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There's a place near the Akademiya popular with the university students. Sangemah Bay Karaoke Bar or SB for short. It's always filled to the brim because not only do the karaoke systems sound great, the food and drinks are delicious.
Nilou happily announces to her friends that they've reserved a spot for them at SB. The tired group, recently just coming out of the hell that is midterms, brightens up at the news. Kaveh especially.
"Nilou, you are an angel." Nilou giggles at Kaveh's compliment, "When's the reservation?" Dehya inquires. Nilou informs them that it's this saturday night. Tighnari smiles, "Sounds great, thank you Nilou."
The whole group wore expressions of excitement, looking forward to saturday. They really needed the event after so much stress. Kaveh was excited to belt his worries away, but the man by his side? Not so much.
Kaveh glances at Alhaitham whose face is of indifference. "Hey, brighten up!" Kaveh nudges him with his elbow. "Aren't you excited?" Alhaitham ignores him.
"Are you shy of your singing, Alhaitham?" Kaveh teases, nudging the man beside him more. Alhaitham glowers at him, Tighnari chuckles. "Oh come on, there's no need to be shy. Look at Cyno, he really isn't shy of his voice."
Cyno frowns at Tighnari's implication which makes the others laugh. Nilou shakes her head and smiles, "There's no need to be shy! We'll be there to have fun."
The plan was then settled, not taking long for saturday to finally come. Kaveh immediately took a bath as soon as he got back to the dormitory after classes that day. Alhaitham, his roommate, was yet to return to their dorm room when Kaveh entered the bath.
Once he finished his long and thorough bath, Kaveh beelines to the bedroom. With a towel wrapped around his waist, the only thing he's able to put on is his underwear. Then, he's suddenly stuck in a stalement.
Kaveh's eyes wander around his wardrobe, searching for something stylish and fun to wear. His nose scrunches up when he finds nothing wearable. Too formal, too casual, too bright, too dark, too dated, too gaudy!
And when he does find something, it's an outfit he'd already worn that week! Kaveh sighs is dismay. When he thought he'd searched everything, evident by the clothes on his bed, an idea pops into his head.
His sight wanders to the other side of the room. Alhaitham's side.
Kaveh is quick to open Alhaitham's wardrobe. But before he could go through it, the bedroom door opens, revealing the owner of said wardrobe.
"What are you doing?" Alhaitham narrows his eyes while Kaveh cheekily smiles, slowly closing the wardrobe. "Doing you a favor...?" Kaveh claims, sounding unsure himself. "What favor?" Alhaitham walks into the bedroom and closes the door behind him.
"I was going to pick out a good outfit for you to wear night." Kaveh answers. "So you look presentable for once." A lie— Kaveh knows fully well Alhaitham looks presentable in anything. Even when he'd just woken up, in his white tank top and sweatpants— Kaveh wills the thoughts away.
Alhaitham doesn't look the least bit convinced. Kaveh already knew he wasn't fooling anyone, more so Alhaitham. The latter looked Kaveh up and down, an almost unnoticeable smirk forming on his lips. "I think someone else needs an outfit more than I do."
The moment Kaveh becomes aware that he's still in a towel, he reddens. "Hey! Just so you know, I'm not naked under here." The blonde holds the knot that's keeping his towel up tightly. "Sure you aren't." Alhaitham snarks.
Kaveh glares at him. "What? You want proof?" Alhaitham shrugs and Kaveh scoffs, his face turning even more red. "Get out, I'm getting dressed."
Alhaitham turns to leave, a smile on his face Kaveh couldn't see. Before he leaves the room, he mentions in passing. "Don't forget to lock the door when you go out."
Kaveh who was still trying to figure out what to wear, suddenly looks to Alhaitham's direction. He rushes to the man's side, tugging on his arm. "Where are you going?"
"There's an event I have to attend, I need it for clearance." Alhaitham answers and as he does, he doesn't miss the way Kaveh's expression dims. "Oh, I see." The blonde speaks as though he has no problem with it, but his grip on Alhaitham's arm tightens.
That face, pleading for something he's too prideful to ask for. Alhaitham wanted nothing more than to tease Kaveh. "You told me to go out, now you're holding me back?" Kaveh furrows his eyebrows, but he says nothing.
