone aimed at the strange individual behind the Archon, the indigo boy only scoffing out a laugh.
“I was merely thinking of a way to celebrate the birthday of the benevolent God Of Wisdom. Nothing much simpler than that. I wouldn’t call this a crime, simply a way for me to pass the time.” He mused, finally joining the conversation.
Alhaitham felt the dark impression that the young boy in front of him wasn’t exactly so young.
“What were the motives of such trickery? Clearly, you are not benefiting anything from the suffering of others.” The Acting Grand Sage spoke up, his curiosity picking up.
Who was this individual?
“First, allow me to make the introductions before we start any conversation on the matter…” Lesser Lord Kusanali intervened.
After recounting the previous deeds of the boy in front of them, the God Of Wisdom detailed a plan to cooperate with the Balleedeer in order to gain information from beyond the borders of the land. Alhaitham had felt unsettled in the idea that the former God they've fought against stood next to their true God. However, he was not in position to question his Archon’s decisions.
“So you’re saying that you’ve only done all of this to prove a point?” Cyno gritted his teeth as he glared at the Balladeer.
“That's reason enough. Humans believe they are unstoppable and indestructible, I had to prove them wrong. Everyday, you see them strolling around like ants, desperate to reach a level sufficient enough in the divine hierarchy to prove their existence matter. It is truly pathetic.” The Balladeer sneered. “Humans are far more insignificant than they believe and yet, their ego makes them think they can do anything and that includes, creating a God. They do have ambitions but their life is so meaningless and fragile that they desperately try to make their own place in the world by any means they can find.”
“Humans are capable of greater things.” Alhaitham replied, only making the Balladeer laugh, unimpressed.
“Of course, you would think that, human.” He stepped closer. “A little time spent with my colleague, The Doctor, was enough for me to collect enough knowledge. Only a few chemical changes in the candy's composition as well as a bit of the remnants from my Godhood power was enough to change the brain functions of small animals like you.”
“So you used your power as a former God as well the chemical components of aromatized plants to compel the people of Sumeru to act beyond their will?” Cyno asked, putting the pieces of the puzzle together in his mind.
“Wrong. I did not compel any emotions to anyone. Aren’t you listening?” The Balladeer grew impatient. “Humans are all one way another a form of weakness on their own. Each day they wake up when the sun is up, look at themselves and hide their truest selves to create a persona. Humans lie to themselves to conform into a messed up society that they’ve created themselves. They feign politeness, act overjoyed over worthless things and constantly feed their denial that their own emotions are detrimental. There was a time I used to envy them until I realized that humans survive by lying to themselves. It's pathetic.” He smirked, looking proud over his experiment. “I created a formula that awakened the humans’ deepest and most suppressed emotion. The unconsciousness is where the truest self shows itself is it not? You would know that, scholars.”
“So everything the citizens had done throughout the festival was done on their own accord?” Alhaitham asked, taking all the information in, and its meaning.
Did that mean…?
“Every single emotion felt, every action they’ve done has only suppressed desires and thoughts I’ve brought up to the surface.” The Balladeer reveled in his explanation. “My point seems to have been proven, considering how many individuals have succumbed to their own emotions.”
“Hmmm…” Lesser Lord Kusunali thought for a few minutes before intervening. “I can confirm that the formula of the Balladeer has only increased the control of the unconsciousness in the brain, therefore preventing the consciousness to set up any guards against the inner feelings and thoughts. It seems that many people in Sumeru are silencing their emotions for the sake of a peaceful life.”
“I only order and this matter will be taken care of.” Cyno summoned his weapon, threatening the Balladeer who hasn’t moved an inch.
“There is no need to arrest him. I have already stopped the distribution of candies over Sumeru and I will make a public announcement to collect all the boxes still circulating around Sumeru. What I would ask of you, General Mahamatra, would be the assistance of the matra in recollecting those boxes and making a general assessment of the people’s emotional state. Most of the people who were under the influence were already cured, as it is not a substance that has a lasting effect.”
“Understood, I will deliver the orders to the matra.” Cyno nodded, putting his weapon away, not paying attention to the arrogant grin the Balladeer revealed beneath his hard stare.
“Wonderful.” Lesser Lord Kusanali nodded and turned to Alhaitham. “Acting Grand Sage Alhaitham. I will take into consideration your letter of resignation and take into account your grand contribution to the festival as well as your heroic deeds around all of Sumeru. I do hope you have taken time to enjoy such celebrations and I expect to see you at the grand celebration tonight.”
