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“Oh, Haitham, this place is beautiful!” Kaveh exclaims as he and Alhaitham reach the secluded beach near Port Ormos that Alhaitham had brought them to. His elation grows when he sees a tent and picnic blanket, with a colorful bouquet of flowers and a basket waiting on top of the blanket. The water in front of the set-up is a beautiful clear blue, the sunset kisses the gentle waves, and a few lanterns are set up as well. “Did you do all this?” Kaveh asks, excitedly swinging their linked hands as he rushes up to the date spot.
“I may have borrowed the expertise of Tighnari and Nilou, but otherwise, yes.” Alhaitham answers with a smile that would be well hidden from anyone but Kaveh.
“This is so swe—wait! Our anniversary isn’t for another few months, right?” Kaveh asks, stricken with the fear that he had somehow missed it.
Alhaitham huffs, amused. “Don’t worry, you didn’t forget.”
“Good, I didn’t think I had, but then…what’s all this for?” Kaveh asks. Alhaitham usually does put in some effort in planning their dates, but this is on another level.
Alhaitham’s heartbeat speeds up. The ring box suddenly feels heavy in his pouch, the silver band with small gold gems he had shopped for with Faranak’s guidance and Philippe’s enthusiasm sitting pretty in it. Engraved on the inside of the ring is the statement ‘in weal and in woe’; the biggest promise Alhaitham has ever made, one he had made internally a long time ago, with strong wishes to see materialise.
Alhaitham’s unexpectedly nervous as he looks into those beautiful red eyes, more precious than any stone the late Archon of Liyue themself could have created. It’s not as if this proposal will take Kaveh entirely by surprise, neither of them had been hiding their intentions from the first day of officially getting together of where they wanted their relationship to take them. Kaveh will most likely say yes and cry and then yell at Alhaitham for ruining his eyeliner (and then kiss Alhaitham with the fever of a man drinking water for the first time in days).
But Kaveh, despite how confident and perfect he may seem to the rest of the world, is a scared man, even as he chases his ideals and claims to not regret any of it. He could reject the proposal out of sheer panic, afraid he’ll, in his own words, ‘fuck up the best thing that’s ever happened’ to him. Too often Alhaitham has had to reassure Kaveh after a fight that no, he hasn’t messed up too badly, no, he’ll be okay, they will be okay, and no, Alhaitham will not leave him unless Kaveh wants him to.
Because what is life without Kaveh?
What is a life devoid of his hands, his voice, his personality? The witty jibes and comebacks, artistic expression, and deistic aura? A life where Kaveh isn’t there to press a kiss to Alhaitham’s forehead in the early morning hours to pass along a warm cup of coffee? Where they don’t while away an afternoon, dancing and playing the dutars together? Where they don’t laugh together about a terribly written novel in their shared study, stealing sips from each other’s cups of wine, mostly tasting it off of each other’s lips? Where they can spend hours and hours with each other, be it doodling or bickering or touching, but seemingly never tire of one another? Where Alhaitham is understood, treasured, that too by one of the most fascinating people he has ever had the pleasure of meeting?
And while Alhaitham has his friends, the memories of his grandmother, and lovely little Minou, when he thinks of his family, the first person to cross his mind is Kaveh. What other individual could match him so perfectly? The past few years have shown him that they can grow, learn, and teach one another. And, more than just that, it’s because they both try in this relationship. They don’t hide anymore. Be it in the way Alhaitham massages Kaveh’s joints after a long day of construction or when Kaveh lovingly makes Alhaitham’s favourite foods, they show each other their love in all the little ways that truly matter.
Of course, just as in any relationship, they sometimes make mistakes and argue, and get stuck on petty, unnecessary things. They both know it is only borne from the immense amount of love, care, and respect they hold for one another though, and they never stop reminding each other of that. While things could be rocky and distant at times, they seem to have the innate ability to be drawn back together. They’re not perfect, but that’s not what either of them wants anyways—life would be a lot less interesting that way.
Alhaitham had never considered himself a particularly romantic man before that bumbling blonde mess of a senior had wrestled his way into his life, but now Alhaitham understands, empathises even, with the tomes of ancient poetry about love and longing he had researched all his life. Because he would do just about anything for Kaveh, and he knows that Kaveh would too.
