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This is how things were meant to go down.
Al Haitham knew he wasn't one for justice and leadership, not like his other acquaintances who took the role flawlessly. But not many could deny that he possessed the brains or the brawn needed for a situation he found himself in, just like this one.
See here was the plan, Al Haitham would make his way to the Akademiya and pretend he was avoiding a certain sage. Voice all his plans out loud, be super obvious, or whatever. He intended to be noticed by the Grand Sage, so it made sense that he would act as if he had no sense.
Once spotted, he would feign his innocence and maintain calm and collected as he handed over false information about the traveler, and then he would begin to confront the sage about the Akademiya's betrayal and nefarious plans.
Easy and simple.
But what Al Haitham had learned from his roommate was that in order to get someone to believe in your actions, you had to play dirty and manipulate them emotionally.
Al Haitham could almost believe that statement in full if he hadn't already been a master at deciphering Kaveh's emotions. No matter how much of a good actor he was, Al Haitham could see through like a glass pane.
Even if the blonde male's words weren't entirely true and backed with scientific reasoning, Al Haitham already decided that today he'd allow himself some risk.
So back to the plan.
"I've brought them to the Akademiya as ordered." Al Haitham reached behind his cloak and grabbed the glowing green knowledge capsule and held it up. "As well as the report detailing our time spent traveling together." His voice was cool and calm as the guard grabbed the false report.
Paimon played up his dramatic "betrayal" even more by playing the role of the fool. The small fairy may have been only annoying during their trips, but he might have to give her a small thanks for helping him appear worse in the eyes of the sage.
"You set us up!" Aether shouted, his face full of anguish.
The Grand Sage examined the contents of the knowledge capsule, finding what the two had planted in their earlier that day. Some of the knowledge was false, though some were true. What Al Haitham would not mention was that the true information was meaningless and futile activities they completed together while devising plans.
Like when Paimon nearly spit out her food after realizing the dish Candance served was not made of any normal meat, like beef or pork. But had instead been a Sumeru dessert specialty made of Sacrab Beatles and scorpions.
Regardless, his trick seemed to work.
"Excellent, I would expect nothing less than immaculate work from the Scribe." Words of praise spun out of the old man's mouth, but Al Haitham knew better than to trust a lying fool. No matter how old or wise they feigned to be.
Azar then detailed how he'd begin to track both the traveler and his little companions' every move, like a rabid dog that couldn't be controlled and must be kept under a tight leash.
Pathetic. Was this what was meant to represent the Akademiya?
Al Haitham had his ideals on how the idiots up top could upkeep the land of wisdom, and standing there staring at this immbecil made him a hundred percent sure that corruption truly ran deep. Getting rid of Azar was his best course of action, truly.
Then onto his next set of actions he went.
The Grand Sage of course drew onto his suspiciousness immediately and unknowingly fell right into his trap.
"You planned to sacrifice the traveler was it not?"
Al Haitham crossed his arms and shook his head. "What are you trying to say? I've been following your plan up to this point. Why are you doubting me?" he inquired, his brow raised as he stared at the other.
Azar goes on to explain the carefully placed pieces of evidence he had "unintentionally" left behind.
"You have not been present at your job, you were seen leaving the Ribat with the suspicious traveler, who I might add is acquaintances with Cyno the former Mahamatra. I ask you Al Haitham, do you think we lack all intelligence?" the old man's voice grew deeper.
Absolutely. he had wanted to say, but he kept his mouth shut, for the traveler's sake.
Al Haitham scoffed. "I find this statement to be ridiculous, considering its only base is false accusations derived from paranoia. I gave you my report, was that not enough?" His tone grew more and more impatient for the desired effect.
The Grand Sage tried to guess his next plans, and Al Haitham let himself be labeled as a traitor. It was too easy.
He grits his teeth. "Whatever, no matter what I'll do you'll label me as a traitor." he chuckled bitterly. "Even if you arrest me here it'll have no effect on all of you." Tilting his head, he clicked his teeth in an annoyed manner.
