Archive of Our Own

“As soon as I walked in, the General Mahamatra was there. He greeted me like we were friends but it was my first time meeting him. I suspected it had something to do with one of the junior’s plagiarism case I had caught-”

Kaveh just smiled and nodded at his lying, pretentious, and rather sorry excuse for a "date." He’d expected better from a Herbad but he probably should’ve learned by now how arrogant and egotistical people can be in any position of power.

"So yeah, I had essentially done the General Mahamatra's work for him. He thanked me, of course, for tracking down the student's plagiarized papers and even treated me out to dinner afterwards."

Cyno has never failed in his field, will never fail in his field, and Kaveh was getting a little more than ticked off at the handsome man across from him. He sighed inwardly reminding himself once again not to fall for pretty eyes or strong arms. Sleeveless shirts were his downfall and this man had caught his eye from day one. Honestly though, who knew he would turn out to be such a dishonest idiot? The man in question, who was cradling his glass of wine without a care in the world, clearly didn't realize Kaveh was close friends with the General Mahamatra and even dined at Tighnari's hut with him every other week!

I mean, just last week they'd all sat down to have a very serious discussion about the issue with his roommate.

"The only thing about him? He has this super weird obsession with fighting. He even asked me to duel him-"

Kaveh blocked out the voice of the other man. He couldn't possibly listen to such nonsense about his friend. Cyno was never one to love battle. Of course, he would often threaten to fight Alhaitham when he was being particularly arrogant but who wouldn't? No, Cyno's greatest passion in life was an elemental-based card game and getting precious little Collei to feel more comfortable around him.

After finally being cured of her Elezar, Collei had become more confident. She hadn't been so ashamed of her appearance anymore and it has been a while since she tried sifting through Tighnari's closet for a long sleeved jacket to wear. Kaveh did have to admit though, she looked rather cute swimming in his clothes. There was even an occasion where she had adorned Cyno's jackal headdress. It was much too large for her of course, falling past her eyes and causing her to stumble around until Cyno took it off her. He should visit the trio of them for dinner soon.

Kaveh drifted back to his “date” who was still exaggerating rather animatedly about his legendary battle with the General Mahamatra. Kaveh wanted to leave, he really did, but he had unfortunately boasted about his so-called date to his roommate. Going back now would mean he’d lost the unspoken battle and he really didn’t feel like dealing with Alhaitham’s knowing smirk. Kaveh eyed his dish, a pile of lamb chops with a heap of rice drizzled in the lamb sauce and decided at the very least, he would enjoy his food before taking off.

“You know, I’m actually well acquainted with the Scribe—he scoffed— stellar dude but not that smart.” Kaveh had to hold in a laugh, luckily, his lousy date didn’t notice. “Yeah, I actually worked with him on a couple of projects and I have to say, I basically did everything. He didn’t lift a finger, didn’t understand anything I was saying half the time actually. I let him take credit for my work. I know I shouldn’t have but I just felt so bad for him, you know? Anyway, It’s unbelievable he’s the Akademiya’s Scribe-” Kaveh dropped his fork and promptly stood up from his chair. He felt hot, knew he was red in the face with rage.

“Listen, I can sit through your nonsense about Cyno. I will tolerate you making up blatant lies and tall stories about my friends since anyone with a brain cell wouldn’t dare believe them, but do not EVER accuse someone of academic dishonesty. Alhaitham would never commit such atrocities. He would never take credit for someone else’s work let alone have them do everything for him.”

By now, other customers at the restaurant were glancing at their table. Kaveh didn’t care though. The man across from him had crossed a serious line. Academic dishonesty in Sumeru was a crime that could have Alhaitham expelled. If Alhaitham lost his position as a scribe, he wouldn’t be able to find another job anywhere. He’d have no choice but to evict Kaveh.

Kaveh picked up his glass of wine and spilled it over the other man before grabbing his satchel and walking off. He at least took satisfaction in hearing the Herbad sputtering and stumbling around the restaurant swearing.

As Kaveh exited the restaurant, he felt someone tug on his cape. He grumbled as he turned to face some Akademiya professors, two of whom he recalls attending lectures for when he was still a new student. Kaveh didn’t really feel the desire to reminisce about days past and abruptly asked “Can I help you, gentleman?” There was no doubt they had seen Kaveh’s behavior and were seeking to scold him about acting out in such a way. At least, that’s what Kaveh had suspected but what he got in return was much worse.

“A Herbad? What’s next? Your supposed roommate who just happens to be the current Scribe and acting Sage? There are other ways to reach the power you seek, Senior Kaveh.”

