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Kaveh loved Al-Haitham more than anything and anyone else in Teyvat and Al-Haitham felt the same way.
Even if they constantly fight and argue, they genuinely care for each other to the point one would be completely willing to sacrifice his life for the other. Neither of them ever talked about how far they would go for the other but the way they would look at each other tells the whole story. The way their eyes would meet, the way their fingers brush up against one another, it all felt so surreal to the blond man.
He loved him with his entire being so much it felt like a pleasurable ache in his chest whenever he’s around the taller silver-haired man. With him, Kaveh felt as if he was truly valued for who he is and not just his reputation as the genius architect of Sumeru, not bound to the expectations of others. It felt so liberating. If he were to describe the feeling, it would be as if he was a bird raised in a cage its whole life that just got out and experienced the sensation of soaring high up in the sky for the first time. If it weren’t for him, Kaveh knew he’d never get to experience that wonderful feeling in his lifetime.
Kaveh trusted Al-Haitham with his life and Al-Haitham placed all his trust on him too.
Even though they seemed like one sees the other as completely untrustworthy, it is actually the complete opposite. Kaveh trusted the silver-haired man enough to allow himself to be emotionally vulnerable in front of him and tell him all about everything that’s been troubling him. Al-Haitham trusted the blond enough to tell him about all of his plans to cooperate with a certain traveler and going against the Akademiya. Of course, Kaveh got extremely worried for Al-Haitham, but he didn’t object to any of his plans. He trusted him enough to believe that he’d come back home safe and sound.
On free days, the pair would sometimes just stay home and spend the whole day together basking in each other’s presence. Kaveh loved sitting on Al-Haitham’s lap as he read a book. One of the taller man’s hands would have a book in its firm grasp as the other wrapped around the waist of the slightly smaller man straddling him. The blond on the other hand always had his arm wrapped around his lover’s shoulders as his face was nuzzled in his neck, inhaling the scent as he dozed off to sleep.
Even just the most bland and mundane moments with him felt oddly domestic as if they were some old married couple that has been together for decades. It really made the blond want to get down on one knee and take out a ring to propose to him right then and there.
(As if he had enough money to buy his dear Al-Haitham a proper engagement ring.)
Kaveh would have a breakdown due to bottling up all of his feelings all alone in his room in the middle of the night, curling up and gripping onto his pillows like his life depended on it. He would bury his face into his pillow and sob quietly until he loses it and starts yelling into the soft material. On nights like those, Al-Haitham often barges into his room to check on him and make sure he’s okay, hugging him to keep his trembling figure warm. He’d even insist on sleeping in the same bed with Kaveh just in case he wakes up and starts crying again.
Oh, how he missed those days…
“Just let it all out, Kaveh. I’m here for you. I promise I’m not going anywhere”
The silver-haired man would whisper reassurances into the blond’s ear with his smooth voice, stroking the slightly smaller man’s back in an attempt to comfort him. He would let hit lover muzzle his face into his chest even if it meant his shirt would get wet from his tears, but he didn’t mind at all. In moments like those, his only priority is giving his beloved Kaveh everything he needs so he can smile again.
Al-Haitham was fully aware about Kaveh’s tendencies to overwork and starve himself to the point of passing out. He wanted to do something for the sake of Kaveh’s physical and mental wellbeing, but he understood the importance of needing to finish tasks before the deadlines especially since the blond wanted to keep his reputation as the genius architect.
“Are you okay with telling me what’s bothering you this time? Is it a troublesome client or a difficult commission? Do you feel like you’re losing motivation again? You don’t have to give me an answer right now.”
Kaveh sniffled and tried his best to regain his composure, calming himself down a bit more so he won’t sound as if he’s about to have another breakdown in the middle of talking. He steadied his breaths and pushed his face away from the other’s chest to look him in the eyes.
“Al-Haitham… Please be honest with me. Are you sure you’re going to come back in one piece after helping out the traveler…? You know how dangerous it is with the sages creating a new god and all that… I’m just so… so worried for you…”
His voice threatened to break with every word he uttered as tears formed in his eyes, threatening to start streaming down his cheeks. Each breath he took was unsteady as well, a clear sign that he was about to start bawling his eyes out again.
Al-Haitham’s gaze softened, raising a large hand up to gently wipe away one of the stray tears from Kaveh’s beautiful face. The blond responded by leaning his face into the warmth of his partner’s hand, wanting to savor the moment as much as he can.
“You know I’m strong and I can handle myself, Kaveh. Besides that, I’m also going to be with the traveler which means I’m in good hands. I promise I’ll come back home to you after the mission, and we’ll have the whole day all to ourselves. I know that’s not going to be easy considering the dangers I might have to face but please… trust me.”
Kaveh sniffled a bit more and wiped more of his tears away, feeling a bit more reassured thanks to Al-Haitham’s words. After all, he of all people should know the silver-haired man never makes empty promises.
“Alright… I trust you. I love you so much and I have no idea what I'd do without you... so please... don’t get yourself too hurt.”
The blond forced out a chuckle to lighten up the mood a bit and sat up, leaning in to give his boyfriend a soft kiss which the other promptly reciprocated.
Kaveh started sobbing even harder at the thought of the talk he had with Al-Haitham the night before he left to assist the traveler. The large pillow the blond hugged was practically getting suffocated by how tightly he’s holding onto it.
He trusted him. He trusted that he’d keep his promise and return home safe and sound. He trusted him to never leave his side. He trusted him to keep the promise he made to him. He put all of his trust in him, and it only resulted in his poor little heart getting shattered into a million pieces and trampled on.
Even before the two got together, Kaveh had planned out a future for him and Al-Haitham. He had stable income from his job, his Al-Haitham continued to do his own things, and they have a cute pet they raised. He desperately wanted his dreams of having an amazing future with the love of his life to come true and he was so close to achieving it until a few hours prior to his breakdown. Now that all of his dreams were crushed, he felt lost. He didn’t know what to do anymore besides sulk and grieve all day in his bed. Maybe even move into Al-Haitham’s room if he wanted the comfort of his boyfriend’s scent.
Kaveh finally let go of the pillow and turned to look straight up at his ceiling, stretching his arms and legs out on the bed. He sighed deeply, already missing the company of the silver-haired man.
“Dammit, Haitham. I thought you never make empty promises…”