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The first time it happened, Kaveh thought it was just Alhaitham being Alhaitham. He was sitting at his desk in the study, working on some calculations for his next building.
"That's wrong." Alhaitham said, peering over his shoulder.
"What do you mean, it's wrong? " Kaveh replied defensively.
"You haven't calculated the surface area correctly. That's the formula for a cylinder, not a sphere." He stated, pointing to Kaveh's calculations in the same stoic voice he always had.
"Fuck. Thanks." Kaveh groaned. He began frantically rubbing out the calculations he'd already spent 20 minutes on. He didn't know why this correction annoyed him so much. Alhaitham was just trying to help.
Alhaitham huffed impatiently before lifting his hand from the back of Kaveh's chair to pick up a book. And now, Kaveh's concentration had been broken. He fought the urge to yell at Alhaitham, not knowing fully why. The younger man was just trying to help.
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The second time it happened, Kaveh was so sure he was right. He was telling Alhaitham about the new-age modifications he'd added to the interior of a new project.
"So, we've put this magnified projector in the main room. You can hook up a kamera, and it displays the films and photos on the wall, but larger. The client is really excited about it, he loves watching films!" Kaveh ranted, eyes lighting up. He began shaking out his hands in excitement.
"That's impossible. That type of technology is only in the early stages, even in Fontaine. So It's highly doubtful your client actually has that in their house." Alhaitham said, peering up from his book to tell Kaveh.
"No, it's not impossible, because I'm working on the project and have seen and placed it." Kaveh snapped back, his good mood suddenly ruined.
"Yes, it is. Very few people have access to that technology." Alhaitham informed, his teal eyes looking directly into Kaveh's red ones.
"Well, even if that is the case, my client does! I saw it with my own eyes." Kaveh replied angrily.
"I highly doubt that. The technology is not ready. " Alhaitham argued.
"Yes the fuck it is! This kamera projector was imported from Fontaine. Why are you trying so hard to prove me wrong?" Kaveh almost yelled out. His hands were balled into fists at his side.
"I'm saying that I don't care where they got it from, the tech isn't so advanced that your client can just access it. It's impossible." Alhaitham repeated for perhaps the fourth time.
"Archons above, Alhaitham! Calm down! My lord..." Kaveh said exasperatedly.
"I am calm. I'm just telling you that the technology isn't ready." Alhaitham sighed, turning back to leafing through his book.
"You...! Ugh, you know what, fuck it. I'm getting a drink." Kaveh surrendered. He trudged to the kitchen angrily, pouring himself a glass of snake wine.
Why in Teyvat was he getting so worked up over this? It shouldn't be a bother, except he couldn't help but feel Alhaitham was gaslighting him to believe what he was saying was right, and Kaveh was wrong. Kaveh slammed the door as he went into his room, burying his head in a pillow. He was just so frustrated.
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The third time was when Kaveh had finally had it.
"Did you hear about the new Waverider being tested in Port Ormos? I was selected to help test it out! Isn't that so cool?" Kaveh grinned like a child as Alhaitham was sat on the divan, drinking a cup of coffee.
"Which one?" Alhaitham asked.
"Ooh! So basically, it functions differently from other boats. Like, normal boats use the wind and the waves to gear through, making them often unreliable. But this one has been adjusted to run on elemental energy!" Kaveh explained gleefully, practically slamming himself down on the divan next to Alhaitham.
"That doesn't make sense. How does it work?" Alhaitham asked, taking a cautious sip of his tea.
"It does make sense! Basically, the Waverider operates on a large battery, charged from elemental energy. So the Waverider would need a vision holder on board to charge the batteries during long-distance travel. And I've been selected to test it! Can you believe it?" Kaveh finished, giggling.
Alhaitham sighed.
"No, I can't believe it. Not only would such an ambitious project have to be run through the Akademiya and approved by the Sages, but the battery seems unreliable. Even the most advanced nation in Teyvat would not be able to make an elemental battery so light that it would not sink the Waverider, let alone here in Sumeru. The Akasha has only recently been shut down, meaning it's highly unlikely this project even exists." He stated in his monotonous voice.
Kaveh couldn't help but pull a face.
"Alhaitham, it's real and it's happening. Teyvat has been making loads of technological advancements lately. Even before lately, elemental batteries have existed. Explain the ruin machines!" Kaveh said sourly.
"Ruin machines are created from ancient mechanics originating from Dahri, or Khaenri'ah. They operate differently to your 'elemental battery' shit." Alhaitham said again.
And Kaveh finally snapped.
"What is your fucking problem, Alhaitham? Every time I tell you something I'm excited about, you are so quick to shut it down." Kaveh snarled.
"Well, it's because it doesn't make-" Alhaitham started.
"I don't want to hear it, Alhaitham. Have you ever considered, for one moment in your fucking life, that not everything is about you?" Kaveh interrupted him. He began cracking his knuckles, almost nervously.
"Like, what is the purpose of you telling me this shit all the fucking time? Then you get proved wrong and you sulk, even though you act like it's fucking fine. So are you only saying this, because when you get proved right, your ego inflates?" Kaveh reprimanded.
"Kaveh-" Alhaitham began again.
"No! You don't get to fucking speak! I'm already in debt, living off clients that are charity cases more often than not, and it seems like you're competing with me for some sick, twisted reason. You already wake up every day with my failures as a reminder of your successes, and you still try to find a way to best me! So, Alhaitham, what is your fucking problem? Maybe think about other people for once in your rich, comfortable life!" Kaveh raged again. Once he'd finished, he shot Alhaitham a look of pure disgust as he moved to him room, locking the door.
He couldn't see Alhaitham's expression, but he hoped it was one of regret.
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The next morning, Kaveh had woken up after a near-restless night. One filled with regret, self-loating, anguish and jealousy. His face felt all crusty from the dried up tears, and his heart felt empty. Maybe he should've just gone to the tavern instead of finally expressing his annoyances. He washed his face and made his way to the kitchen. He felt for the place where his coffee cup usually was, to find it gone. Of course. Alhaitham was mad at him, why would he make his coffee?
"It's on the table." A low voice said from behind Kaveh, causing him to jump.
"Oh. Thanks." He responded awkwardly, moving to sit at the table. He took a sip of the coffee Alhaitham had prepared.
"Listen, I just wanted to apologise for last night. I shouldn't have gotten so angry at you." Kaveh mumbled.
"No, Kaveh, I wanted to say sorry. Always being right it just something I've grown accustomed to. I looked it up, and I realised people don't like when I correct them on things they're confident about. I'm not good at reading emotions a lot of the time, or people at all, so I didn't know. I'm sorry I made you feel upset." Alhaitham said. His voice was softer than usual. Kaveh looked up at him, teal eyes meeting red.
"No, me yelling was out of line. I shouldn't have taken out my insecurities on you." Kaveh said, more confidently this time.
"That's right, you shouldn't have." Alhaitham confirmed. Kaveh could feel his stomach sink. He felt sick. He was going to be sick.
"However, I understand where you're coming from. I know things haven't been easy for you lately, and I just want to let you know I'm here. To help you, not to be your punching bag, by the way." Alhaitham continued. Kaveh let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding in. Another sharp intake of breath alerted him to the fact he was crying.
"I'm sorry, Haitham. And thank you." Kaveh said, standing up and hugging his junior tightly.
"I'm sorry too." Alhaitham replied softly, returning the embrace.