Kaveh just felt disgust and anger at their accusations. He didn’t even answer them. He just walked away, not wanting to cause another scene. He wanted nothing more than to punch each of them, perhaps kick them where it hurts but attacking an Akademiya professor was sure to destroy his already diminished career path.

Everyone sought out things like love, why did it always go so wrong for him? You’d think finding a life long partner would be easier than finding someone to fund a million mora project.

Kaveh came out for a night of fun, of getting to know someone new who could hopefully appreciate his eye for beauty and design. Someone who could understand how hard he worked and would support his endeavors. Instead, he’d received an arrogant fool who spoke poorly about his friends and a disgusting remark from the professors he once learned under.

At this point, he didn’t care if Alhaitham would give him that stupid smirk when he entered their shared living space at an unusually early hour for someone with a date. Kaveh would not suffer a date with someone who spread such lies about his friends.

Cyno was so cautious and caring. He tried his best to communicate and interact with people, spending hours at the library pouring over books, trying to find the best joke. He was so sweet with Collei too despite how she flinched in his presence. He was so patient and gentle with just about everyone. When Kaveh was still new to the Akademiya and the great General Mahamatra showed up to his study nook in the library, Kaveh felt his gut drop at the sight of the jackal headdress only to find that everything people said about him was completely false.

The Mahamatra offered him a fallen sketchbook, assuring him he hadn’t peeked at his designs, and then proceeded to tell him some complicated joke about architects and their extravagant creations. It wasn’t funny at all but Kaveh faked laughter and Cyno lit up at that reaction. He invited Kaveh for dinner at Tighnari’s that night where Kaveh had the opportunity to meet the fox hybrid and little Collei too.

Kaveh wouldn’t say it to most people, but he saw that trio as his family. They were his close friends whom he enjoyed dining with. For someone to tarnish their names? Unforgivable.

Kaveh stopped at a bridge and looked up, his eyes landing on the pale moon twinkling in the sky in all its glory. Academic dishonesty was an unforgivable crime in Sumeru, to accuse someone of such a thing…Kaveh huffed, his eyes falling back to the ground. He was tired, he was exhausted, he just wanted to crawl into bed and cuddle up to his cushions. Sure, Alhaitham would laugh at him but he didn’t care. Kaveh may have been desperate for a lifelong partner at the age of twenty-three but he wouldn’t tolerate someone so despicable no matter how pretty they looked.

Kaveh was so deep in thought as he stared at the ground that he hadn’t noticed the only other person on that bridge until he bumped into him.

“It’s not good to walk around at night distracted like this. You could get hurt.” Kaveh didn’t have to look up to know who it was. The firm grip on his arms, the scent of Kaveh’s own shampoo with a hint of some cheap laundry detergent was telling enough. Not to mention that monotone but deep voice of indifference.

“Like you care.” Kaveh tried to sidestep Alhaitham but the other man’s grip remained firm.

“I take it your date didn’t go well?” Kaveh said nothing. This was just absolutely humiliating. His roommate found him walking around aimlessly at night, clearly upset due to his own poor judgment of character. Kaveh had talked about this date for a week. He had boasted about finally finding someone and laughed at Alhaitham’s single status. To be in front of the other man after what he’d said, all the snide jokes he’d made? Kaveh wanted to jump off the bridge and sink into the waters below, never to see the light of the moon again. He knew his eyes were beginning to water. He knew his lip was trembling.

Kaveh waited with bated breath to hear Alhaitham chuckle, to make some stupid comment, but none of that came.

“Let’s go home.” Kaveh looked up at him, surprised, but said nothing. Weirder was how Alhaitham gently grasped his hand, leading him to his house. They didn’t utter a word to each other on the way there, not even when Kaveh was furiously wiping at his eyes. Alhaitham pretended not to notice as they arrived at the front door.

“Get some rest,” Alhaitham said as he opened the door with Kaveh’s keys no less. He allowed Kaveh to step inside first. Before Alhaitham could make his way to his room, Kaveh grabbed his cloak.

“What? No laughing? No stupid comments? No ‘I told you, Kaveh, you were too rash!’?” Kaveh knew the tears had made a swift return, he knew his voice was shaking, his whole body was trembling in embarrassment at this entire situation.

Alhaitham merely gazed at him with that infuriatingly indifferent expression. “I think you’ve been through enough today.” Kaveh scoffed.

