Chapter Text
Kaveh thought a girls night in with Tighnari would be good for them, relaxing even. They could talk about their problems and drink the night away, maybe they could even catch up on their favorite show. Kaveh thought wrong.
“For the last time Tighnari, I can’t, you of all people should understand my situation!”
“First of all, you did not travel all the way here to discuss me and you know it, and secondly I really think you need to listen to me on this one”. From the corner of his eye, Kaveh could see the appalling shit eating grin on his best friend's face. “Telling him will not kill you”.
Raising his head from its place on his forearms, Kaveh glared at the forest ranger with as much heat as he could muster. The wine he drank earlier was doing a number on him and his ability to see only one of the man in front of him. He knew, logically, Tighnari was only standing a few feet in front of him, but it felt like miles.
“It just might. And if it doesn’t HE certainly will”. Kaveh knew his voice took on a whining tone, but he could not find it in himself to care.
It’s not that Kaveh didn’t trust Tighnari, really he did, with his life. But his love life? No thank you.
Tighnari scoffs and comes to take the seat next to the architect. He nearly misses his seat at the table, and Kaveh realizes he may not be the only one on the heavy end of drunk. “He absolutely would not, at worst he would kick you out-” the ranger is cut off by a horrified squawk “-BUT the more likely outcome is that you end up making out on the divan. Much more appealing, no?” Kaveh wants to wipe the stupid smirk off his friend's face.
The architect could do more than heave a huge sigh and allow his body to mold into his friends, leaning on him with his weight and resting his head on Tighnari's delicate shoulder. An arm comes to rest on Kaveh’s shoulder, another circling him and pulling him into a sideways huge. Kaveh returns the hug full force, not for the first time grateful to have someone like Tighnari in his life.
Kaveh felt the shift in the air, their playfulness turning sour. He wished, not for the first time that night, that he could go a day without complaining about his loveless life.
“I’m just scared.” Kaveh mumbles into his shoulder. “I know it’s silly to say I can’t read him after so long in his life… but when it comes to how he feels about me, I’m lost.” Kaveh feels the arms around him tighten ever so slightly. That and the buzz in his head makes continuing easier. “Like I’ve accepted he doesn’t hate me, maybe even actively wants me as someone in his life. But his partner? Other half? I don’t think I could be that for him in any universe. The only thing I know for certain is that I’m good at upsetting him and living rent free in his home. What does that say about me?” The back of his eyes start to sting with tears, and Kaveh blinks hard to push them away. He needs to stop drinking so much.
Kaveh feels more than hears a sigh from above him.
“Veh, you are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for”.
Kaveh feels a light touch to the crown of his head, belatedly realizing Tighnari must be giving him a kiss. His heart soars with affection for his best friend, the tears now falling freely down his cheeks.
Tighnari continues with a deep breath, “You are kind, brave, ambitious, artistic and so much more. You care for those around you with endless love, are selfless in giving all yourself to the people in your life, understanding and compassionate of all walks of life. Besides you being my closest friend, which in itself is proof of greatness, you are truly the best person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. And don’t try to argue, because you are. And before you ask, yes, that is a fact”. Kaveh feels a hand stroking his upper arm, and wonders how long it took for him to notice the small action of comfort.
The two friends sat there in silence, for minutes or hours Kaveh could not tell. All he knew for certain was the feeling of slow drying tears on his face, and that the arms holding him were what kept him from falling apart.
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When Kaveh woke up, he felt as though he were in a cocoon made of clouds….for about five seconds. A sudden sharp pain in his temple made Kaveh shoot up from the bundle of blankets, cradling his head in his hands.
“Owww…. Fuck I need to stop drinking”
“Hey, I didn’t say it.” A small laugh. “Oh wait. I did”.
Kaveh jumped out of his skin and looked towards the voice. There, stood less than two feet away from the bed, was none other than his roommate. Arms crossed and eyes narrowed, he looked rather upset….and handsome. But definitely upset? God, Kaveh thought, I must be hallucinating.
