Chapter Text
Kaveh wasn’t planning on buying anything for dinner today, but alas, he got lucky with a client whose preferences aligned with his own, and was able to make quite a bit of extra cash.
He’s buying soup. Not for any particular reason, and certainly not because he and alhaitham had gotten into an argument yesterday. No, that would be too petty, even for kaveh.
“Two servings of soup, please” as he grabbed the bags of soup he heard words that made him pause.
“Yesterday, while walking back from the academia, i heard loud voices from the grand sages home. And one of them was definitely the light of Kshahrewar’s , im sure of it!” kaveh couldn’t help but startle, almost immediately trying to locate the speaker, it was a group of academia students huddled together at a table near the center of the restaurant. “come to think of it, last time i was at lambad’s, the grand sage and sir kaveh left together” a girl replied delightedly. “See! Ive always known there was something going on behind all those arguments.” Another voice goaded on.
Kaveh left hurriedly, and was as conspicuous as he could be when he entered the house, alhaitham was sitting on the divan, a book in his hand, his clothes already changed. Kaveh beelined towards him, anxious and determined and angry all at once.
“Alhaitham.” He called sternly, “Yes?” Came the lazy drawl, along with the sound of a page being turned. “Listen Alhaitham, people know i live here.” He said, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. Alhaitham looked up, raising a brow to stare evenly at him “Well, It was bound to happen eventually. Surely you didn’t think no one would ever notice, dear senior?” “Ugh— You!, this is serious! My reputation hangs on the line here, if people find out about the ridiculous debt I’m in, the equally ridiculous image they have of the Light of Kshahrewar will shatter which will cause a decline in my clients which will—“ kaveh rambled on anxiously, his hands now fisting his shirt, wringing on the fabric the more he rambled. “Alright.” Alhaitham interrupted, large hands circling his wrists and gently removing them from his shirt. “What do you propose we do about it?”
“So the solution you’ve come up with is…getting married?” Alhaitham inquired, head tilted with a weird expression on his face, as if he wanted to smile but wouldn’t let himself. “Don’t be mad haitham, it won’t be permanent. Just until I’m able to move out.” Kaveh goaded, pulling out the most convincing look he could muster. His hands landing on alhaitham’s shoulders in desperation “I’m not mad, kaveh” alhaitham sighed tiredly. “I just thought you placed a bigger importance on marriage, considering your romantic ideals. And wouldn’t it be a hassle? I know you won’t agree to anything less than a wedding with everyone you know, and we’d have to purchase rings and forge a marriage certificate” Alhaitham added, in a tone that wasn’t meant to provoke, for once. “Well, I certainly think marriage is significant, i just don’t think what makes it significant is the legal documents, or the wedding or the ring, what makes marriage significant and romantic is the intention behind it. The notion that there is one person you hold so dear that you want to share your life with is rather lovely, I believe.” kaveh replied, head turning to stare at the sunlight beams glowing red through their tinted windows. “Though I’m sure a Haravtatat wont understand such sentimentality.” He added, his chin raised haughtily and a small smile playing on his lips.
“Hm, it wasn’t this Haravatat that proposed a marriage of convenience just now was it, Senior? or should i say…wife?” Alhaitham countered, straightening his legs and getting up promptly, an arrogant smirk decorating his face at the red tinting kaveh’s cheeks. “W-What?! Why am I the— You! Alhaitham get back here!”
Since it wasn’t a real marriage they agreed to have no wedding, just a marriage certificate would be enough. Additionally kaveh was too embarrassed to bring up anything about rings so they hadn’t discussed that yet. They weren’t going to announce their marriage, but it would be a convenient excuse to anyone questioning their living situation.
At first, nothing really changed.
Until one night where alhaitham and kaveh were in their living room. Alhaitham sprawled on the divan with an open book, snacking on a bowl of mixed nuts placed a healthy distance away from all the blue prints, pencils and rulers scattered across the living room table. Kaveh was sitting on the floor cross legged, wearing his pajamas, his hair tied up and away from his eyes.
The dark rings around his eyes screamed exhaustion but it was a couple days before the deadline, and Kaveh always got increasingly anxious the more the deadline neared, his sleeping hours decreasing, his caffeine intake increasing. Which leaves him frantic and shaky, his entire body buzzing with restless energy, refusing to rest until the project is complete and delivered to satisfaction.