“Why are you acting like you c-care about me? You’ve never acted like this before. What? A-are you being nice to me now so you can evict me later? I-I won’t leave! You can’t make me!! I- I” Kaveh took in a shaking breath. He was overdue for a mental breakdown and it was happening in the worst way possible. Everything he had built up for the past month was steadfastly falling, crashing down now.

“I’m not going to evict you.” Alhaitham’s eyes portrayed something different when he looked at Kaveh. Sorrow and pity wasn’t something new to Kaveh. He’d gotten plenty of that the few days he was living on the streets, even when his funding for his projects had been denied or all the times he was accused of academic dishonesty by his fellow classmates. It just ended up angering him even more.

“Why? Why not? You hate me, everyone does. Just get this over with so I don’t-” He shook his head, eyes downcast before making his way to his room. A tug on his sleeve had him ready to scream and shout at the other man but being pulled into a warm embrace caused him to grow silent.

“I don’t hate you.” That’s all Alhaitham said. He didn’t make any harsh comments or disgusting remarks like so many others did. Kaveh found himself clutching onto the other. His grip didn’t loosen even when Alhaitham led the two of them to the couch to sit.

Kaveh could get used to this. He hadn’t realized he’d been so starved for human touch until he felt the other carding fingers through his hair or rubbing his back so gently as if Kaveh would break under too much pressure. Perhaps that assumption was correct though. He’d never felt so vulnerable in his life and this had to be the first time someone had taken him seriously.

After several minutes of just Alhaitham holding him, he finally spoke. “Feel better?” Kaveh didn’t answer. “Want to talk about it?” Again, he remained silent. He felt Alhaitham sigh before the other man began pulling away.

Without realizing it, Kaveh was desperately demanding of him to “Stay, don’t go.” Alhaitham paused before taking Kaveh back into his arms and patting his head.

“Okay.”

Kaveh doesn’t quite recall how he ended up in his own bed that morning. He remembers how humiliating and embarrassing last night’s events were though. He remembers the anger he felt and all of it just seemed to melt away under Alhaitham’s touch. Kaveh sat up in bed gazing at his slightly open door in a daze. He found himself wanting to be embraced like that again.

He shook his head, perish the thought. Whatever that was last night wasn’t him. He was just stressed, under immense pressure, and acted without a thought. That’s what he continued to tell himself even when he approached Alhaitham in the kitchen who was going about his day per usual. Nothing seemed to faze that cold exterior.

Kaveh grabbed his already prepared coffee and accepted the toast Alhaitham handed him as well. He sat in the chair the other pulled out for him and gave his roommate his red pins to do his hair. They sat like that for a while. Kaveh sipped his tea and finished his toast while his roommate did god knows what with his hair. He found he didn’t mind though. Oddly enough, it always seemed to look quite elegant despite how messily placed the pins were each time. Everything seemed normal until Alhaitham spoke.

“Feel better?” Kaveh nodded his head, not trusting himself to speak. He leaned into Alhaitham’s touch as the other pinned back blonde locks. Minutes drifted by and then “Do you feel like talking today?” Kaveh scoffed.

“Don’t treat me like a child. I’m perfectly capable of holding a conversation. Apologies if my manner of speech isn’t up to your level, oh great Sage.” Kaveh didn’t need to look to know Alhaitham was probably smirking down at him.

“Please forgive this humble Scribe, Light of the Kshahrewar. I ought to have rolled out the red carpet for your arrival this morning.” Kaveh chuckled.

“Yes, you ought-” the two of them burst out laughing. All the worries of the past day seemed to just disappear from existence when Kaveh finally turned around to look at Alhaitham. The Akademiya’s Scribe still bore a light smile from their playful banter. When his eyes focused on him, Kaveh hurriedly looked away. Before he could delay it any longer, “Th-thank you…for yesterday.”

“Hmm?” Alhaitham raised an eyebrow. Kaveh shook his head before standing up.

“You know what, forget I said anything. Your arrogance is just-” He felt himself being tugged backwards into a firm chest. His knees buckled under the shock of it all and Kaveh found himself being held up by Alhaitham, eyes gazing into his own and that godawful smirk on his face.

“Just what? I think you owe me an explanation after all the trouble you caused.” Feeling his face heat up, Kaveh pushed his roommate away before grabbing his dishes and for once, making an attempt to do his chores if only to block out the other male. That didn’t deter Alhaitham though. He simply followed Kaveh to the sink, pushed his chest against Kaveh’s back to turn off the tap and caged him in.

Kaveh could feel the breath of the other man down his neck. If he turned around now, there would barely even be an inch between their faces due to their similar height, Alhaitham being only half an inch taller than he was.

