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It seems so silly that four simple words could consume one's waking days for almost an entire year. And yet, ever since the day his beloved proposed, that's all Kaveh could think about. And finally, the day had arrived. Their wedding day.
Lesser Lord Kusanali had granted permission for their friend, the General Mahamatra Cyno, to officiate it. Cyno's husband Tighnari was assigned to be the wedding planner, and their daughter Collei was designated the flower girl and ring bearer. Nilou planned alongside Tighnari, as both Kaveh and Alhaitham didn't exactly want a large wedding party.
Everything was set in stone. The reception was planned, the site was decorated, the guests who were invited had arrived, and everything was going smoothly. Except for a panicking Kaveh, trying his best to get ready.
"What if I don't look good? What if he decides to back out? What if-"
"Kaveh~ are you getting cold feet?" Tighnari teased the architect, who was applying just the faintest touch of makeup to himself.
"No! I've been wanting this for an entire year, I'm not going to just-Nilou, pink, white, or rose gold highlighter?"
Nilou giggled a bit. "I'm a rose gold person. And you have nothing to be worried about, I can assure you that. There's nothing that could possibly go wrong today!" She spun, adding a curtsy to the end of it as she admired her dress. It was puffy, pale blue, and knee-length.
Kaveh huffed, applying the rose gold to his cheekbones. He was wearing a basic suit, just a white button-up, black slacks, a black vest, and a black tie. He had rolled up his sleeves a bit, just enough that he still looked formal. Leaning back from the mirror, Kaveh turned to a sassy Tighnari, who was looking down at the groom with all the smugness in the world.
"It is insane that after this long, you're both still so oblivious to how head-over-heels you are for one another." Tighnari passed Kaveh's bouquet over to him, dusting off the architect's suit with his free hand. "And Nilou's right, everything will go fine. Collei has the flowers and the rings, Cyno's speech is ready to go, and the guests are already seated and waiting for the music cue. With how tense both you and he are, I'd say you just need to-"
"My love, we're ready to start!" Cyno entered the room, looking at the trio and grinning. He walked over to Tighnari, kissing his husband on the cheek. "You look great. You too, Kaveh."
"Thanks." Kaveh said halfheartedly. Collei entered the room next, walking over to her dads.
"We're ready to start! Cool dad, you should probably get into your position."
"Thank you, Collei." Cyno walked back out of the room, leaving the rest of the party in the room.
"Dad, is everyone else ready? I've got the flowers, so if you and Miss Nilou are ready, head on out!"
Tighnari hugged Collei, happiness evident on his face. "How did I get such an amazing daughter?" He sighed, letting go and turning to Nilou. "Right. You ready for this?"
"Yep! Born ready. Let's go!"
And with that, Nilou and Tighnari exited the room. The music began as they walked down the aisle first, guests gazing at them from all over. Tighnari immediately spotted Alhaitham at the end of the aisle, clearly impatient whilst waiting for Kaveh. Once the pair had gotten to the end of the aisle, Nilou walked left towards Kaveh's side, while Tighnari walked right towards Alhaitham, before both stopped on either side of Cyno. Tighnari managed to steal a few whispers as Collei scattered the petals down the aisle.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Where's Kaveh?"
"My, you're impatient. I understand you both haven't seen each other all day, but it's bad luck to see your fiancé on your wedding day. He's on his way, don't panic."
After Collei had gotten down the aisle, she took a seat in the front row, ready to present the rings once she needed to. The music dimmed, then swelled as the other groom entered the room. Kaveh entered at the other end of the room, holding his flowers in front of him, holding himself back from sprinting towards his beloved. Alhaitham looked amazing. He was wearing a white button-up, a black tie, and black slacks as well, but his suit was accompanied with a black long-sleeved jacket.
To Alhaitham, Kaveh looked absolutely stunning. He didn't care that the blond strands wouldn't stay down no matter what Kaveh did. He didn't care that his tie was ever so slightly crooked. He didn't even care that Kaveh had messed up his eyeshadow on one side. He was drop-dead gorgeous, and the only thing Alhaitham wanted to do was rush up to him, wrap him arms around him, and hold his lover close. The tradition of not seeing each other on their wedding day irked them both, but they agreed.