“I shall take no credit for I do not work alone.” Alhaitham bowed gratefully, nevertheless. “Your Wisdom is the reason Sumeru is free to dream and hope for a brighter future.”
A glimmer shone in his Archon’s eyes and he had almost believed she could see right through him and read his thoughts, his conflicted feelings and broken inner soul, desperate to regain any bit of control he once had over his emotions. And a part of Alhaitham wished she knew, he hoped he could talk to someone about it without having to worry about anything else.
He never thought he would ever use the word hope before.
“You are free to leave the Sanctuary with the new orders I have assigned.”
“Of course. And Happy Birthday, Lesser Lord Kusanali.” Cyno bowed alongside Alhaitham who also wished her happy birthday.
The Balladeer seemed to have lost interest in the conversation and was back to ruminate in his own thoughts, leaving to one of the doors that gave to another room.
As Alhaitham was about to follow Cyno out of the Sanctuary, he heard the God Of Wisdom call his name.
“Alhaitham?”
He turned around and bowed to his Archon, inviting her to speak.
“I would like to share an opinion of mine. You are free to take it as you wish, it is not an order, just a simple advice.” She sighed and invited him to kneel down in front of her.
Alhaitham did and took in his hand a small key chain with a small lion dangling off an empty chain without a key. He didn't think long enough before realizing that it was Kaveh’s. The surprise he had after seeing the lion keychain reminded Alhaitham how abruptly he had lost a friend and a confidant. And that loss was much more painful than he had ever thought it to be.
Lesser Lord Kusanali saw the change in his demeanor as he held the key chain tightly in his palm, a heart wrenching expression taking over his previous controlled appeased façade.
“Unlike the Balladeer I do not see emotions and feelings as a form of weakness or vulnerability. Humans are unique because they can feel each emotion with a tremendous strength and that gives them an identity, a purpose and a meaning. However, there are some people who like the comfort of predictability and control. To be able to always remain logical in all circumstances is indeed a great skill in the Akademiya but it can do against the purity and nature of the human self.” Her kind smile felt like a warm hug as her small hand slowly held his own in a comforting gesture.
She knew what he was going through.
“Your emotions are valid despite what many people may think. It requires a form of strength and courage to be able to face these feelings in their truest forms. The question is, will you be strong enough to face them before they face you?”
Alhaitham did not expect such advice and deeper insight from his Archon when he had stepped into the Sanctuary. He had always grown accustomed to shutting down his emotions in order to remain in control, especially in the line of work he was in. Allowing yourself to be shaken by emotions was perceived as a sign of weakness and unprofessionalism around the Akademiya. However, learning it had come to a point where he had not only rejected the necessary ones but every single emotion he would feel throughout the years.
Including his feelings for Kaveh.
He had believed all this time that a certain spell had been cast upon him to make him feel things he had never felt before. But now he knew the truth, these feelings were real and the magic had only been an amplifier to something that had always been in him, only dormant.
But he was ready to let them all out and face them head on, for Kaveh was much more important to him than any bit of control he had left.
“Thank you, Lesser Lord Kusanali.”
“Do not thank me yet. I am certain you have someone to talk to, the Palace of Alcazarzaray will not allow visitors after dinner.” She smiled.
Kaveh was staying at the Palace? How had he not thought of it before? He had asked Tighnari and Cyno if they knew of his whereabouts but none of them had a clue of where he was staying. He should have known that Kaveh would go to this place as an emergency measure.
Alhaitham smiled and left the Sanctuary of Surasthana, planning his trip to the Palace of Alcazarzaray where a famous architect spent the night.
Kaveh let out another sigh while watching the stars shine down on the last day of the festival. However, he was not in the city. He leaned on the railing of the Palace Of Alcazarzaray’s highest balcony, the view overlooking the magnificent trees and waterfall. The light of the city twinkled from afar.
He had been spending a good amount of his time in the room Dori had agreed to house him in exchange for a new project for her. She wanted to build her own bank around Sumeru. She had this idea after talking to a Fatui envoy from Snezhnaya.
Kaveh hadn’t asked any other questions, his mere concern was designing the building and nothing else. Whatever came out of it, it did not matter concern him. He almost sounded like Alhaitham, thinking this way.
The architect rolled his eyes and shook his head, frustrated for thinking about his former roommate again after days of avoiding him. He was trying to move on with his life and focus on his career, but the Akademiya’s scribe messed with him even when he wasn't around.
