Work Text:
The door to the house opened, Alhaitham sipping his tea relieved that Kaveh had not forgotten his keys this time.
As the blond set foot in the house, Alhaitham sensed that something was wrong. His face was sweating profusely, he was in pain and moving awkwardly.
''Are you drunk?'' he asked, startling Kaveh.
''What a scare you gave me!'' Kaveh snorted, silencing a hiss of pain ''No, it's just that I'm very tired today. I'm going to bed now.''
''No dinner?'' Kaveh shook his head, going straight into his room, closing the door behind him.
The next day, Alhaitham was concerned to see that his roommate's keys were still there, but the blond had not left his room. Curious...
He knocked on his door, to find out if he had already left for work or if he was really still in there. He opened the door slightly when he didn't get an answer, seeing that Kaveh was still sleeping.
He approached him slowly, concerned to see that he was cowering, his hands on his belly, his face sweaty and showing much pain ''Kaveh, are you okay?'' asked Alhaitham, brushing a sweaty lock away from his forehead ''Kav-''
Alhaitham was speechless when he saw Kaveh's pants full of blood. Roughly, Alhaitham pulled away the blanket the blond was covering himself with, his eyes widening in terror as he saw the blood soaked bed as well as the blond's lower parts.
Due to the abruptness with which the blanket had been removed, Kaveh woke up, confused and dazed, waking up immediately when Alhaitham took him in his arms, his steps going very fast.
"Ha-Haitham! What are you doing?''
''Isn't it obvious! Taking you to the hospital!''
''To the hospital!? Why?!? Let go of me!''
''What do you mean, why? You were bleeding to death, Kaveh, and you're in pain'' Alhaitham opened the door to the house, but Kaveh grabbed the wood of the door, stopping the Sage ''Kaveh, let go, we have to go to the hospital, this is serious!''
''It's not serious, you idiot.... ugh...''
''Look at you! You're in so much pain that you can't even talk'' Rudely, he takes his hand away from the door, heading to the street.
''Haitham please stop! It's...I'm fine I swear! Please, take me home, I beg you!''
Alhaitham stopped, Kaveh still trying to free himself from his grip, and as the Sage set him down, Kaveh's legs faltered ''I need a good explanation as to why you don't want me to take you to the hospital. Now''
''I'll tell you, but inside... please''
Reluctantly, Alhaitham agreed, closing the door behind him. The Sage noticed how Kaveh looked sheepishly at his arms stained with his blood, but Alhaitham folded his arms anyway, waiting for the answer ''Well?''
''I'm... I'm on my period, Alhaitham.''
Alhaitham arched his eyebrow, confused, Kaveh sighing irritably ''Period. Menstruation. Sound familiar?
''What happens to women in certain months in order to remain fertile?''
"E...exactly.''
''But I don't get it, why do you have that? And besides, so much blood?''
''I guess the books should specify that not only women have periods'' Kaveh replied, weakly, but a pain in his stomach made him squat down, Alhaitham asking him if he really doesn't need to go to the doctor.
''N...no idiot, this is actually normal'' said Kaveh with a forced, weak smile ''Actually, ending up like this is my fault. I knew I'd get off today, but yesterday I ended up so tired that I forgot to put on the cloth compress.... So...I just need a bath to clean myself up and I'll change the sheets right away.'' Kaveh finally got up, helped by Alhaitham ''Sorry for staining them...''
''Kaveh stop it! You're pale and shaking like a flan. Go to my bed, I'll take care of changing the sheets and preparing your bath''.
"No...you don't have to do this for me...''
''Better to let a sick person do physical exertion, of course'' he snorted irritatedly ''Go on, now''
"Damn, even being nice to me you're so fucking rude'' Kaveh smiled weakly but the blond obeyed him.
While Kaveh went to his room, Alhaitham entered the blond's room, looking at the dirty sheets. There was too much blood. So much that Kaveh should have bled to death. Now he remembered menstruation. The biology lessons when he was a mere 13-year-old boy. But at no time did he mention such a quantity of blood. Nor that the affected person was so ill (although not to be so ill, losing so much blood).
