Work Text:
Kaveh woke up to a quiet house. Of course. Not that he expected anything else. Kaveh had slept late after being up half the night working on his project and it was just like Alhaitham to go about his day as normal not even caring that there was anything, like Kaveh's birthday, to make today special. He dressed and shuffled out of his room to make himself some coffee. He would deal with the mess he had left last night later. Kaveh cursed seeing Alhaitham had left his dishes lying around again. Couldn’t the man ever clean up after himself? Annoyed, he picked up the dishes and took them to the kitchen and began washing the dishes Alhaitham had left. He became even more annoyed when he realized it was his cup that Alhaitham had used and not Alhaitham’s own. Grumbling, he made himself coffee, and some extra for later, then went back to his room and began cleaning up his messy worktable. He had built a model last night of his latest commission because his client could not visualize any of what he had drawn or described. He sighed, and went to the living room where he laid his blueprints out to continue working on them. Before he could begin, the front door opened and Alhaitham walked in carrying a load of groceries.
“Huh? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in the House of Daena right now?” Kaveh asked.
Without looking at him, Alhaitham replied, “No. I have the day off.” And walked into the kitchen with Kaveh trailing behind.
“I can’t believe you- Hey! Quit drinking my coffee!” He watched as Alhaitham helped himself to the extra coffee he had made himself. “And that’s my cup! Why are you using it?! It’s not even clean!”
“Hm,” Alhaitham shrugged, taking a sip of the lukewarm coffee. He set the cup down and began unpacking the groceries.
“You-! Ugh, never mind,” Kaveh glared and stormed back to the living room to work on his project. Alhaitham was clearly going to be ignoring him and he had deadlines to meet so it wasn't worth arguing right now. Kaveh sat down on the sofa looking over his blueprints but his mind wandered to Alhaitham and he buried his head in his hand in embarrassment over the things Alhaitham made him feel. Sometimes it was anger, other times, like now, it wasn’t truly anger. It was something else. Kaveh knew what it was, but he chose to deny it. How could Alhaitham love him back, anyways? Kaveh was sure Alhaitham couldn’t stand him and only tolerated him so he could use Kaveh. He shook his head, clearing the thoughts, and began to work with the sounds of Alhaitham preparing food in the background.
An hour later, Alhaitham walked in and stood over Kaveh as he worked.
“Do you mind?” Kaveh asked, not looking up. “You’re blocking my light.” A bowl was extended downwards in response. Kaveh looked up in confusion.
“I’m assuming all you’ve had today was a cup of coffee? I made this Sabz Meat Stew just for you. Warm, not hot, exactly the way you like it,” Alhaitham spoke. Kaveh was about to say no to the soup when his stomach growled. He pushed his blueprints aside and accepted the bowl. He watched Alhaitham go back into the kitchen and began scarfing down the food. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was.
Alhaitham came back out with another bowl, this time for himself. Alhaitham sat down on the sofa behind Kaveh looking at the blueprint he had just been working on. Kaveh held his breath. Alhaitham was so close his leg was almost touching Kaveh’s arm. Kaveh felt himself beginning to lean in towards Alhaitham, so he quickly scooched over a bit and finished eating his soup in silence. When he finished, he set the bowl to the side and pulled his blueprint over again. He tensed slightly when he felt Alhaitham lean forward to grab his empty bowl to take it into the kitchen. Archons, what is wrong with you, Kaveh? Alhaitham doesn’t like you anyways. You’re just a tool to him. Kaveh’s thoughts were interrupted by Alhaitham’s voice.
“I made arrangements for us to meet TIghnari and Collei at Lambad’s tonight. Cyno should be there too.”
“Huh? You? Make plans for both of us? Am I dreaming or something? You rarely ever attend social gatherings, much less plan them.” Kaveh banged his leg on the table trying to get up but Alhaitham placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. Kaveh tensed yet again at Alhaitham’s touch. He glanced up at Alhiatham, face burning.
