Work Text:
Cyno observed how Alhaitham had changed through the years, now an old man in his fifties– his face adorned by laugh lines and crow’s feet, white strands overtaking his grey hair. Time-chiseled he was, while Cyno remained the same.
“Time did its work with you.”
“Not so much with you.”
“Nahida explained that it is the aftereffect of Hermanubis’ Legacy.”
“Nahida? You’ve grown closer to Lord Kusanali now.”
“She asked me to call her Nahida. Afterall, we would be accompanying each other for a very long time. To breed familiarity or so she says.”
“I’m a little jealous.”
I want to live for a long time with you as well.
These words remained lodged in Alhaitham’s throat. Words, when spoken, have the power to bind people. He had yearned for Cyno for three decades now but he does not wish to bind him.
To confess his feelings would be to turn Cyno’s blessing of youth into a curse of eternity. After all, death will soon come to embrace Alhaitham.
“I know you’d be. Let me guess, more time to read books?”
“You know me well.”
And so, Alhaitham is resolved to fulfill this vow of silence until his last breath.