And besides, menstruation lasted for days. Kaveh would lose more blood. And surely he didn't want to go to the hospital? He would end up completely weak!
After taking the sheets out and putting them in the laundry basket, he turned on the hot water faucet in the bathtub, and as it filled up he went to his own room, chuckling in displeasure at the position in which Kaveh was resting.
Only his torso was resting on the bed, his entire waist was off of it ''What have I told you about resting? I don't think that position is ideal for that.''
''I didn't want to stain your bed too'' he muttered weakly, Alhaitham touching his forehead, Kaveh's eyes watering ''Kaveh, sorry if I'm tiresome, but surely you don't want to go to the hospital?''
''This is normal, Haitham. It...hurts a lot, but I'm used to it.'''
Alhaitham didn't answer him, he simply took him in his arms, Kaveh hiding his embarrassed face in the sage's neck, for his arms were still dirty and he was going to stain them again. Without even asking him, Alhaitham helped Kaveh undress, not looking disgusted as his groin was soiled, not commenting on what would surely be a surprise for him to see what Kaveh really had between his legs. He helped him into the tub, stroking his knee, his turquoise eyes on him, like a hawk watching his chicks.
Kaveh looked with shame at the sage's sturdy arms stained and with the clean water of the tub, he tried to clean them. ''I'm sorry''
''You're sorry? For what?'' seeing him point to his stained arms, Alhaitham rolled his eyes ''It's not the first time I've stained my arms with blood.''
''But this blood... it's disgusting.''
''Why is this blood disgusting and the blood of Fatuis or eremites I've killed isn't? It is still blood, and besides, this is yours, from something that you can't avoid. Why should it disgust me?''
Kaveh looked away, looking hurt ''Because it's the normal thing to do...''
Alhaitham looked stunned at Kaveh but decided not to continue the conversation. He allowed Kaveh to clean his arms, but he also cleaned the rest of his body, helping him out of the dirty water and taking him to the shower to finish cleaning him, holding the blond when a spasm of pain came again ''I'm sure you don't want to-''
''No, Haitham, there's no need to go to the hospital. I told you, this is normal. It happens to me every month.''
''And is there anything I can do to help you with the pain?''
Kaveh froze at that question, unable to raise his eyes and look at the man who was making him sweat more.
''Norm...Normally I usually drink teas to help me with the pain, but today I've come down with something really strong. I don't know if it will help...''
''Tell me what usually helps, if only for the sake of trying.''
''Infusions of chamomile or ginger is what usually helps me the most''
''Chamomile we have, ginger I'll add it to the next shopping cart''
Kaveh clenched his jaw, embarrassed ''You don't have to do this''.
''I know, but I'll do it anyway.'' he said as he led him to his room ''Now rest. But as the Archon commands, I don't want your ass out of my bed.''
And without waiting for a reply, Alhaitham left to prepare the chamomile.
After two minutes passed, the infusion being almost ready, Alhaitham saw Kaveh leave his room, dressed ''What are you doing?''
''Going to work. Don't worry, I'll drink the tea before-''
''What do you mean by work? Kaveh, you're not supposed to work!''
''I've agreed to a contract, I can't break it.''
''Yes you can if you take off from work.''
Kaveh emitted a hoarse laugh that Alhaitham didn't like at all
''A take off? Because menstruation? Are you kidding me, Alhaitham?''
''Why should I be? You're losing blood and in pain all the time. You're not fit to work, you should be resting.''
''I'm not getting it. I suffer from it every month, they won't allow that.''
''Why!?''
"Why? Because that's the way the world works, Alhaitham!'' Kaveh snorted, his face turning ghostly white, and after just one second, it turned green as his vision, Alhaitham helping him to the toilet, stroking his back and holding his hair as Kaveh vomited.
Fortunately he had not yet drunk the infusion, and chamomile was also ideal for colic.
When Alhaitham brushed away the hair that fell out of his grip, he saw Kaveh's tears, wiped his mouth with a towel and, with his own hand, dried the tears.
''Kaveh, go to my bed. Today you are not going to work'' the sage sentenced, Kaveh finally surrendered, accepting the sage's order.
