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Kaveh was supposed to be on a project in the desert, but instead it was the middle of the week, almost 10pm, and he was trudging back through the streets of Sumer City.
His current client had commissioned him about a month prior to design them a new house. Kaveh had eagerly accepted the commission, because it would give him another chance to design something grand like the Palace of Alcazarzaray. The client was extremely wealthy, and the money he would make off of this project could finally help him move out of Alhaitham’s house.
It was a win-win deal: Kaveh would make a huge sum for this project, and this man would be able to boast that his design was crafted by the Light of Kshahrewar.
But today, he found out that his client had canceled the project. Kaveh had arrived at the construction site, eager to start work on the building. He was there to oversee the construction to make sure everything went smoothly and fit the design he had planned. His client had claimed the cancellation was due to “unforeseen circumstances,” and it “wasn’t his fault,” so Kaveh had tried to act understanding. (But he was still mad about it).
Kaveh had been paid for the design, but it wasn’t the same amount that he was promised for the whole project, since it had been canceled. And even if it wasn’t Kaveh’s fault, he still felt like it should go on the long list of his life’s failures. Now he had to come up with another way to move out of Alhaitham’s house. The situation made his head hurt.
He needed to move out of Alhaitham’s house, it was clear that the scribe was getting tired of him. With this project, he probably could’ve been out within the month! Or even within the week! The two argued constantly, and over the smallest and stupidest of things. It was usually Kaveh’s fault, too. He was staying up too late, making too much noise, he didn’t pay rent on time, etc. etc. His misfortune never stopped! It just had struck again when his project was canceled.
And what Kaveh didn’t want to admit -the hardest part of living with Alhaitham- was that he and Alhaitham could never be friends. Alhaitham had invited Kaveh into his home, given him a place to stay, but Kaveh was just another charity case. Kaveh knew this because Alhaitham was always bothering him about rent. Although, at this point, Kaveh was practically the man’s housewife! He was the only one who cleaned the house, did the dishes, and he almost always cooked them dinner. Alhaitham didn’t really care about him, the scribe was probably just trying to count down the minutes until Kaveh moved out.
Kaveh sighed to himself. He hadn’t taken any other commissions recently, because this one had taken all his time and energy. But because this project had now been canceled, Kaveh already knew that his rent would inevitably be late for this month.
What Kaveh didn’t know, however, was that this had been Azar’s doing.
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About a week prior to the project’s start, Azar had coerced the millionaire into canceling the project, threatening his family if the house proceeded to be built. Azar needed Kaveh back in the city, within his reach.
The current grand sage had caught wind of what Alhaitham, Cyno, Dehya, and the rest of the Sumeru cast were planning. Azar decided to go after Alhaitham by hurting what he loved most: Kaveh.
Azar knew that Alhaitham was extremely close to the Light of Ksahrewar. He also knew the two were roommates. But, what Azar didn’t know was the actual extent of their relationship. He only knew the two were roommates because of his intelligence sources in the Akadeymia. Also, it was common knowledge in the Akadeymia that the two frequently argued, but were still seen walking home together everyday after work. Also, most of the staff and students had seen the scribe carrying Kaveh out of Lambad’s tavern on multiple occasions.
Alhaitham was still out in the desert, but Azar knew their plan would soon be set in motion. He had to act fast. Luckily, Alhaitham being out in the desert meant that Kaveh would be alone. Alone, and vulnerable. Azar always thought that Alhaitham was a smart man, but unfortunately for the scribe, Azar was smarter. And he was always, always one step ahead.
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Alhaitham wasn’t too worried about Kaveh. They were at the final stages of their plan, and would be ready to act in just a few days. Kaveh didn’t even know that Alhaitham was gone, and if things went smoothly, the architect would miss all the action.
But unbeknownst to the scribe, Kaveh was back in Sumeru City. Alhaitham thought Kaveh was out working on a project, out of Sumeru City, and out of harm’s way. Alhaitham told himself that he was relieved because he knew Kaveh could be reckless, and that could ruin their plan. Kaveh was too selfless, and his kindness knew no bounds, even if it hurt him later down the line.
Also, when Kaveh was drunk, he liked to talk. A lot. Long story short, Kaveh was a bit of a blabbermouth. Also, even when he wasn’t drunk, Kaveh was a bad liar. Alhaitham, at least, always saw right through his tricks. Even if only one person started questioning the blond, Alhaitham knew the architect wouldn’t be able to handle it. It wasn’t that Kaveh was an idiot, he was just an honest person.
