Work Text:
When the front door burst open and angry stomps were heard entering the house, Alhaitham immediately knew what he was in for. He watched from the dining table, sipping on his cup of coffee as his roommate trudged in looking annoyed. In his arms were several rolled scrolls, no doubt containing his design sketches for his current commission. Those were unceremoniously dumped on their coffee table and the owner flopped himself face down on the couch. It had been this exact sequence happening for the past few days.
He could easily predict what would happen next as it happened. His roommate would emerge from his face plant on the couch after approximately four minutes, then position himself to be kneeling on the couch, arms propped on the top of it with his pouting face turned directly to face him. There he was, in the exact position, ready to announce his complaint of the day regarding his work.
“Haitham, why don’t you ask me how my day went?” there came the question. It was not exactly the same word by word every day, but the meaning behind it was always similar.
Alhaitham was not one to humour him though, so he merely raised an eyebrow before returning his focus to the book he had just opened while his roommate was busy face-planting on the couch. The said roommate, of course, was never deterred by his ignorance. He climbed over the sofa and took the seat in front of him, the chair scraping against the floor producing a loud creaky sound. A hand found its way to the top of his book, pulling it downwards so that they could make eye contact.
“Haithaaaam, listen to meee,” the owner of the hand whines, and the actual distress in the red eyes made Alhaitham relent for once.
“Alright. What is it this time, Kaveh?”
“My clients!” the man exclaimed, hands thrown in the air dramatically.
“You accepted it knowing they were critical considering they are your retiring seniors.”
“Yes, yes, but that is not the problem! I am perfectly fine with receiving constructive feedback and the alterations were to suit their taste after all, despite how troublesome they are. But the problem is that they have been hounding me about my lovelife .”
At this, Alhaitham quirked an eyebrow. “What lovelife?”
“I hate to say it but yes, exactly. I didn’t say anything but now they’re shoving contact information of their daughters and relatives just in case I am interested. ” He paced around the small dining area, hands flying around him as he talked.
Alhaitham decided to ignore the small pang in his chest as he took in the information. It was none of his business if Kaveh was to meet potential partners. If anything, it had been a wonder to many how the young architect never went out with anybody despite having many suitors while still studying at the Akademiya. Alhaitham would know. It was hard not to notice the Kshahrewar student who always seemed to be the life of the party.
All the years spent in the Akademiya, and after, as he offered his place to live to the senior, he had never seen Kaveh being interested in anybody in a romantic way. Of course, he had seen his roommate besotted by an artwork, or idolising a senior graduate, but never anything or anyone that seemed to have captured his attention romantically. Somewhere deep inside his heart, Alhaitham hoped it would stay that way.
“I don’t get what’s the problem. Just tell them you’re married or something. You will not see them much after the work is done, they won't know if you are lying.”
The pacing stopped. Kaveh looked at him and it was as if he could see the cogs turning in his head as he considered the suggestion. Alhaitham himself didn’t know why he suggested that. It just came out of his mouth. Surely there could be other, more rational, more reasonable solution that they could come up wit-
“You know what, you’re right. You’re a genius, Haitham. I’m going to tell them exactly that.”
Never mind. Trying to stop him once he already decided on something would just be a waste of his energy. He watched as the architect started to mumble his plans while skipping to his room, earlier worry and despair all but forgotten. For all the trouble that he was, it was good that he was easily placated at least. Picking his book back up, Alhaitham decided to also forget about it. It was not something that would concern him after all.
It turned out that the scribe was actually very wrong.
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All it took was an encounter in the streets of Sumeru City with one of Kaveh’s clients. He had been headed towards the Akademiya to submit some reports when he saw a bag of fruits carried by a middle-aged woman in front of him rip, sending the fruits in it tumbling down the street. Helping the woman might momentarily halt him from his actual objective but a familiar nagging voice in his head insisted that he do so.
Wordlessly, he picked up the zaytun peaches and apples, asking a nearby merchant if they had a bag they could use for the fruits. The merchant was kind enough to give it for free, probably sympathising with the woman’s situation. He put the fruits into the new bag, before giving it to the woman who was thanking him profusely for his help. He merely brushed it off, about to go on his way again when his wrist was grabbed.
“Young man, have this zaytun as a thank you. You really helped me,” the woman placed the fruit into his palm.
“No need,” he tried to give it back, but she insisted.
“I recognise you. Kaveh described you well. You are a good young man.”
That had his attention. His roommate describing him as a good person? That was unheard of. Their public interactions consisted mainly of their bickering on the noticeboards, and Kaveh was known to always complain about the scribe to anyone that would listen. Had he unknowingly traversed to another universe entirely just because he helped someone out of annoyance at his roommate’s whining in his head?