Here goes. He thought.
Once Al Haitham put his mind to something, there was no going back. He had to see it through.
So this is how it all went down.
_______________
Kaveh returned to his and Haitham's shared abode after nearly two weeks of being absent and working on a new building in the desert. His pay was shit but that was the least of his worries. Al Haitham may bicker with him but he has never left him homeless and without food or money, so he figures he'll be just fine.
Regardless, when he walks in he expected to be greeted by the tall grey-haired man reading an obscure book on the couch, or even working away tirelessly in his office. However, when he entered the spotless home, there was no Haitham to be found.
How weird. He thought to himself. Kaveh almost wanted to jump for joy on the couch he spent using Haithams money and throw a mini celebration. But he was tired, and he wanted food.
And what did he do when he was tired and wanted food? He begged Al Haitham to either cook for him, or bring him takeout. It may cause a slight argument, but free food is free food and Kaveh worked himself hard enough for two weeks that he thought he deserved that much.
Kaveh felt himself frown. Who knew where the scribe was at any point of the day? He was busy sure, but he could've at least left a note detailing his location and whatever task he'd been assigned for that day.
Knowing he would have to go and locate his roommate, Kaveh groaned and huffed to himself before tiredly dragging his feet back to the door he entered mere minutes ago.
There were a few places he knew the Scribe tended to visit or hole himself up in for hours, as his job often called on him to answer the Scholars many questions throughout the day. Kaveh could not imagine having students bug him all day, but Al Haitham wasn't the type to back down in that regard. After all, he was an annoyance himself, so maybe he found solace in all the incessant inquiries.
That's how he found himself at the Akademiya. This was the place Al Haitham was most commonly found, so he figured he could search for the man here, or ask around to see if anyone had seen him. He was quite hard to miss, with his outlandish grey hair, his tall broad stance, and his clear green eyes that held a sliver of dusty red in the middle...
What was he doing again? Oh right, he needed to find the man and force him home.
However, his ventures were cut short when he neared the entrance and saw two guards blocking the doors. A serious expression graced their faces.
Kaveh narrowed his eyes as he continued to the guards. "What's all this?" He gestured to their protective stance. The guards glanced at each other before shaking both their heads. "No entry." He stated simply.
Kaveh huffed and rolled his eyes. Of course, the Akademiya would be hiding something right as he needed the scribe. None of that mattered to him, of course, but he needed his roommate.
"Why can't I go through?"
The guard blew a breath. "We have strict orders. No one comes in, you can only come out." He stated, making Kaveh roll his eyes once more.
"Well listen, can you check if the scribe is in there? We have business to discuss." It wasn't a lie, Kaveh did need to discuss something largely important with Al Haitham. And that was what he would eat tonight.
A look of recognition then crossed the guard's face before the doors suddenly burst open making Kaveh yelp and step backward.
"Move out of the way!"
Kaveh watched as a few matras poured out of the akademic building and into the orange evening light. Curiously he peered through the cracks of their bodies when his eyes landed on a familiar sight.
An emerald green cloak fluttered past as the matra struggled to contain the muscular man who resisted their arrest.
Kaveh's mouth went dry as he searched for words to let out.
Was that...Al Haitham being arrested by the matra?! It couldn't be he's not the type to...?
"Stop resisting or we'll use force!" a matra shouted before jerking backward when Al Haitham shoved the other in a fit of false rage.
"Stop! Stop stop stop, what do you people think you are doing?" Kaveh nearly shouted as he tried to wrap his head around the absolute insanity he was seeing. Al Haitham truly was being detained. Just what had gone on while he was away?
Al Haitham jerked his head upwards at the sound of his roommate's voice hitting his ears. He scanned over the matra's heads before his eyes caught sight of his Kaveh who stood there red-faced, with his arms crossed over his chest, and wearing a look of bewilderment.