As Kaveh walked down the aisle, Tighnari stole a glance at Alhaitham, knowing at that moment they were perfect for each other. Alhaitham's eyes were shining, so full of love as he looked at his beloved. It seemed Kaveh was the only thing in the room, perhaps in all of Teyvat, and he was Alhaitham's greatest treasure.
After what felt like decades for both of them, Kaveh finally reached the end of the aisle, standing across from Alhaitham. Kaveh passed his flowers to Nilou, freeing his hands to join them with Alhaitham's. Both of them looked at each other, love filling their hearts as they looked into the eyes of their respective partner. Kaveh admired each angle of Alhaitham's face, sharp, yet at the same time, rounded and soft. It was a face he studied often, but right now, right here, in this moment, it was the most wonderful thing in the room. Soft lips and eyes like daggers that softened only for him, long, ink-smudged fingers that would caress his cheek after a long day of work. Alhaitham was absolutely his soulmate, there was no doubt about that.
The scribe felt a similar way about the man standing in front of him, a face so familiar and yet also so different. He was used to the stern face of Kaveh, one that would lecture him about cleaning and complain about work. And yet, it was also a face that could melt at a simple touch, a face that would softly smile after a minor disagreement. Warm eyes that could envelope you in a toasty blanket, warming you up despite the coldest nights. Compared to Alhaitham, he had soft features, with rounded cheeks and long eyelashes, smooth skin, and a surprisingly light and flexible body. As far as the scribe cared, Kaveh's makeup was flawless, highlighting all his best features (which was all of them.)
"Hi." Kaveh spoke barely above a whisper, simply wanting to hear his soon-to-be husband's voice.
"Hi." Alhaitham smiled at Kaveh. He found the interaction adorable, though he would never admit that to his beloved. Cyno rolled his eyes at the couple before beginning his officiant speech.
"So, we all know why we're here, and if you don't, that may require medical attention. I've known these two men for quite some time, and I can tell you they haven't always been this close. Back in their days at the Akademiya, they were best friends until that friendship fell apart. Soon enough, though, Kaveh moved back in with Alhaitham as his roommate. I pity those around the house who would enjoy their days of quiet before Kaveh moved in. Every day, there was an argument about something or another. Even outside of their home, we weren't safe. I remember many nights at the tavern with my husband, Tighnari, listening to Kaveh complain about his stubborn roommate. And yet, we all know that deep down, they really did care about each other. They would always bring food home for each other, and they would always drag the other back after a long day. Whether it would be Kaveh breaking into Alhaitham's workplace when he was working overtime, or when it was Alhaitham carrying Kaveh home after a bad night at the bar, they really did care about each other. At some point, I remember visiting them at their home. Kaveh mentioned needing to grab something that he'd left in his room, then mysteriously walked to Alhaitham's room. I think that was the first indication that something else may have been going on. Sure enough, they told me and Tighnari that they had gotten together about a month later. Soon after, we started noticing tiny details that we had overlooked before. Faint giggles as they walked home together at night, the way they would try to secretly hold hands, and even the simple fact that they started spending more time together. Like pianists, these two were always in a-chord."
The entire building groaned at the horrendous pun, even Tighnari lowering his ears. Cyno grinned as he continued. "Sorry, sorry. It's time for the vows, and as someone who's read both, it is under my belief that Kaveh should go first. If Alhaitham goes first, Kaveh will be too busy crying to read his."
