Chapter Text
Once upon a time, a small drop of sunlight dropped from the sky and created a beautiful flower, properties able to cure any ailment. A man who craved power and eternal youth used the flower’s properties to stay young forever. Centuries later, the queen of Sumeru, Faranak, became very sick while nursing a child, so the king sent out for a miracle to cure his wife, and the mysterious flower was found. Upon being ground into an elixir, it cured the queen of her illness, and their son, Kaveh, was born. Soon after, the child was stolen by Azar to keep his power safe, as he could not cut the hair as to not lose its power. A search party was quickly sent to find the kidnapped child, but the king tragically passed during the searches. Lanterns are sent in the sky every year to celebrate the prince’s birthday along with mourning the king’s passing, hoping one day the golden prince will be found.
Azar kept Kaveh in a tower in the middle of the deep forrest, raising him as his own child and making sure he never leaves. The boy secretly enjoys the lights, hoping one day he will be able to go see them on his very own.
—
Living alone in the recluse of his tower, Kaveh passes the days cleaning, painting, reading, enjoying his daily routine. Even adopting his own fluffy little cat he has name Mehrak, his little light, after the lights he holds so dear.
His walls are covered in his paintings of the beautiful buildings he hopes to see one day. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with books he has read time and time again. Sweeping up the dusty floor, Kaveh lifts his hair with his foot to get the dust underneath. Humming to himself, enjoying the same routine he has repeated days over again, the blonde makes quick work of tidying the rooms of the tower, plopping down on the floor to read the new book his father gifted him.
“Oh, Mehrak, look at this!” Kaveh exclaims to his furry companion joining his side, “‘Architecture in Ancient Sumeru!’ Oh I’ve wanted this volume for so long.”
Mehrak stares up at his owner with adoration as he flips through the new information with glee. His birthday is coming up the next day, and he is planning on asking his father to take him to see the buildings and the floating lights. It always seems to light up on his birthday every single year, taking up the night sky in a dance of beauty.
“Kaveh, dear, let down your hair,” a boisterous voice calls out, “I don’t have all day, Kaveh!”
The blonde quickly shoos away his cat, “one second!” He yells from above. Quickly ushering Mehrak to scurry away and hide, the blonde skips over to the windowsill, grabbing handfuls of blonde hair to then loop around a hook, then let down to allow his father to climb up the tower.
The blonde pulls his long hair on the hook, hoisting his father through the small window at the top.
“Made me wait forever, darling. Now why don’t you sing me that song I love so much, hm?” Azar says, beaconing Kaveh over to the chair he has perched himself on, brush in hand.
The blonde sits on the stool in front of his father, singing a sweet tune as his hair illuminates the room. Any sign of age or fatigue on Azar’s face dissipates at the fragile touch of the magic hair.
As the song comes to an end, Kaveh quickly spins around, hands cupping in front of himself in anticipation.
“So, father, I was thinking…” he mutters, “tomorrow is a special day…”
“Kaveh, dear, what have I told you about the mumbling, please speak up. My ears are not as good as they used to be.” Azar cuts off as he grabs the bag of various produce he brought along.
“Apologies, it’s just tomorrow is my birthday, and I was wondering if you could take me to go see the floating lights? They happen every year on the exact same day and I’ve been dying to see them up close.” He rambles while grabbing an onion to dice.
“You mean the stars,” his father deflects, “they happen every night darling nothing special. You know it is safer here with me, hun.”
“That’s the thing,” Kaveh continues, pulling open a curtain to reveal a mural of lanterns scattered throughout the night sky, “these lights are different, and they occur on my birthday every single year, sometimes I think they are for me-“ “You are not leaving this tower.” Azar snaps, his son wincing at the tone of his voice.
Immediately after, the blonde closes the curtain, pensive look across his face. Glancing back at his father with weary eyes, he has gone back to cutting vegetables and transferring them into a broth.
Slowly shuffling closer behind the older man, he dares ask one last question. “Could I have more of those paints I love? The ones made of seashells? Instead of, y’know, the stars.” He timidly mutters.