“Kaveh.” Alhaitham called, scooping up a cashew in his hand. “Hm?” Kaveh responded only partially listening, otherwise scribbling intently onto his paper. “Open.” Alhaitham said, his expression completely flat. “What?” Replied Kaveh, his focus broken by his intrigue, turning his head to be faced with Alhaitham’s fingers close to his face, right in front of his lips. “Huh? W-What are you—“ he’s interrupted by Alhaitham promptly putting the cashew in his mouth, left to stare confusedly at Alhaitham as he chews. “Whats gotten into you?” Kaveh asks quietly. “Well, my wife is clearly stressed. As his husband, i should take care that he doesn’t pass out from exhaustion, as he is so clearly set on doing” Alhaitham replies, his eyes intent and unwavering. “You-you’re exaggerating, I’m not exhausted and nor will I pass out anytime soon.” Kaveh argues back meeting Alhaitham’s gaze evenly, a determined frown etched into his brows, which is considerably less intimidating due to the reddening of his ears. “Senior, why do you always end up this way, we both know you will get the project done in the end, loosing sleep and not eating properly is just unnecessary.” Alhaitham counters, pushing himself off the divan to sit next to Kaveh on the floor. “Careful haitham, I can almost detect a compliment somewhere in there, i would bother trying to find it if I wasn’t busy right now” kaveh replies almost dismissively, going right back to his work.
“We should sleep together now that we’re married.” Alhaitham blurts, his eyes stuck to kaveh’s face, relishing in the blush that blooms onto his entire face, along with the affronted expression he displays. “Seriously, what is wrong with you?!” Kaveh splutters, “No I meant literally, we should sleep in the same bedroom. Isn’t that what married couples do?” Alhaitham replies with a light chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. “But we’re not a real—“ Kaveh starts, only to be interrupted again “So? If we want anyone to believe that we’re married, we have to act like it, and i think implementing things that married people do will help us, even if only a little. Don’t you agree, Kaveh?” Alhaitham asks “Well, I guess that makes sense. But wouldn’t that be too much? You like your space Haitham, I know it! And intruding on your privacy to fuel a ploy for my own benefit is not something i ever want to do, I’ve bothered you enough already” kaveh replies, his expression mellowing down slightly, his smile turning more rueful and self-deprecating as his hand fiddles with the edge of his paper.
“Who said that?” Alhaitham interjects. His expression hardening, his eyes narrowed to stare evenly at kaveh as he grabs his hand, wrapping his own around it completely. “Huh? Who said what?” Kaveh asks quietly, his expression startled and vulnerable as he stares at their intertwined hands intently. And maybe its his quiet voice, so different from his usual voice, laced with confidence and conviction. Or maybe its his tired eyes or his shaky hands that makes him say it without hesitation. “Who said that you’ve bothered me? You have never been a bother, Kaveh. not to me, never to me.”
“Haitham…I—“ bewilderment is clear on kaveh’s face, his eyes open and truthful in their complete astonishment. As if he can’t believe the words he’s hearing. As if Alhaitham has ever felt any different towards him, towards a boy he met when he was just starting out in the world, a boy with the brightest smile and the most brilliant mind. As if Alhaitham hasn’t always loved him.
“Get up.” Alhaitham interrupts, promptly grabbing kaveh’s other hand and pulling him up with him, walking him towards Alhaitham’s bedroom. “Hey! Alhaitham!, seriously I’m not finished yet. Just what are you doing now!?” Kaveh resists, trying to stand his ground against Alhaitham’s sharp movements. “It’s late, we’re going to sleep” Alhaitham replies resolutely. “You know I won’t be able to sleep, Haitham! Seriously ill just come sleep when I’m done.” Kaveh tries to persuade, his lips twisting into a defiant scowl. “Which is when? Tomorrow? How long have you gone without sleep as of today kaveh? Its clear you have no desire to take care of yourself so I must do it for you.” Alhaitham counters, his steps never faltering. “I wont be able to, Haitham I know it.” Kaveh replies truthfully. “Just try to, alright?” Alhaitham suggests, his tone softening as he opens the door to his bedroom and they enter. “Come on.” Alhaitham says, finally releasing Kaveh’s hand to climb onto his side of the bed. Kaveh relents, climbing hesitantly onto the other side, his whole body stiff with nerves and as far away from Alhaitham as possible. “Come here.” Alhaitham demands pulling kaveh gently across the bed and closer to him. “Im your husband. There’s no need to be shy” Alhaitham states, using the predicted huffing and blushing to reach over and cover them both with the blanket. Tucking his chin into blonde locks and wrapping his arm around Kaveh’s waist. “Goodnight Kaveh.” Alhaitham murmurs. “I won’t fall asleep.” Replies Kaveh dejectedly. “Alright.” Alhaitham says appeasingly.
Kaveh falls asleep in five minutes. His eyelashes fluttering as he dreams and his body relaxing into the warmth of Alhaitham’s embrace. And if Alhaitham sneaks a kiss on his forehead. Well no one would know.