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Moonlight poured into Kaveh’s bedroom as he began to undress for bed. The wind blew louder outside, and something fell in front of the window. Whatever it was completely blocked out the light. He couldn’t see a thing.
The architect tried to get to the window, but he couldn’t reach whatever was blocking it. His heart beat faster as he struggled to make his way through the room in near pitch black darkness. He made it about halfway across before he tripped on something. His own pile of clothes. Of course. He grunted as he got back up, kicking the clothing aside. The house was quiet, with his roommate having already gone to bed. Eventually he made it to the far side of the room, and scrambled around to find the door.
The last thing Kaveh wanted was for Alhaitham to see him panicking, but he was really struggling not to freak out. A knot was forming in his chest, his breathing shallow and uneven,
“A-Alhaitham!” He called at last, pushing his embarrassment aside. It was not worth letting his anxiety escalate. It was quiet for a moment, but then he heard footsteps. Was it his roommate? Of course it must be, but his mind was playing tricks on him in the dark. He clutched at his chest and fought the urge to curl up into a ball on the floor.
The sound of the door swinging open was utterly alarming, because there was still no light,
“Alhaitham?” He asked desperately, confused why the hallway was just as dark.
“It’s me.” The scribe replied in a hushed tone, closer than Kaveh had expected. He felt around in the dark but couldn’t find him,
“Where are you?” Kaveh breathed, “I-I don’t like this.” He whimpered, and thought he might die of embarrassment, “Why is it so dark?”
“I’m right here.” Alhaitham sounded closer still. Kaveh’s hands met with muscle as he finally found his roommate. He wrapped his arms around the younger man without thinking as his eyes welled up, too relieved to no longer be alone in the dark. Alhaitham felt warm and firm in his arms as he rested his head against the scribe. “Kaveh?” Alhaitham’s low voice right beside his ear made his whole body tingle,
“Sorry.” Kaveh held back a sob. He moved to let go, but a pair of strong hands rested on his shoulders,
“It’s okay, I was just surprised.” The scribe sounded different. His usual cocky demeanour was gone, “Are you alright?”
“I… It’s pathetic I know, but I’m afraid of the dark. I can handle a normal amount, but this is too much.” He trembled as he searched the darkness for Alhaitham’s eyes, but still couldn’t see anything. He reached up and cupped the other man’s face, his thumbs brushing lightly over his high cheekbones, “It helps to not be alone.”
“It’s not pathetic. I’m… afraid of loud noises.” Alhaitham admitted, and whilst Kaveh had known the other man had sensitive hearing, he was surprised to hear it had led to a phobia,
“You’re right.” He let go of the scribe’s face, “Now what should we do about this? It looks like the whole house is dark.”
“It is. We should try to find another light source.”
“Good thinking.” Kaveh went to reach the lantern beside his bed, but tripped and fell onto the mattress. “Ugh” He grunted, “We’ll just keep getting injured if we keep moving around like this.”
“Agreed. You should get some sleep. Hopefully there’ll be enough light in the morning to figure out what’s going on.” Alhaitham began walking away, and the sound of his footsteps growing more distant filled Kaveh with unease,
“Wait. Alhaitham…”
“Yes?”
“Could you… stay? I mean, if you don’t mind, I would really appreciate it.” The words tumbled out of Kaveh’s mouth as he realised how his request might come across. He felt heat rising in his cheeks.
Alhaitham chuckled at his words, and the sound only made Kaveh’s blush grow deeper,
“No, I don’t mind.” His tone sounded almost playful in a way that made Kaveh gulp. He must be imagining things.
“Uhm…o-okay…” Kaveh crawled over to the far side of the bed to make room for him. He could hear Alhaitham climb into the bed beside him, the rustling of sheets and the duvet, his breath, every movement. His closeness made Kaveh overwhelmingly aware of his warm, lithe body just inches away. The knowledge made his heart race once more, though not out of fear this time. He breathed deeply as Alhaitham’s arm came to rest beside him in the darkness, brushing along his waist. The unexpected contact made Kaveh’s body flush with heat as a confusing mix of emotions rushed through him,
“Well, goodnight.” The scribe said, his tone unreadable,
“Goodnight.” Kaveh replied nervously, a new, unknown tension growing in his stomach as his heart thudded in his chest. Then he heard the sound of Alhaitham rolling over toward him, and felt the warmth of his body pressing into him. He’s so close it’s both comforting and thrilling, sending sparks through Kaveh’s skin.
He could hear Alhaitham’s steady breathing for a while, but then his strong hand was on Kaveh’s waist, his warm fingertips holding him there. Kaveh’s heart leapt and his breath hitched in his throat. Slowly, he reached down, and traced one of his fingers over Alhaitham’s hand. A nervous, shy smile graced his lips in the dark.
Alhaitham’s hand stroked lower, down to Kaveh’s hip, pulling him closer. Kaveh’s face grew warm and his heart raced faster still. His roommate’s warmth was relaxing, his touch soothing, but his breath faltered as he leaned in closer, and then before he even realised what he was doing, he kissed him.
Alhaitham gasped, his breath hitching against Kaveh’s mouth as he kissed him back, his sensual lips brushing over the architect’s, making his heart feel as if it might burst out of his chest in that moment. His hands wrapped around Alhaitham’s back as he let himself be drawn into the kiss, the sensation filling him with pleasure until he pulled away, breathless. He heard Alhaitham panting just as hard, and the sound filled Kaveh with pleasure.
A smile crept up Kaveh’s lips, until he realised what he’d just done,
“I-I’m sorry,” He said, flustered, but also a little pleased, “I-I’m sorry, that was so… I just thought… and then I…” He trailed off, becoming more self-conscious by the second, “I shouldn’t have…”
Alhaitham cut him off by kissing him deeply and tenderly, his arms wrapping around Kaveh tightly and holding him closer, their bodies pressed together. Kaveh hadn’t thought him capable of showing this much physical affection, let alone being so sensual. He melted into the kiss, pulling Alhaitham close and holding him tightly. He felt safe in the scribe’s arms. He felt wanted. His heart filled with something unfamiliar.
“Kaveh,” Alhaitham whispered between kisses, and the way he said Kaveh’s name in that moment, held so much devotion, that it rocked Kaveh to his core. It sounded as though he was saying all the things he’d ever felt for him, like an entire story in one word, an emotion so strong that Kaveh felt it too.
They kissed and snuggled until they both fell asleep.
The following morning, Kaveh woke up, bleary-eyed, in Alhaitham’s arms. He could just about make out the room now, though it was still dark. He frowned, walking outside, now that he could see where he was going. Even outside his front door, there was something in the way.
Kaveh moved closer, and finally realised what had happened. A giant tarp had fallen on their home from above. Sumeru City was unusual like that, in that it had many winding layers to it. The tarp had blocked the moonlight from every window. He grabbed a fistful of the material and began tugging it off the house.
Later, he had coffee with Alhaitham in their kitchen, feeling less afraid of the dark, as it had brought them closer.