“I’ve known you for six years, Kaveh. I know you’re prone to crying and mental breakdowns but last night? That wasn’t just your average mid-project breakdown. What happened?” So, there was no getting out of this, Kaveh concluded.

“It’s nothing, Alhaitham, really. My date was just a little extra annoying and I got upset because well-” Kaveh sighed, his face was burning. “I’m already twenty-three. I’m not getting any younger and I’m afraid I won’t find someone that wants to share their life with me-” When Alhaitham didn’t respond, he continued. “You’re lucky you’re still young and have the title of Scribe to boot. You have a lot of options, but me? A broke architect? The list grows fewer and fewer with each passing year.”

Finally, Alhaitham stepped back enough for Kaveh to face him properly. He expected for Kaveh to be indifferent as usual, to just say something along the lines of ‘oh well, if that’s all, I’ll be off now.’ Kaveh did not expect to see creased brows and narrowed eyes.

“That’s not all, Kaveh. You wouldn’t cry over something as pathetic as that. What did he say to you?”

“He didn’t say anything.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“No really, he didn’t. It was just—Kaveh leaned back against the sink and looked away— I met some old professors on my way here. Th-they weren’t as nice as I remember.” Alhaitham urged him to continue. Kaveh felt bile rise in his throat and tears well up at the stupid memory. “It’s stupid okay? They just accused me of sleeping up the ladder since my date was a Herbad! They asked if I-I was doing the same with y-you and I-”

Kaveh wiped at his eyes. Crying in the kitchen in front of his roommate had to be a new low for him. “I’m fine, what do you care anyway? We’re just roommates, not even friends!” Kaveh wasn’t really prepared to be in Alhaitham’s arms again so soon but he gladly took advantage of it, clutching onto that shirt that smelled like all of his favorite things.

“I do care. I care about you and I’ll make sure those idiots keep their mouths shut in the future.” Kaveh sobbed into Alhaitham’s shirt for a second time that week. The other just brushed fingers through his hair and held him tightly until Kaveh was done. He sniffled as he backed away from Alhaitham.

“I hate you.”

“Do you?”

Alhaitham was still running his fingers through Kaveh’s hair and Kaveh still had a hand clutched onto the Alhaitham’s shirt.

“Since when did you care about me?” Kaveh asked. There wasn’t a single moment of hesitation when Alhaitham spoke.

“Since I found a pretty little blonde asleep in my bed after crashing from drinking 6 cups of coffee during exam season.” Kaveh blushed, reaching up to cover his face. “I think around the time that same blonde started making me do his hair in the mornings was when I realized I didn’t hate him.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that-” Alhaitham continued.

“I think I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him when he was crying into my shirt all night after having a mental breakdown.” Alhaitham took both of Kaveh’s hands in his. “Actually no, scratch that, it was probably the moment he demanded to stay in my house, cover everything I own with his scent and run through my mind all day.” Alhaitham kissed Kaveh’s knuckles which had the other leaning forward, hiding his face in embarrassment.

“I hate you.”

“I love you.”

“How soon can you do it?” Alhaitham snapped shots of the trio of men from a roof somewhere in Sumeru City. He was grateful to the Traveler for allowing him to borrow this revolutionary device called a “Kamera.” It was excellent for capturing evidence.

“That depends, can you obtain that banned book?” Cyno made no move to even try to conceal himself. Then again, why would he? The General Mahamatra had always been a mystery to everyone. No one would confront him about gazing upon the crowds of people from atop a building late at night. Anyone who dared likely wouldn’t see the blooming of Padisarahs ever again.

Alhaitham stayed low. Unlike Cyno, he actually cared about upholding appearances. “A simple book on poisonous plants won’t be missed from the Akademiya’s archives— he turned to Cyno— you have my word as long as you uphold your end of the bargain.”

Cyno nodded in agreement before narrowing his eyebrows. “How do you know these three were the culprits?” Alhaitham smiled.

“Like you, General Mahamatra, I have my own intelligence network.” Cyno brandished his spear, preparing to leap from the roof and confront the trio of men on the ground who had still failed to notice their presence.

“Just make sure you aren’t late for dinner at Tighnari’s later. Kaveh spent a great deal of time complaining when you missed dessert for work.” Cyno leaped down, pointing his spear at a frightened Herbad and two rather pretentious Akademiya Professors.

“Surrender! I know the three of you have been falsifying information as well as abusing your positions.” One of the Professors stepped forward, attempting to quell the accusations made by Cyno.

“General Mahamatra, you must be confused! Surely-”

“Silence! Judgment is upon you!”