"Kaveh." Alhaitham calls. Kaveh looks up, looking at Alhaitham in his eyes. "You're coming, right?" Kaveh asks. "Don't tell me you aren't coming."
Alhaitham turns to face Kaveh. "I'll try." He replies. Kaveh pouts, his cheeks ruddy with annoyance and disappointment. Alhaitham is finally satisfied seeing Kaveh's face like that. Before the blonde could start ranting, Alhaitham sighs. "I'll be there, Kaveh."
Kaveh blinks in surprise at the sudden change. "You better be. Don't disappoint Nilou." He scoffs, finally letting go of Alhaitham. "Hey, you need to apologize."
Alhaitham raises at eyebrow. "Hm? For what?" Kaveh crosses his arms. "For even thinking of not showing up for karaoke night! Because of that, you should let me borrow one of your polo shirts. As a sorry, of course."
"Don—" Before Alhaitham could finish his sentence, Kaveh pushes him to the door. "Thank you, Alhaitham! You're so generous !" Alhaitham grabs the arm pushing him. "Hey." Kaveh freezes. "Hmm?"
"Lock the door." Alhaitham reminds and Kaveh fervently nods. "Promise, I won't forget."
—
"Kaveh!" Nilou greets the blonde, spreading her arms for a hug. Kaveh gladly accepts. "You look so pretty, Angel!" Nilou giggles at Kaveh's compliment. "You're prettier." She responds which makes Kaveh smile. "Come! The others are already inside."
Nilou leads the blonde into the Karaoke Bar. The two make their way into their reserved room. Tighnari and Dehya were both holding menus, talking of the finger food and drinks there were going to order. Cyno was beside Tighnari, flipping through the pages of the songbook.
Dehya had her arm wrapped around Dunyarzad's shoulder whose eyes brighten when she spots Kaveh. "Hello!" She waves. "Dunyarzad, Hi!" Kaveh walks to her side, leaning in for a short hug. "Hope you don't mind me tagging along." Dunyarzad sheepishly smiles.
"Of course not," Kaveh shakes his head. "I'm so glad you're here!" The others then acknowledge Kaveh's presence. He takes a seat at the edge of the long half-circle leather sofa.
"Alhaitham's not with you?" Tighnari decides to address the elephant in the room. The others looks at Kaveh expectantly. "He had something important to attend to— But he told me he'd come."
"Mmm, I see." Tighnari nods. "Then how about we order first, so the food is here when he arrives." Dunyarzad takes the menu right off Dehya's hands. "Order all you want! It's my treat!"
Nilou's eyes widen. "Oh no no! I couldn't possibly let you! I'll be the one to pay." Cyno huffs at what was going to be a neverending friendly disagreement. "How about we all split the bill?"
"Then how about we play a game later? I'll provide the prizes!" Dunyarzad excitedly suggests. Dehya laughs as she squeezes her shoulder. "Dunyarzad can't rest until she finds a way to spoil others. Trust me, let her do this."
"A game? Hmm..." Kaveh crosses his arms in thought. Nilou stares into space for a minute, then she jumps in her seat. "I've got it! How about... a duet competition ?" Nilou's eyes shine in excitement.
"Duet battle! I love it!" Dunyarzad squeals. "How about it?" Nilou looks at the others for agreement. "Sure!" Kaveh chimes, avoiding glancing at the empty spot beside him. Tighnari, Cyno and Dehya all share their words of agreement.
Nilou explains that they'd be free to choose their partner for the duet, excluding her since she deemed herself the host and them her special guests. The winner will be decided by individual voting, an individual is not allowed to vote for the duo they're part of.
Kaveh smiles awkwardly when he looks around, realizing that there wasn't anyone to pair with him. Dehya and Dunyarzad, Tighnari and Cyno, him and—
Kaveh fights the frown that was about to form on his lips. That Alhaitham... he better arrive or he will— he will...
"Ah, I'm so sorry Kaveh! I forgot Alhaitham wasn't here yet." Nilou purses her lips in guilt. Kaveh laughs it off, "Don't worry, Angel." Tighnari waves the menu. "I'll go order first while waiting for Alhaitham," He gives Kaveh a sly look. "You can't sing a duet without a pair after all."