What Alhaitham didn’t want to admit, however, was that he cared too much about Kaveh. He didn’t want Kaveh to get involved in case things went awry and ended poorly. He played his feelings off as natural concern for his roommate, whose selflessness was his greatest weakness and his greatest downfall.
To Alhaitham, his care for Kaveh was his greatest strength, and it would be his greatest downfall. But at the time, Alhaitham knew Kaveh was safe.
Or so he thought.
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When Kaveh got home, he was greeted with a dark and empty house. He was feeling more down in the dumps because Lambad’s was closed, much to his dismay. The blond had planned to drown his misery in alcohol, letting his worries go until he woke up tomorrow morning.
It was nighttime, which would usually explain why the lights were off, but Alhaitham was usually still up and reading whatever new book he had acquired by this point of the evening. Kaveh also knew that Alhaitham should be home, because the only time the scribe left the house was when Kaveh dragged him to TCG night with Cyno & Tighnari.
Well, Alhaitham left for work, but that didn’t count. And, well, he also left the house when he had to drag Kaveh back from Lambad’s, usually footing the bill. But those didn’t count.
Kaveh had already been mentally preparing himself for Alhaitham’s inevitable comments about “why aren’t you at your project,” or “does this mean you’re going to be late for rent,” etc. etc. This probably would’ve sparked another argument between them, (as usual), and then leading to them both eventually retreating back to their separate bedrooms of the house.
Alhaitham also didn’t tell Kaveh he was going anywhere, and it was the middle of school, and Alhaitham never worked overtime at his job. In all seriousness, even working a minute of overtime might be the death of Alhaitham.
Kaveh stepped on the porch, reaching to unlock the door with his key. (Which he actually had with him, for once in his miserable life). Mehrak floated into the house behind him, and Kaveh turned around once more to close and lock the door back. This also made Kaveh’s anxiety spike, because even if Alhaitham was asleep, he would’ve woken up to greet Kaveh at the door. Whenever Kaveh managed to drag himself back from the tavern without assistance, Alhaitham was always there, waiting up to see if the architect made it home alright. Alhaitham claimed it was because “it would be hard to find a new roommate,” but Kaveh just tried to pretend it was because the scribe cared about him)
Upon entering, chills immediately ran up Kaveh’s spine. It wasn’t cold, but the emptiness of the house was unsettling. Kaveh summoned his claymore beside him, dread building his gut. He had no reason to be so nervous, but he could tell something was just…wrong. The house loomed ominous in the dark, the only light coming from the moon peeking through their sitting room window. He felt like a child again, scared that the monster under his bed would reach up and eat him.
Kaveh motioned for Mehrak to scan the room, the toolbox beeping as it flew around, making its way down the hallway. Kaveh slowly walked into the sitting room, claymore trailing behind him, still ready just in case somebody or something had gotten in. Nothing seemed to be out of place or missing, so there weren’t any indications of a break-in.
He reached to turn on the lamp, the gold light illuminating the room. The glow helped Kaveh slightly relax, but his nerves were still fried. He wouldn’t be able to sleep, that was for sure, so he could just use that time to come up with his next big idea. Disappointment crashed back into Kaveh at the thought of the canceled project.
The light helped show Kaveh that yes, he was okay, and nobody was there to get him. He was a famous architect, after all, so he and his designs were always at a slight risk.
Of course, when Alhaitham got home, Kaveh was ready to rip him into a new one. It seemed ridiculous that Alhaitham had suddenly decided to go out that night. Kaveh stood in his living room, lost in thought about where the scribe could possibly be this late into the evening. The only likely place was maybe at the library, to get a new book, or maybe he was just taking a late walk around Sumeru.
“This is just weird,” Kaveh mumbled to himself, reaching down to pull off his shoes. He also took his cape off that blanketed his back, exposing the window of his shirt to the air. He then took his feather and his red clips out of his hair, along with the extra fabric and accessories that wrapped around his small waist.
His claymore was still beside him, ready in a defensive position against the non-existent intruders in his house. He was about to set it down, but then he suddenly heard Mehrak’s beeping grow frantic from down the hallway. Shoot, he had forgotten he had asked the toolbox to scan the house!
Kaveh padded down the hallway to investigate, and stopped in front of his study where it grew loudest. Mehrak sounded almost…worried. From underneath the doorway, Kaveh could see light glowing from within. So Alhaitham was home! And, to add onto that, he was snooping through Kaveh’s study! Alhaitham never showed interest in his work before, why was he in Kaveh’s study? If he wanted to see Kaveh’s designs, he should’ve asked! Kaveh could not believe the audacity, even if it was Alhaitham!
