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When Kaveh had received a letter in the mail from his mother he had been thrilled. He hadn’t heard from ther in quite some time, but came to find out she was going to be in Sumeru on business and wished to see him! He was over the moon!
He spent the week leading up to her visit cleaning the whole house, even going as far as to dust AlHaitham’s extensive book collection.
Speaking of the Scribe, AlHaitham hadn’t been as keen on a stranger coming into his house. Sure, it was Kaveh’s mother, but he had never met her before and that fact alone put him on edge.
Kaveh could tell, of course he could. AlHaitham was non-verbal more often than not and kept his earpieces on any time he wasn’t sleeping. It was concerning, seeing his beloved boyfriend so on edge, but his brain pushed away the concern and replaced it with excitement over seeing his mom again.
When the day finally arrived, Kaveh was a force to be reckoned with. He insisted that everything had to be perfect, he was determined to give off a good impression.
The blonde had just wiped the kitchen counter for the ninth time that day, when he heard a knock on the door. He gasped, quickly putting the cleaning supplies away and rushing to the door. He smoothed out his shirt before swinging the door open, a wide smile on his face when he saw the woman before him.
“Oh, Kaveh my dear.” She cooed, holding her arms out and wrapping him in a tight hug.
“Hey, Mom.” He breathed out, almost in shock, as he hugged her back. She was just how he remembered her, albeit a little older.
As he pulled away he quickly ushered her inside. “Come in, come in! Let me introduce you to AlHaitham!”
“The Grand Sage?” She asked, her lips pursed and her brows furrowed.
Kaveh snorted. “My boyfriend, who also happens to be the Acting Grand Sage.”
He led her to the living room, where AlHaitham was curled into his favorite spot on the divan with a book in his hand and his earpieces tightly clamped over his ears. He gently touched the younger man’s shoulder, which made the latter turn his head.
“Say Hi!” Kaveh signed with a wide grin, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Hello.” AlHaitham said quietly before turning back to his book and practically ignoring the duo.
Kaveh laughed nervously before ushering his mother to the kitchen, where he had prepared them tea. He sat at one of the barstools at the counter and pushed her mug closer to her. He held his own close to his chest, savoring the warmth.
“Sorry about him, he’s kind of a grump.” He said with a small chuckle, sipping his tea.
“I’d say.” Faranak scoffed as she sat beside him. “Such disrespect, he couldn’t even meet my eyes or shake my hand, and that greeting was pitiful.”
Kaveh forced himself to keep a smile on his face. “That’s just how he is, Ma, he’s not really a social butterfly.” He told her, his stomach twisting in anxiety.
“And you’re dating him? I could find you someone much better in Fontaine. Someone who can properly host their guests and greet their partner’s mother.”
“Mom, that’s enough.” Kaveh said with a small sigh. “He treats me well, that’s all I can ask for. We’ve been through a lot together, him and I, and I want to spend my life with him.”
“For now at least.” She commented with the roll of her eyes.
“Pardon?” The blonde frowned deeper, putting his mug down on the counter.
“You want to spend your life with him for now .” She clarified. “Who knows, in a year or two you might get tired of his awful demeanor and take me up on my offer about people in Fontaine. You can only live so long with a man that will barely look you in the eye.”
Kaveh went to respond, but the moment he opened his mouth she leaned in closer. “Do you really want to spend all your time with someone so incompetent?”
Kaveh felt a surge of rage flow through his bloodstream at his mother’s words. And to think he was so excited to see her and introduce her to his favorite person! He slammed his palm onto the counter and got to his feet.
“Out.” He pointed to the front door.
He wouldn’t tolerate such words about AlHaitham. He may tease the younger man on a daily basis, but it was never truly malicious.
“Get out!” He shouted, jabbing his finger towards the door.
Faranak stared him down, almost as if he just sprouted a new set of limbs spontaneously. She sputtered over her words, trying to mutter an apology, but Kaveh held his ground. She finally scoffed, turning to leave the cozy house and slam the door behind herself.
The blonde watched her go, taking deep breaths to keep his composure. He clenched his jaw and tried to withhold a flinch when the door slammed. His gaze drifted to AlHaitham, who had since stopped flipping pages of his book.
“Your headphones were turned off, weren’t they…?” Kaveh breathed out with a sigh.