He had, in fact, spent the worst last few days of his life. Inspiration was completely gone from his mind and fingertips and every time he tried to create something, it would fail to meet his expectations. Kaveh wasn’t stupid, he knew exactly why. He was heartbroken and nothing seemed to be putting a smile to his face. Whether it were the warm lights from the festivals clearing up his lonely nights or the starry night sky, his mood was only sinking lower and lower.
Everything was a reminder that he had lost a light within him, and the only one that could recollect his heart was the one person he did not wish to think about. It was too painful and Kaveh had already shed too many tears that he did not want to allow any more. It was the last day of celebration and he was going to celebrate it from the Palace, with a smile on his face.
He reached for the glass of wine he had poured for himself and raised it to the sky, the music of the festival loud enough for Kaveh to hear its faint melodies.
“Cheers, for a better day…” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Bringing the glass to his lips, Kaveh tasted the bitter aroma of the wine warming up his throat, washing away all sorrow and sadness accumulated.
“I believe the toast should be addressed to our Archon. After all, it is her birthday.”
Kaveh became motionless at the familiar voice talking to him in the darkness of the evening. Risking a glance down from the balcony, his eyes met the ever so blue and distant ones of Alhaitham's who stood in the court of the Palace Of Alcazarzaray.
This was not part of his plan. It was not the way the festival was supposed to end. Kaveh craved for a new start and Alhaitham being here, in front of him, was not part of this new chapter.
Who had told him where he was?
It must have been Dori, he knew he shouldn’t have trusted her with a secret.
“Looks like my wish hasn’t come true after all. A ghost from the past came to haunt me. Perhaps I should call the staff to exorcize them out.” Kaveh replied, glancing at Alhaitham.
“Would that mean you will get down from the balcony?”
“Nonsense,” Kaveh scoffed, shaking his head. “I will gladly watch you being escorted out of this property, a glass of wine in hand, without a care in the world.”
His heartbeat quickened as he took another sip of his wine and tried to ignore the fluttering feeling of seeing Alhaitham after so long. Considering they were roommates, it was indeed a long time since he had last seen him. A part of Kaveh wished it lasted even longer.
Alhaitham took out a small paper from his back pocket.
“Hmmm… So you wouldn’t care if I told you that I actually found a paper with a familiar handwriting at the tavern a few days ago. The owner said that a certain drunk architect came over one night and-”
“What?! Are you kidding me? Ugh, that owner!” Kaveh pushed the glass down, almost spilling everything as he hurried out of the room.
He ran down the stairs and stepped out of the palace grand doors, jumping down the few steps. The distance between them shortened and Kaveh reached out to get the paper out of Alhaitham’s hands.
“Give me that paper! It is not yours! You shouldn’t even read it.”
Alhaitham kept it away and put the paper back in his green pouch.
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. You’re such a lightweight, it’s hard for you to keep your mouth sealed.”
“I’m not a lightweight. The owner just gives me the strongest drinks.” Kaveh leaned back, frustrated after not getting the paper back. “Have you come here to annoy me? I was enjoying a peaceful evening until I saw your face.”
The glimmer of mischief in Alhaitham’s eyes dissolved, leaving a serious expression behind.
“I was only trying to find a way to make you come down. I need to talk to you.”
“And why do you think I need to talk to you? I said everything I wanted to say to you so I’m not obligated to hear your explanations, they no longer mean anything to me.” Kaveh crossed his arms and turning away from him.
“You have never given me the opportunity to explain. You have gathered samples of information and have concluded your own results without asking for my perspective. I had no say in the conversation that we had. Everything that you believe as the truth is simply a truth that you have built for yourself. I am here to give you my perspective and its full story before giving you the chance to make a decision.”
Kaveh frowned, not wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt, but a part of him knew he was right. He hadn’t given him a chance to speak once when he had discovered the reason behind his strange behavior. He had been so scared that what he had seen was the truth that he had refused to hear Alhaitham’s explanation, that might have been a confirmation of his supposition.
Was Kaveh ready to hear the full truth?
There was only one way to find out, and that was if he gave Alhaitham a listen. Oh boy.
“I will listen to you.” Kaveh sighed, reluctantly, “But, you will have to give me the paper once you’re done, there is no way I let you leave with this in your hands.”
“Deal.” Alhaitham nodded, already prepared to explain everything.
Kaveh hadn’t expected to spend the last day of the festival sitting at a table at the Palace’s garden, with Alhaitham who explained to him everything that happened from the beginning.
His explanations were clear, heartbreaking and confusing but Kaveh understood most of it. He was surprised to hear that Alhaitham had actually eaten the candies he had given him back then. Kaveh had been certain he had just thrown everything away the minute he had seen the box.