He felt his eyes widen.
"What is happening Al Haitham? Why are you being arrested?" He spoke directly to the other instead of the matra who jerked his wrists tightly before trying to walk him in the direction of a holding cell.
Al Haitham could admit he was fairly smart, and his plans rarely failed. But at that moment he felt his mind blank as he prepared a quick lie to hold his roommate over until he could explain his entire plan later.
Before he could blurt out his answer, a guard wearing a tired look let him in on the know. "This man here is wanted for conspiring against the Akademiya, as well as the betrayal of his position and the sages."
Kaveh's eyes widened. "No way, Haitham wouldn't do something like that." he pressed. Al Haitham might have been a knowledge-obsessed freak, but Kaveh couldn't think of any reason the man cared about anything other than his scribe position.
Al Haitham finally met his roommate's gaze before he spoke without much thought. "Go home Kaveh, I swear I'm fine, just-just go home. I'll explain later." He reasoned.
Kaveh was about to refuse when another guard suddenly grabbed his arm tightly. "Home? You related to this man?" he questioned, squeezing his wrist even tighter.
Kaveh grunted as he tried to free himself. "What? How is that any of your business?" the blonde retorted.
Al Haitham watched angrily as the man squeezed his roommate's delicate wrist, no doubt leaving behind angry red bruises. He gritted his teeth as he struggled against the matras hold. "Don't touch him," he growled. "Kaveh, go home please." he pleaded, his expression bordering desperation.
Kaveh whipped his head back to the other, his breathing picking up before he shook his head. "No, they will let you go, you're innocent!" he shouted fiercely, making the guard grab his other arm before locking it behind his back as well.
"Take this one too, he's likely in on the plan with the grey one. Send him back and have him questioned. Don't let him go until he spills."
Al Haithams fight or flight kicked in, once he saw the burly men start to drag the blonde along behind him. This wasn't the plan, no. His roommate had surprisingly tried to innocently save him from being arrested, and all Haitham had done was get him dragged into his ridiculous plan.
And now they're putting their hands on him.
That wouldn't go.
Al Haitham went lax in the guard's grip, pretending he had lost all his strength while struggling. The guard must've caught on because he relaxed the drip he had on him. Haitham took advantage of that and elbowed the man as hard as he could before pulling his sword out.
The incompetent guard who didn't even bother searching Haitham before he arrested him, fell to the ground coughing before he shouted. "Get him!" to the others.
Al Haitham had two options, he could knock out the guard holding Kaveh, who might potentially get hurt in the scuffle, and take the man and run. Or he could fight them all off using his sword to place all attention on him and send Kaveh off while he fended for himself.
The second option. He decided he liked that one better.
As soon as the first man charged him, Al Haitham used the hilt of his sword to knock the man upside of the head making the other guards angry and focusing all their attention on his fighting prowess. A scribe's work could get dangerous, he knew his skills would come in handy soon enough.
"Kaveh, get out of here!" He shouted as he blocked the attacks of five, no six men, all coming at him with some form of sharp object.
His eyes flickered to the blonde who watched the scene with a look of despair, his hands covering his mouth. Al Haitham felt one of the guards' swords slice through his shoulder, he gritted his teeth and continued blocking attacks before he heard the gasp of his shocked roommate.
"No, stop! Don't touch him!"
Kaveh, as silly as he might be portrayed in front of others while bickering with his roommate in public, knew Al Haitham was strong, but that he wouldn't stand a chance against six strong men all ganging up on him. And as much as he'd hate to admit it, it really hurt him to see his roommate get cut up in an attempt to save Kaveh from being arrested.
Why did he have to get himself into something as messy and brutal as being arrested on the day Kaveh returned home?
Kaveh felt himself sigh, he would never know peace.
But he refused to leave Al Haitham alone, not after everything the man had done for him.