From the rooftop, Alhaitham chuckled. “We’ll see if you ever mess with Kaveh again.”

“Late! Again!! And this time it's both of you!!!” Kaveh stared at the two men that had walked into Tighnari’s hut. Cyno at least had the decency to look apologetic. Alhaitham on the other hand kept that stupid, infuriatingly indifferent expression. “Do I at least get an explanation this time around?” Cyno hurried past Kaveh to help Tighnari and Collei set the table.

Alhaitham shrugged off his outerwear, placing it on a hook before addressing the blonde. “We got held up at work.” Kaveh crossed his arms.

“Really? The both of you got held up at work?” Alhaitham nodded before glancing at Cyno to step in.

“Yes, Alhaitham is correct. It was a rather difficult matter.” Kaveh looked unimpressed as he sat down at the table. Though he smiled brightly at Collei when she handed him a spoon for their rice pudding, his expression quickly turned into anger when those same eyes traveled back to Alhaitham.

“This ‘difficult matter’ required the attention of not only the Akademiya’s Scribe but also the General Mahamatra on a Friday night when the Semester had just come to an end?”

“It was an extremely complicated and rather serious case of plagiarism that involved one of the Haravatat students. Naturally, we required an expert to translate the scriptures and who better than the Scribe?”

“Oh, makes sense.” Collie quipped in. Alhaitham swore he’d get the trainee forest ranger every type of fabric she could ever want for crafting dolls in that moment. Cyno continued.

“We even had to ask Nahida for help since the student was adamant about denying it.”

Kaveh laughed. Not his usually airy and bright laugh Alhaitham had grown to love over the years. It was the fake, sarcastic laughter that evidently told Alhaitham he had fucked up big time.

“That’s an amusing story considering Nahida has been here all night.” Alhaitham and Cyno stared at each other with their eyes wide. Nahida took that moment to make herself known. She exited Tighnari’s room with a pile of books on botany. She studied the two before commenting.

“It is never wise to lie. I suggest you two make things right by telling the truth.” She hopped up onto a nearby stool, laying the books out before cracking one open. Tighnari smiled as he dug a spoon into his pudding.

“I also suggest you take this matter outside because I do not want my table destroyed again.” Tighnari glared at Cyno.

“It was the one time ‘Nari. I bought you a new one, didn’t I?” Tighnari ignored him.

“In any case, whatever Alhaitham commissioned you for was not worth collecting a banned book from the Archives for my sake.” Tighnari snatched the book, a worn journal with tea-stained pages, from Cyno’s belt. “I’ll accept this as an apology though.” Cyno nodded before reaching for his pudding. Tighnari was quick to slap his hand away. “No pudding for you though since you haven’t eaten dinner. You can have dessert later.” Cyno grumbled but accepted, not wishing to have the sassy fox on his bad side that day.

Collei chuckled before helping herself to Cyno’s pudding. The General Mahamatra rolled his eyes but patted Collei on the head anyway.

“So, what do you have to say for yourself?” It seemed Kaveh did not plan on giving up anytime soon. Alhaitham swallowed a mouthful of pudding before making his move.

After making sure no one was watching them, he slid a hand to Kaveh’s back, grazing his fingers over the exposed skin that lay there. “I will tell you later. For now, let’s just eat with our friends.” Blushing, Kaveh nodded.

Alhaitham had learned long ago, Kaveh bore his weaknesses like a badge. That’s what he loved about him. He didn’t think before acting sometimes but his passion and overwhelming optimism, his drive and dreams, they were captivating and Alhaitham was nothing more than a wild bull in Kaveh’s presence, his eyes drawn to the wavering red cape.

Even now, Alhaitham couldn’t take his eyes off him as he told Collei stories of their Akademiya days. He smiled when he lost against Cyno in Genius Invokation TCG and chuckled at Tighnari’s newfound appreciation for plant-based jokes. He watched as Kaveh braided Nahida’s hair before turning to him.

“Mind doing my hair for me, Haitham?” He smiled as he nestled himself behind Kaveh on the floor of Tighnari’s hut. He ran his fingers through the blonde strands weaving a pattern. This was his paradise, his beloved padisarah.

“YOU DID WHAT??” Kaveh was pacing. Pacing was never a good thing despite how cute Kaveh made it look.

“I told you I’d make sure they never bothered you again, didn’t I? I don’t know why you’re so surprised.” Kaveh huffed before sitting beside him on the couch, nestling his face into the crook of Alhaitham’s neck.

“You’re ridiculous and I hate you.” Alhaitham kissed the crown of his head.

“I love you too.”