AlHaitham didn’t say a word, but Kaveh could tell by the way he fiddled with the corners of the pages that he heard every word spoken. The blonde’s heart aches for his boyfriend, and the slight shake of the scribe’s shoulders and the shutter in his breath pained him.
“Hayi…” he breathed out.
“Do you too think so lowly of me…?”
“Oh, my love, no .” Kaveh rounded the divan, immediately going to AlHaitham’s side.
He hesitated in touching the younger. His hands hovered over AlHaitham’s back and arm, wanting so desperately to hold him, but he didn’t want to risk a bad reaction from the other man.
The way AlHaitham’s lips turned into a deep frown and he stared at his book, it broke Kaveh’s heart. He sniffled quietly, his shoulders tensing up in self defense. He brought his hand up to rub at his eyes, refusing to look at the blonde.
Kaveh gnawed on his lip, and took a deep breath before speaking. “Haitham, you are the single most amazing person I’ve ever met. I don’t care what she said about you, I love you and I will always love you. You’re the most intelligent man I know, I am always endlessly proud of you and your astonishing mind.” He leaned down to try to meet AlHaitham’s eyes, but the younger only tilted his chin down further to avoid doing so.
“Hayi, I don’t care what she says, or what anyone says. You are my favorite person. I treasure every moment I have with you, I always have. You are my best friend in the whole world, and you are the single most incredible boyfriend I’ve ever had.” He smiled, albeit sadly. “I have lost you once, and I will not lose you again, not over something as irrelevant and- and stupid like my mother’s opinion.”
AlHaitham slowly closed his book. He sniffled, finally putting the novel aside and reaching to wrap his arms around Kaveh’s waist. He pushed his face against Kaveh’s chest, right where his shirt gave way to his warm skin.
Kaveh cooed, in turn hugging AlHaitham’s neck and kissing the crown of his head. He pouted when he felt moisture against his skin, his heart breaking all over again.
“Oh, my baby.” He sighed, carding his fingers through the younger’s hair and holding him close.
Despite how much it hurt him emotionally, he just allowed AlHaitham to cry into his chest and let out any pent up emotions. He couldn’t believe his mother would say such things, especially when his boyfriend was within hearing distance. He kissed his partner’s temple and pat his shoulder.
“Can I see your face, Pooh bear?” He asked sweetly, giving the other man a small nudge.
Slowly, AlHaitham sat back. He stared down at his lap, a tear hanging off the tip of his nose and finally dripping into his lap. He took a deep breath, reaching up to rub his eyes.
“I love you.” Kaveh whispered. “I love you , AlHaitham, no one can change that.” He covered his hands with his sleeves and wiped his partner’s face, careless of the tears and snot staining his shirt. “I wholeheartedly intend on being with you forever. You’re my best friend, I can’t imagine a world without you.”
AlHaitham nodded, his bangs hanging over his eyes in an attempt to hide his face. He twisted his fingers together, taking in a shaky breath. Kaveh reached to take his hand, lacing their fingers together and squeezing firmly.
“Do you believe me? Or do I have to continue listing every single thing I love about you? I will, you know I will. You know-“ Kaveh jabbed his fingers into AlHaitham’s sides. “-I will!”
AlHaitham squirmed, a snort escaping him. He hunched over, wrapping his arms around his waist to protect his sides. He laughed quietly as Kaveh attacked all of his softest spots. His sides, his stomach, the insides of his thighs, under his arms, Kaveh somehow managed to reach them all before he could protect himself.
The blonde laughed with a wide smile, finally stopping his assault to give the scribe a breather. He rubbed AlHaitham’s back, watching fondly as the other man finally sat up fully.
“Feeling better, Lovely?” Kaveh asked, reaching to tuck a piece of hair behind AlHaitham’s ear.
The scribe nodded, wiping his face one final time. He reached for Kaveh, a silent plea to be held again. The architect laid down on the divan, patting his chest as an invitation for AlHaitham to lay down. The younger man carefully lowered himself onto the blonde, tucking his head under Kaveh’s chin and hugging his waist tightly.
The duo remained like that for the rest of the afternoon. Even when Kaveh was convinced AlHaitham had settled down for a catnap in the sun, the younger would shift and those beautiful silver curls would tickle his chin.
“I love you.” AlHaitham mumbled quietly into Kaveh’s neck.
Kaveh smiled, tightening his hold on the younger. “I love you more than words can describe.”