And to be perfectly honest, a wedding probably wouldn’t change all that much. They’ll probably still play-fight, make out at the most inopportune times, and lay in each other’s arms most nights. Marriage just happens to be one of the best ways he can proclaim his desire for Kaveh to stay by his side, and assuage Kaveh’s doubts and fears. Whatever Kaveh’s answer is, as long as they’re still together, that’s alright.
Alhaitham breathes in the salty sea air, reorganising his thoughts after Kaveh sends him a questioning look after a few moments of silence.
“You’ll find out soon enough, ya ameli.” Alhaitham settles as his reply, all the others just being direct declarations of love that he would like to build up to first. He may not be a man who cares much about ‘setting the mood’, but Kaveh would want a dreamy, incredibly romantic story he is proud of telling everyone, so Alhaitham can afford to be patient. It’s just a little longer anyways, till Kaveh can hopefully wear something that openly claims him as Alhaitham’s, and Alhaitham’s alone.
Kaveh makes a disgruntled sound but doesn’t probe further, choosing instead to sit down on the blanket and admire the flowers, gently touching the petals. “These have mourning flowers in them.” He says softly, looking up at Alhaitham. “They’re pretty expensive.”
Alhaitham lowers himself to sit next to him, and draws him into a chaste kiss. “They’re your favourite.” He answers simply.
Kaveh smiles that incredibly warm smile of his and caresses Alhaitham’s cheek. “Well, they’re lovely, thank you for them.” And then he kisses him, before the younger can make a quip about ‘earnest thanks needing to be told thrice’ or something equally puerile.
“Shall we dig in already?” Alhaitham asks after they finally pull away (you’ll never catch them kissing for less than 10 seconds if they can help it), gesturing towards the basket. “The auntie at the end of the street demands you try her butter chicken since you couldn’t handle the tandoori last time.”
Kaveh huffs, crossing his arms. “It’s not my fault I don’t want to have my tastebuds absolutely burned off. Who puts 20 chillies in such a small pot?”
Alhaitham smirks and opens the basket. A mouthwatering smell emits from the basket as he lays out an array of curries, rice and naan, fruit and kheer left inside for later as dessert. “Oh, this looks so good!” Kaveh says excitedly, already subtly doing his incredibly adorable happy dance at the prospect of a delicious meal. They dive in, chatting about their most recent trip to Fontaine, debating a bit too seriously about what cupcake flavour the bakery should highlight the next month. Of course, the true reason for the excursion had been because Alhaitham had wanted to ask Faranak and Philippe for their blessings formally, but for Kaveh it had just been a nice vacation (and an opportunity to stuff himself full of a variety of baked goods).
Kaveh wipes his hands on a towel after he’s had his fill, sighing happily as he leans into his paramour’s side. He takes another look at the scenery, admiring the twinkling stars that had come out while they had dined, the ebb and flow of the white waves, the mostly untouched sand around them.
“Any particular reason you chose a beach for tonight? He asks, breath hitching at the etherealness of Alhaitham bathed in silver and gold from the sky and lanterns. He sees this man every day, and yet he never stops being taken aback by him. “You hate getting sand in your shoes, and you couldn’t read while eating the curry.”
Alhaitham smiles.
Oh, to have a person who knows you so well, inside and out.
“True, but I chose this location for a specific purpose. Do you remember the day you brought up our fake-dating scheme and we talked about what our ideal first dates with each other were?”
Kaveh nods, reminiscing, half chuckling at what a pining fool he (and Alhaitham) had been. “Yea, and I could barely think because you had just kissed me.”
Alhaitham smiles as well. “We never actually had our picnic under the stars, so I thought today would be as good of a day as any.” Alhaitham answers, cleaning his own hands and moving the plates and leftovers aside.
“Aww!” Kaveh may be over 30 but he straight-up squeals like a lovesick teenager in response to his partner’s uncharacteristic sentimentality. He grabs and squeezes one of Alhaitham’s hands, giddy with affection for the other.
And then Kaveh looks at him, pure and warm and loving, smile as magnificently blinding as the sun, and Alhaitham has never been more sure of what he plans to do next.