“Kaveh? May I know how you know him?”
“Oh, I am Shamsia, one of his seniors currently commissioning him for the mansion. I’ve heard from him that you are his roommate. Alhaitham, correct? I did not expect you two to already be wedded to each other!”
“Kaveh and I… to each other..?”
“Ah, how insensitive of me! You two are quite discreet about it, I should have been more quiet. Anyway, it is not good to keep such a thing hidden. Show your claim on your partner, young man, lest he get snatched,” Shamsia pointed to her ring finger, where a golden band with carved leaves patterns shone.
Alhaitham’s mind was buzzing. He could deduct that this was all probably a misunderstanding that spiralled from the idea that he had fed to his roommate the night before. Kaveh had probably mentioned to the ladies that he lived with a roommate, namely Alhaitham, earlier in their initial conversations. Then, as he revealed his status as a ‘married man’, the seniors, of course, had taken the liberty to understand that he was married to the man he was living with, which, upon contemplation, was a fair assumption.
He was not sure how to feel about it though. There was a tickle of warmth blooming in his chest at the assumption of them being something more than roommates. It was not a part of him that he wished to explore. He had known Kaveh for years, all his flaws and imperfections that he had always commented on. It was illogical of him to have this feeling for someone so incompetent. He would hiss to himself that it was wrong every time his heart would melt in fondness at the architect’s antics.
How ironic that the topic was once again filling his brain due to his own rash suggestion to Kaveh. A suggestion that resulted in a play that he felt compelled to act in, to keep up the charade he unwittingly started, if only to avoid another round of complaints and whines once he got home later in the evening.
“He has one,” he found himself saying. “He does not wear it to work because he is clumsy and is prone to losing it while distracted by his surroundings.”
Shamsia smiled. “Looks like you know him better than I do. Congratulations and good luck on your marriage. I must go and bring these fruits to them at the meeting place. Nice meeting you, Alhaitham.”
“Nice meeting you as well, senior Shamsia.”
As he continued his journey to the Akademiya, the fact that he was running late was pushed to the back of his mind. The shine of Shamsia’s ring and her words rang in his head. How far was Kaveh willing to go to keep deceiving his audience? Should he buy him a ring? Perhaps a band with a padisarah motif decorated with scarlet quartzes that match his eyes would be nice.
Later, when he returned home, the first thing he saw was Kaveh at their sofa with his head in his hands. He perked up when he heard the door close, those eyes again in distress making Alhaitham feel as if his heart was being squeezed as he held that gaze. The architect quickly came to him, frantic.
“Haitham! I heard you met senior Shamsia today. What did she tell you?”
Instead of answering, he reached for Kaveh’s hand, putting it between them with the palm facing up. Then, he placed a small box in it.
“Wear that tomorrow.”
Without waiting for a reply, he walked straight to his room, closing the door behind him as he covered his rapidly burning up face with both of his hands. He did not know what possessed him to actually make the purchase when he was on his way home earlier. It was like he was bewitched the moment he saw the display of the ring at the jewellery shop that he passed by. When he came to, there was already the small box deep in his cloak pocket.
There was surprise on Kaveh’s face when he had pressed the box into his hand. He didn’t want to wait any longer to see if that reaction turned into something pleasant or worse. While he might be a worthless case when it came to doing chores and housework, he had a good head on him. He wouldn’t have been able to graduate from the Akademiya if not. If Alhaitham left him to his own, he could most likely figure out on his own what it was about.
It was definitely only for the plan to work. Alhaitham could be a good partner in crime if needed. Kaveh had always complained that he was too rigid. This was only his ploy to prove to his roommate that he could play along with his games too. It was his suggestion in the first place after all. Alhaitham sighed. The thumping in his chest still hadn’t decreased in volume ever since he had locked eyes with his roommate in the living room. He had always been weak for those eyes, why had he realised it only now?
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The next morning had been awkward, even if Alhaitham tried his best to make it seem as if nothing was out of place. His eyes were instantly attracted to the chain decorating his roommate’s neck the moment he saw him. It was in a delicate gold, bought along with the ring for him to wear it as a necklace because even if it was initially an excuse, he would not put it past Kaveh to lose something he wore while working. And a wedding ring, fake as it was, was still an incredibly precious thing, was it not?
It rested nicely against his exposed collarbones, and knowing that it was his gift on the smooth expanse of skin made his mouth go dry. He had to forcefully drag his gaze away from there, cursing Kaveh’s choice of attire that showed so much of his collar area. Though, admittedly, he acknowledged the fact that he had chosen well. The jewellery definitely suited him.