He slammed open the door to investigate, ready to confront his roommate.
“Alhaitham, what are you doi-” Kaveh’s sentence trailed off, the architect stopping cold in his tracks at what, no, who he found inside.
Azar. The grand sage was in his study, thumbing through his designs, like he was evaluating Kaveh’s work.
Azar’s eyes glanced up at Kaveh’s entry.
“Beautiful designs, Light of Kshahrewar,” Azar said, reveling in Kaveh’s confusion. He couldn’t tell if Kaveh knew what his dear roommate was up to, but that was what he intended to find out. Kaveh was obviously confused as to why Azar was in his house, a million questions dancing in those carmine eyes, but he wasn’t here to play games. He almost felt bad about what he was about to do, but it had to be done. For Sumeru’s sake. And for Kaveh’s sake, Azar could only hope that his confusion was genuine.
“Hello, Kaveh,” Azar continued, “I am glad you could finally join us.”
“Us? What the-,” the words died in Kaveh’s mouth, the back of his head exploding with sharp, bright pain. His ears were ringing, his vision spotted with black dots from whatever, whoverer just knocked him from behind.
Kaveh felt a hand reach around, pressing a wet cloth to his mouth, Kaveh trying to hold his breath from the sharp smell-
And everything went dark.
The last thing he heard was Mehrak’s frantic beeping, Azar issuing orders, and Kaveh’s consciousness faded into nothing.
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It was Alhaitham’s turn to play.
He, the Traveler, and their (annoying) floating companion entered the Grand Sage’s office with the help of Nilou’s distraction. The plan had gone off semi-smoothly so far, and Ahaitham was ready to carry the momentum with him, the fake divine knowledge capsule already planted in his hands.
Azar stood at his desk, already anticipating their arrival, smirking down at them from his desk. Alhaitham’s internal alarms triggered. Alhaitham knew Azar was a smart man, and he had known the Akademiya was watching their every move. But Azar’s body language was confident, like he knew he already had the upper hand. Guards watched their every move from the outer edges of the room, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice.
Alhaitham opened his mouth to speak, taking a small step forward as he watched every single observer tense at the small action.
“Azar, you-” Azar’s stare silenced Alhaitham. The grand sage raised one of his fingers to his lips, making a “shush” gesture at the scribe.
“I’ve always held deep respect for you, Alhaitham,” Azar took a step down from his desk. He raised his hands, gesturing as he continued to speak. “you’re a man of many morals and ideas. You’re a prodigy of your generation, and you could climb so high, yet you choose to stay where you are.”
Azar continued, “I also appreciate an intelligent mind, someone who can think so far outside the box,” he stared into Alhaitham’s eyes, cruel intent clear. “Yet you think of me as a fool. You think I wouldn’t take my own precautions?”
Alhaitham’s eyes slightly widened in confusion. He had never thought that Azar was a fool, Azar was just too blinded by his own ideals. Azar’s pursuit of knowledge confused his morals, blinded him to the lines he should never cross. He had betrayed the Nation of Wisdom by capturing their Archon and enslaved its people in a day of endless dreams. Divinity corrupted mortals, and Azar was living proof of that fact.
Azar grinned at Alhaitham’s reaction. “Bring him out.” Azar ordered the nearest guard.
…Alhaitham couldn’t think, he couldn’t breathe. His brain processed the words, but the scribe blanked at “him.” Anything but him. Anyone but him.
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Kaveh felt like he was dying.
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Kaveh looked like he was dying, held limp between the arms of two guards. Alhaitham tried to rush forward, wearing his emotions on his sleeve. He was so obvious, but he just didn’t care. All that he thought about was Kaveh, Kaveh, Kaveh.
Even the Traveler could sense Alhaitham’s distress, pulling out their sword to back the scribe up. That action caused every guard in the room to close in and surround the two of them, but Alhaitham’s eyes were only on Kaveh.
“Kaveh! What did you do to him,” Alhaitham cried out, dismayed by the sight of the blond. Alhaitham had been so naive, he had left Kaveh alone, he was a fool. He thought Kaveh had been safe, but he should’ve known that Azar would be one step ahead. The scribe cursed himself as the fool, ready to tear everybody in the room apart to get to Kaveh.