“Hm. Never mind. Just be ready to leave in time,” Alhaitham said, an eyebrow slightly raised, before turning to get a book off the shelf behind the sofas. Kaveh sat back down and Alhaitham settled on the sofa to Kaveh's left. He pretended to continue working but instead watched Alhaitham out of the corner of his eye. Archons, was he hot. I wish you'd hold me instead of that book, Kaveh thought dreamily. He caught himself looking more directly at Alhaitham now and quickly turned his head back to his blueprint. He was so flushed now that he felt the heat down his neck. He blinked hard and refocused himself on his work. He had to meet this deadline or he wouldn't be able to pay rent this month.
Four hours later, Kaveh jumped up hurrying to his room. He had become so engrossed in his work it wasn't until Alhaitham said he was leaving that he realized the time. He hurriedly pulled his shoes on and pinned his hair. He grabbed his feather and tucked it into his hair as he rushed after Alhaitham. At Lambad's, Cyno was already annoying Tighnari and Collei with his jokes while playing a Genius Invokation match with Tighnari. They already had food at the table and were waiting for Alhaitham and Kaveh to show up.
“Sorry we’re late,” Alhaitham said as the two of them sat down. “Someone didn’t pay attention to the time.” Kaveh was about to argue when Tighnari spoke.
“No need to apologize. Glad you’re both here now. Why don’t we eat and celebrate?”
“Yes,” Cyno said, putting away his TCG deck having defeated Tighnari. “Let’s celebrate. Here’s to a soup-er birthday. Get it? Because Kaveh’s favorite food is soup and it sounds like super.”
Kaveh smiled at his friends’ antics while the others groaned. So this was why Alhaitham had made plans for them. He glanced over at Alhaitham who was eating his meal and hoped he wasn’t blushing. “Yes, let’s celebrate! Uh, boss!” he called to Lambad who was walking past, “a glass of wine, please!”
“You got it. First glass on the house today, for my best patron's birthday!” Lambad said before heading to the bar to get Kaveh’s wine.
Kaveh enjoyed the next few hours with his friends. Kaveh groaned at every one of Cyno’s bad jokes, talked with Tighnari about his commission that he was working on near Vimara Village, and even listened to Collei tell how her studies were going when she finally felt brave enough to talk with him. He played match after match of TCG with Cyno, losing faster every round with each glass of wine he had.
Finally, Lambad had to apologetically kick them out so he could close. It was well into the night by this point and Kaveh stumbled along beside Alhaitham as they headed home. As Alhaitham unlocked the front door, it occurred to Kaveh that everyone except Alhaitham had told him happy birthday that day. He stood in the doorway and stared at Alhaitham.
"What?" Alhaitham asked.
"You know, you're the only person who didn't tell me happy birthday today," Kaveh replied.
"Yes, I did. Now come in and close the door. You're going to wake the neighbors."
Kaveh stepped inside but didn't close the door. He tried to step close to Alhaitham, but Alhaitham sidestepped and reached around Kaveh and closed the door.
"Ugh! You're so infuriating!" Kaveh started to argue. "What do you mean you did? You didn't even mention my birthday once! If I want to hear it from anyone, it's you because you mean the most to me. I love you Alhaitham!"
Kaveh covered his mouth with his hand. No way he just said that. He wasn't so drunk to be that loose-lipped. Alhaitham quietly stepped towards Kaveh. Kaveh shrank, silently wishing he could curl up and die right there. He tried his best to keep looking Alhaitham in the eye.
"Yes, Kaveh, I did tell you happy birthday. But I didn't tell you with words. Why do you think I made soup the way you like it today? Who do you think planned tonight's dinner with Cyno, Collei, and Tighnari?" Alhaitham spoke gently.
Kaveh’s hand lowered from his mouth. He tried to find the words to respond, but couldn't. All he could do was stare at Alhaitham. Seeing he wasn't going to interject, Alhaitham continued speaking.
"And what's more is…" Alhaitham's hands were suddenly caressing Kaveh's cheeks. Kaveh continued to stare, watching as Alhaitham's eyes lowered to his lips. "I love you too," Alhaitham whispered as he kissed Kaveh.
Kaveh melted under the kiss and tried to pull Alhaitham close again when he pulled away. Alhaitham only chuckled and gently led Kaveh towards their rooms. Alhaitham directed Kaveh in front of his door and kissed his forehead saying "Goodnight, Kaveh, my love" and disappearing into his own bedroom.
"Goodnight, Alhaitham, my love."