Alhaitham explained to him how his ‘romantic’ feelings were triggered around him. But why him, out of all the people in Sumeru?
He listened as the story carried on, Alhaitham recounted all of their moments together from his perspective. Kaveh’s hands rested on the concrete table as he listened, without interrupting for even a second.
Sometimes he would feel butterflies in his stomach at the reminder of a specific moment and other times, he would feel sad, remembering that it was all a fantasy. His hands fidgeted nervously on the table as the story approached on the specific night where everything changed.
“... And then, I invited you to make your own fruit basket.” Alhaitham swallowed, his eyes never leaving Kaveh. “At this point, I was acting how my heart felt more than my brain. We talked for the rest of the night. I believed that everything I was feeling wasreal. I really believed I was in love with you.”
Kaveh glanced down, feeling the familiar knot in his throat that he had tried to ignore all day long coming back. Hearing it from Alhaitham felt far worse than he had expected.
“Then we kissed.” Alhaitham looked away again, unsure how to process the information, “The effects that night were gone, that's why I reacted the way I did. I had to make sure I was myself again so I left. I went to find Cyno and that was when he brought me to Gandharva Ville for some tests. Since then, I found many more answers. But what you needed to know was that I was afraid that everything I felt wasn't real.”
Kaveh’s hands trembled as he heard the truth, holding the tears back.
“Why are you telling me all of this? Why do I have to know this?”
“I thought it would be best for you to get some answers to the questions you may have.” Alhaitham leaned forward on the table to catch Kaveh’s attention. “I have never felt these emotions before, they were completely unknown to me and I did not know how to control them nor did I know how to even feel them.”
“Of course, you didn’t. None of them were real.” Kaveh rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the tears threatening to come out. “At least yours were.”
“I met Lesser Lord Kusanali today.” Alhaitham continued.
“Show off.”
“It has a link to my story.”
“Oh, I’m sure it does.”
“It turns out that the person responsible for the candies' poisoning was a Fatui Harbinger. He believes that humans lie about their emotions and he had figured out a way to bring people’s most suppressed and secretive feelings to come out. It was the cause of all the chaos that happened during the festival. It's also the reason why Ryanar had attacked you that day and it is the reason why I am here right now.”
Kaveh frowned. His heart ached. He waited for the words he had feared the minute he had understood the full story. However, seeing how Alhaitham wasn’t planning on speaking again, Kaveh glanced up to meet his gaze, confused.
“So you came all this way to tell me it was all an illusion? How is that any different from what I have gathered in the first place?” Kaveh gritted his teeth, nails digging into his palms.
“I thought it was pretty self-explanatory.”
Kaveh abruptly stood up frustrated and hurt, there was never a break with him around. He knew this was a bad idea.
“You know what you can do with your explanation, Alhaitham? Shove it where I think you should.”
As he tried to storm away from the garden, Alhaitham grabbed his arm to hold him back, turning him around.
“Kaveh, you are not listening to me.”
“I’m listening, you’re not in love with me. Everything that happened was a byproduct of that cursed candy that you’ve eaten! How convenient! You live without having any guilt on while I have to live with the fact that I was tricked.” Kaveh glared back at him. “Serves me right for being too gullible.”
Alhaitham’s widened eyes surprised Kaveh. He could have sworn he had never seen Alhaitham struggling to form a sentence before or even look lost in what to do. However, the man in front him was showcasing both of these feelings.
“I… I was actually trying to explain the complete opposite.”
Stop. It was exactly what Kaveh’s brain had done after Alhaitham spoke. The opposite? The opposite of what?... What?
“What are you talking about?”
Alhaitham let out a frustrated sigh and let go of Kaveh to take his time to think, taking a few steps away, hands running in his hair.
Think before you act, he would say. Kaveh had thought that perhaps he was doing it a little too much.
“Alhaitham?” Kaveh called for him after a long minute of waiting. “What are you talking about?”
The architect no longer knew how his feelings stood, he was stuck in the middle of the bridge lost in his way to the other side.
Then, after another minute of nervous steps from Alhaitham, he walked back to stand before him, his gaze pouring down on him. Kaveh had felt his breath cut in the intensity of the stare, he believed he was dreaming at the sight of the intense blue eyes a few meters away from his face.
He had seen that look before. It was during that night, before Alhaitham had leaned in, to kiss him and cause a riot in Kaveh’s heart. Why was he looking at him this way, now?