Azar could tell what Alhaitham was thinking, motioning at the guard to drop the blond. Kaveh landed with a loud grunt, landing in a heavy pile of limbs on the floor. Even from so far away, Alhaitham could see the blood that pooled underneath the architect’s body, that feral side of him screaming to move, to run, to go to Kaveh.
He couldn’t. They had a plan, he needed to get his emotions under control. What was saving the thousands of people in their nation compared to saving just one? The answer was obvious. Kaveh was worth everything to him, and Alhaitham had almost lost him once, and couldn’t bear that again.
At that moment, Alhaitham regretted everything. He regretted pushing Kaveh away all those years ago. He regretted his own stubbornness, his own refusal to chase after the blond and apologize. He regretted every argument, every moment he didn’t just pull him closer. He regretted not telling Kaveh how he felt, how Kaveh made Alhaitham feel.
Kaveh was being courted by Death himself, and Alhaitham was jealous. Kaveh was his, and when this was all over, Alhaitham would make up for every regret he had. He was ready to risk it all. When he had walked into the grand sage’s office, when had seen Kaveh, he had forgotten about that divine knowledge capsule. But Alhaitham didn’t need theatrics now, he didn’t need to act angry. When he had seen Kaveh, that anger became real, sharp as a blade.
Alhaitham turned feral, lunging towards the nearest guard. The room exploded into chaos.
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Kaveh groaned from the floor, lifting his head off the floor. The room came into focus, his body aching as his vision cleared. He could still barely see, but he knew his face probably sported splotches of deep purple and blue bruises, courtesy of Azar’s guards.
His attention was drawn by shouts erupting, and from where he lay, he could see Alhaitham tackling a guard down to the floor. He had barely been conscious when the guards had dragged him out of his cell, but Kaveh was wide-awake now.
Kaveh watched as Alhaitham knocked the guard unconscious, turning as two more ran up to apprehend him.
“Alhaitham! Watch out!” Kaveh yelled, trying to muster up the energy to stand up off the floor.
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“Watch out!” That was all Alhaitham needed. He ran forward, deftly blocking their weapons, turning to knock them upside up the head with his blades. He rushed towards Kaveh. Alhaitham didn’t care about the plan, he had provided the distraction, and he was ready to get Kaveh and get the hell out of there.
He glanced at the Traveler, who ran up to cover Alahiatham as he ran up the stairs towards the blond. Up closer, Alhaitham could see the bruises that Kaveh sported, marring his lovely face. And the blood. Seeing all the red staining Kaveh’s shirt, Alhaitham’s vision flashes red. As he reached the architect, he pulled Kaveh into a crushing hug, ready to never let go. He wouldn’t have if Kaveh hadn’t had noticeably winced, obviously still hurting from whatever Azar and his cronies had done.
“What did they do? What happened?” Alhaitham fretted, checking Kaveh’s injuries. He could see small cuts that decorated Kaveh’s body through his gauzy shirt, which hid nothing. He could see the blood and the dirt that also caked his injuries, and that his lip was split open. From how Kaveh had winced, he could also tell that he had injured his ribs.
“I’m fine, I just,” Kaveh’s eyes watered, “what did you do? What happened to you?”
Typical Kaveh. The blond was in so much pain, but was still worried about Alhaitham.
‘I’m fine, that doesn’t matter,” Alhaitham answers, eyes still scanning Kaveh, “what matters is you’re okay.”
Kaveh leaned into Alhaitham’s shoulder, his body weight drooping from pain and exhaustion. Alhaitham gently wrapped one of his hands around Kaveh’s, bringing him close, but not tight enough to hurt the blond. He brought the other up to Kaveh’s hair, not paying attention to anything or anyone else, too lost in his relief that Kaveh was okay. Kaveh’s eyes were shut, still sobbing against Alhaitham’s shirt. His consciousness faded in and out, ready to let go and let himself be comforted.
That was their mistake. While they were too lost in each other, one of the guards had snuck up behind the pair. Kaveh looked up, but it was too late.
The guard brought the butt of his spear up against the scribe’s head, knocking Alhaitham out. Kaveh collapsed under the body weight, limp body hitting the floor with a thud.
Azar walked out of the shadows. “Bring them to the Sanctuary of Surasthana, and lock them in,” Azar ordered the guards. “I’ll deal with them later. Don’t you see now,” he reached down to whisper to Alhaitham, “that I am always one step ahead?” Azar walked away.
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Alhaitham woke up first, Kaveh sprawled on the floor beside him. He reached over to tug the architect to him, because all he could do was hold Kaveh, praying to his Archon that he would be okay. That they would be okay. Because at this moment, all he could do was wait, and all they had was each other.