As quick as he could, Kaveh used his Dendro vision to summon clumps of dirt and began haphazardly tossing them at the guards' faces, specifically aiming for the eyes.
"Ah what the hell?!" the large man who cut up Haitham's shoulder yelled in a shocked tone as his other comrades each received a face full of dirt, easily blocking their visions well enough for Kaveh to grab onto Al Haithams arm and hurriedly drag him away.
"Kaveh!" The man hissed quietly as he limped into an alleyway the blonde had somehow navigated to. "What were you doing? You could have been attacked?" His voice was stern as he glanced down at his roommate who watched him with a baffled look.
"No way you just said that."
"What if you got hurt?" Al Haitham, though tired and cut up grabbed the blonde's wrist and observed, searching for any signs of bruising when Kaveh jerked in back and smacked his hand.
"What if I got hurt? You have cuts all over your body, Haitham!" he yelled and then Al Haitham quickly pressed his hand over the other's mouth. Leave it up to Kaveh to draw unwanted attention toward the two. He watched as the man's ruby eyes glazed over almost immediately, the tell-tale sheen of unshed tears lay there solemnly.
Al Haitham frowned, "Oh, Kaveh I-"
Kaveh sniffed and pulled his hand away, "Why did you think I would leave you behind? You think I hate you that much that I-that I'd just let you get hurt like that?" his voice cracked and Al Haitham felt himself freeze.
Was Kaveh crying for him?
"No of course not, I...I panicked." He reassured the other, brushing a stray tear that had appeared like a crystal that tumbled out of the man's shiny ruby-like eyes. The other flushed warm and sniffed again before he let out a breath and held the other man's gaze.
"I was scared y'know." Kaveh gulped. "I don't understand why they wanted you, or me, or what they were planning on doing with us." he pursed his wet lips together, and Al Haitham sighed fondly.
He would really hate to admit it, but his roommate truly was beautiful and caring too.
He grabbed the blonde into a hug, feeling the man press his warm face into Al Haithams neck. Where they stayed for a while, hiding in an alley as the sun went down.
"I'm sorry." He whispered into the blonde's shoulder and felt the man's body shudder against his own. "Forgive me?" he questioned.
Kaveh huffed against his neck, "Only if you order me takeout tonight."
Al Haitham chuckled and Kaveh felt his deep voice reverberate throughout his chest that was pressed against his roommate's own. "That's reasonable."
Kaveh tried to pull away when Al Haitham grabbed the other weakly and pressed a kiss into his neck.
"Haitham-" he started to splutter out when he felt grey hair droop onto his neck and fall over his shoulder.
Al Haitham had just kissed him and then fell asleep.
He obviously hadn't been sleeping well lately with what he had just pulled and the fact that he had said sorry to Kaveh had been suspicious. But to just kiss him and then sleep?
Kaveh blushed as he threw the taller man's arm around his neck and began dragging his dead weight back to their house.
When they arrived he stole the other's keys out of his pocket, careful not to touch the sharp blade beside his leg, and entered the house where he threw the heavy man onto the couch. For once it wasn't Kaveh who had been carried back to the house.
Maybe he had been too loud, or rough. Because Al Haitham's green eyes flickered open slowly as he glanced up at Kaveh with an intense look.
Kaveh's eyebrows furrowed and his cheeks grew warm. "What?"
"Sleep with me."
It's truly amazing how such a demand coming from the other could make Kaveh's heart scream and cry out. But with the day they both had, Kaveh too felt tired, and in need of some rest.
So begrudgingly, he plopped himself on the too-small couch with Kaveh and felt the other wrap his arms around him, and place his face into his neck.
They were spooning.
And Kaveh was the little spoon.
"Hey, we need to clean those cuts-"
He tried moving, but Al Haitham was strong even in his sleep and refused to budge an inch.
Tomorrow then, he thought as he drifted into a happy and peaceful sleep.
That night he had dreamed for the first time in forever.