“The effects were only a stimulant to heighten feelings that were already present within me. They were just dormant. But everything that I’ve felt, everything that I feel for you is real. These feelings were mine to begin with.” Alhaitham reached for the architect’s trembling hands and squeezed them warmly. “Kaveh, I talked to Lesser Lord Kusanali and she opened my eyes about what I have always refused to accept. But I’m no longer running away from them, I don’t want to.”
His voice was barely a whisper but Kaveh could hear every single word reaching his chest, its effects slowly but carefully gluing the pieces of his broken heart back together.
“Spending time at the festival with you was the happiest time I have ever had in a very long time. You are an important part of my morning, my day and night. I realize that seeing you happy is everything I've ever wanted for you and losing you is the worst thing that could ever happen to me.”
Kaveh’s lips quivered and tears filled up his vision as he began to understand the meaning of each word. He let himself drown in the sound of his voice.
“Kaveh, you are important to me and my heart will not survive ever being away from you for another minute. I believe I have loved you for years without even knowing. Looking at you right now, I’m most certain of it now. I love you, Kaveh. I love you.”
Alhaitham let go of his cold hands to cup his face, his thumbs brushing away the tears running down his partner's face again. His eyes lovingly admiring him after painful days spent apart from each other.
Kaveh let out a sob and sigh, his hands covering his mouth before hitting Alhaitham on his chest in frustration. “Damn you, Alhaitham, couldn’t you have just told me this from the beginning? I cannot believe you made me cry.”
A sudden relief overpowered his fleeting sadness.
“I thought I was logical in my explanations. I believed you were quite smart enough to understand and I figured it was tears of joy. Are you telling me I was wrong?”
Kaveh knew he was trying to lighten up his mood, but he couldn’t help it with the new confession he had delivered him. Being loved by Alhaitham was always something he had dreamed of and he never had faith in it becoming true, especially after the recent events. Tonight, Alhaitham had proven him wrong.
The architect wiped away his tears with the help of Alhaitham.
“I can’t believe that even when confessing your love to me, you would still make it a matter of presenting it like an academic project. That was very underwhelming.” Kaveh sighed.
“Your tears are telling me otherwise.” The scribe pointed out, opening his arms to hold him in a comforting hug.
Kaveh leaned his cheek against his shoulder and they remained like this for awhile, silently sharing all the painful moments they had felt when they were apart.
“Are you feeling better?” Alhaitham quietly asked after a few minutes.
The blonde graduate lifted his face from his shoulder to look at him, their noses inches away from touching.
“It depends, what would you do if I say no? Actually, I would prefer it if you would just show me.” His eyes traveled down to his lips, waiting.
“Do you allow me to?” Alhaitham’s eyebrows raised.
“It would be unromantically irresponsible of you not to do so.”
Kaveh watched his lips curve into a smile before getting closer. He closed his eyes and welcomed the familiar feeling of Alhaitham’s mouth on his.
They shared a gentle kiss, Kaveh pressed his lips against his own. Alhaitham held his face still as he deepened the kiss, his arms wrapping around him.
Alhaitham really was his home.
He was the safest place in all of Teyvat.
“In case it hadn’t been obvious.” Kaveh whispered, his lips brushing Alhaitham’s as he spoke to him, “I love you too. Like a lot.”
The Akademiya’s Acting Grand let out a chuckle as he kissed the architect before replying with a smile.
“I have figured as much.” He left a kiss against his cheek before coming back to his lips. “And I’m sure you have also understood that I would not leave you until you move back home with me. Your bed misses you very much.”
Kaveh brought his arms around Alhaitham’s neck and smiled, teasingly poking the tip of his nose with his. He could feel his heart pound against his chest at this new confidence growing within him. Knowing that Alhaitham loved him was all he needed to be comfortable to express himself freely.
“Does my bed miss me or does your bed miss me?” He chuckled and brushing Alhaitham’s silver hair behind his ear.
“Hmm… You would have to come home to find out.” He answered and reached back to take out Kaveh’s keyless keychain.
The lonely lion toy attached to it broke his heart.
“Hey, that’s mine.” Kaveh reached for it but Alhaitham dodged again.
“Not until you promise to come home with me.” He asked, a sliver of hope in his tone.
“Am I still going to have to pay for rent?” Kaveh sighed, already sensing a déjà vu.
“This will have to be discussed.”
Kaveh smirked and sighed dramatically, glancing over his shoulder, “I love the Palace, you know. I have my own balcony and everything. It’s even a place I designed myself, what more can I ask for?”
