Work Text:
The house was enveloped in a delightful fragrance, a telltale sign that Kaveh, the resident chef, was at work. Contrary to his usual post-work routine of a modest meal followed by solitary hours in his study, today marked an exception. A rare day off for all four of them prompted Kaveh to orchestrate a special culinary experience for the polyamorous quartet.
Amidst the cooking and the seemingly sentimental atmosphere, Kaveh couldn't escape the cliché nature of his actions. Yet, beneath the surface, a profound yearning lingered. His spouses—Tighnari, Cyno, and Alhaitham—occupied his thoughts, and the busyness of their lives left him craving the simple joys of cuddling with Tighnari, playing with Cyno, and unwinding with Alhaitham. In the midst of their hectic schedules, a single day each month was all they had to revel in each other's company.
Longing for these infrequent moments, today had finally arrived.
Mehrak's projection displayed a couscous recipe, capturing Kaveh's intermittent glances amid the culinary endeavor. His hands and apron bore the evidence of oil, yet Kaveh was undeterred. Meticulously chopping artichokes, squash, and peppers—carefully selecting vegetables to complement the dish—Kaveh was determined not to disappoint his partners with a subpar meal.
In the midst of the kitchen symphony, he hummed tunes resonating with memories of Nilous' dance recitals and the melodic ambiance of Puspa's Cafe. Despite recent stress, the act of cooking provided a soothing balm for Kaveh's frayed nerves.
Tighnari, lured by the enticing aroma, ventured into the kitchen, greeted by the heartwarming sight of Kaveh swaying to an internal melody while tending to a pot with a contented demeanor. He approached Kaveh, but didn't touch him, not wanting to startle the architect.
Kaveh sensed the vibrations of Tighnari's approach and turned to greet him. "Hi Nari, hungry?" he beamed.
Tighnari peered over Kaveh's shoulder, nodding approvingly at the culinary creation. "Looks good, but mind not overcooking the vegetables," he advised with a smile.
"I know how to cook," Kaveh retorted, rolling his eyes.
"I'm not questioning your ability," Tighnari reassured, planting a tender kiss on Kaveh's cheek.
Kaveh melted into the affectionate touch but promptly returned to the stove, determined to ensure the vegetables escaped unscathed from the heat.
"Let Alhaitham and Cyno know dinner's almost ready," Kaveh suggested, gesturing toward Tighnari.
"Uh, Cyno's not around," Tighnari mentioned, pouring himself a glass of water.
Kaveh's smile wavered, and he swallowed, the spoon in the pot freezing as he fixed his gaze on Tighnari. "Why?" he inquired.
Seated on a cushion, legs under the table, Tighnari explained, "He got invited to a TCG match."
Kaveh sighed, suppressing his disappointment with a bitten cheek. Tonight was meant to be theirs, not just another evening occupied by Cyno's usual pursuits. The realization stung; they seldom shared moments together anymore.
Collecting himself, Kaveh took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright then. What about Alhaitham?" he inquired, his voice now softer.
"He's in his study; I'll go get him," Tighnari replied, rising and heading down a hallway.
In the midst of his frustration, Kaveh groaned. Despite being married to Cyno, they weren't as close as he longed for. He desired a night just for the two of them, even if the others were around. Married life should have brought them closer. Lost in his thoughts, Kaveh's hand slipped, making contact with the scalding pot.
He yelped, swiftly retracting his hand in pain. The reddening skin stung as Kaveh, feeling the discomfort, turned off the heat and rushed to the sink. Running the burn under cool water, he watched as his hand turned a painful shade of red.
The architect couldn't help but hang his head in momentary shame; his promising evening had taken an unfortunate turn. Nevertheless, determined to salvage the night, he pressed on.
As Tighnari reentered the kitchen, a frown etched across his face at the sight of Kaveh hunched over the sink. "What happened?" he inquired, inspecting the scene before gently taking Kaveh's wet hand in his own, examining the burn.
Kaveh nodded slightly, attempting a smile that came off as more forced than genuine. "It's nothing, I'm fine," he assured, placing his hand back under the soothing water.
Tighnari frowned but sighed. "I'll get you a bandage and some aloe. Wait here." He offered a comforting rub to Kaveh's back before leaving the kitchen in search of first aid supplies.
Kaveh observed as Tighnari left the kitchen, then shifted his gaze to Alhaitham seated in his favorite chair. The plush seat, adorned with a weighted blanket, had been a constant for a long time, providing comfort to the routine-loving Alhaitham.
A soft smile adorned Kaveh's face as he watched the grey-haired man engrossed in his familiar book, a well-worn favorite. Alhaitham's commitment to routines was a comforting constant in their lives.
With his hand now free from the soothing water, Kaveh turned back to the stove, reigniting the flame and attentively stirring the settled food. Taking a deep breath, he continued stirring until the dish regained its allure. Carefully, he plated the food onto four dishes. One plate, wrapped in beeswax paper, found its place in the fridge – reserved for Cyno, ensuring that no one would go hungry, even if they missed the communal dinner.
"Dinner's done!" Kaveh announced with a hearty volume, placing three plates on the table.
The sudden loudness of Kaveh's voice unsettled Alhaitham, who, without his usual headphones and accompanying white noise, tensed visibly. Kaveh, noticing Alhaitham's discomfort, furrowed his brows. The last thing he wanted was to put Alhaitham on edge, but sometimes it was unavoidable.