He helped him out of his clothes and put on one of his pajamas, as they were wider and looked more comfortable. He brought the camomile tea to him, stroking his hair for the last time, ''I'll be right back. Take the chamomile and don't even think about getting out of bed.''
Kaveh nodded weakly, Alhaitham leaving his home, heading for the Zubayr theater.
It didn't take him long to find the person he was looking for. Nilou was playing with children who were trying to imitate her dance steps, the children startled to see the dreaded Acting Grand Sage approaching the sweet dancer.
She calmed them down, saying that Alhaitham was just a friend, greeting Alhaitham, but as always, Alhaitham with his social skills went straight to the point ''What do you take when you are on your period?''
Even the little girl laughed at that unexpected question, Nilou asking in confusion why he asked that ''Kaveh got his period today, and he's in a lot of pain. He has even vomited and lost a lot of blood, but he hasn't told me to give him any medicine, only infusions. Do you know of any medication that he might not know about or a better infusion? He takes ginger and chamomile''
Alhaitham twisted his face as he saw how Nilou looked at him with that big smile ''Medicines I don't know either. Believe me, if they were to bring them out, I would be the first to buy them.''
''Do you also suffer from pain when you have it?''
''Unfortunately, it's normal. Some people get over it better than others. I'm fine now, but when I was a teenager I couldn't even go to school. That's why I got such bad grades haha, the teachers were not at all sympathetic to me''.
''Kaveh, the idiot, wanted to go to work today. He told me something similar, that being on period was no excuse to miss work''.
''Unfortunately, he's right. It is not an excuse, nor does it qualify as a disease.''
''But you are constantly losing blood! And Kaveh... I've never seen him like that. He looked so pale, so bad...''
Nilou smiled warmly, heading towards her dressing room, bidding farewell to the two children, Alhaitham following her. When they arrived, Nilou took out a tablet of pills from a box of medicine ''They are not lab-made, but they are created from a mixture of herbs and chemicals. When I'm on my period, they are my best friend, but don't abuse them''.
"How much is it?
''BY THE ARCHONS, ALHAITHAM, I'M NOT GOING TO CHARGE YOU FOR A FEW MEASLY PILLS! Besides, if it's true that Kaveh is in such a bad state, you should leave now so that they can take effect at once''
Alhaitham took the tablet of pills, thanking Nilou, but the sage stood still, the dancer looking at him confused ''I've never been interested in biology, let alone human bodies. They all seem equally boring and bland to me ''Nilou laughed at that comment ''But I remember studying menstruation in class. The bodies they taught and...how they referred to them. Kaveh is nothing at all like what those books taught, except for his private parts. Do you know why?''
Nilou shrugged her shoulders, bored ''Because those books are written by the same kind of people who wanted to close my theater. People incapable of opening their eyes and understanding people. People who have become comfortable with the way they used to live, and are unable to accept that the world wants to change''.
''So, what those books explain, that only women menstruate and gestate and only men can impregnate, is a lie?'' Nilou nodded ''You have Kaveh as the best example''
''And why do they teach such lies then!? We are supposed to be Sumeru, the cradle of wisdom''
''I have already told you. Keep in mind that until we didn't want to save the archon, those books were revised by people like Azar or Inayah's father. I'm sure that if you tell this to the Archon, she will be willing to change the way those books teach biology''.
Alhaitham nodded, determined to do just that ''You also say that you got bad grades for not attending class when you were like this''.
Nilou nodded ''They didn't give you a medical report for it, so it was unexcused absence. Fortunately my mother was very understanding and allowed me to stay at home and took care of me, but I know of classmates whose parents forced them to go and sometimes they even fainted from the pain.''
"What you are telling me... Nilou, it's horrible''
''It's something we're used to.''
''But you shouldn't be. No young person should go to school if they're in such pain and no worker should go to work when they're so unwell.''
"Do you plan to change that too?''
"Of course I'll do''
''Oh, Alhaitham, and you really want to relegate your position?'' Alhaitham smiled at that, nodding in complete assurance.
He held up the tablet Nilou had given him ''How many should he takes?''.