“Fine, rent will be on my charge, but that is if your next project doesn’t put you into more debt.” Alhaitham conceded, already regretting his decision.
“Ah, I love this side version of you.” Kaveh laughed, bringing him closer. “By the way, what was really written in that paper you brought? I’m pretty sure I do not remember."
“Oh. That was all bluff. I just needed an excuse for you to come down and talk to me.” Alhaitham took out the paper, completely blank.
“I hate you so much.”
“I love you too.” Alhaitham laughed, and Kaveh had realized that he never wanted to hear anything else coming from him.
Epilogue
“So Alhaitham really is in love with Kaveh? I thought it was some sort of magical spell?” Collei asked and she fished three additional cards.
Cyno and Tighnari nodded in unison, as they observed their own cards. They had just begun the game and Collei could already sense her own defeat.
“Apparently it was a ploy to force humans to face their own emotions instead of denying them for what they are.” Cyno recounted, rearranging his cards.
“Nonsense, I was certain it was a way for Alhaitham to avoid work days.” Tighnaru chuckled.
“Oh that is indeed something that he would do as well.” Cyno agreed.
Collei looked over at Alhaitham and Kaveh at the other side of the table, busy in their own world.
To celebrate the festival’s last days, the group of friends had decided to play a game, but they hadn’t expected for Kaveh and Alhaitham to show up, holding hands.
She had to admit that it was a bit of a shock, especiallty considering how cold the atmosphere had been the last time she had seen them interact. Still, she was happy for them. It was indeed better for everyone that Alhaitham and Kaveh loved each other more than they hated each other. At least, they would argue less… Or so they thought.
“Alhaitham! I have already told you, you need to throw the dice and save the ones with elemental energies that you need depending on the card that you have!” Kaveh whined in frustration.
In the end, Collei and the two other boys had played a round without the two of them once they realized that Kaveh explaining the game to Alhaitham would take longer than the game itself.
“Logically speaking, this game would be better off with just one single dice determining the whole premise of the game.” Alhaitham argued back in deep thought, feeding Kaveh’s impatience.
“But this is not how the game works! Just follow the rules like everyone else! Or get a better deck, what can I say to you?”
“Is that a reason for you to be making a fuss, Kaveh? I was merely stating a fact.” Alhaitham sighed, grabbing the cards Kaveh had lended him for the round.
“No! You were being annoying, just like you were being annoying when you kept looking away while we were retaking pictures at the artwork. Not a single picture of us together was taken perfectly. You do this on purpose to make me mad.” Kaveh pointed at him accusingly.
“If you believe that I do things for the purpose of making you angry, then it is only proof of your own ego.” Alhaitham took a sip of his drink.
“Are you calling me arrogant?”
“I think you have understood what I meant.”
“Fine! You want to play this game? You’re sleeping on the couch tonight, I don’t want my egoism to keep you up at night.” Kaveh clenched his fists, bending the cards in his grip.
“And why would I do that when you’re the one sleeping in my bed every night?” Alhaitham’s nonchalance triggered him even more.
“As if you're not begging me to join you to bed every night.”
“Begging is a strong word. I merely suggest possibilities.” Alhaitham grabbed the dice a,d he turned away from Kaveh, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.
Collei finally looked away from the couple, feeling like she shouldn't be listening to the conversation. She turned to see that Tighnari had brought his ears down to cover them in frustration while Cyno glared at them while he shuffled his cards.
“Ugh, you know what? Give me back my cards. Just watch us play and then you’ll get the hang of it.” Kaveh finally turned to everyone, not noticing the heavy silence they had created around the table. “I think it’s better if Alhaitham just watches us play to learn, it’ll save us time.”
“I believe this is what I have suggested… An hour ago.” Tighnari said through his gritted teeth.
‘Should we start this game or not?” Cyno intervened and taking the dice away from Alhaitham.
Collei nodded eagerly, wanting to change her mind from the constant bickering echoing in her mind. Didn’t they ever get tired?
Cyno threw the dice, starting the game. The General Mahamatra started the game with an attack on Tighnari’s cards, however, this had already grabbed the attention of the only non-player at the table.
"Wouldn't it be logically unfair for the General Mahamatra to possess his own cards for the game?” Alhaitham asked, “Doesn’t it give added power to the card?”
“Alhaitham!” All the boys around the table called out his name while reaching for another sip of his wine, satisfied with his theory.
Collei knew this was going to be a long night. But after all, it was the last day of celebration. She had to believe it wouldn’t end badly.
At least not too badly.