“Not hallucinating, but that wouldn’t be surprising given how much you’ve been drinking recently”. Alhaitham said, sounding rather smug for someone wearing - oh jesus were those his sleeping pants. Why was Alhaitham here in his pajamas? Why was he in….Tighnaris room??
Al haitham unfolded his arms and made a scoffing noise. With a roll of his eyes he walked towards the door. “I’m here for you. I’ll be waiting for you in the kitchen, do try and hurry up.” With his back turned to Kaveh it should've been hard to tell, but Kaveh just knew the scribe was wearing a shit eating smirk. What a dick.
Just to spite him, Kaven threw himself back into the coziness of the bed, tossing the blanket over his entire body, head to toe. He would not be getting up anytime soon, not for anyone, and certainly not for Alhaitham. Closing his eyes, Kaveh felt himself slip back into peaceful, Alhaitham-less sleep.
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“-eh. Kavehhhhhh. Kaveh! Wake up!”
Slowly blinking his eyes open, Kaveh registered a hand shaking his shoulder, and another slapping his cheek. Ouch!
Fully opening his eyes, Kaveh looked towards the person who so rudely awoke him. Upon seeing Tighnari, he groaned and tried to pull the blanket back over his head. No way was he dealing with his friend right now. His head still hurt!
“Kaveh! Get up! Your prince charming has been waiting for you in my kitchen for the past twenty minutes. There's only so much small talk a man can bear!” Tighnari whined, still shaking Kaveh aggressively.
Kaveh sat up with a huff. Raising his hands in mock surrender, he gave in. “Fine. Fine! Let a man get presentable first at least”.
Kaveh slowly made his way off of the bed, walking towards Tighnari’s closet.
“Presentable with my clothes?” Tighnari asked, flopping himself down onto the bed, precisely where Kaveh had laid mere seconds ago. Ah to miss the past.
“I spilled wine on mine last night thanks to your ambitious dancing. Need I remind you?” Kaveh threw back.
Tighnari averted his eyes, scoffing at his friend. “No, no thank you. Take what you want but please, I beg, return it without makeup stains this time. That was my favorite sweater you ruined last fall”.
“That was an accident!” Kaveh raised his voice jokingly, throwing brown billow pants and a white poet shirt at his friend. He would keep it simple, if not a little risky with the white shirt. It was a piece he had borrowed before, not dissimilar to his usual attire. With cutouts placed for both comfort and beauty, it showed a fair amount of skin. Kaveh really needed to see where Tighnari bought it.
Kaveh started looking around for his hair clips and accessories when Tighnari spoke up again.
“I put your things on the side table, figured you’d not want rattling bangles making noise in your sleep.” he rolled his eyes at Kaveh, both for his carelessness and inability to see three feet in front of him.
Kaveh stripped and pulled on the fresh clothes, along with his bracelets and rings.
“Can you help me put the clips in?” Kaveh asked, a small smile thrown over his shoulder.
Tighnari looked at him with something similar to fondness.
“Of course.”
Tighnari sat up on the bed, patting the spot in front of him and grabbing the clips and brush from the bedside table. Kaveh moved to sit in front of his friend, back facing him, using his hands to fan his fair behind him. The ranger slowly brushed through the golden locks, meticulously placing each clip, less he ‘ruin’ Kaveh’s hair. Kaveh hummed in contentment, leaning into the gentle touch.
It was at that moment, in a tender moment between friends, that someone cleared their throat loudly in the doorway. Kaveh looked up and noticed Alhaitham, with an even worse look of annoyance on his face. Could this man not be patient?
“Sorry to interrupt” Alhaitham says sarcastically, “but can you finish braiding each others hair later. I have places to be.”
Kaveh huffed in annoyance. “No one’s stopping you from leaving. Please, be on your way.”
Alhaitham rolled his eyes, turning to leave again. “Five minutes.”, is all he said before exiting.
Kaven looked over his shoulder at his friend, sharing an exasperated smile.
“I don’t know how you put up with him. But speaking of a certain someone, I had an epiphany last night. A plan if you will. Can I come over?”
“A plan? Sounds bad. I’m in. Come over at 7?”