Once Tighnari goes out the karaoke room to order food, the others are busy looking through the songbooks. Except Kaveh, he was scrolling through his phone. Waiting for a call or a text— if that annoying man wasn't going to come, then he should at least inform Kaveh right?
Tighnari comes back and Kaveh still doesn't hear from Alhaitham. The group chats idly while they wait for the food— except Dunyarzad, who was currently singing her heart out to 'Rolling in the Deep' by Adele.
"Dunyarzad's already warming up to the mic." Dehya laughs, elbowing Kaveh who had been quiet. "Hey, blondie." Kaveh chuckles drily. "Stop calling me that." Dehya smiles, messing his hair up. "Talk more, will ya? I miss your voice already."
"I'm reserving my voice for the duet, I'll be taking the prize." Kaveh smirks, gesturing putting a crown on his head. Dehya playfully raises a brow. "You think you're going to defeat my lady and I?"
The two laugh, then suddenly Kaveh feels his phone buzz in his hand. He feels his heart beat through his chest, as he reads the message from Alhaitham.
'I'm outside the bar, what room number are you in?'
Kaveh beams and Dehya quickly notices the sudden change in atmosphere. "Go get him." Kaveh throws Dehya a questioning look, Dehya throws him back a knowing one. "That smile on your face, who else could it be?"
With that, Kaveh lets Nilou know and then goes to get Alhaitham. As he briskly walks, he remembers he'd forgotten to text back. So he whips a quick reply: 'coming to get u'
"I thought you valued punctuality." Kaveh smirks at Alhaitham. "I almost thought you wouldn't come." The end part comes out a little weaker than the blonde intended.
Before Alhaitham could answer, Kaveh invites him in. "Come, you're the only one they're waiting for." The one Kaveh was waiting for.
"The organizers didn't give the attendance I needed to sign on until after some... group activities." Alhaitham starts to explain as Kaveh lead him to their reserved room.
"Was it fun?" Kaveh asks and Alhaitham is quiet for a second, then he replies. "No. After I signed, I came here."
When two enter the room, a chorus of voices greet Alhaitham. The latter sits beside Kaveh, the empty space earlier now filled up. The food and drinks Tighnari ordered had already arrived.
Everything was finally set. Nilou quickly explains to Alhaitham the rules of the duet competition. Alhaitham looks at Kaveh and the blonde smiles. A tacit agreement— because if it isn't with each other, then with who else?
Dunyarzad takes her glass and taps it with a spoon. "To completed midterms!" she cheers. "To completed midterms!" the others follow suit.
After a bit more chatting, the duet battle finally starts. Nilou queues the duos' chosen songs while Dunyarzad announces the prize. "5000 mora!" She rejoices and the others rejoice with her.
A toothy grin forms on Kaveh's lips, he turns to Alhaitham. "We're winning." Alhaitham sighs. "I never formally agreed to this."
Kaveh scowls. "You're singing, Alhaitham. Whether you like or not." Even though Kaveh says so, he knows he can't force Alhaitham if he really doesn't want to.
Dehya and Dunyarzad were up first. The group clapped at the song choice: 'Beauty and the Beast'
It was a good duet— Dunyarzad's voice was a little strained from singing so much earlier and Dehya kept changing some of the lyrics to fit them more, which made her miss a beat or two. But the two enjoyed singing the song nonetheless. Everyone else clapped at the fun performance.
Next up were Cyno and Tighnari, whose song choice was 'Something Stupid'. Kaveh absolutely adored the song, so he cheered extra loudly when the title appeared on the screen.
Cyno's voice was really not the best, Tighnari wasn't lying. But it was a charming and homely rendition of the jazz classic. The pair's voices mixed together nicely. Everyone was surprised at Tighnari's great control. A round of applause was of course not missing at the end of their song.
Finally, it was Kaveh and Alhaitham's turn. Kaveh stood up and took the microphones from Nilou. Alhaitham stayed seated when Kaveh handed him the microphone.