''One every eight hours, every six if the pain is too bad, but don't abuse it. Try to give him infusions for the pain as well as you have been doing''
''Do you have any advice to help him better? Any other herbal teas? Some kind of massage?''
Nilou blushed at that ''When I was a teenager, my mother massaged my tummy and let me sleep with her. That didn't ease the pain, but it did ease my mind and got me to sleep. And ooh the chocolate. My father used to put a branch of oregano in hot chocolate and you don't know how that helped me. But basically, what helped me the most was to feel wrapped up and loved by my parents. By my loved ones.''
"I understand. I'll see if I can find a matra to tell them I won't be working today.''
''Are you going to stay home to take care of Kaveh?'' Alhaitham nodded simply ''Haiyi, can I ask you a question?''
''Yes, if you answer me why you called me that'' the Sage arched an amused eyebrow, the dancer laughing.
''Kaveh is just a roommate to you?''
Alhaitham was slow to answer, going completely blank, as if he didn't know what to answer ''I care about him. I want him to be okay.'' Nilou's eyes softened ''I hate to see him this bad, and yes... it makes me happy to take care of him and help him'' Alhaitham looked into the dancer's sapphire eyes ''You think that means something?
''Well, I would want to help you too if you were in pain, as would Dehya and Candace, but I don't know.... it's the way you talk about him and the way your eyes soften when you mention him. It seems... like you love him, Haiyi''.
Alhaitham fell silent again, Nilou tapping his shoulder affectionately, apologizing if she had made him uncomfortable ''Thank you for the pills, Nilou, and for the talk. You helped me a lot, you're a great friend'' replied Alhaitham, smiling at the dancer, finally leaving for home.
The young girl blushed, as she had never seen Alhaitham not only smile like that, but thank her in that way.
When he arrived home, the first thing he did was to go to his room, chuckling with displeasure when he saw Kaveh looking paler ''Kaveh, Kaveh wake up, I have brought some medicine for your pain''
Kaveh barely woke up, his eyes closed in pain, trying to get out of bed, stopping Alhaitham when he tried to stop him ''I have to change my compress, Haitham''
''Let me help you.''
Alhaitham helped Kaveh to get to the toilet and sit on the toilet, Kaveh being able to change his pad without help, but Alhaitham took the dirty one and soaked it, returning to help Kaveh to his bed, surprised at how Kaveh looked. Completely red. Was it embarrassment? And if so, why was it?
He laid him down on his bed, bringing him a glass of water to help him swallow Nilou's pill ''It will take time to take effect'' Kaveh nodded, closing his eyes, opening them again when he noticed Alhaitham lying down next to him ''W...what are you doing?''
''I asked Nilou if she knew of any other method to relieve your pain, and she told me that her mother massaged her belly.''
''B-but Haitham! You can't do that!'' shouted Kaveh, upset, another prick in the abdomen made him shut up.
''Why not? Has the pain gone away?''
"N...no but-''
''Then shut up.'' He pushed Kaveh's weakened body into his torso, letting the blond's forehead rest on his shoulder, his hand caressing the architect's slim belly.
Thus they lay in silence for several minutes, until Kaveh's relieved sigh cheered Alhaitham ''Are the pills working?''
''Mmhh... they're a miracle. A thousand times better than any stupid infusion'' he whispered, feeling drool on Alhaitham's shirt.
The sage nodded contentedly ''You look more relaxed. Sleep, you won't be able to have one again for another eight hours''.
Kaveh kept his eyes open, his gaze lost, earning a sad sigh from Alhaitham ''Kaveh, sleep-''
''Why are you doing this?''
''Doing what?''
''This morning, when you took me, you were not disgusted to stain yourself with my blood. You didn't make a disgusted gesture or get surprised to see me naked. You didn't... you didn't ask me any uncomfortable questions even though I know you were confused, nor did you change your behavior towards me... You...fuck Haitham, you soaked the dirty compress...why?''
''Why do you think I should be disgusted by your blood again, Kaveh? I don't get it. You're sick, weak, my last priority is to stain myself because I held you in my arms and you were bleeding so much that you stained your pants.''