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Alhaitham waited for what felt like hours. Kaveh’s breathing was shallow, the blond’s chest rising and falling in exertion. Alhaitham just held Kaveh close, sitting down on the ground, Kavehs’s head in his lap. He ran one of his hands through blond locks, and gently traced the bruises around Kaveh’s face as he watched the architect sleep.
After this was over, Alhaitham was going to make every single person involved in Azar’s schemes pay for what they had done. Alhaitham had no clue what was going on outside, or whether or not their plan had succeeded. For all that he knew, his accomplices could all be in jail, and their Archon still imprisoned.
Kaveh slightly adjusted himself in Alhaitham’s arms, which immediately caught the scribe’s attention.
“Kaveh, wake up,” Alhaitham’s voice was laced with worry, scared to let the blond fall asleep again. “Kaveh, please,” he begged.
That woke Kaveh up. He couldn’t ever recall Alhaitham asking him anything that nicely, nor using the word “please.” His eyes peeked open to stare up at Alhaitham, his memories of earlier flooding back. He remembered being dragged in front of the grand sage’s desk, then remembered Alhaitham tackling the guards in the room. He remembered how Alhaitham ran to him, and most importantly, Alhaitham’s concern over Kaveh’s wellbeing.
Kaveh’s thoughts were interrupted by a stab of pain slicing through his body. He groaned loudly, curling in on himself to try to relive how bad he hurt. He clutched his hands to his stomach, and the sudden movement reopened some of the smaller cuts on his side.
“Kaveh, let me look at your injuries,” Alhaitham’s eyes scanned the blond, cataloging every scrape, bruise, and wound he had sustained. There wasn’t anything he could do to help for now, most of the bleeding had been scabbed over already. Kaveh needed professional medical attention after what Azar’s guards did to him, especially if he had sustained any internal injuries.
Kaveh laid his head back down on the scribe’s lap, glancing up to watch as Alhaitham scanned him over. It reminded him of how Mehrak liked to scan Kaveh’s design, cataloging their details to make a digital 3D projection to bring his projects to life.
Mehrak! What had happened to the robot? Mehrak was almost like Kaveh’s daughter, even if she was just a toolbox. He remembered Mehrak trying to warn Kaveh as he entered the study, he could only hope that Azar had left her alone.
Alhaitham noticed Kaveh’s eyes widen with concern, noting the blond’s distress.
“Kaveh, what’s wrong? What hurts?”
Kaveh almost rolled his eyes at Alhaitham. “Everything, you idiot,” he shook his head in disbelief, but continued, “but, I’m worried about Mehrak. When I confronted Azar in our house, she had been trying to warn me. I don’t know what happened to her after that.”
Alhaitham paused at that. “In the house?” His eyebrows furrowed with concern. He couldn’t believe Azar had been so desperate as to break into their house. Alhaitham really was an idiot, thinking Kaveh had been safe. He should have known that when it came to Azar, the grand sage wouldn’t have stopped at anything to get at Alhaitham.
Kaveh could practically hear the scribe’s thoughts. “Don’t be an idiot, this isn’t your fault,” the architect glared at Alhaitham. “If anything, it’s mine. I knew something was off when I got home, but I still decided to ignore it.”
Alhaitham’s heart softened at that. Kaveh tended to blame himself for a lot of things that usually weren’t his fault, and this one was one of them. “Hey. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Alhaitham cupped Kaveh’s chin, tilting his face to look at Alhaitham. “I should’ve known that our plan, even if I kept you in the dark, still would’ve indirectly involved you.”
“Who are you, and what did you do with my serious roommate?” Kaveh pinched Alhaitham’s arm.
“Kaveh.” Alhaitham glared at the architect, shutting him up. “I am serious. When I saw the guards dragging you out today, limp in their arms, I thought you were dead.” He looked away, guilt written in his expression.
That made Kaveh’s heart hurt. Alhaitham had already shared some level of concern for Kaveh, but this was different. This was genuine, not layered under wise remarks or petty arguments.He reached up to bring Alhaitham back to him, his heart threatening to burst at seeing the scribe so vulnerable. Alhaitham never let himself be vulnerable, even around Kaveh. He was always cool, indifferent to Kaveh’s shenanigans. He had caught a glimpse of that sensitive side in those teal eyes, but never for too long. But now, that sensitivity consumed Kaveh with how much Alhaitham cared for him.