“It suits you.”
Kaveh seemed surprised by his sudden statement. He was looking everywhere but Alhaitham, his right hand coming up to hold onto the ring. “Um, yes, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It will do good to help you with your problem.”
“Huh? Oh, yeah, the problem. Yeah, it will definitely help.”
The scribe could sense that had probably said something wrong, because the hand that was playing with the ring immediately dropped to his side. His roommate finally looked at him but he could see that the smile on his face did not quite reach his eyes. Before he could say anything to remedy it though, Kaveh excused himself, exiting the house with quick steps.
Was he expecting something? More than what the situation really was? Or was that just Alhaitham’s wishful thinking?
Running a hand through his hair, the scribe sighed. The thoughts about their relationship, whatever it had become, were slowly consuming him. He had work for the Akademiya again, but he knew that the only thing running through his mind that day would be the situation and Kaveh. It was even futile to deny it to himself anymore. The buried feelings had surfaced the moment he decided to buy the ring, fooling himself that he was only helping his roommate with his predicament.
Alhaitham was in love with Kaveh, as simple as that.
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Alhaitham did not know what he expected to return to, considering how the morning had ended with an awkward note for both of them, but it was certainly not a house full of Kshahrewar seniors greeting him. His roommate was sat on the floor, sending him apologetic looks as Shamsia stood up and ushered him to join their evening tea gathering. Quite frazzled, he took a seat next to Kaveh, accepting the cup of herbal tea sent his way by one of the seniors. For a moment, he entertained the thought that it was ironic that he was being served like a guest in his own house.
A tug on his cape had him turning to his roommate who leant in to whisper an apology. He explained that the seniors, also his clients, had insisted on visiting his house to see the ‘newlyweds’. Alhaitham was not paying that much attention though, his gaze dropped to the way the necklace dangled in between them, framing the expanse of skin exposed to him with the angle. His trance was only broken when one of the women cleared her throat loudly, a teasing smile on her lips as she asked Kaveh to introduce his husband.
The architect was visibly flustered, blushing to the tips of his ears as he mumbled out a short introduction of Alhaitham. His name, the fact that he was a Haravatat graduate, his current occupation and finally, that he was his ‘husband’. He couldn’t help but smile, greeting them all in turn. The women then took their turns to introduce each other. He nodded at every one, silently committing them to memory.
“So, now that the introductions are done. How about we get some details then?” the one named Humaira asked, followed by a round of agreements from the other three women.
“Right, Kaveh, how come we never knew you got married?” Naima questioned, reaching over to pinch their junior’s cheek fondly.
Kaveh whined, protesting to the treatment he was given. He could see that they were quite close-knit despite having not met for a while. Being a social butterfly, it was no surprise that Kaveh was close to his seniors, but the way they interacted made it seem like he was being questioned by his own relatives. It was endearing in a way, that he was reduced to a small child in the presence of the older seniors.
The question remained unanswered though, and those red orbs were once again meeting his own teal ones, asking for help.
“It was a quiet thing. We decided to keep it private on my request due to the nature of my work with the Akademiya. I’d rather it not be public information.”
The living room was filled with ‘ooh’s and ‘aah’s as they continued to sate the curiosity of the seniors, Alhaitham making things up on the spot when he had to, or just alter their actual experiences together to fit the context of a couple. He found it easy, talking so fondly of their memories together. Kaveh was mainly silent throughout the whole thing, leaning absentmindedly against him while sipping on his drink.
There was a quip from him here and there but he remained quiet most of the time. It was weird, him being the talkative one instead of the architect. He didn’t find it unpleasant though, the conversation the seniors had roped him into. In fact, he was quite comfortable especially with the warmth from Kaveh who seemed to mould into his side more and more as time went on.
It was only when the blond started nodding off that Shamsia finally decided that it was their time to leave. He moved him to lean against the couch before seeing the guests to the door. They thanked him for his hospitality, followed by playful shovel talks about caring for Kaveh. Shamsia stayed behind for a bit as the others walked off. He could tell she had something to say.
“He was upset today, wasn’t he?”
She smiled. “What a good relationship needs is communication. He is often open but even he has some feelings he finds hard to show. Being vulnerable is not his thing, but I hope that you can be the person that he can bare all of himself to. That would be the greatest role you can serve as his husband.”
With that, she bid him a good night and followed the trail of her fellow friends, leaving a stunned Alhaitham. It still felt weird, in a tingly kind of way, being referred to as Kaveh's husband. Her advice seemed to strike something in him though. They never discussed anything when coming to the decision of faking a marriage, so it was not exactly a mutual decision. Even in a different context than what she thought, she was still right.