Seated on a cushion, Kaveh waited for Tighnari and Alhaitham to join him at the table. Tighnari took a moment, closing his eyes in a small prayer to Kusanali, before they all commenced their meal.
As they ate, Kaveh couldn't shake the dissatisfaction with the food. It wasn't up to his usual standard, and he mentally berated himself for not doing better. Tonight was meant to be special, and he felt he had fallen short.
Pushing aside his self-critical thoughts, Kaveh continued to eat, though with each bite, his appetite waned as he became increasingly absorbed in his own contemplations.
What if they didn't like the food? What if it didn't agree with them? Kaveh's mind raced with worries about Alhaitham's sensitive tastes and Tighnari's stomach tolerance. What if it was just downright unappetizing?
His anxious thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a loud bang – Alhaitham accidentally hitting his knee against the table. Frowning, Kaveh observed Alhaitham's distress, evident in the tapping of the table and the biting of his cheek. Kaveh wanted to offer comfort, but the unease in the room lingered, affecting both Alhaitham and Tighnari.
Taking a deep breath, Alhaitham resumed eating, and Tighnari followed suit. Tonight, the dinner table was silent, words scarce, setting Kaveh on edge.
Attempting to ease his own tension, Kaveh scratched at his forearm, a physical manifestation of the internal uneasiness gnawing at him.
Unaware of the depth to which his nails dug into his forearm, Kaveh continued scratching until Tighnari reached over, gently intertwining their hands. It was a small miracle that Tighnari noticed before Kaveh himself did, but Kaveh felt thankful. His arm throbbed from the unintended self-inflicted scratches.
This habit of scratching was not new for Kaveh. He often found himself unconsciously digging his nails into his palm when on edge, a reflex born out of stress and tension. Tighnari, observant and caring, was always aware of these signs. He knew of Kaveh's occasional neglect of basic needs—eating, sleeping, hydrating, or even showering—when consumed by work. Yet, Tighnari sensed that there was more beneath the surface, a fragility that went beyond forgetfulness.
"Never bandaged up your hand," Tighnari spoke in a hushed, calm tone.
"Oh!" Kaveh's response was starkly contrasting, loud and almost jarring. It was a characteristic volume, one that sometimes made him come off as annoying, especially in moments like this.
Alhaitham, already on edge, attempted to endure the dinner, a non-verbal effort to navigate through the uneasy atmosphere. However, tonight wasn't in his favor. He stood, bowed his head, and quietly exited the table, seeking solace in solitary reading. It was what he had wanted to do all night, and Kaveh's dinner interruption only heightened his discomfort.
Watching Alhaitham depart, Kaveh bit his tongue, the familiar weight of self-blame settling in. Always messing it up, he thought, a sentiment that echoed in the uneasiness of the room.
"He's just having a bad night," Tighnari whispered to Kaveh, recognizing the unease settling over him.
"It's okay," Kaveh nodded, taking Alhaitham's partially eaten plate. Most of the food was gone, but there was no point in saving what would likely remain uneaten. He stood, disposing of the leftovers.
Glancing at his own plate, Kaveh noted the sparse few bites taken. Uninterested in more food, he discarded his own serving. "Are you finished?" he asked Tighnari, who had an empty plate in front of him.
"I am, thank you. I enjoyed the meal," Tighnari replied with a soft smile. "Shall I do the dishes?" he offered, moving towards Kaveh.
"I'll do them," Kaveh insisted, taking Tighnari's plate.
"Kaveh, you made dinner. Let me handle the dishes, and you can go rest," Tighnari frowned.
"I've got it." Kaveh brushed off the concern, determined to take care of the aftermath of the disrupted dinner.
"If you're sure," Tighnari sighed, voicing a concern that lingered in the room.
Kaveh, feeling the weight of the evening's turmoil, began washing the dishes with determined strokes, scrubbing away. Tighnari observed for a moment before quietly leaving the kitchen.
Biting his cheek, Kaveh stared at the water as the remnants of the meal disappeared down the drain. Tonight was meant to be a good night, but he couldn't shake the self-inflicted sense of failure. Why did he have to mess it up? Why didn't he save this meal for another day? Why did he put effort into a night that turned out to be anything but good?
"Why? Why? Why? Why why why why why?"
The relentless questioning echoed in Kaveh's mind until a door opening signaled Cyno's arrival. Removing his headpiece, Cyno approached Kaveh with a smile.
"Kaveh, what do you call a fish wearing a bowtie?" Cyno attempted to inject a bit of humor, immediately sensing Kaveh's unease—a skill honed by his role as General Mahamatra.
Kaveh didn't respond, caught in the rhythm of scrubbing and rinsing, as if trying to wash away the tumultuous thoughts that plagued him.
"Sofishticated," Cyno deadpanned, offering a pun that usually would have elicited laughter from Kaveh. But not tonight.
Kaveh's lack of response prompted a frown from Cyno. "What's wrong?" Concern softened his typically strong-willed demeanor as he approached Kaveh.
"Nothing. There's food in the fridge for you," Kaveh forced a smile, the strain evident in his expression. Tonight was not going as planned.
Cyno raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I ate at Lambads; I'd give the food an Ate/10," he attempted another joke, though Cyno's comedic prowess didn't seem to lighten the mood as much as he hoped.
Kaveh simply nodded and dried his hands.
"I'm going to bed," he announced, kissing Cyno's cheek before leaving the kitchen.
Cyno found himself alone in the now quiet room, a sense of confusion and unease settling in. What had happened while he was away?