Work Text:
Two hours, fifteen minutes, twenty six seconds.
He stared at the clock, counting them down one by one as he filled his quota of social graces before leaving. The average Sumeru student of his age was to spend approximately three hours at a Darshan Mingle or he'd be seen as uncooperative.
The issue didn't bother him, of course, but for the sake of funding, he played nice.
Still, the placating of uppers only required attendance. It did not state or even suggest or recommend any actual interactions with his peers. He knew logically such a thing was implied, but our of sheer stubbornness, refused what wasn't stated.
Besides, if not for his funding, he wouldn't even be here. Social gatherings were just a flouncy word for a form of torture and he despised the necessity. At least once it was over, he could refuse to appear at one ever again.
Yet, as if to spite him, time crawled by in the boredom of rejecting to involve himself with the crowd.
He nursed his cup of punch, finding even requesting a refill a distasteful amount of conversation.
"Haitham-"
He turned his eyes to the only person who had the audacity to call him by a short name, dropping all honorifics in the ideology of friendship.
"What are you doing over here sulking all alone?" Kaveh put their hands on lean hips, cocking one to the side with a pursed lip. "We're supposed to be winning over investors. You can't do that if you don't talk to them."
"I don't want to talk. The work should be sufficient enough proof of our abilities."
"You and I both know that's not how the world works," the blonde sighed. "At least be visible."
He gestured to himself, "I am here."
Summer eyes rolled into the back of Kaveh's skull with a groan of frustration. "Just... Follow me around at least?"
He made a sound of distaste.
"Haitham please- I know it's hard for you to be in crowds but we could really use this money. I'll handle the talking. Just... Look involved."
A sigh dredged out of him with pity and understanding for his upperclassmen. "Fine. But it would not be wise to engage me in the conversations."
"Trust me, I know," they huffed, waiting for him to move before leading the way into the crowds.
It was as horrible as he expected. Crowded. The air felt stagnant and too hot. Noise came from every direction and people bumped into him. He was forced to finish his punch or he'd likely dump it on someone trying to make a pass at a classmate.
Kaveh was a master of the social scene and he knew it. The blonde knew just what to say somehow, chirping compliments and showcasing human emotion like a sport while he stood stick still nearby for appearances. One by one, the blonde latched on to every target.
Haitham knew it was necessary evil, but felt his guts twist. He didn't understand the need. Why was this so important when their work was flawless and grant applications nary a single issue? The fact social standing was even considered was asinine.
Every time eyes travelled Kaveh's frame or his own, he wanted to vomit. He could feel the eyes lingering on his chest like a animal on display. The fact such a thing was even considered a value to his work ethic was disgusting.
"The last one is on the dance floor," Kaveh explained, tugging him.
"Absolutely not," he said, planting his feet. "We can wait until they finish."
"Haitham-" the blonde reasoned. "They've been there for three hours to avoid interaction. If we want to talk to them, we'll have to dance. It's called a deterrent."
"Consider me deterred."
"Please? They're the last one and have the most influence..."
He stared as Kaveh clasped hands in front of themselves, batting big pretty eyes up at him and it was hard to believe they were the older of the two of them. Too radiant and youthful.
"Please Haitham, this is really important. One dance. I don't want to ask some rando."
A frown found his features thinking of how many people would gladly dance with Kaveh. How many men and women here would take a chance to touch the blonde and promise things. The same eyes that wandered would find footing.
He hated it.
"One dance," he said in a low grumble, taking Kaveh's shoulder with an arm and leading the way.
The blonde was clearly trying not to look excited, asking him if he knew a dance style for couples and he begrudgingly agreed. His grandmother had taught him when he was younger, though he hadn't practiced in years.
His hand found Kaveh's waist and he was surprised to see a flush blossom across their features as he tugged them in. "Is there a problem?"
"N-no- it's just... You don't really realize how handsome you are, do you?"
"You find me attractive?"
"Haitham nearly everybody in Sumeru finds you attractive or they're not into men."
He huffed. "I could say the same."
"Wh-" the color of their cheeks darkened. "What do you mean the same?"
"You're beautiful."
Kaveh didn't speak again for a moment, fixating on his collarbone as the song began and they started to move. He was rusty at best, but the blonde wasn't, moving in perfect parallel to him like a mirror image of the same.
Haitham concentrated on that instead, focusing his attention to Kaveh entirely. Every move, every twitch or glance was noted and matched.
Kaveh found his hands like they were made for them, their person's magnetized to each other in a perfect rhythm that captivated their senses.
Haitham barely noticed that the floor had made room for them.
The investor did, taking note of their synchronization and how well they complimented each other. At the end they were applauded.
Kaveh drank in the cool air as the high faded and they remembered to breathe, staring up at him with a reverence he'd never seen in them before. A deep fascination and interest for something other than his looks- perhaps a hope something was there.
The spell was broken by the investor approaching them both with their own partner. Compliments were traded and Kaveh anxiously reciprocated the social fluency as best they could in such a flustered state.
The grant was secured because of Kaveh, he realized.
He stared at the blonde hair as it bounced with each thanks and word of gratitude. An excited smile turned up at him and a word of thanks was spared to him as well.
Every grant and request was approved.
And it was all because of Kaveh.
He thought of these things as he watched them leave, wondering how far his gratitude extended to the effort... Or just because the blonde was themself.
"Kaveh," he called out.
The blossom red eyes turned to him. "Yeah?"
"Thank you..."
"You're welcome-"
"For the dance."
Kaveh paused as he averted his eyes and moved away slowly. He mumbled the words as they stated at him, stunned by the unexpected exchange.
"Thank you for the dance."
Behind him he vaguely heard a quiet return, "Don't mention it..."
AlHaitham was three hours overdue for his exit- forty two minutes, and seven seconds exactly passed the requirement.
Yet he didn't want to reclaim a single moment.