He had never been one to hesitate. No matter how he had tried to rationalise his feelings and hoped time could tamp it down, the fact that he could never refuse his senior ever since they first met was already a sign that it would always come down to this. So, Alhaitham made a decision to be the one to take the first step in doing something they never did; talk to each other about their feelings.
Shamsia’s words would be the catalyst. Or maybe, even back then, the ugly feeling that filled his chest when the architect had told him that they were matchmaking him with their daughters and relatives was the one that spurred him into action. He was not sure. All he knew was that all of those had built up right to this moment, when he finally realised that maybe something fake was not what he truly wanted.
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Waking up in Alhaitham’s bed was something that Kaveh never expected to happen in his entire life. He had shot up immediately when he realised where he was up. The owner of the room was nowhere to be seen. Slowly, he climbed off the bed and stepped towards the door, noticing the aroma of roasted meat wafting into the room from the small crack of the door. He pushed it open and was greeted by the sight of his roommate preparing shawarma for breakfast, or maybe it was brunch, considering how bright it already was.
Noticing him, the scribe called him over with a wave of a hand, gesturing for him to sit at the dining table. He went there robotically, his mind recalling the events of last night to predict if this silent Alhaitham was a precedent to something good or bad. Once he sat down, his roommate took the seat opposite him. As it always does ever since he wore the necklace, Alhaitham’s eyes would go the ring hung around his neck. It made him more conscious of the way his shirt dipped low, baring his collarbone area and some chest. He quickly trapped the ring in his hand, lightly tugging at the chain.
“Kaveh, how long till your work with the seniors ends?” the question caught him off guard.
Had something actually happened last night for him to ask such a question?
“I’m almost done with the design, but it’ll take longer since I want to overlook the building process until it’s done too.”
“I see.”
He seemed to be contemplating something in his mind. Kaveh decided to take that moment to start eating. His mind was working miles per minute to figure out what was going on. Alhaitham had never been one to be curious about his work. He should have been grateful to have Kaveh not just lying around the house as he would usually say when commenting on his previously unemployed status. Why was he suddenly asking about the end of his project?
Besides that, he still hadn’t forgotten about the fact that he was quite upset at him, even if he knew he did not exactly have a reason to be. Alhaitham probably thought that he was only helping him with the lie that they came up with, but Kaveh had thought he had some hope when he opened the small box and saw the ring. Of course, just as it was about to bloom, it was nipped in the bud by the man himself by stating that it was only for the ‘problem’ that he was helping Kaveh with. He was hoping for something, damn it.
“Kaveh, I like you.” Yeah, something like that. Not something like ‘oh I hope this helps with your problem’, stupid Haitham.
“Kaveh, are you listening to me?”
“Huh?”
“I said, I like you, and I would really like it if our relationship is based on something real instead of a fake marriage.”
Kaveh blinked. It took a while for those words to sink in and be processed in his brain. Alhaitham was looking at him expectantly, composed as ever except for the small tint of pink on the tip of his ears.
“What? Haitham, if this is a joke, I really don’t appreciate it.” because it’s not fair. It’s not fair that he could just blurt it out like it was so easy.
“I am not one for jokes, and you know so. I’ve realised, through this series of events, that my feelings for you will not go away so it is better if I act on it. I liked being referred to as your husband, your lover, your partner. But this ‘fake’ thing, I don’t want it. I want something real with you, if you are willing. I like you.” Alhaitham came closer to Kaveh, wiping the tears that had fallen down his cheeks as he heard the confession.
“I hate you.” Kaveh sniffed. “Did you know how I felt when you gave me the stupid ring? Then you told me it was only for my problem? You’re so stupid. I hate you, I hate you.”
Both of them knew he didn’t mean it at all.
“I’m sorry. I’ll make up for it. Should we actually get married? I’ll get you a new ring, a better one.” Alhaitham chuckled at the pout on his face. “A real one this time.”
“It’s too early for that. I have standards too! Propose to me properly.”
“Alright, love. This means you do like me, right?”
“No, I hate you.”
He screeched in protest as Alhaitham squeezed his face with the hands that were wiping his tears. Before he could complain any further though, there were lips being pressed against his. He melted into the kiss, hands coming up to loop around Alhaitham’s neck. They only separated after a while of just languidly tasting each other. Kaveh scrunched his nose as the scribe then proceeded to pepper kisses on his face.
“Your fake marriage idea was stupid by the way,” he stated, just for the sake of it.
“Mhm, got you an actual boyfriend instead of a fake husband though,” was the retort.
Putting it that way, perhaps it was a good idea after all. Boyfriend? Kaveh liked the sound of that. And maybe later, they can change that to actual husband too.