Kaveh frowned at Cyno before reading out the vows he memorised to Alhaitham. "Alhaitham, I love you. I really, really do. Every night I fell asleep at the bar and woke up at home, a glass of water by my side and you sitting nearby, I think I fell a bit more in love with you. Knowing that while I'm with you, I'll always be cared for, I can sleep easier at night. I remember waking up from nightmares, crying, and you would just pull me back to reality, holding me through the tough times. Haitham, I vow that despite any arguments we may have, I'll still love you. I vow that I will always love you, support you, and be there when you need it. I vow that whenever you bring home soup, I'll drink it knowing that you had me in mind. I vow that if you ever stay at work late, I'll fight whoever I need to fight to drag you home." Kaveh sighs. Cyno says I need this next part. "Alhaitham, do you take me as your husband, your forever roommate, and your cherished best friend?"
Alhaitham smiled. "I do."
Cyno nodded, smiling at them. Tighnari was desperately holding back tears, whilst Nilou was less reserved. She had already shed enough tears to water Kaveh's flower bouquet for years. Cyno turned to Alhaitham. "It is now time for Alhaitham's vows." If Nilou's crying now, she's going to be sobbing by the time he's done.
"Kaveh, if I'm the moon, you're the sun. You're so bright and shiny to everyone around you, despite the fact that you're burning up inside. The only reason I can shine is because you do. I reflect the light you give to me, and I glow just as brightly in turn. You're my guiding star in life, and I just know that I will always find my way back to you. Even if I'm far away, I'll hold you in my heart. A world without you isn't a world at all. I don’t simply love you with my heart, I love you with my soul. So that once the day you and I die comes by, I’ll always be able to find you in every universe. You're truly worth everything to me. I don't want to lose a friend I've known for years again. Kaveh, I vow that whenever I come home from a dinner, I'll bring you back soup. I vow that if you fall asleep at the bar, I'll always bring you back home. I vow that I'll always leave you a glass of water and sit beside you, waiting for you to wake up. I vow that whenever you have a nightmare, I'll be there to hold you close and pull you back to what's real. I love you, Kaveh, so listen closely to this final vow. It's the most important one. Kaveh, I vow that I will never abandon you. Ever. If you ever believe, even for a second, that I may leave you, you're wrong. Kaveh, I vow that I'm going to be by your side for the rest of my life. Nothing will ever change that. Kaveh, my love, do you take me as your husband, your forever roommate, and your cherished best friend?"
Tears streamed down Kaveh's face, smudging the makeup he'd applied. Nilou was bawling too, and even Tighnari and Cyno found themselves shedding some tears. Alhaitham detached one of his hands from Kaveh's, raising it to his beloved's cheek and using his thumb to wipe away his tears. Kaveh raised the hand that had been released, placing it over Alhaitham's and smiling. He couldn't vocalise the words he wanted to say, but everyone knew exactly what he meant.
I do. What Kaveh really wanted to say was, "Shut up and kiss me already."
Collei stepped up from her seat, taking the rings and giving them to the couple. Even she had tears in her eyes, unable to say anything as she walked back to her seat. Alhaitham slid Kaveh's ring onto his finger, and Kaveh did the same for him. Cyno managed to clear his voice, speaking to the lovers in front of him.
"With the power granted to me by Lesser Lord Kusanali, I, General Mahamatra Cyno, now pronounce you, Kaveh and Alhaitham, married. You may now-"
Without allowing Cyno to finish, Alhaitham wrapped his arms around Kaveh's waist, using one hand to support his back as he kissed him. The crowd cheered, and Kaveh let his tears melt away as he was pulled into the kiss, wrapping his own arms around Alhaitham's neck. Once their lips released, they placed their foreheads against each other, noses side by side, just enjoying the touch of their spouse.
"How lovely. Hey, Hat Guy?"
"Stop calling me that." The Wanderer and Nahida sat together near the back of the crowd, trying and thus far succeeding at not being noticed.
"Sorry, sorry. What do you believe the point of a wedding is?"
"I'm not sure. To me, it seems like a waste of time and energy. That's not the answer you want, though, is it?"
"There's no right or wrong answer to a question of opinion. Even if it has no real purpose, look at how happy they are. I think that's the beauty of something like this."
"Maybe you're right. What was the point of asking me, then?"
"Not everything needs a point. Sorry if that's not a good enough answer."
"It's fine. Thank you, aunt Nahida."