“But I’m not,” Kaveh softly whispered.
“I thought I had almost lost you, just like in the Akademiya,” Alhaitham admitted. “Nothing could ever prepare me for that again, especially not after I walked away all those years ago.”
Kaveh almost missed the stray tears that ran down Alhaitham’s face. He didn’t know what to say. Kaveh knew the truth, but he didn’t want to admit it. He didn’t want to imagine that Alhaitham could love or care about someone like him.
Everybody Kaveh had loved had walked away.
His dad had left him, his mom had left him, and even Alhaitham had left him once. This was a truth that hurt Kaveh to admit, so he distanced himself from the people he loved. He couldn't stand to be loved, because that love always left him hurt. It always, always left him alone.
“Kaveh,” Alhaitham let himself go in those beautiful eyes. He knew what Kaveh was thinking, and he wouldn’t let Kaveh push him away again. “At that moment, I regretted everything. I regretted every argument we had, I regretted everytime I pushed you away from me,” he continued, “and in that moment, when I thought I had lost you, I regretted not telling you how I felt, about you, and about us.”
“I just…I love you so much. And never, ever again will I let you go. Not after today, not ever.”
Kaveh broke down at that.
“I never stopped loving you, even after all these years, you know that?” Kaveh confessed. "And I don't know if I can let myself be loved again, but I'm willing to try. For us."
Alhaitham couldn’t handle it. His love for Kaveh was overwhelming, it threatened to consume him whole. Kaveh would be the death of him.
He leaned down, pressing his lips to Kaveh’s. Their kiss was fueled by years of longing, those years they spent waiting for each other. They kissed each other with the promise of “forever,” in sickness and in health, in life and death. They even tasted each other's tears,- the only time they would make each other cry.
They sat and waited, bracing themselves for whatever was next. They were together again, and nothing and nobody could change that. Even if Sumeru came crashing down, not even Azar would tear them apart.
Whatever those doors of the Sanctuary of Surasthana opened to, they would be ready.
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Cyno found the pair hours later, thanks to the Traveler’s account of what had happened to Kaveh and Alhaitham. And if he walked into them holding each other like their lives depended on it, he never murmured a single word to another living soul.
Kaveh was asleep, so Alhaitham was the one to carry him out. He wouldn’t let anybody, even Cyno, the General Mahamatra, near Kaveh. He only relented when the doctors at the Birmarstan came rushing out to treat the blond, already alerted ahead of time as to what had transpired in the grand sage’s office.
Azar’s personal guards had obviously been arrested and awaiting trial in prison. The General Mahamatra made sure they would never see the light of day again.
Kaveh slept for almost an entire day, and when he woke up, Alhaitham was still waiting by his side. Kaveh was used to the people he loved leaving him, getting tired of Kaveh, unable to put up with him any longer. But not Alhaitham. The scribe vowed never again would he let Kaveh go through that, nor be the one to put him through that.
Dehya and Candance, Nilou, and Cyno and Tighnari visited Kaveh. He was ordered to stay in the Birmarstan for another day, just in case of any further complications. And when he went home, he was on bedrest for another few days, much to the blond’s distress. Alhaitham, of course, would monitor Kaveh to make sure he was following the doctor’s orders.
As they walked home almost a week later, hand in hand, Kaveh and Alhaitham both knew they would be alright. They could feel the change in the air, the city thrumming with excitement. Music flowed out onto the street, celebrating the new life that Sumeru had been given.
Kaveh and Alhaitham were also celebrating their newfound relationship, relishing in each other’s presence. They didn’t want to put a label on it yet, especially since they both were still recovering from recent events. There would be some nights where Kaveh would still wake up, shaking from the nightmares about what Azar’s guards had done. And there were some nights when Alhaitham would wake up, scared that Kaveh was gone, having to make sure the blond still laid beside him in bed.
Their relationship would take work and patience, and they might still argue, but they would be okay.
Their feelings had been laid out on the table, all those things they never said brought to light.
Kaveh liked to tease Alhaitham about confessing to him while they were locked in the Sanctuary of Surasthana, but he was just grateful that they had aired out their feelings for each other. Now every night he got to lay in Alhaitham’s arms, the scribe holding the architect tight against his chest.
Alhaitham made Kaveh feel safe, made Kaveh feel loved. Kaveh gave Alhaitham a person to rely on, to be open with, to help ground him in overwhelming moments. If they learned anything, it was that they needed to be more open with each other.
But in the end, they had made their way back to one another. And they would be okay, just because they were together.