The intro of the song started playing at the title faded onto the screen. The others cheered for the song choice, a classic love song: 'How deep is you love?'
At this point, Kaveh had accepted that Alhaitham wouldn't sing. So he started to sing the first verse alone. Kaveh was surprisingly a good singer, his voice was warm, making you feel right at home.
"And you come to me on a summer breeze–
Keep me warm in your love, then you softly leave," Kaveh sang, regretting his song choice. This was one of his favourite songs, so he didn't second-guess the choice. But now, he felt the words to it too much.
Kaveh dared not look at Alhaitham who was behind him, probably still sat down— probably isn't feeling so hopelessly infatuated like he is, singing to a love song so passionately.
Despite Kaveh feeling a bit discouraged, with doing a duet on his own, he keeps singing.
"How deep is your love? I really mean to learn," Kaveh sings the chorus on his own. "'Cause we're living in a world of fools, breaking us down–"
"When they all should let us be, we belong to you and me."
"I believe in you." Kaveh startles at the cold and deep voice who suddenly sang. "You know the door to my very soul." Kaveh turns his head in surprise and Alhaitham slowly stood up, holding his microphone.
"You're the light in my deepest, darkest hour." Alhaitham's voice crept into Kaveh's skin and seemed like it reverberated in his chest as he sang. "You're my savior when I fall."
At this point, it seemed that everything else blurred. The only thing that Kaveh could hear and see was Alhaitham who stood by his side. The man looked at him in the eyes, their gazes locked as he sang the next line.
"And you may not think I care for you," Alhaitham gaze did not falter as he sang.
"When you know down inside that I really do."
"And it's me you need to show, how deep is your love?" Alhaitham continued on to sing the chorus. Kaveh ripped his eyes from Alhaitham, looking at the screen instead.
The blonde hoped there was a raging blush forming on his cheeks, because he felt warm all over. Kaveh was upset over the fact that Alhaitham had this much of an effect over him— and that look. Was he— was Alhaitham singing to him?
Kaveh joins Alhaitham for the third verse, and the two finish the song together.
Everyone claps and cheers after, all of them thinking the same thing— 'So much tension...'
Once Kaveh sat down, he immediately takes a drink and gulps it down in second. Then, he stuffs his mouth with cheesesticks. Not once glancing the man who sat right beside him. Kaveh pursed his lips.
'This Alhaitham really, could he get more annoying?! If he was going to sing anyway, why didn't he make that clear from the start! Catching me off guard like that...'
Dunyarzad takes out the 5000 mora, it was placed in a cute cat pouch. Nilou invites Dunyarzad to the front for the voting. "It's time to vote!" Nilou announces.
"I think we all know who won." Dehya chuckles and the others at her knowingly. Except for Kaveh who is very much confused, because he's finding it a hard time to choose between the two duos.
"Yeah." Tighnari agrees with a smirk. "They really put their heart into it."
Dunyarzad raises her hand. "I vote for Kaveh and Alhaitham!"
After that, everyone else started raises their hands. Announcing that they vote for Kaveh and Alhaitham. Soon enough, it was only Kaveh and Alhaitham themselves who didn't have their hands raised.
Kaveh felt another blush creeping up on his face when everyone was looking at them expectantly. Nilou claps, "Congratulations to Kaveh and Alhaitham!"
Nilou gestures for them to come to front, so the two make their way. Dunyarzad awards the well-earned kitty pouch to Kaveh, then they pose for a picture with Tighnari taking it.
After everyone settles once again in their chairs, singing, eating and drinking the night away. Kaveh hands the kitty pouch to Alhaitham, "Take my half— for all the times you paid for me." Alhaitham refuses it. "2500 mora is not enough."
Kaveh scowls in annoyance. "I'm trying to be nice!" The blonde pushes the kitty pouch towards Alhaitham, who doesn't budge. Kaveh groans and resorts to placing the kitty pouch on Alhaitham's thighs.
"It's. Yours." Kaveh reiterates. Alhaitham doesn't protest anymore, which makes Kaveh grin.
Alhaitham looked at the kitty pouch. His couldn't help but smile.
All that mora inside, he'll probably spend on Kaveh anyway.