Alhaitham takes a deep breath and reorients himself to fully face Kaveh. He fiddles with his pouch as he says, “There’s another reason why I invited you here today.”
He brushes Kaveh’s knuckles with his mouth, and Kaveh’s breath catches as Alhaitham reveals the ring box. “Kaveh.” Alhaitham begins, momentarily stunned by the wide grin Kaveh immediately sports instead of the panic he had expected. His eyes urge Alhaitham to continue, so he does. “I love you. I have been in love with you for over a decade, and I cannot imagine the rest of my decades without you. You are the book I will never put down, the light of my life, the greatest gift I’ve had the privilege of receiving.” A tear falls down Kaveh’s cheek but he’s still beaming. Alhaitham holds his breath and asks the final question. “Will you make me the happiest man in all of Teyvat and marry me?”
Kaveh nods vigorously, more tears falling, but no anxiety to be seen. “I—I will, if you will accept my proposal as well.” Alhaitham raises an eyebrow as Kaveh calls over Mehrak and then rummages around in his toolbox, producing a piece of paper and a similar ring box. Alhaitham’s eyes light up in pleasant surprise, and then he lets out a full-bodied laugh as he reads the paper—an application for funding for a project called “The Akademiya Lunatic’s Wedding”. It's written in the ancient script they had learnt during their joint thesis that they still leave notes for each other in, and Alhaitham's heart feels inexplicably warm.
Kaveh smiles at his own joke, and continues, “Will you do me the great honour of calling you my husband, ya rouhi?”
“I, unfortunately, don’t have my stamp of approval with me right now. You’ll have to come back during my office hours.”
Kaveh rolls his eyes, and then, crawling onto Alhaitham’s lap, mischievously asks, “How about we seal it with a kiss?”
“What an interesting method.” Alhaitham responds with a curl in his lip, one hand secured at Kaveh’s hip, the other grazing his bottom lip. He leans in and murmurs, “I accept.”
Kaveh wastes no time and kisses him, deep and slow, with no longing or yearning in it because there’s no need for it anymore. They’ve always been each other’s after all, a ceremony and certificate would only barely externalize the profound love they have for one another.
When they part for breath, they stay close, wrapped in each other’s arms, foreheads touching. “Did you just have that filled-in form and ring ready at all times?” Alhaitham asks, kissing Kaveh’s nose.
“Yea. I was working myself up to it, figuring out my speech, but then you just had to go and steal my thunder and ask me first.”
“Well, by all means, propose again.” Then, cheekily, “I do love the sight of you on your knees, singing my praises.”
“Haitham!” Kaveh thumps Alhaitham’s shoulder for his dirty-mindedness, blushing, but Alhaitham only smirks. Kaveh shakes his head in fond exasperation and adds, “But nah, I’ll save it for our vows.”
‘Our vows!’ A little, cheery voice in Kaveh’s head whisper-shouts. Gods, he cannot wait to walk down the aisle to marry his junior, his biggest vexation, his home. So much of Kaveh’s life has been embroiled in tragedy, too much of it has been spent alone, and too little of it had been peaceful before Alhaitham took Kaveh in that one fateful night. If Alhaitham drives him to an early death due to his deadpan mannerisms, criminally handsome features, and alarming levels of nerdiness, so be it. Alhaitham can drive him crazy forever.
“Ah, that reminds me.” Alhaitham presents the ring box again to Kaveh. “There’s an inscription inside.”
“Oh, Alhaitham.” Kaveh sobs, positively melting as he takes out the ring and reads the engraving: Always Yours. “P—put it on me.”
They gleefully exchange their rings, and Alhaitham takes a moment to see how the silver jewel embedded in the gold band glints in the moonlight. He knows this is Kaveh’s late father’s ring, so for Kaveh to have customized it just for Alhaitham means more than Kaveh will ever know. Alhaitham then pulls Kaveh into an almost bone-crushing embrace, kissing the tears away, kissing Kaveh’s lips till they’re swollen (and later, kissing his moans away in the tent).
Alhaitham knows he will never get enough, even if they’re engaged now, but that’s alright. He has the rest of his life to indulge in his man, after all.