Sighing, yet not sparing the other a glance, “Dear you know those are hard to source, the trip would take 3 days time. Would you be okay by yourself until then?”
“I’ll be okay father, you don’t have to worry about me.”
Turning around to face his son, he cups his face in his hands and gives it a gentle squeeze. His crimson eyes timidly gaze back at him, expectant for a response.
“Alright dear, but no leaving the tower. Must I remind you about the dangers that lurk outside of this safe place I have created and sacrificed for you.” The man warns, “There are ruffians and thugs out there that will hurt you, I am only doing what is best.”
“Yes father of course, I will miss you.” He says, shying away from the touch to gather supplies for his father’s trip.
“I’ll miss you too, stay safe.” Azar says, brushing a strand of hair out of Kaveh’s face and waving goodbye as he descends the tower.
As he disappears from view, Mehrak meows softly and paws at the blonde’s arm. A small smile makes its way onto the blonde’s face, placing a gentle touch to the top of the cat’s head. “It’s ok Mehrak, I’ll see the lanterns one day…” he says, leaning on his lonely windowsill.
—
Boots hit mud as Alhaitham runs from the army of guards chasing him off of the kingdom grounds and into the woods. In his leather satchel holds the crown from the lost prince of the kingdom, a relic that will give him riches beyond compare. All of that money can guarantee the man a comfortable life for as long as he is alive. As the sounds of horses and their riders become louder behind him, the thief makes quick turns to get them off his trail.
The man ducks into a nearby cave disguised by vines, holding the satchel close to his chest as he catches a breath. He hears the captain, Cyno, yelling orders as they pass. Alhaitham continues his trek into the cave, entering a large field with a large tower gracing the center. Grabbing his two swords, he uses them to scale the brick of the tower as he pulls himself onto the windowsill and into the interior of the tower.
Looking around, Alhaitham is surprised to see a clean and lively room, graced with paintings on the wall and the tallest bookshelves he has ever seen. He is alerted by a small meow in the corner of his vision, a golden cat with long fur. A flash of gold is the last thing he sees before he is knocked in the head.
—
Kaveh wraps the stranger in his hair, trapping him onto a chair. “Mehrak what have I done! I’ve knocked a man out and have tied him to a chair! Are these one of the ruffians father has told me about? Am I going to die?!” The blonde rants, pacing back and forth.
The thief stirs as Kaveh grabs his trusty weapon, a frying pan.
“What.. the…” the mysterious man mutters, taking in his surroundings. He tries to break free of his hair prison and spots the owner of the trap. A beautiful man with crimson eyes holding a frying pan to his nose.
“What do you want with me you… criminal! Do you want to murder me? Take my hair? Hm?” The blonde says skeptically.
“Blondie, I do not know what you are talking about.” He says, scanning the blonde from head to toe, “Can I please just have my satchel back and I’ll be on my way.”
Kaveh pouts, this is not what he expected. Mehrak paws at his leg and nudges toward the painting of the lanterns. His eyes light with an idea.
“Alright… whatever your name is-“
“Alhaitham.”
“Alright, Alhaitham. Do you know of the floating lanterns they release each year in the nearby kingdom of Sumeru?” He points to the large mural on the wall, “Take me there and return me safely and you will get your precious satchel.”
Alhaitham eyes Kaveh strangely, showing his skepticism. “And why should I do that? I’m not necessarily the most liked in the kingdom.”
“Well… you don’t have much of another choice do you now.” Kaveh places a hand on his hip.
The thief weighs his options, “Fine, just a quick trip and back and I get my satchel back. Now please let me go.”
The blonde gasps and starts to unwrap the man from his hair. “I’m Kaveh by the way, I’ve always wanted to see the lights and the buildings and the art..” He rambles.
Alhaitham twists his wrists and stretches his neck, “Alright, we leave now. Let’s go Kaveh.” He holds out his hand for the other to take.
Mehrak hops on Kaveh’s shoulder as he gathers supplies for the journey, putting it into a small cloth bag. He grabs the others hand and smiles at the other man. “Off we go!” Alhaitham ignores the small jump in his chest as they prepare to descend the tower and journey to the kingdom of Sumeru.