''Because everyone is disgusted by it, Haitham'' Kaveh mused, a tear coming to him. ''Everyone changes when they find out what I am or ask me unnecessary or uncomfortable questions...''
Alhaitham sighed deeply. He didn't want to respond with 'I'm not like everyone else' because it was a truth. No one is like anyone else.
''It's just that I really love you. That's why I want to take care of you and that's why you would never disgust me. And it's true that at first I was surprised, but it's because of the misinformation I've had with the books I've grown up with. You have always been a man for me, why should I doubt your intelligence and reasoning because of a stupid book that has always been wrong?'' Kaveh's treacherous tear turned into many more.
''Those... damn books hurt me a lot when I was a kid.''
''I've talked to Nilou. She has helped me to understand this better, and I will not allow books like this to be part of our education any longer. When you recover, I will have a meeting with the archon and review the contents of the new books myself. I will also make sure that menstruation is entered as an illness or a work disability. How can a country like Sumeru allow people to work when they are in that condition?''
Kaveh was slow to respond, Alhaitham unceasingly caressing his belly.
''Do you really mean it?''
"Of course. I hope that by the end of the month, the new changes will have arrived-''
''No. I know you will make those changes. I mean when you said you really love me. That you want to take care of me. Do you really mean it?''
Kaveh scratched Alhaitham's shirt as he felt the sage's nod in his hair, also feeling him kiss his golden mane ''It's just... I don't know how to do it. About loving you and so on''
''Why I'm not surprised to hear you say that'' the blond laughed weakly.
''To be honest, I thought you and I already had a relationship'' Kaveh's eyes widened at that, looking dumbfounded at the sage ''Come on, Kaveh. We live together, we take care of each other, we make dinner for each other, we do housework together, we've slept together on the same couch several times while I read or you practiced an instrument. I have always enjoyed your presence. I adore it, that's why I thought it was obvious how I felt about you''
''It's just that for you the obvious is a crossword puzzle, Haitham'' complained Kaveh, his throat choked with sobs at that confession.
''Forgive me then, and let me make it right'' He grasped the blond's chin, wiping away those tears, Kaveh feeling his heart leap out of his chest at that tender, love-filled gaze that fit in those turquoise wells ''Kaveh, I love you. I adore you. I love having you in my house, hearing your voice, being able to take care of you. I love you so much, light of Kshahrewar''
Kaveh hugged Alhaitham, his sobs intensifying ''Why didn't you tell me before, dammit. You don't know how much I needed to hear something like that.''
''I'm sorry I was so late, but I'm here now, I swear to take care of you and love you the way you want and deserve, Kaveh'' Alhaitham vowed, kissing him nonstop.
''You already do. You always have, Haitham, even though we're always fighting. That's why it hurt sometimes. You've always treated me so well, and I thought it was because you were just being kind or because you felt sorry for me... and to know that you didn't, that you did it because you loved me... I've always fantasized about having someone to take care of me when I'm in those days and not only the person I've always loved is the one who does it, but also does it the way I've always wanted him to. Always thinking it was a childish dream to be cared for like that and look at me, in your arms, while... while you take care of me. You care for me. You take care of me and pamper me.... fuck, Haitham.''
''From the bitterness of your words, and how suspicious you sounded about your blood, I'm guessing you haven't had a good time in previous relationships...'' Kaveh nodded, letting himself melt into the sage's caresses, warmth and embrace ''Never again, Kaveh, you hear me. You deserve to be cared for and pampered when you are like this. Rest and not think about work or studies. And absolutely you would never be disgusted because your period, do you hear me?'' Kaveh nodded, unable to stop hiccuping and trembling at so many emotions ''Sleep, Kaveh. Sleep as long as you need, I'll be here, I'm not going anywhere. '' he whispered, giving him a kiss on his forehead, helping the excited blond to calm down while wiping away the tears that were falling incessantly with the utmost tenderness, his eyes finally closing, his body calming down, Alhaitham sighing with relief and contentment, feeling a happiness and a peace he never thought he longed for, but now that he had it he planned to enjoy it, to take care of it and protect it ''Rest my love, you need it''