"For butter or for worse, a toast to the lovely couple!" Cyno raised his glass as the room groaned. The reception was being held in Lambad's Tavern on the bottom floor, and it was going smoothly. Well, smoothly minus Cyno's constant puns.
"Please, my love, no more puns. Don't ruin our friends' wedding." Tighnari walked over with three plates of cake, one for himself, one for his husband, and one for their daughter.
Collei nodded. "Dad, if I have to sit through another bad joke, I'm going to shove this cake in your face."
Cyno laughed, pulling Collei and Tighnari close to him. "Come on, don't get upset at me! Jokes make a party margarine-ly better!"
True to her word, Collei slammed the rest of her cake into Cyno's face. Icing clung to him as he sighed.
"How cruel, Collei. You bring a tier to my eye."
Collei and Tighnari groaned as Alhaitham walked over, looking a bit concerned.
"Have any of you seen Kaveh? I lost him after the cake cutting."
As the group shook their heads, Cyno shrugged. "No, sorry. I guess that's our bad. We should have made sure he was wearing more pairs of socks, but now he's got cold feet."
"Dad, give me your cake."
"No way, I'll smash this in my husband's face myself. To answer your question, Alhaitham, he might be upstairs. I saw someone go up there, and you know how he feels about big crowds like these."
"Thank you, Tighnari." With that, Alhaitham made his way over to the stairs, looking for his husband.
"Kaveh really does live rent-free in his heart." Cyno grinned, Tighnari practically throwing his own slice of cake into his husband's face.
"Kaveh? Are you up here?" Alhaitham used his eyes to scour the top floor, his eyes finally laying on his beloved. He was standing next to an older woman, conversing quietly with her. She was small, quiet, and polite. She looked a lot like Kaveh. Alhaitham stood back, recognising her as Kaveh's mom.
"Was it fun?" she asked him.
"It was fun."
"Are you happy?"
"Yeah, I'm really happy."
"You're like that, aren't you? Let's talk."
"What should we talk about?"
"You're nervous, but also excited, huh?"
Kaveh sighed, turning his head to look at Alhaitham. "I'm the happiest right now. I'm so glad I met him. I'm not alone anymore. I really love him, mom."
"I'm glad. You seem like you want to talk to him, so I'm going to leave. It was good seeing you again." Kaveh's mom walked back to the stairs, brushing past Alhaitham as she walked downstairs.
Alhaitham moved over to where Kaveh was standing, wrapping his arm around Kaveh's shoulder and squeezing it gently, reassuringly. "Hey."
"Hey, Haitham. What's up?"
"I missed you." Alhaitham lowered his arm to around Kaveh's waist, pulling him closer. Kaveh turned his body to fully face Alhaitham, wrapping his arms around his lover's neck.
"You missed me? You just saw me an hour ago. I'd be sick of me by now."
"I could never be sick of you, my love. You're too amazing to ever get sick of." Alhaitham pressed a kiss under Kaveh's eye, just along the cheekbone.
"Hey...did you mean it when you vowed to never abandon me?"
"Of course I did. You're my one and only, the love of my life. I'm staying by your side no matter what happens. Never doubt that fact, the fact that I love you. If I abandoned you, I'd abandon everything I love. I'd be abandoning a part of my soul, Kaveh."
A tear rolled down Kaveh's cheek. "How do you always know the perfect thing to say to me? Thank you, Haitham. I love you." He dug his face into Alhaitham's shoulder, smelling his boyfriend a bit in the process. Old paper and new ink, the smell of a scribe.
Alhaitham chuckled, moving his head to speak quietly into Kaveh's ear. "You know, there's still one wedding tradition we haven't done yet." He dropped his voice to just under a whisper, saying something that made Kaveh's face go bright red.
"Haitham! That's-!" He immediately tore his face away from Alhaitham's neck, causing the latter to chuckle lightly. As the music slowed, the couple held each other close, swaying and dancing as the party continued on underneath them. In this moment, they were alone together, free and happy.
And that was good enough for them.